Metropolitan Planning Organization

1 of 17 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 Cleveland Urban Area MPO WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016, 11:00 O’CLOCK AM, 2nd FLOOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ROOM, MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 190 CHURCH STREET NE, CLEVELAND, TN AGENDA 1. Call MPO meeting to order 2. Approval of meeting minutes— July 13, 2016 p.3 3. New Business – a. 2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Update Public Hearing p.6 b. Consider for adoption the 2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Update p. 7 c. 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) p.9 d. 2017 Transportation Alternatives Grant p. 11 e. Transit Revenue Study p. 12 4. Old Business---none 5. Comments by federal, state, local agencies 6. MPO Coordinator/staff comments p. 16 7. Public comments 8. The next regular MPO meeting date is Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 11 a.m.  2 of 17 9. Adjourn  3 of 17 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 13, 2016, 11:00 O’CLOCK AM, 2nd FLOOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ROOM, MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 190 CHURCH STREET NE, CLEVELAND, TN MINUTES 1. Call MPO meeting to order --- Chairman Mayor Tom called the meeting to order and called the roll. The other MPO members in attendance were Cleveland Vice-Mayor George Poe, Bently Thomas proxy for Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis, Mary Lynn Brown (proxy for Nancy Sutherland of SETHRA), and Joren Dunnavant of TDOT. Others in attendance included Donovan Chumbley TDOT, Greg Thomas of the City of Cleveland and Cleveland MPO; Melinda Carroll, Tommy Myers, David Sheely and Brian Moran of the City of Cleveland, and Joyanna Love (Cleveland Daily Banner). 2. Approval of meeting minutes— May 25, 2016--- Mayor Rowland introduced the item and called for discussion or a motion. Vice-Mayor Poe moved that they be approved and the motion was seconded by Bently Thomas and approved unanimously. 3. New Business a. FTA 5303 Transit Planning Funds Proposal--- Mayor Rowland introduced the item and Greg Thomas presented the staff report. He explained the FY 2011 contract was expiring and the FY 2013 contract was already in effect. There are expenses to bill to the majority of the FY 2011 contract. For the FY 2013 contract expiring at the end of 2017, we are proposing that the majority be spent on a revenue study for the transit system. For the residual, what TDOT could return to Cleveland from the expiring FY 2011 funds and the FY 2014 funds, the proposal was for a multi-modal study on Georgetown Road including the Green Drive area. Mary Lynn Brown moved that the FTA 5303 spending plan be approved and it was seconded by George Poe and approved unanimously. b. Public Hearing on 2016 UPWP amendment--- Mayor Rowland introduced the item and opened the public hearing after Greg Thomas explained the item which was essentially to make corrections to the FY 2016 UPWP, including the addition of PL-112  4 of 17 funds not including in the UPWP. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Rowland closed the public hearing. c. Consider adoption of 2016 UPWP amendment--- Mayor Rowland introduced the item which Greg Thomas had explained prior to the public hearing. Bently Thomas made a motion for approval and it was seconded by Joren Dunnavant and approved unanimously. d. 2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)--- Mayor Rowland introduced the item and Greg Thomas presented the staff report. He explained that the 2017 UPWP Update had been reviewed by TDOT and FHWA/FTA and it was recommended by the TCC. The public hearing and adoption would be at the next meeting. e. 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) --- Mayor Rowland introduced the item and Greg Thomas presented the staff report. He explained that the safety money (HSIP) money was not available for the 20th Street Michigan Avenue Road project. The money was sufficient in the TIP to include that project but not to complete the Adkisson Rdive widening. The Mayor asked about sidewalks being included on Adkisson and the answer was that the job would include them. Vice-Mayor Poe noted that he had a lot of complaints about safety etc. on Adkisson Drive; he wanted to know if it could be advanced in the schedule. Greg Thomas basically replied that it might be possible to move the project faster with additional local money. Tommy Myers cautioned against putting sidewalk in where it would be removed by a widening project. Mayor Rowland asked about the traffic signal on Sunset and North Ocoee; he asked if there was a warrant for the signal. David Sheely replied that it did not. Vice- mayor Poe noted that the left turn situation was bad at that location. f. 2017 Transportation Alternatives grant --- Mayor Rowland introduced the item and Greg Thomas presented the staff report. He asked the MPO to respond with any ideas that they had for a project by the August 3, 2016 meeting. He discussed a variety of possible ideas including the 25th Street corridor sidewalks which was a well-developed project idea. Mayor Rowland noted his appreciation for the bike lanes that TDOT was putting in with the Keith Street resurfacing. 4. Old Business---none 5. Comments by federal, state, local agencies--- there were none. 6. MPO Coordinator/staff comments--- Greg Thomas went over the content of the MPO Coordinator’s report. Mayor Rowland asked David Sheely about an update on the APD-40 interchange which was to be completed October 2016. 7. Public comments—there were none  5 of 17 8. The next regular MPO meeting date is Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at 11 a.m. 9. Adjourn  6 of 17 PUBLIC HEARING on Adoption of 2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Update August 3, 2016 Today’s meeting includes a Public Hearing to hear public comments on the 2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Update 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 17 MEMORANDUM TO: MPO Executive Board and TCC FROM: Greg Thomas, AICP, MPO Coordinator DATE: August 1, 2016 SUBJECT: 2017 UPWP Update for Adoption As of your last meeting on July 13, 2016 MPO staff had received and provided satisfactory responses to the TDOT and FHWA/FTA comments on the draft 2017 UPWP Update which was then released for public review and comment. No additional comments were received and staff is recommending that the 2017 UPWP Update be adopted by the MPO. Page 1 of 1  8 of 17 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 2017 Update to the 2016-2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) in response to the comments of State and Federal agencies; and WHEREAS, the draft 2017 Update to the 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 2017 Update to the 2016-2017 UPWP. Approved, this 3rd day of August, 2016: _______________________________ Mayor Tom Rowland, MPO Chairman  9 of 17 MEMORANDUM TO: MPO Executive Board and TCC FROM: Greg Thomas, AICP, MPO Coordinator DATE: August 1, 2016 SUBJECT: 2017-2020 TIP TDOT provided comments on the June 2016 draft TIP. The TDOT comments were addressed and a revised TIP was submitted to TDOT on July 29, 2016. The revisions addressed the TDOT comments but they also included a change in the TIP project list which was the deletion of the Sunset Drive traffic signal project. The traffic signal did not meet the warrant analysis requirements at this time; but the funds are needed for other existing projects in the TIP period. The next step is review by FHWA/FTA. After Federal comments are received and adequately addressed, the draft TIP would be released for public review and comment. Page 1 of 1  10 of 17 DRAFT FY2017-2020 TIP PROJECTS STATE PROJECTS 2040 RTP TIP ID # Project Name / Roadway Type ID# E+C 06009 SR-60 (from Westlake Drive to SR-306) Road Widening 06002, Consistent Safety – Highway Hazard Elimination Projects Grouping Grouping 06005 Consistent 06001 NHPP Projects Grouping Grouping Consistent 06003 State STBG Projects Grouping Grouping MPO PROJECTS 2040 RTP TIP ID # Project Name / Roadway Type ID# 94, 108 2013-01 Michigan Avenue Road and 20th Street Road Improvements E+C 2013-05 Adkisson Drive Road Widening Intersection E+C 2010-05 Georgetown Road & 25th Street Improvements Consistent 2017-04 Ocoee Street & Sunset Drive Signalize intersection Consistent 2017-05 Downtown Cleveland traffic study Planning Consistent 2017-01 Urban STBG Projects Grouping Grouping Consistent 2017-02 Transit Operations Transit Consistent 2017-03 Transit Capital Purchases Transit DRAFT FY2017-FY2020 TIP i  11 of 17 MEMORANDUM TO: MPO Executive Board and TCC FROM: Greg Thomas, AICP, MPO Coordinator DATE: August 1, 2016 SUBJECT: 2017 Transportation Alternatives grant In the last meeting I suggested that project ideas be submitted by August 3, 2016 since the deadline for the application is October 3, 2016. As of August 1, I have not gotten any feedback. Barring the emergence of any other ideas at the August 3, 2016 MPO meeting, It is my suggestion that Cleveland pursue a project for 25th Street that is similar in scope to the last submittal for the Multi-modal Access grant. Even though our Multi- modal Access grant did not get funded, it scored well in the review process and a similar project proposal could be competitive under the Transportation Alternatives grant program. Staff is seeking the MPO’s guidance on pursuing this grant application. Page 1 of 1  12 of 17 MEMORANDUM TO: MPO Executive Board and TCC FROM: Greg Thomas, AICP, MPO Coordinator DATE: August 1, 2016 SUBJECT: Transit Revenue Study Parsons Brinkerhoff has submitted a revised scope of work for a transit revenue study to be accomplished under our on-call contract. The scope was modified to include a revenue analysis for the rural SETHRA system. The intention is to use FTA 5303 funds for the urban portion with SETHRA paying for the rural portion plus the 10% match on the 5303 funds (see attached scope). Staff is requesting that the MPO approve the revised scope and authorize the study as presented. Page 1 of 1  13 of 17 IDENTIFICATION OF TRANSIT REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES SCOPE OF WORK BACKGROUND/PURPOSE During the development of revenue projections for the MPO’s 2040 Regional Transportation Plan, it became evident that recent TDOT policy changes will significantly impact the level of funding available to the Cleveland Urban Area Transit System (CUATS):  The state has revised the formula for suballocating FTA-5307 funds among small transit agencies in Tennessee. One of the changes is to place greater weight on the amount of local/non-federal funds that the transit agency receives. CUATS lost federal funds to other agencies on the basis of this change and potentially other factors related to operating characteristics.  TDOT no longer makes state urban operating assistance (UROP) funds available unless a transit agency has already drawn down all of its available federal funds. Historically, transit agencies in Tennessee used UROP funds as part of the match for those federal funds, with a ratio of 50% federal, 25% state (UROP), and 25% local match. Now CUATS must match federal funds at a dollar for dollar ratio. Based on recent budgets it appears CUATS may no longer have enough matching funds to be able to access the same level of federal funds that have been used for operations and capital expenses, much less tap into any of the previously available state funds. The 2040 RTP completed a high-level analysis of expected revenue and costs to continue operations at current service levels during the next 20 to 25 years. The resulting financial picture leaves little room to implement any of the new transit services or amenities proposed by local officials and members of the public during the planning process. The 2040 RTP recommended investigating several sources of additional revenue, including a possible fare increase and additional private contracts. It also recommended that CUATS reconsider its current boundary for paratransit services in an effort to contain costs. The MPO and CUATS now seek to follow up on the plan’s recommendations through a report that will: (1) Investigate sources of new revenue and quantify the amount that might be obtained from each, (2) Identify whether there are any possible ways to reduce costs without reducing current services. TASK 1: SOURCES OF NEW/ADDITIONAL REVENUE WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff will explore the following potential sources of new and/or additional revenue: A. Forming more partnerships with agencies who receive grant funds that are eligible to be used for their clients’ transportation costs. CUATS already has such a contract with the TennCare program to provide  14 of 17 transportation for its clients. There are other agencies and programs (e.g. Veterans Administration and TANF) that may offer similar opportunities. B. Increasing fixed-route fares. WSP|PB will evaluate the potential for increasing CUATS’ fixed route fares, including a review of peer agencies and consideration of balancing revenue gains against possible losses in ridership as a result of the fare increase. The fare study will also include analysis of ability to pay among various transit-dependent populations in order to help establish fares at a level that does not price out the people who most need transit. C. Increasing paratransit fares. One concept mentioned in the 2040 RTP is for CUATS to consider charging one rate for a defined area (e.g. within ¾ mile of their fixed routes), with a higher rate charged for people who live outside that boundary. WSP| PB will investigate the likely impact of such a two-tiered system on both paratransit ridership and revenue. Concurrent with this analysis, WSP|PB will also evaluate the likely impact of changes to the fares currently charged by the Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA) demand-response service. D. Increasing local government contributions. WSP|PB will collect information on the amount and proportion of local funds provided for transit in peer cities, including both similar sized cities throughout the south and other cities of various sizes throughout Tennessee. An estimate will also be made of the amount of federal/state funds being lost to other transit agencies in Tennessee due to having a lower percentage of local funding support. E. Potential Non-Profit Funding Sources. WSP|PB will investigate the potential for not for profit entities (community charitable foundations, religious organizations, and the charitable contributions of for-profit businesses in the area) to provide grants to help support fixed-route and paratransit operations. WSP|PB will identify potential donors and provide conceptual estimates of the potential level of support possible from such sources. WSP|PB also will discuss the potential for creating a non-profit entity to support transit service in the area, and the possible participation of non-profit entities in assisting CUATS in providing transit service in the area. TASK 2: POTENTIAL TO STRENGTHEN THE SYSTEM AND REDUCE COSTS WITHOUT REDUCING SERVICE A. Improving fixed route efficiency and other system metrics. WSP|PB will meet with CUATS staff to discuss what fixed route changes were implemented following the study completed in 2013, and will review the subsequent performance data to identify other potential operating changes and their likely effect on ridership and costs. Potential actions to be evaluated will include the elimination of flag stops, increasing the frequency of service, and improving sidewalks and passenger amenities at stops. The state’s formula for allocating 5307 funds to small urban transit agencies will also be reviewed and compared to CUATS’ current performance metrics to identify operating decisions that could be impacting the agency’s ability to receive more federal support. B. Evaluate the paratransit service boundary. As noted in the 2040 RTP, CUATS currently offers paratransit service to a much larger area than the minimum required 3/4 mile distance from its fixed routes. If CUATS retracts the boundary, riders in the area would still be in the service area for SETHRA’s demand-response service – which serves not only those with disabilities, but also the general public. WSP|PB will use recent 2/3  15 of 17 trip data from CUATS to evaluate the percentage of trips that would be shifted and the resulting impact on operational costs. C. Evaluate Alternative Service Models. WSP|PB will evaluate the potential impact of the reorganization of responsibilities among CUATS and SETHRA. The evaluation will be based on interviews with CUATS and SETHRA staff and a review of agency ridership, budget, and related data. Technological innovations like Uber and Lyft, which have become more prominent in recent years, could offer potential alternatives to public transit service for some trip types, times and areas, potentially reducing transit costs while expanding the ability for travelers to make trips from areas and at times that cannot be provided by CUATS. WSP|PB will work with CUATS to explore ways in which these services could be integrated with transit service to reduce transit costs. In addition, WSP|PB will explore the ways in which volunteer services could be put to use to provide some trips, and how volunteer activities could be integrated with CUATS services to provide expanded transit service at lower cost. 3/3  16 of 17 MEMORANDUM TO: MPO Executive Board and TCC FROM: Greg Thomas, AICP, MPO Coordinator DATE: August 1, 2016 SUBJECT: MPO Coordinators Report 1. Staff has been advised by Scott Allen at FHWA that FHWA headquarters has authorized us to proceed with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Assessment. In early June, after examining crash data and other factors, 25th Street SR 60 between Westside Drive and Keith Street SR 2, and Keith Street SR 2 from 25th Street to Sahara Drive was identified in joint conversation with TDOT and FHWA as the analysis zone for the assessment. Staff will now be working with FHWA and TDOT to identify what outcomes that the TDOT, Cleveland MPO, and City of Cleveland would like to see as the result of this project; identify key stakeholders at the federal, state, local levels in the planning and safety disciplines to participate in the project; Identify a consultant and full estimated cost of the project ($15,000 budget); and solidify a date to conduct the assessment 2. The SR60 Corridor Management Committee that had been scheduled for July 27, 2016 was cancelled and will be re-scheduled. 3. TDOT held training sessions on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plans; MPO staff and City of Cleveland staff attended the training session in Chattanooga on July 28, 2016. In terms of transportation facilities and local governments, the impact is going to be felt substantially through required improvements to sidewalks and bus stop areas as well as transit vehicles and facilities, but the ADA transition plan also covers public buildings and the programs and services of local governments. The ADA transition plan would evaluate existing transportation facilities (and other government buildings, facilities, and programs) for ADA compliance issues and propose a budget and timetable for needed improvements. MPO and City of Cleveland are currently evaluating what is needed for compliance. Other MPO member governments, especially those with more than 50 employees, could also face ADA transition plan and compliance issues. Page 1 of 2  17 of 17 4. SETHRA/CUATS have submitted the ridership report below for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2016: Fixed Route Fiscal Fiscal Month Fiscal Yr Fiscal Yr Fiscal Yr Year Year FISCAL YR (11/12) (12/13) (13/14) (14/15) (15/16) (16/17) July 6411 6539 7986 8184 9,058 10,585 August 8133 8454 8364 9091 9,553 September 7405 6919 7513 9643 9,774 October 6867 7847 9500 11,587 10,101 November 6475 7614 7876 7779 8,081 December 6313 6908 8073 8885 9,085 January 6500 7712 6969 8116 8095 February 6704 7588 7433 6458 9,271 March 7760 7998 8,806 7,998 10,059 April 6913 9044 8686 7,945 9,735 May 7178 8909 8965 7,845 10,683 June 6305 7340 8229 8756 11,559 Total 82964 92,872 98400 102287 115,054 Demand Response Month Fiscal Yr Fiscal Yr Fiscal Yr Fiscal Yr Fiscal YR FISCAL YR (11/12) (12/13) (13/14) (14/15) (15/16 (16/17) July 1951 2131 1930 2268 2,121 2,243 August 2191 2285 1907 2206 1957 September 2211 2012 1883 2268 1992 October 2152 2248 2120 2405 2,139 November 1775 1521 1785 1992 1856 December 1751 1402 2,090 1514 1,986 January 1947 1683 1930 2140 1956 February 1877 1753 1860 1694 2,145 March 2124 1795 2,260 2283 2374 April 1969 1921 2317 2,059 2220 May 2060 2020 2161 1,961 2155 June 2028 1683 2335 2229 2,422 Total For Fiscal Year 24036 22454 24578 25019 25,323 Page 2 of 2