00:00:07,530	Good afternoon. It is September 15th, 2026. We are at Ed Bosh Froehlich meeting room at Mandan City Hall. It is 130 and this is the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Please stand for the pledge.

00:00:31,900	I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Uh, can we do roll call, please? Mayor Berglund here. Commissioner Tokach. Commissioner Bakken. Here. Mayor Schmitz. Here. And Chair Frohlich. Here. Are there any public comments today? Hearing none. We’ll move on to the consent agenda. Look for a motion to approve. Move to approve. Second.

00:01:18,570	We have a motion by Commissioner Bakken. A second by Commissioner Burgum. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Mayor Berglund here. Ah, yes. Sorry. Commissioner Bakken? Yes. Mayor Schmitz. Yes. And vice chair Froelich. Yes. We will move on to item number nine on the agenda. The draft of the 2027, 2030 Transportation Improvement Program. Stephen.

00:01:52,700	Thank you. Chair. Um, this is exhibit our in your packet and I will give you an overview. Yes. Of the draft 27 through 2030. Uh, Transportation Improvement Program. Uh, so the MPO, uh, makes a practice of updating this program every year.

00:02:19,470	Uh, it covers federally funded projects for our MPO area, as well as Bassman transit over the next four funding years. Um, we advertise the draft tip for the required 15 day public comment period. We did not receive any comments, however, we did hold a public hearing yesterday. Attack and TAC members and MnDOT had comments mostly minor typological type comments.

00:02:44,200	That and revisions that will be made. Uh, so we will incorporate all the comments that we received and make sure that all the corrections that are needed are made and bring hopefully the final document next month for final approval. Um, today I will primarily give you an overview of the next four years of program projects.

00:03:06,930	I will go year by year and, uh, take any questions that anybody might have. Let’s see you. So in 2027, um, the in year of this program, we’ll start off with a rural project that dot is leading for overhead signing along various state highways, including three locations on Bismarck’s main avenue.

00:03:51,400	This estimated cost associated for this is 1.6 million. Bismarck will be doing a safety project. Washington Street and Bowen Avenue intersection for a flashing beacon installation. This is a $360,000 project. Dot will be leading a safety project. Expressway and Main Avenue in Bismarck for turn lane improvements.

00:04:22,800	$900,000 cost for this, and then Ddot will be leading a pavement markings project again on various highways throughout the Bismarck District. A $2.5 million estimated cost. This cost is statewide. Um, under Transportation Alternatives, which would be trail or other type of bike and pedestrian projects. Mandan will be doing a project on eighth Avenue Northwest and 27th Street for some trail improvements. This is about a $500,000 cost.

00:04:51,600	Mandan is also doing a trail project. Um, third Street southeast from sixth Avenue to Third Avenue. Uh, this is about 250,000, and Bismarck will be doing a sunrise Trail project from East Century Avenue to Gold Drive. Uh, for about 600,000 under the urban category for 27.

00:05:18,000	Um, Bismarck will be doing a project on State Street from seventh Street to Divide Avenue. And another one on seventh Street and ninth Street. This is concrete pavement repair and related work for both of these projects. They will also be doing a concrete pavement repair on Boulevard Avenue from six to seventh. And then Bismarck is doing an urban Grants program project.

00:05:41,200	This will be downtown on Front Avenue, third Street, and fifth Street, including Mill and overlay, landscaping, lighting and pavement markings. This is about a $3 million cost. D.O.T. is doing a couple of micro surfacing projects in downtown, in the downtown area of Bismarck on ninth Street, seventh Street, ninth Street. Various extents that are listed in the program for those.

00:06:05,800	And finally, we have a Mandan. Uh, reconstruction project. An eighth Avenue northwest from 24th to 27th, and also on 27th Street. Uh, this is about a $5 million cost. Those are the projects we have programmed in the 27 funding year.

00:06:31,500	Are there any questions? Seeing no questions, I will continue to 28. Um, Ddot is doing some a bridge project along I-94. Um, some substructure rehab, $370,000. Uh, Dot will also be doing a safety project. The intersection of 1804 and Yagan Road for lighting improvements, 170,000. And then also more pavement markings on various highways. Um, in the district, it’ll be about 2.6 million.

00:07:02,400	Bismarck will have a trail project. Uh, they will be doing the State Street Trail rehab from Divide to Calgary Avenue for about 500,000. Um, this is one of our newest projects for to and under the urban category. We have expressway from Washington Street to 26, and also the Washington and Denver Avenue intersection.

00:07:24,870	Bismarck will be doing signals or signal replacement and improvements for $6.1 million. Um, Ddot will be doing some a million overlay on Mandan 1806 from third to 19th, and they will also. Bismarck will also be doing Milan overlay on South 12th Street and Burley Avenue. Um, both of these projects are in the 1 to 2 million range.

00:07:52,070	And Bismarck is doing a project at the divide and Tyler intersection ramp. This is for pavement markings, signing and turn lanes. It’s a safety project for 80,000. Those are the projects we have programmed for 28. Are there any questions on those? Seeing none, we will go to 29. Um, again, D.O.T.

00:08:19,270	will be doing some, uh, some bridge work on various bridges throughout the Bismarck district. Uh, that’s a $1.4 million project. Um, a couple of rural projects that will be happening in 29. Dot is going to do some work on ND 1806, and that is a chip seal coat for 700,000.

00:08:43,330	And also they will be doing some widening and major rehab work on junction or on I-94 from junction old ten to the urban limits of Mandan on the west side. This is a $23 million project under the safety category. Bismarck will be doing roundabout at the intersection of Lincoln Road and Yagan Road for 3.

00:09:06,200	2 million, and Ddot will be doing more pavement markings on various state highways for a $2.7 million price tag under the urban category for 29. Mandan is doing a project on old Red trail from 40th Street to the urban limits. This is for various pavement work. A $5.6 million project.

00:09:29,730	They will also be doing a project at the railroad underpass on Sixth Avenue Southeast. Drainage improvements at that location for 6 million. Bismarck will be doing some signal improvements at the intersections of Seventh and Boulevard and Ninth in Boulevard for 1.1 million, and then finally at Mandan 90 for business from the west. Urban limits to ND six.

00:09:55,470	This will be another widening project for 1.6 million. That is the 2029 program. Any questions from the board on that? Nope. Then concluding with 2030, we have for chip seal coats. Uh, in the rural category, various locations in D6 and D 25 and 1806 and North Dakota 83.

00:10:25,270	Um costs ranging from 2 to 3 million under safety. We have more pavement markings on the state highways. Dot really likes those projects, apparently 2.8 million. And we have, uh, a project for Bismarck. This is for locations where they will be doing rectangular rapid flashing beacons.

00:10:53,000	So pedestrian crossings and safety improvements for 850,000 for the county, uh, intersection improvements, including a roundabout at Apple Creek Road and 66 uh for 5.5 million. Uh, that’s under safety. And then finally, in the urban category, we have, uh, some Memorial Bridge, uh, project, some work on Memorial Bridge. Uh, in Bismarck, Mandan. And that is listed at 700,000.

00:11:16,670	But we are double checking with Dot as that cost may be incorrect. Um, Bismarck will be doing a significant project on Main Avenue from Frayne Barracks Road to Washington Street. It’s listed as 7.1 million. It will include concrete pavement repair, a possible roundabout trail, and other pedestrian improvements, land street scaping and structure rehab. Um, so that is a 2030 project.

00:11:42,700	And finally, we have a chip seal coat on Mandan, North Dakota, 1806 for Mandan Avenue to 27th for 110,000 and that concludes the uh program. Uh, comments from TAC and Dot indicated only minor changes relating to some of the agencies that will be leading these projects, and a couple of minor cost changes.

00:12:12,000	Otherwise, uh, no significant comments were received on the program. Does the board have any questions or comments on this? Any questions for Stephen? If not, thank you. Stephen. Thank you very much. So yes, TAC voted to approve the draft as presented yesterday with their corrections incorporated.

00:12:33,670	So we would be looking for a motion from the policy board to that effect today and would bring the final document back next month for consideration. Okay. So moved. Second. Motion by Mayor Bergland Burgum. Second by Commissioner Bakken. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call please. Mayor Berglund? Yes. Mayor Schmitz. Yes. Commissioner Bakken. Yes. And vice chair. Mayor Froelich. Yes. Move on to item number ten.

00:13:10,200	Traffic data collection and analysis project. Kim. Thank you. Chair Mayor Froelich. Can everybody hear me? Okay. Thank you. Yes. Yes. Okay, great. Thank you. Chair. Members of the board. Uh, exhibit RF in your packet on page 69. Does include a staff memo regarding the traffic data collection and analysis project.

00:13:36,930	Uh, we did have an RFP issued with a submittal deadline for proposals of August 14th. Uh, we received six proposals which required the selection committee, comprised of representatives from the city of Bismarck and Burleigh County, with an MPO staff person, person acting as moderator to engage in a cutdown process whereby we cut the consultant interview

00:14:04,670	numbers down to four. So on September 3rd, we interviewed four firms. They were Gay weld, Hamilton Associates, TDs traffic LLC, Idex, and NDS Data and Survey. The selection committee scored and ranked the interviewed consultants and did ultimately recommend Galt Hamilton Associates as the consultant for the project.

00:14:34,600	The scores were very, very close, so it was um, it was a a good exercise and good competition. Uh, because, uh, the committee recommended Galt Hamilton Associates. We are asking for confirmation of that recommendation. TEC did recommend approval on that yesterday. I’d be happy to stand for any questions.

00:15:02,300	Any questions for Kim? If not, what are your wishes? Commissioners? I move to approve the K Walt Hamilton Associates as the project consultant. Second motion by Commissioner Berglund. Second by Commissioner Bakken. Mayor Berglund. Excuse me. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Mayor. Berglund. Yes. Mayor. Schmitz. Yes. Commissioner Bakken. Yes. And vice chair. Mayor Froelich. Yes.

00:15:34,000	We’ll move on to item number 11 to the 2026 Fringe Area Road master plan. Stephen. Thank you. Chair. Just a brief update today since we the public comment period for the draft fringe area road master plan is through tomorrow.

00:15:57,870	Um, we are we’ll be incorporating the comments that we’ve received both from the public and from MnDOT and, uh, steering committee members into the final draft, which we are intending to bring before all of the commissions and councils associated with our jurisdictions in October. So you’ll be seeing presentations at your boards, uh, coming up. And then, of course, we will bring the final plan back to this board in October for consideration and approval.

00:16:18,870	We are excited to show the work that’s been done. We think that all of the jurisdictions will get some value out of the plan, and there’s been a lot of good work and discussion that’s gone into it. So any questions? Any questions for Stephen? Thank you very much Stephen.

00:16:35,330	Move on to item number 12. Transit development plan. And we will go to Blue Weber. Hey, everybody, can you hear me? Okay. Not very well. Can you turn up your volume? I need to be louder. There you go. Okay, I can do that. If there’s one thing that I’ve never been told, it’s to be louder. So, I.

00:17:01,400	I promise I’ll be at least loud enough that you all can hear me. Let me just get my screen set up, and then I will start sharing. Perfect. Sorry. Computer is just really moving slow today. There we go. Can you all see my screen? Okay. Yes. Perfect. Uh, so this is our first.

00:17:29,870	Well, I guess maybe our second update on the transit development plan, but we’ve had some really good movement on what we’ve been working on right now. And so this will be a high level overview of some of the things that we’re working on and what’s kind of next to be expected from this.

00:17:43,630	So let’s see. So uh, as far as the updates here, we did have our first steering committee meeting last month. Uh, right now we’re working on that existing conditions evaluation. Uh, and we’re really starting to work on the first phase of community engagement, one of which will actually be us out on Friday at the street fair.

00:18:03,400	So very excited for that. Um, where we’re at here is really still in that very first phase of existing conditions, evaluation starting to move into at least looking at some future system needs. But I really in the thick of existing conditions right now.

00:18:23,200	So, uh, just a quick high overview of the current state of transit in the Bismarck, Mandan, Lincoln area. So I wanted to show a little bit about the transit funding. So where those, uh, mixtures of funding comes from, obviously one of the biggest, biggest expenses is that paratransit.

00:18:42,130	Um, and uh, being able to look over on the revenue side, knowing that that federal side is pretty large. But, uh, the local makes up about 28% as well. Um, when looking at the actual performance of things. Uh, one of the benefits that you all have in the area is that continuous growth of ridership since 2020.

00:19:02,170	And so we often refer to that as kind of the beginning of the new normal. Um, and Bismarck, Mandan Lincoln has done a really, really good job of continuing to grow. Uh, I believe these are actually now sitting past, uh, sitting above pre-pandemic numbers as well.

00:19:20,200	Um, when we start to look at how that performance is, we like to break it down into a couple of different things between the overall system, the fixed route and the paratransit. So knowing that the boardings per hour, uh, your fixed route is the biggest, obviously paratransit isn’t always going to be the largest ridership. Uh, but that paratransit does make up the largest operating cost.

00:19:40,930	And these aren’t negative things. It’s just kind of knowing where those tendencies lie. Um, we also like to look at where are people riding. Obviously, this is a big thing.

00:19:55,400	And, uh, when we’re working on these transit plans, it’s also where do we want people to be riding long term. So this is a good way for us to start looking at it. Uh, that orange route is obviously the most popular route that you have. Uh, but knowing even the black route that’s kind of connecting, uh, downtown up to the northern end.

00:20:11,000	Uh, and getting people up to some of those routes that maybe are less ridership, but still equally valuable for the community. Um, always like to look at how, uh, what our biggest stops are. These are good indicators of where the most popular riding is, things like that. Uh, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody. Front Avenue is the largest, uh, ridership bus stop. Uh, right above the Civic Center.

00:20:32,800	So these are things that we kind of already knew and expected. But it’s always nice to make sure that those numbers line up with what we’re expecting.

00:20:49,330	Um, whenever doing these transit plans, it’s always good to start looking in lens of who’s writing, not just saying how many people, but who is making up a ridership. Um, and so we always break this down, both in these heat map indexes. In the next slide, we’ll show a little bit more of how we’re looking at it. But we like to look at some of these different demographic profiles who are being served by the transit.

00:21:06,600	And uh, like I said, the next slide, we’ll talk a little bit more on how we start to actually gauge that out, but just some good numbers about the ridership in the area. So we look at this in a transit needs index. So this is where we start to break it down based on uh five criteria.

00:21:22,470	Uh, and really starting to determine where transit should be based on these index needs. And so as you already see here, uh, the service is providing really good service for people who need it.

00:21:40,800	So this isn’t saying people who could ride it or things like this, but making sure that before we ever start making recommendations that we’re not taking away from any of those high index areas. Um, I already touched a little bit on the post-pandemic recovery. But, uh, doing really, really well on that ridership. Uh, it’s also really neat because you look at it and you’re still down on revenue hours. So this is total operating hours.

00:21:58,730	And so the fact is you’re having higher ridership with less hours being out on the road. These are great indicators. And this is without us making any recommendations. But it means that the service is serving its purpose really, really well in the area. Um, when looking at those service charges, uh, changes. Sorry.

00:22:19,100	Uh, we know that there have been some higher ridership over the past year. Uh, just in that January, May, this was one of the things that we talked pretty heavily about with the steering committee. So nothing too surprising here, but just really wanting to keep you all up to date as well.

00:22:36,130	And then a part of the transit development plan is looking at peer communities. And so we’ve selected these six peer communities based on a number of different criteria. Similar community sizes. Uh, maybe sister cities is something that we’ve tried to look at, but also within the region. So we know whether things like that.

00:22:55,430	So this was kind of our five criteria that we started to break down on, which peer communities we were looking at. And you’ll see the ones that we selected, we have two in North Dakota. So that’s Minot and Grand Forks. Uh, Rapid City, South Dakota. Saint cloud was a really good one.

00:23:12,030	Uh, Sioux City and then Jefferson City is one that we’ve done some work in. And so it just made sense where we could pull some of those numbers really easily. Uh, down in Missouri as well. Um, so when looking at that, we wanted to really start to compare what the boardings per revenue hour were.

00:23:28,630	Like we already said, one of the benefits in the Bismarck transit area is the fact that that ridership is up with revenue hours being down. And so using that as a comparison model to maybe learn what different cities have done well was one of the ways that we tried to take that.

00:23:48,500	Um, some of the other key findings that we found here were, uh, really the paratransit remains an essential service across all of these communities. It’s it’s something that I don’t think anybody ever says no to. But it is hard because it’s almost balancing that need at times.

00:24:05,270	Uh, and then also looking at where our key opportunities are. This is a big piece of the transit plan, especially this one where we don’t have to look at operational as much. And we really get to start to look at the routes, the functionality of transit in the area.

00:24:21,870	And so, uh, these peer communities were some places where we can take some things into our, uh, findings near the end of the project. So I think anybody who knows me, this is where I get really excited, is whenever I get to talk about the engagement plan.

00:24:36,970	And so I really we’re going to be focusing on phase one, which is what we’re in right now, which is a lot of hearing from the community and hearing what people have to say and think about things. So we already do have a project website up on that website.

00:24:50,130	We have a digital survey so people can go in and give us some of their thoughts on transit in the area, as well as a digital comment map. Uh, this is a really fun tool to be able to have people tell us, hey, I wish there was a stop here or, you know, this is one of those unserved areas or every time I’ve ever gotten on the bus here feels like I’m the

00:25:02,800	only one. And so just an opportunity for people to give us their thoughts. Uh, it’s it’s important for us to have that feedback and that storytelling, to combine it with the data of the existing conditions that we already know. So that way we’re getting a full picture.

00:25:17,930	So, uh, that digital comment map, like I said, it’s a really fun tool to use on multiple projects. But I found it’s been so amazing on transit because I live in a world of maps. I think a couple of us do.

00:25:34,470	And so whenever we can give people that actual transit route in a digital format where they can zoom around, and the first thing everybody does on input ID is they zoom in right to their house. And so when people can zoom in and see, oh, maybe this is only a couple blocks away and I’ve never ridden the bus. And so maybe I should actually maybe I could try it out.

00:25:48,370	So, uh, we enable this to have four different comments. So ones based on new stops, trying to hear from people where they see those things, ideas and opportunities. Maybe if they have ideas on what kind of buses could be going through there or paratransit or anything like that. Um, and then also needs improvements.

00:26:05,930	So these can be things like people recommending new bus shelters and then frequency. This is kind of a no brainer, but giving people that opportunity to say, we’d love to see the bus come through a little bit more often in this area.

00:26:21,930	Um, so that digital survey that we currently have up on the website, we actually have done a really good thing where we print these and we bring these onto buses. And so I when we did the Fargo-Moorhead transit plan, it was really neat to take these paper surveys and put them on the bus.

00:26:38,100	We ended up having about 160 respondents, and I always like to look at these transit plans as two different groups that were trying to get feedback from the current ridership and potential ridership. And so this survey really provides an opportunity to get feedback from people who do ride, but also hear from people who don’t ride, and maybe things that we could do to improve the opportunity for them to interact with transit.

00:26:58,270	Um, so right now we are in that kind of first phase still. We will have our open house at the end of this month. Uh, one of the things we’re really excited with is we’re partnering with the Dream Center.

00:27:12,070	Uh, they do their wonderful dinners on Wednesdays from 530 to 7. And so that is where we will be on the 30th of September. So we would love for you all to come and join us there.

00:27:26,630	But it’s an excellent opportunity for us to hear from potentially some of the riders, but also some of the audience at the Dream Center. Uh, when we’ve had open houses at the Dream Center before, it was really fun to give people the opportunity. We’ve never even been in there, and they’ve heard about the Dream Center to come out and see the space.

00:27:38,270	And so that’s where we’re going to be doing, uh, for our first open house. And then in October, we’ll be doing our first planning workshop. Uh, this is more of a closed doors, a meeting with stakeholders where we actually have some planning interaction.

00:27:55,530	So we want them to step into the roles and the shoes of us as planners and help us determine where maybe the future routes are or what future improvements look like. And then from there, analyzing that feedback and presenting it back to you in November. And with that, uh, Aaron Bartlett’s email is on here.

00:28:11,330	But I’m more than comfortable sharing my email as well. And I would love to stand for any questions. Any questions for Blue? One question. This is Mayor Schmitz. So as you look at system enhancements like shelters and so on, are you also looking at where a terminal might be would be appropriate to be located? These are things that at least we have those conversations,

00:28:33,800	especially with Deidre and her team. So when we’re having these conversations, you know, a transit plan, even though these are done every five years, really do try to look out long term. So I don’t want to say yes, we’re completely going to be looking at that.

00:28:48,400	But it’s not something I think that we rule out when having these discussions. I would like that to be a little bit more forefront, because I think I think we need to look at that rather than just having the terminal out on the way.

00:29:09,600	East end of Bismarck, we may have to look at something more centrally located to help service, especially some of those routes that I think are high demand around the business district. Business district. Well, and I when we did the the safe routes to services, one of our recommendations from that study was the circulator, if you remember that one. And that was, yes, a way to get people moving around.

00:29:28,800	Both the human services, the business district up north and things like that. So, um, I think that anytime we can figure out multiple options, it’s not a bad idea. So maybe even talking about where the main terminal is isn’t a bad idea. Or secondary terminal, but I know it’s on Deirdre’s list.

00:29:49,070	Well, you’ve got a really good director over there at the transit, so it’s nice to have her on our team on this one. Any other questions? Okay. Thank you. Blue. Perfect. Thanks, everybody. We’ll move on to item number 13. Passenger rail station siting study update. Kim. All right. Thank you. Chair Mayor Froelich. Members of the board, I exhibit.

00:30:15,270	Our I in your packet does provide a little background information on a passenger rail station siting study. Um, kind of how we’ve gotten to this point and this point right now. I’m very excited to announce is where we are actually able to kick this study off.

00:30:35,300	Uh, MPO has commissioned KLJ to be the consultant on board for this study. And we have with us today, Cassie McNames with KLJ, who is acting as the project manager. And so I’ll just let Cassie take it away and provide us more information today. Do you want me to give the update? Cassie, I, I have the information. It looks like you’re.

00:31:07,130	Okay, I’ll give the update. And then if there’s any follow up questions. Um, Cassie is here to potentially answer them if she can get her audio working, but, um, my name’s Jamie Olson. I’m part of the the KLJ team. I’m supporting Cassie on this project so I can give a brief update.

00:31:28,400	This will be short as we just kicked off the study September 1st, um, with Kim in the design team. So we are just getting going. Um, myself, I am working on the engagement portion of the project, so I am currently working with Kim, um, to establish a study review committee. Uh, develop that public involvement plan.

00:31:53,470	And then we are preparing, um, branding, marketing material, uh, in a project website. Um, currently, our planning team is working on, um, just kind of the desktop review to establish the existing condition conditions along the existing rail corridor. Uh, and that includes the MPO area between Mandan all the way to Lincoln.

00:32:19,300	And then we do have a sub consultant on our team, David Evans and Associates. They are leading the coordination efforts with BNSF. Um, and we’ve been working with them on a communication strategy. Um, and I believe they will be reviewing that with Kim next week.

00:32:41,530	Um, let’s see, the David Evans team is also reviewing the Amtrak and BNSF guidelines right now to help establish criteria for, um, a few a future passenger train station, um, in conjunction with this, they’re developing a list of potential peer communities to assist in that programming effort. So more to come. There. Um, so we haven’t really started to identify those alternatives yet, but, uh, that will be upcoming here.

00:33:10,870	Um, our initial alternatives will be screened for technical principles. Um, like, is it feasible? And then those options will be further vetted using our planning principles, which is community connectivity. Um, accessibility, multimodal connectivity, uh, potential environmental impacts, uh, land use and development and implementation.

00:33:39,500	Um, so once we get those alternatives kind of vetted, they will be reviewed with the SRC and our stakeholders and will be coordinating with them at key phases throughout the project. Um, I think, um, I don’t know if it was mentioned during, during, uh, blues presentation, but, um, we’ll be coordinating with, with their team and reviewing options.

00:34:00,270	Um, as we kind of get further along with that transit development study. Um, lastly, just a quick glimpse to the schedule here. So as I mentioned, we just started here. Uh, we are currently reviewing the existing conditions and anticipate to be completed with that by late October.

00:34:25,270	Um, we’ll review those with the SRC and then work on the development of the alternatives analysis, um, which should be, um, we should be able to start that in late September or early October. Um, that will be completed, um, around March of next year of March 27th.

00:34:49,670	Um, and then finally that draft report will be, um, anticipated to be ready for review by April of next year. So with that, I will take any questions. Cassie, if you had anything else to add. Um, okay. Good to go. Any questions? Okay. Thank you. There is no other business before the board. And with