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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2021-04-21 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, April 21, 2021 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held virtually on the 21st day of April 2021. Committee: Belle Morris, Tom Street, Ann Finley, Larry Gamble, Linda Hanick, Scott Moulton, Gordon Slack, Ron Wilcocks Attending: Belle Morris, Tom Street, Ann Finley, Larry Gamble, Linda Hanick, Scott Moulton, Gordon Slack, Trustee Carlie Bangs, Public Works Director Greg Muhonen, Engineering Mgr. David Hook, Pavement Mgr. Ryan Barr, Parking & Transit Mgr. Vanessa Solesbee, Rocky Mountain National Park John Hannon, Sanderson Stewart’s Danielle Schart and Kerry Childress, Dave Coulson of Coulson Excavating Absent: Ron Wilcocks Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:02 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/Hanick) to approve the March meeting minutes with minor edits and all were in favor. GRAVES AVE. IMPROVEMENTS - PRESENTATION (Consultant Sanderson Stewart) Manager Barr introduced members of the Sanderson Stewart consulting team, Danielle Schart and Kerry Childress. The team has arrived at the conceptual design stage. Today the presentation will begin with an overview of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) process and will move into the conceptual designs. Schart shared a presentation with the TAB that will be included in the Town Board approval of the minutes from today’s meeting. From a national perspective, Schart reviewed the statistics showing that most children are now driven to school rather than walking or biking. As traffic increases, parents become more convinced the children should not walk to school. While promoting walking and biking is ideal to increase physical activity, it must be safe for them to do so. This activity is important not only for improved physical and mental health, reducing childhood obesity and diabetes trends, but it also reduces traffic congestion and emissions in the community. Physical activity also helps with academics. Barriers to safe walking/biking were then discussed. Schools used to be smaller and located within the neighborhoods, encouraging student travel. Currently, schools are larger and are located outside the neighborhoods. More communities are making SRTS programs a priority and putting measures into common practice. It takes both the schools and the parents, working collaboratively, to succeed in making an impact. Schart then handed the presentation over to Kerry Childress for the Graves Avenue conceptual design review. Childress began by discussing the background on how community information was collected to arrive at the designs, stating much excitement was shown for a new sidewalk/trail, and began discussing the three established options. • Option 1: 8-ft wide multimodal path on the north side of Graves Ave., connecting with the existing path at O’Reilly’s Automotive, and allows a mid- block pedestrian crossing. The total cost for Option 1 would be $287,500. All Transportation Advisory Board – April 21, 2021 – Page 2 work would occur within existing Town Right of Way, so no easement costs are needed. • Option 2: 5-ft wide sidewalk on the south side of Graves Ave., aligned with the existing sidewalk at Remax. On-street parking would be retained and would allow a mid-block pedestrian crossing. Easements would need to be acquired bringing the total cost of Option 2 to $371,300. • Option 3: 5-ft wide sidewalk on the south side of Graves Ave., aligned with the existing sidewalk at Remax and eliminating the existing parking lane. This option would also allow a mid-block pedestrian crossing and would total $346,580. Much discussion was had regarding the options presented. Comments provided to Sanderson Stewart included: • Chair Morris stated her preference for an 8-10 ft. multi-modal trail on one side of Graves Ave. and a smaller sidewalk on the opposite side of the street. She recommended a design like 4th Street where pedestrians, wheelchairs and bicycles understood which part of the wide sidewalk was allocated for them . Morris suggested a study be performed on the usage of on-street parking to help understand the current parking behaviors along Graves Ave. • Morris emphasized the importance of Graves Ave. being a gateway to the Community Center for residents and visitors to enjoy. She encouraged the design to have beautifying features. • Member Hanick shared her preference for the 8-ft trail on the north with no parking anywhere on the north side. Manager Barr will investigate elimination of the parking spaces on the north side. Morris agrees that it would be more inclusive for cyclists. • Dave Coulson suggested the potential for a raised pedestrian crossing for traffic calming. Barr agreed with the suggestion and will discuss with the Town’s Streets Division supervisor. • Director Muhonen asked the consultant why options 2 and 3 do not provide for multimodal use. Childress stated there is no physical room, adding that there may be a bit more room if on-street parking is eliminated. Manager Barr will research other options and shared that the SRTS budget for Graves Ave. is approximately $500K, with a local match of $125K. • Member Slack shared his preference for utilizing the south side of Graves Ave. stating that the kids use that side in their travels. Slack asked if Graves Ave. is wide enough for parallel parking and Muhonen confirmed but recommended measurements be taken. • Chair Morris stated her preference for an 8-ft trail on both sides of Graves Ave. stating multimodal needs. She suggested a study be performed on the usage of on-street parking. • Member Gamble stated there seem to be pros and cons either way. For the south side, there are a number of conflicts with businesses and traffic exiting and entering parking lots, but he agrees there should be continuity. Gamble is attracted to the north side due to the option of the continuo us 8-ft path and fewer conflicts with cross traffic. • Member Moulton stated that pedestrians will generally use the path of least resistance. The shortest route is the south side. He asked that the Town and consultants keep those considerations in mind when planning for infrastructure. Moulton also agrees that the 8-ft trail should be on both sides. Transportation Advisory Board – April 21, 2021 – Page 3 Manager Hook interjected to remind the members that the budget is not unlimited and to be cautious, but that tweaks to the design may be possible. To add an 8-ft trail on both sides would exceed the existing budget. Difficult decisions will need to be made based on the funding we have available and the outcome that is desired. Easement costs on south side are high. Unlike most roads, Graves Ave. is offset in the Town’s right of way. Additionally, the current schedule doesn’t have any allowance for easement work and its introduction would delay the project. If it determined the scope needs expanding, it may have to be done in a phased approach. • Trustee Bangs, being familiar with the area, stated it would be necessary to engage the property owners in the area as there are employees that currently use the on-street parking. • Moulton stated that due to the large spacing on CO 7 between school zone lights, some pulling into traffic aren’t aware of the school zone timing. Manager Barr indicated that any changes along CO 7 would require involvement with CDOT, but this may be included in a future SRTS grant application. • Gamble stated that based on the discussions had, he would like to see an option presented with the 8-ft multimodal trail being located on the south side. Hook shared that this presentation was to gather input from the citizen advisory group but informed the group that there will be another round of community outreach prior to finalization of the design. Barr stated the concept designs will be posted to the project website, contained in the press release, and posted at the school. Muhonen stated that if the three options are provided to the public, the options for consideration should change. As TAB stated, it is very important to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians for the full length on Graves Ave. TAB members were split on which side to install the wider multi-modal path. Muhonen also suggested modification to one of the options to allow 8-ft trail on the south side while listing the ramifications. Once the adjustments have been made, the Town will share with the public. The next steps include a public virtual meeting which should occur within the next couple weeks. SIDEWALK/TRAIL INVENTORY TASK FORCE UPDATE (Chair, Belle Morris) Morris shared that the task force completed the one-mile radius walking audit to complete the SRTS paperwork. Morris thanked both Gamble and Street for their walking inventory assessment work. She also thanked the task force in attendance, for their time and care. During the summer, the walking audit will expand to cover a two -mile radius of the school. The inventory identifies gaps and deficiencies that obstruct safe and comfortable walking or biking for all users, ages, ability and incomes. PARKING & TRANSIT UPDATES (Parking & Transit Mgr. Vanessa Solesbee) Transit: 2021 seasonal transit service is set to begin daily service on May 28. Other service routes will begin July 1 and the Green Route will begin July 3. CDOT’s Bustang will be starting soon and will continue through the annual ElkFest event. Seasonal transit brochures will be distributed within the next couple weeks. The Town’s second electric trolley is behind schedule for delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new trolley may not arrive until July. During the interim, a loaner gas- powered trolley will be provided. A Request for Proposal for the housing for two Town-owned electric trolleys has been published. The mandatory pre-proposal meeting and optional site tour took place last week. All proposals are due April 30, which will then be reviewed and the final selection made. The total budget for this project is $376K (80% - FTA, 20% - Town). Gamble identified the need for good transit information to be provided at the parking structure. Solesbee has put much thought into this need and is collaborating with the Transportation Advisory Board – April 21, 2021 – Page 4 Parks Division. Slack recommended installing directional signage at the south side of the east pedestrian bridge. Parking: Solesbee provided a detailed overview to the Town Board last week. The website is being kept up to date and the Town is actively performing outreach and engagement. The technology implementation for paid parking began last week. Muhonen or Hook will provide an update on wayfinding during their portion of updates. Solesbee and Eisenberg are working on supplemental signs to be contained within the parking areas or in CDOT right of way. Shared images with the group. The supplemental signs will closely resemble those as part of the larger wayfinding project. ENGINEERING UPDATES (Engineering Mgr. David Hook) Manager Hook provided project updates since the last meeting. Parking Wayfinding: The successful bidder was awarded the project. The project is being split into phased approaches. Phase 1 includes destination signs at parking lot entrances. Phase 2 includes directional signs within the CDOT right of way. Phase 1 is anticipated for completion in May. Due to this being a pilot project, semi-permanent signs are being installed. Feedback will be received on the signs being installed. Town Development Reviews: Elkhorn Lodge continuing with design process – closer to construction. Alarado Traffic Signal: Delivery of the traffic signals is expected this week with plans to install them next week. Completion of the traffic signal installation is anticipated for the end of May. The Stanley Film Center technical review will take place in May. PROJECT / ADMINISTRATION UPDATES (Public Works Director Greg Muhonen) Director Muhonen spoke on the Revitalizing Main Streets grant program extension for larger projects and requested a letter of support, if the TAB members agree with the proposal. Public Works (PW) has met with CDOT and intends to apply for funds to make up the US 36 & Community Dr. Roundabout funding shortfall. PW will also be requesting added funds to expand the original project scope to include a multiuse trail. This trail would connect to the Estes Lake trail as well as the sidewalk going to the school. The school asked that this be expanded further to include the CTE building. The total request will amount to $1.5M including all additions. The trail would be 10-ft wide with delineation of surface colors for cyclists and pedestrians. TAB unanimously approved Chair Morris to create a letter of support for this endeavor. Muhonen expressed thanks to Trustee Bangs for her efforts in changing the US 34 Corridor Study from a 5-year Strategic Goal to a 2021 Strategic Objective. The matter will be discussed at the May 11 Town Board Study Session. Muhonen met with the CDOT team regarding the needed overlay of US 34, as well as US 36 from old Donut Haus property extending to Mary’s Lake Road. The US 36 portion was intended to occur in 2022 when the RMNP Fall River Entrance Station is closed for rehabilitation. The scheduling decision continues as striping concerns and traffic congestion have been mentioned. Chair Morris requested bike lanes be added along US 34. Input from the TAB will be solicited this summer. Member Slack wanted to note that the existing topcoat on US 34 is nearly gone and has only worsened with the recent freeze and thaw. Transportation Advisory Board – April 21, 2021 – Page 5 OTHER BUSINESS (Chair, Belle Morris) Morris extended her thanks to Member Hanick for her advocating for TAB and encouraging others to apply for membership to the board in he r recent presentation to the Estes Park Non-Profit Resource Center (EPNRC). There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:30 p.m. Megan Van Hoozer, Recording Secretary