MPO Policy Committee

MPO POLICY COMMITTEE AGENDA May 26, 2016 1:30 p.m. Council Chambers Bloomfield City Hall 915 North First Street Bloomfield, New Mexico  AGENDA FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING May 26, 2016 1:30 PM This meeting will be held in Council Chambers at Bloomfield City Hall, 915 North First Street, Bloomfield, New Mexico. ITEM PAGE 1. Call meeting to order 2. Approve the minutes from the April 28, 2016 Policy Committee meeting. 9 3. Consider approval of Amendment #3 to the FFY2016-2021 Transportation 1 Improvement Program (TIP) and the Self-Certification for Amendment #3 to the FFY2016-2021 TIP. Presented by: Duane Wakan 4. Consider approval of the proposed FY2017 MPO Budget. 4 Presented by: Duane Wakan 5. Receive a report on the draft FFY2017-2018 Unified Planning Work Program 5 (UPWP). Presented by: Duane Wakan 6. Review the Committee Bylaws – Committee Member Attendance Requirements 6 Presented by: Mary Holton 7. Reports from NMDOT a. District 5 (Paul Brasher) b. Planning Division (Robin Elkin) 8. Information Items 8 a. Associate Planner b. MPO QAR c. TAP & RTP Call for Projects d. MPO Quarterly e. Special Policy Committee Meeting f. Other Presented by: Duane Wakan 9. Business from Chairman, Members, and Staff 10. Business from the Floor 11. Adjournment ATTENTION PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact the MPO Administrative Aide at the Downtown Center, 100 W Broadway, Farmington, New Mexico or at 505-599-1466 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the MPO Administrative Aide if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.  FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Agenda Item #3 Subject: FFY2016-2021 TIP Amendment #3 Prepared by: Duane Wakan, MPO Planner Date: May 16, 2016 BACKGROUND  On May 8, 2016 the Farmington MPO advertised Amendment #3 to the FFY2016-2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  The amendment addresses an NMDOT project in the TIP  The Technical Committee held a public hearing on TIP Amendment #3. No comments were received.  The Technical Committee recommended approval on May 11, 2016. AMENDED TIP PROJECTS  NMDOT has requested a change to #F100112 – Phase V of US 64.  Adds a design phase for $350,000 in FY2017 ($299,040 STP Flex & $50,960 State Match)  Adds a construction phase in the amount of $1,491,929.76 in FY17 ($1,193,544 HPP & $298,386 State Match) ANTICIPATED WORK  Seek approval of the amendment at the May 26, 2016 Policy Committee meeting. ATTACHMENT(S)  The Public Notice advertising Amendment #3.  Self-Certification to Amendment #3. ACTION ITEM  It is recommended that the Policy Committee consider approval of Amendment #3 to the FFY2016-2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Self-Certification to Amendment #3 to the FFY2016-2021 TIP. 1  PUBLIC NOTICE The Farmington MPO is advertising Amendment #3 to the FFY2016-2021 Transportation Improvement Program. This public comment period meets all of the applicable requirements of the federal transportation bill MAP-21 and the federal transit requirements of Section 5307(c) (1-7). As required by federal law and the Farmington MPO Public Participation Plan, the FMPO is holding a 15-day Public Comment Period and Public Hearing on Amendment #3 to the FFY2016-2021 TIP. The 15-day comment period is from May 8, 2016 to May 22, 2016. The public may also make comments on the proposed amendment at the following meeting: Public Hearing: During the Farmington MPO Technical Committee meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 in the Executive Conference Room at Farmington City Hall, 800 Municipal Drive, Farmington, New Mexico 87401. Final approval on the proposed amendment will be taken during the Farmington MPO Policy Committee meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday May 26, 2016 in Council Chambers at Bloomfield City Hall, 915 North First Street, Bloomfield, NM 87413. Written comments may be sent to the Farmington MPO at: Fax: (505) 599-1299 Mail: Farmington MPO, 800 Municipal Drive, Farmington, New Mexico, 87401 Email: dwakan@fmtn.org The public may view this Amendment at www.farmingtonmpo.org. For more information contact Duane Wakan, MPO Planner, at (505) 599-1449. 2  MPO SELF-CERTIFICATION Amendment #3 to the FFY2016-2021 Transportation Improvement Program The Farmington Metropolitan Planning Organization hereby certifies that the following amendment is being conducted in accordance with all applicable requirements of 23 CFR 450.218 and 23 CFR 450.324 and the federal transit requirements of Section 5307(c) (1-7). The TIP Amendment was made available to the public via a notice in the local newspaper and on the MPO website. A 15-day public comment period was held from May 8, 2016 through May 22, 2016. The following projects are part of Amendment #3: Added/Amended/Deleted Projects  Adds a design phase for $350,000 in FY2017 ($299,040 STP Flex & $50,960 State Match) to Phase V of US 64.  Adds a construction phase for $1,491,929.76 in FY2017 ($1,193,544 HPP & $298,386 State Match) to Phase V of US 64. _____________________________________ Nate Duckett FMPO Policy Committee Chair __________________________________ Date 3  FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Agenda Item #4 Subject: Proposed MPO Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Prepared by: Duane Wakan, MPO Planner Date: May 3, 2016 BACKGROUND or PREVIOUS WORK  The Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) requires that the MPO Policy Committee “develop and approve an annual budget that is adequate to fund the required activities of the MPO.” It also states the FMPOs Budget operate on the Federal Fiscal Year (October 1 through September 30)  The MPO has submitted a proposed budget to the City of Farmington, which anticipates federal grant funding levels to be the same beginning October 1, 2016, as was what was available on October 1, 2015.  The new Federal Transportation Bill FAST Act has allocated additional funding for Metropolitan Planning activities to each State.  The FMPO is expected to receive an additional $7,270 in PL funds with a local match amount of $1,239 totaling $8,509.This will not be official until we receive a Purchase Order from NMDOT.  The Technical Committee recommended approval of the proposed FY2017 MPO budget. CURRENT WORK  Anticipated Annual Matches by the Local Entities (Oct 1, 2016 to Sept 30, 2017): 1. City of Farmington - $35,914 2. San Juan County - $11,971 3. City of Aztec - $5,986 4. City of Bloomfield - $5,986 ANTICIPATED WORK  Seek approval of the proposed budget at the MPO Policy Committee Meeting on May 26, 2016. ATTACHMENTS  The proposed COF FY2017 budget will distributed at the meeting. ACTION ITEM  It is recommended that the Policy Committee consider approval of the proposed MPO FY2017 budget. 4  FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Agenda Item #5 Subject: FFY2017-2018 Unified Planning Work Program Prepared by: Duane Wakan, MPO Planner Date: May 17, 2015 BACKGROUND  The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is the fiscal year work plan for the MPO.  The FFY2017-2018 UPWP will cover planning activities and work products to be completed from October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2018.  Based on the Planning Procedures Manual (PPM), the MPO needs to provide a draft UPWP to NMDOT in April with final approval in June.  The Technical Committee received a report on the FFY2017-2018 UPWP on May 11, 2016.  A UPWP boilerplate is being used by all the MPOs in the state. CURRENT WORK  Staff is working with the entities and NMDOT to identify work programs for FFY2017-2018.  Annual activities will include reporting and budgeting, the traffic count program, TIP maintenance, GIS activities, and Safe Routes to School activities, transit data collection and mapping.  Major activities will include land-use and transportation scenario planning, transit study, travel demand modeling, and data collection for performance measures and public health involvement, completion of safety plan.  Staff estimates base 5303 Transit funds in the amount of $57,119 in both FFY2017 and FFY2018.  Staff estimates base Planning funds (PL) in the amount of $207,125 in both FFY2017 and FFY2018. ANTICIPATED WORK  Develop the final draft of the FFY17-18 UPWP for NMDOT review in June.  Seek approval of the FFY2017-2018 UPWP by the Policy Committee in June via a special meeting. ATTACHMENTS  The draft FFY2017-2018 UPWP can be found at: http://www.fmtn.org/367/MPO- Documents. INFORMATION ITEM  It is recommended that the Policy Committee receive a report on the FFY2017- 2018 UPWP. 5  FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Agenda Item #6 Subject: Committee Bylaws and Operating Procedures – Committee Member Attendance Prepared by: Mary Holton, MPO Officer Date: May 17, 2016 BACKGROUND  The Committee Bylaws and Operating Procedures provide the guidance for the Policy and Technical Committees and were approved on May 28, 2015.  Regular committee member attendance was considered important and both committees discussed this at length.  Language from the Bylaws states: - Attendance by members is required at all Policy Committee meetings. If a Policy Committee member fails to attend seventy-five (75) percent of the Policy Committee meetings in a twelve-month calendar period, (for Technical Committee members also: or fails to attend fifty (50) percent of the Technical Committee meetings in person in a twelve-month calendar period) his membership may be terminated. - The Chair shall speak with a Policy Committee member who is subject to removal through non-attendance to determine if that member will make a commitment to attend Policy Committee meetings. If the member cannot make the commitment, the Chair will send a recommendation to the corresponding City or County Manager that a new member from that entity be designated to serve on the Policy Committee. - The MPO Policy Committee may remove any Policy Committee member upon the grounds of malfeasance or nonfeasance of office through an affirmative vote of three (3) members.  The Technical Committee meeting day was changed from Thursday to Wednesday to accommodate NMDOT attendance. CURRENT WORK  NMDOT attendance, either in person or by phone, continues to be inconsistent.  Present to Policy Committee for further discussion and possible action. ANTICIPATED WORK  Convey the importance of regular attendance and participation and encourage same from NMDOT representatives.  Consider possible further action should attendance not improve. INFORMATION ITEM  The proposal is submitted for the Policy Committee’s review and input only. 6  NMDOT ATTENDANCE AT FMPO COMMITTEE MEETINGS Policy Committee 2014 2015 2016 (to date) 7 Mtgs. + 1 Special 8 Meetings 3 Meetings District 5 District 5 District 5 In Person 1 In Person 6 In Person 2 By Telephone 2 By Telephone 1 By Telephone 0 1 Special Meeting 0 Special Meeting --- Special Meeting --- Meetings MISSED 5 Meetings MISSED 1 Meetings MISSED 1 Planning Division Planning Division Planning Division In Person 1 In Person 2 In Person 1 By Telephone 2 By Telephone 2 By Telephone 0 1 Special Meeting 0 Special Meeting --- Special Meeting --- Meetings MISSED 5 Meetings MISSED 4 Meetings MISSED 2 *A written report was provided 37% of the time by *A written report was provided 12% of the time by *No written reports provided. both District 5 and Planning District 5 and 50% of the time by Planning Technical Committee 2014 2015 2016 (to date) 12 Mtgs. + 1 Special 12 Meetings 5 Meetings + 3 Special District 5 District 5 District 5 In Person 5 In Person 4 In Person 1 By Telephone 0 By Telephone 3 By Telephone 1 1 Special Meeting 0 Special Meeting --- Special Meeting 1 Meetings MISSED 8 Meetings MISSED 5 Meetings MISSED 5 Planning Division Planning Division Planning Division In Person 5 In Person 5 In Person 2 By Telephone 1 By Telephone 3 By Telephone 3 1 Special Meeting 0 Special Meeting --- Special Meeting 3 Meetings MISSED 7 Meetings MISSED 4 Meetings MISSED 0 *A written report was provided 15% of the time by *A written report was provided 17% of the time by *No written reports provided. District 5 and 30% of the time by Planning District 5 and 33% of the time by Planning 7  FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Agenda Item #8 Subject: Information Items Prepared by: Duane Wakan, MPO Planner Date: April 17, 2016 INFORMATION ITEMS a. Associate Planner. An offer of employment for the Associate Planner position was made to, and accepted by, Derrick Garcia. b. MPO QAR. The MPO Quality Assurance Review was conducted on May 2 with representatives of NMDOT’s Planning Division. c. TAP & RTP Call for Projects. NMDOT has issued a call for TAP/RTP projects. Click on the link for the guidelines: http://dot.state.nm.us/content/dam/nmdot/planning/FFY18-19_TAP- RTP_Guide.pdf d. MPO Quarterly. The Farmington MPO will host the MPO Quarterly on June 13 & 14. e. Special Policy Committee Meeting. A special Policy Committee meeting will need to be scheduled in June (possibly June 16 or 23) to consider approval of the FFY2017-2018 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). f. Other 8  PC Draft Meeting Minutes April 28, 2016 MINUTES FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING April 28, 2016 Policy Members Present: Sherri Sipe, City of Aztec Nate Duckett, City of Farmington Jimmy Voita, San Juan County Paul Brasher, NMDOT, District 5 Policy Members Absent: Curtis Lynch, City of Bloomfield Linda Rodgers, City of Farmington Staff Present: Duane Wakan, MPO Planner June Markle, MPO Administrative Aide Staff Absent: Mary Holton, MPO Officer Others Present: Larry Hathaway, San Juan County Bil Homka, City of Aztec Shana Reeves, City of Farmington David Sypher, City of Farmington 1. CALL TO ORDER Councilor Duckett called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. 2. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 25, 2016 POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING Commissioner Sipe moved to approve the minutes from the February 25, 2016 Policy Committee meeting. Mr. Voita seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously. 3. FFY2016-2021 TIP AMENDMENT #2 Subject: FFY2016-2021 TIP Amendment #2 Prepared by: Duane Wakan, MPO Planner Date: April 19, 2016 BACKGROUND  On April 13, 2016 the Farmington MPO advertised Amendment #2 to the FFY2016-2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  The amendment involves a few projects in the TIP  The Technical Committee considered the amendment, held a public hearing, and recommended approval of Amendment #2 at their meeting on April 13. 9  PC Draft Meeting Minutes April 28, 2016 AMENDED TIP PROJECTS  F100091 East Arterial Route Phase II- Amends scope to include 3” asphalt lift to complete work of Phase 1A.  The City of Farmington is requesting to add the Downtown Main Street Complete Streets Road Diet with intersection work from Miller Ave to Auburn Ave at a total estimated cost of $12,000,000 over FFY2017, 2018 and 2019.  No other projects from NMDOT or the other entities were received. ACTION ITEM  It is recommended that the Policy Committee approve Amendment #2 to the FFY2016-2021 TIP and the MPO Self-Certification for Amendment #2 to the FFY2016-2021 TIP. DISCUSSION: Mr. Wakan reported that on April 13, 2016, the Technical Committee reviewed the projects in Amendment #2 to the FFY2016-2021. Following a public hearing where no comments were received, the Technical Committee recommended approval of Amendment #2. Mr. Wakan explained the projects that were part of Amendment #2:  Change of scope to the East Arterial Route; include a 3” asphalt lift to complete Phase IA. This Phase has been constructed and obligated, but a lack of funds in this Phase did not allow for the completion of this lift. The lift is needed to repair a height gap with the intersection of NM 173. This repair is being added into the scope of Phase II of the project;  The City of Farmington requested the addition of the downtown Main Street complete streets road diet and intersection work between Miller and Auburn. The total estimated cost is $12,000,000 over the three fiscal years of 2017, 2018, and 2019. Mr. Wakan said that the City of Farmington complete streets project is a new project being added to the TIP. It will have to be ranked and scored among the other projects already in the TIP. The first scoring committee was comprised of Councilor Duckett, Bill Watson, and MPO Staff and they produced the initial TIP project ranking. Another meeting will be scheduled in the next month or two to rank this project. Councilor Duckett asked if this required the re-ranking of all the projects. Mr. Wakan clarified that any new TIP project will be scored by a scoring committee and then, based on that numerical score, it will be ranked among the other existing projects. Mr. Wakan said NMDOT has requested the changes to project #F100112 – Phase V of US 64 be added to the TIP. These changes will necessitate another amendment process in May. ACTION: Commissioner Sipe moved to approve Amendment #2 to the FFY2016-2021 TIP and the MPO Self-Certification for Amendment #2 to the FFY2016-2021 TIP. Mr. Voita seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously. 10  PC Draft Meeting Minutes April 28, 2016 4. 2016 SPRING TRAFFIC COUNT PROGRAM Subject: 2016 Spring Traffic Count Program Prepared by: Duane Wakan, MPO Planner Date: April 18, 2016 BACKGROUND  The MPO maintains traffic counts for over 220 locations throughout the MPO area.  Locations are counted according to a three-year cycle and change periodically.  Staff split the administration of the annual traffic count calendar into spring and fall iterations which began 2013.  NMDOT Traffic Count Division has asked the FMPO to count an additional 15 locations which have been spread out over the spring and fall schedule.  The Technical Committee reviewed the list of spring traffic counts and recommended approval at their April 13, 2016 meeting. CURRENT WORK  The MPO scheduled 47 weekday volume counts (~21 Speed & Class) to take place on the week of April 25th.  The consultant team is in the second-half of their one-year contract with the MPO. ACTION ITEM  It is recommended that the Policy Committee approve the 2016 Spring Weekday Traffic Count list. DISCUSSION: Mr. Wakan reported that the consultant has actually begun the 2016 spring traffic counts. He referred to the list of locations on Pages 5 and 6 of the Agenda. There are 47 weekday volume counts. Of these, 21 counts will also count speeds of the vehicle crossing over the counter as well as the type of vehicle (class) traveling that section of roadway. All this information will be integrated into the travel demand model and will assist in Staff in identifying where the heaviest truck traffic is seen and in predicting future truck volumes in the region. Mr. Wakan reported that NMDOT asked that an additional twenty-two locations be counted this spring and fall. Those locations have been added to count list. Locations are counted according to a three-year cycle and change periodically. The second half of the locations will be counted this fall. Councilor Duckett reported that a counter located on Butler near Sunrise Parkways was dislodged. Mr. Wakan said he would alert the technician to the problem. 11  PC Draft Meeting Minutes April 28, 2016 ACTION: The report was received. 5. COMMITTEE BYLAWS & OPERATING PROCEDURES-COMMITTEE MEMBER ATTENDANCE Subject: Committee Bylaws and Operating Procedures – Committee Member Attendance Prepared by: Mary Holton, MPO Officer Date: April 17, 2016 BACKGROUND  The Committee Bylaws and Operating Procedures provide the guidance for the Policy and Technical Committees and were approved on May 28, 2015.  Regular committee member attendance was considered important and both committees discussed this at length.  Language from the Bylaws states: - Attendance by members is required at all Policy Committee meetings. If a Policy Committee member fails to attend seventy-five (75) percent of the Policy Committee meetings in a twelve-month calendar period, (for Technical Committee members also: or fails to attend fifty (50) percent of the Technical Committee meetings in person in a twelve-month calendar period) his membership may be terminated. - The Chair shall speak with a Policy Committee member who is subject to removal through non-attendance to determine if that member will make a commitment to attend Policy Committee meetings. If the member cannot make the commitment, the Chair will send a recommendation to the corresponding City or County Manager that a new member from that entity be designated to serve on the Policy Committee. - The MPO Policy Committee may remove any Policy Committee member upon the grounds of malfeasance or nonfeasance of office through an affirmative vote of three (3) members.  The Technical Committee meeting day was changed from Thursday to Wednesday to accommodate NMDOT attendance. CURRENT WORK  NMDOT attendance, either in person or by phone, continues to be inconsistent.  Present to Policy Committee for further discussion and possible action. INFORMATION ITEM  The proposal is submitted for the Policy Committee’s review and input only. 12  PC Draft Meeting Minutes April 28, 2016 DISCUSSION: Mr. Wakan stated that this agenda item was requested to be addressed by Ms. Holton and, in lieu of her unexpected absence at the meeting, he recommended this item be tabled until the May Policy Committee meeting. ACTION: Commissioner Sipe moved to table Agenda Item #5 until the May 26, 2016 meeting. Mr. Voita seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously. 6. COMPLETE STREETS Subject: Complete Streets Prepared by: Duane Wakan, MPO Planner Date: April 19, 2016 BACKGROUND or PREVIOUS WORK  Complete Streets are a means of designing a roadway so that it accommodates all modes of travel, including driving, walking, biking, and transit.  Staff has worked with the Complete Streets Advisory Group (CSAG) on content, and design guidelines for the FMPO planning area.  The Advisory Group held its last meeting on October 1, 2015 and reviewed the draft Complete Streets Design Guidelines document.  Staff made editorial revisions based on input from CSAG members. Works cited and minor grammatical errors will be corrected or updated on an ongoing basis.  Special Technical Committee Workshops were held on February 24, March 16, and April 26 to review and provide edits to the draft Design Guidelines document. CURRENT WORK  Complete a draft review of the Design Guidelines document on April 26.  Seek recommended approval by the Technical Committee on May 11, 2016. INFORMATION ITEM  Receive a preliminary review of the draft Design Guidelines document. DISCUSSION: Mr. Wakan reviewed some of the recent work on the Complete Streets Design Guidelines document by the Technical Committee on April 26, 2016. Some of those items are: - In designing roadways, recognize that one size does not fit all; - Emphasize and honor the regional assets/amenities: cultural, historical, and tribal; - Focus on quality of life; - Better coordination with other divisions within an entity; 13  PC Draft Meeting Minutes April 28, 2016 Mr. Wakan and Mr. Sypher described the desired use of underground utilities and the expense this would entail. As an example, to consider complete streets concepts on the current 20th Street sidewalk project (from Clayton to Sullivan Avenue), $3,000,000 would be the cost to underground the electric for this road segment. Mr. Hathaway added that a 69 KV electric line would cost approximately $300,000 per mile vs. $1,500,000 per mile. Commissioner Duckett asked if cost savings might be recognized with underground electric which, in turn, would help offset the initial cost of the retrofit. Mr. Sypher said with the first project there is always a huge learning curve, but costs will drop as future projects come along. The 20th Street sidewalk is a demo project and a payback will likely not be seen. Mr. Wakan added that the payback is not always going to be seen in decreased utility costs, but in potential increased sales and the private sector redevelopment funds invested in the corridor. These can increase the overall gross receipts tax and improve the sense of place, and are the true payback or reinvestment measures. Mr. Wakan explained how the grant funds are requested from the entities through the MPO. The MPO submits the requests to NMDOT and, following a state-wide ranking, funds are awarded. - Break down silos – groups working independent and separately from others; - Six core values identified: aesthetics, economic development, multi-modal, network connectivity, public health, and safety; - Work with public health to help look at public health in all elements of transportation; - Using available crash data can isolate hazard areas in the cities and focus in on those to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety; o 56% of all fatalities occur in rural areas; o San Juan County is rural; o Identify amenities to improve rural roadways. - Proposed road diet for Main Street in downtown Farmington and improve aesthetics of region; - Focus on place-making; - Network connectivity - conventional grid street pattern vs. cul-de-sac o More planners using grid system; safer and more efficient for all modes of travel; o Cul-de-sac pattern does not have amenities built into it and forces the use of a vehicle to exit the cul-de-sac onto a 4-6 lane facility; o Pinon Hills Boulevard and the East Arterial Route are great new connectivity projects for San Juan County; - Vehicle miles traveled peaked in 2007 nationally and in New Mexico; improvements are needed for the other modes of travel; encourage multi-modal designs for transit; - Important to also design intersections for complete streets; consider simple changes (bulbouts to shorten distance for pedestrians to travel across large highway, signals, refuge islands, protected intersection, roundabouts); - Ensure equity and equal access to complete streets designs and amenities; - Coordinate land use and transportation; include schools; - Coordinate the application of complete streets design guidelines in different combinations of land use context areas and road typologies; 14  PC Draft Meeting Minutes April 28, 2016 - List of possible tools to consider for calming traffic. Councilor Duckett asked if the school board had requested, received, or utilized any complete streets information before the new Tibbetts Junior High. Mr. Wakan said a presentation had been made to the school board and their reinvestment in Northeast Elementary and Hermosa Jr. High was commended. Complete streets concepts seemed to be well received and several photo morphs for Hutton Avenue (Animas Elementary) were presented and there appeared to be interest in seeing changes made. The problems with Tibbetts were only generally addressed. Mr. Wakan stated he had recently presented to Leadership San Juan and there was a good discussion about Tibbetts and the group recognized the need for coordination from all governments including the school district. The MPO is eager to help bring groups together to formulate ideas and gather support from the different stakeholders. Mr. Wakan said the draft of the design guidelines is hoped to be reviewed and finalized by the Technical Committee in May. If this occurs, the final design guidelines should be ready for the Policy Committee to review and consider for approval in May as well. ACTION: The report was received. 7. NMDOT REPORTS District 5 – Paul Brasher Mr. Brasher reported on the following items:  The Transportation Commission has changed their regular meeting date to once every two months instead of once a month;  New Mexico legislature voted to allow local governments to approve the use of four-wheelers on state roads subject to prior approval of the Transportation Commission. Guidelines for approval have not been established yet. District 5 has already received their first application for consideration from the town of Red River. District 5 will look at: road conditions, signage, traffic counts, safety concerns, shoulders or not, connectivity, and speeds before granting approval;  District 5 is discussing with Aztec designing the East Arterial Route as a four-lane facility and becoming a state bypass. Mr. Wakan asked what the impact would be to the proposed detached multi-use trail being planned along the north side of the East Arterial if the roadway is widened to four lanes. Mr. Brasher said this question has come up and is not fully resolved. He thought it was likely that the additional lanes would be made on the south side and would not permanently affect the trail. The entire cross section of the roadway is being reviewed and thought out for future needs.  There is a right-of-way issue with the Pinon Hills Boulevard project. There will be internal discussions within NMDOT and FHWA concerning right-of-way and the environmental considerations behind the selection of the center line. Plan to sit down with Farmington in the next couple of weeks and talk out the details and take positive steps to keep the project moving forward; 15  PC Draft Meeting Minutes April 28, 2016  Construction of US 64 is continuing and will do so for the next six years. Mr. Brasher stated that this is a U.S. route that runs from North Carolina to just over the state line in Arizona and is an important east/west corridor for the country;  Project on NM 173 is in design. NMDOT had planned to being construction this year, but design snags with water and gas transmission lines needed to be relocated, may require that this project be pushed out;  Kirtland Walk Path is an asphalt walk path with curb and gutter that will run for 2.8 miles from CR 6446 (Kirtland Elementary) to US 64; Mr. Voita asked why the turning lanes at the intersection of NM 516 and Country Club Drive in Farmington were not repaved when the roadway was done. Mr. Sypher said that he had spoken with NMDOT’s engineer doing the project who stated that were trying to make the paving project go further and were stretching the dollars as far as they would go. To do this they narrowed the scope of the project. Mr. Brasher said that NMDOT may sometimes have to widen and shorten a project to make the funds go further and still balance safety, mobility, and economy. Planning Division There were no Planning Division representatives present at the meeting or updates provided. 8. INFORMATION ITEMS Subject: Information Items Prepared by: Duane Wakan, MPO Planner Date: April 4, 2016 INFORMATION ITEMS a. Population Decline Article. The MPO worked with David Sypher and Shana Reeves with the COF to articulate a response to NMDOT regarding the need for the Pinon Hills Bridge Project over the Animas River and Oxbow. b. NMDOT Special Planning & Research Funds. The FMPO would like to submit a request to the research division at NMDOT to consider in the cloud technology that has the potential to vastly improve project management and tracking. c. MPO Quarterly. Staff attended the MPO Quarterly in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 22 and 23. The FMPO will host the next Quarterly on June 13 and 14. Walking Tour on US 64 in Bloomfield. d. National Bike to Work Activities. The National Bike to Work week starts on May 16 running through May 20. National Bike to Work Day is May 20, 2016. e. Transportation & Public Health Meeting. The Farmington MPO participated in an inaugural meeting with New Mexico MPO Transportation Planners and 16  PC Draft Meeting Minutes April 28, 2016 Officials in Public Health from across the state on Wednesday March 23 at the Mid-Region Council of Governments. f. Trainings. Staff attended an NHI Course on Highway Program Financing in Albuquerque on March 29 and 30. MRCOG is co-sponsoring one of six ICIP Training Workshops on May 5 in Albuquerque to assist communities in developing their FY2018-2022 ICIP. Additional information can be found at: http://www.mrcog-nm.gov/latest-news/1361-mrcog-to-host-icip-training- workshop?utm_source=April+2016+issue+of+Travel+Times&utm_campaign= March+2016+Travel+Times&utm_medium=email g. Associate Planner. Three final candidates for the Associate Planner position were interviewed in person in April. h. Special Technical Committee Meeting. Another Special Technical Committee meeting was held on April 26 to finalize the revisions and edits to the Complete Streets Design Guidelines. i. Other. DISCUSSION: a. Mr. Wakan reported on a letter received from NMDOT’s Planning Division regarding an article that stated that Farmington was the fastest shrinking city in the country. The City of Farmington articulated a response to NMDOT to correct the inaccurate information presented in the article. b. A presentation was made to the Technical Committee on NMDOT’s Special Planning & Research funds. These funds are to be used for technology transfer projects. Staff would like to encourage NMDOT to consider “in the cloud” software with Citrix (GoTo Meetings) that could enhance communication between NMDOT and the entities. All the communications would be transparent, efficient, and all parties would be accountable. Staff will be presenting this information to the other MPOs to get their input and support. c. FMPO will be hosting the MPO Quarterly in June. Staff plans a tour along US 64 in Bloomfield to see how this facility could be made more accommodating for pedestrians. This is the design element that has been missing with this project and it is important to ask the questions, get the dialog started, and encourage community involvement by the stakeholders impacted by this project. d. May 16-20 is national bike to work week with May 20th designated as bike to work day. Mr. Wakan asked if there was advertising or public announcements that could be made to encourage biking to work on May 20th. Councilor Duckett thought this was a good idea and something that should be promoted. He thought this would provide an opportunity to highlight some areas where it is safe to bike and there might be some good feedback provided from the community. Mr. Wakan will contact the local entities and encourage their participation in promoting bike to work day. e. On March 23, FMPO participated with the other MPOs and public health officials from across the state in discussing the professional convergence of public health and transportation. This was the first time this type of dialog between the groups had been 17  PC Draft Meeting Minutes April 28, 2016 held. The public health sector is supportive of transportation and complete street. They recognize that in order to abate health care costs, the two groups must work together and coordinate their efforts. These two groups plan to meet quarterly to continuing assessing how best to work together. f. Mr. Wakan attended a National Highway Institute (NHI) training addressing transportation legislation, how funds are obligation, and a historical look at the evolution of transportation bills. g. MRCOG is co-sponsoring some training for local entity staff to assist communities in developing their FY2018-2022 ICIP. h. Three candidates were interviewed in person for the Associate Planner position during April. The finalist has been selected and Mr. Wakan is working with Human Resources to complete the necessary hiring paperwork. There were nine overall candidates with Master degrees in transportation or regional planning who applied for the position. i. A Special Technical Committee meeting was held on April 26 to review the current revisions and edits to the Complete Streets design guidelines document. 9. BUSINESS FROM THE CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS AND STAFF There was no additional business from the floor. 10. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR There was no business from the floor. 11. ADJOURNMENT Councilor Duckett adjourned the meeting at 3:15 p.m. ___________________________ _____________________________ Councilor Duckett, Chair June Markle, MPO Administrative Aide 18