TC Minutes 01-14-2025AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES A
TUESDAY JANUARY 14, 2025 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 via Zoom.us.
Mayor Tamra N. Underwood called the January 14, 2025, Council Regular Meeting to order at 5:00
p.m. A roll call was taken, and Councilors present in person were Chico Thuon, Gary Brooks, Ruth
Stanley, Lindsay Hardy, Kevin Hyatt, Mayor Pro Tern Richard Carroll, and Mayor Tamra N.
Underwood. They were joined in person by Town Manager Eric Heil, Deputy Town Manager Patty
McKenny, Town Attorney Nina P. Williams, Town Clerk Miguel Jauregui Casanueva, Chief Financial
Officer Paul Redmond, Public Works Director Eva Wilson, Recreation Director Michael Labagh,
Community Development Director Matt Pielsticker, Planning Manager Jena Skinner, Long Range
Housing Planner Patti Lierman, Development Coordinator Emily Block, and Avon Police Chief Greg
Daly.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Video Start Time: 00:00:57
Mayor Underwood initiated the meeting with the Agenda approval process. Councilor Thuon
motioned to approve the Agenda, as presented. Councilor Hardy seconded the motion. The motion
carried unanimously with a 7-0 vote.
3. DISCLOSURE OF ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS
Video Start Time: 00:01:40
Mayor Underwood asked if there were any conflicts of interest related to the Agenda, and Councilor
Hyatt advised that Mr. Derek George, applicant for the Health and Rec Committee, is his employer
and Councilor Hyatt believes it best to voluntarily recuse himself and abstain from voting on
Business Item 6.1. related to appointments to the Health and Rec Committee to prevent any
appearance of a conflict of interest. At the request of Mayor Underwood, Town Attorney Nina
Williams advised that because this is a voluntary recusal and abstention from Councilor Hyatt, there
is no need for Council to vote on the conflict of interest. No other conflicts of interest were
disclosed.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Video Start Time: 00:03:05
Mayor Underwood 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 added 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 and Ms. Amy Phillips, resident of Avon, took the podium in person to thank Long Term
Housing Planner Patti Lierman for her report regarding the Year-end 2024 Community Housing
Update, and offered additional remarks on the home ownership class she will be teaching at
Colorado Mountain College. She highlighted the importance of the housing lottery transparency.
No other public comment was made in person nor virtually.
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AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY JANUARY 14, 2025 Avon
HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM c. n L c RA U o
5. CONSENT AGENDA
Video Start Time: 00:06:45
Mayor Underwood introduced the approval of the Consent Agenda to include the following:
5.1 Approval of December 10, 2024 Regular Council Meeting Minutes (Town Clerk Miguel Jauregui
Casanueva)
Councilor Stanley motioned to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilor Hardy seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously with a 7-0 vote.
6. BUSINESS ITEMS
6.1.Interviews & Appointments to the Health & Recreation Committee (Recreation Director Michael
Labagh)
Video Start Time: 00:08:15
Avon REC Director Michael Labagh introduced the topic of interviewing and appointing two new
Board Members to two-year terms on the Health and Rec Committee. The two applicants
interviewed were Ms. Amy Phillips and Mr. Derek George, who introduced themselves to Council
with remarks on their interest in joining the Committee. Councilor Carroll asked a question from
Mr. George related to what he likes or would change about Nottingham Park.
After deliberations, Councilor Stanley motioned to appoint Ms. Amy Phillips and Mr. Derek George
to a "two-year" (26 month) term on the Town of Avon Health and Recreation Committee to expire
in March 2027. Councilor Hardy seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously with a 6-0
vote, with one abstention from Councilor Hyatt.
6.2.Interviews & Appointments to the Finance Committee (Chief Financial Officer Paul Redmond)
Video Start Time: 00:16:45
Chief Financial Officer Paul Redmond introduced the topic of interviewing and reappointing S
Finance Committee members to the Finance Committee. The applicants interviewed included
Messrs. Steve Coyer and Clark Rogers, and Ms. Lisa Post, who took the podium in person to
introduce themselves and answer questions from Council. They did not indicate a preference for 2-
or 4-year appointments. Absent from interviews were Messrs. Markian Feduschak and John
Widerman, who also did not indicate to CFO Redmond a preference for two- or four-year
appointment.
After deliberations, Councilor Thuon motioned to re -appoint Ms. Lisa Post and Messrs. Steve Coyer
and Clark Rogers to a four-year term on the Avon Finance Committee and to re -appoint Messrs.
Markian Feduschak and John Widerman to a two-year term on Avon Finance Committee. Councilor
Stanley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously with a 7-0 vote.
6.3.Interview & Appointment to the Planning & Zoning Commission (Planning Manager Jena Skinner)
Video Start Time: 00:32:30
Planning Manager Jena Skinner introduced the topic of interviewing and appointing a new member
to the Planning and Zoning Commission and introduced Ms. Carly Hanson who took the podium in
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AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY JANUARY 14, 2025 ,avon
HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
person to introduce herself and answer questions from Council. Councilor Hardy motioned to
appoint Ms. Carly Hanson to immediately fill the vacancy of a seat with a term expiring in May of
2026 on the Town of Avon Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilor Hyatt seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously with a 7-0 vote.
6.4.Appointments to Boards and Commissions (Chief Administrative Officer Ineke de Jong) (30
minutes) 6:25
Video Start Time: 00:40:45
Deputy Town Manager Patty McKenny introduced the topic of appointments to Boards and
Commissions on behalf of Ms. Ineke De Jong's who was absent from the meeting.
The following appointments were made:
a) Climate Action Collaborative: Primary is Councilor Hardy. Secondary is Town Manager Eric Heil.
b) Colorado Association of Ski Towns: Primary is Mayor Underwood. Alternate is Mayor Pro Tern
Carroll.
c) Colorado Municipal Leage Policy Committee: Primary is Town Attorney Nina Williams.
d) CORE Transit / Eagle Valley Transportation Authority / Eagle County Regional Transportation
Authority: Primary is Mayor Pro Tern Carroll. Alternate is Councilor Hyatt. Eagle County Regional
Trails (ECO) Committee will not have an appointment completed until staff confirm the future
of this Committee.
e) Cultural, Arts & Special Events Committee: Councilor Stanley is ex-officio 1. Councilor Hardy is
ex-officio 2.
f) Downtown Development Authority: Primary is Councilor Thuon. There is no alternate.
g) Eaglebend, Kayak Crossing & Buffalo Ridge Housing Corporations: Primary is Town Manager Eric
Heil. There is no alternate.
h) EGE Air Alliance: Primary is Mayor Pro Tern Underwood. Alternate is Councilor Hyatt.
i) Finance Committee: Councilor Hardy is ex-officio 1. Councilor Hyatt is ex-officio 2.
j) Health and Rec Committee: Councilor Hyatt is ex-officio 1. Councilor Stanley is ex-officio 2.
k) Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCOG): Primary is Councilor Brooks. Alternate
is Planning Manager Jena Skinner.
1) Public Access TV - High Five Access Media: Primary is Councilor Stanley. Alternate is Councilor
Hyatt.
m) Railroad Steering Committee: Primary is Town Manager Eric Heil. Alternate is Councilor Brooks.
n) Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority (UERWA): Mayor Underwood is primary. Councilor
Brooks is first alternate, and Town Manager Eric Heil is second alternate.
o) Vail Valley Art Guild (WAG): Chief Cultural Officer Danita Dempsey is assigned a seat. Councilor
Stanley is ex-officio.
p) VVP - Economic Development Leadership Council: Councilor Thuon is primary. There is no
alternate.
Mayor Underwood encouraged her fellow Councilors to meet with their alternates at each Board
and Commission to get brought up to speed on the business of their appointment. Mayor
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AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAYJANUARY 14, 2025 ,avon
HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM c o L o R, A D o
Underwood opened the floor to public comment, and no public comment was made virtually nor
in person. After deliberations, Councilor Hardy motioned to approve the appointments as indicated
in paragraphs a)-p) above. Councilor Stanley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously
with a 7-0 vote.
6.5.PUBLIC HEARING: Second Reading of Ordinance 24-16 Amending Chapter 27 of Title 15 the Avon
Municipal Code to Update the Exterior Energy Offset Program (Building Official Derek Place and
Development Coordinator Emily Block) (15 Minutes)
Video Start Time: 01:21:40
Building Official Derek Place and Development Coordinator Emily Block delivered a presentation
related to the Second Reading of Ordinance 24-16. Mayor Underwood opened the floor of the
Public Hearing to public comment, and Ms. Kim Schlaepfer, resident of Eagle Vail, took the podium
in person to voice her support for the adoption of this Ordinance as amended. No other public
comment was made in person nor virtually. Mayor Pro Tern Carroll asked if this only applies to new
buildings and Town Manager Eric Heil clarified this ordinance applies to any new exterior energy
use, regardless of date of the construction of the existing structures.
Town Manager Eric Heil requested the following amendments to the Second Reading of Ordinance
24-16:
a) Section 15.27.020 be amended to add a sentence at the end stating: "Heat tape for gutters and
eaves are not included in this Chapter 15.27."
b) 15.27.050 (f) first sentence: strike after 'exterior energy use' and strike the remainder of that
sentence.
c) 15.27.050(f)(6) add the new subparagraph that would read: 'Other technologies: Credits for the
use of other technologies which use renewable energy sources or otherwise reduce greenhouse
gas emissions shall be determined on a case -by -case basis.
After deliberations, Councilor Thuon motioned to approve the second reading of Ordinance 24-16,
as amended. Councilor Hardy seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously with a 7-0
vote. After voting, Councilor Hardy stated that it is a silly luxury to heat the outdoors with non-
renewable energy sources.
7. WRITTEN REPORTS
7.1.December 9th Planning & Zoning Commission Abstract (Planner II Max Morgan)
7.2.Use Tax Update (Chief Financial Officer Paul Redmond)
7.3.Year-end 2024 Community Housing Update (Housing Planner Patti Liermann)
7.4.Year-end 2024 Sustainability Update (Sustainability Manager Charotte Lin)
7.5.Year-end 2024 Capital Improvement Plan Update (Public Works Director Eva Wilson)
** Indicates topic will be discussed at future agenda's
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AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY JANUARY 14, 2025 Avon
HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO
8. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS & MEETING UPDATES
Video Start Time: 01:47:00
Councilor Hardy spoke of the tragedy of the wildfires in the City of Los Angeles and adjacent areas.
She highlighted to the public the seriousness of wildfire preparedness in Avon and Eagle County
and asked to have more discussions around it in winter as well as summer.
Mayor Pro Tern Carroll spoke about the most recent CORE Transit Board Meeting, which included
discussion of their 10-year strategic plan. He also spoke of the analysis of bus stops, including the
one at Avon Crossing, and added he will put together some information in a written report for his
fellow Councilors and the public.
Councilor Stanley reminded the public to attend the Fireworks in Avon event to take place on
Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Nottingham Park.
Mayor Underwood spoke of the pleasure she and Town Manager Heil had in meeting with
Congressman Joe Neguse last Saturday, where they discussed wildfire preparedness, 1-70 public
safety issues, and drug trafficking in Eagle County, among other issues. Town Manager Heil spoke
of a potential reduction in federal funding that was mentioned during their meeting. Mayor
Underwood added that Congressman Neguse and his Local Legislative Assistant in Frisco, Ms. Julie
Salas mentioned they are watching closely the first 100 days to identify what will get captured in
the IRA Inflation Reduction act, which may impact efforts of ongoing electrification of public transit.
She also thanked the Public Operations Team for the holiday decorations they deployed, as well as
the excellent snow removal operations seen this winter throughout pedestrian paths and
sidewalks. She also thanked the IT Team for their work on the implementation of the new A/V
System for Council Chambers.
Councilor Thuon also thanked snow removal teams for keeping streets clear during the recent
storms.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Video Start Time: 01:54:02
9.1.Mayor Underwood requested a motion from her fellow councilors to proceed into Executive
Session. Councilor Hardy motioned to retire into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing
the purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer or sale of real estate pursuant to CRS Section 24-6-
402(4)(a); for the purpose of conferencing with the Town Attorney to receive legal advice on
specific legal questions under C.R.S Section 24-6-402(4)(b); and for the purpose of determining
positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiation, developing strategy for
negotiations, and/or instructing negotiators under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(e); concerning the
following specific matters: Buffalo Ridge Housing and Kayak Crossing Housing; a potential Avon
Urban Renewal Authority project; and potential acquisition of residential unit for Town of Avon
employee housing. Councilor Thuon seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously with a
7-0 vote. The time was 6:55 p.m. At the roll call, all members of Council were present. Also present
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AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY JANUARY 14, 2025 avon
HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM C o L C r. A C o
were Town Manager Eric Heil, Deputy Town Manager Patty McKenny, and Town Attorney Nina
Williams. The Executive Session commenced at 7:06 p.m. The Executive Session adjourned at 8:01
p.m.
10. BUSINESS ITEMS PART II.
10.1. Avon Housing Authority
Video Start Time: 01:56:20
At approximately 8:05 p.m., Town Council reconvened as Avon Housing Authority, and all members
of the Avon Housing Authority were present to decide on an action item resulting from executive
session. Councilor Hardy motioned to approve the Purchase Agreement and authorize the
acquisition of 3008 Wildridge Road Unit 1A. Councilor Hardy seconded the motion. The motion
carried unanimously with a 7-0 vote.
11. ADJOURN
There being no further business before Council, Mayor Underwood moved to adjourn the
regular meeting. The time was 8:06 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.highfivemedio.org.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Miguel Jauregui
APPROVED:
Mayor Underwood
Rich Carroll
Ruth Stanley
Lindsay Hardy
Chico Thuon
Kevin Hyatt
Gary Brooks