November 19, 2009
The regular meeting of the Utah Transportation Commission, held in the Green River Senior Center, 355 East 175 South, Green River, Utah, was called to order at 8:37 a.m. by Vice-Chairman Jerry B. Lewis. He welcomed those attending and excused Chairman Holt and Commissioner Barlow from the meeting. He also welcomed Dannie R. McConkie, as the newest Commission member.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Holbrook moved to approve the minutes of the October 13, 2009, UDOT/Commission Tour and Staff Update Meeting, and the October 14, 2009, Commission Meeting, held in Ogden, Utah. Commissioner Millington seconded the motion and the minutes were approved.
LOCAL AREA PRESENTATION BY REGION FOUR
Vice-Chairman Lewis turned the time over to Commissioner Wilson for the Local Area Presentation and Public Comments portion of the agenda. Introductions were made of the Commission and local elected officials attending the meeting. Rick Torgerson started the local area presentation using a PowerPoint presentation and reviewed the funding histories of four corridors: I-70, SR-10, US-6, and US-191. He also reviewed local government projects in the area. Monte Aldridge talked about pavement and maintenance projects in the area, as well as bridge and capacity projects. Robert Dowell discussed US-6 safety information and Traffic and Safety projects in the area.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Bruce Adams, San Juan County Commissioner, expressed appreciation for the work done on the project in Monticello on US 191 and 491, and commented on the Lisbon Valley project that will be discussed later in the meeting and the Monticello Port of Entry. Lynn Stevens, San Juan County Commissioner, addressed an issue they have with the ferry. They would like the Department to reconsider reopening the ferry. He distributed a copy of a ‘Resolution of the Public Lands Steering Committee, Utah Association of Counties,’ asking the Commission and UDOT to provide sufficient funding to allow the ferry to continue full time operation. Mayor Doug Allen from Monticello also expressed his appreciation for the project done in Monticello. Myron Lee, Monticello City Manager, also commented on the project as well, and said although it was painful for many businesses, they will benefit from the project in the years to come.
Dan Harrison, Green River City Council, talked about the possibility of UDOT rebuilding Main Street through Green River. The city is hoping to coordinate their own street projects with the Main Street project, so they are asking that the Main Street project be moved up, if possible. Steve Ogden from Region Four responded that the Main Street project is on their radar, but it’s not funded at this point. Bill Krompel, Carbon County Commissioner, talked about Nine Mile Canyon Road. He provided detailed information on what opportunities are currently happening in the area, and asked for cooperation to pool resources to invest a minimum of $20 million on Nine Mile Canyon Road, with the State providing $5 million. Laurie Pitchforth, Emery County Commissioner, thanked UDOT for the projects that have been done on I-70, the Moore cut off road, and other projects in the area. Commissioner Wilson turned the time back to Vice-Chairman Lewis.
UDOT SCOREBOARD
Ahmad Jaber, Systems Planning and Programming Director, gave the report on UDOT’s safety program, and then followed with a report on the construction program. Handouts were distributed for both reports.
ARRA UPDATE
Ahmad Jaber distributed handouts and noted that all obligations have been met, except for one local government project, which will be advertised next month. And as projects are completed, any excess monies will be recommended to the Commission to be used on projects from the provisional project list that was created.
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING
Bill Lawrence, Program Finance Director, said this item deals with adjustments to ARRA funded projects. They would like to reobligate excess funds to additional projects. Mr. Lawrence noted some changes to the spreadsheet titled ‘Projects to Program with Remaining Balances’ in the binder. The Welcome to Utah signs have been removed from the list, as they will be funded with state funds. Also, the additional funds being requested for the Wildlife Fence project on I-80 should be $25,000, not $50,000.
Commissioner Holbrook moved to approve the ARRA funding adjustments, with the corrections as noted. Commissioner Millington seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Mr. Lawrence said the second set of ARRA funding adjustments are to the Bridge Program, and the second fact sheet in the binders explains the adjustments being made.
Commissioner Millington moved to approve the ARRA funding adjustments to the Bridge Program. Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence said that in the past, the Transit Program was brought forward as a program item; however, they are now bringing it forward as a list of projects. The projects were reviewed last month, so they are now asking for approval of the project list for the FTA Programs awards.
Commissioner Holbrook moved to approve the project list for the FTA Programs awards. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Millington and unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence commented that Utah received five awards for projects from FHWA under the National Scenic Byways Program for FY 09, as authorized in SAFETEA-LU. Nationwide, there were 160 projects in 43 states that were selected. Utah’s projects are listed on the fact sheet in the binders.
Commissioner Millington moved to approve adding Utah’s five projects from the FY 2009 Scenic Byways Program to the STIP. Commissioner Holbrook seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence said this request was brought to the Commission last month for information. Approval is being requested this month by Region One to transfer $27 million of funds from five region projects to the SR-193; Extension, 500 West to 200 West project. The schedule of projects contributing funds is in the binders.
Commissioner McConkie moved to approve the $27 million funding adjustment for the SR-193; Extension, 500 West to 2000 West project. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wilson and unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence said that UDOT’s Bridge Operations group is requesting approval to transfer funds from the US-6; 3.3 Miles West of Delta Bridge project to the I-80; Eastbound Structure at Atkinson Canyon project. The funds are available due to a favorable bid.
Commissioner Wilson moved to approve the funding adjustment for the I-80 Eastbound Structure at Atkinson Canyon. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Millington and approved unanimously.
Bill Lawrence said Utah County proposes to partner with UDOT to construct Geneva Road. The agreement would have UDOT and Utah County enter into an inter-local agreement to fund $30 million of State funding for the project. The County would pay UDOT approximately $2.4 million per year for 12 years. That rate could be accelerated depending on other factors. The request today is for approval to transfer $30 million from the Vineyard Connector project to the Geneva Road project, contingent upon completion of the interlocal agreement. Commissioner Lewis reminded the staff of the items that were discussed in the Staff Update meeting that needed to be included in the agreement.
Commissioner Holbrook moved to approve the transfer of $30 million of State funding from the Vineyard Connector project to the Geneva Road project, contingent upon completion of the interlocal agreement between UDOT and Utah County. Commissioner Millington seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Carlos Braceras, Deputy Director, explained that they would like to have this item considered for action. However, the second bullet item on the fact sheet has $2 million coming from the SR-6; MP 200 Bridge. There were previous discussions in the Staff Update meeting about some problems at that bridge; in order to fix the problems, $500,000 of those funds are needed to do an overlay next spring. Therefore, the amount going to the SR-73 project would need to be reduced by $500,000, for a total of $8.789 million instead of $9.289 million. The region will need to reduce the scope of the project or find additional funds somewhere.
Commissioner Millington moved to add the SR-73; Ranches Parkway to Redwood Road project to the STIP, at a funding level of $8.789 million. Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence said that no action is needed on this item, as they were able to resolve the issue, and they don’t need to bring additional funding to the project. As a result, the funds that were going to be transferred from the Mountain View Corridor project are not needed. And, due to an exceptional bid on the MVC project, there will be $20-25 million to reprogram. Handouts were distributed showing possible projects to program from the TIF and CHNF lists.
Bill Lawrence said the Joint Highway Committee is requesting approval to add the Lisbon Valley Road, Phase III(b) project to the STIP as a new project. This project is a county priority due to mineral extraction activities in the area.
Commissioner Wilson moved to add the Lisbon Valley Road, Phase III(b) project to the 2010 STIP. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McConkie and unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence said Region Four is requesting a scope change to the Monticello Port of Entry funding that is currently listed in the STIP for US-191. A decision has been made not to build a new Port of Entry on US-191, and the request is to use the remaining $1.75 million of NHS funds to upgrade the existing Port located on US-491.
Commissioner Wilson moved to approve the change of scope of the Monticello Port of Entry funding, from US-191 to US-491. Commissioner Holbrook seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Bill Lawrence said this is a WFRC request to transfer $837,288 from the 1300 East; North Temple to 500 South project to the North Temple Reconstruction project. Those funds will combine with other funding sources to help meet the estimated $71 million cost of the combined North Temple roadway and Airport Light Rail viaduct.
Commissioner Holbrook moved to approve the transfer of $837,288 from the 1300 East; North Temple to 500 South project to the North Temple Reconstruction project. Commissioner Millington seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
UDOT PROPERTY TRADE
Lyle McMillan, Right of Way Director, said that a local developer owns property on the corner of SR-164 and Del Monte Road in Spanish Fork. UDOT needs some property there for a signal improvement project. The property has a value of $114,500. UDOT owns some landlocked property on the corner of Del Monte Road and Calpac Avenue that borders the developer’s property on the southeast side. The value of this property is approximately $39,000. The developer would like to trade the property so he can access the southeast side of his subdivision from a public road, and understands that he would be giving up more valuable land than he is getting in the trade. The subdivision is what will benefit from the trade. Region Three has determined that the land proposed in this trade is not needed by UDOT for any future expansion.
Commissioner Millington moved to approve the property trade on SR-164, Del Monte Road and Arrowhead in Spanish Fork. Commissioner McConkie seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
James Christian, FHWA Division Administrator, reported that they are still in a continuing resolution with the Federal transportation bill through December 18th. He noted there is movement to go for a six-month continuing resolution. Mr. Christian also said they are pleased with the progress of Utah’s ARRA projects, and no major issues have been found in their inspections.
Commissioner Millington reported on the Corridor Preservation Advisory Committee. Commissioner Holbrook noted that she missed yesterday’s UTA Board meeting, since she was touring this area with the Commission. Commissioner Wilson gave a report on the CIB Board.
The next regular Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 10, 2009, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The dates for the April STIP Workshop and Commission Meeting were discussed, as it was noted that there was a conflict with Interim that week. The dates were then changed to April 27 and 28. The following dates and locations have also been scheduled:
January 14, 2010 – Salt Lake CityFebruary 18, 2010 – Salt Lake CityMarch 16-17, 2010 – St. GeorgeApril 27-28, 2010 – Salt Lake City (new dates)
The meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.
The following Commissioners, staff members and others were in attendance:
Jerry B. Lewis, Vice-Chairman Bevan K. Wilson, Commissioner Meghan Z. Holbrook, Commissioner J. Kent Millington, Commissioner Dannie R. McConkie, Commissioner LeAnn G. Abegglen, Commission Secretary John Njord, Executive Director Carlos M. Braceras, Deputy Director Linda Hull, Legislative and Government Affairs Dir Adan Carrillo, Community Relations Bill Lawrence, Program Finance Director Bob Pelly, Systems Planning and Programming Lyle McMillan, Right of Way Director Dian McGuire, Right of Way Cory Pope, Region One Director Shane Marshall, Region Three Nathan Lee, Region Four Director Kevin Kitchen, Region Four Rick Torgerson, Region Four Robert Dowell, Region Four Monte Aldridge, Region Four Steve Ogden, Region Four James Christian, FHWA Division Administrator Darrell Cook, MAG Andrew Jackson, MAG Lynn Stevens, San Juan County Commission Joe Trenery, Ferron City Gene Ciarus, Grand County Council Jerry L. McNeely, San Juan County Public Works Alan Jensen, Stanley Consultants Dan Nelson, Civil Science Katherine Brown, Green River City P & Z Myron Lee, Monticello City Bruce Adams, San Juan County Commission Kevin Mock, URS Corp Mayor Bruce Andrews, Sunnyside City Laurie Pitchforth, Emery County Commission Bryan Meadows, Green River City Phillip Engleman, Green River City Council Dan Harrison, Green River City Council Keith Brady, Green River City Council Bill Krompell, Carbon County Commission Mayor Doug Allen, Monticello City
