00:00:07,400	Everyone, thank you for joining us today. It is 10 o’clock on. Monday, August 19th, 2024. I’ll welcome everyone to the Bismarck Amanda and MPO technical Advisory Committee meeting, um, and today I’ll be running the meeting from the podium because I have a couple of things to share, um. For action items.

00:00:31,330	Um, we will start with a roll call. Ben Ereth here. Dan Trio Deidre Hughes. Cape Here John Sacki. Here Andrew Strami, Jarek Waigness. Greg Fraser. Mitch Flanagan, here. Natalie Pierce Dean Schloss Wayne Zacher? Yeah And Cher Lukaszewski. Here.

00:01:07,530	Uh, the first item on the agenda is review and possible approval of the minutes from the July 15th meeting. What are the wishes of the board? Mrs. Gabe moved to approve. I have a first from Gabe and a second from Andrew. Thank you. Uh, roll call. Ben Harris, yes, Deidre Hugs. Gabe Shell, John Saki. Yes, Andrew Stronomy, yes, Jarek Wigness, yes, Mitch Flanagan. Wayne Zacher. Yes Char Lukaszewski. Yes, minutes are approved.

00:01:43,100	Item 2 on the agenda is the consideration of the final 2025, 2028 transportation improvement program. I’ll let you take that, Steven. Thank you, chair. Give me one moment to share a screen with everyone. Oh Mm All right. All right, so good morning everyone.

00:02:44,070	Last month, you may recall the board approved the NPO’s draft 2025 through 2028 transportation improvement program, and there were modifications suggested by this board that we have incorporated into the final document. So this has been updated to its final, uh, final draft form, uh, the program of projects and projects maps were updated to reflect changes requested by TAC as well as NDDOT and Fed Highway, uh, the updates included changing project cost

00:03:07,370	estimates, lead agencies and project years as needed. The financial pages of the tip were updated. Um, we also had some projects moved around a little bit, uh. Cole removed and a couple additions. Uh, the MPO did not need to re advertise the tip for public comment, the changes required were of a minor nature.

00:03:27,630	I will highlight a couple of small changes for your benefit. Just one moment here. Mm Let’s see if we can. Zoom in a little All right, so first, uh, a project that was added to 2025, um, at the request of Burley County. This is 25.202.

00:03:55,430	It is a rural project on Highway 10 from 66th Street to US 83. There’s a seal coat project estimated at 7,760,000 and as I said, this was just a very recent edition, Burleigh County requested to the program. And then, as I mentioned last month, we had a couple of projects for 2028 that we received word and added to the program.

00:04:21,600	This is Project 28.101, which is an I-94 eastbound, uh, project, uh, at the eastbound ramp in Shaffer Street, and it divide Avenue, Tyler Parkway intersection. Pavement markings, signage, a left turn lane realignment, and signal replacement, it is an 880,000 estimated Bismarck project. And then 28.6.01.

00:04:54,900	The DOT led project, Yaggen Road University Drive, intersection, uh, for intersection lighting, 165,000 estimated cost to this project. And then if you hold on just one moment, I will scroll to. One other area of the document for you. the My apologies. I don’t know what it’s doing now. OK, went back to the beginning, sorry. Mm Sorry about that, some technical difficulties here. There we go. OK.

00:05:49,370	We did include end up receiving a total of 3 public comments which we included. In this final form we received a public comment through uh Andrew Strami last month at the TAC meeting and that has been incorporated along with two other public comments received concerning uh certain uh permitting one was received from the Army Corps of

00:06:13,930	Engineers and one comment was received from the Department of Water Resources concerning possible permits that would be required for certain projects in our program. Um, so again, our practice is to always include public comments in the final form of the document, uh, for the reference of our, our staff and the public.

00:06:31,930	Uh, so those are the, uh, the major changes that I wanted to point out. Uh, are there any questions on these final uh document for it today. Even I have one question, at least maybe one starting me, right, uh, Project 27.1.02, the safety project on Bismarck Expressway and Main Avenue.

00:06:59,330	It’s listed as the lead agency is Bismarck, but because that was on Bismarck Expressway, I guess I was under the impression and DOT indicated as such that the DOT would be the lead agency for that particular project. Mm. Let me pull that up real quick and see what I can do for you. Mm Yeah OK. Yeah.

00:07:32,600	27102, you said it, correct? OK and yep, I see that that is. Currently listed as Bismarck, we, yeah, we can certainly take a look at that and make that change. Um Into the final final document before uh. Yeah, before we go forward with that. OK, thank you. Mhm. Any further questions from anybody? All right, perfect.

00:08:05,500	Uh, well, if there are no other further questions or comments on the final draft tip, uh. Would there be a motion from the board to accept the Uh, the final document for submittal to DOT and Fed Highway. Mrs. Gabeout moved to approve with the changes noted. Thank you, Gabe. I have a first, is there a second. Thanks, Deidre. We’ll take a roll call.

00:08:30,400	Ben Ereth Deidre Hughes. Game show. Yes, John. Yes, Andrew S Stromi, Jarek Wigness, yes Mitch Flanagan, Wayne Zacher. Yes Cha Lukaszewski. Yes, the tip is approved. Right. Uh, item 3 on the agenda is an RFP for our latest. Planning project uh for the NPO’s 2025 safety. Uh, policy study.

00:09:20,170	I’ll share screens so that you and um. Anyone on Zoom can also see that. OK. Um, the, uh. Mm OK. OK, I, I think we’re set. Um, the 2025 safety policies study is a project that will go through the end of this year and uh through. The calendar year of 2025. Uh, the objective of this study.

00:10:12,630	is to capture the current safety countermeasures that exist within our five communities, um, and the specifically on our functionally classified roadways and the intersections of those roadways. Uh, we want to look at uh what current countermeasures are existing, um.

00:10:40,430	Have the consultant identify what the best practices are for the roadways based on their type, um, the adjacent land use and the use of of that infrastructure. And how we can assist our municipal engineers in selecting the most appropriate countermeasures in future. Uh, so, uh, the project will encompass all of our functionally classified network, uh, but due to the nature of the project, which is also an SS for a safe routes and roads.

00:11:08,030	For all project, uh, we may also include local roads. Um, however, based on our budget, uh, the local road component will be scaled up or down, uh, as funds allow. Uh, so our hope is that uh the.

00:11:34,300	Project will categorize the roads on their type or style, whether they’re arterial, collector, residential, local, uh, whether they’re, um, a neighborhood street or a more commercial avenue. Um, and then also, uh, their characteristic of whether they’re rural or suburban, or an urban roadway.

00:11:58,700	Uh, there’s many different ways we can cut this and we’ll work with the, uh, consultant to identify what those uh categories or breaks are most useful for us, uh, but we will be looking at the roadway style and the intersection style based on those general characteristics. And uh from that lens, the consultant will create uh what I’m calling a toolbox. It’ll be a a a guidebook for the engineers to go to to understand, uh, maybe where we have deficiencies in either the application of countermeasures or the consistent application of countermeasures.

00:12:25,870	And then based on the category of rotor intersection that we’re looking at that toolbox will give will identify which best practices should be applied in certain circumstances. Um, the engineers can then use that when they’re managing their projects or even when they’re speaking with the public or their councils or commissions to talk about what are appropriate countermeasures to

00:12:50,570	put in place, why one countermeasure might be more appropriate. Then another um. And uh basically give a bit of a playbook to assist the engineers in those conversations, making that a little bit smoother, um, and then also having that available to the public, uh, should they wish to to look into that a little more themselves.

00:13:17,330	Um, The outcome of this study, uh, may lead to recommendations for construction improvements and because we are aware that funding for safety elements, uh, sometimes is, is plentiful, but sometimes is not.

00:13:42,930	Uh, we are designing this project to be compliant with the safe streets and roads for all funds, uh, so this project will also include an SS4A action plan for all of the five communities and And um it’s my understanding that the projects identified in this plan will then be eligible for SS4A funding grants. Um, we will rely on the consultant to help us navigate through that process, um, on page.

00:14:09,330	On page 81, where our scope of work starts, um. Uh, after the more standard. Scope of work items like meeting with tech and policy board and and having a steering committee data collection, we have quite a lengthy element that focuses in specific on the action plan and what I’d like to share with the TAC members today is that of

00:14:31,800	these, um, 7 or 8. Uh, sections, um, I think 5 must be met in order for our action plan to be considered complete, so 5 at least 5 elements of these eight will be discussed or, uh, incorporated into the final planning document? And there are, I think, 2 or 3 that are required by the government in

00:14:59,000	order to be met. Um, but we’ll rely on the consultant to walk us through that to identify which of these 8 are most appropriate, most feasible for staff and for our community, um, and then, um, through those elements we’ll be working on them as we go through this study.

00:15:21,770	Um, I’ve also outlined in here, um, I’ve, I’ve done sort of a different, um. Ah, nomenclature for the the categories and, and you’ll notice that sometimes there’s an indented uh Roman numeral and sometimes there’s an indented little letter and my intention was that the um, Anything that was a proper number or a Roman numeral was a general description of that

00:15:50,970	task item, but if something is labeled with a lowercase letter, that is an element that either a jurisdiction identified as important or the NPO identified as important. So these areas that have letters. Um, direct the consultant in a specific way of how we see we might be able to meet that particular element in the action plan.

00:16:19,930	Um, the public involvement plan will include at least 2 meetings with the public and we have, I have outlined. Uh, what I expect for those meetings, uh, because they align with, uh, what an action plan would require. Oh, Thanks for your patience. Uh, the first of the public meetings.

00:16:58,630	We’ll focus on sharing the data analysis and identifying where the public feels unsafe on our road network. So this could include uh unsafe vehicular travel, unsafe, uh, bicycle pedestrian travel, um, or a transit needs.

00:17:24,000	The second public meeting will then educate the public about the safety strategies that have been identified for the roadway and intersection categories and then also provide information to them about what The next steps might be once the study is completed and after adoption.

00:17:46,700	So those two elements, um, I’m very specific about within the public involvement plan, uh, but outside of that we are asking the consultant to be, uh, creative and upfront with, um, the steering committee and the public to make this a bit of a dynamic study. Uh, there’s a lot of different ways that safety studies can go and especially within SS4A, um, many communities have been embarking on SS4A and there’s a The flexibility within that. Um, Within the intent of of the federal program.

00:18:11,300	So, um, I do hope that through our steering committee, we can get something that’s very tailored to the needs of our communities and specifically to the engineering staff who might be using this, um. Uh Uh, but at Uh, overall, I do hope that we’ll have uh a project that can be used for future federal grants.

00:18:35,700	Uh, the project does have a not to exceed budget of $180,000 your current 2024 work program has allotted for your full local match on this project. So at the end of the year, we would ask you to encumber those funds, um. Uh, but we would not anticipate the project being an additional sum, so we would not anticipate additional local funds for the project.

00:19:05,200	Um, Uh, proposals will be due by 5:00 p.m. on September 11, 2024. And when additional uh special item about this RFP is that I’m not requesting paper copies to be delivered to the NPO. I’m requesting only an electronic version. So of the RFPs that are received and considered uh responsive to the NPO, uh, for the selection committee.

00:19:30,970	Uh, you’ll only be getting the electronic versions. Um, and I’ll be reaching out, uh, later this week or possibly early next week, uh, to see, uh, for each jurisdiction who they might um. uh able to participate on the selection committee.

00:19:54,370	Uh, we do encourage all five jurisdictions to participate, uh, but we understand that there’s a lot that goes on in your jobs and, uh, if you’re not able to, um, to promote someone. We, we would understand. Um, the NPO will have a seat on that committee as well. And, uh, lastly, I’d like to thank everyone who is able to provide comments to the RFP.

00:20:16,530	I did make all suggested changes that included some typological changes, some adjustments in dates I had the wrong years noted, uh, for example, the, the end of the project will be December 31st, 2025.

00:20:42,430	Um, and, um, I also was able to update some of the additional resources links, so thank you, uh, uh, especially, uh, to Chris Holzer for providing updated, uh, documents, uh, for us, um. I think number 28 and number 1515. No, I, I wrote the wrong number down, um. Uh, but 28 has been updated. And um I’ve also incorporated. This is not the updated list. Um, I’ve also incorporated in my final version uh a link to the North Dakota, Vision Zero plan.

00:21:14,600	So that is now number one in the list, um, for additional information. Um, uh, with that, I, I would be happy to take any comments or questions or additional revisions that the TAC would like to see to the RFP, um, I’m open to any suggestions that you have. Uh, Ben. Oh yeah, thanks, Rachel, and thanks for the explanation.

00:21:39,200	I do have some grammatical items and then just some. I guess questions as well. Um, did a nice job presenting this, um, maybe starting off on on page 81 with a couple of grammatical items under section 7 objectives. I think it’s starting on the 3rd to last.

00:22:02,700	Sentence in that paragraph where the sentence starts out the tool is necessary to assist. I think there’s a maybe an unintended or in that sentence, um. So it reads the the tools necessary to assist the engineer in working with the public and their elected officials to articulate why certain measures are being promoted and to explain. And then it says or why.

00:22:25,470	Oh, I see, yes, thank you. um, I’ll remove the or. Yeah. Uh, and then, uh, The the sentence right after that, I think uh the. The name of the program is Safe Streets and roads for all. OK, he caught that one.

00:22:49,570	And then the last sentence in that paragraph says the funds will be necessary to ensure the municipalities can promote countermeasures and improvements. That term funds intended there is that supposed to be study. I think that we changed that to funding, um. OK Um On the next page 82, um, under the section Safe Streets for all action plan development, just the first sentence there, I think, uh, the word through might be a misspelling.

00:23:18,830	Um, then I think the last item I had was, was kind of twofold, a question, um, so the dates are laid out on page 85 and under the section. 10 review and completion process, subsection D. This is the final project report and presentations is due December 25, 2024.

00:23:45,330	Should that be 2025 or is that OK and that one will be updated to the end of 2025. And then you did a nice job laying out sort of the purpose of the study, and I, I think there’s utility beyond the safe. Streets and roads for all program, but if I understand that program, the last year of funding for that program is 2026.

00:24:08,030	Is, is that your understanding? I think I think I saw it was allocated for $55 billion for 5 years and it started in fiscal year 2022. Um, so I, I’m guessing by the time we get the study completed, we’ll only have basically one fiscal year to apply for non-funding for that program, but it seems even, even if

00:24:31,000	we’re unsuccessful for that one year, there will be utility beyond just that safe safe streets and roads program, correct? the main intent is to provide that toolbox, which is the ability for the engineers to have those talking items, um, so I do.

00:24:51,800	The the priority is that it’s a useful tool for the engineers and the bonus is that it’s developed in the SS4A. Um, waits for the funding. OK, thank you. Thank you. Um, any additional changes or comments, Andrew Rachel, I just had a question. I know we had made some suggested changes to which roads in the metro were functionally classified.

00:25:18,870	Um, will this study be considering the previous classification list or help me with the timeline there. I don’t know if those made it through fully. Sure, what I’ve promoted is the draft that we provided to NDDOT with the understanding that through the end of the year we should be able to get um. The requested changes approved by DOT.

00:25:40,270	There are, um, Maybe 1 or 2 areas where it sounds that DOT made may deny the request, but I don’t see removing those uh particular roads has been detrimental to our study and additionally safe streets and roads for all can include local roads, so overall, if there is an area where, uh, Uh, functional class change is not

00:26:03,770	on um uh allowed by DOT or Fed highway, we could still include that road regardless. Cape Rachel Moore, just a comment, um, just thank you for promoting this this study.

00:26:24,930	I know it’s something that we at the city of Bismarck would use both of those elements, both the, you know, a vehicle was off the road and the public looks to us to say, is this a spot for a crash attenuation device, a guard rail or something, and, and sometimes you don’t have the right tools in place. Um, to, to understand and evaluate that particular question.

00:26:39,330	So I think this will help us engage in that sort of discussion, um, and then on the the back end having. A known funding source, at least for the time being available for us to request funds to to implement some of those projects, um, definitely be beneficial as well. So with that, thank you very much. You’re welcome. OK.

00:26:59,830	Um, I’ll incorporate the additional changes that been noted and uh represent this at policy board. Rachel Wayne Wayne, hi. Go ahead, Wayne. Um, you have it right here on the screen.

00:27:21,300	Um, I’m just, you have, so September 11th, you to get 21 days that has to be the RFP has to be posted by Wednesday, so, um, and I realized policy board is tomorrow, but I also wanted to know my just from my uh timing standpoint and. You may want to give yourself a little, uh, a little bit more room just in case I, I don’t get it out on Wednesday.

00:27:40,200	Um, because Wednesday I am out, I’m out of the office in meetings, so that again, I just wanted to make sure that there is um. Time there and we didn’t miss deadlines or have to uh repost because I missed a deadline, uh because it was so tight.

00:28:03,200	Thanks for the the heads up Wayne, um, do you plan to be in office on Thursday and or Friday? Uh, well, I, yeah, I would be able to, I hope to be able to do it on Thursday because Friday I’m out of the office and then I’m out of the office next week, so, um, it would be up this week, but I, I wanted to make sure that we had enough time built into that RFP deadline um to

00:28:18,000	ensure that we could that it it didn’t need to be posted immediately tomorrow to make sure that we met her 21 days. Very good. I’ll, I’ll review that before policy board adjust it if it’s necessary. Thanks for that tip. Thank you. OK.

00:28:40,400	Um, Uh Well, I think that’s where I was going with my comment, um, so, uh, as the changes are made, um, and if approved by tech and Policy board, we will be posting that today. Uh, sorry, we’ll be posting that later this week. Um, Are there, um, is there a wish to approve the RFP with the changes noted. Mrs. Geabout moved to approve as noted. Thank you, Gabe.

00:29:05,900	the first is there a second? One second. Thank you, Jak. Roll call. Ben Ereth. Yes, Deidre Hughes. Gabe Shell, John Zaki. Yes. Andrew Strami Jarek Wigness. Mitch Flanagan. Wayne Zacher. Yes, Cheryl Lukaszewski. Yes, uh, the RFP is approved. Rachel, this is Dan. I’m, I’m also in attendance. I’m sorry I was late. Uh, I’m a yes as well.

00:29:35,670	Thank you for that, Dan. All right. Um, item number 4 is a contract with the Advanced Traffic Analysis Center. This is an update to our master agreement in May we adjusted our current master agreement, you may remember this happening, uh, the master agreement was adjusted to the end of the year. I um To include um.

00:30:07,570	The ability to pay for our final quarter, um, our master agreements used to begin and end in September October, and with this new master agreement we are adjusting that timeline to be calendar year only, um, sorry to, to end begin in January. And so what we have in front of us is that updated contract.

00:30:32,330	This has gone out to all of the NPO directors, we had the opportunity to read over the contract that ATAC had prepared and to offer comments. My comments were incorporated earlier in the summer and I think. There were some later requests by um CD that’s Central Dakota MPO and Minot.

00:30:58,730	Um, The contract now does include all 4 NPOs and it also reflects the new start date of January 2025 and the new end date of December 20. 27. Um, uh, other than that, uh, the master year agreement still covers all of our routine elements like the $10,000 annual fee, uh, as well as identifying the ability for a tech to model select runs

00:31:29,100	for us as needs occur throughout the year, um. I’m very comfortable extending this contract for its next 3 years, um, I think the relationship that the NPO has with ATAC has been beneficial to us, um, and we have been able to have some uh bonus service added to the local jurisdictions when they’ve needed special model

00:31:55,000	runs done for particular land developments and changes in how the community is anticipating their land to develop. Um, it’s very helpful to know how The model might react to those changes, um, and it’s very helpful that we have a partner who can provide that information to the engineers.

00:32:17,970	Um, With that, if there are any concerns or questions on the contract, I’m happy to relay those back to ATA for additional revision. Hi Gabe, yep, maybe just a curiosity in the the segment that talks about the the NPO’s travel traffic demand model and and not releasing that to any other entity, um.

00:32:39,870	Maybe as it relates to open records and then that sort of, is that a protected work item or is that if someone asked for it, they can have it. It’s a government piece of of public.

00:32:55,070	Data Could we tell someone no or not necessarily we, but could A attack tell someone no if they said I’d like your transportation model, I guess that’s my, my question is that it’s in this contract, it says that they can say no, but maybe I’ll just be curious if that’s. Factually accurate. Yeah, that’s a good question and um legally I I’m not sure where Open records laws fall on that.

00:33:17,030	Uh, I’m guessing it might be considered a proprietary software element, um, the Um, contract does go through review at NDSU’s legal team, so I think that might have been something that they worked out, uh, with the university.

00:33:40,530	Um, certainly when there is ever an output that the NPO receives, those can be shared with the public, um, although we typically don’t get a request for that that doesn’t first come through uh engineering staff, um. It’s maybe not the most um full answer for you, Gabe, but um I do feel that there were a legal eyes on this and as it stated that it is proper. OK, thank you.

00:34:15,500	Any further questions or comments? Are their wishes on the approval of the draft contract? Spin, I’ll, I’ll move approval of the contract as presented. Thank you, Ben. Is there a second? J call. Thank you, Jarek. Uh, we’ll take a roll call. Man Ereth. Dan Triac. Yes. Deidre Hughes, Gabe Shell, yes, John Saki. Yes. Andrew Strami. Yes. Jerre Wigness. Yes, Mitch Flanagan. Wayne Zacher. Lukaszewski. Yes.

00:34:46,700	Contract is approved. Item 5 on the agenda is an update on the Arrive 202,050 MTP with Jason. Jason, I’ll let you have the stage. Yeah, thank you. Good morning, everyone.

00:35:09,600	Um, yeah, I know, uh, you, a lot of you have seen a lot of me in the, the, the team, uh, quite a bit recently, so some of this will not be uh maybe breaking news, but, um, so we did have a steering committee meeting, um, August 6th to kind of talk through um the MTP project list, um, that is, we’re still continuing to work with jurisdictions, um, to continue those refinements to the project list and you’ll, uh,

00:35:29,170	a few of you will be hearing more. Um, from, you know, me and the team this week on that. Um, we did work with ATAC, and ATAC did a great job turning around, um, some kind of tweaks to the model runs and some combinations of the alternatives um to kind of help screen some of those project

00:35:45,270	benefits, and I know we had a chance to talk through some of that with the group, um. Yeah, a couple of weeks ago. And then uh we did kind of finalize that draft financial assessment we. Developed significant portions of the MTP document itself. Um, we should be close to a draft.

00:36:01,070	I think we just need to kind of sort through those project lists and finalizing that physically constrained list. Um, and so I think you’ll, we’ll probably be checking in with a few of you this week to kind of get some of those details locked in, but we’re, we’re getting close to having a a a

00:36:15,130	draft document. Thanks that high level summary. Anybody have any questions? Any questions for Jason? Jason, I don’t see any questions right now, but thank you for the update and we’ll look forward to that follow up emails uh for any additional project, um, preferences or uh location identifying of locations for you. OK. Great. Thanks everyone.

00:36:44,230	Thank you. Item 6 on the agenda is an update on the safe routes to services complete street study, uh, Mike Bittner, go ahead, Mike. A Good to see everybody virtually here.

00:37:09,630	Uh, we also had a very recent workshop on August 7th, so I look at the after, has to put the the MTP process, uh, really a lot of fun. We organized two buses to take us around town to look at some of the key locations that we’ve been identifying really through core like in our three data points, which includes uh really an intense engagement process.

00:37:29,500	The feedback we got from our steering committee, but then also our technical analysis and so we started to see some of those hot spots emerge, and we did a little bit of a brainstorming exercise and then we went and visited these firsthand, which I think um for a project kind of unique in the way that this project has unfolded Saro services.

00:37:46,900	A lot of these issues are just a little bit different when you see them at grade or you experience them and and I think a lot of our stops. Um, just heard a lot of good commentary and feedback and anecdotes about seeing different things and and um we actually experienced a lot of these challenges that you just can’t see from an aerial view.

00:38:03,800	So, uh we learned a lot as a group. We have, you know, reams and notes that we took away from that exercise. Um, it’s really the goal is to take that information. I’m really process it and start to develop cut sheets for some physical improvements, but we also brainstorm some non-physical improvements such as a high frequency circulator route.

00:38:24,200	Ability hubs. Even some complete street type policy improvements like snow removal priority routes, um, and trying to come back in October to that group and found some of those ideas off them as well as starting to. Formulate a plan to show this content to the public as well.

00:38:45,400	We’ll continue to provide feedback as uh those things, those items unfold on the technical side of things, but It’s a quick update. Happy to answer any questions on that. Thank you, Mike. Any questions for Mike? I don’t see any questions. Thanks for the update.

00:39:12,570	Item 7 on the agenda is an update with Kim, Kim Ripple for the Federal Rail Administration, long distance study, um, and the big sky passenger rail Authority. Kim, I’ll let you take over. Thank you very much, Rachel. Um, I’m gonna get ready to share my screen. It’s been a while since we’ve talked about this for sure. Oh OK my screen share. I see. Sorry for the delay.

00:40:15,930	OK, um, yeah, again, it’s been a long time since we’ve talked about the, uh, Federal Rail Administration’s long distance service study. So, um, just a little refresher on this, uh. This actually, you know, how can I move this? There. And then I can put this on presentation mode that might work better.

00:40:45,230	There OK, um, this study actually began in January of 2023 and it’s expected to conclude at the end of this year and NPO staff have been attending the stakeholders’ meetings throughout the study. Uh, we have brought you a couple of updates, but it’s been a while.

00:41:04,830	We figured that now that the preferred alternatives have been identified and presented at the final stakeholders’ meetings, uh, this would be a good time to provide an update on the study. Uh, just as a reminder, what the long distance service study is, um, it is required of FRA as part of the infrastructure investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

00:41:26,300	Its purpose is to evaluate the restoration of daily intercity rail passenger service along any Amtrak long distance routes that were discontinued and also along any Amtrak long distance routes that occur on a non-daily basis. Now, uh, the definition of a, um, long distance service. For for our discussion today is 750 miles or more in total route length, um, that’s considered to be long distance service.

00:41:49,500	Uh, FRA was also given the option to evaluate potential new Amtrak long distance routes with specific attention to routes that were in service as of April 1971, but were discontinued by Amtrak. So for today’s discussion, this applies directly to the North Coast Hiawatha passenger rail line that used to transfer.

00:42:14,170	North Dakota from Fargo into Montana and it ran directly through both Burley and Morton counties and through the communities of Bismarck and Mandown. This slide, uh, shows the existing passenger rail network and you can see that there’s um an empty space, there is a a missing piece there, um, a lack of passenger rail service in the upper mid to northwest part of the US and

00:42:38,470	even though, uh, You know, North Dakota does have passenger rail line coming through it on its northern tier, we are, uh, we’re missing service in the, in the southern portion of our state.

00:43:05,970	Uh, this slide shows us the advanced appropriations through the bipartisan infrastructure law or otherwise known as the BIL, uh, the total amount of appropriations was $66 billion and you will note that $250 million of that is allocated to restoration and enhancement, and that’s our focus today. Corridor ID or corridor identification and Development program was established by the US Secretary of Transportation and FRA to facilitate the development of inner-city passenger rail corridors.

00:43:35,130	Now, how does this connect with FRA’s long distance service study corridor ID eligibility includes exactly what the long distance service study is evaluating specifically increasing the frequency of long distance service and restoring service over any route that was formerly operated by Amtrak. Over 90 applications were received for the corridor ID program 69 of those were selected.

00:44:02,630	Of those 69, 3 were long distance routes, and one of those is the restoration of the former North Coast Hiawatha from from Chicago. To Seattle. FRA received over 477,000 comments relative to their proposed network as shown on this slide. So these are actually um. The preferred. Routes that were uh. Finally determined through the culmination of the study.

00:44:41,100	It clearly does show the restoration. Of the North Coast Hiawatha line from Chicago to Seattle. And 99% of the 47,000 comments received were supportive of passenger rail overall. Now the next 4 slides that are contained in your packet provide information on the Chicago to Seattle route, um.

00:45:10,970	All the details based on the slides are based on FRA’s evaluation of all their proposed routes, um, and then they did the evaluation and analysis to come to what they determined to be preferred routes, FRA assessed each network using the following methods and tools, uh, assuming, by the way, once daily service for all of the routes. Uh, they had conceptual service schedules and network analysis.

00:45:37,870	Equity and accessibility. Cost estimating. And public benefits analysis, which included safety, jobs, and earnings. Now there’s a lot of information on each of these slides, um, it kind of goes into the results of their analysis for each of the routes in this specific to the Chicago to Seattle route.

00:46:04,170	I, I’m not going to in the interest of time I’m not going to go through each of these slides, but I would really encourage you to take a look at them when you do have some time, there’s some, um, there’s some great, great information on these. Concerning, uh, our Our former North Coast Hiawatha route.

00:46:22,930	Uh, so for the preferred routes what it came down to was that there were 17 preferred routes identified to the study. 3 of those already selected through the corridor ID program that would be the Seattle to Chicago North Coast Hiawatha, the daily Cardinal and Daily Sunset Limited, and then there are 14 additional routes that are labeled as additional preferred

00:46:47,130	routes. Now the important thing to note here is that the 14. routes currently have no sustained funding or program to advance their development while the corridor ID routes do have appropriated funding through the corridor ID program.

00:47:13,500	In closing Moving forward, FRA will conclude their study and provide a report to Congress to establish options for restoring and expanding long distance service. The corridor ID program will continue to provide sustained funding for new or improved passenger corridors through the planning and project development stages, including for those 3 long distance routes that we have identified, one of which is the former North Coast Hiawatha. The final report will be published on the study.

00:47:37,400	And on the FRA websites, uh, you can go to FRA long distance railstudy.org to find all of the stakeholder meeting uh information and results. So there were 4 stakeholders meetings, all of the slide shows, all of the information for each of those meetings are posted on the study website. Uh, you can also go to um FRA.

00:48:04,500	Um, long-distance.com and you can find more information um on their long distance programs as well. So, um, You know, the FRA long distance service study in the last year and a half, along with the corridor ID program that they’ve implemented alongside that has really opened up some doors for the potential of expanding passenger rail service in North

00:48:27,500	Dakota. Um, specifically through the restoration of the North Coast Hiawatha passenger rail line. There are many groups, organizations and individuals who are interested in returning this passenger line to North Dakota.

00:48:50,600	And, um, other northern states between Illinois and Washington, but, you know, maybe one of the biggest leaders in this effort is actually Big Sky passenger Rail Authority. Uh, the vision and mission of Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, which began with um 12 counties in Montana, and I believe that they have over 19 counties that are on the authority now and they’ve conducted outreach to, uh, numerous, um, uh, communities, counties, municipalities across our northern states, um, from Minnesota, uh, Wisconsin,

00:49:20,370	Illinois, all the way over to Washington, Idaho. Um, Big skies Mission and vision statement in part is to lead the expansion and and enhancement of passenger rail service and to provide for the reestablishment of safe, reliable, and sustainable passenger rail service and so perhaps that explains why the restoration of the North Coast Hiawatha passenger rail line

00:49:48,370	has become such a priority in major part of their work. They’ve been working on this for, you know, a couple of years already, and they’ve really made a lot of headway, uh, as As of September 2021.

00:50:10,730	Um, uh, study was completed, um, in part, uh, with the help of Big Skyrail, and it was to evaluate the restoration of the North Coast Hiawatha. It was through that study determined that the restoration of the North Coast Hiawatha would be a sound investment for taxpayers and for businesses impacted by the reinstatement and this includes North Dakota.

00:50:36,030	The restoration of this passenger rail line carries with it the potential for substantial benefits to our communities, including economic growth and a more connected regional transportation system. There will also be decisions to be made by the counties and cities directly impacting impacted, and that will include things like placement of stations and funding options for them as well as transportation considerations to ensure a safe, reliable, connected, and accessible system to the different transportation modes and

00:50:59,930	geographical areas together. Now the NPO feels this is a very important opportunity for our region. Uh, it’s an opportunity to extend and enhance our transportation network and to provide essential connections to our residents and visitors alike. Big Skyrail has developed a program to assist communities in doing just that.

00:51:23,700	It’s called the government and Municipal Partners program. Several MPO staff and local government representatives attended a webinar in the program hosted by Big Skyrail on April 5th of this year, and many of us were pretty intrigued by what we heard there.

00:51:44,700	Uh, tomorrow, Jason Stewart, who is the vice chair of Big Skyrail, will be at the policy board meeting to present information on Big Sky’s efforts to date in advancing the restoration of the North Coast Hiawatha passenger rail line, and he’ll also provide information on the government and municipal partners program. Uh, the meeting tomorrow for the policy board will be here. It’ll begin at 1:30 p.m. and it is open to the public.

00:52:06,300	The MPO encourages all of you along with Area City and county leaders to attend either in person or by requesting a Zoom invite or watch it live on free TV.org if possible.

00:52:29,870	Uh, we would like to have everybody hearing all the same things from Jason tomorrow, all at the same time, um, Zoom or In-person attendance would allow questions to be posed and answered by Big Sky passenger rail Authority, um, so you’d be getting all the information, uh, directly from them. Do you have any questions on the FRA study or Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority at this time would be. Be happy to entertain those. Thank you.

00:53:02,670	Were there any further questions for Kim? Be Kim, I’m sorry. I, I, uh, didn’t hit my button fast enough, so, um, the, the presentation tomorrow I’m assuming there’s a membership.

00:53:26,730	or some type of membership to be associated with the Big Sky passenger rail authority is that Something that’s going to be asked of the the policy board or do you think of, of a Individual counties or or cities or or uh um can, can the NPO participate at an NPO level? Certainly, yeah, and, and thanks Ben for your question.

00:53:47,530	You’re, you’re very insightful, um, and maybe getting a little bit ahead of me, but um we’ve invited Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority and just to talk about the program, talk about what they have to offer to the NPO and the NPO’s jurisdictions, um, if a passenger rail line is restored through this area, it will definitely be impactful to all of us.

00:54:09,830	Um, and so we, we need to know what our options are in that regard, but through the government and municipal partners program, they do have options for membership and they do have different membership levels. It is a population-based fee, um, and he’ll be going over the benefits of membership, um, and how we could participate. We are looking at, uh, you know, if there is interest.

00:54:31,200	Um, from our jurisdictions to become part of that, how we can do it most cost effectively and right now it does look like that would be uh through the NPO obtaining that membership on behalf of its jurisdiction.

00:54:51,000	So we’ll learn more about that tomorrow, definitely and uh again, I would certainly encourage you to try to tune into the meeting in whatever capacity you can, and that would, um, definitely afford the opportunity to ask some questions of Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority and, and get all those, those Right answers from them. Thanks, man. Thank you. Thanks, Kim, thanks Ben. Um, any further discussion? All right, uh, then we’ll move on to item 8 on the agenda, which is the 2024, 2027 tip administrative modifications with Stephen. Thank you, Rachel.

00:55:20,770	I will be real quick here. I’m just gonna share my screen. OK. So exhibit cheese at the end of your packet, so this month the MPO we processed 6 administrative modifications to the 2024th or 207 tip. Uh, these modifications are used for minor changes to the tip.

00:55:47,070	They do not require board approval or a public comment period. So this is just an informational presentation for you. The modifications move 6 projects into fiscal year 2024 per DOT’s request, I will note that. This is subject to change, um, but DOT is requesting the move at this time.

00:56:11,930	The project’s being moved, uh, include traffic signal work and concrete pavement repair at various Bismarck locations, which is noted in the. Exhibit G, um, there is also an additional project being moved that uh I did distribute a handout to the people I could catch, um, but just for your information, this is a fencing and PCC paving project on I-94 that is currently 25.6.

00:56:34,330	09 in the uh 25 tip that you just approved. Uh, so this has been moved to 2024 as well. Um, are there any questions? Stephen, can you speak to what the impetus of this change is? Or is that a DOT question? At the my understanding is that the DOT is uh doing a, uh, I don’t.

00:56:57,230	There’s a uh release of federal funds that occurs in August of each year and so they are looking to move shovel ready projects in a position to receive this funding, um, but they don’t yet know for sure how many are.

00:57:17,300	What are, what is going to be receiving funding and so they they kind of move a block of projects, um, all at once so that they are prepared for. Whatever they’re able to fit into that schedule. And maybe I’ll add one other piece. I know the, the expressway alternative for the expressway project of the replacing traffic signals, um, we, we as the city did.

00:57:40,000	Request that the DOT not perform that work in 2024, 2025, is that is still an option for an alternative for our South Bismarck flood control project. Um, so we requested that that be done if possible after the flood control project is completed, so they don’t put in brand new traffic signals that need to be then potentially replaced.

00:57:54,900	We still haven’t committed to that’s the alternative that the flood protection project would use, um, so we don’t want to delay it indefinitely. Um, so this, I guess, came as a surprise that they would move it from 27 to 24.

00:58:11,100	Um, obviously That means it’s going to be bid here shortly if if it indeed plans to be bid, um, so just state that there’s probably additional conversations that we would want to have with DOT if in fact they plan on moving forward with this project in 2024 construction or should say bidding, um, because that is, it’s, it’s 2024 right now. That means they’re bidding it really, really soon with construction, presumably in 25 or at least starting that process.

00:58:29,100	So, no, no additional comments, but just maybe stating a high level of concern about accelerating that particular project. As soon as they are. Thank you. Stephen, this is Wayne. Yes, ma’am. Um, the other thing that, no, I mean, yes, part of it is obviously redistribution, but part of it is Memorial Highway backups.

00:58:56,600	Um, as explained to the city, this was, these are backup projects currently, and if, if we need to bed, we need to bed because that is the Memorial Highway is a big chunk of money, um. The other project I did not see in here. Was that interstate reconstruction project. That moved up Let me see if I can. Take a look at that real quick. Mhm. Mm.

00:59:40,070	Mm Yeah, I might have to follow up with you on on that. I’m thought that had gotten all of the projects that you had sent over. You, you mentioned 5 or 6 earlier it seems like there’s 5 sheets, oh yeah, yeah, so there’s a, yes, just to clarify again, there is, yes, there is

00:59:57,970	a 6th, uh, project that’s being processed. I just wasn’t able to get it included in the packet, and that is that is that the interstate one? Yes. OK.

01:00:19,030	Yeah, that one is, uh, yep, work on that’s I-94 work and yeah, and interstate project that my understanding is that was more of the redistribution side of things. Some of these urban ones, these are more the, the backup in case Memorial Highway doesn’t go. OK. Thank you for clarifying. Any last discussion on The administrative modifications. I see none then um we’ll move to item 9 which is roadway projects, um, uh, with whoever.

01:00:59,930	Remains, uh, let’s see, um, Maybe we’ll start on the East Riverside. Dan, did you have anything to note? Um, for Potential construction projects this season? Yeah, Burleones. an overlay of Highway 10 slated to start next week. We’re gonna start on the county portion which is over by McKinley, and we’re gonna work our way back towards town.

01:01:22,100	We’ll be in the NPO area probably. Um, which is 93rd West to 66th, uh, sometime in the next several weeks. OK. I thank you, Dan. Um, Gabe, are there any updates on the, uh, Bismarck projects. Sure I can run through our our federally funded projects.

01:01:45,500	Uh, the first would be the Tyler Parkway Trail from Cockburn Road up to Ash Cooley Drive. That is substantially complete and and usable for. Pedestrians and bicycle users alike, uh, we had some contractual. Requirements to have that completed before public schools start, so they were able to meet that requirement, at least have it open. There might be some still.

01:02:07,000	Miscellaneous work to complete there too, um, our large project that we also have is our South Washington Street reconstruction from Burleigh Avenue north to the South Bismarck drainage ditch primarily, um, construction still occurring, uh, mostly underground work here at this point in time, as they have crews working from the north to the middle and from the south up to the middle, um.

01:02:25,870	Kind of like the the. The railroad being constructed with a golden spike. Whoever gets there first will will pound the last, um, spike into the ground. Uh, but as soon as, as, as Construction activities allow they’ll come back through and start doing some paving operations.

01:02:42,970	They have some fabric and gravel in place, uh, but we’ll need some good weather and some good productivity, uh, from Mother Nature and from the contractor to get that thing done, um, with the contractor still has confidence that they’ll have it done for their completion dates, um, are. Next Federally funded project is our urban grant project on 3rd Street in Rosser, uh, it’s a Milan overlay.

01:03:02,770	Primarily most of thatmillannovala, or I should say the mill and overlay work is complete. Uh, there’s still a chip seal, permanent pavement markings, and signing, and I believe some pad lighting that still remains to be completed yet this year.

01:03:21,030	Uh Probably jump into some DOT ones cause I don’t see anyone from DOT here, so I can at least provide a couple of updates of what I know, uh, that US 83 State Street Trail project from Calgary Avenue to 43rd. I’ll be commencing here shortly.

01:03:40,530	All the rotor controls in place and you know utility locates are completed, so we expect that work to begin, um, Momentarily, uh, the other ones that are impacting the public that I know about are the 7th Street, 9th Street Mill and Overlay Project from Expressway up to Boulevard Avenue. Most of the work on 9th Street is complete, uh, as far as the Milan overlay and curb ramps are concerned. Uh, 7th Street’s complete with the exception of the area between Broadway Avenue and Avenue C.

01:03:58,930	Uh, so the area adjacent to Bismarck High School should have the, um, pedestrian facilities available to use to cross the street. Um, but there still will be some lighting work and um some restoration of of behind the curb and gutter, etc.

01:04:16,700	they’ll still be remaining um and I really don’t have any updates on exit 161 or or Grant Marsh Bridge besides that they’re still working on. OK. Thank you, Gabe. Uh, Wayne, did you have anything to add since we’re on the topic of DOT projects. Mm, no, not really. Uh, we have a new local government director that started on Friday.

01:04:39,000	Um, so we have uh couple directors, uh, the couple week overlap between Paul leaving and Derek, uh, since they’re started on uh Friday, so. Thanks Way Um, Andrew, do you feel confident to be able to take over for? Mandan updates. Yes, certainly, um, Jarek just wanted me to forward along the 8th Avenue project is wrapping up.

01:05:00,600	It should be done this week and that the Highway 6 Trail, the TA project on. Uh, southwest of Coman and his um trucking along pretty well, um. che Thank you, Andrew. Uh, and John, um, I don’t believe there are, um, particular updates from Morton County, but I’ll double check with you again. Well, we do have our county Road 139A.

01:05:26,270	that is in the September 6th DOT bid opening. Oh, thank you, John. Thanks for that update. Mhm. Um, And there’s no one from Lincoln here today, so, um, and I don’t believe they had any updates for us this season. the last item on the agenda is other business.

01:05:51,270	Does anyone have another business item to bring to the board? Uh, NPO staff has just one item that we’d like you to be aware of. Uh, you’ve Possibly already received this information, but we did receive a letter from NDDOT local government.

01:06:15,430	Um, NEDOT has started the solicitation for a program known as Special Roads Fund, uh, the special roads fund is entirely state funded, so it does not come through the NPO, uh, any applications through, uh, what they call SRF, uh, would be submitted directly to NDDOT upon.

01:06:41,130	Approval of your local board, uh, but we wanted to share this with you as well as anyone who might be listening, um, that the applications are due to NDDOT by November 30, 2024, and they can be submitted to Pam Winger at the local government division. Um, if a contact is required, please reach out to the NPO. We’re happy to pass that along. That’s the only update that, oh, Ben, go ahead. Yeah, it’s not an update, just a question, Rachel, thank you.

01:07:01,030	Wayne, I think I heard you mention there’s a Wayne’s Acker, I think I heard you mention there’s a new uh director of local government, but I, I didn’t catch who it was, uh, are you at liberty to say who, who is the new, uh, or will be the incoming director? I hope so since he started on Friday, but yeah, it’s Derek Pfeiffer. Thank you.

01:07:23,600	Um, anything else for the good of the order? If not, I will call us adjourned.