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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.25.25 TTAC Meeting MinutesMINUTES FINAL MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2025 - 10:30 AM CITY OF IOWA CITY – EMMA HARVAT HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Scott Larson, Kelly Hayworth, Ellen Habel Iowa City: Scott Sovers, Ron Knoche, Mark Rummel, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Jason Havel North Liberty: Josiah Bilskemper, Ryan Rusnak University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Mia Brunelli Tiffin: Doug Boldt Iowa DOT: Sam Shea STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz, Madelyn Stoen, Hannah Neel OTHER: Aaron Granquist, Zaid Alsamawi, Matt Burkey 1. CALL TO ORDER Ralston called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM. a. Recognize alternates Louise From was recognized as an alternate for Troy Kelsay (University Heights) and Ellen Habel was recognized as an alternate for Vicky Robrock (Coralville). 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 MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING LOCALLY DETERMINED PROJECTS FOR THE FY2026 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WORK PROGRAM Ralston explained that each spring, MPOJC compiles a list of Transportation Planning Work Program projects for the upcoming fiscal year. This process is required by the Federal Highway Administration and the Iowa Department of Transportation and is also used by MPOJC to schedule and plan for the data collection and research necessary to complete requested projects. Ralston stated that staff is aware that projects may come up throughout the year. While unscheduled projects may be able to be completed, larger unscheduled projects may not be able to be completed. Ralston noted that if major projects are proposed that would disrupt the planned Work Program, they will typically be discussed with the Urbanized Area Policy Board before staff begins the project. Ralston asked the Committee to review the current list of projects and let staff know of any required additions or clarifications. Ralston stated that the full Work Program will be available at the next Committee meeting. Ralston asked the Committee for a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board regarding the locally determined projects for the FY26 Transportation Planning Work Program. Boldt moved to approve, Larson seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING MPOJC SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT, TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM, AND CARBON REDUCTION PROGRAM FUNDING ALLOCATIONS Bothell explained that MPOJC manages a biennial grant process to distribute funding from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP). For this funding cycle, the available amounts for programming are summarized below, along with the list of applications that received: Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG): $10,412,327 for programming in FY29-FY30 1. Iowa City and the University of Iowa: Burlington Street Bridge – Building Better Connections Project 2. North Liberty and Coralville: Forevergreen Road Extension – Phase 2 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP): $2,107,999 for programming in FY27-FY30 1. Iowa City: North Dodge Street Improvements Project (Pedestrian Facilities) 2. North Liberty: West Forevergreen Road Trail (Covered Bridge Road to South Jasper Avenue) 3. Coralville: Iowa River Trail Connection 4. Coralville: North Ridge Trail Reconstruction Carbon Reduction Program (CRP): $3,077,209 for programming in FY26-FY30 1. University Heights: Melrose Avenue Complete Streets Project 2. North Liberty: Dubuque Street Improvements – Phase 3 3. Iowa City: Iowa River Trail – West Bank 4. North Liberty: Ranshaw Way Phase 6 Pedestrian Tunnel Improvements 5. Coralville and Johnson County: Dubuque Street NE & Forevergreen Road Roundabout Bothell summarized each project, it’s score, and associated costs. Bothell explained that project scores are meant to be one tool for consideration in the Committee’s deliberations and that funding recommendations do not need to be based solely on scores. Bothell noted that funding cannot be apportioned strictly according to the population of MPOJC municipalities. Bothell explained that there is a surplus of Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding available and if the Committee desires, a Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) project could be moved to the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Bothell asked the Committee to consider a recommendation to the Policy Board regarding the funding allocations by Program. Havel proposed the following funding scenario: for Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds: the City of Iowa City Burlington Street Bridge project would receive $10 million, and the North Liberty and Coralville Forevergreen Road Extension – Phase 2 project would receive the remainder of the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds, equaling $412,327. Havel proposed fully funding all Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) projects as requested and “roll-over” the excess funding to the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP). Finally, for Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) projects, Havel proposed funding the requested amount for the North Liberty Dubuque Street Improvements – Phase 3 project and $650,000 for the University Heights Melrose Avenue project. Havel stated that the allocation proposed for the University Heights project was informed by previous Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) dollars, with the proposed allocation being half of the remaining eligible federal aid money for construction. Havel stated that the remaining amount would go to the Coralville and Johnson County Dubuque Street NE and Forevergreen Road Roundabout project. Bothell explained that while Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding cannot be “rolled over” to the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), CRP projects can be moved to the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Havel suggested that projects requesting funding in later fiscal years, such as the North Liberty Dubuque Street Improvements project, be the first projects to be pushed out for funding in later years. From requested that the University Heights Melrose Avenue project receive at least $750,000 in Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds. From stated that the additional $100,000 could come from a $50,000 reduction each in the funding awards for the North Liberty Dubuque Street Improvements - Phase 3 project and the Coralville and Johnson County Dubuque Street NE and Forevergreen Road Roundabout project. Brunelli expressed support for the University Heights Melrose Avenue project due to the frequent congestion in the corridor and high use by cyclists and pedestrians. Brunelli stated that the upcoming projects at the University of Iowa, including the new parking tower near the hospital, will contribute to increased demand and need for improvements to the Melrose Avenue corridor. Bothell recapped the proposed funding amounts for the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program. It was proposed that the Iowa City and University of Iowa Burlington Street Bridge – Building Better Connections project receive $10 million and that the North Liberty and Coralville Forevergreen Road Extension – Phase 2 project receive the remaining $412,327. Rusnak requested a greater amount of funding be given to the North Liberty and Coralville Forevergreen Road Extension – Phase 2 project due to the increasing importance of the corridor. Shea stated that Forevergreen Road is not currently on the Federal Functional Classification (FFC) system; classification would need to be changed before the project can receive funds, and that the change in classification is not guaranteed. Ralston stated that awarded funding would be contingent on the addition to the Federal Functional Classification (FFC) system. Rusnak proposed that 80% of the STBG funds would be awarded to the City of Iowa City Burlington Street Bridge – Building Better Connections project, with the remaining 20% going to the North Liberty and Coralville Forevergreen Road Extension – Phase 2 project. Bothell then summarized the proposed award amounts for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding: all projects receive their requested funding amounts, and the Coralville and Johnson County Roundabout project, originally a Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) project, receive $425,757 in Transportation Alternatives Program funding. Bothell also summarized the proposed award amounts for the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding. It was proposed that the University Heights Melrose Avenue Complete Streets project receive $750,000, the North Liberty Dubuque Street Improvements – Phase 3 project receive $1,715,000, and the Coralville and Johnson County Dubuque Street NE and Forevergreen Road Roundabout project receive the remaining $612,209. Ralston noted that the Transportation Alternatives Program funding would need to go towards bike and pedestrian elements of the Coralville and Johnson County Roundabout project. Havel proposed that the Iowa City Burlington Street Bridge Building Better Connections Project replace the Coralville and Johnson County Dubuque Street NE and Forevergreen Road Roundabout project in the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and receive the remaining $425,757. Bothell stated that one of the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) projects will need to be moved to FY29. Ralston noted that the Iowa City and North Liberty projects are tied to other projects and asked Coralville if either of their projects could be moved to FY29. Hayworth stated that the Iowa River Trail Connection project could be moved to FY29. Bothell summarized the discussion and the proposed project funding amounts as follows: Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG): $10,412,327 for programming in FY29-FY30 1. $9,574,243 in FY30 for the Iowa City and the University of Iowa, Burlington Street Bridge – Building Better Connections project 2. $838,084 in FY29 for the North Liberty and Coralville, Forevergreen Road Extension – Phase 2 project Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP): $2,107,999 for programming in FY27-FY30 1. $565,372 in FY27 for the Iowa City North Dodge Street Improvements project (Pedestrian Facilities) 2. $465,500 in FY27 for the North Liberty West Forevergreen Road Trail (Covered Bridge Road to South Jasper Avenue) project 3. $347,750 in FY29 for the Coralville Iowa River Trail Connection project 4. $303,620 in FY28 for the Coralville North Ridge Trail Reconstruction project 5. $425,757 in FY30 for the Iowa City and the University of Iowa, Burlington Street Bridge – Building Better Connections project Carbon Reduction Program (CRP): $3,077,209 for programming in FY26-FY30 1. $750,000 in FY26 for the University Heights Melrose Avenue Complete Streets project 2. $1,715,000 in FY30 for the North Liberty Dubuque Street Improvements – Phase 3 project 3. $612,209 in FY26 for the Coralville and Johnson County Dubuque Street NE & Forevergreen Road Roundabout project Havel moved to approve the proposed funding amounts for the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), From seconded. The motion carried 9 to 4 with opposition from Hayworth, Rusnak, Larson, and Bilskemper. 5. UPDATE REGARDING THE MPOJC FY2026 TRANSIT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS Neel explained that Coralville Transit, Iowa City Transit, and University of Iowa Cambus are programming projects for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds in FY2026. Neel noted that the projects will also be included in the FY2026 Iowa Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Transit Funding applications that MPOJC completes for each transit system and in the FY2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Neel reminded the Committee that not every project listed in the Program of Projects will be funded, but projects must be included to be eligible for federal funding. Neel stated that the draft FY2026-2029 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) will be presented to this Committee in May. Neel noted that all three transit agencies will hold public hearings and have their Program of Projects approved by May 1st as part of their Consolidated Funding Applications process. The Program of Projects includes funding for operations as well as capital projects such as replacement or expansion buses, funding for transit facilities, bus shelters, and shop equipment, among other things. 6. UPDATE ON THE MPOJC LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN REVISION PROCESS Stoen explained that per federal regulations, MPOs must update their Long-Range Transportation Plans at least every five years in order to receive federal funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is designed to guide decision-making about transportation improvements and transportation funding in the future. The LRTP is a compilation of plans and visions for all modes of transportation for the Iowa City Urbanized Area. Stoen noted that the plan was last updated in May 2022, and that in order to present the final plan to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board for adoption in May 2027, the revision process will begin in July 2025. Stoen explained that throughout the revision process, staff will reach out to communities for data and a list of capital transportation infrastructure needs/projects for the years 2027- 2055 to be considered for inclusion in the plan. Stoen noted that there will also be many opportunities for public engagement throughout the process. 7. UPDATE ON METRO AREA BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN COLLISION DATA Walz explained that ensuring the safety and comfort of cyclists and pedestrians is a key priority of the MPO and its member communities. Collision data is used to identify high risk intersections and corridors in Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) grant applications and as a performance measure on improving safety in the Long Range Transportation Plan. Walz explained that most collisions involving pedestrians have historically taken place in downtown Iowa City, but that there has been an increase in recent years of crashes in other MPO communities. Walz noted that as more people are walking and more places are within walking distance, it can be expected that crash frequency would increase. Walz stated that in the last year, there have been 39 crashes involving cyclists, with 13% of those crashes resulting in serious or fatal injuries, an increase in both number and severity of crashes compared to the previous year. Walz stated that crashes involving pedestrians are also up (37 crashes), and 38% of those crashes resulted in serious or fatal injuries. Nagle-Gamm asked if there was a data source that estimated the total number of pedestrian or cyclist trips to compare crash data to. Walz responded that while there is not currently a source for this data, it is hoped that further insights will be provided through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) process. 8. OTHER BUSINESS Ralston noted that there are Iowa Transportation Alternatives Program Set-Aside funds available, and applications are due May 16th. He encouraged communities to apply if they have an eligible project. Ralston also stated that on April 22nd, in Ames, there will be an Iowa Pavement Management Program workshop from 10:00 am – 2:30 pm. This workshop will cover the pavement data collection process, use cases, and a pavement management software refresher. Sovers gave an update on the Court Street reconstruction project. This is a three-year project that will reconstruct Court Street from Muscatine Avenue to 1st Avenue. Sovers stated that this year, construction will be occurring from Muscatine Avenue to 7th Avenue. Havel stated that the Burlington Street Bridge project is progressing and that they had their first public meeting, closed their public survey, and are currently developing options for consideration by stakeholders. Larson stated that the 5th Street project is now in phase three and will be closed until around July 4th. Coralville is also in the design phase for the Heartland Drive and Commerce Drive roundabout project. Rusnak stated that construction is about to begin on the Penn Street North Liberty trail, which will connect Dubuque Street to Penn Street. Rusnak noted that the City is also currently in the design phase for the Jasper Avenue and Forevergreen Road roundabout. Brunelli stated that the new University of Iowa Cambus maintenance facility is currently at 50% design, with construction expected to begin this fall, lasting one year. The project also includes the ordering of electric buses, which would be expected to arrive in fall of 2027. Nagle-Gamm explained that the federal grant received by Iowa City Transit to build a new maintenance facility will still be awarded and that they are now evaluating different design concepts. Boldt stated that the Tiffin North Park Road project, near the elementary school, began a few weeks ago and that the road will be closed in about a month to install a pedestrian tunnel. Burkey explained that national Walk, Bike, and Roll to school day is May 7th and encouraged member communities to sign their schools up to participate. Burkey stated that the hands-free driving law has passed in the Iowa State Senate, but not yet in the House. 9. ADJOURNMENT Knoche moved to adjourn, Rusnak seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ralston adjourned the meeting at 11:45 AM.