I. Welcome/Introductions

Introductions were made by all in attendance. Each person discussed their issues, interests they represent, and knowledge they have with this study.

Jill Bennett (Larimer County Planning Department) – Jill mentioned that any alternate route will present land use implications and that the Larimer County GIS department may be able to help with land use information.

Cam McNair (City of Fort Collins) – Cam discussed that we need to "trust" the data we present for the Origin & Destination study. The idea of a through trip needs to be clearly defined.

Vicky McLane (North Front Range MPO) – Vicky mentioned that the definition of a truck should be made clear to the public (i.e. a truck does not include pick-up trucks). With all the construction, many people in the Fort Collins area remember all the trucks driving through the town and once that construction is over, those trucks will not be driving through town. Vicky said it is very important to get in the Upper Front Range Planning Commission meetings. Vicky also suggested speaking with Chris Fasching at FHU to obtain data from the SH14/I-25 Access Management Study.

Jay Gould (WYDOT) – Jay provided us with the following information:

• WYDOT has a permanent counter at Tie-Siding. ADT counts are 3,700 vehicles and 38% are trucks. (For more info, call Bob Millburn, WYDOT planning engineer, at 307-777-4412).
• On I-80, the ADT is 10,000- 11,000 vehicles and 60% are trucks.
• I-80 closed about 7-8 times over the last 5 years. I-80 closure leads to heavy volumes on US 287.
• Construction on I-80 and I-25 consists mostly of resurfacing and is scheduled to be completed in 2005
• It is important to provide the public with information about road conditions and closures

Pat Persson (WYDOT) – Pat provided the following insight into the trucking industry:

• It is easier to work with trucking companies as opposed to independents
• A large amount of truckers do not speak English
• Some truckers do not pay attention to road closure signs
• Wyoming is a "pipeline" for trucks since have trucks coming from the Northwest, California, and Las Vegas

Bob Parish (State Patrol) – Bob provided us with the following facts:

• Colorado has 30 troopers who work in conjunction with CDOT, WYDOT, and the Ports of Entry (mostly compliance and safety issues)
• US 287 is not as significant with problems so it doesn’t get as much attention patrolling
• US 287 is a scenic route and that might appeal to truckers
• The state patrol will continue to educate and help truckers and drivers
• In a ‘typical’ winter, US 287 may be closed 12-15 times a winter for a couple hours

Alan Rutledge (Ports of Entry) – Alan’s insight included the following:

• 825,000 commercial vehicles drove within Fort Collins
• Pre-pass system has been in place for 6 months and 20% of trucks utilize the system. The goal is to increase the use to 40% of trucks.
• Weigh in motion is in use in Colorado and Wyoming and truckers should know and use this
• Must find a way to educate truckers on the benefits of using I-25 and I-80
• Technology is a great way to help with truck traffic
• Truck traffic increases from 4-7% per year
• If US 287 is made into a 4-lane facility, it’s going to be difficult to prevent trucks from using US 287

Jack Baier (PUC) – Jack suggested that we use the information that has been collected from other studies with our alternate route selection. Jack also noted that on CR 50 there is a large powerline overhead.

Pete Graham (CDOT) – Pete noted the CDOT EA on US 287 should have an alignment chosen within the next couple months. This study is being completed to meet capacity needs and does not address truck issues.

II.   Meeting Purpose

The purpose of the meeting was to gather information and input from various agencies regarding this study.

III.   Study Overview

An overview of the study was given by R.A. Plummer, consultant project manager. Handouts showing the exhibits that were going to be used at the first public open house were passed out and detail all of the following information.

A. Study Intent and Description
The project was initiated by Ballot Initiative 200 and includes three phases. The first phase looks at non-route based strategies to encourage through truck traffic to use the Interstate Highway System (I-25 and I-80). Through traffic is classified as trucks that access SH 14 from I-25 and use the SH 14 and US 287 route to get to I-80 in Laramie. The strategies will be developed and refined by working closely with the trucking industry, various stakeholders, and affected agencies. The second phase focuses on developing and analyzing alternate truck routes. As stated in Ballot Initiative 200, the alternate truck route must be located at least two miles north of the Fort Collins Growth Management Area. This requirement means that the southernmost alternate route that is eligible for evaluation in this study is County Road 58. Alternate truck routes will be developed through the alternative evaluation process with input from the various stakeholders. The third phase deals with developing a funding plan for study recommendations and evaluating next steps that need to be taken. Funding may include a combination of regional, state, Federal, and innovative sources.

B. Study Process and Schedule
Attendees were briefed on the project’s historical background, structure, and anticipated schedule. R.A. Plummer, Consultant Team Project Manager for PBS&J, explained the study process discussing both the overall study process and the alternative evaluation process. These processes are highlighted in the attachments to those notes. The schedule for the study was also discussed, and is currently scheduled for completion in November 2001.

IV.   Committees, Roles, and Meetings

The various groups that are involved with the study include:

A. Project Management Team (PMT)
The PMT is comprised of the following agencies:
  - City of Fort Collins
  - Larimer County
  - Upper Front Range Regional Planning Commission
  - CDOT Region 4

B. Policy Advisory Committee (PAC)
The PAC consists of representatives from the following agencies:
  - Fort Collins City Council
  - Larimer County Commissioners
  - City of Cheyenne
  - CDOT Region 4
  - WYDOT
  - Upper Front Range
  - Town of Wellington
  - City of Laramie
  - North Front Range MPO

C. Stakeholders Committee
The Stakeholders Committee is comprised of various representatives from affected agencies and the public and meets once every month. The role of the Stakeholder Committee is to help assess and review recommendations and provide input throughout the study process.

D. Elected Officials Update
Elected officials will be updated on the status of the study at key milestones during their regularly scheduled meetings. The elected officials include the following groups:
  - Fort Collins City Council
  - Transportation Board
  - Larimer County Commissioners
  - Town of Wellington

V.   Study Outreach and How to Stay Involved and Informed

Special outreach meetings have been conducted and will continue throughout the study to develop a clear understanding of the various issues throughout the study area. These meetings will include homeowners associations, service organizations, and other community groups.

Other ways to stay informed throughout the process of the study include:

• Project Web site (www.sh14truckingstudy.com)

• Future Public Open Houses
  The next public open houses are tentatively scheduled for June 2001.

• Newspapers (Fort Collins Coloradoan and North Forty News)
    - Public Meeting Advertisement
    - Public Meeting Announcements and Informational Inserts

• Contact Study Team
    - R.A. Plummer (Consultant Project Manager)
       (800) 497-5529
    - Mark Jackson (City Project Manager)
       (970) 416-2029

VI.   Truck and Study Area Issues

No other issues were discussed at this time.

VII.   Other?

Agency representatives that were not able to attend the meeting were contacted. Issues and input from those that were reached are included below.

Eric Bracke (City of Fort Collins) – Eric stated that he had no issues to add at this time.

Gary Diede (City of Fort Collins) – Gary said that he recently attended a meeting up in Wellington and that the people of Larimer County are concerned with why Fort Collins is pushing their problem up to Larimer County.

Rick Gabel (CDOT) - Rick stated that he had no issues to add at this time.

John Crier (CDOT) – John said that there were no specific environmental issues at this time since no detailed environmental analysis has been completed. There are wetlands and archaeological and paleontological sites located in the study area. We can expect to hear more from the public once more specific information has been collected.

Larry Lorentzen (Town of Wellington) – Larry stated that there are issues with the relocation of the truck route. Owl Canyon residents are upset and feel like Fort Collins is pushing their problems onto Larimer County. The Town of Wellington would like to be kept updated and know where the potential truck route might be located in order to plan for the route. The Town of Wellington would like to know how the traffic will move in the area of the new route. We need to make sure that the trucks use the route and do not drive through towns. One advantage of the alternate route could be development that occurs around the route thus providing money to area businesses.

Janelle Henderson (Larimer County) – Janelle stated that she had no issues to add at this time.

Frank Hempen (Weld County) – Frank stated that he had no issues to add at this time.

David Knotts (Wellington Fire District) – David suggested talking with Steve Sarno at the fire department.

Steve Sarno (Wellington Fire District) – Steve stated that the effects of a truck bypass would impact the Wellington Fire Department in that the increase in traffic due to the bypass will cause an increase in the number of calls to the fire department. Steve also said that there are hazmat concerns with trucks but that even without the bypass the concern is still there and it will be handled the same way as it is now. Steve suggested that if the trucks clear the port of entry in Fort Collins you could offer an incentive to stay on I-25 and I-80 such as by-passing the port of entry in Cheyenne. This will save the truckers time. Steve also noted that it is important for Fort Collins and CDOT to work together order for this project to be a success.

Mark Peterson (Larimer County) – Mark noted that Larimer County would like to have a forum where elected officials can communicate.

Lucinda Smith (City of Fort Collins) – Lucinda stated that air quality is an important issue with this project and that the Natural Resources department at the City of Fort Collins would like to be kept abreast of the status of this study.

Terry McKee (Army Corps of Engineers) – Terry noted that there are wetlands in the project area and that if the project was going to disturb any of these wetlands, the Corps would need to be contacted beforehand.

Terry McKee (Army Corps of Engineers) – Terry noted that there are wetlands in the project area and that if the project was going to disturb any of these wetlands, the Corps would need to be contacted beforehand.