Monday, October 12, 2026

EVMD Board Meeting 10/8/2026 Recap

10/8/2026 Board Meeting Recap

This is an unofficial summary of the Oct. 8, 2026 Meeting of the Board of Directors of the EagleVail Metropolitan District held at the EagleVail Golf Course Clubhouse and online produced by EVMD Communications staff. A draft of the minutes will be posted to the EVMD website once they are composed.

Board members present: Chair Joanna Hopkins, Vice Chair Betsy Laughlin, Director Terry Copeland, Director Lauren Bracza and Director Fred Rumford.

Public Comment:

Kathleen Brendza, a 28-year resident of Eagle County and fourth-generation Coloradoan, introduced herself as the Democratic candidate for Eagle County Commissioner, and provided an overview of her platform.
An EagleVail resident asked why the driving range netting project was constructed over the July 4 holiday this summer, and how much revenue was lost. Staff said they would follow up with him with answers.

West Park and Coyote Park Update:

Pedro Campos, Zehren & Associates, reviewed the updated rendering of West Park changes based on additional input from neighbors:

A. Court

- Add striping for additional court sports
- No Pickleball
- Extended fence

B. Sandbox

- Keep sandbox

C. Playground Size

- Expand the footprint to provide greater use and play opportunities
- Move/make smaller or eliminate the zip line; preserve as much of the flat area where the proposed zip line currently sits

D. Gazebo

- Refurbishing as needed

E. Shade Structure

- Moved closer to the trees where current benches sit
- Comfortable size is about two picnic tables
- Actual shade design to be reviewed in design phase

Campos then outlined Coyote Park 2027 work, which will be the first phase of Parks Master Plan implementation, pending Board approval during the upcoming 2027 Budget review and approval sessions:

Third largest park within the community and located centrally, and irrigated with potable water.
Has a large area of irrigated lawn (14,000 sf). Irrigation system replacement combined with conversion to drought-tolerant turf species will reduce the overall long-term consumption and cost of potable water. A 30-50% water savings is estimated based on turf conversion and irrigation system replacement.
New asphalt entry ramp and path under 5% will provide compliant ADA access.
The 30-year-old play equipment that is no longer in compliance will be replaced and include features for younger children. Additional bike racks and picnic tables.
Preliminary estimate from Master Plan was $470,000. With the additional budget item to replace the sod, the estimate is now $505,000. This includes a 25% contingency, a 5% escalation factor, and a budget of $47,500 for engineering, design, and surveying in 2027.
Campos said there will be additional community engagement to assist with the playground equipment selection.
Implementation is expected Fall of 2027.

West Park Irrigation – Engineering & Long-term Irrigation Planning.

EVMD Manager Steven Barber and Brent Barnum, Superintendent of Golf Courses and Parks, provided an overview of the recent Request for Proposals (RFP) process and selection.

Four firms submitted proposals for consideration.
Following detailed review, discussion and analysis, the selection committee recommended Azure Engineering.
Azure Engineering is based in Loveland, Colorado and has experience working in the Rocky Mountains.
- Mountain Experience — Familiar with the challenges of designing and maintaining irrigation systems in mountain communities.
- Municipal Experience — Experience working with municipalities and public agencies.
- Practical Approach — Brings a professional, thoughtful approach focused on long-term solutions.
- Direct Partnership — As a small company, Azure can provide direct access to the project team and decision-makers.
- Long-Term Fit — The committee believes Azure is the ideal partner for EVMD's future irrigation planning needs.
What Needs to be Determined?
- Should the existing West Park irrigation system be refurbished or replaced?
- What improvements will provide the best balance of efficiency, reliability and cost?
- Where can EVMD reduce potable water consumption?
- Can the irrigated footprint be reduced without compromising the park?
- How should the system be designed to respond to future drought conditions and water restrictions?
- No West Park construction work has been authorized at this point.
Goals
- Improve irrigation efficiency, reliability and maintainability.
- Reduce potable water consumption and operating costs.
- Reduce the irrigated footprint where appropriate.
- Plan for future drought conditions and water restrictions.
- Minimize construction impacts to park users.
- Develop a preliminary design and cost estimate.
- Provide EVMD with the best long-term value.
Coyote Park:
- Azure's expertise will also support EVMD's planning for the irrigation needs at Coyote Park.
- Coyote Park is currently proposed to be completed around this same time next year, subject to funding approval.
- The objective is to use this planning process to make informed, long-term irrigation decisions—not simply replace what is there today.
Discussion included clarification on pursuing grants, and feedback from those who submitted proposals. Complete overhaul of the nearly 40 yr old irrigation system was consistent feedback.

Communications Update:

Kristin Kenney Williams, Commfluent Inc., said the quarterly Fall Newsletter is currently being drafted. Coffee/apres chats, and committees concluded in September. Committee engagement was strong.

Strat-Ops Update:

Board and staff met Oct. 6 as part of the EVMD’s ongoing strategic planning process. Discussion and action items included:

Capital Reserve Plan: A RFP will be issued to re-evaluate the EVMD’s assets other than the golf course
Par 3 operations will continue to be evaluated
Staff will reach out to the District’s legal counsel to develop a memo and/or presentation outlining the land lease agreements between the District and the State Land Board
An updated staffing plan received initial support and will be reviewed in more detail during the 2027 Budget review process

Management Updates:

Steven Barber, District Manager provided a Fire Station disposition update:

Current items:

- Working through remaining parking challenges.
- Continuing coordination with Ski & Snowboard Club Vail regarding its Special Use Permit.
- Addressing required utility relocations before construction can proceed.
- Current expectation is that the parking lot portion will likely be completed in spring 2027.
- District remains optimistic about executing the sale of the property in early spring 2027 with a rental lease to SSCV until then.

Brent Barnum, Superintendent of Golf Courses and Parks outlined the Fall tasks that are taking place following the golf course closure on Oct. 4, including turf reclamation efforts. He also estimated that EVMD reduced raw water usage by 45%, and potable by 50%.

Mark Sassi, Director of Golf Operations, completed his first season in his new role.

Greens fees: A late season rally is expected to boost revenues that had been sitting slightly below last year.
Play has been less all summer, with more than a 10% difference mid-season, but proud of team efforts despite the lack of water, cart paths-only implementation, fire smoke, and having a range that was closed for six weeks during our peak season.
Sassi said he’s focused on 2027 planning, including growing the PGA side of golf operations; increased Par 3 activity; a full-time driving range attendant; and more robust marketing plans for the golf course, pro shop and the bar and grill.

Kris O’Neill, Manager of Human Resources & Administration:

Parking passes will be up again for renewal on Oct. 16 for the winter season. This winter there will be 10 spaces available for rent in the community garden lot and 12 spots will be available in the driving range lot. There will be no available parking for sale next year from April 16^th – October 15^th.
Next meeting will be a work session to go over the proposed 2027 Budget on Nov. 5, and the regular meeting Nov. 19, 2026. No meeting in December as long as the 2027 Budget is approved at the November meeting. Both November meetings will be held at the Pavilion and online on Zoom.

Finance:

Jon Erickson reviewed the 2027 Preliminary Budget. https://www.eaglevail.org/Metro-District/EVMD-Board/Board-Packets-Agendas#docaccess-d59334270ad8ae098059be1c3f7c29b1

Board discussion included a concern with the Finance Committee’s recommendation to reduce the scope of tennis court-to-pickleball court conversion projects. Will be reviewed in greater detail at the Nov. 5 work session.
There was also discussion about the Wildfire Mitigation budget for 2027.