2021 Virtual General Assembly Report

The 2021 TMACOG General Assembly was held as a series of teleconferences January 19 through 22. It included caucus sessions, a keynote address, and the TMACOG business meeting with election of leadership. More than 120 people were logged in for the business meeting, and 30 or more attended each caucus session.

ELECTION
At the January 22 business meeting, Ottawa County Commissioner Mark Stahl was re-elected for a second term as chair of TMACOG and Mayor of Bowling Green Mike Aspacher was elected to his first term as vice chair. The appointments are for one year. The oath of office was administered by TMACOG Chair Emeritus and Ohio District 6 Court of Appeals Judge Mark Pietrykowski.

Chair Stahl said the General Assembly demonstrates TMACOG’s value. “TMACOG is successful because it is surrounded by great people in this region. Many thanks for the exceptional participation and robust conversation. We work best when working together!”

TMACOG 2021 Business Meeting Agenda

Guest speaker ODOT Director Dr. Jack Marchbanks provided pre-recorded remarks before introducing Joe Comartin, Consul General of Canada at Detroit. Consul Comartin spoke on the Gordie Howe International Bridge which is now under construction and will be open in 2024. His presentation detailed the cultural and economic connections that tie Canada and the U.S. together today and made projections about the impact of the new highway-to-highway connection that the new bridge will establish.

ODOT Director Dr. Jack Marchbanks

Joe Comartin, Consul General of Canada at Detroit

LINK to ODOT Director Dr. Jack Marchbanks introduction
LINK to the Keynote presentation by Joe Comartin, Consul General of Canada
LINK to the U.S. Flyover of the Gordie Howe International Bridge Project | November 2020

TMACOG members meet with their peer groups in caucus sessions twice each year. The January meeting also includes nominations and elections for members to serve on the Board of Trustees and on the Transportation Council and Water Quality Council. Because the General Assembly was held as a series of teleconferences at staggered times, people were able to attend multiple caucuses.

OBSERVATIONS
Sara A. Helbig is the executive director of marketing for Jones and Henry Engineers, one of the sponsors of the 2021 General Assembly. Jones & Henry is non-governmental member of TMACOG but Helbig was able to participate in all caucuses. She said, “I have enjoyed the in-person General Assembly in the past but being able to join the caucus sessions online was so convenient. I don't know of a better venue to be able to connect with this number of leaders in one place. Having an open forum to share ideas, best practices, and challenges allows everyone to move forward for the success of our region.”

“Overall the caucus events were great and I actually enjoyed the format of the virtual meetings better. I was able to attend all of the different sessions, and learn about the issues impacting all levels of the TMACOG organization across northwest Ohio.”
Ohio Representative Lisa Sobecki, 45th District

See the notes of each of the seven caucus session at the links below.

• County Caucus

• City Caucus

• Village Caucus

• Township Caucus

• Non-governmental Members Caucus

• School Districts, Colleges & University Caucus

• Special Districts & Authorities Caucus

Partner

Sponsors

• AAA Northwest Ohio
  
• ConnecToledo
• Destination Toledo
• First Energy/Toledo Edison
• Jones & Henry Engineers
• Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission
• Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority

2021 General Assembly program
TMACOG 2020 Annual Report
2021-2022 Transportation Legislative Agenda
2021-2022 Agenda for Lake Erie
Gordie Howe International Bridge November 2020 Flyover U.S. side