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May 11, 2018

TPC Minutes 04/04/2018

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TECHNICAL PLANNING COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

April 4, 2018

Osage Centre – Cape Girardeau

Technical Planning Committee (TPC) Voting Members Present:     

Mr. Rodney Bollinger, City of Jackson

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

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

Mr. Scott Perry, Bootheel Regional Planning & Economic Development

Commission (Bootheel RPC)

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

Technical Planning Committee (TPC) Non-Voting Members Present: 

Mr. Mike Brandon, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)

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

Mr. Kirk Sandfort, Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO University)

Ms. Eva Voss, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)

(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 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 April 4, 2018 Technical Planning Committee (TPC) Meeting was unanimously approved for adoption upon motion made by Mr. Mehner and seconded by Mr. McElroy.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the March 7, 2018 Technical Planning Committee (TPC) Meeting were unanimously approved upon motion made by Ms. Watson and seconded by Ms. Brink.

Communications from the Chairman

There were no communications from the Chairman.

New/Unfinished Business

  • Public Participation Plan Amendment No. 2 – Motion to recommend approval

Mr. Shrimplin stated that Public Participation Plan (PPP) Amendment No. 2 was released for public comment in February, and no comments were received.  The amendment adds a section entitled “Transit Program of Projects” which states that CTA (a Section 5307 grant recipient) and Southeast Missouri State University (a sub-recipient) have elected to follow SEMPO’s TIP public participation process to meet the public participation requirements for the Program of Projects (POP).  A motion was made by Mr. Mehner and seconded by Ms. Watson to recommend approval of Public Participation Plan Amendment No. 2, which passed unanimously.

  • FY 2016-2019 TIP Amendment No. 6 – Motion to recommend approval

Mr. Shrimplin stated that FY 2016-2019 TIP Amendment No. 6 was released for public comment in March, and no comments were received.  Mr. Christian stated that the amendment consists of two new projects.  The first project is a box culvert extension on Rte. W, approximately ½ mile south of Rte. Y.  The second project is the grading and construction of Harbor Lead Track 2 as part of the SEMO Port’s Loop Tracks Terminal project, which is being funded by the Delta Regional Authority.  A motion was made by Mr. Mehner and seconded by Mr. Payne to recommend approval of FY 2016-2019 TIP Amendment No. 6, which passed unanimously.

  • Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan – Motion to recommend approval

Mr. Shrimplin stated that the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was released for public comment in November and two open houses were held on January 9th to obtain feedback from the public on the draft plan.  The Study Oversight Team (SOT) also reviewed the draft and provided comments to Lochmueller Group.  The plan has been revised accordingly and is now ready for approval.  Mr. Bollinger discussed the value of having such a plan for the region, and he thanked the SOT and Lochmueller Group.  A motion was made by Mr. Mehner and seconded by Mr. Payne to recommend approval of the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, which passed unanimously.

  • FY 2019 Unified Planning Work Program – Review of draft

Mr. Shrimplin presented a revised draft of the FY 2019 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).  He stated that the Performance Measures subsection in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) section has been updated to reflect the targets already set by MoDOT and supported by SEMPO.  He noted that the financial tables will be completed once a budget figure has been established for the ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan.  Ms. Green is currently researching plans in other communities to understand the scope and cost involved.  The draft FY 2019 UPWP will be finalized in the upcoming weeks so the TPC can release it for public comment on May 2nd.  He added that the Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on the draft on May 16th, after which the document will be finalized for TPC recommendation of adoption on June 6th and adoption by the Board on June 20th.

Member Reports

Mr. Mehner reported that a recent job creation and loss report issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ranked the Cape Girardeau metropolitan statistical area (MSA) first in job loss.  He commented that this information is very misleading and damaging, noting that the report is based on sampling rather than actual data, which won’t be released until March.  Publications such as USA Today and the Washington Post have contacted the MAGNET/Chamber of Commerce and SEMO University about the job loss report.  He is working with the Congressional delegates to address this issue.

Mr. McElroy reported that the City of Cape Girardeau awarded the contract for the 2018 LED Streetlight Conversion Project to KT Power.  The City recently opened bids for the 2018 Asphalt Overlay Program.  The Sloan Creek Bridge on Big Bend Road will be closing on April 25th to begin work on replacing the superstructure and stabilizing the bank.  The Lexington Avenue – Sherwood Drive to West Cape Rock Drive Project is on schedule to be completed in June.

Mr. Bollinger reported that the City of Jackson is in the process of extending electric lines to the Center Junction area for two new developments.  The City has issued a Notice to Proceed to Vern Bauman Contracting for the realignment of South Old Orchard Road near the former Class Act Gymnastics facility.  Smith & Co. is proceeding with the design for intersection improvements at East Main Street and South Shawnee Boulevard.  The City is in the acquisition phase for the traffic signal at East Main Street and Oak Hill Road.  Also, the City has opened bids for the 2018 Concrete Street Repair Project, with Lappe Cement Finishing submitting the lowest bid.  The installation of the new pedestrian bridge over Hubble Creek has been delayed due to weather.  Phase 3 of the Hubble Creek Recreation Trail Project is proceeding.  The City is in the process of making ADA retrofits at some of its parks and recreation facilities.

Ms. Brink reported that SEMO Port has issued a Notice to Proceed for the grading phase of the Loop Tracks Terminal project.  She also reported that Missouri Governor Eric Greitens’ proposal to include $14.3 million in the state budget for infrastructure improvements at Missouri’s ports was recently rejected by the legislators.

Mr. Christian reported that he has received additional input from the transit providers and will now be able to complete the Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Coordination Plan.  He intends to present the plan to the TPC on May 2nd.

Mr. Perry reported that tornado recovery efforts in Malden are underway.  Bootheel RPC is working with Delta Regional Authority and the Missouri Department of Economic Development to obtain funding.

Mr. Okenfuss reported that after the presentation on the I-55/US 61 interchange reconstruction project at the March 21st Board of Directors meeting, MoDOT staff had additional meetings to discuss alternatives.  After further modeling and analysis, it was determined that a single point urban interchange (SPUI) would require the interstate to be raised, which would be cost prohibitive.  Even after the annual increase rate for the model was changed from 0.5% to 2.0%, the diverging diamond interchange (DDI) was the highest performing design.  He added that there are still some access and signalizing decisions that the City of Jackson and the City of Cape Girardeau need to make.  Mr. Payne expressed concern over the fact that the proposed design will not allow additional underpass lanes in the future.

Mr. Killian reported that the state legislators are still reviewing and discussing two transportation-related bills.  The Rte. D and Rte. PP shouldering projects were let in March and the bids will be opened soon.

Ms. Voss stated that the public comment period for Missouri’s Long Range Transportation Plan update begins today and will close on May 3rd.

Staff Report

Mr. Shrimplin reported that four (4) proposals were received in response to the TIP Tool Software and Maintenance RFP.  The Technology Subcommittee is in the process of reviewing and scoring the proposals to determine which firms should be selected for interviews.

Other Business and Communications

Mr. Christian stated that he has prepared and submitted Amendment No. 7 to the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP Amendment No. 7) to Ms. Voss for MoDOT/IDOT/ONE DOT review.  He explained that the amendment includes six new MoDOT projects plus changes to existing projects for the next STIP.  More information will be presented at the next TPC meeting.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 12:00 p.m. upon motion made by Mr. Payne and seconded by Ms. Watson.