MINUTES SURFACE TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Friday, March 24, 2006 The Surface Transportation Technical Committee (STTC) held a meeting on Friday, March 24, 2006, at 1:30 p.m., in the Transportation Board Room (Third Floor) of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). The following Surface Transportation Technical Committee members or representatives were present: Ruth Antebi-Guten; Brian Barth; Patrick Baugh; John Blain; Bob Blankenship; Mark Bouma; Dana Burghdoff; Chris Burkett; Ramana Chinnakotla; Kent Collins; David Davis; Ruben Delgado; Lloyd Denman; Jerome Dittman; Jim Driscoll; Stanton Foerster; Bob Green; Ken Griffin; John Hedrick; Alan Hendrix; Jill House; Bennett Howell; Richard Larkins; Mike Lawless; Barbara Leftwich; Mark Mathis; Steve Miller; Mohammed Moabed; Cesar J. Molina, Jr.; Lloyd Neal; Koorosh Olyai; Monique Pegues; John Polster; William Riley; Jerry Tikalsky (representing Steve Salin); Mark Schluter; Russell Schreiber; Arturo Serna; Randy Skinner; Ken E. Silverberg; Jim Sparks; Cissy Sylo; Gregory Van Nieuwenhize; Rick Vasquez; Bernard Vokoun; Joe White; Don Holzwarth (representing Sam Wilson); Robert Wunderlich; Mark Young; and Ronald Young. Others present at the meeting were: Vickie Alexander, Natalie Bettger, Fay Bishop, Amanda Brimmer, Wei Wei Cham, Michael Copeland, David R. Gattis, Billy Hardie, Tamara Hollowell, Alicia Hopkins, Sonya Jackson, Christie Jestis, David Jodray, Dan Kessler, Alauddin Khan, Ken Kirkpatrick, Chris Klaus, Keith Krum, Dan Lamers, Elena Maksimchikova, Wes McClure, Mindy Mize, Michael Morris, Jeff Neal, Christopher Poe, James Powell, Vercie Pruitt-Jenkins, George Purefoy, David Ridgeway, Lara Rodriguez, Robyn Root, Greg Royster, Mike Sims, Diana Tapps, Alan Upchurch, Jack Wierzenski, Rachel Wiggins, Amanda Wilson, Brian Wilson, David Wynn, and Scott Young. 1. Approval of February 24, 2006, Minutes: The minutes of the February 24, 2006 meeting were approved with the revision to add Elena Maksimchikova representing John Hedrick. Ruben Delgado (M); John Polster (S). Unanimous. 2. Toll Road Policy for S.H. in Denton County and Collin County: Michael Morris provided an overview regarding the Toll Road Policy for S.H. 121 in Denton and Collin Counties. He highlighted the materials that were distributed at the Joint RTC/STTC Workshop held prior to the STTC meeting. He reviewed the schedule of activities and noted that a special RTC workshop was scheduled for Thursday, March 30, 2006 and at that time a specific proposal would be finalized. He provided an overview of the presentations and discussions from the public meetings and remarked that the objective of the meetings was met. Michael complimented the citizens of Collin County and City of Frisco for taking the time to attend the public meetings. He stated that copies of the handouts distributed at the public meetings would be made available to anyone who was interested in obtaining the copies. Michael reviewed the five basic questions and answers taken from the public meeting survey regarding the Toll Road Policy. He noted that the toll rate would average 14.5 /mile with an adjusted downward rate. Michael explained that this roadway should be a toll road and that TxDOT should proceed with procurement, the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) should proceed with the development of a public-sector model, and the staffs of RTC, TxDOT, and NTTA should prepare a joint recommendation that includes consideration of the local government position. Next, Michael explained that there should be different toll rates during peak and offpeak toll hours, with peak-period tolls at 17 /mile; off-peak period at 12.5 /mile, and public 1
transit should be exempt. He noted that the toll rate should be 75 percent of all items of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), capped at three percent of the Annual Compounded Rate (ACR). Subregional funds should be received at the outset of the project rather than over a period of time. Michael then provided an overview of the policy questions. He explained that a 75 percent subsidy of gas tax funds should be placed on NTTA toll projects. TxDOT will recommend a private-sector vendor, which local governments can monitor. Michael explained that if there is an NTTA public-sector proposal on a regional facility, the RTC will recommend an institutional structure to the Texas Transportation Commission by weighing merits of the private-sector proposal. He reiterated that the RTC will strongly consider the position of its member governments. Michael highlighted that since it is critical that NTTA grow as a regional toll authority, they should develop revenue to fund gas tax facilities but only as a mobility dividend, not as excess revenue. NTTA can be a partner and as their balance improves, they will have the ability to produce dividends to help build projects as partners; however, monies should stay within the TxDOT district. Michael noted that the institutional selection should be based on a full public/private sector competition between two models, not within the private sector model. Michael stated that staff is more than happy to take whatever direction or action the Committee desires and noted that the Committee may not want to be too specific on items because items could be modified or adjusted. The Committee can support the principles and wish not to weigh in on the topic, or the Committee may want to take the position that support technical efforts. Brian Barth, TxDOT, was given the opportunity to provide an overview of TxDOT s position on the issue. Brian explained TxDOT s position by reviewing the recommendations that Michael outlined. He noted that concerning the initial toll rate, the project specifics, project economics, and toll sensitivity should be a regional decision. TxDOT s view on the toll road is that market-driven rates should be avoided. Market-driven rates should determine the value of managed lanes and that the government should have some control over rates. He stated that regarding the toll rate the recommendation is in the middle or moderate position. The escalation rate on long term costs will increase with inflation, reduce value of a project substantially, and it could have significant impact of the value of the project. He noted that TxDOT is cognizant of the air quality problems and the many needs in the region, and the more projects that are built now the better. Brian addressed the concern regarding the unsolicited NEPA process, if a Comprehensive Development Agreement (CDA) was a proposer. Michael stated that for a no-compete clause, the city and TxDOT will not harm the project clause. Mark Bouma, NTTA, stated that the clause was general and does not support a project that is detrimental. However, he noted that it is a clause that a bondholder requires. Cissy Sylo stated that the residents of the City of Frisco reached a general consensus of the toll road only if it was an NTTA project. She further explained that due to the growth factor of the Collin County area there is a concern with regard to taking the money upfront. She stated that it is better to receive the funds over time because the future needs in the region are unknown for the next 50 years. Extensive discussion followed. A motion was made for the Committee to accept the basic questions presented COG staff with the potential of analysis that TxDOT has suggested that rate over time is tied to the household income growth. John Polster (M); Motion died due to lack of a second. A motion was made requesting Michael Morris to carry the Committee s comments to the RTC as stated and the Surface Transportation Technical Committee was not going to vote on this item at this time. Stanton Foerster (M); Rueben Delgado (S); Cissy Sylo (O). Motion carries. 3. Partnership Program #3 Strategic Funding Program Draft Recommendations: Christie Jestis provided a brief overview of the Partnership Program #3 Strategic Funding Program Draft Recommendations. She highlighted a geographic map that illustrates the projects submitted and noted that the projects submitted outside the Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) boundary were now eligible due to the 8-hour ozone standard. Christie provided an 2
overview of Reference Item 3, which contained materials for the three programs included in the Strategic Program Funding: the Arterial Street Program, Arterial Intersections and Bottleneck Program, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Program. She noted that each packet incorporated the recommendations for the Eastern and Western Subregions. Christie explained the Come Clean Policy and stated that usually, if a project is not feasible, the project is deleted and the funds are returned to the regional fund for use in future Calls for Projects. Under this policy, staff has proposed to allow implementing agencies to transfer funds from infeasible projects to new, high priority projects. Next, Christie explained that all the Strategic Funding Program projects have gone through the evaluation methodology, where comments for project submittals were received and addressed. Christie then highlighted the upcoming timeline and noted that final federal approval of the funding document is estimated to occur in the July 2006 time frame. Christie noted that the action items included recommendation for RTC approval of the Come Clean Policy; the projects recommended for funding under the arterial streets, arterial intersections/bottlenecks, and ITS programs; and the addition of these projects to the Metropolitan and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Jerome Dittman, City of Mesquite, had some questions regarding the ITS projects and the exchange of several DART projects. He noticed that some projects that were ranked higher were exchanged for lower ranking projects. He was concerned about the establishment of funding and the evaluation criteria. Natalie Bettger responded that the projects contained in Attachment Item 3, were recommended through the ITS Regional Steering Committee and that the rankings were developed through that Committee. She noted that this Committee allowed the agencies to exchange the projects for higher-priority projects. General discussion followed. A motion was made to recommend Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval the funding through Partnership Program #3 the Strategic Funding Program for Arterial Streets, Arterial Intersections/Bottleneck, and ITS projects. David Davis (M); Randy Skinner (S); Jerome Dittman (O). Motion carried. 4. Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)/Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Planning Contract: Dan Kessler presented information regarding the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Planning Contract. He stated that the original contract was developed through the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), and two years ago the contract was up for renewal. He explained that the contract is mainly an administrative document, which defines and recognizes the responsibilities of the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) as the MPO Policy Committee, recognizes the role of NCTCOG as the MPO and fiscal agent, and reduces TxDOT s oversight and administration of MPO in-state travel, and requires both NCTCOG and RTC Contract signatories. He stated that the new contract period, requested by TxDOT, is a six-year term from June 1, 2006 through September 30, 2012. Dan noted that staff did not provide the specific contract to the Committee, as it essentially contains the requirements and planning process that are endorsed in the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). A motion was made to recommend RTC approval of the Metropolitan Planning Contract. Ruben Delgado (M), Rich Larkins (S). Unanimous. 5. Transportation Improvement Program Modifications/Fiscal Year 2006 Federal Transit Administration Funding: Christie Jestis provided an overview of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Modifications and stated that it also included the Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Federal Transit Administration Funding. She noted that the FY apportionments were originally published in the Federal Register in December 2005, and were later revised and republished in February 2006. She also noted that the funding distribution for Surface Transportation Program Metropolitan Mobility (STP-MM) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) funding programs was revisited before beginning 3
Partnership Program, but that the Urbanized Area Formula Program (Section 5307) funding distribution was revisited each FY. She highlighted the suballocation between the Eastern and Western Subregions and noted that historically the allocation was split at 75 percent in the East and 25 percent in the West. For FY 2006 the recommended split is 73/27 percent with approximately $40 million available to providers operating within the Eastern subregion and $15 million to providers operating with the Western subregion. Then, Christie provided an overview of the TIP modifications contained in Reference Item 5.1 and highlighted projects the modification types under consideration, which included project deletions, the addition of congressional earmarks, and the Mountain Creek Parkway modification among others. She noted that the Mountain Creek Parkway project was a $20 million project that has a $10 million cost increase. The local government agencies have produced half of the funding, and has requested the other half from RTC. She noted that NCTCOG staff requested that the cities look at value engineering options to determine the reason for the large cost increase and to mitigate the increased costs. Christie highlighted Reference Item 5.2 containing administrative amendments. She noted that the overall impact was an $830 million decrease, largely due to a locally funded project from DART. Christie summarized the schedule of activities and stated that action was being requested from the RTC in April, and that these modifications will be provided to TxDOT in May 2006, with federal/state approval scheduled for July 2006. She explained that that projects contained in Reference Items 5.1 and 5.2 were presented to the public in March 2006, and that all the projects were reviewed and found to be consistent with the mobility Plan, air quality conformity and financial constraint of the TIP. She mentioned that the Committee action would be to recommend approval of the FY 2006 Transit Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula funding distribution as well as the TIP modifications contained in Reference Item 5.1. Cissy Sylo, City of Frisco, noted that the F.M. 423 project shown in Reference Item 5.1 should not be deleted. Christie responded that the request was for the removal of the smaller intersection project and it did not impact the overall project. A motion was made to recommend RTC approval of the two action items listed above. Rich Larkins (M); John Polster (S). Unanimous. 6. Sustainable Development Call for Projects: Alicia Hopkins presented an overview of the Sustainable Development Call for Projects Draft staff recommendations. She highlighted the project timeline and reminded the Committee that all project proposals were presented at several public meetings. Alicia then provided a quick overview of the screening process as well as a status report of the projects. She noted that group meetings were held for the private and public sponsors of the recommended projects, and when requested, individual meetings with project sponsors. She stated that staff was requesting action of Reference Item 6, which contained the draft staff recommendations and that staff was currently developing the local funds management policy for STTC/RTC approval pending progress on transfer of local funds. Alicia stated that action was requested to include placement of the Transportation Improvement Program of selected projects, the use of the RTC local funds, pending local funds agreement, and that a resolution of the public sponsors would be developed by July 14, 2006. She described the recommendations for the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Implementation Group, and noted that the 43 projects are not expected to be split evenly, but would be applied to the regional effort and successful implementation of the TOD in these locations. She stated that through the regional effort, planning assistance of different types would be supplied based on local conditions. A motion was made to recommend RTC approval of staff recommendations under the Sustainable Development Call for Projects. Robert Wunderlich (M); Koorash Olyai (S). Unanimous. Alicia also provided a brief overview concerning the management of local funds. She noted that staff was developing a policy on the management of local funds, which included reallocation of funds returning for infrastructure to the next Sustainable Call for Projects, authorization to make administrative amendments to 4
the TIP, development of agreements with RTC regarding local funds that allow immediate construction with reimbursement, and requirements for selected Land Banking projects. It was noted that staff would request action on these portions of the program at next month s meeting. 7. Clean Fleet Vehicle Call for Projects: Mindy Mize provided a status report on the Clean Fleet Vehicle Policy and Call for Projects emphasis areas contained in Reference Item 7, and stated that staff was requesting endorsement of RTC approval from the Committee. She provided a status of the public entity adoption and noted that the cities listed would be eligible to apply when the Call for Projects was released. Mindy reviewed the emphasis areas that support the RTC Call for Projects, which included adoption of Clean Fleet Vehicle Policy by June 30, 2006, vehicle projects that reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx), certified or verified technologies, and heavy-duty engine standards that meet approximately $7,000 cost effectiveness. She provided a brief overview of the Call for Projects timeline and stated that staff was seeking endorsement of the Clean Fleet Vehicle Call for Projects emphasis areas. A motion was made to recommend RTC approval of the emphasis areas related to the upcoming Clean Fleet Vehicle Call for Projects. Rich Larkins (M); Stanton Foerster (S); Unanimous. 8. Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program: Mike Sims provided an update of the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program (STEP) and stated that staff was requesting approval of rankings developed for projects received under the current TxDOT STEP Call for Projects outlined in Reference Item 8. He provided a brief overview of the submittal process and noted that April 28, 2006 is the deadline for submitting projects to TxDOT. A motion was made to recommend RTC approval of the rankings developed for projects received under the current TxDOT-initiated Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program Call for Projects. Rick Larkins (M); Patrick Baugh (S). Unanimous. 9. Mobility 2030 Status Report: Dan Lamers provided a brief overview of the potential recommendations for Mobility 2030, which include the staging of improvements, updated cost estimates, and overall regional needs. He reminded the Committee members of their responsibility to develop and maintain the Transportation Plan. He provided a brief overview of the development of the Transportation Plan, Mobility 2030. He provided a sample of roadway corridors that may be changing in the Plan and noted that staff is working with local government agencies, transportation providers and TxDOT to inventory the commitments and potential recommendations regarding Mobility 2030. He noted that a new plan must be developed and approved prior to the current plan expiring so that no transportation projects are inadvertently delayed. He provided a brief overview of the schedule and stated that staff would continue with outreach efforts to determine which corridors should be reviewed. 10. Federal Commitments Update: David Jodray provided a brief overview of the regional air quality transportation commitments and a substitution schedule to replace commitment shortfalls. He reviewed the project completion window and noted that the current project focus was on the Attainment Demonstration State Implementation Plan (SIP). He stated that July 2007 is the window cutoff date by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement project commitments identified in the SIP. He highlighted the commitment categories, amount of commitments, implementation schedule, and status. David addressed the next steps for completion of commitment schedule, which included establishing a work group, forwarding recommendations to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), TCEQ public hearings, EPA review, and final TCEQ approval. David emphasized the importance of completing the commitment substitution requirements before the next Mobility Plan can be approved for the region. 5
11. Hurst-Euless-Bedford Job Access Pilot Project: James Powell provided information regarding a new pilot project under the Northeast Tarrant County Job Access Program. He explained that the purpose of the funds is to provide transportation services to employment and related opportunities in Northeast Tarrant County. He stated that the pilot project was a coordinated effort between United Way of Tarrant County, Tarrant County Workforce Board, and NCTCOG, and that NCTCOG would administer the program and procure transportation services. He provided a brief overview of the project and noted the budget was $100,000. James reviewed the timeline of upcoming actions and noted that after approval by the NCTCOG Executive Board, service is slated to begin in June. 12. Fast Facts: Sonya Jackson provided a briefing of Reference Item 12.1, which contained an updated listing of the engineering tools. She highlighted Reference Item 12. 4 that contained a listing of Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) web seminars that are being offered during the months of April and May. Amanda Brimmer provided information on Reference Item 12.2, regarding the Refuse Hauler Call for Projects. She stated that the deadline for the Call for Projects is May 5, 2006 at 5 p.m. A copy of the flyer was provided in the handout. Wei Wei Cham explained that Reference Item 12.3 provided a brief overview of the listing of recent and upcoming air quality and transportation public outreach initiatives. She noted that the listing has been revised to include event opportunities. Rachel Wiggins provided a brief status report on the Regional Aviation Planning effort. She stated that correspondence has been sent to local agencies informing them of the effort. She invited the committee to visit the website for more information. Lara Rodriguez stated that Reference Item 12.5, distributed at the meeting, contained the minutes and comments obtained during the public meetings. She noted that there will be another round of public meetings regarding the managed lane topic in late April. She highlighted the latest copy of the Mobility Matters, distributed during the meeting. Michael Morris provided a brief update on the correspondence submitted to the Texas Legislature concerning the special session on education. He provided an overview of the Regional Demographic Program Update and noted that a detailed 2005 Small Area Population Employment Estimates would be published. 13. Other Business (Old or New): There were no items for discussion on this item. 14. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Surface Transportation Technical Committee is scheduled for April 28, 2006, at 1:30 p.m., at the North Central Texas Council of Governments The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. 6