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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 09-18-19 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 18, 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 18th day of September, 2019. Present: Gordon Slack Belle Morris Janice Crow Stan Black Linda Hanick Tom Street Also Present: Trustee Carlie Bangs, Town Board Liaison Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director Vanessa Solesbee, Parking & Transit Manager David Hook, Engineering Manager Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Admin. Assistant Elias Wilson, Public Works Admin. Assistant Absent: Ann Finley Ron Wilcocks Scott Moulton Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: Four members of the public were in attendance: Tom Hannah, Pat Newsome, John Long, Ted Williams Tom Hannah, Estes Park resident and business owner, was in attendance and shared being that he feels the Downtown Estes Loop is a good idea with his only opposition due to the impact to Riverside Park near the winery. It currently provides a lot of shade. John Long, retired Executive Director of Bike Houston advocacy group joined the TAB on the recent bike ride around Estes Park. Long praised the Town of Estes Park for the design and construction on 4th Street using the complete streets principals. He believes this is a good example for future street rehab within the Town. John and the other riders went to the area between 36 Hwy & 7 Hwy near the schools and Estes Valley Community Center. At the 7 Hwy crossings John and others on the bike ride witnessed pedestrians attempting to cross the road at the crosswalk. Even with the rapid flashing beacons many individuals appeared to run for their lives. Many c ars at this intersection did not yield until the pedestrian stepped out into the crosswalk. There clearly needs to be additional measures taken to increase the safety of pedestrians and bikers. Trustee Bangs asked what statistical data would be needed to help determine how to increase pedestrian and biker safety. Manager Hook commented that this might be a situation where there is a need for increased driver education. Member Crow questioned whether the law applied to pedestrians who were in the crosswalk or those waiting to cross. Crow asked if a change to the law would be required. Chair Morris shared that an individual’s line of sight narrows dramatically at speeds of 35-40 mph. Part of the issue at this particular intersection may be that drivers do not see the crossing beacons because they are perhaps out of their line of sight. Pat Newsome, a long-time resident of Estes Park for over 40 years, and property owner for 50 years, was in attendance and shared her negative feelings towards the Downtown Estes Loop project. She shared that while she welcomes newcomers to Estes Park, many people see the town as a place that needs improvement. Newsome commented that she has never heard of, nor met anyone living in Estes Park that Transportation Advisory Board – September 18, 2019 – Page 2 supports the Loop project. Newsome commented that Baldwin Park is filled with children playing throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall and the Loop would take away this space. Newsome advocated that Estes Park needs to stay beautiful and maintain its open spaces because it is the reason that people come to visit. She communicated that the basis of the Loop is to get visitors into Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) more efficiently even though RMNP doesn’t want more visitors. Newsome also wanted to share her displeasure with the planned roundabout at MacGregor Ave. & US 34. She believes the problem with the motor vehicle accidents could be addressed by installing reduce speed signs rather than a roundabout. She concluded by stating that these major changes are ruining Estes Park. Ted Williams and his wife are business owners in Downtown Estes Park. Williams attended all of the recent parking meetings hosted by Parking & Transit Manager Vanessa Solesbee. Solesbee invited Williams to come to TAB to present his thoughts about the importance of parking to business. Representing the Estes Park Chamber of Commerce, Williams distributed a handout which highlighted the Downtown Commercial District intent and the desire for a public/private partnership to come up with a parking solution in the downtown core. Member Slack asked Williams for specific recommendations regarding the number of spaces needed in downtown and where these spaces should be placed. Williams did not have an exact number. Slack expressed that the TAB is very open to suggestions and that there is no argument that Estes Park needs more parking spaces. TAB is struggling to find answers and perhaps a needs assessment for parking would be helpful. Williams shared that businesses feel like the Town Trustees ask what businesses need and when they express the need for more parking, they’re told that they won’t get more parking. Member Crow asked Williams for options that the TAB could consider for the benefit of downtown business owners. Williams suggested that we look at the ratio of cars to businesses to help make a determination of parking needs. Member Street explained the need for optimization of the parking structure and that the structure is the downtown parking option. Trustee Liaison Bangs invited Williams for a discussion to gain further understanding of the issues and how the Town can help. Chair Morris requested approval by the TAB to request a youth from the organization Youth in Action, attend TAB as a non-voting member. A motion was made and seconded (Slack/Crow) to approve adding a non-voting Youth in Action Participant to the TAB and all were in favor. Chair Morris will be responsible for selecting the young member. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved and seconded (Slack/Black) to approve the August meeting minutes and all were in favor. PROJECT UPDATES (V. Solesbee – Parking & Transit Manager) Bustang Update: Manager Solesbee provided an update on the ridership for Bustang. The ridership numbers this month started strong, then dipped, returning strong this past weekend. CDOT considers the pilot program a success. Bustang is offering kids under 11 a free ride. Parking: As of last week, 4% more citations were written in 2019 then were written in 2018. No inclusion of voided tickets or warnings. PAID PARKING ANALYSIS (V. Solesbee – Parking & Transit Manager) Manager Solesbee will be attending the Town Board Study Session October 8, 2019 to provide data from the 2019 season and begin discussions for Phase II of the Downtown Parking Management Plan (DPMP). Solesbee requested the TAB to attend the study session on October 8th. Director Muhonen explained to the TAB how Phase II fits within the budget process. Transportation Advisory Board – September 18, 2019 – Page 3 Manager Solesbee provided to the TAB, a revenue analysis on the expansion of paid parking and stated the importance of being honest with ourselves on cost. This analysis was produced in response to the research that has been conducted on parking is Estes Park. Solesbee presented a progressive pricing model for paid parking. Member Slack stated that the goal is not to make a bunch of money, just to modify behavior. Member Black asked Solesbee if the technology will have ability for market pricing. Solesbee replied that Scenario E offered this option. A modified dynamic pricing system would impact tourists more than a progressive system but a progressive system would impact residents more. Solesbee stated that Scenario E is her preferred option. Member Slack commented that starting simple and communicating scenario A or B makes the most sense. Muhonen shared that the existing signs and time limits stay in place (great simplicity, higher risk of citation, etc.) and that scenarios C and D reduce the citation component because they are able to pay for as long as they decide to stay. Muhonen emphasized the convenience for user but stated that there needs to be turnover. Member Street questioned what percentage of lots would be paid. Solesbee replied that Phase II would implement 30% of downtown parking to be paid in 2020. Street responded that if not all parking is paid there will still be congestion issues with people waiting in the free lots. He commented that all downtown parking needs to be paid. Member Black stated his agreement with Street that this may contradict the goal. If we don’t do it all at once, we will be unable to gather accurate data at the end of Phase II. Solesbee replied that the downtown business community holds various viewpoints on the implementation of paid parking. There are currently 1,200 parking spaces in the core. Solesbee mentioned the importance of implementation along with education while remaining sensitive to the amount of change. Solesbee is also identifying employee areas and exploring both paid and unpaid permit possibilities. TAB needs to review additional data before making assumptions and implementing solutions. Solesbee adopted a conservative estimate of $200,000 in startup costs projecting that, in the first year, all scenarios lose money and make a profit in the following year. Member Black questioned the basis for assuming an increase in revenue. Solesbee added this to the list of considerations. Black also questioned the 2024 revenue and cos t. Solesbee will compile and present further information on this subject. A four -month season will be used moving forward. Black expressed concern that the projections for the month of May are equal to that of June. The counts for May and September are too high. Solesbee suggested lowering or discounting the price of parking in May. Black questioned the assumption of increased revenue and on the basis for the assumption. Solesbee will take a closer look at this assumption. Discussions continued regarding treatment of residents versus visitors. Black suggested the TAB create more opportunities for residents to shop downtown rather than feel the need to travel. He advocates for free parking for residents (1-hr) since there was a commitment to the residents for different treatment. Hanick agreed that parking isn’t a primary issue with residents coming downtown, it’s the traffic. Hanick commented that she will shop in town regardless, but will not spend 4 hours shopping. A motion was made and seconded (Slack/Street) for residents to have 15 minutes free. A second motion was made by Member Black to increase this time allowance to 30 minutes and Member Crow seconded. Member Slack withdrew his previous motion. The vote was 4 to 2 vote in favor of 30 minute free parking for residents. A motion was made and seconded (Street/Hanick) that a letter be written to the Town Board by 11/1/2019 recommending Scenarios D or E with a price point that is selected and established by the Town Board. The vote was 5 to 1 in favor of this letter. Manager Solesbee suggested that TAB could benefit from meeting with the Shuttle Committee at the regularly scheduled December meeting. Morris asked when a work session could be set up with Ted Williams. Trustee Bangs agreed to reach out to Williams to further discuss the parking issues in downtown. Member Transportation Advisory Board – September 18, 2019 – Page 4 Black stated that the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors should be included in the meeting. PROJECT UPDATES (G. Muhonen – Public Works Director) Muhonen attended an all-day meeting with Larimer County area traffic engineers. The relevant topics included bike lane markings and symbols. A poll was taken from the different engineers in attendance on policies and justifications. Boulder now mandates the use of green backgrounds for all bike symbols and requires them in conflict zones between cars and bikes. Fort Collins has decided to stick with the typical white on black colors and don’t want green backgrounds except for bike/car conflict zones. Greely is increasing the 6 inch lane line to 8 inches. Boulder has done accident research and analysis in regards to bike lanes and found that green backgrounds reduce the number of biking accidents and deaths. CDOT is now requiring 6 inch lane lines and will be implementing this on edge lanes only. Special events in Estes Park have been handled informally regarding traffic control. There is a proposal for closing US 36 for a Vintage Car Race Rally, which has introduced questions about special event traffic control. Universally, all applicants for events that impact traffic, whether pedestrian or vehicular, must submit a traffic control plan. PROJECT UPDATES (D. Hook – Engineering Manager) US 36 & Community Drive Roundabout: A public meeting for the US 36 & Community Drive Roundabout project on Aug. 29 at the Estes Park Museum. The feedback received was mixed, with the majority being opposed to the roundabout. Brodie Avenue Improvements: Work continues to progress with curb and gutter beginning to be replaced. The work underground is complete and all work occurring is now above ground. Co-Chair Street commented that the ‘Trail Closed’ sign is still up but the bike lane is open for use. Manager Hook will follow up on the signage. Fall River Trail: Hook informed the TAB that both the Fall River Trail grant applications were denied. One was submitted to Great Outdoor Colorado (GOCO) and the other for the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP). Hook stated the grants were denied due to the fact that other submitted projects were focused on finishing connections, whereas the application submitted by Estes Park was asking for was a middle section of a trail to be completed. Muhonen commented that the Estes Park application also did not identify how RMNP would be tied into the trail plan. The pavement markings have been completed on both the 4th Street and Elkhorn Avenue projects. The Downtown Wayfinding, Cleave Street project, and Graves Avenue design are pending. TAB 2020 PRIORITIES: Chair Morris distributed the updated TAB Priority Matrix for review. No additional time was available to discuss the matrix but will be discussed at the next regularly scheduled meeting. OTHER BUSINESS With no other business to discuss, Chair Morri s adjourned the meeting at 2:38 p.m. Recording Secretary Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Department