NPRPO Meeting Minutes

August 2, 2006

Village of Chama Council Chambers

Chama, NM

 

 

Member’s attendance:

Ted Martinez –Chair                                                     Danny Garcia – Rio Arriba County

Tammie Gomez – Town of Taos                                   Cathy Martinez – Rio Arriba County

Ted Garcia – Los Alamos County                                 Bob Perry – Town of Red River                            

Brent Jaramillo – Vice Chair/Questa                              Robert Largo – Jicarilla Apache Nation                  

Tomas Trujillo – Taos County                                       Larry Samuel – Tesuque Pueblo     

Sandra Sue Richardson – Picuris Pueblo                       Rob Straebel – Village of Taos Ski Valley

Matthew Roybal – Santa Fe County                             Irene Tse-Pe – Nambe Pueblo

Delvin Garcia – Merced del Pueblo Abiquiu                  Dennis Wells – Village of Chama

Shabih Rizvi – Santa Fe County

 

Affiliate Member attendance:

Sandra Maes – NPRPO Planner                                   Bob Widoe – NMDOT – Planning            

Janet Spivey – NMDOT – Planning                              Levi Valdez – BIA-SWRO@NPA

Benny Martinez – NMDOT –Project Dev.                    Arnold Garcia – BIA-SWRO@NPA    

David Martinez – NMDOT-Tech. Support Eng.          

     

Guests in attendance:

 

Citizen’s in attendance:

 

 

I.                    Call to order at 9:35 by Ted Martinez, Chair/Vice Chair.

Ø      Thanked Village of Chama staff for the meeting location.

 

II.                 Welcome and Introductions –

Mayor Archie Vigil thanked the NPRPO members for meeting in Chama.  Thanked the NMDOT and the NPRPO for the funding that the Village has received for NM17 and the upcoming projects on the STIP.  Stated that working with North Central staff in collaboration with the NPRPO and NMDOT has proven to be a success for the Village.  Stated that Dennis Wells is the right arm of the Village through his efforts of the 911, GPS and NM17 projects.

 

III.               Approval of Agenda –

Ø      Sandra asked for a change of order on presentations from R. VanHoven to C. Vaughn as the first presenter.  Ted Garcia, Los Alamos made a motion to approve the agenda with changes, seconded by Danny Garcia, Rio Arriba County.  Passed unanimously

 

IV.              Approval of Minutes for June 7, 2006

Ø      Ted Garcia, Los Alamos County made a motion to approve the meeting minutes, seconded by Danny Garcia, Rio Arriba County

 

 

 

V.                 Presentation by Colleen Vaughn, NMDOT- Environmental Section

Ø      Environment al and Cultural Resource Certifications

·        Colleen is an Environmental Analyst/NEPA Specialist with the NMDOT Environmental Section.

·        Colleen provided the group with contact information for Steve Reed, Environmental Programs Manager:  827-5254 or steve.reed@state.nm.us

·        Colleen presented on the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) which requires concurrence from the NM State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO).

·        NHPA was established to protect, rehabilitate, restore and reuse significant cultural properties, traditional cultural properties, and properties eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

1.      Cultural resource certification requirements are:

a.       Investigations must be completed by a professional archaeologist

b.      Report must be submitted directly to SHPO by the tribe or local government

c.       Investigations must include:

Ø      Survey for prehistoric archaeological sites

Ø      Survey for historic buildings and other structures

Ø      Tribal consultations for traditional cultural sites and uses

2.      The Environmental Certifications

a.       National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires approval by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Ø      NEPA is the requirement of agencies to conduct an environmental review process to determine impact of the proposed action on the human environment

Ø      There are three levels of effort and types of document necessary:

1.      Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which is prepared for any action that involves significant impacts and generally takes up to two years to develop.

2.      Environmental Assessment (EA) is completed when the project is covered by a Categorical Exclusion (CE) and initial decision indicates no significant impacts and can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 full year to develop.

3.      Categorical Exclusion (Catex or CE) is any category of proposed action that does not have a significant effect on the environment.  Can be in the form of a letter or checklist format that includes the

a.       Environmental Professional

b.      Engineer or Authorized  Agent

c.       NMDOT Environmental Program Manager

d.      Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Ø            All documents must be submitted to NMDOT Environmental Program Manager with all supporting documentation.

Ø            Environmental certification requirements are outlined in the handouts that were provided by Colleen.

·        Discussion identification of significant impact occurred with several of the members wanting to know what that actually entailed – Colleen gave examples such as, relocation of people, wetland impacts, and cultural resource impacts.  Ted added the need to look at flora/fauna and ROW as additional items.

·        Further discussion on socioeconomic issues identified the need to relocate residents, environ justice issues and economic impacts; an example was given on NM47 – two way street being turned into a loop where businesses and residents where experiencing a major impact on the proposed design.  In addition Bob W. stated the need to review settlement patterns that would affect access to social services.  Janet S. referred to the FHWA website on enviro-planning that gave direction for “community impact assessments” and can also be found on the NEPA website.  Janet further stated that very few local governments have the technical expertise required to complete these reports without the assistance of an environmental professional, keeping in mind the importance of tribal consultation.

·        Ted G asked for a typical cost range for a CE; answer was dependent on the level of effort required for a proposed project.  A typical range might be as low as $2K.

·        There was discussion of tying in the CE and EA with the STIP process; discussion included the need of assurance of funding and preparation of a footprint/task of a project.  A CE has a life of 2 yrs; and EA is 3 years; EIS up to 5 years inclusive of biological evaluations of 2 years and cultural evaluations from 9-10 years.  Preparation was key, although funding will determine complete project scope.

·        Colleen Vaughn can be reached at 827-3234 or colleen.vaughn@state.nm.us for further information and assistance.

Ø      Presentation by Rae Van Hoven, NMDOT-Drainage Engineering Section

·        Rae Van Hoven is the Director of the Drainage Section at NMDOT

·        Rae presented the responsibilities involved as a Drainage Engineer

Ø      Selection of the appropriate drainage criteria and determining frequency discharge should be utilized for design.

Ø      Select the suitable methodology and determine discharge

Ø      Size adequate cross drainage culvert

Ø      Size sufficient bridge opening

Ø      Design storm drain system

Ø      Analyze likelihood of erosion and size appropriate erosion control measures.

·        Rae stated that the NMDOT generally uses a 50-year frequency storm for design.  This will depend on the size of channel involved and the soil criteria.  Entities are invited to review NMDOT drainage design criteria and adopt into their individual programs.

·        The designer also has to keep in mind the review of rural vs. urban conditions.

·        Rae further discussed the need to design culvert installation to ensure adequate slope not only to maintain a self cleaning velocity but also outlet capacity to ensure against erosion.

·        Bridges are very costly and require a complex analyses process.  Important criteria includes assurance that a channel will not be constricted and estimation of scour depths is adequate to bridge substructures.

·        Rae included a very in depth discussion on storm drainage systems and hydraulic erosion control measures.

·        Rae spoke of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and stated that the NMDOT will be the primacy agency reviewing permit applications to be scheduled for 2008.  Currently the NM Environment Department through the Surface Water Quality Bureau is the primacy agency through the Environmental Protection Agency.

·        For further information, Rae Van Hoven can be reached at 827-5323 or rae.vanhoven@state.nm.us.

 

 

VI.              Long Range Plan – Workshop II

Ø      Visioning - Bob Widoe, NMDOT

·        Bob led a discussion on the process of Visioning and goals required to get there.

·        Bob asked for a volunteer from a voting member in order to provide a clear concept of the need for Visioning.  Bob produced dynamic interaction insight from Brent Jaramillo, Village of Questa, which held the group’s attention creating individual entity focuses for the Long Range Plan and the incorporation of a regional outcome.

1.      Village of Questa

v     Safety

Ø      Hwy 522 - Street lights

Ø      Hwy 38 – Street lights

a.       Elk Mitigation

Ø      Hwy 522 – Middle Turn Lane + pedestrian lane

a.       5 fatalities

v     Economic Development

Ø      29 acre Industrial Park

Ø      Well lighted community

Ø      Boost to Bz

Ø      Safer Traffic

Through this process Brent was looking at a vision necessary for long range planning growth and future preparation and improving community for the public. 

·        Please refer to attachment A for group results.

 

VII.            NMDOT District V report

Ø      David Martinez, Technical Support Engineer gave an update on D-5 activities

·        Announced the close-out of all Federal FY projects deadline of September 30th

·        Update on projects for our regional area include:

1.      US64 – Town of Taos – pedestrian facilities – in the process of meeting with the Town.

2.      Hwy 68/CR110 – Intersection improvements planning for a let in October 06

3.      Hwy64 – Dulce – reconstruction for a let in Aug 06.

4.      Hwy 64 – Taos on Placitas N to city limits – reconstruction - November production/Jan 07 Letting

5.      NM502 – Rockfall protection project – Planning for a letting in Sept with a project start in November 06

6.      NM96 – Fencing project – start in Spg 07

7.      NM96 – overlay to start in Spg 07

8.      US84/285 Phase I – let NM503 1 mile N – under construction

9.      NM595 – Lindrith/NM112 – (3) bridge replacements – to be let in October 06

10.  NM585-Taos – reconstruction Phase I - production in December/letting Feb 07

11.  DP Road – Los Alamos – reconstruction - production Nov 06 – letting Jan 07

12.  US84 – under construction – design for Northern Termini to US64 by January 07

13.  NM584 – Fairview Lane –drainage improvements bid Sept/Oct 06

14.  NM240 – Taos – Los Cordova’s Rd – additional signage

15.  Alignment thru Espanola – bypass study – finalizing phase A – NMDOT lead

·        Please keep in mind that project dates and scope of work are subject to change due to funding and inclement weather.

·        Discussion from group:

1.      A question on NM112 – asked David if there were going to be detours while construction was occurring –

·         David answered yes; they are in discussion with private land owners for permission/accessibility.

Ø      Bob Widoe – Government to Government Unit

·        GRIP II update

1.      Will once again be introduced to the Legislation by NMDOT, with the support of the NM Municipal League, and the Association of Counties and NM Finance Authority for a unified approach.

2.      Provided a list of proposed projects by entities

3.      At this time the list will be introduced as is with no changes.  If an entity insists on project changes, they must go through the RPO and keep in mind that the proposed financial element is a definite NO CHANGE.

Ø      Benny Martinez, Project Development from NMDOT General Office announced his role to the RPOs

·        Last months minutes are accurate.

·        Sandra emailed the contact list which really helped get in contact with the project person at each entity.

·        Have met with most of the entities on their awarded projects and discussed development stages.  Assisted some entities in submitting documentation for the Aug 15th deadline.

·        Contact information for Benny is 827-5531/490-2623 or email is benny.martinez@state.nm.us

 

VIII.         New Business

a.       Introduction/Discussion of new project proposals

1.      No submittals.

 

X.        Next meeting will be

Ø      September in Taos County – Fechin Inn – 227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte

Ø      October 4th at Ohkay Owingeh – Location TBA

Ø      November 1, 2006 – Village of Questa

 

X.        Miscellaneous/Announcements

Ø      NPRPO Website – keep the forms coming!

Ø      Ted Garcia asked that Sandra create a list of who the voting members and alternates are for each entity to be disseminated.  Sandra provided a list to present members.

Ø      Nambe Pueblo Feast Day – Nov 4th

 

XI.              Brent thanked the meeting host. Asked for a motion to adjourn; Cathy Martinez motioned, seconded by Tammie Gomez.  Unanimous agreement.

 

Great Meeting!