Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) Analysis. Presentation to the TAG January 14, 2015

Transcription

1 Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) Analysis Presentation to the TAG January 14,

2 Assignment Seek State and Federal guidance on the formulation, function and operations of TAG. Examine the roles, makeup and operations of select MPO Citizen Advisory Committees (TAGS) in Virginia and around the Country. Compare these with the FAMPO TAG and report findings to be potentially used for updating the TAG Bylaws and for any potential changes in the method for TAG making its recommendations to the FAMPO Policy Committee. 2

3 FAMPO POLICY COMMITTEE BYLAWS EXCERPT ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES SECTION 2 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP (TAG) The MPO shall create and maintain a TAG composed of citizens with an interest in transportation issues. The purpose of the TAG shall be to provide citizen input to the Policy Committee and to disseminate information on MPO projects, programs and policies to residents of the Region at-large. Members of the TAG are subject to approval of their local governing bodies, except that the Policy Committee may directly appoint up to six at-large members to the TAG. The TAG, if desired, may adopt and update its own Bylaws. 3

4 TAG COMMITTEE BYLAWS EXCERPT Article 1 Purpose Section 1: Citizen Planning: The Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) is an advisory group to the Policy Committee and consists of citizens appointed by the Policy Committee, local governments, and local organizations. The TAG functions to encourage citizen participation during the transportation planning process and to advise the Policy Committee of the citizen s perspective on transportation planning, programs and projects. 4

5 Methodology for the Present Analysis VDOT and FHWA websites were examined to identify any Statewide or national guidance on TAGs. AMPO was also consulted. Individual TAGs in Virginia and around the country were examined to detail roles, make-up and operations. A total of twenty-two TAGS were examined. From this research findings and conclusions were drawn and are included below. 5

6 VDOT and FHWA Findings and Conclusions No specific guidance on TAGs was identified at the State or Federal levels. In addition no national studies were identified. While TAGs are referenced in the VDOT Public Participation Plan, the only other references to TAGs on the VDOT website were the incorporations of minutes and other specific documents with TAGs in the subject matter from various MPOs around Virginia. In addition, examination of the Association of MPOs (AMPO) indicated no national studies on TAGs. The conclusion is that, while MPOs are required to develop and periodically update a Public Participation Plan (PPP), and while MPOs may choose to establish and maintain TAGs, there is no State or Federal requirement for MPOs to actually have a TAG, and there are no State or Federal guidelines on the roles, make-up or operations of TAGs. 6

7 Individual MPOs Researched Charlottesville, Virginia Roanoke, Virginia* Petersburg, Virginia* Lynchburg, Virginia Wilmington, North Carolina* Fort Lauderdale, Florida* Myrtle Beach, South Carolina* Anchorage, Alaska* Thousand Oaks, California* Portland, Maine* Visalia, California* Richmond, Virginia* Winchester, Virginia Hampton Roads, Virginia* Gulfport, Mississippi* Concord, North Carolina* Syracuse, New York* Huntington, West Virginia* Vero Beach, Florida Evansville, Indiana* Norwich, Connecticut* Winter Haven, Florida* Note: * Signifies an MPO with a population greater than 200,000 7

8 Locations of TAGs Examined 8

9 Locations of TAGs Examined 9

10 Individual MPO Conclusions Existence of TAGs: A majority of MPOs, particularly smaller MPOs, do not have TAGs. In general, but with notable exceptions, the larger an MPO, the more developed and sophisticated is its TAG. Role of TAGs: In general TAGs are established by MPOs to make recommendations to the Policy Committee and to inform the public. TAG Membership: TAG membership is decided in a variety of ways, including Policy Committee appointments, local government appointments and appointments by interest groups. There is no clear trend here. 10

11 Individual MPO Conclusions (cont d) TAG Governance: All TAGs are created by Policy Committees. Some TAGs have their own Bylaws, approved by their Policy Committees, others are simply governed by Policy Committee Bylaws. It is unusual for the FAMPO TAG to approve its own Bylaws, TAG Communications: No cases were found of TAGs communicating by letter or Resolution to any government organization at the State, Federal or local level. Rather all formal TAG communications were to the Policy Committee in the form of recommendations. Communications with the public or interest groups were found to either disseminate information or to obtain citizen recommendations. TAG Representation on the Policy Committee: Many TAGs have a non-voting seat on their Policy Committee, held by the TAG Chair. This is seen to improve communications between the TAG and the Policy Committee. 11

12 Transportation Advisory Group Analysis January 2015 Assignment Seek State and Federal guidance on the formulation, function and operations of TAG. Examine the roles, makeup and operations of select MPO Citizen Advisory Committees (TAGS) in Virginia and around the Country. Compare these with the FAMPO TAG and report findings to be potentially used for updating the TAG Bylaws and for any potential changes in the method for TAG making its recommendations to the FAMPO Policy Committee. Background While the TAG was not included specifically in the original 1992 FAMPO Policy Committee Bylaws, it was created under a special committees provision in those same Bylaws shortly after FAMPO was organized. More recently the Policy Committee Bylaws were amended to specifically include the TAG as shown below: POLICY COMMITTEE BYLAWS EXCERPT ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES SECTION 2 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP (TAG) The MPO shall create and maintain a TAG composed of citizens with an interest in transportation issues. The purpose of the TAG shall be to provide citizen input to the Policy Committee and to disseminate information on MPO projects, programs and policies to residents of the Region at-large. Members of the TAG are subject to approval of their local governing bodies, except that the Policy Committee may directly appoint up to six at-large members to the TAG. The TAG, if desired, may adopt and update its own Bylaws. The TAG has adopted its own Bylaws, which are attached to this analysis.

13 TAG COMMITTEE BYLAWS EXCERPT Article 1 Purpose Section 1: Citizen Planning: The Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) is an advisory group to the Policy Committee and consists of citizens appointed by the Policy Committee, local governments, and local organizations. The TAG functions to encourage citizen participation during the transportation planning process and to advise the Policy Committee of the citizen s perspective on transportation planning, programs and projects. Participation in the TAG has ebbed and flowed since its inception. At present the TAG has nine members (a Stafford representative having resigned in the past few days). In the past few years TAG member interest in the TAG taking a more active role in FAMPO has increased. This recent increase in TAG activism is the impetus behind the TAG request for the present analysis. Methodology for the Present Analysis VDOT and FHWA websites were examined to identify any Statewide or national guidance on TAGs. AMPO was also consulted. Individual TAGs in Virginia and around the country were examined to detail roles, make-up and operations. From this research findings and conclusions were drawn and are included below. VDOT and FHWA Findings and Conclusions No specific guidance on TAGs was identified at the State or Federal levels. In addition no national studies were identified. While TAGs are referenced in the VDOT Public Participation Plan, the only other references to TAGs on the VDOT website were the incorporations of minutes and other specific documents with TAGs in the subject matter from various MPOs around Virginia. In addition, examination of the Association of MPOs (AMPO) indicated no national studies on TAGs. The conclusion is that, while MPOs are required to develop and periodically update a Public Participation Plan (PPP), and while MPOs may choose to establish and maintain TAGs, there is no State or Federal requirement for MPOs to actually have a TAG, and there are no State or Federal guidelines on the roles, make-up or operations of TAGs. Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) Analysis January

14 Findings from Individual MPOs FAMPOs total population in the 2010 Census was a little over 210,000 persons. Because FAMPO s population is split between two distinct urbanized areas, it is not viewed as exceeding 200,000 for the purpose of formula funding. Research shows that, as of 2010, there were twenty-one other MPOs with a population of between 200,000 and 230,000 persons. Except for Roanoke, twenty of these MPO are located outside of Virginia. The websites of the following MPOs were researched. These include some over 200,000 in population and some under 200,000 in population. The maps on the following page show their locations around Virginia and the country. MPOs Researched Charlottesville, Virginia Roanoke, Virginia* Petersburg, Virginia* Lynchburg, Virginia Wilmington, North Carolina* Fort Lauderdale, Florida* Myrtle Beach, South Carolina* Anchorage, Alaska* Thousand Oaks, California* Portland, Maine* Visalia, California* Richmond, Virginia* Winchester, Virginia Hampton Roads, Virginia* Gulfport, Mississippi* Concord, North Carolina* Syracuse, New York* Huntington, West Virginia* Vero Beach, Florida Evansville, Indiana* Norwich, Connecticut* Winter Haven, Florida* Note: * Signifies an MPO with a population greater than 200,000 Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) Analysis January

15 Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) Analysis January

16 Charlottesville, Virginia The Charlottesville MPO is under 200,000 in population. The TAG here is referred to as the Citizens Technical Advisory Committee (CTAC). It was created by the MPO to review, analyze and comment to the Policy Committee on matters pertaining to Regional transportation. Thirteen members are appointed by local governments and by the Policy Committee. The CTAC Bylaws are approved by the Policy Committee. The Chair of the CTAC serves as a non-voting member of the Policy Committee. Richmond, Virginia The Richmond MPO is over 200,000 in population. The TAG here is also referred to as a CTAC. It was created by the MPO to advise the Policy Committee on transportation matters. The CTAC may also pass Resolutions for the Policy Committee to consider. Twenty-four members are appointed by local governments and by the Policy Committee. The Chair of the CTAC serves as a non-voting member of the Policy Committee. Roanoke, Virginia The Roanoke MPO is over 200,000 in population. Here the TAG is referred to as a Citizens Advisory Committee. It was created by the MPO to provide input to the Policy Committee on potential plans and projects. The Roanoke CAC is currently being reorganized. Winchester, Virginia The Winchester MPO is under 200,000 in population. The Winchester MPO created the TAG to solicit inputs and recommendations from other citizens groups and interested stakeholders when reviewing various transportation plans and share findings with the Policy Committee. The TAG has seven members appointed by individual Policy Committee members. Petersburg, Virginia Although the actual population of Petersburg is less than 200,000, it shares the same urbanized area with Richmond, and is therefore viewed in law as exceeding 200,000. Petersburg has no TAG at present. Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) Analysis January

17 Hampton Roads, Virginia The population of Hampton Roads exceeds 200,000. The TAG in Hampton Roads is referred to as a Citizens Technical Advisory Committee (CTAC). The MPO created the CTAC be an advisor to the Policy Committee on transportation matters. CTAC can have up to thirty members, appointed by the Policy Committee. The Policy Committee approves the CTAC Bylaws. The CTAC Chair serves as a non-voting member of the Policy Committee. Lynchburg, Virginia The Lynchburg population is under 200,000. The MPO has no TAG at present. Gulfport, Mississippi The population of Gulfport exceeds 200,000. The MPO has no TAG at present. Wilmington, North Carolina The population of Wilmington exceeds 200,000. The MPO has no TAG at present. Concord, North Carolina The population of Concord exceeds 200,000. The MPO has no TAG at present. Fort Lauderdale, Florida Fort Lauderdale is actually part of the greater Miami urbanized area. But it contains a stand-alone MPO, which encompasses Broward County. The population of the MPO exceeds 200,000. The TAG is known as the Citizen Involvement Round Table (CIR). The CIR was created by the MPO to help shape the urban environment, to recommend public information programs to the MPO, and to review transportation plans and make recommendations to the MPO. The CIR contains up to forty-three members appointed by the MPO, as well as various civic and service organizations. Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) Analysis January

18 Syracuse, New York The population of Syracuse exceeds 200,000. Instead of a standing TAG, the MPO creates Study Advisory Committees or Working groups of interested parties and organizations to provide recommendations to the MPO on specific studies and projects. Myrtle Beach South Carolina The population of Myrtle Beach exceeds 200,000. The MPO has no TAG at present. Huntington, West Virginia The population of Huntington exceeds 200,000. The MPO has no TAG at present. Anchorage, Alaska The population of Anchorage exceeds 200,000. The TAG for the Anchorage MPO is actually the Anchorage Planning and Zoning Committee, which is appointed by the City of Anchorage Assembly. The Planning and Zoning Committee reviews MPO plans and programs and makes recommendations to the MPO Policy Committee. Vero Beach, Florida The population of Vero Beach is under 200,000. The TAG for Vero Beach is called a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). The MPO created the CAC to advise the Policy Committee on plans and programs. The CAC is comprised of thirteen members, appointed by local governments or interest groups. The Bylaws of the MPO govern the CAC. Thousand Oaks, California Thousand Oaks is actually part of the greater Los Angeles urbanized area. It has a stand-alone MPO, with a population exceeding 200,000. The Thousand Oaks MPO has no standing TAG as such, but it is closely linked to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), representing 15 million people. SCAG has a highly developed and sophisticated system of local Citizen Advisory Committees, available to make recommendations to local MPOs such as Thousand Oaks. Evansville, Indiana The population of Evansville exceeds 200,000. While the Evansville MPO has no standing TAG, it relies on numerous outside organizations to advise it on specific plans, programs and projects. Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) Analysis January

19 Portland, Maine The Portland population exceeds 200,000. The Portland MPO has no TAG at this time. Norwich, Connecticut The population of Norwich exceeds 200,000. The Norwich MPO has no TAG at present. Visalia, California The population of Visalia exceeds 200,000. The Visalia TAG is called a Citizen Oversight Committee (COC). The MPO created the COC to advise the Policy Committee on MPO plans, programs and policies. The COC contains sixteen members appointed by the Policy Committee. Winter Haven, Florida The Winter Haven population exceeds 200,000. The Winter Haven MPO has no TAG at present. Individual MPO Conclusions Existence of TAGs A majority of MPOs, particularly smaller MPOs, do not have TAGs. In general, but with notable exceptions, the larger an MPO, the more developed and sophisticated is its TAG. Role of TAGs In general TAGs are established by MPOs to make recommendations to the Policy Committee and to inform the public. Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) Analysis January

20 TAG Membership TAG membership is decided in a variety of ways, including Policy Committee appointments, local government appointments and appointments by interest groups. There is no clear trend here. TAG Governance All TAGs are created by Policy Committees. Some TAGs have their own Bylaws, approved by their Policy Committees; others are simply governed by Policy Committee Bylaws. It is unusual for the FAMPO TAG to approve its own Bylaws, TAG Communications No cases were found of TAGs communicating by letter or Resolution to any government organization at the State, Federal or local level. Rather all formal TAG communications were to the Policy Committee in the form of recommendations. Communications with the public or interest groups were found to either disseminate information or to obtain citizen recommendations. TAG Representation on the Policy Committee Many TAGs have a non-voting seat on their Policy Committee, held by the TAG Chair. This is seen to improve communications between the TAG and the Policy Committee. Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) Analysis January