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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 06/15/20161 MINUTES of the CITY OF FORT COLLINS TRANSPORTATION BOARD June 15, 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 Cari Brown Tim Sutton Councilmember Ross Cunniff ABSENT: Pat Jordan Olga Duvall Paul Sizemore, FC Moves Program Manager BAC MEMBERS PRESENT Ragan Adams Chris Johnson Mark Houdashelt Kathy Busch-Kincaid 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Shenk called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. AGENDA REVIEW Sizemore stated that the presenter for the Climate Action Plan item was ill an unable to attend, so that item will be postponed to a future meeting. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Thomas made a motion, seconded by Brown, to adopt the minutes as presented. The minutes were adopted unanimously (6-0). 5. COUNCIL LIAISON Councilmember Cunniff reported on the many projects currently underway in the city. He explained that City Council had been working towards greater alignment in the timing of Board work plans and the City’s Strategic Plan. He indicated that one possibility was a 2 move to a two year work plan to coincide with the two year strategic plan. 6. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT - York York reported on the meeting stating the 2016 Work Plan and goals and objectives of the Committee were discussed as were means to formalize the relationship between the Committee and the Transportation Board. 7. DISCUSSION/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS • Bicycle Advisory Committee Work Plan York reviewed the BAC Work Plan. He described the process the Committee had used to develop the plan. He stated that the original version had been much longer and included operational items, and that the Committee had spent several meetings refining the plan into a more concise list. York indicated that the BAC had used the Transportation Board Work Plan for reference, as well as the sections of City code that describe the duties of the Committee. He explained that this version of the Work Plan was intended to cover the next several months and that the Committee would soon begin work on a new plan for 2017 so that it can be provided in advance of the Transportation Board Work Plan. He stated that the intent is to align schedules with the new deadline for Board work plans. Thomas stated that the BAC had been formed years ago to help advise the Board on bicycling issues, and that they’ve performed that job well. Thomas made a motion to accept the BAC Work Plan as submitted (second by Brown). The motion was approved unanimously (6-0) • Transportation Board Periodic Council Review Shenk introduced the item and thanked the Board for their input on the questionnaire. He inquired if the Board would like to formally accept the questionnaire. York made a motion to accept the Board Periodic Report Questionnaire as presented (second by Thomas). The motion was amended to include a change from “disabled” to “people with disabilities.” The amended motion was approved unanimously (6-0). Cunniff introduced himself and explained that this meeting represented the first time this new approach to periodic reviews is being used. In the past, members of the Board would attend a City Council meeting. In this new format the questionnaire and visit from the Council Liaison is intended to allow for more dialogue and better communication. He explained that he would report to City Council on the review at the next Council meeting. He inquired whether Board members have any areas of the report that they would like to highlight or expand upon. Brown stated that she believed the meetings were run very smoothly and was impressed with the professionalism of the presentations brought before the Board. Sutton agreed with this assessment and added that he was consistently impressed with the 3 quality of the work being done by the City. He stated that he had not been sure what to expect when he joined the Board, but is confident in staff’s abilities. Thomas suggested that regarding the attendance of a Council Liaison at meetings, there were benefits to not always having the representative in attendance. He stated that in cities where the Councilmember attended every Board meeting, that person became the conduit for information and the Board was less likely to use letters to communicate important information. Thomas indicated that the letters allowed a full expression of the Board’s intent. Cunniff stated that this was the Council’s intent, to allow the boards to express their own opinions and not just reflect the opinion of Council. York discussed his interest in the relationship between the Transportation Board and the Parking Advisory Board. Cunniff indicated that there are a number of areas that cross board boundaries, and discussed the many ways the Climate Action Plan is involved in different areas of City interest. Thomas inquired what Council’s perceived impact of the Transportation Board is and whether there are efforts that the Board should focus more time on or less time on. Cunniff emphasized the importance of the Board’s independent opinion and stated that Council looks to the recommendations of the Transportation Board when making policy decisions. He stated that the letters coming from Transportation Board carry particular weight because the Board has taken the time to make a vote and also write a letter. He stated his opinion that the vote is important, but that the discussion is perhaps more important. He encouraged the Board to be proactive and to try to think of things that the Council may not have. BAC Member Adams inquired the degree to which boards should be proactive. Cunniff said that efforts should be a part of the work plan and within the charter for the board. He indicated that as long as a board is operating within its area and communicating with Council through its work plan there is flexibility. He stated that the only potential risk of being proactive is that Council may not follow that line of recommendation. York and Brown indicated that they were in favor of keeping single year work plans, in order to keep the ability to be proactive and flexible. Cunniff stated that he appreciated that feedback and would keep it in consideration as those talks progress. Chair Shenk thanked Councilmember Cunniff for his visit and for the discussion. 8. ACTION ITEMS None. 9. REPORTS 4 • Boardmember Reports Thomas reported that the Regional Air Quality Council is finalizing its plan for Ozone Management. He indicated that the new roles will make it more difficult to demonstrate conformity, and that exceeding the restrictions could result in more restrictions in the future. He clarified that there is an exception process for forest fire events Berklund reported that she got to use the bicycle infrastructure in Europe and it was wonderful. York reported on the Open Streets event, and reminded the Board that next week is Bike to Work Day. He stated that CFI had been discussing various topics, and that there had been no Built Environment Working Group meeting. He updated on the Super Issues Meeting, which covered fugitive dust, dark skies, and the BFO offers online. Sutton reported on the state of traffic congestion near Ziegler and Drake. He stated that the bicycle wayfinding signage was working well and that it had helped him find his route as a pedestrian. Shenk had nothing to report. Brown reported that the online budget tool had issues that made it difficult to change the dollar amounts. She indicated she had alerted staff to the concern. • Staff Report Sizemore reported that the next meeting would include the rescheduled Climate Action Plan update, an action item for the West Elizabeth Enhanced Travel Corridor Plan, and an update on BFO. He reported that Bike Share has had over 1,200 trips so far. 10. OTHER BUSINESS Shenk suggested that the Board get an early start on the development of the 2017 Work Plan in order to meet the new deadline of September 30. He suggested that there be a short item on the next agenda, and that between meetings Board members could let him know if there were any items they felt strongly about carrying forward or eliminating. He stated that the Board could spend several meetings having short discussions so that the final Plan is not rushed in the last meeting. There was general consent from the Board to proceed in this manner. 11. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. by unanimous consent.