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Home My WebLink AboutPACKET Transportation Advisory Board 2022-6-156/10/2022 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD June 15, 2022 12:00 p.m. REGULAR MEETING Town Hall | Room 202 AGENDA In-Person Meeting | Board, Staff, and Public 12:00 pm Public Comment 12:05 pm Trustee Liaison Update Trustee Martchink 12:10 pm Approval of Minutes dated May 18, 2022 (packet) 12:15 pm Parking & Transit Updates Manager Solesbee 12:40 pm Engineering Updates Director Muhonen Downtown Wayfinding Plan (packet) 1:10 pm Administration Updates Director Muhonen 1:55 pm Other Business Adjourn 1 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, May 18, 2022 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 18th day of May, 2022. Board: Chair Morris; Vice-Chair Ekeren; Members Bernal, Finley, Gamble, and Slack Attending: Chair Morris; Vice-Chair Ekeren; Members Finley, Gamble, and Slack; Managers Barr, Hook, and Solesbee; Director Muhonen; Trustee Martchink; and Recording Secretary McDonald. Also attending were Dana Klein (The Car Park) and Peter Gibbs (Resident). Absent: Member Bernal Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Resident Gibbs inquired about the status of applications for the TAB’s current vacancies. Trustee Martchink advised that applicants would be notified by email regarding the interview process. TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE Trustee Martchink introduced himself as the new Town Board liaison to the TAB. He replaces Trustee Bangs and is in the process of reading through past minutes of the TAB. The Town Board has begun the 2023 strategic planning process, and invites recommendations and questions. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED APRIL 20, 2022 It was moved and seconded (Slack/Gamble) to approve the April 20, 2022, minutes, and the motion passed unanimously. PARKING & TRANSIT UPDATES Manager Solesbee reported that the paid parking season begins May 27. Improved signage and additional paystations will be placed next week, parking permits are being renewed or purchased, and staff is working with IT and Trailblazer to ensure dependable Wi-Fi access in all paid parking lots. Manager Klein (The Car Park) has secured three full-time and two part-time staff, and emphasized “ambassadorial-focused” customer service. The foldable 2022 parking maps were distributed. Discussion points included the process for monitoring parking lots; the use of zero-dollar, courtesy citations (welcome note with instructions for how to pay the next time) early in the season; how to communicate with customers who habitually decline to pay for parking; and the issuing of an official citation when a customer parks without credentials in a restricted space. Communication strategies about parking and transit are options-focused and include the Town’s website and news releases; Visit Estes Park’s (VEP) social media and newsletter; participation in the Estes Chamber of Commerce’s (ECC) Estes Inspired Tourism Tradeshow on May 3, and collaboration with the ECC’s lodging members to provide materials to their guests; being featured on the “Know Before You Go” series on Channel 8 EPTV; translation of print resources into Spanish and the distribution plan for print resources through the community; and a fun and friendly ad series for the free trolley and animal-themed parking lots. Daily summer trolley service also begins May 27, with the remaining five routes in service on July 1. Bustang and the Rocky Mountain National Park’s (RMNP) Hiker Shuttle resume service on Memorial Day weekend, with required reservations being handled by those entities. Other transit updates included communication efforts regarding the closing of the Visitor Center (VC) parking lot during the Farmers’ Market; pursuance of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant 5339b to cover the 59 percent cost increase for completing 2 Transportation Advisory Board – May 18, 2022 – Page 2 the trolley facility, which will require a Town Board letter of support; and the receipt of a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) grant agreement for redesign of the VC parking lot (SB 267 project), for which the TAB is asked to help prepare the Request for Proposal (RFP) this fall. Discussion points included the use of staff flaggers to direct parking for the Farmers’ Market; concerns about turning left from the VC parking lot onto Big Thompson Avenue; the possibility of expanding bicycle racks and ebike charging stations; adding bicycle racks to the current parking map; and the importance of developing the Transit Development Plan (TDP) with a mobility-hub theme. EXPRESS PASS: UPDATED OPTIONS & DISCUSSION Manager Solesbee invited Manager Klein to present feedback from the Downtown Parking Task Force (DPTF) regarding the concept of a pre-purchased “Express Pass” parking permit. The DPTF’s goals, concerns, and alternatives were discussed. Staff and The Car Park propose seeking Town Board approval—with a letter of support from the TAB—to pilot the pass for 2022, allowing time to collect vehicle-behavior data showing the permit’s impact on both paid parking and the customer experience. It was agreed that limiting the number of permits during the pilot season could compromise the data needed to fairly assess its value. TAB indicated support of an Express Pass pilot in 2022 with data collection and refinement mid-season, if needed. Chair Morris offered to write a letter of support. FALL RIVER TRAIL: COLORADO THE BEAUTIFUL GRANT Manager Hook advised that Manager Barr is pursuing a new job opportunity, with his last date of Town employment being May 27. Managers Hook and Barr presented the bid set for the segment of the Fall River Trail (FRT) being funded by the Colorado the Beautiful (CtB) grant, which features completion of the bus pullouts. There was discussion about the need for overhead shelters for cyclists and transit vehicles along the trail, and it was agreed that the future MTP would address this need. ENGINEERING UPDATES Manager Hook’s engineering updates included the recruitment planning to fill two engineer vacancies for Civil Engineer I and II, with modifications to certain requirements; the upcoming interview for the Grants Specialist position; progress of the Downtown Wayfinding Plan (DWP) since the April 21 public meeting, which produced valuable feedback on the initial signage designs from participants, as well as ongoing discussion between the DWP team and representatives from VEP, the ECC, and the VC; the status of the two Multimodal Transportation and Mitigation Option Funds (MMOF) grant applications, which are due June 1; and progress on the West Elkhorn Avenue improvements. 2023 TAB STRATEGIC PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS Chair Morris invited discussion on the 2023 TAB Strategic Planning Topics document, which focuses on extending funding for trail maintenance and expansion; development of the Multimodal Transportation Master Plan (MTP); and Moraine Avenue improvements. Discussion points included ROW history near Lumpy Ridge; prioritizing of the FRT grant and 2023 construction projects; possible outreach efforts to solicit continued support for the expiring 1A Sales Tax Fund; the sequence of agency approval for autonomous vehicles to be prioritized in infrastructure planning; and safety issues at the intersection of Moraine Avenue and Mary’s Lake Road, which could be addressed in a 2024 Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant application. The first 2023 strategic planning session was hosted by the Town Board on May 17, with strong participation by the Environmental Sustainability Task Force (ESTF); the second session is scheduled for June 13, for which Director Muhonen advised that the TAB submit its letter of 2023 priorities for consideration. ENGINEERING & ADMINISTRATION UPDATES Director Muhonen reported that the Town Board approved the contract for the US 36 and Community Drive Roundabout, with construction to commence this fall. The project schedule and cost for the Downtown Estes Loop (DES) will be discussed at the May 24 Town Board Study Session. The Central Federal Lands (CFL) will ask for an increase in local match funds to secure the additional $3 million in FLAP funds needed for the DES, and a letter of support from the TAB will be needed following the CFL’s official request. 3 Transportation Advisory Board – May 18, 2022 – Page 3 OTHER BUSINESS There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:06pm. Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary 4 5 DOWNTOWN WAYFINDING Clear, simple, not busy Emphasis on workmanship Dark sky compliance Digital element Neutral colors pallet – earth tones – match national park Use icons – good for tourists Compact design – do not take up a lot of space on sidewalks Artistic Charming Wood Warm lighting What we heard from the public so far Next Steps Design a new series of waynding signs for downtown Estes Park that create a cohesive family of signs and blends in with the Town aesthetic. Develop, review, and nalize locations and messaging for directional waynding signs and kiosks to assist with directing visitors and residents to town amenities. Prepare a phased implementation plan based on Town priorities, budget impacts, and estimated costs for fabrication and installation. Document Existing Conditions Community Input Round 1 - What are your goals for signage? Preliminary Designs & Locations Community Input Round 2 - Help us design the signs! Draft Designs & Location Plan Community Input Round 3 - Did we get it right? Finalize and Adopt the Plan Please review the attached preliminary designs and note your likes/dislikes of materials, look, feel, and patten options. Your input is invaluable to this process as we choose how to proceed with final designs. These preliminary designs will be unveiled to the public via an online public survey (tentatively planned to open June 20th) on the project website page estes.org/wayfinding. We will be asking for participants to choose their favorite designs, design elements, and materials. The survey will be advertised online and around town at existing events and will stay open for comments for approximately one month. We will let you know when the survey is open! If you have an comments or questions please feel free to email Project Manager, Amy Wiles, at amy.wiles@eholdingsinc.com Project Goals Project Steps Best practice images with most votes from public meeting weare here 6 Estes Park Waynding Punch Pattern Options Evergreen Bough Antlers River (Riverwalk)Columbine ower E s t e s P a r k E s t e s P a r k Pedestrian Directional w/Blades (cut-out steel w/stone base) Pedestrian Directional (2018/2019 design option) 2019 Design Inspired Options Estes Park Waynding Pedestrian Directional 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN E s t e s P a r k 7 Pedestrian Directional W/Blades (wood w/stone base) Pedestrian Directional W/Blades & Middle Icon Cu (wood w/stone base) Pedestrian Directional W/Blades - Small (wood w/metal icon panel layer) Wood & Metal Options Estes Park Waynding Pedestrian Directional 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN RI V E R W A L K 00 MIN 00 MIN 8 Pedestrian Directional w/Blades - Small (cut-out steel layers) Pedestrian Directional w/Blades (cut-out steel layers) Pedestrian Directional w/Blades (cut-out steel) Pedestrian Directional (cut-out steel w/stone base) Metal & Stone Options Estes Park Waynding Pedestrian Directional 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN RI V E R W A L K 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 9 Info Kiosk - Small (cut-out steel w/stone base) Info Kiosk - Small (based on 2018/2019 design option) Info Kiosk w/Directional - Small (wood w/stone base) Small Footprint Estes Park Waynding Informational Kiosk ii Info Kiosk w/Directional - Small (wood w/cut-out steel layer) 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN 00 MIN i IN F O R M A T I O N INFORMATION IN F O R M A T I O N E s t e s P a r k 10 Es t e s P a r k Info Kiosk - Larger Cut-Out Graphic - Double sided (metal cut-out panel w/stone base) Info Kiosk (2018/2019 design option Info Kiosk - Larger Cut-Out Graphic - Double sided (wood post, metal cut-out panel w/stone base) Larger Footprint Estes Park Waynding Informational Kiosk 11 Auto Directional Shuttle Stop Parking Estes Park Waynding Auto Directional, Shuttle Stop & Parking Tr e g e n t P a r k Stop #4 Auto Directional (cut-out steel layers) Auto Directional (based on 2018/2019 design option) Shuttle Stop (cut-out steel layers) Parking (cut-out steel layers) Parking (based on 2018/2019 design option) Estes ParkVisitors Center Estes Park Historic Downtown Lake Estes Shuttle Stop (based on 2018/2019 design option) Shuttle Stop (wood pole) Estes Park Visitors Center Estes Park Historic Downtown Lake Estes Estes Park Visitors Center FREE Estes ParkTown Hall PAID Browneld’sLot FREE Estes Park Visitors Center FREE Estes Park Town Hall PAID Browneld’s Lot FREE Pa r k i n g Tr e g e n t P a r k Stop #4 4 TR E G E N T P A R K 12