METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 19, 2006
MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Bailey, Joe Statler, Bob Roberts, Ron Justice, Allen Sharp, Bob Bell
MEMBERS ABSENT: Asel Kennedy, Bill Byrne, Patty Lewis, Janice Goodwin, Barbara Parsons, Frank Scafella, John Pyles
MPO DIRECTOR: Chet Parsons
Ron Justice called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The September minutes will be approved at November’s meeting. (Without a quorum, no action could be taken).
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Correspondence received from K.M. Ferguson, Director of Planning and Research Division of the DOT supplying listings of Highway, Transportation Enhancement, Recreational Trails, Transit and Regionally Significant projects for the public;
Information given to MPO Board Members for the WV Intermodal Center.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Bob Bell reported a beginning balance of $21, 593.57, expenditures of $29,826.40 and deposits of $35,579.03 leaving a balance of $27,346.20. (Will be approved at November’s meeting).
DOT STATE REPORT:
Don Bailey reviewed and updated the status of DOT projects.
DOT LOCAL REPORT:
No report. Bob Bell asked Don Williams whether or not the DOT could look into the problem occurring at the traffic light going into University Towne Center. Mr. Williams advised the DOT Traffic and Engineering department has been advised of the problem and is reviewing it. An update will be given at next month’s meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
CAC: Mike Kelly expressed his thanks for members of the group attending the meetings. Beechurst Avenue five-lane expansion was discussed at the Public Hearing held at the Erickson Alumni Center. Some projects will be moved from “cost constrained” to “illustrative plan”. Three suggestions made were to:
Project 12 – Northern portion of 705 to the Mileground to Hartman Run Road; will free up 19.3 million and won’t affect the intersection improvement;
Project 32 – Airport Connector from 857 to Route 7; will free up 18.2 million;
Project 25 – West Run to Collins Ferry Road extension only; will free up 14.5 million
Two strong motions were made to work with the City Planner regarding Beechurst Avenue; and to remind the MPO and all other entities involved that the Pastureland Parkway should be a “no broken access” roadway.
A timeline was also presented. Some projects are short term but many of those are system management and rights of way. Also discussed bicycle and pedestrian traffic and keeping this interest at the forefront.
TAC: Dealt with same issues as those discussed by the CAC. The recommendations to work with City Planner were good ones and they will be considered at next month’s meeting. The TAC considered the same 3 projects to be moved to the illustrative lists. Chet and Don Williams will look into the cost estimates on those projects. A number of questions regarding costs were discussed, i.e., how could you know if the costs/numbers/estimates will be the same within the next 3 or 4 years. Some things will change and need to be looked into.
TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE:
A cross section of the county were in attendance and their input was helpful in gauging recommendations for progress.
Memo to URS outlines changes that should be recommended for the plan after the October 4 meeting. The map on Page 20 shows project changes. Anyone with questions and/or concerns should contact the MPO Director. Chet thinks the inter-loop project (705 to Hartman Run Road) is the most critical to keep.
Non-Motorized methods of transporation will be reviewed.
A second public hearing is set for November 30, 2006 at the Erickson Alumni Center at 6PM. The format will be changed from the last public hearing. Since the public has not seen the final plan a ½ hour will be spent presenting the actual road plan and Bill Troe will then have question/answer session for an hour. Then the actual public hearing will begin at 7:30PM. The plan will also be available for review by the public before the meeting takes place. Concerns were expressed at the last public hearing that there was too much time spent on the vision and not enough dialogue on what actually has been accomplished to date.
GIS:
No update on the coordination effort. Joe Statler mentioned a recent newspaper article regarding Greene County, PA students working on GIS. We may want to look into what they are doing.
NEW BUSINESS:
A meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 24 regarding a plan that MPO’s statewide are tasked to develop. A group of Human Services Transportation providers will discuss a plan to fill gaps existing in services and look into what the future needs may be. This must be completed by mid January 2007. Information will be brought back to the Policy Board at next month’s meeting.
UNIVERSITY AVE PARKING GARAGE: Concerns raised regarding how difficult it is for drivers to enter into the University Ave. parking garage and blocking traffic while they wait for traffic. Need to look into what can be done about blocking the intersection. Chet will correspond with the City Manager and City Council. Also need to look into the City and County possibly posting officers at the intersection.
The possibility of “reverse lanes” (2 lanes in for am traffice/2 lanes out for pm traffic) was discussed to see how to eliminate the traffic bottleneck on Beechurst Avenue.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM