05.11.17 GAC Minutes CITY OF BOULDER,COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
Fame of Board/Commission: Greenways Advisory Committee
Date of Meeting: 11 May 2017
Contact Information of Person Preparing Minutes: Meredith Schleske 303-441-3204
Committee Members Present:Valerie Yates—Parks and Recreation Advisory Board,Harmon Zuckerman—
lanning Board,Kirk Vincent—Water Resources Advisory Board,Molly Davis—Open Space MP Board of
Trustees,Jennifer Nicoll—Transportation Board,Christina Gosnell,Environmental Advisory Board
Members Absent:
Staff Present— Annie Noble,Flood and Greenways Engineering Coordinator
Christin Shepherd,Civil Engineer I,Flood&Greenways
Melanie Sloan,Transportation Planner
Mark Gershman,Environmental Planning Supervisor
Juliet Bonnell,Associate Planner
Bill Cowern,Principal Traffic Engineer
Gerrit Slatter,Principal Transportation Projects Engineer
Bryant Gonsalves,Transportation Planner
Meredith Schleske,Committee Secretary
Type of Meeting: Regular
Agenda Item 1—Call to Order. [6:30 p.m.]
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
Committee member Nicoll volunteered to be the committee chair.
genda Item 2—General Public Participation [6:33 p.m.]
There being no public participation,this agenda item was closed.
Agenda Item 3—Arapahoe Underpass Community and Environmental Assessment Process(CEAP)
Melanie Sloan provided the agenda item to the committee. [6:34 p.m.]
Power Point presentation was provided for this item.
Executive Summary from Packet Materials:
This report documents the Community and Environmental Assessment Process(CEAP)for the Boulder Creek
Arapahoe Underpass project(Arapahoe Underpass project).The Arapahoe Underpass project will provide a safer,
ore accessible and less flood prone underpass along the Boulder Creek Multi-Use Path at Arapahoe Avenue near
13th Street.The voter-approved 2014 Community,Culture,and Safety Tax(CCS)ballot initiative provides$2.5
million in project funds and requires construction to be completed by year end 2018.Current cost estimates for all
proposed design options considered for this project are greater than$2.5 million.The planning and design process
began in early 2016 and continued through winter,2017. Construction is currently anticipated to begin in late 2017
r early 2018.
e purpose of the CEAP is to assess potential impacts of conceptual project options to inform the selection of
desired elements and the refinement of a preferred option. This CEAP summarizes an evaluation of two underpass
options,two north path connection options and two south path connection options,with a focus on safety,
accessibility and mobility,environment and user experience, impacts to existing infrastructure, and construction
cost and duration.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends Underpass Option 1,modify the existing underpass;North Path Connection 2,move the path
connection to the Arapahoe Ave and 13th St intersection closer to the Boulder Creek Path and build a single,tall
retaining wall with a handrail between the two paths; South Path Connection 1,reconstruct the existing multi-use
paths and connections on the south side of the underpass;On-Street Crossing 1,e-construct the existing on-street
crossing and pedestrian refuge median.
Public Comment:
• Andrea Bilich—regarding crossing movement to the west,consider paving the turning radius for longer
cargo bikes.
AC discussion included:
• Process if GAC recommends changes to staff proposal.
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11 May 2017
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• Discussions regarding movement pattern and how to determine likelihood of which way most travelers will
go.
• Inquiry regarding path alignment options that staff considered,including moving the crosswalk to the west.
• Questions regarding raised crossways and emergency vehicle ability to negotiate.
• Comment regarding motorist visibility and potential vegetation obstruction.
• Suggestion to"telegraph"presence of other travelers to cyclists by softening/curving the bridge more.
• Suggestion to cover the ditch close to the bridge.
Motion by: Nicoll Seconded by: Yates
Concerning the CEAP for the Arapahoe Underpass project,the Greenways Advisory Committee supports
he staff recommendation-underpass option 1,north path connection option 2,south path connection option
1,and on street crossing option 1 -with further consideration of the approach to the bridge crossing Boulder
reek Path,design of the bridge crossing Boulder Creek Path,and how the bridge connects to the on street
crossing in terms of safety.
Vote: 6-0:Motion Passes
genda Item 4—Review and recommendation of the Greenways Capital Improvement Program(CIP)
[7:35 p.m.]
hristin Shepherd presented item to the committee
Executive Summary from Packet Materials:
No executive summary provided in the packet materials.
Public Comment:there was none
AC discussion included:
• Question regarding how corridors are selected for projects.
• Inquiry regarding projects included in the Skunk Creek initiative.
• Request for explanation of the CIP budget and carryovers.
• Suggestion to add projected start date to attachment B: Greenways Program Summary Spreadsheet.
recommendation from the Greenways Advisory Committee to City Council concerning the proposed
Greenways Capital Improvement Program is requested.
Motion by: Nicoll Seconded by: Zuckerman
The Greenways Advisory Committee recommends the proposed 2018-2023 Greenways Capital
Improvements Program to the City's Planning Board and to the City Council as presented be approved.
Vote: 6-0:Motion Passes
Benda Item 5—Matters from Staff [8:15 p.m.]
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11 May 2017
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Agenda Item 6—Matters from the Committee [8:18 p.m.]
• Request for update on the Wonderland Creek project toured last year and projected timeline for the
Fourmile Canyon Creek projects that were presented at last year's GAC meeting.
o The Wonderland Creek project should be completed this year,including three underpasses. A
story map of the project status is located on the project website. Fourmile Canyon Creek design is
currently underway with benefit to several areas,including flood mitigation,transportation,
environmental.
• Minutes will be forwarded to GAC for approval.
• Brief discussion about how to coordinate better next year.
o Send GAC packet out to GAC members again one week prior to meeting.
o Over-communicate with GAC members.Email reminders about their role and the request prior to
their board's meeting.
o Potentially plan on presenting to any boards that would have a more vested interest in the project.
Agenda Item 7—Adjournment [8:21 p.m.]
Motion for adjournment was made.
Motion by: Yates Seconded by: Vincent
Vote: 6-0: Motion Passes
The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Date,Time,and Location of Next Meeting:
The next meeting date and location will be set as needed.
Approved b Committee Secretary: Y.
r
N
Date: Date:
An audio recording of the full meeting for which these minutes are a summary,is available on the Greenways Advisory
Committee web page.
Greenways Advisory Committee
11 May 2017
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