CASE Committee Minutes 5-21-20MAY 21, 2020 - CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES PAGE 1 | 3
CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020
SETUP AS A VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM DUE TO COVID-19 AND TOWN HALL CLOSURE
1. ROLL CALL
Committee Chair Lisa Mattis, called the meeting to order. The time was 12:01 p.m. Present:
Committee Members – Chair Lisa Mattis, Kathy Ryan, Timothy Haley, Chris Cofelice, Pedro
Campos, Jason Denhart, and Ruth Stanley
Avon Town Council - Amy Phillips.
Town Staff – Mikaela Liewer, Charise Bishop, Danita Dempsey, and Ineke de Jong
Absent:
Councilor Jake Wolf
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Kathy Ryan moved to approve the minutes from the April 16th, 2020 CASE Committee meeting. Jason
Denhart seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comments were made.
4. STAFF UPDATE: A VON
CASE Manager Danita Dempsey discussed cancelled events in Avon that were not included in the
packet given to the Committee, such as the Triple Bypass. Vail Lacrosse has postponed their event.
AvonLive! is still planned, but with local talent and it will not be marketed beyond our social media
accounts. Using local talent will give the Town more flexibility in the case that Public Health Orders
do not allow the event.
Town Manager Eric Heil explained to the Committee that Eagle County has applied for a variance to
move to the “Blue Phase” of the reopening plan. This allows groups of up to 50 to gather. There is a
plan for how to separate groups during these events and that has been shared with the County. The
Summer will look different this year but should still be enjoyable. The Town is in conversation with
Ein Prosit discussing plans to co-host a smaller event. Town Manager Eric Heil shared that
Destimetrics is showing bookings at 50%, so we expect it to still be busy this summer.
The Committee commented/inquired:
A. “…pleased CASE is moving forward with smaller community focused events.”
B. “Many people seem interested in the drive-in movie idea.”
C. “Will the local bands be willing to cancel if necessary?”
D. “Avon Station has developed these organic happy hours. Everyone is social distancing, but still
enjoying themselves. It has been an interesting vibe over there.”
E. “Westin is being conservative with their forecast but is still seeing a robust occupancy rate.
Weddings and events continue to be cancelled, but people want to get out of their houses.”
MAY 21, 2020 - CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES PAGE 2 | 3
5. STAFF UPDATE: R EGIONAL
CASE Manager Danita Dempsey explained to the Committee how communities locally are moving
forward with their events season. Vail Farmer’s Market will be a virtual marketplace beginning in
June.
The Committee commented/inquired:
A. “BravoVail! Is also cancelling because it seems like the most responsible thing to do.”
B. “Are there any communities that are cancelling everything?”
C. “Dillon is moving forward with their market but is spacing out booths and you have to shop
moving in one direction.”
D. “Dillon is also opening their marina.”
E. “In California, a farmer’s market has setup for drive-through only.”
F. ‘Vail Resorts will be opening late June or early July.”
G. “People want to travel to places that are open.”
H. “The fact that hotels are at 60-70% occupancy is shocking.”
6. CURRENT SITUATION: SHORT TERM
Danita explained to the Committee that CASE has reduced their budget over $300,000. She also
explained how the events would be socially distanced. Eric has drafted a map, putting 20 feet
between each group. The plan is to use fun caricatures explaining the rules and SUP boards to
demonstrate distance. There are no plans to mandate masks, but the Town will be providing them.
There will be many more handwashing stations than in previous years. This year there will not be bar
or food concession, but instead BYOB and Pack-a-Picnic will be encouraged. Danita asked the
Committee if they agree with how everything will proceed?
The Committee commented/inquired:
A. “Will we be enforcing masks or not?”
B. “What will the liability be for the Town?”
C. “The Committee was impressed by the plans to safely host events this season.”
D. “There is concern people will bring kegs into the park.”
E. “Can we work with local restaurants to create a picnic pack?”
F. “Has there been interest from local food vendors to work at the Park?”
G. “We could make a deal with Alpine Bank to donate to a local food bank for every picnic pack
sold. It would help the community while also boosting the economy.”
H. “We need more food in food banks, more money in restaurants, and more people enjoying
their community.”
7. CURRENT SITUATION: LONG TERM
The Committee was wondering what the plans were for the bathrooms. There is concern we are
bringing too many people in the park and there are not enough bathrooms to support everyone. Rather
than walking around the park, there is concern people will just use the restroom in the bushes. Danita
is planning on bringing in five more portalets this year. Town Manager Eric Heil said he asked for the
portalets to be brought to the park early this year and they will be cleaned at least once daily. He also
MAY 21, 2020 - CASE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES PAGE 3 | 3
said if we need more, we will get more. Danita assured the Committee that Blue Monster, the portapotty
vendor would be also providing capacity reports. The Committee would like to be updated on that
information in the Fall.
8. PLANNING: CASE DRAFT OUTLINE REVIEW
Danita presented the remainder of her CASE Draft Outline Presentation and opened it up for
comments from the Committee. She also asked the Committee to consider what we can do for
immersive art experiences, including at the New Town Hall and the Old Fire Station.
The Committee commented/inquired:
A. The Committee overall complimented the document and thought it was exactly what CASE is
trying to accomplish.
B. “The document is extremely comprehensive. Hits all the main goals of the Committee and
touches on the major points.”
C. The Committee likes that the focus is on community, rather than economic drivers. “If we focus
on community, the economics will follow.”
D. “Community and Economics are not mutually exclusive.”
E. “We should continue to think about signature events.”
F. “…loves how vibrant and succinct the document is. The pictures capture life in Avon.”
G. “This document should be dynamic and revisited and edited every year or two.”
H. “How will this document be used? Will it be online or printed?”
I. “We should add maps to this document as an appendix, like the historical and walking maps.”
J. “We could also add our art collection as an appendix.”
K. “Does this document go to Council?”
Town Manager Eric Heil expressed we have a lot of pretty documents, but we cannot make changes
to any of them. We want to create this document and use it as guidance for all that we do. CASE
Manager Danita Dempsey said once the Committee adopts this document, she will send it to Council.
Committee Chair Lisa Mattis asked, “How do we hit all of the checkmarks? What is the content and
what is our job to passing this content onto the community? How can we be trained to be
ambassadors?” Chair Mattis also expressed she appreciated the simplicity of the agenda, and should
we keep it like that? Danita asked if we could add anything else, such as data from Destimetrics? Chris
Cofelice said he could share data from the Westin as well. The group discussed meeting in person on
the terrace for next CASE Committee meeting. Special Event Coordinator Mikaela Liewer is currently
working on the Town Clean-Up Event and suggested some of the Committee could participate.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:22 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by:
Charise Bishop
General Government Intern