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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 03/18/2009MEETING MINUTES of the TRANSPORTATION BOARD March 18, 2009 6:00 p.m. Community Room 215 North Mason Street Fort Collins, CO 80521 FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Gary Thomas 482-7125 Vice Chair: Ed Robert 2244864 Staff Liaison: Mark Jackson 416-2029 Administrative Support: Polly Bennett 224-6058 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Olga Duvall Bill Jenkins John Lund Ed Robert Garry Steen Gary Thomas Scott VanTatenhove ABSENT: Sara Frazier Kip McCauley Shane Miller Sid Simonson Council Board Liaison Wade Troxell CITY STAFF PRESENT: Mark Jackson, Transportation Group Director, 416.2029 Polly Bennett, PDT Executive Administrative Assistant, 221.6601 Matt Wempe, Transportation Planner, 416.2040 Pete Wray, Senior City Planner, 221.6754 Kurt Ravenschlag, Assistant General Manager, Transfort, 221.6386 Marlys Sinner, General Manager, Transfort, 416.2113 OTHERS INATTENDANCE See list of citizens, attached. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Thomas called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with a quorum present. 2. AGENDA REVIEW Board Chair Thomas moved the Mountain View Subarea Plan discussion to first position on the Agenda. With that modification the Agenda stands. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT With regard to the Mountain Vista'Subarea Plan Update: Kathy Nix, President, Lindenwood Homeowners Association — See the information distributed by Ms. Nix, attached. Their organization believes that the Vine Drive realignment plan being presented tonight is a defacto truck bypass. Matthew Majoros, Accountant — See the Realignment Comparative Analysis he submitted. He estimates a decrease in driving times, increase in speed, and no railroad crossings, which is attractive to truckers. It will take commercial trucks off Mulberry and put them on a road through a residential area. Candace Maioros, citizen — Please see Exhibit "H" in Kathy Nix's letter. They are unanswered questions that are pertinent to the neighborhood. The neighborhoods have grave concerns about safety Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2009 Page 2 issues with a four -lane arterial that runs by a park, a school campus, and residential areas. They also have concerns for air and noise pollution. They made requests in other meetings and have not received the information. Don Homan, citizen — His concern is less about a truck route. Alternatives A & B disconnect Mountain Vista from the surrounding community. Keep as much transportation access as possible. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (February 2009) Steen moved to accept the minutes. Lund seconded. Passed unanimously. 5. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Wade Troxell, Council Liaison did not attend. 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Mountain Vista Subarea Plan Update — Wempe/Wray The new project website is fcgov.com/mountainvista. Three alternatives were presented in November. Open houses were held. Council adoption will occur in June 2009. Existing plan: Bordered by I-25, Vine, Lemay, Tumberry, Richards Lake Road. Poudre School District (PSD) owns property for future schools and there is a City park site. There is a proposed commercial development and residential development areas as well. Three grade separated railroad crossings are shown and required by the BNSF. Project schedule: Outreach with property owners, Anheuser Busch, two public open houses with a third planned for the first week in April most likely at the Streets Department, presentations to the Transportation Board, Planning & Zoning Board, and other Boards & Commissions. Council Work Session planned for May 12. Council adoption in June. Major issues for tonight's discussion: Arterial street connectivity; Impacts of proposed realigned East Vine Drive, Conifer Street Extension; Tumberry Road Extension; Coordination with BNSF on future street crossings. Most of the land uses are compatible. Vine Drive was initially shown to continue east along the current alignment. Reason for the relocation was the 1999 Neighborhood Plan. Council did not want the roads widened through the Alta Vista and Andersonville neighborhoods. The Bull Run subdivision and Plummer School create the same situation to the east. Tumberry is no longer proposed to be continued to the south. The collector level road through Maple Hills is beneficial to the PSD site. There is a natural wetlands area with a required buffer that shifts the realignment to the north. More traffic is projected on East Vine than originally thought in 1999, which supports the commercial development and planned park/recreation area. The road continues through Anheuser Busch property, a major employment center. Staff has heard citizen concerns, and is looking at ways to dissuade truck traffic while still providing a street connection. The City has four lane roads that transverse commercial, residential, school areas, etc. Horsetooth Road near FCHS (bike lanes, traffic lanes, center median, landscaped parkway between street and sidewalk, multi -family housing adjacent to the road, pedestrian signal for students to cross). JFK Parkway (heavily landscaped medians, office uses). Horsetooth west of Mason (single-family residential, landscaped medians, trees, fencing, bike lanes, turn lanes). Page 3 Regular Meeting Minutes March 18. 2009 Street Network Comparison — four lane roads except Mulberry, which is proposed to expand to six lanes. Speed ranges are designed for safe travel. PRS (signalized) & PRU (unsignalized) intersections. Additional intersections are development driven. Staff is not proposing to change the State or US Highway or truck route designation. Mulberry, Jefferson, North College is being retained as the truck route. There are load differences on State Highways (80,000 lbs) versus local roads (59,000 lbs). Staff believes that long -haul trucks will continue to find the State Highway as the preferred route. Staff expects normal truck traffic to increase as commercial, industrial, and employment users locate in the study area. Next steps: k Develop preferred framework plan map Final Transportation Modeling Analysis Public Open House in early April Boards & Commissions review T-Board Recommendation (April) P&Z Board Recommendation (May) Council Work Session (May 12) City Council will consider adoption on June 2 Robert: Load limits of 54,000 pounds. What is the typical through -traffic trailer weight? Wempe: They will be meeting with the truckers association and will ask. Robert: Conifer was originally going to be an enhanced travel corridor. Has that been switched to Vine? Wempe: Vine, all the way to I-25 is proposed as the enhanced travel corridor. Robert: Will Vine be landscaped to decrease noise pollution? Will you consider berms? Wempe: It can be considered. There will be trees and other landscaping. The grade separated crossings will reduce the need for train whistles. Robert: Is residential use planned on either side? Wempe: Yes. Robert: Is the grade separated crossing on Timberline going to jog? Wempe: Yes, because of the historic Plummer School and the residential area. Robert: Will you have a corner at the bottom of the crossing? Jackson: These are not engineered lines, so you can't go by them. Jenkins: Where are the new roads? Wempe: Mountain Vista exists, Turnberry exists, Vine exists, and Lemay exists. The curved area from Vine to Mountain Vista is new. Jenkins: What is the cost? Wempe: Engineering is working on cost projections. I believe it is $160 million for the infrastructure, although part of the cost is borne by developers. Jenkins: If traffic on Mulberry increases or decreases, does it affect the traffic on Vine? Wempe: We use a city-wide traffic model and apply it to an area. Jenkins: One option not being considered is to do nothing. How long will it take for the area to build out? Wempe: 20 — 30 years. We build roads when development occurs. Jenkins: I am concerned that it could take longer. When do you decide to build a road? Wempe: Residential development doesn't necessarily trigger the need to build a larger road. It does give us the right-of-way interim improvements such as turn lanes, and sidewalks may be required to address development -specific needs. As development occurs, the need grows. Wray: Assuming normal market conditions and that adequate public facilities can be provided with development, we are looking at full build out over 20 — 30 years. Several things are impeding larger projects. Existing Vine & Lemay intersection is at capacity, and the Timberline/Vine intersection is nearly at capacity. Projects that have come forward have shown Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2009 Page 4 that there is enough traffic capacities to enable the developments to move forward, but based on their traffic studies, any other large development will overload the intersections. There are also storm water requirements. Most development in the area is on hold right now. Providing adequate public facilities has always been an issue in the northeast area. Steen: Are the major routes going to be in place? Wempe: The only road currently designed is Vine from Lemay to College due to proposed development. Wray: There has been right-of-way dedication for part of the grade separated crossings on Vine. The Greeley water line is being installed following the Vine Drive alignment west of Lemay. Duvall: Could there be limitations on the road for trucks? Wempe: We need to look at that. Slower speeds are being considered through the commercial area; improvements like roundabouts, signalized intersections, etc. will be decided when the road is designed. VanTatenhove: In terms of the school location, are you in contact with PSD about their plans? It doesn't seem to be on their radar right now. Schools aren't at capacity in the area now. Wempe: Those are demand -driven uses. Tavelli Elementary is in the area. Wray: We are meeting regularly with the School District. This is a long-term plan for the community. The elementary school would probably be built first, followed by a junior high and finally a high school. Looking out +/-15 years. Lund: What problem are we trying to solve by putting this in? What is the difference between using this and using Mulberry? Are we providing incentive for someone to develop in the area? Wempe: Staff believes truckers will continue to use the State Highway because of distance, safety, and time benefits. The roads would serve the proposed development. Most of the undeveloped land in the GMA is in this sector. We are over the recommended 15,000 average daily vehicles on Mountain Vista and Vine. Robert: On Mountain Vista that goes to Turnberry, is there a connectivity issue? Wempe: Parks doesn't want a road through their property. Wray: There is a new option to extend Country Club Road from Turnberry to Giddings. Robert: If the grade separator at Vine and Lemay goes independently of the other plans, what does it do to Vine? Could you do that? Wempe: Technically, you could. If you rebuild the intersection, it might put off the grade separated crossing until the Vine realignment is justified. Thomas: The initial Vine relocation called for it to shift to the north and then continue east. Wray: The wetlands and buffer are in the way. Most of the traffic is traveling east/west from College Avenue. Thomas: When you come back next, we would like to hear more about why this is not a truck route. b. Transit Strategic Plan — Ravenschlag This is a partnership project with the City of Fort Collins, City of Loveland, and Poudre School District. Please refer to the materials handed out. Project Purpose: To update the 2002 Transfort Strategic Operating Plan, address specific City policies and objectives, foster a dialogue with the community and region, review existing service and performance standards, examine the existing four -phased approach to a grid transit network, and address the financial solutions required. Public Outreach as of today: 5 public open houses 4 PSD open houses 26 stakeholder briefings/interviews Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2009 Three phases to address build -out: Phase 1: Modest growth Phase 2: Transition to grid network and regional service Phase 3: Full Grid network and additional regional service Financial Planning: Detailed plans for each phase Financial Advisory Committee FAC will meet biweekly for 6 months to develop a funding recommendation Page 5 Two costs: Operations & Maintenance and Capital. There is +/-$11 million dollar shortfall to fund the build -out. Spike in capital expenditures in 2012 and 2013 is due to expansion of maintenance facilities. Sister Agency Comparison: Fort Collins Operating Budget $8,559,712 Eugene, OR $32,636,090 March 26 — Financial Advisory Committee Recommendation April — Presentations at Boards and Commissions Public Open house on April 9 at CSU Transit Center April 15 — Transportation Board for recommendation May — Council on the 19`h Lund: This is all bus oriented. Is there an option for light rail? Ravenschlag: Rail would occur beyond the 5 — 7 year time frame we are projecting. We are looking for connectivity in the near -term. Lund: A lot of students utilize Transfort. We also subsidize school buses through taxes. Are we looking to shift students to Transfort? Ravenschlag: That was one premise we decided to examine. The purpose of this study is to examine redundancies and how service can be provided more efficiently. There is a significant high school population that can use public transportation. Students can ride them now, but the issue is whether the School District can/should pay us for it. We can't provide student only service. YanTatenhove: Students ride for free, subsidized by The Bohemian Foundation. Ravenschlag: There is a lot to consider with what money can be used for what. We want to reduce redundancy of service. Duvall: Why is there such a shortfall of funding in Fort Collins and not Loveland? Ravenschlag: Fort Collins offers more service, which costs more. Robert: Would you be serving Timnath? Ravenschlag: They can access it at the Harmony Transfer. Jackson: The developer at the Stoner project is talking about developing an internal system. York: I read about expansion of the south maintenance facility. Can you expand? Ravenschlag: We received some funding in the Stimulus Package to replace aging buses. In 2012 and 2013, the south maintenance facility would need to be expanded. There is a new south transit center planned to replace the one currently at The Square. It will be south of Harmony Road near Woodley's Fine Furniture where the Mason Trail parking area is. Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2009 7. ACTION ITEMS Page 6 a. Update — BFO Feedback to Council - Jackson Jackson: This is the only Action Item for tonight. I also want to discuss the upcoming Council Work Sessions and our falling revenues. We have a better idea of our financial situation. Thirdly, Governor Ritter signed the FASTER bill. The Board will be asked to provide feedback through Budgeting for Outcomes three times. Offers are made by Staff, Results Teams review them and recommend which offers (services) should be purchased with the funds allocated to their team (the Drilling Platforms). The Budget Lead Team reviews the Drilling Platforms and makes the final decision. Offers not purchased go away. Transportation revenues are severely depressed. All indications say that the gas tax will not return to previous levels. You will have three formal opportunities to provide feedback to Council. Tonight we will look at the Results Teams and evaluate if they work. They want comments about the Outcomes that affect the Board. After initial offers are received by the Results Teams, you will have an opportunity to provide feedback. Finally, after the Preliminary Drilling Platform is issued you will review it and provide feedback. Theoretically, if an offer falls below the funding line there is a stop doing order and the services go away. There will be a Boards & Commissions outreach in the May timeframe where you can talk to each Results Team. Dedicated funding can only be re -allocated to other uses by citizen vote (i.e. '/4 cent sales tax for Pavement Management). Transfort received $2.6 million dollars in the Stimulus Package. They will replace part of their fleet with it. Fort Collins is not on the list to receive money in the first wave of CDOT funding. We are on the list for the second and third waves. There is a small amount of local funds ($2.2 million) managed by the MPO for distribution. Fort Collins did not receive any of it. Governor Ritter's FASTER bill — Fort Collins will get $800,000 per year beginning in 2010 ($220,000 in 2009). Transportation is facing a $4.6 million dollar revenue shortfall in 2009. We exhausted our undesignated reserve funds at the end of 2008. Even the Y-cent sales tax designated for Pavement Management isn't coming in because people aren't spending money. We are under a hiring freeze and are identifying and evaluating areas for cuts and savings. Results Team Maps: Seven teams. Each team constructs a result map that is given to staff to use to create their offers. Your task is to determine if the maps are relevant, if the scope should be changed, and weigh in on Transportation (i.e. cross -over). Page 7 Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2009 Board Suggestions: Add something about reducing vehicle miles traveled. Include our Mission Statement more explicitly in the Transportation Results Team map. What is the City's position on the relevance of Transportation? We are the mobility foundation for all of the other Results. Allow Transportation issues to fall under other Results Teams. Robert: I move that the Transportation Board provide feedback to the City Council incorporating Importance of Transportation, inclusion of our Mission Statement, and allow Transportation issues to fall under other Results. VanTatenhove: Second. Passed unanimously. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS VanTatenhove: Rode with Saint in the St. Patrick's Day parade. One question asked of the candidates was "How would you go about a dedicated funding tax for Transportation?" All of the candidates see it as a top issue. Jenkins: The first Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting is next week. Duvall: Enjoying riding the bus and the changes to the routes. There wasn't enough information on the buses about the route changes. Some people were caught off guard. The changes are good. Lund: Nothing. Robert: The new routes are good. I'm going to get educated about how bus stop locations are selected. There isn't any information at the stops about departure times, etc. Steen: Several bus stops have nothing but a pole, while others have shelters and benches. It seems that we should provide that kind of incentive to riders. Thomas: I am on the Finance Task Force for the Transit Strategic Study. We are coming up with recommendations. Our final meeting is next week. Property tax is off the table. . 9. STAFF REPORTS — Mark Jackson The Mason Corridor was included in the President's budget and received S 11.19 million dollars for fiscal year 2009. It will fund design and initial construction. Larry Schneider, Streets Superintendent is involved as far as Operation and Maintenance (sweeping, snow plowing, etc.). Robert: What if we don't get any more funding? Jackson: We will look at phasing, options, alternative design, etc. The West Harmony Road Improvement Project is underway. Stay away from Taft Hill Road to Seneca. It is a temporary inconvenience for long-term gain. The project will be complete mid- to late - summer. I got really good feedback from you on our "theme nights." Larry Schneider will host a Streets Night at the Streets facility in October. Robert: What are they doing with the sand and salt? It hasn't snowed... Jackson: It is in storage. The sand and salt are in the new sand and salt facility. The liquids are in the tanks. 10. OTHER BUSINESS None. Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2009 11. ADJOURN The meeting adjoumed at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, PQccAW Polly 13�6nett Executive Administrative Assistant Planning, Development, & Transportation Page 8 City. ®� Planning, Development & Transportation ForCollinsTransportation Planning 8 Special Protects 250 North Mason Street P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580 970.224.6058 970.221.6239 - fax fcgov. com/transportation Name Address Email 0 I 4 Apk.