HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-15 Town Council Minutes• Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
6:00 P.M.
Vail Town Council Chambers
The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was called to order at
approximately 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Rod Slifer.
Members present: Rod Slifer, Mayor
Farrow Hitt, Mayor Pro-Tem
Kent Logan
Greg Moffet
Kim Newbury
Mark Gordon
Kevin Foley
Staff Members: Stan Zemler, Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
• The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. Vail Valley Exchange
representative Chip Domke announced McKenzie Stevens from Battle Mountain
High School and Axie Navas from Vail Mountain School were to receive the Vail
Youth Recognition Awards. Slifer presented each student with a $1,000 check to
be put toward their college education.
The second item on the agenda was a Construction Update. Public Works
Director Greg Hall announced the Manor Vail walkway (to Ford Park) was almost
complete. "Storm sewer work to the north of International Bridge... Utility work in
front of Austria Haus is underway with asphalt to occur soon ... The water line
installation on West Meadow Drive continues to progress... Work on the Arrabelle
streetscape continues." He then stated that significant work on Forest Road
would continue near the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District administrative
building. "There are several detours throughout town ... We are doing our best to
keep the signage up to date." He then clarified construction in the public right-of-
way is to be completed on June 22.
The third item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report.
Timber Ridge Update.
• Town Manager Stan Zemler reported there are several physical/structural and
financial issues at Timber Ridge. "We have experienced decreased revenue from
• projections due to additional vacancies we did not anticipate... Wastewater issues
also created some problems... Expenses are running about $20,000 higher than
we expected." He then announced a recent improvement in vacancies had
occurred, although several issues surrounding repair and maintenance loomed in
the future. "These are capital improvements that are not budgeted... Timber
Ridge Affordable Housing committee has engaged Borne Engineering to provide
cost estimates for some life -safety repairs."
The fourth item on the agenda was the LionsHead Parking Structure
Redevelopment and Timber Ridge Redevelopment. Zemler reported that on
March 20, 2007, Council directed staff to enter into an exclusive negotiation with
Open Hospitality Group/Hillwood Capital Partnership (OHP) for redevelopment
of the LionsHead parking structure property and to simultaneously consider
OHP's proposal to redevelop Timber Ridge. Staff and OHP, along with the
town's respective advisors, have been discussing the projects and negotiating
key points. Zemler stated, "I am feeling very good about where we are in the
process." Representing OHP, Mark Masinter said, "I'm thrilled the way the
process is going ... The process has been very transparent... We have some real
expertise at the partner level to help us execute our plan." Town legal
representative Malcolm Murray explained that to guarantee completion of the
three construction phases for a new parking structure, an irrevocable letter of
credit would be implemented during each phase of construction and controlled
• by the town. If the parking structure is rebuilt, but one or more hotels are
incomplete, the developer improvement agreement will contain certain triggers
that would enable the town to buy back the development rights and find a new
developer. Murray also outlined a model for operation and management of the
conference center in which the conference center would be owned by a metro
district. The metro district would contract with a public entity to act as a
convention bureau handling bookings and marketing. The metro district would
also enter into a contract with the hotel entity to maintain the space and provide
food and beverage services. To cover a possible operational deficit, a lodging
tax or public improvement surcharge would be implemented, as well as a
possible metro district mill levy which would be confined to the development
property. Masinter clarified a focus group suggested the conference center be
cutting edge technologically and possess high -end finishes. "We have a new
design we will be presenting to town staff." Logan clarified that when the first
phase of construction is begun the town will have a fully functional parking
garage in Ever Vail. Zemler stated parking continues to be the biggest challenge.
"We have talked to state (Colorado Department of Transportation) officials and
there is an openness to realigning the South Frontage Road. Referring to
parking, Zemler said, "We need to have alternatives and those will occur in
LionsHead ... We are continuing to have regular meetings with Vail Resorts."
Logan reinforced the importance of including Vail Resorts in the project
discussions. PEC Member Bill Jewitt asked for a contingency plan that would
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assure the project does not end up half completed. Representing the Vail
Village Homeowners Association, Jim Lamont urged Council to use due
• diligence when analyzing all issues surrounding the project. LionsHead
restaurateur Billy Suarez urged caution in the decision making process,
especially as it relates to available parking during construction. " I appreciate
Council's due diligence."
The fifth item on the agenda was the Second Reading of Ordinance No. 11, Series
of 2007, an ordinance amending Special Development District (SDD) No. 4,
Cascade Village, to allow for a new development area located at Tract K, Glen Lyon
Subdivision.
Senior Planner Bill Gibson announced that on May 1, 2007, the Vail Town Council
approved Ordinance No. 11, Series of 2007, on first reading by a vote of 5-0-0.
Moffet moved to adopt the ordinance with Gordon seconding. Representing the
applicant, Jay Peterson reported neighborhood concerns surrounding the snowcat
access had been alleviated. Representing the Vail Village Homeowners Association,
Jim Lamont offered thanks to Hitt for being persistent on the neighborhood covenant
concerns surrounding the proposal. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The sixth item on the agenda was the Second reading of Ordinance No. 14,
Series 2007. An Ordinance Amending Sections 5-1-7(H)(2)(d) Vail Town Code
Regarding the Regulation of Amplified Sound for Commercial Purposes. Town
Attorney Matt Mire stated that during the Council meeting of April 17, 2007, the
Council directed the staff to provide an Ordinance amending the current town
• code section 5-1-7, extending the time periods for allowable outdoor
entertainment. The Council wishes to extend the time which amplified -sound
equipment may be used for commercial purposes on Friday and Saturday nights
from 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Slifer clarified for the record that several letters in
opposition to the ordinance had been received by Council. Vail Village hotelier
Paul Johnston spoke in opposition to the ordinance. Representing the Vail
Village Homeowners Association, Jim Lamont spoke in opposition to the
ordinance. Slifer, a Village resident, then expressed displeasure with the
legislation. Representing the Vail Chamber and Business Association, Matt
Greene spoke in support of the ordinance. Gordon emphasized the importance of
the perception of "Vail is open" during the evening. Gordon then moved to
approve the ordinance with Hitt seconding. Hitt asked Police Commander Steve
Wright to strictly enforce the ordinance. Village resident Connie Knight spoke in
opposition to the ordinance. Foley professed a willingness to rescind the
ordinance if it didn't work. Newbury said she was trying to balance the
comments she had heard throughout the community. "We should evaluate it and
if it isn't working we should reconsider it." The motion passed 5-2, with Slifer and
Moffet opposed.
The seventh item on the agenda was Resolution No. 12, Series 2007, A
Resolution Approving the Purchase of Property in the Town of Vail Legally
Described as Vail Heights Condominium Unit #11, Eagle County, Colorado with a
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Physical Address of 2079 Chamonix Lane, Vail Colorado. The Council considers
. it in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare to purchase the property
legally described as Vail Heights Condominium Unit #11 Eagle County, Colorado
with a physical address of 2079 Chamonix Lane, Vail Colorado (the "Property") in
the amount of $280,000.00. Moffet moved to approve the ordinance with Foley
seconding. The unit will be included in the town's employee housing stock. The
motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The eighth item on the agenda was Resolution No. 13, Series 2007, A
Resolution Approving the Purchase of Property in the Town of Vail Legally
Described as Pitkin Creek Park Condominium Unit #6-H, Eagle County, Colorado
with a Physical Address of 4011 Bighorn Road, Vail Colorado
Council considered it in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare to
purchase the property legally described as Pitkin Creek Condominiums unit 6-H,
Eagle County, Colorado with a physical address of 4011 Bighorn Road, Vail
Colorado (the "Property") in the amount of $460,000.00. Moffet moved to adopt
the ordinance with Newbury seconding. The unit will be included in the town's
employee housing stock. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The tenth item on the agenda was Adjournment. Newbury moved to adjourn with
Moffet seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
ATTEST:
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Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk
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Rodney E. Slifer, Mayor