Meramec Region Transportation Advisory Committee
TAC Meeting Minutes
April 10, 2008
Call to Order & Welcome:
District 5 Co-Chairman, Russell Schuelen, called the April 10, 2008 TAC meeting to order at 4:08 p.m. in the large conference room. Russell Scheulen introduced new TAC member Candace Connell, of Phelps County. Russell also introduced Robert Shaffer, City Engineer of Sullivan.
Attendance: Ron Jost, Donald Dodd, Norm Herren, Bruce Harrill, John Casey, Max Aubuchon, JD Lester, Ed Worley, Richard Huse, Lowell Tonding, James Kleffner, Larry Stratman, Candace Connell, Bill Osborne, Russell Scheulen, John Petersen, and Gary Brown
Visitors:
Robert Schaffer, Jay Gourley, Alan Trampe, Chris Rutledge, Gerald Engemann, Judy & Bernell Hoelmer and Mike Henderson
Staff:
Richard Cavender, Bonnie Prigge, Connie Willman and Lisa Warnke
Approval of February Minutes:
Jim Kleffner made a motion to approve the February 14, 2008 TAC meeting minutes as presented. J.D. Lester seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Report on Hermann Downtown Bridge: Jay Gourley, Hermann Community/Economic Developer
Jay Gourley presented information on the Hermann Downtown Bridge. Jay explained that this bridge was completed in 1930 and has become obsolete and dangerous due to narrow driving lanes and deteriorating concrete. The bridge needs to be removed and a new bridge built that is higher than the existing bridge. Jay stated that it was important to replace this bridge as it is used heavily during floods. The city of Hermann is requesting that the TAC add the bridge to its needs list and consider it for future funding.
Max Aubuchon made a motion to add the Hermann Downtown Bridge to the TAC needs list. Bruce Harrill seconded the motion. Motion Passed.
AASHTO Self-Assessment: Connie Willman
Connie Willman discussed the results of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) self-assessment survey taken at the February TAC meeting. The results showed that education and communication are the two areas that need to be addressed and improved at this time. Connie asked the committee for any comments. Chris Rutledge, District 9 MoDOT encouraged the committee to please call MoDOT about any concerns and stated that MoDOT wants to hear from the communities because this information is valuable to them. MoDOT would be glad to clarify or help where they can. Richard Cavender spoke about the staff reporting back from meetings. Richard also spoke about the prioritization list. Needs that are brought to the TAC or to MoDOT are run through a computerized ranking system, using criteria established by all Transportation Partners.
Grant Applications: Connie Willman
Connie Willman reported on the transportation-related grant applications recently submitted. There were eleven Safe Routes to School grant applications submitted in March: Chamois grant for $250,000; Crocker grant for $220,080; Bourbon grant for $132,000; Dixon grant for $250,000; St. James has three grant applications for $141,000, $104,000 and $16,535; Waynesville grant for $160,000; Salem grant for $142,736; Newburg grant for $98,639; and Hermann grant for $79,245. Connie informed the committee that we have also submitted another grant application for the Route 66 Historic Preservation Program for the Pulaski County Devils Elbow project for $8,000 to supplement the other money that we have received already for that project.
Travel Plan - William Osborne – SMTS
William Osborne spoke on the needs for creating a Travel Plan. Individual travel fuel consumption prices have doubled in the past two years and gas prices are still rising. The cost of the fuel is draining people’s disposable income just to get to work. Bill distributed his business cards and a flyer describing the need of a program and discussed what SMTS does. Bill would like to have a letter of endorsement from TAC and the surrounding communities for a Ride-Share program that will be assessable through the internet. This will have to be a market driven service for the work force. The idea is for someone that is already driving to provide transportation for others in the same area going to the same location to share rides.
MoDOT Updates and Staff Reports:
District 5 Report: Alan Trampe
Alan distributed a map of the projected alternate options for the Highway 63 corridor. Information can be found on website: modot.org select Central District.
Work Zone Awareness week is this week. Slogan for the year is ‘Don’t Barrel through Work Zones.’
Bridge structure problem near Morrison, MO on Hwy 100. Road was closed today due to a structural problem – there are deficiencies in the timber/pile – hopefully the bridge will reopen in one month – detour signs are posted for N/J/89.
Overlay on 63 from P Hwy near Freeburg to Gasconade River south of Vienna. This will be a cold overlay and project will start after July 4th.
Rain / Flooding of roads – MoDOT website has maps for road conditions and closures.
District 9 Report: Chris Rutledge
Hwy 63 south of Edgar Springs at Beulah to Rolla will have construction this spring and summer; there is continuing work at the Beaver Creek area.
I-44 work with the Smooth Roads Initiative this summer.
Funding presentation for ‘Falling off the Cliff’ Chris put a little perspective on transportation funding. In the next 2 years the state will be running out of additional funding and at that time there will only be enough money for road/highway/bridge maintenance but not for new road/bridge construction or expansion.
800 bridges – still negotiating price of construction and repair
How does MoDOT determine and rank priority of needs to have a baseline for further discussion? Priorities are done differently now than they were done in the past. Currently priorities are assessed by computer and basing needs/priorities on the amount of information or criteria that are given – previously priorities were done by committee giving a point value system.
Minor roads shouldering program for higher traveled minor highways – still waiting on funding
Minor Road WOW Plan
Chris would like to be on next TAC Meeting Agenda in June to discuss the STIP
MRPC Staff Report:
Bonnie Prigge:
Arrive Alive will be on April 24, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Topic of discussion will be accident/fatality rates, initiatives in District 5 and 9 to keep the rates low, and any other needs.
Connie Willman:
Hwy E flooding issues can’t be fixed by the use of CDBG funding because Hwy E is a state road. Staff will continue to look for other avenues of funding for this project.
Connie reported on the results of the Enhancement Team meeting held on April 8, 2008. The city of Cuba de-obligated funding for their 2006 Enhancement project due to right-of-way issues. The Enhancement team, composed of representatives of the four RPC’s in District 9, met to re-allocate the funding. The Enhancement team decided to complete the funding for the City of St. Roberts’ partially funded project for $89,000 and to partially fund a previously unfunded project for the City of Cuba for approximately $130,000.Miscellaneous Report:
Hwy J/100 intersection in Gasconade County: Judy Hoelmer
Donations have been made from the landowner for the needed land to make the intersection safer and from Tri-County Trucking for hauling the needed fill for the construction of this intersection. Jay Gourley discussed how dangerous this intersection is and stated that he has helped many unfortunate victims who have been injured there.
Russell Scheulen said that we all have areas in our own towns and counties that we would like to see changed or fixed before someone losses their life. This shows how important it is for the TAC committee to support MoDOT’s funding issues. Russell said that we should take time out of our busy schedules to promote MoDOT’s funding mechanisms. Projects will be funded quicker and completed quicker if there is more money in the STIP. Russell mentioned that committee members need to meet with their communities and counties and to let them know that they are headed down the wrong road and it is going to be a rough road if they don’t support MoDOT with its funding issues. This will be the key to help fix these dangerous situations. Russell stated that if the communities all work together with MoDOT they can get more done.
Adjournment
Being no further business Max Aubuchon made a motion to adjourn the April 10, 2008 TAC meeting at 6:05 p.m. Jim Kleffner seconded the motion. Motion passed.
____________________________________ _____________________
District 5, Co-Chair, Russell Scheulen Date