HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-17 Town Council MinutesLI
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Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
6:00 P.M.
Vail Town Council Chambers
The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by
Mayor Rod Slifer.
Members Present: Rod Slifer, Mayor
Dick Cleveland, Mayor Pro -Tern
Diana Donovan
Farrow Hitt
Kent Logan
Kim Ruotolo
Members Absent: Greg Moffet
Staff Members: Stan Zemler, Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. A.J. Johnson, a candidate for
District 2 Eagle County Commissioner, introduced himself and encouraged the Council
• and members of the public to contact him to discuss issues of concern. Johnson is
running against incumbent Arn Menconi in the November election.
Chip Domke, director of the Vail Memorial Park, presented an update on the park's
construction, which has been underway for the past few weeks following a ceremonial
groundbreaking in June. The park is located on an 11-acre site on a portion of the town -
owned Katsos property in East Vail. During his update, Domke showed photos of the
construction site, which has been carefully staged to protect the existing native
vegetation. The park will feature inscribed boulders, stones and benches to memorialize
loved ones, plus the burial or scattering of cremation remains. Domke said the park will
be dedicated this fall and that 10 of 18 major donors had already been secured.
Construction of the park is being supported by a local fundraising campaign sponsored
by the Vail Memorial Park Foundation, plus a $50,000 interest -free loan from the Town
of Vail. Also, a perpetual care fund has been established to cover ongoing operations.
Domke said he would return to the Town Council with another update in a few weeks.
The second item on the agenda was the Chamonix Property Master Planning Update.
Scott Nevin of Davis Partnership and Michael Hazard of Hazard & Associates presented
an update on the town's master planning process for the Chamonix property at 2310
Chamonix Rd. in West Vail. The town has hired the team to explore a variety of future
land use options for the 3.6 acre town -owned property, which has also been identified as
a site for a future fire station. During the presentation, Nevin summarized project themes
identified during an Aug. 9 neighborhood kick-off meeting. Comments centered around
five themes: 1) preserve and build upon community characteristics; 2) pay particular
attention to site access and traffic impacts; 3) minimize fire station impacts to the
neighborhood; 4) explore financing options for fire station; and 5) explore long-term
needs and opportunities. Next steps include creation of a range of land use scenarios,
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all of which will include a fire station on the property. The options will be presented at a
second neighborhood meeting on Sept. 27, followed by an update to the Town Council
on Oct. 5. During the discussion, Mayor Rod Slifer encouraged the design team to leave
enough room for a future expansion of the fire station so as to adequately serve the
community 30 to 40 years from now. Councilman Dick Cleveland said he was glad the
team will explore a variety of options, including whether a public -private development on
the property could offset costs for the fire station. Such options, he said, will require
public policy decisions by the Council, such as deciding if the town would be willing to
sell a portion of the land. Council member Diana Donovan said she hoped land -banking
would be considered as an option, while Council member Kim Ruotolo said the first
neighborhood meeting was well attended and offered a good opportunity to listen to
neighborhood concerns and ideas.
The third item on the agenda was a Design Review Board Appeal, 252 West Meadow
Drive. The Council heard a presentation by Bill Gibson, Community Development
Planner, outlining the applicant's request to overturn the Design Review Board's (DRB)
denial of an application to allow for a change to approved landscaping plans at a
residence under construction at 252 West Meadow Drive. The property owner, Ted
Halaby, had asked that the original condition of approval to plant five, 35 ft. high
replacement trees be modified by planting trees of different sizes after discovering that
an underground culvert could not guarantee the survivability of the taller trees. After
discussion, Kim Ruotolo motioned to overturn DRB denial based on the following finding:
that upon review of the evidence and testimony presented the standards and conditions
imposed by the requirements of Title 12 (Zoning Regulations) have not been
implemented and enforced correctly by the Design Review Board. The motion was
• seconded by Kent Logan. After further discussion, the motion was amended by Ruotolo
to require the culvert be inspected and replaced, if needed, before the berm is
contructed. Kent Logan amended his second. Routolo further amended her motion to
reflect that if, after an inspection of the culvert, it is found to have a problem; the
applicant is to return to Council for direction. Logan again amended his second. A vote
was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. In voting to overturn the DRB
decision to deny the request, Council members said the proposal was a reasonable
solution, given the circumstances.
The fourth item on the agenda was a discussion to sign a contract with Fentress
Bradburn to design the Vail Conference Center. The contract includes $2,063,865 for
conference center design purposes, plus $153,252 in reimbursable expenses. In
addition, the contract allows up to $318,580 in alternate fees, depending on the scope of
parking, transit and road configurations identified during a master planning process of
the area. During the discussion, Chris Squadra of ARC was introduced as the town's
owner's representative. ARC has been responsible for contract negotiations and other
technical issues. Squadra described the contract with Fentress Bradburn as "tough, but
fair." It was noted the Denver -based design firm was the unanimous choice of the
Conference Center Committee and the Vail Town Council from among 11 submissions.
During discussion, Council member Diana Donovan inquired about the scope of work
and triggers related to decisions on parking and transit. She also noted the need to
involve the community in the planning process and expressed a desire to determine how
other uses could be accommodated on the site during future expansions. Community
Development Director Russell Forrest reviewed next steps associated with the project,
which includes creation of a master plan for the conference center/parking structure site
that will identify vehicular and pedestrian circulation and connections as well as other
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urban design elements. A series of public stakeholder meetings are scheduled for Aug.
18 and again on Sept. 2. Once a master plan is formulated, the design process for the
conference center will begin. Dick Cleveland made a motion to sign a contract with the
architectural firm Fentress Bradburn to design the Vail Conference Center after review
and approval of the town attorney. Kim Ruotolo seconded the motion. A vote was taken
and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
The fifth item on the agenda was the first reading of Ordinance No. #21, Series of 2004,
an ordinance making supplemental appropriations to the 2004 Budget Supplemental
Appropriation No. 2. The ordinance, the second supplemental appropriation of the year,
identifies $3,045,169 in revenue increases and $3,272,372 in related expenditures.
Finance Director Judy Camp outlined major changes to the budget, including an
adjustment to funding and construction costs for the Multi -Purpose Recreational Facility
at Red Sandstone School; legal fees associated with a water rights case brought by the
town and several other resort communities on behalf of their whitewater parks; fees
associated with the conference center planning; the cost of additional contract positions
funded by a development resources agreement with Vail Resorts; and revenue forecast
increases. During discussion, Council member Diana Donovan inquired about costs
associated with Lionshead's redevelopment as well as wayfinding improvements, while
Councilman Farrow Hitt inquired about smoke mitigation costs for Dobson Arena and
requirements associated with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Hitt also referred
to an open space line item in the budget which he said underscored the importance of
protecting existing lands. Dick Cleveland made a motion to approve Ordinance No. #21
on first reading. Farrow Hitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion
passed unanimously, 6-0. Noting the town's major fund balances are now higher than
• anticipated, Councilman Kent Logan said the town is in very good shape financially,
giving credit to Town Manager Stan Zemler and his staff.
The sixth item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. 17, Series of
2004, an ordinance amending Special Development district No. #4, Cascade Village, to
allow for the creation of Development Area E, located at Track K, Glen Lyon Subdivision.
At the request of Town Attorney Matt Mire, Dick Cleveland motioned to table Ordinance
No. 17. Farrow Hitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed
unanimously, 6-0. The ordinance was tabled to the Oct. 5 evening meeting to allow time
for Vail Resorts to resolve outstanding issues related to protective covenants of the
subdivision, which requires written consent by other property owners of the subdivision.
Approval of the ordinance would enable Vail Resorts to apply for a conditional use
permit to allow for a new snowcat access route onto Vail Mountain.
The seventh item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. 19, Series of
2004, an ordinance amending section 6-3C-4 of the Municipal Code of the Town of Vail
as it relates to possession of opened containers of vinous liquor that modifies Vail's open
container ordinance by allowing an establishment possessing a valid Hotel and
Restaurant liquor license to permit a customer of the hotel or restaurant to reseal and
remove from the licensed premises one opened container of partially consumed wine
purchased on the premises so long as the original container did not contain more than
750 milliliters. The modifications are needed to accommodate a new liquor tastings law
approved by the state legislature. During discussion, Councilman Farrow Hitt received
clarification from Town Attorney Matt Mire that the law requires the wine to be partially
consumed on the premises before it can be resealed and removed. Kim Ruotolo made
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a motion to approve Ordinance No. 19 on second reading. Kent Logan seconded the
motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
The eighth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. The Council reviewed
plans by Vail Resorts to begin the relocation of utilities in Lionshead, which signifies a
major starting point for redevelopment. The work is anticipated to begin Sept. 7.
Councilman Kent Logan noted the need for adequate notification to impacted properties
and to minimize business disruption as much as possible. Jay Peterson, representing
Vail Resorts, said all businesses would have access throughout the construction and
that notification meetings with affected businesses and property owners were already
taking place. Council member Diana Donovan received clarification that the utility
locations would not conflict with build -to lines identified in the Lionshead Master Plan,
while Dick Cleveland said he wanted to make sure the public understood the action does
not involve selling town land or right of way. Cleveland motioned to authorize the town
manager to sign permanent utility easements to allow for the utility relocation. Farrow
Hitt seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Also during the Town Manager's Report, the Council discussed a request to authorize
the town manager to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Eagle River Water
and Sanitation District for an amount not to exceed $100,000 for storm water work
associated with utility work on East Meadow Drive. Construction will begin Sept. 7.
During discussion, Councilman Kent Logan reiterated concerns about adequate notice
for area businesses and property owners. It was noted that a meeting for businesses
and property owners along Meadow Drive had been held recently to provide an overview
of the anticipated construction. Kim Ruotolo motioned to authorize the town manager to
enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Eagle River Water and Sanitation
District for an amount not to exceed $100,000 for storm water work associated with utility
work on East Meadow Drive. Kent Logan seconded the motion. A vote was taken and
the motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
In closing the meeting, Mayor Rod Slifer complimented Bill Carlson, the town's
environmental health officer, for his work in helping to address some sediment problems
associated with a Vail Resorts construction project on Hanson Ranch Road.
As there was no further business, Kent Logan motion to adjourn. Kim Ruotolo seconded
the motion. A vote was taken and the meeting was adjourned at 7:47 P.M.
ATT T'
L ele' onald on, Town Clerk
Respectfully Submitted,
KcneY E. Slifer, Y�or