Joint Committee Committee on Joint Transportation (01/27/2011)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT TRANSPORTATION

Date:	01/27/2011	ATTENDANCE

Time:	09:39 AM to 11:52 AM	Barker	X
		Brown	X
Place:	HCR 0107	Fischer	X
		Gardner D.	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Hamner	X
	Representative Vaad	Jones	X
		King S.	*
This Report was prepared by		Looper	X
	Kurt Morrison	Priola	X
		Ramirez	X
		Renfroe	X
		Schwartz	X
		Scott	*
		Spence	*
		Tochtrop	E
		Tyler	X
		Williams A.	X
		Williams S.	X
		Vaad	X
		Hudak	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Presentation by CDOT		-

09:39 AM -- Presentation by CDOT

Representative Vaad called the meeting to order. A quorum was present. Mr. Michael Cheroutes, interim executive director, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), presented to the committee. Mr. Don Hunt, nominee for executive director of CDOT, introduced himself. Mr. Hunt provided information on his professional background and responded to questions from committee members.

09:49 AM

Mr. Cheroutes introduced members of the Transportation Commission and CDOT staff. A handout was provided to the committee (Attachment A).

09:51 AM

Ms. Jennifer Finch, Ms. Pam Hutton, and Mr. Ben Stein, representing CDOT, presented to the committee. CDOT currently maintains approximately 23,000 lane miles of roadways on the state highway system. Background was provided on CDOT's responsibilities and collaboration and transparency initiatives.

10:03 AM

Ms. Finch discussed the CDOT transportation planning process and provided background on transportation planning regions. Mr. Stein provided information on the CDOT budget process. Representative Tyler asked questions related to the Transportation Commission. Mr. Les Gruen, chairman of the Transportation Commission, discussed the backgrounds of current and past commission members. Mr. Steve Parker, member of the Transportation Commission, responded to questions from the committee.

10:12 AM

Representative Fischer asked Ms. Finch to discuss metropolitan planning organizations and transportation planning regions. Mr. Stein discussed sources of transportation funding and federal and state motor fuel taxes.

10:23 AM

Mr. Stein discussed federal transportation funding mechanisms that provide funds to CDOT. Mr. Stein responded to questions from committee members. Senator Schwartz asked Mr. Stein to comment on Transportation Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRANS) proceeds and payments.

10:35 AM

Mr. Stein discussed volatility of CDOT funding sources. Further background was provided regarding year to year funding adjusted for inflation. An update was provided on federal transportation funding and related congressional legislation. The current federal transportation bill is a six-year authorization operating under continuing authorizations until a new bill is approved by Congress. Representative Vaad asked Mr. Stein to comment on CDOT operations and maintenance.

10:45 AM

Ms. Hutton discussed steps to building a construction project. Ms. Hutton provided background of each of the nine steps taken by CDOT leading to the construction of a project. Ms. Hutton responded to questions from committee members. Representative Fischer asked Ms. Hutton to comment on qualifications-based selection processes.

10:56 AM

Ms. Hutton commented on the contract bidding process and provided several examples as background. She provided additional information on CDOT interactions and collaboration with local governments. Information on safety projects and related funding mechanisms was provided. Specific project examples were described to the committee.

11:07 AM

Ms. Hutton provided background on the Colorado Bridge Enterprise. Ms. Hutton discussed bridge projects currently under construction and responded to questions from committee members. Senator Hudak asked about a particular bridge project in Adams County. Mr. Stein discussed the Bridge Enterprise Revenue Bond Program. Additional information was provided regarding enterprise oversight and bonding rates.

11:19 AM

Mr. Cheroutes commented on the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE). The HPTE operates as a government-owned business within CDOT to pursue innovative means of more efficiently financing projects. Ms. Hutton commented on the new CDOT Division of Transit and Rail, and the Aeronautics Division. Additional information was provided on statutorily required reports and the annual CDOT performance report.

11:29 AM

Ms. Finch discussed CDOT strategic objectives. Mr. Stein provided additional information on the five-year strategic plan with annual goals and objectives. Representative Brown asked about deferred maintenance of highways and snow removal times.

11:39 AM

Ms. Hutton discussed snow plowing needs and recent prioritizing of roads. Representative Ramirez asked about signage posted at federal stimulus funded projects. Representative Gardner asked about lost federal funding due to federal match requirements. Senator Renfroe asked for Ms. Hutton to comment about contracting.

11:49 AM

Representative Vaad asked for witnesses to testify.

11:49 AM -- Ms. Elena Wilken, representing the Colorado Association of Transit Agencies, testified before the committee. Ms. Wilken complimented CDOT for its work on state transit matters.

11:53 AM

The committee adjourned.