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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.05.11 Meeting Minutes Franklin County Planning Department 272 North Second Street Chambersburg, PA 17201 Phone: 717-261-3855 Fax: 717-264-8667 Email: planning@franklincountypa.gov FRANKLIN COUNTY METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION POLICY BOARD MEETING May 11, 2023 – 10am Franklin County Administrative Building, Room 824 272 North 2nd Street Chambersburg, PA 17201 Video call link: https://meet.google.com/hej-tbpw-wja Or dial: (US) +1 252-584-0133 PIN: 170 244 911# I. Welcome and Introduction - Sam Cressler welcomed the group and thanked everyone for coming. Meeting called to order at 10:16 II. Approval of Meeting Minutes – February 16, 2022 – Dave keller motions to approve, Tom newcomer seconds. III. Presentation a. PennDOT Agility Program – Bob Snyder showed a Presentation for the PennDOT Agility program. Over 3,000 agility agreements since its adoption in 1996. Agility program is service for service exchanges of equal value for both sides of the exchange. There are no Monetary payments. Some exchange examples for the agility program would be exchanging line painting, mowing, or seal coating for winter services, parking lot crack sealing for litter pick up, exchange road signs for meeting space. Can not work with private businesses. Agility agreements are valid for 5 years, option to renew for 3 years. Agreements can be executed “just in case” there is a need. Penndot Agility informational videos are available on youtube on Penndot’s channel, under the Agility playlist. IV. Business a. PM2 & PM3 Performance Target Setting Motion to approve made by Dave Keller, Seconded by John Flannery. Motion carried unanimously b. Unified Planning Work Program Amendment Motion to approve made by Tom Newcomer, Seconded by Dave Keller. Motion carried unanimously. c. Waynesboro Bike/Ped Accommodation Study Motion to approve made by Dave Keller, Seconded by Jesse McMath. Motion carried unanimously. d. I-81 Safety – Discussion – John Flannery was asked by a member of the public if the commissioners would support a change in speed limit. Knowing that the commissioners do not have that power, this topic was brought to the MPO for consideration of requesting a review of the speed limit or finding ways to increase enforcement. Kenana chimed in and states a letter has to be sent to Christopher Flad, the district traffic engineer, to request a speed study be done if this is the path the MPO chooses. Penndot will look at traffic data to see if it is warranted as speeds are set by the data that is present. After the study, Penndot would provide a letter back stating their finds. Dave Keller asked if speed was a factor in the most recent death on 81 and whether previous studies have suggested lowering the speed limit as a way to improve safety on our portion of the corridor. Steve Thomas acknowledged that those details of the recent crash don’t seem to have been released at this time. Staff can also look into studies a little more and see if lower speed has been a recommendation in any other studies. Fred Young stated lowering the speed limit will be a mistake and will likely cause additional frustration by the community related to the conditions of travel on I-81. Tom Newcomer stated that enforcement is key regardless of the speed limit. Similar to local roads where until radar is available and a system to enforce it, the speed limit will not have limited impact on driver behavior. Kenana added that additional capacity does not tend to address safety issues, but instead addresses congestion issues. e. Waynesboro Borough Letter The MPO received a letter from Waynesboro Borough requesting that the MPO send a letter to PennDOT requesting some work be done on routes 316 and 16 through the borough. Kenana stated route 16 does have a base repair project for sections 530-560 repair later this construction season. They are also performing A-team rides to look at every SR and determine what needs exist in the county, and 316 and PA 16 is on the list to inspect. Sam Cressler suggested that it wouldn’t hurt to send the letter. Motion to send a letter to PennDOT made by Dave Keller, Seconded by David Mackley. Motion carried unanimously. f. Vanpool Subsidy Program A memo was provided with information related to vanpooling. The board decided to table the idea for the time being. V. Partner Updates a. Susquehanna Regional Transportation Partnership Update - Quentin highlighted recent efforts of the SRTP staff and data on how the program is performing as of April 30th. b. Rabbittransit Update - Carrie Gray said Franklin County’s Stop hopper program is the most popular micro transit that Rabbittransit has started, and they are looking to add Franklin County as a voting member. c. PennDOT Update – Kenana gave an update on leadership changes at the district, and an upcoming bridge replacement black gap road with a road closure beginning on May 18th and continuing for roughly 42 days. Matt Crea gave an update on the 12-Year Program survey that closed on April 30th. Results will be released in June. Also, TASA applications will open on May 30th. d. FHWA Update - Ronnique is to provide Quentin with email updates. e. Director’s Report – Steve Thomas updates the group on the department’s staffing. The Comprehensive Plan is still underway and the department is working through draft materials. Adoption is anticipated toward the end of the summer. f. Staff Report – Quentin Clapper shared that the 2025 TIP update is kicking off. Thanks to the hard work of the MPO Chair, Sam Cressler, an application was submitted for FY24 appropriations for the Exit 12 project. Senators Casey and Fetterman and Representative Joyce have all pushed this project forward for funding consideration. The I-81 prioritization plan is moving along. The LRTP was formally submitted to PennDOT and has been approved and sent on to FHWA. The MPO will need to consider what actions outlined in the plan are a priority and what plans or data that align with those strategies is the most useful to the MPO, the County, and Municipalities as we will soon begin updating the UPWP. VI. Future Meetings a. July 20 – TAC Meeting 9:30 A.M. b. August 17 – Policy Board Meeting 10 A.M. VII. Public Comment VIII. Adjournment - Motion to adjourn made by Dave Keller, Seconded by Tom Newcomer. Meeting adjourned at 11:19 “The FCMPO is committed to complying with the nondiscrimination requirements of the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations prohibiting discrimination in all programs and activities. All locations for meetings open to the public will be accessible to persons with disabilities. With advance notification, accommodations may be provided for those with special needs related to language, speech, sight, or hearing. If you have a request for a special need, wish to file a complaint, or desire additional information, please contact the Franklin County Planning Department at (717) 261-3855; FAX (717) 264-8667; email: planning@franklincountypa.gov.”