ODOT’s Local Agency Certification Program

1. ODOT’sLocal Agency Certification Program The Basics Beth Vargas Duncan Certification Program Manager May 2006

2. Road Map… Covering today: Certification Program Overview • Who’s Who, What, When, Where, and Why (Benefits!) • Questions?

3. FHWA --Federal Aid Highway Program ↓$ Stewardship agreement with FHWA ODOT – Administers Federal Aid Program ↓$ Agreement with Local Agency Local Agency (LA) – Receives & Uses Funds Certified Agency process Non-Certified Agency process Who’s Who?

4. What is the Certification Program? • Administered by ODOT’s Local Government Program • Enables Certified Local Agencies to retain more approval authority & control at the local level when developing FHWA funded, Non- NHS transportation projects

5. Vision Excellent Local Agency projects resulting from a vibrant, responsive and collaborative Local Agency Certification Program that: • Meets all federal requirements • Fulfills ODOT’s stewardship responsibilities • Provides LA’s optimum authority and autonomy using their own approved processes for the development and delivery of LA federal aid projects • Results in timely delivery of federally funded projects

6. Mission • Put in place the plans, people, processes and products that will enable the implementation of Local Agency Certification in a timely and cost-effective manner • Continually monitor and improve the Local Agency Certification Program over time

7. Why Certification? All benefit… • Local Agencies • ODOT • FHWA • and The Project

8. Local Agencies Benefit: • Save time & money using own approved processes • Greater flexibility in project delivery • More local determination of project scope & quality • Opportunity to build partnerships • Focused ODOT training & technical assistance • Helpful when federal emergency projects are requested – FHWA already approved processes

9. ODOT Benefits: • Overall increased efficiency with local authority to manage federal aid projects • Documented processes help ODOT fulfill its stewardship responsibilities with FHWA • Avenue to build relationships with Local Agencies • Focuses ODOT’s resources to program support for Local Agency training, process documentation etc. • Share planning responsibilities with key partners strategically positioned at the local level

10. FHWA Benefits: • Collaborative effort maximizes productivity of transportation funding • Minimize redundancies or incongruities among transportation systems • Clarity of roles & responsibilities • Builds partnerships, open communication and trust

11. The Project Benefits: • Scope • Schedule • Budget

12. Who is Certified? City of Portland – PDOT • Conditionally Certified • Four test projects pending Next? • Washington County • City of Eugene • Clackamas County… Goals • Certify as many Local Agencies as possible and practical • Increase clarity regarding roles & responsibilities of both Certified and Non-Certified Agency project delivery processes

13. Categories of Certification

14. Non-Certified

15. Partial Certification *ODOT must have final approval of certain elements per federal requirements

16. Conditional & Full Certification

17. Becoming certified…

18. Agreements • Initial Master Agreement • LA agrees to comply with Federal & State law • Supplemental Project Agreements • Covers all phases of project, clarifies payments NOTE: Agreements must be executed prior to federal fund reimbursement

19. Certification in Other States • Washington Highways & Local Programs: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TA/HOMEPAGE/HLPHP.html • California Division of Local Assistance: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/

20. Where to get more information: Beth Vargas Duncan Certification Program Manager ODOT, Local Government Section 355 Capitol Street NE, Room 326 Salem, OR 97301 503-986-3649 elizabeth.vargasduncan@odot.state.or.us ODOT Local Government Program http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/LGS/