3.
City Council Combined Special Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 09/09/2014
- From:
- David Wessel, Metro Planning Org Manager
TITLE:
Flagstaff MPO Biannual Update.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Provide FMPO staff feedback and direction in response to updates on FMPO work program activities and the broader state and federal transportation planning and funding context.
Policy Decision or Reason for Action:
FMPO provides mandated transportation planning services to the region. It also provides support services to member agencies' internal transportation planning, programming and project design efforts.
Financial Impact:
FMPO receives approximately $260,000 in federal transportation planning grants annually. In addition, FMPO receives approximately $1,000,000 annually for construction projects.
Connection to Council Goal and/or Regional Plan:
COUNCIL GOALS:
1. Repair Replace maintain infrastructure. (streets & utilities)
5. Retain, expand, and diversify economic base.
11. Effective governance.
1. Repair Replace maintain infrastructure. (streets & utilities)
5. Retain, expand, and diversify economic base.
11. Effective governance.
Previous Council Decision on This:
No.
Options and Alternatives:
Not applicable.
Background/History:
The Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization was formed in September 1996. MPO's are mandated under federal law for urbanized areas with a population exceeding 50,000 people. The Flagstaff area officially hit this mark after a special census in 1995. In order for a region to receive any federal transportation planning or construction funds it must have an MPO in place to plan for and program those funds.
FMPO has always been hosted the City of Flagstaff. In fact, the City Engineer served as a part-time Executive Director until 2005. At that time a new intergovernmental agreement was drafted and a full-time Manager was hired and placed under the direction of the Executive Board. The City remains as host providing legal, grant, human resource and information services support and charges indirect costs to FMPO grants.
The FMPO is charged with producing three primary documents: The regional transportation plan - a 20-30 year policy and plan; the transportation improvement program - a five-year, multimodal, capital improvement program for federal funds; and an annual work program and budget.
FMPO has always been hosted the City of Flagstaff. In fact, the City Engineer served as a part-time Executive Director until 2005. At that time a new intergovernmental agreement was drafted and a full-time Manager was hired and placed under the direction of the Executive Board. The City remains as host providing legal, grant, human resource and information services support and charges indirect costs to FMPO grants.
The FMPO is charged with producing three primary documents: The regional transportation plan - a 20-30 year policy and plan; the transportation improvement program - a five-year, multimodal, capital improvement program for federal funds; and an annual work program and budget.
Key Considerations:
Federal Context:
* MAP-21 extension and expiration
* Growing emphasis on the economy, freight, system preservation and national priorities or significance
* Serious underfunding
State Context:
* Reduced state revenues / HURF transfers
* Growing reliance on federal funds
Current FMPO Work Program:
Studies
* Regional Transportation Plan
* Milton Road Operations Analysis
* Regional Freight Strategy
Activities
* Association of Metropolitan Planning Organization Board member
* Arizona COG-MPO Planners Chairman
* ADOT I-40 and I-17 Technical Advisory Committees member
* ADOT State Bike Route System Committee member
* City Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committees staff support
* MAP-21 extension and expiration
* Growing emphasis on the economy, freight, system preservation and national priorities or significance
* Serious underfunding
State Context:
* Reduced state revenues / HURF transfers
* Growing reliance on federal funds
Current FMPO Work Program:
Studies
* Regional Transportation Plan
* Milton Road Operations Analysis
* Regional Freight Strategy
Activities
* Association of Metropolitan Planning Organization Board member
* Arizona COG-MPO Planners Chairman
* ADOT I-40 and I-17 Technical Advisory Committees member
* ADOT State Bike Route System Committee member
* City Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committees staff support
Expanded Financial Considerations:
The City charges between 6% and 9% indirect costs against the FMPO program. In FY 2015 that amounts to around $100,000.
Community Benefits and Considerations:
FMPO, by its existence, makes access to federal transportation funds possible. FMPO activities and funds have resulted in direct projects such as the Fremont/US 180 intersection; bus stop improvements, Butler pedestrian underpass, Cedar pedestrian bridge, several FUTS projects and more. FMPO activities have supported important regional efforts like Transportation Decision 2000 that resulted in the sales tax supporting numerous transportation improvements. FMPO is also involved in supporting transportation research, training, and other activities.
Community Involvement:
Inform
Expanded Options and Alternatives:
Not applicable