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2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Comments from the Stakeholder Workshop February 5, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. MPO Office – 100 W Broadway PARTICIPANTS Dr. Colleen Bowman Central Consolidated School District Bob Campbell City of Farmington & Red Apple Transit Roger Drayer City of Farmington, PRCA Nate Duckett Farmington Chamber of Commerce/Farmers Insurance George Duncan City of Bloomfield Mary England Bonnie Dallas Senior Center Dennis Fieldsted Central Consolidated School District Karen Georgina San Juan Center for Independence Larry Hathaway San Juan County & Alternate on MPO Technical Committee Rob Mayes City of Farmington Jill McQueary Farmington Rio del Sol Kiwanis & River Reach Foundation Roberta Rogers San Juan Regional Medical Center Daisy Swadesh Citizen, Red Apple Transit Rider David Sypher City of Farmington, Public Works Theodore Central Consolidated School District Marlene Velasquez San Juan Center for Independence Kent Wilson Farmington Rotary & State Farm Insurance Audra Winters Farmington Chamber of Commerce, Director Judi Zeigler Bonnie Dallas Senior Center MPO STAFF Mary Holton City of Farmington, Community Development & MPO Officer Joe Delmagori MPO Planner Duane Wakan MPO Associate Planner June Markle MPO Administrative Aide WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Mr. Delmagori welcomed those in attendance and thanked them for their participation in the MTP Stakeholder Workshop. Participants then introduced themselves and the organization they represented. OVERVIEW PRESENTATION OF THE MPO AND THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN (MTP) Mr. Delmagori explained that the Farmington MPO is a federally mandated regional policy body that is required in urbanized areas with populations over 50,000. The MPO is the forum for discussion and a place to address transportation issues/concerns, find solutions that benefits the region, develop long/short range transportation plans, and create priority lists. Mr. Delmagori added that the MPO cooperates with the cities of Aztec, Bloomfield, Farmington, and San Juan County, along with the state DOT, transit and the public to develop comprehensive transportation plans through a continuing planning process. He presented a map which showed the MPO boundary area. ---PAGE BREAK--- The core requirements for the MPO include the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), and the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Additionally, the MPO has worked on and developed the following: Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan Complete Streets Public Participation Plan Traffic Counts/ Regional Traffic model Transit Data Collection/ Route Planning Safe Routes to School Program What is the MTP? Mr. Delmagori explained the MTP: Long range planning document that is the framework for transportation decisions Identifies future projects for all modes to address future transportation problems and concerns Has a minimum 20 year planning horizon Update is required every 5 years Cooperative effort among MPO, its entities, NMDOT, transit operator, interested parties, and the public The current MTP was adopted in April in 2010 and then amended in 2011 to include the Red Apple Transit Study. The 2040 MTP will be developed throughout 2014 with a target date of April 2015 for adoption. Mr. Delmagori noted that development of the 2040 MTP will be in conjunction with the update to the State’s long range plan which will provide ongoing interactions between NMDOT and the MPO. Developing the 2040 MTP Mr. Delmagori stated that the elements of the current 2035 MTP include: Vision and Goals/Objectives Current & Future Population/Employment data Identify, review and prioritize project alternatives for road, transit, bicycle/pedestrian Freight and other modes Safety and Security Environmental mitigation activities System preservation strategies Financial Plan Public participation and involvement Mr. Delmagori stated that public participation and involvement was necessary to have at all stages of the plan update to allow for feedback on project identification & prioritization. In addition to the Stakeholder Workshop, MPO Staff would be conducting surveys, consulting with other stakeholder groups, and would be presenting MTP overviews and updates at open houses, luncheon meetings, and city events and fairs. ---PAGE BREAK--- The 2040 MTP will include many of these same elements, but several will be further detailed and elaborated on: • Safety • Freight, Air, Rail • Coordination with NAPI/Navajo Nation and regional impacts • Transportation and Land Use • Environmental Justice • Economic Vitality Mr. Delmagori explained that new elements will also be included to address the performance measures and performance targets used in assessing the performance of the transportation system which are outlined in the new transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). To begin development of the 2040 MTP, the entities, MPO Staff, and stakeholders will consider: What is liked about the 2035 MTP; What should be changed or improved upon; How to better engage the public in this process; What areas of the 2035 MTP need more focus; What planning elements are not part of the 2035 MTP but should be part of the update; What data is needed for performance targets and what are they trying to improve. Additionally, the 2040 update will look at the area’s key modes of travel and will consider the following: Roadway Plan Transit Plan Bike/Ped Plan New roads New bus service Project priorities Improvements and upgrades Route changes Complete Streets Complete Streets Complete Streets Identify policies/strategies Identify policies Identify policies MPO actions for promoting walking and biking MPO actions to address road needs MPO actions to address transit needs STAKEHOLDER INPUT Mr. Delmagori encouraged participation in development of the 2040 MTP because transportation impacts everyone, everyone uses/needs transportation in different ways, and everyone has different ideas about what should be planned for. Mr. Delmagori asked the participants to consider the following questions: • What road improvements are needed? • Where should transit go? • What types of walking and biking projects should be built? • What improvements are needed for other transportation modes (freight, air, rail, etc.?) ---PAGE BREAK--- • As stakeholders with specific interests, how can transportation help those interests? • What other ideas should be considered? Mr. Delmagori gave the participants some time to answer these questions and to walk around the room and look at transportation maps and ask questions of staff. Afterwards, MPO staff facilitated a discussion with the participants to consider the following planning areas and to make their recommendations. MPO Staff recorded the comments that were presented: ROADS Pedestrian hit on road by hospital because stop signs not visible. Slow down traffic to improve safety and economic vitality (downtown). Narrow roads to help businesses and slow speeds. Determine who to speak to regarding a stretch of unpaved road near Shiprock that serves an elementary school; the dirt road has created a safety issue for the students North Dustin is good model for Complete Streets and for slowing traffic. Foothills – use Phoenix as a guide for separate walk/bike path. This path would lead to Glade/BLM trails. Bottleneck on East Main between San Juan Plaza and Mall. $400,000 in trail easements purchased by COF in last year. BIKE/PED Bloomfield specific: Arroyo Drive; CR 4900; Broadway (US 64); South Bloomfield Blvd. (US 550); Mustang Lane. Look at sidewalks for Kirtland and Shiprock schools (SRTS?) Walkability – slow traffic for pedestrians and safety Fix sidewalk gaps Improve sidewalk safety Improve connectivity of sidewalks & trails • SSRR Trail Project – TAP funds • Bloomfield – river trails • Aztec – pedestrian bridge/trails Connectivity of schools, trails, parks, and neighborhoods Sidewalk access and connectivity – fix gaps Include workout circuits/exercise facilities/recreational activities along trails Partnerships TRANSIT SJ Regional Medical Center – one community van for transport up to 20 mile radius Red Apple Transit expansion Map locations of all medical facilities (30th Street, etc.) in the region to prioritize stops for our community members. Service: Mall and San Juan Plaza More routes More interaction between MPO interns and Red Apple riders in addition to current survey distributions. Ensure bus stops are ADA compliant (dirt stops, school bus stops) ---PAGE BREAK--- OTHER MODES MPO’s relationship with Navajo Nation & Jicarilla Apache Pavement issues into schools in Kirtland and Shiprock Provide transportation choices Partnerships – “be at the table” Access – ADA clearance, end of sidewalks (utility poles, etc.) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mr. Delmagori explained that several invitations were made to the group that was present today but the MPO understands that many more people need to be contacted to introduce them to the MTP update and to get their feedback. He opened the discussion asking what other groups should be contacted by the MPO and what upcoming events are happening where staff could have a public information table. The following ideas were mentioned and discussed: • Meet with Central Consolidated Schools in Kirtland • Kiwanis Clubs • San Juan Realtors • Earth Day event at Aztec Ruins on April 26 • River Fest on May 24-25 • Health Fairs • Walk-a-Thons Staff thanks the participants for these ideas and will work to schedule presentations to as many of these groups and events as possible. CLOSING Mr. Delmagori said that there would be additional opportunities for public participation throughout the next year or so as the 2040 MTP is developed. He reminded those interested in staying informed and participating further in the MTP process to have MPO Staff present to their organization, to stop by an upcoming MTP public meeting, to visit the MPO website (www.farmingtonmpo.org) to stay up to date on progress, or to speak directly with MPO staff and submit their comments. The Workshop concluded at 12:00 noon.