HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.26.19 TTAC Minutes
APPROVED
MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2019 -10:30 AM
EMMA HARVAT HALL, IOWA CITY, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Dan Holderness, Scott Larson, Vicky
Robrock
Iowa City: Mark Rummel, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Ron
Knoche, Jason Havel, Simon Andrew
Johnson County: Greg Parker
North Liberty: Dean Wheatley
Tiffin: Doug Boldt
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey
RTBC: Bob Oppliger
Iowa DOT: Cathy Cutler
ECICOG: Brock Grenis
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Emily Bothell, Frank Waisath, Sarah
Walz
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER; RECOGNIZE ALTERNATES; CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MEETING
MINUTES
Scott Larson was an alternate for Kelly Hayworth (Coralville).
Holderness moved to approve the meeting minutes. Knoche 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 LOCALLY DETERMINED PROJECTS FOR THE MPOJC FY2020
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WORK PROGRAM
Ralston informed the group that each spring MPOJC compiles a list of work program
projects for the upcoming fiscal year. The Work Program is required by the Iowa DOT and
FHW A. If additional projects and data collection arise that require considerable staff time
or change the order of projects, staff will bring the program back to the Committee to
discuss changes.
Wheatley moved to approve the recommendation. From seconded the motion. The
motion carried unanimously.
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4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
REGARDING THE MPOJC FY2020 TRANSIT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS
Neumann informed the group that the Transit Program of Projects is a document required
by the FTA that each of the three transit agencies develops each year. It identifies all the
proposed projects using federal funds. The Program of Projects will also be included in
each transit agencies’ Consolidated Funding Application with the Iowa DOT. It will also be
included with the FY2020-FY2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Oppliger moved to approve the recommendation. From seconded the motion. The motion
carried unanimously.
5. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
REGARDING MPOJC SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT (STBG) AND
TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM FUNDING ALLOCATIONS
Neumann informed the group that the Iowa DOT originally indicated that $6.7 million in
STBG funds and $1.45 million in TAP funds were available to be allocated. New targets
from the Iowa DOT decreased STBG funding from $6.7 to $6.6 million. TAP funding was
not affected.
Four entities submitted five applications for STBG funding totaling just over $18 million.
Three entities submitted four applications for TAP funding totaling just over $1.5 million.
Two of the TAP projects are not included in the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
Currently, the Iowa DOT does not require TAP projects be included in the LRTP, although
in past years’ projects were required to be included in the LRTP. In the future, the LRTP
may need to be amended to include these types of projects.
Iowa City, North Liberty, and Tiffin each submitted one STBG application; Coralville
submitted two. The highest scoring project was Iowa City’s Dodge Street improvement
project with 48 points. Total cost is $13,250,000 and Iowa City requested $4,867,000 in
STBG funding.
Coralville’s 5th Street reconstruction project received the second highest score with 40
points. Total cost is $2,856,600 and Coralville requested $2,285,280 in STBG funding.
North Liberty’s Highway 965 project received the third highest score with 34 points. The
total cost is $9,595,000 and North Liberty requested $7,196,250 in STBG funding.
Tiffin’s North Park Road improvement project received the fourth highest score with 32
points. Total cost is $5,279,472 and Tiffin requested $2,500,000 in STBG funding.
Coralville’s 1st Avenue and Oakdale Boulevard intersection project received the fifth
highest score with 26 points. Total cost is $1,847,475 and Coralville requested $1,275,275
in STBG funding.
Iowa City and North Liberty each submitted one TAP application; Coralville submitted two
applications. The highest scoring project was Coralville’s Iowa River Trail replacement
project between Rocky Shore Drive and Clear Creek with 54 points. The project received
$462,717 in TAP funding in 2015 and is currently programed in the FY2020 TIP. Total cost
is $889,970 and Coralville requested an additional $151,363 in TAP funding.
Iowa City’s Highway 6 Trail project received the second highest score with 43 points. Total
cost is $548,000 and Iowa City requested $438,000 in TAP funding.
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North Liberty’s North Liberty Road Trail received the third highest score with 29 points.
Total cost is $1,107,000 and North Liberty requested $664,200 in TAP funding. This
project is not currently included in the LRTP.
Coralville’s Clear Creek Trail connection project received the fourth highest score with 27
points. Total cost is $482,195 and Coralville requested $332,715 in TAP funding. This
project is not currently included in the LRTP.
Walz informed the group that the Regional Trails and Bicycle Committee supported fully
funding the top three highest scoring projects with the remaining funds going to Coralville’s
Clear Creek Trail connection project. The Committee also discussed the importance of
projects being included in the LRTP. The RTBC is currently overseeing the Metro Area
Bicycle Master Plan update. Neumann reminded the group that the scores may be
amended and that the scores are one piece of information that the Urbanized Area Policy
Board uses when considering projects. Funds cannot be apportioned by population.
Regarding STBG funding, Wheatley made a motion to allocate $3,750,000 to Iowa City’s
Dodge Street improvement project, $1,650,000 to Coralville’s 5th Street reconstruction
project, and $1,200,000 to Tiffin’s north Park Road improvement project. Andrew
seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Regarding TAP projects, Wheatley made a motion to endorse the Regional Trail and
Bicycle Committee’s recommendation to fully fund Coralville’s Iowa River Trail
replacement project ($151,000), Iowa City’s Highway 6 Trail project ($438,000), and North
Liberty’s North Liberty Road Trail project ($648,118), with the remaining funds ($212,519)
being allocated to Coralville’s Clear Creek Trail connection project. From seconded the
motion. The motion carried unanimously.
6. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
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 House File 203 was signed into law permitting
the Iowa Transportation Commission to allow the Federal Aid Swap. The swap allows road
and bridge projects that would normally have been funded with federal funds to be funded
with state funds. The goal of the swap is to minimize regulations and streamline local
projects. Since the swap did not become effective until October of 2018, the Iowa DOT
was not able to provide information regarding time savings and efficiency. The Iowa DOT
did state that the project development timeline has been reduced by about six months in
most cases. Unless the MPO opts out of the swap, the Iowa DOT will assume that the
MPO wishes to participate. Primary concerns of the Urbanized Area Policy Board in 2018
include Davis Bacon wages, lack of safety, and the lack of evidence regarding increased
efficiency.
Holderness asked if other MPOs have opted out of the swap program. Ralston answered
that MPOJC is the only MPO in the state that has opted out at this point.
Holderness moved to recommend MPOJC opt in to the Federal Aid Swap. Knoche
seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
7. UPDATE ON CRANDIC PASSENGER RAIL AND RAIL-TO-TRAIL STUDIES
Neumann informed the group that the Phase III Passenger Rail Study is still on hold. The
consultant (HDR), CRANDIC, and the Iowa DOT are working with the Federal Transit
Administration to establish an acceptable ridership model and methodology. The Rails-to-
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Trails study was completed and staff provided comments. The final draft has been
distributed to stakeholders. The study examined the abandonment process, connectivity
between the corridor and existing trails, potential liability issues, and a cost estimate to
remove the existing rail and construct a trail. Estimates range from approximately $3.5 to
$5.5 million for a six-mile portion between Iowa City and the Oakdale Campus. Costs vary
depending on the trail surface and other characteristics.
8. OTHER BUSINESS
Wheatley stated that the Penn Street and Front Street intersection reconstruction will
occur this year. The intersection will include a roundabout. Another roundabout near the
new elementary school at North Bend Drive will also take place this year.
Knoche informed the group that construction on the new public works facility is underway.
Oppliger stated that May is national bike month. Several new projects and events will take
place this year.
Havel stated that the overlay of Governor Street and the Highway 6 / Riverside Drive
project are still underway. Clinton Street and Mormon Trek Boulevard four-to-three lane
conversion projects will start in the spring. The Highway 1 trail connection has been bid.
Larson informed the group that lane closures on 1st Avenue will begin soon. The majority
of the 1st Avenue project is expected to be done by the end of May. Coral Ridge Avenue
lane closures will begin to transition Coral Ridge Avenue to head-to-head traffic from
University Parkway to Forevergreen Road. Clear Creek Trail construction connecting the
trail to Creekside Ballpark is also underway. Connections under the interchange to Tiffin
will occur in several years and are dependent on I-80/I-380 interchange construction.
Cutler stated that the spring kickoff meeting to discuss construction of the I-80 and I-380
interchange will be April 30 at the Coralville Public Library from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. There
is also an Iowa DOT commission meeting on May 14 in Cedar Rapids at the Doubletree.
McClatchey stated that the CAMBUS maintenance facility renovations are underway. The
Kinnick Stadium construction is scheduled to be completed this summer.
Nagle-Gamm informed the group that consultant interviews for the Iowa City Transit Study
are underway.
Boldt stated that the roundabout construction at Highway 6 and Park Road near Tiffin will
start at the end of May.
Rummel informed the group that hardware for the Iowa City bus shelter project has arrived
and several shelters will be installed this year. A larger order is scheduled for later this
year.
Grenis informed the group that the I-380 Express currently serves about 300 riders per
day.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Nagle-Gamm moved to adjourn. Oppliger seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 11:25 AM.