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HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.worksession.20180717 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 4:00 PM I. Mark Fuller & April Long, the new Director of the Ruedi Water and Power Authority II. Update on the Hallam St. Castle Creek Bridge project III. Council meeting with Board & Commission CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 17, 2018 4:00 PM, City Council Chambers MEETING AGENDA Mark Fuller & April Long, the new Director of the Ruedi Water and Power Authority Update on the Hallam St. Castle Creek Bridge project Council meeting with Board & Commission - CCLC Mark Fuller & April Long, the new Director of the Ruedi Water and Power Authority P1 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM : Mark Fuller - Executive Director RWAPA THRU: Barry Crook, Assistant City Manager DATE OF MEMO: July 12, 2018 MEETING DATE: July 17, 2018 RE: Ruedi Water and Power Authority (RWAPA) Transition SUMMARY: Our appearance before you on July 17 is for the purpose of introducing you to April Long, who is in the process of taking over as Executive Director (E.D.) of the Ruedi Water and Power Authority. After 37 years of leading the Authority, Mark Fuller is stepping down from the E.D. post and April has been selected as his successor after a thorough search process. Mark and April are currently in the process of handing off E.D. duties and as part of that process we are making the rounds of RWAPA members to introduce April and provide an update on RWAPA activities. BACKGROUND: RWAPA was founded in 1981 by the City of Aspen and Pitkin County to pursue development of hydropower resources at Ruedi Reservoir. Although Aspen and Pitkin County eventually carried out hydropower development themselves, the communication and cooperation that had been fostered by the Authority had taken hold and the member entities determined to stay together to represent local governments in matters relating to Ruedi Reservoir and the Fryingpan River. Even then, Ruedi and the Fryingpan were recognized as significant recreational and environmental resources for the Roaring Fork Valley. Members of RWAPA include Aspen, Carbondale, Basalt, Glenwood Springs, Snowmass Village, Pitkin County, and Eagle County. RWAPA Board members are elected officials from each of the member governments. The staff consists of a part-time director who carries out Board policies and projects. Since 1981 RWAPA has provided a voice that speaks on behalf of the entire valley on a broad range of water issues. RWAPA is recognized regionally, statewide and nationally as representing the water- related interests of the Roaring Fork, Crystal and Fryingpan valleys. DISCUSSION: Since April has been a valued City of Aspen employee for several years, you are familiar with her, both personally and professionally. Her exemplary work for the City in the areas of stormwater control, water quality and stream management was a significant factor in her selection for the RWAPA post. She has assured the RWAPA Board and her City of Aspen supervisors that she will be able to effectively continue her work with the City while taking on the part-time duties associated with RWAPA. Those duties will include continued supervision of the Ruedi ANS inspection program, P2 I. updating of the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan and participation in discussions regarding releases of water from Ruedi for endangered species in the Colorado River. We offer the following to provide some further detail on those activities: RUEDI ANS PROGRAM: The Ruedi Boat Inspection Program has been very busy this year as the warm weather has brought out many boaters. As of the end of June, over 1600 inspections had been performed and 57 boats were decontaminated, including two boats with adult quagga mussels on board. The State of Colorado is providing strong support for the program this year in response to the passage of legislation which brings new revenue into the State program. This support has allowed us the financial flexibility to extend the program’s hours to allow for late-night access to Ruedi during the month of July. In addition, plans are moving forward for the Bureau of Reclamation to contribute significantly to the program, a new and welcome development. WATERSHED PLAN UPDATE: April has been working with RWAPA and the Roaring Fork Conservancy for several months to update the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan, originally completed in 2012. That work has resulted in a revised set of recommended actions which have been tailored to the capacities and priorities of the watersheds many water management agencies, including State, Federal and local government organizations. The revised Plan is almost ready to be formally unveiled to the various participants and to the public, so you will see April bring that before you for more detailed review in the near future. RUEDI MANAGEMENT: As you know, Ruedi contributes significantly to flows in the lower Colorado for the purpose of supporting endangered fish species. This activity is particularly complex during this low-water year as releases from various sources are tapped. April will be participating in the weekly conference calls, and other discussions as necessary to assure that Ruedi’s viability as a recreational and environmental resource is not compromised as a result of fish releases over the balance of the season. We welcome questions and discussion regarding these topics and any others of concern to the City. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None. RECOMMENDED ACTION: None. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: P3 I. 1 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM : Peter Rice, PE, Senior Project Manager, Engineering Dept Kevin Dunnett, Planning, Design and Construction Manager, Parks Hailey Guglielmo, EIT, Development Engineer, Engineering Dept THRU: Trish Aragon P.E., City Engineer Austin Weiss, Director, Parks & Open Space Department John Krueger, Director of Transportation Tyler Christoff, PE CFM PMP, Deputy Director of Utilities DATE OF MEMO: July 13th, 2018 MEETING DATE: July 17th, 2018 RE: Hallam Street and Castle Creek Bridge Improvements Project Update SUMMARY: City staff seeks to provide an update and seek input from Council regarding the construction of the pedestrian and bicycle improvements for the Castle Creek/Hallam Street Connectivity project. The goals for the work session include the following: · Project Update · Project Schedule · Decision Point #1: Construction for Roadway Replacement at 7th Street and Main Street BACKGROUND HISTORY: As early as 2013, The City of Aspen Open Space and Trails Board along with Engineering, Parks, and Transportation staff identified the Castle Creek Bridge and Hallam Street corridor as a deficient link in Aspen’s bicycle and pedestrian network. Due to topographic, property, and geometric constraints safe and efficient travel options for cyclists and pedestrians are limited through this area. The project design has been a collaboration with many stakeholders including the departments in the City of Aspen including Transportation, Streets, Engineering, Parks and Utilities. Colorado Department of Transportation and the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority have been critical stakeholders through the design of this project. In the spring of 2014, the City contracted with Loris & Associates to develop a conceptual plan that would improve the corridors overall function and safety. The conceptual planning process included multiple public meetings to solicit input on alternative designs for the project. Staff directed Loris & Associates to proceed with construction drawings following the January 22nd, P4 II. 2 2016 council meeting. The projects key components include an eight-foot concrete trail from Bugsy Barnard Park across the north side of Castle Creek bridge to 7th street and Hallam, new BRT bus shelters both in and outbound, guard rail between vehicles and pedestrians on the bridge, new intersection design and crosswalk locations to improve pedestrian safety, new landscaping bike parking and paint for the bridge. In the October 27th, 2015 work session, Council directed staff to continue planning for the Living Lab Experiment due to public and stakeholder concerns that narrowing the roadway lanes on the bridge would have a negative impact on traffic and congestion. During the summer of 2016, staff implemented the experiment which did mimic the proposed design to assess real conditions. The experiment determined that there are no substantial impacts to traffic flow and traffic patterns created by the proposed design. January 22, 2018, Resolution #2, Series of 2018, consent for the construction of the project was awarded. Construction started on April 1st, 2018 by Gould Construction. On June 12th, the project began the period of construction that could not impact the flow of vehicular traffic on Hallam Street and Castle Creek Bridge. Construction will fully begin again on September 4th to complete the project by November 2018. DISCUSSION: Project Update: The majority of the roadway improvements between the curbs are complete on Hallam Street. The grade and elevation of the roadway has been altered to better accommodate drainage and new storm lines have been installed along Hallam and 7th Streets. A storm sewer manhole and pipe will be placed during the fall period next to the bridge to complete the underground infrastructure. The Si Johnson Ditch culvert below Hallam St has been fully replaced. Improved crosswalks across Hallam, 7th and 8th Streets are in place for summer use. The expanded 8’ trail on the north side of Hallam is nearly complete except for the area near the bridge where the final piece of storm sewer is required. A temporary trail has been placed for use over the summer until the trail is complete. The bus stop and shelter foundations are complete on both the north and south sides. The bridge deck repairs are complete. As a reminder, the extents of needed repairs were not apparent until the asphalt was removed and the surface of the deck exposed. The amount of damage on the deck and area in need of repair was about what was expected prior to the start of the project. The bridge deck will be exposed in the current condition until asphalt can be placed in the fall period. The project stayed on schedule throughout the spring Phases 1 and 2. The project team met the June 12th deadline to be out of Hallam and not impacting traffic on Highway 82 for the summer season. P5 II. 3 Remaining items scheduled for the fall period: 1. Construction of the shelters 2. Roadway striping 3. Trail extension on the bridge 4. Guardrail on the bridge 5. Storm sewer Line “A” 6. Landscape and tree placement 7. Placement of asphalt on the bridge 8. Completing the paint on the outside of the bridge railing Project Schedule: The project has been scheduled in three primary phases with a no traffic impact work period during peak summer season. Due to concerns from the business community, staff will suspend work on Hallam Street and Castle Creek Bridge from June 12th thru September 4th. Many members of the community have reached out to staff with concerns of working in the mid-August period and City staff have worked to accommodate this concern. The contractor is currently finishing work on 7th and 8th Streets. The work does not impact the vehicular flow of traffic on Hallam Street during this period and will be completed prior to July 20th. The third and final phase will begin on September 4th. The work during this period will require lane closures to vehicular traffic similar to the first phase of the project. The work will include building the bus shelters, finalizing landscaping, placement of asphalt on the bridge and placing the trail on the bridge with a guardrail. Outreach will begin for the September phase 3 work beginning in August. A clear message to the community is to use the bus, as it is anticipated to be the faster route. During the phases where outbound traffic is utilizing Power Plant Road, the bus route out of town will stay on the Castle Creek Bridge. All project information and updates can be found through the following: Website: castlecreekbridge.com Email: info@castlecreekbridge.com Phone: (970) 618-5379 (call or text) Decision Point #1: Construction for Roadway Replacement at 7th Street and Main Street Currently the intersection of 7th Street and Main Street is prone to potholes or ruts given the high traffic loads and vehicle turning movements coming around the S-turn curve. The City and CDOT typically repair this intersection in patches which typically improve the asphalt condition for relatively short periods. P6 II. 4 The S-curve at 7th St and Hallam Street was paved in concrete as a part of the improvements project being constructed currently. This decision was made to reduce the need for annual maintenance within this section of roadway and reduce the rutting around the S-curve. Asphalt is typically maintained every 3 to 4 years while the concrete section utilized at the corner of 7th and Hallam Streets is expected to last 20 years before maintenance is required. The successful implementation of this design has lead to discussions between CDOT and the City of Aspen to continue a similar implementation for the 7th and Main Street intersection. CDOT recommended to City Staff that they would be willing to enter an IGA that would cover 50% of the cost for replacing this intersection in concrete. City staff received an early estimate for the replacement of the intersection from Gould Construction based on approximately 10,000 square feet of replacement. The cost for the concrete replacement of the intersection is approximately $498,000. In addition, a water main within the boundary of the intersection is scheduled for replacement and would be included within this project scope for an estimated $90,000. CDOT would pay for $249,000 of this project. The remaining sum of $339,000 would be paid by the City. Staff Recommendation: City staff recommends proceeding with design drawings and planning for construction on the intersection at 7th and Main Streets. Similar to the intersection that was constructed at 7th and Hallam Streets, coordination of traffic flows and residential neighborhoods is complicated within the S-curves. Due to the planned work in the fall period on the Hallam Street Improvements project, the detours, outreach and contractors are in place to make this required work as seamless as possible. A concrete intersection would also alleviate the need for major maintenance and minimize disruptions through the S-curves for years. The community is impacted a great deal by the S-curves and the goal is to minimize disruption in the upcoming years. Staff would finalize drawings, get final estimates and come back to Council for consent for construction if this direction is desired by Council. A change order to the Hallam Street and Castle Creek Bridge Improvements project is recommended by staff to complete the construction of this intersection. Does Council want to proceed with an IGA agreement with CDOT and finalize design for the intersection of Main Street and 7th Street replacement? CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: P7 II. MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Nicole Henning, Deputy City Clerk DATE OF MEMO: July 12, 2018 MEETING DATE: July 17, 2018 RE: Commercial Core and Lodging Commission check in with City Council SUMMARY: This memo outlines the history of the Commercial Core and Lodging Commission (CCLC), major accomplishments, current goals and what the commission is working on. BACKGROUND: As part of City Council Goal #9 – Determine and improve the effectiveness of each board and commission, Council has been meeting with each board/commission. This is the fifth meeting with a different board DISCUSSION: The CCLC was formed by Ordinance 1 of 1981. At the time, there were five members with one representative from the Lodging Association or Condominium Manager’s Association, one from the merchant community, one from the Aspen Chamber of Commerce, one from the Pitkin County Parks Association and one “at-large” member. Duties ranged from: 1. Advise and recommend further development and implementation of plans and programs for the commercial core and lodging such as circulation, parking, sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, signage, graphics, alley improvements, public transit, and improvements to existing mall areas 2. Develop and recommend methods to fund those programs; develop incentives for participation in implementation of commercial core and lodging area programs 3. Develop and review programs that may sponsor or promote the commercial core and lodging area 4. Administer the “Aspen Streetscape Guidelines” and ordinances adopting these guidelines 5. Upon referral by Council, review and recommend approval or disapproval of special uses and programs of downtown streets, sidewalks or malls P8 III. 6. Recommend to Council new legislation. Since the inception of the Commission there have been several modifications to the composition of the board and duties. The latest revision occurred in 2007 via ordinance #43. Currently the board is comprised of seven regular members with one alternate member. There are no restrictions on who may serve on the board other than there are no age or residency requirements for membership. Duties 1 through 3 and 6 have remained. In 2002 the administration of the Aspen Saturday Market was added as a duty. Number 4 has been removed. With the creation of a separate special events department within the City, number 5 was modified to “provide a liaison with existing community events and programs and to advise on what efforts might be undertaken to maintain and/or enhance such events and programs”. The current CCLC is staffed by Mitch Osur, Director of Parking and Downtown Services. Nicole Henning, Deputy City Clerk, prepares the meeting packets and takes minutes during the meetings. Other than this, the City Clerk’s office has no direct involvement with the CCLC or the Aspen Saturday Market. There is a market manager who is contracted with the Aspen Saturday Market who is approved by the CCLC. Some major accomplishments that CCLC has contributed to in the past include administration of the Aspen Saturday Market, Al Fresco dining on the malls, bringing entertainment to the malls, increasing the amount of flowers and plantings throughout the core, promoting the one way plan for Galena and Cooper and the redesign and clean up of the newspaper racks. Two of the current goals the Commission is working on includes expectations and outreach for businesses and a newsletter. The first involves presenting each business with a Code of Excellence. The Code will speak to outdoor presentation – keeping flower pots planted, storefronts swept and tidy, windows and doors clean and in good repair as well as noise and being a good neighbor. The Commission would also like to present a welcome basket to new business owners that will contain the code, a list of contact names and numbers for city staff as well as contacts pertinent to running a business and some transportation related items like RFTA punch passes, parking garage vouchers, Car-to Go vouchers and We-Cycle information. The newsletter will be a quarterly item with the goal to create two way communication between the business community and the CCLC and to strengthen the relationship as a liaison between the City and the business community. There will be a section that gives city news and updates, one that highlights a new business, one with business tips and a survey section. CCLC has many projects that are in various stages in the pipeline that we would like to know if Council would like the Commission to continue working on. At the top of the list is alleyways. They feel this is a very large topic and would like to have a separate P9 III. meeting to focus solely on it. They are also working on off-season events, the Saturday Market vendor selection process, pop up events and trunk shows, what to do in an emergency, what will Aspen do if it doesn’t snow, working with ACRA, signage/sandwich boards and parking. CCLC feels that have a role to play within the City, particularly when it comes to communicating with the business community. They would like to meet more regularly with Council to give updates and receive feedback, even if it is just a few members for 15 minutes at a work session. The Commission is excited to move forward in this new direction. P10 III.