BY-LAWS OF THE STATE NONMOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

VISION STATEMENT

INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WE WILL STRENGTHEN AND
ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION THROUGHOUT THE STATE.  WE WILL DO SO THROUGH CONTINUOUS AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND ALLIED
ORGANIZATIONS, THROUGH EDUCATION, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
CAMPAIGNS AND POLITICAL INITIATIVES.

MISSION STATEMENT

TO PROMOTE NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION IN  MINNESOTA.

PROPOSED STRUCTURE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Officers:        Chair
                     Vice Chair
                     3 At Large members

The member positions on the executive committee shall be a one or two-year appointment to provide all StateNonmotorized Transportation Committee (SNTC) members with a greater opportunity to serve on the executive committee.  After a one-year absence, a member may again serve on the executive committee.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Executive Committee sets and develops the agenda priorities for full committee approval.  Its chief function is to “set the tone” and to ensure that The Committee remains a vital, meaningful player in the effort to promote non-motorized transportation in Minnesota.  The Executive Committee also recommends the appointment of new citizen representatives to the State Nonmotorized Transportation Committee.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
2009-2010

Susan Koschak , Chair
Nick Mason, Vice Chair
Dan Breva, Member
Irene Weis, Member
Anna Kerr , Member

Article 1 – Committee Name and Function:
Section 1 -    Under MN Statute 174.37, the commissioner of transportation shall establish an advisory committee on nonmotorized transportation. The committee shall make recommendations to the commissioner on items related to nonmotorized transportation, including safety, education, and development programs. The committee shall review and analyze issues and needs relating to operating nonmotorized transportation on public rights-of-way, and identify solutions and goals for addressing identified issues and needs. For purposes of this section, "nonmotorized transportation" includes bicycling, pedestrian activities, and other forms of nonmotorized transportation.

Section 2 -    The Nonmotorized Transportation Advisory Committee shall be called the State Nonmotorized Transportation Committee (SNTC), and shall be referred to hereinafter as “The Committee”.  “Nonmotorized transportation” includes bicycling, pedestrian activities, and other forms of nonmotorized transportation. 

Section 3 -    The Committee shall serve as the central coordinating and advisory body to develop non-motorized transportation goals, objectives, policies, and standards in Minnesota.  As such, this committee will advise and make recommendations to the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT).

Section 4 -    The purpose of this committee is to:

• Review and analyze issues and needs relating to operating nonmotorized transportation on public rights-of-ways, and identify solutions and goals for addressing identified uses and needs. 
• Work toward the goal of making non-motorized transportation a viable transportation and recreation option available to the citizens of Minnesota, recognizing the importance of action at all levels of decision-making and funding, including the local community level, in order for this goal to be realized.
• Assess and identify non-motorized transportation needs in the State’s social and physical environments.
• Develop plans to meet the needs identified.

Section 5 -    The Committee, in its efforts to promote non-motorized transportation activities, may lend its name in approval of certain activities, but shall not permit the use of its name to approve, endorse, nor in any way indicate support for specific commercial sponsors of said activities nor for specific products.

Section 6 -    Remuneration of expenses for citizen members shall be at the current State rate.  All bank accounts, deposits, and disbursements of funds shall be made by the Commissioner of the Mn/DOT.

Article II – Membership:

The membership of The Committee shall consist of up to 18 Minnesota citizens appointed by the Commissioner of Mn/DOT.  Selection of citizen members shall reflect geographic diversity, diversity in non-motorized transportation usage and, where feasible, interconnectedness with organizations whose broad goals may further the accomplishment of the functions and purposes of The Committee.  These will be public members from each of Mn/DOT’s Districts, and up to four members from the Metropolitan area.

The Committee shall also include up to 7 citizen members who represent non-motorized transportation interests/organizations.  The representatives of these organizations shall act as resource people and liaisons between The Committee and their organization.  Selection of these members will be limited to those who represent one of the following:

            Non-profit Trail Organization
            Bicycle Industry
            Bicycle Club
            Law Enforcement

The Committee shall also include representatives of State agencies, which affect and complement the functions and purposes of The Committee, including the State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator who shall serve as an ex-officio member.

            Department of Administration
            Department of Education
            Department of Health
            Department of Natural Resources
            Department of Public Safety
            Explore Minnesota
            Department of Transportation
            Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
            Metropolitan Council
            Higher Education
            Metropolitan Planning Organizations

The division administrator of the Federal Highway Administration may also appoint an employee of the agency to serve as a member.

The representatives of the agencies shall act as resource people and liaisons between The Committee and their agencies; they are expected to participate in discussion and planning and, in so doing, support the accomplishment of committee purposes.

Article III – Term of Service:

The term of service of the citizen members of The Committee shall be for four (4) years, with service beginning July 1 and ending June 30.

Members of The Committee may be appointed for no more than two consecutive full terms.  There shall be at least a one-year absence before appointed for additional terms as provided in Article X.  The agency members shall serve at the pleasure of their commissioner.  Membership of the non-motorized transportation interests/organizations will continue upon mutual agreement between the committee and the interest/organization.

Article IV – Number of Meetings:

The Committee shall meet at least five (5) times per year.  Regular meetings shall be established at the annual meeting by the Chair and Committee membership.

Special meetings may be called by the Chair, or any member, with the approval of sufficient additional voting members of The Committee to form a quorum.  A 15-day written notice to each member of The Committee is required before a special meeting can be held.  At a special meeting, no business shall be transacted other than that specifically stated in the notice for a special meeting.

Article V – Committees:

Other Committees may be established by The State Nonmotorized Transportation Committee by majority vote and The Committee Chair shall have the authority to appoint Ad hoc committees.

Article VI – Duties of Chair:

The duties of Chair shall be to preside at meetings and serve as a spokesperson for The Committee.  The Chair also sets groups for specific tasks as needed.

Article VII – Election of Officers:  (Chair and Vice-Chair)

Election of officers shall be by a majority of the members of The Committee either present or by absentee ballot.  The term of Office of the Chair and Vice-Chair shall be for one year.  Any remand of officers shall be by 2/3 vote of the membership of The Committee.

Article VIII – Annual Meetings:

The Annual Planning Meeting may serve as The Committee’s annual meeting.

Article IX – Quorum:

A quorum shall consist of a majority of all voting members for all business transacted before The Committee.  In the case of amendments to the bylaws a 2/3 vote of the members present is required.

Article X – Filling of Vacancies:

Vacancies on The Committee shall be filled by the Commissioner of the Mn/DOT and reappointments to The Committee shall be made by the same Commissioner.  Recommendations to fill said vacancies or to renew term appointments may be made by the Chair, the Executive Committee, or through an Ad hoc committee appointed by the Chair.  Two full terms may be served after fulfilling an unexpired term.

Article XI – Staff Role:

The Commissioner of the Mn/DOT shall have the authority to employ staff to work with The Committee.  The SNTC and staff are to provide ongoing long-term leadership such that The Committee’s potential is realized.  The State Bicycle Program Coordinator will serve as the primary contact between the SNTC and the Department of Transportation regarding non-motorized transportation issues.  The State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator will serve as an advocate of non-motorized transportation issues to both the SNTC and the Department of Transportation.

Other staff responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, taking minutes, making announcements, and meeting with the Chair to establish administrative functions, meetings and agendas.

Article XII – Attendance at Meetings:

Any citizen member not in attendance at 50 percent or more of the scheduled committee meetings within a given calendar year will be subject to replacement upon The Committee’s recommendation and with the concurrence of the Commissioner of the Mn/DOT.