Mercer County Transportation Planning

Mercer County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

2004 MPO Meeting Minutes

SHENANGO VALLEY METROPOLITAN
PLANNING ORGANIZATION COORDINATING/TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
10:30 A.M. - MCRPC Offices, Hermitage, PA

PERSONS PRESENT REPRESENTING

Marcia Hirschmann Hermitage City
Daniel Gracenin MCRPC
Dave Ryan Mayor - Sharon City
Mike Wilson Sharpsville Borough
Thomas A. Kotay PennDOT
Kevin McCullough PennDOT, Harrisburg
Dave Bollebacher PennDOT, Mercer
Laura R. Zambruno PennDOT
Karl Ishman PennDOT, Oil City
Matt Smoker FHWA
Bill Petit PennDOT
David George West Middlesex Borough
Bill Jones Mercer County Regional COG
James A. DeCapua Mercer County Regional COG
Mark Miller Mercer County
Michele Brooks Mercer County Commissioner
Mike Nashtock South Pymatuning Township
David M. Dayton Grove City Revitalization
John Grossman Grove City Revitalization
Pete Longiotti Greenville Borough
Vance Oakes Greenville Borough
Tom Stanton Wheatland Borough
Mariah Hanson PennDOT
Ken Seamans Wilmington Township
Mirta Reyes-Chapman Eastgate Regional COG
Kathy M. Zook Eastgate Regional COG
Ron Faull Liberty Township
Ray Jervis Grove City Revitalization
Chuck Gilliland Shenango Township
Randall Magee Springfield Township
Terry Farren Grove City Borough
Jack Thompson Grove City Borough
Bill Morocco Farrell City
Denny Puko MCRPC
Randy Williams Farrell City
Stephen Theiss Mercer County Trails Association
Margaret Tetuan U.S. Senator Rick Santorum
Denise Anthony Senator Robbins

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Hirschmann called the meeting to order at 10:35 A.M.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 13, 2003

Ms. Hirschmann asked for any additions, deletions, or corrections to the Minutes of the November 13, 2003 meeting. There being none, Ms. Hirschmann asked for a motion to approve. Mr. Morocco so moved, Mr. Stanton seconded. The motion passed.

ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR (MCRPC)

Ms. Hirschmann opened the floor for nominations. Mr. Stanton made a motion to retain Marcia Hirschmann as Chairman and Jim DeCapua and Vice-Chairman as officers for the year 2004. Mr. Ryan seconded. The motion passed.

SELECTION OF TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM PROJECTS (MCRPC)

Mr. Gracenin explained that $372,000 is allocated for this program and we have two projects to consider for this two year funding cycle. Mr. Morocco spoke on behalf of the City of Farrell for the Mercer Avenue Pedestrian Walkway (Phase II) project. Phase II would continue a pedestrian/bicycle walkway into the City of Farrell from the Borough of Wheatland providing safe pedestrian travel between school and residences and neighboring communities. Total project cost would be $299,000 for construction only. He stressed that a walkway in this area would enhance the livability of the surrounding neighborhoods and provide safer access to schools for the children of these communities. In discussion, it was also noted that the engineering work for this project had been completed. Ms. Mariah Hanson had concerns over storm sewers. Mr. Matt Smoker explained that storm sewers would be allowed under this project. Mayor Stanton gave his support for this project.

Mr. Dave Dayton, Chairman of the Grove City Revitalization group spoke on behalf of the Borough of Grove City for the Grove City Scenic and Environmental Enhancements on SR 173/208 (Broad Street), the main transportation corridor of the downtown district. The project will construct comprehensive scenic and environmental improvements to create a transportation corridor that is uniquely attractive and welcoming. Mr. John Grossman, of the Grove City Revitalization group gave an overview of the project. He stated that the goal of Grove City Revitalization is to create what realtors call "location" a downtown that attracts new businesses and improves the entire community. The enhancements consist of a decorative street lighting system, moving the overhead lines underground, handicap accessibility provisions, street furnishings, such as decorative benches, trash receptacles, street trees and landscape plantings. He noted that storm drainage improvements consisting of curbing, catch basins and conduits had been removed from this project. He stated that this is simply not a beautification program, its impact is job retention/creation with local, regional and statewide economic impact. The total project cost is $2,138,428. He noted that local funds available are $1,488,427, and the total funds requested is $650,000 (or 30%). He also noted that the timetable for this project is moving fast. In discussion, Mr. Puko questioned the local funds available. Mr. Grossman explained. Mr. Smoker noted that PA has a low rating on implementing transportation enhancement projects and projects that are ready to go, should be funded. Mr. Petit stated that both projects are good. Mr. Kotay noted that past projects that were not fully funded in the past, could also be funded. Mr. Wilson stated that we should fund existing projects.

After discussion, Ms. Hirschmann asked how the MPO Committee would wish to allocate the $372,000 to these two projects. Mr. DeCapua made a motion to fully fund the Farrell project for $299,000 and the remaining $73,000 to be funded to complete an existing project in the Valley (the S. V. Bike/Pedestrian Trail) and to recommend that we submit the Grove City project onto the State for discretionary funding. Mr. Stanton seconded. The motion passed.

APPROVAL OF 2004-2005 UPWP (MCRPC)

Mr. Gracenin stated that the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) needs to be approved annually. This year, $136,819 is needed to complete our work under the UPWP. He explained the various line items and noted that we are working on the long-range plan update and anticipate completion by the end of the year. He noted that there are two new line items under the UPWP - economic development coordination and land use transportation issues. Ms. Hirschmann asked if there were any questions on the UPWP. Mr. Gracenin stated a more detailed UPWP can be viewed after the meeting or on the Commission’s web site. He also noted that some of the budget items might change slightly if there are some recommendations made at the Central Office. Mr. Morocco made a motion to approve the UPWP for the 2004-2005 year, along with any recommendations made by the Central Office regarding various line items. Mr. Kotay seconded. The motion passed.

DRAFT 2005-2008 TIP APPROVAL (PENN DOT, MCRPC)

Mr. Gracenin distributed a draft 2005-2008 TIP and stated that we need to update our TIP. He noted that in the past we had identified a top 10 priority listing on the highway side. He stated that projects are moving along or are almost completed and are ready to go to construction such as Lamor Road/Pine Hollow, 208/I-79 interchange, Broadway Corridor Study, the PA 60 /318 interchange and Highland Road. He noted that our share of the State and Federal dollars is $73.4 Million. Currently our TIP is over $84 Million, which is over our fair share allotment. Mr. McCullough explained that there is some carry over spike funding that was never used from the prior year, which could be applied to our TIP. He explained that we still need to add a line item for STU funds for the GIS project. In discussion, Mr. George questioned the money available for lighting at the PA 60/I-80 interchange. Mr. Gracenin stated that it was already committed. He also questioned the status of the Route 60 interstate redesignation site. Mr. Puko explained. Mr. McCullough thanked the Committee for prioritizing projects. He noted that it helps to keep things moving and to be flexible with moving things around. Mr. Gracenin asked how do we identify a couple of intersections in the Grove City area that have major congestion related issues such as truck turning movements. He noted that these issues are not on the draft TIP, and should be go out for special studies funding, etc. Mr. McCullough stated that we should build this into our comprehensive, long-range plan update. After discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Nashtock to approve the Draft 2005-2008 TIP. Mr. George seconded. The motion passed. Ms. Hirschmann noted that the final TIP would be acted upon at the April 6, 2004 meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS

---GIS Update – Mr. Gracenin explained that last year we received an extra $356,000 in STU funding due to the redesignation of the urbanized area and had allocated these funds to the development of a GIS project for the county. Since then, we have been trying to get the match funding, or roughly $89,000 or (20% of the federal funds). He noted that we have come up with that funding from two sources: 1) approximately $27,000 from the Geological Survey from PA, since they are interested in receiving this data; 2) Hermitage has also agreed to pay approximately $62,000-$63,000 to get the aerial photography started this Spring. An RPF is currently out to bid for the aerial imagery. He noted that the STU funds will be coming in on an annual basis, but we do not know the amount for this year. He explained that since this is a multi-year project, we need authorization to spend these second year funds for the GIS project. The second year funds would cover the creation of parcel data, road centerlines, building outlines, waterways, etc. He noted that the first two years of this three year cycle are the big ones, the third year is more administrative and maintenance type issues. After some brief discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Stanton to approve authorization to allow the MPO Committee to commit those STU funds (around $356,000) for the 2004 fiscal year for the GIS project, which would also require an additional match or roughly $89,000, or 20% of the project. Mr. Seamans seconded. The motion passed.

---TIP Modification – Mr. McCullough explained that there was one change made to the TIP due to an updated construction estimate that came in for the PA 208/North St. Bridge. The cost increase was roughly $288,000 in Federal, with $72,000 in State funds. PennDOT decided to take that money from the Porter Road bridge replacement project, which would be funded in the new TIP.

---Other Business – Mr. Gracenin explained that at our upcoming meeting, he would like to review and update a Public Involvement document, which was originally adopted by the MPO in 1994.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 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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