Technical Planning Committee November 1, 2016 9:00 a.m. NIRPC Lake Michigan Room 6100 Southport Road, Portage DRAFT AGENDA 1. Call to Order by Chairman, Opening and Announcements a) Pledge of Allegiance; Introductions b) Meeting Participation Survey c) Action on the minutes of the October 11 TPC meeting (Pages 1-4) 2. Presentation: T/B/D 3. Implementation Planning a) Regional Corridor Study Update Eman Ibrahim, Gabrielle Biciunas b) Public Comment Periods Stephen Sostaric (Pages 5-7) c) Action on B-List Rankings for Lake and Porter Counties Mitch Barloga (Handout) 4. Programming a) Transportation Resource & Oversight Committee Lake & Porter Update Gary Evers b) Transportation Resource & Oversight Committee LaPorte Update Gary Evers 5. Topical Committee Reports a) Environmental Management Policy Committee (EMPC) b) Ped, Pedal & Paddle Committee (3PC) c) Transit Operators Roundtable d) Land Use Committee e) Rail Vision/Freight Committee f) Surface Transportation Committee (STC) 6. Reports from Planning Partners a) Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) b) South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association c) Southwestern Michigan Commission d) Federal Highway Administration & Federal Transit Administration 7. Public Comment on Agenda Items 8. Emerging Trends Presentation
9. Other Business, Staff Announcements and Upcoming Meetings a) Other Business b) Staff Announcements c) NIRPC Meetings The Environmental Policy Committee will meet on Thursday, November 3 at 9 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office. Their December meeting will be on December 1 at 9 a.m. The NIRPC Office will be closed on the following dates: November 11 (Veterans Day) November 24 and 25 (Thanksgiving Holiday) The Full Commission/Executive Board will meet on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office. The next Technical Planning Committee meeting will be held on December 6, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office. Requests for alternate formats, please contact Mary Thorne at NIRPC at least 48 hours prior at (219) 763-6060 extension 131 or at mthorne@nirpc.org. Individuals with hearing impairments may contact us through the Indiana Relay 711 service by calling 711 or (800) 743-3333. The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, parental status, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.
Technical Planning Committee Meeting NIRPC Lake Michigan Room 6100 Southport Road, Portage October 11, 2016 MINUTES Members Present Michael Griffin, Kevin Breitzke, Geof Benson, George Topoll, John Bayler, Margot Sabato, Taylor Wegrzyn, Mark O Dell, Tom MacLennan, Robin Barzoni-Tillman, Daryl Lampkins, Beth Shrader, Kay Nelson, Lyndsay Quist, Susan Orona and William Emerson, Jr. Joyce Newland participated via conference phone. Guests Justin Kiel, Jill Murr, Nicole Barker, Frank Rosado, Jr., Joe Crnkovich, Jeff Huet, David Wright, Woody Dresden, Claudia Taylor, Jerry Siska, Mark Gordish, Don Parker, Mike Yacullo, Ismail Attallah, James Mandon, Jake Dammarell, Dennis Cobb, Deb Backhus, Catherine Yoder, Eric Wolverton, Don Oliphant, Lauren Orchard, Nick Barbknecht, Karie Koehneke, Salvatore DiBernardo and Andrew Steele. NIRPC Staff Steve Strains, Gary Evers, Kathy Luther, Sarah Geinosky, Stephen Sostaric, Scott Weber, James Winters, Gabrielle Biciunas, Eman Ibrahim, Belinda Petroskey, Amanda Pollard and Mary Thorne. 1. Call to Order, Opening and Announcements a) Chairman Michael Griffin called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and self-introductions. b) The INDOT voluntary participation survey was available for attendees to complete. c) On a motion by Geof Benson and a second by Kevin Breitzke, the minutes of the September 13, 2016 Technical Planning Committee meeting were approved as presented. 2. Presentation Mitch Barloga presented the Greenways & Blueways 2020 Draft Plan and Open House Schedule. The Greenways & Blueways 2020 plan will cover conservation, recreation and transportation in Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties. The goal is to describe performance measures and policies to enhance greenspace, the street network, and surface and water trails. Traffic counters have been installed along major bike trails to track usage. The draft report is scheduled to be available on the website by the end of the week, followed by a 30 day public comment period with several open houses to provide feedback on the draft plan. A review of the draft by the Ped, Pedal & Paddle Committee and the Environmental Management Policy Committee will take place as well. The comment period will conclude November 14. The final document will go to the Technical Policy Committee for recommendation to the Full Commission for adoption at its December meeting. 1
3. Implementation Planning a) Michael Griffin thanked those who served on the B-List project solicitation criteria ad hoc committee. Mitch Barloga presented the updated schedule and application. The application submission deadline is October 19. NIRPC staff will review the applications and develop draft rankings on October 21 or 24 th. The ad-hoc committee will reconvene at a mandatory meeting at 10 a.m. on October 26 at NIRPC to review the rankings. Applicants should attend this meeting as well. The Technical Planning Committee will meet on November 1 at 9 a.m. at NIRPC (as November 8 is Election Day). The committee will review the rankings and recommend them to the NIRPC Board for adoption at their meeting on December 8 at 9 a.m. at NIRPC. b) Scott Weber presented on the Air Quality Conformity Determination between the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan as updated and amended, the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program and the Indiana State Implementation Plan for Air Quality for expansion projects in the 2020, 2025, 2030 and 2040 Network including projects as shown in Table 1 of the Determination. Analysis included socioeconomic totals, vehicle miles of travel, regional emissions analysis results for 2020, 2025, 2030, 2035, 2040 and 2045. The determination concluded that the emissions for ozone (VOC and NOx) and PM2.5 and annual nitrogen oxide in the PM 2.5 maintenance area are at or less than the Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets established in the Maintenance Plan included in the US EPA approved in the US EPA approved State Implementation Plan for Lake and Porter Counties. Therefore, the Interagency Consultation Group on Air Quality finds the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan as updated and the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program conform to the requirements of section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act Amendment and the related requirements of the Federal Transportation Conformity Rule (40 CFR Part 51 and 40 CFR Part 93) with respect to ozone and PM2.5. c) Gary Evers reported on the three components of Amendment #1 to the FY 2017/2018 Unified Planning Work Program. Amendment 1-1 is for a new program for an updated Household Travel Survey partnering with the Chicago Metropolitan Area for Planning (CMAP) to update our transportation model for $116,232. Amendment 1-2 is for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) carryover funds in the amount of $288,947 to be used for the US 30/Merrillville/Hobart/Gary area safety planning project. Amendment 1-3 is for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) carryover funds in the amounts of $177,420 and $223,013 to be used for two air quality education/outreach programs. NIRPC is grateful to INDOT for allowing us to use the carryover funds for these programs. Kevin Breitzke made a motion to recommend Amendment #1 to the FY 2017/2018 Unified Planning Work Program to the NIRPC Board for approval; seconded by Geof Benson. Motion carried. 4. Transportation Programming. a) Gary Evers explained Amendment 30 to the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program for 27 new or significantly modified INDOT projects in La Porte and Porter Counties. Also included is a US 12 realignment and US 20 reconstruction in Miller for NICTD s project. These projects were exposed in a public comment period and reviewed by the Interagency Consultation Group. As these projects were not done by local communities, they were not reviewed by the 2
topical committees. Kevin Breitzke commented that there is awareness of impact to businesses and noted that these improvements will benefit all along the routes when completed. Geof Benson made a motion to recommend Amendment 30 to the NIRPC Board for approval; seconded by Kevin Breitzke. Motion carried. b) Gary Evers explained Amendment 31 to the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program for new or modified local public agency projects and phases for Portage, Schererville, NIRPC, Hammond, Highland, LaPorte (city), Crown Point, Merrillville, Gary, Winfield and Lake County. Some of these must go back to the Transportation Resource & Oversight Committee (TROC) for additional support, not for any changes. These projects were exposed in a public comment period and reviewed by the Interagency Consultation Group. It was noted that DES 14010300 for Crown Point was listed twice and the final list of projects for Amendment 31 will be edited to remove the second DES 14010300. Kevin Breitzke made a motion to recommend Amendment 30 to the NIRPC Board for approval subject to the striking of the repeated Crown Point project; seconded by Mark O Dell. Motion carried. c) Gary Evers reported that the initial meeting of the Lake and Porter County TROC took place on September 7 to name Phil Gralik as Chair and review the assigned duties and responsibilities of the committee. A summary financial report was provided to the committee showing overprogramming 2018 by over $5 million and under-programming 2019 by about $12.5 million. A solution spreadsheet will be reviewed at the next meeting on October 25 at 9 a.m. as well as some change order procedures. d) Gary Evers that the LaPorte County TROC met on September 11 and October 6 to review duties and responsibilities and hear a presentation on the B-List projects. The consensus of the committee was to proceed on their own on the B-List items and at the October meeting. The group chose five projects to compete for the $317,801 available. The projects are for LaPorte County, LaCrosse (their first project ever), Michigan City Transit, City of LaPorte, and Michigan City. This list of projects would be formed into a resolution for action by the Commission at its meeting next week. Michael Griffin asked that the record reflect that under general consensus the Technical Planning Committee authorizes the LaPorte County Transportation Resource & Oversight Committee to prepare their work product in the form of a resolution to be sent directly to the Commission for adoption. 5. Topical Committee Reports a) Environmental Management Policy Committee Geof Benson said the committee will meet jointly with the Federal Urban Waters Partnership on November 3 at 9 a.m. at Construction Advancement Foundation in the main building. b) Ped Pedal & Paddle Committee Mitch Barloga said the committee will meet on October 27 at 1:30 p.m. at NIRPC. c) Transit Operators Roundtable No report. d) Land Use Committee Gabrielle Biciunas said the next meeting is October 19 at 10 a.m. at NIRPC. e) Rail Vision Workgroup/Freight James Winters said the committee will meet at 10 a.m. on November 1 after the TPC meeting. 3
f) Surface Transportation Committee Scott Weber said the next meeting is December 5. 6. Planning Partners Federal Highway Administration It was very difficult to hear Joyce Newland. She later reported via email that FHWA announced that next year will be the 4-year mark for FTA and FHWA (which comprises the US Department of Transportation review team) to conduct a certification review of the NIRPC planning process. USDOT is required to certify the transportation planning process every four years for metropolitan areas that are over 200,000 in population. USDOT anticipates the onsite certification review will take place in June 2017. 7. Public Comment on Agenda Items There were no requests for public comment. 8. Emerging Trends There was no presentation. 9. Other Business, Staff Announcements and Upcoming Meetings a) There was no other business. b) Staff Announcements - Steve Strains and Belinda Petroskey were honored and thanked for their 40+ years of service. Steve retires the end of October; Belinda retires the end of November. c) Upcoming Meetings at NIRPC Land Use Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 19 th at 10 a.m. in the Dune Room at the NIRPC office. The Executive Board will meet on Thursday, October 20 at 9 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office. The Transportation Resource and Oversight Committee (TROC) for Lake and Porter Counties will meet on Tuesday, October 25 th at 9:00 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office. The Ped, Pedal & Paddle Committee will meet on Thursday, October 27th at 1:30 p.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office. The Rail Vision/Freight Committee will meet on November 1 at 10 a.m. The Environmental Policy Committee will meet on Thursday, November 3 at 9 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office. The Surface Transportation Committee will meet on December 6 at the NIRPC office. Due to Election Day on November 8, the next Technical Planning Committee meeting will be held a week prior on November 1, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office. Hearing no other business, Michael Griffin adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. A Digital MP3 of this meeting is filed. Contact Mary Thorne at the phone number or email below should you wish to receive a copy or a portion of it. The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, parental status, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual s income is derived from any public assistance program. 4
NEWS FROM NIRPC Contact: Stephen Sostaric, Public Involvement & Communications Coordinator 219-763-6060; ssostaric@nirpc.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 21, 2016 NIRPC to Hold 30-Day Public Comment Period on SR 249 Bridge to Port of Indiana The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) is holding a 30-day public comment period on amending the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan Update (CRP). The comment period will begin on October 21, 2016 and end on November 21, 2016. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has determined that the current two lane State Road (SR) 249 bridge into the Port of Indiana in Portage requires replacement. As part of this process, INDOT is studying the need for additional capacity by either constructing an additional two lane bridge or one four lane bridge. While such a capacity expansion may not be determined necessary, NIRPC is amending the CRP to be prepared for the possibility of a capacity expansion. As required in NIRPC s 2014 Public Participation Plan, a public meeting will be held as part of the comment period. The public meeting information is as follows: November 2, 2016: 3:00-5:00 pm, NIRPC, 6100 Southport Road, Portage, Indiana Comments can also be submitted until November 21, 2016 in the following ways: Email: comments@nirpc.org Phone: 219-763-6060, ext. 160 United States Postal Service: NIRPC, 6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN 46368 All comments received during the 30-day public comment period will be compiled into a public comment report and responded to. This report will be made available to the public and distributed to the relevant NIRPC committees prior to any action on these items. Information on this project is available on NIRPC s website at www.nirpc.org. Requests for alternative formats may be directed to Mary Thorne by calling 219-763-6060, ext. 131, or by email at mthorne@nirpc.org. TTY users may use the Relay Indiana service by calling 711 or 800-743-3333. NIRPC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization and regional council of local governments for Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties. NIRPC provides the forum for local elected officials, regional, leadership, and citizens to address regional topics relating to transportation, the environment and community and economic development. NIRPC seeks to develop consensus solutions with the broadest participation. ###
NEWS FROM NIRPC Contacts: Mitch Barloga, Active Transportation Planner 219 763 6060; mbarloga@nirpc.org Kathy Luther, Director of Environmental Programs 219 763 6060; kluther@nirpc.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 21, 2016 NIRPC to Hold 30 Day Public Comment Period Will Gather Public Comments on Draft Greenways + Blueways 2020 Plan The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) will be holding a 30 day public comment period on the draft Greenways + Blueways 2020 plan. The comment period will begin on October 21, 2016 and end on November 21, 2016. Greenways + Blueways 2020 combines the 2007 Greenways + Blueways plan and the 2010 Ped & Pedal Plan, and environmental elements of the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan. It is the first time that the areas of conservation, transportation, and recreation have all been combined into a single document for Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties. The plan was formed with input from public listening sessions and stakeholders with an interest in conservation of natural areas and open lands and non motorized transportation such as walking, biking, hiking, and paddling. As part of the public comment period, four public meetings will be held: November 2, 2016: NIRPC, 6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. November 3, 2016: Merrillville Branch, Lake County Public Library, 1919 81 st Avenue, Merrillville, IN, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. November 14, 2016: East Chicago Public Library Main Branch, 2401 E. Columbus Drive, East Chicago, IN, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. November 16, 2016: Michigan City City Hall, 100 E. Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City, IN, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The meetings will be done in an open house style, and public is invited to attend any and all of these public meetings and provide comments on the draft plan.
Comments can also be submitted until November 21, 2016 in the following ways: Email: comments@nirpc.org Phone: 219 763 6060, ext. 160 United States Postal Service: NIRPC, 6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN 46368 All comments received during the 30 day public comment period will be compiled into a public comment report and responded to. This report will be made available to the public and distributed to the relevant NIRPC committees prior to any action on these items. The draft of the plan can be found on the NIRPC website at http://www.nirpc.org/greenwaysblueways/greenways plus blueways 2020 plan.aspx. Requests for alternative formats may be directed to Mary Thorne, 219 763 6060, ext. 131, or mthorne@nirpc.org. TTY users may contact us through the Indiana Relay 711 service by calling 711 or 800 743 3333. NIRPC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization and regional council of local governments for the three counties of Northwest Indiana. NIRPC provides the forum for local elected officials, regional, leadership, and citizens to address regional issues relating to transportation, the environment and community and economic development. NIRPC seeks to develop consensus solutions with the broadest participation. ###