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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.29.24 UAPB MinutesMINUTES FINAL MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD MAY 29, 2024 – 4:30 PM NORTH LIBERTY CITY HALL – COUNCIL CHAMBERS 360 N MAIN ST, NORTH LIBERTY, IA MEMBERS PRESENT: Iowa City: Laura Bergus, Megan Alter, Josh Moe, Shawn Harmsen, Johnson County: Jon Green, Lisa Green-Douglass North Liberty: Brian Wayson, Erek Sittig University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Greg Schmitt ICCSD: Molly Abraham STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Hannah Neel, Sarah Walz, Madelyn Stoen OTHER: Cathy Cutler, Mackenzie DeRoo 1. CALL TO ORDER From called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was held in the North Liberty Council Chambers at the North Liberty City Hall. a. Recognize alternates Ralston recognized Erek Sittig as an alternate for Chris Hoffman of North Liberty and Lisa Green-Douglass as an alternate for Rod Sullivan of Johnson County. b. Consider approval of meeting minutes Moe moved to approve; Green seconded. The motion carried unanimously. c. Set next Board meeting date, time, and location Tentatively scheduled for July 10, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. (location to be determined). 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA None. 3. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING a. Public Hearing and consideration of an amendment to the FY2024-2027 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) - adjusting the project termini for the Iowa DOT I-380 Improvement Project i. Staff Presentation Neel explained that the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the programming document for all surface transportation projects that receive state or federal funds. This includes: streets, highways, 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 to document the status of local transportation projects, and projects must be included with accurate scope and funding. Neel shared that 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. The new project location would read ‘north of I-80 to north of Swan Lake Road’; updated from ‘1.0 miles north of Forevergreen Road to north of Swan Lake Road’. Neel asked the Urbanized Area Policy Board for approval of the amended project termini for the Iowa DOT I-380 Improvement Project. ii. Public Hearing From opened the public hearing and there were no members of the public present for the public hearing. She then closed the public hearing. iii. Consider an amendment to the FY24-27 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Green moved to approve; Alter seconded. The motion carried unanimously. b. Update on the MPOJC FY2025 Transit Program of Projects Neel shared that Coralville Transit, Iowa City Transit, and University of Iowa CAMBUS are programming projects for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding in FY2025. This funding will be primarily directed towards buses, equipment replacement, and new transit facilities. Neel stated that to be eligible for funding, projects must be included in the Program of Projects. All three transit agencies will hold public hearings and have their Program of Projects approved as part of their Consolidated Funding Application process. Coralville Transit will hold their public hearing on June 11th, 2024, Iowa City Transit will hold their public hearing on June 4th, 2024, and CAMBUS will hold their public hearing on June 21st, 2024. c. Consider 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, and that the FY2025-2028 TIP project list is attached for the Board’s review. Neel highlighted two pending updates to the draft FY2025-2028 TIP document. First, the project termini for the I-380 Improvement Project will be updated, as discussed and approved in the previous agenda item, and second, the Johnson County entry for the Johnson County Dubuque Street Roundabout project on Dubuque Street NE at the intersection of Forevergreen Road and Rustic Ridge will be removed from the MPOJC TIP. This portion is the County’s funding (funding not allocated by MPOJC) and thus belongs in the ECIGOC TIP. Neel stated that at their March 2023 meeting, the Policy Board awarded $9.3 million in STBG funds to four projects. The projects programmed in 2027 include Coralville’s Dubuque Street NE and Forevergreen Road Roundabout project, North Liberty’s South Dubuque Street Reconstruction (Phase 2) project, and University Heights’ Sunset Street and Melrose Avenue project. The fourth project, Iowa City’s Burlington Street/Highway 1 Bridge Improvements project, was programmed in 2028. Neel noted that upon approval, MPOJC will submit the draft FY2025-2028 TIP to the Iowa DOT for review and begin the 30-day public input process to be completed ahead of the Policy Board’s approval of the final TIP document at their July 10th meeting. The final TIP document is due July 15th. Harmsen moved to approve; Wayson seconded. The motion carried unanimously. d. Consider a Resolution approving the MPOJC FY2025 Transportation Planning Work Program Ralston explained that the Transportation Planning 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 requested represent a small portion of the work that is being completed. Other items in the work program include routine business, carryover projects, and daily requests from each community. Ralston asked for approval of the MPOJC FY2025 Transportation Planning Work Program. Bergus moved to approve; Wayson seconded. The motion carried unanimously. e. Update from the MPO Director 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). Ralston noted that this study is being conducted by Felsburg Holt & Ullevig and Nelson Nygaard. The study aims to look at the feasibility of converting the CRANDIC railroad line between Penn Street (in North Liberty) and Burlington Street (in Iowa City). Ralston noted that the consultants requested an extension, and they are now expected to complete the study by September 1st, 2024. Green-Douglass asked whether there will be an entity that will provide a park-and- ride option and if CRANDIC would be willing to allow bus rapid transit on their property. Ralston noted that the consultants are examining feasibility and they will provide a cost estimate. Additionally, before the study, CRANDIC representatives stated they would seriously consider the metro’s request if that occurred. Moe asked whether the Bus Rapid Transit would follow Iowa City’s Fare Free program. Ralston stated that the consultants will provide an estimate of what a ticket should cost, in accordance with national trends. Also, in order to follow the Fare Free program, communities would need to know operation costs. This information will be provided upon the completion of the Feasibility Study. f. Update from Iowa Department of Transportation District 6 staff on major projects in the urbanized area Cutler stated that the I-80 interchange at First Avenue, in Coralville, is 75% complete and is scheduled to be finished by the fall of 2024. Cutler also noted that the I-80 eastbound on-ramp will be closed until August 2024, but will re-open before the fall 2024 academic school year. Cutler also shared that the First Avenue and I-80 interchange will be the fourth diverging diamond configuration that has been built in Eastern Iowa. Cutler stated that the shoulders on Interstate I-380, in North Liberty, have been temporarily barricaded to facilitate the removal of the existing shoulders and the construction of a new lane with new shoulders. 4. OTHER BUSINESS Bergus shared that there is a company called ‘Pop-Up Metro’ that takes lightweight, passenger train cars, outfits them with high-capacity batteries, and runs them on existing freight lines. The entity that runs Pop-Up Metro has been presenting information to local groups to build interest in their service. Bergus stated that a route that is being considered would be from Penn Street in North Liberty to Burlington Street in Iowa City. Bergus and Ralston noted that there would be more information forthcoming. 5. ADJOURNMENT Green-Douglass moved to adjourn the meeting; Moe seconded. The motion carried unanimously. From adjourned the meeting at 5:34 PM.