Memo of Understanding [MOU]

download Memo of Understanding | revised 2015

METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE MACON AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY BETWEEN

The Macon-Bibb County Consolidated Government, the County of Jones, the County of Monroe, the Macon Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission, the Middle Georgia Regional Commission (RC), the MTA (Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority), and the Georgia Department of Transportation in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation,
RELATIVE TO

The continuing, comprehensive, cooperative urban transportation planning process known as the “Macon Area Transportation Study” (MATS).
I. IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE PARTIES:

That the Macon Area Transportation Study is to:

Maintain a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process to meet the requirements as defined in Code of Federal Register Part 450 that results in plans and programs consistent with comprehensively planned development of the urbanized
Prepare an annual unified work program for each fiscal year that provides work elements that describe the work to be done in that fiscal year, funding allocations by work elements, and sources of funding.
Update and revise the 25 Year Long Range Transportation Plan, to create a fiscally feasible transportation system that integrates thoroughfare development, public mass transportation, airport facilities, rail systems, multi-modal facilities, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and transportation enhancements; and reflects consideration of the area’s comprehensive land-use plan and overall social, economic, environmental, and energy conservation plans, goals and objectives.
Prepare a four-year Transportation Improvement Program for projects that have been funded and that are in the Long-Range Transportation
Create a functional relationship between transportation planning and development within the MPO area.
Maintain the data obtained in the original data collection phase of the study and any pertinent data collected thereafter on a current level so that existing and forthcoming recommendations may be evaluated and updated
Produce all documents and studies that are necessary to maintain a Certified Transportation Planning Process. This will include a Participation/Involvement Plan to obtain public input from all segments of the
Be in accordance with the intent, procedures, and programs of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that the areas of responsibility of the aforementioned counties, municipalities, and government agencies shall lie within the Metropolitan Area Boundary established by the Policy Committee as the Macon Area Transportation This area includes all of Bibb County including a portion of Jones County, and a portion of Monroe County. The Metropolitan Area Boundary will be reviewed as the Urbanized Area Boundary changes over time as defined by the US Census Bureau.

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Macon Area Transportation Study (MATS) as designated by the Governor of Georgia is the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning The Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission shall have the primary responsibility for carrying out the urban transportation planning process and of developing the Unified Planning Work Programs, the Long Range Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, and a Participation/Involvement Plan at the direction of the Macon Area Transportation Study Policy Committee.

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that the Macon Area Transportation Study (MATS) shall be coordinated by a project director who shall be the Executive Director of the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission or his designee and the staff of said agency shall serve, as staff to the MATS program and process. Additional staff resources may be provided, upon request, from the Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) membership and existing staff resources of the participating agencies and The Project Director shall coordinate all requests under the direction of the MATS Policy Committee.

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that the Macon Area Transportation Study (MATS) Policy Committee shall continue to function to adopt appropriate goals, Participation/Involvement Plan, Unified Planning Work Programs, and Long Range Transportation Plans; and to establish the need, form, and direction of future transportation improvements in the Macon Area Transportation Study The MATS Policy Committee shall be the forum for cooperative decision-making by principal elected and appointed officials of general purpose local government and transportation providers. The individuals representing the government jurisdictions involved in the MATS planning process and other involved agencies shall comprise the Macon Area Transportation Study Policy Committee. The membership shall be enumerated in the MATS Bylaws adopted by the MATS Policy Committee. The MATS Policy Committee is the final authority in the matters of policy and plan adoption for the Macon Area Transportation Study.

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that the committee known as the Macon Area Transportation Study (MATS) Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) shall continue to function to assure the involvement of all operating departments, advisory agencies, and transportation providers concerned with, or affected by, the planning process and subsequent implementation of plans. The MATS Technical Coordinating Committee shall provide technical expertise, determine the technical sufficiency of all MATS reports, and make recommendations to the MATS Policy Committee for their consideration before the MATS Policy Committee officially adopts plans, programs, and policies for the Macon Area Transportation Study. The membership shall be enumerated in the MATS Bylaws for the Technical Coordinating Committee adopted by the MATS Policy Committee.

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that the Macon Area Transportation Study (MATS) Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) shall continue to function as a tool to help provide public participation and involvement input into the transportation planning The Citizens Advisory Committee shall be as representative as possible of all segments of the community. The CAC shall keep the Policy Committee and the Technical Coordinating Committee informed of the various perspectives within the community. The CAC in its advisory capacity functions at the direction of the MATS Policy Committee. The membership and the method of appointing the membership shall be enumerated in the MATS Bylaws for the Citizens Advisory Committee adopted by the Policy Committee.

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that the various committees meet at significant stages in the planning process in accordance with the bylaws adopted for each committee by the MATS Policy

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), only to the extent that it may be bound by contracts which may hereafter be entered into, be responsible for the following:

Provide available maps, aerial photographs, charts, and records as deemed necessary to maintain the study.
Update and maintain travel simulation models for use in evaluating the metropolitan area’s transportation Said models shall be the “official” MATS models. GDOT shall also provide the expertise and computer software for the above mentioned tasks.
Make periodic reviews and evaluations of projected transportation needs; and revisions, when necessary, of the Long Range Transportation Plan.
Aid MATS in preparation of planning-oriented preliminary engineering, rights-of-way, and construction cost estimates where applicable for projects in the MATS 25 Year Long Range Transportation
Provide the local agencies with current information concerning the status of planning implementation of the MATS 25 Year Long Range Transportation Plan and four year Transportation Improvement
Provide Air Quality Modeling and Analysis for the updates of the Long Range Transportation Plan including the Conformity Determination Report to MATS in cooperation with the Georgia Environmental Protection Agency, the US Environmental Protection Agency, ahd the Federal Highway
Coordinate with and assist MATS in addressing changes in Federal transportation planning and Air Quality legislation
Incorporate, without modification, the adopted MATS Transportation Improvement Program into the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP); and coordinate with the MATS Long Range Transportation Plan in the development of the Statewide Transportation Improvement
Annually certify, concurrently with the Macon Area Transportation Study, to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) that the Macon Area Transportation Study’s planning process is addressing the major issues facing the area and is being conducted in accordance with all applicable Federal
Provide various types of traffic count
Provide applicable transit, rail, and aviation
GDOT in cooperation with MATS will coordinate with all participating parties an understanding of the development and amendment process for the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
Provide other assistance as mutually agreed

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission, only to the extent that it may be bound by contracts which may hereafter be entered into, be responsible for the administration of MATS to include the following:

1. Prepare planning-oriented preliminary engineering, right-of-way and construction cost estimates where applicable for projects in the MATS 25 Year Long Range Transportation
2. Update and maintain maps showing existing and proposed land use, and evaluate changes in land uses and developing land use patterns for the future land use plan. This will be based on employment, housing, and population projections developed by MATS in cooperation with the Georgia Department of
3. Review zoning and subdivision requests in accordance with the MATS Long Range Transportation Plan and Comprehensive
4. Provide community development plans as may relate to transportation

Develop and maintain base and projected population, housing, employment, economic, vehicle and land use data by traffic zone and supply information as requested concerning special
Make recommendations for revisions of the MATS 25 Year Long Range Transportation Plan to conform to planning goals, objectives, policies, or
Periodically review traffic zone boundaries and make appropriate recommendations to the MATS Technical Coordinating Committee and cooperate with the Georgia Department of Transportation in revision of said
Provide available maps, aerial photographs, charts, records, and directories to the extent

9. Prepare and publish as necessary, a fiscally constrained 25 Year Long Range Transportation Plan that leads to the development ofan integrated multi-modal system that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods. The Long Range Transportation Plan shall be reviewed and updated every five years in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

Prepare and maintain a financially balanced four year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) which will be updated
Prepare an annual Unified Planning Work Program to document planning activities to be performed in the next fiscal year, in sufficient detail to indicate who will perform the work, the schedule for completion and the products that it will
Prepare quarterly reports and an annual performance report for the comparison of established goals in the Unified Planning Work Program and completed work elements for both FHWA and FTA
Compile, maintain, and document data on existing water, air, motor freight and rail terminal and transfer
Prepare and publish as necessary a Participation/Involvement Plan for the adoption by the MATS Policy Committee which documents how MATS will provide complete information, timely public notices, full public access to key decisions, and support early and continuing involvement of the public in the development of plans and the Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs); and meets the criteria specified in 23 Code of Federal Register Part
Annually certify, concurrently with the Georgia Department of Transportation, to the FHWA and the FTA that the MATS planning process is addressing the major issues facing the area and is being conducted in accordance with all applicable Federal
Continue to coordinate the Macon Area Transportation Study with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission.

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED , that the Macon-Bibb County Consolidated Government within its official jurisdiction, only to the extent that it may be bound by contracts which may hereafter be entered into, be responsible for the following:
1. Maintain records of accidents occurring on the roads and highways by location and description, and maintain these files on a current basis and provide the data to MATS for analysis and
2. Maintain a list of locally funded transportation projects in the local capital improvements program to establish priorities for funding of construction projects in cooperation with the Georgia Department of
3. Aid MATS in developing planning-oriented preliminary engineering, right-of-way and construction cost estimates where applicable for the MATS 25 Year Long Range Transportation Plan.
4. Be responsible for the cooperation with the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission insofar as its authority
5. Coordinate with the MTA (Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority) where

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that the County of Jones within its official jurisdiction, only to the extent that it may be bound by contracts which may hereafter be entered into, be responsible for the following:
1. Allowing and assisting the staff of the MATS or the Middle Georgia Regional Commission to gather planning, building and land use information as it becomes necessary in order to update the plan for the study

Review zoning and subdivision requests in accordance with the MATS Transportation and Land Use Plans.
Maintain records of accidents occurring on the roads and highways by location and description, and maintain these files on a current basis and provide the data to the MPO for analysis and
Aid MATS in developing planning-oriented preliminary engineering, right-of-way and construction cost estimates where applicable for the MATS 25 Year Long Range Transportation
Prepare and maintain a Capital Improvements Program to establish priorities for funding of construction projects in cooperation with the Georgia Department of
Responsible for the cooperation of the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission insofar as its authority extends as it relates to
Coordinate with the MTA (Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority) where

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that the County of Monroe within its official jurisdiction, only to the extent that it may be bound by contracts which may hereafter be entered into, be responsible for the following:
1. Allowing and assisting the staff of the MATS or the Middle Georgia Regional Commission to gather planning, building and land use information as it becomes necessary in order to update the plan for the study
2. Review zoning and subdivision requests in accordance with the MATS Transportation and Land Use Plans.
3. Maintain records of accidents occurring on the roads and highways by location and description, and maintain these files on a current basis and provide the data to the MPO for analysis and
4. Aid MATS in developing planning-oriented preliminary engineering, right-of-way and construction cost estimates where applicable for the MATS 25 Year Long Range Transportation

Prepare and maintain a Capital Improvements Program to establish priorities for funding of construction projects in cooperation with the Georgia Department of
Responsible for the cooperation of the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission insofar as its authority extends as it relates to
Coordinate with the MTA (Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority) where

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that the MTA (Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority), only to the extent that it may be bound by contracts which may hereafter be entered into, will:
1. Provide instructions and directions to the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission as to studies and plans to be conducted on its behalf by the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission, including, but not limited to, corridor and sub-area studies when
2. Make available to the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission any records, documents or information necessary to accomplish the MTA’s (Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority’s) planning objectives and to develop the MATS 25 Year Long Range Transportation Plan and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, the Middle Georgia Regional Commission, only to the extent that it may be bound by contracts which may hereafter be entered into, will:
1. Continue to maintain a regional transportation planning process for areas outside the Macon Area Transportation Study area; and
2. Coordinate said process with the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission and the Macon Area Transportation

XVI. IT IS FURTHER INTENDED, that:

The Macon Area Transportation Study shall be of a continuing, comprehensive, cooperative nature and that all planning decisions shall be reflective of and responsive to the needs and desires of the local communities as well as the programs and requirements of the Georgia Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of
A reappraisal shall be made of the Macon Area Transportation Study whenever there is a significant change in the community’s goals and objectives, land use patterns, or travel characteristics or at least once every four years to meet Federal Air Quality This will be done in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and US Environmental Protection Division.
The participating agencies shall cooperate in all phases of the Macon Area Transportation Study.

Adequate and competent personnel shall be assigned to insure development of adequate and reliable data.

All parties to this agreement shall have access to all study related information developed by the other agencies, including the right to make duplication

This document is Memorandum of Understanding expressing the present intentions of the parties. Nothing contained herein shall require the undertaking of any act, project, study, analysis, or any other activity by any party until a contract for such activity is executed. Nor shall this document require the expenditure of any funds by any party until a contract authorizing such expenditure is executed.

However, nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit any party’s undertaking any act, project, study, analysis, or any other activity which the party is required by law or contract to undertake as part of any other program which fulfills some function shown herein as intended to be performed by the party undertaking such act, project, study, analysis, or activity.

In witness whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Memorandum of Understanding,

Macon Metropolitan Planning Organization

Memo of Understanding [MOU]

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