The City of Midland’s video podcast “Word on the Street” begins season two with a discussion of another set of one-way street pairs in Midland: Ashman and Rodd streets. Hosts Katie and Grant discuss the characteristics of these corridors and why their future as one-way or two-way streets is critical to the pending reconstruction projects on Buttles and Indian streets. Word on the Street(s) is a podcast from the City of Midland that explores the future of the Buttles and Indian Corridor Improvement Project. It is produced by the MCTV Network and is also available as an audio-only production on most preferred podcast platforms. Episodes are released on the third Thursday of every month - or sooner if new information becomes available. For more info on the podcast or to view elements referenced in this episode, visit www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/corridors.
Asset Management Council Kicks Off 2022 with a New Strategic Work Program, Policy Updates and Training Opportunities Announced
GRETCHEN WHITMER GOVERNOR
STATE OF MICHIGAN
JOANNA I. JOHNSON CHAIR
Joanna Johnson, Chair – William McEntee, Vice Chair – Derek Bradshaw – Ryan Buck – Kelly Jones
Gary Mekjian – Bob Slattery– Rob Surber – Jennifer Tubbs – Todd White – Brad Wieferich
Roger Belknap – Transportation Asset Management Coordinator
MURRAY D. VAN WAGONER BUILDING • P.O. BOX 30050 • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909
www.michigan.gov/tamc • (517) 230-8192
January 21, 2022
Public Act 51 Agencies, Regional and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (RPA/MPOs) and the Michigan
Department of Transportation (MDOT)
RE: TAMC Kicks Off 2022 with a New Strategic Work Program, Policy Updates and
Training Opportunities Announced
Dear Transportation Agency Partners,
This letter is an update from the Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC) to announce the new three-year strategic work program as well as assist with pavement surface evaluation and rating (PASER) data collection for the 2022 data collection season.
TAMC Adopts 3-Year Strategic Work Program
On January 5, the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC) held its first meeting of 2022 and wasted no time in setting directives for the program. The first order of action was the adoption of the 2022-2024 TAMC Strategic Work Program. This program guides the goals, objectives and strategic priorities of the TAMC for the next three years and is foundational to TAMC’s trainings, policies and activities. This three-year work program is an outcome of the 2021 TAMC Strategic Planning meeting held on August 4, 2021 as well as the ongoing engagement of TAMC committees that administer the TAMC program.
TAMC Updates Data Collection and Asset Management Plan Submittal and Review Policies
Last year (2021) TAMC modified the Policy for Roadway Condition Data Collection by reducing the required PASER data collection team from three (3) members to two (2) members and amended the training requirements for PASER participation. This has been called a “pilot” policy as TAMC continues to monitor the performance of the rating teams data against the Quality Review data set. In 2021 TAMC also set a target for collecting data on 100% of Michigan’s Federal Aid eligible network. For 2022, TAMC adopted an updated roadway data collection policy on January 5 that maintains the minimum 2-member rating team for Federal Aid ratings, however the policy returns to the previous goal of collecting no less than 50% of Michigan’s Federal Aid eligible network.
TAMC also responded to legislative changes to Public Act 51 as it relates to the submission of local agency Transportation Asset Management Plans (TAMP). The main changes to the Policy for Submittal and Review of Asset Management Plans for Roads, Bridges and Transportation Infrastructure is the identification of procedures for managing the submittal and review processes for agencies with less than 100 miles, as well as incorporating directives from Public Act 164 of 2020.
January 21, 2022
TAMC Update Letter
Bridges & Culverts
TAMC also approved a few changes to the Policy for Collection of Bridge Condition Data for 2022. Under the guidance of the TAMC Bridge Committee, TAMC approved changes to elements of the Asset Management program for bridges. These changes were the result of further evaluation of critical bridge infrastructure impacts upon the safety and welfare of roadway travel which recommended adding non-roadway bridges that are located within public roadway rights-of-way (such as trail or pedestrian bridge structures) and tunnels. Additional changes include partnering with RPA/MPOs to utilize the Asset Management program resource for assisting with expenses of bridge inspections as well as reference to the recently created TAMC Non-National Bridge Inventory Culvert Inspection Guide for use on structures less than 20 feet in length. As it relates to culverts, a reminder that TAMC has also launched Asset Management program for culverts, continuing the effort from previous years including adoption of a Policy for Collection of Culvert Inventory and Condition Data and ongoing training.
2022 Training Schedules
PASERPavement Surface Evaluation & Rating (PASER) / Inventory-based Rating (IBR) Training Schedule
TAMC Investment Reporting Tool (IRT) Training Schedule
Culvert Asset Management Training Schedule
TAMP Training Schedule in process
The TAMC is updating the 2022 TAMP training and you can find those dates and other TAMC sponsored training events at the Center for Technology and Training.
TAMC will be announcing the date of our 20 years of TAMC Conference in the very near future, please stay tuned for these updates. Also, TAMC individual or organization award nominations information will be provided soon. We look forward to celebrating our commitment to asset management together!
We appreciate all of your patience and on-going commitments to asset management.
Questions can be directed to Roger Belknap, TAMC Coordinator by calling (517) 230-8192 or by email belknapr@michigan.gov. To learn more about TAMC and to access road and bridge condition data and maps, visit www.Michigan.gov/TAMC.
Sincerely,
Joanna I. Johnson, Chair
CC: TAMC Members
MATS Presents the FY 2021 Annual Obligation Report to the Public
Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maja Bolanowska or Bryan Gillett
(989) 832-6333
info@midlandmpo.com
Overall Transportation Investment in MATS Area at $12.7 Million in FY 2021; Federal $$ supported by CARES Act.
MIDLAND, Mi., December 27th, 2021- The Midland Area Transportation Study (MATS) has released its Annual Report, showing Federal funding obligated in the MATS area for Fiscal Year 2021 for roads and transit. State and Local funds are included in the report for reference where possible.
The 2021 MATS Annual Report:
Shows that overall transportation investment in the MATS area is down somewhat from FY 2020, but was still aided by funding from the CARES Act of 2021.
Federal funding was down regardless, at 6.4 million dollars, with roads and bridges still being the largest beneficiary, and nearly 1.7 million dollars in Federal transit funding.
Overall transportation funding totaling $12.7 million was invested into the MATS area transportation network through Federal, State and Local sources.
State of Michigan investment in the area is up slightly due to a number of traffic safety projects.
According to MATS Director Maja Bolanowska, these Federal obligations "reflect highway, urban, rural roads, safety, bridge, transit operating and transit capital funds. They allow many projects to be completed each year. All these categories of funding represent federal gas tax revenues coming back to the local community”.
About the Midland Area Transportation Study: MATS is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Midland Area, established in January 2013. MATS focuses on regional transportation planning services and helps to create intergovernmental cooperation. MATS is a policy-making agency, developing transportation plans and programming Federal-aid projects while providing public outreach regarding transportation issues. The MATS metropolitan planning region is defined as the entire geographic County of Midland, the geographic area of City of Auburn and Williams Township within Bay County and Tittabawassee Township in Saginaw County. For additional information, please visit www.midlandmpo.org or call (989) 832-6333.
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MATS Releases Draft Long Range Transportation Plan for Public Review
MATS has released the public review draft of its long range transportation plan Towards 2045. The draft can be found here.
This update to the long range transportation plan (LRTP) outlines regional goals and objectives that will guide the investment of nearly $1 Billion into transportation projects proposed through 2045 in Midland County as well as Williams Township in Bay County and Tittabawassee Township in Saginaw County.
Every five years, the LRTP is updated. The first LRTP for MATS, which was established in 2013, was completed in 2017. The new LRTP will include a 23-year planning horizon and will take into account demographic and economic developments as they relate to transportation demands, as well as climate change, resilience, and environmental justice policies. In addition, the LRTP will be the first version of the plan to fulfill Federal Performance Management standards.
The LRTP must be fiscally limited, and transportation investments are based on regional budget predictions throughout the Plan's horizon. The plan is based on regional goals and objectives, and it aims to extend the life of existing infrastructure by employing asset management principles. The LRTP incorporates a range of transportation modes to efficiently serve the region in a way that promotes environmental sustainability, accessibility, economic growth, and improved quality of life for residents.
The public is encouraged to review the document, and provide comments here, via email at info@midlandmpo.com, by phone at 989-832-6333 or by mail at 220 W. Ellsworth St., Ste 326, Midland Michigan 48640.
Midland Business Alliance post focuses on Bay City Road corridor
An extensive article was recently posted by the Midland Business Alliance regarding the Bay City Road corridor, looking back at the history of the road and noting how recent changes have given area businesses new hope for the future.
Read the entire article here.
TAMC Launches Culvert Asset Management Program
October 4, 2021
Public Act 51 Agencies, Regional and Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Michigan Department of Transportation
Dear Transportation Agency Partners,
TAMC Launches Culvert Asset Management Program
This letter is an update on the Transportation Asset Management Council’s (TAMC) Strategic Work Program to assist with the deployment of your agency’s culvert asset management and data collection programs. First, TAMC has established a Policy for Collection of Culvert Inventory and Condition Data, approved on June 2, 2021. This provides guidance to the elements and procedures by which culvert inventory and condition data collection will be administered. Secondly, on October 21, the Center for Technology and Training will host Culvert Asset Management Training. This training features the new TAMC Culvert Structure Inspection Guide. You can learn more about the training and register here:
http://ctt.nonprofitsoapbox.com/upcoming-events/event/1112
Lastly, as we enter the month of October, the State of Michigan 2022 fiscal year begins. The FY22 TAMC program budget has been approved and provides funding resources under our Asset Management Unified Work Program with our Regional and Metropolitan Planning Agency partners to administer training resources, data collection resources and equipment purchasing resources for Public Act 51 Agencies. TAMC is grateful for the assistance and collaboration with all our Public Act 51 Agencies, Regional and Metropolitan Planning Organizations and our program partners at the Center for Technology and Training and the Center for Shared Solutions to further advance the culvert asset management program.
Questions can be directed to Roger Belknap, TAMC Coordinator by calling (517) 230-8192 or by email BelknapR@michigan.gov. To learn more about TAMC and to access road and bridge condition data and maps, visit www.Michigan.gov/tamc.
Sincerely,
Joanna I. Johnson, Chair
Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council
State of Michigan announces bipartisan budget agreement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2021
Contact: Press@Michigan.gov
Kurt Weiss, Weissk1@michigan.gov
Gov. Whitmer and Legislature Come Together on Bipartisan Budget that Puts Michiganders First Without Raising Taxes
Budgets includes $500 million deposit into rainy day fund, grows workforce development programs, expands childcare, builds up bridges and water infrastructure
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer celebrates bipartisan budget agreement as the legislature moves budget bills for Fiscal Year 2022, which begins on October 1. She plans to sign the bipartisan budget into law before the end of the month. The budget provides strong investments for the state’s economy, enhances childcare for Michigan’s working families, invests in education and the skills needed for Michigan’s workforce, protects our health, prioritizes cleaning up our water and environment, and rebuilds our infrastructure and crumbling bridges.
The General Fund budget will total $11.8 billion, and when combined with the already signed School Aid Budget of $17.0 billion ($2 billion from federal sources), the full budget will provide $26.8 billion in state spending. With federal funding and other restricted revenues included, the full budget will total just under $70 billion. In July, Gov. Whitmer signed the School Aid budget, providing historic investments in K-12 education and increasing access to preschool, marking the end of a 27-year journey to close the funding gap between school districts.
“I am thrilled that the legislature and I were able to come together to agree on a bipartisan budget. Our collaboration is a testament to what’s possible when we work together and put our families, communities, and small businesses first,” said Governor Whitmer. “The budget will make the biggest-ever one-time deposit into our rainy day fund, repair or replace nearly 100 bridges, expand childcare to 105,000 kids at low or no-cost, replace lead service lines, permanently raise pay for direct care workers, and do so, so much more. I look forward to continuing in the spirit of collaboration to spend the billions in federal dollars we have available to us from the American Rescue Plan and the billions more we are expected to receive from the bipartisan federal infrastructure bill. When we come together, we are capable of making incredible progress and I am proud that we got this done.”
“I am proud of this budget and the collaboration with the legislature to create a spending plan centered on transformational investments that will drive Michigan’s continued recovery,” said State Budget Director David Massaron. “This budget is going to help Michigan emerge as an even stronger state and it provides the type of investments that will foster real and lasting improvements to support Michigan’s families and businesses.”
The budget will provide a series of investments to help Michigan’s economy, including lowering the costs and expanding the access of childcare for working families. The funding plan includes:
· $108.1 million that makes 105,000 more children eligible for child care by increasing income eligibility to 185 percent of the federal poverty level through fiscal year 2023, then 160 percent ongoing in the following fiscal years.
· $13 million to waive parent copays for childcare through fiscal year 2022.
· $158 million for an ongoing 30 percent rate increase for childcare providers, with an additional $222 million for a temporary rate increase.
· $117.4 million to pay for enrollment in childcare through fiscal year 2023.
· $36.5 million over 3 years to expand the number of childcare spaces for infants and toddlers.
· $700.7 million for stabilization grants and another $100 million for startup grants for childcare providers, including technical assistance and facility improvements.
· $30 million for a one-time $1,000 bonus for childcare staff.
· $100 million for community revitalization and placemaking grants to support economic development in local communities.
“This relief is coming not a moment too soon – today’s budget will be a lifeline to the child care providers who were struggling to make ends meet even before the pandemic,” said Annemarie Valdez, President of First Steps Kent. “These funds will make it possible to stabilize not only the child care industry, but will help bring Michigan parents back into the workforce, which will in turn alleviate pressures on our economy overall. Thanks to the Governor and State legislators for negotiating a deal that puts families first.”
The budget will also provide direct support for education and skills training to help address the skills gap and provide Michigan employers with the talent needed to move the economy forward. Investments will include:
· $55 million for the Reconnect program to provide a tuition-free pathway to an in-demand industry certificate or associate degree for Michigan adults age 25 and older to help Michiganders get the skills they need to compete for a good-paying, in-demand job.
· $25 million for the Futures for Frontliners scholarship program that pays for frontline workers to attend local community college tuition-free.
· $40 million for the Going Pro program to expand employer-based training grants that result in industry-recognized credentials and certificates to help raise wages for workers and help employers fill job openings.
· $6 million for wraparound supports for Reconnect or Futures for Frontliners to remove barriers to degree completion.
· $8 million for pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship training programs that will expand Michigan’s talent pool in the construction and building trades.
· $1 million for Focus: HOPE to support workforce development, youth development, and community empowerment and advocacy programs.
· Increased base funding of 1 percent for operations at universities and community colleges, with a one-time 4% increase in funds to help keep tuition costs down.
“Michigan is ready to work, and we have good-paying jobs in the skilled trades that need to be filled,' said Cheryl Sanford, CEO of the Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute. "This budget's use of resources to help provide apprenticeship readiness programming helps close that skills gap, connects those in hardship with access to opportunity, and ultimately builds financial sustainability for working families across Michigan."
“The resources provided in this budget for Michigan Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners are vital for Michigan’s community colleges and their role in moving our state forward,” said Steve Robinson, Ph.D., President of Lansing Community College.
The budget will also make strong investments in the state’s infrastructure to provide additional resources necessary to make needed repairs and replacements, including:
· $196 million for local bridge bundling to repair or replace nearly 100 crumbling bridges in serious and critical condition.
· $14.3 million to help local governments prepare for climate change and extreme weather, including flooding and coastal erosion.
· $19 million for dam repairs and replacements to mitigate flooding and hazards caused by dam malfunction.
· $3 million for the Michigan Infrastructure Council.
“Investing in infrastructure just makes sense for Michigan,” said Tom Lutz, Executive Secretary-Treasure of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. "I applaud Governor Whitmer and the Legislature for coming together on a budget that will fix our long-crumbling bridges, roads and other critical infrastructure with a plan that will create jobs and put hard working men and women to work all across this state."
The budget will also fund key initiatives centered on the health of Michigan families, including:
· $460 million to give a permanent $2.35/hour raise to direct care workers who take care of our most vulnerable in nursing homes and beyond.
· $7.4 million to expand the Infant Home Visiting program for evidence-based home visiting services to at-risk families with infants born with substance exposure.
· $19.1 million for the MiChoice program expansion to provide alternatives to nursing home care and allow seniors to stay in their homes (increase of 1,000 slots).
· $6.7 million for the Sickle Cell Disease Initiative to cover the cost of treatment to around 400 adults and increase outreach and clinical capacity supporting the estimated 4,000 Michigan residents living with sickle cell disease, which disproportionately affects Black people.
· $8.4 million to reduce health disparities and expand the use of community-based navigators to enhance access to health coverage, and improve screening, data sharing and interoperability of existing data systems through the Michigan Health Information Network.
· $5 million for a pilot program to bring down utility bills for families by improving home weatherization and energy efficiency.
“Our direct care workers work hard every day, but have especially gone above and beyond over the past year,” said Robert Stein, Michigan Assisted Living Association. “We thank Gov. Whitmer for recognizing the value of direct care workers and supporting a wage increase.”
“The Sickle Cell Disease Association of Michigan (SCDAM) thanks Governor Whitmer for her leadership in the fight to address health care disparities,” said Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney, CEO/Medical Director of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Michigan Chapter. “ASCDAM sits at the forefront of creating real systematic change in the care of individuals living with sickle cell disease. This much needed increase in funding will be instrumental in helping to improve the quality of life for patients across the state.”
The budget also focuses on the need to invest in our water and environment, including:
· $10 million to continue the replacement of lead service lines in Benton Harbor to provide access to safe drinking water.
· $15 million for the Emergency Drinking Water Fund to help the state address drinking water emergencies.
· $14 million to address PFAS and another $22 million to clean up contaminated sites across the state.
· $25 million to clean up the Western Lake Erie Basin by reducing phosphorus levels.
· $10 million for the Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund to help eliminate lead poisoning in homes by injecting private capital into lead remediation efforts.
· $5 million for the State Facility Green Revolving Fund which is a catalyst for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at state facilities, helping reduce the state’s carbon footprint and save taxpayer dollars.
“This first round of funding for clean, efficient energy and safe drinking water includes a number of new, innovative initiatives and is a down payment on the significant costs we will have to pay to clean up contaminated sites across our state and protect our water,” said Nick Occhipinti, government affairs director for Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Safe and clean drinking water is not a partisan issue, and we look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers and the Governor to ensure protecting our water and our health are priorities in the final budget and in upcoming investments our state will make with federal recovery aid.”
The safety of Michigan residents is also prioritized in this budget, with $7.3 million in increased funding to hire and train new corrections officers for the state’s prison system, and more than $800,000 in new funding for wellness initiatives for corrections employees.
Department of State Police investments include $3.8 million to expand the use of body cameras, $4.5 million for a professional development and training effort, $7.7 million for a trooper recruit school, $2.5 million for breathalyzer test replacements, and a $2 million increase in secondary road patrol grants.
The budget also provides $16 million for 911 system upgrades and $5 million to support local efforts to expand recruitment, improve training, and provide additional professional development to first responders.
Funding is also provided to improve and enhance technology systems across state government with $17.5 million in increased funding for the state’s information technology investment fund. Another $20 million is provided to protect state information technology systems from advanced persistent cyber threats to help ensure data doesn’t get into the wrong hands.
A two percent increase is provided for statutory revenue sharing payments to cities, villages, townships, and counties, and Constitutional Revenue Sharing is adjusted to reflect higher-than-expected sales tax revenues due to Michigan’s strong economic recovery. This is an increase of $71 million to local communities across the state to help fund police, fire and public safety.
The budget will also deposit $500 million into the Budget Stabilization Fund, bringing the total fund balance to nearly $1.4 billion, representing the largest rainy day fund balance in state history.
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After Strong Opposition, OMB Rejects Change in Metropolitan Definition
The Daily Yonder reports here: After Strong Opposition, OMB Rejects Change in Metropolitan Definition (dailyyonder.com) that: The proposal would have raised the population threshold for a core city of a Metropolitan Statistical Area from 50,000 to 100,000. Ninety-seven percent of the public comments about the change were negative.
by Tim Marema
July 13, 2021
After overwhelming public opposition, the federal Office of Management and Budget has backed away from a plan to change the way it defines metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties.
The proposal would have raised the minimum core-city size for a Metropolitan Statistical Area from 50,000 to 100,000 residents. The change would have reclassified 251 currently metropolitan counties as nonmetropolitan, based on current population figures. The affected counties contain a combined population of about 18 million. The change would have raised the nation’s nonmetropolitan population from about 46 million to 64 million.
Although the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) says its county-classification system is designed only for statistical purposes, the metropolitan/nonmetropolitan county designation is incorporated into an undetermined number of federal funding programs. Also, publications like the Daily Yonder use the county classification as a surrogate definition for rural. Even the venerable USDA Economic Research Service uses the nonmetropolitan classification as the starting point for much of its research on rural conditions.
The proposal to change the Metropolitan Statistical Area definition led to a national campaign to urge the OMB to abandon the change. The campaign helped prompt 734 comments on the measure. Ninety-seven percent of those comments opposed the redefinition.
The OMB’s inter-agency standards review committee subsequently withdrew its support for raising the population threshold for core-cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The committee recommends a “delaying action” on the change and says there should be additional research and analysis on the issue.
Most of the comments on the proposed change cited the impact the redefinition could have on federal funding for rural and urban programs, the OMB document states. But OMB did not consider those concerns in its decision. “OMB establishes and maintains these [metropolitan and micropolitan] areas solely for statistical purposes,” the document states. “In reviewing and revising these areas, OMB does not take into account, or attempt to anticipate, any public or private sector nonstatistical uses of the delineations.”
The sign-on letter for the national campaign that opposed the redefinition of metropolitan areas said OMB needs to be more realistic about how federal agencies use the definitions.
“The proposed change to the MSA standards would not just be ‘statistical’ – it would have both financial and capacity consequences for rural places,” according to the sign-on letter. “Despite OMB’s insistence to the contrary, federal programs often use the OMB standards to inform definitions of ‘rural’ and ‘urban’ that influence eligibility requirements, allocation formulas, scoring criteria, and several other dimensions of [federal] program administration.”
In a press release, OMB said it would continue to study the metropolitan definition. A primary reason for raising the population threshold of core cities from 50,000 to 100,000 is that the definition has not kept pace with growth in the U.S. population, the press release states.
Five other small changes in the metropolitan classification system were enacted. These include eliminating special statistical areas used in New England, maintaining the use of commuting as a way to determine which outlying counties are part of a metropolitan area, making new provisions for how Puerto Rico is integrated into the county classification system, and other administrative matters.