HomeMy WebLinkAbout9.12.18 TTAC Minutes
APPROVED
MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 -10:30 AM
EMMA HARVAT HALL, IOWA CITY, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Dan Holderness, Vicki Robrock
Iowa City: Mark Rummel, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Jason
Havel, Ron Knoche, Simon Andrew
Johnson County: None
North Liberty: Dean Wheatley
Tiffin: None
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey
RTBC: None
Iowa DOT: Catherine Cutler
ECICOG: Brock Grenis
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Emily Bothell, Frank Waisath, Nate
Bauer
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER; RECOGNIZE ALTERNATES; CONSIDER APPROVAL OF
MEETING MINUTES
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 AN AMENDMENT TO THE ADOPTED MPOJC 2018-2022
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) - ADDING TRANSIT VEHICLES
FOR REPLACEMENT
Neumann informed the group that the Iowa DOT is preparing a state-wide bus
replacement grant through the Federal Transit Administration. They have requested that
one bus from Iowa City and two from CAMBUS be amended into the FY2018-2022 TIP.
This amendment would allow the three buses to be eligible for the bus replacement grant.
Wheatley motioned to approve the recommendation. Holderness seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously.
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4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY
BOARD REGARDING SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT (STBG) AND
TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM (TAP) SCORING CRITERIA FOR
FUNDS ALLOCATED BY MPOJC
Ralston explained that the MPO grant applications for STBG and TAP funds will be
available early in 2019. Prior to releasing grant applications, staff is seeking approval of
the current scoring criteria. The scoring criteria was last approved by the Board in 2016
for the 2017 application process.
Holderness questioned the scoring of roundabouts, direct access to planned growth areas,
quality of life, existing congestion problems versus future congestion problems, and ADA
compliance.
Ralston explained that criteria with higher point values were adjusted during the previous
approval process. Any recommended adjustments will be made available for review by
the Board.
McClatchey questioned how low-income neighborhoods are defined. Ralston explained
that staff looks at census blocks to determine whether projects are within an area of lower
socioeconomic income levels.
Ralston confirmed that points for criteria 1a, 3, 3a, 7c, and 10 should be increased, criteria
5a and 5b should have equal points, and points for 9b should be reduced.
Holderness motioned to approve the recommendation. Wheatley seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously.
Ralston noted changes would be provided to the Urbanized Area Policy Board for
consideration.
5. DICUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL FEDERAL FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
CHANGES FOR MPOJC URBANIZED AREA ROADWAYS
Bothell informed the group that the MPO is in the process of working with the Iowa DOT
and Federal Highway Administration to update the federal functional classification map.
The functional classification system is a hierarchical system that identifies which roads are
federal aid routes. Classifications from highest to lowest include interstate, principal
arterial, minor arterial, collector, and minor streets. Federal funding can only be used on
roads classified as collector or higher. Bothell asked member entities to submit additions
or revisions to MPOJC staff by October 12, 2018 for preapproval by the Iowa DOT.
Knoche asked about updating the metropolitan area boundary. Ralston informed the group
that if projects are impacted by the current boundary it could be modified, but the process
is more time consuming as it requires coordination with ECICOG.
6. UPDATE ON THE CRANDIC PASSENGER RAIL AND RAILS-TO-TRAILS STUDIES
Neumann informed the group that the Phase III CRANDIC Passenger Rail study and the
rails-to-trails study are underway. The Phase III passenger rail study will focus on
ridership, revenue forecasting, financial strategies, benefits for communities, and
conceptual station design. The study will take about 120 days. The rails-to-trails study will
focus on removing existing rail infrastructure between downtown Iowa City and the
University of Iowa Research Park (Oakdale) and constructing a new trail in the existing
corridor. The study should take about 90 days.
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Ralston explained that the rails-to-trails study was in part requested to preserve the
corridor if the passenger rail is not built in the near future.
McClatchey questioned the number and location of stations. Neumann answered that
station locations include Penn Street, Forevergreen Road, the Research Park, The Iowa
River Landing in Coralville, the Highway 6 pedestrian overpass at the Public Health
Building, and the University of Iowa campus.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
Wheatley informed the group that North Liberty’s Highway 965 project is underway and
the Kansas Avenue repaving is approximately sixty percent complete.
From explained that land for the Courtyard Marriott in University Heights is cleared and
construction is scheduled to start after November 1. A restaurant was added to the top of
the building and adjustments to the plan were made. The project is scheduled to be
completed December of 2019.
Havel informed the group that Iowa City’s Park Road Bridge is open and the remaining
paving should be done this year. Some cleanup is expected during the spring of 2019.
Mormon Trek Boulevard pavement patching is underway. A right turn lane on Benton
Street is scheduled to be done by late October. Intersection patching and new signals will
follow. The Pedestrian Mall construction is underway and the north-south portion should
be complete this year. The east-west portion will take place next year. The intersection of
Burlington Street and Clinton Street is receiving new traffic signals and Clinton Street will
undergo a four to three lane conversion with bike lanes. Myrtle Avenue is closed at
Riverside Drive and is scheduled to reopen by mid-October. Patching on Riverside Drive
will occur this year and a full overlay will occur in the spring of 2019.
Knoche explained that the first phase of Iowa City’s public works facility is open for public
input.
Cutler informed the group the Iowa DOT will hold a public information meeting on October
23 for the I-380 study. The meeting will be at the North Liberty Recreation Center.
McClatchey explained that the University is lifting the moratorium on capital projects and
the transit facility rehabilitation project can now move forward.
Robrock informed the group that Coralville went live with google transit.
Holderness explained that the southbound through lanes on 1st Avenue in Coralville
should be completed soon. The intersection of 1st Avenue and 6th Street is nearly complete
and is scheduled to open soon. Traffic will be moved to the west side of 1st Avenue and
construction on the east side will begin. Coral Ridge Avenue southbound through lanes
from Forevergreen Road to Oakdale Boulevard are paved and work on the northbound
lanes is ongoing.
Nagle-Gamm explained that Iowa City is in the final stages of selecting a vendor for the
bike share program. They are currently looking at details regarding the fleet. The system
will be dockless. Discussions with the vendor for new bus shelters is ongoing. Up to 30
new shelters will be placed in the next few years. Existing shelters will be replaced and
some additional locations will be added.
Rummel added that Iowa City has accepted the last 3 of 11 new buses and may wrap
existing buses.
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Grenis noted that the Cedar Rapids to Iowa City express bus service will start October 1.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Knoche motioned to adjourn. McClatchey seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 11:25 AM.