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TECHNICAL PLANNING COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

November 2, 2016

Osage Centre – Cape Girardeau

Technical Planning Committee Members Present:  

Mr. David Blalock, Bootheel Regional Planning & Economic Development

Commission (Bootheel RPC)

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

Mr. Drew Christian, Southeast Missouri Regional Planning & Economic Development

Commission (SEMO RPC)

Mr. Ron Eskew, City of Scott City

Ms. Beth Glaus, Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO University)

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

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

Mr. Joe Killian, Missouri Department of Transportation

Mr. John Mehner, Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET

Mr. Brian Okenfuss, Missouri Department of Transportation

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

Mrs. Eva Voss, Missouri Department of Transportation

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

Staff Present:

Mr. Ryan Shrimplin, City of Cape Girardeau

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 November 2, 2016 Technical Planning Committee Meeting was unanimously approved for adoption upon motion made by Mr. Mehner and seconded by Mrs. Watson.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the October 12, 2016 Technical Planning Committee Meeting were unanimously approved upon motion made by Mrs. Watson and seconded by Mr. Mehner.

Communications from the Chairman

Chairman Payne requested an explanation for MoDOT’s repurposing of Cape Girardeau County earmarks.  Mr. Okenfuss stated that Matt Seiler with MoDOT’s Southeast District gave an explanation to the SEMPO Board of Directors during its meeting on September 21, 2016.  Mr. Seiler had explained that Congress recently passed an omnibus bill authorizing states to repurpose unobligated balances on any earmark that was designated on or before September 30, 2005 as long as the earmark is less than 10% obligated or the project is closed but has remaining unobligated funds.  The federal government issued guidance on how states are to handle repurposing the earmarks.  MoDOT, acting within the federal guidance, determined that the unobligated funds in Missouri should be redirected to projects that help MoDOT take care of the state highway system.  Due to Missouri’s transportation funding situation, MoDOT is not funding any additional projects involving new construction of highways or bridges.  The repurposing of the earmarks “cleans up the books” and allows the funds to be used in a manner consistent with MoDOT’s directive from the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.  Mr. Seiler had also stated that MoDOT is conducting a study of the Mile Marker 93 interchange.

New/Unfinished Business

Mrs. Voss gave a presentation entitled “MPO Planning Process”.

Mr. Shrimplin presented an amendment to the FY 2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).  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.  Mr. Mehner made a motion to release the FY 2017 UPWP amendment for public comment.  Mr. Eskew seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Shrimplin stated the City of Cape Girardeau submitted two applications for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP): the Cape Rock Drive Sidewalk – Kingshighway to Perryville Road Project and the Independence Street Sidewalk – Gordonville Road/East Rodney Drive to Cape LaCroix Trail Project.  He explained that MoDOT has requested the TPC evaluate each project using the MoDOT-provided scoring sheet.  The TPC evaluated each project.  Staff will forward the scoring sheets to Molly Hood and Rodney Bollinger for their use in scoring all of the TAP applications in the Southeast District.

Mr. Killian stated MoDOT has started working on the 2018-2022 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).  The Southeast District is requesting that SEMPO submit a list of the top three or four maintenance and safety needs for each of the following: roads, bridges, port, airport, and transit.  For road and bridge needs, the TPC recommended the following:

ROAD

US-61 @ I-55 Interchange (Center Junction) – pavement overlay
US-61 in downtown Jackson – pavement overlay and replacement of Hubble Creek bridge by Jackson Park
MO-177 – elevation of road surface to mitigate flooding
MO-K/Farrar Drive intersection – repair of damaged pavement

BRIDGE

I-55 Exit 99 (Center Junction) – replacement
I-55 Exit 93 (US-61/South Kingshighway) – replacement
I-55/Bloomfield Road Overpass – replacement
For port, airport, and transit, the TPC instructed staff to coordinate with representatives of each mode to obtain their needs and complete the list.

Mr. Mehner made a motion to recommend the above road and bridge needs to the Board of Directors and to instruct staff to work with port, airport, and transit representatives to complete the list.  Mr. Christian seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Member Reports

Mr. Shrimplin gave an update on the City of Cape Girardeau’s transportation projects, including the Independence/Gordonville roundabout, the Independence/Silver Springs culvert, Bloomfield Road Phase 5, the South Sprigg Street bridge, and Veterans Memorial Drive Phase 5.

Mr. Eskew stated the Scott City Council voted to not fund the bridge proposed as part of a new interchange on Interstate 55.  Mr. Okenfuss indicated that MoDOT will move forward with the project but will construct an at-grade crossing instead of a bridge, in addition to the outer roads.

Mrs. Watson and Ms. Glaus shared ridership data for their respective agencies.  The group reviewed and discussed the data.

Mr. Christian discussed upcoming administrative modifications to the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

Mrs. Voss mentioned that Missouri’s Traffic Safety and Blueprint Conference was held on October 18-20, 2016.  Data from the conference is available on the website.

Mr. Killian stated there were twenty-one TAP applications submitted for projects in MoDOT’s Southeast District.  The aggregate federal share of the project costs exceeds the $1.7 million available for the Southeast District.  Applications will be reviewed in December and selections will be announced in January.

Mr. Han introduced himself and stated he is taking over the duties previously held by Mike Latuszek, who recently accepted another position with FHWA.

Other Business and Communications

There were no other business and communications.

Adjournment

Upon motion made by Mr. Blalock and seconded by Mr. Christian, the Committee voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 12:15 p.m.