MINUTES MACATAWA AREA COORDINATING COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

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1 Policy Board Bill Vanderbilt Blaine Koops Hannes Meyers, Jr. Pankaj Rajadhyaksha Howard Baumann, Jr. Joseph Baumann Thomas Bird Ken DeWeerdt Robert Vande Vusse Terry Hofmeyer Gerald Hunsburger John Kleinheksel Kevin Klynstra John Lanum Al Myaard Terry Nienhuis Jim Storey Russ Te Slaa Todd Wolters Executive Committee Executive Committee MINUTES MACATAWA AREA COORDINATING COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL COMMITTEE, MACC Office I. INTRODUCTIONS AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES*** Members Present: Howard Baumann, Aaron Bodbyl-Mast, Larry Brown, Ken DeWeerdt, Jerry Felix, Darrell Harden, Don Komejan, Brett Laughlin, Paul Lott, Al Meshkin, Leigh Ann Mikesell, Glenn Nykamp, Steve Redmond, Brian White, Todd Wolters Others Present: Zack Bratschi, Steve Bulthuis, Dennis Grylicki, Elisa Hoekwater, Katie Kring, Cyle Kugeland, John Langdon, Robert Maffeo, Carolyn Ulstad *** Revisions to the May meeting minutes were noted, reflecting that Ms. Leigh Ann Mikesell was in attendance. It was moved by Mr. Baumann and supported by Mr. Wolters to approve the revised minutes of May 11, The motion carried. II. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mr. John Langdon, with the Michigan Association of Rail Passengers, informed the MACC Transportation Technical Committee of a meeting to request input on the Coast-to-Coast Passenger Rail Study (C2C). The study is to be completed by the end of the year and takes a long-term view of passenger rail options in Michigan. The Technical Committee noted that this rail study is not to be confused with the Midwest Rail Initiative (which evaluated longterm rail options and proposed rail improvements from Chicago to Kalamazoo, Holland, and Grand Rapids - but which would eliminate access to Bangor and St. Joseph). The MACC continues to advocate for increased service along the Pere Marquette passenger rail line. Recognizing that the Coast-to-Coast passenger rail would enhance existing rail service and improve connections to the Holland area, the MACC is a financial sponsor of this long-term study. III. FY TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) ADMINISTRATIVE MODIFICATION AND AMENDMENT SCHEDULE *** Mr. Bulthuis reviewed the current policy to revise amendments and administrative modifications to the MACC Transportation Improvement Program and recommended that the policy be changed with regard to trunkline projects. A MACC staff memo, dated July 6, 2015, recommended deleting the conditions requiring a formal amendment or administrative modification when federal funding greater than $50,000 is either added or deleted from a trunkline project. Mr. Harden offered the example of safety improvements along M-40, which are to be completed in 2015 and have resulted in a revised budget estimate to accommodate truck traffic concerns. Mr. Bulthuis added that revising the current policy to allow an admininstrative modification (with any amount of federal funding), would allow the project to

2 Page 2 proceed as efficiently and expeditiously as possible. The Technical Committee agreed with the proposal to change the policy regarding trunkline projects, as defined in the MACC staff memo. The MACC has not chosen to use general program accounts (GPA s) for local projects, because the MACC program is not as large as other metropolitan planning organizations (MPO s). Mr. Lott added that when local projects receive discretionary funds, such as local bridge, transportation alternatives (TAP), or safety funding, they can use administrative modification authority to include these projects in the TIP. The Technical Committee agreed to amend the original motion to include language allowing an administrative modification for local projects that receive discretionary funds on a competitive basis, such as bridge and safety programs, and funds from the transportation alternatives program. *** It was moved by Mr. Brown and supported by Mr. Felix to recommend approval of the proposed changes by the MACC Policy Committee. The motion carried. IV. TRANSPORTATION FUNDING UPDATE Mr. Bulthuis discussed conversations in Washington DC regarding the Drive Act and the two month extension of national transportation legislation, MAP-21, which expires at the end of July. The Technical Committee discussed how delays in approving a new national transportation legislation and addressing shortfalls in the Highway Trust fund have impacted funds for local projects. With regard to State funding, the Technical Committee discussed the Michigan Senate s bill and the need for more direction from the Michigan House. As the House version of the transportation funding bill lacks clear detail to identify future transportation funds, the Technical Committee expressed a preference for the Senate bill at this time. V. REPORT ON US-31 CORRIDOR COMMUNICATION STRATEGY The Transportation Technical Committee discussed improvements along the US-31 corridor in The work will occur from 8 th Street in the City of Holland, and continue to Quincy Street in Holland Charter Township. The MACC has included a task in the upcoming Unified Work Program (UWP) which includes a public communication strategy for the next fiscal year. This will involve close coordination with the Michigan Deparatment of Transportation and may include a project page on the MACC website. The Transportation Technical Committee discussed the need to generate an list to notify people of potential changes in the construction schedule. Ms. Mikesell informed the Committee that there will be a public information meeting in August (Tuesday, August 18, 4 to 6 pm, at the Riley Fire Station, in Holland Charter Township). A pre-construction meeting is also being planned by the Michigan Department of Transportation. VI. REPORT ON CLEAN AIR ACTION! PROGRAM AND SCHEDULE Ms. Ulstad gave a presentation of the Clean Air Action! program, noting changes in particulate matter (PM 2.5) following the July 4 th fireworks, and showed a spike since regulations in 2011 legalized individual fireworks. Ms. Ulstad also reported on the Ozone standard and listed upcoming activities. The Clean Air Action! program display is available and can be set up by MACC staff. Anyone who is interested in hosting the display is asked to contact the MACC.

3 Page 3 VII. MACC STATUS OF CURRENT PROJECTS / MEMBER REPORTS The following reports were given by the Michigan Department of Transportation and other members of the Technical Committee: Allegan County Road Commission Mr. Brown reported that the 146 th Avenue/ 60 th Street/Graafschap project was 20% above the initial estimate. ACRC has also worked on local resurfacing projects. Ottawa County Road Commission Mr. Laughlin reported on local paving projects within Ottawa County: Douglas Avenue (River Avenue to 144 th Ave/Division Street) will begin this month and will be completed by the end of the Ottawa County Fair; Riley Street (136 th Ave to Butternut Drive) will be resurfaced in July; Lakeshore Drive (Butternut Drive to New Holland) is out for bid and will include an additional cost for 1 foot of paved shoulder. Ottawa County Planning and Performance Improvement Mr. Bodbyl-Mast reported that local cyclists have requested that the Lakeshore Drive resurfacing project include a paved shoulder which is 4 feet wide. The current project includes a paved shoulder which is 3 feet wide. The additional foot will improve safety for on-street bicyclists and will also reduce conflicts with cyclists and motorists. A number of groups have been working to raise funds for the 1 foot, using crowdsourcing and soliciting private donations from individuals in the community. The deadline to raise these funds is July 24. Michigan Department of Transportation Bureau of Planning Mr. Lott reported that the Fiscal Year 2016 Unified Work Program and MACC 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan have been signed off and are ready to forward to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). City of Holland Mr. White reported on the Central Avenue project, with 8 th and 9 th Streets to be resurfaced on Thursday, July 16. The project continues to the southern end of State Street. This summer will have a great deal of construction activity in the City of Holland. Other construction projects include 8 th Street (Fairbanks to College Avenue); Regent Boulevard (near the West Michigan Regional Airport); and 16 th Street (S. Waverly Road to Hoover Boulevard). City of Zeeland Mr. Nienhuis ed an update on the Wall Street project (from Rich Avenue to E. Main Avenue) which included work on a storm drain and was scheduled through mid-july. The mill and resurfacing of N. Centennial Street has also been completed, except for a punch list of minor tasks. Zeeland Charter Township Mr. Nykamp informed the Committee that the 64 th Avenue Nonmotorized pathway between Drenthe and Vriesland was also higher than the engineer s estimate. VIII. OTHER BUSINESS Statewide National Functional Classification Review During the June 1 meeting, the MACC Policy Committee approved proposed changes to the National Highway System (NHS) and the National Functional Classification (NFC) system. Ms. Hoekwater provided an update on proposed changes, which included feedback on the following locations: Keep the portion of Douglas Avenue/Lakewood Boulevard as other principal arterial from River to US-31.

4 Page 4 To provide connectivity for the 40th Street proposal, the remainder of 32nd Street will be revised from the City limits to 52nd Street; 52nd Street will also be added from 32nd to 40th Street; and the section of 147th/40th from 52nd Street to City limits will also be added as a major collector. Add as New NFC Minor Arterial Waverly Road: from M-40 to 48 th Street Add as New NFC Major Collector 40 th Street: from Waverly Road to East City Limit Add as New NFC Major Collector Hope Avenue: from 16 th Street to Paw Paw Drive Add as New NFC Major Collector 24 th Street: from Graafschap Road to Ottawa Avenue Add as New NFC Major Collector 10 th Street: from College Avenue to Lincoln Avenue Add as New NFC Major Collector Quincy Street: 136 th Avenue to 96 th Avenue, Holland Charter Township Add as New NFC Major Collector 112 th Avenue: Lakewood Boulevard to Riley Street, Holland Charter Township Add as New NFC Major Collector Felch Street: Beeline Road to 120 th Avenue, Holland Charter Township Change from NFC Other Principal Arterial to Minor Arterial Ottawa Beach Road/Douglas Avenue/Lakewood Boulevard: Holland State Park to River Avenue, Park and Holland Charter Townships (Note this would change to Non-NHS) Keep as Other Principal Arterial but Remove from NHS - Douglas Avenue/Lakewood Boulevard: River Avenue to US-31, Holland Charter Township Change from Principal Arterial to Minor Arterial Pine Avenue: 9 th Street to 23 rd Street, City of Holland (Note this would change to Non-NHS) Change from Principal Arterial to Minor Arterial 16 th Street: US-31 to River Avenue, City of Holland (Note this would change to Non-NHS) Once the City of Holland, the Allegan County Road Commission, and the Ottawa County Road Commission have had the opportunity review these changes to roadway classifications, the Technical Committee will be asked to take formal action. The recommended changes will then be proposed to the MACC Policy Committee Green Commute Week Report Ms. Hoekwater and Ms. Ulstad reported on the 8 th Annual Green Commute Week events, distributing a newsletter which highlighted participation by six elementary schools and students from 3 high schools; a video contest; employer commute challenge; bike racks awarded by winning employers; local non-motorized projects under construction this summer; and air quality impacts of the one week program. Dates for next year s events will be May 16 21, Michigan Transportation Planning Association (MTPA) Annual Conference Report - MACC Staff attended the annual MTPA conference, in Ann Arbor. A brief report of the conference was shared with the MACC Transportation Technical Committee. Coast to Coast Passenger Rail Public Input Meeting Members of the Technical Committee were invited to attend the evening meeting. Mr. Bulthuis planned to attend and encouraged others to join him if possible.

5 Page 5 IX. ADJOURNMENT AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF MEETING Next Meeting: August 10, 2015 MACC Office 10:00 a.m.