MPO TPC/TAC Board Minutes - 10/10/2024 WICHITA FALLS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
Technical Advisory Committee
Minutes
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Voting Members Present:
Lin Barnett,Wichita Falls MPO,MPO Director,TAC Chairperson
Callan Coltharp,TxDOT,Area Engineer
David Rohmer,TxDOT,Director of Operations
Doug Wooster,City of Wichita Falls,Traffic Superintendent
Karen Montgomery-Gagne,City of Wichita Falls, Planning Administrator
Scot Reaves,TxDOT, Director of Transportation Planning and Development
Shaun Barnes,TxDOT, Director of Transportation Operations
Tyson Traw,City of Wichita Falls,Deputy Director of Public Works
MPO Staff
Jaimie Lee,Wichita Falls MPO,Senior Transportation Planner
Absent:
Monty Brown,TxDOT,Director of Construction
Terry Floyd,Director of Development Services
Visitors:
Nellie Bennett,TxDOT
Phillip Tindall,TxDOT,TPP
Richard Milhollon,SAFB
I. Welcome&Introduction
Mr. Barnett, TAC chairperson, called the meeting to order at 9:31 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. Receiving
none,the committee moved on to the next agenda item.
III. Review and Approval of the July 11, 2024 Technical Advisory Committee's (TAC)
Meeting Minutes
Mr. Barnett asked for any comments or corrections to the July 11, 2024 TAC meeting
minutes. Receiving none, he asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Ms. Gagne made
the motion to approve. Mr. Rohmer seconded the motion,which passed unanimously.
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IV. Review and Comment Regarding the July 24, 2024 Transportation Policy
Committee's(TPC's) Meeting Minutes-No Action Required
Mr. Barnett asked for comments on the July 24, 2024 TPC meeting minutes. Receiving
none,the committee moved on to the next agenda item.
V. Review and Discuss the 2025-2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Draft
Fiscally Constrained Project List
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to the enclosed draft copy of the 2025-
2050 MTP Project List. Mr. Barnett opened up the discussion by explaining the purpose
for the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Project List. He stated that Federal
regulations require all MPO's to produce a fiscally constrained project list based on the
analysis of potential funding, generally ascribed to a 10-year period of time. TxDOT
utilizes their Unified Transportation Program to build a Planning Cash Forecast that
estimates cash flow over a continuous 10-year period,thus forming the foundation of the
UTP by setting the funding limits for the program. Since some transportation revenue
streams are more predictable than others,the Planning Cash Forecast process balances
the risk of unpredictable cash flow with the need to prepare for potential future funding.
The majority of the projects within the MTP project list are TxDOT projects and WFMPO
looks to TxDOT for help when identifying local,on-system projects for the list.
The City of Wichita Falls identifies roadway network projects through their use of the
Strategic Plan process.This process includes four strategic goals supported by a total of
32 specific objectives. Goal number 2 - Provide Quality Infrastructure is where the City
identifies future roadway network, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian projects for funding
as it becomes available. City of Wichita Falls projects are the second largest part of the
MTP project list. Occasionally, Wichita and Archer counties will submit projects for the
MTP.
Mr.Barnett then discussed how MPO staff use the annual Prioritized Project List(PPL)to
generate a decision tool for the Policy Board.The origins of the PPL come from the Long
Range Project Readiness Plan developed by AMD Engineering back in 2012. Over the
years,the Technical Advisory Committee worked hard to improve the process in order to
give the Policy Board the best information possible about potential projects. The Policy
Board has used the PPL several times to assign unexpected funding to high ranking
projects.
Mr. Barnett stated that he asked their MTP consultant, Alliance Transportation Group
(ATG) to create a comparison of ranked PPL projects to the proposed 2025-2050 MTP
project list.Since many of the MTP projects come from the PPL,it seemed only natural to
include a ranking for demonstration purposes. Several of the TAC board members asked
if the enclosed project list would be the final 2025-2050 MTP project list. Mr. Barnett
responded by stating, no, it was only a draft at this point. He then asked for comments
and suggestions on how to improve the list. MPO staff recorded all of the comments and
suggestions and Mr. Barnett stated that he would forward all of the information to ATG.
Mr. Barnett informed the committee that he would work with ATG staff to produce a
better and more accurate MTP project list. He stated that the MTP project will always be
separate from the PPL list and that it will be fiscally constrained for the next five years
until the next MTP update in 2030.He reminded the TAC committee that the MTP Project
List can always be amended by the Policy Board as needed.
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Mr. Barnett stated that he would set up a TAC workshop in early November to finalize the
draft 2025-2050 MTP Project List. The TAC board members agreed with this and look
forward to completing the process. The final draft MTP project list will be presented to
the Policy Board,along with the rest of the 2025-2050 MTP update in January 2025.
Mr. Barnett asked for any other comments or questions regarding the MTP Project List.
Receiving none,the committee moved on to the next agenda item.
VI. Discussion on Developing the WFMPO Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Comprehensive
Safety Action Plan for 2025
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to page 14 of the meeting packet. Mr.
Barnett stated that in order to apply for SS4A program grants, the City of Wichita Falls
must first have in place an approved Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. He stated this
was a requirement by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Mr. Barnett stated as
WFMPO staff conclude the 2025-2050 MTP update, we will begin shifting our attention
and resources to developing the WFMPO Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. Once this
plan is approved by the Policy Board,the City will have the ability to apply for any of the
SS4A grants including Implementation (i.e. Construction) and/or Planning and/or
Demonstration Grants.
Mr. Barnett asked for any questions or comments regarding the Safe Streets for All Safety
Action Plan.Receiving none,the committee moved on to the next agenda item.
VII. Other Business:
a. Discussion&Overview of Progress on Local Transportation Projects-City and
TxDOT staff(Quarterly Review)
City: Mr. Traw reported the Business Park Streets and Drainage Project was 95%
complete; the Hike and Bike Trail from Campfire to Lucy Park is expected to begin
March 2025; the 2024 Seal Coat Project at various locations is 100% complete; the
2024 Asphalt Street Rehabilitation Project at various locations was 35% complete;
the 2024 Concrete Street Rehabilitation Project at various locations is 0% complete;
S Wenonah Extension from S Wenonah to Gregory is 0% complete; Windthorst Road
on U.S 287 to Southridge Drive is 50%complete; and Production Blvd to Fisher Road
is 0% complete.
TxDOT: Mr. Bates reported on the current construction projects: BU 287J widen
roadway,three pavement repair projects located at FM 2380 from FM 369 to SH 79,
SL 79 from Professional Drive to FM 1954, and SL 473 from BU 287J to US 82, two
bridge and approach rail projects located at US 82 EB/WB to Kemp and Taft,and BU
277A to BNSF RR; several bridge projects along US 82 and SH 79 under the Bridge
Maintenance and Improvement Program; two mill and overlay projects one located
on FM 369 from BU 287J to the Wichita River and the second on SS 447 at Homes Ave
to US 82; lastly a mill novachip project on US 287 from Bell Road to US 287/IH 44
split.
b. MPO Quarterly Financial Report(3rd Quarter April,May,June)
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Mr.Barnett reported on the 3rd quarter expenses for the MPO.He stated that the MPO
had spent 63.69% of its total allocation for FY 2024. Mr. Barnett asked for any
comments or questions on the third quarter financial report. He received none.
c. Other Items
Mr.Barnett reminded the Committee of the TxDOT Performance Measures (PM1 and
SGR) for January 2025.
VIII. Meeting Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
Irvan F. "Lin" Barnett Jr.
MPO Transportation Planning Director
Wichita Falls MPO
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