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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.21.25 TTAC Meeting MinutesMINUTES FINAL MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025 - 10:30 AM CITY OF IOWA CITY – EMMA HARVAT HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Scott Larson, Kelly Hayworth, Vicky Robrock Iowa City: Scott Sovers, Ron Knoche, Mark Rummel, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Jason Havel North Liberty: Josiah Bilskemper, Ryan Rusnak University Heights: Troy Kelsay University of Iowa: Mia Brunelli Johnson County: Dawn Alam, Ed Bartels Tiffin: Doug Boldt Iowa DOT: Sam Shea STAFF PRESENT: Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz, Madelyn Stoen 1. CALL TO ORDER Bothell called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM. a. Recognize alternates Ed Bartels was recognized as an alternate for Greg Parker (Johnson County). b. Consider approval of meeting minutes Knoche moved to approve, Larson seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA None. 3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION SECTION 5307 TRANSIT OPERATING FORMULA FUNDING APPORTIONMENT FOR FY2024 Stoen explained that the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) has indicated that MPOJC has a total of $4,954,667 available in FY2024 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 operating assistance, which can be used for transit operating and capital expenses. This amount includes Small Transit Intensive Communities (STIC) funding. Stoen explained that for more than 10 years, MPOJC has used the same local formula to distribute these funds based on prior year transit statistics from each of the three systems: 25% operating/maintenance costs, 25% locally determined income (LDI), 25% revenue miles, and 25% fare revenue. Prior to going fare-free on August 1st, 2023, Iowa City Transit requested a review of the formula. Stoen stated that after discussions with transit managers, the consensus was to adopt a fixed percentage-based allocation to be used through FY27. Based on historic averages, the Board approved the following fixed percentages to apportion FTA 5307 funds at their July 2023 meeting: Coralville 16.10%, Iowa City 60.50%, and University of Iowa Cambus 23.40%. These percentages can be reviewed if or when there are major changes to any of the transit systems. Stoen noted the proposed apportionments for each agency for FY24: • Coralville Transit: $797,701 • Iowa City Transit: $2,997,574 • University of Iowa Cambus: $1,159,392 Stoen asked for a recommendation to approve the FY24 FTA 5307 apportionments to the Urbanized Area Policy Board. Nagle-Gamm moved to approve; Hayworth seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC POLICY BOARD REGARDING THE MPOJC SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT, TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM, AND CARBON REDUCTION PROGRAM GRANT FUNDING PROCESS Bothell explained that MPOJC typically conducts the competitive grant process biennially, with 2025 marking the next grant cycle year. This grant funding process has been preferred by this Committee and the Urbanized Area Policy Board as it allows for two years of funds to be distributed, allowing projects to receive larger funding awards. Bothell stated that MPOJC staff anticipates approximately $10 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding will be available for programming in FY2029- 2030, approximately $2 million in Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding will be available for programming in FY2027-FY2030, and approximately $3 million in Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding will be available for programming in FY2026-2030. Bothell noted that the 2025 grant funding process is expected to follow the tentative grant funding timeline: • February 3, 2025 – Notice of funding opportunity emailed to all jurisdictions. • February 24, 2025 – STBG, TAP, and CRP applications due by 5:00 pm. • March 5, 2025 – Regional Trails and Bicycle Committee (RTBC) meeting to review and discuss projects. • March 18, 2025 – Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) meeting to review projects and provide a recommendation on funding allocations to the Urbanized Area Policy Board (UAPB). • May 2025 – UAPB meeting to review projects and approve funding allocations. • July 2025 – Final FY2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program presented to the UAPB for adoption. Bothell asked for a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding the grant funding timeline. Rusnak moved to approve; Havel seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 5. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC POLICY BOARD REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN THE IOWA DOT PAVEMENT DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM Bothell explained that the Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University developed the Iowa Pavement Management Program (IPMP) to establish a comprehensive system for managing pavement conditions across all roads in the state. The Iowa Department o f Transportation (DOT) funds the collection of pavement condition data every four years for local routes. Bothell noted that local agencies, such as Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), have the option to purchase pavement condition data for local routes every four years, allowing for a two-year data collection cycle. Pavement condition data was last collected on local routes in the metro area in 2023, funded through the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG). The next scheduled data collection, funded by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), is set for 2025. Bothell stated that if the MPO choses to participate in the program in 2027, the estimated cost will be between $45,000 and $60,000. Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding would be utilized to cover this expense. The cities of Iowa City and Coralville both expressed interest in participation in the program, stating that they have found the data useful. Bothell asked the Committee for a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding participation in the program. Knoche moved to recommend, Boldt seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 6. UPDATE ON THE MPOJC FY26 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WORK PROGRAM & FY26-29 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SCHEDULES Walz stated that the Work Program includes all state and federally required planning processes and documentation, ongoing and routine projects, and special projects requested by member entities. Walz noted that the solicitation for Work Program projects begins in February and that if communities have projects in mind for the Work Program, they should reach out to MPO staff. The Work Program must be submitted to the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration by March 31st, 2025. The Urbanized Area Policy Board will consider the final Work Program in May. Walz explained that the MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the programming document for federally funded transportation improvements within the Iowa City Urbanized Area, including streets, highways, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian projects. Walz stated that this spring, the Urbanized Area Policy Board will allocate approximately $10 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds, $2 million in Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds, and $3 million in Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds which will be reflected in the FY26-FY29 TIP. The Urbanized Area Policy board will consider the final Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for adoption in July. 7. UPDATE ON THE SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL (SS4A) GRANT Walz reminded the Committee that MPOJC was awarded a $300,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant to create a Safety Action Plan in December 2023. The Request for Proposals from consulting firms to assist in the creation of the Safety Action Plan was published on January 10th, 2025. Walz stated that once the Requests for Proposals have been received, staff would seek input from Committee members on the selection of a firm and feedback throughout the creation of the plan. The MPO will also be in contact with city managers regarding the matching funds required for the grant. 8. OTHER BUSINESS Havel stated that the City of Iowa City is in the study phase for the Burlington Street Bridge project. There is an upcoming public meeting to discuss the project. They hope to complete the study phase by the end of this year. Sovers explained that the Gilbert Street bridge project is now complete and open to traffic. The Rochester Avenue project is also mostly complete, with limited work remaining at the Rochester Avenue and 1st Avenue intersection. Upcoming street projects include Court Street, Muscatine Avenue, and North Gilbert Street. Kelsay stated that work is being done on Melrose Avenue near the west edge of University Heights. Larson stated that the new section of the Oakdale Boulevard extension is now open. They noted that the City of Coralville has received a grant to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Heartland Drive and Commerce Drive. Bilskemper explained that Ranshaw Way improvements near Hawkeye Drive are expected to begin in 2027. The City of North Liberty is in the design stages for a roundabout at Forevergreen Road and Jasper Avenue. Bilskemper stated that the city also plans to add a wide sidewalk along Penn Street and North Liberty Road, connecting pedestrians to the high school. Bartels extended an invitation to the Johnson County Safety Action Plan workshop on February 26th, 2025. Brunelli stated that progress is being made on the design of the new Cambus maintenance facility, having recently cleared the environmental review process with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). It is expected that the design phase will be completed this summer. Nagle-Gamm updated the Committee on the Iowa City transit facility. This new facility, to be located near Terry Trueblood, is currently in the early design stage. Nagle-Gamm noted that Iowa City Transit ridership is up, seeing a further 26% increase to ridership after the implementation of the fare free program. This increase sets up the Iowa City Transit system to have seen a 70% increase in ridership by the end of the fare free pilot. Iowa City Transit is also beginning its bus stop improvement program. 9. ADJOURNMENT Nagle-Gamm moved to adjourn, Knoche seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Bothell adjourned the meeting at 11:00 AM.