HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.17.23 TTAC MinutesMINUTES APPROVED
MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023 - 10:30 AM
CITY OF IOWA CITY – EMMA HARVAT HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Kelly Hayworth, Vicky
Robrock, Scott Larson
Iowa City: Justin Harland, Scott Sovers, Ron Knoche,
Christina Jones, Mark Rummel
Johnson County: Tom Brase, Ed Bartels
North Liberty: Ryan Rusnak
Tiffin: Doug Boldt
University Heights: Josiah Bilskemper
University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey
RTBC: Bob Oppliger
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Hannah Neel, Sarah Walz
1. CALL TO ORDER
Ralston called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM.
a. Recognize alternates
Ed Bartels was recognized as an alternate for Greg Parker (Johnson County).
Josiah Bilskemper was recognized as an alternate for Louise From (University
Heights). Christina Jones was recognized as an alternate for Darian Nagle-Gamm
(Iowa City). Justin Harland was recognized as an alternate for Jason Havel (Iowa
City).
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 FY2022
Neel stated that the Iowa DOT has confirmed that MPOJC has $4,565,146 available in
funds for FY2022 FTA Section 5307 operating assistance and that this amount also
includes Small Transit Intensive Communities (STIC) funding. Neel explained that these
funds are apportioned by MPOJC to Coralville Transit, Iowa City Transit, and University
of Iowa CAMBUS through the MPO’s formula, calculated using 25%
operating/maintenance costs, 25% locally determined income (LDI), 25% revenue miles,
and 25% fare revenue.
Neel clarified that as with past years, changes to transit service and ridership levels due
to COVID-19 created issues in calculating the FY2022 apportionments. She then noted
that after discussions with all three transit managers, staff is recommending a reuse of
FY2019 data, as it was the last full year of typical data collected pre-COVID-19. She noted
that due to the increase in apportioned funding that each transit agency will see an
increase in funding for FY2022. She then stated the proposed FY2022 apportionments for
each transit agency which are as follows: $722,663 (Coralville Transit), $2,799,804 (Iowa
City Transit), $1,042,679 (CAMBUS).
Finally, Neel asked for a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board
regarding the apportionment of these funds.
Brase moved for approval of the recommendation, Hayworth seconded. The motion
carried unanimously.
4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY
BOARD REGARDING AN AMENDMENT TO THE ADOPTED FY23-26 MPOJC
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) – AMENDING FUNDING
AMOUNTS FOR THE I-80 6-LANE WIDENING PROJECT
Neel explained that the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the programming
document for surface transportation projects that receive state and federal funds, including
street and highway, transit, rail, bicycle, and pedestrian projects. Neel also noted that
MPOJC submits the TIP annually to the Iowa Department of Transportation to document
the status of local transportation projects using state and federal funds.
Neel stated that the Iowa DOT has requested an amendment to the previously adopted
MPOJC FY2023-2026 TIP to increase the federal funding amount and total cost for the I-
80 6-lane widening project. The current project funding amount is $6,140,100 in federal
funding and totals $7,224,000. The proposed federal funding amount is $13,983,300 for a
new project total of $15,537,000. Neel explained that this increased amount is to account
for updated grading costs.
Neel then asked for a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board for
the approval of the proposed amendment to the FY2023-2026 TIP.
Knoche moved for approval of the recommendation, Larson seconded. The motion
carried unanimously.
5. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY
BOARD REGARDING AMENDMENTS TO THE ADOPTED FY23-26 MPOJC
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) – INCLUDING NEW FUNDING
FOR BUS REPLACEMENTS FOR CORALVILLE TRANSIT AND UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
CAMBUS
Neel explained that Coralville Transit and University of Iowa CAMBUS have requested an
amendment to the adopted MPOJC FY2023-2026 TIP to include a new project, funding
source and funding amount for the capital replacement of a light duty bus for each of the
Coralville Transit and University of Iowa CAMBUS fleets.
Neel then noted the project and funding amounts for both Coralville Transit and University
of Iowa CAMBUS. The project total for Coralville Transit is $149,937 with $77,200 in
federal funding, $27,316 in local funding, and $45,421 in shortfall assistance. The project
total for University of Iowa CAMBUS is $146,965 with $92,528 in federal funding, $22,044
in local funding, and $32,393 in shortfall assistance.
Neel explained that the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) is offering this
shortfall funding assistance due to the recent dramatic price increases for vehicle
replacements. Neel noted that for extra funding to be provided by the DOT, these projects
must be programmed in the FY2023-2026 TIP.
Neel then asked for a recommendation to the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board for
the approval of the proposed amendment to the FY2023-2026 TIP.
McClatchey moved for approval of the recommendation, Brase seconded. Motion carried
unanimously.
6. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY
BOARD REGARDING SETTING OF SAFTEY TARGETS AND PERFORMANCE
MEASURES FOR THE MPO AS REQURIED BY THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY
ADMINISTRATION
Ralston explained that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires that MPOs
set targets for five safety measures as part of the Highway Safety Improvement Program
(HSIP) and report them to the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) by February
27th of each year. Ralston noted that there are two options for these measures – to support
the State’s targets or to set our own quantifiable targets for each measure.
Ralston recommended continuing the adoption of the State’s targets. He also noted that
if it is believed that creating local targets would benefit the area, there will be an opportunity
to do so every year.
Larson moved for approval of the recommendation supporting the State’s targets; Rusnak
seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
7. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY
BOARD REGARDING THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT,
TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM, AND CARBON REDUCTION
PROGRAM GRANT FUNDING PROCESS
Bothell stated that the MPO typically conducts the grant funding process biennially and
that 2023 is the next grant cycle year. Bothell noted that this biennial process allows for
two years of funding to be allocated at once, meaning projects can receive larger funding
awards.
Bothell explained that MPOJC is anticipating that approximately $9.3 million in Surface
Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding will be available for programming in FY2027-
2028 and that approximately $300,000 in Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding will
be available for programming in FY2023. She also stated that Transportation Alternatives
Program (TAP) funding (approximately $900,000) will be delayed due to pending program
changes related to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), noting that MPOJC
cannot currently solicit for TAP applications or apportion TAP funding.
Bothell further noted that the MPO is still planning to solicit STBG applications this year
but recommends that CRP applications be delayed, allowing them to align with TAP
applications. The options under consideration for the application timeline for CRP and TAP
funds are to submit CRP and TAP applications in the winter of 2024 and then again in the
winter of 2025; or to solicit for applications only in the winter of 2025, keeping with the
standard biennial solicitation.
Ralston then noted that another option would be to allocate CRP funds along with the
STBG funds this year if desired.
Knoche moved to solicit for both CRP and TAP applications in 2025, keeping with the
standard biennial solicitation. Hayworth seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
8. UPDATE ON THE MPOJC FY24 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WORK PROGRAM
AND FY24-27 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SCHEDULES
Ralston explained that the Transportation Planning Work Program is a document
developed each year that is designed to identify projects that the MPO will be addressing
in the following fiscal year. Ralston noted that this document is developed in a coordinated
effort by the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC), the Iowa Department
of Transportation (DOT), and the Urbanized Area Policy Board (UAPB). He also noted
that the Annual Work Program document includes all state and federally required planning
processes and documentation, ongoing and routine projects, and special projects
requested by member entities.
Ralston stated that the MPO will begin soliciting for FY24 Work Program projects in
February. He explained that the Work Program draft must be submitted to federal partners
by March 31st and that it will then be sent to the UAPB for final approval in May.
Ralston then moved on to an update of the FY24-27 Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP). He began by explaining that the TIP is the programming document for federally
funded transportation improvements within the Iowa City Urbanized Area and that it must
include projects for all modes of transportation including streets, highways, transit, and
bicycle and pedestrian projects. Ralston noted that in 2021, the UAPB apportioned $7.38
million in STBG funds and $520,000 in TAP funds. He explained that the UAPB will be
allocating $9.3 million this year to be programmed in FY27-28. Finally, he stated that in
July the UAPB will be considering the final FY24-27 TIP for adoption.
9. OTHER BUSINESS
Bartels of Johnson County noted that construction of the Herbert Hoover Highway
Roundabout at West Branch City Limits would begin this year.
Oppliger of the Regional Trails and Bicycling Committee (RTBC) shared that they will be
conducting bike education and that it will be offered in Spanish and hopefully in Arabic.
He also explained their new bicycling program and how individuals can be paired with an
experienced biker to teach them how to utilize bikes as transportation, especially to work.
Sovers of Iowa City gave a few updates on the American Legion Road Project. He noted
that there were some delays due to utility relocation and that most of the remaining
construction was at Taft Avenue and American Legion Road. He also mentioned the
Benton Street rehabilitation project and that the contractor will be starting work this spring.
He also noted that they will be starting a project to replace the Gilbert Street bridge early
this spring and that they plan to have it completed by early October. Rochester Avenue is
also still under construction and the project will continue this year.
Knoche of Iowa City updated the committee on the Public Works Master Plan and the
updates that will be made regarding transit operations and facilities.
McClatchey noted that although they are still dealing with staffing issues, almost all transit
services are restored. He also mentioned that they now have individuals on staff who can
administer Commercial Driver’s License testing, which he stated will improve the way they
train and hire staff. He noted that there will be a lot of construction activity on West
Campus, especially around parking facilities in the future.
Larson of Coralville provided updates on the Interstate 80/380 project and stated that they
are ahead of schedule and hope to have the roadway paved by June or July and that the
final piece of the Clear Creek Trail could be installed by July or August. He also noted that
they are hosting a preconstruction meeting for the 1st Avenue/I-80 diverging diamond
interchange project.
Bilskemper of University Heights noted that they finished paving connections from the
sidewalk to the edge of the curb for all the bus stops on Melrose Avenue to ease boarding
the bus. He also gave updates on the Melrose Avenue complete streets project stating
that the current goal is for planning to occur in 2023, land acquisition and utility relocation
in 2024, and then construction in 2025.
10. ADJOURNMENT
McClatchey moved to adjourn, Brase seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Ralston
adjourned the meeting at 11:14 am.