HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2023-11-15
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 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
November, 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, Finley, Gamble, Hanick, and Slack; Director
Muhonen; Manager Solesbee; Engineer Bailey; Supervisor Klein;
Recording Secretary McDonald; Paul Hornbeck, Community Development
Planner; Public Attendees Deb Dufty, Michael Melanson, and Kristine L.
Poppitz
Absent: Member Ferko, Member Igel
Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE
Trustee Martchink reported that the Town Board approved Ordinance 10-23 mitigating
impacts of downtown construction on downtown businesses and affirmed support for
continuing the 1% sales tax renewal with a modification to the originally proposed funds
allocation. The 2024 ballot language for the sales tax renewal will be formally set in
January but is eligible to be challenged by citizen action groups before the April vote.
Trustee Martchink briefed the TAB on the Town Board’s reasons for changing the
proposed funds allocation, and also indicated that neither he nor Mayor Koenig plans to
run in the April 2024 municipal election.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED OCTOBER 18, 2023
It was moved and seconded (Gamble/Slack) to approve the October 18, 2023,
minutes, and it passed unanimously.
MOBILITY SERVICES UPATE
Manager Solesbee advised that the ADA Transition Plan public meeting took place on
November 9 but that the draft plan could be accessed and commented upon through the
Town website (www.estes.org/ada). The plan’s original scope was expanded to include
on-street parking and transit stops.
Transportation Advisory Board – November 15, 2023 – Page 2
Two firms responded to the request for proposals (RFP) for the Visitor Center Parking Lot
Redesign / US 34 Corridor Study. The proposals are being reviewed by staff and the
Selection Committee; next steps are discussing the budget and negotiating fees.
Manager Solesbee met with the Transportation Management Organization (TMO) to
discuss relationship building with Estes Park and other communities that may wish to
participate in the TMO efforts without financially committing as official members of the US
34 Coalition. The North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) is
developing the intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) required for non-member
communities to participate in the TMO and is also seeking a consulting firm to develop
the TMO bylaws and handle start-up administrative and marketing tasks.
The Big Horn Parking Structure RFP is under director review, and the project itself will be
led by a new Public Works position, limited-term Project Manager.
Grant agreements for the Trolley Barn project and Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV)
Transition Plan are expected from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) by
March.
The Town of Estes Park is one of nine Colorado agencies to be awarded $100k in 2024
Federal Transit Administration 5311 Rural Area Formula Funds for expansion efforts.
Discussion points included why Estes Park is not an official member of the US 34
Coalition; the Town’s reputation for responsiveness and good stewardship of grant
funding; and how model communities will be used to develop the ZEV Transition Plan.
TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE
Manager Solesbee reported that the Town’s Transportation Plan (TP) survey postcard
was handed out at the Dia de los Muertos event, National Philanthropy Day, the ADA
Transition Plan meeting, and the recent trolley event for Estes Valley Investment in
Childhood Success (EVICS). Public engagement with the online survey and mapping tool
is good. Staff is now reviewing Kimley-Horn’s draft Existing Conditions and Economic
Conditions/Demographic summary.
Discussion points included functionality aspects of the TP’s mapping tool; how to
encourage further public engagement with the survey through early January, particularly
for those who don’t use the computer; and the possibility of promoting the TP and survey
with a utility billing mailer that invites different methods of response.
2023 PAID PARKING PROGRAM YEAR-END RESULTS
Supervisor Klein walked the TAB through the “Seasonal Paid Parking Program: 2023
Year-End Results” packet report. Presentation points included a review of the program’s
four goals; the impact of downtown construction on all Town parking lots; how staff carried
out the operational focus on communication strategies throughout the summer; insight
into the peak occupancy data for all paid and free lots on weekends compared to
weekdays; data measuring the parking activity of permit holders; the breakdown of
Transportation Advisory Board – November 15, 2023 – Page 3
program revenue and expenses; opportunities through which the program engaged
customers and stakeholders; the strong partnership with the EVL; and the program’s key
takeaways. The same report will be shared at the November 28 Town Board meeting,
and an amendment to the program’s annual decision deadline (from December 31 to
March 15) will be presented at the December 12 Town Board meeting.
Discussion points included the “sweet spot” of 85 percent lot occupancy, which allows
prospective parkers to feel confident in finding a spot; parking structure usage trends;
Local Permit usage data, which did not reflect an increase of activity (weekends or
otherwise) with the added hour of exemption; the willingness of customers to stay-and-
pay in “good” spaces; the staff achievement of 98% positive feedback from customers;
the strain of Bond Park weekend events on the program in September and October; and
the transit program achievement of nearly 100k riders, which was credited in part to the
electric trolleys, vehicle wraps, YMCA route, and the Zero Fare for Better Air campaign.
Discussion points included the monitoring of kiosk skimmers for security issues; signage
methods used when the parking structure was full; ParkMobile app issues for Apple Pay
users in Estes Park; and parking structure clearance and how this is communicated to
approaching vehicles.
Director Muhonen advised that, after analyzing the 2023 program data and the ongoing
impact of major construction downtown, Town staff determined that there will be no
program changes made for the 2024 paid parking season. This decision also means that
the 2024 Town Strategic Plan will not include implementing phases 3 and 4 of the
Downtown Parking Management Plan (Objective 4.A.1). Instead, the 2024 paid parking
program will feature communication and signage improvements, expanded transit
services, and an increase in seasonal staff. It was agreed that making no changes for the
2024 season was a reasonable, balance-based decision for the community.
ENGINEERING UPDATE
Due to time considerations, Engineer Bailey’s report was brief.
For the Cleave Street Improvements project, Xcel Energy’s contractor is awaiting a final
design for the gas line relocation. The Town’s Power & Communications Department will
perform underground work in December. Estes Park Sanitation District’s (EPSD)
chemical treatment of their restored trench is going well. Street construction is expected
to begin in February or March.
Construction for the Graves Avenue Improvements/Safe Routes to School project is
planned for summer 2024.
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
Director Muhonen reported that the new Public Works position of Project Manager has
been approved for recruitment. Additionally, he clarified the final allocation to be proposed
for the 1% sales tax renewal allocation: 46% street maintenance; 28% stormwater
infrastructure; 12.5% trail expansion and maintenance; 9% wildfire mitigation; and 4.5%
Transportation Advisory Board – November 15, 2023 – Page 4
upgrading overhead electrical lines. The TAB agreed that it was not necessary to
schedule a special meeting to further discuss this topic.
TAB MEETING TIME DISCUSSION
Regarding the email “survey” of possible time changes for the TAB’s regular meeting,
Chair Morris reported that members mostly expressed flexibility and the overall desire to
encourage the best participation from members as well as the public. It was agreed that
the time change could be discussed again when the board term ends for some members
on March 31, 2024. Meanwhile, the public can be encouraged to use the TAB’s online
public comment form, and task forces can be formed as necessary for TAB-focused
topics.
OTHER BUSINESS
As introduced by Member Gamble, it was agreed that public input provided at any meeting
should, if necessary, be featured as a formal item on the following month’s agenda.
Recording Secretary McDonald advised that the December 20 meeting would feature the
TAB’s annual appreciation meal, and that the June 2024 regular meeting date conflicts
with the Town’s Juneteenth holiday closure.
There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:02 p.m.
Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary