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MPO TPC/TAC Board Minutes - 07/08/2009WICHITA FALLS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Technical Advisory Committee Minutes Wednesday, July 8, 2009 Voting Members Present: Lin Barnett — Wichita Falls MPO, MPO Director, TAC Chairperson Allan Moore — TxDOT, Director of Construction Danny Brown — TxDOT, Director of Trans. Planning and Development Dave Clark — City of Wichita Falls, Dir. of Community Development James Kelley — TxDOT, Area Engineer Davis Powell — City of Wichita Falls, City Engineer Mark Beauchamp — City of Wichita Falls, Traffic Superintendent Karen Montgomery-Gagne — City of Wichita Falls, Comm. Development Planner III Tim Hertel — TxDOT, Director of Operations MPO Staff: Donnie Arbeau — Wichita Falls MPO, Transportation Planner II Tammy Marlow — TxDOT, Funding Administrator Visitors: Mark McBurnett — Sheppard AFB Nora Hodges — Nortex Regional Planning Commission Lori Davidson — Kimley -Horn Andrew Howard — Kimley -Horn Rob Rae — Kimley -Horn Absent: I. Welcome & Introduction Mr. Arbeau called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. Mr. Arbeau addressed the implementation of a membership role call at the beginning of each meeting so introductions could be made. Role call was completed and the board welcomed Mr. McBurnett to the TAC Meeting. Mr. Arbeau then proceeded to Item II. II. Public Comment on Agenda and Non - Agenda Items Mr. Arbeau asked for any public comments. There were no speakers. III. Review and Approval of the April 8, 2009 Technical Advisory Committee's (TAC) Meeting Minutes Mr. Arbeau directed the board's attention to the April 2009 TAC minutes and asked for any comments. None were received. Mr. Arbeau asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 8, 2009 Page 1 of 5 E, U I L.L v UjLU � >U u �0 LU Mr. Arbeau called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. Mr. Arbeau addressed the implementation of a membership role call at the beginning of each meeting so introductions could be made. Role call was completed and the board welcomed Mr. McBurnett to the TAC Meeting. Mr. Arbeau then proceeded to Item II. II. Public Comment on Agenda and Non - Agenda Items Mr. Arbeau asked for any public comments. There were no speakers. III. Review and Approval of the April 8, 2009 Technical Advisory Committee's (TAC) Meeting Minutes Mr. Arbeau directed the board's attention to the April 2009 TAC minutes and asked for any comments. None were received. Mr. Arbeau asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 8, 2009 Page 1 of 5 Beauchamp made the motion to approve, which Mr. Brown seconded. The motion was unanimously approved. IV. Review and Comment Regarding the Transportation Policy Committee's (TPC's) April 22 and May 28, 2009 Meeting Minutes - No Action Required Mr. Arbeau asked for comments on the April 22, 2009 Transportation Policy Committee meeting minutes. There were none. He then asked for comments on the May 28, 2009 TPC meeting minutes. There were none. He then moved on to the next item of business. V. Review, Discuss and Forward FY 2010 Unified Planning Work Program to the Policy Board for Review and Approval Mr. Arbeau asked the board to review the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), located on page 23 of their meeting packets. Mr. Arbeau stated that very few changes were made to the first four Tasks of the FY 2010 Unified Planning Work Program. He noted the most substantial changes were in Task V — Special Studies. Mr. Arbeau reviewed the tasks and subtasks located in Task 5, highlighting the studies included in the new UPWP. Mr. Arbeau asked if there were any comments or questions about the study subtasks. Mr. Clark asked if Subtask 5.2 was a rough outline of the projects to be studied. Mr. Barnett confirmed that Subtask 5.2 was designed to present the pros and cons of implementing projects in those three areas of the City. Mr. Arbeau added that staff also looked at the projects through a number of different perspectives in order to outline what exactly would be involved in order to present clear information to the Policy Board. Mr. Powell asked what the current timeline was for accomplishing subtask 5.2. Mr. Barnett commented that he had already started work on the RFP and that it was almost completed. Mr. Brown asked when would the RFP be forwarded to the TAC committee for review. Mr. Barnett responded that it should be ready within two weeks after approval of the FY 2010 UPWP by the Policy Board. Mr. Clark asked how long it would take to complete the study. Mr. Barnett said he expected it would take around six months. Mr. Brown asked when would the selection committee be formed. Mr. Barnett stated that any future studies to be completed would use the entire TAC Committee as the selection and oversight committee. He added that all members would receive the RFP for review prior to its issue. Mr. Barnett stated that the RFP would be publicly posted and mailed to the appropriate firms after it was approved by the TAC committee. Mr. Powell commented on the study concerning the Call field and Rhea Road realignment. He stated that the City had done some previous work in this area and felt there might be some time sensitive issues involving the new owners of the property. Mr. Powell stated that no one had contacted the new owners, but knew that they had already been contacting other businesses about entering into business leases. He felt that once the owners started renovating the existing building, the window of opportunity would close. The committee further discussed how feasible the projects were and what needed to be done to start the process. Mr. Barnett then discussed subtask 5.3 and the MPO's contribution to updating the aerials in conjunction with the Wichita Appraisal District. The updated aerials would show all of the construction that had occurred since 2006 and the MPO would contribute $15,000 in PL -112, FTA Section 5307, and local match funds. Mr. Arbeau stated that the contractor had identified the areas in which there had been transportation project construction and would focus on updating only those areas. He brought to the Committee's attention that the contractor would Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 8, 2009 Page 2 of 5 not just shoot the pictures straight down, but from all sides of the designated grid area. Mr. Arbeau then directed the Committee's attention to the budget summary for FY 2010. Mr. Barnett added that most of the estimated unexpended carry-over money had already been obligated to the MTP Update and another large portion would go to fund the Subtask 5.2 Mobility Study. Mr. Arbeau continued reviewing the budget summary with the Committee and asked for any further comments. There was none. Mr. Arbeau discussed the FTA Section 5307 Budget Worksheet for FY 2010. He pointed out that there had been a $200 increase for travel expenses. Mr. Arbeau asked for any further comments concerning the UPWP. None were received. Mr. Arbeau asked for a motion to forward the FY 2010 UPWP to the Policy Board for review and approval. Mr. Clark made the motion, which Mr. Kelley seconded. The motion was unanimously approved. VI. Review, Discuss and Forward the Interlocal Agreement between TxDOT and WFMPO Concerning NEPAssist Training and Technical Assistance to the Policy Board for Review and Approval Mr. Arbeau distributed a handout containing information about the NEPAssist software. He discussed the agreement and what it contained. NEPAssist is a GIS tool aimed to enhance and promote environmental protection and review. Mr. Barnett stated the agreement also required a signed resolution by the MPO Chairperson. This resolution was located in Attachment C of the agreement. Mr. Clark asked if the MPO was required to complete environmental reviews. Mr. Barnett stated that he relied on the City and TxDOT to complete any environmental reviews, but that a day may come where he and his staff would need to do environmental reviews. Mr. Barnett stated that at least two people would need to attend the training session; one MPO staff member and one TxDOT staff member. He stated that he would contact Mr. Cary Karnstadt concerning the question as to whether or not the City can have access to NEPAssist. There was no more discussion. Mr. Arbeau then asked for a motion to forward the Interlocal Agreement, with resolution, on to the Policy Board for review and approval. Mr. Kelley made the motion to approve, which Mr. Powell seconded. The motion was unanimously approved. VII. Other Business: A. Discussion & Overview of Progress on Local Transportation Projects — City and TxDOT staff (Quarterly Review) City Report: Mr. Powell stated the project list had significantly decreased. The Maplewood Extension was complete, as well as the faux -brick project on 10th Street and on Speedway and Harrison. The left turn construction at Kemp and Call field, Maplewood and Elmwood and at Elwood at Southwest Parkway was all complete as well. In addition, the Colonial Park drainage project was complete, though they still had pavement rehabilitation to do in that area. Mr. Powell stated the City had awarded the Faith Village Drainage project, phases II and 111, which would greatly improve drainage in the surrounding areas. The 2009 Street Rehabilitation Projects were still underway and making good progress. Mr. Powell asked if there were any questions. Mr. Kelley asked if any parts of construction were being recycled. Mr. Powell said that many areas had been. TxDOT Report: Mr. Kelley state that the Falls Flyover was finally complete and open for use. Mr. Powell asked if the exit ramp from US 287 to Galveston was still closed. Mr. Kelley said it was and would remain permanently closed with a concrete barrier to prevent access. Mr. Kelley said most of the Kell West work had been completed; all that was left was the tie- Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 8, 2009 Page 3 of 5 ends on the west end. He expected a late fall completion date. Mr. Kelley said the Loop 11 project was almost complete as well, but still had utility sinkholes that would have to be repaired. Mr. Kelley said the bridge construction projects were nearly complete; however, they were having issues with one of the contractors. He said he had also spoken with David Roamer about the traffic signal upgrade on Scott Street. It was essentially complete, though they would be replacing two of the high masts due to manufacturing flaws. Mr. Kelley said that they had begun work on the seal coat for BUS 277J. He also said that he considered work on many of the concrete ramps to be vastly improved and was happy with the progress. Mr. Kelley added that a guardrail upgrade, not listed, on SH 79 would begin soon. Ms. Gagne asked if the construction near Iowa Park Road would affect the Hotter `N' Hell Race in August. Mr. Kelley said they have already completed most of the projects in that area and there should not be any problems or interference with the race. Mr. Brown asked if the construction on Southwest Parkway and Lake Road was utility work. Mr. Powell said that a new sewer line was being placed in the area. Mr. Arbeau asked if there were any other questions. None were received. B. MPO Quarterly Financial Report (2nd Quarter FY 2009 — January, February, March) Mr. Arbeau began by discussing the quarterly expenses for the 2nd quarter and discussed how the accumulated expenses affected the total budget. He also explained that they were expecting larger expenses in the next quarter for the MTP Update for work done during this quarter. Mr. Arbeau asked for any comments or questions. None were received. C. 2010 - 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update: Progress Report Mr. Barnett explained the project schedule and stated they had already hosted the first round of public meetings in June. He commented that they had received a good turn out at the meetings, due to advertisements in the newspaper, emails, and post cards. Mr. Arbeau added that he was impressed with the amount of participation that occurred at both of the meetings. Mr. Barnett said that the MTP Update was on track to be finished by the end of the year. He also mentioned that there would be a workshop for the TAC and TPC later that afternoon. Mr. Barnett thanked those who had served on the Selection and Oversight Committee and then stated that for all future studies and special projects requiring a consultant the entire TAC committee would serve as the Selection and Oversight Committee. All the information gathered throughout the process would come before the TAC Committee before moving on to the Policy Board. Mr. Barnett asked for any questions or comments about the MTP progress. Mr. Andrew Howard added that he wanted to commend the MPO for all of the public outreach work accomplished. Mr. Arbeau asked for any additional questions or comments. None were received. D. Other items Mr. Arbeau reminded the committee about the workshop held later that afternoon. He also stated that the MPO was currently in the process of updating their website to add more features, including interactive maps to highlight transportation projects occurring or pending. Staff was working with the web host to complete the update and should be finished by the next quarterly meeting. Mr. Brown asked if the next meeting in October was when surface transportation project nominations would need to be turned in to the MPO. Mr. Brown stated that TxDOT has already begun assimilating projects for prioritization. He stated he wanted to focus on Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 8, 2009 Page 4 of 5 mobility- centered projects so that when stimulus money became available, the transportation community would be ready to act quickly and efficiently. Mr. Barnett said he would be emailing the TAC committee within the next two weeks to encourage members to begin considering projects for nomination and prioritization. Mr. Powell stated that it was good to have a representative from Sheppard AFB at the meeting today and that he wanted to complete projects that would increase accessibility to the area. He added that any suggestions would be greatly appreciated from Mr. McBurnett concerning issues that would affect Sheppard AFB and its accessibility. Mr. Barnett asked Mr. McBurnett if he had been able to gain permission to join the TAC Committee. Mr. McBurnett stated that he felt he would be able to attend the meetings; however, he would not be able to join the TAC committee as a voting member because of Air Force regulations. Mr. Brown added that as TOOT put together their project list they would take into strong consideration the projects highlighted as priorities by the MPO as well as the Cross Plains Rural Transportation Commission (CPRTC). He stated that he wants to find projects that pertain to congestion reduction, even though there may not be many areas. He hoped to assemble a map that will indicate where the congestion "hotspots" are located within the MPO area. If an area outside the MPO were identified, it would have to be approved and acknowledged by CPRTC. Mr. Barnett informed everyone about the TIGER Discretionary Grant funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. TIGER, which stands for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, provides each state with up to $300 million dollars for qualifying transportation projects. He stated this would be a highly competitive process and asked everyone to provide Mr. John Burrus with whatever information he needed as the City put together a project application to replace the terminal building at the Wichita Falls Municipal Airport. VIII. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m. .�,2 f- 14 Irvan F. "Lin" Barnett Jr. MPO Transportation Planning Director Wichita Falls MPO Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 8, 2009 Page 5 of 5