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Vail Town Council Meeting Highlights

April 15, 2025

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, Phillips, Seibert, Staufer (Davis absent)

Presentations/Discussion/Announcements

• STR Excise Tax Ballot Update
  • Staff gave an update on research into a potential short-term rental excise tax. The Town Council has expressed interest in exploring a ballot question regarding such a tax, with proceeds dedicated toward supporting local housing efforts. The town has contracted with Magellan Strategies to conduct a survey of Vail voters to gather opinions on a proposed STR tax. Council reviewed and provided feedback on the survey. The schedule calls for polling to take place from the end of May into early June, with results available at the end of June.

• 2024 Year End Investment Presentation
  • The Vail Town Code requires an annual presentation of the town's investment report, which is also provided as a written report each quarter. The town’s estimated average yield for the pooled cash fund is 4%. As of Dec. 31, 2024, the Treasury yield curves for 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year are 4.37%, 4.24% and 4.16% respectively. As a reminder, the town’s investment policy objectives are safety, liquidity and yield.

• West Middle Creek Financial Update
  • The town’s advisers and town staff provided an update on the volatility of interest rates on municipal bonds over the last week. At today’s rates, the parameters previously set by the Town Council have been exceeded and staff is not authorized to move forward with the financing of the West Middle Creek development. The evening session includes an emergency ordinance to expand those parameters if the Council decides they are comfortable with the amount of debt the town would take on with the Certificates of Participation, as well as the additional exposure for subsidies in the first few years of operation. The original parameters approved were $65.5 million in Town of Vail COPs, $10 million in up-front cash and an exposure of $4.3 million within the first few years of operation to cover debt service payments. At today’s rates, the town would need to issue $73 million in COPs with $10 million up front and exposure of $8.1 million. To allow room for additional interest rate movement, revised scenarios with parameters of $80 million in COPs with a $12.5 million exposure, and $90 million in COPs with a $23.5 million exposure were shared for information and consideration. Expanding the parameters does not commit the town to move forward with the financing, but authorizes an “up to” amount. The first opportunity to refinance would be at the 10-year mark. Council also discussed the option of delaying the project until fall to see where interest rates are at that time. Risks with this approach include cost volatility for both labor and materials. Lastly, the staff indicated the development agreement is not ready for Town Council’s approval, which is necessary to move forward with financing. A special meeting of the Vail Town Council will take place at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 17.

• West Lionshead Planning Update
  • Recent open houses on the West Lionshead planning process garnered approximately 70 attendees. The partners – Town of Vail, Vail Resorts and East West Partners - shared the current design concept. The public was generally supportive of the project, with much of the input centered around local housing, parking and community gathering spaces. Next steps include submitting for a Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan amendment, expected to occur within the next month and a half.

• Contract Award with Icon Inc. for West Vail Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons Project
  • This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda at the request of Council Member Dave Chapin, who asked for a pause on the project due to other activity in the area. As proposed, the project includes installation of pedestrian bump outs on the North Frontage Road at the bus stop crosswalk in front of Safeway to shorten the crosswalk distance across the road. The project also includes improved lighting, pavement marking, signs and push button activated flashers and is scheduled to be completed by July 3. The item was approved with Chapin and Phillips voting against.

• Discover Vail End of Season Recap
  • There will be an end-of-season party for locals at Golden Peak on April 18. Staff is also busy prepping for the upcoming spring and summer event season. Additional information is available at discovervail.com.

• Solid Waste Single Hauler Discussion
  • The town is exploring the possibility of a solid waste single hauler program. Reasons for considering the municipalization of solid waste, which is allowed by state statute, are to reduce the cost of residential waste service, reduce the number of trash trucks on roads, and improve recycling and waste diversion rates. Results from neighboring entities who have already implemented this type of program, as well as the responses to a recently issued RFP, show these desired outcomes could be met. The majority of Town Council is interested in continuing the conversation on a single hauler program, with Biszantz and Chapin not in favor. The process for municipalization of waste hauling requires a minimum 6-month process which will include a community engagement process.

• Discussion on West Middle Creek Development Agreement, Financing, Leases and Deed Restriction
  • Based on the information presented during the afternoon session, the Town Council will reconvene during a special meeting on Thursday, April 17 to consider actions regarding the development of West Middle Creek.

• Discussion on Dobson Arena Remodel Final Guaranteed Maximum Price, Owner’s Representative Services and Construction Testing
  • In the final steps needed to move forward with the Dobson Arena Remodel, the project team presented the final guaranteed maximum price and requested approval for three contracts. The first was an amendment to the contract with Hyder/McHugh in an amount not to exceed $45,774,223 for construction. The second was an amendment to the contract with Cumming Group in an amount not to exceed of $731,000 for owner’s representative services to assist with the construction. The third was a contract with Ground Engineering in an amount not to exceed $129,000 for construction testing. Total cost of the project is approximately $55.4 million, with funding coming predominately through $48.8 million from the Vail Reinvestment Authority. These funds must be spent by June 30, 2030 on projects within the Lionshead Tax Increment Financing District. Additional dollars will come from the Vail Recreation District and the town’s Real Estate Transfer Tax Fund, as well as sponsorships and fundraising. The Council was enthusiastically supportive of all three actions and thanked the project team and partners for bringing the long-awaited project to fruition. Construction is anticipated to begin as soon as April 21.

• Discussion on Contract Award to Srada Inc. and IronBric Associates LLC for HR/Payroll Software
  • The town currently uses a combination of technologies to perform its human resources, time and attendance, benefits and payroll management services. These legacy systems don't communicate with one another, creating significant inefficiencies through duplicative data entry, increased risk of error, and ultimately, a negative impact on employee experience. Staff is requesting a budget supplemental of $1,125,280 to cover the one-time costs related to implementation, configuration, data conversion, project management and first year software subscription of an integrated HR/Payroll system in 2025. Given that the system would directly support the town’s workforce, staff recommended funding the project using staffing savings realized in 2024, which totaled approximately $3 million due to vacancies and turnover as well as lower health plan and benefits costs. Council was supportive.

• Discussion on Ord. No. 9, Emergency Ordinance Temporarily Suspending the Issuance of Building Permits Related to the Conversion of Eating and Drinking Establishments to Retail Establishments in Certain Zone Districts
  • Staff is currently drafting amendments to the Vail Town Code that promote goals established in the town’s strategic plan and adopted master plans, which include promoting nightlife, evening entertainment and vibrancy in Vail Village and Lionshead. The town has seen an increase in applications to convert eating and drinking establishments into retail establishments, which is counter to those goals. Council was supportive of a temporary, 180-day stay on permits related to the conversion of eating and drinking establishments to any other use in certain zone districts, to allow the code amendments to be finalized.

• Discussion on Ord. No. 10, First Reading, Rezoning 1476 Westhaven Drive, Lot 53, Glen Lyon Subdivision, from Special Development District No. 4 to High-Density Multi-Family
  • The applicant is requesting a zone district boundary amendment to allow for the rezoning of 1476 Westhaven Dr, Lot 53, Glen Lyon Subdivision, from the Special Development District No. 4 (Cascade Village), Area B, to the High-Density Multi-Family (HDMF) District. Since there is no underlying zoning, the application to rezone from SDD to HDMF represents a zone district amendment and is not an amendment to the SDD. Approval of this application would remove the property, Area B, from the SDD. Concerns with the potential for increased density were expressed, but ultimately Council supported the request with Coggin and Staufer against.

• Discussion of Ord. No. 6, Establishing an Automated Vehicle Identification System
  • The Vail Police Department is requesting 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. The ordinance has not changed since first reading. Staff reiterated the penalty will be solely a fine, with notice sent to the owner of the vehicle and no points would be assessed on driver’s licenses. The equipment will be regularly calibrated and the cameras do not flash. Council was supportive.

Town Manager Report

• Deputy Town Manger Kathleen Halloran announced the Town of Vail Public Library will have reduced hours starting May 1 through July 1 due to staffing shortages. The library will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Saturday and closed on Sunday during this period.

Actions as a Result of Executive Session

• There were no actions as a result of executive session.

Public Comment

• Tim McMahon asked for a police presence at the Vail Transportation Center and an update on the emergency plan for I-70 closures. He asked what the town is doing to help with replacement ice during the Dobson Arena Remodel. Finally, he asked about private businesses operating on town land.
• Timm Paxson introduced himself as a candidate for reelection in district 1 of the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District board.
• Stephen Connelly thanked the council for listening to concerns regarding the Vail Popcorn Wagon. He also asked for careful consideration of any changes at Earl Eaton Plaza. He attended a West Lionshead Planning open house last week and has potential concerns regarding loading and delivery, locals housing, and pavers. Finally, due to volatile market conditions he suggested the town take a pause on any financing decisions for the moment.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Jack Bergey asked if taking on customer service for trash hauling is a good idea for the town.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Kathryn Benish is concerned about the town creating a monopoly and discrimination based on unit size. She also thinks preference should be given to a local company.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Kaye Ferry wants to support a local company and does not want to be told who she has to use for trash service.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler, John Lorenz uses Vail Valley Waste due to their customer service and thinks there is an opportunity to support small business.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Buck Allen thinks the proposal creates a monopoly.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Billy Suarez says his complex switched to Vail Valley Waste based on customer service.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Jake Van Beelen says he switched to Vail Valley Waste based on customer service.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Dovid Mintz says he switched to Vail Valley Waste based on customer service.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Pete Cope says the freedom to choose is more important than other considerations.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Stephen Connelly does not think that cost reductions will occur as a part of the program.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Douglas Smith says it’s important to support the people in the community.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Suzanne Johnson representing Vail Valley Waste says they want to provide great service at a fair price, and the single hauler program will starve competition.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Byron Harrington representing Vail Valley Waste says the difference between a local business and a big corporation is very evident.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Tim McMahon says it seems silly to take away the choice of a local company.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Heather Martin representing Apex Waste Solutions says she came back to work for the company, which is a local provider, and to be involved in the community.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Scott Lukach representing Apex Waste Solutions says the company bought former Waste Management assets and are a local company.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Nancy Reed says she switched to Vail Valley Waste based on customer service. She thinks the community should be more involved.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Jeb Hensley representing Apex Waste Solutions says they are part of the community.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Chas Bernhardt says the community should support a local business.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Norma Broden says she is a fan of Vail Valley Waste’s customer service. She also appreciates the goals of the program.
• As part of the Solid Waste Single Hauler discussion, Andy Lanes says if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.
• As part of the Automated Vehicle Identification System discussion, Ian Grask disagrees with the approach and thinks there will be challenges with driver identification, calibration and flashing camera lights.
• As part of the Automated Vehicle Identification System discussion, Tim McMahon asked for clarification regarding repeat offenders who get warnings instead of fines.

Actions/Decisions

Upcoming Town Council Meetings/Activities

Resources

• Vail Town Council Meeting Agenda & Materials
• Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes
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• Watch the Meetings on High Five Access Media
• Contact the Town Council at towncouncil@vail.gov
• Visit the Town of Vail website at vail.gov for additional topics

The Vail Town Council meets the 1^st and 3^rd 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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