MPO Executive Board

Bristol Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization August 6, 2013 Board Members Present: Vice-Mayor Lea Powers - Bristol, Tennessee Mayor Guy Odum - Bristol, Virginia Mayor Irene Wells - Bluff City, Tennessee Ambre Torbett - Sullivan County, Tennessee Deborah Fleming - Tennessee Department of Transportation Donny Necessary - Virginia Department of Transportation Supervisor Odell Owens - Washington County, Virginia Members Absent: None Others Present: Rex Montgomery - Bristol MPO Bill Sorah-Bristol, Tennessee David Metzger -Bristol MPO Carl Tewksbury-Kimley Horn Mike Todd - Virginia DRPT Carroll Collins-Kimley Horn Chris Craig-First Tennessee RPO Greg Kelly-Abingdon, Virginia Calvin Clifton-Mattern & Craig Garrett Jackson-Abingdon, Virginia Tabitha Crowder-Bristol, Virginia Cherith Marshall-Washington County, Virginia Jay Detrick-Bristol, Virginia Call to Order / Roll Call: A Quorum being present, Vice-Chairman Ambre Torbett called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m., August 6, 2013, in the Conference Room of the City of Bristol Tennessee Annex Building. Election of Officers: Donny Necessary nominated Mayor Guy Odum for Chairman; seconded by Vice-Mayor Lea Powers; Donny Necessary nominated Ambre Torbett as Vice-Chairman; seconded by Mayor Irene Wells. There being no additional discussion; the motions carried unanimously. Approval of Minutes: Chairman Odum requested corrections to minutes to delete Washington County, Virginia as present at the May 6, 2013 meeting; and correction to the resolution number for the Virginia Functional Classification of Highways Update. Mayor Wells moved to adopt the minutes of May 6, 2013; seconded by Vice-Mayor Powers; motion carried unanimously. Comments from the Public: None Old Business: A. Virginia Functional Classification of Highways Update VDOT is in the process of updating the statewide functional classifications of highways and is requesting the MPO’s review the proposed revisions. Rex Montgomery reviewed the concept and requirements for the Federal Functional Classification of Highways. This item was deferred at the last meeting to provide Bristol, Virginia further assessment on potential impacts the revisions might have on state maintenance funds allocated to the City. Interim City Manager Tabitha Crowder [Bristol, Virginia] indicated the City had submitted comments on the functional classifications. It was noted MPO Resolution 13-03 did not approve the Virginia Functional Classifications, but acknowledged the MPO and local jurisdictions were provided the opportunity to participate in the process. Discussion incurred on whom approves the final classifications. There being no additional discussion, Supervisor Owens moved to adopt Resolution 13-03 recognizing the MPO’s participation in the Virginia update to the Federal Functional Classification of Highways; seconded by Mayor Wells; motion carried unanimously. B. FY 2014/2015 Unified Planning Work Program Rex Montgomery presented the FY 2014-2015 UPWP. The Virginia UPWP activities were approved at the May 6, 2013 MPO meeting for compliance with the Virginia fiscal year beginning July 1. At that time, the UPWP approval was contingent on Federal and State review comments, which have now been received and addressed. It was noted all the revisions were text amendments and no changes to funding allocations have occurred. There being no further discussion, Supervisor Owens moved to adopt Resolution 13-04 approving the FY 2014/2015 Unified Planning Work Program for submission to TDOT; seconded by Mayor Wells; motion carried unanimously. New Business: A. FY 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment #6 Rex Montgomery presented Amendment #6 to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which programs capital funding for Bristol Virginia Transit. The amendment provides FTA Section 5307 urbanized area funds for the purchase of bus stop signage and resurfacing the transit garage facility. It was noted Bristol, Virginia’s local match would be incorporated in the next fiscal year’s budget. There being no additional discussion, Donny Necessary moved to adopt Resolution 13-05 approving Amendment #6 to the FY 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program; seconded by Deborah Fleming; motion carried unanimously. B. Memorandum of Agreement for TIP Amendments/Adjustments Page 2 Rex Montgomery discussed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the MPO and Tennessee Department of Transportation, which outlines the definition and procedures for amendments and administrative adjustments to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). An amendment is required for adding/deleting a project in the TIP, a major change in project scope, or a major change in project funding. Administrative adjustments are minor changes in an approved TIP project, such as shifting funds between projects or project phases. Administrative adjustments do not require public review and comment or Executive Board approval. The most significant new policy established by the MOA is a sliding scale for project cost thresholds to determine if an amendment or adjustment will be required. There being no further discussion, Supervisor Owens moved to adopt Resolution 13-06 approving the Memorandum of Agreement with TDOT; seconded by Mayor Wells, motion carried unanimously. Other Matters of Mutual Interest: Item 1 – The next meeting for the MPO Executive Board was scheduled for October 7, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Item 2 – Donny Necessary provided a briefing on the consultants being retained by VDOT to assist with the incorporation of Abingdon, Virginia into the MPO. A discussion followed on the status of Bluff City, Tennessee’s membership in the Bristol MPO in reference to their Census 2010 designation as part of the Johnson City urbanized area. Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Page 3