Business Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2003

NLTAPA Business Meeting at the TRB Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

1. Chairman Ron Hall called the meeting to order at 12:15 PM and welcomed everyone to Washington. Secretary Mike Blankenship took the roll call of the Centers and reported the existence of a quorum, with 39 Centers in attendance.
2. LTAP Reauthorization. Terry McNinch and Mike Blankenship discussed information that they distribute to members of Congress as part of their effort to educate on LTAP prior to the TEA-21 Reauthorization. This information includes summaries of what we do (training, technical assistance, etc.) and what our partners are suggesting for increased LTAP funding. Terry challenged each Center to distribute informational packages to their congressional delegation. Cheri Marti emphasized that we need to show how we leverage matching funds, and also that we are an informational resource. Richard Rolland will present information to the American Planning Association Transportation Division while at TRB.
3. Workforce Development. Ron Hall discussed that the Executive Committee views workforce development as a national issue, and asked what others thought. Discussion was wide ranging, from "we can be a neutral convener to bring stakeholders together and gather information," to "LTAP shouldn't be the lead on this," to "it's bigger than DOTs and local highway agencies and should include the Department of Labor." Joe Toole indicated that we need to partner with other training agencies and show what our niche is, focusing on workforce development and transferring research into practice. General consensus was that we need to look into this issue and define the LTAP role.
4. Homeland Security. John Anderson briefed the group on the similarities between homeland security efforts and LTAP efforts: 80% of homeland security is at the local level, while 95% of research is at the state/federal level; 70% of roads are local, while 80% of research is at the state/federal level. He indicated that LTAP could help locals in networking, conducting common sense vulnerability assessments, and sharing best practices.
5. Clearinghouse Update. Lisa Harris reported that new LTAP and TTAP informational brochures have been produced and are available at the LTAP booth in the Exhibit Hall. The Clearinghouse Advisory Committee is helping plan the LTAP National Meeting in Hawaii, including the LTAP 101 Workshop and a track of sessions on print communications. The Committee is seeking improved coordination/communication with the Executive Committee and will conduct a joint meeting with the Executive Committee at the National Meeting.
6. NACE Update. Tony Giancola reiterated that this is the year of the reauthorization of the highway bill, and it is critical that the Centers get information to their congressional delegation. He suggested that whenever we are in Washington, we should stop by our congressional offices. Tony pointed out that key congressional committee chairs are James Inhoffe, Oklahoma and Don Young, Alaska. The NACE Conference is in Biloxi, Mississippi in March, and it includes sessions by various LTAP directors. Tony provided the NACE reauthorization paper, which includes LTAP increased funding level language.
7. International Low Volume Roads Conference. Lynne Irwin gave an overview of this conference, scheduled for June 22 - 25, 2003 in Reno, Nevada. The planning committee is seeking a host for the 9th LVR Conference in 2007.
8. LTAP Membership Survey Report. Ron Hall reviewed the results of a survey sent to LTAP Centers in the fall of 2002. The main themes are that the Executive Committee should put additional efforts into national communications/marketing, and partnerships with public entities. This will require additional funding, and the Executive Committee will examine options including raising Center dues and using vendor's fees from the National Meeting. The Executive Committee will develop a budget to show how a possible dues increase will benefit the Association. Ron said that it's probably time to update the NLTAPA Strategic Plan. Hank Lambert asked the Committee to revisit having a full-time leader, or "Executive," for NLTAPA. Jim Burati indicated he thinks a full-time Executive Director isn't in the immediate future.
9. NLTAPA Partnering Guidelines Report. Bruce Drewes reported on the activities of the Executive Committee's Partnering Guidelines Subcommittee, which was tasked to review and establish partnering guidelines and protocols. One recommendation of the subcommittee is to establish an Advisory Committee on Partnering (ACP). Janet Degner moved to create the ACP, seconded by Mohammad Qureshi. The motion passed unanimously. The Committee consists of Bruce, Jim Burati, Gib Peaslee, Costas Papacostas, and Mike Blankenship, but is open to others who are interested.
10. Showcase Report. Gib Peaslee introduced Ken Sides, City of Clearwater, Florida, who discussed the Clearwater Roundabout Showcase and a "Smart Crosswalk" Showcase he attended in Lakeland, Florida. Gib distributed information on the Product Demonstration Showcase Program and asked for Centers to consider volunteering to host a future showcase.
11. FHWA Update. Rick Capka, FHWA Deputy Administrator, reported that FHWA priority areas are crash reduction, workforce issues, security, and reauthorization. Joe Toole said that FHWA is looking for an expansion of funds available for training and education with federal aid money, and that he'd like a stronger link between the programs within the Office of Professional Development (National Highway Institute, University Transportation Centers, LTAP). He also mentioned FHWA's "Vital Few" (Safety, Congestion, and Environment) and that Safety is the area that fits LTAP best. John Horsley, AASHTO, said that state DOTs view training as vital, especially with the large turnover rate, and he wants to work with LTAP to articulate this to decision-makers. George Ostensen, FHWA Associate Administrator for Safety, gave and overview of FHWA's safety plan. He said we need to be a part of AASHTO's Safety Strategic Plan in our states, and he is willing to work with LTAP to increase safety training. Vince Pearce, FHWA Office of Operations, reported on Security Workshops they have conducted and he encouraged LTAP to participate in future workshops. Al Alonzi, Affiliate Programs Team Leader, has replaced Joe Conway. Al said his office will provide travel funds for each Center to send a trainer to Texas in late summer for a sign retroreflectivity workshop.
12. APWA Update. Ann Daniels reported presented statistics on the Click, Listen, and Learn workshops that LTAP has participated in. Averages for the 6 workshops were: 62 sites and 850 participants, with the most popular being Winter Maintenance, conducted by Don Walker, with 96 sites and 2,150 participants. APWA wants our input on topics for future workshops. Ann asked the Centers for help in promoting the North American Snow Conference in April in Quebec. Ann asked for LTAP participation on APWA Committees, and reminded everyone of the APWA Conference August 24 - 27, 2003 in San Diego.
13. LTAP National Meeting. Juli Kobayashi invited everyone to the National Meeting July 27 - 31 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Registration fee is $300, and hotel rooms are $159.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 PM.