The 2010 Census Resulted in a new Urbanized Area (UZA) that requires formation of a new Bi-State Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) – Walla Walla, WA & Milton-Freewater, OR. On September 25, 2012, the name "Walla Walla Valley MPO" was approved for the new Urbanized Area.
Walla Walla/Milton Freewater City Limits Map (pdf 350 kb)
A new bi-state MPO for the Walla Walla, WA and Milton-Freewater, OR UZA must be designated by the Governors of Washington and Oregon on or before March 26, 2013. MPOs are created through agreement among the local elected officials and the Governor(s), with a formal designated by the Governor(s). Under existing federal law (23 US Code 134), MPOs are responsible for all surface transportation planning and programming and must be established in all Census defined UZAs to qualify for federal surface transportation funding.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Formation Meetings
The Washington State Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Authority are providing information to local leaders and transportation providers within Walla Walla County in Washington and Umatilla County in Oregon to inform their decision-making process to become a designated MPO.
Resolutions Adopted by Foundational MPO Members:
Files From the Bi-State Coordination Team:
Walla Walla Valley MPO Key Fact Sheet (pdf 185 kb)
Files from Tom Glover:
Documents for MPO Membership Review, Adoption and/or Signature:
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Meeting #8
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
2 pm to 4 pm
Walla Walla Police Facility
54 East Moore Street (Chuck Fulton Community Room)
Walla Walla, WA
The goals of meeting #8 include:
- Member agency reports on status of Interlocal Agreement resolutions
- Identify policy board members - one from each member organization
- Discuss the status of the MPO designation process
- Confirm February meeting date and workshop scope
- Discuss additional next steps and work activities of the MPO in 2013
Meeting Materials
January 8, 2013 meeting agenda (pdf 14 kb)
Presentation (pdf 490 kb)
PAST MEETINGS:
Meeting #7, Thursday, November 29, 2012 , 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm
at the College Place Fire Department, 625 South College Avenue
College Place, WA
The goals of Meeting #7 are to:
- Approve the Bylaws.
- Approve the Interlocal Agreement.
- Resolve issues and adopt the Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) map.
- Discuss MPO Designation Packet that will be sent to the Governors of Oregon and Washington.
- Discuss next steps and work activities of the MPO.
Meeting Materials:
Meeting #6, Thursday, November 8, 2012, 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm at the Milton-Freewater City Library, 8 SW 8th Avenue, Milton-Freewater, OR
The goals of the meeting are to:
- Arrive at consensus on voting and dues structures.
- Discuss and adopt Bylaws.
- Resolve issues and finalize key content of Interlocal Agreement for respective agency review and signature.
- Resolve issues and adopt Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) map.
Meeting Materials:
Meeting #5, October 16, 2012, 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm at the Walla Walla County Public Health and Legislative Building
314 W Main Street, Room #214 Second Floor, Walla Walla (Directly across from Walla Walla County Courthouse)
Attendees may park on Main Street and access the second floor via stairs or an elevator. Please note that parking on Main Street is limited. Additional parking is available at the back of the building, in the county-owned lot located off Rose Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. From that parking lot access to the second floor is via stairs only.
Meeting Materials:
Meeting #4, September 25, 2012, 1:30 pm to 4 pm at the College Place Fire Department, 625 South College Avenue, College Place, WA.
The goals for this meeting are to:
- Share status update on signed resolutions from participating agencies.
- Finalize the Scope of Work for the Interim Lead Agency.
- Discuss and finalize MPO name.
- Discuss membership structure and Interlocal agreement.
- Discuss bylaws.
- Define a target schedule for next steps.
- Continue sharing MPO designation information.
Meeting Materials:
Meeting #3, August 23, 2012, 1:30 pm to 4 pm in the Albee Room at the Milton-Freewater City Library, 8 S.W. 8th Ave
The goals for this meeting are to:
- Continue sharing MPO designation information;
- Share a status update on the local lead entity to coordinate the designation process;
- Identify primary and secondary contacts for each jurisdiction, agency, organization, and tribe;
- Define a target schedule for next steps; and
- Discuss membership structure and the interlocal agreement.
Meeting Materials:
Meeting #2, July 24, 2012, 9am to 11am in the Chuck Fulton Community Room at the Walla Walla Police Station (54 East Moore Street)
This second meeting will continue the discussion with local agencies. The goal for this meeting is to identify a potential local organization or agency and individuals to lead the designation process. By statute, it is the responsibility of the local elected officials in the UZA to form the MPO and request designation from the Governors. The roles of WSDOT, ODOT, FHWA, and FTA are to provide guidance and support local efforts to form the MPO.
Meeting Materials:
Meeting #1, June 27, 2012
The first meeting was held in Walla Walla on June 27, 2012 to begin the process. Representatives from Benton-Franklin Council of Governments (BFCG), WSDOT, ODOT, and FHWA held an informational exchange with local governments, transit providers, tribes, and organizations to explain the federal requirements, timelines, and to answer questions. There was a large turnout of participants.
Meeting Materials:
Maps:
MPO Designation FAQs: