MPO Executive Board

Bristol Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization January 14, 2014 Board Members Present: Mayor Guy Odum - Bristol, Virginia Mayor Irene Wells - Bluff City, Tennessee Ambre Torbett - Sullivan County, Tennessee Nick Weander - Tennessee Department of Transportation Donny Necessary - Virginia Department of Transportation Cherith Marshall - Washington County, Virginia Members Absent: Bristol, Tennessee Others Present: Rex Montgomery - Bristol MPO Bill Sorah-Bristol, Tennessee David Metzger -Bristol MPO John Dew-Abingdon, Virginia Calvin Clifton-Mattern & Craig Jay Detrick-MPO/Bristol, Virginia Call to Order / Roll Call: A Quorum being present, Chairman Odum called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m., January 14, 2014, in the Conference Room of the City of Bristol Tennessee Annex Building. Approval of Minutes: Nick Weanderl moved to adopt the minutes of December 10, 2013 as submitted; seconded by Ambre Torbett; motion carried unanimously. Comments from the Public: None Old Business: None New Business: A. Amendment # 1 – FY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program Rex Montgomery explained the Bristol FY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program was adopted by the MPO on December 10, 2013. At that time, Virginia’s project groupings were pending approval of FHWA. Virginia’s project groupings include: Bridge Rehabilitation/ Replacement/ Reconstruction; Rail; Safety/ITS/Operational Improvements; Transportation Enhancements/Non- Traditional Projects; and the maintenance categories of System Preservation; Bridges; Traffic and Safety Operations. Amendment #1 to the FY 2014-2017 TIP includes the addition of VDOT’s project groupings in the FY 2014-2017 TIP utilizing “state-wide” or “district-wide” funding allocations from the current FY 2012- 2015 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP); however, the use of state-wide funding in the TIP is by agreement with FHWA. The amended TIP project pages include a reference note stating “The Virginia [project group] includes state-wide funding totals from the Virginia FY 2012-2015 STIP. VDOT will update these project groupings in FY 2014 to reflect the district-level funding amounts programmed in VDOT’s new FY 2015-2018 STIP.” This statement is also included in the TIP narrative section for Financial Constraint. General discussion incurred on the off-year cycle between the Tennessee and Virginia on the update of the STIP and the impacts on the MPO’s TIP. Donny Necessary informed the Board that he is providing the MPO a monthly detail on Virginia’s STIP activities, which identifies any funding adjustments. This information includes monthly STIP obligations by project groupings as well as individual projects. There being no further discussion, Donny Necessary moved to adopt Resolution 14-01 approving the Amendment # 1 to the FY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program; seconded by Nick Weander; motion carried unanimously. B. Amendment # 2 – FY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program Rex Montgomery discussed the resolutions that Bristol, Tennessee and Sullivan County recently adopted supporting a feasibility study for highway improvements between US 11E (Volunteer Parkway) and US 11W in the vicinity of Interstate 81 Exit 74. In response to the local resolutions, TDOT has requested the proposed project be coordinated through the MPO planning process and Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). TDOT’s flow chart for project development was reviewed by the Board, which requires a Needs Assessment for new project starts. Rex Montgomery distributed a summary sheet provided by TDOT on the intent of the Needs Assessment to establish the foundation and purpose of a project. It was noted the consensus of the Executive Board at the December 10, 2013 meeting was to pursue funding a Needs Assessment for the proposed project utilizing local Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding. As a result, Amendment #2 to the FY 2014-2017 TIP programs $15,000 ($12,000 Federal and $3,000 local match) of Local STP funds to conduct a Needs Assessment addressing connectivity between Volunteer Parkway and U.S. 11W. Page 2 Discussion on the consultant selection process was addressed and it was clarified that the City of Bristol, Tennessee would be providing the local match for the STP funding. There being no further discussion, Ambre Torbett moved to adopt Resolution 14-02 approving Amendment # 2 to the FY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program; seconded by Donny Necessary; motion carried unanimously. Other Matters of Mutual Interest: None Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Page 3