1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 10:37 a.m.
2. Approval of Agenda
The Board approved the agenda.
3. Executive Director Report
Mr. Robert Crum provided a brief summary of current work activities of the HRTPO, making particular note of the submittal of an Intercity Passenger Rail Operating and Capital (IPROC) fund application for the Richmond to Hampton Roads Tier II EIS. He announced that “Regional Day” for the Hampton Roads Caucus of the General Assembly on January 28th was well attended and the initial meeting of the HRTPO Rail and Public Transportation Task Force (RPTTF) is set for February 24, 2016 at 1:30 pm.
WORKSHOP AGENDA
4. Commonwealth Transportation Board Member Update
Mr. John Malbon reported that at the most recent CTB meeting, there was an energized discussion concerning the proposed light rail project in Virginia Beach. He mentioned that resolutions are in place for both parties moving forward.
5. Virginia Department of Transportation Update
Mr. James Utterback had no comments or updates.
6. Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Update
Ms. Jennifer Mitchell was unable to attend the meeting.
7. Military Liaisons Updates
Captain Robert Geis announced that Admiral Scorby will arrive in early March and that he hopes to introduce him at a future Board meeting.
Lt. Colonel Norton had no comments or updates.
8. I-64/High-Rise Bridge Phased Construction Approach
Mr. James Utterback provided a briefing on the I-64/High-Rise Bridge project with updated cost estimates in accordance with a phased construction approach. He noted that the Phase I alternative is a 6-lane option with a PCES cost estimate of $551 million. Mr. Utterback mentioned that the United States Coast Guard (USCG) bridge height determination, Final Phase I Feasibility Report, and complete pavement condition survey are all due in March 2016. This item was included in the meeting agenda under Item #14 for approval of the phased construction approach.
9. Regional Priority Projects – Concept for Fiscal-Constraint in the 2040 LRTP
Mr. Bob Crum and Dr. Camelia Ravanbakht provided a briefing on a strategy to meet the requirements of fiscal–constraint in the 2040 LRTP regarding the Regional Priority Projects. Dr. Ravanbakht stated that the forecasted revenues for Regional Priority Projects (2016-2040) total $6.6 billion. Mr. Crum announced that over $600 million has been allocated by HRTAC on the Regional Priority Projects to date. He mentioned that the Regional Priority Projects were sequenced based on project readiness from phases one through five. This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under Item #15.
10. Hampton Roads Commuting Patterns
Mr. Keith Nichols provided a briefing on the county-to-county commuting flow data for Hampton Roads jurisdictions. He reported that Hampton Roads ranked 4th out of 36 similar Metropolitan Statistical Areas, of workers that commuted outside of their jurisdiction of residence (47 percent in 2014). The Journey to Work maps can be found at: http://www.hrtpo.org/page/hampton-roads-journey-to-work-maps. The HRTPO Board took no action on this item.
ACTION ITEMS AGENDA
11. Public Comment Period (limit 3 minutes per individual)
A citizen from Portsmouth stated that the city is locked in by major employers creating traffic backups at the Midtown and Downtown tunnels. She also expressed concern over the collection of tolls at the tunnels.
A citizen from Norfolk spoke in support of light rail in Norfolk and Virginia Beach and urged those in attendance to pay close attention to the issue. He mentioned that light rail is critical to transportation and to the future of Hampton Roads.
A citizen from Newport News commented on expanding the capacity of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. He stated that expansion of the HRBT would be the best way to relieve congestion in the Hampton Roads area and should be a regional priority.
12. Submitted Public Comments
There were no submitted public comments.
13. Transcribed Public Comments From Previous HRTPO Meeting
This item was for informational purposes.
14. I-64/High Rise Bridge Phased Construction Approach
The HRTPO Board unanimously endorsed the phased construction strategy.
15. Regional Priority Projects–Concept for Fiscal-Constraint in the 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)
The HRTPO Board unanimously endorsed the fiscal-constraint concept for the 2040 LRTP.
16. Approval of Consent Items
The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda items.
17. HRTPO Board Three-Month Tentative Schedule
This item was for informational purposes.
18. Correspondence of Interest
This item was for informational purposes.
19. Minutes of HRTPO Committee Meetings
This item was for informational purposes.
20. For Your Information
This item was for informational purposes.
21. Old/New Business
Mayor Haulman, Chairman, HRTPO/HRPDC Joint Budget and Personnel Committee, reported that a six-month evaluation of the Executive Director is complete. He stated that the committee will make a recommendation at the next HRTPO Board meeting to conclude the probationary period of the Executive Director and make his contract permanent. Mayor Haulman mentioned that the committee is discussing a codification of the procedures that are used in evaluations.
ADJOURNMENT
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