Mercer County
Transportation Planning
Mercer County Metropolitan
Planning Organization (MPO)
2003 Meeting
Minutes
SHENANGO VALLEY METROPOLITAN
PLANNING ORGANIZATION COORDINATING/TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Friday, January 31, 2003
10:30 A.M. - MCRPC Offices, Hermitage,
PA
PERSONS PRESENT
REPRESENTING
Marcia Hirschmann Hermitage City
Daniel Gracenin MCRPC
Barb Brown Springfield Township
Tom Paxton Pine Township
Mark Miller Mercer County
Dave Ryan Sharon City
Tom Lally Sharpsville Borough
Erin Wiley PennDOT
Laura Zambrunc PennDOT
Karl Ishman PennDOT
Kevin McCollough PennDOT
Mariah Hanson PennDOT
Deborah Schreckengost PennDOT
David Bollenbacher PennDOT, Mercer
Ron Faull Liberty Township
Bill Jones Mercer County Regional COG
Matt Smoker Federal Highway Administration
Denise Anthony Senator Robbin’s office
Denny Puko MCRPC
Fred Ware Wilmington Township
Bill Morocco Farrell City
Kathy M. Zook Eastgate COG
John Getchey Eastgate COG
Mirta Reyes-Chapman Eastgate COG
Brad Ehrhart Penn-Northwest Dvlpt. Corp.
Olivia M. Lazor Mercer County Commissioner
Pat Turner Rep. Rod Wilt
Elliott Lengel Findley Township
Tom Stanton Wheatland Borough
Jim DeCapua Mercer County Regional COG
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Hirschmann called the meeting
to order at 10:00 A.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING
JULY 9, 2002
Ms. Hirschmann asked for any
additions, deletions, or corrections to the Minutes of the July 9, 2002
meeting. There being none, Ms. Hirschmann asked for a motion to approve. Mr.
Lengel so moved, Ms. Brown seconded, and the motion passed.
ELECTION OF CHAIR &
VICE-CHAIR (MCRPC)
Ms. Hirschmann opened the floor
for nominations of Chair for the MPO. A motion was made by Ms. Brown to elect
Ms. Hirschmann as Chair for the MPO. Ms. Lazor seconded. There being no other
nominations, the motion passed. The floor was then open for nominations of
Vice-Chair. A motion was made by Mr. Morocco to elect Mr. DeCapua as
Vice-Chair for the MPO. Mr. Lengel seconded. There being no other nominations,
the motion passed.
MODIFICATIONS/AMENDMENTS TO THE
2003-2006 TIP (PENN DOT)
Mr. McCullough from PennDOT
distributed spreadsheets, which showed the modifications and amendments to the
2003-2006 TIP. He stated that the first two pages are amendments, which need
approval. Mr. McCullough discussed with Committee members, the second two
pages of modifications or administrative actions, which are minor changes
between projects. Changes occurred between the time period of October 1, 2002
to January 2003. Mr. McCullough reviewed the first two pages of amendments and
explained the specifics of a few projects. Mr. Puko asked for clarification
concerning the amendments for railroad crossings. Mr. McCullough stated that
those are not affecting any of Mercer County’s current projects for their
allocation. After brief discussion, a motion was made by Ms. Brown to approve
the amendments/modifications to the 2003-2006 TIP. Ms. Lazor seconded. The
motion passed.
REAFFIRMATION OF EXISTING LONG
RANGE PLAN (PENN DOT & MCRCOG)
Mr. Gracenin stated that our
current plan (December 1997) is out of date. PennDOT and the Federal Highway
Administration have asked that we reaffirm our existing plan. Mr. Gracenin
stated that the MPO would complete an update of the plan for adoption in May
2003. Mr. Gracenin stated that under our UPWP, we would like to apply for some
Special Studies monies, then complete a full update of the plan itself,
starting in July, which would coincide with our County Comprehensive Plan.
There being no questions, a motion was made by Mr. Lengel to reaffirm the
existing plan with the intent of providing an update by May 2003. Ms. Brown
seconded. The motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING (MCRPC & PENN DOT)
Mr. Gracenin first introduced Mr.
John Getchey, Director of Eastgate COG, Kathy Zook and Mirta Reyes-Chapman,
also from Eastgate COG. He explained that we would be working close with them
on planning efforts in the future and that is the purpose of why we created
this Memorandum of Understanding. The purpose of this Memorandum of
Understanding is due to a change in the urbanized area boundaries. Mercer
County no longer has a separate urbanized area. We are now a part of the
Youngstown area called the Youngstown, OH-PA urbanized area. Basically, this
document states that we would coordinate our efforts on projects of regional
significance when it comes to planning the Long Range Plan, TIP updates,
functional classification of roadways, etc. Mr. Getchey stated that Eastgate
COG, at their November Board meeting, signed this agreement, which at that
time was reviewed by the FHWA, FTA, PennDOT from both sides, MCRPC and
Eastgate COG. Mr. Smoker from the FHWA commented that during developing this
Memorandum of Understanding, there was good cooperation between all parties
involved. Mr. Stanton made a motion to approve this Memorandum of
Understanding. Mr. Puko asked that the motion include the authorization of
himself to sign this document. Ms. Lazor seconded. The motion passed.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ON NEW
URBANIZED AREA FUNDING (PENN DOT & MCRPC)
Mr. Gracenin explained that a new
pot of money came our way because of the change in the urbanized area. Before,
we were under the 200,000 population and had never received these funds. Now
that we are combined with the Youngstown area, Mercer County would see an
increase of roughly $356,000 year. Mr. Puko stated that we are proposing an
opportunity in developing a GIS program for Mercer County with these funds.
Mr. Gracenin stated that after talking with PennDOT’s GIS department, those
individuals were extremely excited that we might be doing this. Also, Mr.
Getchey supports the idea. Mr. Gracenin stated that one of the big costs would
be parcel level data, but would be very beneficial to the land use issues in
Mercer County. Overall, it is felt that this is something that is needed and
can be built up over time. Mr. Gracenin stated that we should program these
funds and get started if we decide to go this route, since we are already 4
months into the fiscal year. Mr. McCullough stated that if the funds are not
used this fiscal year, the money is bank rolled, which you would not lose.
They would encourage you to program the funds and use the money as soon as
possible. Mr. Gracenin stated that there is some potential to get matching
funds to help with the aerial flight. Mr. Puko also stated that a lot of this
has been tied to homeland security and there is funding discussions related to
GIS for homeland security, but has not fully evolved yet, but could be another
funding opportunity to enhance this whole process. Mr. Getchey stated that
Mahoning and Trumbull Counties both have full blown GIS systems and they find
it very helpful.
Mr. Morocco asked if we needed a
motion. Mr. DeCapua stated that he has no problem with the GIS system, but
would like to see if any other members might have a priority on how this money
could be utilized by other projects. He felt that we should not commit this
money without the full MPO reviewing this, and possibly consider utilizing the
money elsewhere, or share the pot of money. Mr. Gracenin stated that this pot
of money could go to a large variety of projects such as a bridge project, a
highway project, an enhancement project, or it could be used for planning
efforts, GIS, etc. In discussions, it was felt that the enhancement projects
could use some dollars, but if we would program some of these funds for the
enhancements to subsidize what some of the projects did not receive before, it
is unlikely that the monies would be spent this year, due to engineering,
environmental clearance, etc. He explained that enhancement funding would be
available in the fall of this year and we should receive the same amount of
funds. After brief discussion, a motion was made by Ms. Brown to authorize the
GIS system. Ms. Lazor seconded. Ms. Lazor and Ms. Brown both feel that this is
an excellent opportunity and would benefit not only the MPO partners in
transportation planning, but also would benefit everyone in the County. Mr.
Gracenin stated that on February 5th, noon at MCRPC offices there
would be an informational meeting on the GIS system, which a consultant would
be present to talk about the program. Also, they are planning on engaging with
other consultants to hold similar discussions in the very near future. Ms.
Hirschmann asked if there was any further discussion. Mr. Lengel suggested
that when they do the aerial flight, that the interchanges could be looked at
closer. Mr. Gracenin stated yes, that is something we would look into. Ms.
Hirschmann asked if there were any further comments. There were none. She
asked if all present were in favor of the motion on the floor. The motion
passed with Mr. DeCapua voting no, basically due to not knowing the costs
involved with the GIS system. After some further discussion, Mr. DeCapua
rescinded his no vote, due to the fact that if there is an excess amount of
money not used for the GIS system, then the monies could be spent elsewhere.
UPDATE ON TIP PROJECT PROGRESS
(PENN DOT)
Mr. Gracenin distributed a list
to Committee members, which shows the progress on various TIP projects
throughout Mercer County. He asked if there were any questions or concerns.
Apparently, last time when we were updating the TIP there was concern over why
some of the major projects engineering were lagging. To date, the Lamor/Pine
Hollow project is moving along. A public meeting was held to discuss
alternatives, which the District office is proposing. The engineering phase is
moving along for the PA 208/I-79 interchange study. Community advisory
meetings have been held and there are numerous alternatives being discussed.
Mr. Ishman stated that we should have environmental clearance by June or July
for the PA 208/I-79 interchange study. He also commented on the PA 60
lighting/signage issue at the interchange. There is an outstanding issue
regarding who pays for the energy costs and who owns the lights, etc. They are
hoping to have all the design done by late fall. He also noted that they are
working on the design of resurfacing the PA 60 interchange from Route 18 down
to the Lawrence County line.
Mr. Ehrhart stated that a firm on
Route 58 in Greene Township is growing, the firm wants to expand the 25 ton
weight limit posted on the bridge and get the bridge on the replacement list.
PennDOT stated that they are aware of the problem and they would try to help
the company out the best they can now, for the short-term basis. It was
suggested that we discuss this further at the next program update, which would
start in about five to six months, which then we can get this bridge on the
list for replacement.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Gracenin next updated members
on what is now going on with transit funds. He explained that transit funding
now comes to the urbanized area as a whole. The FTA does not split up the
funds between PA and OH. A number of meetings have been held to determine how
the funds would be divided up. He noted that a key issue in PA is the shuttle
service. He stated that the shuttle service received a one-year reprieve, and
would be allowed to use Federal dollars to assist them in their operating
assistance. As it stands, if this would not change in the T-3 law, then they
would not be allowed to use those dollars for operating assistance. We are
hoping that the T-3 law would allow this small urbanized area that is
affected, use those funds for operating assistance. Mr. Gracenin stated we
have been working with transit officials and the WRTA to work out some kind of
equitable funding split.
Mr. DeCapua discussed the
possibility of getting an earmark for funding of six capital projects totaling
$7.8 Million for transit. Appropriate officials from each municipality have
endorsed the project. He noted that portfolios had been sent to each Federal
legislature urging them to support this project. Mr. Ishman stated PennDOT
supplies the listing and they would put this project on the list.
Mr. Gracenin next stated that the
next MPO meeting would be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2003, 10:30 A.M.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business
to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 12:05 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Daniel M. Gracenin,
MPO Secretary
Mercer
County Regional Planning Commission
2491 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148
mail@mcrpc.com www.mcrpc.com
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