180 Hart Field Road

Morgantown, WV 26508

(304) 291-9571

www.plantogether.org






Technical Advisory Committee

March 13, 2007

Minutes




  1. Attendance:


The meeting began at 1:30 in the second floor conference room of the Morgantown Municipal Airport. Those in attendance were: Joedy Gutta, Donald Williams, Donald C. Bailey, Chet Parsons, Dave Bruffy, Terry Hough, Ed Sneckenberger, L. Zane Shuck, Ron Kyle, John Jeffrey, and Chris Fletcher.


  1. Membership:


Asel Kennedy wanted the committee to brainstorm ideas for the future of the Technical Advisory Committee. Chet encouraged the members to provide thoughts or ideas on how to improve the committee and also to see which members are still dedicated to the participatory process. Don Williams suggested that the MPO send letters to all committee members to verify their desire to remain on the committee.


  1. Presentations:


Asel suggested that the committee develop a reporting mechanism in order to communicate with the Morgantown Utility Board (MUB). The desire is to have MUB more actively involved in the committee. Don Williams suggested that Dave Smith might be a good candidate. Currently, Jim Green is the TAC member for the MUB. Asel thought it would be a good idea that one meeting per year be dedicated to organizations such as MUB or the DOH in order to keep members current on local projects and major new concepts. It was discussed that these organizations give brief presentations on their planning process. Chet informed the group that he had sent a letter to the state requesting that the MPO be part of the review process for commercial permits. Don Williams also suggested that we include the school board as one of the organizations in which the TAC dedicates a meeting in order to remain abreast of the future planning. Asel Kennedy also suggested that WVU be included as well.


  1. User Fee:


Asel Kennedy stated that this committee needs suggestions on the user fee. The MPO met with the governor in order to get the legislation passed that would provide the county with the same authority that the city has. The original bill gave the county the same authority as the city, but over time the bill has been modified. The county commission does have the ability to do a user fee and charge everyone in the county a fee per week. However, it now has to be put to a vote with a 55% majority. A committee needs to be appointed in order to organize it and educate the public about the user fee and the benefits of one. The ballot will clearly identify the project that the user fee will fund. Chet charged the committee with reviewing the recommended transportation project costs and getting back to him with the ones that they believe to be top priority. He informed them that with a 30 year bond, the county could generate between 75 and 90 million dollars. Chet will post the user fee bill on the MPO website.


The committee will develop a sequence of steps in order for the process to report one product. The committee will encourage public input and participation as well as media coverage.


Don Williams also stated that “Design Bills” in which a contractor bids a job and hires the designer to design it are becoming more popular. This doesn’t save a lot of money, however, it does save time. Dave Bruffy said the design bills also help with staying within budgets. Asel Kennedy suggested that Don Williams provide the County Commission with a theoretical Design Bill proposal.


Asel believes the county needs to help itself by passing the user fee. His concern is that if we don’t move forward, then we will stagnate and growth will no longer occur.


V. Falling Run Traffic Study:


Chet informed the group that the MPO had amended their contract with URS to include a detailed traffic study of the 705 Connector, Falling Run Road and Beechurst Avenue. Zane Shuck questioned the length of time the traffic study will take. He believes traffic studies are passive and encourages more action. He asked Chet if he had a statement of work as to what the new authorization to URS is. He wanted to know what the new objectives are. Chet informed him that URS did a regional model that did not include turning movements or detailed intersection work.


VI. Air Quality:


Chet notifies the group that he is quite sure that the next time the EPA performs air quality designation that Morgantown will be in violation. He wants air quality to be a part of the next plan update and believes that we need to be educated on what the requirements are. He wants to include the DEP on the monthly presentations.


VII. Next Meeting:


The next meeting of the TAC will be on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 1:30 in the second floor conference room of the Morgantown Municipal Airport.


VIII. Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at 2:47pm.