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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2024-04-17Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, April 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 April, 2024. Board: Chair Belle Morris; Vice-Chair Kristen Ekeren; Members Jessica Ferko, Larry Gamble, Linda Hanick, and Mark Igel; Trustee Patrick Martchink; Staff Liaison Greg Muhonen Attending: Chair Morris; Vice-Chair Ekeren; Members Gamble, Hanick, and Igel; Trustee Martchink; Director Muhonen; Engineer Bailey; Manager Klein; Manager Pastor; Recording Secretary McDonald; Paul Hornbeck, Community Development; Joan Hooper, Public Attendee; William Oster, Public Attendee Absent: Member Ferko Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:06 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Morris read the two Public Comment Forms submitted by Joan Hooper (Resident, Public Attendee) regarding pedestrian safety concerns in construction zones and downtown traffic congestion from private vehicles. Discussion points included the need to accommodate downtown parking, particularly for eastbound drivers; the standard practice for construction contracts to address pedestrian accommodations; and the confusion caused by temporary crosswalks, which could be alleviated by adequate signage and staffing at crosswalks and intersections. Director Muhonen will continue to work with the Downtown Estes Loop (DEL) contractor, Flatiron Construction (FCI), to address pedestrian safety concerns related to DEL construction. TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE With Trustee Martchink’s term expiring, he and TAB members exchanged mutual appreciation for his service as Trustee Liaison. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED FEBRUARY 21, 2024 It was moved and seconded (Gamble/Hanick) to approve the February 21, 2024, minutes with a minor amendment, and it passed unanimously. PARKING & TRANSIT UPDATES Manager Klein reported that planning continues for the launch of the paid parking and transit season that runs May 24-October 20, 2024. The reduced operational budget for transit will require some schedule modifications for the Gold and Silver Routes. The Brown Route will stop at the newly reopened Estes Park Aerial Tram; the Gold Route will Transportation Advisory Board – April 17, 2024 – Page 2 now stop at the Stanley Home Museum and Education Center. Manager Klein will be meeting with the YMCA of the Rockies to discuss their transit service needs. The Car Park’s (TCP) new parking permit portal—updated for users nationwide and focused on monthly parking options—is still being refined to accommodate the Town’s seasonal parking permit needs. TCP also conducted a massive purge of duplicate registrations, primarily for the Town’s Local Permit holders. Bustang to Estes will continue to offer its Saturday and Sunday service on US 36 for $15 per rider for the duration of the 2024 paid parking and transit season. Promotional materials will be accessible at the Estes Park Visitor Center, and the service will be further marketed on radio and in print throughout the region. The US 34 Transportation Management Organization (TMO) continues to develop and has been named GoNoCo. Board membership will feature 15 directors representing local agencies (9), the private sector (5), and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT; 1), with Manager Klein representing the Town. The Electric Trolley Facility project will be discussed at a meeting later today. The Peak will offer Special Event service for the April 20 Bigfoot Days Festival. Manager Klein will present on the Town’s electric vehicle (EV) trolleys and EV charger program at the Community Roundtable on Sustainability event to be hosted at the Estes Valley Community Center on April 22. Discussion points included how hotels and local attractions can promote The Peak to their customers; parking kiosk relocations and the plan to place an additional kiosk in 2025; and the value of TAB member presence at the April 10 DEL Public Meeting. ENGINEERING UPDATES Engineer Bailey reported great progress on utility relocations in recent days for the Cleave Street Improvements (CSI) project. The Town’s Power & Communications team can now begin its work on April 23. Reclaimed asphalt pavement should be placed by June 30, allowing a clean pause for the project through early fall. Three bids for the Graves Avenue–Safe Routes to School (SRTS) project all came in over budget. Thanks to the “yes” vote to continue the 1A sales tax through 2034, Public Works staff is working with Finance on a budget amendment to ensure, with Town Board approval, that Town funds will cover construction of both sides of Graves Avenue. With construction starting in early June, the project should be completed before school resumes in August. There was brief discussion about the need for pedestrian crossing signage at business driveway access points. The Steering Committee for the 2045 Master Transportation Plan and 2030 Transportation Development Plan (MTP-TDP) will meet soon, with a public outreach meeting to follow. Kimley-Horn continues to report activity on the online map and transit survey tools. Transportation Advisory Board – April 17, 2024 – Page 3 The Visitor Center Parking Lot Redesign project is moving forward, with Kimley-Horn developing design alternatives for the TAB to discuss in May. Discussion points included the project’s goals of ensuring a functional, safe space for both transit and pedestrian activity; options for EV charging and micromobility; the recommendation that several concepts for the parking lot design be offered; and the ongoing problem of safely crossing US 34, for which options could be developed in the 2045 MTP. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES Director Muhonen summarized suggested revisions to the TAB bylaws regarding the meeting schedule and number of members; any changes would require Town Board approval. Discussion points included the possible language change from “regular” to “convened” meetings; the benefits of a consistent meeting time and frequency; how the TAB can preserve its value and commitment to being the “voice of the people,” which helps to attract new members; the possibility of meeting together at any time as a public group, which need not be defined by bylaws; and whether a minimum or maximum member count should be established. Trustee Martchink advised that many of these details had recently been discussed by the Town Board. It was agreed that any change to the bylaws resulting from this discussion would be made by Director Muhonen and submitted directly to the Town Board for approval. Director Muhonen reminded the TAB that the current and future transportation spending decisions made by Public Works staff are guided by the Town’s Strategic Plan, Capital Improvement Program, and budget; therefore, relevant excerpts of these documents and the Master Trails Plan were provided in the current packet for the TAB to review and discuss. Priorities could be established by staff for TAB endorsement, or TAB members could recommend to staff what the community considers priority. It was agreed that TAB members would bring their written recommendations to the May meeting, so that staff could incorporate their input into the Public Works funding request in June. There was brief discussion about factors that influence the Town’s annual pavement condition index (PCI). Manager Pastor was introduced as the new Public Works Project Manager, and he briefly explained the Big Horn Parking Structure ideas to be discussed at the May 14 Town Board Study Session. Discussion points included expanding the structure with two additional levels with different access points; the Estes Park Housing Authority’s (EPHA) interest in developing the fourth level for elevator-access housing; and the opportunity to expand downtown living as envisioned in the 2018 Downtown Plan. TAB members were encouraged to sign up for the DEL project email updates and access the public meeting recordings using the project website link in the agenda. Director Muhonen will talk with Flatiron Construction (FCI) about maintaining a project completion percentage on the project website. TAB members were also encouraged to sign up for the CDOT US 34/36 Overlay Project email updates using the project website link on the agenda. Transportation Advisory Board – April 17, 2024 – Page 4 Director Muhonen congratulated Manager Klein on his selection as the Town’s new Parking & Transit Manager, effective March 24. UPDATE ON PAST PUBLIC COMMENT See Public Comment item above. OTHER BUSINESS Member Hanick updated the TAB on her discussion with the Estes Park Newcomers Club (EPNC) regarding a volunteer crossing guard program for kids crossing Colorado Highway 7 (CO 7). She was advised that the EPNC volunteer coordinator position is transitioning, but that the group affirmed interest in coordinating this pilot program. There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 1:53 p.m. /s/Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary