HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.25.23 UAPB MinutesMINUTES APPROVED
MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
JANUARY 25, 2023 – 4:30 PM
IOWA CITY, CITY HALL – EMMA HARVAT HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Laurie Goodrich
Iowa City: Laura Bergus, Andrew Dunn, John Thomas
Johnson County: Rod Sullivan, Jon Green
North Liberty: Brian Wayson, Chris Hoffman
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Erin Shane
Tiffin: Steve Berner
ICCSD: Molly Abraham
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Hannah Neel, Sarah Walz, Tunazzina Alam
OTHERS PRESENT: Karen Kurt; Cathy Cutler
1. CALL TO ORDER
Thomas called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was held at Iowa City, City
Hall in Emma Harvat Hall.
a. Recognize alternates and welcome new Board members
Councilor Dunn of Iowa City was welcomed to the Board along with Molly Abraham
with the Iowa City Community School District.
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
After discussion about a few minor corrections to the minutes Green moved to
approve, Dunn seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
c. Set next Board meeting date
Ralston proposed March 29, 2023 as the next Board meeting date - location to be
determined.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
3. ADMINISTRATION
a. Report from nominating committee for 2023 MPOJC Board officers
Bergus stated that the nominating committee (Bergus, From, and Goodrich) is
proposing to nominate Thomas to continue in the position of Chair and From to
continue in the position of Vice Chair.
Berner moved to approve the nominations, Hoffman seconded. The motion
carried unanimously.
b. Consider approval of the FY24 MPOJC Budget and financial forecast
Ralston explained that the focus of the MPOJC is to fulfill federal and state
requirements necessary for MPOJC entities to receive state and federal formula
and discretionary funding; and to produce locally-generated traffic studies, grant
applications, and mapping services for MPOJC communities.
Ralston explained that due to decreases in costs for staff benefits and wages, the
overall budget reflects a 4% decrease from FY23. Ralston noted that the budget
also reflects the continued use of $50,000 of internal carryover funds and $230,000
in Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) funds.
Sullivan moved to approve the FY24 MPOJC Budget and Financial Forecast,
Wayson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
c. Consider approval of the FY24 Johnson County Assessments to the East Central
Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG)
Ralston explained that MPOJC collects East Central Iowa Council of Governments
(ECICOG) dues for Johnson County and then forwards those funds to ECICOG.
Ralston stated that ECICOG calculates their assessments on a per-capita basis
and that the MPOJC in turn calculates a per-capita assessment for each entity
within Johnson County. This budget reflects new population figures from the 2020
census. Ralston noted that ECICOG proposed a 2% increase for all counties that
it serves for FY24.
Sullivan moved to approve the FY24 Johnson County Assessments to the East
Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG); Hoffman seconded. The motion
carried unanimously.
d. Consider appointments to the East Central Iowa Council of Governments Board of
Directors
Ralston noted the entities responsible for appointing elected officials for the 2023
East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) Board of Directors. These
entities and appointees were as follows: Jon Green (Johnson County), Meghann
Foster (Coralville), and Christopher Taylor (Swisher). Johnson County also has
one citizen appointment, Allison Wells.
Bergus moved to approve the appointments to the East Central Iowa Council of
Governments Board of Directors, Sullivan seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
e. Discuss MPOJC Orientation opportunity for Board members
Ralston noted that he is available to provide a short orientation about the MPOJC
and its role, funding sources, services provided, and structure.
Abraham and Dunn stated their interest.
4. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
a. Public Hearing and consideration of an amendment to the FY23-26 MPOJC
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – amending the funding amounts for
the I-80 6 lane widening project
Neel explained that the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the
programming document for all surface transportation projects that receive state or
federal funds in the Iowa City urbanized area. She noted that the Iowa Department
of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has requested an amendment to the adopted
MPOJC FY2023-2026 TIP, increasing the federal funding amount and total project
cost for the I-80 6 lane widening project.
Berner moved to approve the amendment to the FY23-26 MPOJC Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) – amending the funding amounts for the I-80 6 lane
widening project, Green seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
b. Public Hearing and consideration of an amendment to the FY23-26 MPOJC
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – including new funding for bus
replacements for Coralville Transit and University of Iowa CAMBUS
Neel explained that both Coralville Transit and University of Iowa CAMBUS
requested an amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to
include a new funding source and funding amounts for the capital replacement of
a light duty bus in both fleets. It was stated that part of the funding amounts given
are from shortfall assistance being offered by the Iowa Department of
Transportation (Iowa DOT). To receive these funds, these projects need to be
programmed into the TIP.
Dunn moved for approval of the amendment to the FY23-26 MPOJC
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – including new funding for bus
replacements for Coralville Transit and University of Iowa CAMBUS, Wayson
seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
c. Consider approval of Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 Transit
Operating Formula funding apportionment for FY2022
Neel opened by stating $4,565,146 is available to MPOJC in FY2022 FTA section
5307 operating assistance. Neel noted that these funds are apportioned by
MPOJC to Coralville Transit, Iowa City Transit, and University of Iowa CAMBUS
based on a local formula. Neel stated that COVID-19 impacted the ridership and
transit service numbers used in the formula and that staff is recommending we re-
use the FY2019 transit data, as it was the last full year of pre-COVID transit data.
There was some discussion about the relevance of using past years data and at
what point these changes in data are considered permanent shifts in transit
ridership.
Green moved to approve the recommended Federal Transit Administration
Section 5307 Transit Operating Formula funding apportionment for FY2022;
Hoffman seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
d. Consider approval of safety targets and performance measures for the MPO as
required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Ralston explained that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) now requires
that Metropolitan Planning Organizations set targets for five safety performance
measures and report them to the State Department of Transportation by February
27th each year. Ralston stated that like past years, staff recommends adopting the
State’s targets instead of creating individual targets. It was also mentioned that
each year before approval, there is an opportunity to create individual targets if
desired.
Goodrich moved to adopt the State’s safety targets and performance measures for
the MPO as recommended, Berner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
e. Consider approval of MPOJC Surface Transportation Block Grant, Transportation
Alternatives Program and Carbon Reduction Program grant funding process
Bothell stated that the MPO typically conducts their 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 expecting 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. Bothell also stated
that Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding (approximately $900,000)
will be delayed due to pending program changes and revised program guidance
from the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Bothell stated that the MPO is planning to solicit for STBG applications this year
and is recommending that the solicitation of CRP applications be delayed to allow
for them to align with the solicitation of TAP applications. Bothell updated the Board
on the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee’s recommendation from their
January 17th meeting, which was to solicit for CRP and TAP applications in the
winter of 2025, keeping with the standard biennial solicitation.
Green moved to approve the MPOJC Surface Transportation Block Grant,
Transportation Alternative Program and Carbon Reduction Program grant funding
timeline as proposed, Berner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
f. Update on the MPOJC FY24 Transportation Planning Work Program and FY24-
27 Transportation Improvement Program
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. Ralston gave the timeline for solicitation of work
program projects and submission of drafts to federal administration partners.
Ralston explained that the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the
programming document for federally funded transportation improvements within
the Iowa City Urbanized Area and that it includes all street, highway, transit, and
bicycle and pedestrian projects. Ralston reminded the Board of the funding
allocations from the 2021 TIP, $7.38 million in STBG funds and $520,000 in TAP
funds. Ralston noted that the Board will consider the FY2024-27 TIP for adoption
in July.
g. Verbal update on the CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Study from the MPOJC Director
Ralston explained that he had drafted a Request for Proposals for a Bus Rapid
Transit study on the CRANDIC line with the hopes of hiring a consultant by April
1, 2023.
5. OTHER BUSINESS
a. Report on the MPOJC Severson Charity Challenge
Walz stated that this year the Severson Charity Challenge raised almost $5,000
and that these funds will be split equally between the three local food banks. She
also noted that no more than $500 would be used for a permanent memorial in
Linda Severson’s honor.
6. ADJORNMENT
Bergus moved to adjourn the meeting, Green seconded. The motion carried
unanimously; meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m.