The Executive Board approved the amendment to the 2005-2007 Regional Transportation Improvement Program.

The amendment is developed to program all new regionally significant projects and assure that the region continues to meet federal and state clean air requirements.

The 2005 amendment consists of 34 projects totaling $132.5 million, including $64.5 million for nine projects funded by the new state Transportation Partnership Act (TPA), which included a gradual 9.5 cent gas tax increase. The fate of TPA-funded projects is uncertain pending the outcome of Initiative 912, which seeks to repeal the new gas tax, and any ensuing action by the Legislature. If the initiative passes, any unfunded projects would then be removed from the TIP by special amendment, and a new air quality conformity analysis and public comment period would be required for the remaining projects.

For more information, contact Karen Richter at 206-464-6343 or krichter@psrc.org.

The Executive Board approved projects for Statewide Transportation Enhancements funding.

Transportation Enhancements is a special federal program for nontraditional transportation projects from 12 eligible categories. The Transportation Enhancements Committee prioritized the 51 projects for a total of $18.6 million out of 100 nominations. Projects recommended for funding include increasing the use of pedestrian safety flags at crosswalks in Kirkland, cultural resource protection in King County, safe wildlife passage for a transportation project in Novelty Hill, Right of Way acquisition for the Centennial Trail in Snohomish County, an archeological sensitivity model for Kitsap County, and historic preservation of the Spanish steps in Tacoma.

For more information, contact Karen Richter at 206-464-6343 or krichter@psrc.org.

The Executive Board welcomed the City of Des Moines as a new member to the Puget Sound Regional Council.

Des Moines had previously been a member of PSRC, but had not participated in several years. "This is an important and historic step towards regional unity. It says a lot about how well PSRC is reaching out and the relevancy of the work we are doing," says Auburn Mayor Pro Tem Sue Singer, PSRC Vice-President. "Thank you for taking the time to reach out to the City of Des Moines and asking us to rejoin. We look forward to a productive and beneficial relationship with PSRC," said Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler in a letter to PSRC.

For more information, contact Mark Gulbranson at 206-464-7524 or mgulbranson@psrc.org.

The Executive Board received a special briefing on the VISION 2020+20 Update from Growth Management Policy Board members.

Tacoma Councilmember Mike Lonergan, vice-chair of the Growth Management Policy Board, and Everett City Councilmember Bob Overstreet, presented an overview of work underway on the VISION 2020 + 20 Update. The presentation covered initial analysis and research work that has been completed and then focused on four alternatives adopted by the GMPB in September for more detailed analysis. The schedule for the remainder of the project was also discussed.

For more information, contact Norman Abbott at (206) 464-7134, nabbott@psrc.org.

In other business, the Executive Board: