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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.21.24 TTAC MinutesMINUTES FINAL MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024 - 10:30 AM CITY OF IOWA CITY – EMMA HARVAT HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Vicky Robrock, Scott Larson, Kelly Hayworth Iowa City: Scott Sovers, Ron Knoche, Mark Rummel, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Jason Havel North Liberty: Ryan Rusnak, Josiah Bilskemper University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey Johnson County: Greg Parker, Tom Brase Iowa DOT: Cathy Cutler STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz, Hannah Neel, Madelyn Stoen 1. CALL TO ORDER Ralston called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM. a. Recognize alternates None. b. Consider approval of meeting minutes Hayworth moved to approve, Knoche seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA None. 3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING APPROVAL OF THE MPOJC FY2025 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WORK PROGRAM Ralston explained that the Work Program includes locally requested projects that were received from each member entity and general projects and procedures as required by the Iowa Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administration. Additionally, Ralston explained that the projects that were requested represent a small portion of the work that is being completed. Other items in the work program include routine business, carryover projects for each locality, and daily requests from each community. Ralston asked for a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding approval of the FY2025 Transportation Planning Work Program. Larson moved to approve the recommendation; McClatchey seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2024-2027 TIP ADJUSTING THE PROJECT TERMINI FOR THE IOWA DOT I-380 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Neel explained that the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the document for all surface transportation projects that receive state or federal funds, including street and highway, transit, rail, bicycle, and pedestrian projects, in the Iowa City urbanized area. Neel noted that, MPOJC submits the TIP annually to the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) to document the status of local transportation projects using state and federal funds. Neel explained that projects must be included in the TIP with accurate scope and funding sources. Neel expressed the purpose of this amendment is to change the terminus for the New Bridge, Grade and Pave, Traffic Signs for the I-380 Improvement Project in Johnson County, Iowa. Neel asked for a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board to adjust the project termini for the Iowa DOT I-380 Improvement Project. Larson moved to approve the recommendation; Rusnak seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 5. UPDATE ON THE MPOJC FY2025 TRANSIT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS Neel shared that Coralville Transit, Iowa City Transit, and University of Iowa CAMBUS are applying for FY2025 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds. Neel noted that these projects will be included in the FY2025 Iowa Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Transit Funding application, which the MPOJC completes for each transit system. Additionally, they will be included in the FY2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Neel clarified that not every project listed in the Program of Projects will be funded; however, to be eligible for funding, projects must be included in the Program of Projects. Finally, Neel mentioned that all three transit agencies will hold public hearings and have their Program of Projects approved as part of their respective Consolidated Funding Application processes. 6. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING APPROVAL OF DRAFT FY2025-2028 MPOJC TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) PROJECTS Neel reiterated that the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the local programming document for all federal and state surface transportation and transit projects. Neel noted three pending updates to the draft TIP document: The total project amount for Iowa City’s new transit facility needs to corrected, Johnson County’s roundabout project on Dubuque Street NE at the intersection of Forevergreen Road and Rustic Ridge Road should not be in the TIP document; but in the Transportation Program Management System (TPMS), and the project on Gilbert Street will be removed from the TIP because the project is underway and therefore, does not need to be included. Neel stated that the Iowa DOT added three new projects into the TIP: a bridge deck overlay on the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City railway project, 3.0 miles east of I-380, programmed in 2026 for approximately $2.4 million in State PRF funds, approximately $2.5 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds and $3.2 million to pave Highway 6 and Tiffin from Grant Street to Park Road, the total has been programmed in 2027, and approximately $9.3 million in STBG funds and $7.4 million for a new bridge and right-of-way on Highway 6 over the Iowa River, 0.2 miles east of the east junction of Highway 1 in Iowa City, programmed in 2028. Neel also noted that at their March 2023 meeting, the Urbanized Area Policy Board awarded $9.3 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) funds to four projects programmed for FY2027-2028. Neel explained that these projects include Coralville's Dubuque Street NE and Forevergreen Road Roundabout project, which received $675,000, in the second phase of North Liberty’s South Dubuque Street Reconstruction project, which received $1,100,000; University Heights’ Sunset Street and Melrose Avenue project, which received $225,000; and Iowa City's Burlington Street Highway 1 Bridge Improvement project, which received $7,300,000. All noted projects are programmed in FY2027 except Iowa City’s Burlington Street Highway 1 Bridge Improvement project. Neel explained that Iowa City’s project will be programmed in FY2028. Neel stated that Federal Transit Administration (FTA) program 5307 operating funds were also apportioned by the Policy Board in January and the estimated FY2025 funding amounts are included in the FY2025-2028 TIP. Larson noted two proposed changes to the FY25-2 TIP. First, the projects on US 6 E, west of Lowes W to the I-80 bridge, will have an increased cost estimate of $6 million. Second, the project on 5th Street can be removed from the TIP because the project is underway. Neel requested a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding the approval of the Draft FY2025-2028 TIP. Nagle-Gamm moved to approve the recommendation with the modifications noted by Larson; Brase seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 7. UPDATE ON THE CRANDIC BUS RAPID TRANSIT FEASIBILITY STUDY Ralston explained that in the fall of 2023, the Urbanized Area Policy Board authorized a Bus Rapid Transit feasibility study on the CRANDIC rail corridor between Penn Street in North Liberty and Burlington Street in Iowa City. This study aimed to see how findings compared to those from the 2020 Rail Passenger Study completed by HDR. Ralston noted that the consultants have identified three optimal routes and have conducted a screening analysis against established goals. The results of this analysis have been presented to a steering committee. Ralston further stated that the consultants requested a 60-day extension. The extension was approved; two more steering committee meetings will be held during this period. Afterward, the consultants will hold a public comment period. 8. UPDATE FROM IOWA DOT DISTRICT 6 STAFF ON MAJOR PROJECTS IN THE URBANIZED AREA Cutler noted that the westbound I-80 ramp in Coralville has been opened. Construction on the bridge’s barrier rails has not been completed. Cutler also stated that all permanent lanes will be open to traffic by the end of 2024. Cutler mentioned that on Penn Street, barrier rails were installed to accommodate traffic. Furthermore, Penn Street’s current configuration will remain through the fall. 9. OTHER BUSINESS Larson stated that Coralville’s full trail alignment at First Avenue and I-80 will now be open to the public. Larson explained that construction work on the north side of the interchange was completed, and the alignment can now be used to support travel demands. From shared that University Heights will no longer install traffic-speed cameras. From explained that state legislation required localities to install their traffic cameras by January 1st, 2024, and the community did not meet that deadline. Sovers stated that Iowa City’s Gilbert Street and Dubuque Street projects are both under construction. Sovers noted that the Rochester Avenue project is entering its final phase, which is the intersection of Rochester Avenue and First Avenue. Sovers stated that Iowa City expects to complete the project by fall of 2024. Rusnak provided an update on traffic signals, stating that one will be installed on Forevergreen Road and Kansas Avenue. Also, the temporary traffic signal at Kansas Avenue and Jones Boulevard will be replaced with a permanent signal. Rusnak also stated that in collaboration with Johnson County, North Liberty is reconstructing Penn Street from west of I-380 to James Avenue. Finally, Rusnak noted that the North Liberty Road trail is being designed to connect to the IRC trail. Nagle-Gamm gave an update on Iowa City’s new transit facility and stated that they will soon begin creating designs. Additionally, Iowa City is updating its FY2023-2025 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) plan. Nagle-Gamm explained that due to a lack of contracting opportunities, the plan has not been updated for many years. Nagle-Gamm also gave an update on the fare-free pilot program for Iowa City Transit and stated that ridership has increased by an average of 44%. City staff are preparing to present the results to the Iowa City City Council. Additionally, Nagle-Gamm noted that staff are working on developing a long-term plan that will consider Iowa City’s climate action goals and the necessary steps needed to achieve them. McClatchey stated that Cambus submitted a Low- or No-Emission grant application to expand and modify maintenance facilities. McClatchey stated that this grant would make space for police services and help cover the cost of six electric buses. Additionally, Cambus received an award that would pay for automated passenger counters. Hayworth gave an update on the pop-up metro presentation. Rummel shared that Iowa City Transit intends to update its surveillance cameras by mid- summer. Additionally, Rummel noted that four new electric vehicle charging stations have been installed at both the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp and the Dubuque Street Ramp. The remaining stations will be undergoing expansion soon. 10. ADJOURNMENT Nagle-Gamm moved to adjourn the meeting; Havel seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ralston adjourned the meeting at 11:09 AM.