HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-07-16 Town Council Minutesjft TOWN COUNCIL
EVENING MEETING
TUESDAY, July 16, 2002
7:00 P.M.
TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The meeting was convened at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Kurz.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ludwig Kurz, Mayor
Rod Slifer, Mayor Pro-Tem
Dick Cleveland
Diana Donovan
Bill Jewitt
Chuck Ogilby
MEMBERS ABSENT: Greg Moffet
STAFF PRESENT: Bob McLaurin, Town Manager
Pam Brandmeyer, Ass't. Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
• Prior to the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Kurz called for a moment of silence to
honor the passing of Pete Seibert, the founder of Vail. Kurz said Seibert's dreams and
vision not only produced the finest ski resort, but also shaped many people and
impacted many lives.
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. Georgene Burton, Vail resident,
addressed the council regarding wildfire protection. Burton, noting her fire protection
experience, suggested the need to change the town's building regulations to require
construction of properties that would not ignite during a wildfire. Burton also criticized the
Vail Dailv article suggesting residences fill their bath tubs with water, which could result in
the depletion of Vail's water supply.
David Belskis addressed the Council, seeking their support for the use of solar energy.
After his presentation on solar hydration, Council directed Town Manager McLaurin to
arrange for a meeting to discuss Belskis' proposal. Cathie Douglas, a resident on Meadow
Drive, expressed her concern regarding the town's plans to do the East/West Meadow
Drive streetscape project. Douglas suggested doing the necessary sewer and drainage
work, but to eliminate any cosmetic improvements in order to save taxpayer's money.
The second item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda. Dick Cleveland made a motion
to approve the June 4th & 181h° 2002 meeting minutes. Diana Donovan seconded the
• motion. A vote was taken and the motion was approved unanimously, 6-0.
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• The third item on the agenda was the Donovan Park Pavilion presentation. Christy
D'Agostino of Vail Architecture Group presented the revised design and design process to
the Council. An open house was held prior to the meeting to give Vail residents a chance
to view the new design. D'Agostino stated the revised pavilion had been fashioned after
some of the grand lodges of national parks in the United States, with the use of cedar,
timbers and stone on the exterior. The revised plan is for 5200 square feet, plus a terrace
of 3400 square feet. After the presentation, Mayor Kurz thanked the committee, including
Councilmembers Donovan, Ogilby, Slifer and Cleveland for their work. The $2.8 million
project is expected to break ground in August.
The fourth item on the agenda was Streetscape-East & West Meadow Drive/art
component. Todd Oppenheimer, town parks and landscape supervisor, introduced the
plan to the Council, stating the plan called for a 6 foot wide sidewalk on the south side of
the street, plus a 20 foot wide sidewalk on the opposite side to facilitate the safe movement
of pedestrians through the area. Along East Meadow Drive, the design included a
narrowing of the street at Vail Road to discourage unintended vehicles and the possibility
of snowmelt. The project also included public art into the design with a fountain, walls and
benches, granite paver accents and hard warming stations. Joe Kracum, project manager,
advised the Council the estimated cost of the project was $2 million for the West Meadow
Drive portion of the project and $1.3 million for East Meadow Drive (or $2.6 million with
snowmelt). Discussion followed regarding the cost of the snowmelt, and questions
• regarding traffic flow, potential bike lanes, concerns about access to the Talisman property
and reaction to the art work. Rod Slifer expressed his objection to the public art
components, saying they were too contemporary. After much discussion, Chuck Ogilby
made a motion to finish construction documents, tweak it, and come back with final imput
in next couple of weeks. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion, stating the need to get going on
the project and trusting the professionals. Dick Cleveland made the statement the Council
had a habit of requesting people to give the Council something and then changing their
minds. Cleveland did agree with Rod Slifer's opinion on the art. Rod Slifer stated he would
vote against the motion as presented and suggested tabling the vote for another 30 days.
Chuck Ogilby stated he was willing to amend his motion to a period of time the Council is
comfortable with. Bill Jewitt stated he would like to have a specific time set and seconded
the motion to include 30 days. Town Manager McLaurin advised the Council to move it
out 60 days out because of budget issues. Chuck Ogilby then made a final motion to
proceed to final drawings, and then have 60 days to review (mid -September). Bill Jewitt
amended his second. A vote was taken and the motion failed, 3-3,Donovan, Slifer and
Cleveland opposed. Bill Jewitt then made a motion to table the discussion for 30 days.
Dick Cleveland seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed
unanimously, 6-0.
The fifth item on the agenda was Betty Ford Alpine Gardens request to proceed through
the development review process for a proposed deck to be added to the old schoolhouse
• on town -owned land at Ford Park. Mayor Kurz commented the Council did have a site visit
earlier in the day to the Alpine Gardens and congratulated Ry Southard on the appearance
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of it. Much concern was expressed by the Council regarding changing the historic nature
of the schoolhouse building. After much discussion, a motion was made by Bill Jewitt to
allow the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens to proceed through the process. Rod Slifer seconded
the motion, stating the town did own the land. A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-
1, Cleveland opposing.
The sixth item on the agenda was Ordinance #16, Series of 2002, first reading, regarding
Lionshead View Corridor #2. Allison Ochs, town planner, presented the ordinance to the
Council,stating on May 20, 1997, recognizing the importance of visual connections, the
Town Council approved the use of the existing Town of Vail view corridor ordinance to
designate the first protected public view corridors in Lionshead. Ochs stated in order to
qualify for protection under the Town's ordinance, a view corridor must meet the criteria
as outlined in the staff memo. After further discussion, Diana Donovan moved to
approve Ordinance #16 on first reading, to include the findings in the memo. Chuck
Ogilby seconded the motion. Ethan Moore, representing Vail Resorts, Inc., addressed
the Council expressing his willingness to work with the town regarding protection of the
view corridors and stated his company was doing everything possible to meet the
guidelines. Rod Slifer recused himself from the vote, stating he did have a business
relationship with Vail Resorts, Inc., the applicant. A vote was taken and the motion
passed unanimously, 5-0.
. The seventh item on the agenda was Ordinance #2, second reading, General Obligation
Refunding Bonds,Series 2002A. Mayor Kurz stated for the record the Council had
decided on the advice of the town's financial advisor to table second reading of this
ordinance until now. Steve Jeffers of George K. Baum & Company, stated the decision to
wait until now would save the town $450,000. Jeffers stated the savings would have
been close to $380,000 if the ordinance had been passed in January of this year. Bill
Jewitt moved to approve Ordinance #2 on second reading. Dick Cleveland seconded the
motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
C]
The eighth item on the agenda was Ordinance #3, second reading, relating to Sales Tax
Revenue Refunding Bonds. Steve Jeffers addressed the Council again, stating the
delayed passing of this ordinance was for the same reasons as Ordinance #2, Series of
2002. Bill Jewitt moved to approve Ordinance #3 on second reading. Rod Slifer seconded
the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. Jeffers stated the
closing of the bonds was scheduled for September 3, 2002.
The ninth item on the agenda was Ordinance #18, second reading, Commission on
Special Events, repealing and reenacting Ordinance #7 and Ordinance #13, correcting
errors in the two ordinances. Diana Donovan moved to approve Ordinance #18. ,Dick
Cleveland seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously,
6-0.
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The tenth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. Town Manager McLaurin
asked for direction regarding the installation of a video on 1-70 for traffic information.
McLaurin was directed to explore the possibility of cost -sharing the installation with other
towns in the area. The Council also requested McLaurin to proceed with a 50-50 cost -
share with Eagle County Regional Trails for installation of a permanent deer fence at Dowd
Junction. McLaurin also received approval from the Council to add improvements to the
third whitewater feature in the Gore Creek whitewater park, providing the work could be
done without requiring removal of the Gore Creek pedestrian bridge, which is scheduled to
be replaced at a future date.
As there was no further business, Bill Jewitt made a motion to adjourn the meeting and
Rod Slifer seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Ludwig KurMayor
OF
ATTEST:SEAL
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V,drelei onaldson, Town Clerk
E
Minutes taken by Mary A. Caster
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