EAST ALABAMA RURAL PLANNING ORGANIZATION
MEETING MINUTES
DISTRICT POLICY COMMITTEE & TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE for the CENTRAL DISTRICT
July 15, 2010
East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission – Anniston
Policy Committee Members in Attendance:
Mayor Sam H. Wright, City of Sylacauga
Mayor Steve Baswell, Town of Ohatchee
Mr. Bill Curtis, EARPDC
Mayor Larry Fetner, Town of Ashland
Mayor Brian York, City of Talladega
Technical Advisory Committee Members in Attendance:
Mr. William D. McDaniel, ALDOT 4th Division
Mr. Steve Haynes, ALDOT
Mr. Shannon T. Jones, ALDOT
Other Attendees:
Mr. Jack Plunk, Calhoun Area MPO
Ms. Stacey Browning, EARPDC
Ms. Dawn Landholm, EARPDC
Mr. Jim Heigl, City of Sylacauga
Mayor Charles Merkel, acting as Chair, called the meeting to order at approximately 1:05 p.m.
Under “Old Business,” Mayor Merkel asked if there were any changes to the minutes from the previous meeting on April 15, 2010. After determining that there were no changes, she asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Mayor Steve Baswell made a motion, and Mayor Larry Fetner seconded. The minutes were approved.
There was no other old business, so Mayor Merkel moved on to “New Business.” Ms. Stacey Browning Ms. Stacey Browning gave a staff report on various issues. She first mentioned that the new East Alabama Rural Planning Organization is up and running. She discussed the information that is available and linked on the website, which includes links to ALDOT’s website, the US DOT’s website, information about the TIGER II grants, HUD Sustainable Communities grants, and the FHWA’s Peer to Peer program. She also asked for suggestions for the website. The minutes from the RPO meetings are also available on the website.
Ms. Browning then moved on to the various handouts she provided (copies of which are attached to these minutes). The first handout summarizes Alabama Senate Bill 121, which is a bill to provide $1 billion in funding to road and bridge projects over 10 years. The money would come from the State Trust Fund. A copy of the summary was sent out a few weeks ago as well. There was some discussion concerning the bill. Mayor Baswell asked about a particular part of the handout that mentions that $5 million will go to each congressional district. He asked where would that money go, and who would decide where it goes? Mr. Steve Haynes said that no one seems to be sure, and that it would not turn out to be a significant amount of money.
Ms. Browning then moved to the handout relating to the HUD Regional Plans for Sustainability Grant Program. This is a different program from the Community Challenge Program. EARPDC is looking into the program, and is trying to gauge interest throughout the region in the program. A grant would fund a regional plan for sustainability, and HUD is looking for interesting and uncommon partnerships in the program. The plan would attempt to better integrate planning throughout the region so there is a more cohesive way of looking at various issues. The plan would relate to the six Livability Principles set by HUD, DOT, and EPA.
Ms. Browning discussed the HUD Community Challenge Grant and TIGER II Planning Grant summary. She mentioned that this is a joint program between HUD and DOT. Applicants send in one application. The TIGER II Planning Grants can fund the planning and preparation for projects eligible to be funded by TIGER II Discretionary Grants. The HUD Community Challenge Grants will fund the revision of codes, ordinances, etc. that hinder the development of sustainable communities. Ms. Browning mentioned that you can use the grants to revamp zoning ordinances to allow mixed use development.
Ms. Browning mentioned that EARPDC has just received some new information about a possible rescission. This is a possible $2.2 billion rescission of highway funding, but it is doubtful whether it will pass.
Mr. Bill Curtis mentioned that materials he has seen on the rescission is that money would be taken from transportation and diverted into other areas. It would take an affirmative act of Congress to take money out of transportation funding. He doubts that this will occur, but he also mentioned that it would be a good idea to talk to our congressional delegates and senators.
Mr. Curtis said that it does not appear that there will be a reauthorization act this year. He believes it will be dealt with after elections. Oberstar has been pushing a comprehensive reauthorization act, but there is not much interest. Congress has current appropriated money from the general fund for funding so projects can continue. If there is a comprehensive reauthorization, it would be a major reset of transportation, including issues such as transit. This would be a new approach to funding transportation. The early 1990s was the last time the gasoline tax was adjusted, so this would need to be dealt with.
Mr. Haynes mentioned that the first rescission was because the authorization had ended. Mr. Curtis stated that all of this is occurring because there is not an authorization, but things are operating off of appropriations.
Mr. Haynes mentioned that they are about 20 to 30 percent behind normal funding levels, and are operating month to month at the moment. He also mentioned that it will take some kind of a new tax to really get transportation funding to where it needs to be because of how little the current gasoline tax provides. When gas prices go up, people by less gas, and DOT budgets decrease. The public does not want to hear about a new tax now though, and legislators do not want to push it with elections coming up. Mr. Haynes thinks that a user tax is the best way.
Mayor Merkel then turned the meeting over to Mayor Brian York, who moved to “ALDOT Update on Road Projects” on the agenda.
Mr. William McDaniel gave an update on County and City projects. He provided a handout, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. He mentioned that there is currently a lot under construction. He said that there are a lot of enhancement projects, both stimulus and non-stimulus, that are wrapping up. One was just completed at JacksonvilleState. Another is beginning on State Route 204. There is one bridge project under construction in CalhounCounty. There is a large culvert being built near WellbornHigh School on County Road 81. Roberts Drive, an industrial access project, is finally going to begin after some issues. A lot of work has been done on Iron Mountain Road, and work should recommence in a week or so. ALDOT wants to complete that project around the same time as the Eastern Bypass. There are two streetscape projects nearing design completion in Ashland. Mayor Fetner asked if there was anything they needed to do. Mr. McDaniel said that he believes the plans are near completion. The money is ebbing and flowing right now, so it will depend on what the fed releases.
Mr. McDaniel said that the sidewalks in Sylacauga are under construction, but Mayor Wright mentioned that there had been a few issues. They have turned the project over to someone else. Pre-construction will be set next week. Mr. McDaniel said that Phase II of the Lomar Drive relocation in the city of Lincoln plans are virtually finished.
Mr. Haynes said that the Talladega bypass will be let this month.
Mr. Jim Heigl said that there are some serious grooves in the road in Sylacauga, and they would like to have that shaved down and smoothed out. Mr. McDaniel said that he would pass this on to ALDOT.
Mayor York asked if there was any other new business. He then moved on to “Open Discussion and Announcements.” He announced the next meeting date would be November 18, 2010. Ms. Browning mentioned that discussion was needed regarding the meeting dates for next year. Ms. Dawn Landholm said that Mayor Anna Berry has a conflict with the meeting dates, and had asked that the RPO meetings be changed. This would entail moving the meetings to February, May, and August. Mayor Wright said that he did not see a problem with moving the meeting dates, making a motion to move the meetings. Mayor Merkel seconded the motion, and the motion carried. The meeting was then adjourned.