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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.19.15 TTAC Minutes APPROVED MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 -10:30 AM EMMA HARVAT HALL, IOWA CITY MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Scott Larson, Dan Holderness, Vicky Robrock Iowa City: Jason Havel, Ron Knoche, Mark Rummel, Chris O’Brien, Geoff Fruin Johnson County: Tom Brase, Greg Parker North Liberty: Dean Wheatley Tiffin: Steve Berner University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey Iowa DOT: Steve LaBedz RTBC: Terry Dahms ECICOG: Brock Grenis FHWA: None STAFF PRESENT: Brad Neumann, Kent Ralston, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Sarah Walz, Emily Ambrosy, Doug Boldt (Tiffin) 1. CALL TO ORDER; RECOGNIZE ALTERNATES; CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Neumann called the meeting to order at 10:30 and recognized Steve LaBedz as an alternate for Catherine Cutler (IDOT). Doug Boldt was introduced as Tiffin’s new city administrator and it was established that he will take Steve Berner’s position at future TTAC meetings. Knoche moved to approve the minutes for the Committee meeting on March 24, 2015; Holderness seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA Ralston introduced Emily Ambrosy as the MPO’s newest Assistant Transportation Planner. Ralston noted that the next TTAC meeting will not be held at City Hall because of renovations and a new location will be chosen for the meeting, but is yet to be determined. 3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING APPROVAL OF THE FY2016 MPOJC TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WORK PROGRAM Nagle-Gamm explained that the Transportation Planning Work Program includes a list of locally requested projects, general projects, and procedures required by the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. Nagle-Gamm solicited questions or feedback about the scheduling of any projects and stated If any changes were required to be made, the program could be updated before being submitted to the Urbanized Area policy Board at the next meeting. 2 Wheatley thanked the MPO for all of their work and recommended approval of the MPOJC FY16 Transportation Planning Work Program; From seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING AMENDMENTS TO THE ADOPTED 2012 – 2040 MPOJC LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Ralston explained that in order to receive MPO funding, projects must be included in the Transportation Improvement Program and the Long Range Plan’s fiscally constrained project list. Given funding allocations approved by the Urbanized Area Policy Board at their April meeting, several amendments must be made to the 2012 – 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan. Ralston stated that the language in the Long Range Transportation Plan regarding the Penn Street improvements in North Liberty must be altered. The Penn Street project involves improving the 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. It is noted that the project is currently in the ‘unfunded’ portion of the Long Range Transportation Plan but needs to be moved to the fiscally constrained ‘road’ projects portion of the plan. Ralston continued by explaining that a second amendment needed to be made to the Long Range Transportation Plan regarding the expansion of the Iowa River Trail in which a 10-ft wide trail will be constructed between Clear Creek and Rocky Shore Drive including a pedestrian bridge over Clear Creek in Coralville. The project cost is $879,604. Ralston stated that this project also must be added to the ‘bike and pedestrian’ fiscally constrained project list of the Long Range Transportation Plan. He noted that the project was not formerly in the plan because it was an existing trail that was damaged by flood events. Ralston explained that given the public participation plan, there will be a 30 day public comment period, a public meeting and other advertisement for the amendments. He noted that there had been no public comment to date and that an open house would be held May 27th at 4:00 PM in Coralville. Holderness recommended approval of amendments to the adopted 2012 – 2040 MPOJC Long Range Transportation Plan; Brase seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 5. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD ON DRAFT FY2016 – 2019 MPOJC TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) PROJECTS Neumann explained that the TIP is the annual local programming guide for federal and state surface transportation and transit projects. Approved Local Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) projects for FY2019 - 2020 were summarized in the FY2016 – 2019 TIP. Recently approved TAP trail projects and FY2015 projects not yet complete were also added to the list of projects. FY2020 projects will be approved next year in the FY2017 – 2020 TIP. Neumann explained that the next steps would 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 while final Board approval will be July 8, 2015. There was some discussion on the first STP project on the FY2016 – 2019 TIP project list. It was agreed that the Iowa City project 18480 should be removed because it is 3 already under contract. Additionally, the American Legion Road reconstruction was discussed because it was requested for FY2019 but due to funding availability had to be moved back to FY2020. Holderness recommended approval of draft FY2016 – 2019 MPOJC TIP; Wheatley seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 6. UPDATE ON FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION Ambrosy updated the Committee on MAP-21, the surface transportation bill that is set to expire this year. She noted that the House and the Senate have submitted two month bills that will continue funding authorization through July 31, 2015. Ralston noted that the MPO updates the Board and Committee on transportation legislation because of the potential impacts it will have on local transportation projects. 7. UPDATE ON THE IOWA DOT I-380 CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION STUDY Neumann updated the Committee on the options for commuter transportation on I-380 as well as surrounding areas. The advisory committee identified four alternatives, including express bus service, subscription bus service, carpooling, and vanpooling. Neumann explained that the committee has developed a list of funding options for these services, as well as service options. Area businesses and schools have been contacted in order to coordinate service scheduling. A tentative two year implementation program has been developed that aims to begin service in 2017 if funding can be established. Neumann mentioned grant opportunities that can be applied for this fall. The ridesharing program is being developed through a website with the DOT and is hoped to be completed by October. Vanpooling is still investigating funding options. A question was asked about funding options for the express bus service. Neumann explained that state transit assistance programs are primarily for capital expenditures and not operating costs. Therefore, local government funding options are being explored. 8. UPDATE ON RECENT ACTIVITIES Ralston mentioned that as the fiscal year ends, most projects in 2015 have been completed and work will begin on projects for the FY2016 work program. Havel updated the Committee on Iowa City projects. The Dubuque Street pedestrian bridge over I-80 is predicted to be done this year. The Sycamore Street reconstruction is on schedule and will be completed this fall. The grade separation project on 1st Ave is facing utility issues but is anticipated to be completed next year. The reconstruction of Harrison Street between Clinton Street and Dubuque Street is expected to start in June and completed this year. Knoche updated the Committee on the Gateway project that is still on schedule. Berner updated the Committee on the Ireland Avenue project that will be complete by October and the Tiffin trail phase 5 will be completed by October. McClatchey updated the Committee on university projects. The underground Ramp 2 project is progressing. Several other building projects are in progress including the new west side residence hall that will impact transit and pedestrian traffic. McClatchey predicted that 2016 may be a big year for the completion of projects. 4 Robrock updated the Committee on Coralville’s Intermodal facility that will be completed by mid-July. Holderness updated on the Coralville 12th Avenue project that is progressing and will be completed by July. Wheatley updated the Committee on North Liberty projects. The Highway 965 project is in progress as well as the design for Penn Street between Cameron Way and Jones Boulevard. 9. OTHER BUSINESS None 10. ADJOURNMENT Knoche moved to adjourn; Wheatley seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 11:00.