Loading...
MPO TPC/TAC Board Minutes - 01/15/2014 RECWICD T - FALLS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION EIV CITY CLERK'S OFFICE Technical Advisory Committee DATE: —�� Minutes BY: _ --TIME: •Z Wednesday, January 15, 2014 Voting Members Present: Lin Barnett, Wichita Falls MPO, MPO Director, TAC Chairperson Danny Brown, TxDOT, Director of TP&D Tim Hertel, TxDOT, Director of Operations Kevin Hugman, City of Wichita Falls, ACM/Director of Community Development Allan Moore, TxDOT, Director of Construction David Rohmer, TxDOT, Area Engineer Davis Powell, City of Wichita Falls, City Engineer Karen Montgomery-Gagne, City of Wichita Falls, Planning Administrator Mark Beauchamp, City of Wichita Falls, Traffic Superintendent MPO Staff: Jaimie Lee, Wichita Falls MPO, Transportation Planner II Visitors: Mark McBurnett, Civil Engineer, SAFB 82 CES Mike Beaver, TxDOT, Engineer Will Carter, City of Wichita Falls, Transforming Texas I. Welcome & Introduction Mr. Barnett, the TAC chairperson, called the meeting to order at 9:34 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. Will Carter spoke about his program, Transforming Texas, sponsored by the Wichita Falls Health Department. Mr. Carter stated Transforming Texas was all about creating bicycle friendly communities. He informed the committee that they are in the process of developing a smart phone application for the City's Hike and Bike Trail System, which would present the City's trail system to individuals who have never been to Wichita Falls. Mr. Carter indicated the application would include geological mapping (geo-mapping) features. Geo-mapping features provide users with real-world relationships to their location on a map. The user would experience GPS technology as they progress along the trail system. As the individual moves, their location on the map moves, allowing them to know where they are at all times. Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting January 15,2014 Page 1 of 5 Mr. Barnett recommended Mr. Carter conduct a presentation at a future committee meeting. Mr. Carter anticipates the application will be ready by summer and free to the public. Mr. Barnett asked for additional comments. There was none. III. Review and Approval of the October 2, 2013 Technical Advisory Committee's (TAC) Meeting Minutes Mr. Barnett asked for any comments or corrections to the October 2, 2013 TAC meeting minutes. There were none. He then asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Powell made the motion to approve. Mr. Hertel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. IV. Review and Comment Regarding the October 30, 2013 Transportation Policy Committee's (TPC's) Meeting Minutes— No Action Required Mr. Barnett asked for comments on the October 30, 2013 TPC meeting minutes. None were received. The committee moved on to the next agenda item. V. Review and Recommendation to Approve the Long-Range Project Plan Enhanced Report of the Prioritized Project List (See Enclosure) Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to the enclosed Long-Range Project Readiness Plan enhanced report. Mr. Barnett discussed the review of the document by the Policy Board at the October 30, 2013 meeting. He stated that the TPC gave a favorable review but wanted to table the document until the January 2014 meeting in order to have time to review it thoroughly. At that meeting, the Policy Board also directed Mr. Barnett and his staff to refine the document further into three sections. The first being the Prioritized Project List of all the projects; the second being a comparison of the Long-Range, Medium-Range, and Short-Range projects; and the third request a breakout of all the projects by type. Mr. Barnett informed the committee that his staff had done everything requested by the Policy Board. He then asked for comments and suggestions from the TAC committee concerning the document. Overall, TAG felt the document measured up to expectations. However, they did recommend two additional columns for clarity. The first column, called "Overall Ranking", provides the reader with information as to where each project ranks in the overall list. The second column, labeled "Ranking Within Type", quickly shows the reader the most important project within its type or category. With these additions, the TAC committee approved forwarding the Enhanced LRPRP Plan to the Policy Board for review and approval. Mr. Barnett stated that staff would also add the Map of Projects and Section dividers to provide better separation of the sections. Mr. Barnett asked for a motion to forward the Enhanced LRPRP Plan, with revisions, to the Policy Board for review and approval. Mr. Brown made the first motion while Mr. Beauchamp made the second. The motion carried unanimously. VI. Review and Recommendation to Approve Amendments to the 2010-2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Project List for January 2014 (See Enclosure) Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting January 15, 2014 Page 2 of 5 Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to the enclosed 2010-2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan project list for January 2014. He explained that MPO staff receives a list of TxDOT projects within the MPO boundary from the Wichita Falls TxDOT District once a month. Staff then compares this list to the current MTP and adds any new projects to the list or removes any projects that have been let, completed, or begun construction. Mr. Barnett stated MPO staff contacts the City Engineer for Wichita Falls, and representatives for Wichita County, and Archer County for any project revision or additions to the MTP Project List. MPO staff added two new TxDOT projects to the MTP project list this quarter. However, upon further investigation, the TAC committee discovered that the new projects listed were already located in the MTP. MPO staff would research the problem and correct the mistakes. The result being there were no new projects added for this quarter. Mr. Barnett asked for any further comments. Receiving none, he moved on to the next agenda item. VII. Update on Progress by TxDOT TP&P Modeling Division to Refresh the WFMPO Travel Demand Model for Use in MTP Alternative Analysis Mr. Barnett explained that on October 9 and 10, he and Mr. Arbeau worked with Greg Lancaster and his team from TP&P modeling division to discuss the alternative analysis for the 2015-2040 MTP update. It was agreed that population, households, and income data were all within normal parameters. Employment data appeared to be skewed too high. Mr. Arbeau reviewed employment statistics for 16 transportation analysis zones (TAZ) in Wichita Falls. Mr. Arbeau sent his recommendations to Mr. Lancaster in Austin, TX. Since the October meeting, Mr. Lancaster, and his team, have been working on setting up the demographic file and calculating growth rates. However, the model still needs three to four more weeks before it is complete. Mr. Barnett commented that it would probably be middle to late February before Mr. Lancaster could present the TDM model refresh to the Policy Board for review and approval. In the meantime, MPO staff would continue working on the MTP update without performing any alternative analysis of the local transportation network utilizing the Travel Demand Model. Mr. Barnett asked for any questions regarding the refresh of the WFMPO travel demand model. Receiving none, he moved on to the next agenda item. VIII. Review and Discussion of the 2015-2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update and Schedule Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to page 21 of the meeting packet. He stated that with the help of Mr. Bill Frawley from the Texas Transportation Institute, he created a schedule and timeline for progress of the MTP update. Mr. Barnett discussed the timeline of events such as the scheduling of public meetings and the gathering of demographic data for plan input. He stated the next step would be to develop focus groups and establish a study team of stakeholders. Mr. Barnett asked for any questions or comments. There was none. He then moved on to the next agenda item. IX. Other Business: Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting January 15, 2014 Page 3 of 5 A. Discussion & Overview of Progress on Local Transportation Projects-City and TxDOT staff (Quarterly Review) TxDOT Report: Mr. Rohmer reported that construction of the US 82/287 Windthorst Road Bridge was complete and the bridge reopened. He stated there were some signage issues and the need for vegetation seeding. Projects on IH 44 and US 82 near Maurine Street, Windthorst Road, and McNeil Avenue would receive a Dynamic Message Sign, which meant the signs would upgrade to LED lighting for more visibility. He stated that project had let recently. Mr. Rohmer reported on three Safe Routes to School projects that were complete and in the cleanup phase of the project. During the TDLR inspection, inspectors found some minor issues. He stated the contractor would return in a few weeks to complete the punch list. Mr. Rohmer stated a delay with the State Highway 79/Professional Drive project during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays should complete in approximately 30-45 days. Lastly, he reported that US 82/287 Galveston to McKinney Road, awarded to the Zack Burkett Co., would receive a mill and overlay. That project should begin construction this spring. City Report: Mr. Powell reported the 2013 Street Rehab Project from Rhea Road, Kemp Street, and McNeil was 99% complete. Cherokee Drainage Improvements Project, awarded to A&M Construction, was 99% complete. Mr. Powell reported on the Moffett Sewer Rehab stating it was 10% complete and they are preparing to close off sections of Moffett Street for the McNiel drainage project. The McNiel drainage project should begin construction in April of 2014. B. MPO Quarterly Financial Report (4th Quarter FY 2013 — July, August, September) ) Mr. Barnett reported on the fourth quarter expenses for the MPO. He stated that the MPO had spent 78.27% of its allocation for FY 2013. Mr. Barnett said carry over funds would go into the TOD study and the MTP update. Mr. Barnett asked for any other questions or comments about the fourth quarter report. Receiving none, he moved on to the next agenda item. C. Grouped TxDOT CSJ Projects Report Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to page 31 of the TAC meeting packet. Mr. Barnett reported to the committee that MPO staff added one new project to the Grouped TxDOT CSJ Project report for this quarter. Additionally, MPO staff removed a few old projects from the list. Mr. Barnett asked for any comments to the Grouped TxDOT CSJ project report. Receiving none, he moved on to the next agenda item D. MPO Director's Report: Transit Oriented Development Study Mr. Barnett informed the TAC committee that Freese and Nichols (FNI) reviewed data provided by WFMPO and met with MPO staff, Mr. John Burrus, Mr. Dennis Burket, Mr. Danny Brown, and Mr. Lin Barnett on December 17, 2013. FNI staff presented a detailed assessment of the existing transit corridors, local Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting January 15,2014 Page 4 of 5 demographics, existing land uses, and impacts to development attributable to the physical characteristics of the study area. During that meeting, City and TxDOT staff reviewed all of the information and made suggestions, comments, and corrections where needed. MPO staff will continue to provide data as needed for analysis to FNI. Mr. Barnett stated WFMPO would continue with monthly conference calls to review progress of work. TAC will meet sometime in February with FNI to review their progress. E. Other Items Mr. Barnett asked for any other business needing discussion or for any other announcements. There was none. X. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m. 401, Irvan F. "Lin" Barnett Jr. MPO Transportation Planning Director Wichita Falls MPO Wichita Falls MPO TAC Meeting January 15, 2014 Page 5 of 5