180 Hart Field Road
Morgantown, WV 26508
(304) 291-9571
Citizen’s Advisory Committee
April 17, 2007
Minutes:
I. Attendance:
The meeting began at 1:30pm in the second floor conference room of the Morgantown Municipal Airport. Those in attendance were: Chilton Wise, Jim Gaston, Don Spencer, Mike Kelly, Chet Parsons, Thomas Cyphert, Bill Wyant, Donald Williams Frank Gmeindl Bill Rice and Jim Rye.
II. Public Comment:
No public comment at this time.
III. Housekeeping:
Chet provided the group with an update on the 2030 plan. The draft is complete and the MPO has received comments and questions from the state. The questions have been addressed and were sent back. URS is completing the Citizen’s Guide and both documents should be available around the same time.
IV. User Fee:
Chet stated that Asel requested the members to compile groups and individuals who would be interested in looking at the User Fee legislation. He also informed the group that the target time for the vote would be in September. Don Williams said that he was at a presentation given by Tom Smith from the Federal Highways Administration on User Fees, Garvey Bonds and Innovative Financing. He thought that his presentation would be beneficial to the group as a whole in generating funding. Chet would like for Don Williams to arrange for the presentation to be given. Chet would also like for all groups (CAC, TAC, MPO Policy Board) to be in attendance.
Jim Gaston expresses concern over the possible September vote on the User Fee. He feels that this will be too early. Chet believes that the issue is trying not to piggy back the User Fee with other elections. Don Williams believes that the traffic study needs to be completed first so that we can apply the data that was generated. Chet stated that the traffic study has just been started and should be completed in early fall. He handed out the scope for the traffic study to the members.
Chet hopes that presented as part of this referendum will be the knowledge that whatever local funds we can generate, we will get a match from Congress. Don Williams informed the group of a new program called Design-Build in which the contractor bids the design and construction at the same time. This saves a little money, but mostly saves a lot of time.
Bill Wyant says that we need a plan for sequencing projects so that we can sell a program which will alleviate the issues. Some members question the accuracy of the traffic study and the modeling since it does not take into consideration things like pedestrians and bike traffic. Don Williams states that the model does account form some of those issues. He also says the model can predict what the level of service will be on existing roads with the addition of lanes or turning lanes. Don Spencer comments that he believes the key issue in transportation planning is accessibility and a more livable quality of life.
V. WVU Transportation and Parking Plan:
Don Spencer briefly discussed the WVU Transportation and Parking Plan. He pointed out that this plan is to help further the goals of the University’s 2010 Plan. He also reviewed the plan’s transportation assumptions and recommendations which is the bulk of the plan. Comments need to be emailed by April 19, 2007.
VI. West Run Update:
Bill Rice updated the CAC on the status of the West Run Planning District Advisory Committee. He stated that they had drafted a letter to the Planning Commission to distribute to the MPO and the County Commission concerning their frustration about all development being done prior to any road improvements. The committee also composed another letter to those same agencies regarding their frustration on the retaining wall on West Run Road. He feels that his group is making progress with zoning and hopefully will have the ordinance completed by the end of this year.
VII. Transit Master Plan:
Mountain Line along with the MPO developed an RFQ for firms to do a Transit Master Plan. The deadline was April 13 and we have received 5 very good proposals. Most of the funding for the transit plan is coming from transit funds that we are required to spend. It will help the Mountain Line Board to prioritize issues and make good investments for the future of Mountain Line.
VIII. Next Meeting:
The next meeting of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee will be May 15, 2007 at 1:30pm in the second floor conference room of the Morgantown Municipal Airport.
IX. Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 3:05 pm.