TPC Meeting Minutes – 06/11/2025

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.