HR Meeting Minutes - 9.10.2024 - FINALHEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM
HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 PAGE 1 | 4
1. ROLL CALL
Present-
Committee Members: Committee Chairman Kevin Hyatt, Committee Vice Chairman Nancy Tashman and
Committee Members Pat Nolan, Lisa Post, Kathy Ryan, Sonia Martinez and Courtney Walters Rawson
Staff: Recreation Director Michael Labagh, Aquatics Superintendent Kacy Carmichael, Recreation Services
Superintendent Jerrica Miller, General Government Fellow Arnell Wade, Programs Supervisor Luke Herron, Town
Manager Eric Heil and Culture, Arts and Special Events (CASE) Manager Danita Dempsey
Absent-
Town Council: Mayor Amy Phillips
Committee Chairman Kevin Hyatt opened the meeting at 12:10 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Committee Member Pat Nolan made a motion to approve the agenda, Committee
Member Kathy Ryan seconded to approve the agenda. Committee Chairman Kevin Hyatt declared the agenda
approved.
3. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 16TH MEETING MINUTES
Committee Member Pat Nolan made a motion to approve the minutes from the July 16, 2024 meeting. Committee
Member Lisa Post seconded the motion and Committee Chairman Kevin Hyatt declared the minutes approved.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public were made in person on online via (zoom)
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
5.1 Culture & Arts Center Concepts: 351 W. Benchmark Rd (Old Fire Station)
CASE Manager Danita Dempsey started off her presentation with the report and explained the economic and
legislative happenings since the COVID- 19 pandemic. She stated that COVID allowed us to take this project
on full time since special events were temporarily halted. CASE Manager Danita Dempsey confirmed that the
fire station project is on track to be presented to Council in a couple of weeks an that this update and was
presented to the CASE Committee three weeks ago. Danita also shared that the “Vail Valley Art Guild” moved
to Avon in the Seasons building and their lease is up in the next couple years. They are currently subsidized by
the Town.
The committee commented/inquired:
A. Committee Member Kathy Ryan asked, is the rent reduced?
CASE Manager Danita Dempsey said she doesn’t know but they have a subsidy of $18,000 per year. CASE
Manager Danita Dempsey began the presentation providing an overview of the geographical location of the old
fire station and the real estate make-up of the infrastructure. Danita said she can see multiple uses for the
space, maker space, coffee shop, event space, pottery and art shows. The presentation included an overview
of the current facility setup showing storage spaces, offices, kitchen area and the garage bays. The
presentation continued and Staff reviewed information for the Silverthorne Makespace (Art Spot).
HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM
HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 PAGE 2 | 4
The committee commented/inquired:
A. Committee Member Kathy Ryan asked where this is located? She is in Silverthorne all the time and
she’s never seen this.
B. Committee Member Kathy Ryan asked if the shops are for large or small projects and where do they
store their projects?
CASE Manager Danita Dempsey described where Art Spot was in Silverthorne and provided as much
information as possible regarding art project storage at this location.
Danita continued the presentation and provided a general overview of the operations, programs and events that
are offered at the Silverthorne Pavilion and at the Grand Lake Community Center. CASE Manager Danita
Dempsey shows that there are multiple communities who have their own visions and spaces just like the Town
is considering. CASE Manager Danita Dempsey stopped and opened the floor for questions and comments.
The committee commented/inquired:
A. Council Member Pat Nolan commented that its lovely to see all the work these towns are doing and
wish to see something like that in Avon.
B. Committee Member Pat Nolan asked if the vision is similar to Alpine Arts Center?
C. Committee Member Nancy Tashman asked where did this art concept come from?
D. Committee Member Kathy Ryan inquired about building code and housing codes.
E. Committee Member Lisa Post asked, has there been any community engagement or opinion?
F. Committee Member Lisa Post asked what have Silverthorne said about finance/funding?
G. Committee Member Lisa Post asked are we intended to have this infrastructure as an Avon branded
entity?
H. Committee Member Kathy Ryan says that the current space of art guild is colorful, lovely and active.
I. Committee Member Nancy Tashman inquired, when the building was built and is this a great idea for
Avon?
J. Committee Chairman Kevin Hyatt said that La Zona had a ton of support for art and people were
interested.
K. Committee Member Courtney Walters Rawson stated that this old fire station project will be good for
young families to explore together.
L. Committee Chairman Kevin Hyatt said this project will be a great circle of events for the kids in the
summer. Folks can send them to the park with family to relax, then to the Rec Center to work out and
swim and then the fire station to get their creative juices flowing.
M. Committee Member Kathy Ryan stated that why don’t we connect with the Rec Center door?
N. Committee Member Kathy Ryan said another crosswalk needs better visibility for motorists.
O. Committee Members Lisa Post and Kathy Ryan stated skateboarding is not a community need and the
community associated with these trends aren’t people friendly. There are issues with E -Bikes and
scooters with people going 30 mph+ and this is a problem.
P. Committee Member Kathy Ryan said 8- to 15-year-olds have no regard for the community, locals are
well behaved, but Avon Police Department and code enforcement like to worry about the locals instead
of the kids.
HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM
HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 PAGE 3 | 4
CASE Manager Danita Dempsey and Town Manager Eric Heil addressed the committee’s comments and
questions:
A. CASE Manager Danita Dempsey confirmed that she met with CASE Committee and Planning & Zoning
committees within the last couple weeks and heard support and positivity on transferring this piece of real
estate. She continued and explained that this space would be different than all other art spaces in the area.
B. Town Manager Eric Heil explained that first was a skate park plan to go there and there was a change in
priority due to comparable size, and community interest. He continued to explain to the committee that if
we want an art space, we need inexpensive space. Ideas and concepts will be considered when the
Council meets on October 8th before we move forward with a designer.
C. CASE Manager Danita Dempsey added that the Town applied for a grant and will know the results in the
upcoming months.
D. Town Manager Eric Heil explained that the building code has changed a lot in the past 4 years due to
having a new building official.
E. CASE Manager Danita Dempsey explained that this idea came about through the CASE Committee and
the La Zona Project.
F. Town Manager Eric Heil explained that the Town of Silverthorne provides $250,000 every year and CASE
Manager Danita said they are benefited from art and education grants and well. He continued to explain
that each location is different with funding, donors, government funds, fundraising etc. CASE Manager
Danita Dempsey stated City of Golden just opened their art exhibit a couple months ago as well.
G. CASE Manager Danita Dempsey and Town Manager Eric confirmed that the “Avon Art Guild” will likely be
the new name.
H. Town Manager Eric Heil stated that the old fire station was built in the 1970’s. He also said that the next
steps are to budget for an architect. This will allow us to get a sense for occupancy timelines and grant
work timelines.
I. Town Manager Eric Heil stated that there will be pavers instead of asphalt across Mikaela Way for a
crosswalk, and we are deciding on to add a hump due to geographical bend of the street. Either way,
people will only be walking on the south or east bend and not in a straight line. Town Manager Eric Heil
said Recreation Director Michael Labagh will update Council of the electric bike/scooter issues tonight. He
continued to explain that the Town hired two new Code Enforcement Officers, and they are working hard to
get locals and kids in check, but this will take some time. Recreation Director Michael Labagh encouraged
the committee to voice their opinions tonight at the park improvements work session.
CASE Manager Danita Dempsey thanked the committee for their time and confirmed that she will send out
some tour dates of the old fire station.
5.2 Recreation Department Update
Recreation Director Michael Labagh updated the committee on summer numbers compared to last year and
notified everyone about a facility closure from September 28- October 4 for AV, Wi-Fi and surveillance
installation and general maintenance. Recreation Programs Supervisor Luke Herron updated the committee on
past and upcoming programs. There was an increase in registration and new camp merchandise. New
program highlights included Avon Kickball, free pickleball demo days, youth tennis clinics, 2v2 sand volleyball
league and new camp field trips, with weekly themes. Recreation Director Michael Labagh informed everyone
on the programs for Fall 2024, which include youth and adult tennis, Child Watch, and Eagle County Healthy
HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM
HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 PAGE 4 | 4
Aging field trips. Continued programs include the Pumpkin Fun Run, Kids Swim Night Out, Avon Afterschool
and Schools Out Camp.
The committee commented/inquired:
A. Committee Member Kathy Ryan said she likes the use of Avon Elementary for rec programs and
outings as opposed to building new facilities.
B. Committee Member Kathy Ryan asked about the surveillance being archived and Committee Member
Lisa Post asked about the legal implications of surveillance.
Recreation Director Michael Labagh and Recreation Aquatics Superintendent Kacy Carmichael confirmed that
the surveillance will only be accessed if there is an incident in question on a said day. In terms of the legal
implications, there will be signage for the public to be aware that they are being recorded.
5.3 Recreation Department Mission, Vision and Values follow up
Recreation Director Michael Labagh updated the committee on where the Recreation Department Mission and
Values process and he had the Recreation Department Staff draft a new mission statement and vision
statement and values. Recreation Director Michael Labagh asked for committee thoughts and opinions on the
new statements and values.
The committee commented/inquired:
A. Committee Member Lisa Post commented on the Values statement saying that the word “sense” was
used a lot.
B. Committee Member Kathy Ryan said the statement, “promote belonging” is fine. Kathy also made a
Cheers TV show reference and mentioned that Recreation Department Staff did a great job with this
project.
Recreation Director Michael Labagh asked to send any thoughts to him directly via email and gave the floor to
Committee Chair Kevin Hyatt for meeting adjournment.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Committee Chairman Kevin asked if there is a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vice Committee Chair Nancy
Tashman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Committee Member Kathy Ryan seconded the motion. The
meeting adjourned at 1:28 p.m. on September 10, 2024.
Respectfully submitted by
Arnell Wade
General Government Fellow