HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Transportation Advisory Board 2023-12-20Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, December 20, 2023
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 20th day of
December, 2023.
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; Members Bernal, Gamble, Hanick, and Slack; Director
Muhonen; Engineer Bailey; Supervisor Klein; Recording Secretary
McDonald; Public Attendee Joan Hooper
Absent: Vice-Chair Ekeren, Member Ferko, Member Finley, Member Igel, Trustee
Martchink
Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 12:28 p.m.
TAB APPRECIATION MEAL
During the annual appreciation meal, Director Muhonen thanked the TAB for their various
contributions as a Town advisory board. In particular, he mentioned the following issues
and projects where the TAB’s input and formal recommendations to the Town Board have
been vital: Parking Revenue Task Force; Selection Committee for the Multimodal
Transportation Plan (MTP); visioning for the Cleave Street Improvements project; and
letters of support for paid parking program initiatives.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Attendee Joan Hooper (Town resident) elaborated on the two TAB Public
Comment Forms she submitted earlier this day (Recording Secretary note: E-notification
of a second submitted form arrived after the first was copied for meeting distribution; both
forms are in the final packet on the Public Records Portal).
Discussion points from Resident Hooper’s comments included the current funds
allocation for the 1% sales tax renewal, and how activity from citizen groups can still
shape voter opinions prior to the April 2024 ballot; how to further engage public feedback
on the Town of Estes Park 2045 Transportation Plan (TP) survey; aspects of the survey
website and mapping tool that could be improved; and the value of hosting public
meetings.
TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATE
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED NOVEMBER 15, 2023
Transportation Advisory Board – December 20, 2023 – Page 2
It was moved and seconded (Slack/Hanick) to approve the November 15, 2023,
minutes, and it passed unanimously.
MOBILITY SERVICES UPATE
Supervisor Klein reported that the 2023 Paid Parking Program Year-End Report was
presented at the November 28 Town Board Study Session. The ordinance amending the
date by which paid parking rates are set for the next season was passed at the December
12 Town Board Meeting (deadline moved from December 31 to March 1).
The occupancy rate for free lots reported at the November meeting was adjusted to
exclude the major lots beyond the downtown core; this adjustment resulted in a 7% boost
from the targeted 85th percentile. The Estes Parking App will be sunset and replaced by
a website that users can bookmark to gauge real-time parking lot availability; this
information and access instructions will be detailed in a future news release. Park Mobile
is developing the Apple Pay tool for the 2024 paid parking season.
A complete report on the 2023 transit program will be presented at the February TAB
meeting. However, Supervisor Klein advised that the goal of 10k transit riders was just
barely missed, likely due to weather during the November 24 Catch the Glow parade.
TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE
Supervisor Klein reported that participation in the TP survey continues to be promoted at
various community events. Comments provided through the Mapping Survey will be
received until the consultants finish the draft TP.
The Town’s application for the CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) program
grant was presented and favorably received at the December 5 Upper Front Range
Transportation Planning Region (UFRTPR) meeting. An award of $1.2m is likely to be
approved in March 2024, with local match funds coming from monies previously budgeted
for transit operations.
Discussion points included contacting the Estes Park School District (EPSD) regarding
how the TP will address Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program initiatives; how the “living
document” nature of the TP ensures that comments submitted will continue to shape the
plan; and the overall goal of creating a public transportation “triangle” between Denver
International Airport (DIA), Loveland or Longmont, and Estes Park.
ENGINEERING UPDATE
Engineer Bailey reported that the second public meeting for Reclamation Neighborhood
Street Improvements (RNSI) would be held tonight to gather final comments regarding
parking and sidewalk placement options for 3rd Street and North and South Courts. The
bid should be released by early April.
The Estes Park Cycling Coalition (EPCC) provided some comments for the Graves
Avenue Improvements (GAI) project. The bid, which should be released in early February,
will let contractors decide the project’s means and methods to maintain two-way traffic.
Transportation Advisory Board – December 20, 2023 – Page 3
The Street Improvement Program (STIP) bid should be released in February. The
program budget reflects modified goals due to the possible sunset of 1A sales tax funds.
Final permits were approved for utility work on the Cleave Street Improvements (CSI)
projects. The bid should be released January 4, with construction aimed to start in March
and conclude in late 2024.
The UFRTPR advised that the Fall River Trail Extension (FRT) grant funds will be
accessible as early as January. However, the bid is on hold pending signed agreements
from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) for the Multimodal
Transportation and Mitigation Options Fund (MMOF) and Transportation Alternatives
Program (TAP) awards.
Discussion points for all projects included certain issues that the RNSI project cannot
resolve, such as cluster box location; sidewalk width factors for the GAI project; Pine Knoll
and other street segments impacted by the modified STIP budget; locations where fresh
striping or crosswalk signs may be needed; and paving activities at the Elkhorn Lodge.
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
Director Muhonen advised that the 1% sales tax renewal topic is a good opportunity for
the TAB to educate the public and provide input on the measure, possibly through a
citizens’ committee. Signing up for the Town’s email distribution list is the best way to stay
informed about this topic and other Town business.
Four applications have been received for the Project Manager position. The Mobility
Services Manager position is not yet posted.
Having recently fielded an inquiry about Post Office parking during the Downtown Estes
Loop (DEL) project, Director Muhonen advised that Flatiron Constructors, Inc. (FCI) has
permission to use all but 10 spaces in the Post Office lot; supporting signage is posted.
The Town continues to provide snow removal to mitigate parking scarcity in the area.
Snow conditions have contributed to two minor crashes at the new US 36 and Community
Drive roundabout. Brief discussion ensued regarding chicanes and other methods used
at roundabouts to slow down drivers and prevent unnecessary speed-related accidents.
JUNE 2024 TAB MEETING RESCHEDULE
The TAB agreed to reschedule the June 2024 meeting from June 19 (Juneteenth holiday)
to June 26.
OTHER BUSINESS
Chair Morris acknowledged Member Gamble’s recent suggestion to add a regular agenda
item that follows up on past public comments received by the TAB. (Recording Secretary
note: As of January 2024, this item will be added to the monthly agenda as “Update on
Past Public Comment.”) Meanwhile, Chair Morris advised that she had followed up with
Transportation Advisory Board – December 20, 2023 – Page 4
CDOT regarding a recent public comment about certain crosswalks along Colorado
Highway 7 needing attention.
There being no further business, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
/s/Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary