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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 10-17-18 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, October 17, 2018 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Room 203 of Town Hall on the 17th day of October, 2018. Present: Gordon Slack Tom Street Belle Morris Stan Black Ron Wilcocks Linda Hanick Also Present: Trustee Carlie Bangs, Town Board Liaison Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director David Hook, Engineering Manager Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Brittany Hathaway, Planner, Community Development Dept. Absent: Ann Finley Amy Hamrick Janice Crow Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public in attendance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made and seconded (Wilcocks/Street) to approve the September meeting minutes with minor edits and all were in favor. COMPLETE STREET POLICY AMENDMENT: Co-chair Tom Street revised the previously provided policy to include a checklist for use when planning a street project. A traffic calming video was viewed by the Chair Morris, Co-chair Street and Director Muhonen. Street explained that information in the checklist was based on this video. He ensured the inclusion was fitting to Estes Park. Both Chair Morris and Director Muhonen agreed with the content provided. This policy will provide added safety for pedestrians. Wilcocks commented that there still needs verbiage added referencing grade-separated crossing. Co-Chair Street will make the addition and then requested a motion to approve the addition of traffic calming as attachment to checklist with the inclusion of Wilcocks’ statement. The motion was made and seconded (Wilcocks/Black) and all were in favor. Muhonen suggested adding a revision date to the document. At the November 27, 2018 Town Board Study session Muhonen will present a memo to summarize the story of Complete Streets. He would then like to introduce the item along with either Chair Morris or Co-Chair Street to make the presentation to the Town Board. He stated that it is common-practice for TAB to perform presentations on behalf of all TAB policy creations. Morris will present and Street will act as a backup. At this time the E- Bike Ordinance, presentation of the peak season parking utilization, and a resolution approving the Complete Streets Policy are all scheduled for the same study session. A draft of the E-Bike ordinance will be presented at the regularly scheduled November TAB meeting. Wilcocks would like to see all pieces of policy together and requested the information be provided once revisions are complete. Morris or Street will send out the updated policy language prior to next meeting allowing time for all to review. Transportation Advisory Board – October 17, 2018 – Page 2 E-BIKE POLICY REVIEW UPDATE: Co-Chair Street received an email concern about Class III e-bikes not being considered in the proposed policy. While a Class III is pedal-assist it can travel up to 28 mph. The concerned citizen feels that Class III should be included due to elevation circumstances. The draft policy states 20 mph is the maximum allowable speed. Street’s perspective doesn’t disagree that Class III should be included however it’s like saying 28 mph is allowable. Member Black pointed out that although a vehicle can travel a certain speed, they rarely travel at the maximum speed. Those using e-bikes don’t have to travel at 28 mph. Member Slack and Director Muhonon agreed that the concern should not necessarily be the label (Class I, Class II, etc.) but how fast the rider travels. Enforcement will be difficult however targeting only the behavior of those that are traveling unsafely will lessen the need for continual enforcement efforts. The practices of area communities should be considered. A motion was made and seconded (Black/Street) to approve these changes and all were in favor. Street confirmed changes needing made to the policy based on this discussion. The TAB is maintaining the 20 mph restriction with the addition of Class III with the same limitations. Member Hanick suggested language be included outlining who is responsible for enforcement. Member Slack volunteered to get information on enforcement for inclusion as part of the discussion with the Town Board. Wilcocks asked if scooters, as discussed last month, should be included in the e-bike policy. The situation taking place in Denver should be taken into consideration. Muhonen stated that the Mayor has stated that scooters will be added to the policy. Muhonen suggested that if there is disagreement with this approach, it should be communicated in the proper forum which would be in front of the Town Board. Muhonen confirmed that existing sidewalk rules will not change. SHUTTLE UPDATES: Manager Wells was not in attendance but provided updates via email prior to date of meeting. Morris shared that Wells was asked to be the new Rocky Mountain Transit Director and accepted. He will be resigning from the Town at the end of the year. While Janice Crow is retiring from that Director roll she will remain on the TAB. Muhonen shared information regarding the ongoing search for a Parking and Transit (P&T) Manager for the Town of Estes Park. Subsequent to the offer accepted by Manager Wells, the P&T Manager position was offered to the consultant that developed the Downtown Parking Management Plan. No confirmation has been received at this time on the outcome of the offer. Manager Wells was a member of the interview panel for this position. Training and knowledge transfer between Wells and the potential new hire is anticipated to occur in November and December. Morris further updated that Wells will be sending a memo to Trustee Bangs regarding elimination of the shuttle service to businesses outside Town limits. He would like a memo/position paper provided to him to provide to TB prior to 11/13 Study Session. Trustee Bangs would like to ask Manager Wells what we’re hoping to gain by cutting these existing services and what it will offer related to expansion of our current in-town service. Slack suggested that due to the busy fall season, the Town should expand the shuttle season in both directions (pre-peak and post-peak). Bangs stated this needs to be Transportation Advisory Board – October 17, 2018 – Page 3 outlined as a potential of what can occur with outside stops being eliminated. Muhonen confirmed that Wells has had discussions with the impacted businesses. Member Hanick stated that stopping these shuttle services is not supporting town businesses that count on the transportation of the J-1 students. She said it’s cutting off our nose to spite our face. Member Black requested a special meeting be scheduled to provide opportunity to get the needed information gathered for the November 13 Town Board discussions. A special meeting invitation will be sent out to all TAB members as well as Manager Wells. Wells has established and provided Budget Service Proposals to address several of the concerns mentioned regarding shuttle routes and expansion. All proposals were denied and nothing was funding for this effort due to low prioritization among others requested. It is critical for citizens to participate in the budget process if passionate about a cause. Wilcocks would like to visit with new P&T Manager regarding what can be done with established budget. PROJECT UPDATES (D. Hook): Downtown Wayfinding Update Manager Hook summarized the comments received at last week’s public meeting regarding downtown wayfinding. Citizen turnout was better than average. Hook is planning to provide more robust analysis of the feedback for TAB review. Some of the specific feedback was that the public appreciated a wide variety of options. The TAB offered comments on some of the information provided. Member Slack and Chair Morris stated it would be better to have individual names of parks rather than generic labeling/symbols due various events occurring in specific parks. Member Wilcocks suggested having the kiosks be electronic and displayed on a television screen. This would allow ease of use in updating or changing. Hook participated in a few discussions along that line but was not provided any written comments. Member Black stated that some communities have touch screen search functionality and that it was not very expensive. Planner Hathaway stated that, per feedback she received, this type of kiosk functionality was much preferred over directional signage. Feedback from the Parks Advisory Board was shared with the TAB. Manager Hook welcomes any and all thoughts the group might have for incorporation into the feedback received to date. Wilcocks expressed his appreciation for all the hard work that has gone into this effort. Member Hanick mentioned that due to the high maintenance of wood street signs, all were changed to metal and stated this is a good standard to keep. PROJECT UPDATES (G. Muhonen): Muhonen looks forward to hearing from the Town’s potential new hire for the Parking and Transit Manager Role. OTHER BUSINESS With no other business to discuss, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:03 p.m. Megan Van Hoozer Recording Secretary