HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-08-16 Town Council Minutes• Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 16, 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, August 16, 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. There was none.
The second item on the agenda was a Joint Meeting with the Eagle County
Commissioners. Eagle County Commissioner Arn Menconi announced the main
purpose of the meeting was to create dialogue with town councils in their respective
locations. He then reported it is likely the county will adopt an up -zoning moratorium.
"Most applications being reviewed are for second home developments ... We are
considering moving river and stream setbacks from 50 to 75 feet ... We are examining
wildlife impact corridors...We are also promoting green building and recycling
programs." Menconi encouraged local community development directors to work
together to help enhance land use regulations. Logan asked what the objective of "taking
a breather" in second home development was. Menconi responded, "I want to say yes to
a balance of projects approved in Eagle County, I want to incentivize locals to live in our
community." Moffet clarified there is a substantial amount of currently approved
development. Commissioner Runyon stated the "freeze" is, "As much as anything, it is
intended to prevent potential developers from rushing in and having projects
`grandfathered,' there are enough approved to increase homes in Eagle County by 50%
and almost all are for second homes." Moffet encouraged the Commissioners to focus
on the development of entry level homes for families of four or five. Moffet and Slifer
thanked the Commissioners for coming to meet with the Council. Slifer questioned an
up -zoning moratorium as it may encourage more annexation and development in the
Brush and Gypsum Creek areas. Runyon stated he lived in the metropolitan district of
Edwards and had heard no interest of the area incorporating. Logan asked if the
Commission was able to impact the Bobby Ginn development near Minturn. Cleveland
stated employee generation by second homeowners would have a severe impact on bus
transportation. Town Manager Stan Zemler emphasized a moratorium on up -zoning was
not a "taking" of private rights. Representing the Vail Village Homeowners Association,
Jim Lamont said he believed an up -zoning moratorium may only increase development
• within municipal boundaries and it would be difficult for municipalities to provide/maintain
essential infrastructure. He then stated a belief that blaming affordable housing as a
reason to slow up zoning was merely a "straw dog." He encouraged the Commissioners
to support the clean up of the Black Gore Creek before spending money on a CDOT
proposed airport interchange. Cleveland reported the town would not get the proposed
West Vail Fire Station built in 2005. Assistant Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer stated
the town was struggling with a way to fund additional staffing related to the station.
Zemler stated the facility will be designed in 2005. Cleveland asked if the Commission
would consider moving forward previously allocated funding. Fire Chief John Gulick
thanked the Commissioners for their support of the fire station and the appropriated
funding ($250,000 in 2005 and $250,000 in 2006). Moffet clarified a significant amount of
the town's emergency services budget is utilized outside the town limits. Commissioner
Tom Stone encouraged a functional consolidation of emergency services in the Vail
Valley. Stone then stated he wanted to pursue more housing for senior citizens in the
county. "We are considering possibly building more apartments and assisted living
facilities for seniors... We currently have 18 people on our waiting list for the Golden
Eagle senior facility." Moffet encouraged the Commissioners pursue the issue and
offered the town's assistance in the development of senior facilities. Logan asked if the
county (commission) was sympathetic to the pine beetle infestation. Runyon responded,
"We really need to get on top of it." Menconi said each year he strives to find projects
that are regional in scope and the town's forest management plan would be a worthy
project. Zemler mentioned he and Runyon had recently attended an 1-70 Corridor
Transportation Coalition Meeting. He stated the organization was in need of funding as
the organization's finances were exhausted. Runyon stated he believed there was
difficulty coming up with a definition of what the coalition's goals are. Stone stated he
believed the process was doomed from the start and funding the coalition would be
money ill spent. "There is no single issue to tie the Coalition together." He continued,
"Taxpayer funds would be better spent within Eagle County." Menconi finished, "The
county's "Shaping of the Future" course would be starting in September.
The third item on the agenda was a Muscular Dystrophy Fire Fighter Proclamation.
Representing the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Carmen Moyer announced along
with the town, "thanks" were due to the Vail Fire Department for their support of the Fill
the Boot Fundraising Program. "They have continued to be the highest raising fire
department on the Western Slope ... Last year they raised almost $10,000, and this
year's goal is $20,000... In light of this, we are announcing the week of August 29th -
September 5th: Vail Fire Fighter Appreciation Week." Moffet moved to approve a
proclamation commemorating the Vail Fire Department with Ruotolo seconding. The
motion passed unanimously 7-0.
The fourth item on the agenda was a Construction Update. Public Works Director Greg
Hall stated Vail Valley Drive utility work would continue. Vail Village streetscape
improvements on Bridge and Gore are to resume after Labor Day. Donovan
encouraged saving the landscaping on the corner of the future Four Seasons project.
Hall continued, Intermountain South Frontage Road work would continue and would
move as far as the Conoco service station after Labor Day. Donovan inquired about
winter access to the LionsHead gondola. Representing Vail Resorts, Jay Peterson
stated a 20 foot path on the west side of Garfinkels would be constructed by ski season.
The fifth item on the agenda was a Vail Conference Center - Ballot Language and
Parking discussion. Russ Forrest reported, based on input from the afternoon work
• session with representatives from the lodging community, Council could choose to keep
the ballot language previously reviewed in June or it could choose to direct staff to
prepare alternative language. In addition, staff confirmed how parking should be
addressed in the facility based on input from the Planning and Environmental
Commission (PEC). In July, Council approved the current format for the conference
center ballot language. At the Aug. 2 meeting Council requested the lodging community
provide any input they might have on the proposed ballot language by the Aug. 16
meeting. The other item discussed involved parking for the facility. Over the summer
months the conference center has received preliminary reviews by both the Design
Review Board (DRB) and the PEC. At the July 25 PEC meeting, the Commission
indicated the conference center should provide 243 spaces for parking based on the
zoning code. The project is proposing to build 250 spaces. The parking would be
managed/operated by the town. The existing 1,100 spaces and the new 250 spaces
would be operated as one public parking facility. If an event occurred on a peak ski day,
there would be the ability to segregate or reserve parking for the conference facility. Staff
proposed segregating 125 spaces during times when the facility is used and frontage
road parking is anticipated. Vail Resorts previously committed $4.3 million for public
parking. Staff suggested Council comply with the PEC request to provide 243 spaces.
The primary question is whether Vail Resorts funding should be expected to help pay for
the proposed parking underneath the parking structure. The alternative would be to
increase the amount of the project budget for the conference center an additional $4.3
million to pay for the full total of 250 net new parking spaces. Hall stated parking would
require good planning (prior to conference center events). Forrest followed, "In the winter
we are projecting five significant conferences." Hall continued, "The conference market
is in the summer ... Last season we had cars parked 38 days on the frontage road."
Forrest clarified staff used conference attendance levels at the local Marriott Hotel to
assist in substantiating previously developed parking needs assessments. Moffet
recommended building parking spaces on an alternative parcel to relieve the conference
center of the financial burden of providing parking. Ruotolo clarified Vail Resorts'
pledged $4.3 million was intended to be used by conference center attendees as well as
the general public on peak ski days. Mire qualified Vail Resorts must agree with the
money's use. Cleveland stated he believed off -site parking would be too far down the
road and would not be in the town's control. Council reached consensus a parking
decision should be delayed until a maximum guaranteed price had been provided. Bill
Jewitt, PEC member, stated the PEC would make no decisions until Council approved
ballot language. "The PEC has not even taken a straw poll on how many spaces the
town should be required to provide." Donovan said, "I have no confidence in the parking
needs analysis as the numbers seem to be continually changing." Ruotolo stated the
town should adhere to requirements imposed upon any other developer.
The sixth item on the agenda was an Amendment to E911 Inter -Governmental
Agreement. Communications Manager Paul Smith reported due to increased
telecommunications expenses and surcharge revenue shortfalls, the Eagle County
Telephone Service Authority Board (911 Authority) has been forced to reduce its
contributions to the operating budget of the County's E911 Center in fiscal years 2004
and 2005. The reduction has forced a corresponding cost increase to the user agencies
within the county and required a temporary reduction in staff in 2005. The E911
Authority's revenue shortfall was reported to be directly impacting E911 services in
• Eagle County and forcing an unnecessary financial burden on the public safety agencies
within the county. To help resolve this issue the E911 Authority and Eagle County
recently approached the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) requesting an E911
• surcharge increase for Eagle County. The increase will bring the current phone based
surcharge of $.70 up to $1.25 per month per phone line. To assist in this matter the
E911 Authority requested the Mayor of the town endorse the "Second Amendment" to
the E911 Telephone Service IGA which provides for the proposed surcharge increase.
Town staff recommended the signing of the amended IGA. Cleveland stated he was not
comfortable raising the charge for service by 79%. He encouraged using E911 reserve
funds to solve the fiscal shortfall until an efficiency analysis of the emergency
communication system is undertaken. Smith stated expenses have increased as
revenue is decreasing due primarily to mobile phone usage and increased trunk line
costs. Moffet encouraged increasing mobile phone tower leases to help offset costs.
Smith emphasized emergency communication system budget shortfalls were prevalent
throughout the state. Cleveland expressed concern a potential change in the districting
of the E911 board would be exclusionary of eastern Eagle County residents. Moffet
moved with Cleveland seconding a motion to approve the IGA. The motion passed
unanimously, 7-0. Zemler recognized Smith as performing exemplary at his job and
operating the communications center.
The seventh item on the agenda was the First Reading of Ordinance No. #16, Series of
2005, an ordinance amending Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Vail Town Code, to amend
the Commercial Service Center (CSC) District to add "bowling alley' as a conditional use
to the District and to add a definition of a "bowling alley' to the Vail Town Code. On April
25, 2005, the PEC voted 6-0-0 (Gunion absent) to forward a recommendation of
approval for a proposed text amendment to the Commercial Service Center (CSC)
District to add "bowling alley' as a conditional use and to add a definition for a "bowling
alley" to the Vail Town Code. On Aug. 2, 2005, Council tabled the First Reading of
Ordinance No. #16, Series of 2005, without hearing any presentation. This application to
amend the allowable conditional uses for the Commercial Service Center District and to
add a definition for "bowling alley," was submitted as a part of the proposal to establish
SDD No. #39, Crossroads. The application to establish SDD No. #39, Crossroads, was
withdrawn. Staff reported a potential opportunity to examine and update the
development standards for the Commercial Service Center District in whole. Ordinance
#16, Series of 2005, died for lack of a motion.
The eighth item on the agenda was the First Reading of Ordinance No. #19, Series
2005, an Ordinance making supplemental appropriations to the 2005 Budget,
Supplemental Appropriation No. #2. Moffet moved with Hitt seconding. Slifer and
Cleveland announced the town would be performing a forest health project to address
pine beetle mitigation within the town limits. Cleveland stated more mitigation would be
performed in 2006. Donovan asked for a breakdown of the increases in employee
salaries. Zemler acknowledged Phil Bowden of the United States Forest Service, Fire
Technician Tom Talbot, and Town Environmental Officer Bill Carlson for designing the
forest health plan.
The ninth item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. #17, Series of
2005, an ordinance amending the Vail Land Use Plan pursuant to Chapter VIII of the
Vail Land Use Plan, adding the Chamonix Parcel as Tract 43 in the "Inventory and
Assessment of Town Owned Property' contained in Chapter VII, Community Facilities.
On July 20, 2004, upon the recommendation of a council -citizen -staff review committee,
• Council authorized the Town Manager to hire the planning team of Davis
Partnership/Michael Hazard Associates to facilitate a master land use plan centered on
a fire station for the town -owned Chamonix property at 2310 Chamonix Road. On Jan.
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• 24, 2005, the PEC held a work session to consider a proposed draft Land Use Plan for
the Chamonix parcel, hear public input, and discuss the other possible uses on site
which would be in addition to the primary fire station use. On June 27, 2005, the PEC
unanimously approved a proposed land use plan and an attached site plan produced by
the collaborative efforts of the committee, staff, and Davis Partnership/Michael Hazard
Associates to be used as a guide for future land uses on the Chamonix Parcel. On Aug.
2, 2005, the Town Council voted 6-1 to approve Ordinance No. #17, Series of 2005 on
first reading. Donovan questioned the location of a perceived driveway on a provided
map. She then stated she would not vote for the project as she believed it was being
forced on the site. She expressed there might be other potential sites uncovered during
an upcoming West Vail master planning process. Moffet moved with Ruotolo seconding
a motion to approve the ordinance. The motion passed 6-1, Donovan opposed.
The tenth item on the agenda was the Second Reading of Ordinance No. #18, Series of
2005, an ordinance amending Section 12-7H-12, Density (Dwelling Units Per Acre), Vail
Town Code, to allow multiple attached accommodation units within a dwelling unit
located within the Lionshead Mixed Use 1 zone district. On June 27, 2005, the PEC held
a public hearing on a request for a final review of a text amendment to Section 12-7H-
12, Density (Dwelling Units Per Acre), Vail Town Code, pursuant to Chapter 12-3,
Amendments, Vail Town Code, to allow multiple attached accommodation units within a
dwelling unit (PEC05-0040). Upon consideration of the text amendment request, the
PEC voted 5-0 to forward a recommendation of approval of the request to the Vail Town
Council. On Aug. 2, 2005, Council approved Ordinance No. #18, Series of 2005 on first
reading. Ruther announced the ordinance worked to produce more "hot beds" in the
LionsHead core area. Donovan clarified a room without a stove would not be considered
a kitchen facility. Representing Vail Resorts, Jay Peterson stated the use does not work
well in a public accommodation zone district. Four buyers of The Arrabelle at Vail
Square had asked for a second lock -off unit. Hitt stated he believed staff had not
researched the matter thoroughly enough as it could have potentially been expanded
throughout town. Moffet moved with Cleveland seconding. The motion passed
unanimously, 7-0.
The eleventh item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report.
➢ Visitor Information Center Operator Contract
Zemler called Council's attention to a draft contract he was preparing to sign between
the town and Vail Info Inc for operation of the Visitor Information Centers, effective Oct.
1, 2005. Zemler asked if Council had any fundamental concerns with the contract prior to
its execution, to which there were none. During the discussion, some operational details
were discussed. Moffet suggested requiring vendors who do business in the Town of
Vail, such as fly fishing guides, be required to obtain a Vail business license, while Slifer
suggested expanding the Visitor Center operational policies to include some additional
assistance in helping guests with lodging outside the town's boundaries, if needed.
Donovan suggested increasing the number of hours a volunteer must work in order to
obtain a parking pass. However, as the discussion continued, which included comments
by Mike Griffin, who currently manages the community host volunteer program, the
Council agreed to maintain the 80 hour requirement as drafted. Following the discussion,
• Griffin was commended by the Council for his dedication and hard work in managing the
visitor centers and the community host program.
• Zemler and Silverthorn discussed the development of a new transit map. The new maps
would include outside entity advertising to assist in defraying the cost of graphic
production and printing.
The twelfth item on the agenda was adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at
approximately 9:30 p.m. Moffet moved with Ruotolo seconded a motion to adjourn. The
motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
ATTEST: CO�Ole ......•••':
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Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk
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Minutes provided by Corey Swisher.
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Rodney E. Slifer, Mayor
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