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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2023-01-18Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 18, 2023 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 18th day of January, 2023. Board: Chair Belle Morris; Vice-Chair Kristen Ekeren; Members Javier Bernal, Jessica Ferko, Ann Finley, Larry Gamble, Linda Hanick, Mark Igel, and Gordon Slack; Trustee Patrick Martchink; Staff Liaison Greg Muhonen Attending: Chair Morris; Members Bernal, Ferko, Gamble, Hanick, Igel, and Slack; Managers Hook and Solesbee; Director Muhonen; Trustee MacAlpine; Recording Secretary McDonald; Dana Klein, Parking & Transit Supervisor; Jeff Bailey, Public Works Engineer; Trevor Wittwer, Public Works Engineer; Laura Blevins, Grants Specialist Absent: Vice-Chair Ekeren, Member Finley Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Morris reported being contacted by a Denver University professor in support of regional transportation connectivity and overall improvements for those traveling throughout the Estes Valley and Upper Front Range. TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE Trustee MacAlpine reported on behalf of Trustee Martchink. At the January 10 Town Board, the TAB’s five-year sunset review resulted in approval for it to continue as an advisory board; the TAB was commended for its impressive work. The Parks Advisory Board (PAB) has accomplished its purpose and is in the process of expiring; some of the PAB’s responsibility areas could be addressed through the creation of an Environmental Sustainability Board, which is being considered. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED DECEMBER 21, 2022 It was moved and seconded (Slack/Hanick) to approve the December 21, 2022, minutes with one minor amendment, and the motion passed unanimously. COMPLETE STREETS POLICY Manager Hook introduced Trevor Wittwer, the Town’s new Civil Engineer, to present this item. Transportation Advisory Board – January 18, 2023 – Page 2 The Complete Streets Policy (CSP) Annual Report for 2022 shows how projects at various stages are serving multimodal transportation criteria and users, and includes checklists for the Fall River Trail (FRT) project’s CSP and Traffic Calming. Discussion centered around the ideal number of project updates provided per project each year. While it was agreed that reporting at the 30 and 90 percent design stages is most efficient for Public Works staff and the TAB, the complexity of each project can determine the need for additional reporting. MULTIMODAL TRAILS & SIGNAGE Chair Morris referenced the photos provided in the packet as examples of improved signage language for trails shared between pedestrians and cyclists. She has contacted the Estes Valley Recreation and Parks District (EVRPD) and other groups to possibly collaborate on new, consistently produced striping and signage. Discussion points included the particular need for such signage at trail entrances and the crossing points with streets and driveways, and on the developing FRT; the desire for center lines on sharp curves; seeking support from the Estes Park Cycling Coalition; and consulting Parks Supervisor Berg for his input since the Parks Division maintains the Town’s trails. It was agreed that the TAB could develop a proposal for the development of signage standards and discuss it at a future meeting, but Director Muhonen advised that staff could not undertake any approved project for this until 2024. MOBILITY SERVICES UPDATES Manager Solesbee introduced Dana Klein as the new Parking and Transit Supervisor; his addition as a strong presence in field operations will lessen the need for The Car Park’s advanced management of the Town’s paid parking season and likely create cost-savings for the Town. The Fleet Division is now fully staffed. On February 14, a resolution establishing 2023 paid parking and permit fees will be presented to the Town Board; the TAB is asked to provide a letter of support by January 26. Staff is recommending to maintain the 2021 and 2022 paid parking program permit fees and policies, with the exception of adding a week in late October to align with Rocky Mountain National Park’s (RMNP) timed entry system, and offering a new overnight parking permit for special event vendors. Based on feedback from the Parking Revenue Task Force (PRTF), staff is proposing that parking net revenues be directed to additional parking supply (45%), specifically toward designing a second parking level on the Big Horn lot; maintaining or expanding the Town’s transit service (45%), particularly by adjusting the trolley hours to serve the needs of downtown employees; and reserve funding (10%). Discussion points for the resolution included the limited issue of the Express Pass; planned promotion of the free parking structure through messaging and the Events and Visitor Services staff; how parking expansion efforts will inevitably discourage the use of alternative transportation, though such efforts are necessary to meet the parking needs of people impacted by the Cleave Street Improvements (CSI) project; and the need for clear and transparent goals for the Town’s parking and transit programs, which can Transportation Advisory Board – January 18, 2023 – Page 3 greatly impact the historic demographic of visitors. The TAB letter of support for the resolution will include the minority viewpoint on parking expansion. Also on February 14, a Town Board Study Session (TBSS) will feature representatives from the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization, Via Mobility, and VanGo discussing the concept of a US 34 Transportation Management Organization (TMO). TAB members will receive the TBSS materials and are encouraged to attend. Planned topics are: defining a TMO and its operations; vanpooling options; and piloting a transit service between Loveland and Estes Park. This TMO is the effort of the US 34 Coalition, which Estes Park is invited to join as a non-voting member, a TMO member, or an informal participant of meetings only. The TMO is a high priority for the US 34 Coalition, and grant opportunities could help with seed funding for its staff and advocacy efforts. Other transit updates included that the first trolley is undergoing full repairs; a transit branding workshop will soon take place; the trolley facility is at design completion stage and will soon go to bid for construction in late 2023; the Visitor Center Parking Lot Redesign (SB 267) will begin in late 2023; the Multimodal Transportation Plan is being prepared for a request for proposal (RFP), with early interest already expressed by potential bidders; the Estes Valley Infrastructure & Readiness Plan (EVIRP) is being revived with action steps; and Supervisor Klein is researching funding sources for transit service. ENGINEERING UPDATES Director Muhonen reported that the Downtown Estes Loop (DEL) Preconstruction Conference took place January 12, with construction scheduled to begin January 30. The project’s initial phase will address utility relocates on South Moraine Avenue, earthwork on the roundabout location, and reconstruction of the Ivy Bridge. Resurfacing of Elkhorn and Moraine Avenues is tentatively scheduled, but a buried water main may be replaced first. Today’s press release will be followed by information on a new project website and public communication plan. Contract award for the US 36 & Community Drive Roundabout is pending receipt of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) Concurrence to Award. Engineer Bailey advised that the CSI design plans are nearing 90 percent and utility problems are being addressed. The FRT is on schedule for completion before Memorial Day. Tree removal in the right-of-way is being kept to a minimum, with clearing and grubbing in process. Gas line relocation is pending, and a temporary traffic signal will be placed in the one-lane work zone. Manager Hook advised that the Downtown Wayfinding Plan was adopted January 10, and the Phase 1 bid opening is February 2. Easement acquisitions for Graves Avenue are underway, with two of the seven being donated. The FRT’s Colorado the Beautiful Grant (CtB) may require an extension due to easements for the segment. A consultant has been retained to review bid documents before Memorial Day for trail and pedestrian bridge maintenance. Transportation Advisory Board – January 18, 2023 – Page 4 ADMINISTRATION UPDATES Agenda item not addressed. 2023 TAB OFFICERS ELECTION Chair Morris opened the floor to 2023 officer nominations. Member Gamble advised that Vice-Chair Ekeren had expressed willingness to continue her service. Chair Morris expressed willingness to continue her service. It was moved and seconded (Hanick/Ferko) to nominate Chair Morris and Vice-Chair Ekeren to continue in their current officer roles, and the motion passed unanimously.It was advised that the Town Clerk’s Office notifies the public of upcoming vacancies on advisory boards, at which time TAB members whose appointments are expiring may reapply and be considered for reappointment by the Town Board. OTHER BUSINESS None. There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 1:45 p.m. /s/Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary