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Operating Procedures for the South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (SWRMPO)

Preamble

The responsibility for cooperative decision-making regarding transportation issues rests with the South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (SWRMPO). The SWRMPO is composed of the chief elected officials of the cities of Norwalk and Stamford and the towns of Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Weston, Westport and Wilton. Each municipality is entitled to one vote. The Norwalk, Stamford and Westport Transit Districts are also members and they share one vote equally. The Chairman of the South Western Regional Planning Agency is a non-voting member. The SWRMPO is responsible for annually reviewing and endorsing the transportation plans and programs for the South Western Region.

The South Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA) is the designated Transportation Planning Agency for the South Western Region and is responsible for carrying out all major planning functions outlined by the federal government. The planning function performed by SWRPA is done in cooperation with the SWRMPO; the Connecticut Department of Transportation; the Federal Highway Administration; the Federal Transit Administration and; the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.

The SWRMPO is supported by the Transportation Technical Advisory Group (TTAG), which is composed of the South Western Region’s municipal planners, traffic engineers, transit districts and SWRPA’s transportation planner. The TTAG reviews and evaluates proposals before they are submitted to the SWRMPO.

Article I. Meetings of the SWRMPO

  1. Any official actions taken by the SWRMPO shall be by vote.
  2. Quorum: For the conduct of business of the SWRMPO, two-thirds of the total voting membership shall constitute a quorum.
  3. Action of the SWRMPO shall be by majority vote of the members present and voting.
  4. Each Chief Elected Official or official voting representative shall have one vote.
  5. The Norwalk Transit District, the Greater Stamford Transit District and the Westport Transit District shall have equal shares of one vote, i.e., 1/3 vote each.
  6. The SWRMPO shall not endorse a local non-transit plan or program affecting a town within the Region, unless the Chief Elected Official of the municipal government to be responsible for its implementation votes in the affirmative. In the case of transit plans or programs in that municipality, the Transit District must vote affirmative on that plan or project.
  7. As a matter of right, any voting member of the SWRMPO may request and obtain a separate vote on any particular plan, project or program referred to the SWRMPO for consideration and action.
  8. There shall be a minimum of six meetings of the SWRMPO each year.
  9. The SWRMPO shall operate under Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article II. Official Voting and Non-Voting Representatives

  1. As a matter of right, any voting member of the SWRMPO may designate an "official voting representative" to cast his/her vote.
  2. The designation of an "official voting representative" must be presented to the Chairperson of the SWRMPO, in writing, by the voting member of the SWRMPO, prior to the meeting of the SWRMPO. The length of the appointment shall be specified in writing.
  3. Non-voting membership shall be extended to the Chairperson of the South Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA) and to contiguous Metropolitan Planning Organizations that provide reciprocal non-voting membership to the SWRMPO. Requests for non-voting membership by others shall be considered and acted upon by the SWRMPO.

Article III. Officers

  1. Officers of the SWRMPO shall include a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, who shall serve for a term of two years. In the event that a vacancy occurs in any office, a successor shall be elected at the next meeting of the SWRMPO to serve out the unexpired term.
  2. Method of Selection. At the last meeting of the SWRMPO in odd-numbered calendar years, nominations for Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be made from the floor by voting members of the SWRMPO. Once nominations are closed the Chairperson shall call separate votes to elect a new Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Election to each office shall be by a simple majority of the members – or their official voting representatives – present and voting.
  3. Chairperson: The Chairperson of the SWRMPO shall be a Chief Elected Official of the SWRMPO. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the SWRMPO. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall preside. When so directed by the SWRMPO, the Chairperson shall sign all reports, plans, programs and resolutions which have been adopted by the SWRMPO.
  4. Vice Chairperson: In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall assume the powers and duties of the Chairperson.

Article IV. TTAG Voting Procedures and Official Representatives

  1. Any actions taken by the TTAG shall be by vote.
  2. Action of the TTAG shall be by majority vote of the members present and voting.
  3. Each municipality shall have one vote. Votes shall not be split, and all votes shall be recorded.
  4. Each Transit District in the South Western Region shall have an equal share of one vote.
  5. The voting member of the SWRMPO shall designate, in writing, the official voting representative and alternates to the TTAG.
  6. The TTAG shall operate under Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article V. Amendments

  1. These Operating Procedures may be amended at any meeting by a majority vote of the SWRMPO present and voting. Any amendment may be presented for disposition by such vote of the SWRMPO at any such meeting thereof, provided that not less than ten (10) days written notice of the proposal to effect such amendment has been given to each member of the SWRMPO and publicly noticed in accordance with the SWRMPO’s adopted procedures.
  2. Amendments to SWRMPO Operating Procedures shall take effect immediately.

 

Adopted:   6/23/81
Amended: 1/25/96
Amended: 10/3/02
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