August 15, 2013 -- Meeting
The regular meeting of the Utah Transportation Commission was held in the Wasatch County Council Chambers, 25 North Main Street, Heber City, Utah, and called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chairman Jeffrey D. Holt. He welcomed those attending.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Cox moved to approve the minutes of the July 18, 2013, Commission tour and Staff Update meeting, and the July 19, 2013, Commission meeting. Commissioner Barlow seconded the motion, and the minutes were approved.
LOCAL AREA PRESENTATION BY REGION THREE
Teri Newell, Region Three Director, welcomed everyone to Region Three and then turned the time over to Brent Schvaneveldt to give the local area presentation covering current and future projects in the Region Three area.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Senator Kevin Van Tassell, Utah State Senate, spoke about his being a part of a Legislative Task Force that has been challenged to come up with a transportation funding plan for the next 10-15 years in the State of Utah, as current dollars they have to work with are not keeping up with the demands and needs. He also noted that the Uintah Basin Study would have an impact on Wasatch County. Representative Kraig Powell, Utah House of Representatives, welcomed the Commission to Wasatch County. He said that one of the things he hears from constituents has to do with the increase in the thru traffic due to the energy production in the Uintah Basin. That impact is unsustainable on the major arteries, and they are concerned about Heber Main Street. Bob Jasper, Summit County Manager, also welcomed the Commission to the area. He talked about the process Summit and Wasatch Counties are going through to do regional planning, as population is expected to more than double and the tourism industry is coming back “big time.”
Mayor Dave Phillips of Heber City expressed his appreciation for the relationship they have with Region Three. The widening of US-189 has made a great improvement. He also talked about the work done on SR-113, airport project grant matches, RPO planning, and the Heber Bypass. Jay Price, Wasatch County Council, echoed the comments made thus far. Jamie Evans commented on Teri Newell becoming Region Three‟s new director.
UDOT SCOREBOARD
Randy Park, Project Development Director, gave the report for the Construction program, and Shane Marshall, Deputy Director, gave the Safety report.
SR-92 PROJECT UPDATE
Bryan Adams, Region Two Deputy Director, gave an update on the SR-92 project using a Power Point presentation. He discussed the positives and the many benefits of the project, its current status, an investment summary, and the next steps for project closeout. Mr. Adams and Director Braceras answered questions from the Commission. There was additional discussion regarding the escalation process.
THE POINT PROJECT SCOPE REVIEW
Tim Rose, Project Director for the I-15 Point Project, gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the I-15 Point Project. He noted that there was an 11 mile section of I-15 between Lehi Main Street and 12300 South in Salt Lake County that was not part of either major I-15 project that was completed. He then reviewed the following project information: a 2020 level of service comparison between „no build‟ and „with improvements‟; project scope and budget; preliminary additives; preliminary project goals and objectives; and preliminary schedule. Additional discussion focused on project limits and available funding.
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING
Bill Lawrence, Program Finance Director, said there are three projects that have reached construction complete, are beginning the closeout process, and have available funding to remove and reprogram. The list of „Programming Final Voucher‟ projects was reviewed and Mr. Lawrence requested for approval to transfer the funding to be reprogrammed in the future.
Commissioner Zeenati moved to approve the transfer of funding as detailed in the Programming Final Voucher Adjustments list. Commissioner Holbrook seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence said this request is for programming adjustments at award for two projects, due to good bids. The list of „Programming Award Adjustment‟ projects was reviewed and Mr. Lawrence requested approval to transfer the funding to be reprogrammed in the future.
Commissioner Millington moved to approve the transfer of funding as detailed in the Programming Award Adjustments list. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barlow and unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence said that UDOT‟s Bridge group is requesting approval to transfer $530,000 of Statewide Bridge Program Unspent Funds/ST_GF_BRIDGE funds to the FY 2014 Bridge Preservation Program for the I-215; 700 East over I-215, C-725 project. This will fully fund the project to provide preservation and minor rehabilitation treatments. Mr. Lawrence requested approval to transfer the funds.
Commissioner Holbrook moved to approve the transfer of $530,000 of State General Fund Bridge Funds from the Bridge Program Unspent Funds to the 2014 Bridge Preservation Program. Commissioner Zeenati seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence said Region Three is requesting to add the US-189; Utah/Wasatch County Line to State Park project to the Pavement Rehabilitation Projects list. This request also includes moving the current US-189; Utah/Wasatch County Line project from the Preservation Program to the Rehabilitation Program List. Mr. Lawrence explained that the project was originally scoped as a pavement preservation project for a minor rotomill and overlay. However, it was discovered that the pavement was in worse condition than anticipated. Exploratory work was performed by the contractor and it was determined that the weak, unbounded layer of asphalt material needed to be completely removed in both directions. The current project and funding will complete the westbound direction, and the new project would complete the eastbound direction. The $1.75 million for the new project would come from Region Three‟s De-obligation fund.
Commissioner Barlow moved for approval to add the US-189; Utah/Wasatch County Line to State Park Eastbound project in the amount of $1.75 million to the Pavement Rehabilitation Program, and move the current preservation project to the Rehabilitation Program and list. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Zeenati and unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence explained that the original funding for this project was STP small urban funds, and were exchanged at 85 cents on the dollar for state funds. The project finished under budget, and $161,000 of state funds was removed to be reprogrammed. Region Four is requesting to return and program $100,000 in funding that was removed from the project to address issues that recently showed up that were not addressed in the original scope of work. In the original project, the right of way limits required 2 to 1 slopes, which are now washing onto the roadway during storm events. Cedar City would like to use the money to install a small retaining wall to address the issue.
Commissioner Zeenati moved to approve adding the Cove Drive Retaining Wall project to the STIP. Commissioner Barlow seconded the motion it was unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence reminded the Commission that approval was given in June to publish the Draft STIP. Notice was given in local newspapers with information regarding to whom and how to comment. The Draft STIP was open for review and public comment from June 29th through August 3rd, but there were no comments received by UDOT or the MPO‟s. Approval is requested from the Commission to send the Draft STIP to FHWA/FTA for review and approval.
Commissioner Millington moved to approve sending the FY 2014-2019 Draft STIP to FHWA and FTA for their review and approval. Commissioner Zeenati seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence said a draft capacity project list was developed in preparation for the Legislative Interim Committee, and to begin the process in prioritizing the programming of the anticipated FY 2018 Transportation Investment Fund, estimated to be approximately $300 million. He referred to the spreadsheets in the binders and explained that the 30 year Long Range Plan (LRP) is split into three 10 year phases. The projects in the LRP are categorized and ranked within each phase using the prioritization process. The six categories include: widening existing facilities, new facilities, upgrade existing at-grade intersections, new interchanges on existing freeways, upgrade existing interchanges, and passing lanes. Mr. Lawrence noted that the funding total of the lists is not financially constrained, but it gives them a place to start.
UDOT PROPERTY TRADE WITH MAVERIK
Lyle McMillan, Director of Right of Way, presented information on a potential property trade with Maverik. He explained that in conjunction with the upcoming I-15 Point project, they were approached a few months ago by Maverik, who was planning to build a truck stop/fuel station and convenience store in the southeast quadrant of I-15 and 14600 South. UDOT‟s design for The Point project calls for the current frontage road to be realigned through the land where Mavrick intended to build their fuel station. UDOT and Maverik have worked together to identify a shared solution that requires Commission approval. Mr. McMillan referred to the map in the binders and said Maverik will exchange 1.813 acres of property for 2.807 acres of UDOT property. The exchange is uneven by less than an acre, but is the amount of additional property needed to effectively replace the functionality of the station that Maverik is giving up. This is due to the change in shape of the property and the best design that can be placed on the remainder. Mr. McMillan answered questions from the Commission and there was additional discussion regarding the acquisition of surrounding land.
Commissioner Holbrook moved to approve the land exchange with Maverik (parcel D-1 for parcels A-2, A-3, B-2, B-3), with approval contingent upon the acquisition of parcel C-1. Commissioner Cox seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Russell Robertson from FHWA shared that James Christian has been selected as the new Florida Division Administrator and will be leaving in October. He then presented UDOT with an FHWA Environmental Excellence Award for Research for their work on wildlife crossings/structures.
Chairman Holt gave a report on the CIB; Commissioner Holbrook reported on JPAC; Commissioner McConkie reported on the Regional Growth Committee and mentioned the Wasatch 2040 event scheduled for October 29th; and Commissioner Zeenati said that DTAC meets next week and will be adding cities to the Dixie MPO.
The next regular Utah Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 13, 2013, in Logan, Utah. The following dates and locations have been scheduled:
October 10-11, 2013 – MoabNovember 14-15, 2013 – TooeleDecember 6, 2013 – Salt Lake City
The meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
The following Commissioners, staff members and others were in attendance:
Jeffrey D. Holt, ChairmanJ. Kent Millington, Vice-ChairmanMeghan Z. Holbrook CommissionerWayne K. Barlow, CommissionerDannie R. McConkie, CommissionerEddie L. Cox, CommissionerNaghi Zeenati, CommissionerLeAnn G. Abegglen, Commission SecretaryCarlos Braceras, Executive DirectorShane Marshall, Deputy DirectorRandy Park, Project Development DirectorBill Lawrence, Program DevelopmentBob Pelly, Program DevelopmentNile Easton, Director of Community RelationsJohn Gleason, Community RelationsLyle McMillan, Right of Way DirectorTravis Daley, Right of WayRebecca Nix, StructuresCheryl Simmons, StructuresTim Rose, I-15 The Point Project DirectorKris Peterson, Region One DirectorBryan Adams, Region Two Deputy DirectorTeri Newell, Region Three DirectorBrent Schvaneveldt, Region ThreeMuriel Xochimitl, Region ThreeRussell Robertson, FHWAKevin Van Tassell, Utah State SenateKraig Powell, Utah House of RepresentativesMatt Lund, GOMBJay Price, Wasatch County CouncilBob Jasper, Summit CountyMayor Dave Phillips, Heber CityJeff Bradshaw, Heber City CouncilMark Anderson, Heber CityShaun Seeger, MAGDoug Hattery, WFRCJustin Smart, PPBHTom Walton, Wilson & CompanyEd Cooper, Ashgrove CementDan Fares, Parsons Transportation GroupLeon Harward, Utah CrossingJamie Evans, Evans Grader & PavingJohn Slippey, HMMBrett Hadley, Stanley ConsultantsGarrett McMullen, WW Clyde & Co.Ron Phillips, Phillips Assoc.Tracy Conti, HorricksDan Nelson, Civil ScienceDave Nazare, HDR Eng.Alex Beseris, URSKen Davis, SJ&AAmelia DeslisRyan Taylor, Epic.Laurie Wynn, WAVETracy Taylor, Wasatch Taxpayers Association
