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Home My WebLink About04/21/2025 - Active Modes Advisory Board - AGENDA - Regular MeetingActive Modes Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING April 21, 2025 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 281 N College Ave. Zoom – See Link Below 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (3 min per participant) 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Participation for this Active Modes Advisory Board Meeting will be in person at 281 N College Ave. You may also join online via Zoom, using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88164942985?pwd=6ITv5XeAgdPAlt2Xb3K4zJEXbebgrG.1 Online Public Participation: The meeting will be available to join beginning at 5:55 p.m., March 17, 2025. Participants should try to sign in prior to the 6:00 p.m. meeting start time, if possible. For public comments, the Chair 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 address the Board or Commission. To Participate: • Use a laptop, computer, or internet-enabled smartphone. (Using earphones with a microphone will greatly improve your audio). • You need to have access to the internet. • Keep yourself on muted status. 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 lnagle@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 Active Modes Advisory Board. Active Modes Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Welcome new member: Humphrey Costello | Lauren Nagle (15 min) b. Board Chair & Vice Chair elections| Lauren Nagle (15 min) c. Strategic Trails Plan | Dave “DK” Kemp (30 min) (INFORM, INPUT) d. School Traffic Safety Inspection Program | Nell Davis (30 min) (INFORM, INPUT) 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS 9. STAFF LIASON REPORT a. Council Six Month Agenda Planning Calendar 10. ADJOURNMENT ACTIVE MODES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING –REGULAR March 17, 2025 6:00 p.m. Online via Zoom or In Person at 281 North College 3 /1 7 /202 5 – MINUTES Page 1 FOR REFERENCE: 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Henderson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL Bruce Henderson, Chair Kevin Krause, Vice Chair Wallace Jacobson Cameron Phillips Kat Steele Kristina Vrouwenvelder Jared Hanson CITY STAFF PRESENT: Lauren Nagle DK Kemp Kelly Smith ABSENT: Tim Han PUBLIC PRESENT: Unidentified person 3. AGENDA REVIEW Chair Henderson outlined the published agenda. 4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION None. ACTIVE MODES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 3 /1 7 /202 5 – MINUTES Page 2 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2025 Jacobson made a motion, seconded by Hanson, to approve the minutes of the January 2025 meeting. The motion was adopted unanimously. Phillips made a motion, seconded by Hanson, to approve the minutes of the February 2025 meeting. The motion was adopted unanimously. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Upcoming Board Chair and Vice Chair Elections Chair Henderson discussed the Board election process and role of the Chair and Vice Chair. Vice Chair Krause commented on the Vice Chair role and stated he would be open to passing that role on to another member. Chair Henderson stated time will be set aside at April’s meeting to further discuss the elections. Nagle noted the Board could hold its elections in April if desired. Chair Henderson discussed the meeting agenda planning done by the Chair, Vice Chair, and Nagle. b. Bike Park Feasibility Study Update – DK Kemp DK Kemp, Park Planning and Development Trails Planner, discussed the history of the desire and advocacy for a bike park in Fort Collins. He outlined the existing small single-feature bike parks in the city and stated the feasibility study was directed by Council to examine some parcels of land, desired amenities, and costs of a more comprehensive bike park. Kemp outlined some coordination with other planning efforts, including the Hughes Stadium property civic assembly process. He noted the Bike Park Feasibility Study aims to objectively evaluate several sites, including the Hughes property. Kemp commented on regional bike park examples, including Valmont Bike Park in Boulder and parks in Arkansas and Idaho. He discussed the various desired features and amenities of a community-scale bike park and outlined the key takeaways from the stakeholder group, including the desire to create a large- scale legacy bike park, support for a progressive experience, and support for intermediate features to bridge the gap between beginner and advanced elements. Kemp stated nine sites have been examined and he outlined the evaluation criteria considered, including physical characteristics, environmental ACTIVE MODES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 3 /1 7 /202 5 – MINUTES Page 3 considerations, land use and connectivity, and ease of property acquisition. He noted all of the sites are currently confidential. Steele noted community gardens, dog parks, natural areas, and water play were all ranked higher than a bike park in the community survey and asked how it came to be that a bike park became the primary focus. Kemp replied a bike park was identified in the 2021 Parks and Recreation Master Plan effort that the public was asking for this type of facility. Vice Chair Krause noted there was a good deal of public outreach during the Recreate effort and a bike park came to the forefront from the consulting group who was helping staff work through that plan in terms of what is needed from an overall recreation standpoint. Additionally, he noted the previous Bicycle Advisory Committee sent a memo to Council reiterating that community desire. He stated there are plans for some of the other items highlighted as high community needs. Vrouwenvelder commented on short track bike races at Valmont in Boulder which benefited from people being able to get to the park on bike trails. She commended the use of that criterion for this effort and asked if one of the criteria relates to how many people live around the site and could easily access it. Kemp replied it is not part of the decision-making per se, but having it located in a denser location would be valuable. He also noted adjacent road types will be examined in terms of being able to get to a location safely. Jacobson asked about the cost of maintenance, which was identified as being roughly 5-10% of the cost of construction annually. Kemp replied the Valmont Bike Park has a crew of full-time and seasonal employees, which helped to ensure consistency. Additionally, he stated volunteers could also be leveraged to assist with certain projects. Vice Chair Krause noted Fort Collins will be able to learn from other bike parks in the maintenance space. Steele asked why the bike park skills area at Lory was not mentioned and how it differs from this type of facility. Kemp replied the scoping budget limited the number of parks that were explored. Vice Chair Krause noted the Lory site has been built and maintained almost exclusively by volunteers and does not have nearly as many features and amenities as would the type of park being considered in this study. Steele asked what would occur following the Council presentation. Kemp replied staff will be presenting the study information to Council at a work session and no decisions would be made at that meeting nor would public input occur, though Council make ask some clarifying questions. Following that meeting, the coordination with the Hughes site Civic Assembly will continue and a final report will ultimately be shared with Council, potentially in an Executive Session to allow ACTIVE MODES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 3 /1 7 /202 5 – MINUTES Page 4 members to examine the specific parcels of land being considered. Phillips asked how much this type of feasibility study takes into account other City goals such as mode split goals, the climate action plan, and others. Kemp replied City departments have different goals, and the Parks Department is responsible for developing recreation opportunities, though there is overlap with Vision Zero and Active Modes in this case. Phillips stated the amount of water needed to operate this type of facility should be considered. Kemp concurred irrigation is an important component of all new parks. Hanson asked why Council opted to research properties other than the Hughes site. Kemp replied the basic question was, ‘if not Hughes, then where?’ He stated the community has done a good job advocating for this need, and Council would like to fulfill it; however, there are many competing interests with the Hughes site and providing options is important for Council to make a sound decision. c. Draft Natural Areas Strategic Framework Review – Kelly Smith Kelly Smith, Natural Areas Senior Environmental Planner, stated the Natural Areas Strategic Framework is more of a guiding planning framework than a policy framework and noted it is the only Council-adopted plan in the Natural Areas Department. She noted Natural Areas works with Active Modes to look at connectivity on soft surface trails. Smith outlined the project timeline and noted the draft plan has been out since early March and will go to Council for adoption in June. She discussed the history of land conservation and stewardship as supported by citizen driven, voter-approved tax initiatives. Additionally, Smith noted the Strategic Framework helps to inform the more tactile and detailed planning efforts. Smith outlined the public engagement process that helped inform the Strategic Framework and discussed the considerations that relate to active modes that resulted from that outreach, including conserving land and protecting natural resources remaining a focus, as well as human access, developing multi-use trails for varying ability levels, leveraging partnerships to improve trail connectivity both locally and regionally, and safely accessing nature near home. Smith stated the overall vision for the framework is “Thriving Ecosystems for a Greater Fort Collins Community,” and the associated values include service, resource protection, partnership, connectivity, health and wellbeing, ecological function, integrity, and belonging. She noted the term ‘recreation’ is not used frequently in the Framework as there are certain groups that cannot connect with that term. The best practice is now more around access to nature. The goals of ACTIVE MODES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 3 /1 7 /202 5 – MINUTES Page 5 the Framework are to conserve and protect land and water, strengthen habitats and ecological resilience, support access to nature, and foster community connections and stewardship. Smith noted the plan will be open for input until March 31st and stated the Board could make a recommendation at its May meeting if desired. Vice Chair Krause asked about the lack of the term ‘recreation’ and whether that is consistent with County, State, and Federal references. Smith replied the County alerted City staff to the new ‘access’ terminology and how they have adopted it. Additionally, it was a message heard through public engagement, particularly from underrepresented groups. Steele commended the outreach conducted with the LGBTQ+ community related to this effort. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Jacobson reported on the Transportation Projects Fair. Nagle noted the projects are listed on the City’s website and there is a form available for individuals to provide feedback. Chair Henderson noted a new law went into effect in Colorado on January 1st making it illegal to use cell phones while driving. He commented on the number of traffic injuries and deaths caused by distracted driving and stated this new law is a good opportunity for the state overall, particularly given Vision Zero goals. However, he expressed concern that the law does not deal with hands-free accessories which can also lead to distracted driving. He asked if there is any interest from the Board in doing something to ban hands-free accessories at a local level. He stated he will likely try to advocate on a State level as well and acknowledged making local changes may be beyond the scope of the Board. Vrouwenvelder stated the impact of distracted driving on vulnerable road users is at the top of mind right now and expressed concern that some type of local ordinance could only be applied after an accident has occurred. She stated turning off screens in vehicles is really a National Transportation Safety Board issue. Steele suggested approaching it from an education perspective. Hanson commented on the importance of educating individuals to take driving seriously. Vice Chair Krause stated this is a good discussion point and questioned whether there is local level awareness about the change. Nagle replied FC Moves has communicated about the change through its communication channels, including newsletters and social media. Additionally, the Police Department has communicated about the change through its channels and the State provided a media tool kit to help push out the message. Nagle noted a representative from Traffic Services will be at the next meeting to discuss Vision ACTIVE MODES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 3 /1 7 /202 5 – MINUTES Page 6 Zero concepts and how they are being incorporated from that department’s perspective. Vrouwenvelder suggested placing messaging on bus stop signage. Vice Chair Krause suggested utilizing temporary construction signage to provide messaging. Steele commented on seeing many skateboarders in bike lanes and noted they are not causing any negative issues. 9. STAFF LIAISON REPORT Nagle stated 284 people attended the Transportation Projects Fair and there were a number of valuable conversations held. Nagle reported on attending the National Bike Summit and noted there seems to be a shift in advocacy organizations nationwide to encompass all active modes, not just biking. Vice Chair Krause asked if there were any discussions about federal funding. Nagle replied there was a lobby day as part of the conference, though government workers could not participate, and the administration issued a statement that they would be searching for bike and bike lane and stopping grants that contained that terminology. Nagle noted there were Coloradans who spoke to representatives as part of that lobby day. Additionally, Nagle stated Fort Collins did receive a Safe Streets for All grant, which was one that was specifically delineated in the communication sent out by the administration. Nagle stated there will likely be local impacts. Chair Henderson noted there will be a staff report on federal funding updates at tomorrow’s Council meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:44 p.m. Headline Copy Goes HereApril 21, 2025 Dave “DK” Kemp Senior Trails Planner Strategic Trails Plan Active Modes Advisory Board Headline Copy Goes HereDraft Plan Status + Schedule 2 •Full Draft Plan + Appendices available for comment through April 23 •https://ourcity.fcgov.com/stp •Sharing with Boards and Commissions for feedback through April •City Council anticipated adoption May 20 Headline Copy Goes HereA New Vision Purpose: •Update framework for planning, design, construction, maintenance, and preservation •Support the 15-Minute City initiative •Maintain recreational value •Ensure priority trail connections Goals: •Meet the needs of community and determine challenges and opportunities •Develop shared vision of system expansion •Create transparency •Explore and develop new policies Headline Copy Goes HereOutcome Area and Council Priority Alignment 4 Current Council Priorities 2024-2026 •Improve human and social health for vulnerable populations •Advance a 15-minute City by accelerating a shift to Active Modes •Reduce climate pollution and air pollution Strategic Plan Alignment (2024) •CR 2: Implement criteria and prioritization to manage assets and replace equipment that will revitalize parks and recreational facilities, as the planned buildout of the parks and trails system continues. •T&M 1:Make significant progress toward the City’s Vision Zero goal to have no serious injury or fatal crashes for people walking, biking, rolling or driving in Fort Collins. Headline Copy Goes Here 5 Plan Timeline Headline Copy Goes HereCommunity Engagement Activities and Themes 6 Engagement Activities •2 Questionnaires •1 Open House •8 City Board Meetings •2 Online Interactive Maps •1 Hickory Village Fair •1 Council Work Session •1 Open Streets Fair •1 NoCo Trails Summit Phase I Themes Phase II Themes •Trails for all •Community Connections •Interconnected Network •Complement On-street •New Trails in NE •Balance Trail Access •Partnerships Matter Headline Copy Goes Here 7 Paved Trail Stats Existing System: •46 miles of trails, includes Mason Trail •42 existing over or underpasses (street) Proposed System: •62 new miles of trails •29 new over or underpasses (street) Complete Buildout (~2045) •108 miles of trail •71 over or underpasses (street) Headline Copy Goes HereTrail Development – Creating Transparency 8 Headline Copy Goes Here Major Trail Minor Trail Spur/Connector Design and Construction Standards - Trail Typology 9 •Connects to neighboring communities •Promotes long-distance travel •Regional connectivity •Suitable for high volume of users •High mode-share of pedestrians, cyclists, and other forms of active modes •Adjacent crusher fines trail •Short trail •Links Major or Minor Trails to destinations such as parks, schools, neighborhoods •Expand comfortable access to the trail system for more people •Serve fewer users •Higher share of pedestrians •Typically constructed in conjunction with another project such as a park, school, or residential development •Connects local destinations Short-distance trips •Suitable for high volume of users •Lower share of long-range cyclists and higher share of runners/walkers Headline Copy Goes Here 10 Guiding Principles Community Input 15 Minute City Recreational Experience Conservation and Resilience Demand and Growth Headline Copy Goes HereProject Prioritization Criteria 11 Quantitative: •Equity •Connectivity to Schools •Recreational Value •Demand and Growth •Completes a Gap in System Qualitative: •Synergy and Ease of Implementation Headline Copy Goes Here Proposed Trails $1.8 Million a Mile on Average Existing Trails Asset Management Eligible and Potential Trail Funding Sources 12 •General Fund •Lottery proceeds •Conservation Trust Fund •2050 Tax (asset management) •Lottery Proceeds •Conservation Trust Fund (~1.6 M annually) •Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Grant •Engineering & FC Moves Coordination •Transportation Grant Funding •Developer Partnerships Potential New Funding: •Community Capital Improvement Program Headline Copy Goes Here 13 Prioritized Trails & Development Timeframes Headline Copy Goes HereSafety Strategy: a four-point approach 14 1.Trail Safety Education Multimedia Campaign 2.Refreshed courtesy and etiquette signs 3.Trail widening, centerline striping and warning signs at bridges, underpasses, and junctions 4.Bicycle Ambassador Program to include routine trail pop-up events Headline Copy Goes Here 15 Trail Safety Education Multimedia Campaign Headline Copy Goes HereRecommendation? 16 •Would the Active Modes Advisory Board provide a letter of support for the Strategic Trails Plan? Headline Copy Goes HereAll Project Tasks and Deliverables 17 Completed •Plan Congruence Assessment •Quantitative Level of Service Analysis •At-Grade Trail Crossing Crash Analysis •Deferred Maintenance Assessment •Population-based Level of Service •Irrigation Ditch/Trail Compatibility Evaluation •Project Prioritization •Grade Separated Crossing Prioritization •Design and Construction Standards •Funding and Implementation Scenarios Headline Copy Goes Here 18 Thank you! Dave “DK” Kemp Senior Trails Planner Park Planning & Development Parks Department dk@fcgov.com Headline Copy Goes Here 19 Supporting Slides Headline Copy Goes HerePerformance Metrics 20 Headline Copy Goes Here 21 Trail Use (Annual Comparison) •Historically, the Poudre Trail at Martinez and Spring Creek Trail between Edora Park and Rolland Moore Park are the most used sections of trail. •Mason Trail and Power Trail have an uptick in use the past 4-5 years Headline Copy Goes Here 22 Trail Use (June vs. January Comparison) Headline Copy Goes Here 23 Recreational Trail Loops Headline Copy Goes Here 24 Irrigation/Trail Compatibility Map Headline Copy Goes Here Traffic Ops –Technical Projects Manager Nell Davis School Traffic Safety Inspection Program 4-22-2025 Headline Copy Goes HereBackground •Changes in population and traffic patterns since schools were built •Safety improvements applied inconsistently citywide •Complaints were the main driver of safety improvements •Consultant engaged to establish School Traffic Safety Inspection Program •Develop process •Toolkit of school safety practices and improvements Headline Copy Goes HereProgram goals •Systematic inspection •Investigate all aspects of transportation around schools •All modes of travel—personal vehicle, bus, bike, foot •Behaviors of staff, parents, and students •Create a whole-picture report of strengths and weaknesses •Recommend improvements •Education •Enforcement •Infrastructure •Maintenance •Operations best practices Headline Copy Goes HereStudy Process: Investigation •Two to six schools per school year •Meet with district and school staff •Observe pickup/drop-off traffic •Conduct traffic studies of corridors, intersections •Inventory existing signs and pavement markings Headline Copy Goes Here Study Process: Recommendations •Instructions for parents •Training for staff •Safety lessons for students Education Enforcement •Refresh pavement markings •Replace signs Maintenance •Sidewalks •Bike lanes •Crosswalks •Signals Infrastructure •Separate travel modes •Appoint crossing guards Operations Headline Copy Goes HereStudy Process: Implementation •Maintenance and minor improvements over summer break •Coordinate education, enforcement, and operation changes with school staff and police •Seek grants or other opportunities for large projects •Not all schools need big projects Headline Copy Goes HereCompleted studies •Zach Elementary School (2022) •Lopez Elementary School (2022) •Irish Elementary Escuela Bilingüe (2024) •Dunn Elementary School (2024) •Tavelli Elementary School (2024) •Beattie Elementary School (2024) •Kinard Middle School (2024) Headline Copy Goes HereResults •Minor recommendations addressed immediately •Grant applications •Training program for kindergarten teachers to teach pedestrian safety Headline Copy Goes HereResults: Zach Elementary •Convert Jupiter & Kechter to a fully signalized intersection •Install median refuge and RRFB at Cinquefoil & Kechter •Construction summer 2025 •Received grant for $750,000 Headline Copy Goes HereResults: Lopez Elementary •Existing staff at nearby intersections highly effective •Installed speed humps on Manhattan Ave •Installed curb extensions at Wabash & Benthaven •Created education program for kindergarteners Headline Copy Goes HereStudies in progress •Blevins Middle School •Kruse Elementary School •Johnson Elementary School •Webber Middle School •Rocky Mountain High School Headline Copy Goes HereTentative list for 25-26 school year •Bauder Elementary •Laurel Elementary •Bennett Elementary •Harris Elementary Headline Copy Goes HereFuture •School prioritization criteria •K-5 students •High number of marginalized and low- income students •Adjacent to high-speed roads •Public interest •School or District interest •Upcoming projects in the area •Estimated completion: 2034 •After all schools inspected, start over Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes HereDraft schedule: 53 public and private schools •Completed •Lopez, Zach, Dunn, Irish, Beattie, Tavelli, Kinard •In progress •Johnson, Kruse, Rocky Mountain, Blevins, Webber •2025 •Bauder, Harris, Laurel, Bennett •2026 – 2029 •Axis International Academy, Bacon, CEC, Coyote Ridge, Fort Collins, Lesher, Linton, Montessori, Odea, Olander, PSD Global Academy, Polaris, Putnam, Ridgeview, Riffenburgh, Rivendell •2030-3034 •Academy of Arts & Knowledge, Boltz, Centennial, Christian Core Academy, Cottonwood Plains, Fort Collins Christian School, Fossil Ridge, Front Range Baptist Academy, Grace Academy, Heritage Christian Academy, Liberty Commons, Lincoln, McGraw, Mountain Sage, Poudre, Poudre Community Academy Preston, Shepardson, St Joes, Traut, Werner Headline Copy Goes HereResults: Irish Elementary •Applied for $835K grant •Add pedestrian connections between trail and school •Add crossing improvements on Vine Dr, Irish Dr Headline Copy Goes HereFeedback requested •Efficiencies •Less effort at schools expected to be easy? •Prescreening to determine “easy” schools •Inspect several easy schools at same time as a difficult school •Student input