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, Davis, Phillips, Seibert, Staufer (Coggin absent)
Presentations/Discussion/Announcements
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Biennial Community Survey Discussion
- Staff presented a proposed draft of the 2024 Community Survey. The survey is fielded every two years and is used to measure the town’s operational performance as compared with previous years. It also includes questions to gauge sentiment on public policy issues. Council feedback will be incorporated into the survey and postcards inviting Vail households to participate are expected to be mailed by the end of the week.
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Hanson Ranch Road Hotel Shuttle Update
- The Vail Police Department updated the Town Council on congestion problems on Hanson Ranch Road, which have worsened over the years due to an increase in hotel shuttles using the area and making the road impassable for hours during peak skier drop off and pick up. Town Council was supportive of changing the town code to reduce the size of the vehicles allowed to use the drop off area, maintaining a police presence on Hanson Ranch Road (as staffing allows) to ensure the area is being used correctly, and exploring other drop off places for shuttles.
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Go Vail 2045 Mobility and Transportation Master Plan: Outcomes and Project Prioritization
- Over the last two years, the Go Vail 2045 team has been reviewing existing conditions, analyzing data, developing mobility concepts, taking public feedback, and drafting the master plan document. The draft plan is now available on engagevail.com for public review and comment, along with an online storyboard which focuses on the highlights of the plan. Staff presented high-level proposed outcomes of the plan, along with relative costs and prioritization. Staff also highlighted some of the potential projects that might have the greatest near-term benefits. The plan is anticipated to be in front of the Town Council for adoption in May.
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Planning Application and Public Way Permit Fees Update/Increase Discussion
- Staff is recommending an update to fees charged for planning applications and public way permits. These fees have not changed since 2001 and 2008, respectively. Since that time, the Town of Vail’s costs have increased significantly. Town Council feedback will be incorporated into a resolution with an updated fee schedule that will be brought back for consideration.
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Oktoberfest Update
- In late 2023 the producer of the Vail Oktoberfest weekends in 2022 and 2023 notified the town that they were no longer going to run the event. Given the event has been a mainstay of the Vail calendar for over 20 years and provides a strong economic impact in September, the town published an RFP specifically to secure a new producer for Oktoberfest. One response was received, with a non-traditional funding model and a $250,000 upfront investment from the town. A subsequent RFP resulted in an additional proposal from Diane Moudy of Resort Entertainment Group and Brian Nolan of Group 970. The CSE reviewed the proposal and recommended sponsoring the event in 2024 in the amount of $100,000, due to the quick turnaround needed to plan and purchase supplies for the event. Council was supportive, with the expectation that the event will not need as large of a subsidy in future years.
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Interviews for Art in Public Places Board Members
- Three vacancies exist on the Art in Public Places Board; the Town Council interviewed seven applicants: Tracy Morrison Gordon, Sarah P Johnson, Mary Egan, Kathy Langenwalter, Dena Raitman, Lindsea Stowe and Kaye Summers.
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Interviews for Design Review Board Members
- Three vacancies exist on the Design Review Board; the Town Council interviewed four applicants: Roland J Kjesbo, Christopher K Austin, Mary Egan and Nancy S Hester-Haddad.
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Dobson Ice Arena Remodel Project and Contractor Procurement Update
- The town is in negotiations with Hyder Construction as part of the contractor procurement process for the Dobson Ice Arena Remodel Project. If the parties are not able to come to terms, staff is requesting that the Town Council allow the town to negotiate with GE Johnson, another finalist, for a phase one scope of work. Council was supportive.
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Discussion of Ord. No. 2, Regarding Applications for Exterior Modifications in the Commercial Core 1 and Commercial Core 2 Zone Districts
- Currently, exterior alterations are reviewed by the Planning and Environmental Commission in the CC1 and CC2 districts. The existing code sections distinguish between major exterior alterations and a minor exterior alteration. Per the town code, major exterior alterations are scheduled only on biannual dates in February and September, while minor exterior alterations may be submitted for any regularly scheduled meeting of the PEC. Staff is proposing an amendment that removes the distinction between major and minor exterior alterations and allows all exterior alterations to be submitted for a regularly scheduled PEC meeting, streamlining the review process, and bringing it in line with other districts. The amendment also includes minor grammatical updates to both sections. Council was supportive.
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Discussion of Ord. No. 3, First Supplemental Budget Adjustments of 2024
- Finance Director Carlie Smith gave an overview of the town’s 2023 financial results and reviewed requests for adjustments to the 2024 budget. Across all funds, 2023 revenues totaled $111.5 million. Excluding large one-time revenues from federal grants and the Vail Reinvestment Authority capital reimbursement, 2023 revenues totaled $101.8 million, up $10.2 million from 2022 and up $8.2 million from budget. The primary purpose of the supplemental is to re-appropriate funds for capital projects budgeted in 2023 and are continuing into this year, or for projects that did not begin as planned. There are also adjustments needed to reflect events or decisions that have occurred since the 2024 budget was finalized.
Actions as a Result of Executive Session
- There were no actions as a result of executive session.
Public Comment
- Sarah Smith-Hymes introduced herself as a candidate for county commissioner. The primary election is coming up on June 25.
Town Manager Report
- Town Manager Russell Forrest gave an update on a potential change to the West Vail auxiliary lane project. The town is concerned that a two-mile portion of the project will not be completed due to rising costs. This section is of particular importance to the town and all of Eagle County. Vail and its partners are continuing to push CDOT to prioritize funding for the critical stretch of I-70 known as the “Narrows.”
Actions/Decisions
- Appointed Tracy Morrison Gordon, Kathy Langenwalter and Lindsea Stowe to the Art in Public Places Board (6-0)
- Appointed Christopher K Austin, Mary Egan and Nancy S Hester-Haddad to the Design Review Board (6-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 10, Intergovernmental Agreement between the Town of Vail and Eagle County, Colorado Concerning the Wildland Fire Mitigation Program (6-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 11, Cooperative Agreement between Eagle County Department of Human Services and Eagle County Law Enforcement Agencies (6-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 12, State of Colorado Subaward Agreement between the Town of Vail and the Colorado Department of Transportation to Receive Funding for the Purchase of Two Battery Electric Buses (6-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 13, Adopting the 2024 Town of Vail Housing Policy Statements (6-0)
- Approved Contract Award to Resort Entertainment Group and Group 970 for the Production of Vail Oktoberfest (6-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 2, First Reading, Regarding Applications for Exterior Modifications in the Commercial Core 1 and Commercial Core 2 Zone Districts (6-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 3, First Reading, First Supplemental Budget Adjustments of 2024 (6-0)
Upcoming Town Council Meetings/Activities
- Vail Town Council Meeting, April 2
- Vail Town Council Meeting, April 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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