Title
RESOLUTION R-1819-42: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT AND INDENTURE OF THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.
Body
BACKGROUND: The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (“ACOG”) and its member cities began talking about the development of regional transit opportunities several years ago. In 2009, the Regional Transit Dialogue was established and led by a steering committee of locally elected officials and volunteer private sector representatives. The purpose of the steering committee was to discuss, analyze, design and develop a regional public transportation system. In 2010, ACOG, the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (“COTPA”) and the City of Oklahoma City partnered to commission a study to assess the best location and conceptual lay-out for an intermodal transportation hub facility that could accommodate COTPA’s fixed-route bus service, possible future bus transit improvements, potential commuter rail lines to Edmond, Midwest City and Norman, and potential future high speed rail. This plan was completed in June 2011.
In 2013, ACOG initiated the Central Oklahoma Commuter Corridors Study to lay the foundation for an integrated, high-capacity, commuter system connecting the metro communities for employment, entertainment and housing opportunities. The goal of this study was to identify the most suitable transit technology and route alignment. This study is in its final stages. The commuter corridor that would serve Moore and Norman would extend from Downtown Oklahoma City to Downtown Norman. Several stations are envisioned in Norman - one near Tecumseh Road, one in Downtown Norman at the Amtrak station, one north of Highway 9 and potentially a special events stop near the OU Campus.
In May 2014, the City of Norman adopted its first Comprehensive Transportation Plan. During the development of the Plan, a Transit Subcommittee was appointed to discuss public transportation needs within the City of Norman. The Transit Subcommittee was in favor of developing a regional commuter rail system.
The Regional Transit Dialogue determined and recommended that the development of a Regional Transit Authority was necessary to plan, finance, implement and operate a regional public transportation system. On September 8, 2015 the City Council approved Contract K-1516-47 which was a Memorandum of Understanding between ACOG and the cities of Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, Midwest City and Del City to join together and create a Regional Transit Authority (“RTA”) Task Force. The goal of the RTA Task Force established the structure, design and rules of operation of the proposed RTA, including the following specific tasks:
• Determine geographic boundaries, directing, and rules for modification of a regional public transportation district.
• Create a Memorandum of Agreement outlining and establishing municipal roles/relationship with an established RTA.
• Determine the form of governance and board representation on the RTA.
• Recommend an organizational structure and staffing (short and long term) for the RTA
• Recommend the structure of the relationship with existing transit systems.
• Determine the role of the RTA as a recipient of federal funds.
Each signatory municipality was to provide two (2) representatives to the RTA Task Force, including a representative that would be engaged in the process and a representative of its public transit provider. Additionally, participants pledged to make a good faith effort to reach consensus on an RTA structure that promotes the common good with regional transportation goals in mind and to provide funding for the RTA Task Force and/or the RTA, based upon its percentage of population of the aggregate population of all signatories for a three (3) year period or until adequate funding source(s) are established.
On Norman’s two (2) representatives to the RTA Task Force, Cindy Rosenthal with alternates being Robert Castleberry and Lynne Miller, were appointed on September 22, 2015. Member Rosenthal was later elected as Chair of the RTA Task Force. The Task Force has worked diligently since 2015 to study the issues involved in developing an RTA including the structure, design, and rules of operation of the RTA; the geographic boundaries, districting, and rules of modification of the RTA; the form of government and board representation on the RTA; the organizational structure and staffing for the RTA; and the structure of the relationship among the RTA and existing transit systems.
On September 27, 2018, the Task Force unanimously approved the draft Trust Agreement and indenture of the Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma (RTACO) which will serve to create the “RTACO”. The City Council received information and a presentation regarding the Trust Agreement and the Indenture of the RTACO at its Council Conference on October 9, 2018. Resolution R-1819-42 authorized the execution of the Trust Agreement and the Indenture of the RTACO.
DISCUSSION: The draft Trust Agreement and Indenture for the Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma (RTACO) is provided with the materials. Council received a full presentation on this document at its Council Conference on October 9, 2018, by Holmes & Associates headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. This consultant has been retained by RTA to guide the process and make recommendations regarding the Trust Agreement and Indenture and the next steps in the process toward establishing the Regional Transportation system.
A summary of issues and RTA Draft Trust indenture are provided with materials as well as the Draft Trust Agreement and Indenture. Holmes and Associates will be available to answer additional questions City Council may have in considering Resolution R-1819-42.
RECOMMENDATION: Based on the recommendation from Holmes and Associates as discussed with City Council on October 9, 2018, Staff recommends approval of Resolution R-1819-42.