APA Transportation Planning Division

 

M  I  N  U  T  E  S  

of  the 

B U S I N E S S    M  E  E  T  I  N  G  at  TRB

 

 

January 15, 2002

Washington Hilton Hotel, International West

43+ in attendance (sign-in sheet attached)

 

 

 

 

Chair Whit Blanton called the meeting to order at 6:10pm and welcomed those in attendance.  Attendees then introduced themselves.

 

 

1.        Chair’s Report:  Whit reported that we continue to be the largest APA division, maintaining a level of about 1450 members while most other divisions have declined.  We have generated an impressive track of sessions for the upcoming national conference thanks to the efforts of Vice-chair Rick Willson and former vice-chair Don Steiger.  The proposal for a set of sessions on the inter-relationships of transportation with other aspects of planning “resonated” with APA staff.  There will also be two transportation-focused mobile workshops.  Our web site is up and running, and there are frequent queries and exchanges on the listserve.  Two issues of the newsletter were produced towards the end of last year, and the next one will go out in March.

 

The Division Mission Statement and Goals/Objectives were reviewed.  Comments should be directed to Whit.  The TPD brochure was also presented.  It will be reprinted with the new logo.

 

Results of the TPD Logo Competition were presented.  About 10 submissions were received.  The winner was submitted by Uri Avin and Chris Goldan of LDR International.  They will receive a half-registration for the APA National Conference.  The runner-up was Katherine Trapani of the Rhode Island Office of Statewide Planning.  She will receive a $50 gift certificate for the APA Bookstore.

 

There will be two prizes for the Student Paper Competition.  Submissions are due Jan. 31st.  Winners will be published in the newsletter and awarded registration to a future TRB or APA conference.

 

Six TPD members collaborated with ITE on Smart Growth Guidelines.  This is now being reviewed, with votes due Jan. 31st.  Approval is expected.  TPD members also helped draft the transportation and land use section of APA’s Smart Growth Policy Guide, which is subject to approval in April.

 

 

2.        TEA-3:  There was major discussion of TPD’s participation in discussions for re-authorization of TEA-21, which is the current focus of APA Divisions Council activities.  Former TPD Chair Gloria Jeff, former vice-chair Don Steiger and others expressed concern that TPD take a leading role to establish principles first before choosing which other groups (e.g. AMPO, STPP) to partner with and that the process be clear and known.  Julie Hoover stated that the STPP positions were controversial and suggested a survey of TPD members.  Steve Coleman of ITE expressed interest in working with TPD on core principles.   Jason Jordan of APA staff stated that he welcomed these discussions and that 2 Task Force meetings are planned.   A related issue is a controversial APA proposal to establish a New Urbanism Division, to be decided in April.  TEA-3 will be the focus of the next newsletter.  Any comments or concerns should be communicated to Whit.

 

 

3.        2002 Work Program and Budget:  Treasurer Joe Marking was absent due to the death of his father.  His report and proposed 2002 Budget were reviewed and approved along with the proposed 2002 Work Program.  A question about $250 budgeted for bank charges will be researched.  Concerns were also voiced that resources be available for activities on the TEA-3 efforts and to maintain the momentum of the strong transportation presence in future National conference programs that is evident for this spring in Chicago.  The minutes from the New Orleans meeting last spring were approved.

 

 

4.        Newsletter:  Whit is serving as interim newsletter editor.  Several members have expressed interest in accepting this responsibility, and the stipend is to be increased to $750 per issue.  Other expressions of interest are welcomed.  The Communications Committee headed by Secretary Larry Fabian are to support the newsletter activities.

 

 

5.        Elections:  Dan Benson, Mark Howard and Gloria Jeff volunteered to work on the Elections Committee to identify candidates.  Rick Willson will not seek re-election for the Vice-Chair position due to new academic responsibilities.  Balloting for all offices will take place in the late spring after National, and the new officers will be installed during the TRB meeting next January.

 

 

6.        Metropolitan Capacity Building:  Sherry Ways of the FTA and Ashley Johnson of FHWA described the recently launched USDOT program aimed at elected officials.  More information is available at www.mcb.fhwa.dot.gov.  There will also be a session on this at the National conference in Chicago.

 

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 to a Joint Reception with the Federal Planning Division.

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Larry Fabian

Secretary