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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 10/16/2019TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR October 16, 2019, 6:00 p.m. Conference Room A, 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 10/16/2019 – 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 Eric Shenk Jerry Gavaldon York Ellen Boeke Valerie Arnold BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Nathalie Rachline, Vice Chair Cari Brown CITY STAFF PRESENT: Dean Klingner Kelly Smith Arlo Schumann Amanda Mansfield PUBLIC PRESENT: None TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 10/16/2019 – MINUTES Page 2 3. AGENDA REVIEW Sizemore stated there were no changes to the published agenda. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 2019 York requested changes to the Linden Street discussion noting the majority of Boardmembers voted for the festive design rather than the garden design. He also noted Lambrecht mentioned Walnut being two blocks from Jefferson when in fact it is just one with an alley separation. Shenk made a motion, seconded by Gavaldon, to postpone adoption of the September 2019 minutes until after New Business is complete. The motion was adopted unanimously. (**Secretary's Note: The following motion occurred after the completion of the New Business portion of the meeting.) Gavaldon made a motion, seconded by York, to approve the September 2019 minutes as amended. The motion was adopted unanimously. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Smart Cities – Dean Klingner Dean Klingner, Planning, Development, and Transportation Interim Director, noted the concept of Smart Cities is quite broad and for the purposes of this discussion, mobility issues will be the focus. He outlined the history of Smart Cities, noting the term was first used around 2011, and stated Fort Collins uses a definition focused on data, innovation, and technology though it does not market itself specifically as a Smart City. Klingner discussed various smart applications used in Fort Collins, including rain sensor data that is connected to the reverse 911 system, real time bus and parking information and payment, pavement sensors used for snow plowing, GPS tracking of snow plows and mosquito spraying vehicles, and connected vehicles. Regarding mobility specifically, Klingner discussed mobility hubs, micro mobility, connected and autonomous vehicles, and shared mobility options. He noted there should be a community conversation around privacy given the various sensors and TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 10/16/2019 – MINUTES Page 3 data collection efforts. He discussed mobility as a service as part of City Plan and discussed the way Bluetooth data is used by the Traffic Operations department. York asked about regional connections with other municipalities that may not have the same technologies. Klingner replied there are many opportunities for conversations around standards and how they are implemented. York asked about an interface between a city which opts to go 'smart' and one that does not. Klingner replied, as an example, that Fort Collins utilizes adaptive signal timing and neighboring cities may not; therefore, there may be less efficient transport through those cities. York asked about equity issues for individuals who do not have or do not want a smart phone. Klingner replied it should be the role of the city to ensure equity and discussed the equity plan for Fort Collins' e-scooter program. Gavaldon commented on standardization between communities. Klingner noted there are many moving pieces and challenges in terms of standardization and where it starts and stops. b. Exterior Lighting Standards – Kelly Smith, Arlo Schumann Kelly Smith, Senior Environmental Planner, stated staff is in the process of developing a draft of an update to exterior lighting standards. She stated there is a misperception that the more a site is lighted at night, the safer it is. Smith discussed light pollution which consists of light trespass, sky glow, discomfort glare, clutter, and disability glare. She discussed the human and wildlife impacts of light pollution and noted 30% of human-produced light output ends up in the sky. Smith stated the current codes were developed years before current lighting technology and do not align with the way lighting metrics have changed. Additionally, the lighting plans required from developers are difficult to review for compliance. Smith discussed proposed code changes that are based on Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and International Dark Sky Association (IDA) standards and are now associated with maximums rather than minimums. Arnold asked if a development could opt to have no lighting. Smith replied natural areas are the only zero lighting areas and stated most developers are over-lighting developments. Arnold expressed concern about the safety of under-lit areas. Smith replied a minimum may need to be integrated to ensure areas are not under-lit. Gavaldon asked about the inclusion of the function of the area as part of the standards. He also asked about public outreach to developers. Smith replied this effort is in very preliminary stages and the public outreach plan will be outlined at the TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 10/16/2019 – MINUTES Page 4 end of the presentation. Smith stated the updated code will help staff evaluate for energy use, sky glow, and light trespass, maintain consistency across lighting applications and enforce building codes. She outlined the schedule for the code amendments including a robust outreach plan that involves a task force, workshops, Boards and Commissions, and meetings with CSU and PSD. York asked about the inclusion of safety of moving vehicles or bicycles in terms of lighting. Smith replied lighting ratings and pole heights will come into play to address that. Gavaldon asked if existing developments will be grandfathered. Smith replied that decision will be made after public outreach. c. Downtown Dismount Zones – Amanda Mansfield Amanda Mansfield, FC Moves Transportation Planner, stated the current dismount zone is about ten years old and was asked to be evaluated for effectiveness and possible expansion by key stakeholders. She discussed the scope of work which included the development of a task force and public outreach. She outlined the proposed criteria and model staff will use to determine whether a dismount zone expansion is valuable. Mansfield discussed three scenarios staff has evaluated using the model: Linden Street from Jefferson to the trail, College between Walnut and Jefferson, and the block of College south of Olive. This evaluation resulted in the expansion of the dismount zone for the first two scenarios. Chair Hart asked about staff thoughts related to the expansion of dismount zones discouraging multi-modal transportation. Mansfield replied all forms of transport can exist on the street in dismount zones. Gavaldon suggested staff examine Mountain Avenue to Howes for possible dismount zone expansion. Chair Hart asked about the laws that exist for riding bikes and E-scooters on sidewalks. Mansfield replied E-scooters are being regulated like bikes and both can be ridden on sidewalks outside dismount zones. York asked if the model takes into account how difficult it is to cross the street. Sizemore replied the answer may be different based on the type of mobility device. York asked if the dismount zones apply to skateboards, non-electric scooters, and roller blades. Mansfield replied in the affirmative. Sizemore replied the dismount zone applies to all wheeled devices with the exception of any ADA devices. Mansfield stated the second task force meeting will be Friday of this week and topics TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 10/16/2019 – MINUTES Page 5 will include feedback on best practices, finalization of the evaluation model, and completion of another hypothetical expansion proposal. She outlined upcoming steps. York asked if CSU has a similar plan or process for its dismount zones. Mansfield replied she did not know for sure but would find out from Aaron Fodge. d. BAC Representative and Board Liaisons – Boardmembers Boardmembers had a discussion around the proper term for liaisons. Chair Hart suggested considering leaving existing liaisons in place until after the 'reimagining Boards and Commissions' process. Boardmembers agreed that would be an appropriate course of action. Boeke made a motion, seconded by Arnold, to nominate Gavaldon to be the primary BAC representative. The motion was adopted unanimously. York volunteered to be the secondary representative. Boardmembers voiced no opposition to Chair Hart continuing to be the Parking Advisory Board liaison and York continuing to be the Planning and Zoning Board liaison. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Chair Hart reported for Rachline who made a statement about the need for additional cooperation and discussion between Boards. York reported on the Fort Collins business appreciation breakfast, the recent Open Streets event, and the last Planning and Zoning Board worksession during which the Airport Master Plan update, development review fees, the Harmony Gate way plan, and Council priorities were discussed. He mentioned the joint Boards and Commissions 'focus on climate future' meeting. Shenk reported on the first petrol gas station to convert to electric in Maryland and discussed his experience with riding an E-scooter in Denver. 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. Bicycle Advisory Committee Report Sizemore reported for Ayers on the recent Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting during which extensive public comment was received from a representative from the Fort Collins Cycling Club. He stated the Committee received an update on the Prospect Road interchange bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and a presentation on the downtown dismount zone. Ayers also thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve. TRANSPORTATION BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 10/16/2019 – MINUTES Page 6 b. City Council 6-Month Calendar Review Sizemore reported Council will consider the Harmony Gateway Plan and City Park improvements at its upcoming worksession. The Hughes Stadium zoning will be considered at the November 5th meeting and the mobility worksession has been rescheduled to November 26th. The Montava PUD will be considered on December 3rd and the Boards and Commissions reimagining discussion will occur December 10th. c. Staff Liaison Report Sizemore reported a new Planning, Development, and Transportation Director has been hired and she will begin December 2nd. He also reported on the upcoming Federal Transit Administration site visit of the West Elizabeth corridor. He reported the E-scooter contract has been signed and the vendor is Bird. He announced the Boards and Commissions appreciation dinner on October 30th. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m. by unanimous consent.