AGENDA #4h

 

MEMORANDUM

 

To:                   Mayor and Town Council

From:               W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

Subject:            Scheduling a Public Forum Regarding 2002-2008 Metropolitan Transportation  Improvement Program

Date:                November 13, 2000

This memorandum summarizes the status of the development of the draft 2002-2008 Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Urban Area Transportation Improvement Program. The memorandum also proposes a schedule for preparing comments and recommendations.

The attached resolution would schedule a public forum on the draft 2002-2008 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program for December 11, 2000.

BACKGROUND

On August 2, 2000 the North Carolina Department of Transportation released the draft 2002-2008 State Transportation Improvement Program. The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee has begun the process for developing the 2002-2008 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program. Federal regulations require that the State Board of Transportation and Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee adopt Transportation Improvement Programs that are identical. The Council received a status report on the development of the State and Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Programs on August 28, 2000. (Attached)

DISCUSSION

It is anticipated that the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee will release a draft Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program for public comment on November 8, 2000. The public comment period is expected to extend until January 16, 2001. We have proposed below a schedule for the Town’s review of the draft 2002-2008 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program. This proposed schedule includes review and comment by Town Advisory Boards and a public forum to receive public comments.

·        Greenways Commission                                          November 8, 2000

·        Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission                        November 14, 2000

·        Parks and Recreation Commission              November 15, 2000    

·        Transportation Board                                              November 21, 2000

·        Planning Board                                                       December 5, 2000

·        Chapel Hill Town Council Public Forum                  December 11, 2000

·        Chapel Hill Town Council Action                January 8, 2001

NEXT STEPS

It is expected that the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committee will develop a final draft 2002-2008 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program in January, 2001. The Transportation Advisory Committee will then enter into negotiations with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the State Board of Transportation to resolve any differences between the State and Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program. The Transportation Advisory Committee is expected to approve a final Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program in  March, 2001.

RECOMMENDATION

Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the attached resolution referring the draft 2002-2008 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program to Town Advisory Boards and calling a public forum for December 11, 2000.

ATTACHMENTS

1.      August 28, 2000 Council Memorandum (begin new page 1).

A RESOLUTION CALLING A PUBLIC FORUM ON THE DRAFT METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (2000-11-13/R-8)

WHEREAS, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Urban Area Transportation Advisory Committee has begun the process for developing the 2002-2008 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program and will release a draft for public comment on November 8, 2000,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council calls a public forum for December 11, 2000 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, 306 North Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, to consider comments on the draft Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council refers the matter for comments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, the Greenways Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Board and the Transportation Board.

This the 13th day of November, 2000