HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Visioning Committee 2011-05-04RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, May 4, 201 1
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TRANSPORTATION VISIONING
COMMITTEE of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado.
Meeting held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on
the 4th day of May, 2011.
Members:
Attending:
Stan Black, Kimberly Campbell, Peggy Campbell, Charley
Dickey, John Ericson, Larry Gamble, Wayne Groome,
Jacquie Halburnt, John Hannon, Cory La Bianca, Fred
Mares, Jerry Miller, Rex Poggenpohl, Greg Rosener, Frank
Theis, Annika Van der Werf, Gary Van Horn
Stan Black, Kimberly Campbell, Peggy Campbell, Charley
Dickey, Wayne Groome, Jacquie Halburnt, John Hannon,
Cory La Bianca, Fred Mares, Jerry Miller, Rex Poggenpohl,
Greg Rosener, Frank Theis, Annika Van der Werf, and Gary
Van Horn
Also Attending: Dir. Zurn and Deputy Town Clerk Deats
Absent: John Ericson and Larry Gamble
Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
MINUTES.
The minutes of the regular meeting held April 6, 2011, were approved.
Chair Miller reported that the Mayor has requested a presentation from the TVC
outlining the processes the Committee has been using over the past months and
summarizing the transportation issues that have been identified. Town Administrator
Halburnt suggested scheduling a study session with the Board to update the Trustees
on the activities of the Committee; not for the purpose of discussing solutions to
transportation issues, but to receive direction from the Board. Chair Miller said he
envisions an introduction and general synopsis by himself and co -Chair Ericson, short
presentations from the moderators of the work groups, and input from the Board. The
Committee discussed whether the study session would be an appropriate time to
engage the Board in a discussion related to the process to follow to gather public input.
ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE NEXT PARKING/SHUTTLES WORK GROUP
MEETING.
Chair Miller said local businessman, Gary Coleman, will be in attendance at the next
Parking/Shuttles Work Group meeting on May 18th. He is considered to be an expert in
"people moving," having gained expertise working with international groups, Disneyland,
Disneyworld, and Beaver Creek. He will share ideas related to incentives to encourage
people to utilize mass transportation, for example, making the experience fun by using
trolleys or rubber -tired trains instead of buses to transport visitors to destinations around
town.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT DISCUSSION.
The Committee discussed the format to use when soliciting input from the public.
Discussion ensued on the following topics: Public Information Officer Rusch should be
involved in writing press releases and educating the public on the process; utilizing a
local consultant to conceptualize a format for public involvement; present a general
concept for public input to the Board at study session; must identify what the public will
comment on; take input on work group topics and identified issues; although all aspects
of work groups are related, it is easier to focus on one topic at a time; ask public what
they perceive transportation issues to be; need to be careful not to imply that the Town
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Transportation Visioning Committee — May 4, 2011 — Page 2
is going to provide a solution; important to manage expectations; keep broad topic and
make sure Committee is addressing community concerns; provide an opportunity for all
to have their ideas heard; present information contained in the professionally done 2003
transportation study to the public for input; public comment should not be taken on
certain topics contained in the 2003 study that have been shelved by the Board; and the
first step is to educate the Board about TVC activity, then determine if they want public
comment.
Fred Mares said the Committee is discussing two separate things: 1. what the group
will present to the board as a status update, and 2. the public involvement process. He
suggested the Committee concentrate on the presentation to the Town Board and
surmised that through discussion and input from the Board the process will sort itself out
and it will become clearer as to how to proceed. The Committee proposed scheduling
an hour meeting with the Board allowing for an introduction by Co -Chairs Ericson and
Miller, five-minute presentations from each of the three work group moderators, and
leaving time for discussion and feedback. The presentations will focus on transportation
issues identified, not solutions, with the Board providing direction as to the Committee's
next steps.
It was moved and seconded (Theis/Groome) that the moderators of the work
groups present to the Town Board at a study session with an introduction and
overview by the Committee Co -Chairs, and it passed unanimously. All Committee
members are requested to be present at the meeting with the Town Board.
The work group leaders will work together to compile information for their presentations
and forward it to Co -Chairs Ericson and Miller for review as soon as possible so that a
presentation can be put together and agreed upon by the next regular meeting in June.
WORK GROUP REPORTS.
1. BYPASSES/ROAD RECONFIGURATION: The work group met three times
during the last month on April 13th, April 18th, and April 27th, and continued
discussing alternative routes to accommodate peak traffic conditions. Dir. Zurn
provided useful information regarding CDOT requirements and guidelines and
several scenarios were discussed including a Riverside bypass, western bypass,
and a one-way route through and around downtown. Those present at the work
group session considered options that make sense based on their understanding
of the traffic issues and the available options.
Frank Theis noted that none of these ideas are new, that they are all included in
the 2003 transportation study, and that the Town Board has previously examined
these options. Town Administrator Halburnt noted that options already rejected
by the Board should not be re -presented. Chair Miller said options taken to the
Board must be presented with the pros and cons clearly demonstrated.
Moderator Black requested more participation by members in the work group
meetings.
2. PARKING/SHUTTLES: The work group met on April 20th with Deputy Town
Administrator Richardson providing an overview of the shuttle operations which
will include a new route from the transportation hub at Stanley Park. The work
group discussed shuttle hours and dates of operation, utilizing shuttles during
shoulder -season events, making shuttles visually distinctive, providing
transportation that is free or inexpensive to ride, scheduling shuttles that would
accommodate downtown employee schedules, creating a route geared at the
downtown area and significant tourist sites, and incentives to encourage
ridership. The next meeting of the Parking & Shuttles work group will be
Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at 3:00 p.m.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Transportation Visioning Committee — May 4, 2011 — Page 3
MISCELLANEOUS.
Chair Miller said that Estes Park was named as one of the top 25 best places to
visit in the United States by TripAdvisor. Estes Park was the only Colorado
destination named, and placed #14 on the list.
There being no further business, Co -Chair Miller adjourned the regular meeting 5:04
p.m.
Cynthia
eats, Deputy Town Clerk