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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2024-02-21Town 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 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 planning 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. 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. 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. /s/Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary