HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.31.21 UAPB MinutesMINUTES APPROVED
MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2021 - 4:30 PM
ZOOM MEETING PLATFORM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Iowa City: Pauline Taylor, John Thomas,
Janice Weiner
Johnson County: Rod Sullivan
University Heights: Louise From
North Liberty: Terry Donahue, Chris Hoffman
Coralville: Meghann Foster
Tiffin: Steve Berner
University of Iowa: Erin Shane
ICCSD: J.P. Claussen
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Brad Neumann, Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz, Frank
Waisath
OTHERS PRESENT: Catherine Cutler (Iowa DOT), James Hughes, Barbra Beaumont
1. CALL TO ORDER
Donahue called the remote meeting (pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.8) to order at 4:30 PM.
a. Recognize alternates
JP Clauson was present for Ruthina Malone for the Iowa City Community School District.
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
Motion to approve was made by From, Thomas seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
c. Set next Board meeting date, time and location
The next meeting was tentatively set for Wednesday, May 26th.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
3. ADMINISTRATION
a. Consider action regarding participation in the ‘Federal-Aid-Swap’ whereby State funding
could replace Federal funding for local road/bridge projects
Ralston explained that in 2018 House File 203 was signed into law, permitting the Iowa
Transportation Commission to allow what is commonly referred to as a Federal Aid Swap,
where road and bridge projects that would’ve been funded through the MPO with federal funds
can be funded instead with state funds. For the past three years, the Transportation Technical
Advisory Committee (TTAC) has recommended opting into the swap. However, after lengthy
discussions, this board has decided to opt out of the swap in the same three years out of
concern for Davis Bacon wages, worker safety, and lack of data showing benefits of the swap.
The Bi-State Regional Commission of the quad cities and MPOJC are the only two MPOs in
the state currently opting out of the swap. Similar to previous years, the Iowa DOT will assume
participation unless specifically opting out. The DOT has not produced any cost-savings for
opting in but have mentioned that the project timeline has been streamlined by approximately
six months, which would help produce some savings through staff time saved. Opting in only
effects Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds. Opting in does not affect
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) dollars. Ralston noted the TTAC unanimously
recommended participating in the swap and opened the floor to questions, noting that Cathy
Cutler from the DOT is on the call to help answer questions.
Taylor explained that three years ago the Urbanized Area Policy Board (UAPB) decided to
opt out because there was a lack of information about the financial benefits of opting in. Taylor
expressed concern that a faster pace isn’t necessarily beneficial, as it could lead to waste or
safety problems.
Thomas questioned the impacts of funding on many issues. A report from the US Government
Accountability Office prepared in October 2020 found that impacts of the swap could not be
definitively determined. Fifteen states have opted out of the swap, and Iowa uses the swap
more than other states, with about 18% of projects including the swap in their contracts.
Thomas stated that he would like to understand the impacts on the state prevailing wage.
Foster stated that this issue was the first thing she voted on when she joined the MPO Board,
and she will continue to choose to opt out because of her concerns about wages and workers.
Foster added that the Board has asked about cost-benefits for three years and is curious why
this information is hard to determine.
Ralston explained that this topic was discussed at the MPO directors meeting last week. Stu
Anderson, Director of Systems Planning, said that determining cost-benefits of the swap
would be a priority this coming year. Anderson spoke to the UAPB three years ago and
explained that it was difficult to quantify the effects of the swap.
From stated that she’d voted to opt in the last three years due to her engineer’s assessment
that increased time and cost when using federal funding makes it difficult for small cities.
Taylor moved to opt out of the swap. Sullivan seconded. From and Berner voted against opting
out. Shane abstained. The motion carried with 7 voting to opt-out, 2 voting against
opting-out, and 1 abstention.
4. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
a. Consider approval of the Locally Determined Projects list for the MPOJC FY2022
Transportation Planning Work Program
Ralston stated that each spring the MPO compiles a list of transportation planning work
program projects for the upcoming fiscal year, as required by the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) and Iowa DOT. More importantly, the work program schedules
projects locally. The existing list of projects was attached to the meeting agenda and will be
augmented with regular occurring projects and state and federal transportation planning work
before the next meeting for final work program approval. Ralston noted the TTAC unanimously
recommended approval at their March meeting.
Thomas asked if project number four on Mormon Trek Boulevard will include a speed study
as well as travel time.
Ralston stated that the project is to identify how the four to three lane conversion has affected
corridor travel times. Speeds will be collected as part of the study.
Motion to approve was made by Weiner, Hoffman seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
b. Consider approval of MPOJC Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and
Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funding allocations
Neumann explained that the Iowa DOT has provided the MPO with funding targets of $7.38
million for STBG, and $520,000 for TAP funding. All of these will be programed in the FY25-
26 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Four entities requested just under $17 million
in STBG funding for six different applications and $500,000 in TAP funding requests in one
application. Two applications: Coralville’s Heartland Drive project and part of Iowa City’s
Highway 6 Trail project are not in the current LRTP, but have applied for the next LRT P, and
will be considered for approval next spring. Each project, its scoring, and funding requested
was presented by Neumann and Bothell from highest score to lowest score.
At the TTAC meeting, the Iowa City Hwy 6 Trail project was recommended at $520,000, even
though Iowa City requested $500,000, in order to utilize TAP funds. The Regional Trails and
Bicycling Committee (RTBC) and TTAC recommended funding the Highway 6 Trail project at
$520,000. One letter from Megan Alter of the South District Neighborhood Association offered
support of the project because it improves safety and increases pedestrian access along Hwy
6, a goal of the neighborhood for many years.
Neumann presented the TTAC recommendations for each project. He explained that Iowa
City withdrew their Dodge Street project at this meeting to focus on funding the Taft Ave
Project. Coralville’s Highway 6 and Deer Creek Road project score was amended in a seven
to six vote to award seven additional points to the safety category after Coralville presented
additional information about the intersection.
Neumann stated that the Board may amend project scores, scores are only one thing to
consider when approving funding, and funding cannot be awarded based on community
population.
Motion to approve the STBG funding recommendations was made by Taylor, Foster
seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Motion to approve the TAP funding recommendations was made by Hoffman, Sullivan
seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
c. Public Hearing and consideration of approval of the MPOJC Passenger Transportation
Plan
Neumann explained that it has been awhile since the MPOJC has updated a Passenger
Transportation Plan (PTP), but it is required by the Iowa DOT to coordinate planning of transit-
related funding programs. The PTP addresses needs-based project justification and is
required to be updated every five years, so this update is for FY22-27. The MPO worked with
four existing local transportation committees, including the Johnson County Livable
Communities Transportation Committee, the Johnson County SEATs Advisory Committee,
the Citizens Transportation Committee, and the Johnson County Mobility Coordinator
Advisory Committee. These committees reviewed past priorities and recent developments
and developed a list of needs for service, fleet, and facilities and strategies, goals, and
objectives for the next five years. This update was submitted to the PTP committee members
for review as well as the Iowa DOT. Many of the priorities and strategies depend on the
implementation of the recommendations from the Iowa City Area Transit Study that was
recently completed. Late night and weekend service, upgrades to facilities and technology,
training and education, and regional service options remain priorities. The federal funding
discussed in the PTP comes from Section 5310 ADA funding, apportioned to transit agencies
by the Iowa DOT. All three area transit agencies have chosen to continue to use the funding
for ADA Paratransit Services. Neumann stated that it has been seven years, not five, since
the last update, and opened the floor to questions and a public hearing. No public comments
were made at this time.
Motion to approve was made by Thomas, Sullivan seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
d. Consider approval of local transit agency safety performance targets
Neumann explained that Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans are now required of all
recipients of federal transit administration funding. This includes Iowa City Transit, Coralville
Transit, and Cambus. The three agencies have each developed plans promoting
comprehensive procedures for managing safety, including safety performance measures such
as fatalities, injuries, safety events, and system reliability based on data trends over recent
years. Rules require the MPO to adopt performance measures for safety. The Transportation
Technical Advisory Committee recommended the approval of the performance measures.
Hoffman moved to approve the performance targets. Weiner seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
e. Update regarding the MPOJC FY2022 Transit Program of Projects
Neumann explained that each year the three local transit agencies are required by Federal
Transit Administration to develop a program of projects, identifying proposed projects funded
with federal funds. The Iowa DOT consolidated funding application and FY22-25
transportation improvement program will both include these projects. There is no need for
approval from the Board currently, as the agencies develop these projects independently and
include them in their consolidated funding application, which requires public hearing at a city
council meeting. These projects are only included in the agenda for review because the Board
provides Section 5307 funding.
f. Update on the MPOJC Long Range Transportation Plan revision process
Bothell explained that the MPO has been busy scoring transportation projects submitted by
each of the communities, gathering data on performance measures, and gathering public
input. The MPO released a survey February 11th for all those that live, work, attend school, or
do business in Johnson County. The survey was designed to understand respondents’ travel
patterns and determine changes or improvements to implement to make travel across the
metro easier. The survey was open for a month and just over 600 responses were recorded
for use at future public meetings and in the Long-Range Transportation Plan document.
Bothell stated that the MPO has also created a virtual map in lieu of an in-person open house
to provide project locations and receive input. The map will also be open for a month, closing
April 16th. Bothell presented the virtual map and explained that the link is available to the public
on the MPO website with thorough instructions virtual public meetings beginning in April and
extending through the fall to provide additional opportunities for feedback.
Hoffman commented that the virtual map is a great tool and thanked staff for putting it
together. Ralston agreed and added that the map includes projects the UAPB approved for
funding. Shane also praised the transition from in-person workshops to virtual using this tool.
5. OTHER BUSINESS
a. None
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Taylor; Sullivan seconded. Meeting adjourned by Donahue
at 5:14 PM.