Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
January 21, 2007

Attendees: Lisa Harris, KS-LTAP; Patsy Anderson, KY-LTAP; Bruce Drewes, ID-LTAP; Ed Stellfox, MD-LTAP; Bernie Alkire, MI-TTAP; Janet Leli, NJ-LTAP; Marie Walsh, LA-LTAP; George Huntington, WY-LTAP; Jim Grothaus, MN-LTAP; Joe Toole, FHWA; Clark Martin, FHWA; Cameron Ishaq, FHWA

Lisa Harris called the meeting to order at 10:17 am.

Joe Toole, Associate Administrator for the FHWA's Office of Professional Development (OPCD), spoke to the group, affirming the FHWA's commitment to its partnership with NLTAPA.

Business meeting final plans were made.

Plans for commemoration of Lisa Pogue's service to LTAP was described by Anderson and Martin.

International activities and their importance to the FHWA OPCD were described by Martin and Toole.

The Transportation Curriculum Coordinating Council (TCCC) pooled fund was described by Martin. He stated that the TCCC does not seek NLTAPA's financial support, but rather they want our participation. Walsh asked what participation meant; Clark said they want a local perspective on their efforts, and help determining their scope of work and identifying curriculum needs. Harris and Stellfox said it was important to get more information about TCCC from Chris Newman, FHWA. Stellfox suggested Newman be involved with NLTAPA's Training Product Needs and Resource Development workgroup.

The NLTAPA governing structure was briefly discussed and it was concluded that we need to be sure the NLTAPA general membership and the EC are on the same page.

NLTAPA budget. Anderson moved and Leli seconded that the association budget shall be approved by the EC and forwarded to the members for approval as submitted by Harris; the motion passed unanimously.

The APWA Education Summit was discussed and it was concluded that ten LTAP Center representatives will attend the Summit in Denver, March 29-30, 2007, with FHWA paying for six and NLTAPA paying for four. Martin, Walsh, and Dan Cady (NE-LTAP and NLTAPA liaison to APWA), will select attendees to the Summit. The EC unanimously approved this plan.

The Nominating Committee proposal was discussed and Anderson said she would present it at the General Business meeting.

The Pan-American Institute of Highways (PIH) meeting was mentioned and Ben Collucci, PR-LTAP, said that, though they wanted to, they could not host the PIH HQ for legal reasons. Ben said he hopes to host the PIH HQ in the future.

Plans were made for Interactive Discussions at the business meeting. Walsh, Terry McNinch, and Stuart Thompson will discuss LTAP participation in SAFETEA-LU programs and Drewes will discuss the ATSSA Work Zone Safety grant.

The Work Plan Process and Timing was discussed. Walsh moved and Stellfox seconded that the draft process submitted by Anderson and Grothaus be approved with the following changes: a) work group budget numbers will be completed as part of this effort, and b) the FHWA OPCD will be involved in the process to ensure funding opportunities. The motion passed unanimously.

A recent FHWA survey on local aid was discussed by Toole and others. Toole said that the OPCD has a new responsibility to audit and review local federal aid projects, and that they would like to get the NHI's Federal Aid 101 course out to the locals. Dan Cady pointed out that NACE and NACO should be involved. Walsh pointed out that States control the funds for local aid and there fore they drive the program and implementation. Alkire raised the issue of how the program is administered for the TTAPs; Toole agreed that this needs to be determined.

Dick Hanneman of the Salt Institute gave the EC details of his presentation planned for the business meeting.

Long-term goals for the Association were briefly discussed, along with the progress of related, ongoing efforts.

Lisa Harris adjourned the meeting at 12:03 pm.

Notes by Cameron Ishaq, edited by George Huntington.