Tuesday, September 22, 2026

EVMD Board Meeting 9/17/2026 Recap

9/17/2026 Board Meeting Recap

This is an unofficial summary of the Sept. 17, 2026 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: Vice Chair Laughlin, Director Barcza, Director Copeland, Director Rumford

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Wendy Sacks, Eagle resident, introduced herself as she’s running for Eagle County Commissioner. https://wendysacks4commissioner.com
A resident inquired about a plan for golf course recovery due to drought, as well as the irrigation delivery pipe project.

WILDFIRE MITIGATION UPDATE

Chief Tim Swaner, Eagle River Fire Protection District, provided a 2026 update.

Over 100,000 pounds removed via Chipping Program this summer, and 75 acres of new fire mitigation work.
Reviewed proposed areas of work for 2027.
Proposed Residential Program for 2027:
- 3-year rotation home assessment program
- Assessment sent directly to the homeowner
- Education and firefighter presence in the community
- Community chipping program
Reviewed burning of piles this winter, weather conditions must be right.

COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE

Kristin Kenney Williams, President, Commfluent Inc., asked Board members to recap the final Coffee Chat of the summer, and the initial September committee meetings (Parks & Trails, Recreation.) Traffic Calming and Finance committee meeting later this month. Print version of Summer Newsletter in community kiosks.

INDOOR PICKLEBALL DISCUSSION

Vice Chair Laughlin explained that EVMD’s legal counsel has determined that the EVMD cannot sublease to a third-party for an indoor pickleball facility due to other contractual agreements.

Public comment stated that the facility would operate as a non-profit. The proposed facility would be built with private funding and be modeled after the indoor facility in Steamboat Springs. The proposed facility would be located on the old soccer field area in Pavilion Park.

After discussion, the Board decided to revisit the East End Master Plan at its Oct. 6^th Strat Ops Work Session. The current master plan calls for a skate park and pump track in that particular area. The Board will determine whether to survey the EagleVail community about land use options.

EAGLE COUNTY LAND USE REGULATIONS AND ZONING DISCUSSION

Vice Chair Laughlin explained that the EVMD learned that as part of Eagle County Government’s land use regulation rewrite, EagleVail’s commercial area is being proposed for upzoning to MXC and MCN.

Board directed Staff to draft a letter to the Board of County Commissioners asking them to leave the current zoning which is Commercial.

MANAGEMENT UPDATES

Mark Sassi, Director of Golf Operations: Overall rounds played this year to date are 20,486. 2025 to date was 21,659.

Average daily tee times are around 100; last year at this time we were seeing mid 100s.

Range timing has shifted, and it continues to stay busy. Expect to see numbers back to normal if not better next year since the range was closed for six weeks this summer. Staff is building out scenarios for having the range manned daily next year. More of a presence this year has made a difference.

Willow Creek Par 3 is closed for the season; it saw a 3% revenue increase.

The golf course is seeing good recovery with the recent rains; hope to remove the cart-path only policy for the remainder of the season, weather dependent. The last the golf course will open for play is Sunday, October 4^th.

Brent Barnum, Superintendent of Golf Courses and Parks: The maintenance staff will be focusing on the following:

Deep tine aerification to the greens
Core aerification to the Driving Range Tee
Core aerification to the approaches
Core aerification to the fairways
Topdressing the approaches
The first winter chemical applications
Over seed struggling turf areas
Core aerification to the greens
Core aerification to the tees
Core aerification to the field
Topdressing the greens
Topdressing the tees
Winterization of the irrigation systems

It was noted that the Little Libraries have been replaced throughout the community.

District Manager Steven Barber is focusing on first drafts of the 2027 Budget. The District continues its partnership with Eagle Valley Wildland. The community-wide chipping program will extend into October. Based on public comment, Barber will investigate if leaves can be disposed by the chipping crews. The successful water conservation efforts implemented this past summer at the rec pool will continue into 2027. Staff will keep the courts open as long as possible, weather permitting.

Kris O’Neill, Manager of HR & Administration, outlined the upcoming meeting schedule:

October 6 – Strategic Operations to be held at the Pavilion

9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Light breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m.
Final Strategic Operations session for 2026.

October 8 – Regular Board Meeting to be held at the Clubhouse*

5 p.m.
This meeting was approved at the beginning of the year and moved to October 8 because the following week is school break, which is when our regular meeting would normally be held.

November 5 – 2027 Budget Work Session to be held at the Pavilion