Below are the minutes for the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee meeting, held on Friday, January 17, 2003, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in RTC's conference room, 1351 Officers Row, Vancouver, Washington. The agenda for this meeting is also available.
I. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes
The meeting of the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order on Friday, January 17, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room at RTC, 1351 Officers’ Row, Vancouver, Washington. Lynda David, RTC Senior Planner, served as Chair for the meeting. Those in attendance follow:
Jim Carothers City of Camas John Cullerton Metro Mike Clark WSDOT Lynda David RTC Michael Haggerty C-TRAN Mark Harrington RTC Bob Hart RTC Shinwon Kim RTC Eric Levison City of Camas Mike Mabrey Clark County Matt Ransom City of Vancouver Sandi Roberts RTC Wade Strange SW Clean Air Agency Bill Wright Clark County Phil Wuest City of Vancouver Lynda David asked for any changes or corrections to the December 20th, 2002, Meeting Minutes.
MIKE CLARK, WSDOT MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 20, 2002 MINUTES AND ERIC LEVISON, CITY OF CAMAS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
II. Proposed MTP Amendment – SR-14 Pedestrian Crossing, Vancouver, Action
Lynda David presented the MTP Amendment – SR-14 Pedestrian Crossing, Vancouver. Lynda said City of Vancouver has requested to amend the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for Clark County to include a pedestrian crossing over Highway 14. The crossing would link the Fort Vancouver vicinity with the waterfront and would include interpretive components commemorating the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial. Lynda noted that the attached letter from Vancouver’s Mayor Royce Pollard states that the crossing is much-needed link in Vancouver’s Discovery Trail. RTAC and RTC Board action is necessary to amend the MTP.
Lynda pointed out in 1994, WSDOT prepared a preliminary plan for the crossing and it is included in the City of Vancouver’s transportation project list. The adopted MTP already identifies the need to complete the Discovery Trail in both MTP Chapter 5 section on “Non-Motorized Modes’ and in the MTP Appendix that identifies transportation projects. The requested MTP amendment would provide more detail on the SR-14 crossing component of the Discovery Trail. The requested MTP amendment is consistent with all state and federal requirements.
Lynda said transportation projects must be identified in the MTP before they can be programmed for federal funding. WSDOT has estimated the cost of the crossing to be $2.5 million plus $300,000 for design. There will also be an interpretive feature on this bridge.
Lynda said this would be a fairly simple amendment to the MTP. The amendment is consistent with RTC policy to develop a balanced transportation system that encourages use of alternative modes by providing connecting pedestrian facilities. The project is exempt from air quality conformity analysis requirements.
Mike Clark, WSDOT noted we have done an estimate to widen the structure and have not updated the plans. Matt Ransom, City of Vancouver, said the Bicentennial project is trying to tap any resources available.
MATT RANSOM, CITY OF VANCOUVER MADE THE MOTION TO AMEND THE MTP TO INCLUDE SR-14 PEDESTRIAN CROSSING BY ASKING THE RTC BOARD’S APPROVAL. MIKE CLARK, WSDOT, SECONDED THE MOTION AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APRROVE.
III. RTC’s 2004 Unified Planning Work Program, Discussion
Lynda recapped for the RTAC Members the RTC’s 2004 Unified Planning Work Program. The UPWP is prepared annually by RTC and describes the transportation planning activities to be completed as part of maintaining and coordinating the regional transportation planning process. The UPWP also details the funding sources required to carry out the program and address the major transportation policy issues of the upcoming year.
UPWP 2004 begins July 1, 2003 and runs to June 30, 2004. It is a federal requirement that MPO Metropolitan Planning Organization develop a UPWP. In Transportation Management Areas (TMAs), such as Clark County, the UPWP must include a discussion of the planning priorities facing the metropolitan planning area and describe all metropolitan transportation and transportation-related air quality planning activities (including corridor and sub-area studies anticipated within the area during the next one or two year period, regardless of funding sources or agencies conducting the activities. Development of the UPWP must also be coordinated with WSDOT and the UPWP must include WSDOT’s Regional UPWP. Lynda reviewed the schedule and outline for development of the FY 2004 program and to reiterate the request for RTAC’s assistant in identifying planning priorities and studies. Lynda noted Monday, February 10th, will be Metro’s state and federal review of the UPWP FY 2004 draft and RTC’s review will be March 31, 2003. C-TRAN and WSDOT are encouraged to attend the March 31st meeting.
Lynda would like to have the UPWP draft ready by February 10th, please send her comments before hand. Lynda noted that Metro and RTC had a memorandum of understanding, which is a federal requirement, which outlines what Metro and RTC are expected to do and how we coordinate. Lynda reported it was pointed out at the last UPWP Review some sections were not updated in regard to the Bi-State Committee. Metro will take the lead in updating the memorandum of understanding to reflect the formation of the Bi-State Committee.
Lynda pointed out that each year FHWA, FTA and WSDOT identify transportation planning emphasis areas (PEAs) to promote priority themes for consideration, as appropriate, in metropolitan and statewide transportation planning processes. The emphasis areas are intended to provide federal/state guidance for the development of local work programs to ensure the highest quality surface transportation that promotes economic and community vitality and environmental quality.
FTA and FHWA are continuing with the five key planning themes originally identified for FY 2002. Lynda reviewed the Federal Emphasis Areas:
- Safety and Security in the Transportation Planning Process
- Integrated Planning and Environmental Processes
- Consideration of Management and Operations within Planning Processes
- Consultation with Local Officials
- Enhancing the Technical Capacity of Planning Processes
Lynda noted the federal emphasis areas noted above, WSDOT also issues PEAs.
State Emphasis Areas:
- Continue Implementation of Transportation and Growth Management Planning Commonly Known As The ‘Level of Service Bill’
- RTPO Program Effectiveness Recommendations
- MPO Travel Demand Forecasting
- Early Environmental Decisions In the Transportation Planning Process
- Intelligent Transportation System Architecture
Local Emphasis Areas:
Lynda pointed out that Dean Lookingbill in December 2002 had presented to the RTC Board of Directors the budget and work program for calendar year 2003. Lynda said the emphasis areas are I-5 Transportation and Trade Partnership, continuation of the SR-35 Columbia River Bridge Feasibility Study, MTP and GMA Coordination, Transportation Improvement Program development and Prioritization of Projects for Federal and Statewide Competitive Selection, Congestion Monitoring and Data Collection, Bi-State Committee, Regional Transportation Demand Management Strategy, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Deployment, Skamania and Klickitat Counties Regional Transportation Programs and continuing RTC program activities including Transportation Technical Services, Regional Travel Forecasting Model, Data Mapping and GIS.
Lynda will e-mail out to the RTAC members the 2003 UPWP for the local and regional jurisdiction to review and update for the 2004 UPWP.
IV. Federal Urban Area Boundary Update, Discussion
Lynda David, RTC presented the Federal Urban Area Boundary Update. She said each decade new census data changes the census-defined urbanized area and necessitates an update to the federal Urban Area Boundary (UAB). After the updated UAB is established the federal functional classification system must also be updated. Lynda provided a map for RTAC members to review showing the new census-defined urbanized area, city limits and GMA urban growth boundary each of which is significant in establishing the new federal Urban Area Boundary.
Lynda pointed out the Urban Area Boundaries are established or revised by WSDOT in cooperation with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in urbanized areas. A meeting to provide background
Information on UAB and functional classification update was coordinated by WSDOT (Olympia) staff and was held in Vancouver on November 18th, 2002.
Lynda said we are trying to reflect what is urban in the county for the next 20 years, what is going to be rural, and what makes the most sense for the functional classification system. The first step is we need to establish the urban area boundaries and the next step will be functional classification.
The UAB and MPO boundaries are also distinct from each other and are required under separate federal regulations for separate reasons. MPO boundaries are required under 23 CFR 450. Lynda said by March 1, 2004 the updated draft UAB maps are to be submitted by MPOs to WSDOT Regional Highway and Local Programs Engineer.
Lynda pointed out that the jurisdictions that are most affected are Clark County, Battle Ground and Camas. Lynda pointed out on a map the areas of the changes. Michael Haggerty, C-TRAN confirmed the reason that Battle Ground has been included is because it has reached the population threshold. Lynda said the main implication is that anything outside of the urban areas can be eligible for (CRAB) Count Road Arterial Boundary funds. RTAC suggested putting together a meeting to discuss destination, boundaries and arterials. Lynda said she would put together a group that would meet in two weeks to discuss these issues. Lynda said we need to go away from this meeting thinking about what areas we want to include and what might be the impacts of your jurisdiction including or excluding them. Lynda suggested that affected jurisdictions talk with their Land Use Planners and the Comp Plan staff to find out what makes most sense and what is going to be urbanized in the next 10 years. We need an accurate count of total mileage of the road system in this area.
Lynda reported WSDOT put together guidelines for urban areas and functional class, 5%-10% for principle arterials, 10%-15% to minor arterials, 5%-10% collectors for the remainder of the local system.
V. 18th Street Corridor Study Update, Discussion
Matt Ransom, City of Vancouver presented the 18th Street Corridor Study Update. Matt distributed the following:
- NE 18th Street Newsletter
- Driveway Count Along 18th Street
- 18th Street EA Year 2000 Peak Level-of-Service
- 18th Street EA 2023 No-Build Level-of-Service
- Vehicle Collisions with Bicyclist/Pedestrian Along 18th Street
- Collisions along 18th Street
- 5-Lane Concept Driveways Entering 18th Street
- Frontage Street
- Couplet Concept
- The Partnering Charter
Matt highlighted the handouts.
The NE 18th Street project involves the extension and improvement of the NE 18th Street between NE 87th Avenue and NE 192nd Avenue and has been approved by the RTC Board of Directors. The project consists of providing preliminary design, environmental assessment, and public and agency involvement/outreach. No funding is available at this time for final design or construction. Proposed design features include:
- Construction of a new roadway
- Upgrades to the existing roadway
- Bicycle lanes
- Sidewalks and pedestrian pathways
- Street lights and traffic signals
- Drainage facilities
- Recreational trails linking with the Discovery Trail system
Matt reviewed the need for this project. Matt said among the challenges facing the City of Vancouver is providing transportation infrastructure to accommodate the region’s growth. The NE 18th Street project is necessary to:
- Maintain community livability and connectivity
- Provide ready access to emergency facilities
- Provide multi-modal transportation alternatives, including bike lanes and pedestrian pathways
- Provide an efficient and safe east/west connection
- Alleviate congestion on Burton Road, Mill Plain Boulevard (in the vicinity of the Southwest Washing Medical Center) and NE 112th Avenue
- Enhance citywide trails linking to the Discovery Historic Trail System
He said the project would most likely be constructed in segments. Logical segments include: 86th to 112th, 112th to 138th, 138th to 162nd, and 162nd to 192nd. Segment prioritization will depend on cost issues and construction staging.
The environmental work began in October 2002 and more environmental work will be conducted in the spring. The environmental assessment will be finished late summer and then go out for comment.
Matt shared a newsletter that has gone out to several neighborhoods to keep them informed of the progress of this project. Matt pointed out that information about the project can also be found on City of Vancouver website (www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/transportation).
Matt also noted that the 18th St. Corridor is a key component of the Vancouver Lake to Lacamas Lake trail project that is in the City’s master plan. Segments of the trail exist at this time and the city intends to preserve the corridor in a manner so that the trail can be finished. Along with the trail considerations, the BPA holds significant amounts of right-of-way that parallels the corridor and contributes to the challenges in the corridor. Typically the BPA does not sell its right-of-way.
Matt said the project team is also looking at what at the intersection of 18th St. and 86th Ave. There is a contingent out there that doesn’t think 18th shouldn’t stop at 86th. The question is should 18th St. extend west of 86th Ave. to Andresen.
VI. Other Business
A. RTAC Members
B. RTC Staff
Growth Management Plan Update: Transportation Issues
Lynda reminded everyone that RTC is required to certify the transportation elements of each comprehensive plan meet the requirements of the Growth Management Act, are consistent with the MTP and address the impacts of development on the level-of-service on state facilities.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m. The next meeting will be Friday, February 21, 2003.
For More Information Contact:
Regional Transportation Council
1300 Franklin Street, Floor 4
Vancouver, Washington 98660Tel: 360-397-6067
Fax: 360-397-6132
E-mail: info@rtc.wa.govServed by C-TRAN Route 3.
If you have special needs, please contact RTC.
       
|