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Home My WebLink AboutPACKET Transportation Advisory Board 2024-09-18September 18, 2024 12:00 p.m. Town Hall | Board Room 12:00 pm Public Comment 12:05 pm Trustee Liaison Update Trustee Igel 12:10 pm Approval of Minutes dated August 21, 2024 (packet) 12:15 pm New Member Welcome Chair Morris 12:20 pm Scoping Project for Downtown River Capacity Improvements Engineer Waters Bike Route Discussion (packet) 12:40 pm Parking & Transit Updates Manager Klein a.Parking: Occupancy and Revenue Through September 8 b.Transit: All-Routes Ridership Through September 8 c.Transit: GoNoCo 34 & UFR-TPR Meeting Summaries d.Zero-Emission Vehicle Transit Plan for RFP 1:00 pm E-Bike Incentives & Supported Infrastructure/Policy Claudine Perrault 1:15 pm Engineering & Administrative Updates Engineer Bailey a.Downtown Estes Loop Riverwalk/Moraine Ave Pedestrian Crossings b.Pine Knoll Drive Paving c.Reclamation Neighborhood Street Improvements d.CDOT US 34/36 Overlay Project 1:30 pm Safe Routes to School & Community Destinations a.Family Advisory Coalition: Listening Sessions b.Estes Park School District: Student/Family Survey c.Colorado Highway 7 Crossings & Walking School Bus 1:45 pm Update on Past Public Comment 1:55 pm Other Business Adjourn AGENDA TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 1 2 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, August 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 August, 2024. Board: Chair Belle Morris; Vice-Chair Kristen Ekeren; Members Larry Gamble, Linda Hanick, Misti Marcantonio, Wallace Wood; Trustee Mark Igel; Staff Liaison Greg Muhonen Attending: Chair Morris; Vice-Chair Ekeren; Members Gamble, Hanick, Hooper, and Marcantonio; Trustee Igel; Director Muhonen; Engineer Bailey; Manager Klein; Recording Secretary McDonald; Anthony Pratt, Kimley-Horn; Paul Hornbeck and Karin Swanlund, Community Development Absent: Member Wood Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT None. TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE Trustee Igel reported that the Town Board approved the two Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) accepting federally funded grant money for completion of the Fall River Trail Extension project. Interviews with volunteer applicants will begin on August 23 for the TAB’s current vacancies. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED JULY 17, 2024 It was moved and seconded (Hooper/Gamble) to approve the July 17, 2024, minutes, and it passed unanimously. ENGINEERING UPDATES Consultant Pratt presented the two conceptual design alternatives for the Visitor Center Parking Lot Redesign. Alternative A features a one-way, eastbound bus routing lane parallel to Big Thompson Avenue; 22 standard and 0 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) stalls would be removed. Alternative B features a wider entrance at the northeast and a two-way bus routing configuration east of the Visitor Center (VC); 23 standard and 1 ADA stalls would be removed. Both alternatives feature 6-7 stalls for the transit vehicles, which must exit eastbound onto Big Thompson Avenue. Discussion points included the major benefits of a Steamer Drive roundabout, a budget- dependent concept that is supported by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) but does not provide a timely solution for westbound traffic exiting the VC; options 3 Transportation Advisory Board – August 21, 2024 – Page 2 for shelters or canopies on the passenger platform; how to distinguish parking stalls by vehicle size and type; the potential for pedestrian-vehicle conflict in the passenger loading areas; location options for a plaza; and the advertising benefits of Alternative A, where the transit vehicle lane is fully visible from Big Thompson Avenue. Consultant Pratt then presented the Solutions & Prioritization spreadsheet for the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and Transit Development Plan (TDP), asking for the TAB’s perspective on the survey data results. Member feedback is welcome for another week while the design team refines the final plan. There was brief discussion about the scoring results of some items and the nature of HAWK crossings. As a closing update for this agenda item, Engineer Bailey advised that Graves Avenue fully opened to pedestrians and vehicles on August 9. Some TAB members reported that school bus drivers have adjusted their routes to avoid Graves Avenue. Public Works staff was fully unaware of this issue but will follow up today with the school. The Town’s 2024 application for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program funds will target crosswalk improvements at Manford Avenue and Colorado Highway 7 (CO 7; South Saint Vrain Avenue). PARKING & TRANSIT UPDATES Manager Klein reported on occupancy data through August 18. With school resuming, weekday numbers are down but weekends are seeing at or near 100% capacity in all lots excluding the Events Center and Parking Structure (PS). The PS has achieved 85% or higher capacity eight times this season. Of the temporarily free parking lots impacted by construction, Riverside resumed paid parking status on August 9 and its resulting activity reflects turnover and stall availability. Post Office lot access is improving. Overall parking revenue is down 8.3% from the average of previous years, which may be due in part to one less Bond Park summer event. Payment use continues to be balanced between the mobile app and kiosk options. The Red Route served 20,809 riders in July, up 4.9% from 2023 despite operating two hours fewer per day this season; all routes are up 4.5% from 2023. The RATP Dev drivers are tracking “on the fly” diversion requests to help adjust 2025 transit stops according to actual demand; a good example is the common request for the Brown Route to stop at National Park Village. For eight days during the Alexander Mountain Fire, the transit team prepared assets for evacuation assistance by refilling vehicle tanks at the half-tank mark, which slightly delayed routes. The fire also required cancellation of the planned August 4 CDOT/RTD tabling event, which may be rescheduled. The board of GoNoCo34 (the Estes Park to Kersey transportation initiative), met in early August to prioritize its workflow until the anticipated arrival of a fractional Executive Director in October. Current priorities are public and private membership growth, marketing plan development, funding and sustainability planning, and staff candidate interviews. 4 Transportation Advisory Board – August 21, 2024 – Page 3 Attendee Swanlund (Community Development) inquired about what happened to the former Shuttle Committee (SC), which ceased meeting before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was brief discussion about the SC’s origin and distinction from the TAB, and Director Muhonen advised that the SC had not been formally sunset but ceased activity through attrition. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES Director Muhonen acknowledged a recent TAB email interaction that had provided the opportunity to clarify the TAB’s obligation to follow Colorado Sunshine Law. A site map page from the Downtown Estes Loop (DEL) plan was distributed, and Director Muhonen described pedestrian navigation routes and pending signal placement points. Discussion points included areas of potential confusion for pedestrians; the Town’s request for signage where the sidewalk ends at Davis Street; and driver disregard for the new stoplight near Park Theatre, possibly due to its proximity near the Elkhorn/Moraine intersection. Members were advised to call Dispatch with license plate numbers of offending drivers, or to contact Director Muhonen with related concerns. In follow-up to the May 14 Town Board Study Session for the Big Horn Parking Structure Design, Director Muhonen advised that proposals and fees had been reviewed and interview of firms completed. Currently, there is insufficient funding for the Board- preferred designs (Options 2 and 3). A parking fee increase in 2025 could help bridge the funding gap; overall funding options are being prepared for further review. The US 34/36 Resurfacing Project has experienced delays related to the Alexander Mountain Fire closure, rainfall during nightwork, and plant production issues. UPDATE ON PAST PUBLIC COMMENT Regarding a TAB Public Comment Form submitted by Member Hooper prior to her TAB appointment, it was agreed that staff could examine and develop accommodations for pedestrians when planning future projects. OTHER BUSINESS Chair Morris reminded the TAB of its plan to gather feedback this fall from school staff and poll school parents regarding crosswalk safety issues along CO 7. Member Gamble indicated that Member Wood is involved in the Estes Park Newcomers Club, which was discussed as a good source of volunteer support for coordinating this student-safety project. There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:02 p.m. Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary 5 6 04 –Design Opportunities Trails and Circulation –containing flood waters within waterway and away from infrastructure,buildings,and utilities River Access and Recreation –create vibrant multi-use river corridor Ecological Sustainability and Function –increase aquatic and overbank habitat with natural materials and process-based approach 15 Design Opportunities -Trails04 CONNECT TO MORAINE UNDERPASS BRIDGE OVER FALL RIVER BRIDGE OVER BIG THOMPSON RIVER SPLIT PATH AND US-36 UNDERPASS 16 7 Design Opportunities04 SECTION A 17 ~8 FT Design Opportunities04 SECTION B 18 ~5 FT 8 Design Opportunities04 SECTION C 19 ~5 FT Design Opportunities04 PERSPECTIVE 1 20 9 Utility Considerations05 SEWER CROSSING AT RIVERSIDE DR SEWER CROSSING DS ROCKWELL ST OPTION -REROUTE TO PROPOSED TRAIL CORRIDOR SEWER CROSSING AT RIVERSIDE DRRIVERSIDEDR OPTION – UNDERGROUND LIFT STATION 25 06 –Next Steps •Channel/Bridges only project cost ~$30M •Historical Damages (1976,1982,2013) •Benefit-Cost Ratio >>1 Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) 26 •All required agencies have been notified of project. •EHP package submitted to DHSEM on July 12,under initial review. •Supplemental materials may be requested. •Additional permitting will be required under future project phases. 10