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-Q 4 <br /> Fortmann asked about the funding for participation in the MPO . Saunders <br /> said the DCHC MPO operates with a federal grant and matching funds from <br /> the state and local jurisdictions . Members are Durham City, Durham County, <br /> part of Orange County , Chapel Hill , Carrboro , Hillsborough and part of <br /> Chatham County . <br /> Okun asked for explanation of TEA21 . Saunders replied that The <br /> Transportation Efficiency & Equity Act for the 21st Century is a seven -year <br /> funding program , the most recent legislation with funding for transportation . <br /> McIver asked if there are any plans to merge DCHC and Raleigh area MPOs . <br /> Saunders replied that interest in regional rail and associated issues has <br /> furthered the discussion of a possible merger . MPOs can be merged if there <br /> is an agreement by 75 % of the member populations of the represented <br /> jurisdictions . The process for merging is complicated . The same would apply <br /> if a jurisdiction wanted to leave another MPO to ' join this one . Approval by the <br /> State is also required . <br /> McIver asked about the pros and cons of merging . Saunders said a merger <br /> would have implications for the funding of projects . Bonk stated that the <br /> Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro MPO has been at the forefront at actively <br /> promoting solutions to transportation problems including rail , bike , and <br /> pedestrian activities . A merging of jurisdictions that do not share the same <br /> philosophy could jeopardize funding for those transportation alternatives . <br /> Rafalow asked if our MPO 's philosophy was motivation for other jurisdictions <br /> wanting to join this MPO . Saunders noted that he perceives a desire for <br /> outside jurisdictions to be more involved with transportation decisions <br /> affecting the RTP . Currently the RTP is split at the county line and there is <br /> interest in including all of the RTP into one MPO . <br /> Fortmann asked who uses the three products mentioned and asked if the <br /> MPO is strictly in an advisory role . Saunders responded that the Long - Range <br /> Transportation Plan is required by federal legislation in order to continue <br /> funding coming to this area . If we didn 't have a plan , if it lapsed , or if we <br /> were unable to meet air quality standards we would be at risk to loose federal <br /> funding related to transportation . Bonk noted that because all local <br /> governments within the MPO are party to the development of these plans , <br /> once it is approved at the policy level by the TAC, it is agreed that no federal <br /> funds may be expended by any transportation project that is not included in <br /> the plan . Conversely there is no need for local approval for a project to go <br /> forward that has been approved at the MPO level . There is a great deal of <br /> DRAFT CFE 10/09/00 Minutes Page 3 of 10 <br /> L :\Carol\CFEMIN\OCT2000CFErevised by rich. doe <br />