Agenda - 09-17-2002 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 _ Triangle J Council of Governments is that TJCOG staff serve on the technical coordinating committees of both MPOs, allowing the RPO members to receive up-to-date information on plans and projects in the MPOs that affect the RPO. In addition, RPO plans and work efforts will be coordinated with the MPOs. RPO staff would also maintain communication with other neighboring MPOs and RPOs in Alemance County, the Kerr-Tar Region, the Piedmont Triad Region and the Fayetteville area." 3. Section 3. t.D of the MOU refers to The Research Triangle Rural Transportation Planning Area. Some of the participating counties (Lee and Moore) seem somewhat far away from what is typically thought of as the Research Triangle Area. Should the name be something different? Response from Triangle J COG: "Although the "Research Triangle"began as a reference to the three largest research universities in the region, the `Triangle Area"is now frequently used to refer to the broader economic area whose core remains the three universities. For example, the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, the economic development,marketing alliance for the region, covers 13 counties, including all of the members of the proposed RPO. Triangle J COG covers 7 counties, including all of the proposed RPO members;the use of'Triangle'in the name of the organization can help maintain consistency in broad regional partnerships and help identify the RPO for people outside of the region." 4. A review of the MOU for the DCHC MPO would be useful to make a comparison to ensure that items of major importance are not overlooked in the RPO MOU. Major differences between the original DCHC MOU signed in 1983 and the proposed RPO MOU relate to the differences between the functions of the MPO TAC as the decision-making entity and the RPO RTAC as an advisory entity. Some of the other differences are listed below. ♦ The MPO MOU includes 3 additional responsibilities of the TAC: 1. Endorsement, review and approval of the changes to the MPO boundary; 2. Endorsement, review and approval of a Prospectus for transportation planning (federally required document that defines work tasks and responsibilities for the various agencies); and 3. Revision in membership of the Technical Coordination Committee". ♦ The MPO MOU lists the number of members from each jurisdiction, number of members required for a quorum, vote necessary for approval of matters before the committee and provisions for a weighted vote (The RPO MOU simply lists membership.) ♦ The MPO MOU provides that members may withdraw from the planning process by giving 30 days written notice to the other parties. (The RPO MOU provides for withdrawal from the process by giving 90 days written notice to the other parties.)