HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.21.21 TTAC MinutesMINUTES APPROVED
MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2021 - 10:30 AM
CITY OF IOWA CITY – ZOOM MEETING PLATFORM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Kelly Hayworth, Dan Holderness, Vicky
Robrock, Scott Larson
Iowa City: Jason Havel, Ron Knoche, Darian Nagle-
Gamm, Mark Rummel, Scott Sovers
Johnson County: Tom Brase, Greg Parker
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey
RTBC: Robert Oppliger
Iowa DOT: Catherine Cutler
Other: Aaron Granquist, Ayman Sharif, Brian
Willham
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Brad Neumann, Sarah Walz, Frank
Waisath, Greta Larget, Hannah Debruin, Alex Koberoski
1. CALL TO ORDER
Neumann called the meeting to order at 10:32 AM. The meeting was held online through the
Zoom meeting platform in accordance with Iowa Code Section 21.8 due to complications
preventing in-person meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
a. Recognize alternates
There were no alternates.
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
Oppliger moved for approval, Knoche seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
REGARDING FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION SECTION 5307 TRANSIT OPERATING
FORMULA FUNDING APPORTIONMENT FOR FY2021
Neumann presented the current amount of funding the Iowa DOT has designated for the MPO,
which is a total of $2,951,813 available in FY2021 FTA Section 5307 operating assistance. The
amount includes Small Transit Intensive Communities (STIC) funding. The current formula for the
funds is as follows: 25% operating/maintenance costs, 25% locally determined income (LDI), 25%
revenue miles, and 25% fare revenue. These are then apportioned by the MPO to Coralville
Transit, Iowa City Transit, and University of Iowa Cambus. Due to Covid-19, there have been
changes in transit service that have affected the data used in the FY2020 data. Similarly, the Iowa
DOT is also delayed in approving the FY2020 transit year-end report data used in the
apportionment formula. For these reasons staff recommended the use of FY2020 apportionments
to determine the FY2021 allocation. Neumann noted that since the funding for FY2021 has
increased by slightly more than 3% from last year, each transit agency will see an increase in
funding. Nagle-Gamm and McClatchey commented in favor of using the apportionment formula
from FY2020.
Nagle-Gamm moved for approval, Oppliger seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
REGARDING ‘CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL
APPROPRIATIONS ACT’ (CRRSAA) FUNDING ALLOCATIONS FOR LOCAL TRANSIT
AGENCIES
Neumann described the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act
(CRRSAA), which is a supplement to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
(CARES). CRRSAA will be provided at 100% federal share, no local match required. CRRSAA
prioritizes payroll and operational needs, while supporting expenses traditionally eligible under
Section 5307 statutory requirements. The total amount for the Iowa City Urbanized Area to be
apportioned to Iowa City Transit, Coralville Transit, and University of Iowa Cambus is $1,532,506.
The MPOJC must sub-allocate these funds based on a locally determined process. Neumann’s
discussions with the three transit managers resulted in recommending that the CRRSAA funding
be apportioned using the same multiplier that was used to apportion CARES Act funds. The
apportionment amounts for the proposed 2021 CRRSAA Apportionment are as follows: Coralville
($242,596), Iowa City ($939,886), and Cambus ($350,024).
McClatchey commented that despite established apportionment multipliers, there is reason to
consider using an apportionment that addresses the difference in operations for Cambus due to
the Covid-19 pandemic. McClatchey further explained that by using the local formula, Cambus
will end up at only 62% of their FY18 operating expenses, while Iowa City and Coralville will have
reached 83% and 89%, respectively. McClatchey suggested the discrepancy should be
acknowledged, considering the intent of the funds themselves. He proposed using an
apportionment that resulted in Cambus reaching 70% of their FY18 operating expenses, which
would equate to 80% for Iowa City and 86% for Coralville. The difference in funds would be a
$238,000 reduction for Iowa City, a $61,000 reduction for Coralville, and an increase of $300,000
for Cambus.
Hayworth commented that the allocations that have been used for the past several years are
sufficient, and that they shouldn’t be changed at this time.
Nagle-Gamm commented that it would prove challenging for Iowa City transit to use anything
other than the established allocations. Furthermore, Nagle-Gamm clarified that the established
allocations are not equal due to the different sources of revenue for each transit agency. Iowa
City transit services would be difficult to operate under a different apportionment due to the
dependence on fares, which have decreased substantially due to Covid-19. The Iowa City transit
levy is also capped at the state level for those funds.
McClatchey commented that the student fee, which is the main source of revenue for Cambus,
has been affected due to the decreases in enrollment at the University of Iowa.
Hayworth moved for approval to use the previously established formula and apportionment
amounts in order to allocate the CRRSAA funds. Nagle-Gamm seconded. The motion carried
by a majority vote. McClatchey abstained from voting.
Ralston added that Erin Shane is the university representative for the Urbanized Area Policy
Board and could discuss with the Board if desired.
5. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
REGARDING FEDERAL FUNCTIONAL CLASS DESIGNATIONS FOR URBANIZED AREA
ROADWAYS
Bothell explained in October the MPO received 21.56 miles of requested amendments to the Iowa
City Urbanized Federal Functional Classification (FFC) system from Coralville and North Liberty.
The functional classification system is a hierarchy of five roadway classes that identify the roads
that are Federal-Aid Routes. Federal funding can only be spent on roadways that are classified
as collector or higher in the classification system. Only 35% of the total road mileage in the Iowa
City Urbanized Area can be listed in the FFC system. The 21.56 miles were sent to the Iowa
Department of Transportation, which they pre-approved 7.12 miles of roadway and denied 14.44
miles. Staff is looking for a recommendation regarding the 7.12 miles of ‘pre-approved’ roadways.
If approved by the Urbanized Area Policy Board, the total road mileage listed on the FFC system
in the Iowa City urbanized area would equal 167.04 miles or 33%.
Holderness moved for approval, Knoche seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
6. UPDATE ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT & TRANSPORTATION
ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM GRANT FUNDING GPROCESS
Ralston stated MPOJC conducts a competitive grant process for both Surface Transportation
Block Grant (STBG) and Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funds in the spring every other
year. This process allows two years of funding to be allocated at once, allowing projects to receive
larger funding awards. 2021 is the beginning of the grant cycle year for the MPO and staff
anticipates $7.5 million in STBG funds and $525,000 in TAP funds will be available for
programming for FY2025-2026. February 1, 2021, is the date on which STBG & TAP applications
will be distributed. The applications will be due February 22, and approval of funds will be March
31, 2021. Oppliger asked how the funds have changed compared to the last funding cycle two
years ago. Ralston replied that STBG funds are higher than last funding cycle due to North Liberty
returning approximately $1.8 million from their FY14 Hwy 965 Phase II project. TAP funds are
similar to what they were two years ago. Ralston also clarified that STBG funds can be used for
roads, bridges, or trails. TAP funding cannot be used for road projects and has historically been
used for trail projects.
7. UPDATE ON THE MPOJC FY22 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WORK PROGRAM &
FY22-25 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SCHEDULES
Neumann indicated that the Transportation Planning Work Program is a document that identifies
projects that will be addressed the following fiscal year. The Work Program is developed in a
coordinated effort with the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee, the Iowa Department
of Transportation (DOT), and Urbanized Area Policy Board. Work Program items include state
and federally required planning processes and documentation, ongoing and routine projects, as
well as special projects requested by member entities. Work Program projects for FY22 will be
requested in February 2021. Any questions or concerns can be directed to any MPO staff
member. The draft Work Program needs to be submitted to the Iowa DOT, Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) by April 1, 2021. The
Urbanized Area Policy Board will then approve the final Work Program in May 2021.
Neumann also discussed the FY22-25 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which is the
programming document for federally funded transportation improvements within the Iowa City
Urbanized Area. This document includes federally funded transportation projects for all modes of
transportation, including streets, highways, bicycles, transit, and pedestrian projects. The TIP
organizes the specific projects to receive federal funds and determines the year in which the
projects receive funding. The MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board considers approval of the TIP
after receiving recommendation from the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee. MPOJC
will also be allocating Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Transportation Alternatives
Program (TAP) funding in 2021. In July, the Urbanized Area Policy Board will consider adopting
the FY22-25 TIP. In preparation for public review of the draft TIP, staff will work with member
entities to verify projects are programmed in the appropriate fiscal year.
8. UPDATE ON THE LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN REVISION PROCESS
Bothell explained that the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) update began last fall, and is
being referred to as Future Forward 2050: Connecting Communities. The Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) requires that the Long -Range Plan be updated once every five years as
a requirement for the receipt of federal funds. The Future Forward plan will be the culmination of
a multi-year planning process in which municipal staff, residents, and elected officials within the
metro area are engaged in helping create a vision of the future transportation network.
Updates on the recent planning activities include the Travel Demand Model, which is used to
predict how vehicular traffic patterns change in response to land-use changes, as well as
providing forecasted traffic volumes. In the next few months staff will be contacting MPOJC
entities for assistance in developing a picture of growth for the Plan horizon year of 2050. The
MPO received capital transportation infrastructure projects from all communities which will be
screened and scored by staff using the Policy Board approved criteria. The scores, along with
public input, will be provided to the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee and Urbanized
Area Policy Board. The final project list will then be fiscally constrained using the MPO’s
forecasted federal transportation infrastructure budget for years 2022-2050. This fiscally
constrained project list will then be included in the Plan to be adopted in May of 2022. Bothell
explained that the next steps will be engaging the public throughout the planning process. This
includes reaching out to area residents to respond to a short survey that gauges opinions
concerning the metro transportation network. In spring, staff will host a series of virtual public
workshops to acquire feedback on capital infrastructure projects proposed as part of the needs
assessment. When writing of the plan begins, the public will have the opportunity to review and
respond to draft chapters.
9. OTHER BUSINESS
Oppliger mentioned the League of American Bicyclists National Bike Summit is being held virtually
this year and encouraged everyone to participate.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Knoche moved to adjourn, Parker seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Neumann adjourned
the meeting at 11:03 am.