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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 06-19-19 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, June 19, 2019 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Transportation Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Room 202 of Town Hall on the 19th day of June, 2019. Present: Gordon Slack Tom Street Belle Morris Ron Wilcocks Janice Crow Scott Moulton Ann Finley Linda Hanick Also Present: Trustee Carlie Bangs, Town Board Liaison Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director Vanessa Solesbee, Parking & Transit Manager Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant David Hook, Engineering Manager Absent: Stan Black Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made and seconded (Slack/Crow) to approve the May meeting minutes and all were in favor. TAB PRIORITY GRID REVIEW: Belle distributed the update priority grid based on the preferences provided to the Chair since the last meeting. The group reviewed TAB’s Priority Grid with longer term members expounding on the items for history. Members discussed the importance of having the items fit the Town Board’s Strategic Plan and the adopted Downtown Plan. The TAB would select items contained in these plans each year if they fit the purview of the TAB. Members Wilcocks and Finley agree since so much has already been identified that would benefit the community. Member Hanick would like to have something address the pedestrian crossing from the Estes Park Visitor Center to Stanley Village and Steamer Parkway due to the dangers of crossing on foot. Member Crow stated her preferences relate specifically to the Moraine Avenue corridor and the need to safely address multi-mobility. Member Slack agreed. Member Wilcocks wants something contained that is specific to an Elkhorn Avenue overpass or underpass at library pedestrian crossing as a result of the disruptiveness to traffic. Wilcocks would also like to expedite completion of the Fall River Trail if possible, or encourage continued active efforts. Wilcocks also stated a Cleave Street redesign needs priority. Chair Morris feels year-round shuttle service is critical. She’d also like to have something regarding bike travel safety, safer crosswalks and prefers no RVs be allowed downtown. Slack suggested the area campgrounds distribute a map taking the RVs Transportation Advisory Board – June 19, 2019 – Page 2 away from the downtown corridor, stating it should be in place before construction of the Downtown Estes Loop. Manager Solesbee loves the idea and suggested that Visit Estes Park (VEP) may get involved. VEP has staff, time and graphic capabilities to help in this effort. Finley stated that inclusion of an express route from the Visitor Center to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) could potentially create an increase of those choosing to get out of their cars. Finley also stated that the installation , or creation of a priority driving lane for non-automobiles (hiker shuttle, bicycle, etc.) for specified times may encourage increased ridership and other transportation modes. The TAB went on to discuss new formatting of the updated priority grid. Chair Morris will bring the updated document back for the next meeting. Director Muhonen shared that the Town’s Strategic Plan is in final discussion and is open to the public on June 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall Rooms 202 and 203. There will be a very robust list of requested items contained in the Strategic Plan. Muhonen will distribute the Strategic Plan to TAB members following the meeting. PROJECT UPDATES (G. Muhonen – Public Works Administration) Muhonen asked the TAB if anyone had seen the new pavement markings on Elkhorn Avenue. These are the diagonal striping for the Barnes Dance intersections. All members agreed this inclusion has been helpful. Muhonen informed the TAB there is potential to use color on the 4 th Street Rehabilitation project to delineate bike versus pedestrian areas of designation. The Town is gathering data for traffic speeds and utilization on both 2nd and 3rd Streets. To date no excessive speed limit infractions have been recorded however the Police Auxiliary is still collecting data. The neighborhood appreciates the attention being given to their concerns. PROJECT UPDATES (D. Hook – Engineering Manager) Elkhorn Overlay: Manager Hook shared that pavement markings are being added at the US 34/US 36 intersection to improve the pedestrian crosswalks at the north leg of the intersection. The overlay and patching will take place in the coming weeks. Hook stated that the CDOT contract for Elkhorn work expanded to $1.4 million. Brodie Avenue Improvements: Coulson Excavating was the sole bidder for the Brodie Avenue Improvements so they’ll be performing that work in addition to Elkhorn Avenue and 4th Street Rehabilitation projects, creating a total work package for Coulson of approximately $1.3 million. Hook discussed there would be a phased approach. The entire project will not be completed before the school season begins. For the eastern half of the project, Coulson may continue into August or September. The project is expected to begin next week. Downtown Wayfinding: The Downtown Wayfinding project was on hold and has not restarted due to other priorities this time of year. PROJECT UPDATES (V. Solesbee – Parking & Transit Manager) Manager Solesbee shared that CDOT’s Bustang came to town. There is currently a draft Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) established for August 23, 2019 through the end of September. There will be two buses that will travel roundtrip from Denver’s Union Station to the Estes Park Visitor Center. Bustang has an approximate capacity of 50 riders with an area provided to carry bikes. Bustang needs marketed in Estes Park. CDOT has requested marketing promotion and a space for the bus to park. Solesbee will keep all posted on updates. Solesbee stated that the banner art, since being approved, has been produced and has arrived with installation planned for June 20. Transportation Advisory Board – June 19, 2019 – Page 3 Parking: The real-time parking availability application is now available. Solesbee is working with Pubic Information Officer Kate Rusch to publish promotional language. Solesbee will provide a report to the TAB next month. Chair Morris suggested the parking application be added to Special Events permit approvals. Solesbee reported that the Parking Ambassadors have written just over 1,000 citations last year. Transit: Full transit service starts Saturday, June 22 and Shuttle Brochures are being delivered. Solesbee stated that the majority of comments received have been related to the discontinuation of service to the YMCA. RMNP is excited to share messages with for display on the Town’s digital message signs. This messaging will help with RMNP traffic congestion and will help the traveler experience. Solesbee will be reaching out to initiate stakeholders meeting in the near future. She feels a more robust discussion is needed for future decision-making, including diverse voices. Member Street suggested including visitors. Wilcocks suggested including business owners that currently have no alley access. Trustee Liaison Bangs offered additional suggestions for community outreach. OTHER BUSINESS With no other business to discuss, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m. Recording Secretary Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Department