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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - SUMMARY AGENDA - 06/28/2011 - SUMMARY AGENDA (WORK SESSION)Karen Weitkunat, Mayor Council Information Center Kelly Ohlson, District 5, Mayor Pro Tem City Hall West Ben Manvel, District 1 300 LaPorte Avenue Lisa Poppaw, District 2 Fort Collins, Colorado Aislinn Kottwitz, District 3 Wade Troxell, District 4 Cablecast on City Cable Channel 14 Gerry Horak, District 6 on the Comcast cable system Darin Atteberry, City Manager Steve Roy, City Attorney Wanda Krajicek, City Clerk The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs, and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call 221-6515 (TDD 224- 6001) for assistance. WORK SESSION June 28, 2011 6 p.m. 1. Call Meeting to Order. 2. Boards and Commissions Periodic Review. (1 hour discussion) Each year Council meets with several boards and commissions to review their functions and goals. This year Council will review the following boards and commissions: • Commission on Disability • Economic Advisory Commission • Parks and Recreation Board 3. Electric Transmission Update. (staff: Brian Janonis, Brian Moeck, PRPA; 1 hour discussion) Brian Moeck, General Manager of Platte River Power Authority, will provide an update on the reconstruction of the Dixon Creek to Horseshoe 230 kV transmission line, along with a general discussion on undergrounding transmission facilities. Additionally, Mr. Moeck will provide information on the proposed construction of walls around the Dixon Creek Substation at Overland Trail and Drake and the Timberline Substation, just south of Prospect on Timberline 4. Electric Assisted Bicycles (Ebikes) on the City Trails. (staff: Marty Heffernan; 1 hour discussion) The City Code currently prohibits electric assisted bikes (ebikes) on City trails. Members of Council have expressed interest in considering allowing ebikes on City paved trails. Staff conducted an extensive outreach process with six City boards/commissions, conducted a survey of citizen opinions, and gathered information from a number of other cities. Recently, staff was asked to include unpaved trails in the discussion as well as Segways, longboards and similar electric devices. Boards and commissions have carefully reviewed the issues, some at multiple meetings. Their recommendations are varied, with some not supporting ebikes on trails at this time, some recommending a trial period and one board supporting ebikes on paved trails. The citizen input (202 responses) was equally varied with 49% opposed to ebikes on paved trails and 47% in favor. Comments from those who do not favor ebikes on paved trails noted concerns regarding safety, speed, compatibility with other trail users and a desire to keep trail use non-motorized. Comments from respondents who favor ebikes on paved trails noted ebikes are not significantly different from non-motorized bikes, are useful for commuting, and do not create safety problems if used responsibly. The results of the survey of other cities were also mixed. Twelve out of the twenty communities surveyed do not allow ebikes on their trails and the prohibition has generally not been controversial. However, some platinum bike cities (Davis, Portland, Seattle) do allow ebikes on their trails. Information is provided on other types of electric vehicles. If Council wishes to allow ebikes on trails, but exclude other types of electric vehicles and devices, the current definition of “electrical assisted bicycle” in the City Code would need to be amended to add a weight limit and/or a size limit on the width of the frame. Additionally, the City’s ability to enforce regulations on the use of City trails is quite limited. Allowing ebikes on unpaved trails presents unique issues, primarily concerning use on narrow, single-track trails and related safety and trail user conflicts, trail damage and erosion, and impacts on wildlife and the environment. The City Manager is recommending Council consideration of a trial period to allow ebikes on City paved trails for up to three years. During that time, staff will gather information on safety issues, user conflicts, public opinion and related issues. Information will be gathered by Rangers through their observations and contact with trail users, through citizen reporting and by follow-up surveys. Council would assess the situation at the end of the trial period and decide the best course of action. 5. Other Business. 6. Adjournment.