Transportation Policy Coordinating Committee Minutes

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 1:30 P.m. - 2:30 P.m.

City Council Chambers

140 W. Pine Street, Missoula , MT

Voting members present:

• Peter Bensen Planning Board,
• John Engen, Mayor,
• Don MacArthur, MUTD,
• Josh Slotnick, Missoula Co. Commissioner,
• and Dave Strohmaier, Missoula Co. Commissioner (vice-chair)

Voting member(s) absent:

• Mirtha Becerra, City Council
• and Bob Vosen, MDT-Missoula

Non-Voter(s) present:

• Brian Hasselbach, FHWA-Helena
• and Debbie Johnston, MCCHD

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1.

Roll Call and Introduction of Audience

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 PM.

Ben Nunnallee With MDT Missoula District attended

2.

Approval of Minutes from January 21, 2020

​​​​​​​​The minutes were approved as submitted.

3.

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

4.

New Business

4.1

Update and presentation on the East Missoula/Highway 200 Corridor Study technical analysis (Tara Osendorf)

Tara Osendorf, Planner for Development Services, presented an update on the East Missoula Highway 200 Corridor Study technical analysis. The presentation document is available online.
Ms. Osendorf mentioned that the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has been working with WGM on this project. There has been other planning processes in the past but this one is going to get it closer to the grant, and the implementation stage. Initially, the project area covered up to East Missoula. Later, based on need, it was decided to extend the project coverage to eastern segments up to Tamarack Road.
The open house was on February 6th. The final approval of the plan is scheduled for January 2021. The link is on the website and it is also included in the PowerPoint. The link will pinpoint where the public can add comments by location. This site is going to be open for public comments until March 15th. Next, there are a couple of focus groups.
A committee member mentioned at the East Missoula meeting the question of when the project is going to be implemented.. Therefore, he gave emphasis that it should be communicated to the public that the work so far has been laying out the foundation. It will be ready to be implemented when the fund is available.
A committee member brought up that they are working with an agency on creating parking resolution to the Tamarack Juniper area. There will be space for public comment in the near future. Also, input from Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is welcome.

4.2

Review of Reserve Street Community Input Forum (Aaron Wilson/Jon Sand)

Aaron Wilson and Jon Sand of the Metropolitan Planning Organization did a presentation on the Reserve Street Community input forum. The goal of the project is to have a better idea of what “improving Reserve Street” means to people. The project is intended to find a way to address the different needs of different users. The community input project is the first step. The project is estimated to take 4-5 months. In the future there is going to be one-on-one interviews and focused groups in order to refine the information as much as possible.
Participants of the forum were asked to register. This method could provide background information of individuals’ experiences with Reserve Street.
Aaron Wilson stated that overall the outcome of the forum was productive. Participants were giving constructive criticism. They had multiple ideas on how they wanted Reserve Street to be improved. A committee member brought up community frustration with accessing Reserve from the Target Range area on the south end of Reserve. He asked if there were any solutions for it. Aaron Wilson replied that there could be many solutions. Although, it would be dependent on the budget, and how realistic expectations are. There may not be a solution that could dramatically change the situation soon.
Aaron Wilson clarified that this process has given the MPO a better idea of who the different stakeholders are. He also pointed out that the study was about the north end of Reserve Street, but that the entire process can be also used on the south end of Reserve.

4.3

Long Range Transportation Plan update on work plan, advisory committee membership, and first phase public engagement (Aaron Wilson)

Aaron Wilson with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) presented on the update to the Long Range Transportation Plan.For more details, please find the material for the presentation on the website.

Mr. Wilson mentioned that they are in the early stages of framing the challenge and establishing outcomes. There are plans of public involvement for the spring and summer.
The initial consultant visit will be in the first week of March to engage key stakeholders and build momentum for the project. Also, a First Friday event for March 6th is being planned. The First Friday will be a history of transportation from the 1800s until today. It will be linked to the Long Range Transportation update. Mr. Wilson announced the new logo for the Long Range Transportation Plan. The logo updates every 4-5 years. Mr. Wilson asked for comments or recommendations on the advisory committees, Technical Advisory Committee and Citizen Advisory Committee. The suggestions were to include the Food Bank, the Salvation Army, the two hospitals, Partnership Health Center, and the University of Montana. They are the most common users of public facilities and should not be under-represented.

5.

Old Business

6.

Announcements and Closing Comments

7.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 2:18 PM.