HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 01/20/1999Draft minutes to be approved by the Transportation Board at its February 17, 1999 meeting.
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES of the
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
City of Fort Collins — City Hall (CIC Room)
January 20,1999
5:30 P.M.
Alan Beatty Dan Gould
Mark Egeland
Sara Frazier
Steve Hanna
Bruce Henderson
Tim Johnson, Chair (416-0821)
Ray Moe
Chris Ricord
Brent Thordarson
Heather Trantham
Matt Baker
Sally Craig
Gary Diede
Susanne Edminster
Aaron Fodge
Craig Foreman
Cam McNair
Wendy Meyer
Ron Phillips
Wally Piccone
Lucinda Smith
Mary Warring
Staff Liaison: Randy Hensley (416-2058)
Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at S: 40 p.m.
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ACTION ITEMS:
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There was a motion and a second to approve the December 16, 1998 Transportation
Board meeting minutes with amendments. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
II. CITIES FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION - Smith
Lucinda Smith explained that this item would be for discussion, not action, based on
delays in getting the Climate Protection Plan completed.
Ms. Smith then gave the Board an update on the campaign to enlist local governments to
develop greenhouse gas emission reduction regulations and asked for the Board's input
on the transportation -related measures of the plan. Ms. Smith discussed the campaign
and the challenges faced by the community along the front range. Some things the plan
considers the following points:
• Support the VMT reduction goal that exists in the Master Transportation Plan - to
keep VMT's from exceeding population growth;
• Promote "Green Guide to Cars and Trucks";
• Local study to uncover hidden costs;
• Auto subsidy;
• Lobby for tighter CAFE standards;
• Support increased transit;
• Telecommuting Policy (municipal); and
• Reduction of fleets fuel consumption (municipal).
Board member Hanna asked about the possibility of the City giving businesses incentives
for telecommuting and/or teleworking. Susanne Edminster commented that the City is
considering it as a possibility. Board member Moe pointed out that a mechanism would
be needed to follow-up with businesses. Board member Ricord commented that it seems
that the more the population increases, the more VMT's increase. These seemed to be
linked. Board member Moe commented that there are two parts to VMT's in that
residents here are driving more and the issue is how to curb that, and that if growth is
limited, that could adversely impact outlying areas. Chair Johnson commented that the
plan should support the tax measure going before the electorate in April, as it would
support the VMT reduction goal. Aaron Fodge commented that the "Green Guide to Cars
and Trucks" is also an excellent resource for citizens as it lists autos by their
environmental friendliness. Ms. Smith commented that right now the plan is mostly
voluntary and educational in nature. Board member Egeland commented that he would
like to see Green Guide offered on web sites.
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III. COUNTY ROAD IMPACT FEES - Engemoen
Marc Engemoen, Director of Public Works for Latimer County, presented to the Board
the County's proposed Capital Expansion Fees for Transportation and asked for the
Board's recommendation to approve the proposed fees. He stated that there are five
county roads currently serving as secondary highways, those being:
County Road 17 (Berthoud);
County Road 19 (Taft Hill);
County Road 32 (329 west from I25 to Windsor);
County Road 18 (extension of 402 into Loveland); and
County Road 38 (Harmony east of I25).
Methodology behind the fee is that it is "demand driven" rather than "improvement
driven," and that development pay for the new capacity it consumes.
There was Board discussion about whether or not this additional fee would be fair to Fort
Collins residents. There are already high fees within the city and the roads that would be
improved mostly support consumer traffic. Mr. Engemoen pointed out that Fort Collins
residents are using the regional roads and that it is difficult to develop a system of
transportation fees that is fair to all.
Matt Baker commented that the City has reviewed the County's proposed capital
expansion fees and finds them to be fair and also fairly conservative. Mr. Engemoen
commented that the County has presented the proposed fees to the Home Builders
Association (HBA) and is not expecting opposition. The HBA is aware of the current
inequities.
There were some questions regarding the quality of roads that would be built (with bike
lanes, without) and Mr. Engemoen stated that the County will stretch the opportunities to
enhance the roads (shoulders, etc.) as much as possible, but also that alternative modes of
transportation are addressed in other plans.
If the fees are adopted by all entities in the County, it may be possible to improve the
roads by 2020. City Council will consider the measure in March, and the County will
take the measure to Loveland and other cities as soon as possible. The County is
currently collecting regional capital expansion fees in unincorporated areas in February of
this year. Board member Thordarson asked if roads will extend to City limits, and Mr.
Engemoen stated that the County will work with a joint governmental committee to
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determine what needs to be improved as city limits change. Board member Moe stated
this fee will take away the incentive to develop in unincorporated areas because it is
cheaper. Chair Johnson asked about the reciprocal concept and asked if the County has
discussed the idea. Mr. Engemoen stated there is the property tax element that goes to
Latimer County. The City funds transportation improvements via sales tax. People
living in unincorporated areas contribute by paying sales tax for goods and services inside
city limits. He also stated that the County is interested in establishing a Transportation
Authority to look at boundary issues.
Chris Ricord made a motion that City Council consider and approve the County's
Capital Expansion Fees with regard only to transportation. There was a second by
Ray Moe. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
III. EASTSIDE U.P. BIKE TRAIL — Piccone & Foreman
Wally Piccone and Craig Foreman of the City's Parks Planning Department presented to
the Board an update on the Eastside U.P. Bike Trail. The City has received grant funds
from the Colorado State Trails Program and has $120,000 to upgrade the Drake portion
of the trail. There was some discussion regarding the advantage of an eight foot trail
versus a ten foot trail and the cost difference involved. Mr. Foreman reported that there is
not a huge cost difference and based on the Board's recommendation, the City will most
likely opt for the ten foot trail. The Board also made other suggestions for inclusion in
the construction of the trail, such as:
• Ten foot trail rather than eight foot;
• Underpasses at Drake and Horsetooth; and
• Separating foot traffic from bike traffic.
The Parks Department will begin working on the stretch from Edora Park to Drake —
fencing; analyze cost of underpasses; and, in two to five years, the City will build the trail
south. Concrete includes fiberglass reinforcement, sometimes re -bar when trail is close to
trees.
IV. CIVIC CENTER PARKING STRUCTURE UPDATE - Edminster
Susanne Edminster presented to the Board an update on the Civic Center Parking
Structure and stated that pedestrian improvements for the area are estimated to be
completed by Thanksgiving of 1999. The planning team is currently considering:
• Offsite improvements from Maple to Mountain;
• Enhanced pedestrian crossings;
• No mid -block crossings along the route;
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• All on -street parking will be removed;
• A "kiss and drop" at the regional transit center; and
• Funding — Currently there is adequate funding for most everything. There is no
provision for offsite improvements.
V. MASON STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT UPDATE - Edminster
Susanne Edminster presented to the Board an update on the Mason Street Corridor
Project. The Mason Street Lead Team is in place. It is now identifying groups to target
in soliciting participation from the community. This is difficult as it is an 18-month
commitment. The Team had its first meeting with the railroad, which was productive and
positive. The railroad was not overly concerned about bicyclists close to its right-of-way,
but would require a chain link fence for safety purposes. Ms. Edminster will report back
the schedule as soon as it is developed.
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• Revisit Truck Route Study Decision
The Northeast Truck Route Study will be going before Council on January 26 at its
Study Session. The Board discussed its decisions regarding the proposed alternatives
and reconsidered an additional recommendation to Council. This motion could be
considered an Alternative "0" and would formally state that Council does not have to
pick one of the other alternatives.
Board member Ricord made a motion that the Council consider a no -build
alternative in addition to the Board's recommendation of Alternatives I and 3 with
Modified Vine revisions as defined in Alternatives 1 and 3, plus the suggestion that
Vine Drive be removed from the Master Street Plan as a four -lane arterial where
the alignment, as defined in Alternatives I and 3, departs from the present Vine
Drive. A second on the motion was made by Heather Trantham.
Discussion: Board member Moe recommended against the motion. He stated that
the Transportation Board analyzed the impacts to downtown. Alternatives 1 and 3 are
superior. Wording included is good.
Board member Beatty was in favor of motion. He had spoken with many citizens and
feels that these alternatives would perhaps give the City another ten years, and then it
will be in the same situation as it is now. Citizens are saying there hasn't been
enough investigation into other options to reduce traffic.
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Board member Egeland recommended against the motion. He felt Council has ability
to look at no -build option anyway. Rebuilding Vine will happen anyway. To not do
anything now is the wrong thing to do.
Board member Thordarson felt the new motion was covered in the old motion.
Board member Ricord stated public supported alternative truck route as a package in
Choices 95. Can't necessarily say public supports this study or these Alternatives.
Board member Frazier stated she was in favor of staying with what was
recommended and that City should be careful of changing what public voted for as a
package.
Chair Johnson stated he sees a bypass lasting longer than ten years and that it would
serve 95% of impacted people in our community. He did not support motion.
Board member Trantham supported the motion. She stated that study deals with
trucks and number of trucks isn't that high. Question is whether trucks should go
through neighborhoods or a commercial district.
Call the motion.
All in favor — 5 (Ricord, Beatty, Henderson, Trantham, Hanna)
All opposed — 4 (Johnson, Thordarson, Frazier, Egeland)
Abstain —1 (Moe)
Absent —1 (Gould)
The motion passed 5 to 4.
Beatty reported:
- Vehicles are parking in bus loading zones — these restricted parking areas are
not being enforced.
- Dial -A -Ride is extending pickup times, reservations required 48 hours in
advance, dispatching questionable.
- Shamrock Taxi Co. not living up to what a cab company should be delivering.
Ricord reported on safety issues. He, Kathleen Reavis, Susanne Edminster, and Jeff
Groves met regarding safety issues in using alternative modes of transportation.
There is potential for a surcharge when a ticket is issued to offset cost of
administration. Susanne Edminster advocated an educational component before a
fine increase is implemented.
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A possible budget increase may be necessary for additional traffic enforcement. This
issue may be added to the February agenda, and Jeff Groves will be invited to attend.
VII. STAFF REPORTS
• Sally Craig asked that a representative of the Board be appointed to the Mountain Vista
planning committee.
• Hensley reported that the citizens group for the transportation tax is making progress and
stated that the video is showing now on Cable 27. The group held its second
organizational meeting and established chairpersons and a volunteer list. Additional help
will be needed from the Board after the February Council meeting.
• Safety issues
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There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
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Wendy Meyer, Administrative Assistant