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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2020-09-16 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 16, 2020 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held virtually on the 16th day of September 2020. Committee: Belle Morris, Tom Street, Janice Crow, Ann Finley, Larry Gamble, Linda Hanick, Scott Moulton, Gordon Slack, Ron Wilcocks Attending: Belle Morris, Tom Street, Janice Crow, Ann Finley, Larry Gamble, Linda Hanick, Scott Moulton, Gordon Slack, Ron Wilcocks, The Car Park General Mgr. Matt Eisenberg, Trustee Carlie Bangs, Public Works Director Greg Muhonen, Engineering Mgr. David Hook, Grants Specialist Christy Crosser, Parking & Transit Mgr. Vanessa Solesbee Absent: None Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. No electronic submissions of public comment were received prior to the deadline. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made and seconded (Gamble/Finley) to approve the August meeting minutes as corrected and all were in favor. COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE GRANTS (Grant Specialist, Christy Crosser) Update to Estes Valley Master Trails Plan: Grant Specialist Crosser stated that she is attending the TAB this month to request a letter of support for each of two grants. The grantor, Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW), wants to see partnerships and community outreach related to grant uses. The grant applications are due to CPW on October 1, 2020. The first grant for which the Town may apply is a planning grant for important updates to the Estes Valley Recreation & Parks District (EVRPD) Master Trails Plan (MTP). The MTP was adopted in 2016, but gaps identified within the trail system are now being identified. Crosser stated the importance of updating the MTP due to its frequent reference. While working to assess the trail gaps in and around downtown, she felt it critical to get feedback from the TAB. Crosser would also welcome ideas from friends of TAB members or any other interested resident. If funded, participation in the implementation and prioritization of the trails from the TAB would be appreciated. Existing Trail Upgrades: The second grant for which the Town may apply is for Maintenance & Construction Grant. This provides funds to maintain existing trails. TAB has made suggestions in the past and this will provide for 1) repair of failed items (several locations have been identified); and 2) subgrade stabilization work and upgrading trails to 10’ wide, 6” thick. Larry Gamble asked if Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) has been involved in the plan as he believes a letter of support would be provided. Crosser plans to reach out to Cheri Yost. Gamble also suggested that Estes Park Health may be another possible supporter. Crosser will also be reaching out to Economic Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce for a business and economic aspect. PROJECT UPDATES (Parking & Transit Mgr. Vanessa Solesbee) Parking Utilization Update: Matt Eisenberg shared parking utilization updates. 2020’s overall average occupancy was 14% less than 2019, with peak occupancy declining 13% in 2020. Transportation Advisory Board – September 16, 2020 – Page 2 The seven parking lots originally identified for paid parking show the average occupancy is on point with 2019 at 69%. Peak occupancy was a little higher in 2020. The parking structure rarely has occupancy higher than 30%, with the average being less than 20% showing no significant impact from 2019. Eisenberg broke down citations to the types of violations. A vast majority have been for time limits being exceeded, 17% have been courtesy citations while other violation types hold a much smaller percentage. Net Violations (total minus voided) showed an 11% decrease in violations written in 2020 (less staff in field) but have seen a 29% increase in violations paid (season-to- date). Director Muhonen asked if Eisenberg could share why there has been such an increase in violation payments. Eisenberg stated that there is no real clear answer but is feeling it could be due to the different points of places to pay and may also be a result of tracking. This year the process was much more consolidated and central. Solesbee stated this year’s follow-up on the citations is better than last year. Solesbee shared that the parking season ends in two weeks. Data will be collected at this level into October and will then shift to less frequent data collections. Town Board Presentation Preview: Manager Solesbee shared that this Town Board item will go before the trustees in October. She wants to review it with the TAB now, and then again prior to the meeting. Similar to last year, the information will provide an overview of the program this season, data, utilization, comparisons between 2019 and 2020 violations, permitting program adding revenue with no price increases, transient parking, and 2020 program accomplishments & metrics. The second part of the presentation will be to discuss 2021. Solesbee will be asking to resume paid parking, with 2019 halted due to COVID-19. The 2021 recommendation will be the same as the 2020 plan. With The Car Park on board, they’ve had time to learn the way the Town operates which will enable better analysis and planning. Solesbee continues to learn from other entities about transit solutions and lessons learned for the COVID-19 pandemic. Member Wilcocks asked if Solesbee has planned, regarding shuttle contracts, for an “out” if the pandemic continues into 2021 and if she has specifics she can provide the TAB. Solesbee stated that the 2020 pause in service allowed her to continue planning for 2021 and that this has been taken into account and no assets will be ordered until the last minute. Wilcocks also wanted to confirm that individual, 2-stall parking meters would not end up lining the streets. Solesbee stated that if it becomes needed, they would be kiosks and not meters. Solesbee has been discussing updates to the municipal code with the Police Department. The list continues to grow and Solesbee opted to do some community outreach prior to making the code updates. There are a variety of options and some areas of town have different needs. Transit Update: Additional CARES Act funding has been awarded the Town. The original amount received was $94K and the Phase 2 amount awarded was $70K. All funds will be managed through CDOT and no local match is required. The funds can be used for a variety of items related to transit for the COVID-19 pandemic. The first amount awarded needs spent by the end of 2020. The new funding has a different timeline. Shuttle ridership has been holding steady with a slight increase over the past couple weeks. On Labor Day the entire system was over half full. Solesbee shared her thanks to Chair Morris, Member Gamble and Member Gordon for assisting with transit ridership intercept surveys. Gamble stated that the folks he was able to survey were very pleased with the transit service. While there wasn’t a great deal of ridership most folks decided to get on the shuttle because they saw it go by. Transportation Advisory Board – September 16, 2020 – Page 3 Additional outreach to notify folks of the shuttle service may be beneficial. Those riding had glowing remarks about the service. Chair Morris rode on Labor Day and stated that several riders parked at the parking structure and didn’t know about the trolley. Having a Parking Ambassador would be helpful to help educate those who may be unaware of the service. On the Gold route, local residents suggested extending the hours. They want it to start earlier than 10am. Morris agreed with Gamble about the potential need for additional outreach. Wilcocks asked to confirm parking occupancy data is based on reduced occupancy levels. Eisenberg confirmed and stated that if the data was based on standard occupancy, the 2020 season would be down 78%. NoCo Active Transportation Challenge: Estes Park is now partnering with Front Range partners in the NoCo Active Transportation Challenge. Solesbee is asking folks to take the pledge by getting out of your car and riding a shuttle, riding a bicycle or walking, etc. Statistics will be shared within the group and they’ll determine how many miles were saved on the roads. Currently, Solesbee is the only one in Estes Park that is on the list. PROJECT UPDATES: ENGINEERING (Engineering Mgr. David Hook) Fall River Trail Extension: Manager Hook shared that there is a lot of concrete going down right now. The process started with conventional form work and is now using a paving machine. There is much of the trail area prepped and ready to go and all is moving along just fine. The Town was notified that the second bridge has been manufactured and will be delivered, potentially as soon as next week but that’s not been confirmed. 2020 Street Improvement Program (STIP): The 2020 STIP program is completed for 2020 and contract close-out is in process. Development Review: Alarado is counting down the days until they can start the construction for installation of the traffic signal. The traffic signal and poles are on order but may not be installed until Spring 2020. Gamble asked if it is true that Jimmy John’s cannot open until signal is installed. Hook confirmed that is the current requirement but discussions will take place regarding the potential of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO). Muhonen stated that it is reasonable to expect that the business will open (with a TCO) prior to construction of the signal. Elkhorn Lodge: The Town is expecting construction plans next week. Stanley Campus: On the far east side of the campus, contractors are actively working on a parking lot for carriage house improvements. There is more on-campus sidewalk work to better connect the future restaurant with other portions of the campus which is a step in the right direction with some of the pedestrian level gaps in connectivity. Chair Morris asked where they will be putting the sidewalk. Hook stated there are two sidewalks discussed to this point. One is an extension to the west side of the campus. Currently, the roundabout at US 34 & MacGregor is linked to the dead-end sidewalk of the Stanley complex. Connectivity at this location is being proposed. The other is at the east side of the hotel complex, adding connection to the carriage house, then on to Steamer Pkwy. PROJECT / ADMINISTRATION UPDATES (Public Works Director Greg Muhonen) Signing and striping upgrades to trail crossings of driveways and streets: Director Muhonen shared that there had been a neighborhood meeting for traffic calming occurring with 3rd Street residents. There will be upcoming utility work followed by road upgrades which will use STIP funds. There were a series of meetings and the last meeting consensus was to keep parking on both sides of the street. The existing code Transportation Advisory Board – September 16, 2020 – Page 4 prohibits parking on paved streets unless marked. The Town will most likely modify the code to adapt to behavior. At the last meeting, due to maintaining parking on both sides of the street, neighbors accepted one-way traffic so this design will be pursued. Nearby North Ct. and South Ct. are only 20’ wide. For future work, the Town will pursue a layout of parking on one side of the road with one-way travel. Engineering will join the Streets Division on-site to talk through the idea to ensure no fatal flaws missed and that striping and signage are taken into account. There may be a trial for all three roads at one-way (3rd, North, South) before actually making the change. Member Gamble shared concerns about parking parallel along both sides of street and the difficulty of squeezing into spaces. Morris suggested playing with reverse diagonal parking. Muhonen will see if that is a possibility. Solesbee recommended against reverse diagonal parking. She’s managed that type of project and had to remove the option. Downtown Estes Loop: Muhonen stated that the Town had submitted a grant application, as previously shared, for Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) this year. In 2019 the Town applied and was not funded. In 2020 the application was based on advice; however, the Town was again not funded. US 36 & Community Drive: The Upper Front Range Transportation group made a call for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant applications. In 2019, the Town was successful in lobbying, and receiving 100% of those funds for the US 36 & Community Dr. roundabout. In 2021 the cycle is intended to have all funds be awarded to Larimer County. This project is still $460K short of what is needed so Muhonen sent an email to Larimer County representatives stating the desire to apply for the overage during this opportunity. No response has yet been received but Muhonen will keep the TAB posted. The application determination is made at the December UFRT meeting. Grant Specialist Crosser is working on a grant application in the amount of $225K for trail maintenance. This will address concerns expressed related to trails travelling across roads and driveways; repairs of failed areas; provide safety enhancements; and will provide for crack seal for trails along CO Hwy 7 and US 34. OTHER DISCUSSION: Member Moulton will create a template to track the trail gaps and any maintenance needs and the TAB will discuss further at the regularly scheduled October meeting. Chair Morris asked if the group should add the streets that currently have no sidewalk and no walkable locations. Muhonen stated that it would be rather overwhelming and inconceivable to retrofit narrow streets to add sidewalks. There may be other options where pedestrians and vehicles share the road. However, if there are specific areas of concentration for school traversing, that would be a reasonable tracking. Solesbee shared that the new electric trolley has had numerous issues, but when it’s on the road it is working wonderfully. Cost savings have been tremendous. It has been on the road on average 5-6 hours per day. Solesbee is hoping for better function next year. Wilcocks asked Muhonen about the Town purchasing private parking lots, specifically the East Riverside Condos for Ed’s Cantina, Kind Coffee, etc. Matt Eisenberg shared his concern that the lot would be overwhelmed when the paid parking is implemented. Solesbee has spoken to Scott Thompson and he plans to move forward with finding out if the other owners are even interested. There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 1:49 p.m. Megan Van Hoozer, Recording Secretary