TC Minutes 10-12-2021AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Avon
TUESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2021
SETUP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Video Start Time: 00:00:01 Part One
Theme eting was hosted in a Hybrid format, in person at Avon Town Hall and using Zoom. us. Mayor Smith
Hymes called the Council regular meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. A roll call was taken, and Council
members present in person were Amy Phillips, Scott Prince, Lindsay Hardy, Tamra Underwood, and RJ
Andrade. Councilor Chico Thuon joined via Zoom. Also present were Public Works Director Gary Padilla,
Chief of Police Greg Daly, Interim Town Attorney Karl Hanlon, Town Manager Eric Heil, General
Government Manager Ineke de Jong, and Town Clerk Brenda Torres.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Video Start Time: 00:00:25 Part One
Mayor Smith Hymes mentioned tonight's agenda is a revised agenda of the one posted yesterday.
Councilor Underwood asked, moving forward, to make it clear in print when the agenda and the website
packet had been updated. There were no changes made to the agenda.
Councilor Prince moved to approve the agenda as presented. Mayor Pro Tern Phillips seconded the
motion and the motion passed with a vote of 7 to 0.
3. DISCLOSURE OF ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS
Video Start Time: 00:02:00 Part One
Councilor Hardy said, that even though it is a work session and there is no voting, she wanted to disclose
a conflict of interest with agenda item 5.6 and her employment at Zehren & Associates, who is the
architect and designer on this project, and she recused herself from this item.
Councilor Underwood moved to recuse Councilor Hardy from agenda item 5.6 Harry A. Nottingham Park
Restrooms Design Update work session. Mayor Pro Tern Phillips seconded the motion and the motion
passed with a vote of 6 to 0. Councilor Hardy abstained from the vote.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Video Start Time: 00:04:58 Part One
Mayor Smith Hymes explained to the public that comments in person will be taken first, then those via
Zoom.
Comments made in -person:
Kelly Alter and Lelia Conlin introduced themselves and expressed they are running for open seats on the
Eagle County school board. Kelly Alter said it is an important election as there are 11 candidates that are
running for 5 open seats, out of 7 seats total. She said to visit the website eaglecountyschoolboard.com
to check information on the elections.
Kathleen Walsh, Avon resident, commented. She encouraged people to vote and to please vote NO on
the recall and expressed this recall is hurting Avon both economically and socially. She asked to speak
about lighting at the Piedmont apartments again and said maybe it is the angle of the external lighting
and then the internal lights on the third floor are really lit up and intrusive and invasive.
AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2021 AAA V %a.*# II
SETUP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
There were no virtual public comments.
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
5.1. JOINT MEETING OF CULTURAL ARTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS WITH COUNCIL (CASE MANAGER DANITA DEMPSEY)
Video Start Time: 00:11:19 Part One
CASE Manager Danita Dempsey and Town Manager Eric Heil presented and answered questions from
Council. CASE members present were Chair member Lisa Mattis, and committee members Chris
Cofelice and Kathy Ryan. Present virtually were committee members Justin Chesney and Ruth
Stanley. Committee member Pedro Campos joined in person at 5:20 p.m.
Council and CASE members talked about the 2021 season. CASE Manager Danita Dempsey said the
2021 event season was a huge success. Lisa Mattis said one of the decisions to make tonight is to
decide if the 2021 season should be replicated in 2022. Councilor Underwood said her favorite event
was the art walk and asked to separate a blanket zone and a chair zone at the next park event.
Councilor Prince asked to keep the stage doors open during events and at the next Salute event he
requested to close the south side area of the stage near the dock when it is time to set up for the
event and not all day. Councilor Hardy said her favorite event was Pride in the Park and said she
would love to see fireworks in January, and it does not have to be a long display. She asked the
committee to find the right piece of art for the roundabout. Mayor Smith Hymes mentioned some
friends of hers told her that the Sunset Live events are the best addition to the Valley ever made,
and she suggested to watch the quality and variety of alcohol offered in the events. Mayor Pro Tern
Phillips said she supports the idea of adding a new public works staffinember for the events.
Town Manager Eric Heil said CASE is not recommending doing the fireworks this year and asked
Council for direction whether this should be done this January or not. Councilor Underwood said she
loves the fireworks, but she will go with CASE recommendation and mentioned to think in a more
sustainable way. CASE Manager Danita Dempsey supported this idea and explained costs. Councilor
Thuon suggested to do a drone show and requested CASE to look into this financially. Councilor
Andrade said Avon could be the first ones with a drone show, so he supported this idea. After Council
input, majority supported to not have fireworks in January 2022 and agreed Council should rethink
fireworks in July 2022 and years beyond.
After Council discussion, majority supported for music on Labor Day Monday, but no need to
replicate a big act and agreed to have a more local flavor with local bands. Councilor Underwood
suggested to have more events not only music, but poetry, writing, storytelling, etc. There will be a
follow up joint meeting in February to discuss the 10-year vision.
Mayor Smith Hymes called for public comments and Kris Miller commented virtually. He thanked
Council and the committee for rethinking the fireworks as it is affecting veterans and wildlife and
said a laser show could be a great alternative.
AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES ���
TUESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2021
SETUP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
Kathleen Walsh commented in -person. She expressed the Town should be thinking of new ideas and
offer local things outside of just music events. She said the cinema events on Fridays were great, but
it was a lot of money, and the Town should be able to come up with a better solution than having a
company from the front range drive up for this every Friday, like owning the equipment. She
suggested a Cinco de Mayo event.
5.2. APPROVAL OF CDOT GRANT FUNDING CONTRACT (TOWN MANAGER ERIC HEIL)
Video Start Time: 01:24:12 Part One
Town Manager Eric Heil presented the approval of this funding contract and laid out the next
steps that will follow, including an IGA with Eagle County. Councilor Underwood expressed she
would like the County to make a bigger contribution financially since Avon is taking the lead on
this on the planning and management side.
Councilor Prince moved to approve the grant funding Contract — US6 Mobility Improvement
Project and authorize Mayor Smith Hymes to execute the Contract on behalf of the Town.
Councilor Hardy seconded the motion and the motion passed with a vote of 7 to 0.
5.3. WORK SESSION: HARRY A. NOTTINGHAM PARK IMPROVEMENTS FOLLOW UP (INTERIM RECREATION DIRECTOR
MICHAEL LABAGH)
Video Start Time: 01:32:00 Part One
Interim Recreation Director Michael Labagh presented the park improvements and summer
operations. He explained this is a follow up to last month's work session. He said that based on
comments received from all Councilors, he compiled and presented a list of supported projects and
a list of projects for future discussion.
Councilor Hardy suggested to add rocks in the shoreline area, to make steps and be a potential area
to watch the fireworks display on the soft recreation path, to create more picnic areas around the
lake, to move the fit court, and she said the south lake landscaping is awful and suggested a
landscaping with trees that do not grow too tall. She said Council should considered the pedestrian
connection to Liftview as it is heavily used and unsafe. She closed her comments stating her support
to the tennis, pickle -ball and basketball courts, a mural at the Avon Elementary School and to the un-
leashed well behaved dog areas.
Interim Recreation Director Michael Labagh said he will summarize and present this as a written
report.
Mayor Smith Hymes called for public comments and no public comments were made.
5.4. PUBLIC HEARING: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE No. 21-13 ADOPTING 2021 AVON COMMUNITY HOUSING
PLAN (PLANNING DIRECTOR MATT PIELSTICKER)
Video Start Time: 01:56:05 Part One
Planning Director Matt Pielsticker presented the proposed amendments to the Avon
Community Housing Plan. He mentioned more changes can be incorporated before the second
reading on the October 261h meeting.
AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Avon
TUESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2021
SETUP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
Councilor Underwood asked for some clarification around the 50/50 part-time and full-time
occupancy goal and said the right ratio should be figured out. She suggested other various edits
and asked to add information on affordable housing Avon already has and to recognize Avon's
successes on the rental side.
Council suggested many other edits, mostly about fixing the language on different sections.
Mayor Smith Hymes called for public comments and no public comments were made.
Councilor Underwood moved to approve on first reading Ordinance 21-13 Adopting the 2021
Avon Community Housing Plan and setting a public hearing date for a second reading, with
incorporation of tonight's discussed changes. Councilor Hardy seconded the motion and the
motion passed with a vote of 7 to 0.
5.5. FIRST READING ORDINANCE 21-12 AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE TO CONSOLIDATE DEPARTMENTS (TOWN
MANAGER ERIC HEIL)
Video Start Time: 02:43:23 Part One
Town Manager Eric Heil explained that this has been a work in progress since he was hired as
the Avon Town Manager 2.5 years ago. Mayor Pro Tern Phillips asked him when Phase II is
planned to be implemented and he said sooner rather than later so he can assess next year
what the Town can afford in 2023 and what the workload is. Councilor Underwood asked him
to rework the organization chart for Phase II to clarify the lines under the assistant Town
Manager which are not linear as shown in the packet. Councilor Hardy, Mayor Smith Hymes,
and Councilor Thuon expressed their support.
Mayor Smith Hymes called for public comments and no public comments were made
Councilor Prince moved to approve on first reading of Ordinance No. 21-12 Amending Avon
Municipal Code Section 2.02.010 — Departments Enumerated. Councilor Hardy seconded the
motion and the motion passed with a vote of 7 to 0.
5.6. WORK SESSION: HARRY A. NOTTINGHAM PARK RESTROOMS DESIGN UPDATE (PLANNING DIRECTOR MATT
PIELSTICKER)
Video Start Time: 00:00:10 Part Two
Councilor Hardy recused for this agenda item and stepped out of the room at 7:57 p.m.
Planning Director Matt Pielsticker introduced this item and was joined by Pedro Campos with
Zehren & Associates, who took Council through the renderings of the East Park improvements
and answered questions from Council.
Councilor Thuon asked if there is any family restroom. Pedro Campos said there is one north of
the women's restroom entrance. Councilor Thuon would also like to incorporate the heat
exchange. Councilor Andrade asked how much lighting will be in the picnic area and mentioned
the boulders for sitting should be facing the stage. Councilor Prince suggested to add additional
overhang or add a structure to provide shade/cover when it rains, when people look for shelter.
AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Avon
TUESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2021
SETUP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
Mayor Pro Tern Phillips wanted the record to reflect that not adding a small concession area
with an ice machine is a mistake and requested to remove the oval in the parking lot that is
showed in the design as it takes one more parking spot. Mayor Smith Hymes supported her
comment on the concession area. Town Manager Eric Heil said that, if that is Council direction
to add a concessions area in the design, a second option will be presented. Councilor Thuon
and Councilor Underwood also supported this idea, but Councilor Prince and Councilor Andrade
opposed.
Pedro Campos then presented the North Restroom project. Councilor Andrade asked if the
changing area could maybe be added to this restroom, as it more serves the beach than the
east park restrooms. Councilor Prince said the window is very small and questioned the natural
light, he asked if more windows can be added to allow more daylight. He also asked if another
shortcut from the bathroom entrance could be added to prevent social paths through the grass.
Councilor Hardy returned to the room at 9:29 p.m. but stepped away again.
6. MINUTES
6.1. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 BUDGET RETREAT MEETING MINUTES (GENERAL GOVERNMENT MANAGER
INEKE DE JONG)
Video Start Time: 01:33:30 Part Two
Councilor Underwood moved to approve the minutes from the September 24tn budget retreat
meeting as presented. Mayor Pro Tern Phillips seconded the motion and the motion passed with a
vote of 6 to 0. Councilor Hardy was not present.
6.2. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (TOWN CLERK BRENDA TORRES)
Video Start Time: 01:34:09 Part Two
Councilor Underwood moved to approve the minutes from the September 28tn regular meeting as
presented. Mayor Pro Tern Phillips seconded the motion and the motion passed with a vote of 6 to
0. Councilor Hardy was not present.
Councilor Hardy returned to the room after the approval of the minutes.
7. WRITTEN REPORTS
7.1. Draft September 23'd Culture, Arts & Special Events Committee Meeting Minutes (General
Government Intern Emily Myler)
7.2. Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority Sept 23, 2021 Meeting Summary (Mayor Smith Hymes)
7.3. Mi Casa Avon Update (General Government Manager Ineke de Jong)
8. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS & MEETING UPDATES
Video Start Time: 01:34:45 Part Two
Councilor Hardy asked Town Manager Eric Heil to give an update on architectural firms for the Swift
Gulch Project. He said after several interviews one firm is selected and a contract will be brought to
tn
Council on October 26
AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Avo n
TUESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2021
SETUP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
Councilor Hardy raised the idea of a temporary dog park at the lot across from the Piedmont apartments.
She said she wanted to talk about housing again as rents exceed mortgages and there was a recent listing
in Eagle County Classifieds social media group for a 1BR apartment in Vail at $3,900/month, just to
mention. She expressed it is unrealistic to afford this rent, even with a professional career and a 5-year
degree. She said Beaver Creek should be the ski resort and Avon be the community. She said Council
needs to really dive into short-term rentals regulations and that housing goes hand in hand with climate
action and mental health.
Mayor Smith Hymes then read the rental rates at Buffalo Ridge and the importance of those non-profit
organizations in our community. Councilor Hardy clarified there is an approximated one-year waiting list.
Mayor Pro Tem Phillips wanted to bring up ADU's (Accessory Dwelling Units) in Wildridge and that
Council should perhaps re -open that discussion.
Mayor Smith Hymes talked about the time limit for public comments and that all 3-minute comments
typically get extended to 4-minutes. She is suggesting to only allow 3 minutes from now on and not to
allow the additional minute. She took a poll from Council and the majority of Council wanted to keep the
benefit of 1 additional minute in place. Council agreed to be more disciplined in providing the additional
minute, add a timer to give a warning at 2:30 minutes mark, and deny the extra minute if they think it is
not necessary.
Councilor Thuon got disconnected at 9:49 p.m.
Councilor Underwood reminded the public that election day is November 2"d and to please be sure to
vote. She mentioned that the 24-hr Ballot box next to Avon Liquors is open. General Government
Manager Ineke de Jong reminded everyone that voter services will be available at Avon Town Hall starting
on Monday October 25th. Mayor Smith Hymes said that do not mail your ballot after October 25tn
Councilor Prince mentioned the Ballot tracking service.
9. ADJOURN
There being no further business before Council, Mayor Smith Hymes moved to adjourn the regular
meeting. The time was 10:07 p.m.
AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Avon
TUESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2021
SETUP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
These minutes are only a summary of the proceedings of the meeting. They are not intended to be
comprehensive or to include each statement, person speaking or to portray with complete accuracy. The
most accurate records of the meeting are the audio of the meeting, which is housed in the Town Clerk's
office, and the video of the meeting, which is available at www.highfivemedia.org.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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Brenda Torres, Town Clerk
APPROVED:
Sarah Smith Hymes
Amy Phillips
Chico Thuon
Scott Prince
Tamra Underwood
Lindsay Hardy
RJ Andrade