The Minutes of the Shoals Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee.

The Shoals Area MPO Policy Committee met Thursday, September 11, 2003 at 12:00 noon at the NACOLG Offices.  Present were: David Bradford, City of Muscle Shoals; Dick Jordan, City of Florence; Ian Sanford, City of Muscle Shoals; Charles Douthit, Colbert County; Wade Gann, City of Tuscumbia; Ken Allamel, Lauderdale County; Linda Doyle, Alabama Department of Transportation; James Brown, Alabama Department of Transportation, 2^nd Division; Russ Corum, Times Daily; Keith Jones, NACOLG; Shon Hill, NACOLG; Brandon Wallace, NACOLG; Jesse Turner, NACOLG; Tom Piper, NACOLG; and Lyla Bailey, NACOLG.

Chairman Ian Sanford called the meeting to order.  After introductions, Chairman Sanford called for approval or corrections to the Minutes of July 8, 2003.  Dick Jordan made a motion and David Bradford seconded the motion to approve the Minutes as presented.  Minutes Approved.

At this time Mr. James Brown, Alabama Department of Transportation, was asked to give a projects update.  Some projects discussed: Patton island Bridge; Florence Boulevard from Indian Springs to Shoals Creek Bridge ; Memphis to Atlanta ; Corridor B, Alabama/Mississippi to 247; and Corridor X project.  Shon Hill, Planning Director, distributed copies of a letter NACOLG received from Sain Associates of Birmingham. The  firm presented   in  the letter  a tentative scope of work for a Traffic Operations Study for a section of Avalon Avenue from Bill Bowling Drive intersection to King Street intersection.  Keith Jones made the motion and David Bradford seconded the motion to request that this Traffic Study on Avalon Avenue at the George Wallace Boulevard entrance, Cox Boulevard entrance, Bill Bowing Drive intersection and King Street intersection be added to the FY 2004-2006 TIP.  Motion Carried (Resolution is attached and made a part of these Minutes).           

Next, Mr. Hill presented the Transportation Improvement Plan for FY04-06 for review and discussion.  After some discussion regarding a 5^th lane addition project on Avalon Ave. David Bradford made a motion and Charles Douthit seconded motion to Implement  and begin as soon as possible this FY03 on all area projects .      Motion Carried.  Chairman Sanford now asked for a motion to approve a Resolution adopting the TIP FY04-06 to include the Alabama Department of Transportation Safety Program Projects.  Keith Jones made a motion to adopt the Transportation Improvement Program for FY2004 0 FY2006.  Dick Jordan seconded the motion.  Motion Carried (Resolution attached and made a part of these Minutes)

At this time, The FY2004 Highway Functional Classification and Federal Aid Urban Boundary Map was reviewed and discussed.  Shon Hill presented a Resolution adopting the Map.  Charles Douthit made a Motion to adopt the FY2004 Highway Functional Classification and Federal Aid Urban Boundary Map with a noted request for new road classification.  Keith Jones seconded the motion. Motion Carried (Resolution attached and made a part of these Minutes).

Next, Copies of the first Draft of Shoals Metropolitan Planning Organization Bylaws were distributed to the members for review.

Shon Hill presented three Resolutions that demonstrate the support of the City of Muscle Shoals , City of Florence , and the Port of Florence for their efforts to attain a Transportation Enhancement Grant  and to add these projects to the FY 2004-2006 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) if and when each grant is funded.  Chairman Sanford asked for a motion to adopt these three Resolutions.  Dick Jordan made a motion and Charles Douthit seconded the motion.  Motion Carried ) These Resolutions are attached and are made a part of these Minutes).

At this time, Chairman Sanford asked for nominations for Chairman of the MPO for the upcoming year.  Wade Gann nominated David Bradford for Chairman and Dick Jordan seconded. With no other nominations, David Bradford obtained unanimous support of the committee.  Chairman Sanford now asked for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the MPO.  Keith Jones nominated Dick Jordan and Wade Gann seconded the nomination.  Dick Jordan obtained unanimous support of the committee.

With no other business to come before the Committee, the meeting adjourned.

David Bradford, Chairman

ATTEST:

Keith Jones, Executive Director

 MPO/Tech

The Minutes of the MPO Technical Advisory Committee meeting for the month September 2003.

The Shoals Area MPO Technical Advisory Committee met on Thursday, September 11, 2003, 10:30 a.m. at the NACOLG Offices.  Present were: Bill Batson, City of Florence; J. Allen Teague, Alabama Department of Transportation; Bill Howard, City of Muscle Shoals; Linda Wright, City of Sheffield; J.C. Poole, City of Tuscumbia; Ken Allamel, Lauderdale County; John Bedford, Colbert County; Shon Hill, NACOLG; Brandon Wallace, NACOLG; Jessie Turner, NACOLG; Tom Piper, NACOLG; and Lyla Bailey, NACOLG.

Chairman Batson called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.  After introductions were made he called for approval or corrections to the Minutes of May 15, 2003.  With no discussion, Bill Howard made a motion and Linda Wright seconded the motion to approve the Minutes as presented.  Minutes Approved.

At This time, Chairman Batson turned the meeting to Allen Teague for an update on area projects.  Mr. Teague reviewed area projects.  He stated that the first section of Wilson Dam Road project had been authorized for construction. The other section of Wilson Dam Road to Highway 72 project was moved to the fall of 2007.  Florence Boulevard project to six lane from Indian Springs to Shoals Creek was moved to 2008.

Most All Highway 43 projects are moved to 2009. Memphis to Atlanta project is in Environmental stage.  Mr. Teague stated that in the past, states  were allowed to over budget, however, rules are changing with the Financial Balance Five Year Plan.  Many projects are uncertain at this point.

Chairman Batson turned the meeting to Shon Hill, Transportation Planning Director.  Mr. Hill distributed copies of the Shoals Area MPO Transportation Improvement Program for FY04-06.  Bill Howard made a motion to Implement UT and P/E to begin this FY03 on a Muscle Shoals lane addition project on Avalon Ave from Woodward Avenue to Cox Blvd. to begin P/E and UT in FY03 and to proceed as soon as possible.  John Bedford seconded the motion.  Motion Carried. 

After Some continued discussion of this Muscle Shoals project, Bill Howard made a motion and John Bedford seconded motion to recommend adoption of the Shoals Area MPO Transportation Improvement Program for FY04-06.  Motion Carried. (Resolution is attached and made a part of these Minutes).

Mr. Hill and the Transportation Department presented the FY2004 Road Classification map for review and recommendation.  Ken Allemel made a motion and Bill Howard seconded the motion to approve  a Resolution recommending to the MPO Policy Committee that they adopt the FY 2004 Highway Functional Classification and Federal Aid Urban Boundary map.  Motion Carried. (Resolution attached and made a part of these Minutes).

Next the committee reviewed the first draft of the Shoals Area MPO Bylaws for review. (for review only, no action taken at this time.)

With no other business to come before the committee at this time, the meeting adjourned.

William B. Batson, Chairman

Attest:

Keith Jones, Executive Director

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