HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.29.20 UAPB MinutesMINUTES APPROVED
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board
Wednesday, January 29, 2020 - 4:30 PM
City of Iowa City – Council Chambers
410 E Washington Street, Iowa City, IA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Meghann Foster
Iowa City: Mazahir Salih, Pauline Taylor, John Thomas,
Laura Bergus, Janice Weiner
Johnson County: Pat Heiden, Lisa Green-Douglass
North Liberty: Terry Donahue, Chris Hoffman
Tiffin: Steve Berner
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Erin Shane
ICCSD: Ruthina Malone
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz, Frank
Waisath
OTHERS PRESENT: Karen Kurt and Mary Rump (ECICOG)
1. CALL TO ORDER
Berner called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM.
a. Recognize alternates
None
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
Motion to approve was made by Salih, Hoffman seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
c. Set next Board meeting date, time and location (April 1, tentatively hosted by North Liberty)
The next meeting was tentatively set for Wednesday, April 1st, hosted by North Liberty.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
3. ADMINISTRATION
a. Report from nominating committee for 2020 MPOJC Board officers
i. Consider action
Ralston informed the group that in November the Board appointed a three-person nominating
committee for the Chair and Vice Chair. Salih reported that the committee has nominated
Terry Donahue from North Liberty for Chair and John Thomas from Iowa City for Vice Chair.
Motion to approve was made by From, Green-Douglass seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
b. Consider approval of FY21 MPOJC Budget and financial forecast
Ralston informed the group of MPOJC functions and stated the overall budget reflects about
a 6.5% increase over last year’s budget. The increase is largely due to increases in staff
salaries and benefits.
Motion to approve was made by Hoffman, Berner seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
c. Consider approval of the FY21 Johnson County Assessments to the East Central Iowa
Council of Governments
Ralston stated that the MPO also collects dues for ECICOG. Dues are calculated on a per
capita basis for each county. The FY2021 ECICOG budget proposes a 2% increase for all
counties that it serves.
Motion to approve was made by Salih, Hoffman seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
d. Consider appointments to the ECICOG Board of Directors
Ralston informed the group that MPO member communities are responsible for appointments
to the ECICOG Board of Directors. For calendar year 2020, Iowa City, Coralville, and Tiffin
are responsible for appointments. Appointees include Janice Weiner from Iowa City, Meghann
Foster from Coralville, and Al Havens from Tiffin. Randy Laubscher will also serve as the
citizen appointee to the board.
Motion to approve was made by Green-Douglass, From seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
e. Discuss MPOJC Orientation opportunity for Board members
Ralston informed the group that there will be an orientation for Board members who wish to
become familiar with MPO activities. Scheduling will be determined by interested member
availability.
f. Discuss and consider appointing representatives to an MPOJC Bylaws review committee
Ralston stated that per the MPO Bylaws, the bylaws are to be reviewed at least every five
years by a committee of five representatives. At least one of the five representatives must be
from the Rural Policy Board. Staff is looking for volunteers to sit on the committee. Volunteers
included Terry Donahue from North Liberty, Louise From from University Heights, Meghann
Foster from Coralville, and Pat Heiden from Johnson County.
g. Consider appointment of a representative to the Statewide Urban Design and
Specifications (SUDAS) Board of Directors
Ralston stated that every other year, the MPO is asked to appoint an MPO representative to
the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Board of Directors. SUDAS is a
nonprofit organization that maintains Iowa manuals for both the design standards and
specifications of public improvements. Scott Larson from Coralville has served on the
committee since 2005 and has recently been elected as president of the board. He is willing
to continue as representative.
Motion to continue the appointment as is was made by Bergus, Foster seconded. The motion
carried unanimously.
4. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
a. Consider approval of Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 Transit Operating
Formula funding appointment for FY2020 and transit statistics for FY2019
Neumann stated that $2.8 million in transit funding is available for FY2020. The funding
formula is based on four factors including operating cost, locally determined income, revenue
miles, and fare revenue. Neumann informed the group that transit ridership has declined for
the fifth year in a row. Thomas questioned what could be contributing to the decreased
ridership. Neumann answered that low fuel prices and increased transportation options may
be contributing to lower ridership.
Ralston commented that transit ridership per capita remains high compared to other cities and
that decreased ridership is a national trend.
Motion to approve was made by Thomas, Heiden seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
b. Discuss changes to the Iowa DOT pavement data collection program
Bothell informed the group that since 2013, the Iowa DOT has funded the collection of
pavement data on all paved roads in the state on a two-year collection cycle. Due to increasing
costs and competing priorities, the DOT has moved to a four-year collection cycle. Local
agencies can opt in to receive the data collection every two years at their expense. Since data
in Johnson County will be collected in 2021 at the DOT’s expense, the Board does not need
to make a decision until 2023.
c. Update on the MPOJC FY21 Transportation Planning Work Program and FY2021-2024
Transportation Improvement Program
Neumann informed the group that the Transportation Planning Work Program is a document
that identifies major projects to be addressed in the following fiscal year. It includes all state
and federally required planning processes and documentation. The Transportation
Improvement Program is a programming document for federally funded transportation
improvements within the Iowa City Urbanized Area. Iowa City’s Dodge Street Improvement
Project (STBG) and North Liberty’s North Liberty Trail Project (TAP) were awarded funding
last year and will be programmed in FY2024.
d. Update on CRANDIC Passenger Rail Study
Neumann informed the group that Phase III of the rail study focusses on ridership, revenue
forecasting, financial strategies, benefits to the communities, and some station design. The
delay to this phase of the study was due to data collection for the model. The study is expected
to be completed soon and as stakeholders, members communities will be invited to the
presentation of the study’s findings.
e. Update on MPOJC Census boundaries review
Bothell stated that as part of the 2020 decennial census, the MPO has been invited to take
part in the Participant Statistical Areas Program to review and verify census tracts and block
groups in our area. Cities will not be notified of census tract and block group boundary
changes. Staff is available if member entities have questions or concerns regarding potential
boundary changes.
5. OTHER BUSINESS
a. Report on the Severson Cup Charity Challenge; Award Severson Cup
Walz informed the Board that member communities raised money and made donations to
various organizations as part of the challenge. With improvements to last year’s contributions,
Iowa City won the Severson Cup Charity Challenge.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Heiden; Salih seconded. The motion was approved
unanimously.
Meeting adjourned by Berner at 5:15 PM.