HomeMy WebLinkAboutMPOJC RPB Minutes Jan 2018 approved
APPROVED
MPOJC RURAL POLICY BOARD
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018 – 6:00 PM
CITY OF NORTH LIBERTY – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1 QUAIL CREEK CIRCLE, NORTH LIBERTY, IA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Johnson County: Mike Carberry, Lisa Green-Douglass
Hills: Tim Kemp
Swisher: Christopher Taylor
Lone Tree: Jonathan Green
Oxford: Tim Hennes
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Emily Bothell
OTHERS PRESENT: Jennifer Fencl (ECICOG)
1. CALL TO ORDER
a. Introduce Board members and recognize alternates
Kemp called the meeting to order.
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
Green-Douglass moved to approve the meeting minutes from January 2017; 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 FY2019 MPOJC Budget
and Two-Year Financial Forecast
Ralston introduced the FY2019 MPOJC Budget and Financial Forecast, noting that
the overall budget for FY19 reflects a 12% increase from FY18, primarily due to an
increase in benefits, wages, and the 0.5 full-time-equivalent that was approved by
the Urbanized Area Policy Board at the November Board meeting.
Carberry moved to approve the motion. Hennes seconded the motion. The
motion carried unanimously.
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b. Consider approval of the FY2019 Johnson County assessment schedule for the
East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG)
Ralston informed the Board that the MPO collects ECICOG dues for Johnson
County and forwards them to ECICOG. Ralston stated that ECICOG assesses
each county in which they serve on a per-capita basis; the MPO then assesses
each municipality within Johnson County. ECICOG proposed a 2% rate increase
for all counties it serves for FY19.
Hennes moved to approve the motion; Green-Douglass seconded. The motion
carried unanimously.
4. Availability of East Central Iowa Council of Governments assistance
Fencl stated that ECICOG offers many services and 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.
5. Discuss MPOJC Orientation opportunity for Board Members
Ralston stated that an orientation is available for current and new Board members
interested in discussing the role of the MPO. Ralston mentioned he would set-up a meeting
for those interested.
6. Discuss potential MPOJC Work Program projects for FY2019
Ralston stated that the MPO was putting together Work Program projects for FY19. In the
coming weeks, the MPO would be reaching out to entities for potential projects.
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 reach out to entities for 2018
traffic engineering requests.
8. Update on Long-Range Transportation Plan revision process
Ralston informed the members that the 2017 Long Range Transportation Plan was
complete and both hard and digital copies are available for communities.
9. Update on the CRANDIC Passenger Rail Study & Iowa DOT I-380 Corridor Study
Neumann stated that in September, Phase II of the Iowa City to North Liberty Passenger
Rail Feasibility Study was presented to the Urban Policy Board. Phase II indicated that the
project would cost between $30-40 million.
Neumann informed the Board that the Iowa DOT had conducted an additional study in the
I-380/CRANDIC corridor looking at alternative transportation options, including passenger
rail and autonomous vehicles. The Iowa DOT concluded that the Iowa City to North Liberty
section for passenger rail was warranted for further study.
Neumann stated that Phase I, Phase II, and the Iowa DOT studies are complete, but the
MPO is seeking more direction for Phase III. The Iowa DOT developed ridership estimates
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which will allow forecasting for revenue. Phase III would focus on a cost-benefit analysis,
a financial plan, securing operating funding, operation oversight, and proposed station
stops. The Iowa DOT and CRANDIC have stated that they are willing to cover a portion of
the cost of the Phase III study.
In addition, the MPO met with the City of Iowa City, the Iowa City Area Development
Group, the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Alliant Energy, and
the CRANDIC Railroad to discuss ways to preserve the rail corridor if local officials
determine not to move forward with passenger rail. The group supported completion of
the Phase III passenger rail study and proposed a “rails-to-trails” option.
Neumann stated that this could become part of the Phase III study for passenger rail or it
could be done separately and would require additional funding.
Neumann stated the Iowa DOT will not provide funding for any portion of the trail study
because they are using federal rail funding. The “rails-to-trails” scope of the study includes
rail banking, rail abandonment and conversion processes, CRANDIC liability issues, trail
distance, and infrastructure costs.
10. Consider election of calendar year 2018 Rural Policy Board Officers
Tim Kemp and Chris Taylor were nominated for Chair and Vice-Chair for 2018. Hennes
moved to approve the motion; Green seconded. The motion was approved
unanimously.
11. Other Business
None
12. Adjournment
Motion to approve was made by Green; seconded by Carberry. The motion was
approved unanimously.