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TO: |
Mayor and Members of Council |
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FROM: |
Alan Brown,
Director of Engineering |
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PREPARED BY: |
Lorenzo
Mele, TDM Coordinator |
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DATE OF MEETING: |
2004-Mar-29 |
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SUBJECT: |
Urban Transportation Showcase Program (UTSP) - Smart Commute Initiative |
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RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the staff report entitled Urban Transportation Showcase Program (UTSP) -
Smart Commute
Initiative, dated
THAT Town of Markham financial participation in the program on a cost sharing basis be subject to approval of corresponding accounts in the 2004 Capital Budget – Accounts #141 (TDM/TMA/TMI) AND # 142 (Urban Showcase), as outlined in the Report;
THAT the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Region of York for the Urban Transportation Showcase Program to the satisfaction of the Director of Engineering, Town Solicitor and CAO;
THAT a request be made to York Region to include the Markham Centre area transportation management initiative in the GTA wide program, including the opportunity to leverage investments and benefit from the UTSP funding.
AND THAT the Hwy. 404/7 TMA Steering Team organizational structure and Draft Terms of Reference, attached to the report, be endorsed.
PURPOSE:
This report is to obtain the support and
approval of Committee and Council to sign a memorandum of understanding between
the Town and The Region of York to participate in the GTA Smart Commute
Initiative. The aim of the initiative is
to form a network of Transportation Management Associations across the GTA
including
BACKGROUND:
In June 2001, Transport
The staff report entitled Urban Transportation Showcase Program
was submitted to Transportation Committee on
The detailed proposal to
Transport
In addition to the existing Black Creek TMA (BCRTMA), the current plan would see two other local TMAs located in York Region; one in the employment areas of Richmond Hill and Markham in the Hwy 404 & Hwy 7 Corridor and the other in the Aurora/Newmarket/404 corridor (Attachment 2).
TMAs are non-profit, member-controlled organizations that provide sustainable transportation solutions to improve mobility, accessibility and enhance land value in the targeted area or corridor. The TMA provides a framework to coordinate transportation demand and deliver commuter travel services and programs.
DISCUSSION
TMA Development in
The Town has been working with
key stakeholders in the business community and transportation industry over the
past few years to obtain support and build the partnerships required to form
Transportation Management Associations to serve
February 2004 – Markham Centre TMA working meeting and inter-municipal staff meetings to plan and coordinate the 404/7 area TMA.
Hwy 404/7 Area TMA
Since the announcement of the
UTSP program in late November 2003, Town staff has participated in a working
group with
The responsibilities of the
Steering Team will be to initially attend and participate in meetings and
provide local business input and guidance into the development of the TMA. The
Steering Team will also assist the staff working group in prioritizing business
needs as they relate to transportation and identify potential opportunities to
implement TDM measures within their own business operation. The draft Terms of
Reference to guide the work of the steering team is included as Attachment 4
and will be finalized subject to final consultation with our business partners.
The staff working group will provide updates and reports to their respective
Councils regarding actions and recommendations for the establishment of the
local TMA. The launch and introduction of the Hwy 404/7 TMA to area business
representatives is scheduled for late spring or early summer 2004.
The TMA area has initially been defined as follows and will be finalized based on discussions with area businesses (Attachment 5):
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North -
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South -
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East -
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West -
The Markham Centre
Transportation Management Initiative was not included in the original
submission to Transport
Memorandum of Understanding
The Region of York will sign
the overall agreement with Transport
Key components of the MOU will include:
It is estimated that each TMA will have an operating cost of approximately $180,000 per year with $60,000 per year provided from the Federal Government grant for a maximum three-year period. The local municipalities, the Region and local business are responsible for contributing the remaining $120,000 for the implementation of their respective TMA (in this instance the Hwy. 404/7 and Markham Centre area TMAs). Contributions towards the TMA can be made-up of both cash and in-kind contributions.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The
UTSP funding formula is such that the federal, municipal and private sectors
will each contribute towards showcase implementation and the annual budget for
each TMA during the three year showcase program (estimated to be $180,000 per
TMA). Assuming the Town was to establish both TMAs (Hwy 404/7 and Markham
Centre area) the total operating budget is estimated to be $360,000 with total
Federal funding available of $120,000 per year and a 50/50 shared expense
arrangement with the Town of
404/7
TMA
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Annual Operating Cost |
$180,000 |
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Revenue |
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$60,000 |
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$120,000 |
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Annual Operating Cost |
$180,000 |
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Revenue |
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$60,000 |
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$120,000 |
To
date a portion of the costs associated with the TDM program, including the
development of the TMAs, have been allocated funding
from Development Charges. Staff will include TDM in the current Development
Charge update study. As TDM is a new program, finalization of the cost
allocation from Development Charge will be determined as part of the approved
DC by law expected later this year.
Funding
for the Town of Markham contribution to this initiative in year one is included
in the Engineering Department 2004 Capital Projects #141 (TDM/TMA/TMI) - $150,000, #142 (Urban
Showcase) - $75,000 and $25,000 for marketing and communications
(transferred from Markham Centre budget) - for a total of $250,000.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 – Smart Commute Association
Organization
Attachment 2 – Smart Commute Association TMA
Network map
Attachment 3 – 404 – 7 TMA Organization
Attachment 4 – Steering Team Terms of Reference
Attachment 5 – 404 – 7 TMA area map
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Alan Brown, C.E.T. Director of Engineering |
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Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services |
Q:\Development\Engineering\REPORTS\2004\March\Smart
Commute Initiative.doc
