HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-04 Town Council Minutesi
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Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 4, 2005
6:00 P.M.
Vail Town Council Chambers
Council Members Present: Rod Slifer, Mayor
Dick Cleveland, Mayor Pro-Tem
Diana Donovan
Kim Ruotolo
Farrow Hitt
Greg Moffet
Not Present:
Kent Logan
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. Mery Lapin expressed concern
regarding Council's failure to express their positions on the conference center. Slifer
asked for Council consensus to discuss the conference center for the benefit of the
public at its next evening meeting.
Paul Rondeau expressed concern the voters had received "precious little information,"
regarding the conference center. Rondeau asked what accommodations had been made
to utilize the center as a performing arts center when it was not being used for
conferences. "What costs were associated with those additional design features? I think
we should know the market value of the property we are using for this project." Town
Manager Stan Zemler invited Rondeau to call either himself or Community Development
Director Russ Forrest for answers to his questions.
Rob Levine, who chairs a campaign in support of the conference center ballot question,
stated all of the information produced in the past two years regarding the conference
center, including a feasibility study, is publicly available. "Do we have to force feed this
stuff to people?" He also stated he believed the Vail populous made an informed
decision on the conference center vote in 2002.
The second item on the agenda was a request to authorize a Timber Ridge
Redevelopment Proposal. Zemler reported the Timber Ridge Review Committee
recommended the town move forward with Corum Real Estate Group and request a full
proposal from Corum for the redevelopment of Timber Ridge Village. A Request for
Proposals (RFP) was issued to solicit developers for the Timber Ridge site. "We publicly
advertised the RFP's on a national level and received one proposal from Corum," said
Zemler. The RFP was broken into two steps. The first step was a request for
qualifications. Corum Real Estate Group submitted a complete response to the
qualifications request. The Proposal Review Committee met with a representative from
Corum. Based on Corum's submittal and presentation, the Review Committee
recommends Council invite Corum Real Estate Group to take the next step and submit a
full proposal. Representing Corum, Jamie Fitzpatrick provided an overview of his team's
qualifications for redeveloping Timber Ridge. Their conceptual design contemplates a
three building complex, providing 204 seasonal housing opportunities, along with 176
units of conventional / long term rental. For sale condominiums will also be included in
the project. The buildings would be "stick built" four-story structures. The project will
require rezoning as the project assumes 56 units per acre density. Fitzpatrick also
reported the inclusion of $2 million in the project budget for a pedestrian bridge over
Interstate-70. Project construction will require a period of 22 months of no housing on
the site. Notably, the proposed development exceeds the existing bed base. Donovan
asked, "Who owns the land at the end of the day? Are we locked in to work with you?"
Fitzpatrick answered it depended on the land volume consumed by condominium
ownership. "The ownership component has not been formalized." Zemler stated the
development would be a partnership. Moffet spoke in support of continuing forward with
Corum. Moffet then moved to ask for a full proposal. The motion was seconded by
Ruotolo. Fitzpatrick verified at the moment the relationship would be based on a
handshake but stated he would eventually need a contractual agreement. Housing
Coordinator Nina Timm verified the town has current leases on existing units through
2006-07. However, the town has the right to terminate a lease with 60 days notice.
Fitzpatrick stated spring of 2007 would be a realistic project start time. Slifer asked that
a conceptual timetable be delivered to Council. Representing the Vail Village
Homeowners Association, Jim Lamont said, "In order to expedite the process, the town
should undertake a master planning process so that public input can be received on the
front end as opposed to the back end. We would all like to avoid the difficulties that
occurred in another of the larger projects." The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
The third item on the agenda was the 2005 Election Judge Appointments for the
November 8, 2005, Regular Municipal Election. By Colorado State Statute, each polling
place must have a minimum of three judges to assist with municipal elections. The Town
Clerk, therefore, recommends the appointments of Vi Brown, Karen Morter, Mary Jo
Allen, Holly Cole and Summer Holm to assist with the at -the -polls Regular Municipal
Election for the Town of Vail on Nov. 8. Moffet moved to appoint the judges, with
Cleveland seconding. The motion passed 6-0.
The fourth item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda Re: 09.06.05 and 09.20.05
Meeting Minutes Approval. Moffet moved with Donovan seconding an amended motion.
Hitt clarified. The motion passed 6-0.
The fifth item on the agenda was a West LionsHead Planning Process Overview. Vail
Resorts Development Company has submitted plans for a Ritz -Carlton condominium
project on the West Day Lot. The applicant intends to comply with the LionsHead Mixed
Use I zoning on the property. In addition, Vail Resorts is pursuing approval from the U.S.
Forest Service through its National Environmental Policy Act Process. The Forest
Service will require the preparation of an Environmental Assessment which will consider
the environmental impacts of a new lift on the West side of LionsHead. The proposed
location of the West LionsHead lift would be directly adjacent and to the west of the
proposed Ritz -Carlton condominium project. Staff and Vail Resorts Development
Company agree a planning process must now be initiated in the Town of Vail to evaluate
the implications and land use issues associated with a new lift in this location. As such,
staff requested approval from the Town Council on a process for developing a plan that
would consider a new lift and ski portal on the west side of LionsHead. Furthermore,
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staff requested the Town Council appoint two of its members to join a planning team for
creating an acceptable concept for West LionsHead. This planning process would also
consider additional public parking and potentially transit improvements, along with other
public improvements associated with the creation of a new lift. This may result in an
amendment to the LionsHead Master Redevelopment Plan. Zemler reported the process
would take three to four months to complete. Moffet suggested Council have a
discussion regarding what is and what is not acceptable, "broad strokes policy." Hitt and
Cleveland were appointed by the Mayor to represent the Council on the planning team.
Donovan requested the impact to Vail and LionsHead Villages be investigated. Donovan
stated a mistrust of the traffic impact numbers provided by Felsburg, Hotz, and Ullvig.
Public Works Director Greg Hall stated the numbers provided by the traffic engineers
were resort oriented. Slifer requested Cleveland be made chair of the planning team.
Donovan questioned making a Town Council member the chair of the planning team
because it made the process seem skewed.
The sixth item on the agenda was the Second reading of Ordinance No. 17, Series of
2004, an ordinance amending Special Development District #4, Cascade Village, to
allow for the creation of Development Area E, located at Tract K, Glen Lyon Subdivision
On July 12, 2004, the Town of Vail PEC voted 4-2 to forward a recommendation of
approval, with conditions, for the proposed amendments to Special Development District
#4, Cascade Village. On August 3, 2004, by a vote of 7-0 the Town Council approved
the first reading of Ordinance No. 17, Series of 2004, with a condition that the applicant,
Vail Resorts, resolve any issues related to the Protective Covenants of Glen Lyon
Subdivision, prior to the second reading of this ordinance. On August 17 and October 5,
2004; January 4, May 3, June 21, August 4, and September 6, 2005, the Town Council
tabled the second reading of Ordinance No. 17, Series of 2004, to allow the applicant
additional time to resolve issues related to the protective covenants. The outstanding
protective covenant issues have not yet been resolved; therefore, Vail Resorts
requested the second reading of Ordinance No. 17, Series of 2004, again be tabled to a
future Town Council meeting. Moffet moved to table the ordinance to November 15, with
Ruotolo seconding. Representing Vail Resorts, Jay Peterson stated the covenant
resolution process continued and positive results still remained probable. Hitt attempted
to clarify whether Vail Resorts would potentially close the Cascade Lift. Peterson was
unable to respond. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
The seventh item on the agenda was the First reading of the 2006 Budget Ordinance
No. 22, Series 2005. Finance Director Judy Camp verified approval of the ordinance
would require a super -majority vote. Moffet noted the $20,000 requested by the Vail
Chamber & Business Association for the production of the Vail Guide be moved to the
town's public information budget. Moffet then emphasized he did not want to set
precedent by making a cash donation to the Battle Mountain Hockey Team, and
questioned the possibility of donating "ice time". Brandmeyer responded the town had
the ability to donate Dobson Ice Arena "ice time" for possible fund raisers. Hitt
commended Moffet for his suggestion. Hitt then recommended examining the hard
costs for renting the arena, so the town could possibly purchase days for the hockey
team to utilize. Louise Funk, concerned parent, and Brent Young, Battle Mountain High
School Booster Cub Vice -President, noted Battle Mountain Hockey was no longer a part
of Vail Junior Hockey. Hitt suggested Battle Mountain Hockey become better fund
raisers. Zemler noted the Florida Panthers professional hockey team had recently visited
the Vail Valley, and asked if there might be fund raising possibilities with the
organization. Funk and Young stated the Panthers practiced with the Eagle Valley
Hockey team. Hitt clarified the Western Eagle County Metropolitan Recreation District
had been more amicable facilitating the Battle Mountain Hockey team than the Vail
Recreation District (VRD). Funk and Young stated Battle Mountain wished to keep
Dobson Ice Arena as their home arena. Donovan recommended Council discuss the
matter with the VRD. While discussing other matters, Hitt questioned not supporting the
VCBA's Premier Impressions program as it supported Vail's "frontline" workers. "I think
we were short -sited by not giving the program any money." Donovan echoed Hitt's
comments. VCBA Executive Director Kaye Ferry stated analysis revealed Vail's front line
employees don't feel valued in the community. Ferry noted in a recent poll, Vail's
customer service rankings had moved from No. 9 to No. 6. Moffet stated the town, and
government in general, should not fund an incentive program for private sector
employees. He then encouraged the VCBA to solicit contributions for the program and
the town could possibly provide matching funds. Council then agreed to match up to
$12,500 for the program. Ferry stated in the past VCBA members contributed
significantly to the program. Ferry then asked that additional funding for the Vail Guide
be provided in the public information budget. Donovan stated the Vail Guide was critical
for the guest. Hitt reminded Council a recent Longwood's International recommendation
supported providing the Vail Guide in the Vail Local Marketing District's annual mailing
pieces. Bill Jewitt stated he believed it was important to have a place for all local
businesses to be listed, especially as it benefited small business. Ruotolo questioned the
$14,000 for the Bird's of Prey contribution. Brandmeyer stated it was a real cost to the
Town of Vail. Cleveland asked Human Resources Director John Power to explain the
proposed employee budget. Moffet emphasized the importance of maintaining quality
employees. Zemler clarified this was not a four percent increase. Cleveland recognized
the town provides an exemplary benefit package. Donovan mentioned health insurance.
Moffet moved to approve with amendments as discussed, with Ruotolo seconding. The
motion passed 6-0.
The eighth item on the agenda was the First Reading of Ordinance No. 23, Series 2005,
an ordinance repealing and reenacting Title 6, Chapter 3, Article I of the Municipal Code
of the Town of Vail relating to restraining order violations. Town Attorney Matt Mire
announced since the town's adoption and codification of its restraining order legislation
in 2004, several of the Colorado Revised Statutes referenced and cited in the Town
Code relating to restraining orders had been repealed by the Colorado General
Assembly. As such, the restraining order prohibition as set forth in the Vail Town Code
prohibition has been re -written to delete the repealed statutes. Moffet moved, with
Cleveland seconding a motion to approve. The motion passed 6-0.
The ninth item on the agenda was the First Reading of Ordinance No. 24, Series 2005,
an ordinance deleting Title 4, Chapter 4, Articles A and B, Vail Town Code as they relate
to time-share disclosure and registration requirements; amending Title 12, "Zoning
Regulation," for proposed housekeeping amendments relating to the definition time-
share units. Table the first reading of Ordinance No. #24, Series 2005, to the regular
meeting of Council on October 18, 2005. On September 12, 2005, the PEC considered
text amendments to certain sections of Title 12, Vail Town Code, to define the term
"time-share unit" and to replace the terms "timeshare estate unit," "fractional fee unit,"
and "timeshare license unit" with the term "time-share unit." The sole purpose of the
proposed amendments to Title 12 is to remove conflicting provisions from the Town
Code and to better describe similar land uses. The proposed amendments were not
intended to alter any existing land use or development policies. Based upon the
proposed amendments to Title 12, specifically the definition of "time-share unit," staff
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also recommended deleting outdated sections of the Vail Town Code relating to
disclosure and registration requirements of time-share projects. On September 12, 2005,
the PEC unanimously recommended approval of the amendments to Title 12. However,
the staff needed additional time complete Ordinance No. 24, Series 2005, which would
implement the above -referenced changes. Mire recommended Council table the first
reading of Ordinance No. 24, Series 2005, to the regular Council meeting on October 18,
2005. Moffet moved with Ruotolo seconding a motion to approve. The motion passed
unanimously, 6-0.
The tenth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. There was nothing
reported.
The eleventh item on the agenda was Adjournment. Moffet moved with Ruotolo
seconding a motion to adjourn at approximately 8:15 p.m. The motion passed
unanimously, 6-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rodney E. Slifer, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Lorelei onaldson, Town Clerk
Minutes provided by Corey Swisher,
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