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 absent)
Presentations/Discussion/Announcements
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Early Childhood Education Update and Partnership Opportunity
- The Vail Town Council’s strategic plan includes a goal that by 2029, parents/caregivers working in Vail needing childcare have access to affordable childcare located where they need it, measured by a reduction in waitlist numbers at Vail childcare facilities. Staff shared actions to-date including workforce retention grants, an infant care sustainability grant, tuition assistance for Vail employees, and a contribution to the new Minturn Family Enrichment Center. A new opportunity to consider is contributing to the Vail Valley Foundation’s new facility in Avon. Council asked for additional information on other potential investments and a presentation of the Eagle County Early Childhood needs assessment.
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Timber Ridge Update
- The Vail Town Council heard a progress update on construction at Timber Ridge Village. The first modular units are scheduled to be set on Tuesday, June 24. Approximately 8 to 10 modular units can be set in day. Building A consists of 70 units, so that first building should be vertical within about 10 working days and is scheduled to open mid to late December. The project is scheduled for full completion by October 2026. Homes are still available for purchase, the development is 75% under contract.
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Residential Linkage Presentation
- The town received a Local Planning Capacity Grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs in 2024. One aspect of the grant work is to develop a Residential Linkage employee housing mitigation program. The Town Council can anticipate regular updates as work on the program continues, with the Housing Department anticipating completion in the fall of 2025. Staff is also recommending adopting Resolution No. 23 on the evening agenda to amend the fee in lieu calculation to reflect up-to-date administrative fees and establish 2025 fee in lieu amounts for each employee to be housed and for each square foot of employee housing provided. Council was supportive.
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Dobson Financing Discussion
- Town Council heard three funding options for the Dobson Arena remodel project, which is underway. The total project budget is $55.4 million and will primarily be funded through Vail Reinvestment Authority (VRA) Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues. However, due to the timing of those revenue sources, there is a temporary funding gap of $30.1 million. Council was supportive of using cash reserves to manage the short-term cash flow impacts while also proceeding with a Certificates of Participation (COP) reimbursement resolution to offer financial flexibility and added assurance in the current economic environment. Staff will return at the next meeting with the resolution.
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Pedestrian Village Safety Project Update
- The Pedestrian Village Safety Project is intended to control vehicular access into Vail's high pedestrian activity areas and restrict access when necessary during special events. Council reviewed next steps, which include construction at Ford Park in October as a pilot program as well as the design and public outreach for three initial installations in Vail Village and Lionshead Village.
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Arrive Vail - Vail Transportation Center Expansion Update
- The purpose of the Arrive Vail Project is to update and expand the Vail Transportation Center to accommodate current and future needs. Following up from the last Town Council meeting, the design team reviewed previous comments, presented concept ideas, and requested to move into Phase II - Concept Design. Council provided feedback on the preliminarily concepts and was supportive of moving the project forward.
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Safe Streets for All Grant Opportunity
- The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program is now accepting applications for fiscal year 2025, offering up to $25 million per project to improve roadway safety across the country. The Town of Vail has numerous potential projects that would fit the grants criteria. Since the SS4A grant is intended for large projects, staff suggested combining two or more projects and submitting the grant application as one “Vail Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project,” utilizing already budgeted dollars for the match requirement if the town is successful in receiving a grant. Council was supportive.
Town Manager Report
- Town Manager Russell Forrest announced there will be regular updates on construction projects happening in town. He also mentioned the upcoming summer neighborhood picnics will take place on July 8 at Bighorn Park and Aug. 12 at Donovan Pavilion with more details to come.
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 for a PSA indicating the off-season is quiet in town to help quell disappointment from visitors.
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Chad and JT used their signature style to encourage the use of GoPro cameras by all community members.
- Kim Rediker of West Vail reminded people to go against the flow of traffic when walking in streets. She asked for an educational campaign to encourage safe pedestrian activity.
Actions/Decisions
- Approved Proclamation No. 5, Take Your Dog to Work, Leave Your Phone at Home Day (Mayor for the Day Cynthia L. Pillsbury)
- Approved Proclamation No. 6, Create More Fun Day (Mayor for the Day Cynthia L. Pillsbury)
- Approved Proclamation No. 7, Keep Vail Beautiful Day (Mayor for the Day Cynthia L. Pillsbury)
- Recognized Kylah Romer from Battle Mountain High School as the Colorado Grand Scholarship Award Winner for 2025
- Recognized Ilya Liev Souvorin from Battle Mountain High School and Siena Kassmel from Vail Christian High School as the Recipients of the Town of Vail Scholarships for 2025
- Recognized Charli Blevins from Eagle Valley High School as the Recipient for the Mauri Nottingham Excellence in Environmental Sustainability Scholarship for 2025
- Appointed Steve Lindstrom to the Vail Local Housing Authority (6-0)
- Appointed Robyn Smith to the Planning and Environmental Commission (6-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 23, Fee Updates to the Payment of Fees in Lieu for Each Employee to be Housed, as Required by Chapter 12-23, Commercial Linkage, and for Each Square Foot, as Required by Chapter 12-24, Inclusionary Zoning, Vail Town Code (6-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 24, Imposing a Juvenile Curfew and Special Event District Pursuant to Title 6, Chapter 5, Vail Town Code (6-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 25, Authorizing the Exercise of the Town's Eminent Domain Authority to Acquire an Unencumbered Fee Interest in Certain Open Space Property for the Protection of Gore Creek, While Reserving Easements for Utilities and Pedestrian Access (6-0)
- Approved 2810 Aspen Ct. Stream Tract Use Permit Extension (6-0)
- Authorized Staff to Apply for a Safe Streets For All Grant (6-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 10, Second Reading, Rezoning 1476 Westhaven Drive, Lot 53, Glen Lyon Subdivision, from Special Development District No. 4 (Cascade Village) to High-Density Multi-Family (HDMF) to May 20 (4-2, Coggin and Davis against)
- Approved Ord. No. 11, Second Reading, Rezoning 2000 Chamonix Lane, Buffehr Creek Resubdivision, Lot 37, to Apply the West Vail Multi-Family Overlay Zone District in Addition to the Underlying Two-Family Primary/Secondary (PS) Zone District (6-0)
Upcoming Town Council Meetings/Activities
- Evacuation Game Night, May 28
- Vail Town Council Meeting, June 3
- Vail Town Council Meeting, June 17
- Boards and Commissions Appreciation Night, June 24
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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