Vermont Transportation Operations Council
STATE OF VERMONT
Executive Department
E X E C U T I V E O R D E R
[Vermont Transportation Operations Council]
WHEREAS, the State of Vermont has substantial public investment in its existing transportation infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, maintenance and modernization of this infrastructure continues to impose significant demands on the limited federal, state, local, and private funds available; and
WHEREAS, making sound decisions regarding investment in Vermont’s transportation infrastructure requires coordination between the highway, rail, air and public transportation modes; and
WHEREAS, the quality of decision making can be enhanced by providing a forum to bring together input and insight from all the transportation modes, as well as from the consumers of transportation services;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, James H. Douglas, by virtue of the power vested in me as Governor, do hereby establish a Vermont Transportation Operations Council and designate its membership and duties as follows:
1. The Council shall be composed of not more than 15 persons appointed by the Governor, plus the Vermont Secretary of Transportation or designee, who shall serve as Chair. Members may include representatives of the Vermont Aviation Advisory Council, the Vermont Public Transit Council, the Vermont Rail Advisory Council, public and private sectors, economic development groups, major rail and truck shippers, trucking companies, railroads, airlines, intercity bus operators, general aviation, automobile owner associations, passenger organizations, chambers of commerce, and the travel and tourism industry. To the extent that funds permit, members shall receive reimbursement of expenses and a per diem pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 1010. The Council is authorized to obtain administrative assistance from the Vermont Agency of Transportation, and the Secretary of Transportation is directed to provide such assistance as required. The Council may have additional members, to be appointed by the Secretary of Transportation subject to the Governor’s approval, who shall not vote or receive expense reimbursement or per diem but who may otherwise participate in Council business and assist in the Council’s efforts.
2. The Council shall meet no less than four times a year, excluding meetings of subcommittees. By December 31st of each year, the Council shall make a report of its activities, findings and recommendations to the Governor.
3. The Council is charged with the following responsibilities:
A. Advising the Vermont Agency of Transportation on statewide transportation issues;
B. Identifying areas where transportation deficiencies may imperil existing economic development;
C. Identifying areas where transportation improvements could be a catalyst for economic growth;
D. Identifying opportunities for improved coordination between the various transportation modes; and
E. Recommending changes in the planning and funding of transportation improvements.
4. The terms of the members of the Council, other than the term of the Vermont Secretary of Transportation, shall be as follows: initially, not more than seven members appointed for one year and not more than eight members appointed for two years; all subsequent appointments (except those to the unexpired term of a former member) shall be for a period of two years.
This Executive Order shall take effect upon execution.
Witness my name hereunto subscribed and the Great Seal of the State of Vermont hereunto affixed at Montpelier, this day of August, 2003.
James H. Douglas
Governor
By the Governor:
Neale F. Lunderville
Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs
Executive Order #12-03
12-03