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At Capital Metro’s board of directors meeting on November 10th, members came out of a closed board meeting to pass the joint powers agreement. The purpose of the joint agreement between the city, Capital Metro and the Austin Transit Partnership is to define the roles and responsibilities of each of the three governing bodies in carrying out the $ 7.1 billion Project Connect transit expansion project.
The city approved the deal six days earlier, on November 4th, while the ATP board is due to vote on the PPV on Wednesday.
“The city of Austin has already passed the PPV; we’re gonna happen it today. I assume that ATP will too. This is an important milestone for Project Connect and I think it’s an exciting place, ”said Ann Kitchen, Capital Metro Board Member and City Councilor.
Common commitments outlined in the plan include (but are not limited to):
- Project Connect recognition will “truly achieve” citywide transportation goals, including expanding the local bus, suburban train and circulating infrastructure.
- agree to properly manage Project Connect taxpayer funds
- Establishment of an arbitration procedure for disputes on technical issues
- Adhering to principles of justice and combating displacement related to the construction of the Project Connect infrastructure
- Leverage employee resources to meet Project Connect program budgets and schedules
- Prioritizing resources to ensure inspection / permit papers are completed on time and efficiently.
- Work together to find additional ways to increase Project Connect funding, including from federal, state, and local sources.
- Engage with community members from different races, income and educational backgrounds, and incorporate their feedback
- including a mechanism to respond to community feedback and report on how it was implemented
As set out in the Agreement, ATP’s responsibilities include contracting with general facilities and employing individuals to perform the administrative operations of ATP and to implement the objectives of Project Connect. Other ATP roles described in the agreement include acquiring personal property, obtaining professional services related to Project Connect, and applying for funding and other money-making.
The tasks of the city and Capital Metro meanwhile include “supporting ATP in the implementation of Project Connect”. They also appoint ATP board members and review and decide on amendments to the statutes.
“The implementation of the Project Connect system plan will create an integrated transit system that will meet the transit needs for safer, faster and more reliable transportation,” the JPA reads. “This will improve access to basic services like education, health care, access to food, childcare, jobs and open space especially in historically underserved and underrepresented communities, and … manage congestion, create jobs, improve the environment and make better connections.” Local community.”
“This really is the blueprint for the way forward and we have had a great collaboration between the city and CapMetro and now with ATP,” said Wade Cooper, CEO of Capital Metro. “I say this is a very good document. It’s not a perfect document. It does not take into account all the circumstances that will arise in the future. So we will have to continue to work together as we move forward on this project. “
The motion to pass the JPA was unanimously approved from six to zero.
Rendered courtesy of Capital Metro.
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Two down, one to go: Cap Metro passes joint powers agreement
