LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES June 15th, 2022 LIVE WEB LINK: tP/Berdaksastconhs PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL: Spectrum TV channel 1300 I. CHAIRPERSON TO CALL MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Pete Saenz, called the meeting to order at 1:33 P.M. II. CHAIRPERSON TO CALL ROLL Graciela Briones, LWCAMPO Staff, called roll and verified a quorum existed. Regular members present: Honorable Pete Saenz, Mayor and LWCAMPO Chairperson Honorable Tano E. Tijerina, Webb County Judge Honorable Dr. Marte A. Martinez, City Councilmember, District VI (joined the meeting at 1:35 p.m.) Honorable Vanessa Perez, City Councilmember, District VII (joined the meeting at 1:46 p.m.) David M. Salazar, Jr., P.E., TxDOT District Engineer Humberto "Tito" Gonzalez, Jr., P.E., Member at Large Regular members not present: Honorable Ruben Gutierrez, Jr., City Councilmember, District V Honorable Jesse Gonzalez, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 1 Honorable John Galo, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 3 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 LWCAMPO Staff present: Juan Mendive, LWCAMPO Interim Director Graciela Briones, LWCAMPO Planner Julio Nino, LWCAMPO Planner MPO Meeting Minutes of June 15th, 2022 1 Jason Hinojosa, LWCAMPO Planner Angie Quijano, LWCAMPO Administrative Assistant Others: Luis Perez Garcia, Webb County Engineering Orlando Navarro, COL Planning Department Eduardo Bernal, Transit, El Metro Roberto Rodriguez, TxDOT Sara Garza, TxDOT Jed Brown, RMA Melisa Montemayor, HNTB, Inc. III. 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 meetings held on May 18th, 2022 Judge Tijerina made a motion to approve the minutes of May 18th, 2022. Second: CM. Salazar For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: I Motion carried unanimously B. Receive public testimony and initiate a twenty-day public review and comment period for the draft FY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). Judge Tijerina made a motion to open a public hearing an initiate a twenty-day public review and comment period for the draft FY 2023 UPWP. Second: CM. Salazar MPO Meeting Minutes of. June 15th, 2022 2 For: 4 Against: Abstained: J Motion carried unanimously Dr. Martinez joined the meeting at 1:35 p.m. Juan Mendive, LWCAMPO Interim Director, gave a brief presentation on the item. He stated the item required a 20-day public review and comment period. The document would be brought back to the MPO Policy Committee for final approval at the next meeting and then submitted to TxDOT and FHWA. The UPWP is due on July 29, 2022. Humberto Gonzalez, TxDOT, stated that based on the summary given, funds would be used to do some studies and hoped to return some value in order to prioritize funds. He recommended a timeline showing what the studies would be producing and how the studies would be used by the MPO. Mr. Mendive stated the MPO was coordinating with the City and the County for the studies to be implemented in upcoming projects. CM. Vanessa Perez joined the meeting at 1:46 p.m. Dr. Martinez stated that he was aware that the County had county road projects that would tie into the city's major thoroughfares and would like to see said studies integrate at the planning level stage. Orlando Navarro, Planning Director, stated Planning department had some annexations coming in where there were some schools that they were proposing where there will be traffic issues. He stated before issuing out any building permits, Staff was looing at other ways for that traffic not to be a problem for said proposed schools. Dr. Martinez suggested to create a study of how best to collaborate with the school districts on the level of MPO directly with TxDOT especially in Right-of-Way areas that are an issue at Loop 20, IH35, and some on-system exits. C. A motion authorizing the execution of an Interlocal Agreement with the Webb County- City of Laredo Regional Mobility Authority to share the cost associated with the River Road Corridor Study. Dr. Martinez made a motion authorizing the execution of an Interlocal Agreement with the Webb County- City of Laredo Regional Mobility Authority to share the cost associated with the River Road Corridor Study. MPO Meeting Minutes of June 15th, 2022 3 Second: CM. Perez For: 6 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously D. Discussion with possible action on exploring the feasibility of a Transportation Reinvestment Zone (TRZ) in North Laredo-Webb County including along FM 1472. (Requested by Mayor Pete Saenz, Chairperson). Mayor Saenz gave a brief presentation on the item. Dr. Martinez requested to also look into the northeast and northwest along FM1472. Judge Tijerina asked if the request was more for the individual government entities than versus the MPO. Mr. Mendive stated the he believed it was a good idea to initiate the discussion at the MPO level. He stated he had previously spoken to the Mayor and it was discussed that the request to initiate a study would need to come from the taxing entity interested in conducting a feasibility study and was creating the TRZ. Dr. Martinez asked if the MPO committee was the best place where the county and the city would be able to communicate regarding future projects. Jed Brown, RMA, stated it was discussed previously for the Cuatro Vientos TRZ and it evolved into discussing this TRZ. He stated whichever entity would proceed with the TRZ, the RMA would be interested in being a partner. Mayor Saenz requested to bring the item back in two or three months to see what progress has been made. E. Discussion with possible action on the Hachar-Reuthinger Road project. CM. H. Gonzalez stated the project was still on scheduled with letting date of August 2023. He also stated TxDOT is the process of finalizing the schematic and are in coordination with the City of Laredo sO the city can proceed in preparing the Right-of-Way. CM. Salazar stated the end of construction would most likely be in approximately two years. MPO Meeting Minutes of June 15th, 2022 4 V. REPORT(S) AND PRESENTATIONS (No action required) A. Status report by the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA). Jed Brown, RMA, gave a brief status report. CM. H. Gonzalez stated that with all the studies being done, how can we propose mechanisms of how projects can be financed and be integrated into said studies. He stated he believed that would be a big part of the studies and including that element would make them a lot more valuable. Mr. Mendive stated that element could be added as part of the scope. He also stated that the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant mentioned in the RMA's update was a grant that the MPO is eligible for and a component of that was having a safety action plan, and the MPO would be able to apply for funds to do that safety action plan. In future years, you can apply then for the projects that are identified in that action plan. The Safe Streets and Roads for All grant would help you pay for that action plan. The grant is due in September. In future years, the MPO would be able to apply for the implementation portion. He stated the MPO would be meeting with the RMA discuss potentially partnering up on said specific grant. CM. Perez asked if the safety action plan would consist of safety factors in terms of congestion. Mr. Mendive stated congestion was one of them but also looking at the entire jurisdiction, dangerous intersections, safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and applying strategies of how to solve said issues. He stated that once those projects are in the action plan, those can be funded through future monies from said program. Mr. Brown concluded with the status update of the RMA as follows: 1. FM 1472 and Killam Industrial Blvd. Turn Lanes The commencement of work at Killam Industrial Blvd. at FM 1472 occurred in early May 2022. In May, the acceleration lane construction of FM 1472 has been ongoing. In the next 2 weeks, the placement of low- profile concrete barrier along Killam Industrial Blvd. for the construction of the dedicated right turn lane to commence. Currently the project is estimated at 10% complete. Substantial completion of the project is anticipated for October 2022. 2. Los Presidentes (Cuatro Vientos to Brownwood) - Construction is ongoing. Our 10th construction progress meeting was held on 5/24/22. Paving of the street is 84% complete. Construction of1 the sidewalk is 60% complete. A major critical path item that is pending is the adjustment of two 18-inch water lines that will require a temporary service shut off. The Contractor is coordinating with the Utilities Department for MPO Meeting Minutes of June 15th, 2022 5 scheduling. Currently, the project is scheduled for completion in 7/29/2022. The project was delayed due to lack of water for 2 to 3 weeks. Overall the project is 80% complete. 3. Loop 20 South (Cuatro Vientos) Acceleration/ Deceleration Lane Project - The project was awarded to Anderson Columbia in October 2021. Construction to commenced on the week of the 14th of March. Work conducted to date shows the placement of embankment for the setting of the subgrade for the widening has been completed. Paving of the acceleration and deceleration lanes are largely complete. The final pavement course is still pending. Major critical path item that is still pending is the installation of the proposed llumination on the Northbound and Southbound Lanes of Cuatro Vientos. Overall, the project is approximately 90% complete. 4. Loop 20 South (Cuatro Vientos) TRZ Study Update - Study commenced in May with the execution of the City of Laredo and WCCL RMA ILA. To date the team has been gathering updated tax data from the Webb County Appraisal District and is compiling a list of major stake holders and property owners to schedule meetings that are part of the study. The study is scheduled for completion in October 2022. 5. Springfield Phase III - NTP was provided by the City of Laredo to AZAR Services, LLC on 12/15/21. Currently, the contractor is working on the concrete paving of the project. Substantial completion is scheduled for October 2022. The project is approximately 50% complete. 6. Webb County Fair Grounds TIA - The RMA team has completed the existing conditions analysis for the study. On 6/10/22, the RMA Team along with the County consultant met with the TxDOT Laredo District to discuss the existing conditions analysis and review any possible concerns with the proposed driveway spacing on the project. Overall, timeframe for completion of the studyi is December of 2022. 7. River Road Corridor Study - The MPO Policy Committee approved moving forward with the Study. The WCCL RMA and the MPO are completing the finalization of the Inter Local Agreement. Upon execution, the study will commence. Duration of the study is estimated for 12 months. 8. Vallecillo Road - The RMA is continuing to explore gap funding from the State and Federal government to advance the project. Other Items: The WCCL RMA Board of Directors to is scheduled to meet in July 2022. The RMA would like to have a discussion with MPO for future consideration of teaming to pursue the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant from FHWA. > It funds Local Governments, MPOs, and other jurisdictions to develop an action plan to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Ifan action plan is already in place by a local government or MPO, it can fund the planning, design and development activities in support of the action plan or carry out strategies identified in the adopted action plan. > Total funding for FY 2022 is $1 Billion. The minimum award is $200K. The most that can be awarded to a recipient (joint venture with 2 or more Local Governments and/or political subdivisions) is $5 Million. > Application due date is 9/15/22 at 5 pm. MPO Meeting Minutes of. June 15th, 2022 6 VI. DIRECTOR's COMMENTS Mr. Mendive provided the following report: 1. MPO staff was looking into upcoming grant opportunities, especially those related to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The MPO hopes to collaborate with its partners on grant development efforts. Currently, the MPO is in discussion with different entities about the possibility of applying for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant program. 2. MPO staff was working on updating the Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside Project Guidelines in preparation to consider issuing a Call for Projects as part of the competitive process required to select and fund projects. TA Set-Aside funds can be used for projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, and safe routes to school. On May 25th, the Active Transportation Committee met to discuss potential evaluation criteria to be used in the TA Set-Aside Call for Projects. 3. Upcoming regularly scheduled meetings: Active Transportation Committee - June 29, 2022 Technical Committee - July 12, 2022 Policy Committee - July 20, 2022 VII. ADJOURNMENT Dr. Martinez made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:10 p.m. Second: Judge Tijerina For: 6 Against: 0 Abstained: U Motion carried unanimously o ? - 6 - aia Ditns Juan S. Mendive Pete Saenz, Mayor and LWCAMPO Interim LWCAMPO Directory Chairperson - / 1 Attest: Jose A. Valdez, Jr. Ciy Secrétary MPO Meeting Minutes of June 15th, 2022 7