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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.24.15 TTAC Minutes APPROVED MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 -10:30 AM EMMA HARVAT HALL, IOWA CITY MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Scott Larson, Dan Holderness, Vicky Robrock Iowa City: Dave Panos, Jason Havel, Ron Knoche, Mark Rummel, Chris O’Brien Johnson County: Tom Brase, Greg Parker North Liberty: Dean Wheatley Tiffin: Steve Berner University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey Iowa DOT: Catherine Cutler RTBC: None ECICOG: None FHWA: None STAFF PRESENT: Brad Neumann, Kent Ralston, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Sarah Walz 1. CALL TO ORDER; RECOGNIZE ALTERNATES; CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Neumann called the meeting to order at 10:30 and recognized Dave Panos as an alternate for Geoff Fruin (Iowa City) and Scott Larson as an alternate for Kelly Hayworth (Coralville). From moved to approve the minutes for the Committee meeting on November 4, 2014; Knoche. The motion carried unanimously. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA None. 3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD ON THE MPOJC SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM (STP) AND TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TAP) APPLICATIONS FOR FY2019-2020 Neumann summarized the three TAP applications and staff scoring as well as the recommendation of the Regional Trails and Bicycling Committee (RTBC). He noted that the RTBC prefers to recommend fully funding projects (rather than dividing funds) in order to ensure that projects get completed in a timely fashion. Holderness moved to approve the recommendation of the RTBC to fully fund the Tiffin Trail Phase 6 project at $102,000 and the Iowa City Highway 1 Trail project at $500,000 with the balance of funding ($462,717) going to Coralville’s Iowa River Trail project; Knoche seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 2 Neumann summarized the four STP applications and staff scoring. Neumann confirmed that all communities were committed to completing the projects if they received the requested funding. Knoche proposed that the Committee fully fund North Liberty’s Penn Street improvement project at $900,000, provide $2,000,000 to Iowa City’s American Legion Road reconstruction project ($500k less than requested), $1,000,000 for Iowa City’s IWV Road improvement project ($500k less than requested) and the $1,410,527 balance going to Coralville’s 1st Avenue improvement project. Knoche noted his rational for the proposal, noting that Iowa City needed the funding level to move forward with the projects and that North Liberty’s project received a higher staff score than the Coralville 1st Avenue project. Holderness indicated that Coralville may not be able to proceed without $1.65 million in funding. He noted that the project is the final link of Coralville’s 1st Avenue improvements and that the road also carries traffic to the University of Iowa’s west campus and medical complex. Wheatley asked if Coralville had already received funding in the past. Ralston indicated they had and that previous funding received for a project is not considered in the scoring. Each application is considered as a new project. He noted that staff scoring is one tool the Committee can use in making its recommendation. There was some discussion with regard to the importance of the local match. Ralston noted that the local match is meant to show the level that the City can actually commit to. Parker noted that the County is committed to improving IWV west of the current project and has this project in its 5 year plan. Because of the landfill, this roadway receives truck traffic from each community and that the pavement is in poor condition. Holderness moved to fund the North Liberty project at $900,000; Iowa City’s American Legion Road at $2 million and IWV at $1 million; the remaining $1,538,000 would go to Coralville. Wheatley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD ON THE LOCALLY DETERMINED PROJECTS FOR THE MPOJC FY2016 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WORK PROGRAM Nagle-Gamm summarized the FY16 work program noting that since the recession, requests have begun to pick up with MPO staff doing a number of projects upon request. She anticipated that staff would still be able to do this to some extent. She asked the committee to indicate if they were aware of any other local projects to add to the list. North Liberty requested that a traffic study for the Heritage Christian School be added to the list. Cutler asked that the MPO continue to assist with the I-380/Forevergreen Road interchange project. Ralston noted that the full work program would be brought to the Committee later in May for final adoption. Wheatley moved to accept the proposed list of projects. Knoche seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 5. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD ON THE MPOJC FY2016 TRANSIT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS. Neumann summarized the memo for the Committee. O’Brien moved to approve the recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board; McClatchy seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 6. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD ON THE MPOJC TRANSIT CAPTIAL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PLAN. 3 Neumann summarized the memo for the Committee. McClatchy moved to approve the recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board; O’Brien seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 7. UPDATE ON THE IOWA DOT I-380 CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION STUDY Neumann provided an update on the progress on Iowa DOT’s I-380 study. MPOJC is represented on the Advisory Committee and the Express Bus Service Subcommittee. Some sort of bus service is likely to be implemented by 2017. Wheatley asked about the cost of the proposed service and who would be responsible for the cost. Neumann indicated there would be partial recovery from fares and possible state assistance. Wheatley asked for some lead time warning if costs were to be covered by communities. 8. UPDATE ON RECENT ACTIVITIES Ralston asked if there were any questions regarding the recent activities. There were no questions. 9. OTHER BUSINESS Larson indicated that Coralville will close two sections of 5th Street between 1st and 10th Avenues. The street will likely remain closed until August. Also, Coral Ridge Avenue pavement has been removed. They will likely get one northbound lane open by June. Parker noted that the old Mahaffey Bridge will close. Only one lane will be open on Mahaffey Road with traffic alternating via a traffic signal. This is a 90-day closure with additional time for removal of asbestos. On March 28 bicyclists are invited to be the first to cross the new bridge at a special event. On April 14 the County will host an open house at its newly rebuilt Secondary Roads facility. From noted that University Heights is grateful for the quick turnaround on studies and reports by MPO staff for the St. Andrews site redevelopment. Ron Knoche noted that the Iowa River Trail Butler House to Foster Road project will take place this summer. First Avenue grade separation project will begin soon along with the reconstruction of South Sycamore Street near the new elementary school. Neumann called attention to an article on the state gas tax that was included with the packet. Ralston announced that a new MPO staff member has been hired to replace Kris Ackerson. Emily Ambrosy will start work with the MPO on April 8. 10. ADJOURNMENT Knoche moved to adjourn; Holderness seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 11:40.