LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY I AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 15, 2024 LIVE WEB LINK: tp/Aarsasasicnis PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL: Spectrum TV channel 1300 I. CHAIRPERSON TO CALL MEETING TO ORDER Judge Tano E. Tijerina, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 1:32 PM. II. CHAIRPERSON TO CALL ROLL Graciela Briones, MPO Staff, called roll and verified a quorum existed. Regular members present: Honorable Tano E. Tijerina, Webb County Judge and LWCAMPO Chairperson Honorable Melissa R. Cigarroa, City Councilmember, District III Honorable Ruben Gutierrez Jr., Mayor Pro-Tempore, District V Mr. Epigmenio "Epi" Gonzalez, P.E., TxDOT District Engineer Regular members not present: Honorable Dr. Victor D. Trevino, Mayor and LWCAMPO Vice-Chairperson Honorable Vanessa Perez, City Councilmember, District VII Honorable Jesse Gonzalez, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 1 Honorable John Galo, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 3 Mr. Jed A. Brown, Member-At-Large Judge Tijerina, made a motion to excuse members not present. Second: CM. Gutierrez For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: ) Motion carried unanimously. Ex-Officio members not present: Honorable Judith Zaffirini, State Senator, District 21 Honorable Richard Raymond, State Representative, District 42 Honorable Tracy O. King, State Representative, District 80 1 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / May 15, 2024 LWCAMPO Staff present: Juan S. Mendive, LWCAMPO Director Julio A. Nino, LWCAMPO Planner III Adriana A. Vigil, LWCAMPO Administrative Assistant Others: Sara Garza, TxDOT Roberto Rodriguez, TxDOT Luis M. Villarreal, TxDOT Ana Duncan, TxDOT Ramon Chavez, COL Engineering Arnold Lozano, COL Economic Development Robert J. Garza, COL El Metro Transit Eloisa Mascorro, COL El Metro Transit Jeffery Gonzalez, COL Traffic Juan C. Villarreal, COL Traffic J. Carlos Flores, Webb County Engineering Anthony Garza, Webb County Consultant Melissa Montemayor, WC-CL/UJA Engineering Blasita J. Lopez, WC-CL RMA/UJA Engineering II. CITIZEN COMMENTS Speakers are required to fill out witness cards, which must be submitted to MPO Staff 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 on 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 professional manner. No derogatory remarks shall be permitted. IV. ITEMS REQUIRING POLICY COMMITTEE ACTION: A. Approval of the minutes for the meeting held on April 17, 2024. CM. Gutierrez, made a motion to approve the minutes of April 17, 2024. Second: CM. Cigarroa For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. 2 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes, / May 15, 2024 B. Receive public testimony and initiate a 20-day public review and comment period for the proposed draft 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Judge Tijerina, asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak For or Against the proposed draft 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). No comments For or Against were made. Graciela Briones, MPO Planner, gave a presentation on the proposed draft 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). She explained that as per Federal Law all MPOS are required to develop a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), in a four- year period for their planning areas in cooperation with the State and public transit providers. Ms. Briones explained that the Public Participation Plan (PPP), requires a 20- day public review and comment to initiate and adopt the TIP. She also presented the list of proposed projects on the 2025-2028 TIP for each fiscal year. CM. Ruben Gutierrez, Mayor Pro-Tempore asked what the scope was for the Uniroyal and -35 project, since it looked to be about half the total funds that were allocated for the next four years. Mr. Juan Mendive, MPO Director stated that the project included the overpass at Hachar, as well as the overpass at I-35 and Uniroyal, and also a stretch of the road. Mr. Epigmenio "Epi" Gonzalez, TxDOT stated that it would include a reconstruction of the whole interchange and an expansion of the six lanes on I-35 up to mile marker 15. He also stated that it would also include the overpass at the future Hachar project, and the conversion of the frontage roads from a two-way operation to a one-way operation in that area. Mr. Mendive, stated that what was presented was the draft for the TIP, for public comment period and brought back as final to the Policy Committee for adoption in June's meeting. Judge Tijerina, made a motion to approve to initiate a 20-day public review and comment period for the proposed draft 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Second: CM. Gutierrez For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. 3 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / May 15, 2024 Receive public testimony and initiate a 10-day public review and comment period for the following proposed revision(s) to the 2020-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP): A. Revision of Appendix A- Short Range Projects Identified in the MTP and Listed in the TIP as necessary to incorporate and reflect the proposed 2025-2028 TIP. Judge Tijerina, asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak For or Against the proposed revisions to the 2020-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). No comments For or Against were made. Ms. Briones gave a presentation on the proposed revisions to the 2020-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). She stated that the MPOs are required to develop and update the MTP for their respective metropolitan area covering a planning horizon of at least 20 years. She also explained that the MTP is an official comprehensive intermodal plan that identifies the existing and future transportation needs and it develops and coordinates strategies to provide the necessary transportation needs to continue mobility and economic vitality of the region. Ms. Briones continued by stating that the proposed revision was intended to make the necessary changes to the MTP specifically Appendix A - Short Range Projects Identified in the MTP and listed in the TIP to incorporate and reflect the projects as part of the proposed 2025-2028 TIP, which-is was scheduled to be presented for adoption the following month. CM. Gutierrez made a motion to initiate a 10-day public review and comment period for the proposed revisions to the 2020-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). Second: Judge Tijerina For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. D. Discussion with possible action to approve Resolution No. MPO 2024-06, supporting and adopting the revised performance measures and targets for the Laredo Transit Management Inc. (LTMI) 2024 Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan. Mr. Mendive, stated the item was Transit related and it had already been approved by the Mass Transit Board at their Transit Board meeting. Mr. Mendive, stated that the MPO has to adopt the document and incorporate it into the planning process, sO that when the MTP is updated those targets in their plan are mentioned and programming projects that try to achieve these transit asset management targets in their plan. Mr. Mendive also stated that Staff from El Metro were present in case there were any questions. 4 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / May 15, 2024 CM. Melissa Cigarroa, asked what the term ULB meant in the Performance Measures chart. Mr. Robert J. Garza, El Metro Transit, stated that ULB meant the Useful Life Benchmark for assets. He further explained that the plan is required to be revised and updated every four years and this was the revision of their first plan. He also stated that all their assets such as equipment, facilities, etc. had identified what needed to be replaced. CM. Gutierrez, made a motion to approve Resolution No. MPO 2024-06, supporting and adopting the revised performance measures and targets for the Laredo Transit Management Inc. (LTMI) 2024 Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan. Second: Judge Tijerina For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: Motion carried unanimously. E. Discussion with possible action to approve Resolution No. MPO 2024-07, supporting and adopting the fifth version of the Laredo Transit Management Inc. (LTMI) Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) and Safety Performance Targets for calendar year 2024 and to incorporate into the Metropolitan Planning Process. Mr. Mendive, stated this document is required to be updated every year by the Transit Agency and had been approved by the Transit Board. He stated that the MPO was also in support to adopt and incorporate the document in the planning process. Judge Tijerina, made a motion to approve Resolution No. MPO 2024-07, supporting and adopting the fifth version of the Laredo Transit Management Inc. (LTMI) Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) and Safety Performance Targets for calendar year 2024 and to incorporate into the Metropolitan Planning Process. Second: CM. Gutierrez For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. CM. Gutierrez, made a motion to bring back item IV.D. - Discussion with possible action to approve Resolution No. MPO 2024-06, supporting and adopting the revised performance measures and targets for the Laredo Transit Management Inc. (LTMI) 2024 Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan. Second: CM. Cigarroa 5 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / May 15, 2024 For: 4 Against: Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. CM. Gutierrez, amended his motion to make a correction to approve Resolution No. MPO 2024-06 instead of Resolution No. MPO 2024-07. Judge Tijerina, amended his motion to second and reflect the approval of Resolution No. MPO 2024-06 instead of Resolution No. MPO 2024-07 to correct this technicality. F. Discussion with possible action to accept the ranking of firms that submitted proposals in response to RFP FY24-042 and award a professional services contract to The Goodman Corporation in the amount of $149,100.00 for the Laredo Transit Management, Inc. Microtransit Feasibility Study. Mr. Mendive, stated that a Request For Proposals (RFP) was solicitated assisting El Metro with a Mircrotransit Feasibility Study in trying to asses where more demand services can be used in Laredo. He also stated that the study was being funded through the MPOs Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). Mr. Mendive, further stated that 4 proposals were received, and evaluated by the following 9 members of the MPO Technical Committee: 2€ evaluators representing the City of Laredo 2 evaluators from Webb County 1 evaluator from The South Texas Development Council (STDC) 2 evaluators from Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) 1 evaluator from MPO Staff 1 evaluator representing El Metro Mr. Mendive, also shared the criteria used to evaluate the proposals, and stated that based on the evaluation committee recommendation that was provided to the Technical Committee, it was recommended to award the contract to The Goodman Corporation who had received the highest average score of 89. He further stated that the Technical Committee was further recommending to the Policy Committee to award a contract for the Mircotransit Feasibility Study to The Goodman Corporation in the amount of $149,100.00. CM. Gutierrez, made a motion to accept the submitted proposals in response to RFP FY24- 042and award a professional service contract tot the Goodman Corporation in the amount of $149,100.00 for the Laredo Transit Management, Inc. Microtransit Feasibility Study. Second: Judge Tijerina 6 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / May 15, 2024 For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. V. REPORT(S) AND PRESENTATIONS (No action required). A. Status report by the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA). Ms. Melissa Montemayor, WC-CL RMA, presented the following report as part of the packet: WC-CL RMA May 2024 Status Report to LWCAMPO 1. Vision Zero Webb Laredo Safety Action Plan = The work began in September 2023. The RMA hosted 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, followed by both the Laredo City Council on March 18, 2024, and the LWCAMPO Policy Committee on March 20, 2024. A public interactive information session was held on April 23, 2024, at the Joe A. Guerra Public Library and was well- attended by several people from the public, providing comments and filling out surveys. A Stakeholder Workshop with several public agency: staff, stakeholders, and members of the LWCAMPO Active Transportation Committee was hosted the next day in collaboration with the LWCAMPO at the City of Laredo Health Department on April 24, 2024. May is National Bike Month, and the project team is scheduled to attend several planned events by others throughout the month to continue collecting input from the public attending these events. The next step following these engagements will be to begin development of priorities and the actual action plan over the summer. Completion of the study is anticipated for December 2024. 2. Vallecillo Road - The draft ROW parcel plats and strip map are ongoing and anticipated for completion in July 2024. Environmental studies were conducted in late March, and we should be getting technical reports for review next week; the Traffic Forecast modeling is currently ongoing, and the draft report is anticipated for completion in May 2024. The drainage analysis of the project is ongoing with the draft report to be completed by the end of May 2024. The proposed geometry (horizontal and vertical) is complete. Utility coordination is on-going with all utility providers along the route We provided a status update to TxDOT Laredo District on April 26, 2024. The final schematic submittal is anticipated to be provided to the Laredo District by the end of May 2024. The RMA is projecting a Fall 2025 Letting of the project. The RMA executed its funding agreement with the Killam Company on March 4, 2024, and is amending its Inter Local Agreement with the City of Laredo. The City of Laredo is 7 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / May 15, 2024 continuing the development of the ROW agreement with the Killam Company. As the project sponsor, the executed Advanced Funding Agreement (AFA) is solely between 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 TXDOT Laredo District for the development of the Overpass project. The WC-CL RMA will provide up to $1Mi in fundingfor the development of the project. The WC-CL RMA received the * .dgn files and traffic data from TxDOT to incorporate into the Vallecillo Road traffic studies, and the WC-CL RMA has prepared a construction estimate for the proposed facility. The agreement will be codified via a separate Advanced Funding Agreement. The RMA, County and City met with the TxDOT Laredo District to discuss the project on March 19, 2024. 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 arterial roadway 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 to the new Laredo Sports Complex and the 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 is 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 project February 14, 2024, at the February Board Meeting. 5. Springfield Phase IV = Similar to Springfield Phase III, the RMA has committed up to $1 million to the City to assist with the funding oft the construction of Phase IV of the project from Hospitality Drive to Bob Bullock Loop. The sponsorship and implementation are subject to the negotiation of an Inter Local Agreement (ILA) between the City and the RMA. The RMA submitted a draft ILA to the City on 4/9/2024. 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. The WC-CL RMA submitted the proper paperwork to commence the development of the Advanced Funding Agreement for this project on 4/19/2024. 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 hosted and conducted a third workshop on 4/4/2024. 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 ILA to the WC-CL RMA and commence the project. 7. FM 1472 and Killam Industrial Blvd. Turn Lanes - The RMA conducted a TDLR inspection of the project. The RMA will forward the TDLR report upon receipt to the TxDOT Laredo District. Project is pending final walk-through, and final Close-out Construction Change Order. Project is 99+% complete. 8 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / May 15, 2024 8. Other Items: RMA conducted their May Board meeting in May 2024. No questions or comments were made. B. Presentation and update by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on the Laredo Outer Loop. Mr. Roberto Rodriguez, TxDOT, gave a brief updated presentation on the Laredo Outer Loop project. He stated that there were five phases to the Project Development Process and shared the current phase where the project was. He also stated all the public input had already been received, and had started with developing the schematic phase of the project. Mr. Rodriguez, further presented maps of the segments of the Laredo Outer Loop and stated that parts of segment #1, part of #2 and #3 had already been looked over by a consultant and is already working on the schematic of the Loop 20 extension, from Mangana Hein south to the Outer Loop and to US83. He also stated that the new procurement will include segments #4, #5, and #6. Mr. Rodriguez, shared the construction cost by phase from 2020, and stated that-an updated figure would be provided based on proposed design from new consultants, but a 40% to 50% increase was estimated on the project cost. Mr. Rodriguez also presented a proposed cross section map by phase and stated that if the Outer Loop was to be built as a full Freeway at this time, the cost would be about $1.7 billion. Mr. Gonzalez, stated that the numbers that had been presented were just for the construction part, not including the Right-of-Way, the utilities or any other costs that go into a project. Judge Tijerina, asked if there was a status report on the final alignment of the US59 and US69 corridor. Mr. Rodriguez, stated that the alternatives that were presented around Del Mar and another by the University were being looked at and should be finalized within the next 30 days. 9 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / May 15, 2024 VI. DIRECTOR's COMMENTS Mr. Mendive, mentioned since the Hachar-Reuthinger project has been let, this item was added to the Director's Report instead of a discussion item as requested by Chairperson Judge Tijerina. Mr. Gonzalez, gave an update on the Hachar-Reuthinger Road project. He stated that the Bids had been received on May and the estimate was a little over $144 million. He also stated that the current lowest bidder was. just al little over: $122 million, which means they were 15% under the engineering estimate. Mr. Gonzalez, thanked the City of Laredo and the project manager Ms. Ana Duncan. Director's Report May 17, 2024 Juan Mendive, MPO Director presented the following report that was part of the packet: 1. A public meeting is scheduled for May 23rd at 6:00 p.m. to be held at the Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library Multipurpose Room. The purpose of the meeting is to gather public input on regional transportation needs for the Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2025-2050 (MTP). Additionally, a public survey will be released to collect public feedback on transportation needs across the region. MTP 2025-2050 Survey Link: tnyur.com/wampontp 2. May is National Bike Month - The City of Laredo and the MPO Active Transportation Committee held a proclamation ceremony on May 1st, 2024. Aligned with the MPO's mission and efforts of the Active Transportation Committee, we continue to advocate for safe, equitable, and alternate modes of transportation. 3. Texas Transportation Commission Meetings: May 23, 2024 June 27, 2024 July 30, 2024 Upcoming Texas Transportation Commission meetings and agendas can be found on the following link: https//www.txdotxdotgov/abour/leadership/texas-tras-transportation- commisson/mectingdatngdates-asendas.ntm. 4. Upcoming regularly scheduled MPO meetings: Active Transportation Committee - May 29, 2024 Technical Committee June 11, 2024 Policy Committee - Thursday, June 20, 2024 10 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / May 15, 2024 VII. COMMUNICATIONS Judge Tijerina, asked the Policy members if there was anything they would like to comment on. There were no comments. VIII. ADJOURNMENT CM. Gutierrez, made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:02 PM. Second: Judge Tijerina For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. N Juan' S. Mendive, AICP Webb County Judge Tago E. Tijerina LWCAMPO Director LWCAMPO Chatrperson 11 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / May 15, 2024