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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2016-06-15RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, June 15th, 2016 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Board 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 15th day of June, 2016. Present: Kimberly Campbell Ann Finley Gordon Slack Ken Zornes Tom Street Stan Black Belle Morris Also Present: Greg Muhonen, Director of Public Works Bob Holcomb, Town Board Liaison Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Kevin Ash, Engineering Manager Absent: Gregg Rounds Amy Hamrick Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. GENERAL DISCUSSION It was moved and seconded (Slack/Finley) to approve the May meeting minutes with changes and the motion passed unanimously. Finley extended appreciation to Bob Holcomb for his write-up about the Loop. PROJECT UPDATES Chair Campbell re -introduced CDOT's Rich Christy, Keith Wakefield, and contractor, Steve G. who came back to discuss the Hwy 7 design progress and present new/additional ideas for discussion with the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB). There was much discussion regarding the Lane sizes, school zones, bike/pedestrian lanes, and the coordination required due to the upcoming Hwy 34 closure and the Estes Park peak visitor season. Moving forward, CDOT and Public Works (PW) would begin communicating on the ptan's progression. Public Works would bring new information back to the TAB as part of their updates. CDOT's Rich Christy would return to the TAB when plans are finalized to present the end -result of their studies. Regarding the Loop, the Environmental Assessment (referencing economic and environmental impacts) was submitted and had been returned with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). However, there must be a letter of support/approval by partnering agencies. This will be taken to the Town Board to determine whether they or the Town Administrator would write the letter of support. The EA was submitted RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Board — June 15th, 2016 — Page 2 publicly at the June 29th public hearing. The Town Board chose not to take action that would halt the project. Director Muhonen stated that it is a statutory requirement when requesting federal funding that an additional public hearing would need to take place. There was valid concern that the materials needed for the parking structure will not only increase in price, but that the delivery of the material will be impacted by the US34 shutdown. There had been no changes involving scope or schedule for the Fish Creek project. 44 of the 48 property owner agreements have been signed and returned. SEMA, the contractors hired for the Dry Gulch Road Rehabilitation project, indicated that the project was still on schedule and on budget. Phase one was still set to be complete by the end of June. It was determined by the contractor that rather than lay the full 5" of asphalt to phase one, they will lay 3" while phase two is underway. This would allow the material trucks and other traffic to use the new portion of the road and if damage is caused by the heavy equipment, there would still be a new surface at the end. Once phase two is complete, they'll lay the 5" of asphalt and will apply the additional 2" of asphalt to the phase one surface. In the interim, this will result in puddling and the potential view from the residents/public that the project wasn't properly completed. The 2016 Crack Seal project had been completed and the Notice of Final Payment would be publicly posted. Any remaining roads would be rolled into next year's budget. TAB INITIATIVES The Trustees met to finalize the 2017 TAB objectives. Chair Campbell distributed a draft of the Paid Parking Implementation Strategy & Employee Parking Program after taking into account other towns' case studies. There were three possible vendors. Chair Campbell stated vendors can provide examples of how paid parking programs are handled in other municipalities. The idea was proposed to break the initiative into two groups: Locals and Visitors. Board member Street would be sending out the study reflecting that 40% of town traffic is due to drivers looking for available parking. Prior to submitting the proposal/plan to the Town Board, the TAB would need to find an objective to minimize the impact of paid parking on local residents. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Board — January 20th, 2016 — Page 3 2016 MEETING AND PROJECT SCHEDULE Chair Campbell gave a brief description of the 2016 Board Objectives. TAB intends to have the 2017 budget goals by the May meeting for recommendation to the Town Board. Campbell inquired on what projects the TAB believes that the Board should be heavily involved in. Wayfinding signage was discussed in order to assist in guiding visitors through Town. After a debate on whether or not private enterprises should have an exception for signage, the Board agreed to keep private enterprises off and only use public destinations. The TAB would focus on the scale of signs regarding pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular while the Downtown Neighborhood Plan Advisory Committee would make recommendations involving the marketing aspect. OTHER BUSINESS Co-chair Morris gave a presentation on bicycle lanes throughout the Town with focus on CO-7 and U.S. Hwy 36 intersection. Among the information presented to the Board, special emphasis was placed on lane size. With wider lanes, drivers tend to exhibit more relaxed behavior whereas with narrower lanes, drivers show more caution and bicyclists ride more vigilantly. The Board would like to see more bike lanes connected to trails. With no other business to discuss, Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 1:57 pm.