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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9.20.17 UAPB Minutes1 MINUTES MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board APPROVED Wednesday, September 20th, 2017 – 4:30 PM City of Iowa City – Council Chambers 410 East Washington Street, Iowa City, IA MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Jill Dodds Iowa City: Pauline Taylor, John Thomas, Kingsley Botchway, Susan Mims, Rockne Cole, Terry Dickens Johnson County: Kurt Friese North Liberty: Terry Donahue, Brian Wayson Tiffin: Steve Berner University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: David Ricketts ICCSD: Paul Roesler (Non-voting) STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Emily Bothell, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Karl Mueller OTHERS PRESENT: Cathy Cutler (DOT District 6), Jason Havel (City of Iowa City) 1. CALL TO ORDER Mims called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM. a. Recognize alternates Paul Roesler served as an alternate for Chris Lynch (ICCSD), Kurt Friese served as an alternate for Mike Carberry (Johnson County), b. Consider approval of meeting minutes Motion to approve was made by Dickens; Donahue seconded. The motion was unanimously approved. c. Set date of next meeting The next meeting was set for Wednesday, November 15th, hosted by Johnson County. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA* None. 3. ADMINISTRATION a. Public Hearing and consideration of a resolution adopting a revised MPOJC Public Participation Plan Neumann informed the Board that the MPO Public Participation Plan is updated every five years in conjunction with the Long-Range Transportation Plan. The Public Participation Plan formalizes the planning process for many documents prepared by MPOJC. The Public Participation Plan requires a published 45-day notice. No comments have been received to date. 2 Neumann stated that the Public Participation Plan describes the planning processes for the Long-Range Transportation Plan and supporting amendments, the Transportation Improvement Program and amendments, the Passenger Transportation Plan, and the MPOJC Work Program. Neumann stated that the requirements differ from plan to plan depending on if they are federal or state requirements. They include public comment periods, notices, open houses, etc. The document has been clarified to make it more user friendly. Neumann noted the TTAC unanimously recommended approval. i. Public Hearing No comments were made. ii. Consider a resolution adopting the revised MPOJC Public Participation Plan Motion to approve was made by Botchway; From seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. 4. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING a. Public Hearing and consideration of an amendment to the FY18-21 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – regarding the limits of Coralville’s 1st Avenue reconstruction project Neumann stated that the amendment was requested by Coralville. The amendment clarifies the scope of the 1st Avenue project between 6th Street and 9th Street. Construction exceeded the previously defined scope and needed to be redefined to include the boundaries east and west of 1st Avenue. TTAC unanimously recommended approval. Ralston stated that Coralville has received funding for this project twice by the MPO through the STBG program. The scope of the project expanded when Coralville applied for funding the second time. The amendment will help ensure that the correct language is included in the TIP. i. Public Hearing No comments were made. ii. Consider an amendment to the FY18-21 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program Motion to approve was made by Botchway; Dodds seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. b. Consider adoption of MPOJC Transit Performance Targets Neumann stated that Transit Asset Management Plans are a new requirement by the Federal Transit Administration for transit agencies. This program requires targets to be created in three areas: rolling stock, equipment, and facilities. “Condition” and “Useful Life” benchmarks will be used, which are provided by the Federal Transit Administration. Neumann informed the Board that each of the 3 local transit agencies are responsible for setting their own targets. Each agency has submitted their targets to the MPO. 3 Neumann stated that the MPO is also required to establish transit targets for the urbanized area. The MPO is proposing to adopt the transit agencies’ targets for the urbanized area. Neumann stated that the transit targets will become part of the Transit Asset Management Plan, required by the FTA. Transit Asset Management Plans are due in October 2018. The MPO will be working with the transit agencies to develop one multi-agency plan instead of three separate plans. Adopted transit targets for the urbanized area will be submitted to the Iowa DOT, who will keep them on file. They will not be submitted directly to the FTA. Neumann noted that TTAC unanimously recommended approval of the targets. Motion to approve was made by Dickens; Ricketts seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. c. Update on potential Federal Highway Administration funding rescissions affecting MPOJC Planning funds Ralston stated that the MPO was notified by the Iowa DOT that the Federal Highway Administration had rescinded $74,000 from the Iowa Planning Funds. The decision was the result of the 2017 Appropriations Act and accounts for approximately 4% of the state’s total Planning Funds. Planning funds received by the MPO are around $200,000, approximately one-third of the MPO’s budget. The total rescission across the state was approximately $11 million. Ralston stated that the Iowa DOT covered the loss of Planning funds for the MPO for FY18. The state may face additional rescissions in FY19 and beyond. Future rescissions may influence the budget, if the rescissions continue to increase. The Board will be updated as more information becomes available. d. Update on the potential for a ‘Federal-Aid-Swap’ in Iowa whereby State funding could replace Federal funding for road/bridge projects Ralston informed the Board that House File 203 was signed into law this past legislative session. This law permits the Iowa Transportation Commission to allow “Federal-Aid Swaps”. This is a process whereby city and county road and bridge projects that would normally be funded with federal funds are instead funded by state funds. The intent is to improve efficiency through removing federal requirements that can cause delays and increase project costs. Ralston stated that the process is expected to be an “opt in/opt out” option, it will not be project to project. Ralston stated that the DOT has begun the stakeholder consultation process and they intend to have a draft policy available for review by the end of the year. This policy is expected to be implemented in FY19. Ralston stated that he will keep the Board updated as more information becomes available. e. Update on I-380 & I-80 Corridor Projects Ralston stated that the Iowa DOT held a public information meeting on September 12th to discuss design alternatives for the Herbert Hoover Highway interchange project. The first alternative is a modified diamond interchange; the second alternative has a roundabout on each side of the Herbert Hoover bridge at the on/off ramps. 4 Cutler stated that the next step in the process is a two-week public comment period. DOT will review the comments at staff level and present a recommendation to management regarding the type of interchange. Ralston asked if this project was in the five-year program. Cutler stated that it is included in FY21. f. Update from Iowa City staff on significant community projects Havel stated that Davenport Street is undergoing reconstruction from Clinton to Linn Streets. The project involves replacing the existing brick surface and improving the base of the roadway to make it more durable. Hebl Avenue is currently under reconstruction. Construction will tie into IWV Road, which the county has been reconstructing. Completion of the project is expected this fall. Friese stated that IWV Road will be paved in the next week. Havel informed the Board that the City recently adopted a Bicycle Master Plan. One of the objectives is four-lane to three-lane conversions. 1st Avenue was reconstructed from four- lanes to three-lanes in conjunction with the grade separation project. That project has been completed. Havel stated that the Burlington Street/Clinton Street intersection will be reconstructed. The project calls for a four-lane to three-lane conversion on Clinton Street. Bidding for the project was conducted this past spring, however, no bids were received. The City will reopen the project for bidding this fall with construction expected to begin next spring (2018). The City is currently looking at reconstructing the Burlington Street/Madison Street intersection. Turn lanes will be added to the intersection. The original design called for medians to be added. The City is currently in the process of finalizing a contract with a consultant to work on the design for the intersection and move the project forward. As part of that process, the City will re-evaluate if they want to include medians in the project. Construction was originally expected to begin in 2018, but may change depending on alterations made to the design of the intersection. Havel stated that Gilbert Street is currently under study for a possible four-lane to three- lane conversion. Havel informed the Board that the new riverfront crossings park is under construction. Phase One consists of wetlands, streams, grading, and trail construction. The pedestrian bridge will soon be completed. Phase Two consists of construction of the natural play area. The bid for the project is in the process of being finalized. Havel informed the Board of the three phases of the Gateway Project: the sewer main, the Park Road Bridge, and the elevation of Dubuque Street. Currently, traffic is operating on a portion of the new southbound lanes on Dubuque Street. Staff expects that the crossover of lanes will shift close to Park Road by Thanksgiving. Bridge construction is ongoing. Havel informed the Board that staff is currently looking at a completion date of next August for the Dubuque Street project. 5. Other Business None. 6. Adjournment 5 Motion to adjourn was made by Dickens; seconded by Friese. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 4:54 PM.