NPRPO Progress Report

September 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, STIP, 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       July 6th in Tierra Amarilla, focus on GRIP II submittals and information.

o       August 3rd in Dulce, GIS/GPS phase I presentation by NMDOT planning staff.

o       September 7th in Santa Fe, NMDOT presentation on the RPO process.

Ø      Sent current STIP information for 2007-2011 via email to all members, also have provided hard copies at the regular scheduled meeting in Tierra Amarilla for GRIP II guidance.  Continually provide information, to anyone who requests.

Ø      Development of a Tribal Survey with the assistance of Dr. Bob Widoe, NMDOT Planning Section, that 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      Development of a database outline for GRIP II submittals, forwarded to the NMDOT to be used for all RPOs and the NMDOT.

Ø      Continual follow-up and submittals for GRIP II 2nd form for the number 1 priority. 

 

 

 

 

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 4th quarter for 2005; notice was 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 were also distributed at the NCRTD meeting for the October meeting and other meetings prior to the scheduled date.  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.  Within District 5, a presentation has been made to Santa Fe County; other presentations are in the process of being scheduled.  Have met individually with pueblo governors or tribal administrators to introduce and encourage participation in both the STIP process and the GRIP II initiatives.

Ø      Participated at the quarterly meeting held in Roswell on August 11, discussed issues surrounding the GRIP II initiative, the new NERPO contract to coincide with the Council of Government’s boundaries, attendance by the tribal governments, voting member criteria and existing bylaws.

Ø      Participate in the NCRTD meetings when scheduling allows.

 

 

 

 

3.                  Develop an annual list of Regional Transportation Improvement Program Recommendations (RTIPR) from locally sponsored transportation project proposals.

Ø      There has been a reminder of planning projects for the new STIP cycle at most meetings.

4.                  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, Planning Section, Traffic Monitoring Section, and the Equal Opportunity Program.  Will continue to seek other programs and agencies that will provide guidance and assistance for our members.

Ø      Coordinating 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 either Governors, Tribal Administrators and/or Tribal Transportation Planners to gather data, identify needs and provide information on the RPO process.

 

5.                  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, as well as subsequent reauthorizations.

Ø      Attended the first LTAP Advisory Board Meeting on July 21st.  Discussed the changes and the great strides that Lee is making in the program.

Ø      Attend the RPA meetings when possible

Ø      Attend BPE quarterly meetings when scheduling allows

Ø      Attend NCRTD monthly meetings regularly

Ø      Was requested to be an advisory board member for LTAP.

Ø      Have attended meetings that involve both BLM and FS roads within the Village of Pecos.