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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-15 Town Council Minutes• VAIL TOWN COUNCIL Evening Meeting Tuesday, August 5, 2003 6:00 P.M. The regularly scheduled Vail Town Council meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday August 5, 2003 by Mayor Ludwig Kurz. MEMBERS PRESENT: ABSENT: Mayor Ludwig Kurz, Rod Slifer, Mayor Pro -Tern Dick Cleveland Diana Donovan Bill Jewitt Greg Moffet Chuck Ogilby STAFF PRESENT: Pam Brandmeyer, Interim Town Manager • Matt Mire, Town Attorney The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. Caroline Bradford of the Eagle River Watershed Council provided a brief update on sand mitigation efforts along Black Gore Creek, noting that progress is being made as a result of newly installed sediment basins. Bradford also invited a representative from the Town Council to participate in a meeting with Congressman Brad Udall and his staff at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 13. Councilmember Diana Donovan volunteered to attend as a back up to Councilman Chuck Ogilby. Richard Kent, president of the Scorpio Condominium Association, located along West Meadow Drive, asked if the Town Council was investigating formation of an Urban Renewal Authority that would include properties along Meadow Drive, In addition, Kent inquired if a companion blight study had been approved. He also expressed the association's interest in adding additional protections that would prevent condemnation of property for development by a third party. In response to Kent's questions, Mayor Ludwig Kurz said the short answer to the first two questions is "no" and "no". Gwen Scapello described a recent outdoor dining experience along East • Meadow Drive in which noise from a town bus interrupted her ability to have a conversation with the other dining guests. Noting the town's award of a federal • grant for new buses, Scalpello urged the town to make plans to purchase quieter buses. The second item on the agenda was presentation of the 2003 Vail Great Commercial Gardens contest. The award for best flower displays was given to two winners: the Hotel Gasthof Gramshammer and Vail Cascade Resort and Spa In addition, the Town of Vail was presented with the Cindy Brennan Award for Garden Excellence. The contest also recognized 18 other businesses for their distinctive flower displays. The third item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda, July Meeting Minutes. Greg Moffet moved to approve the meeting minutes for the July 1 and July 15 meetings with one correction. Diana Donovan seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The fourth item on the agenda was a Fire Services Update. Mayor Ludwig Kurz provided an update on the Council's decision -making path as it relates to fire services in Vail. With decisions spanning from March 18 to July 21, Council has voted to pursue design of a fire station on the Hud Wirth site in West Vail; pursue an election in November to fund the station as well as a remodel of the Main Vail • station; and to pursue consolidated fire services with the Eagle River Fire Protection District, among other decisions. After receiving a proposal from the Eagle River Fire Protection District to fund Vail's fire operations and its capital improvements for a 3.8 mill levy transfer, he said the Council directed staff to prepare an additional ballot question for the November election. However, during an executive session on July 21, Kurz said the Council learned that a consolidation ballot question and mill levy transfer would be better suited for a May election sponsored by the Eagle River Fire Protection District. In the interim, the Council has directed staff to explore contracting with the district for fire services with a target date of January 1. Other steps to take place include the drafting of a letter of understanding, a pre -inclusion agreement and a financial analysis to determine if a consolidation is favorable to Vail, he said. Councilman Bill Jewitt noted that if an election were held in May to consolidate fire services via the transfer of 3.8 mills, there would be no additional taxes for Vail property owners, He noted the Council had previously contemplated asking voters for a property tax increase to fund the fire station improvements. Councilman Dick Cleveland noted the possibility of additional efficiencies in the form of a reduction in the overall mill levy for fire services should the Beaver Creek Metro District join in the consolidation effort. The fifth item on the agenda was a Request to Participate in a Joint Study to Explore Consolidated Fire and Emergency Medical Service. Several • Councilmembers expressed concern. Dick Cleveland, for example, said he preferred to focus on moving ahead with fire service consolidation discussions 2 • with the Eagle River Fire Protection District, noting that a $30,000 study on emergency medical services could negatively impact that momentum. Additionally, Cleveland shared feedback from a board member of the Eagle County Ambulance District who suggested the issues have been studied previously and that a new study would be a waste of money. Also expressing concern was Bill Jewitt, who said he preferred to know the levels of participation from other cost -share partners before committing Town of Vail funds. Jewitt also questioned whether the study would be impartial, given the extensive fire services background of the recommended consultant. Diana Donovan expressed concerns about the scope of services outlined in the proposal, which she described as too generic. During the public comment period, retired physician Tom Steinberg said introduction of the ambulance discussion would confuse the public and possibly cause the town to lose a vote to consolidate fire services. Steinberg further criticized the town, saying the staff influenced the outcome of an earlier study by directing the consultant to mention the ambulance district and a possible consolidation. Steinberg said the town also failed to involve the ambulance district director in previous discussions. Next to speak was Fred Morrison of the Eagle County Ambulance District. Morrison invited the Town Council and staff to attend an Aug 21 board meeting of the Ambulance District to discuss results of the earlier study. The remaining speakers, Dr. Chip Woodland and Dr. Larry Gall of Vail Valley Medical Center, expressed concerns • about diminished patient care if firefighter duties were merged with paramedics. After a lengthy discussion, Greg Moffet moved to table the staff s request to fund up to $10,000 to participate in a joint study to explore consolidated fire and emergency medical service for further discussion at the August 19`h Council meeting. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The sixth item on the agenda was an update from Tayor Hawes, a staff member representing Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Water Quality and Quantity Committee (NWCCOG-QQ). The Council received an update on three water -related issues. First, Hawes described provisions of Referendum A, which will appear on the November election ballot. The measure, supported by Gov. Bill Owens, would authorize $2 billion in bonding authority for water infrastructure and improvements. According to Hawes, most Western Slope organizations have expressed opposition to the measure including the board of the NWCCOG- QQ among the objections is how the ballot measure has pitted Western slope interests against the Eastern slope, she said, due to the absence of mitigation provisions. Taylor said her organization will prepare a white paper to include pros and cons, which will be distributed at a later date. Mayor Ludwig Kurz noted receipt of correspondence from Eagle County Commissioner Am Menconi who has asked the Vail Town Council to consider a resolution in opposition of Referendum A. Councilmembers expressed interest in taking a position on the • ballot measure after reviewing the white paper from NWCCOG. In addition to Referendum A, Hawes provided an update on a statewide water supply initiative, • which will include roundtable discussions on water supply and demand analysis within Colorado's eight water basins. Councilmembers forwarded Chuck Ogilby's name to be nominated for participation. Lastly, Hawes distributed an information sheet on the Colorado River Return Reconnaissance Study, also known as The Big Straw. The Study, which will be completed by November, will evaluate three different paths for bringing water from the Utah State line to the Front Range. The seventh item on the agenda was the Eagle County Master Plan Update. Rebecca Leonard, senior planner for Eagle County, provided an overview of the county's master plan update, which will include a series of community meetings in September and January. She distributed a list of Planning Commission members and Technical Advisory Committee members and encouraged the town and its citizens to contact the members to provide feedback. The plan was written and adopted in 1996. Since then, numerous technological improvements have been implemented that will enable the update to be more user friendly, she said. A draft of the master plan update will be circulated in early spring. During discussion, Councilman Greg Moffet asked Leonard to distribute a copy of the policies that were established in 1996. The eighth item on the agenda was a presentation of the 2002 Audit Report. is report Jenkins, a partner with McMahan and Associates, presented the 2002 audit report to the Town Council. The town had $20.5 million in available resources in 2002. General fund expenditures were $918,000 lower than projected for the year due to the combined impact of conservative budgeting and unfilled staffing vacancies, according to the audit report. Overall, Jenkins said the town had a "clean" audit, meaning that the town's finances are presented fairly and that the Council can rely upon them for decision -making. Of particular note, said Jenkins, is the town's solid base of available resources in its general fund, which was represented by fund balances of 40 percent of 2002 general fund expenditures. Due to reporting changes required by the Government Accounting Standard Board (GASB), Jenkins said the financial statements contained in next year's audit will be presented in a format that more closely mirrors private sector financials. The ninth item on the agenda was a review of Council policy direction to the Vail Parking Task Force, regarding 2003-04 Ski Season Objectives. At the suggestion of Councilman Greg Moffet, the Council adopted five parking policies to be used by the Vail Parking Task Force in developing recommendations for the 2003-04 ski season. The policies are as follows: --serve our core markets (skiers, shoppers, employees) --manage the yield --simplify the product • --design the product so it is revenue neutral --increase safety 4 • During discussion, Councilmembers Greg Moffet and Bill Jewitt expressed a desire to simplify the system. Councilmember Diana Donvan agreed, suggesting the town consider directing vehicles into specific parking spots for added efficiency. Donovan also noted an interest in evaluating parking programs from other communities. She said decisions must be made based on fact and not on emotion. Councilman Rod Slifer suggested the need to understand and accommodate Vail's customers and their needs, such as returning to the park free after 3 program. After learning from Public Works Director Greg Hall that returning to the free after 3 could result in a revenue loss of over $300,000, Councilman Bill Jewitt inquired about the possibility of providing a tiered pricing system which would enable free parking to those who arrive after 3, while vehicles already in the structures would continue to be charged. Jewitt also urged the town to continue to move forward with a temporary parking solution on the Ford Park softball fields for this coming ski season. Councilman Dick Cleveland suggested consideration of a single parking rate, such as $8, in addition to other parking products. Mayor Ludwig Kurz, who chairs the Parking task Force, said the group has adequately evaluated customer wants and needs. He said the Task Force meets at 2 p.m. on August 6 to continue its discussions. He also noted a recent announcement by the North Cherry Creek neighborhood in Denver that will require paid parking in areas surrounding the Cherry Creek Mail. He also said the Vail Parking Task Force will serve as the applicant for a • conditional use permit for temporary parking on the Ford Park softball fields. The tenth item on the agenda was an approval request for the Two Year Construction Phase and Budget for Vail Village Streetscape Plan. Diana Donovan made a three-part motion to continue moving forward with the Vail village streetscape project. Greg Moffet seconded the motion. The motion included approval of snowmelt in limited areas, directing staff to enter into a contract to complete the final design for phasing in 2004 and 2005 and directing the design team to carry out a process to coordinate the design and construction sequence with impacted parties. A vote was taken on the motion and the motion passed 5-1, Bill Jewitt opposing. The Council declined a staff request to finalize a budget for the project, which is estimated at $3.6 million in 2004 and $3.5 million in 2005. Instead, the Council Streetscape Committee will be asked to forward a budget recommendation to the full group. During discussion, Councilman Greg Moffet said he would find it hard to support the plan unless adjacent property owners contribute financially, while Councilman Bill Jewitt, who has been steadfast in his opposition to snowmelt, said the project has taken on a life of its own at a time when dollars are tight. Noting the difficulty in funding the project through a Local Improvement District, Councilman Rod Slifer expressed interest in reviewing other cost -share solutions. Slifer also suggested a modification to the construction sequencing for Gore Creek Drive. During the public comment period, Kaye Ferry of the Vail Chamber and Business • Association, said the Council should have established a budget at the outset of the project and should have done more to include the business community in the • funding discussions. Also, Sybiil Navas, administrator of the Vail Commission on Special Events, urged the Council to make a decision early enough so the project can get underway in April to minimize impacts to businesses and special events. The eleventh item on the agenda was a Market Analysis and Business Plan Consultant Team Selection for the Vail Conference Center. During discussion, Councilmember Diana Donovan inquired about how the contract would address a potential outcome if the firm recommended not to build a conference center. Councilman Rod Slifer, who chairs the Advisory Committee, said the recommended firm, HVS, has used its analysis to recommend "no" to some projects. The company has conducted studies in Colorado Springs, Denver and Santa Fe, among other cities. The recommendation to hire HVS was presented by Scott Proper, a member of the advisory committee, who said the group initially reviewed eight proposals, they interviewed three firms before recommending HVS. Following the presentation, Greg Moffet motioned to accept the recommendation from the Conference Center Advisory Committee to direct the interim town manager to enter into negotiations for a contract not to exceed $100,000 with HVS International to prepare a marketing analysis and business plan for the Vail conference center. Rod Slifer seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion and the motion passes, 6-0. The twelfth item on the agenda was the Dobson Ice Arena Smoke Management Discussion. Dick Cleveland moved to direct the town staff to move forward in entering into a contract with Beaudin Ganze Consulting Engineers to engineer a smoke management system for Dobson Ice Arena. Greg Moffet seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion was approved 6-0. Fire Chief John Gulick stated the $15,573 contract will be used to design a system that will keep smoke eight feet above the floor, thus allowing for the safe and orderly evacuation of the arena. The modifications will ultimately increase the occupancy load for the arena from 1,000 persons up to 3,000. The funding will come from the town's capital projects budget. The thirteenth item on the agenda was a Property Conveyance to Eagle River Water and Sanitation District. Ordinance #17, Series of 2003, was presented to the Council on first reading, authorizing the conveyance of fee title to two parcels of real property in the town of Vail adjacent to the property commonly known as the Old Town Shops and legally described as Part of Tract D, Vail Village Second Filing. Greg Moffet moved to pass ordinance #17 on first reading. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. Town Attorney Matt Mire explained that the parcels were not conveyed with the Old Town Shop parcel and are contiguous to that land. The additional parcels are required for the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District to expand their operation. A vote was taken and the motion passed, 6-0. The fourteenth item on the agenda was Resolution #7, Series of 2003, a resolution approving bylaws and an intergovernmental agreement with Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency. In presenting the resolution, Human Resources Director John Power said the agreement will save the town considerably in its liability insurance costs. Greg Moffet moved to approve Resolution #7. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion was approved, 6-0. The fifteenth item on the agenda was Resolution #8, Series of 2003, a resolution clarifying height calculations in the Lionshead Mixed Use Zone District. George Ruther, Chief planner in the Community Development Department, said the clarification preserves the previous policies for building height in Lionshead which is 71 ft. for the average maximum height of any building and 82.5 feet as the absolute maximum height of any building. Ruther further stated the resolution would clarify the methodology used to calculate height in the Lionshead Mixed Use Zone Districts. Ruther stated the change resolved several methodology questions that have been raised since adoption of the 1998 Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Greg Moffet and seconded by Rod Slifer. A vote was taken and the motion passed, 6-0. The sixteenth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. Interim Town Manager Brandmeyer stated she had nothing to add to the submitted report. As there was no further business, Greg Moffet motion to adjourn. Bill Jewitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed, 6-0. ATTEST: eor Donaldson, To Clerk 0 Respectfully submitted, Ludwig Kurz, Mayor