BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT
To:
David A. Genova, General Manager and CEO
Date: April 6, 2017
From:
William C. Van Meter,
Manager, Planning
GM
Date:
April 6, 2017
Subject:
Approval to Enter into Agreements to
Contribute Funding to the Colorado Department
of Transportation for the Mobility Choice
Blueprint Technical Consultant(s)
Assistant
General
Board Meeting Date: April 18, 2017
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended by the Financial Administration and Audit Committee that the Board of Directors
authorize the General Manager, or his designee, to enter into any and all agreements required to provide
$400,000 in Regional Transportation District funding in support of the Mobility Choice Blueprint Study.
RTD’s funds are to be used for the technical consultant(s) selected to conduct the Study, in partnership
with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Denver Regional Council of
Governments (DRCOG), as articulated in this Board report.
BACKGROUND
At the June 2016 Operations & Customer Service Committee meeting, RTD staff briefed the Board
regarding the proposed Mobility Choice Blueprint study effort. The Board was informed that RTD staff
had been participating in discussions with CDOT, DRCOG and the Denver Metro Chamber about forming
a partnership to create a joint public/private mobility vision for metro Denver by developing key
strategies to leverage current assets using new technologies and provide an integrated system for all
users.
At the September 2016 Financial Administration and Audit Committee meeting, RTD staff presented a
Board Report with a recommendation to participate with CDOT and DRCOG in the funding of the
Mobility Choice Blueprint study effort. The proposal was for the three public agency partners to share
equally in funding the study, with each agency’s share being $500,000. This recommended action failed
in Committee. At the time, key issues identified by some Board Members included: the desire to assure
that the public partners, including RTD, retain a lead role in the oversight of the Study; questions
regarding the flow and management of public funds; concerns regarding the level of the proposed dollar
amount of RTD’s participation ($500,000); and the composition of the Chamber’s Mobility Choice
Board.
At the March 21, 2017 Financial Administration & Audit Committee Meeting, RTD staff presented
updated Mobility Choice (MC) Blueprint information and responded to a number of Board inquiries
regarding the proposed effort. Don Hunt (Acting Managing Director of Mobility Choice, Inc.), Kelly
Brough (President and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce), and Jim Gunning (former Lone
Tree Mayor and proposed Mobility Choice Executive Director) also were in attendance and answered
questions posed to them by Directors. Highlights of the update, based upon Board comments and
questions, include the following:
Private and Public Sector Participation
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The public agencies would take the lead in the study, while the private sector participants would
use the results of the study and any information gained to support projects outside public agency
purview.
One purpose of Mobility Choice is to prevent “siloing” of transportation planning.
Completion of the FasTracks program will not be negatively impacted by Mobility Choice. The
commitment to District voters will not be altered by the study results.
The RTD Board would have a voice at the table during the Mobility Choice effort through regular
feedback during the study.
Participating agencies would determine how to implement study findings, and Mobility Choice
study findings would not be binding on CDOT, DRCOG, or RTD.
MC Board Structure and Role of MC Executive Director
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Two economic development organizations have been added to the MC Board to enhance
geographic diversity.
Jim Gunning (proposed MC Executive Director) would be paid through private sector funding.
The current MC Board includes eight private company individuals, three public agency
representatives, two at-large public officials, and two economic development agency
representatives. The charter limits the MC Board to 21 members.
The proposed MC Executive Director position would technically become a program director within
the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
The MC Board would oversee the MC Executive Director and Mobility Choice would promulgate a
charter or operating agreement to be approved by the MC Board.
The Mobility Choice Executive Director would be part of the project management team. The
Executive Director would determine whether sufficient funding existed to conduct public outreach
and would look for pilot programs to initiate new transportation modes, among other study
leadership and management responsibilities.
The MC Board has made it clear that MC Board members represent the entire MC Board, rather
than private interests.
Mobility Choice Study
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Mobility Choice would include examination of, for example, first/last mile transit, bicycle and
pedestrian access, bus feeder systems, and interactions with transportation network companies
(such as Uber and Lyft).
Colorado academic institutions did not respond to the initial Mobility Choice Request for Interest
(RFI). Academic institutions, however, may respond to the forthcoming Request for Proposal
(RFP) as a project lead or as part of a technical team.
The consultant selection process would be similar to a CDOT or RTD selection process. Private
MC Board members do not have any financial interest in the firms that would conduct the study.
The study would be completed in approximately nine months.
DISCUSSION
The stated purpose of the Mobility Choice Blueprint is to: Maximize existing investments in our
transportation system; leverage technology to plan for our future workforce; and increase economic
opportunities and quality of life. The attachment provides more details on the proposed Mobility Choice
Blueprint Public/Private Initiative. Participating in the Mobility Choice Blueprint Study aligns with the
District’s 2018 strategic goal – Fiscal Sustainability – by maximizing partnerships and using innovative
approaches.
In response to the issues raised by the RTD Board in September 2016, the Denver Metro Chamber and
Mobility Choice leadership initiated discussions and identified proposed modifications to the original
approach. A description of the key proposed modifications follows.
A management/organizational structure was developed to clearly articulate RTD, DRCOG and CDOT’s
co-lead roles in managing the technical consultant’s work efforts. Under the structure, a Project
Management Team will have direct oversight of the consultant’s work. The Project Management Team
will be comprised of senior representatives of each of the agencies and one representative from the
Mobility Choice Board. Further, CDOT has agreed to take the lead role in procuring the consultant
services, pursuant to State Procurement Rules; and to administer the consultant contract. As such, if
this action is approved, RTD would enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with CDOT for the
funding of the Study. This approach provides assurance that RTD’s interests will be represented and that
the competitively selected Mobility Choice Blueprint consultant team will be responsive to CDOT, RTD
and DRCOG’s oversight and direction. Further, membership on Mobility Choice Board is to be expanded
with the addition of “2 other economic development organizations” which will serve to broaden the
diversity and geographic representation within the metro area. RTD, DRCOG and CDOT will continue to
have representation on the Mobility Choice Board.
Additionally, the proposed contribution from each of the public agencies, including RTD, has been
decreased to $400,000. Through discussions with public agency staff and Mobility Choice leadership,
and with careful consideration of the planned scope of work, it was determined that this level of funding
will still be satisfactory to achieve the goals and mission of the Study, albeit with less contingency
available. Private sector funding would be used for project administrative support, stakeholder
engagement and ongoing work following study completion.
Once the study is complete, the Blueprint, which includes a significant public involvement process,
would be used to recommend mobility options for RTD, CDOT and DRCOG intended to assure that the
agency’s investments are well-coordinated and aligned to support future technological and related
advances in transportation. The Blueprint recommendations would not be binding on any participating
agency and it will be at the RTD Board’s sole discretion to accept or pursue any of the plans or
recommendations contained within the report. The current plan is for the study to initiate in summer
2017, with completion in early 2018.
To date, CDOT and DRCOG have taken actions to secure their share of funding. DRCOG’s action is
contingent on all three public partners participating at like amounts in funding the technical study work.
RTD Board approval of this funding request will allow RTD to have an equal voice with our planning
partners in the oversight, direction and management of the Blueprint.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for this project in the amount of $400,000 is available from the District’s FY 2016/17 Board
Appropriated Reserve.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Accept the Recommended Action. It is recommended by the Financial Administration and Audit
Committee that the Board of Directors authorize the General Manager, or his designee, to enter into
any and all agreements required to provide $400,000 in Regional Transportation District funding in
support of the Mobility Choice Blueprint. RTD’s funds are to be used for the technical consultant(s)
selected to conduct the study, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation
(CDOT) and the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) as articulated in this Board
report.
2. Do not accept the Recommended Action. Do not allocate $400,000 to the Mobility Choice Blueprint.
This action is not recommended as it would result in RTD not having a role in the study and could
run counter to RTD’s interests.
ATTACHMENTS:
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MOBILITY CHOICE SUMMARY
(DOCX)
Prepared by:
William Van Meter, Assistant General Manager, Planning
Brian Welch, Senior Manager, Planning Technical Services
Approved by: