Fairfax County Transportation Advisory Commission

Date: June 6, 2006

TAC Commissioners in Attendance: Chairman George Barker, Vice Chairman Janyce Hedetniemi, Jeff Parnes, Roger Hoskin, Earl Flanagan and Harry Zimmerman.

Others in Attendance: Department of Transportation Staff; Director Kathy Ichter, Rollo Axton and Jay Guy.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman George Barker at 7:31pm

Meeting Minutes: A summary of the May 2, 2006 Regular meeting was approved as amended.

Main Topics Discussed

Board Referrals:
There were no new referrals from the Board of Supervisors.

Main Topics:

Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) Outlook: Kathy Ichter thanked the TAC for their help and participation in the Transportation Plan Update. She then distributed FCDOT Organizational Charts, and discussed a series of meetings that she had with FCDOT staff to discuss the direction of the department. FCDOT personnel overall feel that the department is in a good place. Staff is pleased with a multimodal focus and the Coordination and Funding division was been working well with other agencies (WMATA, NVTA, etc.) since the department reorganization. Interoffice communication has improved as well. The Connector, and Residential Traffic programs are on-target. Staff has an enormous amount of tasks on their plate. FCDOT is getting seven new positions from the Board of Supervisors. Four are for new duties and three are for current efforts. The new positions include: a Bicycle Program manager, two transportation planning and modeling positions, one Metrobus Service coordinator, one transportation demand management (TDM) position for monitoring TDM proffers, and others. Question: How do you enforce TDM proffers? New developments can not be allowed to proceed to later stages until proffer terms have been met, or in some cases fines can be levied.

Staff is also seeking future positions to assist in Bus Operations, Emergency Preparedness, Residential Traffic and Parking, Traffic Operations and Traffic Calming.

Kathy handed out FCDOT Missions, Vision and Goals. The department would like to develop a one-stop-shop for information and services and continue providing multimodal choices. Current strategies include the Pedestrian and Bike initiatives, Mid-County Connector bus service including take over of the Metrobus 12s and 20s routes, Dulles Rail and transportation needs that relate to the BRAC impacts at Fort Belvoir.

Administratively, the department will continue to work on improving information systems, filing, tracking, streamlining processes and connecting with sister agencies (DPZ, DPWES, Human Services).

Rollo Axton, Chief of the Transit Services Division, gave a brief introduction of himself and his 20 years in transit services, including overseeing service in the greater Richmond area, and where he would like to take the Fairfax Connector operations. The Connector is celebrating 20 of service with 92 new buses, a new paint scheme and with the construction of the West Ox bus garage, will be increasing service across the County.

Virginia General Assembly: Unfortunately there is still no good news on the Transportation budget.

Spot Improvements: Jay Guy updated from the last meeting that the Braddock District has selected a project and additional countywide projects continue to be scoped.

Tysons AP Study: Two world class urban designers will be brought in to help with the last segment of the process.

TAC Award: Chris Wells will receive the award at the July 10, 2006, Board meeting.

Other Business: The TAC officers nominating committee will report at the July 18, 2006, meeting.

There was no new information on the Board referral regarding the residential parking districts. The item will be on hold for TAC action until the FCFCA comments or takes action.

Upcoming Agendas: Dulles Rail update, Update on 12s and 20s takeover, County takeover of VDOT signage and signals, Transportation Demand Management presentation and update, Transportation Plan update (If needed), General Assembly Transportation action (if needed)

Announcements: None

The meeting was adjourned at 9:26pm.