Metropolitan Planning Organization

1 of 18 TOM ROWLAND, CHAIRMAN 190 Church Street, N.E., P.O. Box 1519, Cleveland, TN 37364-1519 Phone (423) 479-1913 fax (423) 559 3373 http://clevelandtn.gov/index.aspx?nid=153 MPO Coordinator Greg Thomas, AICP gthomas@clevelandtn.gov MPO Executive Board WEDNESDAY, August 5, 2015, 11:00 O’CLOCK AM, 2nd FLOOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ROOM, MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 190 CHURCH STREET NE, CLEVELAND, TN AGENDA 1. Call MPO Executive Board meeting to order 2. Approval of meeting minutes— July 8, 2015 p. 3 3. New Business a. Public hearing and adoption of Proposed 2016-2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) p. 6 b. Consider request to expand TDOT paving project limits on Keith Street p.8 c. 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan update d. 2016 TAP Grant p. 9 e. Passenger Rail Resolution p. 16 f. Bike Lanes on Keith Street p. 17 4. Old Business---none 5. Comments by federal, state, local agencies 6. MPO Coordinator/staff comments 7. Public comments  2 of 18 8. The next regular MPO meeting date is Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at 11 a.m. 9. Adjourn  3 of 18 TOM ROWLAND, CHAIRMAN 190 Church Street, N.E., P.O. Box 1519, Cleveland, TN 37364-1519 Phone (423) 479-1913 fax (423) 559 3373 http://clevelandtn.gov/index.aspx?nid=153 MPO Coordinator Greg Thomas, AICP gthomas@clevelandtn.gov MPO Executive Board WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2015, 11:00 O’CLOCK AM, 2nd FLOOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ROOM, MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 190 CHURCH STREET NE, CLEVELAND, TN MINUTES 1. Call MPO Executive Board meeting to order --- Chairman Mayor Tom Rowland called the meeting to order and called the roll. The other MPO members in attendance were SETHRA Executive Director Bill Harmon, Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis, Cleveland Vice-Mayor George Poe, Joren Dunnavant of TDOT, and Russell Thress (Proxy for McMinn County Mayor John Gentry). Others in attendance included Brian Moran, David Sheely, Greg Thomas (City of Cleveland/ Cleveland MPO), and Joyanna Love (Cleveland Daily Banner). 2. Approval of meeting minutes— May 6, 2015--- Chairman Rowland introduced the item and called for discussion or a motion. Bill Harmon moved that they be approved and the motion was seconded by D. Gary Davis and approved unanimously. 3. New Business a. Public hearing and adoption of MPO By-laws and Prospectus--- Chairman Rowland introduced the item and Greg Thomas gave a brief staff report. State and federal comments have been addressed. No additional public comments were received. Chairman Rowland opened the public hearing and there were no comments from the public and the public hearing was closed. George Poe made a motion to adopt the By-law and prospectus and the motion was seconded by D. Gary Davis and approved unanimously. b. 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan update--- Chairman Rowland introduced the item and Greg Thomas gave a report. Recent work has mostly been on the travel demand model which is nearing completion and moving into the calibration process.  4 of 18 c. Proposed 2016-2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)---. Chairman Rowland introduced the item and Greg Thomas gave a brief staff report. The TCC has recommended the UPWP. The State and Federal Comments have been addressed and we are awaiting final approval of the FHWA/FTA on the resolution of their comments. It needs to be released for a public hearing and adoption at the August 5, 2015 MPO meeting. The MPO agreed to release the Draft 2016-2017 UPWP for public review. d. 2016 TAP Grant--- Chairman Rowland introduced the item and Greg Thomas gave a brief staff report. The Transportation Alternative grant, basically the enhancement grant, application is in the packet. The application is due to TDOT by November 3, 2015. The MPO members would consider ideas for the grant application at the August 5, 2015 meeting and make a decision about what to apply for at the September 2, 2015 meeting. e. Statewide Rail Plan Submittal--- Chairman Rowland introduced the item and Greg Thomas gave a brief staff report. The timeline required that this already be turned in to TDOT. Input was obtained from Doug Berry on a rail improvement to help industry. Also, there were some crossing improvements recommended in the Freight Study; these were recommended for inclusion as well as similar crossing needs that may be identified in the portions of McMinn County now within the MPO. Also included were extension of the Chattanooga Light rail study to include evaluation of a Cleveland connection, regional passenger rail extension such as through Amtrak expansion, and the Third Street flyover. f. Passenger Rail Memorandum of Understanding--- Chairman Rowland introduced the item and Greg Thomas gave a brief staff report. Chairman Rowland described his involvement on the multi-state committee for the extension of Amtrak service through Tennessee to Atlanta. In the past, Amtrak would respond to the potential for new money with a request for rolling stock rather than route expansion There had been prior discussion on different route alternatives. We have our old depot which had been encouraged by Amtrak for future expansion. Mayor Rowland encouraged the MPO that we would want to have Amtrak service on whatever route TDOT would choose, but he thought that a route to Washington would be of the most benefit as opposed to connection through Louisville. It was decided that there would be a resolution at the next MPO meeting on passenger rail service. After discussion, Bill Harmon made a motion to approve the MOU and it was seconded by D. Gary Davis and it was approved unanimously. 4. Old Business---none 5. Comments by federal, state, local agencies 6. MPO Coordinator/staff comments--- George Poe brought up the communication from TDOT regarding the paving of Keith Street from Grove Avenue to 25th Street  5 of 18 (TDOT was asking if we wanted to have them re-stripe for bicycle accommodation). Mr. Poe did not want to jeopardize the portion described by TDOT for 2016 but he did want to see if they would also include the section north to Paul Huff Parkway in the paving because of the very poor condition of the paving on the north end. a. MPO Coordinators Report—the report is on page 42 of the packet. He highlighted the pedestrian and bicycle grant applications. The 2014 MMA was not successful but we are still waiting to hear from the FHWA FLAP grant. He discussed the reduction in FTA funding in the 5307 program under the new TDOT allocation formula, but it might be possible to tweak what we are doing to improve revenues under the new formula. Mayor Rowland asked about the bus wraps; Greg Thomas reported that Robert Varnell was researching the costs. Bill Harmon added that the cost estimates were about $5000 per bus for buses the size of the CUATS buses. b. Pedestrian and Bicycle grants near Stuart School—addressed under Coordinator’s Report c. CUATS Ridership Report--- addressed under Coordinator’s Report d. FTA 5307 funding allocation-- addressed under Coordinator’s Report 7. Public comments 8. The next regular MPO meeting date is Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 11 a.m. 9. Adjourn  6 of 18 PUBLIC HEARING on Adoption of the 2016-2017 Unified planning Work program (UPWP) August 5, 2015 Today’s meeting includes a Public Hearing to hear public comments on the MPO’s 2016-2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) which is proposed for adoption. I declare the public hearing to be open. Is there anyone here who would like to offer any comments on this item? ….Receive Comments Is there anyone else here who would like to speak on this item? ….Receive Comments, or Seeing none, I declare the public hearing to be closed  7 of 18 TOM ROWLAND, CHAIRMAN 190 Church Street, N.E., P.O. Box 1519, Cleveland, TN 37364-1519 Phone (423) 479-1913 fax (423) 559 3373 http://clevelandtn.gov/index.aspx?nid=153 MPO Coordinator Greg Thomas, AICP gthomas@clevelandtn.gov A RESOLUTION OF THE CLEVELAND URBAN AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION WHEREAS, the MPO has developed and revised the draft 2016-2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) in response to the comments of State and Federal agencies; and WHEREAS, the draft 2016-2017 UPWP was duly advertised and distributed for public review and for consideration of public comments, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the MPO hereby adopts the 2016-2017 UPWP. Approved, this 5th day of August, 2015: _______________________________ Mayor Tom Rowland, MPO Chairman  8 of 18 TOM ROWLAND, CHAIRMAN 190 Church Street, N.E., P.O. Box 1519, Cleveland, TN 37364-1519 Phone (423) 479-1913 fax (423) 559 3373 http://clevelandtn.gov/index.aspx?nid=153 MPO Coordinator Greg Thomas, AICP gthomas@clevelandtn.gov A RESOLUTION OF THE CLEVELAND URBAN AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION WHEREAS, the MPO is concerned with the deteriorated condition of paving at multiple locations on SR2 Keith Street along its length from the intersection Grove Avenue on the south to the intersection of Paul Huff Parkway on the north; and WHEREAS, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has planned to re-surface SR2 Keith Street in 2016 only on that portion of the roadway between Grove Avenue and 25th Street, but not on that portion from 25th Street northward to the intersection of Paul Huff Parkway where re-surfacing would not occur until some undetermined future year, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the MPO hereby urges TDOT to re-surface SR2 Keith Street in 2016 from Grove Avenue to Paul Huff Parkway, and that bicycle accommodation be included where feasible. Approved, this 5th day of August, 2015: _______________________________ Mayor Tom Rowland, MPO Chairman  9 of 18 MEMORANDUM TO: MPO Executive Board and TCC FROM: Greg Thomas, AICP, MPO Coordinator DATE: July 30, 2015 SUBJECT: Transportation Alternatives Grant due November 3, 2015 There are several categories of eligible activities, but most are pretty specialized (scenic overlooks, billboards, historic train depots, etc.) and they do not include ordinary road improvements for passenger cars and freight. That pretty much leaves improvements in the first two categories: 1. Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities All facilities must be hard‐surfaced, ADA compliant and provide adequate connectivity. Multi‐modal facilities must be a minimum of 10‐feet wide. TA funds can be used for sidewalks, walkways or curb ramps; bike lane striping, wide paved shoulders, bike parking and bus racks; traffic calming; off‐road trails; bike and pedestrian bridges and underpasses; ADA compliance 2. Safe Routes for Non‐Drivers Access and accommodation for children, older adults and individuals with disabilities In order to be successful, our grant application will need to demonstrate that we control the right-of-way needed for the project. This is most likely to be the case for projects on major roadways, but ROW issues need to be identified. Below are some general project ideas, the first six ideas focus on construction of new sidewalks while the last two focus on transit stop upgrades and ADA sidewalk improvements. Subject to a feasibility analysis, please rank the following in order of priority and provide any new suggestions. Page 1 of 7  10 of 18 1. Installation of all or part of the bicycle and pedestrian facilities proposed under the most recent Multi-modal Access Grant application and Federal Lands Access Program grant (Peerless Road south of 25th Street to 20th Street and Keith Street; the blocks around the Post Office encompassed by 17th Street 20th Street, Georgetown Road, and Keith Street). 2. Install sidewalks near College Hill—Gaut, Lang, and Sixth Streets. This was requested by citizens at meeting at College Hill. The citizens said that kids were getting off the school bus and having to walk in the ditch to get home. (note: need to look into a future intersection improvement near Vest”s Grocery) Page 2 of 7  11 of 18 3. Install and /or upgrade sidewalks on South Lee Highway from near Grove Avenue to just past Victory Drive. Sidewalks in this area generally either do not exist or are substandard. Several neighborhoods and apartments/motels would be served by these sidewalks. This responds to request from Councilman McKenzie. Page 3 of 7  12 of 18 4. Blythe Avenue Sidewalk Extension---this responds to a request from citizens and Councilman Estes. The extensions would connect the Family Resource Center to Blythe-Bower School and make a continuous loop of sidewalk around the neighborhood with the completion of the already-awarded 2013 Multi-modal Access grant project. Page 4 of 7  13 of 18 5. Install sidewalks on 25th Street in area under study by MPO, basically between Candies Lane and the Greenway Page 5 of 7  14 of 18 6. Install Sidewalks on Paul Huff Parkway per citizens requests Page 6 of 7  15 of 18 7. Install bus stop/bus shelter improvements with needed pads and sidewalk improvements at key locations along bus routes 8. Install needed ADA sidewalk improvements along with needed sidewalk replacement in older sidewalk areas Page 7 of 7  16 of 18 TOM ROWLAND, CHAIRMAN 190 Church Street, N.E., P.O. Box 1519, Cleveland, TN 37364-1519 Phone (423) 479-1913 fax (423) 559 3373 http://clevelandtn.gov/index.aspx?nid=153 MPO Coordinator Greg Thomas, AICP gthomas@clevelandtn.gov A RESOLUTION OF THE CLEVELAND URBAN AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION WHEREAS, the MPO is the MPO is pleased to see renewed interest in the extension of Amtrak service in Virginia with the expressed hope of many communities, in the form of a memorandum of understanding that the MPO has endorsed, for the extension of such service from Louisville, Kentucky through Bristol VA/TN and Chattanooga, TN on to Atlanta, GA; and WHEREAS, other possible Amtrak routes through Tennessee have been previously considered by TDOT with participation by Cleveland and other communities; and WHEREAS, the MPO’s primary concern regarding passenger rail service by Amtrak or others, is that Cleveland be included in the passenger rail route, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the MPO hereby urges TDOT to actively plan and promote the expansion of passenger rail service through Tennessee and to include Cleveland in the planned passenger rail route(s). Approved, this 5th day of August, 2015: _______________________________ Mayor Tom Rowland, MPO Chairman  17 of 18 MEMORANDUM TO: MPO Executive Board and TCC FROM: Greg Thomas, AICP, MPO Coordinator DATE: July 30, 2015 SUBJECT: Keith Street Bike Lane Opportunities --- a low-cost “bicycle loop” that connects riders to the local business core on both sides of Keith Street from Grove Avenue to Tinsley Park As discussed in your last meeting, TDOT is now planning the re-surfacing of SR 2 Keith Street from 25th Street to Grove Avenue in 2016. Also in your last meeting, Mr. Poe recommended that we seek to extend the northern limit of this project to Paul Huff Parkway due to the current poor condition of paving along the north part of Keith Street (a separate resolution has been prepared and is included in the agenda). In conjunction with the planned re-surfacing of SR2 Keith Street from Grove Avenue to 25th Street, TDOT is offering the opportunity to have the re-striping done so as to accommodate bicycles on the roadway. Cleveland Transportation Project manager David Sheely, TDOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Jennifer Wilson, and I have been in conversation about how to accomplish this. As an overall plan, David Sheely has suggested that the installation of bicycle lanes on both sides of Keith Street from Grove Avenue to the Greenway crossing near Tinsley Park would involve little modification to the existing roadway other than paint. However, in the section between 17th Street and 400’ south of 25th Street some minor widening would need to occur in the center grass median in order to shift the travel lanes inward and provide the necessary width on the outside shoulders to add the bike lanes. This would allow Cleveland to leverage the addition of bike lanes at no cost through the TDOT re-surfacing project. Staff is investigating the cost of the work that would need to be done in the grass median in advance of the TDOT re-surfacing project. The 2008 Bicycle Pedestrian plan calls for on-road bicycle accommodation in this area of Keith Street. If we were able to install bicycle lanes in the area recommended, from Grove Avenue to the Tinsley Park Greenway crossing, it would allow bicycle access to businesses on both sides of Keith Street (right now, the Greenway only provides access to businesses at Kingsway Press and Cooke’s Plaza and Monterey Restaurant). It would help to address three concerns that we have heard from citizens: first, there are Page 1 of 2  18 of 18 conflicts between bicycles and pedestrians on the Greenway especially in heavily travelled areas such as between 25th Street and Cooke’s Plaza; second, bicycle riders, especially experienced cyclists, desire proper on-street routes; and third, it would help to overcome Keith Street as a significant barrier to cyclists seeking to move east and west through connecting lower-volume streets. The proposed plan would allow for a bicycle loop around the Keith Street business district. The northbound and southbound bicycle lanes could be augmented with a series of “Greenway interchanges” and crossings that would allow riders to change directions along the corridor. Where the Greenway crosses or will cross underneath Keith Street (Cooke’s Plaza and Tinsley Park) it should be possible for riders to effectively cross Keith Street and reverse direction. In these locations, a bicycle ramp near the bridge would allow riders to access the Greenway and cross underneath to reverse directions or to continue their trip along the Greenway where there is two-way bike traffic. While Greenway connections to the Keith Street sidewalk such as at 20th Street could be modified to become a sort of “slip ramp” for the northbound bicycle lane, the Greenway does not cross underneath Keith Street south of 25th Street. In order to allow for a bicycle loop south of 25th Street, crossings are needed (the previously proposed crossing at 20th Street would be a good place to start; and crossings at 17th Street, Willow Street and Grove Avenue could provide bicycle connectivity that helps to overcome bicycle circulation barriers that exist in the Georgetown Road and Harrison Pike areas). If Cleveland wants to implement this plan in conjunction with TDOT re-surfacing, staff recommends the following: 1. Coordinate with TDOT on the re-surfacing and striping plans for the paving projects for bicycle accommodation whether the north and south Keith Street re-surfacing projects are combined by TDOT as requested or not. 2. Because TDOT intends to resurface from Grove Avenue to 25th Street in 2016, getting the minor widening work done in the grass median needs to happen soon. Staff is estimating costs now and a locally funded project would be the fastest to complete. The alternative would be to ask TDOT to stripe in the bike lanes only from Grove Avenue to 17th Street and add the section from 17th to 25th Street later but the bicycle loop would not be connected until this happens and the opportunity to have TDOT do the striping at no cost would be lost. 3. When TDOT re-surfaces Keith Street north of 25th Street, ask them to stripe in the bike lanes. 4. Design and construct bicycle ramps for “Greenway interchanges” north of 25th Street as soon as possible to avoid circuitous access via Cooke’s Plaza, Raider Drive, etc. 5. Attempt to plan and implement one or more of the Keith Street crossings south of 25th Street at the time of the TDOT re-surfacing, with the remainder to follow. Page 2 of 2