Action Summary
Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Board Meeting
March 17, 2016
The Regional Board Room, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia
 

1.     Call to Order
  The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 10:36 a.m.
 
2.     Approval of Agenda
The Board approved the agenda with the addition of four items to be added at the end of the Workshop Agenda.
 
3.     Executive Director Report
Mr. Robert Crum provided a brief summary of current work activities of the HRTPO, making particular note of the preparatory work that is being completed for the HRTPO’s Quadrennial Review which is scheduled for March 29-31, 2016. He also reported that HRTPO staff is serving on a review committee for the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Conversion Study.
 
WORKSHOP AGENDA
 
4.     Commonwealth Transportation Board Member Update
Mr. John Malbon reported that the CTB approved a resolution to define the steps to take place for the Virginia Beach Light Rail Transit project to move forward. He also mentioned that the HB2 scoring steps are being refined to reflect a more equitable process.
 
5.     Virginia Department of Transportation Update
Mr. James Utterback provided an update on the progress of the I-64 Peninsula Widening (Segments 1-3), the I-64/I-264 Interchange, and the I-64 Southside Widening/High Rise Bridge projects. Mr. Utterback announced that a public hearing on the VDOT Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) is scheduled for May 12, 2016 at the Regional Boardroom.
 
6.     Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Update
Ms. Cheryl Openshaw reported that DRPT is reviewing rail and transit applications and getting ready to prepare the SYIP in April. She noted that two budget amendments were in place associated with a capital project prioritization process and the second and third trains to Norfolk.
 
7.     Virginia Port Authority Update
Ms. Cathie France reported that the General Assembly authorized $350 million in their bond package for investment in the Norfolk International Terminals. She stated that a final term sheet has been prepared for expansion of the Virginia International Gateway.
 
8.     Military Liaisons Updates
Capt. Pat Rios announced that Rear Admiral John C. Scorby, Jr. assumed command for Navy Mid-Atlantic last week.
 
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Nerone announced that the “Hundred Years of Air Power” show is scheduled for April 22-24, 2016 at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
 
Capt. Rick Wester provided an update on the repair efforts at the North Landing Bridge between Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
 
9.     Signature Paths in Hampton Roads
Dr. Robert Case provided a briefing on the study to locate inactive railroad right-of-ways and the analysis of the costs and benefits of converting them to multi-use bike/pedestrian trails. This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under item #17-E.
 
10. 2040 LRTP – Draft Fiscally-Constrained List of Projects
Dr. Camelia Ravanbakht and Ms. Dale Stith provided a briefing on the Draft Fiscally-Constrained List of Projects. In addition, Dr. Ravanbakht provided project impact summaries for the Regional Priority Projects. This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under item #15.
 
11. Hampton Roads Crossing Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) Update
Mr. Scott Smizik provided a briefing on the status of the HRCS SEIS,  highlighting Alternatives A-D as well as describing Operationally Independent Sections (OIS).
 
ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP AGENDA ITEMS
A.    Personnel and Budget (P&B)Committee Executive Director Review
Mayor Clyde Haulman, HRTPO Personnel and Budget Committee Chair, briefed the HRTPO Board on the recommendations of the P&B Committee to conclude the probationary period of Executive Director Crum and make his contract permanent.  This item was added for approval under consent items (#17).
 
B.    2016 TIGER and FAST LANE Grant Applications: Suffolk
Mr. Eric Nielsen briefed the Board on a TIGER Grant application for the US Route 58 Hampton Roads Intermodal Corridor project and a FAST LANE Grant application for the same project.  He requested that the HRTPO Board endorse the proposals with letters of support. This item was added for approval under consent items (#17).
 
C.     2016 TIGER Grant Application: Chesapeake
Mr. Earl Sorrey briefed the Board on a TIGER Grant application for the Freeman Avenue Overpass project. He requested that the Board endorse the proposal with a letter of support. This item was added for approval under consent items (#17).
 
D.    2016 FAST LANE Grant Application: VPA
Ms. Cathie France briefed the Board on a TIGER Grant application for the Hampton Roads Western Freight Gateway (Route 164) project. She requested that the Board endorse the proposal with a letter of support. This item was added for approval under consent items (#17).
 
ACTION ITEMS AGENDA
 
12. Public Comment Period (limit 3 minutes per individual)
A citizen from Norfolk expressed that enhanced driver communications are needed during traffic incidents due to construction and congestion. He cited recent issues on Elbow Road in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.
 
A citizen from Portsmouth commented that better communication is needed at all levels of government and that everyone has a different learning style.  She mentioned that federal funds have a large influence on local and regional governments. 
 
 
13. Submitted Public Comments
There were no submitted public comments.
 
14. Transcribed Public Comments From Previous HRTPO Meeting
This item was for informational purposes.
 
15. 2040 LRTP: Draft Fiscally-Constrained List of Projects
The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan Draft Fiscally-Constrained List of Projects.
 
16. Authorizing Resolutions for FY 2017 Federal and State Grant Applications
The HRTPO Board unanimously authorized the Executive Director to file applications and execute associated documents for the FY 2017 FTA Section 5303 and SPR funding programs.
 
17. Approval of Consent Items
The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda items.
 
18. HRTPO Draft Reports for Public Review and Comment
This item was for informational purposes.
 
19. HRTPO Board Three-Month Tentative Schedule
This item was for informational purposes.
 
20. Correspondence of Interest
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
Mayor Sessoms announced that HRTAC will convene at 12:30 p.m. and Mr. Crum requested that the room be cleared in order to allow HRTPO staff to reset the boardroom.
 
ADJOURNMENT