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Board Minutes 12/21/2016

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEETING MINUTES

December 21, 2016

Osage Centre – Cape Girardeau, MO

Board Voting Members Present:

Mr. Chauncy Buchheit, Southeast Missouri Regional Planning & Economic Development       Commission (SEMO RPC)

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

Mr. Scott Meyer, City of Cape Girardeau

Mr. Mark Phillips, Cape Special Road District

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

Mr. Enos Han, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) (via conference call)

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

Mr. John Mehner, Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET

Mr. Brian Okenfuss, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)

Mrs. Betsy Tracy, Federal Highway Administration (via conference call)

Ms. Janette Vomund, Missouri Department of Transportation (via conference call)

Mrs. Eva Voss, Missouri Department of Transportation (via conference call)

Staff Present:

Ms. Molly Hood, City of Cape Girardeau

Mr. Alex McElroy, City of Cape Girardeau

Mr. Ryan Shrimplin, City of Cape Girardeau

Call to Order

Chairman Buchheit 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 December 21, 2016 Board of Directors Meeting was unanimously approved for adoption upon motion made by Mr. Roach and seconded by Mr. Rediger.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the November 16, 2016 Board of Directors Meeting were unanimously approved upon motion made by Mr. Rediger and seconded by Mr. Roach.

Communications from the Chairman

Chairman Buchheit explained that the MoDOT Southeast District is proposing to eliminate a portion of MO-34 in order to reduce duplicate route markings across Jackson Boulevard and Kingshighway.  The proposal is to eliminate the portion of MO-34 between MO-72 and the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.  Once the change is made, MO-34 will end at its intersection with MO-72.  The TPC discussed the proposal at its December 7, 2016 meeting and recommended the Board submit a letter supporting the route change.  Mr. Roach made a motion to submit a letter of support to the MoDOT Southeast District for the MO-34 route change.  Mr. Rediger seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

New/Unfinished Business

  • Resolution No. 2016-15, A Resolution amending the FY 2017 Unified Planning Work Program.

Chairman Buchheit presented Resolution No. 2016-15.  Mr. Shrimplin stated that the amendment adds the City of Jackson’s Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) project for the East Main Street Intersection Evaluations.  The funds will be used to conduct traffic studies at two key intersections on East Main Street.  The amendment was issued for public comment in accordance with the Public Participation Plan.  No comments were received.  The TPC recommended approval at its December 7, 2016 meeting.  Mr. Meyer made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2016-15.  Mr. Phillips seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Member Reports

Mr. Rediger reported that both Hopper Road and the Independence Street/Gordonville Road/East Rodney Drive roundabout have been opened, Bloomfield Road Phase 5 is under construction, and the Main Street lighting and sidewalk project will begin next month.  The new South Sprigg Street bridge replacement project is under construction.

Mr. Roach indicated that the City of Jackson is entering into an agreement with Lochmueller Group for an update to its Citywide Traffic Study.

Mr. Phillips stated the Cape Special Road District crews have been completing their routine maintenance schedule.

Mr. Mogelnicki mentioned the CTA is replacing its analog two-way radio system with a digital tablet-based system.

Ms. Mangels stated that SEMO University is working on updating wayfinding and branding signage throughout the campus.  Additionally, the update to the Master Plan is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2017.  Also, the University is currently considering a BikeShare Program.

Mr. Okenfuss discussed some of the transportation-related bills that have been filed with the Missouri General Assembly.  HB65 establishes the Waterways Trust Fund.  HB108 authorizes MHTC to implement a connected vehicle technology testing program, which was one of the ideas received from the Road to Tomorrow initiative. SB165 is the Texting Law, which bans texting on a cell phone while driving a motor vehicle.

Mr. Mark Shelton, MoDOT Southeast District Engineer, stated the Citizen’s Guide to Transportation Funding is now available on MoDOT’s website.  He presented an information sheet with statistics pertaining to transportation funding in Missouri.

Mrs. Voss announced the Statewide Planning Partner Meeting has been moved to March 9, 2017 in the Governor’s Office Building in Jefferson City.  She also mentioned that MoDOT is requesting the Governor-Elect delegate TIP approval authority to MoDOT.  MoDOT is also updating its Engineering Policy Guide.

Mr. Jones mentioned that IDOT’s Bureau Chief is retiring.

Mr. Christian reported that the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) committee finished scoring the projects, but has been asked to not announce the awards until the total funding amount is verified.  The $1.7 million figure may be adjusted lower.

Other Business and Communications

Mr. Shrimplin stated the City of Cape Girardeau recently executed on-call contracts with five consulting firms: Alta Planning + Design, CBB Traffic, KLG Engineering, Lochmueller Group, and the SEMO RPC.  The contracts, which authorize work for SEMPO as well as the City, were awarded upon completion of a competitive process.  SEMPO staff will contact some of the firms to discuss executing a task order for specific work.  Mr. Shrimplin also stated he received an FHWA memo regarding the availability of federal funds for truck parking projects.  There are several different programs.  The federal share ranges from 80 to 90 percent.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned unanimously at 2:35 p.m.