2013 08-05Meeting Minutes
Meridian Transportation Commission
August 5, 2013
3:31 PM-4:50 PM
Attendance & Agenda
• Members Present: Ryan Lancaster, Tracy Hopkins, Stephen Lewis, David
Ballard, Pat Morandi, Jo Ann Bujarski, and Jack McGee
• Ex-Officio Members Present: Councilman David Zaremba, Mark Wasdahl (for
Dave Szplett), Shawn Martin, Toni Tisdale, and Bruce Gestrin
• Members Absent: Larry Gardner, Micah Gale, Mary Barker
• Others Present: Craig Quintana (ACHD), Caleb Hood (City of Meridian), and
Andrea Pogue (City of Meridian)
• Meeting agenda topics included: 1) Roll Call, 2) Adoption of the Agenda (Ballard
motioned approval with the addition of some topics under Old Business from
Caleb Hood; Hopkins seconded; all ayes), 3) Old Business Items 4a) Ada County
Highway District Agency Overview, 4b) Community Planning Association of
Southwest Idaho, 4c) Communities in Motion 2040 -the Regional Long-Range
Transportation Plan Update, 5) Future Meeting Topics, 6) Adjourn
Old Business
Caleb Hood mentioned that Mary Barker is no longer with VRT and that Kelli
Fairless will be her replacement for now. He also mentioned that the July minutes
would be ready in September. A status update on golf carts and getting that in
front of Council during an upcoming agenda was mentioned; nothing has been
scheduled yet, but staff is discussing the topic and figuring out an appropriate
date to discuss with Council. An announcement was made that some pages from
another project, Bainbridge, was inadvertently scanned into the August
Commission packets. (This information was not discussed at the meeting and
staff apologized for any confusion this may have caused.) Regarding
Transportation Projects Updates, staff does have some updates on the higher-
profile projects, but would like to give those updates and the end of the meeting
due to some important new business items that are a higher priority. Caleb Hood
also thanked the Commission for their service up to this point and the
Commissioners' patience as we have been primarily educating the Commission
but we will start to get into some more substantive discussions in the near future.
Commissioner Lancaster agreed it appropriate to do the Transportation Projects
Update at the end of the meeting. It was also confirmed that the next regularly
scheduled meeting of the Commission would in fact be September 9th in Council
Chambers as discussed in July.
New Business
A. Ada County Highway District Agency Overview: Craig Quintana, Chief
Information Officer of ACHD presented: ACHD agency history,
charge/jurisdiction, number of lane miles and signals in Ada County,
maintenance, signal timing, 20-year Capital Improvement Plan, Impact Fees,
Integrated Five-Year Work Plan, budget, how ACHD's decides what projects to
build, plans and projects ACHD is currently working on as well as planned
construction projects. Commissioner Ballard asked about solar power back-up for
signals. Commissioner Lancaster asked about how ACRD is funded with local
and federal sources -Craig mentioned that property taxes, highway users fund,
impact fees and vehicle registration fees primarily fund ACRD today. Member
Gestrin commented how good of a partner ACHD has been to the school district
and he appreciates that relationship and partnership. Commissioner Bujarski
asked about how improvements are decided in medians and expressed a
concern as we live in a desert. Commissioner Lancaster commented that his
understanding is that ACHD will pay for the transportation. related improvements
and that another agency needs to pay for "niceties" like lights and landscaping.
Councilman Zaremba commented that he appreciates the ACHD-City
relationship and how we have worked together on past projects and reaching-out
to the public, including businesses. The upcoming public involvement
opportunities for projects along Ustick and Fairview were mentioned.
B. Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho Agency Overview: Toni
Tisdale, Principal Planner of COMPASS presented information on her agency.
She mentioned what COMPASS is (and what an MPO is); who is part of
COMPASS; how COMPASS is organized and staffed; what COMPASS'
responsibilities are; how the agency is funded; and what services and products
they offer. Toni mentioned the federal requirements of COMPASS as the MPO
including the long-range transportation plan and air quality requirements.
Commissioner Lancaster asked a question about the break-down between
federal and local gas tax funding as it related to ACRD. He also asked who from
the City of Meridian serves on the COMPASS Board. Toni also mentioned that
there is an opportunity for the city to apply for TAP funding projects; applications
are due in November. Staff mentioned that a list of potential projects, where the
city would likely be the sponsor, will be compiled and then vet that through the
Commission at one of the upcoming meetings. Commissioner Hopkins asked
how much money is budgeted for the Rail with Trail project.
C. Communities in Motion 2040 -the Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan
Update: Toni Tisdale mentioned that the public comment period is currently open
for CIM 2040, the regional long-range transportation plan for Ada and Canyon
counties. She explained the vision, growth projections, corridors under
consideration, how the plan is being composed and timeline for adoption of the
plan. Commissioner Lancaster asked a question about how corridor preservation
is done. Commissioner Lewis asked a question about how future population
forecasts are done and the previous plan's Trend and Community Choices
scenarios and if something similar is being used for the 2040 update. Toni
mentioned that the 2040 plan really didn't use either of the previous scenarios
and essentially they started from scratch.
Transportation Project Updates (from Old Business): Caleb Hood mentioned
that Split Corridor Phase 2 project is just about complete, but that the city is still
working on landscaping and art for the surplus areas near the cross-over and at
the Main/Fairview intersection. Caleb stated that the Meridian Interchange project
continues to move forward in design and there was a recent public open house at
Wahooz. It was mentioned that the City is looking at art to put on the barrier rail
over the interstate. The timeline for the project was also mentioned. The
upcoming open house for the three projects along Ustick Road was mentioned.
The upcoming open house for the Fairview Avenue Access Management Plan
was also mentioned.
Future Meeting Topics
The Commission discussed topics for the September meeting to include: ACHD's
Integrated Five Year Work Plan; ACHD presentation on Community Programs,
bike facilities and policies, and wayfinding projects; Commission bylaws; and
potential TAP projects. In October, Commissioner Lancaster would like to hear
from the School District.
Commissioner Lewis motioned to adjourn and Commissioner Ballard seconded the
motion. Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:50 pm.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
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