Mercer County Transportation Planning

Mercer County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

2002 Meeting Minutes

SHENANGO VALLEY METROPOLITAN
PLANNING ORGANIZATION COORDINATING/TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 9, 2002 – 10:30 A.M. - MCRPC Offices, Hermitage, PA

PERSONS PRESENT REPRESENTING

Marcia Hirschmann, Hermitage City
Daniel Gracenin, MCRPC
Richard Houpt, Greenville Borough
Barb Brown, Springfield Township
Jim Morton, Wolf Creek Township
Kristen Robinson, Shenango Township
Tom Paxton, Pine Township
Mike Nashtock, South Pymatuning Township
Mark Miller, Mercer County
Dave Ryan, Sharon City
Ken Robertson, Sharpsville Borough
Mike Wilson, Sharpsville Borough
Erin Wiley, PennDOT, District 1-0
Dennis Lebo, PennDOT
Kevin McCullough, PennDOT
Chuck Gilliland, Shenango Township
Gene Smith, State Transportation Commission
Ken Weaver, Greenville Borough
Ron Faull, Liberty Township
Bill Jones, Mercer County Regional COG
Matt Smoker, Federal Highway Administration
David George, West Middlesex Borough
Denise Anthony, Senator Robbin’s office
James A. DeCapua, Mercer County Regional COG
Denny Puko, MCRPC
Fred Ware, Wilmington Township
Bill Morocco, Farrell City
Larry Reichard, Penn-Northwest Development Corp.

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Hirschmann called the meeting to order at 10:35 A.M. She introduced Matt Smoker from the Federal Highway Administration, and then asked those in attendance to introduce themselves.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 3, 2002

Ms. Hirschmann asked for any additions, deletions, or corrections to the Minutes of the April 3, 2002 meeting. There being none, Ms. Hirschmann asked for a motion to approve. Mr. George so moved, Ms. Brown seconded, and the motion passed.

Ms. Hirschmann stated that the PennDOT officials are late in arriving, so we will move around on the agenda and discuss the Census 2000 Urbanized/Metro Area Changes first.

CENSUS 2000 URBANIZED/METRO AREA CHANGES (PENN DOT & MCRPC)

Mr. Puko explained that according to the 2000 Census, the Census Bureau determined that the Shenango Valley no longer met the criteria for being an urbanized area, mainly because population fell below the 50,000 threshold but also because they constricted the bounds of the urbanized area due to some new criteria. However, we did have some logical connection. The Census Bureau connected our former urbanized area and made it a part of the Greater Youngstown Urbanized Area. There is no longer a Sharon, PA Urbanized Area or a Youngstown, OH Urbanized Area; there is now a Youngstown, OH/PA Urbanized Area.

Mr. Puko stated that in early 2003, the Office of Management Budget would designate the new MPO areas based on the 2000 Census. Since we are no longer a self-standing urbanized area, we are most likely to also lose our self-standing MPO designation and likely to become part of a multi-County Youngstown, OH/PA MPO statistical area. Mr. Puko noted that the early indication that he is getting from PennDOT officials is that there can be multiple functioning MPO’s within one MPO statistical area. There are other ramifications related to transit that are more severe. Mr. DeCapua explained that the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments operates two transits, but the one it would impact would be the Shenango Valley Shuttle Service, which is a fixed ride service that is operated within the Shenango Valley. He explained what this means and how it would affect the Shuttle Service in the Shenango Valley. It was noted that we are dealing with different States and different regions of administration within the US Department of Transportation. It was explained that what monies the Sharon area would receive is now rolled over to the Youngstown area and it is unclear on how they would share the money with us. Mr. Gracenin noted that last year the Youngstown area received $2.9 Million, and this year they would only receive $2.7 Million, which means a $200,000 loss for them and they now have to share some of the monies with us.

Ms. Hirschmann felt that we should continue discussion on this item at our next meeting, as more information would become available in order to keep the MPO Committee up-to-date.

Mr. Puko next explained the report on the I-376 re-designation issue and what it would take to re-designate a stretch of highway. In terms of economic development, this could be a benefit to marketing. After discussion, it was noted that the MPO was requested to make a recommendation.

A motion was by Ms. Brown to support re-designating I-376. Mr. Morocco seconded. The motion passed.

APPROVAL OF 2003-2006 TIP AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (PENN DOT & MCRPC)

Mr. Gracenin explained that the following documents were mailed prior to today’s meeting and would need approval:

a. Approval of Self-Certification Resolution – This Resolution needs to be approved annually. Basically, 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 Ms. Brown to approve the Self-Certification Resolution. Mr. Morocco seconded. The motion passed.

b. Approval of Air Quality Resolution – This Resolution needs to be approved every two years. Basically, it certifies that we are in conformity of the Long Range Transportation Plan and TIP in accordance with the Clean Air Act requirements. A motion was made by Ms. Brown to approve this Air Quality Resolution. Mr. George seconded. The motion passed.

c. Approval of Administrative Procedures – This Resolution needs to be approved every two years. Basically, this Resolution is the same, but with one change. The major change would be the difference between a modification "administrative action" and an amendment to the TIP. According to our existing procedures, a modification is anything less than $500,00 or less than 15% of the total project cost; an amendment is anything over those costs. They are suggesting that we change this figure to $1 Million. A motion was made by Ms. Brown to approve the administrative procedures according to the changes presented. Mr. Lebo seconded. The motion passed.

d. Approval of 2003-2006 TIP – Mr. Gracenin stated that back in April we tentatively approved the 2003-2006 TIP. He noted that nothing has changed on the list. A 30-day public comment and public hearing was held. A motion was made by Mr. George to approve the 2003-2006 TIP. Ms. Brown seconded. The motion passed.

HIGHWAY/TRANSIT AMENDMENTS/MODIFICATIONS 2001-2004 (PENN DOT & MCRCOG)

Mr. McCullough distributed a handout related to this item and explained some of the revisions. There is one amendment, which relates to purchasing two transit vehicles with FTA funds, which would need approval. Also, Bill Jones of COG had a few modifications to the Transit TIP 2002. One, the Federal portion for operating budget went up slightly. Second, under the maintenance and storage building, they need to add another vehicle maintenance and storage building. This would be the same project, but change the phase from construction to engineering and design. Third, the interior/exterior office garage improvement was shown on the TIP as a State project, but did not show any Federal monies allotted to it and they want to use Federal monies towards this project. A motion was made by Mr. Lebo to approve the modifications, with the final item potentially being an amendment, if necessary. Ms. Brown seconded. The motion passed.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. DeCapua discussed transit issues. He explained that there is a bill going around to get a one-year reprieve to allow to use its Federal FDA grant monies for both operating and capital purposes and he is asking for an endorsement supporting this bill. A motion was made by Mr. Morocco to endorse supporting this bill. Mr. George seconded. The motion passed.

Mr. DeCapua discussed the capital projects list, which was distributed to those in attendance. He was asking for an endorsement of these projects. A motion was made by Mr. George to endorse these capital projects. Mr. Ryan seconded. The motion passed.

Mr. Matt Smoker introduced himself and stated that he now works with the Federal Highway Administration and explained some of his duties.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 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

 

home    about mcrpc    planning projects    community development    transportation    zoning    subdivision