Action Summary

Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Board Meeting

October 20, 2016

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

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 10:42 a.m.

2.  Election of HRTPO Board Officers

HRTPO Board elections were held and Mayor Linda T. Johnson (SU), Mr. Thomas G. Shepperd, Jr. (YK), and Mr. Robert A. Crum, Jr. were elected to serve as Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary, respectively.

3.  Approval of Agenda

The Board approved the agenda as written.

4.  Executive Director Report

Mr. Robert Crum referred HRTPO Board members to the agenda packet for a brief summary of current work activities of the HRTPO.

5.  Employee Recognition

Mr. Robert Crum introduced Ms. Beth Vandell as Administrative Assistant and Ms. Kathlene Grauberger as Transportation Planner for the HRTPO. 

Mr. Crum recognized Ms. Dale Stith for her 10 years of outstanding service to the HRTPO.

WORKSHOP AGENDA

6.  Commonwealth Transportation Board Member Update

Mr. John Malbon was unable to attend the meeting.

7.   Virginia Department of Transportation Update

Mr. James Utterback reported the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) had a productive discussion at its second workshop on the Hampton Roads Crossing Study (HRCS) Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).  He stated the CTB approved a resolution supporting the conversion of Southside HOV lanes to HOT lanes.  He indicated the state has received over 400 SMART SCALE applications worth approximately $9 billion dollars; noting there will be only up to $750 million of SMART SCALE funding available to award.  The CTB submitted the Route 460 project for scoring during the SMART SCALE process since it has now been permitted.  Finally, he noted that construction should begin on Segment 2 of the I-64 Peninsula widening project on October 26, 2016.

8.   Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Update

Ms. Jennifer Mitchell was unable to attend the meeting.

9.  Virginia Port Authority Update

Ms. Cathie Vick reported the VPA has signed a new, long-term lease for Virginia International Gateway which clears the way for the Port to begin work on doubling capacity at the deep-water container terminal.  She indicated the Port is working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Navy to help dispel concern regarding the HRCS SEIS.  Lastly, she noted a SMART SCALE application for the Terminal Boulevard project has been submitted by the City of Norfolk.

10.  HRT and WATA Updates

Mr. William Harrell reported HRT has completed 30 percent of the preliminary engineering plans for the Virginia Beach Transit Extension and noted the cost estimate for the project has been revised to $243 million.  Public meetings were held last week on the Peninsula Corridor Study and Mr. Harrell indicated that HRT will brief the HRTPO Board in early 2017.  He noted that HRT will soon embark on a High Capacity Transit Study to serve Naval Station Norfolk.

Mr. Todd Tyree of WATA had no comments or updates.

11.  Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) Update

Mr. Greg Edwards stated that CTAC discussed the HRCS SEIS at its regular October 13th meeting and agreed to call a special CTAC meeting on October 26th to further discuss the topic and recommend a preferred alternative to the HRTPO Board.

12.   Military Liaisons Updates

Capt. Michael Moore reported the U.S. Navy has released its FY 2015 Economic Impact Report for the Hampton Roads area.  He noted the Navy’s direct economic impact for the region in FY 2015 was $10.75 billion, an increase of approximately $770 million over FY 2014.

Col. Joseph Ladner had no comments or updates.

CMDR Ken Kostecki stated the repairs to the North Landing Bridge were complete with the bridge now in full operation.  He expressed his gratitude to the Chesapeake Fire Department as they conducted a channel survey from the Gilmerton Bridge to the Great Bridge Locks after Hurricane Matthew.

13.   FY 2016 Audited Financial Report

Mr. Michael Garber of PBMares briefed the HRTPO Board on the outcome of the FY 2016 audited financial report.  It was concluded that: No material weaknesses or deficiencies identified in any of the internal controls or processes of the financial activity, all information was free of any material misstatements, and the organization “presented fairly.” This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under Item #21-C.

14.  2017 HRTPO Legislative Agenda

Mr. Robert Crum briefed the HRTPO Board on the 2017 HRTPO Legislative Agenda.  This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under Item #21-F.

15.  HRPDC/HRTPO – Potential Meeting Adjustments

Mr. Robert Crum briefed the HRTPO Board regarding a proposed change in the meeting schedule for the HRTPO, HRPDC, HRMFFA, and HRTAC.  This item was included in the meeting agenda for approval under Item #21-D.

16.   HRCS – SEIS: Review of Public/Agencies Comments and Discussion

A.     Review of Public Comments

Mr. Scott Smizik of VDOT reviewed Alternatives A-D of the HRCS SEIS with the HRTPO Board.  After a review of the public comments from the 45-day public review period, it was noted that 60% of the public prefer Alternative D.  Other notable comments from the approximately 570 that were submitted included the preference of Alternative B by the Virginia Port Authority, the U.S. Navy’s concerns regarding Alternatives B, C, and D, and the Army Corps of Engineers concerns regarding Alternatives C and D.  Mr. Smizik stated the CTB will decide on the Preferred Alternative at its December 7th meeting.

16B & 17.  Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/HRCS-SEIS: Potential Funding Scenarios

Mr. Robert Crum and Mr. Kevin Page reviewed Alternatives A – D of the HRCS SEIS and Mr. Crum stated that Alternatives A and B seem to have the most potential to be the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA).  He indicated that the selected Preferred Alternative must be able to be constructed, permitted, and funded in the 2040 LRTP.

Mr. Page stated the accelerated HRTF bonding and bifurcated credit structure improves financial feasibility at this time.  He then summarized some financial scenarios associated with various alternatives of the HRCS SEIS.

After extensive discussion, the HRTPO Board unanimously voted to recommend Alternative A-Modified to the CTB as the Preferred Alternative from the HRCS SEIS.  Alternative A-Modified includes I-64 widening from the I-664 interchange in Hampton to the I-564 interchange in Norfolk, including the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT), with the addition of improvements to the I-64/I-264/I-664 interchange at Bowers Hill.  As part of the same motion, the HRTPO Board also requested HRTAC allocate up to $7 million toward the cost of further study of the HRCS SEIS components not included in Alternative A-Modified – specifically the I-564/I-664 Connectors (Patriots), I-664 widening from the I-64/I-264/I-664 interchange at Bowers Hill to the I-64/I-664 interchange in Hampton, including the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT), and VA 164/164 Connector, and to include these projects in the Hampton Roads 2040 Regional Transportation Vision Plan.

ACTION ITEMS AGENDA

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

A citizen from Portsmouth stated that public comment is essential and voiced her concerns regarding the HRTPO’s efforts in disseminating information to the public. 

A citizen from Virginia Beach expressed his opposition to the state’s decision to convert HOV lanes to HOT lanes on the Southside. 

 A citizen from Norfolk expressed his concern regarding the possibility of more coal transport throughout the City of Norfolk. 

19.    Submitted Public Comments

There were no submitted public comments.

20.   Transcribed Public Comments From Previous HRTPO Meeting

This item was for informational purposes.

21.   Approval of Consent Items

The HRTPO Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda items.

22.   HRTPO Board Three-Month Tentative Schedule

This item was for informational purposes.

23.   Minutes of HRTPO Committee Meetings

This item was for informational purposes.

24.   For Your Information

This item was for informational purposes.

25.   Old/New Business

There was no Old/New business.

ADJOURNMENT