Posted on March 11, 2011 3:20 PM
March 11, 2011
Table of Contents
First Off...
CMAP meetings recap.Both of the revised coordinating committees met for their inaugural meetings on Wednesday. The Local Coordinating Committee focused on the initial priorities of our new local technical assistance program (highlighted in the next item). The Regional Coordinating Committee heard a presentation by representatives from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) on their Chicago Regional Infrastructure Report and from staff on an overview of current modeling and survey research activities at CMAP. Additionally, the committee recommended the transportation consent agenda that included the semi-annual GO TO 2040/TIP Conformity Analysis and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendments to the Board and the Policy Committee. Finally, CMAP’s state agenda and outreach strategy were discussed, specific to the proposed approach for the “55/45 split” issue.
Following the coordinating meetings, the Board met on Wednesday and discussed topics that included the state legislative update and the local technical assistance program. The Board and the MPO Policy Committee (which met on Thursday) approved slight modifications to the CMAP & MPO Memorandum of Understanding and the Transportation Consent Agenda. The minor modifications to the MOU reflect the name changes of the coordinating committees. The Policy Committee also discussed the state agenda and heard a presentation of a joint effort by RTA, IDOT, and Pace to implement bus service on the shoulder of the Stevenson Expressway (I-55).
Local Technical Assistance. CMAP is partnering with the first wave of local communities identified for planning assistance through the agency's new initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the federal interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities. CMAP will start by working with 64 local governments, nonprofits, and intergovernmental organizations to address local issues at the intersection of transportation, land use, and housing, including the natural environment, economic growth, and community development. Read more on the web and download a full list of projects.
Moving Forward. CMAP has re-launched Moving Forward, which is now the main webspace about activities of implementing the GO TO 2040 plan.
GO TO 2040 Portraits. A popular aspect of the GO TO 2040 launch has been a series of portraits about residents whose lives illuminate goals of the region's plan. We will continue to feature individuals and communities in this way, with the newest being Geoffrey Baer, a resident of Chicago's north side.
Other news and Announcements
Learn to use MetroPulse. Space is limited, so reserve your spot for a webinar demonstrating the new MetroPulse web data system. From 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 25, CMAP will train users on all aspects of the website, including advanced functions. Launched last November, MetroPulse was developed as part of the Regional Indicators Project, a collaboration of CMAP and The Chicago Community Trust. Its advanced data tools facilitate local decision making and help us track the region's progress in implementing GO TO 2040. Now you can also follow MetroPulse on Facebook and Twitter.
Apply for FLIP. The 2011-2012 FLIP (Future Leaders in Planning) application is now available. Please share materials with local high school students who would be interested in learning more about planning and contribute to make a better future for our region. Keep up with FLIP by becoming a fan of its Facebook page.
Blackberry Creek Open House. On March 22, CMAP and The Conservation Foundation will host an Open House for the Blackberry Creek Watershed Action Plan from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. after the regularly-scheduled monthly stakeholder meeting (2:00 to 4:00 p.m.) in Elburn’s Village Hall. The open house will update residents and stakeholders on the planning process for the watershed and offer them a chance to contribute ideas or concerns.
Water grantgrants opportunity. Grants are available through American Water for community-based efforts to protect, restore, or improve watersheds, surface water, and groundwater. Applications are due March 25.
Transit benefit fare program. Administered for the RTA and Cook County by the Center for Neighborhood Technology, a new Transit Ridership Improvement Program (TRIP) offers up to $1,700 to Cook County businesses to enroll employees in a pre-tax benefit program. These limited funds will be disbursed on a first come, first served basis. Read more in the Chicago Tribune.
Success story videos. The National Association of Counties created 11 videos featuring successful energy projects implemented by counties through the U.S. Both McHenry and Will counties are featured.
Ag/Trade RFP. The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy issued a request for proposals (RFP) to conduct a literature review for their new initiative focused on food, justice, and health. Proposals are due April 4.
Events
Riverside in the Urban Millennium – The Need for the Next Civic Spirit
March 23, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Riverside Township Auditorium, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside
Hosted by: Village of Riverside, Frederick Law Olmsted Society, and the Riverside Sustainability Council
More information
Natural Lawn Care Workshop
March 23, 2011
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines
Co-hosted by: CMAP and five other organizations, funded through a U.S. EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant
Agenda and registration
GO TO 2040 Roundtable Part 2: We Have a Plan. What Do We Need?
March 25, 2011
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
140 S. Dearborn, Suite 1400, Chicago
Hosted by: Metropolitan Planning Council
Registration
FamilyFarmed EXPO
March 17 to 19, 2011
UIC Forum – University of Illinois at Chicago
Hosted by: FamilyFarmed.org
Schedule and tickets
Planning Commissioner Training – Lake County
April 2 and 16, 2011
8:00 to 11:45 a.m.
Lake County Department of Transportation: 600 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville
Hosted by: CMAP, Lake County Council of Mayors
Registration
Save the Date: Public Participation Training
July 18 to 22, 2011
233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago (CMAP offices)
Hosted by: International Association for Public Participation
More information
CMAP Blogs
Policy Updates. The process to allocate State Revolving Loan Funds (SRFs) for water utilities can shape land use and water policy, as we analyzed in detail this week. We also blogged about opportunities to redevelop land zoned for commercial or manufacturing purposes along transit lines in the region.
Green Signals. CMAP’s transportation operations blog highlighted a new rule proposed by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to require that all railroads establish a toll-free number for the public to report unsafe crossing conditions at highway-rail grade crossings. Also, read about an upcoming webinar on updates to the Congestion Management Process (CMP) guidebook.
Reminders
CMAP Planning Commissioner Workshops. Our re-designed and updated workshops give local volunteer planning commission members a chance to learn about their roles, Illinois planning law (in easy-to-understand terms), and the content/purpose of comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances. Details about workshop locations, dates, agendas, and registration are available on-line. The next workshops will take place in Lake County (see Events). For more information, contact Joey-Lin Silberhorn (312-386-8814 or jsilberhorn@cmap.illinois.gov).
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