Approval of March 14, 2019, Minutes Presenter: Gary Fickes, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the March 14, 2019, minutes contained in Reference Item 1 will be requested.
2.1. Community College Partnership Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council approval to implement two new pilot projects related to students with Tarrant County College (TCC), the Arlington Independent School District (AISD), and the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Background: North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) staff met with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Chancellor of Tarrant County College in 2018 to discuss how transportation is an important factor in the success of students from disadvantaged populations. The collaboration resulted in a commitment to taking a more holistic approach to assist those in poverty on numerous fronts including housing, health and wellness, transportation, and education. Two possible pilot transit projects emerged from the discussions: 1) Project A-provide Trinity Metro transit passes for all Tarrant County College students and 2) Project B-provide transit to the TCC Southeast campus, UTA, AISD, and nearby park-and-ride lots. Project A is currently funded by TCC, but by providing alternate funding for this effort, TCC’s funds can be utilized to offer assistance to Dr. Ben Carson, HUD Secretary. Project B is part of an integrated approach to ensuring student success in transitioning from high school to TCC then onto UTA to finish their undergraduate degree. Both projects are consistent with the programs and policies in Mobility 2045, as well as Access North Texas. More detailed information can be found in Electronic Item 2.1. NCTCOG staff would be happy to explore this opportunity with other community colleges. 2.2. Transportation Improvement Program Modifications Presenters: Michael Morris and Rylea Roderick, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of revisions to the 2019-2022 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the ability to amend the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and other planning/administrative documents with TIP-related changes will be requested. After RTC approval of February 2019 TIP revisions in January 2019, Paris District Modification 2019-0170 required an additional update to the scope to be consistent with Mobility 2045. RTC ratification is requested for the additional scope change to the February 2019 Modification 2019-0170. Background: May 2019 revisions to the 2019-2022 TIP and February 2019 Modification 2019-0170 are provided as Electronic Item 2.2.1 and Electronic 2.2.2, respectively, for the Council’s consideration. These modifications have been reviewed for consistency with the Mobility Plan, the air quality conformity determination, and financial constraint of the TIP.
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report 1. Regional Veloweb Trail Between Dallas and Fort Worth: Mayors Comments 2. Trinity Metro Chairman Scott Mahaffey’s Appreciation of President/Chief Executive Officer Paul Ballard’s Accomplishments 3. 11:00 am Workshop on Transportation and Stormwater (Electronic Item 3.1) 4. US 75 (See Press Releases) 5. AirCheckTexas Update (See Press Releases) 6. Gentrification Policy: Next Steps 7. Traffic Incident Management Executive Level Course Announcement (Electronic Item 3.2) 8. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-and-resources/fundingvehicle) 9. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Events (www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings) 10. EarthX Transportation-Fleets Workshop, April 26, 2019 (Electronic Item 3.3) 11. 2019 Ozone Season Status Report (Electronic Item 3.4) 12. March Public Meeting Minutes (Electronic Item 3.5) 13. April Public Meeting Notice (Electronic Item 3.6) 14. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 3.7) 15. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 3.8) 16. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 3.9) 17. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 3.10) 18. Transportation Partners Progress Reports
2017-2018 CMAQ/STBG Funding Program: Management and Operations, NCTCOG-Implemented, and Regional/Air Quality Programs Presenter: Brian Dell, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of the proposed programs and projects to be funded under the Management and Operations, North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG)-Implemented, and Regional/Air Quality Programs. These programs are part of the 2017-2018 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)/Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) Funding Program. Background: Staff is reviewing the region’s ongoing Air Quality and Management and Operations projects and programs. A determination is needed regarding which projects should be continued, which ones can be discontinued, and any new projects/programs of this nature that should be considered. To this end, NCTCOG staff has evaluated the list of existing Air Quality and Management and Operations projects and programs and is recommending the extension of many of these programs into the fiscal year 2020-2022 timeframe, along with the discontinuation of a few projects/programs, and creation of a few new ones. Electronic Item 4.1 contains a recommended project list for consideration. Additional details on the funding program can be found in Electronic Item 4.2.
2017-2018 CMAQ/STBG Funding Program: Assessment Policy Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of the proposed projects to be funded under the Assessment Policy Program in the 2017-2018 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)/Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) Funding Program. Background: In March 2017, staff introduced the process to select projects using CMAQ and STBG funding through several funding programs. Staff has been working with several agencies to develop partnerships that will fund high-priority projects. The Assessment Policy Program is designed to take advantage of value capture mechanisms so as development occurs along the project area, the Regional Transportation Council is repaid (in part or in full) for improvements funded along the corridor. Details on the projects which staff are proposing to fund can be found in Electronic Item 5.1. Additional information on the funding program is included in Electronic Item 5.2.
Approval of Funding for Red River Navigation System Feasibility Study Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of $500,000 for the Red River Navigation System feasibility study will be requested. Funding is contingent on support of the project by the Texas Legislature. Background: In July 2014, staff initiated a conversation with the RTC about the Red River Navigation System feasibility study and partnership project. Discussion included a potential action item for $500,000 contingent on Texas Legislature approval of the feasibility study. Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas are working on a Red River navigational system from Denison, Texas to the Gulf of Mexico. North Central Texas Council of Governments staff wishes to support these feasibility studies, contingent on support from the Texas Legislature.
Legislative Update Presenter: Rebekah Hernandez, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on federal and State legislative actions related to transportation and air quality issues affecting the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Background: Transportation issues continue to be a focus for both the United States (US) Congress and the Texas Legislature. The 1st session of the 116th US Congress convened on January 3, 2019. The 86th Texas Legislature convened on January 8, 2019. This item will allow staff to provide updates on key positions of the Regional Transportation Council and allow any additional positions to be taken, if necessary.
2020 Unified Transportation Program and Regional 10-Year Plan Update Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the latest activities being undertaken and the plan going forward for the Regional 10-Year Plan update and 2020 Unified Transportation Program (UTP). Background: In December 2016, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved a set of projects for Fiscal Years (FY) 2017-2026 funded with Category 2 (MPO selection) and Category 4 (TxDOT District selection), and submitted for Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) consideration with Category 12 (Commission selection) funds. That action was the Dallas-Fort Worth region’s response to the House Bill (HB) 20 10-year planning requirement. In August 2018, the RTC approved an update to the Regional 10-Year Plan that primarily incorporated various project updates received to date. Since that time, North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) staff has been coordinating regularly with the Texas Department of Transportation Dallas, Paris (Hunt County), and Fort Worth districts regarding updates to previously approved projects, as well as potential additions to the 10-Year Plan to be included in the 2020 UTP. In response to a January 31, 2019, deadline set forth by TxDOT, staff has drafted a list that includes these project updates, potential new candidate projects, and scores for each project. In addition, staff has drafted an additional list of projects that need initial funding to allow TxDOT to continue advancing pre-construction activities, including the acquisition of right-of-way. Electronic Item 8.1 contains the proposed list of projects. Electronic Item 8.2 includes additional information about this process and the proposed next steps related to the Regional 10-Year Plan. Electronic Item 8.3 contains additional details on the scoring methodology developed by staff.
Mobility 2045 Update Presenter: Kevin Feldt, NCTCOG Item Summary: The Mobility 2045 Plan was adopted by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) on June 14, 2018. Staff will provide a status report regarding work efforts to implement Mobility 2045. Background: Following RTC adoption of Mobility 2045, staff and partner agencies have been working toward implementing the Plan. These efforts include planning and project development tasks, projects in construction, and coordinating with the public and our transportation partners. Staff will provide information regarding: • Recent RTC actions supporting Plan recommendations • Efforts to further the RTC’s five primary emphasis areas • Project development activities • Construction activities • Completed initiatives
Title VI Program May 2019 Update Presenter: Ken Kirkpatrick, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide information on an update to the Title VI Program. Background: As a primary recipient of Federal Transit Administration funding, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is required to have a Title VI Program. This program describes how NCTCOG implements nondiscrimination efforts related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and environmental justice. The program also describes how NCTCOG monitors subrecipients. This program must be updated every three years. For 2019, NCTCOG also is updating its Title VI Complaint Procedures, a component of the Title VI Program. The complaint procedures also were translated into Spanish. These changes necessitated a 45-day comment period because the complaint procedures are included in the Public Participation Plan, so this plan must also be updated. Electronic Item 10 contains a presentation with background information. A copy of the draft North Central Texas Council of Governments Title VI Program May 2019 Update is available at www.nctcog.org/nctcg/media/ Transportation/DocsMaps/Involve/InputMeetings/2019/02/Title-VI-Draft.pdf. A copy of the NCTCOG Public Participation Plan is available at www.nctcog.org/nctcg/media/Transportation/ DocsMaps/Involve/InputMeetings/2019/02/PPP_Title-VI.pdf.
Approval of March 14, 2019, Minutes Presenter: Gary Fickes, RTC Chair Item Summary: Approval of the March 14, 2019, minutes contained in Reference Item 1 will be requested.
2.1. Community College Partnership Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council approval to implement two new pilot projects related to students with Tarrant County College (TCC), the Arlington Independent School District (AISD), and the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Background: North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) staff met with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Chancellor of Tarrant County College in 2018 to discuss how transportation is an important factor in the success of students from disadvantaged populations. The collaboration resulted in a commitment to taking a more holistic approach to assist those in poverty on numerous fronts including housing, health and wellness, transportation, and education. Two possible pilot transit projects emerged from the discussions: 1) Project A-provide Trinity Metro transit passes for all Tarrant County College students and 2) Project B-provide transit to the TCC Southeast campus, UTA, AISD, and nearby park-and-ride lots. Project A is currently funded by TCC, but by providing alternate funding for this effort, TCC’s funds can be utilized to offer assistance to Dr. Ben Carson, HUD Secretary. Project B is part of an integrated approach to ensuring student success in transitioning from high school to TCC then onto UTA to finish their undergraduate degree. Both projects are consistent with the programs and policies in Mobility 2045, as well as Access North Texas. More detailed information can be found in Electronic Item 2.1. NCTCOG staff would be happy to explore this opportunity with other community colleges. 2.2. Transportation Improvement Program Modifications Presenters: Michael Morris and Rylea Roderick, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of revisions to the 2019-2022 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the ability to amend the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and other planning/administrative documents with TIP-related changes will be requested. After RTC approval of February 2019 TIP revisions in January 2019, Paris District Modification 2019-0170 required an additional update to the scope to be consistent with Mobility 2045. RTC ratification is requested for the additional scope change to the February 2019 Modification 2019-0170. Background: May 2019 revisions to the 2019-2022 TIP and February 2019 Modification 2019-0170 are provided as Electronic Item 2.2.1 and Electronic 2.2.2, respectively, for the Council’s consideration. These modifications have been reviewed for consistency with the Mobility Plan, the air quality conformity determination, and financial constraint of the TIP.
Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report 1. Regional Veloweb Trail Between Dallas and Fort Worth: Mayors Comments 2. Trinity Metro Chairman Scott Mahaffey’s Appreciation of President/Chief Executive Officer Paul Ballard’s Accomplishments 3. 11:00 am Workshop on Transportation and Stormwater (Electronic Item 3.1) 4. US 75 (See Press Releases) 5. AirCheckTexas Update (See Press Releases) 6. Gentrification Policy: Next Steps 7. Traffic Incident Management Executive Level Course Announcement (Electronic Item 3.2) 8. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-and-resources/fundingvehicle) 9. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Events (www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings) 10. EarthX Transportation-Fleets Workshop, April 26, 2019 (Electronic Item 3.3) 11. 2019 Ozone Season Status Report (Electronic Item 3.4) 12. March Public Meeting Minutes (Electronic Item 3.5) 13. April Public Meeting Notice (Electronic Item 3.6) 14. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 3.7) 15. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 3.8) 16. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 3.9) 17. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 3.10) 18. Transportation Partners Progress Reports
2017-2018 CMAQ/STBG Funding Program: Management and Operations, NCTCOG-Implemented, and Regional/Air Quality Programs Presenter: Brian Dell, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of the proposed programs and projects to be funded under the Management and Operations, North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG)-Implemented, and Regional/Air Quality Programs. These programs are part of the 2017-2018 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)/Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) Funding Program. Background: Staff is reviewing the region’s ongoing Air Quality and Management and Operations projects and programs. A determination is needed regarding which projects should be continued, which ones can be discontinued, and any new projects/programs of this nature that should be considered. To this end, NCTCOG staff has evaluated the list of existing Air Quality and Management and Operations projects and programs and is recommending the extension of many of these programs into the fiscal year 2020-2022 timeframe, along with the discontinuation of a few projects/programs, and creation of a few new ones. Electronic Item 4.1 contains a recommended project list for consideration. Additional details on the funding program can be found in Electronic Item 4.2.
2017-2018 CMAQ/STBG Funding Program: Assessment Policy Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of the proposed projects to be funded under the Assessment Policy Program in the 2017-2018 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)/Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) Funding Program. Background: In March 2017, staff introduced the process to select projects using CMAQ and STBG funding through several funding programs. Staff has been working with several agencies to develop partnerships that will fund high-priority projects. The Assessment Policy Program is designed to take advantage of value capture mechanisms so as development occurs along the project area, the Regional Transportation Council is repaid (in part or in full) for improvements funded along the corridor. Details on the projects which staff are proposing to fund can be found in Electronic Item 5.1. Additional information on the funding program is included in Electronic Item 5.2.
Approval of Funding for Red River Navigation System Feasibility Study Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of $500,000 for the Red River Navigation System feasibility study will be requested. Funding is contingent on support of the project by the Texas Legislature. Background: In July 2014, staff initiated a conversation with the RTC about the Red River Navigation System feasibility study and partnership project. Discussion included a potential action item for $500,000 contingent on Texas Legislature approval of the feasibility study. Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas are working on a Red River navigational system from Denison, Texas to the Gulf of Mexico. North Central Texas Council of Governments staff wishes to support these feasibility studies, contingent on support from the Texas Legislature.
Legislative Update Presenter: Rebekah Hernandez, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on federal and State legislative actions related to transportation and air quality issues affecting the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Background: Transportation issues continue to be a focus for both the United States (US) Congress and the Texas Legislature. The 1st session of the 116th US Congress convened on January 3, 2019. The 86th Texas Legislature convened on January 8, 2019. This item will allow staff to provide updates on key positions of the Regional Transportation Council and allow any additional positions to be taken, if necessary.
2020 Unified Transportation Program and Regional 10-Year Plan Update Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the latest activities being undertaken and the plan going forward for the Regional 10-Year Plan update and 2020 Unified Transportation Program (UTP). Background: In December 2016, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved a set of projects for Fiscal Years (FY) 2017-2026 funded with Category 2 (MPO selection) and Category 4 (TxDOT District selection), and submitted for Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) consideration with Category 12 (Commission selection) funds. That action was the Dallas-Fort Worth region’s response to the House Bill (HB) 20 10-year planning requirement. In August 2018, the RTC approved an update to the Regional 10-Year Plan that primarily incorporated various project updates received to date. Since that time, North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) staff has been coordinating regularly with the Texas Department of Transportation Dallas, Paris (Hunt County), and Fort Worth districts regarding updates to previously approved projects, as well as potential additions to the 10-Year Plan to be included in the 2020 UTP. In response to a January 31, 2019, deadline set forth by TxDOT, staff has drafted a list that includes these project updates, potential new candidate projects, and scores for each project. In addition, staff has drafted an additional list of projects that need initial funding to allow TxDOT to continue advancing pre-construction activities, including the acquisition of right-of-way. Electronic Item 8.1 contains the proposed list of projects. Electronic Item 8.2 includes additional information about this process and the proposed next steps related to the Regional 10-Year Plan. Electronic Item 8.3 contains additional details on the scoring methodology developed by staff.
Mobility 2045 Update Presenter: Kevin Feldt, NCTCOG Item Summary: The Mobility 2045 Plan was adopted by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) on June 14, 2018. Staff will provide a status report regarding work efforts to implement Mobility 2045. Background: Following RTC adoption of Mobility 2045, staff and partner agencies have been working toward implementing the Plan. These efforts include planning and project development tasks, projects in construction, and coordinating with the public and our transportation partners. Staff will provide information regarding: • Recent RTC actions supporting Plan recommendations • Efforts to further the RTC’s five primary emphasis areas • Project development activities • Construction activities • Completed initiatives
Title VI Program May 2019 Update Presenter: Ken Kirkpatrick, NCTCOG Item Summary: Staff will provide information on an update to the Title VI Program. Background: As a primary recipient of Federal Transit Administration funding, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is required to have a Title VI Program. This program describes how NCTCOG implements nondiscrimination efforts related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and environmental justice. The program also describes how NCTCOG monitors subrecipients. This program must be updated every three years. For 2019, NCTCOG also is updating its Title VI Complaint Procedures, a component of the Title VI Program. The complaint procedures also were translated into Spanish. These changes necessitated a 45-day comment period because the complaint procedures are included in the Public Participation Plan, so this plan must also be updated. Electronic Item 10 contains a presentation with background information. A copy of the draft North Central Texas Council of Governments Title VI Program May 2019 Update is available at www.nctcog.org/nctcg/media/ Transportation/DocsMaps/Involve/InputMeetings/2019/02/Title-VI-Draft.pdf. A copy of the NCTCOG Public Participation Plan is available at www.nctcog.org/nctcg/media/Transportation/ DocsMaps/Involve/InputMeetings/2019/02/PPP_Title-VI.pdf.