HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.26.22 UAPB MinutesMINUTES APPROVED
MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
January 26, 2022
Johnson County Health and Human Services Building – 2nd Floor Conference Room
855 S. Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Laurie Goodrich, Meghann Foster
Iowa City: John Thomas, Janice Weiner, Pauline Taylor,
Laura Bergus, Eric Goers
Johnson County: Rod Sullivan, Jon Green
North Liberty: Chris Hoffman, Brian Wayson
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Erin Shane
Tiffin: Steve Burner
ICCSD: Ruthina Malone
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Frank Waisath
1. CALL TO ORDER
John Thomas called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM. The meeting was held at the Johnson
County Health and Human Services Building in the 2nd floor conference room.
a. Recognize alternates
Eric Goers was recognized as an alternate for Shawn Harmsen (Iowa City).
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
Motion to approve November 17th, 2021 meeting minutes made by Sullivan, Weiner
seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
c. Set next Board meeting date, time and location
Thomas proposed a tentative date for April 6, 2022. Ralston concurred – location to be
determined.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
No recognitions were made.
3. ADMINISTRATION
a. Report from nominating committee for 2022 MPOJC Board officers.
Ralston gave an overview of the MPOJC bylaws governing the board officers. Goodrich
brought the recommendation of the committee forward, asking Thomas to be chair and From
to be vice chair.
Motion to approve the recommendation was made by Sullivan, Weiner seconded. The
motion carried unanimously.
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b. Consider approval of the FY23 MPOJC Budget and financial forecast.
Ralston explained that the primary role of the MPO is to fulfill federal and state requirements
in order distribute funds, perform studies, mapping services and planning.
The overall budget represents a 4% increase over the FY2021 budget, the majority being
due to increase in health care costs. The FY23 budget reflects continued use of carry over
funds and DOT (Department of Transportation) funds. Internal carry over funds are
approximately $50,000 and DOT planning funds are approximately $230,000. Due to new
transportation legislation, an additional $60,000 is to be expected every year for the next 5
fiscal years to be made available as planning funds through the MPO.
Motion to approve the FY23 budget was made by Sullivan and seconded by Hoffman. The
motion carried unanimously
c. Consider approval of the FY23 Johnson County Assessments for the East Central Iowa
Council of Governments.
Ralston explained that every year, dues are collected from Johnson County entities and
then are forwarded to East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG). The
assessments are made based on a per capita basis for the counties served by ECICOG.
The budget does reflect new population figures based on the 2020 census. The ECICOG
budget for FY23 represents a 2% increase.
Motion to approve the FY23 Johnson County Assessments for the East Central Iowa
Council of Governments was made by Weiner, Hoffman seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
d. Consider appointments to the ECICOG Board of Directors.
Ralston stated that per the MPO bylaws, the entities responsible for appointments to the
ECICOG Board of Directors for 2022 are Johnson County, Iowa City, and Lone Tree. The
Johnson County Board of Supervisors is also responsible for the appointment of a citizen
representative.
Ralston noted the appointees as Rod Sullivan (Johnson County), Laura Bergus (Iowa City),
Dave Wegman (Lone Tree), and Donna Brooks (Johnson County Citizen Appointment).
The motion for approval was made by Berner, From seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
e. Discuss MPOJC Orientation opportunity for Board members.
Ralston noted an opportunity for board members, either new to the board or those previously
on the board wanting a refresher, to learn about the MPOJC and its tasks/functions.
f. Consider appointment of a representative to the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications
(SUDAS) Board of Directors.
Ralston explained that every other year, the MPO appoints a representative to the Statewide
Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Board of Directors. SUDAS is a nonprofit which
is responsible for the maintenance of Iowa planning manuals.
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Scott Larson, City Engineer for Coralville, has been the representative appointed by the
MPO since 2005. The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) unanimously
recommended reappointing Larson to the SUDAS Board of Directors.
Sullivan moved to reinstate Scott Larson to the SUDAS Board of Directors, Taylor seconded.
The motion carried unanimously.
4. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
a. Consider approval of Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 Transit Operating
Formula funding apportionment for FY2022.
Waisath explained that the MPO is responsible for the allocation of approximately $2.9
million in transit operating formula funds in FY22. The apportionment of these funds is done
annually based on operating costs, locally determined income, revenue miles and fare
revenue. Data collected from FY19 will once again be used to distribute these funds. FY19
was the last full year of pre-COVID transit data.
Motion for approval of the apportionment was made by Sullivan, Hoffman seconded. The
motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion of changes to the Iowa DOT pavement data collection program.
Bothell explained that the Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University developed the
Iowa Pavement Management Program (IPMP) in order to develop a comprehensive
statewide dataset for all Iowa roads.
Until 2020, pavement condition data was collected on Interstates, National Highway
System routes, Iowa DOT routes, and local routes every two years and was made
available (at no cost) to local jurisdictions to support local pavement management. While
Interstate, National Highway System route, and Iowa DOT route pavement condition data
continues to be collected every two years, local route data is now collected every four
years. However, the Iowa DOT will allow agencies (MPO or individual jurisdictions) to
purchase local route data in order to continue a two-year data collection cycle if desired.
Bothell stated that pavement condition data was last collected on all local routes in the
metropolitan area in 2021. The MPO or individual communities may choose to ‘opt -in’ for
pavement data collection in 2023 with the next ‘paid’ data collection year being 2025.
Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding would be utilized if the Board chooses
to ‘opt-in’ as an MPO.
Hoffmann asked what would be needed from the Board in order to decide on whether to
purchase the data.
Bothell explained that first the Board will need to decide whether to purchase the road
condition data as an MPO or as individual jurisdictions. Given a decision is made to
purchase this data as an MPO, the Board’s approval would be needed at the April meeting.
Bothell clarified that local pavement condition data would continue to be available every 4
years at no additional cost.
Ralston noted that all MPOJC entities would not need to necessarily make a unanimous
decision on the issue. Individual entities could apportion funds to purchase these datasets
on a more regular basis if the information provided is more beneficial to their needs.
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Bothell explained this item would be further discussed with the Transportation Technical
Advisory Committee and brought back for consideration at the Board’s next meeting.
c. Discussion of CRANDIC passenger rail and potential next steps.
Ralston explained that at the November meeting, information was provided on the Phase 3
Passenger Rail study on the feasible implementation of light rail roughly between Iowa City
and North Liberty. Ralston stated he had since learned that CRANDIC is no longer
interested in Private-Public partnership. However, private party involvement was not
assumed in the assessment of probable cost.
Ralston continued with five broad potential next steps in this discussion. First, solidifying
buy-in from any participating MPOJC entities. Second, forming a small working group or
steering committee. Third, hiring a consultant for designing and estimating potential
construction costs. Fourth, applying for federal funding. Lastly, participating entities budget
money in capital improvement programs for consideration.
Sullivan noted that the Johnson County Board of Supervisors allocated American Rescue
Plan Act funding in the amount of $100,000 for FY23 towards the project.
Weiner asked if a light rail project could utilize funding from the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs act passed at the federal level and regarding a Chicago to Iowa City rail line.
Ralston explained that the project could not use funding directly from the Iowa City to
Chicago rail line. However, a number of additional opportunities are available in the
Infrastructure bill to funding such a project.
Foster indicated an interest on entertaining a work session before the Coralville City Council.
In addition, Foster noted that the upfront infrastructure costs are less of a possible
impediment then the continued, long term costs of operation and maintenance.
Ralston noted that the estimated, yearly operating costs of a light rail implementation would
be approximately $5 million. Ralston also noted that bus rapid transit may also be more cost
effective and that looking into the feasibility of such a system may be of value.
Hoffmann discussed the current status of North Liberty’s interest in furthering a broader
transit system. The existing transit partnership between Coralville and North Liberty has
produced good solutions, but issues remain with community utilization of existing transit
systems. Noting the potential need for North Liberty to focus and expend on more local
transportation before opening to funding larger projects such as a light rail system.
Wayson noted the potential obstacles to efficiency regarding light rail due to the necessity
for additional infrastructure and space limitations.
Hoffman attested to the value of bringing the project to work sessions before entities
councils to gauge interest and possible next steps. In addition, Hoffman proposed that
questions and topics could be created and then taken for discussion.
Bergus summarized the need for the project to be taken to entity councils and then for
discussion to determine individual interests and goals at the smaller level and then coming
back to the MPOJC with those interests in mind to pursue further steps of action.
Ralston indicated he would speak with individual city managers to gauge overall interest in
the project and circle back to the Board for further discussion.
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d. Update on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and timeline for implementation.
Ralston explained the new infrastructure transportation legislation which reauthorized
surface transportation programs for FY22 – FY26 and includes $550 billion in new funding.
Iowa will receive $764 million annually for roads, bridges, and trails and $62 million for transit
programs. FY22 funding for road, bridge, and trail programs must be approved by the Iowa
DOT and will be made available in fall of 2022 following the public process which will dictate
how and where funds (in the form of grants) will be made available. In addition,
approximately $60,000 will be made available in planning funds annually.
e. Update on the MPOJC Long Range Transportation Plan revision process.
Bothell presented the final draft chapters which included the Background, Guiding Principles
and Transportation Funding chapter. She further explained that this iteration of the Plan
includes trends for the region’s performance measures. Trends related to housing density,
vehicle miles travelled, and air quality data (for example) are now available for the region.
In addition, Bothell shared that the MPO’s Travel Demand Model was recalibrated to the
year 2050. The model supports the development of the Plan and provides an objective tool
for evaluating major infrastructure projects, traffic volumes, and delay. More information on
the model methodology and level of service of roadways can be found in the Road and
Bridge Chapter.
Hoffmann asked the question how many EV’s (electric vehicles) are being projected for use
in the long-term plan and whether that has an impact on air quality for the future of the plan.
Bothell replied that the development of the model used in preparing the plan was based off
existing data available in 2018. Ralston added that the model takes more into account the
vehicle volume rather than fuel type; however, there is potential in the future to further
integrate such a metric.
Lastly, Bothell shared that the document would be provided to the Board, the public, the
Iowa Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal
Transit Administration in April for final review and comment. Following public input, staff will
address comments, integrate feedback, and bring the Plan back to the Board for final
approval in May.
f. Update on the MPOJC FY23 Transportation Planning Work Program and FY23-26
Transportation Improvement Program
Ralston explained that the FY23 Transportation Planning Work Program is a document
developed each year to identify projects which will be addressed by MPOJC the following
fiscal year. The Work Program is developed in collaboration with the Transportation
Technical Advisory Committee, Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), and the
Urbanized Area Policy Board. Staff will solicit for projects in February and the draft document
will be submitted to the Iowa DOT, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Federal
Transit Administration (FTA) by April 1st. The final Work Program will be brought back to
the Board in May for final approval.
The MPOJC FY23-26 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the programming
document for federally funded transportation improvements within the Iowa City Urbanized
Area. The document includes federally funded transportation projects for all modes of
transportation.
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The TIP formalizes the specific projects to receive federal funds, and the year in which the
projects receive funding. In July, the Board will consider the TIP for adoption.
5. OTHER BUSINESS
a. Report on the MPOJC Severson Charity Challenge
Bothell explained that MPOJC entities joined together in the 2021 holiday season for the
MPOJC Severson Charity Challenge which honors the former Human Services Coordinator,
Linda Severson. The competition encourages donations to local charitable organizations
chosen by each entity with the winner of the Severson Cup selected on the basis of
increased giving over their previous year of participation. This year’s winner of the Severson
Challenge is North Liberty as their staff more than doubled their previous donation.
Bothell thanked all communities for their participation in the charity event.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Weiner; From seconded. Meeting adjourned by Thomas at
5:46 PM.