MPO Policy Committee

MINUTES FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION SPECIAL POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING August 7, 2013 Policy Members Present: Sherri Sipe, City of Aztec Gayla McCulloch, City of Farmington Scott Eckstein, San Juan County Dan Darnell, City of Farmington (arrived at approximately 2:15 p.m.) Technical Members Absent: Pat Lucero, City of Bloomfield Staff Present: Mary Holton, MPO Officer Joe Delmagori, MPO Planner Duane Wakan, MPO Associate Planner June Markle, MPO Administrative Aide Staff Absent: None Also Present: Phil Gallegos, NMDOT District 5 Larry Hathaway, San Juan County 1. CALL TO ORDER Ms. Sipe, Acting Chair called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. 2. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 20, 2013 POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING Ms. McCulloch moved to approve the minutes from the June 20, 2013 Policy Committee meeting. Mr. Eckstein seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. 3. UPDATE TO THE REGIONAL TRAFFIC MODEL Subject: Population/Employment Base and Projections Prepared by: Duane Wakan, MPO Associate Planner Date: July 31, 2013 BACKGROUND or PREVIOUS WORK  Staff completed baseline population/employment estimates and changes to the Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZ) boundary structure.  The Policy Committee approved the new TAZ boundary structure on April 23.   The Technical Committee recommended approval of the population and employment for the baseline (2010), mid-year (2025), and long-range (2040) time frames at their July 25 meeting. CURRENT WORK  Staff used historical population & employment data sources to extrapolate and determine mid-year and long-range projections for the county and MPO boundary.  Staff re-assigned population and employment distribution based on feedback from land-use planners, developers, Four Corners Economic Development Inc. and other data sources.  Staff intends to make administrative changes to the TAZ structure and/or demographic distribution as needed based on calibration/validation results when updating the regional traffic model.  A consultant was hired to calibrate & validate updates to the model.  Staff has developed a work schedule for traffic model update activities that will be completed in-house and by the consultant. ANTICIPATED WORK  Staff will work with the consultant over the next several months on the model updates (calibration/validation) and gain software training opportunities.  Staff will use the model update to assist with MTP planning activities starting in the fall 2013. ATTACHMENTS  Final Population and Employment TAZ Distribution Maps and the traffic model work schedule will be provided at the meeting. RECOMMENDATION  It is recommended that the Policy Committee approve the FMPO population and employment data for the baseline (2010), mid-range (2025), and long-range (2040) time frames and their distribution across the TAZ structure. It is also recommended that the Policy Committee allow staff to complete administrative changes to the TAZ structure and/or demographic distribution based on the calibration/validation process when updating the regional traffic model. DISCUSSION: Mr. Wakan reported that Staff has been working on population and employment projections for the MPO boundary area. The TAZ structure was approved by both the Technical and Policy Committees earlier in the year. Mr. Wakan said he would present the FMPO population and employment data for the baseline (2010), mid- range (2025), and long-range (2040) time frames and show their distribution across the TAZ structure. Mr. Wakan said Staff had been working with several data sources to get the information needed to update the population/employment forecasts. For projecting future population, Mr. Wakan stated that Staff is looking at data provided by the Bureau of Business & Economic Research (BBER) through UNM. The BBER projections provide population data for San Juan County for the future years of 2025 and 2040. For the employment data, Mr. Wakan said that Staff considered information from the Bureau of Economic Analysis - Regional Economic Information System (BEA REIS) & the Quarterly Workforce Indicators (US Census Bureau). After looking at both sources, Staff chose to use the data provided by the US Census Bureau. Mr. Wakan reported that Staff met with local entity planners, a local developer, as well as staff from Four Corners Economic Development that included a representative from the oil and gas industry. These groups reviewed the employment projections and provided Staff with their thoughts on expected future growth in the area. Mr. Wakan explained that Staff had calculated three different scenarios to project future MPO population numbers. Using the data provided by BBER for the County as well as historical data from the US Census, Staff was able to calculate the MPO population. Staff determined that the MPO area would include approximately 75%-80% of the total County population. The scenario with the most realistic data on the percentage of MPO population compared to the county population showed 74.46% in 2010, 77.77% in 2025, and 79.31% in 2040. Using these percentages and the county’s population projections provided by BBER, Staff developed corresponding MPO population numbers: 2010 - 96,925 (current per US Census Bureau data) 2025 - 119,316 2040 - 138,505 Mr. Wakan said that Staff will next distribute the population numbers over the approved TAZ structure. He showed some slides which showed how the population distribution by TAZ will change from the current year of 2010 out to 2040. To distribute population over the TAZ structure, Staff also had to look at zoning maps for the three cities and speak with County officials to see where they anticipated their future growth. Staff had to consider available land, river corridors, agricultural land, and how established areas have already been built out. If there was no room for growth in a particular TAZ, population would be constrained and pushed elsewhere. The New Mexico Workforce Solutions employment projection for the year of 2020 is 55,653. Using this information and data from the Quarterly Workforce Indicators from the US Census Bureau, Staff again developed three scenarios to project future employment. One scenario provided the most realistic numbers for 2040 and came close to the 2020 employment number of New Mexico Workforce Solutions. From these numbers, Staff then calculated the employment numbers for the MPO boundary area. Using the 2010 employment number of 45,069, employment forecasts were determined for 2025 at 55,342 and at 64,485 for 2040. Mr. Wakan stated that Staff may need to make some administrative adjustments to the TAZ structure or the distribution of the numbers. Staff has hired Mr. Bob Shull, a traffic model consultant, who will review the MPO’s data and then calibrate and validate the traffic model. He may recommend changes to the TAZ structure as well as to possibly moving around the population/employment numbers within the TAZs. Mr. Wakan said Staff was seeking approval of the FMPOs population and employment projections, and their distribution across the TAZ structure, and also approval for Staff to make administrative changes to the TAZ structure and/or demographic distributions for the model calibration and validation process. Ms. Holton asked if these changes would be in consultation with the local planners and city staffs. Mr. Wakan said MPO Staff would certainly work with the local entities on any changes recommended by Mr. Shull. ACTION: Mr. Eckstein moved to approve the FMPO population and employment data for the baseline (2010), mid-range (2025), and long-range (2040) time frames and their distribution across the TAZ structure and to approve allowing Staff to complete administrative changes to the TAZ structure and/or demographic distribution based on the calibration/validation process for the regional traffic model update. Ms. McCulloch seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. 4. TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TAP) Subject: Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Prepared by: Joe Delmagori, MPO Planner Date: July 30, 2013 BACKGROUND or PREVIOUS WORK  MAP-21 has created the new Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).  Funding for TAP projects will be based on a project selection process.  Final TAP guidelines were developed and approved in April.  An overview of the guidelines and project selection process were presented to the Policy Committee and with the Technical Committee in June. CURRENT WORK  MPO Staff scored the first round of TAP applications on July 23 and the Technical Committee reviewed and recommended approval on July 25.  These awarded projects will be funded with the full amount of FFY2014 funds and a portion of the FFY2015 funds.  Because there is a total of $301,348 in TAP funds remaining for FFY 2015, a second round of TAP applications are being submitted by August 5.  MPO Staff will score any additional TAP project applications on August 6.  The recommended list of selected TAP projects from the first and second rounds will be presented to the Policy Committee for approval on August 7. ANTICIPATED WORK  Approve the selected projects in August.  Amend the TIP to include the selected TAP projects.  Work with sponsoring agencies to ensure all TAP requirements are met by October 1. ATTACHMENTS  TAP applications will be provided to the Policy Committee separately.  Scoring for received TAP applications will be provided at the meeting.   TAP federal funding and local match estimates for the MPO.  Submitted TAP projects, descriptions, and costs.  Summary of planning factors used in the scoring process.  Breakdown of TAP funding by category, project, and year. RECOMMENDATION  It is recommended that the Policy Committee: a. Review submitted projects for the TAP program and their scoring. b. Approve the selected list of projects for TAP funding in FFY2014 and FFY2015. DISCUSSION: Mr. Wakan reported that the new MAP-21 legislation was a two-year funding bill and which provided the new funding program called Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). The MPO issued a call for TAP applications and three applications were received by the due date of July 15. Mr. Wakan explained those three projects: First Round Scored and Ranked TAP Applications Sponsoring Agency Project Name Project Scope Target Fiscal Year(s) Area 1.Bloomfield Verada De Rio Trail development Urban 2014 San Juan Trail and infrastructure Phase II along San Juan River 2.Farmington SSRR River Trail Trail Development Rural 2014 along Animas River 3.Farmington 20th Street Sidewalk Urban 2014-2015 Sidewalks construction - Phase I Fairview to Clayton The Southside River Road (SSRR) River Trail project submitted by the City of Farmington was a rural project. The TAP guidelines allow the awarding of funds to both urban and rural project designations. The designation of a rural or urban area is defined by the US Census and determines how the TAP money is distributed across MPOs and RPOs. Mr. Delmagori said the SSRR River Trail project is in the vicinity of the proposed Pinon Hills extension. He displayed a map that showed the proposed extension as SSRR or CR 3000 and how it will intersect with CR 3900. The SSRR River Trail will start at this point and head back to the southwest along the river. Ms. Holton added that this is an unincorporated area and has been owned by the City of Farmington for some time with plans to build a trail. Ms. McCulloch noted that this trail also appeared to be in the area of the future planned pedestrian bridge in the Rancho de Animas subdivision area. It was noted that the SSRR River Trail project is for the trail project only and does not include the pedestrian bridge.  Mr. Wakan said the City of Bloomfield submitted a Phase II application for trail development of their Verada De Rio San Juan Trail. This trail project fell within the urbanized area of Bloomfield so was competing for Urban funds. This project will connect to the current river trail and include utility infrastructure such as lighting for safety purposes. The third application also requested Urban funding and was from the City of Farmington for sidewalk construction along 20th Street from Clayton to Fairview (Phase I). Mr. Wakan explained that at the July 25th Technical Committee meeting, the Technical Committee members recommended approval of the first round of applications. However, they noted there was plenty of TAP funds still available and suggested another call for projects. The members also agreed that the first round of applications would be ranked only against each other and would take priority over any additional applications that might be submitted during a second round of applications. The deadline for the second round of TAP applications was August 5. Mr. Wakan explained the applications received for this second round: Second Round TAP Applications Sponsoring Project Name Project Scope Target Fiscal Agency Area Year(s) 1. Bloomfield Verada De Rio San Trail development and Urban 2015 Juan Trail Phase III infrastructure along San Juan River 2.Farmington 20th Street Sidewalks Sidewalk construction Urban 2015 Phase II Sullivan Ave to Fairview Ave Mr. Wakan showed the Policy Committee members a map of the Phase III of the Verada De Rio San Juan Trail project. He explained how it is planned to connect to the Phase II portion of the trail and will include the installation of the mitigation pond for erosion and insect control. A second application from the City of Farmington for the 20th Street Sidewalks Phase II project was received for the second round of TAP applications. This will continue the sidewalk project along 20th Street from Fairview to Sullivan. Both of the applications received were requesting Urban funds; no rural project applications were received during the second round. Mr. Wakan stated that Staff had scored and ranked all the projects based on the TAP Guidelines. Projects were required to submit a Project Identification Form (PIF) and a TAP Application. The PIF includes the Project Readiness criteria of right-of-way, design, and environmental clearances. A second criteria is Planning which scores the project based on what other city and/or planning documents the project is named in (i.e.; ICIP, TIP, STIP, etc.). The TAP Application required the projects to detail in writing how it met six different scoring factors. Mr. Wakan reviewed the TAP Scorecards for each of the projects with the Policy Committee members. A summary of those scorecards is shown below:  TAP SCORECARD Second Round of TAP First Round of TAP Applications Applications Poi nts Awa rded Poi nts Awa rded Vera da De 20th Street Vera da De 20th Street Pos s i bl e Ri o Sa n Jua n Si dewa l ks Ri o Sa n Jua n Si dewa l ks Project Readiness Poi nts Pha s e II Pha s e I SSRR Tra i l Pha s e III Pha s e II a . Ri ght-of-Wa y 5 5 5 5 5 5 b. Des i gn 5 5 0 0 5 0 c. Envi ronmenta l Certi fi ca ti on 5 5 0 0 5 0 d. Uti l i ty Cl ea ra nces 5 0 0 0 0 0 e. Intel l i gent Tra ns porta ti on Sys tems (ITS) 5 0 0 0 0 0 f. Ra i l roa d 5 0 0 0 0 0 The SSRR Trail project was the only Rural project submitted and the project did not compete with any other application. Planning a . Infra s tructure a nd Ca pi ta l Imrpovements Pl a n (ICIP) 5 5 0 0 5 0 b. Other el i gi bl e pl a ns (2 poi nts ea ch, ma x of 10) 10 8 8 6 8 6 Scoring Factors Fa ctor 1: Economi c Vi ta l i ty 5 5 5 3 5 5 Fa ctor 2: Sa fety a nd Securi ty 5 5 5 4 4 5 Fa ctor 3: Acces s i bi l i ty a nd Mobi l i ty through Integra ti on a nd Connecti vi ty 5 4 5 3 5 4 Fa ctor 4: Protecti on & Enha ncement of Envi ronment: a . Promote envi ronmenta l cons erva ti on 5 5 4 3 5 5 b. Improve qua l i ty of l i fe for res i dents 5 5 4 4 5 5 c. Achi eve communi ty's l a nd us e goa l s 5 5 5 4 5 5 Fa ctor 5: Effi ci ent Sys tem Ma na gement a nd Opera ti on 5 3 5 3 5 5 Fa ctor 6: Sys tem Pres erva ti on 5 4 5 2 3 5 TOTAL 85 66 46 37 65 50 Mr. Wakan reported that the Verada De Rio San Juan Trail Phase II scored the highest of the urban projects in the first round of applications. This was the only project to score 15 points in the Project Readiness category. This project also scored well in the Planning section with a total of 13 points. The 20th Street Sidewalks Phase I project for the City of Farmington was also in the urban category for the first round of applications. The project scored 5 points in the Project Readiness category and 8 points in the Planning section. Mr. Wakan reviewed the applications submitted during the second iteration of TAP applications. He noted that the City of Bloomfield’s Verada De Rio San Juan Trail Phase III scored the highest with points awarded for both Design and Environmental Certifications in the Project Readiness category. Total score for this project was 65 points. The City of Farmington’s 20th Street Sidewalks Phase II project also scored well with a total of 50 points. Ms. Holton stated that when the Technical Committee reviewed the material and made their approval recommendation, they were also validating the scores put forth by Staff. Mr. Wakan said that each project submitted also requested an amount of federal funding necessary to complete the project. The available funding dollars are to be awarded based on overall score and ranking as well as the total federal funds available for FMPO. The federal funding amounts that were requested by the three projects submitted during the first round of applications were: Amount Amount Requested Requested Project 1st Round 2nd Round SSRR River Trail $34,600 Bloomfield River Trail Phase 2 $158,580 20th Street Sidewalks Phase 1 $188,700 Bloomfield River Trail Phase 3 $158,580 20th Street Sidewalks Phase 2 $192,240 Mr. Delmagori said Staff had created two scenarios to illustrate how the available federal funds might be distributed to the projects. He referred to the two handouts distributed to the Policy Committee members (shown on the following pages). In the upper left corner of Scenario #1, Mr. Delmagori explained the overall FMPO funding table which details the TAP money available by each category (Urban, Rural, and Anywhere) and the required local match. Overall, FMPO has $341,614 in federal dollars for both FFY2014 and FFY2015 with the corresponding match. This gives the MPO just under $800,000 in TAP funding over the course of two years. The green colored section in the middle of the spreadsheet shows the three original TAP projects submitted in July. Mr. Delmagori stated that almost all of these projects were able to be funded in the first year. The Rural Funds were used for the SSRR River Trail project. The entire amount of FFY 2014 Urban Funds ($106,999) plus a supplemental amount of $51,581 from the Anywhere Funds was then used to fund the $158,580 of the Verada De Rio San Juan Phase II project. Mr. Delmagori said funding for the 20th Street Sidewalks project then had to be split with the largest portion of the project funded in 2014 and an additional portion of funding needed from 2015 funds. After the Rural, Urban, and a portion of the Anywhere funds were applied, there remained only $148,434. Mr. Delmagori noted that in the bottom left section of Scenario #1, the 20th Street Sidewalks Phase 1 project had requested $188,700. There is a difference of $40,266 between what was requested and the remaining available funding. Next Mr. Delmagori said Staff looked at the available 2015 TAP funds shown in pink in the middle section of Scenario #1. The remaining $40,266 to fund Phase 1 of the 20th Street Sidewalks project is shown being taken from the 2015 TAP Urban Funds to help complete this project. This left $66,733 in 2015 Urban funds that could be applied to Phase III of the Verada De Rio San Juan Trail project. This project needs an additional $91,847 to reach the requested amount of $158,580 which is shown being taken from the 2015 Anywhere funds. Now the Urban funds category is completely used up and there remains only $119,475 in Anywhere funds for 2015. Phase II of the 20th Street Sidewalks had requested $192,240, which leaves a deficit in FMPO’s TAP funds of $72,765. Mr. Delmagori then explained Scenario #2. In this scenario, Staff is recommending that because the SSRR River Trail was the only rural project submitted, that the Rural funds of $23,293 for both 2014 and 2015 be awarded to this project. This gives the project an additional $11,986 above what was requested (table in bottom center of Scenario #2). By doing this, the $11,307 taken from the 2014 Anywhere funds is freed up and can be brought back into the Urban funds category to help support the urban projects. Mr. Delmagori noted that under the 2014 funds requested column, the SSRR River Trail and the Verada De Rio San Juan Trail requests remain the same, but there is an increase from $148,434 to $159,741 that is now available for Phase I of the 20th Street Sidewalks project. Looking at the columns in the pink, the $23,293 in 2015 TAP Rural funds is applied to the SSRR River Trail project; $28,959 in 2015 Urban funds will help complete Phase I of the 20th Street Sidewalks project; leaving $78,040 in the Urban funds category that can go towards Phase III of the Verada De Rio San Juan River Trail project. This project will then need an additional $80,540 of Anywhere funds from 2015 to complete this project. This leaves $130,782 in this category that can be applied to Phase II of the 20th Street Sidewalks project. Mr. Delmagori reported that the reason funding was being applied to Bloomfield’s project in 2015 is because it scored the highest in the Urban category. Looking at the chart in the top right hand corner of both scenarios, Mr. Delmagori noted that that Scenario #1 shows a deficit of $72,765 compared to Scenario #2 with a deficit of $61,458. The deficit is lower in Scenario #2 because all the Rural funds are being used toward one project and that frees up the Urban and Anywhere money and reduces the deficit. Mr. Delmagori stated that in Scenario #2 every dollar of FMPO federal money is being programmed to the projects. In Scenario #1, all the Urban and Anywhere funds are used, but $23,293 of Rural funds are left on the table because there was no additional rural project application to consider. Ms. Holton stated that these projects and the funding scenarios were reviewed by the Technical Committee at their meeting earlier in the day. They recommended approval of Scenario #2. Mr. Delmagori said the reasoning in selecting Scenario #2 was because every dollar is being used and it enables the completion of the Verada De Rio San Juan River Trail. It was believed that the linear aspect of the 20th Street Sidewalks Phase II project allowed it to be more easily scaled back than the loop configuration of the Verada De Rio San Juan Trail project. Instead of taking the sidewalks along 20th Street from Fairview to Sullivan, they could perhaps be taken to Farmington or Schofield to cut back on this project scope. Mr. Delmagori stated that the recommendation of the Technical Committee as well as MPO Staff is to approve Scenario #2 and the projects as presented with the reduced scope of the 20th Street Sidewalks Phase II project since there is only $130,782 in the 2015 Anywhere funds available and the project had requested $192,240. SCENARIO #1 Population Target Area FFY 2014 FFY 2015 Total Federal Urban & Anywhere Available for FFY2015 $ 278,055 Pop. 4,999 or less (Rural) $ 23,293 $ 23,293 Pop. 5,000 to 200,000 $ 106,999 $ 106,999 Blmfld is requesting $ 158,580 Pop. 200,001 + NA NA Farmington is requesting $ 192,240 Anywhere $ 211,322 $ 211,322 Requested total $ 350,820 Federal Total: $ 341,614 $ 341,614 Local Match $ 58,215 $ 58,215 Difference $ (72,765) TAP Total for MPO $ 399,829 $ 399,829 How will we reduce the federally requested amounts to match the Available Federal Funds? FMPO FFY2014-2015 TAP Funding Awards 2014 TAP 2014 TAP 2014 TAP 2014 TAP 2015 TAP 2015 TAP 2015 TAP 2015 TAP Total Local Fed Funds Urban Funds Rural Funds Anywhere Fed Funds Urban Funds Rural Funds Anywhere Applicant/Category Match Requested Awarded Awarded Funds Requested Awarded Awarded Funds Requirement Awarded Awarded SSRR River Trail (FMTN Rural) $ 34,600 $ - $ 23,293 $ 11,307 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 5,896 Verada de Rio San Juan (BLMFLD Urban) $ 158,580 $ 106,999 $ - $ 51,581 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 27,024 20th Street Sidewalks (FMTN Urban) $ 148,434 $ - $ - $ 148,434 $ 40,266 $ 40,266 $ - $ - $ 32,157 Remaining Urban/Rural Available $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 301,348 $ 66,733 $ 23,293 $ 211,322 $ 51,353 Verada de Rio San Juan Phase 3 $ 158,580 $ 66,733 $ - $ 91,847 $ 27,024 20th Street Sidewalks Phase 2 $ 192,240 $ 119,475 $ 32,760 Total $ 341,614 $ 106,999 $ 23,293 $ 211,322 $ 391,086 $ 106,999 $ 23,293 $ 211,322 $ 124,861 Project Amt Request SSRR River Trail $34,600 Bloomfield River Trail Phase 2 $158,580 20th Street Phase 1 $188,700 Bloomfield River Trail Phase 3 $158,580 20th Street Phase 2 $192,240 Scenario #2 Population Target Area FFY 2014 FFY 2015 Pop. 4,999 or less (Rural) $ 23,293 $ 23,293 Pop. 5,000 to 200,000 $ 106,999 $ 106,999 Pop. 200,001 + NA NA Anywhere $ 211,322 $ 211,322 Federal Total: $ 341,614 $ 341,614 Local Match $ 58,215 $ 58,215 TAP Total for MPO $ 399,829 $ 399,829 FMPO FFY2014-2015 TAP Funding Awards 2014 TAP 2014 TAP Urban 2014 TAP Rural 2014 TAP 2015 TAP 2015 TAP 2015 TAP Rural 2015 TAP Total Local Match Applicant/Category Fed Funds Funds Awarded Funds Awarded Anywhere Funds Fed Funds Urban Funds Funds Awarded Anywhere Funds Requirement Requested Awarded Requested Awarded Awarded Southside River Road River Trail (Farmington Rural) from west of Pinon Hills Blvd extension $ 23,293 $ - $ 23,293 $ - $ 23,293 $ - $ 23,293 $ - $ 7,939 Verada de Rio San Juan Phase 2 (Bloomfield Urban) heading east from existing trail $ 158,580 $ 106,999 $ - $ 51,581 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 27,024 20th Street Sidewalks Phase 1 (Farmington Urban) from Clayton to Fairview $ 159,741 $ - $ - $ 159,741 $ 28,959 $ 28,959 $ - $ - $ 32,157 Verada de Rio San Juan Phase 3 (Bloomfield Urban) heading east from Phase 2 $ 158,580 $ 78,040 $ - $ 80,540 $ 27,024 20th Street Sidewalks Phase 2 (Farmington Urban) from Fairview to Sullivan $ 130,782 $ 130,782 $ 22,287 Total $ 341,614 $ 106,999 $ 23,293 $ 211,322 $ 341,614 $ 106,999 $ 23,293 $ 211,322 $ 116,430 Project Fed Amt Request Comments SSRR River Trail $46,586 The original federal funding request for SSRR Rivertrail was $34,600. This amount was increased to $46,586 so that this rural project Bloomfield River Trail Phase 2 $158,580 would use all of the rural TAP funds available to the FMPO. 20th Street Phase 1 $188,700 Bloomfield River Trail Phase 3 $158,580 20th Street Phase 2 $130,782 The original federal funding request for 20th St Phase 2 was $192,240. This amount was reduced to $130,782 due to availability of funds. Total Federal Funds Awarded (2014 & 2015) $683,228 ACTION: Ms. McCulloch moved to approve Scenario #2 of the selected projects for TAP funding for 2014 and 2015. Mr. Eckstein seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. Ms. McCulloch asked if Aztec was aware of the call for projects and if they had submitted any projects. Mr. Delmagori stated that Aztec was aware of the deadlines for project application submittal and Ms. Roshana Moojen had been trying to get something prepared, but was unable to secure the needed approvals from the City of Aztec. 5. COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM Subject: Complete Streets Prepared by: Joe Delmagori, MPO Planner Date: July 30, 2013 BACKGROUND or PREVIOUS WORK  Complete Streets is a means of designing a roadway so that it accommodates all modes of travel, such as walking, biking, and transit.  The Complete Streets Advisory Group has developed values, goals, and a vision statement that indicate the need and importance of Complete Streets.  The Advisory Group held its latest meeting on July 9. CURRENT WORK  On July 9, the MPO worked with the Advisory Group to finalize Complete Streets values, goals, and the vision statement.  The Advisory Group recommended approval of the vision, goals, and values; the Technical Committee recommended approval on July 25.  Staff introduced the concept of defining new land use context areas and road types for the development of Complete Streets design guidelines.  The Advisory Group worked on an exercise to begin defining regional land use context areas and road types for this area. ANTICIPATED WORK  Further development of definitions and characteristics for regional land use context areas and road types. ATTACHMENTS  The values, goals, and vision statement as recommended by the Advisory Group and the Technical Committee.  Land use context areas & road type examples.  RECOMMENDATION  It is recommended that the Policy Committee: a. Approve the Complete Streets Values, Goals, and Vision Statement as recommended by the Complete Streets Advisory Group and the Technical Committee. b. Receive a report on the July 9 Complete Streets Advisory Group meeting. DISCUSSION: Mr. Wakan reported that the last Complete Streets Advisory Group meeting was held on July 9. The Advisory Group finalized the Complete Streets values, goals, and vision statement and recommended approval of same. These were presented to the Technical Committee at the July 25 meeting and they also recommended the values, goals, and vision statement be approved. Mr. Wakan referred to Pages 7-9 of the Agenda which showed the final recommended values and goals. Page 10 of the Agenda shows the final vision statement. The Advisory Group started with several variations of the vision statement ideas and those were eventually blended into the final vision statement at the July 9 meeting. The July 9 version of the vision statement added a second sentence to say, “These will address…” The Advisory Group thought the word “address” gave more strength to the statement. Ms. McCulloch asked what was meant by the word “These”. Mr. Delmagori clarified that “these” referred back to the multi-modal and context appropriate transportation networks. The Policy Committee asked to have the word “networks” inserted into the statement and for it to read: The Farmington MPO region will plan, design, and construct connected, multi- modal, and context appropriate transportation networks. These networks will address the needs of all users and integrate the community values of health, safety, and economic vitality in an aesthetically pleasing way. ACTION: Mr. Eckstein moved to approve the Complete Streets Values, Goals, and Vision Statement as recommended by the Complete Streets Advisory Group and the Technical Committee with the inclusion of the word “networks”. Ms. McCulloch seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously. Ms. McCulloch asked what the timeline was for Complete Streets. Mr. Delmagori said he would address that with the next section of the Complete Streets update. Mr. Delmagori reported that with the approval of the values, goals, and vision statement, the framework of Complete Streets is set. These first steps defined the reasons why the process was begun and what was hoped to be accomplished by developing Complete Streets guidelines and policies. Mr. Delmagori said that moving forward, the Advisory Group will look at land use context areas and road types which will eventually lead to developing the design guidelines for the area. Mr. Delmagori referred to Page 11 of the Agenda which showed some examples from other cities and state DOTs on how to develop and illustrate design guidelines. From the design guidelines, policies will be developed that will strengthen the importance of Complete Streets. The final step will be a resolution to show overall support of Complete Streets at the MPO level as well as at the local entity level. The concept of land use context areas and road types comes from the Complete Streets manuals of the Pennsylvania DOT (PennDOT) and the City of Roanoke, Virginia. The idea behind what is shown on Page 11 is to create an overlay on top of what this area already has when it comes to land use and road classifications. Mr. Delmagori explained that as one traveled through cities, the neighborhoods are changing as well as the characteristics of those neighborhoods and the roads change as a particular corridor is traveled. The information shown on Page 11 becomes an umbrella for a road section with a unique combination of characteristics so the design guidelines can be related in a more appropriate manner. Mr. Delmagori gave a presentation which provided some information as to PennDOT’s definition of land use context areas and roadway types. The City of Roanoke also has a definition which is described by eight character districts. The character districts provide a general perspective of how land is developed over time by grouping land uses according to building style, development form, and land purpose. Mr. Delmagori noted that both of these documents contain disclaimer language to say that one size does not always fit all. There will be times when aspects of the land use context areas will not fit the built environment, but then it is up to the planners, engineers, and developers involved in the process to come to an agreement as to what context area a particular neighborhood should have. The PennDOT Smart Transportation Guidebook also says that road types should be used as a planning and design “overlay” for individual projects and that it does not replace the traditional functional classification system. Mr. Delmagori’s presentation showed a snapshot of some of Roanoke’s character districts. They give the area a name, a definition that describes what that area would have and look like, and then provide a visual image of the area. The PennDOT approach to depicting land use area is similar. They have seven different land use context areas that they have named, defined, and provided a picture to clearly explain the area. Mr. Delmagori then showed how PennDOT and Roanoke link their districts to their road typology. The presentation provided a clear visual image of what the land use area might look like when a road type is linked to it. Roanoke’s guidelines have a “preferred multimodal option” for their road cross-sections along with a variety of other options for their planners and engineers. PennDOT uses a tabular approach that provides distinct guidelines for specific settings and linages. Mr. Delmagori explained how these ideas and approaches might be applied to the MPO region and be considered by the Advisory Group through the Complete Streets process. Mr. Delmagori showed pictures from the MPO area that depicted some of these varying styles within each of the categories. Residential • Kirtland area - sparsely populated, spread out, many mobile homes • Foothills area of Farmington - larger homes, acreage is larger, spread out • Northeast area of Aztec - housing is denser/closer together, meandering roads • Dustin Avenue - traditional, grid style neighborhood; compacted housing Commercial • East Main corridor – big box stores surrounded by large parking lots • Downtown Farmington – condensed, buildings close together, parking is consolidated to particular area or is on-street, • 20th Street – more suburban, mix of commercial uses Mr. Delmagori stated that there was also a variety of road types within the road classifications in the MPO area. The principal arterial, such as NM 516, US 550, and US 64 all have different characteristics as you drive them. They will have different looks and provide different elements (raised median, shoulders, curb/gutter/sidewalk, open driveway, gravel shoulders, and multiple lanes) as the roadway traverses from one land use area to another. The minor arterials also look different when comparing 20th Street, Apache Street, and the north part of Dustin Avenue. Mr. Delmagori said the Dustin Avenue example is the best example of Complete Streets for the area providing features for all different types of modes. Although each of these examples is classified as minor arterials, their characteristics often vary. Mr. Delmagori presented a virtual tour along NM 516 to show how the corridor transitions as it travels through the different land use context areas from Farmington to Aztec. Beginning at US 64 the roadway is wide with a two-lane left turn lane and sidewalks, but no nearby developments. As it travels through the commercial corridor of East Main, there is an extra travel lane in each direction, raised medians, and the right in/right out for access management control. On the fringe of Farmington, the road is back to four travel lanes, has wide shoulders, and there are no sidewalks. The areas between Farmington and Aztec have four lanes of travel, grassy medians that may be traversable, and dirt shoulders. When NM 516 reaches Aztec, it becomes more of a suburban corridor with raised medians or left turn lane, breakdown lane, and sidewalks. Mr. Delmagori also a similar demonstration of how 30th Street changes as it transitions from west to east through Farmington. Mr. Delmagori said the Advisory Group will consider how to develop the area’s land use context areas, the road types, and how to link the two. Ms. Holton asked what the expected timeline for the Complete Streets process was. Mr. Delmagori said Staff anticipates spending anywhere from two to six months on the land use context areas and road types. Completion of this step in the process will be dependent on how quickly the Advisory Group becomes familiar with the new concepts and adapts to this step in the project. The next step is the development of the guidelines and Mr. Delmagori said this step could take an additional three to six months. He hopes that by next summer the Complete Streets guidelines, policy, and resolution will be complete. Ms. McCulloch said the Farmington City Council had approved engineering studies for Foothills Drive. As concepts are discussed and designed, she would like to have Complete Streets guidelines considered and incorporated into the design. Ms. Holton asked if Staff had examples from other cities of a similar road section where Complete Streets ideas had been implemented. Mr. Delmagori said Staff could certainly gather some information for the Policy Committee. Mr. Darnell said he had participated in two of the public meetings where ideas for Foothills Drive were discussed. He believes the residents are not interested in widening the roadway but do want to have sidewalks and other features to calm traffic and to allow the road to function differently. Mr. Darnell asked if Complete Streets concepts could achieve these goals and were there features of Complete Streets that could be implemented to improve the roadway. Mr. Delmagori said that features could definitely be added to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. Ms. Holton said the MPO could provide the City Council with information on how Complete Streets concepts could be applied to Foothills Drive if this was something they were interested in hearing more about. ACTION: The report on the second part of Agenda Item #5 was received. 6. RECEIVE A REPORT FROM NMDOT Mr. Gallegos reported that the intersection project of US 64 and US 550 is expected to be complete by the end of the summer. The project at the intersection of NM 516 and Light Plant Road in Aztec will be started soon. Albuquerque Underground was awarded the contract and a pre-construction meeting will be held next week. This project is expected to be completed before winter. Mr. Eckstein said he had received complaints about overgrown weeds in the medians especially near the Mesa Manzano subdivision. Mr. Gallegos said the Technical Committee members had also brought up this concern and Mr. Gallegos will check with Mr. Dave Martinez, the maintenance engineer, to see what the schedule is. Mr. Gallegos said the entire District 5 area is having issues with weeds with all the recent rains. Ms. McCulloch asked when the speed limit in Bloomfield would be increased. Mr. Gallegos said Mr. David Quintana is working on this and will be getting information back to Mr. Gallegos shortly. Mr. Gallegos stated that speeds are typically decreased for the duration of construction for safety reasons. Because the construction on US 64 is now concentrated in the intersection with US 550, Mr. Gallegos will see if the speed can be raised. Mr. Brian Degani was unable to attend the meeting so there was no Planning Division update. 7. RECEIVE A REPORT ON TRANSIT DATE COLLECTION ACTIVITIES Subject: Red Apple Transit Data Collection Prepared by: Joe Delmagori, MPO Planner Date: July 30, 2013 BACKGROUND or PREVIOUS WORK  Two interns were hired on June 3 for transit data collection for the Red Apple Transit system.  The interns collect ridership by route, boardings and departures by stop, and track passenger origins and destinations.  The interns also distribute surveys that collect information on frequency of use and why transit trips are taken. CURRENT WORK  The interns collect data on two routes each week, riding during four weekdays and on Saturday.  Scheduling typically allows for each hourly run during the day to be counted.  The interns are finishing their data collection in August. ANTICIPATED WORK  Staff will evaluate the collected data for any correlations between social economic factors and riders.  Staff will evaluate the transit need within this region.  The data will assist Red Apple in identifying potential future transit changes. RECOMMENDATION  It is recommended that the Policy Committee receive a report on Red Apple Transit data collection activities. DISCUSSION: Mr. Delmagori reported that the MPO had hired two interns on June 3 for transit data collection for the Red Apple Transit system. As in previous years, they have been collecting ridership information by route, boardings and departures by stop, and tracking passenger origins and destinations. In addition, the interns also distributed surveys that collected information on the frequency of use by riders and why transit trips are taken. The interns collected two full months of data and both will be finishing up this week. Staff has been processing the data as it was collected. They will begin to evaluate the data and see what observations or trends can be determined. This will take two to three months to complete and Mr. Delmagori said Staff expects to have a report ready for the Policy Committee by the November meeting. ACTION: The report was received. 8. INFORMATION ITEMS Subject: Information Items Prepared by: Joe Delmagori, MPO Planner Date: July 30, 2013 INFORMATION ITEMS a. MPO Summit. As discussed on June 20, the Las Cruces MPO is coordinating a statewide MPO Summit for MPO Policy members in Albuquerque on Saturday, September 14. Staff will provide an update and discuss local participation. b. Other. DISCUSSION: Mr. Delmagori reminded the Policy Committee members of the MPO Summit scheduled for September 14 in Las Cruces. Mr. Delmagori had received a call from the Las Cruces MPO regarding the summit and he directed the intern to contact Mr. Pat Lucero, FMPO’s Policy Committee Vice Chair. Since Staff has been invited to participate, Mr. Delmagori said he does plan to attend and said he would follow up with the Policy Committee members in a few weeks to see who might also be interested in attending. Ms. Holton said the MPO would pick up the travel expenses for those members interested in attending. Mr. Delmagori reported that the NMAPA conference will be in Farmington on October 2- 5, 2013. The preliminary program and registration forms are available on the NMAPA website. Ms. Holton added that the MPO will pay the conference registration fee for those interested in attending. Ms. Holton said the MPO Complete Streets outreach has continued with a presentation in June to the local realtors along with an upcoming radio interview on KENN Radio. Additionally, Complete Streets will also be one of the sessions presented at the NMAPA conference. Ms. Holton said the conference committee had wanted to get Mr. Dan Burden to speak, but he was booked for the Oklahoma planning conference. On Friday afternoon, October 4, there will be a session on Complete Streets. Mr. Delmagori will speak to getting a Complete Streets program started and then a panel of representatives from Albuquerque and Rio Rancho will discuss implementation and provide actual examples. Ms. Holton said the conference will also host a variety of transportation planning sessions as well as other planning sessions focused on natural resources and economic development. She said there were four mobile workshops to choose from that were scheduled for Wednesday, October 2. These workshops include tours of the: Animas/LaPlata Water Project (Lake Nighthorse in Colorado), NAPI facility, Four Corners Generating Station, and Berg/Animas National Recreation Trail (walking tour). Mr. Don Elliott, a land use attorney and planner out of Denver, is the Keynote Speaker and will kick off the conference on Thursday morning, October 3. 9. BUSINESS FROM THE CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS AND STAFF There was no business from the Chairman, Members or Staff. 10. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR There was no business from the floor. 11. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Eckstein moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. McCulloch seconded the motion. Ms. Sipe adjourned the meeting at 2:53 p.m. __________________________ ________________________________ Sherri Sipe, Acting Chair June Markle, MPO Administrative Aide