Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 11-15-17 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 15, 2017 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Room 203 of Town Hall on the 15th day of November, 2017. Present: Kimberly Campbell Gordon Slack Claudine Perrault Tom Street Ann Finley Belle Morris Stan Black Also Present: Wendy Koenig, Mayor Pro Tem Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director David Hook, Engineering Manager Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Larry Gamble, RMNP Absent: Lochen Wood, RMNP Bob Holcomb, Town Board Liaison Ken Zornes Amy Hamrick Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: The Town’s new Engineering Manager David Hook introduced himself to the TAB. Hook has more transportation experience than any other engineering field. A motion was made and seconded (Perrault/Slack) to approve the October minutes and all were in favor. SHUTTLE UPDATE No Shuttle Committee representation was in attendance. PROJECT UPDATES, Greg Muhonen, Director of Public Works Estes Park Transit Facility Parking Structure: The structure’s label, ‘Visitor Center Parking’, was discussed as not all drivers understand that the structure is available for any drivers. Smith Signs suggested the addition of an ampersand (&) or the word ‘and’ to the title to help clarify the structure’s purpose. One option for this addition would be to sandblast directly on the structure. Other suggestions mentioned were for the following additions to the title: OR; AND/OR; AND TOWN (or public) Other frequent feedback received is that visitors parking in the structure are unable to find the Visitor Center and restrooms. The Parks Division has designed a concept on wayfinding signage and a sample was provided the bo ard. This is intermediate measure to address the obvious issue. Member Perrault asked if there is a bigger plan for wayfinding signage throughout downtown. Director Muhonen indicated that the Transportation Advisory Board – November 15, 2017 – Page 2 Downtown Plan committee members have made recommendations but that there are no specifics at this time. Downtown Parking Management Plan: The next public meeting on this topic will take place December 7 beginning at 5:30pm. The consultant will present the draft Downtown Parking Management Plan. After the presentation there will be 4 breakout sessions; parking structure locations; permitting; revenue & expenses; and implementation phasing. Member Finley stated the last public meeting very helpful and encouraged others to attend. The draft plan will be available on Nove mber 30. Muhonen and Chair Campbell encouraged all members to attend the public meeting and share their comments on December 7. The plan will be presented to the Town Board the first week of January, 2018. Parking Maps were handed out to the group based o n the draft plan to date along with a matrix on expansion options. All members discussed the plan for phasing and provided comments. Muhonen introduced the matrix. All rankings and measures provided have been based on feedback from the public meeting proce ss. The consultant continues to calculate input received so the version presented is still in draft form. Larry Gamble stated that Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) has not been involved in this process but feels the Post Office site for a parking structure is most appealing after construction is complete on the Downtown Estes Loop. It was also requested that the consultant explore the Elkhorn Lodge as an additional site to rank/measure. According to Muhonen, this location would most likely score simila r to Performance Park. The Estes Downtown Plan Committee is looking at the Elkhorn Lodge site. Member Street stated there should be a caveat or some sort of indicator that this matrix is not weighted. There is strong contention against the current stance shown on the matrix. Muhonen invited all TAB members to submit their idea(s) for weighting or any other comments. Member Perrault suggested the creation of a narrative form indicating this caveat and acknowledging what this draft document “isn’t”. Chair Campbell assigned homework to the TAB requesting that each member submit a paragraph of what’s important to them. Gamble stated that traffic within RMNP regularly gets turned around when Bear Lake parking is at capacity. He feels that, as a result the west end of town in the most need of additional parking. Exhaustive and collaborative discussion proceeded to take place regarding the process related to these draft documents and the associated selections of next steps. TAB members in attendance shared ideas, suggestions, and provided different avenues of thinking, specifically stating that there is a definite need to maintain and protect existing high turnover lots/areas. Chair Campbell continued to introduce the plan for phasing. Member Black suggested adding shuttles and implement paid parking in the Weist lot for Phase 1. Members Morris and Perrault expressed their agreement to push turnover. Member Slack suggested the Wiest lot be split between the west end of the lot, allowing free employee parking, a nd the remainder of the lot to be paid parking. Transportation Advisory Board – November 15, 2017 – Page 3 Member Perrault expressed a strong drive to create and employee stakeholder focus group to determine incentives for employers to provide parking for their employees. It needs made clear what options Kimley Horn is reporting for employees. Chair Campbell would create a draft Town Board memo once the requested feedback from the TAB is received. This memo will state TAB’s support (or lack thereof) for the adoption of the proposed Downtown Parking Management Plan as well as addressing any concerns they may have. At the December TAB meeting Campbell will be seeking final edits and adoption of a letter to Trustees regarding the adoption of the plan. Brodie Avenue Improvements: A Request for Proposals (RFP) has been advertised for consulting services related to the Brodie Avenue Improvements. The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant application, if accepted, would free up 1A trail funds. The design and build is anticipated to occur in 2018. Another RFP for design of the turn lane at US36 & Community Dr. will be advertised soon. This is an initiative of the Town Board and they’re anticipating using discretionary funds from the Community Reinvestment Fund. Once cost estimate is received, this will be presented again to the Town Board. It is anticipated to be approximately $500K since the existing trail underpass allows 22 feet to install the turn lane. OTHER BUSINESS Member Perrault inquired as to the subsequent process when suggestions are made in TAB meetings. No formal process has been defined. Director Muhonen is currently engaged in conversations with CDOT per their request for the Town to perform a street overlay of Elkhorn Ave. The discussion is ongoing. Mayor Pro Tem Koenig asked if the signal timing at Big Horn & Elkhorn Ave. will be changed to allow better traffic flow. Muhonen indicated that the existing signal controller needs replaced by CDOT. With no other business to discuss, Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 1:47 p.m.