HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-07 Town Council MinutesVail Town Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
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 Dick Cleveland.
Members present: Dick Cleveland, Mayor
Kevin Foley
Kim Newbury
Kerry Donovan
Susie Tjossem
Andy Daly
Members absent: Margaret Rogers
Staff members: Stan Zemler, Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. Richard TenBraak,
representing the Vail Chamber and Business Association (VCBA), invited the
Town Council and community to the Vail Automotive Classic at the Vail Valley Jet
Center on Saturday, October 9, 2010.
The second item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda.
a. Approval of 08.03.10 & 08.17.10 Town Council Minutes and the 08.31.10
special meeting minutes.
Foley stated there were a couple of minor changes on the August 17th meeting
minutes and the August 31st meeting. Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk, will make
the changes. Foley made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of August 3,
and August 17, 2010 with the minor changes corrected and approval of the
special meeting minutes of August 31, 2010, the motion was seconded by Daly,
A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
The third item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report.
Kathleen Halloran, presented the Town Council with the revenue update for July
2010.
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The fourth item on the agenda was the appointment of a member to the
Planning and Environmental Commission (PEC).
After interviewing interested applicants at the work session, the Town Council
voted at the evening session to appoint one member to the PEC. Newbury made
a motion to appoint John Rediker to the PEC and the motion was seconded by
Foley. The motion to appoint John Rediker passed unanimously, 6-0.
The fifth item on the agenda was an update on the Conference Center Funds.
Kent Logan made a presentation to the Town Council on the background and
current update on the conference center funds findings and recommendations.
He stated that Stan Zemler, Kelli McDonald, Susie Tjossem, Kerry Donovan and
he met with individuals and additional groups over the past 90 days. In the
memorandum submitted to Council, he stated there was no big, new instant fix or
idea that came up during the meetings. The committee members met with Harry
Frampton, Bill Jensen, Rob Katz, Ceil Folz, Andy Norris, Beth Slifer, Doris
Kirchner, George Gillett and representatives of the lodging community and the
Vail Economic Advisory Council. The balance available for reallocation is $9.3
million as of the end of 2009 and on April 6, 2010, Council approved the goal to
utilize the funds to increase overall economic vitality in the Town of Vail. The key
assumption is to use the funds for capital assets, either new or to enhance
existing facilities, providing a long term benefit to the Town of Vail. The
subcommittee is requesting feedback from the Council on the recommended
project list and direction to refine uses and costs on proposed projects within the
next sixty days. Logan also asked for direction to move forward with stakeholder
meetings to gather community input and to designate a date to return to Town
Council with feedback from the stakeholders. He again stated the projects listed
were recommendations only.
The five recommendations for completing the Renaissance and upgrading
facilities to achieve the highest potential of the goals were: 1) Remodel the Golf
Clubhouse with the addition of an events pavilion; 2) Remodel and expand the
Vail Village Welcome Center to include community space; 3) Town -wide
signage/information/guest enhancement system; 4) Expand and renovate the
Dobson Ice Arena to allow for more uses; and 5) possibly expand Ford Park
fields to create two full scale athletic fields. He also said there is a need to create
better platforms and rely on private enterprise, possibly improving physical
assets. He congratulated the town on the assets already in place. He suggested
the Council move offensively with the use of these funds as the town's 50 year
anniversary is coming up in 2012, and the 2015 Championships are coming up
quickly.
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Logan stated there isn't one place where guests can go to access all that Vail
has to offer. We need "activity access" improvement and to improve platforms to
be brought up to world class status. In his final comments Logan said the time to
start is now as the $9.3 million is economic stimulus in and of itself. Construction
costs are down; strike now when discounts are significant. This is a window of
opportunity for the 50th Anniversary in 2012 and 2015 Championships. The town
needs to spend the money productively, not frivolously.
Daly said there was a need to include enhancing and improving current
communications for all activities, parking, websites, hotel accommodations, etc.
He also stated if the town provided physical facilities, the town would look to the
private sector to energize the facilities, and add to the enhancements. He said
building space for flexible uses in the facilities would need the help of the private
sector to help put it together. He stated we needed to leverage assets we have
already.
Newbury said she spoke to citizens that were excited to be adding space in
Lionshead to improve it to world class status.
Cleveland stated the committee had eight criteria used to evaluate the concepts
brought forward as potential uses: drive increased lodging occupancy; drive
sales tax growth as a result of the investment; enhance the experience for those
who live, work and play in Vail; the project can be realistically accomplished,
including financial feasibility and can meet such requirements as zoning, parking,
sustainability, etc.; understand the impacts on neighborhoods; ability to leverage
funding sources available; measurable return on investment; and plan for
ongoing operational costs.
Dick Neal, a member of the Board for the Colorado Ski Museum said they have
drawings on how to enlarge the upper deck of the Vail Transportation Center and
the ski museum could be used as a welcoming and heritage center and would
direct people to go to other activities. Some members of the board will be going
to Arches National Park to review their operation and technology.
Rayla Kundolf, resident and employee in Vail, said it's important to emphasize
the town is not just a resort but a community and the projects should reflect that
it's for the community and what the impacts to the community will be on each of
the projects. She also stated to keep in mind the town works with the hospital
and they need additional space. The Ski Museum also needs better space and
standards need to be upgraded. She asked not to forget the community and the
cultural side. She said everything needs to go to a vote.
Jim Lamont, representing the Vail Homeowner's Association stated it was a
privilege to hear the thinking that went into the process. Now there needs to be
business plans. He stated there is a need to allocate funds to each proposal so
they can be developed further to see if the cost estimates are close to what has
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been projected in the proposal. He said one of the caveats would be to have
greater consideration be given to the Cascade site of the former Colorado
Mountain College (CMC) learning center, which is currently an unused building.
Co -utilization of that facility (medical or other issues) would be a good use of the
funds. The town needs to open up the funding to more than just athletics. He
stated other organizations should have a right to those funds; i.e. Vail Valley
Medical Center, if they engaged with other parties that operate in a health and
wellness center, they could utilize the former CMC building to further a healthy
lifestyle agenda. There could be a greater impetus to go to the community to
gather more support for the medical center.
Logan said he wanted to discuss the Cascade CMC space. In the consideration
of what specifically goes into that space, funds are designated to generate
business activity. The committee didn't think the limitations of the site, including
parking, made it viable. However, this is an intermediate step, not a final step, on
how to spend the funds.
Daly said this process is an interim step. The challenge will be to narrow down
the uses and highlight the possible projects. He said tax incremental financing
(TIF) is driven by possible limitations of Amendments 60 and 61 going on the
ballot in November. Daly stated financing can be done independently and it
won't impact debt capacity of the town and can be repaid by revenues
incrementally.
Cleveland agreed this was excellent information. This was very helpful and all
five projects have potential. The town should be a leader in the renaissance
renewal. He said he is completely in support in what the committee has done
and in moving forward.
Andy said to place this item on the next work session to discuss what we want to
achieve in relation to communication, where to park, activities, etc. The Vail
Chamber and Business Association (VCBA), Vail Local Marketing District
(VLMD), Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Council (VLMDAC), the
Commission on Special Events (CSE) and the Vail Economic Advisory Council
(VEAC) all need to come together and focus on leadership in the next phase of
development. How are we going to get this done and who will help?
Tjossem stated the committee did talk about next steps. She said costs need to
be looked at more closely to make sure what is proposed can be provided. She
said a lot of these ideas need to be bundled together. The Council needs to
begin to dig into each of the projects at the next work session. She thanked
Logan for his leadership in getting this together for the Council.
The sixth item on the agenda was a discussion regarding the 2010/2011 Winter
Parking Policy.
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Public Works Director Greg Hall stated this item was in front of Council on
August 7th. The Council specifically asked staff to analyze the 1-1/2 hour free
versus 2 hours free scenario. Greg explained that with the additional one half
hour free, the town loses more time and available spaces for other guests. Staff
recommends keeping the 1-1/2 hour time frame free.
Tjossem said other resorts have had success with the two hours free. Newbury
said Free after 4 P.M. makes sense.
Hall stated the 1-1/2 hour spaces filled up 45 times in Vail Village and 21 times in
Lionshead. The upper deck fee is 30 minutes in and out and up to 2 hours is
$15. Hall stated the premium priced shopper parking never filled for 2-1/2 hours
(36% of parking guests used the free services and stayed within the 1-1/2 hour
time frame).
Cleveland said in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho they have two hour parking and it was
plenty of time to do what you wanted.
Richard TenBraak, representing the Vail Chamber and Business Association
(VCBA) stated they put that question out to their membership. The
membership's response was they want one price scale for the whole garage,
zero to two hours for free, three to four hours for $10, over four hours for $25.
There is no need for short term shopper parking, to keep it simple and they were
okay with looking at charging after 3 p.m.
Donovan said she hears no complaints from anyone in her age demographics.
They adjust to whatever it is, no matter where you set the price structure, people
adapt.
A straw vote was taken for consensus to raise the time to two hours free. Foley,
Tjossem, Cleveland and Daly were in support of the 2 hours free.
Cleveland wants to see what the financial implications will be with proposed
changes.
Chris Burns, with Vail Resorts Inc. (VRI) said that parking usually becomes
available between 2 and 2-1/2 hours. There needs to be a straight discount for
locals, and to keep it simple.
For trailhead parking, spaces should be split half and half, half long term and half
short term parking.
Sherry Dorward, a Vail resident, said the Buffehr Creek trailhead parking being
half long term and half short term would be great.
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Adam Sutner, from Vail Resorts Inc. (VRI), stated there are potential carpooling
sites. Technology has really advanced and one can go to www.vail.com website
or face book and dialog between VRI and guests in real time. The town or VRI
can pass on parking information to guests and recruit carpooling, i.e., any 4
people in vehicle would have a reserved spot until a certain time, and get a free
lunch as well.
The Town of Vail's role would be to verify 4 people in vehicle and to hand out
lunch tickets or a return ticket for discounted parking. VRI would need to be fed
real time parking data. Hall said messaging and getting the information out to
other partners of the town as well as the community and guests will be very
important. The information could be updated every 30 seconds or 5 minutes.
Within the parking structure, a sign would tell the customer how many spaces are
available on each level. Hall will check into the technology and cost. Other
possible ways to get the information out would be Twitter, Face book and
Website and maze lights matching to levels of parking.
The seventh item on the agenda was South Frontage Road parking use policy
and parking improvement funding discussion.
Daly stated that historically, if Vail Resorts, Inc. (VRI) was responsible, they gave
the town space for parking. If VRI is responsible, do we approach and get
parking from them? If the town is responsible, the town takes on the parking. If
VRI is responsible, is the town able to leverage them to get them to live up to
their responsibility. If they don't accept it, do we eliminate Frontage Road
parking? Cleveland said the more fundamental question is the appropriateness
of parking on Frontage Road. Is this something we want to avoid or is it
something we want to do?
Tjossem said there is metered parking at Park City, Utah, and that worked for
them. Donovan stated she doesn't like the appearance of Frontage Road
parking. She is not comfortable expanding the width of the road from the Vail
Golf Course to Cascade for diagonal parking. She doesn't support Frontage
Road parking. Daly said the issues are the narrowness of the road and the fact
that the Frontage Road is Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)
property. He thinks parking on North Frontage Road is OK.
Hall stated that three days are allowed in summer and fifteen in winter, for a total
of eighteen days of Frontage Road parking. Foley asked if the town wants to
look at expansion of the Vail Village or Lionshead Parking structures. He said
unless the town takes a stand on the Frontage Road parking, the town doesn't
have leverage.
Newbury said if it's not the town's responsibility, it may be Ever Vail's
responsibility. Daly said the approach to Ever Vail may be long term and it won't
solve anything for the next five years.
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Cleveland asked if the Town Council was saying no parking on Frontage Road
over next 5 years. Donovan said she doesn't know if 15 days is realistic.
As part of a long term parking solution, the South Frontage Road will be allowed
to be used 15 days for winter and 3 days for summer as an initial target. For most
of the winter season Council wants structured parking. Council is aware that due
to large events taking place, it may result in parking demands to exceed total
structured parking.
Additional parking is on less busy streets and supported by the transportation
system of the town. Tjossem said we have to use the North Frontage Road as
outlying parking so it gives us options without pricing residents out of the valley.
The possibility of developing intercept lots down valley are options. Newbury,
Cleveland and Daly are OK with North Frontage Road parking. Foley stated we
are disregarding public transportation and park-n-ride lots and other solutions
need to be found such as down valley intercept lots, carpooling, and other
combinations.
Donovan said parking responsibility needs to be a partnership, such as looking at
VRI and others as our partners. Cleveland said everyone agrees we need
incremental new structured parking.
Council directed Hall not to bring back a Ford Park solution for the South
Frontage Road and to take it off the table at this time.
There was consensus that parking on South Frontage Road was not a
permanent solution.
Daly said the town needs a fully developed plan in one year and to implement it
in two years. Give VRI until August 31, 2011, to come to an agreement to move
forward, then Council can look at a construction time table. Ford Park is a
potential solution for summer. $4.3 million is committed from VRI for parking.
Daly summarized the discussion that the Town Council agrees parking on the
South Frontage Road is not a long term solution to the town's parking issues.
The limit for South Frontage Road parking is fifteen days in winter and three days
in summer. The Council is comfortable with North Frontage Road as part of long
term solution, but need to look at other alternatives such as transit incentives,
down valley park-n- rides, a Minturn intercept lot, agreement in general terms of
the town's responsibility for summer parking and VRI is responsible for winter
parking. The Town is committed to limiting parking to 15 days in the winter after
that date unless an agreement is approved with the town with private and public
partnerships. There was no public comment.
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Hall said the long term parking plan was to show how to pay for long term
parking. Daly said not to work on that right now.
The eighth item on the agenda was Adjournment. Newbury made a motion to
adjourn; the motion was seconded by Foley and passed unanimously, 6-0_ The
meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Dick Cleveland, Mayor
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L ei D naldson, own Clerk
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