CENTRAL YAVAPAI METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

November 4, 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, Jim Confer

            Prescott                                                            Craig McConnell

            Prescott Valley                                                 Larry Tarkowski, Chairman

            Prescott National Forest                                                Cynthia Moody

            Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe                            Chris Moss

 

AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES ABSENT

           

Chino Valley                                                     (Unassigned)

           

ADDITIONAL ATTENDEES

 

            DAVA & Associates                                        Gordon Bowers

            Citizen                                                              Jim Buchanan

            Fann Construction                                             Mike Fann

DVCA                                                             Walt Matthew

            Prescott Chamber of Commerce                                    David Maurer

            Prescott Chamber of Commerce                                    Hallie Scharf

 

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

 

N/A

 

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 8:02 a.m.

 

2./3.     INTRODUCTIONS/ROLL CALL

 

The members and public present introduced themselves.  Ms. Hallie Scharf introduced David Maurer, the new President of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce.

 

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 OCTOBER 7, 2004, TAC MEETING

 

Mr. Willett introduced a motion to approve the Minutes of the October 7, 2004 meeting as submitted.  Mr. McConnell seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

 

6.         89/89A T.I  & 89A/VIEWPOINT FUNDING – Richard Straub/Mike Willett

 

Mr. Straub noted that this had been discussed informally at the last meeting and the consensus was that it should be on this agenda for formal action to move it forward to the Executive Board.  Mr. Shambaugh said that this is in keeping with the Minutes from the previous meeting, which he had been unable to attend, and the TIP for 05-09 does capture it.  He said there might be a difference in what year they want it programmed, but other than that is in accordance with what they have in the TIP.

 

Mr. Straub said that the County will be going to the Board of Supervisors the first meeting in December where they will be discussing the 89 and 89A corridor and giving updates on recommendations for moving forward.

 

MOTION

 

Mr. Straub introduced a motion to approve two years’ funding for 89/89A T.I. and then two years to 89A/Viewpoint T.I. to be revised in the TIP as presented and that it be forwarded to the Executive Board for action at their next meeting.

 

Mr. McConnell seconded the motion.

 

VOTE ON THE MOTION

 

The motion passed by unanimous vote:  Mr. Foster, Ms. Gilbert, Mr. McConnell, Ms. Moody, Mr. Straub, and Chair Tarkowski were in favor; no one opposed.

 

7.         INTERIM 2004-2008 TIP AMENDMENT #1Jack Shambaugh

 

Mr. Shambaugh noted that this item is for the amendment to the 2004-2008 TIP.  To clear up some possible misconceptions from the last Minutes, he stated that the priority schedules of locally government funded projects are not a function of the MPO.  The TIP listing of locally funded projects is up to the discretion of the local government sponsor.  What they do want to show in the TIP is what is financially constrained by year, which projects can be implemented using current revenue sources, and which projects need to be implemented using proposed revenue sources. 

 

Mr. Shambaugh explained that Congress has not reauthorized the transportation legislation, so they will have to make an assumption on the STP funds amount.  The recommendation is that they stay with they have been currently using, the $509,979, and perhaps making adjustments once the legislation is passed.  He suggested going through the TIP line-by-line and make recommendations as to what fiscal years they want projects to go in, and which projects should not be in at all.  He noted there are a number of projects that do not have sponsors and do not have funding sources identified.  Mr. Shambaugh said this list was developed off the TIP that was developed last year.  Since then, there has been input from member agencies in the development of this product. 

 

Mr. Willett noted that one project, the 89/Airport connector, is a duplicate of the 89/89A project and should probably be deleted.

 

Mr. Straub asked if it hurts to have projects on the list even though they might never happen.  Mr. Shambaugh said that the issue of whether or not they have a funding source is the driving force.  He said they only need to show a three-year plan, not a five-year, which this is.  Therefore, they could put projects in the fifth year if they want to show something they are interested in but that is not ready to be fully developed.  It is just the first three years that are critical.  Mr. Straub clarified with Mr. Shambaugh that a project must have a funding source for it to be included in the first three years.

 

Mr. Foster noted that a lot of the projects on the TIP are actually “wish lists.”  He said that ADOT is now working on 2010 and none of those projects appear on the TIP.  He felt they should be showing additional years.  He said that there is some money for the three-year plan, but that would be for subprograms such as bridge replacements.  He cited year 2005, which has projects funded through a number of sources including AGS, district minor, pavement preservation and other dedicated lump sum programs.

 

Mr. Willett said that he did not mind seeing years beyond three years because it seems to imply that projects that take two to three years in scope and design are out there and may be moving towards the goal of getting in the three-year plan, and it might be good to show them in the fourth or fifth year.  He added that, beyond that, they need a category for projects that are in the planning stages, and can sit there ready to move into the system. 

 

In response to a question from Chair Tarkowski about other MPOs, Mr. Shambaugh explained that a lot of them are going to the five-year plan and showing only those projects that have dedicated funding sources or that have the potential for a new revenue source, in other words, a new funding category.  He said this does not preclude having a list within a region of potential candidate projects.  However, the TIP is limited just to those projects that have funding or the potential of funding from a new source.

 

Mr. Straub said that on the 89/89A, the TIP shows federal funds of $509,000, and they hope to have the other $509,000.  He asked if, in order for it to stay there, they need something else under “local match” to show there are going to be other funds.  Mr. Shambaugh said that is not necessary; they can keep it in the program showing just the federal fund amount, even though there are not sufficient funds at this point.

 

Mr. Straub then asked about Side Road, which is listed as N/A, even though there is local money available.  Mr. Shambaugh said they can put “Local” in that space to indicate that there is local funding.

 

Mr. McConnell asked that the spreadsheet be reformatted to make it more understandable as far as what are federal/state projects and what are local-only projects.  He suggested it could be more effectively organized to clarify funding.  He felt it should be a five-year program, and include only projects with identified funding sources.  He further suggested that prospective projects be put on another sheet, separate from the funded programs to be managed and implemented.  Chair Tarkowski suggested a category titled “Unfunded.” 

 

Regarding prioritizing, Mr. McConnell said the prioritization should be done only as it pertains to MPO business.  If ADOT and the feds want them to prioritize, as a group, some project or projects, that would be appropriate.  He said, however, that it does no good for the MPO to prioritize any of the city projects that are being paid for and implemented by the local entity. 

 

Mr. McConnell further commented that when he takes a five-year CIP to the City Council of the City of Prescott, it has to be a program of real projects that are needed and have funding, because he effectively is making a commitment to the City Council, if they approve it, to deliver it.  He said he feels the CYMPO should be operating the same way.  If they take a five-year TIP, and there is funding indicated, what they are saying to the community is that they are making a commitment to do this.

 

Mr. Straub said he agrees in a way, but that they have some ongoing negotiations for some of the projects listed that he feels will be realized in the next two or three months, for example, the 89/89A T.I..  He feels that it is important, even though they do not have all the funding clarified today, that it appears in the TIP.

 

Mr. McConnell responded that it his feeling that since it is not funded now, it should not appear on the funded sheet.  If the funding comes through in two or three months, the TIP can be amended to formally indicate that.  Then, when next year’s TIP is adopted it can show as a funded project.  Mr. Straub did not feel they could wait until next year for ADOT; if ADOT comes in tomorrow, the project has to be in the program.  Mr. McConnell again suggested making an amendment.  Mr. Straub was concerned they would get involved in red tape.

 

Chair Tarkowski asked if Mr. McConnell would work with Mr. Shambaugh and Mr. Foster to bring clarity to the spreadsheet, while keeping Mr. Straub’s concern in mind.  He said he does believe they need to have placeholders because if a project is not shown on the TIP there could be problems finding funding.  Mr. Foster agreed that it would be difficult to find funding if the project is not shown.  He said that within the list they should be able to show a few unfunded projects.  Mr. McConnell agreed as long as the projects are identified in the list as unfunded.  Then, if they do an amendment to the TIP, they can show a project moving from one part of the list to another.

 

Ms. Moody asked if Mr. McConnell did not want his projects included.  Mr. McConnell said he does not have any objection to it; it just depends on how the MPO, in total, wants to list the projects out.  He would prefer to see his projects listed out on a separate City of Prescott sheet, and if there are five sheets (for all the local projects), that would be acceptable.  It is all part of the TIP, but sorted in a particular way that indicates that there projects going on but they are locally funded.

 

Mr. Willett pointed out that VVTPO, NACOG and CYMPO spent considerable time coming to agreement on some fairly important projects, which were then taken to the Board of Supervisors and passed by resolution.  He feels that showing projects outside that resolution, especially something as extensive as the ’05 list, sends a mixed message.

 

Chair Tarkowski asked if the CYMPO could entertain a motion to approve, per agenda item #7, the program as presented, with the caveat that the format will be revised for clarity.  Mr. McConnell asked for more detail on what the program is.

 

Mr. Shambaugh explained that the list was developed directly off the list that was adopted by the Executive Board a year ago.  What has been added was to break the list out into fiscal years and be inclusive of the ADOT projects.  For the interim TIP 04-05, the critical nature is to make certain that projects that are listed in the ADOT construction program are also inclusive of the MPO’s TIP.  He said that is critical in that this TIP gets wrapped into the state transportation improvement program.  Once a project is ready to go out to bid, if it is not identified, there is a hold up, certainly if it is using federal or state funds, but excluding any local funds. 

 

He said they have identified the ADOT projects with an asterisk, and they need to get an amendment for those projects.  Then, they have some of the transportation enhancement projects that were not previously listed that need to be included.  Also, there are MPO funds in the STP category that need to be included in the amendment, ensuring that they are in the right fiscal year.  Mr. Shambaugh said that the remainder of the information is not critical to this amendment.

 

Mr. Shambaugh said it is his recommendation to delete any project that does not have a sponsor or an identified funding source.

 

Mr. Straub asked where the column is that says what they need to say about funding sources.  Mr. Shambaugh explained that there are two columns, one for federal funds and one for local match.  He said they could have a situation where a project is totally locally funded, which does not have to be in the list.  Those projects using some state and/or federal funds must be listed.  The group agreed there should probably be more columns.

 

Mr. Straub said that they are going before the Board next month with some recommendations on what they need to go ahead with the 89/89A interchange, so he wants to do whatever they need to do with regard to paperwork.  He does not want it to be a barrier to the implementation of the project.

 

Chair Tarkowski repeated that he recommends that they move forward and adopt the TIP amendment, but commit to refining it to make it more understandable.

 

MOTION

 

Mr. Straub introduced a motion to adopt the TIP amendment and that the spreadsheet format be refined for clarity as previously discussed.

 

Mr. McConnell seconded the motion.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Chair Tarkowski requested that Mr. McConnell and Mr. Foster assist Mr. Shambaugh in bringing clarity to the spreadsheet. 

 

Mr. Foster mentioned that one item appeared to be missing from the TIP.  This is the tribal connector road.  Mr. Chris Moss explained the project, which includes replacing the Sun Dog Ranch Bridge that is currently in progress.  He said they would be going to the BML for IRR, (Indian Reservation Road) funds; however, the State owns the bridge and does not want to rebuild it.  The agreement is that the State would turn back Old Sun Dog Bridge to the tribe along with a piece of connecting roadway and that would be placed into the IRR/BIA system.   Once the bridge is done, the old bridge will be disabled, but the State would not be billed until 2009, assuming the work has been done.

 

Mr. Tarkowski asked if the group agreed to include the tribal connector road.  Mr. Foster said it would be both the bridge and the road, and it fits in with the Board of Supervisors’ resolution recently passed, since it is a key element of the 69/89 interchange and the Sun Dog/tribal connector.  He said it is in the ADOT fiscal year 2010 for $1.4 million, but the tribe can put it in their fiscal year where they want it. 

 

Mr. Straub noted that since the tribe is not yet a member of the MPO, and is a sovereign nation, their project probably should not appear on the MPO TIP.  Mr. Moss said that they are part of the boundary geographically, although they are not a signatory to the IGA.

 

In response to a request for clarification from Chair Tarkowski, Mr. Shambaugh said that the portion that belongs to the state should go into the TIP.  It was agreed that it should go into FY09, which will be acted on in item #8 on this agenda.

 

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

 

VOTE ON THE MOTION

 

The motion passed by unanimous vote:  Mr. Foster, Ms. Gilbert, Mr. McConnell, Ms. Moody, Mr. Straub, and Chair Tarkowski were in favor; no one opposed.

 

 

 

8.         DEVELOPMENT OF INTERIM TIP 2005-2009Jack Shambaugh

 

Based on the discussion regarding the state-owned property to be included for FY09, Mr. Tarkowski said that they have agreed to include this as an addition to the interim TIP.  With this in mind, he asked for a motion on the interim TIP for 2005-2009.

 

MOTION

 

Mr. Straub introduced a motion to adopt the interim TIP 2005-2009 with the addition as discussed.

 

Mr. Foster seconded the motion.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Mr. Straub specified that it should be stated as the ADOT bridge replacement.  After discussion, Mr. Foster clarified that it should be described as a roadway turnback.

 

VOTE ON THE MOTION

 

The motion passed by unanimous vote:  Mr. Foster, Ms. Gilbert, Mr. McConnell, Ms. Moody, Mr. Straub, and Chair Tarkowski were in favor; no one opposed.

 

9.         PROGRESS FOR THE MTP – Phil Bourdon

 

Mr. Bourdon said that early in October, Patricia had worked with the communities to adjust the traffic analysis zones (TAZ).  Those were returned on October 25th.  She then asked for comments back to be sure that all comments have been included in the TAZ for the area; the deadline is November 5th.  Mr. Bourdon said that Patricia believes she has made all the changes, if she does not hear negatively by November 5th.  The next step is to gear up with the TAC, either before or after Thanksgiving, and begin monthly meetings.  He said they need to sit down as a group to be sure they have captured everything and start crunching the numbers and moving forward.   He asked if the group 1) preferred to start before or after Thanksgiving, and 2) would they want to meet immediately after the TAC meeting, or do they want to set a separate day.  He said he prefers a separate day and would work with the agencies to determine a time that works.

 

In response to a question from Chair Tarkowski, Mr. Bourdon said they are still on schedule timewise.  Although they did lose a couple of weeks on one item, Patricia moved on to working on the model and the interface to ensure the entire project would stay on time.  He said he would let the group know if they fall behind on a major task.

 

Mr. Tarkowski said that if they are still on schedule, he would just as soon wait until after Thanksgiving.  Mr. Bourdon agreed, stating it would give them more time to work out a meeting date that would work for everyone.

 

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

 

Mr. Straub said that the project, under Mr. Willett’s direction is moving ahead.  They met with Mr. Foster yesterday and brought him up-to-date on a few issues.  They also met with the Town Council and they have asked for another meeting on some specific items.  They have also been meeting with property owners along the northern end of the corridor and that seems to be going fairly well. 

 

Mr. Straub said they have made progress in determining that things are going to happen along this corridor.  The town is working on a signal and some improvements for Road 2 South.  He said they should have the first draft of the preliminary plan next month for the northern part.  He added that the Board of Supervisors did approve them going south to 89A with the preliminary study, which is underway now.  He said they have an aerial strip of the northern portion if anyone needs it.

 

He reiterated that they will have some recommendations for the Board of Supervisors in December on the project and how they can move forward with concrete and steel, rather than just paper on what can be done.

 

11.       FY2004-2005 LTAF II

 

Mr. Shambaugh explained that LTAF stands for Local Transportation Assistance Funds.  He said he had given out preliminary numbers to the agencies in August, and recently notified them of the actual funds available and the deadline for submitting applications.  He said applications are due to the CYMPO on November 12th and that two signatures are required; the state is adamant that the Council or Board of Supervisors approves of the application and commitment of local match.

 

For future reference, Mr. Shambaugh said that, while not directly eligible, non-profit agencies providing transportation may approach local governments and request all or a portion of those LTAF II funds.  He said that eligible activities include transit planning studies or portions of such studies.

 

Chair Tarkowski said that Prescott Valley is planning to use their LTAF II money to fund their voucher transit program more heavily than they have in the past.  He added that their town and Prescott had been funding the program with general funds when there were no LTAF monies.  Now, this will give them the opportunity to fund it with LTAF II funds. 

 

Mr. McConnell said that Community Development handles that program for Prescott.  He will find out if they plan to submit an application. 

 

12.       AGENCY UPDATES

 

Yavapai County                                                                                               Richard Straub

Mr. Straub reported that Supervisor Brownlow had asked them to look at the Diamond Valley traffic issues.  Peter Jorgensen and DAVA are also looking at issues to the east.  He said he does not know if they will have any solutions, but they are actively looking at what might happen in that corridor.  After they assess the situation, they will get with ADOT and discuss options to help traffic in the neighborhoods with ADOT. 

 

Chair Tarkowski asked if this should be on the next agenda to support the expansion of the Project Assessment beyond the current scope, which basically ends at Victorian Estates.  He said expanding it into Diamond Valley makes a lot of sense. 

 

After a brief discussion, it was determined that this item does not need to be included on the next agenda.

 

Mr. Walt Matthews of Diamond Valley asked that as things progress, someone from Diamond Valley be included in the discussions.  The group concurred that this would be appropriate. 

 

Forest Service                                                                                                            Cynthia Moody

Ms. Moody said things are quiet now; there is nothing new to report.

 

ADOT                                                                                                             Tom Foster

Mr. Foster reported that they are moving forward with the designs for the 69/89/Sun Dog.  He noted that the money is starting to run out and some things are going to have to be cut out because they cannot afford them.  They had originally planned to cut down on some of the enhancement features, such as pavement for the trails.  However, they found out that they were successful in getting a grant of around $300,000, which will be used for paving those trails.  Mr. Foster said they will be consulting with the city and the tribe on what can be cut out.

 

Mr. Foster further reported that the Sun Dog/Willow Lake project is very close and should stay on budget as long as new items are not added.

 

Prescott                                                                                                          Craig McConnell

Mr. McConnell reported that there is nothing new to report; they are shutting down for the winter and working on designs for next year.

 

Chino Valley                                                                                                   (Unassigned)              

No report.

 

Prescott Valley                                                                                                           Larry Tarkowski

Chair Tarkowski reported that Prescott Valley is likewise slowing down for the winter.  He noted that the recent rains had made Robert Road "interesting", but Fann Contracting has kept on top of it.

 

Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe                                                                       Chris Moss

Mr. Moss said they are still moving ahead on their connector road project.  They are at 30% and ADOT‘s

bridge group has seen it.  They are adding the costs to the ADOT transportation system.

 

CYMPO                                                                                                          Jack Shambaugh

Mr. Shambaugh reported that they had recently met with Dale Buskirk, ADOT TPD, and one of the topics was priority programming.  Mr. Buskirk indicated that MoveAZ will direct the next construction program.  Projects scoped for 2010 will be scoped using MoveAZ, and construction projects using the MoveAZ criteria will occur in FY2011.  He added that the State Transportation Board did add the MAG Long-Range Transportation Plan into MoveAZ.

 

Mr. Shambaugh further reported that the State needs to make the submittal for the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) on June 15.  They have had difficulty in meeting that deadline in the past and the products have not been particularly complete.  All the data on the local level comes from the local government, so there is a requirement for the collection and reporting back the data.  ADOT will be holding a meeting in December or January to update the MPOs and COGs regional planners on this issue.  Mr. Shambaugh said he would be sharing those requirements with this group once the meeting takes place.

 

In response to a question from Chair Tarkowski, Mr. Shambaugh said the requirements would not be any different than in the past.

 

13.       MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Mr. Straub reported that they counted traffic on Fain Road again.  A year ago they were at 4,000, right after opening; now they are at 8,000.  Traffic has doubled in one year, and it will be interesting to see what happens next year.

 

Chair Tarkowski asked Mr. Shambaugh to “open the door” to the new community that was created in the recent election, Humboldt-Dewey.  They will need to be a signatory to the IGA.  He said there is already a project for their area, which is their portion of 69/169.  Mr. Straub also noted that the new community means that Old Black Canyon, by Young’s Farm, is no longer the County’s responsibility.  He said they will maintain it until July 1, when the new city will receive State shared revenues.

 

Mr. McConnell asked if there would be an Executive Board meeting this month.  Mr. Shambaugh said there would be, on Wednesday, November 17th.

 

14.       NEXT MEETING

 

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

 

Thursday, December 2, 2004

8:00 a.m.

Prescott Chamber Boardroom

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Chairman Tarkowski adjourned the meeting at 8:58 a.m.

 

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