HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Notes 01-09-2017SPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
City Council Chambers 7500 W. 29th Avenue
January 9, 2017
Upon adjournment of Regular City Council Meeting
Mayor Joyce Jay called the Study Session to order at 7:13 p.m.
Council members present: Janeece Hoppe, Kristi Davis, Monica Duran, Tim Fitzgerald,
Zachary Urban, Genevieve Wooden, and Larry Mathews
Absent: George Pond
Also present: City Clerk, Janelle Shaver; Administrative Services Director, Heather
Geyer; Deputy City Clerk, Robin Eaton; guests and interested citizens.
CITIZEN COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS none
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
1.:. Update on G Line from RTD -RTD representatives
David Genova (CEO) and Henry Stopplecamp (Assistant GM for Capital Programs) from
RTD were present for the update.
Mr. Genova spent considerable time giving information on seven other FastTracks lines,
including:
• The status, number of stations and various travel times of the other lines in the
system
• The Denver Transit Partners. This is the first P3 project of this size in the US.
• The new Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility (CRMF) at 48th & Fox -which will
maintain up to 80 electric units and house the RTDC Administrative Offices
• How attendants are being used at the crossings of the A-Line so gates are not
down longer than necessary
• The current waiver is good until Feb. 4. Monthly trips are being made to
Washington DC to meet with the feds to report on progress on the software.
Henry Stopplecamp gave more detail about the elements related to the crossing issues
with the A Line. This is all mandated by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
He explained how Positive Train Control (PTC) works. It is a wireless safety device.
• PTC is federally mandated.
• It predictively warns operator of speed limit changes and work zones.
• RTD is one of the first properties to fully implement PTC.
SPECIAL STUDY SESSION NOTES: January 9, 2017
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He presented general grade crossing data and explained the difference between
Conventional Warning Systems and Wireless Activation systems. He highlighted
important stages of the conventional and wireless testing schedules.
Information about the Gold Line
• The G Line to Wheat Ridge has 16 public grade crossings, 135 scheduled trips per
day and 2, 160 activations per day.
• He explained the use of conventional warning systems and wireless activation
systems being implemented in the Gold Line.
• The G Line has 11.2 miles of electric commuter rail, 7 stations, 25-minute travel
time to Ward Road, and shared stations at 41st & Fox and Pecos Junction.
Gold Line Status
4 of 9 components of the conformance checklist are 100% compliant. The remaining 5
components are between 90% and 97% completed. When the A Line is compliant, final
work can resume on the G line.
Council questions
• Councilmember Urban asked questions about PTC and assurance of safety for at-
grade crossings.
• Councilmember Mathews asked what a traditional system would cost.
o The representative said it would add 1-2 years, but was not impossible.
o They are doing a hybrid of traditional and wireless. The remaining items that
are not finished deal with communication. They cannot be completed ahead of
time, until the FRA allows them to have a train on the tracks.
o When will it open? It comes down to the A line. They hope to fix it as soon as
possible. The date range has variables and are not ready to be public. The G
Line is static now; testing on it had to be stopped and cannot continue until the
A Line is fixed. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is in control.
• Councilmember Fitzgerald asked if the BNSF system is working with the
conventional system. It is.
• In response to a question from Councilmember Urban, Mr. Genova stated that the
fundamental systems have been tested.
• Councilmember Mathews pressed for an estimated opening date for the G Line.
RTD is hesitant to name a date -so as not to create false expectations.
Councilmember Mathews inquired about Council's interest in making a CORA request for
the projected opening date. The gentlemen from RTD said that wouldn't be necessary;
by week's end they will provide Council with an estimate of a time frame for completion.
2. Liquor licensing -Lodging & Entertainment
-Mr. Dahl and Robin Eaton, Deputy City Clerk
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Mr. Dahl explained that state law does not allow Liquor Licenses within 500 feet of a
school. However, the City has waived that restriction for Beer & Wine, Hotel/Restaurant,
and Brew Pub Licenses.
The State has created a new category of liquor license called Lodging & Entertainment.
They are in the process of determining what types of businesses may hold such a
license. It would be good for Council to decide if they want to allow Lodging &
Entertainment licenses within 500 ft of a school. This would also be a good time to
consider whether or not to allow Distillery Pubs within 500 ft of a school as they are
becoming more popular.
Discussion followed. Mr. Eaton reported that at a meeting he attended earlier in the day
tattoo parlors, coffee shops and event centers had been removed from the list. The list of
businesses that will qualify as "entertainment" is not final. The 500 feet is measured by
direct pedestrian access, not "as the crow flies".
There was consensus to have Mr. Dahl bring the topic back for discussion when the state
has decided what will be included in the "entertainment" category.
ADJOURNMENT The Special Study Session adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
rge Pond, Mayor pro tern