HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Advisory Commission - Minutes - 02/15/20121
Minutes
City of Fort Collins
Economic Advisory Commission
Regular Meeting
300 LaPorte Ave
City Hall
February 15, 2012
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
For Reference:
Bill Timpson, Chair 493-3673
Council Liaison Wade Troxell
Josh Birks, Staff Liaison 416-6324
Wendy Bricher, Minutes 221-6506
Commission members present: Commission members absent:
Blue Hovatter Jim Clark
Christophe Febvre Sam Solt
Michael Kulisheck Stu MacMillan
Bill Timpson
Rick Price
Channing Arndt
Guests:
Ann Hutchison, FC Chamber of Commerce
Dale Adamy
Eric Sutherland
Staff Present:
Megan Bolin, City Planner
Wendy Bricher, Minutes
Lindsay Ex, Environmental Planner
Kathleen Bracke, Director of Transportation Planning
Randy Hensely, Parking Services Manager
Timothy Wilder, Sr. City Planner
Agenda Item 1: Meeting called to order
Meeting called to order at 11:02 a.m.
Agenda Item 2: Approval of Minutes
Unanimous approval of minutes dated 1/18/12
Agenda Item 3: Public Comment
Eric Sutherland expressed his continuing concern with the financing of RMI2. He believes the memo
released regarding this issue is deficient and does not address his primary concern – that this project was a
giveaway. He stated four million dollars was approved for this project when in his opinion, would have
been sufficient at one million.
Financial Services
300 LaPorte Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6505
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
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Agenda Item 4: Follow-up Discussion Regarding Previous Meetings
Rick Price presented his Bike Survey results to the EAC and a ppt presentation was presented for review.
He indicated that 536 people completed the survey with the majority coming from current bike riding
enthusiasts or participants. Christophe commented that he was surprised by the safety results. Rick
reminded him of the survey demographic who responded to the survey. Mike Kulisheck commented that
it is often that priorities change when a dollar amount is attached. Rick Price will draft a recommendation
motion for EAC to review at the March meeting.
Megan Bolin and Lindsay Ex provided an update regarding PDOD. On January 31, Council asked for
additional outreach before finalizing the new recommendation. EAC reviewed the original draft in
January and will further review the updated draft in April or May after the outreach process is complete
and make a formal recommendation at that time.
Agenda Item 5: Member Updates/Future Agenda Items Discussion
Megan Bolin stated that the Economic Strategic Plan Open House was a success and provided good
feedback to the consultants. A revised draft will be available for EAC review in the next few weeks.
Rick Price commented that one of the comments at the open house was that Fort Collins is not a “business
friendly” city. He stated that this seems to be a “left over” statement from years’ back and that it is no
longer the case. The EAC agreed to be attentive to this feedback and work to “debunk” those statements
if necessary.
Councilmember Ohlson stopped in to observe the EAC meeting. EAC members asked him to comment
on a few items including the Economic Health Strategic Plan, BFO public involvement, and EAC
recommendations to Council. He commented that he would like to see additional changes to the draft
Economic Strategic Plan as he sees the current version more of an “Austin” approach vs. a City of Fort
Collins approach. For BFO, he commented that the first four years were “crisis” mode and we focused
more on inputs vs. outputs. The 2013/2014 BFO cycle will include more citizen feedback (with a citizen
on each Results Team) and will focus more on “outputs” vs. inputs. As far as feedback/recommendations
given to Council, he would like to see more ideas/tweeks vs. just approval/disapproval of projects and or
ideas coming before Council. Bill Timpson also asked about his concern for Poverty in Fort Collins.
Councilmember Ohlson commented that we are moving toward the “triple bottom line” approach, but that
many of those types of services are already provided by the State, County, and Federal Government. It
was also noted that future revenue streams need to be more diverse.
Agenda Item 6: Annual Elections
Bill Timpson has been re-elected for the 2012 term as Chair. Blue Hovatter has been re-elected for the
2012 term as Vice-Chair.
Agenda Item 7: Economic Health Strategic Plan – Homework Review
Postponed until March.
Agenda Item 8: Parking Plan Update
Timothy Wilder, Sr. City Planner, and Randy Hensley, Parking Services Manager, presented the Parking
Plan Overview including why we need a new parking plan, the proposed policy and strategic direction,
and key parking issues. At the current time, the City is operating well, but we are not prepared for future
demand. Some items of discussion included public/private partnerships, funding issues, integration, end
of trip destination, and pricing. Questions were raised (and answered) regarding current garage
occupancy rates, value of downtown parking spaces, and upside down pricing; currently we are
incentivizing people to avoid garages and park on street.
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After careful consideration and discussion after the presentation, the EAC made the following
recommendation to the Fort Collins City Council.
Christophe Febvre moved and Blue Hovatter seconded the following motion:
The Fort Collins Economic Advisory Commission feels that parking in downtown Fort Collins
has significant and direct impacts on the economic vitality of this important economic district.
The Fort Collins Parking Plan has good recommendations, and the EAC generally supports the
plan. Nevertheless, the Plan document would be improved if an economic analysis statement
were added. The statement should highlight the short and long term economic risks associated
with the status quo and the opportunities created by the implementation of a sensible plan. As
with all city policies, attention to the impact on the “triple bottom line” of economic,
environmental, and social well-being is important.
Motion passed 6-0
Agenda Item 9: Jefferson Street Project Update
Kathleen Bracke, Director of Transportation and Special Projects, presented an overview of the Jefferson
Street Project, primarily the sections between College Avenue on the west and Lincoln on the East.
Several options have been considered and included two lanes with bike lanes and parking, three lanes
with bike lanes and parking, and three lanes with a median and parking. The original plan recommended
a two-lane, but has since been revised to a three lane with medians following further discussions with
CDOT and various other entities. In addition, the intersection at Mountain and Jefferson will be
addressed. Current considerations include a roundabout or a signalized option with the costs estimated at
4.3 million and 2.7 million, respectively. The goals of the project are to calm traffic, increase safety, and
create better air quality. After discussion, the Economic Advisory Commission generally agreed with the
option that includes the median and parking as the safest choice. In addition, after discussing return of
investment, gateway considerations, traffic flow, and traffic calming, the Economic Advisory
Commission also supported the roundabout as first choice for the intersection at Mountain and Jefferson.
Staff will be seeking various funding sources and will make recommendations for the engineering phase
to move forward in 2012/2013 with construction beginning 2015 +.
The following email copies are included as an addendum to the minutes as public record:
From: Wendy Bricher
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 10:46 AM
To: Bill Timpson; Blue Hovatter; Bricher, Wendy; Bruce Hendee; Channing Arndt; Christophe Febvre;
Emily Wilson; Jim Clark; Josh Birks; Kane, Sarah; Michael Kulisheck; Rick Price; Sam Solt; Stuart
MacMillan; Wade Troxell
Subject: FW: Revisiting Jefferson Street
Good morning EAC,
I will be including the following email in the minutes as an addendum. To date, the EAC has not
weighed in as to whether they with to change their original recommendation of the 3-lanes, median, street
parking option. Thank you.
Wendy
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From: Rick Price [mailto:rick@experienceplus.com]
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 9:48 AM
To: Timpson,William
Cc: Wendy Bricher; Channing Arndt; Christophe Febvre; mike@kulisheck.com; Blue Hovatter; Bruce
Hendee; Emily Wilson; Jim Clark; Josh Birks; Sarah Kane; Sam Solt; Stuart MacMillan; Wade Troxell;
jkefalashd52@frii.com
Subject: Revisiting Jefferson Street
Importance: High
William Timpson
Chair, Economic Advisory Commission
Bill,
I don’t recall what direct action we took on the Jefferson Street project on Wednesday. Perhaps Wendy
can help clarify that when she sends out the minutes. But I’ve thought about this project and would like
to ask that we reconsider our position. I mention this specifically with respect your comments about the
road diet on LaPorte Avenue that took it from four lanes to two lanes with a center turn lane.
We were told by our transportation planners that since Jefferson St. is a state highway, they have to
accommodate the requirements of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). We were further
told that even though City staff had suggested reducing Jefferson St. to two lanes, CDOT, opposed that
solution. This left our transportation planners in a position to compromise with three or four lanes while
trying to figure out how to make it safe for both pedestrians and bicycles.
As you know, I expressed concern about the safety of cyclists on the new three-lane design. But having
thought more about this I’d like to see EAC take the position that a two-lane street is the optimum
solution on Jefferson. This would allow an ample median as a pedestrian refuge and to calm traffic. It
would also allow bike lanes in both directions all along here.
We are told that traffic counts are low here (13,000 per day) and are projected to increase only to
17,000/day. So traffic flow is not an issue.
At issue, it seems to me, is Colorado Revised Statute 43-1-120 sponsored by our own state representatives
Kefalas and Fischer and our State Senator Bob Bacon in 2010. I’ve reproduced the statute below and I’ve
highlighted the critical language that applies to this street.
The bottom line is, CDOT is required to accommodate all users on this street. It seems to me that of all
state highways in the state, Jefferson Street qualifies for serious consideration under this statute. If a two
lane street accommodates all users safely, enhances the economy of Fort Collins and of Old Town,
contributes to the economic redevelopment of the River District and does so without slowing or impeding
traffic or the carrying capacity of this state highway, CDOT is required to make the proper adjustments
recommended by the City of Fort Collins.
How can we get this into Council’s packet for their work session for Feb. 28th?
Colorado Revised Statutes
Legislation adopted in 2010 and based on House Bill 10-1147 sponsored by Rep. John Kefalas, Rep.
Randy Fischer, and Senator Bob Bacon
43-1-120. Bicycle and pedestrian policy - codification - legislative declaration.
(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
(a) It is in the best interest of all Coloradans to promote transportation mode choice by enhancing
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safety and mobility for bicyclists and pedestrians on or along the state highway system;
(b) The department has adopted a bike and pedestrian policy directive to further this goal; and
(c) It is necessary and appropriate to elevate the status of the bike and pedestrian policy of the department
to that of law by codifying it in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) (a) The department and its subdivisions shall provide transportation infrastructure that
accommodates bicycle and pedestrian use of public streets in a manner that is safe and reliable for
all users of public streets.
(b) The needs of bicyclists and pedestrians shall be included in the planning, design, and operation
of transportation facilities as a matter of routine.
(c) Any decision of the department to not accommodate the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians
shall be documented based on exemption criteria that were established by the commission before
the decision was made.
Source: L. 2010: Entire section added, (HB 10-1147), ch. 422, p. 2185, § 2, effective July 1.
Rick Price, Ph.D.
Meeting adjourned at 1:28 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled on March 21, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
CIC Room, City Hall