FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
Meeting Summary

Regular Meeting - February 5, 2008
7:15 PM - Conference Room 8, Government Center

TAC Members In Attendance: Vice Chair Jeffrey Parnes, Harry Zimmerman, Jenifer Joy Madden, Eric Thiel, Roger Hoskin

Others In Attendance: Fairfax County Staff:  Bob Owolabi, Caijun Luo, Jay Guy, Keith Goodman, Rick Stevens, Randy White, Jaak Pedak. ATCS, PLC: Jim McCallistor, Lora Byala, Susan Sharp. Fairfax Advocates for Better Biking: Robert Henenlotter

Meeting called to Order: at 7:20 p.m. by Vice Chair Parnes; approved the January 8, 2008 regular meeting minutes.

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Main Topics Discussed

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

Main Topics:

Dulles Rail Project Update – Rick Stevens, FCDOT

Dulles Rail Project Manager Rick Stevens reported that the project has been approved by FTA for completed Preliminary Engineering and was submitted for approval of final design in October.  FTA recently submitted 32 questions, which were all answered, as they all had been when they were submitted in the past. Response from FTA is expected in one or two weeks.  Utility work has begun near Tysons Corner and soil testing has begun in some areas.  FCDOT in “wait and see mode” with regarding to funding and how project may be funded.

Springfield Connectivity Study – Jaak Pedak, FCDOT

Project is in final recommendation phase and is being considered as to revitalization of Springfield and impact of BRAC, specifically Engineer Proving Ground.  Among recommendations of a panel of experts from the Urban Land Institute: 2^nd bridge across Keene Mill Road parallel to Amherst Street with bike lanes in both directions and a bike lane on Backlick Road bridge.; extension of Frontier Drive south toward Metro station area with better pedestrian connections to Metro; run TAG busses at 12 min. intervals and increase hours to 7a to 11pm.  Shuttle between EPG and BRAC funded through proffers. Improvements are projected to be in place by 2015. Currently working on a water-theme logo to “brand” area.  Looking ahead to 2030, for a possible tie-in to VRE, or possible rail extension to Newington.  Mall will eventually redevelop to become a walkable Springfield town center.

Transit Development Plan – Randy White, FCDOT

Randy White presented Fairfax Connector and Fairfax Metrobus Service Transit Development Plan (TDP), a study designed to blend, coordinate and optimize existing service with a 10-year horizon.  Project will collect data to determine current status of system, involve public input, analyze existing service, and recommend service changes.  Data will emerge from ridership counts on all routes, opinion surveys, and phone surveys of riders and non-riders. The study will also assess land use as well as ridership generators and attractors.  TDP will analyze potential services such as neighborhood shuttles, circulators plus regional express, cross-town and radial services.  Project to be completed by June 2009. 

2008 Legislative Update – Jay Guy, FCDOT

Jay Guy presented a list of recommendations for specific NVTA Positions regarding the legislative agenda in Richmond.  Bills specifically addressing items in NVTA’s legislative program include:  Pedestrian Safety “Stop in Crosswalks” bill (recommend Support); Increase limits on Task Order Contracts (recommend support); Increase limits on highway construction by local and state employees; Revenue sharing – modified existing tier structure to give the highest priority to projects managed by the locality, allows developer contributions to make up 100% of match (recommend support).  A number of bills would restrict NVTA’s ability to collected taxes and fees (recommend oppose).  NVTA further asks the General Assembly to replace any revenue sources included in HB 3202 which are successfully challenged in court with a stable, reliable, and permanent source that generate an equal or greater amount of transportation funding. 

Other Business:

Seeking awardees for TAC Annual Transportation Achievement Award.

Discussion of issues associated with VDOT Advance Signage Program was carried over to future meetings.

Agenda for Upcoming TAC Meeting (March 4, 2008):

• Proposed Bus Service Plan Affecting Metrobus Routes 2W, 12A, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F,   12G, 12L, 12M, 12R, 12S, 20F, 20W, 20X and 20Y – Christy Wegener, FCDOT 

• 2008 Legislative Update – Jay Guy
• TAC Strategic Planning Session

Announcements:

• 2007 Onthank Nominations Now Being Accepted through Feb. 28, 2008.  Award recognizes outstanding worth in advancing and improving public service in Fairfax County government during 2007
• Sat., Mar. 22, 2008:  All members of County boards, commissions and committees are invited to training session with VA Freedom of Information Advisory Council.

Meeting Adjourned
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.

 

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Upcoming Meetings/Events
March 4, 2008: 7:15 pm - TAC Regular Meeting
April 1, 2008: 7:15 pm    - TAC Regular Meeting
May 6, 2008: 7:15 pm    - TAC Regular Meeting