MACON-BIBB COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

682 CHERRY ST., SUITE 1000, MACON, GEORGIA 31201

MATS CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING – MINUTES SUMMARY

Meeting Description:
MATS Citizens Advisory Committee – Regular Meeting

Date:
02.15.17        Time:
6:00PM     Location:
Macon-Bibb County P & Z Commission, 10^th Floor Conference Room

MINUTES

• Called to Order:
  6:02PM by Dr. John Swint, CAC Chairman
  

• Adoption of Agenda – Action Item:
  A motion was made by Donald L. Pruitt and seconded by Bob Komlo to adopt the agenda as presented. Approved.

• Election of Officers (Chair & Vice-Chair) – Action Item:
  A motion was made by Louis Frank Tompkins and properly seconded to elect and reappoint Dr. Swint, Chair and Mary Lou Ezell, Vice-Chairman of the MATS CAC. Approved.

• Public Comment Period (5 Minutes):
  Irma Shute presented a handout that recommended ideas for the Macon Transit Authority to relocate the current greyhound bus station into the downtown area in an effort to showcase downtown Macon and improve services for tourism. MTA should consider operating a small fleet of tour vans to show Greyhound riders around. Louis Frank Tompkins recommend to Ms. Shute that her suggestions should be presented to MTA’s Board of Directors. Dr. Lindsay Holliday mentioned that CAC member’s should publish their contact information online. However, CAC members indicated that methods for contacting them should be through the MATS CAC Coordinator, Gregory L. Brown. Dr. Holliday also shared thoughts regarding the draft LRTP in relation to the 3 airports in the region and would like for his concerns to be expressed to the MATS Policy.

• Approval of previous MATS CAC Minutes (October 26, 2016) – Action Item:
  A motion was made and properly seconded to approve the minutes as presented with an amendment to add the discussion of airports within the Macon / Middle Georgia area from the previous meeting by Lindsay Holliday. Approved

• 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan Update: Review and adoption of Draft LRTP: http://mats2040.org/lrtp – Action Item:
  Mike Greenwald provided an overview of the timeline public input will be available for the draft LRTP and also a brief description of each chapter. The previous LRTP was 12 chapters, whereas the new LRTP will have 10 chapters as some chapters were combined. The new LRTP will be more user friendly. Mr. Druitt inquired whether High Speed Rail should be a part of the future discussions as far as recommendations coming from the advisory committee to the policy committee. M. Komlo mentioned that the Mayor is an advocate for high-speed rail. After discussion, Mike provided the next steps regarding the public review and final adoption process of the LRTP. A motion was made by Mr. Tompkins and properly seconded by Mr. Komlo to accept the recommendation on the draft LRTP as written. Recommended motion: “Accept the current draft, with ability of MATS staff to continue making any edits as needed prior to adoption of the draft by MATS Policy Committee, so long as the edits do not alter any policy decisions or project prioritization previously reached by any MATS committees with respect to this LRTP Update.” Approved.
  

• Review and adoption of final UPWP (Unified Planning Work Program) FY 18 – Action Item:
  Mike Greenwald began by indicating that there are no major changes to the document since the last time the CAC reviewed it. The UPWP budget is $20,000 less than before because of MATS MPO improved air quality status. Mr. Komlo, inquired about task relating to stormwater drainage build-up in the Lake Wildwood area (Private community). After discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Druitt and properly seconded by Mr. Komlo to approve the final UPWP as presented. Approved.

• Review of MATS Schedule – Agenda Item:
  Mike Greenwald provided the scheduling for MATS meetings for the 2017 calendar year. No action was taken on this agenda item.

MATS Proposed Meeting Schedule for CY 2017

MATS Citizen Advisory Committee

February 15, 2017

April 12, 2017 (Special Call)

May 10, 2017

July 12, 2017

October 11, 2017

MATS Technical Coordinating Committee

February 22, 2017

April 19, 2017 (Special Call)

May 17, 2017

July 19, 2017

October 18, 2017

MATS Policy Committee

March 1, 2017

May 3, 2017 (Special Call)

June 7, 2017

August 2, 2017

November 1, 2017

• Old/Unfinished Business:
  • Update of Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Vacant Positions: Gregory L. Brown provided an update of the current CAC membership. John Ricketson, Monroe County Representative was officially welcomed. Commission District 1 remains vacant and Sherry L. Moore, Commission District 2 announced her resignation, effective February 15, 2017. An official resignation letter will be forwarded to Gregory L. Brown, MATS CAC Coordinator. The Commission District 2 position is deemed vacant. Gregory also shared the process by which to inform Macon – Bibb County Commissioners of vacant positions.
    
  • Citizen Transportation Planning Orientation 101: Gregory L. Brown mentioned that an orientation would take place when all MATS CAC positions are filled. This orientation would be scheduled outside of regular CAC meeting dates. No action was taken on this agenda item.
    

• New Business:
  • Review of Transit Legislation Update:
    Mike Greenwald reported that there are currently two (2) proposals being moved through the senate and house to establish exploratory committees for the purposes of establishing a statewide transit strategy.

State Transportation Legislation Proposals: New bills in GA House (HB 160) and Senate (SB 6) looking at establishing commission to:

• Establish a vision, mission and goals for transit service (Senate version);
• Develop a long-term capital investment strategy for transit, including prioritization of investments (Senate version)
• Make a recommendation to the Governor “for a system of regional, integrated and comprehensive mass transportation system for such metropolitan area or areas as determined by the commission.” Proposal would include “a recommended unified regional governance structure.” (House version)

Differences between HB 160 and SB 6

• Bills address different sections of Official Code of Georgia
  • HB 160 deals with Title 32, Section 9 – Mass Transit
  • SB 6 deals with Title 50, Section 12 – Commissions and Agencies
• Bills have different board compositions
  • HB 160 board has 14 voting members, 29 members total. MPO directors are included ex officio
  • SB 6 board has 19 members, all voting (including MPO directors). Limited number of MPOs on this board, but Macon-Bibb is on that list

Similarities between HB 160 and SB 6

• Boards are advisor/investigatory only. Can’t establish new agencies/authorities, or compel cities or counties to spend money
• Boards expire at end of CY 2018 (Senate version allows for 1 year extension)

No action was taken on this agenda item.

• Update of Notification of FHWA / FTA Proposed Rulemaking: Consolidation of MPO’s (Metropolitan Planning Organizations):
  Louis Frank Tompkins inquired about the MPO consolidation. Mike Greenwald reported that the rule passed and is published in the federal register but there is before anything would take place.

No action was taken on this agenda item.

• Project Status Report – Agenda Item:
  Gregory L. Brown distributed the GDOT project status report as submitted by GDOT to meeting attendees for information. However, attendees would like updates on the Sardis Church Road and Forest Hill Road projects. Ms. Shelvy Neal indicated that a 4 – way stop sign should currently be in place at the intersection of Walden Road and the new Sardis Church Road Extension project. Mr. Tompkins mentioned that road calmers could also be a solution and the issue should be brought to the attention of the Pedestrian Safety Review Board.

• Next meeting dates:
  The next meeting of the CAC is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 6:00PM as a special call meeting.

• Announcements:
  • Gregory L. Brown announced the remaining public involvement workshop dates for the Big Picture Comprehensive Planning process.
    

• Adjourn:
  The meeting was adjourned at 7:40PM