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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2017-10-18RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, October 18, 2017 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Room 203 of Town Hall on the 18th day of October, 2017. Present: Kimberly Campbell Gordon Slack Ken Zornes Tom Street Ann Finley Amy Hamrick Belle Morris Also Present:Bob Holcomb, Town Board Liaison Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Larry Gamble, RMNP Lochen Wood, RMNP Absent: Stan Black Claudine Perrault Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment. A motion was made and seconded (Slack/Street) to approve the September minutes and all were in favor. SHUTTLE UPDATE No Shuttle Committee representation was in attendance. Director Muhonen stated that the Town applied for a LONO Grant to purchase an electronic shuttle and was informed this grant is only eligible for year-round transit services. As a result, the Town was not the grant recipient. Transit Program Manager, Brian Wells has submitted a second grant application with different requirements. An update will be provided once a determination of award is made. Lochen Wood of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is working on their Visitor Use Access Strategy. Wood feels it would be positive to integrate RMNP's shuttle service with the Town's service. Director Muhonen will be the Town staff advocate and will work with John Hannon on this initiative. The integration work was suggested to take place after Downtown Loop is in place since it will be easier to predict traffic flows. Wood suggested the TAB be used as a focus group for RMNP solutions and provide opportunity for collaboration related to the RMNP day -use access issue. An Environmental Assessment will coming out regarding RMNP Fall River Entrance upgrades. PROJECT UPDATES, Greg Muhonen, Director of Public Works Estes Park Transit Facility Parking Structure: Director Muhonen indicated that the new parking structure has been at capacity 3 times since opening. Continued comments are being received about the sign saying Visitor Center'. There are individuals that believe RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Board — October 18, 2017 — Page 2 this is only for visitors or that you need to be going to the Visitor Center in order to park there. The Town anticipates the Digital Message Signs (DMS) will help the situation going forward. Wayfinding is still an issue once visitors walk out of the parking structure. Supervisor Berg is handling the assessment and ultimate signage creation. The thought is to create whimsical signage comparable to that in back of the library. An additional 'Visitor Center' sign is to be installed on the south side of the Visitor Center facing the new structure. Digital Message Signs: The Town is collaborating with the low bidder on project scope reduction and defining the scope to be completed by Town employees in order to bring the cost into a manageable range. Further discussions will be delegated to the new Town of Estes Park Engineering Manager starting on October 30, 2017. Moraine Avenue Bridge Replacement: The project got off to a rocky start, although it was not bad during the partial closure. Since the full closure began there has been much discussion regarding signage changes and the confusion created as a result of mid -day traffic control layout. Currently, the sanitation district is performing utility work with new pipe installation connecting to the Weist line allowing emergency or maintenance service to take place on the back side of the area businesses rather than having to perform service at the front along Elkhorn. Member Slack suggested posting a map/graphics rather than using text to convey detour routes providing ease of understanding. Discussed future changes to detours and whether or not the changes justify further press releases. It is anticipated to be 2 weeks before the contractor begins removing the bridge. MacGregor Avenue Improvement: Improvements are substantially complete with minimal corrective work remaining and ADA compliance issues needing addressed. The rapid flash button accessibility needs corrected for further compliance. Member Slack questioned whether or not there is an audible sound when the lights are flashing. Director Muhonen will confirm and if not already available, will see if audio can be retrofitted to provide this capability. Fish Creek: Chair Campbell asked if it is alright to drive on Fish Creek at this time which was confirmed by Director Muhonen. There is currently work being performed on the top mat paving and the tie-ins to the adjoining streets remain to be done. It is anticipated that all will be done by the end of the month. Fall River Trail Extension — The Town has hired a consultant to apply for 2 additional grants. Both applications are due November 1, 2017. One grant funder is Colorado Parks and Wildlife for $200,000 and the other is the Land Water Conservation Fund for $400,000. Larry Gamble of RMNP offered the Town a letter of support. OTHER BUSINESS Member Hamrick expressed concern about the back-ups that occur into the Hwy 34/Hwy 36 intersection. This causes those drivers waiting at the cross lights to sit through green lights because they're unable to get through the intersection. Hamrick suggested that CSOs be assigned to that intersection later in the year during the very busy weekends, comprised mainly of day-trippers, especially in September and October. With no other business to discuss, Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 1:47 p.m.