7/27/2019 CMAQ Fact Sheet 091913

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Website: www.velopaso.orgEmail: velopaso@gmail.com

TxDOT misled the public and city council on the facts about the federalCMAQ program. Heres the truth:

DO CMAQFUNDS AUTHORIZED FOR BIKE SHARE EXPIRE?NO, the $1.5 million in federal CMAQ money rolls into the next fiscal year, according to officials atTxDOT, the MPO and the FHWA. TCEQ has extended the grant for the Rider 8 funds until May 2014,

and another extension is available if necessary.

WHAT STAGE IS THE BIKE SHARE PROGRAM AT?The 26-member MPO policy board nominated and approved the bike share program 3 times,

submitted it topublic review, and secured federal approval. CMAQ has been used for bike share in at

least three cities; TxDOT has funded bike share programs in Forth Worth, Austin and San Antonio. TheCity, UTEP, Fort Bliss, the MPO and FHWA are waiting for TxDOT to release the funds.

WHY IS TXDOT TRYING TO SHUTDOWN THE BIKE SHARE PROGRAM?TxDOT approved bike share in May 2013 as a member of the MPO policy board. It now claims that

bike share does not meet its emissions reduction threshold. They failed to mention that TxDOTcannot impose such a threshold. In a letter to the MPO on September 25, 2013, the FHWA states:CMAQ guidance . . . does not establish cost-benefit, emissions reductions, or congestion relief

thresholds for project selection. Our review of the Texas Administrative Code and discussion with

TxDOT personnel do not indicate that emission reduction thresholds have been established by the

State for the CMAQ program.

CAN CMAQBE USED FOR THE P3PILOT PROGRAM TO REDUCE BRIDGE WAIT TIMES?NOT LIKELY, according to a letter from the FHWA. CMAQ cannot be used to pay for salaries unless byfederal statute; it does not demonstrate a clear transportation use because the bridges fall under

border security, homeland security and international trade; it is a one-shot deal that would

temporarily fund salaries without a reliable revenue source.

THE REAL QUESTION IS WHY TXDOT, A STATE AGENCY BASED IN AUSTIN,IS TELLING EL PASO WHAT TO DO AND FORCING US INTO A FALSE CHOICE?

CITY COUNCIL: DELETE ITEM 11A. Dont be bullied into voting against yourself.

City Council & Officials

(MPO Members)

Approved BikeShare at MPO

Approved BikeShare at City

Council

City Council & Officials ApprovedBike Share

Mayor Oscar Leeser YES YES Rep. Eddie Holguin YESRep. Emma Acosta** YES Absent Rep. Lily Limn** YESRep. Cortney Niland YES Absent Rep. Larry Romero YESRep. Dr. Michael Noe* YES YES Rep. Ann Morgan Lilly YESRep. Carl Robinson YES YES

*Initiated motion** Seconded motion

Joyce Wilson* YES YESJane Shange YES YES