HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.27.15 UAPB MinutesMINUTES APPROVED MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 – 4:30 PM
CORAVILLE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Tom Gill, Jill Dodds Iowa City: Jim Throgmorton, Rick Dobyns, Terry Dickens, Marian Karr
Johnson County: Janelle Rettig, Rod Sullivan North Liberty: -- Tiffin: Steve Berner
University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: David Ricketts
ICCSD: Tuyet Baruah
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Emily Ambrosy, Sarah Walz, Rachel Serslev, Grant Shirts
OTHERS PRESENT: Dan Holderness, Coralville City Engineer
1. CALL TO ORDER
Gill called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM.
a. Recognize alternates
Marian Karr was recognized as an alternate for Michelle Payne (Iowa City).
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
The motion to approve the meeting minutes was made by Dodds; Throgmorton seconded. The motion was unanimously approved.
c. Set next Board meeting dates, time, and location
Next meeting was set for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at Johnson County Health and Human Services building.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
Ralston introduced the MPOs newest assistant transportation planner, Emily Ambrosy. 3. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
a. Consider a resolution approving the FY2016 MPOJC Transportation Planning Work
Program
Nagle-Gamm explained that in addition to locally requested projects the FY2016 Transportation Planning Work Program includes information on how federal highway
and federal transit funds are spent. She explained that the program is federally
required but the MPO also uses it as a way to guide the work of MPO staff. Project requests will continue to be accepted throughout the year and will be completed as
time permits. The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) approved the work program unanimously on May 19, 2015.
Berner moved to approve the FY2016 Transportation Planning Work Program; Dickens seconded. The motion was unanimously approved.
b. Consider approval of amendments to the adopted 2012-2040 MPOJC Long-Range Transportation Plan
Ralston explained that due to funding allocation recommendations made by the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board, amendments must be made to the Long-
Range Plan in order for federal funds to be received. Two projects must be added to
the Long-Range Plan.
• North Liberty plans to improve the Penn Street corridor between Cameron Way and Jones Boulevard by constructing a 5-lane roadway and wide
sidewalk. The project is estimated to cost $1,467,818.
• Coralville plans to further develop the Iowa River Trail by constructing a 10-
ft trail between Clear Creek and Rocky Shore Drive including a pedestrian bridge over Clear Creek in Coralville. The project cost is $879,604.
Rettig asked how there is room in the plan for the suggested amendments given that it is fiscally constrained and if there will there be more room for projects in the future.
Ralston explained that the original estimates were conservative and to get more
accurate projections, new estimates were projected off of actual STP and TAP funds that have been received. Ralston also mentioned that planning for the next long-
range plan will begin soon and will dictate the inclusion of more projects. Dickens moved to approve the amendments to the adopted 2012-2040 MPOJC
Long-Range Transportation Plan; Sullivan seconded. The motion was unanimously approved.
c. Consider approval of the draft program of federally-funded road, trail, and transit projects in the draft FY2016-2019 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP)
Neumann brought awareness to the local TAP and STP projects that were approved
at the April 1, 2015 meeting for FY19 and FY20. He addressed a question about the
Hwy 965 phase 3 project and how it was programed for FY17. Neumann explained that there was available funding in FY17 and the project was moved forward to allow
the project to be completed sooner if North Liberty choses to do so.
STP and TAP projects as well as DOT and regional projects were included in the list
of projects in the FY16-19 TIP. FY15 projects were moved to FY16 if the project had
not yet been completed. FY20 projects would be included in next year’s FY17-20
TIP. This year’s draft only went to 2019 while the funding was for projects in 2019 and 2020. Neumann mentioned that the FY16-19 draft will be posted on the MPOJC
website, there will be a 30-day public comment period, a notice will be published for
the July Board meeting, and notices for the public hearing will be posted on all buses. By June 15, 2015 the draft TIP will be submitted to the DOT, the Federal
Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration for comments. Final Board approval will be July 8, 2015. TTAC recommended approval of the projects.
Dickens moved to approve projects in the draft FY2016-2019 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program; Gill seconded. The motion was unanimously approved.
d. Update on Iowa DOT I-380 corridor transportation study
Neumann updated the Board on the DOT study that explored alternate commuter
transportation in the I-380 corridor. The advisory committee for study identified four alternatives including express bus service, subscription bus service, carpooling and
vanpooling. The MPO and Coralville are on the express bus service subcommittee
that has reviewed funding opportunities, including grants and local funding. The discussion and decision on funding for the express bus will be presented to the
Board in the future. A tentative two-year implementation plan had been developed
with service estimated to start in 2017. Preparation for grant opportunities is currently being worked on and will continue into the fall. The ridesharing program is
anticipated to begin in October. Sullivan suggested that there should be a public meeting to inform residents of the
recommendations that were considered and why the chosen recommendations were approved and why others were not approved. Neumann responded that the committee is still in the stage of gathering information and that a public meeting is
anticipated. Ralston agreed and suggested that for the next Board meeting, a representative from the District 6 DOT office should be present to give an update on
the current projects related to I-380 and I-80.
Rettig mentioned the use of bus rapid transit and how that system coordinates with
traffic signals so that the signal is green when a bus is approaching the intersection.
Rettig asked Neumann if the metro areas buses and lights have the capability to coordinate. Neumann confirmed that they do not have the capability but in Iowa City
it has been explored for emergency vehicles. Rettig explained that if an express bus
is an option, that coordinating it with the traffic signals should be explored as a feature of the proposed express bus service.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
a. Update on recent activities
Ralston presented the update on recent activities. The current FY15 projects are all
completed or nearing completion. The MPO will soon move on to FY16 projects. Ralston stateed that in addition to the FY16 Transportation Planning Work Program, new projects can be taken on and will be completed as time permits.
b. Update on Federal Transportation Legislation
Ambrosy updated the Board on the reauthorization of the current transportation legislation. MAP-21 and the Highway Trust Fund have deadlines that are
approaching. The house has approved bill 2353, extending MAP-21 highway and
transit authorization through July 31, 2015.
c. Update from Coralville Staff on significant community projects Dan Holderness updated the Board on current Coralville projects including projects
on 5th Street between 1st Avenue and 10th Avenue, flood mitigation projects and projects around Biscuit Creek. The goal for most projects is to have them completed by August 2015 before school starts. Additionally, the 12th Avenue and Holiday Road
mini-roundabout, the Recreation Center parking lot construction, the Intermodal Project, and road work on Coral Ridge Avenue were projects mentioned.
Rettig asked when the Clear Creek Trail will reach Tiffin. Holderness responded that there is funding for the trail expansion in the current program. The next step would
be hiring a consultant this summer so construction can begin next summer.
Rettig then asked about the status of the Rocky Shore trail and when it will be
implemented. Holderness responds that the Coralville connector to the Rocky Shore
trail it is programed FY20.
Ralston explained a request he received from Coe College discussing a sponsorship of $500 to bring Charles Marohn to speak at the Iowa City Public Library on June 30, 2015.
Throgmorton moved to approve funding the talk; Sullivan seconded. The motion
was unanimously approved Ralston informed the Board that staff had written a letter to Jim Schnebelen and
Cathy Cutler of District 6 IDOT informing them of a newly adopted Complete Streets
Policy.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Sullivan; Throgmorton seconded. The motion was
unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 PM.