HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2024-01-17Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 17, 2024
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 17th day of
January, 2024.
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, Finley, Gamble,
Hanick, Igel, and Slack; Director Muhonen; Manager Solesbee; Supervisor
Klein; Engineer Wittwer; Recording Secretary McDonald; Public Attendee
Joan Hooper
Absent:
Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No comment forms were formally submitted. However, Vice-Chair Ekeren reported that
she had fielded a verbal comment regarding crosswalk needs at Colorado Highway 7 (CO
7) and Lexington Lane; it was determined that the same resident had emailed Chair Morris
in October 2023 with this concern, after which Chair Morris had followed up with the
Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Vice-Chair Ekeren had directed the
resident to the 2045 Transportation Plan (TP) Mapping Survey tool to report her areas of
concern. This topic continues in the next agenda item.
UPDATE ON PAST PUBLIC COMMENT
Discussion points about this current and past public comment included the ongoing safety
problem for pedestrians, particularly school children, needing to cross CO 7; how this
issue is addressed in existing traffic studies; equipment and other options for safe
crosswalk operations; how the TAB can build urgency around this issue through
community engagement and quantifiable data, especially since the current housing
developments will further increase pedestrian activity on CO 7; and the protocol and
financial resources necessary for actualizing any new improvement projects to be
undertaken by CDOT and/or the Town. Member Gamble will contact the Estes Park
School District (EPSD) to coordinate parent feedback on the topic. Engineer Wittwer will
research survey data from the Graves Avenue – Safe Routes to School (SRTS) project
and other relevant pedestrian needs assessments.
TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE
Trustee Martchink advised that he will contact TAB members with a survey exploring the
possibility of converting the TAB from an advisory board that meets regularly into an ad
Transportation Advisory Board – January 17, 2024 – Page 2
hoc committee that meets as needed to address timely issues. The purpose is to ensure
the best use of staff time and resources.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED DECEMBER 20, 2023
It was moved and seconded (Slack/Hanick) to approve the December 20, 2023,
minutes, and it passed unanimously.
MOBILITY SERVICES UPATE
Supervisor Klein is reviewing The Car Park’s 2023 occupancy reports, which will soon be
published on the website. The “Peep” enforcement vehicle no longer uses blinking lights.
The parking permit program is being refined to purge duplicate Local Permit accounts
and improve the overall permit registration process. The Mistall web-based platform will
replace the ParkMobile app to provide real-time parking lot availability; prior to the paid
parking season, Davis will serve as the Mistall demo lot.
Transit data for 2023 will be reported in February. Despite a comprehensive transit plan
for the January 13-14 First Peoples Festival, the extreme winter weather resulted in zero
transit riders. The Peak will collaborate with the Estes Valley Library on February 10 to
offer a Daniel Tiger Day trolley ride. Planning is underway for the 2024 transit sponsorship
program.
TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE
Supervisor Klein advised that Engineer Bailey will be the regular presenter of the 2045
Transportation Plan (TP) and 2030 Transit Development Plan (TDP) updates beginning
in February. Meanwhile, the online Mapping Survey is garnering excellent feedback and
remains open through January 31; staff continue to review the consultant’s existing
conditions report; and a March open house is being planned to present survey results.
ENGINEERING UPDATE
Engineer Wittwer advised that the 2023 Complete Streets Policy Annual Report was
missing the final checklist for the Cleave Street Improvements (CSI) project; Recording
Secretary McDonald will email this checklist to the TAB following today’s meeting.
The CSI bid was released January 4 for a January 25 bid opening.
The Graves Avenue – Safe Routes to School (SRTS) bid should be released in February;
the project’s Complete Streets checklist is in the packet.
The Fall River Trail (FRT) Extension project is at the 90% design stage. The project was
virtually presented as part of the 2024 Non-Motorized Planning Grants application
process. Construction of this final segment of the FRT is targeted for late 2024 or early
2025.
ROUNDABOUT DISCUSSION
Member Igel offered a presentation of 2015-2022 Estes Park roundabout crash data
obtained from CDOT’s public website that showed an increase of crashes after the
Transportation Advisory Board – January 17, 2024 – Page 3
opening of the MacGregor Roundabout. Discussion points included why Estes Park’s
crash data may not follow the national trends for roundabouts and intersections; whether
roundabouts are good or bad for this tourist-heavy mountain community; how similar
communities like Sedona, Arizona, utilize a website tutorial to educate residents and
visitors on navigating the area’s roundabouts; observation of pedestrian habits at
roundabouts with RRFBs (rectangular rapid flashing beacons) in Estes Park; and
educational methods, such as clever signage, that could help promote roundabout safety.
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
Director Muhonen reported that staff attended the US 34 Coalition quarterly meeting last
week, representing the Town as a non-member participant in the start-up US 34
Transportation Management Organization (TMO). Discussion points included the TMO’s
objective to facilitate the movement of people and goods through the US 34 corridor; the
availability of Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant funds for transit
opportunities on US 34 and US 36; the Town’s pending intergovernmental agreement
(IGA) with the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) to help
fund start-up of the TMO; and the benefits of advocating for a multimodal trail along US
34, particularly for emergency vehicles and evacuation events.
The Mobility Services Manager position remains unposted while Town leadership
analyzes the nature of the position and/or department. Project Manager recruitment
continues.
With recent slide-off accidents during winter conditions at the Wonderview/MacGregor
Avenue roundabout, Director Muhonen is consulting with CDOT’s Gina Fox (R4 North
Program) about a new flashing warning sign until reconfiguration of the west approach
can be undertaken. Discussion points included the recent repairs to the guardrail; use of
LED flashing lights and parking boulders; general speed-reduction methods; and
pedestrian behavior factors.
Director Muhonen invited TAB members to attend tonight’s 1% sales tax public action
meeting to learn about the proposed spending and how to support or oppose the renewal
effort.
2024 TAB OFFICERS ELECTION
Chair Morris invited discussion about the annual election for TAB officers. It was moved
and seconded (Slack/Hanick) that Chair Morris retain her office for another term,
and the motion passed by acclamation with Member Igel abstaining. It was moved and
seconded (Hanick/Morris) that Vice-Chair Ekeren retain her office for another term,
and the motion passed by acclamation with Member Igel abstaining.
OTHER BUSINESS
It was agreed that the “Update on Past Public Comment” item is a valuable addition to
the TAB’s standing agenda.
There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 1:56 p.m.
Transportation Advisory Board – January 17, 2024 – Page 4
/s/Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary