HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-19-2002-10b 1
+ ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 19, 2002
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT: Rural Planning Organizations Report
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Report on Rural Planning Organizations Karen Lincoln, ext. 2594
2. Attachment A— materials from TJCOG
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane (336)227-2031
PURPOSE: To receive a report on Rural Planning Organizations (RPO).
BACKGROUND: The North Carolina General Assembly, in 2000, enacted legislation authorizing
NCDOT to create Rural Planning Organizations to give rural areas an active voice in transportation
planning. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has requested that all
counties consider their interest in participating in the RPO program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this agenda item at this time. If
the board decides to form an RPO with other counties, Orange County will have an annual
obligation of its share of 20% of the funding for the lead planning agency and there will be
additional Orange County staff time.
RECOMMENDATION(S): As the Board decides.
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RURAL PLANNING ORGANIZATION REPORT
January 18, 2002
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), to ensure that all rural counties
will be able to form a Rural Planning Organization (RPO) with other counties having
similar transportation interests and needs, has requested that counties consider their
interest in participating in the RPO Program. The following report gives a brief outline of
the program, Orange County's options and advantages and disadvantages of each
option for Orange County.
Background
North Carolina General Assembly, in 2000, enacted legislation that authorized North
Carolina Department of Transportation in cooperation with local elected officials to
establish Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RPOs) to plan rural
transportation systems and to advise the DOT on rural transportation policy. The
purpose of the RPO program is to provide a cooperative unified voice for rural entities to
advocate for their funding and project needs, and to be meaningfully involved in
integrated multi-modal transportation planning and the project programming process.
Participation in the program is voluntary.
The core functions of the RPO are:
(1) to coordinate local.and regional multi-modal transportation plans;
(2) to provide a mechanism for meaningful public participation in the transportation
planning process;
(3) to develop and prioritize transportation projects for input into the Statewide
Transportation Improvement Program (STIP); and
(4) to provide a transportation-related information clearinghouse (information resource
center) for local governments and other interested organizations and persons.
The Rural Planning Organization includes representatives from three to fifteen
contiguous counties, with total population of at least 50,000, and is set up like the
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) with a lead planning agency (LPA).
However, the RPO, unlike the MPO which is a policy board, acts in an advisory
capacity.
The State has appropriated a base of $80,000 and a ceiling of $100,000 for each RPO.
Local jurisdictions must provide a twenty-percent match. The funds are being made
available to pay for lead planning agency staff and their planning work.
The local entities seeking to establish an RPO in their region would develop a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to be signed by all local members, as well as
by NCDOT. The RPO MOU specifies the RPO's geographic area, mission, eligible
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functions, local membership, staffing, funding, level of NCDOT participation, and other
procedural and operational issues.
Orange County Options
Orange County must consider whether transportation issues in the rural portions of the
county are more related to transportation interests of the urbanized areas of the county
(MPO) or to rural portions of neighboring counties. The portion of Orange County that is
in the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) Metropolitan Planning Organization will
remain in that MPO. Orange County;s options for the remainder of the county are:
1. to expand the county's involvement in the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC)
Metropolitan Planning Organization (the entire county becomes part of the DCHC
MPO);
2. to join with some combination of adjacent counties in a Rural Planning
Organization;
3. to join with the Burlington MPO; or
4. to maintain the county's current arrangement, where a portion of the county is in
the DCHC MPO, and the remainder of the county is not (Orange County does not
join an RPO).
The table on the next page outlines advantages and disadvantages of each of the
above options.
Orange County has several choices if the county decides on option 2 above to join with
some combination of adjacent counties to form a Rural Planning Organization.
Triangle J Council of Governments has developed a proposal for an RPO for Triangle
oriented counties (Orange, Chatham, Lee and Moore). Those documents are attached
as Exhibit A.
Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) proposes an RPO for counties
within NCDOT Divisions where PART operates. PART would act as Lead Planning
Agency. Counties in the RPO could include Rockingham, Caswell, Alamance,
Davidson, Randolph and Orange.
Orange County could-form an RPO with adjacent counties not already committed to
another RPO arrangement. Alamance, Caswell and Chatham Counties are adjacent
counties that have not yet made a decision regarding the RPO program. Most of the
RPOs are being set up by the regional councils of governments (COGs). There are one
or two that are being set up differently.
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Most of the RPOs are being set up by the regional councils of governments (COGs).
There are one or two that are being set up differently.
The following RPOs are already formed or have submitted a MOU to NCDOT for
approval.
Region A (Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties)
Region C (McDowell, Polk and Rutherford Counties)
Region D (Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey Counties)
Region E (Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba Counties)
Lake Norman (Cleveland County in Region C, Iredell, Lincoln and part of Gaston in
Region F)
Region I (Davie, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin Counties)
Region K (Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren Counties)
Region M (Cumberland, Harnett , Sampson Counties plus Bladen County in Region N)
Region N (Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland Counties)
Region O (Brunswick, Columbus and Pender Counties)
Region R (Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hyde, Pasquotank,
Perquimans, Tyrrel and Washington Counties)
Beaufort, Martin and Pitt Counties in Region Q are considering forming a Rural Planning
Organization.
The following counties are entirely within an MPO.
Durham and Wake (Region J)
Forsyth (Region 1)
Guildford (Region G)
Mecklenburg (Region F)
Almost entirety of New Hanover (Region O)
The following counties have not yet made a decision to form an RPO.
Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties (Region B)
Anson, Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly and Union Counties (Region F)
Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Montgomery, Randolph and Rockingham Counties
(Region H)
Chatham, Lee, Moore and Orange Counties (Region J)
Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Northhampton and Wilson Counties (Region L)
Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Onslow, Pamlico and Wayne Counties
(Region P)
Bertie and Hertford Counties (Region Q)
y
6
Conclusion
Orange County must consider its interests in deciding which option best addresses its
transportation needs.
The county should consider whether its transportation interests in the predominantly
rural areas of the county are more compatible with the more urban portions of the
county and neighboring Durham County, or more compatible with the rural portions of
neighboring counties. The county should consider that within an MPO, the MPO has
the authority to adopt transportation plans, decide priority of transportation projects, and
can prevent unwanted projects from being constructed; while the RPO has only
advisory authority and NCDOT decides priority of transportation projects to be
constructed. The county may also consider that local governments do not contribute
direct funding for MPO operations while local governments must contribute 20% of the
funding for RPO operations. (However, the funding would be a minimal issue since the
20% match - $20,000 to $25,000, respectively, for $80,000 base to $100,000 maximum
80% to be funded by NCDOT - would be divided among the counties making up the
RPO.)
Orange County must also decide whether its transportation interests in the
predominantly rural areas of the county are more compatible with counties in the
Triangle J region or with counties to the west that are in the Piedmont Authority for
Regional Transportation service area, or with some other combination of adjacent
counties that are not already committed to a Rural Planning Organization (for example,
Alamance and Chatham). For the latter scenario, Orange County must develop a
proposal for those counties that outlines the structure and operation for the RPO.
ATTACHMENT A 7
Rural Transportation Planning Organization
Objectives, Features & Benefits
Triangle J Council of Governments October 2001
What is a Rural Transportation Planning Organization (RPO)?
An RPO is a voluntary association of local governments to plan rural transportation systems and advise the
NCDOT on rural transportation policy. The 1999 Board of Transportation Reform Bill(House Bill 1304)
required NCDOT to develop a plan to establish RPOs. RPOs were authorized by Senate Bill 1195 in 2000.
What are the objectives of an RPO?
The law authorizing RPOs outlined four core objectives:
1. Developing long-range local and regional multi-modal transportation plans,in cooperation with the
NCDOT.
2. Providing a forum for public participation in the transportation planning process.
3. Developing and prioritizing suggestions for projects that the RPO believes should be included in the
State's Transportation Improvement Program(TIP).
4. Providing transportation-related information to local governments and other interested organizations
and persons.
What features might a Triangle Area RPO have?
A Triangle Area RPO must include at least 3 counties,but could include up to 5 counties. The RPO can span its
urban transportation counterparts: the Metropolitan Planning Organizations(MPOs)that undertake transport
planning in Wake,Durham and parts of Orange and Chatham Counties. The RPO would be administered
through the Triangle J Council of Governments(TJCOG). Dedicated staff would be hired to undertake RPO
tasks, supplemented by existing TJCOG planning and geographic information systems staff. Up to 80%of RPO
funding would be provided by NCDOT,based on a funding formula involving the population and number of
counties in the RPO. At least 20%of RPO funding must be provided by the local RPO members.
What benefits might a Triangle Area RPO provide?
A Triangle Area RPO administered through Triangle J COG can provide local governments with:
• an effective voice in advocating the transportation interests of rural counties and their towns,
• technical assistance for transportation planning and economic and demographic projections,
• a local center of contact for working with different divisions within the NCDOT,
• a single source for information on state and federal transportation activities,
• established links to the two Metropolitan Planning Organizations in the region and other transportation
providers such as the Triangle Transit Authority and the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
• a sophisticated geographic information system with skilled staff and numerous data sources,and
• experienced administrators of coordinated regional efforts.
ATTACHMENT A 8
r
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
FOR
COOPERATIVE, COMPREHENSIVE AND CONTINUING
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
A RURAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION
FOR
The Counties of Chatham, Johnston, Lee, Moore and Orange, comprising a
portion of the Region J Planning Area, and the Municipalities contained
therein (excluding Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough) and the North
Carolina Department of Transportation.
WITNESSETH
Whereas, section 135 of Title 23, United States Code, declares that it is in
the national interest to encourage and promote the development of
transportation systems embracing various modes of transportation in a
manner that will serve all areas of the State efficiently and effectively; and
Whereas, North Carolina General Statutes 136-211 enacted July 6, 2000,
provides for the establishment of Rural Transportation Planning Organizations
(RPOs) similar in concept to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) for
transportation planning in North Carolina's urban areas; and
Whereas, the establishment of a Rural Transportation Planning
Organization (RPO), similar in concept to the Urban Metropolitan
Transportation Planning Organizations (MPOs), would provide rural areas the
opportunity to work in partnership with the North Carolina Department of
Transportation toward development of sound, short and long-range
transportation planning for rural areas; and
Whereas, the establishment of a Rural Transportation Planning
Organization for the portions of Region J area that are not already included
within MPO boundaries would assist the North Carolina Department of
Transportation in complying with the provisions of the Transportation Equity
Act for the 21 st Century (TEA 21 ), enacted June 9, 1998, relative to the
participation of local officials and the public in the transportation planning
process; and
Whereas, It is the desire of these local governments and agencies to
establish a Continuing, Comprehensive, Cooperative Transportation Planning
Process with the establishment of a Rural Transportation Planning
Organization for the Region J Planning Area; the following memorandum of
understanding is made.
ATTACHMENT A 9
Section 1. Establishment of Rural Transportation Planning Organization. It is
hereby agreed, that the Counties of Chatham, Johnston, Lee, Moore and
Orange, and the Municipalities contained therein (excluding Chapel Hill,
Carrboro and Hillsborough), and the North Carolina Department of
Transportation intend to establish and participate in a Rural Transportation
Planning Organization created for the general purposes and responsibilities
outlined in the following:
1 . Develop long-range local and regional multimodal transportation plans in
cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
2. Provide a forum for public participation in the transportation planning
process.
3. Develop and prioritize suggestions for transportation projects the Rural
Transportation Planning Organization believes should be included in the
State's Transportation Improvement Program.
4. Conduct transportation-related studies and surveys and provide
transportation-related information to local governments and other
interested organizations and persons.
5. Undertake mutually agreed upon transportation-related tasks to enhance
transportation system development, coordination and efficiency.
Section 2. Administration and Funding. It is hereby further agreed that
transportation plans and programs and land use policies and programs for
the Rural Transportation Planning Organization will be coordinated by the
Triangle J Council of Governments, an agency selected on behalf of
participating local governments and the North Carolina Department of
Transportation to be the administrative entity and serve as the lead planning
agency for coordinating transportation planning in the RPO Planning Areas.
It is hereby further agreed that the participating local governments shall
provide the local matching funds necessary to obtain state funding for the
Rural Transportation Planning Organization.
Section 3. Establishment of Rural Transportation Advisory CommHtee (RTAC).
A Rural Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC) is hereby established with
the responsibility for serving as a forum for cooperative transportation
planning decision making for the Rural Transportation Planning Organization
(RPO). The Rural Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC) shall have the
responsibility for keeping the policy boards informed of the status and
requirements of the transportation planning process; assisting in the
dissemination and clarification of the decisions, inclinations, and policies of
the policy boards; and helping to ensure meaningful public participation in
the transportation planning process.
ATTACHMENT A 10
A
1 . The Rural Transportation Advisory Committee will be responsible for
carrying out the following:
A. Establishment of goals and objectives for the transportation planning
process.
B. Endorsement, review and approval of changes to adopted
Transportation Plans for the Rural Transportation Planning Organization.
C. Endorsement, review and approval of a Prospectus for Transportation
Planning which defines work tasks and responsibilities for the various
agencies participating in the Rural Transportation Planning
Organization.
D. Endorsement, review and approval of Transportation Improvement
Projects which support and enhance rural transportation within the
Rural Transportation Planning Organization.
2. The membership of the Rural Transportation Advisory Committee shall
consist of the following:
A. One County Commissioner representing each County.
B. One municipal elected official representing the municipal interests in
each County, unless there are no municipalities included in a
county's RPO planning area.
C. One member of the Triangle J Council of Governments Executive
Board.
D. A member of the North Carolina Board of Transportation representing
the Department of Transportation.
3. The County Commissioner representing each county shall be elected by
the Board of County Commissioners of each county in regular session. The
elected municipal representative shall be selected by balloting of municipal
elected officials in each county (one vote for each town) every two years. A
simple majority vote wins the seat. The term of office for all seats on the RTAC
is two years. Re-appointment is possible.
4. The Rural Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC) will meet as often as it
is deemed appropriate and advisable. On the basis of majority vote of its
membership, the Rural Transportation Advisory Committee shall appoint a
member of the committee to act as chairperson with the responsibility for
coordination of the committee's activities and another member to act as
vice-chairperson to assume this responsibility in the chairperson's absence. A
member of the staff of the Triangle J Council of Governments will serve as
secretary to the committee.
ATTACHMENT A 11
F
Section 4. Establishment of Transportation Technical Committee MU A
Transportation Technical Committee shall be established with the
responsibility of general review, guidance and coordination of the
transportation planning process for the Rural Transportation Planning
Organization (RPO) and the responsibility for making recommendations to the
Rural Transportation Advisory Committee regarding any necessary actions
relating to the continuing transportation planning process.
1 . The TTC shall be responsible for development, review and
recommendation for approval of the Transportation Planning Prospectus for
the RPO, the Transportation Improvement Plan, and revisions to the
Transportation Plan for the RPO.
2. Membership of the Transportation Technical Committee shall include
technical representatives from all local and state governmental agencies
directly related to and concerned with the transportation planning process
for the RPO Planning Area. Initially, the membership shall include, but may not
be limited to, the following:
A. County Manager and County Planner (if designated) from each of the
counties in the RPO Planning Areas.
B. The Chief Administrative Official or Planner (as designated) from each
municipality of 1000 population or more in the RPO Planning Area.
C. Transportation Planner, Triangle J Council of Governments.
D. the Division Engineer, or designated representative, for each Highway
Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation that serves
the RPO Planning Areas.
E. Manager, Statewide Planning Branch, Planning and Environment, North
Carolina Department of Transportation, or designated representative.
F. Area Traffic Engineer, Division of Highways, Traffic Engineering Branch,
North Carolina Department of Transportation.
3. The Transportation Technical Committee shall meet when it is deemed
appropriate and advisable. On the basis of majority vote of its membership,
the Transportation Technical Committee shall appoint a member of the
committee to act as Chairperson with the responsibility for coordinating the
committee's activities. Membership of the Transportation Technical
Committee may be revised upon the approval of the Rural Transportation
Advisory Committee of the RPO.
Section 5. Other Assistance. It is further agreed that the participating
agencies will assist in the transportation planning process by providing
ATTACHMENT A 12
planning assistance, data and inventories in accordance with the approved
Prospectus of the RPO.
Section 6. Withdrawal. Any party to this Memorandum of Understanding may
withdraw its participation in the continuing transportation planning process
by giving 90 days written notice to the other parties prior to the date of
withdrawal.
Section 7. Authorization. In witness whereof, the parties of this Memorandum
of Understanding have been authorized by appropriate and proper
resolutions, and/or legislative authority to sign this Memorandum of
Understanding, this the day of , 2002.
Chatham County
Clerk
By:
Chairman
Johnston County
Clerk
By:
Chairman
Lee County
Clerk
By:
Chairman
Moore County
Clerk
By:
Chairman
Orange County
Clerk
By:
Chairman
North Carolina Department of
ATTACHMENT A 13
Transportation
Clerk
By:
Secretary
Triangle J Council of Governments
Clerk
By:
Chairman