MPO TPC/TAC Board Minutes - 07/27/2011RECEIVED IN —
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
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TRANSPORTATION POLICY COMMITTEE (TPC) MEETING
WICHITA FALLS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
July 27, 2011
Present:
Glenn Barham, City of Wichita Falls, Mayor ♦ Members
Dennis Wilde, NORTEX Regional Planning Commission, Executive Director
Larry Tegtmeyer, TxDOT, District Engineer
Russell Schreiber, City of Wichita Falls, Director of Public Works
Steven Halloway, Lakeside City, Mayor
Donnie Arbeau, WFMPO, Transportation Planner II ♦ Staff
Jaimie Grigsby, WFMPO, Transportation Planner I
Lin Barnett, WFMPO, Transportation Planning Director
Tammy Marlow, TxDOT, Funding Specialist, NRSC
James Kelley, TxDOT, Area Engineer
Tim Juarez, TxDOT, MPO /RPO Coordinator, North Region Support Center ♦ Ex- officio
Danny Brown, TxDOT, TP &D Director
Mike Beaver, TxDOT, District Design Office ♦ Visitor
Michael Smith, City of Wichita Falls, City Council Representative ♦ Absent
Jeff Watts, City of Pleasant Valley, Representative
Tim Ingle, City of Wichita Falls, City Council Representative
Woodrow (Woody) Gossom, Wichita County Judge
I. Welcome & Introduction
Mayor Barham, the TPC chairperson, called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. and welcomed
everyone in attendance.
II. Public Comment on Agenda and Non - Agenda Items
Mayor Barham asked for any comments from the public on any of the agenda and non - agenda
items. There were none.
III. Review and Approval of the Transportation Policy Committee's (TPC's) April 20, 2011
Meeting Minutes (p. 6)
Mayor Barham asked for comments and corrections to the April 20, 2011 TPC minutes. There
were none. Mr. Wilde motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Tegtmeyer seconded
the motion, which the TPC committee unanimously approved.
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IV. Review and Comment Regarding the Technical Advisory Committee's (TAC's) July 6,
2011 Meeting Minutes — No Action Required (p. 11)
Mayor Barham asked for any comments concerning the July 6, 2011 TAC Meeting Minutes.
There were none. The committee moved on to the next agenda item.
V. Review and Approve Revision to the FY 2011 Unified Planning Works Program (UPWP):
Final PL -112 Allocation Subtask Assignment of Funds (p. 17)
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to pages 41 and 42 of the meeting packet, Task 5
Funding Summary. Mr. Barnett explained to the committee that after all of the billings for FY
2010 was processed, there was an additional $15,621.81 that was above the original estimate
of carry over funds. When originally created, the total FY 2011 TPF funding was $331,114.00.
With the additional allocation, that brings the funding up to $346,735.81.
Mr. Barnett explained that he went back into the 2011 UPWP and increased subtasks 5.2
through 5.5 to $20,000.00 each and put the remaining amount into subtask 5.1 He stated the
funds would remain in subtask 5.1 until the MPO identified a need for them elsewhere.
Mayor Barham asked for any comments or questions from the committee, which there was
none. He then asked for a motion to approve the funding revision to the 2011 UPWP. Mayor
Halloway made the motion to approve the funding revision. Mr. Wilde seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously.
VI. Review and Approve the FY 2012 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) (p. 55)
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to page 67, Subtask 1.8 of the meeting packet.
Mr. Barnett explained that the MPO's current plotter was eight years old and fails frequently on
mapping jobs. The plotter in 2003 cost over $17,000 therefore, Mr. Barnett budgeted $25,000
for a new plotter. Mr. Barnett stated he would be in contact with the City of Wichita Falls'
Information Systems department on an exact estimate for a new plotter. Mr. Barnett asked if
there were any questions about Subtask 1.8, there were none.
Mr. Barnett discussed Subtask 3.6 on page 75 of the meeting packet. He stated this subtask
was to identify short -range projects that could relieve congestion. This subtask would include,
but is not limited to traffic count and vehicle miles traveled analysis, volume to capacity ratio
analysis, level of service, traffic signal optimization, safety issues, and an analysis of
environmental issues. Mr. Barnett asked if there were any questions about Subtask 3.6, there
were none.
Mr. Barnett discussed subtask 4.4 on page 78 of the meeting packet. He stated he added the
new subtask to help identify long -range projects that could utilize limited funding the best way
possible. The plan would identify project development obstacles and would lead to the creation
of the highest priority, long -range projects located inside the MPO boundary. Mr. Barnett asked
if there were any questions about Subtask 4.4, there were none.
Mayor Barham asked for a motion to approve the 2012 UPWP. Mr. Tegtmeyer made the motion
to approve the document. Mr. Schreiber seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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VII. Discussion of Draft Transportation Reauthorization Bill to Eliminate Non - Transportation
Management Area MPO's Containing Less Than 200,000 Population (p. 94)
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to page 94 of the meeting packet, which
contained a copy of the US Congressional draft reauthorization bill. He discussed the June 13,
2011 TEMPO meeting in Austin where the topic of the possible elimination of Non -TMA
(Transportation Management Area) MPO's fewer than 200,000 in population was presented to
the board members. Because of the potential for funding reductions, the Wichita Falls MPO
could be dismantled and eliminated by 2013. If selected for termination, the WFMPO would
have a chance to petition the decision by proving it has adequate technical capacity in order to
remain active. The US Secretary of Transportation will review all petitions to determine which
MPO's would remain active. If denied, all responsibilities of the MPO would revert to TxDOT, the
State of Texas, and Washington D.C. They would be responsible for making decisions on local
transportation and planning needs.
Mayor Barham recommended that Mr. Barnett email the bill number and the author of the bill to
the committee members so they can make point of contact with local representatives and so
that letters reference this particular bill.
VIII. Discussion and Presentation of Possible WFMPO Boundary Expansion (Subtask 5.4 of
2011 Unified Planning Work Program)
Mr. Arbeau presented a handout on the MPO boundary expansion and a brief presentation to
the committee for expanding the WFMPO boundary. Mr. Juarez and Mr. Arbeau explained to
the committee that the Federal Government only recognizes Urbanized Area (UZA) boundaries
for establishing MPO boundaries. Our existing MPO boundary consists of Wichita Falls,
Pleasant Valley, and Lakeside City. The proposed expansion would consist of Burkburnett, Iowa
Park, Holliday, Dean, Cashion Community, and Jolly. This would push the MPO boundary
population close to 130,000 persons, but lower than the 200,000 threshold.
IX. Discussion of TxDOT's Proposition 12 Bonds and WFMPO's Highest Priority Projects
(p. 97)
Mr. Brown explained to the committee the need for action on Proposition 12 Bond funds. He
stated that the Texas State Legislature voted to give TxDOT the remainder of the Proposition 12
Bond funds of approximately $3 billion dollars. TxDOT will divide the money out to the various
districts MPO's. The Wichita Falls TOOT District will receive $2.6 million to use within the
MPO. Only on- system highway projects qualify for the funding. The recommended project goals
are to enhance safety, relieve congestion, improve air quality, preserve the transportation
system, and promote economic opportunities. The MPO and TAC prepared a list of high priority
highway projects for consideration by the Policy Board for funding by the Proposition 12 bond
money. The MPO will call a special TPC meeting for August 24, 2011 where the TAC committee
will present their Proposition 12 project recommendation (s) to the Policy Board. The deadline for
the final project list submittal to the TxDOT District office is September 1, 2011.
X. Other Business:
A. Discussion & Overview of Progress on Local Transportation Projects — City and
TxDOT staff (Quarterly Review)
City Report: Mr. Schreiber stated the downtown intersection enhancement project was
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complete and the parks department had finished the landscaping. He stated the Beverly
drainage project from 10th street to Seymour Highway was 20 -25% complete and workers
were replacing box covers under Seymour Highway. He reported that the 2011 Street
Rehab Project was ahead of schedule and that the Maplewood from Southwest Parkway
project was in the process of mill and overlay. Lastly, the Hike and Bike Trail along
Seymour Highway and Barnett Road will be out for bid for the next three weeks.
TxDOT Report: Mr. Kelley reported work on the hike and bike trail section from Hamilton
Park to Scott Street was progressing. Mr. Kelley stated work on the District -Wide ADA
ramp project was progressing from Seymour to Olney. He stated the median barrier
project on US 277 to the Clay County line was complete. Mr. Kelly reported the
construction on Maplewood from Midwestern Pkwy to Kemp was currently undergoing the
installation of breakaway light poles. He stated the project on McKinney Road to the Clay
County Line for mill and overlay was let and a pre- construction meeting was underway. On
the frontage road, from FM 369 to Fairway Blvd., has been let and they are awaiting pre -
construction meetings as well.
B. MPO Quarterly Financial Report (2 "d Quarter FY 2011 - January, February, March)
(p. 99)
Mr. Barnett reported on second quarter expenses for the MPO. Mr. Barnett informed the
Policy Board that the quarterly expenditures for FY 2011 reached $46,935.85. Mr. Barnett
stated that the WFMPO had spent almost 30% of its estimated total allocation. He stated
some of the funds from the FY 2010 5307 Transit Grant had been allocated to constructing
the downtown transit hub. Mr. Barnett also reported the State of Good Repair transit grant
had been activated in order to purchase two new replacement busses.
Mr. Barnett asked for any other questions or comments about the second quarter report.
Receiving none, the committee moved on to the next agenda item.
C. Wichita Falls Transit System — Triennial Review: Post Audit Report (p. 103)
Mr. Barnett informed the committee of the events of the recent Triennial Review for the
Wichita Falls Transit System conducted on June 21 and 22 of 2011. Out of 24 areas of
compliance, there were only two minor deficiencies. The first was under Title VI
compliance. The Transit Division must analyze how many riders are Limited English
Proficient (LEP). The MPO must submit an analysis and report by August 20, 2011 to FTA
Region VI in Ft. Worth. The second deficiency concerned Independent Cost Estimates
(ICE) for products and services. Peggy Gahagan, Purchasing Agent, will address this
deficiency. Despite the two areas of non - compliance, the Transit System received high
marks and the Triennial Review Auditor was very pleased with the outcome.
D. Other Items
Mr. Barnett informed the committee that Counselor Michael Smith contacted him with a
few items he wanted presented to the Policy Board for their consideration. The first item
was the need for additional lighting in District 5 on IH -44 and US 287. He also asked for
Craigmont Road, in the Tanglewood area, be added to the prioritized project list. He stated
this area floods when it rains and residents cannot access the road to their homes. Lastly,
Counselor Smith asked for pedestrian crossing signals and ramps at the Barnett Road and
Kell West intersection.
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Mayor Barham asked the committee if there were any other items for discussion. There
were no other comments or business.
XI. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.
Honorable Glenn Barham
Mayor Wichita Falls
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