CENTRAL YAVAPAI METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

January 6, 2005

8:00 a.m.

Prescott Chamber Boardroom

117 W. Goodwin St., Prescott, Arizona

 

AGENCY VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT

 

Yavapai County                                                Richard Straub, Vice Chairman

by proxy Tom Thurman

ADOT                                                              Sandra Gilbert

Chino Valley                                                     Karen Fann

            Prescott Valley                                                 Larry Tarkowski, Chairman

            Prescott National Forest                                                Cynthia Moody

           

AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES ABSENT

           

Prescott                                                            Craig McConnell

            Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe                            Chris Moss

 

ADDITIONAL ATTENDEES

 

ADOT District Office                                       Cliff Passmore, Jim Confer

DAVA & Associates                                        Gordon Bowers

DVCA                                                             Walt Matthew

            Prescott Chamber of Commerce                                    David Maurer

            Prescott Chamber of Commerce                                    Hallie Scharf

Prescott Valley                                                 Mike Flannery

            Taxpayer                                                          M. J. Champagne

Town of Chino Valley                                        Tom Klimek, Ken Winkler

Yavapai County                                                            Mike Willett, Phil Bourdon        

 

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

 

Daily Courier                                                    Cindy Barks

 

CYMPO STAFF

 

            CYMPO Administrator                                      Jack Shambaugh          

CYMPO Admin. Assistant                                Anne Confer

 

AGENDA ITEMS

 

1.         CALL TO ORDER                                                                Larry Tarkowski, Chairman

 

Chairman Tarkowski called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m.

 

2./3.     INTRODUCTIONS/ROLL CALL

 

The members and public present introduced themselves. 

 

4.         CALL TO THE PUBLIC                                                                  

 

The Chairman asked if there were any comments from the public for TAC consideration and discussion of general unscheduled comments; no response from public.

 

5.         MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 2004 MEETING

 

Mr. Thurman introduced a motion to approve the Minutes of the November 4, 2004 meeting as submitted.  Chairman Tarkowski seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

 

6.         METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLANPhil Bourdon

 

Mr. Bourdon reported that on December 10th  member agency representatives from planning and engineering staffs met with Lima & Associates at the County offices for a work study session.  They were provided population and employment information related to the transportation analysis zones that were previously approved by the member agencies.

 

Mr. Bourdon said that they were currently providing that information in an Arcview shape file so that staff could use the electronic data to check it.  They will provide that information back to Lima to make sure that everyone is in agreement.  The data is due back January 14th.  He added this is basically updating population figures from the Census 2000 and the employment numbers from 2003, which will give the current conditions.

After that, they will be working towards future data, which they anticipate getting by the end of February.

 

Chairman Tarkowski asked how close the population projections from 1997-98 were to what they actually have now.  Mr. Bourdon said he had not reviewed that information.  However, what they are seeing is the trend of the growth that has occurred.  He noted that the County is pretty close, but in the cities and towns the amount of population increase has been tremendous.

 

Chairman Tarkowski commented that this is a much needed project and they are getting closer to completion.  He asked if they are still on a timeframe to have a deliverable in August.  Mr. Bourdon said they are; it is important that they get the information back to Lima & Associates by the January 14th deadline so they, in turn, can produce the information and get it back to the County for review, such as the existing conditions text.

 

7.         DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE FOR TIP Jack Shambaugh

 

Mr. Shambaugh called attention to the schedule he had provided.  He said ADOT begins the annual review of their priority program pool in August for the construction program that begins in the next fiscal year.  For example, in August 2005 the process would start for the fiscal year construction program 2007 – 2010.

 

He said the idea is to increase our probability of getting the CYMPO projects into the ADOT program.  That necessitates the agreement by the MPO on priorities prior to the August start date.

 

Mr. Shambaugh said there are five steps to be completed: 1) the annual identification of candidate projects by the TAC; 2) project ranking by the TAC and Executive Board; 3) programming those projects into the TIP through the TAC and Executive Board; 4) new step—consultation with NACOG and the VVTPO to identify priorities within Yavapai County; and 5) recommendation of priority projects to the Prescott District and the State Transportation Board.

 

Mr. Shambaugh said that what he needs from the TAC is a decision on whether to move forward with a joint development schedule for improvement projects.  He asked for discussion and thoughts on this.

 

Chairman Tarkowski asked Mr. Shambaugh to talk about what needs to be done immediately to keep on schedule.  Mr. Shambaugh explained that at the next TAC meeting they need to start looking at what projects will be candidates for a project pool.  That would be done in consultation with the ADOT district.  In response to a question from Chairman Tarkowski, he said that a vote is not needed at this time.

 

There were no further questions or comments on the schedule.

 

8.         PROJECT SELECTION PROCESS FOR TIP Jack Shambaugh

 

Mr. Shambaugh reported that ADOT is moving forward with a more complex, data-intensive selection process for inclusion into their five-year construction program, which is evident in their MoveAZ performance measures, which has been adopted by the Transportation Board.  New construction projects will be scoped using these measures beginning in 2010.  Prioritized projects will be programmed in 2011 using those measures.  This means that to remain competitive, it will be necessary to use a more technical methodology in selecting projects that are recommended.

 

Mr. Shambaugh said that he had previously submitted criteria to the TAC, and since then has done further research into other MPOs and COGs for their criteria.  Based on this research, he had prepared a comparison handout for review by the TAC.  He explained the table to the members.  Based on the most commonly used criteria, the last column identified those he felt would best serve the CYMPO.

 

Mr. Shambaugh explained that there could be three phases to the process: 1) identify candidate projects to be nominated for consideration, screened for eligibility and placed in consideration for future sponsorship; 2) ranking of the projects, looking for sponsors, submitting that to the TAC and Executive Board; and 3) programming that into the TIP.

 

He asked if the TAC would like to proceed with a selection process that is used to put projects into the TIP, and what they feel would be the appropriate process and criteria.

 

Chairman Tarkowski commented that they want to resist becoming overly bureaucratic.  He feels that this organization has done an extraordinarily good job over the years to meet all needs and he does not want to move away from that friendly, collaborative process.  He did agree that there does need to be criteria.

 

Ms. Fann asked if including ADT (average daily trips) is due to the amount of growth in the region.  She noted the term “Forecast” in particular, commenting that things that might be a problem now could be very serious problems five years from now.

 

Chairman Tarkowski commented that under the heading “Strategic Economic Impacts” they should add a category that states whether it complies with the regional transportation plan they are currently completing.  He said that would be a “yes” or “no” answer to keep it simple.

 

Mr. Shambaugh said that under the “Capacity Measures” heading he was looking at the volume and level of service as well as the congestion.  This would take the current traffic counts and the forecasted traffic counts and use that information to derive both the existing and future levels of service.

 

Chairman Tarkowski reiterated that they should make this simple, not overly bureaucratic.  He noted that when the LTAF 2 monies appeared, they insisted with ADOT that the grant process be a single page grant application; this should be the same.

 

 

 

 

9.         AMENDMENT #2 TO INTERIM FY 2004-2008 TIP – Jack Shambaugh

 

Chairman Tarkowski commented that they need to make a very proactive effort to ensure that the new town of Dewey-Humboldt is represented at these meetings.

 

Regarding the amendment #2, Mr. Shambaugh explained that Chino Valley has been awarded Hazard Elimination and Safety money in the amount of around $200,000 for replacement of traffic control signs.  They want to program this in the ’05 fiscal year of the ’04 program.  He asked for formal action to confirm that amendment for authorization.  He provided the members with appropriate back-up information.

 

MOTION

 

Ms. Moody introduced a motion to authorize amendment #2 to the 2004-2008 TIP.  Mr. Thurman seconded the motion.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Ms. Gilbert noted that the motion should be to forward the amendment to the Executive Board for approval.

 

AMENDED MOTION

 

Ms. Moody amended her motion to approve amendment #2 to the FY 2004-2008 TIP and to forward the amendment to the Executive Board for approval and inclusion in the TIP.  Mr. Thurman seconded the motion

 

VOTE ON THE MOTION

 

The motion passed by unanimous vote:  Ms. Fann, Ms. Gilbert, Ms. Moody, Chairman Tarkowski, and Mr. Thurman approved; no one opposed.

 

10.       UPDATE ON SR 89 CORRIDOR ANALYSIS – Mike Willett

 

Mr. Willett reported that the stretch of SR89 from Chino Valley to 89A is being studied in two sections: the three-mile section in Chino Valley and the eight miles to 89A.  For the Chino Valley segment, they are working with Arcadis to produce an enhanced project assessment, which should be complete this January.  They have had five or six public meetings, met with business owners, and met with the Council a couple of times, so they have had quite a bit of input.  He said they need to wrap it up soon because Chino Valley needs to be able to work with the developers who are interested in the town.  He said he would likely be bringing some of the results of the enhanced project assessment to a meeting in February.

 

Regarding the eight-mile segment to the south, Mr. Willett said that they are in the early stages of that study with Arcadis as well.  The County Board did approve the money for that study.  He said they would take that stretch to the enhanced project assessment level and at that point it would become an ADOT project to either be done in-house or by a consultant.

 

Mr. Tom Klimek said that the town of Chino Valley is often asked about the intersections north of Center, for example Road 2 North.  He asked, if they are talking with developers and identifying geometrics for one of these intersections, should they route those through the County first, on an informal basis.  Mr. Willett said he would be glad to talk with them about it, since he had worked for the town at one time.  However, he said the best way to get the information they need is through the small area transportation study that is just getting started.   He said the Lima study will look at the main corridors and roads, the town can add those other roads to get the detail they need.

 

Mr. Klimek asked if it would be possible to assimilate what is happening to the south, is there a theme for those intersections that could be applied north of Center.  Mr. Willett said that could be possible, but it would be another study.  He noted that the traffic counts to the north are about half of what they are to the south, so they still have some time.

 

Ms. Fann commented that as far as the 3-mile stretch from Center to Road 5 South, it is extremely important not only to everyone in Yavapai County and the tourists that road services, but is also the largest, most concentrated portion of undeveloped land right now.  Nearly every parcel has now been sold, and developers are ready to get started.  Therefore, it is important to get a plan together so we can tell developers what we are going to need as far as right-of-way.  It is also important to work closely with ADOT as to what they want for their highway for ingresses and egresses and driveways.

 

Ms. Fann further reported that the Town of Chino Valley Council, in conjunction with ADOT and the County, has voted that they feel the raised median is in the best interests of reducing the accident rate.  They are working with the businesses to make it an easier transition.

 

Regarding the Road 5 South to 89A corridor, Ms. Fann said this is important to all the entities, including Paulden, Ash Fork, and Williamson Valley.  She said it is important on a town, County and State level.  Also, if the ranches get annexed in to Prescott Valley and Prescott, there will be new homes in development and that traffic will go to 89 as well until there is a Glassford Hill extension.  This is why this corridor is an important joint cooperative effort.

 

11.       AGENCY UPDATES

 

Chino Valley                                                                                                               Karen Fann    

Ms. Fann introduced Ken Winckler as the new Public Works Director for Chino Valley, and Tom Klimek from Willdan who is serving as Town Engineer.  She noted the entire Willdan staff is helping them work on a Capital Improvement Plan among other tasks.

 

Mr. Klimek and Mr. Winckler briefly explained their backgrounds and experience to the members.  Mr. Winckler will serve as a member of the TAC.

 

ADOT                                                                                                                         Cliff Passmore

Mr. Cliff Passmore reported that they are fairly slow in construction right now.  There is an enhancement project underway in Prescott Valley; the repaving of SR69 from Prescott Valley to Dewey did not finish on time, so that will be completed this summer; the Williamson Valley is not yet finished; and they are working on the final design for the SR89 projects, Sundog to Willow Lake and 89/69 interchange, which are scheduled for late Spring.

 

Yavapai County                                                                                                           Phil Bourdon

Mr. Bourdon reported that their major project right now is snow removal.  The only major project is Williamson Valley Road, which will go out for a public meeting in the next two months to review options and to report on the results of past public meetings.

 

Prescott Valley                                                                                                                       Larry Tarkowski

Chairman Tarkowski reported that their two major projects are still underway, however the rain and snow has delayed the progress.

 

Forest Service                                                                                                                        Cynthia Moody

No report

 

Prescott                                                                                                                      Absent

No report

 

Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe                                                                                   Absent

No report

 

CYMPO                                                                                                          Jack Shambaugh

No report

 

Chairman Tarkowski asked if there were any questions from members of the audience.  Ms. Margot Champagne asked if there is any update or report having to do with public transit.  Mr. Shambaugh said that at the previous TAC meeting it was reported that the voucher program was moving forward and the local governments had submitted their applications.  That money should be forthcoming in a couple of months.

 

Chairman Tarkowski further commented that transit is planned to be moved forward in the Work Program, but in the near term, the voucher program will be “supercharged” with more money being dedicated to that.  There is also an element in the transportation plan update addressing multi-modality, and that is moving forward.  He said there is momentum that is growing with the Regional Plan Update, with the voucher program and its funding, and dollars that will be dedicated to transit planning.  These are all positive steps that you did not see 12 months ago.

 

12.       MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Ms. Fann reminded the members of the Rural Transportation Summit in Laughlin January 19-21, and the Transportation Board Meeting in Bullhead City following the Summit on the 21st.  She said she would like to see as much strength from this region as possible to be able to keep things going with the Transportation Board Members.

 

13.       NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the CYMPO Technical Advisory Committee will be:

 

Thursday, February 3, 2005

8:00 a.m.

Prescott Chamber Boardroom

 

The next meeting of the CYMPO Executive Board Meeting will be:

 

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

6:00 p.m.

Sand Trap Restaurant at Antelope Hills Golf Course

 

Mr. Shambaugh reminded the group that there would be a social event following the Executive Board meeting.  The Chairman will be presenting awards to give some long-overdue recognition to people who have supported the regional transportation planning effort.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Chairman Tarkowski adjourned the meeting at 8:50 a.m.

 

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