Wednesday, November 27, 2024

EVMD Board Meeting 11/21/2024 Recap

This is an unofficial summary of the Nov. 21, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the EagleVail Metropolitan District produced by EVMD Communications staff. A draft of the minutes will be posted to the EVMD website once they are composed.

Board members present: McGuire, Hopkins, Laughlin, Barcza, and Copeland (virtually)

BOARD ACTION:

Board passes unanimously: 2025 Budget that includes setting Mill Levies; 2025 Activity Rates; May 2025 Election.

Fire Station Disposition Discussion

District Manager Steven Barber and planning consultant Sean Hanagan, High Summit Planning, presented. Board directed staff to move forward with the Request for Proposal sale process.

The disposition of the EagleVail Fire Station, owned by the EagleVail Metro District, has been a recurring agenda item, discussed with the board and during various work sessions over the past several years.
The steering committee, comprising Joanna Hopkins, Betsy Laughlin, Sean Hanagan, and Steven Barber, continues to make progress on the fire station’s disposition. An updated valuation will consider both current commercial zoning and potential residential zoning options, helping to better inform the Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
A letter of intent to sell the property has been submitted to Eagle County, and the garage space renter has been formally notified of the impending sale.
The RFP is scheduled for publication within the coming weeks and will remain open for 60 days. A mandatory site visit is planned for mid-January 2025 to give potential buyers a detailed look at the property. Bids will be due in early February, with a targeted closing in late spring, pending board approval and further direction.
Hanagan explained that in order to maximize the parcel’s sale value and limit any impacts to the EagleVail community (the property is currently zoned commercial with residential allowed), the Metro District is pursuing its unique ability as a quasi-governmental agency to use Location & Extent powers. This is a shortened entitlement process opportunity that must be completed prior to the property’s sale.
Hanagan walked through the options and pros/cons therein: sell ‘as is’; sell with a zoning change; subdivide and sell with a zoning change.
Barber said a new appraisal value has been completed and is a bit higher than three years ago. Eagle County has been notified of the intent to dispose of the property and is interested in the fire station RFP process as they currently manage the tenant portion of the building; tenants have been put on a month-to-month lease.
Public comment discussion clarified that the Sherriff’s Department building adjacent to the fire station has a lease until 2091 and cannot be terminated.

COURTS UPDATE AND REQUEST FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS ENHANCEMENTS

Mike Kieler, on behalf of the Courts Committee, presented.

Current pickleball court situation:
- Eight terrific outdoor pickleball courts in EagleVail;
- Daily use is maximized through the outdoor season (~April – Oct);
- The problem: Ingress and egress to half of the courts - courts 5, 6, 7, and 8 interrupt play on courts 3 and 4.
Suggested solutions:
- Add 3’x130’ raised wooden walkway on pool side of existing fence;
- Add 3 entry gates through existing pool side fence:

➢ One for access to Court 2
➢ One for access to Court 5
➢ One for access to Courts 6, 7 and 8

- Add fence near top of pool mound to:

➢ Provide PB viewing area
➢ Easier errant ball retrieval

Board discussion: Clarification of sales tax use for a Parks & Recreation sidewalk (while allowed under state statute, a vote by Metro District members would likely have to occur.) Encouraged Courts Committee to continue to price out the proposed enhancements as Board generally supportive. Brent Barnum, Superintendent of Golf Course & Parks, explained that landscape/irrigation/drainage design work would likely be necessary to allow for the court improvements. Barber said he and Barnum would evaluate the site and come back with proposed design work necessary.

EAST END PHASE II PRESENTATION

Norris Design Group presented an update on Phase II moving forward with updated concept imagery of the athletic field, additional parking and shade structures; cost estimates; and implementation timeline. Goal is to move into construction documents that will be sent to bid early 2025. Construction is expected to start in Fall of 2025 and move into Spring of 2026 with completion. Board discussion noted support for a synthetic field and appreciation for costs between synthetic and sod options very close to neutral; as well as improving safe access to Homestake Peak School, a community priority based on feedback.

https://www.eaglevail.org/Community-Corner/phase-ii-east-end-project-conceptual-design.

MANAGEMENT UPDATES TO BOARD MEMBERS

Skier Shuttle: Barber is working with Epic Mountain Express to start shuttle service to Vail only on Friday, Dec. 13, operating 50+ days during the 2024-25 season. This community amenity is paid for by sales tax dollars; proof of residency is required to ride the shuttle. https://www.eaglevail.org/Community-Corner for more details about operating hours and how you can obtain your residency card.
West Park: https://www.eaglevail.org/Community-Corner highlights the no street parking restrictions for those wanting to sled at West Park.
The EagleVail Courts are scheduled to close on Monday, Nov. 25; the Everkrisp Trail closed on Nov. 23 and will reopen June 20 for elk habitat and calving.
Communications: Efforts continue to make communications a priority for the Metro District, using a wide variety of tools to reach out to constituents and guests, including the newsletter. The Fall/Winter edition will be available sometime in late December/early January. Copies will be made available at our amenities throughout the community and on our community website. Continue to work with Kristin as we head into the New Year to help communicate all of the projects we have scheduled in 2025. Coffee Chats will resume in the Spring; State of EagleVail social event: April 9, 5 -7 p.m.
CDOT roundabout project in EagleVail (not an EVMD project): Barber reported that the information he has heard is that project work should wrap up during the third week of December and open to regular traffic with temporary traffic lights. Construction and completion expected to resume in the Spring.

Golf Courses & Parks:

Hats off to staff for a great summer season and Fall transition to Winter.
Creating ice rink on shallow end of Pavilion Pond as a pilot project.
In the coming weeks, and when conditions exist, will begin to pack down and groom the Nordic Track. Last season a Nordic-only track was implemented on holes 2 and 6. This season, staff’s recommendation is to increase the Nordic-only track on Hole 1 and at the practice range. The additional 1.5 kilometers of track will give a better understanding on how the community will react to the new concept prior to spending capital dollars on new equipment and increased labor costs.
Barcza appreciated the efforts to increase winter recreation; suggested getting community feedback on the Nordic terrain, foot traffic areas, etc. throughout the winter. Avon may have good practices to share regarding hockey ice at Nottingham Lake.
McGuire asked when slash pile burning will begin: Between New Year and mid-February when better snow base.
The golf simulator is scheduled to open for reservations starting Monday, Dec. 2. Typically start seeing demand for usage increase in January and February. The simulator will be available Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the main clubhouse.
The Pavilion is on track for this year’s forecast. As it stands, the Pavilion has 98% of the year’s rental fee adopted budget booked and about 97% of the year’s total event revenue. Holiday parties continue to book for December.

2025 EVMD BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING, DISCUSSION & APPROVAL

Jon Erickson, presented, explaining not much has changed in the proposed 2025 budget reviewed by the EVMD Board at a special Nov. 7 work session.
McGuire commented that he still felt the resurfacing of the walking bridge at Hole 12 was not necessary.
No public comment. Board passes 2025 Budget unanimously.

2025 ACTIVITY RATES HEARING, DISCUSSION & APPROVAL

Board passes unanimously.

Proposed Amendment for 2024 Budget

Opened public hearing for amendment to 2024 Budget. No public comment. Continued until January meeting.

FINANCIAL REPORTS

October 2024 Financial Reports – No changes from last month.
Discussion: Hit budget for 2024 sales tax collection? Tracking overall but a bit behind.

EVMD MAY 2025 ELECTION RESOLUTION

Jon Erickson presented.

There will be three board seats available in 2025. These positions are for four-year terms, expiring in 2029. Current Directors Betsy Laughlin and Lauren Barcza are eligible for reelection, while Tim McGuire is term-limited and unable to run again. The regular special district election to be held on May 6, 2025, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. This is a polling place election and will be held at the EagleVail Pavilion;
Absentee Ballots: applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official no later than the close of business on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election day (April 29, 2025);
Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are available at the Designated Election Official’s office located at 28 Second Street, Suite 213, Edwards, Colorado 81632. All candidates must file a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form with the Designated Election Official no earlier than Jan. 1, 2025, nor later than the close of business on Friday, February 28, 2025.

All special districts eligible for May elections.
Board passed unanimously a resolution calling for the 2025 Regular District Election and Appointing a Designated Election Official.

Executive Session for Personnel Matters. No action was taken coming out of Executive Session.