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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 01-16-24; 8-i - Orange Unified Transportation Board – Approval of Youth Delegate Position 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: January 16, 2024 Action Agenda Item No. 8-i SUBJECT: Orange Unified Transportation Board —Approval of Youth Delegate Position DEPARTMENT: Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. OUTBoard Youth Delegate Request Nishith Trivedi, Transportation Director, 2. Amended OUTBoard Policies and 919-245-2007 Procedure PURPOSE: To approve an amendment to the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) Policies and Procedures to establish a non-voting Youth Delegate position on the OUTBoard. BACKGROUND: Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) is in the process of updating the Orange County Safe Routes to School Plan, in coordination and collaboration with the Orange County Schools. The Plan was originally approved by the BOCC in 2014. As part of the update process, the OUTBoard requested a non-voting Youth Delegate on the County's transportation advisory board. A similar youth position serves on the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council (PRC), through the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR). OCTS staff reviewed the process DEAPR utilized to establish the PRC Youth Delegate position. The OUTBoard requests (Attachment 1) a Youth Delegate position be permanently established by an amendment to the member section of the OUTBoard's Policies and Procedures (Attachment 2) to include a non-voting Youth Delegate. This addition will add a voice for the youth to the County's transportation advisory board that will be carried onto the BOCC. Transportation Advisory Services (TAS) Action — January 11, 2024 TAS unanimously recommended approval. Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) Action — January 8, 2024 The OUTBoard unanimously recommended approval. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact to the County. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY 2 The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender, or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential, or economic status. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs, and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Goal impact is applicable to this item: • CLEAN OR AVOIDED TRANSPORTATION Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality by: 1) promoting public transportation options; 2) decreasing dependence on single-occupancy vehicles, and 3) otherwise minimizing the need for travel. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the amendment to the member section of the OUTBoard's Policies and Procedures (Attachment 2) to include a non- voting Youth Delegate position on the OUTBoard. 3 Attachment 1 RE ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT COUNTY Or� 1. J t t CAROLINA P„r■ ;, 1 MMM"11 MEMORANDUM TO: Orange County Board of County Commissioners FROM: Orange Unified Transportation Board DATE: January 16, 2024 SUBJECT: Orange Unified Transportation Board Youth Delegate At its January meetings, the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) discussed the value in having a non-voting "youth delegate" member on the County's public transportation advisory board. Orange County Transportation Services followed the same process as Parks and Recreation Council Youth Delegate position. The position would require an amendment to the Code of Ordinances (Article 26) to be approved by the Board of Commissioners OCTS staff, Transportation Advisory Board and the OUTBoard recommends a non-voting position be made available and held by an Orange County resident youth (13 to 17 years of age) who has an interest in a multimodal transportation network in Orange County. OUTBoard requests this youth delegate be a permanent position through the update of the OUTBoard Policies and Procedures, membership section with the following addition: • One non-voting youth delegate between the ages 13 and 17 will be appointed to serve annually. The addition of a youth delegate member position to the OUTBoard would bring valuable insight to decisions relating to the future of the County's transportation network, from one of the most vulnerable users of the multimodal system. Please forward any questions, comments or concerns to OCTS Transportation Director Nishith Trivedi at ntrivedi orangecountync.gov. Orange County Transportation Services 606 NC 86 Hillsborough, NC 27278 4 Amended October 18, 2022 Attachment 2 Orange Unified Transportation (OUT) BOARD POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION I: SCOPE A. Purpose 1. To establish a policy and procedures whereby the Orange County Board of Commissioners will establish the specific policies and procedures governing the Orange Unified Transportation (OUT) Board. 2. The Orange County Board of Commissioners may appoint an advisory board whose duty is to serve in an advisory capacity in regards to planning and programming transportation infrastructure improvements and other County transportation planning initiatives, as determined by the Board of Commissioners. B. Authority 1. North Carolina General Statute 153A-76 grants boards of county commissioners the authority to establish advisory boards. 2. The Orange County Advisory Board Policy serves as the underlying policy document to which the OUT Board, in addition to this policy and procedure document, is subject. The Orange County Advisory Board Policy is attached hereto as "Exhibit A". 3. In the event that there is a conflict between the Orange County Advisory Board Policy and this Policies and Procedures document this Policies and Procedures document shall control. C. Charge 1. The OUT Board is charged with advising the Board of County Commissioners on the planning and programming of transportation infrastructure improvements and other County transportation planning initiatives, as directed by the Board. 2. Upon request, OUT Board may advise other boards regarding transportation. SECTION II: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES A. Goals The Transportation Element of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan includes the County's goals for transportation planning and provides guidance for the OUT Board, Planning Board, Board of County Commissioners, and staff. B. Objectives The OUT Board shall: 1. Identify and provide prioritization recommendations on the County's roadway, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian needs. 2. Assist in development and review of updates to the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan. 5 3. Provide recommendations to the Board regarding Federal and State legislation affecting transportation in Orange County. 4. Provide recommendations on innovative techniques and methods to improve the efficiency and capacity of existing and future transportation systems. 5. Carry out special projects as assigned by the Board of Commissioners. 6. Serve as an advisory body to the Administrative Staff of the Orange Public Transit (OPT) System. The roles of assistance may include but are not limited to being: a. A forum to discuss relevant issues related to public transportation; b. An advocate in promoting new or expanded transit services; c. Sounding board on program operations, goal setting and monitoring; d. As a guardian of passenger rights for the general public and special targeted populations; and e. When directed by the BOCC, recommends NCDOT grants, contracts, and studies that affect the current or future service levels of public transportation in Orange County. SECTION III: MEMBERSHIP A. Authority 1. North Carolina General Statute 153A-76 grants boards of county commissioners the authority to establish advisory boards and to appoint members to and remove members from those advisory boards. In acting on this authority the Orange County Board of Commissioners hereby establishes certain general conditions to which applicants and members of advisory boards should conform. B. Composition 1. The OUT Board is composed of twelve (12) voting members, including one from each township, if possible. 2. One non-voting youth delegate between the ages 13 and 17 will be appointed to serve annually. 3. Members shall represent diverse demographic, geographic, cultural and professional characteristics C. Attendance 1. Meeting attendance will be in accordance with Section III, H of the County Commissioners Advisory Board Policy. 2. Members are encouraged to attend in-person. Remote options will be available to voting members upon request. SECTION IV.MEETINGS A. Staffing 6 1. Orange County staff may serve a support function to the OUT Board upon the approval of the Orange County Manager. B. Agendas 1. Items for agendas shall be approved by the OUT Board Chair and Orange County staff. C. Date, Time, and Location of Regular Meetings 1. Regular meetings of the OUT Board shall be held as needed to address items that require Board action consistent with its Charge and Duties identified herein. 2. Meetings are held on the third Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held the second Monday of the month, in the event of Holiday. The start time and location of the meeting shall be included on the agenda and shall typically be at: West Campus Office Building 131 West Margaret lane Hillsborough, NC 27278 3. The OUTBoard Chair, in consultation with staff, shall have the authority to change the start time and location of a regular meeting to meet any special circumstances, provided the information is included on the distributed agenda. SECTION V. ORIENTATION A. Each member shall attend an orientation presented by the Orange County Transportation Services Department to familiarize the advisory board members with the operation of County government, B. Each voting member will be encouraged to complete the orientation within six weeks of his or her appointment. SECTION VI.BY-LAWS A. By-Laws 1. Any Bylaws adopted by the OUT Board are void and no further bylaws shall be adopted. Procedure shall be governed solely by this policy document and the General Advisory Board Policy Document. 2. Should the OUT Board determine modifications to policies and procedures are necessary, the OUT Board may petition the Board of County Commissioners for such modifications.