NOTICE OF MEETING Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Executive Committee *************************** 11:30 a.m.

, Wednesday, August 10, 2011 Des Moines Area MPO Meeting Room *************************** TENTATIVE AGENDA

The established protocol for minutes of this meeting will be to list all attendees, and with each item on which a vote is conducted in the ordinary course in order to take formal action, those voting nay or abstaining will be identified by name. Any member who is absent from the meeting for any period of time during which a vote of the body is taken, is expected to notify the recording secretary at the conclusion of the meeting so that the absence can be duly noted in the minutes. Roll Call votes will be taken as required by law or upon the request of any member that is approved by the chair, and the vote of each member for or against the proposition, or abstention, will be incorporated in the minutes or recorded on a separate sheet attached to the minutes.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Call To Order VOTE: Approval of Agenda VOTE: Approval of Meeting Minutes..............................................................................Page 3 Review the July 13, 2011, meeting minutes; consider approval. REPORT AND OPTIONAL VOTE: Purchase of Trail Counters......................................Page 7 Report and discussion on the possible purchase of trail counters; optional vote. REPORT: Surface Transportation Funding Program Process.............Page 11 Discussion of potential changes to the program to better fund regional priorities. REPORT: Upcoming Metropolitan Transportation Plan Amendments.......Page 14 Report and discussion on requested amendments to the Horizon Year 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. REPORT: Regional Plan for Sustainable Development planning process..........................Page 15 Update on the Regional Plan for Sustainable Development Planning Process. REPORT: Congressman Boswell Transportation Roundtable Update................................Page 17 Update on plans to host an event with Congressman Boswell to discuss

7. 8.

transportation issues facing the region.

9. 10. 11. REPORT: New Des Moines Area Metropolitan Organization New Lego..............................Page 18 Discussion of potential changes to the current MPO logo. REPORT: New MPO Office Space...........................................................................................Page 19 Update on the Status of the MPOs New Office Development. VOTE: Approval of the August 18, 2011, MPO Agenda.......................................................Page 20 Approve the August 18, 2011, MPO agenda.

Altoona Ankeny Bondurant Carlisle Clive Dallas County Des Moines DART Grimes Johnston Mitchellville Norwalk Pleasant Hill Polk City Polk County Urbandale Warren County Waukee West Des Moines Windsor Heights
The MPO receives federal funding and may not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, or national origin, according to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For more information or to obtain a Title VI Complaint form, call 515-334-0075.

12. 13. 14.

Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Committee Next Meeting Date Wednesday, September 14, 2011, 11:30 a.m., MPO Meeting Room Adjournment

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August 2011 Item No. 3 ISSUE: VOTE: Review and approve minutes of the July 13, 2011, Executive Committee meeting. BACKGROUND: The minutes of the July 13, 2011, Executive Committee meeting are included on the following pages. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the July 13, 2011, Executive Committee meeting.

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MEETING MINUTES Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Executive Committee 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 13, 2011 MPO Meeting Room Urbandale, Iowa The MPO Executive Committee held a meeting at 11:30 a.m. on July 13, 2011, in the MPO Meeting Room. Before the meeting, the MPO staff sent agenda packets to the MPO Executive Committees representatives and posted the agenda at the MPO office at 4:22 p.m. on July 8, 2011. The fiscal year-todate publication cost of meeting minutes for the MPO: $2,811.88. In addition to these published tentative minutes, there also may be additional meeting notes on file with the MPO staff that are public records and available upon request as provided by law. These tentative minutes reflect all action taken at the meeting. Others Present: Members Present: Mike Clayton, Iowa Department of Transportation* Chris Coleman, City of Des Moines Debra Jeans, Gruen Gruen & Associates Tom Armstrong, City of Grimes Andrew Ratchford, Gruen Gruen & Associates Paula Dierenfeld, City of Johnston Lynn Carlton, Sasaki Associates Ted Ohmart, City of West Des Moines James Miner, Sasaki Associates Robert Mahaffey, City of Des Moines David Fields, Nelson/Nygaard Angela Connolly, Polk County Gary Lozano, RDG Kim Chapman, Applied Ecological Services Members Absent: Juan Carlos Vargas, Geo Adaptive LLC. Tom Hockensmith, Polk County Hope Stege, Sasaki Associates Angela Connolly, Polk County Staff Present: Todd Ashby, Executive Director Stephanie Ripperger, Executive Administrator Jonathan Wilson, MPO General Counsel Dylan Mullenix, Principal Transportation Planner Bethany Wilcoxon, Associate Transportation Planner Michael Wright, Associate Transportation Planner Intern

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1.

Call to Order MPO Chair Chris Coleman called the July 13, 2011, meeting to order at 11:30 a.m.

2.

Approval of Agenda MOTION: A motion was made to approve the July 13, 2011, Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Committee meeting agenda.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 3. Approval of Meeting Minutes MOTION: A motion was made to approve the June 8, 2011, Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Committee meeting minutes.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 4. Regional Plan for Sustainable Development Consultant Team Visit MPO staff presented; discussion on item 4. (Paula Dierenfeld arrived at 11:43 am) 5. Transportation Event with Congressman Boswell MPO staff presented; discussion on item 5. 6. Federal Fiscal Years 2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Program MOTION: A motion was made to recommend that the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization approve of the Federal Fiscal Year 2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Program (FFY 2012-2015 TIP) draft.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7. Fiscal Years 2012-2015 Transportation Capital Improvement Program MOTION: A motion was made to recommend that the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization approval of the Fiscal Years 2012-2015 Transportation Capital Improvement Program (FY 2012-2015 TCIP) draft.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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8.

Federal Transportation Authorization Update MOTION: A motion was made to recommend that the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization approve sending a letter to congressional members in response to the Senates proposal.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 9. Surface Transportation Funding Program Process MPO staff presented; discussion on item 9. 10. Midwest Passenger Rail Commission Membership MOTION: A motion was made to recommend that the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization approve the support of $2,500.00 for the Midwest Passenger Rail Commission Membership, and staff will determine where it will come from in the budget.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11. New MPO Office Space MPO staff presented; discussion on item 10. 12. Approval of the July 21, 2011, MPO Agenda MOTION: A motion was made to approve the July 21, 2011, MPO agenda.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 13. 14. Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Committee Next Meeting Date 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 13, 2011, MPO Meeting Room. 15. Adjournment Chair Coleman adjourned the meeting at 12:41 p.m.

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Agenda Report
Executive Committee

August 2011 Item No. 4 ISSUE: REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Brief report and optional vote on the purchase of trail counters. BACKGROUND: The Central Iowa Regional Transportation Planning Alliance (CIRTPA) approved the use of excess planning funds to purchase trail counting equipment from TRAFx Research Ltd. at its July 20, 2011, meeting. The trail counting equipment includes data analysis software, downloading equipment, and twenty infrared trail counters. The approximate cost of this purchase is $11,740. The MPO/CIRTPA staff will store the counters and lend them out to CIRTPA governments when requested. The CIRTPA acted on a recommendation made by the Central Iowa Bicycle and Pedestrian Roundtable at its July 19, 2011, meeting. The Roundtable also encouraged the MPO to consider purchasing trail counters to use on trails within the MPO planning area. At its August 4, 2011, meeting, the MPO Transportation Technical Committee voted for the MPO to also purchase trail counters, specifically by sharing in the cost of CIRTPAs trail counters in exchange for access to their use. The MPO staff also recommends that the MPO purchase trail counters to use within the planning area. Staff notes that MPO involvement could include two possible options: Option 1: The MPO could reimburse CIRTPA for half ($5,870) of the trail counter purchase. This would allow the twenty trail counters to be available for use by CIRPTA and the MPO member governments and agencies. Option 2: The MPO could purchase twenty trail counters and related equipment itself, at a cost of $10,700. This option would utilize funds remaining from the Connect Plan project, and ensure the MPO member governments have their own pool of counters. BUDGET IMPACT: The FY 2012 UPWP and budget projected a federal reserve balance of $208,950 and a local reserve balance of $203.317. The FY 2012 UPWP and budget also includes $30,000 in remaining Connect Plan grant funds. Option 1: The total cost to the MPO is $5,870. The MPO amends its FY 2012 UPWP and budget to add special work element 13.4 for the shared purchase of trail counters with CIRTPA, which is paid for by tapping into the MPOs federal and local reserve balances at an 80/20 ratio. The federal share is $4,696, and local share is $1,174. The new balance for the federal reserve is $204,254, and the new balance for the local reserve is $202,143. Option 2: The total cost of the trail counting equipment is $10,700. The MPO amends its FY 2012 UPWP and budget to add special work element 13.4 for the purchase of trail counters and moves $10,700 from work element 2.0 (Transportation Systems Planning) to work element 13.4.
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Agenda Report
Executive Committee

Staff offsets this reduction in work element 2.0 by billing trail planning work to the Connect Plan. This option alleviates concerns by the Iowa Department of Transportation that purchasing trail counting equipment may not be an eligible use of Connect Plan. No reserve funds are tapped, and there is no net change to the MPOs budget. Budget sheets reflecting the two options are included on the following pages. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend the MPO approve an amendment to the FY 2012 UPWP to transfer funds from work element 2.0 to work element 13.4 in order to purchase twenty trail counters and related equipment. STAFF CONTACT: Zach Young, zyoung@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #208; and, Dylan Mullenix, dmullenix@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #202.

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BudgetSummaryAmendment#1,Option1
DesMoinesAreaMetropolitanPlanningOrganization(MPO) WorkElement FHWAPL Funds Carryover $35,503.00 $13,934.00 $7,860.00 $17,717.00 $7,806.00 $0.00 $6,637.00 $5,463.00 $17,052.00 $15,794.00 $0.00 $3,842.00 $131,608 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $131,608 FTA5303 Funds Carryover $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 FHWAPL FundsNew $163,979.00 $64,356.00 $36,302.00 $81,831.00 $36,054.00 $0.00 $30,652.00 $25,231.00 $78,756.00 $72,948.00 $0.00 $17,743.00 $607,852 $0 $0 $0 $0 $4,696 $0 $4,696 $607,852 $612,548 FTA5303 Funds New $27,032.00 $10,609.00 $5,984.00 $13,490.00 $5,943.00 $0.00 $5,053.00 $4,159.00 $12,983.00 $12,025.00 $0.00 $2,925.00 $100,203 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $102,203 MPOMatch Funds $56,630.00 $22,225.00 $12,538.00 $28,260.00 $12,452.00 $0.00 $10,586.00 $8,714.00 $27,198.00 $25,192.00 $0.00 $6,127.00 $209,922 $0 $6,000 $0 $0 $1,174 $6,000 $1,174 $215,922 $217,096 OtherLocal Funds $5,141.00 $2,018.00 $1,138.00 $2,565.00 $1,130.00 $0.00 $961.00 $791.00 $2,469.00 $2,287.00 $26,900.00 $14,500.00 $59,900 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $59,900 CIRTPA Contract $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $64,924.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $64,924 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $64,925 MPOSTP Funds $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0 $95,000 $0 $0 $0 $95,000 $95,000 SAFETEA LUFunds $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0 $0 $24,000 $0 $0 $24,000 $24,000 SCPG Funds $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0 $0 $0 $800,000 $0 $800,000 $800,000 MPOTOTAL DesMoinesAreaRegionalTransit Agency(DART) Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $551,600 $0 $0 $0 $0 $551,600 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $551,600 Local Match Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $137,900 $0 $0 $0 $0 $137,900 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $137,900 GrandTotal DART TOTAL $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $689,500 $0 $0 $0 $0 $689,500 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $689,500 $288,285 $113,141 $63,822 $143,863 $63,385 $64,924 $53,889 $733,858 $138,458 $128,246 $26,900 $45,137 $1,863,909 $95,000 $30,000 $800,000 $0 $5,870 $925,000 $930,870 $2,788,909 $2,794,779

1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0

LongRange Transportation Planning Transportation SystemsPlanning Public Involvement Interagency Coordination Transportation Improvement Program CIRTPA UnifiedPlanning WorkProgram TransitPlanning Committee Support Administration Information Technology Travel&Training Subtotal

$288,285 $113,142 $63,822 $143,863 $63,385 $64,924 $53,889 $44,358 $138,458 $128,246 $26,900 $45,137 $1,174,409 $95,000 $30,000 $800,000 $0 $5,870 $925,000 $930,870 $2,099,408 $2,105,279

13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4

SpecialProject GDMP/DCATMA SpecialProject CONNECT SpecialProject RPSD SpecialProject TrailCounters Subtotal TOTAL

BudgetSummaryAmendment#1,Option2
DesMoinesAreaMetropolitanPlanningOrganization(MPO) WorkElement FHWAPL Funds Carryover $35,503.00 $13,934.00 $5,374.00 $7,860.00 $17,717.00 $7,806.00 $0.00 $6,637.00 $5,463.00 $17,052.00 $15,794.00 $0.00 $3,842.00 $131,608 $123,048 $0 $0 $0 $0 $8,590 $0 $8,560 $131,608 FTA5303 Funds Carryover $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 FHWAPL FundsNew $163,979.00 $64,356.00 $36,302.00 $81,831.00 $36,054.00 $0.00 $30,652.00 $25,231.00 $78,756.00 $72,948.00 $0.00 $17,743.00 $607,852 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $607,852 FTA5303 Funds New $27,032.00 $10,609.00 $5,984.00 $13,490.00 $5,943.00 $0.00 $5,053.00 $4,159.00 $12,983.00 $12,025.00 $0.00 $2,925.00 $100,203 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $102,203 MPOMatch Funds $56,630.00 $22,225.00 $20,085.00 $12,538.00 $28,260.00 $12,452.00 $0.00 $10,586.00 $8,714.00 $27,198.00 $25,192.00 $0.00 $6,127.00 $209,922 $207,782 $0 $6,000 $0 $0 $2,140 $6,000 $8,140 $215,922 OtherLocal Funds $5,141.00 $2,018.00 $1,138.00 $2,565.00 $1,130.00 $0.00 $961.00 $791.00 $2,469.00 $2,287.00 $26,900.00 $14,500.00 $59,900 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $59,900 CIRTPA Contract $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $64,924.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $64,924 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $64,925 MPOSTP Funds $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0 $95,000 $0 $0 $0 $95,000 $95,000 SAFETEA LUFunds $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0 $0 $24,000 $0 $0 $24,000 $24,000 SCPG Funds $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0 $0 $0 $800,000 $0 $800,000 $800,000 MPOTOTAL DesMoinesAreaRegionalTransit Agency(DART) Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $551,600 $0 $0 $0 $0 $551,600 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $551,600 Local Match Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $137,900 $0 $0 $0 $0 $137,900 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $137,900 GrandTotal DART TOTAL $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $689,500 $0 $0 $0 $0 $689,500 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $689,500 $288,285 $113,141 $102,442 $63,822 $143,863 $63,385 $64,924 $53,889 $733,858 $138,458 $128,246 $26,900 $45,137 $1,863,909 $1,853,209 $95,000 $30,000 $800,000 $0 $10,700 $925,000 $935,700 $2,788,909

1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0

LongRange Transportation Planning Transportation SystemsPlanning Public Involvement Interagency Coordination Transportation Improvement Program CIRTPA UnifiedPlanning WorkProgram TransitPlanning Committee Support Administration Information Technology Travel&Training Subtotal

$288,285 $113,142 $102,442 $63,822 $143,863 $63,385 $64,924 $53,889 $44,358 $138,458 $128,246 $26,900 $45,137 $1,174,409 $1,163,709 $95,000 $30,000 $800,000 $0 $10,700 $925,000 $935,700 $2,099,408

13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4

SpecialProject GDMP/DCATMA SpecialProject CONNECT SpecialProject RPSD SpecialProject TrailCounters Subtotal TOTAL

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Agenda Report
Executive Committee

August 2011 Item No. 5 ISSUE: REPORT: Report and discussion on potential revisions to the MPOs Surface Transportation Program funding process to help fund regional priorities in the wake of reduced opportunities for congressionally-directed funding. BACKGROUND: The Executive Committee periodically has discussed concerns over reductions in congressionally-directed funding (earmarks) in recent years and the need for the MPO to continue funding regional transportation priorities. One suggestion posed is to fund regional priorities with the MPOs Surface Transportation Program (STP) and STP Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds. The current STP funding policy consists of member governments submitting project applications, MPO staff scoring projects on a scale from 0 to 100 based on a set of standardized criteria, and the STP Funding Subcommittee identifying and recommending award recipients from projects scoring 50 points or greater. The scoring system varies among the project categories, but generally awards points based on a transportation facilitys level of service, pavement condition, traffic volume, crash benefit/cost ratio, federal functional classification system, and the local match provided. Upon the direction of the Executive Committee, the MPO staff developed a memorandum outlining the Proposed STP Allocation Process and the needed changes to proceed with its development. The Proposed STP Allocation Process would address project eligibility, new funding pools for different project types, fund amount awarded to projects, modification of the scoring process, and revisions to project applications and the project selection process. STP project applications are due to the MPO Office by Friday, November 18, 2011. If changes are desired, the MPO could accommodate policy-oriented changes for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2016 funding cycle by taking action in September 2011. Additional changes could be developed prior to the FFY 2017 funding cycle. Included, immediately following, is the memorandum regarding the Proposed STP Allocation Process. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discussion only. STAFF CONTACT: Luke Parris, lparris@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #207; and, Dylan Mullenix, dmullenix@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #202.

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Memorandum
To: MPO Executive Committee From: MPO staff Date: August 1, 2011

Re:

Proposed Surface Transportation Program Allocation Process

BACKGROUND
In Fall 2010, with a recommendation from the Surface Transportation Program (STP) Funding Subcommittee, the MPO approved a revised STP scoring criteria and an expanded application process. Minor revisions to the scoring process re-emphasized the value of various scoring criteria and provided projects the opportunity to receive bonus points for the MPOs Horizon Year 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) goals and objectives. The expansion of the application process included the creation of a secondary application for eligible projects that identified the various MTP goals and objectives addressed by projects. In Spring 2011, the federal government indicated that earmarks for transportation projects would be limited. The MPO staff and MPO Executive Committee acknowledged that STP funding remains the only reliable source of federal funding for transportation projects in the planning area. In Summer 2011, in order to accommodate an anticipated increase in demand for STP funding, the MPO staff conducted an internal review of the STP Guidelines, Scoring Criteria, and Project Selection Process. Following the review, the MPO staff developed the following Proposed STP Allocation Process.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the Proposed STP Allocation Process is to provide federal funding to the most critical transportation needs of MPO member governments. The Proposed STP Allocation Process would address these needs through the following changes: Change #1: Change #2: Change #3: Change #4: Change #5: Change #6: Change #7: Change #8: Define the term regionally significant and use it to determine project eligibility; Develop a funding pool for large MPO member governments, small MPO member governments, planning studies, and alternative transportation; Fully fund projects at their requested funding amount. Modify the scoring process into a cost/benefit analysis; Revise project applications to include any information needed for a cost/benefit analysis; Conduct project selection during the development of the MTP; Utilize cost/benefit analysis during the development of funding recommendations; and, Award funding for illustrative years that surpass the timeframe of the MPO Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

The MPO staff could implement changes 1-3 for use during the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2016 STP funding cycle beginning this fall. Changes 4-8 could be developed over the next year and be implemented for use during the FFY 2017 STP funding cycle.

PROPOSED STP ALLOCATION PROCESS

The Proposed STP Allocation Process would be divided into two stages. The first stage is the project selection process for the MTP. This stage would determine project eligibility, project cost/benefit ratio, and funding recommendations for projects in the MTP. The second stage is an annual project review process that reviews the status of current projects and the amount of available funding. The annual project review process allows the MPO to adjust priorities by moving projects between FFYs to ensure that critical projects are developed efficiently and that the MPO TIP remains fiscally constrained.
12

Stage 1: Project Selection Process for Metropolitan Transportation Plan Step 1. Project sponsors submit applications for eligible projects to MPO staff during the development of the MTP. Step 2. Step 3. MPO staff reviews applications and conducts a cost/benefit analysis for each project. MPO Planning/Engineering recommendation. Subcommittee reviews cost/benefit analysis and staff

Step 4.

MPO Technical Committee reviews, revises, approves, and forwards the recommendation to the STP Funding Subcommittee. STP Funding Subcommittee reviews and revises the MPO Technical Committee recommendation and forwards it to the MPO Executive Committee; MPO Executive Committee reviews, revises, and makes a final recommendation to the MPO Policy Committee. MPO Policy Committee reviews and approves the final recommendation.

Step 5.

Step 6.

Step 7.

Stage 2: Annual Project Review Process Step 1. Project sponsors submit status reports for project currently programmed in the TIP to MPO staff. Step 2. MPO staff reviews STP targets obtained from the Iowa Department of Transportation to determine if funding levels have changed. STP Funding Subcommittee reviews STP status reports and STP targets, and recommends any changes in funding to the MPO Executive Committee. MPO Executive Committee reviews, revises, and makes a final recommendation to the MPO Policy Committee. MPO Policy Committee reviews and approves the final recommendation.

Step 3.

Step 4.

Step 5.

DESIRED BENEFITS
The MPO staff has identified the following benefits that could be achieved through the Proposed STP Allocation Process: Reduced reliance on earmarked federal funds; Simplified application process with one application; Project selection occurs during the development of the MTP, eliminating the need for an annual STP selection process; Annual project review provides the opportunity to adjust funding priorities and ensure that projects are making reasonable progress towards completion; Direct connection between projects listed in the TIP and the MTP; STP funding levels maintained for projects from large MPO member governments; Increased access to STP funds for smaller MPO member governments; STP funding commitment to alternative transportation maintained; STP funding available for transportation planning studies; Projects are guaranteed full funding needed for the project to be completed; and, STP funding commitments to projects can be maintained if a reduction in STP funds occur.
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Agenda Report
Executive Committee

August 2011 Item No. 6 ISSUE: REPORT: Report and discussion on requested amendments to the Horizon Year 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (HY 2035 MTP). BACKGROUND: The MPO staff recently received tentative requests to amend the HY 2035 MTP from the City of Urbandale and the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART). The City of Urbandale has requested several amendments to the HY 2035 MTP to reflect its updated Capital Improvement Program. These amendments would include moving six projects from the HY 2016-2025 timeframe to the HY 2011-2015 timeframe, as well as adding two new projects to the plan for HY 2011-2015. The MPO staff notified the City of Urbandale of the steps required in the amendment process. MPO staff also noted the plan will be updated in conjunction with the Regional Plan for Sustainable Development, which presents the option of the City of Urbandale waiting to make the requested changes during the plan updates development rather than as an amendment to the current plan. The City of Urbandale is still discussing how they would like to proceed. If the City of Urbandale still wishes to proceed with the requested amendments to the current plan, the process would begin in September with MPO action in October. DART soon will begin efforts to conduct an Alternatives Analysis (AA) study on a corridor for additional transit investment as part of the DART Forward 2035 Plan effort. DART has requested that the MPO amend the HY 2035 MTP to recognize the AA corridor (University Avenue/Ingersoll Avenue Loop), which was approved by the DART Commission at its August meeting. The process to make this amendment would also begin in September with MPO action in October. Following completion of the AA in early 2012, DART will ask the MPO to again amend the HY 2035 MTP to recognize the resulting Locally Preferred Alternative produced by the AA study. Additionally, the MPO staff is preparing a status update for the HY 2035 MTP similar to one presented in September 2010. This update will present an overview of changes in information contained within the plan (e.g., new 2010 Census data), a status update of the plans projects, an analysis of how well the MPO is meeting the plans goals and objectives, and will discuss any recommended updates to the plan or the MPOs Travel Demand Model. MPO staff will present this status update in September, with MPO action in October. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discussion only. STAFF CONTACT: Dylan Mullenix, dmullenix@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #202.

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Agenda Report
Executive Committee

August 2011 Item No. 7 ISSUE: REPORT: Update on the Regional Plan for Sustainable Development planning process. BACKGROUND: The MPO continues to move forward with the Regional Plan for Sustainable Development (RPSD). On July 5th, the MPO entered into a contract with a consultant team led by Sasaki Associates, Inc. The Sasaki team includes GeoAdaptive, Gruen Gruen + Associates, Applied Ecological Services, Nelson\Nygaard, PlaceVision, and RDG Planning and Design. The Sasaki team made its initial site visit on July 12th and 13th. The trip included a tour of the MPOs planning area as well as meetings with DART, Capital Crossroads representatives, the Center on Sustainable Communities, the RPSD technical team, and the RPSD Steering Committee. The Sasaki team continues to work with the local consortium to identify a brand for the project and to plan the public kickoff event, which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13th. The event will include informational booths, a video booth, a speaker, the unveiling of the project website, and interactive activities. More information will be provided at the August 10th Executive meeting. Immediately following, is the save-the-date for the RPSD public kickoff event. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discussion only. STAFF CONTACT: Bethany Wilcoxon, bwilcoxon@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #203.

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Agenda Report
Executive Committee

August 2011 Item No. 8 ISSUE: REPORT: Brief report on plans for a transportation event with Congressman Leonard Boswell in August. BACKGROUND: As discussed at the July Executive Committee meeting, the MPO staff and Congressman Boswells staff have coordinated to schedule a transportation-related event on August 18, 2011, at 3:00 p.m., prior to the MPO meeting. The roundtable event will be approximately an hour long, consisting of brief presentations by Congressman Boswell and representatives from the private and public sector. The remaining time will be a question and answer session. The following panelists will participate in the event: Congressman Boswell (federal perspective) Paul Trombino, Director, Iowa Department of Transportation (state perspective) Ruth Randleman, Mayor, City of Carlisle (local perspective) Jay Byers, Greater Des Moines Partnership (private-sector perspective)

The event would spotlight transportation challenges and opportunities facing the region in the coming years, including transportation authorization. The event will also provide an opportunity to focus on two key bills that have been introduce in Congress: H.R. 2091: Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act of 2011 Introduced June 2, 2011 by Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA). On June 2, 2011, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 1780: Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2011 Introduced May 5, 2011 by Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA). On May 6, 2011, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructures subcommittee on Highways and Transit. (The MPO staff notes that the Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2011 was also introduced in the Senate as S.1056 by Sen. Thomas Harkin (D-IA) on May 24, 2011). Representatives from MPO member governments and agencies, as well as the MPOs roundtables and working groups, have been invited to this event. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discuss only. STAFF CONTACT: Dylan Mullenix, dmullenix@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075, extension #202.

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Agenda Report
Executive Committee

August 2011 Item No. 9 ISSUE: REPORT: Brief report on the possibility of adopting new logo for the MPO. BACKGROUND: The MPO staff has discussed the possibility of adopting a new logo for the organization. Several logos for the Regional Plan for Sustainable Development (RPSD) have been developed by the project consultants, and the MPO staff believes one of the logos that was not ultimately chosen for the RPSD may work well as a new MPO logo. MPO staff will provide more information at the August 10, 2011, Executive Committee meeting. RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discuss only. STAFF CONTACT: Todd Ashby, tashby@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075.

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Executive Committee

August 2011 Item No. 10 ISSUE: REPORT: Brief update on the MPO offices move to a new location. BACKGROUND: In May 2011, the MPO authorized the MPO Chair, Executive Director, and Legal Counsel to negotiate a lease with Knapp Properties for office space located at 420 Watson Powell in Des Moines. The MPO has since signed a lease for the property, is working with Knapp Properties to remodel the space, and is making other arrangements necessary for the move. The new lease begins September 1, 2011.

RECOMMENDATION: None. Report and discussion only. STAFF CONTACT: Todd Ashby, tashby@dmampo.org; (515) 334-0075

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Executive Committee

August 2011 Item No. 11 ISSUE: VOTE: Review and approve the August 18, 2011, MPO Policy agenda. BACKGROUND: The Des Moines Area MPO Policy agenda is included in this agenda packets supplemental items. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the August 18, 2011, MPO Policy agenda.

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