A Re gional Par tnership - Maryland State...

IT WAS 1957, and local officials from

the Washington region had gathered to

talk about common problems. First,

though, they had to introduce

themselves to each other. From that

inauspicious beginning rose an

important partnership among unlikely

governments -- one that has helped to

shape the capital region. The 50th

anniversary of the Metropolitan

Washington Council of Governments is

occasion to celebrate its

accomplishments, and to goad it to

meet future challenges.

COG truly has come a long way from

that day in April 1957 when leaders

from the District of Columbia and its

then largely rural surroundings

exchanged names and wondered about

their differences. Today, it is the only

forum in which public officials from the

District, Maryland and Virginia come

together regularly to talk about complex

regional issues. Its contributions in areas

such as transportation and growth,

water and air quality, and social issues

have been immeasurable. Consider its

leadership in pushing for the Metro

subway and bus system or its wisdom in

seeing the need for an airport at Dulles

when doubters could see only farmland.

COG pushed for home rule for the

District, and it focused early attention

on HIV-AIDS and homelessness.

There are, of course, limits to COG’s

effectiveness. No group representing 21

governments from two states and the

District is going to be able to reach

consensus all the time. Regionalism

does, alas, give way to parochialism, but

we shudder to think what kind of

public discourse there would be without

COG. The problems that confront the

area demand the kind of forward-

looking research, analysis and

discussion that have been a hallmark of

the council. In fact, COG officials are

using the anniversary as a call to arms

on issues that need addressing, both in

the short term and over the next half-

century. Among those are winning a

dedicated revenue source for Metro,

preserving open spaces, providing more

affordable housing and developing a

regional approach to climate change.

That ambitiousness is yet another

affirmation of the Council of

Governments’ importance to the area.

May it have many happy returns.

A Comm

itment to a Vibrant F uture

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A Regional PartnershipFor 50 years, local officials have been doing business at COG.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007; A18

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For 50 years, the MetropolitanWashington Council ofGovernments, known as COG,

has helped develop solutions toissues of regional importance. Theorganization is comprised of electedofficials from 21 local governments,members of the Maryland andVirginia state legislatures, and

members of the U.S. Congress.Policies are set through the COGBoard of Directors, the NationalCapital Region TransportationPlanning Board and the MetropolitanWashington Air Quality Committee.These three boards meet on amonthly basis and are responsible fora broad range of issues under the

COG umbrella. Supportingcommittees help shape programsthrough the dedicated work of a widearray of public servants, from policechiefs to social workers.

BACKGROUND

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The elected officials of COGenvision the National CapitalRegion as the best place to live,work, play and learn.COG fosters regionalism by promoting regional partnerships,developing best practices, applying cutting-edge technologies,and providing a forum for decision-making.

MISSIONCOG is the premier forum to resolveregional issues by convening localgovernments and other stakeholders.It is the place where intergovernmental plans are developed toenhance the quality of life in the National Capital Region.

VISION

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In my 20 years at COG-five ofwhich I have served asexecutive director-I have seen

firsthand the positive role thisorganization has played in shapingthe National Capital Region.

Throughout our 50th anniversaryyear, the tremendous support fromour friends in the private andnonprofit sectors, the participation ofcurrent and past Board Members,who took the lead role in planning ourfestivities, the very favorable

editorial in The Washington Post-allof these things underscore the highregard area leaders have for COG.

I cannot thank enough our diversegroup of anniversary sponsors. Theirgenerosity was a testament to thewonderful public-private partnershipsthat have been COG’s hallmark for 50years.

As great as it was to reflect on ourmany achievements over the years,we all know that this organization is

at its best when looking forward. Iam confident that through our legacyof cooperation, clear vision andmission, proactive Board of Directorsand talented staff, COG will continueworking to ensure the long-termvitality, prosperity and sustainabilityof this remarkable region.

Sincerely,

David J. RobertsonExecutive Director

Message from the Executive Director

David J Robertson

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In 2007, COG celebrated its 50thanniversary with an elegantdinner dance and put together a

forum of experts to consider how theregion is likely to grow over the nexthalf century. Throughout the year, wewere reminded how bold action bycreative and farsighted leadersshaped the region we live in today.Long-term regional planning effortsof the past have led to many majorprojects that now greatly influencethe quality of life of each resident inthe metropolitan Washington area.

About 50 years ago, planning wasunderway for the Beltway, and 40years ago plans were being made toconstruct Metro.

Today, area leaders are committed tothe Greater Washington 2050initiative in which we must envisionways to ensure that this arearemains a vibrant, efficient andcoordinated region-with all of ourjurisdictions working together, not as21 individual entities.

Not all of the important needs for thenext 50 years will involve majorprojects or even highly noticeableones. What matters most in planningfor our future is that we identifyessential projects of all shapes andsizes-whether on the ground or stillon paper-and focus on them now.

Sincerely,

Michael Knapp2008 Board of Directors Chair

Message from the Board Chair

Michael Knapp

CLIMATE

CHANGECoastal flooding. Prolonged

heat waves and severedroughts. More intense

hurricanes. New diseases. Any or allof these scenarios could threatenthe National Capital Region unlessprogress is made to limit theimpacts of climate change.

Fortunately, COG and its membergovernments are joining a growingnetwork of communities across thecountry and world that are makingclimate change a top priority. InApril, the COG Board of Directorslaunched one of the nation’s firstregional climate change initiatives tofocus on controlling greenhouse gasemissions locally. Through the newClimate Change Steering Committeechaired by Montgomery CountyCouncil Member Nancy Floreen, COG

is focused on measuring localgreenhouse gas emissions,establishing a reduction goal for theregion, and preparing a catalogue ofcurrent activities and best practicescurrently underway in the area.

A COG study found that greenhousegases are forecast to rise 35 percentby 2030 and 44 percent by 2050 ifaction is not taken to reduce them.The climate change initiative buildsupon COG’s Strategic Energy Planand established programs by areagovernments such as energyefficiency programs, cooperativewind energy, alternative fuel andhybrid vehicle purchases, greenbuilding incentives and publiceducation. Several COG membershave also joined national initiativeslike Cool Counties.

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The future is COG’s business. For 50 years, through itspopulation, employment and housing forecasts, itslong-range transportation plans, and long-term

Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts, COGhas been a consistent voice encouraging its membergovernments to focus on the decades ahead.

In addition to the region’s traditional issues associated withgrowth—traffic congestion, a lack of affordable housing, andair and water pollution—new challenges are emerging.How area leaders respond to topics like energy use, climatechange, and the availability of broadband internet access willdetermine what kind of region future generations will inherit.

While 2007 was a year to celebrate a 50th anniversary andpast successes, COG also moved forward with an ambitiousagenda featuring several new programs and initiatives.Whether in transportation planning or public safetycommunications, environmental programs or housing, COG’sability to innovate, evolve, and bring diverse groups togetherwill help the region meet its long-term goals.

How area leaders respond totopics like energy use, climatechange, and the availability ofbroadband internet access willdetermine what kind of regionfuture generations will inherit.

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The COG Board of Directorsapproved green buildingstandards for area

governments to lessen the impact ofgrowth and development on theregion’s natural resources. The Boardbecame one of the first regionalbodies to adopt the environmentally-friendly guidelines set by the U.S.Green Building Council known asLeadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design (LEED). COG isurging its member jurisdictions toapply the “LEED Silver” standards forthe construction of new government

buildings and “LEED Certified Plus”for commercial structures. Greenbuildings use designs that are energyefficient, control storm-water runoff,and reduce construction-relatedwaste.

COG’s Intergovernmental GreenBuilding Group reported thatbuildings are responsible for 70percent of electricity use and 38percent of carbon dioxide emissions.While the COG action applies only tomost new government buildings,excluding schools, and to new

commercial properties, the Board isalso examining green buildingstandards for existing buildings,schools and residential properties.Several localities includingMontgomery, Fairfax, and ArlingtonCounties and the District of Columbiaalready have adopted green buildingstandards. Once considered tooexpensive, area officials are turningto green buildings as a cost-effectivesolution because of their highlyefficient heating and cooling systems,the use of renewable energy, andautomatic water faucets and toilets.

BUILDINGGREEN

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The COG Board launched anambitious work program forGreater Washington 2050, an

initiative that will guide regional andMid-Atlantic development fordecades. Through the initiative,members of the Greater Washington2050 Coalition-including keygovernment, business and civic

leaders-will create a compact ofregional planning goals to shapedevelopment and transportationinvestments, circulate new growthscenarios of what the region will looklike a half century from now, andlisten and respond to the diversevoices that have a stake in theregion’s future.

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Area governments continue to make great progress inreducing harmful ground-level ozone from the air, whichis welcome news to residents with respiratory ailments.

The Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC),an independent policy board staffed by COG and charged withcreating air quality plans for the region, approved a new StateImplementation Plan that shows that the region will meet theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency's tougher standards forozone by the fall of 2009.

The plan contains a list of measures to reduce pollution fromozone-forming gases. In addition to federal and state measures,local governments and agencies in the region are expanding theirpurchases of wind energy and low emissions vehicles, and arebuilding upon their energy efficiency programs. Light-emittingdiode (LED) traffic signals that are being installed throughoutthe region will also save energy and help lower smog levels.MWAQC also continued to work on a plan to meet the EPA’sstandard for fine particles, another harmful air pollutant.Levels of fine particle pollution have been declining in the regionsince 2005, and under the new plan, these levels are expected tocontinue to decrease.

Local governments and agenciesin the region are expanding theirpurchases of wind energy andlow emissions vehicles, and arebuilding upon their energyefficiency programs.

QUALITYAIR

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BROADBANDACCESS

uality of life can bemeasured in the way

people work eachday and how much time they havefor recreation. Reforms ended theseven-day work week early in the20th century and later, theavailability of household applianceshad an impact. Now, the NationalCapital Region is ready to benefitfrom the rapid development anddelivery of computer technology

and its power to again change lifeat work and at home.

The COG Board took a step towardthat future when it adopted areport calling for faster Internetaccess to be made available tomost households in the region.The Broadband Access TaskForce recommended that localgovernments provide Internetconnections at the speed of

1 gigabit - equal to one billion bits ofinformation transferred per second -to every household by the year 2015.

Task force members, including ChairLori Waters of Loudoun County, saidthe move will require partneringwith the private sector to removegovernmental barriers. The goals:keeping a competitive edge andenhancing residents’ quality of life.

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The 2007 long-rangetransportation plan, approvedby the TPB in January 2008,

included two notable highwayprojects in Virginia-High OccupancyToll (HOT) lanes on I-95/I-395 andspot improvements to I-66 inside theBeltway. The I-95/I-395 project

would take the existing HighOccupancy Vehicle (HOV) carpoollanes between Eads Street inArlington County and the Town ofDumfries in Prince William Countyand construct HOT lanes. The tollsare set to change based on the timeof day, day of week and level of

congestion in order to improve theflow of traffic. The I-66 project willwiden three spots on westbound I-66inside the Beltway from two to threelanes.

TRANSPORTATIONPLAN

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Current trends suggest adaunting futurecharacterized by many

hours of driving in stop-and-gocongestion as commuters travellonger distances between work andhome. Through the Regional Mobility& Accessibility Study, the TPB isasking questions like, “What if more

households were added to the core ofthe region?” or “What if all the transitprojects and studies currently beingconsidered were actually built?” Thestudy consists of several detailedscenarios that would help decreasetraffic congestion and increasetransit use, walking and biking. TheTPB has actively shared its findings

through a number of well-attendedpublic outreach meetings across theregion and has encouraged areaofficials, planners and citizens tothink about how the region shouldplan for the future.

STUDYMOBILITY

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Several of last year’s completedprojects will improvepedestrian safety and traffic

flow near area transit stations andmilitary bases.

The TLC program provides up to$20,000 worth of technicalassistance to enhance projects thatbetter link transportation and landuse. It also shares information aboutthe various projects with regionalleaders. Of the five completed TLC

projects, two were located inMaryland, two in Virginia and one inthe District. The projects are selectedbased on their geographicdistribution, diversity and need aswell as their consistency with otherarea efforts and potential to beimitated around the region. The TLCProgram won the 2007 OutstandingAward for an ImplementedProgram/Tool from the NationalCapital Area Chapter of the AmericanPlanning Association.

TRANSPORTATION/LANDUSE PROGRAM

The TPB’s new initiative, theTransportation/Land Use Connections(TLC) Program, has provided a sparkfor jurisdictions wanting to create morevibrant and livable communities.

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Last year, the TPB undertookthe region’s first large-scalehousehold travel survey in

more than a decade to help guidefuture regional transportationplanning. The TPB’s Household TravelSurvey assesses the travel behaviorsof 10,000 randomly-selected areahouseholds to develop newforecasting models for use in futuretransit and highway planning.The survey will also help local

governments learn whichtransportation improvement projectswill benefit their growingcommunities most. The survey wasgiven to between 800 and 900households each month throughMarch 2008. Participants were askedto keep a record of all travel madeby family members, from commutingto work and school to trips to ATMmachines, for a period of 24 hours.

The survey will also help localgovernments learn which transportationimprovement projects will benefit theirgrowing communities most.

TRAVELSURVEY

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Because communities shouldinclude people with a varietyof jobs and incomes, COG

continues to promote affordablehousing initiatives. COG’s CommuterConnections Program launched LiveNear Your Work, an initiative thateducates businesses on housingincentives and programs to helpemployees live closer to their jobs.The initiative also includes an onlineresource guide that providescommuters with information on

down payment, closing cost andrehabilitation assistance as well asother national, regional, state andlocal programs.

In addition, the Washington AreaHousing Partnership worked to buildcommunity support for affordablehousing with a media campaign thatemphasized “The People You Need,Need You.” Only 24 percent of thehomes for sale are affordable topeople with mid-range incomes,

forcing those with essentialcommunity roles to move farther andfarther away from their jobs. COGmember governments will alsosupport a larger regional affordablehousing loan fund - the OpenDoorHousing Fund - as a result of amerger of two smaller funds, theWashington Area Housing Trust Fundand the Unitarian UniversalistAffordable Housing Corporation.

AFFORDABLEHOUSING

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uick access to informationon a suspect’s criminal

record and anycontact the suspect previously hadwith law enforcement through otherlocalities is a tool all lawenforcement officers need but fewhave. Last year, a new system-theLaw Enforcement Information

Exchange (LInX)-was made availableto the region sponsored by the NavalCriminal Investigative Service(NCIS) of the U.S. Department of theNavy and the COG Police ChiefsCommittee. Using a standard webbrowser, the system provides secureaccess to data provided by theparticipating federal, state, county

and municipal law enforcementagencies. Officers around the regioncan now use the system to search forup-to-date, detailed informationabout an individual, including anypolice contact such as incidentrecords, arrest record, traffic stops,booking records, mug shots, and alisting on the sexual offender registry.

PUBLICSAFETY

HOMELAND SECURITY

Security in our homes andneighborhoods remain keyissues, even as the nation

continues to recover from the GulfCoast hurricanes and the 9-11terrorist attacks. In March, COG’sFire Chiefs Committee held a pressconference to showcase anambulance bus designed to handle20 patients in stretchers and othernew equipment that improvesregional emergency preparedness.The equipment was purchasedusing federal Urban Areas Security

Initiative (UASI) funds. The region received almost $62million in UASI funds for FY 2007-anincrease in funding from the previousyear-but a total still 56 percent shortof the total amount requested.The funds will pay to upgrade localbomb squads, complete radiocommunication upgrades withinall underground segments of theWMATA Metrorail tunnels andenhance intelligence and informationsharing across the region.

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COG’s 50th anniversary was an idealoccasion for area leaders andstakeholders to celebrate andpromote a half century ofcooperation and success in theNational Capital Region. COGdeveloped an ambitious agenda forthe anniversary year under thedirection of a distinguishedcommittee of current and formerelected officials, led by District ofColumbia Council Member At-LargeCarol Schwartz. Through thegenerous support of an impressivegroup of 21 major funding sponsors,the 50th Anniversary Committeehelped plan a thought-provokingforum in May, a celebratory gala inNovember, a professionally-producedbook on COG’s history and a series ofpublic outreach initiatives.

On November 15, hundreds of arealeaders gathered at the Andrew W.Mellon Auditorium for the COGanniversary gala, where current andpast members and special guestscommemorated 50 years of regionalpartnership and progress.

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Regional Visionary Sponsors: Fannie Mae FoundationFreddie Mac Foundation

Regional Champion Sponsors:Chevy Chase BankComcastVerizon

Regional Partner Sponsors:Bank of AmericaMorris and Gwendolyn Cafritz FoundationCapital OnePhilip L. Graham FundICMA-RCMarriottMedStar HealthEugene and Agnes E. Meyer FoundationMid-Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling CompanyNAI Michael CompaniesPEPCOPNC BankSouthern Maryland Hospital CenterSunTrustWachoviaWashington Gas

50th Anniversary Sponsors

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Charting the Future of theNational Capital Region1957-2007-2057, a special

event of the anniversary, was a lively,thought-provoking forum on the keychallenges facing the region in thenext half-century. The forum, whichwas held at The George WashingtonUniversity, drew 200 public, private,civic and education leaders. Panelistsand participants said that area leadersmust tackle the affordable housingissue before it becomes a seriouscrisis, work at a larger planning scalewith neighboring regions likeBaltimore and Richmond, and makeenergy use and climate changegreater priorities. The discussion thattook place at the forum is alreadyinfluencing new COG initiatives likeGreater Washington 2050.

In recognition of theanniversary, COG produceda history book with

hundreds of photos of past andcurrent members. A Half Centuryof Regional Partnership: COGCelebrates 50 Years chroniclesthe interwoven history of COGand the metropolitan Washingtonarea. It was widely distributedto COG members, sponsors andfriends and is available to orderfrom the COG web site.

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Arlington County Board MemberJay FisetteThe Elizabeth and David ScullMetropolitan Public Service Award

Takoma Park Mayor Kathy PorterThe Career Achievement Award

Alice Ferguson FoundationRegional Partnership Award

2007 COG EVENTS

10th Anniversary Employer Recognition Awards Foster Parent Appreciation Gala

10th Anniversary Clean Air Partners Anacostia River Boat Trip State-Local Partnership Dinner

2007 Award Winners

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BU

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HTS FY 2007 Revenue Sources

Source Amount ($)Federal 12,545,990State 5,521,728Special Contribution 3,539,678Other Revenue 540,000Membership Dues 2,970,824Total 25,118,220

FY 2007 Revenue by Program

Source Amount ($)Transportation 16,642,000Human Services,Planning, Public Safety 3,219,297Environmental 4,382,550Member Services 874,373Total 25,118,220

Officers of the Corporation

President Redella S. PepperCity of Alexandria Vice Mayor

Vice President Alan ImhoffCity of Frederick Alderman

Vice President Adrian FentyDistrict of Columbia Mayor

Secretary-TreasurerJudith F. DavisCity of Greenbelt Mayor

Board of Directors

ChairMichael KnappMontgomery County Council President

Vice ChairPenelope A. GrossFairfax County Supervisor

Vice ChairKwame BrownDistrict of Columbia Council Member

District of Columbia

Adrian FentyDistrict of Columbia Mayor

Vincent C. GrayDistrict of Columbia Council Chair

Dan Tangherlini District of Columbia City Administrator

Maryland

G. Frederick RobinsonCity of Bowie Mayor

Robert CatlinCity of College Park Council Member

William J. HoltzingerCity of Frederick Mayor

David P. GrayFrederick County Vice President

VacantCity of Gaithersburg

Judith F. Davis City of Greenbelt Mayor

Isiah LeggettMontgomery County Executive

Roger BerlinerMontgomery County Council Member

Jack B. Johnson Prince George’s County Executive

Camille A. ExumPrince George’s County Council Member

Tony KnottsPrince George’s County Council Member

Susan R. HoffmanCity of Rockville Mayor

Bruce R. WilliamsCity of Takoma Park Mayor

Benjamin BarnesMaryland General Assembly Delegate

Virginia

William D. EuilleCity of Alexandria Mayor

Jay FisetteArlington County Board Member

Gary RasmussenCity of Fairfax Council Member

Gerald E. ConnollyFairfax County Chairman

John W. FoustFairfax County Supervisor

Robin S. GardnerCity of Falls Church Mayor

Lori L. WatersLoudoun County Supervisor

Douglas WaldronCity of Manassas Mayor

Frank JonesCity of Manassas Park Mayor

W. S. Wally Covington, IIIPrince William County Supervisor

Frank PrincipiPrince William County Supervisor

James M. ScottVirginia General Assembly Delegate

Transportation PlanningBoard Chair

Phil MendelsonDistrict of Columbia Council Member

Metropolitan Washington AirQuality Committee

David SnyderCity of Falls Church Council Member

Executive Staff

Executive DirectorDavid J. Robertson

Assistant Executive DirectorNaomi Friedman

General Counsel Lee Ruck

Chief Financial OfficerRaymond R. Rawlins

Purchasing and Facilities DirectorCarl Kalish

Environmental Programs DirectorStuart A. Freudberg

Human Services, Planning, and PublicSafety Interim DirectorsPaul DesJardinDavid McMillion

Human Resources ManagementDirectorImelda Roberts

Public Affairs DirectorJeanne Saddler

Technology Programs andServices Chief George Danilovics

Transportation Planning DirectorRonald F. Kirby

2008 OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS & EXECUTIVE STAFF

MEMBER JURISDICTIONS

District of Columbia

Town of Bladensburg

City of Bowie

City of College Park

City of Frederick

Frederick County

City of Gaithersburg

City of Greenbelt

Montgomery County

Prince George’s County

City of Rockville

City of Takoma Park

City of Alexandria

Arlington County

City of Fairfax

Fairfax County

City of Falls Church

Loudoun County

City of Manassas

City of Manassas Park

Prince William County

777 N. Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300Washington DC 20002

202.962.3200TDD: 202.962.3213www.mwcog.org

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