MPO TPC/TAC Board Minutes - 07/11/2012,
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WICHITA FALLS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
Technical Advisory Committee
Minutes
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Voting Members Present:
Lin Barnett — Wichita Falls MPO, MPO Director, TAC Chairperson
Danny Brown — TxDOT, Director of Trans. Planning and Development
David Rohmer — TxDOT, Area Engineer
Davis Powell — City of Wichita Falls, City Engineer
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Karen Montgomery-Gagne — City of Wichita Falls, Planning Administrator
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Kevin Hugman — City of Wichita Falls, ACM /Director of Community Development
Mark Beauchamp — City of Wichita Falls, Traffic Superintendent
Paul Wenzel —Proxy for Allan Moore;
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Tim Hertel — TxDOT, Director of Operations`
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Jaimie Lee — Wichita Falls MPO, Transportation Planner 1
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Visitors:
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Jennifer Smith — State Rep. Lanham Lyne, District 69
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John Burrus — Director of Aviation, Traffic, and Transportation
Absent
I. Welcome & Introduction
Mr. Barnett, the TAC chairperson, called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m. and
welcomed everyone in attendance.
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.
III. Review and Approval of the April 11, 2012 Technical Advisory Committee's (TAC)
Meeting Minutes
Mr. Barnett asked for any comments or corrections to the April 11, 2012 minutes. Ms.
Gagne stated Mr. Moore's name was misspelled and needed correction. He then asked
for a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Powell made the motion to approve. Mr. Hertel
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
IV. Review and Comment Regarding the April 25, 2012 Transportation Policy
Committee's (TPC's) Meeting Minutes — No Action Required
Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 11, 2012 Page 1 of 5
Mr. Barnett asked for comments on the April 25, 2012 TPC meeting minutes. None were
received. The committee moved on to the next agenda item.
V. Review and Comment Regarding the June 4, 2012 Transportation Policy
Committee's (TPC) Special Called Meeting Minutes — No Action Required
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to page 17 of the meeting packet. He
informed the committee about the TPC Special Called meeting on June 4, 2012 stating
the purpose of that meeting was to amend the Policy Board's decision concerning the
$2.808 million WFMPO received as part of TxDOT's $2 billion in state funding
allocations to Districts and MPO's. Mr. Barnett informed the TAC committee that the
Policy Board amended its original decision to "loan" WFMPO's $2.808 million allocation
to the Wichita Falls District. After backing out the City of Wichita Falls' request for
$650,000 for construction of the downtown travel center, the Policy Board amended the
"loan" to an "award" to the local TxDOT district for use in constructing the four -lane
project west of Wichita Falls on US 277/82. He stated this project was important to the
region and the MPO because it represents a possible increase in economic development
and activity in our region. Mr. Barnett asked for any comments regarding the minutes.
There were none. The committee moved on to the next agenda item.
VI. Review and Recommendation to Approve the July 2012 Revision of the 2011 -2014
TIP: MPO Partial Allocation of $650,000 of TxDOT Funds for Downtown Travel
Center Construction
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to page 26 of the meeting packet where
the FY 2012 transit project list was located. He stated there was a revision to Section VI
— Federally Funded Transit Projects, in the 2011 -2014 Transportation Improvement
Program or TIP. The purpose of the amendment was to incorporate the $650,000 of
state allocated funds from WFMPO's $2.808 million share into the TIP to fund
construction of the City of Wichita Falls' Downtown Travel Center. He stated the MPO
project ID number for this project was TI -06WF and listed under FY 2012 of Section VI
as a major capital expenditure. Total estimated project cost to build the travel center was
$5.3 million. Mr. Barnett asked for questions regarding the revision. There were none.
Mr. Barnett then directed the committee's attention to page 30 of the meeting packet and
discussed changes to the Section VII — Transit Financial Summary table. He stated the
FY 2012 transit financial summary totals for state and local match increased to
$1,528,845 because of the $650,000 addition. Mr. Barnett asked for questions regarding
the transit financial summary. Receiving none, he asked for a motion to forward the
revision to the policy board for their review and approval. Mr. Brown made the motion to
forward. Mr. Hertel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
VII. Review and Recommendation to Approve the 2013 Unified Planning Work
Program
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to page 32 of the meeting packet. He
stated there were a few last minute revisions made to the UPWP as recommended by
the North Region Support Center. Based on the NRSC observations, the TAC
recommended removing Appendix G from the document and keeping WFMPO's
estimated travel expenses in a separate document. In subtask 1.3, the TAC
Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 11, 2012 Page 2 of 5
recommended lowering the total amount budgeted from $21,100 to $12,000 and
redistributing the remaining funds to the other subtasks inside Task I —
Administration /Management in order to better align estimated travel expenses with the
amount allocated in Subtask 1.3.
Mr. Barnett then discussed the overall streamlining of the 2013 UPWP as compared to
previous UPWP's. He stated that, with help from NRSC, he clarified Subtask 2.1
concerning the distribution of Policy Board approved and /or adopted WFMPO reports
and studies. Mr. Barnett commented that Subtask 4.4, development of the Long -Range
Project Readiness Plan would eventually replace Subtask 4.3, the process for prioritizing
short -range and long -range projects, which produces an annual WFMPO prioritized
project list. WFMPO staff would continue to analyze new projects for Environmental
Justice concerns.
Finally, Mr. Barnett discussed the major project for the MPO in FY 2013 found in
Subtask 5.1 under Special Studies. Mr. Barnett stated that once the Policy Board
approved the FY 2013 UPWP he would begin writing the RFQ to find a qualified
consulting firm to perform a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) study of the WFMPO
area. This study will help define and determine the best TOD typology for
implementation within the City of Wichita Falls and surrounding communities. Once
complete, WFMPO will present the findings to the Policy Board, the Wichita Falls Transit
System, and other area transit providers.
Mr. Barnett asked for any comments or questions. Mr. Davis asked if there was sufficient
funding to perform the TOD study. Mr. Barnett stated a large carry over of Transportation
Planning Funds (TPF) from 2012 into 2013 would fund the project along with the
estimated 2013 TPF allocation. Mr. Hugman commented that Ms. Gagne's title should
read "Planning Administrator" on the TAC Voting Members table. Mr. Barnett informed
the TAC that Mr. David Merritt, TxDOT PTN representative out of Paris, Texas replaced
Mr. Eric Gleason as PTN's Ex- Officio, non - voting member on the Policy Board
membership table.
After asking for any more comments or corrections and receiving none, Mr. Barnett
asked for a motion to forward the 2013 UPWP to the policy board for review and
approval. Mr. Brown made the motion to forward. Mr. Powell seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously.
VIII. TxDOT Update on Proposition 12 V2 Projects and on TxDOT $2 Billion
District/MPO Allocations for State Highway Construction Projects
Mr. Brown informed the TAC committee about progress regarding Proposition 12 V2
projects. He stated the Windthorst bridge project had let in June and that he expected
construction would begin in the upcoming months. Mr. Brown also reported that
construction on the intersection at Industrial Drive near Loop 11 should begin in July of
2013. He then reported on the $2 billion state allocation, stating $650,000 was used to
fund the Downtown Travel Center project while the remaining funds were applied to the
US 277/82 project west of Wichita Falls.
IX. Other Business:
Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 11, 2012 Page 3 of 5
a. Discussion & Overview of Progress on Local Transportation Projects -City and
TxDOT staff (Quarterly Review)
TxDOT Report: Mr. Rohmer reported that construction on the Hike and Bike Trail from
Hamilton Park to Scott Street was almost complete. US 82 from McKinney Road to Clay
County Line, mill and level with overlay, was 100% complete. Mr. Rohmer reported the
flash project from Archer County Line to FM 369 was on schedule. US 281 to SH 79
completed the pre- construction meeting and are awaiting FAA requirements for
obstruction lighting. Lastly, US 82/287 under Windthorst road bridge should begin in the
next few months.
City Report: Mr. Powell reported the Hike and Bike Trail on Seymour Highway near
Tanglewood as 95% complete and the parking lot at the end of the trail had been
approved by City Council. The Lawrence Road and Call Field Road intersection
realignment was approximately 40% complete and was scheduled to be finished by
October. Mr. Powell reported on the 2012 Street Rehab Project with various locations
across the city stating it was 20% complete. The Kemp Blvd Drainage Project had been
let and was awaiting construction. The 3rd and 4th street pavement improvement project
will coordinate with the transit hub construction.
Mr. Powell discussed the Scheduled Projects that will include McNiel drainage where a
storm sewer system will be constructed. He stated this project should begin July of 2013.
b. MPO Quarterly Financial Report (2nd Quarter FY 2012 - January, February,
March) (p. 68)
Mr. Barnett reported on the second quarter expenses for the MPO. He stated the
MPO had spent 21.74% of its allocation for FY 2012. He predicted an increase in
TPF expenditures because the Long -Range Project Readiness Plan development
kicked off on June 15tH
Mr. Barnett asked for any other questions or comments about the second quarter
report. Receiving none, he moved on to the next agenda item.
c. Long -Range Project Readiness Plan Development Report (Handout at meeting)
Mr. Barnett informed the committee about the meeting with AMD Engineering
regarding the Long -Range Project Readiness Plan. He stated a project kick -off
meeting was held with AMD on June 15, 2012 where aspects of the project scope
were discussed. Mr. Barnett stated that AMD provided the TAC with an updated
Project Management Plan /Project Schedule. AMD provided Mr. Barnett with weekly
progress reports via email. Using those emails, Mr. Barnett informed the committee
of the progress made in July and stated the first progress meeting with the TAC
would take place in mid to late August.
d. MAP- 21/Transportation Reauthorization Congressional Bill Update Report (p.
72)
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to page 72 of the meeting packet.
MAP -21, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21St Century, stating the new law was set
to expire October 2014. He informed the committee about the new law in regards to
Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 11, 2012 Page 4 of 5
transportation re- authorization and future requirements placed on all MPO's. He
stated there would be State Performance Targets that requiring each state to consult
with their MPO's to address the performance measures laid out by MAP -21. Mr.
Barnett stated that his research of the bill found new language indicating MPO's with
fewer than 200,000 in population would receive the designation as NPMO or Non -
Metropolitan Planning Organizations. Mr. Barnett stated there was language in the
law that says if an MPO represents at least 75% of the affected population, and has
the technical capacity to do the job, then it should remain intact and continue to
serve the region. He stated there was also an indication in the new law that area
transit providers would have an opportunity to hold a seat on the Policy Board
committee.
e. Other Items
Mr. Barnett asked for any other business needing discussion or any announcements.
Mr. Burrus announced that Phase 1 of the Wichita Falls Municipal Airport terminal
reconstruction, construction of the new inlet road and parking, should go out to bid in
September or October of 2012. There were no other comments or announcements.
X. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 11:36 a.m.
Irvan F. Lin" Barnett Jr.
MPO Transportation Planning Director
Wichita Falls MPO
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