Business Meeting Minutes
July 24, 2005

1. Opening Remarks - Chair, NLTAPA President Terry McNinch: Terry reported that, at the E.C. meeting that morning, a motion was submitted and passed that allowed 47 additional days for Centers to pay their dues, due to an error in sending out notices. This motion will allow all of the Centers to vote at the 2005 Business Meeting.
   1. Welcome to Dubuque, Iowa - Duane Smith: Duane Smith welcomed everyone to Dubuque and wished everyone an enjoyable time and conference.
   2. Parliamentary Rules - Chair: Terry made copies of Parliamentary Rules available.
2. Call to Order - Chair: The meeting was called to order at 2:10 pm
3. Roll Call - NLTAPA Secretary Bruce Drewes: 46 of the 58 Centers were present.
4. Adopt the Agenda - Chair: A break was added from 3:25 to 3:45. A motion was made to accept the agenda with revisions. The motion was seconded and passed.
5. Approve the Minutes of Previous Membership Meeting - Chair: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the January 9, 2005 LTAP Business Meeting as submitted. The motion was seconded and passed.
6. Officer Reports
   1. Treasurer's Report - NLTAPA Treasurer, Duane Smith: The Treasurer's Report showed a beginning balance of $37,867.84, with expenses of $32,502.05, and the end of the year balance at $42,486.69 (See Attachment A for additional details.)
   2. President's Report - NLTAPA President, Terry McNinch: Terry reviewed the accomplishments of the Association in the last year. He also thanked the Executive Committee for all of their hard work in a year that was filled with a number of challenges and accomplishments. (See Attachment B for the full President's Report.)
7. Association Update
   1. Clearinghouse Advisory Committee Report - Clearinghouse NLTAPA Liaison, Donna Shea: (Attachment C)
   2. Advisory Committee on Partnerships (ACP) - Marie Walsh: Marie announced that the ACP is looking for new liaisons for NACE and APWA and for members for the ACP. A partnership proposal was submitted to the ACP by the Portland Cement Association and the ACP will begin their review.
      1. NACE Partnership Liaison - Bruce Drewes: Bruce submitted his report on the NACE partnership (See Attachment D for details.)
      2. APWA Partnership Liaison - Lisa Harris: Lisa submitted her report on the APWA partnership (See Attachment E for details.)
      3. Salt Institute Partnership Liaison - Russ Neyman: No report; Russ missed the meeting.
      4. AASHTO Partnership Liaison - Doyt Bolling: Doyt submitted his report on the AASHTO partnership (See Attachment F for details)

New Business

8. NLTAPA Operational Structure Focus Areas - Presentations by NLTAPA Executive Committee members: (See Attachment G for written report.) EC members briefly outlined the focus areas recommended by the Executive Committee for the Association:
   1. Leadership - Terry McNinch: Comments from the floor: Think more globally, take a greater leadership role, support paid staff, work closer with state DOTs.
   2. Partnerships - Marie Walsh: Comments from the floor: Enjoyed working with education committee of APWA, look at state, national, local partnerships, strengthen the APWA partnership.
   3. Internal Communication - Lisa Harris: Comments from the floor: None.
   4. External Communication - Chris Ahmadjian: Comments from the floor: Work with more external Partners, provide more information to stakeholders, need to work on LTAP name recognition.
   5. Training Product Needs - Ed Stellfox: Comments from the floor: What has been developed through NCHRP and NHI for instructor certification?
   6. Professional Development - Jim Burati: Comments from the floor: None.
   A motion was presented from David Orr:" The Report given by the Executive Committee on the operational structure be accepted", the motion was seconded. There was some discussion about whether the membership should be asked to approve the EC's work of this kind, or is the E.C. outlining a plan to complete the work that the membership has charged them to do. The motion was tabled until the Wednesday business meeting.
9. Center Activities with National Institute for the Certification of Engineering Technologies (NICET) - Bruce Drewes and Ed Stellfox: Bruce and Ed discussed how their Centers (ID and MD) have been working with NICET to see if some certification program can be given for their Centers' Road Scholars Programs. At this time neither of the Centers has a formal program going with NICET.
10. 2005/2006 NLTAPA Budget - Chair: The 2005/2006 budget of anticipated expenditures was submitted. (See Attachment H).
11. AASHTO Anti Icing - RWIS Training CD Distribution - Terry McNinch: The LTAP Clearinghouse will survey the LTAPs to get an idea of the number of CDs that each Center will need, and will then send them out. Terry will develop a set of guidelines that will accompany the CDs, covering the licensing agreement.
12. Report on Officer Elections - Chair: Bruce Drewes was elected as President. Lisa Harris was elected as Secretary.
13. Motion to Recess: Terry asked for additional new business and heard none. A motion was made and seconded to recess the meeting until Wednesday morning, July 27. The motion passed and the meeting was recessed at 6:10 pm.

Minutes submitted by Bruce Drewes, ID LTAP, NLTAPA Secretary

Attachment A

Attachment B

NLTAPA President's Report

The past year has been interesting to say the least. When we departed from Albuquerque we knew we had significant challenges ahead of us. Momentum that had built during 03/04 to clearly define the role of NLTAPA (the CUSP) needed to be carried on. At the same time, those questions about NLTAPA's role prompted questions about the roles of the other National LTAP stakeholders - FHWA, the Clearinghouse, and the Centers themselves. "How does the LTAP puzzle fit together?" everyone was asking. As it turns out this was not an easily answered question.

An amazing amount of progress has been made. The Executive Committee has devoted a tremendous amount of time in conference calls, an untold number of e-mails, and lengthy face-to-face discussions on these issues. At times the path was rocky. More than once we asked ourselves, "We volunteered for this?" Everyone stuck to it and their dedication shows. We think we have figured out NLTAPA's piece of the puzzle. That task complete, we (the Centers) are now faced with walking the talk.

Over the years, the primary responsibility for carrying the NLTAPA load has rested on the shoulders of several members of the Executive Committee. That kept NLTAPA's head above water, but the association was always gasping for breath. That model must change. NLTAPA is an association of Centers - the member Centers must assume responsibility for making things happen. Every Center needs to be involved in some aspect of national activity. When you consider that there is an average 3+ staff per Center, there are almost 200 people that could be getting things accomplished to the benefit of the National LTAP Program. National activity needs to be a part of every Center's yearly workplan. Centers CAN make this happen.

The transportation community looks to NLTAPA as a major player - rightly so as the member Centers have the capacity to bring significant expertise and resources to the national and international table. Other associations would give their organizational right arm to be in such a position. If we let this opportunity slide through our fingers we shouldn't expect it to come around again.

I would like to thank the Executive Committee members Bruce Drewes (Secretary), Jim Burati, Lisa Harris, Marie Walsh, Ed Stellfox, Ken Skorseth, Chris Ahmadjian, Linda Howe-Steiger, Evan Hong and Donna Shea (Clearinghouse Liaison) for their dedication and support over the past year. Additionally, thank you to FWHA - Al Alonzi, Bill Evans and Cameron Ishaq - for being willing to engage in the difficult conversations that needed to take place.

NLTAPA Successes

• NLTAPA Operational Structure: Over the past few years, member centers have asked, "Why is there an association? Why do we pay dues?" Unfortunately those questions are the result of years of insufficient communication and lack of sufficient focus. Good things were being done, but centers didn't hear about it, and plans were being made, but if you were not at the meeting to hear it, you may have missed it. To fix that problem and as part of the R&R effort, the Executive Committee was challenged to put ON PAPER the Focus Areas of this Association. At the TRB meeting the EC committed to having this task complete by the summer meeting - the EC has done that and it will be presented during the business meeting on Sunday. Named the "NLTAPA Operational Structure," it lists the six Focus Areas and provides high level descriptions intended to answer your next question "What does this mean?" Additional details were composed that will become part of the Focus Area workplans that will be developed by the individual work groups over the next couple of months. The Executive Committee has approved the "NLTAPA Operational Structure," FHWA has given it their approval. Now it is time for the Centers to make it a reality.
• NLTAPA Involvement in the International T² Conference: NLTAPA Secretary Bruce Drewes is serving on the organizing committee for the 2006 International T2 Conference. In addition to Bruce's input, the EC has been actively providing feedback regarding the conference organization and session topic selections. NLTAPA's goal is to insure a meaningful conference for LTAP/TTAP participants as well as a beneficial experience for our international colleagues.
• NLTAPA / FHWA Funding Scenario Discussion: At the May EC meeting, the EC and FHWA engaged in a first of its kind discussion regarding funding scenarios related to TEA 21 reauthorization. The objective of the exchange was to provide FHWA with input on how to deal with a possible increase in funding, flat-line funding, and concerns if funding was to remain static or be reduced.
• Intertraffic North America (INA): Several months ago ARTBA approached NLTAPA to help them organize the first Intertraffic Conference in North America, September 27 - 29, 2005, in Baltimore. The European event, held yearly in Amsterdam, drew over 650 exhibitors and over 24,000 participants in 2004. As of July 21, INA had over 170 exhibitors. Ed Stellfox, and Terry McNinch have been working with ARTBA to identify conference presenters and distribute materials for use in Center newsletters. NLTAPA has endorsed the conference, as has NACE. FHWA is a financial supporter. The benefits to NLTAPA are listing on the conference web page, 5 free conference registrations and a full page ad in the conference material - something we could not have considered paying for. The long term benefit is that ARTBA views NLTAPA as a valuable resource.
• APWA Congress 2005 - LTAP Presentation: The presentation proposal submitted by the EC last fall for the 2005 Congress was accepted. The NLTAPA President will give a presentation on the services LTAP centers provide for counties and cities. The presentation will show examples of LTAP success stories and have agency participants in the audience or via short video clips tell about their experience with LTAP.
• AASHTO Technology Implementation Group (TIG): As a result of our increased activity with AASHTO, we have been invited to send a representative to the TIG meetings. The TIG surveys new technologies and recommends several each year for special promotion. Our attendance can influence the selection of technologies that are beneficial to local agencies. The NLTAPA AASHTO Partnership Liaison, Doyt Bolling, is currently serving on this committee.
• AASHTO Publications for Centers: As part of our renewed partnership agreement with AASHTO, we negotiated an arrangement whereby centers will have the opportunity to request, at NO cost, designated new AASHTO publications when those publications are of local agency interest. Centers also get member pricing when purchasing other AASHTO publications. What is that worth? If all 58 centers responded with a request for the 2004 Green Book, that is worth $5,800. 30% of the NLTAPA dues your Center paid this year.
• AASHTO Anti Icing / RWIS Computer Based Training (CBT): Through NACE's negotiation with AASHTO, and the NACE partnership with NLTAPA, centers will receive this CBT CD at no cost, can provide it to NACE members at no cost (non NACE members will be required to pay the license fee), and use it as part of training sessions, or include in our lending libraries. What would this have cost? $100 per licensed copy for everyone. Arrangements have been made for the LTAP Clearinghouse to replicate the CD and distribute supplies to the Centers.
• Safety Circuit Riders: At the November 2003 Executive Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., the committee met with George Ostensen and his staff from the FHWA Office of Safety. During the meeting, Mike Blankenship, then NLTAPA President, suggested to FHWA that if they really want to improve safety, they need to have an impact at the local level. That led to Tony Giancola's recommendation that what the Office of Safety needed to do was fund Safety Circuit Riders in the LTAP Centers. They were willing to think about it. During TRB 2003, members of the Executive Committee met with Office of Safety staff to begin laying out what a Safety Circuit Rider program would look like. FHWA was willing to fund one, half-time circuit rider, in onecenter, for $50,000. We appreciated the offer, but continued to stress that one half time person would not even begin to demonstrate the impact that this program could have. Over the months more discussions took place. Tony Giancola sunk his teeth into the idea and wouldn't let go. Executive Committee members drafted the content of the RFP. Discussions continued right up to the time that the RFP was announced to the Centers. By January of 2005 FHWA was ready with funding. If the 4 Circuit Riders prove successful, and it appears they are, the Office of Safety is open to consider additional funded positions. End result: Increased funding from Office of Safety, funding from the Office of Professional Development, and funding from the Federal Lands Program for a tribal position. Total Funding: $600,000. Increased from $50,000.
• Increased Funding Levels In SAFE-TEA: Through the efforts of Executive Committee members and various Center directors, along with NACE, NACO, AASHTO and ARTBA, we were able to get the funding level increased, (currently between $13.4 million - Senate, and $14 million - House). The bulk of that effort and expense was incurred by Centers that set their sights on getting the job done. Passage of the legislation is near, but that isn't the end of the effort. It marks the beginning of the 6 years leading up to the next renewal. Every center needs to insure that their elected officials know about the good things being done. Whether that means simply sending newsletters to your legislator's offices or face-to-face visits with legislative staff, YOU need to keep them informed.
• Handling of the Finances for the Mendocino Safety Showcase: NLTAPA was the recipient of $25,000 in FHWA funding for Mendocino travel stipends. By routing the funding through NLTAPA, monies that would have gone to university overhead charges were used to send even more participants to the showcase. When the BIA authorized $20,000 for travel stipends, red tape prevented its award until after the showcase. NLTAPA stepped in, advancing the funds, thereby allowing tribal members to attend the showcase, even though BIA funding had not yet made it through the pipeline. NLTAPA Treasurer, Duane Smith, took care of all accounting for the $45,000 and dealt with payments for the stipends, to the travel agents, and for on-site expenses incurred at the event hotels. Gib Peaslee's comment "This showcase never would have happened if NLTAPA had not stepped in to handing the funding issues." The Mendocino Safety Showcase was highlighted in the Fall 2004 issue of Public Roads.
• Common Sense Solutions for Intersection Safety Training Package: This project was funded by $28,000 from the Office of Safety and the T2 & Innovation Program, and $15,000 that the Michigan LTAP spent from of its own program funds. The final product consists of a 13 module training package. CDs containing the training material were sent to every Center. What did this cost your center? $0.00.
• LTAP Exposure within TRB - Cheri Marti, Chair of T2 Committee: Over the 6 years that Cheri has served as the Chair of the T2 Committee, the atmosphere surrounding the committee has changed dramatically. T2 and implementation is now an integral part of research BEFORE it begins. LTAP was originally viewed cautiously by the committee. But through Cheri's leadership and the dedicated participation of LTAP'ers on the committee and those who attend the meetings and work on the activities, LTAP is no longer something to be viewed with a cautious eye, but rather a group that gets ASKED to sit at the table. If you saw the October issue of TR News (the TRB publication) you saw an entire issue sprinkled with LTAP this and LTAP that, including a full page on what LTAP is and what it does. Cheri put forth a tremendous commitment for 6 years. She put in the hard work, the LTAP Program received visibility and recognition as being "The Real Thing." Kathy DesRoches, New Hampshire LTAP, continues to serve on the committee.
• Strategic Planning Committee: Executive Committee members were part of the committee that developed the National LTAP Strategic Plan and the National Performance Measures. The result of this effort puts us on the far end of the curve with regard to program accountability. The work continued in spring of 2005 with a review of the PAR and CAR, Level 2 Evaluation, the Customer Needs Survey, and a committee charter. The new NLTAPA President will transition on to the committee to replace Terry McNinch.
• Roles & Responsibilities Group (R&R): Executive Committee members, representing the Association, joined other national stakeholders (FHWA, Centers, the Clearinghouse, and the Clearinghouse Advisory Committee) to do what has been needed to be done for many years - sort out who does what, why, when, etc. This activity is intended to set a new stage for the entire National Program, to make it the best it can be. Throughout the year, progress was made and recommendations are being put forth. Centers will continue to be solicited for feedback. It is CRITICAL that you respond.

Prepared by Terry McNinch, NLTAPA President 04/05

Attachment C

Clearinghouse Advisory Committee Update during the National LTAP Association Business Meeting - Sunday, July 24, 2005 in Dubuque, Iowa

It has been my pleasure to serve on the Clearinghouse Advisory Committee this past year and as the liaison to the NLTAPA Executive Committee. Here is an update on recent Clearinghouse Activities:

1. Development and presentation of LTAP 101 -- LTAP 101 was held yesterday (Saturday) and the feedback has been very positive - There were 65 attendees and 2/3 of these individuals were new LTAP staff members. A new "Directors Roundtable" session was included.
2. The Clearinghouse and Advisory Committee coordinated the Communications Track at the National Conference which included: Trading Pages; Center Advisory Committees at Work; Making the Most of New Software; Using Acrobat Effectively; Copyright issues in Cyberspace; E-Mail Etiquette
3. The Clearinghouse continues to offer Knowledge Roundtables throughout the year. We encourage centers to submit topics of interest and suggestions for session leaders. If you are unable to participate in a roundtable, contact the Clearinghouse and they can provide you with a CD.
4. The Clearinghouse been actively facilitating the National Product Development process with the following activities: Focus Group of LTAP Centers to discuss product needs. A product development report was sent to all centers; Development and facilitation of two specific product development groups: Low Cost Safety Improvements, Signs and Pavement Markings
5. An finally, the Clearinghouse Advisory Committee will be transitioning into a Steering Committee structure with project work groups, look for more information soon about how your staff may have opportunities to participate in these group.

Attachment D

NACE Partnership

The value of the partnership with the National Association of County Engineers can be seen in the number of actives that we have been involved in together.

1. Advocate: Anthony Giancola Executive Director was able to work with NLTAPA to enable the organization and the Centers be better communicate and educate FHWA, Congress and other stakeholder in and outside our organization. His advocacy to his partners and congress has allowed those organizations to better understand our program. This activity is winding down but the value will be felt for years.
2. Safety Circuit Rider: In a meeting with FHWA, NACE introduced the idea to the FHWA's Office of Safety that the Local agencies need a Safety Circuit Rider program that would enable the LTAPs to provide assistance and education to the local agencies in safety techniques and practices to reduce the number of Crashes on the local system. This was a conversation that began the Safety Circuit Riders program that currently is providing that support in five Centers and with the help of this partnership will grow to more Centers.
3. AASHTO Anti-Icing and Deicing CBT: As part of a pooled funded project NACE assisted in the development of a self-paced computer program, which trains technicians and manager of Maintenance shops the proper procedures and aspects of Anti-Icing and Deicing. NACE has worked out an agreement by which the LTAP community has received a copy of this program and will be able to provide this valued training.
4. Presenter at the NACE Conference: The North Dakota LTAP assisted the NACE Chapter in organizing the NACE annual meeting in Bismarck April 16th to 21, 2005. Terry McNinch spoke to the Board of Director of NACE about the LTAP program and resources within our organization. Don Anderson organized and was one of the facilitators along with other LTAPs for the lunch session on Wednesday.
5. Attendees from LTAP to the NACE Conference: Nine LTAPer where registered and attended the NACE Conference in Bismarck this year.

Attachment E

TO: National LTAP Association members
FROM: Lisa Harris (KS LTAP), LTAP-APWA Partnership Liaison
CC: Ann Daniels, APWA
DATE: July 18, 2005
RE: Update on LTAP-APWA Partnership

Summary

The National LTAP Association's partnership with APWA has been active at both the local and national levels since the last written report to the members in January 2004. This report will:

1. outline what has been accomplished on the official action points in our partnership agreement;
2. share what LTAP Centers have recently reported about how they interact with APWA; and
3. include examples of partnership-related documents provided by Centers.

In short, NTLAPA and its member Centers have had significant interaction with APWA national and chapters in the last 18 months that have passed since the last written partnership report to NLTAPA members. These interactions are helping each association better promote their programs and are helping the local entities (centers and chapters) save time and money through collaborations. LTAP and APWA are also learning more, overall, about each other's programs and what we each offer local agencies.

Because of these benefits, I recommend: a) continuing the partnership, updating the action points as needed, b) that NTLAPA become more directly involved in soliciting LTAP participation in APWA committees, and c) that APWA and NLTAPA work together to develop a reporting and evaluation mechanism for the partnership that meets the needs of both associations. Further, I suggest NLTAPA explore with APWA the possibility of collaborating on developing new training products, ensuring both organizations benefit from these efforts. Below are the action points contained in the partnership's signed agreement. Following each item is an update (in italics).

Partnership Goals and Action Points, with Updates

Goal 1--To stay familiar with each other's programs:

• APWA to attend LTAP's annual conference: APWA's current president, Robert Freudenthal, will attend the Dubuque conference and will speak during the plenary session featuring LTAP partners.
• LTAP to attend APWA's annual Congress: NLTAPA's president will be attending the Congress in Minneapolis. NLTAPA will present a session at Congress about how LTAPs help local agencies.
• Have discussion about how each group can participate meaningfully at these events: We have had this discussion and we are seeing some results. NLTAPA felt the best use of the Association's time at Congress would be to do a presentation highlighting how we help locals. APWA has given us that opportunity this year. APWA has said that the most value for them in attending our conference would be an opportunity to educate the LTAP community about a service or product they provide that would be of interest to us and our customers. They will be touching on that this year, as part of their presentation in Dubuque, but I suggest that the planning committee of the 2006 LTAP conference specifically invite APWA to give a presentation about one if its products at that conference.

Goal 2--To help encourage growth and awareness of each other's programs:

• LTAP to promote APWA programs to LTAP customers: LTAP promotes APWA through newsletters and Web sites. In a recent poll on T2ALL, several Centers reported doing this (see Attachment A). NTLAPA also sent a notice on T2ALL asking Centers to promote APWA's annual snow conference through their Web sites and listserves. NLTAPA has asked for that information earlier next time, to allow for the most effective promotion of the event.
• LTAP to submit one or two articles in 2004 about LTAP to Bridges (a publication for APWA chapter leaders) to highlight center/chapter partnerships. One article was submitted and published in Bridges in 2004, about center/chapter interaction in Wyoming. Other Centers have offered to write articles, and we should pursue this.
• LTAP to submit one or two articles in 2004 to the APWA Reporter (600-1200 words) to generally promote LTAP. One article was submitted and published in the APWA Reporter in 2004. Iowa LTAP wrote an article for the July 2004 issue on what an LTAP Center does. I suggest that NTLAPA identify a few more topics for articles and ensure they are written and submitted.
• LTAP to submit a proposal for a "guaranteed session" for APWA Congress. Terry McNinch submitted a proposal this year on behalf of NTLAPA. It was accepted. Deadline is Sept. 30 for the 2006 Congress. I encourage NTLAPA to submit another proposal. This is an excellent opportunity to educate our customers about LTAP best practices.
• LTAP or APWA to submit to the LTAP Clearinghouse an update on APWA/LTAP partnering activities for Inside LTAP and/or LTAP Journal. Still to do. This report can be condensed for that purpose.

Goal 3--To participate in each other's programs or create joint programs:

• APWA to invite LTAP to participate in developing APWA programs for local highway agencies. (CL&L is a current example.) Dan Cady, Iowa LTAP, is on APWA's education committee that helps develop their education programs.
• LTAP reps to submit letter of interest to serve on APWA committees. Possible committees are transportation, operations, emergency management, and education. Besides being on the national education committee, Cady is also on APWA's Buildings and Grounds national subcommittee. I suggest that NTLAPA identify other well-qualified individuals within LTAP and encourage them to serve on APWA committees. Deadline each year is 2/14. We currently do not have any action points for Goal 3 at the local level, even though there is a lot happening in this area (see Attachment A). I suggest NTLAPA work with APWA to develop a list of best practices for center-chapter collaboration and outline the benefits of such activities. This could be shared with centers and chapters and serve to inspire collaborations where none currently exist.

Enclosures:

• Attachment A: Results of July 2005 poll of LTAP Centers on their interaction with APWA National and APWA Chapters
• Attachment B: Article on Roadsoft GIS
• Attachment C: Partnership agreement between ND LTAP and ND Chapter APWA
• Attachment D: Minnesota LTAP e-announcement about Click Listen and Learns
• Attachment E: Minnesota flyer for "Futures Day" for college students

Attachment A: Results of July 2005 Poll of LTAP Centers on Their Interaction with APWA National and APWA Chapters

• From Michigan: The Fall 2004 Issue of the Great Lakes Reporter (MI APWA) had a 3-page article and full color graphics on "Roadway Asset Management for cities and counties in Michigan: RoadSoft GIS, a solution for local agencies, by local agencies." (see Attachment B). Roadsoft GIS is a product of the Michigan LTAP. The article included a sidebar about the services provided by MI LTAP, in addition to RoadSoft.
• From Louisiana: We've hosted a couple of Click, Listen and Learn sessions with APWA members including one of fleet management and the upcoming traffic calming program.
• From Utah: Utah has a great partnership with our Utah APWA Chapter. We are involved in the following activities: The Utah LTAP hosts the Utah APWA Chapter website and make updates and changes deemed necessary, upon request. The Utah LTAP is warehouse for the APWA Standard Specifications and Plans books. We take orders, maintain a database and distribute manuals. The Utah LTAP also promotes the LTAP program at APWA conferences and workshops (display, booth, etc). The Utah LTAP center promotes Utah APWA Chapter activities & events in our quarterly newsletter "On the Move." A member of Utah APWA Chapter serves on the Utah LTAP Center Advisory Board. The Utah LTAP often speaks at Utah APWA Chapter events. The last time we spoke, all four of the LTAP staff did a presentation at the August 2004? APWA Utah Chapter Monthly Meeting on what the LTAP Center can do for you. Utah LTAP's director, Doyt Bolling, conducted a seminar on "Introduction to Construction Inspection" at a national APWA event in Las Vegas in Spring 2005. Bolling also received the APWA Award of Merit in 2003.
• From Nebraska: We are working with our APWA chapter on the upgrade to a Web site we created for them 3 years ago but was not posted. We hope to post it in the next year. We are hosting the CLL sessions for 2005 at our Lincoln Training Facility at the request of the Chapter President. We are promoting APWA courses or activities in our LTAP newsletter. We asked their chapter representative to consider a regular column in our newsletter. Our APWA chapter is promoting LTAP in their publications. We are still working with the chapter to develop a consistent newsletter to promote all partners. We provide presentations and coordination at the chapter state meeting every year, and we coordinate and assist with the yearly Snow Plow Rodeo) An LTAP Staff member served two terms on the Chapter's executive board; not currently on. Two APWA state chapter members are on Nebraska's LTAP Advisory Board now; one has been for over 12 years. Nebraska's LTAP Director is a member of the National APWA Education Committee and is an ad hoc member of the national APWA Buildings & Grounds subcommittee.
• From Arkansas: An APWA member serves on our LTAP advisory board - Ronny Loe, who is past president of the local APWA Arkansas Chapter, and who is still very active in all APWA planning and established events. He is also the Assistant Public Works Director for the City of Little Rock. We normally had the president of the local chapter on our committee, but they change presidents each year, so we decided to make Loe a permanent member, since he is so involved with the organization. We promote APWA activities in our LTAP newsletter, including the Arkansas Chapter's Spring Conference. We also speak at APWA chapter functions.
• From Kentucky: Kentucky LTAP and Kentucky Chapter APWA (KCAPWA) have a strong partnership as evidenced by: KyLTAP's director serves on the state chapter APWA Board of Directors. KyLTAP's training manager is an active member of the Bluegrass Branch and serves on its executive committee. KCAPWA employs KyLTAP to manage its Web site, publish its newsletter, and facilitate the development of a KCAPWA strategic plan. KCAPWA hosted the hospitality suite at the Region #4 LTAP meeting held in Lexington. KyLTAP assists with the advertising and management of the KCAPWA Annual Conference. KyLTAP manages mailing lists for the KCAPWA. This close cooperation/collaboration is mutually beneficial and strengthens both programs.
• From South Carolina: Two LTAP staff members went on a "road trip" with Holt Hopkins who is a member of our advisory board and also an APWA Chapter president. We promoted both LTAP and APWA at nine different locations in upstate SC.
• From Kansas: The Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas LTAPs jointly funded and provided staffing at the APWA North American Snow Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, April 17-20, 2005. Kansas LTAP staffed at vendor table with free publications and participated in the Annual Kansas Chapter Meeting. Kansas LTAP staff serve on a Kansas Chapter APWA committee that has been assigned the task of developing a road scholar program for Kansas municipalities. Several APWA members serve on our LTAP advisory committee, including the current Kansas Chapter president. We promote APWA major APWA chapter meetings and roadeos, chapter roundtables, Congress, and Click, Listen and Learn session in the KUTC Newsletter. We published the following articles in the KUTC Newsletter: "Public service tips from APWA Congress" in Fall 2004 issue, "Recommended resources on public involvement and education" in Fall 2004, which included APWA publications, and "Integrity is the core of public works competence" in Summer 2004, about APWA's core competencies.
• From New Hampshire: Kathy DesRoches is on the program committee for the NE Chapter of the APWA. She is also involved in the 2010 conference (which is the early planning stages).
• From North Dakota: We at North Dakota LTAP have a formal partnership agreement with the ND State Chapter of APWA (Attachment C). We make a technical presentation at their annual State conference. APWA pays the exhibitor's fee for our table-top display that we set up at their annual conference. - We advertise the APWA Click, Listen and Learn courses in our Center newsletter. At least one of the Center's Advisory Committee members is also a member of APWA and the State Chapter.
• From Florida: For the past year Jim Smith has been the Santa Fe Branch Chair Person. Gib Peaslee has been on the State Executive Board as Education Chair. - LTAP has exhibited at the APWA State Convention every year for the last 10. We sponsored session presenters at the State Convention (3 sessions this year). We offer information on the click-listen and learn seminars in our newsletter.
• From Oregon: In Oregon, the T2 Center (LTAP) works very closely with the Oregon Chapter of the APWA, generally through an intermediary, Events Solutions Incorporated (ESI), an event coordinator. ESI handles all of the Oregon APWA Chapter events except for the Spring and Fall Chapter meetings. Through ESI, the T2 Center generally focuses on Goal 3 of the NLTAPA Partnership agreement, that being: To participate in each other's programs or create joint programs. Following are some ways that we currently work with the Oregon Chapter of the APWA in furthering Goal 3: The Oregon T2 and the APWA annually co-sponsor both a Spring and a Fall "Street Maintenance and Collection Systems" school. These two schools have been continuously offered since 1987. They provide 2 1/2 days of training, with two training tracks for street maintenance attendees and two training tracks for the collection systems attendees. Attendance at the last two schools were 172 and 176 respectively. The Oregon T2 and the APWA also co-sponsor a two day "Safety in Public Works" conference. The conference was held annually from 1986 through 2002 and is now held every other year. The last conference was held in November of 2004 with approximately 80 attendees. - For the previous two years, the T2 Center and APWA have co-sponsored a two day "Preventive Maintenance for Roadway Surfaces" class. The attendance at the last one in March was approximately 134. For all of these classes and training events, the T2 Center assists in developing the agenda, publishes the advertising flyers and also assists in publishing material for the activity. We are currently contemplating assisting the Oregon Chapter in sponsoring other training events. Other activities that may fit in with Goals 1 and 2 as well as Goal 3 of the partnership are The T2 Center advertises all of the local APWA chapter classes and other meetings and sessions of the "Click, Listen and Learn" in our newsletter and on our Web site. The APWA advertises our courses and other Oregon DOT training on the Chapter Web site. The Oregon Chapter newsletter recently included an article on one of our "Street Maintenance and Collection Systems" schools. Two representatives from the T2 Center usually attend the spring APWA Oregon Chapter meeting and the T2 Center sponsors an exhibit at the meeting. T2 Center representatives are also on the Oregon Chapter's education committee that meets at the Spring and Fall Chapter meetings.
• From Minnesota: Minnesota LTAP sends an "LTAP E-Announcement" out to advertise the APWA Click, Listen and Learn Sessions (Attachment D). We are also helping to promote the International APWA Congress this fall. Attached is a flyer for "Futures Day" -- a one-time event designed for college students interested in Engineering, Public Administration, Planning, Construction and Technology fields (Attachment E). Two MPWA (Minnesota Public Works Association) members are on our Steering Committee for the MN LTAP Program. MN LTAP co-sponsors two maintenance and training expos per year that reaches approx. 2500 maintenance workers. MN LTAP is a representative on the MPWA's Training and Education Sub-Committee.
• From Illinois: Kevin Burke serves on the Illinois Chapter APWA executive board. We publish the Illinois Chapter's newsletter. We advertise the Chapter's branch meetings, snow roadeo, annual conference, and 2006 NA Snow Conference in our newsletter. We partner to offer training courses for Chicago Chapter members, assist with their annual expo training courses, and advertise any upcoming events.
• From Montana: For the past 16 years, Montana LTAP and APWA have partnered to create the Equipment Operator Training and Snow Rodeo Conference in Great Falls, Montana. In addition to designing and mailing out the brochure for this event, Montana LTAP has placed notice in the quarterly newsletter under the Calendar of Events and also placed notice on the Web site. In the Fall 2004 newsletter issue, Montana LTAP wrote a five-page article with photos of this event. Montana LTAP presented equipment operator training on the first day, along with a half-day presentation on safety issues. The second day was handled by the APWA, where equipment operators competed on five different types of large equipment through various courses, took a written test, and reviewed faulty equipment. Over the past year, other APWA notices and information were posted in the Montana LTAP newsletters and on the LTAP Web site, as well as being sent out on the listserv to Montana cities and counties: APWA Western Snow & Ice Conference & National Show Roadeo, APWA Rocky Mountain Chapter Spring Conference, 2005 APWA North American Snow Conference, 2005 APWA Congress, and Annual APWA National Snow and Ice Conference & National Show Roadeo. -Steve Jenkins, Montana LTAP Director, presented a full-day program to the 2004 APWA Annual Rocky Mountain Chapter Fall Conference, held in West Yellowstone, MT. His field engineer, Sam Gianfrancisco, assisted him with the presentation.
• From Pennsylvania: LTAP staff speak at chapter events in PA about six times a year. For example, in Summer 2005, LTAP gave a presentation on the MUTCD and on retroreflectivity. All LTAP instructors are APWA members.
• From West Virginia: The WV LTAP co-sponsored an APWA luncheon meeting during the WV Construction EXPO in March in Charleston, WV. The meeting's purpose was to revitalize the WV Chapter of APWA. Speakers included Noel Thompson, APWA's Regional Director from Louisville, KY and Bob Browell, APWA Chapter Services Manager from Kansas City, MO. The WV LTAP offered to provide an "APWA Corner" in their quarterly LTAP newsletter. After the meeting, the LTAP Center's Manager, Mike Blankenship, agreed to serve as President-elect for the state chapter in 2006.

Attachment B: Article on Roadsoft GIS

Attachment C: Partnership agreement between ND LTAP and ND Chapter APWA

Attachment D: Minnesota LTAP e-announcement about Click Listen and Learns

Attachment E: Minnesota flyer for "Futures Day" for college students

Attachment F

Report to LTAP Executive Committee AASHTO Partnership Activities

March 15, 2005
Technology Implementation Group Activities: Doyt Bolling participated in the AASHTO TIG Meeting March 10-11, 2005. Advised Group that LTAP Centers were prepared to play a proactive role in the promotion, delivery, and implementation of the TIG cited technologies and products at the state and local agency levels, and within the transportation industry. Doyt Bolling and Jeremy Fissel drafted an article to be used in the LTAP & TTAP Centers' newsletters promoting the TIG partnership efforts and the technologies and products that are currently ready for implementation. This article has been emailed to all LTAP & TTAP Centers for their use in their respective newsletters and technology promotion and implementation efforts. The current list of technologies and products identified under the TIG program are listed as follows along with each Lead State responsible for their promotion and implementation:

• Accelerated Construction - Pennsylvania DOT
• Prefabricated Bridge Elements - Texas DOT
• ITS for Work Zones -. Maryland DOT & North Carolina DOT
• Air Voids Analyzer - Kansas DOT
• Global Positioning Systems - North Carolina DOT
• Fiber Reinforced Polymer Wrapping Aluminum Overhead Sign Structure Trusses - New York DOT
• Thermal Image Safety Screening for Commercial Vehicle Brakes - Pennsylvania DOT
• Road Safety Audits - Iowa DOT, South Carolina DOT, NACE, & LTAP Centers
• Cable Median Barriers - North Carolina DOT
• Virtual Weigh Stations - South Dakota DOT

The associated potential benefits from use of these technologies are improved highway safety, construction cost and time-savings, improved productivity and enhanced quality, road user cost savings. Detailed information on each of these technologies can be obtained from AASHTO TIG website (http://tig.transportation.org/).

The LTAP Program has been cited in the TIG Action Plan as a key player in the delivery of these technologies and products. There is a need within the TIG Program of activities to provide assistance in the manning of the TIG Booth at various meetings, conferences, and industry shows. Since there is a LTAP Center or TTAP located in every state, I suggested that the respective Center in which state the meetings/conferences are be contacted to provide assistance in this regard. This was well received by the TIG Task Group. With the LTAP Associations blessings I will advise each Center of this need and the opportunities to be of assistance.

In addition, I advised the TIG Task Group that a number of Centers are very active in promoting and using several of the above cited technologies (GPS & GIS, ITS in Work Zones, Road Safety Audits, Safety Barriers, & etc.). With respective to this, I am of the opinion we should conduct a survey of Centers promotion and use of these technologies and prepare a brief report on Centers activities and efforts. This would document our commitment to the AASHTO Partnership and register well with AASHTO. With the Associations concurrence I will conduct such a survey and prepare a report and give to the TIG task Group.

During the meeting a presentation was given by Byron Lord of the FHWA Program entitled, "Highways for Life", that is being launched. This program addresses and is designed to provide resources to promote new methods and technologies in the focus areas of highway safety, workforce development, infra-structure preservation and asset management, traffic operations. This is a program that we can also play an instrumental role. In discussing the program with Bryon Lord, he acknowledged the opportunity for LTAP to become intimately involved. Further, we will be given opportunity to identify and recommend new technologies and products for promotion and implementation under the TIG Program.

Attachment G

National LTAP Association Operational Structure

July 19, 2005

The National Local Technical Assistance Program Association (NLTAPA) is an independent, not for profit, organization comprised of all 58 LTAP and TTAP Centers in the US and its territories. NLTAPA member Centers are represented by an Executive Committee (EC) composed of ten members, one from each of the ten geographical regions. Executive Committee members are elected by the Centers in each region and serve a term of three years. The officers of the Association are the President, Secretary and Treasurer. Both the President and Secretary are nominated by the Executive Committee, elected by the Centers, and serve one year terms. The Treasurer is selected from the general membership of the NLTAPA.

The EC works on behalf of the NLTAPA members in the six primary focus areas: Leadership, Partnerships, Internal Communications, External Communications, Training Needs and Resource Development, and Professional Development. Each EC member or team of EC members is responsible for identifying the specific objectives under each focus area, prioritizing these objectives, and then developing a work plan and budget. The six focus area work plans & budgets are negotiated into a single Work Plan and presented to the NLTAPA members during the Annual NLTAPA General Business Meeting at the National LTAP Conference.

Once this work plan has been validated by the member Centers, the responsible EC member(s) develop a work group to accomplish the tasks and ensure that the work being done addresses the needs of the member Centers. The EC member(s) will also be responsible for keeping the Executive Committee and the member Centers informed of work group activities and progress. The goal of this structure is to create line responsibility for activities and reporting within the EC and to provide a vehicle for increased Center involvement.

The focus areas are defined as follows along with the responsible EC member(s):

• Leadership - Act in an advisory capacity to FHWA and internal Program Stakeholders to identify Program needs, devise Program initiatives, and communicate Program accomplishments. (NLTAPA President);
• Partnerships - Develop, nurture and evaluate national and international NLTAPA business partnerships that benefit member Centers. (Marie Walsh and Terry McNinch);
• Internal Communications - Ensure communication and collaboration between the Association and the Centers, and among the Centers. (Chris Ahmadjian and Lisa Harris);
• External Communications - Represent Centers to FHWA, our external partners, elected officials ,national associations and the transportation community. (NLTAPA President, NLTAPA Secretary, Terry McNinch, and Chris Ahmadjian);
• Training Product Needs & Resource Development - Determine LTAP/TTAP training product needs, identify existing training product resources and recommend training product and resource development strategies. (Ed Stellfox and Evan Hong);
• Professional Development - Provide opportunities for Centers to improve internal staff and trainer capacity. (Jim Burati and Linda Howe-Steiger).

Focus Area Details

Leadership: Act in an advisory capacity to FHWA and internal Program Stakeholders to identify Program needs, devise Program initiatives, and communicate Program accomplishments. (NLTAPA President)

1. NLTAPA President and Centers participate as members of the Strategic Planning Committee (SPC).
2. Advise FHWA and other Program shareholders on Program and Center needs and recommend initiatives.
3. Represent the member Centers to other national associations and groups within the transportation community.

Partnerships: Develop, nurture and evaluate national and international NLTAPA business partnerships that benefit member Centers. (Marie Walsh and Terry McNinch)

1. Leverage the relationship to the benefits to both parties.
   1. Appoint dedicated Partnership Liaisons and provide them with the resources to implement the agreements.
2. Communicate the benefits of the partnerships through annual evaluation and accomplishment reports.

Internal Communications: Ensure communication and collaboration between NLTAPA and the Centers, and among the member Centers. (Lisa Harris and Chris Ahmadjian)

1. Collect best practices in workshop content, workshop presentation, publications, alternative funding arrangements, and Center performance reporting.
2. Present an annual report to the membership at the summer meeting that highlights NLTAPA work in progress and accomplishments.
3. Develop an internal marketing strategy to better communicate NLTAPA needs and successes.
4. Create meaningful face-to-face meetings for LTAP Centers and the overall Program by focusing the agendas on the needs of the centers, their customer base, and key Program issues.
5. Provide mentoring for new NLTAPA Executive Committee members.

External Communications: Represent Centers to FHWA, our external partners, elected officials, national associations and the transportation community. (NLTAPA President and Secretary, Terry McNinch, and Chris Ahmadjian)

1. Market the LTAP program by developing a national brand (e.g. product development showcases, etc.).
2. Develop promotional materials that communicate the accomplishments and benefits of the LTAP Program.
3. Educate decision makers via face-to-face visits and authored materials.

Training Product Needs & Resource Development: Determine collective LTAP/TTAP training product needs, identify existing training product resources and recommend training product and resource development strategies. (Ed Stellfox and Evan Hong)

1. Work with member Centers, FHWA, NHI, DOTs, the Clearinghouse and NLTAPA Partners to identify training needs and existing training resources.
2. Work with the Clearinghouse to compile and distribute information on existing training courses that satisfy identified Center needs.
3. Work with member Centers, FHWA, NHI, DOTs and NLTAPA Partners to identify training development expertise in areas of the established training needs.

Professional Development: Provide opportunities for Centers to improve internal staff and trainer capacity. (Jim Burati and Linda Howe-Steiger)

1. Identify professional development needs of the Centers and coordinate training opportunities to meet those needs. Develop a list of core competencies (for center staff and trainers) based on the FHWA, LTAP/TTAP National Program tasks
2. Develop and manage a peer mentoring program.
3. Administer the NLTAPA awards program.

This Operational Structure was prepared by the NLTAPA Executive Committee.