The Utah Transportation Commission convened in a Staff Update Meeting with UDOT staff on March 21, 2013, at the Best Western Abbey Inn – Victoria Room, 1129 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah, at 4:05 p.m.  In attendance were:

Commission Members:  Jeff Holt, Jerry Lewis, Kent Millington, Meghan Holbrook, Wayne Barlow, Dannie McConkie, Eddie Cox. 

UDOT Staff:  John Njord, Carlos Braceras, Cory Pope, Bill Lawrence, Bob Pelly, Ahmad Jaber, Randy Park, Linda Hull, Becky Bradshaw, Shane Marshall, Nathan Lee, Robert Dowell, Rick Torgerson, Kirk Thornock, Dana Meier, Jim McConnell, LeAnn Abegglen.

Others:  James Christian, Jamie Evans, Jan Anderson, Ed Cooper, Curt Hutchins.

Welcome and Review Agenda

     Director John Njord welcomed the group and reviewed the Staff Update meeting agenda.    
 
Legislative Session Review and Fiscal Report

     Linda Hull distributed a handout titled ‘2013 Session Legislative General Session Update’, which included three sections: legislation affecting the Transportation Commission, other legislation of interest, and on-going issues and anticipated Interim Session issues.  Each bill on the list was reviewed and discussed in detail. 

     Becky Bradshaw distributed a packet of information titled ‘2013 Legislative Session Fiscal Report for FY 2014.’  She reviewed the first page and mainly focused on two highlighted line items:  Construction Management and Transportation Investment Fund.  She noted that the totals highlighted in orange is what would be appropriated for 2013, which is just over $9 million less for FY 14 than FY 13, and would come from the construction line item.  She said this would be discussed in more detail at the April STIP workshop

Alton Coal Road

     Bill Lawrence showed pictures of the Alton Coal Road and the poor condition it is in.  He said there are $2 million of federal funds available for that road in 2017, but it is falling apart and they need to find a way to do road improvements sooner than that.  Mr. Lawrence explained the funding transfers that would be made between projects in Region Three and Region Four to bring $1.8 million of 2013 federal funds to the Alton Coal Road project.  Also, Kane County is willing to exchange $1.8 million of federal STP Rural funds for $1.5 million of state funds (85/15).  They would also provide a 10% match, bringing the total project funding to $1.7 million.   There was additional discussion regarding the Region Four projects needing to be done sooner, as well, and how that would happen. 

HB 377 – Transportation Funding Modifications

     Cory Pope discussed HB 377 – Transportation Funding Modifications.  He said there would be $125 million going to the TIF, $10 million to the Transportation Fund, and $20 million to the State Infrastructure Bank.  He reviewed the TIF, the Long Range Plan, and the process used to look at the top priorities in the LRP not yet funded to make recommendations to the Commission.  He said there would be a more in-depth discussion at the STIP Workshop in April.  A handout titled ‘Transportation Funding Modifications HB 377’ was distributed and discussed, and Carlos Braceras provided additional information regarding the $20 million for the SIB loan fund. 

Open Discussion

     There was additional discussion regarding the recent Legislative Session.
 

The meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m.