LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY - AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES October 19th, 2022 LIVE WEB LINK: tP/AarsaRswaskcn/Ne PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL: Spectrum TV channel 1300 I. CHAIRPERSON TO CALL MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Pete Saenz called the meeting to order at 1:30 P.M. II. CHAIRPERSON TO CALL ROLL Juan Mendive, Interim MPO Director, 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 Ruben Gutierrez, Jr., City Councilmember, District V Honorable Dr. Marte A. Martinez, City Councilmember, District VI (joined the meeting at 1:38 p.m.) Honorable Vanessa Perez, City Councilmember, District VII (joined the meeting at 1:36 p.m.) Humberto "Tito" Gonzalez, Jr., P.E., Member at Large Regular members not present: Mr. Salazar, Jr., P.E., TxDOT District Engineer Honorable Jesse Gonzalez, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 1 David Honorable John Galo, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 3 Judge Tijerina made a motion to excuse members not present. Second: CM. Gutierrez For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously MPO Meeting Minutes of October 19th, 2022 1 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 S. Mendive, LWCAMPO Interim Director Angie Quijano, LWCAMPO Administrative Assistant Others: Rosario Cabello, COL Interim City Manager Riazul, Mia, COL Assistant City Manager Ramon Chavez, COL Engineering Department Gloria Perez-Saavedra, COL Engineering Department Jaime Garcia, COL Engineering Department Luis Perez Garcia, Webb County Engineering Guillermo Cuellar, Webb County Engineering Lalo Uribe, Webb County Judge's Office Eduardo Bernal, Transit, El Metro Robert J. Garza, Transit, El Metro Sara Garza, TxDOT Jason Hinojosa, TxDOT Fernando Martinez, TxDOT Melisa Montemayor, HNTB, Inc. Vince Martinez, Killam Development 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 September 21st, 2022 CM. Gutierrez made a motion to approve the minutes of September 21st, 2022. MPO Meeting Minutes of October 19th, 2022 2 Second: Judge Tijerina For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously B. Receive public testimony and approve Resolution No. MPO 2022-08, adopting the following proposed amendments to the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Mr. Mendive stated that the public comment period for the item was opened at the previous meeting. He stated that no comments were received; theretore, the item would move forward for approval and adoption of the resolution. Judge Tijerina made a motion to close the public hearing and approve Resolution No. MPO 2022-08, adopting the proposed amendments to the 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Second: CM. Gutierrez For: 4 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously Humberto Gonzalez, TxDOT, stated that the next step would be to proceed with the Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) with the project sponsor, the RMA and proceed with the letting date that was established for construction. CM. Vanessa Perez joined the meeting at 1:36 p.m. 1. Addition of project CSJ 0922-33-205 Vallecillo Road) intended to provide for the construction of new 4 lane [off-system) highway with continuous turn lane. The estimated construction cost is $35,280,000. Category 7 funds in the amount of $16,500,000 have been allocated for this project. Other funding amounts include $14,780,000 in Category 3-local and $4,000,000 in Category 12 Strategic Partnership funds. The project sponsor is the Webb County City of Laredo Regional Mobility Authority and the proposed letting date is FY 2026. Judge Tijerina made a motion to approve the item. MPO Meeting Minutes of October 19th, 2022 3 Second: CM. Gutierrez For: 5 Against: 0 Abstained: J Motion carried unanimously 2. eprogromming/cdltion of project CSJ 0922-33-076 for the realigning of Flecha Ln. and Las Cruces Blvd. Purpose of amendment is to add this project to the 2023- 2026 TIP as the updated letting date for this project has been changed to FY 2023. This project was previously included in the FY 2021-2024 TIP. Judge Tijerina made a motion to approve the item. Second: CM. Perez For: 5 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously 3. Reprogramming/addition of project CSJ 0922-33-093 (Calton Rd. and Santa Maria Ave. Interchange) for the construction of a grade separation interchange. Purpose of amendment is to add this project to the FY 2023-2026 TIP as the updated letting date for this project has been changed to FY 2023. This project was previously included in the FY 2021-2024 TIP. Judge Tijerina made a motion to approve the item. Second: CM. Perez For: 5 Against: 0 Abstained: ) Motion carried unanimously CM. Perez asked that if the project was being moved to 2023, what was the year this project was supposed to be. Mr. Mendive stated that the project had been changing over the years but, since the project was originally going to be let in 2022, it was notincluded in the 2023 TIP. However, given that the project was now proposed to let in FY2023, it needs to be added to the TIP. MPO Meeting Minutes of October 19th, 2022 4 CM. Perez asked when was this project expected to start. CM. Gutierrez asked when was this project originally presented. CM. Dr. Martinez joined the meeting at 1:38 p.m. Ramon Chavez, City Engineer, stated that the project was awarded in 2005. He further stated that the City Engineering Dept. has gone through a redesign process with TxDOT and Union Pacific on required agreements. CM. Perez expressed her concern with the delays on the project and that the monies allocated would have less value. Mr. Chavez stated that part of the things being worked on the Calton Road project was a redesign and the consultant wanted to push it to 2024. He further stated that City Staff was not recommending what the consultant proposed. CM. Perez made a motion to move up item #V-B. Second: CM. Gutierrez For: 6 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously V. REPORT(S) AND PRESENTATIONS (No action required) B. Update by City of Laredo Engineering staff on the FM 1472/Flecha Ln. Realignment (CSJ 0922-33-076) and Calton Road Grade Separation (CSJ 0922-33-093) projects. Gloria Perez-Saavedra, City Engineering, gave a brief update on the item. She provided the following report for Calton Road Grade Separation: 1. PS&E: Amendment #12 was received and reviewed by City Staff. City Engineering does not recommend the re-design of the bridge due to the time needed to perform the re-design that would bring the bid date to 2024. Surveying work still is needed and as soon as City Engineering gets the proposal, it would be reviewed and comments and/or recommendations would be provided. Activity Completion Environmenta Re-Evaluation May 2022 MPO Meeting Minutes of October 19th, 2022 5 Project Letting August 2023 Const. Phase Services Complete August 2025 Real Estate Mediation Settlement Agreement with Crown Enterprises was executed July 26, 2022. Judge Tijerina asked if there was a lapse on projects funds due to the time the project has taken. Humberto Gonzalez, TxDOT, stated that the $16.4 million dollars that were earmarked for that project do not have a lapse but, if at one point the Federal agencies try to consolidate other earmarks that have not been used over the years, these funds may be considered to be re-allocated. CM. Perez asked how this could be prevented. Mr. Chavez stated that was the reason why they do not want to extend the date. Mr. Gonzalez stated that the funds were allocated since 2005 and since then, there had already been one re-design that had to be done because in 2014 all the design standards changed. 2. Transit revision to increase FY 2023-2026 total transit funding from $69,929,560 to $88,274,582 for an increase of $18,345,022. Judge Tijerina made a motion to approve the item. Second: CM. Dr. Martinez For: 6 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously C. Receive public testimony and approve Resolution No. MPO 2022-09, adopting the following proposed revisions to the 2020-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP): 1. Revision of Appendix A = Short Range Projects Identified in the MTP and Listed in the TIP as necessary to incorporate and reflect the proposed revisions to the 2023-2026 TIP. MPO Meeting Minutes of October 19th, 2022 6 Mr. Mendive stated we needed to receive public testimony as the public comment period had previously been opened. Mayor Saenz asked for public to speak for or against. No comments were received. Judge Tijerina made a motion to close the public hearing and approve Resolution No. MPO 2022-09, adopting the proposed revisions to the 2020-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). Second: CM. Gutierrez For: 6 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously D. Discussion with possible action on the allocation and programming of Category 7 funds for the preliminary engineering and ROW phase in the amount of $1,000,000 for segments 1, 2, and 3 of the Laredo Outer Loop, and any other matters incident thereto. Mayor Saenz asked if a map was available. Mr. Mendive stated that this item was presented at the request of Webb County. He further elaborated on a presentation that showed the proposed alignment for the outer loop, segments 1, 2 & 3. Mayor Saenz stated that the City had authorized to engage in negotiations on the 4-5 bridge. He further asked Ms. Cabello to brief on the item especially with the concerns on the MOU. Ms. Rosario Cabello, Interim City Manager, stated that she was not sure if she was able to disclose anything that was discussed in executive session. CM. Dr. Martinez stated that the City was trying to extend Mangana Hein connection down to US 83. He stated that this was the ultimate goal that was trying to be achieved. He stated there was significant problems on the north side, especially on the Mines Road area. He stated that he felt work should start on the north side then into the south side as opposed to starting from the south side. He felt that would ease a lot of problems in the Unitec area and the Hachar-Reuthinger connection. MPO Meeting Minutes of October 19th, 2022 7 Judge Tijerina stated that this was a County project and the County was putting the resources with the plan to start with the southside first. He stated that he would want to move forward now and if the City would like to partner up with the County and find monies for the north side later on, that would be great. Mayor Saenz made a motion to table the item for next month. Judge Tijerina left the meeting at 2:12 p.m. Second: CM. Gutierrez For: 5 Against: 0 Abstained: Mr. Gonzalez recommended to have a workshop in order to dedicate some time and discuss the item. E. Discussion with possible action to proceed with the proposed strategy by Webb County to accelerate the construction of Outer Loop Segments 1, 2, and 3 by leveraging local funds and Category 7 funds, coordinate with TxDOT as necessary, and initiate the process to list determined project segments and phases in the 2020- 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Mayor Saenz made a motion to table the item and to incorporate it into the proposed workshop. Second: CM. Gutierrez For: 5 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 F. Discussion with possible action on the Hachar-Reuthinger Road project. Mr. Gonzalez stated that TXDOT was finalizing the schematic and were re-looking at the estimate which would be getting by the consultant this week. He further stated that they would provide a report at next month's meeting to present the updated estimate. VI. REPORT(S) AND PRESENTATIONS (No action required) C. Status report by the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA). Melisa Montemayor, HNTB, Inc., provided a status report which included the following: MPO Meeting Minutes of October 19th, 2022 8 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. Construction of the pavement widening components have been ongoing. For FM 1472, the bond breaker has been installed. Concrete pouring for FM 1472 was scheduled for pouring in late September. The grading for the widening of Killam Industrial Blvd. has been completed. For the traffic signal work, the foundation drill shafts have been set. A utilityissue was encountered and is in the process of being cleared. TxDOT anticipates clearance resolution by the end of October. This pushes substantial construction completion to late November. As of the week of the 11th of October, the project is 50% complete. 2. Los Presidentes (Cuatro Vientos to Brownwood) = Construction is ongoing. Paving of the street is 100% complete. Contractor is currently completing the final drainage items of the project. Sidewalk construction is currently ongoing from Isla Mujeres to Cuatro Vientos. The work for the 18-inch water line in the area of the major drainage structure in the area of Cuatro Vientos is completed. The outstanding items are the completion of the Isla Mujeres Intersection, outstanding sidewalk work, outstanding landscaping and irrigation, perform 18" waterline adjustment and concrete cover work and final striping. Overall, anticipate substantial completion in November 2022. Overall the project is 95% 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. The paving is largely complete. Major critical path item that is still pending is the installation of the proposed illumination on the Northbound and Southbound Lanes of Cuatro Vientos. The project is scheduled for completion in November 2022. Overall, the project is approximately 95% 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 conducting one-on-one stake holder meetings and are anticipating completing the analysis and forecasting by the week of the 19th. 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. To date, the roadway concrete paving has been completed. Outstanding items include the tie-in driveways at Shiloh and the proposed water main along the north end of the project. The sidewalk is half way complete. Major items to address include the completion of the drainage, proposed water main, traffic improvements and illumination. Substantial completion is scheduled for December 2022. Overall, the project is approximately 87% complete. MPO Meeting Minutes of October 19th, 2022 9 6. Webb County Fair Grounds TIA - The RMA team received the trip distribution for the 2035 traffic projections on the week of the 11th of October. The 2035 traffic projections will account for the US 59 immediate improvements of a 6-lane rural divided highway configuration and the full build out of the fair ground improvements. A draft of the final TIA report to be completed and reviewed by the GEC in mid-November. The timeframe for completion of the study is December of 2022. 7. River Road Corridor Study - Currently, the team has developed a list of stakeholders to participate in the Stakeholder Listening Sessions and scheduled the series of stakeholder presentations for the week of the 17th of October 2022. Total duration of the study is 12 months. Completion of the study is anticipated in July 2023. 8. Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant - In partnership with the MPO and the City of Laredo, the RMA developed a $2M grant application to develop an action to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The application was successfully submitted on September 9, 2022 which was 6 days prior to the due date of the application. The team developed and distributed follow-up letters to local elected officials. 9. Vallecillo Road In the August MPO Policy Committee meeting, funding for construction of the project was concluded. Subsequent to the dedication of $16.5M dollars of Category 7 funds from the MPO, US Congressman Henry Cuellar has pledged $3M of federal earmark funds. These monies are in addition to the $14M dedicated to the project by the RMA, City of Laredo and the Killam Company. Now that the project is funded for construction, the RMA is working to submit the appropriate paperwork for the draft Advanced Funding Agreement with TXDOT and begin design of the project. The RMA is targeting commencement of design in November 2022. Other Items: The WC-CL RMA Board of Directors met on 10/18/22 to select an auditor for the annual RMA financial audit. VII. DIRECTOR's COMMENTS Mr. Mendive provided the following report: 1. MPO planners are attending the American Planning Association State Conference from October 19th-22nd in El Paso, Texas. 2. The U.S. Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities Pilot planning grant application was submitted on October 12, 2022. The grant was submitted by the MPO Meeting Minutes of October 19th, 2022 10 City of Laredo as the MPO's fiscal agent and in partnership with the Downtown TIRZ #1 and Laredo Main Street. 3. The MPO team, in coordination with TxDOT, held two workshops, virtual (October 7th) and in-person (October 12th), for prospective applicants of the ongoing Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside Call for Projects. 4. Upcoming regularly scheduled meetings: Active Transportation Committee = October 26, 2022 Technical Committee = November 8, 2022 Policy Committee = November 16, 2022 VIII. ADJOURNMENT CM. Dr. Martinez made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:23 p.m. Second: CM. Gutierrez For: 5 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously JJNN V aeR Juan S. Mendive Pete Saenz, Mayorand LWCAMPO Interim LWCAMPO Director Chairperson MPO Meeting Minutes of October 19th, 2022 11