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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2023-07-19Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 19, 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 19th day of July, 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 Ferko, Finley, Gamble, Hanick, Igel, and Slack; Trustee Martchink; Director Muhonen; Manager Solesbee; Engineer Bailey; Supervisor Klein; Recording Secretary McDonald Absent: Member Bernal Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT None. TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE Trustee Martchink did not have official updates. He did recount a very positive experience riding the trolley (Red Route) and enjoying the Town’s activities and beautifully maintained parks with his family. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED JUNE 21, 2023 It was moved and seconded (Gamble/Slack) to approve the June 21, 2023, minutes, and it passed with Member Ferko abstaining. MOBILITY SERVICES UPDATE Supervisor Klein reported on field operations for parking and transit. With more events at Bond Park this year, lots are averaging 85% occupancy. The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reports continue to be refined; the next round will be posted July 21 on the transit webpage, and the TAB’s feedback is encouraged. The parking structure’s new “Free Parking & Trolley” banners have been mounted, and it is hoped that this advertising will increase usage of the structure and the Estes Park Visitor Center (VC). All transit routes have been running since July 1, and timing issues are being tweaked; in particular, the Gold and Brown Routes have experienced significant delays due to construction zones. English and Spanish versions of The Peak’s foldable transit maps are being handed out by field staff. Manager Solesbee advised that Bustang ridership in May and June was up from 2022, thanks to the collaborative marketing efforts of various agencies. The contract for the Transportation Advisory Board – July 19, 2023 – Page 2 Multimodal Transportation Plan (MTP) and Transit Development Plan (TDP) will be presented at the July 25 Town Board meeting; if approved, a staff/consultant kick-off meeting would be held July 28 to ensure that the MTP and TDP efforts integrate the Estes Forward Comprehensive Plan. TDP tasks will take priority, and the TAB’s engagement will be encouraged. Due to administrative delays at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the grant agreements for both the Trolley Barn project and the Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Plan are still pending. The Visitor Center Parking Lot Redesign/US 34 Corridor Study is on track for a late September Request for Proposal (RFP). Electric vehicle (EV) data continues to be collected; charging station use is up, and station expansion is being discussed with the Power & Communications Department. Discussion points included how inclement weather impacts parking structure use; factors affecting VC; the observed increase in trolley ridership this year; past and future trolley- tracking plans for data collection, and how very high frequency (VHF) signals may be more reliable for service-tracking in this region; highlights of the state’s Zero Fare for Better Air (ZFBA) initiative, and The Peak’s commitment to ZFBA participation during the high air-pollution months of June through August; and the pending status of the Transportation Management Organization’s (TMO) initiatives with CDOT, particularly regarding transit services on US 34. ENGINEERING UPDATE Engineer Bailey advised that the Cleave Street Improvement (CSI) project is moving along, with a $250k Revitalizing Main Streets (RMS) grant application underway for street furniture, lighting, and planters. Cleave-area merchants are being asked whether they prefer August or September to have the required sanitary sewer line and electric undergrounding work done before the CSI construction officially begins in October. Staff is seeking a full-time, site-based construction manager to handle daily business and contractor operations. The Fall River Trail Extension (FRT) project has secured the $2.4m in grant funds requested through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to finish the project. For this current construction phase, the last 20-foot section is close to being poured, and the temporary traffic signals should be removed by the end of July. The final phase should begin in fall 2024 and conclude by Memorial Day 2025. Director Muhonen advised that phase one of the Downtown Wayfinding Plan (DWP) will be complete after typos on select signage is corrected. Discussion points included an extensive exchange regarding Cleave Street’s original vision as a shared, multimodal destination area in the 2018 Downtown Plan, and the nuances between making structural improvements on the street and changing its essential functionality for merchants and residents; prioritizing bike racks in the CSI street furniture; the need for Cleave-area merchants to arrange for costly off-hours deliveries due to construction-related impacts on Elkhorn’s routinely congested traffic; the protocol for having an idea or project formalized in the Town’s annually updated Strategic Plan; possible detour routes during the West Elkhorn paving project, which requires one-lane Transportation Advisory Board – July 19, 2023 – Page 3 traffic through late July; current chip seal work on Big Horn Drive; and whether the “sharp” corners on the DWP benches can be smoothed with a grinder. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE Director Muhonen advised that Larimer County recently invited agencies to summarize their maintenance project needs. Input for Estes Park includes US 34 & US 36 resurfacing; trail and intersection improvements on US 36, west of Fun City to Marys Lake Road; and regional transit connectivity to Estes Park from US 34 communities. For the Downtown Estes Loop (DEL) project, West Riverside Drive should reopen to one- way traffic on July 21. Night work has been approved through mid-October. Concrete paving, earthwork fill, and curb and gutter work are in process. Curb and gutter placement continues for the US 36/Community Drive Roundabout (CDRBT). To complete the curb and paving work, the contractor is requesting the Town’s approval of two-way traffic alternating in one lane on US 36 between July 27 and August 10. Director Muhonen asked for the TAB’s input on this closure. After discussion, it was agreed that this inevitable work be done on two consecutive weekends—July 29 and August 5—with a manual flagger managing traffic by day and a signal at night; ensuring access and visibility for emergency vehicles at all hours; and utilizing variable message signs (VMS) to encourage detour routes on Mall Road and Fish Creek Road. The 1A Town sales tax is up for renewal vote on the November 2023 ballot. If it is renewed by voters, staff recommended to the Town Board the following funds allocation: 46% for street maintenance (Street Improvement Fund/STIP), 17% for trail expansion, 9% for wildfire mitigation, and 28% for stormwater improvements. OTHER BUSINESS Member Slack advised the TAB that the ebikes rented from Estes Park Mountain Shop and Backbone Adventures are Classes 1 and 2 only. Per Town ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 9.18.050), the speed limit is 6 mph on sidewalks and 15 mph on multiuse paths; it was agreed that an enforcement presence would be beneficial. Recording Secretary McDonald advised that the TAB will continue meeting in the Town Hall Board Room at least through December 2023. The standing Google Calendar invitation will be updated to reflect this location change. There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:08 p.m. \s\Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary