executive committee agenda | march 2013

7/28/2019 Executive Committee Agenda | March 2013

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Alt oon a Ankeny Bon dur ant Carli sle Cliv e Dallas Coun ty Des Moin es DART Grim es Joh ns ton Mit chellv ill e Norw alkPleasant Hill Polk City Polk County Urbandale Warren County Waukee West Des Moines Windsor Heights

The MPO receives federal funding and may not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, or national origin, according to Title VI of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964. For more information or to obtain a Title VI Complaint form, call 515-334-0075.

NOTICE OF MEETING

Des Moines Area Metropo litan Planning Organization (MPO)Executive Committee***************************

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 13, 2013Des Moines Area MPO - Mead Conference Room

***************************TENTATIVE A GENDA

The established protocol for minutes of this meeting will be to list all attendees, and with each item onwhich a vote is conducted in the ordinary course in order to take formal action, those voting nay or abstaining will be identified by name. Any member who is absent from the meeting for any period of time

during which a vote of the body is taken, is expected to notify the recording secretary at the conclusion of the meeting so that the absence can be duly noted in the minutes. Roll Call votes will be taken as requiredby law or upon the request of any member that is approved by the chair, and the vote of each member for or against the proposition, or abstention, will be incorporated in the minutes or recorded on a separatesheet attached to the minutes.

1. Call To Order 2. VOTE: Approval of Agenda3. VOTE: Approval of Meeting Minutes ................................................................................... Page 3

Vote to approve the February 13, 2013, meeting minutes.4. REPORT and VOTE: Draft Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Plannin g Work Prog ram and

Budget .................................................................................................................................... Page 7 Review of the draft Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program and Budget; consider

approval.5. REPORT and VOTE: Executive Director Annual Review ................................................... Page 8

Report on the Fiscal Year 2013 MPO Executive Director Annual Review; consider approval.6. REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Passeng er Rail Letter of Support ................................. Page 9

Report on a letter supporting the Chicago-Iowa City passenger rail service; consider approval.7. REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Federal Fiscal Year 2017 Surface Transportat ion Prog ram

Project Scores ...................................................................................................................... Page 12 Report on the Federal Fiscal Year 2017 Surface Transportation Program project scores; consider

approval.8. REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Federal Fiscal Year 2014 Iowa Clean Air Attainment Progr am

Project Applications ............................................................................................................ Page 13 Report on the Federal Fiscal Year 2014 Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP)

applications; consider approval.9. REPORT: MAP-21 Perfor manc e Measures ...................................................................... Page 14

Report on newly released information regarding performance measures in MAP-21.10. REPORT: Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Project Update ...................................... Page 15

Update on the status of the Rail Port Grant that the MPO received from the Iowa DOT 11. REPORT: Ames-Des Moines Corrid or Transit Study Update ......................................... Page 17

Report on a potential transit study along the Ames-Des Moines corridor. 12. REPORT: Certif ication Review .......................................................................................... Page 18

Update on the MPOs 2013 FHWA/FTA Certification Review, April 29 - May 1, 2013.


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MPO Executive Committee

13. REPORT: The Tomorrow Plan Update ............................................................................ Page 19 Update on The Tomorrow Plan development.

14. Other Non-Actio n Items of Interest to the Commit tee15. VOTE: Appr oval of the March 28, 2013, MPO Agenda16. Next Meeting Date

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 10, 2013, Des Moines Area MPO Office.17. Adjournment

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March 2013Item No. 3

ISSUE: Approval of Meeting Minutes

VOTE: Consider approval of the February 13, 2013, MPO Executive Committee meeting minutes.

BACKGROUND:

The minutes of the February 13, 2013, MPO Executive Committee meeting are enclosed on thefollowing pages.

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve the minutes of the February 13, 2013, MPO Executive Committee meeting.

STAFF CONTACT:

J ennifer Ratcliff, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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4/19FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.

MEETING MINUTES

Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)Executive Committee

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 13, 2013Des Moines Area MPO Meeting Room

Des Moines, Iowa

The MPO Executive Committee held a meeting at 11:30 a.m., on February 13, 2013, in the MPO Meeting Room.Before the meeting, the MPO staff sent agenda packets to the MPO Executive Committees representatives and posted the amended agenda at the MPO office at 9:15 a.m., on February 8, 2013.The fiscal year-to-date publicationcost of meeting minutes for the MPO: $956.90. In addition to these published tentative minutes, there alsomay be additional meeting notes on file with the MPO staff that are public records and available uponrequest as provided by law. These tentative minutes reflect all action taken at the meeting.

Members Present:

Chris Coleman, City of Des MoinesTom Hockensmith, Polk County

Angela Connolly, Polk CountyRobert Mahaffey, City of Des MoinesTom Armstrong, City of GrimesTed Ohmart, City of West Des Moines

Members Absent:

Paula Dierenfeld, City of Johnston

Others Present:

Mike Clayton, Iowa Department of Transportation*

Staff Present: Jonathan Wilson, MPO General CounselStephanie Muller, Executive AdministratorDylan Mullenix, Principal Transportation PlannerZach Young, Associate Transportation PlannerBethany Wilcoxon, Senior Transportation Planner

* Non-voting Representative

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FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.

1. Call to Order

MPO Chair Coleman called the February 13, 2013, meeting to order at 11:33 a.m.

2. Approval of Agenda

MOTION : A motion was made to approve the February 13, 2013, Des MoinesArea Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Committeemeeting.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Approval of Meeting Minutes

MOTION : A motion was made to approve the January 9, 2013; Des Moines AreaMetropolitan Planning Organization Executive Committee meetingminutes.


4. Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program AmendmentRequest

MOTION : A motion was made to approve the request from the Iowa Department of Transportationto amend projects in the Federal Fiscal Years 2013-2016 Transportation Improvement Program .


5. Priority Project Solicitation Process

(C HRIS C OLEMAN EXITED AT 11:49 AM ) (C HRIS C OLEMAN RETURNED AT 11:50 AM )

No motion made on priority projects for the Greater Des Moines Partnerships annual trip toWashington, D.C.

6. Horizon Year 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Amendment

MOTION : A motion was made to approve the Federal Highway Administrations request to amend the Horizon Year 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan to include the updates to thePlanning Area Boundary.


7. At to rney General Opinion Regarding the City of Grimes Bicycle Ordinance

MPO staff presented; discussion only on item 7.

8. Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Plannin g Work Prog ram and Budget


9. Transport ation Alternative Program Funding UpdateMPO staff presented; discussion only on item 9.

10. US 65/Iowa 5 Interstate Designation Update


11. Certification Review


12. MPO Executive Director Annual Review


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FY 2012 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Please call (515) 334-0075 to obtain permission for use.

13. The Tomorrow Plan Update


14. Other Non-Action Items of Interest to the Committee

15. Approval of the December 20, 2012, MPO Agenda

16. Next Meeting Date11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 13, 2013; in the MPO Mead Conference Room.

17. Adjournment

Chair Coleman adjourned the meeting at 1:17 p.m.

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ISSUE: Draft Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Plannin g Work Program and Budget

REPORT and VOTE: Consider approval of the draft Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning WorkProgram and Budget.

BACKGROUND:

The MPO staff has developed the draft Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program (FY2014 UPWP) and Budget, which documents all transportation planning activities the MPO willperform using federal funds from J uly 1, 2013, through J une 30, 2014. The Iowa Department of

Transportation (DOT) requires that the UPWP describe the MPOs proposed planning activities including task objectives, previous work, project descriptions, and work products as well as thebudget and funding sources to carry out the planning activities. The Iowa DOT requires the MPOto submit a draft UPWP by April 1, 2013 and a final UPWP by J une 1, 2013.

The draft Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program and Budget is included as asupplemental item to this agenda packet.

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommend approval of the draft Fiscal Year 2014 Unified Planning Work Program and Budgetfor submission to the Iowa Department of Transportation for review and comment.

STAFF CONTACTS:

Dylan Mullenix, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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ISSUE: MPO Executive Director Annual Review

REPORT: Report on the Fiscal Year 2013 MPO Executive Director Annual Review .

BACKGROUND:

The MPO Chair annually appoints an Executive Director Review Committee (Review Committee)to complete an evaluation of the Executive Directors performance over the past year. The MPOChair has appointed the following individuals to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Review Committee:

Bob Andeweg, City of Urbandale;Tom Armstrong, City of Grimes;Rick Clark, City of Des Moines;Tom Hockensmith, Polk County;Brian Laurenzo, City of J ohnston;Ted Ohmart, City of West Des Moines; and,J ohn Peterson, City of Ankeny.

The MPO staff provided all MPO and Transportation Technical Committee representatives with acopy of the FY 2013 MPO Executive Directors Annual Review Survey. Surveys were alsoprovided to the Chairs of the MPOs multiple subcommittees, the primary representatives of theMPOs advisory and associate member organizations, the MPO staff, and key personnel of thefollowing partner organizations that the MPO works closely with: the Iowa DOT, the Greater DesMoines Partnership, the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, and the TransportationManagement Association. MPO staff requested that all responses be submitted by February 15,2013.

The Review Committee has met to discuss the survey responses and will report their findings tothe Executive Committee and make a recommendation for a compensation rate adjustment at theMarch 13, 2013, meeting.

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommend approval of the Executive Director Review Committees recommendedcompensation rate adjustment.

STAFF CONTACTS:

Stephanie Muller, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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ISSUE: Passenger Rail Letter o f Suppo rt

REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Consider authorizing a letter to Governor Branstad insupport of the Chicago-Iowa City passenger rail service .

BACKGROUND:

In 2010, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded the States of Iowa and Illinois $230million to begin intercity passenger rail service between Chicago and Iowa City. Iowas portion of the FRA grant is $86.8 million, which requires a non-federal match of $21.8 million. The State of Iowa has not yet received its portion of the FRA grant. Governor Branstad asked for a study onthe entire Chicago-Council Bluffs/Omaha route to first be completed before committing statedollars towards the project. In 2011, the FRA, Iowa, and Illinois agreed to split the FRA awardinto two phases so that the Chicago-Moline phase could commence.

The Chicago to Council Bluffs-Omaha Regional Passenger Rail System Planning Study isnearing completion. MPOs and other agencies are offering letters of support for the project to

encourage the State of Iowa to receive its share of the FRA award and to commence withdevelopment of the Moline-Iowa City portion of the project. This letter would re-confirm theMPOs commitment to the project, which was expressed in letters of support in 2010 and 2011.

A fact sheet summarizing the status of the FRA grant is included on the following pages.

RECOMMENDATION:

Authorize the MPO chair to send a letter to Governor Branstad documenting the MPOs supportof passenger rail service.

STAFF CONTACTS:

Todd Ashby, [email protected] ;

(515) 334-0075.

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Route and train characteristics Two daily round trips

Travel time 4 hours and 20 minutes one way

Initial maximum speed of 79 mph

Each train can accommodate 230 passengers; and will offercoach seating and food service.

Total route of 219.5 miles.

Trains operate on Amtrak at Chicagos Union Station, 0.8miles; BNSF Railway from Chicago to Wyanet, Ill., 116.2miles; and Iowa Interstate Railroad from Wyanet to IowaCity, Iowa, 102.5 miles.

New stations at Geneseo and Moline, Ill.; and Iowa City

Service outcomes On-time performance will be 90 percent or higher.

Projected annual ridership is 257,000 for 2017.

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THE CHICAGO-IOWA CITY PASSENGER RAIL PROGRAM

Status update In October 2010, an award for $230 million in High-Speed

Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) funds was jointly awardedto Illinois and Iowa to establish new intercity passenger rail service between Chicago and Iowa City.

In fall 2011, the Iowa and Illinois DOTs requested that theFederal Railroad Administration split the award into two

phases. Phase 1 would implement service from Chicago toMoline, and Phase 2 extend the service to Iowa City.

During 2012, the Iowa DOT began a larger scale plannistudy the Chicago to Council Bluffs-Omaha RegionalPassenger Rail System Planning Study, while putting theextension to Iowa City on hold. This planning study isexpected to provide additional information that will setin motion the next steps toward initiating passenger railservice in Iowa.

This fact sheet includes the details for the Chicago to Iowaroute as planned in the initial 2010 federal grant award.

Ridership includes passengers diverted from other modannually: 60 percent of passengers from automobiles; 2percent from air travel; 9 percent from buses; and 7 pare new riders who otherwise would not have traveled

Collaboration Iowa and Illinois DOTs have a strong partnership to init

Chicago to Iowa City passenger rail service.

The Midwest High-Speed Rail Steering Group, representinnine Midwestern states, executed a memorandum of understanding in 2009 supporting Midwest routes connecting to the Chicago hub.

Agreements, in principle, are in place with Iowa InterstatRailroad, BNSF Railway and Amtrak.

Agreements, in principle, were established with the citiesof Iowa City, Moline and Geneseo for station developmenthus demonstrating local support.

January 2013

Grant award fact sheet

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Project costs $310 million Costs allocated between Iowa and Illinois. Iowa and Illinois submitted a joint application for

$248 million (up to 80 percent of the project cost) fromthe High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) programthrough the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

The FRA awarded $230 million under the HSIPR program tothe Chicago to Iowa City route, and the U.S. DOT awarded

a $10 million TIGER II grant to Moline, Ill., for the passengerrail station.

Cost distribution (estimated)*$310.3 million Total project

cost

Cost by state

Cost byfunding source

Illinois$201.7 million

State Local

$20.6 M $1.2 M

Federal$86.8 M

Federal$143.2 million

State, local and other

$58.5 M *Rounded to nearest $100,000

IA IL

Iowa$108.6 million

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Federal and state laws prohibit employment and/or public accommodation discrimination on the basis o age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, race,religion, sex, sexual orientation or veterans status. I you believe you have been discriminated against, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission at 800-457-4416 or Iowa Depart-ment o Transportations afrmative action ofcer. I you need accommodations because o a disability to access the Iowa Department o Transportations services, contact the agencysafrmative action ofcer at 800-262-0003.

Public and economic benefts Improve our nations transportation

infrastructure and assist in providing transportation alternatives to the citizens and businesses of Iowa and theMidwest

Improves the states rail infrastructure, which is used forboth freight and passenger transportation

Returns for every public dollar of investment (including alllong-term costs of operation and maintenance), by delivering $1.70 back to the public in reduced costs fortransportation, fuel and pollution.

Attains $7.4 million in highway safety bene ts during therst 30 years

Increases business activity, estimated at $25 million peryear following service initiation

Encourages transit-oriented development Upgrades more than 70 highway-railroad crossings in Iowa,

and more than 60 in Illinois, by adding warning systems to improve motorist and train safety

Environmental benefts Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 89,943 tons in the

rst 30 years of operation Fuel savings of 10,791,109 gallons during the rst 30 Reduces vehicle miles of travel by 25,611,484 in the

corridor annually Reduces congestion (Saves $16.3 million in highway use

costs during the rst 30 years) Incorporates Iowa and Illinois DOTs GreenLine vision

a program advancing innovative, sustainable practices

Long-term vision The Iowa DOTs vision will create a passenger rail networthat connects Iowans to each other and the country, andmakes Iowa a more attractive place to live, work and visit.By integrating passenger rail into the broader multimodaltransportation system, it can be a signi cant contributorto improved mobility, economic competitiveness, commu-nity revitalization, and reduced fuel use and emissions. It ia vision where travel by train is comfortable, ef cient andreliable, and leaves a light footprint on the environmental

landscape.

The link between Chicago and Iowa City via the Quad Cthe rst link in an incremental approach to implementation to increase service over time, based on market demand,operational feasibility and funding.

More in ormation is available on the Iowa DOTsWebsite: www.iowadot.gov/iowarail

800 Lincoln WayAmes, Iowa 50010

515-239-1101iowadot.gov

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ISSUE: Federal Fiscal Year 2014 Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program Applicatio ns.

REPORT and OPTIONAL VOTE: Consider approval of the Federal Fiscal Year 2014 Iowa CleanAir Attainment Program applications.

BACKGROUND:

The MPO staff solicited Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP) applications on February 7,2013. The applications were due to the MPO office by 4:30 p.m., on Friday, February 22, 2013.Applications were submitted for the following projects:

City of Des Moines and the Des Moines Bicycle Collectives B-Cycle programexpansion;Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authoritys (DART) Route #91 ServiceImprovements;Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authoritys Ticket Vending Machines;City of Urbandales Meredith Drive & NW Urbandale Drive IntersectionImprovements; and,City of West Des Moines 22nd Street Traffic Adaptive Signal Control System.

The MPO staff acknowledges that each of the sponsors proposed project(s) or program(s)conforms to the MPOs transportation planning process, the Horizon Year 2035 MetropolitanTransportation Plan , and Implementation and Management of Congestion Management SystemStrategy Activities .

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommend that the MPO submit an adopted formal resolution for the FFY 2014 ICAAP projectapplications and submit the resolution to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

STAFF CONTACT:

Zach Young, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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ISSUE: MAP-21 Performance Measures

REPORT: Update on MAP-21s new performance measurement requirement for MPOs andDOTs.

BACKGROUND:

The new federal transportation legislation, MAP-21, is written as a performance based document. The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has released aset of recommendations for national level performance measures. Performance measures focuson six areas: safety, pavement condition, bridges, freight, system performance, and CongestionMitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ). Within these six categories, there are 15 measures.

The MPO will work toward accounting for these performance measures, once finalized, in theLong Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and in other processes and procedures that report on anannual basis.

A copy of the recommended performance measures are included as a supplemental item to thisagenda packet.

RECOMMENDATION:

None. Report and discussion only.

STAFF CONTACTS:

Nathan Goldberg, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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ISSUE: Railroad Revolv ing Loan and Grant Project Update

REPORT: Update on the Rail Port Grant awarded to the MPO.

BACKGROUND:

In September 2012, the MPO received a grant for $100,000 from the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a rail study. The grant requires a $25,000 local match, whichwill be provided by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, for a total of a $125,000 study. The DOThas provided grantees with a draft copy of the planning agreements for review. Finalization of theagreements and the distribution of funds to grantees should follow in early March.

The study area is set to experience several critical changes in the next few years, which couldhave significant impacts to the areas rail and roadway transportation networks. The overallobjective of the study is to analyze the impacts of these factors and resulting changes on thedefined area, and to present the opportunities and challenges to the stakeholders on both a microand macro level along with answering a series of technical questions.

Included, immediately following, is a map showing the project location.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACTS:

Nathan Goldberg, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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March 2013Item No.11

ISSUE: Ames-Des Moines Corrido r Transit Study

REPORT: Report on a potential transit study along the Ames-Des Moines corridor.

BACKGROUND:

There has been interest for several years by planning, economic development, and transitagencies along the Ames-Des Moines corridor to study mass transportation options along thecorridor. The Ames-Des Moines corridor has been identified within both the MPOs Horizon Year2035 Metropolitan Transportation P lan and the Iowa Department of Transportations 2009Passenger Transportation Funding Study as a candidate for potential transit service. The study of transit service between the two metropolitan areas was again identified as a major project in theCapital Crossroads Strategic Plan under the Physical Capital.

The proposed study would include the following tasks:

Identify potential ridership;Analyze various modes to serve the forecasted ridership;Determine service details for likely modes, including routes, frequencies, vehiclerequirements, costs, and fare structures;Identify potential funding sources; and,Identify benefits for service recommendations, including economic development,emissions reductions, congestion relief, fuel savings, and social service benefits.

MPO staff currently is working with the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority and theGreater Des Moines Partnership to develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consulting servicesto assist with the study. MPO staff will provide additional details regarding a refined scope of work,project timeline, and cost estimates as they become available.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACT:

Zach Young, [email protected]; and,Dylan Mullenix, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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ISSUE: Certification Review

REPORT: Update on the MPOs upcoming 2013 Certification Review.

BACKGROUND:

Metropolitan planning organizations are certified by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) every four years. The MPOs quadrennial reviewwill take place from April 29 through May 1, 2013, at the MPO office. The purpose of the review isto highlight good planning practices and share information among the organizations, as well as toensure that federal regulatory requirements for transportation planning are being met.

The review will be carried out by FHWA and FTA staff. In addition to FHWA, FTA, and MPO staff,participation is also anticipated by staff from the Iowa Department of Transportation, the DesMoines Area Regional Transit Authority, and any other local officials who wish to participate. Apublic input meeting will be held on April 29, 2013, at 6:00 p.m., at the MPO office to acceptcomments from the community about the MPOs transportation planning process. This meetingwill be an open house format.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACT:

Dylan Mullenix, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

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ISSUE: The Tomorrow Plan Update

REPORT: Update on activities related to The Tomorrow Plan.

BACKGROUND:

The MPO staff and consultant team continue to work through feedback on the draft plan that wasreceived from the public and from communities. Staff also is working to meet with city councils aswell as planning and zoning commissions of all communities; these comments and ideas arebeing incorporated into the plan as appropriate. It is anticipated that the next draft of the plan willbe available in mid to late March. More information will be provided at the March 13, 2013,meeting.

RECOMMENDATION:


STAFF CONTACT:

Bethany Wilcoxon, [email protected];(515) 334-0075.

executive committee agenda | march 2013

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