HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.27.21 RPB Meeting MinutesMINUTES APPROVED
MPOJC RURAL POLICY BOARD
JANUARY 27, 2021 – 6:00 PM
ZOOM MEETING PLATFORM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Hills: Tim Kemp
Johnson County: Rod Sullivan, Royceann Porter
Schueyvillle: Micky Coonfare
Swisher: Christopher Taylor
OTHERS PRESENT: Karen Kurt (ECICOG)
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Brad Neumann, Frank Waisath
1. CALL TO ORDER
Kemp called the meeting to order at 6:07 PM. 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. Introduce Board members and recognize alternates
Ralston recognized Rod Sullivan and Royceann Porter in replacing Pat Heiden and Lisa
Green-Douglass for the Johnson County Board of Supervisors.
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
Taylor moved to approve, Coonfare seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
3. ADMINISTRATION
a. Consider approval of the Rural Policy Board section of the FY22 MPOJC Budget and
Two-Year Financial Forecast
Ralston explained that MPOJC remains committed to providing federal funding to the
urban communities and transportation studies for all of Johnson County. The majority of
services provided include traffic counts, speed studies, map-making and grant writing.
There is a 3.6% increase in the budget, approximately 80% of which is for staff salaries
and wages.
Sullivan moved to approve, Coonfare seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
b. Consider approval of the FY22 Johnson County assessment schedule for the East
Central Iowa Council of Governments
Ralston explained that the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) is the
primary planning and grant writing organization for east central Iowa. MPOJC collects
the dues from Johnson County communities for ECICOG. There is a proposed 2%
increase in the ECICOG budget, which is consistent with previous years. Karen Kurt
from ECICOG was also available to answer questions.
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Kemp asked if the budget was just for a one-year assessment and the numbers would
change with the new 2020 Census data. Kurt confirmed. Ralston added that the
assessments would change for the MPOJC budget as well with the new Census data.
Taylor moved to approve, Sullivan seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
4. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE ADOPTED MPOJC BYLAWS
Ralston explained that the bylaws need to be reviewed every 5 years and Taylor had
represented the Rural Policy Board on the committee last year. Any recommended changes
need to be approved by the Urbanized Area Policy Board by a 2/3 majority and by the Rural
Policy Board by a simple majority. Currently, both Boards have considered a set of
recommendations and can see detailed recommendations in the agenda packet. As both
Boards need at least 30 days to review material, the bylaws were sent to Board members on
December 17, 2020. In agreement with the RPB meeting last October, the RPB will continue
to exist and the Johnson County Board of Supervisors will select the citizen representative
to serve on the East Central Iowa Council of Governments Board. Proposed changes also
reflect the urban boards desire to have a permanent representative for Johnson County on
the ECICOG Board. Ralston noted the UAPB approved the bylaws earlier today at their
meeting.
Taylor thanked Ralston and the rest of staff for being patient and coming to an agreement
that everyone can support. Kemp agreed and said that this project shows that even today,
finding compromise is still possible and is grateful for the work from MPOJC staff. Ralston
thanked everyone and indicated that even though the bylaws have been in place for many
years it does not mean they should not change and appreciated the compromise the group
was able to reach.
Taylor asked if University Heights was rotating onto ECICOG this year. Ralston confirmed
and explained that North Liberty had been next on the rotation and declined to send anyone,
so Solon accepted the appointment instead as they were next in the rotation. Ralston noted
that regardless of the changes made tonight, those appointments would still stand for this
calendar year. As it happens, Johnson County would have had their turn under both the old
and new bylaws, so it had worked out well.
Sullivan moved to approve, Taylor seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
5. AVAILABILITY OF EAST CENTRAL IOWA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ASSISTANCE
Kurt thanked the group for the consideration of the bylaws and believes it will help ECICOG
run more smoothly. Kurt explained that the services ECICOG provides fill the gaps of the
MPOJC, as they provide planning and land use assistance to rural communities, help find
state and federal grants for various types of projects (housing, sewer, etc), and have a large
revolving loan fund to aid businesses with gap financing to sustain themselves or grow and
have recently doubled that budget through the CARES Act.
6. DISCUSS MPOJC ORIENTATION OPPORTUNITY FOR BOARD MEMBERS
Ralston invited members to attend an hour-long orientation explaining the MPOJC functions
and Board responsibilities. Typically, mostly newer Board members participate, but the offer
is open to anyone. Kemp asked if city council members would be allowed to attend or if it
was just for Board members. Ralston explained that anyone could attend.
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7. DISCUSS POTENTIAL MPOJC WORK PROGRAM PROJECTS FOR FY2022
Ralston offered up space for any potential work items that communities might have and
would want MPOJC help, such as traffic studies or grant writing. An email would be sent
following the meeting to formally solicit for projects. Projects would be put into the Work
Program to follow Iowa DOT requirements and help coordinate work flow.
Taylor stated Swisher would be looking for another traffic study once some more details
were finalized on a local road project in order to compare with previous data. They would
also be looking for a way to add sidewalks, even though it was not originally in the budget.
Taylor was not sure how feasible it would be, although they would like to prioritize the
sidewalks if possible with the current political momentum. Ralston said the MPOJC could
help with the planning aspects and ECICOG should be able to help with funding and they
would be willing to coordinate. Ralston added that MPOJC had recently done an audit of
every sidewalk and curb-ramp in the urbanized area, so they would certainly have the tools
needed to aid in the sidewalk project for Swisher.
8. CONSIDER ELECTION OF CALENDAR YEAR 2021 RURAL POLICY BOARD OFFICERS
Ralston stated that there was no memo for this item, but Kemp and Taylor had been chair
and vice-chair for several years and staff was looking for discussion on who should take on
those roles for CY2021.
Sullivan nominated Kemp as chair and Taylor as vice-chair, Porter seconded. The motion
passed unanimously.
9. OTHER BUSINESS
Taylor stated a hope for the other members of the RPB to take to heart what was said in the
meeting last year and commit to participating more and taking advantage of the resources
available to them and thanked everyone again for their work. Ralston appreciated the
remarks and added that historically the committee only meets once per year because there
is not much administrative business to be handled by the RPB, but staff would be more than
willing to meet more often if desired by the Board. Sullivan stated a commitment to support
and represent the rural communities while serving on the ECICOG Board this year.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Sullivan, seconded by Taylor. Meeting adjourned by Kemp at
6:28 PM.