September 17, 2009
The regular meeting of the Utah Transportation Commission, held in the Ephraim City Council Chambers, 5 South Main, Ephraim, Utah, was called to order at 1:15 p.m. by Vice-Chairman Jerry B. Lewis. He welcomed those attending, excused Commissioner Holbrook from the meeting, and noted that Stuart Adams resigned from the Commission yesterday and was appointed to the State Senate by the Governor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Barlow moved to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2009, UDOT/Commission Tour, Staff Update Meeting, and Commission Meeting, held in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Commissioner Millington seconded the motion and the minutes were approved.
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING
Vice-Chairman Lewis moved this item up on the agenda. Bill Lawrence, Program Finance Director, said Garfield County has requested that the federal funds programmed for the Notom Road project for preliminary engineering be exchanged for state funds. The exchange rate would be 85 cents in state funds for every dollar in federal funds. Garfield County would use the state funds to begin the environmental and design work, and UDOT would use the federal funds on a highway preservation project in Region Four. Additional discussion took place regarding Garfield County’s reason for the request and the risks involved with the exchange. Some of the risks the county was willing to accept included the following: If approved, the funding exchange would only be for the environmental and design work to be done. STP Non-Urban funds for the project in 2012 may not be available, leaving the construction portion of the project unfunded. Also, if STIP Non-Urban funds are available in 2012, UDOT may not have a project available in 2012 that it would be willing to make an exchange of funds for, leaving the construction portion federalized. One other risk mentiioned was that the FHWA would need to adopt the environmental document, once it's completed.
Commissioner Wilson moved to approve Garfield County’s request to proceed with the federal funds exchange. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barlow and unanimously approved.
LOCAL AREA PRESENTATION BY REION ONE
Nathan Lee, Region Four Director, started the local area presentation reviewing capacity improvements that have occurred in the area. Steve Ogden, Price District Engineer, and Robert Dowell and Rick Torgersen, from Region Four, reviewed preservation and maintenance projects, safety related projects, partnerships, and a history of project funding in the area.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Natasha Madsen from Manti City spoke to the Commission and expressed appreciation for the projects being done in this area, particularly the safety improvements made in the north end of Manti. She reminded the Department to not forget to complete the widening of US-89 between Manti and Ephraim. They appreciate the improvements that have been made, as it has helped make the road safer, but they hope the entire road will be improved. Mayor Cliff Burrell from Ephraim City also thanked the Department for the enhancements that have been done in Sanpete County. He also expressed his hope that US-89 will be widened completely between Ephraim and Manti.
UDOT SCOREBOARD
Tracy Conti, Engineer for Operations, gave the report on UDOT’s construction program, and then followed with the safety program report. Handouts were distributed for boht updates.
ARRA UPDATE
Ahmad Jaber, Systems Planning and Programming Director, distributed handouts and reviewed the status of Utah’s ARRA projects, including funding levels and projects advertised. James Christian, FHWA Division Adminstrator, gave an update on the deadline to submit/obligate all ARRA funds, and said Utah is doing a great job with their ARRA projects/funds.
Bill Lawrence distributed a new list of Utah Federal Recreational Trails Program recommendations, and noted that the fact sheet should say there are 25 projects totaling $1,601,387. The projects are selected and administered through the Utah State Parks and Recreation division. John Knudsen from Utah State Parks provided comments and additional information on the projects.
Commissioner Millington moved to approve adding the Utah Federal Recreational Trails program to the STIP as a single line item. Commissioner Holt seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence reminded the Commission of their past request to increase region contingency funds when state funds became available. He stated that due to a favorable bidding environment, there are excess ARRA funds available. The regions have identified four projects currently programmed with state funds that would meet the requirements to have ARRA funds programmed to them. That exchange of funds would allow $1.595 million to be programmed to the region contingency funds, increasing that amount from $500,000 to $900,000.
Commissioner Millington moved to approve the reprogramming of Federal ARRA funds to free up State funds to be programmed to the Region’s contingency funds. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barlow and approved unanimously.
HOT LANE ACCESS FEES (TOLL RATES) – Information Only
Tracy Conti, Engineer for Operations, introduced project manager Bryan Chamberlain, who gave an update to the Commission on the HOT Lane access fees. He explained that the existing Express Lane sticker access program would be converted to an automated electronic tolling system, and the Commission is required to establish minimum and maximum access fees for the I-15 Express Lanes. Mr. Chamberlain also used a PowerPoint presentation to review the project’s goals, the four zones, how collection works, where they are in the process, the pricing process, and survey data. He stated that they would be back at a future meeting to discuss setting rates, etc. Additional discussion and public input focused on the transponder, public education, and configuration of the Express Lanes program.
MOUNTAIN VIEW CORRIDOR UPDATE
Teri Newell, Mountain View Corridor Project Manager, gave an update on the Mountain View Corridor using PowerPoint, reviewing the funding status, roadway construction area, and timeline of the projects in Salt Lake County and Utah County. Ms. Newell also provided an update on the land donation for the Salt Lake County project, and reported that one of the three companies that was part of the land donation has backed out, as they feel they are not in a position to do so at this time due to the current economic climate. The donation was for less than a mile, but now there will be additional project costs to acquire the land needed for the project.
AERONAUTICS’ CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Kirk Nielsen from Aeronautics said this amendment is for the Spanish Fork/Springville airport, which receives a yearly entitlement of $150,000. The airport did not use all of its entitlement funds last year, and is carrying over the left over funds and adding it to this year’s entitlement. The Spanish Fork/Springville Airport has requested that $226,445 be used to update their master plan and conduct an environmental study for a runway extension that would be funded in FY 2011.
Commissioner Barlow moved to approve Aeronautics’ Capital Improvement Program Amendment #3. Commissioner Millington seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Kirk Nielsen said the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), a five-year plan of airport projects for the State of Utah, is published every year and includes federally funded projects and state funded projects. However, the FAA’s most recent reauthorization only goes through the 2009 federal fiscal year, and it looks like there won’t be a new reauthorization, just a continuing resolution for now. Based upon that assumption, they’ve updated the CIP with the thought that funding levels would be the same as it has been over the last six or so years. Mr. Nielsen said this discussion is only for information today; the first two years of the CIP will be presented for approval at next month’s meeting.
REQUEST FOR USE OF CORRIDOR PRESRVATION FUNDS
Lyle McMillan, Right of Way director, distributed a handout containing the latest information on the Corridor Preservation budget and obligations. He then reviewed the first acquisition request. He said the Godman request had been on the agenda before but was cancelled, due to an appraisal that was less than what was owed on the property. However, circumstances have changed; CitiMortgage has taken over the property and is in the process of foreclosure. CitiMortgage has indicated they will take the appraised value of the property, which is $135,000. The property is vacant and there would be no relocation expenses associated with the purchase. The Advisory Council recommends purchase of this property.
Commissioner Wilson moved to approve the purchase of the Godman/CitiMortgage property. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barlow and unanimously approved.
Lyle McMillan said the application for this acquisition was a hardship request for property located adjacent to the Payson interchange at exit 250. The owners are elderly; however, the hardship request didn’t meet the required level for acquisition, but as a protective purchase it did. The property is valued at $1.8 million for 7.2 acres, and the Advisory Council recommends purchase of the property, as it will be needed for a project, possibly in 10-15 years.
Commissioner Holt moved to approve the purchase of the Westwood property. Commissioner Millington seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
ADMINISTRATUVE RULE 926-12 – SHARE THE ROAD BICYCLE SUPPORT RESTRICTED ACCOUNT – For Review
Ahmad Jaber referred to the information under tab 12 in the binders and said this rule provides procedures and requirements for an organization to apply to UDOT to receive a distribution from the Share the Road Bicycle Support Restricted Account. A copy of the rule is included in the tab information. He said this item is just for the review of the Commission.
PROPERTY EXCHANGE ON SR-18
Nathan Lee explained that in 2005, UDOT executed a MOU with Ledges Development for the Ledges to design and construct a grade separated interchange on SR-18. The MOU defines requirements for both parties, including the transfer of right of way (ROW) parcels. The ROW for SR-18 was originally across BLM property for which UDOT has a Title 23 ROW. The BLM has subsequently sold the surrounding land to the Ledges. In order to complete the requirements of the MOU, UDOT needs to relinquish a portion of its Title 23 ROW. In addition, the Ledges shall Quit Claim parcels to UDOT.
Commissioner Wilson moved for approval to relinquish a portion of the Title 23 Right of Way for parcels transferred from the Ledges to UDOT for the SR-18 interchange. Commissioner Barlow seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
I-15 UPDATE
Dal Hawks, I-15 Core project director, used a PowerPoint presentation to give the monthly update on the I-15 Core project, and said the selection process is nearly complete. His update included information regarding key stakeholder outreach to date, upcoming stakeholder outreach, public involvement philosophy, public involvement approach, public involvement team responsibilities, and public involvement tactics already in place. He also reviewed the procurement schedule.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
James Christian noted that SAFETEA-LU would expire at the end of this month. It is likely there will be an extension bill passed for 18 months, but there would probably be a two to six week gap before they get to a full 18 month extension because Congress actually needs to approve funding along with the extension of the highway bill, since the funding expires as well as the bill. Mr. Christian also reported the UDOT was approved for the 10% flexibility in the HSIP funds. And, the TIGER grants, the $1.5 billion of discretionary funds available at the discretion of the USDOT through the Recovery Act, should be out in the February time frame.
There were no Commission committee reports this month.
The next regular Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, 2009, in Ogden, Utah. The following dates and locations have also been scheduled:
November 18-19, 2009 - Green RiverDecember 10, 2009 - Salt Lake City
The meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
The following Commissioners, staff members and others were in attendance:
Jerry B. Lewis, Vice-Chairman Bevan K. Wilson, Commissioner J. Kent Millington, Commissioner Jeffrey D. Holt, Commissioner Wayne K. Barlow, Commissioner LeAnn G. Abegglen, Commission Secretary John Njord, Executive Director Carlos M. Braceras, Deputy Director Tracy Conti, Engineer for Operations Chuck Larsen, Comptroller Linda Hull, Legislative and Government Affairs Dir Nile Easton, Communications Director Adan Carrillo, Community Relations Ahmad Jaber, Director of Systems Planning and Prog Bill Lawrence, Program Finance Director Kirk Nielsen, Aeronautics Bryan Chamberlain, TOC Lyle McMillan, Director of Right of Way Dian McGuire, Right of Way Dal Hawks, I-15 Core Project Director Teri Newell, MVC Project Manager Nathan Lee, Region Four Director Steve Ogden, Price District Engineer Kevin Kitchen, Region Four Rick Torgerson, Region Four Robert Dowell, Region Four Monte Aldridge, Region Four Bob Westover, Region Three Bryan Chamberlain, TOC Julie Dillard, UDOT/PBS&J Julene Thompson, UDOT/PPBH James Christian, FHWA Division Administrator Mark Bleazard, Legislative Fiscal Analyst Mayor Cliff Burrell, Ephraim City David Warren, Ephraim City Council Davis Parrish, Ephraim City Council Richard Anderson, Ephraim City Bryan Kimball, Ephraim City Mayor Natasha Madsen, Manti City Richard Bjerregard, Mayfield Town Mark Raymond, Uintah County Commission Brian Bremner, Garfield County Andrew Jackson, MAG John Knudsen, Utah State Parks Jamie Williams, Wilbur Smith Alan Jensen, Stanley Consultants Ron Clegg, PB Mike Worrell, JUB Engineers Brandon Loomis, Salt Lake Tribune
