Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Executive Directors Report

July 2004 Executive Director's Online Bulletin

IN THIS ISSUE:
°	COG Board Sets 2004 Priorities
°	COG Reports on Economic Trends
°	New Report Outlines COG's Role in Homeland Security
°	Commuter Connections Releases New Telecommuting Numbers
°	First Phase of Mobility Study Completed
°	Candidates Selected for IRE Class

Upcoming Events
Human Services Policy Committee Meeting	Aug 20, 2004
COG Board Meeting	Sept 8, 2004
TPB Meeting	Sept 15, 2004

COG BOARD

COG Board Priority: Growth and Development
At its annual summer planning conference, the COG Board focused on how to handle the rapid growth of jobs and population expected in the National Capital Region by 2030. Speakers stressed the need to rebuild older suburbs and design livable communities using old-fashioned Main Streets as a model. Board members discussed encouraging growth around the region’s transit infrastructure and how to use the arts and sports as ways to enhance the region’s reputation as a vibrant community.

PLANNING

COG Reports on Region’s Economic Trends
COG’s annual Economic Trends in Metropolitan Washington, 1999-2003 and Commercial Construction Indicators 2003 Annual Summary – both released in July --reveal growth in regional jobs and home sales, as well as a significant increase in the amount of new retail building space under construction. COG publishes the reports each year to provide information on the region’s population, employment, retail sales, inflation, mortgage rates, and new commercial development projects.

HOMELAND SECURITY

New Report Outlines COG’s Role in Homeland Security
A new summary of COG’s Regional Emergency Coordination Plan (RECP) is now available online. Partners in Preparedness provides an overview of COG’s homeland security activities and achievements in the National Capital Region from September 2001 through December 2003. Much of this work was supported by special federal funding made available to COG and overseen by a task force of local, state and federal officials and representatives of the non-profit and private sectors.

TRANSPORTATION

Commuter Connections Releases New Telecommuting Numbers
New numbers released by the Commuter Connections program of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) at COG show that regional telecommuting numbers showed a steady increase from 2001 to 2004. In the 2004 State of the Commute (SOC) Survey, the definition of telecommuting was changed from the definition used in 2001 to reflect a more accurate representation of what Commuter Connections considers telecommuting.

First Phase Results of Mobility Study Completed
During its July meeting, the Transportation Planning Board was presented with preliminary results of an alternative mobility study. The Regional Mobility and Accessibility Study evaluates the long-term effects of five options for improving mobility and accessibility throughout the region. Later this year, a set of additional transportation scenarios will be developed, including new highway and transit facilities and high-occupancy/toll (HOT) lanes.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Candidates Selected for IRE Class of 2005
The COG Institute for Regional Excellence (IRE) completed a competitive selection process to produce a group of 24 participants for the 2004-2005 class. The new cohort marks another diverse group of participants entering a year-long Regional Executive Development Program beginning in August. The selected candidates are from Arlington County, Fairfax County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Prince William County, City of Takoma Park and COG. Now in its fourth year, IRE is fully accredited by the National Certified Public Managers Consortium. In partnership with the George Washington University, COG is the first regional council in the nation to sponsor a program accredited by the National Certified Public Managers Consortium.

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