HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-05 Town Council MinutesVail Town Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
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
Andy Daly
Kerry Donovan
Kevin Foley
Kim Newbury
Margaret Rogers
Susie Tjossem
Staff members: Stan Zemler, Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. Rich Ten Braak, with the Vail
Chamber and Business Association (VCBA), asked the Council to consider local
purchasing preferences as any assistance for locals. He also invited the Council to the
Premier Impression event on April 7, 2011, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Eagles Nest. T.J.
Slaggert, with Blue Sky Pedi Cabs, asked Council to allow a pedicab service to run from
Cascade Village to the Vail Golf course through the end of the night. He also requested
the Council direct staff to change the regulations to have off -site advertising on the Pedi
cabs.
The second item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda:
1) Approval of Release Town of Vail v. WENK et al. Case number 08CV467 and
Settlement Amount of Nine Hundred Thousand dollars ($900,000);
Cleveland stated this is a settlement regarding the streetscape project. Rogers
made a motion to approve the release and accept the settlement amount, and
directed the Town Manager to sign the agreement, and the motion was
seconded by Daly. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
2) Approval of Findings of the Vail Town Council for Real Estate Transfer Tax
Appeal Hearing March 15, 2011. Newbury made a motion to uphold the findings
Town Council Meeting Minutes for April 5, 2011 Page 1
and the motion was seconded by Daly. A vote was taken and the motion passed
unanimously, 7-0.
The third item on the agenda was the Town Manager Report:
Kathleen Halloran, Budget Manager, discussed the Revenue Highlights through
February, 2011, with the Town Council. She said upon receipt of all sales tax returns,
February collections are expected to be up 11% from budget and 7.9% from last year.
The Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) collections through March 30 totaled $1,062,254
which is flat from this time last year. Approximately $466,203, or 44%, is from major
redevelopment projects. Collections not related to major redevelopment is currently
down $604,079 or 14% from this time last year. She said the parking revenue is down
from last year. Pass sales are down 5.8%; daily sales are down 5.6% and parking
transactions were down in Lionshead by 3.7% and up in Vail Village by 4.9% from last
season. The number of season pass sales fluctuated as well; 802 passes were sold,
down 8.7% from last season; value cards increased by 74% due to the inclusion of
Eagle County residents. The number of value cards sold to Vail residents increased by
48.7%.
The fourth item on the agenda was an update on the Conference Center Funds.
Kent Logan stated that with the upcoming 2012 50t' Anniversary and 2015 World
Championships, this was the time to get the conference center funds used prior to
these events. He said an important theme that has emerged is the completion of Vail's
Renaissance. The funds should be used for capital assets, providing long-term benefit
to the town. Some of the community comments were to use funds for the Vail Golf
Course Clubhouse, a Vail Village Welcome Center and the Ford Park fields expansion
and possibly the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. He said the list could be refined after the
vote of the electorate. Logan said he would request an August 23, 2011, election and
not the November election date. He said a ballot initiative could be specific to each
project and not to bundle them together. These proposals can be refined and don't
have to be all-inclusive. The town could reduce costs for each project.
Stan Zemler said they needed to discuss a refund methodology, ballot language, time of
election and next steps. He stated David Viele and Bill Pierce have worked pro bono on
several of the projects to date. The projects have been "vetted" and he is confident
these are projects the town can do. The total for the Vail Golf Course Clubhouse, Ford
Park field expansion and the Welcome and Heritage Center projects total approximately
$16.1 million and there is $9.4 million in conference center funds. Other funding
options for the golf course that are committed are $1.5 million from the town and $1
million from the Vail Recreation District (VRD), leaving an unfunded amount of
$400,000. The Welcome Center has $566,000 potential funding from the town's capital
Town Council Meeting Minutes for April 5, 2011 Page 2
projects fund with an unfunded portion of $734,000; and Ford Park has $2.5 million
budgeted from RETT and more can be added to the funds.
Each project was discussed in further detail. The Golf Course Clubhouse renovation
would build on top of the existing structure. These are preliminary concepts and
additions could include a new events pavilion, new entrance to pro shop and restaurant,
updated locker rooms, cart barn improvements, new welcome area and expanded deck
area.
Rogers asked about the increase of meeting and event space and wanted to know if
increasing the square footage from 18,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet is enough.
She said this space should have three levels instead of two. More conference, meeting
and technology spaces on a third floor should be included to accommodate conference
needs. Bill Pierce said this is possible but they were using the current space. He stated
the space could accommodate 200 people. Rogers said this isn't enough. Zemler said
the biggest issue will be parking which will be a challenge. Daly said he had been
talking to many people in town and this didn't make the list.
Logan said they spoke to many lodging folks and they were specific that conference
space had to be centered in town. That's why the original suggestion was to use
Dobson Ice Arena. He felt the original conference center space could be in the project
that is between the hospital and the Steadman clinic. He feels that would be the place
for conference and meeting facilities. Cleveland said to skip to the big picture and to
use future meetings to delve into the pros and cons of each project.
Cleveland asked for public comment on the golf course project. There was none.
Logan said the Welcome Center and guest services initiative would include a state-of-
the-art Guest Service Home Page portal via a 3,000 square foot building expansion.
This would include new restrooms, interactive multimedia displays, space for Vail
heritage exhibits, gatherings, presentations, and have an interior connection to the
Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum. It would also provide a full service
clearinghouse to book activities, lodging and other resort services. It would create an
atmosphere of well informed, comfortable and relaxed visitors and contribute to
increased visitation in all seasons and extended visitor stays. A possible 120-seat area
could be used by the Colorado Ski Museum or the Vail Symposium and other entities
wanting to host events. The expansion could be used at the current Vail Transportation
Center.
Daly said adding more meeting space could be redundant space since the Lionshead
Welcome Center has this in the space already.
Town Council Meeting Minutes for April S, 2011 Page 3
Erica, with the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum, said more professional space and
technology would be useful for several entities in town. The museum heritage center
would connect with Vail's history and build on that, offer a teacher's curriculum and
school programs.
Robin Litt, development director with the Colorado Ski Museum, said cultural tourism is
a tremendous benefit to the Town of Vail. As of 2009, cultural tour participants are
more affluent, educated and they stay longer. She said cultural tourism has contributed
$3.1 billion in direct and indirect funding. Logan said the ski museum is currently not
world class for Vail. The museum needs a space that is worthy of Vail as one of the
premier ski resorts in the world.
The Ford Park field expansion proposed upgrades include an addition of one full sized
soccer field, an increase of the size of the west softball field, a new storage facility and
two new restrooms. This does not include the lower bench, Ford Amphitheater, Alpine
Gardens, artificial turf or parking.
Mike Ortiz, Director of the Vail Recreation District (VRD), stated every weekend but one
was full with events at the fields. Fields have been so busy they have had to use down
valley fields; thus people stayed down valley. Both fields would be artificial turf. Daly
asked how the cost changed from $1 million to $4.5 million. Zemler said the $1 million
was the minimum and now there are additions of restrooms, walls and added turf.
Logan said these proposals can be refined because $4 million to add a soccer field and
walls would be hard to justify. He said with no construction going on in Colorado, these
figures should go down.
Daly asked Zemler to talk about how each project should be self supporting; covering
its operating costs and generating cash flow to cover capital costs. Ortiz said the Ford
Park field expansion would include a vendor that would hold a liquor license or the VRD
would hold the liquor license. They could shrink the restaurant and give someone an
opportunity to run the event space proposed. VRD would retain the rental fee and a
profit from the food vendor. The revenue to operate the additional space and pay for
capital improvements would come from adding 40 new events that could be generated
by the facility. Daly said the town doesn't have any responsibility to fund deficits.
Zemler said this would be a VRD operated facility and it would be their responsibility.
Zemler said the Welcome Center has not been discussed as to who would operate this
facility or what the role the town would play. VRD is not saying the fields will generate
more heads in beds. They will generate people staying in Vail. As the town continues
creating new events, it will be attractive to event producers to use the fields.
Town Council Meeting Minutes for April 5, 2011 Page 4
Rob Levine, the Antlers General Manager, said he was involved in getting the
conference center funding in place. The idea was more than heads in beds; and the
purpose was to round out the economy. Their facility currently generates two thirds of
their revenue from four months of the year. In the lodging business, 80% of business
comes from those four months. This is not good. He personally believes the
conference center had the ability to bring new markets to Vail at other times of the
year. He is disappointed in this outcome as these projects will improve what we have
but will not bring in diverse markets to Vail and expand our economy in diverse ways.
Medical, recreational and business tourism is what we are good at, but he is
disappointed we haven't figured out how to have a year `round economy. This should
be part of the community conversations. The conference center was the most logical
solution that would have been significantly impactful. He said the town and its
residents and business owners should have greater vision and a 10 to 20-year horizon.
Pete Hayda said he was in the lodging business in Vail, and was around when the
conference center funding was approved. He said the meeting business season takes
place April, May, June, September, October and November. We are missing out on that
business. Rob Levine said the conference center was meant to address 1,200 universal
meeting groups. This isn't happening so don't try to force that idea on any of these
projects. Cleveland said Council is trying to get feedback from the community and now
is the time to get other ideas. He said now is the time to get the community's ideas out
and if they have comments about the current projects suggested, now is the time to
voice them.
Ann Kurronen, with the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (BFAG), said they would like to see
improvements on the lower bench of Ford Park. She stated the BFAG have not seen
the Vail Valley Foundation (VVF) proposal; however, the groups in the Lower Bench
need to work together.
Rogers said she wants to see all Ford Park users be in on these conversations: the Art
in Public Places, BFAG, Vail Amphitheater, the VRD and town all need to get involved
together.
Gwen Scapello, resident, asked when they talk about Ford Park, why aren't they also
looking at the parking at Ford Park. Parking is strained for any activity at the park.
Daly said there was a study done and it added $10 million to the cost of Ford Park, with
two parking garages that are already underutilized in the summer. If the town
upgrades bus service, this should help with the parking.
Stephen Connolly said these are all good ideas but they don't attract the larger numbers
to make an impact. He said the clubhouse makes the most sense but it won't bring
more people to town. He said the town doesn't have a space for a music venue to hold
Town Council Meeting Minutes for April 5, 2011 Page 5
concerts to bring in guests. He suggested Council look at the Ford Amphitheater to see
if it could be enclosed and to add space to have a conference facility. Making it year
'round for many people to use would make sense.
Paul Rondeau, a Vail resident, said clearly a lot of work has been done. Council needs
a vision process to rate each project on its merits. He said making Vail a center for
health is a high level vision; making Vail more than a four month place to be is a high
level vision. There needs to be a list of criteria for project review. Then rate each
project against the criteria to find out which project comes out on top. The public
needs to have more input. There needs to be transparency. Logan said that for $9.4
million, there is just not one great idea. He said this is about holding on to what we
have and building incrementally.
Zemler said Council needs to make a decision on how to move forward on the ballot
language and cautioned that if the Council goes to the voters, and the ballot fails, the
conference center funds will have to be refunded. If that happens, the Council would
need to pick a time and reduce the sales tax or lodging tax over a period of time. If the
initiative loses, there needs to be a refund methodology.
Zemler said next steps include a variety of opportunities to host meetings to present
projects and get feedback and structure from the community to the Council. Ballot
timing and language will be at the next meeting.
Cleveland said proposed projects need specific budgets and costs when they are
proposed at these meetings. Newbury said they need general costs and what the
mechanism will be to fund the projects because it doesn't do anyone any good to have
a ballot question on the projects and then not be able to fund it. Tjossem asked if
there was a marriage of funds to support these projects from other fund accounts that
could be utilized or bonded or other partners involved.
The fifth item on the agenda was a review of the proposed Lionshead Redevelopment
Master Plan amendments to facilitate the Ever Vail project. The main discussion
centered around Resolution No. 6, Series of 2011, a request for a recommendation to
the Vail Town Council for an amendment to the Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan,
pursuant to Section 2.8, Adoption and Amendment of the Master Plan, Lionshead
Redevelopment Master Plan, to amend the detailed plan recommendations for West
Lionshead (Ever Vail), and setting forth details in regard thereto.
Warren Campbell said the first memorandum attached was a response to the questions
Council asked at the last meeting regarding Manor Vail, conference groups and
Arrabelle. The second memorandum was regarding Resolution No. 6, which amends
Chapter 4 and 5 of the town code with recommendations. He reviewed the
Town Council Meeting Minutes for April 5, 2011 Page 6
memorandum with Council on the findings, criteria, roles and responsibilities. He made
an overall review of what will be presented to Council during the coming.
Campbell also requested Council continue the public hearing on the request for the
Major Amendment, Ordinance Nos. 7, 8, and 9, Series of 2011, and Resolution No. 6,
Series of 2011 to the April 19, 2011 public hearing.
Dominic Mauriello, on behalf of Vail Resorts, paraphrased the purpose of Resolution No.
6.
Daly said some concerns are the view corridors because some of the property has been
built to the property lines, particularly view corridors 6 and 7. He asked that in the
future, full documents be submitted.
Mauriello said this is an overview flavor of the whole project. Daly said the document
doesn't speak to no net loss of parking. This is critical and there was nothing
submitted. He wants the full document in front of Council so they can see the changes.
Mauriello said he can do that in the future. Rogers said if it's not in the memorandum,
there are no changes. The town's Master Plan of May 2010 should be kept in front of
Council as well. Rogers asked if the 400 public parking spaces are enough based on
current changes.
Mauriello said they took their figures off the current Master Plan. Greg Hall said they
updated the transportation plan in 2008 and at that time the recommendation was ok.
Daly said he disagreed and said the need could potentially be 1,000 parking spaces
needed. Mauriello said the 400 spaces is complete surplus parking above and beyond
the project needs.
Rogers asked how many parking spaces will be generated by the new gondola.
Mauriello said the ski resort is not generating new skier capacity with the gondola.
They are generating new skiers who are staying in the project themselves. That's why
they are generating 400 additional parking spaces so the guests can stay at Ever Vail.
Rogers asked if the 400 spaces are above and beyond and does the parking include
serving the gondola.
Tjossem said they are counting on about 10% of skiers migrating to this new lift and
it`s a redistribution of current skiers, not new skiers. Newbury stated people parking on
the Frontage Road will now be concentrated at Ever Vail due to available parking.
Zemler stated this is a fundamental question: are the 400 spaces serving the lift or is
this a separate parking component. Rogers stated there has been a need for new
parking if there are retail stores. Mauriello said there are 350 spaces that serve the
Town Council Meeting Minutes for April 5, 2011 Page 7
need for shops and stores and requirements could be addressed when conditional uses
are sought at a later date. He said the Planning and Environmental Commission (PEC)
could say the gondola parking needs could be 600 parking spaces. Mauriello stated
the applicant wants parking needs to be discussed now and not later. Daly said it's
obvious there's anxiety from the Council. In the community survey, the town was
criticized about not enough parking. Council is concerned more parking demand will be
required. Daly said 400 parking spaces is what is needed right now. He can't agree to
additional congestion without having an immediate solution to parking needs now.
Newbury asked why the PEC was told it would be considered at the time of the
conditional use process. She said clearly the applicant was told this would be
addressed at the conditional use permit discussion. Ruther said the nexus of the
appropriate time is at the conditional use permit application. He also said within the
conditional use review, the PEC will discuss what the impacts of this use are on parking,
traffic, etc. Newbury said the applicant needs to understand the Master Plan gives
direction. There is still an opportunity for the PEC to determine a different number of
parking spaces that will be required.
Cleveland said this process would be better served if the Council submits questions they
have to staff and the applicant so they can facilitate the meeting quicker.
Further discussion ensued regarding the view corridors 6 and 7. Daly said people
thought they were getting a better view corridor between Garfinkel's and Arrabelle and
they didn't. Daly asked how they make sure the view corridors are protected.
Ruther said the view corridors are two different types. Ever Vail, as proposed, has most
of the view corridor as a contemplated view corridor. They look at what is important to
identify and protect. Daly said he is trying to make the town and applicant protect the
view corridors. Ruther said the contemplated view corridors will have to use 3D
modeling to anticipate the view corridors at Ever Vail. Daly prefers to have a GPS
location and specification of the view corridor. Ruther said they can research that and
include it into the master plan.
Mauriello said the view corridor is already protected by an open space easement. The
contemplated view they are trying to capture is when folks come out of the parking
structure. The view the PEC captured is how to approach and exit out of the parking
structure so you can orient yourself to the mountain.
Additional discussion about the view corridors, heads in beds, traffic and parking
ensued.
Town Council Meeting Minutes for April 5, 2011 Page 8
Cleveland opened up the floor for public comment. Jim Lamont, representing the Vail
Homeowners Association, said there needs to be a requirement that the Frontage Road
cannot be a means to resolve any unpredictable parking needs for this portal or any
other portal. He said the town needs to make sure there is enough parking planned.
This project needs to be a well planned community, with enough setbacks, open space
and landscaping area around and between the project and the Frontage Road. He said
there needs to be a strong landscape corridor or it will look too sterile and urban. He
said Council is doing an admirable job remembering a lot and they need to remember
to error in more landscaping and less parking on the Frontage Road. He said he has
sewer treatment plant concerns. Rogers said the treatment plant has vested rights to
their property. She said they are a private landowner and Council can't tell them to
move the plant. Lamont said they need to clean up their act and upgrade it, cover it or
move it. He said the town has a right to change the Master Plan. Change around the
sewer treatment plant is everywhere and over time, as the area changes, the plant
should change and be more appropriate and compatible with the neighborhood. He
suggested using TIF funds to beautify the site could be a possibility.
Daly made a motion to continue all Ever Vail items to the May 3, 2011, Council meeting,
and Donovan seconded the motion. A vote was taken and passed 7-0.
A ten minute recess was taken at 9:10 p.m.
The meeting was reconvened at 9:20 p.m.
Cleveland said several members were uncomfortable with the way the previous public
hearing went. In the future, Council agreed there will be consensus on specific items
and will then move forward. Cleveland stated Council needs to address issues, assess
them as they go along but still move forward and get through the process.
Zemler suggested they think about adding a separate Tuesday meeting to discuss the
Ever Vail project since this process could take a lot of time. Tjossem said when they
start at 10 a.m. or so and the meetings go late into the evening, Council can start
getting crabby and make poor decisions. The Council needs to take the time to go
through the master plan in order, stay on task and stay focused.
Zemler said they could frame some questions. Rogers said she bases her vacations
around the Council meeting dates and doesn't want to add more dates. Donovan said
she isn't opposed to adding more dates. Cleveland said they may have to take things
off the meetings to get this done. Zemler said another possibility is to start the evening
meetings at 4 P.M. or earlier and add Ever Vail later in the evening.
Town Council Meeting Minutes for April 5, 2011 Page 9
The sixth item on the agenda was a discussion regarding the Lionshead Transit
Welcome Center Construction Contract Award.
Tom Kassmel, Town Engineer, said the Town of Vail and the Vail Reinvestment
Authority are in the process of completing the Lionshead Transit Center Project. The
purpose of this Council session is to award the construction contract for the Lionshead
Transit Welcome Center (LHTWC) Phase II Improvements. The Town received six bids
through a public bid process with R.A. Nelson the lowest responsible bid aft6m detailed
evaluation of scope, schedule, logistics and cost during a subsequent two week process.
Daly stated that operations and maintenance should not be included but should be self
supporting. Kassmel said next steps are for staff to figure out how to involve others to
manage it with a goal of being revenue neutral or providing a profit.
Newbury suggests having developers, including the town developers, submit a
construction parking plan. If construction goes into ski season, it needs to be part of
the contract. Foley said the Lions Head merchant's greatest concern is for their
customer's to access Lionshead without going all the way to the Dobson/Library exit.
Rogers made a motion to approve the award to R. A. Nelson per the town staff
recommendation and the motion was seconded by Tjossem. A vote was taken, and
the motion passed 7-0. Daly thanked Tom Kassmel and Greg Hall for working through
the process and commended them for doing a great job.
The seventh item on the agenda was adjournment.
Foley made a motion to adjourn, and the motion was seconded by Tjossem. A vote
was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:50
p.m.
OF
Attest:
•Vq��
L`
EA •
S `
1 'O
Attest:
CVP
rfe�eiDonaldson, Town Clerk
Respectfully submitted,
01
Dick Cleve Mayor
Town Council Meeting Minutes for April 5, 2011 Page 10