TRANSPORTATION
POLICY BOARD
FOR
THE
EL
PASO URBAN TRANSPORTATION STUDY
MINUTES
May
7, 2004
1. Call to Order.
Mayor Joe Wardy,
Vice-Chairman, called the meeting to order a 9:07 a.m., at the El Paso MPO
Office, 10767 Gateway Blvd. West, Suite 605, El Paso, Texas 79935. Members in attendance were:
Members
Present Members
Absent
Patrick Abeln Director
of Aviation Dolores Briones County Judge
Patricia Adauto CAO, Building &
Planning Services Mayor Art Franco Town of Anthony
Chuck Berry District Engineer-TxDOT
Cynthia Nava New
Mexico Senator
Mayor Antonio Castro Village
of Vinton Patrick
Haggerty State
Representative
Norma Chavez State
Representative Terry
Scott Mass
Transit
Anthony Cobos El
Paso Representative Arturo
Terrazas Cmsr., Doña
Ana County
John Cook El
Paso Representative Daniel
Power El Paso
Representative
Alvin Dominguez District
Engineer-NMDOT
I. Chente Quintanilla State
Representative
Mayor Irma Sanchez City
of Socorro
Mayor Jesus Segura Sunland
Park, NM
Miguel Teran County
Commissioner
Mayor Joe Wardy City
of El Paso
Others Others
Continued
Mary Telles-Goins TxDOT-El
Paso Shane
Enghju Village of
Vinton
Martin Holguin TxDOT-El
Paso Juvencia
R. Ontiveros Village of Vinton
Edgar Fino TxDOT-El
Paso Perch
Valdez Village
of Vinton
Marty Boyd TxDOT-El
Paso Jose
Alarcon Village
of Vinton
Lori Morel TxDOT-Austin Charlie
Hart Canutillo
ISD
Michelle Conlin TxDOT-Austin Alfredo
Vasquez Canutillo ISD
Adrian Apodaca NMDOT Gonzalo
M. Garcia Canutillo ISD
Juan Jaime County
of El Paso John
Kessinger Canutillo
ISD
Irving Johnson County
of El Paso Jose
M. Villarreal Canutillo
ISD
Javier Jaime County
of El Paso Sal
Payan Cong.
Reyes’ Office
Norma Palacios County
of El Paso Yolanda
Black Rep.
Pickett’s Office
Bob Gray UTEP Lilia Ruiz Rep. Chavez’ Office
Tracy Jones Gov’s.
EDT Office Gayle
Kipp Circle
N Stores
Esperanza Castillo City
of Westway Elve
Dahler Circle
N Stores
Jim Barker Westside
Trucks William
Kipp Circle N
Stores
Minerva Cheatum Town
of Clint Yinuo
Du EPISD
Joe Hernandez EPCAD Kent
Summerford Savage Oil
Ralph Richards Jobe
Concrete Gwen
Pulido GEPCC
Rafael Martinez Martinez Eng. Group Sally Baxter Doña Ana County
Daryl Cole Street Department Robin Ransom City of El Paso
Jose Granillo El Paso Water
Utilities Col.
Larry Sansone Ft. Bliss
Laura Uribarri City of El Paso Kevin
Elkins City
Attorney’s Office
At this time, Mayor Antonio
Castro welcomed everyone to the Village of Vinton.
2. Approval of Minutes for March 26, 2004.
Mr. Kevin Elkins, Assistant City Attorney, addressed the board and
requested that the motion for approval include adding the following verbiage to
Page 2, Item 3: “Motion Carried”.
El Paso Representative John Cook made a motion to
approve the Minutes of March 26, 2004 to include adding “Motion Carried” on
Page 2, Item 3. Mayor Irma Sanchez,
City of Socorro, seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
3. Status
of Vinton Road Project.
Mayor
Pro Tem Jose Alarcon, Village of Vinton, addressed the board and reported that
currently the Vinton Road Project is listed as a Priority 2 project. The TPB has allowed Vinton to spend funds to
go into design and engineering. Mr.
Alarcon reported that Vinton is currently waiting for a status report from
Austin regarding the Vinton Rd plans.
Mr. Alarcon stated that he is speaking today on behalf of all the
residents of Vinton and to state that Vinton Road is their number one
transportation priority. Structural
integrity of the Vinton roadway will be deteriorating at a much more
accelerated pace now that the traffic including truck traffic has
increased. Heavy commercial traffic
east and west of the I-10 interchange continues to increase because of the
NAFTA Program. Mr. Alarcon stated that
Vinton needs the Board’s support in pushing this project for funding. Mr. Alarcon stated that the Board and TxDOT
have been very helpful in finding sources for creative funding. Vinton solely relies on the sales tax and it
is a challenge to seek other funding sources.
No action taken.
4. Joint Presentation by the Canutillo
Independent School District Board of Trustees and the El Paso Community
College.
Mr.
Charles Hart, Superintendent for the Canutillo Independent School District,
addressed the board and reported that CISD is standing in the hub of all things
future in El Paso County. Mr. Hart
stated that CISD is standing at the end of Transmountain Road, at the end of
Artcraft Road and at the crux of the freeway.
Mr. Hart stated that everything that allows for the quality of life
would probably start in this area. Mr.
Hart referred to a site map (attached as a permanent part of this record) of
the soon-to-be finest educational complex in the county. This site map was of the El Paso Community College
and next to that site is the Canutillo High School, which is on the way out of
the ground right now. Mr. Hart stated
that this complex is the best example of cooperation between institutions that
he has ever seen. Dr. Rhodes and his
staff are cooperating with the CISD to get this complex complete. Mr. Hart stated that they are all
cooperating together with Facilities, Finances, and expertise, with area, to
complete this for the El Paso area.
Mr.
Hart directed the board’s attention to the soon-to-be sports complex, which
CISD welcomed the City to put in there.
This will make the complex not only an educational complex but an
athletic complex as well. Mr. Hart
reported that the road that is being built jointly by El Paso Community College
and CISD is the only egress for this site.
Mr. Hart stated that when they built this school, they had every
confidence that Loop 375 would be complete.
Mr. Hart stated that CISD received word right after they started
building that this may not happen. Mr.
Hart stated that at first CISD wrongly blamed TxDOT, only later to find out
that that was not true. Mr. Hart stated
that TxDOT has the money to start construction. The problem is that there are frontages and right-of-way that
have not been purchased. Mr. Hart
stated that CISD understood that it was the City of El Paso’s obligation to
purchase these right-of-ways. Mr. Hart
stated that many of these right-of-ways can be donated and it is not the
problem that CISD thought it was at first.
Mr. Hart stated that if Loop 375 is completed, you will be giving the
city complex, Canutillo High School, the Community College complex, another
egress from the complex making the congestion much easier access and egress to
that school and make things flow much smoother. Mr. Hart stated that CISD is hoping that they can get some kind
of cooperation or help in getting Loop 375 completed.
Dr.
Rhodes addressed the board and stated that he concurs with Mr. Hart’s
presentation. Dr. Rhodes stated that
this is the finest example of cooperation and collaboration between two
entities to meet the educational needs of this community. Dr. Rhodes stated that they have a joint
planning team that takes a look at everything that is being done between the
two campuses to ensure that they are maximizing the efficiency and
effectiveness of the taxing dollars that go into both institutions. Dr. Rhodes stated that currently there are
approximately 3,000 students in the northwest campus. Dr. Rhodes stated that EPCC is the fastest growing community
college in the State of Texas today.
Dr. Rhodes stated that their projections say that within two years,
there will be in excess of 4,000 students at this campus. Therefore, the ability for ingress and
egress off of that site between the two campuses will share the parking
lot. CISD has about 1600-1800 students
who will also be coming into that same lot.
Mr.
Berry, TxDOT, stated that initially when this project was conceived, TxDOT
opposed the location of the high school in this location until the ISD staff
and their administration and the community college explained to us the
cooperation that they was going to take part at this location. Mr. Berry stated that that was a pretty
tough issue to fight after TxDOT became aware.
TxDOT shared their concern about traffic and access especially with a
lot of young students (maybe first time drivers) accessing the high school
campus. However, after it was described
to TxDOT the amount of cooperation that has taken place this far, it was tough
to not support. Since then, TxDOT has
been trying to do all they can to help get this done.
Rep.
Pickett wanted a status (date/funding) from TxDOT on this project. Mr. Mark Longenbaugh, TxDOT, stated that
today, TxDOT is at 90% construction plans.
Mr. Longenbaugh stated that TxDOT has environmental clearance and the
funds ($10.5 million). Mr. Longenbaugh
stated that to begin the actual construction depends on getting the
right-of-way agreement with the City of El Paso. Mr. Longenbaugh stated that the City of El Paso needs to secure
funds for that acquisition (latest estimate is around $4.4 million). Ms. Pat Adauto, Deputy CAO for the City of
El Paso, stated that TxDOT provided this estimate last week. Ms. Adauto stated that this estimate is
currently being evaluated by the City’s Engineering Department. Ms. Adauto stated that from the City’s
perspective there is no signed agreement with TxDOT for the right-of-way
acquisition. Ms. Adauto stated that the
City’s policy in the Capital Improvements Program is to not forward those
agreements to City Council for action unless a funding source has been
identified. Ms. Adauto stated that
there are several parcels that have been acquired already through planning,
donations, with some acquired actually by TxDOT and the City. Ms. Adauto stated that there are ten
remaining parcels and the estimate for acquisition of those ten parcels as well
as the utility relocation in those areas is $4.4 million.
Mr.
Longenbaugh stated that if the $4.4 million were available today, construction
for this project is programmed for 2010.
Mr. Longenbaugh stated that in 2010, the high school would have been in
operation about 3-4 years. Mr.
Longenbaugh stated that construction could last about 12-18 months, once it
begins in that area. Mr. Longenbaugh
stated that TxDOT does have opportunities to accelerate that into an earlier
year once we have the right-of-way. Mr.
Longenbaugh stated that the right-of-way might take 2-2 ½ years to acquire. Mr. Longenbaugh stated that TxDOT could
reschedule some things if the priorities would change in that direction. Hypothetically, Mr. Longenbaugh stated that
if we started today, construction could probably begin as early as 2006 or
2007. At this time, the City of El Paso
is the agency being asked to come up with the $4.4 million needed for this
project. Mr. Berry, TxDOT, stated that
the only funding category he could think of that could assist the City with
this funding is the MPO’s Surface Transportation Program (STP). Mr. Berry stated that this unique
arrangement and is not by any means, the ordinary way that projects are
developed. However, back when this
project was a priority for the community, it was proposed to TxDOT’s
Transportation Commission as a condition for approving the funding for this
project, the City of El Paso agreed to an extra codicil in the agreement that
they would be responsible for 100% of the right-of-way. Mr. Berry stated that usually, it would be a
lesser amount but this was part of the enticement to get the project approved.
Mr.
Gilyard, MPO Executive Director, stated that Category 7 is a funding source but
there will have to be some reprioritization of projects by the City to move
this forward. The funding is already
tapped out but projects can be moved.
Rep.
Pickett stated that he felt it was important that we take a look at the
projects that aren’t ready, even though we have a list of projects and the TIP,
we do know that some of them are not ready.
Mr. Berry stated that there would still be a 20% cost participation
requirement, ($800,000) so it is not a small amount for the City of El
Paso. Mr. Berry stated that in
reprioritizing, we would have to push other projects out to move this project
in.
At
this time, Vice-Chair Wardy directed Mr. Gilyard to have the Project Selection
Committee evaluate this project for Category 7.
Ms.
Adauto stated that the MPO, TxDOT, and the City staff have already worked on
setting up a meeting to come up with the options that are available. Ms. Adauto stated that even if we used STP funding,
it would require the 20% match from the City and based on the commitments that
are already on the table and the available funding from old programs, the
$800,000 commitment would have to come as part of the 2006 bond issue. Ms. Adauto stated that would be the earliest
for the City to provide unless we re-program monies on projects that are
already on the table now.
Mayor
Wardy thanked CISD for their presentation today and stated that the
Transportation Policy Board is extremely committed to the needs of the
region. The region has a great
challenge and a tremendous amount of need but this is a very worthwhile project
and it is appropriate that the TPB is here today in the CISD setting. Mayor Wardy stated that the TPB is looking
forward to cooperating with CISD in moving these projects forward. No action taken.
5. Discussion
and Action to Amend the 2004 Unified Planning Work Program.
Mr.
Eduardo Calvo, MPO Office, addressed the board and reported that the MPO is
requesting that the board amend the FY2004 Unified Planning Work Program
(UPWP). Mr. Calvo stated that the MPO
needs to amend Task 4.0, by adding a new subtask, Subtask 4.5 Texas
Metropolitan Mobility Plan; amending Subtask 4.4 Metropolitan
Transportation Plan Consultant Support to incorporate a contract with UTEP
to develop a new modeling technique called DynaSmart. Mr. Calvo stated that the MPO is allocating additional funds to
Task 4.0 to allow for the work under Subtask 4.5. Mr. Calvo reported that the planning funds from the State of
Texas are being transferred from Task 2.0 and 5.0 to Task 4.0 and adding an
additional $75,000 to Task 4.0. Mr.
Calvo stated that with regards to the New Mexico funding, the MPO is adding
$26,000 to allow for more work related to GIS.
Finally, Mr. Calvo reported that the MPO is also making an adjustment to
Subtask 5.2 to reflect what the final cost of the contract is.
A motion was made by State Representative
Joe Pickett to approve amending the FY2004 Unified Planning Work Program to
include the following:
·
Add Subtask
4.5 Texas Metropolitan Mobility Plan (TMMP);
·
Transfer funds
currently programmed under Task 2.0 and 5.0 to Task 4.0; and
·
Program
additional planning funds from New Mexico in the amount of $26,037 and Texas in
the amount of $75,157.
District
Engineer Chuck Berry, TxDOT-El Paso, seconded the motion. Motion carried.
6. Status
Report on the April 22, 2004 Executive Committee Meeting:
a.
Presentation
on New Tools in HB 3588 and Toll Feasibility in the El Paso Area;
b.
Frequently-
Asked Questions about Texas RMA’s;
c.
Discussion
and Action to Recommend to the Transportation Policy Board to Approve a Toll
Road Policy for the TPB to include, but not limited to:
1.
What local governmental entity should house the RMA?
2.
What percentage of our local contribution will come from tolls in the
2030 Plan in order to optimize our ability to attract state and federal
funding?
3.
What timeline do you recommend for formation of our RMA and
implementation of our toll projects in order to maximize El Paso's opportunity to
participate in revenues for key projects?
d.
Discussion
and Action to Recommend to the Transportation Policy Board to Approve a funding
source for the I-10/Loop 375 Project for the May 27, 2004 Presentation to the
Texas Transportation Commission;
e.
Discussion and Action to Recommend to the
Transportation Policy Board to Approve Amending the MPO Bylaws and Procedures, Under ARTICLE
III. Membership
Representative Joe Pickett addressed the
board and reported that the Executive Committee (EC) held a meeting on April
22, 2004 and had two of the five Texas Transportation Commission members attend
the EC. Rep. Pickett reported one of
the items discussed by the EC was HB 3588 that was passed in this last
legislative session, which contains so many new tools for transportation. Rep. Pickett reported that the Commissioners
made a very good presentation and showed how toll roads could come in and
expedite projects bring revenue in that could be used for other things. However, due to the complexity of it and the
way the item was originally dictated to the EC, was to come back to the full
body with a recommendation of a policy.
Rep. Pickett reported that because it is such a hot topic, the Chairman
of the EC had asked that TxDOT and the MPO meet to come up with more detailed
information regarding the tools available so that the TPB can hopefully come up
with a policy. Rep. Pickett reported
that it is not just tolls that have to do with the new tools available. Rep. Pickett stated that he felt we need to
look at this bill more closely with TxDOT.
Rep. Pickett reported that regional mobility authorities were mentioned
in the new legislation. An RMA is
comparable to a mini-TxDOT. Rep.
Pickett stated that there was legislation allowed at the last session that an
area, a county, counties, or in our case, the City of El Paso, to create an
RMA. Rep. Pickett reported that there
would probably be changes next year to the tools that are currently offered. Therefore, the EC is not bringing a policy
recommendation forward today for the board to adopt. For a complete
copy of the audio on this discussion, contact the MPO Office. After much discussion, the
following motion was made:
A motion was
made by State Representative Joe Pickett to recommend that the Chairman of the
TPB create an AdHoc Committee and direct this committee to poll all TPB member
entities regarding their individual position on toll roads to include
identifying any projects their entity would consider tolling and identify
projects they do not want tolled. El
Paso Representative John Cook seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Rep. Pickett reported that under Item d, he
had requested that the board consider using an alternate funding source for the
I-10/Loop 375 project that will be presented to the TTC on May 27, 2004. Rep. Pickett stated that he was suggesting
using bond funding as an alternate funding source. Since then, Rep. Pickett stated that TxDOT would have an item on
the May 27 agenda addressing the bonding capability. Therefore, no action is needed on this item.
Under Item e, Rep. Pickett reported that the
EC had received requests from some of the elected officials on the TPB to
clarify a position on the TPB. Rep.
Pickett reported that the EC is recommending clarifying the following on Page
3, Article III. Member:
·
City of El Paso - 5 members, Mayor or Appointee, and No less than 3 elected
officials;
·
Town of Anthony –1 member, Mayor or Appointee
·
City of Socorro – 1 member, Mayor or
Appointee
·
County of El Paso – 2 members, County Judge
or Appointee and Appointee
·
Town of Horizon City – 1 member, Mayor or
Appointee
·
Town of Sunland Park, NM – 1 member, Mayor or
Appointee
·
Village of Vinton – 1 member, Mayor or
Appointee
Mayor Diane Whitty addressed the board and reported that she did not feel
the TPB had the authority to mandate that will be appointed by each city
government. Rep. Pickett reported that
the reason this issue was addressed is because there is a conflict in the MPO
Bylaws with the members from the City of El Paso. Rep. Pickett reported that these recommendations were originally
from the governmental entities on the TPB and therefore, the TPB is really not
dictating who should be appointed. In
the past, all the voting members of the TPB who are designating that elected
officials are assigned to the TPB. Rep.
Pickett reported that the EC is not recommending changing this request, but
merely adding that each entity has the option to designate an “appointee:” in
their stead. Rep. Pickett reported that
the EC has had mayors and the County Judge ask if they can appoint someone to
sit on the board for them, on behalf of the respective entity.
District Engineer Chuck Berry, TxDOT-El Paso,
reported that TxDOT does not have the regulations in hand today to show the
board the elected officials are to sit on the TPB, but he understands that each
representation should be an elected official, with the exception of TxDOT,
Director of Aviation, Director of Mass Transit. Mayor Wardy directed the Assistant City Attorney to research this
item and bring back a recommendation to the TPB at their next meeting.
A motion was
made by Mayor Jesus Segura, City of Sunland Park, NM, to postpone taking any
action on this item until June 25, 2004 meeting. Mayor Diane Whitty, Town of Horizon City, seconded the motion. Motion carried.
7. Presentation on the Status to Establish
a Toll Road Policy for the El Paso MPO Study Area.
a.
El Paso MPO
Office Efforts
b.
Texas
Department of Transportation-El Paso District
An
audio record of this agenda item is on file at the MPO Offices.
8. Presentation on the PDNMaPa Regional
GIS Initiative.
Due
to time constraints, this item was postponed until the June 25, 2004
9. Adjournment.
Mayor Jesus
Segura, City of Sunland Park, NM. seconded by District Engineer Chuck Berry,
TxDOT, made a motion to adjourn the meeting of March 26, 2004. Motion carried. The
meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.
Linda Gaucin, Recording Secretary
Transportation Policy Board for the