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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 10/19/20161 MINUTES of the CITY OF FORT COLLINS TRANSPORTATION BOARD October 19, 2016 6:00 p.m. Community Room 215 North Mason Street Fort Collins, CO FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Eric Shenk Vice Chair: Annabelle Berklund Staff Liaison: Paul Sizemore 970.224-6140 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Eric Shenk, Chair Annabelle Berklund, Vice Chair Gary Thomas York Pat Jordan Olga Duvall ABSENT: Councilmember Ross Cunniff Cari Brown Tim Sutton Nancy Nichols Dot Dickerson Joe Olson Martina Wilkinson Tim Kemp David Hansen Jason Holland PUBLIC PRESENT: None 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Shenk called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. AGENDA REVIEW Sizemore stated there were no changes to the published agenda. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Thomas made a motion, seconded by Jordan, to adopt the September 2016 minutes as presented. The minutes were adopted unanimously. 5. COUNCIL LIAISON Councilmember Cunniff was unable to attend. 2 6. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT - York York stated the Committee reviewed the Long View Trail proposal, the cyclist’s three-feet enforcement technology being considered by the Fort Collins Police Department, the proposed Shields and Elizabeth underpass, the nationwide Big Jump program to increase bicycle ridership, and the Zagster bike share program. Additionally, the Committee recommended support of CSU’s Travel Safety Program for incoming students. 7. DISCUSSION/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS • Ensuring Equity in Safe Routes to School – Nancy Nichols/Dot Dickerson Nancy Nichols, Safe Routes to School coordinator, reviewed the history of the Safe Routes to School program and stated the program’s goal is to get 50% of K-12 kids walking or biking to school. Nichols and Dot Dickerson, Bike Fort Collins, discussed the Safe Routes to School program as a whole, including its partnerships and educational efforts. Nichols reviewed the current budget offer related to creating equity in the Safe Routes program. Three tactics are employed to ensure equity: saturation, empowerment, and meeting kids where they are. She went on to detail the school bike programs in terms of education, recreation, and necessary adaptive equipment. Jordan asked if staff has considered involving the Foster Grandparent program involved. Nichols replied in the negative but stated they have attempted to get the Retired Senior Volunteer Program involved. Berklund suggested a “Bike Day” which would involve biking rather than class during the day. • Congestion Management – Olson/Wilkinson Joe Olson, Traffic Operations, stated congestion is defined in reference to travel time and delay. Martina Wilkinson, Traffic Operations, discussed the more subjective measure of congestion which has to do with community perceptions. Residents in a citizen survey identified traffic and transportation as what should be top community priorities. Congestion impacts include driver frustration, quality of life issues, and safety risks. Olson noted data shows vehicle miles travelled per capita has actually decreased; however, the total overall vehicle miles travelled is higher. Wilkinson stated her staff is often asked how Fort Collins’ congestion compares to other communities and discussed those data points. Jordan asked if the City has considered discussing employee release time staggering among the area’s large employers. Olson replied in the affirmative and stated that is one potential strategy for reducing congestion. Wilkinson discussed on-going congestion mitigation efforts such as incident management, updating of signal and corridor plans, and addressing construction spot locations. 3 Thomas asked if staff is working with the State Patrol regarding incident management and their techniques for accident removal along I-25. Olson replied in the affirmative and stated staff is working with the I-25 Incident Management Group. Olson discussed the adaptive signal system which is currently in the City Manager’s recommended budget. Wilkinson discussed travel demand management and Sizemore stated there is an offer in this budget for a “trip reduction and efficiency” program; however, it is currently not recommended for funding. Olson discussed the impacts of construction on congestion over the last two years. Lane rentals for construction and limited work hours are being considered. York discussed the impacts of congestion on modes of transportation other than personal motor vehicles. Olson concurred that is a consideration and noted bus routes along Plum going through Shields are being addressed in terms of congestion. York suggested the inclusion of other modes in congestion data. (**Secretary’s Note: The Board took a brief recess at this point in the meeting.) 8. ACTION ITEMS • Shields and Elizabeth Underpass – Kemp/Hansen Tim Kemp, Engineering, stated this is an infrastructure improvement project which has resulted from the IGA between the City and CSU. He discussed the growth and higher density in the West Elizabeth corridor. David Hansen, Colorado State University, discussed the West Elizabeth Enhanced Travel Corridor Plan and the University’s feasibility study and public involvement efforts. He detailed the specific proposal for the underpass and stated it is planned to be built in three phases. Kemp noted the development is going through a voluntary site plan advisory review process. The construction schedule is dependent upon right-of-way acquisition, which is being handled by CSU, and construction is scheduled to begin in mid-December. There will likely be a 4 to 5 week full closure of Shields just south of Elizabeth for construction purposes. The City does not have any role in funding the project other than staff time. York asked how drainage and alternative access when the tunnel is not available will be handled. Kemp replied this is in a floodplain area and the area also has high ground water. There will be a pit in the tunnel with two pumps designed to handle a ten-year rain event. Additionally, there are slight up ramps on both ends of the tunnel. The street or sidewalk would be used in the event of a tunnel closure. York asked about the relocation of the Art in Public Places pieces in the area. Kemp replied they will be relocated; however, specific plans are not yet in place. Thomas made a motion, seconded by Jordan, that the Transportation Board support the plan as presented and incorporate the Bicycle Advisory Committee letter in its recommendation. The motion was adopted unanimously. 4 9. REPORTS • Boardmember Reports York asked if there is any new data on the bicycle and pedestrian counts. Sizemore replied that information is being compiled and the Board will receive a presentation likely in December. Chair Shenk reported on his experience leading a bicycling group for one of the local schools. Duvall reported on a community emergency preparedness event being held Saturday with Volunteers of America and the Red Cross at the Drake Centre. • Staff Report Sizemore reported the West Elizabeth Enhanced Travel Corridor Plan was unanimously adopted by Council. He announced the annual Boards and Commissions appreciation dinner on November 2nd and the Commission on Disability’s Mayor’s award event tomorrow. Sizemore also noted the Board has one current opening and will have two additional openings in January. 10. OTHER BUSINESS None. 11. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m. by unanimous consent.