Approval of October 12, 2017, Minutes Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Rob Franke, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the October 12, 2017, minutes contained in Reference Item 1 will be requested. Background: N/A
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 15 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG 1. Director's Message: Next 60 Days, Season of Giving 2. Air North Texas Partner Awards 3. Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Member Representation at Events • RTC Chair Rob Franke, RTC Secretary Gary Fickes, and Douglas Athas - Texas Transportation Commission Workshop, October 25 4. State Representative Victoria Neave's Town Hall Meeting on IH 635 East (Michael Morris and Kelly Selman) 5. Collin County Consensus Building Progress on North/South Roadways 6. Presentation on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Floor Amendment-Rescission to Contract Authority, Postponed from the Oct 12 Meeting, Proposed for the December 14 RTC Meeting 7. Ozone Season Update (Electronic Item 3.1) 8. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (Electronic Item 3.2) 9. Clean Vehicle Webinar: Clean Vehicle Solutions for Refuse Haulers, November 30 (Electronic Item 3.3) 10. Federal Highway Administration Response to RTC Buy America Letter (Electronic Item 3.4) 11. October Public Meeting Minutes (Electronic Item 3.5) 12. November Public Meeting Notice (Electronic Item 3.6) 13. National Drive Electric Week Recap (Electronic Item 3.7) 14. Aviation Fact Sheet (Electronic Item 3.8) 15. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 3.9) 16. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 3.10) 17. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 3.11) 18. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 3.12) 19. Transportation Partners Progress Reports
2017 Clean Diesel Subaward and Call for Projects Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Lori Clark Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council approval to issue a subaward to the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) to open a Call for Projects (CFP) to subaward additional funds for clean diesel projects. Authorization to extend an existing CFP deadline for airport ground support equipment will also be requested. Staff received Surface Transportation Technical Committee endorsement at the October 27, 2017, meeting. Background: In July, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) submitted a grant proposal to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. EPA has recommended this proposal for full funding, which will provide NCTCOG approximately $2 million in federal dollars to subaward. Eligible projects include replacement of older, high-emitting diesel-powered vehicles and equipment owned by public or private fleets contracted to local governments in the 10-county ozone nonattainment area. This initiative is an extension of technology improvement efforts submitted by NCTCOG for inclusion as “Local Initiatives” in the 2015 8-Hour Attainment Demonstration State Implementation Plan Revision. In preparation for submitting this proposal, NCTCOG solicited interest from local fleets who may wish to participate in the project. The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) submitted a bus replacement project that was detailed in the grant proposal to EPA. NCTCOG will seek approval to proceed with a subaward to DCTA for this project. Remaining funds will be subawarded through an open, competitive CFP. A schedule and project selection criteria will be presented. Finally, NCTCOG has been making EPA funds available for replacement of diesel-powered airport ground support equipment through the North Texas Airport Emissions Reduction CFP. This funding has been offered on a modified first-come, first-served basis since January 2017. Staff proposes to extend the current CFP deadline through September 2018. Electronic Item 4 provides additional details.
Transit Grant Funding Cleanup Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Sarah Chadderdon, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of proposed reprogramming of transit funds to support several projects at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA). Background: As a designated recipient of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding, the North Central Texas Council of Governments administers grants that support transit service in the region. FTA expects funds to be spent in a timely manner and the RTC may reprogram funds as needed when projects are cancelled or otherwise unable to proceed as intended. There is approximately $7.2 million available from older FTA grants under four programs: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement, Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities, Job Access/Reverse Commute, and New Freedom. Transit authorities have requested funds to support a variety of projects and partnerships that are eligible under these funding programs. The proposed funding summary is provided in Reference Item 5.1. Additional details are available in Electronic Item 5.2.
Endorsement of Reprogramming of Funds on IH 635 East Phase 3 Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) will be requested to approve a letter from the Transportation Director to the Texas Department of Transportation regarding funding changes proposed on IH 635 East. Background: Negotiations are continuing on the best approach to expedite the IH 635 East project. Reference Item 6.1, a letter to the Texas Department of Transportation, was necessary to program necessary funds in the Unified Transportation Program. Electronic Item 6.2 illustrates the funding changes necessitated by this revised approach to funding IH 635 Eas
Alternative Fuel Corridor Submittal Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request approval to submit a letter to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) supporting its proposed alternative fuel corridor nomination and seeking inclusion of selected "US" designated highways, in addition to the interstate network. Background: The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act included a requirement for the Secretary of Transportation to designate national electric vehicle (EV) charging, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling corridors. In July 2016, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued the first request for corridor nominations. The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) submitted an extensive statewide network of corridors. This initial nomination is provided in Electronic Item 7.1. The first designations were announced in December 2016 and included much of the NCTCOG submittal. FHWA has released a second request for nominations to add to the national corridor network. TxDOT is coordinating a submittal for the State of Texas and intends to include interstates that are not yet designated, as well as highway loops that provide interstate connectivity. TxDOT indicated that additional highways could be included if adequate justification could be provided. NCTCOG staff proposes to submit data supporting designation for segments of US 67, US 75, and US 287 for various fuel types. Staff will support TxDOT with technical details for these corridors and will provide other technical assistance as needed. Electronic Item 7.2 provides additional details.
"Big Projects" in Texas Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will present the latest information for a fair share allocation to the region over time. Background: At its October 12 meeting, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved four policy positions in support of "Big Projects" in the region. In addition, correspondence was transmitted to the North Texas Tollway Authority requesting it waive primacy on the eastern subregion projects. Selected RTC members and the Transportation Department Director attended the Texas Transportation Commission Workshop on this subject in October. Michael Morris will attend a statewide Texas Department of Transportation meeting on this subject to continue to advance "Big Projects" in Texas.
Performance Measures: Roadway Safety and Transit Asset Management Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenters: Sonya Landrum and Sarah Chadderdon, NCTCOG Item Summary: Proposed regional targets for measuring and evaluating the performance of two aspects of the transportation system will be presented. Roadway safety targets are focused on reducing serious injuries and fatalities for motorized and non-motorized travelers. Transit asset management targets are focused on ensuring that public transportation vehicles, rail lines, and other capital assets are in a state of good repair. Background: Federal surface transportation legislation and associated federal rulemakings have laid out quantitative performance measure requirements for aspects of the transportation system. As the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the North Central Texas Region, the Regional Transportation Council is required to set targets for system roadway safety and transit asset management. These targets will be used to track and report on the region’s performance through existing documents such as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the State of the Region report.
Texas Mobility Summit/Texas Innovation Alliance Update Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Tom Bamonte, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on Texas Innovation Alliance (TIA) activities, including the Texas Mobility Summit. Background: The Texas Innovation Alliance is a federation of Texas cities, universities, and transportation agencies focusing on advancing transportation innovation through a variety of shared initiatives, Staff will report on the recent activities at the Texas Mobility Summit. A copy of the agenda is provided in Electronic Item 10.1. Two teams from the Dallas-Fort Worth region participated in the Mobility Summit. Additional information regarding the teams is provided in Electronic Item 10.2.
Coordinated Low-Speed Automated Vehicle Procurement Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Tom Bamonte, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on a coordinated, statewide procurement process for low-speed automated vehicles. Background: Arlington’s deployment of the “Milo” automated shuttles has sparked interest by cities and developers in the region in similar deployments of low-speed automated vehicles (LSAV). Other Texas cities have expressed interest in rolling out their own LSAVs. Staff will provide a briefing on a procurement process intended to select a group of prequalified automated vehicle vendors that public entities throughout Texas can utilize to obtain LSAV vehicles and services in lieu of conducting duplicative procurement processes for the same technology.
Mobility 2045 Update Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Kevin Feldt, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will present a brief overview of the progress to date as work continues on the development of Mobility 2045, including special initiatives. Staff will also present updates regarding possible policy revisions and other topics including: • Potential technology policies • Potential tolled managed lane policy • Focus on connections • Big projects and other projects • Revised revenue estimates Background: One of the primary responsibilities of the Metropolitan Planning Organization is the development and maintenance of a metropolitan transportation plan (MTP). The last comprehensive update of the MTP occurred in 2016 with the adoption of Mobility 2040. Staff has continued MTP development with a variety of efforts. Development will continue over the next seven months with draft recommendations expected in early 2018. The Regional Transportation Council is expected to take action on Mobility 2045 in June 2018. Mobility 2045 will reassess existing recommendations and include new demographics, financial forecasts, and planning initiatives.
2017-2018 CMAQ/STBG Funding Program: Federal/Local Funding Exchanges Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Adam Beckom, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Regional Transportation Council on the proposed projects to be funded under the Federal/Local Funding Exchanges Program in the 2017-2018 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Funding Program. Background: In April 2017, staff introduced the process to select projects using CMAQ and STBG funding through several funding programs. Staff has received requests from local agencies that wish to enter into partnerships with the Regional Transportation Council where federal funds are spent on projects with some portion of exchange for local funding. Details on those funding swaps and the overall funding program can be found in Electronic Item 13.1 and Electronic Item 13.2
Status Report on NTTA/TxDOT Toll Equity Loan Agreement (TELA) and Associated RTC/NTTA Agreement Concerning Return of TELA Fees Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Ken Kirkpatrick, NCTCOG Item Summary: The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) will be briefed on the Mutual Termination of the RTC/North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) agreement concerning the return of Toll Equity Loan Agreement (TELA) fees to NTTA. Background: In 2010, the NTTA approved a Toll Equity Loan Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the President George Bush Turnpike – Western Extension (SH 161) and the Chisholm Trail Parkway (CTP). The purpose of the TELA was to enhance the credit rating by using the State Highway fund as a financial backstop for SH 161 and CTP, thereby lowering NTTA’s financing costs. NTTA created a Special Projects System specifically for the financing, construction, and operation of SH 161 and CTP. The TELA required NTTA to pay certain TELA fees beginning after ten years (approximately $8 million annually). In April 2010, the RTC adopted policy position P10-05 (Electronic Item 14.1), which 1) requested NTTA to release TxDOT of the TELA commitment as soon as “reasonably financially feasible” to reduce risk to the Dallas-Fort Worth region, 2) supported either the waiver of the TELA fees or the return of any such fees to NTTA by RTC, and 3) instructed staff to develop an agreement to effectuate this policy. The resulting agreement between RTC and NTTA for the return of such fees is included as Electronic Item 14.2. As of November 1, 2017, NTTA has released TxDOT of the TELA commitment (Electronic Item 14.3). This is a result of merging NTTA’s Special Projects System with the NTTA System through a series of bond refinancings. Termination of the TELA commitment extinguishes the RTC’s commitment to return any TELA fees to NTTA. A Mutual Termination of this agreement has been executed by NTTA and RTC staff (Electronic Item 14.4).
15. Progress Reports Action Possible Action Information Item Summary: Progress Reports are provided in the items below. • RTC Attendance (Reference Item 15.1) • STTC Attendance and Minutes (Electronic Item 15.2) • Local Motion (Electronic Item 15.3) 16. Other Business (Old or New): This item provides an opportunity for members to bring items of interest before the group. 17. Future Agenda Items: This item provides an opportunity for members to bring items of future interest before the Council. 18. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, December 14, 2017, at the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
Approval of October 12, 2017, Minutes Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Rob Franke, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the October 12, 2017, minutes contained in Reference Item 1 will be requested. Background: N/A
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 15 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG 1. Director's Message: Next 60 Days, Season of Giving 2. Air North Texas Partner Awards 3. Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Member Representation at Events • RTC Chair Rob Franke, RTC Secretary Gary Fickes, and Douglas Athas - Texas Transportation Commission Workshop, October 25 4. State Representative Victoria Neave's Town Hall Meeting on IH 635 East (Michael Morris and Kelly Selman) 5. Collin County Consensus Building Progress on North/South Roadways 6. Presentation on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Floor Amendment-Rescission to Contract Authority, Postponed from the Oct 12 Meeting, Proposed for the December 14 RTC Meeting 7. Ozone Season Update (Electronic Item 3.1) 8. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (Electronic Item 3.2) 9. Clean Vehicle Webinar: Clean Vehicle Solutions for Refuse Haulers, November 30 (Electronic Item 3.3) 10. Federal Highway Administration Response to RTC Buy America Letter (Electronic Item 3.4) 11. October Public Meeting Minutes (Electronic Item 3.5) 12. November Public Meeting Notice (Electronic Item 3.6) 13. National Drive Electric Week Recap (Electronic Item 3.7) 14. Aviation Fact Sheet (Electronic Item 3.8) 15. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 3.9) 16. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 3.10) 17. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 3.11) 18. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 3.12) 19. Transportation Partners Progress Reports
2017 Clean Diesel Subaward and Call for Projects Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Lori Clark Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council approval to issue a subaward to the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) to open a Call for Projects (CFP) to subaward additional funds for clean diesel projects. Authorization to extend an existing CFP deadline for airport ground support equipment will also be requested. Staff received Surface Transportation Technical Committee endorsement at the October 27, 2017, meeting. Background: In July, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) submitted a grant proposal to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. EPA has recommended this proposal for full funding, which will provide NCTCOG approximately $2 million in federal dollars to subaward. Eligible projects include replacement of older, high-emitting diesel-powered vehicles and equipment owned by public or private fleets contracted to local governments in the 10-county ozone nonattainment area. This initiative is an extension of technology improvement efforts submitted by NCTCOG for inclusion as “Local Initiatives” in the 2015 8-Hour Attainment Demonstration State Implementation Plan Revision. In preparation for submitting this proposal, NCTCOG solicited interest from local fleets who may wish to participate in the project. The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) submitted a bus replacement project that was detailed in the grant proposal to EPA. NCTCOG will seek approval to proceed with a subaward to DCTA for this project. Remaining funds will be subawarded through an open, competitive CFP. A schedule and project selection criteria will be presented. Finally, NCTCOG has been making EPA funds available for replacement of diesel-powered airport ground support equipment through the North Texas Airport Emissions Reduction CFP. This funding has been offered on a modified first-come, first-served basis since January 2017. Staff proposes to extend the current CFP deadline through September 2018. Electronic Item 4 provides additional details.
Transit Grant Funding Cleanup Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Sarah Chadderdon, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of proposed reprogramming of transit funds to support several projects at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA). Background: As a designated recipient of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding, the North Central Texas Council of Governments administers grants that support transit service in the region. FTA expects funds to be spent in a timely manner and the RTC may reprogram funds as needed when projects are cancelled or otherwise unable to proceed as intended. There is approximately $7.2 million available from older FTA grants under four programs: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement, Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities, Job Access/Reverse Commute, and New Freedom. Transit authorities have requested funds to support a variety of projects and partnerships that are eligible under these funding programs. The proposed funding summary is provided in Reference Item 5.1. Additional details are available in Electronic Item 5.2.
Endorsement of Reprogramming of Funds on IH 635 East Phase 3 Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) will be requested to approve a letter from the Transportation Director to the Texas Department of Transportation regarding funding changes proposed on IH 635 East. Background: Negotiations are continuing on the best approach to expedite the IH 635 East project. Reference Item 6.1, a letter to the Texas Department of Transportation, was necessary to program necessary funds in the Unified Transportation Program. Electronic Item 6.2 illustrates the funding changes necessitated by this revised approach to funding IH 635 Eas
Alternative Fuel Corridor Submittal Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request approval to submit a letter to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) supporting its proposed alternative fuel corridor nomination and seeking inclusion of selected "US" designated highways, in addition to the interstate network. Background: The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act included a requirement for the Secretary of Transportation to designate national electric vehicle (EV) charging, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling corridors. In July 2016, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued the first request for corridor nominations. The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) submitted an extensive statewide network of corridors. This initial nomination is provided in Electronic Item 7.1. The first designations were announced in December 2016 and included much of the NCTCOG submittal. FHWA has released a second request for nominations to add to the national corridor network. TxDOT is coordinating a submittal for the State of Texas and intends to include interstates that are not yet designated, as well as highway loops that provide interstate connectivity. TxDOT indicated that additional highways could be included if adequate justification could be provided. NCTCOG staff proposes to submit data supporting designation for segments of US 67, US 75, and US 287 for various fuel types. Staff will support TxDOT with technical details for these corridors and will provide other technical assistance as needed. Electronic Item 7.2 provides additional details.
"Big Projects" in Texas Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will present the latest information for a fair share allocation to the region over time. Background: At its October 12 meeting, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved four policy positions in support of "Big Projects" in the region. In addition, correspondence was transmitted to the North Texas Tollway Authority requesting it waive primacy on the eastern subregion projects. Selected RTC members and the Transportation Department Director attended the Texas Transportation Commission Workshop on this subject in October. Michael Morris will attend a statewide Texas Department of Transportation meeting on this subject to continue to advance "Big Projects" in Texas.
Performance Measures: Roadway Safety and Transit Asset Management Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenters: Sonya Landrum and Sarah Chadderdon, NCTCOG Item Summary: Proposed regional targets for measuring and evaluating the performance of two aspects of the transportation system will be presented. Roadway safety targets are focused on reducing serious injuries and fatalities for motorized and non-motorized travelers. Transit asset management targets are focused on ensuring that public transportation vehicles, rail lines, and other capital assets are in a state of good repair. Background: Federal surface transportation legislation and associated federal rulemakings have laid out quantitative performance measure requirements for aspects of the transportation system. As the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the North Central Texas Region, the Regional Transportation Council is required to set targets for system roadway safety and transit asset management. These targets will be used to track and report on the region’s performance through existing documents such as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the State of the Region report.
Texas Mobility Summit/Texas Innovation Alliance Update Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Tom Bamonte, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on Texas Innovation Alliance (TIA) activities, including the Texas Mobility Summit. Background: The Texas Innovation Alliance is a federation of Texas cities, universities, and transportation agencies focusing on advancing transportation innovation through a variety of shared initiatives, Staff will report on the recent activities at the Texas Mobility Summit. A copy of the agenda is provided in Electronic Item 10.1. Two teams from the Dallas-Fort Worth region participated in the Mobility Summit. Additional information regarding the teams is provided in Electronic Item 10.2.
Coordinated Low-Speed Automated Vehicle Procurement Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Tom Bamonte, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on a coordinated, statewide procurement process for low-speed automated vehicles. Background: Arlington’s deployment of the “Milo” automated shuttles has sparked interest by cities and developers in the region in similar deployments of low-speed automated vehicles (LSAV). Other Texas cities have expressed interest in rolling out their own LSAVs. Staff will provide a briefing on a procurement process intended to select a group of prequalified automated vehicle vendors that public entities throughout Texas can utilize to obtain LSAV vehicles and services in lieu of conducting duplicative procurement processes for the same technology.
Mobility 2045 Update Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Kevin Feldt, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will present a brief overview of the progress to date as work continues on the development of Mobility 2045, including special initiatives. Staff will also present updates regarding possible policy revisions and other topics including: • Potential technology policies • Potential tolled managed lane policy • Focus on connections • Big projects and other projects • Revised revenue estimates Background: One of the primary responsibilities of the Metropolitan Planning Organization is the development and maintenance of a metropolitan transportation plan (MTP). The last comprehensive update of the MTP occurred in 2016 with the adoption of Mobility 2040. Staff has continued MTP development with a variety of efforts. Development will continue over the next seven months with draft recommendations expected in early 2018. The Regional Transportation Council is expected to take action on Mobility 2045 in June 2018. Mobility 2045 will reassess existing recommendations and include new demographics, financial forecasts, and planning initiatives.
2017-2018 CMAQ/STBG Funding Program: Federal/Local Funding Exchanges Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10 Presenter: Adam Beckom, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Regional Transportation Council on the proposed projects to be funded under the Federal/Local Funding Exchanges Program in the 2017-2018 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Funding Program. Background: In April 2017, staff introduced the process to select projects using CMAQ and STBG funding through several funding programs. Staff has received requests from local agencies that wish to enter into partnerships with the Regional Transportation Council where federal funds are spent on projects with some portion of exchange for local funding. Details on those funding swaps and the overall funding program can be found in Electronic Item 13.1 and Electronic Item 13.2
Status Report on NTTA/TxDOT Toll Equity Loan Agreement (TELA) and Associated RTC/NTTA Agreement Concerning Return of TELA Fees Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5 Presenter: Ken Kirkpatrick, NCTCOG Item Summary: The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) will be briefed on the Mutual Termination of the RTC/North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) agreement concerning the return of Toll Equity Loan Agreement (TELA) fees to NTTA. Background: In 2010, the NTTA approved a Toll Equity Loan Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the President George Bush Turnpike – Western Extension (SH 161) and the Chisholm Trail Parkway (CTP). The purpose of the TELA was to enhance the credit rating by using the State Highway fund as a financial backstop for SH 161 and CTP, thereby lowering NTTA’s financing costs. NTTA created a Special Projects System specifically for the financing, construction, and operation of SH 161 and CTP. The TELA required NTTA to pay certain TELA fees beginning after ten years (approximately $8 million annually). In April 2010, the RTC adopted policy position P10-05 (Electronic Item 14.1), which 1) requested NTTA to release TxDOT of the TELA commitment as soon as “reasonably financially feasible” to reduce risk to the Dallas-Fort Worth region, 2) supported either the waiver of the TELA fees or the return of any such fees to NTTA by RTC, and 3) instructed staff to develop an agreement to effectuate this policy. The resulting agreement between RTC and NTTA for the return of such fees is included as Electronic Item 14.2. As of November 1, 2017, NTTA has released TxDOT of the TELA commitment (Electronic Item 14.3). This is a result of merging NTTA’s Special Projects System with the NTTA System through a series of bond refinancings. Termination of the TELA commitment extinguishes the RTC’s commitment to return any TELA fees to NTTA. A Mutual Termination of this agreement has been executed by NTTA and RTC staff (Electronic Item 14.4).
15. Progress Reports Action Possible Action Information Item Summary: Progress Reports are provided in the items below. • RTC Attendance (Reference Item 15.1) • STTC Attendance and Minutes (Electronic Item 15.2) • Local Motion (Electronic Item 15.3) 16. Other Business (Old or New): This item provides an opportunity for members to bring items of interest before the group. 17. Future Agenda Items: This item provides an opportunity for members to bring items of future interest before the Council. 18. Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, December 14, 2017, at the North Central Texas Council of Governments.