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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 06/19/2019TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR June 19, 2019, 6:00 p.m. Conference Room A, 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 6/19/2019 – MINUTES Page 1 FOR REFERENCE: Chair: Indy Hart Vice Chair: Council Liaison: Nathalie Rachline Kristin Stephens Staff Liaison: Paul Sizemore 970.224.6140 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Hart called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Indy Hart, Chair Nathalie Rachline, Vice Chair Jerry Gavaldon Karl Ayers Valerie Arnold Cari Brown Eric Shenk York BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Ellen Boeke CITY STAFF PRESENT: Aaron Iverson Jennifer Torrey Rachel Rogers Drew Brooks Jerediah Burianek PUBLIC PRESENT: Amanda Shores TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 6/19/2019 – MINUTES Page 2 3. AGENDA REVIEW Iverson stated there were no changes to the published agenda, though there may be a need to rearrange items. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Amanda Shores, Energy Board, discussed non-compliance with energy efficiency standards for new buildings and suggested regulations for metro districts would aid in using energy efficiency standards to help meet climate action goals. She stated Partners in Climate Action have put together a proposal that has been submitted to Council and discussed ways in which transportation guidelines could be included in metro district standards. She also stated third party verification of energy efficiency standards needs to occur. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 2019 Arnold made a motion, seconded by Rachline, to approve the May 2019 minutes as amended to clarify certain comments. The motion was adopted unanimously. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. City Park Plans Update – Jennifer Torrey Jen Torrey, Park Planning, discussed the funding sources and public outreach efforts for the City Park refresh project. She stated park updates are important to keep up with changes in recreational trends and to adapt to changing community needs. She stated the updates are also important to provide equitable opportunities throughout the city. Torrey discussed transportation improvements necessary for City Park, including additional bicycle parking and bike lanes. She also discussed the reintroduction of the City Park train, restroom improvements, Club Tico entry improvements, lake shore improvements, and efforts to make the core of the park pedestrian-focused. She also discussed plans to relocate various uses to utilize the park space to its fullest. Torrey detailed the city-wide public outreach efforts related to park refresh efforts throughout the city and discussed specific outreach efforts for City Park including a 2- day workshop with individuals who were selected from a large group of applicants. She noted improvements will be phased based on funding. Arnold asked about the budget for the City Park refresh. Torrey replied there was an original budget of $12 million in 2016. Arnold expressed concern about the budget overage for Twin Silo Park and stated TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 6/19/2019 – MINUTES Page 3 accurate budget and cost considerations are necessary. Gavaldon agreed. Torrey outlined the various plans that resulted from the 2-day workshop and discussed their differences. She stated the plans were shared at a community-wide 4-day open house at the Carnegie Center and at a month-long display at the Senior Center. She stated staff will provide an update on phasing development to City Council likely in November. Rachline asked if this project was part of the last budgeting process. Torrey replied there was a request in the budget for a second phase; however, that funding was not provided. York stated he would like to see how the design will connect to the low-stress bicycle and pedestrian network and how transit will be impacted. Chair Hart commended the overall public process. b. Metro Districts – Rachel Rogers Rachel Rogers, Economic Health, discussed the definition of metro districts noting they provide additional funding for necessary infrastructure. She discussed the process of metro district formation in Fort Collins which concludes with a vote of affected property owners. She stated metro districts are very prevalent in other Colorado communities and they are desirable by developers because they allow the issuance of tax-exempt debt to pay for infrastructure. The City of Fort Collins has changed its policy to allow residential metro districts because of the shortage of housing, particularly of affordable housing as defined by HUD. Rogers stated the City has no legal obligations to pay off metro districts' debts. Gavaldon noted homeowners can deduct metro district taxes along with traditional property taxes. Rogers detailed the differences between the City's old metro district policy and the current policy. She stated metro districts must provide above Code extraordinary public benefits, including means to meet Climate Action Plan goals and provide transit and alternative transportation mode infrastructure. Arnold questioned how such over-and-above benefits aid in housing affordability. Rogers replied the savings provided by tax-exempt debt issuance covers some of those costs. Rogers stated every metro district service plan goes through a triple bottom line scan looking at economic, environmental, and social benefits. The service plan also dictates how much debt can be issued. Board members had a discussion around metro district formation, benefits, and negative aspects. It was noted that all infrastructure constructed by a metro district TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 6/19/2019 – MINUTES Page 4 remains under the control of the City. c. Transfort Service Changes and Discussion – Drew Brooks, Jerediah Burianek Jerediah Burianek, Transfort Service Planner, stated routes 6 and 12, both hourly routes, account for 67% of complaints about late service. He stated proposed changes are cost-neutral as there is no additional funding available. He detailed the proposed changes noting route 12 is being split into two routes, 11 and 12. Chair Hart asked why splitting route 12 into two routes is a better option than making one more complex route. Burianek replied it provides less route confusion. Board members discussed using audio cues on buses to let riders know what route they are riding and whether they should stay on the same bus. Burianek discussed additional route and stop changes. Board members discussed the need to make riding Transfort appealing to Poudre School District students. Brown noted later school start times could aid in increasing ridership. Rachline discussed the possibility of reallocating funds from traditional school buses to Transfort and asked if presentations are made in schools about Transfort. Drew Brooks, Transfort Director, replied in the affirmative. York asked which routes currently have free Wi-Fi. Brooks replied MAX and Flex are the only two at this point. York suggested installing the technology on all buses could be an incentive to increase ridership. Gavaldon discussed the importance of balancing the cost sharing ratio. York asked what policies are in place to work with developers who commit funding to running private buses from college-oriented developments and suggested developers could use the same funds to help increase the frequency of Transfort routes. Board members discussed current policies around developments providing bus passes for residents. Brooks discussed the Transfort 'Year in Review' document and West Elizabeth plan that were taken to Washington D.C. and discussed with Department of Transportation officials. Arnold asked about the overall Transfort budget. Brooks replied it is $20 million including capital and grant funding. The operating budget is about $15.8 million. Chair Hart asked about the definition of ridership per capita. Brooks replied it is typically calculated as the ridership number, or number of trips, divided by the city's population. Chair Hart suggested including a more robust definition in the document. Chair Hart asked when the next onboard survey will occur. Brooks replied it is in 2020. TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 6/19/2019 – MINUTES Page 5 Arnold asked if there is an estimate of how many actual residents ride Transfort. Board members discussed possible survey options. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Chair Hart stated he would like Board member input on a letter to their Council liaison and noted Rogers requested any type of metro district feedback. Gavaldon made a motion, seconded by Brown, to bring the metro district item back under unfinished business at the next meeting. The motion was adopted unanimously. Board members discussed writing a general letter to Councilmember Stephens with an invitation to attend a meeting. York made a motion, seconded by Brown, to have Chair Hart write such a letter. The motion was adopted unanimously. York reported on a community issues forum on how to use big data to resolve municipal issues, the last two Planning and Zoning Board work sessions, the Front Range Rail Commission meeting, and the Maple Open Streets event. 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. Bicycle Advisory Committee Report Ayers reported the Bicycle Advisory Committee received a Climate Action Plan update and a bike projects update. He also reported the BAC is asking the Transportation Board to consider providing a letter of support for Council adopting a resolution related to women's equality. b. City Council 6-Month Calendar Review Iverson reported the July 23rd work session will include northeast Fort Collins planning and the October 22nd work session includes a topic called Fort Collins mobility and transportation. c. Staff Liaison Report Iverson reminded Board members to complete the respectful workplace training and discussed the topics for the July meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:19 p.m. by unanimous consent.