NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION FULL COMMISSION MEETING

January 19, 2023, at 9:00 A.M.

NIRPC Lake Michigan Room, 6100 Southport Road, Portage

Annotated Agenda

6100 Southport Road

Portage, Indiana 46368

(219) 763-6060

www.nirpc.org

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance – Justin Kiel

   
   

2. New Appointments to the Commission - Attorney Dave Hollenbeck

   
   

3. Roll Call - Candice Eklund

   
   

4. Public Comment on Current Agenda Items

   Members of the audience who have signed up to comment on agenda items will be recognized by the Chair. Time is limited to 3 minutes per commenter.

   
   

5. Approval of the Minutes of the December 8, 2022, Executive Board Meeting (pp. 1-3)

   ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

   
   

6. Presentation of Norman E. Tufford Award – Ty Warner

   
   

7. Report of the Executive Director

   1. Perfect Attendance Recognition (p. 4)

   2. Staff Recognition

      
      

8. Officers & Executive Board for 2023 – Justin Kiel

   1. Report of Nominating Committee

   2. Election of Officers & Executive Board (p. 5)

      ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

   3. Exchange of Gavel

   4. 2023 NIRPC Commission Meeting Dates (p. 6)

      
      

9. Finance and Personnel Committee (F&P) – Wendy Mis (pp. 7-22)

   1. NIRPC Resolution #23-01: Calendar Year 2023 Budget (pp. 9-21)

      ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

   2. Executive Director Contract – 2023 Addendum to Employment Agreement (p. 22)

ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

1. Technical Planning Committee (TPC) - Kevin Breitzke (pp. 23-28)

2. Public Comment Report for FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendments #22-08 and #22-08.5 (p.26) - document available separately

   ACTION REQUESTED: Informational

3. Resolution #23-02: FY 2022-2026 TIP Amendment #22-08 and #22-08.5 (pp. 27-28)

ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

1. NIRPC Economic Development District Report - Denarie Kane

   
   

2. INDOT, Matt Deitchley, La Porte District Deputy Commissioner

   
   

3. Other Business

   
   

4. Announcements

   
   

5. Adjournment

   The next meeting on March 16, 2023, will be an Executive Board meeting.

   NIRPC Executive Board Meeting

   6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN December 8, 2022 Minutes

   
   

   Call to Order

   Awaiting arrival of additional Commissioners, Chairman Justin Kiel, called the meeting to order at 9:13 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was streamed live on YouTube.

   
   

   New Appointments to the Commission

   Executive Director Warner announced the appointment to the Commission of Thomas Black (Town of Highland). Warner also recognized Barb Regnitz who will be the representative from the Porter County Commission next year, and Trent McCain from the City of Gary attending on behalf of Mayor Jerome Prince.

   
   

   Roll call - Taken by Candice Eklund. Though the meeting was intended as a Full Commission meeting, attendance was one Commissioner short of a quorum. A quorum of the Executive Board was present, and the meeting reverted to a meeting of the Executive Board. Only one action out of the three actions on the agenda today could be taken up by the Executive Board.

   
   

   Present

   The 8 Executive Board members present at the meeting included Tom Dermody (LaPorte), Bill Emerson (Lake County Surveyor), Richard Hardaway (Merrillville), Justin Kiel (La Crosse), Sue Lynch (Portage), Lori Mercer (Westville), Wendy Mis (Munster), and Jim Ton (Chesterton).

   
   

   The 18 Commissioners present at the meeting included Jeannette Bapst (Dune Acres), Janet Beck (Pottawattomie Park), Geof Benson (Beverly Shores), Thomas Black (Highland), Kevin Breitzke (Porter County Surveyor), Robert Carnahan (Cedar Lake), Don Craft (Porter), Joshleen Denham (Trail Creek), Daina Dumbrys (Michiana Shores), Denise Ebert (Wanatah), Robert Forster (Kouts), Jack Jeralds (Schneider), Andrew Kyres (Crown Point), Rick Ryfa (Griffith), Tom Schmitt (Schererville), Sharon Szwedo (New Chicago), Mary Tanis (Dyer), and George Topoll (Union Township). Also present was Matt Deitchley representing INDOT.

   
   

   Absent

   The 2 Executive Board members absent from the meeting included Sheila Matias (LaPorte County Commissioner) and Jim Pressel (Governor Appointee).

   
   

   The 23 Commissioners absent included Kyle Allen (Lake County Commissioner), Duane Arndt (Kingsford Heights), Jim Biggs (Porter County Commissioner), Charlie Brown (Lake County Council), Bill Carroll (Lake Station), Anthony Copeland (East Chicago), Jon Derwinski (Winfield), Tony Hendricks (LaPorte County), Mike Jessen (Porter County Council), Scott Kingan (Ogden Dunes), Robert Lemay (Long Beach), Tom McDermott (Hammond), Mike Mollenhauer (LaPorte County Council), Edward Morales (Porter Township), Matt Murphy (Valparaiso), Duane Parry (Michigan City), David Peeler (Hebron), Jerome Prince (Gary), Angie Scott (Burns Harbor), Brian Snedecor (Hobart), Gerald Swets (St. John), Steve Spebar (Whiting), and John Yelkich (Lowell).

   
   

   Kingsbury and The Pines have appointed no representatives to NIRPC.

   
   

   Staff present included Ty Warner, Kathy Luther, Talaya Jones, Scott Weber, Charles Bradsky, Denarie Kane, Kevin Polette, and Candice Eklund.

   Public Comment – There were no public comments. Approval of Minutes

   The minutes of the October 20, 2022, Executive Board meeting were approved on motion by Jim Ton and seconded by Richard Hardaway.

   Report of the Chair – Justin Kiel

   Justin Kiel discussed the meeting calendar for 2023 that was included in the meeting materials. Ty Warner added Commission meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month, except for December when they are held the 2nd Thursday. The dates in bold font represent a Full Commission meeting, but all Commissioners are always welcome and encouraged to attend all meetings. By NIRPC’s State Statute, there are four items that can only be voted on by the Full Commission: Slate of Officers, NIRPC’s budget, Executive Director’s contract and, changes to NIRPC’s by-laws.

   
   

   Report of the Executive Director - Ty Warner

   Mr. Warner discussed the Indiana Broadband - NEW FCC MAP handout from Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). There is a broader focus on infrastructure in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress that includes resources for greater broadband deployment. The map will dictate what level of broadband funding will be available to Indiana, so it is very important the map accurately reflect the connectivity available in each community to meet their actual need for internet Connectivity. OCRA is strongly encouraging residents to verify the availability of broadband shown at the locations on the map. Challenges to the map may be made until January 13, 2023. The New FCC Map handout will be posted on NIRPC’s website and emailed to the Commissioners after the meeting.

   
   

   Environmental Management Policy Committee (EMPC) – Bill Emerson

   Bill Emerson stated Kathy Luther delivered a presentation on Land Emissions and Removal Navigators program at the meeting held on November 2, 2022. This program allows communities and any land area to see how topography and wetlands have changed, and how it impacts the emissions removal of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in those areas. Also during that meeting, Jen Birchfield presented on the Natural Hazards Resiliency Needs Assessment, which is a program that collects an analysis and inventory of how ready and resilient communities are for various emergencies. EMPC also approved the scoring of environmental and air quality applications that were submitted for the NOFA. The next meeting is scheduled on January 5, 2023.

   
   

   Finance & Personnel Committee (F & P) – Thomas Dermody

   The two agenda items to be presented by the F&P Committee; Resolution #22-23, NIRPC’s 2023 Budget and the addendum to the 2023 Executive Director’s Employment Agreement Contract, could not be voted on today since a quorum of the Full Commission was not met. These two items will be added to the agenda for the January 19, 2023, Full Commission meeting.

   
   

   Thomas Dermody stated the F&P Committee passed Juneteenth as a federal holiday for NIRPC staff, which will also be updated in their handbook.

   
   

   Technical Planning Committee (TPC) - Kevin Breitzke

   Kevin Breitzke reported the TPC met on November 15, 2022. The TPC brought the one action item below for consideration and approval. NIRPC staff also provided information on an emergency transit amendment. The next TPC meeting is scheduled for January 10, 2023.

   
   

   1. Resolution #22-22, Adoption of Updated Transportation Performance Measure Targets: Scott Weber stated this resolution comes with a favorable recommendation from the Surface Transportation Committee (STC) and TPC. These targets are federally required to be included in NIRPC’s core planning documents; NWI 2050 and the 2022-2026 TIP. NIRPC staff consulted with INDOT staff to update the proposed targets. On motion by Thomas Dermody and seconded by Sue Lynch, the Executive Board approved Resolution #22-22.

   2. Charles Bradsky provided information on Emergency Transit Amendment #22-07.5 to the 2022-2026 TIP. On November 28, 2022, NIRPC Executive Director Ty Warner approved an emergency amendment to the TIP. Per NIRPC’s adopted policies, an emergency amendment may be made when life-safety issues are involved and when there is risk of a lapse of funding. NICTD installed a crossing at their Ogden Dunes train station for modernization, which involves pedestrians and motor vehicles at the crossing for this safety project. The funds on this project are railroad safety funds and are INDOT controlled funds. For NICTD to access these funds, they are required to be in NIRPC’s TIP.

      NIRPC Economic Development District Report – Denarie Kane

      Denarie Kane reported on the final Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan document. The document was distributed at the meeting and a link to the document was included on the agenda in the meeting packet. Denarie encouraged the Commissioners contact her with questions about the Plan. TIP Strategies, the consultants of this project, created this plan using a 3-step planning process of data gathering, transforming the data into a strategic recommendation, and developing an action plan. A summary of the plan acknowledges slow population growth since 1990 and low education levels, which translates to lower median household incomes and reveals employment gains have not kept pace with population growth since 2001. The occupational risk tool, which are jobs likely to be affected by public health and economic crises, shows NIRPC’s region has 44.4% of workers that are in the high risk to earnings and personal health quadrant, while 74.1% are earning low wages. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for a more diversified economy plus re-skilling and up-skilling so there are more jobs choices for workers. An employer’s survey was conducted as part of the plan’s development. There were 101 responses to the survey, which showed the most important concern was attracting and educating a skilled work force. On motion by Richard Hardaway and seconded by Jim Ton, the Commission accepted the Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan.

      
      

      INDOT - Matt Deitchley

      Matt Deitchley, La Porte District Deputy Commissioner, said INDOT announced there was a distribution of $120 million in Community Crossings awarded this week. The next call for projects will go live from January 2 through January 27, 2023.

      
      

      The construction work on I-94 and U.S. 65 has been completed for the year, but there will be additional work scheduled for next year. INDOT held a public hearing for the PEL study on U.S. 30 last week, with 100 people attending. Contact Matt with questions.

      
      

      Other Business

      No other business was reported.

      
      

      Announcements

      Bob Carnahan announced the Cedar Lake Chamber of Commerce put up 150 decorated Christmas trees for their festive week.

      
      

      Mary Tanis informed the commissioners that the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) organization produced a video on the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) cities district and is available on a thumb drive through the Redevelopment Association of Indiana. Mary also stated something needs to be done regarding the Westlake Corridor project in Dyer on account of all the people moving in from Illinois, saying a traffic pattern will need to be setup.

      
      

      Justin Kiel announced that because the attendance was one Commissioner short of obtaining a quorum of the Full Commission, the two items noted under the F&P section above will need to be carried over into the January meeting for a vote.

      
      

      Warner thanked the Commissioners who took the time and effort to attend today’s meeting. Because the scheduled Full Commission meeting was one Commissioner short of a quorum, NIRPC will be entering 2023 without a budget. There were 30 Commissioners who had responded they would attend the meeting today, but only 26 were present. Warner wished everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

      
      

      Adjournment

      Hearing no other business, Justin Kiel adjourned the meeting at 9:52 a.m. The next meeting on January 19, 2023, will be a Full Commission meeting and attendance is needed from all NRPC Commissioners

      
      

      The livestream video recording of this meeting is available on NIRPC’s YouTube Channel at

      Commission Meeting 12-8-22 - YouTube

      NIRPC Commission Meeting Attendance Summary for 2022

      
      

      • Perfect Attendance at all Full Commission and Executive Board Meetings:

        • Richard Hardaway – Town of Merrillville

        • Justin Kiel – Town of La Crosse

        • Jim Ton – Town of Chesterton

        • George Topoll – Union Township

          
          

      • Perfect attendance at all Quarterly Full Commission Meetings:

        • Kevin Breitzke – Porter County Surveyor

        • Robert Carnahan – Town of Cedar Lake

        • Joshleen Denham – Town of Trail Creek

        • Tom Dermody – City of LaPorte

        • Denise Ebert – Town of Wanatah

        • Bill Emerson – Lake County Surveyor

        • Robert Forster – Town of Kouts

        • Sue Lynch – City of Portage

        • Wendy Mis – Town of Munster

        • Tom Schmitt – Town of Schererville

          
          

      • Did not attend the last three Full Commission meetings:*

        • Charlie Brown – Lake County Council

        • Bill Carroll – City of Lake Station

        • Jon Derwinski – Town of Winfield

        • Mike Jessen – Porter County Council

        • Scott Kingan – Town of Ogden Dunes

        • Robert Lemay – Town of Long Beach

        • Mike Mollenhauer – LaPorte County Council

        • Matt Murphy - City of Valparaiso

        • David Peeler – Town of Hebron

        • Jim Pressel – Governor’s Appointment

          
          

      • Attended no meetings in 2022:*

        • Duane Arndt – Town of Kingsford Heights

        • Anthony Copeland – City of East Chicago

        • Tony Hendricks – LaPorte County Surveyor

        • Tom McDermott – City of Hammond

        • Angie Scott – Town of Burns Harbor

        • Steve Spebar – City of Whiting

      
      

      *Indiana Code 36-7-7.6-5 (h):

      If a member of the commission is absent for more than three (3) consecutive meetings of the full commission, the commission shall notify that member's appointing authority and request the appointing authority to do one (1) of the following:

      1. Replace the member.

      2. Take action to assure the member's conscientious attendance at meetings of the full commission.

January 2023

Recommendations of the Nominating Committee

(Justin Kiel, Richard Hardaway, Tom Dermody)

FOR THE

EXECUTIVE BOARD OF NIRPC

CHAIRPERSON Richard Hardaway

VICE CHAIRPERSON Tom Dermody

SECRETARY Sue Lynch

TREASURER Wendy Mis

EXECUTIVE BOARD (LAKE COUNTY) Kyle Allen, Jr.

Bill Emerson

EXECUTIVE BOARD (LA PORTE COUNTY) Justin Kiel

Denise Ebert

EXECUTIVE BOARD (PORTER COUNTY) Jim Ton

Kevin Breitzke

GOVERNOR'S APPOINTMENT Jim Pressel

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR (non-voting) Justin Kiel

5

2023

Commission Meeting Dates

6100 Southport Road

Portage, Indiana 46368

(219) 763-6060

www.nirpc.org

Consult www.NIRPC.org and/or postings outside NIRPC’s offices at 6100 Southport Rd in Portage for meeting venue.

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

October 20, 2022 / NIRPC Dune Room – 8:00 a.m.

Members present in-person

Don Craft, Richard Hardaway, Wendy Mis, George Topoll

Staff and others present in-person

Ty Warner, Stephanie Kuziela, Lisa Todd, Meredith Stilwell, David Hollenbeck

Call to Order

Vice Chair Hardaway started the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the September 15, 2022 meeting were presented. On motion by Wendy Mis, second by Don Craft and no opposition, the minutes were approved.

Review of Financial Status – September 2022 Budget vs Actual

Stephanie Kuziela presented the September 2022 bank reconciliations for the NIRPC general account, the CARES Revolving Loan Fund account, and the Revolving Loan Fund Account.

Stephanie presented the September 2022 general fund financial reports. Total expenditures for the period ending September 30, 2022, were $5,314,876 of the $9,201,349 budgeted. Total general fund revenue for the period was $1,970,779 of the $4,311,106 budgeted.

Stephanie presented the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities (CARES) Act financial reports, year to date September 2022. Total NIRPC CARES fund expenditures for the period ending September 30, 2022, was $340,916 of the $1,153,515 budgeted. Total CARES revenue collected for the period was $328,992 of the $1,352,229 budgeted.

Approval of Claims Registers – September 2022

Stephanie presented the September 2022 General Fund claims register totaling $1,044,449.26 to the Committee for approval. On motion by Wendy Mis, second by George Topoll and no opposition, the General Fund register of claims in the amount of $1,044,449.26 was approved. The CARES Act register of claims totaling $25,715.41 was presented for approval. On motion by Wendy Mis, second by Don Clark and no opposition, the CARES Act register of claims in the amount of $25,715.41 was approved.

NIRPC 2022 Budget Amendment #1

Stephanie presented 2022 budget amendment #1 which is a transfer of $25,000.00 from CARES RLF line item to Economic Development District contractual services to cover the remainder of a contract. ON motion by Wendy Mis, second by George Topoll and no opposition, NIRPC 2022 budget amendment #1 was approved.

Eco- Interactive Contract Addendum III

Lisa Todd presented Eco-Interactive contract addendum III which extends the contract between NIRPC and Eco-Interactive, Inc. which began in September 2017 for year 6 and 7, from October 2022 through and including the 30th day of September 2023. Eco-Interactive provides a customized project tracking software which NIRPC uses to electronically track the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and allows more transparency. Without it, the TIP would have to be tracked manually using spreadsheets. Ty noted that while NIRPC is not thrilled with the software and eventually wants to move away from it, a good replacement has not yet been found. On motion by Wendy Mis, second by George Topoll and no opposition, the Committee approved Resolution 22-18 to adopt the comprehensive conflict of interest policy.

NIRPC 2023 Preliminary Budget

Stephanie Kuziela presented the preliminary budget. The preliminary expense budget for 2023 is 4,133,726, a 15% decrease. Stephanie relayed that Talaya Jones, NIRPC CFO, stated the final budget numbers will change before being presented in December because the RAISE and READI grants have not been executed yet and the affectations to those budget categories are unknown and those amounts are not currently figured into the budget.

Personnel updates

Ty Warner reported that NIRPC’s open positions are still unfilled. An offer was made to one of the Accountant position candidates, but their current employer made them a counter offer and they chose to stay at their current job. Ty remarked that NIRPC is not unique in having difficulty filling positions. He had just gotten back from the National Association of Regional Councils’ Executive Director conference and during the opening session he asked how many had open positions and everyone raised their hand. He also noted that when he then asked how many had more than one open position, not one person put their hand down. One agency mentioned they have 64 open positions.

Ty stated that NIRPC is in the process of updating their handbook and hopefully will be bringing the update to the F&P Committee in early 2023.

Other Business None

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

RESOLUTION 23-01‌‌

6100 Southport Road

Portage, Indiana 46368

(219) 763-6060

www.nirpc.org

A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION ADOPTING THE YEAR 2023 APPROPRIATION BUDGETS FOR THE COMMISSION’S GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS

January 19, 2023

WHEREAS, a budget is required for governmental funds; and

WHEREAS, it is anticipated that sufficient revenues and other financing sources will be available to support the budgets herein proposed; and

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the Commission, as a whole, to approve the appropriations budget of the Commission;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission adopt as its Year 2023 budget for the General Fund for the budget identified in Attachment A to this resolution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission adopt as its Year 2023 budget for the Transit Capital Projects Funds the budget identified in Attachment B to this resolution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission adopt as its Year 2023 budget for the Transit Operating Projects Funds the budget identified in Attachment C to this resolution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission adopt as its Year 2023 budget for the Revolving Loan Funds the budget identified in Attachment D to this resolution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Finance and Personnel Committee of the Commission be designated to oversee the administration of these budgets within the framework of more detailed budget guidelines it might establish.

Duly adopted by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission this 19th day of January 2023.

Richard Hardaway Chairperson

ATTEST:‌

Sue Lynch Secretary

2023 BUDGET ‌

1/19/2023

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

2023 GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET

CAPITAL OUTLAYS - Equipment & Furniture 180,000

ATTACHMENT B

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

2023 TRANSIT CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET

CAPITAL OUTLAYS - TRANSIT EQUIPMENT 4,534,195

CARES ACT 2020 CAPITAL OUTLAYS - TRANSIT EQUIPMENT 62,354

ATTACHMENT C

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

2023 TRANSIT OPERATING PROJECTS FUND APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET

OTHER SERVICES AND CHARGES 7,221,696

ATTACHMENT D

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

2023 LAPORTE COUNTY REVOLVING LOAN FUND APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET

Attachment A

5%

Attachment A page 2

NIRPC FY 2023 Revenue Detail

    15,000

15,000

3,000

14,814

   4,094,925

Attachment B

NIRPC FY 2023 Budget

Grant Federal Req. Match Total

TOTAL  2,755,125  681,301      3,436,426

Contingency -

TOTAL BUDGET

Attachment B

TOTAL BUDGET

$    62,354

$   62,354

Attachment B

TOTAL BUDGET

$ 1,097,769

$ 1,006,171

Attachment C

CY 2023 TRANSIT OPERATING PROJECTS FUND

Federal Req. Match Total

Attachment D

CY 2023 LAPORTE COUNTY REVOLVING LOAN FUND

Attachment D

TOTAL EXPENSES 9,800

FUND BALANCE - ENDING  -

Attachment D

CY 2023 LAPORTE COUNTY REVOLVING LOAN FUND

TOTAL EXPENSES 8,014

FUND BALANCE - ENDING  -

ADDENDUM TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This addendum to the Executive Director Employment Agreement is entered into the 19th day of January, 2023, by and between the NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION,

hereinafter referred to as "NIRPC", and MR. TYSON WARNER, hereinafter referred to as "Executive Director", for purposes of establishing salary for the Executive Director during the second year (2023) of the current three year executive director employment agreement.

WHEREAS, NIRPC and the Executive Director entered into a three year employment agreement on the 20th day of January, 2022, which established the salary for the first year (2022) of the Executive Director Employment Agreement; and

WHEREAS, NIRPC and the Executive Director are desirous of establishing the Executive Director salary for the second year (2023) of the current Executive Director Employment Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the parties to this addendum hereby do mutually agree as follows:

1. This addendum is intended by the parties so as to establish the Executive Director salary for the second year (2023) of the of the Executive Director Employment Agreement and in so doing comply with Section D of the current Executive Director Employment Agreement which provides that the Executive Director salary for the second year of the agreement shall be determined through discussions with the Executive Director and any salary increases shall be predicated upon positive performance evaluations, availability of funding and the approval of the Full NIRPC Commission.

2. That upon completion of the evaluation and performance criteria, NIRPC and Executive Director have mutually agreed to a 7% salary increase resulting in a 2023 calendar year salary of One Hundred Seventy-Six Thousand and Fifteen Dollars ($176,015). The Executive Director salary increase shall be effective as of January 1, 2023.

3. Any and all other provisions of the current Executive Director Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless and until subsequent written modification.

This Addendum establishing an Executive Director salary for calendar year 2023 is approved by the Full Commission of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission on this the 19th day of January, 2023.

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

By:                      Chairperson

ATTEST:

Tyson Warner

Technical Planning Committee NIRPC Lake Michigan Room YouTube Recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXzie6hBTLM&t=1692s November 15, 2022

Minutes

Kevin Breitzke called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

In attendance were Kevin Breitzke, George Topoll (Union Township), Mark O’Dell (Chesterton), Kay Nelson (Forum), David Wright (GPTC), and AJ Bitner. NIRPC staff present were Mitch Barloga, Charles Bradsky, Eman Ibrahim, Scott Weber, Thomas Dow, Jennifer Birchfield, Kevin Polette, Candice Eklund, and Flor Baum.

On motion by George Topoll, second by Mark O’Dell, the Technical Planning Committee (TPC) approved the minutes of October 4, 2022.

There were no public comments. Planning

Mitch Barloga and Eman Ibrahim gave an informational presentation on the NWI 2050+ Update for

the Active Transportation Element (ATE) and the Land Use Element (LUE). Developed by the RDG (consulting firm), the ATE supplements the Greenways+Blueways Plan and the NWI 2050 Plan, building on municipal plans, mapping key destinations, and analyzing road typologies in the Region. The ATE also has a focus with on-street infrastructure and public engagement. The basis of the LUE is with existing land use patterns, population trends, housing trends, policy areas, focus corridors, and past plans. Additionally, the LUE concentrates on major open spaces and natural preserves, various commercial configurations, the Northwest Industrial area, and exurban development issues. The draft technical reports for ATE, LUE, Freight Element, and the Transit Element were made available on the NIRPC web. https://nirpc.org/event/technical-planning-committee-24/

Scott Weber presented on Resolution 22-22, the Adoption of Updated Performance Measure Targets (PM or PMTs). The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 requires NIRPC to set two-year and four-year PMTs for safety, pavement and bridge condition, travel time reliability, freight, and on- road mobile source emissions within 180 days of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) setting PMTs for the same measures. The changes to the NWI 2050 Plan were provided in the meeting packet and presented as the following: PM for the number of fatalities has been amended to, “104 in 2023 in order to support the state target of no more than 894.2.” PM for the rate of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled has been amended to, “0.839 in 2023 in order to support the state target of no more than 1.088.” PM for the number of serious injuries has been amended to, “387 in 2023 in order to support the state target of no more than 3,348.1.” PM for the rate of serious injuries per 100 million vehicle miles traveled has been amended to, “3.660 in 2023 in order to support the state target of no more than 4.068.” PM for non-motorized serious injuries and fatalities has been amended to, “46 in 2023 in order to support the state target of no more than 399.6.”

The following amendments are also statewide targets: PM for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) reduction from Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ)-funded projects (kg/day) has been amended to, “590.00 by 2023 and 600.00 by 2025.” PM for oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) reduction from CMAQ- funded projects (kg/day) has been amended to, “690.00 by 2023 and 725.00 by 2025.” PM for

carbon Monoxide (CO) reduction from CMAQ-funded projects (kg/day) has been amended to, “330.00 by 2023 and 520.00 by 2025.” PM for particulate Matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) reduction from CMAQ-funded projects (kg/day) has been amended to, “0.02 by 2023 and

0.03 by 2025.” PM for the percent of Interstate pavements in good condition has been amended to, “At least 60.00% by 2023 and at least 62.00% by 2025.” PM for the percent of Interstate pavements in poor condition has been amended to, “No more than 1.00% by 2023 and no more than 1.00% by 2025.” PM for the percent of non-Interstate National Highway System (NHS) pavements in good condition has been amended to, “At least 50.00% by 2023 and at least 48.00% by 2025.” PM for the percent of non-Interstate NHS pavements in poor condition has been amended to, “No more than 1.50% by 2023 and no more than 1.50% by 2025.” PM for the percent of NHS bridge area in good condition has been amended to, “At least 49.00% by 2023 and at least 47.50% by 2025.” PM for the percent of NHS bridge area in poor condition has been amended to, “No more than 3.00% by 2023 and no more than 3.00% by 2025.” PM for the percent of person miles traveled on the Interstate that are reliable has been amended to, “93.0% by 2023 and 93.5% by 2025.” PM for the percent of person miles traveled on the non-Interstate NHS that are reliable has been amended to, “93.0% by 2023 and 93.5% by 2025.” PM for the Truck Travel Time Reliability Index (TTTRI) has been amended to, “1.32 by 2023 and 1.30 by 2025.”

Changes to the FY 2022-2023 TIP were presented as the following: PM for the number of fatalities has been amended to, “No more than 894.2 in 2023.” PM for the Rate of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled has been amended to, “No more than 1.088 in 2023.” PM for the number of serious injuries has been amended to, “No more than 3,348.1 in 2023.” PM for the rate of serious injuries per 100 million vehicle miles traveled has been amended to, “No more than 4.068 in 2023.” PM for the number of nonmotorized serious injuries and fatalities has been amended to, “No more than 399.6 in 2023.” PM for VOC Reduction from CMAQ Projects (kg/day) has been amended to, “At least 590.00 kg/day in 2023, 600.00 kg/day in 2025.” PM for NOx Reduction from CMAQ Projects (kg/day) has been amended to, “At least 690.00 kg/day in 2023, 725.00 kg/day in 2025.” PM for CO Reduction from CMAQ Projects (kg/day) has been amended to, “At least 330.00 kg/day in 2023,

520.00 kg/day in 2025.” PM for PM10 Reduction from CMAQ Projects (kg/day) has been amended to, “At least 0.02 kg/day in 2023, 0.03 kg/day in 2025.” PM for the percent of Interstate pavements in good condition has been amended to, “At least 60.00% by 2023 and at least 62.00% by 2025.” PM for the percent of Interstate pavements in poor condition has been amended to, “No more than 1.00% by 2023 and no more than 1.00% by 2025.” PM for the percent of non-Interstate NHS pavements in good condition has been amended to, “At least 50.00% by 2023 and at least 48.00% by 2025.” PM for the percent of non-Interstate NHS pavements in poor condition has been amended to, “No more than 1.50% by 2023 and no more than 1.50% by 2025.” PM for the percent of NHS bridge area in good condition has been amended to, “At least 49.00% by 2023 and at least 47.50% by 2025.” PM for the percent of NHS bridge area in poor condition has been amended to, “No more than 3.00% 2023 and no more than 3.00% by 2025.” PM for the percent of person miles traveled on the Interstate that are reliable has been amended to, “At least 93.0 % in 20 93.5% in 2025.” PM for the percent of person miles traveled on the non-Interstate NHS that are reliable has been amended to, “at least 93.0 % in 2023 and 93.5% in 2025.” PM for TTRI has been amended to, “No more than 1.32 by 2023 and 1.3 by 2025.”

On motion by Kay Nelson and second by George Topoll, the TPC approved to recommend Res. 22-22 to the Commission for approval.

Programming

Charles Bradsky gave an information presentation on the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Applications are due November 18. NIRPC staff will review the applications and have

communication with the communities if any further information is needed. For more information, please contact Charles at cbradsky@nirpc.org.

Topical Committee Reports

TROC Lake and Porter County is holding a special meeting on November 29 to discuss the budget for 2023 – 2026.

Reports from Planning Partners Nothing to report.

Adjournment

Hearing no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:11 a.m.

The next TPC meeting will be on January 10, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the NIRPC building.

Public Comment Report

Amendments #22-08 & 22-08.5 to the 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission Technical Planning Committee

January 19, 2023

Amendments # 22-08; & 22-08.5 of the FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program was released for a 21-day public comment period which began on December 14, 2022 and ended on January 4, 2023. The amendments was made available for viewing at www.nirpc.org and press releases with links were posted on several social media sites. No comments were received on the proposed amendments or projects within those amendments.

NIRPC staff also sent the amendments to the Interagency Consultation Group (ICG) on December 9, 2022 and did not receive any technical comments from this group. Approval by concurrence was given for these amendments by members of the ICG on December 16, 2022.

RESOLUTION 23-02

A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION AMENDING THE

FY 2022-2026 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR LAKE, PORTER, AND LAPORTE COUNTIES, INDIANA

AMENDMENTS NO. 22-08 & 22-08.5

January 19, 2023

WHEREAS, Northwest Indiana’s citizens require a safe, efficient, effective, resource- conserving regional transportation system that maintains and enhances regional mobility and contributes to improving the quality of life in Northwest Indiana; and

WHEREAS, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, hereafter referred to as “the Commission”, being designated the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Lake, Porter and LaPorte County area, has established a regional, comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing (3-C) transportation planning process to develop the unified planning work program, a transportation plan, and a transportation improvement program to facilitate federal funding for communities, counties, and transit operators, and to provide technical assistance and expertise to regional transportation interests; and

WHEREAS, the Commission performs the above activities to satisfy requirements of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (PL 117-58), applicable portions of all prior federal transportation program authorizing legislation, as well as other federal, state, and local laws mandating or authorizing transportation planning activities; and

WHEREAS, the FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Programs are a product of a multi- modal, 3-C transportation planning process, compatible with regional goals and objectives and socio-economic and demographic factors used to form the NWI 2050 Plan; and

WHEREAS, the FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Programs are an implementation of the NWI 2050 Plan, are fiscally constrained, and are consistent with the State Implementation Plan for Air Quality; and

WHEREAS, the FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Programs are developed by the Commission in coordination and cooperation with local elected and appointed highway and transit officials, special interest and service organizations, including users of public transit, the Indiana Department of Transportation, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Federal Transit Administration, and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency; and

WHEREAS, the changes to the FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Programs brought about by this amendment were reviewed by the Air Quality Conformity Task Force’s Interagency Consultation Group (ICG); and

WHEREAS, the changes to the FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Programs brought about by this amendment were subjected to public comment in the manner prescribed by the 2019 Public Participation Plan, ENGAGE NWI, with no comments received; and

WHEREAS, the Technical Policy Committee (TPC) has recommended that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission make these changes to the FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Programs.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission hereby amends the FY 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Programs by adding the new projects and making other changes as shown on the attachment to this resolution.

Duly adopted by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission this nineteenth day of January, 2023.

Chairperson

ATTEST:

Secretary