Technical Planning Committee

February 14, 2017 9:00 a.m. 6100 Southport Road, Portage

AGENDA

1. Call to Order by Chairman, Opening and Announcements

   1. Pledge of Allegiance; Introductions

   2. Meeting Participation Survey

   3. Action on the minutes of the January 10 TPC meeting (Pages 1-2)

      
      

2. 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan Presentation: Goal No. 1 – Kathy Luther

   
   

3. Implementation Planning

   1. Deep River Portage Burns Waterway Initiative - Implementation and Cost-Share Program – Joe Exl

   2. Greenways + Blueways Update – Mitch Barloga

   3. DNR Transit Benefits Video – David Wright, Gary Public Transportation Corp.

      
      

4. Programming

   1. Transportation Resource & Oversight Committee (TROC) – LaPorte – Gary Evers

   2. Action on FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment #34 – Gary Evers (Page 3)

      
      

5. Topical Committee Reports

   1. Environmental Management Policy Committee (EMPC)

   2. Ped, Pedal & Paddle Committee (3PC)

   3. Transit Operators Roundtable

   4. Land Use Committee

   5. Rail Vision/Freight Committee

   6. Surface Transportation Committee (STC)

      
      

6. Reports from Planning Partners

   1. Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

   2. South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association

   3. Southwestern Michigan Commission

   4. Federal Highway Administration & Federal Transit Administration

      
      

7. Public Comment on Agenda Items

   
   

8. Emerging Trends Presentation – Eman Ibrahim

   
   

9. Other Business, Staff Announcements and Upcoming Meetings

   1. Other Business

   2. Staff Announcements

   3. NIRPC Meetings

      • The Executive Board will meet on Thursday, February 16 at 9:00 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office.

      • The Ped, Pedal & Paddle Committee will meet on Thursday, February 23 at 1:30 p.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office.

      • The Transportation Resource & Oversight Committee for Lake & Porter Counties will meet on February 27 at 9:00 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office

      • The Environmental Management Policy Committee will meet on February 2 at 9:00 a.m. at the NIRPC office

The NIRPC Office will be closed on Monday, February 20 in observance of the President’s Day holiday.

The next Technical Planning Committee meeting will be held on March 14, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office.

Requests for alternate formats, please contact Mary Thorne at NIRPC at least 48 hours prior at (219) 763-6060 extension 131 or at mthorne@nirpc.org. Individuals with hearing impairments may contact us through the Indiana Relay 711 service by calling 711 or (800) 743-3333.

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, parental status, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.

Technical Planning Committee Meeting Construction Advancement Foundation Training Center 6050 Southport Road, Portage‌‌‌

January 10, 2017 MINUTES

Chairman Michael Griffin called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and self- introductions. Members present included Michael Griffin, Kevin Breitzke, Geof Benson, William Emerson, Jr., George Topoll, Daryl Lampkin, David Wright, Rebecca “Sis” Williams, Lyndsay Quist, Tyler Kent, Mark O’Dell, Tom MacLennan, Jerry Siska, Beth Shrader and Kay Nelson. Joyce Newland and Mary Enright participated by conference phone. Others present included Mike Yacullo, Ismail Attallah, Joe Crnkovich, Deb Backhus, Phil Gralik, Robin Bardozi-Tillman, Jack Eskin, Jake Dammarell, Jeff Huet, Randy Strasser, Tom Silich, Fred Williams, Don Oliphant, and Chris Moore. Staff present included Mitch Barloga, Gary Evers, Kathy Luther, Stephen Sostaric, James Winters, Eman Ibrahim, Amanda Pollard and Mary Thorne.

The minutes of the December 6, 2016 Technical Planning Committee meeting were approved by general consent.

Mitch Barloga presented a refresher overview of the vision and principles of the 2040 Plan. Various themes of the plan will be revisited at future meetings.

Stephen Sostaric reported that there were no regionally significant comments received on the Regional Corridor Study.

Eman Ibrahim presented an overview of the Regional Corridor Study work which was done as a part of the last Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). The study identified 22 segments which, when completed, would provide better connectivity and relieve congestion. On a motion by Kevin Breitzke and a second by Rebecca Williams, the Regional Corridor Study was recommended by the Committee to the Commission for adoption.

Mitch Barloga explained that the 2040 Companion Update Amendment #3 for the SR 249 additional Access Bridge to the Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor was adopted by the Commission last month, but it was never formally recommended by this Committee. As a formality, Kay Nelson moved to affirm and ratify the amendment approved by the Commission last month. The motion was seconded by Geof Benson. The TPC recommended the amendment.

Kathy Luther reported on the Dep River-Portage Burns Waterway Plan Implementation meeting will be held next Thursday at the Construction Advancement Foundation’s main building at 10 a.m. $300,000 will be spent in the next eight months in these critical areas. Attend the meeting for more information.

Amanda Pollard explained that the quarterly tracking reports are due before January 21. The Transportation Resource and Oversight Committee (TROC) meets the first Thursday and the last Tuesday of the month and this is problematic with the TIP amendment scheduling.

Amanda Pollard explained FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment #33 consisting of one bridge rehab/repair in Portage. No adverse comments were received and the amendment was reviewed by the Interagency Consultation Group. On a motion by Beth Shrader and a second by Rebecca Williams, the Committee voted to recommend TIP Amendment #33 to the Commission for adoption.

James Winters announced that FFY 2018-2021 transit project selection update for $17 million in investment for the next three years. The transit operators will meet after this meeting. Projects include the West Lake expansion and double tracking, Livable Broadway Bus Rapid Transit, Valparaiso V-Line and Dash expansion.

Topical Committee reports were given for the Ped Pedal & Paddle Committee and Land Use Committee.

Joyce Newland reported that FHWA and FTA will be conducting a certification review of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission’s planning process in mid-July. There will be a public involvement component to it.

Tom Silich, Hobart Trustee, spoke at length on drainage issues on US Highway 6. Hobart and Lake Station representatives will meet with Mitch Barloga to discuss possible application and funding avenues.

Kay Nelson discussed the legislative session items in the General Assembly for 2017. Specific bills mentioned were SB 85 and HB 1002.

Mitch Barloga announced SB 31 will provide for $2 million per year funding for trail maintenance through the state. He also referred to the handout on the Greenways & Blueways successes.

Stephen Sostaric announced the redesign of the NIRPC website. Tweaking is being performed.

Michael Griffin announced the upcoming meetings and noted the office is closed on January 16 in observance of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The next Technical Planning Committee meeting will be on February 14, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in the Lake Michigan Room at the NIRPC office. Hearing no other business, he adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m.

A Digital MP3 of this meeting is filed. Contact Mary Thorne at the phone number or email below should you wish to receive a copy or a portion of it.

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, parental status, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.