Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 01/15/2003REGULAR MEETING MINUTES of the TRANSPORTATION BOARD January 15, 2003 5:45 p.m. City of Fort Collins - Community Room 215 N. Mason Street FOR REFERENCE: CHAIR: Christophe Ricord VICE CHAIR: Bruce Henderson STAFF LIAISON: Don Bachman ADMIN SUPPORT: Cynthia Cass BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Joe Dumais Dan Gould Neil Grigg Bruce Henderson Edward Jakubauskas Tim Johnson Ray Moe Christophe Ricord Heather Trantham CITY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Don Bachman Cynthia Cass Randy Hensley Mark Jackson Ron Phillips Kathleen Reavis 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Ricord called the meeting to order at 5:50 p.m. 472.8769 898.4625 224.6049 224.6058 ABSENT: Brad Miller Brent Thordarson GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE: Gary Thomas Melissa Jack Prethaway, Loveland Transportation Board Member Russ McConnell Transportation Board APPROVED Regular Meeting Minutes January15, 2003 Page 2 of 9 i#:" 9 7:Z11W 1r1] 2131I►IIYILx.9 There was a motion by Trantham and a second by Henderson to approve the minutes of December 18, 2002. Discussion: Chair Ricord thanked Cass for the extra effort and inclusion of detailed discussions in the minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote (9-0). 3. PUBLIC COMMENT Russ McConnell: I'm new to Fort Collins and am a professor at CSU. My concern is that bicycling is statistically quite a dangerous sport and it can be made a lot safer if you are lucky enough to live in a city that has good infrastructure. Fort Collins is among the best and I think you've done a really good job of putting together the network of bike paths in your city. What I'm worried about is that your efforts could be undermined in the future if the City sets a bad precedence of giving away sections of bike paths to homeowner's associations that want to exclude the public from going through their neighborhoods. I am speaking about the Paragon Point issue. Paragon Point would like to buy a section of bike path and have the city put in the detour path that goes along Lemay and Trilby. My fear is that if this precedence is tapped, it won't be the last. The main use of these bike paths comes about when they are connected together and serve a unified network. If the network takes a hit at different points where neighborhoods are trying to lay claim to them, it won't be nearly so easy to get around in the city on bike trails. It seems to me that the PP proposal is inferior from a safety, health, and recreational point of view. From a safety point of view, the riders would be going along Lemay and Trilby. These are busy streets. They would have to cross intersections and a lot of accidents take place at intersections. As far as health, there is evidence of some kinds of smog are more harmful if you breathe them while exercising. From a recreational standpoint, the path would just be completely inferior. What we have now going through PP is a quite pleasant, quiet path and this would be replaced with a much more urban path. I wrote a letter to the Coloradoan that appeared a couple of weeks ago. There was some good coverage of it. It seemed like it generated some interest from the public, but I don't know what's happening now. I'm not sure how to keep on top of it. Who keeps the public informed of what's happening out there. If we don't stay on top of it, then I'm worried that the one organized party, the Homeowner's Association, is going to prevail. I'm also wondering if maybe publicizing maps and plans for bike paths might help generate more public interest. Johnson: To the extent that I have heard, the Parks and Recreation Board voted unanimously against that proposal. I understand that at a City Council Study Session, I believe there was maybe one vote in support of it, so I think that at those levels, the proposal does not look like it is on good footing, in fact it's very poor. I would like to ask Bachman to follow up on that. Bachman: Yes, I heard the same thing. Johnson: I agree that it is important to stay on top of things like that. Transportation Board APPROVED Regular Meeting Minutes January 15, 2003 Page 3 of 9 Trantham: Currently, does the neighborhood own that path or does the City? Bachman: My rudimentary understanding is that there was a handshake deal at some point which the neighborhood or the developer agreed to make that a public path. However, this was never made into an easement and nothing formal was ever done with it, therein lays the problem. The Homeowner's Association wishes to do something differently. I don't know what the next steps are, but I did hear the same thing that Johnson did about the Study Session outcome on this. We'll get some information and get back to you at the next meeting. Gould: Is that part of the Fossil Creek Recreational trail? Bachman: Yes, I think it was envisioned that way. Gould. Isn't there a Master Plan for that trail? McConnell:... the neighborhood realized it was going to be connected up with the Fossil Creek so they were anticipating the extra traffic through there. Also, there was a letter to the editor by Kelley Roberts who used to be the Bicycle Safety Coordinator for the City and in his letter he said that bike paths have ... Bachman: That's what we need to sort out. I think that at some point, something fell through the cracks and didn't get formal easement dedication. McConnell: Are there maps of your proposed bike paths? Johnson: There are maps of current and proposed and if you want to have the most current one, I have one to give you in my backpack. Jackson: I like to add that we're right in the middle of updating the Master Transportation Plan and we give a great deal of emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian modes in that as well. There will be updates to the City's bike facility system as well. That will be accessible on the City's Transportation Planning web page. Dumais: Are the bike paths that are along Spring Creek technically under the Transportation Board or another group because they're Parks and Recreation? Henderson: I think they're Parks and Recreation. Dumais (addressing McConnell): So you're aware too that bicycle lanes along the roadways fall under this group, but the ones that are trails fall under the Parks and Recreation Board so you may want to visit them and do the same presentation. 4. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT None. 5. MASON TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR UPDATE — K Reavis Reavis stated that for the February Board meeting, staff plans to have a longer presentation than just the normal 10 minute update. At that time, they will be ready to discuss the downtown issues, more about the railroad, and the Mason and Howes one way/two way street issue. Flyers for the upcoming Open House were distributed. It's scheduled for Wednesday, January 29 at the Lincoln Center. Transportation Board APPROVED Regular Meeting Minutes January15, 2003 Page 4 of 9 Reavis reported that updates to the Mason web site have been done recently. One of the major changes is to start referring to the project as the "Mason Transportation Corridor Project" omitting the word "Street" from now on. The reasoning behind that is the confusion that some people have about whether or not they can drive on it anymore as it changes with the project. This will be a major public relations effort, to make sure people understand what the project is and what it isn't. The land for the South Transit Center has been secured by the City. This is the parcel south of Spradley-Ban. Since last month, there have been many meetings, not only with the Railroad, but with CSU and their facilities management team and with their mass transit committee to go over options and ideas for the corridor on campus. Staff has been working on station location criteria and going back and revisiting all the station sites from the Master Plan. Some of them are proving to be a bit problematic, for example, the one at Spring Creek is a problem due to the floodplain and the Storm Water department put their foot down on that one, so we're finding a different location for that. Other issues we've been looking at are the grade separations. As part of this project, we talked about looking at the feasibility of putting either Drake or Horsetooth under the railroad and it from the preliminary work we've done so far, it looks like Drake is panning out to be much more of a possibility than Horsetooth. Moe asked how the meeting went with the railroad. Reavis stated that it was the third meeting with them and went really well. The next one is going to be at the beginning of February and we're really getting down to the nuts and bolts of the issues. Bob Carter at Burlington Northern has been great to work with. The negotiations are typical — we're trying to find a spot in the middle that we can all live with. 6. ACTION ITEMS a) TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN — M. Jackson Jackson apologized that RA Plummer couldn't be present tonight. He introduced Melissa Bordwin with PBS&J as well as Ken Waido, Project Manager for the City Plan update. He also mentioned that Ray Moe is part of the consultant team doing the traffic forecast modeling for the Transportation Master Plan. Much of the presentation included discussion of refined evaluation of various characteristics that attempt to represent a picture of the ultimate size and character of Fort Collins. Board members were presented with the same packet of materials and information given to the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC), Planning & Zoning Board, and City Council. Transportation Board members also received a table showing the CAC's recommendations on each characteristic. Transportation Board APPROVED Regular Meeting Minutes January 15, 2003 Page 5 of 9 The Transportation Board focused its attention primarily on the transportation -specific characteristics. They did however strongly stress the importance of careful consideration of transportation's role and impact on numerous other topic areas included in the characteristics evaluation exercise, including managing community growth, affordable housing, land use development patterns, and environmental preservation. The Transportation Board agreed to send to Council its recommendations and key comments regarding the seven transportation -specific characteristics. The Board chose to separate these characteristics into local and regional sub -categories. Included with their recommendation are key concepts and statements they wanted included in the minutes and to their memo to Council. TRANSPORTATION BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS LOCALLY SIGNIFICANT TRANSPORTATION CHARACTERISTICS: TRI Promote the development of a multi -modal transportation system (automobile, transit, bicycle and pedestrian) that encourages a variety of travel choices. Transportation Board Recommendation: Endorse • Our transportation system choices must strive to improve the quality of our lives including environmental preservation and slowing the rate of growth of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). • The transportation system must provide safe travel for all modes of transportation, supported by adequate levels of law enforcement, with an emphasis on alternative modes. • A long-term, consistent funding mechanism is critical to implementing and adequately maintaining an efficient multi -modal transportation system. • The City must strive to improve the quality, type, and frequency of collection of ongoing transportation performance data, including examples of successful models from other similar communities around the country. TR2 Encourage the development of additional enhanced travel corridors (e.g. Mason Transportation Corridor). Transportation Board Recommendation: Endorse • The importance of Transit Oriented Design (TOD) strategies must be integrated into the land use planning of these multi -modal transportation corridors. TR7 Promote a local transit system. Transportation Board Recommendation: Endorse • To preserve mobility for efficient transit performance; in light of increasing traffic congestion, transit dedicated facilities (e.g. bus High -Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, transit -dedicated lanes) may be necessary in the future. Transportation Board APPROVED Regular Meeting Minutes January15, 2003 Page 6 of 9 TR4 Recognize Transportation Demand Management (Smart Trips) programs (e.g. carpools, vanpools, telecommuting, etc.) as transportation options. Transportation Board Recommendation: Endorse 2. REGIONALLY SIGNIFICANT TRANSPORTATION CHARACTERISTICS: TR5 Encourage regional transit between Fort Collins and northern Colorado communities. Transportation Board Recommendation: Endorse • Fort Collins must work closely with the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and regional transit agencies to promote and foster these connections. TR6 Encourage interregional transit between Fort Collins and Denver. Transportation Board Recommendation: Endorse • The City should encourage by any means possible a mass transit connection to the Denver metro area, including the recommendations from the Transportation Alternatives Feasibility Study (TAFS-1999). • Key first steps should include investigation of connecting to the RTD transit system at its northernmost boundary (Longmont). TR3 Encourage partnerships among CDOT, FHWA, and private developers to build new and/or improve existing interchanges, overpasses, andlor underpasses on I-25 to increase mobility. Transportation Board Recommendation: Does Not Endorse • The Transportation Board feels that Interstate 25 and its accompanying interchanges are State and Federal responsibilities. The City of Fort Collins should place its focus on implementing and maintaining the Master Street Plan. Fort Collins should distance itself from auto -related problems along the I-25 Corridor and focus instead on solving transportation issues within the City of Fort Collins. Gould moved to empower Jackson, with Chair Ricord's oversight, to draft a consensus statement concept that the Board developed tonight There was a second by Johnson. Chair Ricord called the question and the motion carried, 8-0, with one abstention for conflict of interest reasons. Johnson then made a motion that the consensus product on transportation characteristics be forwarded to City Council. There was a second by Henderson. Chair Ricord called the question and the motion carried, 8 — 0, with Moe abstaining. Gould talked about the importance of linkage between affordable housing and efficient, reliable transit service. Waido agreed to convey this message to the Affordable Housing Board as he is the liaison. Transportation Board APPROVED Regular Meeting Minutes January 15, 2003 Page 7 of 9 The Transportation Board will continue to closely monitor and provide regular input on the Transportation Master Plan update as it moves to completion. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS a) TRANSPORTATION CAPITAL FUNDING STRATEGY Johnson reported that Council met last night and discussed various issues as listed on a handout that Chair Ricord distributed. The handout was a memo from Chair Ricord on behalf of the Board to the Mayor and City Council Members dated January 9, 2003. Johnson talked specifically about the Projects Mix issue and the board's recommendation of 84% to road expansion and 16% to alternative modes (bus, pedestrian, and bikes). It was agreed that the finance sub -committee will convene once again on February 5 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be posted as a public meeting so that other members of the board may attend. 8. REPORTS a) BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Gould: Paragon Point Issue. I had no knowledge of what was going on. I was wondering if we could be kept informed of developments on that issue. We should be involved or at least stay connected. Henderson said that he is the Parks and Recreation Board liaison and offered to find out more about it. Phillips: The council has asked that the issue be readdressed. That staff meet again with the neighborhood and begin talking about options. Building a new path alignment adjacent to the road is not going to happen at this point in time. I know that the Assistant City Manager has a meeting with the neighborhood later this month. This is probably why nothing has been said yet. Dumais: Motorcycle Parking. I'd like to thank Randy Hensley because I think he's been working on getting some motorcycle parking in the downtown area. I've seen bikes ticketed for parking in the half spot where the sign is which seems logically acceptable. And I've also heard of bikes ticketed for parking two bikes in one spot which seems logically desirable to reduce the usage of parking areas downtown. I know that he has designated some areas. Airport. I guess the airport is not part of our agenda, is that not transportation? They are often left off of transportation systems somehow. Transportation Board APPROVED Regular Meeting Minutes January 15, 2003 Page 8 of 9 Phillips: Frank Bruno has been the person for many years that has been responsible for the airport liaison role out of the City Manager's Office. Now that he is leaving, that will change. I believe that Transportation Services may well have the airport in the future. Chair Ricord: Traffic Safety Concerns. In addition to the tax issue last night, the Police Chief was there and they discussed law enforcement issues. A lot of our concerns were voiced by Council. I felt encouraged by the discussions. The bottom line as I heard it is that more enforcement means more police officers on the street. We want to follow the safety issue and keep track of the process that's occurring with Council and the Police Department. I asked to be in the loop and I will keep the board posted. Johnson: Trails. With regard to the issue that was brought up by our guest tonight and the trails that are P & R, I wonder if we can't establish a closer linkage so we can review what they're doing and how it meshes with the bicycle program on the streets. Maybe we can get a staff member from Transportation and a staff member from Parks & Rec to do a joint presentation to us so we have a better feeling for the whole picture. Jackson stated that Tom Reiff in Transportation Planning is working closely with staff in SmartTrips and Local Transportation Demand Management, as well as Craig Foreman in Parks and Rec in updating the formal map in anticipation of TDM and SmartTrips folks reproducing the fold out map. They are meshing all the recreational and commuter bike systems in one. Johnson: Once a year a short presentation might be a good way to bring us all together on it. b) STAFF REPORTS Bachman: ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA: • Mason Transportation Corridor Extended Update - Reavis • Downtown Strategic Plan — Hensley • Election of Officers — Board Members Foothills Mall Community Booth (for Thordarson). Thordarson asked us to let you know the booth has been reserved for January 26. He needs to know who will be available to man the booth that day. Gould, Johnson and Henderson volunteered. Bachman will give their names to Thordarson who will contact them to work out details. Jackson: Doverspike Response. In front of you you'll find an email we received and attached to that is a response we penned. This email was received through the City Plan and Master Transportation Plan hotline. This was a concern that he had about the intensity of traffic, specifically on Remington. As part of his email, he requested that we distribute his email and the response to the Transportation Board. Transportation Board APPROVED Regular Meeting Minutes January 15, 2003 Page 9 of 9 Downtown Strateeic Plan (DSP). Hensley had to leave but asked me to give you an update on the DSP. This will be an agenda item on the February agenda and the board will be asked to take action regarding transportation policy statements. 9. OTHER BUSINESS None. 10. ADJOURN Chair Ricord adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Cass, Executive Administrative Assistant City of Fort Collins — Transportation Services