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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2022-10-19 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, October 19, 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 19th day of October, 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: Members Bernal, Ferko, Gamble, Hanick, Igel, and Slack; Managers Hook and Solesbee; Recording Secretary McDonald; Jeff Bailey, Public Works Engineer; Laura Blevins, Public Works Grants Specialist; and Dana Klein (Manager, The Car Park) Absent: Chair Morris; Vice-Chair Ekeren; Member Finley; Trustee Martchink; Director Muhonen Member Gamble, serving as meeting chair on behalf of Chair Morris, called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. Prior to commencing the official agenda, Member Gamble welcomed Laura Blevins as the Public Works Department’s new Grants Specialist and invited her to introduce herself. PUBLIC COMMENT None. TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE Due to a professional commitment on the TAB’s October and November meeting dates, Trustee Martchink was not present to provide an update. Trustee Kirby Hazelton plans to provide an update on his behalf in November. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 It was moved and seconded (Slack/Igel) to approve the September 21, 2022, minutes and the motion passed unanimously. DOWNTOWN WAYFINDING PLAN Manager Hook presented an overview of the October 2022 draft of the Downtown Wayfinding Signage Program – Design & Implementation Plan (DWP), which reflects public input received on the September draft and includes a six-phase implementation table showing a cost breakdown by phase. Since addressing the needs of the visually impaired and non-English speakers is a priority of the DWP as part of the Town’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, Manager Hook advised that the team is Transportation Advisory Board – October 19, 2022 – Page 2 exploring the use of electronic aids and phone apps; the latter would require a dependable Wi-Fi signal to produce pings and push notifications as directional aids. App users would be directed to a kiosk to connect to an informational webpage. Discussion points included where in the plan booklet the DEI efforts would be featured; the desire for more details on the technology for the visually impaired; size considerations for the auto directionals; the need for efficient, uncluttered messaging on auto directionals to ensure that vehicle occupants can begin reading a sign within 50 feet of approaching it, since vehicles are often moving too quickly for certain signs to be read; the advantage of using icons for pedestrian directionals and parking lot entrances; and clarifying that the parking garage signs must show “free” and not “paid,” and that signage should not direct to private business destinations. It was agreed that four lines of text per sign would improve legibility. Manager Hook invited the TAB’s feedback by email on the phase-based implementation table. Public Works staff will present the final DWP on November 8 for Town Board adoption only. The TAB is encouraged to provide a letter of support for the meeting’s packet by October 27, or to attend the meeting to provide live support. CLEAVE STREET IMPROVEMENTS Engineer Bailey reported that the Cleave Street Improvements project is moving rapidly, with the plans now at the 30% stage and the second public meeting to take place October 20. An overview of the concept plans, costs, and parking mitigation options was presented. The project is budgeted in 2023 using $3m of 1A/Street Improvement Project (STIP) funds. Discussion points included the drainage design plan for routine and excess stormwater, and the potential use of a heating system to prevent ice build-up; how the design will impact snow removal efforts; the choice to use concrete paving; compliance with the Estes Valley Fire Protection District’s space accommodation; loading zone access for businesses and for residents moving in or out; whether Cleave Street residents could have access to special parking permits; whether parking could be accommodated until the stormwater/utility work is complete; and how the project will achieve the long-term vision for Cleave Street as laid out in the Downtown Plan. 2023 SEASONAL PAID PARKING PROGRAM Manager Solesbee advised that the timeline for evaluating and reporting on the 2022 Seasonal Paid Parking Program has been adjusted to allow time for more thoughtful analysis and preparation of recommendations for the 2023 season. The adjusted timeline will ensure that 2021 and 2022 data can be studied to determine “stress point” areas downtown; that parking revenue allocation can be defined, with the recommendation of a task force yet to be appointed; that the impact of major engineering projects (Downtown Estes Loop, Cleave Street Improvements, etc.) on downtown parking can be examined; and that, with the paid parking season just ending on October 16, there is reasonable time for conversation, critical thinking, and communication. The goal is to present the program data and begin earnest dialogue at the November 17 TAB meeting, then engage Transportation Advisory Board – October 19, 2022 – Page 3 in a Town Board Study Session in December. TAB members were asked to consider what information is most helpful for their decision-making process, and whether they would be willing to serve on the new task force. MOBILITY SERVICES UPDATES Manager Solesbee reported that September ridership was up 37% from September 2021 and up 32% from the 2021 season. Bustang to Estes service ended on October 2; compared to 2021, its ridership was up 58% in July, 110% in August, and 57% in September. Winter Shuttle Service begins October 21, and staff is working with Visit Estes Park and Simply Christmas to decorate the trolley for the season. TAB members are invited to ride the trolley during the November 25 Catch the Glow Parade. Three grant applications have been submitted: one for the trolley facility and two for the Zero Emission Vehicle transition plan. The 2023 transit service plans will be adjusted now that federal stimulus funds have ended. Staff is compiling—and will present in December or January—a 2022 Year-End Transit Report of ridership, outreach, grants, and special projects. The TAB agreed to consider speaker invitations for future meetings (dates to be determined): North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (NFRMPO) Kathleen Bracke (Transportation Commissioner) or Suzette Molette (Executive Director) on the topics of VanGo (a vanpooling option for US 34) and regional transportation cooperation efforts with Larimer County, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Loveland, and Greeley. DOWNTOWN ESTES LOOP UPDATES Manager Hook reported that the Downtown Estes Loop (DEL) bids opened on October 11; of the two bids received, the lower of $25m was $11.3m over the engineers’ estimate of $15.7M. Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFLHD) is exploring whether Federal Land Access Program (FLAP) and local agency funds can be used; this is being discussed with CDOT. Other options include canceling the solicitation, delaying the project, and possibly rebidding it when construction costs settle down in 9-12 months. The DEL will be addressed at the November 8 Town Board Study Session. If the TAB would like to contribute to this conversation, it is welcome to hold a special meeting by the end of October to gather input. ENGINEERING & ADMINISTRATION UPDATES Manager Hook reported these updates on behalf of Director Muhonen. The US 36 & Community Drive Roundabout project is pending environmental clearance and concurrence letters from CDOT. The Fall River Trail Extension project bids open October 27; construction will be timed with work at Rocky Mountain National Park’s (RMNP) Fall River Entrance Station, which will be announcing the notice to proceed. For the Graves Avenue Sidewalk Improvements, property owners will be contacted for discussion on acquiring temporary and permanent easements for proposed grading and improvements along both sides of Graves Avenue. Grants in various stages include the Multimodal Mitigation Options Fund (MMOF) grant (pending Intergovernmental Agreement); the Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Land and Water Conservation Funds Transportation Advisory Board – October 19, 2022 – Page 4 (CPW-LWCF) application (filed and being considered); and a potential CDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application. The Civil Engineer I/II and Town Engineer positions remain vacant. A candidate for Town Engineer will be interviewed on October 27. An interview with a Civil Engineer candidate will be scheduled in the coming weeks. OTHER BUSINESS None. There being no further business, Member Gamble adjourned the meeting at 1:41 p.m. /s/Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary