09-21>9-23-2001 City Council Retreat

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• Transportation Vision Statement: La Porte's transportation system shall provide residents and visitors safe, efficient and convenient access to all areas of the City and the surrounding region; accommodate current and future demand for movement of people and goods; and allow travelers choices of destinations, routes, and modes of travel. GOAL 5.1: Establish a hierarchy of thoroughfare classifications that will provide for safe and convenient flow of traffic throughout the community. GOAL 5.2: Provide continuity of traffic flow within and between neighborhoods and throughout the community. GOAL 5.3 Provide for relief of traffic congestion. GOAL 5.4 Eliminate major barriers to traffic movement. GOAL 5.5 Upgrade and improve existing street infrastructure to meet or exceed minimum standards by Year 2020. GOAL 5.6 Provide for the increasing demand for transportation facilities while preserving and enhancing the attractiveness of the environment. GOAL 5.7 Establish and maintain a network of new and existing sidewalks as a component of improved standards for City streets. GOAL 5.8 Cooperate with neighboring communities to establish interurban modes of transportation. GOAL 5.9 Expand the Municipal Airport and create a self-supporting operation. Public Transportation The Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) provides fixed route bus service throughout the city limits of Houston and other areas within their designated authority. La Porte is currently not within the service area of METRO. In order to access METRO services, there are two mechanisms available. In accordance with the Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 451, Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authorities, the transit authority may contract with a municipality, county, or other political subdivision to provide public transportation services outside the authority. The other mechanism is the addition of territory. The territory of a municipality that is not a part of an authority may be added if any part of the municipality is located in a county in which the authority is located; the governing body of the municipality orders an election under Subsection L, Addition of Territory, of Chapter 451, Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authorities, of the Transportation Code on whether the territory of the municipality should be added to the authority; and, a majority of the votes received in the election favor the measure. Upon contract or addition to the authority, the cost of service would be borne entirely by the City. The Bay Area Transportation Partnership (BATP) was incorporated in 1990 and became a Transportation Management Organization (TMO) through the Houston -Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) in 1995. A TMO is a professional organization created to address transportation issues for a well-defined geographical area. The primary purpose of a TMO is to develop and promote transportation programs that enhance people's mobility and support the local business economy. TMO's are non-profit organization financially supported by local government agencies and local businesses and through federal grants. TMO's augment the efforts of regional transit providers by marketing transit services. The mission statement of the BATP is as follows: "To assist and coordinate the efforts of employers, government agencies, and others in designing and implementing programs, that will support transportation demand management now and in the future as a means of improving access to and around • the Bay Area Transportation Partnership service area." 9.1