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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRANSPORTATION BOARD - MINUTES - 04/17/2024 TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR April 17, 2024, 6:00 p.m. Online Via Zoom or In-Person at 281 North College Avenue 4 /17/202 4 – MINUTES Page 1 FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Ed Peyronnin Vice Chair: Council Liaison: Alexa Nickoloff Susan Gutowsky 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: Ed Peyronnin, Acting Chair Indy Hart Jerry Gavaldon James Burtis David Baker Lourdes Alvarez Amanda Finch Emily Felton Alexa Nickoloff BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None CITY STAFF PRESENT: Melina Dempsey PUBLIC PRESENT: Anna Novarro 3. AGENDA REVIEW Iverson stated there were no changes to the published agenda. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Anna Novarro discussed her interest in alternative transportation options. Gavaldon stated he met Novarro at a meeting regarding affordable housing. TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 4 /17/2024 – MINUTES Page 2 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 2024 Hart made a motion, seconded by Gavaldon, to approve the March 2024 minutes as written. Yeas: Finch Gavaldon, Burtis, Hart and Peyronnin. Nays: none. Abstain: Baker, Alvarez, Felton, and Nickoloff. THE MOTION CARRIED. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Board Member Introductions Gavaldon introduced himself as a lifelong resident of Fort Collins and discussed his work with the City and the Museo de las Tres Colonias. Burtis introduced himself and discussed his interest in transportation. Hart introduced himself and discussed his involvement in the community. Alvarez introduced herself and discussed her interest in transportation. Acting Chair Peyronnin introduced himself and discussed his engagement in cycling. Baker introduced himself and discussed his work in automotive electrification and interest in reducing the environmental impact of transportation. Nickoloff introduced herself and discussed her interest in Fort Collins and transportation. Felton introduced herself and commented on taking the Leadership Fort Collins course and discussed her interest in ADA accessibility. Finch discussed recently receiving her master’s in public administration and associated capstone project about surveillance cameras in work zones to reduce employee injuries and deaths. She also stated she would like to explore the relationship between safety and vehicle speed. Iverson introduced himself and discussed his history with the City organization. He stated he has been the liaison to the Board for 5 years but will be gradually transitioning that role to Melina Dempsey. Melina Dempsey introduced herself as a Senior Transportation Planner and discussed her previous work in the field. Members briefly discussed the possibility of passenger rail in the Front Range. TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 4 /17/2024 – MINUTES Page 3 b. City of Fort Collins Transportation Overview – Aaron Iverson Iverson provided an overview of the Plans used to provide overall guidance for City operations. He noted FC Moves falls under the Planning, Development, and Transportation service area, which is a combination of planning, land use, and transportation. Iverson commented on the City’s vision, mission, and values and discussed PDT’s five interconnected principles: connect, plan, build, operate, and maintain. Iverson discussed the role of the Streets Department and commented on some upcoming roadway projects. Members commented on the excellent street maintenance provided by the Streets Department. Iverson discussed the role of the Traffic Operations Department , including work on Vision Zero. Hart commented on one of the oldest in-use stop signs on Mason which is yellow and black. Iverson discussed the school safety audits which are conducted by the Traffic Operations Department and commented on the Traffic Operations dashboard. Alvarez asked about the timing of pedestrian signals across town and noted they all seem to be different. Iverson replied the leading pedestrian signals are being slowly implemented across the city and have been installed in heavy pedestrian areas first. Gavaldon asked if ride alongs for snowplow trucks are still offered. Iverson replied he would look into that. Iverson outlined the role of Parking Services, including the operation of parking structures and oversight of residential parking areas. Additionally, he noted Parking Services and Transfort were originally separate departments, then they joined into one, and are now again separate. Members discussed the possibility of the Transportation Board combining with or absorbing the Parking Advisory Board. Iverson stated the Parking Advisory Board has been decommissioned at this point. Felton commented on having been involved in the 2013 Parking Plan as a consultant and asked if that would be a conflict of interest. Iverson replied there are newer plans, and any type of conflict would only occur if the Board were making a recommendation of some kind. Iverson discussed Transfort’s operation of the fixed route system, Dial-a-Ride, Flex, three transit centers, and the MAX line. He discussed the Transit Master Plan which envisions additional MAX routes on West Elizabeth and North College as well as TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 4 /17/2024 – MINUTES Page 4 higher frequency fixed routes. He noted the 2050 tax that passed last year will provide dedicated funding to Transfort. Dempsey stated Transfort is moving toward a more corridor-based system with higher frequencies and there are innovation zones where transit is already limited or non-existent where there will be on-demand transit. She noted the Optimization Plan will be examining micro-transit and on-demand transit. Hart noted the Board will discuss transit in terms of frequency, consistency, and timeliness. Gavaldon noted CSU students pay fees that go into Transfort. He commented on being on the Mason Street Corridor design committee in 1998 which had a long -term plan of light rail service. Iverson stated the plan at this time is to remain with bus service on the corridor. Iverson discussed the role of the Engineering Department which oversees the construction of projects, including large capital projects such as the Lemay overpass and the forthcoming Power Trail underpass at Harmony. He noted the Engineering Department has a ten-year list of capital projects and also deals with infrastructure asset management. Iverson stated the College and Trilby intersection will be rebuilt this summer . Iverson discussed FC Moves which includes Active Modes, biking and walking program, Safe Routes to School, outreach, education, and Transportation Planning. He noted FC Moves is focused on increasing the number of people who choose to walk, bike, ride the bus, and use electric forms of transportation. He noted 70-80% of people still drive alone to work. Iverson stated FC Moves is involved in the Active Modes Plan, the West Elizabeth Enhanced Travel Corridor and MAX extension, and the EV Readiness Roadmap, which will be updated this year. In terms of programs, FC Moves is involved in Shift Your Ride, a travel demand management program, Vision Zero, and the SPIN scooter and bike contract. Additionally, the department runs Bike to Work Days, Open Streets, Asphalt Art, and curb extensions for traffic calming. Iverson noted the Safe Routes to School national conference will be in Fort Collins and stated the program is one of the best in the country. He also commented on the adult biking education program which includes bike maintenance and the Bicycle Friendly Driver program, which has been adopted throughout the state and has gone to the national level as well. Additionally, the Bicycle Ambassador Program consisting of volunteers has been ongoing for a number of years. Iverson discussed items that the Board will be discussing at forthcoming meetings, including the EV Readiness Roadmap, a micro-transit study, mobility hubs, safety assessments, the optimization plan, Front Range passenger rail, and Budgeting for TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 4 /17/2024 – MINUTES Page 5 Outcomes (BFO), among others. Iverson noted the former subcommittee of the Transportation Board, the Bicycle Advisory Committee, no longer exists; however, an Active Modes Advisory Board has been established and will meet for the first time this month. Gavaldon commented on the importance of the Board and stated Council does listen to the Board. He noted any Master Street Plan updates go through the Board. Peyronnin commented on the Board’s discussion of reinstating snow routes . Felton stated Fort Collins is leading in terms of transportation innovation and she is excited to be part of that process. Nickoloff asked about the responsible parties for railroad maintenance. Iverson replied maintenance responsibility lies almost all with the railroads; however, the City does work on crossings with them. He stated he could put Nickoloff in touch with the Engineering Department for more details. Hart noted passenger rail would always come second to freight rail and there is no requirement for the railroad companies to share schedules. c. Chair and Vice Chair Elections Iverson noted Chairs and Vice Chairs typically serve for one calendar year and help staff plan agendas and run meetings. Gavaldon nominated himself for Chair. Hart nominated Burtis and Peyronnin as Chair. Both accepted the nominations. Gavaldon discussed his experience as Chair and Vice Chair for the Planning and Zoning Commission and in running his HOA and stated he would like to help make a difference on the Board. Peyronnin thanked Hart for the nomination and stated he has had a great experience on the Board and is looking forward to the next year. Burtis discussed his interest in transportation and his meeting management style. He stated he is very interested in forthcoming topics. Felton asked if she is allowed to abstain from a Chair vote given she is unfamiliar with the candidates. Members replied in the affirmative. Iverson noted it is unusual for five new members to start at the same time. Gavaldon noted he and Hart have been the longest serving members. Members agreed to do a secret ballot type of vote. Iverson stated Peyronnin had the most votes for Chair. TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 4 /17/2024 – MINUTES Page 6 Gavaldon expressed interest in the Vice Chair position. Hart nominated the five new members for Vice Chair. Nickoloff accepted the nomination. Iverson stated Nickoloff received the most votes for Vice Chair. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Hart stated Transfort timing has improved and stated it would be good to have the Stewart and Lemay intersection have the bike lane continue to the stop when it gets restriped rather than merge with the car lane. Burtis noted there is a trail survey for the update of the Master Trail Plan and commended the extension of Transfort’s route 3 all the way down Elizabeth. Gavaldon reported on the Police Chief Advisory Task Force’s discussions around the new lane-splitting motorcycle law which allows motorcycles to go between cars in stopped traffic at speeds not exceeding 15 miles per hour. He stated Police are concerned about possible safety hazards and are also concerned about E-bike and scooter speeds. Gavaldon reported he is working with Rachel Ruhlen on placing a SPIN bike and scooter parking pad at the Museo de las Tres Colonias which will be the first in the area. He also reported on a near accident with a cyclist and commented on the need for additional education. Gavaldon noted he has been filling in as the Planning and Zoning Commission liaison and he outlined that position in the event another member is interested. Peyronnin reported on a trip to Kansas City and commented on the city’s great road networks. 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. City Council 6-Month Calendar Review Iverson reported Council will be considering allocations for the new 2050 tax dollars, Council priorities, traffic safety, the sunsetting street maintenance program and Community Capital Investment Program taxes, and the budget at upcoming regular meetings and work sessions. b. Staff Liaison Report Iverson noted Dempsey will begin taking over the meetings starting next month , and correspondence will also shift over to her. He noted members cannot have conversations over email per open meetings stipulations. Iverson also stated printed agenda copies need to be requested. Peyronnin suggested discussing liaisons at the next meeting. TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 4 /17/2024 – MINUTES Page 7 Gavaldon stated he will be transitioning out of the Planning and Zoning Commission liaison role. Iverson stated he would clarify the interaction with the Active Modes Advisory Board and noted the liaison roles are not required. Gavaldon noted Board members must identify themselves as a member of the Board if they speak at City Council meetings and clearly state whether or not they are speaking on behalf of the Board. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m. by unanimous consent.