Change was at the heart of the Sept. 12 Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) board meeting. The gathering saw celebration of recent successes and grants, recognition of member departures and warnings and considerations of upcoming challenges. After quickly approving minutes from the August meeting, the floor was opened for public comment.
Public and board comments
Patricia Savoy and Ed Cortez of Carbondale, both members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1774, notified the board of their intention to strike. The union and RFTA have been negotiating since May about wages, housing stipends and other contract details. The union feels that negotiations are at an impasse as of early September. If RFTA does not respond with a more palatable offer to the union by the end of the calendar year, the strike will move forward.
Rachel Richards of Aspen asked the RFTA board to provide additional support to the City of Aspen and Pitkin County regarding the entrance to Aspen. As the City moves forward on the topic and applies for a federal environmental impact statement and grant funding, Richards emphasized the influence RFTA has in reaching riders and community members. She asked the board to poll riders further on preferred ways to address traffic and congestion.
During board comments, all in attendance celebrated the grants received from the Colorado Department of Transportation to add 10 new electric buses to the fleet. CEO Kurt Ravenschlag said, “We’ve been very fortunate this past year in receiving grants to improve infrastructure and vehicles toward meeting our zero emissions goals.” He also noted that “this latest grant will allow RFTA to provide zero emissions service up and down the Valley” and help fund installation of en route charging infrastructure at Rubey Park and in Glenwood Springs. “The majority of the funds we were granted, $10 million, came from the Volkswagen settlement.”
Next, Board Chair Shelley Kaup informed the group that she will be stepping down from board representation and City of Glenwood Springs representation in mid-October after that month’s meeting. This development promises further change and shake-ups, as the board will need to select a new chair and establish additional Glenwood representation.
Attention then turned to RFTA’s former CEO. “We’re not done with you yet, Dan,” quipped Board Vice Chair Greg Poschman, calling recently retired CEO Blankenship to the dais for recognition. Those present spent the next 20 minutes celebrating Blankenship’s work and influence on local transportation with all acknowledging that “Dan’s influence will be felt at RFTA for years to come.”
Consent agenda and presentations
Consent items were quickly resolved. The board unanimously approved Resolution 2024-14, moving forward with an intergovernmental agreement with CDOT to provide needed maintenance at the 27th Street underpass.
Representatives from the City of Aspen presented updates about the Castle Creek bridge status and process. The Castle Creek bridge condition is over 13 years past the design life and currently ranked as functionally obsolete. Pete Rice explained the five evaluated options for bridge replacement and the entrance to Aspen, with a focus on the preferred alternative.
The top proposal, already approved, has been submitted to the State of Colorado and is the option that gives locals the most control. It would require relocating the historic Berger cabin. The City is not able to withdraw the Record of Decision already submitted to the state. However, given significant public commentary recently, Aspen City Council is opening the federal process for replacement of the current bridge and to analyze alternative alignments further. The City of Aspen will be polling to understand community sentiment.
RFTA Director of Finance Paul Hamilton then presented the first draft of the 2025 budget. This report included ridership data and projections. The 2022-2025 numbers show a 20% increase in ridership, returning to pre-pandemic levels. Ridership is expected to exceed 5 million in 2025. At the end of the budget presentation, there was a lively discussion about Garfield County contributions to transit funding. Board members foresee potential future issues around Garfield County’s reluctance to contribute more funding toward transit.
To close the presentations, David Pesnichak, mobility coordinator, provided an update on first and last mile mobility services. The board had few comments.
The meeting wrapped with the public hearing and additional information. The board unanimously approved Resolution 2024-15: 2024 Supplemental Budget Appropriation Resolution. The legislation covers sales tax revenues allotment, dedication of the recently awarded CDOT funds to purchasing 10 new electric buses, bikeshare funding and more. Before the public meeting closed, CEO Ravenschlag notified attendees that the Glenwood Springs 27th Street underpass ribbon cutting is slated for Oct. 15.
Agendas, which include minutes, detailed presentation decks and Zoom links for upcoming meetings, are available at www.rfta.com/board-meetings