HD2 - Establishing a Virginia Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (VAMPO) - HJR 756 (2009)


Executive Summary:
Purpose

VAMPO is expected to be established with the continuing support and assistance of the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, the prospective association participants, and the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC). The majority of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) leaders confirm that they favor formation of Virginia Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (VAMPO), and affirmative actions from their MPO Boards are anticipated. To date, several meetings have been held and two committees developed a White Paper and a Draft Organizational Structure Research Summary.

In response to the requests of the 2009 Virginia General Assembly in House Joint Resolution 756, the Secretary of Transportation hereby reports that substantial progress has been made to establish a (VAMPO), a statewide association of (MPOs).

Findings

The prospective association members foresee VAMPO operating as a stand-alone organization, independent of VAPDC. VAMPO meetings shall be scheduled, as appropriate, in conjunction with VAPDC meetings. The following draft mission statement has been prepared:

It is the mission of the Virginia Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations to bring together the Commonwealth’s MPOs to enhance the state of urban transportation planning and programming by: 1) fostering a greater spirit of partnership with the Commonwealth’s transportation agencies, 2) sharing “best practices” among the MPOs, and 3) continually informing the Commonwealth’s executive and legislative branches about improvements needed in Virginia transportation planning and programming in both law and in practice.

Upcoming VAMPO-founding activities are expected to include drafting and adopting bylaws with a system for voting; development of a staffing plan, perhaps as an extension of MPO VAPDC services; and planning a VAMPO annual conference. Potential legislative subjects that prospective members have identified include MPO regional review and decision roles in the Virginia Six Year Improvement Program process, and further codification of MPOs with regard to their role in planning transportation improvements.

Recommendations

In recognition of the high level of participation and progress realized thus far, it is recommended that the ongoing plans and activities be continued to achieve the anticipated establishment of VAMPO. The Virginia MPO Executive Directors have respectfully requested that the General Assembly take no additional actions in the 2010 regular session that would affect the structure of MPOs or VAMPO during this formative period.