Utah Legislature 80819TRA

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Transportation Interim Committee

MINUTES OF THE
TRANSPORTATION INTERIM COMMITTEE
        Wednesday, August 19, 1998 - 9:00 a.m. - 403 State Capitol

Members Present:
    Sen. John P. Holmgren,
        Senate Chair
    Sen. Eddie "Ed" P. Mayne
    Sen. David H. Steele
    Rep. Gerry A. Adair
    Rep. Brian R. Allen
    Rep. Trisha S. Beck
    Rep. Ralph Becker
    Rep. Ron Bigelow
    Rep. DeMar "Bud" Bowman
    Rep. Don E. Bush
    Rep. Brad King
    Rep. Peter C. Knudson
    Rep. Joseph G. Murray
    Rep. Lowell A. Nelson
    Rep. Richard M. Siddoway
    Rep. David Ure
    Rep. David L. Zolman, Sr.

Members Absent:
    Sen L. Alma Mansell
    Sen. Nathan C. Tanner
    Rep. Gene Davis
    Rep. Marda Dillree

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 July 15, 1998 meeting, with a change in two places on page 3, changing Mr. Davis to Rep. Davis. The motion passed unanimously, with Rep. Nelson and Rep. Zolman absent for the vote.

2.     I-15 Reconstruction - Construction Status - Mr. David Downs, Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), briefed the committee on I-15 projects and distributed a handout titled "I-15 Reconstruction Project Budget Update." He also noted that the projects remain on budget.

    Sen. Holmgren expressed concern over the 6th North interchange. Mr. Downs explained that the 6th North interchange will become available before closing the 5th and 6th South interchanges.

    Mr. Clinton Topham, UDOT, spoke about the Centennial Highway fund, highway bonding, and federal funding. He said that UDOT is on target for funds being received. Rep. Adair requested that these issues be discussed, at length, in a future meeting.

    Mr. John Leonard, UDOT, explained the current traffic patterns on 3rd West and North Temple, and the changes that will take place with the opening of the 6th North and closing of the 6th South interchanges. He distributed a handout titled "I-15 Reconstruction Project Downtown MOT Plan."

3.     Highway Jurisdiction and Funding - Mr. Clyde Naylor, Utah County, Utah Association of Counties, distributed a handout titled "Counties and Municipalities Jurisdictional Transfer Subcommittee of the Joint Highway Committee - Presentation of August 19, 1998."

    He reported the recommendations of the subcommittee on the transfer issue. He explained that over the last several weeks, counties and municipalities across the state have reviewed potential highways that may be transferred, and responded to the subcommittee. He said the result is that, with adequate funding, 492 miles have been identified for transfer to local governments. These transfers are largely urban roads in Utah and Salt Lake Counties. He stated that rural community leaders are concerned that if they are forced to take the roads, even with adequate funding, they do not have the ability, staff, or equipment to maintain them.

    Mr. Naylor also presented funding suggestions for the transfers in order to ensure that the existing roads, along with newly transferred roads, are maintained.

    Mr. Lee King, Midvale City, Utah League of Cities and Towns, emphasized that the counties and municipalities were concerned about funding for any roads that may be transferred. He also reported on a joint highway committee meeting where representatives of counties and municipalities expressed their ideas about road transfers and identified which roads they would accept.

    Mr. Clinton Topham, UDOT, distributed maps titled "Utah - State Highway Proposed for Transfer - City/County Subcommittee Proposal." He gave a slide presentation titled "UDOT Going the Extra Mile - Highway Jurisdiction and Funding," which detailed UDOT's position on transferring some state roads to local governments. He assured the committee that UDOT favors the continuance of the study of highway jurisdictional transfers and explained reasons why the study should continue.
    Mr. Ben Christensen, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, distributed handouts titled "How Should the Transportation Interim Committee Proceed With Its Study of Highway Jurisdiction and Funding?"and "State Highway Miles to Transfer - Current Proposals." He discussed the information in the handouts.

    Rep. King distributed a booklet titled "A Presentation made to the Joint Technical Committee of the Utah Joint Highway Committee on the Proposed Jurisdictional Transfer of State Managed Roads to Emery County & Incorporated Cities."

     4.    Other Committee Business -

     MOTION: Rep. King moved to have an additional meeting of the Transportation Interim Committee on Tuesday, September 15, at 1:00 p.m. The motion passed, with Rep. Zolman opposing the motion. Rep. Bush was absent for the vote.

     MOTION: Rep. Adair moved to reconsider the action of the previous motion, and schedule the next meeting of the Transportation Interim Committee on September 24, at 9:00 a.m. The motion passed unanimously, with Rep. Bush absent for the vote.

    5.    Adjourn -

    MOTION: Rep. Siddoway moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously at 11:41 a.m., with Rep. Bush absent for the vote.

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