HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-02 Town Council Minutesilllw Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 2, 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
Mark Gordon
Farrow Hitt, Mayor Pro-Tem
Kevin Foley
Kim Newbury
Not present: Kent Logan
Staff Members: Stan Zemler, Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation.
There was none.
The second item on the agenda was an Eagle County School District (RE50J) Update.
RE50J Communications Director Brooke Skjonsby announced several newly hired
school district officials, including Interim RE50J Superintendent John Pacheco, who
explained he would be helping the district on a temporary basis until a new
superintendent could be hired. He will also help the new superintendent transition into
the position. He then thanked local residents for supporting a recent bond election. "Our
students are learning and our teachers are teaching... Second language learners are
continuing to pose challenges but progress is being continuously made." Moffet thanked
Pacheco for coming before Council. Moffet then suggested the Red Sandstone
Elementary School become a K-12 college preparatory school.
The third item on the agenda was a Northwest Colorado Council of Governments
(NWCCOG) Update.
NWCCOG Executive Director Gary Severson explained the organization is a voluntary
association of county and municipal governments who individually and collectively
believe that working together on a regional basis provides benefits that could not be
obtained without the association. "We can do more working together than we can do
separately... We leverage dollars to make us players on a regional stage." Today,
NWCCOG serves 28 member jurisdictions in a five -county region including the cities of
Glenwood Springs, Steamboat Springs and Carbondale; Eagle County and the towns of
�w Avon, Basalt, Eagle, Gypsum, Minturn, Red Cliff and Vail; Grand County and the towns
of Fraser, Granby, Grand Lake, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling and Winter Park;
Jackson County and the Town of Walden; Pitkin County and the City of Aspen; and
Summit County and the towns of Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco, Montezuma, and
Silverthorne. NWCCOG assists the town on various issues. Those issues are
addressed through a series of departments:
Water Quality and Quantity Committee (QQ)
NW Revolving Loan Fund
1-70 Mountain Transportation Coalition
• Energy Management and Conservation
• Watershed Services
Alpine Area Agency on Aging
• NW All Hazards Emergency Management Region
NWCCOG Foundation
Severson then discussed NWCCOG's involvement with pine beetle mitigation. Zemler
thanked Severson for his efforts during the developmental stages of the 1-70 Coalition.
"Gary's efforts during the first year of the coalition were invaluable."
The fourth item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda.
• Approval of 09.04.07 & 09.18.07 Minutes.
Moffet moved to approve the minutes with Foley seconding. The motion passed
unanimously, 6-0.
The fifth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report.
Revenue Update.
Finance Director Judy Camp reported sales tax collections for the month of August are
expected to be $1.2 million, up 12% from August, 2006. Year-to-date collections of $13.8
million through August continue to exceed last year's year-to-date by 7%. For
comparison, inflation as measured by the consumer price index was up 2.0% in August
compared with the prior year. Construction permit revenue, which can be considered an
indicator of redevelopment activity, continues its strong trend with year-to-date
construction permit fees of $2.3 million, up 60% from the same period last year. Year-to-
date permit fees include $1.7 million from major construction projects: 9 Vail Road, the
Arrabelle at Vail Square, Cascade, Forest Place, Four Seasons, Front Door, Lodge at
LionsHead, Manor Vail, Mountain View (formerly Apollo Park), Ritz Carlton, Solaris, Vail
Plaza Hotel, Westhaven Condominiums, and the Willows. Major projects are up
approximately double last year's amount. Construction permit fees include building,
electrical, mechanical, plumbing and sprinkler permits. Year-to-date Real Estate
Transfer Tax collections through September 26, 2007, total $4.4 million compared with
$4.0 million for the same time period last year, an increase of close to 10%. Major
redevelopment projects including Forest Place, Gore Creek Place, Manor Vail and One
Willow Bridge Road contributed $835,726 or 19% of the total in 2007 while only
$464,500 or 12% of the total in 2006 consisted of major redevelopment projects.
• Construction Update.
Public Works Director Greg Hall announced a significant gas line break occurred in Vail
Village over the weekend. "Seibert Circle remains under construction ... You will be able
to see the structure come out of the ground very shortly ... West Meadow Drive water line
work begins on October 15 and will go until November 15... Paver repair on Meadow
Drive should also happen very shortly ... The International Bridge should be opened up
next week... Paving in Lionshead should begin around the 15"'."
Forest Health Update.
Wildland Fire Coordinator Town Talbot reported an estimated 714 dead trees (due to the
pine beetle) have been cut down around the town. The purpose of this is to create a
defensible area along the town's wildland interface. The downed trees will be processed
in the Kremmling area and turned into fuel pellets.
• Housing Obligation Resolution Update.
Zemler stated a resolution expressing Council's expectations of Vail Resorts' housing
obligations would be readied for an upcoming Council agenda, if needed.
Wendy's Parcel Closing Update.
Town Attorney Matt Mire announced the town had recently closed on the purchase of
the former Wendy's parcel.
The sixth item on the agenda was a Timber Ridge Redevelopment Discussion.
Due to a predetermined conflict of interest (Vail Resorts affiliation) Slifer and Gordon
recused themselves from the item. Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz explained, "Affordable
housing is a critical issue for the community and us ... My goal is to move forward in the
best way possible ... The key for us is making progress... Timber Ridge is one of the great
opportunities for the community... Our development proposal would not cost burden the
town financially... We see a lot of progress and a lot of alignment...We are also willing to
have for -sale units on the property ... We are willing to work with Open/Hillwood
(Open/Hillwood has also submitted a proposal to redevelop Timber Ridge)." Katz also
said his company would be willing to accept a lease arrangement for the redevelopment
to respect the wishes of the Town Council in retaining ownership of the property. Vail
Resorts Project Manager Tom Miller discussed the proposal and walked the audience
through proposed site plans. Zemler said, "We are trying to bring some resolution to this
particular phase of looking at projects ... I will be contacting Vail Resorts and
Open/Hillwood and providing them with a deadline." Zemler then stated both proposals
will be examined by Council on October 161h. "We are going to try to bring conclusion to
this phase of the redevelopment of Timber Ridge." Katz later emphasized, "No matter
who you chose we believe this is a positive step forward."
The seventh item on the agenda was the 2007 Election Judge Appointments for the
November 6, 2007 Regular Municipal Election.
By Colorado State Statute, each polling place must have a minimum of three judges to
assist with municipal elections. Staff requested the appointments of Vi Brown, Mary Jo
Allen, Holly Cole, Mary Caster, Mary Ann Best, Summer Holm, Earl Best and Kathryn
Schmidt to be the Town of Vail election judges. Moffet moved to appoint the
aforementioned individuals as judges with Gordon seconding. The motion passed
unanimously, 6-0.
The eighth item on the agenda was the Approval of the 2008 Vail Local Marketing
District budget and operating plan, Resolution No. 24, a resolution adopting a budget
and making appropriations to pay the costs, expenses and liabilities of the Vail Local
Marketing District for its fiscal year January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 .
Moffet moved to adopt the resolution with Newbury seconding. The motion passed 5-1,
with Foley opposed. Foley said he would prefer to see a line item in the VLMD budget to
specifically fund the Commission on Special Events (CSE).
The ninth item on the agenda was the Recommendations of the Parking Task Force for
2007-2008 Ski Season.
Council asked the task force to look at adopting a tiered rate schedule and developing a
business owner pass program. The committee looked at a tiered system and has made
its recommendation. This was not unanimous among the committee members. Vail
Resorts made its concerns known but were unable to attend the meeting. Based on the
recommended tiered rate structure, pass prices affected by the new peak period rates
were evaluated and changes were made. In addition, the shopper parking rate time
frame was adjusted. The creation of a discounted business owner pass was
recommended. Council established the Parking Task Force to provide direction to the
Vail Town Council regarding parking operation policies for each year. The task force
determined areas where attention was warranted. These areas include:
• Rate increase to make up for the transit enhancements put in place last year and
cover operation enhancement cost increases in parking in both winter and summer.
• Significant increases in the pass use in the lower tier passes (20-30%) resulting in
crowding during peak periods.
• Modify the pass structure to be more in line with transit pass cost to encourage
transit and carpooling.
• Projected number of employees who will be in town early season, estimates are up
to 800 more employees working in town through mid -December.
• Provide consistent use of the West Vail area on all peak days.
Parking ticket fines being more in line as a penalty.
• Summer parking management.
• Reverification of debit user classification.
The ability for employees and guests to access parking spaces in the 9:30-10:3C
a.m. period.
The parking task force recommended the following changes to the parking policies for
the 2007-2008 season as follows:
• Rates and parking passes are proposed to adjust per the attached rate structure.
• Expand use of the free peak period areas in West Vail during the 17 day holiday
period from Friday, Saturday and Sunday to all days during the peak periods.
• In recognition of significant increase in demand during the early season for this year,
only allow this free peak period area to be used Monday through Friday up to the
beginning of the holiday peak period.
• Restrict the construction pass to the Lionshead Structure Monday through Thursday
and not allow entry to Ford Park or the Soccer Field parking on peak days.
• Recommend an increase in the maximum parking violation from $26 to something
closer to twice the rate of parking.
• Allow pass parking at the former Wendy's lot.
• Enhance the area between Wendy's and the Chamonix bus stop with level and
asphalt milling shoulders.
• Look at having Donovan Park used early season this year only.
• Provide enhanced transit service early season and during peak periods for the
Wendy's lot and West Vail shoulder parking.
• Enhance the summer parking management of the structures during peak periods:
three additional seasonal positions are included in the 2008 budget.
• Recommend this is the last year current debit card holders can add value to cards
without verification of restrictions of use. Beginning next year, a recertification
process will take place.
Peak is 50% of the total number of ski days. In reference to employee parking, Moffet
congratulated Hall on his proposed solutions. It was clarified there are 150 days of paid
parking. April 13 is currently scheduled to be the last day of ski season. Hall announced
there were internal discussions regarding using Donovan Pavilion as an ancillary parking
lot. A new merchant Silver Pass was proposed to be sold for $1,575 and offered solely
to business owners who operate in Vail Village or LionsHead. A maximum of 50 silver
passes would be sold for each parking structure, offered on a first -come, first -served
basis; one pass per business during the initial sales period. The 100 total passes would
provide seven -day -a -week access to either the Village or LionsHead parking structure,
but not both, depending upon where the business is located. Representing the Vail
Chamber and Business Association Kaye Ferry, said she believed the recommendations
were very appropriate. Moffet moved to adopt the Parking Task Force recommendations
with silver parking passes being sold on a first -come, first -served basis with Newbury
seconding. Representing Vail Resorts, Brian McCartney questioned the need for a two -
tiered system for weekday and weekend parking rates. "When you confuse the guest,
you irritate the guest ... If we don't need the revenue, I don't recommend you use a two -
tiered system." During a pause for public comment, former Mayor Bob Armour
encouraged not using a two -tiered system. Hitt said he believed the guest cared most
about skiing, not about the price of parking. The motion passed 4-2, with Slifer and
Gordon opposed.
The tenth item on the agendas was a request by Sonnenalp Properties, Inc.,
represented by Henry Pratt, Gwathmey Pratt Schultz Lindall Architects, for permission to
proceed through the town's development review process for the re -alignment of an
existing driveway across Tract A, Middle Creek Subdivision, for the Solar Vail Employee
Housing Project.
Town Planner Scot Hunn stated the applicant has proposed to redevelop the Solar Vail
property located at 501 North Frontage Road West. During the preliminary review of this
project, staff asked the applicant to revise the plans to include improvements to the
�w grade and alignment of the existing access driveway for Solar Vail to meet current town
standards. The existing access driveway, located to the east of the Solar Vail building,
encroaches over the extreme south west corner of Tract A, an un-platted parcel of land
owned by the town. Existing driveway improvements impact approximately 600 square
feet of Tract A. Preliminary drawings indicating the revised driveway alignment and
associated extents of disturbance on Tract A were reviewed during the Town Council
Work Session. The applicant must obtain approval from the Vail Town Council (i.e.
property owner) before proceeding through the town's development review process for
any improvements across or over Tract A. Moffet moved to approve the request to
proceed with Foley seconding. Hitt said he believed the property could be redeveloped
without impacting a natural area of preservation. The motion passed 5-1, Hitt opposed.
The eleventh item on the agenda was the Proposed additions to Exhibit B "Permitted
Capital Improvements" for the Town of Vail Master Deed Restriction that is currently in
place at Vail Commons, Red Sandstone Creek, North Trail Townhomes, Pitkin Creek
Park # 5-F and Vail Heights # 11.
Newbury recused herself from the item as she owns and lives in a deed restricted unit.
Town Housing Coordinator Nina Timm reported the Town of Vail Master Deed
Restriction for Vail Commons, Red Sandstone Creek, North Trail Townhomes and Pitkin
Creek Park # 5-F and Vail Heights # 11 limits appreciation of these units to a maximum
of three percent simple interest per year. Additionally, the recoupable permitted capital
improvements are also limited. The deed restriction has maintained the units as
affordable to local employees. At this point in time it is prudent to expand the recoupable
permitted capital improvements to maintain the units at a desirable level. The goal of the
suggested additional permitted capital improvements is not to further the resale value of
an owner's home, but to provide some monetary relief if certain improvements are made
and an owner must sell their unit within a five-year period. Moffet clarified a three
bedroom unit in the Vail Commons neighborhood is presently worth approximately
$243,000. Moffet moved to approve the resolution with an amendment to increase
maximum allowable improvements from 10% to 15%, with Gordon seconding. It was
clarified only energy star appliances are recoupable. Timm reported around two to three
of the affected units change hands in a year. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
The twelfth item on the agenda was the Second reading of the 2008 Budget, Ordinance
No. 29, Series 2007.
Moffet moved to adopt the ordinance with Gordon seconding. The motion passed 5-1,
with Foley opposed. Foley said he believed Council should have spent more time
reviewing salary and benefit data. Zemler thanked Finance Director Judy Camp and
Halloran for their diligent efforts on the budget.
The thirteenth item on the agenda was the Second reading of Ordinance No. 30, Series
of 2007. An Ordinance Amending Section 1-5-8 "Compensation", Vail Town Code;
Increasing the Compensation Paid to Town Council Members.
This ordinance increases council compensation from $500 per month to $625 per month
and retains the salary for mayor at $1,000 per month, effective January 1, 2008. Mire
stated according to Town Charter, Council Members are not to benefit from increased
compensation brought about by their own vote. Subsequently, Hitt and Gordon (both
with two years remaining on their terms) are not eligible to receive a salary increase
during their current terms. Moffet moved to approve the ordinance with Newbury
seconding. The motion passed 5-1, with Foley opposed. For details, contact Matt Mire at
479-2460.
The fourteenth item on the agenda was Resolution No. 22, Series of 2007, a resolution to
adopt the Solaris Parking Management Plan, pursuant to the requirements of the
Crossroads Development Agreement dated March 22, 2006.
On September 18, 2007, Council voted unanimously to table this request to the October
2, 2007, public hearing. On March 22, 2006, Council agreed to the Crossroads
Development Agreement which addressed the many public aspects of the Solaris
project. One of those aspects was the management of the 81 excess parking spaces in
the subterranean garage which are a portion of the public benefit to offset the deviations
that were approved. The Crossroads Development Agreement required the applicant
return to Council for review and approval of the parking management plan prior to
submitting for a building permit. This request was proposed to satisfy that requirement.
Campbell clarified the Solaris Developer would be required to adhere to the proposed
management plan as it was part of the DIA. Moffet said the plan was a vast improvement
compared to what was previously submitted. Moffet moved to adopt the resolution with
Hitt seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
The fifteenth item on the agenda was Adjournment.
Moffet moved to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. with Newbury seconding. The motion passed
unanimously, 6-0.
Rodney E. Slifer, Mayor
ATTEST:
OF
SEAL
Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk '
.coi6RPO:6'64
Minutes provided by Corey Swisher.
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