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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Committee 2014-09-17 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 17th, 2014 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Town Hall Rooms 202 & 203, in said Town of Estes Park on the 17th day of September, 2014. Present: Kimberly Campbell Cory LaBianca Stan Black Belle Morris Bryon Holmes Gregg Rounds Amy Hamrick Also Present: Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director Kevin Ash, Public Works Civil Engineer Jen Imber, Public Works Administrative Assistant Sandy Osterman, Shuttle Committee Representative Absent: Ann Finley Thom Widawski Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. GENERAL DISCUSSION Chair Campbell welcomed new member Amy Hamrick, who attended the meeting as the ninth official committee member. Amy gave a brief overview of her interest in serving on the committee and her experience as an avid cyclist, o wner of Kind Coffee and service on the Estes Valley Library Board of Trustees. Minutes from the August meeting were reviewed by members. It was moved and seconded (Black/Labianca) to approve the August minutes, with the motion passing unanimously. Director Muhonen reported he had been contacted by VanGo Vanpool Services out of Fort Collins regarding van service options for commuters traveling to Estes Park on Highway 34. The company has vans available for Estes Park commuters and is gauging interest in the program. Local employers could announce the opportunity to employees and recruit interest in ridership. Vanpool members pay a monthly fee that helps cover the costs of the van, fuel, maintenance and insurance. Driving responsibility is shared and negotiated amongst the drivers. A GOCO grant was recently awarded to the Estes Valley Recreation & Park District for creation of a trail master plan. The committee would like to invite EVRPD Director Skyler Rorabaugh to a future meeting to talk about development intent. With a portion of the 1% sales increase the Town has received is reserved for trails in Town , the committee feels the Town should work with EVRPD to incorporate trail systems. BUS/RV PARKING IN MUNICIPAL LOT Kevin Ash reported observations made on RV, buses and other vehicles in the Municipal/Library parking lot during the summer months. Many small passenger vehicles were parking in RV/bus spaces. If the RV/bus spaces were eliminated, ten additional vehicle spaces would become available, but an entire reconfiguration of the parking lot would be necessary. With impending changes in parking and traffic flow due to the FLAP project and construction of the parking structure, Director Muhonen recommended tabling a parking lot reconfiguration. A new way of thinking will be cultivated along with these capital projects that could alleviate issues with RVs and buses. PARKING STRUCTURE UPDATE The Town is planning to get the parking structure out to bid in October, with construction Transportation Advisory Committee – September 17th, 2014 – Page 2 to take place in November 2014. Contractors will be asked to bid the full package, with deductive items so cost can be controlled as needed. Public will have the opportunity to comment at the Town Board meeting when the contract is awarded. The consultant has advised the project be referenced henceforth as the Visitor Center Transit Hub, instead of the parking structure. The committee would like Public Works to provide monthly updates on the Transit Hub for the duration of the project. FLAP PROJECT UPDATE Four stakeholder groups, including representative with interests in environmental, alternative modes of transportations, and downtown businesses, will be selected to guide the concepts and design efforts for the FLAP project. Director Muhonen suggested the Town’s TAC could effectively participate with one member joining each stakeholder group and potentially chairing the group. A public open house is scheduled for October 8th; all TAC members should plan to attend for an opportunity to provide input. The committee would like Public Works to provide monthly updates on the FLAP project for the foreseeable future. DOWNTOWN PARKING The committee discussed effective ways to advise the Town Board on paid parking in the downtown corridor. The majority of the committee feels paid parking would elevate the consumer experience by encouraging shuttle ridership and walking instead of driving circles trying to find a parking space. The topic continues to be a priority of discussion. HIGHWAY 34 PERMANENT RECONSTRUCTION Kevin Ash gave an update on CDOT’s plans for permanent reconstruction of Highway 34. Construction is planned for the fall of 2015, with 16 miles of needed repair causing a much more significant impact on traffic. CDOT is looking for input on design from local stakeholders. The TAC would like to provide detailed input on bike-friendly components and the committee suggested a letter from the Town and mayor to CDOT in support of multi-modal elements. Belle Morris and Bryon Holmes volunteered to write a draft, with other members invited to send Belle an email with suggestions of ideas to be included. Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 2:01 p.m.