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, Davis, Foley, Langmaid, Phillips (Staufer absent)
Presentations/Discussion/Announcements
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Joint Meeting with Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Council
- The VLMDAC gave an overview of the recent transition to a Destination Marketing Organization, as well as brand positioning and events. The two boards also reviewed areas of alignment between the VLMDAC Strategic Plan and the Town Council’s newly developed strategic priorities.
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Red Sandstone Elementary Enrollment Update
- Anne Heckman, Principal and Sarah Culbreth, Registrar Office for Red Sandstone Elementary gave an update on enrollment at the school.
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Winter Economic Update
- Council heard an update outlining what the town is hearing from local businesses and the steps being taken in response to the mild winter, including a recommendation for budget adjustments. December sales tax collections totaled $5,776,237, down 1.3% or $60,350 compared to the prior year. The town is expected to end 2025 performing better than budget, likely meeting or slightly exceeding revenue projections while realizing savings across personnel, operating and capital expenditures. However, occupancy forecasts indicate that the limited snowfall could have further negative impacts on revenue projections for the remainder of the 2025/26 winter season. Staff is recommending budget reductions including a 1% reduction in personnel funds, or $345,000, achieved through managed vacancies through March and savings from unused vacation buyback funds. Staff also recommends a 5% reduction in the operating budgets across the General Fund, RETT Fund and Heavy Equipment Fund, totaling $1.1 million. Finally, staff recommends a 10% reduction to capital projects within the Capital and RETT funds, totaling $3.3 million. Overall, total proposed budget reductions would be approximately $4.45 million or a 2% reduction across all town expenditures. These adjustments would be incorporated into the town’s first supplemental budget of the year in March. Council was supportive.
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Timber Ridge Employee Housing Incentive Program Update
- As a follow-up to the Town Council discussion on Jan. 6, staff provided an update on ways to provide home ownership opportunities for Town of Vail employees at Timber Ridge Village. Council was supportive of lowering the minimum employee investment requirement to 3% to match other community programs; utilizing $500,000 of proceeds from Timber Ridge employee sales to increase the Employee Home Ownership Program balance to support additional loans; and pursuing the buy-down of Timber Ridge homes for TOV municipal employees at 100% of AMI utilizing existing Timber Ridge funding commitments.
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Ford Park Gore Creek Restoration Project Update
- Staff gave an overview of a $617,000 in-stream habitat restoration project to be completed in 2026 near Ford Park. The project resulted from a settlement from a 2021 accidental snowmaking discharge and is a partnership between the town, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited. The goals of the project include the creation of habitat features including deep pools and riffles, bank stabilization to address erosion, installation of woody materials for habitat and bank stabilization, enhancement of riparian vegetation, and the construction of an accessible fishing platform for anglers with limited mobility. The work will require heavy equipment in Gore Creek.
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Arrive Vail BUILD Grant Application Submittal
- The Arrive Vail (Vail Transportation Center Expansion) project is estimated to cost $85 to $100 million. Staff is exploring funding options for final design and construction which is Phase I. There is a current $25 million opportunity with the federal BUILD Grant Program. Council was supportive of applying for the grant.
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10th Mountain Memorial Landscape Renewal Project
- Staff is seeking feedback from Council regarding design concepts for improving durability and access to the 10th Mountain Division Memorial located at the entrance to Vail Village near the Covered Bridge. Council was enthusiastically supportive of a design that incorporates a powder keg shape and crossed bayonets in the surface around the statue, representing the 10th Mountain Division emblem.
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2026 Summer Parking Rate Goals
- The Parking and Mobility Task Force will begin discussing the 2026 summer parking program this month. Council reviewed 2025 parking data and provided general direction with regard to revenue goals for 2026. Council members indicated that they are not looking to close any revenue gaps, and that they want the parking program to encourage lingering. Staff will return after the next task force meeting.
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Contract Award to 4240 Architecture for Arrive Vail
- The Town of Vail has budgeted $1.5 million to complete the planning and design of the future expansion of the Vail Transportation Center. Half of the cost up to $750,000 will be reimbursed as a part of the Multi Modal Option Fund grant awarded to the town in the fall of 2022. Staff is recommending awarding a schematic design contract to 4240 Architecture in an amount not to exceed $1.25 million. Council was supportive.
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Discussion on Resolution No. 2, Adopting the Vail Golf Club-Gore Creek Enhancement Plan, an Amendment to the Gore Creek Strategic Action Plan
- Staff from the Town of Vail and Vail Recreation District have prepared the Vail Golf Club Gore Creek Enhancement Plan as an addition to the Gore Creek Strategic Plan. The appendix builds upon the goals and objectives established in the strategic plan by identifying targeted enhancement and restoration opportunities along Gore Creek throughout the Vail Golf Club property. Council was supportive.
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Discussion on Ord. No. 2, Prohibiting the Installation of Nonfunctional Turf, Nonfunctional Artificial Turf, and Invasive Plant Species
- During the 2024 session, the Colorado state legislature adopted SB 24-005, aimed at conserving water by prohibiting non-functional turf. Locally, this is described as grass that someone shows up to mow once a week, but is otherwise unused. The bill requires municipalities to amend their codes to prohibit the installation of new, non-functional turfgrass by the beginning of 2026. Council was supportive.
Town Manager Report
- Town Manager Russell Forrest thanked the Town Council for their hard work on their strategic priorities. The actions to support the plan will be developed in the next few weeks. Also, Deputy Town Manager Kathleen Halloran asked for a couple of council members to help re-envision the next iteration of the Trailblazer award.
Actions as a Result of Executive Session
- There were no actions as a result of executive session.
Public Comment
- Ian Grask reminded the Town Council of the Habitat for Humanity forums underway. He also asked how Flock cameras are used in town and if the police department would make a public presentation on the topic. He also asked about revenues from electric vehicle charging.
- Simone Larese said the Blu Cow is not outdated nor replaceable and is a part of Vail’s identity.
- Anne Foster agreed with the previous comments and is upset with drastic changes in town. She is also against a vacancy tax being proposed at the state level.
- As part of the discussion on Resolution No. 2, Rick Sackbauer thanked the town for pushing the project forward and asked that the town find the funds to help keep it moving.
- As part of the discussion on Resolution No. 2, Bob Armour thanked town staff for their work and echoed the request that the town find money to move the project forward.
Actions/Decisions
- Approved the Jan. 6, 2026 Town Council Meeting Minutes (6-0)
- Approved the Jan. 20, 2026 Town Council Meeting Minutes (6-0)
- Approved Contract Award to Ace Equipment and Supply Company for Refurbishment of Fleet Bus Lift (6-0)
- Approved Contract Award to 4240 Architecture for Arrive Vail (6-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 2, Adopting the Vail Golf Club-Gore Creek Enhancement Plan (6-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 2, Prohibiting the Installation of Nonfunctional Turf, Nonfunctional Artificial Turf, and Invasive Plant Species (6-0)
Upcoming Town Council Meetings/Activities
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Feb. 17
- Vail Town Council Meeting, March 3
- Annual Community Meeting, March 10
Resources
The Vail Town Council meets the first and third 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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