HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.31.24 UAPB Agenda Packet1
MEETING NOTICE
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 – 4:30 PM
City of Iowa City – Council Chambers
410 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA
AGENDA
1.Call to Order
a.Recognize alternates & welcome new Board members
b.Consider approval of meeting minutes
c.Set next Board meeting date (April 3, location TBD)
2.Public Discussion of any item not on the agenda*
3.Administration
a.Report from nominating committee for 2024 MPOJC Board officers
i.Consider action
b.Consider approval of the FY25 MPOJC Budget and financial forecast
c.Consider approval of the FY25 Johnson County Assessments for the East Central Iowa Council of
Governments
d.Consider appointments to the East Central Iowa Council of Governments Board of Directors
e.Consider appointment of a representative to the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications
(SUDAS) Board of Directors
f.Discuss MPOJC Orientation opportunity for Board members
4.Transportation Planning
a.Consider approval of Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 Transit Operating Formula funding
apportionment for FY2023
b.Update on the MPOJC FY25 Transportation Planning Work Program and FY25-28 Transportation
Improvement Program
c.Update on the Metro Area Traffic Collision Analysis
d.Update on Metro Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Collision Data
e.Update on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant
f.Verbal update on the CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Study from the MPOJC Director
g.Verbal update on a transit pilot project from the Johnson County Mobility Coordinator
5.Other Business
6.Adjournment
Please note the MPOJC Rural Policy Board meeting will start after adjournment of the Urban Policy
Board meeting at approximately 6:00 PM.
*Public input is permitted on any agenda item. Please indicate to the Chair if you wish to comment on an agenda item. To request any
disability-related accommodations or language interpretation, please contact MPOJC staff at 319-356-5230 or Kent-Ralston@Iowa-City.org
48 hours prior to the meeting.
MINUTES DRAFT
MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD
NOVEMBER 15, 2023 – 4:30 PM
IOWA CITY CITY HALL – EMMA HARVAT HALL
410 E WASHINGTON ST, IOWA CITY, IA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Laurie Goodrich, Meghann Foster
Iowa City: Laura Bergus, John Thomas, Pauline Taylor,
Shawn Harmsen
Johnson County: Rod Sullivan
North Liberty: Brian Wayson, Chris Hoffman
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa: Greg Schmitt
Tiffin: Steve Berner
ICCSD: Molly Abraham
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Hannah Neel, Sarah Walz
OTHERS PRESENT: Matt Burkey
1.CALL TO ORDER
Thomas called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was held in Emma Harvat
Hall at Iowa City City Hall.
a.Recognize alternates
None.
b.Consider approval of meeting minutes
Sullivan moved to approve, and Berner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
c.Set next Board meeting date, time, and location
Tentatively scheduled for January 31st, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
2.PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
Matt Burkey, the Iowa Safe Routes to School coordinator for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition,
noted the success they had with the walk-, bike-, and roll-to-school day this year in
Johnson County and proposed a Safe Routes to School committee in collaboration with
MPOJC.
Ralston recognized members of the Urbanized Area Policy Board who would be rotating
off the Board next calendar year.
3.ADMINISTRATION
a.Confirm entities that will nominate Johnson County representatives to the East Central
Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) Board of Directors
Ralston explained that the MPO bylaws were revised and approved in 2020. Per the
revised bylaws, each January the Johnson County Board of Supervisors appoints one
elected official representative and a citizen representative, and the Urbanized Area
Policy Board appoints two elected official representatives. Ralston explained that the
first Urbanized Area Policy Board seat is filled by the four largest municipalities by
population, which alternate annually, and that the 2024 representative is to be
designated by the City of North Liberty. The second Urbanized Area Policy Board seat
is to be filled by the remaining municipalities which will also alternate annually, with
Oxford designating the 2024 representative. Ralston noted that he will be reaching out
to each entity to request their designations for each seat and that the designees will
be recognized at the January Urbanized Area Policy Board meeting.
b.Appoint a nominating committee for Calendar Year 2024 Urbanized Area Policy Board
officers
Ralston explained that at the January meeting of the Urbanized Area Policy Board, a
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson will be elected for the Calendar Year 2024
Urbanized Area Policy Board. Ralston also explained the duties of each position.
Ralston then asked for three volunteers to make up the nominating committee to
recommend a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Chris Hoffman, Laurie Goodrich,
and Brian Wayson volunteered.
c.Preliminary discussion of the FY25 MPOJC Budget
Ralston explained he did not anticipate any changes to the MPO scope of services or
operations with the Urbanized Area Policy Board before the January meeting where
the FY25 MPOJC budget will be brought to the Policy Board for consideration. Ralston
reminded the Policy Board of the focus and purpose of the MPO. Ralston then
explained an approximate 2.75% anticipated increase in the total MPO budget that is
primarily due to increases in staff salaries and health benefit costs. Ralston also
explained that there has been an increase in Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa
DOT) Planning Funds from $230,000 to $280,000 that will be used to ensure an
appropriate balance of funds per Iowa DOT guidelines and will defray local funding
necessary for MPO operations.
4.TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
A.Public Hearing and consideration of amendments to the FY24-27 MPOJC
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
Neel explained that the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the
programming document for all surface transportation projects that receive state or
federal funds, including street and highway, transit, rail, bicycle, and pedestrian
projects in the Iowa City urbanized area. Neel stated that to utilize these funds, projects
must be included in the TIP with accurate scope and funding sources and that to
maintain this accuracy, four amendments had been requested:
a.Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) – Adding Bridge Investment
Program (BIP) funding for the Burlington Street / Highway 1 bridge
improvements project
Neel stated that this project has been awarded $300,000 in earmarked Bridge
Investment Program (BIP) funding through the Iowa Department of
Transportation. These funds will be used for a study of alternatives,
stakeholder involvement and outreach, and environmental review. Neel
mentioned that Iowa City will provide a $300,000 local match for these funds.
Public Hearing
There were no comments from the public.
Consider an amendment to the FY24-27 MPOJC TIP
Wayson moved to approve; Foster seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
b.Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) – Adjusting funding amounts for the
Interstate 380 project from north of Forevergreen Road to north of Swan Lake
Road
Neel stated that the Iowa DOT is requesting this amendment due to project
costs increasing by over 50% in FY2024. Total funding amounts for FY2024
increased from $8,523,000 to $13,000,000. Costs for FY2025-2027 remain
unchanged.
Public Hearing
There were no comments from the public.
Consider an amendment to the FY24-27 MPOJC TIP
Sullivan moved to approve; Bergus seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
c.Coralville and University of Iowa – Adding Iowa Department of Transportation
(DOT) shortfall funding for two light-duty transit buses
Neel explained that this funding has been made available through the Iowa
DOT to make up for the increase in costs for vehicle replacements.
Public Hearing
There were no comments from the public.
Consider an amendment to the FY24-27 MPOJC TIP
Goodrich moved to approve; Hoffman seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
d.University of Iowa – Adjusting funding amounts and project description for a
maintenance facility expansion project
Neel explained the change in project description and changes in federal and
local amounts.
Public Hearing
There were no comments from the public.
Consider an amendment to the FY24-27 MPOJC TIP
Wayson moved to approve; Bergus seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
B.Consider a Resolution for the City of Tiffin’s Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program grant
application
Bothell explained that the Iowa Department of Transportation administers the Iowa
Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP), an initiative to fund transportation projects that
reduce transportation-related congestion and air pollution. Bothell explained that the
City of Tiffin is applying for ICAAP funding for the construction of a double -lane
roundabout on North Park Road. For the City of Tiffin to be eligible for ICAAP funding,
they must receive a resolution from the Urbanized Area Policy Board stating that the
project is in compliance with the adopted Long-Range Transportation Plan.
Bothell shared that staff recommended approving the enclosed resolution confirming
conformance with the MPOJC Long-Range Transportation Plan.
Sullivan moved to approve the resolution; Wayson seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
C.Consider approval of safety targets and performance measures for the MPO as
required by the Federal Highway Administration
Ralston reminded the Board of the requirement set by the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to set targets
for five safety performance measures as part of the Highway Safety Improvement
Program. Ralston stated that there are two options for these targets: to support and
adopt the State’s targets or to create individualized, quantifiable targets for each
measure as a metropolitan area.
Ralston recommended the adoption of the State’s targets and mentioned that there is
the opportunity to create local targets each year if it is felt that they would provide
additional benefit. Ralston then detailed the targets from the Iowa Department of
Transportation (Iowa DOT) and the data behind their methodology and current trends.
Berner moved to approve the State’s targets, Sullivan seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
D.Update on the CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study
Ralston reminded the Board of the Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study discussion that
began in the Spring for the CRANDIC Railroad corridor between Iowa City and North
Liberty. Ralston noted that the goal of the study is to allow local stakeholders to
compare the July 2020 Passenger Rail Studies with the elements of a Bus Rapid
Transit Feasibility study. Ralston said that the contract for the work was awarded to
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig (FHU) with Nelson Nygaard Associates in September and that
work should be complete by June 2024.
Foster stated that there have been some concerns raised by residents of Coralville
who live near the CRANDIC Railroad corridor about how this line could affect them.
Ralston reminded the Board that this is currently a very high-level study that is
intended to determine feasibility and that there will be ample time for public comment
before the Board and individual communities make any decisions.
E.Update on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant status
Walz explained that in July, MPO staff submitted an application for the MPOJC
Urbanized Area for a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant. Walz explained that
the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the SS4A discretionary grant
program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026. These funds
would be used to produce a Safety Action Plan to reduce roadway deaths and serious
injuries.
Walz stated that unfortunately the MPO’s application was not included in the first round
of awards that was announced in October, but that staff is hopeful that the MPO’s
application will be included in the December award announcement.
Ralston noted that if the MPO is awarded this grant to produce a Safety Action Plan,
the Urbanized Area would then be eligible for more grant funding for the
implementation of the Safety Action Plan in the future.
5.OTHER BUSINESS
a.Update on 380 Express funding – ECICOG Press Release
Ralston shared a press release from the East Central Iowa Council of Governments
(ECICOG) regarding the continuation of the Interstate 380 Express service until at
least June 2026. The Iowa Department of Transportation will continue to fund the
service due to the success of the program with approximately 350 riders per day.
b.Update on the final Severson Charity Challenge
Walz reminded the Committee of the past 11 years of the Linda Severson Charity
Challenge and the approximate $90,000 in donations that have been collected
benefitting local charities. Walz shared that a memorial bench was installed at
Wetherby Park in Linda’s honor. Walz thanked all who had contributed.
6.ADJOURNMENT
Bergus moved to adjourn the meeting, Sullivan seconded. The motion carried
unanimously. Thomas adjourned the meeting at 5:10 PM.
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Kent Ralston; Executive Director
Re: Agenda Item #3(a): Report from nominating committee for 2024 MPOJC Board
officers
At your November meeting you appointed a three-person nominating committee to nominate the
Chair and Vice Chair for the 2024 Urbanized Area Policy Board. The Committee was comprised
of Laurie Goodrich (Coralville), and Chris Hoffman and Brian Wayson (North Liberty). As
Director, it has been my practice to review agenda items and major work program activities with
the Chair prior to each Board meeting. The Vice Chair assumes the duties of the Chair when he
or she is not available.
The former Chair was John Thomas (Iowa City City Council). John’s last meeting was in
November as he is no longer on City Council. The current Vice Chair is Louise From (University
Heights Mayor), Louise has served two, one-year terms. There is a two-term limit for this
position so she can no longer serve as Vice Chair.
Please be prepared to receive the nominating committee’s verbal report and elect the Chair and
Vice Chair for the 2024 MPO Urbanized Area Policy Board.
I will be available at your January 31st meeting to answer any questions you may have.
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Kent Ralston, Executive Director
Re: Agenda Item #3(b): Consider approval of the FY25 MPOJC Budget and Financial
Forecast
The proposed FY25 Budget and Financial Forecast is attached. The primary focus of MPOJC
continues to be fulfilling federal and state requirements necessary for MPOJC entities to receive
state and federal formula and discretionary funds; and to produce locally-generated traffic
studies, grant applications, and mapping services for MPOJC members. These activities, large
and small, provide information on which capital project design, funding, policy and programming
decisions are made.
MPOJC is organized as a division of the City of Iowa City Neighborhood and Development
Services (NDS) Department, and MPOJC staff also serve as NDS staff. Personnel costs are
determined by the collective bargaining agreement between Iowa City and the American
Federation of State and County Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
The overall budget reflects an approximate 2.75% increase from FY24 – primarily due to
increases in costs for staff benefits and wages. After accounting for staff time devoted solely to
City of Iowa City functions, MPOJC assessments are based on population of MPOJC entities.
Population figures for each entity are now based on 2020 decennial census figures – as
required per the MPO Bylaws. The budget also reflects the continued use of internal carryover
funds and Iowa DOT funding. As noted at your November 15 meeting, I anticipate using
$280,000 of Iowa DOT ‘Planning Funds’ in FY25. This is an increase from $230,000 used in
previous years as a result of increases provided by the new transportation legislation. This
increase ensures an appropriate balance of funds per DOT guidelines and defrays local funding
necessary for MPO operations.
As in years past, I remain concerned with long-term federal support for MPOJC and its member
entities. Ongoing federal budget discussions and the volatile nature of the Highway Trust Fund
require that we continue to track federal policy and how it affects transportation funding for
MPOs like ours. I intend to keep the Board apprised on federal funding issues as information
becomes available.
Please consider approval of the FY25 MPOJC Budget and Financial Forecast. With approval, I
will forward the assessment schedule to your staff.
I will be available at your January 31st meeting to answer any questions you may have.
FY25 Budget and Financial Forecast
Adopted January 31, 2024 by the:
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board
MPOJC Rural Policy Board
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
Rural Policy Board
From: Kent Ralston, Executive Director
Re: FY25 MPOJC Budget and Financial Forecast
The Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County (MPOJC) is the designated planning organization for Johnson County, Iowa.
Assistance is provided to member agencies in the program areas of transportation planning, administration, and small communities
planning assistance by virtue of a 28E agreement. The MPOJC Urbanized Area and Rural Policy Boards have authority over the policies
and work programs of the organization. The MPOJC website (www.mpojc.org) provides general information about the organization,
published technical reports, agendas, and meeting minutes of all public meetings.
MPOJC is organized administratively under the City of Iowa City and staff members are subject to all rights and benefits afforded to City
of Iowa City employees. Non-administrative staff are organized under the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
(AFSCME). MPOJC staff also serve as staff in the City of Iowa City Neighborhood and Development Services Department. Because
MPOJC is organized as a division of the City of Iowa City, MPOJC follows City of Iowa City administrative and personnel polic ies. This
overall structure allows for cost-effective sharing of expenditures and services.
The focus of MPOJC remains to fulfill federal and state requirements necessary for receiving both formula and discretionary state and
federal funding and to produce a wide variety of transportation studies for member agencies. These studies are intended to result in better
information on which to base local policy and project programming decisions.
The proposed FY25 MPOJC Budget and Financial Forecast reflects the program of services, policies, and staffing approved by the Board.
The overall FY25 budget reflects a 2.75% increase from the FY24 budget and is primarily due to adjustments in salaries and benefits.
The remaining budget is largely the same as previous years with respect to technical and professional services, travel and education, and
software. As in previous years, the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) is scheduled to contribute a large portion of the overall
MPO budget in FY25 – the anticipated Iowa DOT contribution is $280,000 which is a $50,000 increase from FY24. MPOJC also carries
reserve funds to buffer against unexpected budget increases, or potential loss of funding. This continues to be important due to ongoing
uncertainty of federal funding.
MPOJC continues to employ 1-3 planning interns funded by the University of Iowa. The University of Iowa’s $23,817 assessment will be
used to fund intern expenses throughout the year. If this amount is not fully expended during the year, the balance becomes available for
other expenses.
As in the last budget, the FY25 budget is explicit in showing additional assessments specific to Iowa City due to staff time devoted solely
to Iowa City specific duties. These duties include traffic engineering services, administration of the traffic calming program, participation
in planning committees, review of rezoning and subdivision applications, and other special projects.
The budget also reflects capital expenses for the replacement of traffic counters, traffic counting software, and GIS software to maintain
our mapping and visualization abilities. The traffic counters are used for the traffic analysis data collection program and are subjected to
extreme conditions. It is important that there be a regular program of replacement for this equipment. For our traffic forecasting capabilities,
we are proposing to continue to upgrade our travel demand model software to be consistent with the Iowa DOT state-wide travel demand
model.
Following is a summary of the proposed Budget and Financial Forecast and FY25 assessments. Assessment figures now use the
available 2020 decennial Census population data as required by the MPO Bylaws.
MPOJC Budget FY25 – FY27
MPOJC is designated by the Governor of the State of Iowa as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Iowa City Urbanized Area.
The MPOJC Transportation Planning Division must fulfill the state and federal requirements of the 3-C transportation planning process. This
process is required of all urbanized areas to maintain eligibility for grant programs and transportation operations funds of the United States
Department of Transportation and the Iowa Department of Transportation.
The Administration Division consists of a half-time Executive Director, and a .2 FTE Administrative Secretary. The Administration Division provides
oversight and support to the staff of MPOJC. The Executive Director supervises all MPOJC personnel, coordinates the budget process and the
preparation of division work programs.
As MPOJC staff also serve the City of Iowa City Neighborhood and Development Services Department, this budget reflects Iowa City specific
funding for 0.5 FTE Administration and 1.0 FTE Transportation Planner for Iowa City duties.
1Forecasts assume a 3% increase
2Student interns are funded entirely by the University of Iowa
FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27
Budgeted Proposed Forecast1 Forecast1
Salaries and Benefits $665,251 $690,100 $710,803 $732,127
Technical and Professional Services &
Maintenance, Travel and Education $70,416 $68,219 $70,266 $72,374
Operating Costs;including office
supplies,traffic counting and mapping
equipment/software
$10,195 $8,700 $8,961 $9,230
Subtotal $745,862 $767,019 $790,030 $813,730
University of Iowa Student Interns 2 $23,817 $23,817 $23,817 $23,817
TOTAL $769,679 $790,836 $813,847 $837,547
Expenditures
Summary of FY25 Assessments
Note: Figures do not include specific funding for Iowa City Neighborhood & Development Services, equivalent to 0.5 Administration Budget ($89,250) and 1.0 FTE Transportation Planning ($147,130).
MPOJC Assessment Explanation
1. Assessment for Rural entities is 1% of the overall MPO assessment. Rural Board communities utilize MPO planning services but are not eligible for MPO grant funds.
2. 0.5 FTE of Administration Division and 1.0 FTE of Transportation Planning Division are for Iowa City related functions and are not reflected in assessments to other communities.
3. This budget does not include East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) assessments.
4. Assessment figures may not reflect exact population percentages shown due to rounding.
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Kent Ralston, Executive Director
Re: Agenda Item #3(c): Consider approval of the FY25 Johnson County Assessments to
the East Central Iowa Council of Governments
MPOJC collects East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) dues for Johnson
County entities and forwards the funds to ECICOG. ECICOG assessments are calculated on a
per-capita basis for the counties ECICOG serves, and we in turn calculate a per -capita
assessment for each governmental entity within Johnson County. This budget reflects new
population figures for each entity based on 2020 census figures – as required per the MPO
Bylaws.
For FY25, ECICOG has proposed a 2% increase for all the counties it serves. ECICOG made a
modification to its funding structure for FY23 to include an additional planning assistance
assessment for all entities – except for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
entitlement cities. This change was made for all counites served by ECICOG. The effect of the
change was that Johnson County now pays an additional assessment for the rural county
population and University Heights is also assessed for its population. These entities historically
did not pay the additional assessment. All other non-entitlement communities paid the
assessment in the past. These changes are reflected in the attached assessment schedule.
ECICOG is the designated Regional Planning Association for east-central Iowa, including
Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Tama and Washington Counties. ECICOG provides
planning and grant administration services in the areas of community and economic
development, housing, transportation, and solid waste management. More information about
ECICOG can be found at www.ecicog.org. A member of ECICOG staff plans to attend our
January 31st meeting to discuss ECICOG services and answer any questions you have.
Please be prepared to consider approval of the FY25 East Central Iowa Council of
Governments Assessment Schedule (attached). With approval, I will forward this to your staff
for their records.
I will be at your January 31st meeting to answer any questions you may have.
East Central Iowa Council of Governments
FY25 Assessment Schedule
Adopted January 31, 2024 by the:
MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board
MPOJC Rural Policy Board
Date: January 24, 2024
To: MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board
MPOJC Rural Policy Board
From: Kent Ralston, Executive Director
Re: FY25 ECICOG Assessment Schedule
The East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) is the Regional Planning Association for east-central Iowa, including Benton,
Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Tama and Washington Counties. ECICOG conducts planning and grant administration services in the
areas of community and economic development, housing, transportation, and solid waste management. ECICOG is governed by a policy
board including elected officials and citizen representatives.
In 2010, the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County (MPOJC) Urbanized Area Policy Board directed that the schedule of
ECICOG assessments be considered separately from the annual MPOJC budget. ECICOG assesses counties on a per capita basis. In
Johnson County, governmental entities are in-turn assessed on a per-capita basis. ECICOG has proposed a 2% rate increase for all the
counties it serves for FY25. This assessment schedule reflects 2020 Census figures for each entity as required by the MPO Bylaws.
East Central Iowa Council of Governments FY25 – FY27 Assessments
FY24 FY25 FY26 1 FY271
Actual Proposed Forecast Forecast
$85,068 $86,769 $88,505 $90,275
Community Population %Assessment2 %Assessment2 %Assessment2
Iowa City 74,828 48.95%$32,152 ----37.06%$32,152
Johnson County (rural)21,884 14.32%$9,403 28.05%$5,915 17.65%$15,318
Coralville 22,318 14.60%$9,590 28.60%$6,032 18.00%$15,622
North Liberty 20,479 13.40%$8,800 26.25%$5,535 16.52%$14,335
Solon 3,018 1.97%$1,297 3.87%$816 2.43%$2,113
Tiffin 4,512 2.95%$1,939 5.78%$1,220 3.64%$3,158
Lone Tree 1,357 0.89%$583 1.74%$367 1.09%$950
University Heights 1,228 0.80%$528 1.57%$332 0.99%$860
Swisher 914 0.60%$393 1.17%$247 0.74%$640
Oxford 722 0.47%$310 0.93%$195 0.58%$505
Hills 863 0.56%$371 1.11%$233 0.70%$604
Shueyville 731 0.48%$314 0.94%$198 0.59%$512
152,854 100.0%$65,679 100.0%$21,090 100.0%$86,769
Small Communities Planning Assistance Total FY25 ECICOG AssessmentGeneral Assessment
Expenditures
Payment to ECICOG
Assessments
ECICOG is a multi-county regional planning agency which includes Johnson C ounty. It is Region 10 in the state’s system of regional planning agencies.
Planning assistance is available through ECICOG to the small communities in Johnson County. All municipalities in Johnson County pay a population-based
general assessment for the overall support of ECICOG. An additional planning assistance assessment is made to all communities – except Iowa City which
is a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement city.
1Assumes a 2% increase.
2 Assessment figures may not equal exact percentages shown due to rounding.
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Kent Ralston, Executive Director
Re: Agenda Item #3(d): Consider appointments to the East Central Iowa Council of
Governments Board of Directors
At your November meeting, we discussed the MPO entities responsible for appointments to the
East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) Board of Directors for 2024. Per our
bylaws, the entities responsible to appoint elected officials for 2024 include Johnson County,
North Liberty, and Oxford. There is also one citizen appointment to the Board of Directors for
which the Johnson County Board of Supervisors appoints. The official appointees from each
entity include:
Johnson County: Jon Green (County Supervisor)
North Liberty: Chris Hoffman (Mayor)
Oxford: Sean Murphy (City Council)
Citizen Appointment: Allison Wells
Please be prepared to consider approval of the appointments to the ECICOG Board of
Directors.
I will be available at your January 31st meeting to answer any questions you may have.
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Kent Ralston; Executive Director
Re: Agenda Item #3(e): Consider appointment of a representative to the Statewide Urban
Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Board of Directors
Every other year MPOJC is asked to appoint an MPOJC representative to the Statewide Urban
Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Board of Directors. SUDAS is a non-profit organization
which maintains Iowa manuals for public improvement design standards and specifications,
including sanitary sewer, water mains, streets and sidewalks, utility locations, drainage and
erosion control, and others. SUDAS is managed by Iowa State University’s Institute for
Transportation.
Scott Larson, Assistant City Engineer for the City of Coralville, is our current MPO
representative and has served on the SUDAS Board since 2005. Mr. Larson currently serves
as the SUDAS Board President and has indicated his willingness and desire to continue to
represent the MPO for another two-year term.
At their January 23rd meeting, the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee unanimously
recommended reappointing Scott Larson to the SUDAS Board of Directors. Please be prepared
to consider appointment of a representative. The only requirement for this appointment is that
the representative be a professional engineer working for one of the MPOJC entities.
I will be available at the January 31st meeting to answer any questions you may have.
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Kent Ralston; Executive Director
Re: Agenda Item #3(f): Discuss MPOJC Orientation opportunity for Board members
For new Board members, or current Board members who desire a refresher, I would like to
provide a short orientation explaining the designation and role of the MPO, services provided by
the MPO, and the structure of the MPO.
Please be prepared to indicate if you are interested and I will identify possible dates that will
work for a group orientation. I will be available at your January 31st meeting to answer any
questions you may have.
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Hannah Neel, Associate Transportation Planner
Re: Agenda Item #4(a): Consider approval of Federal Transit Administration Section 5307
Transit Operating Formula funding apportionment for FY2023
Iowa DOT has indicated that MPOJC has a total of $4,672,402 available in FY2023 FTA Section
5307 operating assistance. This amount includes Small Transit Intensive Communities (STIC)
funding. Section 5307 funds can be used for transit operating and capital expenses.
For more than 10 years, the MPO used the same local formula to distribute these funds based on
prior year transit statistics from each of the three systems; 25% operating/maintenance costs,
25% locally determined income (LDI), 25% revenue miles, and 25% fare revenue. Iowa City
Transit requested a review of the formula prior to their agency offering a zero-fare system
beginning on August 1, 2023. In addition, the University of Iowa Cambus system does not charge
a fare and had never received credit for the fare revenue portion of the formula.
Although the percentage/allocation to each of the transit systems has fluctuated over time, a
review of past allocations showed that year-over-year changes were small. After discussions with
the transit managers, the consensus was to simply adopt a fixed percentage-based allocation
(starting with FY 2023 allocations and extending through FY 2027), based on a historic average,
and to review those percentages if/when there are major changes to any of the systems (e.g.
routes or operations costs). At the July 11, 2023 meeting, the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy
Board approved the following fixed percentages to apportion FTA 5307 funds (Coralville 16.10%,
Iowa City 60.50%, and University of Iowa Cambus 23.40%).
The following table shows the approved FY2022 apportionment and the FY2023 proposed
funding apportionment amounts. Once approved, the MPO will complete and submit the required
annual FTA Section 5307 applications on behalf of each transit system.
Staff is requesting Board approval of the proposed apportionment of the FY2023 FTA Section
5307 operating funds. The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee unanimously
recommended approval of the apportionment at their January 23rd meeting.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this information, please contact me at 319-356-
5235 or Hannah-Neel@iowa-city.org.
2
Approved FY2022 and Proposed FY2023 Section 5307 Operating Apportionments
System
FY2022
Multiplier*
FY2022 Total
Apportionment
FY2023
Multiplier**
FY2023 Total
Apportionment
Coralville 0.1583 $ 722,663 0.1610 $ 752,257
Iowa City 0.6133 $ 2,799,804 0.6050 $ 2,826,803
CAMBUS 0.2284 $ 1,042,679 0.2340 $ 1,093,342
TOTAL 1.0000 $ 4,565,146 1.0000 $ 4,672,402
*FY2022 Multiplier was based on an average of the percentages of total operating costs, locally
determined income, revenue miles, and fare revenue.
**FY2023 Multiplier is a fixed percentage based on the average of 10 years of historic multipliers.
Historic multipliers were calculated based on total operating costs, locally determined income,
revenue miles, and fare revenue.
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Kent Ralston; Executive Director
Re: Agenda Item #4(b): Update on the MPOJC FY25 Transportation Planning Work
Program and FY25-28 Transportation Improvement Program
FY25 Transportation Planning Work Program
The 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 a coordinated effort involving the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee,
Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), and Urbanized Area Policy Board. Annual Work
Program items include all state and federally required planning processes and documentation,
ongoing and routine projects, and special projects requested by member entities.
We will begin soliciting for FY25 Work Program projects in February. If you have special
projects in mind for the Work Program, please feel free to discuss them with any MPO staff
person. The draft Work Program must be submitted to the Iowa DOT, Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) by April 1. The Urbanized
Area Policy Board will approve the final Work Program in May.
FY25-28 Transportation Improvement Program
The MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the programming document for
federally funded transportation improvements within the Iowa City Urbanized Area. This
document includes federally funded transportation projects for all modes of transportation
including streets, highways, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian projects.
The importance of the TIP is that it formalizes the specific projects to receive federal funds, and
the year in which the projects receive funding. The Urbanized Area Policy Board considers
approval of the annual TIP after receiving a recommendation from the Transportation Technical
Advisory Committee (TTAC). In 2023, the Urbanized Area Policy Board allocated $9.3 million in
Surface Transportation Block Grant funds which will be reflected in the FY25-28 TIP. In the
spring of 2025, the Board will again allocate funds – approximately $7 million in Surface
Transportation Block Grant funds, $1.8 million in Transportation Alternative Program funds and
$2.8 million in Carbon Reduction Program funds which will be reflected in the FY26-FY29 TIP.
In July, the Urbanized Area Policy Board will consider the FY2025-28 TIP for adoption. In
preparation for public review of the draft TIP, we will work with your staffs to ensure projects are
programmed in the appropriate fiscal year.
I will be at your January 31st meeting to answer any questions you have.
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Emily Bothell; Senior Associate Transportation Planner
Re: Agenda Item #4(c): Update on the Metro Area Traffic Collision Analysis
MPO staff has completed an update to the Metro Area Traffic Collision Analysis. The updated
analysis identifies any intersection or mid-block location that experienced three or more
collisions in the urbanized area between 2020 and 2022. The analysis then ranks these
locations based on a formula using number of collisions, crash rates, and severity of collisions.
The document helps determine which locations, by jurisdiction, could benefit from potential
countermeasures, such as infrastructure improvements, that could reduce the number and
severity of collisions. The analysis in its entirety will be available in a few weeks. Attached is a
portion of the analysis identifying the top ten highest-ranking intersection collision locations
(Figure 1) and the top five highest-ranking midblock collision locations (Figure 2) in the
urbanized area.
I will be available at your January 31st meeting to answer any questions.
.
Figure 1: Top Ten Intersection Collision Locations in the Urbanized Area
North Liberty
Coralville
Iowa City
Figure 2: Top Five Mid-Block Collision Locations in the Urbanized Area
Iowa City
Coralville
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Sarah Walz; Associate Transportation Planner
Re: Agenda Item #4(d): Update on Metro Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Collision Data
One of the guiding principles in the MPO’s adopted 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan is the
safety of all modes of transportation. The Plan identifies the number of pedestrian and bicycle
collisions and resulting injuries and fatalities in its safety performance measures.
The following shows the changes in reported bicycle and pedestrian collisions since 2012 and
the severity of those collisions. The data were obtained from the Iowa DOT’s Crash Analysis
Tool on 01/11/2024. These data do not include collisions that occur on private property. Also
excluded are any collisions on I-80/380 and U.S. Highway 218.
Figure 1. Annual Metro Area Pedestrian and Bicycle Collision Trends, 2012-2023
The number of reported collisions involving bicycles and pedestrians began trending downward
around 2016, with bicycle collisions reduced by more than 60% between 2015 and 2021. The
record lows for both bicycle and pedestrian collisions in 2020/21 may be related to the COVID-
19 pandemic, when vehicle miles travel declined. Both bicycle and pedestrian collisions then
increased in 2022 as COVID restrictions ended and travel normalized. In 2023, collisions
appear to be returning to the previous downward trend, with pedestrian collisions at their second
lowest and bike collisions at their third lowest in a decade.
2
Figure 2. Annual Reported Metro Pedestrian Collisions and Injury Severity, 2012-2023
The trendline of collisions recorded each year tells only part of the story. To get a complete
picture of safety of our roadways, we also consider the number and percentage of serious
injuries and fatalities that result from these collisions.
Figure 2 (above) shows the number of pedestrian collisions for each year with the percentage of
collisions that resulted in serious injury or fatality. While the total number of pedestrian collisions
dropped by more than a third from 2022 to 2023, the percentage of pedestrian collisions
resulting in serious injury or fatality increased by nearly a quarter.
Figure 3. Safety Performance Measures for Pedestrian Collisions, 5-year trends
Pedestrian Collisions Total number of collisions 146 106
Serious-injuries/fatalities Total number of serious injuries & fatalities 21 19
Severity rate Severe injuries & fatalities / collisions 14%18%
Performance Measure Definitions 2014-2018 2019-2023
As shown above in Figure 3, the five-year trends for pedestrian collisions and resulting severe
injuries and fatalities show that despite a decrease in the number of collisions and resulting
severe injuries, the likelihood that a collision will result in severe injury or fatality is increasing.
3
Figure 4. Annual Reported Metro Bicycle Collisions and Injury Severity, 2012-2023
Figure 4 presents bicycle collision numbers in comparison to severe injuries and fatalities.
Similar to the pattern with reported Metro Area pedestrian collisions, the number of bicycle
collisions has been trending downward since 2016, reaching its lowest numbers in 2020 and
2021. Again, changes in travel due to the COVID 19 pandemic likely contributed to this
significant drop in collisions. As travel normalized in 2022, bicycle collisions increased by more
than 50% though serious injury/fatality numbers remained low. In 2023, bicycle collisions
dropped by 18%, returning to a downward trend.
The trend of serious injuries and fatalities for bicycle collisions is more favorable than the
pedestrian trend. Though the rate of serious injuries and fatalities increased in 2020 and 2021,
the rate dropped significantly in 2022 and again in 2023. Last year, the Metro Area recorded no
serious injury or fatal bicycle crashes. This was the first year that no fatal or serious-injury
bicycle collisions were recorded in more than a decade.
Figure 5. Safety Performance Measures for Pedestrian Collisions, 5-year trends
Bicycle collisions Total collisions 200 122
Severe Injuries/fatalities Total number of serious injuries & fatalities 17 7
Severity rate Severe injuries & fatalities / total collisons 9%6%
Definitions 2014-2018 2019-2023 Performance Measure
As shown above in Figure 5, the five-year trends for bicycle collisions and resulting severe
injuries and fatalities show a decrease in all measures.
4
The safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, our most vulnerable road users, is a top priority for the
MPO. Complete streets policies and the investments each community has made in sidewalks,
trails, and intersection treatments play an essential role in reducing pedestrian and bicycle
collisions and making active modes of transportation and recreation accessible.
As the recently awarded Safe Streets and Roads for All grant allows us to move forward in
developing a Safety Action Plan, we will identify those locations and conditions where bicycles
and pedestrians may be most at risk and propose countermeasures to improve safety and
eliminate serious injuries and fatalities.
Date: January 24, 2024
To: Urbanized Area Policy Board
From: Sarah Walz; Associate Transportation Planner
Re: Agenda Item #4(e): Update on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant
In July 2023, MPO staff submitted an application on behalf of the MPOJC urbanized area for a
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
established the SS4A discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years,
2022-2026. SS4A program grants go directly to regional, local, and Tribal communities for
implementation, planning, and demonstration projects driven at the local level to improve safety
and help prevent deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways.
On December 13, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced its second round of grant
awards. The MPO’s application was awarded a $300,000 grant to create a Safety Action Plan
focused on reducing roadway deaths and serious injuries. The adoption of such a plan will in
turn make urbanized area communities eligible for demonstration and implementation grants
through the same program to correct issues identified in the Safety Action Plan.
There are several steps we must go through before publishing a Request for Proposal to hire a
consultant. We will be in touch with communities soon regarding matching funds and other
details.