§ 34-25. Recognition of transportation policy committee; planning activities.

(a)

For the purposes herein intended and of the Unified Work Program of the SMSA, this board appoints, participates in and recognizes as its transportation policy committee the following: the full regional planning commission, parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard and St. Tammany, as now, or as may hereafter be legally constituted and one designee of the Governor of the state. The transportation policy committee will execute decisions pertaining to the overall planning process. The transportation policy committee, through the open planning process, will provide for the following major activities:

(1)

Adoption of regional goals and objectives.

(2)

Approval of comprehensive regional transportation alternatives for testing and evaluation.

(3)

Selection of the evaluation approach and approval of the evaluation process.

(4)

Review and evaluation of alternatives and selection of a plan for adoption and implementation after appropriate open discussion and public hearings.

(5)

Decisions concerning development of a long-range and short-range programs.

(b)

The agenda for the regular monthly meeting of the regional planning commission, which regular monthly meetings are required by law, will specifically designate items to be considered by the regional planning commission, as supplemented by the governor's designee, as the transportation policy committee. The purpose of this procedure is to provide:

(1)

Periodic review of the continual planning activities to ensure that the planning program is maintained current and adequate to fulfill the objectives of the short-term as well as the long-term transportation needs of the region;

(2)

Informal opportunity for briefing, reviews, comments, and continuous involvement of member elected officials; and

(3)

Opportunity to act upon all policies, project and plans developed in the intermodal transportation planning process.

(c)

The transportation policy committee shall have authority to draft and adopt its own procedures; provided, however, that within the framework of the transportation policy committee as herein designated, all major policies affecting transportation shall bear the endorsement of affected governing bodies prior to incorporation into any policy statements or its reflections in plans on capital improvement programs.

(d)

This board continues to recognize the regional planning commission as the official agency designated to collect and furnish to the state department of highways the planning data required in the "continuing phase" of the transportation planning process, in cooperation with the local governing bodies.

(e)

Any and all previous agreements or memoranda of understanding heretofore made with the state department of highways, and as may have been thereafter ratified and/or reaffirmed are herewith repealed, recalled, rescinded and vacated, it being the intent and purpose hereof to vest in the transportation policy committee in lieu of the state department of highways, all of the powers, duties and responsibilities as therein and herein contained.

(Code 1976, § 20:100; Res. of 10-8-1973)