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D.I.R.T. Task Force minutes of 3/7/2007

Contributed by: Office of the Mayor on 4/17/2007

MINUTES OF
D.I.R.T. TASK FORCE
March 7, 2007
6:30 p.m.


A. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Chair Stites at 6:35 p.m.

B. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS

Committee Members Present
Anne Brinkman
Mary Cavarra
Liz George
Dean Gokey
Paul Hovland
Brett Kelley
Eugene Kiefel
Dick Matthews
Jill McGranahan
Larry Merkl
Jim Payne
Kelsey Robb
Susan Seeds
Larry Schulz
Mike Stites
Terry Womble
Committee Members Absent:
Rob Osborn
Also attending
Jerry DiTullio, Mayor
Tim Paranto, Public Works Director
Heather Geyer, Assistant to City Manager
Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary

C. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - February 28, 2007

It was moved by Dean Gokey and seconded by Larry Merkl to approve the minutes of February 28, 2007 as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

D. MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Mayor DiTullio thanked those serving on the task force and reminded members that the projects being discussed in this process are concepts at this time and funding is not available to cover all of them. Once the projects are ranked, funding mechanisms will be discussed. He asked members to express their reasons for ranking projects, either high or low. High ranking projects will be ranked again later in the process.

E. ROADWAY AND STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS

1. Introduction, Task Force Moderator - Councilmember Stites
Chair Stites introduced Tim Paranto, Director of Public Works.

2. Roadway and Streetscapes Improvements
Tim Paranto presented highlights of each of the following projects.

Project No.1 - Wadsworth Boulevard Widening between 38th to 44th
The Colorado Department of Highways is planning to widen Wadsworth from four to six lanes. This portion of Wadsworth carries about 45,000 vehicles per day. This project has been recognized by City Council for many years as being very important to the city. The estimated cost is $7,000,000. The federal government earmarks money through the state and Denver Regional Council of Governments and requires a 20% match by the local government ($1,400,000 in this case.) There is a greater chance of receiving this funding if local funds are available.

Project No. 2 - Kipling Street Sidewalks
Kipling is also a state highway and carries about 37,000 vehicles per day.
A large portion of Kipling does not have sidewalks. This project would provide continuous sidewalks along the highway through Wheat Ridgef with a ten-foot pedestrian/bike trail on the east side and a six-foot sidewalk on the west side. The estimated cost is $5,500,000.

Project No. 3 - Wadsworth Sidewalks - The estimated cost for sidewalks ten feet wide on the east and six feet wide on the west would be $7,000,000. A good portion of Wadsworth does not presently have sidewalks. This could be a possible transportation improvement project, especially with the trail on the east side.

Project No. 4 - 38th Avenue Reconstruction from Kipling to Youngfield - This street carries approximately 8,000 vehicles per day. The project would include sidewalks, bike trails and equestrian trails. Some acquisition of right-of-way would be required. Installation of a storm drainage system and underground utilities would be necessary. The estimated cost for this project would be $11,500,000.

Project No. 5 - 32nd Avenue Reconstruction from Wadsworth to Kipling - This street carries about 9,000 vehicles per day and also carries a large amount of bicycle traffic. Lutheran Hospital and Wheat Ridge High School are affected by this portion of 32nd Avenue. The project would include installing sidewalks. The estimated cost of this project is $10,300,000.

Project No. 6 - Continuation of Streetscape along 38th Avenue West of Harlan - This project would add detached sidewalks and tree lawns as well as pedestrian lighting. The estimated cost for this project is $2,500,000.

Project No. 7 - Streetscape Improvement on 44th Avenue from Wadsworth to Field - 44th Avenue is the third busiest street in the city behind Wadsworth and Kipling. It is not pedestrian or cyclist friendly. The project would include detached sidewalks with tree lawns and perhaps a landscaped median. The trail connection to the Clear Creek Trail would also be improved on the west. The estimated cost for this project is $2,700,000.

Staff's recommendations, based on safety and capacity, are in the order the projects were presented.

3. Questions and Answers
Task Force Moderator - Councilmember Stites

In response to a question from Jill McGranahan, Mr. Paranto stated that pedestrian use along Kipling and Wadsworth is low due to the absence of sidewalks. Staff is in the process of putting together a trail map for future city council adoption. A final study for this project may be placed in contention for transportation improvement funding. Ms. McGranahan
asked if there was presently room for the Wadsworth widening and the proposed sidewalks. Mr. Paranto stated that those projects would require right-of-way acquisition from adjacent property owners and that cost has been built into the estimate.

In response to a question from Liz George, Mr. Paranto stated that sidewalks are proposed on Kipling and Wadsworth from city limit to city limit. He also explained that a 10-foot sidewalk is the minimum width required to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.

In response to questions from Eugene Kiefel, Mr. Paranto stated that the patterned concrete between the street and sidewalks are not meant to be walked on but to serve as protection from vehicles. Benches were placed on the sidewalk because easements weren't obtained from the adjacent property owners. In the future, easements will be acquired to place the benches on a pad off the sidewalk.

Larry Merkl commented that he believed Wadsworth should be widened the entire expanse from 36th to 49th to have the same lanes as Lakewood and Arvada to correct the present "funneling" effect. Mr. Paranto agreed and explained that the proposed project would be a "band-aid" approach until CDOT has the funds to widen Wadsworth the entire way. Mr. Merkl commented that the band-aid may present a bigger problem than already exists as drivers try to go from four to two lanes. He also commented that he doesn't see people using sidewalks along Kipling where Arvada has installed them. He stated that he believed that project presented by staff is more logical than that suggested in the Wadsworth Corridor.

Larry Merkl asked about the impact on 32nd and 38th Avenues as a result of the Cabela's project. Mr. Paranto estimated traffic would increase 5 to 15% a day as a result of local and employee traffic. Tourists would probably not use this route. Mr. Merkl commented that sidewalks are very important in light of the increased traffic.

In response to a question from Anne Brinkman, Mr. Paranto stated that present storm drainage flooding along 32nd and 38th is gently shed across everyone's property. However, when curb and gutter is installed, the flow will be more concentrated and it will be necessary to control that storm drainage.

Anne Brinkman asked if Parks and Recreation has identified costs to maintain the streetscape on 38th Avenue from Harlan to Wadsworth. Mr. Paranto replied that these types of projects have irrigation and minimized maintenance such as hardscaping. If this project goes forward, costs will be further analyzed.

Anne Brinkman asked if sidewalks along Wadsworth would dovetail with CDOT plans. Mr. Paranto replied that the city couldn't do anything to Wadsworth without CDOT's permission.

Terry Womble stated that he has heard citizen concerns about possible loss of parking on 38th if the proposed improvements take place and requested that this be considered during the design process. He also commented that the Parks and Recreation are not adequately staffed to take care of new streetscapes. Mr. Paranto agreed that the Parks Department and Public Works Department are presently understaffed in this area.

Jill McGranahan suggested the possibility of creating a business improvement district to help in funding some of the projects. She commented that 32nd Avenue improvements should receive high priority because it feeds into Wheat Ridge High School and Crown Hill Park and would fit in with NRS goals. Wadsworth improvements are also high priority.

In response to a question from Terry Womble about the cost of bike lanes, Tim Paranto stated that construction costs are not as much of a problem as the acquisition of easements for right-of-way.

Terry Womble suggested there should be some type of artistic branding to tie all the projects together. Mr. Paranto stated that they are presently working with Wheat Ridge 2020 on a branding project.

Mary Cavarra commented that it seemed all of the projects would require acquisition of right-of-way. Mr. Paranto stated the only project that may not require acquisition is 32nd Avenue.

Mary Cavarra asked if there was any possibility of cost sharing with the City of Arvada for the Wadsworth widening. Mr. Paranto stated that the city wasn't successful in negotiations for a similar situation on Kipling when the Target center went in.

Susan seeds asked how many accidents occur on 32nd Avenue. Mr. Paranto replied that he didn't have exact numbers but there are quite a few accidents right around the high school. However, there are a minimum number of accidents at the entrance to Lutheran Hospital.

Susan Seeds commented that it would be good to accommodate both street and recreational cyclists. Families riding with their children need a separated bike path.

Anne Brinkman commented that Lakewood doesn't have a lot of sidewalks along Kipling and wondered if it would be necessary to go end to end with sidewalks on Kipling but rather have sidewalks in key areas such as around the recreation center. Mr. Paranto replied that he believes it is necessary to provide some access for pedestrians along the street. It might be necessary to have sidewalk on only one side. He commented that it has been shown that pedestrians won't cross the street to walk on a sidewalk.

Liz George wondered how anxious people would be to get off of Wadsworth and go to 38th and Harlan when Wadsworth is widened. Tim Paranto replied that drivers would be able to get through the city faster and those drivers who wanted to shop could easily get off Wadsworth and back on again.

Dean Gokey commented that he would really like to see Wadsworth widened with sidewalks. He expressed concern about taking right-of-way from people's yards to accomplish it. Without CDOT's support, right-of-way acquisition would be cost prohibitive for the city. One reason he would like to see more sidewalks is his concern about the safety of school children. He also commented that there will be a high retail demand on 38th between Kipling and Youngfield due to Cabela's, Applewood Shopping Center improvements and other retail development.

Mike Stites asked if any Urban Drainage funds would be available for 38th between Kipling and Youngfield because part of it is in the floodplain. Mr. Paranto replied that very little of the area is in the floodplain but there would be some Urban Drainage funding if the city could match fifty percent of the cost.

Susan Seeds commented that one side of Garrison between Colfax and Alameda is rural with a bike lane and the other side has a sidewalk. Sidewalk and asked if that would be something to consider to help keep the rural feel of wheat Ridge. Mr. Paranto replied that a master plan for the trail system would involve looking at this type of scenario and gathering public opinion. Staff presently has a grid of all streets where there should be trails and pedestrian walks.

Paul Hovland shared the concern expressed earlier about the funneling effect on Wadsworth. He asked if CDOT would be more willing to step up the funding for the entire Wadsworth widening if the city went ahead with its project. Mr. Paranto replied that local dollars and city involvement does stimulate CDOT's involvement.

In response to a questions from Brett Kelley, Mr. Paranto replied that the estimated $7,000,000 would provide a finished product on Wadsworth from 38th to 44th to meet transportation needs for the next twenty years. He also explained that the estimated cost to provide sidewalks along Wadsworth is due to the expense of acquiring right-of-way.

Kelsey Robb commented that because there is no retail space near the high school, students sometimes have to walk on the street to get to lunch locations.

In response to a question from Terry Womble, Mr. Paranto stated that the 38th Avenue reconstruction cost estimate includes streetscaping. Mr. Womble commented that since CDOT will be widening major arteries, it might be best to concentrate on other thoroughfares.

4. Conclusion of Meeting
Task Force Moderator - Councilmember Stites

On behalf of Mayor DiTullio and members of City Council, Chair Stites thanked Task Force members for their participation and invited members of the public to go on line to obtain an evaluation form and submit it to the city. The next meeting will be held March 21 at 6:30 p.m.

F. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.



____________________________ ___________________________
Mike Stites, Chair

Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary


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Office of the Mayor

Wheat Ridge , CO

Office of the Mayor has posted 186 stories and 15 comments since joining on 9/29/2005. Office of the Mayor's average story rating is 4.06.
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