NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION FULL COMMISSION/EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

Thursday, January 16, 2020, 9:00 A.M.

NIRPC Lake Michigan Room, 6100 Southport Road, Portage Annotated Agenda

1.0 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance - Diane Noll

2.0 New Appointments to the Commission - Attorney Dave Hollenbeck

3.0 Roll Call - Candice Eklund

4.0 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. Commenters must indicate on the sign-in sheet prior to the start of the meeting.

5.0 Presentation of Norman E. Tufford Award - Ty Warner

6.0 2019 NIRPC Annual Report - Ty Warner

7.0 Approval of the Minutes of the December 12, 2019 Full Commission Board Meeting (pp. 1-3)

ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

1. Officers & Executive Board for 2020 - Diane Noll

2. Report of Nominating Committee

3. Election of Officers & Executive Board

4. Exchange of Gavel

1. Finance and Personnel Committee - Justin Kiel

2. Executive Director Contract - 2020 Addendum (p. 4)

   ACTION REQUESTED: Adoption

3. Budget Amendment for 2020 Budget - Resolution #20-05 (pp. 5-9)

   ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

4. FTA Procurement Manual Update, NIRPC Resolution #20-01 (pp. 10-128)

ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

10.0 Environmental Management Policy Committee - Bill Emerson (pp. 129-130)

1. Technical Planning Committee - Kevin Breitzke

2. Resolution #20-03 - NWI 2050 Plan Technical Amendment #1 (pp. 131-133)

   ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

3. Resolution #20-04 - Transportation Improvement Program Technical Amendment #1 (pp 134-136)

   ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

4. Public Comment Report on the FY 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment #3 (pp 137-138)

5. Resolution #20-02, FY 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment #3 (pp. 139-173)

ACTION REQUESTED: Approval

12.0 INDOT, Matt Deitchley, La Porte District Deputy Commissioner

13.0 Other Business

14.0 Announcements

1. 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.

   

   
   

   2020

   NIRPC COMMISSION MEETING DATES

   
   

   
   

   	All meetings to be held in the
   	Lake Michigan Room
   	6100 Southport Rd Portage, Indiana
   	unless otherwise posted.
   January 16	Full Commission	9:00 a.m.
   March 19	Executive Board	9:00 a.m.
   April 16	Executive Board	9:00 a.m.
   May 21	Full Commission	9:00 a.m.
   July 16	Full Commission	9:00 a.m.
   September 17	Executive Board	9:00 a.m.
   October 15	Executive Board	9:00 a.m.
   November 19	Full Commission	9:00 a.m.

   NIRPC Full Commission Meeting

   6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN December 12, 2019

   Minutes

   
   

   Call to Order

   Chairperson, Diane Noll, called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was streamed live on YouTube.

   
   

   Roll call was taken by Candice Eklund.

   
   

   Present

   The 35 Commissioners present included Kyle Allen (Lake County Commissioner), Christopher Anderson (Lake Station), Jeannette Bapst (Dune Acres), Geof Benson (Beverly Shores), Jim Biggs (Porter County Commissioner), Kevin Breitzke (Porter County Surveyor), Charlie Brown (Lake County Council), John Cannon (Portage), Robert Carnahan (Cedar Lake), Anthony Copeland (East Chicago), Don Ensign (Hebron), Will Ferrellbegg (Lowell), Mary Brown (Gary), Richard Hardaway (Merrillville), Jack Jeralds (Schneider), Jane Jordan (Burns Harbor), Justin Kiel (La Crosse), Steve Kramer (Dyer), Andrew Kyres (Crown Point), Robert Lemay (Long Beach), Tom McDermott (Hammond), Lori Mercer (Westville), Edward Morales (Porter Township Trust), Diane Noll (Wanatah), Rick Ryfa (Griffith), Carolyn Saxton (Ogden Dunes), Tom Schmitt (Schererville), Dave Shafer (Munster), Gene Simmons (Michigan City), Ed Soliday (Governor Appointee), Joe Stahura (Whiting), Greg Stinson (Porter), Gerald Swets (St. John), Sharon Szwedo (New Chicago), and George Topoll (Union Township).

   
   

   Jennifer Gadzala, MS4 Coordinator Chesterton, was present for Jim Ton in a non-voting capacity.

   
   

   Absent

   The 15 Commissioners absent included David Anderson (Winfield), Joshleen Denham (Trail Creek), Bill Emerson (Lake County Surveyor), Michael Griffin (Highland), Tony Hendricks (LaPorte County Surveyor), Tim Jones (Kouts), Mark Krentz (La Porte), Jeff Larson (Porter County Council), Sheila Matias (LaPorte County Commissioner), Matt Murphy (Valparaiso), Jean Poulard (Michiana Shores), Mark Ritter (Kingsbury), Michael Rosenbaum (LaPorte County Council), Brian Snedecor (Hobart), and James Ton (Chesterton).

   
   

   No NIRPC representative has been appointed: Kingsford Heights, The Pines, Pottawattomie Park.

   
   

   Guests in Attendance

   Guests present included Matt Deitchley, Sue Pelfrey, Ismail Atallah, Lauren varga, Zully Alvarado, Lauri Keagle, Tim Werner, and Christopher Murphy.

   
   

   Staff in Attendance

   Staff present included Ty Warner, Peter Kimball, Kevin Polette, James Winters, Lisa Todd, Talaya Jones, Jamie Stewart, and Candice Eklund.

   
   

   Public Comment

   There were no public comments.

   
   

   New appointments

   Ty Warner announced the appointment to the Commission of Mary Brown (Gary).

   
   

   Minutes

   The minutes of the November 21, 2019 Full Commission meeting were approved on a motion by Geof Benson and second by Anthony Copeland.

   Report of the Chair – Diane Noll

   Diane Noll thanked the Commissioners for their service in 2019 and said it was an honor to work with all of them through the year. Diane congratulated the Commissioners who were moving on to retirement and thanked those moving on to another position.

   
   

   Report of the Executive Director – Ty Warner

   Ty Warner expressed his appreciation to the Commissioners for their efforts to attend the meeting today to approve the budget for 2020 and their participation in NIRPC this last year. Ty stated NIRPC is really nothing more than the communities represented at the table, and he reiterated that he is always available to hear how NIRPC can be most effective to the communities it serves.

   
   

   Mr. Warner showed the cover of the current issue of Northwest Indiana Business Magazine, featuring Mayor Joe Stahura of Whiting.

   
   

   Mr. Warner shared one of the things he appreciates about NIRPC is that all members come to the table to work together, regardless of what political party they represent. Ty thanked them again for their service and stated this body is a model of how elected officials work well together.

   
   

   Mr. Warner announced that Dave Shafer, Town of Munster, is retiring and this is his last meeting after many years of regional service. Given Mr. Shafer’s long history at NIRPC, including being appointed as the President of NIRPC in 1992 and having contributed nationally as past president of the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC), Mr. Warner said he had asked Mr. Shafer to say a few words, as Shafer has been a true regional ambassador. Dave Shafer thanked Ty for his kind words and said NIRPC is the “kind of organization you fall in love with.” Shafer added that NIRPC is an excellent opportunity to network with one another and you can easily talk to your nearby political neighbor casually and work through any problems you may have. Mr. Shafer shared he has made many friends who he will miss dearly, remembered the Commissioners who have gone before him, and was thankful for the recognition of his retirement.

   
   

   Finance & Personnel Committee – Justin Kiel

   Justin Kiel stated the one matter before the commissioners today was NIRPC’s budget for 2020. This recommendation comes with a favorable recommendation from the Finance and Personnel Committee. On motion by Kevin Breitzke and second by Tom McDermott, the Full Commission approved the budget for 2020. Ty Warner thanked the Commissioners again for their attendance today in approving the budget for 2020, saying the importance of the budget not only affects what NIRPC can do going forward, but the longer the budget is not approved, it affects certain communities trying to purchase items and with continued escalating costs.

   
   

   INDOT – Matt Deitchley

   Diane Noll introduced Matt Deitchley as the newly appointed La Porte District Deputy Commissioner. Matt Deitchley said he has been attending NIRPC meetings for a year and has worked with most of the commissioners. Matt believes in open communication and invited the Commissioners to contact him with any questions or concerns. The new INDOT Communications Director will be announced in January. Matt also noted the ramp on Kennedy Avenue is now open.

   
   

   Other Business

   Diane Noll referenced the commission meeting dates for 2020 in the packet, which had also been sent out prior to the meeting.

   
   

   Announcements

   Robert Carnahan reminded the Commissioners of the census beginning April 1, 2020 and encouraged every community to receive every dollar they deserve.

   John Cannon said he began attending NIRPC meetings in March this year and thanked the Commissioners for their openness, kindness and guidance.

   
   

   Don Ensign thanked everyone for the last 16 years he attended NIRPC meetings. He shared he did not run for office again and won’t have the pleasure of serving with them as a NIRPC Commissioner. Mr. Ensign said he appreciated working with NIRPC and the Town of Hebron.

   
   

   Ty Warner reminded everyone of the holiday refreshments and eggnog in the lobby.

   
   

   Adjournment

   Hearing no other business, Diane Noll adjourned the meeting at 9:18 a.m. The Full Commission will meet on January 16, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. at NIRPC.

   
   

   A digital MP3 of this meeting is filed. Contact nirpc@nirpc.org should you wish to receive a copy of it. Barring technical issues, the livestream video recording of this meeting is available on NIRPC’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/NIRPCPlanning.

   ADDENDUM TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

   EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

   
   

   This addendum to the Executive Director Employment Agreement is entered into the 16th day of January, 2020, 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 (2020) of the current three year executive director employment agreement.

   WHEREAS, NIRPC and the Executive Director entered into a three year employment agreement on the 15th day of November, 2018 which established the salary for the first year (2019) 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 (2020) 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 (2020) 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 4.5% salary increase resulting in a 2020 calendar year salary of One Hundred Fifty- Two Thousand One Hundred Fifty-Two Dollars ($152,152.00). The Executive Director salary increase shall be effective as of January 1, 2020.

   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 2020 is approved by the Full Commission of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission on this the 16th day of January, 2020.

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

By: Chairperson

Printed Name:

ATTEST:

Tyson Warner

2020 Proposed Budget Amend #1 & #2

1/16/2020

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

2020 GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET

CAPITAL OUTLAYS - Equipment & Furniture 100,000

ATTACHMENT B

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

2020 TRANSIT CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET

CAPITAL OUTLAYS - TRANSIT EQUIPMENT 2,440,988

ATTACHMENT C

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

2020 TRANSIT OPERATING PROJECTS FUND APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET

OTHER SERVICES AND CHARGES 4,485,932

ATTACHMENT D

NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

2020 LAPORTE COUNTY REVOLVING LOAN FUND APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET

OTHER SERVICES AND CHARGES 85,000

9,499 1,489,490

Amendment 1: To add new revenue

PROPOSED 2020 BUDGET AMENDMENT

Additional Funds

$ 50,000 TO:

Purpose: To add new funds to the 2020 budget.

NIRPC has partnered with One Region and Indiana Dunes National Park to advance the Marquette Greenway project.

PROPOSED 2020 BUDGET AMENDMENT

Budget amedment #2

To Transfer within Contractual category amount of $9499

Purpose:

9,499 1,489,490

(9,499) 190,501

RESOLUTION 20-01

6100 Southport Road

Portage, Indiana 46368

(219) 763-6060

www.nirpc.org

A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION ADOPTING THE “FTA PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES MANUAL”

Whereas, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (herein called the “Commission”) is a designated recipient of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants for funding FTA eligible projects; and

Whereas, the Commission conducts procurements for itself and its subrecipients; and

Whereas, FTA Circular 4220.1F provides procurement guidance to federal recipients and subrecipients in complying with the Federal Laws and Regulations that affect FTA funded procurements; and

Whereas, since the “FTA Procurement Procedures Manual” was adopted by the Commission on June 21, 2012, there have been updates to FTA Circular 4220.1F; and

Whereas, those updates have been incorporated into the “FTA Procurement Procedures Manual” for FTA funded projects; and

Now, therefore be it resolved by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission that the updated “FTA Procurement Procedures Manual” should be and is hereby declared the official policy and procedures to be followed by the Commission and its designated subrecipients.

Duly adopted by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission this 16th day of January, 2020.

Commission Chair

ATTEST: ATTEST:

Commission Secretary Tyson R. Warner, Executive Director

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT POLICY COMMITTEE

NIRPC - Lake Michigan Room September 5, 2019

Minutes

Members/Guests: Jan Bapst, Michael Spinar, Carl Lisek, Lauri Keagle, Richard Morrisroe, Bri Ciara, Kathryn Vallis, Kacie Kolbert, Natalie Johnson, Leslie Dorwith, Jeff Loewe, Deb Backhus, Michael Kuss, George Topoll, Geof Benson, Brenda Scott Henry, Kay Nelson, and Ashley Hodges

NIRPC Staff: Kathy Luther, Kevin Polette, and Candice Eklund. Call to Order

Jan Bapst called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The meeting was streamed live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9ze8mgj-I8

Kathy Luther conveyed her heartfelt sentiments on the passing of Mary Thorne. Mary was an Administrative Assistant with NIRPC for over 13 years and had become the point of contact for many in the region as they interfaced with NIRPC.

Kathy introduced Kevin Polette, NIRPC’s new Technical Assistant.

On motion by Richard Morrisroe and second by Deb Backhus, the April 4, 2019 meeting minutes were approved as presented.

Presentations

Calumet Heritage Area Calendar

Kathy Luther introduced Ashley Hodges with the Calumet Heritage Area. Ashley presented the new interactive calendar created to be a resource for all programming and events in the calumet area for nature, industry, and culture. The link to the calendar and the guidelines for submission can be found on their

website: https://www.calumetheritagearea.org/calendar.html. The link to the calendar is also available on the environmental presentation page on NIRPC’s website. NIRPC will work with South Shore Clean Cities to explore the visibility of their calendar providing live updates on NIRPC’s website. This new calendar will replace the announcement form used at the EMPC meeting.

NWI Green Fleets and Revitalizing Air Quality Public Education Program

During the previous EMPC meeting, the Committee requested a presentation from South Shore Clean Cities (SSCC) on how the grant money awarded at the last NOFA was being allocated in the region.

Carl Lisek, Executive Director, and Lauri Keagle, Communications Director, presented on the history of (SSCC), and their goal to reduce dependence on imported oil nationally. SSCC will continue to report on their progress of actions in future meetings.

For additional comments or questions, contact Carl Lisek at ‘clisek@southshorecleancities.org’ or Lauri Keagle at ‘lkeagle@southshorecleancities.org’.

Other Business

Air Quality – Non-Attainment Status Bump-up and Vehicle Emission Testing Board Request

When NIRPC adopted the NWI 2050 Plan and the new Transportation Improvement Program, several Commissioners voiced concern with the vehicle emission testing and ongoing air quality requirements. Bill Emerson, Chair of the EMPC Committee, stated he would request the EMPC research emissions testing and report back to the Commission on where the transportation air emissions were originating. The Environmental Protection Agency has since posted their final register, reporting that our region ‘bumped up’ from a status of moderate to serious. Kathy inquired if the committee were interested in creating an air quality working group. Carl Lisek volunteered SSCC to take the lead on this initiative and will schedule a workshop with a panel of experts. Kay Nelson with the Northwest Indiana Forum and Deb Backhus also volunteered with the possibility of a volunteer from Indiana University Northwest.

Water Quality Incidents, Regional Communication, and Roles

In discussing the toxic chemical spill resulting in a Fish Kill in Lake Michigan last month, Kathy Luther asked if the EMPC would be interested in providing help as a committee. This could include requesting the reporting processes from IDEM to discuss at public forums, to talking with American Water on how they safeguard our drinking water. Discussions were had on the reporting efforts by organizations involved.

Kathy Luther stated Joe Exl, Senior Water Resources Planner at NIRPC, is participating on an Environmental Protection Agency led response plan and has been invited to assist in scoping a response exercise hosted by the EPA. Kathy questioned if a working group should be formed on planning an educational program around communications and reporting during an environmental disaster and Michael Kuss, General Manager with the Sanitary District of Michigan City, volunteered his services.

Announcements

Announcements were made by several committee members. Future environmental events will continue to be announced at the meeting, but the collaborative calendar will replace both the announcement form used at the EMPC meetings and a separate notification sent to the committee.

Adjournment

A moment of silence was observed in the memory of Mary Thorne.

Hearing no other business, Jan Bapst adjourned the meeting at 11:01 a.m.

A special program with NIRPC and Urban Waters will be held in the Lake Michigan room on October 3, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.

A digital MP3 of this meeting is filed. Contact nirpc@nirpc.org should you wish to receive a copy of it. Barring technical issues, the livestream video recording of this meeting is available on NIRPC’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/NIRPCPlanning.

6100 Southport Road

Portage, Indiana 46368

(219) 763-6060

www.nirpc.org

RESOLUTION 20-03

A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION AMENDING THE

NWI 2050 PLAN FOR LAKE, PORTER, AND LAPORTE COUNTIES, INDIANA TECHNICAL AMENDMENT NO. 1

January 16, 2020

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 NWI 2050 Plan is a product of a multi-modal, 3-C transportation planning process, compatible with regional goals and objectives and socio-economic and demographic factors; and

WHEREAS, the FAST Act of 2015 requires the Commission to adopt annual safety performance measure targets; and

WHEREAS, the FAST Act of 2015 requires, within 180 days of the state department of transportation adopting targets, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to either adopt the targets of the state department of transportation or develop their own targets; and

WHEREAS, the Indiana Department of Transportation adopted its safety performance measure targets on August 31, 2019, and the Commission finds that the Commission should support the Indiana Department of Transportation’s targets; and

WHEREAS, the NWI 2050 Plan must be amended to reflect the updated safety performance measure targets; and

WHEREAS, the changes to the NWI 2050 Plan brought about by this amendment fit the criteria of a technical amendment according to the Engage NWI plan; and

WHEREAS, the Technical Policy Committee (TPC) has recommended that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission make these changes to the NWI 2050 Plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission hereby amends the NWI 2050 Plan as a technical amendment by making the following changes to the NWI 2050 Plan as shown on the attachment to this resolution.

Duly adopted by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission this sixteenth day of January, 2020.

Chairperson

ATTEST:

Secretary

Changes to the NWI 2050 Plan:

6100 Southport Road

Portage, Indiana 46368

(219) 763-6060

www.nirpc.org

RESOLUTION 20-04

A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION AMENDING THE

FY 2020-2024 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR LAKE, PORTER, AND LAPORTE COUNTIES, INDIANA

TECHNICAL AMENDMENT NO. 1

January 16, 2020

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 2020-2024 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 FAST Act of 2015 requires the Commission to adopt annual safety performance measure targets; and

WHEREAS, the FAST Act of 2015 requires, within 180 days of the state department of transportation adopting targets, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to either adopt the targets of the state department of transportation or develop their own targets; and

WHEREAS, the Indiana Department of Transportation adopted its safety performance measure targets on August 31, 2019, and the Commission finds that the Commission should support the Indiana Department of Transportation’s targets; and

WHEREAS, the FY 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Programs must be amended to reflect the updated safety performance measure targets and be consistent with the NWI 2050 Plan; and

WHEREAS, the changes to the FY 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Programs brought about by this amendment fit the criteria of a technical amendment according to the Engage NWI public participation plan; and

WHEREAS, the Technical Policy Committee (TPC) has recommended that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission make these changes to the FY 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Programs.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission hereby amends the FY 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Programs as a technical amendment by making the following changes to the FY 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program as shown on the attachment to this resolution.

Duly adopted by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission this sixteenth day of January, 2020.

Chairperson

ATTEST:

Secretary

Changes to the FY 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program:

January 6, 2020‌

Public Comment Report

Amendment #3 to the 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission

January 16, 2019

Amendment #3 of the 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program was released for a 21-day public comment period which began on December 13, 2019 and ended January 3, 2020. The amendments were made available at www.nirpc.org . One comment was received during the comment period on the proposed amendment.

The writer, Mr. Peter Julovich; wrote:

The transportation capacity of vehicles has increased along corridors such as SR 130 from SR51 to Valparaiso, and Ridge Road business from SR 149 to SR 249. Serious thought needs to consider increase lanes in both directions to meet future demand.

NIRPC staff responded on January 6 via email to Mr. Julovich. The comment is not considered significant and no modification to the amendment is necessary. Staff response is shown here:

Mr. Julovich,

Thank you for your comment.

NIRPC strives to improve the quality of life of all residents of Northwestern Indiana. The TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) works towards improving the surface infrastructure of our region. Congestion and safety are two areas that we are consistently looking to improve upon. We work with our partner communities to help them fund projects in areas needing improvement. We can also help assist in defining these projects, but most communities already have areas or projects that they have recognized as important and needing attention in their community.

Your question specifically deals with two state roads: SR 130 and US 6. Although the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is required to include their projects in our TIP, they control what projects get into their program. INDOT does have two intersection improvements on SR 130 scheduled for construction in 2021: CR 450 W (Wolf Rd) and SR 149. Both intersections will be widened to add a dedicated left turn lane, which will help improve the traffic flow and increase the safety of the traveling public.

We have forwarded your comment to INDOT and they will follow up with you about your concerns. If you have any other questions please feel free to contact either of the following people at NIRPC:

Charles Bradsky

Transportation Projects Manager cbradsky@nirpc.org

Dominique Edwards

Public Participation Planner dedwards@nirpc.org

NIRPC did not receive any technical comments from the IGC. Approval by the IGC were given of this amendment on or before 12/12/2019.

January 6, 2020

NEWS FROM NIRPC - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 13, 2019

Contact: Charles Bradsky

219-763-6060; cbradsky@nirpc.org

NIRPC to hold public comment period on the draft changes to 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) will hold a 21-day public comment period on the draft changes to the 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The comment period begins today and will end January 3, 2020.

NIRPC’s TIP is a short-range financial and spending plan for the utilization of federal transportation funding. These funds can be used for highway, transit, and non-motorized transportation projects. NIRPC's TIP is periodically updated and includes projects undertaken by municipalities, counties, transit operators, and the State of Indiana. Federal planning regulations guide the preparation and development of TIP documents.

Comments may be submitted until January 3, 2020 in the following ways:

• Email: comments@nirpc.org

   Phone: 219-763-6060

• United States Postal Service: NIRPC, 6100 Southport Road, Portage, IN 46368

All comments received during the 21-day public comment period will be compiled into a public comment report and responded to. This report will be made available to the public and distributed to the relevant NIRPC committees prior to any action on these items. It is anticipated that action will be taken at the January 14, 2020 meeting of the Technical Planning Committee, followed by the January 16, 2020 meeting of the NIRPC Commission Executive Board.

Documents and information will be available for review at NIRPC’s website at www.nirpc.org. Requests for alternative formats may be directed to NIRPC by calling 219-763-6060, or by email at nirpc@nirpc.org. TTY users may use the Relay Indiana service by calling 711 or 800-743-3333.

NIRPC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization and regional council of local governments for Northwest Indiana. NIRPC’s purpose, as put forth in Indiana state statute, is to “provide a coordinative management process for Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties and to institute and maintain a comprehensive planning and programming process for transportation, economic development, and environmental policy.

###

6100 Southport Road‌

Portage, Indiana 46368

(219) 763-6060

www.nirpc.org

RESOLUTION 20-02

A RESOLUTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION AMENDING THE

FY 2020-2024 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR LAKE, PORTER, AND LAPORTE COUNTIES, INDIANA

AMENDMENT NO. 3

January 16, 2020

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 2020-2024 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 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program is an implementation of the NWI 2050 Plan, is fiscally constrained, and is consistent with the State Implementation Plan for Air Quality; and

WHEREAS, the FY 2020-2024 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 2020-2024 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 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Programs brought about by this amendment were subjected to public comment in the manner prescribed by the 2019 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 FY 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Programs.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission hereby amends the FY 2020-2024 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 sixteenth day of January 2020.

Diane Knoll Chairperson

ATTEST:

George Topoll Secretary

Amendment 20-04.1 Northwestern MPO

Transportation Improvement Program Fiscal Year 2020-2024 Amendment #3

29 Projects Listed