NC Board of Transportation Meeting Oct. 7, 2009
Key Information by Jim Humphrey, City of Charlotte
1. The NCDOT has responded to comments regarding it’s draft Subdivision Roads Manual. The manual regulates the design of subdivision/secondary roads. Copies of the manual and NCDOT response were handed to board members. They will be asked to approve the manual at the November meeting. I indicated to Dilbert Roddenbury, state Secondary Roads Manager, that Charlotte staff continues to have concerns.
2. Ethics rules have been changed for NCDOT to effectively not allow them to accept any gift, even if they have no role in selecting vendors. The BOT and staff will undergo training. I understand that they will not even be allowed to travel with someone outside the department.
3. NCDOT staff will be implementing a process to develop a draft Sustainability Action Plan. A senior management advisory group will be formed to oversee the process. Work will start immediately and the draft Action Plan should be developed soon after the first of next year. Lacy Love heads this initiative.
4. Revenues and spending at NCDOT are down. The revenue shortfall (2% down) was expected. The department plans to gear up work to spend available funds.
5. Mark Foster explained federal rescission. The current rescission is larger than in the past ($250m) but will not affect any existing TIP projects. Some of the rules have been changed which result in reducing flexibility NCDOT has had in the past regarding how to manage funding cuts. NC had the 10th largest rescission.
6. Powell Bill funds were distributed to 507 cities/towns. Revenues were down 4% from last year.
7. Don Lee, State Roadside Environmental Engineer, discussed the state’s first “Green” Rest Area located on US 421 in Wilkes County. It includes bio-retention, Xeriscape landscaping strategies, special lighting, geothermal heating/cooling and many other features. I was particularly impressed with the degree of monitoring/evaluation that was being done/planned. I will send info to Charlotte’s Building Management/Construction folks. Other cities may find this subject of interest.
8. Kevin Lacy and Sara O’Brien gave an overview of the 2009 Safe Routes to Schools funding allocations which provides $15.6m for infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects. All Divisions in the state have projects.
9. Tom Norman, state Pedestrian and Bicycling Manager indicated they are monitoring many stimulus projects across the state. They are encountering problems because designs submitted to them are creating liability and safety issues. For example, not meeting ADA requirements. He feels training to municipalities is needed. He also indicated the first regional bicycle plan nears completion for the Lake Norman area. The next plan to be developed will be in the New Bern area.
10. Rodger Rochelle, Transportation Management Branch Manager, presented info on a public/private partnership for staffing a visitor center in Randolph Counties. A private provider staffs and maintains the facility at no cost to the NCDOT using money received from leasing/renting private sponsorship space.
11. On a Charlotte note, Miriam Perry indicated the NCDOT share of funding for engineering work for the Blue Line to NE Charlotte was on the Board’s agenda for approval. There was also a grant for some work at the Eastland Station.
12. David Joynor’s wife died. David heads the NC Turnpike Authority.
13. Future items on the Safety and Emerging Issues Committee include Improving the Appearance of Noise Walls and Rules Governing Golf Carts on Public Roads.
