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.
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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
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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
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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.
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• 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
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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.
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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
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Respectfully submitted,
Ludwig KW, , Mayor
Minutes taken by Pam Brandmeyer and Suzanne Silverthorn
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