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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.09.21 TTAC MinutesMINUTES APPROVED MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021 - 10:30 AM CITY OF IOWA CITY – EMMA HARVAT HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Ellen Habel, Scott Larson Iowa City: Jason Havel, Ron Knoche, Darian Nagle- Gamm, Mark Rummel, Scott Sovers Johnson County: Greg Parker North Liberty: Ryan Rusnak University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey RTBC: Robert Oppliger Iowa DOT: Catherine Cutler STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Brad Neumann, Sarah Walz, Frank Waisath OTHERS PRESENT: Sara Doermann, North Liberty Planning Technician Mark Harle, Iowa DOT 1. CALL TO ORDER Neumann called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM. a. Recognize alternates Ellen Habel was recognized as an alternate for Vicky Robrock of Coralville. b. Consider approval of meeting minutes Oppliger moved for approval, Knoche seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA Ralston announced that this will be Brad Neumann’s last TTAC meeting as he is retiring and commended him for his participation in so many public meetings over the years. 3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING UPDATES TO THE MPOJC TITLE VI COMPLIANCE PLAN Neumann explained that this plan is updated every three years because the MPOJC receives federal dollars. He explained that this is the Title VI Compliance Plan for the Federal Transit Administration, not the Federal Highway Administration which has different requirements and not the Title VI Compliance Plan for the three transit agencies, which are produced separately by the MPO. This plan, in alignment with the Civil Rights Act, prohibits discrimination on the base of race, color, or national origin. Neumann presented the Title VI Compliance Plan document, noting that it also addresses Limited English Proficiency and provides information about the Language Assistance Program. The MPO’s public participation plan, approved in 2017, was also included in this document. The Title VI Plan as well as the complaint forms are on the MPO’s website and in the MPO office. Neumann addressed Knoche’s observation about a math error on page 19, which was fixed before the meeting. Neumann also noted that three maps on page 42 will be updated by Frank Waisath, who has been working on similar maps for the Long Range Transportation Plan, before the document is presented to the Urbanized Area Policy Board for approval and submitted to the Iowa DOT. Nagle-Gamm asked whether the maps will be updated with new transit data, and Neumann answered that they will. McClatchey moved for approval, Nagle-Gamm seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING APPROVAL OF STAFF AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE ACTIONS ON BEHALF OF MPOJC FOR THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION Neumann explained that in May of 2018, the Urbanized Area Policy Board approved transit agreements with Iowa City, Coralville, and Cambus that identify specific mutual responsibilities that should be performed by the MPO and transit agencies. The agreements are still in place but require naming a specific staff person at the MPOJC. Presently, Brad Neumann is named, but as he is retiring at the end of December, a new staff member will need to be named before January. Frank Waisath is the recommended replacement, and his name has been included on a letter to the Federal Transit Administration. Ralston added that Waisath might not be the MPO staff member the agencies work with permanently, but the MPO wanted to identify a staff person during this transition period. Oppliger made note that some MPO materials, such as the Title VI Compliance Plan’s attached Public Participation Plan, include old staff member names. Ralston explained that the Public Participation Plan had not been updated since 2017 and will be updated in the spring. McClatchey moved for approval. Habel seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 5. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING SAFETY TARGETS FOR THE MPO AS REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION Ralston explained that the Federal Highway Administration requires the MPO to evaluate five safety performance measures as part of the Highway Safety Improvement Program and report those safety measures to the state DOT by February of each year. Ralston explained that there were a couple options for performance measure selection. The MPO can support the state’s performance measures or set their own quantifiable targets based on the performance measures presented. Ralston recommended that the MPO again adopt the state’s targets as they have in the past because he did not see much benefit in creating individualized targets. Ralston presented the supporting DOT information in the agenda packet for review. Ralston added that most other Iowa MPOs follow the state targets, but the Des Moines MPO developed some of their own performance measures for other reasons. As a result, this has created some additional work related to their planning tasks and the effort required to continuously update and report on their unique standards. Ralston opened the floor to questions, but there were none. Oppliger moved for approval, From seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 6. UPDATE ON THE LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN REVISION PROCESS Bothell stated that since the last TTAC meeting, the MPO had been updating the model for the Long Range Transportation Plan and drafting additional chapters. She presented draft chapters for the bicycle and pedestrian network, passenger transportation, freight network, and aviation. Bothell explained that chapters have been written as information has become available, hence why the Committee is only receiving a few at a time for review. The final chapters are expected to be done by January, and the Committee will have the opportunity to review the full document in March. Bothell reminded the Committee that this is an update to the last plan, so the layout of information remains mostly the same. The mode chapters present statistics on that particular mode and present challenges and successes with each mode. The bike and pedestrian chapter contains a constrained list of bike and pedestrian projects. Tables and maps have been enhanced throughout the entire plan, and Covid-19 impact information for each relevant mode such as passenger transportation ridership numbers, Covid relief funding efforts, and the like. Bothell explained that the MPO is not looking for approval at this time, as the Committee will approve the final document in March, but Bothell requested any recommendations for the presented chapters. Bothell also stated that information related to the transportation demand model will be shared with the communities early in 2022. Nagle-Gamm expressed that the enhanced infographics look good and highlight key performance indicators very well. Bothell added that the MPO aims to make it easier to read and make connections between chapters. Ralston reiterated that the Long Range Transportation Plan is an intensive project, and that is why it is presented to the Committee and the Urbanized Area Policy Board, in chunks to get information into hands for review and feedback as soon as possible. Bothell added that the Committee is welcome to email the MPO with more in-depth comments upon review. 7. UPDATE ON CRANDIC PASSENGER RAIL AND POTENTAL NEXT STEPS Neumann explained that with some of the federal funding opportunities coming up with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, there has been more interest in passenger rail in the corridor between Iowa City and North Liberty. Neumann stated that at the next Urbanized Area Policy Board meeting, some representatives from the Iowa DOT’s rail office will be present to discuss next steps. Neumann presented a memo in the agenda packet explaining past work the MPO has done on this project, including a three-phase passenger rail study, and the Iowa DOT’s studies on the I-380 corridor. Ralston added that an Iowa City City Council member was very excited about the potential for passenger rail especially after the University Hospitals and Clinics’ plan for a new hospital in North Liberty was approved earlier in 2021. The new hospital will be a large facility about a quarter mile away from the tracks, and as development patterns for these larger attractions continue to locate near the tracks, it has really sustained the interest of council members. Ralston stated that he wanted to be sure the Committee was in the loop. Ralston reminded the Committee that the last time this was discussed was about a year ago, and many things may be different now because of how transit operations have been affected by the pandemic. However, Ralston stated that he thought the timing was right with funding opportunities and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics proposed facility in North Liberty. Neumann opened the floor to questions, but there were none. 8. UPDATE ON LOCAL TRAFFIC VOLUME TRENDS Waisath updated the Committee on how local traffic trends have been changing in the last two years due to the pandemic. He presented a graph demonstrating the substantial drop in traffic in the early months of the pandemic and how it has recovered since then. Waisath explained that the traffic counts the MPO collects and includes in studies were not used between May and August of 2020 due to the unpredictability and unrepresentative nature of traffic during lockdown. However, in September counts were collected again and a five-year historical average of the Iowa DOT AADT data on Highway 6 was used to factor up counts to a more representative pre-pandemic level for use in traffic studies. In May of this year, traffic levels were back to numbers more similar to the historical average, and counts were no longer factored up for traffic studies. Waisath asked if there were any questions, and there were none. He stated that the MPO would continue to monitor traffic volumes, and if there is any change the MPO will update the Committee. 9. UPDATE ON LOCAL DOT PROJECTS BY DISTRICT 6 STAFF District 6 DOT engineer Mark Harle gave an update about the I-80-380 project. There was a lot of paving and bridgework going on and finishing up into the fall. Transitioning into the winter, the focus will be on maintaining the project and traffic flow. He stated that there will be another two years of construction significant to impacts, such as the northbound to westbound and eastbound to southbound movements closing. Currently, Newman Abuissa has been working with the University of Iowa to provide gameday traffic operation support. He then stated that from his end, things look to be progressing well, but if there are any questions or concerns, communities could reach out to him or Abuissa. The Herbert Hoover Highway interchange is also progressing, and the westbound on ramp is currently closed for repairs. It was previously closed in early summer and is only planned to be closed for two weeks now to make some pavement repairs. In 2022 there will be more impacts from this project. There will be a six-lane widening project east to West Branch also requiring ramp closures, so decisions are still being made on the staging of that project to reduce traffic impacts. If it moves, it’ll be delayed a few months to the fall instead of the current plan to start in the spring, but there will be more news on that decision to be communicated with the communities soon. The First Avenue I-80 interchange in Coralville is set for August of 2023 and is moving into final design stages now. The I-380 widening is moving more into Linn County, but will also affect Johnson county from just south of Forevergreen to the north and on the Penn State interchange. Cutler added that there is a virtual public information meeting scheduled in the evening for more information on the I-80/380 interchange. 10. OTHER BUSINESS Parker added that the paving of the Herbert Hoover expansion will occur in the spring. There is also a roundabout that will be in construction at the intersection of West Branch/ Johnson County Line in the fall, which may affect the Iowa DOT project on Herbert Hoover Highway. Oppliger thanked the City of Iowa City for finishing the Iowa River Corridor Trail project on time. He also stated that Bicyclists of Iowa City received a grant to train 6-8 people on teaching cycling in the metro area. Rusnak stated that the 965 phase 5 construction pedestrian tunnel has been installed and through traffic will be reinstated next week. He also talked about the Dubuque Street realignment project starting construction in the spring. In addition North Liberty added a new planning technician, Sara Doermann. Sovers stated that Iowa City was finishing up the American Legion Road project from Scott to Buckingham lane and will have through traffic open next week. The next phase from Arlington Drive to Barrington Road will be closing in the winter. The IWV Road project ran into utility conflicts and will likely start paving in the spring. Havel stated that Orchard Street from Douglas to Benton will be done this fall. The 1st Avenue overlay will be done in the next few days and will be the last overlay project of the year. The 2nd Avenue bridge has been bid and construction likely will not start until early spring. Larson stated that Coralville is nearing the check plan stage for a Clear Creek Trail connection after the completion of the trail connection from the east side of Camp Cardinal Boulevard between the Tom Harken Trailhead and Highway 6. This project is still on schedule with DOT letting to get the project complete by the end of summer 2022. Rummel gave an update on the new transit routes, as they were implemented in August. Iowa City Transit is getting mostly positive feedback but may make a few tweaks, especially as the winter weather affects arterial and side streets. The changes have improved the overall frequency of service on some key routes. Additional shelters for stops are on order and scheduled to be installed next Spring. Knoche discussed a pedestrian crossing project on Muscatine Avenue just east of 1st Avenue that would introduce heated concrete to reduce snow removal needs in the winter. Construction is contracted and ready to start in the spring. McClatchey discussed the Madison Street project between Washington and Burlington that will wrap up soon with an additional bus stop added which Cambus will share with Iowa City Transit. Cambus service is up to about 75% of pre-covid levels. Cambus usually hires about 80 new student drivers a year, but with the pandemic’s effect on hiring last year, they are scrambling to make up the difference. One obstacle to hiring has been the online training/permitting system for employees to obtain a CDL creating two to three weeks of delay in the hiring process. As a result, Cambus is not back to full pre-pandemic service and likely will not be until the spring semester. Nagle-Gamm discussed the next phase of transit improvements, which will include four new electric buses. Electric buses posed a new challenge of infrastructure on how to distribute enough power to charge the buses, but have been working with MidAmerican Energy and bus company Proterra on the electrification process. The new buses will be approved hopefully by the end of the year, but Iowa City Transit and relevant parties are still learning and receiving training for the operation and maintenance of these new, high-tech, quiet electric systems. Nagle-Gamm also discussed a two-year Sunday service pilot test expecting to launch early next year with a new staffing schedule. The pilot’s effectiveness will be evaluated after two years, and Iowa City City Council will be consulted on how to proceed. McClathey asked about battery life on the buses, and Nagle-Gamm answered that battery life lasts long enough for a full day of service and 3-4 hour charge time overnight. Ralston clarified that if these buses function well, the agency will continue purchasing electric buses. Nagle-Gamm agreed that the agency would like to continue transitioning to a zero-emission fleet to benefit their climate action plan, and have been instructed to do so by Iowa City City Council. Nagle-Gamm also discussed potential for other future clean energy sources such as hydrogen fuel cells being developed. McClatchey noted that the University of Iowa is also considering transitioning to an electric fleet, but one infrastructure concern exists in the Iowa Avenue railroad crossing bridge that limits bus clearance that cannot be met by most electric buses. With current Coralville and Cambus routes relying heavily on Iowa Avenue, it makes switching to an electric fleet difficult. McClatchey advocated for a future project improving the clearance of that railroad crossing, as it would benefit multiple communities’ transit agencies and safety with more emergency vehicles also able to utilize Iowa Avenue. Nagle Gamm asked if this was researched in the CRANDIC Rail study, and Neumann answered that it was not because of the large cost associated with changing the elevation and grading of that segment of rail. 11. ADJOURNMENT Knoche moved to adjourn, McClatchey seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Neumann adjourned the meeting at 11:23 am.