MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board on May 29, 2024

Agenda

4:30pm
City Council Chambers, 360 N Main St., North Liberty, Iowa

This meeting may be accessed live by the public in person or on the internet at
northlibertyiowa.org/live, on Facebook at facebook.com/northliberty or on
YouTube at youtube.com/northliberty.

1. Call to Order
   1. Recognize alternates
   2. Consider approval of meeting minutes
   3. Set next Board meeting date, time and location (July 10th, location TBD)
2. Public Discussion of any item not on the agenda*
3. Transportation Planning
   1. Public Hearing and consideration of an amendment to the FY2024-2027 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – adjusting the project termini for the Iowa DOT I-380 Improvement Project
      1. Public Hearing
      2. Consider an amendment to the FY24-27 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program
   2. Update on the MPOJC FY2025 Transit Program of Projects
   3. Consider approval of Draft FY2025-2028 MPOJC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) projects
   4. Consider a Resolution approving the MPOJC FY2025 Transportation Planning Work Program
   5. Update from MPO Director on the CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study
   6. Update from Iowa DOT District 6 staff on major projects in the urbanized area
4. Other Business
5. Adjournment

 

*Public input is permitted on any agenda item. Please indicate to the Chair if you wish to comment on an agenda item.

To request any disability-related accommodations or language interpretation, please contact MPOJC staff at 319-356-5230 or [email protected] 48 hours prior to the meeting.

Minutes

MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD JANUARY 31, 2024 – 4:30 PM
IOWA CITY CITY HALL – EMMA HARVAT HALL 410 E WASHINGTON ST, IOWA CITY, IA

MEMBERS PRESENT:
Coralville: Royce Peterson
Iowa City: Laura Bergus, Megan Alter, Josh Moe, Mazahir Salih
Johnson County: Rod Sullivan, Jon Green
North Liberty: Brian Wayson, Erek Sittig
University Heights: Louise From
University of Iowa:  Greg Schmitt
STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Hannah Neel, Sarah Walz
OTHER: Mary Rump, Kelly Schneider

1. CALL TO ORDER

From called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was held in Emma Harvat Hall at Iowa City City Hall.

1. Recognize alternates

Ralston recognized Erek Sittig as an alternate for Chris Hoffman.

1. Consider approval of meeting minutes

Sullivan moved to approve; Salih seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

1. Set next Board meeting date

Tentatively scheduled for April 3, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.

2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA

None.

3. ADMINISTRATION

1. Report from nominating committee for 2024 MPOJC Board officers

Ralston reminded the Board that at their November meeting, they appointed a three-person nominating committee for 2024 MPOJC Board Officers. The committee was comprised of Laurie Goodrich (Coralville), Chris Hoffman (North Liberty), and Brian Wayson (North Liberty).

Wayson stated that the committee recommended Louise From for the position of Chair and Rod Sullivan for the position of Vice Chair.

1. Consider action

Wayson moved to approve the appointment as presented; Moe seconded.
The motion carried unanimously.

1. Consider approval of the FY25 MPOJC Budget and Financial Forecast

Ralston explained that there has been an approximate 2.75% increase in the budget from FY24, which is primarily due to increases in costs for staff benefits and wages. Ralston explained that MPOJC assessments are based on the 2020 decennial census figures, as required by MPO bylaws, and that the budget also reflects the continued use of internal carryover funds and Iowa DOT funding to ensure an appropriate balance of funds per Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines. Ralston asked the Board for approval of the FY25 MPOJC budget.

Sullivan moved to approve; Salih seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

1. Consider approval of the FY25 Johnson County Assessments for the East Central Iowa Council of Governments

Ralston explained that MPOJC collects East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) dues for Johnson County entities and forwards them to ECICOG. Ralston stated that ECICOG provides planning and grant administration services in the areas of community and economic development, housing, transportation, and solid waste management. Ralston asked for approval of the FY25 East Central Iowa Council of Governments Assessment Schedule.

Salih moved to approve; Green seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

1. Consider appointments to the East Central Iowa Council of Governments Board of Directors

Ralston reminded the Board of the MPOJC entities responsible for appointments to the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) Board of Directors for 2024. Per the bylaws, the entities responsible for appointing elected officials for 2024 include Johnson County, North Liberty, and Oxford. Ralston shared the official appointees from each entity: Jon Green (Johnson County), Chris Hoffman (North Liberty), Sean Murphy (Oxford), and Allison Wells (Citizen Appointment). Ralston asked for approval of the appointments to the ECICOG Board of Directors.

Bergus moved to approve; Wayson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

1. Consider appointment of a representative to the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Board of Directors

Ralston explained that every other year, MPOJC is asked to appoint a representative to the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Board of Directors. SUDAS is a non-profit organization managed by Iowa State University’s Institute for Transportation which maintains Iowa manuals for public improvement design standards and specifications including sanitary sewer, water mains, streets and sidewalks, utility locations, drainage and erosion control, and

others. Ralston stated that Scott Larson, the City Engineer for the City of Coralville, is the current representative and has indicated his willingness and desire to continue to represent MPOJC for another two-year term. Ralston reminded the Board that the only requirement for this appointment is that the representative be a professional engineer working for one of the MPOJC entities. Ralston asked for the approval of Scott Larson to the SUDAS Board of Directors.

Sullivan moved to approve; Peterson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

1. Discuss MPOJC Orientation opportunity for Board members

Ralston stated that a short orientation is offered to new or current Board members who are interested in an explanation of the designation and role of MPOJC, services provided by MPOJC, and the structure of the organization.

Moe, Salih, and Peterson expressed interest.`
4. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

1. Consider approval of Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 Transit Operating Formula Funding apportionment for FY2023

Neel stated that MPOJC has a total of $4,672,402 available in FY2023 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 operating assistance. This amount also includes Small Transit Intensive Communities (STIC) funding. Neel explained that for more than 10 years, MPOJC had used the same local formula to distribute funds based on prior year transit statistics from each of the three systems: 25% operating/maintenance costs, 25% locally determined income (LDI), 25% revenue miles, and 25% fare revenue. Iowa City Transit requested a review of this formula prior to their agency transitioning to a zero-fare system. Neel explained that after discussions with the transit managers, the consensus was to adopt a percentage- based allocation based on historic averages and to review those percentages if/when there are major changes to any of the systems.

Neel reminded the Board that at their July 11, 2023, meeting they approved the following fixed percentages: Coralville 16.10%, Iowa City 60.50%, and University of Iowa Cambus 23.40%. The proposed apportionment of the FY2023 FTA Section 5307 amounts for each agency are as follows: $752,257 for Coralville, $2,826,803 for Iowa City, and $1,093,342 for University of Iowa Cambus. Neel then asked the Board for approval of the proposed apportionment of the FY2023 FTA Section 5307 operating funds.

Green moved to approve; Wayson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

1. Update on the MPOJC FY25 Transportation Planning Work Program and FY25- 28 Transportation Improvement Program

Ralston explained that the Transportation Planning Work Program is a document developed each year to identify projects that will be worked on the following year. The Work Program is developed in a coordinated effort between the Transportation

Technical Advisory Committee, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Urbanized Area Policy Board. Ralston stated that all state – and federally – required planning processes and documentation, ongoing and routine projects, and special projects requested by member entities should be included in the Work Program. The solicitation for these projects from communities will begin in February. Ralston stated that the final Work Program will be considered by the Board in May.

Next, Ralston explained that the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the programming document for all federally funded transportation improvements within the Iowa City Urbanized Area including streets, highways, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian projects. Ralston stated that projects need to be in the TIP in order to utilize federal funds. Ralston reminded the Board of the previously allocated $9.3 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant funds that will be reflected in the FY25-28 TIP. Ralston stated that in the spring of 2025, the Board will allocate funds again – approximately $7 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant funds, $1.8 million in Transportation Alternative Program funds, and $2.8 million in Carbon Reduction Program funds to be reflected in the FY26-FY29 TIP. Ralston explained that in July, the Urbanized Area Policy Board will consider the FY2025- 28 TIP for adoption.

1. Update on the Metro Area Traffic Collision Analysis

Bothell stated that MPOJC staff completed the 2020-2022 Metro Area Traffic Collision Analysis. The analysis identifies any intersection or mid-block location that experienced three or more collisions in the urbanized area between 2020 and 2022. These locations are then ranked based on a formula using number of collisions, crash rates, and severity of collisions. Bothell explained that the document helps to determine which locations, by jurisdiction, could benefit from potential countermeasures that could reduce the number and severity of collisions. Bothell stated that the full report would be available in the coming weeks.

1. Update on Metro Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Collision Data

Walz stated that overall, collisions have been trending downwards for both bicyclists and pedestrians. This downward trend started in 2016 with record lows being reached during the COVID-19 pandemic. Walz explained that although the number of pedestrian collisions is dropping, the severity of these collisions is increasing. For bicyclists, there has also been a decrease in the number of collisions along with a decrease in the severity of these collisions. In 2023, there were zero (0) serious injury or fatal bicycle collisions in the metro.

1. Update on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant

Walz explained that in July 2023, MPOJC staff submitted an application on behalf of the Urbanized Area for a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant. In December, it was announced that MPOJC was awarded a $300,000 grant to create a Safety Action Plan focused on reducing roadway deaths and serious injuries. Walz mentioned that the adoption of such a plan will also make communities eligible for demonstration and implementation grants through the same program to correct the issues identified in the Safety Action Plan. Walz noted that there are still several steps that MPOJC must go through before hiring a consultant and that they will be in touch with communities once they have more details.

1. Verbal update on the CRANDIC Bus Rapid Transit Study from the MPOJC Director

Ralston explained that the consultants, Felsburg, Holt and Ulliveg (FHU) and Nelson Nygard, are currently working on a Bus Rapid Transit study to determine the best routes and stops, amongst other details. Ralston mentioned that the stakeholder committee includes a member from each of the three transit agencies, two Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) staff members, a member from Johnson County, a member from North Liberty, and a member from Better Together 2030. Ralston reminded the Board that this is a very high-level study to determine the feasibility of a Bus Rapid Transit system and the associated costs.

1. Verbal update on a transit pilot project from the Johnson County Mobility Coordinator

Schneider, the Mobility Coordinator for Johnson County, explained that TripConnect is a pilot project designed to provide residents of Johnson County with transportation options. The goal of the project is to connect workers with employment opportunities in North Liberty and Coralville by offering a door-to-door transportation service. Schneider noted that they have applied for grant funding and have received $350,000 from the State and $75,000 from the National Center for Mobility Management. Schneider explained that this service will be outsourced to a private transportation company to allow the three metro-area transportation agencies to focus on their current service.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

None.

6. ADJOURNMENT

Salih moved to adjourn the meeting; Moe seconded. The motion carried unanimously. From adjourned the meeting at 5:37 p.m.

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