OZARKS TRANSPORTATION ORGANIZATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES August 17, 2006

Transcription

1 OZARKS TRANSPORTATION ORGANIZATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES August 17, 2006 The Board of Directors of the Ozarks Transportation Organization met at its scheduled time of 12:00 p.m. in the Busch Municipal Building, 4 th Floor Conference room in Springfield, Missouri. The following members were present: Marc Thornsberry, City of Springfield (Chair, a) Dave Coonrod, Greene County Commission (Vice-Chair) Harold Bengsch, Greene County Commission Jim Bresee, Christian County Bob Chancellor, Citizen-at-Large Representative Bryant Doss, City of Strafford Conrad Griggs, City of Springfield Tom Keltner, City of Willard Ralph Manley, City of Springfield Donna McQuay, City of Ozark Andrew Mueller, MoDOT Jim Payne, Airport Board Dale Ricks, MoDOT Dennis Robbins, City of Republic Joan Roeseler, FTA Dan Smith, Greene County Highway Administration Judy Stainback, City of Battlefield Phil Wannenmacher, City Utilities (a) denotes alternate given voting privileges as a substitute for a voting member not present. The following members were not present: Mokhtee Ahmad, FTA Regional Director Virginia Fry, City Utilities Roseann Bentley, Greene County Commission Teri Hacker, Citizen-at-large Brian Bingle, City of Nixa Bob Jones, City of Springfield Tom Carlson, City of Springfield Doug Marrs, City of Nixa Jim Collins, City of Republic Brad McMahon, FHA Gary Cyr, Springfield-Branson Airport Jim Radmacher, FHWA Gary Deaver, City of Springfield Mark Schenkelberg, FAA John Elkins, Citizen-at-Large Matt Seiler, MoDOT J. Howard Fisk, Citizen-at-Large Representative Sheila Wright, City of Springfield Others present were: Stacy Burks, Senator Kit Bond s office; Terry Campbell, Senator Jim Talent s Office; Carol Cruise, City Utilities; Andy Furedy, City of Springfield; Frank Miller, MoDOT; Steve McIntosh, Congressman Roy Blunt s office; Daniel Nguyen, FTA; Ann Razer, City of Springfield; Ralph Rognstad, City of Springfield; Dan Watts, SMCOG; Richard Agee, OTO; Kim Cook, OTO; Sara Edwards, OTO; Natasha Longpine, OTO and Dan Rudge, OTO Executive Director. Mr. Thornsberry called the Board of Directors meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. I. Administration A. Approval of Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Mr. Payne motioned to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Bresee seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.

2 B. Approval of the April 20, 2006 Meeting Minutes Mr. Coonrod motioned to approve the minutes from the April meeting. Mr. Griggs seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. C. Public Comment Period No one from the public spoke. D. Executive Director s Report Mr. Rudge reported that OTO staff conducted an all day bus survey for the City Utilities transit development plan beginning at 5:00 a.m. and ending at midnight. Mr. Rudge commended Richard Agee for his assistance with that project. OTO received many surveys and will begin evolving the transit development plan at the scheduled meeting on Ms. Longpine will be responsible for developing the Coordinated Human Service Transit Plan. We are providing technical assistance to the City of Ozark to develop a transportation plan for that community as part of their Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Longpine is also responsible for the Regional Ride-Share program. We are now members of It All Adds Up to Clean Air. Even though air pollution is not a major concern for the area at this time, the national coalition provides many generic marketing materials that will be available to us as a member. Ms. Edwards is continuing to work on the US 60 East corridor study. OTO in conjunction with MoDOT will be updating the Functional Classification Map. We are developing what next set of MPO projects will be considered priorities. The Transportation and Land Use Study will be presented in June of next year. II. New Business A. Consideration of FY Transportation Improvement Program Under MPO bylaws, the region s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) must be updated on an annual basis. In the past, the TIP has had a three-year horizon to remain in conformance with federal law. However, with the passage of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), the TIP must now be based on a four-year cycle. The FY TIP will serve as the guidance document for all transportation projects being undertaken in the MPO service area over the next four years. Ms. Edwards began by thanking Mr. Furedy for his work with OTO in preparing the TIP. Ms. Edwards presented a summary of total funding in the TIP broken down by categories. There is approximately $341 million total in the FY TIP. The total amount available for enhancements was about $1.7 million. All but $8,000 could be programmed. Mr. Rudge added that we did not receive any significant public comments on the TIP. Ms. Edwards requested that if the TIP is approved, each member write August 17th on their coversheet and that will serve as their official copy.

3 Mr. Coonrod asked Mr. Bresee what the status of Christian County s efforts were in reference to one of the three alignments around Nicholas Rd. Mr. Bresee reported that a selected group has been working on that project and have completed some preliminary findings. Funding is going to be the determining factor of whether we move forward or not. However, it is still considered a priority. Mr. Coonrod asked Mr. Rudge if widening the airport access road was listed in the TIP. Mr. Rudge stated that OTO has not received any information that there is federal funding for that project. Therefore, it is not listed in the TIP. However, it is important enough to be included, so we will make that correction for future projects. Mr. Chancellor motioned to adopt the TIP. Ms. Stainback seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. B. Missouri Department of Transportation STIP Adoption Request Each year, the Missouri Department of Transportation adopts a Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). As part of its efforts to continue to work closely with its planning partners, MoDOT has requested that the portion of the STIP covering the OTO service area be adopted by the MPO. Mr. Miller reported that the STIP looks different than the TIP but the information is basically the same. One difference is that enhancements in transit projects are listed together instead of as separate projects. Mr. Coonrod motioned to approve the STIP. Mr. Chancellor seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. C. Designated Recipient Resolution for FTA Section 5307, 5316, 5317 Funds As part of Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), two new funding categories were revised from discretionary to formula funding as it relates to FTA programs. Under federal requirements, all FTA formula funds must have one local designated recipient to receive and administer these funds. In the past, Section 5307 funds were the only formula funds received in the OTO service area and the designated recipient was City Utilities Transit. The FTA has requested that the MPO revise their designated recipient resolution to include the new Section 5316 (Job Access Reverse Commute or JARC) and Section 5317 (New Freedoms Initiative). As before, the MPO would develop selection criteria and rate and rank the funding request submissions. Ms. Stainback asked what benefits are derived from Section 5316 and Section Mr. Rudge stated Section 5316 (JARC) was established to mentor areas to provide Job Access Reverse Commute to citizens within the metropolitan area. Section 5317 (New Freedoms Initiative) assists with the starting of new transportation programs that are related in nature. Mr. Wannenmacher motioned to revise the resolution. Mr. Bresee seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.

4 D. Formation of MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee The MPO s Long Range Transportation Plan (Journey 2030) and the Comprehensive OTO Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan both recommend that a separate formal Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee be formed to deal with such issues as trail development, Safe Routes to School, and other topics associated with the efficient movement of non-motorized travel modes. During the development of the Comprehensive OTO Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, a special subcommittee was formed using local bicycle and pedestrian experts and advocates. Staff would like the board of Directors to formalize this group as a stand-alone committee of the MPO to address non-motorized transportation issues. The committee would meet on the same bi-monthly schedule of the Technical Committee. Mr. Payne questioned as to if a committee was really a need or if it could be added to existing organizations agenda. Mr. Rudge stated that forming a committee would be beneficial to all modes of transportation and work directly with the Board. If the committee were approved they would meet the Tuesday before the Technical Committee meeting. Ms. Stainback stated that she personally had attended 2 area committee meetings and was surprised at how many issues there were related to bicycles and pedestrians. A special committee could focus directly on specific issues. Mr. Coonrod motioned to approve forming a committee. Ms. Stainback seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. E. Nixa Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Adoption When the MPO developed the Comprehensive OTO Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, staff incorporated existing member jurisdiction bicycle and pedestrian plans into the regional plan. During this process, it was noted that Nixa s Comprehensive Plan did not have a section addressing bicycle and pedestrian elements. At the request of the City of Nixa, MPO staff worked with the City of Nixa to develop a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plan for the city. Now that the plan has been adopted by the City of Nixa, staff would like to amend the Comprehensive OTO Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to include the new Nixa Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. Mr. Payne motioned to adopt Nixa Plan. Mr. Griggs seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. F. Update on the North-South Corridor Study Ms. Edwards reported that Olsson Associates were contracted in June to conduct the study. Public open house periods were on July 17th & 18th in Willard, Nixa, Battlefield and the Library Center. The report will be divided in 3 phases: Phase I will be analysis of future and existing environmental conditions. It is due August 24 th to be reviewed by the North-South Corridor Study subcommittee. Phase II outlines cost information and alternatives. It is due Sept 8 th. Olsson Associates will present to Board at the October meeting.

5 Phase III (final report) is due October 20 th for review by the Technical Committee at their November meeting. Public meetings will be scheduled for December 4 & 5 to present alternatives for comments/suggestions. Final approval will be requested by the Board at the December meeting. III. Other Business A. Board of Directors Member Announcements None. B. Transportation Issues for Board of Directors Member Review None. C. Information Items Mr. Thornsberry noted there are articles about transportation issues located in the back of the agenda packet. IV. Closed Session Mr. Coonrod motioned to end the open meeting and begin the closed session. Mr. Bresee seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. The next regular scheduled meeting for the Board of Directors has been scheduled for Thursday, October 19, 2006, 12:00-1:00 p.m., 4 th Floor Conference Room, Busch Municipal Building.