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14 <br /> Commissioner Richards asked if they have applied for other funding than the federal <br /> transportation grant. <br /> Doug Plachcinski said that the MPO has not. He said there are funds that support the <br /> North/South Bus Rapid Transit Line. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked for clarification. <br /> Doug Plachcinski said there are a lot of projects in the infrastructure act and Orange <br /> County has asked the MPO to see if there are any county projects that would be most appropriate <br /> for some of those funding sources. He said that they will work with the County on that. He said <br /> that some of the enhanced funding that was recently approved supports the North/South BRT <br /> line. <br /> Commissioner Fowler asked if the MPO was becoming part of the Triangle J Council of <br /> Governments (TJCOG). <br /> Doug Plachcinski said that traditionally, the City of Durham has been the lead planning <br /> agency for the MPO. He said that in North Carolina, when the MPOs were developed, the largest <br /> city in the area took the lead. He said that is not necessarily how MPOs still exist in North Carolina, <br /> or in other states. He said there was a governance study that the MPO produced that suggested <br /> that the MPO no longer be housed with the City of Durham. He said they had other alternatives, <br /> such as becoming a standalone agency or joining Triangle J COG. He said the TJCOG is re- <br /> evaluating office space and other logistical items that make it a great time to move forward with <br /> negotiations with them. He said that he is going to ask for authorization to negotiate a new <br /> agreement with TJCOG. He said that he appreciates the City of Durham's support for all of the <br /> years. <br /> Commissioner Fowler asked if TARPO would move or if it would increase the cost. <br /> Doug Plachcinski said there would be an increase in cost because Durham does not ask <br /> for reimbursement. He said that Durham receives reimbursements for the hard costs that the <br /> MPO spends and salaries. He said they would be adding the indirect TJCOG rate but it will be a <br /> very transparent calculation. <br /> Commissioner Price said she appreciates what the MPO is doing now with more data. <br /> She encouraged the MPO to keep up with public engagement. She said that Durham paid <br /> ambassadors to ask people in communities what they really need. <br /> Doug Plachcinski said it's critical to make the process open and engaged. He said he <br /> wanted to make sure materials are straightforward and clear and not full of jargon. He appreciated <br /> Commissioner Price's comments. <br /> 8. Consent Agenda <br /> • Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda <br /> Commissioner Richards requested to remove item 8-d from the consent agenda. <br /> • Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Vice Chair McKee, to approve <br /> the remaining consent agenda. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> • Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda <br />