Bi-State Coordination Committee Documents

Bylaws of the
Bi-State Coordination Committee

Role

The Bi-State Coordination Committee replaces the Bi-State Transportation Committee. Further the Bi-State Coordination Committee shall abide by the Bi-State Coordination Committee Charter that is incorporated into these bylaws as Attachment A.

The Committee will review all issues of major bi-state significance for transportation and land use. In addition, when economic development or environmental justice issues are directly related to transportation or land use issues of bi-state significance, the Committee may also review and make recommendations concerning these topics to the appropriate agencies. The Committee will present advisory actions to Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC) and Metro’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT), and Metro on issues of bi-state transportation significance. The Committee will advise the appropriate local and regional governments on issues of bi-state land use issues. On economic development or environmental justice issues related to transportation or land use issues of bi-state significance, the Committee may provide recommendations to the appropriate agencies.

Each member agency shall have the responsibility to identify items over which it has direct responsibility that have bi-state significance to the Committee. Timely information about decisions to be made should be provided to the Committee so that recommendations can be made and forwarded in a timely manner prior to agency action.

The Committee holds no regulatory authority, but builds and sustains regional dialogue and works together on solving problems related to evolving linkages among transportation, land use, and economic development. Member jurisdictions retain their full existing authorities, but consider carefully and give weight to Committee recommendations. Jurisdictions also agree, according to their authorities, to create their own strategies and plans that contribute to managing land uses and economic development to protect transportation investments throughout the corridor.

JPACT and RTC Board shall take no action on an issue of bi-state transportation significance without first referring the issue to the Bi-State Coordination Committee for their consideration and recommendation. Any member of JPACT or the RTC Board may request referral of an item for consultation prior to action, but it takes a majority of the JPACT or RTC Board to refer an item to the Bi-State Coordination Committee. The Bi-State Coordination Committee members may also select items for consideration.

Membership

Membership will be drawn from member agencies serving on JPACT and RTC Board and consist of elected officials as well as leadership from key agencies and organizations. Committee membership includes: Cities of Portland and Vancouver; Clark and Multnomah Counties; one smaller city each in Multnomah and Clark Counties; Oregon Department of Transportation; Washington State Department of Transportation; Ports of Vancouver and Portland; Tri-Met; C-Tran; and Metro. Each agency shall select their member for the Bi -State Coordination Committee and shall also identify an alternate. Membership will be valid as long as the member is a member of JPACT and the RTC Board or appointed by JPACT or RTC Board.

The Committee may, as desired, create ex-officio (non-voting) memberships for state and federal agency representatives. The Bi-State Coordination Committee may create working groups on a topical basis that involve other elected officials and business or community representatives as needed. Membership will be valid as long as the member is a member of JPACT and the RTC Board or appointed by JP ACT or RTC Board.

Chair and Vice Chair

The Bi-State Coordination Committee shall elect its Chair and Vice-Chair. The Chair and Vice- Chair shall not be representatives of the same state.

Voting

Each member will have one vote. A simple majority vote is needed to pass an action item. A quorum is needed for a vote to be valid.

Quorum

A quorum is defined 2/3 of total membership, with no less than four members from each state.

Subcommittees

The Bi-State Coordination Committee may create subcommittees to review major issues of bi-state significance. Such subcommittees shall include members of the Committee, but may also include representatives from the business community, citizens and interest groups involved with the issue.

Reporting

The Bi-State Coordination Committee shall alert JPACT and the RTC Board on issues of bi-state significance and schedule upcoming action items.

The Bi-State Coordination Committee shall submit an annual report to JPACT and RTC Board that highlights the committee’s major accomplishments and progress over the last year. The report will be distributed to JPACT and RTC Board one year after the date of their first meeting and annually on each subsequent year.

Minutes of each meeting shall be taken and shall be distributed for approval at the subsequent Bi-State Coordination Committee meetings.

Amendment

Any amendment to this agreement shall require the approval of JPACT, the Metro Council and RTC Board.

Termination

Termination of this agreement and the Bi-State Coordination Committee will require written notice sixty (60) days prior to the termination date proposed by JP ACT or RTC Board.

Meeting Location

Meetings will alternate between sites in Oregon and Washington.

Public Notice

The public shall be notified of the Bi-State Coordination Committee meetings consistent with other public meeting notices required by Metro or RTC.

Administrative Support

Metro and RTC shall share in the costs for administrative support and staffing to the Bi-State Coordination Committee.

Budget/Expenses

Expenses for conducting Bi-State Coordination Committee meetings shall be equally shared between Metro and the RTC.