00:00:07,370	Well, good morning and welcome to the July meeting of the technical advisory Committee for the Bismarck Mandan MPO. It is July 14th. It’s 10:00 a.m. and we will call the meeting to order. We’ll begin with a roll call. Can you please perform that for us, Tracy? Ben Ereth Here. Dan Trio? Here. Deirdre Hughes. Yeah.

00:00:36,830	Chris Holzer? Here Loretta Marshak. Here. Jarek Wigness. John Saki Here Logan By. E Mitch Flanagan? OK. Uh, Natalie Pierce? Will Hutchings. And Chair Ripple. Here Thank you, Tracy. I At this time, are there any participants online who would like to, um, speak up and have their names recorded for the record. Good morning, Kristen Serry with Federal Highway Administration.

00:01:25,470	Morning, Kristin. Thank you. Is there anyone else? OK, um, moving on, we do have a new member of the TA, um, representing the city of Lincoln, Loretta Marshak is joining us this morning, and so I’d like to take an opportunity to introduce her because she is

00:01:52,100	a new face and um maybe Loretta, you could just say a word or two and of introduction. Thank you so much. I’m happy to be here. I, my name’s Loretta Marsi. I represent the city of Lincoln.

00:02:19,300	I am currently working with SCH and previously I was working in the engineering department, um, multiple roles for the city of Dickinson. Thank you. All right. Well, thank you very much. It’s good to have you here. Look forward to your, your participation in the future as well. Uh, so we will just go ahead and move on with our meeting agenda.

00:02:38,570	This is an amended agenda that was sent out last Friday. Hopefully you all received that, um, one item was added to that, so it changed the order just a bit. Ah, but we will begin with the minutes from the June 16th meeting. Are there any additions or uh corrections to those minutes. This is oh go ahead.

00:03:01,130	This is Ben, I would move approval, uh, as presented. OK, we have a motion for approval by Ben Ereth. Is there a second? Chris Hos her 2nd. Rocalvo, please. Ben Ereth, Dan Trio. Yes. Deirdre Hughes? Yes, Chris Holzer? Yes. Loretta Marshak, Jarek Wigness. Yes. John Saki. Yes. Logan Bey. Yes. Mitch Fla oh. M is gone. Will Hutchings? Yes.

00:03:39,100	And Chair Ripple. Yes, minutes are approved as presented. Moving on to item number 2 on the agenda. It is the 2026, 2027 draft unified planning work program. I’ll be presenting that item and Steven will be sharing the screen for us this morning. Thank you, Steven.

00:04:05,700	I’ll give him one moment to get that up for folks at home, uh, or following along on your own iPad or computer that exhibit A begins on page 13 of the packet. OK. Thank you, Steven. So this is the uh Raft For the 2026, 2027 unified planning work program.

00:04:31,800	Uh, this is not going to be the last time this board sees this particular document, we’re going to be reviewing the draft today. We’ll be asking for approval of the draft to be presented to our oversight at North Dakota DOT local government, also federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway.

00:04:56,300	They’ll have a 30 day review period of the draft document at Which time we can also take additional comments from board members or anyone else who might be interested in providing comments, um, after that 30 day period, we’ll be bringing it back to the Tech and Policy board for that final review and potential recommendation of approval.

00:05:21,430	Uh, the next page, a lot of this is pretty standard stuff, uh, we have a title page that presents our jurisdictional and funding partners, uh, page, the next page is the resolution of adoption, uh, this will be the formalized adoption of the document once it goes through all approvals and will be inserting that then as the final document.

00:05:43,300	Uh, the next page is a table of contents, nothing really outstanding here, except there has been an addition at the very bottom, uh, at the recommendation of North Dakota DOT, we added a statement that certifies, uh, that all of the information contained in the UPWP to the best of our knowledge is accurate and true, and it also acknowledges that that uh we acknowledge, uh, the penalties for providing false.

00:06:06,930	Information or anything that is misrepresented. Moving on to the next page, we have the introduction for the United Unified Planning Work program, um, again, this is the work program of, of.

00:06:32,000	Uh, anticipated activities and projects that the MPO intends to undertake in the next 2 years, um, and it also does provide the budget for those activities, uh, the new part on this page is regarding board membership, not only do we have the positions listed, but as a general best practice, um, recommended by our federal oversight partners.

00:06:53,300	We have also listed the names of the, uh, s who are filling those positions for technical advisory committee and policy board members. On the following pages we do have the Board meeting dates for both attack and policy board in 2026, also those dates are provided for 2027 in keeping with the biennial nature of this document. And then we move into previous accomplishments.

00:07:24,200	These are accomplishments that, uh, NPO has achieved through the last 12 months or through, through the last time period, uh, since the, the adoption of the last UPWP and that moves into what we anticipate to accomplish through December of this year.

00:07:45,570	Which is on the next page and from there we move right into our planned work activities for years 2026 and 2027. We’ll be talking about these particular activities in quite a bit more detail as we move through the document. The next page provides an overview of the UPWP and again, this is our two-year budget and work program.

00:08:13,400	It’s divided into 4 task areas administration is 101 professional services, vendors, and consultants is task 102. Capital operational and travel expenses is task 103, and then we have a task 104 for complete streets uh tracking, and that is a tracking task category only.

00:08:38,600	Uh, the, the purpose of this format is to better align the UPWP budget to the accounts utilized by the NPO and the City of Bismarck’s fiscal services, because the city of Bismarck is the hosting agency for the NPO and provides 20% of the local match on all administrative and operational activities, it kind of makes sense to, uh, format the document in this this manner. The UPWP addresses MPO activities in very broad terms.

00:09:02,930	We have um staff expenses, which includes all staff time wages and benefits. Uh, we look at outsourced expenses and then finally office related expenses such as supplies, rents, staff development, and etc.

00:09:23,330	Now, the next section addresses the source of UPW funds, and we’ve always had this section, but we have not had these tables in here before, so the tables are a new addition. Uh, they provide our MPO revenue sources and how they split out between North Dakota planning funds, North Dakota complete streets, um, FTA distributions and then any redistributed amounts that may have come from prior year carryovers. Uh, it shows then.

00:09:50,530	not only those totals, uh, but also the 2026 local match that is being provided by each of the jurisdictions. And those percentages we have the same table for 2027, although the caveat for that particular table is that these amounts are based on estimates of a 2% increase in federal funding over what was estimated as a 2026 base CPG of $697,800 and these subjects are these numbers are definitely subject

00:10:20,900	to change. Next we move into the federal planning factors. These are the 10 factors that are set forth, uh, through the 23 CFR 45306, um, and the MPO is committed to upholding these 10 factors in the planning process on the next page, we actually see how our our, our projected studies for 26 and 27

00:10:47,030	meet those planning factor objectives, so you can see that in the in the chart, um, below the MTP and Federal performance goals. Um, as, as part of our MTP we do identify the 10 planning factors, and we also identify additional goals and objectives.

00:11:13,330	Those are listed as safety and security infrastructure conditions, congestion reduction system reliability for freight movement and economic vitality, alternative transportation modes to automobile travel and environmental sustainability along with reduced project delay. So the table below that. s how each of our anticipated studies are going to meet those goals and objectives of our MTP.

00:11:38,900	And below that, we also have a timeline for the development of the next MTP. We just got done with one and it’s going to be time to look forward facing and look to the future.

00:12:05,630	Uh, so we will embark on activities that will allow us to, uh, complete an update of our MTP in a, uh, Timely manner, so the um activities listed in this section, uh, our detailed from 2026 through the adoption of the next MTP at the end of 2029. On, uh, the next page, we have a new section that addresses eligible expenses. This is in response to 23 CFR 42113, which is included in part. Um, it talks about how expenses of the MPO are determined eligible under federal guidelines.

00:12:36,630	Uh, work products and projects budgeted, um, and provided in the UPWP are intended to convey reasonable expectations as to the anticipated accomplishments of the Bism Bismarck Mandan MPO and the Associated costs and expenses of those activities for the years 2026 and 2027. Activities and services.

00:13:04,200	Of the MPO receiving federal funding will be verified for compliance with federal eligibility requirements as outlined above prior to payment approval. The next section is a UPWP amendment guidance, and this is, um, standard guidance at the NPO has provided and adhered to, uh, historically through the years. And then we will go to the next page, which is a copy of the approved self-certification statement.

00:13:34,200	You’ll notice that this is a statement from last year, and we will have a completely updated statement that will be signed and approved, um, and we’ll be replacing this old one with the new statement when we obtained that.

00:13:54,430	The next section addresses Bismarck Man and MPO activities and how they support Title 6. So we’ve got a couple of pages there and that basically wraps up the narrative body of this draft document. I’ll kind of stop there and see if there are any questions or any comments that um. Any of our members would like to present at this time.

00:14:22,330	OK, hearing and seeing none will keep moving through the document and now we’ll. We’ll get started with our task categories and the first of those is task 101 administration. Uh, obviously the MPO manages and coordinates, uh, uh, it’s activities and programs, um. And contracts for the unified planning work program and all of our member jurisdictions, um. We have the present status that is.

00:14:55,830	Presented as a table listing the NPO staff members. Um, we are fully staffed now, which is a very nice thing to see and it was fun to be able to put into this particular table, uh, and that is followed by.

00:15:15,200	A listing of our proposed work now, uh, we do have required activities that are outlined by our MPL bylaws, and those are are listed, uh, and there are studies that we conduct and the following pages detail the activities and and uh.

00:15:47,030	The activities and programs that will be administered in coordinating our required work programs such as the MTP that uh transportation improvement program, the unified Planning Work Program and then also various studies. Beyond that, we start getting into some of the programs and activities that MPO staff engages in, uh, with transit coordination, uh, production of office documents and then the staff actions that may or may not occur on to produce those items.

00:16:19,630	It culminates with the final products of task 101 and then a schedule and completion date which includes a table or a chart for a required work products for the next 2 years, the tip, the UPWP and then also the MTP that will eventually be adopted in 2029. Are there any questions on task 101.

00:16:44,230	And by the way, as far as the budgeting amounts will get into that portion in the budgeting worksheets at the end of the document. Will Kim on pages 20, I guess 28. There’s a list of activities that you have listed for staff to do.

00:17:05,170	Are those, um, specific to this UPWP or are they just general things that the staff do, uh, at any given year on any given time. Thinks, well, yes, uh, these are general activities, as I said, which may or may not occur necessarily in coordination with, uh, the, the activities and programs that are involved with the, uh, NPO and this particular work program. Anything else? OK. Well, we’ll move on to task 102.

00:17:31,830	This is probably the one of, um, the highest interest uh to everybody. Uh, this is our professional services and vendors consultants task, uh, we know this one kind of, uh, informally as our studies task, the purpose is to provide for studies, data purchases, or professional services that address specific transportation concerns and impact the NPO’s Metropolitan Transportation plan, transportation

00:17:56,300	improvement program, or MPO planning processes. We do have the present status, which basically shows um where we’re at in our studies, what we have ongoing right now and what we expect to conclude by the end of the year. Um, then we move into our proposed work for years 2026 and 2027.

00:18:19,230	The proposed work is being shown in the following tables. Uh, these tables are designed so that you can quickly see at a glance what’s occurring in each of the years. It will provide the project name, a brief description of what that project entails.

00:18:38,000	The total cost of the project, whatever amount was budgeted in the year that you are referring to. Um, the targeted state, uh, the targeted. Contract date or start date of the contract. And then also the anticipated date of completion. So for 2026, we have the AAC annual Master Agreement fee.

00:19:00,330	This is a 3-year agreement that will expire in December of 2027, the annual cost for this is $10,000 so, uh, 10,000 has been budgeted in budgeted in 206 for that. The next item is a study associated modeling. This is for any ad hoc, um, modeling study, uh, I’m sorry, modeling.

00:19:23,370	Uh, that is, is required for any of our studies that goes above and beyond the master, uh, agreement, um, there is a typo in this, uh, the total project cost is shown as 20,000. That should be $27,295 because that is the amount that is budgeted for 2026 as well. Um, of course, these, um, modeling.

00:19:49,430	Um, activities are addressed through addendums to the master agreement and so the targeted start dates, uh, vary by need, as do the dates of completion. The next the next anticipated uh study that we have on page 33 of the packet is the 2025 fringe Area Road master plan update.

00:20:18,770	Uh, this would be a comprehensive update of the Fringeer Roadmaster plan, uh, we’re anticipating a budget of $180,000 for that overall $132,705 with that would fall into 2026 with a September October start date and a completion date of 1231-26. The transit development plan will be updated as well.

00:20:52,030	This will be a comprehensive review of transit services, uh, and that also has a $180,000 total budget with 900, or I’m sorry,,,, $99,338 falling into your 2026. We anticipate kicking that off in January of 26 and concluding it in May of 27.

00:21:14,770	We’re looking at uh performing a mandan signalized intersection analysis, pilot project, uh, where AA will use existing detection technologies on up to 5 signalized intersections in the city of Mandan to collect 15 minute, uh, turning movement counts and average stop bar speeds on a 24/7 365 basis, the total cost for this project is 45,000 with $32,000 of that, uh, being expended. Hopefully in 2026, we’ll kick that off right away at the beginning of the year, and that will conclude in June of 27.

00:21:37,370	We’re also looking at a passenger rail station sighting study to evaluate the feasibility of potential passenger rail terminal facility locations in the MPO region that does have an overall budget of $225,000 with half of it or $112,500 falling in 2026. Uh, we do anticipate having that begin in June of 26 and concluding in July of 27.

00:22:04,530	The NPO is, uh, going to be conducting a parking constrained areas study on behalf of the cities of Bismarck and Modan to evaluate specific areas in the community that have limited parking availability and then examine um projected demand and alternatives to address, uh, those, uh those parking demands, which may be um inclusive of

00:22:32,300	micro mobility options on-street parking. man management scheduling, pedestrian and bicycle improvements. There’s a $180,000 budget anticipated for this as well with all $180,000 occurring in 2026, beginning early 26 and concluding by the end of the year. Uh, that does conclude the table for the 2026, uh, work.

00:22:58,130	Products, um, as far as studies, data acquisition, um, Are there any questions or comments on what’s been presented with those. OK, we’ll move into 2027. Uh, Again, we have our, our standard annual master agreement fee subscription at $10,000 in 27 total cost 27 budget, it is also 10,000.

00:23:30,530	We would also anticipate having um study associated modeling, uh, expenditures set aside in the amount of $20,000 for 27. And then the conclusion of the transit development plan would take place in 2027. Again, that total budget is 180,000 but only 81,000 of it would be expended in 27, uh, with that concluding honor about May 31st.

00:23:58,900	The mand then signalized intersection analysis, um, would conclude also in 2027, An or about June 30th, um, and the portion that would be expended in that year is 13,000 of the total 45,000 budget.

00:24:28,700	The passenger rail station sighting study, um, as I had previously mentioned falls squarely 50% in 26, 50% in 27, so $112,500 is budgeted in 207 with an expected completion date of July 31st. We will be uh pursuing a socioeconomic data purchase in the year of 2027.

00:24:51,230	Uh, this would include SE data such as household and employment information and then once purchased, uh, the data is refined by MPO staff for use in the update of the travel demand model where anticipating a cost of $5000 total for this, and that will all be expended in 27. We’re hoping that this will be complete by October 20. 7.

00:25:11,830	The travel demand model update will begin in year 2027, uh, AAC will update and refine the Bismarck Mandan MPO TDM for use in the travel demand model socioeconomic update, which is the precursor to the update on our MTP, um, again, this will be handled through addendums to the AA master agreement, and that will outline all of the scope and the fees that are uh included and necessary with this, um.

00:25:34,370	This may be a moving target, and so we wanted to make sure that we had sufficient budget for this, and we did put the total project cost at $60,000 to all be performed in 2027. Also anticipated for year 2027 is the Morton County, Morton County Future land use plan and map.

00:25:58,930	This would look at key land use components including development, density, topography, and location influence, um, because those items can very strongly impact essential transportation planning factors such as street access, design, traffic patterns, and traffic volumes.

00:26:21,000	Uh, these, these factors determine future traffic modes, and they’ll be evaluated to produce of future land use map that will guide decision making at the county and regional levels regarding future growth and development, and then to refine existing zoning districts and using that map that will better lend itself to orderly growth, development, and future transportation planning, especially for use in the update of the Metropolitan Travel demand model and the. Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The total budget for this particular project is $150,000.

00:26:50,730	We anticipate $76,700 of that occurring in 2027, um, that would begin in June of 27 and conclude in June of 2028. And finally we have the travel demand model in socioeconomic update and 2030, 20, 2055 Metropolitan Transport transportation plan combined study, um, this would be similar to the combined study that we have just recently

00:27:21,700	completed for our MTP. It’s a standard update of the travel demand model and socioeconomic, um, and then that leads into the 2030, 2055 Mitch. Politan Transportation Plan, we’re looking at a budget of $550,000 for this combined study total and $45,000 of that would be expended in 2027 as we would just be getting that kicked off.

00:27:47,300	Uh, for the TDMSE, we would be looking at adoption, uh, or approval in April of 2028, and then, uh, we would move right into the MTP update with adoption taking place by December of 2029. Following these tables, we do have a list of final products, um.

00:28:16,700	Obviously task 102 is exclusive to contractual obligations, uh, the final projects are listed as the 2025 fringeer Road master plan, the parking constrained areas study Mandan signalized intersection analysis study transit development Plan, passenger rail station sighting study, the Morton County Future land use plan map in 2028, the TDMSC in 2028 and And then the final report presentation and

00:28:45,000	adoption of the MTP in 2029. Uh, the schedule and completion date is, uh, further outlined at the very end of the, uh, paragraph or at the end of the page, excuse me, are there any questions on the proposed 2027 projects. Or data purchases.

00:29:07,370	Morton County is that technically an update or is it gonna be uh a new plan, um. Yeah, they, they currently have a land. They do, they do, uh, in fact, the MPO performed that in 2015, so it would. I’m not really sure. It, it will be a whole new plan, uh, yeah. Any other questions? OK. Well, thank you.

00:29:29,870	Uh, we’ll move into task 103, which is capital operational and travel expenses, um, obviously, you know, we need to provide for the operational expenses and capital investments that are necessary to carry out the transportation planning process, these expenses will ensure that the MPO staff have a secure work site, adequate resources to perform the work and

00:29:49,500	opportunity to increase or maintain proficiency within their positions. Uh, we talk about the, um, the space that. The MPO occupies. We talked about training opportunities. We talk about, uh, you know, different items that are necessary to carry out day to day operations within the MPO through this section. Um, and, um, also we do.

00:30:15,830	Indicate that the city of Bismarck as our hosting agency does not have an indirect cost allocation plans, so they do not charge the NPO for indirect costs that it might be an item of note, um, the proposed work is that task 103 is divided into four categories which align with the city of Bismarck’s accounting

00:30:34,300	system. Uh, we, we divide those into rental space, lodging and associated travel expenses, office operations, office supplies and subscription. So again, quite broad category. but they work, um, very well for us in this, in this regard.

00:30:55,170	Uh, these are broke down further on the UPWP budget tables that we will be getting to in just a moment. Um, the final 3 paragraphs indicate the final products, schedule and completion date. And then, um, a note that all capital purchases will be conducted in accordance with the procurement policies set forth by the city of Bismarck and North Dakota, DOT.

00:31:16,500	Any questions on task 103? OK. Task 104 A again tests 104 is for complete streets tracking only and what that means is that with any uh. Uh, pre-identified staff time conducted for, uh, oh, for instance, the Bismarck Mandan MPO bike and subcommittee, um, facilitation or um any any study, um, components that are directly relatable to the safe and accessible transportation

00:31:50,700	options set aside. We need a means to track those items to basically, um, pull that allocation amount out of our staff time, um, general category or out of the studies general category so that we can ensure that we are tracking this money accurately.

00:32:18,000	And the reason for that is that, um, the safe and accessible transportation options set aside, um. Is uh or regulated by the bipartisan infrastructure law or the BIL, um, also known as Aja or the infrastructure investment and Jobs Act. This was a 2021, um, enactment that includes a set aside for increasing safe and accessible transportation options.

00:32:46,770	This set aside requires states and metropolitan planning organizations to dedicate a minimum of 2.5% of their metro. planning or PL funds to activities that improve transportation options for peoples of all ages and abilities, these activities are often referred to as complete streets planning.

00:33:09,170	They focus on creating safer and more accessible transportation for various modes of travel, the purpose of this requirement for the purposes of this requirement, the term complete street standards or policies means standards or policies that ensure the safe and adequate accommodation. Of all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, children, older individuals, individuals with disability, motorists, and freight vehicles.

00:33:34,370	Uh, there is more information that is provided in this section, uh, which has been extended from previous versions of the UPWP uh to talk about the BIL and the. Safe and accessible transportation options set aside.

00:33:57,770	Now we know that the BIL is effective through September 30th, 2026, at which time it is set to expire, um, and of course, we are looking at a two-year budget for 2026 and 2027. So where does that leave us for 2027. We are going to assume business as usual for year 2027, um, using the assumption that if there is new highway legislation. Uh, the, the.

00:34:21,300	Complete streets are safe and accessible transportation option set aside will be carried through in some form or fashion or um perhaps in 2027, we may be working under a continuing resolution, which is not uncommon, and so that would. That would mean that the 2 2.5% set aside would remain intact.

00:34:41,070	So we want to make sure that we are preparing for that in the event that is the case, um, and so below, we do have our complete streets funding breakdown for 2026 and 2027, um, obviously 2027 is quite subject to change.

00:35:07,170	Uh, the next page does detail, proposed work that may occur and may apply to the uh 2.5% set aside in 2026, the total would be $19,658.78 in 2027, we estimate the total to be $19,962.50 and then we do detail how that breaks down amongst our.

00:35:38,800	Studies, which studies it may apply to, uh, how much staff time dedicated to our bike ped subcommittee may fall into this category and what the final products would be for those items. Any question on task 104, which is a tracking task category only.

00:36:04,830	Not seeing or hearing any so that wraps up our narrative, um, in the body of the UPWP for our task categories, and now we’ll just move into uh the next two pages, which are the budget worksheets for our UPWP. These include everything, um, included in our budget, uh, for each of the tasks along with not only the total amount budgeted and the federal portion, but also the dictional breakdown and participation amounts for each of those items contained within the budget.

00:36:32,100	Now both of these budget worksheets were previously presented to the tac last month at the meeting, uh, all of the studies in here were based on results and input that were received from an April 14th meeting with our tech, uh, basically our jurisdictional representatives or ourA members.

00:36:55,600	Um That helped to formulate the basis for our budget, especially for our task 102, uh, the only change that I’m going to point out to you in these budgets would be for the fringe area Roadmaster plan update, um, Yeah, I don’t know. It’s a little bit small, but if you go under task 102, it is the third line down previously what was presented was a total budget.

00:37:21,770	Of 140,000 for 2026 that has been refined to $132,705 however, the local match overall within this budget does remain the same because that additional monies of 7295 was actually put into our AA, um, modeling study associated modeling task, um. Because we do feel that we will have some, some.

00:37:56,100	Additional modeling requirements that are associated with this fringeer Roadmaster plan. Uh, all of the other, uh, budgetary numbers remain as what was presented all of the totals, um, for the jurisdictions participation, uh, the total budget overall remain as what was presented last month. Are there any questions or comments on what you’re seeing here with these two budget worksheets. OK.

00:38:28,470	Again, uh, if tac recommends approval of this draft that only means that it goes to our oversight agencies for a 30 day review period, which also provides an additional 30 days for any, um, review by ac members and any, any further comments as well, so.

00:38:49,170	This will not be the last time you’re seeing this document. Uh, the final page in the document is just uh an overview map of the Bismarck Mandan MPO area. It is the planning area boundary shown in, in, uh, bold, heavy black, um, it shows our jurisdictional boundaries of, uh, for Bismarck Mandan and the City of Lincoln, um, Maybe we should have chosen

00:39:17,500	something besides white for man down, but it is what it is, um, and if there’s any questions or comments on the map, I’d be happy to take those at this time. OK, hearing and seeing none, that concludes my presentation of the draft UPWP. Any questions or comments overall? If not, I’m sorry, Ben.

00:39:41,570	That’s OK. Yeah, I had a question. So Kim, this is a kind of Back to the Future, this is, this is the way we used to have the UPWP in two-year increments, uh, and we made a recent shift to one year increments, we’re moving back

00:39:54,900	to 2 year, which I agree with and I think is a good idea. Um, maybe just an overall question with the 22 year UPWP.

00:40:10,930	Is it a rolling to your? Uh, uh, UPWP, in other words, will be adopting this every year with the year to be the new year of, of adoption or is it static for two years? Yes, thank you very much for asking that question, Ben, and I’m, I’m sorry I didn’t point that out earlier.

00:40:27,500	This is a, a rolling, um, adoption and a rolling document, so, uh, what we’re seeing here is going to come back to us as far as like 2027 estimates will come back to us next year. We’ll be looking at that whole work program and budgeting. process again, um, but with the addition of 28.

00:40:48,830	So the second year is almost acting as an illustrative, uh, year within our UPWP, but we want to make sure that we have our, our products and our programs, uh, pretty accurately identified for that outlying year so that we’re able to, um, maybe, you know, carry studies over or uh funding amounts over if they’re not used, uh, and make that particular. process more fluid, so yes, this will be coming back every year. Thanks, Ben.

00:41:08,600	Anything else? I would just say, uh, on top of that, it does provide an an additional um uh buffer in case for whatever reason you just can’t get it updated in the 2nd year, you do still have a UPWP in place that you just simply amend uh in the

00:41:23,500	future, but ideally, yeah, I think Kim’s right, the idea of having that first year as your program, 2nd year is illustra I’ve been updating that every year, so it’s gonna roll along and help with uh the contract requirements to have your projects kind of in your budget spent in one year, but we, um,

00:41:38,030	you could have a project carry over into the next year and I have to have it in December. 31st of every single year, so this works a lot better I think. Thank you for your comments, Will.

00:41:57,700	Anything else? OK, if there are no other comments, uh, staff would be looking for a motion to recommend approval by the policy board of the draft UPWP. This is Ben, I would move approval of the 2627 UPWPS presented Ben. I have a motion to recommend approval. Is there a second? This jerker, thank you for seconding. Roll call please, Tracy. Ben Ereth. Dan Trio Yes.

00:42:28,700	Deidre Hughes? Yes Loretta Marshak. Yes Jarek Wigness. John Saki. Yes Logan Visy Yes. Will Hutchings Yes. And Chair Ripple, yes. The motion is approved. Thank you very much. Uh, we’ll move on to item number 3.

00:43:07,570	Which is the 2025 Unified Planning Work program amendment, and that is exhibit B on page 43 of your packet, I believe Steven was sharing that screen for us as well. OK. Thank you so much, uh, this particular item is Amendment number 1 to the 2025 unified planning work program. For the Bismarck Mandan MPO, uh, this is an amendment to task 102, which is our studies.

00:43:40,870	It is for the fringe area Road master plan study, uh, the fringe area Roadmaster plan. Uh, is programmed for 2025 already. Uh, it’s in there with a study budget of $88,500 and it was originally scoped to be a very light review of the fringe area of road roadway alignments identified in the 2014 Fring Jerry Roadmaster plan with the evaluation of pre-identified

00:44:07,430	hotspots or areas of current or anticipated growth and development, that does not change with this amendment. However, the MPO jus fictional partners, uh, expressed a desire to conduct a comprehensive update to the fringeer Roadmaster plan road roadway alignments, um, and to the plan overall and then also to examine a beltway concept

00:44:30,970	that was included in the 2014 Fring Jerry Roadmaster plan for potential modification or elimination in future planning documents. So, uh, the proposed changes identify uh uh changes to the study scope along with a higher cost estimate for the hotspot evaluation that came in a little higher than what we

00:44:53,370	were originally estimating, uh, and then also there is an increase to the budget of 92,500 for, um, the additional scope items which comes to a total amount of 181,000. Additionally, the estimated time to complete.

00:45:17,830	The study will increase from approximately 8 months to approximately 12 months, and this will involve extensive public engagement opportunities throughout. Uh, there will be no cost increase or budgetary impacts realized in 2025. Any kind of impact to the budget would all be addressed in 2026, and that is listed in the 2026, 2027 UPWP draft document.

00:45:52,100	The maximum amount of $47,295 that is available in the, um, 2025 UPWP for the fringe area Roadmaster plan remains fixed, so there is no budgetary increase in 2025. The amendment is to include a a total study cost to increase to 181,000 along with increased to scope and completion time for the study.

00:46:15,030	Uh, are there any questions on this amendment? Or comments. OK, if not, staff would be looking for a recommendation of approval of Amendment 1 to the 2025 Unified Planning Work program. Would there be such a motion? Says Chris, I’ll move. Oh, motioned by Chris Holzer, thank you. Is there a second? This is Jarek I second. Jarek Witness 2. Thank you.

00:46:49,770	Any further discussion? Rocalvo, please. Ben Erath, yes. Dawn Treo. Yes. Uh, Deidre Hughes? Yes, Chris Holzer. Yes. Loretta Marshak, yes. Jarek Wigness, yes. John Saki Yes. Logan Bay. Yes. Will Hutchings. Yes. And Charipple. Yes The recommendation for approval for Amendment 1 to the 2025 UPWP passes. Moving on to item number 4 on the agenda.

00:47:34,100	It is the Fringeria Roadmaster plan request for proposals and St Stephen Larson will be presenting that information to us. I very much. OK, I’m gonna have to present from there, the mouse is not working on the screen. All right. My apologies, uh, for the technical difficulties there, um.

00:48:24,700	I will just present from my seat here, uh, in your packet is a request for proposals for an update to our fringe area Road master plan or farm P, uh, which you’ve already heard a lot about, uh, through Kim’s presentations.

00:48:49,830	So the last update took place in 2014, the farm pea assists the MPO’s jurisdictions in planning the arterial and collector road network necessary to support known and anticipated residential and commercial development on the fringes of their communities. So this update will incorporate all approved amendments made to the plan since its adoption.

00:49:15,400	Adopt or excuse me, evaluate several hotspots within the fringe area road network identified by the NPO’s jurisdictions, examined the functionality of the north-south roads currently labeled as a potential beltway in the existing farm pea. And provide a comprehensive look at the NPO’s overall fringe area road network. There are challenges in both the natural and the built environment. In planning future roadways. Addressing these challenges is one of the primary goals for this update.

00:49:36,900	And the final updatedharMP will continue as a living document to assist the jurisdictions in planning for future development and roadway expansions by showing potential new road connections within the existing network.

00:49:58,730	So within the RFP itself and some of you have already had a chance to get eyes on it, but we kind of have an estimated schedule, uh, for, uh, proposals, uh, interviews, and the update itself, uh, as well as, of course, uh, extensive space to talk about the objective and scope of work for the update.

00:50:19,570	Um, I will also mention that uh we have the public involvement plan for the update will involve at least 2 meetings with the public on both sides of the river. And that the update has a not to exceed budget of 181,000, which, as you already know, some of this is already in our 2025 unified planning work program, approximately 47,000, and the remainder of that budget would be expended in 2026, um, the project as previously mentioned,

00:50:41,970	was originally envisioned as a light update to the farm P. With a budget of 88,500, um, but discussions with our jurisdictions about their concerns led to a decision to pursue this more significant update. So, uh, currently I have an estimated proposal deadline of August 22nd.

00:51:07,030	This can be adjusted if, uh, approvals of the UPWP amendment allow, uh, the MPO hopes to start work on the project around October of this year, uh, with the update scheduled to conclude by the end of 2026. Um, So at this time, I would take any questions the board may have for me on this RFP. Curable. Yes, well.

00:51:27,930	Yes, Steven, could you, um, detail a little bit more about what is meant by the interviews to be either in person or remotely, and the reason for my questioning is, uh, from my experience in the consulting world, they like to typically know um what kind of costs are gonna be associated with the interview and the procurement for, uh, responding

00:51:44,600	to any uh RFPs they find and so, you know, whether they travel or or not, it’s going to definitely have an impact on their overall uh break even point for these kind of studies, so, um.

00:52:01,030	Can you just detail a little bit more? Yeah, so that’s kind of the been the standard from previous RFPs is that we allow for both, so we’ll typically hold a, a meeting location that is friendly to either virtual or in person. So if it is cost effective for the consultant to attend in person, then great, but otherwise we certainly accept the, the virtual uh interview format. OK, great.

00:52:18,130	Thanks. Any other questions for Steven on the RFP? OK. Uh, one note, um, regarding this RFP. We do have the uh approval for the budget to be extended into 2026, um, provided that policy board does approve that tomorrow at their meeting, uh, with tax recommendation, then

00:52:47,430	we will be set to um. Basically issue the RFP for this, however, final approval of that amendment comes through our federal oversight, so we won’t be able to enter into any contract negotiations is my understanding until such federal oversight approval is received on that UPWP amendment, correct, Will? That, that’s correct, generally.

00:53:13,570	I did speak with, um, uh, senior staff at DOT, and he said that in the past they have kind of brought it forward, so I, I have forwarded on your amendments uh for a review at this time, so. Awesome thank you. Any other questions or comments on the RFP? Right.

00:53:36,030	If not, uh, staff would be looking for an approval of the RFP or a recommendation of approval, excuse me, of the RFP. Is there any motion to recommend approval of the fringeer Roadmaster plan RFP. This is Jericho recommend approval of the. Farm P, uh, RFP. Thank you, J Jarek. I have a motion by Jarek Witness.

00:54:06,070	Is there a second? This is Chris. I’ll second. Thank you, Chris. First in a second, uh, any further discussion? If not, please call the roll, Tracy. Ben Ereth, yes. Dan Trio Dan Trio? OK Um, Deidre Hughes? We’re not on. OK, we’ll continue, uh, Chris Holzer. Yes Loretta Marshak Yes Jarek Wigness, yes. John Sackie Mine too, um. Logan By Yes.

00:55:04,100	Will Hutchings? Yes. OK, and OK Now to see if your microphones, is it, you guys are sharing one over there? Yeah, apparently, um, uh, Federal Highway isn’t hearing, uh, anything. You guys just presented, so.

00:55:50,570	Um It’s OK, um, just a Dere on her running here, um, all the details parts of it came through, but It was the main microphone at the front when Steven was going through the RFP we couldn’t hear anything. It was really garbled. Yeah, he actually didn’t present from the podium though, so. Are you able to hear me on this one? Yeah, I can’t hear Tracy either when she was calling roll call. OK.

00:56:08,200	this one. So can you hear Tracy now? Uh, can you hear me now? Maybe try it now. OK, how about now? Can you hear it now? Oh no How it should be set up. I don’t. I go up to the podium and try it. OK. She OK.

00:58:32,970	Dawn Treat, can you hear me? Can you hear me now? Microphones are going, but they’re not coming. Dawn, Deirdre, John Saki. No. Sounds good. OK. Can I have one of you just continually test the mic. One of you on Zoom. Uh, sure. We can, I can still hear you. Can you still hear us? Yes. Perfect. OK. Dan Trio? Yes, Here. OK. Deidre Hughes? Yes.

00:59:28,370	And John Sai. Yes. Thank you. Thank you for your patience and for your votes. OK, I came through loud and clear, um, so the RFP for the farm P, uh, has been recommended for approval to the policy board.

00:59:55,570	Item number 5 on the agenda is the public transportation agency safety plan or PTASP and its targets, Paulette Jacobson will be presenting that for us today. Thank you, Chair Ripple. And we’ll share a screen.

01:00:19,130	Steven will help with that and uh page, I believe it’s 63 exhibit D in the packets is a resolution of support for bizman Transit’s public transportation agency safety plan or PETAS, and its associated safety targets. The Federal Transit Administration or FTA requires public transportation operators to develop a PTAs and accompanying safety targets to ensure its operators and the public remain safe during transit operations. The transit board adopts or updates these targets and the PAs on an annual basis.

01:00:42,130	The targets may be set by a State Department of Transportation and adopted by local transit providers or the transit provider may set their own safety targets separately. And for 2025, 2026, Bisman Transit has set its own safety targets and adopted them in May. FDA asks that MPO support Bizan Transit Safety.

01:01:09,930	Excuse me, safety targets NP test, which is why MPO staff is requesting the board adopt the resolution of support. Any questions? Any questions for Paulette on the PTA resolution resolution of support. If not, we would be looking for a motion to recommend approval of the resolution. This is Jarek so moved. Ja quickness. Moved to approve. Is there a second? This is Deirdre’s 2nd. Deidre Hughes 2nd.

01:01:41,500	Is there any further discussion? If not, please call the roll. Ben Erath. Stann Trio? Yes. Deirdre Hughes? Yes, Chris Holzer, Loretta Marshak. Yes Jarek Wigness, yes. John Sai Yes. Logan By. Will Hutchings, yes, and Che Ripple, yes, motion is approved. Moving on to item number 6 in the packet. It is the Bismarck Mandan MPO self-certification.

01:02:21,400	Stephen will be presenting that item for us. Thank you. Um, this is exhibit E in your packet, the Bismarck Mand Dan MPO Self-certification is something required by United States Code. We must certify our planning documents and processes are being carried out in accordance with federal law.

01:02:42,300	So tax and policy board approved our most recent self-certification in May of this year. However, the MPO has since received guidance from the Federal Highway Administration and NDDOT requiring the complete removal of references to equal employment statutes in the document rescinded by a recent executive order, so that we have updated the self-certification.

01:03:07,170	to this guidance and that is included in the packet, there were no other changes made. From the approved, uh, May copy, uh, are there any, uh, questions on this from the board. for Stephen on the self-serve, Ben. I had a question. Yeah, Steven, you referenced uh uh sort of a comment or more of a question that I was gonna get to you know several of us received.

01:03:30,230	Letters from uh USDOT Secretary. Stating the removal of certain phrases and words from documents, NPOs, produce, um, I think I know the answer to this, but I’ll just, I just want to ask to confirm. I think when we’ve asked in the past if the disadvantaged business enterprise element. should be included.

01:03:52,230	I, I think the answer was, we’re not sure, but we, we, we, we haven’t heard whether to take it out or not yet, uh, I, I just want to confirm that we feel comfortable with that disadvantaged enterprise, uh, element being incorporated into the self certification, yes, uh, but I double check with Will, I guess.

01:04:11,030	I, I would concur with that at this time if there’s an update, um, we don’t really anticipate that it’s gonna be a heavy hand coming down on any NPOs or or any agency receiving federal funds, it’ll be more kind of a notice, you need to correct this at a future time,

01:04:23,730	so even if it gets in there and it’s over, and then like a month later that changes, you won’t have to go back and adopt your document, right, or amend your document right away to correct and align with that just on the next update or amendment cycle. Yeah. Mm-hmm question.

01:04:38,300	Any other question for Steven? And staff would be looking for a motion to approve a recommend approval of the updated self-certification, and this would be included in our updated tip. Is there any such motion? This is Ben, I would move to approve as presented. This is the second.

01:05:02,000	Uh, well, I guess, OK, I guess we’ve got Deidre as a second, um, any further discussion? If not roll call, please. Ben Ereth Yes. Dan Trio Yes. Deidre Hughes? S. Chris Holzer. Yes. Loretta Marshak, yes. Jarek Wigness, yes. John Sai Yes. Logan By Yes. Will Hutchings, and Chair Ripple, yes, the motion is approved. Thank you.

01:05:39,430	Item number 7 on the agenda is the 2025 safety policy study, Luke Champa with SRF. Are you still with us? Yes, I am. Great, thank you for hanging in there with us. Yes, no problem. Uh. Can everyone hear me all right? Uh, you’re a little low in volume. Yeah, just my phone. Yeah.

01:06:20,130	Oh Are you still with us, Luke? It looked like we were having some problems with the internet potentially there. I’m. Yeah OK, now we can’t hear you. Uh Can heard online, just not in. Uh Sounds like it. Yeah, we’re not getting you here, Luke. It was suggested maybe you, maybe if you turn your camera off, it might improve.

01:07:04,830	Um, And you mean Still sounds really good online. Um. in the room then. Uh Yeah, we’re really not getting anything in the room. I don’t know if it’s our audio here? testing. Well, we heard that if you could give us a sentence or the alphabet, we’ll see if we can, A B E F G.

01:07:51,300	H I J K. It, it sounds better. OK. All right. Um Or I start that quick and uh. Thank you, Chair Ripple. And members, um, Just a quick. On the safety paul study. busy putting together. We’ve been, been doing Um, engagement summaries. of the safety analysis. presented our June 20.

01:08:32,900	Committee meeting. Re Some of the more And Um, and working on Uh Uh, reaching our school, yep. I’m not, I’m not too sure about this. I wonder.

01:09:01,770	Um You know, cause I understand what you’re saying because I can fill in the blanks, but I’m not sure about everybody else, so I wonder if it would help to um, I jump off and then try to reestablish a, a new, let me, you know what we can do, we could move forward with the title 6 update and let you go ahead and do that and then we can come back to item number 7.

01:09:22,030	Would that be? Agreeable to you? Sounds good. OK, thanks, Luke. All right, Steven, sorry to put you on the spot, but You’re ready with the title 6 update, we’ll jump to item number 8. OK, thank you, Chair Ripple. So, um, I will be sharing screen from the laptop over there, uh, for the Title 6 update, um.

01:10:20,300	So exhibit F in your packet contains the updated Title 6 plan, the MPO as a recipient of federal funding is required to have a Title 6 and nondiscrimination ADA plan.

01:10:40,500	Uh, the Title 6 program is in place to ensure the NPO takes all necessary steps to prevent unlawful discrimination and its programs, services and activities. We do a self audit of the Title 6 plan each year and make appropriate updates based on this. This year only minor routine changes were made to the document, including updates to dates, complaint forms, the goals and accomplishments, and the demographics of the MPO’s boards and staff members.

01:11:01,330	Um, the MPO also updated the demographics supporting the limited English proficiency plan, and I want to specifically call it the Title 6 maps that are included at the end of the document, uh, showing the locations of our 25 tip projects against relevant populations in the MPO area? And the demographic profile and analysis section of the plan.

01:11:24,330	Um, because the changes made to the plan were minor in nature, no action is required from the board on this. Apart from signature by the policy board chair on the policy statement and assurances tomorrow.

01:11:44,070	Uh, does anybody have any questions on this? Any questions for Steven on the Title 6, Ben, Steven I’m old school. I printed my my agenda out. I like to write on things and hold things, I guess, but uh the maps you’re referencing, they don’t necessarily have titles associated with them.

01:12:01,630	There’s just different colors and concentrations of, of things, would, would you mind just kind of discussing what some of the maps meant. Oh yes Um, give me just one second.

01:12:58,230	Oh Oh Yeah, I appreciate you mentioning that, Ben, so there should be a screen share on Zoom right now for them to the maps, but I do note that there was a typo that I did not catch that you’re correct, the maps are not titled correctly, so I will have to make an update, but essentially what it’s showing is, uh, first, a map of our current 25 tip projects, and then that’s overlaid against uh population. OK. There it is. So sorry. Uh, I can pull these up real quick for you guys, um. And Yeah.

01:13:39,900	Here we go. OK. So yeah, this map here is the 25 tip projects, um. currently programmed, and then we have an overlaid, it is, uh, population in poverty, uh, overlay based on census data, uh, minority populations based on census data. We have the E uh elderly population.

01:14:08,770	And then Population in poverty and so these are standard maps that are just updated annually, uh, based on, obviously the projects in our tip and then census data, we pull from in order to create these maps, um. And so that is one of the largest, we, oh, I’m neglected to mention we also have a map, uh.

01:14:30,100	Addressing limited English proficiency populations as well, so, uh, I will make sure to update the titles, uh, in the document before we put it online, uh, but yes, that’s what, uh, each of those maps are addressing. Thank you, Steven. It was, it was operator error on my part.

01:14:46,100	I did not print to the appropriate scale I should have so everybody online can probably see him just fine. Thank you. Thanks and any other questions for Stephen on the Title 6 update. I guess not. Thank you very much, Steven. We are going to go backwards in time on our agenda. We’ll move back to item number 7.

01:15:11,170	Luke, are you with us? Uh. There Um And Hurt. Are you Kristian, can you hear Luke? Can you hear us online Kim, I can hear Kristian, and I heard you coming through that time, but before you weren’t coming through, but maybe every other syllable. Is it better now? now. OK. if it gets unclear again.

01:15:58,730	Uh OK, um, thank you, Chair Ripple Ta just wanna. In the policy study in June we uh in public engagement summary. And Uh, uh The analysis, including a crash. Yeah. I’ll.

01:16:45,770	So what about the uh how do we handle that? We want an update to our, our members, um, many of our members were at the steering committee meeting in June. However, um, I mean, I don’t know if it’s coming through to the public then through DMA. Um This is awkward, Luke, because the folks online apparently can hear you just fine, but we can’t hear you in the room, hardly at all, so, um.

01:17:13,430	I guess You would give a much better update. I’m sure you would provide a better update to, to our folks who are listening, um, either online or at home. I, I could give something very briefly, um, and then let you go ahead and fill in if that seems. Like it would be acceptable. I OK.

01:17:36,600	Probably, probably the best. All right, um, would you be willing to then give an update to the folks online once I’ve given something that’s just super briefly here. Sure. OK, sounds good.

01:18:04,170	Uh, so we are an exhibit F in the packet, page 73 that, uh, is a progress report provided by SRF for the 2025 safety policy study. Um, it was a really busy month, uh, with the. The uh Safety analysis, um, uh, well, first of all, the high injury network methodology was formulated and um established and presented to our steering committee members, um, the high injury Network helped to.

01:18:38,470	Um, address areas of primary concern, um, that we’re presenting safety issues across our region. Um, also a very in-depth look was taken, um. As part of the um Safety analysis, uh, draft, um, so that.

01:19:09,770	That entailed crash trend summaries of I think it was about 48 different um categories or um uh scenarios, I guess uh within that report, so that was um quite a substantial document for our steering committee to review, um, also, we had some, uh, public engagement activities that were uh being culminated and um compiled. So our subconsultant on the project established some key themes from the public engagement that occurred uh through April and May. Uh, those key themes were provided through a report, uh, and again.

01:19:40,230	acted as materials provided to the steering committee. The steering committee met on June 26th. They went through the crash trend summary memo, um, that was the result of the safety data analysis, they also went through the high injury network, its methodology, um, and what resulted from that along with the key themes report, um, basically we were

01:20:09,800	looking at whether uh steering committee members thought that there were anyprising, uh, statistics or any surprising data that was kind of rising to the top, um, also wondering if there were some key issues that they wanted to take a little deeper dive into.

01:20:31,630	There were several items that were noted throughout the um, the meeting, um, as well as some items that We desired to be updated on the web app, which is the interactive map for the Bismarck Man and MPO area, um.

01:20:56,030	That has many different layers on it whereby folks can click into that and um see some of those crash trends and some of those, um, statistics and individual data. Points, so I don’t have um the meeting summary with me in front of me, um, to, to share some of those, um, ideas where the steering committee wanted to dig in a little bit deeper, but maybe Luke has some of that and we can actually hear some of that

01:21:18,530	right now we are at about uh 44% complete with this study, so, um, this is, this is really getting into the kind of the, the Have you lift analysis part of it, um. And then I’ll let Luke go ahead and provide his report and maybe we can hear. The general outline of that.

01:21:43,500	Kim, yeah, for Um, I’m sharing on my screen. Yes in committee. Notes, I just wanted to share some of the actions, um, we will be reaching out to local admission or administrators, uh, to coordinate on safety education. And then uh we will be revising the key themes report.

01:22:14,000	And Also ensuring there is consistency between Pies of light. Versus traffic light, there’s a little there in the comments. For safety analysis goes, we have updated the web app that really, uh, thank you. Holes are, I mean, a link to the annual Traf report and uh from 8, we wanted to compare.

01:22:39,630	The we were seeing with severe crashes in the With, uh, you know, normal so um we’re getting to that. And then we will. Boats crashes, work zone. She’s No graphics in particular for bike. We You know, taking our deeper dive, these Uh, you know, summary conclude paragraph to that trend.

01:23:28,730	mean Um We, we did make Uh, adjustments? I’m gonna share that quickly. Foremost We’ve reorganized it. Comments, so you’ll be able to see. Um Is You actually can click on these now. In Um Other comment It For example, now you can. Um, and see what other.

01:24:17,770	It I think most importantly, Or We got a crashpoint data for I am Um, so if I were to go Because I’ll turn on all modes. It was See the crash points that are contributing to those. It uh. Uh, I in the High injury network.

01:24:47,230	And really we wanna give We want to give members a little more time with this, uh, to provide feedback in particular, Um, we are looking for Things like key sections were big, uh, good example is Um and Express Where And Added a comment. As such here. So, and Um To particular that we’re locations and, and seeing what’s going on there. And Um I will say, please take a look at things. Your bicycle, high injury network.

01:25:26,230	Bicycle Crash You’ll to see Um, where these are current. And potentially, you know, why these things are on the high network. Um Oh yeah It’s about the update, our next And our analysis memos for conversation on. And then, um, Into a safety countermeasures based on based on results. Um And starting to think about how we’re going to the decision.

01:26:06,230	Well, like Nat well. Uh, to help select the measures. For both urban and rural. Our meeting is jurisdictions, uh, like From decision making tool. Oh And uh happy to. Any answers to any questions that might OK, thank you, Luke.

01:26:44,670	Are there any questions for Luke? Either from folks in the room or online? OK Well, thank you very much, Luke, for, um, Hanging in there with our technical difficulties and accommodating this kind of um revised format. Thank you for being flexible. We will move on to item number 9 on the agenda. It is a 2025 monitoring report update with Stephen Larsson.

01:27:12,430	Thank you, Chair, um, just this one’s really quick, uh, the MPO and HDR have finished reviewing the information collected at the performance measure workshop held with jurisdictional staff in May.

01:27:33,300	We have begun to outline the new monitoring report document and the next several months we’ll focus on collecting the data needed to support the document and on drafting the document itself, we are on track to complete by year end. Um, any questions? Any questions for Steven on the monitoring report? And seen. OK, thanks, Steven. We’re gonna keep you up there for a while. 225 highway safety improvement program and transportation alternatives funding programs.

01:27:59,970	Yeah, so I will note that this also includes urban grants program, which we just received word on from DOT. So yes, the, uh, this is exhibit I in your packets, uh, that’s basically just provides a summary of the projects that our jurisdictions submitted last year. Let me see if I can make that come up here at the podium. OK. OK Yes.

01:28:34,130	OK, so yes, beginning with the highway safety improvement program. The Ampel solicited for fiscal year 2029 in the fall of last year, and we received one application from the city of Bismarck for a roundabout at Jaegan Road and Lincoln Road.

01:28:54,500	So we recently received a word from DOT that this project has been approved for funding, so the NPO wanted to inform the jurisdictions of that, and we’re should be able to include this project in our upcoming tip. The transportation alternatives program for FY 27.

01:29:24,300	We solicited for that last year as well, received 5 applications, tack and policy boards sent these projects prioritized to DOT for consideration. Our top priority project was the Highway 1806 pedestrian trail project in Mandan. Second was Sunrise Trail Connection in Bismarck.

01:29:50,500	The 3rd priority we had was 3rd Street Southeast sidewalk installation project in Mandan, 4th priority was the memorial Highway pedestrian ramp realignment project in Mandan and our last priority was the State Street multi-use trail rehab project in Bismarck. So this was policy boards, final prioritization based on tax recommendation last year. And we received word from DOT that our 2nd and 3rd priority projects. So that would be the Sunrise Trail Connection Project in Bismarck and the 3rd Street Southeast sidewalk installation project in Mandan have been approved for funding.

01:30:13,430	Um, so that would be FY 27 funds for TA. And finally, under urban grants program, we, uh, Received word, um, that. We were, uh, for FY 2028, uh, we received two applications last year for this urban grants year, um, and neither of our projects unfortunately the main avenue reconstruction project in

01:30:41,670	Bismarck or the Downtown Phase 2 reconstruction project in Man and were selected for funding this time around, it appears that other communities were awarded funding in our stead, so, uh, are there any questions from the boards? Any questions regarding HSIP TA or Urban grant programs for Steven? OK.

01:31:00,970	Thank you very much. Next we have number 11 is the 2025 2028 tip administrative modifications. Yes, very simple, uh, this month we processed two administrative modifications to our current 25 to 28 tip. These modifications move to projects, 1, a memorial bridge project and won a Downtown Mandan reconstruction project from FY 2025 to FY 2026.

01:31:31,900	Are the details of each project are listed in exhibit J of your packets. Are there any questions? Any questions on our administrative modifications to the 2025, 2028 tip. No, thank you very much, Steven. Appreciate it. uh, we’ll have a roadway projects, uh, update with our jurisdictions.

01:31:57,100	John, Psyche, are you still with us online? is out west. Mm I’m gonna try that again. Sure. Well, hopefully everybody online heard. Uh, John Psyche is update for Morton County, uh I’ve got I think I indirect way, um, John spoke, he said he has no update uh for all the projects that are out West are occurring right now.

01:32:50,930	OK, well, we have Dan Shrio online as well for Burley County. I wonder if. Dan dropped off. OK, well. Let’s move on to the City of Mandan perhaps. Jack.

01:33:18,630	Um, the only active project really right now is our RFP project, um, the crossing on Main Street at 2nd Avenue Northwest was completed, and I believe that the other three locations are progressing. Pretty well right now. Sounds good. All right, thanks Jarek. How about City of Bismarck, Chris also? Thank you, chair. Uh, we have a South Washington Street Pro from last year, uh. Way down south from the drainage ditch down to Burleigh Avenue.

01:33:39,670	They’re just doing some. Clean up and some concrete corrections. Uh, we do have East Century Avenue project up in northeast Bismarck, uh, east of Bismarck, or uh east of Centennial Road. Uh, they’re making good progress up there, uh, we’re hoping to have the road. Uh, Roosevelt Drive intersection open before school starts.

01:34:06,700	Um And Downtown Bismarck, uh 3rd Street between Main Avenue and Bismarck Expressway. We have a CPR project going on down there. Uh, they’re working on the outside lanes right now. They’re almost finished with those, um, and then they’ll move. Uh, to work on the inside lanes. Flipflop traffic. Yeah, those are projects right now.

01:34:30,230	Those are big projects there’s stuff going on all over, so thank you, appreciate that very much. How about, uh, from North Dakota DOT district. Yeah, um, the Morrell Highway Project, they’re gonna continue paving that uh temporary road this week, but they do hope to divert some traffic onto that a

01:34:46,830	portion of that temporary road later this week. Um At the end of the week they’re hoping. Um, another thing we got tomorrow there’ll be an interstate chip seal starting on the interstate and then expressway 810 and 194, they are currently out there right now, um, setting up traffic controls to begin on

01:35:07,530	the eastbound passing lanes, um, kind of from North Dakota 25 all the way to. The Hay Creek Bridge, uh, right before Exit 161. And then, uh, they plan on doing the ramps, um, Saturday, Sunday, hopefully not have too much impact the traffic is for. Less impact the traffic if they do it over the weekend.

01:35:25,900	It’s about a 2 week project and then they plan to work over over this weekend. Sounds good. Thank you, Logan. It’s fun to see those, uh. That interchange kind of start coming together.

01:35:42,770	It didn’t look like much, you know, a year ago, right? But it’s, it’s starting to look like something that we’re going to be able to drive on, um. I think that concludes our roadway projects unless there is anything from the city of Lincoln that you would like to add, Loretta. Not at this time. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. Um, we’ll move on to other business. Does anybody have any other business they’d like to share.

01:36:06,870	Um, I’ll just note that, uh, uh, we are working on finalizing the draft step uh at this time, uh, I believe the presentations to North Dakota management, uh, on the entire draft are are occurring, uh, probably as we speak or here uh shortly in the next few days, uh, and then we anticipate that the full draft

01:36:24,770	should be out no later than the end of the month, so right, we’re looking forward to that. Thanks, Will. Any other business from any members? OK, well, I do have one item of that may be of interest. It is going to impact the tax and policy board, um, definitely, um.

01:36:51,170	In the 2025 state legislature, uh, legislature, Senate Bill 2180 was passed, and it requires cities, counties, townships, school districts, park districts, and water resource districts to include a public comment opportunity during their regular meetings. The bill also requires a political subdivision to develop a public comment policy.

01:37:15,170	Uh, so this came before the city, uh, Bismarck City Commission at their meeting on Tuesday evening of this previous week. Um, and they do have a, a policy basically that will be placed, uh, governing this public comment period. Basically, the requirements by North Dakota Century code changes mean that we will have to begin every meeting by opening uh a public comment opportunity for any.

01:37:41,370	Any persons either in person or online who would like to, um, comment on any of our agenda items either from the current meeting or from. The one previous meeting so they can go back one meeting and provide public comment or they can comment on items on the current meeting, uh, there’s all kinds

01:38:04,970	of things out there as far as uh time limits, um, the, the suggestion is to limit the time limit for public comment opportunity to 30 minutes, whether that is one individual or several, um, each one, it suggests they could have 5 minutes.

01:38:26,830	but not donate their time to anybody else, and then no matter how many people provide comment, it caps at 30 minutes, so if somebody has signed up to provide public comment, um, whether that 30 minutes time period accommodates them or not, you know. It, it doesn’t matter it’s a hard cut off.

01:38:49,100	I don’t necessarily anticipate having um an issue with the time limit at Ta and policy board, um, uh, but, um, it is something that I wanted to bring forward because this this does need to be implemented by August 1 throughout all of our political subdivisions in the state, uh, so with our meetings in August, we will begin both the attack

01:39:09,370	and the policy board meeting with the public comment. Opportunity. This does present the opportunity to amend our bylaws, um, our bylaws are not super prescriptive when it comes to our uh our meeting, you know, regulating our meetings, um, however, this, this may be something that um tacker policy board may want to consider amending into the

01:39:33,530	bylaws, and I just wanted to put that out there, um, as a, as an offer, um, it doesn’t mean that we need to do it necessarily, and we can always pursue that at a later date as well.

01:39:50,730	Are there any other comments, um, or, or questions regarding this, this action, Will Kim Rele, thanks for bringing this up. Um, I was actually going to bring this up with all the MPO directors at one of our regular check-in meetings, so you’re on, on top of it. I appreciate that.

01:40:06,500	Um, our, what were you detailing for the um the, the rules and conditions of which you must honor a public comment was that specific like to the city of Bismarck’s policy, or is that in accordance with what was passed because for some reason I was thinking. that they just had to be a public comment period and it could be at the beginning or it could be at the end, um, so it can just elaborate a little bit further.

01:40:18,400	I’m sorry if people didn’t hear me online. Yeah, so there are certain things, um, anybody who wishes to, uh, provide public comment at a meeting does have to sign in. That is one of the requirements, um. Yeah, whether it’s at the beginning or end.

01:40:41,700	I don’t know if that is regulated by entry code, Ben might have more information on this. A lot of what I’ve presented is based off a policy that was formulated and presented to the Bismarck City Commission.

01:41:00,500	Again, I don’t anticipate that the tack and policy board are gonna have a great deal of trouble with um trying to enforce a time limit on public comment and that things of that nature, but I do believe that it’s probably beneficial to. Uh, offered that public comment period at the very onset of the meeting, but Ben, do you have more information for us? Yeah, thanks, Matt. I’m sure you did a great job explaining that, uh, the, the.

01:41:18,570	A template that Bismarck adopted was developed from a a template that basically the North Dakota League of Cities developed for all all jurisdictions to use or not.

01:41:34,630	Much of it was based off of what was in the state statute, but there was some generalities in the state statute, for instance, it says a governing body can adopt a time period for each speaker and total time. Bismarck’s version of it. identifies what that specific time frame is that could be changed.

01:41:54,570	Yeah, that’s that that time frame isn’t set, it’s just Uh, allowable by state statute, uh, kind of the things that are hard and fast. I do believe it has to be the the one of the beginning items at the agenda, um, members of the public. Would be allowed to speak at. The on items of the existing agenda and the immediately previous agenda that is in state statute. That are not public hearings, so the the the opening public.

01:42:20,570	Discussion opportunity would, would not be subject to any items that are public hearings, so. That, that’s great. I was actually where I was going with that because at times I know that you might have a a public comment period that is open to the public to provide like I wanna come and talk about the

01:42:35,630	potholes on Century Avenue or or whatever the case may be and so uh it’s good to know that that’s a North Dakota Century code specific, uh, provision that would limit that and then just remind her that anyone can get in touch with the MPO staff they have something they want to share for a comment, outside

01:42:50,400	of a public meeting. Certainly, and Ben also brought up a good point that the public comment opportunity is provided as an additional comment opportunity. So it’s 4 items that are outside of a public hearing.

01:43:13,430	Uh, we will still maintain our advertising and promotion of public hearing items, and we will offer a separate public comment period for each of those advertised public hearing items, just to be clear. OK. Anything else had just asked if we were planning to update the public participation plan, uh, or not, um this this would impact our public participation plan as well. Yeah, so we may have to look at applicable amendments to that, um, yes.

01:43:34,330	Thank you. Good point. Anything else? All right, um, if there is no other business. We’ll call the meeting Adjourned. Thank you very much. Have a