HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/16/2024 - TRANSPORTATION BOARD - AGENDA - Regular Meeting10/16/2024 Agenda Page 1
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
SUMMARY AGENDA
October 16th, 2024 6:00PM – 8:00PM
In person at 281 N. College, 1st Floor Conference Rooms or online via Zoom
This hybrid TRANSPORTATION BOARD meeting will be conducted in person at 281 N
College Ave, 1st floor conference rooms or you may join online via Zoom.
Participants should join at least 5 minutes prior to the 6:00 p.m. start time.
ONLINE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
You will need an internet connection on a laptop, computer, or smartphone, and may join the
meeting through Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/join Webinar ID:992 3667 9837,
Passcode 735155. (Using earphones with a microphone will greatly improve your audio).
Keep yourself on muted status.
For public comments, the Chairperson will ask participants to click the “Raise Hand” button to
indicate you would like to speak at that time. Staff will moderate the Zoom session to ensure all
participants have an opportunity to comment.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BY PHONE:
Please dial +1-719-359-4580 and enter Meeting ID 99236679837; Passcode 73515. Keep
yourself on muted status.
For public comments, when the Chair asks participants to click the “Raise Hand” button if they
wish to speak, phone participants will need to press *9 to do this. Staff will be moderating the
Zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to address the Transportation
Board. When you are called, press *6 to unmute yourself.
Documents to Share: Any document or presentation a member of the public wishes to
provide to the Transportation Board for its consideration must be emailed to
mdempsey@fcgov.com at least 24 hours before the meeting.
Provide Comments via Email: Individuals who are uncomfortable or unable to access the
Zoom platform or participate by phone are encouraged to participate by emailing comments
to mdempsey@fcgov.com at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. If your comments are
specific to any of the discussion items on the agenda, please indicate that in the subject line
of your email. Staff will ensure your comments are provided to the Transportation Board.
(Continued on next page)
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
SUMMARY AGENDA
October 16, 2024 6:00PM – 8:00PM
st
1. CALL TO ORDER [10 minutes for items 1-6]
2. ROLL CALL
3. AGENDA REVIEW
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION [3 minutes per participant]
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7. NEW BUSINESS [75 minutes]
a. Presentation on Transfort’s Microtransit, Optimization and Action Plan, followed by
Q&A (Kaley Zeisel, Transfort and Seth Lorson, FC Moves)
8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS [30 minutes]
(Committees, Event attendance, etc.)
9. OTHER BUSINESS [5 minutes]
(Board member concerns, Announcements)
a. Staff Liaison Report
b. City Council 6 Month Calendar Review
10. ADJOURNMENT
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
September 18, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
Online Via Zoom or In-Person at 281 North College
9 /18 /202 4 – MINUTES Page 1
FOR REFERENCE:
Chair: Ed Peyronnin
Vice Chair:
Council Liaison:
Alexa Nickoloff
Susan Gutowsky
Staff Liaison: Melina Dempsey
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Peyronnin called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
2. ROLL CALL
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Ed Peyronnin, Chair
Alexa Nickoloff, Vice Chair
James Burtis
David Baker
Jerry Gavaldon
Lourdes Alvarez
Emily Felton
Amanda Finch
Indy Hart
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Melina Dempsey, FC Moves
PUBLIC PRESENT:
None
3. AGENDA REVIEW
Chair Peyronnin stated there were no changes to the published agenda.
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
9 /18 /2024 – MINUTES Page 2
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
5. APPROVAL OF MINTUES – AUGUST 21, 2024
Members clarified which members made and seconded motions and noted Tim Han was
actually not present.
Gavaldon made a motion, seconded by Alvarez, to approve the August 21st, 2024 minutes
as amended. The motion was adopted unanimously with Emily Felton abstaining.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Members discussed crash data sources and Alvarez requested members receive a link to
the information.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) Presentation and Discussion – Melina
Dempsey
Dempsey noted the BFO process is on a two-year cycle; therefore, this budget will
cover 2025-26.
Baker asked if there is any type of review at the end of the first year. Dempsey
replied the cycle is truly for two years.
Dempsey showed two videos about the City’s budget process indicating budget
funding sources and detailing the Budgeting for Outcomes process. She noted there
are seven outcome areas, one of which is Transportation and Mobility. Dempsey
discussed the budget offer types: enhancement offers, which are new programs or
services that require more ongoing funds, an example of which would be reinstating
Transfort routes 11 and 12, continuing enhancement offers, an example of which
would be the Shift Your Ride TDM program, one-time enhancement offers, an
example of which would be snow removal equipment for Utilities trucks, asset
management offers, an example of which would be preventative maintenance for the
Civic Center and Old Town parking structures, and capital projects offers, an
example of which would be the Power Trail at Harmony grade-separated crossing.
Additionally, there are two other categories: redeploy and reduction, though none of
the Transportation and Mobility projects fall under these categories.
Dempsey stated there were 433 budget offers submitted by staff throughout the City,
355 of which are included in the City Manager’s recommended budget. In terms of
Transportation and Mobility offers, there were a total of 67 submitted worth $177
million, 57 of which are included in the recommended budget, worth $163 million.
Dempsey outlined the budget timeline and noted Council will be discussing the
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
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Transportation and Mobility projects on September 24th. She noted the deadline for
crafting a memo to go to Council is tomorrow morning. Hart suggested a memo is
the most effective way for the Board to get its thoughts in front of Council.
Gavaldon asked about the additional transit security officers and asked why the
Transfort Sunday and holiday service was unfunded. He suggested Sunday and
holiday service would be more valuable than the extra security officers.
Chair Peyronnin concurred Sunday service would be valuable. He suggested using
the funds for the parking fixed license plate recognition item for the Sunday and
holiday service rather than taking away funds from the security program.
Hart stated he needed to see Transfort operate properly Monday through Saturday
prior to funding Sunday service. Chair Peyronnin concurred reliability needs to
improve.
Nickoloff expressed support for the transit security officer offer as well as Sunday
service.
Hart commented the fact that having even limited Sunday service would allow people
to get to work early as opposed to not at all.
Gavaldon discussed the decision to stop charging Transfort fares and stated there
seems to be a management issue at Transfort.
Alvarez commented on the importance of Sunday service as well as increased
security. Additionally, she stated funding the fixed license plate recognition
prejudges the outcome of a discussion about whether the parking garages would
become free.
Gavaldon expressed support for eliminating funding for the fixed license plate
recognition program as it is more of a want than a need. He also stated there are
many other items that he does not support funding.
Chair Peyronnin noted there have been ongoing issues with Transfort related to
safety and reliability and asked if it would be worth including the topic in the memo.
Finch commented on the importance of funding public engagement to attempt
something new and different with Transfort.
Hart suggested the memo could be written from a positive point of view in terms of
support for items. Finch suggested there could also be a list of potential solutions or
ideas.
Burtis suggested diverting from the existing offers may not be as productive as
providing that information later.
Members further discussed the best way to provide a memo to Council.
Gavaldon discussed CSU game day Transfort service and stated there should be
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
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additional funding coming from CSU to fund that service. Hart replied there is
funding from CSU for that service.
Hart noted the Board has yet to hear from Parking staff to be able to appropriately
weigh in on parking-related offers.
Gavaldon stated the Board should have been working on this sooner and stated
having to complete the memo in one day is a disservice to the Board.
Hart expressed support for the funding of the Power Trail at Harmony grade-
separated crossing and stated he would like to see that in the memo.
Dempsey noted Transfort does have a public engagement specialist funded position,
and the City has a Communications and Public Involvement Department that
supports the entire City.
Burtis noted one of the big aspects of Transfort’s optimization study, which is just
now starting, is public outreach.
Nickoloff suggested looking at the Board’s Work Plan to determine which offers are
most in alignment with that plan.
Gavaldon commented on Dial-a-Ride and noted it could be used for more emergent
situations if Transfort were more reliable. It was noted that Dial-a-Ride is a door-to-
door service however.
Members discussed Transfort reliability issues and Chair Peyronnin stated he would
like to see a one-time budget offer for bringing in an expert to help establish the
proper metrics and reliability with Transfort management. Hart suggested the
existing management could be replaced with someone with that knowledge.
Finch stated a Councilmember recently asked her why Council has yet to hear from
the Transportation Board in terms of the budget and solutions. Members discussed
inviting the Board’s Council liaison, Susan Gutowsky, to attend a meeting.
Chair Peyronnin summarized some of the items to be included in the memo for
Council, including ADA improvements, Transfort security, Sunday and holiday
Transfort service, and restoration of Transfort routes 11 and 12. Additionally, there
was discussion about whether the Board had enough information about fixed license
plate recognition at this time to support its funding.
Members discussed various capital projects the Board will endorse, including the
Shields road diet, the Power Trail at Harmony grade-separated crossing, and
pedestrian sidewalk expansion for ADA compliance, among others.
Dempsey discussed the Active Modes Advisory Board’s budget recommendation
memo which supported funding all active modes offers as well as three others that
were not recommended for funding.
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
9 /18 /2024 – MINUTES Page 5
Baker made a motion, seconded by Gavaldon, to authorize Chair Peyronnin to
write a memo to Council including the Board’s summarized discussion about
the budget. The motion was adopted unanimously.
Chair Peyronnin outlined the specific budget offers he will be including in the memo.
8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Gavaldon discussed the YIMBY parking memo he shared with the Board. He also
commented on the Police Chief’s Advisory Task Force’s discussion on the new fixed speed
camera program which will include a 30-day period of warnings followed by regular
citations.
Felton reported on a visit to Scotland and observing the success of their bus system.
Additionally, she reported on a visit by an expert in roundabout design to the Ziegler and
Horsetooth roundabout who provided some ideas for improvement. Felton also reported on
the Women in Transportation Society board meeting during which Cortney Geary spoke
about the desire to have narrower streets and more roundabouts if given unlimited funding.
Burtis reported on attending a Strong Towns meeting about housing affordability and
discussed the high-speed traffic around Bennett Elementary School. He also reported on
the many unique forms of active modes of transportation he saw on the day of the CSU/CU
game.
Hart reported on riding the Poudre Express and on biking in the city. He also commented
on the importance of increasing education around trail speeds and audible passing signals.
He stated he is looking forward to next month’s meeting with Transfort staff.
Baker commented on the importance of building a collaborative relationship with Transfort.
Gavaldon commented on the importance of getting some metrics from Transfort.
Finch concurred with Baker and also commented on high speeds near schools. She stated
she would like some information as to the signage for the speed cameras. Additionally, she
discussed high rates of speed on Harmony coming off I-25.
Felton asked if reviewing the LCUASS revisions is within the Board’s purview. Members
replied in the affirmative.
Alvarez commented on speed changes along Prospect Road and questioned whether there
is any data indicating a large number of speed changes in a short distance confuses drivers
leading to increased crash numbers.
Nickoloff reported on being on the Police Services Citizen Academy and a recent tour of the
Police Services headquarters. She noted there are cameras at some bus stops that have
buttons that can immediately send a message to dispatch and suggested increasing the
number of those cameras could increase safety. Additionally, Nickoloff stated lights need to
be installed at all bus stops for safety reasons.
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TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR
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Chair Peyronnin reported on high vehicle speeds on Centre near the crosswalk.
Additionally, he suggested next month’s meeting be an opportunity for Transfort to make its
presentation, with that same opportunity for parking in November, and safety in December,
with more detailed questions and answers for Transfort in January and parking in March.
9. OTHER BUSINESS
a. City Council 6-Month Calendar Review
Dempsey noted the 6-month calendar dates are in the Board’s packet.
b. Staff Liaison Report
Dempsey stated the Board will be the first group to hear about Transfort’s
optimization study and noted Transfort will be requesting feedback from the Board as
part of the process.
Members discussed the way they would like to provide questions to Transfort staff as
part of next month’s meeting.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. by unanimous consent.
Transfort
City of Fort Collins
Transfort Optimization
Plan Kick-Off
2
Agenda
1. Welcome and Intros
2. Transfort Overview
3. Project Overview
4. Project Work Plan
5. Public Involvement Plan
6. Discussion
7. Next Steps
Transfort
Service Overview
Transit Master Plan
Staffing, Service, and Ridership Levels
Budget Overview
4
Transfort Overview
• Service began in 1974 – 2024 *50th Anniversary*
• 23 Routes
• Campus Circulator (Horn)
• Regional/Commuter Route (FLEX)
• Bus Rapid Transit (MAX)
• 53 bus fleet
• 4.5 million annual rides in 2019
• Dial-A-Ride Paratransit Service
• 160 Employees
5
2019 Transit Master Plan (TMP)
6
Staffing Levels
100%2019
2022
2024 91%
72%
Areas of Improvement:
1. Work Schedule
• Less split shifts
• Added breaks
• Consistency
2. Pay & Benefits
• Increased wages
• Benefitted positions
3. Safety & Wellbeing
• Added Supervisors
• Added Enforcement
• On-site Counseling
4. Training and Onboarding
• Onboarding & Training Specialist
• Continuing Education Program
7
Service Levels
Resumed Service:
• Route 19
• MAX Evenings
• Holiday Service
• Route 6, 7, HORN Saturday Service
• Route 2, 8 Evening Service
• HORN 10-Minute Frequency
• MAX 10-Minute Peak Frequency
Suspended Service:
• Sunday
• Routes 11/12
• Frequency on 7, 16, 19
• Late Night MAX (post 10 pm)
• Night Service on 6, 7, 16
2019
2020
2024
100%
52.9%
77.4%
8
Ridership Recovery
-
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
500,000
2019 2020 2024
9
Transfort’s 2019 Operational Actual Expenses
Transfort’s 2019 $17.6M budget is divided into these four main expense categories.
“Other Expenses” includes operational critical items such as technology, insurance, land and
building maintenance, and wireless service.
Personnel, 54.98%
Transportation Svcs (DAR,
DAT, & fixed route
contracted service),
11.04%
Vehicle Repair Svcs &
Fuel, 21.43%
Other Expenses , 12.54%
2019 Expenses
10
Budget Gap
$2.70
$10.00
Amount (in millions)
Gap in
operational
budget
2019 vs 2025
Gap to build out
the Transit
Master Plan
$12.7 million
annual
budget gap
11
System Optimization & Microtransit
Given our resources, what is the most optimal way to deliver service to
the community?
Assess our service development methodology, our existing service, and a prioritized
buildout of the Transit Master Plan elements.
Project Overview
Context
Purpose
Process
13
Why Are We Doing This?
To redesign a system that is fiscally sustainable and minimizes
barriers
To create a dialogue with the community around what Transfort
could be in the future
Confirm Transit Master Plan principles with the community
To define what Transfort routes and services should look like (where
they go, how often they run, who they primarily serve, etc.) for the
next 5-10 years
To operationalize the 2050 tax revenue and the community’s support
of transit
14
About the Project
Project Vision:
Develop an optimized transit service plan based on confirmed Transit
Master Plan (TMP) principles, equitable engagement, and resource
constraints.
Outcome:
A five-to-10-year strategic plan that plots a course for:
-Ridership growth
-Improved transit services consistent with community needs
-Prioritization of TMP concepts, given existing resources
-Possible use of new, innovative transit services
15
Project Process
Work Plan,
Kick off
Best
Practices,
Literature
Review
Background,
Current
Conditions
Innovation
Zone Analysis
Vision and
Prioritization
Scenario
Development
5-10 Year
Direction,
Final Report
Project Work Plan
Phases and Tasks
Schedule
17
Project Phases
1. Project Work Plan
and Kick-Off
2. Best Practices and
Literature Review 3. Background and
Current Conditions
4. Innovation Zone
Discovery and Analysis
5. Vision and Prioritization
Management
6. Scenarios and
Trade-Offs
7. Recommendations
and Engagement
18
Phase 1 – Project Work Plan & Kick-Off
• Develop detailed work plan
• Develop public involvement plan
(PIP)
• Facilitate kick-off meeting
19
Phase 2 – Best Practices & Literature Review
• Optimization Plan
• Identify and document post-
pandemic best practices
• Innovation Zone Plan
• Identify and document micro-
transit best practices and
literature
19
20
Phase 3 – Background & Current Conditions
• Conduct agency review
• Compare best practices with current
conditions
• Provide preliminary
recommendations
21
Phase 4 – Innovation Zone Discovery & Analysis
• Develop innovation zone goals,
objectives, and vision
• Assess potential Innovation Zone
boundary
• Identify service levels and fleet needs
• Cost benefit analysis of the Mobility as a
Service (MaaS) app
22
Phase 5 – Vision & Prioritization
• Create community engagement
material based on Phase 1 - 4
• Engage with community about vision
for Transfort
23
Phase 6 – Scenarios & Trade-Offs
• Develop scenarios based on
community feedback and resource
constraints
• Test scenarios with Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC)
23
24
Phase 7 – Recommendations & Engagement
• Implementation Plan for optimized
fixed route services and innovative
services
• Engage with community and
stakeholders to finalize
recommendations
• Provide final recommendations
24
25
Year-Long Project Schedule
20252024
AugJulJunMayAprMarFebJanDecNovOctSeptAug
Phase 1: Project Work Plan &
Kick-Off
Phase 2: Best Practices &
Literature Review
Phase 3: Background &
Current Conditions
Phase 4. Innovation Zone
Discovery & Analysis
5. Vision & Prioritization
Engagement
6. Scenarios & Trade-Offs
7. Recommendations
& Engagement
Community Outreach Phase
Planning Phase
Public Involvement Plan
Principles
Audiences
Partners
27
Guiding Principles
Engage Equitably Develop a Dialogue Communicate
Effectively
Meet People Where
They Are
28
Target Audiences
• Fort Collins residents
• Transit users
• Transit-dependent populations
• Latino/a/e and Spanish-speaking community
members
• Black community members
• Older adults
• Youth/schools
• Community members with lower incomes
• Individuals with Disabilities
• Community members who are unhoused
• Transit/active modes/sustainability advocates
• Business representatives
29
Engagement Activities
In-Person Events
• Open houses
• Intercept events
• Focus group meetings
• Technical Advisory Committee
(TAC) meetings
• Community Advisory Committee
(CAC) meetings
Hybrid/Virtual Engagement
• Online surveys w/ interactive maps
• Boards & commissions meetings
• Hybrid meetings where possible, in
combination with in-person
30
Partner Organizations
Relevant OrganizationsTarget Audience
Variety of organizationsFort Collins Residents
Transit Accessibility Committee; NFRMPO; FC Community Action Network (FCCAN)Transit Users
Fuerza Latina; La Familia/The Family Center; The Community Focus GroupLatiné and Spanish-Speaking Community Members
Cultural Enrichment Center of Fort CollinsBlack Community Members
Fort Collins Senior CenterOlder Adults
Poudre School District; Bohemian Foundation; Cultural Enrichment Center of Fort
CollinsYouth/Schools
The Community Focus Group; City of Fort Collins Community Connectors; The
Matthews House; FCCAN
Lower-income Community Members, Transit
Dependent Community Members
Disabled Resource Services; City of Fort Collins Disability Advisory Board; Dial-A-
RideIndividuals with Disabilities
The Murphy Center/Homeward Alliance; Catholic Charities; Fort Collins Rescue
MissionUnhoused Community Members
The Climate Equity Committee; Fort Collins Bike Coop; Bike Fort Collins Transit/Active Modes/Sustainability Advocates
Chamber of Commerce; Downtown Development Authority; Campus West
Merchants Assoc.; Midtown Business Improvement District; North Fort Collins
Business Association; Fort Collins URA
Business Representatives
31
Council, Boards, and Commission Involvement
• Project Management Team
• City Council
• Transportation Board
• Disability Advisory Board
• Senior Advisory Board
• Dial-A-Ride and Transit Accessibility Committee (DARTAC)
Discussion
33
Strategic Questions
• If you or the group you represent use Transfort currently, how do you/they use it?
• What would need to change for you or the group you represent to use Transfort more?
• Considering Transfort’s existing system, what currently works well?
• What do you see as the primary challenges to using Transfort today?
• Rank how you think Transfort should prioritize future services.
• What time of day do you or those you represent typically travel and what mode(s) do you/they
use?
• Who should be included as part of this study’s process?
• What would a successful outcome to this project look like?
• With limited resources, how should Transfort prioritize improvements?
• Rank Transit Master Plan goals by importance to you or those people you represent
34
Next Steps
Upcoming Three Months:
• Complete best practices and literature review
• Understanding communities succeeding in rebuilding ridership
post-Covid
• Reviewing how, where, when innovative on-demand transit
solutions work
• Complete Transfort agency review
• Performance analysis
• Technology, process review
• Prepare for first phase of public outreach
• Intros to city boards and commissions
• Focus groups
• Online survey
Questions?
35
Transportation Board – Staff Report and Council 6-month calendar – October 2024
Staff Report
• BFO: City Council held its 3rd work session related to BFO on 10/8/24. The projects
supported and recommended by the Transportation Board are moving forward in the
process including Transfort’s Sunday and Holiday service.
• Upcoming TBoard meeting agenda items: Parking Services in November (confirmed).
Potentially Police Services and Traffic in December to discuss safety, red light cameras and
speeding. Electric Vehicle Readiness Roadmap plan presentation potentially in
November/December.
• YIMBY requested to provide a presentation and solicit feedback on the removal of parking
minimums at the October meeting, but the agenda time was already dedicated to Transfort.
They’ve been invited to speak during public comment.
• FC Moves in partnership with Utilities will be sponsoring the Brighten the Night event on
10/30/24. They are giving away free LED light bulbs, bike lights, reflective shoelaces,
reflective zipper pulls, and reflective stickers. The event will be from 4-6PM at the Walk and
Wheel Skills Hub and at Spring Canyon Park (at the end of Horsetooth Rd.)
Council 6 -month calendar
• Tuesday, October 15th: Adopting the Fort Collins Rooted in Community Urban Forest
Strategic Plan
• Monday, November 4th: 1st reading of the City Budget and Annual Appropriation.
• Tuesday, November 12th: Work session to include Community Report on the Front Range
Passenger Rail Project, the Land Use Code Update: Commercial Corridors and Centers,
and the Community Capital Improvements Tax Renewal.
• Tuesday, November 19th: 2nd reading of the Budget Ordinance and Final Adoption
• Tuesday, December 10th: Work session discussion on the Strategic Trails Plan