Town Council Highlights: Work Session Briefs

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.Town of Vail - Town Council - Town Council Highlights - Archive - October 2, 2001 Page 2 of 10 rooms offered by the Vail Village Inn. For more information, see evening meeting briefs or contact Allison Ochs at 479 -2369. I -- Alternative Building Materials Also in preparation for the evening meeting, the Council reviewed an ordinance to amend the town code to allow for additional flexibility in Design Review Board approval of alternative building materials. The ordinance outlines criteria to be used in evaluating such materials, including appearance, architectural style, design, color, texture, quality, durability and compatibility. During discussion, Councilmember Sybill Navas expressed concerns about what she described as "ambiguity" offered by the criteria, noting the ordinance gives the DRB absolute veto power which may not have been the intent of the legislation. The ordinance was later approved on first reading by a 6 -1 vote with Navas against. For more information, contact Bill Gibson in the Community Development Department at 479 -2173. -- Continuation of 2002 Budget Discussion During a review of the 2002 budget, Councilmembers directed Town Manager Bob McLaurin to develop an alternate document capping revenues and expenses at or below the revised 2001 figures, a differenc of between $4.5 and $5 million. McLaurin said those cuts could come fro a combination of deferring several capital projects, delaying implementation of the winter bus schedule, cutting two new firefighter positions as well as several new seasonal positions to augment the Vail Standards program. Councilmembers also suggested deferring several technology projects, including an ecommerce component for the town's Web site. McLaurin suggested retaining a proposed 5.5 percent employ merit increase in June, with the understanding the raises wouldn't be activated unless and until revenue forecasts meet projections. However, Councilmember Diana Donovan advocated adoption of a budget that would put salary increases on hold, saying it would send an important message to the community. While Councilmember Sybil[ Navas advocat the need for additional cuts, she also expressed support for moving forward with a library renovation project that had been deferred to allow resolution of community uses for the Donovan Park pavilion project, the Vail Center and the former Bright Horizons space. Navas said it was distressing to see the library project continue to be held up by inconclusi decisions on the other facilities. Councilman Kevin Foley expressed concerns about the costs of replacement of a microwave tower that provides radio frequency for the dispatch center, noting the expenses should have been identified sooner and shared with other emergency services agencies who use the center. Also during the discussion, Councilmembers Chuck Ogilby and Rod Slifer expressed support for the http: / /www.ci.vail.co.us /town council/highlights /archive /2001 /011002.htm 01/30/2002