HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.14.18 UAPB Minutes1
MINUTES
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board APPROVED
Wednesday, November 14th, 2018 - 4:30 PM
City of Coralville - Council Chambers
1512 7th Street, Coralville, Iowa
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Kelly Hayworth
Iowa City: John Thomas, Pauline Taylor, Susan Mims,
Mazahir Salih, Bruce Teague, Eleanor Dilkes
Johnson County: Mike Carberry
North Liberty: Terry Donahue
Tiffin: Steve Berner
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Jim Sayre
ICCSD: none
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Emily Bothell, Frank Waisath, Alex
Behnke
OTHERS PRESENT: Dan Holderness (Coralville City Engineer)
1. CALL TO ORDER
Steve Berner called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM.
a. Recognize alternates
Kelly Hayworth served as an alternate for Tom Gill (Coralville). Eleanor Dilkes served as
an alternate for Rockne Cole (Iowa City).
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
Motion to approve was made by Donahue; Sayre seconded. The motion was
unanimously approved.
c. Set date of next meeting
The next meeting was set for Wednesday, January 30th, hosted by Iowa City.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
Ralston thanked Carberry for his service to the MPO and his service to the residents of
Johnson County. Carberry has served on the Board for three years and has had good
attendance throughout. Ralston then presented Carberry with an award from the MPO.
3. ADMINISTRATION
a. Appoint nominating committee for Calendar Year 2019 Urbanized Area Policy Board
officers
Ralston explained that every year the Board nominates a chairperson and vice
chairperson for the next calendar year (2019). The chairperson is responsible for presiding
over meetings and reviewing agenda items. Ralston asked that the Board consider
appointing a three-person nominating committee that will meet before January and provide
a recommendation regarding the chairperson and vice chairperson. The current
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chairperson is Steve Berner (Mayor of Tiffin) and the current vice chairperson is Terry
Donahue (Mayor of North Liberty). They have both served for one year and there is a two
consecutive-year term limit. They are both eligible to serve again if they choose to do so.
From, Mims, and Teague volunteered to be the three-person nominating committee.
b. Confirm which entities will nominate Johnson County representatives to East Central Iowa
Council of Governments (ECICOG) Board of Directors
The MPOJC bylaws state that each January the Board appoints three elected official
representatives as well as one citizen representative to the ECCOG Board of Directors.
The citizen representative can be any citizen of Johnson County. The appointments are
made according to a rotation that is outlined in the bylaws. One elected official seat is filled
by two of the largest entities (Iowa City and Johnson County). The current representative
is Pauline Taylor (Iowa City City Council). The 2019 representative is scheduled to be
designated by Johnson County. One elected seat should be filled by the third through fifth
largest entities that alternate annually. The current seat is held by the fourth largest entity,
which is the City of North Liberty. The 2019 representative is scheduled to be designated
by the City of Solon. One elected official seat should be elected by the remaining entities,
included the rural entities of Johnson County. The current seat is held by the City of
Shueyville and the 2019 representative is scheduled to be designated by the City of Lone
Tree. One citizen representative should be appointed to the Board.
Ralston asked how the Board would like to proceed with the citizen representative. Randy
Laubscher is the current citizen representative. Ralston asked if the Board would like to
invite Laubscher to serve as the citizen representative again or if the Board would like to
advertise for the position so another member of the community can serve.
Mims asked how long Laubscher has been the citizen representative. Ralston responded
that Laubscher has been the citizen representative for one year. Mims stated that if
Laubscher has done a good job and had good attendance, the Board should ask him to
do it again.
Taylor added that being on ECICOG there is a big learning curve and Laubscher has done
a good job and has had excellence attendance.
Ralston explained that Laubscher has an interest in serving and the citizen representative
is not an easy position to fill. The citizen representative is required to attend monthly Board
meetings in Cedar Rapids, which are held during the day.
Ralston added that he will contact the entities that need to elect representatives and
Laubscher to see if he is interested in serving for one more year.
c. Preliminary discussion of FY20 MPOJC Budget
Ralston explained that prior to the preparation of the MPOJC budget for consideration at
the January meeting, the Board should discuss any major changes that may come in the
next year. Administratively, MPO staff are City of Iowa City employees as part of the 28E
governmental agreement. The MPO works with Iowa City during the budgeting process to
make sure the numbers are accurate and translate into the MPO budget so staff can
determine the assessments for each entity. The MPO does not intend to hire any additional
staff. The major capital expenses include software and maintenance. The MPO is using
approximately $230,000 in Iowa DOT planning funds that are provided to the MPO. The
full budget will be brought back to the Board in January for approval. There will be
approximately a 4.5% increase over the current budget, primarily for staff salaries and
increases in health benefits.
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d. Consider a Resolution approving updates to the MPOJC Title VI Compliance Plan
Neumann explained that since the MPO receives federal funding each year it is required
to have an approved Title VI Compliance Program. There are two Title VI Compliance
Programs. The document presented to the Board is the Federal Transit Administration
version. In 2017, the Board approved the Federal Highway Administration version. Both
documents have different requirements. The Title VI program ensures non-discrimination
as outlined in the Civil Rights Act. It prohibits discrimination based on color, race, and
national origin. The document provides guidelines for the MPO in order to comply with all
Title VI requirements. The document includes the MPO’s Limited English Proficiency
review. This review helps the MPO identify the languages that need to be included when
providing information to the public. Also in the attachment is the MPO’s Public Participation
Plan, which outlines how the MPO gets word out to the public. The Board approved the
Public Participation Plan in 2017. The complaint process is clearly outlined as the MPO
works with the City of Iowa City and their Civil Rights Office. Title VI complaint forms are
available in the MPO office.
The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) recommended approval of the
policy statements, the assurances and the resolution. Staff is requesting Board approval
of the document.
Motioned to approve by Mims; seconded by From. The motion was approved
unanimously.
4. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
a. Consider required safety target setting for the MPO as required by the Federal Highway
Administration
Ralston explained that the Federal Highway Administration now requires the MPO set
targets for five safety performance measures. The MPO must set targets and then report
them to the Iowa DOT by February 27th of each year. For each performance measure the
MPO must adopt the state’s measures or create unique measures for the metropolitan
area. The MPO is required to state how the annual projects and Transportation
Improvement Program show progress towards meeting the adopted safety standard.
The MPO recommended that the Board adopt the state’s performance measures. Staff
does not recognize that there is any benefit to adopting their own measures. Des Moines
is the only MPO in Iowa that adopted their own safety measures.
Motioned to approve by Hayworth; seconded by Mims. The motion was approved
unanimously.
b. Consider scoring criteria for Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds allocated by MPOJC
Ralston explained that at the September 19th Board meeting staff indicated that grant
applications for the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds and Transportation
Alternative Program (TAP) funds would become available in January or February of 2019.
At the meeting the Board discussed the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee’s
(TTAC) recommended changes. After discussion of those changes, the Board requested
to see a comparison of how previously funded projects would be scored using the current
adopted criteria and what is being proposed. Overall, the new scoring criteria would not
change much. After scoring the previously funded projects with the proposed criteria, the
project scores changed slightly, however the project rankings did not. At their November
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6th meeting, TTAC unanimously recommended adopting the proposed scoring criteria.
Sayre pointed out that criteria 9A, the equity category, has no definition as to what a low-
income neighborhood is.
Ralston added that in the past, staff has used 80% area median income and census blocks
which is the smallest census data the MPO has available. Since the definition of a low-
income neighborhood is not in the criteria, staff can make changes as needed as the
census data changes.
Sayre responded by explaining there should be some sort of definition included in the
criteria. Ralston answered that last year only one of eight applications received points for
9A, being in a lower income neighborhood, which was North Liberty’s Highway 965
project. Teague expressed that adding some wording to median income may help satisfy
the definition of lower income neighborhoods.
Salih asked for more explanation about the 80% area median income used by MPO staff
in the past. Ralston explained that if the criteria were lowered to 75% or 65% area median
income there is the potential that no projects would receive points for criteria 9A. It
depends on what projects are submitted each year.
Sayre added that an applicant such as the University of Iowa may say that the students in
residence halls are considered lower income neighborhoods and therefore question why
they did not receive points for the application.
Donahue expressed that he did not like the use of the 80% area median income. He
explained that the next census data will be released in two years and the MPO should use
that data to interpret criteria for the next period.
Ralston added that the MPO could see what projects come in and then have a discussion
with the Board. The MPO takes the scores to TTAC first and can share the project
applications and discuss what area median income percentage should be used.
Salih questioned if the MPO can change the percentage at any time. Ralston answered
that the MPO can change the percentage at any time.
Sayre added that the percentage of points for this criteria is a relatively small percentage
of the total project score so it will not make or break the project.
Ralston offered that the MPO could include census block data and average median
income as the rule in criteria 9A.
Donahue expressed that that gives the Board a basis to work from and some years one
or two points may make a significant difference in the rankings of projects.
Thomas agreed with the definition change by indicating what data the MPO is looking at
when scoring projects.
Berner asked if the change would be made in criteria 9A. Ralston responded by stating
that the MPO would include using census blocks and average median income in the
guidelines for criteria 9A.
Motioned to approve by Donahue; seconded by Mims. The motion was approved
unanimously.
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5. OTHER BUSINESS
a. Update from Coralville staff on significant community projects
Holderness discussed the transportation projects currently underway in Coralville.
All underground utilities have been completed on the 1st Avenue project as well as the
southbound lanes. The 1st Avenue and 6th Street intersection is nearly complete and the
northbound lanes are also nearly completed. The project is anticipated to be completed
before the end of this construction season.
The Coral Ridge Avenue project will transfer off the detour route. Traffic will be on the
main line except for the east side of the Coral Ridge Avenue between Wheaton Road and
Forevergreen Road. The Coral Ridge Avenue project is anticipated to be completed before
the end of the construction season.
The Clear Creek Trail Phases 6 and 7 has had a very challenging year. The project
extends the trail from the current ending point of the Clear Creek Trail to the Creekside
Ballpark. The two bridges over Clear Creek will be completed within the next two weeks.
The goal is to have the trail paved, completed and open to the public by the beginning of
2019. The project is going under Interstate 380 and will connect to Tiffin’s trail system.
With the acceleration of the Interstate 80/380 interchange project, there may be delays on
final portions of the Clear Creek Trail project.
Holderness also discussed the $32 million Wastewater Treatment Plant improvement
project. This project will double the capacity of the plant and double the capacity of the
storm water storage lagoons. The project started in April of this year and is a 27-month
project, anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2020.
Sayre asked how long the north portion of Coral Ridge Avenue will stay closed.
Holderness explained that it will be closed for a couple of weeks. It is a small portion of
the Coral Ridge Avenue project as it was on the detour route for the entirety of the project.
b. Discuss the “Severson Charity Challenge” for this holiday season
Bothell presented the Severson Charity Challenge. She explained that the MPO is asking
if members of the Board would like to participate again. The challenge honors Linda
Severson, who had served as the MPO’s Human Services Coordinator from 1994 until her
death in 2011. The annual charity drive was inspired by just one of the many acts of
generosity and compassion for which Linda was known. The challenge invites each
government entity to select a local charity they wish to support. In 2017 contributions were
up 12% and University Heights was awarded the Severson trophy. The event will run from
December 1st, through January 4th.
Ralston added that this challenge has been fun and that most of the Board had known
and worked with Linda. It would be a great thing to continue to participate in and to get the
challenge organized in each community.
Mims and Donahue both expressed support for the challenge.
Ralston said the MPO will reach out and contact city clerks and send information to each
entity.
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6. ADJOURNMENT
Mims motioned to adjourn; seconded by Salih. The motion was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 5:12PM.