Below are the minutes for the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee meeting, held on Friday, January 20, 2006, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Training Room 679 (6th Floor), 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 16, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room (6th Floor) at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street Vancouver, Washington. Dean Lookingbill, Transportation Director, served as Chair for the meeting. Those in attendance follow:
Gail Bauhs Human Services Council - Transportation Jim Carothers City of Camas Justin Clary City of Ridgefield Lynda David RTC Rebecca Eisiminger Port of Vancouver Susan Fell WSDOT, Columbia River Gorge Office Brent Grening Port of Ridgefield Mark Harrington RTC Bob Hart RTC Shinwon Kim RTC Katherine Klockenteger WSDOT Dean Lookingbill RTC Joanna Lowrey WSDOT, Columbia River Gorge Office Mike Mabrey Clark County Brian McMullen WSDOT Thomas Picco ODOT Ed Pickering C-TRAN Matt Ransom City of Vancouver Sandi Roberts RTC Dale Robins RTC Scott Sawyer City of Washougal Marty Snell Clark County Bill Wright Clark County Phil Wuest City of Vancouver A revised agenda for the January 20, 2006, meeting was distributed.
Dale Robins, RTC, asked for any changes or corrections to the December 16, 2005, meeting minutes.
SCOTT SAWYER, CITY OF WASHOUGAL, MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 16 2005, MINUTES AND BECKY EISIMINGER, PORT OF VANCOUVER, SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
II. I-5/219th St. Interchange – Update, Discussion
Joanna Lowrey, WSDOT Columbia River Gorge Office, presented an update on the I-5/219th Street Interchange. Joanna reported that Washington State Department of Transportation has an alternative selected that goes through the community of Duluth. The Access Hearing was held in summer 2005, the Environmental Assessment is complete, and a FONSI was received in fall 2005. Washington State Department of Transportation is on schedule to advertise for bids in winter 2006 and begin construction early 2007. Joanna pointed out the adjacent SR 502 corridor widening project that will widen the highway from Duluth to Battle Ground.
Joanna asked for questions or comments. She said that a Park and Ride is not part of the I-5-SR-502 interchange design but would be included in discussions for the SR-502 corridor widening project. Justin Clary, City of Ridgefield, stated that the City and Port of Ridgefield are pro-actively pursuing a connection to the interchange from the west side. Joanna said they have known about the possibility since the beginning of the project and have been sure not to preclude the west connection.
III. 2006 – 2008 MTIP Amendment #2: C-TRAN JARC Grant, Action
Dale Robins presented the 2006-2008 MTIP Amendment #2 C-TRAN JARC Grant. Dale said all regionally significant projects must be listed in the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program, (MTIP) which in turn becomes a part of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Dale noted that C-TRAN is requesting an MTIP amendment to add North Clark County Innovative Service. This improvement would provide deviated fixed route service in the cities of Battle Ground, La Center, Ridgefield, and the town of Yacolt with connecting service to Vancouver. The C-TRAN letter of request for the MTIP amendment and the amended STIP page were attached to the memorandum. Dale explained that the project is exempt from the regional air quality conformity analysis and is found to be consistent with all other state and federal requirements.
PHIL WUEST, CITY OF VANCOUVER, MADE THE MOTION TO FORWARD THE PROPOSAL TO THE RTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR APPROVAL OF THIS C-TRAN MTIP AMENDMENT TO OBLIGATE FEDERAL FUNDS OF $362,500 IN FEDERAL SECTION 3037 (JARC) FUNDS AND $362,500 OF LOCAL C-TRAN FUNDS. JUSTIN CLARY, CITY OF RIDGEFIELD, SECONDED THE MOTION AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
IV. 2006 – 2008 MTIP Amendment #3 WSDOT, Action
Dale Robins presented the 2006 – 2008 MTIP Amendment #3. Dale said WSDOT is requesting an MTIP amendment to add funds to the PE phase of the Columbia River Crossing, SR-500/St. Johns Interchange, and SR-500/NE 42nd Avenue and SR-500/54th Avenue projects. As Dale pointed out, these improvements are regionally significant projects and the additional funds are needed to implement them. Dale pointed out the proposed amendment does not add projects to the MTIP, but adds funding to three projects that are already included in the 2006-2008 MTIP. Dale explained that the proposed amendment is consistent with the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, Congestion Management System, air quality conformity analysis, and is financially constrained. Dale reported that action on this amendment would provide $51.88 million in federal and state dollars for these projects. This includes $50 million in State Partnership funding and $661,000 in discretionary funding for the Columbia River Crossing, $1.18 million in federal NHS funds for the SR-500/St. Johns Interchange, and $38,000 in WSDOT matching funds for interchanges along SR-500.
BILL WRIGHT, CLARK COUNTY, MADE THE MOTION TO FORWARD THE 2006-2008 MTIP AMENDMENT #3 WSDOT, TO THE RTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR APPROVAL. PHIL WUEST, CITY OF VANCOUVER, SECONDED THE MOTION, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
V. High Capacity Transit Corridor Study, Action
Dale Robins reported the FY 2005 Federal Transportation Appropriations Bill included a $1.488 million earmark to RTC for the analysis of the I-5/I-205/SR-500 transit loop. RTC’s 2006 work plan proposes to utilize this funding source to assist the RTC Board in facilitating a broad discussion with affected Clark County agencies on modal alternatives for future high capacity corridors within Clark County and how that system would connect to transit across the Columbia River. Dale pointed out the anticipated products of this analysis would lead to a set of high capacity transit policies that would balance the land use policies, transit priorities, and regional transportation system priorities to help policy makers determine whether a high capacity transit component is needed in Clark County and to guide development of RTC’s long-range regional transportation system plan. Dale said the technical analysis and policymaking process would require the support and participation of RTC member jurisdictions with land use, transportation, and transit authority that would be impacted by the HCT policies.
Dale said that in December 2005, the RTC Board of Directors instructed staff to move forward with developing the High Capacity Transit Corridor Study. In January 2006, the federal appropriation funds were programmed in the MTIP. Dale said RTC is now asking for RTAC support for an RTC Board resolution to amend the FY 2006 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) to incorporate this project and seek permission for the Transportation Director to enter into an agreement with the Federal Transit Administration for the administration of FTA funds. Dale said RTC will begin the policy discussion on the framework for the High Capacity Transit study with the RTC Board of Directors. Dale pointed out, following the RTC Board discussion, a refined scope of work including task description, project timeline, and budget will be developed in conjunction with the major study partners.
PHIL WUEST, CITY OF VANCOUVER, MADE THE MOTION TO FORWARD TO THE RTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS AN AMENDMENT TO THE FY 2006 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM (UPWP) TO INCORPORATE THIS PROJECT AND SEEK PERMISSION FOR THE TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF FTA FUNDS. MIKE MABREY SECOND THE MOTION AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
VI. Federal Fiscal Year 2007 Transportation Appropriation Request, Action
Dale Robins said the purpose of this agenda item is to decide on a list of projects to submit for consideration for 2007 federal transportation appropriations funding. RTAC’s proposal will be forwarded to the RTC Board of Directors. Dale reviewed the process to identify and prioritize the region’s 2007 federal transportation appropriation project requests. He said that at the November 2005 RTAC meeting, technical staff identified an initial set of issues and a proposed policy framework for selecting projects. In December, this information was presented to the RTC Board for their review and input. RTAC members met later that month to identify a preliminary list of projects based on the Board’s initial policy framework. Dale said at the January 2006 meeting, the RTC Board reviewed RTAC’s list of projects, agreed with the overall list, and sent it back to RTAC to categorize the projects in non-competing funding categories and to prioritize the list.
Dale highlighted the policy framework for the FY 2007 Transportation Appropriations as listed in the memorandum. These policy statements are intended to guide the process for selecting and prioritizing the list of projects. Dale then explained the three funding type categories: 1) National Corridor Infrastructure Improvement Program, 2) Federal Transit Administration Section 5309 Bus and Bus Facility Grants, and 3) General Provision Transportation Earmark Appropriation Requests. Dale reminded RTAC members that, in the past, Senator Patty Murray has requested that an application process be completed for each project submitted.
Dale asked RTAC members from each jurisdiction to describe their project, to explain what they would do with the money and whether the project will make a difference in 2007.
Brian McMullen, WSDOT, said the I-5 Columbia River Crossing project has requested $5 million. WSDOT, in cooperation with other partner agencies, is conducting an environmental process for identifying improvements in the I-5 Corridor between SR-500 in Washington and Columbia Boulevard in Oregon. Brian said the environmental process is underway with an estimated 2008 completion date. The 2007 appropriation request will be used for the environmental analysis. Previously, this project has received $50 million in 2005 state Partnership funds, $15.2 million in ODOT funds, $8 million in SAFETEA-LU funding, $3 million in 2004 Appropriations, and $2 million in 2005 Appropriations.
Ed Pickering, C-TRAN, said C-TRAN has requested $4 million to fund replacement buses. C-TRAN is preparing to replace depreciated transit buses over the next 5 years. The 2007 requested earmark would replace eleven 35-foot buses and twenty-five 25-foot buses. C-TRAN has received Section 5309 Bus and Bus Facility earmarks in previous Appropriation Bills.
Matt Ransom, City of Vancouver, reviewed the NE 18th Street Widening project and said the request was for $5 million. Matt said half of the $5 million would be for construction costs and the other revenue will support construction. Matt reported the City of Vancouver would widen NE 18th Street to a 5-lane arterial, between 112th Avenue and 138th Avenue. This project will connect directly to the I-205/18th Street Interchange project. The environmental assessment for this corridor has been completed and final design will begin soon. The 2007 appropriation request would be used for construction in late 2007. Previously, the 18th Street corridor has received $3.2 million in SAFETEA-LU and $1.2 million in STP Regional funds.
Bill Wright, Clark County, highlighted the Salmon Creek Interchange request for $ 5 million. He said Clark County and WSDOT would reconstruct the I-5/I-205/Salmon Creek Interchange project with a new 139th Street crossing and ramps. The interchange is needed to help provide the needed transportation capacity to help solve the Salmon Creek moratorium. The design is under way, and the 2007 Appropriation request would be used for design and right-of-way. Previously, this project has received $55 million in state Nickel Package funding, $10.77 million in SAFETEA-LU, $1 million in 2004 Appropriations, $8 million through a TIB grant, and $8.7 million in road improvements from Legacy Health Systems.
Becky Eisiminger, Port of Vancouver, reviewed the West Freight Access Project request for $4 million dollars. This project provides for an alternate freight rail ingress/egress at the Port. New freight access is essential for the development of additional Port property that will bring new jobs to the community and accommodate projected increases in imports and exports. The environmental/NEPA process is underway for the Columbia Gateway development, which includes looking at freight access alternatives. The 2007 Appropriation would be used for construction. Previously, the West Vancouver Freight Access project received $1 million in 2005 Appropriations, $2.3 million in 2006 Appropriations, and $600,000 in regional STP dollars.
Scott Sawyer, City of Washougal, highlighted the SR-14 Camas/Washougal Widening project with a request for $3 million. Scott said Washougal, Camas, WSDOT, and the Port of Camas/Washougal would begin Phase II of the SR-14 corridor improvements. In Phase II, SR-14 will be widened between Union and 32nd Street to a 4 lane divided highway with grade separated to improve safety and mobility. The project will directly connect to the Phase I SR-14 widening project from 6th Avenue to Union. The 2007 Appropriation request would be used for design and environmental work. Scott said Phase I of the SR-14 corridor project has received $40 million in Partnership funds and $1.5 million in SAFETEA-LU.
Justin Clary, City of Ridgefield, reported on the I-5/SR-501 Interchange and said the request is for $3 million. Justin said the City of Ridgefield, in partnership with WSDOT, will reconstruct the I-5/Pioneer Street Interchange in Ridgefield. The project is being constructed to accommodate future economic development. Design is underway and is expected to receive a documented Categorical Exclusion (CE) for its environmental process. The 2007 Appropriation request would be used for construction in the fall of 2007. Justin said previously, this project has received $10 million in state Partnership Package funding, $9 million in SAFETEA-LU, and $2 million from a State economic development grant.
Following discussion, RTAC suggested that projects be further categorized into project type. Dale Robins said that projects in the General Provision Transportation Earmark Appropriation Requests would be further categorized according to whether they are interchanges, local arterial widening, or freight access projects. RTAC did not feel that they could reach consensus on a prioritized list. Dean said he felt this had been a good discussion even though RTAC was unable to prioritize the projects. Dean said one way of looking at this is we can submit all of these projects as a region because we have all of these needs. Dean said he would be asking the RTC Board to submit all of these projects as they are all strong projects, all have major regional significance and all are about equal in their need. Matt Ransom, City of Vancouver, said each jurisdiction has one project.
Dean reviewed what projects would fit in what category. National Corridor Infrastructure Improvement Program, (I-5 Columbia River Crossing $5 million). Federal Transit Administration Section 5309 Bus and Bus Facility Grants, (Replacement Buses $4 million). General Provision Transportation Earmark Appropriation Requests: Interchange Projects, (Salmon Creek Interchange ($5 million) and I-5/SR-501 Interchange ($3 million). Freight Access Project, West Vancouver Freight Access ($4 million). Widening Request, NE 18th Street widening ($5 Million), SR-14 Camas/Washougal Widening ($3 million). Skamania and Klickitat Projects, SR-35 Columbia River Crossing EIS, ($1 million). Dale said he would get the forms out to RTAC members to complete before the RTC Board meeting. This was the consensus of the group. Members were asked to report this discussion back to their respective agencies.
VII. FY 2007 Unified Planning Work Program, Discussion
A draft version of the “Unified Planning Work Program for Fiscal Year 2007” that covers the time period from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, was distributed to RTAC members. Lynda David, RTC, pointed out that the UPWP reflects local, state, and federal emphasis areas. The UPWP is a federally-required document prepared annually by RTC. Lynda said it describes the transportation planning activities to be completed as part of the regional transportation planning process. The UPWP also details the funding sources required to carry out the program and addresses the major transportation policy issues of the upcoming year. Lynda provided an overview of the UPWP, confirmed the timeline for adoption and asked for RTAC comment.
Lynda reviewed the purpose of the UPWP, the federal and state emphasis areas for FY 2007 and the list of key transportation issues facing the region. Gail Bauhs, Human Services Council, asked if coordination for Human Services Council could be added under the “Key Transportation Issues”. Lynda said this will be added in the second draft. Lynda then continued by providing a summary of each Work Program element pointing out elements that will need work as a result of changed planning requirements with SAFETEA-LU such as development of a Congestion Management Process and Public Participation Plan to replace the Public Involvement Plan. Lynda also noted the use of new PTV software, VISUM/VISSIM, as part of the regional travel forecast process and participation in Metro’s proposed travel and activity behavior survey.
Lynda reminded RTAC of RTC’s federal and state review meeting to be held on February 13, 2006, at 1:30 p.m. at the Public Service Center. Metro will have their Federal review at 9 a.m. the same day. WSDOT and C-TRAN are expected to participate in the RTC meeting. Lynda asked RTAC members to look through the UPWP draft and let her know of any suggested changes by next Thursday. An updated draft will be brought back to RTAC before asking for recommendation to forward to the RTC Board for adoption. RTC Board adoption will be either at the April or May Board meeting.
VIII. Other Business
A. RTAC Members
Gail Bauhs, Human Services Council, asked if RTAC membership could be expanded to add the Human Services Council to the Committee because of their involvement in transportation. Dean said for formal expansion RTC would need a letter from her explaining how she would see this working. Lynda David said the Human Services Council’s participation would be very appropriate given the expanded requirements of SAFETEA-LU. Gail Baughs said she runs the transportation brokerage for Southwest Washington including Clark, Klickitat, Skamania, Wahkiakum, and Cowlitz counties. Transportation is provided through a brokerage system for clients such as seniors who are in need of transportation to medical appointments, and transportation to employment for low income workers. Gail said last year they provided 300,000 trips. Transportation is provided by C-TRAN or private taxis and vans. Gail contracts all of the services out to local community transportation providers.
Marty Snell, Clark County, said the Board of County Commissioners is in the process of updating the comprehensive plan. Marty said a Technical Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for January 31st. The meeting will include an overview of where the County is in the EIS process and Plan update as well as discussion of what input the County will need from jurisdictions.
B. RTC Staff
Transportation Enhancements
Dean said the statewide Transportation Enhancement Committee met on January 18th/19th. RTC’s regional list went forward. There was a statewide application made for the Confluence Project which had funds for the SR-14 Land Bridge. Also funded were the Chelatchie Prairie Project, downtown Washougal, and the Lyle pedestrian project. Dean said as a region we did well.
Dale said that in the WSDOT 2005 Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Program, the City of Battle Ground was successful and received $45,000 for West Main Street/3rd Avenue cross walk improvement. No Clark County projects were selected for Safe Routes to Schools Program funding.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:56 a.m. The next meeting will be Friday, February 17, 2006.
Regional Transportation Council
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