Consideration and Approval of Amendment to Intergovernmental Agreement:  Intergovernmental Agreement /Joint Project Agreement (IGA/JPA) 11-085 between the State of Arizona and the City of Flagstaff acting for and on behalf of the Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization, Amendment 5 for Fiscal Year 2017 (Annual Update of FMPO IGA/JPA)

IGA/JPA 11-085 and its related amendments acknowledge the roles and responsibilities of the Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization (FMPO) in the provision of regional transportation planning and programming in accordance with federal mandates and authorizes the Arizona Department of Transportation to provide federal transportation planning and construction funds for those purposes.

Annually, FMPO brings in about $265,000 in planning funds and $460,00 in general federal construction funds.  Failure to approve the amendment will de-fund the FMPO and essential service in transportation modeling, trails planning and more will fall to City staff.  Loss of the FMPO will result in the City's loss of eligibility of federal transportation construction funds.
 

COUNCIL GOALS:
3) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics
6) Provide a well-managed transportation system
8) Improve effectiveness of notification, communication, and engagement with residents, neighborhoods and businesses and about City services, programs, policies, projects and developments

REGIONAL PLAN:
LU.1. Invest in existing neighborhoods and activity centers for the purpose of developing complete and connected places.
LU.7.Provide for public services and infrastructure.
LU.12. Accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and private cars to supplement downtown' status...
T.1. Improve mobility and access throughout the region.
T.2. Improve transportation safety and efficiency for all modes.

Yes.  This is an annual amendment process.  There have been four previous amendments to the IGA/JPA in this form acted upon by the Council.

1.  Approve the amendment as presented.  Staff Recommendation. There are effectively no changes to the IGA/JPA beyond the recognition of the new federal highway bill.
2.  Amend the JPA/IGA amendment.  Not recommended.  The staff is not aware of changes necessary to make the relationship with ADOT more effective.
3.  Deny the JPA/IGA amendment.  Not recommended.  This effectively defunds the FMPO and makes the City ineligible to receive federal transportation funds. Several projects could be discontinued.

The FMPO has been in place since 1996.  It started with an IGA between the City, County and State.  More recently, an IGA between the City and County establishes the FMPO and this JPA 11-085 establishes the relationship between FMPO and the State.  The City is acknowledged as the host agency for the FMPO and acts on its behalf.

The FMPO Executive Board took action to adopt the work program referenced by this IGA/JPA on May 18, 2016.
 

The City currently provides $22,500 annually in transportation sales tax funding to the FMPO and supports a portion of the multimodal planner position through that same tax.  This funding is used to match federal grant funds and to provide trail planning and project delivery services for the City.

The FMPO provides high quality transportation planning for the region and is respected across the state and nation.  Approval of this amendment will assure the continuation of those services.

Consult - a 30-day public comment period on the work program was provided.  The work program seeks to advance the regional transportation plan that has and is enjoying considerable public involvement.  FMPO committee and board meetings are open to the public.