Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO) Coordinating Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 22, :00 p.m.

Transcription

1 Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO) Coordinating Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 22, :00 p.m. Please Note the Location: Ferguson Township Municipal Building 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance AGENDA 2. Approval of Minutes: February 22, 2011 Coordinating Committee meeting. 3. Citizen Comments: For items not on the agenda. 4. SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA) Activities: Presentation from SEDA-COG JRA staff 5. Ferguson Township Request to Revise the CCMPO s Local Funding Share Formula: Remove from table and discuss request Action: Establish process to address request Transportation Enhancements (TE) Program: Receive recommendation about funding for candidate projects Action: Approve funding for projects and amend TIP to reflect funding allocation Centre County Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Shift Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to CATA Action: Amend TIP to shift funding 8. Transportation Funding U.S. DOT Reauthorization Proposal: Presentation about highlights of proposal 9. Centre County Transit Project Update: Status report about key public transportation projects in Centre County 10. Announcements 11. Adjourn Next Coordinating Committee meeting: Tuesday, June 28, :00 p.m. Location to be determined x:\planning\mpo\2011\agendas\ coordmeeting\ca11march22completeagendapackage

2 ITEM 4 SEDA-COG JOINT RAIL AUTHORITY (JRA) ACTIVITIES Presentation from SEDA-COG JRA Staff Since its formation in the early 1980s, the SEDA-COG JRA has been providing high quality rail service to many customers in central Pennsylvania. The JRA owns almost 200 miles of track on five short-line railroads in Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, and Union Counties. Rail freight service is provided by five private operators, including the Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad headquartered in Centre County. In recent years, rail service has played a key role in reducing truck traffic on roadways in Centre County. One of the areas currently being served is near Pleasant Gap in Spring Township, where rail operations are a key element in transporting materials to and from the Graymont lime plant, and to and from the White Rock Quarry via the new rail spur and bulk transfer facilities that were constructed a few years ago. Recently, the JRA initiated plans to make improvements in Centre County to address the rapidly increasing demand for rail service and material staging from the Marcellus shale industry. Some of the funding for these improvements is coming from the U.S. Department of Transportation s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) II grant program. In late 2010, the JRA was awarded $10 million for rail and roadway improvements in several counties to address the demand from the Marcellus shale industry. Mr. Jeff Stover, Executive Director of the JRA, will provide a presentation about the JRA s activities in Centre County and Central Pennsylvania. Staff notes that Coordinating Committee member Dr. John Spychalski is one of two Centre County representatives on the Joint Rail Authority. Staff also suggests that the Coordinating Committee extend an invitation to the JRA to provide annual updates in the future, as rail service is anticipated to continue growing in importance as an element of the County s transportation system. The Coordinating Committee should receive the presentation. More information about the SEDA-COG JRA can be found at Jeff Stover, SEDA-COG JRA

3 ITEM 5 FERGUSON TOWNSHIP REQUEST TO REVISE THE CCMPO S LOCAL FUNDING SHARE FORMULA Remove from Table and Discuss Request By correspondence dated December 13, 2010, the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors requested the CCMPO to revise the formula for allocating the local funding shares in the annual MPO Budget. The Coordinating Committee received the correspondence in its January 25, 2011 meeting agenda package. This item was originally scheduled for discussion at the February 22, 2011 Coordinating Committee meeting, but was tabled at that time. The Coordinating Committee should consider approving a motion to remove this item from the table. The formula for distributing the funding shares provided by Centre County government, eight municipalities and CATA was established in the proposal for expansion of the MPO to a countywide organization, which was approved in November A description of the formula is attached. The CCMPO s adopted bylaws do not make reference to the MPO budget or the local funding share formula. The Coordinating Committee should discuss Ferguson Township s request, and establish a process and timetable for addressing the request. Elements of the process may include: a. Establishing a subcommittee to address the request and provide a recommendation(s) to the Coordinating Committee b. Coordinating or staging completion of this task relative to the request for membership from Marion Township c. Preparing options for allocating local funding shares d. Completing a new five-year budget projection e. Identifying potential changes to the bylaws relative to budget/financial items Attached are: Correspondence from Ferguson Township dated December 13, 2010 Description of the current CCMPO local funding share formula CCMPO CY 2011 Budget - Comparative Detail of Revenues and Expenditures Action: Tom Zilla, CRPA Establish a process and timetable for addressing Ferguson Township s request.

4 ITEM TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENTS (TE) PROGRAM Receive Recommendation about Funding for Candidate Projects When the guidance for development of the Centre County Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) was prepared in 2009, PennDOT indicated that a statewide application cycle for TE projects would not be held in However, in MPO/RPO areas where all previously-approved projects have advanced, TE funds from the TIP may be utilized for new projects, as determined by the MPO/RPO. Because all TE projects in Centre County are advancing, in September 2010 the CCMPO approved a process and schedule for evaluating and making recommendations about funding for candidate TE projects in a application cycle. The application process was initiated in October 2010, and nine (9) applications for projects were received by the December 22 deadline for submissions. Applicants provided presentations about the candidate projects at the January 25, 2011 Joint Technical and Coordinating Committee meeting. Following the presentations, the CCMPO s TE Review Committee evaluated and ranked the projects, and prepared a recommendation about funding for candidate projects. The Technical Committee endorsed the recommendation on March 9, Attached is a PowerPoint presentation that describes the evaluation process and the Technical Committee s recommendation. Staff will provide a report about the following recommendation: Year Project Funding FY 2012 $318,000 Howard Borough Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail $267,950 PennDOT Inspection Howard Project $10,000 TE Line Item FY 2012 $40,050 FY 2013 $331,000 BHRS Rail Passenger Car Restoration $295,000 PennDOT Inspection BHRS Project $0 Circleville Road Path (Partial funding) $17,498 TE Line Item FY 2013 $18,502 FY 2014 $344,000 Circleville Road Path (Partial funding) $334,000 PennDOT Inspection Circleville Project $10,000 TE Line Item FY 2014 $0 Outside of Fiscal Constraint Number 4 Ranked Project - If funding becomes available N/A Pine Grove Mills Streetscape Phase 2 - Option 2 SR 45 $229,000 (Continued)

5 Attached is: Staff PowerPoint Presentation The Coordinating Committee should receive the Technical Committee s recommendation, and consider approving funding for candidate TE projects. Action: Trish Meek, CRPA Approve funding for the Howard Borough Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail, BHRS Rail Passenger Car Restoration, and the Circleville Road Path projects for the Centre County TE Program, contingent upon availability of TE program funds in FYs Amend the Centre County TIP to reflect the funding allocation for TE projects, contingent upon approval by the State Transportation Commission.

6 ITEM CENTRE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) Shift Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Funds to CATA The Centre County TIP was adopted by the CCMPO in June 2010, and became effective on October 1, 2010 following approval by the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration. The TIP has been revised through amendments and administrative actions completed in 2010 and After the CCMPO terminated the Old Fort Park and Ride Lot project in September 2010, $362,440 in federal and state funding for the Construction phase of the project was shifted into other projects and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) line item. Subsequent administrative actions have disbursed the CMAQ funds to other projects. However, a portion of the CMAQ funds originally programmed for the North Atherton Street Signal Coordination project in FFY 2011 will not be needed. Thus, staff proposed that $250,000 in CMAQ funding be shifted from the North Atherton Street Signal Coordination project to CATA, to be used for the following initiatives: a. $200,000 for replacement of one full-size transit bus b. $50,000 for the CATACommute Program, including the following elements: Promotions and advertising via radio Advertising via billboards Reward/incentive programs for vanpool and carpool users Outreach/events/advertising publications Guaranteed Ride Home Program Ridematch software Funding for the bus replacement will be designated for a project already included on the Transit Element of the TIP. However, because funding for the CATACommute rideshare program represents the addition of a new project to the TIP, formal action is required by the Coordinating Committee. The activities proposed by CATA are eligible for CMAQ funding. There are no additional requirements relative to public comment or air quality conformity. The Technical Committee has recommended amending the TIP to shift the CMAQ funds to CATA. Staff will provide a brief presentation. The Coordinating Committee should receive the presentation, and consider amending the Centre County TIP by shifting $250,000 from the North Atherton Street Signal Coordination project to CATA for a bus replacement project and the CATACommute Program. Tom Zilla, CRPA Greg Kausch, CRPA Action: Amend the Centre County TIP by shifting $250,000 in FFY 2011 from the North Atherton Street Signal Coordination project to CATA for a bus replacement project and the CATACommute Program.

7 ITEM 8 TRANSPORTATION FUNDING - U.S. DOT REAUTHORIZATION PROPOSAL Presentation about Highlights of Proposal Because SAFETEA-LU (federal transportation authorization legislation) expired on September 30, 2009 without new legislation being approved, the U.S. Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to permit federal funding to be spent for highway and transit projects until a new authorization bill is developed. In early March 2011, Congress and President Obama approved the latest extension of the CR to September 30, The CR authorizes federal funding to be spent at levels originally specified in SAFETEA-LU, although recent changes in the operations rules of the U.S. House of Representatives may impact the amount of funding that is actually appropriated. The House and Senate leadership have set a goal of preparing a new multi-year transportation authorization bill by summer 2011, with the intent of having new legislation approved and sent to President Obama for enactment into law by September The Obama Administration recently released its proposal for a new long-term authorization bill, which proposes a significant increase in federal funding for transportation. Highlights of the U.S. DOT s reauthorization proposal include: Proposes a $556 billion, six-year bill (SAFETEA-LU was a $286 billion, six-year bill) $336 billion for roads and bridges (48% increase) $119 billion for transit (127% increase) Doubles funding for highway safety investments $17.5 billion to FHWA safety programs Provides $53 billion for intercity passenger rail Establishes a National Infrastructure Bank for projects of national or regional significance $30 billion over 6 years Consolidates over 55 separate highway programs into five core programs National Highway Program Highway Safety Improvement Livable Communities Federal Allocation Research, Technology, and Education Consolidates five transit programs into two programs Emphasizes rebuilding and rehabilitating existing transit systems Staff will summarize the highlights of the U.S. DOT proposal. As more information emerges about negotiations on a new bill, staff will continue to provide information to the CCMPO. The Coordinating Committee should receive the presentation. Tom Zilla, CRPA

8 ITEM 9 CENTRE COUNTY TRANSIT PROJECT UPDATE Status Report about Key Public Transportation Projects in Centre County The Centre County Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) 2040 and Centre County TIP feature a number of critical public transportation projects, including the following: Moshannon Valley Park and Ride Lot Study Clearfield Moshannon Valley State College Commuter Bus Service North Atherton Street Transit Signal Priority Project Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS) Initiative CATA Centre County Coordination Committee Many of the above projects have been included in the CCMPO s public transportation planning and programming processes for a number of years, and represent opportunities to: Address transportation needs in several jurisdictions Work with local, regional, and statewide partners Improve the operational efficiency of transit services Implement high-priority expansions of features and service Despite recent funding challenges for surface transportation, particularly public transportation, CATA, the Centre County Office of Transportation, and the CCMPO have made significant progress in advancing these key initiatives. Each project is targeted for achievement of a major milestone and/or full implementation during calendar year Staff will provide a status report about key public transportation projects in Centre County, and will answer questions and receive comments on transit projects. Attached is: Staff PowerPoint presentation The Coordinating Committee should receive the presentation, and provide questions and comments to staff. Greg Kausch, CRPA

9 ITEM 10 ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Future Meeting Dates a. Technical Committee: Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 9:30 am Location to be determined Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) update schedule Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) 2040 update schedule Inventory of local transportation assets Moshannon Valley Park and Ride Study Halfmoon/Patton Area Plan Traffic Analysis Member reports b. Coordinating Committee: Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 6:00 pm Location to be determined TIP update schedule LRTP 2040 update schedule Inventory of local transportation assets Moshannon Valley Park and Ride Study Halfmoon/Patton Area Plan Traffic Analysis Marion Township request for membership Member reports 2. In September 2010, the Coordinating Committee formed a Membership Subcommittee to discuss a request from Marion Township to become a member of the CCMPO. In February 2011, the Subcommittee provided a brief report to the CCMPO about potential options developed to address the request. The Subcommittee noted that input about the options was being sought from the three municipalities affected by the options (Marion and Walker Townships, and Bellefonte Borough). The three municipalities held initial discussions about the options in March, and comments from the governing bodies are expected in April. The Subcommittee will reconvene in late April to review the comments from the municipalities, and continue its discussions. 3. A statewide PennDOT/MPO/RPO Planning Partners meeting will be held in April to discuss the process and schedule for preparing the TIP. The TIP update is anticipated to follow a similar schedule as the TIP. The initial steps are anticipated to include a presentation to the State Transportation Commission on Thursday, August 11, 2011 in Altoona; and preparation of a Preliminary Draft TIP between August and November Staff will provide a report about the process at the June CCMPO meetings. (Continued) Preparation of the TIP will include some new elements, including implementation of the new project development process developed through the Linking Planning and NEPA initiative. Preparation of the TIP may also be affected by the priorities of the new administration of Governor Tom Corbett, and by continued uncertainty about future levels of federal and state funding.

10 4. CCMPO staff contact information Centre Regional Planning Agency Telephone: Gateway Drive Fax: State College, PA Jim May, Director Tom Zilla, Principal Transportation Planner Trish Meek, Senior Transportation Planner Greg Kausch, Senior Transportation Planner Lyssa Cromell, Office Manager Centre County Plng & Community Dev. Office Telephone: Holmes Street Willowbank Office Building Fax: Bellefonte, PA Bob Jacobs, Director Sue Hannegan, Assistant Director Mike Bloom, Senior Transportation Planner On the web at PennDOT Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) information: