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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2023-03-15Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, March 15, 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 15th day of March, 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; Vice-Chair Ekeren; Members Bernal, Ferko Gamble, Hanick, and Slack; Director Muhonen; Trustee Martchink; Manager Solesbee; Recording Secretary McDonald Absent: Member Igel Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT None. TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE Trustee Martchink advised that the Town Board of Trustees approved applications for Chair Morris, Member Finley, and Member Gamble to continue their service on the TAB. The appointments were approved on March 14, and the new three-year terms will expire on March 31, 2026. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED FEBRUARY 15, 2023 It was moved and seconded (Slack/Finley) to approve the February 15, 2023, minutes with a minor amendment, and the motion passed unanimously. MOBILITY SERVICES UPDATES Manager Solesbee reported that public feedback on increasing the resident parking permit time limit was overwhelmingly supportive, with 160 responses received in one week. Changing this Local 60 permit definition would require amending the Estes Park Municipal Code at a public hearing; a TAB letter of support to extend the resident exemption for paid parking would be due March 30 for the April 11 Town Board meeting. Discussion points included the permit’s utilization history; extending the exemption time by 30 minutes as opposed to 60; how the Estes Valley Library (EVL) program hours impact resident permit usage; best practices in place for other mountain towns serving the parking needs of residents; and encouraging residents to use the Parking Structure, Big Horn lot, or any other lots during periods of anticipated availability. It was moved and Transportation Advisory Board – March 15, 2023 – Page 2 seconded (Slack/Gamble) to increase the resident exemption permit to 90 minutes, and the motion passed unanimously. The TAB’s letter of support should show all opinions on changing the permit definition. With transit contractor pricing now set, the 2023 Town Transit Service will proceed with running two trolley routes from 7:30am to 9:30pm daily, allowing for stops approximately every 20 minutes, May 26-October 22. The Green Route will no longer service the Events Complex. Dispatch service will be shared with Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Service for special events will continue, and holiday service will run November 17-January 1, 2024. Bustang to Estes weekend service, newly promoted as Elkstang, will begin Memorial Day weekend with a slight fee increase from 2022. Other transit presentation points included the recently launched 2023 sponsorship program; Via Mobility Service’s free, AAA-funded ride service between Estes Park and Loveland, offered by reservation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10am-2:30pm, now through June 30; a planned presentation on transit branding by Slate Communications at the April TAB meeting; upcoming informational meetings with VanGo for Town Human Resources staff and local organizations; and grant funding received by the US 34 Transportation Management Organization (TMO) for start-up costs. Updates from the electric vehicle (EV) initiative included that the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Fleet Transition Plan has been fully funded and budgeted for $40k; an EV Ride & Drive event is scheduled for April 15, 10am-5pm, in the Town Hall parking lot; and an April 11 Town Board Study Session on EV Plan implementation, which will include coordination efforts between the Town’s Power and Communications Division and Platte River Power Authority on charging infrastructure. The Parking Division’s summer preparations include encouraging early permit registrations; collaboration with the EVL, Estes Chamber of Commerce (ECC), the lodging community, and other businesses; the Parking Structure incentive program and promotional banner, the Trolley pin program, and other advertising initiatives; extended transit hours; and expansion of the field team, with an emphasis on parking education versus issuing citations. There was brief discussion about where best in the community to place informational flyers about transit and parking. ENGINEERING & ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES Director Muhonen reported that the Graves Avenue Improvements-Safe Routes to School project is at 100% design, with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) concurrence pending easement acquisitions; it was agreed that this long overdue project warrants completion as soon as possible. The 2023 Street Improvement Program (STIP) chip and crack seal contract with Vance Brothers was renewed for another year. The overlay and patching contract goes to bid at the end of March. The Cleave Street Improvement 90% design plans are being reviewed by the Town and Sanitation District; comments will be provided to Kimley-Horn. Easement acquisitions Transportation Advisory Board – March 15, 2023 – Page 3 begin soon. Discussion points included the undergrounding of overhead electric; asphalt and concrete placement; and possible themed art for transformer boxes near the Old Church Shops. The Fall River Trail Extension (FRTE) project is still moving slowly for Xcel Energy due to underestimation of soil conditions and required excavation equipment for the gas line relocation. A March 8 agreement with Xcel’s contractor should expedite this process and allow Dietzler’s work to progress. Staff continue to build the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application for the FRTE’s final segment; a TAB letter of support for this grant was requested by March 21. The pre-construction meeting for Prospector Apartments was held; mobilization should start March 16. The Reclamation Neighborhood is under Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) order for safety improvements. Relocation of sanitary lines is planned for this Capital Improvement Project. There was brief discussion about other crosswalk safety issues in the area. Presentations about the Downtown Estes Loop (DEL) and overall downtown construction projects were requested by the Estes Board of Realtors, the ECC, and Rotary Club. Director Muhonen and Town Administrator Machalek are meeting these requests. The US 36 and Community Drive Roundabout construction officially began with trail underpass work. 2023 OBJECTIVES & 2024 TOWN STRATEGIC PLANNING Director Muhonen advised that the TAB’s comments on the 2024 Town Strategic Plan (SP) would be due by March 24. The first planning meeting was held; staff is now prioritizing projects for formal inclusion in the SP, which establishes multi-year goals and one-year objectives. Discussion points included how to fund a parking structure on Big Horn Drive, and the benefit of a TAB letter of support; the difference between special revenue and enterprise funding for the Mobility Services Division; and how other communities utilize and benefit from solar panel use. OTHER BUSINESS There was brief discussion about jake brake use on US 34, and the possibility of the Police Department monitoring this; pothole problems on US 36; and the reminder to comply with Colorado Sunshine Law regarding outside discussion of any TAB-related business. There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:04 p.m. /s/Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary