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TECHNICAL PLANNING COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

March 1, 2017

Osage Centre – Cape Girardeau

Technical Planning Committee Voting Members Present:

Mr. David Blalock, Bootheel Regional Planning & Economic Development

Commission (Bootheel RPC)

Mr. Rodney Bollinger, City of Jackson

Ms. Mandi Brink, Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority (SEMO Port)

Mr. Ron Eskew, City of Scott City

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

Mr. Bruce Loy, Cape Girardeau Regional Airport

Mr. Alex McElroy, City of Cape Girardeau

Mr. John Mehner, Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET

Mr. Larry Payne, Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee

Ms. Kelley Watson, Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority (CTA)

Technical Planning Committee Non-Voting Members Present: 

Ms. Elquin Auala, Missouri Department of Transportation

Mr. Curtis Jones, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)

Staff Present:

Mr. Ryan Shrimplin, City of Cape Girardeau

Program Administration/Support Consultant Present:

Ms. Kelly Green, KLG Engineering

Call to Order

Chairman Payne 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 March 1, 2017 Technical Planning Committee Meeting was unanimously approved for adoption upon motion made by Mr. Bollinger and seconded by Mr. Blalock.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the February 1, 2017 Technical Planning Committee Meeting were unanimously approved upon motion made by Ms. Watson and seconded by Mr. Mehner.

Communications from the Chairman

There were no communications from the Chairman.

New/Unfinished Business

·         FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment No. 3 – Motion to recommend approval

Mr. Shrimplin indicated that no comments were received during the public comment period regarding the amendment adding the City of Cape Girardeau’s Independence Street Sidewalk – Gordonville Road/East Rodney Drive to Cape LaCroix Trail Project to the TIP.   A motion was made by Mr. Bollinger and seconded by Ms. Brink to recommend approval of FY 2016-2019 TIP Amendment No. 3, which passed unanimously.

·         FY 2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Amendment to include Consultant Services – Discussion

Mr. Shrimplin presented an updated draft of an amendment to the FY 2017 UPWP, which incorporates changes to the budget and work elements to reflect the tasks assigned to KLG Engineering, the SEMO RPC, and Lochmueller Group.  He explained that a line item for KLG Engineering was added to the budget, and the Staff Labor line item was reduced by the same amount.  The figures for SEMO RPC and the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (assigned to Lochmueller Group) did not change.  Thus, the budget total did not change.  Ms. Brink requested to be included on the roster in place of Mr. Overby as the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority representative.  Mr. Shrimplin indicated the draft will be submitted to Ms. Eva Voss for MoDOT and ONE DOT formal review.  Once their comments are received and any necessary revisions made, the draft will be ready to release for public comment.

·         Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan – Discussion

Ms. Green presented the revised proposal submitted by Lochmueller Group for the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.  The group had no comments on the revised proposal.  Mr. Shrimplin stated that he  will prepare and send a Task Order to Lochmueller Group for review.  Once the Lochmueller Task Order is finalized, he will send the Task Orders for all three  consultants to Ms. Voss for MHTC approval.

·         MoDOT Shouldering and Scoping STIP Update – Discussion

Mr. Killian explained that MoDOT has approved the  State Highway PP and  State Highway D shouldering projects, as requested by SEMPO.  Additionally, he stated that Mr. Mike Brandon is continuing to scope some of the district’s requested projects and is finalizing the list of projects that would be added to the MoDOT STIP.  The SEMPO Contingency List will need to be updated to reflect these projects once MoDOT has finalized the STIP.

·         FTA – State of Good Repair Performance Targets Due – Discussion

Ms. Green explained the request for the FTA TAM Plan letter.  She indicated that there were still unanswered questions. Neither Ms. Voss nor Ms. Betsy Tracy were in attendance to answer the questions pertaining to the performance targets.  Ms. Green will follow up with MoDOT to determine the specifics of the required letter.

·         Staff Report on Financial Statements – Discussion

Mrs. Green presented two documents pertaining to SEMPO’s finances.  The first document was the FY 2016 Budget Summary and Actual Expenditures, showing expenditures compared to budgeted amounts.  The second document was a table showing all expenses and revenues from FY 2014 to date.   Mrs. Green stated she will continue to refine these documents and keep them current.

·          SEMPO  Compliance Calendar – Discussion

Ms. Green  presented a draft calendar of SEMPO activities by month.   She explained that the calendar was developed in response to a request by a member of the TPC.  The intent of this document is to help keep SEMPO in compliance with the federal requirements, including deadlines for plans and programs.

Member Reports

Mr. McElroy stated that the City of Cape Girardeau’s Independence Street/Gordonville Road/East Rodney Drive roundabout  project will be closed out on March 18, 2017.  He also stated that the Neighborhood Street Repair and Asphalt Overlay projects will be beginning soon.  Additionally, he stated that the contractor on Veterans Memorial Drive is behind schedule.

Mr. Bollinger reported that the City of Jackson’s traffic consultant, Lochmueller Group, is currently obtaining traffic counts along East Main Street as part of the TEAP project and the Comprehensive Traffic Study.  MoDOT has awarded a six mile upgrade sidewalk project in Jackson to RL Persons.  Additionally, the City’s Uptown Historic District Lighting and Pavers project is currently out for bid.

Mr. Eskew stated that MoDOT has begun purchasing property along  State Highway PP and I-55 in Scott City.  He stated he believes that MoDOT intends to let construction this spring.  He indicated that this will be a $17,000,000 project.

Ms. Watson stated that CTA will be procuring several new vehicles of different types  over the next three months.

Ms. Brink stated that the SEMO Regional Port Authority will be moving forward with the Loop Tracks Project.  The SEMO Port Authority staff will be traveling to Washington DC next week to discuss the $32,500,000 project with Congressional leaders.  Ms. Brink described the project in detail.  She explained that portions of the project have already begun.  Some of the aggregate that has been blasted/removed from particular areas is being used for fill in other areas.  There will be an $11,000,000 match required.  The SEMO Port Authority will be given five years to obtain this match.  She indicated that, if required, the SEMO Port Authority may request a letter of support for this project from SEMPO.  This project would create the only loop track serving two major  railroads between St. Louis and Memphis.  Future plans show the possibility of using the Diversion Channel as a harbor.  Ms. Auala stated that MoDOT’s Loan Program could be utilized as the match, if the Port Authority was in need of it.  The Loan Program offers low interest rates.

Mr. Loy stated that the contract to overlay one of the runways at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport will be going before the City of Cape Girardeau’s City Council for approval on Monday.

Mr. Mehner stated that the new section of Veterans Memorial Drive by the SportsPlex is progressing quickly.

Ms. Auala reminded the City of Cape Girardeau that the remaining STP Urban Funds will be reallocated if they  are not obligated soon.  Mr. McElroy stated he will work with Ms. Brunke, City Engineer, to determine the appropriate projects to submit.

Mr. Killian stated that MoDOT’s draft 2018-2022 STIP will be released in May for public comment.  The STIP will go before MHTC for approval in July.

Mr. Killian announced that the Statewide Planning Partners Meeting that will be held in Jefferson City on March 9, 2017.  Mr. Shrimplin and Ms. Green plan to attend the meeting.  Mr. Shrimplin added that there will be a MPO Peer Group meeting held prior to the Statewide Planning Partners Meeting that he and Ms. Green plan to attend as well.

Mr. Jones stated that Illinois is in the process of working on the State’s budget.

Other Business and Communications

There were no other business and communications.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 11:51 a.m.