HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.29.17 UAPB Minutes1
MINUTES
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board APPROVED
Wednesday, March 29th – 4:30 PM
City of North Liberty – Council Chambers
1 Quail Creek Circle, North Liberty, IA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Jill Dodds, Tom Gill
Iowa City: Susan Mims, Pauline Taylor, Rockne Cole,
Kingsley Botchway
Johnson County: Janelle Rettig, Mike Carberry
North Liberty: Terry Donahue, Brian Wayson
Tiffin: Steve Berner
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: None
ICCSD: None
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Brad Neumann, Emily Bothell,
Sarah Walz, Karl Mueller
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mims called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM
a. Recognize alternates
Brian Wayson served as an alternate for North Liberty.
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
Motion to approve was made by Donahue; Carberry seconded. The motion was
unanimously approved.
c. Set date of next meeting
The next meeting was set for Wednesday, May 31st, hosted by Coralville.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA*
There were no issues brought up for discussion.
3. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
a. Consider approval of apportionment of Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant
(STBG) funds for FY2021-2022
Neumann stated that the Iowa DOT provided MPOJC with funding targets for FY21-22;
the funding targets are about $3 million per year, just under $6 million total to apportion
under Surface Transportation Block Grant funding (formerly STP funding). Four entities
submitted 8 projects totaling $13.9 million; four from Iowa City, two from Coralville, and
one each from North Liberty and University Heights.
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North Liberty’s project is the Highway 965 Phase 5 project from Zeller St to
Fairview/Golfview and is part of the Hwy 965 two-lane to four-lane project through North
Liberty. The project includes turn lanes, sidewalks, stormwater management, lighting,
and a pedestrian tunnel. North Liberty requested just over $4.8 million in STBG funding.
Iowa City’s first project is American Legion between Scott Blvd and Taft Ave; the project
includes reconstruction to a two-lane urban cross section, on-street bicycle facilities,
grade separated pedestrian crossing at the new school, a roundabout on Scott Blvd, and
a new storm sewer. The project received over $2.2 million in STP funding in 2015, and is
programmed in the TIP for FY20. The city requested just over $1.8 million in additional
STBG funding.
University Height’s project is the Melrose Ave complete streets improvement project. It
extends from the east city limits to Sunset St, and includes: on-street bike lanes, new
lighting, new storm sewer, improved crosswalks, and geometric improvements to the
existing two and three lane sections. University Heights requested $995,000 in STBG
funding.
Iowa City’s second project is the Benton St rehabilitation project. The project extends
from Mormon Trek Blvd to Greenwood Dr. The project includes, striping of bike lanes,
and updating ADA curb ramps. Iowa City requested $2 million in STBG funding. The
project will require a change to the list of projects in the MPO’s Long Range
Transportation Plan.
Iowa City’s third project is the Muscatine Ave rehabilitation project, which extends from
Burlington St to 1st Ave. The project includes the striping of bike lanes, sidewalk infill,
and updating ADA curb ramps. Iowa City requested $1.5 million in STBG funding. The
project will require a change to the list of projects in the MPO’s Long Range
Transportation Plan.
Iowa City’s fourth project is the IWV Melrose Ave reconstruction project between
Highway 218 and Hebl Ave. It is the county’s project from Hurt Rd to Hebl Ave. The
project includes replacing the existing roadway with a two-lane, 40-foot wide road with
12 foot travel lanes, 5 foot paved shoulders, and 3 foot granular shoulders, and new
storm culverts. The project received $930,000 in STP funding in 2015, and is currently
programmed in the TIP for FY20. Iowa City requested $670,000 in additional STBG
funding.
Coralville’s first project is the 1st Ave/Oakdale Blvd roundabout. It would replace the
existing four lane intersection, and includes: a shared-use path with crossings on the
west and north legs of the roundabout. Coralville requested $1,185,000 in STBG
funding.
Coralville’s second project is the North Liberty Rd/future Forevergreen Rd intersection
roundabout. The new roundabout will include an adjacent shared path and sidewalks.
Coralville requested $893,000 in STBG funding. It would require a change in the list of
projects in the MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan.
Neumann stated that the Board may consider amending the scores for the projects and
reiterated that the scores are intended to be only one piece of information for Board
members to consider. The Board was reminded that funding could not be allocated
based on population.
Neumann stated that when the projects are approved, it would be assumed that the
changes to the Long Range Transportation Plan would also be approved. Neumann
informed the Board that the final Long Range Transportation Plan will be provided at the
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May Board meeting.
Neumann informed the Board that approved projects would be included in the 2018-
2021 draft TIP that will also be presented to the Board in May and with the final draft in
July. Neumann informed the Board that projects receiving funding in FY2022 would not
be included in the FY2018-2021 TIP but would be included in the FY2019-2022 TIP.
Neumann stated that the TTAC unanimously recommended funding for the four projects
that scored the highest. Staff asked for approval of funding apportionment of the four
highest scored projects.
Donahue commented that the North Liberty and Iowa City funding was at about the 40%
level. Donahue asked if that was the usual level of funding given or recommended by the
TTAC in order to give other communities an opportunity for funding. Ralston stated that it
was dependent on the level of funding available and the applications submitted. The
40% was deemed to work out well enough that the four highest scoring projects. Ralston
also stated that it was based on a proposal made by Geoff Fruin.
Rettig commented that two of the listed projects had received STBG funding from the
previous funding cycle, and asked if it was normal for projects to apply for additional
funding. Neumann stated that projects could apply for additional funding in multiple
funding cycles as long as they covered the 20% match. Ralston stated that the Iowa
DOT can provide “advance construction” funding for multi-phased projects into one fiscal
year, allowing projects to be completed sooner.
Motion to approve was made by Donahue; seconded by Gill. The motion approved
unanimously.
b. Public Hearing and consideration of amendments to the FY17-20 MPOJC Transportation
Improvement Program
i. Public Hearing
ii. Consider an amendment to add $118,000 in repurposed earmark funding to Iowa
City’s Dubuque Street Elevation (Gateway) project
Neumann stated that the Iowa DOT had requested an amendment be made to
repurpose $118,000 in earmarked funds left over from the McCollister Blvd project to the
Dubuque/Gateway project.
Motion to approve was made by Gill: seconded by Rettig. The motion was approved
unanimously.
iii. Consider an amendment to add federal aid to the Forevergreen Road/I-380
interchange project and to adjust the funding from FY2018 to FY2017
Iowa DOT identified National Highway Performance Program funding of $17.5 million for
the Forevergreen Road/I-380 interchange project. Iowa DOT has requested moving the
$17.5 million from FY18 to FY17. Neumann stated that each time a new funding source
is identified, a new amendment is required.
Rettig asked if the dates were correct since FY17 ends in three months. Ralston stated
that the purpose may have been to expedite approval from the Federal Highway
Administration as a way to streamline the process.
Motion to approve was made by Dodds; seconded by Berner. The motion was
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approved unanimously.
c. Consider approval of the Locally Determined Projects list for the FY2018 MPOJC
Transportation Planning Work Program
Nagle-Gamm stated that each spring MPOJC compiles a list of projects for the
Transportation Planning Work Program for the upcoming fiscal year as required by the
FHWA and Iowa DOT. The MPO uses the list to plan ahead for data collection needs.
Projects currently not on the list can be added throughout the year; however, significant
projects would be brought to the TTAC and Board before being added to the list.
Projects received to date will be distributed to public participation organizations and
posted on the MPOJC website. The full Work Program will be presented to the Board for
consideration at the May meeting.
Staff asked for approval for the Locally Determined Projects List for the FY18
Transportation Planning Work Program.
Motion to approve was made by From; seconded by Berner. The motion was approved
unanimously.
d. Consider approval of FY2018 MPOJC Transit Program of Projects
Neumann stated that the list of FY18 Transit Program of Projects is developed by the
three transit systems in the metro area: Iowa City Transit, Coralville Transit, and
University of Iowa Cambus. The Program of Projects is a list of capital projects and
programs for which the transit systems would like to pursue funding. The program also
identifies federal and state funding sources for operating .
Neumann stated that once funding sources have been identified for projects, they will
carry over to the FY18-FY21 TIP, which will be presented to the Board in July. The
program is included in each transit agency’s FY18 Consolidated Funding Application
with the state, as required by the federal and state government.
Neumann stated that the TTAC unanimously recommended approval of the Transit
Program and Projects.
Rettig asked about the projected funding being higher than what would actually be
received. Neumann stated that the numbers are required to be there in case funding
becomes available. Once funding sources are identified, projects are moved into the
TIP.
Motion to approve was made by Rettig; seconded by From. The motion was approved
unanimously.
e. Consider approval of the FY2018 MPOJC Transit Capital Equipment Replacement Plan
Neumann stated that this plan is updated annually and tracks the useful life of
equipment and prioritizes the needs for each transit system. Bus replacement is the
greatest need. All equipment purchased with federal funds is tracked. The Transit
Capital Equipment Replacement Plan will be replaced with the Transit Asset
Management Plan in 2018. TTAC unanimously recommended approval.
Motion to approve was made by Carberry; seconded by Dodds. The motion was
approved unanimously.
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f. Update on MPOJC Long Range Transportation Plan revision process and draft materials
Staff has been updating the Long Range Transportation Plan based on feedback
received from the Board and TTAC, DOT, FTA, and FHWA. Once complete, the draft will
be open for public comment.
Nagle-Gamm provided updates to the Board based on the guiding principle of
“Economic Opportunity”. Nagle-Gamm highlighted the role the metro area’s
transportation systems can have in growing the economy.
Nagle-Gamm stated that performance measures were added to the Long Range
Transportation Plan as a means of assessing how well the transportation system is
operating. Two performance measures will be used to assess how well the
transportation system supports the economy; the first is travel-time to work. Metro
average travel-time to work is 18.5 minutes, which is slightly under the state average of
18.8 minutes, and under the national average of 24.5 minutes. The second performance
measure used is transit access to employment. This is the percentage of metro
employees within a quarter mile of a transit route in the metro area. Approximately 93%
of metro employees are within this distance.
Nagle-Gamm reviewed the “Quality of Life” guiding principle. Public survey results show
residents want improved or expanded transit routes and options, more sidewalks, trails
and ADA accessible routes, reduced travel time and congestion on roadways, more on-
street bike facilities, and more carpooling or van-pooling options. Performance measures
used to assess quality of life were: travel delay to work, annual hours of delay per auto
commuter, and trail access. Trail access will be assessed by calculating the percentage
of metro area within a quarter mile of the trail system as it exists today.
Nagle-Gamm discussed the “Efficiency” guiding principle. Methods to improve efficiency
include: promoting shared-mobility, improved access to transit, remove barriers to active
transportation, and promote land use patterns that support efficient movement of
vehicles, make smart investments in infrastructure, and consider efficient intersection
designs. Performance measures include the percentage of centerline miles in the metro
area that are at a service level of ‘D’ or better during peak hour times. Vehicle miles
traveled per capita will also be evaluated.
Nagle-Gamm discussed the purchase of STRAVA Metro, a website and mobile app that
are used to track cycling activity on a smartphone or GPS device.
Rettig commented that people are not using STRAVA enough to accurately capture
ridership data. Nagle-Gamm stated that it is not representative of usage but it is useful
for providing information on what roads are being used most frequently by cyclists.
Rettig asked how much STRAVA data was purchased. Nagle-Gamm responded that
one year of data was purchased. Rettig suggested using public education to encourage
people to use the free version of STRAVA to track their rides to improve data quality.
Nagle-Gamm stated that the travel demand model is used to aid in short-term and long-
term planning and to better understand how congestion and traffic patterns shift under
different land use patterns. Iowa DOT added a transit component to the travel demand
model for route planning purposes.
Finishing touches are being completed on the socio-economic forecast for the model,
estimating where growth in population, households, and employment will occur across
the metro area in the year 2045. A complete draft of the Long Range Transportation
Plan will be submitted to the FHWA, Iowa DOT, FTA, and published for public comment
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for 30 days. A final plan will be presented to TTAC and the Board in May for adoption.
The plan is due June 1st.
Rettig asked when the public comment period would begin. Nagle-Gamm responded
that the goal was to release it the end of the first week, or beginning of the second week
in April.
Cole asked if the impact of CO2 emissions from different modes of transportation was
covered in the long-range plan. Nagle-Gamm stated that it is covered, but not explicitly
for the metro area due to the unavailability of data. Ralston added that the travel demand
model can calculate VMT and take the average of emissions per vehicle to estimate
emissions.
g. Update on the MPOJC 2016 Transportation Planning Annual Report
Ralston stated that the report contains a list of projects completed in 2016.
h. Update on the 2017 MPOJC Collision Analysis
Bothell stated that the MPOJC completed an update to the Urbanized Area Traffic
Collision Analysis, which identifies any intersection or mid-block location that
experienced three or more collisions between 2013 and 2015. The analysis ranks the
location based on a formula consisting of number of collisions, crash rates, and severity
of collisions. Member entities can use this analysis to identify and implement counter-
measures to reduce collisions.
Rettig asked if the analysis included ADT. Bothell stated that ADT’s are part of the
formula.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to approve was made by From; seconded by Botchway. The motion was approved
unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:36 PM.