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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMPOJC RPB Minutes 1 25 2017MINUTES APPROVED MPOJC RURAL POLICY BOARD WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 – 6:00 PM JOHNSON COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Johnson County: Janelle Rettig, Mike Carberry Hills: Tim Kemp Swisher: Chris Taylor Lone Tree: Kice Brown STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Emily Bothell, Darian Nagle- Gamm, Karl Mueller OTHERS PRESENT: Doug Elliott (ECICOG) 1. CALL TO ORDER a. Introduce Board members and recognize alternates Kemp called the meeting to order. Kice Brown was recognized as an alternate for Lone Tree. b. Consider approval of meeting minutes Carberry moved to approve the meeting minutes from January 2016; the motion was seconded by Taylor. The motion carried unanimously. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION None 3. ADMINISTRATION a. Consider approval of the Rural Policy Board section of the FY2018 MPOJC Budget and Two-Year Financial Forecast Ralston introduced the FY2018 MPOJC Budget and Financial Forecast, noting that the budget was approximately 4% higher than the FY2017 budget, with only slight increases in proposed assessments. Carberry moved to approve the motion. Taylor seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. b. Consider approval of the FY2018 Johnson County assessment schedule for the East Central Iowa Council of Governments Ralston explained that the MPOJC collects dues from Johnson County entities and forwards to ECICOG. For FY18, there is a proposed 2% increase in assessments. Ralston explained that ECICOG services are available to all Johnson County communities. Rettig moved to approve the motion; Taylor seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 4. Discuss MPO Bylaws revision process Ralston informed the Board that the MPO bylaws are required to be reviewed every five years by a subcommittee of five representatives from the Urban and Rural Area Policy Boards, with at least one representative being from the Rural Policy Board. At the March 2016 Urbanized Area Policy Board meeting, the Board appointed Steve Berner, Terry Dickens, Amy Nielsen, and Janelle Rettig (from the Urbanized Area Policy Board), with Tim Kemp volunteering from the Rural Policy Board. Ralston stated that neither he, nor the Committee recommended any changes to the bylaws. 5. Availability of East Central Iowa Council of Governments Assistance Elliott stated that ECICOG’s 2016 annual report would soon be released to board members. Elliott stated that additional commuter transportation services were being provided. The goal is to create regional connectivity that may not have existed in the past. Ride sharing (both public and private) and van pooling will be the first modes implemented. Brochures were provided to the Board on how the van pooling program works. Kemp asked if people had to commit for a certain time frame. Elliott responded that it was a monthly commitment with an expected monthly cost in the range of $60-$100. Elliott noted that express bus service between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City is not expected to begin until 2018. Rettig asked about the revolving loan fund. Elliott stated that loans generally range from $50,000 to $500,000. Most of the available funding has been allocated to Linn and Johnson counties. 6. Discuss potential MPOJC Work Program projects for FY2018 Ralston stated that the MPO was putting together Work Program projects for FY18. In the coming weeks, the MPO would be reaching out to entities for potential projects. Taylor stated that Swisher has put together a community vision team to rethink Division St (120th St). The team completed their work in December and a report was expected for February with construction expected to begin in 2019. 7. Update on small community traffic engineering assistance Neumann updated the Board on traffic engineering studies done for different entities, most of them being average daily traffic counts. The MPO will be reaching out to entities in February for 2017 traffic engineering study requests. Taylor requested that two roads outside of Swisher be added to the 2017 list. 8. Update on Long Range Transportation Plan revision process Nagle-Gamm informed the Board that the entire long range transportation plan would be available for review in March. Board members would have an opportunity to comment on the plan during that time. 9. Update on the Iowa DOT I-380 Corridor Transportation Study Neumann reported on the Iowa DOT’s I-380 corridor project and stated that lane closures will likely not happen until 2020. Rettig asked when the I-380 project was scheduled to be completed. Ralston stated that the projected time frame was 5-7 years. Rettig added that the I-80 six lane project was expected to begin in 2021, and could take 4 years to complete. Rettig asked when the Forevergreen Road project would begin. Neumann said 2017, continuing through 2020. 10. Update on CRANDIC Passenger Rail Study Neumann indicated that Phase I was completed in October 2015, but was not deemed feasible based on the unexpected high costs of developing the service ($12-25 million per mile). Stakeholders participating in the study recommended moving forward with Phase II which focused on the costs of implementing service between Iowa City and North Liberty with 6-8 stops at a total projected cost of $30-40 million. Neumann noted that a Phase III study is being contemplated that would focus on ridership and revenue forecasts, a benefit cost analysis, financial plan, and future expansion to Cedar Rapids. Rettig stated that the CRANDIC project was one of the alternative transportation projects included in the Board of Supervisors new Strategic Plan. 11. Consider election of calendar year 2017 Rural Policy Board Officers Kemp and Taylor were nominated for Chair and Vice-Chair for Rural Policy Board officers. Rettig moved to approve the motion; Taylor seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. 12. Other Business Brown reported that Lone Tree will be getting a Dollar General and a Casey’s General Store. 13. Adjournment Motion to approve was made by Taylor; Seconded by Carberry. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:36 PM.