CENTRAL YAVAPAI METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

October 7, 2004

8:00 a.m.

Prescott Chamber Boardroom

117 W. Goodwin St., Prescott, Arizona

 

AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT

 

Yavapai County                                                Richard Straub, Vice Chairman

                                                            Mike Willett, Phil Bourdon

ADOT                                                  Tom Foster, Sandra Gilbert

            Prescott                                                Craig McConnell

            Prescott Valley                                     Larry Tarkowski, Chairman

           

AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES ABSENT

           

Chino Valley                                         (Unassigned)

            Prescott National Forest                                    Cynthia Moody

            Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe                Chris Moss

 

ADDITIONAL ATTENDEES

 

            Citizen                                                  Jim Buchanan

Citizen                                                  Margot Champagne

Prescott Valley                                                 Councilmember Mike Flannery, Chair, CYMPO Exec. Board

Dava & Associates                               Pete Jorgensen

DVCA                                                 Walt Matthew

            Prescott Chamber of Commerce                        Hallie Scharf

            Yavapai Co. Supervisor-elect                 Tom Thurman

            Homeland Security                                A. J. Valardo, PhD.

 

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

 

            Daily Courier                                        Cindy Barks

 

CYMPO STAFF

 

            CYMPO Admin. Asst.                          Anne Confer

 

AGENDA ITEMS

 

1.         CALL TO ORDER                            Larry Tarkowski, Chairman

 

Chairman Tarkowski called the meeting to order at 8:05 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 SEPTEMBER 2, 2004, TAC MEETING

 

Mr. Willett introduced a motion to approve the Minutes of the September 2, 2004 meeting as submitted.  Ms Gilbert seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

 

6.         TIP SELECTION PROCESS – Mike Willett

 

In the absence of CYMPO Administrator Jack Shambaugh, who was in Flagstaff representing the region’s interests with regard to the Transportation Enhancement grants, Mr. Willett presented this item.  Noting that the members had reviewed the draft dated 9/13/04 submitted by Mr. Shambaugh, Mr. Willett asked if any other MPOs had similar systems already in place.  Ms. Gilbert said she had brought a sample of a draft process currently in use by PAG for their minor projects, ($1 million and less).  Some of their selection criteria are safety, system preservation, environmental, congestion, and accessibility.   They also have a ranking and rating sheet.  Ms. Gilbert said that initially, FHWA gives an MPO time to get up and get going, but eventually they will want to see some type of standard operating procedures, criteria, and policies and procedures in place.  

 

Regarding the draft provided by Mr. Shambaugh, Mr. Willett said it includes three technical phases – developing the candidate list, ranking the projects, and getting the projects into the program – which are the essence of the process itself.  He said there are also ranking sheets incorporated into the packet.  Mr. Willett said this Committee needs to decide either to go forward with this process, or modify it. 

 

Chairman Tarkowski said that the assumption is that this Committee would go through a ranking process and would then forward that to the Executive Board for their review and approval.

 

Mr. Willett added that every other year the County follows a similar process at the NACOG level for local government construction money.  This (the MPO process) is a little more detailed, but is a similar process.

 

Mr. Foster said they have the three key elements, and suggested that they come up with a simplified ranking process; whether ADT or something else. Then they would have that as their model or system.

 

Chair Tarkowski said he had been on the committee when NACOG established its criteria about ten years ago.  He also felt the process could be simplified, but that the draft is a really good start.  He suggested that Mr. Shambaugh refine it and bring it back to the next meeting for adoption.  Mr. McConnell agreed.

 

Prescott Valley Council Member Mike Flannery recommended using the samples provided by Ms. Gilbert as a guideline.  Ms. Gilbert reminded the Committee that some of the items on the PAG draft might not apply to the CYMPO.  She also provided a copy of some of the PAG policies for possible incorporation into the CYMPO process.  Chairman Tarkowski suggested getting a copy of the NACOG ranking criteria as well.  He added that the Committee should direct Mr. Shambaugh to put together a simplified version and provide it to the Committee for action at the next meeting.

 

7.         INTERIM TIP AMENDMENTS – Mike Willett

 

Mr. Willett reported that the Interim TIP had been put together by this Committee last June and July and approved by the Executive Board in on October 7, 2003.  However, it now needs to be put into a format ADOT and FHWA are more familiar with because it will become part of the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP), and that has timing consequences that the CYMPO should meet.

 

Mr. Willett said they need to do an amendment to the existing TIP by including some things not previously listed.  He cited ADOT projects, regional projects using local funds, enhancement awards within the boundary, plus bike and pedestrian facilities using federal funds, which would probably extend to transit facilities as well.  He said Mr. Shambaugh had provided a list of Prescott District projects in which they had previously listed SR69/SR89 as one project and Sun Dog Ranch/Willow Lake Road as one project.  Mr. Shambaugh noted that these projects have subprojects and more than one funding category, so it seems the list needs to be expanded to include those projects.

 

Mr. Foster said that although there are multiple funding sources, it is still just one project.  He did not know if it should be broken out for the list.

 

Ms. Gilbert said that all projects within the boundary must be shown on the TIP, including their funding sources (Local, STP, SPR, Planning, Bridge, Signal, etc.).  She cited the example of the 69/89 T.I., which is in the STIP and has been moved to FY2005; the TIP does not reflect that.  This must be corrected, otherwise the feds can come back and say this project is in ’03, but it is shown in the STIP being done in ’05; why wasn’t an amendment done to move that forward in the TIP?  The amendment would show a carryover from 2003 funds.

 

In response to a question from Mr. Foster, Ms. Gilbert clarified that the MPOs usually do not show the bridge and safety projects and such; it is up to the region.  Since they are subprograms, they usually do not show them.

 

MOTION

 

Chair Tarkowski introduced a motion that the Committee direct Mr. Shambaugh to make the appropriate modifications to the TIP so that it meets with ADOT’s review, including moving funds and carryover funds, and general housekeeping as appropriate, to keep this on track.

 

Mr. Willett suggested that everyone provide Mr. Shambaugh with their list of projects.

 

DISCUSSION

 

In response to a question from Mr. Straub, Ms. Gilbert said that if a project is included in a town, city, county, or regional plan, within the planning boundary, it needs to be shown on the TIP.  The purpose is that the feds want to have a picture of what is going on in the area.  However, this does not include maintenance activities.

 

Mr. Straub said that if local funds were being used and were not being counted as part of the match, the project should not have to be listed on the TIP.  Mr. Straub said that because the local projects change quickly and often, it would not make sense to include them.  He added that this had been thoroughly discussed and agreed upon when the MPO was being formed, and is included in the formation documentation.  Ms. Gilbert will check with Ed Stillings at FHWA for a ruling on that, since she was not present at the beginning when that was discussed.

 

Mr. Foster noted that those types of projects are referred to as “Maintenance Activities” and at ADOT they do both major and minor maintenance.  If a project reaches a point where plan sheets are required, then they start calling it a “project” and do environmental clearances and other activities that are part of an actual project.  Those would then go into the list.  Otherwise, it is in the “Maintenance Funds,” without specifying where those dollars are going.  He suggested that Ms. Gilbert find out if this would be appropriate for the County.

 

Mr. McConnell suggested that they find out if this is a request from FHWA, or a requirement.

 

Mr. Willett suggested that everyone review the draft list of sponsors and projects and make their corrections, e.g., check that projects are in the correct year. 

 

Chair Tarkowski noted that there was a motion on the table.

 

MOTION – RESTATED

 

Chair Tarkowski introduced a motion that the Committee direct Mr. Shambaugh to make the appropriate modifications to the TIP so that it meets with ADOT’s review, including moving funds and carryover funds, and general housekeeping as appropriate, to keep this on track.  Mr. Shambaugh should also work with Ms. Gilbert to find out exactly what level they need to go to, noting in particular the County’s concerns.

 

Mr. McConnell seconded the motion

 

VOTE ON THE MOTION

 

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

 

8.         SIDE ROAD/SR89A T.I. – Richard Straub

 

Mr. Straub reported that the County had been discussing with the City of Prescott for the past several months about constructing the interchange at Side Road and 89A.  However, in the IGA with ADOT about four years ago, it listed all the interchanges on the 89/Fain Road system and showed which were ADOT’s and which were local government responsibilities.  Side Road is a local government responsibility.  Also, in about 1998, they had started negotiations with one property owner about contributing toward that construction.  They were ultimately able to negotiate a quarter of a million dollars from a local developer. 

 

Based on that history, Mr. Straub said the agreement they have been negotiating with the city would involve a partnership with private development, the City and the County.  In the future, as ground is annexed into the City as part of the Development Agreement, a traffic study would have to be done by the development showing how much traffic they would be contributing to the interchange.  There would then be a pro rata share of the construction costs put into the agreement with the developer to help pay for that interchange.

 

Mr. Straub said the bottom line is that they would build the interchange up front with partnership with City, private and County, and each entity would get some reimbursement in the future.  He said he has told the Board of Supervisors that this would be a very good model for future interchanges all along the system where development is going to drive construction of the interchanges.  He said that they are still negotiating this, and at the same time are also discussing how to build the 89/89A interchange, which the Board of Supervisors is very interested in pushing forward.  He said there would likely be a Study Session at the Board in the future to discuss that interchange.

 

Mr. Straub said that the agreement on the Side Road interchange is not finalized yet, but they are looking at a four-year timeframe for construction.  In response to a question from Chairman Tarkowski, Mr. Straub said the cost is estimated at around $3 million.

 

Mr. Flannery commented that at one point there had been discussion about a traffic signal there.  He asked the status of that discussion.  Mr. Straub said that in the original negotiations with ADOT in the late ’90s, they discussed building a controlled access system and decided then that signals would not work and would not be permitted.  If the warrant indicated a signal, it would also warrant the interchange.  Therefore, on these high-speed highways, signals are not going to be allowed.

 

 

9.         PROGRESS FOR THE MTPPhil Bourdon

 

Mr. Bourdon reported that Patricia has been moving forward with the data that has been provided by the agencies, and compiled a draft 2003 network, which is one of the first phases.  She then created some draft traffic analysis zones (TAZ) and divided them among cities, towns and counties, and is awaiting input back from everyone on those zones.  Mr. Bourdon asked that this input be provided as quickly as possible because that will be the basis for the next step, which will be confirming current conditions and preparing a draft working paper based on that.

 

Mr. Bourdon added that as they move forward, they will start public meetings, but they need to get the network and basic information prepared prior to the public meetings.  In response to a question from Chairman Tarkowski, Mr. Bourdon confirmed that the project is on schedule and on budget.

 

10.       SR 89 CORRIDOR ANALYSIS: UPDATE – Richard Straub, Mike Willett

 

Mr. Straub reported that they have been getting good press on this project.  He said they have a partnership with ADOT to look at the corridor from 89A all the way to Center Street.  The Board initiated the first phase, the northern part, a month ago and that is under study now.  On Monday, they approved the southern half, going from Road 5 South all the way to 89A to give an enhanced study on the corridor.  They are in discussion with ADOT about coming in with some cash to bring it up to the full 30% ADOT DCR status.  Mr. Straub explained that the key element is getting a set of plans for the entire corridor so they can identify what is being done and for how much, to get it into the five-year program and begin construction.

 

Mr. Straub said there is a series of three meetings scheduled in Chino Valley to start discussing the northern portion of 89 with local citizens.  He said they have flown the entire corridor and those photos and topos should be available in about two weeks.

 

Mr. Straub further explained that they have also been in discussion with a major landowner about his problems with making a left turn in the mornings headed north. 

 

In addition, Mr. Straub said they are in discussion with ADOT District about how to get started on the actual construction of this corridor.  They would like to start on the 89/89A interchange.  He explained that as traffic increases, the signals there back up.  Although ADOT has done a good job of making adjustments, at some point more problems will develop.  Mr. Straub said he has approached the Board of Supervisors about a Study Session in the early part of November to discuss where the project is and how they might go forward.

 

Mr. Straub offered a suggestion to the Committee.  He noted that they do have plans on the 89/89A intersection ready to go.  The MPO has allocated a half a million dollars towards that intersection; on the plan, they have also been looking at another half million to the Viewpoint T.I., on which no design has yet been done.  He said until it is designed, it is not going to happen.  Mr. Straub asked the group to consider putting another half million into 89/89A from the MPO, then get started on the actual design of that interchange, which will take about two years.  After that, two years in a row could be allocated to the Viewpoint interchange.  Chairman Tarkowski agreed that the 89/89A interchange is needed.

 

Mr. Straub asked for approval to bring back this idea for discussion at a future meeting.  Chair Tarkowski agreed, and added that they also need to be thinking about the extension of Glassford Hill Road.  He said that even with the improvements on 89, and a four-lane facility, if there are 20,000 vehicles per day and traffic backups, the long-term solution will be the preservation of that corridor for the extension of Glassford, building it to an urban freeway standard and providing two corridors.  However, that is a little farther out in the time schedule.

 

Mr. Straub mentioned that the County had prepared preliminary plans showing an urban corridor with the necessary right-of-way and preliminary alignments.  Since the two largest cities will be annexing that area, he said he hoped the planners would take that into consideration when they start doing development agreements.  Chairman Tarkowski said they had just been talking about that with both Chino Valley and City of Prescott.  If development is imminent, preservation of that corridor is very important.

 

11.       AGENCY UPDATES

 

Prescott                                                                                                          Craig McConnell

Mr. McConnell reported that they are building a parking garage downtown.  The contract awarded with a completion date of June 2005, for the Fourth of July next year.  He added that there are also reconstruction projects downtown that will continue until the end of the year.

 

Willow Creek 4 is going very well.  He said they worked hard at the construction sequencing and traffic control and it seems to be very effective.  Traffic has flowed through on pavement almost the entire time.

 

Mr. McConnell said that the next big project is Iron Springs Road reconstruction scheduled to start next spring.  He noted that this will be a tough project both in terms of construction and maintaining traffic. 

 

Chino Valley                                                                                                  

No report.

 

Yavapai County                                                                                               Richard Straub

Regarding the Williamson Valley Bridge, Mr. Straub explained that Mr. Foster has done a lot to expedite the project and they are seeing good progress now.

 

The County’s biggest project is the Mingus Bridge, and the ribbon-cutting should be happening in December.  Mr. Straub noted that, to his knowledge, at 1,000 feet long, this is the longest bridge in Yavapai County.  He added that when it flooded two weeks ago, there was water touching each abutment, which was really spectacular.

 

Mr. Bourdon reported that they will be coordinating a public meeting on the Williamson Valley project, Pioneer Parkway to Outer Loop.  This will likely occur within the next 30 to 60 days.  Mr. Straub said their goal is to improve that corridor, not particularly to four-lane, but three-laning where necessary, shoulders, drainage and getting pavement that will hold up with the increased traffic in Williamson Valley.

 

Mr. Straub informed Mr. McConnell that they would also be doing a project just west of the City’s project on Iron Springs.  They will be doing some intersection improvements, but had not decided if they would do it while the City’s project is under construction, due to the potential of increasing the impact on traffic in the area.

 

Mr. Straub said they are winding down for the year and have two new Supervisors starting the first of the year.  During their budget process they will be reviewing their plans for future needs in the tri-city area. 

 

ADOT                                                                                                             Tom Foster

Mr. Foster reported that they are finishing the paving next week on I-17, Cordes Junction to Badger Springs.  They have been doing night paving to keep traffic flowing during the day and have been hitting some pretty low temperatures, but they have been able to put down the rubberized A/C upgrade. 

 

There is another rubberized A/C project from Junction 169 and Prescott Valley.  They did the widening at Bradshaw Mountain, but will come back next summer to do the paving, which will also be done at night to minimize the impact on the local travelers. 

 

The 69/89 interchange continues to move forward in design, although it is a little over budget.  It might be necessary to reduce some elements, such as some paving on the multi-use pathways or lighting, to stay within the budget.  He said they might have to pursue some enhancement grants for the pathways if that becomes necessary.  Sun Dog to Willow Lake Road is moving along and is right on budget.  They are trying to have the projects advertised for July.

 

Forest Service                                                                                               

No report for the Forest Service.

 

Prescott Valley                                                                                                           Larry Tarkowski

Chair Tarkowski reported that their most aggressive street building program is continuing to move forward.  He said that there could be pavement going down on Robert Road either today or tomorrow between Yavapai and Lakeshore.

 

Navajo Drive is under construction as of a couple of weeks ago.

 

Mr. Tarkowski further reported that the transit voucher program has a robust demand, which they are meeting.

 

12.       MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Yavapai County Transit Update

Vice Chair Straub reported that, based on previous discussions in this Committee, Yavapai County reviewed its transit-related activity since the year 2000.  He said that they have spent close to half a million dollars on funding local transit programs, primarily in rural-to-urban rideability programs.

 

Project Prioritization

Mr. Flannery said he had attended a presentation at which Mr. Foster had explained the project prioritization process at ADOT.   He said that Mr. Foster had suggested that CYMPO, the County, the Verde Valley Transportation Planning Organization and NACOG get together to assist him in determining one priority to forward to ADOT as a construction project for this region. 

 

Mr. Flannery said the groups did meet last Monday for this purpose and agreed that the top project for the area is the 89/89A T.I. and the study for the 89 corridor.  He said that since the Verde Valley TPO had gotten their SR 260 into the five-year program, they were willing to go along with this decision.  He said that Yavapai County is going to do a resolution to forward to the State Transportation Board stating that this is the region’s priority project.

 

Mr. Flannery said that Mr. Foster had noted that there are other areas of mutual interest, such as 169, and that the groups might want to continue this cooperative effort.  Mr. Flannery felt this could be beneficial and would like everyone to consider meeting regularly in the future.

 

Mr. Foster commented that it was difficult to get just the tri-city area to come together, and then it was a struggle to get the Verde Valley entities together to prioritize their work.  Now, getting a solidified group of the major metropolitan areas of the County to work together will create a lot of clout on a statewide basis.  He said this would go a long way towards helping to move those prioritizations to the top of ADOT’s programs.

 

13.       NEXT MEETING

 

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

 

Thursday, November 4, 2004

8:00 a.m.

Prescott Chamber Boardroom

 

Mr. McConnell asked if there would be meeting of the Executive Board in October.  Chairman Tarkowski did not believe so.  He said it likely would be more efficient to have this Committee meet in November to act on the TIP Selection Process and the Interim TIP amendment so they can be forwarded to the Executive Board for adoption at a November meeting.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Chairman Tarkowski adjourned the meeting at 8:55 a.m.

 

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