MPO Executive Board

Bristol Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization June 4, 2015 Board Members Present: Councilman Guy Odum - Bristol, Virginia 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 Bluff City, Tennessee Others Present: Rex Montgomery - Bristol MPO Jay Detrick - Bristol, Virginia Bill Sorah - Bristol, Tennessee Matthew Cox - VDOT David Metzger - Bristol MPO Randy Hamilton - VDOT Calvin Clifton - Mattern & Craig Marsha Foil - VDOT Call to Order / Roll Call: A Quorum being present, Chairman Odum called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m., June 4, 2015, in the Francis E. Kegley Conference Room of the Bristol Public Library. Approval of Minutes: Donny Necessary moved to adopt the minutes of April 9, 2015 as submitted; seconded by Amber Torbett; motion carried unanimously. Comments from the Public: None Old Business: None New Business: Item A: FY 2016 Unified Planning Work Program [Presented by Rex Montgomery] The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) outlines the MPO’s annual transportation planning activities and programmed funding for the fiscal year. Virginia requires the UPWP to be approved prior to the July 1 Fiscal Year. The current adoption of the UPWP represents the Virginia transportation planning activities only; however, approval is contingent on any Federal or State agency review comments. Major planning activities for the upcoming year include completion of the Long-Range Transportation Plan update, development of a new Transportation Improvement Program, and implementation of MAP-21 performance based planning. There being no further discussion, Nick Weander moved to adopt Resolution 15-03 approving the FY 2016 UPWP for the Commonwealth of Virginia planning activities; seconded by Donny Necessary; motion carried unanimously. Item B: FY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment # 6 [Presented by Rex Montgomery] The Transportation Improvement Program documents how Federal funds will be expended on transportation projects within the Metropolitan Planning Area. Amendment #6 represents annual funding allocated by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for Bristol Virginia Transit. The amendment consists of a reduction in funding for FY 2016 compared to what was previously anticipated for transit operating and capital assistance. As noted on the allocation documentation from the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, operating assistance is decreased by $88,000 (from $570,000 to $483,000) and capital assistance for vehicle procurement is reduced by $85,000 (from $160,000 to $75,000). Discussion incurred on proposed service expansion to provide transit access in the Exit 7 area. There being no additional questions or discussion, Nick Weander moved to adopt Resolution 15-04 approving Amendment #6 to the FY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program; seconded by Donny Necessary; motion carried unanimously. Other Matters of Mutual Interest: Item A [Rex Montgomery] An update was provided on the MPO’s Long-Range Transportation Plan. The Travel Demand Model has been completed and the Technical Staff will be reviewing the results and planning assumptions for the model. It was also noted both TDOT and VDOT are in the process of updating their statewide long-range plans. Item B [Rex Montgomery] The Tennessee State Rail Plan is being updated. TDOT has requested proposed projects for the plan and the MPO will be submitting a project on behalf of the Bristol Rail Coalition for future passenger rail service from Bristol to Chattanooga. Item C [Donny Necessary] An update on Virginia’s House Bill 2 was provided on the prioritization process for project funding. An informational meeting with the Kingsport and Bristol MPOs will be held in July to discuss the HB2 application process for project submittals. Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Page 2