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
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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.
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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.
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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, -
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Minutes provided by Corey Swisher.
Ic
Rodney E. Slifer, Mayor
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