00:00:00,000	Mayor Freelie, can you run the meeting? Welcome. It is 1:30. We are in the Bosch Frelick meeting room of Mandan City Hall, and this is the Metro planning Organization meeting. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. to the flag on the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God.

00:00:33,430	with liberty and justice for all OK we’ll take the roll call Mayor Bergl here. Comm Zach Meyer. Mayor Schmitz or and Chair Frelick here. It we’ll move on to public comment. Do we have any public comments? Kim? OK So we’ll move on to approval of the minutes. I’ll make a motion to approve the minute.

00:01:27,900	We have motion in a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call, please Mayor Berglund here, yes. Comm Zachmeyer. Mayor Schmitz Yes, and Chair Frelick, yes. we’ll move on to item number 5 on our agenda Monitoring report update. Jeremy Williams. HDR All right. Good afternoon and thank you. uh, Jeremy Williams.

00:02:02,730	I’m with HDR and I, uh, and project manager for the monitoring report update, and I just wanted to provide a quick update and I actually have a few slides I can share to talk through.

00:02:19,270	uh, the work that’s been completed so far on the monitoring report update as well as the, the next steps as we wrap up here over the next few weeks. So just a quick refresher on project background, uh, and then a quick discussion of the updated monitoring report and then a quick look at the next steps for the project.

00:02:37,370	So in a refresher on the background, so the current MPL monitoring report, um, looks at a comprehensive review of the current conditions and trends related to transportation within the MP O region. Uh, last pub published in 2016 with the latest update being to that first chapter, the people chapter back in 2019.

00:02:57,630	So again, just uh looking to update the monitoring report in these 4 different chapters you see that cover the people topic, housing, employment, and travel. So the uh process for the project and some of the key goals excuse me, uh, is to again update the existing report to reflect more current, you know, census data, state data, local data, as well as to streamline

00:03:16,000	the document to have something a little more graphically driven that’s a little less text heavy and a little bit more intuitive, and reader-friendly. and also align the monitor and report with uh existing MPO studies and projects that are going on as well as some of the more recent federal and state priorities and goals and

00:03:36,100	guidance related to planning and then provide that data in doc in the document itself in a format that is feasible to hand over to MPO staff. so that future updates can be done in-house and along with that, some additional training just to help uh through the data collection process and the methodologies used to develop

00:03:54,730	the uh updated document. So a quick look at the project’s timeline. The project began back in March and it’s set to wrap up here in December, in the next couple weeks with that final training session you see there listed under task 5.

00:04:12,970	Uh, so, moving over to the monitoring report, uh, update itself, uh, it’s the chapters are all pretty much the same retained from the current monitor and report, uh, in talking with the MPO staff, we didn’t make the decision to consolidate the people in housing chapter given the overlap with those and maybe make the document a little bit more succinct, uh, to that end.

00:04:31,170	So a quick look at that now consolidated, uh, people in housing chapter, looking to provide that overview of population and housing characteristics reflected here in some of the the sample graphics you see that are available in the report and also provides some recent trends that are impacting population and housing, as well as some projections for things like

00:04:52,430	population and households within the region and just kind of connect all of that into how these two factors influence transportation. And as I mentioned, of course, uh, to, uh, consolidate that people in housing under one topic or one umbrella if you will, within the report.

00:05:12,000	The next section employment, uh, pretty straightforward, but again, looking at different uh trends and projections as well as the current um uh information related to employment characteristics and industry characteristics within the MPO region. And then the final chapter section, uh, dealing with travel.

00:05:34,630	So basically all things related to travel, including things like commuting within the region, characteristics of the bicycle and pedestrian system, the transit system, the roadway network, and also, uh, look at some of the trends in emerging technologies and things of that nature that are impacting travel today and are expected to impact, uh, you know, travel and transportation in the near future.

00:05:56,100	Uh, one component that the travel section expands, uh, to capture with the monitor and report update is to have a a more of a robust discussion of performance measures that impact planning within the region, as well as a highlight of the current and planned studies and work that’s going on, uh, you know, being led by the NPO and then finally gets a

00:06:12,000	little bit into kind of a current breakdown of how MPO funds for the functionally classified system, are programmed in terms of expenditures on construction and preservation to give kind of high-level snapshot of the, the funding uh within the MPO region which again relates more to the functionally classified system and doesn’t get too much

00:06:30,170	into detail on how the agencies within the MPO are spending local funds on their local operations and maintenance and and capital planning projects and things like that.

00:06:47,900	Um, so that would bring us to our next steps and kind of the final piece of the project is the the staff training session, which is scheduled for the beginning of December, uh, about a half day session or so with MPO staff to basically talk through data collection efforts and how the data was taken and analyzed and uh used to produce the graphics and figures that are within the report.

00:07:03,530	And again, really the goal there is to just empower the MPO staff to be able to prove or conduct those in-house updates, uh, you know, in the future for future iterations of the draft. And so get pretty brief, uh, that’s all I had for you today, so I can entertain any questions that anyone might have, uh, at this time.

00:07:27,230	Any questions for Jeremy? No questions. Thank you, Jeremy. So, um I just wanted to give a brief thank you to Jeremy and his team for their efforts on the project. They were really great to work with and have been really great to work with, um, at getting this document updated.

00:07:48,630	So uhacA recommended the approval of this uh final document at their meeting yesterday, and we would be looking for a similar motion today. Thank you, Stephen. Move to accept the report. We have a motion by Mayor Schmitz, a second by Comm Zachmeyer. Any further discussion? Hearing none Roll call Mayor Berglund, yes. Comm Zachmeyer. Mayor Schmitz Yes, and Chair Frelick, yes.

00:08:21,100	we’ll move on to agenda item 6. 2028 Transportation alternative projects, Stephen. Thank you, Chair. Um, give me just one moment here. So the MPO uh issued its final solicitation for the FY 28 Transportation alternatives program on September 15th.

00:08:52,730	We received applications through October 15th Funding levels for the TA program are uncertain, but the current estimate DOT provided us for FY 28. is around 840,000 in federal dollars for which we are competing with Minna and Grand Forks as far as our region is concerned. Uh, for the FY 28 solicitation, we received a total of 4 project applications, so I will provide a brief overview of these applications for you.

00:09:15,070	Um, the, uh, first project is the Lincoln, uh, from the Lincoln Park District, City of Lincoln. They submitted a 66th Street shared use path. Safety improvements proposal.

00:09:38,500	to install decorative pedestrian lighting on two segments of pathway, one from Lincoln Road to Twenty-eighth Avenue and one from Santee Road to the southern city limits just south of Humber Drive They are also looking to pave that southern segment which would be grat an existing gravel road. uh from Santee to the southern city limits. Uh, the total cost is 360 with a federal share requested of 291,000.

00:10:02,100	The city of Mandan, they’re, uh, they submitted a project, Highway 1806 pedestrian trail improvements. This is to resurface the existing 10-foot wide asphalt pedestrian trail from 14th Street Northwest past 27th Street North and also under the I-94 bridge on Highway 1806.

00:10:27,170	Overlay and drainage improvements throughout will be used to address flooding of the trail and deteriorated pavement and pedestrian safety enhancements consisting of a separation barrier underneath the I-94 bridge will be looked at because there is currently no um separation between the path and the roadway at that at that spot under the bridge, um. this Cup project comes with a, a total cost of 1.1 million, but of that only 771,000 is eligible for federal reimbursement so that federal request is 624,000.

00:10:54,370	The city of Bismarck submitted for the, uh, State Street, multi-use trail rehabilitation. They have applied for this on a couple of other instances. They are looking to resurface the existing 10-foot wide shared use path.

00:11:16,800	uh, approximately 50,700 ft along the west side of State Street from the Capitol grounds at Divide Avenue to Calgary Avenue, um, where there’s some significant deterioration in the condition of the trail. The cost is 475,000 with a 380,000 federal share requested for this. And then finally Bismarck Parks and Recreation District are bringing forward the Claremont Trail Connections Project.

00:11:43,500	They are looking to construct a new 10-foot wide asphalt trail through Claremont Family Conservation Park from Gulf Drive to Claremont Road. This would be approximately 3300 ft, looking to connect into, uh, some other sidewalk and trail connections on the eastern and western edges of the park there and uh yeah, just uh make it some important connections through some difficult terrain. In that region, and there’s 879,000 is the total cost estimate with a 703,000.

00:12:08,100	federal share requested. So, um are there any questions on any of the applications? So no questions, we, um, the MPO staff scored the applications against the goals and objectives of our MTP using the new scoring rubric developed by the MTP steering Committee for that. Our bike ped subcommittee also scored the applications at their October 29th meeting.

00:12:37,900	and those scores are, uh, and rankings are summarized, uh, follow, you know, in the pages following exhibit B. If anyone is interested in seeing those, um.

00:12:59,800	so as a reminder, the scores are provided for information and discussion and final prioritization or non-prioritization of projects sent to DOT for consideration is at this board’s discretion So tac at their meeting yesterday, um, they basically accepted uh the bike pad and MPO ranking with one significant change. They wanted to divide the projects up between construction and preservation.

00:13:26,530	um, so they, uh, ranked the Lincoln Project as the number one construction project and the Bismarck Clermont project as the #2 construction project, then they ranked the Mandan 1806 Preservation Project as the number one preservation project and followed that with State Street as the number 2 preservation project, and that’s the format and ranking that they recommended we use to send to DOT for their consideration.

00:13:48,430	Um, and I can take any questions or discussion that the board may have at this time, you can vote to accept tax ranking. You can do an alternate alternate ranking or no ranking as your preference. in in the packet here it has the Lincoln Park. type as a preservation.

00:14:09,270	OK, yes, and that, I apologize, I forgot that after discussion it was determined that it was better defined as a construction project because of the paving and the fact that the lighting was new and not being like uh repaired. Yeah Any other questions for Stephen If not, what are your wishes? I move to accept tax recommendations.

00:14:40,170	for ranking. A second that. A motion by Mayor Schmitz, a second by Mayor Berglund. Any further discussion? Hearing none roll call Mayor Berglund. Yes. Comm Zachmeyer. Mayor Schmitz and Chair Frelich. Yes. we’ll move on to item number 7. 2030 Highway Safety Improvement Program, Steven, thank you, Chair.

00:15:16,530	Uh, the MPO issued its final solicitation for the FY 30. Highway Safety improvement program in September. We accepted applications through October 24th, we received 3 applications. I’ll give again a brief overview of these for you. Uh, the city of uh Mand Dan is submitting for construction project, Sunset Drive and 27th Street North intersection.

00:15:39,430	They are proposing a single lane roundabout with pedestrian islands to improve traffic flow, reduce queue lengths, and improve safety for all intersection users at this location, it is at close to the new high school, uh, very busy, uh, intersection, as was noted at Tacac yesterday. The total cost is about 2.7 million with a 2.4 million federal request for this project.

00:16:01,430	Uh, the city of Bismarck is, uh, submitting for the construction of rectangular rapid flashing beacons at 4 locations, uh, 4 significant pedestrian crossings with safety issues throughout Bismarck, so they are proposing the crosswalk between Century High School and Gateway Mall, where it was noted there was a recent accident involving a pedestrian,

00:16:20,630	ah, they at the crossing at Washington Street and Avenue B, uh, the crossing at Riverside Park Road south of Memorial Bridge, and then the crossing at airport Road and Lee Avenue. Uh, this project carries a 690,000 cost with a 621,000 federal requests.

00:16:44,100	And finally, Burleigh County is submitting for intersection improvements at Apple Creek Road and the 66th Street Southeast Intersection. Uh, the proposed project would construct either a hybrid roundabout or if uh preliminary design dictates a different approach, uh, a different kind of intersection improvement at this location to improve safety, reduce conflict points, and allow for future street development in the area.

00:17:08,100	and this project is a 4.5 million with a 4 million requested a federal request. Um so the MPO scored these applications against the goals and objectives of our MTP.

00:17:33,730	The scores are shown for informational purposes on the summary sheet, but, um, historically, we do not usually send these projects to DOT with any types of prioritization and tack voted yesterday to recommend sending them to DOT and prioritized for their consideration. I can take any questions that you may have at this time. Uh, so it would continue unprioritized Per yeah, we would not be recommending anything particular to DOT.

00:17:55,100	They would it also remove the scoring? Because I am scoring is not relevant for what we send to DOT. That’s correct. It’s just for informational purposes that the MPO staff does an exercise where we look at the goals of our metropolitan transportation plan and try to, yeah, try to.

00:18:11,630	give our best guess at how well that fits, but yeah, it’s just for information. OK, cuz I know uh that Apple Creek Road in 66th Intersection is of high priority for the city of Lincoln because we do have limited access to and from and that is a kind of bottlenecks, a lot of traffic, so it’s, it’s frustrating to see that score of 37 against a, a 13.

00:18:36,700	13 point difference. So. Yeah, I get it. Where there’s really no perfect way of scoring. The rubric was developed when we did buy the steering committee that was part of the MTP but unfortunately, the way it works, it does often kind of, um, prioritize product uh projects that have just are

00:18:53,730	in busier areas, I suppose you could say. So we understand that. That’s why again it’s not a ranking or and it’s not forwarded in any way. It’s simply provided for purposes of discussion.

00:19:23,100	Thank you Any other questions for Steven If not what are your wishes I move to approve the uh action from Ttac or tax uh recommendation without ranking. and do not provide the scores to DOT. I would second that Here we have a motion by Mayor, uh, Schmitz, seconded by Mayor Berglund. Any further discussion? Hearing none, roll call Mayor Berglund, yes. Comm Zachmeyer. Mayor Schmititz Yes, and Chair Frelich, yes.

00:19:57,230	we’ll move on to item number 8, Urban Grants program. Steven. All right, thank you, Chair. Once again, you can listen to me talk for just a minute at the MPO issued its final solicitation for the FY 29 Urban Grants program in September accepted applications through October 24th. We once again received three applications for this program.

00:20:20,370	Um, I will just give a brief summary of these, uh, Bismarck has submitted for the Washington Street traffic signal modernization. They are looking to replace the entire traffic signal system at Washington Street and Broadway Avenue to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and better serve all users.

00:20:41,100	The existing signal has passed its useful life, and there are known pedestrian safety issues, including a fatality in June 25. That will be addressed with pedestrian push buttons and leading intervals. They also wish to improve and modernize the signal system at Washington Street and Rosser Avenue to reduce North-South congestion and eastbound emergency vehicle delays.

00:21:03,600	Upgrades will include flashing yellow arrow left turnheads, video detection cameras, pedestrian push buttons, and the replacement of the signal cabinet. Uh, this is a 968,000 project of which only a portion is federal aid eligible. They are requesting 700,000 in federal money for that project. Um, Mandan has submitted for phase two of their Downtown 1st Street and Avenue’s reconstruction project.

00:21:27,170	This project would cover First Street, uh, from 2nd Avenue to Fourth Avenue, 3rd Avenue from 1st Street to Main Street and 2nd Avenue from 1st Street to Main Street. This is a full reconstruction of the roadway, uh, due to exceedingly poor payment condition and the need to replace a water main, which precludes a mill in overlay.

00:21:45,230	They will also do sidewalk and sidewalk ramp improvements to replace existing poor conditions and bring up to 88 compliance, uh, curb bulbouts at First Street intersections, signage and striping, beautification elements, uh, they will look at sidewalk widths and roadway width during preliminary design.

00:22:07,100	It is a stand-alone project that is not dependent on phase 1 or 3 although phase 1 was approved for funding, for through this program already, uh, the project has a $6.2 million price tag, 4.6 million is federal aid eligible and 3.7 million is the request, uh, from DOT. And finally, Bismarck is submitting for their main avenue reconstruction from 7th to 9th Street.

00:22:29,630	They’re looking to reconstruct the roadway here and it’s deteriorated pavement. They will have new pavement curb and gutter, street and pedestrian lighting, ADA compliant pedestrian facilities upgraded and modernized storm sewer facilities, the southernmost eastbound driving lane here will be converted into a flex lane that will serve as a driving lane until

00:22:49,870	redevelopment on the south side of Main Avenue could lead to conversion into a parking lane. The existing roadway will be narrowed and wider sidewalks with boulevards will be installed to improve pedestrian safety, snow storage, and redevelopment potential.

00:23:09,170	Access management discussions will also be held with property owners during the public input process to discuss consolidation of three corridor driveways. This project is 3.5 million, uh, with a 2.2 million federal request. Um so again, MPO score, these applications against the goals and objectives of our MTP using that new scoring rubric that was provided. for us by the steering committee for that project.

00:23:30,370	The scores are shown on the summary sheet and are provided for information and discussion, but, you know, again, final prioritization or non-prioritization is at your discretion and tact at their meeting yesterday, they recommended forwarding these projects without prioritization of any kind, so that was their motion yesterday.

00:23:57,500	I can take any questions Any questions for Stephen None. What are your wishes We have a motion to approve. Can I get a second? 2nd We have motion by Comm Zachmeyer, seconded by Comm Mayor Berglund.

00:24:38,630	Any further discussion hearing done, roach Chair Frelich roach roach Chair Frelich roach, I just for clarification point, would your motion, Comm Zachmeyer be without prioritization? OK, thank you That point roll call Mayor Berglund, yes. Comm Zachmeyer. Chaer Mayor Schmitz. Yes. and Chair Freelich. Yes. We move on to item number 9 North Dakota DOT bizmanned. MPO 2026 UPWP contract. Kim. Thank you, Chair Frelich. Um Chair, uh, members of the board.

00:25:22,430	exhibit O on page 205 of your packet is, um, a standard annual contract with no one-time changes between North Dakota DOT and the MPO. And if you give me one moment, I’ll bring that up. All right, there we go. Uh, this is tied to the MPO’s 2026, 2027 UPWP and to the MPO’s share of the 2026 Consolidated Planning Grant.

00:25:46,230	The contracting parties are shown as North Dakota DOT in the city of Bismarck on behalf of the Bismarck Mandan APO, and that identification is shown because the NPO’s funding is provided by the city of Bismarck and is then reimbursed back to the city by North Dakota DOT using the CPG funds.

00:26:08,370	The 2026 UPWP contract runs from January 1 to December 31st of 2026, and the contracted amount is for a maximum of $799,699.55 in CPG funding to fund the federal share of MPO’s 2026 UPWP. The contract is undergoing Bismarck’s internal contract review process right now and upon potential MPO approval of this contract by the policy board and successful, um, city internal contract review.

00:26:37,800	The contract will be brought to the Bismarck City Commission on December 9th for approval and electronic signing. A staff is requesting a recommendation of approval of the 2026 UPWP contract and did recommend approval of same.

00:26:59,800	Are there any questions The only thing I will note, Kim, is the commission meeting will be the 16th of December, not the 9th. We only have one meeting in December. for Bismarck Oh OK, that is very good to know. Thank you. With that notification, I would move to approve I was 2 We have a motion by Mayor Schmitz, a second by Mayor Berglund. Any further discussion? Hearing none, roll call, please. Mayor Berglund, yes. Comm Zachmeyer.

00:27:37,530	Mayor Schmitz Yes and Chair Frelick, yes. we will now move on to Agenda Item 10, ATA Addendum to master agreement, Kim. Thank you, Chair Freelich. Uh, exhibit P on page 227 of the packet is for automated traffic data collection at 5 Man Dawn Signalized intersections.

00:28:02,100	This is very similar to the data collection project that was suc successfully implemented in the city of Bismarck, Mandann’s pilot project would include everything provided in the scope of work that was provided in the packet exhibit, uh, and the project would begin in January 2026 and conclude 18 months later in May of 202 7 A total of $45,000 is included in the MPO’s work

00:28:23,430	program and budget, or UPWP for the project and the revised addendum, um, that we have received is for a total project cost of $44,793. The revised addendum is what I’ve put before you on your days, um, and we’ve also updated our packet to indicate that, um, revision because the incorrect amount was shown on the original

00:28:53,800	Attachaddendum that was included in the packet. Um the 20% local match of $8,958 will be provided by the city of Mandan and the remaining 80% would be provided by the Bismarckand and MPO Staff requests recommendation of approval of the addendum to the ATA Master Agreement for the mandalized intersection traffic

00:29:15,730	data collection pilot project and Tac did recommend approval of the addendum at their meeting yesterday. I would be happy to stand for questions. Questions for Kim Hereing none, what are your wishes I’d make that motion to approve the AEC addendum to the master agreement. We have a motion by Mayor Berglund. seconded by Comm Zachmeyer.

00:29:47,230	Any further discussion? Hearing none, roll call, please Mayor Berglund, yes. Comm Zachmeyer. Mayor Schmitz. Yes, and Chair Frelick, yes. we’ll now move on to item number 11, the 2025 Safety Policy Study. Luke. Good afternoon, Chair. Policy Board, can you hear me all right? Yes. OK. Great. I’m just gonna uh quickly share my screen. We’ve been busy, uh, this.

00:30:27,230	uh previous month putting together a draft report for the safety policy study. I’m just going to share the table of contents with you all. There are 8 chapters in the report, including an introduction and background of the safety policy study.

00:30:51,370	of Chapter 2 provides an overview of multimodal transportation safety in the region, looking at crash statistics from the Metropolitan planning area for the five-year period of 2020 to 2024 or through 2024, excuse me, Chapter 3 provides an overview of the current state of practice, including some reference and resource uh and, and really a solid foundation of safety and transportation safety planning work that that has been done in the region.

00:31:20,100	Chapter 4 outlines the public engagement for the study and outreach. Chapter 5 uh is an overview of the data analysis, more on the lines of methodology and where the crash data came from, and then it also provides methodology and background on the high injury network, which is looking at density of severe crashes on specific roadways across the

00:31:47,370	Metropolitan planning area. Uh, after chapter 5, there’s a chapter 6, which is not listed here. I must have missed the heading. Um, but that would be the, the high injurywork results.

00:32:11,600	So sharing a specific maps of the high injury network in the region by mode we have a pedestrian high injury network based on pedestrian involved crashes. We have a bicycle, high injury network based on bicycle involved crashes. There’s also a motorcycle high injury network, a passenger vehicle, high injury network, and then there is an all modes high entry network as well.

00:32:33,230	In chapter 6, chapter 7 outlines uh uh that’s one of the remote, most robust sections that outlines the safety countermeasure strategies and toolit which are engineering and non-engineering strategies and then Chapter 8 provides prioritization of locations. across the region and then implementation and the road to zero strategy for Bismarck Mandan MPO to follow. I’m going to stop sharing my screen and uh we also have several appendices. as part of the report.

00:33:07,070	I’m just going to list those off here. Appendix A is the technical memo of the historical crash summary that has all of the tables and charts of the crash data Appendix B is the technical uh memo of the, the state of practice, which is outlining those resources and of your existing plans that have a safety transportation safety

00:33:34,170	component. Appendix C is the public engagement summary providing a little more detail on who was met with, when, and then specific summaries from specific meetings and events that we held Appendix D is the high injury network methodology, the technical, uh, facing memo of that and then Appendix E is

00:33:58,230	a uh PDF of the high entry Network one pagers. So we looked at specific um high injury network corridors in the region in the MPA and provided one pagers that outlined the where the crashes occurred on that corridor, the types of crashes and some of the contributing factors associated

00:34:21,100	with the crashes along that corridor. Um, those are, those are super interesting. We didn’t get to every corridor, so we, we limited it to the top 2, most severe. tears of the high injury network.

00:34:42,600	So they are the most severe roadways in the region, and there are 45 pages, so 45 different segments in the one pager appendix E to start to dive in and, and, and identify specific strategies that may be implemented in specific locations. And then the final appendix, Appendix F is uh really tailored for your local technical, professional.

00:35:09,700	s and planning and engineering staff, and that is the safety strategies tool kit, uh, focused on engineering strategies. and in that, uh, it’s a navigable, it will be a navigable PDF, meaning that you’ll be able to sort or filter by clicking on an answering specific questions about, you know, where, where you’re looking for a solution, um, and it’ll filter to the appropriate strategy for that

00:35:36,530	type of location. Um, I have to applaud your local technical staff We met last week with our Syrian committee and got some really good feedback on the, the draft report. We’re making some adjustments based on that feedback.

00:35:58,370	Um, I will be getting the safety strategies tool kit, navigable PDF out today. I just finished with cleaning up the a couple of links Scott uh discombobulated in there. So that’s all cleaned up now. So I will be getting that back out to the uh steering committee.

00:36:19,170	We’re asking for um your local professionals, uh, feedback by the 26th, end of day, just, just so we can get those before Thanksgiving. We’re meeting with them in the steering committee again on December 3rd, and then you will see a final, final draft of this report and the appendice s in December, so we’ll be looking for action, uh, from tac and policy board in December.

00:36:43,170	and that will wrap wrap up the safety policy study. So it’s been a pleasure. I’ll have you’ll see me again, but uh we’re getting towards the end here, before the holiday season and um looking forward to the the final deliverables as part of this study.

00:37:07,170	OK Any questions? He’s he’s still on? Luke, you’re still on? Yes, I am. Any questions for Luke? None. OK. Thank you, Luke. Happy Thanksgiving. You as well. Thank you. We’ll move on to agenda item 12. Uh, Dr Hassan Uh, thank you, Policy board and the chair. Uh, can you hear me well? OK. Yes. Perfect.

00:37:36,000	So I have a very brief um uh presentation for, uh, for you and, uh, so again, uh good afternoon to Honorable Chair and the board members. Uh, this will be a very brief update on the ITS architecture as we are approaching to the end of this project as well. Uh, and a draft report is already included in your meeting packet.

00:37:49,900	Uh, we started this project in, uh, February to update the ITS architecture, uh, which was originally developed in 2005 and uh has already been gone through 3 updates. So this is the 5th edition of the architecture.

00:38:08,530	Uh, in this version we have updated the TimeScope as well as the geographical scopes as per the input from the from our stakeholders. One of our primary focuses in this initiative was uh um identifying the key players, uh, driving technological advancement in this region, uh, while the architecture itself is not dependent on the archi uh on the technology, the introduction of any new technologies inevitably brings

00:38:32,100	the brings in new stakeholders. Uh, therefore we have included two new stakeholders in this, uh, in the architecture, which increases our number of stakeholders. um to 26 in comparison to the last update in 2021.

00:38:51,730	Uh, to streamline the architecture development, we use the concept of the IKS services and identify those as service packages, uh, and currently we have a total of 28 service packages, um, uh, or, uh, yeah, 28 service packages out of which 26 are existing and 2 are assigned for the future.

00:39:11,070	Now if we compare it to the last architecture, um, update, uh, the number is reduced, however, if you look into the segregation of their status, uh you will see that uh the main reduction happened in the number of services with future status while the number of planned services came down to zero.

00:39:32,900	this indicates that, uh, that the region region has uh made significant strides in in executing their planned initiatives, particularly in relation to the uh in relating to the ITS uh components. Uh, other than the idea of the changes in the service packages, uh, there are some discuss, uh, discussed service packages, um, which are not included as a severed ser uh separate service.

00:39:55,800	However, uh, the functionality is addressed under another service or in the statewide regional architecture as ATAC is responsible for the maintenance of both frameworks. Uh, we have also, um, pinpointed several agreements that are crucial for clarifying stakeholder relationships in the in the region and ensuring effective public service delivery. Now identifying those agreements is a significant challenge for any regional architecture, so.

00:40:22,500	if they’re not clearly identified uh through the ITS plan, um, therefore we, uh, we are introducing the concept of project architecture for the first time in the 20 year history of uh I archi architecture development in the BismarckM Mandan region, um, uh, this concept will not only help with the agreement identification.

00:40:43,370	It will also serve as a standardized template for the future ITS projects that uh those will be identified in the team, uh, detailing the information that should be requested uh when developing project responsibilities to consultants, uh, or, uh, so when, when you’re delegating the project responsibilities to the consultants, contractors, or developers.

00:41:07,970	Um, now we believe that these initiative will um enhance the effective utilization of the architecture in future, uh, projects. Uh, in addition to this, to the points that we have already discussed. We propose several recommendations aimed at enhancing interagency collaboration and embracing embracing uh modern technologies, uh, such as electric vehicle charging station, uh, these suggestions are in line with the goals set forth in the MTP 20,150 initiatives.

00:41:35,100	So here is the list of uh responsibilities that was outlined at the start of the project to ensure timely delivery and uh we are at the final stage of receiving receiving comments from our technical representatives that will be included in the, in the final report as seen necessary

00:41:52,230	and uh I’ll present the uh final report in the next month uh for the uh board’s approval. Uh, with that, thank you again and uh I can, if I can entertain uh any questions of yours. Any questions for Dr Hasson? Nope. OK Thank you, and uh, happy Thanksgiving.

00:42:17,970	as well With that, we’ll move on to item number 13, fringe area Road master plan Update Stephen. Thank you, Chair. Just real briefly, the Fringeer Roadmaster plan update had a kickoff meeting on October 27th, and we held our first steering committee meeting on November 13th. We had very good, uh, discussion and participation.

00:42:43,630	So over the next month, we will be taking the direction we received at that meeting. We will be working on data collection, preparing for our first major public engagement event for this project, which we are still hoping to hold in early December.

00:43:01,370	And then finalizing a couple of important mapping tools we will be using to collect information from the steering committee, our jurisdictions, and the public as part of this project. So we are excited to uh have more substantial updates in the future as this gets underway. Have any questions? Any questions for Steven OK, thank you. We’ll move on to item number 14, administrative modifications, Stephen. Yes, Char, uh, thank you.

00:43:24,100	So on a regular basis, uh, as you are aware, the MPO has to make changes to our major planning documents, whether that’s the unified Planning Work program, the MTP or the tip. uh probably most common to see us change the tip at these meetings.

00:43:43,800	So our public participation plan lays out a specific process for handling these changes if they are substantial and meet certain thresholds, they are processed as amendments. If the changes are minor and fall below the amendment threshold, they are processed as administratively, as modifications. So these minor changes are then usually presented to the boards as an informational presentation, but we never require any action.

00:44:06,870	from the boards, um, on these, they are simply informational items, uh, and administrative changes. Um, so after some recent discussion about this process at TAC, it was suggested that to save time at our meetings, we, ah, provide our board’s official notice of administrative modifications on our meeting agendas and in the packet but no longer include them as presentations.

00:44:28,170	Board members could always question or comment on them at the meetings if desired, but normally they would simply be included as just as a notice on the uh on the agendas themselves.

00:44:44,330	Uh, we wouldn’t need to change our public participation plan to accommodate this, but we did want to bring this forward to both TA and Policy board in case you have any questions or concerns, uh, tack did not really have anything, any concerns about it. They just want to make sure that they were still getting noticed in some way. OK. Any questions? Thank you, Steven. Now, uh, item number 15, meeting calendar, Tracy. Second to share screen here.

00:45:44,470	Sorry about that. Give me a second here. OK On the last page of your packet is the 2026 MPO calendar of meetings, um the tac meetings will, will begin at 10 a.m.

00:46:21,430	on Mondays, and the policy board meetings will begin at 1:30 on Tuesdays, with the exception of January and February due to a holiday on Monday. Both meetings will be held on Tuesday. TA and Policy Board will be in Bismarck, January through June, and back in Manda July through December. Does the board have any questions? Any questions? Nope. Thank you. Item number 16, government partners program, Kim. Thank you, Chair Freilich.

00:46:49,800	Uh, this is just, uh, a brief update and a reminder regarding the, uh, Big Sky passenger rail Authority government partner program membership. Uh, this is a membership that’s designed to assist communities along or adjacent to new passenger rail service routes with planning activities to maximize maximize benefits and to address challenges that are presented by new passenger rail service

00:47:11,000	to an area. Um, the, uh, government partner program membership has a term of one year beginning from the time that the fee is received and then expiring 12 months from that date. It does not automatically renew.

00:47:32,370	Uh, the, the MPO and its partner jurisdictions, all participated in the government partner program, uh, through the year of 2025. The memorandum of agreement for the GPP um between the MPO and the five paying jurisdictions was signed last December after approvals were received by each jurisdiction’s governing body, and because the MOA follows the term of the membership, which of course does not auto renew, um, jurisdictions were told that

00:47:52,370	they would be given ample time and the option to consider renewal again this year. Now, um, the GPP membership, uh, was included in the Bismarck Mandana MPO’s 2026 UPWP in the budget and which was presented to the boards in detail in July and then approved by the policy board in August.

00:48:15,100	Uh, at that time, there were no objections to the inclusion of the $6000 GPP membership fee or to its jurisdictional match amounts which are as follows Bismarck’s match is $720. Mound Dan 240. Burleigh County 180, M Martin County 30, and City of Lincoln $30.

00:48:41,730	If any jurisdiction does require approval of the 2026 membership through its governing body, this would be the time for the principal representative for that, um, particular jurisdiction to request that approval prior to year’s end. The MPO will be verifying which jurisdictions are participating in order to develop the memorandum of agreement for 2026, and we do hope to bring that final MOA to the boards in December for your review.

00:49:03,100	Uh, that way we can have a membership that begins on January 1. I would be happy to entertain any questions or um stand for any concerns that you might have. Any questions for Kim OK. Thank you, Kim Is there any other business before the board? None. I would entertain a motion to Adjourn.

00:49:28,100	2nd, the motion is 2nd. This meeting is Adjourned. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.