Des Moines Area MPO Policy Agenda | May 2013

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Altoon a Ankeny Bondur ant Carli sle Clive Dallas Coun ty Des Moines DART Grim es Johnst on Mitchel lvi lle Norw alkPleasant 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 CivilRights Act of 1964. For more information or to obtain a Title VI Complaint form, call 515-334-0075.

NOTICE OF MEETING

Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

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4:00 p.m., Thursday, May 23, 2013

Des Moines Area MPO - Burnham Conference Room

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TENTATIVE AGENDA

The established protocol for minutes of this meeting will be to list all attendees, and with each item on which a

vote is conducted in the ordinary course in order to take formal action, those voting nay or abstaining will be

identified by name. Any member who is absent from the meeting for any period of time during which a vote of

the body is taken, is expected to notify the recording secretary at the conclusion of the meeting so that the

absence can be duly noted in the minutes. Roll Call votes will be taken as required by law or upon the request

of any member that is approved by the chair, and the vote of each member for or against the proposition, orabstention, will be incorporated in the minutes or recorded on a separate sheet attached to the minutes.

1. Call To Order

2. VOTE: Approval of Agenda

3. VOTE: Approval of Meeting Minutes ....................................................................................... Page 3 Approve the April 18, 2013, meeting minutes.

4. CONSENT and VOTE: Apr il 2013 Financial Statement.......................................................... Page 7 Report on the April 2013 Financial Statement; consider approval.

5. CONSENT and VOTE: Fiscal Year 2012 Audit Repor t ......................................................... Page 14 Report on the Fiscal Year 2012 Audit Report; consider approval.

6. REPORT and VOTE: Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program and Budget ..... Page 15 Update on the final Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program and budget document;

consider approval.

7. REPORT and VOTE: Federal Fiscal Year 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment .............................................................................................................................. Page 16

Report on the City of Bondurants request to amend a project in the Federal Fiscal Year2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program; consider approval.

8. REPORT and VOTE: Polk County Conservation Board Request to Consolidate TransportationAlternat ive Program Funds ..................................................................................................... Page 17

Report on a request from the Polk County Conservation Board to consolidate Transportation

Alternative Program funds awarded to Polk County and the City of Des Moines for the Easter

Lake Trail; consider approval.

9. REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Federal Fiscal Year 2017 Surface Transpor tation Program andTransportation Alternatives Program Funding Recommendation ..................................... Page 20

Report on the Surface Transportation Program Funding Subcommittees funding recommendation for

Federal Fiscal Year 2017 Surface Transportation Program projects and Federal Fiscal Year 2017Transportation Alternatives Program projects; consider approval.

10. REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: City of Clive Surface Transportation Program FundingRequest .................................................................................................................................... Page 21

Report on the City of Clives request to shift Surface Transportation Program funds between projects;

consider approval.


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Agenda ReportMPO Policy Committee

FY 2013 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use

11. REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Federal Fiscal Year 2013 TIGER Discretionary GrantProgram Letter of Suppor t ..................................................................................................... Page 22

Report on the 2013 TIGER Discretionary Grant Program application requirements and deadline and the

MPOs support of the Kempton Bridge/NW 66th Avenue project; consider approval.

12. REPORT: MPO Certification Review ...................................................................................... Page 23 Report on initial findings from the MPOs quadrennial certification review, which took place

from April 29-May 1, 2013.13. REPORT: MPO Role in Watershed Management .................................................................. Page 24

Discussion regarding the MPOs role in facilitating regional watershed management planning.

14. REPORT: Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Project Update ........................................... Page 25 Update on the status of the Rail Port Grant that the MPO received from the Iowa DOT.

15. REPORT: Federal Fiscal Year 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program DevelopmentSchedule .................................................................................................................................. Page 26

Report on the process to develop the Federal Fiscal Years 2014-2017 Transportation ImprovementProgram.

16. REPORT: Iowa Department of Transportation Special Traffic Count Study ..................... Page 27 Report on the Iowa Department of Transportations Special Traffic Count Study to enhance local trip

generation data.

17. REPORT: The Tomorrow Plan Update ................................................................................. Page 28 Update on The Tomorrow Plan development.

18. INFORMATION: Transpor tation Management Association Update .................................. Page 2919. INFORMATION: MPO April Progress Report

20. Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Committee

21. Next Meeting Date 4:00p.m., Thursday, June 20, 2013, Des Moines Area MPO Office.

22. Adjournment

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May 2013Item No. 3

ISSUE: Approval of Meeting Minutes

VOTE: Consider approval of the April 18, 2013, MPO Policy Committee meeting minutes.

BACKGROUND:

The minutes of the April 18, 2013, MPO Policy Committee meeting are enclosed on the followingpages.

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve the minutes of the April 18, 2013, MPO Policy Committee meeting.

STAFF CONTACT:

J ennifer Ratcliff, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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4/29FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use

Meeting Minutes

Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)4:00 p.m., Thursday, April 18, 2013

Des Moines Area MPO Conference RoomDes Moines, Iowa

The MPO held a meeting at 4:00 p.m. on April 18, 2013, in the Des Moines Area MPO Conference Room.Before the meeting, the MPO staff sent agenda packets to the MPOs representatives and posted theagenda at the MPO office at 3:00 p.m. on April 8, 2013. The fiscal year-to-date publication cost ofmeeting minutes for the MPO: $1238.51. In addit ion to these pub lished tentative minutes, therealso may be additional Meeting Notes on file with the MPO staff that are public records andavailable upon request as provided by law. These tentative minutes reflect all action taken at themeeting.

Representatives Present:

Skip Conkling, City of AltoonaJ erry Nolin, City of AltoonaWade Steenhoek, City of AnkenyGary Lorenz, City of Ankeny

Bobbi Bentz, City of AnkenyMark Arentsen, City of BondurantRuth Randleman, City of Carlisle

J ohn Edwards, City of CliveTed Weaver, City of CliveMark Hanson, Dallas CountyElizabeth Presutti, Des Moines Area RegionalTransit Authority

Mike Clayton, Iowa Department ofTransportation*

Chris Coleman, City of Des MoinesSkip Moore, City of Des MoinesRobert Mahaffey, City of Des MoinesPhil Delafield, City of Des Moines

Terry Vorbrich, City of Des MoinesScott Sanders, City of Des Moines

Tom Armstrong, City of GrimesBrian Laurenzo, City of J ohnstonPaula Dierenfeld, City of JohnstonMartha Miller, City of Pleasant HillGary Mahannah, City of Polk CityAngela Connolly, Polk County

Tom Hockensmith, Polk CountyCreighton Cox, City of UrbandaleMike Carver, City of UrbandaleDean Yordi, Warren County

Tim Moerman, City of Waukee

J ody Smith, City of West Des MoinesTed Ohmart, City of West Des MoinesDave J enison, City of Windsor Heights

Representatives Absent:

David Chelsvig, City of Cumming**Rick Clark, City of Des MoinesMatt Anderson, City of Des MoinesBrian Meyer, City of Des Moines

Eric Hanson, City of IndianolaDoyle Scott, Madison County**Deb Thomas, City of Mitchellville

J im Lane, City of NorwalkRobert Andeweg, City of UrbandaleBill Peard, City of WaukeeRuss Trimble, City of West Des Moines

Tracy Troutner, Federal HighwayAdministration*

J ulia Castillo, Heart of Iowa Regional TransitAgency**

Kevin Foley, Des Moines International Airport*Mark Bechtel, Federal Transit Administration*

* Advisory/Non-Voting Representatives** Associate/Non-Voting Representatives

Others Present:

Glenn Lylons, Transportation ManagementAssociation

Staff Present:

Chris Talcott, General CounselTodd Ashby, Executive DirectorStephanie Muller, Executive AdministratorDylan Mullenix, Principal Transportation Planner

J ennifer Ratcliff, Executive Assistant

Nathan Goldberg, Senior Transportation PlannerLuke Parris, Senior Transportation PlannerZach Young, Senior Transportation Planner

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1. Call to Order

MPO Chair Coleman recognized a quorum and called the April 18, 2013,

meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.

2. Approval of Agenda

MOTION: A motion was made and seconded to approve the Des Moines AreaMetropolitan Planning Organization April 18, 2013, meeting agenda.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Approval of the Meeting Minutes

MOTION: A motion was made and seconded to approve the Des Moines AreaMetropolitan Planning Organizations March 28, 2013, meeting

minutes with corrections.


4. March 2013 Financial Statement

MOTION

: A motion was made and seconded to approve the March 2013, FinancialStatement.


5. MPO Performance Measure Report

MOTION: A motion was made and seconded to approve the draftMPO PerformanceMeasure Reportdocument.


(Terry Vorbrich arrived at 4:06 pm.)

6. Passenger Transportation Plan Fiscal Year 2014 Update

MOTION: A motion was made and seconded to approve the 2014 update to thePassenger Transportation Plan, which identifies opportunities to improve

transportation for transportation-disadvantaged populations.


7. Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement ProgramAmendment Request

MOTION: A motion was made and seconded to approve the Iowa Department ofTransportation to amend a project in the Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016

Transportation Improvement Program


8. Iowa Department of Transpor tation Letter of Concurrence Request

MOTION: A motion was made and seconded to approve the Iowa Department ofTransportation for a letter of concurrence regarding the G14 and I-35

interchange project.


9. Fiscal Year 2012 Audit

MPO staff presented; discussion only on item 9.

(Scott Sanders arrived at 4:15 pm.)

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10. Federal Fiscal Year 2017 Transportation Alternatives Program ProjectScores

MPO staff presented; no discussion on item 10.

11. Federal Fiscal Years 2014-2017 Transpor tation Improvement ProgramDevelopmentSchedule


12. Polk County Conservation Board Request to Consolidate TransportationAl ternat iveProgram Funds


13. Quick Clearance Documentation Update


14. Central Iowa Trail Signage Grant Participation


15. The Tomorrow Plan Update


16. Priority Project Solici tation Process


17. Transportation Management Association Update

TMA staff presented; discussion only on item 17.

18. MPO Progress Report

19. Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Commit tee

20. Next Meeting Date

4:00 p.m., Thursday, May 23, 2013, Des Moines Area MPO.

21. Adjournment

Hearing no objection to the contrary, Chair Coleman adjourned the meeting at 4:41 p.m.

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May 2013Item No. 4

ISSUE: April 2013 Financial Statement

CONSENT and VOTE: Consider approval of the April 2013 Financial Statement.

BACKGROUND:

The April 2013 Financial Statement is enclosed on the following pages.

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve the April 2013 Financial Statement.

STAFF CONTACT:

Stephanie Muller, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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Interest Income

Interest Income - Checking (April 2013) 0.58Interest Income - IPAIT (April 2013) 3.24

Deposits127,778.66

127,782.48O AL INCOME/DEPOSI S - APRIL 2013 $127,782.48

ExpensesPer Vendor Payment Report for April 2013 116,806.65

116,806.65

TOTAL EXPENSES - APRIL 2013 $116,806.65

NET INCOME - APRIL 2013 $10,975.83

Quickbooks Reconciliation Summary for Month Ended April 2013

BEGINNING QUICKBOOKS CHECKING BALANCE (as of April 30, 2013) $83,053.19

Cleared Checks & Payments -117,941.72eare epos ts & re ts 7,77 .

Total Cleared Transactions 9,837.52

CLEARED QUICKBOOKS CHECKING BALANCE (as of April 30, 2013) $92,890.71

Uncleared Checks & Payments -354.05Uncleared Deposits & Credits 0.00

Total Uncleared Transactions -354.05

QUICKBOOKS CHECK REGISTER BALANCE (as of April 30, 2013) $92,536.66

Checking Account Balance (as of April 30, 2013) 92,890.71IPAI Account Balance (as of April 30, 2013) 277,967.42

Total Account Balance 370,858.13

TOTAL CASH BALANCE (as of April 30, 2013) $370,858.13

Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Transaction Summary for Month Ended April 2013

April 2013

G:\Shared\Agendas\Financial Statements\FY 13\Financial Statement - April 2013.xlsx

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Accrual Basis

Des Moines Area Metroplitan Planning Organization

Expenses by Vendor DetailApril 2013

Memo Amount

Access Technologies, Inc .

NetCare Service - April 2013 1,350.00

1,350.00

Adobe Store

Creative Cloud Monthly Membership Subscription 49.99

49.99

Al liance Technologies

Internet Service - March 2013 400.00

Local Telephone Service - March 2013 221.31

Long Distance Telephone Service - March 2013 8.68

629.99

Al ls tate - American Heirtage Life Ins.

Supplemental Insurance - May 2013 741.20

Supplemental Insurance - April 2013 741.20

1,482.40

Avesis

Vision Insurance - April 2013 150.26

Vision Insurance - May 2013 150.26

300.52

Bankers Leasing Company

Copier Lease - April 2013 1,626.82

Copier Usage - March 2013 17.52

1,644.34

Bethany Wilcoxon

Mileage - March 2013 46.33

Monthly Office Supplies Stipend - April 2013 25.00

71.33

Carlton Cards

Card for Administrative Professionals Day 5.60

5.60

Constant Contact

Monthly Subscription for Social Networking Software (To Be Reimbursed

By HUD Account) 30.00

30.00

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Accrual Basis



Memo Amount

Paychex, Inc.

Flex Plan Reimbursement 144.00





Flex Plan Administration Fee 76.25







1,971.24

Payless Office Prodcut s

Office Supplies - March 2013 245.31

Office Supplies - March 2013 182.17

427.48

Payroll

Payroll 4/05/13 - Processing Fee 134.91

Payroll 4/05/13 - Employee Wages 17,730.42Payroll 4/05/13 - Payroll Taxes 7,480.94

Payroll 4/14/2013 - Processing Fee 114.81

Payroll 4/14/2013 - Employee Wages 12,893.97

Payroll 4/14/2013 - Payroll Taxes 5,053.45

43,408.50

Principal Life Group

Life, AD&D, LTD & STD Insurance - April 2013 516.11

Life, AD&D, STD & LTD Insurance - May 2013 516.11

1,032.22

SHRM

Membership Dues - S. Muller 180.00

180.00

Stephanie Muller

Mileage - March 2013 31.64


81.64

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Accrual Basis



Memo Amount

The Fighting Burrito

Staff Lunch n' Learn Meeting 65.63

65.63

The Printing Station

Office Supplies - Business Cards (Z. Young) 53.11

53.11

Todd Ashby


Travel Reimbursement for Attendance at TRB Meeting, Washington,

D.C., J anuary 14-15, 2013 (T. Ashby) 162.00

262.00

Transportation Management Association

FY 2013 Q2 Reimbursement 22,040.00

22,040.00

United Way

United Way Contributions - PPE 3.17.13 27.00

United Way Contributions - PPE 3.31.13 27.00

United Way Contribution - PPE 4.14.13 27.00

81.00

Walmart

Beverages for In-House Meetings 30.95

30.95

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Io

Health Insurance - May 2013 7,926.59

7,926.59

Zach Young

Travel Advance - Congress for New Urbanism, May 28-J une 1, 2013 (Z.Young) 215.00


240.00

116,806.65

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May 2013Item No. 5

ISSUE: Fiscal Year 2012 Audi t Report

CONSENT and VOTE: Consider approval of the completedFiscal Year 2012 Audit report.

BACKGROUND:

On March 15, 2013, Shull & Company, P.C. completed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Audit of theMPOs Finances. The MPO Staff reviewed the report and found no instances of noncompliancewith federal requirements.

A copy of the full report was provided at the April 2013 meeting.

Following acceptance by the MPO, the MPO staff will submit the FY 2012 Audit Report to the IowaDepartment of Transportation.

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve the Fiscal Year 2012 Audit report.

STAFF CONTACTS:

Todd Ashby, [email protected]; and,Stephanie Muller, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 6

ISSUE: Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program and Budget

REPORT and VOTE: Consider approval of the final Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning WorkProgram and Budget.

BACKGROUND:

The MPO staff has developed the Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program (FY 2014UPWP) and Budget, which documents all transportation-planning activities the MPO, will performusing federal funds from J uly 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014. The Iowa Department of

Transportation (DOT) requires that the UPWP describe the MPOs proposed planning activities including task objectives, previous work, project descriptions, and work products as well as thebudget and funding sources to carry out the planning activities.

The MPO submitted the draft UPWP to the Iowa DOT, the Federal Highway Administration, and theFederal Transit Administration in March 2013, and has incorporated recommended changes. TheIowa DOT requires the MPO to submit the final UPWP by June 1, 2013.

The final FY 2014 UPWP and Budget is included as a supplemental item to this agenda packet.

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommend the MPO approve the final FY 2014 UPWP and Budget for submission to the IowaDOT.

STAFF CONTACTS:

Dylan Mullenix, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 7

ISSUE: Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment

REPORT and VOTE: Consider approval of a request from the City of Bondurant to amend a projectin the Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program.

BACKGROUND:

The City of Bondurant requested the following revision to the Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016Transportation Improvement Program (FFY 2013-2016 TIP):

Sponsor: City of Bondurant;Project: U.S. Highway 65 intersection with NE 64

th/SW 32nd St;STP Award Amount: $144,500 in FFY 2016;

Total Cost: $716,000;Change: Add project to FFY 2013; and,

Revision Type: Amendment.

The MPO staff notes the amendment is subject to MPO approval and a public comment period.The MPO staff held a public input meeting on May 1, 2013, and received no negative comments.

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommend the MPO approve the City of Bondurants TIP amendment request.

STAFF CONTACTS:

Zach Young, [email protected]; and,Luke Parris, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 8

ISSUE: Polk County Conservation Board Request to Consolidate Transportation AlternativeProgram Funds

REPORT and VOTE: Consider approval of a request from the Polk County Conservation Board to

consolidate Transportation Alternative Program funds awarded to Polk County and the City of DesMoines for the Easter Lake Trail.

BACKGROUND:

The Polk County Conservation Board is requesting that Transportation Alternative Program (TAP)funds awarded to the City of Des Moines for the Ewing Park/Easter Lake Trail be consolidated with

TAP funding awarded to Polk County for the Easter Lake Trail, in order to ensure efficientdevelopment of the trail project. A history of TAP awards is as follows:

SPONSOR LOCATION Year Award

DesMoines

Ewing Park: Easter Lake Park Trail connectionfollowing north side of Yeader Creek and splitting to

follow around Easter Lake

2015 $ 250,000

Polk CCB Easter Lake Trail: Sections A and F2015 &

2016$ 358,000

DesMoines

EASTER LAKE TRAIL SYSTEM-BACKBONE TRAIL:From Indianola Avenue and Highway 69 to SoutheastCorner of Easter Lake at Easter Lake Drive

2015 $ 100,000

DesMoines

Ewing Park Trail: Across western edge of EasterLake, including 3 bridges

2014 $ 190,000

Staff from the Polk County Conservation Board approached City of Des Moines staff with theconsolidation request in March 2013. The Polk County Conservation Board indicated they wouldbe responsible for development of the project and would cover the associated local match. City of

Des Moines staff was in favor of the consolidation. The following table shows how the funds wouldbe consolidated.

SPONSOR LOCATION Year Award

Polk CCB Easter Lake Trail Phase 2 2014 $ 560,000

Polk CCB Easter Lake Trail Phase 3 2016 $ 338,000

The MPO staff notes that the consolidation of funds also includes the movement of funds from FFY2015 into FFY 2014. MPO staff has reviewed the MPOs fiscal capacity in FFY 2014, and themovement of funds is fiscally possible. If the MPO approves the consolidation of funding, theprojects would be reprogrammed during the development of the Federal Fiscal Year 2014-2017

Transportation Improvement Program.

Included, immediately following, is the letter of request from the Polk County Conservation Board.

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommend the MPO approve the proposed funding consolidation request.

STAFF CONTACTS:

Luke Parris, [email protected]; and,Zach Young, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 9

ISSUE: Federal Fiscal Year 2017 Surface Transpor tation Program and Transportation Al ternativesProgram Funding Recommendation

REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Consider approval of the Surface Transportation ProgramFunding Subcommittees funding recommendation for Federal Fiscal Year 2017 SurfaceTransportation Program projects and Federal Fiscal Year 2017 Transportation AlternativesProgram projects.

BACKGROUND:

The MPO Surface Transportation Program (STP) Funding Subcommittee annually recommends afunding allocation for STP and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) project applicationsutilizing a previously recommended funding program option. The STP Funding Subcommitteeheard presentations from eligible STP and TAP project sponsors on April 11, 2013.

The MPO staff notes that the FFY 2017 STP funding target is $11,762,000, and the FFY 2017 TAPfunding target is $1,185,000.

Included, as a supplemental item, is the STP Funding Subcommittees funding allocationrecommendation.

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommend the MPO approve the STP Funding Subcommittees proposed funding allocationrecommendation.

STAFF CONTACT:

Zach Young, [email protected]; and,Luke Parris, [email protected];

(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 10

ISSUE: City of Clive Surface Transportation Program Funding Request

REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Consider approval of the City of Clives request to shift SurfaceTransportation Program funds between projects.

BACKGROUND:

In March 2013, the City of Clive requested the ability to shift funding from their Northwest 86th

Streetproject in Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2013 to their University Avenue project in FFY 2016. Therequest involves the following projects:

SPONSOR LOCATION TIP Year STP Funds

Clive86

thStreet Phase 3 Hickman Rd. to University Ave.

Pavement Rehabilitation2013 $ 288,000

CliveUniversity Ave. NW 86

thSt. to NW 114

thSt.


The City of Clive requests the $288,000 in STP funding for the 86th

Street project be added to thefederal funds for the University Avenue project. The resulting project and funding would be:

SPONSOR LOCATION TIP Year STP Funds

CliveUniversity Ave. NW 86

thSt. to NW 114

thSt.


MPO staff reviewed the request and notes that the transfer of funding could occur while maintainingfiscal constraint within the Transportation Improvement Program. Staff also notes that the additionof funds increases the federal share of the project from 22% to 35%.

The MPO STP Funding Subcommittee considered the request at their April 29, 2013, meeting, and

recommended that the MPO approve the request.

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommend the MPO approve the City of Clives request to shift STP funds between projects.

STAFF CONTACT:

Luke Parris, [email protected]; and,Zach Young, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 11

ISSUE: Federal Fiscal Years 2013 TIGER Discretionary Grant Program Letter of Support

REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Report on the Federal Fiscal Year 2013 TIGER DiscretionaryGrant Program application requirements and deadline and consider approving a letter of support

for the Kempton Bridge/NW 66th Avenue grant application.

BACKGROUND:

The Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2013 Appropriations Act has appropriated $473.8 million to award tonational infrastructure investments by the Department of Transportation (DOT) through the

Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. Projects applyingfor TIGER funds go through a competitive process, and awards are based on projects thatdemonstrate the ability to have a significant impact on the transportation system for a metropolitanregion.

The primary selection criteria include state of good repair, economic competitiveness, livability,safety, and project readiness. Secondary selection criteria include innovation and collaboration.

The application process opened on April 29, 2013. Applicants must register through the Grants.govwebsite. This process usually takes two to four weeks and full registration is required beforeapplicants can submit for TIGER funds. Additional instructions for filing an application are locatedon the TIGER website: www.dot.gov/TIGER.

Included, as a supplemental item, is a summary of the US DOT notice for the FFY 2013 TIGERDiscretionary Grant Program, which provides additional details on eligibility, selection process, andsubmittal requirements.

Appl ications for TIGER Discret ionary Grants are due to the US DOT by 5:00 p.m. on June 3,2013.

At its May 16, 2013, meeting, the MPO Executive Committee discussed the need for the MPO to

support only one project for the FFY 2013 TIGER program. Although no action was taken, theExecutive Committee did express its desire for the MPO to provide a letter of support for PolkCountys Kempton Bridge/NW 66

thAvenue reconstruction project that will apply to the TIGER

program. The Executive Committee asks that the MPO Policy Committee consider taking formalaction on this issue at its May 23, 2013, meeting.

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommend that the MPO issue a letter of support for Polk Countys Kempton Bridge/NW 66th

Avenue TIGER grant application.

STAFF CONTACTS:

Zach Young, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 12

ISSUE: MPO Certif icat ion Review

REPORT: Update on initial findings from the MPOs quadrennial certification review, which tookplace April 29 May 1, 2013.

BACKGROUND:

Metropolitan planning organizations are certified by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) every four years. The MPOs quadrennial review tookplace from April 29 through May 1, 2013, at the MPO office. The purpose of the review was tohighlight good planning practices and share information among the organizations, as well as toensure that the MPOs transportation planning process meets federal regulatory requirements.

The MPO staff will share initial feedback from the federal review team with the MPO at the May 23,2013, meeting.

RECOMMENDATION:

None. Report and discussion only.

STAFF CONTACTS:

Dylan Mullenix, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 13

ISSUE: MPO Role in Watershed Management

REPORT: Discussion regarding the MPOs role in facilitating regional watershed managementplanning.

BACKGROUND:

Both The Tomorrow Plan and Capital Crossroads have prioritized the need for a regional approachto watershed management. The Iowa Legislature also recently approved the formation ofWatershed Management Authorities that would allow two or more political subdivisions to assessflood risk and water quality, to monitor federal flood risk planning, to educate residents, and toallocate moneys available for water quality and flood mitigation. The MPO staff has been involvedwith discussions over the last several months with representatives from Polk County, CapitalCrossroads, Des Moines Water Works, and other watershed management stakeholders. Thesestakeholders feel the MPO may be best suited to facilitate regional watershed managementplanning due to its involvement with The Tomorrow Plan and its existing relationships with cities,counties, and other partners in the region.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACTS:

Dylan Mullenix, [email protected]; and,Bethany Wilcoxon, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 14

ISSUE: Railroad Revolv ing Loan and Grant Project Update

REPORT: Update on the status of the Rail Port Grant that the MPO received from the IowaDepartment of Transportation.

BACKGROUND:

In September 2012, the MPO was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Iowa Department ofTransportation (DOT) to conduct a rail study. The grant requires a $25,000 local match, which theGreater Des Moines Partnership has committed to providing, for a total of a $125,000 study.

MPO staff met with the Iowa DOT on April 24, 2013, to discuss the scope of the project. It wasdetermined that modifications to the submitted scope of work would be required to satisfy therequirements of the DOT. MPO staff submitted a revised scope of work to the DOT on May 3, 2013and is awaiting DOT approval. After approval is granted by the DOT the MPO will form a steeringcommittee and put out a formal RFP. Once underway, the study will have approximately an18-month timeline for completion.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACTS:

Nathan Goldberg, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 15

ISSUE: Federal Fiscal Years 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program DevelopmentSchedule

REPORT: Report on the process to develop the Federal Fiscal Years 2014-2017 Transportation

Improvement Program.

BACKGROUND:

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires the MPO to annually develop a four-yearTransportation Improvement Program (TIP) that details the use of federal funds for transportationprojects in the Metropolitan Planning Area. The MPO staff begins work on theFederal Fiscal Years2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program (FFY 2014-2017 TIP) by providing each MPOmember government and participating agency a listing of their current TIP projects and associatedinformation from the Iowa Department of Transportations Transportation Program ManagementSystem for review and update.

The MPO staff requested that member governments and agencies determine if projects currently

programmed for FFY 2013 will receive FHWA authorization to proceed with development beforeSeptember 30, 2013. If a project does not receive FHWA authorization before September 30,2013, then the project will need to roll-over to a future year in the TIP.

The MPO staff is currently reviewing the submitted status reports and updating the FFY 2014-2017TIP to reflect changes to member government projects. Staff will present a draft of the FFY2014-2017 TIP at the J une MPO meeting.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACTS:

Zach Young, [email protected]; and,Luke Parris, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 16

ISSUE: Iowa Department of Transportations Special Traffic Count Study

REPORT: Report on the Iowa Department of Transportations special traffic count study toenhance local trip generation data.

BACKGROUND:

At the March meeting of the Midwest Travel Model User Group, the Iowa Department ofTransportation (DOT) staff presented on a special traffic count study to validate and potentiallycorrect data included in the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual.

The ITE Trip Generation Manual includes data on trip generation for specific land use types. TheIowa DOT staff indicated that the data in the ITE Trip Generation Manual was outdated and notrepresentative of the Midwest. In order to correct or validate date in the ITE Trip GenerationManual, the Iowa DOT is requesting the assistance of the MPO in conducting special traffic countsat specific land use types within the region. This data would be compiled with counts from otherMPOs in Iowa for use in validating the ITE Trip Generation Manual.

Included, as a supplemental item, is a copy of the locations identified within the metropolitan areafor special traffic counts.

The Iowa DOT staff indicated that they would provide traffic counting equipment, if needed, toconduct the counts.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACTS:

Luke Parris, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 17

ISSUE: The Tomorrow Plan Update

REPORT: Update on activities related to The Tomorrow Plan.

BACKGROUND:

MPO staff distributed the second draft of The Tomorrow Plan to the technical committee on April10, 2013. Staff is working to incorporate comments received on this draft from the technicalcommittee into the report. More information will be provided at the May 23, 2013, meeting.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACT:

Bethany Wilcoxon, [email protected];

(515) 334-0075.

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May 2013Item No. 18

ISSUE: Transportation Management Association Update

INFORMATION: Report of the Transportation Management Associations (TMA) program for April2013.

BACKGROUND:

The TMA staff notes the following activities for April 2013:

4/1 Public information table at Pioneer in Johnston with DART and Des Moines BicycleCollective/B-Cycle;

4/1 Mobility Matters 5 Conference planning meeting;

4/2 DART Commission meeting;

4/3 Public information table at ING with DART and Des Moines BicycleCollective/B-Cycle;

4/4 Attended American Institute of Architects/American Planning Association IowaSpring Conference in Ames;

4/8 Public information table at EMC with DART and Des Moines BicycleCollective/B-Cycle;

4/11 Public information table at Nationwide with DART and Des Moines BicycleCollective/B-Cycle;

4/11 Attended Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) meeting and Quad A subcommitteemeeting (working on TAGs grant application);

4/12 Spoke at Nebraska American Society of Civil Engineers/Lincoln-Omaha-CouncilBluffs Association of Transportation Engineers 9

thAnnual Transportation Conference in

Omaha;

4/13-17 Attended American Planning Associations National Conference in Chicago;

4/18 Attended MPO Policy meeting; and,

4/29 Attended Walnut Street final public meeting presentation at Des Moines Central

Library.

Ongoing activities:

Posted articles and links on high speed passenger rail Iowa and Midwest events and newstabs on All Aboard for Iowa website;

Made arrangements for a booth at the Downtown Farmers Market for National Train Dayon Saturday, May 11, 2013, including lining up volunteers and contacting Mayor Cowniesoffice for him to sign the Proclamation declaring it Train Day in Des Moines;

Continued coordination with advertising agency on new advertising campaign. Theschedule for release is being revised due to the agency being backed up;

Posted Construction Alerts on Downtown Community Alliance (DCA) website;

DCA transportation pages - continued to post articles on alternative transportation;

Maintained Commuter Club customer service by answering member questions (emails andphone calls), answering Preferred Parking requests, and other administrative duties; and,

Planned May public information tables with DART and Des Moines BicycleCollective/B-Cycle.

RECOMMENDATION:

None. Information only.

STAFF CONTACT:

Documents

Des Moines Area MPO Policy Agenda | May 2013