HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2020-01-15
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 15, 2020
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 15th day of January, 2020.
Present: Belle Morris
Gordon Slack
Stan Black
Tom Street
Ron Wilcocks
Janice Crow
Linda Hanick
Ann Finley
Also Present: Trustee Carlie Bangs, Town Board Liaison
Vanessa Solesbee, Parking & Transit Manager
David Hook, Engineering Manager
Greg Muhonen, Public Work Director
Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant
John Hannon, Rocky Mountain National Park
Absent: Scott Moulton
Janice Crow
Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:01 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
No public in attendance.
Solesbee reported that the owner of Solitude Cabins contacted her and expressed her
interest in having the Silver Route resume 2018 routes. Solesbee recommended the
owner write a letter to the TAB. The 2018 Silver Route was considered low-ridership.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A motion was made and seconded (Slack/Street) to approve the December meeting
minutes and all were in favor.
TAB OFFICER ELECTIONS
Chair Morris reminded the group that the January meeting entails TAB Officer elections.
Co-Chair Street indicated he would be glad to continue as Co-Chair but isn’t tied to it and
offered the opportunity for nominations. Chair Morris shared the same sentiment.
Member Black re-nominated Belle Morris as Chairperson and Tom Street as Co -Chair.
Member Slack seconded the nomination, and all were in favor. Officer elections will occur
again in January 2021.
TAB MEMBER EXPECTATIONS
Morris introduced the TAB Job Description (proposed), TAB By-laws and TAB Code of
Conduct to the members and requested all review the documentation individually and
bring feedback to the February 19, 2020 regularly scheduled TAB meeting.
Member Slack requested clarification on the reference to “3-yr term” in the TAB By-laws.
Slack asked that it state whether it is a single 3 -year term, or multiple 3-year term
allowance, requesting consistency and clarity amongst the citizen advisory boards.
The ninth item in the Code of Conduct needs elaboration. Manager Solesbee will visit with
Town Administrator Machalek.
Transportation Advisory Board – January 20, 2020 – Page 2
Member Finley said the document needs to make it clear that each member supports team
decisions. Both Co-Chair Street and Member Wilcocks stressed the importance of gaining
clarity on sharing personal opinions representing self, versus time representing the TAB.
Clarification needs made regarding the appropriateness of a TAB member speaking in
front of the Town Board as a private citizen in disagreement with TAB decisions.
Morris stated that in order to maintain citizen trust, it is inappropriate for a TAB member to
create dissent for the TAB’s decision, provide false information or inaccuracies. It’s
important to clarify that what is being expressed is opinion.
RIVERWALK ACCESS TO BICYCLES
Co-Chair Street spoke to his motivation to find a way to bicycle down the Riverwalk path.
In the winter, he’s observed the area and has measured to determine potential conflicts
with pedestrians. During winter months there is minimal conflict.
Street recommends two types of sharing along that area. Sharrows are symbolic and, in
theory, say to motorists to “watch for bicycles” to avoid conflicts. Street stated this is still a
very dangerous approach and creates a false sense of security. He finds it ironic that a
30-lb bicycle is expected to share the road with a 5,000 lb. vehicle traveling down Elkhorn
Avenue.
Member Street made a motion to request a trial allowance of cyclists on the Riverwalk
from November 2020 through April 2021. Member Slack has visited the area and has
measured the distance as about one-quarter mile. Slack stated that it is neither smooth or
straight and there are different measurements depending where you are along the walk.
Due to dog-walking and leashes, children running and playing, and the tourist population
it was determined appropriate to continue to have riders dismount in the Riverwalk area.
Wilcocks recommended the Downtown Plan be referenced as this concern was address ed
during its creation. Additionally, private ownership along the Riverwalk may create a
situation wherein a portion of the Riverwalk may be closed due to backlash from the
property owner(s). Member Street withdrew his motion. He feels there should be more
bicycle accommodations in Town.
TAB PRIORITY MATRIX
Chair Morris discussed re-ranking the TAB Priority Matrix and add needed items to align
with Public Works goals and objectives for 2020. She began by suggesting the Safe
Routes to School (SRTS) grants and objectives be pursued and be ranked high in the
matrix.
Several recommended additions were discussed including: Moraine Avenue’s underpass
as outlined in the Downtown Plan; a CDOT study of US 34 for pedestrian crossing east of
existing crossing (Visitor Center to Stanley Village); doing more to achieve year-round
shuttle service; moving the RMNP Hiker Shuttle and Town Shuttle to the Events Complex
to alleviate Visitor Center parking lot congestion and traffic issues; the Comprehensive
Transportation Plan; and fast-charging stations for electric vehicles. Suggested additions
and individual rankings will be brought back to the regularly schedule February TAB
meeting for discussion.
PROJECT UPDATES (Public Works Director Greg Muhonen)
Director Muhonen informed the TAB that the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage
Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grant program plans to release a
call for projects sometime in February. Muhonen will collect feedback from the grantors
from the last application to develop lessons learned and improve the next app lication
made by the Town.
Muhonen updated the TAB on the Downtown Estes Loop discussion held at the recent
Town Board Study Session. It was communicated to the Town Board Trustees that
Central Federal Lands (CFL) would be requesting funding for the gap in federal funding
for the fiscal year. Lack of these funds would further delay the project, however would
not stop the project. Muhonen will continue to collaborate with CFL and CDOT on
updating the existing agreement for the project and on establishing a proposal for how
to come up with the funding needed to proceed through the fiscal year gap. CDOT is
Transportation Advisory Board – January 20, 2020 – Page 3
providing over $500K and the same is being requested of the Town.
Member Finley made a motion for the TAB put together a letter of support to the Town
Board encouraging the Town to provide the needed funding, emphasizing the benefits
of moving forward with the project. The motion was seconded by Wilcocks and all were
in favor.
PROJECT UPDATES (Engineering Manager David Hook)
Manager Hook was in attendance to provide high-level updates on the projects for
which he oversees:
- Alarado Project – Review of the development is currently under way.
- Elkhorn Lodge – The development submittal has been received realigning the
entrance with Filby Court and incorporating trail improvements. Review is under
way.
- US 36 & Community Drive Roundabout – The environmental and land use issues
have been addressed and design of the project is resuming.
- Wayfinding - The Town has hired a consultant to design the wayfinding signage
for the parking lot changes. A proposal is in-hand for review.
- Fall River Trail Extension – A Request for Proposal will go out this month for
construction of a portion of the Fall River Trail. A couple of grant applications
have been submitted for unfunded portions of the trail
PROJECT UPDATES (Parking & Transit Manager Vanessa Solesbee)
Manager Solesbee informed the TAB there would be a joint planning meeting with the
Shuttle Committee. Solesbee will provide the needed information for this meeting by the
end of the week. She further updated the TAB that the Title VI portion of the ADA would
go before the Town Board on January 28 for approval. This is required as federal
funding was received for the electric shuttle. The new electric trolley will be ready for a
February delivery.
Solesbee stated that the contract for the Paid Parking Consultant was approved by the
Town Board. The contract includes management of the paid parking program, permit
program, staffing, etc. for the initial rollout of paid parking in downtown Estes Park.
OTHER BUSINESS
With no other business to discuss, Chair Morri s adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
Recording Secretary
Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Department