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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Committee SPECIAL MEETING NOTES 2014-12-3 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, December 3, 2014 Minutes of a special meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Room 202 of Town Hall, in said Town of Estes Park on the 3rd day of December 2014. Present: Kimberly Campbell Ann Finley Stan Black Bryon Holmes Gregg Rounds Amy Hamrick Cory LaBianca Thom Widawski Also Present: Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director John Ericson, Town Board Liaison John Phipps, Town Board Trustee Absent: Belle Morris Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. Chairperson Campbell opened public comment. There was none so she closed public comment. PREPARATION OF A RECOMMENDATION TO THE TOWN BOARD REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSIT HUB PARKING STRUCTURE Chairperson Campbell briefly introduced the purpose of this special meeting. Originally, the meeting was to discuss the bid results for the transit hub. However, of the four (4) construction bids received, three (3) had to be rejected and all were over budget. In light of this, Director Muhonen presented options to the Town Board Trustees during the study session on 12-02-2014. He was asked to provide an overview to the TAC. Director Muhonen confirmed Chairperson Campbell’s statement regarding the bids: 3 had irregularities which caused them to be rejected. He continued by referencing a handout that compares an alternative site for the transit hub/ parking structure: visitors center south side parking area (Highway 36). There are several reasons that Director Muhonen decided to look into the option of the south side. Most notable is left turning delays from the visitor center parking onto Highway 34: 10 minutes (CDOT traffic study which rated both exits from the visitor center onto Highway 34 as “F”). Also, there is required utilities relocation on the north side an added expense and still not a good plan. There is a potential of increased parking spaces on the south side. Please see handout for a list of potential benefits of relocating the parking structure to south side. Costs and processes were presented and discussed associated with moving the transit hub/ parking structure to the south side including:  $1.3 million for a basic structure with no aesthetic enhancements on the outside; it was reported that Town Administrator Lancaster stated that he felt the Town could absorb this  $2.3 million for a full project structure with aesthetic enhancements on the outside (including 2 levels)  $100,000 for a NEPA study managed by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), estimated 6-12 months  $300,000 for re-design  BOR would need to access the river Transportation Advisory Committee – December 3rd, 2014 – Page 2  BOR would issue a special use permit, 25 year right to use the land (the BOR would consider divesting the land, a 2-3 year process)  Potential one year delay and additional costs to this (construction inflation costs and project management costs)  Some savings realized on utilities relocate costs  Conduct the NEPA study and re-design simultaneously  Rebid August 2015 and construction start in October 2015 See handout for other costs. Discussion included ideas, concerns, the need for a vision, and the current and desired culture of Estes Park. It was generally agreed that there is a need for a master plan for parking. Discussion was rich with insight and perspectives and included the following.  Visitors to the Estes Valley will continue to grow along with congestion  The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) funds are about transit and intercept  This one parking structure will not “solve” the Town’s need for parking which is estimated at 500 spaces  Aesthetic enhancements is important to TAC and the citizens  Construction will be disruptive as this is a 10 month project  TAC input to the Town Board is important  Staff recommendation is that the bids be rejected, proceed with NEPA study on the south side and engage design consultants for renderings on the south side  Currently the culture in Estes Park is driving – how to change this to consider more walking and use of shuttle  Parking structures in the downtown area (Town Hall and post office parking lots)  Target audiences, guests and residents have different needs  Need to address the quality experience (or lack of) that guests have driving and parking  Visual appeal of the parking structure  The transit hub could be in phases – TAC expressed concern about this approach that the future phases would not be completed (phase 1 base structure, phase 2 aesthetic enhancements and phase 3 third level) Chairperson Campbell presented the following options for recommendations to the Town Board. 1. Accept the one bid and ask the Town to find additional funds to support the costs 2. Rebid in the hopes of getting lower bids 3. Proceed with evaluating the south parking lot option 4. Cancel project Trustee Ericson provided a perspective from the Board: 1. Trustees want to hear from TAC 2. Trustees will start a downtown visioning process in January 2015 3. The Town is responsible for the money Recommendations to Town Trustees 1. Reject bids for the north site 2. Do not rebid the current site 3. Proceed with south side as a full project (line 11) meeting the desires of the community for aesthetic enhancements (even if this means reduced spaces) 4. Begin effort to develop a master plan for parking Motion for these recommendations was made by Amy Hamrick and seconded by Ann Finley. Vote carried unanimously. Next steps: Review redesign including costs effective aesthetic enhancements. Adjourn 1:40. Minutes recorded by Christy Crosser.