{"id":17026,"date":"2020-02-27T11:21:24","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T17:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmampo.org\/?p=17026"},"modified":"2023-05-18T18:22:53","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T18:22:53","slug":"metropolitan-planning-briefing-february-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmampo.org\/metropolitan-planning-briefing-february-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Metropolitan Planning Briefing — February 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Metropolitan Planning Briefing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

February 2020<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this Briefing we offer updates on public comment period for MPO grants<\/strong>, paved trail conditions<\/strong>, MPO officers<\/strong> for 2020<\/strong>, and upcoming speakers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Public feedback is being sought on 19 grant applications to\nthe Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and its related Set-Aside\nProgram. The grants are funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and\nadministered by the MPO. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The applications seek more than $34 million to help fund a\nrange of projects from roadways, bridges and transit buses to trails, safe\nroutes to school and on-street facilities. There is approximately $13 million\nin available funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The public can find project descriptions and an interactive\nmap<\/a> of the 19 projects online at www.dmampo.org\/public-participation\/<\/a>\nand leave comments on the site now through Friday, March 27. Comments can also\nbe shared at a public meeting from 4:30 to 6 p.m.  Tuesday, March 24, at the MPO office, 420\nWatson Powell, Jr. Way, Suite 200, Des Moines, IA 50309.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MPO also scores the projects on how well they help meet the regional performance measures established in Mobilizing Tomorrow, the region\u2019s recently updated long-range transportation plan (dmampo.org\/mobilizing-tomorrow\/<\/a>). The scores and public comments will be presented to a funding subcommittee of local officials, who will make a funding recommendation. The recommendation will be presented to the MPO Policy Committee in April for review and again in May for final approval. Once awarded, the grants will be allocated in federal fiscal year 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information on the projects, please call or email MPO staff at 515-334-0075 or info@dmampo.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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TRAILS CONDITION REPORT: Of 112 miles tested in \u201819, most\nare Smooth or Very Smooth <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MPO measured the roughness of 112 miles of paved trails\nin 2019, and the majority were found to be in Smooth or Very Smooth condition,\naccording to the 2019\nCentral Iowa Trail Condition Report<\/a>. Only 1% of trails tested in 2019 were\nfound to be in Rough or Very Rough condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data were collected using the Iowa Data Bike<\/a>, an electric-assist\nbicycle that uses an iPhone with specialized app for sensing the roughness of\npavement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Smart Cities Connect Foundation recently recognized the\nIowa Data Bike with a Smart 50 Award<\/a>,\nwhich recognizes global smart cities projects, honoring the most innovative and\ninfluential work in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pavement conditions will continue to be collected in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MPO LEADERSHIP: Committee Members Set; Officers Elected <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MPO\nPolicy Committee voted unanimously to approve officers for 2020:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chair Joe Gatto<\/strong>, Des Moines City Council
Vice Chair Matt McCoy<\/strong>, Polk County Board of Supervisors
Secretary\/Treasurer Sara Kurovski<\/strong>, Pleasant Hill Mayor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MPO member\ngovernments have finalized their choice of representatives to MPO committees\nfor 2020: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Policy Committee<\/a>
Executive Committee<\/a>
Transportation Technical Committee<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff would like to thank outgoing Chair Steve Gaer, Mayor of West Des Moines, for his two years leading the MPO as Chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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EVENTS: Upcoming Speakers <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The power of the arts, the value of the Census, and the\nunintended consequences of the law \u2013 these are the topics of the next three\nspeakers in the Tomorrow Plan\nSpeaker Series<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n