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Transportation Interim Committee

MINUTES OF THE

TRANSPORTATION INTERIM COMMITTEE

        
Wednesday, May 20, 1998 - 9:00 a.m. - 403 State Capitol


Members Present:
    Sen. John P. Holmgren,
        Senate Chair
    Rep. Marda Dillree,
        House Chair
    Sen L. Alma Mansell
    Sen. Eddie "Ed" P. Mayne
    Sen. David H. Steele
    Sen. Nathan C. Tanner
    Rep. Gerry A. Adair
    Rep. Trisha S. Beck
    Rep. Ralph Becker
    Rep. Ron Bigelow
    Rep. DeMar "Bud" Bowman
    Rep. Don E. Bush
    Rep. Gene Davis
    Rep. Brad King
    Rep. Peter C. Knudson
    Rep. Joseph G. Murray
    Rep. Lowell A. Nelson
    Rep. Richard M. Siddoway
    Rep. David Ure



Members Excused:
    Rep. Brian R. Allen
    Rep. David L. Zolman, Sr.

Staff Present:
    Benjamin N. Christensen,
        Research Analyst
    Dee S Larsen,
        Associate General Counsel
    Junie G. Anderson,
        Legislative Secretary


Note:    A list of others present and a copy of materials distributed in the meeting are on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.

1.     Committee Business - Chair Holmgren called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m.
                                                
    MOTION: Rep. Adair moved to approve the minutes of the April 22, 1998 meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Mayne, Sen. Tanner, Rep. Becker, Rep. Davis, and Rep. Nelson absent for the vote.

2.     I-15 Reconstruction/Centennial Highway Fund Update - Construction Status -
Thomas R. Warne, Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), updated the committee on the reauthorization of the federal transportation funding bill. He explained that the reconstruction of I- 15 in Salt Lake County is on schedule and on budget.

    David G. Downs, UDOT, distributed a packet containing several handouts: (1) a chart titled, "I-15 Corridor Reconstruction Project - Maximum/Minimum Payment Curves," (2) an article titled, "Olympics' Driving Spirit," (3) an article titled, "Pioneering Spirit Drives I-15 Reconstruction," (4) a chart titled, "I-15 Reconstruction Segments 1, 2, and 3 Construction Update and ATMS Metro Area Construction Update," (5) charts titled, "Basic Configuration Changes 12, 13, 14, and 16,"

(6) several pictures of current major reconstruction projects, including the 600 North and 600 South Interchanges," (7) two news articles from Interstate 15 Reconstruction - Plan On It! titled, "One Year Down . . . Only Three Years To Go," and "Help Keep the I-15 Workzone a Safe Zone!"

    Mr. Downs explained the information provided in the packet and reported on the current progress of the I-15 reconstruction.
    
3.     Highway Jurisdiction and Funding - Dee Larsen, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (OLRGC), reviewed a chart that was distributed titled, "Creating a New State Highway System." He explained that S.B. 176 requires the committee to create a new state highway system beginning with the list of highways in the bill.

    Ben Christensen, OLRGC, briefed the committee on the state highway system as described in S.B. 176, "Highway Jurisdiction and Funding." He said that based on the process outlined at the last meeting, the committee must begin to decide which highways should be included on the system and reasons why they should be included. He displayed a map of Salt Lake County and pointed out highways that would be included in the S.B. 176 list, the S.B. 176 list if the National Highway System Roads were included in Salt Lake County, and the S.C.R. 6 list. He also pointed out state highways that would be taken off in Salt Lake County under any of these proposals.

    Richard Manser, UDOT, gave a slide presentation on the progress of the technical committee which was formed under the authority of S.C.R.6, "Highway Transfer Process Resolution," which passed during the 1996 General Session. He also distributed a handout titled, "Highway Functional Classification," which included information titled, "S.C.R.6 - Proposed Definitions for Highway Ownership."

    John Quick, UDOT, discussed the financial considerations of highway transfers based on the findings of the S.C.R. 6 committees.

    Clyde R. Naylor, Utah Association of Counties, and Lee King, Utah League of Cities and Towns, spoke on the issue of highway jurisdiction and funding and distributed a handout titled, "Counties and Municipalities Jurisdictional Transfer Subcommittee of The Joint Highway Committee - Principles." They said these principles have been adopted by their group and recommended that any transfers should be measured against these principles.

    Wilbur R. Jefferies, Wasatch Front Regional Council, reported that his entity was designated by the governor to determine the best transportation system for the urban area and the best funding source for implementing that system. He suggested review of the federal statutes in order to research what federal monies are available, what the flexibility is, and which type of roads they can be used for.

    Thomas R. Warne, UDOT, discussed the transfer issue and added that a structure built with the same specifications by state, county, or city builders will basically cost the same to complete.
     MOTION: Rep. Adair moved that, in as much as the Transportation Interim Committee is required to review and make recommendations and propose legislation on the appropriate allocation of highways between state and local jurisdictions and the appropriate distribution of funding sources between state and local jurisdictions, the committee make a recommendation that nothing be done and that the committee stop the study now.

     MOTION: Sen. Mansell moved to adjourn the meeting. Chair Holmgren ruled that the motion failed on a voice vote.

    The committee then voted on Rep. Adair's motion and the motion passed with Sen. Mansell, Sen. Holmgren, Rep. Bigelow, Rep. Ure, and Rep. Dillree voting in opposition. Sen. Steele was absent for the vote.

4.     Other Committee Business - Ben Christensen, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, distributed a letter sent by the committee chairs to the Legislative Management Committee. He explained that the Legislative Management Committee approved two additional meetings for the Transportation Interim Committee and approved the studies listed in the letter.

5.    Adjourn -
    
    MOTION: Rep. Davis moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously at 12:05 p.m. with Sen. Steele absent for the vote.



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