Regional Spotlight

NARC Presents 2018 Regional Leadership and Excellence Awards

Washington, D.C. (June 6, 2018) – The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) presented the 2018 General Achievement and Leadership Awards at its 52nd Annual Conference and Exhibition Gala Dinner in Orlando last night.

“We are excited to celebrate the achievements and leadership of our members and nominees this year,” said NARC President ­Bob Dallari, Commissioner of Seminole County, Florida. “Their hard work is on display throughout our communities, as they strive to meet challenges in innovative and effective ways. We thank all of our regions for their dedication to excellence, and our leaders for their personal efforts – and can’t wait to see the progress they will surely make going forward.”

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

MAJOR METRO ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
Water Resources Plan for Southeast Michigan

This plan focuses specifically on policy recommendations and actions related to protecting and restoring water resources in Southeast Michigan. The policies developed from the plan will be incorporated into a number of SEMCOG efforts, such as the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. Three general focus areas are highlighted in the plan: Blue Economy, Infrastructure, and Natural Resources. The next stage in this innovative plan is implementation, which includes initiatives such as water trail visual mapping, integrated climate resiliency analysis, and wetlands mapping. SEMCOG used a strong public and stakeholder engagement process – establishing a Water Resources Task Force, which was comprised of 70 representatives – and holding public input meetings which engaged over 250 people throughout the process.

MEDIUM METRO ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Indian Nation Council of Governments
Regional Advocacy Program

INCOG is a strong advocate for legislative and policy issues that impact local governments in its five-county service area of northeastern Oklahoma. Their advocacy program consists of four parts: the Coalition of Tulsa Area Governments (CTAG); Federal Policy Agenda; Public Policy Official’s Orientation and Annual Reception; and Tulsa Region’s OneVoice Legislative Agenda. These components work to drive changes in state law to improve the environment, fund major infrastructure projects, increase funding for city and county operations, and much more. CTAG is especially critical in spearheading bills important to the region and opposing those that would harm local governments. INCOG’s Regional Advocacy Program created recognition among local governments that their collective voice is more powerful than many individual voices.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission
Greenways + Blueways 2020 Plan

The NIRPC G+B 2020 Plan highlights the benefits and relationships of both environmental and non-motorized transportation planning through three main topics: conservation, recreation, and transportation. The Conservation chapter focuses on opportunities to connect large but fragmented patches of conservation land across Northwestern Indiana. The Recreation chapter discusses trails on both land and in water. Finally, the Transportation chapter outlines policies and practices to continue advancing non-motorized culture in Northwestern Indiana. The G+B 2020 Plan is an ambitious vision for tying together distinct but mutually beneficial focus areas in conservation and non-motorized transportation.

RURAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization
Highlands Transit Plan

Adopted in October 2017, the Highlands Transit Plan is the first adopted transit development plan for Highlands County, Florida. The strategic vision will guide planning, development, and implementation of potential future public transportation services. The development of the Highlands Transit Plan exemplified regional cooperation as the planning process was coordinated and implemented among multiple local and regional organizations, including Highland County, City of Avon Park, City of Sebring, Town of Lake Placid, the Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization, and the Florida Department of Transportation.

LEADERSHIP AWARDS

2018 WALTER SCHEIBER LEADERSHIP AWARD – Two Winners

Ron De Carli
Executive Director, San Luis Obispo Council of Governments

Ronald De Carli serves as the Executive Director of the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), and throughout his 40+ year planning career has been an advocate for protecting the environment, enhancing the quality of communities, and furthering more walkable communities. SLOCOG Board President and Mayor of Atascadero Tom O’Malley said: “Ron’s greatest strength has always been getting local agencies to work together to plan, prioritize, fund and construct transportation improvements that benefit the region.” Ron will be retiring this September after 38 years of service, 28 of which serving as SLOCOG’s Executive Director.

Jack Steele
Executive Director, Houston-Galveston Area Council

Jack Steele has led the Houston-Galveston Area Council for nearly 40 years, serving 131 local governments and managing a budget of 355 million dollars. He was at the helm of the council during the difficult recovery period after Hurricanes Harvey, Ike and Rita, providing indispensable guidance.  Jack has been a consistent resource and partner to the Texas Association of Regional Councils – serving as chair for the environmental quality committee and state affairs committee, and vice-chair for the transportation, criminal justice and strategic directions committees. He also is an active member of the community outside of his public service- supporting the arts and serving in the United Methodist Church.

2018 TOM BRADLEY LEADERSHIP AWARD – Two Winners

Teresa Rochetti-Cantrell
Mayor, City of Mayfield, Kentucky

City of Mayfield Mayor Teresa Rochetti-Cantrell will reach her 30th year of service with the city this year. She is currently in her second term and eighth year overall as Mayor. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Purchase Area Development District (PADD), which she has expanded into a new type of program – the Regional Mayors’ Purchase Area Leadership Symposium (PALS). This program is an excellent opportunity for mayors in the region to network and share ideas on a monthly basis. Mayor Rochetti-Cantrell has helped drive this innovative work to bring localities together to promote the region’s common assets.

Nelson Wolff
Judge, Bexar County, Texas

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff has had a long and varied career in public service, which has taken him to the Texas House of Representatives, Texas Senate, San Antonio City Council, and San Antonio Mayor’s Office. Judge Wolff took on the role of Bexar County Judge in 2001, and his leadership was critical to several growth and development initiatives in San Antonio and Bexar County. These successful initiatives include the San Pedro Creek Culture Park project, helping attract companies such as GM Financial and Toyota Motor Manufacturing to the region, and helping lead efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage designation for the Mission Reach stretch of the San Antonio River. Judge Wolff has been an outstanding long-serving public presence who has helped steer the region along a path to success.

2018 NARC PRESIDENT’S AWARD

Dennis Smith
Executive Director, Maricopa Association of Governments

Dennis Smith has provided over 41 years of service to the Greater Phoenix region and is the Executive Director of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). He has been a member of NARC for over a decade, mentoring other members throughout the country and advocating continuously for shared priorities such as transportation funding. His work involves many successful initiatives across multiple areas such as economic development, transportation, and social well-being. These include leadership in developing the MAG Economic Development Committee (EDC), championing the development of an e-platform for businesses located in Canada, Mexico, and Arizona, catalyzing the establishment of a statewide interactive online literacy map, and chairing the Arizona Council of Governments/Metropolitan Planning Organization Directors Association multiple times. His leadership and work has consistently cultivated cooperative relationships, leveraged innovation, and contributed to regionalism.

Information about NARC awards, conferences, and leadership can be found at www.NARC.org.

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AACOG to Host CarFit Event

This week, Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) will co-host a CarFit event with many stakeholders in their region. CarFit is a free, interactive, and educational program that uses trained volunteers to assess the safest “fit” for older drivers and their vehicles. Simple improvements that help improve driver safety and community mobility include educating the public on proper mirror positioning, foot positioning between pedals and brakes, and the distance between the driver and steering wheel. See CarFit’s website to learn about bringing their events and services to your community.

MVRPC Launches New Safety Campaign

The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) launched a new safety campaign focusing on seat belt use, proper child safety-seat use, and safe cycling guidelines. This new effort is in response to recent, staggering statistics that show that only 83% of Ohio motorists wear a seat belt – the lowest rate in five years. MVRPC is also using this safety campaign to prepare motorists and cyclists for the warmer weather, when cyclists are more likely to share the road with vehicles. MVRPC partnered with the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority to display campaign ads on their transit vehicles. Residents will also see ads on poster and digital billboards and the Dayton Daily News.

MAPA Wins Three APA Awards

The Nebraska Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) recognized the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) with awards for two projects in addition to the APA Planning Agency Award for its overall work. The Omaha Metropolitan Area Online Bicycle Map won the Transportation Plan Award. The interactive map helps the community find routes for biking through the city and provides information on the current trail system and street network.

TJCOG’s Economic Development District Designation

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently designated Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG) in Durham, North Carolina as an Economic Development District (EDD). In its EDD role, TJCOG will help lead locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning and strategies, leveraging the work already underway by the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. They will also be responsible for the implementation of the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, a strategic blueprint that increases communication and coordination between regional stakeholders. TJCOG Board of Delegates Chair and Town of Rolesville Mayor Pro Tempore Ronnie Currin said, “We already are a vibrant growing community and this designation will be essential to our continued growth.”

In Houston, a Focus on Innovation to ‘Build Back Better’

Houston, TX has always had an eye for new technology and innovation. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey; however, local officials learned just how helpful these tools can be during a storm and after when it is time to rebuild. Jesse Bounds, director of innovation for the City of Houston, relayed several examples of the ways Houston residents used technology during and after the storm, including:

  • The local tech community of civic hackers developed ad-hoc technologies to address citizens’ immediate needs;
  • Volunteers used crowdsourcing tools to rescue 7,000 households;
  • Houston-area public agencies used open-sourced platforms and social media websites like Nextdoor to share critical emergency communications; and
  • Houston leaders are currently partnering with The Atlas Marketplace to learn how other cities are building back even better after a natural disaster.

MAPC Selects LimeBike, Spin for 15-Community Regional Bike Share System

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in Boston, MA recently incorporated a dockless bike share system in their region. MAPC selected LimeBike and Spin as the two vendors that would provide users the ability to pick up and drop off a bike virtually anywhere in their fifteen participating communities. MAPC Executive Director Marc Draisen said, “The new system will incorporate station-less, smart bike technology, and will also feature some pedal-assist electric bicycles, or ‘e-bikes,’ to make cycling uphill and into headwinds less challenging. And, the system will be launched at no cost to the participating cities and towns.”

The Heartland 2050 Winter Summit Held in MAPA Region

The Heartland 2050 Winter Summit Held in MAPA Region
Heartland 2050 is a community-driven initiative by the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) to pull in stakeholders across the region to think big picture and work toward a common vision for the metro area. This past week Heartland 2050 held its winter summit, where stories were shared about how communities have come together to solve seemingly intractable problems through a new form of collaboration called Collective Impact. Paul Schmitz, CEO of Leading Inside Out and Senior Advisor at The Collective Impact Forum, explains the Collective Impact as “when you align all of the organizations that work on an issue, so they no longer do their work on their own serving people here and there, but rather collectively move to a population level result.”

Washington Metro May Finally Fix its 40-Year-Old Funding Problem

Since it was founded in 1976, the Washington Metro in the D.C. area has had trouble finding a dedicated funding stream that it could rely on for long-term planning. The organization said that it needs another $500 million of reliable funding per year to fix its aging and failing infrastructure. It appears that lawmakers from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia have come closer to earmarking dedicated funds for the transit agency, with each setting their own funding goals and deciding how their jurisdiction would meet it. Within the last few weeks, Virginia lawmakers approved $154 million per year for Metro, Maryland lawmakers set the goal of $167 million per year, and D.C. lawmakers proposed $178.5 million per year.

Bipartisan Letter for Great Lakes Restoration Funding

Representatives Sander Levin (D-MI) and David Joyce (R-OH) submitted a joint letter to the House Appropriations Committee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies requesting an appropriation of $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) for FY 2019. With 63 bipartisan co-signers joining the effort, this is the largest number of signers supporting GLRI funding. Representative Levin said, “The fact that the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative garners such strong, bipartisan support is a testament to the importance it has to our region and the nation. Our public health and regional economic vibrancy is built on the Great Lakes’ ecological wellbeing, which can only be maintained with our sustained and robust commitment.”