Mercer County Transportation Planning

Mercer County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

2003 Meeting Minutes

SHENANGO VALLEY METROPOLITAN
PLANNING ORGANIZATION COORDINATING/TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
10:30 A.M. - MCRPC Offices, Hermitage, PA

PERSONS PRESENT  REPRESENTING

Marcia Hirschmann Hermitage City
Daniel Gracenin MCRPC
Mark Miller Mercer County
Dave Ryan Sharon City
Mike Wilson Sharpsville Borough
Ken Robertson Sharpsville Borough
Erin Wiley PennDOT
Bill Petit PennDOT
Mariah Hanson PennDOT
Ken Pochatko PennDOT, Mercer
Laurel Zambruno PennDOT, District 1-0
Kevin McCullough PennDOT
Brian Yedinak PennDOT
Bill Koller PennDOT, Bridge
Harmon Fennell Shenango Township
Gene G. Smith Transportation Commission
Bill Jones Mercer County Regional COG
Denise Anthony Senator Robbin’s office
Margaret Tetuan U.S. Senator Rick Santorum’s office
Denny Puko MCRPC
Stephen Theiss Sharon City
Bill Morocco Farrell City
Fred Ware Wilmington Township
Tom Paxton Pine Township
Bob Birtciel Deer Creek Township
Pete Longiotti Greenville Borough
Vance Oakes Greenville Borough
Chuck Gilliland Shenango Township
Mike Nashtock South Pymatuning Township
Barbara Brown Springfield Township
Dick Rea Shenango Township
Jim DeCapua Mercer County Regional COG

CALL TO ORDER

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 19, 2003

Ms. Hirschmann asked for any additions, deletions, or corrections to the Minutes of the February 19, 2003 meeting. There being none, Ms. Hirschmann asked for a motion to approve. Mr. Morocco so moved, Mr. Ware seconded, and the motion passed.

APPROVAL OF 2003-2022 LONG RANGE PLAN (MCRPC)

Mr. Gracenin explained that the last Long Range Plan was approved in 1997 and since then, there had been no major changes. Normally, these plans would be approved on a 3-year basis. At that time, we were not updating the plan because there were a lot of issues going on related to non-attainment for ozone to being attainment and court cases, etc. In order to get back in the routine, an interim plan would be done, which would not be bound in case there are any changes. Back in February, PennDOT gave their approval for us to do a new Long Range Plan Update. This would start in July and would take about a year to be completed. Gannett Fleming was hired as the Consultant. The most important part of the plan is the project listing section, which includes the TIP and 12-Year Program that was adopted July 9, 2002. Mr. Petit commented that when updating the Long Range Plan, we consider land use initiatives and the play out of economic development initiatives. Mr. Puko noted that this Long Range Plan is also part of the County Comprehensive Plan update. Mr. Gracenin noted that the Long Range Plan was out for public review for 30 days, a public meeting was held last night and there were no comments. Ms. Hirschmann asked if there were any other questions on the Long Range Plan. There being none, a motion was made by Ms. Brown to approve the 2003-2022 Long Range Plan. Mr. Paxton seconded and the motion passed.

APPROVAL OF TRANSIT REDESIGNATION RESOLUTION (MCRPC)

Mr. Gracenin explained the Transit Redesignation Resolution. (A copy is attached to and will become a permanent part of the Minutes). This Resolution is required so that the Federal Transit dollars can flow through the City of Sharon (recipient) to the S.V. Shuttle Service. Ms. Hirschmann asked if there were any questions on the Resolution. There being none, a motion was made by Ms. Brown to approve the Resolution. Mr. Ryan seconded and the motion passed.

TIP MODIFICATIONS (PENN DOT)

Mr. McCullough reviewed the TIP modifications, which had taken place since the last meeting in February. A list was distributed to members. These modifications do not require formal approval by the Federal Highway or the MPO Committee.

PENN DOT SLIDE SHOW – BRIDGE MANAGEMENT

Mr. Koller, District Engineer from PennDOT, District 1-0 presented a slide show in relation to Bridge Management. A handout was passed out to members.

OTHER BUSINESS

---Auto Emissions - Mr. Puko noted that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reached a settlement agreement on the emissions testing issue with the parties that were litigating in complaints that the Commonwealth was noncompliant in not doing emissions testing a number of years ago. The settlement reads that sometime starting in January-March 2004, Mercer County would add to their annual safety inspection program two things: visual gas cap test and a visual anti-tampering test. No other tests would be required such as the on-board diagnostic test for newer vehicles or the tail pipe test for the older vehicles.

---State Transportation Commission – Mr. Gracenin stated that the State Transportation Commission hearings would be coming up in September and prior to that time a mailing would be sent informing everyone.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:48 A.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

Daniel M. Gracenin,
MPO Secretary

 

Mercer County Regional Planning Commission
2491 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148
[email protected]    www.mcrpc.com

 

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