Business Meetings
2001 Meetings

July 30 and August 2, 2001

1. Welcome and Introductions: Chairman Smith welcomed the international guests and participants.
2. Roll Call: Grouchy called the roll. All centers respond ed to the roll call except Alaska, California, Delaware, Illinois, Maine and the California TTAP Center. A copy of the attendance record is attached. International visitors were asked to rise and identify themselves and their affiliation.
3. Welcome by Joe Toole, FHWA: A taped welcome to the International Conference, featuring Joe Toole of FHWA, was shown.
4. Chair Report: Chairman Smith reported that the executive committee accomplished much in the last year: A progress report was produced, closer ties with national partners were forged and work was begun on a communication plan. He asked for a volunteer to be historian.
5. Treasurer's Report: The Treasurer's Report was distributed and Grouchy went over income and expenditures in some detail. Announced that there would be a committee to chose a higher yield investment to put up to 20000 in to husband the funds more effectively. A copy of the Treasurer's Report is attached.
6. Announcement of Elections: Smith announced that Dave Grouchy had been re-elected to represent Region 6, and would be Chairman, Mike Blankenship had been elected to represent Region 3 and Ronald Hall would be Secretary - Treasurer for 2001.
7. Partnership Agreements:
   • APWA - Gib Peaslee, who is on the APWA Education Committee explained the Click, listen and learn program, which he said is good for smaller communities because of low cost and easy access. There will be 6 topics planned for 2002; more details will be available in November.
   • NACE - Tony Giancola gave a briefing during which he reiterated the close relationship between NACE and LTAP. He encouraged the LTAP family to be very clear about what is needed to optimize the program in the next few years. Giancola said that among others, he is working with LOTWG - Local officials transportation working group, which is interested in funding for safety on rural roads and preserving the bridge replacement and rehab program. Another interest of NACE's concern is Environmental streamlining. Another issue is expanded funding for LTAP. Giancola announced the 8th Low Volume Roads Conference in Reno, Nevada, and the 2002 NACE Conference to be held in March, in San Diego California.
   • AASHTO - Mujeeb Basha, is the new liaison with LTAP. AASHTO is a volunteer organization and the DOTs are the backbone. The LTAPers who are state highway people are the link.
8. National Report - Progress Report: Duane Smith said that the Progress Report would be reprinted and made available to the centers.
9. Communication Plan Update: The Communication plan will be a how to tool for state, local and national people. Some of the success stories will be of value, objective, what data to talk about, the legislative committee members and how to talk to them and when. Implementation will be monitored. This will have to be a grass-roots approach. Success will lie with the individual centers.
10. FHWA Joe Conway spoke about the Funding Cycle and flow: He stated that FHWA and LTAP need a much stronger relationship and that there has been excellent progress. He said that FHWA wants to continue having LTAP input into the review of NHI courses and in Rural Transportation Planning Workshops. There are several centers that have agreed to put on a pilot workshop. Conway said that FHWA is expecting that there will be $140,000 for each center in the 2002 and 2003 LTAP programs. The Local Road Coordinator network - the regional meetings are excellent. FHWA finds them very useful. Hank Lambert verified that many centers would be active in giving information obtained from FHWA to elected officials. Jody Paden - Pointed out that universities are put in awkward positions when contracts are not signed promptly. Finding the money to pay personnel is a problem along with reimbursement requests for expenditures made between signed contracts.
11. Clearing House Report: Kathy DesRoches reported that the Clearinghouse Contract had been awarded to APWA and that the Clearinghouse Advisory Committee had met and had a good meeting. LTAP 101 was a great success. Mark Sandifer, chairman of that effort was congratulated. National Association will work on the relationship with the national committee. Carlita Knight is the new representative from region 2, and Ben Gribbon is the new representative from Region 3.
12. TIA Update: Gib Peaslee, who is on the APWA Training Committee, announced that the APWA training coalition will soon be up and running. He stated that TIA is easy to measure. There have been over $46 million worth of benefits to local governments so far. TIA now has a solid Internet presence. There are 24 PDP showcases being developed at this time. The state DOT wanted a bike-pedestrian showcase. There are 50 entities involved: Community groups, NPS and different funding sources. The event will take place in October, and information will be emailed to all the centers for inclusion in their newsletters. Kathy DesRoches announced that the New Hampshire Advanced Materials Centers would have a showcase of fiber reinforced polymer materials for bridges. TIA, the University and NH DOT will sponsor the first showcase on October 3-4 in New Hampshire.
13. Support for the ATSSA Work Zone Memorial: John McConnell proposed that the NLTAPA pass a resolution of support and send a $500 check to ATSSA for the National Work Zone Memorial. Motion was seconded by Doyt Bolling and passed unanimously. (The check and resolution were sent to ATSSA the following week).