Title
Discuss and consider action to approve a resolution supporting the appointment of an additional councilmember to the Capital Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CARTPO).
Summary
This item has been included on the agenda at the request of Mayor Victor Gonzales. Mayor Gonzales currently serves as the City of Pflugerville representative on the Capital Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CARTPO.)
CARTPO serves as a forum for elected officials to come together on transportation issues to recommend changes in policy and practice, advocate for legislation, recommend regional priorities, direct certain planning and data initiatives, oversee the federally-prescribed local consultation process, and collaborate with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO.)
CARTPO originally was created as a response to TEA-21 legislation, which called for state departments of transportation to work with officials in non-metropolitan areas when making transportation planning and programming decisions. CARTPO was one of several Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs) voluntarily created by Texas councils of governments to help address rural transportation needs. Past calls for projects in 2003 and 2004 resulted in funding $24 million in transportation projects within our counties by the Texas Transportation Commission. Projects from the 2005 call for projects were not able to be funded through TxDOT's traditional funding categories.
CARTPO's responsibilities consist of the following:
Providing a forum for elected officials and community leaders to learn about and discuss relevant transportation topics;
Evaluating and recommending projects with a regional impact to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT);
Overseeing research and education on financing mechanisms for transportation and related projects;
Studying and recommending changes in statutes, rules, or policies related to state or federal transportation programs;
Coordinating with CAMPO on transportation issues;
Developing a regional mobility strategy for the ten-county area; and
Serving as an information clearinghouse for transportation related data.
Status
The Travis County Commissioners Court recently took applications from current elected officials to serve on CARTPO. The Court is seeking to fill one vacancy effective May 15, 2018. Applicants must be a current elected official and resident of Travis County. The deadline for applications was April 30, 2018 and at least one Councilmember has indicated that he submitted an application.
Deadline for City Council Action
May 8, 2018
Fiscal Impact
N/A
Staff Recommendation
Take action as desired.
Drafter
Trey Fletcher
Interim City Manager