*************************** 9:30 1, 2011 *************************** TENTATIVE AGENDA VOTE: 3. VOTE:

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1 NOTICE OF MEETING Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) *************************** 9:30 a.m., Thursday, December 1, 2011 Des Moines Area MPO Brenham Room *************************** TENTATIVE AGENDA 1. Call To Order 2. VOTE: Approval of Agenda 3. VOTE: Approval of Meeting Minutes...Page 3 Approve the November 3, 2011, meeting minutes. 4. REPORT: Federal Fiscal Years Transportation Improvement Program Amendment Request Page 6 Report on the City of Des Moines request to add $1,000,000 in FFY 2012 for the Grand Avenue Bridge and DART s request to add $1,125,000 in FFY 2012 to upgrade five buses to hybrid technology. 5. REPORT: Fiscal Year 2013 Appropriations Requests for Washington D.C. Trip Update..Page 8 Presentation of projects submitted for the 2012 Washington D.C. Trip. 6. REPORT: Federal Fiscal Year 2016 Surface Transportation Program Project Submittals...Page 12 Presentation of the 23 STP and 13 STP TE projects submitted for scoring. 7. REPORT: Surface Transportation Program Review Update......Page 18 Report on efforts to review and potentially revise the STP guidelines. 8. REPORT: Transportation Funding Updates......Page 19 Update on the MPO s letter endorsing a call for an increase in the state fuel tax and on the Senate s proposal for a transportation reauthorization bill. 9. INFORMATION: Calendar Year 2012 Nominating Committee.....Page 28 Report on the nominating committee selection for the calendar year 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Technical Committee officers. 10. INFORMATION: Transportation Management Association Update......Page PRESENTATION: The Tomorrow Plan Update.....Page 32 Presentation of the Sustainability Scan by The Tomorrow Plan consultant team. 12. Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Committee 13. Next Meeting Date 9:30 a.m., Thursday, January 5, 2012, Des Moines Area MPO Office. 14. Adjournment Altoona Ankeny Bondurant Carlisle Clive Dallas County Des Moines DART Grimes Johnston Mitchellville Norwalk Pleasant Hill Polk City Polk County Urbandale Warren County Waukee West Des Moines Windsor Heights The MPO receives federal funding and may not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, or national origin, according to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of For more information or to obtain a Title VI Complaint form, call

2 Agenda Report MPO Transportation Technical Committee ISSUE: December 2011 Item No. 3 VOTE: Approve minutes of the November 3, 2011, Technical Committee meeting. BACKGROUND: The minutes of the November 3, 2011, Technical Committee meeting are enclosed on the following pages. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the November 3, 2011, Technical Committee meeting. FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) to obtain permission for use. 2

3 MEETING MINUTES Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) 9:30 a.m., Thursday, November 3, 2011 Des Moines Area MPO Burnham Room The MPO TTC held a meeting at 9:30 a.m., on November 3, 2011, at the Des Moines Area MPO Conference Room. Before the meeting, the MPO staff sent agenda packets to the MPO TTC representatives and posted the agenda at the MPO office at 11:33 a.m., October 28, Representatives Present: Vern Willey, City of Altoona John Shaw, City of Altoona John Peterson, City of Ankeny Eric Jensen, City of Ankeny Matt Ahrens, City of Ankeny Lori Dunham, City of Bondurant Jeff Schug, City of Carlisle Matt McQuillen, City of Clive Jim Hagelie, City of Clive Murray McConnell, Dallas County Jennifer Bohac, City of Des Moines Michael Ludwig, City of Des Moines Pam Cooksey, City of Des Moines Mike Clayton, Iowa Department of Transportation* Jim Tishim, Des Moines Regional Transit Authority John Gade, City of Grimes David Wilwerding, City of Johnston Dave Cubit, City of Johnston Kris May, City of Mitchellville Chris Nosbisch, City of Norwalk Ben Champ, City of Pleasant Hill Dennis Dietz, City of Polk City Kurt Bailey, Polk County Bret VandeLune, Polk County Dave McKay, City of Urbandale John Larson, City of Urbandale Brad Deets, City of Waukee Joe Cory, City of West Des Moines Duane Wittstock, City of West Des Moines Kara Tragesser, City of West Des Moines Josh Heggen, City of Windsor Heights Representatives Absent: Anthony Bellizzi, City of Cumming** Chuck Burgin, City of Indianola** Matt Thomas, Warren County Doyle Scott, Madison County** Paul Dekker, City of Urbandale Ken McCoy, Des Moines International Airport Julia Castillo, Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency Tracy Troutner, Federal Highway Administration* Mark Bechtel, Federal Transit Administration* * Non-Voting, Advisory Representative ** Non-Voting, Associate Representative Others Present: Glenn Lyons, Transportation Management Association Staff Present: Todd Ashby, Executive Director Stephanie Ripperger, Executive Administrator Dylan Mullenix, Principal Transportation Planner Nokil Park, Senior Transportation System Modeler Nathan Goldberg, Senior Transportation Planner Bethany Wilcoxon, Associate Transportation Planner Zach Young, Associate Transportation Planner Luke Parris, Associate Transportation Planner FY 2011 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Please call (515) to obtain permission for use. 3

4 1. Call to Order MPO TTC Chair Kurt Bailey recognized a quorum and called the November 3, 2011, meeting to order at 9:32 a.m. 2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: A motion was made and seconded to approve the MPO TTC s November 3, 2011, meeting agenda. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3. Approval of Meeting Minutes MOTION: A motion was made and seconded to approve the MPO TTC s October 6, 2011, meeting minutes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 4. MPO s Fiscal Years Transportation Improvement Program Amendment Request MOTION: A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Committee to approve MPO s Fiscal Years Transportation Improvement Program amendment request. Motion Carried Unanimously 5. DART Federal Funding Transfer Request MOTION: (JEB BREWER ARRIVED AT 9:34 AM) A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Committee to approve DART s Federal Funding transfer request. Motion Carried Unanimously 6. Trail Counters Checkout Procedures MOTION: (JENNIFER BOHAC ARRIVED AT 9:35 AM) A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Committee to approve Trail Counters Checkout Procedures. Motion Carried Unanimously 7. Fiscal Year 2013 Appropriations Requests for Washington D.C. Trip MPO staff presented; discussion only on item Freight Intermodal Study MPO staff presented; discussion only on item The Tomorrow Plan Update MPO staff presented; discussion only on item Federal Fiscal Years Transportation Improvement Program Administrative Modification MPO staff presented; discussion only on item Surface Transportation Policy Update MPO staff presented; discussion only on item 11. FY 2011 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Please call (515) to obtain permission for use. 4

5 12. STP Status Reports MPO staff presented; discussion only on item Transportation Management Association Update Glenn Lyons presented; discussion only on item Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Committee 15. Next Meeting Date 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, December 1, 2011, Des Moines Area MPO Burnham Room. 16. Adjournment MOTION: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the MPO TTC s November 3, 2011, meeting. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Chair Bailey adjourned the meeting at 9:50 a.m. FY 2011 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Please call (515) to obtain permission for use. 5

6 Agenda Report MPO Transportation Technical Committee ISSUE: December 2011 Item No. 4 REPORT: Brief report on requested revisions to the MPO s Fiscal Years Transportation Improvement Program (FFY TIP). BACKGROUND: The City of Des Moines and the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) have requested the following revisions to the FFY TIP: Sponsor: City of Des Moines Project: Grand Avenue Bridge over Walnut Creek Project Number: BRM-1945(738) 8N-77 Funding: Highway Bridge Program - $1,000,000 Change: Add project to FFY 2012 Revision Type: Amendment Sponsor: DART Project: Hybrid Vehicle Upgrade for Heavy-Duty Buses (Five) Funding: Federal Transit Administration Clean Fuels Program - $1,125,000 Change: Add project to FFY 2012 Revision Type: Amendment The MPO staff notes the City of Des Moines and DART projects are amendments and are subject to MPO approval and a public comment period. The MPO staff will hold a public input meeting for the City of Des Moines request on December 13, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. at the Des Moines South Side Library, 1111 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. The MPO staff will hold a public input meeting for the DART request on December 21, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. at the DART multi-purpose room, 1100 DART Way, Des Moines, Iowa. Included, immediately following, is a map showing the location of the City of Des Moines project. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discussion only. STAFF CONTACT: Luke Parris, lparris@dmampo.org; (515) ; and, Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org; (515) FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) to obtain permission for use. 6

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8 Agenda Report MPO Transportation Technical Committee ISSUE: December 2011 Item No. 5 REPORT: Brief update on the status of projects submitted for the Greater Des Moines Partnership s trip to Washington, D.C. BACKGROUND: The MPO staff has initiated the annual process of working with MPO member governments and participating agencies to develop a list of priority transportation projects to discuss with congressional members during the Greater Des Moines Partnership s 2012 trip to Washington, D.C. The following timeline describes the next steps in the process for developing the list: December 2011/January Surface Transportation Program Funding Subcommittee meets to identify priority projects from the assembled listing; January/February - MPO committees take action to approve the project listing and priority projects; February through April deadlines to complete project applications for congressional offices; and, May 9-11, Greater Des Moines Partnership trip. Key updates to the submitted projects include the following: The City of Johnston projects were added after last month s TTC meeting; The Principal Riverwalk project was added to the list at the request of the MPO Executive Committee; The Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable chose four projects, indicated in bold text on the attached spreadsheet, to recommend to the STP Funding Subcommittee; and, The City of Norwalk requested that their trail project be removed from consideration. Included, immediately following, is the updated list and map of the projects. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discussion only. STAFF CONTACT: Dylan Mullenix, dmullenix@dmampo.org; (515) ; and, Nathan Goldberg, ngoldberg@dmampo.org; (515) FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) to obtain permission for use. 8

9 Table 1: MPO/Greater Des Moines Partnership Federal Fiscal Year 2013 Transportation Appropriations Requests Surface Transportation Projects Map ID Government/Agency Project Name Project Description Total Project Cost 1 City of Des Moines Southeast Connector 2 City of Johnston Northwest 70th Avenue Reconstruction 3 City of Waukee 4 City of Waukee Alice's Road/105th Street Interchange and Connecting Roads Alice's Road Extension Ashworth Road to University Avenue Four lane complete street connecting Downtown Des Moines to US 65 Reconstrction of NW 70th Avenue from NW 86th Street to NW 107th Street from a rural two lane roadway to an urban four lane dividedroadway. Construction of an interchange on I 80 from the recently completed Alice's Road/105th Street overpass as well as paving six lane connecting roads north to Ashworth Road in Waukee and south to Wendover Road in West Des Moines Construction of a six lane arterial boulevard with additional left and right turn lanes, storm sewer improvements and water main sonstruction FFY 2013 Funding Requested $ 65,000, $ 2,000, $ 12,200, $ 2,000, $ 16,600, $ 2,000, $ 14,500, $ 2,000, City of West Des Moines Grand Avenue Phase Five Reconstruction and sidening of Grand Avenue from South 50th Street to the Raccoon River Park entrance $ 10,500, $ 2,000, DART University/Ingersoll Loop 7 DART Advanced Card Readers Very Small Starts application for Bus Rapid Transit on the Ingersoll/University Loop Route Advanced smart card reader and fare payment system to replace DART's curent farebox system $ 20,000, $ 1,500, $ 2,400, $ 500, Iowa Department of Transportation I 80 Interchange at US 65 and side roads in Altoona Reconstruction of mainline pavement and ramps at I 80/US 65 interchange and side roads $ 27,700, $ 2,000, Polk County NW 66th Avenue Reconstruction and Kempton Bridge Replacement Reconstruction of NW 66th Avenue and the Des Moines River Bridge from NW 26th Street to NW Beaver Drive $ 24,748, $ 2,000, Surface Total $ 193,648, $ 16,000,

10 Table 2: MPO/Greater Des Moines Partnership Federal Fiscal Year 2013 Transportation Appropriations Requests Trail Projects Map ID Government/Agency Project Name Project Description Total Project Cost FFY 2013 Funding Requested 10 Polk County Polk County Trail Connections 11 City of Bondurant Bondurant/Chichaqua Valley Trail Connector 12 Polk County Polk County Trail Connections 13 Polk County Polk County Trail Connections Construction of a 10' wide 2.4 mile trail project to extend the Gay Lea Wilson Trail between the City of Ankeny to the City of Des Moines Construction of a trail connection between the existing Chichaqua Valley Trailhead to the City of Bondurant's 2nd Street Trail to Lake Petocka. Construction of a 10' wide 8.3 mile trail to connect the City of Des Moines to the Chichaqua Valley Trail with a connection in the City of Bondurant. Construction of a 10' wide 4.6 mile trail constructed around Easter Lake creating a connection between Easter Lake Park and Ewing Park. $ 3,000, $ 1,120, $ 1,016, $ 791, $ 3,560, $ 2,000, $ 3,149, $ 2,000, City of Bondurant Bondurant Regional Trail Head Construction of a trailhead in downtown Bondurant to provides access to the Chichaqua Valley Trail, the Gay Lea Wilson Trail, and the Future Mud Creek Trail to Altoona. $ 910, $ 910, City of Des Moines Principal River Walk 16 City of Johnston Northwest Beaver Drive Trail Construct trails, walkways, promenades, and other recreational enhancements along the Des Moines River. Construction of a multiuse trail along NW Beaver Drive from NW 66th Avenue to Eagle Crest Drive. $ 60,000, $ 2,000, $ 2,500, $ 1,000, City of Polk City Polk City Trail Connector Construction of a 3.4 mile trail to connect the Neal Smith Trail to the High Trestle Trail. $ 3,000, $ 2,000, Trails Total $ 66,410, $ 5,910, Surface Total $ 193,648, $ 16,000, Grand Total $ 260,058, $ 21,910, The bicycle and pedestrian roundtable chose the four bolded projects as their top priority for FFY 13. The rationale was based on getting the most trail mileage for the money as well as filling in crucial gaps. Note that the two italicized projects are to be combined into one project for the purposes of this request as the total of the two would be under $2 million. 10

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12 Agenda Report MPO Transportation Technical Committee ISSUE: December 2011 Item No. 6 REPORT: Brief report on the Surface Transportation Program (STP) and STP Transportation Enhancement (TE) Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2016 project applications. BACKGROUND: The deadline for submission of STP Pre-applications and STP TE applications was Friday, November 18, The MPO staff received 23 STP pre-applications and 13 STP TE applications. Included, immediately following, is a listing of the STP and STP TE projects and a set of maps showing the location each project. For the STP process, the MPO staff develops preliminary scores for the STP pre-applications in early December and schedules a meeting of the MPO TTC Planning and Engineering Subcommittee to review the preliminary scores. Following the finalization of STP scores, the MPO staff will send STP secondary applications to sponsors with projects scoring 50 points or higher. STP Secondary applications are due to the MPO office by Friday, January 27, For the STP TE process, the MPO staff sets up a workshop in December for the Trails Planning Subcommittee to score the Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities applications. The MPO staff also sets up a workshop in December for the MPO TTC Planning Subcommittee to score the Scenic and Environmental Resources applications. These workshops provide projects sponsors with an opportunity to present information regarding project applications to the subcommittees. Following the workshops, those projects scoring 50 points or higher will be considered for STP TE funding. After the scoring process is complete, the STP Funding Subcommittee meets in February to hear presentations from sponsors with projects that scored 50 points or higher. This workshop provides project sponsors the opportunity to discuss their projects and to answer specific questions from the STP Funding Subcommittee. Following this workshop, the STP Funding Subcommittee will meet in March to develop a funding recommendation for consideration by the MPO Executive Committee and the MPO Policy Committee. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discussion only. STAFF CONTACT: Luke Parris, lparris@dmampo.org; (515) ; and, Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org; (515) FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) to obtain permission for use. 12

13 Table 3: Major Construction New Project ID Sponsor Project Name Termini STP Request Total Cost 1 Des Moines Southeast Connector Southeast 14th Street to Southeast 30th Street $ 8,000,000 $ 65,000,000 2 West Des Moines 105th Street Interstate 80 to Mills Civic Parkway $ 4,450,000 $ 8,900,000 3 West Des Moines Grand Technology Gateway South Jordan Creek Parkway to South 88th Street $ 4,325,000 $ 8,650,000 4 West Des Moines South 60th Street South 60th Street from Mills Civic Parkway to Grand Avenue $ 8,500,000 $ 17,000,000 Total $ 25,275,000 $ 99,550,000 Table 4: Major Construction Existing Project ID Sponsor Project Name Termini STP Request Total Cost 5 Ankeny Northeast 36th Street 500' east of U.S. 69 to 750' west of Reconstruction Interstate 35 $ 2,000,000 $ 9,550,000 6 Des Moines Park Avenue Widening Southwest 56th Street to Southwest 63rd Street $ 2,700,000 $ 4,500,000 7 Grimes Southeast 37th Street Widening and Iowa 141 to 700' west of Northwest 100th Reconstruction Street $ 2,000,000 $ 5,100,000 8 Grimes Southeast 37th Street Widening and Iowa 141 to South James Street Reconstruction $ 1,400,000 $ 3,600,000 9 Johnston Northwest 70th Avenue Northwest 86th Street to Northwest 100th Street $ 2,245,000 $ 8,750, Polk County Northwest 66th Avenue Northwest 26th Street to Northwest Beaver Reconstruction/Kempton Bridge Drive Replacement $ 4,000,000 $ 24,748, Urbandale 100th Street Bridge Reconstruction 100th Street at Interstate 35/80 $ 1,590,000 $ 4,000, Urbandale Meredith Drive Reconstruction 128th Street to 142nd Street $ 1,688,900 $ 4,237, Urbandale 142nd Street Widening Hickman Road to Walnut Creek $ 546,000 $ 1,370, Waukee Widening of Alice's Road Hickman Road to University Avenue $ 1,200,000 $ 3,885, West Des Moines Grand Avenue Raccoon River Park Entrance to South 50th Street $ 2,000,000 $ 10,500, West Des Moines 50th Street Widening Mills Civic Parkway to EP True Parkway $ 2,500,000 $ 5,000, West Des Moines Mills Civic Parkway South 81st Street to South 88th Street $ 1,500,000 $ 3,000,000 Total $ 25,369,900 $ 88,240,900 13

14 Table 5: Minor Construction Project ID Sponsor Project Name Termini STP Request Total Cost 18 West Des Moines 60th Street with University Avenue and Westown Parkway Intersection of 60th Street with University Avenue and Westown Parkway $ 850,000 $ 1,700,000 Total $ 850,000 $ 1,700,000 Table 6: Preservation Project ID Sponsor Project Name Termini STP Request Total Cost 19 Clive/West Des Moines University Avenue Resurfacing Northwest 86th Street to Northwest 114th Street $ 1,250,000 $ 2,500, Des Moines Grand Avenue Bridge Over the Des Moines River $ 500,000 $ 4,800, Iowa Department of Transportation Rehabilitation of U.S. Highway 6 Interstate 35/80 to Merle Hay Road $ 500,000 $ 5,000, Mitchellville Cotton Avenue Reconstruction Interstate 80 to Mill Street Southwest $ 1,474,182 $ 2,456,970 Total $ 3,724,182 $ 14,756,970 Table 7: Alternative Transportation Project ID Sponsor Project Name Termini STP Request Total Cost Des Moines Area 23 Regional Transit DART Vehicle Purchase N/A $ 1,200,000 $ 1,692,500 Authority Total $ 1,200,000 $ 1,692,500 14

15 Table 8: Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities Project ID Sponsor Project Name Termini STP TE Request Total Cost West 1st Street southbound to the High Trestle Trail Southwest TE 1 Ankeny intersection of Southwest Cherry Street and $ 150,000 $ 300,000 Cherry Street Connection Ordinance Road TE 2 Bondurant Chichaqua Valley Trail Bondurant to Des Moines Connection Chichaqua Valley Trail east of Bondurant to Gay Lea Wilson Trail $ 327,275 $ 552,275 TE 3 Des Moines Waveland Trail Interstate 235 to University Avenue $ 250,000 $ 400,000 TE 4 Johnston Northwest Beaver Drive Trail Northwest 66th Avenue to Eagle Crest Drive $ 1,000,000 $ 2,781,464 TE 5 Norwalk Norwalk Great Western Connection Trail Phase 1 TE 6 Polk County/Des Moines Easter Lake Circumferential Trail Adjacent to North Avenue from Sunset Avenue to intersection of North Avenue and 50th Avenue Connecting Ewing Park and Easter Lake Park and around Easter Lake $ 450,000 $ 1,292,688 $ 400,000 $ 1,384,400 Total $ 2,577,275 $ 6,710,827 Table 9: Scenic/Environmental Project ID Sponsor Project Name Termini STP TE Request Total Cost University Avenue and Forest Avenue TE 7 Des Moines Drake Area Streetscape between Martin Luther King, Junior Parkway $ 120,000 $ 2,000,000 and 31st Street TE 8 Des Moines Ingersoll Streetscape Phase 2 Ingersoll Avenue from 31st Street to 35th Street, excluding the north side of the 3400 $ 425,000 $ 2,100,000 block TE 9 Des Moines 6th Avenue Streetscape Hickman Road to Interstate 235 $ 250,000 $ 3,700,000 TE 10 Urbandale Douglas Avenue Beautification Interchange with Interstate 35/80 $ 200,000 $ 1,240,000 TE 11 Waukee Key Intersection Improvements Intersection of Alice's Road and Hickman Road $ 165,000 $ 550,000 TE 12 West Des Moines Valley Junction Streetscape Pedestrian/Roadway Lighting 100, 200, and 300 blocks of 5th Street $ 481,698 $ 642,265 TE 13 Windsor Heights South on 63rd Street from Hickman Road Hickman Road (US HWY 6) about 1 block (west side only) and three Streetscaping Phase 1 block west (south side only) $ 255,432 $ 521,290 Total $ 1,897,130 $ 10,753,555 15

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18 Agenda Report MPO Transportation Technical Committee ISSUE: December 2011 Item No. 7 REPORT: Brief update on potential revisions to the MPO s Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding process. BACKGROUND: The MPO Executive Committee directed the MPO staff to review the MPO s STP funding process and to meet with the STP Funding Subcommittee to develop any potential revisions to the MPO s STP funding process. The goal of this review and any subsequent changes is to ensure the STP funding process can adequately fund regional priority projects, particularly in light of reduced earmark funding. On October 26, 2011, the STP Funding Subcommittee discussed the need for potential revisions to the STP funding process and concurred that a review was necessary due to the reduction of earmarked funding. The subcommittee identified the importance of prioritizing regional projects, considering funding projects from all MPO member governments, and the importance of funding projects that attract funding commitments from other sources. On November 29, 2011, the STP Funding Subcommittee met to further discuss the STP funding process review. Staff will provide a summary of the discussion at the December 1, 2011, MPO TTC meeting. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discussion only. STAFF CONTACT: Luke Parris, lparris@dmampo.org; (515) ; and, Dylan Mullenix, dmullenix@dmampo.org; (515) FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) to obtain permission for use. 18

19 Agenda Report MPO Transportation Technical Committee ISSUE: December 2011 Item No. 8 INFORMATION: Update on state fuel tax and federal transportation reauthorization. BACKGROUND: The MPO, at its November 17, 2011, meeting, discussed the Governor s Transportation 2020 Citizen Advisory Commission s recommendation to increase the state fuel tax by eight to ten cents. The MPO agreed to send a letter in support of this recommendation to Governor Branstad and members of the state legislature. Additionally, the US Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works recently developed the bill Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century (MAP-21). MAP-21 is a reauthorization bill that would maintain current transportation funding level, plus inflation, for two years. Included, immediately following, is the letter in support the fuel tax recommendation, an executive summary of the Governor s Transportation 2020 Citizen Advisory Commission that recommends the increased fuel tax, and a summary of MAP-21. RECOMMENDATION: CONTACT: None. Information only. Dylan Mullenix, dmullenix@dmampo.org; (515) FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) to obtain permission for use. 19

20 November 23, 2011 The Honorable Terry Brandstad Office of the Governor State Capitol 1007 East Grand Ave Des Moines, IA Dear Governor Brandstad: The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (DMAMPO) supports the Transportation 2020 Citizen Advisory Commission s recommendation that the state fuel tax be raised by 8 to 10 cents per gallon to raise funds for road and bridge repairs. DMAMPO also supports the Governor s request that the Iowa Department of Transportation seek additional efficiencies in its operations to make available more department funds to construction projects. However, DMAMPO believes, ultimately, a fuel tax increase will need to be put into effect to ensure Iowa s transportation system is able to meet the demands of today s economy. Iowa s transportation system provides the network for moving people and goods throughout the state. Without an adequate transportation network, the cost of moving of people and goods across the state will increase, slowing economic growth. A fuel tax increase will allow for critical investments to be made to the transportation system, reduce transportation costs for businesses and system users, as well as create additional jobs in construction and related fields. Additionally, the fuel tax could be phased in over a 5 year period and should include the ability to adjust for inflation over time. DMAMPO would also suggest that the funding formula for fuel tax be revised in the near future to more equitably distribute the fuel tax increase to the appropriate users. For these reasons, the Des Moines Area MPO supports the Transportation 2020 Citizen Advisory Commission s recommendation that the state fuel tax be raised by 8 to 10 cents per gallon. Respectful yours, Chris Coleman, Chair Des Moines Area MPO cc: Paul Trombino III, Iowa DOT Director Todd Ashby, MPO Executive Director Altoona Ankeny Bondurant Carlisle Clive Dallas County Des Moines DART Grimes Johnston Mitchellville Norwalk Pleasant Hill Polk City Polk County Urbandale Warren County Waukee West Des Moines Windsor Heights The MPO receives federal funding and may not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, or national origin, according to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of For more information or to obtain a Title VI Complaint form, call

21 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Iowa is fortunate to have an extensive public roadway system that provides access to all areas of the state and facilitates the efficient movement of goods and people. However, it is also a tremendous challenge for the state, cities and counties to maintain and improve this system given flattening revenue, lost buying power, changing demands on the system, severe weather, and an aging system. This challenge didn t appear overnight and for the last decade many studies have been completed to look into the situation and the legislature has taken significant action to begin addressing the situation. In addition, the Iowa DOT and Iowa s cities and counties have worked jointly and independently to increase efficiency and streamline operations. All of these actions have been successful and resulted in significant changes; however, it is apparent much more needs to be done. A well-maintained, high-quality transportation system reduces transportation costs and provides consistent and reliable service. These are all factors that are critical in the evaluation companies undertake when deciding where to expand or locate new developments. The Commission heard from many Iowans that additional investment in Iowa s roadway system is vital to support existing jobs and continued job creation in the state of Iowa. Beginning June 2011, the Commission met regularly to review material and discuss potential recommendations to address Iowa s roadway funding challenges. This effort included extensive public outreach with meetings held in seven locations across Iowa and through a Transportation 2020 website hosted by the Iowa DOT ( Over 500 people attended the public meetings held through the months of August and September, with 198 providing verbal or written comment at the meetings or through the website. Comments were received from a wide array of individuals. The public we heard from overwhelmingly support increased funding for Iowa s roads. In addition, we heard that our recommendations should be based on the following principles: Additional revenues are restricted for road and bridge improvements only, like 95 percent of the current state road revenue. This includes fuel taxes and registration fees. State and local governments continue to streamline and become more efficient, both individually and by looking for ways to do things collectively. User fee concept is preserved, where those who use the roads pay for them, including nonresidents. Revenue-generating methods are fair and equitable across users. Increase revenue generating mechanisms that are viable now but also begin to implement and set the stage for longer-term solutions that bring equity and stability to road funding. Continue Iowa s long standing tradition of state roadway financing coming from pay-as-you-go financing. Iowa must not fall into the situation that other states are currently facing where the majority of their new program dollars are utilized to pay the debt service of past bonding. Recommendations Based on a thorough analysis of relevant data, material and extensive public comment, the Commission recommends that the Iowa DOT include the following recommendations in their 2011 report to the Iowa legislature in order to raise, at a minimum, an additional $215 million annually in road user fees to be spent by the counties, cities and state on Iowa s roads and bridges. Securing this additional revenue is 2 21

22 vital to address deficient bridges on priority city, county and state highways; deteriorating roadway conditions that have the greatest impact on the movement of goods and people; and continued development of corridor projects. Following is a summary of the recommendations which are fully documented on page Increase the state fuel tax rates across the board by eight to ten cents. Estimated Annual Revenue: $184 million to $230 million 2. Increase the Fee for New Registration from five percent to six percent. Estimated Annual Revenue: $50 million 3. Iowa DOT should evaluate and recommend a funding mechanism in their report to the legislature that applies to alternatively fueled, hybrid and high fuel efficiency vehicles (including commercial vehicles). 4. Consistent with existing Code of Iowa requirements, new funding should go to the TIME-21 Fund up to the cap ($225 million) and remaining new funding should be distributed consistent with the Road Use Tax Fund distribution formula. 5. The Code of Iowa should be changed to require the study of the sufficiency of the state s road funds to meet the road system s needs every two years instead of every five years. 6. Iowa DOT should at least annually convene meetings with cities and counties to review the operation, maintenance and improvement of Iowa s public roadway system to identify ways to jointly increase efficiency; efficiency actions should be quantified, measured and reported to the public on a regular basis. 7. By June 30, 2012, Iowa DOT should complete a study of vehicles and equipment that use Iowa s public roadway system but pay no user fees or substantially lower user fees than other vehicles and equipment. 3 22

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27 Moving Ahead For Progress in the 21 st Century (MAP-21) Implications Designation of MPOs Changes areas to have MPOs from urbanized areas over 50,000 to urbanized areas over 200,000 Creates tiered system of MPOs o MPOs over 1 million in population are Tier 1. o MPOs between 200,000 and 1 million are Tier 2. o o Performance Based Planning MPOs between 50,000 and 200,000 are phased out. Note: MPOs by obtain consent of the US DOT to be moved up in tier structure with support of the Governor and determination of the US DOT that the MPO has met the minimum technical requirements established for MPOs (requirements to be established by US DOT within 1 year after bill adoption). Requires the development and use of performance measures for transportation planning. Each MPO is required to establish performance targets, in coordination with the state DOT, within 90 days of the state s establishment of performance targets. MPOs are required to use performance targets, at a minimum, as the basis for policies, programs, and investment priorities (e.g., projects) reflected in the Transportation Improvement Program and the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Transportation Mobility Program Replaces the current Surface Transportation Program (STP). Operates under same rules and structures of STP. Does not set aside dedicated funds for STP Transportation Enhancements (TE). The MPO currently has awarded $2,334,000 STP TE projects through FFY Staff assumes the annual allocation of $542,000 in STP TE projects would be included in our total STP annual allocation. The MPO STP guidelines allow sponsors to apply for STP funds for a TE project. Transportation Improvement Program Requirements Requires the prioritization of projects during the 4-year period beginning on the date of adoption of the transportation improvement program, and each 4-year period thereafter. Requires a description of the anticipated effect of the transportation improvement program on attainment of the performance targets established in the metropolitan transportation plan, linking investment priorities to those performance targets. Provides the option to include an illustrative list of projects that would be funded if additional resources were available. Requires a financial plan that includes the projected difference between costs and revenues, and strategies for securing additional new revenue. Metropolitan Transportation Plan requirements Generally the same as current requirements, but with heavier reliance on performance measures for system analysis and project selection. 27

28 Agenda Report MPO Transportation Technical Committee ISSUE: December 2011 Item No. 9 INFORMATION: Calendar Year 2012 Nominating Committee BACKGROUND: The MPO TTC Chair will announce the Calendar Year 2012 Nominating Committee at the December 1, 2011, meeting. Traditionally appoints two MPO TTC representatives to serve on the annual Nominating Committee to prepare a slate of candidates for the election of MPO TTC Chair and MPO TTC Vice-Chair for the upcoming calendar year. The Nominating Committee will present its recommended slate of candidates at the MP TTC January 5, 2012, meeting and will also accept nominations from the floor at the January 5, 2012, meeting. The MPO TTC Calendar Year 2012 Officers will assume their responsibilities at the February 2, 2012, MPO TTC meeting. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discussion only. STAFF CONTACT: Stephanie Ripperger, sripperger@dmampo.org; (515) FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) to obtain permission for use. 28

29 Agenda Report MPO Transportation Technical Committee ISSUE: December 2011 Item No. 10 INFORMATION: Transportation Management Association (TMA) Rest Your Car program performance through October BACKGROUND: The TMA s Rest Your Car program is a volunteer-based program that allows commuters to track trips made using alternatives to single-occupant vehicles. Tables and figures summarizing the performance of the TMA Rest Your Car program through October 2011 are included on the following pages. RECOMMENDATION: CONTACT: None. Information only. Glenn Lyons, glyons@drivetimedesmoines.org; (515) FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) to obtain permission for use. 29

30 TMA Rest Your Car Performance Report TABLE 1 Rest Your Car Program Performance through October 2011 June 2011 July 2011 August 2011 Sept Oct Calendar Year to Date Total Miles Reported 454, , , , ,510 4,550,999 Total Reports Made 11,062 9,943 11,671 10,831 10, ,534 Total Persons Reporting 1,088 1,067 1,104 1,044 1,017 10,679 Average Miles/Report New Members Source: Transportation Management Association, Carpool 157,124 36% Walk/Run 920 0% Bike 7,326 2% Vanpool 176,052 40% Mass Transit 77,794 18% Telecommute 16,294 4% FIGURE 1 Rest Your Car Miles Reported by Commute Type, October 2011 Source: Transportation Management Association,

31 Carpool 3,676 35% Walk/Run 185 2% Bike 516 5% Vanpool 2,166 21% Mass Transit 3,659 35% Telecommute 270 2% FIGURE 2 Rest Your Car Reports by Commute Type, October 2011 Source: Transportation Management Association, Miles Mass Transit Vanpool Carpool Walk/Run Bike Telecommute Commute Type FIGURE 3 Average Round Trip Commute Distance by Commute Type, October 2011 Source: Transportation Management Association,

32 Agenda Report MPO Transportation Technical Committee ISSUE: December 2011 Item No. 11 PRESENTATION: Presentation of the Sustainability Scan by The Tomorrow Plan consultant team. BACKGROUND: The Sasaki team developed the draft Sustainability Scan, which aims to provide a better understanding of key opportunities and obstacles facing implementation. The scan also includes an evaluation of existing plans, policies, and regulations, along with existing conditions and trends data, for consistency with established principles and indicators of sustainability. Furthermore, the scan begins to define what sustainability means to greater Des Moines, based on direction from the Steering Committee, from the public in regional outreach series #1, and from other community input. The Sasaki team will be present at the December 1, 2011, meeting to further discuss the Sustainability Scan. Included, as a supplemental item, is the draft copy of the Sustainability Scan. RECOMMENDATION: None. Presentation and discussion only. STAFF CONTACT: Bethany Wilcoxon, bwilcoxon@dmampo.org; (515) FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) to obtain permission for use. 32