Rapides Area Planning Commission

Transportation Policy Committee Alexandria / Pineville Metropolitan Planning Organization

AGENDA

Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Zoom Conferencing 1.Call to Order 2.Roll Call 3.Approval of Minutes P_F_T_ Motion to approve Minutes for TPC meeting held February 5, 2025. 4.MPO Housekeeping Projects for Approval a.FY 2026 Unified Planning Work Program Update P_F_T_ Motion to approve the UPWP FY2026 (2025-2026) document. b.Transportation Improvement Program, Amendment No. 6 P_F_T_ Motion to approve Amendment 6 to the FFY2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program for the Alexandria-Pineville Metro Planning Area. c.Public Participation Plan Update P_F_T_ Motion to approve the 2025 Public Participation Plan, pending public comment. 5.MPA Stormwater Study Update & Public Hearing Date P_F_T_ MPO staff will provide an update regarding planning process. Motion to establish date for public hearing for the MPA Stormwater Study. 6.Other Business / Public Comment 7.Adjournment

A/P-MPO TPC 061125 LEGEND: P: Pass; F: Fail; T: Tabled Meeting ID: 870 9566 3764 ADA NOTICE: For special meeting accommodations, contact our ADA Coordinator via phone (318) 487-5401 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting.

Page 1 of 3 June 11, 2025 Rapides Area Planning Commission Transportation Policy Committee - Meeting Date: June 11, 2025 Location: Rapides Area Planning Commission Conference Room & Online (Zoom) Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Attendees: Mayor Bishop Mayor Roy Craig Smith Mayor Wilking Nathan Martin Ollie Overton Jonathan Lachney for Troy Roussell Jules Green Cynthia Perry Dawn Sholmire Laura Phillips Michelle Bloomer Ralph Hennessy Stephanie Ryland for Ben Russo Matt Johns Nick Blackstone Jonathan Bolen Summary: The meeting at RAPC covered several key agenda items. The approval of the SFY 2025-2026 Unified Planning Work Program was discussed, highlighting projects like phase two of bus stop facilities, GIS updates, and the innovative access coordinated mobility grant with a $5 million budget. Amendment No. 6 to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) was approved, adjusting project timelines and budgets. The 2025 Public Participation Plan (P3) update was also approved, emphasizing increased engagement through various methods. The MPA Stormwater Study is in its final stages, with a public hearing scheduled for September 3, 2025. The new Map It tool was introduced for public to identify transportation concerns. Agenda: Item 1: Call to Order & Roll Call - Meeting called to order my Mayor Roy. Item 2: Roll Call - Roll call conducted by Mr. Bolen; quorum confirmed that a quorum was present - Online attendance checked. Item 3: Approval of Minutes - Minutes from February 5, 2025, TPC meeting included in meeting packets. - Motion to accept by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Overton. - No opposition; minutes accepted by acclamation. Item 4: MPO Housekeeping Projects for Approval: 4a - Approval of FY26 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) - The UPWP outlines all MPO work for the next state fiscal year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). - This year’s program document includes a more detailed breakdown of tasks and a revised budget table, as per FHWA and FTA guidance. Key projects highlighted: Phase 2 of Urban Area Bus stop Facilities GIS update; Phase 2 of Existing Sidewalk Facilities GIS database; and Special planning projects including TDM, Reconnecting Communities (award received December last year, contract pending), SS4A (Safe Streets for All, contract pending); and Innovative Access Coordinated Mobility Grant for a consolidated transit vehicle and driver inspection/training facility (authorized by DOT to proceed).

Page 2 of 3 June 11, 2025 Rapides Area Planning Commission Transportation Policy Committee - Meeting - Budget: Approximately $2.5 million, with breakdowns for federal and local shares. - A public comment period for UPWP was held for 14 days (minimum required), completed May 25. No public comments received during the public comment period or meeting. - The document is the final iteration, pending final FHWA approval post-TPC adoption; all DOTD/FHWA minor revisions have been addressed. - Motion to approve by Mayor Bishop, seconded by Mayor Wilking. - On vote the motion unanimously passed; FY26 UPWP approved. 4b - TIP Amendment #6 - The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a four-year, financially constrained program for federally funded projects. - Amendment #6 includes: o Administrative changes (e.g., updating project numbers for the Long Range Transportation Plan). o Truing up funding amounts for the Motor Assistance Patrol (MAP) Program. o Major change: Foisy Street Reconstruction Project moved to federal year 2027 due to design delays (full street rebuild, including sidewalks and drainage). o Removal of LA 28 East Pedestrian Improvements Project from TIP (now pursued under the Highway Safety Improvement Program; Stage 0 application submitted May 2025). o Removal of District 8 Controller Upgrades (DOTD no longer pursuing). - Budget impact: Moving Foisy Street reduces the program from $10.5M to $7.5M; Foisy Street is a $3M project. - Investment breakdown: 24% safety, 68% pavement/bridge, 8% planning (higher than usual due to concurrent planning projects). - A public comment period for TIP Amendment No. 6 was held for 14 days (minimum required), completed May 25. No public comments received during the public comment period or meeting. - Discussion on project scheduling, authorization, and the importance of spending allocated funds to avoid reallocation to other regions. - Motion to approve by Mr. Craig Smith, seconded by Mr. Ollie Overton. - On vote the motion unanimously passed; TIP Amendment #6 adopted. 4c - Public Participation Plan Update (P3) - The plan prescribes public engagement strategies and is a public-facing document. - The update builds on the 2017 plan and incorporates recommendations from the Virtual Public Involvement (VPI) project (funded by Economic Development Council, started March 2020). - VPI project included a year-long public survey, best practices research, and adaptation to federal changes (e.g., no longer required to advertise in the Town Talk newspaper). - New engagement methods: hybrid meetings, pop-ups at community events, public input kiosks at library branches, online and print surveys, and a “meeting in a box” self-guided input tool. - Noted increase in public engagement and cost savings by conducting surveys in-house (500+ responses for $100 vs. 20–25 responses for $10,000+). - Emphasis on demographic/geographic representation in survey responses. - Discussion of crisis-ready procedures, feedback loops, transparency, and adaptive planning. - Motion to approve by Mayor Bishop, seconded by Mr. Smith. - On vote the motion unanimously passed. - Plan tentatively approved, pending 45-day public comment period (through June 25). Adopting resolution will be authorized pending public comments.

Page 3 of 3 June 11, 2025 Rapides Area Planning Commission Transportation Policy Committee - Meeting Item 5: MPA Stormwater Study Update - Five-year project with consultant team (Half and Associates) to develop a hydrologic/hydraulic model for the Metro Planning Area. - 100% complete on planning and public engagement phases; draft document out for 30-day public review (available on website and social media). - Final step: Hold a public hearing through the Transportation Policy Committee. - Discussion on scheduling: Next regular meeting is September 3; consensus to hold the public hearing then for convenience and better participation. Item 6: Other Business: Long Range Plan Update (MTP 2050) - Requests for data sent to Alexandria, Pineville, Rapides Parish, DOTD District 8, and DOTD HQ. - The long-range plan is a five-year document, programming projects out to 2050; 18-month planning cycle to begin soon. - Public outreach effort is called ‘Move 2050’ Launch of "Map It" Tool - New public-facing tool for reporting transportation concerns (traffic, pedestrian, stormwater, etc.). - Accessible via QR code and website; allows users to pinpoint issues on a map, add descriptions, and upload photos. - Members encouraged to share the tool with constituents. Item 7: Adjournment - Motion to adjourn by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mayor Bishop. - No opposition; meeting adjourned. Action Items: • Provide support for the MPO's upcoming Long Range Plan update. • Share information about the new "Map It" tool with constituents. • Hold a public hearing on the MPA Stormwater Study on September 3rd.

Matt Johns Executive Director Kathy Powell Office Manager Jonathan Bolen Transportation Director Destiny Kunefke Safety Planner Jamie Wallace GIS Administrator Blake Powell GIS/Addressing 803 Johnston Street Alexandria, LA 71301 P.O. Box 7586 Phone (318) 487-5401 Fax (318) 487-5406 E-Mail Address: [email protected] M E M O R A N D U M DATE: May 13, 2025 TO: The Alexandria - Pineville Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee Members FROM: Jonathan Bolen Rapides Area Planning Commission RE: APMPO Transportation Policy Committee Meeting There will be a Transportation Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 11th at 10:00 am, at RAPC and online via Zoom. At this meeting, the Transportation Policy Committee will take formal action regarding proposed updates to the Transportation Improvement Program, Unified Annual Work Program, and Public Participation Plan for the Alexandria-Pineville MPO planning area. The agenda and online meeting participation instructions will be posted to our website www.rapc.info/transportation. Please attend or send an alternate to get a vote for these important projects in our metro area. Transportation Policy Committee Members: Mayor Joe Bishop, Pineville, LA (Alternate, Mr. Darrell Basco) Mayor Jacques Roy, Alexandria, LA (Alternate, Mrs. Kay Michiels) Mayor L. Gail Wilkinson, Town of Ball (Alternate, Mrs. Ellen Melancon) Mrs. Cynthia Perry, Alexandria, LA Mr. Jules Green, Alexandria, LA Mr. Nathan Martin, Pineville, LA (Alternate, Mr. Tom Bouchie) Mr. Sean McGlothlin, President, RPPJ (Alternate, Mr. Cory Ashmore) Mr. Ollie Overton, RPPJ Mr. Troy Roussell, LaDOTD-08 (Alternate, Mr. Jonathan Lachney) Mr. Ben Russo, Regional Port Authority (Alternate Mr. Terry Spruill) Mrs. Ralph Hennessy, England Authority (Alternate, Mr. Scott Gammel) Mrs. Dawn Sholmire, LaDOTD-HQ (Alternate, Mrs. Sarah Moss) Mrs. Laura Phillips, FHWA (Alternate, Mr. Carlos McCloud) Ms. Lynn Hayes, FTA

______________________________________________________________________________ ADA Notice: The Rapides Area Planning Commission does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs, services, activities and employment practices. Upon request, this notice is also available in alternative formats. If you need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (such as a sign language interpreter, an assistive listening device or print material in digital format) or reasonable modification to programs, services or activities contact the ADA Coordinator, via phone 318-487-5401 as soon as possible, preferably 3 days prior to the meeting. _________________________________________________________________________________