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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEETING MINUTES

June 20, 2018

Osage Centre – Cape Girardeau, MO

Board Voting Members Present:     

Mr. Rodney Bollinger, City of Jackson (alternate for Mr. Jim Roach)

Mr. Bob Fox, City of Cape Girardeau

Mr. Dwain Hahs, City of Jackson

Mr. Barry Horst, Southeast Missouri Regional Planning & Economic

Development Commission (SEMO RPC)

Mr. Scott Meyer, City of Cape Girardeau

Board Non-Voting Members Present:

Mr. Tom Mogelnicki, Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority (CTA)

Technical Planning Committee (TPC) Members Present:      

Mr. Drew Christian, Southeast Missouri Regional Planning & Economic

Development Commission (SEMO RPC)

Mr. Joe Killian, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)

Mr. Alex McElroy, City of Cape Girardeau

Mr. John Mehner, Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET

Mr. Cody Pullum, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)

Staff Present:   

Mr. Ryan Shrimplin, City of Cape Girardeau

Program Administration/Support Consultant Present:

Ms. Kelly Green, KLG Engineering

Guest:

Mr. Taylor March, Advocacy and Education Manager for Trailnet

Call to Order

Chairman Hahs called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.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 June 20, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting was unanimously approved upon motion made by Vice Chairman Meyer and seconded by Mr. Fox.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the May 16, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting were unanimously approved upon motion made by Mr. Bollinger and seconded by Mr. Fox.

Communications from the Chairman

There were no communications from the Chairman.

New/Unfinished Business

• Trailnet Presentation  

Mr. March gave a presentation on Trailnet.  He explained that Trailnet was formed 30 years ago as an advocacy organization dedicated to establishing trails to encourage active, healthy lifestyles.  Today, the organization’s focus is on education, advocacy, and planning for walking and bicycling.  Mr. March then discussed traffic calming techniques and livable (complete) streets policies, and showed a video featuring a pop-up traffic calming event.  He explained that pop-up traffic calming is an effective means of testing various traffic calming techniques and gauging public responses to them.  Additionally, Mr. March discussed funding sources, including taxes, federal grants, private foundations, and crowd funding.  He offered Trailnet’s assistance on any walking and bicycling issues.

• RESOLUTION NO. 2018-06, A Resolution adopting the FY 2019 Unified Planning Work Program – Reading and Passage

Chairman Hahs introduced RESOLUTION NO. 2018-06.  Mr. Shrimplin stated that no comments were received during the public comment period or the May 16, 2018 public hearing, and that the Technical Planning Committee passed a motion to recommend adoption of the FY 2019 UPWP.    A motion was made by Mr. Bollinger and seconded by Mr.  Fox to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2018-06, which passed unanimously.

• RESOLUTION NO. 2018-07, A Resolution approving Amendment No. 7 to the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program – Reading and Passage

Chairman Hahs introduced RESOLUTION NO. 2018-07.  Mr. Shrimplin stated that no comments were received during the public comment period, and that the Technical Planning Committee passed a motion to recommend approval of TIP Amendment No. 7.  He explained that the amendment is to add project information proposed for the next Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), including the reconstruction of the I-55/US 61 interchange.  A motion was made by Vice Chairman Meyer and seconded by Mr. Bollinger to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2018-07, which passed unanimously.

• RESOLUTION NO. 2018-08, A Resolution authorizing the Executive Director to negotiate and execute a contract for Transportation Improvement Program software and services – Reading and Passage

Chairman Hahs introduced RESOLUTION NO. 2018-08.  Mr. Shrimplin reported that the Technology Subcommittee interviewed three consultants during its meeting on May 21st.  He gave a brief summary of the Subcommittee’s comments on each consultant.  He stated that Data Transfer Solutions (DTS) received the highest score and, per the RFP, will be asked to submit a contract which, if acceptable, will be executed by SEMPO’s executive director.  A motion was made by Vice Chairman Meyer and seconded by Mr. Fox to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2018-08, which passed unanimously.

Election of Officers for FY 2019

The Board of Directors held its annual election of officers.  Mr. Hahs was re-elected Chairperson and Mr. Meyer was re-elected Vice Chairperson, with both terms beginning on July 1st.

Member Reports

Mr. Fox reported that he has received many compliments regarding the City of Cape Girardeau’s Lexington Avenue – Sherwood Drive to West Cape Rock Drive Project.  He commended the residents in the area who were inconvenienced by the construction.  He also discussed an issue the City is working through involving trees in rights-of-way, which can lead to conflicts when a capital improvement project requires their removal.

Vice Chairman Meyer reported that the City of Cape Girardeau’s Sloan Creek Bridge Superstructure and Slope Stabilization Project is progressing.  The City’s asphalt overlay and concrete street repair programs are also underway.  Also, a committee has been formed to start the planning process for a new indoor aquatic center, which will increase traffic regardless of its location.  He also mentioned that the City Council will discuss whether or not to endorse the proposed state motor fuel tax increase (Proposition D).

Chairman Hahs reported that the City of Jackson has been in discussions with MoDOT regarding access changes along East Jackson Boulevard as part of the I-55/US 61 interchange reconstruction project.  The City has also met with MoDOT and the school district to discuss school enrollment and facilities and their impact on Route D.  He added that a traffic study will likely be needed, and noted that approximately 30% of the students ride a school bus.  The traffic signal project at East Main Street and Oak Hill Road is progressing and needs to be completed before work begins on the interchange.  The City will be meeting with the County to discuss parking and traffic issues pertaining to the new justice center.

Mr. Bollinger reported that the South Old Orchard Road realignment is finished and the road has re-opened.  The annual concrete street repair program is underway.  The annual asphalt overlay program was awarded last month to ASA Asphalt.  A ribbon-cutting event was held for the new pedestrian bridge over Hubble Creek.  There will be a preconstruction meeting tomorrow for the Route PP and Route D projects.

Mr. Mogelnicki reported that CTA is interviewing dispatch software companies.  They are researching how to coordinate transporting citizens to St. Louis for medical appointments.

Mr. Horst reported that Missouri River Terminals has been selected to oversee operations for the Port of New Bourbon.

Mr. Mehner reported that a resolution endorsing Proposition D will go before the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.  He stated that he met some representatives of Missouri Rural Transportation Alliance (MRTA), a new grass roots rural transportation advocacy group, which supports the ballot measure.  He clarified that MRTA is not associated with Mercury Alliance, but the two organizations complement each other.

Mr. Killian reported that, at this time, MoDOT has no talking points regarding Proposition D. He announced that at its June 6th meeting, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) endorsed adding a fifth goal: improve reliability and reduce congestion on the state transportation system.  He also announced that Matt Seiler retired on June 1st.  His replacement has not been announced.

Staff Report

Mr. Shrimplin reminded the Board that effective July 1st, Cape Girardeau County and CTA representatives will become voting members while Cape Special Road District and Southeast Missouri State University representatives will become non-voting members as required in the bylaws.

Other Business and Communications

There was no other business or communications.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 3:18 p.m.