DRAFT
CAPE COD METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPO)
Minutes - June 13, 2003
NameRepresenting
Thomas CahirExecutive Office of Transportation & Construction (EOTC)
Kenneth MillerMassachusetts Highway Department (MHD)
Robert D. DeaneChairman, Cape Cod Commission (CCC)
Robert W. ParadyChairman, Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA)
Neil AndresTown of Barnstable
Joseph F. SorentiSagamore
Hamilton J. WhitingSagamore Beach
Edward SilvaFederal Highway Administration
Myra BulisFederal Highway Administration
David M. LuceMassHighway Planning
Timothy KochanMassachusetts Highway Department (MHD) District 5
Susan Rohrbach Office of Senator Robert O'Leary
Edward MaroneyThe Barnstable Patriot
Joseph PotzkaCape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA)
Margo FennCape Cod Commission (CCC) Executive Director
Robert MumfordCCC Transportation Program Manager
Clay SchofieldCCC Transportation Engineer
Lev MalakhoffCCC Senior Transportation Engineer
Priscilla LeclercCCC Senior Transportation Planner
Welcome Mr. Thomas Cahir, Acting as MPO Chairperson, representing Secretary Daniel Grabauskas of the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction (EOTC) welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. Tom introduced himself and introductions continued around the room.
Minutes of August 27, 2002 Robert Parady moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Robert Deane, and the minutes of the last MPO meeting were unanimously approved.
Cape Cod Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) AMENDMENT, for Federal Fiscal Years (FY) 2003-2007 Priscilla Leclerc, CCC Senior Transportation Planner, presented the TIP AMENDMENT, and reported that the CCJTC recommended endorsement at their meeting. Ms. Leclerc then requested that the MPO consider endorsement. The TIP AMENDMENT was unanimously endorsed by the MPO.
Communities First / Fix it First Ken Miller gave an overview of these initiatives from Governor Romney. He explained that "Fix it First" means that the priority will be the existing transportation system with a primary emphasis on maintaining the existing system. "Communities First" promotes agreement on the solutions, as appropriate, but also relates to the process -- aiming for consensus on the solutions. Mr. Miller then described implementation activities related to both policies, including the review of the Highway Design Manual and the project process, along with the Footprint Roads Pilot Program.
Cape Cod 2003 Regional Transportation Plan Discussion Clay Schofield, CCC Transportation Engineer, presented an overview of the Cape Cod 2003 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) survey results of congestion and safety opinions, along with locations of regional congestion. Mr. Schofield mentioned that there were no MHD financial estimates received to date, and he has used funding based on the last regional plan levels. Discussion, questions, and comments included the following:
• MPO should be in front, and it is not in the RTP until the second chapter, it is an MPO plan --there should be a description of what the MPO means, etc.
• RTP recommendations should be clear, and justification for the recommendations should be included
• All MPO members should review the RTP, and agree on the draft, before it is released to the public
Tom Cahir, EOTC, reported that we have been meeting with MARPA [Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies] on these regional transportation plans and that they are to be MPO driven.
Tim Kochan, MHD, questioned why planning for [Bourne, Sagamore] Bridge replacement was not in the plan when from the survey the top priorities point to this issue. Bob Deane mentioned that it was reported that MassHighway had discussions with the Army Corps. Tom Cahir, EOTC, replied that yes, over the last two years, MHD has met with the Army Corps.
Robert Mumford, CCC Transportation Program Manager, pointed out that public meetings were scheduled for early July, and the draft RTP was to be available. Ken Miller, MHD, replied that the plan needs to have more work, and specific recommendations, before the public meetings. Ed Silva agreed with Ken that specific plan recommendations are encouraged to make it a solid transportation plan. Mr. Silva added that the Sagamore Rotary project needs to conform with Air Quality plans.
It was agreed amongst MPO members that Clay should circulate revisions to the plan to members, for MPO review and agreement, before the draft plan is released for public comment.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Restructuring Tom Cahir, EOTC, reported that the existing MPO structure with four members-- EOTC, MHD, the Regional Transit Authority, and the Regional Planning Agency, has been restructured in all MPOs across the state except for the Cape Cod and Berkshire regions. David Luce added that MPO restructuring has been discussed at previous MPO meetings, and now it is time to set up an exploratory committee to discuss restructuring. The committee will include the four MPO agencies.
Edward Silva, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), stated that since the passage of ISTEA [The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act] in December 1991, there has been a strong emphasis on participation by local officials. In this state, we have been working on this for twelve years, beginning with the Boston MPO, and it is time to get caught up.
Tom Cahir, EOTC, said that David Luce would contact the parties involved to set up a meeting.
Sagamore Rotary Area Transportation Improvements Tom Cahir, EOTC, outlined the proposed schedule for this MHD project.
Public Comment There were no public comments at this time.
Other business
1) Lev Malakhoff, CCC Senior Transportation Engineer, reported on planned events for Alternative Transportation Week in Barnstable County to be held June 22-28.
2) Edward Silva, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), on the reauthorization of federal legislation--the current Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century expires on September 30, 2003--related that the United States Department of Transportation released a proposal in May, entitled "SAFETEA" -- The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003. Mr. Silva reported that safety is the number one priority, as the title suggests, and he added that there is more information on the FHWA Web site: "
Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.