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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.31.21 UAPB Agenda PacketMINUTES DRAFT MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021 - 4:30 PM ZOOM MEETING PLATFORM MEMBERS PRESENT: Iowa City: Laura Bergus, Pauline Taylor, John Thomas, Janice Weiner Johnson County: Rod Sullivan, Royceann Porter University Heights: Louise From North Liberty: Terry Donahue Coralville: Laurie Goodrich, Meghann Foster University of Iowa: Erin Shane ICCSD: Ruthina Malone STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz, Frank Waisath OTHERS PRESENT: Karen Kurt (ECICOG), Chris Taylor (Mayor of Swisher), and Barbara Beaumont 1. CALL TO ORDER Donahue called the remote meeting (pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.8) to order at 4:30 PM. a. Recognize alternates None, but Ralston made note that Rod Sullivan and Royceann Porter will be rotating on the Board replacing Lisa Green-Douglass and Pat Heiden for Johnson County. b. Consider approval of meeting minutes Motion to approve was made by Taylor, Sullivan seconded. The motion carried unanimously. c. Set next Board meeting date, time and location The next meeting was tentatively set for Wednesday, March 31st. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA None 3. ADMINISTRATION a. Report from nominating committee for 2021 MPOJC Board officers i. Consider action Ralston informed the group that in November the Board appointed a three-person nominating committee for the Chair and Vice Chair. The committee was comprised of Louise From of University Heights, Chris Hoffman of North Liberty, and Pat Heiden of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. Ralston explained that he reviews agendas and major work items with the chair prior to each meeting, and the vice chair fills in for the chair when the chair is unavailable. Terry Donahue, mayor of North Liberty, is the current chair. He has served one 1-year term, and there is a two-term limit for the position. The current vice chair is John Thomas of the Iowa City City Council who has also served one 1-year term with a two-term limit for the position. Ralston asked for From to provide the recommendation of the nominating committee. From reported that Hoffman, Heiden, and herself met and unanimously agreed that Donahue and Thomas should be nominated for a second term in their respective positions. Motion to approve was made by Sullivan, Taylor seconded. The motion carried unanimously. b. Consider approval of FY22 MPOJC Budget and financial forecast Ralston informed the group of MPOJC functions and stated the overall budget reflects about a 3.6% increase over last year’s budget. The increase is primarily due to increases in staff wages and benefits. The budget also reflects the continued use of about $30,000 in internal carryover funds and $230,000 in planning funds received from the Iowa Department of Transportation. Motion to approve was made by Thomas, Porter seconded. The motion carried unanimously. c. Consider approval of the FY22 Johnson County Assessments to the East Central Iowa Council of Governments Ralston stated that the MPO also collects dues for ECICOG. Dues are calculated on a per capita basis for each county. The FY2022 ECICOG budget proposes a 2% increase for all counties that it serves. Ralston briefly explained ECICOG functions and noted that the Director of ECICOG, Karen Kurt, was present. Kurt elaborated briefly on the ECICOG functions in Johnson County. Motion to approve was made by Sullivan, From seconded. The motion carried unanimously. d. Consider approval of amendments to the adopted MPOJC Bylaws Ralston explained that the MPOJC Bylaws are to be reviewed a minimum of every five years by a committee of five representatives, one of which needs to be from the Rural Area Policy Board. Amendments must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote by the Urban Area Policy Board and a simple majority vote by the Rural Area Policy Board. Ralston mailed the revised amendments to the Board on December 17th to provide at least thirty days of review. The revised bylaws reflect the Rural Area Policy Board’s desire to maintain rural community representation on the ECICOG Board and provide the Johnson County Board of Supervisors with the ability to appoint the citizen representative. The revised bylaws also reflect the Urban Area Policy Board’s desire to provide the Johnson County Board of Supervisors with an annual ECICOG appointment by revising the rotation of appointments as discussed in the UAPB’s November 18th meeting. Ralston also explained that the bulk of the changes were on page 8 of the document, and both UAPB and RAPB must approve the revisions for them to be used going forward. Motion to approve was made by Taylor, Porter seconded. The motion carried unanimously, meeting the necessary two-thirds majority to approve amendments. e. Consider appointments to the ECICOG Board of Directors Ralston informed the group that MPO member communities are responsible for appointments to the ECICOG Board of Directors. For calendar year 2021, Johnson County, North Liberty, and University Heights are responsible for appointments. North Liberty was unable to fulfill the appointment this year, so the opportunity was provided to the City of Solon, who accepted the offer. Ralston clarified that the new amendments to the MPOJC Bylaws will not affect this rotation, nor the citizen appointment that was already voted on by both Boards. Appointees include Rod Sullivan from Johnson County, Louise From from University Heights, and Lauren Whitehead from the City Council of the City of Solon. Motion to approve was made by Weiner, Goodrich seconded. The motion carried unanimously. f. Discuss MPOJC Orientation opportunity for Board members Ralston informed the group that there will be an orientation for Board members who wish to become familiar with MPO activities. Scheduling will be determined by interested member availability. 4. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING a. Consider approval of Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 Transit Operating Formula funding appointment for FY2021 Neumann stated that over $2.9 million in transit funding is available for FY2021. The funding formula is based on four factors including operating cost, locally determined income, revenue miles, and fare revenue. Neumann informed the group that data would normally come from the prior year’s statistics, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic’s effect on transit service, it was decided to use the FY20 multiplier and FY19 statistics. Once the apportionment amounts are approved, MPOJC will inform the Federal Transit Administration and begin drafting the grant applications for the three transit agencies. The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee unanimously recommended approval of the apportionment amounts. Neumann noted that the apportionment amount increased for each agency because of the slight increase in federal funding. Motion to approve was made by Sullivan, Thomas seconded. The motion carried unanimously. b. Consider approval of ‘Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act’ (CRRSAA) funding allocations for local transit agencies Neumann explained that the Federal Transit Administration has provided over $14 billion in additional funding as part of CRRSAA, a supplement to the CARES act received last year. CRRSAA funds include over $1.5 million for the urbanized area. Like the CARES act, CRRSAA is intended to cover payroll and operational needs for transit. After discussing with transit managers, it was proposed to use the same multiplier that was used in the CARES act last year. Once the apportionment is approved, the FTA will be informed, and the grant application will be drafted. The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) recommended approval of the apportionments, with the University of Iowa abstaining from the vote. Motion to approve was made by Taylor, From seconded. The University of Iowa representative Erin Shane clarified that the University of Iowa was happy to receive a portion of these funds as relief but believed that the distribution of these funds is not in alignment with the impacts that Cambus has felt. Shane acknowledge that the University of Iowa has agreed to the distribution of the funds based on formulas used every year and understand that Cambus has a different funding mechanism than Coralville and Iowa City, but specific to relief funds, the university’s impacts are just as significant. Shane offered to explain more about how Cambus is funded and reiterated that the inequities in fund distribution was why the University of Iowa abstained from voting at the TTAC meeting. The motion carried with one recorded opposition from Erin Shane. c. Consider Resolution approving Federal Functional Class designations for urbanized area roadways Bothell explained that the MPO has been working with the Iowa Department of Transportation to update the federal functional classification system map for the Iowa City Urbanized Area. The functional classification system map is a hierarchy of five roadway classes designating roads that are federal aid routes. Updates are typically done every other year in conjunction with STBG and TAP funding cycle for roadways that are functionally classified as collector or higher. In the fall local communities were solicited for any roadways needing reclassification or roadways added to the system map, and 21.56 miles of amendments were received from Coralville and North Liberty. Follo wing the November TTAC meeting, amendments were sent to the Iowa DOT for preapproval, and 7.12 miles of roadway were approved, while 14.44 were denied. The MPO is looking for approval of the 7.12 miles of amendments and authorization for the Board chair to sign the related resolution. Motion to approve was made by Thomas, Sullivan seconded. The motion carried unanimously. d. Update on the MPOJC FY22 Transportation Planning Work Program and FY22-25 Transportation Improvement Program Neumann informed the group that the Transportation Planning Work Program is a document that identifies major projects to be addressed in the following fiscal year, in this case FY22. It includes all state and federally required planning processes and documentation for ongoing and routine projects and special projects requested by the member entities. Solicitation will start in February, and the draft work program must be submitted to the Iowa DOT, FHWA, and FTA by April 1st. The Transportation Improvement Program is a programming document for federally funded transportation improvements for all modes of transportation within the Iowa City Urbanized Area. This TIP will cover projects programmed in FY22 through FY25. The MPO will again be awarding funding for the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) with $7.5 million in STBG and $525,000 in TAP funds available. STBG funding is higher this time because it includes $1.8 million returned by the City of North Liberty from their Highway 965 Phase 2 project completed in 2014. The projects submitted this spring will be programmed in FY25-26. The MPO will distribute STBG and TAP applications on February 1st and will be due February 22nd for final approval by the Board in July. e. Update on Surface Transportation Block Grant & Transportation Alternatives Program grant funding process Ralston explained the STBG and TAP grant funding process, starting in the spring every other year. The biennial process has historically reflected the desire of the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee and the Urbanized Area Policy Board to allow two years of funding allocated at once. Ralston repeated the available funding mentioned by Neumann for STBG and TAP funding and offered to provide more information on the programming and funding cycle. Ralston stated that the members of the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee will be receiving grant applications on February 1st. Communities will have three weeks to submit applications, then Board approval will be necessary in March. 5. OTHER BUSINESS a. Report on the MPOJC Trails-to-Tables Challenge Walz informed the Board that member communities raised money and made donations to community food banks as part of the annual Severson Charity Challenge. Difficulties imposed by Covid-19 resulted in a modified Severson Charity Challenge this year, which started December 1st. The Community Foundation of Johnson County helped to set up a fund to accept donations, which will be divided between the Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty food banks. Around $2,500 was raised for this fund. A secondary goal to encourage people to continue utilizing metro area trails through the winter was identified, and MPO staff ran, walked, and biked the 100 miles of paved trails and side paths in the area, produced thirteen different route maps, and held six zoom sessions about the trails. Walz stated that maps and recordings of zoom sessions are available on the MPOJC website, and the challenge will be helpful to the development of the Long-Range Transportation Plan in coming months. Ralston reiterated the MPO’s gratitude to the Board for their support of the project. 6. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Taylor; Sullivan seconded. Meeting adjourned by Donahue at 5:07 PM. Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County Date: March 23 , 2021 To: Urbanized Area Policy Board From: Brad Neuman~sociate Transportation Planner Re: Agenda item #4(b): Consider approval of MPOJC Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funding allocations Iowa DOT has provided MPOJC with funding targets of $7,380,000 in Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program funds and $520 ,000 in Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funds for programming in FY2025-2026 to be distributed in the Iowa City Urbanized Area. Four entities have submitted a total of six STBG applications requesting $16,971,450 in STBG funds and one entity submitted one TAP application requesting $500,000 in TAP funds . Attached you will find a summary table that lists each applicant, project description, project cost, local match, and staff scores. You will also find a copy of the scoring criteria . Due to the size of the applications they are not included in the packet but are available for review here: https://www.mpojc.org/what-we-do/transportation-planning-division/mpojc-funding Please note that Coralville 's Heartland Drive project (STBG application) and part of Iowa City's Hwy 6 Trail project (TAP application) are not included in the current MPOJC 2017 -2045 Long Range Transportation Plan . However, both the City of Coralville and the City of Iowa City have submitted these projects for inclusion in the next MPOJC Long-Range Transportation Plan which is currently being developed with approval scheduled for the spring of 2022. At their March 23 meeting, the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC), by a vote of 7- 6, amended Coralville's Hwy 6 and Deer Creek Road project score by awarding an additional 7 points under safety (7c). Based on the adjusted scores and Iowa City withdrawing their Dodge Street improvement project and prioritizing their Taft Avenue reconstruction project, TTAC recommended funding Iowa City's Taft Avenue project ($3,500,000), North Liberty's Ranshaw Way project ($2,900,000), University Heights' Sunset Street project ($115,440), and Coralville's Hwy 6 and Deer Creek Road project ($864,560). At its March 9, 2021 meeting, the Regional Trails and Bicycle Committee (RTBC) reviewed Iowa City's Hwy 6 Trail TAP application. The RTBC voted unanimously to recommend funding this project at the total amount of TAP funding available ($520,000). TTAC also recommended funding Iowa City's TAP application at $520,000. At your March 31, 2021 meeting, please be prepared to consider approval of the apportionment of STBG and TAP funds. Please contact me at 356 -5235 or at brad-neumann@iowa-city.org with questions or comments. cc: Kent Ralston Summary of Applications for MPOJC FY25-FY26 Surface Transportation Block Grant Funds Approximate Funds Available: Funds Available:$7,380,000 Funds requested:$16,971,450 FFC LRTP TTAC Applicant Project Description 1a 1b 2a 2b 3 4 5a 5b 6a 6b 6c 7a 7b 7c 8a 8b 9a 9b 10 Total Project Cost Local Match Pledge Previous STBG Funds STBG Funds Requested Funding Recommendation 1 Iowa City Dodge St Improvements - Burlington St to Governor St Yes Yes 5 2 2 0 5 5 0 0 3 3 3 7 0 0 0 0 5 0 7 47 17,000,000$ 9,250,000$ 3,750,000$ 4,000,000$ -$ 2 Iowa City Taft Ave Reconstruction - American Legion Rd to Lower West Branch Rd Yes Yes 5 2 1 0 5 5 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 9 38 11,000,000$ 7,000,000$ -$ 4,000,000$ $ 3,500,000 5 Coralville Hwy 6 and Deer Creek Rd Yes Yes 5 2 3 0 0 5 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 5 0 1 35 3,105,000$ 624,105$ -$ 2,480,895$ $ 864,560 3 North Liberty Ranshaw Way (Hwy 965) Reconstruction Phase 6 Yes Yes 5 1 4 1 5 5 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 34 11,300,000$ 6,300,000$ -$ 5,000,000$ $ 2,900,000 4 University Heights Sunset St Pavement Repair & Ped Improvements Yes Yes 5 1 1 0 5 5 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 3 31 481,000$ 145,000$ -$ 336,000$ 115,440$ 6 Coralville Heartland Dr - Commerce Dr to Jones Blvd Yes No 5 1 2 0 0 5 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 22 1,445,000$ 290,445$ -$ 1,154,555$ -$ Total 16,971,450$ 7,380,000$ Shortfall (9,591,450)$ -$ Summary of Applications for MPOJC FY25-FY26 Transportation Alternatives Program Grant Funds Funds available:$520,000 Funds requested:$500,000 FFC LRTP RTBC TTAC Applicant Project Description 1a 1b 2a 2b 3 4 5a 5b 6a 6b 6c 7a 7b 7c 8a 8b 9a 9b 10 Total Project Cost Local Match Pledge Previous TAP Funds TAP Funds Requested Funding Recommendation Funding Recommendation 1 Iowa City Hwy 6 Trail - Broadway St to Fairmeadows Blvd Yes A portion 5 2 - - 5 5 0 0 3 3 3 7 0 0 0 5 5 0 9 52 1,700,000$ 1,200,000$ -$ 500,000$ 520,000$ 520,000$ Total 500,000$ 520,000$ 520,000$ Surplus 20,000$ -$ -$ Projects Scoring Criteria Funding Projects Scoring Criteria Funding Pb : Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County Date: March 23 , 2021 To: From: Urbanized Area Policy Board Emily Bothell~Sr. Associate Transportation Planner Re: Agenda Item #4(f): Update on the MPOJC Long Range Transportation Plan revision process Since your last meeting, MPO staff has been scoring the transportation infrastructure projects submitted by each community, gathering performance measure data and gathering public input. Below is an update on our public engagement efforts . Survey FUTURE FORWARD L•nu RRnuE TRRnSPORTRTl•n PLRn connecting communities 2050 @ We released an online survey on February 11, 2021 for all those who live, work , attend school , or do business in Johnson County. The survey was designed to better understand how area residents get from place to place each day and also gain an understanding of any changes or improvements that could make it easier, safer, or more efficient to travel throughout the metro area. We received over 600 responses that will be used at a series of virtual meetings and will help inform the development of the Plan. Online Interactive Map We released an online interactive web map that will allow the public to review and comment on the road, bridge, bike, and pedestrian projects submitted by member entities . This information will help guide the virtual meetings to be held in April/ May. Map Link https ://ma ps .iowa - city . org/portal2/apps/webappviewer/i nde x . htm l?id =b 7551 acea26f 4486a80892bc 77f 4a50a Virtual Meetings Staff will host a series of virtual public meetings beginning in April to solicit feedback on capital infrastructure projects proposed as part of the needs assessment. The public will also have an opportunity to comment on the area's transportation network and provide specific feedback on improvements. First Virtual Meeting: April 1st 5:30-6:00 p.m. https://www .mpojc .org/what-we -do/transportation- planning -division/long -range -transportation -plan When writing of the plan commences , the public will also have an opportunity to review and respond to draft chapters through virtual meetings/ workshops. I will be available at your March 3P1 meeting to answer any questions you may have on the Future Forward 2050: Connecting Communities Plan .