BALTIMORE, MD (February 12, 2018) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) welcomes comments through Wednesday, March 14, on new projects and funding updates to the 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and/or Maximize2040: A Performance-Based Transportation Plan for five Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) projects and one Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) project.
The BRTB is scheduled to vote on the amendments on Tuesday, March 27, at 9 a.m. The BRTB also will host public meetings on Monday, February 26; Tuesday, February 27; and Monday, March 1.
About Maximize2040 and the TIP
Maximize2040 is this region’s $12.5 billion long-range transportation plan developed by the BRTB. Maximize2040 serves as the blueprint for fiscally constrained transportation planning in the Baltimore region from the year 2020 to 2040. The plan also establishes the region’s broad transportation goals and performance measures, which now serve as guiding principles as the region plans and carries out projects.
The 2018-2021 TIP is the list of regional transportation projects requesting federal funding in the near term. It includes more than $3 billion in proposed federal, state and local money for highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects during the next four years. The funding goes towards maintaining, operating and expanding the transportation system. The TIP is fiscally constrained.
Updates occur in Maximize2040 and the 2018-2021 TIP because of changes to project scope and funding or changes to federal documentation policies. Public comment periods and meetings aim to keep communication open regarding these changes.
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Dear Friends,
When you look at the national news, it’s easy to dismiss Baltimore as a city with great challenges and struggles. But outsiders are discovering what so many of us have known about this region for years: Baltimore is a dynamic destination and it’s only getting better.
Forbes started the momentum when it dubbed us No. 14 on “America’s Coolest Cities to Live” in 2012. Then Zagat crowned Baltimore City No. 2 on “The Top 17 Food Cities of 2015.” So it’s no surprise (but still quite exciting) that we made the New York Time’s “52 Places to go in 2018,” a list of global destinations.
Our Winter 2018 COG Quarterly cover story, “Baltimore Bound,” highlights regional tourism and its intersection with transportation (Page 14). The Baltimore region has something for everyone – whether you’re a foodie or beer connoisseur, a sports fanatic or patron of the arts, nature enthusiast or leisure lover. The tourism industry is a key component of our economy, and it’s an emerging factor in how we approach transportation planning for the future.
Once again, thank you for your interest in BMC and our work.
Sincerely,
Michael B. Kelly
BMC Executive Director
BALTIMORE, MD (April 5, 2018) – Extreme weather, power outages and other disasters happen every day around the world. Residents in the Baltimore region need to prepare at home before an emergency occurs.
“Ready? Set? Good!” is a call-to-action emergency preparedness campaign through the Baltimore Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) that encourages people to, at minimum, put aside a portable, battery-powered radio, flashlight and one gallon of water per person, per day to help get them through those first critical hours when basic services are down. The campaign targets homeowners, heads of households, moms, dads, caregivers and families to prepare for an emergency before one happens.
The first 72 hours into an emergency are critical. It can take emergency personnel that long to restore basic services – electricity, heat, water, clearing of streets from snow and debris, etc. By preparing at home with a radio, flashlight and water, residents would:know what outside communication is available about the situation; navigate safely around the home; and stay hydrated.
“Ready? Set? Good!” also encourages residents to use a checklist to prepare other items – blankets, non-perishable foods, family plans, pet supplies, etc. Adults should keep a checklist in their wallets or purses as a reminder, and purchase items whenever they are at a store running other errands. For more information, including tips and a checklist of recommended items, visit www.readysetgood.org.
In addition, “Ready? Set? Good!” advertisements will appear on television, radio and digitally through Memorial Day weekend through partnerships with Entercom Communications and the Sinclair Broadcasting Group.
The “Ready? Set? Good!” emergency preparedness campaign is a regional effort funded by the Baltimore UASI, a preparedness grant from the federal government. UASI member jurisdictions include the City of Baltimore, the City of Annapolis, as well as Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. The committee also works closely with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
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BALTIMORE, MD (April 10, 2018) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) will accept comments on a draft of the Public Participation Plan through Thursday, May 24.
View the BRTB's draft Public Participation Plan
The draft of the Public Participation Plan is scheduled for a vote before the BRTB on Tuesday, June 26.
The Public Participation Plan serves as a guide for residents in the Baltimore region to navigate the public process, while also outlining the policies and procedures to ensure that those coordinating the planning process engage the public. The mission of the Public Participation Plan is to provide an open process that offers reasonable access to information, timely public notice, full public access to key decisions, and support for early and continued involvement of stakeholders.
The BRTB’s Public Advisory Committee (PAC) helped to develop the draft through its Public Involvement subcommittee.
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Dear Friends,
The Orioles are back in town, tulips are in bloom and temperatures are again cresting the 70-degree mark. There’s no doubt that spring has sprung in the Baltimore region, which means Bike to Work Day is right around the corner.
In our COG Quarterly cover story, we’re gearing up – literally and figuratively – for Friday, May 18, when our region will celebrate its 21st year of Bike to Work Day. This annual event, encourages commuters from Baltimore and surrounding counties to swap their cars for a bicycle and enjoy a clean, healthy, affordable ride to work. The big day is coordinated each year by BMC and its member counties and generously supported by public and private sponsors. We hope that you’ll join us for this fun event. Please read about Bike to Work Day, as well as some of BMC's other activities in the Spring 2018 issue of COG Quarterly, our digital magazine.
Sincerely,
Michael B. Kelly
BMC Executive Director
BALTIMORE, MD (May 10, 2018) – The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) staff grieves the sudden loss of Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz after hearing the news of his passing earlier this morning.
"We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, a member of the BMC Board of Directors," said Michael B. Kelly, executive director of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. "County Executive Kamenetz chaired our board in 2015 and was a strong voice, advocate and leader for our region. Our most sincere condolences go out to his family and friends, as well as to our colleagues in Baltimore County Government."
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Mid-Atlantic Purchasing Team (MAPT)
Overview
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments have agreed to work together through our procurement committees to aggregate regional purchasing volumes. This collaboration is called the Mid-Atlantic Purchasing Team. The regions covered by this action include Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington D.C.
Purpose and Mission
- First and foremost, MAPT leverages our regions' population density, logistics and spending volumes to attract the best suppliers/contractors, and best pricing.
- MAPT is a member driven consortium with no contract fees.
Membership
Regional coordinators:
Debbie Groat, Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee Baltimore Metropolitan Council dgroat@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1007
Rick Konrad, Chief Procurement Officers Committee Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments rkonrad@mwcog.org or 202-962-3332
Energy Board
Overview
The Energy Board is a subcommittee of the BRCPC. The Energy Board manages a portfolio of electric and natural gas requirements from participating entities. These decisions are guided by an energy management consultant and managed with a Chair.
Purpose and Mission
- Manage price risk for both electric and natural gas portfolios through an 80/20 hedging strategy.
- Ensure that participants meet their renewable energy requirements.
- Inform participants of industry innovations and news.
Membership
Presently, there are 24 local entities participating in the Energy Board. The voting members of the Board include Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, City of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County.
Chair: Matthew Carpenter, Baltimore County Government, mcarpenter@baltimorecountymd.gov or 410-887-3880.
Energy Management Consultant: Noel Chesser, enelX, 443-524-2887.
Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee
Overview
The Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee works with regional procurement officers from its eight county/city membership to aggregate the purchasing volumes of like commodities and services to leverage the committee's buying power.
This work is facilitated by the Coordinator of Cooperative Purchasing employed by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.
Purpose and Mission
- Identify cooperative procurement opportunities.
- Identify a lead buying entity to administer the cooperative procurement under their purchasing policy and procedures.
- Save participants money, time and administrative burden through consolidation efforts.
- Share best practices and essential information.
Membership
Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Anne Arundel Community College, City of Annapolis, Baltimore County, Baltimore County Public Schools, Community College of Baltimore County, City of Baltimore, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore City Community College, Carroll County, Carroll County Public Schools, Carroll County Community College, Harford County, Harford County Public Schools, Harford County Community College, Howard County, Howard County Public Schools, Howard County Community College, Queen Anne's County and Maryland Department of General Services.
Ethics
The Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee created a video to provide important information for suppliers, employees and the public on the topic of governmental ethics in procurement activities. Please take the time to view this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RamJ5naD4D0.