HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-20 Town Council MinutesVail Town Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
4:05 P.M.
Vail Town Council Chambers
The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was called to order at approximately 4:05 P.M. by
Mayor Pro-tem Ludwig Kurz.
Members present: Kerry Donovan
Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Pro-tem
Greg Moffet
Margaret Rogers
Susie Tjossem
Members absent: Andy Daly, Mayor
Kevin Foley
Staff members: Stan Zemler, Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk
The first item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda. On the consent agenda was the
approval of Resolution No. 34, a resolution deferring the regular meeting of the Vail Town
Council from January 1 to January 8, 2013, due to the holiday and Proclamation No. 7,
declaring December 4 as Colorado Gives Day in Vail.
Moffet made a motion to approve Resolution No. 34 and the motion was seconded by Tjossem.
A vote was taken and the motion passed, unanimously, 5-0.
Rogers read into the record Proclamation No. 7, Colorado Gives Day on December 4, 2012.
Moffet made a motion to adopt Proclamation No. 7, 2012, and the motion was seconded by
Donovan. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
The second item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. There was an update on the
traffic at the Golden Peak area.
Kurz stated a memorandum was attached to the agenda outlining concerns and solutions to the
traffic in the Golden Peak area. Tjossem said she was concerned that the town, Manor Vail and
Vail Resorts, Inc. (VRI) have come up with solutions but that Ski Club Vail has not committed to
participating in finding solutions from their property. She said she hopes Ski Club Vail will
participate in resolving traffic solutions with the other partners. Kurz asked Chris Jarnot about
premier reservations and passport spaces for valet parking. Jarnot said VRI is partnering with
an outside vendor for the passport spaces and valet area in the Golden Peak lot and lodge and
the parking was limited. He said the Devo drop off will occur at the Vail Transportation Center
(VTC). He also stated the instructors will also be at the VTC and not at Golden Peak to meet up
with the students from Devo. This is a major change in operations but VRI is willing to provide
this service to alleviate traffic at Golden Peak.
Town of Vail Council meeting minutes of November 20, 2012 Page 1
Jim Lamont, representing the Vail Homeowners Association, said this is an improvement on the
traffic issues and believes with cooperation between all parties this solution can be successful.
He said unwanted or illegal drop offs will still need to be addressed.
Commander Daric Harvey stated staffing models have been reviewed and an additional code
enforcement officer will help address keeping traffic flowing and managing the drop off issues.
Zemler said the additional CEO position is proposed in the 2013 budget.
The third item on the agenda was a request to proceed through to development review process
with a proposal to construct a new education center building for the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
(BFAG) located at Ford Park, 540 South Frontage Road East/unplatted, and setting forth details
in regard thereto.
Bill Gibson, Planner, said the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (BFAG) development review process
needs owner approval before they can proceed. The town, as the owner, needs to give
permission to allow the BFAG to submit an application to the town for a new education center.
This is not an approval of the project; just permission to proceed with the application process.
Rogers made a motion to approve the request to proceed through the development review
process. The motion was seconded by Moffet. Donovan said she would be voting no because
private office space is an inappropriate use for a public park. Kurz said the Council was
concerned about the size of the building and the potential amount of office space in the building.
He said BFAG needs to keep this in mind as they go through the process. Tjossem said there
is community concern about putting buildings in park spaces. She requested BFAG should
stake out the building area so people can visualize the impact of the building in the park. She
said the bigger discussion is about the BFAG honoring Betty Ford. It is fitting that the town
honor her through enhancing the BFAG. She wants a separate meeting on how to implement
and enhance the BFAG at a future meeting. A vote was taken and the motion passed, 4-1, with
Donovan opposed.
The fourth item on the agenda was Resolution No. 31, Series of 2012, a resolution appealing
and reenacting the Town of Vail Employee (TOV) Strategic Plan.
Nina Timm, Housing Coordinator, said this item was a follow up to work sessions regarding the
TOV employee strategic plan. She said the goals of the plan were discussed with achieving
30% deed restricted housing and there were a couple of changes requested. Timber Ridge
financing has been removed and the town manager residence was moved out to a later year, to
2016. The infrastructure for the Chamonix project coincides with employee housing units
(EHU's) in 2013.
Council was concerned about various aspects of the resolution. Including the language in the
resolution changing "should" to "strive" regarding the 30% deed restricted employee housing
within the town limits; they don't want a time frame in the document as this will be dictated by
the economy. They don't want the document to put handcuffs on future Council budgets. Also,
the cost of redevelopment of the town manager residence at $750,000 seemed high. Council
wants this removed at this time and to be determined at a future date. They also want dollar
amounts out of the strategic plan as this is a document to guide the town and shouldn't have
numbers in it.
Timm said the million dollar amount is not in the budget any sooner than the 2017 budget. The
town manager residence cost is based on $250 per square foot. Further discussion ensued.
Town of Vail Council meeting minutes of November 20, 2012 Page 2
Zemler said he heard Council say to take out the numbers; the 30% goal should be
reconsidered; the timing and reasonableness should be reconsidered; commercial linkage and
Inclusionary zoning should be addressed; and that staff should come in annually to discuss.
Council wants the words of the document to reflect the intent better.
Moffet made a motion to table Resolution No. 31, Series of 2012, to the December 18 public
hearing and the motion was seconded by Rogers.
Steve Lindstrom, a member of the Vail Local Housing Authority (VLHA), said when this process
was started several months ago, the VLHA thought they had clear direction to provide a road
map with specifics to Council. Now he is hearing that they want them to go back to more
general wording. Tjossem said 30% of the work force should be in deed -restricted housing and
the interpretation is being questioned. She said having people live in town is the goal. Donovan
wants a road map on how they get 30% of employees to live in town.
A vote was taken and the motion to table to December 18`h passed, 5-0.
The fifth item on the agenda was the Lionshead Parking Structure Entry Improvements Design
Contract award.
Tom Kassmel, Town Engineer, said the town put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) and they
received two proposals back. The costs of the project are in the budget for 2013 and 2014. He
said staff recommends awarding the contract to Zehren and Associates. Tjossem asked why
only two proposals were received. She also asked why the wayfinding and entry project timing
were so different. She said she wants to slow down the process so everyone is on the same
page. Kassmel said he was also surprised the town didn't receive more proposals but didn't
follow-up with other contractors as to why they didn't apply. He said the Stantek and way
finding project is different as this is more of an operations project.
Moffet made a motion to approve and direct the Town Manager to enter into a design contract,
in a form approved by the Town Attorney, with Zehren and Associates and releasing approval to
move forward on Task I, Conceptual Design, on January 1, 2013 for the Lionshead Parking
Structure Entry Improvements Design Contract. The motion was seconded by Rogers. Moffet
amended the motion to include the dollar amount of $166,150, plus a 5% reimbursable of
$8,307. Rogers seconded the amendment. A vote was taken and the motion passed, 4-1, with
Tjossem opposed.
Moffet made a motion to adjourn for a dinner break and Donovan seconded the motion. A vote
was taken and the motion passed, 5-0. Greg Moffet left the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
The sixth item on the agenda was a dinner break for Council from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The seventh item on the agenda was Citizen's Participation, of where there was none.
The eighth item on the agenda was first reading of Ordinance No. 17, the Mil Levy Certification
to Eagle County.
Kathleen Halloran, Budget Manager, stated the Mil Levy Assessments must be certified to
Eagle County for collection annually and the ordinance authorizes certification for 2013.
Town of Vail Council meeting minutes of November 20, 2012 Page 3
Rogers made a motion to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 17, and the motion was
seconded by Donovan. A vote was taken and the motion passed, 4-0.
The ninth item on the agenda was an update on the Colorado Department of Transportation
(CDOT) Chain Station discussion.
Michelle Hansen with Stouflas and Associates, stated at the last Council meeting they ran
through the various alternatives and took public comment. She reviewed the updates and
changes from the last meeting of October 16, which were included in the memorandum for this
meeting. They included not moving forward with alternatives at mile markers 179.5 and 182 as
it was determined that these alternatives did not adequately meet the goals of this project. Also,
the new light standard improves upon the older light standard for the truck drivers, law
enforcement and the community by placing and directing the light more efficiently. The lighting
consultant decided the illumination needed to be changed to light the areas needed for truckers,
not actually directed on the truck and to focus light into one area that is more precise and
efficient. New chain stations would implement new light standards.
She also said CDOT would like to explore the idea of directing local traffic to the frontage roads
when the chain law is in effect. There is potential for using the existing variable message signs
(VMS) signs in Vail to discourage 1-70 travel from Main Vail to East Vail when the chain law is in
effect. Currently, during events when the chain law is in effect for extended periods of time,
CDOT captures and implements controlled release of commercial vehicles at Dotsero. CDOT
will continue to implement controlled release at Dotsero. CDOT is currently designing
improvements to the Dotsero truck parking area, including restroom facilities, limited lighting and
highway informational signage. Construction is anticipated in summer 2013.
The combination of adverse weather conditions and significant grades associated with mountain
passes create the need for commercial vehicles to install chains. At this time, CDOT has not
identified any potential chain station locations west of Vail that meet the objectives of the chain
law and that fall within reasonable highway maintenance budgets.
She said the number of hours the chain law is in effect varies considerably based on the winter
conditions experienced each year. Typically, between 300 and 400 hours per year is average
for eastbound traffic for 1-70 on Vail Pass. The numbers were lower last winter and higher the
winter before. Hansen also said the air quality of every construction project that CDOT
completes must obtain an Environmental Clearance prior to construction. Air quality is one of
several environmental resources that must be investigated to obtain this clearance. As part of
this study, the proximity of improvements to residences and businesses is taken into account as
part of the evaluation of alternatives. Any alternatives that are implemented will undergo more
specific investigation related to air quality prior to construction to determine if mitigation is
required. Chain stations are limited to chain -up activities and long-term truck parking is
prohibited.
Hansen said comments from the public to CDOT will be accepted through December 4, 2012,
and will be incorporated into the final evaluation of alternatives. When the final evaluation is
completed, an Implementation Plan will be developed. A report documenting the study and the
Implementation Plan will be finalized. The completion of the study is planned for the end of this
year.
Donovan said locals could use the frontage roads when the chain law is in effect and most Vail
residents already know to do that. But most guests may not know how to do it. She suggested
Town of Vail Council meeting minutes of November 20, 2012 Page 4
that further discussions with Vail Police Department personnel and the town manager needs to
occur to review this in more detail. Rogers said the best place to add the chains on the trucks
was west of Vail, near Eagle Vail.
Rick Sarchet, with CDOT, said where the trucks need to have the chains is on Vail pass. The
chance of running the chains off the trucks is very high if they go too far west. The next space
available chain up station would be near the Walmart exit and that is eleven miles away from
the pass and too far away. The chains get chewed up at around fifteen miles. He said the
pressing need is further east and closer to the pass.
Hansen said there are safety benefits for separation between chain up stations and 1-70 traffic
at the East Vail exit. CDOT is looking at striping a separate lane to get the East Vail on -ramp
easier to accelerate onto 1-70.
Tjossem is concerned about neighborhood input and their concerns not being taken into
account. Kurz asked if the first attempt to lengthen the existing chain up area to the west to get
more spaces is still in the mix as an alternative. Hansen said they are still looking at space
vacancy and determining if a technology solution can be done to let truckers know of available
spaces. Fiber optics to Hanging Lake tunnel is still being pursued. Chad Salli, Town Engineer,
said the second phase retaining walls will need to be cleared through the CDOT process and
the town will be able to comment on it.
Susan Brendan, an East Vail homeowner, said restriping is a good idea. Her concern and the
East Vail residents concerns are the use of the East Vail exit option for trucks. The safety factor
of the East Vail Frontage Road to local traffic is good but is not a good idea for semi -trucks.
Lizette Lamb, East Vail resident, agreed with Brendan about the East Vail exit concern. She
would like to see trucks chain up west of Vail.
Steven Connolly, a Bald Mountain resident, said it seems the problem is management of the
existing space. This should be addressed before expanding, developing and building anything
else at this time. Sarchet stated that may be how it works out, depending on the Georgetown
experiment and use of infrared cameras. That solution is on the table as well as some sort of
signal lights on poles. Connolly stated that with better management of the East Vail chain up
station and with advance notice at Dotsero, lighting may be the only need.
Jim Lamont, representing the Vail Homeowners Association, said that traffic guidance
technology from China can be done here with a fiber optic system. The real issue is shared
sacrifice by all communities between Vail and Dotsero to allow for staging between Dotsero and
the exit to Walmart. This could take place where there is very little development and wouldn't
be a problem. Cameras can show truckers and police officers in Vail all the available spaces.
There needs to be better communication between all the chain up stations and the Vail location.
Keeping the interstate open is important, but the community concern of getting passenger
vehicles out of Vail is important too. The European roadways don't allow trucks on the
highways when road conditions are bad.
Rogers said someone needs to come up with better chains that don't destroy the road and don't
come off the trucks in 15 miles. Sarchet said there are tire auto socks available. The auto
socks are more expensive and only have a three (3%) market penetration. He said gasoline
haulers use them. In California, there are places where some banning of trucks on the road is
used.
Town of Vail Council meeting minutes of November 20, 2012 Page 5
Tjossem said staging the trucks between Dotsero, Post Boulevard and then moving them to Vail
where they can put on chains is a good solution. Staggering the trucks west of Vail is good.
Kurz is encouraged that CDOT is listening and taking input from the community and trying to
make the best solutions available.
Hansen said the next step of implementation will take time. Available "FASTER" safety funds for
this project are $500,000 and will be available for summer of 2013. She said the lighting for this
project may use this entire funding. This may be one project that may move forward. They are
trying to prioritize projects and funding is questionable at this time.
Samantha Graves, Vail Patrol Sergeant, said the truck drivers are already utilizing the off ramp
and sneaking back onto the highway. There are no rules and until an officer becomes available,
the truckers stick around until an officer shows up. The new idea would at least maintain and
widen that area and an officer would be stationed there. This would be better than the free-for-
all that is currently happening now. She said it is a good idea to begin at mile marker 178 and
to extend westbound. There is no real good solution as this is in a residential area. Truck traffic
is not going to stop and is most hazardous to the rest of the traffic. There is a need to make it
safer and have managed stations. She stated the cost of having officers at each station is
expensive.
Hansen reiterated the deadline for public comment to CDOT is December 4.
The tenth item on the agenda was second reading of Ordinance No. 14, an ordinance repealing
and reestablishing SDD #34 — Flaum — The Valley Phase V.
Bill Gibson said there are no changes from first reading. Rogers made a motion to approve
second reading of Ordinance No. 14, and the motion was seconded by Tjossem.
A vote was taken and the motion passed, 4-0.
The eleventh item on the agenda was adjournment.
As there was no further business, Donovan made a motion to adjourn and the motion was
seconded by Rogers. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 4-0. The
meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
Respectf�,y Submitted,
Attest:
Ludwig Kurz, MOJor Pro-tem
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son,vTown Clerk O�N• *t.f/4
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Town of Vail Council meeting minutes of November 20, 2012 Page 6