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TC Minutes 11-09-2021AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2021 SET UP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Video Start Time: 00:00:01 The meeting was hosted in a Hybrid format, in person at Avon Town Hall and using Zoom. us. Mayor Smith Hymes called the Council regular meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. A roll call was taken, and Council members present in person were Amy Phillips, Scott Prince, Tamra Underwood, R1 Andrade, and Chico Thuon. Councilor Lindsay Hardy joined via Zoom. Also present were Planning Director Matt Pielsticker, Mobility Director Eva Wilson, Chief of Police Greg Daly, Interim Town Attorney Karl Hanlon, Town Manager Eric Heil, General Government Manager Ineke de Jong, and Town Clerk Brenda Torres. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Video Start Time: 00:00:33 There were no changes made to the agenda. Councilor Underwood moved to approve the agenda as presented. Mayor Pro Tern 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: 00:01:00 For agenda item 5.5, Resolution 21-24 Riverfront Trail Easement Amendment, Councilor Prince said his son is a part-time employee of East West Resorts and said he feels it is not a conflict of interest and requested to stay on, but he just wanted to provide that disclosure. Councilor Underwood moved to declare that Councilor Prince does not have a conflict of interest with respect to item 5.5. Riverfront Trail Easement Amendment, now standing that his son, who is a dependent, is a part-time employee of the applicant. Mayor Pro Tern Phillips seconded the motion and the motion passed with a vote of 6 to 0. Councilor Prince abstained from the vote. Councilor Hardy disclosed she is working on a project directly with East West Partners on Lot 1 Riverfront and potentially has a conflict with agenda item 5.5 Riverfront Trail Easement Amendment. Councilor Underwood moved to declare that Councilor Hardy does not have a conflict of interest with respect to item 5.5 Riverfront Trail Easement Amendment, now standing that she and her firm have done/are doing any work on the other side of the Riverfront project on Lot 1. Mayor Pro Tern Phillips seconded the motion and the motion passed with a vote of 6 to 0. Councilor Hardy abstained from the vote. Mayor Smith Hymes gave a brief summary on the last Tuesday's elections. She said the three Avon related ballot questions passed, the Issue 2C for Short -Term Rental Tax with over 70%, and the attempts to recall Councilor Underwood and herself passed with almost a 74% (therefore they both remain in office). She mentioned this was an off -term election and, that given that fact, the turnout county wide was higher than the states, and Avon's turnout was impressive as well. She expressed Council is happy to put the recall behind them and to have a funding source for housing, on which Council will start working actively to put that money to good use in the community. AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2021 Avon SET UP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO 4. PUBLIC COMMENT Video Start Time: 00:06:19 Mayor Smith Hymes explained to the public how to participate via video/audio, via telephone, or via email for public comments. Michelle Stecher, an Avon resident, commented. She said she is present tonight for the Colorado Gives Day and that she serves on the School Board of Education. She thanked Council for their service. There were no virtual public comments. 5. BUSINESS ITEMS 5.1. PROCLAMATION EAGLE COUNTY GIVES DAY 2021 (SARAH HEREDIA GRASSROOTS COMMITTEE OF THE EAGLE COUNTY GIVES COLLABORATIVE) Video Start Time: 00:07:50 Tsu Wolin -Brown, together with Michelle Stecher, John Weiss and Alan Himelfarb, members of the Eagle County Gives group, were present in -person. Tsu Wolin -Brown expressed they are present to promote Colorado Gives Day and requested Council to officially proclaim Tuesday December 7th as Colorado Gives Day to support this effort and raise awareness. She said the goal is to surpass the 2020 funds raised and said that a donation can be pre -scheduled now online. Mayor Smith Hymes then read the official proclamation and pronounced December 7, 2021 as Colorado Gives Day. The group took a photo with Council members. 5.2. PRESENTATION OF WALKING MOUNTAIN SCIENCE CENTER ENERGY PROGRAM (NIKKI MALINE, WALKING MOUNTAINS SCIENCE SCHOOL) Video Start Time: 00:14:02 Nikki Maline, Energy Programs Director, gave a quick recap on the 2021 home energy assessments, residential, business, and multifamily rebates, and carbon savings; and talked about the 2021-`22 funds. She pointed out that the numbers in the slideshow have been updated since the packet went out as they were reflecting Avon addresses only and excluded addresses in the metro district surrounding Avon. She mentioned that the Town of Vail, Town of Eagle, the Edwards Metro District and Eagle County all contribute to this program. She said the amount of $40,000 they are requesting would provide Avon residents double rebates, additional incentives, and more discounts. Town Manager Eric Heil said that the Town has an energy offset fund. He said $40,000 cannot be guaranteed every year but he feels comfortable that this amount can be afford out of this fund this year if Council feels supportive. He said this would be a great way to accomplish the purpose of that funding. Mayor Smith Hymes called for public comments and no public comments were made. AV RE L R IVIES N M E ON GU A TI G INUT S Avon TUESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2021 SET UP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO Town Manager Eric Heil said no motion is needed only the direction from Council that they are supportive of the $40,000 in funding requested to be included in the 2022 budget. Council agreed. 5.3. PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED 2022 BUDGET (FINANCE MANAGER Amy GREER) Video Start Time: 00:33:09 Finance Manager Amy Greer presented the proposed 2022 budget and explained the memo in the packet highlights the changes requested by Council since the last meeting on October 26th and the budget retreat on October 29th. She answered Council questions. Councilor Underwood asked about the community housing fund. She mentioned a couple of years ago she requested that Finance Director Scott Wright to make sure that the annual sponsor fee ($15,000) paid from the non-profit Kayak Crossing Affordable Housing Corporation to the Town, goes to the community housing fund and not to the general fund and she wants to make sure it still happens. She also mentioned the current situation with the old fire station and the Public Works Department's needs. Town Manager Eric Heil said he is working on a presentation for the November 16th meeting regarding this situation and proposed adding more funds and include building and facilities and maybe engineering to make it work for the Public Works Department. Councilor Prince requested to set aside funds for snowplow truck replacements in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Councilor Thuon agreed with his comments. Mayor Pro Tern asked what is going to happen with the old fire station. Town Manager Eric Heil clarified it is not budgeted to be torn down in 2022 and for this winter the snowplows will be parked in there. He said the Town will work on a design plan to use that space moving forward to see what the cost would be and for how many years it could be used. Majority of Council agreed with his suggestions. Councilor Prince expressed the new Council may change direction and it would be great to get direction or a plan in place soon. Mayor Smith Hymes called for public comments and no public comments were made. 5.4. WORK SESSION: DRAFT PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN (MOBILITY DIRECTOR EVA WILSON) Video Start Time: 01:04:28 Mobility Director Eva Wilson presented this draft parking management plan and outlined the analysis on paid parking. Town Manager Eric Heil expressed this is very preliminary, and if Council decides to pursuit this, there are many more details to go through to see what works best for Avon. Councilor Thuon asked if the Town owns the parking lot where the Sun & Ski store is. Town Manager Eric Heil clarified only half of it. Councilor Andrade had concerns that adding a $14/day parking fee will make it harder for local workers while hiring and retaining staff is already a challenge. Councilor Prince was supportive of a baby step program in isolated areas versus a town wide parking program. He said this is needed on the 36 on -street parking spots on Benchmark Road and at the Recreation Center. Councilor Thuon suggested, getting back to AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2021 Avon SET UP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO Councilor Andrade's comments on the local employees, to maybe making the Sun & Ski parking lot free through an employee stickers program. Councilor Underwood asked about the tiers and thanked all staff involved on working on this draft. Councilor Hardy questioned who benefits the most from this program as there is not a commercial core in town like Breckenridge or Aspen. She said her concern on creating additional staff and what all that will bring regarding housing and salaries. Mayor Smith Hymes wondered if it is the Town's responsibility to provide parking for businesses' staff and said she does not see parking as a revenue, but a parking management program is needed, paid or unpaid. Mayor Pro Tern Phillips asked staff to promote the free underground park -and -ride parking under Traer Creek Plaza and remind people it is easy to park there and then take the ECO bus to Vail or Avon bus to the Elk Lot. She asked to promote and inform the public that there are more parking options other than the 26 spots in front of The Seasons. Mayor Smith Hymes would like to see a more explicit parking map, including how many spaces are there on each place and asked staff to check the restrictions on the Sun & Ski lot. Councilor Andrade does not support any paid parking plan. Councilor Prince wants enforcement and a plan for parking at the Recreation Center but not a paid plan. As a next step, Town Manager Eric Heil asked Council to confirm if they support staff spending more time studying a potential partial paid parking plan. Majority of Council is open to studying it and seeing more information. Councilor Prince and Councilor Andrade were not supportive. Mayor Smith Hymes called for public comments and no public comments were made. 5.5. RESOLUTION 21-24: RIVERFRONT TRAIL EASEMENT AMENDMENT (PLANNING DIRECTOR MATT PIELSTICKER) Video Start Time: 02:00:52 Planning Director Matt Pielsticker presented the resolution and the reasons the path was slightly relocated to make room for landscaping as intended by the Planning and Zoning Commission and Council over 1 year ago. Jim Telling with the EW Riverfront was present to answer questions from Council. Councilor Underwood asked about landscape in Tract H and asked who was responsible to maintain that landscaping. Planning Director Matt Pielsticker responded that the Town is responsible. She mentioned she had requested irrigation from Tract X to be extended to Tract H to cover those bushes before, but she is not sure if it currently does. Jim Telling explained they do not have the ability to irrigate Tract H as they do not control that land. Town Manager Eric Heil explained the situation and said he is already meeting regularly with the Public Works Department to discuss all these issues. Councilor Underwood moved to approve Resolution 21-24 Approving Amendments to the Riverfront Trail Connector Easement on Lot 7, Riverfront Subdivision. Mayor Pro Tem Phillips seconded the motion and the motion passed with a vote of 7 to 0. AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2021 Avon SET UP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO 5.6. NOTICE OF AWARD — US6 MOBILITY IMPROVEMENT: TASK ORDER 1, PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING (MOBILITY DIRECTOR EVA WILSON) Video Start Time: 02:11:31 Mobility Director Eva Wilson presented the notice of award and answered Council questions on the crossings and speed limits. Mayor Pro Tern Phillips moved to authorize the issuance of Notice of Award for the US 6 Mobility Improvement Project: Task Order 1. Preliminary Engineering to Stolfus and Associates in the amount of $124,548 as approved by the Town of Avon Capital Projects Fund. Councilor Thuon seconded the motion and the motion passed with a vote of 7 to 0. 6. MINUTES 6.1. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 26, 2021 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (TOWN CLERK BRENDATORRES) Video Start Time: 02:21:28 Mayor Smith Hymes requested a change on item 5.8 Idling Ordinance to capture a comment she made. She will email that change to Town Clerk Brenda Torres. Councilor Underwood moved to approve the minutes from the October 26' regular meeting as amended. Mayor Pro Tern Phillips seconded the motion and the motion passed with a vote of 7 to 0. 6.2. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 29, 2021 BUDGET RETREAT MEETING MINUTES (GENERAL GOVERNMENT MANAGER INEKE DEJONG Video Start Time: 02:23:25 Councilor Underwood asked to add a sentence on item 5.1 that Council discussed the proposed 2022 budget. Councilor Prince asked staff to add the four general points that were discussed, and he clarified for the public that a property for Real Estate Transfer Tax was listed for Mountain Star but it is actually located in Wildwood. Councilor Prince moved to approve the minutes from the October 29' budget retreat meeting as amended. Mayor Pro Tern Phillips seconded the motion and the motion passed with a vote of 5 to 0. Councilor Andrade and Councilor Hardy were absent and therefore abstained from the vote. 7. WRITTEN REPORTS 7.1. Capital Improvements Project Fall Update (Town Engineer Justin Hildreth) 7.2. El Puente Radio Sponsorship (Marketing & Communications Manager Elizabeth Wood) 8. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS & MEETING UPDATES Video Start Time: 02:25:21 Councilor Thuon said he has four things to ask, first he asked if Bob the bridge still exists as such as the sign is missing. Second, he asked for milestone updates on CIP projects and expressed that it seems like there is little oversight at the I-70 underpass project. He requested that staff keep an eye on those projects as they progress. Third, on the Metcalf Road project, he requested to have someone that can keep track of traffic flows and put back the white lines. And fourth, he asked for an update on the Metcalf AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2021 avon SET UP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO Culvert project. He thanked everybody for being a team player. Mayor Pro Tern Phillips asked Town Manager Eric Heil to confirm that the old Town Hall parking lot will be operational before Beaver Creek opens, which he confirmed. She commented she will attend the ECO transit meeting tomorrow and if fellow Councilors have input, to please let her know. Councilor Underwood mentioned she attended the October 28th NWCCOG meeting and there was an update from Senator Bennett's Office on the SHRED Act. The Act had its hearing and is still sitting in committee, but it looks as if there is a lot of support already. She thanked the Public Works Department for the new bubble mirror on Hurd Lane, which is a simple but very important street improvement that matters. She also thanked the Avon voters who came out to vote and kept the Mayor and herself in Office and who voted to pass the Short -Term Rental ballot question. Lastly, she thanked the very kind citizen that brough Mayor Smith Hymes and herself flowers this evening. Councilor Hardy congratulated Councilor Underwood and Mayor Smith Hymes for beating the recall. She expressed she is under the weather and therefore attending virtual this evening but would encourage her fellow Councilors to attend tomorrow's monthly staff coffee as its always a great event, but she cannot go because of her cold. She asked for a status update on future flood mitigation. Lastly, she expressed she has been opposed to the River Run sign from the beginning and wanted to point out it is very bright at night and to please tone down brightness at night. Councilor Thuon and Mayor Smith Hymes asked staff to look into the clusters of new mailboxes in Wildridge. Councilor Prince apologized for what a small group of residents put Mayor Smith Hymes and Councilor Underwood through this past year. He said that it was a tough year and he said he was sorry they had to go through it. Overall, he called the recall a big waste of money and very challenging for everybody involved. He asked Council to leave it behind and move forward and brought up that Council should look at the code to tighten up language with respect to the signature thresholds for future recalls. Mayor Smith Hymes asked staff to not lock down the basketball/tennis courts at all or so early in the season as they are heavily used. She clarified the misunderstanding about the lights at the Piedmont, and that holiday lights are permitted. She expressed it is so great that old Recreation Center lockers could be reused. She mentioned she and Town Manager Eric Heil attended the second Climate Action Collaborative Governing Board meeting yesterday and there are five initiatives identified that local municipalities will focus on first. She said that CAST has a housing task force on which Town Manager Eric Heil serves to have a voice at the state legislature on community housing in mountain town communities. Lastly, she mentioned that Eagle River Water and Sanitation District has a full-time sustainability coordinator who recently presented interesting data they use to measure progress and she will forward this to staff as a useful example. AVON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2021 Avon SET UP AS A HYBRID MEETING; IN -PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM COLORADO Councilor Prince asked Town Manager Eric Heil to comment on the two letters to the editors in the Vail Daily regarding timeshares at the Front Gate Condominium Development a.k.a. the "big dig." Town Manager Eric Heil confirmed that timeshares are not permitted on the property. 9. ADJOURN There being no further business before Council, Mayor Smith Hymes moved to adjourn the regular meeting. The time was 7:50 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