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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 04/15/2009MEETING MINUTES of the TRANSPORTATION BOARD April 15, 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 224-4864 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 Shane Miller Sara Frazier Sid Simonson ABSENT: Kip McCauley Councilmember Wade Troxell CITY STAFF PRESENT: Kathleen Bracke, Transportation Planning Director, 224.6140 Polly Bennett, PDT Executive Administrative Assistant, 221.6601 Erika Keeton, Street Maintenance Engineer, 221.6605, ext. 7392 Jennifer Petrik, Transportation Planner, 416.2471 Kurt Ravenschlag, Assistant General Manager, Transfort, 221.6386 Marlys Sittner, General Manager, Transfort, 416.2113 Matt Wempe, Transportation Planner, 416.2040 - Scott Weeks, Senior Transportation Planner, 416.2643 Nicole Hahn, Transit Planner, 224.6195 OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE Dan Gould Tim Johnson CALL TO ORDER Chair Thomas called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. with a quorum present. 2. AGENDA REVIEW The Agenda was accepted as is. Kathleen Bracke introduced their new Senior Transportation Planner, Scott Weeks. Scott is working on the Transit Strategic Plan, The River District projects, and grant writing. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (March 2009) Steen moved to accept the minutes. Lund seconded. Passed unanimously. 5. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Wade Troxell, Council Liaison did not attend. Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 April 15, 2009 6. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE —Bill Jenkins a. The committee meets the second Monday each month. Dan Gould was appointed Chair. There was discussion about Board protocol. Members were encouraged to take the Boards & Commissions class. DK gave a presentation on FC Bikes. Discussion ensued surround financing for the program. The Committee will provide input for DK to use in pursuing CMAQ funding. b. Safe Routes to School — huge success today! All schools experienced an increase in participation over last year. Robert: Did you discuss the State Legislature's bill about motor vehicle operators staying 3 feet away from bikes? Jenkins: No. that did not come up. Robert: Bikers need to have a real bike lane, not a 6" strip from the dirt shoulder. I suggested to Rep. Bacon that we require by law, a minimum 2' bike lane. 7. ACTION ITEMS a. Transit Strategic Plan — Kurt Ravenschlag Chair Thomas explained that although his name is on the financial report, he was not signing on behalf of the Transportation Board. Ravenschlag: We put this as an Action Item in case you want to weigh in on the Financial aspect. Phase 1 shows the impacts to Poudre School District. We conducted an analysis so they could see how they can utilize our system. Phase 1 shows a modest increase over the existing situation. Phase 2 shows a greater increase over existing, with service extended to a large number of students. Thomas: What percentage of students who could ride, will actually get on the bus? Ravenschlag: We will pursue marketing efforts to get students to ride, including the possibility of having student ambassadors. Lund: Was the analysis put together based on schools of choice or on neighborhood schools? Ravenschlag: It was based on attendance boundaries. The District put together a school of choice busing committee to examine potential ridership. This study is to investigate the option for PRA . Miller: Would the students pay for their rides and/or would PSD contribute to the expense? Ravenschlag: There could be cost sharing opportunities. Phase 3 shows similar increases. It isn't as much expanding coverage, as adjusting frequency and service hours. Robert: Do these figures consider four grade high schools? Ravenschlag: Yes. It included 91h grade. Detailed financial plans for each phase were developed and a Citizen committee was formed. Their recommendations are included in your packet. Operating and Maintenance expenses were broken out by participants. There is an $11.6 million dollar shortfall in Fort Collins based on a plan for 2015. Loveland shows a $7.1 million dollar shortfall. The Citizen Committee was tasked with exploring potential solutions. Increasing frequencies requires additional buses. Miller: When you add a bus due to increased frequency, how much of the cost is payroll? Ravenschlag: Approximately 65%. Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 April 15, 2009 We receive Federal funding, which was included in revenue projections. Buses increase from 23 existing to 27 in Phase I, 38 in Phase II, and 41 in Phase III. "The purpose of the Citizen Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) is to develop as set of funding recommendations that will, in turn, enable the operational recommendations to be implemented." The recommendation includes: 1) Immediate creation of a Regional Service Authority. 2) Increase funding for Phase III implementation with the following sources: Maintenance of effort; fares, general sales tax, Transit utility fee, negotiated agreements, Special Improvement Districts. Lund: Why should taxpayers pay a Transit utility fee if they don't use the service? Ravenschlag: It is a service that benefits the entire community. Miller: Why does electricity usage contribute to an increase in the fee? Ravenschlag: It could be a flat fee, a scaled fee (flat for residences, scaled for businesses based on trip generation). It is similar to an excise tax. New negotiated agreements with Front Range Community College, Poudre Valley Hospital, etc. were explored. Robert: Was the'/ -cent sales tax investigated base on other Transportation -related needs? Ravenschlag: It was based on the shortfall in funding. Thomas: We referenced the potential for combining with other Transportation efforts. Jenkins: Was there any consideration of private entity involvement? Ravenschlag: We discussed the possibility of service for HP, for example, where they would pay for the service. VanTatenhove: The concept of renegotiating an agreement while considering tax increment financing is odd. Robert: Did the Committee also consider options for Loveland? Thomas: It is combined in these results, but is broken out by City in the full report. It meets the shortfall for Fort Collins and comes very close for Loveland. Why a Regional Service Authority? It meets the Partner's objectives. A Service Authority is just that — it provides a service. It avoids confusion with other regional transportation infrastructure efforts. Each entity provides its own funding and contracts with the RSA to provide transit service at a desired level. It can be designed so additional jurisdictions can join. Miller: What authority would a RSA have? Ravenschlag: It would have specific authority regarding Boards, etc. The Board would have members from the Communities it serves, hopefully from the Mayors/Councils of those communities. Most likely, there would be a feasibility study about how this would actually happen. A community split by a county boundary could participate. VanTatenhove: Does Poudre School District stand to become a member? Ravenschlag: Yes. VanTatenhove: What about private entities? Ravenschlag: If they desire a higher level of service they could. Thomas: I believe it has to be a government organization. This can be established without a tax increase and the money comes from the Communities/organizations buying service. Regular Meeting Minutes April 15, 2009 Page 4 Ravenschlag: The Authority is established and contracts with Transfort to provide the service. Communities contract with them to purchase service through an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). Steen: Does the RSA have the ability to leverage anything with the MPO regarding funding? Ravenschlag: It would allow us to better leverage state and federal funding. The RSA would be a designated recipient for federal funding. Miller: The benefit is that you have an administrative organization that provides services, has economy of services, and makes them eligible for funding that they otherwise might not be eligible to receive. Ravenschlag: Correct. Robert: I read in the AIS that we are looking at an update to the Transit Strategic Plan. Are we putting an RSA under that? Is the Transfort Strategic Plan a separate entity? Ravenschlag: The recommendation under an RSA is that Transfort and Colt would become the providers. Steen: Does the Transit Strategic Plan replace the Transfort Strategic Plan? Ravenschlag: The Transit Strategic Plan includes Fort Collins, Loveland, and Poudre R-1 and would be the Transit Plan tied to CityPlan. Thomas: The question before the Board tonight is if we want to send forth a recommendation to Council. We've seen the maps and phases and the Financial Plan. VanTatenhove: I think it is an innovative look at Transportation that fits with the goals of our Board. It pushes Transportation forward as a Utility. Ravenschlag.- We are going to Council for final adoption on July 7. Lund: Our purview is to look at Fort Collins. We are being asked to endorse the Plan in full, but we don't have any details. How much is subsidized, and how much is paid by the riders? I don't see that here. Fee paying passengers is approximately 12%; existing negotiated agreements are approximately 20%. It is consistent with other towns. Steen: Are the funding options similar to other comparable cities and towns? Ravenschlag: Ours is more creative. Others are based on sales tax, property tax, and payroll tax. We are offering a package of solutions. Robert: If we do nothing, what is the negative? Could our input say we encourage serious consideration? Thomas: Council wouldn't have our input if we say nothing. Miller: In the past we've looked at things like this and have had further discussion to ensure that it reflects various concerns. Perhaps that is the way to approach it. Jenkins: I think we should recommend that this go in front of Council for consideration. VanTatenhove: I remember Senator Salazar saying that we need these entities if we want to go for Federal funding. Miller: It makes sense for us to have some input at this stage, but we haven't seen the benefits part of the presentation. Duvall: I like the idea, but question how to input it in real life. Frazier: The area has not been receptive to other similar proposals (RTA) but this one gives options. Thomas: We can keep going with the benefits part of the presentation if you want. Board agreed to continue the presentation. Economic Benefits: • Investment in infrastructure generates huge benefits. For every $10 million invested in capital, you will see a $30 - $32 million return on investment. Regular Meeting Minutes April 15, 2009 Page 5 • Creates and sustains employment; enhances personal economic opportunity and saves individuals money; boosts real estate values; stimulates development and redevelopment; fosters more livable communities. • Transit use saves fuel, reduces carbon emissions. • Benefits to seniors who do not drive and low-income individuals. • Reduction in the investment required for expansion of streets, because capacity increases without widening streets. • Traffic congestion is reduced. The demand for Transit Service is projected to more than double in next 10 years. Robert: I move that the Transportation Board will send a letter to Council that supports the direction being taken by the Transit Strategic Plan including the concepts of the Financial Advisory Committee, and that the letter will include the issues and questions raised in tonight's presentation and discussion. Simonson: Second. The motion passed unanimously. 8. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Cone Zone Update — Erika Keeton, Street Maintenance Program Manager The Cone Zone map illustrates major traffic impact project for all entities (development projects, utility projects, Larimer County, City projects) Information is found through a link on the City's main web page. www.fc2ov.com/Conezones There is a map with numbers that refer to the spreadsheet that outlines each project, the responsible agency, the project manager, start and end dates, street closure dates, and traffic impacts. The FCTrip site (www.fcgov.com/fctLp) shows real-time information. Camera views update every 5 minutes. Project information is also shown on the map. A number of major projects are underway and/or scheduled, including quick Hot -in -Place projects, work on the Mason Trail, complete reconstruction projects, a joint capital project/reconstruction on West Drake near Overland Trail, overlay projects, utilities installations warranty work on the South College Bike Lanes, and complete reconstruction projects. Jenkins: What is happening on Howes near the Post Office? Keeton: We are working toward LaPorte Avenue and will be at Oak Street in the next couple of weeks. It isn't a complete reconstruction. Lund: Shields to Seneca — is that still on schedule for completion at the end of next month? Keeton: Yes, it is still on schedule to the end of May. Migchelbrink: The Mason & Howes conversions to two-way will be impactful projects. Thomas: It appears that there are parallel streets being worked on which is a nightmare for the public if they happen simultaneously. Keeton: We work with Traffic Operations to schedule projects with the least inconvenience possible. Migehelbrink: With the Stimulus money flowing to pavement projects, they have to be completed in a short time period. We have no control over some of the scheduling, but do our best to reduce inconvenience based on getting the best costs for projects. You will see paving underway everywhere this summer and fall. b. North College Improvement Project — Jennifer Petrik, Transportation Planner The project encompasses Vine Drive to the Hickory/Conifer intersection. Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 April 15, 2009 • Creates a positive first impression from the north • Commercial corridor • Pass -through corridor for commuters • Stop for travelers seeking food, lodging, and shopping • North outbound Colorado Scenic Byway • Improves safety The project provides a gateway to Fort Collins from the north and meets all required project elements including bringing the road to current arterial standards. There is high pedestrian and bicycle usage, and a lack of Stormwater facilities in the area. Phase I was Jefferson Street to Vine Drive. Phase II will begin construction in 2011 with a phased implementation plan to upgrade the image of the North College corridor. The total project estimate is $13 - $17 million. There is currently a funding gap of $7.4 - $11.4 million. Two more open houses coming up on May 21 and July 8. There are many opportunities for public involvement and input. The website is www.fcaov.com/northcoiiege 9. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Frazier: The UniverCity Connections Transit Mobility Group is reaching out to the community, asking for help in understanding the experiences that citizens and visitors have when yisiting the Downtown area. There are areas outlined on the map in a handout where you can provide insights and input. If you are interested in participating, see Sara for a map of your area of interest. Simonson: The NFCBA is chomping at the bit to have the North College Improvements underway. My bus stop was removed (Route 6) at Dunbar and Drake. I volunteer for RamRide and was stunned at the volume they are having. It keeps people off the streets. VanTatenhove: I was part of the Fort Collins Music Experiment last weekend...12 venues, 107 bands over two nights. We had a shuttle service to transport people from venue to venue. It was a success — sold out everywhere. Miller: There is a presentation on Transportation at the Lincoln Center tomorrow with Betsy Markey moderating. Do we have any involvement on whether another Taxi service comes to the area? Thomas: We can't obligate the City Council by writing to the PUC, as that is outside our purview. Kathleen will investigate having someone talk to the Board. Duvall: There is a need for trash cans at many bus stops (Horsetooth & Taft Hill, for example). Steen: A new study shows that only 1 out of 4 drivers is uninsured. Thomas: The Loveland Transportation Board took a firm position on the McWhinney request to divert $12 million dollars from the I-25 intersection because of safety concerns. The Crossroads interchange will be improved. 10. STAFF REPORTS — Kathleen Bracke for Mark Jackson Mason Corridor Update — We are moving ahead with the project. Mason and Howes Streets will be converted back to 2-way streets; Howes is happening in June, Mason in July. We are doing that early to get the public used to it before the Mason Corridor project is completed. Community Scorecard — This document covers areas identified by Council during the Budgeting for Outcomes process. The Transportation section begins on Page 27. It shows that while our programs are doing well, our resources are declining. The information coming out of this report from the community echoes the issues of concern to this Board. Regular MeetingWinutes April 15, 2009 10. OTHER BUSINESS None. 11. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Polly Bedfi6tt Executive Administrative Assistant Planning, Development & Transportation Page 7