Vail Town Council Meeting Highlights
This is an unofficial summary of the meeting produced by the Communications Department. To read the official minutes; please click here. Minutes are posted once they are approved.
Council members present:
Biszantz, Chapin, Coggin, Davis, Phillips, Seibert, Staufer
Presentations/Discussion/Announcements
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Interviews for Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Council
- Sitting as the Vail Local Marketing District, the council interviewed 10 candidates for four openings on the Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Council: Lauren Barotz, Kim Fuller, Emily Gavagan, Carol Johnson, Liz Leister, Jana Morgan, Parker Owens, Jonathan Reap, Tom Winter and Allison Yazel.
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Inntopia Seasonal Update
- Council heard an update from Inntopia covering economic micro and macro trends, a look back at summer 2023 occupancy and an analysis of bookings for winter 2023-24. Generally, macro economic conditions are improving, and Vail’s lodging performance is strong compared to the industry.
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Lionshead and Vail Village Parking Structures Discussion
- Craig Racey of Martin and Martin Engineering reviewed the current figuration of speed bumps and other traffic calming measures in the town’s parking structures on Friday, Dec.15. While a written report is still forthcoming, he provided some short-term recommendations to assist the town in achieving its goal of 5 mph speeds in the structures, which is the industry standard. The long, straight drive aisles that are present in both structures can promote faster speeds, so some amount of speed bumps should probably remain; however, Racey recommended removing the double bumps. Bumps that vehicles approach at an angle, bumps near ADA parking spots, and bumps that are at pedestrian crossings instead of in front of them should be repositioned or removed. Racey also recommends additional signs, including crosswalk signs and speed limit signs and speed indicating signs.
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Ford Park Play Area Safety Improvement Discussion
- The Ford Park play area is in need of improvements. Some of the wooden play structures are 35-years old, others are 24-years old. Several of the structures are showing deterioration of wooden post bases and other issues caused by outdoor exposure. It is also potentially time for a re-imagining of the site to continue Vail’s longstanding tradition of unique, art-inspired play areas. Staff requested input from the Town Council on the approach and scope of the project, which will help determine whether additional funding is required beyond what is already budgeted for repairs. Council is supportive of thinking big but is cognizant of the constrained RETT budget.
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Go Vail 2045 - Vail Mobility & Transportation Master Plan Update Traffic Calming & I-70 Impacts
- The GO Vail 2045 team has been reviewing data and concepts to improve mobility and transportation within Vail over the next 20 years, with the aim of having a new master plan ready for adoption this summer. Staff has presented to council several times on different topics. This session focused on speed limits on local roads; traffic calming; and I-70 impacts including noise, adapting to future needs such as an Advanced Guideway System, and a discussion on burying or tunneling I-70.
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Discussion of Fourth Supplemental Budget Appropriation for 2023
- Changes to the budget supplemental request have occurred since the first reading of Ord. 28, specifically to the Capital Projects Fund, Real Estate Transfer Tax Fund, Housing Fund, Timber Ridge Fund and Heavy Equipment Fund. No changes were proposed in the General Fund.
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Discussion of Ordinance No. 27, Providing for the Levy Assessment and Collection of Town Ad Valorem Property Taxes
- Following the rejection of Proposition HH by Colorado voters, a ballot measure that would have limited an increase in property taxes to homeowners, Governor Polis held a special legislation session that resulted in the passage of Senate Bill 23B-1. In addition to lowering assessment rates, the legislation allows the town the option to increase, decrease, or maintain its current mill levy of 4.69 mills. Staff recommended maintaining the base mill levy. While the overall property tax revenue will increase by $1.7 million for the town, it is less than what it would have been without the state’s changes to assessment rates. Council is supportive of maintaining the status quo.
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Strategic Planning Discussion
- Council is supportive of moving forward with a strategic planning process as presented by Town Manager Russell Forrest. Initial information gathering and interviews will take place in January, with a council retreat scheduled for February.
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Vail Mountain Update
- Nadia Guerriero, Senior Vice President and COO of the Rockies Region for Vail Resorts and Beth Howard, Chief Operating Officer of Vail Mountain gave an early winter update on company priorities and a season outlook for Vail Mountain.
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Discussion of Resolution No. 49, a Pre-Development Agreement between the Town of Vail and Corum Real Estate Group
- The Housing Department presented the negotiated pre-development agreement with Corum Real Estate Group for the development of the West Middle Creek Village Apartments. The proposed terms include the Town of Vail contributing the land, subject to a ground lease, and providing the seed money to fund the entitlement process. All entitlement work, including design development, engineering, testing, reporting, permitting and construction documentation, shall be contracted directly through the Corum Real Estate Group. Construction is anticipated to begin in May of 2025. Council was enthusiastically supportive of the agreement.
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Discussion of Ord. No. 29, Amending the Current Housing District Regulations and Establishing a New Housing District
- The Town of Vail and the Vail Local Housing Authority proposed amendments to the Housing Zone District and the establishment of a new district with the intent of providing standardized metrics within these zone districts and streamlining the review process. As drafted, the ordinance would amend the Housing (H) district to create a set of standards to replace the existing “Approved Development Plan” process. The proposal would also create a second Housing District (H-2) that would have a lower height maximum to be more compatible with lower density residential areas. The proposed changes would also permit retaining walls in either housing district to extend up to 15 feet in height. Council was in support.
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Call-Up of a Decision by the Planning and Environmental Commission regarding an Interpretation by the Administrator of the Community Development Department Concerning Section 12-2-2, Definitions, Vail Town Code, Regarding the Determination of “First Floor or Street Level”
- On Nov. 21, the Vail Town Council called-up the decision of the Planning and Environmental Commission to overturn the Community Development Department Administrator’s determination that the property located at 302 Hanson Ranch Road, Suite 110 is at “first floor or street level” as defined in the Vail Town Code. After presentations by town staff and the appellant, the council found the Vail Town Code was properly applied by the Administrator and overturned the Planning and Environmental Commission’s decision.
Actions as a Result of Executive Session
- There were no actions as a result of executive session.
Public Comment
- There was no public comment.
Town Manager Report
- Town Manager Russell Forrest had nothing additional to report.
Actions/Decisions
- Sitting as the Vail Reinvestment Authority, Approved Resolution No. 6, Third Supplemental Budget of 2023 (6-0, Phillips absent)
- Sitting as the Vail Local Marketing District, Appointed Lauren Barotz, Kim Fuller, Jana Morgan and Jonathan Reap to the Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Committee (7-0)
- Approved Town Council Meeting Minutes from Nov. 7, 2023 (7-0)
- Approved Town Council Meeting Minutes from Nov. 21, 2023 (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 50, Reappointing Cyrus Buck Allen III as the Presiding Judge of the Vail Municipal Court (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 51, Approving an Amendment to a Deed Restriction Agreement Between the Town of Vail and Altus Vail (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 49, Approving a Pre-Development Agreement between the Town of Vail and Corum Real Estate Group (7-0)
- Approved First Reading of Ord. No. 29, Amending the Current Housing District Regulations and Establishing a New Housing District (7-0)
- Overturned the Planning and Environmental Commission's Decision regarding an Interpretation by the Administrator of the Community Development Department Concerning Section 12-2-2, Definitions, Vail Town Code, Regarding the Determination of “First Floor or Street Level” (6-0, Phillips abstained)
- Approved Second Reading of Ord. No. 28, Fourth Supplemental Budget Appropriation for 2023 (7-0)
Upcoming Town Council Meetings/Activities
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Jan. 2
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Jan. 16
Resources
The Vail Town Council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. Join us for public comment at 6 p.m. Public hearing and comment opportunities are also noted on the agendas.
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