executive committee agenda | february 2013

7/28/2019 Executive Committee Agenda | February 2013

1/24

Altoon a Ankeny Bondur ant Carli sle Clive Dallas Coun ty Des Moin es DART Grim es Johnston Mitchel lvi lle Norw alkPleasant Hill Polk City Polk County Urbandale Warren County Waukee West Des Moines Windsor Heights

The MPO receives federal funding and may not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, or national origin, according to Title VI of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964. For more information or to obtain a Title VI Complaint form, call 515-334-0075.

NOTICE OF MEETING

Des Moines Area Metropo litan Planning Organization (MPO)Executive Committee***************************

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 13, 2013Des Moines Area MPO - Mead Conference Room

***************************TENTATIVEAGENDA

The established protocol for minutes of this meeting will be to list all attendees, and with each item on which avote is conducted in the ordinary course in order to take formal action, those voting nay or abstaining will beidentified by name. Any member who is absent from the meeting for any period of time during which a vote ofthe body is taken, is expected to notify the recording secretary at the conclusion of the meeting so that theabsence can be duly noted in the minutes. Roll Call votes will be taken as required by law or upon the requestof any member that is approved by the chair, and the vote of each member for or against the proposition, or

abstention, will be incorporated in the minutes or recorded on a separate sheet attached to the minutes.

1. Call To Order

2. VOTE: Approval of Agenda

3. VOTE: Approval of Meeting Minutes ........................................................................................ Page 3 Vote to approve the January 9, 2013, meeting minutes.

4. REPORT and VOTE: Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement ProgramAmendment Request ................................................................................................................... Page 8

Report on request from the Iowa Department of Transportation to amend projects in the Federal

Fiscal Years 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program; consider approval.

5. REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Priority Project Solicitation Process ................................ Page 10 Report on the priority projects identified for the Greater Des Moines Partnerships annual trip to

Washington, D.C.; consider approval.

6. REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Horizon Year 2035 Metropolitan Transportation PlanAmendment ................................................................................................................................ Page 12

Report on the Federal Highway Administrations request to amend the Horizon Year 2035Metropolitan Transportation Plan to include the updates to the Planning Area Boundary; consider

approval.

7. REPORT: Attorney General Opinion Regarding the City of Grimes Bicyc le Ordinance... Page 13 Discussion on potential MPO involvement in the recent opinion of the Iowa Deputy Attorney

General that the City of Grimes bicycle ordinance is in conflict with Iowa Code.

8. REPORT: Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program and Budget .......................... Page 14 Discussion regarding the development of the Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program

and budget.

9. REPORT: Transportation Alternative Program Funding Update ......................................... Page 18 Update on potential funding changes stemming from MAP-21 to the Transportation Alternatives

Program.

10. REPORT: US 65/Iowa 5 Inters tate Designation Update ........................................................ Page 20 Report on efforts to re-designate the US 65/Iowa 5 corridor to an interstate.

11. REPORT: Certif ication Review ................................................................................................ Page 22 Update on the MPOs 2013 FHWA/FTA Certification Review, April 29 - May 1, 2013.

12. REPORT: MPO Executive Director Annual Review............................................................... Page 23 Report on the Fiscal Year 2013 MPO Executive Director Annual Review.


2/24

Agenda ReportMPO Executive Committee

13. REPORT: The Tomorrow Plan Update ................................................................................... Page 24 Update on The Tomorrow Plan development.

14. Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Commit tee15. VOTE: Approval of the February 21, 2013, MPO Agenda16. Next Meeting Date

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 13, 2013, Des Moines Area MPO Office.

17. Adjournment

2


3/24


February 2013Item No. 3

ISSUE: Approval of Meeting Minutes

VOTE: Consider approval of the J anuary 9, 2013, MPO Executive Committee meeting minutes.

BACKGROUND:

The minutes of the J anuary 9, 2013, MPO Executive Committee meeting are enclosed on thefollowing pages.

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve the minutes of the J anuary 9, 2013, MPO Executive Committee meeting.

STAFF CONTACT:

J ennifer Ratcliff, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

3


4/24FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use

MEETING MINUTES

Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)Executive Committee

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2013Des Moines Area MPO Meeting Room

Des Moines, Iowa

The MPO Executive Committee held a meeting at 11:30 a.m., on January 9, 2013, in the MPO Meeting Room. Beforethe meeting, the MPO staff sent agenda packets to the MPO Executive Committees representatives and posted theamended agenda at the MPO office at 8:06 a.m., on January 8, 2013. The fiscal year-to-date publication cost ofmeeting minutes for the MPO: $956.90. In addition to these published tentative minutes, there also may beadditional meeting notes on file with the MPO staff that are public records and available upon request asprovided by law. These tentative minutes reflect all action taken at the meeting.

Members Present:

Chris Coleman, City of Des MoinesTom Hockensmith, Polk County

Angela Connolly, Polk CountyPaula Dierenfeld, City of JohnstonRobert Mahaffey, City of Des MoinesTom Armstrong, City of GrimesTed Ohmart, City of West Des Moines

Members Absent:

Others Present:

Mike Clayton, Iowa Department of Transportation*

Staff Present:

Todd Ashby, Executive DirectorJonathan Wilson, MPO General CounselStephanie Muller, Executive AdministratorLuke Parris, Senior Transportation PlannerZach Young, Associate Transportation PlannerBethany Wilcoxon, Senior Transportation Planner

* Non-voting Representative

4


5/24

FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use

1. Call to Order

MPO Chair Coleman called the January 9, 2013, meeting to order at 11:34 a.m.

2. Approval of Agenda

MOTION: A motion was made to approve the January 9, 2013, Des Moines AreaMetropolitan Planning Organization Executive Committee meetingamended agenda.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Approval of Meeting Minutes

MOTION: A motion was made to approve the November 7, 2012; Des MoinesArea Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Committee

amended meeting minutes.


(TEDOHMART ARRIVED AT11:36AM)

4. MPO Planning Area Boundary Amendment

MOTION: A motion was made to approve the amendments to the MPOs Planning Area Boundary.


5. Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program AmendmentRequest

MOTION: A motion was made to approve the Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016 TransportationImprovement Program Amendment Request.


6. The City of Bondurant Request to Advance Federal Fiscal Year 2016Transportation Alternative Program Funds

MOTION: A motion was made to approve the Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016 TransportationImprovement Program modification request from the City of Bondurant to advance

funding for the Chichaqua Valley Trail project.


7. Federal Fiscal Year 2016 Small Member Surface Transpor tation Program Award

MOTION: A motion was made to approve the Small Member Surface Transportation Programfunding requests.

(ANGELA CONNOLLY EXITED AT11:51AM)(ANGELA CONNOLLY RETURNED AT11:53AM)


8. Unallocated Federal Fiscal Year 2013 Surface Transpor tation Program Funds

MOTION: A motion was made to approve the Small Member Surface Transportation Programfunding requests.


9. Union Pacific Projects i n Des Moines

MOTION: A motion was made to approve the Union Pacific Railroads plans to expand their railyard in Des Moines and potential MPO support for the project with updated language on

letter of support.


5


6/24


10. SUDAS Representative

MOTION: A motion was made to approve re-appointing Duane Wittstock, City of West DesMoines, as the MPOs representative to the Statewide Urban Design and SpecificationsBoard of Directors.


11. Federal Highway Administration Weather Vulnerability Adaptation OptionsAnalysis

MOTION: A motion was made to approve the MPOs application for a Federal HighwayAdministration grant to conduct an adaptation options analysis of selected areas withinthe MPO boundary prone to flooding.


12. Transloading Facility Project Update

MPO staff presented; discussion only on item 12.

13. US 65/Iowa 5 Interstate Designation Update

(PAULA DIERENFELD EXITED AT12:35PM)


14. Horizon Year 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Amendment

(BOBMAHAFFEY EXITED AT12:45PM)


15. Chicago to Omaha Passenger Rail Update


16. Southwest Connector Facility Classification

MPO staff presented; discussion only on item 16.17. Federal Fiscal Year 2017 Surface Transportation Program Projects


18. Priority Project Solicitation Process


19. MAP-21 Funding and Transportation Alternative Program Funding Update


20. The Tomorrow Plan Update


21. Smart Growth America Technical Assistance


22. Executive Director Annual Review


23. Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Committee

24. Approval of the December 20, 2012, MPO Agenda

25. Next Meeting Date

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 13, 2013; in the MPO Mead Conference Room.

6


7/24


26. Adjournment

Chair Coleman adjourned the meeting at 1:20 p.m.

7


8/24



ISSUE: Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment Request

REPORT and VOTE: Consider approval of a request from the Iowa Department of Transportation toa amend project in the Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program.

BACKGROUND:

The Iowa Department of Transportation requested the following revision to theFederal Fiscal Years2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program (FFY 2013-2016 TIP):

Sponsor: Iowa Department of Transportation

Project: IA 28: 0.5 Mi S. of IA 5

Project Number: HSIP-()2H-91

Work Type: Guardrail

Funding: $238,000 in Highway Safety Improvement Program funds, $265,000 total cost.

Change: Add project to FFY 2013

Revision Type: Amendment

The MPO staff notes the amendment is subject to MPO approval and a public comment period. TheMPO staff will hold a public input meeting to hear comments on the amendment request prior toMPO approval.

Included, immediately following, is a map showing the project location.

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommend the MPO approve the amended project in the FFY 2013-2016 TIP.

STAFF CONTACTS:

Luke Parris, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

8


9/24

Iowa TPMS project map 8:23 AM 2-01-2

Sponsor DOT-D05-MPO26

Identity HSIP-()--2H-91TPMS# 22274TIP# --

Location IA 28: 0.5 Mi S. of IA 5

Characteristics Other Principal Arterial / 0.41 / 14400 - 14400

Type of Work Guardrail

Vicinity Map

Project Site

9


10/24



ISSUE: Priori ty Project Solic itation Process

REPORT: Consider approval of priority projects identified for inclusion in the Greater Des MoinesPartnerships Policy Book for the annual trip to Washington, D.C.

BACKGROUND:

The MPO staff annually works with MPO member governments and participating agencies todevelop a list of priority transportation projects to discuss with congressional members during theGreater Des Moines Partnerships annual trip to Washington, D.C. The MPO staff presented a list ofprojects submitted for consideration at the November meeting.

On J anuary 10, 2013, the Surface Transportation Program (STP) Funding Subcommittee met toidentify priority projects from the assembled listing. The STP Funding Subcommittee recommendedthat the following projects be selected as priorities:

SE Connector City of Des Moines

NW 66th Avenue/Kempton Bridge Polk County I-80/US-65 Interchange Iowa DOT

Gay Lea Wilson/Chichaqua Valley Trail Extension Cities of Altoona, Bondurant, and PolkCounty

University/Ingersoll Loop - Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) DART

MPO staff also notes that a subcommittee was formed regarding the reconstruction of theMorningstar Bridge and met to discuss the item with the DOT. Based on those discussions thepriority project list could be amended by the Executive Committee to include the Morningstar Bridgeproject, if desired.

A table depicting all of the submitted projects is included on the following page.

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve the priority projects identified by the STP Funding Subcommittee for inclusion in theGreater Des Moines Partnerships Policy Book for the 2013 trip to Washington, D.C.

STAFF CONTACT:

Todd Ashby, [email protected];Luke Parris, [email protected]; and,Nathan Goldberg, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

10


11/24

Government/Agency

ProjectNa

me

ProjectType

PrioritySurfaceTransportationProjects

TotalProjectCost

FFY2014Funding

Requested

FederalFunds

Programmed

CityofDesMoines

SoutheastConnector

SurfaceTransportationProject

Four-lanecompletestreetconnectingDowntownDesMoinestoUS-65

50,000,000

$

2,000,000

$

28,218,000

$

PolkCounty

NW6

6thAvenueReconstru

ctionandKempton

BridgeReplacement


Reconstruction

ofNW6

6thAvenueandtheDesMoinesRiverBridgefrom

NW2

6thStreettoNWB

eaverDrive

24,748,000

$

2,000,000

$

9,433,000

$

IowaDepartmentof

Transportation

I-80InterchangeatUS-65andsideroadsin

Altoona


Reconstruction

ofmainlinepavementandrampsatI-80/US-65interchange

andsideroads

37,348,000

$

2,000,000

$

9,450,000

$

CityofAltoona,Cityof

Bondurant,andPolk

County

GayLeaWilson/ChichaquaValleyTrail

Extension

TrailProject

Constructiono

fa12'wide,5milelongextensiontotheGayLeaWilsonTrail

toconnectthe

ChichaquaValleyTrailfromAltoonatoBondurant.

7,000,000

$

2,000,000

$

-

$

DART

University/IngersollLoop

TransitProject

VerySmallStartsapplicationforBusRapidTransitonthe

Ingersoll/UniversityLoopRoute.

25,000,000

$

2,000,000

$

1,800,000

$

TotalPriorityProjects

144,096,000

$

10,000,000

$

48,901,000

$

CityofJohnston

Northwest70thAvenueReconstruction


Reconstrctiono

fNW7

0thAvenuefromNW8

6thStreettoNW1

07thStreet

fromaruraltwo-laneroadwaytoanurbanfour-lanedividedroadway.

12,200,000

$

2,000,000

$

1,600,000

$

CityofUrbandale

100thStreetBridgeatI-80/3

5


Constructionofabridgeat100thStreetoverI-80/35.

7,000,000

$

2,000,000

$

1,100,000

$

CityofWaukee

Alice'sRoad/105thStreetInterchangeand

ConnectingRoads


ConstructionofaninterchangeonI-80fromtherecentlycompletedAlice's

Road/105thStr

eetoverpassaswellaspavingsix-laneconnectingroadsnorth

toAshworthRo

adinWaukeeandsouthtoWendoverRoadinWestDes

Moines

15,700,000

$

2,000,000

$

-

$

CityofWestDesMoines

GrandAvenue-PhaseFive


Reconstruction

andwideningofGrandAvenuefromSouth50thStreettothe

RaccoonRiverParkentrance

10,500,000

$

2,000,000

$

3,900,000

$

CityofBondurant

ChichaquaValleyTrailPaving

TrailProject

Finishthepavin

goftheChichaquaValleyTrailinBondurant.

1,125,000

$

500,000

$

160,000

$

CityofPolkCity

PolkCityTrailConnector

TrailProject

Constructionofa3.4miletrailtoconnecttheNealSmithTrailtotheHigh

TrestleTrail.

3,000,000

$

2,000,000

$

-

$

CityofJohnston

NorthwestBeaverDriveTrail

TrailProject

ConstructionofamultiusetrailalongNWB

eaverDrivefromNW6

6thAvenue

toEagleCrestD

rive.

2,500,000

$

1,000,000

$

-

$

TotalAdditionalProjects

52,025,000

$

11,500,000

$

6,760,000

$

GrandTotal

196,121,000

$

21,500,000

$

55,661,000

$

MPO/GreaterDesMoinesPartnershipFederalFiscalYear2014TransportationAppropriationsRequests

TheprojectslistedbelowweresubmittedtotheMPOforconsiderationaspriorityprojectsfortheregion.Afterreviewit

wasdeterminedthattheyarenotcurrentlyamongthetopprioritiesforth

eregion,

butarestillconsideredimportant.

11


12/24



ISSUE: Horizon Year 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Amendment

REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Consider amending the Horizon Year 2035 MetropolitanTransportation Plan to incorporate the latest Planning Area Boundary update.

BACKGROUND:

The MPO staff recently received a request from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) toamend the Horizon Year 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (HY 2035 MTP) to reflect thechanges made to the MPOs Planning Area Boundary.

Plan amendments require the MPO to provide a 45-day comment period and to hold a public inputmeeting on the amendment. The MPO staff has scheduled a public meeting for Thursday, February7, 2013, at the MPO office.

Staff will provide a summary of comments received regarding the amendment following the meetingand comment period at the February meeting.

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommend approval of the amendment to the HY 2035 MTP to include the latest Planning AreaBoundary Update.

STAFF CONTACT:

Zach Young, [email protected](515) 334-0075.

12


13/24



ISSUE: Attorney General Opinion Regarding the City o f Grimes Bicycle Ordinance

REPORT: Discussion on potential MPO involvement in the recent opinion of the Iowa DeputyAttorney General that the City of Grimes bicycle ordinance violates Iowa Code.

BACKGROUND:

The City of Grimes bicycle ordinance requires that cyclists ride on a bicycle path whenever one isavailable next to a street. This ordinance affects approximately two miles of roadway along South

J ames Street. On J anuary 17, 2013, the Iowa Deputy Attorney General issued a letter stating thatthe City of Grimes ordinance conflicts with Iowa Code, which states that cyclists have rights toroadways equal to those of drivers.

Mayor Armstrong has asked for this issue to be discussed by the MPO Executive Committee todetermine what role, if any, the MPO may take on this issue.

RECOMMENDATION:

None. Report and discussion only.

STAFF CONTACTS:

Dylan Mullenix, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

13


14/24



ISSUE: Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program and Budget

REPORT: Discussion regarding the development of the Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning WorkProgram and budget.

BACKGROUND:

The MPO staff is developing the Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program (FY 2014 UPWP)and budget, which will document all transportation planning activities the MPO will perform usingfederal funds from J uly 1, 2013, through J une 30, 2014. The Iowa Department of Transportation(DOT) requires the UPWP to describe the MPOs proposed planning activities including taskobjectives, previous work, project descriptions, and work products as well as the budget andfunding sources to carry out the planning activities. The Iowa DOT requires the MPO to submit adraft UPWP by April 1, 2013, and a final UPWP by June 1, 2013.

The MPO staff asks for input from member governments and participating agencies on planningtasks for Fiscal Year 2014 throughout the development of the UPWP. Staff has included,

immediately following, a list of planning activities currently undertaken for reference. The MPO staffwill provide additional information regarding the UPWP and budget at the February 13, 2013,Executive Committee meeting.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACTS:


14


15/24

Schedule

Thefollowingidentifiesthecompletionscheduleofthepreviouslyidentifiedworkproducts.

WorkElement

Description(work

product)

1st

Quarter(JulySept)

2nd

Quarter(OctDec)

3rd

Quarter(JanMar)

4th

Quarter(AprJune)

1.0 LongRangeTransportation Planning

AnnualHY2035MTPupdatereport; X

HY2040MTPdevelopment; X X X

Traveldemandmodelpeerreview; X

Annualcrashsummary/profile; X

Annualpavementsummary/profile; X

GISdatabaseandspatialdatainventorieslibrary; X

UpdatedSidewalksandBicycleFacilitiesdata; X

UpdatedFFCSmap; X

AnnualCensussummary/profile; X

Annualbuilding

permits

and

employment

data

summary/profile;X

TomorrowPlansupport; X X X X

2.0 TransportationSystemsPlanning

Updatedbicycleandpedestrianfacilitiesmap; X

Updatedsidewalksmap; X

Updatedskywalksmap; X

FreightAnalysisFrameworkdataanalysis; X

UpdatedPortDesMoinesWebsite; X X X X

Updatedgoodsmovementstudyreport; X

LogisticsDevelopmentPlan; X X

Inventoryofcommercialtruckparkingavailability; X

QuickClearance

Policy;

X

IncidentManagementPlan; X

Updateddiversionroutemaps; X

QuarterlyTMCdatasummary/profile; X X X X

Updatedcongestionmanagementprocessreport; X

2012traveltimereport; X

2012vehicleoccupancycountreport; X

2012TMAdatareport; X

2012DARTridershipreport; X

EJequityanalysisreport; X

3.0 PublicInvolvement

UpdatePublicParticipationPlan,asneeded; X

Annualselfcertification; X

UpdatedMPOcontactdatabase; X

MPOnewsletters; X X X X

Fiscalyear2012 annualreport; X

CitizenTransportationCongress X X

MPObrochure/pamphlet; X

4.0 InteragencyCoordination

2013D.C.tripmaterials; X

DARTMOU; X

Updatedlandusemaps; X

Landusescenarioanalysisreport; X

Work Activities from Fiscal Year 2013 Unified Planning Work Program.

For review and edit for inclusion in Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program.

15


16/24

5.0 TransportationImprovementProgram

FFY2017STPapplications; X

UpdateSTPprojectprioritizationprocess; X

UpdateSTPfundingguidelines; X

FFY2017STPTEapplications; X

UpdateSTP

TE

project

prioritization

process; X

UpdateSTPTEfundingguidelines; X

FFY20132016TIP; X

Quarterlyprojectstatusupdates; X X X X

Annualelementreport; X

FFY20132016TCIP; X

Quarterlyprojectstatusupdates; X X X X

Applicationlettersofsupport; X

6.0 CentralIowaRegionalTransportationPlanningAlliance

FY2014UPWPandBudget; X

Quarterlyprogressreportsandreimbursement

requests;X X X X

FFY2013

2016

TIP;

X

FFY20142017TIPdraft; X

QuarterlySTPStatusReports; X X X X

VariouschaptersoftheHorizonYear2035LongRange

TransportationPlan;X X X X

Publicinputnotices; X X X X

Newsletters; X X X X

FiscalYear2014 PassengerTransportationPlanUpdate

(jointlywiththeMPOplan);X

FY2012Audit; X

7.0 UnifiedPlanningWorkProgram

FY2014UPWP; X

Quarterlyprogressreports; X X X X

Monthlyreimbursementrequests; X X X X

8.0 TransitPlanning

FiscalYear2014PassengerTransportationPlanUpdate

(jointlywiththeCIRTPAplan);X

IntercityBusStationanalysis X

AmestoDesMoinescorridoranalysis; X

9.0 CommitteeSupport

Monthlymeetingagendasandsupportingmaterials; X X X X

Resolutions, letters, and other documents for Chairs

signature;X X X X

Attendancereportsandcorrespondingletters; X X X X

MonthlyFinancialStatementandExpenseReport; X X X X

Monthly

Progress

Reports;

X X X

X

10.0 Administration

Projectstatusworksheets; X X X X

Updatedemployeehandbook; X

Reconciliation ReportsforcheckingandIPAITaccounts; X X X X

CashflowandBudgetreports; X X X X

Projectstatusreports; X X X X

PurchaseOrders,Invoices,A/R,A/Pandotherfinancial

reports;X X X X

Biweekly,quarterlyandannualpayrollandtaxreports; X X X X

Benefitsadministrationandrenewals; X X X X



16


17/24

PublicationnoticestoDesMoinesRegister; X X X X

Lobbyistreports; X X X X

Propertyinsurancerenewalreport; X X X X

Inventorymaintenancereports; X X X X

IPERSreportsandcontributions; X X X X

Personnelreviewsandmaintenanceofpersonnelfiles; X X X X

Mandatory

EVerify

and

Iowa

Workforce

Development

reports;X X X X

Executionandmonitoringoffundingagreements; X X X X

Maintenanceandmonitoringofallcontracts,leases,

equipmentandhardware/softwarelicensesand

warranties;

X X X X

28EAgreementandBylawsupdates,asnecessary; X X X X

FY2012audit; X



17


18/24



ISSUE: Transpor tation Alternative Program Funding Update

REPORT: Update on potential funding changes due to MAP-21 to the Transportation AlternativesProgram.

BACKGROUND:

At its September meeting, the MPO approved a recommendation to the Iowa Department ofTransportation (DOT) regarding how funds should be distributed to MPOs and Regional PlanningAffiliations (RPAs) under the new transportation bill, MAP-21. The Iowa DOT is working with MPOsand RPAs, as well as other stakeholders, to develop funding scenarios for the allocation of federalfunds. MPO staff will provide an update of the process the Iowa DOT is taking on to addresspotential changes.

Additionally, the MPO staff worked with the Surface Transportation Program (STP) FundingSubcommittee to review the Iowa DOTs proposal for the Transportation Alternatives Program(TAP). Staff notes that under the Iowa DOT proposal, total funds for the TAP would be higher than

targets previously identified under the STP Transportation Enhancement set aside. However, the$3.4 million in statewide TAP funds would be available for any other eligible activities (roads,bridges, trails, etc.).

On J anuary 10, 2013, the STP Funding Subcommittee met to discuss how TAP funds should bedistributed. The subcommittee recommended that the statewide TAP fund allocation be utilized bythe MPO for projects that meet the TAP criteria. The subcommittee also discussed the projectcategories for the TAP and recommended that percentage set-asides be dropped from eachcategory. Finally, the subcommittee recommended the creation of a Safe Routes to Schoolcategory and a Trail Major Reconstruction category.

The following page includes a breakdown of the estimated targets for the TAP funding. An overviewof eligible TAP activities is included as a supplemental item.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACT:


18


19/24

MAP-21

FundingUpdate-TAP

rogram

TAPDistribution

$8.8

Million

State

TAPFunds

$4.4

Million

Statewide

Activities

$1.0

Million

Additionalto

MPO/RPA

(flexible)

$3.4

Million

MP

O/RPATAP

Funds

$4.4

Million

DOTProposal

CurrentFunding

LocalTAP=$7.5million

DMAMPOShare

~$813,30

0

Fundscan

beusedforany

eligibleactivity-TAP,transit,

roadways,

bridges,etc.

ProposedFunding

LocalTAP=$4.4million

DMAMPOShare~$659,00

0

StateTAP=$4.4million

StateShare~$1,000,000

DMAMPOShare~$543,00

0

19


20/24



ISSUE: US 65/Iowa 5 Interstate Designation Update

REPORT: Report on efforts to re-designate the US 65/Iowa 5 corridor to an interstate.

BACKGROUND:

The MPO, on behalf of the Purple Heart Highway Coalition, requested the Iowa Department ofTransportation (DOT) consider designating the US 65/Iowa 5 corridor (i.e., the Purple HeartHighway) as an interstate. The Iowa DOT released a draft report analyzing the feasibility ofinterstate designation in June 2012. A final version of the study was provided to the MPO in August2012.

On August 8, 2012, representatives from the MPO, the Des Moines International Airport, the PurpleHeart Highway Coalition, and the Greater Des Moines Partnership met with the Iowa DOT, includingDirector Paul Trombino III, to discuss the study and to identify steps to move forward. Director

Trombino noted three primary issues to address before moving forward, including determiningimpacts to local farmers; analyzing any potential impacts to permitting of heavy vehicles; and,

determining the proper decision making authority with the Iowa DOT and the Iowa TransportationCommission.

On November 27, 2012, MPO staff and the Purple Heart Highway Collaborative held a publicmeeting with local property owners and farmers to discuss how these parties may be affected by theinterstate designation. Following the November 27, 2012, public meeting, MPO staff has worked toidentify and review potential alternative routes for agriculture-related traffic, and has researchedother concerns raised by local farmers to determine whether any solutions are available.

Included on the following pages, is a summary of alternative routes under review.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACT:

Todd Ashby, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

20


21/24

21


22/24



ISSUE: Certification Review

REPORT: Update on the MPOs upcoming 2013 Certification Review.

BACKGROUND:

Metropolitan planning organizations are certified by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) every four years. The MPOs quadrennial review willtake place from April 29 through May 1, 2013, at the MPO office. The purpose of the review is tohighlight good planning practices and share information among the organizations, as well as toensure that Federal regulatory requirements for transportation planning are being met.

The review will be carried out by FHWA and FTA staff. In addition to FHWA, FTA, and MPO staff,participation is also anticipated by staff from the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Des MoinesArea Regional Transit Authority, and any other local officials who wish to participate. A public inputmeeting will also be held on April 29, 2013, at 6:00 pm, at the MPO office as part of the reviewprocess to accept comments from the community about the MPOs transportation planning process.

This meeting will be an open-house format.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACT:


22


23/24



ISSUE: MPO Executive Director Annual Review

REPORT: Report on the Fiscal Year 2013 MPO Executive Director Annual Review.

BACKGROUND:

The MPO Chair annually appoints an Executive Director Review Committee (Review Committee) tocomplete an evaluation of the Executive Directors performance over the past year. The MPO Chairhas appointed the following individuals to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Review Committee:

Bob Andeweg, City of Urbandale;

Tom Armstrong, City of Grimes;

Rick Clark, City of Des Moines;

Tom Hockensmith, Polk County;

Brian Laurenzo, City of J ohnston;

Ted Ohmart, City of West Des Moines; and,

J ohn Peterson, City of Ankeny

The MPO staff provided all MPO and Transportation Technical Committee representatives with acopy of the FY 2013 MPO Executive Directors Annual Review Survey. Surveys were also providedto the Chairs of the MPOs multiple subcommittees, the primary representatives of the MPOsadvisory and associate member organizations, the MPO staff, and key personnel of the followingpartner organizations that the MPO works closely with: the Iowa DOT, the Greater Des MoinesPartnership, the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, and the Transportation ManagementAssociation. MPO staff requested that all responses be submitted by February 15, 2013.

The Review Committee is expected to report their findings to the Executive Committee and make arecommendation for a compensation rate adjustment at the March 13, 2013, meeting.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACTS:

Stephanie Muller, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

23


24/24



ISSUE: The Tomorrow Plan Update

REPORT: Update on activities related to The Tomorrow Plan.

BACKGROUND:

The Here Comes Tomorrow open houses were held around the region over the last two weeks. Atthese events, the draft plan was discussed with the public. The goals, strategies, and regionalinitiatives were the focus of the open houses. The planning team sought feedback on what residentslike best about the plan, what they like least about it, and how they would like to be involved inmoving it forward in the implementation phase. More information on the events will be provided atthe February 13, 2013, meeting.

The comments received from the public at the Here Comes Tomorrow events will be reviewed andappropriately incorporated into the plan along with comments from the communities and fromexperts from around the region.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACT:

Bethany Wilcoxon, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

executive committee agenda | february 2013

Documents