Call to Order

Pledge to the United States and Texas Flags

Item 2

Approval of September 8, 2022, Minutes

Consent Agenda

Consent Agenda

3.1.
Transportation Improvement Program Modifications – November 2022
Presenter: Ken Bunkley, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of revisions to the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) will be requested, along with the ability to amend the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and other planning and administrative documents with TIP-related changes.
Background: November 2022 revisions to the 2023-2026 TIP are provided as Electronic Item 3.1 for the Council’s consideration. These modifications have been reviewed for consistency with the Mobility Plan, the air quality conformity determination, and financial constraint of the TIP. Modifications for projects on US 75 to change existing HOV lanes to Technology lanes are included in this modification cycle to facilitate Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approval.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway, Transit

3.2. Texas and Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub
Presenter: Chris Klaus, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request approval for the North Central Texas
Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to participate in the
Texas and Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub and recommend
the NCTCOG Executive Board enter into a
Memorandum of Understanding with Gas Technology
Institute confirming participation. This Consortium will
establish a regional clean hydrogen hub centered in the
Houston area.
Background: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) authorizes the
Department of Energy to invest $8 billion to establish at
least four regional clean hydrogen hubs nationwide.
Hubs are to reflect diversity in geographic location, the
feedstock from which hydrogen is produced, and the
end use of the hydrogen produced. At least one hub
should demonstrate end-use of hydrogen in the
transportation sector. The Center for Houston’s Future
has coordinated stakeholder engagement on the topic
of regional hydrogen hub development since the BIL
was passed. Information is available at
https://www.centerforhoustonsfuture.org/energy.
In conjunction with development of the Interstate 45
Corridor Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan,
NCTCOG staff has taken part in these regional
hydrogen hub conversations and developed a network
of connections related to this industry. NCTCOG has
been invited to participate in a Texas and Gulf Coast
Hydrogen Hub, which would be led by Gas Technology
Institute (GTI) Energy. Electronic Item 3.2 provides
additional details.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality, Goods Movement

Item 4

4. Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report

Orientation to Agenda/Director of Transportation Report
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG

1. $20 Million Grant to Fund Projects in Texas
District 111 (Electronic Item 4.1)
2. Scenario Planning Outside of Transportation
(Electronic Item 4.2)
3. New Executive Director for DCTA – Paul Cristina
4. Celebrating North Texas Tollway Authority – 25
years.
5. New District Design Engineers for TxDOT; Ceason
Clemens, P.E., Dallas District and David Salazar,
P.E., Fort Worth District, as well as recognition of
previous district engineers.
6. Preston Rd. and Intersection Study – Dallas Through
to Plano
7. East/West Equity Update (Electronic Item 4.3)
8. Cancellation of Weatherford Downtown Bypass Loop
Project ($21 Million)
9. National Drive Electric Week
10. Fall 2022 Traffic Incident Management Executive Level Course Announcement – November 3, 2022, at DalTrans (Electronic Item 4.4)
11. Draft Updated Rules for Public Comments at Regional Transportation Council Meetings
(Electronic Item 4.5)
12. Air Quality Funding Opportunities for Vehicles (www.nctcog.org/aqfunding)
13. Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Events
(https://www.dfwcleancities.org/events)
14. 2022 Ozone Season Update (Electronic Item 4.6)
15. Car Care Awareness Community Partnerships (Electronic Item 4.7)
16. Comments to FHWA on Proposed BUY American Waiver For Electric Vehicles Charging Stations (Electronic Item 4.8)
17. Local Clean Air Project Spotlight
(Electronic Item 4.9)
18. September Public Meeting Minutes
(Electronic Item 4.10)
19. October Public Meeting Notice
(Electronic Item 4.11)
20. Public Comments Report (Electronic Item 4.12)
21. Recent Correspondence (Electronic Item 4.13)
22. Recent News Articles (Electronic Item 4.14)
23. Recent Press Releases (Electronic Item 4.15)

Item 5

Fiscal Year 2022 Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Michael Morris, NCTCOG Staff

Item Summary: Staff will provide the Council information on the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program and request action to apply for a candidate project. Additional action will also be presented.
Background: In June 2022, the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for FY22 RCP funding. This $195 million program includes certain funding amounts set-aside for the following purposes: (1) Planning Grants - $50 million, and (2) Capital Construction Grants - $145 million. Applications for each funding category are due to US DOT by October 13, 2022, and eligible entities are limited to a maximum three applications per solicitation (as lead applicant). Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that remove, retrofit, or mitigate transportation facilities creating mobility, accessibility, and/or economic development barriers to community connectivity and vitality. Available at: https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2022-06/RCP_NOFO_FY22.pdf, the FY22 RCP NOFO describes application requirements, selection and evaluation criteria, applicable program and federal requirements, and available technical aids during the grant solicitation period. With
Electronic Item 5, staff will provide details regarding collaboration with partners and the evaluation process undertaken to identify and select available candidate projects. The request for the Council’s action is based on coordinated and strategic efforts among partners to optimize success for the candidate projects. The recommended projects:
• Klyde Warren Park – Phase 2: RTC Submittal ($24,968,890 RCP Grant plus $8,845,600 from the private sector added to existing funding)
• Southern Gateway Deck Park – Phase 2: City of Dallas Submittal
• IH 30 City Park/Farmers Market ($2,000,000 in existing Surface Transportation Block Grant funds for Engineering only).

Item 6

Access North Texas 2022 Update
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5
Presenter: Shannon Stevenson, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will request Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of the 2022 Access North Texas update. Access North Texas is the regional public transportation coordination plan for the North Central Texas region.
Background: The Regional Transportation Council adopted the previous version of the Access North Texas plan on March 8, 2018. Federal guidelines require the plan be updated every four years for the 16-county region in North Texas. The purpose of the Access North Texas plan is to identify the public transportation needs of older adults, individuals with disabilities, low-income individuals, and others with transportation challenges. The plan also outlines goals and strategies to address identified transit needs, eliminate gaps in service, and avoid duplication of transit services. Additionally, regional projects funded through the Federal Transit Administration’s Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program must align with strategies in this locally developed plan. Staff sought stakeholder and public comments on the plan during public meetings in August and September. The proposed 2022 Access North Texas document, including appendices, is available at www.accessnorthtexas.org and additional details are available in Electronic Item

Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative, Transit

Item 7

Management, Operations, Air Quality, and Safety Program
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Christie Gotti, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approval of the proposal to extend existing and fund new RTC Management, Operations, Air Quality, and Safety projects and programs will be requested.
Background: Staff has reviewed the region’s ongoing Management and Operations projects and programs that provide funding to improve the region’s air quality and management and operation of the transportation system to determine which projects should be continued and which new projects/ programs should be considered. To this end, North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) staff is recommending the extension of many of these programs into the FY 2024-2026 timeframe and creation of several new ones. Staff will also provide details and recommend a regionwide safety funding program intended to address a variety of transportation safety issues. Electronic Item 7.1 includes additional information on the funding program. Electronic Item7.2 contains the proposed list of projects and programs for the Management, Operations, Air Quality, and Safety program.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality, Safety

Item 8

Regional Transportation Council Bylaws Subcommittee – 1st Reading
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 15
Presenters: Andy Eads, Chair, RTC Bylaws Subcommittee and Denton County Judge and Ken Kirkpatrick, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Recommendations for revision of the Regional Transportation Council’s (RTC) Bylaws and Operating Procedures will be presented for a first reading.
Background: The RTC Bylaws Revision Subcommittee met over the last few months to review and discuss possible revisions to the Bylaws and Operating Procedures. Proposed policy changes to the Bylaws include the addition of 13 new cities over 5,000 in population; an additional seat for the City of Fort Worth which leads to a complete roster of 45 members; the addition of language related to county/city group member appointments, including mandatory rotation; clarification of teleconferencing, in person, and videoconferencing as they relate to voting; language that affirms that members of the Nominating Subcommittee are eligible to be nominated as officers; and language noting that the RTC will maintain public involvement procedures, including public comment rules and decorum requirements as part of the Public Participation Plan. Electronic Item 8.1 contains these proposed revisions. Electronic Item 8.2 contains the most recent Bylaws Subcommittee meeting agenda. Electronic Item 8.3 contains additional information. It is anticipated that action on the proposed Bylaws revisions will be requested in November. The Subcommittee unanimously approved the proposed Bylaws revisions and recommends Regional Transportation Council approval in November.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative

Item 9

Status Report on Engine Off North Texas
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 5
Presenter: Jason Brown, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will provide a brief overview and update on the Engine Off North Texas Program.
Background: The Engine Off North Texas Program was developed to reduce the impacts of idling in North Central Texas to help mitigate the region’s ozone nonattainment status. The program focuses on providing resources to local governments to implement idle reduction policies that focus on heavy-duty diesel vehicles and educational and outreach material about the impacts of idling. Since the RTC Resolution R21-06 update was approved in October 2021, staff will provide a status update on the Engine Off North Texas Program, encourage local governments to consider adopting an idling reduction ordinance, and remind local governments and businesses of the resources available for idle reduction outreach and education. Electronic Item 9 provides additional details.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Air Quality

Item 10

Strengthening Mobility And Revolving Transportation Grant Briefing
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Tom Bamonte, NCTCOG
Item Summary: Staff will brief the Council on the Strengthening Mobility and Revolving Transportation and the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation Program.
Background: The Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Program (https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SMART) is a $500 million grant program ($100 million/year) established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program is designed to support demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city or community technologies and systems in a variety of communities to improve transportation efficiency and safety. A SMART grant may be used to carry out a project that has at least one of the following elements: (i) Coordinated Automation; (ii) Connected Vehicles; (iii) Intelligent, Sensor-Based Infrastructure; (iv) Systems Integration; (v) Commerce Delivery and Logistics; (vi) Leveraging Use of Innovative Aviation Technology; (vii) Smart Grid; and (viii) Smart Technology Traffic Signals. The legislation allocates SMART funding as follows: Large Communities (40 percent); Midsized Communities (30 percent); Rural Communities and Regional Partnerships (30 percent). Electronic Item 10.1 is USDOT’s SMART Fact Sheet. USDOT issued the Notice of Funding Opportunity on September 19, 2022, with applications due on November 18, 2022. The grants in this first year are limited to planning grants of up $2 million apiece. SMART grants in later years will fund implementation of projects delivered by planning grant awardees. No local match will be required for the SMART planning grants. Staff will brief the Council on the
SMART program plus a companion grant program announced at the same time with the same application deadline: Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) Program, which is a continuation of an existing USDOT grant program. Electronic Item 10.2 is staff’s summary, including background on regional outreach efforts to date.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Roadway, Safety

Item 11

Legislative Update and Draft RTC Legislative Program
Action Possible Action Information Minutes: 10
Presenter: Rebekah Gongora, 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. In addition, the draft Regional Transportation Council (RTC) Legislative Program for the 88th Texas Legislature will be presented.
Background: Transportation and air quality issues are a focus for both the United States Congress and the Texas Legislature. The 88th Session of the Texas Legislature will convene on January 10, 2023. In advance of the legislative session, RTC members will be presented with the draft RTC Legislative Program for the 88th Texas Legislature in Electronic Item 11.
Performance Measure(s) Addressed: Administrative

Items 14 & 16

14Other Business (Old or New): This item provides an opportunity for members to bring items of interest before the group.

16.
Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Regional Transportation Council is scheduled for 1:00 pm on November 10, 2022, in the Transportation Council Room.