LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY - AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES April 17, 2024 LIVE WEB LINK: http:/laredotx.swagit.com/lve 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 1:30 PM. II. CHAIRPERSON TO CALL ROLL Juan Mendive, MPO Director, 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 (joined meeting at 1:37 pm) Honorable Ruben Gutierrez Jr., Mayor Pro-Tempore, District V Honorable Vanessa Perez, City Councilmember, District VII (joined meeting at 1:38 pm) Honorable Jesse Gonzalez, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 1 Mr. Epigmenio "Epi" Gonzalez, P.E., TxDOT District Engineer Mr. Jed A. Brown, Member-At-Large Regular members not present: Honorable Dr. Victor D. Trevino, Mayor and LWCAMPO Vice-Chairperson Honorable John Galo, Webb County Commissioner, Pct. 3 Judge Tijerina, made a motion to excuse members not present. Second: CM. Gonzalez For: 5 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 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / April 17, 2024 LWCAMPO Staff present: Juan S. Mendive, LWCAMPO Director Julio A. Nino, LWCAMPO Planner III Adriana A. Vigil, LWCAMPO Administrative Assistant Others: Ramon Chavez, COL Engineering Robert J. Garza, COL El Metro Transit Eloisa Mascorro, COL El Metro Transit Jeffery Gonzalez, COL Traffic Juan C. Villarreal, COL Traffic Vivian Ayala, COL Real-estate Tina Martinez, COL Real-estate Ana Duncan, TxDOT Luis M. Villarreal, TxDOT Anthony Garza, Webb County Consultant Guillermo Cuellar, Webb County Engineering Blasita J. Lopez, WC-CL RMA/UJA Engineering Orlando Navarro, Killam Development Charles Martens, COL Citizen 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. Mr. Charles Martens, gave a public comment on the traffic issues around the City of Laredo. Mr. Martens, presented areas in the City where the traffic had been neglected and stated his concerns with the city's traffic lights and intersections. IV. ITEMS REQUIRING POLICY COMMITTEE ACTION: A. Approval of the minutes for the meeting held on March 20, 2024. CM. Gutierrez, made a motion to approve the minutes of March 20, 2024. Second: CM. Perez LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / April 17, 2024 2 For: 7 Against: 0 Abstained: Motion carried unanimously. B. Discussion with possible action on Resolution No. MPO 2024-05 supporting TxDOT's programming of Category 2 funds in the amount of $16 million for the construction of a new interchange at Vallecillo Road and IH-35 as part of the 2025 Unified Transportation Program (UTP). Judge Tijerina, made a motion to approve Resolution No. MPO 2024-05 supporting TxDOT's programming of Category 2 funds in the amount of $16 million of the construction of a new interchange at Vallecillo Road and IH-35 as part of the 2025 Unified Transportation Program (UTP). Second: CM. Perez For: 7 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. CM. Gonzalez, asked if that was the final funding needed for that project. Mr. Mendive, stated it was the beginning of the funding needed for the interchange at Vallecillo Road and IH-35. He also stated that the Resolution will allow to program $16 million with Category 2 funds through the UTP. Mr. Jed Brown, stated that the RMA had a meeting with TxDOT and the partners that were part of the Vallecillo project. He mentioned that TxDOT was able to identify the Category 2 funds to contribute to the overpass portion. He also stated that the roadway portion was fully funded. Mr. Brown, stated that it was a big step in the right direction to cover the cost of the overpass. He also stated that the RMA received the schematics that Monday in order to complete the estimates for the overpass. Mr. Brown further stated that they would be able to make a request to the Texas Transportation Commission to cover the gap. Mr. Gonzalez, stated that with that schematic TxDOT will be working on the estimate for the overpass. He also stated that the project will cost more than $16 million. He further stated that they were considering future growth, in order to make sure that what will be constructed will meet the initial needs and any future needs. LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / April 17, 2024 3 Mr. Brown, stated that once the RMA has the estimate they will share it with the Policy Committee and included it in the RMA status report for the next Policy Committee meeting. C. Discussion with possible action on the Hachar-Reuthinger Road project. Ramon Chavez, City of Laredo Engineer, presented the Committee with a brief status report on State Highway 84 or also known as Hachar-Reuthinger Road project. He stated that Parcels 1, 2, 5, 6, and 9, were 100% possession of the City of Laredo. He further stated, that the parcels accounted for 476.75 acers or 99.4% of the entire roadway acquisition. Mr. Chavez, stated that staff continued to work on the remaining .6% or 2.7 acres. He further stated that parcels 7, and 8 were still pending and were expecting to close on them that Friday. Mr. Chavez, mentioned that on April 2nd the City Council passed a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an advance funding agreement for the project. He also mentioned the project had an estimated amount of $210 million with a Federal participation of $126 million, a State participation of $49.2 million and a local estimate amount of $35.7 million. He also mentioned that the AFA had been executed on April 3rd. Mr. Chavez, stated the next steps would be providing closing documents related to parcels 7, and 8 to TxDOT, later that week. He also stated that they would provide TxDOT with a Right of entry document for potential Contractors that will bid on the project. He further stated that the project had already been advertised and the Contractors had been asking for access into the future State Highway Right of Way, which are the City of Laredo owned parcels. Mr. Chavez, stated that they would continue to work with TXDOT on the Utility Adjustment Certification. He also stated that TxDOT's letting schedule was still for May 2024. Mr. Gonzalez, stated that just before the meeting they had gotten the approval on the Construction Management Plan that they had been working on. He further stated that everything was set for the May 2024 letting date. Judge Tijerina, thanked Mr. Chavez and the City of Laredo for all they were doing. Mr. Chavez, recognized the Real-Estate Division, the City Attorney's Office, TxDOT for guiding them through the process and all the developers that they have worked with. The Policy Committee congratulated all the departments mentioned. D. Discussion with possible action on rescheduling the June 19th, 2024 Policy Committee meeting to June 20th, 2024 due to the Juneteenth holiday. Judge Tijerina, made a motion to approve the rescheduling of the June 19th, 2024 Policy Committee meeting to June 20th, 2024 due to the Juneteenth holiday. Second: CM. Gonzalez For: 7 Against: 0 LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / April 17, 2024 4 Abstained: V. REPORT(S) AND PRESENTATIONS (No action required). A. Status report by the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA). Mr. Jed Brown, UJA Engineering, presented the following report part of the packet: WC-CL RMA April 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 is scheduled for April 23, 2024 at the Joe A. Guerra Public Library open to the public, and a Stakeholder Workshop with several public staff, stakeholders, and members of the LWCAMPO Active Transportation Committee will be hosted in collaboration with the LWCAMPO at the City of Laredo Health Department on April 24, 2024. 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 conducted in late March and we should be getting some on 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. We provided a status update to the TxDOT Laredo District on April 26, 2024. The final schematic submittal is anticipated to be provided to the Laredo District in mid-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 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 in 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. We LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / April 17, 2024 5 received the dgn files and traffic data from TxDOT to incorporate into our traffic studies. Our Bridge team will prepare a construction estimate for the proposed facility. The agreement will be codified via a separate Advanced Funding Agreement. The RMA, County and City will meet 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 I, ll, 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 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. 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. Other Items: RMA will have their next Board meeting in the Spring. VI. DIRECTOR's COMMENTS Juan Mendive, MPO Director presented the following report as part of the packet: LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / April 17, 2024 6 Director's Report April 17, 2024 1. The consultants for the 2025-2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) met with the Technical Committee on April 4th to discuss the goals and objectives of the MTP, while identifying transportation needs in the metropolitan planning area. A public meeting is scheduled for May 23rd at the Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library Multipurpose Room to gather input on transportation issues and needs from the public. 2. 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 eSTIP portal by July 15t. 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 meeting. 3. Ai follow-up meeting with Mr. Edward D. Garza of Crane Engineering is scheduled for April 19th to discuss and strategize the next steps to continue seeking solutions to the congestion issues at Unitec industrial park. 4. Texas Transportation Commission Meetings: April 25, 2024 May 23, 2024 June 27, 2024 Upcoming Texas Transportation Commission meetings and agendas can be found on the following link: https//www.txdotxdotgov/abourleadership/texas-tras-transportation- commision/metinedatihg.datesasendashtm!. 5. Upcoming regularly scheduled MPO meetings: Active Transportation Committee/Vision Zero Workshop - April 24, 2024 Technical Committee May 7, 2024 Policy Committee - May 15, 2024 Judge Tijerina, asked Mr. Mendive for a Communications item in case someone needed to speak, after the Director's Report. Judge Tijerina, asked Mr. Gonzalez, if he could present something in the next Policy Committee meeting on the Outer Loop project. Mr. Gonzalez, stated that yes, they could provide a presentation on the Outer Loop project for next month's Policy Committee meeting. Judge Tijerina, addressed Mr. Charles Marten on his citizen's comment. He stated, that the traffic lights in the Laredo are controlled by the City of Laredo Traffic Department. He LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / April 17, 2024 7 further stated that the Policy Committee was not responsible for the city's traffic lights. Judge Tijerina, suggested that Mr. Marten speak to one the of the Council Members about his traffic light concerns. CM. Perez, congratulated everybody involved for their hard work and staying focused. VII. ADJOURNMENT Judge Tijerina, made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 1:58 PM. Second: CM. Gonzalez For: 6 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. AN Juan S. Mendive, AICP Webb County Judge Tano E. Tijerina LWCAMPO Director LWEAMPO Chairperson LWCAMPO Policy Committee Meeting Minutes / April 17, 2024 8