HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.20.18 TTAC Minutes
APPROVED
MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018 -10:30 AM
EMMA HARVAT HALL, IOWA CITY, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Coralville: Scott Larson, Dan Holderness, Vicki
Robrock
Iowa City: Mark Rummel, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Jason
Havel, Ron Knoche, Scott Sovers
Johnson County: Tom Brase, Greg Parker
North Liberty: Dean Wheatley
Tiffin: Doug Boldt
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey
Iowa DOT: Hugh Holak
ECICOG: Brock Grenis
RTBC: Bob Oppliger
FHWA: None
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER; RECOGNIZE ALTERNATES; CONSIDER APPROVAL OF
MEETING MINUTES
There were three alternates at the meeting; Scott Larson for Kelly Hayworth (Coralville),
Hugh Holak for Catherine Cutler (DOT), Scott Sovers for Simon Andrew (Iowa City)
Knoche motioned to approve the meeting minutes; Holderness seconded the motion. The
motion carried unanimously.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
REGARDING LOCALLY DETERMINED PROJECTS FOR THE MPOJC FY2019
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROGRAM
Ralston informed the group that, as required by the FHW A and DOT, the MPOJC compiles
a list of work program projects for the upcoming fiscal year. Entities were asked to review
the list of projects and consider a recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board.
Holderness motioned to approve the recommendation; Wheatley seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously.
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4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BO ARD
REGARDING THE MPOJC FY2019 TRANSIT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS
Neumann informed the group that the Program of Projects (POP) includes all programmed
and anticipated FTA funding projects. The POP is published by the Board and is subject
to a public hearing. The POP is also included in each transit agency’s Consolidated
Funding Application to the Iowa DOT and in the Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP) where project funding is identified. Staff requested a recommendation to the
Urbanized Area Policy Board.
Brase motioned to approve the amendment; Larson seconded the motion. The motion
carried unanimously.
5. UPDATE ON FEDERAL-AID-SWAP DISCUSSION AND TIMELINE
Ralston informed the group that House File 203 was signed into law during the last
legislative session and permits the Iowa DOT commission to allow for a Federal-Aid-Swap.
The swap allows road and bridge projects, that would normally be funded with federal
transportation dollars, to be swapped for state funding. The current swap policy is
structured so that the Urbanized Area Policy Board decides whether the entire metro area
participates in the swap; not individual communities.
Wheatley asked how the use of Davis-Bacon wages compares to current prevailing
wages. Ralston answered that his understanding is that in many instances prevailing
wages are near or higher than Davis-Bacon requirements. Currently, individual
municipalities cannot require Davis-Bacon wages.
Ralston further noted that only Surface Transportation Block Grant funding is currently
subject to the swap, not Transportation Alternatives Program funding.
6. UPDATE FROM DOT STAFF ON SIGNIFICANT TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS IN
THE METRO AREA
Holak informed the group that the Forevergreen Road interchange substructure on the
bridge over I-380 is complete. Overnight closures are expected in order to place girders.
The bridge deck is expected to be poured in May of 2018. A summer closure on
Forevergreen Road will occur. Due to additional construction on Kansas Avenue, no
detours exist and Forevergreen will remain closed through the fall.
Tree clearing for the I-80 and I-380 interchange is underway. Fiber optic relocation is set
to begin and will take 2-3 months to complete.
Ralston noted that the DOT has been studying the widening of I-380 north of Penn Street
in North Liberty to Highway 30 in Cedar Rapids. The study is in the early stages and stops
south of Highway 30 to avoid the I-380 and Highway 30 interchange.
Wheatley asked about the missing section of Highway 30 between Cedar Rapids and
Tama. Holak explained the segment from Highway 21 to the west towards Tama is
underway and being handled by the DOT District 1.
7. UPDATE ON 2018 MPOJC TRANSPORTATION PLANNING DIVISION ANNUAL
REPORT
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Ralston explained that the report outlines MPOJC work product. Due to short staffing, the
metro area bike plan is being delayed. The North Corridor Study between Coralville and
Iowa City is also nearing completion. Ralston noted that all remaining projects should be
complete this fiscal year.
8. OTHER BUSINESS
From informed the group that investors have expressed interest in putting a restaurant on
the top of the new Marriott Hotel in University Heights. The addition would require a
change to the existing zoning.
Parker informed the group that work on the Mehaffey Bridge Trail is underway.
Brase noted that the county has received a new ADA paratransit bus.
Wheatley informed the group that North Liberty will be building a new elementary school
to the west of the South Slope Communications Building. A roundabout will be constructed
near the school.
Sovers informed the group that the two-construction season pedestrian mall
improvements project is out to bid. The Dubuque street corridor is to be worked on this
year and the College Street corridor next year.
Bob Oppliger noted that May is National Bike Month and the applications for a $100 grant
are due April 2.
Havel explained that the Gateway Project is ongoing and the closure of Park Road is
scheduled for May 1st. An overlay project of Highway 6 starting in Coralville to Sturgis
Corner Drive in Iowa City and on Governor Street from Burlington Street to Dodge Street
is scheduled to begin. Myrtle Avenue and Riverside Drive is scheduled to be signalized
with the addition of left turn lanes on Myrtle.
Holderness noted that the First Avenue improvement project from 6th Street to 9th Street
has started and is scheduled to be done by November. The Arena Project is scheduled to
start April 1st.
Larson informed the group that Coral Ridge Avenue construction from Oakdale Boulevard
to Forevergreen Road has started and traffic control is in place. Coral Ridge Avenue will
be closed from the north side of Oakdale Boulevard to the south side of Forevergreen
Road until November. The Clear Creek Trail phases 6 and 7 are underway.
Rummel noted that the bike share program, new bus shelters, and charging station
projects are all ongoing.
Nagle-Gamm informed the group that Iowa City has received 8 new buses that will be
operational soon.
Brock Grenis noted the RFP for the Iowa City to Cedar Rapids bus service has not been
released, but is coming soon.
Holak noted that for the I-80/I-380 Interchange Project there will be a local joint office
between the DOT and HDR who is doing the general engineering consulting. The office
will be on James Street in Coralville.
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9. ADJOURNMENT
Wheatley motioned to adjourn; Nagle-Gamm seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 AM.