HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.15.17 UAPB Minutes1
MINUTES
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board APPROVED
Wednesday, November 15th, 2017 - 4:30 PM
Johnson County Health and Human Services Building, Second Floor Conference Room
855 S. Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Jill Dodds, Tom Gill
Iowa City: Susan Mims, Rockne Cole, Terry Dickens, Pauline
Taylor, John Thomas, Kingsley Botchway
Johnson County: Mike Hench, Mike Carberry
North Liberty: Terry Donahue, Brian Wayson
Tiffin: Steve Berner
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: None
ICCSD: Phil Hemingway
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Sarah Walz
OTHERS PRESENT: Cathy Cutler (DOT District 6), Aaron Moniza (ECICOG Citizen
Representative)
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mims called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM.
a. Recognize alternates
Mike Hench served as an alternate for Janelle Rettig (Johnson County) and Phil
Hemmingway served as an alternate for Lori Roetlin (ICCSD).
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
Motion to approve was made by Donahue; Dickens seconded. The motion was
unanimously approved.
c. Set date of next meeting
The next meeting was tentatively set for Wednesday, January 31st, hosted by North
Liberty.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA*
Ralston thanked several outgoing Board members for their service to MPOJC. Those
members included David Ricketts (University of Iowa), Brian Wayson (North Liberty), and
Terry Dickens (Iowa City).
3. ADMINISTRATION
a. Appoint nominating committee for Calendar Year 2018 Urbanized Area Policy Board
Officers
Ralston informed the group that they will elect a chairperson and vice chairperson for the
calendar year 2018 Board at the January 31st meeting. Ralston asked the group to appoint
2
a three-person nominating committee for the chair and vice chair. Mike Carberry (Johnson
County), Terry Donahue (North Liberty), and Louise From (University Heights) volunteered
to serve on the nominating committee.
b. Confirm which entities will nominate Johnson County representatives to East Central Iowa
Council of Governments (ECICOG) Board of Directors
Ralston informed the group that each January the Board appoints 3 elected
representatives to the ECICOG Board of Directors, as well as one citizen representative.
One elected official seat is filled by one of the two largest entities. The current
representative is from Johnson County, and the 2018 representative is scheduled to be
designated by Iowa City. One elected official seat is filled by the third through fifth largest
entities. The current seat is held by Coralville, and the 2018 representative is scheduled
to be designated by North Liberty. The last seat is filled by the remaining entities. The
current seat is filled by Hills, and the 2018 representative is to be designated by Shueyville.
The current citizen seat is held by Aaron Moniza. Ralston asked the group if they would
like to see Moniza continue for a third year, or advertise the position.
Mims and Berner stated that if Moniza is willing to continue, he would be their first choice.
c. Preliminary discussion of FY19 MPOJC Budget
Ralston informed the group that the capital expenses in FY19 will be similar to FY18.
Ralston proposed a change to the level of MPOJC staffing for FY19 by adding a half -time
position. The proposed increase in staff is due to increased development, an uptick in
resident concerns, new priorities and projects, and additional state and federal
requirements. The proposal will add $54,000 to the budget annually. The staff request
represents around a 9% increase from the FY18 budget. Without the position, the MPO
anticipates denying requests for unscheduled work throughout the year.
Donahue asked what the position would entail. Ralston stated that the position would be
an assistant transportation planner.
Board members acknowledged increased workloads and supported the increase to
MPOJC staffing.
d. Consider a grant application timeline for Transportation Alternatives Program funds
allocated by MPOJC
Ralston informed the group that the MPO typically conducts the competitive grant process
for both the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Transportation Alternative
Program (TAP) Grant every other year. Due to changes in federal legislation the Iowa
DOT notified staff that there would be modifications to how the TAP fund would be dealt
with. Under new legislation it was thought that all applications were subject to preapproval
by the DOT. MPO staff has since been notified that the new process does not require
preapproval by the DOT.
Ralston suggested that the group wait until spring of 2019 to allocate Transportation
Alternative Program funds. Waiting until spring of 2019 would realign both the STBG and
TAP funding programs. Realigning both funding programs would result in a larger funding
pool. It would also allow funds from STBG to be used on trails. The Regional Trails and
Bicycling Committee unanimously approved waiting until spring of 2019 to allocate TAP
funds.
The Board unanimously approved waiting until spring of 2019 to allocate Transportation
Alternative Program funds.
3
e. Consider required safety target setting for the MPO as required by the Federal Highway
Administration
Ralston informed the group that the Federal Highway Administration now requires the
MPO to set targets for five safety performance measures as part of the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, and then report these to the DOT every February. For each
measure, the group will either need to support the state’s targets, or set their own
quantifiable targets. Regardless, yearly Transportation Improvement Programs and the
Long Range Transportation Plan will have to reflect how projects make an effort to satisfy
these goals. Ralston recommended that the group adopt the state’s goals due to
uncertainties in how the targets would be used and the potential for penalties if established
goals are not met in the future.
The Board unanimously approved the adoption of the state’s safety targets.
f. Discuss the ‘Severson Charity Challenge’ for this holiday season
Walz asked the group if they were interested in participating in the charity challenge again.
The group unanimously agreed to participate using the same system as in past years.
4. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
a. Update on Iowa DOT I-380 Corridor Study
Neumann stated the DOT recently completed a planning study regarding modes of
transportation in the I-380 CRANDIC corridor between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. This
study looked at long-term potential for commuter rail and automated transit systems. The
study developed five different conclusions regarding the study content. The conclusions
emphasized that none of the proposed alternatives would replace the need to widen I-380,
and that commuter rail between Iowa City and North Liberty should be considered.
Cole asked if the study included six-lane construction from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids.
Neumann stated that the study did include six-lane construction.
Carberry informed the group that many Johnson County farmers were not willing to give
up right-of-way surrounding I-380. Residents had requested that the third lane be built on
the inside of I-380, not the outside. The DOT informed the county that the right-of-way on
the outside of I-380 is needed to construct the third lane, and the inside needs to be saved
for eventual fourth lane construction.
Cole asked who will eventually make the decision to add a third lane to I-380.
Ralston answered that the DOT Commission will ultimately make the decision. They will
likely seek input from surrounding communities. The addition of a third lane would need
to be included in the next MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) if it is to
move forward.
b. Update on the CRANDIC passenger rail study
Neumann reminded the group that two phases of the passenger rail study had been
completed. The first phase included a broad look at rail between Iowa City and Cedar
Rapids. The second phase included a concentrated look at rail between North Liberty and
Iowa City. The section between North Liberty and Iowa City is estimated to cost between
thirty and forty million dollars. Average weekday ridership numbers in 2015 from North
Liberty to Iowa is estimated to be about 3,200. Estimated ridership increased to 6,200 in
4
2040. The DOT concluded that the 8-mile CRANDIC segment between Iowa City and
North liberty was a natural first phase for alternative transportation use and offered the
most viable option to using I-380. The DOT recommends further analysis of this segment.
Both the DOT and CRANDIC have indicated that they are willing to discuss participation
in a phase 3 study including splitting the costs three ways as we have done with past
studies
Neumann asked the group to continue discussion within their communities regarding
starting the phase three study.
Donahue asked what the thirty to forty-million-dollar estimate included. Neumann
answered that this estimate included the infrastructure and rolling stock. Stations would
be left to the communities.
Carberry asked where the proposed rail line in the current study would start and end.
Neumann answered the line would run from Gilbert Street in Iowa City to Forevergreen
Road in North Liberty.
5. Other Business
a. Update from the Johnson County citizen representative on East Central Iowa Council of
Governments (ECICOG) activities
Moniza informed the group of the different ways in which ECICOG is involved in Johnson
County. ECICOG is currently working with the city of Shueyville on some development
reviews regarding land use planning. The ECICOG Board is also working with the City of
Coralville by administering Community Development Block Grant funds for flood
improvements. As part of the Housing Trust Fund, the ECICOG Board has awarded thirty-
five thousand dollars for repairs to five homes in Johnson County. Doug Elliot, the
executive director, has also been working with the Johnson County Homeless
Coordinating Board. As part of the Business Assistance Revolving Loan Program, there
are 11 loans out to Johnson county businesses. As part of the Corridor Rides Program,
there are 3 van pools serving VA Hospital employees. ECICOG is currently working with
the Clear Creek Watershed Coalition on planning and administering CDBG funds.
Donahue asked if Iowa City would be conducting a review on the city bus system. Mims
answered that Iowa City would review the system once the new transportation director
was in place. Donahue expressed interest in taking part in the review.
6. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Dickens; seconded by Donahue. The motion was approved
unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:18 PM.