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:
Afternoon: Biszantz, Chapin, Coggin, Davis, Phillips, Seibert, Staufer
Evening: Chapin, Coggin, Davis, Phillips, Seibert, Staufer (Biszantz on maternity leave)
Presentations/Discussion/Announcements
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Capital Budget Preview
- Town of Vail finance staff provided the Town Council with in-depth information on the town's proposed 5-year capital expenditure plan, including significant capital projects proposed as a part of the 2025 budget. The 2025 Capital Projects Fund expenditure budget is proposed at $66.3 million, which includes $7.6 million for annual capital maintenance of the town’s current assets. The additional $52.9 million includes the redevelopment of Dobson Ice Arena at $50.4 million, replacement of townwide handheld radios at $1 million, design of pedestrian improvements on the South Frontage Road at $300,000, design of pedestrian improvements through the Main Vail roundabout at $200,000, rapid flashing beacons on Bighorn Road and Vail Valley Drive at $150,000, and car share program infrastructure at $117,700. Council was generally supportive of the plan while asking questions and expressing some concerns regarding the rapid flashing beacons and care share program infrastructure. Staff will incorporate feedback in preparation for the Town Manager’s budget review, which will come before the Town Council on Nov. 5, with budget ordinance readings currently scheduled on Nov. 19 and Dec. 3.
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Compensation and Benefits Budget Preview
- Continuing with budget discussions, Human Resources Director Krista Miller presented a preliminary overview of the compensation and benefits plan for 2025. As proposed, the 2025 compensation budget would include compensation study and market adjustments totaling $600,000, and a 5% merit and special recognition pool equaling $1.4 million. The 2025 benefit budget would include a medical plan increase of 1 to 3%, to be finalized after stop loss insurance bids are received; and adjustments to salary-based coverage. Council was supportive.
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Vail Local Housing Authority Semi-Annual Housing Update
- Steve Lindstrom, VLHA Chairman and Jason Dietz, Town of Vail Housing Director presented highlights of recent housing efforts and a look forward toward upcoming opportunities. Topics included Vail InDEED and deed restriction progress; policies; housing funds; and current and ongoing developments.
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Recommended Final Components of the Winter 2024-2025 Parking Program
- Town staff presented ideas for enhancing transit service during the early winter season and asked for an increase in parking fines for the section of the South Frontage Road that is no longer allowed for overflow parking. Enforcement will continue to focus on education rather than fines. Council was supportive of both requests.
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Ordinance No. 14, Major Amendment to Special Development District No. 4, Cascade Village, and Specifically Approving Amendments to the Development Plan for Area B, Coldstream Condominiums, Cascade Village
- Staff and the applicant presented proposed amendments to Special Development District #4 including an increase in GRFA and a reduction in the side setback. Major elements of the re-development plans include the construction of five new free market condominiums, one new employee housing unit, a new parking garage and associated site improvements. While supportive of the concept, council asked the applicant to work with town staff to modify and enhance the proposed public benefits that are required as part of the application. The item will be tabled to Nov. 19.
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Ordinance No. 13, Adoption of Building Codes
- At its Oct. 1 meeting, Town Council requested a previously proposed “Electric-Preferred” code amendment to the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code be removed. That change has been made in advance of the second reading of the ordinance.
Actions as a Result of Executive Session
- No executive session was held on Oct. 15, 2024.
Public Comment
- Tim McMahon related an incident at the Vail Transportation Center regarding a missing person who got off a Greyhound bus in an agitated state, causing disruption and needing care. He is asking for a protocol for these situations.
- Holly Cole thanked the council for the opportunity to live in Vail Commons, she was an original buyer in the development. She brought to the Town Council’s attention that the town’s annual EHU compliance letter does not give an opportunity to indicate a partial retirement, which resulted in her receiving a fine.
- Ian Grask referenced the Gore Creek Promenade improvement project currently underway and reiterated his request that Town Council consider making the park a common consumption area.
Town Manager Report
- Town Manager Russell Forrest reiterated information shared during the housing update regarding West Middle Creek. In addition, representatives from East West Partners and Vail Resorts shared that following the settlement agreement reached between the Town and Vail Resorts on Oct. 1, the selection process for a design firm will kick off the joint planning effort for parcels in the west Lionshead area.
Actions/Decisions
- Sitting as the Vail Local Marketing District, Approved Resolution No. 3, Adopting the 2025 VLMD Budget (7-0)
- Approved Proclamation No. 6, High Five Media Day (6-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 46, Series of 2024, Adopting the 2025 VLMD Budget (6-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 48, Series of 2024, Amendment to the Highway Maintenance Agreement with the Colorado Department of Transportation (6-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 49, Series of 2024, State of Colorado Subaward Agreement to Receive Funding for an Electric Bus Workforce Training Grant (6-0)
- Approved Authorization to Lease Hamlet Chalet Townhome, 2014 West Gore Creek Drive, Unit 3 (6-0)
- Approved Contract Award to RythmEFX for the Construction of Kringle Crossing Houses for Lionshead Village Holiday Activation (6-0)
- Approved Contract Award to Weston Landscape Design Inc. for 2024-2025 Contracted Snow Removal (6-0)
- Approved Final Components of the Winter 2024-2025 Parking Program (6-0)
- Referred Resolution No. 44, Accepting a Donation of Real Property, to the Open Space Board of Trustees (6-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 47, Renaming the Street Segment of Matterhorn Circle to Blue Rose Lane (6-0)
- Tabled Ord. No. 14, First Reading, A Major Amendment to Special Development District No. 4, Cascade Village, and Specifically Approving Amendments to the Development Plan for Area B, Coldstream Condominiums, Cascade Village (6-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 13, Second Reading, Adopting by Reference the 2023 Edition of the National Electrical Code and the 2024 Editions of the International Building Code, the International Residential Code, the International Fire Code, the International Energy Conservation Code, the International Plumbing Code, the International Fuel Gas Code, the International Mechanical Code and the International Existing Building Code (6-0)
Upcoming Town Council Meetings/Activities
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Nov. 5
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Nov. 19
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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