Below are the minutes for the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee meeting, held on Friday, December 17, 2004, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Conference Room East (6A), at the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street, 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, December 17, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room (6th Floor) at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street Vancouver, Washington. Lynda David, Senior Transportation Planner, served as Chair for the meeting. Those in attendance follow:
Jim Carothers City of Camas Justin Clary City of Ridgefield John Cullerton Metro Lynda David RTC Evan Dust Clark County Rebecca Eisminger Port of Vancouver Richard Gamble Clark County Mark Garrity WSDOT Mark Harrington RTC Bob Hart RTC Katherine Klockenteger WSDOT Dean Lookingbill RTC Thomas Picco ODOT Ed Pickering C-TRAN Matt Ransom City of Vancouver Sandi Roberts RTC Dale Robins RTC Bryan Snodgrass City of Vancouver Wade Strange SW Clean Air Agency Bill Wright Clark County Lynda David, RTC, asked for any changes or corrections to the November 19, 2004, meeting minutes.
EVAN DUST, CLARK COUNTY, MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 19, 2004 MINUTES AND JOHN CULLERTON, METRO, SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
II. C-TRAN Service – Update, Discussion
Ed Pickering, C-TRAN, distributed copies of a paper titled “C-TRAN Board Actions 12/14/2004” that outlined the decisions made by the C-TRAN Board at the Board meeting held on December 14, 2004 regarding C-TRAN service reductions, service changes and proposed fare increases. Ed reported that the significant decision was to adjust the anticipated phased service reductions planned for January, May and September of 2005 to a one date implementation for service reductions on September 25, 2005. Until September 25, the reserve fund subsidy will continue to help pay for continuation of single seat commuter service to downtown Portland, local service seven days/week in areas currently served by C-TRAN, Connector service in Camas, and paratransit service as currently provided. The goal is to achieve a balanced budget by January 1, 2006. There will be changes in the organizational structure of C-TRAN, proposed increases in fares and changes in fare structures, including elimination of transfers, no special events transportation unless costs can be covered, possible change in the PTBA district boundaries and, if changed, development of a service plan to incorporate the highest priorities. The public will be provided with information on the proposed service and fare changes and there will be opportunities for comment. Development of the capital projects approved by the Board in March 2004 will proceed.
Ed went on to talk about the current status of some of its transit centers and park and rides. Ed explained that C-TRAN needs to negotiate with Westfield Shopping Town Vancouver because C-TRAN does not have a current lease with the Mall owners and could therefore be evicted in 90 days. Ed said that the Mall is a significant destination. If necessary, there could be condemnation action. C-TRAN currently has a street use permit from the City of Vancouver for the Seventh Street Transit Center. However, the permit will be revoked at the end of the permit period. This creates a problem for C-TRAN in that any facility re-location will cost money and service redesign would need to be budgeted. The 99th Street Park and Ride is in its design stage. The County has put a condition on the permit which prohibits left turn movements to and from existing retail businesses so the retail businesses are challenging the permit condition. A hearing is scheduled for January 2005. Litigation may result in the 99th Street Transit Center being delayed for two years. There was discussion regarding fare reciprocity with TriMet and on the media coverage and advertising prior to the public vote.
III. Congestion Relief Study - Update, Discussion
Bob Hart, RTC, distributed draft copies of Chapter 3 of the Urban Areas Congestion Relief Analysis, Executive Summary, Vancouver Region. Bob said that WSDOT was directed by the 2003 Washington State Legislature to conduct a congestion relief analysis for Puget Sound, Spokane, and Vancouver metropolitan areas to answer the question, “What would it take to eliminate traffic congestion on the State Highway System?” Bob asked that RTAC recall March 2004 when an overview of the Congestion Relief Study, including information on the Study scope and approach, was provided. Bob said that an update of the Study was presented in July 2004 which included a description of the alternatives being analyzed, a review of the preliminary transportation analysis results, and environmental assessment of the key highway and transit options, a discussion of potential land use impacts and initial findings. The technical work and analysis for the Study is complete, and the report is being finalized. Bob reported that within the Vancouver region, the Study process included a technical team of bi-state agencies, including RTC, C-TRAN, Metro, TriMet, and ODOT to assist WSDOT and the consultant team in providing overall technical review for the study.
The transportation alternatives developed for the analysis encompass a wide range of highway and transit investment options intended to address congestion relief. A “No Action” alternative served as the comparison point for analysis of other alternatives and consisted of funded projects, including the I-5 widening to Salmon Creek, the I-205/Mill Plain off-ramp, and the Delta Park project. The transit element of the baseline assumes the opening of the 99th Street Park and Ride facility and associated transit service.
Bob Hart, RTC, distributed copies of the Power Point presentation, “Urban Area Congestion Relief Assessment”. Bob provided RTAC with an overview of the Study, reviewed slides showing the Highway Network – “Highway Focus”, the Transit Network – “Transit Focus”, Mixed Mode Networks, Capital Cost, and slides showing Vancouver Urban Area V/C Ratio system performance for No Action, Highway Focus and Transit Focus, Transit Mode Share for Clark County to Oregon Trips, Potential Impacts (Systemwide), and Study Findings. Bob noted that the next steps would be revisions to the draft final report, presentation of analysis and findings to the Washington Transportation Commission in January and to the Legislative Transportation Committee. Bob will be meeting with WSDOT staff to discuss what happens next.
IV. Federal Transportation Appropriation and Reauthorization Request, Discussion
Dean Lookingbill, RTC, said that the purpose of the agenda item is to take stock of where the region stands regarding federal appropriations and federal reauthorization. Dean said the Memo provides a review of what was selected for funding in the federal 2005 Appropriations Bill, an overview of RTC’s 2004 federal transportation reauthorization request, and the agenda item will serve to initiate the process to decide on projects for the federal 2006 appropriations request. Dean reported that in December 2004, the FY 2005 Appropriations Bill was passed. Requests for funding in the 2005 Bill had been submitted by RTC on behalf of the region in February 2004.
The table on page 1 of the RTAC Memo provides a list of all the projects submitted from the Clark County region for 2005 Appropriations funding consideration. Funding provided in the federal 2005 Appropriations Bill included money for the following projects in our region: 1) Vancouver SR-14 Pedestrian Bridge - $1.5 million, 2) Clark County ITS (C-TRAN) - $2.0 million, 3) I-5 Columbia River Crossing - $2.0 million, 4) I-5/I-205/SR-500 Transit Loop Alternatives Analysis - $1.5 million, 5) Port of Ridgefield Grade Crossing Project - $1.0 million, 6) Port of Vancouver, Fruit Valley Bypass/26th Ave. Extension - $1.0, and 7) Columbia River Channel Deepening - $9.0 million (non-transportation source).
Dean said in spring 2004, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed six-year reauthorization bills but have been unable to reconcile the two bills to send a final version to the President for his consideration. However, Congress has taken a series of actions to extend the federal transportation programs authorized in TEA-21. The most recent extension continues TEA-21 through March 2005.
The table on page 2 of the Memo includes all projects from this region submitted for funding consideration in the Federal Transportation Act Reauthorization. In April 2004, the U.S. House of Representatives released a list of specific earmark projects and funding amounts that were included as part of the House version of the reauthorization bill (TEA-LU). The list includes the following projects from our region: 1) I-5 Columbia River Crossing - $16 million ($10 million WA/$6 million OR), 2) I-5 Delta to Lombard - $15 million ($5 million WA/$10 million OR), 3) I-5 Salmon Creek Area Improvement Project - $12.354 million, 4) SR-501 Ridgefield Overpass/Rail Improvement - $1 million, 5) I-5/SR-503 Access Study and Development Plan (Woodland) - $300,000, and 6) SR-35 Columbia River Crossing FEIS (Klickitat Co.) - $800,000.
Dean said he wanted to begin the discussion to identity the regional list of FY 2006 Appropriations projects to be submitted in February 2005. To begin, Dean suggested reviewing the projects that did not receive funding in the FY 2005 Appropriations or Reauthorization requests. The list includes: 1) East Mill Plain Blvd., 172nd to 192nd Avenue, 2) NE 72nd Avenue Improvements, 3) I-205 EIS, 4) SR-14 Corridor Camas/Washougal, 5) Vancouver Area Smart Trek Program, and 6) SR-35 FEIS. Dean said the RTC Board discussed their support for the SR-14 Corridor Camas/Washougal analysis. Dean said the projects identified for the Appropriations request should be regionally significant, can be accomplished in FY 2006, and the lead agency must have the financial resources to complete the project.
Mark Garrity, WSDOT, suggested that the Appropriations list should include not only those projects that are not funded but should also include those projects that are under-funded. Dale Robins, RTC, said the Senate and legislators want to see projects carried forward if they were not fully funded in the TEA-LU list. Bill Wright, Clark County, reported that 72nd Avenue improvements had recently been selected by TIB to receive $2 million in state funds from TIB’s TPP program. However, if the project was to win additional federal funds then the amount of local funds needed to complete the project could be reduced.
Dean asked Justin Clary, City of Ridgefield, to check whether Ridgefield should submit a request for funding for the I-5/SR-501 interchange area. Justin reported that Ridgefield and partners have been working aggressively to identify needed improvements in the I-5/SR-501 interchange area to support future economic development. These are improvements beyond what is currently listed in WSDOT and MTP plans. Justin said that in the last Comprehensive Plan update Ridgefield was identified as a significant economic growth location. There has been a lot of interest from developers with opportunities for significant private party participation in funding of transportation improvements.
Scott Sawyer, City of Washougal, said $3 million was requested for the SR-14 Corridor in Camas/Washougal by the Port of Camas/Washougal but did not receive funding so should be included in the FY 2006 Appropriations request. Matt Ransom, City of Vancouver, questioned why no I-205 project is listed. Dale suggested that design could be added to the Environmental Assessment (EA). Matt commented that the SR-500/St. John’s project is one the most important to the region and the 138th Avenue project is of regional importance. Matt reported that 28th Street and Fourth Plain projects are close to being completed.
Becky Eisiminger, Port of Vancouver, said Port staff would need to meet to talk about future projects. Dean said the Fruit Valley Bypass/26th Avenue Extension received 2005 Appropriations funding and STP-TMA formula funds. Dean said this would be a road and rail project that ties into the Port’s Gateway Plan. Matt Ransom, City of Vancouver, said he has been working with Columbia River area neighborhoods alongside the railroad tracks regarding train noise. Wherever there is an at-grade rail crossing trains are obligated to sound their horns. However, Matt said that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has provisions for a quiet-zone in urban areas if crossings are gated and there is no way you can drive across the tracks when gates are closed. Gate improvements at five of these crossings would enable a quiet zone and reduce the noise from train horns. Matt said the project cost estimate is about $800,000. Dean asked Jim Carothers, City of Camas, to check whether any projects need to be added for the City of Camas.
Dale Robins reminded RTAC members that the federal funds must have 20% match. Dean said he hoped to have the draft list of the projects prepared for the January 2005 RTC Board packets and then bring it back to RTAC for approval and recommendation in February 2005.
V. Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update, Discussion
Lynda David, RTC, reminded RTAC members that elements of the MTP for update in 2005 had been reviewed at the August 2004 meeting. Lynda said that since the August meeting the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan for Clark County update was adopted in September 2004. Challenges to the Comprehensive Plan are now being processed through the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board. Lynda reported that over the last few months, RTAC has heard presentations from local jurisdictions on their updated plans including transportation capital facilities. These presentations have helped RTAC members to understand the local plan elements that will need to be incorporated into the MTP update.
Lynda provided a summary of the key elements that will need to be updated in the course of the next few months as we work toward MTP update adoption. Lynda said RTAC’s input on MTP elements and timeline will be reflected in an MTP update agenda item proposed for the January 2005 meeting of the RTC Board of Directors. Lynda reviewed the table contained in the RTAC memo outlining key tasks and target dates for MTP update. One of the key initial tasks is to complete the allocation of demographic data to Transportation Analysis Zones (TAZ’s). Then, development of the regional travel forecast model can follow.
There was some discussion on the horizon year for the Plan. Lynda said the base year will be updated to 2003 primarily to use in comparisons with future transportation performance measures. Lynda said the horizon year needs to be at least 2025 to meet federal requirements. However, because of major planning studies underway, including the I-5 Columbia River Crossing, I-205 Environmental Assessment (EA) and SR-14 study through Camas-Washougal, it may be wise to extend the horizon year even further to 2030. The Clark County region will need to work with Metro on this as well as be mindful that the land use plans have a 2023 horizon.
Dean spoke of the three key areas for the MTP update: 1) the vision/goals, 2) forecast year, particularly as it relates to employment and economic development, and, 3) update to the transportation project priority list. Lynda said the certification of local transportation elements needs to be completed to ensure consistency between plans and the MTP and to satisfy the requirements of the GMA. Ideally, much of the update should be complete by June and then take the summer to reach out to the public and complete the environmental review process with adoption of the Plan update by December 2005. Lynda reminded all jurisdictions that projects must be identified in the MTP before they can be programmed for federal funding in the TIP.
VI. FY 2006 Unified Planning Work Program, Discussion
Lynda David, RTC, said that she is in the process of drafting the FY 2006 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). The FY 2006 UPWP begins on July 1, 2005 and runs through June 30, 2006. The format of the FY 2006 UPWP will be the same as in previous years and will include a section on Transportation Planning Activities of State and Local Agencies. Lynda asked for input from agencies and jurisdictions for this section. Lynda said that a draft should be completed by the January 21, 2005 RTAC meeting in preparation for RTC’s federal and state review. RTC’s review meeting is scheduled, at the PSC, from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, February 14, 2005. Metro’s review will be held at Metro from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.. It is anticipated that the FY 2006 UPWP will be forwarded to the RTC Board for adoption in either April or May 2005.
Lynda explained that the UPWP should reflect federal and state planning emphasis areas. The federal emphasis areas are: 1) Consideration of Safety and Security in the Transportation Planning Process, 2) Linkage of the Planning and NEPA Processes, 3) Consideration of Management and Operations within Planning Processes, 4) State DOT Consultation with Non-Metropolitan Local Officials, 5) Enhancement of the Technical Capacity of Planning Processes, and 6) Coordination of Human Service Transportation. These are basically the same as last year with the addition of coordination of human service transportation.
VI. Other Business
A. RTAC Members
Matt Ransom, City of Vancouver, distributed copies of the “City of Vancouver Transportation Plan”.
B. RTC Staff
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m. The next meeting will be Friday, January 21, 2005.
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.
       
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