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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-19 Town Council Minutes• i. is Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 19, 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 Greg Moffet Kim Newbury Mark Gordon Kent Logan Farrow Hitt, Mayor Pro-Tem Not present: 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. Ann Hesson introduced David Fulton as the newly appointed Director of the Eagle River Watershed Council. He thanked Council for its support in protecting the Eagle River Watershed. The second item on the agenda was the Commission on Special Events (CSE) Appointment. Earlier in the day Council interviewed two applicants for an opening on the CSE Board. Applicants must be residents of the town, own real property within the town, own a business in the town, or be employed within the town. The term of the new member shall be until December 31, 2007 to fill the term vacated by Robert Aikens who had to resign due to personal reasons. Members of the CSE shall serve at the will of Council. The CSE shall support Council's goals and objectives and makes decisions in alignment with Council's marketing direction. The mission of the CSE is to support street entertainment and special events for vitality, year-round fun, sense of community and increased quality of experience for guests and residents. The functions and/or duties of CSE shall include, but are not limited to: hiring and overseeing a director and/or staff, as well as event producers and/or promoters; creating, funding and seeking special events for the Town of Vail; evaluating event applications and event success; submitting an annual budget for operations and events; coordinating the community calendar for special events; seeking out additional funding for special events through sponsorships and donations; evaluating and executing contracts for special events; and all other functions as directed by the Town Council. The two applicants were Bobby Bank and Michelle Kobelan. Hitt moved to appoint Bobby Bank to the CSE with Newbury seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0. ,isThe third item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. • Bighorn Park Update. Landscape Architect Gregg Barrie reported the Public Works Department has reopened the Bighorn Park playground as of June 18. The play area has been under construction since September. The redesigned play area includes artistic log "bloom" structures constructed of beetle -killed lodge pole pine trees. There are multiple slides and custom climbers as well as several "spinners". The renovation budget was $346,000. Bighorn Park is also the location for the Art in Public Places "Community Stone" project. The five foot boulder is engraved with the handprints of local children. The handprints were collected from schools and daycare centers throughout Vail in 2006.There will be an official dedication at the July 12 Bighorn Park Neighborhood Picnic. • Update on Loading and Delivery. Zemler emphasized the issue of loading and delivery is a town -wide policy and the decision to evolve to dispersed loading and delivery in Vail has been underway for several decades. The goal of the system is to provide a safe pedestrian environment for guests and employees and reduce noise and air pollution and the unsightliness of large delivery vehicles in the town's commercial core. This policy has resulted in the development of a coordinated loading and delivery network. One Willow Bridge, the Arrabelle at Vail Square, Vail Plaza Hotel & Club, Solaris and Vail's Front Door project all have shared public use delivery facilities built into them. With the completion or near completion of these projects, the time to develop an implementation plan has arrived, i. Zemler said. He then recommended forming a working group to assist in the development of an implementation strategy. The group would consist of: 2 Town Council members, 1 representative from the Vail Chamber & Business Association; 1 representative from the Vail Valley Partnership; 1 resident representative; 2 retail representatives; 2 restaurant representatives; 2 lodging representatives; and 2 delivery vendor representatives. The representatives would be selected by their respective peers. The group would then be charged with developing several options to be considered by Council. The options would include utilization of the new loading and delivery berths, consideration of costs and other impacts, and the identification of any equipment and or staffing needs. Council directed Zemler to move forward with next steps, which includes a community meeting at 1 p.m. June 26 in the Vail Town Council Chambers to continue the discussions. The fourth item on the agenda was a LionsHead Parking Structure Redevelopment Update. Zemler announced he had been in the process of hosting two days of comprehensive meetings with all parties involved in the LionsHead parking structure redevelopment negotiations. He said staff would return on July 17 (most likely in executive session) with an all-inclusive update. Council will also be provided with a draft redevelopment agreement. In regard to installation of the Seibert Circle fountain feature, Public Works Director Greg Hall reported the town continues to work with WET Design on a few remaining technical issues. 0 The fifth item on the agenda was Vail Whitewater Park Recreational Enhancements. • Landscape Architect Gregg Barrie said that based on the Council recommendations from the June 5 work session, staff is requesting the following: 1. Approve a project budget of $ 376,000 for the construction of Alternative B AND 2. Authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement with Ted Siepel Construction, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $ 337,100 for the construction of the Vail Whitewater Park Enhancements During 2006, staff presented the concept of an adjustable whitewater feature to Council. Each time the project was presented, design and pricing were discussed, and the question was asked whether to continue with the project. In August, Council overturned a PEC denial of the proposal. In March 2007, the town received three bids for the construction of the project. Working with the lowest bidder, staff developed four alternatives for Council consideration. The alternatives were presented at the June 5 work session. The recommendation from Council was to return at the next meeting for approval of Alternative B. Staff reported this is the only option for making any significant improvement to the Vail Whitewater Park. If Council is inclined to fund the project, staff recommended constructing Alternative B, increasing the project budget by $292,000 to a total of $376,000, and entering into a contract with Ted Siepel Construction, Inc. to construct the project. Moffet moved to approve the project with Newbury seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The sixth item on the agenda was to discuss the proposed redevelopment of the Timber • Ridge Employee Housing project, located at 1280 North Frontage Road with the Vail Town Council. Housing Coordinator Nina Timm and Zemler reiterated what had been discussed with Council on June 5 regarding the redevelopment of Timber Ridge. Council expressed general satisfaction with the proposed mix of 312 rental units and 167 for -sale units on the property. Council said it wished to encourage the developer to reconsider the unit sizes on the for -sale units and create more one- and two -bedroom for -sale units. Town Council did not believe the location and proposed density would appeal to families in Eagle County. Timm emphasized the developer would perform further market research to ensure market demand exists. Recognizing Council has not closely studied the rental market, it was suggested a range of rental units from studios, one-, two-, three-, and four -bedroom units. There was unanimous agreement from the Council members present that all units, for -sale and rental, should be deed restricted. There was not significant discussion regarding the type(s) of deed restrictions that should be put in place. The Vail Local Housing Authority (VLHA) suggested the town and the developer evaluate the viability of providing a land lease to the developer rather than Fee Title to the property. The town historically has had a policy of not selling land. The VLHA believes that over the long term this will benefit the town in multiple ways. When the term of the land lease expires the town will be involved in future uses of the housing. The town will have the ability to adapt to changing market forces. Additionally, if the courts take a more conservative view on long-term deed restrictions the town would not be at risk of losing the desired use of the property. The Council members present expressed a preference to see a long-term land lease provided to the developer rather than sale of the property. There were no public comments following the discussion. The seventh item on the agenda was a Discussion of Council Out of Cycle Contribution . Requests for 2007.Budget Manager Kathleen Halloran explained the purpose of the mid- year review is to provide an opportunity for organizations that have newly identified . projects or unforeseen changes to their budgets to come forward all at the same time. Council evaluates the various proposals based on their direct benefit to the entire community of Vail, fulfillment of the town's mission, and how this contribution will affect the resort community's future health. The town received four requests: A. Colorado Ski Museum The Ski Museum requested a total $142,000 cash contribution: $69,500 for interior display lighting renovations; $30,000 for a new interior exhibit design; $15,000 for a Denver International Airport (DIA) exhibit to be located in Concourse A; $18,000 to help fund the construction of an exterior building renovation; and $10,000 to help fund a Museum Theater Room. Staff recommended the Ski Museum approach the Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Council (VLMDAC) for the $15,000 of marketing/advertising for the DIA exhibit. Staff supported the exterior renovation request for $18,000, but recommended funding be conditional on the results of DRB requirements. Staff recommended the remaining items be included in a request for 2008 funding. B. Radio -Free Minturn Radio -Free Minturn requested a total of $5,000 cash contribution ($3,000 to install a local emergency alert system and $2,000 for operating support). Staff supported the funding request. The local emergency alert system will provide immediate notification of local emergencies through an interruption of station programming. The Town of Vail wrote a letter of support to Eagle County for this program on behalf of Radio -Free Minturn as well. Unfortunately, the County did not support the project. The request for operations support appears reasonable based on the Radio's financial outlook, according to a town staff evaluation. C. Vail Pioneer Reunion Vail Pioneer Reunion requested a cash contribution of $1,500 and an in -kind contribution of $3,500 for one day at Dobson (September 22). Any profit from the event will be donated to local charities. For example, the Pioneer Reunion held five years ago donated $8,000 to the Vail Memorial Park. Staff recommended the in -kind contribution, contingent upon availability at Dobson / approval from the Vail Recreation District. However, Vail Pioneer Reunion will be responsible for hard costs related to the event at Dobson. Staff does not recommend the cash contribution because as noted in the application, proceeds will go to local charities (the town has a process for contributing to charities). Staff is also concerned about setting a precedent regarding contributions to private events and/or groups convening in Vail. D. Vail Valley Foundation The Vail Valley Foundation requested $250,000 of funding to help cover a pledge shortfall of $2 million dollars related to the $10 million dollar reconstruction of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in 2001. Staff recommended funding as requested from the Real Estate Transfer Tax Fund. The Town of Vail contributed $300,000 toward the $10 million dollar project at the time of reconstruction. If the current request is also funded, the town's total contribution to the reconstruction will represent only 5.5% of the overall total cost. Moffet moved to approve the staff recommendations with Hitt seconding. Gordon asked if there was a way to assist the Ski Museum with fundraising. Newbury encouraged the VLMDAC to approve the funding request. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0. • The eighth item on the agenda was the first reading of Ordinance No. 17, Series of 2007, an ordinance amending the Official Zoning Map for the Town of Vail in accordance with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Chapter 5, Zoning Map; Rezoning Lots C1 — C5, Lions Ridge V Filing from Special Development District No. 10 (Timber Ridge Village Apartments) to Housing (H) district. Community Development Director George Ruther reported that on June 11, 2007, the PEC held a public hearing on the request to amend the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Vail. Upon consideration of the request, the Commission approved (7-0-0) a motion recommending approval of the rezoning request to Council. Moffet clarified the action represented the removal of "a whole bunch" of development restrictions and putting those into the hands of the PEC. Moffet then expressed concern over off-street parking requirements (they were too onerous). Moffet moved to approve the ordinance with Newbury seconding. Gordon recommended a convenience store be included in the project. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The ninth item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2007, an ordinance amending the Official Zoning Map for the Town of Vail in accordance with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Chapter 5, Zoning Map; Rezoning Lot 21, Buffehr Creek Subdivision, from Primary/Secondary (P/S) district to Low Density Multiple -family (LDMF) district. Warren Campbell stated that on May 14, 2007, the PEC held a public hearing on the request to amend the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Vail. Upon consideration of the request, the Commission unanimously approved a motion recommending approval with a condition of the rezoning request to the Vail Town Council. Moffet moved to approve the ordinance with Gordon seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The tenth item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. 16, Series I, 2007, An Ordinance to Prohibit the Possession, Sale or Use of Fireworks within the Town of Vail. Police Chief Dwight Henninger stated that pursuant to C.R.S. §12-28-107, the town is authorized to adopt an ordinance establishing prohibitions upon the sale, use, and possession of fireworks, including "permissible fireworks" as defined in C.R.S. § 12-28-101, within the corporate limits of the town. Ordinance No. 16 prohibits "fireworks" that are already currently prohibited by Colorado state statute and will allow the town to more effectively prosecute these types of violations in the Town of Vail Municipal Court. Moffet moved to approve the ordinance with Newbury seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The eleventh item on the agenda was Adjournment. Newbury moved to adjourn with Moffet seconding at approximately 7:03 p.m. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0. ATTEST: �releii Donaldson, To Rodney E. Slifer, Mayor • Minutes provided by Corey Swisher. Ll •