NPRPO Meeting Minutes

December 6, 2006

Taos Youth and Family Center

Taos, NM

Member’s attendance:

Brent Jaramillo – Vice Chair/Questa Patrick Nicholson – Ohkay Owingeh

Francisco “French” Espinosa – Town of Taos Tammie Gomez – Town of Taos

Ted Garcia – Los Alamos County Patrick Nicholson – Ohkay Owingeh

Shabih Rizvi – Santa Fe County Dennis Wells – Village of Chama

Danny Garcia – Rio Arriba County Cathy Martinez – Rio Arriba County

Russell Naranjo – City of Española Kyle Baltazar – Jicarilla Apache Nation

Larry Samuel – Tesuque Pueblo Paul Martinez – Sangre de Cristo Land Grant

Sean Hughes – Santa Clara Pueblo Sherriff Naranjo - Santa Clara Pueblo

Sandra Sue Richardson – Picuris Pueblo Governor Richard Mermejo – Picuris Pueblo

Filemon Sanchez – Trampas Land Grant

Affiliate Member attendance:

Sandra Maes – NPRPO Planner Bob Widoe NMDOT – G2G

Phil Gallegos – NMDOT – D-5 John McElroy – NMDOT – D-5

David Martinez – NMDOT – D-5 Rick Chavez – NMDOT – Project Dev.

Chris Moquino – Senator Bingaman’s Office

Guests in attendance:

Brenda Martinez – Gannet Fleming Robert Roybal – Huitt Zoller

Citizen’s in attendance:

Polly Long – Taos Charter School Suzanne Matin’Wallter – Taos Resident

Rose Baughs –Taos Cycle Club

I. Call to order at 9:36 by Brent Jaramillo, Vice Chair

Ø Brent announced that he would be Chairing the meeting, as Ted Martinez, Chair was out ill.

Ø Thanked the Town of Taos and the Taos Youth and Family Center for the meeting location and provision of the morning treats.

II. Welcome and Introductions –

III. Approval of Agenda –

Ø Patrick Nicholson, Ohkay Owingeh made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Shabih Rizvi, Santa Fe County. No Discussions/Passed unanimously

IV. Approval of Minutes for November 1, 2006

Ø Larry Samuel, Tesuque Pueblo made a motion to approve the meeting minutes as presented, seconded by Patrick Nicholson, Ohkay Owingeh.

V. Huitt-Zollars Engineering Services

Ø NM585 – Robert Roybal

à Project BOP is proposed to start W of NM 68 (300’) 2.1 miles to intersection of US64 into the Canyon

à Project development has been under development for 1 year. The factors that led to the proposal included percentage of high accident rates, high speeds, and increased multi-modal uses.

à Comments being solicited by the citizens and stakeholders of the community have addressed the following concerns:

1. Safety

2. School Zone improvements

3. Environmental impacts

4. Drainage improvements

5. Increased traffic

6. Slowing people down

7. Economic development

à Proposing two phases

1. Phase I is currently budgeted at/around $8.1M

a. In Phase C – Environmental review

2. Phase II is still in development for budgeting

à Final design for phase I may be completed by end of December, start of January

1. Proposal to include (5) 2 lane roundabouts

a. Signage, including billboard type for pedestrian crossings

b. ADA compliant sidewalks

c. Drainage improvements will include drop inlets, trunk lines and drains

d. Staggered crosswalks

e. 8’ width sidewalks that will comply and accommodate the required 4’

pedestrian walkway and additionally accompany bicyclists.

à Discussion from members/citizens/clubs

ü Request for elaboration on the multi-modal initiative

Response: The Town of Taos is initiating thru a grant a multi use trail that is currently in development; the trail will start from 68 and include the ROW of the Taos Youth & Family Center; will follow the channel and utilize NMDOT ROW.

ü Was there coordination with the Emergency Response centers in and around Taos for the maneuverability around the round about?

Response: Huitt Zollars met with staff from Holy Cross Hospital to discuss accessibility needs in an emergency. Robert explained that during an emergency response, the responder has the legal right to traverse the roundabout at any intersection to respond in an efficiency manner.

ü What percentage of the overall cost is dedicated to Landscaping?

Response: There is a $150K cap for landscaping. The landscaping is designed to work as a function for safety. The roundabout will be planted so that the public knows that they are approaching a roundabout, the adjoining sides will be planted to identify the circular motion of direction as well as exterior boundaries. The irrigation system will be supported by existing systems in the area.

ü Will the areas be lit?

Response: The lighting will be in accordance with the Town of Taos Night Sky Ordinance and still provide for safety.

ü How will the roundabouts and the sidewalks support the bicycling community? Response: The design of the multi-use trail addresses not only the pedestrian accessibility, it includes an 8’ sidewalk around the roundabouts and along the roadway. The bike path will include proper signage, rider emblems, and a 6’ shoulder. The trail does terminate at the roundabout, leaving the rider two options; one to get off the roundabout and use the sidewalk or get on the roadway and move in with the traffic. There are additional features that are being added for safety considerations such as, staggered sidewalks; overhead signs with flashing icons and trunk aprons will be colored.

ü Have you considered pedestrian overpasses?

Response: We did look into that concept and found that the cost and the amount of ROW needed is quite expensive, meeting ADA requirements would expand not only the need to obtain additional ROW but also increase the cost. Our research shows that the student population is not very apt to use overhead pedestrian crossing. We also examined the possibility of underground passage, but felt that did not fit the criteria of safety needs for the community.

ü Do the designs include the ADA compliant and compatible requirements? Response: Oh yes, we’ve made sure that we work with Jody Ortiz, NMDOT ADA Coordinator on the plans and designs for the project.

VI. Town of Taos - Public Works GIS process

Ø Tammie Gomez/Francisco “French” Espinoza

à Town of Taos (TOT) gave a presentation on the public works department GIS system, the structure of the program and how it contributes to all department coordination and collaboration of projects.

à The status of projects and cost of all funded projects contributes towards future planning and funding projections and can be easily identified and tracked.

à Public Works shares the information with the Council to strengthen decision making.

à Work with internal staff to track individual department infrastructure and projects within public works; involve staff in training and gathering of data to maintain record updates.

à Currently have over 100 data layers for infrastructure, emergency response and land use.

à Records are maintained in accordance with funding elements, ie. NMDOT/D-5 state roads; local roads, legislative appropriations, etc.

à Require developers to submit updated records that are incorporated into the system that not only is compatible with ESRI but also AUTOCAD.

à Have had discussions with utility companies to share information and gathering, but unfortunately at this time, software used by companies is not compatible with the current system.

à Share information with the Town of Taos Police Department and State Police whenever possible.

à Collaborate with County Assessors to update ROW records and land developments.

VII. NMDOT update

a. District V

Ø Phil Gallegos, Assistant District Engineer

§ STIP has been hit with several funding constraints. The Federal highway bill is not fully obligated at this time, which has caused D-5 to re-program and re-organize STIP projects.

§ Formulated funding for 2007-2008 has been severely impacted for every project within the RPO/MPO areas.

§ 2007 funding projections

· Right now the funding cap is at about $24M

· NM585 phase I is fully funded with a potential letting in April - $7.4M

· N68 – Control #3018 – enhancement project with TOT

· Two timber bridges on NM112 to be let this month

· Bridge on NM595 in Lindrith

· US64 – Bloomfield and Blanco Blvd will be receiving enhancements

· US64 – City of Farmington will be receiving funding for completion for an ongoing project

· NM344 – Edgewood will be receiving safety and enhancement funding.

§ 2008 funding projections

· Looking at a hopeful $20M

· Edgewood project since 2006 is on the list for funding

· El Prado project is under development to be let in Fall 08

· US64 in Farmington to receive $6M

· Enhancements projects on US64/68 for upgrades

· Emergency bridge in Aztec

· NM30 – Phase I for $2M – to be let in Fall 08, currently working on archeological and environmental clearances.

§ At this time we are projecting no additional funding for this year

§ Projects that are projected for funding will have to be phased

§ District project initiatives are being reviewed and re-prioritized

§ 2009 projects will be prioritized according to readiness

· NM502 (DP Rd) is still in development and is looking as though additional ROW is going to have to be programmed in. NMDOT D-5 pays ROW out of target funding

§ Discussion from members

• Do you have any long range plans for programming the SR554 into the targets?

Response: At this time because we’re still re-prioritizing and re-evaluating projects it was in the 10yr plan, at this time I don’t know where it may fall.. Of course, when it comes to safety evaluation, it may be evaluated as a top priority.

· Would it be possible for D-5 to share its evaluations and potential targets for the upcoming years so that the RPO can better assist in the planning of possible funding to meet both local and district needs? Coordinated services such as guaranteed match requirements would be an easier sell to local governmental bodies that will be ensured that the money is just not “in holding” but is actually going to become a real on-the-ground project.

Response: I think that we could take a look at this. I would suggest a meeting prior to next months regular RPO to review all NPRPO projects and develop a time table or something close to that we can share with the group.

§ David Martinez provided an update of projects that currently in place within the District

· Fairview Ln in Espanola – working on storm sewer drain from US84/285

· US84 – Cebolla – paving is completed, working on striping and signage

· US84/285 from NM503N – 1 mi is under construction – GRIP project

· US84/285 phase II in Fall 07 to Dreamcatcher Theatre

· NM68/CR110 in Taos- under construction for intersection improvements

· US64 – Dulce – Phase II will start in the Spring to Junction 84 – GRIP project

· NM502 – rockfall safety fencing project

· NM68 – safety study initiative for high crash areas is receiving funding for guardrail improvements

§ Concerns from members/public

· The material that is used for icy roads on hwy is a concern for fertile gardens, because of salt seepage into the acequias and the soil.

Response: The Department uses a 2:1 mix with salt/sand respectively. They have been looking at other alternatives, although the driving factor is the cost. They will continue to look at other methodology, but for now due to increases, this is what is available during an emergency response to keep the roads clear.

· Attending these meetings is pointless because of the land grant status and roads owned are by that government, not county or state, so when we need help, we’re told that those are private roads and there is nothing that can be done.

Response: The RPOs serve as a place where bringing your concerns to the table can be a very good thing that the department hears. The situation that can occur from this is possible funding and submittal of proposals for future funding, plus participation in discussion of proposals that will affect your areas.

b. Government to Government

Ø Bob Widoe

§ Happy to be back, thank you all for the card and the kind words of encouragement.

§ As Phil was relaying, statewide construction has increased 38%

§ NM obligation has decreased

§ Construction is up 200%

§ Steel is up 20%

§ The distance for delivery has increased tremendously and the further away from Albuquerque the cost for delivery increases.

§ We are experiencing 3 recessions over last year.

§ Encourage the NPRPO to continue with efforts and proceed with the process because you serve as a planning tool for your communities.

§ At this time GRIP II is still a moving target

· Department will be recommending all priority projects to be funding

· DFA is supporting $250M

· DFA has requested schedule of listed projects in accordance with project readiness

· Keeping in mind that funding estimates are already a year old.

· NMDOT is keeping the language very broad, knowing that during legislation it may be subject to change.

§ I’ve only received 2 surveys back from this rpo, need to remind everyone that this is your opportunity to comment on what may or may not be working. This survey was produced with you in mind and I would like to encourage everyone in taking 20 seconds out of your day to submit the responses.

§ For all that requested an extension on your certifications, those were all approved.

§ If you do have a safety project you need to get them done. The department does not solicit for safety projects and longer. FHWA will no longer be so forgiving as to allow extensions, if you do not use the money within the required timeframe, you will lose your money.

c. Project Development –

Ø Rick Chavez

§ No updates at this time.

VIII. New Business

a. Submittal of PIFs will be introduced at our next meeting per discussion in the above sections with Phil Gallegos.

IX. Next meeting will be

Ø January 3, 2007 – North Central EDD – NMDOT-GO- 1120 Cerrillos Rd. Training Rm. 1

Ø February 7, 2007 – Santa Fe County – Commission Chambers at 102 Grant Avenue

Ø March 7, 2007 – Los Alamos County – Location TBA

X. Miscellaneous/Announcements

Ø Capital outlay request forms can be accessed thru http://legis.state.nm.us/lcs

Ø Next meetings will be held in Santa Fe to accommodate those preparing for the legislature and attending the legislature.

XI. Adjourn

a. Motion to adjourn by Patrick Nicholson seconded by Sandra Sue Richardson