Consent Agenda 2.1. Requested Update to Increase Category 1 Transportation Development Credits for Strategic Awards to Small Transit Providers and Update of 2014 Summary Report Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval to increase the set-aside amount by five million in Category 1 – Strategic Awards to Small Transit Providers Transportation Development Credits (TDCs) and to decrease TDCs not used in the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Call for Projects. Additionally, staff will brief the RTC on the 2014 Summary Report of TDCs. Background: The region was awarded 465 million TDCs in September 2012. TDCs are “earned” by the region when toll revenues are used to fund capital projects on public highways. These credits are not money or cash, but can be used as eligible match to federal funding. In October 2013, the RTC set aside 250 million TDCs in five types of TDC award methods. At this time, staff proposes to replenish the Category 1 – Strategic Awards to Small Transit Providers as all of the five million TDCs have been committed to projects. Moving forward, staff anticipates awarding additional TDCs in upcoming transit funding initiatives, including the FY2015 Program of Projects. In addition, the 2014 TAP Call for Projects was finalized and only used a portion of the allocated TDCs for that effort. Staff proposes to return the balance to the TDC pool. Details on these requests are provided in Reference Item 2.1.1. Over the last year, the RTC awarded over 137 million TDCs to several projects within the region. State guidelines for the use of TDCs require that Metropolitan Planning Organizations prepare and submit an annual report to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) by December 1. This report documents the use of these credit allocations for the previous fiscal year. A copy of the 2014 Summary Report of TDCs as submitted to TxDOT by the December 1, 2014, deadline, is provided in Electronic Item 2.1.2. Highlights of the 2014 Summary Report of TDCs are also outlined in Reference Item 2.1.1.
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report 1. Fort Worth Councilmember Jungus Jordan Receives Road Hand Award 2. Air North Texas Partner Awards: Mindy Mize 3. North Central Texas Council of Governments Solar Ready II Project Receives Local Collaboration of the Year Award: Lori Clark (Electronic Item 3.1) 4. 40th Anniversary Keepsake 5. 2015 Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Meeting Schedule (Reference Item 3.2) 6. RTC Legislative Program for the 84th Texas Legislature (Electronic Item 3.3) 7. Public Meetings, December 8-10 (Electronic Item 3.4) 8. High-Speed Rail Public Meeting Follow Up 9. Fiscal Management Team Photo 10. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (Electronic Item 3.5) 11. Transportation Improvement Program Quarterly Update: East/West Equity (Electronic Item 3.6.1 and Electronic Item 3.6.2) and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Status (Electronic Item 3.6.3 and Electronic Item 3.6.4) 12. Call for Projects Events (Handout) 13. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 3.7) 14. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 3.8) 15. Transportation Partners Progress Reports (Electronic Item 3.9)
Clean School Bus Call for Projects Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council approval to open a new call for projects for the North Central Texas Clean School Bus (NCTCSB) Program. Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) intends to open a NCTCSB Program 2015 Call for Projects to provide approximately $1 million in grant funding for projects that reduce ozone-forming emissions from school buses. Eligible projects include school bus replacement, repower, retrofit, and installation of idle-reduction technologies. This Call for Projects is funded through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) Program. As the NCTCSB Program is a preapproved project under the TCEQ SEP Program, any additional SEP funds assigned to NCTCOG may be obligated through this Call for Projects. This program is listed as a weight of evidence strategy in the Dallas-Fort Worth 8-hour Ozone Attainment Demonstration State Implementation Plan. Additional details are provided in Reference Item 4 and online at www.nctcog.org/cleanschoolbus.
Clean Fleet Policy Revision Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) adoption of the revised Clean Fleet Policy will be requested. Background: In October 2005, the RTC approved a resolution in support of a Clean Fleet Vehicle Policy and Model Ordinance to ensure that public-sector fleets in the ozone nonattainment area are as low emitting as possible. This policy is one of the RTC strategies to improve air quality and attain the federal ozone standard and is provided as Electronic Item 5.1. Over the past year, staff has presented draft revisions to the policy as developed through collaboration with a working group of fleet representatives. The policy revision is intended to ensure technology references remain relevant and effective, accommodate broader air-quality goals, and expand applicability. Action will be requested on a resolution supporting the revised Clean Fleet Policy and recommending adoption by organizations with fleet activities in the nonattainment area. Reference Item 5.2 provides an RTC resolution for adoption, and Reference Item 5.3 provides the final version of the policy for recommendation. Once approved by the RTC, organizations will be asked to adopt the new Clean Fleet Policy. If an entity had adopted the Clean Fleet Vehicle Policy as promoted by the RTC in 2005, re-adoption will be requested and the new policy will supersede the existing policy. More information is available in Electronic Item 5.4 and online at www.nctcog.org/fleetpolicy.
Proposition 1 and Funding the Metropolitan Transportation Plan Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will update the Council on the latest developments regarding the Proposition 1 amendment to the Texas Constitution and discuss focus areas and the project identification process. Background: In August 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature approved House Bill 1 and Senate Joint Resolution 1, which is expected to provide $1.75 billion to the State Highway Fund in the first year. Voters approved Proposition 1 as part of a November 2014 statewide ballot measure. Eligible projects for Proposition 1 funds include projects that construct, maintain, and acquire rights-of-way for public roads other than toll roads. The Proposition 1 Stakeholder Committee issued a white paper to the Texas Transportation Commission with recommendations on how Proposition 1 funds should be allocated throughout the State. The Proposition 1 white paper also includes the guiding principles for project selection based on comments and concerns raised during the Proposition 1 debate and passage. The whitepaper is included in Electronic Item 6.1. Details on how projects will be funded and the Proposition 1 guidelines are presented in Electronic Item 6.2.
Freight Congestion and Delay Study Presenter: Kevin Feldt, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the draft recommendations of the Freight Congestion and Delay Study, the first of five follow-up studies from Freight North Texas. Background: As the nation’s largest metropolitan area without direct access to a seaport, the efficient and safe movement of freight by trucks, rail, pipeline, and air to and through the region is a vital component to the regional economy and to the region’s quality of life. As a follow-up study to Freight North Texas: The Regional Freight System Inventory, North Central Texas Council of Governments staff, with input from the Regional Freight Advisory Committee, has drafted recommendations in the Freight Congestion and Delay Report. This initiative inventories and studies recurrent and non-recurrent transportation-related delays as well as non-transportation-related delays to freight traffic. The study examined four freight-intensive areas within the region and developed a series of recommendations. Electronic Item 7 contains an overview of the item.
Texas Department of Transportation Update on Regional Speed Limits Presenters: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG; Theresa Lopez and Andy Oberlander, TxDOT Item Summary: An update on the speed-limit changes that will be implemented throughout the region beginning the end of this year will be provided. Background: Last month staff provided a brief update on future speed-limit changes resulting from the reversal of Environmental Speed Limits (ESLs), implemented in 2001. Staff has been working with the Environmental Speed Limit Working Group, comprised of the Federal Highway Administration, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to finalize the regulatory process. Both TCEQ and EPA provided concurrence letters on the transportation control measure substitution, provided in Electronic Item 8.1. Staff and TxDOT will highlight the suggested speed-limit changes, as well as answer any questions from the Council. Additional information is provided in Electronic Item 8.2.
9. Progress Reports Action Possible Action Information Item Summary: Progress Reports are provided in the items below. RTC Attendance (Reference Item 9.1) Local Motion (Electronic Item 9.2) 10. Other Business (Old or New): This item provides an opportunity for members to bring items of interest before the group. 11. Future Agenda Items: This item provides an opportunity for members to bring items of future interest before the Council. 12. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, January 8, 2015, at the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
Consent Agenda 2.1. Requested Update to Increase Category 1 Transportation Development Credits for Strategic Awards to Small Transit Providers and Update of 2014 Summary Report Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval to increase the set-aside amount by five million in Category 1 – Strategic Awards to Small Transit Providers Transportation Development Credits (TDCs) and to decrease TDCs not used in the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Call for Projects. Additionally, staff will brief the RTC on the 2014 Summary Report of TDCs. Background: The region was awarded 465 million TDCs in September 2012. TDCs are “earned” by the region when toll revenues are used to fund capital projects on public highways. These credits are not money or cash, but can be used as eligible match to federal funding. In October 2013, the RTC set aside 250 million TDCs in five types of TDC award methods. At this time, staff proposes to replenish the Category 1 – Strategic Awards to Small Transit Providers as all of the five million TDCs have been committed to projects. Moving forward, staff anticipates awarding additional TDCs in upcoming transit funding initiatives, including the FY2015 Program of Projects. In addition, the 2014 TAP Call for Projects was finalized and only used a portion of the allocated TDCs for that effort. Staff proposes to return the balance to the TDC pool. Details on these requests are provided in Reference Item 2.1.1. Over the last year, the RTC awarded over 137 million TDCs to several projects within the region. State guidelines for the use of TDCs require that Metropolitan Planning Organizations prepare and submit an annual report to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) by December 1. This report documents the use of these credit allocations for the previous fiscal year. A copy of the 2014 Summary Report of TDCs as submitted to TxDOT by the December 1, 2014, deadline, is provided in Electronic Item 2.1.2. Highlights of the 2014 Summary Report of TDCs are also outlined in Reference Item 2.1.1.
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report 1. Fort Worth Councilmember Jungus Jordan Receives Road Hand Award 2. Air North Texas Partner Awards: Mindy Mize 3. North Central Texas Council of Governments Solar Ready II Project Receives Local Collaboration of the Year Award: Lori Clark (Electronic Item 3.1) 4. 40th Anniversary Keepsake 5. 2015 Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Meeting Schedule (Reference Item 3.2) 6. RTC Legislative Program for the 84th Texas Legislature (Electronic Item 3.3) 7. Public Meetings, December 8-10 (Electronic Item 3.4) 8. High-Speed Rail Public Meeting Follow Up 9. Fiscal Management Team Photo 10. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (Electronic Item 3.5) 11. Transportation Improvement Program Quarterly Update: East/West Equity (Electronic Item 3.6.1 and Electronic Item 3.6.2) and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Status (Electronic Item 3.6.3 and Electronic Item 3.6.4) 12. Call for Projects Events (Handout) 13. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 3.7) 14. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 3.8) 15. Transportation Partners Progress Reports (Electronic Item 3.9)
Clean School Bus Call for Projects Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council approval to open a new call for projects for the North Central Texas Clean School Bus (NCTCSB) Program. Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) intends to open a NCTCSB Program 2015 Call for Projects to provide approximately $1 million in grant funding for projects that reduce ozone-forming emissions from school buses. Eligible projects include school bus replacement, repower, retrofit, and installation of idle-reduction technologies. This Call for Projects is funded through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) Program. As the NCTCSB Program is a preapproved project under the TCEQ SEP Program, any additional SEP funds assigned to NCTCOG may be obligated through this Call for Projects. This program is listed as a weight of evidence strategy in the Dallas-Fort Worth 8-hour Ozone Attainment Demonstration State Implementation Plan. Additional details are provided in Reference Item 4 and online at www.nctcog.org/cleanschoolbus.
Clean Fleet Policy Revision Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) adoption of the revised Clean Fleet Policy will be requested. Background: In October 2005, the RTC approved a resolution in support of a Clean Fleet Vehicle Policy and Model Ordinance to ensure that public-sector fleets in the ozone nonattainment area are as low emitting as possible. This policy is one of the RTC strategies to improve air quality and attain the federal ozone standard and is provided as Electronic Item 5.1. Over the past year, staff has presented draft revisions to the policy as developed through collaboration with a working group of fleet representatives. The policy revision is intended to ensure technology references remain relevant and effective, accommodate broader air-quality goals, and expand applicability. Action will be requested on a resolution supporting the revised Clean Fleet Policy and recommending adoption by organizations with fleet activities in the nonattainment area. Reference Item 5.2 provides an RTC resolution for adoption, and Reference Item 5.3 provides the final version of the policy for recommendation. Once approved by the RTC, organizations will be asked to adopt the new Clean Fleet Policy. If an entity had adopted the Clean Fleet Vehicle Policy as promoted by the RTC in 2005, re-adoption will be requested and the new policy will supersede the existing policy. More information is available in Electronic Item 5.4 and online at www.nctcog.org/fleetpolicy.
Proposition 1 and Funding the Metropolitan Transportation Plan Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will update the Council on the latest developments regarding the Proposition 1 amendment to the Texas Constitution and discuss focus areas and the project identification process. Background: In August 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature approved House Bill 1 and Senate Joint Resolution 1, which is expected to provide $1.75 billion to the State Highway Fund in the first year. Voters approved Proposition 1 as part of a November 2014 statewide ballot measure. Eligible projects for Proposition 1 funds include projects that construct, maintain, and acquire rights-of-way for public roads other than toll roads. The Proposition 1 Stakeholder Committee issued a white paper to the Texas Transportation Commission with recommendations on how Proposition 1 funds should be allocated throughout the State. The Proposition 1 white paper also includes the guiding principles for project selection based on comments and concerns raised during the Proposition 1 debate and passage. The whitepaper is included in Electronic Item 6.1. Details on how projects will be funded and the Proposition 1 guidelines are presented in Electronic Item 6.2.
Freight Congestion and Delay Study Presenter: Kevin Feldt, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the draft recommendations of the Freight Congestion and Delay Study, the first of five follow-up studies from Freight North Texas. Background: As the nation’s largest metropolitan area without direct access to a seaport, the efficient and safe movement of freight by trucks, rail, pipeline, and air to and through the region is a vital component to the regional economy and to the region’s quality of life. As a follow-up study to Freight North Texas: The Regional Freight System Inventory, North Central Texas Council of Governments staff, with input from the Regional Freight Advisory Committee, has drafted recommendations in the Freight Congestion and Delay Report. This initiative inventories and studies recurrent and non-recurrent transportation-related delays as well as non-transportation-related delays to freight traffic. The study examined four freight-intensive areas within the region and developed a series of recommendations. Electronic Item 7 contains an overview of the item.
Texas Department of Transportation Update on Regional Speed Limits Presenters: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG; Theresa Lopez and Andy Oberlander, TxDOT Item Summary: An update on the speed-limit changes that will be implemented throughout the region beginning the end of this year will be provided. Background: Last month staff provided a brief update on future speed-limit changes resulting from the reversal of Environmental Speed Limits (ESLs), implemented in 2001. Staff has been working with the Environmental Speed Limit Working Group, comprised of the Federal Highway Administration, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to finalize the regulatory process. Both TCEQ and EPA provided concurrence letters on the transportation control measure substitution, provided in Electronic Item 8.1. Staff and TxDOT will highlight the suggested speed-limit changes, as well as answer any questions from the Council. Additional information is provided in Electronic Item 8.2.
9. Progress Reports Action Possible Action Information Item Summary: Progress Reports are provided in the items below. RTC Attendance (Reference Item 9.1) Local Motion (Electronic Item 9.2) 10. Other Business (Old or New): This item provides an opportunity for members to bring items of interest before the group. 11. Future Agenda Items: This item provides an opportunity for members to bring items of future interest before the Council. 12. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, January 8, 2015, at the North Central Texas Council of Governments.