Transportation Technical Advisory Committee TTAC Minutes

Thursday, February 06, 2020 at 10:00 A.m. - 12:00 P.m.

City Council Chambers

140 W. Pine Street, Missoula , MT

Voting members present:

• Shane Stack, chair (Msla Co PW),
• Sarah Coefield, vice-chair (Env. Health MCCHD),
• Chet Crowser (Msla Co CAPS),
• Juniper Davis (Msla Co Parks & Trails),
• Donna Gaukler (City Parks & Rec),
• Lyn Hellegaard, chair (MRTMA),
• Jeremy Keene (City Development Services--interim),
• Donny Pfeifer (MDT-Missoula),
• Carol Strizich (MDT-Helena),
• Ben Weiss (City Bike/Ped),
• and Brian Hensel (City PW)

Voting member(s) absent:

• Corey Aldridge (MUTD),
• Dori Brownlow (Missoula County),
• and Ellen Buchanan (MRA)

Non-Voter(s) present:

• Ryan Hammon (FHWA-Helena),
• Tiffany Brander (City Parking--interim),
• Brian Ellestad (Msla Airport Auth),
• Bynum Jackson (ASUM-Trans.),
• and Eva Rocke (UM Admin)

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1.

Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 10:01 am.

2.

Approval of Minutes from January 2, 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, Transportation Planner with the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), presented an update on the East Missoula/Highway 200 Corridor Study technical analysis (PowerPoint presentation available on eScribe). The slides included the project area, schedule, and progress. She reviewed the technical analysis of the project, which included some initial issues that were identified, transportation data analysis, and the environmental impact.

Ms. Osendorf spoke on the existing level of service, as well as pedestrian facilities and safety aspects of the Highway 200 corridor. She provided examples of the work done before the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was enacted. These included looking at the different resources that might be impacted, what the extent of those impacts would be, and where the opportunities are to avoid or minimize those.

The next steps for the project include focus groups, engaging a resource agency group, compiling public input, and beginning the design phase. 

The Committee suggested an additional interest group in the study include transit and schools, and that the study look at bus needs, the challenges of a 55 mile-per-hour road in relation to bus stops, and other opportunities and deficiencies along that corridor.

4.2

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

Aaron Wilson, Transportation Planning Manager, and Jon Sand, Transportation Planner with the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), presented a review of the Reserve Street Community Input Forum. Mr. Wilson provided an overview and history of the project. The forum was the first to solicit input related to the problems of Reserve Street with the goal of strategically addressing these problems. 5th House Consulting has been hired to help with the project.

The purpose of the forum was to educate the public on how the MPO is already addressing some of the problems along Reserve Street, to help the public understand the decision-making process, and to gather input from a variety of user groups (see the presentation, available on eScribe). 

Mr. Sand provided images from the event, which was structured with three learning stations and two input stations. The learning stations included plans for Reserve Street, land use and traffic, and the planning context. Graphic artists were retained to illustrate the input stations, which included input on people's current experience on Reserve Street and what they would like that experience to be in the future. 

The next steps for this project include focus groups and interviews with stakeholders and community members. Comments on the project can be submitted through Missoula's MPO website. 

4.3

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

Aaron Wilson, Transportation Manager, presented on the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Update. The Missoula Metropolitan Organization (MPO) has been working with consultants Nelson Nygaard to craft a work plan and a public participation plan for the LRTP. 

Mr. Wilson reviewed the draft work plan, which included an update on the schedule, the first phase of public participation, a timeline, and some general concepts for the latter phases of the project. 

The three primary phases of the work plan include:

1) Framing the Challenge and Establishing Outcomes,

2) Creating and Evaluating Solutions, and 

3) Reviewing Priorities and Recommendations.

The plan for public involvement includes community outreach with continued transparency and updates provided to the public. Upcoming presentations in March include a history of transportation and how it has changed over time. Outreach will continue through August, culminating in Phase II of the plan: engagement. This will include presenting in neighborhoods and communities, along with various pop-up events. These events will be available on social media and the MPO website, including virtual open houses, graphics, materials, and frequently asked questions. 

In the last long range plan, the MPO had a technical advisory committee and a citizens advisory committee. Representatives from various groups were included on those committees, a list of which is available in eScribe. The goal for the technical and citizen advisory committees is to provide a more focused working group, with the information ultimately going through the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee. 

The Committee suggested that the MPO include in its public outreach how the LRTP has had a measurable impact on the community, and how public opinion has shaped long range plans in the past. 

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5.

Old Business

There was no old business. 

6.

Announcements and Closing Comments

There were no announcements or closing comments. 

7.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:42 am.