LANCASTER COUNTY TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TTAC) MINUTES. Lancaster County Planning Commission. Motorized Vehicle Interests

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1 LANCASTER COUNTY TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TTAC) MINUTES DATE: September 12, 2016 TIME: 12:00 p.m. PLACE: 150 North Queen Street, 1 st Floor LCPC Meeting Rooms, Lancaster, PA MEMBERS PRESENT: Leo Lutz (Chair) Ralph Hutchison (Vice-Chairperson) Greg Paulson (Alternate) Rep. Mike Sturla s Office Roni Ryan Alice Yoder Bill Swiernik Bike/Ped. Advisory Committee Karl Graybill City of Lancaster Maureen Westcott Persons with Disabilities Ryan Eckert Motorized Vehicle Interests Austin Beiler Lancaster Airport Authority Kate Gonick Lancaster County Conservancy Lisa Riggs Business and Finance Community Beth Raves PennDOT Central Office Tony Berger PennDOT Disctrict 8-0 Nate Walker (Alternate) PennDOT District 8-0 GUESTS: Commissioner Stuckey BOCC John Schick Rettew Assoc. Russell Pugh LAND Mike Ridgeway Citizen Neil Ward Lanc. Commuter Rail Assoc. R. Lackemeyer Lanc. Commuter Rail. Assoc. Kathy Dimpsey FHWA STAFF: LCPC James Cowhey Bob Bini (Secretary) Lauri Ahlskog Harriet Parcells Gary Jones Latoya Westbrook-Thomas Executive Director Director for Transportation Planning Senior Transportation Planner Senior Transportation Planner Transportation Planner Administrative Secretary 1

2 1. Call to Order: Chairperson Lutz called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. 2. Updates and Announcements: Major Projects: Mr. Berger stated since the August 8 th meeting, there are no project updates at this time. Transit: Mr. Glisson stated new route changes have been postponed and will take effect in the beginning of January The normal routine updated the schedules in August. Routes will be proposed and announced for public consideration. Federal Highway Administration: Ms. Dimpsey mentioned they received the STIP and it is currently being reviewed and on track. The MPO Coordination Notice of Proposed rulemaking received 517 letters through the docket. Bike/Pedestrian Advisory Committee: Mr. Swiernik stated that BPAC met in August. At that meeting they discussed the structure and received many comments from the public on how to broaden the committee. The Active Transportation Plan will have a kick-off meeting on September 22, The next BPAC meeting is scheduled for October 27 th,. Ms. Yoder asked did the committee brainstorm on frequency of meetings. Mr. Swiernik stated this was discussed along with the whole makeup of BPAC. Transportation Authority: No report Commuter Services of PA: No report 3. Minutes of August 8, 2016 Ms. Gonick made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of August 8, 2016 as drafted. Mr. Paulson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously TIP Modifications Ms. Raves highlighted the following projects for information purposes only. #1 through #4 Fishing Creek Road Bridge: Cash flowing and increasing the construction phase amount. This increase is to reflect the current estimate and cash flowing to utilize current available funding. #5 and #6 PA 372 Bridge Replacement: Changing the funding flavor and increasing the estimate. This is to better utilize current available funding. #7 and #8 STU Line Item / Smart Growth Program: Cash flowing $260,000 between the STU line item and Smart Growth Program to better utilize current available funding. #9 and #10 Walnut Hill Road Bridge: Adding $500,681 to the construction phase to meet the current estimate. 2

3 #14 and #15 Leacock Road Bridge: Adding $260,000 to the ROW phase to match the current agreement amount. #16 and #17 Norman Wood Bridge Retrofit / Fishing Creek Road Bridge: Adding the Study phase, which is being undertaken by Lehigh University, to investigate the proper repairs to address fatigue cracking identified during the most recent inspection. This project consists of structural steel repairs to the Norman Wood Bridge on State Route 372 over the Susquehanna River and Norfolk Southern Railroad in Martic Township. 5. Lancaster City Bike Share Funding Ms. Ahlskog stated the City of Lancaster received funding in the 2015 TIP in the amount of $260,000 for the bike share project, which consisted of 50 bikes and stations. The city is now asking if that funding can be reallocated and moved to another year due to delays. Although this could be handled as an administrative action, Ms. Ahlskog is asking for the committee s action based on the way it was originally added to the TIP. Mr. Lutz stated this is the type of project that has been brought about a lot of discussion with this body and the MPO on how we put projects on the TIP. Mr. Cowhey made this case at the meeting that staff has been under a lot of pressure from the MPO and TTAC not to just add projects at the last second. Mr. Cowhey mentioned at the meeting there was no prior discussion about this project, in spite of which it was added to the TIP. There was no study or no business plan. Mr. Cowhey wanted to be clear about the process and how it didn t work. Mr. Hutchison, stated the letter mentioned the ECMS system as far as delaying this project and continues to delay many other projects. Mr. Hutchison said a system would be nice to help municipalities get through it or modify. Staff will continue to work with PennDOT to fix this issue as we move forward with projects. Mr. Graybill stated that the city can come to a future meeting and present and update on what the city has done to date. Mr. Lutz asked if the committee takes action now, will it then be added to the TIP next year. Mr. Berger stated essentially that is what the board will be doing today, just to carry it over as an administrative action. Ms. Ryan asked which funds will be allocated for this project. These funds will be placed in the reserve line item and when it is time to fund the projects the money would be taken out of the reserve line item and placed on the specific project. The funds would come from the 2017 reserve line item. Ms. Yoder backtracked on Ms. Ahlskog s comment when she said the funds were specifically allocated for purchasing equipment, is it typically how the funds are used, or can it be broader than that?. Ms. Ahlskog replied these funds can only be used for the capital purchase, the other part of the bike share would be under operations and maintenance. Ms. Riggs is a little concerned with having little knowledge regarding this project. Mr. Cowhey asked can the funds be put into the reserve line item with the reservation for a future decision of the project being added to the TIP at that time. Ms. Ahlskog stated this can be done, 3

4 however the $260,000 needs to go to another project before we lose the funds in this fiscal year. Ms. Riggs made a motion for further discussion and perhaps a presentation by the City to understand the plan behind the Bike Share program so at that time the board can make a recommendation to the MPO on introducing $260,000 on the TIP or for the for the development of the 2019 TIP. Mr. Paulson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 6. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) In your packet, two Memorandums of Understanding were provided. The South Central Transit Authority: This memo was completed back in 2010 so the main change here is changing references from Red Rose Transit to South Central Transit. The MOU provides that, as the staff of the MPO, South Central Transit Authority and PennDOT are going to undertake our planning process based on the federal regulations. The Articles talk about the different planning documents that are part of that planning process. Ms. Riggs made a motion to recommend the MPO adopt the updated MOU with South Central Transit Authority and PennDOT that delineates mutual responsibilities in carrying out the transportation planning process. Ms. Ryan seconded the motion. Mr. Glisson abstained. DVRPC: This memorandum is to recognize the urbanized area shared by DVRPC with Lancaster County, identify areas of cooperation and the division of transportation planning responsibilities between LCTCC and DVRPC for the urbanized area. Mr. Graybill made a motion to recommend the MPO execute the MPO with the DVRPC that recognizes the urbanized area shared by DVRPC with Lancaster County, identifies areas of cooperation and the division of transportation planning responsibilities between MPO and DVRPC. Ms. Yoder seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 7. Smart Growth Transportation and Transportation Alternatives Program Update Ms. Parcells gave a brief presentation on the quarterly reports for SGT projects. Lancaster City/Mulberry Street: The original scheduled called for the project to be completed by October 2016, however due to various factors, the city and contractor have agreed to May 2017 completion. There will be a standard hours per week work schedule during daytime hours. Elizabethtown Borough: Initial bids came in above available funding. The bid specifications were revised to reduce costs while retaining the project goals. The Borough is waiting for PennDOT s Notice to Proceed based on the new bids. 4

5 East Donegal Township: All TOD signs have been installed on state and local roads. Municipalities have taken possession of the on-trail signs and are installing them with their own crews. City of Lancaster/LIMC: A strategy meeting with Alta Planning, the City, LIMC and Lancaster County was held. Visioning and Technical advisory teams have been set up. The PennDOT contract has been completed and the City/LIMC signed an agreement to reassign the project management to the city. East Lampeter Township: Township wanted to advance two consultant statements of interest but the PennDOT project manager said all three consultant groups should submit technical proposals and be interviewed. Interviews were held on 4/22/16 and the committee has agreed on a consultant. Millersville Borough: The Borough met with PennDOT to discuss the traffic studies for the North and South Duke Street connections project. The boroughs preliminary plan for the project has been sent to PennDOT s safety committee for review. The Borough received an ARLE grant from PennDOT that will accelerate this project. The borough also applied for a Multimodal Grant from PennDOT. Penn Township: On June 27, 2016, an Environmental and Engineering scoping field view was conducted with PennDOT officials. The municipality is completing environmental and engineering documents. Strasburg Township: No progress has been made on the project. A discussion was held on the status of this project. A report will be presented by the next meeting. Ms. Ahlskog gave an update on the Transportation Enhancements/Alternative projects: Downtown Streetscape Phase 3 Central Market: We are in the 6 th and final phase of construction at Penn Square. We anticipate completion by the end of the month. The only other outstanding items on the project are crosswalks to be installed at Penn Square, and repairs to existing crosswalks throughout downtown. All contract work expected to be completed by the end of October. Low Grade Trail Pedestrian Bridge and trail resurfacing: This project is working on a funding deadline. Ms. Ahlskog received information from the engineer. The biggest problem is the utility clearance. Hopefully, the project will be let in December. Safe Harbor Trestle Bridge Rehabilitation: The Township is in the process of implementing projects to stabilize the bridge. Rettew is working with Manor Township, they have submitted for additional funds from the state TAP Grant cycle. 5

6 8. Other Business and Public Participation: Mr. Bini stated we are working on the project prioritization process review. Our plan is to convene with the TIP Update Sub Committee later this month or early October to have a discussion with them of the information that has been gathered so far and share preliminary ideas we have. Mr. Bini added they will have something finalized by early spring of next year. A report will be provided at the next meeting on where things stand. Mr. Lutz mentioned the state has a Share the Road License Plate for bicycling that you can purchase. Ms. Yoder wasn t able to attend the last meeting, and expressed her concerns regarding the March/April deadline for the TIP prioritization process. Mr. Bini understands her concerns and hopes that it won t exceed that timeframe. The intent is to have new process in place before the next TIP. Ms. Yoder stated regarding the ECMS, is there a process or strategy that we can take to improve this? Ms. Raves noted District 8-0 has training available. Mr. Ward from the Commuter Rail Association in Lancaster addressed the committee. Mr. Ward wants to spark a conversation in the future regarding rail. Mr. Lutz stated a discussion on rail can take place at a later date. Mr. Ridgeway introduced a tool that might be beneficial in the MPO s quest to help support the bicycle community, namely the Bicycle Friendly America Program. A link will be provided to appropriate staff to be forwarded to committee members. The program is about recognizing businesses, universities and communities for their efforts in making the community bicycle friendly. 9. Adjournment: 1:51 p.m. Next Meeting: October 11,