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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.16.16 TTAC Minutes APPROVED MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016 -10:30 AM EMMA HARVAT HALL, IOWA CITY MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Dan Holderness, Vicki Robrock Iowa City: Scott Sovers, Mark Rummel, Ron Knoche Johnson County: Tom Brase, Ed Bartels North Liberty: Dean Wheatley University Heights: Wally Heitman University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey Iowa DOT: Catherine Cutler RTBC: None ECICOG: Brock Grenis FHWA: None STAFF PRESENT: Brad Neumann, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Sarah Walz, Emily Bothell, Kent Ralston, Jasmine Ketelsen OTHERS PRESENT: None 1. CALL TO ORDER; RECOGNIZE ALTERNATES; CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Neumann called the meeting to order at 10:30 and recognized Ed Bartels as an alternate for Greg Parker (Johnson County) and Scott Sovers as an alternate for Jason Havel (Iowa City). Wheatly moved to approve the minutes for the meeting on March 22nd, 2016; Knoche seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA None 3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING APPROVAL OF THE FY2017 MPOJC TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WORK PROGRAM Nagle-Gamm explained that the work program includes all locally-requested projects the MPO received from MPO member-entities and general projects and procedures as required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Nagle-Gamm asked for comments and/or questions from the committee. Wheatley moved to approve; Holderness seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING DRAFT FY2017-2020 MPOJC TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) PROJECTS 2 Neumann explained that each year the Federal Transit Administration requires each transit agency in the metropolitan area to produce a program of projects, which consists of a list of potential capital projects without funding sources specifically identified. The FY17 program of projects was provided. Most of the purchases listed are for federally funded buses. The projects will be included in the Iowa DOT’s annual consolidated funding application for each transit system. Neumann commented that all DOT projects have been submitted as of May 18th, 2016. He also noted that Coralville’s Iowa River Corridor project has been added to the TIP, and Coralville’s 1st Avenue project was approved for “advanced construction” and is programmed for FY18. Three projects have been removed from the list including a North Liberty project on Penn Street (which has already begun construction), the Gateway project in Iowa City, and a trail project that is under construction in Tiffin. Holderness moved to approve the recommendation to the Urbanized Area Policy Board; McClatchey seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 5. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING PRIORITZATION OF CAPITAL TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FOR THE 2017-2045 MPOJC LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Nagle-Gamm updated the committee on recent activity regarding the MPOJC Long Range Transportation Plan, including hosting public workshops and facilitating online surveys to receive public feedback. Nagle-Gamm went on to explain that the MPO developed federal funding estimates for 2017-2045. Capital infrastructure project scoring was explained by Nagle-Gamm. Wheatly asked if the Road Use Tax Fund was used when the MPO was determining the amount of funding anticipated. Ralston answered that Road-use Tax Funds are not specifically used, but a 40% local match is included in the estimates. Nagle-Gamm explained funding shortages, and how there are generally always more infrastructure needs than federal funding. Holderness asked if public comments factored into the final score of each project. Nagle-Gamm answered that they did not, but that the Board has the ability to move projects based on that feedback. Knoche questioned whether project 14 should fall under DOT management rather than the city’s jurisdiction. Knoche identified three projects—11, 38, and 41—that the funding has recently been programmed and needs to be displayed as such on the Long Range Plan. Nagle-Gamm noted that she would update the project list so that projects approved in the TIP were reflected correctly. Knoche asked a question regarding the year of expenditure for all construction costs. Ralston explained that the projected time-frame for completion is mid-year for all projects for Iowa DOT Guidance. Holderness moved to approve and Heitman seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 6. UPDATE ON IOWA DOT I-380 CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION STUDY 3 Neumann explained the continued participation of MPOJC in the Iowa DOT’s Express Bus Service Subcommittee. Service would begin in 2018 with 2025 funding provided by the DOT. Cutler explained that the interchange project is set to begin in July 2018 and will continue for five years. The potential interchange at Forevergreen Road and Interstate 380 was approved and will pushed forward to 2017. The environmental stage of planning for the expansion to six lanes on portions of Interstate 380 met NEPA requirements. Cutler mentioned that expansion on Interstate 80 from Iowa City to West Branch from four lanes to six is also being considered. Neumann noted the DOT hosted two open houses to gain feedback on the Express Bus service. McClatchey expressed positive feedback from the first open house on May 17th. 7. UPDATE ON CRANDIC PASSENGER RAIL STUDY Neumann explained changes taking place from Phase I of the project to Phase II. The Phase II study would focus on the CRANDIC line from Forevergreen Road in North Liberty to Gilbert Street in Iowa City; a distance of 8.1 miles; the line would be operated exclusively as a passenger route (no freight) which would eliminate some of the costs/requirements for a mixed passenger/freight line; locate 6-8 stations/stops; provide a 30 minute headway service during peak times, hourly during non-peak times; use CRT diesel locomotives with cars; two unites operating in each direction. Neumann noted MPOJC continues to work with CRANDIC and the Iowa DOT to establish a contract and cost for Phase II that focuses on the above. When a contract and fee estimate is finalized, MPOJC intends to reach out to stakeholders to inquire about their interest in proceeding with the study and request financial assistance. 8. OTHER BUSINESS Grenis mentioned there is a new van pool service to be implemented by October 1st and will serve all seven counties in the region. Wheatly stated that construction on Penn Street continues and is looking like a positive change. Sovers provided information on the construction in the 100 block of Washington Street between Clinton Street and Dubuque Street. Knoche mentioned that preconstruction for the Gateway project is set to begin May 18th and official construction is set to begin in June. Phase I of the project is to complete the Park Road portion before Hancher Auditorium opens up in the fall. 2018 is the projected completion time for this project. Heitman informed the Committee that the construction on Sunset Street and Melrose Avenue should finish up next week. McClatchey announceed that two temporary flood routes that have been running for nearly eight years have been discontinued. He sees this as a positive sign of the transportation changes taking place in Iowa City. 9. ADJOURNMENT Knoche moved to adjourn; Wheatly seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 11:15am.