HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-15 Town Council Minutes•
Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
6:00 P.M.
Vail Town Council Chambers
The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was called to order at approximately 6:05
P.M. by Mayor Rod Slifer.
Members present: Rod Slifer, Mayor
Dick Cleveland, Mayor Pro-Tem
Diana Donovan,
Farrow Hitt,
Kent Logan
Greg Moffet
Kim Ruotolo,
Staff Members: Stan Zemler, Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Asst. Town Manager
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Input. Carl Walker, Chairman of the Memorial
Park Board of Directors, introduced the Vail Memorial Park Board. Walker then thanked
former and present Council members Mery Lapin, Chuck Ogilby, Rod Slifer and Diana
Donovan for their help in bringing the park to fruition as well as attending board
• members Robbie Robinson, Daphne Slevin and Joe Hanlon. The Memorial Park Board
then handed Zemler a $50,000 check repaying a loan provided as seed money for the
cemetery.
Rick Sackbauer, representing the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District (ERW&SD),
announced a meeting had recently been held consisting of water agencies from three
Western Slope counties (Grand, Eagle and Summit). The goal of the meeting was to
begin planning for the protection of ERW&SD water as well as its sister organizations.
Local resident Paul Rondeau volunteered to assist the town in the production of an
annual report providing performance measures for the town's general operating
departments. Rondeau also stated a belief local residents are intimidated by the
formality of the Evening Session public comment period. Rondeau recommended the
use of a roving microphone to make potential speakers feel more comfortable. Rondeau
also expressed concern Council members do not always respond to phone messages
and emails made by local residents. Rondeau also announced he had recently met with
Zemler and realized the Town Manager may have a "full plate" of projects. He then
recommended the development of a volunteer task force of local retired professionals to
formulate a performance management reporting system.
The second item on the agenda was Resolution No. #3, Series of 2005, Opposition to
Senate Bill 62 (SB62). A resolution expressing vigorous opposition to SB62 and urging
Senator Jack Taylor to immediately withdraw this discriminatory, dangerous and
completely unwarranted legislation. ERW&SD Board Chair Rick Sackbauer introduced
water rights attorney Fitz Holloman who provided technical details regarding the
proposed state legislation. Holloman began his presentation by stating Sen. Jack
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Taylor's legislation threatened Recreational In -Channel Diversion (RICD) water rights.
Holloman encouraged Council to sign a letter of opposition and attend a Senate
Agricultural Committee (SAC) meeting later in the week. Holloman noted the importance
of junior/senior water rights issues and emphasized RICDs are a smart use of water as
none is wasted. Logan questioned why Taylor would champion such legislation. Fitz
responded agricultural water rights were the impetus behind Taylor's actions. Sackbauer
added recreational water interests are outnumbered by agricultural interests. Ian
Anderson, local kayaker and Vail Commission on Special Events (CSE) member, spoke
in support of opposing the legislation and stated he would attend the committee hearing.
Cleveland suggested sending Sen. Taylor a letter reminding him of comments made to
Council while running for re-election. Taylor had appeared before Council stating his
resolve to protect Western Slope water rights. Donovan asked if the proposed Wolcott
Reservoir project might have acted as a catalyst to the proposed legislation. Holloman's
response was no. Sackbauer finished the presentation by stating, "We don't want any
water coming out of Eagle County to go east." Moffet moved and Cleveland seconded
the motion to approve the Resolution. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The third item on the agenda was Resolution No. #4, Series of 2005. Rotary
International's 100`h Anniversary. Council unanimously approved,7-0, the resolution
acknowledging 100 years of community and international service. Moffet, local Rotary
member, thanked Council for the acknowledgement. Moffet moved and Ruotolo
seconded the motion to approve.
The fourth item on the agenda was Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Council
• (VLMDAC) Appointment. Douglas Brooks, General Manager of the Vail Cascade) was
appointed by Council to fill a vacant term expiring December, 2006. Cleveland moved
and Moffet seconded the motion to approve. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The fifth item on the agenda was Consideration of a Recommendation by the Open
Space Board of Trustees to Include 21 Parcels of Land in 16 areas as Designated Open
Space. Introducing the item, Community Development Director Russ Forrest noted on
Jan. 25, 2005, the Vail Open Space Board of Trustees met and unanimously voted to
recommend 21 properties (16 areas) to Council for open space designation. Current
members of the Open Space Board of Trustees are Town Manager Stan Zemler,
Cleveland and David Viele from the PEC. Forrest asked for a Council recommendation
to approve all or a portion of the recommended parcels of land for designated open
space. In addition, three parcels: the middle bench of Donovan Park, the "par three"
parcel in the Booth Falls neighborhood and a parcel near the East Vail water tower were
suggested for designation as a park so they could later be considered for open space
designation. For such parcels to be considered for open space designation, the following
must occur:
- owned by the Town of Vail; and
-zoned either natural area preservation, outdoor recreation, or agriculture open
space; and
- be either:
1) Environmentally sensitive lands (wetlands, riparian areas, critical habitat
identified by the Division of Wildlife, or the Natural Heritage Program);
2) High natural hazard areas including the 100-year flood plain, red avalanche
hazard area, high rock fall hazard area, and high debris flow hazard area; or
3) Vail parks that provide passive outdoor recreation opportunities.
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Forrest emphasized open space designation would result in the `freezing" of an asset
located within the Town of Vail. Also, a % super majority vote from Council would be
required to designate a parcel as open space. Moffet moved and Hitt seconded a
motion to designate 21 parcels of land, in 16 tracts in the town of Vail as Open Space
per section 13.11 of the town of Vail Charter. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
Council then considered three parcels to be designated as parks. Kim Ruotolo asked for
a definition of passive outdoor recreation. Forrest responded structured, organized
activity needs would be considered "active" recreation. Following an overview of the
recommended parcels, which include numerous stream tract areas, Farrow Hitt
emphasized the importance of protecting stream tracts. Donovan agreed. Kent Logan
inquired why the matter was before Council at this time. Hitt responded he was part of
the impetus prompting the action due to the need for some housekeeping. Donovan
applauded the effort. Jim Lamont, Vail Village Homeowners Association, stated as the
community continues to mature, future generations will require parcels of land where
additional recreation can occur. Donovan requested a work session item providing
details of designation/zoning and potential use. With Council expressing support for the
20 qualifying properties, Council voted 4-3 to direct staff to prepare a process for
designating the three remaining recommended parcels as parks. Logan, Moffet and
Ruotolo were opposed. Hitt moved and Donovan seconded a motion directing an
exploratory process.
The sixth item on the agenda was the First Reading of Ordinance No. #6, Series of
2005, an ordinance adopting a revised approved development plan for Special
Development District No. 6, Vail Village Inn, Phase I, to allow for modifications to Units
. 16, 17 AND 29, Vail Village Plaza Condominiums, pursuant to Section 12-9A-10,
Amendment Procedures, Vail Town Code, located at 100 East Meadow Drive (Vail
Village Inn), Lots M and O, Block 5D, Vail Village 1st Filing.On January 24, 2005, the
Planning and Environmental Commission forwarded a recommendation of approval, with
conditions, to the Town Council for the proposed major amendment to Special
Development District No. #6, Vail Village Inn. Council approved the ordinance, 6-1,
Donovan dissenting. Bill Pierce, architect, representing Liz and Luc Meyer, introduced
the item explaining the need for the ordinance. The ordinance allows for an additional
dwelling unit in a Special Development District (SDD). Cleveland inquired about
available parking for the entire SDD. Pierce responded Mr. Meyer had adequate parking
for the proposed dwelling unit. Donovan recommended the applicant contribute to a
higher proportion of streetscape improvements along Meadow Drive rather than the
current formula. Moffet moved and Hitt seconded the motion to approve.
The seventh item on the agenda was the Second Reading of Ordinance No. #3, Series
of 2005, an ordinance amending Section 12-114, Material To Be Submitted; Procedure,
Vail Town Code, Chapter 14-2, Definitions, Vail Town Code, and Chapter 14-6, Grading
Standards, Vail Town Code. Upon staff recommendation, Council unanimously
approved, 7-0, to table the second reading of this ordinance to March 1. Forrest clarified
a publication error led to the staff recommendation to table. Moffet moved and Ruotolo
seconded the motion to table the item.
The eighth item on the agenda was the Second Reading of Ordinance No. #4, Series of
2005, an ordinance repealing and reenacting Chapter 10-1, Building Codes, Vail Town
Code; adopting by reference the 2003 Editions of the International Building Code,
International Residential Code, International Fire Code, International Mechanical Code,
International Plumbing Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Energy
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Conservation Code; 2002 Edition of the National Electrical Code; and with regard to the
above -described codes, adopting certain appendices. The ordinance passed 5-2, with
Donovan and Moffat opposed. Donovan and Moffet questioned the efficacy of exposing
the town to federal accessibility standards, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
requirements. Town Attorney Matt Mire cautioned against approving an ordinance that
deviated from federal law. During the public comment period, Kaye Ferry stated ADA
requirements leave no room for rational thought, as many buildings in Vail are
impractical to be made accessible. Jim Lamont, Vail Village Homeowners Association,
asked by what means the town can alter the code so it meets localized conditions. Slifer
responded Council had clarified the issue in its previous meeting. Ruotolo moved and
Hitt seconded the motion to approve.
The ninth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report.
➢ Information Booth Updates
Zemler reported staff had developed a proposed process and steps for selection of an
operator to manage the Vail information booths once the current contact expires at the
end of September. The proposed timetable includes seven phases as follows:
--Phase 1-Information Gathering., February 15 - March 15, 2005
--Phase 2--Development of Request for Proposals Criteria, March 15 - April 19, 2005
--Phase 3--Issuance of Request for Proposals, April 20 - June 1, 2005
--Phase 4--Evaluation of Proposals, June 2 - June 5, 2005
--Phase 5--Selection of Operator, June 21 - July 5, 2005
--Phase 6--Approval of Operating Agreement, July 6 - August 2, 2005
--Phase 7--Preparation for New Contract Period, August 3 - October 1, 2005
• Zemler then recommended reinstalling the Council Visitor Center Subcommittee (Farrow
Hitt, Kim Ruotolo, Stan Zemler and Suzanne Silverthorn) to manage the process and
bring its recommendations to the full Council for decisions on the RFP document and
selection of the operator. Zemler emphasized the town should thoroughly examine how
information is provided, mentioning geographic distribution and visitor characteristics.
Having recently returned from a fact-finding visit to the European Alps, it was reported
Greg Hall and Jim Lamont will share how information is disseminated there. Ruotolo
requested a fifth member be added to the committee. Hitt received clarification from the
town attorney his employment at a local lodge would not cause him to have a conflict of
interest. Donovan stated experience running an information center should not be a
criteria used to determine an operator. Council voted unanimously, 7-0, for approval of
the proposed schedule. Moffet moved and Cleveland seconded the motion to approve.
Simultaneous to the steps outlined above, staff also encouraged the development of a
Visitor Information Master Plan to be completed in the fall of 2005. As proposed, the
master plan would include an audit of current visitor information systems as they relate
to guest arrival, the experience while here, and guest departure. In addition, the master
plan would contain a hierarchy for way finding systems and would address future
location(s) and related services for the Vail Visitor Centers.
➢ Commission on Special Event (CSE) Logo Recommendation
Zemler reported at its January 25, 2005, meeting, the CSE voted to send the following
recommendation to the Vail Town Council: Instead of the regular Town of Vail municipal
logo, the CSE is asking that all formal contracts with special events promoters require
the use of the Vail Local Marketing District (VLMD) THINK SUMMER. THINK VAIL. logo
in all advertising and marketing material. Subsequently, staff recommended all special
events promoters (based on seasonality) through contract with the CSE incorporate both
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the Town of Vail municipal logo, as well as the THINK SUMMER. THINK VAIL. logo on
all advertising and marketing promotions. Cleveland moved and Donovan seconded
approval of the staff recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.
➢ Formation of Seibert Circle Committee
Zemler informed Council staff had constructed an aggressive timetable to develop a
decision on the Seibert Circle renovation. Zemler recommended using the existing
streetscape committee, an AIPP member, Pete Seibert Jr., Dan Barry and a Vail Resorts
representative. Donovan recommended the committee meet weekly until an appropriate
proposal is produced.
The tenth item on the agenda was Adjournment. The meeting was unanimously
adjourned, 7-0, at approximately 8:40 p.m. Moffet moved and Ruotolo seconded the
motion to approve.
Respectfully Submitted,
7AL
Rodney E. Slifer, Mayor
ATTEST: .0
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Lor ei Donaldson, Town Clerk
Minutes provided by Corey Swisher.
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