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TECHNICAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
November 5, 2014 Osage Centre – Cape Girardeau

Download PDF of TPC November Minutes

Technical Planning Committee Members Present:
Mrs. Elquin Auala, Missouri Department of Transportation
Mr. Rodney Bollinger, City of Jackson
Mr. Tom Caldwell, Illinois Department of Transportation
Mr. Drew Christian, Southeast Missouri Regional Planning & Economic Development Commission
Mr. Steve Duke, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission
Mr. Ron Eskew, City of Scott City
Mr. Joe Killian, Missouri Department of Transportation
Mr. Mike Latuszek, Federal Highway Administration (via conference call)
Mr. Larry Payne, Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee
Mr. Jeremiah Shuler, Federal Transit Administration (via conference call)
Mrs. Betsy Tracy, Federal Highway Administration (via conference call)
Mrs. Eva Voss, Missouri Department of Transportation (via conference call)
Mrs. Kelley Watson, Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority

Staff Present:
Mr. Ryan Shrimplin, City of Cape Girardeau

Call to Order
Chairman Bollinger called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m.

Introductions
The group went around the room, with each person giving a brief introduction.

Public Comments
There were no public comments.

Adoption of Agenda
The agenda of the November 5, 2014 Technical Planning Committee Meeting was unanimously approved for adoption upon motion made by Mr. Payne and seconded by Mr. Christian.

Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the October 1, 2014 Technical Planning Committee Meeting were unanimously approved upon motion made by Mr. Christian and seconded by Mr. Duke.
Southeast Metropolitan Planning Organization

Communications from the Chairman
There were no communications from the Chairman.

New/Unfinished Business
Mr. Shrimplin gave a recap of recent discussions between SEMPO staff, SEMO RPC, MoDOT, FHWA and FTA regarding the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). Based on those discussions, it had been decided that a public meeting should be held soon to kick off the MTP process. The Committee agreed to schedule the public meeting for November 19, 2014 following the Board meeting. Mr. Latuszek suggested holding two meetings – one during the day and another one in the evening. After further discussion, it was decided that two information sessions will be scheduled for November 19th (3:00-4:30 p.m. and 6:00-7:30 p.m.). The sessions will utilize an open-house format and include display boards with the SEMPO planning area map and posters about SEMPO and the MTP. Mr. Shrimplin distributed a list of key stakeholders that will be notified of the information sessions via email. He asked the group to review the list and to notify him of any changes that need to be made.
Mrs. Tracy asked if the prioritized project list that was developed for the Amendment 7 ballot issue is still relevant since the measure did not pass. Mr. Shuler replied that the list still matters but the funding will need to come from alternative sources. Because the funding sources will be different from what was originally proposed, the priorities may need to change. This is an issue that SEMPO will address as part of the MTP process.
Mr. Shrimplin informed the group that a travel demand model will most likely not be used for the forecasting portion of the MTP. Mr. Christian explained that SEMO RPC does not have travel demand modeling software. In order to model travel demand scenarios, the RPC would have to purchase a software package and learn how to use it, or hire a subconsultant. Both options involve considerable expense and time. Mr. Duke with the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission was not confident that the method he had proposed would work based on recent discussions. SEMPO staff and SEMO RPC staff had a conference call with staff from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) to learn about their MTP process. Based on that call and the aforementioned factors, it was proposed that the forecasting portion of the MTP utilize current and historical data, such as traffic counts, demographics, employment, traffic patterns, etc. to identify trends and make projections.

Other Communications
Chairman Bollinger informed the group that the City of Jackson will be submitting an application for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds. The application will request funds for Phase Two of the Hubble Creek Recreation Trail Project. The new trail will extend the existing trail system and connect Jackson City Park to the proposed Jackson Community Center. He will forward a copy of the application to SEMPO staff upon completion. Mr. Shrimplin added that the City of Cape Girardeau will also be submitting an application and will do the same.

Adjournment
Upon motion made by Mr. Payne and seconded by Mr. Duke, the Committee unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 11:37 a.m.