Action Summary

Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Board Meeting

February 16, 2017

The Regional Board Room, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia

1.      Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 10.31 a.m.

2.      Approval of Agenda

The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the agenda as written.

3.      Executive Director Report

Mr. Robert Crum reported that a budget bill pertaining to the Richmond to Hampton Roads Passenger Rail TIER II Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been introduced at the 2017 General Assembly Session.  As written, the bill would require the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the HRTPO to work together to identify a firm cost estimate and a funding source for the TIER II EIS by July 1, 2017. 

Mr. Crum stated that the Board’s action last year to add the City of Franklin and Southampton County as official members to the HRTPO also included a commitment to conduct a study of the Route 58 corridor.  He indicated that HRTPO staff has met with representatives from the City of Franklin and Southampton County to move this study forward.

WORKSHOP AGENDA

4.      Commonwealth Transportation Board Member Update

Mr. John Malbon was not in attendance.

5.      Virginia Department of Transportation Update

Mr. James Utterback reported that he would brief the HRTPO Board in April 2017 on the status of the major transportation projects currently underway.  He noted that VDOT has 14 studies moving forward in different stages of progression.

6.      Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Update

Ms. Jennifer Mitchell was not in attendance.

7.       Virginia Port Authority Update

Mr. John Reinhart deferred his comments until his briefing under Agenda Item #11: Port of Virginia Status Report.

8.      HRT and WATA Updates

Mr. Ray Amoruso stated that HRT’s newest ferry boat will be in operation as of April 2017.  He noted that HRT will acquire two more boats to serve Hampton Roads.

Mr. Joshua Moore of WATA had no comments.

9.      Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) Update

Ms. Theresa Danaher reported that the next CTAC meeting will be in April.  She stated that CTAC members remain strong in their support for mass transit for the region.

10. Military Liaisons Updates

CMDR Rick Wester of the U.S. Coast Guard stated the Coast Guard is working with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) Commission regarding the construction of the Thimble Shoals Tunnel.  He commented that the Army Corp of Engineers is working to reopen the Dismal Swamp Canal after Hurricane Matthew.

Capt. Dean VanderLey of the U.S. Navy had no comments.

Col. Herbert Joliat of Langley-Eustis had not comments.

11. Port of Virginia Status Report: John Reinhart, Virginia Port Authority

Mr. John Reinhart, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority, reported that the Port of Virginia is growing faster than any port in the United States and briefed the Board on two major projects currently underway: the Norfolk International Terminal (NIT) North and South Expansions, and the Virginia International Gateway Expansion.

12. Regional Proclamation: Robert Crum, HRTPO

Mr. Robert Crum, HRTPO Executive Director, stated the Hampton Roads region, through a Proclamation of Regional Consensus, is requesting the assistance of the State and Federal Governments to secure funding for the completion of critical infrastructure to support the Hampton Roads economy.  Mr. Crum stated that several regional organizations have approved the proclamation and encouraged the HRTPO approve it as well.

This item was included in the agenda for approval under Item #19-D.

13. Hampton Roads Regional Transit Benchmarking Study: John Mihaly, HRTPO

Mr. John Mihaly, HRTPO Transportation Analyst II, reported that the Hampton Roads Regional Transit Benchmarking Study compares each of the three public transit agencies in Hampton Roads to peer agencies across the Nation and provides a baseline against which future performance may be measured.  He noted that the study focused on bus transit in Hampton Roads and stated that a working group has been established to provide guidance on transit topics for follow-up studies.

This item was included in the agenda for approval under Item #19-E.

ACTION ITEMS AGENDA

14. Public Comment Period (limit 3 minutes per individual)

A citizen from Portsmouth commented on opportunities for the citizens of Portsmouth to voice their input on transportation projects that affect them..

15. Submitted Public Comments

There were no submitted public comments in the agenda packet.

16. Transcribed Public Comments From Previous HRTPO Meeting

This item was for informational purposes.

17. Authorizing Resolutions for FY 2018 Federal and State Grant Applications: Robert Crum, HRTPO

Mr. Robert Crum, HRTPO Executive Director, stated that each year, the HRTPO applies for regional planning funds under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5303 program and the Federal Highway Administration State Planning and Research (SPR) Funds program.  He noted that both programs require a resolution by the HRTPO as part of the application process.

The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the resolutions.

18. FY 2015-2018 TIP Amendment: James Utterback, VDOT

Mr. James Utterback, VDOT Hampton Roads District Administrator, reported that VDOT is requesting to amend the FY 2015-2018 Transportation improvement Program (TIP) to add a new project title HRCS Preferred Alternative Refinement to carry out a geotechnical investigation from I-664 in Hampton to I-564 in Norfolk.  The public review period for the proposed TIP amendment is from February 9, 2017 through February 23, 2017.

The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the TIP Amendment, subject to receipt of no adverse public comments and resolution of the source of funding for allocations and obligations

19. Approval of Consent Items

The HRTPOBoard unanimously approved the Consent Agenda items.

20. HRTPO Board Three-Month Tentative Schedule

This item was for informational purposes.

21. Minutes of HRTPO Committee Meetings

This item was for informational purposes.

22. For Your Information

This item was for informational purposes.

23. Old/New Business

There was no Old/New business.

ADJOURNMENT