HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformation Only 072523AGENDA
INFORMATION UPDATE
July 25, 2023
5:00 PM,
I.Information Update
I.A Park Avenue Work Session Follow Up
I.B Update on Electricity Transmission Delivery Costs
I.C Traffic Counts and Transit Ridership
2023 6-19 Park Ave Work Session Summary Memo.pdf
Info Only Transmission Costs Final .pdf
2023 07-20 Council Information Memo- Traffic Counts.pdf
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WORK SESSION SUMMARY MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Carly McGowan, Project Manager II
Pete Rice, PE, Deputy City Engineer
THROUGH: Tricia Aragon, PE, City Engineer
MEETING DATE: June 19th, 2023
RE: Park Avenue Improvement Project
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION:
Staff presented the background, council and neighborhood history, and proposed
project design to Council.
Staff walked through the community and neighborhood need for pedestrian
infrastructure and stormwater infrastructure in the Park Avenue corridor. The
conversation surrounding pedestrian safety has been ongoing since the 2000s. Staff
presented a timeline dating back to 2019 showing the recent history of neighborhood
outreach and council decisions leading to the June 19th, 2023 work session.
Staff presented the proposed improvements on Park Avenue which include stormwater
infrastructure, a sidewalk connection, and road re-alignment and re-grading to
accommodate the proposed sidewalk and storm infrastructure. As proposed, there are
impacts of the project on the neighborhood, including modifications to a driveway in the
ROW, modifications to parking in the ROW that is perceived as private parking,
landscaping changes, and aesthetic concerns. Engineering staff presented the efforts
that have been undertaken to work with neighbors, Parks Department staff, and a
landscape architecture firm to replaced two landscaped areas in the ROW that will be
impacted as well as to mitigate other im pacts of the project.
Staff presented the re-grading of the E Hopkins Trail as an ad-alt of the project to
address the drainage concerns at the base of the trail where it meets the E Hopkins
bridge.
Council discussed concerns about aesthetics in the neighborhood and impacts to
landscaping being felt by only a handful of neighbors. Multiple Councilors requested a
“lighter touch” solution and were informed that the proposed design is a “lighter touch”
compared to potential options that were considered throughout the design process.
Some members of Council questioned the need for the pedestrian component of the
project.
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COUNCIL DIRECTION:
Council directed Staff to move forward with finalized design and bid process for
construction in 2024. Council directed staff to include the re-grading of E Hopkins Trail
as a mandatory part of the bid packet instead of as an ad -alt.
NEXT STEPS:
1. Staff will finalize the 100% planset and drainage report
2. Staff will bid project for construction in 2024
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MEMORANDUM OF INFORMATION
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Justin Forman, Director of Utilities
THROUGH: Tyler Christoff, Deputy Director of Public Works
Scott Miller, Public Works Director
MEMO DATE: July 19th, 2023
MEETING DATE: July 25th, 2023
RE: Update on electricity transmission delivery costs
BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION: Each month the City of Aspen pays a transmission
delivery rate for the transfer of electrical energy from various 100% renewable generating
facilities. Currently the City of Aspen pays Holy Cross Energy (HCE), Western Area Power
Administration (WAPA), and Public Service Company (PSCo, a subsidiary of Xcel
Energy) for these services.
Costs for electric transmission in our region is generally recovered through a structure
known as the network transmission model. The City of Aspen utilizes PSCo’s network to
move a portion of Aspen’s energy. Participants pay rates based on their proportional
share of capital and operating costs associated with the network. Regardless of the
distance or physical infrastructure utilized on PSCo’s lines, the City pays a fixed amount
multiplied by the peak hour kilowatt (kW) of electrical power delivered. PSCo typically
updates their network transmission service rates annually, which has historically
averaged a single digit percent increase.
PSCo is currently working on a project, the Colorado’s Power Pathway, which is
estimated to cost $1.7 to $2 billion to enable future energy development in eastern
Colorado. The first segment is proposed to be in service by 2025 and final segment will
be finished by 2027. Due to City of Aspen participation in PSCo’s network, there will be
a direct pass-through cost to the Utility even though the City will not directly utilize this
new network infrastructure.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPACTS: In addition to the projected annual increases, the
most recent staff estimates from data provided by PSCo, show the following
transmission rate percentage increases that will be passed through to the City:
December 2023 – December 2024: 15.91%
December 2024 – December 2025: 15.40%
December 2025 – December 2026: 27.79%
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December 2026 – December 2027: 18.37%
The project’s estimated increases could escalate if additional scope or unforeseen
conditions are discovered during construction.
The monthly cost varies by the amount of energy delivered, however current charges from
PSCo average around $47,558.00 per month. Anticipating these increased costs, the
Utilities Department believes the 2023-2024 increase from PSCo can be accommodated
within the existing 2024 electric operating budget (431 Fund). However, the future
network costs will require City Council supplemental approvals and associated supporting
rates in the years to follow.
Utilities staff will continue exploring options to try and mitigate the costs associated with
this project in the electric fund. Staff will also continue to provide updates to City Council
if any major changes have developed with the annual transmission percentage increases
due to this project.
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INFORMATION ONLY-MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Pete Rice, Deputy City Engineer
THROUGH: Scott Miller, Director Public Works
Trish Aragon, PE, City Engineer
MEETING DATE: July 19th, 2023
RE: Information Only: Traffic Counts and Transit Ridership
SUMMARY:
Attached for your information and review are the traffic counts coming in and out of town
at the Castle Creek Bridge and transit ridership data for the local City transit system and
the RFTA valley system.
BACKGROUND
The City of Aspen has maintained traffic counts with permanent traffic counters located on
SH 82 prior to the Castle Creek Bridge to count the daily traffic coming into and out of
Aspen since 1999.
The monthly traffic counts from 1993 and were established in the Final Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Entrance to Aspen (ETA) Record of Decision (ROD) as the
target traffic levels. The community adopted the 1993 traffic levels in the Aspen Area
Community Plan (AACP) and other planning documents as the community target. Over the
years some months have been higher or lower than the 1993 levels but, annual average has
remained below the 1993 target level. The many Transportation Demand Measures (TDM)
and programs undertaken over the years have contributed to keeping traffic below the
1993 levels. These programs and TDM measures include expanded transit, BRT, paid
parking, Car Share, Bike Share, Car-pooling, employer outreach, the Downtowner micro
transit, expansion of the Brush Creek Park N Ride lot, and SH 82 bus lanes in and out of
town.
City staff have included two counters per the request of Council. One counter is located at
Power Plant Road while the other is located on Highway 82 on the east side of Aspen’s core.
Data was collected from June 22nd through July 10th excluding July 5th and 6th to charge
batteries. CDOT does not have a permanent counter east of Aspen, but has taken past
counts intermittently, but the city will continue to monitor this data. EOTC is continuing a
project that will include a permanent counter on Power Plant Road and a replacement for
Castle Creek Bridge.
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DISCUSSION
Annual Traffic Counts:
The annual traffic count table shows annual average counts from 1999 through June of
2023.
The chart indicates annual counts peaking in 2004 and 2005. Traffic volumes then
declined for several years and dipped in 2008 – 2010 during the recession. Counts then
began trending upward beginning in 2011. Counts peaked in 2015 and then leveled off.
The bridge and bus stop construction project in 2018 greatly impacted the annual counts
as the construction and detours routed traffic away from the counters. Counts increased in
2019 and then decreased significantly in 2020 during COVID.
Counts are trending upward in 2021 and are approaching the 2019 pre-COVID levels. The
annual counts for 2021 year to date (through July) are 14% above the 2020 levels but 2%
below the 2019 (pre-Covid) levels for the same period and 11% below the target levels for
1993.
2022 levels were approximately 10% below 2021 and 26% below the targeted level for
1993. It should be noted that 2022 low vehicles trips can partially be attributed to
construction that was done through a CDOT project at the roundabout during August,
September and October. The 2023 trended downward to start the year in traffic counts, but
May and June are trending towards higher traffic counts than 2022.
Monthly Traffic Counts:
May and June are below the 1993 target levels. May is 16% below the 1993 levels, but is
12% above the 2022 levels. June is 20% below the targeted 1993 levels and 1% above the
2022 level.
Daily Traffic Counts:
The July 4th week is the heaviest week of the year. The highest day in 2022 was July 8, at
26,676. The highest day ever was July 3, 2003, when the daily count was recorded at
33,600.
Power Plant Road Daily Traffic Counts:
The 5-day work week is utilized for Average Daily Traffic to exclude weekend use.
Inbound vehicles average 768 vehicles per day. Outbound vehicles average 1,507 vehicles
per day. Staff does not have previous year models for comparison, but will be developed.
East of Aspen on HWY 82:
The 5-day work week is utilized for Average Daily Traffic to exclude weekend use.
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Inbound vehicles average 2,437 vehicles per day. Outbound vehicles average 2,393 vehicles
per day. The weekend use is higher than the work day use.
Downtown Core Occupancy:
Parking in the downtown core occupancy is above the levels in 2022. The parking
occupancy sets a goal to peak at 85% occupancy during the peak periods which is generally
between the hours of 12:00 and 2:00. It’s important to know that this occupancy
percentage is based on compliant vehicles paid through the meters or applications.
Month Occupancy Percentage of Parked Vehicles
May 2022 33%
May 2023 37%
June 2022 58%
June 2023 63%
Transit Ridership:
Ridership for the Aspen system in 2022 is 896,967 people. Ridership on the local system
increased 26% in 2022. Total ridership in 2022 remains 37% below the peak year in 2019
prior to covid. Total ridership in 2023 is trending 15% more than 2022, but is not reaching
the peak year ridership in 2019.
Attachments:
Appendix A Monthly Traffic Counts
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MONTHLY 1993 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2023 %2023 %
AADT vs 1993 vs 1993 vs 2022 vs 2022
JAN 23,800 22,701 22,504 22,827 22,945 22,837 23,816 24,398 20,588 23,387 22,584 21,745 21,254 21,994 22,607 23,859 22,956 23,415 23,649 22,766 22,418 21,262 22,005 19,272 21,215 20,457 -3,343 -14.0%-758 -3.6%
FEB 24,300 23,638 23,910 23,932 23,207 23,694 23,400 24,162 22,356 23,000 22,449 21,131 20,730 21,376 21,684 22,077 22,405 22,804 22,825 23,486 21,871 21,717 21,771 20,501 22,906 20,477 -3,823 -15.7%-2,429 -10.6%
MAR 24,800 25,574 24,590 24,752 23,822 23,812 25,417 25,892 23,618 23,927 23,171 21,967 23,852 22,384 22,436 22,742 23,432 24,285 23,648 23,405 22,650 21,792 15,501 21,793 22,394 20,352 -4,448 -17.9%-2,042 -9.1%
APR 18,800 19,734 20,270 19,443 19,900 19,789 18,921 19,420 18,264 18,993 18,882 19,177 18,405 no data 17,134 17,425 17,883 19,163 18,098 17,781 14,528 18,519 8,462 18,627 16,916 16,804 -1,996 -10.6%-112 -0.7%
MAY 19,300 18,538 19,944 18,929 19,310 18,837 18,924 19,021 18,051 18,530 17,813 17,392 17,878 17,874 19,077 17,662 17,396 17,208 18,037 17,985 11,294 17,443 13,748 17,313 14,355 16,148 -3,152 -16.3%1,793 12.5%
JUN 26,200 25,408 25,126 23,719 23,618 25,003 25,650 25,097 22,552 23,940 23,279 22,877 22,701 22,724 25,124 22,966 23,884 24,993 24,501 23,986 21,218 23,259 20,344 23,510 20,737 20,898 -5,302 -20.2%161 0.8%
JUL 28,600 26,579 27,873 27,325 28,777 29,285 29,278 29,544 26,165 27,193 26,187 25,950 26,538 25,849 26,245 26,785 27,286 27,825 26,549 26,489 25,979 26,083 23,766 25,844 24,979
AUG 28,600 25,142 27,375 26,237 27,497 27,391 27,952 27,998 24,233 26,171 24,375 23,374 24,763 24,755 25,077 26,141 25,081 25,621 25,857 25,193 24,690 24,831 22,939 24,341 21,623
SEPT 24,000 23,294 21,964 21,763 22,396 22,231 23,879 23,796 no data*22,068 21,151 no data*21,901 21,590 21,080 21,428 22,033 23,207 23,325 23,246 17,474 22,170 22,402 22,852 13,875
OCT 20,500 20,038 20,511 19,921 19,969 19,866 20,521 20,371 no data*19,576 19,640 no data*18,350 18,189 18,873 19,024 19,519 20,497 19,772 19,823 14,307 17,782 19,577 19,290 11,691
NOV 20,000 no data*18,643 18,430 no data*18,220 19,652 18,892 no data*19,076 17,930 no data*17,853 17,531 18,910 no data no data 17,390 17,790 17,910 16,431 16,805 16,483 16,860 15,723
DEC 25,200 24,743 22,847 22,394 no data*22,880 24,882 22,449 22,567 21,983 21,038 20,376 21,986 23,049 24,788 no data no data 22,524 22,298 22,905 22,066 21,597 20,146 20,863 20,940
ANNUAL MONTHLY
TOTAL 284,100 255,389 275,557 269,672 231,441 273,845 282,292 281,040 198,394 267,844 258,499 193,989 256,211 237,315 263,035 220,109 221,875 268,932 266,349 264,975 234,926 253,260 227,144 251,066 227,354
ANNUAL MONTHLY
AVERAGE 23,675 23,217 22,963 22,473 23,144 22,820 23,524 23,420 22,044 22,320 21,542 21,554 21,351 21,574 21,920 22,011 22,188 22,411 22,196 22,081 19,577 21,105 18,929 20,922 18,946
The numbers highlighted in yellow mean monthly traffic counts exceeded the 1993 levels
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