TCC MINUTES TCC Members in Attendance:

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1 EASTERN CAROLINA RPO May 17, :30 a.m. Lois Britt Agricultural Center 165 Agricultural Drive Kenansville, NC TCC MINUTES TCC Members in Attendance: Albright, Joe Batten, Win Brown, Charles Caldwell, Betty Ann Daughtry, Haywood Diehl, Charles Eatmon, Jimmy Lassiter, Jr., Neil Moore, Steve Price, Connie Riddle, Patrick Rouse, John Smith, Kenneth Steigerwald, J.R. Summerlin, Scotty Tyndall, Randal Upchurch, James TAC Members in Attendance: Best, C. Munroe Daughety, Mac Flake, Elmer Heath, Bennie Gurley, Woodard ECC Staff in Attendance: Rickard, Alex Flanagan, Patrick Strickland, Mary Guests in Attendance: McCann, Nora Merithew, Brendan Pendergraph, Christopher Thomas, Dan Call to Order TCC Chairman, Charles Brown called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. It was determined there was a quorum. 1. Public Comment There were no public comments. 2. Approval of Minutes Motion was made by Kenneth Smith to approve the minutes as submitted for the March 15, 2012 Eastern Carolina Rural Planning Organization (ECRPO) Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) meeting, second by Randall Tyndall, and unanimously approved. Charles Brown made a note that item #5 on the agenda Strategic Planning Office of Transportation (SPOT) presentation by Stephanie Ayers will be moved to the July 2012 meeting. Ms. Ayers was unable to attend this meeting. 3. ECRPO Staff Report Alex Rickard Alex Rickard briefly explained the new guidelines from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) stating the Public Comment will now be first on the agenda. Mr. Rickard also explained that a signed Conflict of Interest statement will need to be on file. The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) will be required to attend Code of Ethics training. Mr. Rickard stated as further information becomes available the Committees will be notified. Page 1

2 Alex Rickard reviewed the ECRPO schedule of meetings to be held at the Lois Britt Agricultural Center in Kenansville beginning at 9:30 a.m. i. July 19, 2012 ii. September 20, 2012 iii. November 15, 2012 iv. January 17, 2013 Highway 70 Alex Rickard stated that there is a meeting May 17, 2012 in Goldsboro at 2:00 p.m. Jack Best reported on the Havelock and Kinston bypass. Eastern Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Rural Planning Organization (RPO) Coalition - Alex Rickard explained that this group consists of the Eastern and Mid- East MPO and RPO. This group met and prepared a resolution adopting the six or seven highest priority highway projects in the region. The group met at the request of the Department of Transportation (DOT) management group. Subsequently, this group expanded to include all 14 MPOs and RPOs east of I-95 The next coalition meeting is planned for the end of June. The idea is to promote an Eastern Carolina platform and to encourage communication between the MPOs, RPOs, and Eastern North Carolina General Assembly members. Comments followed. 4. NCDOT Reports Division 2 Betty Ann Caldwell submitted a partial written project report, including construction updates. Ms. Caldwell also reported that Greene County maintenance projects are complete. She stated that there will be a public hearing for the Highway 70 bypass on May 17, The hearing will be held at the Kinston High School. For additional information or comments, contact Betty Ann Caldwell at bacaldwell@ncdot.gov or at the following new phone number DOT s new phone number is Division 3 Patrick Riddle submitted a written project report that included the replacement bridges and resurfacing contracts. Mr. Riddle reported that two low impact bridge programs are complete. The resurfacing projects on I-40 will be completed shortly. For additional information or comments, contact Patrick Riddle at priddle@ncdot.gov. Division 4 Jimmy Eatmon reported that the Goldsboro bypass is the largest project underway. All sections should be under construction by July The completion date for the entire Goldsboro bypass is July Bids have been received for improvements west of Goldsboro in the Princeton area. The other large project is in the Pine Level area. This project will extend into Johnston County. For additional information or comments, contact Jimmy Eatmon at jeatmon@ncdot.gov. Transportation Planning Branch James Upchurch stated that there is a minor change in the Warsaw Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP). J.R. Steigerwald reported that the Planning Commission did not hear the discussion of a round-a-bout. Several people on the commission have experienced problems with trucks using a round-a-bout. Three of the members opposed the construction. The Warsaw Board discussed tabling approval and eliminating the construction of the round-a-bout. At this time, Warsaw is going to let time take its course. Hopefully this item will be on the agenda in July. Mr. Upchurch explained that this Page 2

3 discussion is not going to be a problem. The round-a-bout and other construction concerns will be looked at closer. Mr. Upchurch reminded everyone that this is a long range plan. James Upchurch gave a brief update of the Mt. Olive CTP, stating that the Committee did not hold a meeting in May because additional data is being researched by the town. Mr. Upchurch also updated the status of the Wayne County CTP, stating that the boundaries are changing around Goldsboro. There is a lot of confusion about the MPO. It has been decided that Wayne County citizens will need a lot of information up front to eliminate a situation that occurred a couple of years ago. Communication is going to be the key to make the Wayne County CTP come together. Discussion followed. Mr. Upchurch stated that the start date for the Wayne County CTP is uncertain at this time. Educating the public is going to be the key to making this a smooth process. The last item is the Kinston model. Mr. Upchurch stated the model has been updated by a consulting firm and is complete. Alex Rickard asked Mr. Upchurch if he knew when the results of the Kinston model can be presented to the Lenoir Transportation Committee. Mr. Upchurch stated that we are still working with the consultant and that DOT does not want to get ahead of the consulting firm and their analysis. Charles Diehl reported that the Logistics Division of DOT encompasses the Global TransPark (GTP), DOT, and both Ports. Mr. Diehl reported that in addition to working on economic development opportunities for the state, the three groups have developed a Board consisting of four members from each group and will be developing a Strategic Plan. Charles Brown reopened the discussion of the authority of the MPO and RPO. Significant amount of discussion followed. Alex Rickard explained the merger process. It is a several year process that deals with all the permitting agencies to select the actual corridor/ route for a project. The RPO s are in the process of receiving signatory status, which means the RPO has a voice/ vote in the development of the project. The question is how is the RPO staff going to be directed on when or when not, to sign off on the different issues? The suggestion is that the TAC direct the RPO staff on what way to vote. Mr. Rickard asked if the group would like a 101 merger process presentation to be presented at the July 2012 meeting. The consensus of the group is to have the merger process presentation at the July 2012 meeting. 5. SPOT Prioritization 3.0 Stephanie Ayers, NC State Ports Authority This item was tabled until the July 2012 meeting Stephanie Ayers was unable to attend this meeting /241 Feasibility Study Randall Tyndall and Mac Daughety Randall Tyndall, Alex Rickard, and Mac Daughety presented the 11/241 feasibility study to the Pink Hill Council and concerned citizens in attendance. The presentation stressed that no decision has been made. The process is only a study. The discussion was very good. Some of the comments were made from misinformation. It was explained that the study is projected to be completed by April 2013 and that there would be considerable opportunity for public comment. Mac Daughety commented that Alex Rickard did this project, which will save the state 170 million dollars plus. There were approximately 50 people who attended the meeting. The sole purpose for the meeting was to educate and communicate with citizens. Page 3

4 Mr. Tyndall stated that one citizen made a positive comment stating that the citizens learned more at this meeting than he did attending any other transportation meeting. He was very complimentary and appreciative of the efforts by the presenters. Alex Rickard reviewed in great detail the history behind developing the 11/241 project. The cost saving for the 11/241 project would be 171 million dollars plus the cost of the Beulaville bypass project. Alex Rickard noted that 100 SPOT points have been awarded to the 11/241 Feasibility Study from DOT and the RPO. Significant amount of discussion followed. A recommendation to the TAC to approve the endorsement of the 11/241 Feasibility Study and amendment to the North Carolina Department of Transportation Strategic Highway Corridors Vision Plan Resolution as needed was made by Win Batten, second by Connie Price, and unanimously approved. Attachment I 7. TAC and TCC Appointments Alex Rickard Alex Rickard recommended that at the next meeting of the Duplin and Lenoir County Transportation Committee, they document the members and alternates for the ECRPO TAC Committees. It is necessary to document the voting members of the ECRPO TAC Committee. Alex Richard and Patrick Flanagan will be working with the membership individually. 8. Amtrak Bus System Patrick Flanagan Patrick Flanagan presented the Amtrak Resolution. A recommendation to the TAC to approve the Resolution in Support of Expanded Amtrak Passenger Service was made by Win Batten, second by Kenneth Smith, and unanimously approved. Attachment II 9. Five Year Calendar Plan Patrick Flanagan Patrick Flanagan explained that the Five Year Plan is an annual report that is submitted to the DOT. Mr. Flanagan highlighted a few items that were included in the calendar plan and noted that this plan is subject to change over time. James Upchurch stated that the ECRPO is very engaged and is working extremely hard to make sure information is presented to the TCC and TAC. Mr. Upchurch stated that the RPO staff is doing an excellent job of communication. A recommendation to the TAC to approve the Five Year Calendar Plan was made by Randall Tyndall, second by Win Batten, and unanimously approved. Attachment III 10. RPO and CTP Endorsement Process Alex Rickard Alex Rickard presented the Resolutions for CTP Endorsement and CTP Guideline Procedures. Mr. Rickard explained that the guideline procedures are not required to be approved by the TCC or TAC. This document is a procedure guideline only. The CTP Endorsement will need approval. Mr. Rickard reviewed the guideline procedure document in detail. Discussion followed with an overview of how the procedure is applied. James Upchurch noted that the procedure looks good. ECRPO is the first RPO to develop this type of a document. Page 4

5 A recommendation to the TAC to approve RPO CTP Endorsement Resolution was made by Joe Albright, second by Win Batten, and unanimously approved. Attachment IV 11. Other Business Charles Brown expressed his appreciation of the RPO staff and encourages continued communication within the four counties. James Upchurch announced that New Bern has been designated as a MPO. Mr. Upchurch also stated that the MPO of South Myrtle Beach will be joining North Carolina as by-state collaboration. 12. Adjournment The members made the motion to adjourn and was unanimously approved. Respectfully Submitted, Charles Brown, Chairman Mary Strickland, ECC Administration Page 5

6 Resolution for Amending the NC DOT Strategic Highway Corridors Vision Plan ~ Attachment I EASTERN CAROLINA RURAL PLANNING ORGANIZATION RESOLUTION FOR AMENDING THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIC HIGHWAY CORRIDORS VISION PLAN WHEREAS, The Eastern Carolina Rural Planning Organization exists to serve as an intergovernmental organization for local elected officials, the NC Department of Transportation, and residents of its fourcounty region to work cooperatively to address transportation issues, prioritize transportation projects, and to develop long-range local and regional multi-modal transportation plans to sustain and improve the quality of life for residents of the region and throughout the State of North Carolina; and, WHEREAS, the Eastern Carolina Rural Planning Organization is charged with prioritizing highway projects for the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) and developing Comprehensive Transportation Plans; and, WHEREAS, the Strategic Highway Corridors initiative s primary purpose is to provide a network of high-speed, safe, reliable highways that connect the major activity centers throughout the state including state seaports, major intermodal terminals, and major military establishments; and, WHEREAS, Strategic Highway Corridor #53 connects Wilmington and the State Port to the NC Global TransPark and ultimately to the port of Norfolk, and includes 13.6 miles of NC Highway 11/903 referred to as STIP Project R-2204; and, WHEREAS, Strategic Highway Corridor #54 provides a route connecting Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River to I-95 and ultimately to Marine Corps Base Quantico, The Pentagon, and the greater Washington D.C. area, and includes 24.9 miles of US Highway 258 referred to as STIP Project R-2235; and, WHEREAS, these two projects present a considerable challenge to the State of North Carolina given their projected cost, anticipated environmental impacts, and the state s fiscal challenges; and, WHEREAS, the construction of a northern Beulaville Bypass, a Pink Hill Bypass, and improvements to NC 241 and NC 11 provide an alternative route for both Strategic Highway Corridors #53, and #54 with less anticipated environmental impact and a projected cost savings of over 190 million dollars ($192,309,000) for the State of North Carolina. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Eastern Carolina Rural Planning Organization does hereby request the North Carolina Department of Transportation to amend the Strategic Highway Corridors Vision Plan by modifying the route of Strategic Highway Corridors #53 Wilmington to Norfolk, VA and #54 Jacksonville to Kinston (US 258) to include NC Highway 24, NC Highway 241, and NC Highway 11. ADOPTED this the 17 th day of May 2012 Page 6

7 Amtrak Bus System Resolution ~ Attachment II Page 7

8 Five Year Calendar Plan ~ Attachment III Page 8

9 Resolution for Endorsement Procedure for CTP ~ Attachment IV Page 9

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