November 15, 2018

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.
Chair Thomas Shepperd introduced Mr. Robert Dyer, Virginia Beach Mayor, as an HRTPO Voting member and Mr. Shepperd Miller, CTB At-Large Urban Member, as an HRTPO Invited Participant. He also introduced Mr. Morteza Farajian, Interim Deputy Secretary of Transportation, who was asked to participate during the discussion under Agenda Item #12.

2. Approval of Agenda
The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the agenda as written.

3. Executive Director Report
Mr. Robert Crum provided a summary of current work activities of the HRTPO with particular note of the following:
• HRTPO staff continues to support and work with Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) on its Strategic Planning Initiative, which officially had its kickoff at the Slover Library during the Governor’s Transportation Conference in Norfolk on November 1, 2018.
• He participated in a panel conversation with Transportation Secretary Sharon Valentine regarding Connecting Transportation and Economic Development. The panel included a discussion on how to the region’s leverage transportation investments.

WORKSHOP AGENDA
4. Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) Members Update
Mr. John Malbon stated the CTB met during the Governor’s Transportation Conference in Norfolk on October 29-30. He reported that the CTB fully funded the Laskin Road Widening project in Virginia Beach, which began over 20 years ago.
Mr. Shepperd Miller had no comments.
Mr. Stephen Johnsen had no comments.

5. Virginia Department of Transportation Update
Mr. Christopher Hall reported that the November 2018 HRTAC Program Development Monthly Executive Report was included at the table as a handout. He stated that work is underway on both Segments II and III of the I-64 Peninsula Widening project, including lane paving and sound wall construction on Segment II which is scheduled for completion in Spring 2019, and barrier placement along I-64 westbound for Segment III. He noted that the second phase of VDOT’s sound study was complete with VDOT receiving authorization to add another 5,000 feet of sound wall on the westbound side of I-64 and over 4,000 feet on the eastbound side. He also noted that the additional sound wall construction is all within budget. Sound wall and signage is almost complete, along with approximately 50% of bridge deck construction on the two main bridges for the I-64/I-264 Interchange Improvements Phase I project, with construction underway on the Newtown Road bridge east approach infrastructure on Phase II. Finally, the I-64 Southside Widening and High Rise Bridge – Phase I project is well ahead of schedule with the contractor waiting on the release of the joint permit through the Coast Guard in order to begin pile driving in the river.

6. Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Update
There was no representative in attendance from DRPT.

7. Virginia Port Authority Update
Ms. Cathie Vick reported that the two projects at the main container facilities at the Virginia International Gateway Facility in Portsmouth are moving forward. She stated that the VPA has all but two of the new rail-mounted gantry crane stacks online. Both the new gate complex and wharf are now completed. She noted that there are four new ship-to-shore cranes to be delivered to the Port the first week of January. At Norfolk International Terminals (NIT), the first six new rail-mounted gantry crane stacks are online and dredging has taken place which now allows the Port to handle three of the ultra-large container vessels. In Newport News, VPA has completed pavement rehabilitation in order to accommodate roll-on/roll-off business with Nissan. VPA is working closely with the Army to service the military oversees with equipment and refrigerated cargo. She stated that the barge service volume between Hampton Roads and Richmond has increased 49% in the first quarter which removed 3,000 trucks from the interstate. With such demand for the barge service, the VPA has ordered another barge which will increase service to daily trips to Richmond.

8. HRT and WATA Updates
Mr. William Harrell stated that HRT is working closely with the HRTPO in its strategic planning initiative which had its official kickoff on November 1st at the Slover Library in Norfolk. He indicated that a handout was at the table regarding the Transit Transformation Project which is expected to be completed by winter 2019. He noted that the results from this project will be brought to the HRTPO Board next year.
Mr. Zach Trogdon reported WATA will procure an automatic passenger counting system in order to compile data by which to better serve the community. He noted that it will be valuable information since the new transit reforms will be more data driven.

9. Community Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) Update
There was no representative in attendance from CTAC.

10. Military Liaisons Updates
Colonel Ed Vedder, representing Joint Langley-Eustis, had no comments.
Captain Michael Moore, representing the U.S. Navy had no comments.
LCDR Pete Francisco, representing the U.S. Coast Guard, stated the Coast Guard appreciated the opportunity to participate in the development process of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel project, the Port dredging project allowing for the passage of ultra-large container vessels, and the I-64 Southside Widening and High-Rise Bridge project.

11. 2018 Audited Financial Statements – Michael Garber, PBMares
Mr. Michael Garber, PBMares Partner, reported that the independent Auditors’ Report states that the statements present fairly, in all material respects, the basic financial statements of the HRPDC/HRTPO. There were no material weaknesses or deficiencies identified in any of the internal controls or processes of the financial activity, and all information was free of any material misstatements. The audited financial statements, along with supplemental management letters, and the auditor’s opinion report, based on census data reported to the Virginia Retirement System (VRS), have been posted on both websites.
This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under Item #19-B.

12. I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion Project and I-64 High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Regional Express Lanes Concept: Status Report – Robert Crum and Michael Kimbrel, HRTPO
Mr. Robert Crum, HRTPO Executive Director, provided a status report to the HRTPO Board regarding the I-64 HRBT Expansion project and I-64 High Occupancy Toll Regional Express Lanes Concept, which included the following:
• Operational Analysis – VDOT has launched a complete analysis of the proposed Regional Express Lanes Network which when complete, will provide key information to HRTPO Board members regarding the length of the network, traffic flow, and operational issues.
• Rehabilitation of Existing HRBT Trestles – Deliberations are ongoing between HRTPO, HRTAC, and VDOT staff, along with members of the Virginia General Assembly, to provide a proposal regarding the trestles in December.
• Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment for Project – In order to allocate funds to the HRBT project, the HRTPO Board must approve a TIP amendment for the project. Before a TIP amendment can be approved, an agreement on the rehabilitation of the trestles and approval of an update to HRTAC’s financial plan must occur.
• Special HRTPO Meeting with HRTAC – HRTPO and HRTAC Staff recommend convening a joint December 13th meeting to resolve the pending matters.
After discussion, the HRTPO Board unanimously agreed to convene a joint HRTAC/HRTPO meeting on December 13, 2018 to discuss the above matters.

13. Route 460/58/13 Connector Study: Update – Angel Deem, VDOT
Ms. Angel Deem, VDOT State Environmental Division Director, briefed the HRTPO Board on the status of the Route 460/58/13 Connector Study which was initiated by VDOT in June 2017. Results from the traffic analysis component of the study have determined that the existing facility accommodates travel demand in the year 2040, so no increase in capacity is needed. Ms. Deem stated that according to Virginia Code, the Hampton Roads Transportation Fund (HRTF) is to be used to fund projects that address significant congestion problems. Since the study corridor does not exhibit significant congestion issues through 2040, VDOT staff has recommended halting the study and returning remaining HRTF monies to HRTAC.
This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under Item #19-M.

14. 2019 Regional Legislative Agenda – Robert Crum, HRTPO
Mr. Robert Crum, HRTPO Executive Director, reported that the 2019 Legislative Agenda has been drafted for HRTPO Board consideration and submission to the Hampton Roads Caucus of the General Assembly and the Hampton Roads Congressional Delegation. The 2019 Virginia General Assembly Session convenes on January 9, 2019.
The following HRTPO priorities will be included in the 2019 Legislative Agenda:
• Pursue federal and state funding for the $3.66 billion I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project
• Promote higher-speed passenger rail service between Hampton Roads and Richmond, including the completion of a TIER II Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Southside and Peninsula corridors
• Pursue federal and state funding for the widening of I-64 between Hampton Roads and Richmond from Exit 205 (Bottoms Bridge) to Exit 234 (Route 199 – Lightfoot)
• Recommend that the Commonwealth increase funding to the Virginia SMART SCALE Program
This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under Item #19-L.

15. State of Transportation 2018 Update – Keith Nichols, HRTPO
Due to time constraints, this presentation was deferred.
This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under Item #19-K.

MEETING AGENDA
16. Public Comment Period (limit 3 minutes per individual)
A citizen from Portsmouth discussed the implications of sea level rise on the I-64 HRBT Expansion project.

17. Submitted Public Comments
There were no submitted public comments in the agenda packet.

18. Transcribed Public Comments From Previous HRTPO Meeting
This item was for informational purposes.

ACTION ITEMS
19. Approval of Consent Items
Mr. Michael Kimbrel, HRTPO Deputy Executive Director, reported on a funding year change regarding Consent Agenda Item #19-J: FY 2018-2021 TIP Amendment Request: UPC 16314 – Penniman Road/Government Road Roadway Improvements in York County.

The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda items as amended.

INFORMATION ITEMS
20. HRTPO Board Three-Month Tentative Schedule
This item was for informational purposes.

21. Correspondence of Interest
This item was for informational purposes.

22. Minutes of HRTPO Committee Meetings
This item was for informational purposes.

23. For Your Information
This item was for informational purposes.

24. Old/New Business
There was no Old/New Business.

ADJOURNMENT