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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Government Financing Presentation
- The Town Council heard a presentation on the types of long- and short-term financing available to municipal governments. The information will be used as the town makes decisions on how to fund a number of anticipated upcoming large-scale projects.
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Vail Business Survey Results
- Deputy Town Manager Kathleen Halloran and Sean Maher of RRC Associates gave an overview of results from the first Vail Business Survey, which is intended to provide Town Council and staff insight into how the business community views their relationship with the town. Results were generally positive, with some areas noted for improvement. The town will use the feedback from the business survey and the recently closed Community Survey to create actions as part of its overall customer service goals outlined in. Full results of all surveys will be available at vail.gov.
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Overview of Golf Course Riparian Habitat
- The Town Council received an overview of projects that have taken place to protect local waterways. While town property is exempt from the town’s stream setback requirements, the Environmental Sustainability staff presented aerial imagery demonstrating that town and Vail Recreation District landscaping maintenance operations substantially comply with the setback requirement. Four areas that could be addressed with improvements along the golf course include erosion along Eleventh Fairway, depth and temperature of Wedding Island Pond and surrounding ponds, Hole Number 7 flooding and Fifteenth Green erosion and proximity to creek. Council was supportive.
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Discussion on Municipalization of Solid Waste
- Staff initiated a discussion with the Town Council on the potential municipalization of solid waste and recycling management, which would include a transition to a single hauler system. This transition would be a continuation of steps the town has taken over the last several years, including removing delivery vehicles from the Village Core, designating bicycle dismount zones in heavily pedestrianized areas, and better controlling vehicular access to Vail’s high pedestrian activity areas, to mitigate risks to pedestrians. Council was supportive of staff developing an RFP, with the intent of gathering more information prior to any decisions.
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Bike Dismount Zones Update
- The town is coming up on its fourth season of enacting a summer bike dismount zone in the heavy pedestrian use area of Vail Village. Council was supportive of continuing the dismount zones but reducing the number of signs, as well as targeting enforcement toward egregious/aggressive riders rather than a blanket approach. Staff will also return with information on problem areas in Lionshead.
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Civic Area Update
- Town Council heard a presentation and had a discussion on the Vail Civic Area Implementation Plan, specifically a recent spatial architectural programming and economic analysis. Council feedback included a desire to narrow the initial focus to a replacement of the Municipal Complex. More information is needed before contemplating other uses. Staff will return with next steps.
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Go Vail 2045 Mobility and Transportation Master Plan - Update on Public and PEC Comments
- Town Engineer Tom Kassmel reviewed comments received on the latest draft of the Go Vail 2045 Mobility and Transportation Master Plan. Town Council members had no further feedback and thanked the Planning and Environmental Commission for their thorough review. Staff will request a final adoption of the Master Plan at an upcoming council meeting following an anticipated PEC recommendation of approval on June 10.
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Vail Local Housing Authority Interviews
- The Town Council interviewed Jack Bergey, Emily Gavagan, Nikola Nemcanin and James Wilkins for a vacancy on the Vail Local Housing Authority.
Actions as a Result of Executive Session
- There were no actions as a result of executive session.
Public Comment
- Amy Oliveira introduced herself as the Executive Director of the TreeTop Child Advocacy Center, which supports child victims of abuse and their families in the Fifth Judicial District. The center relies on funding from the federal Victims of Crime Act, which will be reduced in 2025.
- Tim McMahon asked if the Vail Town Council is able to undo housing deed restrictions, if so he would like to see that changed. He also asked about the status of a project to update cameras in the villages. He asked about the legal ramifications of his holding a sign listing the repeat offenders of the town’s EHU compliance requirements. While realizing the lack of feasibility, he suggested the town mandate that all rented e-bikes have a GPS tracker that cuts the bike’s motor when it enters the town’s dismount zone.
- Laurie O'Connell, owner of Perch and Elleston in Vail, expressed her desire to see the “off-season” become the “on-season.”
- Taylor Gardarian asked about a notice from the Town of Vail that could be provided to the U.S. Forest Service indicating the town is not opposed to an assessment of the West Vail Mountain. He also mentioned an energy production process which converts molecular hydrogen to hydrinos.
Town Manager Report
- Town Manager Russell Forrest announced the town has finalized its contract with Triumph Development for the redevelopment of Timber Ridge Village. Marketing for the pre-sale of homes will begin this week.
Actions/Decisions
- Recognized Perla Chaves from Battle Mountain High School and Micah Robinson from Eagle Valley High as the Colorado Grand Scholarship recipients for 2024
- Recognized Magdalina Goranova and Victoria Carty, both from Battle Mountain High School, as Town of Vail Scholarship recipients for 2024
- Approved Resolution No. 23, Lease Agreement between the Town of Vail and the Colorado Department of Transportation Regarding Parking Along the Non-Travel Lanes of the Interstate 70 Frontage Roads re: Oversized Vehicle Parking on North Frontage Road (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 24, Lease Agreement between the Town of Vail and the Colorado Department of Transportation Regarding Parking Along the Non-Travel Lanes of the Interstate 70 Frontage Roads re: Overflow Parking (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 25, Series of 2024, First Amendment to Construction Contract with ViaOne Services, and Waiving the 80% Colorado Labor Requirement (7-0)
- Approved Contract Award to Wall Coating Systems Inc. for I-70 Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation Project (7-0)
Upcoming Town Council Meetings/Activities
- Vail Town Council Meeting, June 4 (Note: Meeting will be held in the Grand View Room in Lionshead)
- Vail Town Council Meeting, June 18 (Note: Meeting will be held in the Grand View Room in Lionshead)
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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