1. MPO Performance J. Scott Lane | 9.23.2010

2. Interview Highlights Quick summaries of each of the six interviews conducted thus far

3. Extent of Research Conducted Surveys of Six MPOs Thus Far –One Dropped Out (DRCOG) and One MPO Still Outstanding (Nashville) –Six Completed Atlanta Regional Commission Mid-America Regional Council (Kansas City) Metropolitan Council (Minneapolis-St. Paul) SANDAG (San Diego) Pinellas County (Tampa, Florida) Capital Area (Austin, Texas)

4. Atlanta Regional Commission Very Large in Area (18 Counties) Air Quality Influences –Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) –Investigation of Transit and Managed Lane Expansions –Massive Air Quality Modeling and Conformity Program

5. San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Very Large in Population (3million+) All in One County Aggressively Pursuing Sustainability Actions –Part of a Statewide Initiative –Senate Bill 375 Extended the MPO Responsibilities (Additional Meetings, Enhanced Fiscal Constraint) to Regulate Sustainability Planning Five Technical Committees –policy, transportation/transit, regional planning, public safety, and borders

6. Pinellas County (Tampa, FL) One-County MPO Part of a Larger, Regional Planning Effort –MPO Chairs Coordinating Committee –Six MPOs and One Rural County –Staff Support Rotates through each MPO Every 18 Months –Develop a regional transportation plan, regional priorities, public engagement plan, and regional citizen’s advisory and technical committees Considering Status as a Possible Independent MPO

7. Capital Area (Austin, TX) All or Parts of Five Counties Very Fast-Growing Population Perhaps the Most Like the Metrolina MPOs –Relationship with DOT –Funding Sources –Land Development Patterns and Authority Organizational Change –Potential Discussions for Housing and Independence of the MPO Staff –Moving State Legislators Off the Board (2010)

8. Mid-America Regional Council (Kansas City, KS/MS) Nine Counties and 2million Population Undertakes a Broad Array of Functions / Activities –SmartPort –Traffic Signal Operation –Safety Planning –Ridesharing/Commute Options Forward-Looking Initiatives –Creating Quality Places (20 Neighborhood Principles) –Imagine KC (Sustainability and Connectedness) Works Closely with State Legislative Representatives Independent MPO

9. Metropolitan Council (Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN) Dominant Force in the State (43% of All Transportation Funding is Directed to this Area) Seven Counties, 33 Board members Strong Statewide Requirements for Comprehensive Plan Development “Best DOT/MPO Relationship in the Country” Fairly Complex Planning Process that Requires Some Education for New Member/Participants Combined RPC/MPO Structure

10. Survey Results Broad overview of survey issues, response levels and major results

11. Survey Response Rates *Did not participate or participate fully in survey

12. Respondent Affiliations

13. Comparison of Participants

14. Performance Overview

15. Survey Issues A Perceptual Assessment of Performance Dominating Participation from MARC Lack of or Under-Participation from METC, SANDAG, and Nashville Provides Some Insights –Performance Gap Perception –“Spread” Equals Performance Diversity –Consistent Lower/Higher Scores for Some Issues (Air Quality and Engaging the Public)

16. Individual Performance Comparisons Each issue is arranged by desire to perform and current performance

17. Locating & Implementing New Revenue Sources MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now

18. Coordination With Our State DOT MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now

19. Coordination with Local Government Agencies MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now

20. Educating and Engaging the Public MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now

21. Adhering To Federal and Local Requirements MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now

22. Addressing Air Quality Issues MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now

23. Coordinating Efficient Regional Land Use and Transportation Choice to Reduce Costs MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now

24. Coordination with Nearby Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now MPOs Should Do Well Our MPO is Effective at Now

25. Next Steps Lessons Learned, Contents of Draft Report and Roll-Out

26. Lessons Learned: Funding Peers Most of the MPOs studied have a better perception of their level of control over funding streams Direct: Tax revenue streams allocated by the MPO Indirect: Extraordinary levels of contact with legislative bodies and State DOT Metrolina Potential Actions 1.Formulate a Legislative Session annually to develop a joint, regional program of priorities and talking points, supporting information, etc. 2.Establish quarterly meetings with State DOT to assess progress on financing and implementing projects Purpose: Identify, Allocate, and Manage Transportation Finances

27. Lessons Learned: Decision-Making Peers Most MPOs have larger staffs and operate under state laws that speak more directly to planning requirements than in N.C. Weighted voting, arcane quorum requirements are generally OUT Technical advisory committees, group representation are IN Metrolina Potential Actions 1.Consider non-traditional committees and expanding membership on existing committees to include school boards, transit, freight, resource agencies 2.Ultimately, a single, independent regional authority would provide more leverage to tackle major transportation issues Purpose: Streamline Operations while Creating Leverage

28. Lessons Learned: Collaboration Peers Personalities are important; strategic hires to work with key external agencies are not uncommon Leveling of the playing field can be created by having a dual voting system (e.g., SANDAG) with both simple and weighted majority required Metrolina Potential Actions 1.For any regional structure, consider formal weighted/unweighted voting for every action 2.Establish a formal interlocal agreement outlining any regional structure or ongoing regional action Purpose: Ensuring “Voice” and Regional Decision-Making Power

29. Lessons Learned: Communication Peers Not many MPOs thought that they were doing an excellent job communicating with the public Dedicate a PIO position Fewer Public Meetings CAC: Commonplace, but a lot of work and effort Mini-Grants Metrolina Potential Actions 1.Get citizen representation on all boards 2.Exhibit caution with developing a singular citizen’s advisory committee (cost, role, authority, etc.) 3.Dedicate resources to a common PIO position(s) to serve all four MPOs Purpose: Creating an Effective, Two-Way Planning Process

30. Lessons Learned: Regional Planning Peers All MPOs studied have some form of regional planning that involves land use effects on transportation Some have a state mandate (e.g., Metropolitan Council, SANDAG) that partially obviates the need for special studies Parallel efforts not entirely driven by the MPO also influence the transportation plans Metrolina Potential Actions Develop a regional planning framework that identifies regional transportation corridors and facilities; major deficiencies; and land use development options to increase alternatives to and mitigation of congestion. Identify update periods and regional-scale funding priorities to start an ongoing dialogue. Purpose: Creating meaningful regional actions

31. Next Steps: Reporting Contents of Draft Report –Cross-Tabulation Ideas Break Out Respondent Types? Separate Out MARC from Other MPOs? Degree and Content of Recommendations –Possible Solutions for Low-Scoring Areas –Impact of Pending Federal Reauthorization and State Actions –Bigger Range and Specific Guidance on Public Engagement Techniques –Staged Coordination / Consolidation Stage One: Strengthen Regional Body Stage Two: Develop Regional Transportation Plan Stage Three: Possible Organization Changes

32. Next Steps: Presentation When: October 28, 2010 @ 8AM How: Presentation + Forum Advance Materials and Release of Report Summary of Report and Contents