Federal law authorizes federal highway and transit funds to be made available to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO), duly designated by the Governor. H-GAC is the designated MPO for transportation planning activities within the eight-county Houston Galveston Transportation Management Area. To facilitate the transfer of funds annually, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and H-GAC execute an agreement every six years. The last such agreement was signed in June 2012.

H-GAC receives planning funds through TxDOT on an annual basis.  For Fiscal Year 2018 the amount received was approximately $9 million.  Over the six year period, therefore, H-GAC could receive approximately $54 million in planning funds. Actual funding will depend on the federal appropriations process.

The Texas Department of Transportation is requesting execution of a new six-year intergovernmental agreement. Staff has reviewed the draft agreement and determined it to be similar to previous agreements. The agreement calls for H-GAC to do the following:

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive transportation planning process;

• Develop a Metropolitan Transportation Plan, a Transportation Improvement Program, and a Unified Planning Work Program;

• Collect and forecast socio-economic, travel and roadway data;

• Operate under the planning policy guidance of a Transportation Policy Council; and

• Maintain a transportation planning staff and designate a transportation planning director.

Texas Department of Transportation

Yes

Request authorization to renew six-year intergovernmental agreement between Texas Department of Transportation and H-GAC as designated Metropolitan Planning Organization fiscal agent for the eight-county Houston Galveston Transportation Management Area. (Staff Contact: Alan Clark)