Transportation Policy Committee (TPC)

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Transportation Policy Committee convened on February 26, 2025, with the Mayor presiding. The committee worked through five agenda items spanning a range of transportation planning and funding matters, taking three votes and hearing four public comments over the course of the meeting. Three items were brought to a vote and approved: an amendment to the Lexington Area Transportation Improvement Program for fiscal years 2025 through 2028, the adoption of Lexington Regional Highway Safety Targets for Calendar Year 2025, and approval of MPO support of LexTran Transit Asset Condition Targets for CY 2025. The remaining two agenda items were informational in nature, including a review and discussion of new required review processes by the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as a review and discussion regarding the KYTC strategic highway investment formula for the Tomorrow Program shift.

Attendance

The following members were present at the Committee meeting on 2025-02-26:

• Mayor
• Mr. Aviglia
• Councilmember Gray
• Mr. Brown
• Mr. Wu
• Ms. Reynolds
• Mr. Baker

No members were recorded as absent or late. All seven listed attendees were present for the meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The committee considered and passed three resolutions during the February 26, 2025 meeting, all by voice vote.

• Resolution 2025-2 — *Amend the Lexington Area Transportation Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2025 through 2028* 44:35: The committee approved this resolution, which included a condition to increase funding for the downtown trolley project by $60,000. The motion passed by voice vote. No individual mover or seconder was recorded.

• Resolution 2025-3 — *Adoption of Lexington Regional Highway Safety Targets for Calendar Year 2025* 57:38: The committee approved this resolution by voice vote. No conditions were attached, and no individual mover or seconder was recorded.

• Resolution 2025-4 — *Approval of MPO Support of LexTran Transit Asset Condition Targets for CY 2025* 1:02:33: The committee approved this resolution by voice vote. The motion was made by Mr. Wu. No seconder was recorded, and no conditions were attached.

All three resolutions passed without recorded dissent. Because each vote was conducted by voice rather than roll call, individual ayes and nays were not tallied in the record.

Public Comment

Four members of the public addressed the committee during the public comment period, all speaking in support of the proposed trolley program. 35:06

• Erin Arnold Davis opened public comment by expressing strong support for the trolley program, citing its potential benefits for public safety, sustainability, and parking accessibility. 35:06

• Kaylee Payton also voiced support for the trolley system, emphasizing its potential to connect key areas throughout Lexington and help alleviate parking challenges in the city. 37:43

• Rebecca Burnworth spoke in favor of the project, highlighting its significance for tourism and its role in providing alternative transportation options in the distillery district. 39:45

• Jeff Wiseman drew on personal experience to support the proposal, referencing a similar trolley system he had encountered in Newport, Rhode Island, and expressing support for bringing a comparable program to Lexington. 41:19

No speakers appeared in opposition to the trolley program during this public comment period. The comments collectively centered on themes of connectivity, parking relief, tourism, and sustainable transportation.

Review and discussion regarding new required review processes by the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation

3:32

Mr. Aviglia led the committee through a discussion of new review processes being required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) for Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and State Department of Transportation (DOT) actions.

The presentation focused on how these new federal requirements affect key planning documents, including:

• The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) — the short-range programming document that identifies federally funded transportation projects
• The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) — the document outlining the planning tasks and activities to be carried out by the MPO

Mr. Aviglia outlined the new review processes that the federal agencies now require as part of oversight of these documents, informing the committee of what to expect going forward in terms of federal scrutiny and procedural steps associated with MPO and State DOT actions.

This item was presented for informational purposes, and no formal action or vote was taken by the committee. The discussion served to keep members apprised of evolving federal requirements that will shape how the organization conducts and documents its planning activities.

Amend the Lexington Area Transportation Improvement Program for fiscal years 2025 through 2028

18:06

The committee took up Resolution 2025-2, which proposed amendments to the Lexington Area Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) covering fiscal years 2025 through 2028.

Mr. Aviglia led the presentation on this item, addressing the proposed amendments to the TIP. The discussion centered on:

• Project funding adjustments associated with the amendment cycle
• Eligibility considerations for TIP modifications under the applicable program guidelines

Following the presentation and discussion, the committee approved Resolution 2025-2.

Adoption of Lexington Regional Highway Safety Targets for Calendar Year 2025

45:08

The committee took up Resolution 2025-3, concerning the adoption of highway safety targets for the Lexington region for calendar year 2025. The discussion centered on the appropriate approach to setting these targets, with key contributions from Mr. Aviglia and Mr. Wu.

The presentation and debate touched on two competing considerations:

• Trend-based realism: Whether the targets should reflect actual observed trends in highway safety data
• Aspirational goals: Whether the targets should be set more ambitiously to drive improvement beyond current trajectories

The committee discussed the tension between setting targets that are achievable based on recent performance and setting targets that push for greater safety outcomes, even if they may be more difficult to meet. Speakers examined how the framing of these goals could affect planning priorities and accountability within the region.

No specific numerical targets are reflected in the available summary data, but the discussion acknowledged the importance of grounding the 2025 targets in a clear understanding of regional safety trends.

Resolution 2025-3 was approved by the committee.

Approval of MPO Support of LexTran Transit Asset Condition Targets for CY 2025

58:10

The committee considered Resolution 2025-4, which sought MPO support of LexTran's transit asset condition targets for Calendar Year 2025. The resolution addressed targets related to vehicle and facility conditions within LexTran's transit system.

Mr. Aviglia and Mr. Wu were the key speakers during this agenda item. The discussion noted improvements in fleet age as part of the presentation of LexTran's asset condition targets, reflecting positive progress in the state of LexTran's vehicle inventory.

The committee approved Resolution 2025-4.

Review and Discussion Regarding the KYTC Strategic Highway Investment Formula for Tomorrow Program Shift

1:03:06

Mr. Aviglia briefed the committee on the upcoming development of the state highway plan and the MPO's role in the process, specifically as it relates to project sponsorship and scoring under the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's (KYTC) Strategic Highway Investment Formula for Tomorrow (SHIFT) program.

The presentation was informational in nature, providing committee members with an overview of how the SHIFT program framework applies to the MPO's planning responsibilities. Key topics included the MPO's involvement in sponsoring projects and how those projects are evaluated and scored within the state's highway investment formula as KYTC moves forward with developing its state highway plan.

No formal action was taken on this item. The discussion served as a briefing to ensure committee members were informed about the upcoming process and the MPO's anticipated role within it. The outcome was informational, with no votes or decisions recorded.