Mercer County Transportation Planning

Mercer County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

2003 Meeting Minutes

SHENANGO VALLEY METROPOLITAN
PLANNING ORGANIZATION COORDINATING/TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
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
Kevin McCullough PennDOT, Harrisburg
Karl Ishman PennDOT, Oil City
Don Hall PennDOT, District 1-0
Dave Bollenbacher PennDOT, Mercer
Matt Smoker Federal Highway Administration
Erin Wiley PennDOT, District 1-0
Deborah Schreckengost PennDOT
Laura R. Zambruno PennDOT
Pete Longiotti Greenville Borough
Bill Jones Mercer County Regional COG
Mark Miller Mercer County
Mirta Reyes-Chapman Eastgate Regional COG
Kathy M. Zook Eastgate Regional COG
Fred Ware Wilmington Township
Tom Paxton Pine Township
Ron Faull Liberty Township
Terry Farren Grove City Borough
Tom Stanton Wheatland Borough
Bill Morocco Mayor - Farrell City
Stephen Theiss Mercer County Trails Association
Vance Oakes Greenville Borough
Margaret Tetuan U.S. Senator Rick Santorum
Denise Anthony Senator Robbins
Pat Turner Representative Rod Wilt
Rita Ferringer Hermitage City
Gene Smith Transportation Commission

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Hirschmann called the meeting to order at 10:30 A.M.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 13, 2003

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

APPROVAL OF SELF-CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION

Mr. Gracenin explained that this Resolution needs to be approved annually. It certifies that the planning process is being carried out in conformance with all of the applicable federal requirements and certifies that the local process to enhance the participation of general public, including the transportation disadvantaged, has been followed in developing all plans and programs, including the FFY 2003-2006 TIP. A motion was made by Mr. Ware to approve the Self-Certification Resolution. Mr. Stanton seconded. The motion passed.

TIP MODIFICATIONS

Mr. McCullough commented on three TIP Modifications (administrative actions) that do not require formal approval by the MPO Committee: 1) transferred funds from the Freeway signal upgrade on Route 62 to the PA 60 rehabilitation project; 2) transferred funds from the construction phase to the utility phase in FFY 2004; and 3) transferred funds from the Porter Road Bridge and the Quaker Road Bridge to the right-of-way phases (PA 208, North Street Bridge) to cover a modest cost increase.

STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION HEARINGS – Mr. Gracenin stated that the State Transportation Commission hearing would be held on September 12^th at the Hickory VFW in Hermitage, PA. He urged those that want to speak or promote a project should see him after the meeting to schedule a time to speak at the hearing. Those speaking will be given 5 minutes to discuss their project. He explained that priorities have already been identified and the top priorities have either gone to construction or they are in preliminary engineering already. The key priorities would be: Lamor/Pine Hollow; the PA 208/I-79 interchange; the PA 60/Route 318 interchange; and the Dutch Lane/Highland Road project.

In discussion, there were questions concerning the status of the Porter and Quaker Bridges. Mr. Gracenin noted that the STC Hearing covers all modes of transportation; bridges were not listed because they come out of a separate funding category. Mr. Ishman stated that both of those bridges are under design, but work is moving slowly due to some problems. Ms. Ferringer stated that she wanted to support the Dutch Lane/Highland Road project. Mr. Ishman provided information and Mr. Hall provided project specifics related to this project. Mr. Wilson wanted to support the Lamor Road/Pine Hollow project in order to move this project along quicker. Mr. Ishman noted that the TIP is financially constrained because there is only so much money in each year.

After some brief discussion, Ms. Hirschmann noted that it is not required but if the MPO Committee wishes, we could make a motion to support Mr. Puko’s presentation of the priorities that were approved at the last TIP. A motion was made by Mr. Morocco to approve the priorities listed. Mr. Paxton seconded. The motion passed.

TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENTS WORKSHOP

Mr. Gracenin noted that in the past we have funded a number of trails, streetscapes, bicycle work and sidewalk replacements due to safety reasons. The Transportation Enhancement Applications will be due October 30, 2003 at 3:30 p.m. in the Harrisburg office. He explained that in preparation of the applications being due, the MCRPC would be holding a workshop on September 4^th at 2:00 p.m. at the MCRPC offices.

OTHER BUSINESS

---Transit – Update on Agreement – Mr. Gracenin stated that under the newly formed Youngstown OH-PA urbanized area, the transit funding would now be split between the urbanized areas for the year 2003.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 A.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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