Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-07-05 Town Council Minutes• Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 5, 2005 6:00 P.M. Vail Town Council Chambers The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council convened at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2005. Council Members present: Rod Slifer, Mayor Dick Cleveland, Mayor Pro-Tem Diana Donovan Farrow Hitt Kent Logan Kim Ruotolo Greg Moffet Staff Members Present: Stan Zemler, Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer, Asst. Town Manager Matt Mire, Town Attorney The first item on the agenda was Citizen Input. Mark Gordon, a member of the Special Events Commission, thanked Council for its support of the Fourth of July activities. He also thanked Laurie Asmussen of Eagle Valley Events for her efforts in organizing the parade. Representing Vail Mountain Rescue, Bob Armour thanked Mike Rose, John Sheehan, Stan Zemler and Suzanne Silverthorn for their facilitation and promotion of a recent international mountain rescue field exercise. Armour stated crews from seven countries and 14 states participated in the event. Rick Scalpello, president of the Meadow Drive Partnership, thanked the town for its recent efforts facilitating construction. He specifically thanked Leonard Sandoval of the town and Jim Boyd of the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District. The second item on the agenda was the Construction Update. Public Works Director Greg Hall stated the majority of construction in town on the public right-of-way is complete. He also said the Children's Fountain is operational. Pedestrian access in LionsHead would continue to be improved. Utility work in the West Vail roundabout would continue in the evenings from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. He then thanked Wenk and Associates for their work on streetscape design. Logan expressed gratitude to town staff for the excellent construction coordination. Slifer stated the newly renovated Children's Fountain was a great success. The third item on the agenda was the Conference Center ballot language. Town Attorney Matt Mire and town consultant Dee Wisor asked Council to review the revised ballot questions contained in the Council packets, discuss any desired changes to the z • draft questions, and provide direction to staff with regard to preparation of a final draft of the ballot questions for approval by Council. Wisor clarified, "If this (ballot question) fails, it would effectively repeal the 2002 question." Ruotolo expressed concern regarding proposed increased taxes for guests (increasing only lodging taxes) out of fear of harming small and medium-sized hotels. Moffet moved to direct staff and consultants pursuant to the second option (emphasizing incremental language) of the two questions presented. Logan seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The fourth item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda approval of the 06.07.05 & 06.21.05 Minutes. Ruotolo moved with Moffet seconding a motion to approve the 06.07.05 and 06.21.05 minutes. Donovan requested a minor amendment to item ten on the 06-21-05 meeting, regarding comments she had made in reference to a resolution honoring Betty Ford. The fifth item on the agenda was the Timber Ridge Affordable Housing Corporation (TRAHC) Board Update. Town Manger Stan Zemler summarized the redevelopment request for proposals process. He emphasized, "We don't want to get too far into concepts." Zemler stated by the 14`h of September, it is possible very preliminary ideas will be discussed with Council. "We want to take our time with the concept phase." Mire stated a written agreement between the two entities was needed. Zemler suggested an advisory committee be formed with the TRAHC board and two reps from the Housing Authority and Council. Moffet encouraged the suggestion and volunteered to serve on the committee. Ruotolo and Logan volunteered as well. The sixth item on the agenda was the 1-70 Noise Quarterly Update. Police Chief Dwight Henninger provided an update of the Police Department's year long education and traffic enforcement pilot program on 1-70. Staff recommended Council authorize the following: 1. Continuation of the 1-70 noise and speed education and enforcement program by the Police Department, at a cost of $24,000 for the remainder of 2005. Henninger and Zemler recommended 1-70 Noise Mitigation capital funds be used for funding this project. 2. Direct the Town Manager to include this additional peace officer position in the 2006 budget request. To date, the program has resulted in 900 stops and 150 tickets. Henninger thanked Silverthorn for efforts in promoting the program. The recently completed community survey indicated 78% of respondents were aware of the program and 44% had changed their driving behavior. Henninger stated he believed the trucking community had changed its behavior as well. He then thanked Hall for working with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to provide additional signage along 1-70. Moffet asked what else had been going on toward noise reduction. Zemler stated, "We have turned the heat up on quiet asphalt." Hall reported CDOT continues work on the development of an asphalt mixture suitable to alpine environments. Hall said voided (porous) asphalt seemed to be the most effective in reducing noise. Zemler stated he would soon update Council on his efforts to receive federal funding for a quiet asphalt pilot program. Henninger stated his officers needed more work and training on utilizing noise meters. Moffet stated, "We have to keep this up. I think its working." Cleveland requested a full time position be created to provide 40 hours of enforcement on 1-70 per week. Donovan stated the town should request funding from the county for 1-70 speed enforcement. Moffet moved to include an additional peace officer position to provide 40 hours of noise enforcement a week on 1-70 in the 2006 budget, with Cleveland seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The seventh item on the agenda was the Review of Vail Visitor Information Center Proposals and Selection of Third -Party Operator. Zemler stated the town solicited proposals to operate and manage the Vail Visitor Information Centers beginning Oct. 1, 2005, and continuing for a three-year period. The Visitor Information Centers are currently managed by the Vail Valley Chamber & Tourism Bureau (WCTB) under a contract ending Sept. 30, 2005. In preparation for the solicitation of proposals, a Council Visitor Information Center Committee (CVICC) was established to develop recommendations and strategies for a fair and impartial decision -making process. That process included preparation and distribution of a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued April 20, 2005; responses from three potential operators by the June 1, 2005, deadline (Vail Brochure Delivery, Vail Chamber & Business Association (VCBA) and WCTB); evaluation of the proposals by the committee; and a selection recommendation forwarded to Council for consideration. The CVICC unanimously recommended selection of Vail Brochure Delivery to operate the Vail Visitor Information Centers. The Committee further requested Council authorize the Town Manager to negotiate a three year operating contract with a not to exceed amount identified by Council. It was additionally recommended the contract include six month reviews during the first and second years. Zemler noted a lack of enthusiasm when interviewing the VCBA and WCTB. He emphasized the importance of developing new ideas to match the changing times in Vail. He also stated he was looking for an organization aligned with the direction of the town. "We need clear separation and focus." Ruotolo, CVICC member, stated Vail Brochure's mission statement and singular focus impressed her. Hitt, CVICC member, thanked the three groups for their contributions to the community. He stated it became apparent after studying information centers around the state that Vail needed to change. He said he was encouraged by Vail Brochure's, "enthusiasm to raise the bar." During the public comment period, Bill Jewitt, Mike Griffin, Sue Mason, Robert Aikens, Emily McCormick, Katie Barnes, Dave Dempsey, Amber Keith, Rob Levine, Mark Gordon, Brian Nolan, Mickey Cooke, Annette Ramer and Iva Scott spoke in support of the WCTB. Joe Staufer stated he was concerned someone (Vail Brochure) was being set up in private business by way of public subsidy. Stephen Connolly encouraged Council to accept the staff recommendation of Vail Brochure. Bobby Banks and Mary Ellen Welch, owners of Vail Brochure, spoke in support of their potential. Responding to public comment Hitt stated, "I don't see anyone leading the charge for valley wide marketing down valley." Ruotolo emphasized Welch had previous experience operating visitor centers in Steamboat Springs. Silverthorn stated she appreciated Vail Brochure's emphasis on aesthetics and their fresh ideas approach. Moffet stated for the record he owns a company with membership in the WCTB. "Successful business people have to execute to make the mortgage payment ... It generates a different kind of desire." Cleveland began his comments by stating he supported the town running the centers, "although change might need to occur." Donovan stated she supported Vail only, and the town needed to be in control of the asset (visitor centers). "We need to go in a new direction because we are tired of dealing with petty issues." Logan stated he did not think now was the time for change and noted the group with the most experience had the lowest bid. Slifer stated change right now might not be prudent, and experience is important. He also agreed with Donovan stating he believed it should be a one year contract. Moffet moved to support the staff recommendation of a three year contract with six month mandatory reviews. Hitt seconded. Cleveland supported one year, with a two year extension. The motion passed 5-2, with Logan and Slifer dissenting. • The eighth item on the agenda was the Colorado Inspection Agency (CIA) contract for conducting plan review and inspection services for the Four Seasons project. Community Development Director Russ Forrest and Chief Building Official Charlie Davis stated the town is experiencing an unprecedented amount of construction. The Chief Building Official for the Town of Vail met with general contractors from the various commercial projects to determine the time frame and quantity of inspections required for the various commercial projects. At the same time, staff is mindful of the direction received from Council that residential builders should not be unduly impacted by the high level of commercial construction. The town has budgeted additional resources and anticipated the need to contract resources for conducting plan reviews. At this time staff has concluded demand for building inspections if Four Seasons or another large project initiates construction will exceed the town's capacity to provide those services. Staff obtained proposals from four companies that provide inspection and plan review services in the event contract resources would be needed. CIA provided the most qualified staff and had the best experience and references. They also provided a competitive rate when compared to their competition. Davis said he sent out fifteen RFP's. He also emphasized CIA serves as a building department in two other Colorado jurisdictions. Hitt asked if Davis would have final say over decisions and interpretations. Davis answered yes. Logan clarified revenue from Crossroads would pay for the services in 2005. Logan asked why the work load wasn't anticipated. Forrest stated plan reviews were anticipated, although the intensity of inspection demands was not. Zemler stated the contract was not cost neutral. Cleveland asked if the permit fees covered the actual cost of services. Forrest stated the town's fee structure was back end loaded. Cleveland also inquired about liability issues. Mire stated CIA would assume the liability. Moffet moved with Ruotolo seconding a motion to approve. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0. Donovan expressed concern over fire inspections. Zemler stated he was not prepared to discuss fire inspections. Representing CIA, David Thomson stated he had 24 employees in Colorado and the company had the capacity to service the Vail projects. The ninth item on the agenda was the Joint Use Agreement for the Town of Vail Gymnastics Center. Town Attorney Matt Mire asked Council to authorize the Town Manager to execute a Joint Use Agreement for the Gymnastics Center between the town, Eagle County School District RE-50J and the Vail Recreation District (VRD). The agreement is for the joint use of the 8,742 sq. foot gymnastics center owned by the town and located at 545 N. Frontage Road. The gymnastics center was funded in part by the town, the school district, VRD, Eagle River Water & Sanitation District and Vail Resorts. The primary purpose of the facility is to provide gymnastics training for residents of the town and Eagle County while also providing additional recreational uses for the school and community at large. Mire clarified there was currently a lease in place. Cleveland asked why a ten year term was proposed. "I am concerned with long-term leases on new projects." Brandmeyer stated she believed it was because it coincided with the termination of the town's other leases with the VRD. Moffet clarified the town would not be held responsible for normal maintenance. Brandmeyer stated the town had already received the yearly capital construction payment and capital improvement sinking fund allocation. Moffet moved and Ruotolo seconded a motion to approve. Mire was asked to clarify a 180 day termination provision. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0. 4 C� The tenth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. There was no report. The eleventh item on the agenda was Adjournment. Moffet moved and Hitt seconded a motion to adjourn at approximately 8:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0. Respectfully Submitted, 1 ttiti.,; Lorelei Donaldson, - • Minutes provided by Corey Swisher. Ic Rodney E. Slifer, Mayor 5