HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2022-9-21
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 21, 2022
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY
BOARD of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held
in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 21st day of
September, 2022.
Board: Chair Belle Morris; Vice-Chair Kristen Ekeren; Members
Javier Bernal, Jessica Ferko, Ann Finley, Larry Gamble, Linda
Hanick, Mark Igel, and Gordon Slack; Trustee Patrick
Martchink; Staff Liaison Greg Muhonen
Attending: Chair Morris; Vice-Chair Ekeren; Members Bernal, Ferko,
Gamble, Hanick, Igel, and Slack; Managers Hook and
Solesbee; Director Muhonen; Trustee Martchink; Recording
Secretary McDonald; Jeff Bailey, Public Works Engineer;
John Hannon (National Park Service); Dana Klein (Manager,
The Car Park); and John Guffey (Citizen)
Absent: Member Finley
Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
John Guffey (Citizen) attended to share comments and concerns about improving the
safety, access, and overall experience for biking in Estes Park. He emphasized the
importance of biking as an ecologically friendly, sustainable, and responsible mode of
transportation, and suggested that promoting the use of bikes is an opportunity for the
Town to manage noise and to inform and educate visitors and residents through the “lens
of ecotourism,” especially since Estes Park serves as the gateway to Rocky Mountain
National Park. He also suggested that the work of all Town-related boards reflect
consideration for climate change issues.
TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE
Trustee Martchink reported that the Town Board is working through the budget process,
and that during some upcoming planned absences, another trustee will be appointed to
attend a few TAB meetings on his behalf in the coming months. He also reported that
debris from a car accident needed to be removed from the US 34/US 36 intersection;
Director Muhonen will notify the Streets Division.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED AUGUST 17, 2022
It was moved and seconded (Slack/Igel) to approve the August 17, 2022, minutes
with minor amendments, and the motion passed unanimously. Members Gamble and
Hanick abstained from voting due to absence from the August meeting.
Transportation Advisory Board – September 21, 2022 – Page 2
DOWNTOWN WAYFINDING PLAN
Manager Hook presented the Downtown Wayfinding Signage Program—Design &
Implementation Plan draft, which features public survey results from 49 participants and
several development steps previously discussed by the TAB. The survey charts were
briefly reviewed; results are still being analyzed, and it was agreed that the survey alone
should not determine the final designs. Discussion points included signage language and
the reader’s freedom to use translation tools; the value of universal icons for international
travelers, which was not reflected in survey results; legibility factors due to sign height
and when excessive wordage requires using a smaller font size; development cost
estimate and budget considerations; signage maintenance factors; and the possibility of
displaying a few signs as an early demo before the goal of full signage placement by
Memorial Day 2023.
CLEAVE STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Manager Hook introduced Engineer Bailey, who presented the Cleave Street
Improvements survey summary and the drafts of the parking lane map and Mixed Use,
No Parking option. The survey reflected balanced preference between transforming the
actual use of the street, or improving upon the way it is currently used. The plaza concept
will be pursued. Discussion points included parking mitigation and pedestrian safety
factors for each of the four conceptual designs; storm water drainage issues; whether the
project will inspire businesses to feature a Cleave Street entrance; how the project will be
balanced with other construction projects in Estes Park; and the possibility of a Big Horn
Lot parking deck as a separate project. Manager Solesbee advised that parking
throughout downtown will be impacted by parking options in the CSI project area. The
TAB will review the 30% plans in October before the next public outreach. The 60% plans
will be presented to the TAB in November, followed by the 90% plans presentation at a
December 13 Town Board Study Session. The CSI is planned for bid in March/April 2023,
with construction to start next fall.
ENGINEERING UPDATES
Manager Hook reported no new applicants for the Civil Engineer I/II position. Progress
continues on the Fall River Trail (FRT) Extension and Graves Avenue—Safe Routes to
School projects. Grant opportunities to help fund the final segment of FRT are being
pursued through the Colorado Department of Transportation—Transportation
Alternatives Program (CDOT-TAP) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife—Land and Water
Conservation Fund (CWL-LWCF). Staff are awaiting the Intergovernmental Agreement
for the Upper Front Range Transportation Planning Region’s (UFRTPR) Multimodal
Transportation and Mitigation Options Fund (MMOF) grant, for which the Town applied in
June to fund the FRT completion shortfall; $1.4m of the $2m requested has been granted.
The CDOT Revitalizing Main Streets Program (RMS) grant may also be pursued.
ADMINISTRATION UPDATES
Director Muhonen advised that the Downtown Estes Loop (DEL) bid opens October 4 for
a contract completion deadline of December 15, 2024; an early completion incentive
payment of $1m applies if work is completed by July 26, 2024. Weekend lane closures
are prohibited July through mid-October. A project update will be presented by the
Transportation Advisory Board – September 21, 2022 – Page 3
Federal Highway Administration—Central Federal Lands Highway Division (FHWA-
CFLHD) at the October 11 Town Board Study Session.
For the Community Drive/Hwy 36 Roundabout project, the Town Board supported an
amended grant agreement for an additional $1.2m in CDOT funding. Staff are to request
a Town budget supplement of $600k to fund the shortfall. Advertising awaits concurrence
from CDOT.
The Town has contributed $12k to the Estes Valley Recreation and Parks District for
overhead electric relocation on Devil’s Gulch Road, as part of the Master Trails Plan trail
extension work between the Wonderview Avenue roundabout and the Gem Lake/Lumpy
Ridge trailhead.
Staffing updates include the hiring of a Grants Specialist (start date September 19) and
Facilities and Parks Manager (start date September 26). Offers have been extended for
the positions of Town Engineer and Parking and Transit Supervisor. Manager Solesbee
has been promoted to Mobility Services Manager to oversee parking, transit, and the
Fleet Division.
MOBILITY SERVICES UPDATES
Manager Solesbee reported that the full summer transit service ended September 11; the
Red Route (trolley) continues through October 16. August ridership numbers increased
36% over 2021. Grant funding will ensure weekend winter trolley service through
December 31. Troubles with the existing electric trolley continue, but it remains under
warranty; the second trolley is still experiencing delayed production, and delivery is
anticipated this winter. The continued delay will necessitate that Town staff ask CDOT for
a grant agreement contract extension. Any such extension would also need to be
approved by the Town Board. The trolley barn 90% plan set is now ready; grants and
Town funding will be pursued to close the gap between the 2020 and current cost
estimates. The redesign of the Visitor Center parking lot (SB 267) begins with Request
for Proposals in late 2022. The Estes Transit branding contract is being finalized; this fully
grant-funded project is anticipated to begin by November. The new trolley pin program is
going well, with more than 1,000 pins already given out.
There was brief discussion regarding route deviation requests, which are honored if the
desired stop is within .75 miles of the official stop. Only one route deviation has been
formally requested so far this transit season, compared to approximately six in 2021;
however, transit drivers routinely accommodate minor special requests from locals.
The paid parking season concludes on October 16. The 2022 season recap will be
presented to TAB in October, with a Town Board Study Session to follow. Fee changes
will not be proposed for 2023. Manager Klein (The Car Park) encouraged completion of
the paid parking season survey, which was recently emailed to permit holders. The Town
may be invited to pilot the iAccess Life app, which is designed to accommodate
drivers/travelers with physical limitations.
Transportation Advisory Board – September 21, 2022 – Page 4
The American Public Works Association (APWA) Colorado Chapter selected the Public
Works Department to receive two 2022 Sustainability Awards—in the small community
category—for the Town's electric trolley program and the Downtown Parking
Management Plan.
TERM LIMITS DISCUSSION
Member Igel received community feedback that the TAB may be perceived as a special
interest group focused on select issues like bicycle advocacy. Discussion points included
whether board term limits could reshape this perception by ensuring that the TAB is an
evolving entity that reflects the community’s diverse interests; the various membership
transitions and lingering vacancies that have occurred since 2012; the value of retaining
some senior members who are familiar with the TAB’s past work as well as certain long-
term projects best served by historical knowledge; the fact that the TAB’s bylaws state
“no term limitations” and are the template for the Town’s other advisory boards; how the
TAB could work to recruit membership and improve community engagement in its mission
and projects; and examples of what other cities and counties do to promote civic
participation, such as open houses for local committees and clubs.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:01 p.m.
/s/Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary