MPO Policy Board Thursday, June 18, 2020 Dr Mae Jackson Development Center Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization 1st Floor Main Conference Room, 2:00 p.m. 401 Franklin Ave, Waco, Texas Summary Notes DRAFT In accordance with social distancing guidelines issued by the City of Waco and McLennan County, the Waco MPO Policy Board meeting was not open to the public. Board members attended virtually. The meeting was audio recorded and uploaded to the Waco MPO website following the meeting on June 18, 2020. Members of the public were requested to submit comments on any agenda item no later than 10:00am on Thursday, June 18, 2020 via email, fax or phone call to the MPO office to be read into the official record as part of agenda item II. Members of the public desiring to address the Policy Board for specific public hearings were requested to register with MPO staff no later than 10:00am on Thursday, June 18, 2020. Policy Board Members Present: Mr. Jacob Bell, P.E. Citizen Representative, City of Waco Mr. Keith Bond City Manager, City of Lacy Lakeview Mr. Josh Borderud Plan Commission, City of Waco Mr. Kevin Evans City Manager, City of McGregor Hon. Scott Felton County Judge, McLennan County Mr. Bradley Ford Assistant City Manager, City of Waco Hon. Jim Holmes Council Member, City of Waco Hon. Jim Jaska Mayor, City of Ross Hon. John Kinnaird Council Member, City of Waco Mr. Joseph R. Pace City Manager, City of Lorena Hon. Jim Holmes Proxy for Council Member, City of Waco Mr. Hector Sabido Mr. Stan Swiatek, P.E., District Engineer, Texas Dept. of Transportation, Waco District Policy Board Members Absent: Hon. Kyle Deaver Mayor, City of Waco Hon. Bert Echterling Mayor, City of Robinson Hon. Travis Gibson Council Member, City of Bellmead Hon. Will Jones County Commissioner, Pct. 3, McLennan County Hon. Dillon Meek Council Member, City of Waco Dr. Shawn Oubre City Manager, City of Woodway Mr. Everett “Bo” Thomas City Manager, City of Hewitt 1 Staff Present: Mr. Christopher Evilia, AICP Director, Waco MPO Ms. Chelsea Phlegar, AICP Planner, Waco MPO Ms. Annette Shepherd Planner, Waco MPO I. Call to Order, Roll Call of Members, Proof of Posting. Chairman Jacob Bell called the June 18, 2020 meeting of the MPO Policy Board to order at 2:00 p.m. and conducted a roll call of members attending virtually. A quorum of members was met. Meeting agendas were posted on the MPO website on June 12, 2020 and at the City of Waco website on June 12, 2020 for a possible quorum of the Waco City Council. No quorum of the Waco City Council was met. II. Reading of Public Comments regarding any item on this agenda. Chairman Bell explained under social distancing guidelines, MPO staff requested visitors to submit written comments in advance to be read into the record, and to register in advance if they desired to address the Policy Board. He explained visitors were allowed to listen to the meeting but they would not have an opportunity to speak until prompted by the Chairman during specified Public Hearings. Chairman Bell invited board members and visitors to view the staff presentation for the meeting via the MPO website under the ‘Meetings” page and follow along with the MPO Director. Chairman Bell stated the meeting would be audio recorded and uploaded to the MPO website as soon as possible. Chairman Bell requested Director Evilia to read into the record comments received in advance. Director Evilia read one comment received from Andrea Zimmerman addressing speeding issues in the Castle Heights and Columbus Heights area. Director Evilia reported her comment was forwarded to the Waco Police Department. Hello, I live between Castle Heights and Columbus Heights. I saw you were taking questions about speeding, but I wonder if you are also addressing drag racing? During the shut down, drag racing happened nightly. It normally happens Thursday-Sunday- at least this has been the case for almost seven years since we moved to the area. It keeps us up at night and I imagine is quite dangerous to the community. Thanks, Andrea Zimmerman III. Approval of the April 16, 2020 meeting minutes. Chairman Bell asked for any changes to the minutes. No changes were voiced. No visitors spoke for or against this item. Minutes were approved as submitted. 2 IV. Consideration and Action regarding approval of Resolution 2020-5: Adoption of Amendment 1 to Connections 2045: The Waco Metropolitan Transportation Plan. a. Staff Presentation Background: Director Evilia stated MPO staff has processed Amendment 1 to the 2045 MTP to add several new project recommendations, based on recent funding awards from TxDOT and FTA: o TxDOT 2019 Bicycle & Pedestrian Program: . Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program [MTP Strategy 4 – Improve Regional Livability] • J H Hines Elementary School SRTS - $830,000 • Lorena Elementary & Middle Schools SRTS - $780,000 . Transportation Alternatives Program [MTP Strategy 4 – Improve Regional Livability] • Lorena Downtown Streetscape - $1.85 million • Elm Avenue Streetscape - $3.1 million o FTA Capital Funding Program . Waco Transit Systems, Inc. – Urban System [MTP Strategy 6 – Provide Equal Access and Benefits] • Purchase of transit vehicles - $1,318,300 Public Involvement Process: o 45 day public comment period: April 20, 2020 to June 5, 2020 plus 10 day comment review period o 2 public informational meetings conducted on May 20, 2020 o All related materials posted on the MPO website along with provision for electronic submittal of comment cards o No formal comments received Technical Committee Recommendation: o The MPO Technical Committee recommended the MPO Policy Board approve Resolution 2020-5: Adoption of Amendment 1 to Connections 2045: The Waco Metropolitan Transportation Plan Discussion o No concerns were discussed b. Public Hearing Chairman Bell opened the public hearing at 2:11 p.m. 3 No visitors spoke for or against this item. Chairman Bell closed the public hearing at 2:11 p.m. c. Consideration and Action RESULT: Motion Passed with a vote of 12 - 0 [Unanimous] MOVER: John Kinnaird, Council Member, City of Waco SECONDER: Jim Holmes, Council Member, City of Waco V. Consideration and Action regarding approval of Resolution 2020-6: Adoption of the FY 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program. a. Staff Presentation Background: Director Evilia described the following proposed projects included in the draft FY 2021-2024 TIP: • Categorical Highway Projects o Preventative Maintenance/Rehab, Safety, Bridge Replacement/Rehabilitation, Landscape Development o Provides TxDOT flexibility to use funds on greatest needs • Highway Mobility Projects o Engineering Studies . SH 31 Overpasses at FM 2311 & FM 939 . East Loop 340: SH 6 (Marlin Hwy) to US 84 . Franklin / New Rd Interchange . US 84 Frontage Roads / Ramps: FM 1695 to SH 6 / Loop 340 o Right of Way Acquisition . SH 6 / Loop 340 (Mall to Mall): US 84 to IH-35 o Construction: FY 2021 . FM 2113: FM 1695 to FM 2063 . SH 31 Overpasses at FM 2311 & FM 939 . IH-35 • Valley Mills Dr to Irving Lee – Frontage Roads • SH 6 / Loop 340 to Irving Lee o Frontage Roads / Ramps o Main Lane Overpass Replacement at New Rd o Construction: FY 2023 . SH 6 / Loop 340 (Mall to Mall): US 84 to IH-35 . SH 6: McLaughlin Rd to FM 185 o Safe Routes to School Projects (Bicycle/Pedestrian Awards): . J. H. Hines Elementary School (City of Waco) – FY 2021 . Lorena Elementary & Middle School (City of Lorena) – FY 2022 o Transportation Alternatives Program Projects (Bicycle/Pedestrian Awards): . Lorena Downtown Streetscape Revitalization – FY 2022 4 o Appendix D - projects under development but without full financial commitment that will require a subsequent TIP amendment prior to construction; permits environmental clearance, right of way acquisition or other federal approvals short of construction: . East Loop 340: SH 6 (Marlin Hwy) to US 84 . Franklin / New Rd Interchange . US 84 Frontage Roads / Ramps: FM 1695 to SH 6 / Loop 340 . S Univ Parks Dr: LaSalle Ave to Garden Dr o Public Transportation (identified projected costs of operation for public transit in the Waco area for each of the 4 years included in the FY 2021-2024 TIP) . Urban: Waco Transit • Preventative Maintenance • ADA Expenses • Operating Expenses • Short Range Planning • Passenger Amenities Public Involvement Process: o 45 day public comment period: April 20, 2020 to June 5, 2020 plus 10 day comment review period. o 2 public informational meetings conducted on May 20, 2020. o All related materials posted on the MPO website along with provision for electronic submittal of comment cards. o No formal comments received. Technical Committee Recommendation: o The MPO Technical Committee recommended the MPO Policy Board approve Resolution 2020-6: Adoption of the FY 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program. Discussion: o Board members asked questions about the IH-35 breakout projects and possible project delays due to revised funding projections. Specifically, Board members were concerned about extending the timeframe beyond that of the IH-35 4B project. o Director Evilia explained funding is not compromised at the moment, but this could become a possibility due to impacts of COVID-19 (which will be reviewed in Agenda Item VI). He reminded members the FY 2021-2024 TIP can be amended if the IH-35 breakout projects are determined to be non-viable projects. b. Public Hearing Chairman Bell opened the public hearing at 2:27 p.m. No visitors spoke for or against this item. Chairman Bell closed the public hearing at 2:27 p.m. 5 c. Consideration and Action RESULT: Motion Passed with a vote of 12 - 0 [Unanimous] MOVER: Jim Holmes, Council Member, City of Waco SECONDER: Scott Felton, County Judge, McLennan County VI. Review and Discussion regarding the following topics related to COVID-19 impacts: a.