HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.29.23 UAPB MinutesMINUTES APPROVED
MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023 – 4:30 P.M.
JOHNSON COUNTY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING – 2ND FLOOR CONF. ROOM
855 S. DUBUQUE ST, IOWA CITY, IA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Laurie Goodrich
Iowa City: Laura Bergus, John Thomas, Megan Alter
Johnson County: Rod Sullivan, Jon Green
North Liberty: Brian Wayson, Chris Hoffman
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Erin Shane
ICCSD: Molly Abraham
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Hannah Neel, Sarah Walz, Tunazzina Alam
OTHERS PRESENT: Brock Grenis
1. CALL TO ORDER
Thomas called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was held at the Johnson County
Health and Human Services Building in Iowa City, Iowa.
a. Recognize alternates
None.
b. Consider approval of meeting minutes
Sullivan moved to approve; Hoffman seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
c. Set the next Board meeting date, time, and location
Tentatively scheduled for May 31, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. in Coralville, Iowa.
2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
3. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
a. Consider approval of Locally Determined Projects for MPOJC FY 2024 Transportation
Planning Work Program
Ralston explained the MPOJC compiles a list of projects to be completed for the following
fiscal year and this list represents roughly 1/4 or 1/3 of the projects that will actually be
undertaken. Ralston noted the awareness of additional projects and data collection needs
throughout the year and stated that these can usually be accommodated. If these
additional projects would disrupt the Work Program due to their size, they will then be
brought to the Policy Board for approval.
Ralston asked the Board to review the listed projects and consider approval. The
Technical Advisory Committee unanimously recommended approval of the locally
determined project lit at their March 21, 2023 meeting.
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Sullivan moved for approval; Bergus seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
b. Consider approval of a Resolution regarding Federal Functional Classification designation
for urbanized area roadways
Bothell explained that in advance of the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG)
funding allocation, MPOJC contacts member entities regarding the potential amendments
to the Federal Functional Classification (FFC) system. The classification system is a
hierarchy of five roadway classes that identify which roads are federal aid routes. Only
35% of the total Iowa City urbanized area roadways can be on the map and federal funding
can only be spent on these roadways.
Last fall MPOJC began working with local communities and received approximately 29
miles of requested amendments. The MPO forwarded the requests to the Iowa
Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) and they pre-approved 13.94 miles of the
requests.
The Technical Advisory Committee unanimously recommended approval of the 13.94
miles of roadways that were pre-approved by the Iowa DOT. Bothell asked the Policy
Board to consider approval of the Committee’s recommendation and authorize the Board
chair to sign the attached resolution.
Green moved for approval; Alter seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
c. Consider approval of MPOJC Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding
allocations
Bothell stated that $9.3 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program
funding is available for distribution in the Iowa City Urbanized area for programming in
fiscal years ‘27 and ‘28. The MPO received five applications from five entities, requesting
approximately $16 million in total. Attached to the memo were the STBG project scoring
criteria and a summary table that listed each applicant, project description, project cost,
local match, staff scores, and the Technical Advisory Committee’s recommendation.
Bothell added that project scores are meant to be one tool for consideration in
deliberations and funding recommendations need not be based solely on scores.
Bothell reminded the Board that every project that receives funding must be in the
MPOJC’s Long Range Transportation Plan and on the Federal Functional Classification
(FFC) system. Additionally, funding cannot be apportioned strictly according to the
population of the MPOJC communities.
Bothell presented the projects in order from highest to lowest using the scoring criteria
and staff scores. Bothell added that two of the applications – The University of Iowa’s
Hawkins Drive Reconstruction project and Coralville’s Dubuque Street NE and
Forevergreen Road Roundabout project are not currently in the MPOJC Long Range
Transportation Plan. But these projects could be added to the Long-Range Plan with an
amendment. Bothell noted that all projects are on roadways that are functionally classified
as collector or higher.
The first project was Iowa City’s Burlington Street and Highway 1 Bridge Improvements
Project. The total cost for the project is $30,000,000 and Iowa City requested 9,300,000
in STBG funding.
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The second project was The University of Iowa’s Hawkins Drive Reconstruction from
Finkbine Commuter Drive to Lot 43 East Access. The total project cost is $5,775,500 and
the University of Iowa requested $2,089,000 in STBG funding.
Shane explained the project is needed after the construction of the Children’s Hospital;
the corridor is failing in certain areas. The University thought that the regional use of the
road warranted consideration of funding. However, the Technical Advisory Committee did
not recommend funding due to the University having other sources of funding available to
them. Ralston added that the University is also a partner on the Burlington Street Bridge
Project.
Ralston explained that in the past, the University has been a joint applicant but never a
sole applicant for STBG projects. The Federal Highway Administration provided new
guidance indicating the University could apply for STBG funding. Historically the State of
Iowa was not allowed to apply for funding. Shane stated that the project will happen in the
future, but it will be delayed without the STBG funding.
The third project is in University Heights. This project is for Sunset Street and Melrose
Avenue Preventative Maintenance and Pedestrian Improvements. The total project cost
is $470,000 and they requested $325,000 in STBG funding.
The fourth project was in North Liberty. It is the South Dubuque Street Reconstruction
Phase 2. The total project cost is $4,480,000 and North Liberty requested $2,240,000.
The final project was Coralville’s Dubuque Street NE and Forevergreen Road Roundabout
project. The total project cost is $2,645,000 and Coralville requested $2,110,710.
Green added that this was a joint project with Johnson County.
Bothell asked the Board to consider the Technical Advisory Committee’s funding
recommendation as follows (contingent on an amendment to the MPOJC Long Range
Transportation Plan to include Coralville’s project):
Iowa City – Burlington Street / Highway 1 Bridge Improvements Project: $7,300,000
The University of Iowa – Hawkins Drive Reconstruction Project: $0
University Heights – Sunset Street and Melrose Avenue Project: $225,000
North Liberty – South Dubuque Street Reconstruction (Phase 2) Project: $1,100,000
Coralville – Dubuque Street NE and Forevergreen Road Roundabout Project: $675,000
Total: $9,300,000
From moved to approve; Sullivan seconded. The motion passed 12-1 with Shane
voting against it.
d. Update regarding the FY 2024 Transit Program of Projects
Neel explained that Coralville Transit, Iowa City Transit, and Cambus are programming
projects that receive Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) funds in FY24. The
projects will be included in the FY24 consolidated transit funding application although not
every project will receive funding, but to be eligible the projects must be included in the
application. The Program of Projects will also be included in the draft 2024-2027
Transportation Improvement Program, which will be presented at the May meeting. All
agencies will hold public hearings on their projects and the consolidated funding
application is due June 1, 2023.
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e. Verbal update on the I-380 Express bus system from East Central Iowa Council of
Governments (ECICOG) staff
Grenis, from ECICOG, provided an update on the I-380 express bus system. The project
began in October 2018 and is funded by the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa
DOT) through June 2024. The bus contract is with Windstar Lines, which provides 44
hours of bus service a day. The I-380 express bus averages over 350 riders per day.
After June 2024, funding assistance will be necessary to continue the service. The service
currently costs $1.3 million per year to operate, with approximately $235,000 in passenger
revenue. A combination of federal, state, passenger fares, and local assistance would
likely be necessary to fund the service past 2024.
f. Verbal update on the CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Study from MPO Director
Ralston explained that the Request for Proposals (RFP) had closed. Assuming the
proposals are reasonable, the MPOJC will have a team that includes Iowa City Transit,
Coralville Transit, and the University of Iowa to review the proposals and interview
candidates. The goal is to hire a consultant in the next 30-45 days. Ralston stated that the
MPO is hoping to have the study complete by the fall.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Bergus; Hoffman seconded. The meeting was adjourned
by Thomas at 5:37 PM.