MCC# MCM 98-189

GJCC# 47-98

RESOLUTION NO. 47-98

A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTY OF MESA AND THE CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION CONCERNING ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 1999 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM.

WHEREAS, The City and County have been designated by the Governor as the Metropolitan  Planning Organization for the Grand Junction/Mesa  County  Urbanized Area; and

WHEREAS, Part 2 of Article 1 of Title 29, Colorado Revised Statutes      authorizes the  parties to contract with one another to make the most    efficient and effective use of their powers and responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, The City and County realize the importance of both short and long    range planning in the development of an efficient transportation      system, and are both aware that it is the responsibility of the      Metropolitan Planning Organization to perform those planning      functions; and

WHEREAS, The City and County, in their performance of those planning functions for

   the Urbanized Area, wish to use Federal Highway Administration and Federal  Transit Administration transportation planning funds in coordination with the  Colorado Department of Transportation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT JOINTLY RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF MESA, COLORADO AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO:

That the Fiscal Year 1999 Unified Planning Work Program, hereunto attached, was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Mesa, Colorado on _August 24, 1998_, and by the City Council of the City of Grand Junction, Colorado on August 19, 1998  .

CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION    COUNTY OF MESA

/s/ Janet L. Terry          _/s/ James R. Baughman_______

Mayor            Chairman of the Board

Grand Junction City Council      Mesa County Board of                    Commissioners

19th   day of August , 1998      _24th_____ day of August______, 1998

Attest:          Attest:

/s/ Stephanie Nye          _/s/ Monika Todd_______________

City Clerk        County Clerk

FY 1999

UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM

FOR THE

GRAND JUNCTION/MESA COUNTY URBANIZED AREA

Prepared by the

Mesa County

Regional Transportation Planning Office

Grand Junction/Mesa County

Metropolitan Planning Organization

& Transportation Planning Region

and the

Colorado Department of Transportation

Division of Transportation Development

Program Management Branch

In cooperation with the

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

Federal Transit Administration

July, 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction  3

Summary of the Budget  6

UPWP Work Tasks  9

Tables

Summary of the Budget - Table 1  6

UPWP Task Costs - Table 2  8

Figures

Transportation Planning Terminology - Figure 1  2

Urbanized Area Map - Figure 2  4

MPO Local Review Process - Figure 3  5

Task Schedule - Figure 4  23

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING TERMINOLOGY

Air Quality Control Commission  AQCC

Annual Element  AE

Colorado Department of Transportation  CDOT

U.S. Department of Transportation  DOT

Federal Highway Administration  FHWA

Federal Transportation Administration  FTA

Fiscal Year for the MPO  FY

Intermodal Surface Transportation Act  ISTEA

Metropolitan Planning Organization  MPO

FHWA planning funds made available through CDOT to the MPO  PL Funds

FTA funds made available through CDOT to the MPO  Section 5303 Funds

State Implementation Plan  SIP

State Planning and Research Funds  SPR

Title VI of the U.S., Civil Right Act of 1964, as amended  Title VI

Transit Development Plan  TDP

Transportation Improvement Plan  TIP

Transportation Policy Advisory Committee  TPAC

Transportation Technical Advisory Committee  TTAC

Unified Planning Work Program  UPWP

Urban Transportation Planning Process  UTPP

Vehicle Miles Traveled  VMT

INTRODUCTION

The Unified Planning Work Program describes planning tasks and personnel costs and budgets funds for the Fiscal Year 1999 running from October 1, 1998 through September 30, 1999. The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), composed of Grand Junction and Mesa County elected officials and staff, coordinates this planning with state officials from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Colorado Health Department who, through the Air Quality Control Commission, is charged with protecting air quality throughout Colorado. The ultimate goal of this planning process is an efficient, effective transportation system.

To further the continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative planning for the Grand Junction Urbanized Area (Fig. 2), the Federal Highway Administration provides PL funds to the MPO under the administration of the CDOT. The 1999 PL allocation is $60,038. PL funds are matched at a 17.21% ratio by the MPO members. Thus, for every $100 expended by the MPO on approved tasks, $82.79 will be reimbursed by PL funds up to the budgeted amount. The MPO plans to program $60,038 of the available PL funds in FY 1999. The MPO also plans to program $40,000 of Section 5303 funds. These funds are matched at a 20.0% ratio by the MPO members. The MPO proposes to spend a total of $122,518, including local match, on transportation related tasks contained in the FY 1999 Unified Planning Work Program.

The CDOT, as the Contract Administrator, monitors the timely accomplishment of tasks and the reimbursement process. In addition, the CDOT actively participates in the planning process through the provision of technical services. (See Figure 3 for the MPO structure.)

The current local operational structure allows for the maximum funding to be channeled to local City and County agencies, through the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) and Transportation Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC), to provide staff and resources for completion of the various tasks. The MPO continues to shift much of the administrative activity associated with each task (development, implementation and monitoring) into the task budget itself. This allows the MPO Administrator to focus on required documents, annual certification and overall policy development for the agency and direct more dollars to actual studies and activities.

The MPO Administrator is housed within the Regional Transportation Planning Office of the Mesa County Planning & Development Department and performs administrative functions working directly to support the task elements of the FY 1999 UPWP. This office is the "single point-of-contact" between MPO agencies and state and federal officials. The technical operational agencies assume an active role in developing, implementing and monitoring the program tasks. The MPO Administrator provides technical support and performs the managerial tasks necessary for the MPO to comply with state and federal requirements. Program goals call for continued support of planning, monitoring and implementation tasks, and minimum administrative overhead. The MPO's local approach to this UPWP should accomplish those goals.

SUMMARY OF THE BUDGET

For FY 1999 it is proposed that $122,518 be expended by the MPO on transportation planning. Of that amount $22,480 would be the required match from Grand Junction, Mesa County, and other local sources. Federal Highway Administration funds and Federal Transportation Administration funds, through the Colorado Department of Transportation, would provide $ 100,038 for regional transportation planning efforts. A breakdown of these funds by task group and agency is shown below.

Table 1

FUNDING BREAKDOWN

SOURCE OF FUNDS

These amounts are further broken down in Table 2 by task and agency.

GRAND JUNCTION / MESA COUNTY MPO

UPWP WORK TASKS

The major portion of this document consists of work tasks to be completed during Fiscal Year 1999 (October 1, 1998 to September 30, 1999.) These work tasks are intended to monitor and implement the continuing, cooperative and comprehensive urban transportation planning process carried out by the MPO and CDOT in the Grand Junction urbanized area. The agencies with primary responsibility for completion of each task are listed in the UPWP. The UPWP is intentionally presented as an outline of primary funding sources and planning schedules. An overview of the entire planning process is contained in the Memorandum of Agreement establishing the MPO. (See Figure 3 for the MPO structure.)

Figure 4 provides a summary of scheduling for all UPWP tasks. Work tasks of a continuing nature are differentiated from those with definable time frames. Modifications in task schedules are reflected in quarterly PL monitoring reports. Significant changes in schedules will be agreed to by CDOT and the MPO. An accomplishment report for FY 1999 will be completed in October, 1999 and submitted to the CDOT.

A. MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

The primary objective of the UPWP management activities is to provide for the on-going management of the urban transportation planning program in the Grand Junction urbanized area. Secondary objectives include coordination of planning efforts between local, regional and state agencies, and monitoring and documentation of transportation planning efforts and technical studies through locally adopted planning documents. Since the MPO and CDOT share responsibility for compliance with Federal planning guidelines, both agencies are involved in program management activities.

A.1.  Task Name:  Fiscal Year 2000 (October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000) Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).

Objective:  To perform the necessary management tasks to produce a FY2000 UPWP that will include all transportation planning activities, regardless of Federal funding sources, which significantly impact the local  

     Study Area, whether performed on a federal, state, or local level.

Methodology: The MPO staff, with input from the local government technical staff and the CDOT, will be responsible for preparing the FY2000 UPWP. The UPWP will be prepared in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements. Each task in the UPWP will be described in terms of objective, methodology, product, schedule, agency responsibility, costs and CDOT procedural requirements.

Product:  A Unified Planning Work Program for FY2000.

Schedule:  A meeting to discuss planning work needs will be held in March. UPWP first draft will be completed in April, with local adoption by May 15th. The MPO Contract will be signed by the Grand Junction City Council, Mesa County Commissioners, and State of Colorado by September 30th.

Agency:  MPO Administrator

Personnel:  Local - 15 days

Costs:  $2,850 (Includes non-salary costs)    

A.2.  Task Name:  Citizen Participation.

Objective:  To encourage public involvement in transportation planning and increase awareness of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Process. Public participation method - public meetings, what is the MPO, other educational sessions.

Methodology: Citizens will actively participate in the development of policy for the MPO through the City and County Planning Commissions. Local staff will prepare information for the media and the public, hold open meetings of the TTAC, and advertise public hearing on items requiring public comment.

Products:  Press releases concerning transportation issues and an annual report. The annual report will be a brief overview of work performed by the MPO during the fiscal year. The report will be in language understandable by the general public.

Schedule:  Continuous throughout the year. Annual report in September 1999.

Agency:  Regional Transportation Planning Office

Personnel:  Local - 3 days

Costs:    $500 (Includes non-salary costs)

A.3.  Task Name:  Program Administration.

Objective:  To effectively administer, manage, support, monitor, coordinate, and control the continuing federally assisted transportation planning process for the Grand Junction urbanized area.

Methodology: The local staff will be responsible for carrying out the following activities:

(1) Maintain the commitments included in the Memorandum of Agreement and the contracts for planning funds (PL funds and Section 5303 funds); (2) Submit monitoring reports on the FY99 UPWP tasks; (3) Maintain and document expenditures and submit financial reports; (4) Support members of the decision making bodies, Transportation Policy Advisory Committee, Transportation Technical Advisory Committee and the City and County Planning Commissions in their decisions on MPO related activities; (5) To monitor significant policy activities on the federal, state and local levels that could have potential impact on MPO activities. At the direction of the MPO, represent the MPO members in federal, state, and local decision making processes; (6) Represent the MPO in the Regional Planning Organization; (7) Monitor UPWP task activities; (8) Assist in development of RFP's for UPWP study and coordinate contracts.

The Colorado Department of Transportation staff will participate in the above listed activities and, in addition, perform necessary administrative functions to assure the effective coordination and participation of other branches of State government and appropriate federal agencies in the MPO Transportation Planning Process.

Schedule:  Continuous throughout the year with quarterly monitoring reports (October, January, April, and July) and TTAC meetings as required.

Agency:  Regional Transportation Planning Office

Personnel:  Local - 50 days

Costs:  $10,000 (Includes non-salary costs)

A.4  Task Name:  MINUTP Maintenance

Objective:  To purchase a maintenance contract to develop the capability to maintain and use the MINUTP software package, and perform transportation analysis to facilitate local transportation planning.

Methodology: MPO member agencies will use the MINUTP software to analyze development proposals and scenarios and develop transportation plans that effectively recognize the transportation requirements in an area.

Product:  The product will be reports generated on an "as needed" basis to assist in transportation planning and development.

Schedule:  Continuous throughout the year. Results included in quarterly reports to CDOT.

Agency:  Regional Transportation Planning Office

Personnel:  Local - 0 days

Costs:  $700 (Non-salary cost)

A.5  Task Name:  Training and Travel

Objective:  To provide training for MPO member agency personnel and increase their expertise in transportation planning and related issues. Pay for travel associated with ongoing programs.

Methodology: Member agency staff will participate in training courses that focus on the different aspects of transportation planning. The MPO will participate in costs incurred for providing MINUTP and GIS-T training to staff members. The MPO will also participate in the Census Transportation Planning Package training.

Products:  The product of this effort will be the successful completion of training courses by selected staff members.

Schedule:  Continuous throughout the year. Progress reports furnished quarterly.

Agency:  MPO Administration

Personnel:  Local - 5 days

Costs:  $5,000 (Includes non-salary costs)

A.6  Task Name:  Transit/Transportation Grants Management

Objective:  To provide administrative oversight of grants awarded to Mesa County by the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Governor’s Office of Energy Conservation (OEC) on behalf of the Mesa County Civic Forum, Governor’s Office of Smart Growth Partnerships, Colorado Dept. of Transportation and other funding programs managed by the Regional Transportation Planning Office. To regularly report on progress and financial status of these grant programs to the TTAC, TPAC, Transit Steering Committee, local elected officials, federal and state monitors and the general public.

Methodology: Review Regional Transportation Planning Office and other agencies’ progress in attainment of program and financial goals, receive and/or prepare monthly progress reports on contract provisions, assist Mesa County Finance Office in budgeting and monitoring revenues and expenses, prepare public presentations on grant programs and their goals, policies, procedures and progress.

Products:  The products of this effort will be continuous reports and updates on contract provisions, revenues and expenses, the creation of communication tools for elected and appointed officials - as well as the general public, including public meetings, coordinating sessions with participating offices and agencies, providing newsletter services, public presentations, email updates, and quarterly progress reports as required.

Schedule:  Continuous throughout the year. Progress reports as required.

Agency:  Regional Transportation Planning Office

Personnel:  Local - 100 days

Costs:  $23,750 (Includes non-salary costs)

B. MONITORING ACTIVITIES

The primary objective of monitoring is to provide support to transportation planning, implementation, and service activities through the collection, maintenance and analysis of certain factors indicating the performance of the existing transportation system. Data normally maintained by participating agencies will be utilized to meet reporting requirements as much as possible. The major data inventory and analysis tools include the MINUTP traffic model and the ArcView geographic information system.

B. I  Task Name: City Traffic Counting & Traffic Accident Reporting

Objective:  To provide resources necessary to monitor traffic conditions at a variety of intersections and other critical locations within the city limits of Grand Junction and to maintain up-to-date information on all traffic accident information.

Methodology:  Traffic Services staff will conduct traffic counts at no less than I hour intervals, with some specific intersection monitoring. Locations will be coordinated with CDOT. Obtain photocopies of itemized accident reports from the Colorado State Patrol and Grand Junction Police Department, enter data and scan collision diagrams to TrafficTrax computer inventory, including accident information, with the ability to produce maps in ArcView GIS.

Product:  An on-going traffic monitoring program with the ability to produce information on peak hour and directional flows for input into the MINUTP traffic model.

Schedule:  On-going effort, with results submitted annually.

Agency:  City of Grand Junction Traffic Services

Personnel: City - 60 Days

Costs:    City $5,000

B. 2  Task Name: County Traffic Counting & Traffic Accident Reporting

Objective:  To provide resources necessary to monitor traffic conditions at a variety of intersections and other critical locations within the urbanizing area outside the city limits of Grand Junction and to maintain up-to-date information on all traffic accident information.

Methodology:  Traffic Services staff will conduct traffic counts at no less than I hour intervals, with some specific intersection monitoring. Locations will be coordinated with CDOT. Obtain photocopies of itemized accident reports from the Colorado State Patrol, enter data and scan collision diagrams into TrafficTrax computer inventory, including accident information with the ability to produce location maps in ArcView GIS.

Product:  An on-going traffic monitoring program with the ability to produce information on peak hour and directional flows for input into the MINUTP traffic model.

Schedule:  On-going effort, with results submitted annually.

Agency:  Mesa County Traffic Services

Personnel: County - 60 days

Costs:    County $5,000

C.  PLANNING ACTIVITIES

The primary objective of planning activities is to support the decision-making process of the MPO through the development of studies and analyzes concerning short and long-term transportation needs.

C.1. Task Name:  Adoption of Major Street Plan

Objective:  Seek adoption of the Major Street Plan by the planning commissions of the City of Grand Junction and Mesa County. Also to seek adoption of the Major Street Plan by the Grand Junction City Council and acceptance of the Plan by the Mesa County Board of County Commissioners.

Methodology:  The MPO staff will work with sponsoring government staff to brief local appointed and elected officials on the provisions and policies in the Major Street Plan and to schedule public hearings before the appointed and elected bodies for adoption of the map document and associated guiding principles and goals.

Products:  Adoption of Major Street Plan, maps and policies.

Schedule:  Public hearings will be scheduled in the October - December time period.

Agency:  Regional Transportation Planning Office

   Mesa County Planning & Development

   Mesa County Long Range Planning Division

   Mesa County Public Works

   City of Grand Junction Public Works

   City of Grand Junction Community Development

Personnel:  Local - 10 days

Costs:  $2,000 (Includes non-salary costs)

C.2. Task Name: Census Coordination and Summary

Objective:  To continue to compile census data, and maintain Census/MPO GIS data base in a format usable by the public and local entities and to ensure more accurate data for coordinated transportation planning and modeling between the City of Grand Junction, Mesa County and the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Methodology:  MPO Administrator will coordinate local contact with Census officials and the State Demographer. Staff will continue to compile the census data in a summary format. Annual updates and projections will be included. Continuation of update of the 1998 TIGER File to insure a more complete enumeration coverage of the 2000 Census for localities. Also continue to develop a more complete and coordinated list of addresses between the U.S. Post Office, City of Grand Junction and Mesa County.

Product:  Updated TIGER file for Mesa County, including a coordinated update to the Master Address File (MAF) in association with the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Post Office and other service agencies in the area. Updated data and GIS mapping will be maintained in a summary document on CD-ROM which can be easily manipulated and printed by users.

Schedule:  Continuous throughout the year. Quarterly reports.

Agency:  Regional Transportation Planning Office

   Mesa County Planning & Development Dept.

   Mesa County Information Mgmt Dept. - GIS Division

   City of Grand Junction Technical Services

   City of Grand Junction Community Development Dept.

Personnel:  Local - 15 days

Costs:  $2,500 (Includes non-salary costs)

C.3 Task Name: Transit Planning & Travel Demand Management

Objective:  To assist the City of Grand Junction and Mesa County in the implementation of the 5-Year Transit Development Plan and Travel Demand Management techniques. To develop specific strategies and methodologies for carrying out the vision and intent of the recently adopted TDP.

Methodology:  Work with the Mesa County Civic Forum and MesAbility Transit to assist in the development of TDP implementation tasks to achieve a public transit system operating by February 2000. Also work with the City of Grand Junction, Walker Field Airport, AMTRAK, Greyhound Bus Lines, transit interests and other interested parties in locating an Intermodal Facility to serve and connect all modes.

Product:  The product of this effort will be execution of specific tasks based on the implementation plan completed in FY98.

Schedule:  Continuous. Quarter progress reports.

Agency:  Regional Transportation Planning Office

   Mesa County Civic Forum

   MesAbility Transit

   Mesa County Public Works

   Mesa County Traffic Services

   City of Grand Junction Public Works

   City of Grand Junction Traffic Services

   Walker Field Airport

   AMTRAK

   Greyhound Bus Lines

Personnel:  Local - 110 days

Costs:  $21,268 (Includes non-salary costs)

C.4 Task Name: 2020 Update of the Regional Transportation Plan

Objective:  To prepare an update to the adopted 2015 Regional Transportation Plan to the year 2020 and re-establish project priorities based on the Transportation Planning Region’s values, vision, goals and strategies and on the analysis of future demand and appropriate alternatives. To identify, analyze and prioritize transportation needs for all modes of transportation as well as inter-modal facilities, travel demand management and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).

Methodology:  Execution and completion of 12-Step process outlined in the Colorado Regional Transportation Planning Guidebook (Jan. 15, 1998).

Product:  Adoption of final 2020 Regional Transportation Plan by TPR member governments.

Schedule:  Preliminary Draft version of 2020 Regional Transportation Plan will be developed by July 1, 1999. Final version completed by Sept. 1, 1999.

Agency:  Regional Transportation Planning Office

   Mesa County Planning & Development Dept.

   Mesa County Long Range Planning Division

   Mesa County Public Works

   City of Grand Junction Public Works

   City of Grand Junction Community Development

   City of Fruita Planning/Engineering Dept.

   Town of Palisade Planning/Engineering Dept.

Personnel:  Local - 200 days

Costs:  $36,250 (Includes non-salary costs)

C.5 Task Name: Truck Route Planning

Objective:  To determine an appropriate truck route(s) for the urbanizing area in association with trucking, rail, governmental and consumer interests.

Methodology:  Develop an inventory of existing truck route signs within the ArcView GIS basemap from City and County Traffic Trax data. Create shapefiles of routes for review by the TTAC and subsequent analysis for suitability and utility of the present routes. Make recommendations for changes, modifications, deletions or additions to the current system for adoption by the City of Grand Junction, Mesa County and CDOT Region 3.

Product:  Adoption of new Truck Route Map.

Schedule:  Draft routes in April, 1999. Final version in June, 1999.

Agency:  Regional Transportation Planning Office

   Transportation Technical Advisory Committee

   Mesa County Public Works

   Mesa County Traffic Services

   City of Grand Junction Public Works

   City of Grand Junction Traffic Services

   Local Chapter - Motor Carriers Association

   Union Pacific Railroad

Personnel:  Local - 15 days

Costs:  $3,500 (Includes non-salary costs)

C.6 Task Name: School Transportation Design Standards

Objective:  To determine appropriate policies regarding the design of and policies for capital improvements surrounding school facilities. Incorporation of Douglas County School Design Guidelines in recommendations for local policy development.

Methodology:  Review Douglas County School Siting Guidelines for applicability to the urbanizing area and Mesa Valley School District #51. Analyze signing and signaling standards for schools (elementary, middle, high schools). Prepare recommendations for standards in traffic control measures, accessibility and design policies.  

Product:  Adoption of School Transportation Design Policies by member governments.

Schedule:  Draft policies in December, 1998. Final version in March, 1999.

Agency:  Regional Transportation Planning Office

   Transportation Technical Advisory Committee

   Mesa County Public Works

   Mesa County Traffic Services

   City of Grand Junction Public Works

   City of Grand Junction Traffic Services

   Mesa Valley School District #51

Personnel:  Local - 10 days

Costs:  $2,500 (Includes non-salary costs)

D. IMPLEMENTATION TASKS

Implementation activities refer to lists of capital projects adopted by the MPO which establish policy guidance on the use of transportation funds in the urbanized area of Grand Junction.

D.1.  Task Name: FY 1999-2004 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).

Objective:  The Fiscal Years 1998-2003 TIP will establish the capital projects in the urbanized area for which federal assistance is expected. It will contain an annual element showing specific projects to which funds have been committed.

Methodology: MPO, City Engineering, County Engineering and CDOT District 3 staff will develop a TIP using information from existing capital improvement programs, monitoring data concerning traffic volumes, accidents, and revenue projections.

Products:  The FY 1999-2004 Transportation Improvement Plan.

Schedule:  First draft in May with local adoption by July 15th.

Agency:  MPO Administrator

Personnel:  Local - 3 days

Costs:  $700 (Includes non-salary costs)

E. SERVICE TASKS

Service activities refer to assistance to local and other governmental agencies concerning transportation issues.

E.1. Task Name: Services.

Objective:  To provide technical data and general assistance to requesting agencies and the public.

Methodology: Published reports or data will be supplied when available. Local MPO staff will also provide planning assistance to local or state agencies. The MPO technical library will be maintained for use by the agencies. General assistance will be provided to the public, as requested.

Products:  Inquiries answered, assistance provided.

Schedule:  Continuous.

Agency:  Regional Transportation Planning Office

Personnel:  Local - 5 days

Costs:  $1,000 (Includes non-salary costs)

FIGURE 4

Task Schedule

D = DRAFT REPORT DUE

R = REPORT DUE