RICHMOND AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION MINUTES OF MEETING. May 14, 2009

Transcription

1 RICHMOND AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION MINUTES OF MEETING MEMBERS PRESENT REPRESENTING Kathy C. Graziano, Chair...City of Richmond Patricia S. O Bannon, Vice Chair... County of Henrico Joseph Andrews, Jr....County of Goochland Virginia Axtell (Nonvoting)...CTAC Viktoria W. Badger...City of Richmond James R. Banks (Alternate)...County of Chesterfield Robert M. Berry... RMA Malvern R. Butler...County of Goochland Karin Carmack...County of Powhatan Deborah B. Coats (Alternate)...County of Hanover Douglas G. Conner (Alternate)...City of Richmond Timothy W. Cotman... County of Charles City Robert A. Crum, Jr... RRPDC Marleen K. Durfee...County of Chesterfield E. Todd Eure... County of Henrico J. Michael Flagg (Alternate)...County of Hanover Daniel A. Gecker...County of Chesterfield Edward L. Henson, III...Town of Ashland George M. Homewood... County of New Kent John M. Lewis...GRTC Transit System Jean M. Moore... County of Henrico Mark Riblett (Alternate)... VDOT Ellen F. Robertson...City of Richmond Daniel E. Rudge (Nonvoting)... VDRPT Barbara K. Smith (Alternate)...County of Chesterfield Von Tisdale (Nonvoting)...RideFinders Stran L. Trout... County of New Kent Joseph E. Vidunas...County of Hanover Joseph B. Walton...County of Powhatan MEMBERS ABSENT REPRESENTING Linda G. Broady-Myers (Nonvoting)...EDAC Cliff Burnette (Nonvoting)...VDA Tony Cho (Nonvoting)...FTA Tammye Davis (Nonvoting)...FHWA Thomas E. Flynn...City of Richmond John Gordon...County of Hanover

2 Page 2 MEMBERS ABSENT (Cont.) REPRESENTING Thomas A. Hawthorne... VDOT James M. Holland...County of Chesterfield John McCracken...County of Chesterfield John Rutledge...CRAC Robert R. Setliff...County of Hanover Frank J. Thornton... County of Henrico OTHERS PRESENT REPRESENTING Daniel N. Lysy, Secretary (Alternate)... RRPDC Nora Amos (Alternate)...Town of Ashland Jonathan Baliles...City of Richmond Sid del Cardayre...Van Go Christine Fix... VDRPT Consultant Christina Greene (Alternate)...Charles City County Lawrence A. Hagin (Alternate)...GRTC Transit System Walter Johnson... VDOT Nicholas A. Macauley (Alternate)...City of Richmond Charles Macfarlane...Historic Shockoe Partnership Stephen F. McNally...GRTC Ivan Rucker...FHWA Stephen Story...James River Bus Lines Richard Stutts...Historic Shockoe Partnership Chelsea Washington...WRIC TV8 Brian White...Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association Dexter C. White (Alternate)...City of Richmond Anne Darby... RRPDC Jin Lee... RRPDC Barbara Nelson... RRPDC Sharon Robeson... RRPDC Kathy Wright... RRPDC Lee Yolton... RRPDC CALL TO ORDER MPO Chairman Kathy C. Graziano called the meeting of the Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to order at approximately 2:40 p.m. in the Board Room of the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission offices. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MPO ALTERNATE MEMBERS Chairman Graziano introduced and welcomed two new MPO alternate members, Nicholas A. Macauley representing the City of Richmond, and Christina Greene, Charles City County Planning Director, representing that county.

3 Page 3 I. ADMINISTRATION A. Certification by MPO Secretary of Meeting Quorum Dan Lysy reported that a quorum was present. B. Additions to MPO Agenda Dan Lysy reported a request to add an item, I-95 Corridor Designation and Marine Highway Letter of Support. Mr. Lysy said this is in response to a letter of request from the I-95 Corridor Coalition, of which VDOT is a member, to provide a letter in support of designating the navigable waterway system along the I-95 corridor on the Atlantic Coast as a designated corridor in the America s Marine Highway Program. He said marine highway programs were set up under the Energy Act of 2007 to provide for more efficient movement of goods. Mr. Lysy noted that in effect, we currently have a Marine Highway established between the Port of Richmond and Hampton Roads as part of the James River Barge project. He said this program is being extended nationwide and the MPO has been requested to submit a letter of support to the I-95 Corridor Coalition for such designation. Mr. Lysy said he recommends this item be added as the last New Business item on the agenda, Item III.G. Mr. Lysy also requested two changes to the order of business items on the agenda moving item III.F. GRTC Downtown Transfer Center as the second item under New Business due to a schedule conflict of GRTC CEO John Lewis, and moving Item III.E. FY 10 FY 13 RSTP and CMAQ Allocations as the first item under New Business in order to be certain a quorum is present to vote on this important item. On motion of Patricia S. O Bannon, seconded by Marleen K. Durfee, the MPO voted unanimously to add the I-95 Corridor Designation and Marine Highway Letter of Support item as agenda Item III.G, and to reorder agenda items III.E and III.F under New Business as requested. C. Minutes of the April 9, 2009 MPO Meeting On motion of Malvern R. Butler, seconded by Timothy W. Cotman, the minutes of the April 9, 2009 MPO meeting were unanimously approved as presented. D. Open Public Comment Period Chairman Graziano opened the public comment period of the meeting and recognized Sid del Cardayre, owner of Van Go of Richmond. Mr. del Cardayre stated that Van Go, in business since 1989, is the largest private provider of non-emergency medical public transportation service in the area. He said because of contracts Van Go has with Chesterfield, Henrico,

4 Page 4 City of Richmond, Sheltering Arms, the Veterans Administration medical center and others, Van Go is an excellent example of coordinated transportation because they are able to spread their fixed costs across nearly all contracts by multi-loading clients from different contractors into one van, thereby reducing the per/client cost. Mr. del Cardayre said Van Go has nearly 100 employees and provides over 4,000 trips a week to area citizens with a recent 99.2 percent on-time performance. He expressed concern that there is no private, for-profit representation on CTAC or EDAC and questioned why. He said the EDAC subcommittee, established to examine the issue of EDAC membership for a private, for-profit provider, was concerned about the possibility of improprieties or selfserving action by a private provider. Mr. del Cardayre noted the potential for improprieties exists for nonprofit as well as for-profit entities and said while private providers may be self-serving in a business sense, they also care about the community; he noted his service on nonprofit organization boards. He said nonprofits may become inefficient due to the availability of free money in the form of state and federal grants, while for-profits must strive for efficiency to pay 100 percent of their expenses. He noted that Van Go was awarded the Hanover County Mental Health contract, previously held by Red Cross, at a 10 percent cost reduction while providing more efficient, reliable service, even though Red Cross only paid 20 percent of the cost for their vehicles and had volunteer drivers. Mr. del Cardayre asked that the MPO consider having a variety of views and opinions on issues by allowing for-profit representation on EDAC and/or CTAC. Chairman Graziano thanked Mr. del Cardayre for his comments and recognized Stephen Story with James River Bus Lines. Mr. Story reminded that GRTC was recently awarded Transit Operator of the Year and reported that James River Bus Lines was awarded a similar distinction for 2009 through their industry association. He said it is commendable to have both a public and a private organization that have received these distinguished awards and said it is no surprise that GRTC and James River work well together providing transportation solutions for events in the region, which is not the case in every city. He said he wants to make everyone aware of the prime transportation service and opportunities that our region has. Chairman Graziano thanked Mr. Story for his comments. There were no additional requests to address the MPO, and Chairman Graziano closed the public comment period. E. MPO Chairman s Report 1. Report of the Nominating Committee Stran Trout reported the Nominating Committee, in accordance with bylaws requirements, recommends that Patricia S. O Bannon, Henrico County, serve as FY 10 MPO Chairman and that Edward L. Henson

5 Page 5 III, Town of Ashland, serve as FY 10 MPO Vice Chairman. Chairman Graziano called for nominations from the floor and there were none. On motion of Stran L. Trout, seconded by Malvern R. Butler, the MPO unanimously elected Patricia S. O Bannon as FY 10 MPO Chairman and Edward L. Henson III as the FY 10 MPO Vice Chairman and established the MPO Executive Committee with appointments to be made by the new MPO Chairman. 2. Other Business No other business was brought forward. F. RRPDC Transportation Director s Report Transportation Summit Dan Lysy reported the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce will hold a 2009 Transportation Summit, invision Hanover, at Randolph Macon College in Ashland on May 29 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Mr. Lysy noted details are included under tab two of the agenda package. He said AMTRAK CEO John Boardman and GRTC CEO John Lewis will be there to discuss high speed rail and the Main Street Station multi-modal transportation center. In response to a question, Mr. Lysy advised the best way to make reservations is to call the Chamber reservation line listed on the information sheet. 2. Other Business No other business was brought forward for consideration. II. OLD BUSINESS No old business was brought forward for consideration. III. NEW BUSINESS A. FY 10 FY 13 RSTP and CMAQ Allocations Barbara Nelson noted information provided under tab seven of the agenda package is asking the MPO to take action to recommend proposed Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding for the Commonwealth Transportation Board s consideration in the upcoming FY 10 - FY 15 Six- Year Improvement Program (SYIP). Ms. Nelson noted the April 21 MPO Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) unanimous action to recommend the allocations for FYs (pages 1 4, tab seven). Ms. Nelson said

6 Page 6 developing recommendations this year was particularly challenging due to repeated cuts to the FY 09 SYIP; the opportunities, implications and constraints associated with the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA); the late receipt of preliminary allocation numbers from VDOT; as well as the net reductions in funding for the horizon years for fiscal years She noted a general 14 to 16 percent reduction in RSTP and CMAQ allocations for each year (pages 5 9, tab seven). Ms. Nelson said the recommended action preserves unallocated balances in FY 10 as well as the out years noting that if the reserved balance is not needed for a mid-year reduction in FY 10, a recommendation for advancing that balance could be brought back to the MPO. She said the competitive project selection process was conducted according to MPO adopted guidelines giving priority to existing RSTP and CMAQ projects underway or advancing to construction and evaluating the scope, schedule, estimates and funding needs of every active RSTP and CMAQ project with local jurisdictions and agencies. Then a determination is made of whether new projects should be recommended for funding and an 11.4 percent off-thetop allocation of CMAQ funds is made for RideFinders. Ms. Nelson said recommendations on pages 1 4 of the agenda packet were made with the following guidance: based on the project schedule, allocations would be shifted to an out-year if they would not compromise the project schedule; surplus allocations on an existing project would be shifted to other projects; and an unallocated balance of 25 percent would be carried in each of the out years, 2011 through 2013, which is consistent with a VDOT recommendation presented at the March CTB meeting. Ms. Nelson offered to answer questions. Following a motion for approval by George Homewood, seconded by Tim Cotman, Ivan Rucker asked for clarification of the difference between allocation and obligation of funds. Ms. Nelson explained that the Six- Year Improvement Program (SYIP) could be considered as the savings account where allocations for a particular project are built; the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) would then be the checkbook where money is put when a particular project is ready to advance and the money spent. Obligations are represented in the TIP; allocations are represented in the SYIP. Mr. Rucker asked if the STIP shows allocations as well as obligations or just obligation information and Ms. Nelson responded that the STIP and TIP are obligation documents noting that the TIP changed from an allocation document to an obligation document several years ago. There were no additional questions and on motion of George M. Homewood, seconded by Timothy W. Cotman, the Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization unanimously approved the following resolution: RESOLVED, that the Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) authorizes the allocation of RSTP and CMAQ funds

7 Page 7 in fiscal years 2010 through 2013 as shown in the submitted tables for inclusion in VDOT s Final Six-Year Improvement Program for fiscal years 2010 through BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the MPO requests the reallocation of up to $1 million in state Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds for fiscal years 2005 through 2007 to UPC 64219, Main Street Station. B. GRTC Downtown Transfer Center John Lewis provided a presentation on GRTC s proposal to establish a multimodal center in the train shed behind Main Street Station, in conjunction with bus rapid transit development. He said the multimodal center is a critical project for GRTC as it moves toward the goal of becoming a truly regional provider of public transportation services. Mr. Lewis used the following PowerPoint slides in his presentation: Main Street Station Multimodal Transportation Center (cover slide) Project Need (photo of expanse of end-to-end buses with crowds of passengers waiting for correct bus) Project Need (photo of dangerous vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian traffic conditions as bus pulls to curb) Project Summary How we got here (GRTC 2008 COA quote on Assessment ) How we got here (GRTC 2008 COA quote on Recommendation ) Single Transfer Center (map diagram) City Block Aerial Map Leigh Street, 9th Street, Main Street, and 2nd Street area Potential Locations (city block aerial map showing three potential locations for downtown transfer center) Multiple Transfer Centers w/brt (street map diagram with photo insets; indicates potential BRT stations between Willow Lawn and Rocketts Landing) Potential Locations to the East (city block aerial map showing three potential locations for downtown transfer center) Current Operations (street map showing current bus local routes in downtown Richmond) Potential w/transfer Centers (street map showing downtown bus routes with Main Street Station transfer center; indicates system-wide savings) Project Status: Timeline Project Description (movie - video visualization of downtown transfer center showing traffic flow and functionality of center) Thank you (closing slide with contact information) Mr. Lewis concluded his presentation and offered to answer questions. Stran Trout inquired if the downtown transfer center would be suitable for

8 Page 8 high speed rail terminal as well. Mr. Lewis said the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT) is a design partner working with GRTC to design a multimodal facility giving consideration to space that will promote and enable high speed rail, other rail use, and other forms of public transit as well as the bus transfer function. He reminded that they are at 30 percent design with many questions yet unanswered. There were no additional questions and Chairman Graziano thanked Mr. Lewis for his presentation. C. MPO Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) Meeting Report CTAC Chairman Virginia Axtell reported that CTAC met on April 28 with a presentation from Troy Bell and John Rutledge with the Capital Region Airport Commission (CRAC) on the CRAC Master Plan Update and air service expansion plans in the region. Ms. Axtell also reported that during open public comment period Eyal Shapira, owner of Raritan Central Railway in New Jersey and another short line railroad, addressed CTAC indicating he is interested in investing his own money to develop short line rail service along the Deepwater Terminal Railroad between Port of Richmond and the CSX rail line. Ms. Axtell noted that additional details are contained in tab three of the agenda package. Chairman Graziano thanked Ms. Axtell for her report. D. MPO Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee (EDAC) Meeting Report In the absence of EDAC Chairman Linda Broady-Myers, Dan Lysy reported on the April 22 EDAC meeting highlighting major business items. Mr. Lysy noted brief discussion on the Coordinated Human Services Mobility Plan (CHSMP) and reported that GRTC will hold a meeting on Monday, May 18 in the RRPDC Board Room for area social and human service agencies and organizations and transportation providers to review application procedures for submitting applications for funds under the FTA Section 5316 New Freedom program. Mr. Lysy reported EDAC had follow-up discussion from GRTC s takeover of CARE service from First Transit (previously Laidlaw Transit), in August 2008 and other service issues. Mr. Lysy also reported that EDAC considered Sid del Cardayre s request for a private, for-profit transportation provider membership slot on EDAC and formed a subcommittee to consider the matter. The subcommittee reported back to EDAC that there should be a private, for-profit provider serving on EDAC. Mr. Lysy said that staff does not support that position due to EDAC being an advisory group representing the consumer s point of view and interests. He said in discussing this matter at today s Executive Committee meeting, the Executive Committee requested additional information regarding EDAC s membership composition and that the matter be tabled for consideration at a later date. Mr. Lysy also reported

9 Page 9 that EDAC discussed the Central Virginia Regional Transportation Authority and expressed interest in being involved in the Transportation Funding Strategies Work Group. Interested EDAC members will be added to the mailing list for that group and the EDAC Chairman would like to meet with the MPO Chairman to discuss EDAC s participation on the Funding Strategies Work Group. Chairman Graziano thanked Mr. Lysy for his report and noted that the MPO Executive Committee did consider the matter of EDAC membership for a private, for-profit provider and felt they needed to be more informed about EDAC before making a decision on that matter. E. MPO Federal Certification Review Ivan Rucker, Highway Safety Programs Manager and Emergency Coordinator for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), delivered a very brief preliminary finding resulting from the March 25 and 26, 2009 Federal Certification Review of the Richmond Area MPO. He noted that Tammye Davis, FHWA Community Planner, is out on maternity leave. [Note that Mr. Rucker had recently served as FHWA Community Planner and was FHWA s MPO member.] He said overall, FHWA was very pleased with the MPO efforts and the level of regional cooperation by member jurisdictions. He said FHWA is aware that as the second largest federally recognized regional transportation decision-making body in Virginia (not including the multi-state Washington, D.C. area), consensus can be difficult, but overall, FHWA and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) are very pleased with how the MPO functions as a regional body. He said they are also pleased with staff efforts over the last several years to bring the MPO into compliance with SAFETEA-LU federal legislation, noting the UWP, the Long-Range Transportation Plan, the TIP as well as the Public Participation Plan are all SAFETEA-LU compliant. Mr. Rucker said the federal team recognizes the strong working relationship between the VDOT District Office and MPO staff and noted the focused joint effort on RSTP and CMAQ reconciliation which resulted in the availability of several million dollars in project obligation. He said FTA is pleased with the work of GRTC and the good working relationship between GRTC and the MPO. Mr. Rucker noted there are some areas where FHWA and FTA would like to see improvement, one with respect to determining if there s a need for targeted outreach to limited English proficiency (LEP) populations under the LEP Executive Order. He said that while the LEP Executive Order is not law, it has the force of law and they want to make sure the MPO is in compliance. Mr. Rucker stated they believe compliance with the LEP Executive Order can be achieved by the time the certification report is complete, probably in September Mr. Rucker also stated that the federal team believes VDOT could be more responsive to the MPO with respect to issues and matters related to the obligation of projects as well as the status of projects and noted there will be further comment about that in the certification review and also in the statewide plan finding that they

10 Page 10 prepare in conjunction with or prior to federal approval of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Mr. Rucker said the final report will highlight comments received from CTAC and EDAC and said they appreciated meeting with them and directly hearing their concerns as well as the good things that are happening. Mr. Rucker noted citizen comment letters and federal responses will also be included in the final certification report. Mr. Rucker responded to several questions regarding how to communicate with limited English proficiency populations and Mr. Rucker noted the growing Hispanic and Asian populations in the region and that the region s demographic breakdown isn t minority specific. He said he will work with staff to apply minority-specific demographics to the Department of Justice four-step process to determine whether or not the MPO s LEP population meets the threshold for requiring targeted outreach to those populations. Mr. Rucker said he believes this may be the only corrective action and that it can be resolved very quickly, before the final certification report, so that the MPO can be fully certified. Chairman Graziano thanked Mr. Rucker for his report and stated that the MPO will work on that corrective action in order to be certified. F. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Stimulus Projects Status Barbara Nelson noted information contained in tabs five and six of the agenda packet and provided a brief update on TAC action taken on behalf of the MPO as it relates to American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Stimulus Funds (ARRA) administered by VDOT. 1. TAC Action on Behalf of MPO Ms. Nelson reported there are six projects incorporated into the MPO s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) totaling approximately $22.5 million and an additional project will be added as an adjustment next week with an additional $8 million for the Virginia Capital Trail bringing the total of the first phase of the VDOT stimulus investment in our region to a total of about $30 million. Ms. Nelson reported that later this summer TAC will be taking action to develop the recommendation for Regional STP stimulus funds, about $20.8 million, that will be allocated to projects that are ready to go and staff anticipates bringing that recommendation to the MPO by October 2009 and having them obligated through the VDOT system prior to the end of this calendar year.

11 Page VDOT Transportation Projects List for ARRA Funds Under Tab six there is correspondence from the Secretary of Transportation following up on the VDOT list of where stimulus money would likely be spent. Dan Lysy said that staff plans to report on the status of some of the VDOT RSTP stimulus projects, probably at the July MPO meeting. He said there is a requirement that by June 17 half of the amount distributed must be obligated and so staff would report on what has been obligated. G. I-95 Corridor Designation and Marine Highway Letter of Support While staff distributed copies of the proposed letter of support for the I-95 Corridor designation as America s Marine Highway, Dan Lysy reported that the James River Barge service between Hampton Roads and Richmond served as the model for the regulations that the Maritime Administration (MARAD) enacted on the Marine Highways program. He said staff is requesting a letter of support for the I-95 Corridor Coalition. Barbara Nelson said this is an opportunity to do a mode shift from highway to water, where it works for the goods and for the market and the project is consistent with our regional barge project that s running between the terminals at Hampton Roads and the Port of Richmond. Ms. Nelson offered to answer questions. Pat O Bannon inquired if there is any money involved and Ms. Nelson responded that the MPO has no requirement to spend money but noted there may be an opportunity for the Port of Richmond to be on the receiving end of appropriations or project money at some point in the future. On motion of Marleen K. Durfee, seconded by Patricia S. O Bannon, the MPO voted unanimous approval for sending the proposed letter of support to the I-95 Corridor Coalition for designating the I-95 corridor as a Designated Corridor under the America s Marine Highway Program. Dan Lysy recognized FHWA representative Ivan Rucker for his support on the barge project early on and for helping to develop important contacts for moving the project forward. IV. OTHER BUSINESS No other business was brought forward for MPO consideration. V. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Graziano adjourned the meeting at approximately 3:40 p.m.