Northern Pueblos Regional Planning Organization Meeting

August 4, 2004

Tierra Amarilla, NM

I. Call to order

Chairman Bob Perry called the meeting to order at 9:45. Those in attendance were:

Bob Perry, Chairman

Ted Martinez, Vice Chairman

Barbara Deaux, NCNMEDD

Tom Wilson, NMDOT

Linda Trujillo, NMDOT

Roy Cornelius, NMDOT

Virgil Lujan, Taos Pueblo

Dan Rydberg, Santa Fe County

James V. Lujan, Santa Fe County

John McElroy, NMDOT, District 5

Edwin Tafoya, Santa Clara Pueblo

Tomas Campos, Rio Arriba County

Gabriel Romero, Commissioner, Taos County

Tony Sanchez, Los Alamos County

Senon Vigil, Los Alamos County

William Alexander, NMDOT, District 5

Barb Wiard, Mayor Pro Tem, Village of Taos Ski Valley

Levi Valdez, BIA

Dennis Wells, Village of Chama.

Perry asked those present to introduce themselves and to be sure to sign in. He noted that Ernie Padilla had to go to another meeting and would present the ADA issues at the meeting in Red River. Commissioner Romero of Taos asked for a discussion of road project eligibility when road projects were discussed in the agenda.

II. Approval of the Minutes

A motion was made by Ted Martinez, seconded by Dan Rydberg and passed unanimously to approve the minutes as presented.

III. NCNMEDD Report

Perry said that Barbara Deaux was in the process of hiring a fulltime planner for the RPO. Deaux said applications would close on 8/5 and that she had five applications in hand. She said post cards had been sent announcing the meeting and the change of sponsorship to NCNMEDD. She also said the old roster of members was out of date and would people please update their information.

IV. ADA Standards

Perry said that design standards for ADA requirements were available at the head table. Tom Wilson noted that local lead projects should pay particular attention to these standards. Perry said they were a blessing in disguise for pedestrians and bikers, as they made walking and biking much safer.

V. 2025 Multimodal Strategic Plan – Roy Cornelius

Perry introduced Cornelius of NMDOT, and advised everyone to look at the projects listed in their areas. Perry said he had prepared written comments about Red River. Cornelius said comments will be accepted until 9/15/04, but only in writing. This is a different approach to long range planning in that it emphasizes multimodal transportation and the narrative is organized around the seven DOT guiding principles. There is a narrative and a new list of projects. The list seeks to identify any major project that could be done in the future – as complete a set of needs as possible. The reauthorization of federal transportation funding will push to get projects in the LRP before they get to the STIP. Not all projects will be funded, but inclusion shows the vision of citizens and units of government. The proposed matrix is organized in two areas, metro and rural clusters and statewide strategic corridors. There are a variety of ways to identify projects; the RPO, the LRP, the multimodal summit, a number of citizen input conferences and MPO plans. Other projects can be added before 9/15. LRP contact info is on the department website and has been mailed to local officials.

Edwin Tafoya noted number of issues beginning with the omission of work on Highway 30 in the strategic plan. Cornelius asked that the problem be sent to him in writing and he would amend the draft. Tafoya also noted signage problems on eastbound I-40 at I-25 and some specific issues on Hwy 30. Those include confusion with the new striping at the Santa Clara Clinic and poor visibility at the housing development farther south. John McElroy said that the intersection at the clinic was recently completed. Perry added that it sounded like education and enforcement were required.

Cornelius went on to say that the strategic plan was directed to concentrate on the near term a little more. It takes about 8 years to get a project funded and the STIP is a six-year process. Elected officials usually have a shorter time frame and have asked for more near term projects, with the more visionary projects farther out in time. Projects can go into the strategic plan that have not yet gotten into the STIP.

Barb Wiard asked how the Village of Taos Ski Valley could get on the map on page 6. Cornelius said that better maps were being prepared for the final version. He said they are trying to get new maps prepared for the State Fair.

Levi Sanchez asked that MOU’s with tribes be initiated as noted on page 19. Tribes need assistance, especially with snow removal. Cornelius said an MOU had been signed last week with Picuris. DOT will go to all tribes for MOU’s. The department is mandated to set up working groups with tribes, local governments and District to meet at least once a quarter to solve local problems. DOT is redoing the role of planners to help local and tribal governments solve problems.

Tom Wilson emphasized the project list, saying that inclusion in documents like the LRP, RTPR and ICIP may become more important for funding.

Perry raised questions on projects in his area. He added that the plan is the result of meetings that began two years ago and will probably be revisited in 5 years. All GRIP projects are mentioned. There is much more public input. Bike, pedestrian and equine issues are mentioned and RPO’s have a much improved status.

VI. Road Projects

Commissioner Romero said he would bring specific projects to the next meeting. Perry said that the Planning Priority Performance Matrix explained at the last meeting shows how projects are handled for funding by the District. John McElroy asked Romero to call him.

Ted Martinez said he had noticed a problem on SR 240 at milemarker 1.7 involving possible water entrapment. Romero also described problems in Ranchos de Taos with drainage near the Presbyterian church. Martinez said reconstruction was planned in that area with a storm drain. DOT had made some repairs there last week.

Perry asked Virgil Lujan for any insights about the Taos Relief Route. Lujan said that was being handled by the Governor’s office. Romero said the county commission had approved the final phase study. Wilson said that study will determine the route. The state and county will lead the project and work on an MOU with the Pueblo for the route.

Lujan went on to ask about possible improvements at the Kachina Lodge/Allsup’s intersection. Cruising is a problem and causes accidents. Martinez said the state plans to upgrade 68 and 64 but not for 5-6 years.

Linda Trujillo announced that Bureau Chief Josette Lucero had moved to the new Multimodal Transit Research project. She said Park & Ride is alive and well. The Secretary is pushing for continuation with no interruption of service. Applications for public transit and welfare-to-work funds are in and are being reviewed. Incomplete applications will be returned for correction of deficiencies. The Bureau had its federal audit and passed with flying colors. She emphasized that meeting ADA requirements is essential for access that impacts paratransit services.

VII. Next Meeting

Perry said the next meeting will be at the Red River Conference Center on September 1 at 9:30 AM. Also, on 9/2-9/3, the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Equestrian Committee will meet at the same site. On 9/23, the state RPO roundtable will also be held in Red River. The meeting will probably last all day and will have a format more like the NPRPO meetings.

Barb Wiard said that the Municipal League will be in Tucumcari that day.

Edwin Tafoya asked that DOT representatives visit the Governors as a matter of protocol to get MOU’s completed. He invited everyone to the Santa Clara’s feast on 8/12.

Commissioner Romero complimented the chair and the group on the quality of the dialogue at the meeting.

VII. Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 for a tour of the Chama project.