Call to Order

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Item 1

Approval of February 14, 2019, Minutes

Presenter: Gary Fickes, RTC Chair
Item Summary: Approval of the February 14, 2019, minutes contained in Reference Item 1 will be requested.

Consent Agenda

2.1.
Clean Fleets North Texas 2018 Funding Recommendations
Presenter: Lori Clark, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request approval of funding recommendations for additional applications received under the Clean Fleets North Texas 2018 Call for Projects (CFP).
Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) opened the Clean Fleets North Texas 2018 CFP to award grant funds for diesel vehicle or equipment replacement projects in North Central Texas. Applications have been accepted on a modified first-come, first-served basis with monthly application deadlines. The last application deadline was January 25, 2019. Staff completed review and emissions quantification of two additional applications received since the last Council approval and recommends funding for these projects. This CFP was funded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Supplemental Environmental Project. This initiative is an extension of clean vehicle efforts listed as weight-of-evidence in the Dallas-Fort Worth 2016 Eight-Hour Attainment Demonstration State Implementation Plan. Electronic Item 2.1.1 provides an overview of the call for projects. Electronic Item 2.1.2 provides additional detail on recommended projects.

2.2. Policy Position on Communication with Tribal Nations
Presenter: Jeff Neal, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council
(RTC) adoption of the draft RTC Policy Position
P19-01, which supports communication with tribal
nations.
Background: Tribal nations have interests in North Central Texas.
Infrastructure projects may alter or damage the integrity
of sites with historical or current cultural importance.
Disturbance of human remains is of particular concern
for tribal nations. Infrastructure projects also could
damage, destroy, or limit access to culturally significant
natural resources. Tribal nations are interested in
raising the Texas public’s awareness of Native history
and current issues and interests. Tribal nations are also
interested in the welfare of their members who are
living outside of currently recognized tribal territories.
A substantial number of Native people have moved to
Dallas-Fort Worth since the 1970s. Electronic
Item 2.2.1 contains a presentation with background
information. Reference Item 2.2.2 contains the draft
RTC Policy Position to Support Communication with
Tribal Nations.

2.3 Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program Grant
Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council
approval to submit an application to the Federal-State
Partnership for State of Good Repair Program. Funding
from this grant opportunity will help the region meet
overall freight/passenger rail integration.
Background: In November 2018, the Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA) announced the funding opportunity for the State
of Good Repair dedicated for capital projects across the
United States to repair, replace, or rehabilitate qualified
railroad assets to reduce the state of good repair
backlog and improve intercity passenger rail
performance. Staff will request authorization to submit a
grant application in partnership with Dallas Area Rapid
Transit (DART) and Trinity Metro that will help the
region meet overall freight/passenger integration. BNSF
Railway, DART, and Trinity Metro will provide the
required local match.
Electronic Item 2.3.1 is a copy of the Notice of Funding
Opportunity that details the $272.25 million in federal
funds available, as well as project application
requirements. Applications are due to the FRA by
March 18, 2019. A program overview and possible
project candidates were discussed at the February 14,
2019, Council meeting. The $53 million proposed
project to replace/rehabilitate four bridges that are past
their useful life or in poor condition, as well as double
track the railways where the bridges are located
is consistent with the programs and policies in
Mobility 2045, and stashave coordinated with local
governments impacted by the project. More detailed
information can be found in Electronic Item 2.3.2

Item 3

Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report

1. Unified Transportation Program and Focus on Congestion in Agenda
Items 5, 6, and 11
2. North Texas Multimodal Operations, Velocity, Efficiency, and Safety
(MOVES) Program Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant
Application Follow Up:
• BNSF Committing $2 Million to Program
• All Local Governments Have Confirmed Approval
• Due to Updated Costs, Seven Projects Were Reduced to Five
Projects
3. US 75 Technology Lanes: Thank You to Collin County Commissioner
Duncan Webb and Legislative Delegation
4. North Tarrant Express 3C Status Update: Approval of Private Activity
Bonds
5. Latest Regional Congestion Data
6. Development of Gentrification Report: Agenda Item 10
7. FY2020 and FY2021 Unified Planning Work Program Development
8. Texas Federal Land Access Program Grant Funding Opportunity
9. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles
(www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-and-resources/fundingvehicle)
10. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Events (www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-cleancities-
meetings)
11. US 380: Many Public Comments Received
12. March Public Meeting Notice (Electronic Item 3.1)
13. February Public Meeting Minutes (Electronic Item 3.2)
14. Recent Magazine Article (www.dmagazine.com/publications/dmagazine/
2019/march/meet-the-kings-of-sprawl/)
15. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 3.3)
16. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 3.4)
17. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 3.5)
18. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 3.6)
19. Transportation Partners Progress Reports

Item 4

Legislative Update

Presenter: Rebekah Hernandez, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on federal and State legislative
actions related to transportation and air quality issues
affecting the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Background: Transportation issues continue to be a focus for both the
United States (US) Congress and the Texas Legislature.
The 1st session of the 116th US Congress convened on
January 3, 2019. The 86th Texas Legislature convened on
January 8, 2019. This item will allow staff to provide updates
on key positions of the Regional Transportation Council and
allow any additional positions to be taken, if necessary.

Item 5

Congestion Management Process Update

Item Summary: Work is underway on an update to the region’s Congestion
Management Process (CMP) documentation. Staff will present
a brief overview of federal CMP requirements, the history and
role of the CMP in the metropolitan planning process, and the
elements and topics that will be considered in the CMP
update. Staff will also present the schedule of upcoming
meetings for the CMP update.
Background: The CMP is a systematic and regionally coordinated approach
for measuring transportation congestion levels and prioritizing
strategies for managing that congestion. Federal requirements
define the elements of a CMP and specify that urbanized
areas with populations over 200,000 must implement and
maintain a CMP. The current CMP for the North Central Texas
region was adopted by the Regional Transportation Council
(RTC) in 2013. The RTC is expected to take action on this
CMP update by the end of this calendar year. The current
CMP and other related resources can be viewed on the North
Central Texas Council of Governments website at
www.nctcog.org/cmp.

Item 6

2017-2018 CMAQ/STBG Funding Program: Management and Operations,
NCTCOG-Implemented, and Regional/Air Quality Programs

Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the latest efforts to extend
existing and fund new Regional Transportation Council (RTC)
Air Quality and Management and Operations programs and
projects.
Background: Staff is reviewing the region’s ongoing Air Quality and
Management and Operations projects and programs. A
determination is needed regarding which projects should be
continued, which ones can be discontinued, and any new
projects/programs of this nature that should be considered.
To this end, North Central Texas Council of Governments staff
has evaluated the list of existing Air Quality and Management
and Operations projects and programs and is recommending
the extension of many of these programs into the fiscal year
2020-2022 timeframe, along with the discontinuation of a few
projects/programs, and creation of a few new ones.
Electronic Item 6.1 contains a recommended project list for
consideration. Additional details on the funding program can
be found in Electronic Item 6.2.

Item 7

Community College Partnership

Staff will brief the Council on two new pilot projects related to
students at Tarrant County College (TCC), the Arlington
Independent School District (AISD), and the University of
Texas at Arlington (UTA). Details of the program are being
resolved between the North Central Texas Council of
Governments (NCTCOG) and Trinity Metro.
Background: NCTCOG staff met with the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development and the Chancellor of Tarrant County College in
2018 to discuss how transportation is an important factor in
the success of students from disadvantaged populations. The
collaboration resulted in a commitment to taking a more
holistic approach to assist those in poverty on numerous fronts
including housing, health and wellness, transportation, and
education.
Two possible pilot transit projects emerged from the
discussions: 1) Project A-provide Trinity Metro transit passes
for all Tarrant County College students and 2) Project Bprovide
transit for students between Arlington Independent
School District campuses, TCC, the University of Texas at
Arlington, and nearby park and ride lots. Project A is currently
funded by Tarrant County College, but by providing alternate
funding for this effort, TCC’s funds could be utilized to offer
more scholarships to underrepresented students. Project B is
part of an integrated approach to ensuring student success in
transitioning from high school to TCC then onto UTA to finish
out their undergraduate degree. Both projects are consistent
with the programs and policies in Mobility 2045, as well as
Access North Texas. More detailed information can be found
in Electronic Item 7. NCTCOG staff would be happy to explore
this opportunity with other community colleges.

Item 8

Start of 2019 Ozone Season

Staff will provide an update on a variety of air quality topics
pertaining to North Central Texas as the 2019 ozone season
begins.
Background: The 2019 ozone season began on March 1 for the North
Central Texas 9- and 10-county nonattainment areas. The
region continues to monitor and work towards compliance for
ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). As a
reminder, the region remains in nonattainment for both the
2015 and 2008 NAAQS.
The Regional Transportation Council continues to support air
quality projects and programs to assist the region in meeting
federal attainment. Local governments, businesses, and the
general public are encouraged to do what they can to assist in
improving air quality both during the ozone season and
throughout the year. To aid in community outreach, the North
Central Texas Council of Governments will continue to
promote air quality awareness through advertising, partnering
with local agencies, and community events.

Item 9

2017-2018 CMAQ/STBG Funding Program: Assessment Policy

Staff will brief the Council on the proposed projects to be
funded through the Assessment Policy Program in the 2017-
2018 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement
Program (CMAQ)/Surface Transportation Block Grant
Program (STBG) Funding Program.
Background: In March 2017, staff introduced the process to select projects
using CMAQ and STBG funding through several funding
programs. Staff has been working with several agencies to
develop partnerships that will fund high-priority projects. The
Assessment Policy program is designed to take advantage of
value capture mechanisms so as development occurs along
the project area, the Regional Transportation Council is repaid
(in part or in full) for improvements funded along the corridor.
Details on the projects which staff are proposing to fund can
be found in Electronic Item 9.1. Additional information on the
funding program is included in Electronic Item 9.2.

Item 10

Gentrification Study

Staff will provide information on a report that reviews public
policy and research on addressing gentrification relevant to
major infrastructure projects.
Background: Rapid growth of the region and renewed interest in urban
neighborhoods has led many to question what can be done to
mitigate gentrification. The definition, the causes (including the
role of infrastructure), and the indicators of gentrification are
briefly explored in this document, along with general and
specific approaches for addressing it at various levels of
government. Staff will provide a brief overview of the report
contents and key recommendations. Additional information is
provided in Electronic Item 10.

Item 11

Metropolitan Transportation Plan Policy Bundle-Round 3

Staff will provide an overview of the Metropolitan
Transportation Plan (MTP) Policy Bundle and Round 3
application process.
Background: The MTP Policy Bundle Program was created to encourage
entities such as local governments, school districts, and
transportation agencies to voluntarily adopt at least a
minimum of 50 percent of the list of policies identified in the
Mobility 2045 Policy Bundle. By voluntarily adopting these
policies, participating entities will receive Transportation
Development Credits (TDC) to offset local funds as matching
funds for federal transportation projects.
MTP Policy Bundle Program-Round 3 funding assistance is
now accepting applications. To be considered for an award, all
requestors must reapply by submitting a new application with
the early deadline for applications March 15, 2019.
Applications received will be reviewed for completeness by
North Central Texas Council of Governments staff. Applicants
will be notified by March 29, 2019, regarding any additional
documentation required. Final, complete applications are due
April 15, 2019. Formal notice of awards will be announced to
successful applicants in June 2019.
Previous award winners should contact a Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) team representative to ensure
projects and TDC funding are programmed in the TIP.
Additional details regarding the MTP Policy Bundle Program
can be found in Electronic Item 11.