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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Transportation Advisory Board 2020-11-18 A fP TOWN OF ESTES PARK Transportation Advisory Board Agenda November 18,2020 Current Members: Belle Morris(03/31/23) 12:00 PM—2:00 PM Lawrence Gamble (03/31/23) Gordon Slack(03/31/21) Ron Wilcocks(03./31/21) Tom Street(03-31/22) VIRTUAL—COVID-19 Ann Finley (03/31/23) Linda ifaatai(03/31/22) Scott Moulton (03/31/22) .lance crow(03/31/21) The Transportation Advisory Board will participate in the meeting remotely due to the Declaration of Emergency signed by Town Administrator Machalek on March 19, 2020 related to COVID-19 and provided for with the adoption of Ordinance 04-20 on March 18, 2020 Options for the Public to Participate Remotely and Provide Public Input: 1. By Electronic Mail: Members of the public may provide public comment or comment on a specific agenda item by sending an email to publicworks@estes.org.The email must be received by 5:00 p.m.,Tuesday, November 17, 2020.All emails will be provided to the Transportation Advisory Board and incorporated into the minutes. 2. By Telephone Message: Members of the public may provide public comment or comment on a specific agenda item by calling (970) 577-3587.The calls must be received by 5:00 p.m.,Tuesday, November 17, 2020.All call-in information will be provided to the Transportation Advisory Board and incorporated into the minutes. 3. No public attendance at this meeting. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION DURING MEETING Options for participation in the meeting will be available by call-in telephone option or online via Zoom Webinar which will be moderated by the Transportation Advisory Board Chairperson. CALL-IN (TELEPHONE OPTION): Dial public participation phone number, 1-253-215-8782 Enter the Meeting ID for the November 18, 2020 meeting: 913 9611 0615 followed by the pound sign (#).The meeting will be available beginning at 11:50 a.m. the day of the meeting. Please call into the meeting prior to 12:00 p.m., if possible. Request to Speak: For public comment,the Chairperson will ask attendees to indicate if they would like to speak—phone participants will need to press *9 to "raise hand".The Chairperson will be moderating the Zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to address the Transportation Advisory Board. Once you are announced by phone please state your name and address for the record. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (ONLINE): Individuals who wish to address the Board via virtual public participation can do so through Zoom Webinar at https//zoom.us/w/91396110615—Zoom Webinar ID: 913-9611-0615. Individuals participating in the Zoom session should also watch the meeting through that site, and not via the website, due to the streaming delay and possible audio interference. Start Time:The Zoom Webinar will be available beginning at 11:50 a.m. on the day of the meeting. Participants wanting to ensure their equipment setup is working should join prior to the start of the meeting at 12:00 p.m. Request to Speak: For public comments, the Chairperson will ask attendees to click the "Raise Hand" button to indicate you would like to speak at that time.The Chairperson will moderate the Zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to address the Transportation Advisory Board. • You will experience a short delay prior to re-connecting with the ability to speak. • State your name and address for the record. In order to participate,you must: • Have an internet-enabled smartphone, laptop or computer. o Using earphones with a microphone will greatly improve your audio experience. • Join the Zoom Webinar. o The link can be found above. • Click "Participate Virtually in the Transportation Advisory Board Meeting". • DO NOT watch/stream the meeting via the website at the same time due to delays and possible feedback issues. Documents to Share: If individuals wish to present a document to the Transportation Advisory Board, material must be emailed by Tuesday, October 20, 2020 by 12:00 p.m.to the Public Works Office at publicworks@estes.org. AGENDA NEXT PAGE AGENDA Transportation Advisory Board Wednesday, November 18, 2020 12:00 p.m. 12:00— 12:05 Public Comment Chair Belle Morris 12:05— 12:10 Approval of October Minutes Chair Belle Morris 12:10—12:35 Sidewalk/Trail Inventory Chair Belle Morris 12:35—1:00 Project/Administration Updates Public Works Director Greg Muhonen 1:00—1:25 Project Updates Parking& Transit Mgr. Vanessa Solesbee 1:25—2:00 Other Business Adjourn Carlie Bangs, Town Board Trustee Liaison Greg Muhonen, Estes Park Public Works Staff Liaison Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, October 21 , 2020 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held virtually on the 21 St day of October 2020. Committee: Belle Morris, Tom Street, Janice Crow, Ann Finley, Larry Gamble, Linda Hanick, Scott Moulton, Gordon Slack, Ron Wilcocks Attending: Belle Morris, Tom Street, Janice Crow, Ann Finley, Larry Gamble, Linda Hanick, Scott Moulton, Gordon Slack, The Car Park General Mgr. Matt Eisenberg, Trustee Carlie Bangs, Public Works Director Greg Muhonen, Engineering Mgr. David Hook, Grants Specialist Christy Crosser, Parking & Transit Mgr. Vanessa Solesbee Absent: Ron Wilcocks Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No electronic submissions of public comment were received prior to the deadline and no public was in attendance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made and seconded (Slack/Street) to approve the September meeting minutes as corrected and all were in favor. TRAIL GAPS & DISCUSSION (Member, Scott Moulton) Member Moulton created a spreadsheet, which he shared with the TAB containing the locations of the gaps with Google Map pin embeds. Chair Morris requested column indicating priority that is in line with Public Works. Grant Specialist Crosser stated that a colleague of hers, Blake Robertson, has created his own map of bike routes. He has noted these areas and would be able to contribute to this effort. Crosser stated if anyone is interested in connecting with Robertson, she'd be happy to assist. Hook agrees it would be beneficial to speak with Robertson. Hook also suggested that, as the list is expanded and developed, if TAB could assign a priority, Public Works could then weigh the priorities with the budget constraints. This document could be used on an ongoing basis as a living document by staff and others. Muhonen recommended making the spreadsheet more substantial for which there are several options. In the Estes Valley Master Trail Plan (EVMTP), the Estes Park community has already established priorities and TAB needs to ensure alignment with those priorities. Muhonen also recommended that adding this information to a map for visual would also be of benefit. Member Gamble requested confirmation of the areas needing audited. This spreadsheet will be used throughout town. The initial audit is specific to the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant, then the trail audit is planned to branch out from that point. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL GRANT (Grant Specialist, Christy Crosser) Grant Specialist Crosser informed the TAB that due to grant application priority, and the need to complete and close out an existing grant, the Town has determined it best not to apply for the trail planning grant discussed last month. Crosser's main focus is to provide SRTS education, encouragement and engagement to school officials and parents. The school has made it clear that if direction is provided, they'd be happy to help with this endeavor. Transportation Advisory Board — October 21, 2020 — Page 2 CDOT SRTS does not support planning. They support implementation of a plan which is needed prior to applying for grant funds. Crosser proposed that the plan be discussed and finalized in 2021, with the grant application being submitted in 2022. Crosser explained that 20-30% of the SRTS funds need to be allocated for education, engagement and encouragement. It remains important to relate this information to other plans and studies. The money is not for construction alone. Crosser stated that SRTS is a national program and there are substantial information and resources available. She recommended viewing Oregon's SRTS and looking on the internet for traffic gardens, bike rodeos, etc. to be inspired for the Estes Park community. So many opportunities! Belle —TAB can help with public meetings, educational workshops, work with other organizations, rec district, schools, etc. Crosser stated that the TAB would be especially helpful with biking and walking audits and recommended inviting a traffic engineer, school representative, and any others that would benefit, maintaining a 2-mile radius around the school. Once participants have completed their audits, information will be provided to Member Moulton for tracking. Co-Chair Street requested clarification on what the audit entails. Crosser suggested walking or biking from a neighborhood to the school to establish a safe route for students. Some areas would include Community Drive, area south of the school, the Reclamation Neighborhood, and crossings at CO Hwy 7. Solesbee informed the group that she has performed walking audits in the past and has some great materials. She stated she'd be happy to help due to her experience with this very thing. Crosser told the TAB that all information would be needed by December 2020. Crosser explained that she will be working with Deb Compton from the school. Another way in which TAB may assist involves handing out educational material. PROJECT UPDATES (Parking & Transit Mgr. Vanessa Solesbee) Town Board Study Sessions Presentation 10/27: Matt Eisenberg, The Car Park General Manager, stated operational highlights include implementation of a new payment and appeals process over the 2020 season; and enough data collection to allow presentation data for over 90 dates. He stated he fielded 10 to 15 phone appeals and 58 online appeals. While presenting the parking utilization updates, Eisenberg reminded the TAB that all numbers have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The eight busiest parking lots, previously identified for paid parking, remained occupied and showed a slight occupancy increase in 2020. The average time vehicles are staying in the lots is a bit lower this year, with a lot having to do with the change in consumer habits during COVID era. Despite these changes, violation payments for the period between Memorial Day and end of September were only off by approximately $1,000. New employee convenience permits allowed permittees to park in any lot/space without restrictions of time. In 2020, 33 individuals signed up for these permits. Solesbee stated that they'll gain more clarity as more are sold moving forward. Extensive outreach was performed early in the year, i.e. focus groups, meetings with businesses, etc., to get a sense of how these permits will be used. These permits are dedicated only for employee parking or a convenience permit with a rate of $1/hour. In 2020 the permits were offered for $30 with the same concept for next year rather than dedicated spaces. It is more important to the Town that this program benefit employees at this time, than to make revenue. Solesbee will determine how much revenue is being lost and will then evaluate next steps. Muhonen is concerned about plugging up street parking with convenience permits. Solesbee stated that's part of the gamble. Eisenberg confirmed that most permit holders do not park in the street. Transportation Advisory Board — October 21, 2020 — Page 3 Solesbee provided the TAB an overview of the plan for 2021. She will provide background information for the new trustees that may be unfamiliar with the process. In 2021, the plan will be the same as was planned for 2020, with 70% of the downtown parking spaces remaining free. Solesbee anticipates approximately $900K in gross revenue from paid parking. After expenses are factored in, there is still approximately $367K in net revenue. In addition to repaying the General Fund for the startup funds received, the revenue will be reinvested in parking and transit programs. Solesbee invited the TAB, if so inclined, to provide a letter of support for the presentation. Chair Morris agreed to provide a letter of support from the TAB. Solesbee shared that the Electric Vehicle (EV) Plan/Quiz has been well received and the Town continues to work with the consultant to finalize the EV plan. Solesbee is hoping to bring the plan before Town Board in the next couple months. PROJECT UPDATES: ENGINEERING (Engineering Mgr. David Hook) Fall River Trail Extension: Manager Hook stated project is ongoing and both bridges have been delivered and work continues. 2020 Street Improvement Program (STIP): The 2020 STIP program is completed and has been closed out for 2020. Work to develop the 2021 program is now occurring. Development Review: The Alarado traffic signal construction is ongoing. Underground work will be completed soon, and traffic signals will be installed next spring. The Town was denied the application for funds from the BUILD grant. It was decided to take the opportunity to apply for a FEMA based grant (BRIC). A notice of intent has been submitted for this flood-control based grant. If the Town moves forward with full application, the grant will have a stormwater management focus rather than the transportation focus that BUILD had. The Downtown Wayfinding project is still on hold pending the paid parking discussion. The Engineering Division is ready to move proceed. PROJECT / ADMINISTRATION UPDATES (Public Works Director Greg Muhonen) Director Muhonen stated, related to the SRTS discussion, he appreciates the good discussions held related to how the TAB may be able to assist. He stated that if no leader/champion of this effort is identified, this goes nowhere. Public Works is not staffed with a SRTS coordinator and one of the difficulties is facilitating the educational component, which is a critical requirement. Public Works Engineering Division can get the design and build done, but the education components are left to those that have time to do this. Muhonen stressed the need for assistance from the citizens. A program leader is needed. Community Drive Roundabout — The project design has restarted and is scheduled for a review in November. The TAB will have opportunity to review final plan as there were some changes made due to cost. The Town is still projected to be $800K short. Muhonen has inquired as to whether more funding would be available through CMAQ. In 2019, the Town received 100% of the $750K allotted. The 2021 call is coming up and Wellington brought wonderful project forward for funding this year. Muhonen did not want to compete for those funds as there will likely not be any additional that is available. A Plan B to the original design plan will be provided. CDOT has an understanding with the federal government that the CMAQ funds awarded to the Town have to be spent by July 2022. Without significant progress, the Town is at risk of losing that funding. Transportation Advisory Board — October 21, 2020 — Page 4 3rd Street Traffic Calming: Upgrades to buried utilities along 3rd Street, North Court and South Court will be occurring. Public Works has had multiple neighborhood meetings with eight ideas being presented. A pilot program was done to reduce speed using a one-way design on 3rd St. The neighborhood members did not want to give up parking on either side of street. The Town will stripe on-street parking and sign the road to provide one-way only traffic. Additionally, the Town will sign North Ct. and South Ct., allowing parking on one side of the road and one-way only traffic. That is the desire of the neighborhood members, but the Town wants to test the concept before road reconstruction to validate that desire. Member Gamble wanted to be sure he expressed that he would like to participate in the SRTS walking/biking audit. He also wanted to communicate his support for a letter coming from TAB for the parking matter. Member Moulton will redesign the spreadsheet to capture needs of SRTS guidelines and will send something out in a couple days. Maybe shoot for a June 2021 deadline for information related to trail gaps (outside the SRTS effort). Member Hanick also expressed a desire to assist in the effort. She has noticed street painting that would be applicable to trail maintenance. Chair Morris suggested setting up a separate Zoom meeting to collect ideas which would have to be publicly advertised. Morris then asked what type of champion is needed for the SRTS program. Muhonen suggested asking a parent with a child currently in elementary school, as they would likely be involved through the elementary and middle school years. He stated that a retired person that has this passion to integrate with school and parents would be great too, but neither of these are exclusive. There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:09 p.m. Megan Van Hoozer, Recording Secretary 11/12/2020 Town of Estes Park Mail-Fwd: Ready to Make Your City Better for Bikes? c1u ADVOCACY ., . ?gm, people`bikes ACADEMY ,. .. •.,,,,,, _ ,. , ,.,,v,......3..,...---„, 47- _____ ,._ .N.,4.4.......„ , ... . ,_, . -.0-1*,; r, :„.14,a,,,...... ......„own=, , * .F."''''.4.•• -... ,,st __... l C �� -,. (ttk " , / \,' _ • Al t .:•. f --...i. The Advocacy Academy is an online video series and resource library for city leaders, decision makers and advocates. It provides the necessary tools and information to understand how cities are evaluated through the PlacesForBikes City Ratings program and how to make cities better for bikes. COMING SOON ADVOCACY ACADEMY FULL SERIES LAUNCHES 11.17.2020 https://mail.goog le.com/mail/u/0?ik=778bd29806&view=pt&search=al I&permth id=th read-f%3A1683093759201653428&sim pl=msg-f%3A 16830937592... 2/4 11/12/2020 Town of Estes Park Mail-Fwd: Ready to Make Your City Better for Bikes? a s� orATeo ices OAP Act A ADVOCACY 416 LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ADVOCACY ACADEMY O PeopleForBikes P.O. Box 2359 Boulder, CO 80306 Unsubscribe © 2020 PeopleForBikes. All rights reserved.