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
-
Lot 10 Park Design Concepts Discussion
- Following a site visit earlier in the day, the Evergreen Lodge design team presented two design concepts for the creation of a public park on “Lot 10,” a town-owned parcel located at the west end of West Meadow Drive between Vail Health and Dobson Arena. The property is less than half an acre and is currently a surface parking lot utilized by Vail Public Library staff and patrons requiring accessible parking. The parcel is included within the Civic Area Plan study area, which includes the following recommendations for the parcel: involve the community and neighboring property owners in the design of the park; coordinate with the Evergreen Lodge redevelopment; and identify alternate accessible parking for patrons of the library. The design team will take Town Council feedback and work toward a single design concept to be presented to the Design Review Board in April. Construction of the park is likely to begin towards the end of the Evergreen Lodge redevelopment process, which is anticipated to begin in mid-2026 and be completed in 2029.
-
Geothermal Project Update
- Staff provided an update on progress toward development of a geothermal energy network in the Lionshead area to decarbonize municipal operations, including snowmelt and buildings, in accordance with the Town Council’s environmental goals. Last summer, the Colorado Energy Office awarded the town $250,000 to pursue the design of geothermal district and the 2025 budget includes an additional $150,000 already approved for the effort. The Town Council was supportive of pursuing a development contract with McKinstry to complete the development and planning portion of the project.
-
STR Excise Tax Ballot Update
- During previous discussions, the Town Council expressed interest in exploring a new short-term rental excise tax, potentially with a two-tiered structure with different tax rates for condotel properties with a 24-hour front desk versus properties without a 24-hour front desk. After hearing the results of research on a two-tiered rate, the Town Council opted to continue the effort focused on a single rate excise tax.
-
West Middle Creek Financial Update
- Staff provided an update on the municipal market, which has become increasingly volatile since the first reading of Ord. No. 5. Interest rates on 30-year municipal bonds rose by 26 basis points. With several weeks remaining before the anticipated bond sale to help finance the West Middle Creek development, market conditions will continue to shift, and the town’s advisors are cautiously optimistic that rates will settle. In the evening, the Town Council approved the second reading of Ord. No. 5. The approval of this ordinance does not commit the town to issuing the Certificates of Participation. Staff, along with Piper Sandler and Hilltop Securities, will continue providing Town Council with weekly market updates leading up to the bond sale.
-
Swearing In of Municipal Judge
- Courtney Holm was sworn in for a two-year term as Vail’s new municipal judge.
-
Discussion of Resolution 14 and Eagle Valley Land Trust Agreement
- The Town Council pulled Resolution No. 14 and an Eagle Valley Land Trust agreement off of the consent agenda to get clarification on the actions. Resolution 14 is an intergovernmental agreement between the Town of Vail and Eagle County to allow the town to accept a $5 million donation toward Booth Heights. The Eagle Valley Land Trust engagement letter obligates the town to the support legal fees, site assessment and other costs associated with establishing a conservation easement on the property. Council was supportive.
-
Discussion of East Vail Interchange Landscape Improvements Contract
- The Town Council pulled the East Vail Contract Award with G.H. Daniels and Associates for East Vail interchange landscape improvements to ask if in the future, holiday decorations could be considered in East Vail. Staff indicated that as there is no power available for lights at that location, this would need to be included in later improvements. Council was supportive of the agreement.
-
Summer Managed Parking Discussion
- Following several rounds of meetings, staff asked the Town Council for direction on implementing a managed summer parking program. A recent assessment of Vail’s parking structures shows a need for $10.5 million in repairs over the next 5 years, as well as an increase of up to $2.5 million toward annual maintenance to keep Vail’s aging structures in use. The recommendations from the Parking & Mobility Task Force are to implement paid parking at much lower rates than the winter program, while also increasing service by Vail Transit. As proposed, paid parking, with rates much lower than winter rates, would be in place from May 30 through Sept. 28 with regular daily rates maxing out at $10. Passholders would receive a discount on daily rates or free parking, depending on pass type. Event parking rates at Ford Park and the Soccer Lot would increase from $15 to $20 and would still be free for vehicles with four or more occupants. Overnight rates would match winter rates. An extension for those who purchased winter passes this season would automatically occur, and the ability to purchase a summer pass would be offered. Summer transit service would increase to include 15-minute East Vail service, West Vail Express and Lionsridge Loop service. Council approved the program.
-
Discussion of Contract Award to Walking Mountains Science Center for Vail Nature Center Summer Operations
- Walking Mountains Science Center has provided interpretive services, environmental education programs, staffing, and nature preserve maintenance at the Vail Nature Center for over 20 years. Council was supportive but asked that this contract come back for consideration earlier in the year for 2026.
-
Discussion of Ord. No. 6, Establishing an Automated Vehicle Identification System
- The Vail Police Department requested Town Council adopt an ordinance authorizing the use of an Automated Vehicle Identification System to issue speeding tickets at two locations in the Town of Vail: westbound on South Frontage Rd. adjacent to Village Center Dr. and westbound on North Frontage Rd. near Zermatt Lane. Both areas are notorious for speeding and difficulty in providing traffic enforcement. The penalty will be solely a fine, with notice sent to the owner of the vehicle. No points would be assessed on driver licenses. Council was supportive.
-
Appeal of the Final Decision of the Town of Vail Planning and Environmental Commission Denying a Variance to Allow for an Increase in the Allowable Gross Residential Floor Area at 387 Beaver Dam Circle
- On Jan. 13, 2025, the Planning and Environmental Commission voted 6-1 to deny a variance request to allow for an increase in the allowable GRFA for the home located at 387 Beaver Dam Circle. In 2023, Lot 1A was sold to the applicant, AB Global Inc. Shortly thereafter, the applicant applied for a building permit for interior renovations to the property. Town of Vail staff identified a discrepancy in plans and square footage of the property. The areas identified as crawl space had been converted into living space, equating to approximately 661 sf of GRFA. The current owner was unaware of previous changes to the crawlspaces. They were not reviewed by the Town of Vail staff as part of any building permit. The applicant was informed the excess GRFA needed to be resolved prior to the issuance of a new building permit. The applicant is asking for a GRFA variance. Council upheld the denial.
-
First Budget Supplemental Presentation
- Changes from the first reading of Ord. No. 4 include updates to the budget to account for the approved managed summer parking program and the increase to transit services.
Town Manager Report
- In addition to his written report, Town Manger Russell Forest followed up on questions regarding the make-up of the Vail Home Partners Corporation board in support of West Middle Creek, which currently includes the town’s Deputy Town Manager, Finance Director, Public Works Director, Housing Director and a member of the Vail Local Housing Authority. Since the last meeting Council members expressed interest in having a council representative on the board. Sam Biszantz will serve in this role.
Actions as a Result of Executive Session
- There were no actions as a result of executive session.
Public Comment
- Joe Joyce thanked the community for its support of the Vail Popcorn Wagon and thanked the Town Council for listening.
- Tim McMahon asked for a police presence at the Vail Transportation Center and an emergency plan for I-70 closures. He asked about the possibility of commercial vehicles receiving a fine if they block the road, even if the chain law is not effect. He also asked about the functionality of the variable speed limit signs in Dowd Junction.
- Kim Langmaid is a fan of the Vail Popcorn Wagon. She is also interested in establishing the "Friends of the Vail Nature Center,” a volunteer group to provide assistance, either financially or via workdays, to help preserve the building and surrounding natural area.
- Liz Smith complimented the town on the recently held Annual Community Meeting.
- Douglas Smith and Brian Cooley thanked the Town Council for their support of the Navy SEAL Foundation Proclamation. They are the founders of the Vail Warrior Alliance, which will host the upcoming Warrior Gala on April 3 to raise money for the Navy SEAL Foundation.
- Drew Damici thanked the Town Council for their support of the Vail Popcorn Wagon.
- Billy Suarez spoke in support of the Vail Popcorn Wagon. He also asked about the plan for I-70 closures and asked why cars are no longer stopped and staged at Ford Park.
- As part of the Summer Managed Parking Discussion, Tim McMahon asked about the possibility of validation for businesses.
- As part of the Summer Managed Parking Discussion, Jen Mason expressed concerns that paid parking will be a deterrent for visitors and potentially negatively impact sales tax.
- As part of the Summer Managed Parking Discussion, Stephen Connelly says Vail should have been promoting free parking all along. He thinks guests should pay for parking but is concerned about the effect on the local workforce.
- As part of the Summer Managed Parking Discussion, Bob Armour says the time has come to charge for summer parking to support the town’s infrastructure needs.
- As part of the Automated Vehicle Identification System discussion, Bob Armour asked where any revenue collections will go.
Actions/Decisions
- Sitting as the Vail Reinvestment Authority, Approved Resolution No. 1, First Supplemental Budget of 2025 (7-0)
- Approved Proclamation No. 2, National Donate Life Month (7-0)
- Approved Proclamation No. 3, Navy SEAL Foundation Recognition Day (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 15, Appointing Courtney Holm as the Town's Municipal Judge (7-0)
- Appointed Annalise Durante, Brad Hagedorn and CJ Lintner to the Planning and Environmental Commission (7-0)
- Approved March 4, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes (7-0)
- Approved March 18, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes (7-0)
- Approved Contract Award with A-1 Chipseal for 2025 Slurry Seal Project (7-0)
- Approved Contract Award to C&L Water Solutions for CIPP Rehabilitation (7-0)
- Approved Contract Award with Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited for In-Stream Trout Habitat Improvements at Ford Park (7-0)
- Approved Contract Award with McKinstry for Geothermal Energy District Development (7-0)
- Approved Contract Award with Sharper Image Painting for Lionshead Parking Structure Repainting (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 14, Intergovernmental Agreement between Eagle County and the Town of Vail for Preservation of the East Vail Bighorn Sheep Habitat Property (7-0)
- Approved Eagle Valley Land Trust Letter of Engagement (7-0)
- Approved a Contract Award with G.H. Daniels and Associates for East Vail Interchange Landscape Improvements (7-0)
- Approved a 2025 Summer Managed Parking Program and Increased Transit Service (7-0)
- Approved Contract Award with Walking Mountains Science Center for Vail Nature Center Summer Operations (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 16, Adopting the Town of Vail Public Way Permit Fee Schedule (7-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 6, First Reading, Amending the Vail Town Code to Establish an Automated Vehicle Identification System (7-0)
- Upheld An Appeal of the Final Decision of the Town of Vail Planning and Environmental Commission Denying a Variance to Allow for an Increase in the Allowable Gross Residential Floor Area at 387 Beaver Dam Circle (7-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 4, Second Reading, First Budget Supplemental of 2025 (7-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 5, Second Reading, Authorizing the Leasing of Certain Town Property, the Advance of a Loan to the Vail Home Partners Corporation, and the Execution and Delivery of Other Documents Regarding West Middle Creek Development (6-1, Staufer opposed)
Upcoming Town Council Meetings/Activities
- Vail Town Council Meeting, April 15
- Vail Town Council Meeting, May 6
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.
|
