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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 11-20-19 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 20th, 2019 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Room 202 of Town Hall on the 20th day of November, 2019. Present: Belle Morris Gordon Slack Stan Black Tom Street Ron Wilcocks Scott Moulton Janice Crow Ann Finley Linda Hanick Also Present: Trustee Carlie Bangs, Town Board Liaison Vanessa Solesbee, Parking & Transit Manager David Hook, Engineering Manager Elias Wilson, Public Works Admin. Assistant Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Admin. Assistant Greg Muhonen, Public Work Director Larry Haas, Region IV Traffic Engineer Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public Comment. Chair Morris welcomed Larry Haas from CDOT Region 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Member Street moved to approve the minutes and Member Moulton seconded. All were in favor. CDOT Question/Answer (Larry Haas, CDOT Region IV Traffic Engineer) Chair Morris commented that in the last meeting we discussed questions for Larry Haas CDOT Region 4 Traffic Engineer and those questions are included in today’s packet. Haas works closely with the Estes Park Public Works Department to help keep traffic flowing safely through the town. Director Muhonen asked Haas what the first project he worked on was and Haas replied that he worked with then Public Works Director Greg Seivers to put traffic signals and the pedestrian crossing in at Manford and a signal at the intersection of Macgregor and 34 Hwy. Muhonen stated that Haas has seen more projects happen in Estes Park than anyone in the room. Chair Morris began going through the list of questions. The first questions was “what are you looking for when motorists and cyclists blend together, on segments of the roadway, which influence your decisions for the installation of bicycle facilities?” Haas replied that CDOT is looking at the number of bicycles using the area and the number of incidents between bicycles and vehicles that have occurred. He commented that the signs on the road are a good start. Director Muhonen stated that there are no defin ite counts on bike traffic. Haas shared that unfortunately CDOT often operates as a reactive agency and that the agency often has to see the data before it is able to distribute funds. Typically a cost benefit ratio is considered before a project is done or not. Member Moulton compared this to the chicken or the egg scenario and stated that people make decisions on where to ride based on the existing infrastructure so if the infrastructure doesn’t exist, the numbers of Transportation Advisory Board – November 20th, 2019 – Page 2 riders that CDOT is looking for will not exist. Engineer Haas replied that the resources and financial resources of CDOT are limited. Chair Morris questioned if there are any other warrants. Haas said that CDOT would like to add pedestrian and bicycle facilities where they can like on the 7 Hwy project but there isn’t always space to do so. Director Muhonen presented the Lily Lake area of 7 Hwy as an example and commented that there would be a enormous cost associated with adding facilities to that stretch of road. Member Slack asked where the areas are that Haas serves. Haas shared that he works in 13 different counties from Boulder to Kit Carson and that this means he works in both the mountain areas and the plains from oilfield traffic to farming traffic. Director Muhonen commented that it is helpful to know that Haas serves so many areas so that when we question why CDOT isn’t fixing a certain issue we realize the scope of their work. Chair Morris shared that in 2019 the Estes Park Town Board unanimously passed a Complete Streets Policy and now the Public Works Department is responsible for investigating what it will take to add sidewalks and other amenities to streets in Estes Park. Morris questioned what it would cost to calm traffic on 7 Hwy. She also stated that there is a lot going on in that area with the fairgrounds, students walking to school, families, and businesses being located all along that stretch. Haas replied that there is currently a speed monitor device that alerts drivers to the speed reduction. Haas said that the largest number of speed violators are the locals. He stated that crosswalks require a balance because when a crosswalk stops all traffic for one person to cross it slightly disrupts the flow but if there are several crosswalks put into the same area traffic stops flowing. Haas stated that it is better to congregate pedestrians to a specific intersection to cross. Chair Morris stated that there is a need for a crosswalk across 7 Hwy from 3rd street and that the Transportation Advisory Board requests that one be installed. Haas questioned if the kids are not getting across or if anyone has been hit. Chair Morris shared that the Transportation Advisory Board recently did a bike tour around town and on 7 Hwy they witnessed traffic fly through the area when pedestrians were trying to cross. Morris stated that there isn’t much warning for drivers. Haas commented that there are signs and pavement markings say that there will be a crosswalk. Director Muhonen asked Haas is a pedestrian refuge is an option. Haas replied that a pedestrian refuge would have to be ADA compliant and it would depend on the amount of space available. He also shared that electricity would have to be run to the pedestrian refuge in order to add a push button and additional signs. Haas said that other things to consider would be if people would run into the island and if it would get in the way of snow plowing. Muhonen questioned if there would be funding available. Haas said that this would likely fall into Safe Routes to School and that it would be based on how many children are crossing the road and the level of interaction they have with traffic. Haas shared that there is a chance that the funding of this project could fall entirely to the Town of Estes Park. Black questioned if a pedestrian refuge would be the first solution that Haas would go to. Haas replied that he may first attempt another approach such as a rumble strip or making the flashing beacons brighter rather than building completely new infrastructure. Director Muhonen commented about the role of enforcement. Haas stated that he is positive the EP police is aware of the situation and that enforcement must play a part in addressing the issue. Haas suggested that the Transportation Advisory Board talk to the Chief and Captain to see if they might be able to do a blitz in the area and then work on education. Chair Morris shared that with an increase in the number of businesses in the area and the community center traffic has increased. Haas replied that it is unlikely that it would require the addition of a traffic signal. He stated that perhaps a paid crossing guard , who understands their duty to save lives, should be stationed in the area. Member Crow asked what options would be available to pay crossing guards. Trustee Liason Bangs shared how easy it is to miss the flashing lights and that she has caught herself entering a school zone with flashing lights and has a delayed reaction to the fact that she needs to slow down. Member Slack commented that he believes crossing guards sound like a very cost effective and impactful solution to the issue. Director Muhonen shared that the use of crossing guards would fall under the schools authority. Haas commented that if a crossing guard is determined to be the best so lution that Estes Park is welcome to go ahead with it. Member Crow commented that a crossing guard position would be a great job for retired individuals looking for a job. Manager Hook he would be able to start the conversation Transportation Advisory Board – November 20th, 2019 – Page 3 about crossing guards. Hook stated that sidewalk improvements possibly increase the use of the facilities and that this could be a motivator to start a crossing guard program. Member Hanick commented that she likes the crossing guard idea. She also brought up an idea about 3D paintings which look raised that are placed in the center of lanes to encourage traffic to slow down. Hanick stated that this is a cheaper approach that would have a calming aspect. Haas shared that these types of paintings would have to be a community effort. He commented that the paintings may get your attention but CDOT would prefer not to have these paintings on CDOT roads because there are no funds available for maintenance. The town must be aware of what they will occur. Haas warned that putting paintings on the street can be distracting leading to other issues. Slack questioned if Haas had ever seen these paintings used in the area he serves. Haas had not. Member Moulton suggested that the board move on to other items. Chair Morris shifted the conversation towards the 34 Hwy Corridor. She shared with Haas that the Transportation Advisory Board is interested in having a traffic study performed. Morris shared that there is concern about a jaywalking issue from the Visitor Center to the Stanley Shopping Center area to the north. Morris asked how open Haas and CDOT would be to helping perform such a study. Haas replied that it might be possible and suggested that the Transportation Advisory Board work with Director Muhonen who will communicate with CDOT about what the needs of the study will be. Haas suggested that perhaps the implementation of something such as a split rail fence could be used to steer pedestrian traffic towards the crosswalks. Member Hanick commented that it is only a matter of time until someone get hit in that area. Haas shared that CDOT can work with Director Muhonen on performing a traffic study. Muhonen confirmed that a study can be done. Member Slack requested that the traffic study be performed during the busy season. Haas shared that when someone dies on one of his roadways he is the first person to ask what could have been done to prevent the death. Chair Morris shifted the conversation to talk about special events and festivals in Estes Park. Morris asked Haas’ about his view on blocking state highways for events. Haas replied that as long as Estes Park Police Department closes the road and a route is established to get around it there is no issue. Member Black asked about a lengthy event that takes place Saturday and Sunday. Member Slack suggested that traffic could be divert up 4th street to event center parking lot and visitors to the event could be shuttled in. Slack mentioned that Elk Fest was packed with cars on the shoulders of all roads and traffic to the National Park was backed up to Mall S treet. Haas said that these are all options as long as the Estes Park Police Department executes the tra ffic plan. Member Hanick said that the expectation is that FLAP will help reduce these issues. Chair Morris stated that turning left out of the parking structure is starting to become an issue. She asked if the traffic signal timing could provide a break to allow those exiting to get out easily. Director Muhonen shared that the traffic study indicated that the parking structure intersection would need to be address in the coming years. Member Street commented that if it is already becoming an issue would it impede people from using the structure. Member Slack suggested that an occasional police officer directing traffic in that area would be a good option. Member Wilcocks shared that there is no signage which alerts drivers to the available interceptor lane. He suggested that the addition of these signs could alert drives that there is a safe option to turn left. Chair Morris transitioned the conversation to Scott Avenue. Haas stated that he did not understand the question about Scott Avenue. The question was as king about traffic calming at Scott Avenue and 7 Hwy. Muhonen stated that the area is currently viewed as rural and that perhaps it should now be considered urban which would warrant a speed reduction. Director Muhonen shared that there is a group lobbying on the language of speed warrants. Hass commented that people do not like speed and that if you set a speed at 35 you end up setting a false speed limit. Muhonen stated that it is human behavior that will keep people traveling at a faster speed. Haas said that what will need to happen is the ingress and the egress will need to be looked, a determination will need to be made if the area is residential and an accident history detailing the types of crashes will need to be considered. Haas stated that the Police Department would be well aware of this Transportation Advisory Board – November 20th, 2019 – Page 4 information. Member Slack asked if there is a sign which warns drivers of cross traffic. Haas replied that there is not a sign. Slack commented that this issue is something that will need to be watched over time. Haas commented that if Estes Park wants a change for the peak season it must be okay with it for the off season as well. Chair Morris asked what the steps would be to implement restrictions on large trucks and RVS traveling on Elkhorn Ave downtown. She suggested the implementation of a delivery time where trucks are allowed to drop off goods to the businesses. Morris questioned if this is something that CDOT would want to be involved in. Haas replied that this is something CDOT would absolutely be involved with and informed the board that a proposal would need to be submitted. He stated that once approved and sign installation is complete it would become and education and enforcement issue. He shared that a change such as this will require buy-in from the businesses who will need to be ensured that they will get their deliveries. Haas commented that FLAP will likely serve the needs of visitors driving an RV. Director Muhonen shared that signs for a specific route could be put up but most people will trust their phone’s directions rather than the sign. Haas commented that most people use the sign to confirm what they are being told by their phone. Chair Morris thanked Haas for attending the meeting and answering the questions of the Transportation Advisory Board. Haas shared that he will be retiring at the e nd of January and that it has been a pleasure working with the town for the past 30 years. Member Slack asked a final question about the rutting on 36 Hwy and what the overlay plan is and Haas directed Slack to contact Ed Gentry who is responsible for overlay. Haas did share that he is aware of a 10 year paving plan. Haas said if there are any further questions to please field them through Director Muhonen. He enjoys working with the Estes Park community and expects that CDOT will happily continue to work with Estes Park. PROJECT UPDATES (V. Solesbee – Parking & Transit Manager) Parking Manager Solesbee shared that the Town Board passed paid parking for 2020. She thanked the Transportation Advisory Board for their input. Solesbee shared that the Town Board and Estes Park Community have high expectations. She is working on how to staff and budget. Solesbee shared that an RFP was written and distributed. She stated that she has spent a significant amount of time talking to programs about their experience. Solesbee assured the Transportation Advisory Board that she would keep them informed. She also shared that the goal is to hire local staff while working with a professional company to ensure that paid parking will be well executed. Solesbee stated that defining the permit program will be an important part of the process. Solesbee is open to the Transportation Advisory Board’s involvement in the process. She stated that it will be important to have the involvement of business owners end employees to gather information about the need for parking permits and parking spaces. Defining the permit options will be very important for the downtown area. Taking care of our locals is a top priority. She shared that conversations are being had about what the implementation of pay by phone, pay by text, kiosks or ambassador staff would look like for the town. Solesbee want to be intentional about where people get directed to park and having increased advertising the shuttle. The performance metrics will be adapted for next year to ensure that paid parking is creating the type of change that we want to see. Solesbee will ask for the input of Transportation Advisory Board on this subject at a later meeting . Member Street asked if there is an issue with funding. Solesbee shared that she is working to set up the fund with the financial officer. Director Muhonen stated that he does not anticipate a funding issue going forward. The Town Board understands that a supplement to the budget will be brought to them. Solesbee commented that if a heavily mobile option is introduced it would be in the budgeted unlike a kiosk based program that would require a significant capital investment. Member Hanick commented that the parking garage signs which indicate the height of the ceiling do not match. Director Muhonen shared that the ground level spaces have and 8ft clearance and everything above that has a 7ft clearance. Transit Transportation Advisory Board – November 20th, 2019 – Page 5 Solesbee shared that transit will be directly connected to the implementation of seasonal paid parking and that it will be a challenge because there is not more money available next year. Solesbee is taking a data driven approach to route planning for next year and closely looking at which routes were performing and underperforming. Cellphone location data is being used to better understand where people are going. Solesbee is working to reintroduce the express route. She shared that grant compliance will require Estes Transit to provide on demand service within ¾ of a mile of each transit stop. Solesbee hopes to bring routes recommendations to ge t advised on to the December meeting and have the routes settled on by January. Overall there was a 6.8% decrease in ridership and ridership has been decreasing for the past six years. Black asked Solesbee for ridership numbers from 2016. Solesbee shared that there were approximately 101,000 riders in 2016.Member Hanick shared that one year the trolley ridership was down because the trolley engine was having issues. Member Black commented that there is an obvious downward trend. Solesbee said that she is un sure of why the downward trend exists. Member Finley questioned why people would sit in a shuttle in traffic rather than their own car. Member Crow shared that ridership in the National Park has increased. Member Slack suggested that the motels where the shuttle stops have increased advertisement. Member Crow suggested table topers. Member Street asked if the downtown ridership decreased. Solesbee stated that all routes saw a decrease and said that a non-scientific guess would be that increased traffic caused a decrease in ridership. Member Hanick commented that it would be important to have Visit Estes Park’s help with advertisement. Solesbee shared that Visit Estes Park has been very responsive and helpful. Slack commented that parking and shuttle are dependent on one another. Project Updates (Public Works Director Greg Muhonen) Director Muhonen shared that there is a neighborhood meeting from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the Third Street neighborhood regarding traffic calming. There are 6 conceptual designs being presented to the residents. He commented that the roadwork will begin in 2021. Member Slack questioned how this project came into the forefront. Muhonen stated that during the Fourth Street Project and large number of complaints and comments were made to the Town Board and Public Works Department concerning a need for traffic calming. Manager Hook shared that the utility work that is being done this winter and next spring will make this a prime time to look at making repairs to the road. Slack questioned if the neighborhood is still interested in change. Muhonen stated that the purpose of the neighborhood meeting is to gauge the interest of the residents. Director Muhonen shared that the Town of Estes Park did not receive the Build Grant which was intended for Phase II of the Loop Project. This raises questions about stormwater and drainage management. Member Slack asked if there is any hope of receiving the grant in the future. Muhonen stated that the plan is to have a post application discussion and go for the Build Grant next year. PROJECT UPDATES (D. Hook – Engineering Manager) US 36 & Community Drive Roundabout: Manager Hook shared that there is an environmental meeting with CDOT on November 21st, 2019. The Brodie Avenue Project is going through final closing. Hook stated that the Wayfinding project is starting up again. He shared that the Steamer intersection traffic signal is being designed. Member Slack asked if it will be synchronized with the light at 34 Hwy. Hook confirmed. Hook shared that the Stanley Hotel is preparing to put in a film center. Elkhorn lodge is in the process of developing ideas and is under contract. The prospective new owner is working through the purchase process. US 34 and Macgregor: Director Muhonen shared that the final design for the roundabout is being completed and will be put out for bid. It should be completed by May. OTHER BUSINESS Transportation Advisory Board – November 20th, 2019 – Page 6 With no other business to discuss, Chair Morri s adjourned the meeting at 2:03 p.m. Recording Secretary Elias Wilson, Public Works Department