MPO Executive Board

Bristol Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization November 7, 2019 Board Members Present: Bill Sorah - Bristol, Tennessee Ambre Torbett - Sullivan County, Tennessee Supervisor Phillip McCall - Washington County, Virginia Troy Ebbert - Tennessee Department of Transportation Blake Ailor - Virginia Department of Transportation Members Absent: Bristol, Virginia Abingdon, Virginia Others Present: Rex Montgomery Tim Beavers Leif Greiss Michael Surrett Chase Milner Chris Goodman David Metzger Marsha Fiol Matthew Cox Jay Detrick Mike Russell Eric Kerney Wallace McCulloch Randy Dodson Candace Gump Item 1 - Call to Order / Roll Call: A Quorum being present, Chairman Ambre Torbett called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m., November 7, 2019, in the Ewell L. Easley Annex Building, Bristol, Tennessee. Item 2 - Approval of Minutes: Bill Sorah moved to adopt the minutes of August 8, 2019 as submitted; seconded by Supervisor McCall; motion carried unanimously. Item 3 - Comments from the Public: None Item 4 – FY 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement Program: [Presented by Rex Montgomery] The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is one of the core planning requirements for the MPO and documents how federal funds will be programmed/expended on transportation projects within the Metropolitan Planning Area. A new TIP for the MPO is developed every 4-years, with the last TIP adopted in November 2016. The TIP provides a description of each project, the estimated cost, and the year the project, or project phase, is scheduled for implementation. In addition, the TIP must be consistent with the Regional Long- Range Transportation Plan and must be financially constrained by funding source. By agreement with TDOT and VDOT, the TIP also includes grouped projects. Projects that are not considered to be of appropriate scale for individual identification may be grouped by function, work type, and/or geographic area. Projects that are funded by such groupings must be non-regionally significant, environmentally neutral, and exempt from air quality conformity. Bill Sorah inquired about the TIP amendment process in reference to potential grants the City of Bristol Tennessee is pursuing for trails and greenway projects. The amendment process was discussed which includes public advertisement, a 10-day public comment period and approval by the Executive Board. There being no additional discussion, Blake Ailor moved to adopt the FY 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement Program [Resolution 19-07]; seconded by Troy Ebbert; motion carried unanimously. Item 5 – Traffic Signal Modernization Program [Presented by David Metzger] TDOT has initiated the pilot program for the Traffic Signal Modernization Program, to assist localities in updating their existing traffic signals. The signal grant program is funded 100 percent with state funds. Individual grant projects have a $250,000 limit and applications are due to TDOT by November 20, 2019. The City of Bristol Tennessee wishes to apply for a grant under this program, to replace aging traffic signal controllers and cabinets at six locations and to upgrade traffic signal displays at two locations. Project locations were identified as the interconnected traffic signal system at West State Street at Euclid Avenue/Gate City Highway, at Carson Lane, and at 24th Street; West State Street and Memorial Drive/ Skateway Drive; Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Ash Street; and Pennsylvania Avenue and Ash Street. Bill Sorah moved to adopt a resolution of support [Resolution 19-08] for the City of Bristol Tennessee Signal Modernization grant application; seconded by Blake Ailor; motion carried unanimously. Item 6 – Transportation Alternatives Grant: [Presented by Rex Montgomery] The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is a federal grant program to support non-traditional transportation projects such as bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The grant program provides 80% federal funds with a 20% local match requirement. Bristol, Virginia is requesting TAP funding to provide a shared-use path along Lee Highway [Phase 2] from Overhill Road to Shipley Drive. It was noted the Lee Highway [Phase 1] shared-use path from Clover Lane to Overhill Road was previously funded. TAP projects located within an urbanized area require endorsement from the MPO. There being no additional discussion, Supervisor McCall moved to approve the resolution of support [Resolution 19-09] for the Bristol, Virginia Transportation Alternatives grant application; seconded by Blake Ailor; motion carried unanimously. Item 7 - Other Matters:  Rex Montgomery explained the only state [TDOT] project under development within the MPO planning area is the corridor improvements between Highway 11E near Bristol Motor Speedway and Highway 11W near the Pinnacle retail development (referenced as the North-South Connector Route). This project was identified as part of the IMPROVE Act funding approved by the State Legislators. Bill Sorah moved to formally recognize this project as a priority for the Bristol MPO; seconded by Troy Ebbert; motion carried unanimously. Rex Montgomery will draft a letter notifying TDOT of the MPO’s priority project.  Blake Ailor provided an update on Round 4 of the Virginia Smart Scale application. District [VDOT] staff have met with each city/county to assist with project applications.  Troy Ebbert informed the MPO Board that TDOT is initiating a study on the I-40/I-81 corridor. More information on the study will be forthcoming including opportunities for public input.  The quarterly MPO meeting dates for 2020 were identified as February 6, May 7, August 6, and November 5. Item 8 - Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.