HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.6.19 UAPB MinutesMINUTES FINAL
MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD MEETING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019 - 4:30 PM
CITY OF IOWA CITY - COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 410 E WASHINGTON ST, IOWA CITY
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Meghann Foster
Iowa City: John Thomas, Pauline Taylor, Geoff Fruin,
Mazahir Salih, Bruce Teague, Eleanor Dilkes
Johnson County: Pat Heiden, Lisa Green-Douglass
North Liberty: Terry Donahue
Tiffin: Steve Berner
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Erin Shane
ICCSD: Lori Roetlin
OTHERS PRESENT: Tracy Achenbach (ECICOG)
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Frank Waisath, Brad Neumann, Sarah
Walz, Ian Klopfenstein
1. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at 4:30 PM by Berner.
a. Recognize alternates
Geoff Fruin served as an alternate for Rockne Cole (Iowa City) and Eleanor Dilkes for
Susan Mims (Iowa City).
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
Motion to approve was made by Donahue; Thomas seconded. The motion was
unanimously approved.
c. Set date for next meeting
The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, hosted by Johnson County.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
Ralston indicated that Erin Shane has replaced Jim Sayre representing the University of
Iowa. Ralston thanked Sayre for his time on the Board and presented a certificate of
appreciation.
3. ADMINISTRATION
a) Report from nominating committee for 2019 MPOJC Board officers
Ralston explained that a three-person nominating committee was assembled at the
November meeting, composed of Louise From (University Heights), Bruce Teague (Iowa
City) and Susan Mimms (Iowa City).
Steve Berner (Tiffin) is the current Chair, with Terry Donahue (North Liberty) as Vice-
Chair. Each position has a two-year term limit, with Berner and Donahue currently
concluding their first years in their respective positions.
From indicated that the nominating committee met and unanimously recommended that
Berner continue as Chair and Donahue continue as Vice-Chair.
Motion to approve Berner as Chair and Donahue as Vice-Chair was made by From;
seconded by Salih. The motion was approved unanimously.
b) Consider approval of the FY20 MPOJC Budget and financial forecast
Ralston explained that the primary focus of the MPO is to continue fulfilling federal and
state requirements for discretionary funding. The MPO also performs locally-generated
traffic studies, work on grant applications for member entities, as well as providing
mapping services. MPOJC is a division of the City of Iowa City Neighborhood and
Development Services (NDS) department.
Ralston indicated that the proposed FY20 budget contains an approximate 4.5% increase
from the FY19 budget. A majority of the increase is a result of staff salaries and benefits.
MPO assessments for each community are based on population.
From moved to approve; Thomas seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
c) Consider approval of the FY20 Johnson County Assessments to the East Central Iowa
Council of Governments
Ralston indicated that the MPO collects dues on behalf of Johnson County and passes
the funds on to ECICOG. Dues are calculated on a per capita basis, and the MPO
calculates member entity dues based on a per capita basis as well. An annual increase of
2% is standard for ECICOG each year, which is the FY20 proposed increase. This
increase had been intended to be voted on at an ECICOG meeting last week which was
postponed to later this month due to the extreme cold. Ralston further identified that there
was no indication that there would be any issues with ECICOG approving the 2% increase,
though, any changes will be addressed at the March meeting. Tracy Achenbach, Housing
Director for ECICOG, was present for any questions.
Salih moved to approve; Green-Douglass seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
d) Consider appointments to the ECICOG Board of Directors
Ralston indicated the MPO communities responsible for appointing elected officials to the
Board for calendar year 2019. These communities were Johnson County, Lone Tree, and
Solon. The singular citizen appointment was offered to Randy Laubscher, who would be
continuing in the post. Appointment officials included Rod Sullivan (Johnson County
Supervisor), Ruby Dickey (Lone Tree City Council Member), and Mark Prentiss (Solon
City Council Member).
Teague moved to approve, Foster seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
e) Discuss MPOJC Orientation opportunity for Board members
Ralston indicated that the MPO offers an orientation for UAPB members to orient or
refresh themselves with the functions and organizational structure of the MPO. He asked
any member interested in the orientation to contact him directly.
4. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
a) Consider approval of Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 Transit Operating
Formula funding apportionment for FY2019 and transit statistics for FY2018
Neumann indicated that there is just under $2.6 million in Section 5307 operating funding
to apportion to the three transit agencies. The MPO’s apportionment is based on a Board-
approved formula made up of four-factors. The formula factors include operating costs,
locally determined income, revenue miles, and fare revenue. The Board adjusted the
locally determined income factor last year to match the NTD and Iowa DOT formulas.
The proposed apportionment presented to the Board was recommended unanimously for
approval by the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC), as well as the
DOT. FY18 apportionments as well as performance characteristics were included.
Ralston clarified that transportation planners from the different transportation entities (Iowa
City, Coralville, CAMBUS) are members of the TTAC.
Neumann explained that apportionment may be affected by the prospect of a government
shutdown. However, the funds are apportioned based on the previous calendar year’s
federal funds (use of FY18 funding for FY19 spending). Operating a calendar year behind
with funding eliminates the need to apply for funding multiple times in the case of fut ure
government shutdowns.
Thomas moved to approve; Green-Douglass seconded. The motion passed
unanimously.
b) Update on Surface Transportation Block Grant & Transportation Alternatives Program
grant funding process
The MPO conducts a competitive grant application process for federal Surface
Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds
in the spring every other year per the desires of the TTAC and UAPB. This allows for larger
funding blocks to be available for allocation every other year. However, due to uncertainty
surrounding federal transportation legislation, the Iowa DOT was not prepared to allow the
MPO to undergo the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding process for FY17.
This resulted in the availability of four years of TAP funding and two years of STBG
funding.
Funding is apportioned through a competitive application process. Applications for funding
were distributed to TTAC members on 2/1/2019, the application closing date is 2/22/2019.
The Regional Trails and Bicycling Committee (RTBC) will make a recommendation to the
TTAC at their March 12th meeting and the TTAC will vote on a recommendation to the
Board at their March 26th meeting.
Ralston indicated that there is approximately $6.7 million in STBG funding, which can be
used for any form of transportation, and $1.45 million for TAP funding, usually used for
non-street infrastructure projects, available to apportion this year. Ralston further indicated
that he had been in contact with city engineers at each member entity to discuss uses for
funding and projects of interest.
c) Consider approval of Federal Functional Class designations for urbanized area roadways
Bothell indicated that the MPO is updating the federal functional classification roadway
map for the Iowa City urbanized area. The functional classification system is a hierarchical
classification of roads to determine which are eligible for federal subsidization. Only 35%
of roadways within the Iowa City urbanized area can be included on the map and the Iowa
City urbanized area is currently 12 miles under that threshold.
Last year, nine miles of roadway were solicited for updating with 3.2 miles being pre-
approved by the Iowa DOT. At their January 22nd meeting, the TTAC unanimously
recommended amending the federal classification map to include those 3.2 miles of pre-
approved roadways.
Green-Douglass inquired on the hierarchical classification scheme for roadways and its
effect on approval or denial. Specifically, Coralville’s request for changing Forevergreen
Road from collector to arterial status.
Ralston clarified that projects must be included in the MPO’s Long-Range Transportation
Plan in addition to its status as being approved for reclassification.
Salih moved to approve; Foster seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
d) Discussion regarding participation in the ‘Federal-Aid-Swap’ in Iowa whereby State
funding could replace Federal funding for road/bridge projects
Ralston reminded the Board that last year House File 203 was signed into law, permitting
the Iowa Transportation Commission to perform the ‘Federal-Aid Swap’, allowing
substitution of federal funding with state funding, often streamlining project timelines.
At their March 2018 meeting, the TTAC unanimously recommended approval of the swap.
The UAPB opted out of the swap by a vote of 11-4 due to concerns over Davis-Bacon
wages, lack of data, and securing worker protections. MPOJC is the only MPO in Iowa
that has opted out. Unless the MPO opts out of the swap program each year, the state
DOT will assume the MPO has agreed to participate.
Ralston suggested a decision be made at the following UAPB meeting to align with the
timeline of the MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
As the swap went into effect last October, not much information is available about the
cost-saving aspects of aid swapping. However, project timelines were decreased by an
average of 6 months among participating projects.
Green-Douglass inquired about the relative availability of data this coming April and
reiterated concern over the ability to bypass certain regulations (Davis-Bacon Act, OSHA).
Green-Douglass further indicated that a county engineer approached her stating that a
project would be participating in the federal swap, causing confusion as participating in
the swap was not approved.
Ralston indicated that the Iowa DOT may be able to force the swap for state projects.
Local projects are likely to have more autonomy.
Foster expressed concern over the lack of information on the impacts on worker wages
and conditions with associated projects, particularly with the bypassing of OSHA and
Davis-Bacon wages.
Ralston indicated that there is currently a lack of information from the DOT on worker
conditions and information. Ralston further explained that the MPO has not taken a stance
as to whether or not to adopt the policy.
Salih reiterated concerns over Davis-Bacon wages, worker safety, and lack of data from
having opted out last year. She expressed her interest in opting out again due to lack of
new information and the continued presence of these concerns.
Taylor agreed, calling attention to the reduced project timelines possibly increasing worker
risk.
Ralston indicated a lack of data procured from Iowa DOT after multiple inquiries,
particularly pertaining to Davis-Bacon wages and whether wages are being outsourced or
bypassed. Following a question over bypassing legislation from Green-Douglass, Ralston
explained that projects must still comply with OSHA and NEPA.
Berner indicated that a Tiffin engineer expressed that engineering costs, administrative
costs, and other associated bureaucratic costs will be decreased by opting to participate.
This is due to a decrease in the amount of paperwork necessary to complete federal
projects. Berner further indicated that he did not perceive an inherent difference among
federally-funded and state-funded projects, contrasting the statements of local unions.
Thomas inquired about the difference between the wages currently provided for
construction work and the prevailing wages of the area, particularly in relation to
thresholds determined by Davis-Bacon wages.
Ralston explained that his understanding was that workers were paid the prevailing wage
to account for the high cost of living in the area. This level is expected to me et or exceed
Davis-Bacon wages for most jobs. This information was based on conversations with
engineers.
From expressed interest in having an engineer present at the April 3rd meeting to provide
input into the conversation about the “back-end” (construction process) of the aid swap
process.
Ralston suggested that entities reach out to their engineers and have a discussion and/or
invite them to the April 3rd meeting.
e) Update on the MPOJC FY20 Transportation Planning Work Program and FY20-23
Transportation Improvement Program
Neumann reported that the MPO’s W ork Program document includes all projects to be
addressed in the following fiscal year (FY20) and includes all state and federally required
documents and processes. Staff has begun soliciting for local projects for FY20. Projects
will be considered throughout March, and the draft Work Program is due to Iowa DOT and
Federal Highway Administration by April 1. The Board will consider the final Work Program
in May 2019.
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) includes all federally funded
transportation improvements for all modes of transportation in the Iowa City Urbanized
Area. The majority of local projects were covered within the STBG and TAP funding
blocks. The TIP formalizes specific projects to receive federal funds and the year in which
the projects receive funding.
The Board will consider awarding STBG and TAP projects in March. The projects will be
programmed in FY23 and FY24 to be included in the next two TIPs. The Board will
consider the draft for FY20-23 in May, and the final will be considered in July.
f) Update on CRANDIC Passenger Rail and Rails-to-Trails studies
Neumann indicated that two studies are currently underway, with the passenger rail study
currently in its third phase. The current focus is on ridership, revenue forecasts, financial
strategies, benefits to the community, and conceptual station design. Funding for the study
comes from stakeholders including Iowa City, Coralville, Johnson County, the University
of Iowa, CRANDIC, and the Iowa DOT.
Staff is currently working with HDR to resolve issues regarding the ridership model and
methodology. The FTA needs to approve the ridership model and the methodology for the
project to be eligible for future federal funding. HDR is currently working with the DOT and
FTA to sort out issues surrounding assumptions made during the project. The completion
of the study was delayed by the partial government shutdown, and the anticipated
completion date of December 2018 has been surpassed.
The Rails-to-Trails report is currently being reviewed by staff. This includes a 6-mile
corridor between downtown Iowa City and the University of Iowa’s Oakdale Campus.
Johnson County, Iowa City, Coralville, and the University of Iowa have assumed a third of
associated costs. The DOT will not be involved as it is pertaining to trails, opposed to
railways. Current estimates for cost range from $3.5-$5.5 million, depending on the
surface type of the trail.
Green-Douglass inquired as to the prospects of a passenger line being installed. The
passenger line is the primary objective of the line, and Supervisor Green-Douglass
expressed interest in further exploration of this plan.
Ralston responded by explaining that the current hope is to provide both a trail and
passenger rail along the corridor, but that multiple options are being explored as for how
to best utilize the corridor in the future.
5. OTHER BUSINESS
a) Report on the Severson Cup Charity Challenge; Award Severson Cup
Walz indicated that the MPO entities compete each holiday season to raise funds for local
charities, including local food banks, the Joan Buxton Children’s Aid Fund (ICCSD), and
the Valley View Lodge. Contributions increased over 14% with over $11,000 made in
donations. North Liberty won the Severson Cup, having demonstrated the greatest
improvement in participation over the past year.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Berner moved to adjourn; Salih seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting
adjourned at 5:25 PM.