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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Transportation Advisory Board 2015-3-18 A EP TOWN OF ESTES PART, Transportation Advisory Board Agenda March 18th,2015 Current Members: Bryon Holmes(03/31/16) 12:00 PM—2:00 PM Stan Black(03/31/17) Cory La Bianca(03/31/18) Rooms 202 &203 Kimberly Campbell(03/31/18) Belle Morris (03/31/17) Estes Park Town Hall Ann Finley(03/31/17) Gregg Rounds(03/31/18) 170 MacGregor Ave Amy Hamrick(03/31/16) Thom Widawski(03/31/16) Public Comment Approval of January& February minutes Chair Kimberly Campbell Shuttle Committee Update Sandy Osterman Projects update Director Greg Muhonen • Dry Gulch Improvements Civil Engineer Kevin Ash New Member Orientation approval Chair Kimberly Campbell Recommendation to Trustees Chair Kimberly Campbell • Transit Hub Parking Structure Update Parking Strategy Chair Kimberly Campbell • 2015 Town Trustee Goals Other Business Adjourn The mission of the Town of Estes Park Transportation Advisory Board is to advise the Board of Trustees and the Public Works staff on Local and Regional Comprehensive Transportation Planning Policies; Maintenance, Operation and Expansion Programs; and Transportation Capital Projects. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 21st, 2015 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Room 203 of Town Hall, in said Town of Estes Park on the 21st day of January, 2015. Present: Kimberly Campbell Ann Finley Stan Black Cory LaBianca Gregg Rounds Thom Widawski Belle Morris Bryon Holmes Also Present:Greg Muhonen, Director of Public Works Kevin Ash, Public Works Civil Engineer Jen Imber, Public Works Administrative Assistant Sandy Osterman, Shuttle Committee Representative John Ericson, Town Board Liaison Christy Crosser, Grants Specialist Chief Wes Kufeld, Estes Park Police Department Absent: Amy Hamrick Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m. GENERAL DISCUSSION No public was in attendance, so public comment was not heard. Minutes from the November and December meetings and the Special Meeting on 12/3/14 were reviewed by members. It was moved and seconded (Finley/Labianca) to approve all aforementioned minutes, with the motion passing unanimously. The draft bylaws were reviewed and discussed by members. A few minor amendments were proposed. It was moved and seconded (Finley/Rounds) to approve the amended bylaws, with the motion passing unanimously. Ann Finley nominated Kimberly Campbell for committee chair. It was moved and seconded (Finley/LaBianca) to elect Kimberly Campbell as committee chair , with all voting in favor and Kimberly abstaining from the vote. It was moved and seconded (Finley/Morris) for Cory LaBianca to be re-elected as vice-chair and it passed unanimously. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Committee — January 21st, 2015 — Page 2 Cory LaBianca, Bryon Holmes and Kimberly Campbell have expiring terms on March 31st, 2015. Applications were passed out to these members and each was encouraged to apply for reappointment. Sand Osterman gave a brief update on Shuttle Committee happenings. 2015 will see new logos featured on side of shuttles, new shuttle signage, another trolley will be rented for use on the silver route and the brown route will get larger bus. STAFF UPDATES ON TOWN PROJECTS A brief update was provided on the Downtown Estes Loop project. The Dry Gulch project has been awarded for design to Farnsworth in Fort Collins. The floodplain may cause bigger issue than originally anticipated for the Dry Gulch project, since the floodway comes onto the road, which may cause additional processes and phasing of construction. Obtaining ROW from private property owners could also have an impact on the schedule. An update on the progress of flood recovery projects was also provided. Fish Creek will be completed in two phases - utility work and trail/street work. Utility work has been bid and awarded for design. ROW issues and environmental concerns will take time, construction will probably happen in 2016 with final completion in 2017. MAJOR EVENT TRAFFIC CONGESTION MANAGEMENT Chief Wes Kufeld joined the committee for the major event traffic management plan discussion. Chair Campbell gave a brief overview of the concept. Chief Kufeld said special events take months of planning, including outlying intersections as well as the downtown corridor. Necessary manpower for such events includes all officers as well as 20 auxiliary members. Chief Kufeld has found signage has been the most effective tool for traffic control during events. The Police Department currently struggles with manpower needs and cannot dedicate officers or auxiliary to the proposed traffic management plan. Chief Kufeld suggested formation of another volunteer organization dedicated to traffic control, with the Police Department helping to train them. Chair Campbell asked if signage at Community Drive directing traffic to Fairgrounds and school parking would help congestions. Chief Kufeld indicated that awareness and direction to the location of available parking would be beneficial. He also said events in Bond Park cause backups at the Highway 34/36 intersection because many motorists are slowing down to look at event as they drive by. He believes a person physically RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Committee — January 21st, 2015 — Page 3 standing in the road directing traffic can/will cause another huge backup; it is a delicate balance to avoid creating problems elsewhere. Chair Campbell suggested making the distinction that TAB is taking on parking management and not traffic management, with the primary goal of getting downtown visitors out of their cars as efficiently as possible. Focus on signage with a simple message would be most effective. TAB should discuss what type of message should be delivered through signage, such as directing traffic to free parking areas or indicating that downtown parking was full. Director Muhonen recommended this as a component of the overall downtown parking strategic plan, with effective communication to the motorist being key. Chief Kufeld is supportive, but his department has limited manpower resources, so trained volunteers capable of handling traffic is vital to the success of the plan. The lockup of traffic is concerning on many level, causing road rage and problems getting emergency vehicles through downtown. RV parking and handicap parking are also huge problems. RV parking removed from Visitor Center and Municipal lots would cause complaints, especially from buses dropping off large groups. Chief Kufeld sighted it as more of a traffic issue than a safety issue with large vehicles pulling into the Municipal lot and causing a blockage. If Municipal RV spots are eliminated, they would need to be reallocated somewhere else downtown. Tour buses and RVs need to be a specific component of parking plan. Special event management will be a sub-topic of overall downtown parking strategic plan. TRANSIT HUB PARKING STRUCTURE Director Muhonen reported the south side parking lot is not a viable option for the parking structure in accordance with using grant money. In order to obtain the needed additional 500 parking spaces, structures will be needed on both sides of the river on the Visitor Center campus. At this point the Town needs to decide if the grant money will be used to build on the north side or if the money will be returned to the Feds. Director Muhonen gave an overview of several new options and costs for the north side structure. A smaller building could be built on the north side to utilize the grant money, with the south side site being revisited in the future as a new project. Chair Campbell asked if the board was in favor of recommending the project on the north side, with a show of hands indicating six members were in favor of moving forward RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Committee — January 21st, 2015 — Page 4 with a structure on the north lot and two opposed. With the majority of the board in support of the original location of project, they will move forward with a recommendation to build a structure with a smaller footprint on the north lot. Chair Campbell proposed appearing along with Director Muhonen at a Town Board meeting to summarize TAB discussion on the project, but that the board hasn't reached consensus. The Transit Hub Parking Structure discussion will continue at the February meeting. With no other business to discuss, Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 2:09 p.m. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 25th, 2015 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Rooms 202 & 203 of Town Hall, in said Town of Estes Park on the 25th day of February, 2015. Present: Kimberly Campbell Ann Finley Stan Black Cory LaBianca Gregg Rounds Thom Widawski Belle Morris Amy Hamrick Also Present:Greg Muhonen, Director of Public Works Kevin Ash, Public Works Civil Engineer Jen Imber, Public Works Administrative Assistant Sandy Osterman, Shuttle Committee Representative John Ericson, Town Board Liaison Absent: Bryon Holmes Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. GENERAL DISCUSSION The public in attendance declined to comment. Chair Campbell updated on a new meeting process she and Director Muhonen discussed. Moving forward, the board will tackle one major topic per meeting. An hour to an hour and a half will be devoted to the main topic, with the intention of other agenda items being informative and not lingering on these smaller items. The main focus for the March TAB meeting will be on parking. Chair Campbell asked members to prepare by reading the Estes Park Transit & Parking Study from December 2013 and also to research how other communities have creatively dealt with parking issues. Approval of January minutes was postponed to allow for additional review time. Cory LaBianca, Bryon Holmes and Kimberly Campbell have expiring terms on March 31st, 2015. All three members reapplied for their positions. Trustee Ericson reported RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Committee — February 25th, 2015 — Page 2 since these were the only three applications received, no interviews will be held and reappointment of the incumbents would occur at the March 10th Town Board meeting. Sandy Osterman gave a brief update on Shuttle Committee items. Full shuttle service for 2015 commences on May 27th and ends September 13th. Additional shuttles will run on weekends outside of the regular schedule when special events occur in town. STAFF UPDATES ON TOWN PROJECTS Director Muhonen reported the Downtown Estes Loop TAC will present results of the screening process and evaluation of options to the Trustees at the March 18th Study Session. A public meeting will be held on March 25th on same topic and Town Board will vote to proceed on one option at the April 14th Town Board meeting. TAB members were encouraged to attend both the Study Session and participate in the public meeting. A special TAB meeting will also be held on March 31st to formulate a Downtown Estes Loop route selection recommendation to the Trustees, to be presented at the April 14th Town Board meeting. Utility repair on Fish Creek is under construction and scheduled to be done by June 2015, at which time temporary culverts will be installed at Brody and Fish Creek to open intersections for school buses. Permanent construction won't begin until 2016. Kevin Ash updated on the Dry Gulch project. The consultant has done survey work and drilled existing pavement to understand recent failures. The project is currently facing challenges with right of way acquisition for the detached trail through Sombrero Ranch property, so the everything must be constructed within the Town's current right of way. Design alternatives will be presented to TAB for evaluation and comment, bid docs will go out the beginning of May. NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION Cory LaBianca and Amy Hamrick researched effective ways of introducing new members to TAB and catching them up on processes and information. Upon approval of a new board member, they suggested the following orientation process: 1. Assign a current member Mentor to the new board member. The Mentor would be the new board member's go-to person for questions, concerns, and a greater understanding of how the board works. The Mentor would also participate in the new member Orientation. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Committee — February 25th, 2015 — Page 3 2. New Member Orientation- A 1 hour meeting with the new member, the Mentor, and the President to give the new member a general layout and understanding of the current and future goals and projects of the board. a. Provide hard copy of the following documents: Current By-Laws; List of Members; Meeting Schedule; and Working Document of our Goals and Projects. b. Share an outline of the Transportation Visioning Report (while a little outdated, it provides a good background of the board's development and initial purpose) and provide access to the digital link or file. c. Address and questions or concerns of the new member. 3. First Meeting- a quick introduction from each board member and from the new board member (name, business or resident in town, and what brought you to the TAB.) Members will review this process and vote for adoption at the March meeting. RMNP/CDOT SIGNAGE UPDATES Director Muhonen is working with CDOT to update a number of highway signs around town. Current signs and CDOT suggestions for change were presented to TAB for comment. TAB was in agreement that CDOT is currently using signs for dual purposes, to identify highways as well as giving directions to RMNP and that the signs are trying to communicate too much. It was expressed that consistency with signs and messages is very important. White on green should be used to identify highways and the downtown area, while white on brown be used for all signage identifying the national park. TAB advocated identifying the downtown area on the signage, but changing the language from "business district" to "historic downtown". Improved signage for the Visitor Center/ RMNP info center was identified as a future agenda item. RECOMMENDATION TO TRUSTEES REGARDING TRANSIT HUB PARKING STRUCTURE Director Muhonen provided a matrix three north-side options and one south-side option for the parking structure. The matrix highlighted the pros and cons of each option. The board immediately ruled out two the first two north-side options due to budgetary and design concerns. The third north-side option was favorable, with Options 3B and 3C in RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Committee — February 25t", 2015 — Page 4 the matrix preferable, but the overall favorite of the board was the smaller South Site option. Members asked how Town would accomplish a "second phase" of the project if a smaller structure was built with additional levels to be added in the future. Director Muhonen stated that additional funds would be needed and another grant request would be submitted to add one or two more levels onto the structure built in Phase 1. Trustees expressed a desire for an option that can be built now using existing grant money. Consensus was to walk away from the money if the project can't be done in the most effective way possible, with the structure built on the South Site. Director Muhonen reminded the board that 500 spots are needed and even a less-favorable version of this project would provide a portion of those needed spaces. A vote was taken by the board, with five (5) members voting in favor of returning the grant money if the South Site option was not selected and three (3) members voting in favor of continuing the project and spending the grant money on a smaller structure on either the north or the south side of the river. With no other business to discuss, Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 2:10 p.m. DRAFT Transportation Advisory Board New Member Orientation Process . . . Upon approval of a new board member, we suggest the following orientation process: 1. Assign one current board member as a mentor for the new board member. This "go-to"person will be available to answer questions, provide discussion as requested and will also participate in the new member's orientation meeting. 2. New Member Orientation: A one-hour meeting with the new member's mentor and the current president of the board. (NOTE: Other board or staff or town staff members are welcome to attend, if interested.) • New members will be given a general understanding of the goals and current projects being undertaking by the Transportation Advisory Board. • New members will be given the opportunity to address questions and/or concerns. • Each new member will be provided a hard or digital copy of the following: 1. current by-laws 2. list of members 3. meeting schedule 4. working document of goals and projects 5. access to the Transportation Visioning Report and other pertinent studies or articles about transportation issues (NOTE: While only a"vision,"the Transportation Visioning Report provides a background of the TVB's development, purpose, and transportation visions for the Estes Valley and ideas raised by a citizen committee over an 18-month period.) 3. New Member's First "Welcome" Meeting: • Around-the-Table introduction from each board member, including name, where they live or do business and their reasons for joining the TAB. • New board member will also be given the opportunity to introduce themselves. Submitted by: Amy Hamrick and Cory La Bianca, 1/15/15 i fP TOWN OF ESTES P Memo PUBLIC WORKS To: Honorable Mayor Pinkham Board of Trustees Town Administrator Lancaster From: Kimberly Campbell, Chair, Transportation Advisory Board Date: March 24, 2015 RE: Visitor Center Transit Hub Parking Structure On Wednesday, February 25, the Transportation Advisory Board held its regularly scheduled meeting for February. The primary topic of discussion at this meeting was to rank our top 3 choices from the 13 available options on the transit hub/parking structure grid prepared by Director Muhonen (revised 23 Feb 2015). Process of Elimination The Board quickly eliminated options by the following criteria: • Excessively high in cost: Original Design, Option 1, Option 1 B, Option 2, Option 2A, Option 3, and Option 3A • Excessive Cost per New Stall: Option 1C • Number of phase I spaces created Once narrowed, we were left with Options 3B, 3C, and the South Site with Third Level removed. Board's Preference The majority of the committee (by a vote of 5 of the 8 members present) chose to support only one option (rather than ranking 3 options) — the South Lot with the Third Level Removed. The members strongly prefer the South Lot over the North Lot. Reasons for supporting this lot include: aesthetics, improved vehicular ingress/egress, and fewer utility complications. The decision to select only one option, rather than ranking three options, came from an overriding sentiment not to support a less than optimal project, even if it means forfeiting a significant funding source. The remaining three members present supported pursuing the North Lot options (Options 3B, 3C — not in any particular order of preference) if the South Lot were not an option. Commentary • Location: The committee remains unsure that the Visitor Center lots are the preferred locations for parking structures. There remains a preference by some members to building structures in downtown, rather than intercept/transit parking. There remains concern that the lots will not be successful and fully utilized, given that the visitor center lot is currently not full throughout the summer in its current configuration. • Aesthetics: Despite the need for hundreds of additional parking spaces, the committee is very focused on ensuring that the aesthetics of the project will be pleasing to the residents. It is thought that an un-attractive structure, as our first structure, will undermine support for any future parking structure. • Funding Source: The Board expressed an interest in exploring alternate funding sources for parking structure development. Summary In my opinion, it seems that our lack of a defined parking strategy is undermining support for the proposed transit hub/parking structure. In our next few meetings, we plan to look at parking from a more strategic perspective, rather than reactive. If we could build a framework for a parking strategy, we might be able to judge variables such as parking structure location on the basis of whether it is in line with our parking strategy, rather than whether we "like" the option being discussed. Further, I don't believe the committee's recommendation of only the south lot option took into consideration the potential impact that rejecting a grant could have on the Town's ability to be selected for federal grants in the future. Due to time constraints, this argument was only addressed at the very end of the discussion after the committee's preference had been voted upon. 2015 BOARD OBJECTIVES Responsible KEY OUTCOME AREAS Depts. Complete Comments 3/11/2015 I. ROBUST ECONOMY- Diverse, healthy year-round economy A Sign code - revise for ease of use but retain basic intent Corn Dev/Com Svcs Downtown improvements (URA, etc.) - explore options. Involve B citizenry Admin C Broadband access - increase, coordinate with EDC Admin/Utilities Participation in local/regional/State economic development- D continue Admin II. INFRASTRUCTURE - Reliable, efficient, up-to-date Paid parking in some areas-explore option with A public/business/TAB Public Works Bids over budget. Redesign required. $700k additional funds required. Will not start in 2015 if moved to south B Parking Structure at Visitors Center-start construction Public Works 25% VC parking lot. C Utilities-complete flood-related repairs Utilities D Glacier WTP - implementation decisions on improve or replace. Utilities Fall River Trail - complete grant-funded environmental studies E required for extension Public Works/Com Dev Repair flood-damaged trails - using Open Space Funds where F possible Public Works G Trails Fund - start planning for use Public Works This will be performed by the new FM. 55 applications H Facility Maintenance - develop sustainable funding plan Public Works 5% received. 4 interviews expected March 25th. III. EXCEPTIONAL GUEST SERVICES- preferred CO mtn destination, exceptional guest service A Special Events - implement adopted strategy for evaluating/recruiting/retaining special events in the town. Corn Svcs B Conference Center roof- repair Public Works/Com Svcs IV. PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT-safe place to live, work, and visit A Restore streams damaged by flood -work to do so Public Works/Com Dev B Re-define flood plain(s) within Town boundaries Corn Dev Provide bear-resistant trash and recycling receptacles-continue C program Public Works/Admin D Elm Road landfill -complete mitigation work Public Works Dangerous Bldgs. and Bldg. Mtc sections of Intl Bldg. Code - E consider adopting Corn Dev V. OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICES-safe place to live,work, and visit, with housing available for all A Comprehensive Plan - update Corn Dev B Sign code - revise for ease of use but retain basic intent (see 1A.) Corn Dev/Com Svcs C Housing needs - define/identify potential action plans. Update/do housing needs study Admin D Public Art/memorials/donations - develop policy Public Works Community Ctr/Sr Ctr -work w EVRPD/others to develop and E build Corn Svcs F RMNP 100th anniversary- participate Corn Svcs/Admin G Centennial Celebration Committee-form Corn Svcs/Admin VI. GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES AND INTERNAL SUPPORT-high- quality, reliable, basic muni services for citizens,guest and employees,which being good stewards of public resources historic data compiled, spreadsheets ready for current A Capital planning process- implement Finance/PW/Util 25% data B being developed, need to complete and bring to Board/Town Policies-complete revision Admin/Finance 25% Leadership Team meetings by end of April TRANSPORTATION -safe, efficient,well-maintained multi-modal systems for peds,vehicles and transit A TVC signage recommendations-evaluate/prioritize Public Works B Flood damage repairs-complete Fish creek corridor and other Town roads Public Works C Town Roads- preventative mtc activities, create plan for new Street Fund $$ use. Include bike/ped lanes whenever possible Public Works D Dry Gulch Road -complete reconstruction Public Works Downtown Loop Project- being, starting w NEPA process and E public input Public Works/Admin on schedule behind schedule not yet started, on hold/tables/suspended, discontinued