Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments
2035 Regional Transportation Plan Task Force
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 – 1:15 P.M.
TMACOG Boardroom
MEETING NOTES
1. Convene Meeting / Introductions - Jeff Ballmer, Task Force Chairperson Mr. Ballmer welcomed the 40 members of the task force in attendance to the first meeting. Members introduced themselves.
2. Purpose of the 2035 Plan – Dave Dysard, Vice President of Transportation Mr. Dysard outlined the key role of the regional transportation plan in forming regional consensus on desired transportation projects and initiatives based on mutual goals. Working with the community to prepare this multi-modal plan is one of TMACOG’s main responsibilities.
3. Regional Goals: Transportation in Context The task force members worked in small groups to identify area goals, including goals of the members’ own organizations. Groups selected a spokesperson and reported out some of their key ideas, recorded on the board as shown below. (In addition, some members provided lists and maps of their agency’s goals.)
ü Region-wide transportation system for both auto and non-auto ü Maximize use of existing built infrastructure (avoid sprawl) ü Look creatively at issues · Test assumptions (such as “land is limitless,” fuel and auto dependence) ü Better long-term coordination between entities ü Maximize meaningful public involvement ü Statements made should encourage auto-related industry/jobs · Avoid negative statements like “we gotta get cars off the roads” ü Consider population factors (our population is stable, not growing) ü Predict where our next bottlenecks will be ü Develop research/technology corridor and alternative fuels research (need to be innovative) ü Sustainability / livability · Strengthen arterials; traffic calming for local streets/neighborhoods ü Provide for senior citizen mobility -- promote alternatives to personal vehicles ü High priority for ITS, access management, and traffic corridor safety programs · improve safety and traffic flow ü Encourage water transportation ü Coordinate transportation and land use planning ü Pursue more funding ü Good multi-modal freight transportation, in region and to world ü Reduce travel time (delay) ü Use transportation to promote orderly/stable growth ü Rail for distribution of agricultural products ü Quality of life and create tax base through transportation planning ü Safe and efficient transportation systems meeting needs of all users · safety · system preservation ü Expansion and development of world class multi-modal facilities · economic development · environmental awareness ü Access Ohio state plan – incorporate into our plan ü Regional access ü Truck traffic – safe and efficient ü Multi-modal transportation hub ü Follow smart growth principles ü Transportation aesthetics · tourist impact – make area more pleasant ü Industry clusters: transportation to support strengthening automotive and other clusters (per UT/BGSU analysis) ü Improve Canadian border crossing freight flow · Support new crossing south of Detroit (better connectivity to our region’s multi-modal infrastructure) · Add pre-crossing customs facility in Toledo area
4. Introduce Draft Vision for Transportation – Transportation Summit Work Group–Tom Kovacik, Ray Huber, Rob Greenlese The draft Vision developed at the 2003 and 2004 Transportation Summits was presented. It will be considered for revision and approval at the March meeting.
5. Plan Process -- Diane Reamer-Evans, Transportation Project Manager -Review 2035 Plan process charts – Two charts represent the adopted Plan Process and how that translates into a Task Force meeting schedule. Dave Dysard noted the end products are 1) consensus on a plan and 2) Task Force member names in the plan book -Confirm Task Force Membership and set Task Force meeting times – Meeting times were reviewed, and possible additions to the Task Force were suggested (rail, air and water transportation industries; Toledo mayor’s office; downtown Toledo improvement interests; Unite Way; Lucas and Wood counties). - Establish Communications & Outreach work group – Volunteers are: Robin Weirauch, BGSU; Hugh Grefe, LISC; Ray Huber, Wood Co Engineer; Sheri McNeill, Senior Centers; Ray Norris, SSOE; Donna Johnston, UT
6. Announcements; Adjourn Chairman Jeff Ballmer thanked the members for joining the Task Force, and noted the next meeting is March 15. A larger room will be sought – site to be announced.
2005 TASK FORCE MEETINGS: March 15, May 17, July 19, September 20, and November 15 Public “needs” meetings Fall 2005 (dates to be determined)