HomeMy WebLinkAboutMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE AUGUSTA REGIONAL TRANSPORATION STUDYStudy"
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
FOR THE
AUGUSTA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION STUDY
BETWEEN
The Georgia cities of Hephzibah, Blythe and Grovetown, Columbia County, Georgia, Augusta,
Georgia, the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development Department, United States Signal Center and
Fort Gordon, the Georgia Department of Transportation, the South Carolina Counties of Aiken and
Edgefield, the South Carolina Cities of Aiken, North Augusta, and Burnettown, and the South Carolina
Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
RELATIVE TO
The urban transportation planning process known as the "Augusta Regional Transportation
I. IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE PARTIES:
A. That the Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) is to:
1. Maintain a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning
process as defined in Title 23 USC Section 134 and results in plans and programs
consistent with comprehensively planned development of the urbanized area.
2. Update and revise the 20 Year Multimodal Transportation Plan, to create a
fiscally feasible transportation system that integrates thoroughfare development,
public mass transportation, air facilities, rail systems, intermodal facilities, bicycle
and pedestrian facilities and transportation enhancements; and reflects
consideration of the area's comprehensive land use plans and overall social,
economic, environmental, and energy conservation plans, goals and objectives.
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3. Create a functional relationship between transportation planning and city-county
development.
4, Maintain the data obtained in the original data collection phase of the study and
any pertinent data collected thereafter on a current level so that existing and
forthcoming recommendations may be evaluated and updated periodically.
5. Produce all documents and studies that are necessary to maintain a Certified
Transportation Planning Process.
IS FURTHER AGREED, that the areas of responsibility of the aforementioned counties,
municipalities, and government agencies shall lie within the Metropolitan Area Boundary
established by the Policy Committee of the Augusta Regional Transportation Study. This area
includes all of Richmond County and parts of Columbia County, Aiken County and Edgefield
County.
III. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), as
designated by the Governors of Georgia and South Carolina, is the Augusta Planning and
Development Department, a Department within the Augusta, GA city government. The Augusta
MPO shall have the primary responsibility for carrying out the urban transportation planning
process and of developing the planning work programs, transportation plan, and transportation
improvement program
IV. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the ARTS shall be coordinated by a project director who shall
be the Director of the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development Department or his designee
and the staff of said agency shall serve, in part, as staff to the ARTS program and process.
Additional staff resources may be provided, upon request, from the Technical Coordinating
Committee (TCC) membership and existing staff resources of the participating agencies and
governments. The Project Director shall coordinate all requests under the direction of the Policy
Committee.
IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the ARTS Policy Committee shall continue to adopt
appropriate goals, work programs, and plans; and establish the need, form, and direction of
future transportation improvements in the ARTS area. The Policy Committee shall be the MPO
forum for cooperative decision-making by elected and appointed officials of general purpose
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local government and intermodal transportation providers. The individuals representing the
government jurisdictions involved in the ARTS planning process and other involved agencies
shall comprise the Policy Committee. The membership shall be enumerated in the Policy
Committee Bylaws. The Policy Committee shall have final authority in the matters of policy and
plan adoption for the Augusta Regional Transportation Study.
VI. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the committee known as the Technical Coordinating
Committee (TCC) shall continue to function to assure the involvement of all the applicable
departments, advisory agencies, and multi modal transportation providers concerned with, or
affected by, the planning process and subsequent implementation of plans. The TCC shall
provide the teclunical guidance and direction of the Augusta Regional Transportation Study. The
membership shall be emuneratedin the Technical Coordinating Committee Bylaws.
VII. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) shall continue to
function as a public information arid involvement committee, and shall be representative of a
cross - section of the community. The CAC shall keep the Policy Committee and the Technical
Coordinating Committee informed of the community's perspective and shall also provide
information to the community about transportation policies and issues. The membership shall be
enumerated in the Citizens Advisory Committee Bylaws.
VIII. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the various committees meet at the appropriate stages in the
planning process in accordance with the bylaws adopted by each committee.
IX. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the Georgia Dehart>nent of Transportation, only to the
extent that it may be bound by contracts which may hereafter be entered into, shall be
responsible for the following:
a. Provide available maps, aerial photographs, charts and records as deemed necessary to
maintain the study.
b. Update and maintain travel simulation models for use in evaluating the metropolitan
area's transportation needs. Said models shall be the "official" ARTS 'node's. The
Department shall also provide the expertise and computer software to maintain and
update the model as necessary.
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c. Make periodic reviews of projected transportation needs; and revisions, when necessary,
of the multimodal transportation plan.
d. Aid the MPO in the preparation of planning-oriented preliminary engineering, right-of-
way, and construction cost estimates for multimodal projects in the ARTS Multimodal
Transportation Plan.
e. Provide local agencies with current information concerning the status of planning and
implementation of the ARTS Multimodal Transportation Plan.
f Work cooperatively with all participating agencies when it is necessary to complete a
Major Investment Study.
g. Incorporate, without modification, the Georgia portion of the adopted ARTS
Transportation Improvement Program into Georgia's State Transportation Improvement
Program; and coordinate with the ARTS Multimodal Transportation Plan in the
development of the Georgia Statewide Transportation Plan.
h. Facilitate with all participating parties an understanding of the development and
amendment process for the Transportation Improvement Program and the Statewide
Transportation improvement Program.
i. Annually certify to the FHWA and the FTA, concurrently with the Augusta MPO, that
the ARTS planning process is addressing the major issues facing the area and is being
conducted in accordance with all applicable Federal laws.
Provide various types of traffic count data.
Provide other assistance as mutually agreed upon.
X. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the South Carolina Department of Transportation, only to
the extent that it may be bound by contracts which may hereafter be entered into, shall be
responsible for the following:
Provide available maps, aerial photographs, charts, and records as deemed necessary to maintain
the study.
a. Aid the MPO in the preparation of planning-oriented preliminary engineering, right-of-
way, and construction cost estimates for multimodal projects in the ARTS Multimodal
Transportation Plan. Provide local agencies with current information concerning the
status of planning and implementation of the ARTS Multimodal Transportation Plan.
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b. Work cooperatively with all participating agencies when it is necessary to complete a
Major Investment Study.
c. Incorporate, without modification, the South Carolina portion of the adopted ARTS
Transportation Improvement Program into the South Carolina State Transportation
Improvement Program; and coordinate with the ARTS Transportation Plan in the
development of the South Carolina Statewide Transportation Plan.
d. Annually certify to the FHWA and the FTA, concurrently with the Augusta MPO, that the
ARTS planning process is addressing the major issues facing the area and is being
conducted in accordance with all applicable Federal laws.
e. Provide various types of traffic count data.
f. Perform other duties as described in the Contract between the South Carolina Department
of Transportation, Aiken County, and the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development
Department for the Use of Section 104(0 Funds dated October 5, 1994.
XL IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development
Department, a Department within the Augusta, GA city government, only to the extent that it
may be bound by contracts which may hereafter be entered into, shall be responsible for the
following:
a. Assist in the preparation of planning- oriented preliminary engineering, right -of -way and
construction cost estimates for projects in the ARTS Multimodal Transportation Plan.
b. Update and maintain snaps showing existing and proposed land use, and compare actual
and projected land development.
Evaluate zoning and subdivision requests for in
Multimodal Transportation Plan.
Provide or obtain social and community developmei
needs.
Develop and maintain base -year and horizon -year socioecono
zone (TAZ), for use in ARTS traffic simulation models.
Make recommendations for revisions of the ARTS Multimodal Transportation
conform to any new planning goals, objectives, policies, or developments,
Periodically review traffic analysis zone (TAZ) boundaries and make recommendations
c.
g.
acts on or
rom projcc
s in the ARTS
d. zt plans as may relate to transportation
is data, by traffic analysis
Plan to
to
the Technical Coordinating Committee to revise said boundaries as necessary. Cooperate
with the Georgia and South Carolina Departments of Transportation in making any changes
to TAZ boundaries.
h. Provide needed maps, aerial photographs, charts, records, and directories to the extent
possible.
i. Collect, analyze, and distribute traffic data, such as traffic counts and accident data, to the
public, governmental agencies, and other parties.
j. Maintain and update a fiscally-constrained, multimodal transportation plan that results in
the development of an integrated intermodal transportation system that facilitates the
efficient movement of people and goods. The transportation plan shall be reviewed and
updated at least every five years.
k. Maintain, and update annually, a fiscally-constrained, three-year, multimodal
Transportation improvement Program (TIP) for Georgia, and a five-year TIP for South
Carolina.
1. Prepare an annual Unified Planning Work Program to document planning activities to be
performed in the next fiscal year; in sufficient detail to indicate who will perform the work,
the schedule for completion and the end products.
m. Prepare an annual Performance Report that compares actual accomplishments to the work
element descriptions in the Unified Planning Work Program.
n. Compile, maintain, and document data on existing water, air, freight and rail terminal and
transfer facilities.
o. Maintain and update as necessary the ARTS Public Involvement Policy (PIP). The PIP
documents how the MPO will support early and continuing involvement of the public in
the development of transportation policies, plans and programs.
p. Cooperate with the Georgia and South Carolina Departments of Transportation in the
development and implementation of any transportation management systems mandated by
Federal law. The MPO will have the lead responsibility in the development of the ARTS
Congestion Management System.
q. Ensure that the Congestion Management System and any other applicable management
systems shall, to the extent appropriate, be part of the metropolitan transportation planning
process, and shall be considered in the development of the transportation plan and the TIP.
r. Work cooperatively with all participating agencies when it is necessary to complete a
Major Investment Study.
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XII.
s. Perform duties as described in the Contract between the South Carolina Department of
Transportation, Aiken County, and the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development
Department for the Use of Section 104(0 Funds dated October 5, 1994.
t. Annually certify to the FHWA and the F'fA, concurrently with the Georgia and South
Carolina Departments of Transportation, that the ARTS planning process is addressing the
major issues facing the area and is being conducted in accordance with all applicable
Federal laws.
u. Prepare and submit quarterly and annual FTA reports.
IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the City of Augusta Georgia
within its official jurisdiction be responsible for the following:
a. Maintain and keep current records of fiscal operations and abilities, administrative
practices, and laws and ordinances that affect and concern transportation. A re-evaluation
of these items shall be made at least every five (5) years and the results and
recommendations which could affect the ARTS program will be coordinated with the
Technical Coordinating Committee and the Policy Committee.
b. Maintain records of accidents occurring on the roads and highways by location and
description, and maintain thesc files on a current basis and provide the data to the MPO
for analysis and reports.
c. When appropriate, provide funding for right-of-way acquisition and clearance that may be
required for ARTS construction projects and be the agent responsible for acquiring said
right-of-way.
d. Aid the MPO in developing planning-oriented preliminary engineering, right-of-way and
construction cost estimates for the ARTS Multimodal Transportation Plan.
e. Be responsible for cooperating with the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development
Department insofar as its authority extends.
XIII. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that Augusta Public Transit (APT) shall:
a. Provide instructions and directions to the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development
Department as to studies and plans to be conducted on its behalf by the Augusta Georgia
Plaiming and Development Department, including, but not limited to, corridor and sub-
area studies when necessary.
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as
he local government,
b. Make available to the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development Department any
records, documents or information necessary to accomplish APT's planning objectives
and to develop the Augusta Multimodal Transportation Plan and the TIP.
c, Cooperate with the Georgia Department of Transportation in the development of any
management systems mandated by Federal law..
d. Work cooperatively with all participating agencies when it is necessary to complete a
Major Investment Study.
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XIV. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the City of Grovctown, Georgia within it official
jurisdiction be responsible for the following:
a. Maintain and keep current records of fiscal operations and abilities, administrative
practices, and laws and ordinances that affect and concern transportation. A re- evaluation
of these items shall be made at least every five (5) years and the results and
recommendations which could affect the ARTS program will be coordinated with the
Technical Coordinating Committee and the Policy Committee.
b. Maintain records of accidents occurring on the roads and highways by location and
description, and maintain these files on a current basis and provide the data to the MPO
for analysis and reports.
c. Aid the MPO in developing preliminary engineering, right -of -way and construction cost
estimates where applicable for the ARTS Multimodal Transportation Plan.
d. when appropriate, provide funding for right -of -way acquisition and clearance that may be
required for ARTS construction projects and be the agent responsible for acquiring said
right -of -way.
XV. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, th Columbia County, Georgia within its official jurisdiction be
responsible for the following:
a. Provide the staff of the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development Department with
information needed io maintain and update ARTS transportation plans and to carry out
work elements in the UPWP.
t�. Maintain records of accidents occurring on the roads and highways by location and
description, and maintain these files on a current basis and provide the data to the MPO
for analysis and reports.
c. Aid the MPO in developing preliminary engineering, right-of-way and construction cost
estimates for the ARTS Multimodal Transportation Plan.
d. When appropriate, provide funding for right-of-way acquisition and clearance that may be
required for ARTS construction projects and be the agent responsible for acquiring said
right-of-way.
XVI. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the Aiken County, South Carolina within its official
jurisdiction be responsible for the following:
a. Provide the staff of the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development Department with
information needed to maintain and update ARTS transportation plans and to carry out
work elements in the UPWP.
b. Maintain records of accidents occurring on the roads and highways by location and
description, and maintain these files on a current basis and provide the data to the MPO and
the Aiken County Planning and Development department for analysis and reports.
e. Aid the MPO in developing preliminary engineering, right-of-way and construction cost
estimates for the ARTS Multimodal Transportation Plan.
d. When appropriate, provide funding for right-of-way acquisition and clearance that may be
required for ARTS construction projects and be the agent responsible for acquiring said
right-of-way.
e. Perform duties as described in the Contract between the South Carolina Department of
Transportation, Aiken County, and the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development
Department for the Use of Section 104(1) Funds dated October 5, 1994.
XVII. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the Edgefield County, South Carolina within its official
jurisdiction be responsible for the following:
a, Provide the staff of the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development Department with
information needed to maintain and update ARTS transportation plans and to carry out
work elements in the UPWP.
b. Maintain records of accidents occurring on the roads and highways by location and
description, and maintain these files on a current basis and provide the data to the MPO and
the Aiken County Planning and Development department for analysis and reports.
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c. Aid the MPO in developing preliminary engineering, right-of»way and construction cost
estimates for the ARTS Multimodal Transportation Plan.
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XVIII. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the City of North Augusta, South Carolina within its
official jurisdiction be responsible for the following:
a. Maintain and keep current records of fiscal operations and abilities, administrative
practices, and laws and ordinances that affect and concern transportation. A re-evaluation
of these items shall be made at least every five (5) years and the results and
recommendations which could affect the ARTS program will be coordinated with the
Technical Coordinating Committee and the Policy Committee.
b. Maintain records of accidents occurring on the roads and highways by location and
description, and maintain these files on a current basis and provide the data to the MPO and
the Aiken County Planning and Development Department for analysis and reports.
e. Aid the MPO in developing preliminary engineering, right-of-way and construction cost
estimates where applicable for the ARTS 20 Year Transportation Plan.
d. When appropriate, provide funding for right-of-way acquisition and clearance that may be
required for ARTS construction projects and be the agent responsible for acquiring said
right-of-way.
XIX. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the City of Aiken, South Carolina within its official
jurisdiction be responsible for the following:
a. Maintain and keep current records of fiscal operations and abilities, administrative
practices, and laws and ordinances that affect and concern transportation. A re-evaluation
of these items shall be made at least every five (5) years and the results and
recommendations which could affect the ARTS program will be coordinated with the
Technical Coordinating Committee and the Policy Committee.
b. Maintain records of accidents occurring on the roads and highways by location and
description, and maintain these files on a current basis and provide the data to the MPO for
analysis and reports,
c. Aid the MPO in developing preliminary engineering, right-of-way and construction cost
estimates where applicable for the ARTS 20 Year Transportation Plan.
d. When appropriate, provide funding for right -of -way acquisition and clearance that may be
required for ARTS construction projects and be the agent responsible for acquiring said
right -of -way.
XX. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the City of Bui nettown, South Carolina shall provide the
staff of the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development Department with information needed to
maintain and update ARTS transportation plans and to carry out work elements in the UPWP
XXI. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the City of Hephzibah, Georgia shall provide the staff of the
Augusta Georgia Planning and Development Department with information needed to maintain
and update ARTS transportation plans and to carry out work elements in the UPWP.
XXII. IT' IS FURTHER AGREED, that the City of Blythe, Georgia shall provide the staff of the
Augusta Georgia Planning and Development Department with information needed to maintain
and update ARTS transportation plans and to carry out work elements in the UPWP.
XXIII. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that the Lower Savannah Council of Governments (LSCOG),
in its capacity as administrator of Aiken County Transit, shall:
a. Make available to the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development Department any
records, documents or information necessary to accomplish planning objectives related to
Aiken County Transit and to develop the Augusta Multimodal Transportation Plan and the
TIP.
b. Cooperate with the South Carolina Department of Transportation in the development of
any management systems mandated by Federal law.
c. Work cooperatively with all participating agencies when it is necessary to complete a
Major Investment Study.
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XXIV. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that US Signal Center and Fort Gordon either provide or assist
the staff of the Augusta Georgia Planning and Development Department in gathering information
needed to . maintain and update ARTS transportation plans, to carry out work elements in the
UPWP, and to insure that Fort Gordon is adequately served by the ARTS,
XXV. IT IS FURTHER AGREED, that:
a. The Study shall be of a continuing, comprehensive, cooperative nature and that all
planning decisions shall be reflective of and responsive to the needs and desires of the
local communities as well as the programs and requirements of the Georgia and South
Carolina Departments of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation,
b. A reappraisal shall be made of the Study whenever there is a significant change in the
community's goals and objectives, land use patterns, or travel characteristics, or at least
once every five (5) years.
c. The participating agencies shall cooperate in all phases of the Study. Adequate and
competent personnel shall be assigned to insure development of adequate and reliable
data.
d. All parties to this agreement shall have access to all study related information developed
by the other agencies, including the right to make duplication thereof.
This document is a Memorandum of Understanding expressing the present intentions of the parties.
Nothing contained herein shall require the undertaking of any act, project, study, analysis, or any other
activity by any party until a contract for such activity is executed. Nor shall this document require the
expenditure of any funds by any party until a contract authorizing such expenditure is executed.
However, nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit any party's undertaking any act,
project, study, analysis, or any other activity which the party is required by law or contract to undertake
as part of any other program which fulfills some function shown herein as intended to be performed by
the party undertaking such act, project, study, analysis, or other activity.
In witness whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Memorandum of Understanding, this 15th
day of May , 2012.
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CITY OF AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
Notary Public My Gomm &mon Exp4rso
April 13, 2013
CITY OF FIEPRZIBAII GEORGIA
Ary Public
s so„,;
CYNTHIA J. JENNINGS
s Notary Public. (Jeolgia
Ilichinond County
My Commission Expires
' ''' 4, ;;;;if:,■■■ss . September 16, 2013
Richmond County, Georgia
Expires Nov. 17, 2015
- AUGUSTA GEORGIA
Mayor - Deke Copenhaver
Ge ra1 Manager osson
C0111111ISSI011alairl 1— Robert BUCIIVV)12.
CITY OE BLYTHE GEORGIA
CITY OF GROVETOWN GEORGIA
Witness
Notary
COUNTY OF COLUMBIA GEORGIA
AR
I ,
( puc sHA K E k R
JOOrykin'110, G v
mnItTlial Coun
pion ety
06 20 xPlros
2
Mayor Patricia Cole
Commission Chairman — Ron Cross
AUGUSTA GEORGIA PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Witness
Not ty Pub ic
Notary Public
my
BEST FRIEND EXPRESS
1:\L
Witness
13
COUNTY OF AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA
ATTEST:
1.-
Tamara Sullivan, Council Clerk
Commission Expires:
My Commission Expires
February 7, 2016
),(
)`Yi, t
) o
3
SIGNED:
Director — George A. Pa
Ronnie Young, C
///
_...
Executive Director Lower Savannah COG
Connie Shade
CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SCI1L13214 CROLINA
Notary i'ubUc
Sworn to and Subscribed Before Me,
This £5' of (
Sig nod: . a• TY:c2f2.a.t.."
Notary Public 01 South Carolina
My Commission Expires: June 27, 2016
CITY OF AIKEN SOUTH CAROLINA
F()R'r GORDON, Ca'S RCIA
\Vika ss
(All
otary Public
Colond Robert A. Barker
Conummtling,1JS Army Garrison, Fort Gordon
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Mayor Fred Cavanaugh
Signed, Sealed, and Executed for the SOUTH CAROLIN DEP RT EN SPORT
RECOMMENDED:
Ron K. Patton, Chief Engineer for Planning, Location, and Design
Attest:
Signed, Sealed, and Executed for the GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:
RECOMMENDED:
Toby Carr, Director of PI ming
ness
ter, Director ofP amung and Environmental
MUNICIPALITY 01? BURNETTOWN SOUTH CAROLINA
5
alsh, Deputy ecretary or Engrneerin
Mayor — C. H. Wilhia
Keith Golden
Georgia DOT Commissioner
Notary Public
Signed, Sealed, and Executed for the SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
RECOMMENDED:
Attest;
Ron K. Patton, Chief Engineer foi P1anning , Location, and Design
ter, Director of P anning and Environrnentat
6
or Engineering
alsh, Deputy ecr fury