TC Minutes 03-23-2021
AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY MARCH 23, 2021
SETUP AS A VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM DUE TO COVID-19
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 Lindsay
Hardy, Scott Prince, Tamra Underwood, RJ Andrade, Amy Phillips, and Chico Thuon. Also present were
Town Manager Eric Heil, Town Attorney Paul Wisor, Chief of Police Greg Daily, Assistant Town Manager
and Finance Director Scott Wright, Recreation Director John Curutchet, Town Engineer Justin Hildreth,
General Government Manager Ineke de Jong, and Town Clerk Brenda Torres.
Mayor Smith Hymes talked about the tough day in Boulder yesterday and how powerless we feel about
this dangerous trajectory we seem to be on. Her comfort in this situation is that we have a world-class
Avon Police Department that is very well trained and will protect our community.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Video Start Time: 00:02:00 Part One
Mayor Smith Hymes mentioned this is a revised agenda which has a discussion of Mi Casa deed restriction
program as item 5.5.
Councilor Underwood pulled item 5.8.1 from the consent agenda for discussion. Mayor Smith Hymes
added it as business item 5.9.
Councilor Underwood moved to approve the agenda as amended. Mayor Pro Tem Phillips seconded the
motion and the motion passed with a vote of 7 to 0.
3. DISCLOSURE OF ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS
Video Start Time: 00:04:11 Part One
Councilor Hardy disclosed for item 5.7. that she works for Zehren & Associates. She clarified she has no
financial interest in the notice of award up for discussion on tonight's agenda, but she wanted to disclose
the connection. Also, now that item 5.8.1. has been pulled out from the consent agenda, part of Zehren
& Associates staff is involved in this project as well. Town Attorney Paul Wisor reminded Council about a
recently approved Resolution 21-03 and these kinds of participations are not a conflict as they have no
financial interest.
Councilor Prince moved to clear Councilor Hardy from a conflict of interest in the items pointed above.
Councilor Underwood seconded the motion and the motion passed with a vote of 6 to 0. Councilor Hardy
abstained from the vote.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Video Start Time: 00:07:22 Part One
Mayor Smith Hymes explained to the public how to participate via video/audio, via telephone, or via
email for public comments.
No public comments were made.
AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY MARCH 23, 2021
SETUP AS A VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM DUE TO COVID-19
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
5.1. WINTER ICE UPDATE (RECREATION DIRECTOR JOHN CURUTCHET)
Video Start Time: 00:08:28 Part One
Recreation Director John Curutchet joined the virtual meeting and presented the PPT included in the
Council Packet. He mentioned no new equipment was purchased for this project. Mayor Smith
Hymes mentioned she received many positive comments on the condition of the ice and the great
service provided by the Recreation Center. Council congratulated him, his team, and the Public
Works team on the big success of the ice-skating fun this winter.
5.2. WORK SESSION: ENGAGE AVON WEBSITE (MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER LIZ WOOD)
Video Start Time: 00 :22:55 Part One
Marketing & Communications Manager Liz Wood joined the virtual meeting and shared her screen
to show the Engage Avon Website. She explained how to access it, how to register and what current
registrations look like and the participation levels in different projects. She also mentioned the
website is available in Spanish with just one click, however, feedback is not available in Spanish yet.
Mayor Smith Hymes expressed this website is very exciting and it is great to have one place with a
lot of information that we can direct members of the public to for information and to get their input
on projects and initiatives.
Mayor Smith Hymes asked for public comments and no public comments were made.
5.3. DRAWING OF THE FINAL NAMES FOR “NAME THE SNOWPLOW’ PROJECT (MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
LIZ WOOD)
Video Start Time: 00:38:06 Part One
Marketing & Communications Manager Liz Wood introduced this item. She mentioned the contest
will close on March 31st and winners will be announced on April 2nd.
Mayor Smith Hymes announced that one snowplow will be named 'Mikey T' after Mike Trujillo, a
long-time Town of Avon employee who recently retired and a few months later passed away. She
announced that instead of 3, there will be 5 snowplows to be named. One is Mikey T and there are
12 names that the public can vote on, and the 4 names with the most votes will be chosen for the
other 4 Avon snowplows.
Mayor Smith Hymes read the names that everyone can vote on through Engage Avon starting
tomorrow and encouraged the public to please go and vote. The names are: Champagne Plowder,
Heart of the Valley Sally, Plowabunga Dude!, Plowder Day, Powder Patrol, Plowy McPOWFace, Rocky
Plowboa, Slush Puppy, Snow Bully, Sprinkles, Street Farmer, and The Big Leplowski.
Councilor Thuon suggested to give the name Mikey T to the snowplow that Mike Trujillo used to
drive.
AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY MARCH 23, 2021
SETUP AS A VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM DUE TO COVID-19
5.4. PRESENTATION: WATER SUPPLY MASTER PLANNING #1 (LINN BROOKS, GENERAL MANAGER AT THE ERWSD)
Video Start Time: 00:43:05 Part One
Jason Cowles, Linn Brooks and Diane Johnson with the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District
joined the meeting , showed a PPT presentation explaining a water supply master planning
introduction and answered several questions from Council.
Council expressed this was a great presentation and very helpful insight on the background of
the master planning that is scheduled for a presentation at the second meeting in April. Council
discussed landscaping and irrigation best practices and recommendations.
Mayor Smith Hymes asked for public comments and no public comments were made.
The second presentation will come before Council in April.
5.5. PRESENTATION : MI CASA AVON P ROGRAM (TOWN MANAGER ERIC HEIL )
Video Start Time: 01:38:55 Part One
Town Manager Eric Heil explained it is time to revisit the Mi Casa Avon program, the Town's
deed restricted housing program that launched in June 2020. He explained that the inventory
has been very low in the last 6 months and the prices are increasing. For those reasons, he said,
staff asks Council to consider increasing the max cap from $75,000 to $100,000 per transaction.
Mayor Smith Hymes asked for public comments and no public comments were made.
After Council discussion on this cap and the market , Mayor Pro Tem Philips moved to direct
staff to increase the Mi Casa Avon cap to $100K while maintaining the percentage cap at 12%.
Councilor Hardy seconded th e motion and the motion passed with a vote of 5 to 2. Councilors
Prince and Andrade voted no.
5.6. PRESENTATION : SPECIAL EVENTS MILESTONES (CASE MANAGER DANITA DEMPSEY)
Video Start Time: 01:58:11 Part One
CASE Manager Danita Dempsey joined the virtual meeting and presented the proposed events
for this summer with the anticipation for Public Health Orders (PHO) to change soon. She
expressed that she is in close communication with the Eagle County to be able to pull the t rigger
on a health order variance should that be needed. She then took Council through the milestone
dates and explained that if we wait, it will be too late to do anything. She mentioned that all
contracts will have PHO clauses so the Town is not at risk if any event cannot take place.
Councilor Underwood expressed that Salute to the USA in 2021 will be a new opportunity to
promote public transportation to get to the event from different points, including Freedom Park
in Edwards. Councilor Thuon wondered if drought anticipated for this summer will affect the
fireworks show and to consider alternatives like a laser show. Councilor Prince said he made a
180-degree switch from where he was 12 months ago, and he is fully supportive of funding
events instead o f the putting a break on events like 12 months ago. He believes it is going to be
a record year and he is all in. The majority of Council was supportive to move forward and have
a busy 2021 events season .
AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY MARCH 23, 2021
SETUP AS A VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM DUE TO COVID-19
5.7. NOTICE OF AWARD: AVON ROAD PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS BETWEEN ROUNDABOUTS 1 AND 2 (TOWN
ENGINEER , JUSTIN HILDRETH)
Video Start Time: 00:00:05 Part Two
Town Engineer Justin Hildreth took Council through the project, the history, and a comparison
with photos of other underpasses from Ed wards to East Vail.
Councilor Thuon asked staff if we asked CDOT to pay for this project. Staff explained CDOT does
not have funding available for this project but there is a grant cycle every couple of years that
could potentially work to pay for a part of the project. Councilor Thuon expressed that he favors
a temporary solution for now and to wait for the next grant cyc le and have the State chip in. He
strongly disagrees and said he finds this a very irresponsible decision if approved tonight.
Councilor Hardy expressed the situation is really dangerous and if people felt safe to walk/bike
that area, it would be such a gr eat improvement to Town. She suggested we apply for this grant
once we are ready to do the other side of the road.
Councilor Thuon left after his disagreement at 8:09 p.m.
Councilor Thuon rejoined the meeting at 8:13 p.m.
Councilor Underwood expressed full support to improve this area. Councilor Andrade felt the
project should not be split and the 2 sides should be done at the same times, so the public sees
the "true" cost to do both sides. He also wondered if staff has considered metal side protectors.
Mayor Pro Tem Phillips said she agreed with Councilor Andrade on not splitting the project and
looking at both sides is a good idea but said at the same time logistically you need to close part
of the road to get the project underway on one side at a time. She wanted to clear up that CDOT
does not care about our pedestrian safety and grants are unlikely to be awarded for this. She
has heard residents ask for these improvements for years and said this is about pedestrian
safety.
Councilor Prince felt the snowmelt is not in line with the Town’s climate action plans and are
yearly added costs, he also expressed concerns about the proposed landscaping. He suggests
taking this out to a vote of the public. Mayor Smith Hymes sai d she is also bothered by the cost
of this project but believes it is a necessary expenditure and it has been delayed for many years.
She said the Town should try to get money from CDOT but agrees with Mayor Pro Tem Phillips
this may not happen.
Mayor Smith Hymes asked for public comments and there were two public comments: Ruth
Stanley, Avon Resident, said she has walked the underpass many times and understands the
cost is high, but the situation is very dangerous and she supports the improvement.
Jake Wolf, Avon Resident and former Councilor , agrees with Councilor Prince to get a vote of
the people to see who wants to spend this kind of money.
Councilor Prince moved to direct staff to prepare a n informal vote on this matter and send it
out to the people immediately. Councilor Thuon seconded the motion. There was further
Council discussion. There was a roll call and the motion failed with a vote of 2 to 5. Councilors
Andrade, Hardy, Underwood, Mayor Pro Tem Phillips, and Mayor Smith Hymes voted no.
AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY MARCH 23, 2021
SETUP AS A VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM DUE TO COVID-19
Councilor Underwood then moved to authorize the awarding of the Underpass Project Phase I
to the low bidder, Gould Construction in the amount of $956,214 and adjust the project budget
to $1,051,835 to fund a project contingency, inspections and construction administration within
the Capital Improvement Project line item . Mayor Pro Tem Phillips seconded th e motion. There
was further Council discussion. There was a roll call and the motion passed with a vote of 4 to
3. Councilors Prince, Andrade and Thuon voted no.
5.9. ADDED ITEM: NOTICE OF AWARD: HARRY A. NOTTINGHAM PARK, WEST IMPROVEMENTS (TOWN ENGINEER
JUSTIN HILDRETH )
Video Start Time: 01:17:14 Part Two
This item was pulled from the consent agenda. Town Engineer Justin Hildreth answered several
questions from Council, including topics like the soccer fields , a porta potty enclosure, Trash &
Recycle receptacles , and the chain-link fencing which is bent and worn. He explained this is a
landscaping project and benches and trash/recycle containers will be added, but a porta potty
enclosure is not included, and a new chain -link fence is not part of the scope of work either.
Mayor Smith Hymes asked for public comments and no public comments were made.
Councilor Underwood moved to authorize issuance of the Notice of Award for the Harry A.
Nottingham Park West Landscape Improvements Project contract to the low bidder, Rocky
Mountain Custom Landscapes, in the amount of $271,017 and in the next budget amendment
appropriate an additional $38,000 from the Capital Projects Fund for this project and direct
staff to work on the other expense items discussed tonight . Mayor Pro Tem Phillips seconded
the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
5.8. CONSENT AGENDA
Video Start Time: 01:35:27 Part Two
5.8.1. NOTICE OF AWARD: HARRY A. NOTTINGHAM PARK, WEST IMPROVEMENTS (TOWN ENGINEER JUSTIN
HILDRETH )
5.8.2. NOTICE OF AWARD: RECREATION CENTER LOCKER ROOM REMODEL PROJECT (TOWN ENGINEER JUSTIN
HILDRETH AND RECREATION DIRECTOR JOHN CURUTCHET )
5.8.3. APPROVAL OF MARCH 9, 2021 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (TOWN CLERK BRENDA TORRES)
Mayor Pro Tem Phillips mov ed to approve the consent agenda consisting of items 5.8.2. and
5.8.3. Councilor Andrade seconded th e motion and the motion passed unanimously.
6. WRITTEN REPORTS
6.1. March 16th Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Abstract (Planner David McWilliams)
6.2. Monthly Financial Report (Senior Accountant Joel McCracken)
6.3. Mountain Health Care Coalition (Manager of Human Resources, Safety & Risk Management
Karyne Spadi)
AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY MARCH 23, 2021
SETUP AS A VIRTUAL MEETING VIA ZOOM DUE TO COVID-19
7. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS & MEETING UPDATES
Video Start Time: 01:36:13 Part Two
Councilor Hardy reported that she attended a meeting of the committee that organized the Pride in the
Park event in Avon. She said she learned a lot and she is planning to be involved and helpful as best as
she can in the planning of their next event.
Councilor Thuon asked about the new snowplows, the rings for the road, and yield signs across the tracks.
Town Manager Eric Heil explained the Town is not purchasing new ones right now, just naming 5 of them.
Town Engineer Justin Hildreth said that when overlays are done, the rings get adjusted as best as
possible, and sometimes the Town will have to partner with Holy Cross Electric to get it done.
Mayor Smith Hymes reminded Councilors to complete the survey for the Town Manager Evaluation by
April 2nd.
9. ADJOURN
There being no further business before Council, Mayor Smith Hymes moved to adjourn the regular
meeting. The time was 9:26 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.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Brenda Torres, Town Clerk
APPROVED:
Sarah Smith Hymes ___________________________________
Amy Phillips
Chico Thuon
Scott Prince
Tamra Underwood
Lindsay Hardy
RJ Andrade