Item A - Prioritizing Trans.$$ - Laserfiche WebLink

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The MPO is staffed by LCOG and receives technical information from the Transportation Planning Committee, which is made up of senior staff members from the two cities, the county, ODOT, LTD, and Coburg. The members of MPC make decisions on regional transportation issues, including prioritization and allocation of federal transportation funds, using an informed political process. In determining priorities and allocations, MPC must consider federal requirements. For example, to be eligible for federal STP-U funds, projects must be included in the RTP and categorized as capital improvements (including capital preservation), planning, or transportation demand management projects. Typically, the Transportation Planning Committee (TPC), a staff group of transportation professionals representing the various jurisdictions, prepares project proposals that meet federal requirements, and the MPC factors in available resources, the relative significance of various projects, and other political factors in making its final decisions. Local guidance on transportation policies is provided through City Council review and adoption of transportation planning documents such as TransPlan (a state planning requirement) and refinement plans such as the Central Area Transportation Study (CATS) and the Downtown Plan. The council also reviews and approves the financial underpinnings for major transportation projects through the Capital Improvement Program and the annual capital budget, taking into account applicable state and federal laws. Assessable transportation projects such as Garden Way come before the council for review and approval of the formation of local improvement districts and the levying of assessments. Council Action History On July 28, 2003, the Eugene City Council approved a motion directing staff to use any TMA funds for capital preservation. MPC subsequently adopted the final methodology for prioritizing and appropriating TMA funding at its regular meeting on September 11, 2003. The methodology included the four funding categories mentioned above for STP-U applications and did not limit the TMA funds to capital preservation. The City Council on September 24, 2003, then approved a motion "to direct the city manager and city TPC representatives to work with LCOG and the MPO to modify the STP-U programming and evaluation criteria in order to enable jurisdictions to facilitate and prioritize the funding of operations, maintenance and preservation of the road system, if they so choose." On October 9, 2003, the MPC elected not to amend the previously adopted funding methodology. The council adopted the Six-Year CIP on February 24, 2003, and the FY04 Annual Budget on June 23, 2003. Both documents identify specific transportation projects. Policy Issues None; this is an informational item only. Council Goal Action Priority Fair, Stable and Adequate Financial Resources - A local government whose ongoing financial resources are based on a fair and equitable system of taxation and are adequate to maintain and deliver municipal services. L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M040609\S040609A. doc