MPO TPC/TAC Board Minutes - 01/11/2012r
WICHITA FALLS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
Technical Advisory Committee
Minutes
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
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
Davis Powell — City of Wichita Falls, City Engineer
James Kelley — TxDOT, Area Engineer
Karen Montgomery-Gagne — City of Wichita Falls, Community Development Planner
Mark Beauchamp — City of Wichita Falls, Traffic Superintendent
Tim Hertel — TxDOT, Director of Operations
MPO Staff.
Jaimie Grigsby — Wichita Falls MPO, Transportation Planner I
Tammy Marlow — TxDOT, Funding Specialist, North Region Support Center
Visitors:
David Rohmer — TxDOT Traffic Engineer
Jennifer Rhone — State Rep. Lanham Lyne, District 69
John Burrus — Director of Aviation, Traffic, and Transportation
Kim Hall — Sheppard AFB
Mike Beaver — TxDOT, Engineer
Tim Juarez — NRSC, TXDOT
Ex- Officio
Mark McBurnett — Sheppard AFB
Absent
Kevin Hugman — City of Wichita Falls, ACM /Director of Community Development
I. Welcome & Introduction
Mr. Barnett, the TAC chairperson, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and
welcomed everyone in attendance. He informed the committee that Mr. Kevin Hugman,
Assistant City Manager, would absorb the duties of Mr. Norm Standerfer, former Director
of Community Development, and that Mr. Hugman would serve on the TAC committee.
II. Public Comment on Agenda and Non - Agenda Items
Mr. Barnett asked for any public comments on agenda and non - agenda items. There
were none.
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III. Review and Approval of the October 5, 2011 Technical Advisory Committee's
(TAC) Meeting Minutes
Mr. Barnett asked for any comments or corrections to the October 5, 2011 minutes.
There were none. He then asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Powell made
the motion to approve. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
IV. Review and Comment Regarding the October 19, 2011 Transportation Policy
Committee's (TPC's) Meeting Minutes — No Action Required
Mr. Barnett asked for comments on the October 19, 2011 TPC meeting minutes. Mr.
Powell noted a mistake in item VII of the minutes. He stated there was a duplication of
one of the prioritized projects listed for revision. Mr. Barnett asked for any other
comments to the minutes. None were received. The committee moved on to the next
agenda item.
V. Review and Recommendation to Adopt the 2011/2012 Environmental Justice
Analysis Report (See Enclosure)
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to the 2011 -2012 Environmental Justice
Analysis Report. Mr. Barnett provided an overview of the updates and changes added to
the report. These projects form the basis for environmental justice analysis by looking for
any disproportionately high and adverse human health impacts and /or environmental
effects of programs, policies, and activities on low- income and minority populations. He
pointed out the new map feature to help readers find projects located inside the MPO
boundaries. Mr. Beaver noted that the letting date on some of the projects (Prop 12
projects) needed to be updated. Mr. Barnett stated the new 2010 Census data should be
available in March /April of 2012. He stated when the data becomes available MPO staff
will update the Environmental Justice impact footprint for the WFMPO area. Mr. Barnett
informed the committee that after MPO staff identifies the new impact footprint they will
reanalyze all of the projects in the report and document any changes in analysis of the
projects.
Mr. Barnett asked for any other comments or questions concerning the 2011 -2012
Environmental Justice Analysis Report. None were received. Mr. Barnett asked for a
motion to forward the document, with revisions, to TPC for their review and approval. Mr.
Brown made the motion. Mr. Moore seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously
approved.
VI. TAC Discussion Concerning MPO Funded Transportation Studies Inside the
WFMPO Boundary (Handout at Meeting)
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to the WFMPO Study Initiatives 2012
handout. Mr. Barnett and Mr. Brown explained the purpose behind Subtask 3.6 and
Subtask 4.4 of the 2012 UPWP to the committee. Mr. Brown stated the WFMPO wants
to develop a Long -Range Project Readiness Plan that identifies forecasted congested
areas and improvement opportunities at the corridor - level. Volunteers from the TAC
Committee will form a subcommittee that develops a scientific methodology to determine
WFMPO's top high - priority, long -range projects. Mr. Brown, Mr. Powell, Mr. Moore, and
Ms. Montgomery-Gagne volunteered to serve with Mr. Barnett on the subcommittee that
Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting January 11, 2012 Page 2 of 5
will develop the project selection methodology. The subcommittee will also serve as the
Consultant Selection Team when the time comes to select a qualified consulting firm that
will provide logistical support during the development of the Long -Range Project
Readiness Plan. However, before developing the plan, WFMPO needs to clearly define
the scope of the task in order to clarify Subtask 4.4 of the FY 2012 Unified Planning
Work Program. WFMPO will not go forward with Subtask 4.4 until the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) and the TxDOT North Regional Support Center are satisfied with
the administrative rewrite of Subtask 4.4.
Mr. Barnett, Mr. Juarez, and Mr. Brown met after the TAC meeting to clarify the scope of
methodology for the Long -Range Project Readiness Plan. Mr. Barnett, working with Mr.
Brown, will use this scope of work to rewrite Subtask 4.4 and then submit the UPWP
administrative revision to FHWA and NRSC for review and comment.
Mr. Barnett asked for any comments or questions. There were none. The committee
moved on to the next agenda item.
VII. Other Business:
a. Discussion & Overview of Progress on Local Transportation Projects -City and
TxDOT staff (Quarterly Review)
TxDOT Report: Mr. Kelley reported that construction on the Hike and Bike trail from
Hamilton Park to Scott Street was awaiting 500 feet of handrail. The mill and overlay
project from McKinney Road to Clay County line had been suspended until warmer
weather. On the frontage roads, from FM 369 to Fairway Blvd, a full depth concrete
pavement repair had approximately two to three weeks until completion. Spur 447, from
Oak Street to Broad Street, spot full depth repair and overlay had been let and was
awaiting the pre- construction meeting. US 82 from Archer County Line to FM 369, mill
and hot mix overlay, had been let. Lastly, the US 82 Fairway exit ramp was awaiting the
pre- construction meeting.
City Report: Mr. Powell reported the Beverly Drainage project was about 79% complete
and moving along very well with Cothran Construction Company. Mr. Powell moved on
to the 2011 Street Rehab project with various locations across the City includin
Maplewood, from Southwest Parkway to Midwestern parkway, Scott St, and from 8t
street to 13th street stating that it was approximately 98% complete using the Zack
Burkett Company. Mr. Powell stated this project was awaiting completion until warmer
weather arrived. The Hike and Bike Trail project from Seymour Highway near
Tanglewood, west of the railroad tracks and on Barnett Road from Johnson Road to
Lake Wichita was about 22% complete with Luz Lerma Construction doing the work. The
2012 Downtown Water BUIP project from Scott Street from 81h Street to Wichita River,
and 8th street from Scott Street to Austin Street is 0% complete with A &M Construction.
Mr. Powell discussed the Scheduled Projects that will include the Lawrence Road
realignment at Lawrence Road and Call Field intersection that should begin by February
of 2012 and the 2012 Street Rehab Project including various locations across the city
that should begin by March 2012.
b. MPO Quarterly Financial Report (4th Quarter FY 2011 -July, August, September)
(p. 17)
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Mr. Barnett reported on the fourth quarter expenses for the MPO. He stated the MPO
had spent 56.62% of its allocation for FY 2011. Mr. Barnett stated there should be a
substantial carryover into FY 2012.
Mr. Barnett asked for any other questions or comments about the fourth quarter
report. Receiving none, he moved on to the next agenda item.
c. Map -21 Progress and WFMPO FY 2012 Funding Report (p.21)
Mr. Barnett informed the committee of progress on MAP -21 Legislation (Moving
Ahead for Progress in the 21St Century, US Senate Bill S. 1813), the legislation
proposed to replace SAFETEA -LU as the new transportation reauthorization bill. He
stated MAP -21 was currently stalled in congress and probably won't pass until late
2012 or possibly into 2013. Mr. Barnett then presented the committee with the
current funding allocations for FY 2012. Out of an estimated 2012 budget of
$384,645, the MPO had received $264,087 of its current funding authorization
(TxDOT letter dated December 2, 2011) leaving a funding gap of $120,558. The
MPO has approximately $96,000 of its current authorization set aside for planning
studies. Mr. Barnett stated WFMPO would continue moving forward under the
assumption that it would receive its full funding authorization. He stated if full funding
did not come through then he would inform the TAC and TPC committees, ask for
guidance, and proceed from there.
Mr. Barnett informed the committee that the Wichita Falls City Council passed
resolution 122 -2011 in support of keeping active all MPO's under 200,000
population. City Council passed this resolution of their own accord without solicitation
from any WFMPO staff member.
d. Other Items
Mr. Barnett informed the committee that he submitted a "Call for Projects" transit
grant application on December 1, 2011 to the Public Transportation Division (PTN) of
TxDOT in Austin for $2,104,000. This is the amount of funding needed to fully fund
construction of the Downtown Transit Center. He commented that even though the
City may not receive the full amount, the City should receive a substantial portion of
the $2.1 million. Mr. Barnett stated TxDOT PTN will announce the grant awards in
April or May of 2012.
Mr. Barnett informed the committee of the upcoming Texas Transportation Forum,
February 15 through 17, in San Antonio, Texas stating MPO staff would attend the
forum.
Mr. Barnett asked for any other business needing discussion or any announcements.
There was none.
VIII. Adjourn
The Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
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Iran F. "Lin" Barnett Jr.
MPO Transportation Plann g Director
Wichita Falls MPO
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