MVRPC and ODOT Explore Creation of Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) for Darke, Preble and Shelby Counties |
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MVRPC Executive Director Brian O. Martin (3rd from Right) with Preble County Commissioners: David Haber, Rachael Vonderhaar, President, and Adam Craft.
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MVRPC has initiated meetings with Darke, Preble and Shelby Counties to form a Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO). The RTPO would bring considerable planning services to our non-MPO members like Preble County. ODOT currently funds six RTPOs across the state using their Statewide Planning and Research federal funds and we are hopeful that the Miami Valley will lay claim to number seven. As with Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), RTPOs include policy and technical boards, prepare and adopt long range transportation plans, assemble transportation improvement programs, and identify crash locations. They also identify projects and programs that improve travel. Membership of the RTPO committees will include ODOT, county, municipal, township, transit mobility managers, transit agencies, park districts, bicycling and other interests from the three counties. The information gathered will be further enhanced by its proximity to the MPO. If we are successful, all entities involved would become MVRPC members as well as members of the RTPO.
MVRPC staff has met with Preble County Commission, Darke County Commission, Darke County Economic Development, Shelby County Commission, and we plan to meet with the city of Sidney on June 14th. Thus far, all have been receptive to the plan and are waiting on the final details before committing.
Darke County Commission has been an impetus to forming the RTPO and plan to vote at their next meeting to approve Darke County and 8 additional jurisdictions within Darke County to join MVRPC. Through the efforts of current MVRPC Board Alternate for Versailles, Village Administrator Mike Busse was key in gaining support for Darke County joining MVRPC and forming the RTPO. While it isn’t final yet, we are hopeful that the RTPO would begin during the FY 2023 Fiscal Year (July 1, 2022).
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MVRPC Seeking Partners for Environmental Justice Academy |
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Miami Valley Regional Environmental Justice (EJ) Academy which will begin this fall. This is the inaugural academy co-sponsored by EPA in Ohio.
Environmental justice is the fair treatment of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. EPA and MVRPC share a commitment to building equitable, healthy, and thriving communities.
The EJ Academy is a training program developed for emerging community, non-profit, and environmental leaders to help cultivate skills to identify and address environmental challenges in their communities. The curriculum is primarily based on EPA’s Collaborative Problem-Solving Model, which is a seven-step process for bringing about positive change and community revitalization by having community leaders, community members, and their stakeholders working together. There will be a total of nine gatherings of EJ Academy participants.
The partnership with the EPA to host the EJ Academy is the latest in MVRPC’s efforts to lead the way by advancing equity in the Miami Valley. We seek to make a visible difference with communities and MVRPC has launched programs to accurately capture research, harness data and place a focus on equity. Our Board of Directors, Members and Staff are all aligned in our mission to create communities where all people can thrive.
We invite your organization to join us in this mission. The EJ Academy offers a unique opportunity to align your organization and your services in support of this groundbreaking, nationally recognized program. By helping to offset the costs of hosting this equity focused program, we will be able to keep the cost of participation affordable for our grassroots community leaders. Please read more about this partnership opportunity using the link below.
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Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign to Replant Trees
Lost During Memorial Day 2019 Tornadoes
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The Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign, led by RETREET, is a multi-year disaster recovery effort to heal the landscape devastated by the Memorial Day 2019 tornadoes. MVRPC is leading the local administration for this project.
The projected investment necessary to plant 1,000 or more large native trees in targeted neighborhoods in the Miami Valley over the next 2 years is projected to be at least $300,000. Tornado survivors and local communities need your support to make the Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign possible.
The Dayton Foundation recently established the Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign Fund to accept contributions for the campaign, as well as awarded a leadership gift of $50,000. AES Ohio joins in support of the Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign, pledging a matching grant for all contributions of $500 or more to the campaign fund at The Dayton Foundation, up to $50,000.
To make a contribution online, please visit the Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign Fund page. Contributions by check should be made payable to The Dayton Foundation, 1401 S. Main Street, Suite 100, Dayton, Ohio 45409. Please indicate that it is for the “8647 Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign Fund”.
Owners of residential properties in the Miami Valley that were impacted by the tornadoes now can visit http://www.retreet.org/mvtc to complete a simple online form to request that free, native trees be planted for them. Representatives of RETREET and its partners will work with those who submit requests to determine the best planting locations at each home site.
The trees will be planted by volunteers during events held throughout the next two years. Events will occur during optimal planting seasons, and are currently planned to follow the path of the tornadoes moving west to east, with the first planting events taking place in Trotwood, Brookville, Perry Township, and Clayton this fall.
All owners of tornado impacted properties, regardless of where they live along the path of the storm, can complete their tree requests now. Representatives from RETREET will contact property owners as the planting events near for each community.
These trees, which will serve as powerful symbols of hope, also will reestablish the environmental identity of the Miami Valley, providing shade, energy savings, and a myriad of other environmental and economic benefits for residents, as well as habitat for wildlife. The Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign will be a major environmental and infrastructural investment that will leave a legacy for generations to come.
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MVRPC Recognizes Juneteenth
MVRPC joins organizations across the nation in recognition of Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
Long-celebrated within African American communities, Juneteenth is now widely recognized as a day which should be honored by all because of its great historical significance.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in January 1863, it wasn’t until June 19th of 1865 that word finally reached Texas and all those in slavery in our country were freed.
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MVRPC Launches a New PLAN4Health - Miami Valley Initiative
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PLAN4Health – Miami Valley aims to explore how planning can impact health outcomes across the Region. It is a multi-year effort with a focus on projects and programs intended to:
- Promote and advocate for “Health in All Plans and Policies";
- Convene and engage partners to improve conditions that are known to be key determinants of health; and
- Advance planning efforts aimed at creating conditions for healthy people and communities.
PLAN4Health – Miami Valley builds on work that has been done at the national level through the American Planning Association and the American Public Health Association.
A set of concrete projects that are geared towards information sharing, capacity building, and generating collaborative solutions are slated for near-, mid-, and long-term implementation.
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MVRPC Will Be Represented at the Ohio GFOA Conference |
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Tawana Keels, MVRPC Director of Finance and Human Resources and Administration, will serve as a moderator for a conference session titled “Roles the Fiscal Officer Plays in Smaller Governments” at Ohio Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Annual Conference and Membership Meeting. This session targets Fiscal Officers who assume various roles, including Grant Administration, Human Resources, Risk Management, Contracting and Information Systems in smaller governments. Joel S. Jones, Chief Auditor, will kick off the session with guidance from the Auditor of State’s Office. A panel of current fiscal officers will share their real world experiences with attendees.
Ms. Keels serves as a member of the GFOA Education Committee. Her transition to Fiscal and Business Operations at MVRPC was seamless due to many years of experience, including private sector (IBM Corporation), city government (Office of Management and Budget, City of Cincinnati), and county government (Finance Director, Butler County Commissioners).
“Roles a Fiscal Officer Plays in Smaller Governments” is designed for fiscal officers who wear many hats. This session will provide beneficial resources for smaller MVRPC member organizations. This conference will be held at the Hilton Netherland Plaza in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 22-24, 2021. The conference session is scheduled for Thursday, September 23, 2021 in the afternoon. Conference registration is required for attendance. MVRPC members are encouraged to contact Tawana Keels directly at 937-531-6525 or tkeels@mvrpc.org with questions regarding the conference.
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MVRPC Launches Regional Government Job Board Exclusively for Members |
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MVRPC is pleased to announce the launch of MiamiValleyGovJobs.org, a one-stop website for candidates seeking a role with a public agency in the Miami Valley. This service is provided to MVRPC member organizations at no cost.
Posting your positions on MiamiValleyGovJobs.org improves visibility of your job postings and expands your candidate pool. Each job post will be displayed with your organization's logo and a link to your website where candidates can find more information. Posting a job is easy! Click on JOB BOARD on the MVRPC website for step-by-step guide to post a position. MVRPC staff will ensure all postings are appropriate and current.
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Miami Valley Cycling Summit Featured Presentation
on Active Transportation Equity
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MVRPC was proud to sponsor the 2021 Miami Valley Cycling Summit held virtually in early May. The event featured a compelling and informative keynote presentation by Charles T. Brown, MPA, CPD, LCI. Mr. Brown is the founder and managing principal of Equitable Cities LLC - a nationally known urban planning, policy, research and multimedia firm working at the intersection of transportation health, and equity. He serves as a senior researcher with the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC) and adjunct professor at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, both at Rutgers University.
Mr. Brown stressed the importance of health in all policies, health equity, and transportation equity in his presentation. He shared practical ways that communities can create safe, healthy, and livable communities. He presented his research on the barriers to biking and walking for women and minorities; analyzing the impact of crime on walking frequency and propensity; centering and prioritizing equity in transportation planning and decision-making; and analyzing barriers to accessing parks and open spaces.
Please take time to watch the opening session of the 2021 Miami Valley Cycling Summit, including Mr. Brown’s keynote presentation which begins at minute 17:00.
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MVRPC created MiamiValleyRoads.org to provide all of the latest updates on construction projects that could impact commutes throughout the Region. It also provides user-friendly access to route planning tools, commute solutions and other ideas to reduce congestion and prevent air pollution for the areas under construction.
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There are several projects along I-75 through the Miami Valley Region and more to start this summer.
Miami County
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I-75 southbound entrance ramp from S.R. 41 southbound will be closed, Tuesday, June 29 and Wednesday, June 30 Detour: SR-41 to I-75 NB take CR-25A (Exit 78) turn left onto CR-25A. Turn left onto I-75 southbound
Montgomery County
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I-75 Bridges over Edwin C. Moses Boulevard and Carillon Boulevard will be under construction. I-75 will experience a traffic pattern shift, ramp closures and lane restrictions in each direction. Estimated completion: Fall 2022. The Edwin C. Moses Boulevard entrance ramp to I-75 southbound will close through Friday, October 15, 2021.
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Interstate 75 Bridge Repairs - Expect a traffic pattern shift on I-75 northbound between Albany Street and State Route 741 (Springboro Pike). I-75 southbound will experience nightly lane width restrictions, between Albany Street and S.R. 741, through Sunday, August 22.
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U.S. 35 to Interstate 75 Ramp Repairs – Construction to replace both U.S. 35 ramps to I-75 Southbound. Estimated completion: Summer 2021.
For a complete list of projects provided by ODOT District 7 and 8 for the Region, visit MiamiValleyRoads.org. Follow MVRPC’s Facebook and Twitter pages for project update posts.
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Spotlight on Member Resources |
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Grants and Funding Resources |
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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:
- FY21 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants– Deadline: July 13, 2021
- NEA Grants for Arts Projects 2–Deadline: July 8, 2021.
COVID-19 Funding Opportunities: This month we are featuring information on:
- Restaurant Revitalization Funding Programs– Deadline: none given
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.
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We are a Resilient Region, and the MVRPC 2019 Annual Report celebrates the ways that we came together as a Region in the face of unprecedented challenges. MVRPC Member organizations and community partners recently received the report in the mail and it is also available on our website.
The report highlights the ways that MVRPC's team of talented planners, engineers, program managers and administrators worked side-by-side with dedicated public servants in communities across the Region to make transportation, community planning and sustainability projects and programs a reality.
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Upcoming Meetings and Events |
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Most meetings are being cancelled or shifted to teleconference. Please check the agency calendar on mvrpc.org or contact Teresa Lombardelli to find out the status of your meeting. All upcoming TAC and Board meetings will be on Zoom. |
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June 4th 9:00 a.m. Disaster Recovery Leadership Board via Teleconference
June 9th 1:00 p.m. Great Miami Watershed Network via Teleconference
June 16th 3:00 p.m. MVRPC DRG Climate Team via Teleconference
June 22nd 2:30 p.m. Regional Equity Initiative Meeting via Teleconference
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MVRPC emails are produced through Constant Contact. We have negotiated a significantly reduced group rate for all of our MVRPC members and partners to join Constant Contact making it easy for you to offer your own customized, professional communication to your communities. You will save considerably more than you could joining the platform on your own, and even if you are already using Constant Contact you can apply our discount to save even more. Best of all, the MVRPC communication team is here to help you get started! Visit our unique Constant Contact link or contact Stacy Schweikhart, MVRPC Director of Strategy and Engagement to learn more sschweikhart@mvrpc.org. |
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