MPO TPC/TAC Board Minutes - 04/08/2015WICHITA FALLS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
Technical Advisory Committee
Minutes
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Voting Members Present.
Lin Barnett, Wichita Falls MPO, MPO Director, TAC Chairperson
Allan Moore, TxDOT, Director of Construction
Danny Brown, TxDOT, Director of TP &D
Davis Powell, City of Wichita Falls, City Engineer
Doug Beer, TxDOT, Area Engineer, Proxy for David Rohmer
Karen Montgomery - Gagne, City of Wichita Falls, Planning Administrator
Mark Beauchamp, City of Wichita Falls, Traffic Superintendent
Tim Hertel, TxDOT, Director of Operations
MPO Staff.
Jaimie Lee, Wichita Falls MPO, Transportation Planner II
Visitors.
Donnie Arbeau, Beau & Sons
Will Carter, Wichita Falls Health Department
I. Welcome & Introduction
Mr. Barnett, the TAC chairperson, called the meeting to order at 9:38 a.m. and welcomed
everyone in attendance.
Il. Public Comment on Agenda and Non - Agenda Items
Mr. Barnett asked for any public comments on agenda and non - agenda items. Receiving
none, he moved on to the next agenda item.
111. Review and Approval of the January 20, 2015 Technical Advisory Committee's
(TAC) Meeting Minutes
Mr. Barnett asked for any comments or corrections to the January 20, 2015 TAC meeting
minutes. MPO staff received none. He then asked for a motion to approve the minutes.
Mr. Beauchamp made the motion to approve. Mr. Brown seconded the motion, which
passed unanimously.
IV. Review and Comment Regarding the January 28, 2015 Transportation Policy
Committee's (TPC's) Meeting Minutes - No Action Required
Mr. Barnett asked for comments on the January 28, 2015 TPC meeting minutes. MPO
staff received none. The committee moved on to the next agenda item.
V. Review and Comment Regarding the February 26, 2015 Transportation Policy
Committee's (TPC's) Meeting Minutes - No Action Required
Mr. Barnett asked for comments on the February 26, 2015 TPC meeting minutes. MPO
staff received none. The committee moved on to the next agenda item.
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VI. Review and Discussion of Planning for Anticipated Proposition 1 Funding for On-
System (TxDOT) Projects
Mr. Brown reported on Proposition 1 Funding stating the original amount of $3,120,000
has been lowered to around $2,600,000 in funding for FY 2015. This disbursement
would go towards two projects inside the MPO area. Mr. Brown stated the first project
was the FM 369 Corridor Drainage Ditch Enclosure and the second is a Diamond
Grind /Full Depth Concrete Pavement Repair at various locations. He stated the portion
of the Proposition 1 disbursement allocated to Wichita Falls would cover the US 287
Corridor Roadway Lighting project and that the remaining funds would go towards
programming projects that are in the best interest of WFMPO, likely mobility, or
preliminary engineering to prepare mobility projects to let for construction. Mr. Brown
stated that TxDOT would choose the on- system mobility projects from the MPO's
Prioritized Project List. He recommended coming up with a plan to determine which
projects will qualify for future Proposition 1 funding.
Mr. Barnett asked for any questions or comments regarding Proposition 1 Funding.
Receiving none, the committee moved on to the next agenda item.
Vii. Review and Discussion of Progress on the Transportation Alternatives Program
(TAP) Grants Development
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to page 19 of the meeting packet. He
stated Mr. John Burrus, Director of Aviation, Traffic, & Transportation, presented the
TAP resolution to City Council on April 7, 2015, which is a requirement for the TAP
grant. City Council approved the resolution, at 20% local match, for inclusion in the TAP
grant applications. Mr. Powell gave a brief update on the six projects currently under
development for the TAP grant. He stated the cost for all projects is $14,935,942 and
requires a 20% local match of $2,987,188. Mr. Barnett stated that the City of Wichita
Falls must submit the project applications by the May 4, 2015 deadline.
Mr. Barnett asked for any comments or questions regarding the Transportation
Alternatives Program Grant development. Receiving none, the committee moved on to
the next agenda item.
VIII. Wichita Falls Health Department Presentation on Area Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail
System Smart Phone Application
Mr. Will Carter, Program Manager for the Wichita Falls- Wichita County Public Health
District, presented the committee with a handout and PowerPoint regarding the Health
District's new smartphone application called the "Wichita Falls Trail System ". Mr. Carter
stated the application provides a wonderful way to enjoy the benefits of healthy
exercise and enjoy looking at the beautiful scenery in our parks and along our stream
corridors. Currently there are over 18 miles of concrete trail, but once completed, the
resulting citywide Circle Trail System will be approximately 26 miles. Mr. Carter stated
the application allows you to check out the trail, browse photos, locate parking and
restrooms and find things to do along the trail under Points of Interest such as
Geocaching. Mr. Carter stated the application is currently located in the Google Play
store, but can also be added to your phone's home screen by creating a bookmark when
you visit the apps website.
Mr. Barnett asked for comments regarding the Health Districts Wichita Falls Trail
System application. None was received. The committee moved on to the next agenda
item.
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IX. Distribution to the TAC Committee of the Completed Transit Oriented
Development Study with Review and Discussion to Follow
Mr. Barnett distributed a copy of the finalized Transit Oriented Development study to
the TAC Committee. Mr. Barnett noted a minor change to the report regarding the
WFMPO boundary expansion. He stated that towards the conclusion of the TOD study,
the MPO expanded its boundary along its southern edge. He commented that the
boundary revision did not affect the TOD assessment and that Freese and Nichols, Inc.
included a footnote near the beginning of the document referring to this change. The
consultant also included an appendix at the back of the document that illustrated the
MPO's new boundary in comparison to the original boundary.
Mr. Barnett asked for comments regarding the Transit Oriented Development Study
handout. Receiving none, the committee moved on to the next agenda item.
X. Review and Discuss the 2015 Environmental Justice Report
Mr. Barnett directed the committee's attention to the 2015 Environmental justice
Report enclosure. Mr. Arbeau gave a brief summary of the changes to the report. He
stated that he updated the entire document from 2000 census data to 2010 census data.
However, he commented that the biggest change was to the format of the document,
which he discussed at length. The advisory committee recommended forwarding the
Environmental justice Report to the Policy Board for review and approval at the April
22, 2015 TPC meeting.
Mr. Barnett asked for any comments regarding the 2015 Environmental justice Report.
None was received. The committee moved on to the next agenda item.
XI. Other Business:
a. Discussion & Overview of Progress on Local Transportation Projects - City and
TxDOT staff (Quarterly Review)
TxDOT: Mr. Beer reported on FM 369 at McNiel was a project connected to the city's
drainage ditch project and was currently under construction. Future projects
include: FM 369 at SH 240 to US 287 district wide seal coat; US 287 at Huntington
Road bridge replacement; SH 240 bridge replacement; FM 2650 extend culverts and
add shoulders; FM 369 at Fairway to McNeil drainage ditch enclosure; LP 473
Hatton Road place curb and gutter; and US 277/US 82 from 7th street to Galveston
Street (North and South bound) bridge maintenance and repair.
CiM. Mr. Powell reported that the McNiel Drainage and Southwest Parkway
Intersection Improvements were approximately 65% complete. He stated
Southwest Parkway would open back up within the next week or so. He reported on
the 2015 8th Street and Ohio Intersection Enhancement Project stating it was 65%
complete. The Wichita Bluff Hike and Bike Trail was 10% complete. Scheduled
projects include the 2015 Street Rehab Project at various locations across the city.
b. MPO Quarterly Financial Report (1St Quarter - October, November, December)
Mr. Barnett reported on the first quarter expenses for the MPO. He stated that the
MPO had spent 43.16% of its allocation for FY 2015. He asked for any comments on
the first quarter financial report. He received none.
c. Grouped TxDOT CSj Projects Report
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The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m,
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