NPRPO Meeting November 3, 2004

Forestry Building

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

 

Minutes

 

 

 

I.                    Call to Order – 9:30

Ted Martinez called the meeting to order, as Chairman Bob Perry had gone to rescue Barbara Deaux who was stranded in Pilar with a flat and no spare.  Martinez asked that everyone introduce him or herself and identify the agency each represented.   The following minutes present the topics in order of the agenda, although not necessarily in order of discussion.  Some of the notes were taken by Ted Martinez, and further notes by Barbara Deaux are integrated where appropriate.

 

In attendance were:

 

II.                 Approval of the Agenda

The agenda was slightly modified by events, since the Local Road Fund presentation was postponed because Mr. Trujillo was unable to attend.

 

III.               Approval of Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes was made by Ted Martinez, seconded by Tomas Campos and passed unanimously.

 

IV.              NCNMEDD Report

Barbara Deaux reported that she was still interviewing for the RPO planner position and that she was having a great deal of trouble finding someone with the right qualifications who would work for the amount she could squeeze out of the budget.

 

V.                 Presentation on Scenic Byways Program

Laurie Evans Frantz of NMDOT discussed the Scenic Byway program.  Funds are extremely limited for this program and no new activity is expected for several years.

 

VI.              Presentation on Public Transportation Programs

Linda Trujillo described the Public Transportation programs.  The Town of Taos has applied for 3037 and 5311 funds.  Questa has applied for 3037 and 5311 funds.  Red River applied for 5311 Española and Los Alamos have applied for 3037 funds.

Funds available for Welfare to Work totaled $2.5 million, for 5311 totaled $1.9 million and for 5310 totaled $736,000.   These funds cover capital requests and operations.

 

Trujillo said that a delegation would be appointed from the RPO to review and rank proposals at the next meeting.

 

Bob Perry noted that seven proposals had been received.  Copies of the proposals would be available at the December meeting for review and would be rated on January 5.

 

VII.            Presentation on Local Road Fund

This presentation will be rescheduled because Mr. Trujillo had a prior commitment.

 

VIII.         Update on NMDOT Request for Highway Projects Not on State Highway System

Phil Gallegos and Brian Degani both stressed that priority lists be sent to Deaux for submission to the Secretary.  GRIP II will be developed from this list and work on that is beginning.

 

Barbara Deaux said she had submitted the information she had received from members on October 15.  Copies of that letter were available at the meeting.  Deaux also said she had copies of the Los Alamos County information, which had been submitted directly to Greg White and copied to NCNMEDD.  Patrick Nicholson asked where the Taos Pueblo list was, as he had emailed it.  Deaux said she would check her email list and submit it as an update.  Nicholson said he would resend the information.

 

Deaux also said she had a list of planning projects she would like to submit as an update.  Those included

a.       Planning/Feasibility/Implementation  Study for Enchanted Circle RTD

b.      Planning/Feasibility Study for Red River to Taos Ski Valley Gondola

c.       Feasibility Study for Helipad for Tourism/EMS/Firefighting/Commuter traffic

d.      Bike and walking path (trail) located on drainage from NM64/585 intersection east 3 miles.  This project would connect the Transit System with the Youth and Family Center, as well as the Junior High.  Proposed project to include an 8' minimum trial with signage and constructed on town-owned property.

 

Deaux asked for any additional requests to be sent to her for inclusion in the update.

 

Lorenzo Valdez said it would be good to take a look at some of the roads the counties end up with. 

 

Phil Gallegos said that a possible GRIP II would be heavy in local government projects and is probably two years out.

 

Valdez continued that he would like a team effort with the state so that Rio Arriba County could coordinate with Jicarilla Apache on roads.  Gallegos said that the Jicarilla Apache Nation had signed the MOU with NMDOT.  NMDOT is working toward a continuous working relationship will all the tribes and the MOU will require quarterly meetings with tribal representatives.

 

At this point, Deaux introduced Merlin Cassador, representing Jicarilla.  Casssador said he was new to the RPO and was listening to everything.  He understood that Rio Arriba County wanted to work with the tribe on some issues.  Caassador wants to complete 537 to the 64 junction.  The minutes of the last meeting indicated that federal funding had been obtained for this road but he was not sure about this.  Gallegos said there is a federal earmark for FY 06.  Cassador also said President Vicente wants lighting for Dulce.  Gallegos said there were funds for this in 06, as well.  NMDOT will call its first quarterly meeting with the tribe soon to discuss Dulce.  They plan on replacing the bridge at J9, doing pedestrian improvements and road repair.

 

Valdez continued the conversation with discussion about other tribal/county road cooperation.  He noted there was a problem with availability of road building materials.  A better gravel pit is needed.

 

Gallegos added that with plans to fix 64 from the Broken Butt Saloon to the San Juan County line, more materials will be needed in this area.

 

IX.              Road Projects

 

Phil Gallegos said that NMDOT and Molzen Corben are jointly working on the SR 68 La Posta to Placitas project.  Molzen Corben will be holding a public meeting in December regarding the project.  Safety projects discussed included the Española sidewalk and McCurdy Road in Española.  These are being designed by NMDOT. Taos US 64 North is designed and the Rights of way criteria and environmental work will be done by the end of this week.  NMDOT has taken the lead in designing DP Road in Los Alamos.. There will be a temporary light installed at SR 76 and 583.

 

Bob Perry added that the RPO would be wrapping up acceptance of projects in February to prioritize in March.  There have been very few projects submitted at this time.

 

Phil Gallegos said the 2006-201 STIP  would be a new STIP, not an update.  They will re-prioritize projects that did not make it last time.  He will provide the 2005-2010 internal list of projects at the February meeting. 

 

Brian Degani asked if the RPO had received the STIP development schedule.  He said he would email it to the RPO for distribution.

 

Someone asked if the MAP funding will go through GRIP.  Gallegos said MAP requests would go through the Transportation Commission.  The Commissioner and District Engineer McElroy will make selections.  Gallegos also asked that members submit safety projects through him so that he can review their estimates to make sure they are correct.

 

X.                 Next Meeting

Bob Perry said the next meeting would be December 1 at the Santa Fe County Commission Offices in Santa Fe on Grant Street.  This will be an important meeting.  Ernie Padilla will provide an extensive update on ADA issues.  It is important to bring elected officials and others who need to understand these issues.  Standards keep changing all the time.

 

Brian Degani said it is possible to save money and make things easier by adding these standards to rules for new subdivisions.

 

Perry said Padilla will be providing standards and specifications.

 

Pat Nicholson asked that the BIA Area Office be notified of meetings and offered to send contact information. 

 

Brian Degani said the Long Range Plan is being compiled from the draft and the comments that were received from MPO’s and RPO’s.  From there, it goes through Secretary Faught to the Federal Highway Administration.

 

Perry said that Santa Fe County will try to get parking passes for the parking garage on Sandoval.

 

XI.              Adjourn

Pat Nicholson made a motion, seconded by Senon Vigil and passed unanimously to adjourn.