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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.05.24 TTAC MinutesMINUTES FINAL MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 - 10:30 AM CITY OF IOWA CITY – EMMA HARVAT HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Ellen Habel, Scott Larson, Kelly Hayworth Iowa City: Scott Sovers, Ron Knoche, Mark Rummel, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Jason Havel North Liberty: Ryan Rusnak University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey Johnson County: Dawn Alam, Ed Bartels FHWA: Dakin Schultz Tiffin: Doug Boldt ECICOG: Brock Grenis STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz, Madelyn Stoen, Camille Lust 1. CALL TO ORDER Ralston called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM. a. Recognize alternates Ellen Habel was recognized as an alternate for Vicky Robrock (City of Coralville) and Ed Bartels was recognized as an alternate for Greg Parker (Johnson County). b. Consider approval of meeting minutes McClatchey moved to approve, From seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA Committee members congratulated Brian McClatchey on his upcoming retirement. Ralston noted that Sam Shea will be the new Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) District 6 Planner. Ralston introduced Dakin Schultz, the Iowa Division planner for the Federal Highway Administration. 3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING SAFETY TARGET SETTING AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR THE MPO AS REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION Ralston reminded the Committee of the requirement set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that MPOs set targets for five safety performance measures as part of the Highway Safety Improvement Program to be reported to the State Department of Transportation (DOT) by February 27th each year. Ralston stated that MPOJC can either choose to support the targets set by the State or set targets for each measure for the metropolitan area. Ralston explained that MPOs are also required to set targets for pavement, bridge, and system reliability performance measures as part of the Highway Safety Improvement Program to be reported to the State DOT every two years. Since the performance measures were last reported, the DOT has revised three of the four targets. Ralston stated that although there is the option to create targets for our metropolitan area, there is no clear benefit to doing so. As such, Ralston recommended the adoption of the State’s targets for both the safety performance measures and the pavement, bridge, and system reliability performance measures. Ralston asked for a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board to adopt the State’s targets. Hayworth moved to approve the recommendation, Knoche seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT (STBG), TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TAP), AND CARBON REDUCTION PROGRAM (CRP) SCORING CRITERIA FOR FUNDS ALLOCATED BY MPOJC Bothell explained that MPOJC grant applications for Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding will be available in February 2025. Bothell noted that this grant application cycle is the first time that Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds will be awarded by the MPO. This is an opportunity for the Committee to review the grant scoring criteria before the grant funding applications open. These scoring criteria were last updated and approved in November 2022 for the 2023 grant application cycle. In addition to evaluating grant applications, these scoring criteria were also used to score and rank the projects included in the MPOJC 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan. Bothell asked the Committee to provide any revisions to the scoring criteria, recommending that any modifications align with the ‘Guiding Principles’ in the adopted Long Range Transportation Plan. Bothell also shared the following estimated dollar amounts available for each funding source. • Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) – $10 Million (FY29 – 30) • Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) – $2 Million (FY27 – 30) • Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) – $3 Million (FY23 – 30) The Committee had no suggested edits to the scoring criteria. Sovers moved to approve the scoring criteria for use in the STBG, TAP, and CRP grant programs, Boldt seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 5. DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL FEDERAL FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION CHANGES FOR MPOJC URBANIZED AREA ROADWAYS Bothell reminded the Committee of the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding application available in February 2025, and explained that these funds can only be used on roadways classified as collectors or higher on the Federal Functional Classification (FFC) system. To prepare for the grant solicitation, Bothell requested that each community review the current FFC map and submit any needed revisions by November 30, 2024. Bothell explained that to be included on the FFC system, roadways must demonstrate a high level of transportation connectivity within the respective jurisdiction and new roadways must be included in a community’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Only 35% of the total road milage within the urban area can be designated on the Federal Functional Classification System. Bothell recommended that communities only submit changes if they anticipate applying for federal funding. 6. UPDATE ON THE CRANDIC BUS RAPID TRANSIT FEASIBILITY STUDY Ralston stated that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Feasibility study is complete. The goal of the study was to examine the feasibility of providing BRT service in the study corridor and to make comparisons to the previous passenger rail studies that were completed in 2020. Ralston mentioned a few key takeaways from the study, including how alternatives for start and end points for BRT service were narrowed down, the total number of stops, service frequency, and end-to-end travel time. Ralston noted that the ridership for the line was estimated at 3,600 rides per day, with ridership estimated to reach 4,300 rides per day in 2045. In comparison, Iowa City Transit currently provides similar ridership per day. Ralston explained that the total estimated capital costs for implementing BRT are around $92 million, which includes buses, maintenance equipment and facility, track retrofits, stop infrastructure, park and ride facilities, a new transit center, and a 10’ wide trail facility running adjacent to the route (where not currently present). Total yearly maintenance costs are estimated to be around $2.35 million. In comparison, the passenger rail study estimated initial capital costs of around $65 million, with maintenance costs estimated at $6 million per year. Ralston noted that the consultant would be providing a formal presentation of the study results at the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board meeting on November 13th, 2024. 7. UPDATE ON THE SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL (SS4A) GRANT Walz reminded the Committee that in December 2023, the MPO was awarded a $300,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to create a Safety Action Plan focused on reducing roadway deaths and serious injuries. Once the Safety Action Plan is complete, urbanized area communities will be eligible for demonstration and implementation grants to correct issues identified in the plan. Walz stated that at their November 13th meeting, the Urbanized Area Policy Board will vote to approve a contract to accept funds, which will allow the MPO to publish a request for proposals. Hayworth asked how long the demonstration and implementation funding will be available. Ralston responded that although the funding is only available through 2026, it is expected that there will be a continuation of the program and the funding associated with it. Habel asked if there are any other communities in the state that are participating in the program. Ralston stated that all 99 counties in Iowa applied and were awarded funding in the first round of SS4A grants. Ralston noted that many other communities across the state were also awarded funding. 8. OTHER BUSINESS Larson mentioned that the First Avenue and Interstate 80 diverging diamond interchange is now fully functional and operating well. Larson noted that 5th Street has been reopened to the public and will remain open until next spring, when the next phase of the project begins. Finally, Larson explained that the Oakdale Boulevard extension project is nearing completion and will hopefully be open to the public by the end of the month. Sovers explained that the Dubuque Street project is 95% complete and is currently open to traffic. Sovers also noted that the Gilbert Street bridge project is nearing completion and will hopefully be open to traffic by the end of the month. Overlay projects on both Park Road and Benton Street will also be completed soon. From mentioned that the Melrose Avenue complete streets project is progressing with final design plans and construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2026. Havel stated that the Burlington Street bridge project has entered the initial study phase, with HDR, Inc. leading the project. This phase is expected to last one year. Nagle-Gamm noted that Iowa City Transit recently completed one year of fare-free service and saw a 43% increase in ridership, which amounts to about 500,000 additional rides on transit. Nagle-Gamm also mentioned that the Iowa City City Council recently approved the contract for architectural and engineering services for the new transit maintenance and equipment facilities. McClatchey noted that CAMBUS has received a grant to purchase six electric buses and modernize their facilities to support the electric buses. CAMBUS is also in the process of designing a new facility that will also include fleet services. McClatchey also mentioned that CAMBUS has recently hired three full-time non-student transit operators to help with staffing issues. Boldt mentioned that the City of Tiffin has hired an Assistant City Manager. Grenis noted that the I-380 Express Bus has continued to see growth in ridership and that the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) has funded the service through 2026. Bartels explained that the County is working on the Safety Action Plan and that a consultant has been hired. The first workshop will occur in February 2025. Rummel noted that Iowa City Transit is currently fully hired for drivers but is still looking for a mechanic. Burkey stated that the Iowa Bicycle Coalition’s Economic Impact Study is expected to be released in late January. 9. ADJOURNMENT McClatchey moved to adjourn, From seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ralston adjourned the meeting at 11:18 am.