TAC Meeting Minutes
October 11, 2007
1. Call to Order & Welcome:
District 9 Co-Chairman Gary Brown called the October 11, 2007 TAC meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. Gary welcomed Charlie Schlottach, District 111 Representative and chairman of the house appropriations committee on transportation and economic development and Mike Henderson and Robby Rakestraw, both from MoDOT District 9. Richard Cavender introduced new staff member Lisa Warnke.
Attendance:
Ed Worley, Gary Brown, Donald Dodd, Darrell Skiles, J.D. Lester, Richard Huse, James Kleffner, Danny Foster, Jerry Wolfe, John Butz, Diane Crouch, John Petersen, Larry Stratman, Bruce Harrill, John Casey, T.R. Dudley, Genda Chen, Mike Dusenberg, Alan Gerstenecker, Mike Henderson, Charles Schlottach, Tom Stehn and Alan Trampe
Visitors: Jay Gourley, Robby Rakestraw, Linda Gast, Randy Verkamp, James Morgan and Elizabeth Bax
Staff: Richard Cavender, Amy McMillen, Bonnie Prigge, Connie Willman and Lisa Warnke
2. Approval of August Minutes:
A motion was made by Jim Kleffner and was seconded by Ed Worley to approve the August 9, 2007, TAC meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Pulaski Highway 17 Bridge Replacement Update:
Robby Rakestraw, MoDOT District 9, had attended the last TAC meeting, asking for support for replacing the Pulaski County Hwy. 17 Bridge at its current location, causing an eight-month closure. At that time, the TAC asked Mr. Rakestraw to research the total cost-savings and impact to citizens, so the TAC could make a more informed decision. Mr. Rakestraw distributed a handout and reviewed the five Alternate plans of repair/replacement for the Pulaski Highway 17 Bridge. These alternates are:
Robby Rakestraw presented information that was garnered from a survey conducted during a public meeting held on September 18 in Pulaski County. Approximately 120 citizens attended the meeting. About 88 percent of the attendees and call-in respondents chose to go with a “No Close” option on repair (Alternate E). Mr. Rakestraw stated that Alternate E is the most expensive option for MoDOT; however it will be the safest and least costly option for the motorist, school buses, emergency vehicles and others who are using the bridge on a daily basis.
Bruce Harrill made the motion to recommend that MoDOT pursue Alternate E for the Pulaski Highway 17 Bridge Replacement and J.D. Lester seconded the motion. Tom Stehn requested that the TAC/MRPC write a letter of support to MoDOT. Motion passed. Recommendation will be presented to MRPC at tonight’s meeting.
4. Rolla Fifth Interchange
John Petersen, Rolla community development director, and Elizabeth Bax, Rolla Regional Economic Commission executive director, distributed handouts and gave a presentation describing the proposed Rolla Fifth Interchange. Ms. Bax gave a brief power point presentation and requested that MRPC include the Rolla Fifth Interchange into the State Transportation Priorities List. She mentioned the benefits of improvements on Highway 63 and how it will impact the economy, not just in Rolla but statewide as well. This interchange will ultimately improve the traffic flow in Rolla on Highway 63; currently traffic through Rolla on 63 Highway is comparable to traffic on I-44. The Fifth Interchange in Rolla would set up the infrastructure of 4-laning 63 highway all the way south. An environmental study has already been done to find out the impact of this exchange. A market study has also been done that shows that the interchange could actually increase retail sales in Rolla by about $250 million dollars if the retail area is developed correctly in conjunction with the interchange and highway 63 improvements. Rolla has potential to pay for all or part of this infrastructure through future sales tax and is committed in finding ways to fund this infrastructure. Fundamentality Rolla wants it to be recognized that although the Fifth Interchange and turning Highway 63 into a 4-lane are two separate projects, they are still two parts of a whole. Mr. Petersen and Ms. Bax asked that the TAC support the project and that it be placed on the STIP. In order for the city to seek special congressional funding, the project must be on the STIP.
Tom Stehn pointed out that improvement is slated for Highway 63 and with this there is a certain dollar amount that is allocated for the project but the fifth interchange is not figured into that amount. He suggested that adding more money to the cost of improving 63 Highway at this point, could negatively affect the outcome but if Highway 50/63 becomes a major corridor priority and if the city of Rolla is willing to do a cost share on the project or carry it 100 percent then the project might be feasible and included. Tom Stehn suggested that Rolla should get the support of TAC but concentrate on getting Highway 63 recognized as a priority corridor. Bonnie Prigge asked Tom Stehn that when Hwy. 63 is on the STIP and it is a state priority and the fifth exchange becomes a part of the Hwy. 63 improvements is it accurate to say that because Hwy. 63 improvements are on the STIP, then the fifth interchange – a Hwy. 63 improvement – is part of the STIP. This is asked because Senator Bond will provide earmarked funding only for projects already on STIP.
Richard Cavender asked if the TAC committee recommended the fifth interchange as a viable enhancement to the 63 corridor but not ask for funding at this point could it be moved forward. Tom Stehn said that would be a good thing to do because it would be closer to what the package would look like if additional funding does come forward – if for some reason additional funding isn’t available we won’t have Hwy. 63 at all. It comes down to the question – if the city of Rolla would fund 100 percent of it or do they want to do a cost share with MoDOT and show how it would benefit the state to do that. There are a lot of options here and just because as a state it is determined that 63 is priority it is still an unfunded priority and none of it is on the STIP until additional funding comes across.
Bonnie Prigge stated that the dollar figure shouldn’t be changed at this point because that could lower the chances of Hwy. 63 getting on the priority list and it already has a high dollar figure. Bonnie mentioned that the TAC could support it without additional dollars recognizing that if funding becomes available then it can be decided who is paying for what at that point. Tom Stehn said that MoDOT won’t turn away parts (of a whole project) but Rolla needs to show how the by-pass would benefit the state and that will help raise priority. Mike Dusenberg mentioned that there are a lot of avenues available for alternative funding, particularly innovative finance avenues. There is a $30 million cost share pot that is available every year. If the city of Rolla is serious about the cost share then there is at least a 50 percent match that might be available. Tom Stehn commented that 63 is a major north/south corridor but the value and cost are the challenges that need to be overcome on this project.
Richard Cavender suggested that if the TAC made a motion to move this project forward to try to get it on the STIP, it should be with the stipulation that the City of Rolla will seek alternative forms of funding for it.
Diane Crouch made the motion that the TAC approve the Fifth Interchange in Rolla to be included in the STIP, providing there are alternative forms of funding available and with the understanding that this project will still have to be approved through MoDOT before any implementation takes place. Bruce Harrill seconded the motion. The motion passed.
5. Statewide Major Priorities
Bonnie Prigge distributed the 2007 Statewide Transportation Investment Priorities Revised List from the sub-committee. Bonnie asked the TAC members to look over the list as November 19 will be the next state meeting when the list will be voted on. Richard mentioned that neither co-chair can go to the November meeting and two TAC members will be needed, one from District 5 and one from District 9, to attend the meeting. Those interested in attending are to see Richard Cavender.
6. Amendment 3 Priorities
Bonnie Prigge distributed a list of projects determined eligible by Districts 5 and 9. MoDOT has identified about $140 million of Amendment 3 money that can be spent on construction. Planning Partners will prioritize projects at the Nov. 19 meeting as well. About $70 million will be available for rural Missouri. Possible projects must be on the Investment Priority list, be ready to build in three to five years and have matching dollars. The TAC committee was asked to vote on the Amendment 3 Priorities survey so that a count of the four top priorities could be attained for the Meramec Region. This information will be used in the meeting on Nov. 19, 2007, when voting for state priorities. Ranking of importance for the priorities after the survey is as follows:
1 – Rt. 63 – Phelps County: Divided 4-Lane from north of Rolla to Maries County line. Right of Way purchased. Cost estimated at $12.5 mil. District 9 to provide 30% match. 14 high votes
2 – Rt. 50 – Osage County: 4-Lane from MariOsa Delta at Hwy 63 to Linn. Cost estimated at $31.5 mil – District 5 will provide $5 mil. 8 high votes, 5 medium votes, and 1 low vote
3 – Rt. 63 – 4-Lane 2.5 miles of Hwy 63 at West Plains will fill a gap on corridor. Estimated cost is $6.8 mil. – District 9 to contribute $2 mil. on corridor. 5 high votes, 6 medium votes, and 3 low votes
4 – Rt. 5 – Shared 4-Lane on Hwy 5 from Niangua Bridge to Laurie. Cost estimated at $55 mil. – Transportation Corp. forming and would provide match. 5 high votes and 9 low votes
7. MoDOT Updates and Staff Reports
District 9 reported that:
District 5 reported that:
8. Adjournment:
Jerry Wolfe made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Donald Dodd seconded the motion. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 5:34 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________
District 9, Co-Chair, Gary Brown Date