Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 03/15/2023 TRANSPORTATION BOARD – BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE JOINT MEETING TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR March 15, 2023, 6:00 p.m. Virtual Meeting Via Zoom 3 /1 5 /202 3 – MINUTES Page 1 FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Cari Brown Vice Chair: Council Liaison: Ed Peyronnin Emily Francis Staff Liaison: Aaron Iverson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Brown called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Cari Brown, Chair Ed Peyronnin, Vice Chair Jerry Gavaldon James Burtis Indy Hart Nathalie Rachline Jess Dyrdahl Stephanie Blochowiak BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Rob Owens CITY STAFF PRESENT: Cortney Geary PUBLIC PRESENT: Alex Gordon, NFRMPO Lindsay Jones 3. AGENDA REVIEW Geary stated there were no changes to the published agenda. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Lindsay Jones introduced herself as a transportation engineer. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 2023 Gavaldon made a motion, seconded by Chair Brown, to approve the February 2023 TRANSPORTATION BOARD – BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 3 /1 5 /2023 – MINUTES Page 2 Transportation Board/Bicycle Advisory Committee minutes as written. The motion was adopted unanimously with Rachline, Dyrdahl, and Blochowiak abstaining. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. North Front Range MPO, 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (Alex Gordon) Alex Gordon, North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) Transportation Planner, discussed the boundaries of the MPO and its purpose to work with the elected officials, planning and transit staff within those boundaries to create a cohesive regional transportation plan and priorities. He noted the MPO is required to consider the entire multi-modal transportation system. Mr. Gordon discussed the Regional Transportation Plan which is updated every four years. He stated a major part of the effort has been looking at regional corridors, including all interstates, U.S. highways, and state highways. He also discussed the regional transit corridors and regional active transportation corridors. Mr. Gordon outlined two formerly separate plans that will now be included in the Regional Transportation Plan: the Systems Performance Report which involves setting targets for federal performance measures such as safety, infrastructure, transit asset management, and transit safety, and the Greenhouse Gas Transportation Report which included four major recommendations including investment in transportation demand management, additional transit, additional bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and signal optimization. Mr. Gordon noted the 2050 Plan needs to be adopted by September of 2023 and he outlined the timeline for various aspects of the process. He specifically commented on outreach efforts including an online map that allows for input on specific corridors or general input. Chair Brown asked if the online survey is available in multiple languages. Mr. Gordon replied it is not currently; however, if a request was received, it would be made available. Hart commented on the Poudre Trail connection at I-25 noting it has been in progress for some time. He asked what needs to be done to complete the connection. Mr. Gordon replied Larimer County, Timnath, and Windsor received a GoCo grant for the east side of I-25 and that portion should be complete by the summer. The section under I-25 will be completed when the highway is completed, which should be later this year or early next year. One of the last two sections should be complete later this year and one may involve a temporary solution until a property issue can be TRANSPORTATION BOARD – BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 3 /1 5 /2023 – MINUTES Page 3 resolved. Gavaldon stated multiple languages should be available for the online mapping tool without someone having to request it. Mr. Gordon replied it has been considered. Gavaldon encouraged the MPO to make it a high priority. Gavaldon asked if it is within the purview of the MPO to consider pedestrian overpasses on Harmony. Mr. Gordon replied that is a project Fort Collins has applied for a few times and it could be considered as part of the safety component of the Regional Transportation Plan. Blochowiak stated the project to create an underpass for the Power Line Trail is already in the works. Gavaldon stated he believes that is a $10 million project and he would like to see other more fiscally conservative options. He asked if there might be funding or grants available from the MPO. Mr. Gordon replied the project does rank well in terms of safety; however, it does not in terms of cost effectiveness. He noted Fort Collins has received about $8.2 million total from the MPO. Burtis asked how the MPO coordinates with state, regional, and local transportation authorities and whether the Regional Transportation Plan is binding. Mr. Gordon replied the MPO exists because of federal regulation and part of its charge is to work with transit agencies and the state. He stated the MPO wants the Regional Plan to be achievable; therefore, the projects included in the Plan come from the communities themselves to help build on the local plans and priorities. He specifically discussed the West Elizabeth project and its inclusion in the Regional Plan. Burtis asked how bike, bus, and train infrastructure costs compare to car-focused infrastructure costs. Mr. Gordon replied he does not have exact numbers; however, he stated there is more incentive to build bike and pedestrian infrastructure particularly given the area’s non-attainment status which requires ozone and greenhouse gas reduction. Burtis asked if there will be any type of community participation for the service development plan for front range rail. Mr. Gordon replied the plan is caught in some bureaucracy; however, as of last year, there is now a Front Range Passenger Rail District which is looking at the plan. Vice Chair Peyronnin commented on the benefits of rail but expressed concern about utilizing existing rail lines given delays that can be caused by freight trains. Gavaldon commented on the benefits of rail service. Mr. Gordon asked what concerns the group has regarding the regional corridors. Chair Brown stated she would utilize train service; however, she agreed utilizing freight train lines could be problematic. TRANSPORTATION BOARD – BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 3 /1 5 /2023 – MINUTES Page 4 Hart commented on an experience riding the Poudre Express bus and suggested the MPO could help facilitate better communication between the construction work on I- 25 and the regional transportation providers. Burtis commented on the need to make corridors in Fort Collins and Loveland safer in order to encourage bicycling as a way to commute. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Gavaldon reported on the need for having patience while crossing roadways on bicycles. He commented on the need for additional cyclist education. He reported Raising Cane’s will no longer be going in on North College and expressed concern about the traffic stacking at its South College location. Hart reported he recently witnessed snowplows deliberately clearing bike lanes. He stated some debris is still present; however, he was glad to see the plowing occurring. He suggested customers not patronize businesses that present traffic stacking concerns. Burtis commended having the ability to take a carless trip to the Denver airport. He also commented on dangerous right turns on red lights being allowed in Old Town. Rachline noted that movement is technically not allowed at Mountain and College. Geary noted the Active Modes Plan includes a recommendation to look at more locations where prohibiting right turns on red could be effective. Gavaldon suggested left turns should not be allowed at Mountain and College stating the back-ups create a hazardous situation. Geary replied she would pass on that suggestion and also noted incorporating right turn on red restrictions is also part of the Vision Zero Action Plan. Rachline requested the Board receive a presentation on vehicle miles travelled statistics and whether compliance with the Climate Action Plan is actually occurring. She also requested more detailed information on the 15-Minute City plan. Dyrdahl reported on bike paths in Dubai and alternative modes of transportation in Middle East countries. Vice Chair Peyronnin commented on the need to promote bells as a way to alert bikers of passing riders as they are easier to hear. He also reported on attending the railroad meeting and being skeptical of the funding being present to continue the project all the way to northern Colorado. Rachline commented on the need for additional Bustang and Flex service. Hart commented on the appropriate ways to audibly announce a passing move on trails noting people should announce themselves early and consider making a friendly comment when passing to help alleviate startling people. Chair Brown commented on her experience on the trails noting most people do not TRANSPORTATION BOARD – BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 3 /1 5 /2023 – MINUTES Page 5 announce passing at all. Vice Chair Peyronnin commented on the possibility of promoting bell use through giveaways and as part of education efforts. Burtis stated Bustang is expanding its service over the next three years. Chair Brown asked about the City’s safe cyclist program. Geary replied she would share a link for the current classes. Blochowiak noted there will be a great deal of federal funding available soon for infrastructure projects, including transportation. She stated there is a lot of discussion around new programs to fund new ways of designing, planning, and constructing the transportation system and using the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process as a leverage point for that. Chair Brown reported on a small crash that occurred with her son’s school bus and credited Transfort with its quick response. 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. Bicycle Advisory Committee Report Geary noted the last BAC meeting was the joint meeting with the Transportation Board. b. City Council 6-Month Calendar Review Geary highlighted upcoming Council topics including the Vision Zero Action Plan, Land Use Code changes, and the Timberline/Mulberry/Lincoln intersection project. Gavaldon requested the Board receive some additional information on the intersection project. c. Staff Liaison Report None. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. by unanimous consent.