Executive Director's Report
Our November meeting brought a measure of sadness as we recognized the passing of former Arizona Congressman Ed Pastor at the age of 75. Congressman Pastor was a driving force in Arizona for more than 30 years. In 2014, MAG presented Congressman Pastor with a Lifetime Achievement Award. During that ceremony, we noted his work in the area of Civil Rights, his service on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and his representation of Arizona in Congress. We also noted that he remained a lifelong advocate for transportation dollars and the resources needed to meet the demands that come with rapid growth.
Congressman Pastor certainly understood tough decisions, like those made by the Regional Council at our November meeting. I believe he would have been proud of the Regional Council for working regionally to fund more than $200 million in improvements to the Pima Freeway from I-17 to Pima Road. While rising construction costs continue to push program budgets higher, the Regional Council recognized that these transportation projects translate into a better economy and a better quality of life for Valley residents. The Pima Freeway project will address bottlenecks and result in an easier commute for North Valley drivers. The project also serves an economic development role by providing connectivity to job centers and regionally significant entertainment and tourist attractions.
Ultimately, this funding approval represents a very positive story. The more we understand and appreciate the value that transportation investment brings to our daily lives, the better we can communicate its importance to the residents who help fund it. We greatly appreciate the thoughtful leadership demonstrated by the Regional Council.
For more information, please contact Eric Anderson, MAG Executive Director, (602) 254-6300.
Meeting Report for Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Action Items
Loop 101 Cost Changes Approved
The Regional Council voted to approve a material cost change amendment that will add $68 million for Loop 101 improvements from I-17 to Pima Road. The project includes additional lanes on the Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) between I-17 and Pima Road. It is expected to take two years to complete.
The cost change brings the total cost of the improvements to $225.5 million. The project will address bottlenecks along the Loop 101 at I-17, Cave Creek Road, State Route 51, and Tatum Boulevard. Portions of the corridor carry more than 215,000 vehicles per day, and volumes are expected to increase. The project also provides important east-west connectivity. Scottsdale Airpark represents the second-largest employment center in the region, and much of the workforce travels along this corridor. The Loop 101 also provides access to other major freeways, job centers, and regionally significant entertainment and tourist attractions.
The enhancements will be executed through a “design-build” project, meaning the same team who designs the improvements will also build them, resulting in a much faster construction timeline. The project will include additional lanes in each direction between I-17 and Pima Road. The project also will include quiet pavement (rubberized asphalt overlay), drainage improvements, technological upgrades, and other improvements. The Miller Road arterial crossing in Scottsdale also has been integrated into the project.
The State Transportation Board is expected to consider the Arizona Department of Transportation’s recommendation on awarding the contract at its December 21st meeting.
For more information, please contact John Bullen, MAG Transportation Economic and Finance Program Manager, (602) 254-6300.
Information Items
9-1-1 System Saving Lives
Did you know that the Maricopa Region handled 3.1 million 9-1-1 calls last year? Or that 74 percent of 9-1-1 calls made in the state come through the Maricopa Region? Would it surprise you to know that the region has conducted more than 2,000 emergency text sessions since Text-to-9-1-1 capability launched in April?
MAG oversees 9-1-1 activities in the region. Over the past two years, MAG has taken a number of steps to advance regional 9-1-1 services. Last year, the MAG 9-1-1 Study Committee was created and recommended approval of a Next Generation 9-1-1 plan. Due to these advancements, staff presented an update on a number of aspects related to Maricopa Region 9-1-1, and the report demonstrates that millions of lives are saved each year as a result of the system.
The Community Emergency Notification System (CENS) had 94 activations in 2017, and 79 so far in 2018. This system is often referred to as “reverse 9-1-1,” meaning that public safety agencies call residents or businesses to notify them of an emergency situation taking place in their area.
The Text-to-9-1-1 capability went live on April 2, 2018. The system is averaging 400 texts a month, with 2,432 text sessions received in 6 months. Examples of emergency texts include:
- Hearing impaired wife sent text on non-breathing husband.
- Girlfriend was assaulted and being held against her will.
- Ride-share passenger reporting impaired driver.
- Car accident with hearing impaired driver.
- Multiple domestic violence situations.
Staff also noted that the State 9-1-1 Office announced 9-1-1 funding model changes. Each 9-1-1 region will be required to procure 9-1-1 equipment and services through their local process. The Maricopa Region will use the City of Phoenix. Unfunded 9-1-1 call centers (those not receiving support through State 9-1-1 funds), will now be eligible to receive those funds. This includes the Mesa Fire Department.
Staff reported that the State 9-1-1 Office will now give a dollar allotment prior to developing the annual budget, which will provide more certainty to cities and towns developing their budgets. MAG member agencies will help develop governance and policies to assist in this new direction.
For more information, please contact Liz Graeber, Regional Administrator, Maricopa Region 9-1-1, at (602) 534-9775.
Freeway Life Cycle Program Update
The MAG Regional Council heard an update on the Freeway Life Cycle Program (FLCP), which represents the management tool for the freeway component of the Regional Transportation Plan (Plan). The FLCP is maintained by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Multiple groups are involved in the management and implementation of the program, which has led to inconsistencies in the data, a lack of documentation, and variability in assumptions. The impact of these challenges can be seen in structural cost increases.
The FLCP document was created to provide a centralized location for program information. The document contains a summarized listing of projects to be delivered under Proposition 400, information on project location, scope and budget, and level of design work to date. The information in the document reflects changes through fiscal year 2019 to date. It does not include the material cost change requests, nor any of the updated project costs that are still undergoing analysis.
The FLCP document represents the culmination of efforts to collect a great deal of information from many different sources. The document will help to ensure that technical and policy decisions are better understood and changes to the program can be tracked. Information will continue to be refined, with opportunity for member agency feedback and technical review.
It is anticipated that the FLCP document will be completed in January. The document will be brought through the MAG committee process for review and comment. The information presented in the document will serve as the baseline for this spring’s program update.
For more information, please contact John Bullen, MAG Transportation Economic and Finance Program Manager, (602) 254-6300.
Legislative Update
Staff provided an update on legislative issues of interest. Staff noted the session ended last year without renewal of Maricopa County authorization to call the ballot for the extension of half-cent sales tax for transportation. The legislation got bogged down in discussions about specific elements of the plan. Since the legislative session ended, MAG staff has been conducting positive conversations with Maricopa County Supervisors and member of the State Legislature. MAG held a legislative “boot camp” with House and Senate staff to provide a deeper understanding of MAG’s roles and responsibilities and to share the history of Proposition 400.
In addition, the MAG Regional Council approved a guidance document, MAG Policy Principles, to provide an overview of MAG’s policy positions.
In addition, MAG has begun early planning activities related to the extension of Proposition 400. MAG is working with a consultant to conduct “values mapping” to determine what issues matter most to Valley residents. These activities will help develop the next Regional Transportation Plan, with an anticipated plan development timeline that would see an extension on the 2022 ballot.
Staff mentioned that MAG is partnering with its Sun Corridor partners to host a Sun Corridor Transportation Summit. The focus will be on big picture transportation needs and funding.
For more information, please contact Nathan Pryor, MAG Policy and Government Relations Director, (602) 254-6300.
Final Regional Council Activity Report
To better serve our stakeholders, this will be the last formal publication of the Regional Council Activity Report. In early 2019, MAG will be launching a visual news blog that will provide relevant information regarding agency activities through the MAG website. We would love to hear your feedback once the news blog is implemented on the site, www.azmag.gov.
For more information, please contact Kelly Taft, MAG Communication Director, (602) 254-6300.
Next Meeting
There will not be a meeting of the MAG Regional Council in December. The next meeting of the MAG Regional Council will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. at the MAG offices, 302 N. 1st Avenue, Phoenix, second floor, Saguaro Room. Agenda items are pending.