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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-04 Town Council Minutesi � 00 9 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, 401 • 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 • 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: �N OF �q SEAL Lorelei onaldson, Town Clerk Minutes provided by Corey Swisher, WR