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MPO TPC/TAC Board Minutes - 01/29/2014 TRANSPORTATION POLICY COMMITTEE (TPC) MEETING WICHITA FALLS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION January 29, 2014 Present: Glenn Barham, Mayor, City of Wichita Falls • Members Danny Brown, Proxy for Larry Tegtmeyer, TxDOT, District Engineer • Davis Powell, Proxy for Russell Schreiber, City Public Works Director • Dennis Wilde, North Texas Reg. Planning Commission • Jeff Watts, City of Pleasant Valley, Representative • Jim Henson, Lakeside City, Mayor • Michael Smith, City Council Representative • Tim Ingle, City Council Representative • Woodrow (Woody) Gossom, Wichita County Judge • Jaimie Lee, WFMPO, Transportation Planner II • Staff Lin Barnett, WFMPO, Transportation Planning Director • Barbara Maley, FHWA, Texas Division • Visitors David Rohmer, TxDOT, Area Engineer • Jennifer Smith, Senator Estes • Rhonda Poirot, Rep. James Frank • Tammy Marlow, TxDOT, North Region Support Center • I. Welcome & Introduction Mayor Barham, the TPC chairperson, called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m. and welcomed everyone in attendance. II. Public Comment on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items Mayor Barham asked for any public comments on agenda and non-agenda items. There was none. III. Review and Approve the Transportation Policy Committee's October 30, 2013 Meeting Minutes Mayor Barham asked for any comments or corrections to the October 30, 2013 minutes. There was none. He then asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Watts made the motion to approve. Judge Gossom seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. IV. Review and Comment Regarding the Technical Advisory Committee's January 15, 2014 Meeting Minutes— No Action Required Mayor Barham asked for any comments on the January 15, 2014 Technical Advisory Committee's meeting minutes. Mr. Barnett stated that the TAC committee spent the WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING January 29,2014 PAGE 1 • majority of its time reviewing the LRPRP enhanced report. There were no comments from anyone else. The committee moved on to the next agenda item. V. Review and Approve the Long-Range Project Readiness Plan Enhanced Report Mayor Barham directed the committee's attention to the enclosed Long-Range Project Readiness Plan Enhanced Report. Mr. Barnett presented the enhanced LRPRP to the committee and discussed changes to the final document. He reverted to the TPC meeting held on October 30, 2013 where he reminded the committee that although the Policy Board felt MPO staff had produced a good product they wanted to table approval of the document until the January 29, 2014 meeting. The extra time gave the committee members an opportunity to review the entire document thoroughly. In addition, at the October meeting, TPC asked MPO staff to incorporate additional sections for Range Comparison and Projects by Type. Mr. Barnett began his review with Section 1, the Prioritized Project List. He reminded everyone how the plan uses 27 weighted criteria for objective ranking of every project on the list regardless of type. He stated the mechanics of the plan create a level playing field where any project can rise to the top of the list. He emphasized the main goal of the plan was to move away from a subjective, opinionated basis to more of a methodical, objective basis for ranking projects (excluding preventative maintenance) listed inside the MTP project list. After answering questions about Section 1, Mr. Barnett outlined Section 2 — Range Comparison In Section 2, Mr. Barnett discussed the process the TAC committee used to divide all of the projects into Long-Range, Medium-Range, and Short-Range categories. He stated this process did not use weighted criteria but rather looked at potential funding levels for each project. Long-Range projects are those projects with no identifiable funding and where the MPO anticipates them to develop in 15 or more years. Medium-Range projects are those projects with potential funding identified and where the MPO reasonably expects them to develop in the next 3 to 5 years. Short-Range projects are those projects with funding identified and allocated and where the MPO can reasonably expect the project will go out for bid within the next 3 years. Mr. Barnett illustrated how the LRPRP Section 2 breaks out each category (LR, MR, and SR) for comparison thus allowing the reader to see the highest-ranking projects within each type. Mr. Barnett concluded this part of the review stating that the TAC committee would meet later this year to create better definitions for each range. Mr. Barnett answered questions about Section 2 and then moved on to Section 3. Mr. Barnett commented that Section 3 was, in his opinion, the most informative of the three. Section 3 — Projects by Type, breaks out all of the projects by type as listed by their MPO identification number. For example, BP-22WF stands for bicycle and pedestrian project number 22 for the City of Wichita Falls. In Section 3, the plan lists all of the BP projects together and illustrates the highest ranked project within its type. The rest of Section 3 accomplishes this same thing with the rest of the project types. The reader can quickly find the highest ranked project within each category. Finally, Mr. Barnett pointed out that MPO staff added three new columns to aid the reader. The first column on the far left indicates the range of the project: Long, Medium, or Short. The second column in on the far right indicates the projects ranking within its type. The last column on the very far right indicates the projects overall ranking against WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING January 29,2014 PAGE 2 every project in the plan. Mr. Barnett concluded his review by reminding the committee that they have the authority to move projects around in the LRPRP based on need and without regard to score. After Mr. Barnett concluded his presentation, Judge Gossom brought to the committee's attention a safety concern at the Kell Freeway and Kemp Blvd. intersection. Judge Gossom described an incident involving a young boy at the Kemp & Kell intersection. The young man was removing some tree limbs that had fallen onto the road. Judge Gossom was so impressed with this young man's sense of civic duty that he turned his car around and went back to talk to him. During the course of their conversation, Judge Gossom learned how dangerous this intersection has become for pedestrians. Judge Gossom asked how the MPO measures pedestrian activity at busy intersections. Mr. Barnett stated that unless the project already exists in the LRPRP then it would require an investigation by the appropriate agency, TxDOT or the City of Wichita Falls, to determine if the agency should submit a project recommendation at the next project nomination cycle. Mr. Barnett stated he would meet with the City Traffic Superintendent, Mr. Mark Beauchamp, to discuss this issue and respond to the Policy Board in a timely manner. Mayor Barham asked for any further comment or discussion. There was none. Mayor Barham asked for a motion to approve the Long-Range Project Readiness Plan Enhanced Report. Judge Gossom made the motion to approve. Councilor Ingle seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. VI. Progress Report on the Travel Demand Model Refresh by TxDOT (Austin) Transportation Planning and Programming Modeling Division Mayor Barham directed the committee's attention to page 19 of the meeting packet. 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. He stated this was necessary in order to help TP&P staff complete the refresh of the TDM and extend forecast year 2035 out to 2040. Mr. Barnett explained that the refresh of the model would allow WFMPO staff to run alternative analyses of the road network for use in completing the 2015-2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan update. During the meeting with Mr. Lancaster, it was agreed that population, households, and income data were all within normal parameters. However, employment data appeared highly skewed. Mr. Arbeau reviewed employment statistics for 16 Transportation Analysis Zones (TAZ's) in Wichita Falls. Mr. Arbeau sent his recommendations addressing the TAZ's 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 at that time still needed three to four more weeks before it was 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. Mayor Barham asked for any questions regarding progress on the Travel Demand Model Refresh. Receiving none, he moved on to the next agenda item. WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING January 29,2014 PAGE 3 VII. Review and Discuss the 2015-2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update Schedule Mayor Barham directed the committee's attention to page 23 of the meeting packet. Mr. Barnett explained to the committee that every five years, WFMPO must comply with the federal mandate to update the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. He stated that with the help of Bill Frawley, a research scientist from the Texas Transportation Institute, he created a schedule and timeline for progress of the MTP update. Mr. Barnett discussed the timeline of events including 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 answered the committee's questions about upcoming requirements and public meetings. VIII. Other Business: 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, which were also the final expenses for FY 2013. He stated that the MPO spent 78.27% of its total allocation and achieved the 75% minimum expenditure requirement. Mayor Barham 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 WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING Janua ry 29,2014 PAGE 4 Mayor Barham directed the committee's attention to page 33 of the 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. D. MPO Director Report: Transit Oriented Development Study Mayor Barham directed the committee's attention to page 34 of the meeting packet. Mr. Barnett informed the TPC committee that Freese and Nichols (FNI) reviewed data provided by WFMPO and met with Mr. John Burrus, Mr. Dennis Burket, Mr. Danny Brown, Mr. Lin Barnett, and Ms. Jaimie Lee on December 17, 2013. FNI staff presented a detailed assessment of the existing transit corridors, local 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. Following the meeting, FNI met with Karen Montgomery-Gagne in Community Development and concluded by touring key sections of the city. Mr. Barnett stated FNI narrowed down three possible corridors for TOD development. These corridors include the Downtown Travel Center, Midwestern State University, and the hospital district. 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. Mayor Barham asked for any comments or questions from the committee. Receiving none, he moved on to the next agenda item. E. Other Items Mayor Barham asked for any other business needing discussion or for any other announcements. There was none. IX. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m. _/ i Kv Honorable Glenn Barham Mayor Wichita Falls RECEIVED IN CITY CLERK'S OFFICE DATE: '/.Z.t/0(' BY: TIME; .../41_3°4/-L WICHITA FALLS MPO TPC MEETING January 29,2014 PAGE 5