Katie Hannum

The meeting featured a report on the Brent Spence Bridge project and its need for additional contract authority to advance construction. Staff highlighted an infrastructure study on Advanced Air Mobility at regional airports and provided an update on the anticipated federal surface transportation reauthorization bill. A presentation was delivered regarding the Southwest Ohio Regional Water Study, which aims to ensure safe drinking water and support regional economic growth. The committee authorized a grant application for transit planning activities and approved funding awards for the Section 5310 federal grant program. Additionally, the committee approved amendments to the Transportation Improvement Program, including updates for various highway and transit projects.

The Fiscal Year 2027 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments outlines the scope of work to advance the region's future travel needs. It focuses on implementing balanced and efficient intermodal and multimodal transportation services, addressing the goals of the OKI 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Key areas of focus include maintaining a Metropolitan Transportation Plan, updating socioeconomic and transportation system inventories, evaluating and resolving local transportation issues, prioritizing projects for optimal funding, assisting in specific project implementations, providing technical assistance and data for planning, enhancing freight transportation efficiency, and ensuring broad public and agency involvement in the planning process.

The board meeting agenda included several key administrative and planning items. Major topics of discussion included the Boone County Transportation Plan Update, the presentation of the Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Report, and a proposed amendment to the Regional Water Quality Management Plan. Additionally, the board considered the Fiscal Year 2027 Unified Planning Work Program, the annual certification of the urban transportation planning process, and Amendment #7 to the Fiscal Years 2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program. A report from the Intermodal Coordinating Committee was also provided.

This document outlines the Southwest Ohio Regional Water Study, which aims to establish a framework for the long-term preservation of public health, safe drinking water, and environmental protection in the region. The study considers future impacts from population changes, economic development, and climate, identifying regional solutions and partnerships to inform future policy. It addresses regional driving factors such as population and industrial growth, drought risk, contamination, biosolids disposal, resource imbalance, nutrient loading, land use impact on floods, and increasing irrigation needs. The regional goals include ensuring safe and abundant drinking water, developing a sustainable biosolids disposal plan, preserving environmental and recreational waters through nutrient management, supporting industrial users with minimal environmental impact, and building climate resilience against droughts and floods.

This document outlines AARP Ohio's framework and initiatives for developing age-friendly communities across the state, emphasizing the importance of supporting older adults to age in place independently. Key priorities include utilizing the AARP Livability Index for community assessment, guiding communities through a structured 5-year improvement process, and offering Community Challenge Grants to fund local projects. The overall vision is to create communities that adequately support residents across all ages, enhancing their quality of life and recognizing the significant economic contributions of the 50+ population.