Title
MPO Reorganization and Governance (15 minutes)
Damon Seils, MPO Board Chair
Aaron Cain, LPA Staff
Narrative
The DCHC MPO has reorganized its staff in light of some events taking place earlier this year. In Spring 2019, the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit project was discontinued. With the development of new transit plans in Durham and Orange counties, there is a need for a stronger presence in the MPO regarding transit planning. To accomplish this, the Staff Working Group administrator position was moved from half-time to full-time through the GoTriangle budget process, and has been elevated to a Manager position in order to better reflect the level of work intended for this new role. In addition, the City of Durham undertook a classification and compensation study which recommended a more hierarchical organizational structure for MPO staff (see attachment). The new MPO staff organization does the following:
• Creates the Planning Manager position from the former Staff Working Group Administrator. This position will supervise the three Principal Planners currently in the MPO. This position will also manage the transit plan process for Durham and Orange counties, as well as serve as the primary point of contact for the MPO on other major transit initiatives, such as Greater Triangle Commuter Rail. Recruitment for this position is currently taking place;
• Maintains the other Transportation Manager position with two modeler positions as direct reports. One of those positions is currently vacant, and recruitment is ongoing;
• Continues the Grants Administrator and Web/GIS Applications positions reporting directly to the Senior Transportation Manager. The Web/GIS Applications position is currently vacant, and recruitment is ongoing; and
• Has the Senior Technician report to the Web/GIS Applications position, rather than directly to the Senior Transportation Manager.
The Chair will appoint a committee to develop and make recommendations to the Board no later than April 2020 regarding the resources for the MPO staff; the Board's responsibility, as noted in the Bylaws, for oversight of the staff; and the role of the Planning Manager, the Staff Working Groups, and the MPO in the transit plan process for Orange and Durham Counties.
Board Action
Board Action: Form a committee to make recommendations regarding staff resources and oversight.