TRANSPORTATION POLICY BOARD

A P P R O V E D

Minutes

March 24, 2006

 

1.     Call to Order.

Chairman Joe Pickett called the Transportation Policy Board meeting to order at 9:09 a.m. at the El Paso MPO Offices, 10767Gateway Boulevard West, Suite 605, El Paso, Texas.  Members in attendance were:

Members Present	Titles	Members Present	Titles
Patrick T. Abeln	Director of Aviation	Dale Reihnhardt	Mayor, Town of Clint
Patricia Adauto	Deputy City Manager	Terry Scott	Director, Mass Transit
Charles H. Berry, Jr.	TX DOT-El Paso	Eliot Shapleigh	Texas State Senator
Dolores Saldaña-Caviness	Co. Commissioner, Doña Ana	Miguel Teran	County of El Paso Commissioner
Norma Chavez	Texas State Representative	Members Absent	Titles
John Cook	Mayor, City of El Paso	Alvin Dominguez	District Engineer-NMDOT
Art Franco	Mayor, Town of Anthony	Guillermo Gandara Jr.	Mayor, City of Socorro
Bob Geyer	County Transit Agency	Patrick Haggerty	Texas State Representative
Larry Medina	County of El Paso Commissioner	Eddie Holguin	City Representative, District #6
Walter L. Miller	Alderman, Town of Horizon	Cynthia Nava	State Senator, New Mexico
Beto O’Rourke	City Representative, District #8	Presi Ortega, Jr.	City Representative, District #5
Joe C. Pickett	Texas State Representative	Chente Quintanilla	Texas State Representative
Juvencia Rios-Ontiveros	Mayor, Village of Vinton	Jesus Segura	Mayor, City of Sunland Park
Others Present		Others Present
Art Estrada	TXDOT	Lourdes Cardenas	City of El Paso
Marty Boyd	TXDOT	Ted Marquez	City of El Paso
Mark Longebaugh	TXDOT	Irene Ramirez	City of El Paso
Blanca Del Valle	TXDOT	Rick Conner	City of El Paso
Carlos Chavez	TXDOT	Antonio Marmolejo	City of El Paso
Gus Sanchez	TXDOT	Kevin Buntz	City of El Paso
Jim Dobbins	TXDOT	Teresa Quezada	City of El Paso
Tony Cereceres	TXDOT	Sylvia B. Firth	Assistant City Attorney
James Bass	TXDOT	Randy Hilton	PBS & J
Minnie Horn	TXDOT	Scott Barnhart	PBS & J
Mary Telles-Goins	TXDOT	Lorenzo Reyes	Upper Rio Grande
Marti Carr	TXDOT	Miguel Cheng-Guarjardo	Ft. Bliss
Lori Morel	TXDOT	Carole Jones	Ft. Bliss
Edgar Fino	TXDOT	Michael Lockamy	Ft. Bliss
Joseph De La Rosa	NMDOT	LTC Lewis	Ft. Bliss
Paula Dowell	Wilbur Smith Associates	Francisco Velasquez	Ft. Bliss
Joe Tarin	S & P	Mike Breitinger	EP Downtown Mgt. District
Troy Hicks	BQC
Becky Lupes	FHWA	MPO Staff:
Charlie Dodge	HNTB	Roy Gilyard	Ricardo Dominguez
Mark Benitez	Cielo Vista Association	George Pinal	Carlos Najera
Conrad Conde	Conde, Inc.	Efren Meza	Mike Medina
Veronica Rosales	Sunland Park	Roger Williams	Christina Stokes
Daryl Cole	City of El Paso	Isela Perez	AdolfoCoronado

 

 

2.       Approval of Minutes for February 24, 2006.

A motion was made by Mr. Patrick Abeln and seconded by Representative Norma Chavez to approve the Minutes for February 24, 2006.   The motion carried.

3.       Discussion and Action on The Recommendations of the Executive

Committee of the Transportation Policy Board to approve the following items:

a.       2005 Performance Evaluation for the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Planning Organization

b.       Goals for the Executive Director for the 2006 Performance Evaluation; and

c.       Salary Increase for the Executive Director

1.       Executive Session.

The Executive Committee may retire into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.074, Personnel Matters, of the Texas Government Code, to deliberate the Performance Evaluation of the Executive Director for the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The Chair asked that action on this item be delayed as the last item while awaiting the arrival of Mayor Jesus Segura, who is Chair of the Executive Committee.  Due to Mayor Segura’s absence, Ms. Patricia Adauto, also on the Executive Committee, was asked to present this item for recommendation.

Ms. Adauto advised that the Executive Committee met on March 3, 2006 and reviewed all the Executive Director’s Performance Evaluations submitted by the TPB members and found that, overall, the performance of Mr. Gilyard achieved expectations and in some areas exceeded expectations and pointed out that in no case did any Board member reported any exceptions needing improvement or performance that was unacceptable.

Chair Pickett advised that he had already met with Mr. Gilyard regarding performance goals for year 2005 as well as goals for year 2006.  Chair Pickett then asked Ms. Adauto for a recommendation.  Ms. Adauto advised that the recommendation of the Executive Committee was to increase the salary of Mr. Gilyard by 4% due to his performance effective April 1, 2006.

A Motion was made by Mayor John Cook to approve the recommendation made by Ms. Patricia Adauto to approve the Executive Director’s Performance Evaluation for Year 2005 and to increase the Executive Director’s salary by 4% effective April 1, 2006. Mayor Juvencia Rios-Ontiveros seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

4.       Discussion and Action Regarding the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Tasks 1.7, 4.2 and Budget   FY 06 and 07 to:

a.       Request to Purchase a Computer Back-up System for the MPO Office cost Approximately $19,000 in Task 1.7 Office Operations and Purchasing

b.       Program $8,409.92 of New Mexico Transportation Planning Funds in Task 4.2 Regional Transportation Modeling.

 

a.     Mr. Adolfo Coronado, IT Specialist and Database Administrator for the El Paso MPO , presented the request to purchase a computer back-up system for the MPO Office.  Mr. Coronado explained that the request came as a result of a server system failure that occurred on March 7, 2006.  This system failure caused the MPO staff to lose all e-mail information prior to March 7^th.  The new Dell system would be able to back up not only the server that failed but also all four servers currently in use by the MPO Office.  This would be done by an automated process, that requires minimum administration and user input and would be easier to maintain.  This new system is not limited to the type of failure that occurred, but it would be able to handle any type of failure and would prevent the loss of information.

 

Chair Pickett then asked how much of Task 1.7 was budgeted for purchases and IT operations.  Chair Pickett explained that he wanted to know if money is being transferred from another Task to accommodate this purchase.  Isela Perez, MPO Accountant, stated that money had originally been set aside under Task 1.7, and this money would now be applied to the purchase of the computer back up system.  Chair Pickett then asked if there was a replacement plan for other equipment.  It appears the back up system was always needed but since the system failed, it is now a priority.  Ms. Perez agreed that it is now priority.  The Chair asked what would have been purchased with the $19000.00 had this emergency not occurred.   Ms. Perez explained that the MPO had been considering the purchase of a new color copier and because of this, Ms. Perez had set aside $19,000.00.  There were no further questions from the Board.

 

A motion was made by Mayor Art Franco to approve the request and seconded by Commissioner Saldana-Caviness.  The motion carried.

 

b.       Ms. Isela Perez, Accountant for the El Paso MPO, made the request to program additional money into Task 4.2.  She explained that when creating the budget for the UPWP, an estimate of planning funds was used because an, authoriization letter that contained the actual figures had not been received by the MPO.   The letter has since been received identifying the amount now available to program.  The amount can only be used in the New Mexico portion of the MPO’s study area and is budgeted under Task 4.2 for Regional Transportation Modeling and the MPO is requesting approval to amend the UPWP FY 06/07 to add the additional $8, 409.92. 

 

Senator Eliot Shapleigh explained that one of the goals of regional thinking is to have regional GIS planning.  Senator Shapleigh then asked if all this data was put into the City system so that PdN (Paso del Norte) Mapa information is shared for regional transportation planning.  Mr. Roy Gilyard responded that data is being shared and the MPO is part of the PdN Mapa and is one of several layers that make up the PdN Mapa.  Senator Shapleigh took a moment to explain that, currently; there is significant homeland security money available to GIS systems through regional threat matrixes.  The money filters through Texas A & M and other agencies at the state level and the City of El Paso should make it one of its goals to increase its ability to look at those issues during the session.  Senator Shapleigh would like to be updated on the progress with the City’s GIS system and if the different stakeholders, including Juarez and New Mexico, and others are putting in their layers to move this process along. There were no further questions or comments.

A motion was made by Senator Eliot Shapleigh to approve the programming of $8,409.92 to the UPWP Task 4.2 and seconded by Commissioner Saldana-Caviness.  The motion carried.

At this time, the Chair recognized the following members of the audience: Ms. Becky Lupes, Air Quality of the FHWA, Ms. Lori Morel, TP & P of TXDOT, LTC Sean Lewis of Ft. Bliss, Mr. Troy Collins, Program Director for Ft. Bliss, Mr. Lorenzo Reyes of the Upper Rio Grande Workforce, and Mr. Kevin Buntz of Sun Metro. Mayor Cook introduced Jayden Moody as his visitor.

5.        Presentation on the Status of the Camino Real Corridor Border Improvement Plan (BIP).

 

Paula Dowell of Wilbur Smith Associates (WSA), prime consultant for the Border Improvement Plan introduced herself to the Board.  She provided an update and a schedule for the completion for this plan.  Her presentation started with data collection, with summary statistics provided, modeling results were discussed, as well as hot spots identification that were identified by the users of the transportation system, and finally, the completion schedule was reviewed.  The primary data collection was partnered with Interlog, a Mexican firm, due to the necessity of collecting data on the northbound traffic flows.  The first slide covered the Santa Fe Bridge where northbound vehicle count were conducted, as well as queue monitoring, because WSA wanted to measure delays to understand existing operating conditions at the ports-of-entry and for future operating conditions.  The vehicle counts helped to validate secondary data that had previously been collected and the queue monitoring that had not been conducted before.  There were also physical northbound pedestrian and vehicle counts done at this location with the assistance of Interlog who installed cameras for the data collection.   At the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA), southbound vehicle, pedestrian and commercial counts were taken, physically, and with the use of cameras.  Northbound pedestrian and commercial counts were taken at this location, as well as northbound vehicle crossings and queue monitoring that involved getting out into the community.  There was a lot of trial and error with the queue monitoring because WSA was not sure where it ended at peak time.  Once you get too far out into the community, there are two or three routes from which the vehicles are actually entering the queue lanes.  At the Zaragosa Bridge the northbound vehicle counts and queue monitoring, pedestrian and commercial counts were done.  In reference to the commercial crossings, observed truck volumes were in the summary statistics, with the Bridge of Americas having the most and Zaragosa close behind based on average daily two-way volumes for year 2005; the Santa Teresa crossing trailed behind.  There were, in total, nearly 2400 daily crossings by commercial vehicles.  Patterns for crossing were observed at the BOTA crossing and it was noted that Thursdays, there were, on average, fewer trucks going across.  The same pattern was observed at the Zaragosa Bridge, which appears to coincide with the operations of the maquiladoras.  It was also consistent with Santa Teresa.  El Paso’s Border Improvement Plan passenger vehicle crossing (refering to slide) reflects northbound data and shows BOTA as carrying the biggest load of traffic and shows the PDN.  The data collected is for the northbound pedestrian crossing and shows that PDN is where the bulk of the activity is happening for average monthly totals.  The next slide (Commercial Queue Lengths) will be the most useful data collected for not only WSA modeling but for the MPO for future simulation analysis.  The data show commercial queue lengths are substantial and the different types of trucks and vehicles are being looked at for an average length of vehicles so that WSA can convert some of this footage into estimations of the number of vehicles.  With a rough estimate of 100 feet per truck, there would be approximately 40 trucks lined up on average on a weekday and nearly 50 vehicles during peak time.  BOTA shows a significant difference between peak time and average weekday time, and Zaragosa has very similar volumes but is more even throughout the day. 

 

Senator Shapleigh mentioned that 25% of air pollution in Long Beach, California, was determined to be attributed to queued vehicles and then asked Ms. Dowell if WSA’s study would determine how much air pollution is attributed to queued vehicles in this region.  Ms. Dowell replied that it is not being looked at as part of this study, but the study has looked at the potential changes in total VMTs (Vehicle Miles of Travel) and VHTs (Vehicle Hours of Travel) as a result of different types of improvements and the potential of adding new crossings. The VMTs and the VHTs drive the air quality issues and even though WSA was not directly tasked with this, the tools are being provided to the MPO to allow for a more intensive sensitivity analysis in the future.  The queuing is important and estimates for the delayed time are given, which basically means the average a truck is sitting idling.  WSA has established current delay times and are now calculating projected future delay times based on forecasted volume and the different system improvements.  Senator Shapleigh stated that in San Diego, California, there is a very specific economic cost of delay to the region.  Senator Shapleigh asked if this was accounted for in this study.  Ms. Dowell responded that it has not yet, but it is being looked into and information was received regarding the calculations and data used to account for this and it will be incorporated in this report. 

 

Senator Shapleigh commented that WSA is making specific physical infrastructure regional recommendations about how best to address where to put additional lanes, where to put fast lanes, where the best resource allocations in respect new bridges, etc. and then asked if this will be part of the study.  Ms. Dowell replied that it is. 

Senator Shapleigh then asked if part of the study would be web based technological application, such as one-stop inspection stations, and the current kinds of thinking that we’re seeing around the country of using the web to solve customs and other issues to move people and products through ports.  Ms. Dowell explained that a bi-national freight model had been developed that allows for system wide observations of VMTs and VHTs and what happens if you are able to reduce the delay.  Theoretically, these are the technical improvements that would reduce delay and to increase operational through-put.  There were no simulations tools as part of this study to be able to simulate specific technology, however, the MPO is getting that technology. WSA’s report will substantiate what the impact, if you are able to reduce delay by certain percentages, will be system wide and then identify the types of existing or emerging technologies that would allow you to reduce delay. Senator Shapleigh asked if this would be in this or a future study.  Ms. Dowell advised it would be this study.  Ms. Dowell further stated that the actual testing in being able to quantify the actual impact specific to the different types of technology will not be part of this study but a future study after the MPO’s Vissum/Vissim simulation tool was up and running. 

 

Senator Shapleigh stated that there will be immigration bills moving through Congress in the next six months, this port will be completely redefined and there is an opportunity to put a free trade aspect in place.  Senator Shapleigh then asked if any members of Congress asking for and receiving WSA’s data for use in amending immigration bills to account for free trade investment for the bridge.  Ms. Dowell stated that she has had no requests.

Ms. Dowell continued with her presentation by stating that there is definitely a peak time at BOTA where Zaragosa seems to be even throughout the day.  The situation is similar with the passenger queue lengths but with Zaragosa, there is a definite obvious peak time for Zaragosa crossings.  The queue lengths are there and there will be a lot more vehicles because these are smaller vehicles, so in terms of the depths of vehicles, the passenger queue is far greater.   Ms. Dowell then mentions that although there is a commuter lane, there are still some passenger queue lengths downtown but it is not nearly as bad as BOTA and Zaragosa.  This came up during stakeholder interviews and during technical analysis and (it was observed that) the commuter lanes do help to increase the operational through-put.  The capacity issue is not necessarily the bridges or infrastructure themselves, but the processes that take place.  It is noticeable in that you don’t have as much queuing problems with the southbound as you do northbound because there are less processes happening southbound.  Mr. Chuck Berry then asked if the queue length on regular lanes is longer than on the DCL (dedicated commuter lane) to which Ms. Dowell responded yes.

 

Ms. Dowell continued her presentations with modeling results.  The first development was the bi-national commercial model to overlay with the MPO Travel Demand Model.  There were two types of analysis done: 1) impact of improvements done to existing crossings (without simulation tool in place, so it only reflects the impact of decrease in delay) and 2) the impact of new crossings (Socorro as passenger and commercial crossing; Yarbrough as passenger only; Fabens as commercial) with interesting results in the model and discussions with the stakeholders in area and also with headquarters of companies that are operating in the area.   Commissioner Miguel Teran asked if the City of Socorro would become a commercial port of entry.  Ms. Dowell responded that a new port of entry is needed and Socorro was looked at as a possible passenger and commercial crossing.   As consultants, information through analysis is provided to allow for what might work but it is up to the community to decide what actually will occur.  So, even though the analysis (concluded that) Socorro would be attractive from a system wide transportation performance level as a commercial crossing, it doesn’t mean that given other values in the community that it will work.  Commissioner Teran then asked if the decision had anything to do with the Mexican or the American perspective of the national ports of entry and bridges.  Ms. Dowell stated that the MPO mentioned that there was some question about Socorro and that is why it was being looked at.  Mr. Ricardo Dominguez of the MPO added that this was not a policy or decision-making study, this is a technical study.  Mr. Dominguez explained that the study is meant to identify possible ports of entry either as a pedestrian or commercial crossing and whether or not it can be done.  After the study is complete, and recommendations are made, it is up to the individual entities to move forward as with the Fabens Port of Entry Feasibility Study.  It was presented to the Board, the Board accepted the report, and then the County took the next step.  Commissioner Teran explained that he was looking for an indication that there would be support available for a port of entry at Socorro.  Mr. Dominguez replied that there was no direct indication.  The MPO wanted to look at possible locations for a new commercial port of entry that might help the Zaragosa port of entry and if it is feasible to build now or ten years from now.  Wilbur Smith Associates is giving the MPO the tools to make a commitment in the future without hiring consultants.

 

Chair Pickett then asked Ms. Dowell that if a port of entry was looked at for Yarbrough, would the study give the raw technical data and numbers that may indicate a reduction at BOTA and Zaragosa, then the City of El Paso would still have to decide whether or not this is necessary considering impacts of other areas.  Ms. Dowell responded yes and, with the raw data, has developed the model.  Chair Pickett then asked that if we were to put a new port of entry at Yarbrough, what would the reductions be at BOTA and Zaragosa for both wait times and vehicles.?  Ms. Dowell responded that only the wait times are calculated because that gets back to the delay and there is no straightforward way of doing this in the forecast.  It is easier to forecast the volumes.  The establishment of existing queue times and wait times were first and now, with the forecast of volumes, you can go back and forecast the delay.  Chair Pickett asked how data was acquired.  Ms. Dowell responded that, as part of the study, interviews were done at the crossings, which took time to receive clearance, and it was not given at all the crossings. The interviews focused on commercial vehicles, which was necessary to do the modeling.  The MPO modeling already had a lot of baseline data that allowed the study for passenger vehicle and what were needed were the queue times and the queue lengths.  Chair Pickett then asked if BOTA commercial traffic was turning left or turning right or going straight.  Ms. Dowell stated it would depend on which crossing.  Chair Pickett asked about BOTA.  Ms. Dowell commented that a lot of traffic is going towards the closest trans -shipment point, such as the El Paso Truck Terminal or the airport, with a few hitting IH-10. Primarily the trucks are concerned with getting materials back and forth across and going to an inter modal yard or terminal.  Chair Pickett asked for clarification as to how much is going to I-10.  Ms. Dowell did not have figures available but believes that it is less than 20%.  Chair Pickett thought is was 80-90%.  Ms. Dowell explained that what is happening is that whenever trucks come in to pick up at the trans- shipment points, from the trans shipment points, they are then hitting IH-10.   Ms. Dowell mentioned that Philips Electronics in Atlanta is performing an analysis of their distribution and may be moving their distribution center from Roanoke, VA to El Paso that is more direct than waiting at district centers to receive shipments from El Paso.  Their distribution center had previously been moved from El Paso to Roanoke in the past due to traffic congestion but now, due to the demand of the customer, it may be moved back to El Paso and the placement of the distribution center in El Paso can be based on the results of this study. 

 

Chair Pickett then asked if WSA then tracks all commercial traffic in the different locations throughout the region.  Ms. Dowell explained that information could be constructed using the data in the report for MPO’s use.  The report is now being finalized and a final draft should be given to the MPO by March 31, 2006.  There will be a stakeholders & TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) workshop the week of April 10 for final review and comment period and information will be in its final form within seven to fourteen days. 

Chair Pickett asked that Ms. Dowell remind everyone what the report involves.  Ms. Dowell explained that WSA was charged with looking and documenting existing operating conditions for passenger and commercial vehicles and developing a modeling tool that would enhance the MPO’s future ability, in addition to using it for this study, for incorporating commercial traffic for the border crossings.  Further, WSA was, based upon the analysis and stakeholder input, to develop recommendations for border improvement.   

Chair Pickett referred to Yarbrough as a possible port of entry and asked if data regarding volume will be presented to which Ms. Dowell responded yes. 

 

Chair Pickett then asked if analysis was done regarding bridge fees.  Ms. Dowell explained that there is a financial chapter in the study and with that, there will be some comparison, however, they were not tasked with analyzing additional revenue.  The study was based on data from base year 2005 and the 2030-year to project implementation of reduction in delay and how it would affect the 2005 distribution.  The modeling tool was used to project the impact on the baseline year 2030.  The reduction in penalty time is the reduction in the delay time and the purpose of the modeling was to show the impact in reduction of delay and the system-wide percentage of reduction.  Ms. Dowell added that there is an extra process being done at Zaragosa, but not at BOTA, and that is toll collection, which may be the reason for additional time at that location. 

 

Mayor Cook mentioned that Governor Richardson advised that there would be not tolls charged to commercial traffic from Mexico into New Mexico which may impact which bridges will be used.  Ms. Dowell mentioned that it is not always the driver making decisions but the company that wants the closest to destination due to wear and tear of vehicles. Commissioner Miguel Teran asked if there was any focus on the environmental impact.  Ms. Dowell advised that the system wide VMTs and VHTs can be used to calculate this information from the study. Commissoner Teran then asked if Yarbrough becomes a reality, what would be the commercial impact.  Ms. Dowell responded that commercial modeling was not done at Yarbrough, only pedestrian.  Mr. Walter Miller commented that there should not be a great environmental impact since the volume is not changing, only direction of traffic.  Ms. Dowell added that if the drive times are changed, so are the vehicle hours and that could have a decrease in overall system delay. Commissioner Dolores Saldana-Caviness asked if, regarding the Santa Teresa port of entry, possibility of changing the hours of operation to 24 was addressed and what would be the impact.  Ms. Dowell stated that information gathered from the stakeholders, this was the number one request.  It would only work if the distribution centers on the El Paso side were also operating 24 hours.  Commissioner Saldana-Caviness also asked how the creation of an inter model facility in conjunction with the plan development at Santa Teresa be impacted.  Ms. Dowell stated that with development plans for the area, similar to Fabens, there would be a significant impact.  Chair Pickett then asked if Philips Electronics was to contact New Mexico regarding Santa Teresa area and advise that their distribution center would open 24 hours if Santa Teresa operated 24 hours, could that work.  Ms. Dowell responded it would. 

Senator Shapleigh commented on the importance of technology to assist in commercial traffic because delay at bridges is the biggest challenge to integrated regional economic development. Ms. Dowell agreed that technology is required to increase efficiency and development in these regions.  This study, however, did not have the simulation tools to simulate very specific types of technology.  Senator Shapleigh continued to say that the TAC needs information when allocating CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) funding and resources.  Ms. Dowell mentioned that the MPO has the tool to set up the simulation and this tool is the VISSUM/VISSIM tool and the recommendation would be to build upon the analysis of the study.  Senator Shapleigh stated that the congestion at our bridges is used as a global competitive disadvantage.  Competitors are advising not to locate maquilas in the El Paso/Juarez area because the chief component in that port is not mobility and just in time crossings but it is congestion.  The top priority should be the solution to mobility.  Ms. Dowell agreed.  

 

Ms. Dowell then continued with her presentation referring to the slides showing existing crossings and citywide impacts and indicates a significant increase in delay in the year 2030.  The calculations are being done this week to establish what reduction in delay would be required in order to keep future delay in 2030 at the level it is now assuming that this level is acceptable.  The calculations must also indicate what percentage of reduction of delay would make it necessary to establish a new crossing and if technology can improve the reduction of future delay.  Ms. Dowell then reviewed the Hot Spot that were identified by stakeholders and finally the WSA scheduled and deadlines to include a final presentation to the Board on April 28, 2006. 

 

Mr. Chuck Berry then asked Ms. Dowell who was involved with the Stakeholder meetings.  Ms. Dowell mentioned that there were two types of meetings held, one was one-on-one interviews with shippers and receivers as well as operators and trans- shipment facilities on both the Mexico and US side and a complete list will be included in the report; second was a public involvement component of three public meetings held throughout the study area and used comment cards.  Commissioner Teran asked if there was a preliminary draft for review.  Ms. Dowell indicated that one was given to the MPO about two to three weeks ago and the MPO reviewed and provided comments which will be used on the draft final report due next week which will then be distributed to the TPB and TAC members for review.

 

No action required.

 

NOTE: During this item, Mayor Dale Reinhardt arrived at 9:51 a.m. and State Representative Norma Chavez left.

 

Chair Pickett asked that Item 9 and 11 immediately follow this presentation.

 

6.     Presentation on Statewide Funding Report from Texas Department of Transportation.

 

Mr. James Bass, CFO of the Austin office of TXDOT.  Mr. Bass stated that the population of Texas has increased by 57% in the last 25 years.  The use of our state highway system has almost doubled by increasing 95%, yet the capacity of the state system has only grown by 8%.  The federal government has elected to use over $7 billion of the federal gas tax paid by citizens of Texas to distribute to other states.  The state population is expected to increase by 64% in the next 25 years and the utilization of our roads will increase to 200% with road capacity only growing 6% with Congress redistributing about $7.5 billion of federal gas taxes paid in Texas to other states.  Mr. Bass then reviewed the financial tools available to TXDOT.  One tool is the pay-as-you-go, which means a project will cost one amount and then TXDOT will forecast how much is needed to pay it off over the next 36-48 months, this information is put into a cash flow model, along with revenues coming into the state highway funds as well as existing projects and how they are expected to pay out.  As an MPO and a District, the focus is when a project is awarded and then cash flow concerns are addressed on a statewide basis.  Mobility fund proceeds involves redirecting transportation related fees, such as drivers license fees and inspection fees, and placing these in a fund to allow for bond issuance for use towards transportation.  There is also a state highway bond proceeds program, Proposition 14 that allows for leveraging up to $3 billion in bonds backed by the state highway fund. 

 

Senator Shapleigh asked if the cost of construction using these bonds is less by doing them now instead of later and is the new money coming into the bonding is the anticipated increase in the state’s highway fund.  Mr. Bass responded yes, as with any debt incurred there will be interest cost associated with it but by performing the construction sooner, you are also avoiding inflation,. This program is an acceleration of existing money.

 

Chair Pickett then asked what bonds TXDOT has sold under the Proposition 14 program.  Mr. Bass stated none as mobility fund money is being used first because it is new money to transportation.  A Bond Review Board meeting was held yesterday and in early April we will be pricing $600 million out of the Proposition 14 program bonds.  Chair Pickett asked if this would be used primarily for the safety program and Mr. Bass responded around $400 million would be used for safety projects and the other $200 million would be used on other projects in the overall plan.

 

Commissioner Teran asked if this is money for the Safe Routes to School program to which Chair Pickett replied it is not, this money is used for two-lane roads and widening of these roads and other safety improvements.  Mr. Chuck Berry stated that both projects under this program are underway and you may have seen the metal post barriers with cable on Interstate 10 on the far east side.  Mr. Bass explained that although both projects are underway, the cash flow demands of these projects statewide have not necessitated that we needed to issue the debt.  Chair Pickett then added that the mobility fund is estimated as it depends on how much money comes into the mobility fund to pay the debt.  Mr. Bass agreed.

 

Chair Pickett asked then if the $4.5 billion to the mobility fund is an estimate.  Mr. Bass responded it was and added that only $1 billion in bonds had been issued to date with an additional $1 billion to be issued within the next six months. 

 

Chair Pickett then asked, in reference to RMAs and tolls, there are funds available for the eight metropolitan areas, if pass-through financing project goes through in El Paso, El Paso would be entitled to its share of mobility funds.  Mr. Bass replied it would. Chair Pickett then asked if El Paso would be required to do an additional toll project or RMA to draw down that $108 million dollars to which Mr. Bass responded that it would not be required.   Chair Pickett added that TXDOT has the ability to issue bonds for the Colonia Road program that is not Fund 6.  Mr. Bass stated that it would be the Texas Public Finance Authority that would issue the bonds and the program is managed through the Governor’s office and it is TXDOT who administers the program.  Commissioner Teran asked how much money would be available through this program to which Chair Pickett answered about $9 million. 

 

Mr. Bass then continued with the presentation to report on cash flow.  Chair Pickett questioned whether or not TXDOT was forecasting the cash flow as the state auditor’s office reported that TXDOT was off by 247%.  Mr. Bass advised that was regarding the lowest daily balance for one particular day.  Chair Pickett mentioned that not all money allocated is spent and TXDOT has an amount that carries forward.  Mr. Bass agreed.  Mr. Bass continued his presentation by explaining the short term borrowing program and budget and process.  Chair Pickett asked if TXDOT was in compliance with the state auditor’s office to which Mr. Bass answered yes.  Chair Pickett then asked for the date of the most recent cash flow report.  Mr. Bass stated it was December 2005 and was released a few weeks ago.  Chair Pickett also asked for the status of reporting to the Legislative Budget Board on money coming in over the revenue estimates as you have 45 days to report after the second quarter of the fiscal year to report.  Mr. Bass stated that the 45^th day would be April 15, 2006 and is expected to be on time.  Chair Pickett asked if there would be a surplus and Mr. Bass said there would be additional appropriations that were not expended that would be available.  Mr. Bass explained that a surplus of appropriation does not mean a surplus of cash because cash and appropriation are two separate and distinct items. 

 

Mr. Bass then reviewed the biennial budget and the state highway revenue fund.  Mr. Bass then stated that from the gasoline tax, 15 cents goes to the State Highway Fund and five cents go to education and was never 20 cents to the State Highway Fund (SHF) as questioned by Chair Pickett.  Chair Pickett mentioned that it is always said that the gas tax revenue is down per TXDOT but that it is not true.  Mr. Bass stated that overall gross revenues are increasing and was established as an indirect tax for road usage; revenue per one hundred vehicle miles traveled is decreasing due to fuel efficiency of vehicles.  In regards to gross revenues of the gas tax, inflation is ignored and when inflation is accounted for, the purchasing power is relatively flat. Commissioner Teran asked if there was a possibility of getting back to the one dollar per gallon of gas.  Mr. Bass mentioned that it depends on economic status but did not foresee it getting back to less than $1.50. 

 

Mr. Bass continued his presentation explaining tapered match in relation to SHF, the history of Federal Transportation Funds, and Federal Reimbursements to the SHF. 

 

Chair Pickett then asked if the surplus could now be addressed.  Mr. Bass stated that TXDOT budget includes $3.1 billion for FY 2006 for construction and $2.6 billion for maintenance.  The $512 million from the TX mobility fund will not be an annual recurring item, but only for the next two to three years.  Chair Pickett asked what the purpose of the mobility fund.  Mr. Bass stated to address mobility throughout the state and was intended as a temporary fix as questioned by Chair Pickett. 

 

Chair Pickett then asked about the “gap” that is referred by Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) was to be a temporary fix with this mobility fund, and Mr. Bass agreed and that it was to help assist filling the gap.  Chair Pickett stated that it might be policy per TXDOT that no new road will be built without a toll tax so that TXDOT is not responsible for maintenance.  Mr. Bass did not believe that was true in all cases.  Mr. Bass also mentioned tolling may be a local decision depending on the urgency of the necessity of the road.  There was further discussion regarding the explanation and use of a Regional Mobility Authority (RMA), pass-through financing and Strategic Funding. 

 

Mr. Bass then addressed the question of the $1.1 billion in additional funds available in FY 2005, was due to a SHF lapse $608 million lapse in FY 2004.  This goes back to the Tapered Match approach in the operating budget, as there was $533 million more in federal receipts that were received that year that allowed for the delay expenditures of state funds.  In addition, there was another lapsing of fund appropriation in FY 2002 and 2003 that resulted in $520 million available funding in FY 2005.  TXDOT operates from a dedicated fund and cash flow basis and when the end of the fiscal year is reached, it is not a “use it or lose it” situation, if a project is not completed or funds expended, as it can be retained in the SHF for future appropriation.  The funds remain for the project until it is completed. Mr. Berry then asked if it is anticipated that the $1.1 billion would be available every year, to which Mr. Bass responded no, it should not recur every year.  Chair Pickett then asked if it would be available for at least the next two to three years and will we get more of the every year.  Mr. Bass stated that it is not anticipated.  Chair Pickett commented that TXDOT’s cash flow reports are difficult to understand.  Mr. Bass stated that the cash flow reports were difficult to interpret and then continued to explain how the information was reported.  Mr. Berry commented about the $800 million additional income from the federal authorization Chair mentioned earlier is through the period of the bill.   He further mentioned that the next bill, in regards to SAFETEA-LU, is actually spending down the surplus that has been in our Highway Trust Fund at the national level without significant changes to income the new bill will only be able to spend the revenue that is coming in every year from the gasoline tax.  Although we are projecting very consistently that we expect to have $800 million more than we had from the previous bill, that is through year 2011—through the period of SAFETEA-LU.  After SAFETEA-LU the $800 million may go away.  Mr. Bass added that the bill is actually through year 2009 and at the federal level it is projected that the balance of the Federal Highway Trust Fund to be zero in year 2008-2009 which may have been done intentionally to force Congress to look at how they finance transportation nationwide.  There was further discussion regarding SAFETEA-LU programming, appropriations, forecast and expenditures.  Mr. Berry stated that TXDOT was able to project the value of SAFETEA-LU within 2% of what actually occurred but was not as successful in anticipating how that total amount was distributed among the safety programs, the STP programs, CMAQ programs and it was an over estimation on what was available in the Mobility Program.  The Mobility Program is the last to be apportioned in SAFETEA-LU it was allotted the remaining funds and because the safety & STP program allocations increased, the money was used from the Mobility program.  Mr. Bass continued by advising that although TXDOT’s planners and programmers projected for SAFETEA-LU was about $13.5 billion and after the bill passed, the amount actually became $13.4 billion.  The distribution among the programs was not similar to that of TEA-21 as expected.  Mr. Bass explained further about how the funds were allotted.  Chair Pickett asked if the funds were planned and programmed or were they appropriated to which Mr. Bass responded they were planned and programmed.  There was further discussion regarding the difference between fund programming and fund appropriations.   At this point, there were no further questions or comments and the presentation concluded.

 

No action required.

 

NOTE: Mayor Dale Reinhardt left at 10:50 a.m. and Senator Eliot Shapleigh left at 10:55 a.m.

 

7.       Annual Report Presentation by the Texas Department of Transportation-El Paso District.

 

Postponed for TPB meeting of April 28, 2006 as requested by Mr. Chuck Berry.

 

8.       Presentation by Fort Bliss On

a. Traffic Concerns

b.  Proposed New Interchange at Loop 375, East Biggs Army

Airfield and Entrance Off Loop 375 North of the New

Inner Loop.

 

Carole Jones of the Fort Bliss Public Works department introduced herself to the Board.  Her presentation will address the growth of Ft. Bliss and its impact on the City of El Paso, particularly regarding transportation.  The major issue is the new Interchange at Loop 375 from the Gateway 2030 program that reflects the future transportation initiatives.  Loop 375 intersects and bisects Ft. Bliss, not only the Northeast Parkway but also the Inner Loop and the Inner Loop will connect Loop 375 and Interstate 54, which is the lower portion of Biggs Army Airfield and north of the airport.  Due to the BRAC and the realignment of the Army, there is a significant growth program for Ft. Bliss, which is allotted $2.6 billion for construction for years 2005 to 2012.  There will also be construction of housing for 1700 military personnel in this area.  There is also a new initiative to lease one hundred acres to the City of El Paso for soccer fields.  Ms. Jones reviewed the Fort Bliss Master Plan identifying the individual projects and schedule for construction.  The anticipated growth in population is 46,000 people with a traffic volume increase of 30,000 additional vehicles.  Ms. Jones then addressed specific traffic concerns of Ft. Bliss. 

 

Mr. Berry advised that Ft. Bliss staff have met with both the MPO and TXDOT and Ft. Bliss was asked to make this presentation to the Board.  The significant issue is that Ft. Bliss is proposing a new interchange that has not been on our plan in the past, which is the interchange that is on Loop 375, and TXDOT supports this but acknowledged that this proposal needs to go through the process of presenting it to this Board and including it in our long-range plan.  Ft. Bliss has very accurately projected for the improved access, egress and circulation in the east Biggs area.  Another interchange directly off Loop 375, between the Inner Loop and the future Northeast Parkway would greatly enhance the area. 

 

Chair Pickett asked if this proposal is funded by Ft. Bliss.  Mr. Michael Lockamy Deputy Director for the Ft. Bliss Public Works Department wanted to mention that Congressman Reyes has indicated interest and has been corresponding with Ft. Bliss and TXDOT about the potential of getting this added as Congressional insert. 

Chair Pickett advised that this proposal should be included in the plan in case there is funding available instead of waiting for funding. Commissioner Teran asked if special funding appropriations were expected for this project.  Mr. Berry explained that this project has huge potential for special funding but if it were not to occur, we would have to fund this some other way.  Chair Pickett asked how soon this could be included in an updated plan.   Mr. Roy Gilyard indicated this project would be added to the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) by the end of this year.  Mr. Berry added that since TXDOT has been working very closely with Ft. Bliss regarding this proposal and things are changing for them very quickly and is convinced this will not be the last time the plans will have to be adjusted because of rapid growth. 

 

Chair Pickett asked for the timeframe of the building of the infrastructure up to the proposed exchange.  Ms. Jones stated that is would probably be in years nine and ten.  Chair Pickett then asked for the top priority of the proposal.  Mr. Berry stated it would be to deliver the Inner Loop.  Chair Pickett stated that the 45 days should have started regarding the unsolicited proposal and asked when TXDOT would be moving forward.  Mr. Berry advised that the anticipated schedule for the Commission to decide May/June timeframe and the 45-day period expires the first week of April, then TXDOT will evaluate any proposals they have received and any negotiations must be done before projects are underway.  TXDOT has been coordinating with various entities including the City of El Paso.  The Army Corps of Engineers has been providing input to TXDOT and the City and this proposal is moving very fast.   Chair Pickett asked how soon would Ft. Bliss present a project to the Project Selection Committee (PSC).  Mr. Mike Borman of the Ft. Worth Army Corps of Engineers stated that it could be done within the next two to three weeks.  Mr. Berry stated it should be placed into TXDOT’s computer model of the region.  Chair Pickett advised that is must be in the TIP.  Mr. Borman mentioned that Ft. Bliss was meeting with TXDOT later this afternoon.  Mr. Ricardo Dominguez of the MPO stated that staff has been coordinating this project with our partners as mention earlier this meeting and advised that the Consultative Group will be discussing this project during a teleconference call scheduled for next Monday for review and comments.  The project will go the TAC not the PSC, to be placed on the MTP first as an amendment before funds can be identified and once funds are identified, it then moves to the TIP.  Chair Pickett then asked if LTC Sean Lewis had any comments.  LTC Lewis mentioned that there is a definite need for these improvements and this project is not only for use by the military but also will benefit the entire area.    Commissioner Teran commented that this nine-year plan is positive growth for El Paso and is pleased with this progress.

 

No action required.

 

NOTE: Alderman Walter Miller left at 11:43 a.m.

 

9.     Discussion and Action to Approve Amending FY 2006 of the 2006-2010 Amended TIP to Use CMAQ Funds in the Amount of $353,934 in New Mexico for the City of Sunland Park Public Transportation System.

 

Veronica Rosales of the City of Sunland Park presented this item.  The City of Sunland Park currently has a contract with Sun Metro for the past two years.  At the current rate, the funds are expected to expire at the end of May 2006, which prompted this request for an amendment for additional funds to continue service for an additional year.  The request for CMAQ funding is for $377,936 with a 14.56% local match, that will also cover an extension of the service hours, a larger bus, additional routes and Sunday service.  The PSC (Project Selection Committee) recommended this item at their March 1, 2006 meeting; however, the amount of $353.934 was an estimated amount and did not reflect the actual cost of $377,936.  The City of Sunland Park had already approved a local match based on the estimated figure and it is now 6.78% more.  Ms. Rosales reviewed slides of current routes and service as well as the proposed route changes developed with the Sun Metro analysis and extended gratitude to the staff of both Sun Metro and the MPO for their assistance.

 

Mayor Cook asked if $65.00 an hour is a typical amount for bus service.  Mr. Terry Scott responded that is the correct amount for a 44-foot bus and includes the driver and maintenance costs.

 

A motion was made by Mayor Art Franco and seconded by Commissioner Dolores Caviness-Saldana to approve the amendments with the changes to reflect the actual figures.  The motion carried.

 

10.  Discussion and Action to Approve Amending FY 2007 of the 2006-2010 Amended Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to use Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds:

a.       $3,978,747 for Installation of Closed Circuit Television Cameras and Remotely Controlled Signs on Alternate Routes (on-System).  The Purpose of this Project is to Advise the Public to Alternate Routes in the Event of a Road Closures;

b.       $1,845,844 for Installation of Fiber Optic Cable, Closed Circuit Television Camera, Dynamic Message Signs, Lane Control Signals and Vehicle Detectors from US-85 (Paisano) at Santa Fe to US-85 (Paisano) at Doniphan.  This System will Advise the Public About Vehicular Congestion Problems Due to Accidents and/or Construction;

c.       $1,099,484 for Installation of Fiber Optic Cable, Closed Circuit Television Camera, Dynamic Message Signs, Lane Control Signals and Vehicle Detectors from SH-178 (Artcraft) at State Line to SH-178 (Artcraft) at IH-10.  This System will Advise the Public about Vehicular Congestion Problems due to Accidents and Construction.

 

At this time, Ms. Patricia Adauto made a motion to postpone both Item 10 and Item 12 for the next TPB meeting of April 28, 2006.  Representative Beto O’Rourke seconded.  The motion carried.

 

11.  Discussion and Action to Approve Amending FY 2007 of the 2006-2010 Amended TIP to Use CMAQ Funds in the Amount of $1,000,000 for the Operation of a Vanpool Program in El Paso County for Three Years.

 

Mr. Bob Geyer of the County of El Paso made the request for the amendment to use CMAQ funds for a three year Vanpool Program.  A vanpool company would set up a turnkey operation after going out for bid.  The County has been working with Rio Grande Workforce and Gordon Cook, as layoffs have occurred at VF Jeanswear.  Mr. Cook said there had been over 400 layoffs and this area would benefit from the use of the vanpool program and allow Rio Grande Workforce to leverage funds.  It would be easy to work with the County to place workers within the area that the program would serve.  There were no further questions or comments.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Terry Scott and seconded by Mayor Rios-Ontiveros to approve the amendment.  The motion carried.

 

12.    Discussion and Action to Approve Amending FY 2007 of the 2006-2010 Amended TIP to use CMAQ funds:

a.       $1,500,000 for Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Real Time Information Kiosks at the West Side, East Side, Far East Side, Mission Valley, and International Transit Terminals;

b.       $375,648 for Senior Link Operating Support for Five Special Purpose Bus Routes

                to Serve Senior Citizens.

 

Postponed for TPB meeting of April 28, 2006.

 

13.    Discussion and Action to Approve Amending the 2006-2010 Amended TIP to Use CMAQ funds:

a.       $2,700,000 for the City of El Paso ITS Expansion Project in FY 2008;

b.       $1,000,000 for City of El Paso Intersection Improvements at (15) Intersections Citywide in FY 2008;

        c.                $2,000,000 for Traffic Signal Upgrades at 16 Intersections to Current Design Standards to Provide for Traffic Flow Improvements in FY 2007.

 

Daryl Cole of the Street Department very briefly presented this item and requested approval for each of the amendments to CMAQ funds for the above projects.

 

A motion was made by Ms. Patricia Adauto and seconded by Mr. Terry Scott to approve the amendments for a, b, and c as listed. The motion carried.

 

14.  Discussion and Action on a Request by the City of El Paso of the Transportation Policy Board to Agree to Program Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program (STEP) Funds in the Transportation Improvement Program, if the City Nominated Projects Are Funded.

 

Rick Conner of the City Engineering Department very briefly presented this item.  The City of El Paso is submitting four projects as Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program nominated projects: Union Depot Rehab; Don Haskins Bike Path; Country Club Park and Ride and Bike Trail Head; and UTEP Campus Improvements.  The City is asking for the Boards commitment to program the funds from the TIP if the projects are approved and fully funded.  Chair Pickett explained for clarification that the TPB is not approving funding, however, there is money available through federal dollars that TXDOT is administering and the City is asking that these programs be presented to TXDOT and if they are funded, to include them in our TIP. 

 

Chair Pickett also asked Mr. Conner if any other entity was able to provide more than the 20% because projects will be coming from all over the state to ask for part of the $330 million available.  Mr. Conner responded there had not.  Mr. Berry asked if there were any public concerns.  Mr. Conner responded there were none.  Chair Pickett asked for the deadline date.  Mr. Berry advised that it was April 28, 2006.  Mr. Conner commented that there were many projects but not all were nominated nor included in the final list approved by City Council.  Ms. Pat Adauto mentioned that these nominated projects included a consultation with TXDOT in February before they were presented to City Council and were recommended for approval in March.

 

A motion was made by Mayor Art Franco and seconded by Mr. Terry Scott to approve the request.  The motion carried.

 

At this time, before moving to Item 3, Chair Pickett asked for public comment.  Mr. Berry advised that TXDOT is distributing a schedule for the Mobility meetings/open houses that are planned through April and the information is provided at this meeting.  There was no further public comment.

 

Chair Pickett advised that there was no need to move to Executive Session for this last item.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 12:02 p.m.

                               

Christina Stokes, Recording Secretary

Transportation Policy Board for the

El Paso Urban Transportation Study