HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.18.18 UAPB Minutes1
MINUTES
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board APPROVED
Wednesday, July 18th, 2018 – 4:30 PM
Johnson County Health and Human Services Building, Second Floor Conference Room
855 S. Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Meghann Foster
Iowa City: Pauline Taylor, Rockne Cole, John Thomas,
Eleanor Dilkes, Susan Mims
Johnson County: Mike Carberry, Lisa Green-Douglass
North Liberty: Terry Donahue, Chris Hoffman
Tiffin: None
University Heights: Dotti Maher
University of Iowa: Jim Sayre
ICCSD: Lori Roetlin
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Emily Bothell
OTHERS PRESENT: Greg Parker - Johnson County Engineer, Newman Abuissa - Iowa DOT
1. CALL TO ORDER
Donahue called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
a. Recognize alternates
Eleanor Dilkes served as an alternate for Kingsley Botchway (Iowa City) and Dotti Maher
served as an alternate for Louise From (University Heights).
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
Motion to approve was made by Carberry; Sayre seconded. The motion was
unanimously approved.
c. Set date of next meeting
The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 19th, hosted by
North Liberty.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA*
Green-Douglass asked whether the cost of Phase III of the Passenger Rail Study included
the costs from the Rails-to-Trails study. Ralston explained that the Rails-to-Trails study is an
auxiliary study with a separate scope and fee from the passenger rail study. Ralston also
noted that he had sent an email to the administrative offices of each entity asking for funding
for the both the passenger rail and trails studies combined. Green-Douglass expressed
concerns with conducting the two studies simultaneously without considering right-of-way next
to the rail and the potential for it to cancel out the effects of the original study.
Ralston clarified the difference between the two studies, explaining that the trail study came
out of discussions between the University, the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and the City
of Iowa City without involvement of the MPO originally. Ralston explained that the trail study
was an alternative to the rail study in case MPOJC entities decided not to add passenger rail
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in the near future. The trail study focuses on the feasibility of removing rail and adding a bike
trail, including determining ownership and other legal needs.
Green-Douglass then asked how the amounts each entity would pay was determined.
Ralston explained that just with the prior studies, the Iowa DOT would pay for one-third of the
costs, CRANDIC would pay for another third, with MPOJC entities making up the rest of the
funding for the rail study. The trail study is funded at the local level, with funding asked of the
University, Iowa City, Coralville, Johnson County, and North Liberty. Tiffin and University
Heights, two communities with the least to gain from the studies, have not been asked to help
fund either study.
3. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
a. Public Hearing and consideration of resolutions of adoption and certification for the
FY2019-2022 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program.
i. Staff presentation of the FY2019-2022 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program
Neumann informed the group that this was the annual Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP) for FY2019-2022. At the last meeting, the Board approved the draft TIP list
for surface transportation and transit projects. All projects funded in FY18 but not
completed or under contract in that time have been moved to FY19 with 4% added to the
total costs for inflation. The University Heights’ Melrose Avenue project has also been
included under FY22, along with North Liberty’s Highway 965 project as awarded by the
Board last spring. All Iowa DOT projects within the TIP service area are also included
through the request of the DOT. All projects under contract with the DOT have been
removed. Changes to the FAST Act last year delayed TAP funding awards until this
coming winter. Neumann also reminded the Board that they opted out of the federal-aid-
swap so all projects follow federal guidelines as in the past.
Neuman reported that a public notice for the TIP was posted thirty days in advance of the
meeting and agencies identified in the public input process were informed. With no
comments submitted, staff is requesting approval of the final FY2019-2022 TIP.
Hoffman asked how set in stone the projects in the TIP were due to potential timing issues.
Neumann replied that the projects are programmed in certain target years. While they can
be completed later, it is hard to coordinate them sooner because an entity typically must
move an existing project in the TIP to a later year.
Hoffman then asked how the projects were timed.
Neumann replied that the MPO funds new projects every two years. The projects are
scored and ranked and presented to the Board for approval. The Board can adopt the
projects as scored or they can move the projects around if they choose. After the Board
approves the funding amounts, the MPO programs the funding amount into the two-year
slot in the TIP but cannot program more than what is targeted each year by the Iowa DOT.
Advanced construction is possible with approval from the Iowa DOT, but is rare. However,
Coralville was able to do this with the 1st Avenue project after being awarded two rounds
of funding in two consecutive years. Ralston added that the grant process was
competitive, with only about half of requested projects being awarded funding in a given
cycle. Additionally, to facilitate project completion, the MPO has historically awarded about
60% of project expenses rather than the 80% allowable, with agreements from the city
administration to fund the rest of the project. Ralston also echoed Neumann’s point about
advanced funding being rare, with only two occurrences in the past decade, and both with
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funding awards in two consecutive funding cycles. Hoffman expressed concern about
Highway 965 being funded so far out and having more phases to complete.
ii. Public Hearing for the FY 2019-22 Transportation Improvement Program
Donahue opened the floor to public comment. With no comment, Donahue closed the
public hearing.
iii. Consider a resolution adopting the FY2019-2022 Transportation Improvement
Program for the Iowa City Urbanized Area and authorizing the MPO Chairperson to sign
associated documents contained therein.
Carberry moved to approve; Mims seconded the motion. The motion was approved
unanimously.
iv. Consider a resolution certifying compliance with federal requirements for conducting
the urban transportation planning process in the Iowa City Urbanized Area
Hoffman moved to approve; seconded by Green-Douglass. The motion was approved
unanimously.
b. Consider Performance Measure Target Setting for the MPO as Required by the Federal
Highway Administration
The Federal Highway administration now requires that performance measure targets be
approved each year. Ralston reminded the Board of the additional performance measure
requirements, and introduced pavement and bridge targets as well as system performance
and freight targets as outlined in the memo. This includes Highways 218, 6, and 1 as part
of the National Highway System. For each measure the Board has two options, either to
approve the state targets and discuss how the Board is supporting those as outlined in
the TIP and the Long-Range Transportation Plan, or the Board can set its own quantifiable
targets. MPOs only need to set four-year targets as outlined in the second column in the
document. Currently MPO targets aren’t scrutinized by the federal government, but the
DOT’s are, and this is subject to change. As with the safety targets, there are no current
penalties for not meeting the targets or aligning the projects in the TIP but this is subject
to change as targets are typically set with incentives or penalties. Due to the uncertainty
in reporting requirements, time constraints and potential penalties, staff recommends
adoption of the DOT targets. Should the Board approve the state’s targets, the Board can
revisit the targets on an annual basis and if an incentive is found to setting the Board’s
own targets, the Board can do so at that time. The Transportation Technical Advisory
Committee agreed that the requirements were unclear and that they would recommend
adopting the state’s targets.
Cole asked if there were any other systems in place to evaluate programs.
Ralston replied that the MPO has targets for safety and congestion in its criteria for project
approval in the Long-Range Transportation Plan. Donahue asked if the MPO was
requesting any action. Ralston replied that the MPO was simply looking for a consensus.
Membership verbally agreed to follow the state targets.
c. Update from Johnson County staff on significant transportation projects
Parker provided a handout listing projects approved by the Board of Supervisors, known
as the five-year construction program. The documents show the year each project is
programmed, Iowa DOT identifiers, cost estimates, average annual daily traffic for the
roadway segment, and the length of the project. Project 18a, the Mehaffey Bridge Trail is
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under delay due to unforeseen soil circumstances regarding retaining walls; however, the
project is still expected to finish before winter. Project 18b, the Ely Road segment between
Highway 382 and North 140th Street, is expected to finish on time. 18c, Highway 965
Phase 2, is experiencing delays due to the additional requirements of the Iowa DOT to
pave beyond the railroad tracks about 60 feet to meet federal requirements.
Parker noted that the Swan Lake project is scheduled to be completed within the next 30
days and the County has multiple smaller bridge projects going on, including a reinforced
concrete box project on Manor Road north of Highway 965 which is expected to be
completed in the next 45 days. Straw Bridge Road is a fall letting. Bids were accepted for
the Rapid Creek Road project and the County is working with the contractor to get that
underway. Oak Crest Hill Road, a project that has been on the list for several years,
construction was completed in time for RAGBRAI. IWV Road (18J) is under construction
with plans to start paving in September. Highway 923 in front of the Johnson County
Fairgrounds is in the design stages with work set to begin next summer.
Ralston added that the County can apply for and does receive MPO funds for projects
within the growth boundary, with the County receiving funds for the Mehaffey Ridge Road
project. Carberry commented that there have been lots of complaints about Curtis Bridge
Road because those living south of Shueyville need to use it to go north through Shueyville
for access the rest of the county. The supervisors have been working with Shueyville, who
is responsible for the road, to have the County pave the road and then turn it over to the
City. Green-Douglass noted that twice in her two years on the Board, the County has
moved up bridge projects due to poor conditions, including on Highway 965. Parker replied
that the County tries to keep bridges maintained as efficiently as possible. Carberry added
that Johnson County is fortunate to have a growing tax base as many Iowa counties are
shrinking and cannot replace roads due to lack of funds. Parker noted that the County has
959.5 miles of roads and 230 bridges to maintain.
d. Update from DOT District 6 Staff on I-380 & I-80 corridor projects
Abuissa reported that the Forevergreen Road interchange is under construction with ramp
grading to finish this year and paving to occur next year. Iowa DOT is also working on
Highway 965 and the interchange with Interstate 80, adding turn lanes and adding
capacity with plans to finish by the end of the year. The paving of shoulders on Highway
6 between Tiffin and Coralville is complete and the section of Highway 6 between Clear
Creek and the Iowa City corporate limits is almost complete. The Iowa DOT is also working
cooperatively with Iowa City to improve Governor Street between Burlington Street and
Dodge Street with work beginning on the north section this week. The final project in Iowa
City is on Highway 6 to Riverside Drive with curb repair, patching, and repaving. The Myrtle
Avenue and Riverside Drive intersection is also underway as the contractor is adding turn
lanes and traffic signals, with plans to complete by the end of this construction season.
The I-80/I-380 interchange is underway with utility work and brush removal occurring now.
Construction work will begin in 2019, including the relocation of Kansas Avenue in Tiffin.
Paving of Forevergreen ramps will also be let later this month. A more detailed schedule
of the project through 2024 can be found on the Iowa DOT website. The Iowa DOT is
trying to accelerate the project by applying for an infrastructure grant from the federal
government. The Iowa DOT is expecting about $50 million for project acceleration.
The Iowa DOT is also working with the City of Coralville on potential changes to the 1st
Avenue and I-80 interchange so that construction can begin once the funds become
available. I-380 between I-80 and just north of Forevergreen Road will be expanded to 6
lanes, with an environmental study underway for expansion of I-380 to six lanes to
Highway 30 in Cedar Rapids. Additionally, the Iowa DOT is looking at I-80 as a major
thoroughfare between Iowa City and the Mississippi River and will expand I-80 between
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Highway 1 and West Branch from four lanes to six lanes beginning in 2021.
Carberry asked if the DOT planned to expand I-80 across the state to three lanes. Abuissa
replied that Iowa City to the Mississippi River is the only stretch currently planned, though
the state is studying a potential statewide expansion right now. Sayre commented about
the back-up of traffic on the I-380 Interchange with Penn Street. Abuissa replied that the
Iowa DOT is looking at the whole stretch between I-80 and Highway 30, including the
bridges. Sayre then asked about the status of the bus service between Iowa City and
Cedar Rapids. Abuissa deferred to Neumann, who reported that the service will be set by
October with routes running every 30 minutes during peak times. The route fare was set
at $3.50 per ride.
Hoffman asked about the timing of the final I-380 study. Abuissa replied that the study is
scheduled to be completed within the next year. Thomas asked about the funding for the
I-80/I-380 interchange. Abuissa replied that the cost is about $370 million, coming from
state and federal sources, plus a $50 million federal grant. The I-380/Forevergreen Road
interchange is a $25 million project. Carberry remarked on the expense of the bridge and
the fast-moving traffic. Abuissa noted that there are over 8,000 trucks and 49,000 vehicles
daily at this location with projections expected to increase in the next decade.
4. Other Business
Ralston informed the Board that Iowa City Council member Kingsley Botchway had
resigned from the Iowa City City Council and would no longer serve on the MPOJC Board.
Ralston thanked Botchway for his service.
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:36 PM.