Bend planning organization seeks citizen technical advisors

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The city of Bend is seeking applicants to fill two citizen positions on the Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization's Technical Advisory Committee

Citizen Representative Membership Application - Must be received by 8/15/2020.

Call for applications to fill two citizen representative positions on the BMPO TAC to serve a 2- or 3-year term.  Meetings are typically held the first Wednesday of each month from 10am – 12pm.  Additional project specific meetings may be held.  

In the next two years, BMPO tasks include the following transportation planning efforts in the region:

• BMPO Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) update, incorporating:
  • Transportation Safety Action Plan (TSAP);
  • Deschutes County Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Plan;
  • Bend Parkway (US 97) Facility Plan;
  • Cascades East Transit Master Plan (TMP); and
  • City of Bend Transportation Systems Plan (TSP).
• Work with partners to develop an implementation strategy for all recently completed plans
• ODOT Projects: North Interchange Analysis & Baker Road IAMP
• Update BMPO Public Participation Plan
• Performance monitoring & reporting

TAC participation, input and ideas are integral to the completion of these and other tasks.  If you are interested in transportation planning in Bend, please consider applying to join this committee.  BMPO meetings are open to the public.  Meetings schedules can be found at www.bendmpo.org

ABOUT THE TAC

The TAC is comprised of staff members from local governments, area transportation and regional agencies, and other public agencies and organizations. The TAC also includes two citizen representatives.

The purpose of the TAC is to:

• provide technical expertise in determining work program needs and major regional transportation studies to be undertaken;
• assist in the development of plans, policies, and projects related to the regional transportation system of the BMPO area;
• provide a forum for technical critique and input on the products and processes associated with the regional transportation planning program for the BMPO area; and
• provide a coordinated, interdisciplinary technical perspective to the development and implementation of regional transportation planning activities.

Responsibilities of the TAC include:

• Annually review work program objectives, assist in development of the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and make a formal recommendation to be forwarded to the Policy Board for adoption;
• Review the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), its amendments and Refinement Plans as required, recommend changes as necessary, and make a formal recommendation to be forwarded to the Policy Board for adoption;
• Coordinate and review the development and production of the Metropolitan Transportation Improve­ment Program (MTIP), identify appropriate amendments as necessary, and make a formal recommendation to be forwarded to the Policy Board for adoption;
• Assist in reviewing work programs and study designs and recommend priorities of technical studies to carry out work programs;
• Review plans and studies at key decision points;
• Direct technical studies as necessary; and
• Conduct other planning activities as required or requested by the BMPO Policy Board.

Policy Regarding TAC Citizen Membership

A subcommittee of the Bend MPO Policy Board reviews applications and makes a recommendation to the full Policy Board for consideration and approval. Citizen members serve 3-year staggered terms and may serve more than one term. Citizen members with four or more absences during a 12-month period may be removed from the TAC. Citizen members should reside within the Bend MPO boundary, but may reside outside if they are from areas that could become part of the BMPO, or be directly impacted by projects planned by the BMPO.