LAREDO & WEBB COUNTY AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES August 16, 2023 LIVE WEB MeN/ammatan.Ns PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL: Spectrum TV channel 1300 I. CHAIRPERSON TO CALL MEETING TO ORDER Judge, Tano E. Tijerina, called meetingto order at 1:32 P.M. 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 Dr. Victor D. Treviho, Mayor and LWCAMPO Vice-Chairperson Honorable Vanessa Perez, Mayor Pro Tempore, CM. District VII Honorable Melissa R. Cigarroa, City Councilmember, District III 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 Ruben Gutierrez Jr., City Councimember, District V 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 S. Mendive, LWCAMPO Director Graciela Briones, LWCAMPO Planner III Julio Nino, LWCAMPO Plannerlll Eduardo Bernal, LWCAMPO Planner III Adriana A. Vigil, LWCAMPO Administrative Assistant 1 Others: Orlando Navarro, COL Planning Gloria Perez-Saavedra, COL Engineering Roberto. J. Garza, COL Transit Eloisa Mascorro, COL Transit JefferyGonzalez, COL Traffic Juan Carlos Villarreal, COL Traffic Miriam Castillo, COL Economic Development Arnold Lozano, COL Economic Development Adelaido "Lalo" Uribe, Webb County Judge's Office Anthony Garza, Webb County Consultant Luis Perez Garcia, Webb County Engineering Guiliermo Cuellar, Webb County Engineering Victorial Villarreal, Webb County Planning Cary Karnsadt, TxDOT Roberto Rodriguez, TxDOT Ana Duncan, TxDOT Fernando Martinez, TxDOT Luis Villarreal, TxDOT Pablo Briones, TxDOT MelissaMontemayor, UA/WC-CL RMA Baitazar Avila, UA/WC-CL RMA Blasita Lopez, UA/WC-CL RMA III. CITIZEN COMMENTS Speakers are requiredto fill out witness cards, which must be submittedto 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 allowedto speak on any side of an issue. Should there be more than three (3) people who wish to speakon a specificissue, they should select not more than three (3) representatives to speak on theirbehalf. The presiding officermayfurther 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 July 19, 2023. CM. Perez, made a motion to approve the minutes of July 19, 2023. Second: Mr. Brown 2 For: 7 Against: 0 Abstained: 0 Motion carried unanimously. B. Receive public testimony and approve Resolution No. MPO 2023-11, adopting the FY2022 Annual Listing of Obligated Projects (APL). Mr. Mendive, stated the item was brought at the previous meeting to open the public comment period and no public comments were received. He further stated that it was brought now to receive any further public testimony and approve the FY2022 Annual Listing of Obligated Projects (APL). Judge Tijerina, asked the publicifanyone was For or Against tthe approval of this item. He further: stated there were none to behave. CM. Perez, made a motion to close the public review and comment period for thisitem. Second: Mayor Dr. Trevino For: 7 Against: Abstained: J Motion carried unanimously. CM. Perez, made a motion to approve Resolution No. MPO 2023-11, adopting the FY2022 Annual List of Obligated Projects (APL). Second: CM. Gonzalez For: 7 Against: 0 Abstained: J Motion carried unanimously. C. Discussion with possible action on programming of projects with Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds. Mr. Mendive, gave a quick overview of the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) for the Laredo Webb County MPO Area. He stated this was a new federal program that MPOs 3 were able to selectp projects for. He also stated that there was already a fundingrequest through this program from Webb County. Mr. Mendive,stated that the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) was created through the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the BIL authorized a new Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) and was codified as 23 UnitedStates Code (U.S.C.) 175 to reduce transportation emissions. The State ofTexas was expected toreceive approximately $641 million for FY22-26 in federal apportionment. MPOs had the authority to allocate corresponding apportionments and to select projects eligible for the Carbon Reduction Program funds (CRP) funds. Mr. Mendive, further stated that the purpose was to reduce transportation emissions through the development of State carbon reduction strategies and by funding projects designedto reduce transportation emissions. He alsos stated that the projects were going into the eligible projects but they could not be for new added capacity or new roadway type projects. Mr. Mendive, provided the following list of the eligible activities that could make use of the funds: Alternative fuel vehicle deployment (e.g. an electricvehicle infrastructure). Reduce emissions at Port facilities (e.g. supporting docked ships). Transportation alternatives (e.g. bicycle and pedestrian facilities). Diesel engine retrofit projects Publictransportation projects Projects that reduce environmental and communityimpacts offreight movement, (e.g. truck parking including Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Projects that support congestion pricing and traffic congestion management technologies. Programs that nelpshitransportation demand Programs that Enhance Vehicle to Infrastructure connecting technology Programs that Reduce demand for roads Development of a Carbon Reduction Strategy Mr. Mendive, stated that the state is mandated to do this carbon reduction strategy and that is why they were working with the MPOs to create one at state level. He further stated that with these fundst the MPO could also decide to do their own for our region. Judge Tijerina, asked what was the amount allocated to Webb County and the City of Laredo from the $641 million thatthe state of Texas is expectedto receive. Mr. Mendive, stated that from FY2024 through FY2026 it is estimated at $4,884,536. He further provided an example as shared by Mr. Garza, from El Metro Transit during Technical Committee meeting. It was mentioned that one electric bus has a cost of 4 approximately $1 million dollars, and they would still need the technology and infrastructure to support it. Mr. Mendive, further stated that funding a project of this type would wipe out 1-year worth of funding. CM. Cigarroa, asked if the funds represent a 20% match of additional Federal dollars, sO that the funding can be leveragedforbigger. projects. Mr. Mendive, stated that the funding targets listed in the TxDOT UTP include the 80% Federal portion plus a 20% local portion that is expected to be provided by the local government sponsoring the project. He further stated that when projects are selected for funding, these are programmed to include the total project development cost or construction cost which consist of 80% Federal monies and 20% local match. CM. Cigarroa, asked ifthe 65% of the statewide allocation was granted to each individual MPO and 35% granted to the State of Texas. She also askedif TxDOT had some discretion to allocate the additional 35% SO that the budget could be increasedif needed. Mr. Mendive, confirmedthat the 65% is for urban areas, and MPOs have that discretion to select projects with the allocated funding and the other 35% is maintained by TxDOT. He also stated that TxDOT is able to select projects across the state and are able to use that 35% in rural areas as well. Judge Tijerina, asked how the MPO would like to proceed with the programming of projects. Mr. Mendive, stated that there was a timeline of how this was being done and further mentioned that there was already a project request from Webb County. He also stated that TxDOT had helda coordination meeting with the MPOs back in February 17th, 2023 where this program was discussed and it was finally been programed in the UTP. He further stated that TxDOT asked the MPOs to look at projects that were already eligible and just swap the funding, due to the time limitation of when the funds needed to be spent. Mr. Mendive, also statedthatmost ofthe existingprojects, did not qualify forthese funds, and the MPO had reached out to the Technical Committee back in March and April 2023 askingfor a recommendation of some projects. He also stated that the MPO received a requestfrom Webb County that would be presentedtothe Policy Committee. Mr. Brown, asked if they have to come up with the 20% match of the $11 million of the funding available. 5 Mr. Mendive, stated that they have to come up with the 20% of the total cost of each project that would be fundedb by the program. Mayor Trevino, askedabout the electricbusesthat were mentioned by Mr. Mendive. He asked ifthe cost of the electricbuses can increase by the project programming ends. Mr. Mendive, statedt that he used that as an example of how a large amount of the money could go towards just one project instead of several. He also stated that it was not somethingthat they were exploring at the moment. Mr. Brown, asked if they would have to spend their money first and then get the 80% back. Mr. Mendive, responded that the program was under TxDOT Category 10 Carbon Reduction Program, very: similarto others like Category7or Category 9 where there were targetsfor the differentyears: and the projects wouldhave to programmed. He also stated that projects sponsors requesting funds would need to up front the cost and they would be reimbursed as the project advances. Roberto J. Garza, El Metro Transit, mentioned that ifEl Metro would considerto program a project like the electricvehicles, . they would have to come up with the 20% of the total cost. Judge Tijerina, asked Mr. Mendive how they can proceed in suggesting projects for this program. Mr. Mendive, stated that at that time there was a funding requestfrom the Webb County to construct an approximately 3.9 mile 10-foot wide shared use path for pedestrians and cyclists building an existing right-of-way on the Mangana Hein Rd., with a total project cost of $3.12 million. Mr. Mendive, stated that the project has two segments, he continuedby stating that segment 1 would be 2.5 miles Eastf from State Highway 20 and the estimated construction cost for that shared use path would be $2 million dollars. Segment2 would be from US 82 to State Highway 20 and that would require an interlocal agreement because it was withinthe citylimits, he stated the estimated construction cost for that would be $1.12 million. Mr. Mendive, further mentioned that the project had been discussed with the Technical Committee and both the staff and the Technical Committee recommended programming the $3.12 million in total project cost, which would consist of $2,496,000 which wouidbe the 80% Federal share and $624,000 which would be the 20% local match. He stated that it would leave a remaining balance of $1,764,536 through FY 2026 and $8,602,885 through FY 2033 if the funding was authorizedin the future. CM. Perez, stated that one of the issues she had dentified was that El Metro services was not being offeredi to all the residents that live ont the Mines Road area. She further: stated 6 that she wouldlike to work with eitherEl Aguila or El Metro to service that area and the people that work in that area. Judge Tijerina, asked if there were other project requests in addition to the one from Webb County. Mr. Mendive, stated that at the moment that was the only project requestreceived. He also mentioned that there had beentalksto TxDOT about truck parking. He stated that at that time staffrecommendedto work with projects that had an existing right-of-way and were ready to move forward. He also stated that they did want to identify other projects and to work withthe Committee andtheirPlanning partners, the City of Laredo, the Webb County and the RMA to make sure that they were funding projects that were going to helpreduce carbon emissions. CM. Perez, made a motion to program Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds for a $3.12 million-dollar project to construct an approximately 3.9 mile 10-foot shared use path for pedestrians and cyclists building an existingright-of-way on the Mangana Hein Rd. Second: Judge Tijerina For: 7 Against: 0 Abstained: J CM. Cigarroa, stated that the 359 Highway area was similar to the Mines Road area in needed more publictransportation due to the area growing.S She also statedthat theidea oftruck parking and electrification! in City or County land wouldi fit perfectinto this Carbon Reduction Program. Judge Tijerina, suggested the Committee members send their input to Mr. Mendive, to start working on a listo of projects requests. Judge Tijerina, made a motion to program a list of projects to be funded by the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds. Second: CM. Perez For: 7 Against: 0 Abstained: J Motion carried unanimously. D. Discussion with possible action on the Hachar-Reuthinger Road project. 7 Gloria Perez Saavedra, COL Engineering, gave an update on the Hachar-ReuthingerRoa, state highway 84. Mrs. Saavedra stated, that in reference to the right-of-way acquisition, they had already received the 8 parcels for review and it was completed. She further statedthat theywere coordinating with TxDOT to confirmt thei information of any existing utilities within any ofthe parcels SO they couldbe compensated. Mrs. Saavedra also stated that they were coordinating with Premier Civil Engineering on the utility adjustments. She stated that they had a utility matrix identifying the conflicts and 10 utility adjustments were found including an AEP existing utility pole, an abandoned 8" gas line, and anotherg gas line that had to be lowered, some AEP transmission! lines with potential vertical clearance, and AT&T underground line that had to be adjusted. Mrs. Saavedra stated that they had requested a schedule from all the Utility companies ofwhen these adjustments will be completed: as well as an estimated cost. She continued by stating that theyhad a meeting on August, 3d with Premier Engineering and TxDOT to discuss the potential horizontal vertical clearance conflicts. She stated that Premier Civil Engineering submitted the Transmission Portdata that was requested on August, 9th. She also stated that the AEP Transmission team would revlewtheinformation and prepare a model to confirm if there were any adjustments needed to the vertical and horizontal. She further stated that if there were any conflicts with the Transmission line they had to develop a Construction Management Plan, and the plan had to certify that all the utilities were cleared. She also stated that if there were any conflicts with AEP they know they wouldtake time to resolve and it would impact the construction schedule. Judge Tijerina asked Mrs. Saavedra to define what she meant by saying "it may take time". Mrs. Saavedra, stated that in the meeting they had with AEP they mentioned that if in case there were adjustments needed to any possible conflicts, they may need around a year to complete them. She further: stated that, that was why they may needto develop a Construction Management Plan to see if they could continue witha a letting date of May 2024. If they need to develop a Construction Management Plan they would need to submititto TxDOT and TxDOT wouldsubmititto the Administrationofficeforreviewand approval. Judge Tijerina, asked what the cost wouldbe for the relocation. Mrs. Saavedra, stated that they had not been provided with at firm amount, and there was just an estimate amount of $1 million provided which was subject to change. CM. Perez, stated that if there were any conflicts and the poles had to be moved, construction and probably start at the beginning of where the road started, since there were no polesint that area. CM. Perezaskedifthe otherutility conflicts like the moving of the gas line and the water wellline wouldi hold the projectup. 8 Mrs. Saavedra, stated that the other utility conflicts were easier to relocate. She also stated that that were asking the property owners to contact the utility companies to get an estimate ofhow much it would cost to do the relocations, she also stated that the City of Laredo was responsibleforthose expenses. CM. Perez asked, when did the City of Laredo acquire the land SO that they could make the phone calls to anything related to the properties. Roberto Rodriguez, TxDOT, stated that they had already gotten the Environmental Assessment document reviewed and approved, they just need to make a public announcement with the Laredo Morning times to provide a 30-day public comment period. He further stated that after the 30 days the submitted back to Austin for final approval. Mr. Rodriguez stated that they are looking at the end of Septemberto have it approved. Judge Tijerina, askedifthe $1 million was from the County's portion or the City's portion. Mrs. Saavedra, stated that the $1 million was the City of Laredo's portion. Judge Tijerina asked ift the $1 million had already been allocated. CM. Perez, replied thatt there should be money allocated in the project already. CM. Perez requested if she could be part of the meetings the Engineering Departmenthadi with AEP. Mr. Gonzalez, TxDOT stated that he had a conversation with Representative Raymond, and he volunteered to have a meeting to bring everyone together to make sure everyone understood the sense of urgency and to have a plan. He further stated thatif a Construction Management plan was needed TxDOTwould have to review it and submit to Administration for approval. He stated that the Construction Management plan was ultimately a plan to come up with the sequence of construction SO they can proceed with the work and have enough work for the constructor to do while the utility work was being done without having any impact. CM. Gonzalez stated that depending on the information they receive from AEP, it would help them determine if a Construct Management plan was needed. V. REPORT(S) AND PRESENTATIONS (No action required). A. Presentation by TxDOT to discuss the Ports-to-Plains (P2P) Project. Cary Karnstadt, TxDOT, presented the Ports-to-Plain (P2P) Project. Mr. Karnstadt gave a briefoverview: oftheir'implementation strategy and efforts that were takenoverthe next several months. Mr. Karntsadt, stated they completed feasibility study in 2020 and the next steps were the implementation strategy efforts. He stated what were some of the 9 benefits of an Interstate Highway. He described the safety design standards of an Interstate Highway. Mr. Karntsadt, explainedthe Enabling Legislation for Development as an Interstate Highway. He continued by presenting the characteristics of the region in Texas, he also presented the number of non-interstate miles being 808 miles and 155 of Interstate milesthat currentlyn meetthe criteria.Mr. Karntsadt, stated they are looking at 90 active projects along with almost 1.5 billion dollars, he furthered described the projects. B. Status report by the Regional Mobility Authority (RMA). Mr. Brown, presentedthe RMA status report 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. The traffic signal is fully operational, and traffic is now utilizing the new turn lanes on FM 1472 and Killam Industrial Blvd. Projectis pending final walk-through, TDLR inspection and final Close- out Construction Change Order. Project is 99+% complete. 2. Los Presidentes (Cuatro Vientos to Brownwood) - Project is complete. 3. Loop 20 South (Cuatro Vientos) Acelertion/Deceleration Lane Project - Project is complete. 4. Springfield Phase III - Project is complete. Ribbon cutting held on August 8, 2023 5. Webb County Fair Grounds TIA - The TIA report is complete. The WC-CL RMA stands ready to provide a presentation to the County at theirrequest. 6. River Road Corridor Study - The studyis complete. The study'sfindings were presented to the MPO Policy Committee at the June meeting and to City of Laredo City Council on August 7, 2023. 7. Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant - In partnership with the MPO and the City ofl Laredo, the RMA developed: a $2M grant applicationto develop an action to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. On the 30th of January, the RMA was informedby US Congressman Cuellar's Office that the grant was approved for $2.0 M. A formal announcement by Congressman Cuellar was conducted at City Hall on 2/21/23. The agreement between FHWA and WC-CL RMA is executed.The WC-CL RMA will work with the City of Laredo for the execution of an Inter Local Agreement for the sharing of the local funding match for the grant. The Study effort to commence in September: 2023. 8. Vallecillo Road - Survey field operations commentingin2weeks, pending right-of-entry approvals from the land owner. 9. Concord Hills (Wormser Road/ Lomas Del Sur to Los Presidentes) - Similar to the Los Presidentes project, the WC-CL RMA will sponsor and lead the design and construction ofa new location 1.3 mile, 2-lane minor arterial roadway extension from Los Presidentes to Wormser Road/ Lomas Del Surwithin a nominal ROWwidth of 90' in partnershipwith 10 the City of Laredo. The WC-CL RMA has committed $1 milliontothe development of the project. The projectw will provide ap parallelroute 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 betweenthe CityofL Laredo and the WC-CL RMA. The WC-CLRMA is working with the City of Laredo to finalize the construction cost estimate for the project and complete the InterLocal Agreementfor the project. 10. Springfield Phase I, II, and IV - Similar to springfield Phase III, the WC-CL RMA has committed up to $1 million to the City of Laredo to assist with the funding of the construction of the next Phase of the project. The sponsorshipand implementation are subject to the negotiationof an Inter Local Agreement between the City of Laredo and the WC-CL RMA. The WC-CL RMA is working with the City of Laredo to finalize the construction cost estimate for the project and complete the Inter Local Agreement for the project. 11. The WCCL RMA hosted a TRZ workshop onJuly 19, 2023. Areview of the TRZ study and implantation: process was presented. A second workshop to City of Laredo City Coundl is tentatively: scheduled forthe end of August 2023. Other Items: 12. WC-CL RMA will have their next board meeting in September 2023. Exact day to be announced. VI. DIRECTOR's COMMENTS Mr. Mendive, MPO Director provided the following comments/eport: 1. The next TXDOT Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC) meeting willbe held in McAllen on August22, 2023. BTAC provides aforum forthe exchange of communications between the Texas Transportation Commission, TxDOT, the governor, and committee members epresentingbordertrade interests. 2. A letter of support was provided to the City of Laredo for its application to the U.S. Department of Transportation Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities (RTEPF) Grant program. The grant would support the City's Signal Management and Automated Reliable Transit (SMAART) Trade & Mobility Corridor Project to reduce port-related emissions from idling trucks through advance traffic preemption as well as control and prioritization oftraffic signalization. 3. A Fort-Worth to Laredo High-Speed Transportation Study was completed in 2020 through an initiative of the six MPOs along the 1-35 corridor, including LWCAMPO. Recently, the North Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has reached out to the MPOS included in the study as well as TxDOT to reinitiate the discussions regarding the study findings and potential next steps. Additional details will be provided. las they! become available. 11 4. Upcoming regularly scheduled meetings: Active Transportation Committee - August 30, 2023 Technical Committee September12, 2023 Policy Committee - September 20, 2023 VIII. ADIOURNMENT Judge Tijerina, made a motion to adjourn the meetingat 2:45 P.M. Second: CM. Gonzalez For: 7 Against: 0 Abstained: U Motion carried unanimously. V Juan S. Mendive, AICP Tano E. Tijerina, WebbCountyludge and LWCAMPO Director LWCAMPO Chairperson 12