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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Transportation Advisory Board 2018-7-18 A EP TOWN OF ESTES PA I Transportation Advisory Board Agenda July 18,2018 Current Members: Belle Morris(03/31/20) 12:00 PM—2:00 PM Stan Black(03/31/20) Gordon Slack(03/31/21) Room 202&203 Ron Wilcocks (03/31/21) Tom Street(03/31/19) Estes Park Town Hall Ann Finley (03/31/20) Linda Hanick (03/31/19) 170 MacGregor Ave Amy Hamrick(03/31/19) Janice Crow(3/31/21) Public Comment Approval of June Meeting Minutes Chair Belle Morris Shuttle Updates Transit Program Manager Brian Wells E-Bike Policy Review/Recommendation Chair Belle Morris Member Amy Hamrick Shuttle Funding Options Chair Belle Morris Complete Streets Draft Policy Co-Chair Tom Street Project Updates Public Works Director Greg Muhonen Project Updates Engineering Manager David Hook Other Business Chair Belle Morris 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. Carlie Bangs, Town Board Trustee Liaison Greg Muhonen, Estes Park Public Works Staff Liaison RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, June 20, 2018 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 20th day of June, 2018. Present: Gordon Slack Tom Street Belle Morris Stan Black Ann Finley Amy Hamrick Janice Crow Ron Wilcocks Also Present: Carlie Bangs, Town Board Liaison Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director David Hook, Engineering Manager Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant James Herlyck, Central Federal Lands Corey Lang, AECOM Brittany Hathaway, Community Development Planner Absent: Linda Hanick Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public in attendance. TAB MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS: Existing TAB members, Town staff, and new TAB members introduced themselves to one another. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made and seconded (Slack/Street) to approve the May meeting minutes and all were in favor. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Board — June 20, 2018 — Page 2 DOWNTOWN ESTES LOOP 70% PLAN UPDATE: James Herlyck and Corey Lang reviewed with the TAB, changes to the plans since the July 2017 update. New suggestions were made by Chair Morris requesting the paint markings along the shoulder be widened for bike sharrow lanes which Lang indicated would be possible. Morris also requested delineators. Lang would check potential of delineators but would like to wait to see how the widened striping works. An additional rapid flash beacon was requested for East Riverside. Director Muhonen stated that too many rapid flash beacons would create repetitive traffic stops. If it is determined necessary at a later date, the Town would be responsible for adding. Chair Morris requested a dotted line along the shoulder to indicate appropriate bike movement but this is not a viable option. Member Ron Wilcocks stated there were discussions in the past about a potential underpass at Moraine Avenue and Riverside Drive. Lang stated there is grade opportunity on one side but other side of road is historic property. Enough depth and width is not provided for an underpass. Chair Morris suggested that, along Elkhorn, a combination lane for only shuttles and bicycles be applied to the outside lane wherein no vehicles would be allowed. This will back up traffic but may encourage drivers to use shuttles. With the new Loop design wayfinding is critical. Pedestrian scale wayfinding signage concepts will be reviewed with the Parks Advisory Board (PAB) at the next regularly scheduled meeting. PAB input will determine appropriate signage. Community Development Planner, Brittany Hathaway stated that she would serve in an advisory role to Public Works relative to wayfinding signage. Member Finley has visited with the Colorado Center for Community Development regarding an intern program provided to communities in need of wayfinding development. This is potentially a free service that Finley will continue to investigate and will provide needed information to Manager Hook. Lang then reviewed high-level landscape plans for the roundabout section of the Loop project with the TAB. SHUTTLE UPDATE The Town's Transit Program Manager, Brian Wells provided shuttle updates to the TAB: • Shuttle service for the Wool Market provided 337 passenger trips for June 9 and 10. • Shuttle sponsorships for 2018 are now at $18,750. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Board — June 20, 2018 — Page 3 • The 2019 budget process may require discontinuing service to shuttle stops located outside Town limits beginning in 2019. Affected stops include: YMCA, Rockmount Cottages, Glacier Lodge, Dunraven Inn, the stop across from Ride-A- Cart, the Estes Park Marina, Mountain Shadows Resort, and Marys Lake Campground. Wells will continue to review the Town limit boundaries to determine other locations. • Grant opportunities are being pursued as they come available. The most recent application was made for another battery-electric trolley and an electric charging station. Determinations should be made in late September, 2018. • The GPS tracking system, DoubleMap, is in the process of becoming fully operational. This technology will allow visitors and residents to see where the individual shuttles are located at any given time. Town Board Liaison Carlie Bangs expressed that the Town Board wants the Town shuttles to have more budget to serve the in-town area. The outlying areas do not pay sales tax to fund the service they're receiving, therefore the allotted budget should be expended to enhance in-town service. Muhonen stated this discussion began as a result of a request to expand the shuttle season moving forward and there being no available funding without some type of change to the current structure. Member Janice Crow stated that other communities establish an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), or something similar, to reach an agreement on how to share service costs. She stated another option would be for the lodges to get together to help reimburse the Town for shuttle services. Member Slack proposed this item be continued to the July meeting to allow time to gather data, etc. This item will carry to the next regularly scheduled TAB meeting. Member Wilcocks stated that the Shuttle Committee needs a more concise Mission Statement in order to appropriately develop a plan. Wilcocks feels that this would be far more efficient in planning for the future rather than performing ad hoc missions/routes. 2019 PRIORITY PLANNING FOLLOW-UP: Complete Streets Policy: The TAB would present to the Town Board for adoption. Morris will send the information gathered to the new TAB members. The policy would provide a list of criteria for future multimodal design work. Co-Chair Street stated that it makes sense to draft the new plan based on work other communities have completed rather than RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Board — June 20, 2018 — Page 4 reinventing the wheel. It is important to focus on the policy statement. Street would draft a plan and distribute to the TAB prior to the regularly scheduled July meeting. Member Slack reminded the TAB that, with the newly approved Downtown Parking Management Plan (DPMP), Public Works has a very busy year implementing Phase 1 . Muhonen stated that for this phase of the DPMP there is a staff component for the Parking & Transit Manager and three parking enforcement positions, to be filled by Community Service Officers (CSOs). Public Works is working with the Police Department to supervise the CSOs that are assigned to log the parking statistics. Public Works is developing a report to provide findings to the Town Board and is hoping to advertise the position for the Parking & Transit Manager within the next couple weeks. Slack offered assistance in getting the parking statistics crunched for reporting. 2040 Multimodal Master Plan: Director Muhonen stated the topic of the 2040 Multimodal Master Plan was discussed in the recent 2019 Strategic Plan meeting. Muhonen stated that the TAB would be very heavily involved with this process and the Town Board Trustees have it on their list. In order to begin work on the plan in 2019 funding will be needed. Muhonen further stated that if the TAB has a position on this topic to submit a memo reflecting the position. The memo would need submitted by August. E-BIKE POLICY REVIEW/RECOMMENDATION: Director Muhonen stated that Mayor Jirsa would like a formal policy related to the use of e-bikes on trails. Town Administrator Frank Lancaster requested this information be provided to the TAB for review and to gauge support. Lancaster requested a written policy recommendation be submitted to the Town Board. The main question is whether or not e-bikes should be allowed on trails. Co-Chair Street informed the TAB that e-bikes travel at approximately 25 mph which would be concerning on a pedestrian trail. Member Hamrick volunteered to research ordinances in other communities and share those that would have the potential use for response to the Town Board. Hamrick would distribute the information for review prior to the regularly scheduled July meeting. A motion was made and seconded (Slack/Finley) to request TAB draft a recommendation to disallow all electric powered bicycles from trails with the exception of electrical-assisted bicycles as defined by Colorado Statute for those individuals protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. As detailed discussions continued, determining caveats and RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Board — June 20, 2018 — Page 5 evaluating different areas, Slack withdrew the motion due to the time constraints of the meeting. US 36/COMMUNITY DRIVE — ROUNDABOUT DESIGN Public Works hired a consultant to develop roundabout designs for the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 36 and Community Drive per the TAB's previous request. The consultant provided multiple design options. It would be important to read the narrative text during the review. The design plans were reviewed with the TAB. Comments have not yet been received by Community Services Director Rob Hinkle. Due to the design encroaching on existing towers, Manager Hook will confer with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Western Area Power Administration and the Colorado Department of Transportation. Anticipated construction of this project is April/May of 2019. Member Hamrick favors the 3-leg roundabout design stating a 4th leg could be added at a later time if deemed necessary. Those members in favor of constructing the 4-leg roundabout were Slack, Street, Finley and Black. Those undecided were Wilcocks and Crow. PROJECT UPDATES, David Hook, Engineering Manager Moraine Avenue Improvements: The Moraine Avenue Bridge is now open for traffic. Perimeter cleanup and completion of punchlist items are still in progress. Continued work under the bridge is still needed, but won't occur until the river water levels are lower. DMS — Dynamic Message Sign Installation: All signs have been erected and are operational as of last week. The technology glitches encountered were handled by the Town's IT Division. Transit Program Manager Brian Wells is tasked with ensuring messaging being conveyed is appropriate throughout the day. Wells notified the TAB that message ideas are always welcome. Member Wilcocks suggested "Downtown Core Parking Full" be a standard message on the Digital Message Signs (DMS) located at each Town entry point from 11 to 2 every day. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Transportation Advisory Board — June 20, 2018 — Page 6 OTHER BUSINESS Chair Morris asked the TAB for their thoughts on holding a Transportation Symposium at the 2018 Farmers Market. Morris stated that due to lack of attendance at the public meetings, this forum may be a good way to communicate information on Complete Streets and shuttle schedules. Co-Chair Street suggested a questionnaire be used to provide needed focus. Street further suggested a TAB homework assignment to come up with questions for review at the next regularly scheduled TAB meeting. Hamrick conveyed her support for this effort and suggested that, prior to planning, a conversation take place with those in charge of the Farmers Market to ensure feasibility. With no other business to discuss, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m. E Bikes in Colorado and Specific Municipalities State Level See Colorado Law regarding E-bikes. Of course local municipalities can impose their own Ordinances, but those without default to the State level. Colorado Revised Statutes Title 42 Vehicles and Traffic § 42-4-1412 Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-42-vehicles-and-traffic/co-rev-st-sect-42-4- 1412.html House Bill 17-1151- defines E bikes into 3 classes. https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb17-1151 a) "CLASS 1 ELECTRICAL ASSISTED BICYCLE" MEANS AN ELECTRICAL ASSISTED BICYCLE EQUIPPED WITH A MOTOR THAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE ONLY WHEN THE RIDER IS PEDALING AND THAT CEASES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WHEN THE BICYCLE REACHES A SPEED OF TWENTY MILES PER HOUR. (b) "CLASS 2 ELECTRICAL ASSISTED BICYCLE" MEANS AN ELECTRICAL ASSISTED BICYCLE EQUIPPED WITH A MOTOR THAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE RIDER IS PEDALING BUT CEASES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WHEN THE BICYCLE REACHES A SPEED OF TWENTY MILES PER HOUR. (c) "CLASS 3 ELECTRICAL ASSISTED BICYCLE" MEANS AN ELECTRICAL ASSISTED BICYCLE EQUIPPED WITH A MOTOR THAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE ONLY WHEN THE RIDER IS PEDALING AND THAT CEASES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WHEN THE BICYCLE REACHES A SPEED OF TWENTY-EIGHT MILES PER HOUR. Local Language Colorado Municipalities that have addressed E-bikes. Boulder County- Based on the change in state law, input from the public, trail characteristics, and management considerations, staff recommends: • Allowing class 1 and class 2 e-bikes on regional trails and on all trails on the plains where bikes are allowed,with the exception of three trails: the Coalton Trail, Mayhoffer Singletree Trail, and the Boulder Canyon Trail, as requested by City of Boulder. • Prohibiting e-bikes on all foothill and mountain trails. Staff proposes this recommendation as a pilot program to run through 2019. This will give staff an opportunity to conduct targeted studies on e-bikes at selected parks and trails in order to assess the pilot program. SNOWMASS- Pitkin County June 6, 2018.Allowing Class 1 ebikes on Paved paths. No ebikes of any class allowed on unpaved paths. Vail- Ordinance 5. Feb 20, 2018 Allows ebikes of Class 1 and 2 on paved trails (with Segways) and prohibits use on unpaved surfaces. Steamboat Springs-April 19, 2018 Allowing Class 1 ebikes only on specifically named trails, both paved. Disallowing them on others, regardless of surface. Estes Park Specifically Questions to the Board and/or Staff who could answer these easily: 1. Does the Trails Master Plan discuss ebikes or segways, motorized vehicles at all? 2. What Town Ordinance would we be looking to amend/change with regard to ebikes?Where does it fit? 3. I didn't dig hard enough on other town's governmental sites to find exact language of their ordinances. It seems some/most are extremely new and still in process. Is there a quick way to find language without searching through wonky website portals? 4. Looks like most towns that are addressing this are making allowances for ebikes (at least Class 1 bikes) on some trails. Articles: https://www.denverpost.com/2018/01/01/should-e-bikes-be-allowed-in- colorado-communities-in-most-cases-yes/ https://www.bikelaw.com/2017/08/colorado-electric-bicycle-laws/ http://www.cpr.org/news/story/electric-bikes-gain-new-power-with-a-new- colorado-law