NPRPO Progress Report
December 2005
1. Provide effective administration of the NPRPO program.
Ø Revised bylaws to reflect the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District (NCNMEDD) and the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) contract. Discussions will begin at the regular scheduled meeting in October with member determination for necessary changes.
Ø With the assistance of an NCNMEDD staff, Margie Martinez, who has created and maintains the NPRPO website. This website is designed to provide entity transit information, Approved STIP FY 06-11, DRAFT GRIP II, Capital outlay, specialized transit entities, meeting minutes, post upcoming meetings and has links to the NMDOT and LTAP websites. The website has it’s own URL. The website will link to all member entities business information and will provide transit operations information if they are a transit provider. (Attached is a form that is being used to request information)
Ø Email meeting minutes, agendas, and all information received that needs to be conveyed to the NPRPO members. Provide additional copies at the monthly meetings. The meetings held in this quarter were:
o October 5th in Red River, GPS/GIS phase II presentation by Donica Sharpe.
o November 2 in Española, Public Transportation proposals ranking and rating.
o December 7th in Pojoaque, BPE/DOH presentations.
Ø Sent final STIP information for 2006-2011 via email to all members. Continually provide information, to anyone who requests.
Ø Continue to coordinate with Tribes to gather data for the Tribal Survey that was created by Dr. Bob Widoe, NMDOT Planning Section. Outcome of survey will be used to identify tribal needs for transit and transportation to provide an informational and guidance workshop for assistance of funding elements. Involved planning members include, NMDOT planning staff, LTAP, NCRTD, RDC, and Senator Bingamon’s office.
Ø Sent a letter to all voting member designees reminding them of submittals for the Regional Transportation Improvement Program Recommendations, attached a copy of the Project Information Form, and a copy of the approved FT 2006-2011 State Transportation Improvement Plan for creation of the FY 2007-2012 RTIPR.
Ø Provide training to the new transportation planners for the North East Regional Planning Organization.
Ø Was asked to participate in the bylaw review discussions by the NPRPO subcommittee held on December 2.
2. Increase public awareness of NPRPO as an active forum for community and tribal members, road users and government representatives to share information and concerns about the region’s transportation network in order to improve communications and project development.
Ø Update brochure and outlines of the NPRPO program as required that is part of a presentation packet when speaking at local government’s Commission, Council, and Tribal meetings. The brochure and packet is provided to individuals who are not familiar with the RPO process.
Ø Public notice advertised for the 1st quarter for 2006; notice is publicized in the Los Alamos Monitor, Rio Grande Sun, Santa Fe New Mexican, and Taos News. Notice is attached.
Ø Notification cards are sent to every member from the mailing list for monthly scheduled meetings as supplemental reminders. Cards include meeting time, date, location and main topic of agenda. Cards are also distributed at other meetings that are attended prior to the months meeting. Mailing lists are updated on a monthly basis.
Ø Monthly updates will be provided to the members on regional perspectives through information received from attendance at workshops, conferences, and meetings with additional information from NMDOT representatives.
Ø Have been meeting with Tribal Governors, transportation planners or staff to provide information on the RPO process, website participation, and data for tribal surveys. A file has been created for written appointment from the governmental, municipal and tribal body, files to be kept with RPO files at NCNMEDD.
Ø Presentations are an ongoing process.
Ø Participated at the quarterly meeting held in Socorro on November 11 discussed public participation process that occurs within the NPRPO, attendance and participation by the tribal governments, voting member criteria, existing bylaws and budget format.
Ø Participate in the NCRTD meetings when scheduling allows.
Ø Participated at the LTAP Advisory Board Committee meeting held in Ruidoso on October 19th. Discussion revolved around the TTAP program and needed training for the Tribal Governments within the State of New Mexico.
3. Develop an annual list of Regional Transportation Improvement Program Recommendations (RTIPR) from locally sponsored transportation project proposals.
4. Sent a letter to all voting member designees reminding them of submittals for the Regional Transportation Improvement Program Recommendations, attached a copy of the Project Information Form, and a copy of the approved FT 2006-2011 State Transportation Improvement Plan for creation of the FY 2007-2012 RTIPR.
5. Improve local project planning, coordination and preparation for all Local Government and Tribal entities.
Ø Future trainings to include staff from NMDOT through the Transit Rail Section, LTAP, TTAP, Planning Section, Traffic Monitoring Section, and the Equal Opportunity Program and the NCNMEDD Council of Governments. Will continue to seek other programs and agencies that will provide guidance and assistance for our members.
Ø On-going coordination of a possible workshop with DeAnza Valencia, Regional Development Corporation, Field Representative, Chris Moquino, Senator Bingaman’s office and NMDOT Planning staff to provide training for Tribal Governments on State programmatic requirements and regional planning. As it is developing, this will be a pilot workshop that may be used by other RPOs who have tribal membership. Have been meeting individually with Governors, Tribal Administrators and/or Tribal Transportation Planners to gather data, identify needs and provide information on the RPO process.
Ø Participated in an informational training for Land Grants through NCNMEDD on December 3.
6. Participate in statewide planning with the State and Federal agencies to meet the requirements and fulfill the intent of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21), SAFETEA-LU, as well as subsequent reauthorizations.
Ø Attended the second LTAP Advisory Board Meeting on October 19. Discussed additional training programs and request by members of the NPRPO.
Ø Attend the RPA/TPB meetings when possible
Ø Attend BPE quarterly meetings when scheduling allows
Ø Attend NCRTD monthly meetings regularly
Ø Have attended meetings that involve both BLM and FS roads within the Village of Pecos.
Ø Attended the IC Finance Conference in October. Trainings for Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan, Capital Outlay Requests, and additional funding elements are provided through NCNMEDD Council of Governments, of which I provide information for the incorporation of multi-modal elements.