March | 2020
Latest News from MVRPC
Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission Announces Members Elected to 2020 - 2021 Executive Committee
Elections for the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission’s (MVRPC’s) Executive Committee were held on Thursday, March 5, 2020, following the Board of Directors meeting. 

Elected to serve as MVRPC’s Executive Officers for 2020 - 2021:

  • Chairperson - Chris Mucher, Miami Township (Greene County)
  • First Vice-Chair – Greg Simmons, Miami County
  • Second Vice-Chair – Sara Lommatzsch - City of Riverside

MVRPC’s 2020 -2021 Executive Committee is now comprised of the following representatives (New Executive Committee members are denoted in bold) :

  • John Agenbroad, City of Springboro 
  • Rebecca Benná, Five Rivers MetroParks
  • Janet Bly, Miami Conservancy District
  • John Bruns, City of Union
  • Judy Dodge, Montgomery County
  • Joanna Garcia, City of Beavercreek
  • Georgeann Godsey, Harrison Township  
  • Kathryn Hinds, City of Piqua 
  • Matt Joseph, City of Dayton   
  • Paul Keller, City of Fairborn 
  • Tony Klepacz, City of Kettering
  • Tom Koogler, Greene County
  • Robin I. Oda, City of Troy  
  • Denise Robertson, Preble County
  • Bill Serr, City of Centerville 
  • Woodrow Stroud, Greene County Transit
  • Beth van Haaren, Bethel Township 
  • Debborah Wallace , Beavercreek Township  
 
"The 2020 Executive Committee includes a combination of seasoned members and new arrivals to the committee. The Executive Committee is being led by Mr. Chris Mucher, the long serving and well-respected Miami Township Trustee from Greene County," said Brian O. Martin, MVRPC Executive Director. "Chris provided excellent leadership despite a challenging transition due to the sudden passing of our previous Chairperson Mr. John J. Beals in 2019. Mr. Mucher has served as the interim chairperson since that time. I look forward to continuing to work with Chris on our important efforts on behalf of the Miami Valley Region for the next two years."
2020 Census - What You Need to Know.
MVRPC is a Census Affiliate Organization. As such, we provide assistance to U.S. Census Bureau's various programs and maintain census data for the region dating from the most recent releases back to 1950. As a census affiliate, MVRPC will be providing support to the U.S. Census Bureau for the 2020 Census.

It is critical that as a region we all make a strong effort to ensure a successful census count here in the Miami Valley. The 2020 Census will determine the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used to distribute billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities.

Census Day is April 1, but you can expect to start receiving information in the middle of March inviting you to respond to the census. Most households will receive 2020 Census invitations in the mail, followed by a reminder letter a few weeks later. In early April, if your household has not yet responded you will receive a reminder postcard. By mid-April, households yet to respond will receive the full printed questionnaire. Census enumerators will visit households yet to respond in person in late April.

The Census Bureau is continuing to hire people throughout the region. Census enumerators are still needed in Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Darke counties and these positions have a pay range of $16.00-$21.50 per hour. In addition to enumerators, there are other employment opportunities with the Census Bureau. Visit www.2020census.gov/jobs to apply.
MVRPC Convenes Regional Equity Leadership Team
Through a partnership with the Dayton Foundation, MVRPC staff and other organizations are working collaboratively on equity. With the completion of the Miami Valley Equity Regional Profile in 2015, through the Miami Valley Equity Initiative, the Equity Leadership Team works to identify solutions that address long term inequity that affects many of our residents. Our work is very important because in order for our Region to reach our potential, all of our residents must have access to the abundant opportunities here in the Miami Valley.

The Regional Equity Leadership Team is a component of the Institute for Equitable and Livable Communities (The Institute) which was formed in September 2019 by board resolution. The Equity Leadership Team is made up of leaders from many of our region’s leading institutions including Sinclair College, University of Dayton, United Way, Learn to Earn, the Dayton Foundation, NCCJ, City of Dayton, Human Relations Council, and others who have dedicated their professional lives to removing institutional barriers so that all may have access to opportunity. Solutions to challenges in the areas of health, economics, education, housing, and wellness concerns that stem from poverty, racial segregation, and rural isolation are among the numerous topics that the group will discuss. To date, we have hosted two meetings with monthly meetings scheduled through 2020.

Funded by generous donors to the Dayton Foundation, the equity initiative is housed within the Institute at MVRPC. We are currently recruiting an Equity Manager. The Institute will coordinate research and assemble data; lead a robust community engagement process resulting in a high-level strategic plan that identifies assets, needs, resources and actions. The Institute will secure grants, leverage the region’s resources for collective impact, and create opportunities for communities and organizations to implement strategies and demonstration projects throughout the Region.
MVRPC Welcomes New Staff
Tawana Lynn Keels

Director of Finance and Human Resource Administration

Tawana joins us from her previous role as Finance Director for Butler County, Ohio. She will oversee all aspects of agency finance, budgeting, personnel & office administration.
Aliza Tourkow, AICP

Sustainability Planner


Aliza joins us from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She will organize outreach related to environmental, air, and water quality topics, Rideshare, and promotion of Vanpool Program, environmental sustainability legislation and best practices.
MVRPC's Annual Spring Dinner will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2020.
Spotlight on Member Resources
MVRPC Hosts 2020 Miami Valley Climate Change Seminar
On February 24, 2020, MVRPC hosted the first ever Miami Valley Climate Change Seminar. With speakers from the Ohio State University, Miami Conservancy District, and The Climate Reality Project, nearly 120 attendees learned more about current data and science on climate change effects in Ohio, and gained a practical understanding of needed mitigation and adaptation actions.        
Grants and Funding Resources
On a monthly basis, MVRPC highlights several funding opportunities on our website that could benefit our member communities. We include a description, contact information and program links. We have also listed other valuable resources for finding funding opportunities.

This month we are featuring information on:  
                
·          Challenge America-- NEA– Deadline: April 9, 2020.
·          ODOT Township Safety Sign Grant Program– Deadline: June 5, 2020.

If you need assistance with your grant pursuit or further research, please contact Kathryn Youra Polk, Senior Planner, at 937.223.6323 or kyoura.polk@mvrpc.org .


The Ohio Office of Budget and Management is hosting the first Ohio Grants Summit on June 9, 2020. The Summit is a unique one-day event offering the opportunity to learn more about managing and applying for grants, as well as provides the ability to meet with State agency representatives and learn about their programs. This free event is geared toward local governments and non-profits that apply for and receive grant funding from the State of Ohio. To learn more and to register please visit the Ohio Grants Summit page.
       
ODOT Highway Safety Program
ODOT recently announced 100% project funding for approved safety projects.

Funding is awarded based on a demonstrated safety problem and/or long-term crash trends.

All applications should include information that clearly links the crash patterns with the
suggested safety improvement.

The project should meet the following criteria:

  • Has 10 or more crashes over a three-year period (per intersection or per mile) OR displays high-injury severity in the crashes. (Special consideration is given to bicycle or pedestrian projects)
  • Project sponsor is suggesting a safety improvement known to be effective in addressing the identified crash patterns.
  • Projects must be safety and NOT maintenance related. For example, old signal equipment or worn pavement markings are only eligible if their replacement is necessary to address a demonstrated crash problem.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
03/11 - 9:00 a.m.     

Sustainability Roundtable: The State of Solid Waste Management in the Miami Valley
Solid Waste District Office, 2450 Sandridge Rd., Moraine

03/12 - 9:30 a.m.    

Miami Valley Long Term Disaster Recovery Impacted Jurisdictions Meeting
The Dayton Foundation, 1401 S. Main Street, Dayton

03/13 - 10:00 a.m.  

Regional Bikeways Committee Meeting
Tipp City Council Chambers, 260 S. Garber Drive, Tipp City

03/19 - 9:30 a.m.     

MVRPC Technical Advisory Committee
MVRPC, 10 N. Ludlow St., Dayton

03/24 - 2:30 p.m.      

Equity Leadership Board Meeting
MVRPC, 10 N. Ludlow St., Dayton

04/02 - 9:00 a.m.      

MVRPC Board of Directors Meeting
Dayton Realtors, 1515 S. Main St., Dayton   

04/02 - 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Public Participation Meeting to the be held Regarding Region's Final Draft Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Draft MVRPC Public Participation Policy Update
MVRPC, 10 N. Ludlow St., Dayton