LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION  POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES March 20, 2024  LIVE WEB LINK: http:/laredotxswwagit.com/lve PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL: Spectrum TV channel 1300  I. II.  CHAIRPERSON TO CALL MEETING TO ORDER  Judge Tano E. Tijerina, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 1:35 PM. Graciela Briones, MPO: Staff, called roll and verified a quorum existed. Honorable Tano E. Tijerina, Webb County Judge and LWCAMPO Chairperson Honorable Dr. Victor D. Trevino, Mayor, LWCAMPO Vice-Chairperson (leftr meeting at1 1:40F PM) Honorable Melissa R. Cigarroa, City Councimember, District III Honorable Ruben Gutierrez. Jr., Mayor Pro-Tempore, District V Honorable Vanessa Perez, City Councilmember, District' VII (joined meetinga at1 1:38F PM) Honorable John Galo, Webb County Commissioner, Pct.3 3 Honorable Jesse Gonzalez, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 1 Mr. Epigmenio "Epi" Gonzalez, P.E., TXDOT District Engineer  CHAIRPERSON TO CALL ROLL Regular members present:  Mr.Jed A. Brown, Member-At-large Regular members not present:  CM. Gutierrez, made a motion to excuse members not present.  Second: For: Against: Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. Ex-Officio members not present:  CM. Galo 8 0  Honorable Judith Zaffirini, State Senator, District 21 Honorable Richard Raymond, State Representative, District 42 Honorable Tracy 0. King, State Representative, District 80  LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / March 20, 2024  1    LWCAMPO Staff present: Juan: S. Mendive, LWCAMPO Director Graciela S. Briones, LWCAMPO Planner III Julio A. Nino, LWCAMPO Planner III Eduardo Bernal, LWCAMPO Planner III Adriana A. Vigil, LWCAMPO Administrative Assistant  Others:  Ramon Chavez, COL Engineering Arnold Lozano, COL Economic Development Joaquin Rodriguez, COL Attorney's Office Jose Ollervides, COL Mayor's Office Eloisa Mascorro, COL El Metro Transit Jeffery Gonzalez, COL Traffic Juan C. Villarreal, COL Traffic Roberto Rodriguez, TxDOT Luis M. Villarreal, TxDOT Fernando Martinez, TXDOT  Adelaido Uribe, Webb County Judge's Office Guillermo Cuellar, Webb County Engineering Victoria Villarreal, Webb County Planning Anthony Garza, Webb County Consultant Melissa Montemayor, WC-CL RMA/LJAI Engineering Blasita J. Lopez, WC-CL RMA/UA Engineering Jason Rodriguez, UA Engineering Orlando Navarro, Killam Development  III. CITIZEN COMMENTS  Speakers are required to fill out witness cards, which must be submitted to MPOStaff no later than 1:45 P.M. the day of the meeting. Speakers shall identify themselves at the microphone. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. No more than three (3) persons will be allowed to speak on any side of an issue. Should there be more than three (3) people who wish to speak on a specific issue, they should select not more than three (3) representatives' to speak ont their behalf. The presiding officer may further limit public on the interest of order or time. Speakers may not transfer their minutes to any other speaker. Comments should be relevant to MPO business and delivered in a Mr. Charles Martens, gave a public comment on his concerns with thet traffic safetyint the City of Laredo. Mr. Martens, stated there were problems driving around in the city. He stated that Laredo is limited in access with only 2 North and South corridors which were Loop 20 and IH 83 and a few that run East to West. He also stated that citizens, school buses, and industries are cramming into the few routes mentioned. Mr. Martens, stated that he was there to work together to find a solution. Hei further stated that he had been appointed to be a member of the Traffic Committee for the City of Laredo, but  professional manner. No derogatory remarks shall be permitted.  LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes /March 20,2024  2    unfortunately the Committee no longer meets. He commented that the traffic light system in Laredo, had been set up by consultants that count vehicles. He further stated that the traffic has been backing up into the neighborhoods and once they get on the few access roads they were stacking up in all the intersections. Mr. Martens, stated that funding is needed to study the traffic lights system sO the traffic flows smoother. Mr. Martens, stated that before the 3rd bridge was built the transportation was using IH: 351 to goi in and out of Mexico. He also stated that one oft the vital routes in Laredo was the toll road built to relief some traffic. Mr. Marten, stated that in the past 8 years he had seen several projects that had not been executed. He stated that the River Road the Hachar- Reuthinger andi the Vallecillo Road had not made any progress until recently. Mr. Marten thanked Judge Tijerina and the Policy Committee for the opportunity to visit and speak  on the traffic issues of the city.  IV. ITEMS REQUIRING POLICY COMMITTEE ACTION:  A. Approval of the minutes for the meeting held on February 21, 2024. CM. Gutierrez, made a motion to approve the minutes of February 21, 2024.  Second: For: Against: Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously.  Mr. Brown 8 0  B. Presentation with possible action on Resolution No. MPO 2024-04 supporting the Vision Zero Program and the development of the Vision Zero Webb Laredo Safety Juan Mendive, MPO Director, gave a brief background on the Vision Zero Webb Laredo Safety Action Plan. He stated the item was presented hoping the Resolution be adopted, supporting the Vision Zero program and the development of the Safety Action Plan Jason Rodriguez, UA Engineering gave a presentation on the Vision Zero Program and the development of the Vision Zero Webb Laredo Safety Action Plan. He stated the RMA in collaboration with the City of Laredo received a Federal Planning grant for Safe Streets and Roads for All. He continued by stating that one of the purposes for the study was to have a plan in place to be able to access further funds to implement projects throughout the community. He also stated that one of the recommendations of the Active Mr. Rodriguez also stated that the process had: started backi in September of 2023 looking at the analysis of where and how crashes have occurred. He stated a Dashboard was  Action Plan.  making a pledge to zero fatalities by 2040.  Transportation Committee was to have a Safety Action Plan in place.  created that showed data on crashes throughout the city.  LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / March2 20, 2024  3    Mr. Rodriguez stated there was a kick off ceremony on February 29th at the downtown US Post office grounds, and on February 14th the RMA adopted a pledge to reach zero fatalities and serious injuries on Webb County and City of Laredo roadways by 2040. He continued by stating that City Council had already made the pledge and they were asking Mr. Brown, stated the goal was to develop a great plan that would eventually lead to the community receiving funds for construction activities around the city as part of implementation oft the plan. He continued by stating that the amounts mentioned by Mr. Rodriguez were a $2 million grant that had a 20% match, which means the RMA received $1.6 million from the Federal Government to perform the study, and the RMA and the Cityo of Laredot to contribute with $200,000.00 each. Mr. Brown also stated that they were moving fast to obtain results and present them to the Policy Committee, City Council and CM. Galo, asked what was that the RMA was aspiring to do through the development of the plan. He asked ift this would help in having safe intersectionsand/or: stop people from driving distracted. He stated that eveni if there were: autonomous driving cars there would still be fatal accidents. CM. Galo asked Mr. Rodriguez where the dollars would be Mr. Rodriguez, stated that the grant Mr. Brown had mentioned was specifically for infrastructure, but the plan would include safe roads, and other parts of the plan would be safe road users, post-crash care, safe vehicles. He continued by stating that there would be public campaigns that would help educate people understand how not to be distracted drivers and understand the rules of the road. Mr. Rodriguez stated, that the goal was to instill a culture of safety throughout the community and it was a shared responsibility as Engineers, Planners, staff, drivers to achieve the goal. CM. Galo, stated that he would like to see those dollars targeted in dangerous Judge Tijerina, asked ift the $2 million were: for studies or for actual infrastructure. Mr. Rodriguez, stated that it was a comprehensive plan to implement projects and how all the agencies work together to reach the goal. He also stated that the money was not for infrastructure. He continued by stating that once the plan is finished, $10 to $12 CM. Cigarroa, shared an idea of what the vision is as it had been expressed in other communities since there has been other cities that had adopted the Vision Zero Plan which is a National program. CM. Cigarroa, stated that in 2019 Hoboken, New. Jersey was designated as a Vision Zero City to create safer streets with a focus on a safe systems approach. She continued by sharing several projects Hoboken, New. Jersey developed in 2023, and the substantial decrease in pedestrans/Dicyclists injured in collisions with vehicles, among others. She also stated that their traffic related deaths were now at zero, indicating that a Vision Zero City and the goal was possible to achieve. CM. Cigarroa, expressed how happy she was that the RMAI had taken this' Vision Zero Plan on and were  the Policy Committee members to make the pledge as well.  County Commissioner's Court.  targeted.  intersections and other traffici issues around the city.  million of federal monies could be accessed for infrastructure.  working towards the goal.  LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / March: 20, 2024  4    CM. Gutierrez, stated that the intersection that has the most accidents in the City of Laredo was on Del Mar and McPherson. He asked Mr. Rodriguez, what the plan wouid do on an intersection like that one. CM. Gutierrez continued by stating that no matter how much lighting, or traffic signs they add, most accidents occur because of people's actions while driving a vehicle. He also stated that advocacy or public service announcements were simply not enough. CM. Gutierrez: stated that people had asked him if the accidents on the Loop 20 were duei to being poorly constructed. He stated that it was not the roads CM. Gutierrez, asked Mr. Rodriguez if he really thought a city of our size that continues to grow about 8-12 percent every single year could reach a goal of zero fatalities. He stated that they city simply could not keep up with the infrastructure. He also asked Mr. Mr. Rodriguez, stated they were trying to work with many different agencies including TxDOT, the City of Laredo, the MPO, Webb County, and the school Districts to put a realistic plan that could actually be implemented within the community with the human infrastructure to run the city. He stated that would be the first step to help layout a plan CM. Gutierrez, stated thati technology and communication was one of the main problems. CM. Perez, stated that it was, good to have big goals that might seem impossiblet to obtain they help get people to talk about the topic about how to prevent road deaths. She also stated that even though the plan would require a lot more money it was good to have something to work towards and show the community that with their participation they CM. Galo, stated that to have a goal is a great idea, he just wouldn't want to see the money go into ad campaigns, he stated he would like to see projects get done like CM. Perez, stated that they needed a study first in order to get to that point of getting  but the way the people drive.  Rodriguez, what the $2 million would be used for.  and figure out what needs work and how to improve.  will try to make safer streets and get to the Vision Zero goal.  Hoboken did. projects done.  Judge Tijerina, asked when the last time a study like that was done.  Mr. Rodriguez, replied that in Laredo there had not been a study to the extent they were going. He stated thati there had been a precursor study that the Active Transportation did Judge Tijerina, asked Mr. Rodriguez how much were they going to spend on the study. Judge Tijerina, stated that Cameron County being at a 550,000 population only spent 40000p0onasuorwhere inl Laredo there was half that population and we were going Mr. Mendive, stated that the RMA and the City of Laredo were awarded the $2 million  that helped them learn what was needed.  Mr. Rodriguez, stated that the grant afforded $2 million total.  tos spend $2 million on a similar study.  through the grant.  Mr. Brown, stated that they could have asked for up to! $5 million. Judge Tijerina, stated that the money: should be used wisely.  LWCAMPO Policy Committee. Meeting Minutes March 20, 2024  5    CM. Gutierrez, stated that the Laredo Police Department could help in getting data for the studies. He stated that the data would help on the needs for the Vision Zero Plan. Mr. Mendive, stated they were working with the Police Department andi they had formed 2 working groups, he also stated they were also working with the school districts to get that data. He also stated thati int the dashboard they could actually visualize that data and that was an example of the study they were doing and what they were able to do with that grant money. He also stated they were able to work with subconsultants to produce the dashboard that would help everyone in the community and to empower other departments by providing the resources that they needed to accomplish the goal. He stated thati it was about bringing all the datai together and TmangourwAatimprovemens Mr. Mendive, stated that the study would also recommend any other resources or CM. Cigarroa, stated that Hoboken, New. Jersey began their Vision Zero Plan in 2019 and within 4 years they were able to achieve the goal of zero deaths. She stated that perhaps ab bigger study would be needed since we have 18,000 trucks that run through the city streets, making it a very unique position. She further stated that in the end the study would identify high crash networks, safe systems for our streets and the entire traffic network. She stated she expected that with the MPO's help it could be a very comprehensive analysis that would be implemented and executed to help reduce those Mr. Mendive, reminded the Committee that the item was the Resolution to support the Vision Zero program, the development of the Safety Action Plan and to make the pledge to zero by 2040. He also stated that the RMA received that funding in cost sharing with the City of Laredo. Mr. Mendive, stated that when the grant was applied for it was specifically for Safety Action Planning and it had to be done in order to qualify for implementation funds from the Federal Highway Administration. He further stated that if there was no Safety Action plan than they could not apply for future rounds for the  could be done and other needs.  funding needed for positions for example more Police personnel.  number of deaths and related accidents in the community.  implantation funds.  CM. Galo, asked who was awarded the grant.  Mr. Mendive, stated the Webb County City of Laredo Regional Mobility Authority (WC-CL Mr. Brown, stated that the RMA had an interlocal agreement with the City of Laredo to share the cost. He also stated that it was not only the RMA doing the study but also CM. Gutierrez, made a motion to support the Vision Zero Program and the development  RMA) were the grant applicants and were awarded with $2 million. consultants that formed the team to work on the Vision. Zero study.  of the Vision Zero Webb Laredo Safety Action Plan.  Second: For: Against: Abstained: 0  CM. Cigarroa 8 0  LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / March 20, 2024    Motion carried unanimously.  Discussion with possible action to provide a Letter of Support requested by the City of Laredo Fire Department for the 2023 Staffing Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant application from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Judge Tijerina, made a motion to provide a Letter of Support to the City of Laredo Fire Department for the 2023 Staffing Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant application from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Second: For: Against: Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously.  CM. Gonzalez 8 0  D. Discussion with possible action on the Hachar-Reuthinger Road project.  Ramon Chavez, City Engineer presented a brief status report and stated that the letting Mr. Chavez, stated that on the land acquisition, 8 of the 9 parcels had already been approved by City Council eithert to accept the charitable donationort to purchase thel land. Judge Tijerina, asked if the City was going to acquire the land by eminent domain on the Mr. Chavez, stated that the land would be acquired by eminent domain and the parcel was a: 24-acre tract out oft the total 479 acres that were beinga acquired. CM. Galo, asked if everything else had been completed as far as the letting. Mr. Gonzalez, TxDOT stated that the plans had already been 100% complete. He also stated that TxDOT submitted a Construction Management Plani for some utilities that still needed to be adjusted. He continued by stating that when the utilities were not adjusted prior to letting a Construction Management Plan had to be submitted to demonstrate Mr. Gonzalez, also commented that the acquiring of the parcels still needed to be Mr. Chavez, statedi that the City was still working on the closing documents to acquire the  date continued to bet for May 2024.  last parcel that was missing.  that the utility conflicts would no have an impact on their contractor.  finalized. parcels.  V. REPORT(S) AND PRESENTATIONS (No action required). A. Status report by the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA).  Mr. Jed Brown, RMA presented the following report part of the packet:  LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / Marchz 20, 2024  7    WC-CL RMA March 2024 Status Report to LWCAMPO  1. Vision Zero Webb Laredo Safety Action Plan - The work began in September 2023. The first formal public engagement will begin in February 2024. Action was taken by the WC- CLI RMAI Board on adopting a pledge to zero fatalities and serious injuries on roadways in Webb County by 2040. Other agencies such as Laredo City Council, LWCAMPO Policy Committee, Webb County and School Districts will be invited to take the pledge as well. Completion of the study is anticipated for December 2024. The RMA will host a press conference on Feb. 29, 2024 at the downtown U.S. Post office grounds to publicly launch the Safety Action Plan and reintroduce Vision Zero, including the commitment and promote a survey. The RMA Board has adopted the pledge to reach zero fatalities and serious injuries on Laredo and Webb County roadways by 2040 on February 14, 2024, and Laredo Council adopted the same pledge on March 18, 2024, and now we would like to invite the LWCAMPO Policy Committee to do the same. We will host a public open house and stakeholders' workshop on April 23 and 24, 2024 respectively. 2. Vallecillo Road - The draft ROW parcel plats and strip map are anticipated for completion in March. Environmental studies are currently ongoing with field visits commencing in late March. Traffic Forecast modeling is currently ongoing and the draft report is anticipated for completion in mid- April. The drainage analysis of the project is ongoing with the draft report to be completed by the end of March. The proposed geometry (horizontal and vertical) is complete. We provided a status update to the TxDOTI Laredo District on February 28, 2024. Thet final schematic submittal is anticipated tol be provided to the Laredo District in mid-May 2024. The RMA is projecting al Fall 2025 Letting of the project. The RMA executedi its funding agreement withi the Killam Company on March 4, 2024 and is amending its Inter Local Agreement with the City of Laredo. The City of Laredo is commencing the development of the ROW agreement with the Killam Company. As the project sponsor, the executed Advanced Funding Agreement (AFA) is solely between the TXDOT Laredo District and the RMA. The RMA is also awaiting the AFA Amendment from TxDOT to account for the updated funding for the project. 3. Vallecillo Overpass - In order to advance the schedule of the project, the WC-CL RMA has come to an agreement with the TxDOT Laredo District for the development of the Overpass project. The WC-CL RMA will undertake the design of the project, provide up to $1M ini funding for the design of the project and control the project schedule. TXDOT will design the remaining half of the project through a department design contract. The agreement will be codified via a separate Advanced Funding Agreement. The RMA, County and City will meet with the TxDOTLaredo District to discuss the project on March 4. Concord Hills (Wormser Road/ Lomas Del Sur to Los Presidentes) - The RMA will sponsor and lead the design and construction of a new location 1.3 mile, 2-lane minor arterialroadway extension from Los Presidentes to Wormser Road/Lomas Del Sur within a nominal ROW width of 90' in partnership with the City. The RMA has committed $1 million to the development of the project. The project will provide a parallel route to Cuatro Vientos and provide additional access toi the newl Laredo Sports Complex and the  19,2024.  LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting! Minutes / March: 20, 2024  8    Municipal Water Park. The sponsorship and implementation are subject to the negotiation of an Inter Local Agreement (ILA) between the City and the RMA. The RMA isv working with the City to finalize the construction cost estimate for the project and complete the ILA for the project. The RMA recommitted its support in funding on the 5. Springfield Phase I, I, and IV - Similar to Springfield Phase III, the RMA has committed up to $1 million to the City to assist with the funding of the construction of Phase IVof the project from Hospitality Drive to Bob Bullock Loop. The sponsorship and implementation are subject to the negotiation of an Inter Local Agreement between the City and the RMA. The RMA has spoken to TxDOT, and TXDOT has agreed to construct the tie-in for Phase IV within their ROW along Bob Bullock at their cost. The RMA will fund the construction of the City ROW: section from Hospitality Drive to TxDOT ROW. 6. North Laredo and Cuatro Vientos Transportation Reinvestment Zones (TRZ) The WC- CL RMA hosted a TRZ workshop on July 19, 2023, to review the TRZ study and implementation process with the City. A second workshop was conducted on 8/28/23. The RMA is awaiting execution of the ILA with the City to commence the North Laredo TRZ Study. The City notified the WC-CL RMA on 2/13/24 that the City will move forward with drafting and distributing the ILA1 to the WC-CL RMA and commence the project. 7. FM 1472 and Killam Industrial Blvd. Turn Lanes - Project is pending final walk-through, and TDLR inspection and final Close-out Construction Change Order. Proiect is 99+%  project February 14, 2024 at the February Board Meeting.  complete. 8. Other Items:  RMA will have their next Board meeting in the Spring.  VI. DIRECTOR's COMMENTS  Juan Mendive, MPO Director presented the following report part of the packet:  Director's Report March 20, 2024  1. The upcoming Transportation Management Area (TMA) Planning Certification Review is scheduled for June 25-26, 2024. The TMA certification review is required every 4 years and is conducted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit 2. The consultants forthe 2025.2050MetropolitaTransportation Plan (MTP)willmeet with the Technical Committee on April4".Apublicr meetingi is scheduled for May 22nd to gather input on issues and needs from the public. We will provide additional details as they  Administration (FTA).  become available and will share the invite and flyer once ready.  LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes/ / March 20, 2024  9    3. The development of the 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is underway in coordination with TXDOT and El Metro. The new TIP must be entered to TXDOT's STIP portal by. July 1st. A draft TIP will be presented to the Policy Committee at the May meeting to initiate a comment period with final approval expected at the June 4. Atotal of four proposals were received fort the Microtransit Feasibility Study programmed in our FY 2024 Unified Planning Work Program. The next step is to meet with the 5. MPO Director and one planner will be attending the 2024 National Planning Conference  meeting.  evaluation committee to score the proposals. inN Minneapolis, MN from April 13th-16th. Texas Transportation Commission Meetings: March 18, 2024 (9:00 AM) March 27, 2024 (11:00 AM) March 28, 2024 April 125, 2024 May 23, 2024 following  Upcoming Texas Transportation Commission meetings and agendas can be found on the  link:  nttps//www.Ixdotgov/abou/leadership/texastras-transportation:  commisson/meetng-datingatelagendsntm. 7. Upcoming regularly scheduled MPO meetings: Active Transportation Committee - March 27, 2024 Technical Committee - April 4, 2024 Policy Committee - April: 17,2024  VII. ADJOURNMENT  CM. Gutierrez, made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:21 PM.  Second: For: Against: Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously.  CM. Perez 8 0  Juan LWCAMPO Director AAL  AICP  Tijerina  LWCAMPO Chairperson 5  LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes /N March 20, 2024  10