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EagleCountyRTA_Update_06092022 (1)Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update and Next Steps Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update Regional Transportation Authorities (RTAs) •RTA is a public entity that allows two or more local governments—including counties, cities, town and metro districts—to work together to address regional transportation issues •Transportation services may include transit, air, roadway and other services •Governed by a board of appointed elected officials representing the partner governments and must follow open meeting and fiscal accountability and transparency laws •Creation must be approved by local voters •RTAs can also seek voter approval to collect tax revenue and issue bonds Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update Background •In early 2020, Eagle County business community engaged local governments to find better ways to address transportation needs for workforce, residents and visitors •Looking at the Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) and other examples, conversation turned toward feasibility of Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to enhance and expand transit and transportation services across this region •COVID-19 pandemic put this conversion on hold •Eagle County; the towns of Avon, Eagle, Gypsum, Minturn, Red Cliff and Vail; and Beaver Creek Metro District—along with business and nonprofit partners—have renewed collaborative work toward improving regional transportation Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update RTA Formation Participants •Collaborative process between local governments •Support and input from stakeholders, including employers, nonprofits, metro districts, community members •Began formally in fall 2021 with approval of Memorandum of Understanding •Agreement that was approved by eight local governments that set tasks (IGA and service goals), membership, financial resources and oversight •Formation Committee—Elected officials representing each community; responsible for IGA, future ballot language, tax/funding amounts •Technical Committee—Government staff, transit directors, business partners, others who are working on service goals, cost estimates and other tasks •Stakeholder Committee—Community members who provide diverse backgrounds to help offer feedback and additional points of view on transit needs Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update Reasons to Consider an RTA •Eagle County’s population is growing, our resorts have continued to be world class destinations and visitors continue to visit to this region •Growth provides economic opportunities for many, but also strains our region’s housing and transportation systems •As we emerge from the pandemic, it’s time to work on collaborative solutions to increase transit and transportation options •Doing this will support our workforce; help Eagle County residents get to work, home and school safely; and for visitors to enjoy their Eagle County experience •Transportation is a regional issue requiring a truly regional solution •RTA can support our shared climate goals and prepare our communities for the next 10 to 20 years Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update RTA Timeline April/May: Public hearings by local governments on IGA April/May: Benchmark public survey May/June:First phase of public engagement June 7: RTA IGA referred to CDOT for review and comment June/July:Financial modeling; service goal refinement; ballot drafting August: Local governments to consider final version of IGA and resolution to refer to election August: Second phase of public engagement Sept. 9: Last day to refer ballot question to Nov. 2022 election Sept. to Nov.Campaign phase Nov. 8 : Election day Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update Establishing an RTA •Creation of an RTA is a formal process defined in state law •Local governments involved must work together to create an intergovernmental agreement (IGA)—a legal document that sets forth the governance, service goals and other key operating provisions of the RTA •“Charter” document must be agreed upon by the elected councils and boards in each community •Ultimately, voters must agree to the formation of the RTA and any taxing or bonding requests made to provide funding for the RTA’s services and operations •IGA process requires two separate public hearings to be held in each jurisdiction considering adopting the IGA •Feedback from council and public will be shared with the RTA formation committee to help address local community needs and concerns Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update Proposed RTA Boundaries Service Goals Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update RTA Service Goals •Comprehensive, multi-modal transportation enhancement and optimization •Benefit residents with enhanced transit service •Benefit Eagle County businesses that desire effective transit for employees •Improve the visitor experience to maintain economic competitiveness •Increase transit ridership to reduce reliance on single occupant vehicle use •Regional representation with a comprehensive, long-range planning view •Overall intent is to maintain, enhance and expand current ECO transit service Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update RTA Service Goals 1. Enhance Existing Regional Transit Service •Assume responsibility for existing transit service as currently provided by ECO Transit •Develop and implement a fare-free transit zone with expanded service, which may include all or portions of Avon, Vail, Minturn and Beaver Creek, to better meet both visitor and workforce needs, reduce congestion, and limit parking demand •Planning for more enhancements to ECO Transit routes be introduced as soon as equipment, staffing, and facilities allow Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update RTA Service Goals 2. Develop and Implement New Routes •Within 12 months of Authority establishment: •Eagle-Gypsum Circulator Service •Limited Stop Express Service targeting peak workforce commute hours •Explore feasibility of offering additional regional services that may be identified by the RTA Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update RTA Service Goals 3. Accelerate Conversion to Zero-Emission Operations •Conversion of ECO’s existing Highway 6 bus service to a zero-emission platform •Complete conversion to zero emission buses is anticipated to occur between 5 to 10 years (2028 to 2033) •Development of zero-emission plans, timelines and budgets for additional routes and facilities as outlined in an initial RTA Transit Development Plan, to be created following RTA formation Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update RTA Service Goals 4. Invest in Transit-Related Facilities & Infrastructure •Allocate a portion of available revenues to upgrade existing facilities to support planned service expansion •Funds will be set aside in a capital improvement fund to support fleet replacement and future construction of essential transit-related and transit-supportive facilities 5. Support Local Air Service •Pledge approximately $1.2M per year to support expanded year-round air service for residents and visitors of Eagle County to replace existing Air Alliance contributions, returning funds back to local governments Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update RTA Service Goals 6. EGE Airport Interchange •Provide financial support for the construction of an EGE Airport Interchange by committing matching funds to be combined with other local funds if there are sufficient state and federal grant funds awarded for the construction of the EGE Airport Interchange 7. Develop & Implement First-Last Mile Solutions •Design, financially support and implement, with partnerships as appropriate, first and last mile improvements to enhance transit ridership, including park and ride facilities, bus stops, pedestrian crossings, e-bike sharing, on-demand microtransit, and community vanpool programs Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update RTA Service Goals 8. Support Regional Trail Planning •Engage in regional trail planning, construction and maintenance with an emphasis on the provision of multi-modal linkages and first/last mile improvements to enhance transit ridership. 9.Lead Regional Transportation System Planning 10.Enhance Local, State, and Federal Coordination 11.Encourage Transportation Demand Management Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update Potential RTA Funding Sources •Authorized Revenue Sources for RTA •up to 1 Cent Sales Tax •up to 2 Cent “Visitor Benefit Tax” (same as lodging tax or accommodations tax) •Ridership fares •Charges for Transit Services (may charge for transit service out of Transit Area) •Allowed by law but not currently under consideration •up to 5 Mill Property Tax •up to $10 per Vehicle Registration Fee •NOTE: Taxes require voter OK per TABOR Eagle Valley Transportation Authority Community Update RTA Feedback •Input and feedback are critical to ensuring that this RTA proposal meets transportation needs and addresses concerns of our communities •Invite public, elected officials, business owners and employers, nonprofits and all community members to provide feedback at: EagleCountyRTA.org/feedback Questions? For more information: Tanya Allen | 970-328-3533 | tanya.allen@eaglecounty.us Bill Ray | 303-885-1881 | bill@wr-communications.com