Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-04 Town Council MinutesVail Town Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 4, 2022 6:00 P.M. Due to the Town's Disaster Declaration of March 17, 2020 related to the COVID-19 virus, the meeting was held virtually access provided through Zoom. The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was called to order at approximately 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Langmaid. Members present Staff members present: 1. Citizen Participation There was none. Consent Agenda Kim Langmaid, Mayor Travis Coggin, Mayor Pro Tern Barry Davis Kevin Foley Jen Mason Pete Seibert Jonathan Staufer Scott Robson, Town Manager Patty McKenny, Assistant Town Manager Matt Mire, Town Attorney Tammy Nagel, Town Clerk 2.1. December 7, 2021 Town Council Meeting Minutes Foley made a motion to approve the December 7, 2021 meeting minutes; Coggin seconded the motion passed (7-0). 2.2. December 21, 2021 Town Council Meeting Minutes Foley made a motion to approve the December 21, 2021 meeting minutes; Staufer seconded the motion passed (7-0). 2.3. Resolution No. 1, Series of 2022 A Resolution Adopting the Town's Website as the Town's Posting Location Action Requested of Council: Approve, approve with modifications or deny Resolution No. 1, Series of 2022 Background: C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(2)(III), a local public body shall be deemed to have given full and timely notice of a public meeting if the local public body posts the notice, with specific agenda information if available, no less than twenty-four hours prior to the holding of the meeting on a public website of the local public body. The notice must be accessible at no charge to the public. The local public body shall, to the extent feasible, make the notices Town Council Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2022 Page 1 searchable by type of meeting, date of meeting, time of meeting, agenda contents, and any other category deemed appropriate by the local public body. Staff Recommendation: Approve Resolution No. 1, Series of 2022 Coggin made a motion to approve Resolution No. 1, Series of 2022; Foley seconded the motion passed (7-0). 3. Presentations / Discussion 3.1. SAFER grant program and a potential grant application. Presenter(s): Mark Novak, Fire Chief Action Requested of Council: Provide direction to staff. Background: The application period for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant is currently open. Vail Fire and Emergency Services will provide an update on the SAFER grant program and a potential grant application. Staff Recommendation: Direct staff to submit an application for the 2021 SAFER grant. Novak spoke to council about the purpose of the SAFER grant and the reasons he would like council to authorize the submittal of the grant application. The grant would assist in obtaining compliance with NFPA 171-Standard for the organization. Novak noted fire personnel were normally the first responders to emergency calls and currently the Vail Fire Emergency Services does not meet the NFPA 1710 minimum standard of 4 persons per engine company. The proposed SAFER grant funding was approximately $2.1 million dollars which would fund the salary and benefits for 6 new positions (2 Firefighter -Paramedics per shift) for a 3-year period. Novak stated a firefighter/paramedic model was used in many other communities and would not duplicate services that are currently being provided by Eagle County Paramedic Services. Council shared they had received a public comment letter from Eagle County Paramedic Services expressing concerns about the firefighter/paramedic staffing model that was being proposed. Public comment was called Jim Bradford, Eagle County Paramedic Services, stated the district supported the Fire Department's SAFER grant application for Firefighters/EMTs but not Firefighters/paramedics due to training concerns. Will Dunn, Eagle County Paramedic Services, expressed concerns about the Fire Department's ability to provide top -line paramedic skills. Amy Gnojek, Eagle County Paramedic Services, requested council table the item so there could be discussion health care. Public comment was closed Town Council Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2022 Page 2 Davis inquired if a paramedic would be able to maintain their certification if they were not working primarily on an ambulance. Novak stated the paramedics would work closely with the ambulance district; attend certification classes and possible rotations at the hospital. Staufer asked what the estimated time reduction would be with a paramedic on the fire engine. Novak stated it would be hard to give an exact amount of time, but on Vail Pass the time would be notable. Staufer asked if the town would be able to support this service after the grant expired. Robson stated yes if the council desired to continue with the staffing. Foley inquired if current employees would be allowed to get their paramedic license and work at a higher capacity in the fire department. Novak confirmed there were some employees who would like to seek their paramedic's certificate. Coggin supports moving forward with the application but felt it should be for EMTs rather than paramedics. Mason agreed with Coggin. Langmaid stated she was leaning more towards paramedic staffing and hoped the Ambulance District and Town of Vail Fire would work together to strengthen emergency response. Seibert expressed support for paramedics on the firetrucks. The higher -level training was going to be beneficial. Staufer made a motion to direct staff to move forward with submitting the SAFER grant with the higher level of service of paramedics; Foley seconded the motion passed (5-2* Coggin and Mason opposed). 3.2. Timber Ridge Village Apartments Redevelopment Discussion Presenter(s): George Ruther, Housing Director Action Requested of Council: Engage in the discussion and provide any initial feedback on the draft project goals and objectives, the public/private partnership approach, and the actions identified in the proposed redevelopment timeline. Background: The Vail Town Council has stated its preference to initiate a planning process for the pending redevelopment of the Timber Ridge Village Apartments. To that point, on July 2, 2021 during a Town Council Budget Retreat Worksession, instruction was given to bring forward recommendations for a planning process for the Council's consideration and further instruction. Staff Recommendation: Please refer to Section 4 of the attached memorandum. Ruther provided an overview of his memorandum with council that included draft redevelopment goals and objectives, redevelopment timelines and public/private partnership approaches regarding the redevelopment potential of the Timber Ridge Village Apartments. Town Council Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2022 Page 3 Council stated they felt comfortable with the goals and objectives outlined in the memorandum. Council did state they would like the study to include mobility needs. Council members discussed the pros and cons of sole sourcing a public/private partnership with Triumph Development vs. issuing an RFQ/RFP. Seibert felt comfortable moving forward with sole sourcing the project to Triumph Development and felt there was little to gain going through an RFP/RFQ process. Coggin agreed with Seibert's remarks and felt time was a factor in moving forward with the redevelopment. Kathleen Halloran, Finance Director, shared staff would be presenting a more in-depth presentation regarding the topic of RFQ/RFP and sole source at the next study. Mire clarified the council was under no contractual obligation to work with Triumph Development on redevelopment of Timber Ridge. Bobby Lipnick, CO -Chair of Eagle County Housing Task Force, felt now was the time to get things done and encouraged council to move forward with sole sourcing with Triumph Development. Council agreed to wait until the next meeting after they heard more from Halloran. Council felt comfortable with the timing of construction beginning Sept 2023 with homes ready for occupancy by Nov. 1, 2025 Council stated they looked forward to hearing more from staff at the next two meetings. 4. Action Items 4.1. 2022 Ellefson Park Turf Reduction Project Update Presenter(s): Todd Oppenheimer, Capital Project Manager/Landscape Architect Action Requested of Council: Direction from Council to proceed with final design, DRB approval and construction documents for the Ellefson Park Turf Reduction Project. Background: In 2019 the Town Council approved a pilot project intended to permanently reduce irrigated turfgrass in the Town's parks and landscape areas. The Buffehr Creek pilot project was completed in August 2019 and has been successful. In 2021 Staff began researching and implementing small test plots of plant materials to be used as lawn substitutes that require less irrigation. The test plots are very much a work in progress for which the results will be presented later in the year. The second significant turfgrass reduction project at Ellefson Park, 2485 Garmisch Drive, is in the RETT budget for 2022. Staff Recommendation: Approve the preliminary design concept for the Ellefson Park Turf Reduction Project. Town Council Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2022 Page 4 Oppenheimer provided an update on the 2022 Ellefson Park turfgrass reduction project. The Buffehr Creek pilot project was completed in August 2019 and included a 25% reduction in the amount of irrigated turfgrass in the park. The replacement of irrigated turfgrass with native grasses and shrubs at Buffehr Creek Park had been very successful. The change resulted in a 25% reduction in water which was consistent with the amount of turf grass removed. The Ellefson Park Turf Grass Reduction Project was scheduled for spring 2022. The project would replace approximately 53% of the existing turf grass in the park with native grasses and shrubs. Oppenheimer estimated the project may reduce the water consumption at Ellefson Park by over 176,000 gallons each year. Council asked staff to provide plenty of opportunity for community engagements. Staufer made a motion to proceed with final design; mason seconded the motion passed (7-0). 4.2. Parking Access Revenue Control System Project Contract Award to Fisher Parking & Security, Inc. with the technology partner of TIBA Parking Systems Presenter(s): Stephanie Kashiwa, Parking Operations Manager and Greg Hall. Director of Public Works and Transportation Action Requested of Council: Authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement with Fisher Parking & Security, Inc. with the technology partner of TIBA Parking Systems for the Parking Access Revenue Control System project. Background: The parking access and revenue control system was approved within the 2021 budget process. This project includes removal of our current SKIDATA hardware and software, installation of TIBA hardware and software, as well as integrations with third parties. The system will provide us with solutions for transient parkers, credential access, online pass sales, mobile payments, data collection and analysis, event parking, and parking mobility and information. Staff Recommendation: Authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement with Fisher Parking & Security, Inc. for the Parking Access Revenue Control System in the amount of, and not to exceed, $980,500. The 2023 budget will include $61,500 for the software as a service solutions. Kashiwa provided a brief overview of the RFP process and the reasoning for staffs selection of the selected vendor. A request for proposals was released on October 15, 2021 with proposals due on November 1 st, 2021. Seven proposals were received with four finalists selected for Interviews. Fisher Parking Technology and Security, Inc. was the selected vendor. Kashiwa stated this vendor came in within budget while providing solutions and options to the town's parking and mobility operations. Additionally, they were able to customize their proposal to fit what our interview panel deemed necessary and gave further options to improve internal and external experience with the PARCS. Council asked when the system would be implemented and if the program would give more in depth information of who was using the parking structures. Kashiwa stated this spring the hardware would be installed and the program would be able to provide for online pass sales, mobile payments, data collection and analysis, event parking, parking mobility and more.. Town Council Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2022 Page 5 There was no public comment. Foley made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement with Fisher Parking & Security Inc in an amount not to exceed $980,500; Coggin seconded the motion passed (7-0). 5. Town Manager Report (10 min) 5.1. Public Health Updates Robson noted a successful holiday season during a time of COVID and staffing shortages. COVID infections continued to be at a high rate in Eagle, Pitkin and Summit counties. Severity of infections was lower than a year ago. Vaccinations and boosters were highly recommended. 6. DRB / PEC Updates (5 min.) 6.1. DRIB / PEC Update December 27, 2021 PEC Meeting Cancelled Presenter(s): Jonathan Spence, Planning Manager There were no council comments. 7. Information Update 7.1. December Revenue Update 8. Matters from Mayor, Council and Committee Reports Seibert noted that COVID, crowds and snow combined to make the holiday season challenging. He thanked everyone for doing a great job. Foley agreed the response from front line and town workers was amazing during the holidays. He thanked everyone for pitching in. He also suggested increased parking enforcement at East Lionshead Circle and asked that shuttle drivers slow down. Davis was looking forward to Friday's Ski/Ride with the elected officials on Vail Mountain. He also clarified that "out of town" sales tax income comes largely from internet sales. Mason commended everyone for pitching in during the holidays. She suggested the short-term parking area on top of the Transportation Center be redesigned. She also noted the town was at capacity and needed to address how to slow things down. Coggin thanked the "backbone of the community" for their hard work over the last few weeks. Staufer noted an article in the Colorado Sun about Vail Resorts' staffing and management challenges. He stated the town and community must review the efforts to provide the best skiing experience possible to protect Vail's reputation. Town Council Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2022 Page 6 Langmaid thanked Vail's front-line workers for their hard work. She noted: 2021 Year in Review had been posted to the town's website, Ski/Ride with elected officials at 10am Friday, she would like to see more emphasis on destination management rather than destination marketing. Langmaid suggested the kicking off of the Destination Stewardship Plan should include a brief overview of the Mountain IDEA standard included in Vail's Sustainable Destination certification as well as carrying capacity. 8.1. Vail Trailblazer Award Update Presenter(s): Patty McKenny, Assistant Town Manager Action Requested of Council: Confirm two elected officials to serve on selection committee for naming the next trailblazer award recipient. Background: Select Committee to Name the Award Recipient/s Council appointed Langmaid and Seibert to serve on the selection committee for selecting the next trailblazer award recipient. There being no further business to come before the council, Foley moved to adjourn the meeting; Coggin seconded the motion which passed (7-0) and the meeting adjourned at 8:44 P. M. Attest: TaLmyaown CI Respectfully Submitted, Kim id, yo AN 2 t; o� CO URAT� Town Council Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2022 Page 7