HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 05/20/20151
MINUTES
of the
CITY OF FORT COLLINS TRANSPORTATION BOARD
May 20, 2015
6:00 p.m.
Community Room
215 North Mason Street, Fort Collins, CO 80521
FOR REFERENCE:
Chair: Olga Duvall
Vice Chair: Eric Shenk
Staff Liaison: Paul Sizemore 970.224.6140
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Olga Duvall, Chair
Gary Thomas
Pat Jordan
Annabelle Berklund
York
Sid Simonson
ABSENT:
Boardmember Kevin O’Toole
Boardmember Eric Shenk
Boardmember Greg Oakes
Councilmember Ross Cunniff
Paul Sizemore, FC Moves
Emma Belmont, Transfort
Amy Lewin, FC Moves
Kyle Lambrecht, Engineering
Joe Olson, City Traffic Engineer
Dan Weinheimer, Policy and Project
Manager
Dean Klingner, Engineering
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Marilee Boylan, The ARC of Larimer
County
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Duvall called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm with a quorum. She thanked FoCo
Café for providing dinner to the Board.
2. AGENDA REVIEW
Sizemore stated the agenda stands as written.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Marilee Boylen identified herself and expressed interest in the Board’s discussions.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Jordan made a motion, seconded by Thomas, to accept the April 2015 Board minutes. The
minutes were approved unanimously.
5. COUNCIL LIAISON
Councilmember Cunniff was unable to attend.
6. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT – Greg Oakes
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Boardmember Oakes was unable to attend the meeting.
7. DISCUSSION/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
• Transfort Design Standards and Guidelines – Emma Belmont
Belmont stated the current design standards, adopted in 2001, no longer met ADA
accessibility guidelines and needed to be revised to provide for distribution of amenities
more evenly throughout the community. She detailed the five sections of the design
standards and discussed the procedure for bus stop upgrades and location. Belmont
went on to discuss updates to the ADA accessibility guidelines and various types of bus
stops located throughout the city. Belmont stated there are just over 500 stops located
throughout the city, only 150 of which currently meet ADA requirements.
Thomas made a motion, seconded by Jordan, that the Board write a letter in support of
the new Transfort Design Standards and Guidelines. The motion was adopted
unanimously.
• West Elizabeth Enhanced Travel Corridor Plan – Emma Belmont, Amy Lewin
Belmont stated the Mason corridor was the city’s first enhanced travel corridor, followed
by Harmony Road, which has yet to be implemented. She stated this third Plan, for
West Elizabeth, would apply to the section of road between Overland Trail and Shields
Street and she went on to discuss the upcoming aspects of the Plan, with adoption
slated for the summer of 2016.
Lewin discussed the high Transfort ridership numbers for the corridor and desire for
additional service. Additionally, she discussed issues regarding the current situation
along Elizabeth and announced future public engagement opportunities.
Jordan asked if there are plans to change the retail area in Campus West. Lewin replied
she has not yet heard of any planned changes for that area specifically.
Thomas asked if there is a possibility for other types of transit to exist on the corridor.
Belmont replied all options are available; however, there is an existing comfort with bus
infrastructure and there is a large front-end cost to trolley or light-rail type service.
Chair Duvall asked how the Transportation Board can assist with this effort. Lewin
replied the Board could aid with visioning and spreading information.
• Willow Street – Kyle Lambrecht
Lambrecht discussed the Downtown River District boundaries and development in the
area. He discussed the importance of safety, urban design and activating the land use
and went on to detail deficiencies on the Willow Street corridor. Additionally, Lambrecht
discussed the goals of maximizing on-street parking, enhancing multi-modal facilities,
enhancing linkages to Old Town, North College Avenue, and the Poudre River, creating
a welcoming environment for existing and future land uses, incorporating urban design
and cultural/historical features, and collaborating between various entities. He also
discussed the difficulties regarding the width of the roadway and the potential for an
open water feature.
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8. ACTION ITEMS
• Train Horn Waiver – Dan Weinheimer, Joe Olson
Olson discussed the waiver request which would allow for certain intersection
improvements to be waived at seven crossings in order to pursue a quiet zone through
the downtown area. He stated the allotment of a quiet zone is based solely on crash
risk, and noted the city’s crash risk remains below the railroad’s threshold even with the
quiet zone in place. He discussed concepts for the possible intersection closures at
Myrtle, Magnolia and Old Main.
Thomas stated he opposed the plan due to the proposed intersection closures stating it
will incentivize pedestrians to cross without going to an appropriate intersection. York
stated that pedestrians are at a higher risk of being hit by a car than by a train.
Thomas also expressed concern regarding train speed.
Jordan opposed the waiver request citing safety concerns.
Simonson asked if costs have been associated with this proposal. Olson replied the
cost to close the three intersections would be several hundred thousand dollars.
York made a motion, seconded by Berklund, that the Board write a letter of support of
the train horn waiver request. The vote on the motion was as follows: Yeas: York,
Berklund and Duvall. Nays: Jordan, Simonson and Thomas.
THE MOTION FAILED.
• TIGER Grant – Vine & Lemay – Dean Klingner
Klingner stated the City is planning to submit an application for a federal TIGER grant for
the Vine and Lemay intersection and requested a letter of support from the
Transportation Board. He stated the grant would be for a total of $27 million, which
includes a $10 million City match. He discussed the constraints of the intersection and
possible realignment plans.
Simonson asked for the definition of TIGER. It was stated that the acronym stands for
Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery.
Klingner went on to detail the matching funds required by the City and stated staff is
requesting a letter of support from the Board for its grant application.
Thomas made a motion, seconded by Jordan, that the Board write a letter in support of
the TIGER grant application. The motion was adopted unanimously.
9. REPORTS
• Boardmember Reports
Jordan expressed concern regarding changes to Dial-a-Ride service, including vouchers
and cancellation policies.
Simonson stated he will attend the Colorado Capital Conference in June.
Thomas reported on a Regional Air Quality Council report to be scheduled before the
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Board. Additionally, he announced a Transportation Summit to be hosted by Weld
County Commissioners on June 15th.
Berklund stated she would like bike overpasses to be considered as opposed to
underpasses due to flooding and safety concerns.
• Staff Report
Sizemore reported Laurie Kadrich has been hired as the new Planning, Development
and Transportation Service Area Director. Additionally, he stated the Parking Services
Manager search is ongoing. He announced a new system involving a quarterly visit
between each of the service areas and City Manager Atteberry and Chief Financial
Officer Mike Beckstead. Sizemore stated Bustang service is scheduled to begin July
13th and the Harmony park and ride lot will be used for single-day parking only.
10. OTHER BUSINESS
None.
11. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. by unanimous consent.