TC Minutes 11-25-2020 SPECIALAVON SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2020 Av o n
SETUP AS A VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM DUE TO COVID-19 COLORADO
Councilor Scott Prince asked Eric Heil to recap what the program is. Eric explained that it puts in place
more protections requiring spacing, wearing masks, doing temperature checks of employees when they
show up to work and documenting this accordingly.
Mayor Sarah Smith Hymes added that the program isn't much different from the restrictions already in
place in Eagle County, but it adds a certification program and an enforcement program. Personnel from
the Public Health Department will work on enforcing compliance with the Five Star Variance Program.
Eric stated that the program is funded by the county and there is also assistance available through the
Cares Act.
Town Attorney Paul Wisor stated that he represents the Town of Fruita who has adopted this program
and it's purpose is to instill customer confidence in those businesses.
Councilor Tamra Underwood expressed the importance of conveying the program for the purpose of
instilling confidence instead of adding additional rigor to the already hard environments for our
restaurants and local businesses.
Mayor Pro Tem Amy Phillips commented on a program called "Save our Season" which is driven by the
business community explaining that as businesses shut down the front of the house service staff is
forced to stay home in small living spaces with multiple roommates and it is nearly impossible for them
to socially distance. Being able to work where these protocols are in place provides for a safer
environment for everyone.
Councilor Thuon wanted to make a point that the purpose of the meeting is to approve or disapprove
the letter as is, not to make any changes. Verbally he wants the message to be to keep the restaurants
safe and allow people to continue to go in there with confidence that they are going to be safe. Keeping
the service industry work force employed is very important or they will not be able to afford to live up
here and will disappear. He is in support of the letter.
Councilor Wolf emphasized the importance of keeping people employed which is best for mental health.
Councilors Prince, Underwood and Fancher all agreed.
Russell Andrade provided public comment as a local businessperson in complete support of this
program as it adds a level of accountability.
Mayor Pro Tem Amy Phillips moved to approve the Town of Avon endorsing and co-signing the letter to
the Eagle County Commissioners requesting a variance for additional business occupancy in a manner
similar to the Five Star Various Protection Program in Mesa County. Councilor Scott Prince seconded the
motion and the motion passed with a vote of 6 to 0 -Councilor Thuon dropped off the meeting at 05:20
p.m. and did not have a chance to vote but was in support of the motion.
Mayor Pro Tem mentioned a program that she heard about from the Vilar Performing Arts Center
receiving funds from the government geared towards people who have been without work.
AVON SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES A
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2020 ,avon
SETUP AS A VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM DUE TO COVID-19 COLORADO
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was hosted in a virtual format, using Zoom.us. Mayor Smith Hymes called the meeting to order
at 5:00 p.m. A roll call was taken, and Council members present by video/audio were Jennie Fancher, Scott
Prince, Tamra Underwood, and Amy Phillips. Councilor Jake Wolf joined the meeting at 5:01 p.m. and
Councilor Chico Thuon was absent during roll call. Also present were Town Manager Eric Heil, Town Attorney
Paul Wisor, Executive Assistant to the Town Manager Ineke de Jong, and Deputy Town Clerk Kendall Moore.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Video Start Time: 00:01:18
No changes were made to the agenda.
Councilor Chico Thuon joined the meeting at 05:01 p.m.
Councilor Underwood moved to approve the agenda as presented. Councilor Fancher seconded the motion
and the motion passed with a vote of 6 to 1. Councilor Wolf voted no.
3. DISCLOSURE OF ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS
Video Start Time: 00:03:00
No Disclosure of any conflicts of interest.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Video Start Time: 00:03:03
Mayor Smith Hymes opened it up for public comments. Ineke de Jong explained to the public how to
participate via video/audio, via telephone, or via email for public comments.
No public comments were made.
S. BUSINESS ITEMS
5.1. CONSIDERATION OF LETTER SUPPORTING THE FIVE STAR VARIANCE PROTECTION PROGRAM TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL
OCCUPANCY FOR EAGLE COUNTY BUSINESSES (TOWN MANAGER ERIC HEIL)
Video Start Time: 00:03:48
Town Manager Eric Heil presented a quick overview of a proposed letter to support the Five Star
Variance Protection Program to the county and Governor's Office. The discussed Five Star Variance
Protection Program was adopted by Mesa County. The letter provides a list of criteria for businesses,
primarily restaurants and allows for local certification and local monitoring and verification of meeting
additional criteria for the purpose of allowing businesses to operate at 50% capacity. Eric mentioned
that the governor is interested in approving the program on a state-wide basis. Eric explained that
currently Eagle County is in level orange but right on the edge of going to level red. Level orange is
already very restrictive and level red requires restaurants to move to "take-out" only.
Mike Brumbaugh, the owner of Venture Sports, expressed his support to Mayor Smith Hymes and wrote
her, "whatever I can do to convince the council that this would be meaningful and helpful, please
express my support of this motion."
AVON SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES A
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2020 avon
SETUP AS A VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZoOM DUE TO COVID-19 COLORADO
6. ADJOURN
There being no further business before Council, Mayor Smith Hymes moved to adjourn the special
meeting. The time was 5:23 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.hiqhfivemedio.org.
L
APPROVED: C
Sarah Smith Hymes ,
Amy Phillips
Jake Wolf
Chico Thuon
Jennie Fancher
Scott Prince
Tamra Underwood
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Kendall Moore, Deputy Town Clerk