HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2020-12-16
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, December 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 December 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, Larry Gamble, Linda
Hanick, Scott Moulton, Gordon Slack, Ron Wilcocks, Trustee
Carlie Bangs, Public Works Director Greg Muhonen, Parking
& Transit Mgr. Vanessa Solesbee
Absent: Ann Finley
Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:06 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No electronic submissions of public comment were received prior to the deadline and no
public was in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded (Slack/Crow) to approve the November meeting
minutes and all were in favor.
SIDEWALK / TRAIL INVENTORY (Chair, Belle Morris)
Chair Morris shared that three task force meetings are being scheduled for Mondays
from 12 – 1 p.m. on December 21, 2020, January 4 and January 11, 2021. At this tim e,
there will be five TAB members and two individuals unrelated that will be on the task
force. All public is encouraged to attend. These meetings will be published on the Town
website with a link to attend the meeting.
Morris plans to get into the weeds when identifying the initiatives for the task force, how
the data will be collected, the timeline, the information layers needed for Public Works
while covering requirements for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grants.
Member Gamble encouraged the task force to keep it simple in the beginning. Gamble
stated that it would be best to keep it at a one-mile radius and evaluate the process.
Then to branch out and continue throughout the Estes Valley. The one -mile radius is the
critical need and can be used as a template once evaluated.
Wilcocks asked that Morris expound on what the task force will be doing and how that
relates to the area around the school. Morris shared the information and stated that the
intention was to work with the Engineering Department on the SRTS guidelines and
interact with teachers, parents and students to encourage and educate which is a
requirement of the funds being received from the SRTS grant.
Wilcocks stated that the Fish Creek Trail, which has multiple owners (Town of Estes
Park, Larimer County) would be an excellent candidate when evaluating the areas
needing attention for students. Wilcocks stated that if the trail was paved and plowed,
many kids would have a safe and direct route to school. Manager Hook stated it was
relatively shovel-ready with the recent installation of the dirt trail repairing 2013 flood
damage. Trustee Bangs will communicate with Larimer County about the trail ownership
and access.
Hook stressed the importance of beginning with a Needs Assessment, then moving on
to tackling the subsequent projects and prioritization. The key needs from Engineering
are the education and encouragement aspects of the SRTS requirements.
Transportation Advisory Board – December 16, 2020 – Page 2
Gamble reminded the group of the ‘TAB Shared – Initiative Resources’ shared Google
folder for both TAB members and those participating in specific initiatives with the TAB.
Gamble stated there are many resources already out there that would be beneficial for
those interested to review.
Trustee Bangs stated that part of the outreach would include gaining ambassadors,
while having a liaison within Town government. Bangs feels it would be beneficial to
connect the ambassador with the Community & Family Advisory Board.
PROJECT UPDATES (Engineering Mgr. David Hook)
Manager Hook provided updates on active Engineering projects.
Graves Avenue Trail Project – SRTS: An RFP was issued for the design of the Graves
Avenue Trail Project. Four proposals were received. The design is anticipated to be
complete in mid-2021, with construction occurring in Fall 2021.
Member Gamble asked when identified needs for the trail would need communicated, in
relation to the design work. Muhonen stated all would need identified and
communicated a minimum of one month prior to the 30% completion portion of the
design process.
Downtown Wayfinding Project (Paid Parking Signage): There is a minor tweak to the
design of the parking signs and the Town will be going out to bid sometime after the first
of the year. The sign installation needs to be completed prior to mid-May.
Fall River Trail Project: Trail work is nearly completed, and contractors are working on
punchlist items. Member Hanick stated she has walked the new trail and said it is very
nice. Hook confirmed this trail would be maintained by the Town Parks Division.
Alarado Project: The last of underground work is finishing up. The signals will need
installed by Memorial Day.
Other Project Discussion: Hook stated that there are two new development projects
being reviewed by the Engineering Division. One is a new film center for the Stanley
Hotel Group. The other is the Elkhorn Lodge Development. The construction plans have
finally been submitted. One key aspect of this development is the new sidewalk to Mrs.
Walsh’s Garden with a crossing to access the west end of the Riverwalk.
Director Muhonen asked if Hook foresees any potential to involve TAB in the
development review process when impacting public rights of way. Hook stated he has a
longer-term plan for TAB involvement but is working in conjunction with the Town’s
Comprehensive Plan.
Hook stated that the remaining gaps in the Estes Valley Master Trails Plan have been
identified, and future development at the Stanley Property will trigger sidewalk
development. These gaps may require introduction as part of the Film Center
Development.
PROJECT/ADMINISTRATION UPDATES (Public Works Director Greg Muhonen)
Downtown Estes Loop (DEL): Muhonen shared that he will not comment on the active
litigation related to the DEL project. Design work continues, and one of the hot topics is
the Riverwalk crossing at Ivy St. and the one at Rockwell, with two different approaches
having been taken. There are safety challenges in both locations so design team, along
with Muhonen, will continue to work through the details.
Additional work is occurring on the diagonal Barnes Dance crosswalk design at the
intersection of Riverside Dr. & Elkhorn Ave. Muhonen will be meeting with CDOT for
further discussions.
Transportation Advisory Board – December 16, 2020 – Page 3
Morris asked Muhonen if a letter of support on a specific design would benefit the
efforts, showing reinforcement. Muhonen suggested the business community be
involved in a discussion prior to deciding on a specific design to support.
Muhonen informed the group that while the first phase of Right of Way acquisitions
(seven parcels) has been completed, the second phase consists of 32 easements or
deeds of designation. There have been 17 offers extended at this point. Muhonen
stated that the monthly meetings held on the team are posted on the Town website
under the Town Board Study Session minutes.
Traffic Calming: Muhonen and Engineer Ryan Barr investigated a request for traffic
calming on Otis Lane due to purported speeding. This request seems based on traffic
calming projects occurring in the Reclamation District as a result of cut-thru traffic. Otis
Lane is on a cul-de-sac with nine homes. Public Works needs to establish protocol for
traffic calming considerations.
Upper Front Range Transportation Planning Region (UFRTPR): At the most recent
meeting it was that Larimer County Commissioner Tom Donnahue has termed out of his
current role and would no longer be a representative at the UFRTPR. The new
leadership will be from the Weld County / Morgan County area, meaning there will no
longer be a representative from Larimer County. Donnahue was a great advocate for
Larimer County. Evaluation of next steps continues.
Wellington was awarded the 2020 CMAQ dollars due to their excellent application.
US-36 & Community Drive Roundabout: The final bid documents are currently on hold
until additional funding is established. Chair Morris suggested that rather than have the
design include all the new infrastructure, to use the shovel-ready portions located in the
area. Morris added that it may be beneficial to wait for the new U.S. administration for
more opportunity.
PROJECT UPDATES (Parking & Transit Mgr. Vanessa Solesbee)
Manager Solesbee introduced Sarah Davis of SRD Consulting to provide an update on
the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure & Readiness Plan (“Plan”) and thanked all TAB
members for their feedback on the recent survey.
Davis presented survey and polling results as will be presented to the Town Board. She
then walked through an overview of where Estes Park stands on electric vehicles,
complimenting the Town of Estes Park for being the recipient of the Colorado
Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA) Award in 2020 due to the electric trolley.
Davis went on to discuss the Goals of Effort, Vehicles of Focus and Key
Recommendations contained in the Plan. Education and outreach are key in this
initiative.
The final Plan will be due for the Town Board the first meeting in February. The changes
that will be made prior to presenting are 1) Acknowledgement of the Estes Valley
Master Trails Plan, and 2) Addition of the scenario of a day-tripper from the Front
Range.
Future work will include work on introduction of e-bikes, micromobile alternatives to
infrastructure and trail planning. Another item would be to develop incentives and
support with partner organizations.
Manager Solesbee expressed her thanks to Davis and Grant Specialist Crosser for their
hard work on the Plan. Solesbee will take this item to the Town Board Study Session at
the end of January for introduction and will request Town Board adoption in early
February.
Parking: Manager Eisenberg shared that the Parking Division has been coordinating
Transportation Advisory Board – December 16, 2020 – Page 4
with the Police Department to propose new Ordina nce language regarding towing or
immobility. Eisenberg stressed that this will not be used unless absolutely necessary.
The proposed language will be presented to the TAB prior to moving forward. Eisenberg
is also visiting with community members in the Reclamation Neighborhood due to
continued use of the only available parking spaces by out -of-town visitors to the Town of
Estes Park, not visitors of the property owners in the area. Data will be collected during
the summer and the solutions can be used for other neighborhoods facing these issues.
Solesbee wanted to reiterate that the enforcement measures discussed will only be
used in extreme circumstances. Currently there is a letter sent and a court date set as
allowing for parking enforcement. In 2020 there have been over 200 citations left unpaid
totaling over $10K, which is not insignificant. Solesbee understands this has been a
very challenging year and is wanting to provide options to pay the citations. Examples
include providing a receipt from a local business of the same amount of the fine, receipt
for donation to a local charity, or other creative methods. Solesbee is open to
discussions about this.
Member Wilcocks asked what the cost would be in 2021 for Employer Permit Fees.
Solesbee confirmed the amount would be $40 and the permit would allow use anywhere
in the parking network.
Transit: Solesbee shared that the Shuttle Committee met regarding the ridership
statistics. For 2021, there were many ideas and a robust discussion on service times
and routes. It was also discussed how to continue to provide a high level of service to
local employees, residents and visitors on a limited budget. Solesbee is working with
partner agencies to promote and market transportation options.
Solesbee plans to invite the Shuttle Committee to the January meeting to discuss 2021
transit service.
Solesbee will continue data collection of winter ridership through the end of December.
At that time, she will evaluate needed changes.
OTHER BUSINESS (Chair, Belle Morris)
Muhonen shared that the 2020 updates to the TAB Bylaws had not yet been taken to
the Town Board for approval. These will be discussed again at the January meeting to
determine, prior to generating a Town Board item, no additional changes are needed.
Member Slack reminded all that there are still spots available for Salvation Army bell
ringers and said that the one at Dollar General is out of the wind.
Member Wilcocks recommended to the Town representatives that it would be beneficial
to put future large projects on the ballot for a public vote before implementing like the
Estes Valley Recreation Center. He expressed concern that the paid parking item did
not go to a public vote, similar to the Downtown Estes Loop. Wilcocks feels it would
eliminate some of the controversy in the community. Trustee Bangs asked to meet
offline with him to discuss further and review what’s involved in that process.
Muhonen expressed his thanks to all TAB members for the time investment and passion
brought to the TAB.
There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:04 p.m.
Megan Van Hoozer, Recording Secretary