TC Minutes 10-24-2023AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2023 ,avon
HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was hosted in a hybrid format, in -person at Avon Town Hall and virtually, using
Zoom.us. Mayor Amy Phillips called the October 24, 2023, Council regular meeting to order at
6:00 p.m. A roll call was taken, and Councilors present were Chico Thuon, Rich Carroll, RJ
Andrade, Lindsay Hardy, Ruth Stanley, Mayor Pro Tem Tamra Underwood, and Mayor Phillips.
Also present in person for the joint session with the Cultural, Arts & Special Events (CASE)
Committee were Committee Members Thomas Walsh, Justin Chesney, Pedro Campos, and Calyn
Reiger; and present virtually, were Lisa Mattis and Doug Jimenez. CASE Committee member
Danielle McNair was absent. They were joined by Town Manager Eric Heil, Deputy Town
Manager Patty McKenny, Town Attorney Karl Hanlon, Town Clerk Miguel Jauregui Casanueva,
Avon Police Chief Greg Daly, Human Resources Manager Karyne Spadi, Special Events Manager
Danita Dempsey, Finance Director Paul Redmond, Community Development Director Matt
Pielsticker, and Senior Planner Jena Skinner.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Video Start Time: 00:00:33
Mayor Phillips initiated the meeting with the Agenda approval process. There were no
requested changes to the Agenda as presented in a revised packet on Monday, October 23,
2023, that removed Business Item 5.7 (Avondale Apartments) because it was not ready for
consideration by Council. Without further discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Underwood made a
motion to approve the Agenda. Councilor Stanley seconded the motion. It was approved
unanimously with a 7-0 vote.
3. DISCLOSURE OF ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS
Video Start Time: 00:01:13
Mayor Phillips asked if there were any conflicts of interest related to the Agenda, and none
were disclosed.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Video Start Time: 00:01:47
Mayor Phillips explained that public comment can be made by participating in the meeting in
person, via zoom's video/audio, via telephone, or via email. She then clarified that the public
comment section is intended for items not listed in the Agenda, and participation by members
of the public is limited to 3 minutes. She asked if there was any public comment from those
present in the room or virtually.
Ms. Michelle Stecher took the podium and stated she is a resident of Avon wanted to thank
Council for making improvements to the O'Neal Spur Pocket Park. She was followed by Public
Works Director who took podium to speak to Council of an upcoming Town of Avon Contractors
Open House to be held on November 9, 2023, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Avon Council
Chambers. No other public comment was made in person nor virtually.
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AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2023 ,avon
HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
5.1.Swear-In Code Enforcement Officers (Chief of Polic Greg Daly)
Video Start Time: 00:04:03
Police Chief Greg Daly led the process of swearing -in Code Enforcement Officers Brittany
McKee and Kyle Hammontree. Their oath was taken by Town Clerk Miguel Jauregui Casanueva.
At the conclusion, there was a Badge Pinning Ceremony, and a picture of new officers and
Council was taken. No public comment was made in person nor virtually.
5.2. Police National Night Out Community Partnership Awards (Chief of Police Greg Daly)
Video Start Time: 00:10:03
Police Chief Greg Daly delivered his presentation related to the Chiefs Community Partnership
Award to community members, organizations, and businesses for their support of Avon's
Annual National Night Out activities in August of 2023. The following individuals and
organizations received Community Partnership Awards: Staff at Blue Moose Pizza, Brian Nolan
and his Family, Adam Rosario on behalf of R Farmers Market, Walmart, Walking Mountains,
Menyi Juliana Erazo Ramirez, Mountain Youth, Fernando Almanza with Eagle County
Emergency Management, Rose Martinez, Antonio Perez, Jordan Lyles, and Omar Loya. No
public comment was made in person nor virtually.
5.3. Renewal of the IGA Eagle County Animal Services for Shelter Services (Chief of Police Greg Daly)
Video Start Time: 00:19:40
Chief of Police Greg Daly delivered his presentation related to the renewal of an ongoing
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Town of Avon and Eagle County for the
provision of domestic animal sheltering services. He indicated the Town contracts for animal
shelter services at $18,000 annually. He highlighted that in the last three years, between 2020
and 2022, 82 animals were transported, and 26 animals were transported so far in 2023. He
expressed thanks to their staff and other local dog trainers for assisting with the recent
situation of some abandoned dogs found in Avon. It was noted the service fee is part of the
animal control budget and used by the Shelter. No public comment was made in person nor
virtually. After deliberations, Councilor Stanley made a motion to approve the
Intergovernmental Agreement between the County of Eagle and the Town of Avon for the
provision of Animal Services. Councilor Hardy seconded the motion. It was approved
unanimously with a 7-0 vote.
5.4.Joint Work Session with CASE (CASE Manager Danita Dempsey)
Video Start Time: 00:24:41
Cultural, Arts & Special Events (CASE) Committee Members present reintroduced themselves
with Councilors during roll call at the start of the joint work session. CASE Manager Danita
Dempsey guided the work session. She introduced Town Manager Eric Heil who noted lodging
and sales tax over the last few months has levelled off which may have an impact on special
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HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
events. She recapped and highlighted the Town's biggest achievements during 2023 special
event season and gave a year -over -year comparison of the 2023 CASE Adopted Budget and
2024 CASE Proposed Budget for Council consideration. This received accolades from CASE
Committee Members and Council thanking Staff for their hard work.
Unrelated to the 4 specific items on which CASE Manager Dempsey requested direction on,
Councilor Thuon noted that people can see how much CASE and staff members care about their
events, which makes them a success. He added that as the Town grows, so should special
events and investing in them. Councilor Carroll asked questions surrounding special event
advertising at the Summit Daily. He also asked about the Lakeside Cinema and Town -operated
concessions. Mayor Pro Tem Underwood asked about the CASE volunteer program and its
status. She also asked about third -party producer proposed financial support for 2024, as
included in the packet.
Staff requested direction from Council on four items based on their community impact and
financial considerations, as follows:
i. Summer's End Concert: Options for Council consideration included (1) discontinue the
concert element of the Summer's End brand or (2) move the concert to Saturday of Labor
Day Weekend and increase the budget $61,500 to retain mid -level talent band like that of
Los Lobos in 2021. - Councilors in favor of (1) were: Andrade, Stanley, Hardy, Mayor Pro
Tem Underwood, and Mayor Phillips. Councilors in favor of (2) were: Thuon and Carroll.
ii. XTERRA USA: XTERRA Global requested $15,000 cash funding from the Town of Avon to
support the XTERRA USA Championship. - Councilors were unanimously in favor of this
request.
iii. Pre -Launch Prep For Best Of West And Heart And Soul: Staff proposed to proceed with
development of brand definition and creative elements for (1) Best of the West and (2)
Heart & Soul Festival to successfully launch these events in 2025 and/or 2026. Staff noted
launch of one or both of these new signature events is proposed for Council consideration
to coincide with the completion of improvements to the Old Town Hall site. - Councilors
were unanimously in favor of this request.
iv. Mural Location: Staff and CASE proposed that a new large -format mural be located either
at the Avon Elementary School or at Seasons building and requested Council direction on
which location is preferred. - Councilors in favor of Avon Elementary School were: Hardy,
Stanley, Thuon, Mayor Pro Tem Underwood, and Mayor Phillips. Councilors in favor of
Seasons Building location were: Andrade and Carroll.
Councilor Stanley made a note that there is a need for more advertising of Special Events and
asked that the Town's events get more promotion. She asked if the Town could get promoted
in the Mountain Town Magazine. CASE Manager Dempsey proposed that a percentage of the
$21,000 of 2024 unused funds allotted for Summers Ends gets rolled over to marketing for
branding of this type. Councilors Thuon, Stanley, Carroll, Mayor Pro Tem Underwood, and
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Mayor Phillips were in favor. Councilor Hardy was against. Councilor Andrade trusted staff to
use those funds however they choose.
Mayor Phillips asked staff to consider adding a car show to Avon's special events calendar.
Town Manager Eric Heil asked to poll Councilors who unanimously supported the idea of an
Avon car show as community homegrown event. No public comment was made in person nor
virtually. As this was a work session, no action was taken by Council other than giving staff
direction, as requested.
5.5.Public Hearing: Proposed 2024 Budget (Finance Director Paul Redmond)
Video Start Time: 01:58:15
Finance Director Paul Redmond delivered his presentation related to the proposed 2024
Budget with slides that showed all town funds, projections for revenue and expenses,
personnel highlights, as well as debt service schedules and payments for 2024. He noted the
draft Town of Avon 2024 Budget was reviewed at two Town Council Budget Retreats,
September 19, and October 17, 2023. He added there were no changes made to the 2024
budget after the second budget retreat. Mayor Phillips initiated the public hearing portion of
this budget discussion, and no public comment was made in person, nor virtually.
Regarding Recreation Center Fees and Items, Rec Director Michael Labagh took the podium to
answer questions from Council. He indicated staff recommendation is to increase rates, as
proposed under Option C. Deliberations between Mayor Pro Tern Underwood and Mayor
Phillips supported maintaining the same pricing between youths and older adults and
increasing the age of older adults to a greater age than 60. Councilor Carroll asked about the
cost -recovery model and noted that he is against increasing the public cost of Rec in the hope
that it stays affordable for the Community. Councilor Thuon asked if there is a way to keep
access to the Rec equitable and extend a partial discount to those who need financial support
in the community. He asked staff to make that a top priority. Rec Director Labagh noted they
are already looking into swim scholarships and financial support programs such as those.
Councilor Andrade reflected on whether a rate increase would help control crowding at the
Rec. Town Manager Eric Heil noted there will be more budget hearings, but he would
appreciate direction from Council on Rec center rate increases, and also suggest a new Option
D to only increase rates for visitors and not locals. Mayor Pro Tern Underwood spoke in favor
of redefining older age by starting it later in life, increasing rates for visitors only, and offering
swimming lesson scholarships, which received the support of Councilor Hardy and Mayor
Phillips. Councilor Thuon noted that the Rec will likely never make money, so the focus of cost
recovery should be looked at with a cautious approach.
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TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2023 ,avon
HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
Mayor Pro Tern Underwood asked about Staff compensation increases, as documented in the
presentation, and Town Manager Heil explained the differences between merit increases and
the biannual mid -year market adjustment increase. She asked to get it renamed as such. She
asked that the Slopeside housing project be renamed in the 2024 Budget, and the funds for it
be assigned to a placeholder housing line item. She added that the new budget process is
working very well, and going from general to specific, which she appreciates.
As this was a public hearing, no action was taken by Council other than giving staff feedback
and direction, as requested.
5.6.Resolution 23-20: Approving the Addition Of Chapter 4.D. - Resale Lottery of The Avon
Community Housing Policies Document (Senior Planner Jena Skinner)
Video Start Time: 02:39:10
Senior Planner Jena Skinner delivered her presentation related to approval and addition of
Chapter 4.1) (Resale Lottery) of The Avon Community Housing Policies Document. She was
joined by Housing Long -Range Planner Patti Liermann. Councilor Andrade asked if the 5-year
bonus is consecutive or cumulative and was advised it is cumulative. Councilor Thuon asked if
it includes children who grew up in the Valley, which she said is a little trickier to add up but
part of the consideration. Councilor Carroll asked about Rules for Selection under E.1 of Page
14 of the Avon Community Housing Policies.
Mayor Pro Tern Underwood asked if Town staff has looked at the implications of whether the
lottery concept discriminates against people who do not have heirs and will not pass on their
deed restricted home to their child. Ms. Liermann indicated that this concern would be best
addressed in Chapter 6 of the policy. Town Attorney Karl Hanlon stated that there might be an
Equal Protection issue to be researched as related to Chapter 6. Councilor Carroll suggested
that issue be discussed later, with narrow focus in this meeting for the approval of adding
Chapter 4.D. to the Avon Community Housing Policies.
No public comment was made in person nor virtually. After deliberations, Councilor Carroll
made a motion to approve Resolution 23-20. Councilor Thuon seconded the motion. It was
approved unanimously with a 7-0 vote.
6. MINUTES
6.1.Approval of the October 10, 2023, Regular Council Meeting Minutes (Town Clerk Miguel
Jauregui Casanueva)
Video Start Time: 03:05:25
Councilor Carroll moved to approve the Minutes from October 10, 2023, with one typo
correction to replace 'Eagle Bend' with 'Eaglebend'. Councilor Stanley seconded the
motion. They were approved with a 6-0 vote, with Councilor Thuon abstaining from voting
based on his absence at that Council Meeting.
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TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2023 A
HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
7. WRITTEN REPORTS
7.1. DOLA Grant Award for the Eagle County Regional Housing Action Plan (Town Manager Eric Heil)
7.2.Regional Climate Solutions Overview (Sustainability Coordinator Charlotte Lin)
7.3.Monthly Financials (Senior Accountant Dean Stockdale)
** Indicates topic will be discussed at future agenda's
8. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS & MEETING UPDATES
Video Start Time: 03:06:27
Councilor Thuon shared that earlier in the day, Berry Creek Metro District Board approved
the emergency egress proposal from the Town of Avon which allows for emergency access
out of the Wildridge Subdivision and asked Senior Planner Jena Skinner to give an update
to Council.
Mayor Pro Tern Underwood updated Council on the Upper Eagle River Water Authority
(UERWA) & Eagle River Water and Sanitation District (ERWSD) joint meeting which she
attended. At the meeting, she was introduced to Becky Mitchell, Colorado's full time
Commissioner to the Colorado River. She added Governor Polis appointed her in 2022, and
noted she is brilliant, impressive, and an empathetic leader. She said she left there feeling
inspired in having Ms. Mitchell handle the complex water issues of the State of Colorado.
Mayor Phillips and Councilor Hardy spoke of their attendance to MTN2030 and their
learning of the issues of environmental equity. Councilor Hardy mentioned that in
Mountain Towns you have either 3 jobs or 3 homes and learned that there can still be hope
in the environmental world, that you can improve sustainability by selling aluminum
bottles and cans instead single use plastic and environmental considerations around snow
melts.
[REST OF PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK AND SIGNATURE FOLLOWS]
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AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES A
TUESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2023 avon
HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
9. ADJOURN
There being no further business before Council, Mayor Phillips moved to adjourn the
regular meeting. The time was 09:16 p.m.
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.
Miguel Jau
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Mayor Amy Phillips
Tamra Underwood
Ruth Stanley
Lindsay Hardy
RJ Andrade
Rich Carroll
Chico Thuon
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
anueva, Town Clerk