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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-03 Town Council MinutesVAIL TOWN COUNCIL EVENING MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2003 TOV COUNCIL CHAMBERS 6:00 P.M. The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was called to order by Mayor Ludwig Kurz. Members present: Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Dick Cleveland Diana Donovan Bill Jewitt Greg Moffet Chuck Ogilby Absent: Rod Slifer, Mayor Pro-tem Staff Members Present: Pam Brandmeyer, Interim Town Manager Matt Mire, Town Attorney The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. Former Mayor Bob Armour humorously commended Councilman Greg Moffet for shutting down I-70 to address the town's noise issues. Moffet, who is known for his passionate views about the impact of highway noise on Vail's quality of life, replied by noting the closure had produced a most pleasant "open window" night. On a serious note, Mayor Ludwig Kurz took the opportunity to thank the numerous agencies and community volunteers who responded to Sunday's flash flood in East Vail. Kurz said the coordinated effort involving the Town of Vail, Colorado Department of Transportation, Town of Avon, Eagle County and others, did an amazing job in bringing the situation under control. In particular, Kurz thanked Interim Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer for her on -scene coordination. Brandmeyer, in turn, credited John Gulick and Mike McGee from the Vail Fire Department, plus Steve Wright and Joe Russell from the Vail Police Department, as well as Greg Hall and Larry Pardee from the Public Works Department, plus Jamie Wilson and Suzanne Silverthorn in the Community Information Office for their tireless efforts. Brandmeyer said the community is fortunate to have employees of such high caliber and experience. Their presence, she said, averted a serious tragedy. The second item on the agenda was the approval of the April 1, April 15, May 6 and May 20 Meeting Minutes. Greg Moffet made a motion to approve the minutes as amended by Diana Donovan. Dick Cleveland seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. 0 The third item on the agenda was a presentation of Fire Study Analysis. • After reviewing recommendations from an independent fire study analysis, Greg Moffet motioned and Dick Cleveland seconded the following motion: 1. to authorize the design of a fire station on the Hud Wirth site and to begin the process of creating a third fire company to staff the station in such a way as to accommodate combined emergency services functions and to direct staff to pursue merger discussions with the Eagle River Fire Protection District and the Eagle County Ambulance District. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. A second motion was made by Greg Moffet and seconded by Diana Donovan: 2. To direct staff to provide the Town Council with an analysis of quick response vehicles with an eye toward inclusion in the 2004 budget and to direct staff to amend the false alarm ordinance, if an amendment is necessary to give the ordinance teeth, and/or to start enforcing it. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. Prior to approval of the two motions, Jim Sparr of Almont Associates, a fire services consultant, presented five recommendations to the Town Council following an evaluation of the town's previous fire studies as well as his own analysis. During a discussion of his recommendations, Sparr said a third fire station in Vail would improve fire response times to the entire community, due to the lineal nature of the town. . He also said the town was experiencing too many false alarms (38 percent of the calls last year were false alarms). Sparr suggested using sanctions to enforce Vail's false alarm ordinance to help reduce the number of calls. In recommending use of quick response vehicles, Sparr said the apparatus (a pickup with a tank and pumper) could be purchased for $55,000 and could be used for highway accidents and medical calls, which would reduce wear and tear down on the more expensive fire trucks. Additionally, while Sparr said a consolidation with the Eagle River Fire Protection District could generate some personnel savings, far more savings could be realized through a consolidation with the Ambulance District. In voting to move forward with the design of a West Vail fire station, Councilmember Diana Donovan said it was important for the public to know that the new station needs to be built before the Eagle River Fire Protection District will consider a consolidation. Other Councilmembers noted the need to design the new station in a way that would accommodate future consolidated services. During the public comment period, former Councilmember Michael Cacioppo urged the Council to fund the new station with existing revenues to fulfill a promise the then -Town Council made to the community in 1985. Noting preliminary interest by the current Town Council to ask voters in November to consider a mill levy increase to construct the station, Cacioppo said he would work to defeat the issue. He said funding for police, fire and roads should receive priority status from the town's budget, while other non -essential projects should be the ones that receive voter authorization. Also speaking was former Councilman Tom Steinberg who expressed support for the proposed new fire station, with one exception. Noting the importance in keeping the Ambulance District stationed at the hospital for valuable training, Steinberg said a mandatory consolidation would not be in the public's 0 best interest. In addition, Lyn Morgan, general manager of the Eagle County Ambulance • District, addressed the Council and asked that his organization be included in future discussions. The fourth item on the agenda was the Conference Center Next Steps. Greg Moffet moved and Dick Cleveland seconded the motion to appoint the following members of the Conference Center Oversight Committee: Lodging: Stan Cope and Dave Pease; Retail/Business: Frank Johnson and Mery Lapin; At Large: Scott Proper and Rick Scalpello; VRI: Bill Jensen; and Council representatives: Rod Slifer and Bill Jewitt. A vote was taken on the motion and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. Bill Jewitt made a motion and Dick Cleveland seconded the motion to direct staff to move forward with a request for proposals (RFP) for a business plan. A vote was taken on the motion and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. Community Development Director Russell Forrest explained to Council the four basic phases of the conference center. According to Forrest, phase I includes verifying the market analysis done to date; further refining and analyzing other conference facilities similar to Vail's proposed facility; creating a business plan that defines operational costs, revenues and potential deficits; appointing conference center oversight committee members; and hiring a project manager. Phase II will include a request for proposals to design the facility. Phase III includes construction of the conference center facility and phase IV will be operation of the facility. Forrest also encouraged Council to direct staff to send a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a project manager and explained the project manager will be an extension of staff and job duties will include dealing with meetings • and working with Council, town staff, oversight committee members and the community. The project manager would be a contract position chosen by the town manager with input from Council and the oversight committee. The ideal candidate would have significant experience with construction of projects similar to the conference center. Councilman Bill Jewitt expressed concerns with hiring a project manager before a business plan is completed. Forrest described the advantages of having a project manager on board to be involved with the process from the beginning to end for such a complex project as building the conference center. Greg Moffet moved to appoint a project manager. Chuck Ogilby seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion was defeated 3-3, Diana Donovan, Bill Jewitt and Dick Cleveland voting against the motion. Councilmembers directed staff to wait to send out RFQs for a project manager and concentrate on moving forward with issuing RFPs for a business plan. Councilmember Diana Donovan also recommended 21 additions to the RFP as follows: 1. Independently reviewing the availability of lodging units in the Town of Vail to ensure room availability. 2. Evaluating the economic performance of other similar mountain resort conference facilities and their operational structure. 3. Surveying conference planners to determine the market demand (locally, regionally and nationally) and programmatic requirements of the conference planners. The consultant shall also note any trends with conference center planning that should be considered for this facility. 4. Determining the seasonal demand for the facility and the programmatic requirements for the facility. This analysis should also determine whether Vail has an 0 adequate bed base and access to transportation to meet this demand. • 5. An analysis of economic/fiscal impact (room nights, lodging sales, retail sales, food and beverage sales). An analysis of the impact of a public conference center on existing and planned private conference facilities and on restaurants. 6. A recommendation as to whether the conference center should be restricted to conferences greater than a specified size. 7. An analysis of Vail's advantages and disadvantages in competing for larger conferences. 8. An identification of conference centers that have ceased operations. An analysis of the specific reasons these conference centers failed and how they can be avoided. An identification of conference centers that break even or better on an operational basis and how their practices can be copied. 9. An analysis of the growth of larger conferences and an estimate of the number of new conference centers that are added annually. 10. An analysis of the number of additional room nights that an increase in tourism marketing of $4 million a year would generate. 11. Proposed physical program that includes a verification that the spatial requirements fit on the site. 12. Refined capital budget for construction of the conference center. This capital plan shall also include the cost for creating an additional plate of parking on the Lionshead Parking structure and providing access for the Vail International. 13. Specific personnel requirements for the facility, including security. 14. Detailed 20-year operations budget for the facility. This shall include specific • estimates on revenue, costs, working capital and any subsidy that would be required. 15. A detailed capital replacement budget, including facility upgrades. 16. Proposed strategy for addressing operational deficits and tax revenue collections. 17. Requirements for hotel booking policies/agreements that are needed. 18. Proposed marketing plan and costs. 19. An analysis of the incremental costs to the town to support the conference center including bus transportation, security and in -kind services. 20. An analysis of the financial impacts to the town if the conference center fails to attract sufficient demand and must be abandoned. 21. An analysis of bond payments and revenue sources for the life of the bonds. A recommendation as to the terms and maturities of the bonds. Councilmember Diana Donovan also expressed the need to research incorporation of a second sheet of ice on the conference center, if funds would be available. During the public comment period, Scott Proper, Vice President of WestStar Bank addressed Council and encouraged them to acknowledge the need to look at top-notch consultants when creating the business plan as the conference center should be a world -class facility. The following members were selected by Council to serve on the Conference Center Oversight Committee: David Pease and Stan Cope, representing the lodging community; Mery Lapin and Frank Johnson, representing the retail/business community; Scott Proper and Rick Scalpello, representing the community at -large; Bill Jensen, representing Vail Resorts; and Rod Slifer and Bill Jewitt as Council representatives. Mayor Ludwig Kurz thanked all the applicants for their interest in the project. Town attorney Matt Mire then reminded Council the oversight committee meetings will require 24-hour public notice. 0 • Next steps include directing staff to move forward with an RFP for a market analysis and creation of a business plan. The fifth item on the agenda was the Children's Garden of Learning discussion. The Council requested more details from the Children's Garden of Learning before assisting the day care center with funds for its move to Red Sandstone Elementary School in July. School representative Angela Muller presented a request to the Town Council in which funds are sought to assist with costs associated with moving the facility temporarily to Red Sandstone Elementary School, as well as permission to build a play area on town - owned land, plus formalization of a lease for the building proposed to be located at the Middle Creek development. The day care center leaves its current location on June 28 in preparation for building of the Middle Creek development project. Councilmember Diana Donovan noted the Council's commitment to assist the day care center. However, she said the Council needs specific cost information before a final decision can be made. Donovan and Councilman Greg Moffet volunteered to work with a committee that will include day care representatives, parents and town staff who will meet and discuss costs and terms of a lease prior to the next Council meeting on June 17. The sixth item on the agenda was a discussion regarding VCBA and VVCTB Funding. Chuck Ogilby made a motion to approve $200,000 in 2004 funding for the Vail Chamber and Business Association (VCBA) and $25,000 for the Vail Valley Chamber and Tourism Bureau (VVCTB). Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. Ogilby amended his • motion to allow the VCBA to begin seeking membership dues. A vote was taken on the amended motion and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The $225,000 was a recommended budget cut to Council by former Town Manager Bob McLaurin earlier this year. Councilmembers Bill Jewitt and Chuck Ogilby expressed the need to keep funding for both organizations and said the funding should also be used to research creation of a Business Improvement District (BID). While Councilmembers Diana Donovan and Greg Moffet agreed with the funding request, both members said the groups must develop additional accountability to ensure the dollars are being spent effectively. Approximately 10 audience members spoke to Council during the meeting and all encouraged continued funding of one or both organizations. Sybill Navas, representing the VCBA and Commission on Special Events, asked Council to look at reshaping the business license fee and research the BID more thoroughly before cutting funding for the VCBA. Michael Cacioppo spoke to Council and encouraged members to study the Edwards business model before cutting funding of the organizations or creating a BID. Cacioppo also expressed a need for Council to bring back the fun to Vail by inviting locals back to town to help revitalize Vail's economy. Steve Pope with the Vail Daily addressed Council and encouraged Council to fund both organizations, saying the programs the organizations run are bringing businesses together and helping businesses work for long-term solutions to Vail's economic vitality. Dale Bugby spoke to Council and requested Council approve funding for the VCBA, but to look at lodging data from the VVCTB before approving the requested $25,000. Rick Scalpello also addressed Council and suggested the Council give the VCBA $150,000 funding to initiate the BID process. Bob Fritch, Joe Staufer and George Knox encouraged Council to continue funding the organizations and said they act 0 in the best interest of the community and provide leadership for the business community. • Bill Jensen with Vail Resorts spoke to Council and expressed the need to continue funding the organizations and said both the VCBA and VVCTB are crucial in helping to move Vail's economic vitality forward and will help "keep the ship from sinking." Jim Lamont, representing the Vail Village Homeowners Association, spoke to Council and said the VVHA supports funding for the VCBA because the organization is building confidence and providing leadership to the business community. Councilmembers Greg Moffet, Ludwig Kurz and Diana Donovan all said they were conflicted on the decision to fund the organizations, but agreed with audience members who spoke that now is not the time to cut funding. Councilmembers thanked the audience members for addressing them with the constructive feedback and for taking the time to express their support for the two organizations. The seventh item on the agenda was the first reading of Ordinance No. 14, Series of 2003, regarding the Timber Ridge Housing Corporation. Greg Moffet moved to table first reading of an ordinance that would create the Timber Ridge Housing Corporation until June 17. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The eighth item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. 5, Series of 2003 a Housekeeping Ordinance which removes codification of application submittal requirements in the town code. Instead, the requirements will be referenced as an administrative function within the Community Development Department. Bill Jewitt • moved to approve Ordinance 45 on second reading. Greg Moffet seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 4-2, Dick Cleveland and Diana Donovan opposing. In voting against the ordinance, Councilmember Diana Donovan said she had lost confidence in the changes and preferred to keep the provisions in the code to provide consistency. The ninth item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance #12, Series of 2003, and ordinance establishing Special Development District No. 37, Tivoli Lodge. Greg Moffet moved to approve Ordinance # 12 on second reading. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The applicants, Bob and Diane Lazier, intend to demolish the existing lodge and construct a new 62-room family owned hotel on the site. The tenth item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance # 13, Series of 2003, an ordinance relating to the redevelopment of Sonnenalp Hotel and Swiss Chalet, an ordinance amending the conditional use section of the Public Accommodation Zone District to add "lodges, including accessory eating, drinking or retail establishments located with the principal use and occupying between 10 and 15 percent of the total gross residential floor area of the main structure or structures on the site." The text amendment was requested by the owner of the Sonnenalp Hotel and Swiss Chalet to facilitate a proposed redevelopment. Greg Moffet moved to approve Ordinance 413 on second reading. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. 171 The eleventh item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. During a review of the town manager's report, the Bill Jewitt moved to approve $26,100 for upgrades and cleaning of the town manager's residence on Arosa Drive. Greg Moffet seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. As there was no further business, Greg Moffet moved to adjourn the meeting. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0, and the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. SEAL), ATTEST: CotOR 'o:ei Donald'son, Town • Respectfully submitted, Ludwig KW, , Mayor Minutes taken by Pam Brandmeyer and Suzanne Silverthorn 0