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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEETING MINUTES

August 16, 2017

Osage Centre – Cape Girardeau, MO

Board Voting Members Present:

Mr. Chauncy Buchheit, Southeast Missouri Regional Planning & Economic Development

Commission (SEMO RPC)

Mr. Dwain Hahs, City of Jackson

Ms. Kathy Mangels, Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO University)

Mr. Scott Meyer, City of Cape Girardeau

Mr. Harry Rediger, City of Cape Girardeau

Mr. Jim Roach, City of Jackson

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. Curtis Jones, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)

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

Mr. Alex McElroy, City of Cape Girardeau

Mr. Larry Payne, Cape Girardeau County (alternate for Mr. Charlie Herbst)

Ms. Betsy Tracy, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) (via teleconference)

Staff Present:

Mr. Ryan Shrimplin, City of Cape Girardeau

Program Administration/Support Consultant Present:

Ms. Kelly Green, KLG Engineering

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 August 16, 2017 Board of Directors Meeting was unanimously approved upon motion made by Mr. Rediger and seconded by Mr. Buchheit.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the June 21, 2017 Board of Directors Meeting were unanimously approved upon motion made by Mr. Rediger and seconded by Mr. Roach.

Communications from the Chairman

There were no communications from the Chairman.

New/Unfinished Business

RESOLUTION NO. 2017-06, A Resolution approving Amendment No. 4 to the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program – Reading and Passage

Chairman Hahs introduced RESOLUTION NO. 2017-06.  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 the amendment.  A motion was made by Mr. Buchheit and seconded by Mr. Rediger to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2017-06, which passed unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2017-07, A Resolution expressing support of an application for USDOT Bus and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program funding by the Missouri Department of Transportation for procurement of rural transit vehicles – Reading and Passage

Chairman Hahs introduced RESOLUTION NO. 2017-07.  Mr. Shrimplin explained that he received an email from Dion Knipp, Administrator of Transit for MoDOT, requesting a letter of support from each of the Missouri MPO’s for MoDOT’s application for USDOT grant funding to be used for procuring 130 transit vehicles for use in the state’s rural areas.  Mr. Meyer mentioned that the City of Cape Girardeau sent a letter of support.  Ms. Mangels stated that SEMO University will be eligible for partial funding if the grant is awarded.  A motion was made by Mr. Rediger and seconded by Ms. Mangels to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2017-07, which passed unanimously.

Member Reports

Mr. Rediger gave an update on several City of Cape Girardeau projects and programs.  The Lexington Avenue Improvements Project is scheduled to begin this fall.  Several projects and programs are underway, including Bloomfield Road Phase 5, the South Sprigg Street Bridge, the Cape La Croix Trail Widening Project, the Asphalt Overlay Program, and the Neighborhood Street Repair Program.  In addition, the new police and fire stations are proceeding on schedule.

Mr. Hahs provided an update on a number of City of Jackson projects and programs.  The Uptown Jackson Historic Lighting and Event Power Project is completed.  The Concrete Street Repair Program was recently awarded and will begin soon.  The City is opening bids for the Asphalt Overlay Program tomorrow.  The Comprehensive Traffic Study is progressing and should be completed by the end of the year.

Mr. Mogelnicki reported that the Downtown Trolley has had 289 passengers in 30 days, and SEMO University’s fall semester has not started yet.  The trolley runs three days per week.  He expects to see ridership increase.  Also, CTA has received nine replacement transit vehicles and has submitted an application to procure three or four additional vehicles.  He also reported that the Triennial Review with FTA was a very positive experience.  There were some minor issues that have been addressed already.  MoDOT was pleased with the review as well.

Ms. Mangels stated that the SEMO University Master Plan is completed, and its recommendations will be presented to the Board of Regents soon.  She also mentioned that the University recently received two replacement transit vehicles.  The students will be moving in tomorrow.  She noted that enrollment is flat this year.

Mr. Christian indicated that he is working on Amendment No. 5 to the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program.  The amendment pertains to MO-177, which MoDOT has moved from the scoping phase to the construction phase, thereby increasing the total project cost substantially.  He noted that the project is scheduled to be let in 2018.  The highway will likely be closed during construction.

Mr. Killian stated that while MoDOT is waiting on SEMPO’s needs list for the FY 2019-2023 STIP to be finalized, he sent last year’s list to the Central Office as a starting point.  He added that MoDOT’s Long Range Transportation Plan update will be completed next spring.

The group discussed the solar eclipse that will occur on August 21, 2017.  Possible traffic issues were identified and viewing event locations were announced.  The City of Cape Girardeau has produced an information card for the public.

Mr. Jones reported that the State of Illinois will hold a Planning Conference in Champaign, IL.  Additionally, there is a link to comment on the LRTP meetings.  IDOT is currently holding public meetings pertaining to the LRTP.Mr. Meyer reported that SkyWest Airlines will be the new air service provider at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.  A 50-passenger jet will be making two trips daily to Chicago.

Other Business and Communications

Ms. Green reported that the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan data collection has been completed.  Lochmueller Group received 206 responses via the online survey in addition to several ideas submitted via Wikimap.  Lochmueller will now analyze the data and prepare a draft plan for review by the Study Oversight Team.

Mr. Shrimplin stated that a committee has been formed to oversee the selection of a firm to produce an online TIP tool software.  The TIP Tool Software Committee will be comprised of himself, Ms. Green, Mr. Killian, and Mr. Christian.  The Committee will work with Ms. Eva Voss and Ms. Betsy Tracy to ensure that the process is compliant with the federal procurement requirements.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:26 p.m.