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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.17.22 TTAC MinutesMINUTES APPROVED MPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2022 - 10:30 AM CITY OF IOWA CITY – EMMA HARVAT HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Kelly Hayworth, Vicky Robrock Iowa City: Mark Rummel, Scott Sovers, Ron Knoche, Darian Nagle-Gamm Johnson County: Tom Brase, Greg Parker North Liberty: Sara Doermann (alternate) Tiffin: Doug Boldt University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Brian McClatchey RTBC: Bob Oppliger Iowa DOT: Catherine Cutler STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Sarah Walz, Frank Waisath, Hannah Neel OTHERS PRESENT: Brian Willham 1. CALL TO ORDER Ralston called the meeting to order at 10:32 AM. a. Recognize alternates Sara Doermann was recognized as an alternate for Ryan Rusnak (North Liberty). b. Consider approval of meeting minutes Parker moved for approval, Rummel seconded. 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 DRAFT FY2023-2026 MPOJC TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) PROJECTS Ralston explained that the annual Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a local document for programming federal and state surface transportation and transit funds, compiled annually. Ralston asked the Committee to review the projects listed in the packet and contact staff with any necessary updates. Ralston noted that in 2021, at the recommendation of this Committee, the Urbanized Area Policy Board (UAPB) awarded $7.38 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds for projects to be programmed in FY25 and FY26. The projects programmed in FY25 included the Iowa City Taft Avenue reconstruction project at $3.5 million, Coralville’s Highway 6 and Deer Creek Road improvement project at $860,000, and University Heights’ Sunset Street pavement repair and pedestrian improvement project at $115,000. The two projects programmed in FY26 were North Liberty’s Ranshaw Way reconstruction project at $2.9 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding and $520,000 in Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funding for Iowa City’s Highway 6 trail extension project. Ralston noted that this past spring, the Board voted to program approximately $60,000 in STBG funds to participate in the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (Iowa DOT) pavement data collection program for local roads. The draft TIP also includes Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5307 operating funds apportioned by the UAPB this past January and includes projects from the MPO transit Program of Projects, which was approved by the UAPB this past April. Ralston finally noted that once the draft TIP is approved, there will be a 30-day public notice, where the list will be mailed to public input organizations and federal partners (Iowa DOT, Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration). Nagle-Gamm asked when the deadline is to make additions; Ralston responded with a date of July 13th, 2022 before the final TIP is presented to the UAPB for final approval. The final TIP is due July 15th, 2022. Hayworth inquired about the process of submitting the Forevergreen Road extension for inclusion in the TIP, which Ralston stated that once it’s funded (with federal funding) it will then be programmed in the TIP. Parker moved for approval of the draft TIP list of projects, McClatchey seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING APPROVAL OF THE MPOJC FY2023 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING WORK PROGRAM Ralston explained that the Transportation Planning Work Program (TPWP) includes all locally requested projects received from member entities as well as general projects and procedures that need to be included as dictated by the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administration. Ralston noted that since the previous meeting, Coralville added an all-way stop analysis to the draft list of projects (project number 21). Parker moved for approval of the MPOJC FY23 Transportation Planning Work Program, Boldt seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 5. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING APPROVAL OF THE MPOJC 2050 TRAVEL DEMAND MODEL & LONG_RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Bothell announced that the Long-Range Transportation Plan and Travel Demand Model for 2050 are now complete. The emphasis of the Plan remains on the nine guiding principles and an expanded set of performance measures to track progress into the future. With emerging technology such as automated and connected vehicles, the Plan retains emphasis on equity and quality of life. It also helps in decision making over the next five years in regard to prioritizing projects for federal funding opportunities. Since the last Committee meeting, the draft Plan was sent to the Policy Board, Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administration for review and final comment. The Plan was also published for a 30- day public comment period. The MPOJC received positive feedback and thanked the Committee for their help in the development of the Plan. Knoche made a motion to recommend approval of the 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan and Travel Demand Model, From seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 6. UPDATE FROM IOWA DOT DISTRICT 6 STAFF ON MAJOR PROJECTS IN THE URBANIZED AREA Cutler described the first project on Interstate 80 at Herbert Hoover Highway, stating that the new bridge is complete. The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) is continuing work on barrier rails and new ramp alignments. Traffic will be switched onto the new bridge in early June, allowing for demolition of the old bridge and construction on the I-80 eastbound lanes. Regarding the 1st Avenue and I-80 Interchange project, contractors are working to accommodate pedestrians and bicycles through this area. The letting for this project is now in August and Coralville secured a BUILD grant for this project. If project bids come in too high, the project may need to be re-let in the fall. This will be a multi-year project. On the Interstate 80/Interstate 380 project, contractors are shifting lanes to new pavement on I-380 and in the eastbound direction on I-80. The southbound bridges are being worked on as well. This includes Clear Creek, US-6, the Iowa Interstate Railroad, and Clear Creek/80. Construction is estimated to be completed in 2023. The new Interstate 380 southbound to Interstate 80 eastbound flyover ramp is to be completed this summer. The last expected project to be completed is the Park Road bridge in Tiffin over Interstate 80 in 2024. 7. OTHER BUSINESS Oppliger noted that it is bike month, and in addition to this the Bicyclists of Iowa City Group received a grant to train five people to give bicycle courses through League Cycling Instructor Training. Classes will be offered later this year for everything bicycle-related as well as seminars beginning in the winter months. Hayworth asked when the section of trail between Tiffin and Kent Park will be constructed. Parker responded that there was recently an alignment change but that the date of completion is unknown. Sovers described recent project updates, beginning with phase two of American Legion Road reconstruction from Barrington Avenue to Taft Avenue. The Benton Street rehabilitation project is let through the Iowa Department of Transportation since it utilizes federal funds and will be bid in June. This project will extend over two construction seasons, with most of the utility work done this year and reconstruction completed the following year. Construction is well underway at the intersection of First Avenue and Scott Boulevard and traffic flow has not been interrupted. The completion date for this project is July 8th. Plans are finalized for the reconstruction of Rochester Avenue from Ralston Creek to First Avenue and bids will be received on May 24th, 2022. The Melrose Avenue project is in its second year as they continue to conduct staged construction with temporary signals. Lastly, the first section of the Highway 6 trail project is scheduled for this year. Knoche mentioned Iowa City’s open house for Public Works Week with contributions from the Old Capital Quilters Guild, city vehicle displays, and other entertainment. McClatchey noted the planning and design taking place on the west side of campus in conjunction with the University and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, especially as it relates to parking facilities. Traffic studies are currently underway to measure possible implications of new developments on the west side. The University transit system is also looking to get on-demand software. Since COVID, they have been running a late night on- demand service from nine until midnight and primarily to commuter lots, which is tracked manually. They are now looking to track this electronically in conjunction with the Transit App and to expand this service. Cambus is expecting delivery of a couple mini-buses but is unsure of when they are to be delivered. It has been difficult to gather applicants for new staffing. Cambus has been trying to certify drivers quicker to mitigate the loss of new applicants through this process. They are conducting a study on their maintenance facility to look at possible expansion to include the incorporation of the Fleet Services facility to the north. Lastly, Cambus is planning for its 50-year anniversary open house at the maintenance facility the weekend before Homecoming. From notes that starting on June 7th, University Heights will hold a Farmers Market at the Courtyard Marriott from 4PM – 6PM. Nagle-Gamm noted the success of the Electric Bus Bash and the mobility of the buses in general. Iowa City has been experiencing the same staffing shortages as Cambus, having to reduce service for the first time this past fall due to a lack of CDL-certified drivers. The next phases of the transit study are also underway led by a conversation with the City Council regarding Sunday service. Ralston mentioned that NTD sampling begins July 1st. Rummel noted that the busses are still using temporary chargers as they await the delivery of the permanent ones to fully launch the electric bus fleet. More bus shelters will be installed this summer as well. Knoche mentioned that they are still working through the permit process for a conductive concrete bus shelter area on Muscatine Avenue, east of First Avenue. The research project involves running a charge to the concrete to melt snow in the winter months. In regard to staffing issues, public works is experiencing the same issues with CDL applicants. They have since chosen to use a website to conduct a portion of the training for entry level drivers, with an official trainer to sign-off and certify them based on a checklist of requirements. 8. ADJOURNMENT Knoche moved to adjourn, McClatchey seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ralston adjourned the meeting at 11:15 am.