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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREPORT Transportation Advisory Board 2024-03-203/15/2024 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD REPORT FOR MARCH 2024 NO MEETING ON MARCH 20, 2024 This packet contains the following: •Draft minutes from the TAB meeting held February 21, 2024 •Memo from Public Works Department: Division Reports •Special Project Memo: Member Gamble •Special Project Memo: Member Hanick 1       2 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 21, 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 21st day of February, 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, Finley, Gamble, Hanick, Igel, and Slack; Trustee Martchink; Director Muhonen; Manager Solesbee; Engineer Bailey; Supervisor Klein; Recording Secretary McDonald; Anthony Pratt, Kimley-Horn; Paul Hornbeck, Community Development Absent: Member Ferko Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED JANUARY 17, 2024 It was moved and seconded (Gamble/Ekern) to approve the January 17, 2024, minutes with a minor amendment, and it passed unanimously. 2045 TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN & 2030 TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PLAN Consultant Pratt presented the 2045 Transportation Plan, with clarifications provided as needed by Manager Solesbee. Presentation summary points included the phenomenal level of public engagement on the online survey and interactive mapping tool, the results of which will remain accessible for viewers; the constructiveness and positivity of comments received; respondent perception, habits, and requests regarding transit; the ranking and summary descriptions of the Plan’s goals, and how they will be prioritized by the Steering Committee and public involvement; and concepts for transit improvements regarding frequency of routes and service, new types of service, and infrastructure projects. Discussion points for the survey included the importance of distinguishing between visitor and resident feedback; the decision to measure user demographic for the survey but not the mapping tool; public engagement activity following informational mailings, presentations, and other gatherings; the desire to be environmentally thoughtful and resilient in the final version of the plan; the definition and clarification of Vulnerable Road User (VRU) as someone not enclosed in a vehicle; the need to address emergency evacuation planning with engagement of the Larimer County Sheriff and Colorado State 3 Transportation Advisory Board – February 21, 2024 – Page 2 Patrol; the need to describe the transit hub and why the location was chosen; and economic development factors for Colorado Highway 7 (CO 7) businesses. Consultant Pratt advised that topical white papers would be reviewed by the Steering Committee and featured on the website. An open house/workshop is being planned for March, so that public feedback can help shape the prioritization process and the development of a final report that addresses realistic, achievable goals. ENGINEERING UPDATE Engineer Bailey reported that the Visitor Center Parking Lot Redesign contract would be presented at the February 27 Town Board meeting. If approved, construction could begin immediately. Utility relocations continue for the Cleave Street Improvements project, with Xcel currently moving the gas main and tying in services; Power and Communications work will follow. TDS lines were discovered and will be moved. The construction contract will be presented at the February 27 Town Board meeting; if approved, the work would begin after the contractor officially completes another Town project. The original goal of a June hard stop for concrete work is not realistic, but utilities should be done by June. TAB members were encouraged to invite people to sign up for the CSI Project Communications email list for weekly and as-needed communications. A contractor staging area is needed for the Graves Avenue-Safe Routes to School project. Staff is working with the Estes Park School District for temporary use of school property, after which the bid will be advertised with the goal to complete construction by mid-August. Regarding the ongoing topic of pedestrian safety at Lexington Lane and CO 7, Member Gamble reported that a past traffic study did not warrant traffic signal placement there. Estes Park Middle School Principal John Bryant is in favor of exploring parental preference for an official crossing there this fall after the apartment complex is completed and fully occupied. Chair Morris summarized the Step by Step: How to Start a Walking School Bus at Your School packet item. Discussion points included using a survey to gauge interest in such a program; how adult and student volunteer route leaders could be organized; and the importance of evaluating the program’s effectiveness after any implementation. Member Hanick will provide contact information for the Estes Park Newcomers Club, whose members could be asked to help organize a safe crossing program. It was agreed that this would be a demand-based project. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE Regarding Downtown Estes Loop (DEL) construction, Director Muhonen reported that buried utilities have delayed work on the north side of the roundabout. The post office parking lot should be paved in May. The Big Horn Parking Lot Micro-Structure Request for Proposals (RFP), started by Manager Solesbee and Engineer Bailey, will be assigned to the new project manager, whose employment begins March 25. 4 Transportation Advisory Board – February 21, 2024 – Page 3 US 34 Coalition members will gather on March 6 for a kick-off meeting to establish governance and membership structures for the developing US 34 Transportation Management Organization (TMO). Steer Group Consulting will lead the meeting. The first phase of the CDOT US 34/36 Overlay Project started on February 19 with placement of temporary traffic signals for the retaining wall work along Moraine Avenue. The second phase, paving of the project area, is expected to be completed by September. TAB members were invited to attend a farewell gathering on February 22 for Manager Solesbee, whose last date of employment is March 1. Member Hanick inquired about maintenance needed at the Baldwin Park bridge; Director Muhonen will have the Parks Division evaluate. TRANSIT UPDATE Supervisor Klein summarized the 2023 Year-End Report for The Peak, starting with images of the new branding. Due to fewer exterior advertisement spaces on rental buses, some sponsor dollars were lost; however, use of a local sign service reduced costs for the new branding. For the 157-day transit season, ridership was 99,472, up from 73,266 in 2022. Special Event ridership is an ongoing measure; the Wine & Chocolate Festival hosted 134 riders, and the Estes Valley Library’s (EVL) Daniel Tiger Day hosted 105 riders. With RATP Dev costs up for 2024, staff is seeking alternate funding for the transit program. Paid parking rates for the 2024 season will be recommended to the Town Board on March 12. Although no changes are being recommended, this administrative formality is required in the Estes Park Municipal Code. DISCUSSION OF THE TAB AS AD HOC COMMITTEE Trustee Martchink reported that only one TAB member had responded to the February 7 “TAB/Ad hoc feedback” email survey. The meaning of ad hoc, as it could apply to the TAB, was summarized. Discussions points included sensitivity to staff time between and during TAB meetings; reducing the frequency of meetings but still emailing a packet during the off-months to engage members on non-actionable topics; how having a regular meeting time each month functions as a focus group, allowing for robust conversations that might not otherwise take place; the TAB’s service as a conduit between the Town and the community; the possibility of scheduling agenda-driven meetings according to seasonal impacts on member attendance; the inefficiency of meetings that repeat information provided through other Town meetings or platforms; how expanding the agenda item titles can encourage public attendance; how the packet itself could determine whether a meeting should actually be held in a given month; and how having regular meetings provides good opportunity to have timely topics presented by agencies like CDOT and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Trustee Martchink thanked the TAB for their feedback and will provide a summary to the Town Board. 5 Transportation Advisory Board – February 21, 2024 – Page 4 UPDATE ON PAST PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Morris reminded the TAB that safe crossing at Lexington Lane is an ongoing conversation generated by past public comment. OTHER BUSINESS Chair Morris reminded the TAB of upcoming member term expirations. Vice-Chair Ekeren and Member Bernal intend to reapply; Member Slack will allow his term to expire. There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:03 p.m. Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary 6 970-577-3574 publicworks@estes.org 170 MACGREGOR AVE. P.O. BOX 1200, ESTES PARK CO. 80517 WWW.ESTES.ORG PUBLIC WORKS Memo To: Transportation Advisory Board From: Public Works Department Date: March 20, 2024 RE: Division Reports for March 2024 Parking & Transit Division Update: Supervisor Klein The Peak transit operated shuttle service for the relocated Whiskey Warmup at the Events Center on Saturday, March 2. The ridership was 228 total passengers. Director Muhonen and Supervisor Klein attended the Upper Front Range Transportation Planning Region (UFRTPR) meeting in Fort Collins to present a resolution approving a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) FY23 Project Award to Estes Park in the amount of $1,143,529 for transit service improvements. The resolution passed unanimously. The date for the grant agreement and authorization to spend these funds has not been confirmed by CDOT. We welcomed the Upper Front Range US 34 Transportation Management Organization consultant group, Steer, on Friday morning, March 8, and gave them a tour of the Elkhorn Corridor and the DEL project area. A 2024 season kick-off meeting for Bustang to Estes was held on February 22. Members of the operational and marketing teams attended with representation from the Town, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Boulder County, Lyons, Broomfield, and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Bustang to Estes service is tentatively planned on US 36 to mirror the Town's paid parking season again in 2024 (Memorial Day through mid-October) with Saturday and Sunday service. A March 12 Town Board packet item was prepared for Establishing 2024 Seasonal Paid Parking and Parking Permit Rates. Per Estes Park Municipal Code, staff must bring a 7 recommendation to the Town Board annually. No change is recommended for the 2024 season due to ongoing construction strains on the community. At the March 12 Town Board meeting, Resolution 17-24 Establishing 2024 Seasonal Paid Parking and Parking Permit Fees and Proposed Revisions to Policy 842 – Parking Permits passed with a vote of 5-1. Engineering Division Update: Engineer Bailey Cleave Street Improvement Project Staff has been preparing a weekly public email update on the status of the project. Interested TAB members who are not already on the email list should ask Lani to add them. These emails provide a much more timely update than what I have been providing at the TAB recently. Graves Avenue – Safe Routes to School Project A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting was held on March 7. There were 4 prospective bidders present, and bids will be opened on Thursday, March 21, at 3pm. Multimodal Transportation Plan and Transit Development Plan Kimley-Horn has secured meeting space at the Estes Valley Community Center, and the first public outreach event will be held there on Wednesday, April 10, 5-7pm. More information to come. Administrative Update Downtown Estes Loop Construction See the project weekly email update available at this link. Contact 2 — Downtown Estes Loop Project Big Horn Parking Lot Micro-Structure RFP Our new PW Project Manager, Derek Pastor, will start in his new role on March 25. Derek will be assigned this project and a number of others. We intend to invite Derek to the April TAB meeting for introductions. CDOT US 34/36 Overlay Project Sign up for weekly email updates on the project at this CDOT link. Mobility Services Manager Recruitment This position has been eliminated as part of an internal restructuring that will move Fleet and Facilities operations to a new Internal Service Department within the Town Administrator's office. A new Parking and Transit Manager position has been created, advertised, and a job offer to the selected candidate is pending. 8 M E M O R A N D U M TO: Transportation Advisory Board FROM: Member Gamble DATE: March 15, 2024 SUBJECT: Update on Crossing Highway 7 Safely I have been communicating with Erin Miller (Pre K-2 Principal) and Eric Adams (Facilities and School Safety Director) with the Estes Park School District about how to facilitate students crossing Highway 7 safely on their way to/from school. Based on our communication, the preferred approach is to conduct a survey of a defined set of parents/guardians of school-aged children this coming fall. At that point the new apartments at Lexington Lane and Highway 7 will likely be occupied. As envisioned, the survey would be distributed to parents/guardians of school-aged children who reside west of Highway 7 within approximately one mile of the school campus. Eric Adams and Erin Miller have offered their assistance. The survey would include suggested options for conducting students safely across Highway 7. Current ideas: • Volunteer crossing guard program • Volunteer walking school bus program • A dedicated school bus route that would pick up and drop off students along a defined stretch of Highway 7 The purpose of the survey would be to determine if parents/guardians would allow their children to get to/from school by some means other than driving them, and to determine which solution they prefer. If there is sufficient interest and a clear preference, we can work toward implementation. 9 M E M O R A N D U M TO: Transportation Advisory Board FROM: Member Hanick DATE: March 15, 2024 SUBJECT: Update on School Crossing Volunteer Group I reached out to Wally Wood, VP—Community Service for the EP Newcomers’ Club, and explained to him that we were looking for a community service organization that would help get a group together to create a volunteer school safety program to assist kids to cross 7 Highway to school and home daily. This is of particular concern at the Lexington Lane area where the new apartments will soon be completed. (Parental concern about the highway has been previously been expressed in the survey regarding the Graves Street project.) Wally explained he would be moving out of Newcomers this year, at the end of his 5 years, but would introduce me to the new VP—Community Service coordinator when elected this spring. I hope to know more in April. 10