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MPO TPC/TAC Board Minutes - 10/23/2000M MINUTES I Date Time lot' TRANSPORTATION POLICY COMMITTEE ME WICHITA FALLS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION October 23, 2000 Present: Mayor Jerry Lueck, Chairperson • Members John Barton, Dir. of Trans. Planning & Development - TxDOT David Clark, Dir. of Community Development • Tim Hertel, Dir. of Operations - TxDOT Woodrow (Woody) Gossom, County Judge • Joe Nelson, TxDOT — District Engineer • Dennis Wilde, NORTEX Regional Planning Hon. Dan Shine, City Councilor Steve Seese, MPO Director • Staff Carolyn Askins, Transportation Planning Assistant — TxDOT • Joe Anderson, TxDOT • Andy Petter, TxDOT Scott Taylor, City Engineer, City of Wichita Falls Robert Powers, Assistant City Manager • Karen Montgomery- Gagne, Planner III • Jon Moller, Citizen • Visitors Libby Connally, Staff, Rep. David Farabee's Office • Absent: George Bonnett, Dir. of Public Works • Member Robert Parker, Dir. of Traffic and Transportation . Member Don Sheppard, Lakeside City • Ex- officio Jim Berzina, City Manager, City of Wichita Falls . Ex- officio 1) Welcome & Introduction The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m. and asked everyone present to introduce themselves and state their affiliation. II) Approval of Minutes from the July 6, 2000 Meeting Mr. Clark introduced a motion to approve the minutes from the Transportation Policy Committee meeting as prepared. Mr. Wilde seconded the motion. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING October 23, 2000 PAGE 1 Discussion and Recommendation of November Revisions to the TIP The Chairperson asked Mr. Seese to explain the TIP revisions for November. Mr. Seese indicated that there were three proposed revisions to be submitted to TxDOT for approval in November. The TIP revisions involved an on- system bridge project for FY 2001 on FM 2380 at the Lake Wichita Spillway, an off - system bridge project for FY 2002 on Cypress Avenue at the drainage ditch, and the updated transit system information for FY 2001. The Chairperson asked about the Loop 11 project listed for FY 2002. Mr. Nelson explained that funds noted on the TIP table are designated for a study not the actual construction. Mr. Seese provided some clarification that the project listed in the TIP for FY 2002 involved improvements to BUS. 277A — Seymour Highway between Fairway and Loop 11. The only proposed changes for the November revisions are those highlighted. Mr. Nelson commented on the Loop 11- extension project, which the Chairperson originally referenced. He indicated that TxDOT is aware of the issues regarding the area surrounding Loop 11 and a feasibility study will be required in order to address all potential options. Judge Gossom made a motion to accept the proposed TIP revisions for November as presented. Mr. Clark seconded the motion that passed unanimously. IV) Discussion and Approval of the "Socioeconomic Data Collection and Forecast Study" prepared by Wilbur Smith & Associates Mr. Seese indicated that the final report prepared by the consultants — Wilbur Smith and Associates - was forwarded to all Policy Board members in early October for their review. The final report was based on comments and amendments received by the consultants following a public meeting on August 28th. Mr. Seese indicated that staff recommended close to fifty alterations /revisions prior to the final report being published. The socioeconomic data study is one element of the transportation model being forwarded to TxDOT for validation and second portion of the model includes the traffic counts. Mr. Seese stated that TxDOT had informed him that upon validation of the transportation model in Fall 2001 they would probably redo some of the traffic counts during Fall 2002/2003 to obtain accurate figures once the elevated freeway is completed. Mr. Moller, a local citizen, indicated that he was in attendance at the public meeting in August and would like to receive a copy of the final report. There was discussion about the method of distribution and it was noted that the consultants did provide a CD with the information in a digital format if anyone is interested in obtaining a specific portion of the entire report. The Assistant City Manager provided Mr. Moller with his copy of the Data Report. Mr. Barton introduced a motion to accept the final report on the Socioeconomic Data Collection and Forecast Study as submitted by Wilbur Smith and Associates. Mr. Wilde seconded the motion that passed unanimously. V) Review and Approval of Amendments to the Wichita Falls FY 2001 UPWP — Task 2.0 — Data Development and Maintenance Mr. Seese informed the Board members that the Federal Highway Administration had officially approved the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for FY 2001 with some amendments relating directly to environmental justice policies. The Federal Highway Administration recommended amendments to Task 2.0 — Data Development & Maintenance not only to our MPO but also to the majority of the 25 MPO's throughout the State. The WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING October 23, 2000 PAGE 2 Bryan - College Station UPWP was approved with no specific comments regarding environmental justice directives for either Task 1.0 or 2.0. Mr. Seese indicated that TxDOT forwarded a copy of the Bryan - College Station UPWP report to the planning office to use as a guide. The staff amendments to Task 2.0 (underlined in the handout) parallel those described in the Bryan - College Station report. An emphasis was placed on incorporating components of the recently approved Public Involvement Policy along with specific references to environmental justice issues. The Chairperson asked for a motion. Judge Gossom made a motion that the proposed amendments to the UPWP — Task 2.0 (Subtask 2.7) be accepted as presented. Mr. Clark seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Mr. Nelson commented that the topic of environmental justice is on everyone's mind as any program involving federal funds will soon be subject to following the environmental justice policies. Both TxDOT and the MPO are attempting to arrive at an acceptable level of environmental justice inclusion within reports and documents in order to meet with Federal Highway Administration standards. However, Mr. Nelson pointed out that even the Federal Highway Administration is still grappling with how best to incorporate environmental justice policies and directives into their documents! In connection, Mr. Barton indicated that it is critical the FY 2001 UPWP is approved quickly since no funding can be expended under Task 2.0 — Data Development & Maintenance. Mr. Moller asked if stakeholder meetings could still be held, ie. Kell Freeway? Mr. Barton responded that the MPO could not spend any public involvement funds allocated under UPWP FY 2001 until Federal Highways provides clearance on the report. However, the majority of neighborhood meetings are based on a project -by- project basis. VI) Review and Discussion of FY 2001 Section 5310 Allocations Ms. Askins provided a handout, which outlined the allocation of Section 5310 transportation funds for the Wichita Falls District. She further explained that Section 5310 funds are allocated for elderly transit providers. However for FY 2001 the formula was altered and all 5310 funds are distributed among Sec. 5310 (Rural providers) and Sec. 5307 (Small Urban providers — Wichita Falls) in order to determine the "needs" for elderly transit within the District. Ms. Askins noted that numerous meetings were held with representatives from the various transit agencies and a committee was formed to determine how to equitably distribute the FY 2001 Sec. 5310 transit funds throughout the District. The committee's consensus was to award the contract for Sec. 5310 funds to Rolling Plains Management System for equipment and service. Ms. Askins indicated that no motion was necessary on this agenda item it was for comment and discussion purposes. Mr. Wilde asked if improvements were anticipated regarding the rural "demand- response" times? Ms. Askins responded that it is anticipated that much of the equipment to be purchased will assist with better coordination through a dispatching center for elderly transit since for many seniors public transportation is their only means mobility. Sharp Lines currently contracts for all Medicaid, elderly /disabled transportation pickups and the Red Door Senior Activity Center and operate in Wichita, Archer and Baylor Counties but they report to the Childress District not Wichita Falls. There continues to be a problem finding eligible drivers, which directly impacts on the quality of service provided and the waiting times for a pickup. WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING October 23, 2000 PAGE 3 VII) a) Other Business: i) Try Transit Week Comments Mr. Barton informed the Policy Board members that TxDOT staff was involved with the recent "TRY TRANSIT WEEK" endeavors. Mr. Barton and Ms. Askins rode on the various City Transit Routes to talk with the riders and distribute information regarding TxDOT and public transportation. Mr. Barton complimented Ms. Askins for having ridden five of the six transit routes. The TxDOT staff indicated that they had received some comments regarding the City's transit system. Generally the riders that TxDOT staff spoke with indicated that they believe the City's transit system is very good however, they would like to see evening hours extended on week days since some people work until 7:00 p.m. and need transportation, a thirty minute schedule at Sikes Senter Mall instead of the hourly pickup. Ms. Askins indicated that the transit providers, staff and drivers displayed caring attitudes toward the transit riders and she encouraged Policy Board members to try the transit system to better understand how it functions and get a first -hand look at transit ridership. Ms. Askins also informed the members that the riders were appreciative of the City's efforts to provide the transit operation and the bus shelters; however, more shelters are necessary in certain locations, especially on Scott Street. Mr. Barton commented that he had reviewed the 1995/1996 transit route study that was prepared by the LKC consultants and would recommend revisiting the study and looking at future improvements to the existing transit system. He stated that many of the TxDOT staff have changed since the route study in '95/96 and aren't aware of why the study recommendations were never implemented. ii) 4 -D Funding Update Mr. Seese requested that the issue of 4 -D funding be tabled until the City Manager and Director of Public Works are available to provide pertinent comments. Item tabled until next Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting for discussion. iii) Project Status Report 1-44 Overhead project / Interchange project Mr. Petter indicated that the elevated freeway is still moving ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed by spring 2002. He noted that TxDOT would be attempting to open the southbound elevated lanes in March /April 2001. The Chairperson asked how many driving lanes would be maintained on the lower level? Mr. Barton indicated that there would be three (3)- driving lanes underneath but the current lane markings only provide for two (2)- driving lanes. The Chairperson stated that new curbs had recently been poured and they came out onto the roadway where the third lane would be situated. Mr. Barton indicated if that were the case that TxDOT would look into the issue and correct any problems. Kell Freeway Project Mr. Barton indicated that the next phase on the Kell freeway project should be let in January 2001. Judge Gossom inquired about the status of the Lawrence and Lebanon WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING October 23, 2000 PAGE 4 realignment. Mr. Barton stated that the realignment was originally proposed in 1960 and there have been public meetings held almost every year since the early 1960's through 1982. Mr. Barton indicated that Lebanon would remain open because it extends farther north than Lawrence. The Lawrence - Lebanon realignment was a logical alternative for a north -south route, having potential to connect with BUS. 277A (Seymour Highway). Various Project Status Discussion Judge Gossom asked TxDOT staff if the Radisson issues regarding their access to the freeway had been resolved. Mr. Clark also asked if the ramp in front of the hotel would re -open. Mr. Barton and Mr. Nelson addressed these concerns by indicating that the ramp in front of the hotel will reopen but is currently closed because of the phasing of the project. It is anticipated that the road under the bridge will be open again but not until February 2001 as plans are being reviewed for a reconfiguration. Mr. Barton stated that on the FM2380 project bids will be accepted in July 2001 but there is a chance it may get shifted into FY 2002 depending on City utility line relocation issues. Mr. Clark commented about U.S. 287 to Fort Worth and the fact that every year there continues to be additional direct access points to the highway which essentially functions as an interstate. This may have a serious impact on travel from Wichita Falls to the Dallas Metroplex area if access limitations are not developed. An area of particular concern is Decatur and that the length of travel time may significantly increase if the issue is not addressed. Mr. Nelson responded to Mr. Clark's comments by indicating that U.S. 287 is designated to be a freeway except around the Decatur areas. The roadway is shown on the National Highway System, however, it needs to be upgraded to freeway status so that limited access can be maintained in the future. Mr. Barton added that these concerns need to be brought forth to the State Transportation Committee and politicians. Both Mr. Clark and Mr. Seese indicated that they outlined these concerns to the Committee at a recent meeting with TxDOT in Dallas. Con. Shine inquired about the status of U.S. 281 which was intended (years ago) to be a reliever for 1 -35. Mr. Seese indicated that has been a long- standing concern that the U.S. 277/83 corridor from the Mexico/Texas border area northeast should be developed as a "priority -one" transportation alternative. Policy Board members discussed the idea of scheduling quarterly Policy Board meetings that would coincide with TIP Revision deadlines. Policy members were in general agreement that this item (Quarterly Meeting Schedule) should be an agenda item for the next TPC meeting. b) Public Comment There were no other public comments. VIII) Adjourn The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 9:45 a.m. WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING October 23, 2000 PAGE 5