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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecisions.EOTC.20211028ELECTED OFFICIALS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (EOTC) AGREEMENTS & DECISIONS REACHED REGULAR MEETING October 28, 2021 Location (In Person and Virtual) – City of Aspen City of Aspen - Host & Chair • The agenda items contained in these minutes are written in an action only format. • For a video production of this meeting, go to: https://youtu.be/Y5s39BD6lx0 • To access the Elected Officials Transportation Committee meeting packet material, go to: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kPdv-lUJ4z8o9qM7BNVZzknWhqS73Abh (or https://www.pitkincounty.com/1322/Elected-Officials-Transportation-Committ, then ‘EOTC Archived Packets’) Elected Officials in Attendance: Aspen – 5 Pitkin County - 5 Snowmass - 5 Torre Kelly McNicholas Kury Bill Madsen Ward Hauenstein Steve Child Tom Goode Skippy Mesirow Francie Jacober Tom Fridstein John Doyle Greg Poschman Alyssa Shenk Rachael Richards Patti Clapper Bob Sirkus Absent: None ______________________________________________________________________________ Agreements & Decisions Reached CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Torre called the meeting of the Elected Officials Transportation Committee (EOTC) to order at 4.14 p.m. followed by a roll-call for attendance. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 29, 2021 ACTION MINUTES Mayor Torre called for discussion on the July 29, 2021 EOTC Agreements and Decisions Reached. Commissioners Clapper made a motion to approve the Agreements and Decisions reached from July 29, 2021. The motion was seconded by Councilor Richards. Pitkin County: The votes were: Kelly McNicholas Kury, yes; Steve Child, yes; Francie Jacober, yes; Greg Poschman, yes; Patti Clapper, yes; motion carried. Town of Snowmass Village: The votes were: Bill Madsen, yes; Tom Goode, yes; Tom Fridstein, yes; Alyssa Shenk, yes; Bob Sirkus, yes; motion carried. City of Aspen: The votes were: Torre, yes; Ward Hauenstein, yes; Skippy Mesirow, yes; John Doyle, yes; Rachael Richards, yes; motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Mayor Torre requested any public comment for items not on the agenda. No public comments were received. EOTC COMMITTEE MEMBER UPDATES Patti Clapper noted and commended Garfield County for contributing $500,000 toward the ongoing operation of RFTA’s Hogback service. Ward Hauenstein noted that he participated in a meeting on trackless tram technology. Mr. Hauenstein said he would provide the rest of the Committee with information on trackless tram technology for their information as it may be applicable to the Entrance to Aspen. Rachael Richards noted that for the sake of entities that rely on property tax revenue for their operations, it is important to defeat Colorado Proposition 120 this November. Steve Child noted that Stata Cruz, California has a streetcar that is run on hydrogen fuel cells, which is an up and coming technology that may be applicable to the Roaring Fork Valley. Francie Jacober noted that there is a large pooling of water on Highway 82 near the Conoco, which is a safety issue. Commissioner Jacober requested that CDOT be contacted to fix this safety problem. Mr. Pesnichak indicated he would contact the local CDOT office to make them aware of the water pooling and the related safety concerns. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2022 EOTC BUDGET David Pesnichak - Transportation Administrator Mr. Pesnichak explained that 2019 through 2021 have been financially turbulent years. In 2019, the EOTC began to see the impacts of changes in state law from HB 19-1240 that affected how sales and use tax are collected. Then in 2020, COVID-19 caused a near economic shutdown in the spring followed by a national recession. Late 2020 and 2021 have seen an unexpected spike in tourist and building activity that has resulted in higher than anticipated revenues across the nation and the region. As a result of HB 19-1240, Mr. Pesnichak explained that there has been less collection of use taxes and increased collections in sales taxes. While this new law has resulted in an overall increase in sales tax revenues at the jurisdictional level, it has implications to the EOTC budget and use tax appropriations. Notably, EOTC revenues have declined while RFTA revenues have increased from the Pitkin County Transit Sales and Use tax as a result of HB 19-1240. Mr. Pesnichak noted that EOTC and RFTA staff have been working toward a mitigation solution to the impacts from HB 19-1240 for the past couple years. As more data has become available since the implementation of HB 19-1240, staff agreed to a mitigating measure of transferring the cost of the No-Fare Aspen-Snowmass-Woody Creek-Brush Creek Park and Ride transit service from the EOTC to RFTA. It was determined that the cost of the No-Fare service is roughly equivalent to the decreased revenues seen by the EOTC and that RFTA could absorb this cost solely through the increased revenue expected from HB 19-1240. The RFTA Board approved this mitigation measure on October 14, 2021. As a result, staff recommended adopting an EOTC budget that does not include the cost of the No-Fare service starting in 2022. As a review of overall 2022 EOTC revenues, Mr. Pesnichak noted that total overall EOTC revenues are expected to decrease from $2,725,220 in 2018, and $3,257,373 in 2019, to $2,559,694 in 2020 to $2,034,646 in 2021. In the years 2022 and beyond, sales tax revenues are projected to decrease by -4.2% in 2022 before rebounding, mostly due to inflation, at 4% annually from 2023 to 2026. Use taxes are expected to increase at an annual rate of about 2.1% annually from 2022 to 2026 to account for inflation in motor vehicle collections. Looking at future projects, Mr. Pesnichak identified that continuing to make progress on the improvements at the Brush Creek Park and Ride, development of the Snowmass Mall Transit Station, and ensuring No-Fare Aspen-Snowmass-Woody Creek bus service continues, which is expected to transfer to RFTA in 2022, are at the top of the priority list for both staff time and funding. Meanwhile, work on the Brush Creek Park and Ride to the AABC trail is recommended to continue in 2022 along with work efforts identified in the 2021 EOTC Near Term Transit Improvement Program approved in July 2021, including. - Truscott to Owl Creek Trail - Feasibility, Planning, and Initial Design; - Buttermilk Underpass and Transit Signal Bypasses - Feasibility and Initial Design; - Snowmass Direct Transit Service Improvement Analysis; - HOV Lane Enforcement Analysis (No Budget, Work Plan Only); - Permanent Automated Vehicle Counters - Planning, Design, Permitting, and Construction. In addition, based on feedback received from the EOTC at the April 2020 meeting, Staff proposed to bring forth a recommendation to manage long-term parking at the Brush Creek Park and Ride at the May 2022 EOTC meeting. Mr. Pesnichak also provided an overview of the current ongoing and operational expenses identified for 2022 as well as an overview of 2022 budget renewals, carry forwards, and new requests including: Renewals: - We-Cycle Operational Support - X-Games Bus Subsidy 2021 Funding Forward to 2022: - BC P&R FLAP Grant Match (balance) New Requests: - Bike / Ped Connection to BC P&R Feasibility (Phase 2) - Truscott to Owl Creek Trail –Feasibility, Planning, and Design (Tier 1 Priority) - Buttermilk Underpass and Transit Signal Bypasses – Feasibility, Initial Design (Tier 1 Priority) - Snowmass Direct Transit Service Improvement Analysis (Tier 1 Priority) - Permanent Automated Vehicle Counters – Planning, Design, Permitting, and Install (Tier 1 Priority) Staff recommended that the EOTC adopt the 2022 EOTC budget as proposed with the amendment that the cost of the No-Fare Aspen-Snowmass-Woody Creek-Brush Creek Park and Ride service be removed from the proposed budget starting in 2022 as this cost is to be assumed by RFTA. Patti Clapper noted that the Truscott to Owl Creek trail connection is very important to move forward as quickly as possible. Commissioner Clapper also noted that the cost of the Buttermilk underpass is very high. Rachael Richards encouraged further discussion around the Entrance to Aspen, noting that the cost of a Buttermilk underpass is high and that even if transit is sped up through this section of Highway 82, they will still end up in the bottleneck at the S-curves. Councilor Richards also noted that she would like to see SkiCo participation in an underpass project. Francie Jacober said that she felt the cost of the vehicle counters seemed high. Mr. Pesnichak explained that a review was done through the County Engineer based on expected costs not only for the counters but also for utility work, which can be the majority of the expense. In addition, Mr. Pesnichak said that the cost estimate does not assume a specific type of technology or installation as that is to be determined at the time a contractor is on board. As a result, a higher cost estimate per counter was assumed to try to ensure that enough money is available to install an optimum number of counters in 2022. Mr. Krueger, City of Aspen Transportation Director also noted that maintaining equipment and software of these counters is also factored in and can be a significant expense. Bill Madsen said that he would like the EOTC to send a thank you letter to the RFTA board for assuming the cost of the No-Fare service. The EOTC requested that Mr. Pesnichak draft a letter for signature by each jurisdiction. Mr. Pesnichak indicated that he would draft the letter for signature by each mayor or chairperson. Bob Sirkus questioned how the transit time savings were calculated for the Buttermilk underpass since CDOT does not collect pedestrian count data at the intersection. Mr. Pesnichak said that as a part of the Upper Valley Transit Enhancement study conducted by Mead and Hunt in 2021, Mead and Hunt utilized big data versus modelled travel times to determine an estimated cost savings to transit by eliminating the pedestrian phase of the traffic signal at Owl Creek. Steve Child also noted concerns regarding the cost of the Buttermilk underpass and expressed interest in an updated concept and cost estimate for an overpass. Commissioner Child also noted that the Entrance to Aspen issue does need to be addressed. Francie Jacober noted that she would like to see SkiCo participate in the Buttermilk underpass project. Following some discussion, it was generally agreed that the next phase of the Buttermilk underpass should consider an overpass option as well. Mr. Pesnichak explained that a preliminary cost and concept were developed in 2018 for the EOTC and as a result, wrapping an overview of an overpass versus an underpass into the next phase should be doable. As a result, Mr. Pesnichak said that he would make sure an updated cost and concept for an overpass are included in the next scope of work. David Johnson, Planning Director for RFTA noted that based on their experience the cost of an overpass vs an underpass is not much different. The vote for the 2022 EOTC budget with the amendment that the cost of the No-Fare Aspen- Snowmass-Woody Creek bus service be removed from years 2022 through 2026 was conducted by jurisdiction. The motion, second and roll call vote was as follows: Pitkin County: Patti Clapper made the motion. Francie Jacober seconded the motion. The votes were: Kelly McNicholas Kury, yes; Steve Child, yes; Francie Jacober, yes; Greg Poschman, yes; Patti Clapper, yes; motion carried. Town of Snowmass Village: Bill Madsen made the motion. Alyssa Shenk seconded the motion. The votes were: Bill Madsen, yes; Tom Goode, yes; Tom Fridstein, yes; Alyssa Shenk,yes; Bob Sirkus, yes; motion carried. City of Aspen: Rachael Richards made the motion. John Doyle seconded the motion. The votes were: Torre, yes; Ward Hauenstein, yes; Skippy Mesirow, yes; John Doyle, yes; Rachael Richards, yes; motion carried. 2022 EOTC WORK PLAN David Pesnichak - Transportation Administrator Mr. Pesnichak explained that the Work Plan is to provide transparency in the work efforts proposed to advance the 2020 EOTC Strategic Plan and 2020 EOTC Comprehensive Valley Transportation Plan (CVTP). In addition to the work items, the Plan also recommends regular meeting and retreat / long-term planning dates for 2022 along with topical focus areas for each of the EOTC meetings. Mr. Pesnichak noted that while the Work Plan includes all proposed projects to be undertaken by the EOTC in the coming year, some projects also require a budget expenditure to proceed. Mr. Pesnichak reviewed the following Work Plan items: 2022: - Pursue EOTC Budget Mitigation (Work Plan only) - EOTC Retreat / Long-Term Planning Discussion (Work Plan and Budget) - Brush Creek Park and Ride - FLAP Improvements - Construction (Work Plan and Budget) - Develop Partnership with Holy Cross Energy for EV Charger Install (Work Plan only) - Bike / Ped Connection to Rio Grande / AABC Feasibility Study – Phase 2 (Work Plan and Budget) - Recommendation on Long-Term Parking Plan (Parking over 24 hours) (Work Plan only) - 2021 EOTC Near Term Transit Improvement Program - Truscott to Owl Creek Trail – Planning, Design, Public Input, Identification of Funding Sources (Work Plan and Budget) - Buttermilk Bike/Pedestrian Underpass and Transit Signal Bypasses - Initial Design, Public Input, Identification of Funding Sources (Work Plan and Budget) - HOV Lane Enforcement Analysis (Work Plan only) - Analysis of Up Valley and Down Valley BRT Direct Service to Snowmass (Work Plan and Budget) - Additional Permanent Automated Vehicle Counters (Work Plan and Budget) - Participate in Snowmass Transit Center, Airport, and Regional Transportation Planning / Visioning, as appropriate 2023: - Continue Progress on Implementation of 2021 EOTC Transit Improvement Program, as appropriate - Brush Creek Park and Ride - Food Truck /Farm Stand Experiment - Participate in Snowmass Transit Center, Brush Creek P&R Development, Airport, and regional transportation planning / visioning, as appropriate Several committee members addressed the proposed retreat/long-term planning discussion. Rachael Richards and Kelly McNicholas Kury noted that they would like a longer discussion timeframe than the proposed 3-hours. Mr. Pesnichak explained that the current sketch plan for this long-term planning is to invite the Fehr and Peers team who did the Integrated Mobility Study (IMS) phase 1 and 2 to present their findings in more detail, including the options they identified for controlling congestion and supporting transit over the long run. Then, based on the outcome from this discussion, determine the next step to keep the momentum going in the desired direction. Mr. Pesnichak said that based on this feedback received, he would discuss the options with the other staff. A few committee members noted that the North West Council of Governments meetings also occur on the last Thursday of the month and that, although it is a long day, does not otherwise conflict with the proposed EOTC meeting days and times. Francie Jacober noted that she may have a conflict with EOTC meetings on the last Thursday of the month. Steve Child noted that if there is a way to combine vehicle counting with HOV lane enforcement that would be ideal. Kelly McNicholas Kury stated that she would like a report out on progress being made with EV charging and ideally the development of an EV master plan. Mr. Pesnichak explained that there is currently no room in the EOTC work plan for the development of such a plan in 2022 without removing another item. In addition, the EOTC is bound to looking at EV charging from the transit perspective, so the EOTC may not be the best forum to for the development of a comprehensive EV plan. The vote for the 2022 EOTC Work Plan, without amendment, was conducted by jurisdiction. The motion, second and roll call vote was as follows: Pitkin County: Kelly McNicholas Kury made the motion. Greg Poschman seconded the motion. The votes were: Kelly McNicholas Kury, yes; Steve Child, yes; Francie Jacober, yes; Greg Poschman, yes; Patti Clapper, yes; motion carried. Town of Snowmass Village: Alyssa Shenk made the motion. Bob Sirkus seconded the motion. The votes were: Bill Madsen, yes; Tom Goode, yes; Tom Fridstein, yes; Alyssa Shenk, yes; Bob Sirkus, yes; motion carried. City of Aspen: Ward Hauenstein made the motion. Rachael Richards seconded the motion. The votes were: Torre, yes; Ward Hauenstein, yes; Skippy Mesirow, yes; John Doyle, yes; Rachael Richards, yes; motion carried. ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING Rachael Richards moved to adjourn the regular meeting of the Elected Officials Transportation Committee at 6:25 p.m. Patti Clapper seconded the motion. Motion passed with 15 yea votes. City of Aspen _________________ Torre, Mayor City Council _________________ Nicole Henning City Clerk Town of Snowmass Village _________________ Bill Madsen, Mayor Town Council _________________ Megan Boucher Town Clerk Pitkin County ___________________ Patti Clapper, Chair Board of County Commissioners ___________________ Julia Ely Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners ___________________ David Pesnichak Regional Transportation Administrator