TC Minutes 10-13-1987E
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR AVON TOWN COUNCIL
MEETING HELD OCTOBER 13, 1987 - 7:30 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Avon, Colorado,
was held in the Municipal Building, 400 Benchmark Road, Avon, Colorado,
in the Council Chambers.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Allan Nottingham at 7:46 p.m.
A roll call was taken with Emilie Harrison, Steve Miller, Clint
Watkins, Al Connell and Jerry Davis present. Councilwoman McRory
was absent. Also present were Town Attorney John Dunn, Town Manager
Bill James, Director of Engineering/Community Development Norm
Wood, Planning Consultant Jim Lamont, Chief of Police Joe Olson,
as well as, members of the press and public.
The Mayor called for Citizen Input.
The Mayor asked the Resort Association to proceed with their
presentation. The Resort Association had discussed and reviewed the
request for funding earlier in the work session, but because of
lack of time, the Mayor requested that the Association return during
the evening meeting to continue their presentation.
Councilman Miller had concerns on three issues; 1) Accountability;
2) detailed budget for the Resort Association; and 3) Beaver Creek's
own idenity, and the fact that Vail Associates wants Beaver Creek
to stand alone. Councilman Miller asked if that would hinder the
current Association.
Kevin Payne stated that; 1) he would be willing to report to the Council
as often as they wished him too; 2) he would supply a detailed budget
to the Council in approximately three weeks, since they were in the
midst of the budget at the present time; and 3) Mr. Payne indicated
that even though there is a sense of pulling the two ski areas apart,
there was also a sense of bringing the valley closer together.
He stated there was some opportunities through the reservation system
to bring about a closer working relationship between the three basic
lodging entities. He felt that it would help bring the valley closer
together. He felt that Vail Associates would continue to support
Avon's efforts.
Councilman Davis stated that he was impressed with the work that the
Resort Association was doing. He was seeing a concerted effort by a
lot of business people, and were showing some leadership. Councilman
Davis asked if there could be something done as far as the luncheons
and the business after hours. He felt that there could be some
improvement in that area, as far as, business people attending.
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Councilman Watkins stated that last year the Council appropriated
$35,000 to the Resort Association because of special needs and
circumstances, and during the year, the Town contributed an additional
$15,000. He asked that, where along the line could the Council
anticipate a report of how well the Resort was doing, and when did
the normal contribution jump from $35,000 to $50,000.
Mr. Payne stated that it happened in 1986. He stated that there
were problems that the Chamber had to overcome. He stated that a
lot of that money was spent to help support the reservation system,
which was in the office at that time. He stated then in 1987, the
Town contributed $35,000, and the additional $15,000 was contingent
on some achievement levels. The additional funds were received
in the month of February.
Councilman Watkins stated that the Council was told, that through
the years, the Town's contribution would be reduced as the Resort
Association progressed.
He stated that the Town now furnishes office space and also in-kind
services, and asked if there was any other areas that the Resort
Association could see, where the Town could do more of a in-kind
contribution other than cash.
Mr. Payne indicated not at the present time.
Ron Mellon, President of the Association stated that the Town's
monitary commitment should not be reduced, or should it be increased,
but should be weighed on the basis of need and production. He
stated that the Association, in the long term, needs a stable
kind of funding that preceeds from a tax base kind of funding. He
stated that it gave a solid economic kind of support that allowed the
Resort Association to go out and sign a contract with big names
for the Special Events.
It was requested that the Resort Association report to the Council
on a quarterly basis. Mr. Payne agreed.
The Mayor thanked Mr. Payne for his presentation and stated that the
Council would take his funding request into consideration at the
budget discussions.
Jeff Nading, Project Manager for Ringland, Johnson, Crowley Construction
gave a progress report on the Community Shopping Center.
Cherie Paller, Director of the Women's Resource Center, Approached the
Council. Ms. Paller stated that the Resource Center receives about
150 crisis calls per year. She stated that the center had been
subsidized by a number of groups, such as, State and Federal grants,
Town of Vail, and the County. She stated that 1/3 of their crisis
calls were from the Avon area.
Ms. Paller was requesting a contribution of $10,000 from Avon.
She stated that they were planning to form a Task Force to investigate
the feasibility of a county-wide Mandatory Arrest Policy for domestic
violence cases. She stated they were also researching a much needed
Teen Hotline for Eagle County.
After discussion, the Mayor thanked Ms. Paller for her presentation
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and stated that the Council would take her request into consideration
at the 1988 budget discussions.
Ed Drager, Board Member of the Vail Community Theater, approached
the Council. Mr. Drager stated that he was requesting a combined
sum of $4,000 in contributions. He stated that the Vail Community
Theater was a group that was formed to pick up the community
theater operations that were formerly handled, funded, and administered
by the Vail Institute, which has now been dissolved.
He stated that most of the work has been done with donated labor and
talent. He stated that they need to fund necessary skilled help.
They also need help with the rental of the facility and certain other
costs that they need to front, and are not guaranteed will be
returned to the organization in ticket sales.
The Mayor thanked Mr. Drager for his presentation, and stated that
the Council would take his request into consideration at the budget
discussions.
Chuck Betcher with the Vail Mountain Rescue Group,
Council. Mr. Betcher was requesting a donation of
to go toward their county-wide base communications
After discussion, the Mayor thanked Mr. Betcher fo
and stated that the Council would take his request
at the budget discussions.
approached the
$1,000 from Avon
system.
r his presentation,
into consideration
K.T. Gazunis, Director of the Eagle County Economic Development
Corporation, approached the Council.'
She stated that this was the first year that the Eagle County Economic
Development Corporation was a professional organization,, She stated
that last year, it was a volunteer organization. She stated that she
appreciated Avon's support, not only in cash contributions, but also
in the town's staff's time and talent.
She stated that all groups in the county were participating, including,
all utility companies, and some other private interest organizations,
such as, the Board of R.b:altors~
She stated that their goals for next year, were not only to have people
know who they were, but also would start a lot more pro-active out
reach, of talking to businesses outside the county about relocation,
expansion, and corporate offices in the county. It would be more of a
sales minded effort.
She stated that their budget requests for this year would be frozen
at the public sector level, except at the county. The county request
had gone up considerably. She stated that the balance of the projected
budget for next year, and the increases on the projected budget would
be directly from the private sector. Ms. Gazunis was requesting
a contribution of $2,000. She had hoped that she could come before
Council on a quarterly basis, to bring the Council up to date on their
progress.
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The Mayor thanked Ms. Gazunis for her presentation and stated that
her request would be taken into consideration at the budget discussions.
Terry Halverson one of the Board of Directors for the Mountain Man
Triathlon, approached the Council.
Mr. Halverson stated that the Directors were requesting a $5,000
contribution for the 1988 event, which was scheduled for January
30, 1988. He stated that this would be the sixth year for this prime
event. He stated that due to several circumstances beyond their
control; 1) that a change in personnel at Anheuser-Busch resulting
in a slower than usual funding process; and 2) that ABC's inability
to cover the 1988 event, because of their olympic commitment, the
Board of Directors were asking for additional funds from the Town of
Avon.
After discussion, the Mayor thanked Mr. Halverson for his presentation
and stated that the Council would take his request into consideration
at the budget discussions.
Another issue that Mr. Halverson brought to the attention of the
Council, was the possibility to have the Town of Avon install bronze
sculpture images throughout Avon.
He stated that Driscol Gallery and the International Sculpture Art
Center(I.S.A.C.) would endeavor to support a sculpture program for
Avon. If the sculpture were installed, and the Town agreed, then they
would request a donation of $6,000 to $7,000 for a pedestal for the
sculpture.
After discussion, the Mayor thanked Mr. Halverson for his presentation
and stated that the Council would take his request into consideration
at the budget discussions.
The Town Attorney's report was next presented to the Council.
Mr. Dunn stated that he had conversed with one of the attorney's which
was representing one of the Mechanics Lien's Claimants. He stated that
they discussed the possibility of conducting the Town's Foreclosure
Sale along with the Mechanics Lien Foreclosure Sale, the goal being,
to move the Sale along faster to that the whole process would be
brought to a conclusion. He stated that he agreed, as long as, the
Town was guaranteed payment. He stated that he would inform the
Council as it progressed.
Mr. Dunn stated that in respect to the Wilson/McAdams Litigation, he
filed a Petition for a re-hearing with the Court of Appeals, which
was denied. He stated that he would file a Petition with the Colorado
Supreme Court if the Council so desired him to do so.
After discussion, Councilman Watkins moved to authorize the Town
Attorney to file a Petition with the Colorado Supreme Court. The
motion was seconded by Councilman Miller and was unanimously carried.
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Next on the agenda was the discussion on transportation.
The Town Manager reviewed the short fall of revenues that were not
being collected. He stated due to those short falls, he was
recommending that the Council eliminate the bus service for Avon.
He stated that if Avon continued the bus service, the Town would
find themselves in a deficit. He stated that the Town could not
go into a cash deficit, which was a automatic $41,000 at the end
of 1988, and $36,000 at the end of 1987.
The hard cost for the bus operations were $200,000, that the Town
would have to cover. If the local service was to continue, the
operating costs would run between $30,000 to $60,000, which would
reduce the hard costs between $165,000 to $195,000.
Mr. Dunn stated that he had conversed with the attorney who represents
both Christie Lodge Owners Association and Falcon Pointe Owners
Association. Mr. Dunn stated that their attorney was not anxious
to litigate, but was certainly willing to talk, and that the amount
of tax owed was really worrying the Owners Association.
Mr. Dunn stated that Christie Lodge indicated that they would not
only pay the tax, but they would go so far as to sue the Town.
Councilman Davis stated that he was appalled at the lack of support
and cooperation that the Town has constantly seen from the particular
organization, and could not justify the Town picking up the tab.
Duane Stzernholm, Regional Sales Manager for Wynfield Inn, approached
the Council. He stated that without the shuttle system, the Town
may as well save the Resort Association's request of the $50,000,
because the negative word of mouth impact that it would have on the
lodging community, would negate all the Resort's efforts.
He stated that they have been working on their winter advertising
forms, and the advertising states that there was free shuttle to
Beaver Creek Ski Area. He stated that a lot of the reservations were
already on the books. He felt it was really bad timing on the
Town's part to pull out.
Mike Bennett, Manager with Beaver Creek West, approached the Council.
He stated that a few months ago, there was an option given to the
lodging community to either go with higher taxes or no bus service.
The lodging community went with the higher taxes. He stated that it
was a function of the Town, or County, to provide this service.
He requested that before the Council makes their decision, that they
allow the lodging community two weeks to work out a solution for the
short fall for this year, 87/88 season.
Kevin Payne stated that there was a meeting scheduled with the lodging
community tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. He stated that the Council was
invited to set in on those discussions.
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Councilman Davis stated that there was a need for a real solution,
and would want to see a possible solution in a week's time rather than
two weeks.
Councilwoman Harrison stated that it was a very serious problem for
the lodging community, and felt they need every opportunity to work
on this matter.
After discussion, Councilwoman Harrison moved to set up a Special
Meeting Tuesday, October 20, 1987 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the
transportation matter. The motion was seconded by Councilman Connell
and was unanimously carried.
Next on the agenda was the State Highway Department - 5 year Improvement
Program. Norm Wood stated that the Town received a letter from
Eagle County requesting information on projects that the Town of
Avon would like to have included in the State Highway Department - 5
year Highway Improvement Program. This information must be
submitted by October 15, 1987 for consideration by the Board of
County Commissioners on October 19, 1987. Mr. Wood recommended that
Council direct staff to prepare a request for inclusion of Avon Road
Improvements and also Separated Grade Crossing in the State Highway
Department - 5 year Improvement Program.
Councilman Miller so moved. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Davis and was unanimously carried.
Councilman Davis stated that in respect to the I-70 Corridor Study
on Hazardous Materials, he felt the Town should pursue a unified force
to deal with not only Nuclear Waste Materials, but other potential
dangers as well.
Councilman Miller stated he also had the same concerns. A meeting
had been scheduled for October 20, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. in Vail on the
I-70 Corridor Study. He felt that Avon should be represented at that
meeting. The Council agreed.
In respect to the review of the proposed 1988 budget, it was agreed
that this be continued until Tuesday, October 20, 1987 at a 4:30 p.m.
work session. The Council agreed.
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The Financial Matt8rg wre next presented t9 the Council.
Councilman Watkins moved to receive items #1 through #10, and to
approve the General Fund of Accounts Payable for October 13, 1987,
to approve the Reconciliation Sheet of Accounts Payable for October
13, 1987. The motion was seconded by Councilman Connell and was
unanimously carried.
Councilman Miller moved approval of the September 22nd,, 1987 Council
Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Watkins and was unanimously carried.
Councilman Connell informed the Council that he would be attending
a meeting at Garfield County next Wednesday in respect to translators.
Also attending that meeting would be Jim Lamont and Cal Thomas.
There being, no further business to come before the Council, Councilman
Miller moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Watkins. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Nottingham at 10:34 p.m.
SPECT)FULLY SUBMITTED,:
a-~ricia j. DoTle, Tawit /Cler
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