HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2020-05-12
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, May 12, 2020
Minutes of a regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Board of the Town of
Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held virtually via Google Meet on the
12th day of May, 2020.
Present: Belle Morris
Gordon Slack
Larry Gamble
Tom Street
Ron Wilcocks
Janice Crow
Linda Hanick
Scott Moulton
Also Present: Wendy Koenig, Mayor
Trustee Carlie Bangs, Town Board Liaison
David Hook, Engineering Manager
Greg Muhonen, Public Work Director
Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant
Barb Ayers
John Hannon
Teri Salerno
Lowell Rosenthal
Absent: Ann Finley
Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:01 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 (Slack/Hanick) to approve the February meeting
minutes and all were in favor. Gamble abstained from the vote as he was not a member
at the time of the February meeting.
Chair Morris introduced new member, Larry Gamble, to the group and standing
members introduced themselves. Member Gamble shared a quick snapshot of his
background. Gamble began in landscape architecture, and was then hired on with
RMNP. Gamble received his Master’s Degree in Regional Resources Planning for CSU.
Gamble went on to work at the City of Loveland as a planner, which is where he first
met Director Muhonen. When a position with RMNP was newly created, it fit him to a
tee. Gamble continued to work for RMNP for the next 25 years and finished as Chief of
Planning. Gamble is now retired and is looking forward to working with everyone.
2020 TRANSIT PROGRAM
Manager Solesbee introduced the presentation prepared for the May 26 Town Board
study session. The presentation will highlight budget and logistical impacts due to the
COVID-19 pandemic and planned outreach. Solesbee requested feedback, ideas
and/or input from TAB prior to the study session. The implementation of transit service
has been delayed to July 1, 2020. Daily service for all 5 routes will continue from July 1
through October 4. Solesbee is negotiating a flexible lease contract with Rocky
Mountain Transit Management as a safety measure due to the pandemic.
Many public health safety measures will be implemented based on research of peer
communities and weekly calls with all transit agencies. Smaller buses will be used in
Transportation Advisory Board – May 12, 2020 – Page 2
Estes allowing for physical distancing. Estes Transit will provide face coverings, are
looking into driver protection barriers, will practice daily fogging and antibacterial wipes
to wipe down seating and areas.
Discussion of the value of transit will be addressed another time. This will involve a
discussion about outreach and feedback, the different values between locals and
guests, and will look at the environmental impact of shuttle service versus hundreds of
thousands of cars.
A ridership survey went out to all and the Town has received well over a hundred
responses. Although the survey is not yet closed, Solesbee shared some preliminary
results. At this point, the survey is very split between “Not Likely at All” to ride public
transit this year and “Very Likely” to use public transit.
Solesbee is looking at 10 riders per vehicle, with planning all along the way. If 10 riders
were picked up at one stop, no one else allowed to get on along the route. Solesbee
stated there will definitely be operational challenges, but the driver will have to pass
those waiting if that is what is deemed necessary.
One of the options being explored is providing shuttle flexibility to run the fleet.
Solesbee is working to strengthen existing community businesses to fill the gaps (i.e.
Via Mobility). Member Slack asked if there’s an option for a call and pick-up program.
Solesbee stated that on-demand rides may put the Town in competition with local
businesses which is not and intent of this service. Member Moulton confirmed with the
group that the shuttle service is critically important to locals, especially on the Housing
Authority front.
The plan for the 2020 Transit Season is to have the shuttle pick-ups occur at the
parking structure, however the RMNP Hiker Shuttle and CDOT’s Bustang will continue
to use the Visitor Center parking lot.
POSTPONEMENT OF PAID PARKING
Going to the Town Board this evening is the resolution to suspend 2020 parking fees as
a result of the economic impact of COVID-19. Normal permits and citations are being
issued but not the “stepped-up” version. Enforcement of parking is primarily the same
as last year. Data will continue to be collected. Outreach regarding employee permits is
creating interest from business owners.
ELKHORN AVE. / MAIN ST. CLOSURE POTENTIAL
A pilot program is being presented for COVID protection to test a Stay Healthy Streets
Plan proposal. This is a conceptual idea for discussion. It is important to start the
discussion as cities all over the world are devising ways to open up areas for citizens to
move around without the constriction of the downtown sidewalks. The goal is to try and
help enable social distancing.
Director Muhonen emphasized that this is just an idea that will not go anywhere if the
downtown merchants aren’t supportive. This is up for discussion to help mitigate
exposure. The question is whether or not there is a need to give people space while
walking downtown. This may result in lines of patrons along the sidewalk, among the ice
cream eaters, and may result in further congestion. It’s truly up to the merchants what
they feel is needed. There will be a conversation organized by the Chamber of
Commerce at 11 a.m. on Friday with the merchants to discuss ideas.
Chair Morris and Co-Chair Street will create the document after discussions have been
held with the merchants. This may also be discussed at the May 26 Town Board
meeting. Muhonen has made CDOT aware this discussion would be occurring.
Gamble expressed concerns about the location but stated it is a wonderful idea. He
would not recommend doing a pilot test at this location in the middle of the day.
Transportation Advisory Board – May 12, 2020 – Page 3
Member Hanick stated that the MacGregor Avenue & Wonderview (U.S. 34) are already
closed. She stated that she will personally no longer be going downtown as there is no
way to socially distance. It was very busy over the past weekend and will only worsen.
Moulton likes the creativity of the draft plan. If safety measures are provided, he would
encourage those hesitant to come downtown.
Street reminded the group that if a pilot is to be done, it would not start until after
Wonderview is open. Muhonen agreed and stated the Wonderview construction is
scheduled for completion July 1. Street wants to see the pilot but without impeding
travel to RMNP. RMNP’s John Hannon stated that all options of the RMNP reopening
are being explored and more will be rolled out at tonight’s Town Board meeting.
Trustee Bangs shared her appreciation for the approach being taken and getting
downtown merchants involved. Muhonen confirmed that if the merchants are not on
board with this pilot program, the discussion would probably be pulled from the agenda.
Muhonen requested a position document from TAB – how the members are feeling
about this.
Street made a motion that the TAB support Public Works in their participation in the next
Town Board study session to present the basic ideas regarding implementation of the
Safer Streets program, as presented in the TAB packet, contingent upon the support of
the business community.
Slack recommends the Town Board liaison, Carlie Bangs, convey to the Town Board
that this idea is under consideration by the TAB. Bangs stated she plans to share this
information with the Town Board tonight.
Co-Chair Street reiterated that the main goal of this program is to help the downtown
business community by attempting to increase shopping and eating traffic, and by
making the downtown environment more inviting and appealing.
Street withdrew his motion.
PROJECT UPDATES (Engineering Manager David Hook)
Fall River Trail Extension:
The Town now has a construction contract for a phase of the Fall River Trail along Fish
Hatchery Rd. A preconstruction meeting was held last week and the Town is reviewing
the submittals. Hook is now awaiting confirmation of a firm start date but anticipates it’ll
be sometime in June.
Signal at Steamer Dr. & Hwy 34:
The design process continues to progress. Hook has requested a study on how this
signal will impact areas on the other side of U.S. 34.
REQUEST FOR LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Muhonen stated that it would be helpful for the Town Board to hear from TAB via a
second letter of support from this group on the safer streets pilot, if comfortable doing
so. Member Crow made a motion to support authorizing a second letter of support be
sent by TAB, to the Town Board.
With no other business to discuss, Chair Morri s adjourned the meeting at 1:57 p.m.
Recording Secretary
Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Department