EVMD Board Meeting 8/20/2026 Recap

8/20/2026 Board Meeting Recap

This is an unofficial summary of the Aug. 20, 2026 Meeting of the Board of Directors of the EagleVail Metropolitan District held at the EagleVail Pavilion 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 Hopkins, Vice Chair Laughlin, Director Copeland, Director Barcza and Director Rumford.

Public Comment:

A 28-year-resident of EagleVail discussed his observations of the impacts of short-term rentals on the EagleVail Metro District.

Parks Update:

Manager Steven Barber provided a recap of the Aug. 13 West Park task force meeting. Four residents joined staff and parks consultant Pedro Campos to review a few elements proposed in the conceptual plan for West Park that the Board approved earlier this year.

• Pedro reviewed priorities for the park and current conceptual plan
• Steven reviewed current irrigation conditions and mentioned that is a request for proposals from qualified irrigation design consultants to evaluate the existing irrigation system at West Park

Discussion Topics and the Following Conceptual Recommendations Made to the EVMD Board for West Park:

A. Court

• • Add striping for additional court sports, with no permanent netting
  • No pickleball option
  • Yes, to proposed conceptual fence

B. Sandbox

• • Keep sandbox; discussion and understanding that health concerns may be raised during the permitting process

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

• • While largely stays as is, refurbishing is needed to make more inviting – ie. stone around structure entry
  • A dog water station suggested to be considered during design phase

E. Shade Structure

• • Move from current proposed location perhaps closer to the trees where current benches sit
  • Comfortable size is about two picnic tables
  • Actual shade design to be reviewed in design phase

       F.  Turf Reduction

• • Current conceptual plan had no further comments

Public comment: A resident saying she represented a landscaper-by-trade neighbor who has offered to perform the West Park irrigation assessment for free questioned the RFP and why wouldn’t the EVMD take advantage of the free offer.

Communications Update:

Kristin Kenney Williams, Commfluent Inc., said the quarterly Summer Newsletter is online and a print version is in production; a QR code for the digital version is available at the community kiosks, where the print version will also be placed. Committees will resume in September.

Management Updates:

Brent Barnum, Superintendent of Golf Courses and Parks:

• Due to the conditions we are experiencing, a cart path only strategy has been implemented to help eliminate damaging the stressed turf. We have also reduced frequency of mowing and raised our mowing heights.
• Despite a most challenging summer season on the golf course, pleased with the golf experience we have been able to provide up to this point. We continue to prepare the golf courses each day for play. We have implemented cultural practices to our greens and other areas to assist with the health and playability. As you are aware our water use has been extremely reduced, and that reduction continues as the summer prolongs. We irrigate with what little water we have. Irrigation has been limited to greens, tees, and fairways in a micro capacity. I do anticipate that we will experience some turf loss from these extreme conditions over this season. We will need to prepare for some over seeding and recovery of loss in some areas next season.

Mark Sassi, Director of Golf Operations:

• Elaborated on Cart Path Only operation.
• Greens fees up; all else down a bit.
• Staffing at driving range: Looping about four-five times an hour to mitigate errant golf balls.

Steven Barber, District Manager:

• Managing the drought season not unlike managing through the global pandemic. The 18-hole, practice facility, and the Par 3 golf course continue to be very busy. Mark, Chad, Richelle, Vinny and the rest of our golf operations staff are busy managing the daily operations as we are in the middle of the 2026 season quickly approaching fall. We are anticipating the increased rounds to continue through the summer and into the fall season as we wrap things up in early October.
• Joey and her staff have been very busy this summer offering a wide variety of programs and services for residents and guests. As always, Joey and her team do a great job maintaining the facility and providing a great experience for all who visit. It looks like another fantastic busy summer at the pool. The last day for the pool is Monday, Sept. 7. We will be reducing hours of operations beginning on Aug. 17 as kids go back to school. The pool will be open until 6pm Monday-Thursday and close at 8pm Friday-Sunday. We have also offered specials in the month of August to help drive business.
• Nearing final completion of the East End Phase II project. Remaining work includes striping of the new parking lot, overseeding and hydro mulching of the staging area and restoring of the south end berm. The new field is already seeing regular daily use for recreational programming and general community use. I’m looking forward to seeing the HPS utilize this field for their programing needs once school begins next week.
• Continue to advance traffic safety improvements throughout the community. Installation of three additional permanent speed tables was completed earlier this summer, with two located near West Park and one on Deer Boulevard East. In addition, the District has purchased a mobile radar feedback sign to provide another tool for increasing speed awareness and supporting traffic calming efforts. Maintenance staff are also working to replace damaged orange delineators and refresh pavement striping along the Safe Routes to School. The route has been more clearly defined following completion of the parking lot and sidewalk improvements as part of the Phase II project.
• Chipping Program: On pause June, July and August; back in September.
• Laughlin asked about cars parked in CDOT right-of-way in the residential Dowd Junction neighborhood and whether allowed.
• Vail Daily reported Avon closed on CDOT parcel in EagleVail; Barber will contact Avon Town Manager Eric Heil and request an update.

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

• A POA member reached out about co-hosting events with the EVMD. At Kris’s request, Copeland and Laughlin offered to meet with the POA representative and explore event ideas. Barcza suggested exploring event ideas to get people into the parks.

Finance Update:

• End of July: On revenue side, decreased forecast for driving range due to construction closure, as well as lowered the F&B forecast. Revenues overall trending a bit below budget, courts ahead of budget.
• About $200,000 ahead of budget on operating side.

Other Business:

• Indoor Pickle Ball Facility: Hopkins said the club group exploring an indoor pickle ball facility at EVMD’s East End said they did confirm with Eagle County that recreational use zoning would allow the building. They are conducting a survey via Vail and Mountain Recreation districts, with about 1,000 respondents so far, including about 100 EagleVail residents. EVMD is reviewing land lease agreements with Eagle County School District.

Request for Proposal (RFP)