Call to Order

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Item 1

Approval of May 9, 2019, Minutes

Consent Agenda

2.1.
FY2018 and FY2019 Unified Planning Work Program Modifications
Presenter: Vickie Alexander, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of modifications to the FY2018 and FY2019 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) will be requested. Direction for staff to also amend the Transportation Improvement Program and other administrative/planning documents, as appropriate, to reflect the approved modifications will also be sought.
Background: The Unified Planning Work Program is required by federal and State transportation planning regulations and provides a summary of the transportation and transportation-related air quality planning tasks to be conducted by Metropolitan Planning Organization staff. The FY2018 and FY2019 UPWP identifies the activities to be carried out between October 1, 2017, and September 30, 2019. Amendments to this document are being proposed to reflect project updates and funding adjustments. The proposed amendments have been posted on the North Central Texas Council of Governments website for public review and comment, and are also included as Electronic Item 2.1.1. Additional information is provided in Electronic Item 2.1.2. Comments received as a result of the public outreach process, if any, will be provided as a handout at the meeting. The Surface Transportation Technical Committee took action at its May 2019 meeting to recommend Regional Transportation Council approval of the modifications.

2.2.
$3 Million Arlington Preliminary Engineering Study
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of $3 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funds for a preliminary engineering study in the City of Arlington will be requested. The proposed location will be an extension of AT&T Way between Division and Abrams and will grade separate the Union Pacific main line.
Background: With increasing train movement by the Union Pacific Railroad, as well as increasing north/south automobile traffic in Arlington, increased reliability of pedestrian, bicycle, and roadway traffic is needed. This initiative is in combination with safety improvements and special event travel demands and represents an effective opportunity to achieve these goals. Electronic Item 2.2 indicates the location of this proposed improvement.

Item 3

Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report

1. Recognition of Members Concluding Service on the Regional Transportation Council (RTC): Rickey D. Callahan, Councilmember, City of Dallas
2. Recognition of Kathryn Wilemon, Former Councilmember, City of Arlington and Charles Emery, Former Chairman, Denton County Transportation Authority at the July RTC Meeting
3. United States Housing and Urban Development/White House Initiative on Opportunity Zones
4. Attorney General Ruling on IH 35W 3C Project
5. Texas Transportation Commission Approval of the IH 635 East Project (TxDOT Event in Late June Postponed)
6. Recent Texas Transportation Commission Request Impacting the Unified Transportation Program
7. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (www.nctcog.org/trans/quality/air/funding-and-resources/fundingvehicle)
8. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Events (www.dfwcleancities.org/dfw-clean-cities-meetings)
9. Status Report on Ozone (Electronic Item 3.1)
10. Clean Air Action Day, June 21, 2019 (www.airnorthtexas.org) (Handout)
11. Travel Demand Management Performance Report (Electronic Item 3.2)
12. Extension of TEXRail into Southwest Fort Worth (Electronic Item 3.3)
13. Funding Request for Redevelopment Master Plan for Hensley Field (Electronic Item 3.4)
14. May Public Meeting Minutes (Electronic Item 3.5)
15. June Public Meeting Notice (Electronic Item 3.6)
16. Progress North Texas (Handout)
17. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 3.7)
18. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 3.8)
19. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 3.9)
20. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 3.10)
21. Transportation Partners Progress Reports

Item 4

Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program Fiscal Year 2020 Project Selection

Item Summary: Staff will provide information regarding the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TA Set-Aside) applications received and evaluation process. A recommendation of projects to select for funding will also be provided and action requested.
Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) opened a Call for Projects on December 17, 2018, with the option of additional funds to be added. Applications were due on March 1, 2019. Projects eligible for funding included active transportation that will substantially improve safety and provide opportunities to walk and bicycle. Project scoring is based on project eligibility and a methodology for project evaluation as previously approved by the Regional Transportation Council. Electronic Item 4.1 provides additional information on project scoring. Reference Item 4.2 reflects NCTCOG staff project recommendations.

Item 5

Historical Joppa Neighborhood Improvements

Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval to fund interchange improvements at Loop 12 and the entrance to the historical Joppa Neighborhood (at Carbondale), in addition to funding a pedestrian bridge over the Miller Yard railroad tracks at Linfield Road to improve the safety and mobility of the residents.
Background: The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), along with the City of Dallas, is proposing improvements to increase vehicle and pedestrian safety at Loop 12 and Carbondale Road by providing roadway and pedestrian improvements. Better access and sidewalks are needed at the entrance to the Joppa Neighborhood from Loop 12. Union Pacific Railroad is also adding a bypass track through the Miller Yard at Linfield Road. The addition of faster moving trains, along with slower moving trains within the Miller Yard, would pose a substantial safety risk to pedestrians trying to cross the tracks at grade. NCTCOG and the City of Dallas are proposing to build a pedestrian bridge to alleviate this safety risk. A brief overview of these safety improvements was presented to the Surface Transportation Technical Committee during its May 2019 meeting, and the Committee will be asked to endorse the improvements at its June meeting. Staff’s funding recommendation is included in Reference Item 5.

Item 6

Clean Fleets North Texas 2019 Call for Projects

Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council approval to open a Clean Fleets North Texas 2019 Call for Projects (CFP) to subaward funds for diesel vehicle and equipment replacement projects. Staff received Surface Transportation Technical Committee recommendation of Regional Transportation Council approval at its May 24, 2019, meeting.
Background: In June 2018, the North Central Texas Council of Governments submitted a grant proposal to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program authorized by the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. EPA has awarded this proposal, which provides federal funds to replace older, high-emitting diesel-powered vehicles and equipment owned by public or private fleets contracted to local governments in the ten-county ozone nonattainment area. Staff is proposing to open a CFP to award these funds, along with remaining funds from a previous EPA award of similar scope. Electronic Item 6 provides additional details.

Item 7

Legislative Update

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, and recently concluded on May 27, 2019. Staff will provide updates on key positions of the Regional Transportation Council.

Item 8

Fiscal Year 2019 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Discretionary Grant Program

Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Discretionary Grant Program for surface transportation projects that will have a significant local or regional impact.
Background: In April 2019, the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) announced the solicitation of project applications for the FY2019 BUILD Discretionary Grant Program for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure expected to have a significant mobility and economic benefits at the local or regional level. A copy of the Notice of Funding Opportunity that details the $900 million discretionary grant program for FY2019, as well as the application requirements, is available at www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/ policy-initiatives/build/114796/fy-2019-nofo-final-signed.pdf. Applications are due to the US DOT by July 15, 2019. Candidate rail and roadway projects will be discussed as part of this item, and a final project list with a proposed funding plan for each project will be presented for action at the July 11, 2019, meeting. For agencies in the region expecting to submit projects, please be aware that you must complete the www.grants.gov registration process before submitting an application, and that this process usually takes two-to-four weeks to complete. In addition, if an agency would like to receive a letter of support from the Regional Transportation Council, requests must be submitted to Rebekah Hernandez by Friday, June 28, 2019, at rhernandez@nctcog.org.

Item 9

Virgin Hyperloop One

Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on hyperloop technology efforts within the region and the State.
Background: In July 2018, the Regional Transportation Council committed to explore hyperloop technology for two major transportation initiatives: 1) a high-speed corridor connecting Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth, and 2) a conceptual feasibility study on a proposed corridor from Fort Worth to Laredo. In addition, Virgin Hyperloop One has invited the region to participate in an initiative in Washington, DC, brainstorm with them on the feasibility of a certification facility within the region, and assist with the national showcase of hyperloop technology.

Item 10

SH 360 Partnership Update

Item Summary: Staff will provide an update on the SH 360 project, implemented in partnership with the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
Background: Construction on SH 360 south of IH 20 to US 287 began in November 2015 as part of a partnership among local governments, TxDOT, NTTA, and the Regional Transportation Council. The initial SH 360 project added two toll lanes in each direction from approximately two miles south of IH 20 near East Sublett Road/West Camp Wisdom Road to US 287. In addition, the project provided ultimate intersection enhancements and frontage road improvements to deliver continuous non-tolled frontage roads throughout the corridor. The project also added US 287 north and southbound main lane bridges over SH 360 and a portion of the US 287 northbound frontage road and ramps. The $340 million project opened to traffic in May 2018. NTTA is the operator of the toll road. Additional information is provided in Electronic Item 10.

Item 11

United States Army Corps of Engineers Stormwater Project

Item Summary: Staff will provide an overview of a partnership approach with federal agencies to incorporate stormwater infrastructure planning as a component of regional transportation planning.
Background: Recent workshops have been held on a project to incorporate a new approach to planning for stormwater infrastructure in order to prevent the flooding that occurs with continued population growth due to increased stormwater runoff volumes and to avoid the comparative high cost of flood recovery due
to lack of proper advance planning. The project area would include the undeveloped portion of the upper Trinity River basin in Wise County and portions of Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Parker, and Tarrant counties as shown in Electronic Item 11. As the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ (NCTCOG) technical partner, the United States Army Corps of Engineers would develop a full suite of products and tools that can be used by communities and transportation/infrastructure planners including stream modeling and water surfaces; large-scale stormwater features, such as detention storage; and regional environmental mitigation features which can also serve to offer opportunities for ecotourism, education and nature-based recreation. NCTCOG staff have begun briefing members of the congressional delegation and regional federal administrators and have been encouraged by their support.

Item 12

Draft FY2020 and FY2021 Unified Planning Work Program

Item Summary: Staff will present a summary on the development of the proposed FY2020 and FY2021 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for Regional Transportation Planning.
Background: North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) staff, in cooperation with local governments and transportation agencies, is currently developing the draft FY2020 and FY2021 UPWP. This document identifies NCTCOG staff work activities to be performed between October 1, 2019, and September 30, 2021. Prior to the June Regional Transportation Council (RTC) meeting, a draft copy of the UPWP document will be provided to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for review and comment. Upon submittal to TxDOT, a copy of this draft will be available online for RTC review at www.nctcog.org/trans/study/unified-planning-work-program. RTC action on the UPWP will be sought at the July meeting. The final document is due to the TxDOT by August 1, 2019.

Item 13

Election of Regional Transportation Council Officers

Item Summary: Approval of Regional Transportation Council (RTC) officers for the next 12-month period will be requested.
Background: According to the RTC Bylaws and Operating Procedures, the officers of RTC are elected to serve for a term of one year. The Nominating Subcommittee is charged with providing a slate of officers to the full Council for consideration in June of each year. The Nominating Subcommittee is tasked with confirming that the current Vice Chair and Secretary should move up to the office of Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, and nominate a new Secretary. The Nominating Subcommittee, in its deliberations, shall address issues of diversity, including sensitivity to gender, ethnicity, and geography in its recommendations. Officers shall be elected public officials appointed by and from the governing body of the member government. The slate of officers shall reflect leadership in rough proportion to the revenue distribution between the Eastern and Western Subregions. This will not be measured on a year-to-year basis, but will be aggregated over longer periods of time.