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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15913 ORD - 11/26/1980AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE'AN AGREE- MENT WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, NUECES AND SAN PATRICIO COUNTIES, AND THE CITY OF PORTLAND, APPROVING THE REVISED CORPUS CHRISTI URBAN TRANSPORTATION STUDY AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH AGREEMENT IS ATTACHED HERETO, MARKED EXHIBIT "A". AND MADE A PART HEREOF FOR ALL PERTINENT PURPOSES: AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. BE IT'ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CORPUS CHRISTI, -.TEXAS: SECTION 1. That the City Manager be and is hereby authorized to execute an agreement with the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, Nueces and San Patricio Counties, and the City of Portland for the purpose of continuing the transportation planning process under the Corpus Christi Urban Transportation Study Agreement, as revised, as more fully set forth in the agree- ment, a copy of which is attached hereto, marked Exhibit "A", and made a part hereof. SECTION 2. That the Corpus Christi Urban Transportation Study Agreement approved July 27, 1973, by Ordinance 11570 is hereby declared null and void and the revised agreement attached hereto and marked exhibit "B" shall take its place. SECTION 3. The necessity to authorize the execution of the aforesaid agreement so that the transportation planning process may continue in an orderly manner creates a public emer- gency and an imperative public necessity requiring the suspension of the Charter rule that no ordinance or resolution shall be passed finally on the date of its introduction, but that such ordinance or resolution shall be read at three (3) several meet- ings of the City Council, and the Mayor having declared such emergency and necessity to exist and having requested the suspen- sion of the Charter rule and that this ordinance be finally on the date of its introduction and take effect and be in full force and effect from and after its passage, 15913 MICROFILMED SEP 2 71984 IT IS ACCORDINGLY SO ORDAINED, this the 224 day of November, 1980. ATTEST: Gi£y Secretary I APPROVED: J. BRUCE AYCOCK, CITY ATTORNEY >-40 DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1980: MAYORE CITY OF CORPUS CEHRISTI, TEXAS • STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF TRAVIS THIS AGREEMENT made this AGREEMENT day of , A.D. by and between the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation acting by and through its Engineer -Director, hereinafter referred to as the "State," and the cities of Corpus Christi and Portland, hereinafter referred to as the "Cities," and the counties of Nueces and San Patricia, hereinafter referred to as the "Counties." WHEREAS, the above mentioned agencies on July 27, 1973, did agree to participate in a Continuing, Comprehensive, and Cooperative Transportation Planning process for the Corpus Christi Urban Study Area as provided in Title 23, U.S. Code; and WHEREAS, it is the desire of the parties hereto that the Study organization be revised generally in accordance with the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation Commission Minute Order Number 76787 dated February 20, 1980, a copy marked Exhibit "A" is attached hereto and made a part hereof; NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed that the above mentioned agreement dated July 27, 1973, shall be considered null and void and all provisions of the former document shall be replaced in their entirety by the following paragraphs: 1. A Transportation Planning Committee will be established and shall be generally composed of the State and elected public officials from local governments that are signatory to this agreement and have authority for project implementation. 2. Representation of signatory members to this agreement on the Transportation Planning Committee shall be described in the most recently approved Prospectus marked Exhibit "8". Signatory representatives shall be the principal elected official (or designee) from each member local government jurisdiction and the District Engineer (or his designee) from District 16 shall represent the State. 3. The function of the Transportation Planning Committee shall be to provide policy guidance and direction for the continuing Corpus Christi Urban Transportation Study and take appropriate action on recommendations from the Technical Advisory Committee. 4. A Corpus Christi Urban Transportation Study Technical Advisory Committee will be established and shall be composed principally of locally elected officials (or designee) as further outlined in the Prospectus. 5. The function of the Technical Advisory Committee will be to provide routine guidance to the planning process and make appropriate recom- mendations to the Transportation Planning Committee concerning plan- ning requirements as described in the Prospectus. 6. All aspects of the overall Transportation Planning Process will be out- lined in a Prospectus and a Unified Work Program and approved by the Transportation Planning Committee. -2- ..N WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have hereunto affixed their signatures, on the dates indicated. STATE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Certified as being executed for the purpose and effect of activating and/or By: carrying out the orders, established City Manager policies, or work programs heretofore approved and authorized by the State Date: Highway and Public Transportation Commission. ATTEST: By: Engineer -Director Under Authority of Commission Minute Order 76787 -Date: City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: City Attorney (Department Head) . RECOMMENDED FOR EXECUTION: CITY OF PORTLAND By: District Engineer - District 16 City Manager State Planning Engineer, Transportation Assistant Engineer -Director -3- Date: ATTEST: City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: City Attorney COUNTY OF NUECES By: County Judge Date: COUNTY OF SAN PATRICIO By: County Judge Date: r S`r.•A'e'@; i7EPA TYUL4::i T li:G1iF•.'A.'S . • AND J.'UJJ! EC TE:ANS:CJitTAiZCN MINUTE ORDER 11L5GF,1_1.MF011t.._-_-._County - Paio_.I of 3 Mrs:. nit:rlet No. M I SCELLAIJEOUS WHEREAS, the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation acting under the - supervision of the State Highway and Public Transportation Ccmmission,•has been charged by the Texas Legislature with the dual roles of constructing and maintaining a com- prehensive system of State highways and public roads and planning for and assisting In the development of public and mass transportation systems, both intracity and inter- city; and, WHEREAS ,Title 23 and Title 49, U.S. Code, provide that a continuing, comprehensive transportation planning process be carried on cooperatively by State and local governments for each urbanized area of 50,000 population or greater in order to qualify transportation projects in such areas for Federal -Aid; and, WHEREAS, guidelines for the reorganization of urban transportation studies were established • by Minute Order 66719, dated November 3, 1972; and, WHEREAS, in Texas, the transportation planning process for each such urbanized area has been established by agreement between the State and participating local governments; and, WHEREAS, joint regulations issued by the Federal Highway Administration and the Urban Mass Transportation Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation provide for certain procedures and organizational structures of the urban planning process; and, WHEREAS, all phases of transportation planning have become increasingly complex due to continued growth of our -population and number of motor vehicles on the one hand and financial constraints and an energy shortage on the other -hand, thus giving rise to serious problems many of which vary substantially from area to area; and, n x^14 :: N i:J EJ,ii'::.E: f:, n� I<"'sf:n'fi%/: . �e:Fr L UE'L.icI T : NSEnGG! 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I MINUTE ORDER _LtiS.C.:f L�lt1.EGU�__---- cou nr.co 2 0- 3 Pa.,' DL•L-fd ::o. •_ Ff i SCEEU\UEOUS • WHEREAS, although the operation of the various studies and the individual committees has generally been satisfactory and cooperation between all participants in the planning process has been good, It is considered desirable that the process he.further streamlined In the interests of even greater efficiency and particularly to permit individual studies to be so tailored by locally elected officials as to best meet the desires and needs of the local governments; COW, THEREFORE, the following general guidelines are hereby established to ensure that all urban transportation studies are performed in accordance with local governments' desires and in conformance with Federal and State laws, rules and regulations: 1 That in all urbanized areas with a population of 50;000 or greater; • based upon the latest official U.S. Census, a transportation planning committee will be established which is generally composed of elected public officials from the local governments that are signatories to a planning agreement and that have authority for_project implementation together with the State acting through the State Department of Highways' and'Public Transportation. Similar committees may be desirable and created for areas which attain this minimum population between census dates. The representation of each individual city or county party to the agreement shall be subject to their own determination and negotiation with other parties to the agreement. The State Department of Highways . and Public Transportation will be represented on the transportation planning committee by personnel designated by the Department. In those Vr TE DEPARTM ;NT OF IfIGfIL;' y" • ANI) PiJELIC TR ANS 'O::TATFCN • ....- .�uLLA`lFA;Jc Count BEND u E ORDER urbanized areas where officially constituted public transportation, air- port or similar boards e;;ist, not under the direct authority of a specific local novernment, they shall also be invited to furnish a representative on the planning committee. Ex officio membership on the transportation planning committee may be provided for at the discretion of the committee. "The functions of the transportation planning committee shall be to serve." as a metropolitan transportation planning organization as defined by Federal regulations, cooperatively responsible for performance of the planning process including transportation systems plans developed as a part of the planning process; ensure proper coordination of transportation (nodes and between sub -areas; cooperatively establish transportation needs; and propose projects from all transportation prudes for recommendation to those governmental units responsible for program development and project implementation_ The committee members should reach agreement as to the extent and type of work to be performed by the technical staffs of those party to the agreement, regional planning council(s), private consultants or others. The planning committee shall further determine the extent and source of the metropolitan transportation planning organization staff necessary to administer and support the planning operations specified by the committee and shall designate a Signatory to the agreement having • •adequate legal authority to act as a contracting agent on behalf of the committee for execution of agreements with Federal agencies and others. The transportation planning committee will meet as necessary to ensure • progress of. the planning operation and at least once each year to discuss with the pudic the planning process underway in the urbanized area. 2. At Its discretion, the transportation planning committee may consider the establishment of certain advisory committees to assist in the planning process and/or assist in promoting the implementation of plans developed through and approved by the transportation planning committee. • FLraTfc`I?,. the.Engineer-Director is directed to monitor this program and recommend such additional guidelines as•cay be necessary and to execute new planning agreements or amendments to existing agreements in those instances where present agreements do not conform with these vuidelines. /Minute Order 66719, dated November 3, 1972 Is hereby rescinded. Su?ryiifs6 by: E mined znd reccnmendcfjb • / sJ yY L .4 n �.�4e�+-� {.ice i s4 � I Ctrtle) State Planning Engineer, Ayp,ovcd ,tadCwit Enz.!. Transportation Cnrineerbtrceur Approv, ommtL•iona Conmissiontt oaknizzion[/ Kusurc Number 76Yy6]hhe Dale Pared . FEB 20 80 CORPUS CHRISTI URBANIZED AREA PROSPECTUS for TRANSPORTATION PLANNING submitted by the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization in cooperation with the City of Corpus Christi City of Portland County of Nueces County of San Patricio State Department of Highways and Public Transportation November, 1980 . i PROSPECTUS FOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IN THE CORPUS CHRISTI URBANIZED AREA I. INTRODUCTION The transportation planning process, in order to be effective, must be multimodal in scope and integrated with other comprehensive plans for the study area and the region. The evaluation of this total planning effort must be within the framework of goals and objectives as determined and supported by the local political process. The transportation planning program for the Corpus Christi Urbanized Area (see Figure 1) is intended to support such a local decision-making process. The pages to follow describe an integrated program of multimodal planning for a .three year period from September 1. 1980 to August 31, T983. Within the intent and scope of the Prospectus requirement, this document will describe the following: organizational structure in which the planning process is conducted; continuous planning program for the urbanized area; transportation issues; and status and anticipated accomplishments. The Prospectus will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to meet changing conditions. The first year work program of the Prospectus will be more fully described in an annual unified work program prepared by . the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization in cooperation with the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation. II. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE In accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines an organizational structure has been developed to provide for a Transportation Planning Committee comprised of locally elected officials and its Technical Advisory Committee for the purpose of continuing the transportation plan- ning process. This structure, consisting of representatives from area governments and agencies, has been formalized through the Corpus Christi Urban Transportation Study (continuing phase) Agreement. Signatories -1- PROSPECTUS to the agreement are as follows: City of Corpus Christi City of Portland County of Nueces County of San Patricio, and State Department of Highways and Public Transportation The transportation planning process in the Corpus Christi urbanized area will continue to require a single -staff direction for all modes of travel. The single -staff direction is provided by the City of Corpus Christi as the Governor's designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), in cooperation with the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation. A. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING COMMITTEE The Transportation Planning Committee with the assistance of the Technical Advisory Committee and other working deemed appropriate, shall have the responsibility of providing policy Committees direction necessary for contin- uing the transportation planning process in a cooperative and coordinated manner as prescribed in the continuing phase agreement. The Transportation Planning Committee includes the following voting members: one elected official representing the City of Corpus Christi; one elected official representing the City of Portland; one elected official representing Nueces County; one elected official representing San Patricio County; and the District Engineer or his designee from the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation. -2- PROSPECTUS the District Engineer or his designee from the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation. Responsibilities of the Transportation Planning Committee, in addition to providing general policy guidance, shall include: annually reviewing and adopting the transportation plan (revised as necessary); taking appropriate action on recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee including those relative to certification or re -certification; and meeting as necessary to perform its functions and hold a public meeting at least once a year to discuss the status of planning. B. TECHNICAL ADVISORY CO`MITTEE The Technical Advisory Committee is composed of following voting members: three representatives of the City of Corpus Christi; one representative of the City of Portland; ane representatitve of the County of Nueces; one representative of the County of San Patricio; and two representatives of the State• Department of Highways and Public Transportation. • The Transportation Advisory Committee will also invite additional non- voting members from other agencies involved in the principal modes of - transportation. The Technical Advisory Committee shall provide routine guidance to the planning process, examine the adequacy of the continuing planning process at appropriate intervals, and annually, or as necessary, assign each agency responsibility for updating various study elements. The committee shall make a progress report from which an annual written progress report will be prepared, and recommend to the Transportation Planning Committee any necessary revisions to the Plan. It shall determine whether the current transportation data is in accord with previous projections and recommenda- tions, or -if there are discrepancies of a nature that would require • significant changes in the Plan. In addition, the continuing phase agreement shall be reviewed annually to determine if it should be supplemented or renegotiated. Technical Advisory Committee shall recommend action to the Transportation Planning Committee, review the Prospectus annually, and if 3 PROSPECTUS A Planning Coordinator will be assigned by the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation to work in close cooperation with the cities, counties, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. III. CONTINUING PHASE STUDY AGREEMENT - SCOPE OF WORK The scope of work prescribed by the continuing phase agreement shall consist of the continued study, re-evaluation and revision of elements of the transportation plan, and completion of other special studies within the urbanized area as may be required. For purposes of this Prospectus, the transportation plan elements to be addressed have been modified from the initial agreement to correspond to the requirements set forth in the Federal Highway Program Manual, Volume 4, Chapter 4, Section 2, issued on January 12, 1976. These elements are listed below under, III. A. Agency Responsibility. A. Agency Responsibility The functional responsibilities of all participating agencies shall be as specified in the agreement and generally described as - follows: 1. Social, Economic and Environmental Effects - Cities 2. Public Involvement - MPO - State 3. Demographic and Land Use - Cities 4. Title VI Compliance - MPO 5. Transportation System Management a. Capacity Studies - Cities - State b. Travel Time - Cities - State c. Accident Studies - Cities - State d. Existing Street Use - Cities 6. Mass Transit - Cities a. Public b. Private -4- PROSPECTUS 7. Travel Patterns - Cities - State 8. Air Quality Planning - MPO - TACB 9. Energy Conservation - MPO 10. Transportation Needs of Elderly and Handicapped - MPO The continued study, data gathering, review and updating of the various segments of the Plan will be assumed by the participating agencies which were assigned the responsibility as specified in the Continuing Phase Agreement. The Metropolitan Planning Organization, in cooperation with the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, shall have primary responsibility for assembling the data provided by the various agencies and shall be responsible for publication of all information gathered in accordance with the current State -MPO agreement. This information will be readily available for use by other agencies. B. Planning Program Procedures The planning program procedures used to carry out transportation planning activities shall be as follows: 1'. Socio -Economic and Environmental Effects - The Cities of Corpus Christi and Portland will analyze economic data for changes and use this as a basis for travel forecasting. Significant changes in the economic data will indicate a need for such refore- casting. In addition to the economic analysis of the area as a whole, small area data on employment, income, vehicle registration, and other indicators resulting from surveys of the Bureau of Census, Coastal Bend Council of Governments or other agencies will be analyzed and utilized in reappraisal of the plan as such data becomes available. Sociologic and environmental analysis will be made for the study area and neighborhood level. Data on ethnicity, educational level, age, income, poverty level, unemployment, housing conditions, community values, and environmental conditions will be collected and analyzed to determine the future impact of the transportation plan. Environmental impact statements will follow the procedure and guidelines as set forth in Appendices C and D, Guidelines and Processes for Systems and Project Planning, Texas Highway Depart- ment. Revised April 1977, pp. C-1 and D-1. The plan will be reviewed to assure that all neighborhoods will be adequately served with a minimum of disruption. 2. Public Involvement - The continuing, comprehensive, and coop- erative planning process, known as the "three C" planning process, was established in the 1962 Hinhwav Act as a guideline for urban transportation planning. 5 PROSPECTUS The "three C".planning process in the Corpus Christi Urbanized Area has worked smoothly with cooperation from the Cities of Corpus Christi and Portland, Nueces and San Patricio Counties, and inter- ested individuals. The combined. efforts of the local governments in the urbanized areas have made possible the implementation of plans for the entire transportation study area. In accordance with the Action Plan of the.State Department of High- ways and Public Transportation, direct citizen participation is required at all stages of the planning process. In order to accomplish this; a system of public meetings will be instituted for the dual purpose of keeping the public informed and for receiving citizen input. As provided in the Continuing Phase Agreement, a public meeting must be held by the Transportation Planning Committee at least once a year. The specified purpose of this meeting is to discuss the status of transportation planning and to receive citizens.` comments. This meeting could be held when the committee meets for the purpose of conducting its annual review of the plan. . These meetings should be widely publicized by news media throughout the study area and by formal notification to the local governments and other interested agencies. A second level of public forum at the local or corridor level will be instituted to obtain input from persons in the -specific areas affected by proposed changes in the plan. These meetings will be held in the early stage, when there is some indication that a revision in the plan may be needed. Follow-up meetings will assure that citizens involved are afforded full opportunity to participate in the examination of all alternatives. The MPO will assist in the coordination of this activity when significant revisions to the plan are contemplated. 3. Demographic - The City of Corpus Christi and the City of Portland will prepare annual population estimates for their.cities as well as population estimates by traffic survey zones when necessary. Census data would be used to assist in population forecasts when- ever possible. Land Use - The City of Corpus Christi will maintain current land use data by parcel in a form that can be processed by the City's Data Processing Center. This information includes data on land use, zoning, and condition of buildings. This data is coded -in such a way that block, census tract, and bulk statistics by land use or zoning categories can be retrieved. The land use data bank of the study area in kept current through the use of building permits and other routine reports. When necessary, the City will use field surveys to verify or update this land use data. 6 PROSPECTUS The City of Portland will compile its land use data in a form the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation can utilize in developing forecasts. This data, which can be aggregated to traffic zones or census tracts or other units, will be avilable for comparison with previous forecasts of land use and for use as a basis for future land use forecasts. 4. Title VI Compliance - Every effort will be made during the planning process to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Committee positions are filled by those qualified to fulfill the needs of the committee. No reference is made to race, color, sex, national origin or physical handicaps. • Neighborhood Planning - Citizen participation is encouraged through notification via public news media and leaflet information distribution. This process allows local groups and organizations, as well as private citizens, to have input into the programming, planning and implementation of their neighborhood plan for development or re -development. Minority contractors are solicited and invited to bid on all phases of construc- tion. 5. Transportation System Management - The Metropolitan Planning Orga- nization, in cooperation with the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, shall develop a policy strategy for the assessment or candidate measures, and the selection, programming, and imple- - mentation of alternative transportation system management improvements. The purpose is to make more efficient use of existing transportation resources. Actions to be considered are traffic controls permitting more efficient use of existing road space, reduction of vehicle use in congested areas, increases in vehicle occupancy, improvements in transit system, and increasing transit management efficiency. In all transportation systems management studies, public mass transit and para -transit shall be considered as alternatives to the private automobile. a. Capacity Study - The City of Corpus Christi, with assistance from the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, will determine and analyze the capacity of intersections -on -major streets. These studies will be made when physical features of the intersection are changed, when accident rates change appreciably, or when traffic congestion or other circumstances indicate a need for such a study. 7 PROSPECTUS b. Travel Time - The City of Corpus Christi will survey and analyze travel time for peak -hour travel on major streets every five years, or more often as determined by the Steering Committee. Technical assistance in these studies will be given by the State Department of Highways and Public Transpor- tation. The City of Portland may consult the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation for technical assistance in determining peak -hour traffic on major streets. c. Accident Study - The City of Corpus Christi and the City of Portland will maintain annual records of accidents by loca- tion. Maps and tables on accidents covering the Nueces and San Patricio SMSA will be updated as needed. d. Existing Street Use - The City of Corpus Christi and the City of Portland will maintain and keep current the maps and tables on existing street use for the study area. The State Department of Highways and Public Transportation will keep records of all State maintained roadways within the Corpus Christi Study Area. The City of Corpus Christi will make a street inventory using automatic data processing methods which will be maintained and updated annually by a field check.- The City of Portland will make a street inventory of the streets in San Patricio County that are in the Corpus Christi Study Area. The inventories are compatible and -will be correlated with the National Highway Functional Classification System. 6. Public Transit - The City of Corpus Christi will continually evaluate the public transit system and will periodically prepare a report on capital needs, operational improvements, and projected development of transit service in the urban area. Special studies in public transportation will be conducted and the results and findings of these studies will be used to improve transit service and to increase the efficiency of transit operations. 7. Travel Patterns - An efficient and continuing traffic counting program is an important tool for measuring changes in travel volume on the arterial street system. Several such programs are employed in the study area on a regularly scheduled basis by the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation to provide traffic data for study and analysis. The original origin -destination (OD) survey provided the basis for the development of existing and future travel models for -persons .8 'PROSPECTUS and vehicles in the study area. It provides data on daily travel patterns and characteristics of travel as related to land use, population, auto owernship, and other socio-economic variables. The 1970 Census provided data for updating these variables and for a reappraisal of their effect upon the existina and proposed transportation systems. Permanently installed automatic traffic recorders located on highway routes within or near the study area are in constant operation and provide hourly and daily traffic volume data. Summary tabulations are compiled monthly and annually. Items compiled in the tabulations include traffic variations by weekday, Saturday and Sunday, and comparisons by month with previous years' traffic volumes. There are also peak -hour and 30th highest hour tabulations, and a historical record of average daily traffic for the past ten years. These recorders also provide the data base for adjusting twenty-four hour counts at other locations on the system to annual average daily volumes. Traffic counts are made annually on highway routes in rural areas surrounding the study area and at many locations within the area. Counts on county roads in these areas are made every third year. Each 0-0 station and screen line station is counted annually._ All of the above are twenty-four hour machine counts, and are compared with those of previous years and forecasts for the same locations. During the initial phase of the study, twenty-four hour machine counts were made at many locations on all the arterial streets and on many collector streets from which a traffic map for the study area was prepared. A limited number of recounts may be necessary to assist in special studies or in areas of unforeseen major development prior to the nlan reviews. Also, when a new facility is opened or major reconstruction is completed on an older one, additional counts will be made as necessary to evaluate the impact on adjacent facilities. 8. Air Quality - The transportation plan and all subsequent - amendments approved by the Transportation Planning Committee shall be consistent with the State Implementation Plan for air quality. .9 PROSPECTUS 9. Energy Conservation - Energy conservation will be considered by improvements to the existing transportation system to eliminate congestion at capacity -deficient intersections and overcrowded streets. The City of Corpus Christi will encourage the use of transit through service improvements supported by an active marketing program. 10. Transportation Needs of Elderly and Handicapped - The planning process recognizes that special efforts need to be made in the planning and design of transportation facilitiesand services to assure the availability of public transportation to elderly and handicapped persons. Technical studies will be directed toward identifying the needs of the elderly and handicapped and specific recommendations will be made. 11. Airport - The City of Corpus Christi will update its airport master plan as necessary to assure that airport facilities will be adequate to meet future travel needs. Special studies will be done to plan improvements in airport facilities to accommodate increases in passengers. IV. MAJOR TRANSPORTATION ISSUES The transportation planning process will address the policy issues that can be expected to have an impact on transportation facilities- and - services. The following are expected to be major issues of public concern over the next three year period: A. Energy - The energy shortage, the impact of imported oil on economy, and the need to conserve fuel will be a major transportation issue in the coming years. Most trips in the city are now made in single - occupancy private automobiles. Future energy conservation proposals might include: setting priorities in travel and parking for buses, car pools and smaller cars; providing a higher level of transit service, so that people will find it convenient to drive less; and offering more special- purpose transit services, such as express buses to high -traffic -desti- nations, park-and-ride service, or subscription bus service for -commuters. As energy conservation measures are implemented by federal, state and lo- cal agencies, the transportation planning process will attempt to analyze their impact on transportation facilities in the Corpus Christi area. 10 PROSPECTUS B. Public Financing of Transportation Improvements - The rising cost of construction and operation.of transportation -facilities, and the limited local state and federal funding available, insure that the level of and sources of public financing for transportation will con- tinue to be an issue. Increasing maintenance costs of the existing street and highway system continues to deplete local revenues to finance construction of new streets or improvements on existing highways. In the area of transit, operating costs have risen while transit -patronage has remained constant. Operating costs are expected to continue to escalate. The planning process will need to address the impact increased costs will have on the total operations, as well as investigate methods for alternative public financing. - Proposals for reorganization of transportation funding on the federal level will have to be studied for their effect on local transportation . planning and programs. C. Impact of Major Developments - The proposed construction of a -deep- water port at nearby Harbor Island could have a major impact on the urban area's growth. The Naval Air Station is a vital link in Corpus Christi's economy. As with any federal military installation, factors could influence changing the level of activity of this base either. increasing, or diminishing it in size and operation. These events must be carefully analyzed for their impact on existing transportation faci- lities. - Improvements to the Corpus Christi Beach area include a major beach restoration, the rebuilding of N. Shoreline Boulevard and improvements to adjacent utilities. Also, the City is acquiring additional land for the expansion and development of the Corpus Christi Beach Park. These projects, when completed, are expected to generate increased recreational activity as well as spur residential and retail growth. In this same area there is intensified port industrial activity. In the northwest area of the city a $600 million ethylene plant is, under construction. It is estimated that an additional 200 persons will be employed at this plant when it is completed. This area_is also being impacted by new residential developments due to improved - school districts besides additional employment opportunities. The Central Business District below the bluff, often referred to as Corpus Christi downtown, has new major projects underway. A multi- story parking garage is under construction and the Hershey Harbor Inn, a 12 story hotel is on the drawing board. The Corpus Christi Convention 11 -t PROSPECTUS Center, the Bayfront Science Park, is aiming for a 1981 completion date. A study of the bayfront is encouraging intensified activity for the T and L Head piers which extend into the Bay. Marina Del Sol, a development project of multistory condominiums and phased retail, is also underway with plats submitted to official authorities for consi- deration. The City of Corpus Christi is studying the feasibility of a downtown transportation center. A federal government services building has also broken ground within the last month. Along Padre Island Drive, in close proximity to the largest current re- tail shopping mall there are two additional Malls being planned. This south-east quadrant of the city may eventually contain a large athletic field complex which could affect transportation service. The transportation planning process will investigate possible impacts these projects will have on the existing highway and street system and surrounding land uses. Significant changes in projected land uses will require modifying present traffic assignment forecasts. Based on new assignments, a determination on the adequacy of existing system or need for system improvements can be incorporated into the transportation plan. D.' Corridor Capacity Deficiencies in High Growth Areas - Insufficient - transportation facilities and services in the rapidly developing south- east portion of the city will be a major consideration to be addressed by the planning process in the next program year. E. Transportation Services for Elderly and. Handicapped - The response to the transportation needs of the elderly and handicapped will be an issue, in light of the limited financing available on the high cost of providing specialized services. One concern will be reconciling the local problems and needs with recent federal guidelines. F. Air Travel = In 1977 Southwest Airlines began serving Corpus Christi with low-cost intrastate air service, and Tejas Airlines began commuter air service to additional Texas cities. These services have increased - patronage over previously anticipated levels and have taxed airport passenger facilities. Growth in air travel is expected to continue, with increased low -fare services and with the completion of the new convention center. The city is in the process of acquiring additional land for air field expansion, and has begun expansion of the terminal; parktng'and access facilities. The airport master plan is being updated to assure that facilities are planned to accommodate future growth in air travel. 12 PROSPECTUS G. Intercity Bus Transportation - Corpus Christi must have access to smaller cities via public transportation which is competitive in price with air travel, and in convenience by automobile. Inter- city bus services are continually threatened by rising costs. Reduction in service could become a necessity if revenues are not able to be generated to offset costs. H. Citizen Participation - While the planning process provides for public participation at Policy Advisory Committee meetings and at other local or corridor meetings, there is no continuing forum for citizen comment on transportation and public transit issues. It may be necessary to establish a citizen board, which can meet regularly to discuss transportation issues, where the public can bring up problems or concerns, and where news media coverage can keep the public informed about transportation and transportation planning. - V. STATUS AND ANTICIPATED ACCOMPLISHMEf`NTS A. Social, Economic and Environmental Effects - The transportation plan identifies social, economic and environmental indices. The Texas Action Plan provides a systematic -procedure to be followed during system planning and project development. It is anticipated ' that this procedure will ensure that information is made available to other agencies and the public throughout the duration of project studies. B. Air Quality Planning - For the past several years the MPO, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Highways and Public Trans- portation and the Texas Air Control Board has completed special area analysis for air quality within the urbanized area. Based on available data, these reports shoal that projected total vehicle miles traveled would not produce emissions in excess of national ambient air quality standards. C. - Involvement of Public - All formal decisions pertaining to transportation planning are made at public meetings. The City and County hold public meetings where they discuss issues pertaining - to the transportation planning process. It is expected that a - citizen board will be formed, which can review transportation plans, comment on current issues, and serve as a forum for citizen 'comments. D. Title VI Compliance - The policy structure of the transporta- tion study does include minority representation. It is anticipated that through minority representation on various boards and committees, all segments of the community will be included in the planning process. In neighborhood projects, local citizenry is -always involved, having been notified of planning intentions through public notices. 13 PROSPECTUS E. Mass Transportation for Elderly and Handicapped - The City of Corpus Christi has used technical assistance grants from the Urban Mass Transportation Administration to study the needs of the elderly and handicapped: Texas Transportation Institute, Texas A & M University, submitted a completed study, Corpus Christi Elderly and Handicapped Transportation Study, to the Corpus Christi Metro- politan Planning Organization, September 1978. Transportation needs of the handicapped will continue to be monitored in accordance with the approved Transit Plan. F. Energy Conservation - Energy Conservation as it applies to the transportation system of the Corpus Christi Urbanized Area is accomplished through traffic engineering features such as progress sive timing of traffic signals, improvement of flow through congested -intersections, and increase in speed along major thorough- fares. Capacity studiesare used to show where improvements are needed. Transit service is monitored in anticipation of providing alternatives to individual auto use. G. Technical Activities - Technical activities are covered in the transportation plan and are updated as the need arises. Through annual review of the transportation plan, an up-to-date plan will be made available to the public. 14 PROSPECTUS APPENDIX A TRANSPORTATION PLANNING COMMITTEE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX A CORPUS -CHRISTI URBAN TRANSPORTATION STUDY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING COMMITTEE Mayor, City of Corpus Christi The Honorable Luther G. Jones, Jr. City Hall P.O. Box 9277 Corpus Christi, Texas 78408 County Judge, Nueces County The Honorable Robert N. Barnes Nueces County . County Courthouse Corpus Christi, Texas 78401 • Mayor, City of Portland The Honorable Charles E. B. Tothill P.O. Drawer 550 Portland, Texas 78374 • County Judge, San Patricio County 'The Honorable Percy A. Hartman County Judge, San Patricio County San Patricio County Courthouse Sinton; Texas 78387 State Department of Highways and Public Transportation Mr. Roger Spencer, District Engineer District 16 0.0. Box 7708 Corpus Christi, Texas 78415" A-1 APPENDIX B TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE PROSPECTUS se PROSPECTUS APPENDIX B• CORPUS CHRISTI URBAN TRANSPORTATION STUDY TECHNICAL' ADVISnRY COMMITTEE Ray Mims, Chairman* Corpus Christi Urban Transportation Study Coordinator Senior Planning Engineer State Department of Highways and Public Transportation P. 0. Box 7708 Corpus Christi, Texas 78415 City of Cor us Christi Ernest M. Briones, Director Planning and Urban Development City Hall - P. 0. Box 9277 Corpus Christi, Texas 78408 James Lontos, Director Engineering and Physical Development City Hall - P. 0. Box 9277 Corpus Christi, Texas 78408 Tom Stewart, Director Traffic and Transit City Hall - P. 0. Box 9277 Corpus Christi, Texas 78408 Nuece_ s CouetE Gerald R. Scalf, County Engineer Nueces County Courthouse Corpus Christi, Texas 78401 Cit of Portland Selas Camarillo P. 0. Drawer E • Portland, Texas 78374 San Patricio Count Appointment Pending * Non -Voting Member B-1 se State Department of District 16 Hi•hwa • • PROSPECTUS APPENDIX a s and Public Trans.ortation, State Department of Highways and Public Transportation Jack Housworth Transportation Planning Engineer Austin, Texas 78701 James M. Jones District Design Engineer P. 0. Box 7708 Corpus Christi, Texas 78415 Other agencies invited to -sit with the Steering Committee as non-voting members: Coastal Bend Council of Governments John Buckner, Executive Director P. 0. Box 6609 Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 Federal Highway Administration Austin, Texas 78701 Texas Aeronautics Commission 1104 State Finance Building Austin, Texas 78701 Texas Air Quality Control Board 8520 Shoal Creek Austin, Texas 78758 State Department of Highways and -Public Transportation Transportation Planning Division Bob Antilley, Planning Engineer Austin, Texas 78701 Urban Mass Transportation Administration Region VI Glen Ford, Regional Director Suite 9A32, 819 Taylor Fort Worth, Texas 76102 B-2 Corpus Christi, as 1v day of TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL Corpus Christi, Texas 1920 For the reasons set forth in the emergency clause of the foregoing ordinance, a public emergency and imperative necessity exist for the suspension of the Charter rule or requirement that no ordinance or resolution shall be passed finally on the date it is introduced, and that such ordinance or resolution shall be read at three meetings of the City Council; I, therefore, request that you suspend said Charter rule or requirement and pass this ordinance finally on the date it is introduced, or at the present meeting of the City Council. Respectfully, MAYOR The Charter rule was suspend Luther Jones 1 Edward L. Sample Dr. Jack Best David Diaz Jack K. Dumphy Betty N. Turner Cliff Zarsky THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS by the following vote: The above ordinance was pass by the following vote: Luther Jones Edward L. Sample Dr. Jack Best David Diaz Jack K. Dumphy Betty N. Turner Cliff Zarsky 15913