MPO Executive Board

Bristol Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization September 27, 2016 Board Members Present: Tim Beavers - Bristol, Tennessee Ambre Torbett - Sullivan County, Tennessee Michelle Bradburn - Tennessee Department of Transportation Donny Necessary - Virginia Department of Transportation Supervisor Phillip McCall - Washington County, Virginia Members Absent: City of Bristol, Virginia Town of Abingdon, Virginia Others Present: Rex Montgomery Matthew Cox Calvin Clifton Chris Craig Jay Detrick Matthew Johnson Call to Order / Roll Call: A Quorum being present, Vice-Chairman Ambre Torbett called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m., September 27, 2016, in the Ewell L. Easley Annex Building, Bristol, Tennessee. Election of Officers: Election of officers was deferred to the next scheduled MPO meeting. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of August 4, 2016 were approved as submitted by general consent. Comments from the Public: None Old Business: Item A: Resolution 16-05 Bristol Tennessee/Virginia Urban Area Long-Range Transportation Plan Year 2040 [Rex Montgomery] The 30-day public comment period for the draft long-range plan was published August 17, 2016 and has been on-going. Two public information meetings on the draft plan were held on August 1 and August 4. In addition, presentations on the draft plan were included on the agenda for the Sullivan County (August 16) and Town of Abingdon (September 12) planning commission meetings. A list of all public comments was previously provided to the Executive Board for review, included those from the transportation survey. Public comments were briefly discussed. There being no further discussion, Donny Necessary moved to adopt Resolution 16-05 adopting the Bristol Tennessee/Virginia Urban Area Long-Range Transportation Plan Year 2040; seconded by Michelle Bradburn; motion carried unanimously. New Business: Item A: Resolution 16-06 FY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment #11 [Rex Montgomery] The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) documents how federal funds will be expended for transportation projects with the MPO’s Metropolitan Planning Area. TIP Amendment #11 incorporates the Interstate 81 ramp modification at Exit 19 (UPC 97856) in Washington County, Virginia into the FY 2014-2017 TIP as a new project. Funding for the project was approved in June by the Commonwealth Transportation Board as part of the Smart Scale (HB2) application awards. Donny Necessary [VDOT] reviewed the conceptual design for the interchange modifications. General discussion incurred on the proposed layout. It was noted the TIP amendment obligates the funding for the preliminary engineering and design. There being no further discussion, Supervisor McCall moved to adopt Resolution 16-06, approving Amendment #11 to the FY 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement; seconded by Donny Necessary; motion carried unanimously. Item B: Virginia Smart Scale Endorsements [Rex Montgomery] Smart Scale (previously Virginia House Bill 2) requires the Commonwealth Transportation Board to utilize a prioritization process for selecting and funding transportation projects. Applications for the second year of Smart Scale funding are due September 30, 2016. As part of the application process, the eligibility for various agencies to submit for Smart Scale funding requires a resolution of support from the MPO. The Smart Scale projects for local jurisdictions were reviewed. Donny Necessary [VDOT] provided a general overview of the proposed improvements for the City of Bristol, Town of Abingdon, and Page 2 Washington County, Virginia. There being no further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to adopt the resolution of support for each jurisdiction by separate motion. Donny Necessary moved to adopt Resolution 16-07, approving endorsement for the Bristol, Virginia Smart Scale project applications; seconded by Supervisor McCall; motion carried unanimously. Donny Necessary moved to adopt Resolution 16-08, approving endorsement for the Town of Abingdon, Virginia Smart Scale project applications; seconded by Supervisor McCall; motion carried unanimously Supervisor McCall moved to adopt Resolution 16-09, approving endorsement for the Washington County, Virginia Smart Scale project applications; seconded by Donny Necessary; motion carried unanimously Item C: Tennessee Transportation Alternatives Program Endorsements [Rex Montgomery] The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is a federal grant program to support non-traditional transportation projects such as bicycle and pedestrian facilities, safe routes to schools, scenic overlooks, etc. The Tennessee Department of Transportation TAP applications are due October 3 for FY 2017 funding. As a result, Bristol, Tennessee and Sullivan County, Tennessee have notified the MPO of pending TAP application submittals and have requested a resolution of support. Sullivan County, Tennessee is requesting TAP funding to provide basic pedestrian infrastructure improvements for sidewalks, signage, and pedestrian crosswalks to connect Historic Sullivan County Court House, located on SR 126, to the Library and Elementary School located Blountville Boulevard. Ambre Torbett provided an overview of the Sullivan County TAP project. The City of Bristol is requesting funding for sidewalk construction along Virginia Avenue from the public housing units on Virginia Avenue south of Hazlewood Street to the sidewalks inclusive of the East Cedar Street reconstruction project. Rex Montgomery discussed the project location and termini. Michelle Bradburn moved to adopt Resolution 16-10, approving endorsement for the Sullivan County, Tennessee application for Transportation Alternatives funding; seconded by Donny Necessary; motion carried unanimously Michelle Bradburn moved to adopt Resolution 16-11, approving endorsement for the Bristol, Tennessee application for Transportation Alternatives funding; seconded by Supervisor McCall; motion carried unanimously Other Matters of Mutual Interest: The next meeting of the MPO is scheduled for November 3, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Page 3