APA Transportation Planning Division
January 13, 2003
Washington Hilton Hotel, Exhibit Hall
30 in attendance (listed below)
Chair Whit Blanton called the meeting to order at 5:45pm and welcomed those in attendance. He greeted Phil Clark and Andrea Kuhn of the Federal Planning Division and their visitor from China. Attendees then introduced themselves.
1. Minutes: The Minutes of the April 15, 2002 meeting during APA National, which had been posted on the web site since January, were reviewed and approved.
2. Chair’s Report: Whit reported that TPD continues as the largest APA division, having grown a bit over the past year during which most Divisions have lost membership. APA is trying to increase overall membership, currently about 30,000, and is looking to Divisions to assist with a “hard look” at how they are performing. [Later Phil Clark of the APA Membership Committee solicited suggestions about this and how APA membership services could be improved, hoping that TPD could make recommendations at our upcoming meeting in Denver.] Major accomplishments in 2002 were the formation of the Airport Focus Group headed by Mile Callahan, a largely electronic election run smoothly by Todd Barker, and the assumption of duties of our new newsletter editor, Ruth Fitzgerald. Whit and APA both assess the overall performance of TPD as healthy. HE solicited any ideas for changes or new areas deserving of attention.
3. 2003 TPD Work Program: Whit distributed the 2003 Program with activities in the four categories of Communications, Programs, Legislative/Policy matters, and Administration. There was considerable consensus and approval for this, followed by some discussion of the Mission Statement. Gloria Jeff questioned why the current Statement ends with “personal mobility and travel choices”. Larry Fabian expressed a preference for an element of “bring people together” in the Statement. It was suggested that working with planning schools and links to the logistics community (particularly in the current security-conscious climate) be mentioned. Whit promised to revise the Mission Statement, adjust the Work Program and post another them on the TPD website and to the listserve.
4. Planning School Curriculum: Ruth Steiner spoke of the FHWA’s Metropolitan Capacity-Building Program outreach to academics and the need for good case studies. Dan Benson proposed that there be a survey of the transportation components of the curricula at planning schools. Ruth Steiner and Mary Kihl expressed interest in working on this.
5. Student Paper Competition: Ruth Steiner has taken on this responsibility and asked for help in encouraging submissions. Notices have been sent out, and the deadline is February 3rd. She also needs volunteers to review submissions.
6. TEA-21 Reauthorization: Whit stressed that this is a “big deal” this year for all of APA. He chaired the APA-wide Committee that has created a position centered on principles of Smart Growth, building on the successes of ISTEA and TEA-21. The focus in on the voice of planners. A 10-page summary has been prepared, and a 4-page brochure will be designed in a reader-friendly form for legislators and interest groups. It will be posted on the APA website as a strategy for more outreach is developed. Jason Jordan reminded attendees of the May 11-13 Legislative Conference in Washington, which will include a day for lobbying Congress. Copies of the summary of a November 12, 2002 “Tribal Transportation Policy” facilitated by the National Congress of American Indians were distributed.
7. Treasurer’s Report: Joe Marking distributed the TPD 2003 Budget for review. A request for financial assistance to support the April 2004 conference of the TRB Committee on Women’s Transportation Issues and the World Bank will be considered for 2004. The 2003 Budget was approved.
8. Airfront Planning Issues Workshop: Larry Fabian explained plans for the March 29th Workshop in Denver organized by TPD with the Advanced Transit Association (ATRA). It is designed to elucidate issues and concerns surrounding the planning of airport commercial districts – the growing array of national and international logistics and service activities that grow up around airports, as well as car and rental and parking facilities, hotels, and meeting places. Conference registrants will be able to attend at no extra fee. Others will be able to register for $35 if members or TPD or ATRA. Others will pay $55.
9. Airport Focus Group: Mike Callahan passed out copies of the first issue of AFG’s Newsletter, explaining the aim to develop articles for the TPD newsletter and APA conference sessions, to create a listserv, and to collaborate with the APA Economic Development Division and other groups such as ASCE. AFG representatives participated in a FAA meeting on Dec. 17th that may lead to a standing committee. AFG helped organize one of session of Airport Planning and Development. The preliminary program of the March 29th Workshop was also included.
10. Newsletter: Ruth Fitzgerald asked for help from members for ideas, articles, and ads. The next deadline is February 1. Submission for the newsletter can be directed to her at (860) 236-9369 or ruthfitz@aol.com.
11. Elections: Whit announced that he was re-elected as Chair, Joe Marking as Treasurer, and Larry Fabian as Secretary. The new Vice Chair is Larry Lennon, who will assume duties at the Denver meeting, to be held Monday, March 31, at 5:30pm in Denver.
12. General: Gloria Jeff pointed out the advisability of establishing active communications with the new Homeland Security Administration.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm for the Reception, joined by members of the Federal Planning Division and ATRA.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry Fabian
Secretary
Dan Benson
Whit Blanton
Jane Brattain
Michael Callahan
Phil Clark
Denise Constantopoulou
Ralph Duncan
Larry Fabian
Ruth Fitzgerald
Marcia Goldberg
Yufeng Guo
Martin Guttenplan
Carol Gould
Gloria Jeff
Jason Jordan
Mary Kihl
David Kuehn
Andrew Kuhn
Joe Marking
Ted Matley
Hilary Perkins
Claude Penchina
Sherwin Racehorse
Richard Rolland
Rob Schiffer
Lee Schoenecker
Katherine Shriver
Ruth Steiner
Tom Thomson
David Vomacka