TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
Intergovernmental Agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation for implementation of Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities Scenario Planning.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Strong and Diverse Economy; Welcoming and Livable Community.
end
SUMMARY:
summary
The City is required by new State rules to conduct regional scenario planning to identify options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from light vehicle travel in order to meet the State’s climate pollution reduction targets. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is providing consultant support to undertake the required regional scenario planning. The attached Intergovernmental Agreement includes a scope of work that specifies responsibilities for the City and ODOT to carry out that work. City responsibilities are limited to contributing staff time.
end
ISSUE:
Shall City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the attached Intergovernmental Agreement (Attachment 1) with ODOT to undertake the required regional scenario planning?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to execute the attached Intergovernmental Agreement with ODOT to undertake the required regional scenario planning.
body
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
On June 26, 2023, the City Council received an information report on the work program for regional scenario planning as required by the State Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities rules (Attachment 2, File #23-195). On August 17, 2023, the City received notice that the work program had been approved by the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). The target deadline for completing the regional scenario plan is December 31, 2024.
The regional scenario planning process requires the Salem-Keizer metropolitan area to evaluate and determine what changes are needed to land use and transportation plans and programs in order to meet the State’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction targets. The process is similar to the scenario planning work that was done with the Our Salem project; the focus then was on land use changes. Staff anticipates that the new regional scenario planning work will focus on transportation changes, including current and future investments in active transportation, fleet and fuels, transit, pricing, parking management, education, marketing, and roads. Specifically, the planning process will establish regional performance targets and local performance measures that Salem will then incorporate into its Transportation System Plan.
Key steps in the regional scenario planning process include:
• Future Reference Scenario: Develop a future baseline scenario based on adopted plans and policies.
• Alternative Future Scenarios: Develop and test alternative future scenarios to evaluate how the scenarios impact Salem’s progress towards meeting GHG reduction targets.
• Preferred Scenario: Identify a preferred scenario that achieves GHG reduction targets.
• Performance Measures and Targets: Develop performance measures and future year targets that align with the preferred scenario and achieve the regional GHG reduction target.
• Community Engagement: Conduct community engagement, with an emphasis on engaging traditionally underserved populations, throughout the process.
ODOT is supporting implementation of the regional scenario planning process through a contract with a consultant team led by Parametrix. The attached Intergovernmental Agreement with ODOT establishes the City’s role in supporting the regional scenario planning process. City obligations are limited to providing staff support throughout the process.
BACKGROUND:
On March 10, 2020, Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order 20-04, directing state agencies to reduce climate pollution. In response, the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission launched the Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) rulemaking project in September 2020. The rulemaking project amended rules governing Oregon’s planning system for communities in Oregon’s eight most populated areas. The CFEC rules aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution from transportation while increasing housing choices and creating more equitable outcomes for Oregonians.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. Proposed Intergovernmental Agreement with ODOT
2. City Council Staff Report, June 26, 2023, Agenda Item 6.a. (without attachments)