HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.22.19 TTAC Minutes
Final
MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019 -10:30 AM
EMMA HARVAT HALL, IOWA CITY, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Dan Holderness, Vicky Robrock, Kelly
Hayworth
Iowa City: Mark Rummel, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Jason
Havel, Ron Knoche
Johnson County: Greg Parker, Tom Brase
North Liberty: None
Tiffin: Doug Boldt
University Heights: None
University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey
RTBC: None
Iowa DOT: None
ECICOG: None
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
Nagle-Gamm moved 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 FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION SECTION 5307 TRANSIT
OPERATING FORMULA FUNDING APPORTIONMENT FOR FY2019 AND TRANSIT
STATISTICS FOR FY2018
Neumann informed the group that the Iowa DOT has indicated that the MPO has
$2,587,000 available in FY2019 FTA Section 5307 Operating Assistance Funding. These
funds are apportioned by the MPO among the three local transit systems. The formula for
funding is based on four factors. Last year, the formula was adjusted to match the FTA
and Iowa DOT formulas for locally determined income.
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Neumann asked for a recommendation to apportion the FY2019 FTA Section 5307
operating funds.
Boldt moved to approve the recommendation. Nagle-Gamm seconded the motion. The
motion carried unanimously.
4. UPDATE ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT AND TRANSPORTATION
ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM GRANT FUNDING PROCESS
Ralston informed the group that the MPO conducts their STBG and TAP funding process
every 2 years. Due to new federal legislation in 2017, the Iowa DOT was not prepared to
allow the MPO to conduct the typical TAP funding process at that time. Because of this,
there are 2 years of STBG funding available and 4 years of TAP funding available.
Ralston noted that both applications will be available February 1, 2019 and are due back
to the MPO by February 22, 2019. Staff will have recommendations at the March 26th
meeting based on scoring criteria. Staff anticipates that about $6.7 million of STBG funding
will be available for FY2023 and FY2024 and approximately $1.5 million in TAP funds for
FY2021-FY2024.
Ralston also informed the group that all projects must be on a federal aid route and be
identified in the MPOJC Long-Range Transportation Plan. In the past, when funds were
allocated to projects not identified in the Plan, the Plan was amended. Because the FAST
Act was approved after the adoption of the MPO’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, it
may not be compliant with new regulations. Thus, if amendments are made to the plan, it
is subject to the new standards outlined in the FAST Act. MPO staff is requesting all
proposed projects exist in the Long-Range Transportation Plan as time may not allow for
an amendment and update.
5. UPDATE ON THE MPOJC FY20 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WORK PROGRAM &
FY20-23 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SCHEDULES
Neumann informed the group that the work program is completed on an annual basis and
identifies major projects to be addressed in the upcoming fiscal year. The work program
includes all required state and federally required planning processes and documentation,
ongoing and routine projects, and special projects requested by member entities. The
MPO will begin soliciting for FY20 projects in February. The draft work program will be
submitted to the Iowa DOT by April 1, 2019.
Neumann also noted that programming of projects in the TIP will begin in February and
formalizes specific projects that receive federal funding. It also identifies which year the
projects will receive funding. The Board will consider projects for the TIP in March and will
adopt the final TIP in July.
6. DISCUSSION REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN THE ‘FEDERAL-AID-SWAP’
WHEREBY STATE FUNDING COULD REPLACE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR LOCAL
ROAD/BRIDGE PROJECTS
Ralston informed the group that last year the Board opted out of the federal aid swap due
to concern over Davis-Bacon wages, worker safety, and a lack of information on how the
aid swap would streamline road/bridge projects. Unless the Board votes to opt out, the
Iowa DOT will assume that the MPO would like to participate in the federal aid swap.
Ralston reminded the group that this MPO was the only one in the state that did not
participate. Due to the federal fiscal year starting in October, the Iowa DOT was not able
to provide statistics regarding cost-savings resulting from the swap. They did however
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state that the project development timeline for most projects was reduced by about 6
months.
McClatchey questioned if it would be possible to contact other MPOs in the state to see if
there have been noticeable differences for those who participated.
Knoche questioned the concern of the Board regarding worker safety.
Ralston informed the group that several union representatives attended the Board meeting
last year and expressed concern that without Davis-Bacon wages, there would be an influx
of out of state labor that may be less efficient and safe.
Holderness commented that prevailing wages are similar to Davis-Bacon wages.
Knoche questioned whether the Iowa DOT would change their policy and require that all
MPOs participated in the swap.
Ralston answered that there has not been discussion regarding a policy change at this
point.
7. UPDATE ON FEDERAL FUNCTIONAL CLASS DESIGNATION FOR URBANIZED AREA
ROADWAYS
Bothell informed the group that staff has been working with Iowa DOT to update the federal
functional classification map of the Iowa City urbanized area roadways. MPO funding is
only available for roads classified as collector or higher. Only 35% of the total road mileage
in the urbanized area can be listed on the federal functional classification map. Following
the November 20 TTAC meeting, 8.7 miles of roadways were submitted to the Iowa DOT
for ‘pre-approval’ and approximately 3.2 miles were ‘pre-approved’. Many of the roadways
were denied because the Iowa DOT did not feel that they were functioning at the requested
classification.
Holderness moved to approve the recommendation. Knoche seconded the motion. The
motion carried unanimously.
8. UPDATE ON CRANDIC PASSENGER RAIL AND RAILS-TO-TRAILS STUDIES
Neumann explained that the FTA did not agree with the methodology that HDR is using in
the passenger rail study to model ridership, which has caused a delay. This discussion is
ongoing and currently there is no deadline for study completion. HDR completed the rails-
to-trails study draft and staff is currently reviewing. The study investigates the railroad
abandonment process, characteristics of a rails to trails project, connectivity to existing
and future trails, potential liability issues, and a cost estimate to remove exiting
infrastructure and replace it with a trail. Costs varied from $3.5 to $5.5 million dollars for
the 6-mile segment depending on the trail surface. Staff is finalizing comments on the draft
and will distribute it to the group when HDR has made changes.
Nagle-Gamm asked if HDR investigated dual use by rail and pedestrians. Neumann
answered that HDR informed staff that the existing right-of-way is not large enough for
both.
9. OTHER BUSINESS
McClatchey informed the group that the Cambus maintenance facility renovation is
scheduled to start around March 1.
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Knoche stated that Iowa City’s public works facility construction is underway and should
be complete in November 2019.
Havel stated that some RFP proposals are due. Notable projects in Iowa City include the
1s Avenue and Scott Boulevard roundabout project, design and reconstruction of
Rochester Avenue, and construction on Melrose Avenue and IWV Road SW.
Boldt noted that the roundabout project at Park Road and Highway 6 will be out for bid in
February. Poles and mast arms for the traffic signal at Highway 6 and Ireland Avenue are
ready to be placed as soon as weather permits.
Nagle-Gamm informed the group that the consultant selection process for the transit study
is underway.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Knoche moved to adjourn. McClatchey seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 11:26 AM.