NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

Thursday, February 16, 2017, 9:00 A.M.

NIRPC Lake Michigan Room 6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN

A G E N D A

1. Report of the Executive Director – Ty Warner

   1. National Conference of Regions/Washington D.C. Report

      
      

2. Finance & Personnel Committee – Karen Freeman-Wilson Pages 7-13

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.

NIRPC Full Commission Meeting NIRPC, 6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN

January 19, 2017 Minutes

Call to Order

Chairman Jim Ton called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners present included Kyle Allen, Jr., Jeannette Bapst, John Bayler, Geof Benson, Robert Carnahan, Christine Cid, Anthony Copeland, John Costas, Bill Emerson, Jr., Will Farrellbegg, Sylvia Graham, Michael Griffin, Richard Hardaway, Jack Jeralds, Tim Jones, Justin Kiel, Cary Kirkham, Tom McDermott, Jr., Blair Milo, Diane Noll, Ray Poparad, Lori Reno, Dave Shafer, Fred Siminski, Greg Stinson, Mary Tanis, James Ton, and George Topoll.

Guests present included Jim Biggs, Mary Brown, Justin Mount, Rick Powers, Matt Keiser, Jon Krueger, Jeff Huet, Rebecca Williams, Don Oliphant, Christopher Murphy, Salvatore DiBernardo, Sanjay Patel, David Wright, Mike Yacullo, James Nowacki, Tim Zorn and Andrew Steele. Joyce Newland participated via conference phone.

Staff present included Ty Warner, Dave Hollenbeck, Angie Hayes, Kathy Luther, Jody Melton, John Smith, Eman Ibrahim, Gary Evers, Mitch Barloga, Scott Weber, James Winters, Stephen Sostaric, Sarah Geinosky and Mary Thorne.

New Appointments to the Commission

Dave Hollenbeck announced new appointments to the Commission of Andrew Kyres for the City of Crown Point, Mary Tanis for the Town of Dyer, Tim Jones for the Town of Kouts and Ray Poparad for the Town of Burns Harbor. The Porter County Board of Commissioners appointed Jim Biggs at their meeting; the letter of appointment is forthcoming.

Approval of Minutes

On a motion by Geof Benson and a second by Kyle Anderson, Jr., the minutes of the December 8, 2016 meeting of the Executive Board were approved as submitted.

Report of the Executive Director

Ty Warner encouraged the new Commissioners to contact staff as needed for assistance. The NIRPC 2016 Year in Review was available, and is a web-based document. NIRPC received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award and the Commission applauded Angie Hayes and the Finance Department. NIRPC has a new website that launched with the new year; some of the new content is still under development. Ty Warner presented Jody Melton with an award for 35 years of service and John Smith for 40 years of service to the agency.

Finance & Personnel Committee

Diane Noll reported that the Finance & Personnel Committee met this morning and action is needed on three items. The agreement between NIRPC and South Shore Clean Cities for provision of professional education and training services was adopted on a motion by Diane Noll and a second by Geof Benson. The Agreement between NIRPC and Responsive Management for the Air Quality Survey was adopted on a motion by Diane Noll and a second by Greg Stinson. Resolution 17-01 establishing an Internal Control System and Policy and a Materiality/Irregular Variances, Losses and Shortages Policy was adopted by the Commission on a motion by Diane Noll and a second by Michael Griffin.

Legislative Committee

Blair Milo gave a follow-up report from the November 2016 meeting of the Legislative Committee, which will meet as needed to identify and discuss issues relative to transportation both at the state level and at the federal level working with the National Association of Regional Councils. The committee will continue to monitor progress in support of the West Lake Corridor and NICTD double tracking. NIRPC Delegates will attend the February NARC conference and visit with congressional delegations regarding issues relevant to Northwest Indiana.

Environmental Management Policy Committee

Geof Benson said the Environmental Management Policy Committee had a joint meeting in November with the Urban Waters Partnership. The next meeting will be on February 2 at 9 a.m. at NIRPC.

Report of the Chair

Jim Ton thanked the Commission for helping to celebrate NIRPC’s 50th anniversary last month. The new committee structure is in place, implementing the structure spearheaded the previous year by Mayor Milo. The Nominating Committee produced a slate of nominations as follows:

Michael Griffin Chair

Geof Benson Vice Chair

Diane Noll Secretary

Karen Freeman-Wilson Treasurer Executive Board:

Lake County: Anthony Copeland

Lake County: Tom McDermott

LaPorte County: Blair Milo

LaPorte County: Justin Kiel

Porter County: Jim Ton

Porter County: Greg Stinson

The continued appointment of Rep. Ed Soliday as the Governor’s appointee to the Executive Board is assumed. There were no nominations from the floor. On a motion by Jon Costas and a second by Kyle Allen, Jr., the Commission voted to adopt the 2017 slate as presented. Jim Ton turned the gavel over to newly-elected Chairman Michael Griffin. To celebrate his service as 2016 Chairman, Michael Griffin and Ty Warner presented Jim Ton with the Gavel Plaque. Michael Griffin recognized NIRPC past Chairs present at the meeting: Dave Shafer, Jon Costas, Blair Milo, Tom McDermott and Jim Ton. The 2017 Schedule of Meetings was available in the packet.

Technical Planning Committee

Michael Griffin reported that the Technical Planning Committee met on January 10 and heard an overview of the vision and principles of the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan. Goals, objectives and implementation projects will be presented at future meetings. Stephen Sostaric presented the Regional Corridors Study Public Comment Report, which had no adverse comments.

Eman Ibrahim gave a brief presentation on the Regional Corridors Study Plan and explained Resolution 17-02 for adoption. On a motion by George Topoll and a second by Kyle Allen, Jr., the Commission voted to adopt Resolution 17-02, the Regional Corridors Study Plan.

Amanda Pollard explained Resolution 17-03, Amendment #33 to the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program consisting of one project for the City of Portage. She explained that the two Valparaiso projects listed will be deleted from this amendment and will be included in a later amendment. On a motion by Jon Costas and a second by Kyle Allen, Jr., the Commission voted to adopt Resolution 17-03, Amendment #33 as amended.

The Transportation Policy Committee will meet on February 14, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. at NIRPC.

Indiana Department of Transportation

Rick Powers announced several staffing changes. INDOT’s new Commissioner is Joe McGinnis, former Mayor of Franklin. Lyndsay Quist is on maternity leave. Brandye Hendrickson left INDOT to become the Commissioner for State Personnel. Louis Torres is now Inspector General. Randy Gallagher, Operations Deputy is going to Purdue. In other news, the copper wire thief has been caught.

Other Business

Tom McDermott, pleaded strongly for a resolution of support for the Cline Avenue Bridge which has still not been built more than seven years after being condemned by the state. Traffic is still diverted to local roads in East Chicago, Hammond and Whiting and no state money is forthcoming to assist in this infrastructure. Anthony Copeland said that when the state declined to replace the bridge, privatization was the available alternative. Mitch Barloga indicated he had already been speaking with the Figg Group, and offered to contact the consultants to give a presentation at a future NIRPC meeting.

Joyce Newland said USDOT will be conducting its regular four-year review of the metropolitan planning process for northwest Indiana in July.

Public Comment

James Nowacki, Gary resident, said he walked from Gary to Indianapolis in support of the legalization of medical marijuana in Indiana and gave his thoughts on striping of the roads along the way. He asked everyone to support SB 255 to legalize medical marijuana in Indiana.

Announcements

Robert Carnahan announced the second annual Winter Wine Tasting event on Saturday, February 4 at The Lighthouse Restaurant.

Adjournment

Hearing no other business, Michael Griffin adjourned the meeting at 10:00 a.m.

A Digital MP3 of this meeting is filed. Contact Mary Thorne at the phone or email below should you wish to receive a copy of it. DVD recordings will be available once they are received by NIRPC from the videographer.

For requests for alternate formats, please contact Mary Thorne at NIRPC 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.

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION‌‌‌

Resolution No. 17-05

A RESOLUTION ARTICULATING THE “SENSE OF THE COMMISSION” AS A METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION AND A COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS REGARDING SUPPORT FOR EXPEDITED CONSTRUCTION OF THE CLINE AVENUE BRIDGE

WHEREAS, The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, as the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Council of Governments for the Region, from time to time, encounters issues of public import and moment which invite an expression from the elected representatives as part of the public discourse on the matter;

WHEREAS, Article 1, Section 31 of the Indiana Constitution provides that no law shall restrain any of the inhabitants of the State from assembling together in a peaceable manner, to consult for their common good, nor from instructing their representatives, nor from applying to the General Assembly for redress of grievances;

WHEREAS, The citizens of Indiana require a safe, efficient and effective transportation system that maintains and enhances mobility and contributes to improving the quality of life; and

WHEREAS, The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, hereafter referred to as “The Commission,” being designated the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Lake, Porter and LaPorte County region, has established a region-wide, cooperative, comprehensive and continuing planning process to develop the unified planning work program, long-range transportation plan and transportation improvement program (TIP); and

WHEREAS, The Commission enacts the plans and programs to facilitate federal, state and local funding for surface transportation improvements carried out by the Indiana Department of Transportation, the region’s communities, counties and transit operators, and provides technical assistance and expertise to regional transportation interests; and

WHEREAS, The Cline Avenue (State Road 912) extension, opened in 1986, represented a major route for transporting regional truck and commuter traffic; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, the Indiana Department of Transportation closed the elevated portion of Cline Avenue from Michigan to Calumet Avenues due to severe corrosion of the bridge and subsequently tore this portion down; and

WHEREAS, The bridge closing diverted traffic into East Chicago and Hammond neighborhoods, exasperating congestion due to inadequate roadway capacity; and

WHEREAS, The Commission included the reconstruction of the Cline Avenue Bridge over the Indiana Harbor Canal as a capacity expansion project in the adoption of the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan in 2011, and the 2040 Update Companion in 2015; and

WHEREAS, The City of East Chicago partnered with private developers to reconstruct the Cline Avenue Bridge as a toll facility, which was added into The Commission’s TIP in 2014 with an estimated cost of $150 million; and

WHEREAS, The Commission acknowledges and commends the City of East Chicago for its laudable and exemplary efforts to reconstruct the Bridge; and

WHEREAS, The Commission as a regional policy body and its staff are strongly committed to the successful implementation of a new Cline Avenue Bridge project in East Chicago, Indiana; and

WHEREAS, The Commission believes this significant regional facility has been dormant too long while other state initiatives move forward; and

WHEREAS, The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission by and through its elected officers and members wishes to offer a distinct, public expression on the public import of this matter,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission as follows:

Section 1. It is the sense of the Commission that the time since the demolition of the former Cline Avenue Bridge and the prospect of the reconstruction has been somehow profoundly protracted and that this should be redressed without delay;

Section 2. It is the further sense of the Commission that all stakeholders, including the Indiana Department of Transportation and the City of East Chicago, are urged to eradicate any barriers to progress and identify the ways and means to

provide for the imminent construction of the Cline Avenue Bridge;

Section 3. It is still the further sense of the Commission that the reconstruction of the Cline Avenue Bridge is highly salutary and desirable for both the community and commerce of the Region and for the State of Indiana, so celerity of execution in the reconstruction is endorsed;

Section 4. That the proper officer of the Commission be hereby further instructed to transmit and forward this resolution to Governor Holcomb, the proper officers of the Indiana Department of Transportation, and such other persons as may be deemed to have an interest in this matter and to encourage those persons to carry out the objects and purposes of this “Sense of the Commission Resolution”.

Duly adopted by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission on this 16th day of February, two thousand and seventeen.

ATTEST:

Michael W. Griffin Chair

Diane Noll Secretary

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Meeting Agenda Thursday February 16, 2017

8:00 a.m.

NIRPC Office Portage, Indiana

1. Call to Order

   
   

2. Meeting Minutes of January 19, 2017

   
   

3. Review of Financial Status

   
   

4. Approval of Claims Register

   
   

5. Internal Control Procedures

   
   

6. Procurement Recommendations

   
   

7. 2017 Budget Amendment

   
   

8. SRF Consulting Group, Inc. Contract Amendment

   
   

9. Other Business

   
   

10. Adjournment

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.

Requests for alternate formats please contact Angie Hayes at (219) 763-6060 extension 104 or ahayes@nirpc.org. Individuals with hearing impairments may contact us through the Indiana Relay 711 service by calling 711 or (800) 743-3333.

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

January 19, 2017 NIRPC Dune Room Portage, Indiana

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. by Diane Noll.

Approval of Minutes

A correction was proposed by Diane Noll to the December 8, 2016 minutes. Upon a motion by Dave Shafer, seconded by Greg Stinson, the Committee approved the amended minutes of the December, 8 2016 meeting.

Review of Financial Status

Angie Hayes presented the financial report. NIRPC has received the 2016 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. At this time there are no cash issues to report. The Budget to Actual reports were presented to the Committee. The total expenditures of the General Fund for the period ending December 31, 2016 are at 75.45%.

Approval of Claims Register

Kelly Wenger presented the claims register to the Committee for approval. Upon a motion by Greg Stinson, seconded by Dave Shafer, the Committee approved the claims register.

South Shore Clean Cities Agreement

Kathy Luther presented the 2017 agreement with South Shore Clean Cities. Funding for this comes from NIRPC’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant and South Shore Clean Cities provides the local match. Upon a motion by Dave Shafer, seconded by Greg Stinson, the

Committee approved the South Shore Clean Cities agreement for recommendation to the Full Commission.

Air Quality Survey Agreement

Kathy Luther presented the agreement with Responsive Management for the air quality survey. The air quality survey will help NIRPC evaluate the effectiveness of the current air quality education program. Upon a motion by Greg Stinson, seconded by Dave Shafer, the agreement was approved for recommendation to the Full Commission.

Resolution 17-01 Internal Control

Diane Noll presented Resolution 17-01 on internal controls to the committee. Upon a motion by Greg Stinson, seconded by Dave Shafer, the Committee approved Resolution 17-01 for recommendation to the Full Commission.

Internal Control Training

The Internal Control webinar available on the Indiana State Board of Accounts website was viewed at the meeting.

Other Business

There was no other business to discuss.

Adjournment

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:56 a.m.

Procurement Recommendations February 16, 2017

Deep River – Burns Waterway Watershed Initiative Cost Share Program

NIRPC has been awarded a grant through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to identify problem areas and improve water quality within the Deep River- Portage Burns Waterway watershed. Work done within this grant has developed a watershed management plan. This plan identifies critical areas of pollution sources which has allowed for the creation of best management practices to correct identified issues. Based on this program NIRPC is ready to move forward with the cost-share program in which corrective actions will be implemented in the identified problem areas through partnerships in which the applicants will pay for the remediation up front and then will be reimbursed at a rate of 50% through the grant. This recommendation is to approve agreements up to a total reimbursement from NIRPC of $268,975.

Two Vehicles Replacements– Procurement #17-03

• Purchasing two propane fueled replacement vehicles for LaPorte TransPorte.

• Paid with Federal Transit Administration Funds (80%) out of grant IN-95-X053 and the above listed agencies (20%).

• Recommendation to purchase two vehicle replacements not to exceed $145,219 in federal funds.

PROPOSED 2017 BUDGET AMENDMENT‌

Additional Funds

Amendment 1: To add new revenue

$ 28,000

TO: Other Revenue

Purpose: To add new funds to the 2017 budget.

These funds are the balance of the original grant and contract. This amendment will enable the City of Hobart to pursue possible transit operating options and funding.

DETAILED BUDGET LINE Original Addition Amended

Expenses Contractual: Hobart Feasibility Study - 28,000 28,000

AMENDMENT 3:

CHANGES IN THE BASIC AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION AND SRF CONSULTING GROUP, INC. FOR CITY OF HOBART TRANSIT FEASIBILITY STUDY PROCURED UNDER RFP 15-15

Part I. Basic Agreement

2. Description of Services Provided by the Contractor:

The Contractor shall provide the identified goods and services as amended in the Scope of Work Amendment as Part II of this Agreement.

Additional Tasks to Scope of Work Changes:

Task 1: Assess Phased Implementation

It is anticipated that CMAQ funding would be used to support operating funding for the first approximately three years of FULL service operations, however, CMAQ funding for the region is presently committed through 2020. As an option to waiting until scheduled CMAQ funding is available (2021) to implement service, Hobart proposes to investigate a phased/early implementation assessment that includes the following tasks:

• Develop a staffing plan reflective of Alternative 1A and 1B from the feasibility plan and Hobart work rules. Included would be administrative staff needs, reservations/dispatch needs, driver needs, and maintenance.

• Facilitate a workshop to discuss concepts/ideas for early, or partial implementation, including staff needs, options for contracting specific elements (to SLCCS for example), benefits/costs of partial implementation, information required to request use of CMAQ funds for transit implementation, etc.

• Document the findings from the workshop, including the material required for requesting CMAQ funds (so Hobart is prepared in the event CMAQ funding is available because other project timelines shifted).

• Identify potential funding sources for capital and operating costs in addition to the traditional FTA

  formula and PMTF funding distributed through NIRPC.

  
  

  Task 2: Evaluate Alternate Department Management Options

  Subtasks within this task are anticipated to be completed through a second meeting or an extended workshop for Task 1. Included are:

• Discuss with City of Hobart administrative staff the work rules for departments (i.e. are city employee

  in a union, etc.) to refine a potential service staffing plan for Alternative 1B.

• Discuss with City of Hobart administrative staff alternate departmental options for transit, including being a subdivision of a current department or creating a new department.

• Document the findings for presentation to the city council.

  
  

  Task 3: Refined Operating/Service Plan

  Based on the outcomes of discussion and analyses from Task 1 and Task 2, SRF will develop a refined operating/service plan to address:

• Potential alternate operating focuses throughout the day (early AM commuter, middle of day general

  service, late afternoon commuter).

• Flexibility in FTA charter rules to allow irregular hours services (i.e. holiday lights tours, trips to sporting/cultural events, etc.).

• Costs associated with refined/revised operating plan.

• Conduct a final meeting to discuss the refined operating plan concept.

Task 4: Council Coordination/Presentation

SRF will prepare and assist city staff in a presentation to the council meeting regarding the refined concept. The intent will be to provide the council with the information needed to gain support for implementation of the refined alternative including the service concept, which department would be responsible for transit, and an implementation schedule.

4. Terms of the Agreement:

The additional services added in the scope of work as Part II of this agreement will not increase the contract amount. All services must be completed by June 30, 2017 with final invoice due no later than July 10, 2017.

All other provisions of the original agreement shall remain the same.

Agreement:

It is hereby agreed and understood by the party’s signatory hereto that these changes made to the Agreement becomes executed when the appropriate signatures are affixed hereto and the date of contract award is established as the _, day of February 2017.

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL SRF Consulting Group, Inc.

PLANNING COMMISSION

By: By:

Tyson Warner Name

Executive Director

Date Date

Attest:

Angie Hayes

Contracting Officer

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT POLICY COMMITTEE

NIRPC- Lake Michigan Room December 1, 2016

Members/Guests: Geof Benson, Deb Backhus, Bill Emerson Jr., Beth Jacobson, Lauri Keagle, Jennifer Gadzala, George Topoll, Kevin Breitzke, Nicole Barker, Richard Morrisroe, Ellen Kapitan, Jan Bapst, George Malis, Kris Krouse

NIRPC Staff: Kathy Luther, Meredith Stilwell

Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance

Chairman Benson called the meeting to order at 9:04 am with the Pledge of Allegiance and self- introductions.

Approval of November 3, 2016 EMPC Minutes

On motion by Deb Backhus and second by Bill Emerson Jr., the October 6, 2016 EMPC meeting minutes were unanimously approved as presented.

Presentations:

a. NICTD Double Track – Environmental Aspects - Nicole Barker, NICTD

NICTD is looking to complete a project to double track a 16 mile gap of currently single track railroad between Gary and Michigan City. The project will include improvements at five stations and installation of four new bridges. There are many single track challenges and double tracking would decrease travel times as well as increasing service, safety and economic benefits, improving reliability and more competitive travel options. The current projected cost for the double tracking is $290 million. Michigan City will have speed, safety and station improvements and some property acquisitions and relocations will be necessary. In the first 20 years the projected economic impact includes increased jobs, new daily riders and an anticipated total tax generation of over $606 million. The proposed timeline projects the environmental assessment and public hearings to occur 2017, design and engineering to be finished in 2018, construction to begin in 2019 and operations to begin in October of 2020. A 50% local match is required when funding is needed and NICTD needs help asking for money. Move information regarding the project can be found at www.doubletrack-nwi.com.

NIRPC Business:

a. Greenways and Blueways 2020 Public Comment Report Review – Kathy Luther, NIRPC

Many comments were received during the 30 day comment period for the Greenways and Blueways 2020 draft report which ended on November 21. NIRPC’s Public Participation Plan states that if any significant comments are made, which would require a change to the document text, a new public comment period must begin on the document once said changes are made. Kathy reviewed the comment report with the group. A new draft document will be put out for public comment once the changes have been made, most likely early 2017. Chairman Benson commented that it’s great that NIRPC has the public comment and is listening to them and changing things.

Public Comment:

Chairman Benson told attendees about Wiki Watershed, a free, educational tool used to teach kids how to model watersheds, but can be used by others as well. It is supposed to eventually allow users to monitor their watershed.

Announcements:

• South Shore Clean Cities Annual meeting will be held February 14, 2017 at Blue Chip Casino.

• The Deep River Portage Burns Waterway Watershed Management Plan has been IDEM and EPA nine-listed approved.

Meeting adjourned at 10:11 a.m.

Technical Planning Committee Meeting‌‌

NIRPC Lake Michigan Room 6100 Southport Road, Portage December 13, 2016‌

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, Margot Sabato, David Wright, Rebecca “Sis” Williams, Lyndsay Quist, Tyler Kent, Mark O’Dell, Tom MacLennan, Robin Barzoni-Tillman, Nicole Barker, Beth Shrader and Kay Nelson. Others present included Mitch Bishop, Mike Yacullo, Ismail Attallah, Dean Button, Joe Crnkovich, Jack Eskin, Tom Schmitt, Jake Dammarell, Salvatore DiBernardo, Claudia Taylor, Jeff Huet, Randy Strasser, Don Oliphant, Chris Moore, Keith Kirkpatrick, Teri Dixon, Frank Rosado, Jr., James Mandon, Woody Dresden and Andrew Steele. Staff present included Mitch Barloga, Gary Evers, Kathy Luther, Stephen Sostaric, Scott Weber, James Winters, Gabrielle Biciunas, Eman Ibrahim, Amanda Pollard and Mary Thorne.

The minutes of the November 1, 2016 Technical Planning Committee meeting were approved by general consent.

Mitch Barloga presented the status of the Greenways + Blueways 2020 Plan Update. Approval has been delayed due to the receipt of several significant comments. The modifications will be made and another 30-day comment period will be held.

Stephen Sostaric reported that there were no significant comments received on the SR 249 Bridge project.

Eman Ibrahim presented FY 2017-2018 UPWP Amendment #2 for road safety audits for Hobart, Griffith, Valparaiso and Lake County using HSIP penalty funds obligated at 100% totaling $440,000. On a motion by Kevin Breitzke and a second by Geof Benson, the FY 2017 UPWP Amendment #2 was recommended by the Committee to the Commission for adoption.

Mitch Barloga presented the modified B-List of projects as approved by this Committee in November. Gary Evers stated that there was no money available at this time. On a motion by Rebecca Williams and a second by David Wright, the Committee voted to recommend the modified B-List of projects.

Gary Evers described Amendment #32 to the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program for new, existing and deleted project phases. The amendment received the required comment period and review by the Inter-Agency Consultation Group. Brief discussion followed. On a motion by Geof Benson

and a second by George Topoll, the Committee voted to recommend FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment #32 to the Commission for adoption.

Topical Committee reports were given for the Environmental Management Policy Committee, Ped Pedal

& Paddle Committee, Transit Operators Roundtable, Rail Vision Workgroup/Freight and the Surface Transportation Committee.

Teri Dixon of Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning said their On to 2050 process continues. There were no requests for public comment.

James Winters showed a brief video on the benefits of transit-oriented development in other parts of

the country.

Kay Nelson noted the Chanute Prize for Team Innovation Awarded to the Calumet River Partners in Restoration Team from the Society of Innovators showcased in the lobby.

Michael Griffin announced the upcoming meetings and office closings at NIRPC. The next Technical Planning Committee meeting will be on January 10, 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 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.

RESOLUTION 17-04

A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION AMENDING THE

2016-2019 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR LAKE, PORTER, AND LAPORTE COUNTIES, INDIANA

AMENDMENT NO. 34

February 16, 2017

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 Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015 (PL 114-94), 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 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program is 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 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP), as amended; and

WHEREAS, the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program is an implementation of the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan (CRP), as amended; is fiscally constrained, and is consistent with the State Implementation Plan for Air Quality; and

WHEREAS, the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program is 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 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program 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 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program brought about by this amendment were subjected to public comment in the manner prescribed by the 2014 Public Participation Plan 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 2016- 2019 Transportation Improvement Program.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission hereby amends the 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program 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 sixteenth day of February, 2017.

Michael W. Griffin Chairperson

ATTEST:

Diane Noll Secretary