Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
March 13, 2006

Call to order 2:30 PM Eastern Time

Present: Patsy Anderson, Terry McNinch, Marie B. Walsh, George Huntington, Linda Howe-Steiger, Bruce Drewes, Clark Martin, FHWA OPCD; Gib Peaslee, FHWA OPCD; Lisa Pogue, LTAP Clearinghouse

Absent: Lisa Harris, Ed Stellfox, Christopher J. Ahmadjian, Duane Smith

President Bruce Drewes called the meeting to order at 2:43 p.m. EST. Bruce was asked to remove Evan Hong off distribution list, Bruce has called Ron Hall to see about a replacement for Evan.

Approve agenda - Approved
Approve minutes of January 22-23, 2006 EC meetings - Waived reading of minutes (moved by Patsy Anderson, seconded by Terry McNinch), minutes were approved

Continuing Business

Vendor guidelines - Members have given feedback to Duane, Duane was not on the call so this topic was postponed.

National LTAP Conference Planning - Terry McNinch presented a proposed structure for the conference planning committee. EC discussed committee membership, especially the conference coordinator role and how it related to composition of EC. EC will get input from regions on the conference coordinator role as it relates to propose changes in the volunteer leadership structure.

National Program Achievement Award (aka Ray Griffith Award) - Linda Howe-Steiger has sent nomination forms out via T2All with a deadline of April 15. She urged EC members to remind centers in their regions to submit nominations. Since no one on the EC had received her e-mail, she will check up on the sending of the form.

Work Group Reports

• Program Strategies - Bruce Drewes met with a work group (Terry McNinch - Michigan, Cheri Marti - Minnesota, Leonard Brown - Ohio and Ron Hall - Colorado TTAP) to discuss a new structure for the EC. He will submit a working document to the workgroup and, after their review, to the EC. The legal group looking into the 501 (c) (3) filing is looking for the state where the original application was filed. Bruce will meet with Clark Martin (FHWA) to discuss draw downs from the LTAP/TTAP authorization and what additional SAFETEA-LU programs centers can use to supplement their funding.
• Partnerships - Marie Walsh. Update on the development of the partnership work plans - Marie sent a proposed alternative structure to the Advisory Committee on Partnering. When she gets feedback from them she will submit proposes changes to the EC. There will be no separate session on NLTAPA partnerships at the International Symposium as this will be covered in a plenary session. She will have a meeting of the ACP on NLTAPA partnership at the International Symposium.
• Internal Communications - This was postponed until the next meeting.
• External Communications - Terry McNinch reported that the new logos have been posted on the Program Web site. He will meet in DC on March 23rd to discuss reauthorization strategies.
• Training Products and Resources - George Huntington reported on a conference call on Feb 17th. John Anderson presented a format using PowerPoint to customize presentations. Doyt Bolling will coordinate with the Transportation Curriculum Coordinating Council (TCCC) on this new format. The workgroup asked if funds would be available to send John to the International Symposium. The EC urged the workgroup to continue to coordinate with others and not duplicate efforts. Gib Peaslee (FHWA OPCD) announced that an Internet-based math course will be available from NHI. Clark Martin announced that the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) is considering proposals, including an AASHTO transportation training clearinghouse, a T2 toolbox and workforce development.
• Professional Development - Linda Howe-Steiger reported that workgroup member Leonard Brown is on the LTAP 101 Committee. The workgroup is personally surveying each center to gather information to develop professional develop plan. The group will ask about the structure of the center and its relationship to parent institution; what professional development resources are available; the function and assignments of staff and outsourcing; long term career aspirations of center directors, what can NLTAPA can do to mentor and develop new directors; and what professional development resources would be most useful. Linda will report on the results and the award nominations at the May EC meeting in May.

FHWA-National Update

Clark Martin (FHWA OPCD) reported that FHWA is reviewing the Program Assessment Reports (PAR) and Center Assessment Report (CAR). They are looking at trends and themes from a program perspective; compiling best practices from centers mentioned in the CARs and will contact each center director and respond to concerns noted in the CARs. The Roles and Responsibilities group will meet again to resolve issues sometime in May, early July or meet at International Symposium. Potential issues include the LTAP/TTAP annual conference, the LTAP Clearinghouse and program promotion. Bruce is planning a session on the Strategic Planning Committee at the International Symposium, which will discuss the PAR and CAR. The RFP for the LTAP/TTAP Clearinghouse is out and FHWA will review proposals. EC members were urged to send Clark their comments on the Clearinghouse.

LTAP Clearinghouse Update - Lisa Pogue updated the EC on sending out products - the clearinghouse has not received the Idaho Snow and Ice CBT and has distributed the Minnesota DVD, "Gravel Road Maintenance: Meeting the Challenge." The clearinghouse has been very active in developing the program for the International Symposium.

New Business

Report any personnel changes in LTAP Centers in the last month - Lance Meredith is the new Safety Circuit Rider in Kentucky; Cheri Marti is taking on more of a role at the Center for Transportation Studies; Donna Shea has taken another position and will be leaving the LTAP program in May.

Assess interest in becoming an officer in 2006-2007 - Bruce Drewes urged EC members to let him know if they are interested in assuming leadership positions on the EC.

Who is attending the NACE conference in April and are you doing a presentation at the conference? - Bruce Drewes will attend and Terry McNinch, with Tim Colling, will do a presentation.

April telephone conference call, should the date be moved? - The next conference call is scheduled for April 17th at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Minutes submitted by Lisa Pogue