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MPO TPC/TAC Board Minutes - 07/07/2004Approved 10 -6 -04 CITY CLERK'S OFFICE Date jt�— O'—C4 By PC�, Time WICHITA FALLS METROPOLITAN PLANNING Technical Advisory Committee Minutes Wednesday, July 7, 2004 Voting Members Present. Darron Leiker — City of Wichita Falls — ACM /Dir. Aviation, Traffic & Trans., Interim MPO Director Danny Brown — TxDOT, Director of Trans. Planning and Development James Kelley — TxDOT, Area Engineer Jeff Hogan — City of Wichita Falls, City Engineer Joe Anderson — TxDOT, Director of Construction Karen Montgomery-Gagne — City of Wichita Falls MPO, Planner III Others Present: Bill Altman — Mayor, City of Wichita Falls, TPC Chairperson Donnie Arbeau — City of Wichita Falls MPO, Transportation Planner I Lin Barnett — City of Wichita Falls MPO, Transportation Planner II Highway Needs Committee Members: None Visitors: Kala Krishnan — Wilbur Smith Associates Ann Bagley — Wilbur Smith Associates Absent: Dave Clark — City of Wichita Falls, Dir. of Community Development Tim Hertel — TxDOT, Director of Operations I. Welcome & Introduction. Mr. Leiker, the interim MPO Director and TAC Chairperson, began the meeting at 8:35 a.m. II. Approval of April 7th meeting minutes There were no comments. Mr. Anderson motioned to accept the minutes and Mr. Hogan seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously approved. III. Review and Comment Regarding the TPC's April 21St Meeting Minutes — No Action Required Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 7, 2004 Page 1 of 5 Approved 10 -6 -04 No comments were made. IV. Final Draft Presentation by Wilbur Smith Associates of the 2004 Update to the Socioeconomic Data Collection and Forecast Study of FY 2000 — Discussion and Recommendation Afterwards Ms. Bagley, with Wilbur Smith Associates, discussed the changes and additions to the latest draft of the 2004 update to the Socioeconomic Data Collection and Forecast Study of FY 2000. Ms. Bagley stressed the fact that this is not a social planning document, but rather a transportation planning document to be used in TxDOT's travel demand model. She stated the update is based on 2000 census data instead of 1990 census data thus making 2000 as the new base year. This allows for the update to 2004 data and for forecasting out to 2030. The study is intended for use by TxDOT and the MPO and uses data obtained from the Census Bureau, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas State Data Center, County business patterns and other varieties of data. She stated the study area is divided into 302 TAZ's, the same number of TAZ's as were used before. She stated because TAZ's do not always follow census tract data is one of the reasons they discourage using the document as a social planning document. Other reasons included the overlapping of census data and the confidentiality of persons living within certain TAZ's. She stated there was not a column on ethnicity because it was not part of the contract but could be added if required. Mr. Leiker asked if the number of operations per year at Kickapoo Downtown Airport could be included in the update. Ms. Bagley stated that it could easily be inserted into the update. She stated all the data would be provided in GIS format to the City and in ASCII format to TxDOT. She asked that all comments and changes be forwarded to her by July 13th in order to work them into the update before presentation to TPC on July 21St Mayor Altman stated the households with various incomes (37,948) on page 2 -1 did not add up to Total Households (Occupied Dwelling Units) (37,970). Ms. Bagley stated they would check the math on those two items and include a reason why they do not add up correctly, if there was one. Mr. Leiker brought up the issue of public comment on the update and what duration of time was appropriate for review and comment. In accordance with PIP guidelines, the update will be posted on the City's website under Transportation for review and comment until July 20th. A hardcopy of the update will be available to the public for review and comment, during regular business hours, at the Transportation Planning office located at 2100 Seymour Highway, the Central Services complex, during the same time frame and will be advertised as such on Channel 11, the local government channel. Mayor Altman pointed out the fact that appendices A, B, and C were all the same numbers, they all contained Base Year data. Appendix A should contain Base Year numbers, Appendix B should contain 2004 Forecast Year numbers, and Appendix C should contain 2030 Forecast Year numbers. Ms. Bagley stated she would get that corrected before presentation to TPC. V. Annual Review and Discussion of the MPO's Public Involvement Policy for Compliance with Title VI and EO 12898 Regulations Mr. Barnett briefly discussed the changes and additions to the PIP stating changes were made to reflect the new naming from Planning Division to Transportation Planning Division and also the contact and address information. He commented on the change to paragraph 4, the last Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 7, 2004 Page 2 of 5 Approved 10 -6 -04 sentence, on page 22 to continue sending agendas and packets to individuals and organizations on the mailing list unless specifically notified not to send them anymore information. He also discussed the addition, under the Environmental Justice heading, of seven bulleted statements obtained from FHWA that would help to clarify how, when properly implemented, environmental justice principles and procedures improve all levels of transportation decision making. Mr. Barnett went on to discuss other minor grammatical changes and the addition of two new maps depicting the MPO's environmental justice target area. One map depicts minority percentages within the low to moderate income areas of the first map and the third map, a census tract overlay, helps users find specific census tracts and census block groups within the targeted area. In accordance with current PIP guidelines, the revised 2004 PIP document will be available for a 45 -day public comment period and will be posted on the City's website under Transportation and a hardcopy of the document will be available for review and comment, during regular business hours, at the Transportation Planning office located at 2100 Seymour Highway. The document will be presented to TPC for approval at the October 20th meeting subject to comments and changes from the public and TAC. Mr. Leiker asked for a motion to accomplish the above statements. Mr. Brown made the motion and Mr. Anderson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. VI. Discussion and Recommendation of Information Collected on Pass - Through Financing (Shadow Tolling or Pass - Through Tolling) as a Funding Mechanism for the Kell Interchange Mr. Leiker brought the board up to date on why, how and to whom this information was intended to reach. He commented that the information had already been presented to the Highway Needs Committee with favorable comments received. Mr. Barnett briefly discussed the concept of Pass - Through Financing and its possible application to the Kell Interchange. Mr. Brown stated the actual estimated figure for completing the interchange currently rests at $14.5 million. Mr. Leiker inquired as to how much money TxDOT has currently set aside for the project. Mr. Brown stated TxDOT has committed $5 million of its Category 11 Discretionary Funds and $4 million for the Kell West main lane extension. The time commitment for these funds is approximately two years. Ms. Gagne suggested combining the two funds for a total of $9 million for the interchange thus making the interchange the highest priority. Mr. Brown stated it was a possibility but not a probability. He stated it would have a large detrimental affect on what was done throughout the rest of the local TxDOT district. Mr. Brown did state the Kell Interchange would qualify for Category 3 funding (Connectivity) and has now been added to the draft statewide mobility plan coming out in July. Funding will be set aside for 2015. He stated in order to move the project forward some type of local funding participation will have to be initiated, thus the reason for discussion of pass - through financing. Mr. Leiker discussed the aspects of bonding and the need to move the project to the next step because waiting until 2015 for the project to start is not an appealing prospect. Mr. Brown also discussed the possibility of acquiring funding through the Department of Defense via Sheppard Air Force Base. He stated that if the MPO presents a business plan to Austin listing the DOD as one of the supporters of the Kell Interchange then it would lend large favorable support for the interchange. Ms. Gagne suggested including the additional benefit to SAFB of a faster transit system transporting base personnel to and from the base, especially those living in the Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 7, 2004 Page 3 of 5 Approved 10 -6 -04 southwestern part of the city. Mr. Brown and Mr. Leiker agreed that it was TAC's responsibility to forward all the information acquired, thus far, to TPC with the recommendation to take the next step of study and discussion. Mr. Brown stated that if a pass- through financing initiative were to be pursued it would require the bonding entity to be willing to contribute some of its own funds towards the $10 million needed to complete the project or to cover the finance charges on the bonds. VII. Discussion and Recommendation to Forward the FY 2005 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) to TPC for Approval Mr. Barnett outlined the objectives, expected products, previous work completed, subtasks and funding summaries of the five major work tasks for the upcoming FY 2005 UPWP. He discussed the new subtasks added and those carrying over from FY 2004. He also commented on changes made to Appendix H, Environmental Justice, and the addition of two new maps and two new supporting tables to this section. He discussed the progress made with local bicyclists to help improve the bicycle /pedestrian trail system. Also, the transit routes, particularly route 5, will be studied in order to meet customer needs. He stated TIP projects will be added to the environmental justice maps in order to begin evaluating the effects those projects will have in those areas. Under Special Projects (Task 5), Mr. Barnett stated staff planned to RFP corridor studies on Kemp and Southwest Parkway in order to optimize traffic flow through the efficient use of existing signalization. A motion was asked for to forward the 2005 UPWP, subject to staff corrections beforehand, to TPC for their approval at the July 21St meeting. Mr. Brown motioned to forward the 2005 UPWP to TPC for their approval with the set stipulations. Ms. Gagne seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. VIII. Progress Report on the Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update for 2005 -2030 Mr. Leiker discussed the memo included in the meeting packet and progress, so far, on the MTP update. He commented that Mr. Barnett and Mr. Arbeau were currently working to update the trail inventory and had also met with local bicyclists in the community to gather their input. Mr. Arbeau discussed his meeting with Robie Christy, the Hotter'n Hell, executive director and the plans to put together a local bicycle coalition that would provide input once a year to MPO staff on the trail system. He also informed the committee about the bicycle workshop scheduled for July 22nd and what staff hoped to accomplish at that meeting. He stated staff would soon go out into the field using GPS to record the existing trails. Mr. Leiker discussed the possibility of adding signage and pavement markings to establish bicycle paths on existing streets. Discussion then centered on ways to generate more public turnout for the next round of public meetings scheduled for September. IX. Other Business: a. Discussion & Overview of Progress on Local Transportation Projects — (Quarterly Review) City and TxDOT Staff City Report — Mr. Hogan discussed the $1.3 million asphalt overlay project coming up. He discussed the Faith Village drainage project (culvert replacement) scheduled to begin construction in April 2005. Total project cost is expected to be $5 million over the next year to year and a half. He discussed the ongoing construction on Southwest Parkway and the rain delays in lowering a 12 inch waterline in order to finish the Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 7, 2004 Page 4 of 5 Approved 10 -6 -04 culverts west of Kemp. TxDOT Report — Mr. Kelley stated the Scott Street Bridge was on schedule to be completed in time for the Hotter'n Hell Bicycle race beginning August 26`h. He stated that FM 2380, Lake Road, would be completed sometime between the end of July and the first of August. He stated the Sikes Lake restroom facility was currently on hold because of TxDOT defaulting on a contractor. The search for a new contractor was currently underway. He stated the U.S. 82 bypass around Holliday was in pre - construction meetings. He stated since the last TAC meeting the gateway at the City entrance had been completed and the lighting had been installed. Mr. Leiker inquired about progress on the landscaping on Maureen Street. Mr. Brown stated there was mostly hardscape left to do. Mr. Leiker stated that Councilman James Esther was concerned with the project and its completion. Mr. Brown offered to meet with Councilman Esther in order to go over the project's aspects and schedule. b. Review and Discussion of the MPO Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year 2005 There were no comments on the schedule. c. MPO Quarterly Financial Report (2nd Quarter — Jan, Feb, Mar) (p. 171) Mr. Barnett briefly went over the second quarter expenditures stating MPO expenses appeared to be tracking well and should meet the minimum 75% expenditure but not exceed 100% in any of the Tasks. He commented the largest expenditure during this quarter was the $24,000 spent on the video detection units for traffic. d. Committee Selection of a City Representative to Reestablish a Nine Member Board Mr. Leiker recommended Mark Beauchamp, the City's Traffic Superintendent, as the replacement for the open board member position. All the board members agreed that Mr. Beauchamp would be a very good replacement. e. Public Comment on Anything Not on the Agenda Mr. Brown commented that the board should consider having a representative from SAFB sit on the TAC committee. Ms. Gagne suggested the SAFB representative sit on TPC as an Ex- Officio. Mr. Leiker suggested having Mr. Tegtmeyer bring this up at the next TPC meeting. X. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Darron Leiker Interim MPO Director, TAC Chairperson ACM, Director of Traffic, Transportation and Aviation Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting July 7, 2004 Page 5 of 5