Commission on Highway Needs Minutes - 05/04/2006 ._ _ ,. ,tx F ,,,,._: . vnwe s,m«+`wwwttttm ueawtNmvuessxi«w::,wr ... .aa ... vur mrcawaeraar
OM '1-o om c9064'
CO
RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
MINUTES I Date f;lti vw
Hy /5C- Time '
COMISSION ON HIGHWAY NEIEIDs'
MAY 4, 2006
Present:
Dan Shine, Chairman • Members
Curtis Warner ♦
Jerry Taylor ♦
Leo Lane ♦
Bill Presson • County Liaison
Linda Ammons • Council Liaison
John Burrus • Staff
Lin Barnett ♦
Donnie Arbeau ♦
Absent:
Arnold Oliver(excused) ♦
Donna Adams ♦
Gordon Smith ♦
Bo Stahler ♦
Bettye Tanner-Shelby ♦
Todd Druien ♦
I. Welcome & Introduction
The Chairperson, Dan Shine, called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.
//. Review and Discussion on MPO Activities
Mr. Barnett passed out copies of a document outlining MPO activities covering
the time period since the last meeting of the Commission on Highway
Transportation Needs. There was little discussion.
III. Discussion of Future HNC Activities
Mr. Shine indicated that the Commission on Highway Transportation Needs
(HTN) should have a mandated purpose. Mr. Presson reiterated the point that a
mission statement for the group would be beneficial, giving the Commission
direction in pursuing long-term goals. Everyone in attendance was in agreement
with Mr. Shine and Mr. Presson's concept.
HNC MEETING MAY 4, 2006 PAGE 1
Further discussion arose that the Commission could possibly serve a broader
purpose and geographical area. Currently, the scope of the Commission is
defined as City of Wichita Falls and Wichita County. The ordinance also limits
the Commission to highway infrastructure projects. Mr. Shine discussed past
efforts of the Commission on Highway Transportation Needs, particularly the
work of Henry Grace and Clarence Muehlberger. He also highlighted their
accomplishments over the last thirty years in achieving the highway infrastructure
improvements made in the immediate area. It was generally recognized that the
completion of the Kell system west of Fairway would accomplish the final goals
set by previous Commissions. Once this project is completed, the need for
specific highway projects in Wichita Falls and Wichita County is limited.
Commission members believed that while there are still feasible highway projects
that could be gained for the area, a commission working to improve multi-modal
transportation needs in the surrounding region would benefit both Wichita Falls
and Wichita County. The Commission discussed various projects such as the
Hike & Bike Trail System, a new terminal building for Municipal Airport, attracting
additional airlines, and the US 281 corridor.
In addition, Chairman Shine discussed the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce
in promoting transportation in the Community. According to Mr. Shine, the
Chamber of Commerce had a "transportation committee" before the development
of the HTN. There was discussion among Mr. Lane, Mrs. Ammons, and Mr.
Taylor about the value of including the business community as members of the
Commission. Because Wichita Falls has "transportation capacity," the group
believed that this information could be used as a marketing tool for Wichita Falls.
Mr. Shine stated that the HTN needed new direction, and that the Commission
could serve transportation needs other than specific highway projects. Because
strategic transportation issues can take 20-30 years before projects are
implemented, Mrs. Ammons believed that the Commission should have an
ordinance that reflected that vision. The Commission weighed the benefits of
such a group, and discussed the logistics of implementing change to the current
ordinances. It was concluded that the HTN would strive to redefine their role and
work to have a more positive impact on transportation improvements in the
region.
Mr. Burrus indicated that he would facilitate rewriting the ordinance that covers
the Commission on Highway Transportation Needs, incorporating the ideas
discussed. It was unanimously agreed that the HTN would correspond via Mr.
Burrus and work towards the goal of redefining the Commission's purpose and
mission. Once the new ordinance was approved by the Commission, Mrs.
Ammons and Mr. Presson said that they would work with staff to communicate
those changes to both the Council and Commissioners Court.
HNC MEETING MAY 4, 2006 PAGE 2
IV. Other Business.
None.
V. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:14 a.m.
O214 G/15 /0C,
Dan Shine, Chairperso Date
Commission on Highway Transportation Needs
HNC MEETING MAY 4, 2006 PAGE 3