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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 03-15-17 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, March 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, in said Town of Estes Park on the 15th day of March, 2017. Present: Kimberly Campbell Tom Street Gordon Slack Belle Morris Stan Black Ann Finley Ken Zornes Amy Hamrick Also Present: Bob Holcomb, Town Board Liaison Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Admin. Assistant Larry Gamble, Rocky Mountain National Park Chief of Planning & Compliance Absent: Kevin Ash, Engineering Manager Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m. It was moved and seconded (Slack/Black) to approve the January and February meeting minutes with minor corrections and the motion passed unanimously. Traffic Control Devices Study Update - Review: Director Muhonen received a draft Traffic Control Devices Study back from the consultant. This study reflects only the Town’s Maintenance of the CDOT traffic control devices (signs, signals, markings). In order to address pavement pothole repairs/maintenance, a second contract would be needed. Positives and negatives have been found with pursuing the pavement portion, however analysis still needs to take place for determination. The current agreement is only for traffic control devices in existing inventory and is not for expansion of the program. Town Board Liaison Holcomb asked about the Town expense. Director Muhonen stated there should be no cost to the Town with negotiations. The funds received from CDOT would purchase the necessary equipment and appropriate personnel. Consultant, William Hange, Jr., is very familiar with this negotiation process. It’s been determined that there will be 1.5 people needed: 2 people full-time a portion of the year and 1 person full-time year round. Director Muhonen indicated that the Town may look at working the signal timing only to start. Striping is currently done by a contractor which would continue if striping is taken over. In order to perform CDOT road repair and maintenance, the Town would also require a maintenance truck with boom. Transportation Advisory Board – March 15, 2017 – Page 2 Performing this service will provide a higher level of service to the residents and visitors by bringing existing signs into compliance (reflectivity) while also maintaining a better level of service on CDOT roads without having to wait. The majority of TAB recommends Director Muhonen take this proposal to the Town Board to find out if they’re interested in further negotiations (dollars, contract terms, etc.). Member Slack wants negotiations for maintenance of the traffic signals only. Non-Permanent Pavement Marking Policy Review: The topic of sidewalk chalk usage came up at Town Board meetings and branched out to other markings for non-permanent use. Assistant Town Administrator Travis Machalek spearheaded the new policy. Within the policy, one of the conditions set out in the procedures states, “The proposed non-permanent art must not be commercial in content. . .” Chair Campbell mentioned that when there are bike races through town, the race coordinators generally want a large race logo with the logos of the sponsors visible from helicopter. This may need addressed with ATA Machalek. Director Muhonen stated that there may be a few tweaks for the non-permanent art removal for races, etc. to change from the existing ‘same day removal’ requirements. Addressing the medium to expand from non-soluble to other potential options may also be needed. The TAB is in favor of moving forward with adjustments in these areas. PROJECT UPDATES, Greg Muhonen, Director of Public Works Downtown Parking Strategy Plan: Kimley Horn is the consultant working on this plan. Director Muhonen met with Eric Rose, Brian Wells, Randy Hunt and Kimberly Campbell to review this plan. It was also suggested to expand the group monthly meetings to include Sue Dolan to help guide this effort. As updates are available, these will be provided to the TAB. Next steps involve engaging the public and gathering input from citizens. A request will be made of the consultant to provide training on conducting small group meetings to allow future input from downtown citizens. 2017 Street Improvement Program: MacGregor Avenue Improvements: Utilities work is currently under way. Public Works is on schedule to start their portion of the project at the beginning of July, 2017. Digital Message Signs (DMS): The TAB discussed moving one sign (two-in-one) to the island located outside the parking garage to allow better visibility of available messages. All signs will be connected to allow consistent information. Strategic messaging and placement of signs is in process. Questions posed regarding sign height and the allowance of proper visibility have been addressed. Transportation Advisory Board – March 15, 2017 – Page 3 Transit Facility Parking Structure: Director Muhonen stated that the cranes are here to start placing the precast items. There is continual video footage of the work taking place. Public Works is gathering snapshots regularly to provide a time lapse to show the build. A few days here and there are lost due to minor hiccups but all obstacles are getting resolved and construction is on track for July completion. With regard to left turns out of parking garage, there’s no real change from the way it’s always functioned. Ongoing frustration will cause a correction to be put in place at a later date. Several options have been suggested – potential bridge connecting north and south lot for automobiles or shuttle only. There are still bridge supports from the US-34 changes that could be utilized. Another option mentioned was the use of a roundabout. Any corrective action will take place at a later date. For the meantime, the same struggles entering/leaving the parking lot will continue. OTHER BUSINESS Member Morris updated the TAB on the progress of CDOT’s work on Hwy 7 NB / SB. Completion of this project should be by the end of May with an additional phase due to be performed from November, 2017 through Spring of 2018. CDOT will be expanding lanes to allow for bikes without all the bike lane striping due to liability of a bike lane that is not wide enough. There will, however be painted bike markings in the wide shoulder of the vehicle lane. CDOT will come up with 90% drawings to share with the group. Larry Gamble of Rocky Mountain National Park reported about the research on vehicle restrictions for Bear Lake Rd. to determine where cars are going when the lot is full. A research prospectus has been developed. RMNP is working with university on this study, looking at different ways to gather the data. The information gathered will help determine the process moving forward with visitors. With no other business to discuss, Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m.