J o i n t T e c h n i c a l C o o r d i n a t i n g C o m m i t t e e a n d G o v e r n i n g B o a r d

J o i n t T e c h n i c a l C o o r d i n a t i n g C o m m i t t e e a n d G o v e r n i n g B o a r d November 17, 2016 12: Noon (*MPO Board Members to Join at 12:30), Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Board Room Agenda 1. 12:00 TCC WELCOME AND HOUSEKEEPING (5 min) A. Welcome and Introductions, Approval of Agenda Josh O Conner 2. PUBLIC COMMENT 3. CONSENT AGENDA Josh O Conner A. October Minutes B. Meeting Calendar for 2017 C. FY 2017 UPWP Amendments 4. BUSINESS (15-20 min) A. TIP Amendments MPO Staff B. CAC Membership MPO Staff C. JARC Allocation of Remaining FY 2015 Funds MPO Staff D. Biltmore Feasibility Study MPO Staff E. I-4400/I-4700 I-26 Widening DEIS Comments Resolution MPO Staff >>>>12:30-12:35 BREAK TO ALLOW MPO BOARD MEMBERS TO JOIN IN<<<< 5. MPO BOARD WELCOME AND HOUSEKEEPING A. Welcome and Introductions, Approval of Agenda Doug Dearth 6. REGULAR UPDATES AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS (45 min.)- TCC JOINTLY with MPO BOARD A. NCDOT Division 13 and 14 updates Jay Swain/Ed Greene or Designee B. Transportation Planning Branch Updates Pam Cook C. FHWA/FTA Updates Mike Dawson D. Subcommittee/Workgroup Reports, Staff Updates, and Housekeeping MPO Staff E. Legislative Updates MPO Staff F. I-26 Connector Traffic Simulation Base Year Travel Patterns Observations NCDOT Staff

J o i n t T e c h n i c a l C o o r d i n a t i n g C o m m i t t e e a n d G o v e r n i n g B o a r d 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEWS, SPECIAL UPDATES (3 min) 8. TOPICS FOR NEXT MEETING? (3 min) 9. PUBLIC COMMENT >>>>TCC ADJOURNS, MPO BOARD MEETING CONTINUES<<< 10. PUBLIC HEARING FOR TIP AMENDMENT Doug Dearth 11. CONSENT AGENDA Doug Dearth D. October Minutes E. Meeting Calendar for 2017 F. FY 2017 UPWP Modifications 12. BUSINESS (20-30 min) A. TIP Amendments MPO Staff B. CAC Membership MPO Staff C. JARC Allocation of Remaining FY 2015 Funds MPO Staff D. Biltmore Feasibility Study MPO Staff E. I-4400/I-4700 I-26 Widening DEIS Comments Resolution MPO Staff 13. PUBLIC COMMENT Doug Dearth 14. ADJOURNMENT Doug Dearth

Staff Report & Recommendations Items 1-4: TCC only Item 5: FBRMPO Board members join the TCC members for the joint meeting Item 6A: Division Project Updates http://fbrmpo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/division13_updates_october2016.pdf (Division 13) http://fbrmpo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/land-of-sky-rpo-november-2016.pdf (Division 14)

Staff Report & Recommendations Item 6B: TPB Updates Item 6C: FHWA/FTA Updates

Staff Report & Recommendations Item 6D: Committee & Workgroup Updates Prioritization Subcommittee Met on November 15 th to discuss Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Amendments, the further development of the Congestion Management Process (CMP), and the changes of scope to the Biltmore Avenue Complete Streets project. Transit Operators Workgroup planning to meet on December 6 th. Citizens Advisory Committee- The initial call for applicants has ended but staff plans to leave the call for new members open indefinitely. http://fbrmpo.org/wpcontent/uploads/2016/08/citizens-advisory-committee-application.pdf Recommended Actions: Accept the reports. Item 6E: Legislative Updates

Staff Report & Recommendations Item 6F: I-26 Connector Traffic Simulation-Base Year Travel Patterns Observations Jim Dunlop and other NCDOT staff members working on the I-26 Connector traffic simulation will present on the preliminary findings that show how the traffic simulation represents today s existing traffic behavior.

Staff Report & Recommendations >>>>TCC Adjourns, MPO Board meeting continues<<<< Item 10: Public Hearing for TIP Amendments Item 11: Consent Agenda A. October Minutes B. Calendar Adoption for 2017 C. UPWP Amendment to Account for Special Studies Draw-Down at the end of FY 2016 Staff recommends the MPO Board adopt the minutes, calendar for 2017 and UPWP Amendment.

French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization Minutes from the Governing Board meeting on October 27, 2016 ATTENDANCE WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS, APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairman Dearth called the meeting to order, read the Ethics Statement and inquired if there were any conflicts of interest to note for today s meeting. None were heard. He requested that introductions be made. The agenda was presented for approval with no modifications.

Gwen Wisler moved to approve the agenda as presented. Steve Caraker seconded and the motion carried upon a vote. PUBLIC COMMENT Chairman Dearth called for any public comment. CONSENT AGENDA September Minutes Ryan Stone moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Fran Cogburn seconded and as all were in favor the minutes were approved. REGULAR UPDATES Rick Tipton provided Division 13 updates and Ed Green provided Division 14 updates. Pam Cook shared the Planning Branch updates. Mike Dawson provided FHWA updates. FBRMPO Committee & Workgroup Updates o Prioritization Subcommittee met on October 11, 2016. Next meeting scheduled for November 15 th. o Transit Operators Workgroup met on October 11, 2016. o Citizens Advisory Committee the call is open for committee members- applications due October 31, 2016. Biltmore Avenue Project Update- Lyuba Zuyeva shared that the project was submitted as part of a complete streets corridors project for funding but was split from the other two projects in order to provide more time to develop plans for the corridor. She communicated that based on the previous recommendation from the MPO Board, a follow-up discussion was held between the City of Asheville, NCDOT and the MPO staff regarding Biltmore Avenue project. Based on some preliminary findings from NCDOT Transportation Mobility and Safety unit, the corridor is recommended for a feasibility study. Kevin Lacey (NCDOT Transportation Mobility and Safety Division) shared that the City desires to provide bicycle/pedestrian mobility on the corridor while maintaining the traffic flow in a safe manner. Several options were examined by NCDOT and the City. Some sections along the corridor will require the acquisition of additional right-of-way. A full feasibility study would look at all options along the corridor. A path forward would meet all of the necessary criteria to make the corridor safe and workable. Julie Mayfield requested confirmation that if the City is willing to acquire additional right of way along the corridor then a feasibility study could proceed? Kevin Lacey confirmed and indicated that looking forward, starting with the groundwork would give everyone a common point of departure for this project. One of the factors to consider is what level of service is desired along the corridor. Lyuba Zuyeva shared that the MPO staff are in further communication with NCDOT s bicycle/pedestrian division in order to see how much it will cost to expand the scope of the previously-funded study for McDowell to include Biltmore Avenue. She communicated that there might be an action coming back to this body in November. Discussion occurred regarding the stakeholders that should be at the table for a feasibility study.

Lyuba Zuyeva provided legislative updates including at the federal level operating under a continuing resolution until December for the FY17 budget. NEW BUSINESS STBG 5307 Flex Resolution (Asheville Transit) Lyuba Zuyeva shared that the Asheville Transit Replacement Vehicles project (TA-5164) has been previously selected for STBG (STP-DA) funding and programmed in the TIP for FY 2017. In order for this project to move forward and be managed under the FTA rules, the funding source has to be changed to 5307 and a resolution is required from the MPO. Ryan Stone moved to approve the resolution to flex the funds from STBG to 5307 for the City of Asheville Transit project. Gwen Wisler seconded and the motion carried without further discussion. Bicycle and Pedestrian Grant Applications Resolutions of Support Lyuba Zuyeva shared that NCDOT is holding a call for bicycle and pedestrian planning grant applications. Applications are required to have a letter of support from the MPO. The City of Asheville plans to submit an application for funding for the Swannanoa River Greenway Corridor Planning Study. Julie Mayfield moved to approve a letter of support for the Swannanoa River Greenway Corridor Planning Study application to NCDOT. John Dockendorf seconded and the motion carried without further discussion. Tristan Winkler shared that the RPO has passed a resolution of support for the Transylvania County bicycle/pedestrian planning grant application since only a small percentage of the county is located within the MPO region. SPOT Prioritization 4.0 Division Tier Points Allocation Tristan Winkler shared that under the NCDOT process for prioritizing transportation projects, 1800 local points are allocated to the FBRMPO for Division Tier projects and MPO Staff applied the approved methodology to scoring projects in the Division tier. MPO Staff have solicited public input on the draft list of projects through an online survey and by distributing coasters and postcards with the survey link at numerous locations throughout the MPO region. Social Media was also used to gather public input. Tristan Winkler reviewed the types of projects that are eligible in the Division Tier. He also reviewed some of the projects that have scored well under the MPO methodology in the Division tier. He further communicated that the RPO has approved donating 100 points for the Dellwood Road project in Haywood County. Carole Edwards moved to accept the RPO s donation of 100 points for the Dellwood Road Project. Steve Caraker seconded the motion which carried upon a vote. Steve Caraker moved to adopt the FBRMPO SPOT Prioritization Division Tier points assignment as presented. Gwen Wisler seconded and the motion carried without further discussion. STBG Projects- Coxe Avenue and Lexington Avenue Tristan Winkler shared that the City of Asheville has requested that the Coxe Avenue and Lexington Avenue portions of its Complete Streets Corridors projects be broken out to become their own projects, separate from the Biltmore Avenue Corridor project. Both of these projects

have been identified in the City s Multimodal Transportation Plan to primarily improve facilities for bicycle and pedestrian modes of travel. If approved, these projects will come back to the MPO TCC and Board during the next meeting cycle for a TIP Amendment approval. Julie Mayfield moved to approve the funding for Coxe Avenue and Lexington Avenue Complete Streets Corridor projects. Gwen Wisler seconded and the motion carried without further discussion. MTP Amendments Preview Tristan Winkler shared that the FBRMPO s Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) is a federally required twenty-five-year transportation plan for the region that was most recently passed by the MPO Board in September 2015. However, since the MTP was most recently developed and approved, a number of funding changes have occurred at the federal and state level. As a result, MPO staff has begun work to amend the MTP s financial forecast and project list. Tristan Winkler shared a brief presentation on the work that will be required to address the issues with the plan as well as the potential benefits to amending the MTP. No action required at this time. Active Routes to School Program Mary Smith and Jackie Moore with Safe Routes to School shared that the Active Routes to School initiative is a partnership between NCDOT and the NC Division of Public Health and is administered through the public health departments. The benefits of walking and biking to school affect children, schools, the community and the environment. The initiative uses a five-pronged approach to reach communities including awareness raising events, ongoing programs, training /workshops, built environment changes and policy changes. Pam Cook shared that the staff for Active Routes to Schools are available to represent stakeholders on transportation committees (including the CTP). Curriculum for Let s Go NC is housed on the NCDOT website (https://www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/safetyeducation/letsgonc/). Information only- no action required. Bent Creek Greenway Feasibility Study Lyuba Zuyeva shared that Buncombe County staff will present a brief overview of the Bent Creek Greenway Feasibility Study and the current status of the project. The study is one of the planning studies which have recently received federal funding through the FBRMPO UPWP. Josh O Conner started with a brief an overview of Buncombe County s Greenways Master Plan which was adopted in 2012 by the Board of Commissioners and includes 102 miles of connected corridors. He informed the Board that staff are looking for a dedicated funding stream as the greenway system is important to tourism and transportation opportunities. Josh O Conner shared that increased equity and access for transportation are some of the potential benefits of greenways. Safety and security of greenways is also a consideration when developing feasibility studies. He reviewed the key difficulties with developing greenways. The historical funds received by the county were reviewed and Josh O Conner shared that the county does a good job of leveraging grant funds for the Greenway System. Karla Furnari provided further information specific to the NC 191/Bent Creek Corridor, for which the draft final report will be out soon. Multiple potential alignment options exist, with their pros and cons. Josh O Conner shared that as things move forward in time, changes in preferred

alignment for the greenway might also occur. The estimated expense for the Bent Creek Greenway is $10million which does not include any expense for property acquisition. Opportunities may also be created to join the Hominy Creek and Enka-Candler Greenway Systems. ADA compliance is built into the feasibility studies and the greenways will be paved, when built. No action required at this time. ANNOUNCEMENTS The November cycle of MPO meetings will be a joint meeting on Thursday, November 17 th beginning with the TCC business portion at 12noon, regular updates taking place jointly at 12:30, and then moving into the Board business meeting. The joint meeting will be held in the meeting room on the second floor of the Asheville Chamber (36 Montford Avenue, Asheville, 28801). Lyuba Zuyeva expressed appreciation to all the assistance that NCDOT Division 13 and Division 14 have sent to the areas affected by Hurricane Matthew. PUBLIC COMMENT Chairman Dearth called for any public comment. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Dearth adjourned the meeting with no further business before the body.

Regional Partnership for Transportation Planning French Broad River MPO TCC 2nd Thursday at 11:00 a.m. (unless otherwise noted) French Broad River MPO 2017 Meeting Schedule January 12, 2017 February 9, 2017 March 9, 2017 (no meeting in April 2017) May 11, 2017 June 8, 2017 (no meeting in July 2017) August 10, 2017 September 14, 2017 October 12, 2017 November 16, 2017 (Third Thursday,at 12:Noon, jointly with MPO Board) French Broad River MPO Board (TAC) 4 th Thursday at 12:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) January 26, 2017 February 23, 2017 March 23, 2017 (no meeting in April 2017) May 25, 2017 June 22, 2017 (no meeting in July) August 24, 2017 September 28, 2017 October 26, 2017 November 16, 2017 (Third Thursday, jointly with TCC) All meetings take place at Land-of-Sky Regional Council, 339 New Leicester Highway, Suite 140, Asheville, NC 28806, unless otherwise noted. 339 New Leicester Highway, Suite 140 ~ Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 251-6622 ~ Fax (828) 251-6353 www.fbrmpo.org

French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM (UPWP) -FY17 July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 *draft for amendment November 17, 2016 Introduction The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) outlines transportation planning tasks to be conducted during the fiscal year. The UPWP sets the budget for these items and identifies the funding sources. MPO staff is responsible for ensuring completion of the planning tasks identified in the UPWP. The MPO Staff and the North Carolina Department of Transportation are the responsible agencies for many of the tasks in the UPWP. Some planning tasks are carried out by outside consultants. The categories for planning tasks in the UPWP are based on planning requirements contained in Federal legislation that authorizes transportation funding. The adopted Prospectus for Continuing Transportation Planning provides detailed descriptions for these tasks. The UPWP must be programmed according to the Prospectus. Funding Summary FY 2015-2016 (PL Funds from MAP-21) Federal Highway Administration - 80%* $ 542,444 Local Match - 20%* $ 154,363 Total* $ 696,807 *(Includes Pass-Through Special Study Funds, STP-DA Flex Special Study Funds and Local Matches for those funds at 80% of last year's award as carry over estimate) Program Summary for MPO Planning and Administration (PL Funds) II-A Data and Planning Support $ 45,105 11.65% II-B Planning Process $ 98,728 25.50% II-B Special Study Pass-Through $ - n/a STP-DA Flex Special Studies $ 309,640 III-A Planning Work Program $ 15,486 4.00% III-B Transp. Improvement Plan $ 55,171 14.25% III-C Cvl Rgts. Cmp./Otr.Reg. Reqs. $ 33,297 8.60% III-D Statewide and Extra-Regional Planning $ 54,203 14.00% III-E Management Ops, Program Support Admin $ 85,177 22.00% TOTAL w/o Pass-Through and STP-DA Flex Special Studies $ 387,167 100.00%

French Broad River MPO FY 2016-2017 UPWP MPO Planning and Admin - PL104 Transit Planning - 5303 SECTION 5307 TIGER II FTA TASK TASK Local Federal TOTAL Local State Federal Fund Local State FTA 5307 Local Federal TIGER CODE CODE DESCRIPTION 20% 80% (10%) (10%) (80%) Total 80% Total II-A Data and Planning Support $ 9,021 $ 36,084 $ 45,105 $2,363 $2,362 $18,900 $23,625 Asheville Transit Master Plan $19,200 $76,800 $96,000 44.24.00 II-A-1 Networks and Support Systems $ 3,872 $ 15,487 $ 19,359 $1,890 $1,890 $15,120 $18,900 Bent Creek Greenway Study $7,600 $30,400 $38,000 44.23.01 II-A-2 Travelers and Behavior $ 4,375 $ 17,500 $ 21,875 $473 $472 $3,780 $4,725 5307 Transit Allocation Study $13,878 $55,512 $69,390 44.23.02 II-A-3 Transportation Modeling $ 774 $ 3,097 $ 3,871 TDM Coordinator $11,250 $45,000 $56,250 II-B Planning Process $ 19,746 $ 78,982 $ 98,728 $202 $203 $1,620 $2,025 Asheville Bike Share Study $25,000 $25,000 $50,000 44.23.02 II-B-1 Targeted Planning $ 9,292 $ 37,168 $ 46,460 44.23.01 II-B-2 Regional Planning $ 9,292 $ 37,168 $ 46,460 $202 $203 $1,620 $2,025 44.27.00 II-B-3 Special Studies 1,162 $ 4,646 $ 5,808 III-A Planning Work Program $ 3,097 $ 12,389 $ 15,486 $135 $135 $1,080 $1,350 44.21.00 III-A-1 Planning Work Program $ 2,323 $ 9,292 $ 11,615 $135 $135 $1,080 $1,350 44.24.00 III-A-2 Metrics and Performance Measures $ 774 $ 3,097 $ 3,871 III-B Transp. Improvement Plan $ 11,034 $ 44,137 $ 55,171 $540 $540 $4,320 $5,400 44.25.00 III-B-1 Prioritization $ 6,388 $ 25,553 $ 31,941 44.25.00 III-B-2 Metropolitan TIP $ 1,549 $ 6,195 $ 7,744 $540 $540 $4,320 $5,400 44.25.00 III-B-3 Merger/Project Development $ 3,097 $ 12,389 $ 15,486 III-C Cvl Rgts. Cmp./Otr.Reg. Reqs. $ 6,659 $ 26,638 $ 33,297 $675 $675 $5,400 $6,750 44.27.00 III-C-1 Title VI Compliance $ 774 $ 3,097 $ 3,871 $675 $675 $5,400 $6,750 44.27.00 III-C-2 Environmental Justice $ 1,549 $ 6,195 $ 7,744 44.27.00 III-C-3 Minority Business Enterprise Planning $ 77 $ 310 $ 387 44.27.00 III-C-4 Planning for the Elderly $ 387 $ 1,549 $ 1,936 44.27.00 III-C-5 Safety/Drug Control Planning $ - $ - $ - 44.27.00 III-C-6 $ 3,872 $ 15,487 $ 19,359 44.27.00 III-C-7 Private Sector Participation $ - $ - $ - III-D Statewide & Extra-Regional Planning $ 10,841 $ 43,362 $ 54,203 $0 $0 $0 $0 44.27.00 III-D-1 Statewide & Extra-Regional Planning $ 10,841 $ 43,362 $ 54,203 STP-DA Flex Funds Local Federal STP-DA Flex Total III-E Management Ops, Program Suppt Admin $ 17,037 $ 68,140 $ 85,177 $3,585 $3,585 $28,680 $35,850 $32,500 $0 $130,000 $162,500 44.27.00 Management Operations $ 17,037 $ 68,140 $ 85,177 $1,740 $1,740 $13,920 $17,400 $0 $0 $0 $ - 44.27.00 Program Support Administration $ - $ - $1,845 $1,845 $14,760 $18,450 $ 32,500 $ - $ 130,000 $ 162,500 TOTALS $ 77,435 $ 309,732 $ 387,167 $7,500 $7,500 $60,000 $75,000 $32,500 $0 $130,000 $162,500 $0 $0 $0 $76,928 $232,712 $309,640 Project

Staff Report & Recommendations Item 12A: TIP Amendments Amendments to the FBRMPO 2016-2025 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) include a number of projects in our region as well as statewide projects (that are advisory items for the FBRMPO). Some of the projects in our region include: The addition of the City of Asheville s STBG-DA projects for complete streets accommodations on Lexington Avenue and Coxe Avenue- previously approved by the MPO Board in October. Delay of Right-of-Way and Construction for a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) project on NC-191 just south of Mills River to allow more time for planning and design. The addition of funding to address stormwater issues on Upward Road in Henderson County. Delay Right-of-Way and Construction on Howard Gap Road in Henderson County to allow more time for planning and design. Recommended action: Staff recommend the MPO Board adopt the proposed TIP Amendments.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FBRMPO TIP TOTAL COST TIP Amendment PROJECT ROUTES DIVISIONS COUNTIES DESCRIPTION (in ACTIVITY FUNDING Detail thousands) Cost in Thousands 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 POST YEARS I 5834 I 40 14 Haywood Delete at the request Pavement Rehabilitation of the Division. Work from Mile Marker 27 to Mile to be accomplished in Marker 34. I 5776. $ 7,400 CST NHPIM 7,400 PE APD 306 R 5771 Broadpointe Drive (SR 1690) 14 Henderson Improve Existing Broadpointe Drive (SR 1690) to 24 Feet Paved Roadway and Replace Bridge 440107 Add Right of Way in FY 2017 Not Previously Programmed $ 1,831 ROW APD 295 CST APD 1,230 R 4430 Upward Road (SR 1783) 14 Henderson Upward Road (SR 1783), US 176 to Howard Gap Road (SR 1006). Widen and Improve Roadway. Add Construction in FY 2017 Not Previously Programmed. Funding Needed to Correct Drainage Issue Created by Project. $ 25 CST T 25 R 5207C Howard Gap Road (SR 1006) 14 Henderson Howard Gap Road (SR 1006), SR 1539 (Jackson Road) to US 25 in Fletcher. Improve Roadway. To Allow Additional Time for Design, Delay Right of Way From FY 2016 to FY 2017 And Construction From FY 2017 to FY 2018. $ 950 ROW T 100 CST T 850

TOTAL COST TIP Amendment PROJECT ROUTES DIVISIONS COUNTIES DESCRIPTION (in ACTIVITY FUNDING Detail thousands) Cost in Thousands 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 POST YEARS W 5506 NC 191 14 Henderson NC 191, SR 1381 (Mountain Road) to North of SR 1365 (North Rugby Road). Construct a Three Lane Section Between N/S Rugby To Allow Additional and Country Road, Extend Time for Utility Plans, Right Turn Lane Into West Delay Right of Way Henderson School, Revise From FY 2016 to FY and Install Guardrail at 2017 Various Locations, Construct Entrance to Rugby Middle School on New Location, and Construct Paved Shoulders. $ 5,503 ROW STBG 1,028 HSIP 1,975 CST STBG 2,500 EB 5830 Lexington Avenue 13 Buncombe Lexington Avenue in Asheville from Patton Avenue to Southside Avenue. Improve Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure. Add Project to the TIP $675 PE STBGDA 540 Local 135 EB 5831 Coxe Avenue 13 Buncombe Coxe Avenue in Asheville from Patton Avenue to Short Coxe Avenue. Improve Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure. Add Project to the TIP. $ 525 PE STBGDA 420 Local 105 B 5900DIV Statewide Project All All Various, Bridge Inspection Program Delete Project. Existing STIP Project B 9999 Will Continue to Be Used For Bridge Inspections. $13,200 Implementation STBG 3,300 3,300 3,300 3,300 B 5900REG Statewide Project All All Various, Bridge Inspection Program Delete Project. Existing STIP Project B 9999 Will Continue to Be Used For Bridge Inspections. $13,200 Implementation STBG 3,300 3,300 3,300 3,300 B 5900SW Statewide Project All All Various, Bridge Inspection Program Delete Project. Existing STIP Project B 9999 Will Continue to Be Used For Bridge Inspections. $17,600 Implementation STBG 4,400 4,400 4,400 4,400

Staff Report & Recommendations Item 12B: Citizens Advisory Committee Roster The FBRMPO Citizens Advisory Committee had new bylaws adopted in November, 2015 to make its mission and membership requirements more clear. The Citizens Advisory Committee consists of interested citizens who live or work in the FBRMPO region and its mission largely focuses on recommending public outreach strategies to improve the public involvement in the transportation planning process. MPO staff held a call for new members from August, 2016 October, 2016, The following applications were received. Applicant Robert C. Hall William Norton Ted Figura Charles Menefee Blake Esselstyn Alexandra Binns-Craven Robert Parrish Agency/Group Represented Skyland Fire and Rescue N/A East West Asheville Neighborhood Association Asheville Bike/Ped Task Force N/A N/A Disability Partners; National Federation of the Blind Recommended action: Approve the new members of the FBRMPO Citizens Advisory Committee Additional Note: MPO staff plans to have a rolling call for applications. If you know anyone who may be interested in regional transportation issues, please encourage them to apply.

Staff Report & Recommendations Item 12C: JARC Allocation of Remaining FY 2015 Funds Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) was a former type of funding for public transportation under SAFTEA-LU that was consolidated into Section 5307 under MAP-21 and the FAST Act. The Asheville Urbanized Area received approximately $2,591,390 in FTA Section 5307 funds in FY 2015. Since MAP-21 went into effect, the MPO has set-aside 10% of the region s allocation of Section 5307 funds for JARC call for projects. In 2015, the Transit Operators Workgroup recommends that the call for JARC projects be postponed until the 5307 study is finished; two previously-funded JARC projects (Asheville Sunday Service and Route 170) received JARC funding extension in the fall of 2015. The 5307 study is expected to finish in early 2017. In the meantime, $39,000 in JARC funding remains from FY 2015. There has been a request discussed and supported at the Regional Transit Operators group to allocate the $39,000 in federal JARC funds (for a combined $78,000 federal and local operating budget) to Black Mountain Trailblazer. In the absence of this bridge funding, Black Mountain Trailblazer operations are currently funded only through the end of February of 2017 and would be in jeopardy starting in March. Providing bridge operating funding through JARC FY 2015 remaining funds would most likely allow the Black Mountain Trailblazer route to have sufficient operating funds through June of 2017. Starting in FY 2018, Buncombe County is expecting to benefit from the urban transit 5307 funds (pending 5307 Study completion). Funding Type Amount JARC as a 10% set-aside of FY 2015 5307 $39,000 Local Match $39,000 Total Operating Funds $78,000 Recommended action: Approve allocation of remainder FY 2015 JARC funds to support the Black Mountain Trailblazer operations.

Staff Report & Recommendations Item 12D: Biltmore Avenue Feasibility Study Project Background The Biltmore Avenue project was originally submitted to the FBRMPO for STBG funding in June, 2016. The project was initially part of a larger project that included three corridors for complete streets improvements. Those corridors included Coxe Avenue, Lexington Avenue, and Biltmore Avenue. The City of Asheville initially requested funds for Preliminary Engineering for all three corridors. During the August, 2016 MPO Board meeting, a number of concerns were noted about the potential impacts to destinations along and near Biltmore Avenue. Due to these concerns, the Coxe and Lexington Avenue sections were broken-off into their own projects while further coordination took place between NCDOT, the City of Asheville, and other key stakeholders on the Biltmore Avenue project. Coordination Results NCDOT s Transportation Mobility and Safety Unit conducted a number of scenario analyses on both Biltmore Avenue and McDowell Avenue for a very preliminary feasibility analysis on different roadway treatments that could accommodate bicycle infrastructure. No results were conclusive, but the members of the meeting agreed that a feasibility study on both McDowell and Biltmore would be the best path forward. Recommendation There are two general ways to fund the feasibility study (both involve a local match requirement from the City of Asheville): NCDOT Feasibility Study- The NCDOT Bike/Ped Division had already agreed to fund a feasibility study on providing bicycle infrastructure on McDowell Avenue. MPO staff has requested that the scope of that project be altered to include Biltmore Avenue as well. As of the time of this writing, we have not heard back from the Bike/Ped Division. STBG Funding- With the City of Asheville altering their request for this project from Preliminary Engineering to a Feasibility Study, STBG funds could be used to fund the study (with a local match). There is currently a little more than six million dollars available in STBG funding through FY 2019 from the MPO. Recommended action: Approve $150,000 of STBG funding for the Biltmore/McDowell feasibility study should the NCDOT Bike/Ped Division be unable to accommodate the additional scope.

Staff Report & Recommendations Item 12E: I-4400/I-4700 I-26 Widening DEIS Comments Resolution I-4400/I-4700, I-26 Widening project is funded for construction from Exit 44 to I-40, with construction scheduled to start in 2020. The section from US 25 (exit 54) to Exit 44 remains unfunded but is included for the purposes of environmental documentation and preliminary engineering. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for this project was released on August 12 th, and the public comment period is taking place form October 13 through November 14 th. There appears to be a general consensus from the community that the I-26 widening project needs to move forward in an expedient manner to alleviate congestion. Henderson County Board of Commissioners has adopted a resolution of support for this project. The resolution in front of the TCC and MPO Board today would state that FBRMPO is in support of the project and provide a list of recommendations for the I-26 Widening project to consider, primarily focused on the interchanges along the corridor, taking into consideration the regional Complete Streets Policy adopted by the FBRMPO in February of 2013, as well as local and regional bicycle, pedestrian and greenways plans. NCDOT staff have indicated that they can still accept comments for this project a few days past the official deadline (November 14 th ). Recommended action: Consider and approve an I-26 Widening resolution.

RESOLUTION SUBMITTING COMMENTS REGARDING THE I-26 WIDENING PROJECT (I-4400/I- 4700) DEIS WHEREAS, traffic congestion and safety are increasing problems along I-26 through Henderson and Buncombe Counties in western North Carolina; and, WHEREAS, local and regional residents, commuters, visitors, interstate travelers and commercial freight haulers rely on the route in increasing numbers; and, WHEREAS, improvements to the I-26 corridor should be minimally disruptive to the local community and should enhance the quality of life for residents and the quality of experience for visitors whenever possible; and, WHEREAS, members of the community have expressed their strong preference that this project advance to relieve congestion; and, WHEREAS, a variety of local and regional bicycle, pedestrian and greenways plans exist for the area to be impacted by the I-4400/I-4700 project; and, WHEREAS, the French Broad River MPO Board has previously adopted a Complete Streets Policy, which includes the following statement: On interstate projects inside FBRMPO planning boundary, the following recommendations and elements shall be considered in the design of all projects: inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian accommodations at interchanges to where pedestrian and bicycle safety is given equal emphasis to traffic movement; and inclusion of crossing accommodations in the interstate ROW outside of interchanges at stream crossings or other key crossing points for non-motorized modes of transportation, with particular attention to off-road greenway, bicycle and pedestrian networks that are shown in adopted plans. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the French Broad River MPO Board submits for consideration as part of DEIS comments the following recommendations for this project: Support for moving forward with design and construction for I-4400/I-4700 in an efficient and timely manner As part of interchange redesign for Exit 49/US 64 Four Seasons Boulevard, consider pedestrian accommodations on the redesigned interchange bridge, as recommended in Hendersonville Pedestrian Plan (with the understanding that final design would be subject to local cost share participation agreements), and bicycle lanes as recommended in the Blue Ridge Bicycle Plan As part of interchange redesign for Exit 44/US 25, consider an alternative design that would minimize the footprint of the interchange and impacts to residential and business properties while still providing appropriate capacity for projected traffic As part of interchange redesign for Exit 44/US 25, consider bicycle lane accommodation as recommended in the Blue Ridge Bicycle Plan (subject to local cost share participation,

if needed), and a potential location for a Park-and-Ride lot, as recommended by the regional Transportation Demand Working Group At the I-26 crossing over Cane Creek, between Exit 44 and Exit 40, consider allowing for a future greenway alongside Cane Creek to cross under the interstate bridges (as recommended in the Fletcher Greenways Master Plan) If the interchange is being considered for redesign at Exit 33/ NC 146 Long Shoals Road, consider bicycle lane accommodation on NC 146 through the interchange as recommended in the Blue Ridge Bicycle Plan (secondary corridor) ADOPTED: This the 17th day of November, 2016. Douglas Dearth, FBRMPO Board Chair Attest, Lyuba Zuyeva, FBRMPO Director