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MPO TPC/TAC Board Minutes - 04/23/2003CITY CLERK'S OFFICE t Date By Time TRANSPORTATION POLICY COMMITTEE (TPC) MEETING WICHITA FALLS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION April 23, 2003 Present: Mayor Bill Altman, Chairperson ♦ Members Don Sheppard, Lakeside City Johnny Burns, City Council Representative Linda Ammons, City Council Representative Scott Taylor, Director of Public Works Carolyn Askins, TxDOT, Transportation Planning Assistant ♦ Staff Darron Leiker, Director of Traffic, Transportation and Aviation John Barton, TxDOT, Dir. of Trans. Planning & Development Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planner III Lin Barnett, Planner II Phillip Lujan, TxDOT, District Planning Engineer (Design) Steve Seese, MPO Director Tammy Marlow, TxDOT Michael Norrie, City Council ♦ Ex- officio Paul Wylie, Archer County Judge Rhonda Poirot, Senator Estes' Office Dan Shine, Chairperson ♦ HNC Bettye Tanner - Shelby Gordon Griffith J. W. Martin Charles Kazmer, Citizen ♦ Guests Jon Moller, Citizen Dennis Wilde, NORTEX Regional Planning Commission ♦ Absent Jeff Watts, City of Pleasant Valley Joe Nelson, TxDOT, District Engineer Woodrow (Woody) Gossom, County Judge, Vice - Chairperson I. Welcome & Introductions Mayor Altman called the meeting to order at 8:47 a.m. Introductions were made around the room. WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING April 23, 2003 PAGE 1 II. Public Comment on Any Item Not on the Agenda Mayor Altman asked for comments; there were none. III. Review, Discussion & Approval of the Transportation Policy Committee's January 22 "d Meeting Minutes Mayor Altman asked for comments or questions regarding the minutes; there were none. Mr. Sheppard made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Taylor seconded. The minutes were approved with a unanimous vote in favor. IV. Review & Comment Regarding April 2nd TAC Meeting Minutes - No Action Required Mayor Altman asked for comments or questions regarding these minutes; there were none. V. Review, Discussion & Approval of Updates /Revisions to the MTP -Table 3-4 Project & Financial Plan Ms. Montgomery-Gagne gave a brief review of the long -range projects to be presented to the State in the three year short-range TIP. Additions were made to Category 4A Hazard Elimination, Category 4F STP Rehabilitation, Category 3 NHS, NHS Mobility, TMS, Miscellaneous. Cost or ID changes from TXDOT include Category 6 Bridges, Category 10 Rehabilitation of Signs, Signals, Etc. and Category 7, 8, 11, 12, 14 & 16 Various Projects. There are revisions for Category 4D 1 -10 Year Financial Plan. The final change is under Other Needs 1 -25 Year Plan. Ms. Montgomery-Gagne stated TXDOT revised the categories in the last year which need approval by this Board at the technical level or a subcommittee will need to be formed to rearrange the categories into the new funding categories. Mr. Barton stated the changes reflect the updated estimates as well as additional projects. These changes are necessary to provide a project ID within the MTP. Ms. Ammons inquired about the discrepancies in Category 6. Mr. Barton stated that originally these plans did not include public comments. An example was cited about an older bridge with decorative rails. In order to maintain its integrity and satisfy public comments, the renovation costs were increased to maintain the rails. Another unexpected cost was the crash walls relating to railroads. He also noted that the original estimates for some of these projects were developed in the 1980's. Ms. Ammons made a motion to approve the MPO -Table 3 -4 Project & Financial Plan as submitted. Mr. Sheppard seconded. The vote was unanimous in favor of approval. VI. Review, Discussion & Approval of the Wichita Falls MPO Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for FY 2004 -2006 Mr. Seese stated this update will be presented to Austin. There have been two public hearings with today being the deadline for comments. In a previous hearing, Ms. Betty Brown, representative for the Senior Citizens of North Texas, indicated an interest in the City's transportation program regarding the need for transit service. Mr. Barton stated WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING April 23, 2003 PAGE 2 there was additional involvement with the Cross Plains Rural Transportation Council as well as at the TXDOT annual UTP public meeting. Ms. Montgomery-Gagne reviewed the federally funded highway projects by year with brief explanations concerning their use or need. Mr. Barton explained in detail the reasons and advantages for items such as the video surveillance system. Mayor Altman inquired about the notification of property owners on Loop 11 regarding acquisition. Mr. Seese stated the TXDOT survey is in the process of being completed. Property owners, between 287 and Airport Drive, were previously notified. Once the survey is completed, the actual dedication can be determined and the acquisition process will proceed. City Council approval will be required for the right -of -way funding agreement. Mr. Taylor asked if the date for the Cypress bridge was firm. Mr. Barton replied that when the Statewide Mobility Plan is approved later this year, the districts will be able to choose the off - systems projects and Austin will choose the ranking of the on- systems projects. Ms. Montgomery-Gagne stated the transit projects are projected for three years. She explained that, in 2002, the Texas Transportation Commission required new buses to be alternatively fueled if state transportation funds were utilized (for their purchase). There is a possibility the City would be eligible for three replacement buses. Mr. Barton stated that state funded highway projects are now funded 100% with federal funds and not the previous 20% state and 80% federal funding. He stated it may be more difficult to meet the federal design criteria and the environmental aspect. Ms. Montgomery-Gagne reviewed the new twelve funding categories by year. She stated they may change depending on approval of the statewide transportation plan. The Kell projects are not listed since they were originally proposed for 2006. Mr. Barton stated that the amount apportioned from TXDOT equals the programmed amount. The MPO does not get apportionment of funding from TXDOT or FHA to spend at its discretion; it's dependent on other organizations to fund MPO's programs. The financial summary shows the availability of resources from TXDOT. When Kell Freeway is approved for additional funding, the local TXDOT district will support that with $5 million of mobility project funding. That amount is included in this summary along with the Category 12 amount from the statewide discretionary program. Mr. Moller inquired about the difference in the $7 million and projected $55 million. Mr. Barton responded that the additional money ($18 million for interchange and $25 million for the west end) is shown in the original package plus off - system and on- system bridge projects not approved through the UTP process. The transportation improvement program will be revised as those projects are approved. FHA requires listing only projects that are approved. WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING April 23, 2003 PAGE 3 Mr. Seese discussed the Kell completion and its ranking in the UTP. He stated with the Commission's involvement the process has been changed and the ranking is currently unknown. Mr. Shine asked if there would be more pressure to complete it (Kell Freeway) as the area near Seymour is completed. Mr. Barton stated the first section in 2004 will be the realignment around the north side of Holliday, creating an improved area from Mankins to Wichita Falls. Traffic volumes on Kell have increased which will provide support and data for the need to complete Kell. Mayor Altman commented on the increase in commercial traffic. Mr. Barton agreed that, when the stops were eliminated, the traffic, especially Certainteed's vehicles, increased. Mr. Taylor made a motion to approve the Transportation Improvement Program. Ms. Askins seconded. The vote was unanimous in favor of approval. VII. Review, Discussion & Consideration of Comments Received During 45 -day Public Comment Period for the Public Involvement Policy (PIP) Amendments Mr. Seese stated the PIP received comments from Mr. Barton and Mr. Moller. Mayor Altman noted that Mr. Barton's comments concerned grammatical changes and were appropriate. Mr. Moller's comments were reviewed with Mr. Seese providing the necessary responses. Mr. Moller stated that his comments regarding the web page were for guidance in establishing it, since there is no MPO web page. Mayor Altman made a motion to approve the PIP, with the following amendments as referenced in the memorandum to MPO -TPC Members dated April 17, 2003, Agenda Item VII — Comments for PIP Amendments, excluding comments regarding "Public Notification Process ": Page two, include the word "Texas" to the paragraph referring to Access to Minutes of Public Meetings; Page three, include "and Agenda" to "Access to Information Packets for TPC/TAC Meetings "; Page four, include "unless a new request is made" to the paragraph beginning "Request by the public for information or agenda packets shall be made in writing..."; and Page five, delete "without amending these procedures" from the paragraph beginning "The TPC may require all agendas and agenda packets..." The motion was seconded by Mr. Shepherd, and the vote was unanimous to approve the PIP with changes. The comments for the Public Notification Process of the PIP were reviewed. Mr. Barton enlightened the Committee regarding the TXDOT terms used to describe meetings: Open meetings - meetings where business is conducted; WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING April 23, 2003 PAGE 4 Public meetings - meetings where only one item is presented and comments from the public can be solicited; and Public hearings - meeting in which a formal a script is read with no impromptu comments or questions answered. Mayor Altman made a motion to accept the present wording of the PIP Public Notification Process without the amendments shown on pages five through the middle of page seven of the PIP Amendment memo. Ms. Ammons seconded. The vote was unanimously approved. Mr. Seese reviewed the amendment submitted by staff. Mr. Barton stated he agreed with the change and thought it would generate a more proactive and productive public involvement practice. Mayor Altman agreed. Mayor Altman made a motion to accept staffs recommendation. Mr. Shepherd seconded. The vote was unanimously approved. VIII. Discussion & Approval of the Revised MPO PIP Mr. Burns made a motion to approve the revised MPO Public Involvement Policy. Mr. Taylor seconded the motion. The motion carried. IX. Update Regarding Kell Freeway /Interchange Priority — Texas Transportation Commission Hearing — February 27, 2003 Mr. Seese stated the resolution from the Cross Plains Rural Transportation Council was approved and has been forwarded to Austin. X. Discussion & Overview of Progress on Local Transportation Projects — MPO & TxDOT Staff (Quarterly Update) Mr. Barton stated that in federal FY 2003, there were two projects let to contract by the TIP: 1) the signals at State Highway 240 and F.M. 890 (Eastside Drive and Airport Road) and F.M. 890 (Airport Road) and Sheppard Access Road and 2) the Sikes Lake hike and bike trail. He continued by mentioning the ongoing construction at F.M. 2380 (Kemp Blvd. or Lake Road) is progressing and will probably finish this fall. The dip on State Highway 79 will be remedied. The Kell Freeway is completed with some landscaping to be finished. Business 277 -A (Seymour Highway) is progressing and will be completed early this summer. 1 -44 through the City to Burkburnett has had the concrete pavement work completed and the paving north of Wichita Falls will begin soon. Southwest Parkway from Rhea Road to F.M. 2650 (Sisk Road) has had the sidewalk ramps installed and the night work to replace the surface will commence later this summer. Bridges on River Road are going well. Andy Petter, area engineer, has accepted a District Design Engineer position in the Waco District. A replacement has not been named. Mr. Seese mentioned the City resolution to change the name of Lake Road to Kemp Blvd. will become effective in January, 2004. He inquired if the signage should be changed before January since the project would be completed in the fall. Mayor Altman WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING April 23, 2003 PAGE 5 stated he had no problem with changing it to coordinate with the completion of the road work. XI. Other New Business Mr. Seese asked the TPC to consider establishing a sub - committee to work on the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The TAC has volunteered their staff and the City has appointed Jeff Hogan and David Lyne. Mr. Barton suggested TPC members would provide input on the technical aspects and policy issues. Mayor Altman asked that it be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Mr. Barton stated he has contacted National Highway Institute, National Transit Institute, and Federal Highway Administration regarding training. There is a brief list on the web regarding environmental justice that may be educational. There is a one -day training event developed by FHWA and FTA on the metropolitan planning process and MPO activities. If this Commission is interested, it could be made available. Old Business Update — Revisions to City's Thoroughfare Plan Update — Alternative Fuel Study Mayor Altman stated that the Alternative Fuel Study has been discussed. Mr. Seese informed the TPC that Mr. Barton and he are working on a combined TXDOT /City Thoroughfare Plan. XII. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m. WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING April 23, 2003 PAGE 6