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
•