MPO Technical Committee

MINUTES FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING MAY 11, 2022 Technical Members Present: Beth Escobar, City of Farmington Javier Martinez, NMDOT District 5 Nick Porell, San Juan County Steven Saavedra, City of Aztec Dan Flack, Town of Kirtland Technical Members Absent: Andrew Montoya, Red Apple Transit Lisa Hale-BlueEyes, San Juan County Jason Thomas, City of Bloomfield Virginia King, City of Farmington Staff Present: Peter Koeppel, MPO Officer Staff Absent: Kathryn Leys, MPO Associate Planner Others Present: None 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Porell called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. 2. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 13, 2022 TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING Ms. Escobar moved to approve the minutes from the April 13, 2022 Technical Committee meeting. Mr. Saavedra seconded the motion. The motion to approve the minutes passed unopposed. 3. AMENDMENT #4 TO THE FFY2022-2027 TIP Subject: Amendment #4 to the FFY2022-2027 TIP Prepared by: Peter Koeppel, MPO Officer Date: May 11, 2022 BACKGROUND  The Public Notice for Amendment #4 to the FFY2022-2027 TIP was published on the MPO’s website and in the Daily Times on May 8, 2022.  The amendment includes the addition of four new projects: o Sunset Avenue Sidewalk and ADA Improvements o East Main Street Sidewalk and ADA Improvements o Glade Run Trail Improvements  o Westland Park Trail Connection  The Technical Committee will consider recommending approval of proposed Amendment #4 and the Self-Certification for Amendment #4 to the Policy Committee on May 26. AMENDED TIP PROJECT(S)  Sunset Avenue Sidewalk and ADA Improvements o New project  East Main Street Sidewalk and ADA Improvements o New project  Glade Run Trail Improvements o New project  Westland Park Trail Connection o New project ANTICIPATED WORK  Hold a public hearing on TIP Amendment #4 on May 11, 2022.  Consider recommending approval to the Policy Committee of TIP Amendment #4 and the Self-Certification.  Seek approval of the Amendment #4 and the Self-Certification at the May 26, 2022 Policy Committee meeting. ACTION ITEM  Staff recommends that the Technical Committee consider recommending approval to the Policy Committee of proposed Amendment #4 and the Self- Certification for Amendment #4 to the FFY2022-2027 TIP. APPLICABLE CITATIONS  § 450.328 TIP revisions and relationship to the STIP.  (a) An MPO(s) may revise the TIP at any time under procedures agreed to by the cooperating parties consistent with the procedures established in this part for its development and approval. In nonattainment or maintenance areas for transportation-related pollutants, if a TIP amendment involves non- exempt projects (per 40 CFR part 93), or is replaced with an updated TIP, the MPO(s) and the FHWA and the FTA must make a new conformity determination. In all areas, changes that affect fiscal constraint must take place by amendment of the TIP. The MPO(s) shall use public participation procedures consistent with § 450.316(a) in revising the TIP, except that these procedures are not required for administrative modifications.) After approval by the MPO(s) and the Governor, the State shall include the TIP without change, directly or by reference, in the STIP required under 23 U.S.C. 135. In nonattainment and maintenance areas, the FHWA and the FTA must make a conformity finding on the TIP before it is included in the STIP. A copy of the approved TIP shall be provided to the FHWA and the FTA.  (c) The State shall notify the MPO(s) and Federal land management agencies when it has included a TIP including projects under the jurisdiction of these agencies in the STIP. Mr. Koeppel introduced amendment #4 to the FFY2022-2027 TIP which includes the addition of 4 new projects to the TIP. This reflects the funding that was received from the TAP and Recreational Trails programs. The four projects, funding amounts, and funding sources are shown below: Additionally, NMDOT is requesting to amend the US-550 pavement rehab project. This amendment would adjust the funding categories and sources for the road segment between mile mark 161 and 164.9. Staff recommends approval of Amendment #4 to the 2022-2027 TIP. DISCUSSION: There was no discussion by the committee. Chair Porell opened a public hearing on the proposed TIP amendment #4. There were no public comments. Chair Porell closed the public hearing. ACTION: Mr. Saavedra motioned to recommend approval of the proposed TIP Amendment #4 to the 2022-2027 TIP to the Policy Committee. Ms. Escobar seconded the motion. The motion passed with no opposition. 4. FFY2022-2023 UPWP Subject: FFY2023-2024 Proposed Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Prepared by: Peter Koeppel MPO Officer Date: May 11, 2022 BACKGROUND  The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is the MPO’s work plan for two federal fiscal years. The UPWP pairs the MPO’s required work tasks/products with the MPO’s anticipated funding.  The FFY2023-2024 UPWP will cover planning activities and work products to be completed from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2024.  Based on the Planning Procedures Manual (PPM), the MPO needs to provide a draft UPWP to NMDOT in late April, receive input/corrections from NMDOT by June 1 (NMDOT comments have been incorporated), and obtain the approvals by the Committees in May, before submitting the final version to NMDOT before July 1.   Both the Committees reviewed the proposed FFY2023-2024 UPWP during their April 2022 meetings.  A 30-day public comment period was noticed from April 24, 2022 to May 24, 2022  Page 9 of the document outlines the five major work program tasks for the MPO; these tasks are based on a format provided by NMDOT. Subtasks are listed below. You should be aware that the same numbering system is utilized in the MPO’s quarterly invoicing system and in our financial reports, including the Annual Performance & Expenditure Report (APER), which we prepare and submit at the end of every FFY. CURRENT WORK  Annual activities in the UPWP include administering the MPO’s programs, TIP development and management, development of performance measures, GIS activities, Safe Routes to School activities, transit data collection and mapping.  Major activities for the FFY2023-2024 UPWP will include the implementing the policies of the 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan, land-use and transportation planning support activities, transportation performance management, and travel demand modeling updates.  Per NMDOT direction, staff projects that FHWA PL funds of $269,488.00 and FTA 5303 funds of $74,386.25 (both including local matches) for each of the two (2) federal fiscal years will be available. ANTICIPATED WORK  Hold a public hearing on the proposed FFY2023-2024 UPWP.  Seek final approval of the FFY2023-2024 UPWP by the Policy Committee at the May 26, 2022 meeting. ACTION ITEM  Staff recommends that the Technical Committee consider recommending approval to the Policy Committee of the FFY2023-2024 UPWP. Mr. Koeppel introduced the final draft of the 2023-2024 UPWP. He reminded the committee that the UPWP is FMPO’s statement of work and budget document. Mr. Koeppel informed the committee that very little has been changed from the draft that was brought to the committee in April and the final draft. He also noted that the tentative funding amounts from the draft should be treated as final funding amounts and that is reflected in the document. Staff recommends approval of the 2023-2024 UPWP. DISCUSSION: There was no discussion by the committee. Chair Porell opened a public hearing on the proposed TIP amendment #4. There were no public comments. Chair Porell closed the public hearing. ACTION: Chair Porell motioned to recommend approval of the proposed 2023-2024 UPWP to the Policy Committee. Ms. Escobar seconded the motion. The motion passed with no opposition. 5. STATUS OF ENTITY PROJECTS FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Agenda Item #6 Subject: Status of Entity Projects Prepared by: MPO Staff & Technical Committee Members Date: May 11, 2022 BACKGROUND  The STIP Protocols, finalized in early 2014, require that each MPO shall develop a process to monitor the progress and status of each project in the first two years of the TIP. These monthly reviews help correct inconsistencies in the TIP, STIP, the MPO’s MTP, Agreement Request Forms (ARFs), etc. and provide for discussion among the members and NMDOT representatives.  Listed below are current entity projects some of which are part of the FFY2022- 2027 TIP.  The Policy Committee approved the new FFY2022-2027 TIP on May 27, 2021, which became effective on October 1, 2021. ATTACHMENT  The Status Report Table of project updates received from Technical Committee members. Subsequent project updates will be presented by members during the committee meeting. INFORMATION ITEM  This is an information item only. Committee members will have an opportunity to provide any needed feedback/updates/details regarding the status of current projects. DISCUSSION: Aztec – Steven Saavedra F100091 – East Aztec Arterial Phase III: The City of Aztec is working to re- certify all the utility certificates. All certificates had been received except one, Enterprise Field Services. As a result of the delay, all other certificates had expired. The City is going back to get all new certifications, starting with Enterprise Field Services. There is also the relocation of a gas line that needs to occur, as it bisects the project. There will be an additional cost to the City of Aztec. Enterprise Field Services have giving the City a cost estimate and the City has met with them and they are working together to reduce the cost of  moving the gas line. Lastly, the City of Aztec did get the approval for the TIP amendment that will allow them to use the additional funding they received on that project. F100410 – McWilliams Road: Steve Morse, the public works director for the City of Aztec, is making progress on this project. It is expected to go out to bid by the end of summer. Mr. Saavedra added as an informational note to the committee and Mr. Martinez with NMDOT, regarding F100170 - NM173, Mr. Morse, the City of Aztec’s public works director, has been in contact with contractor KC. The contractor is now putting an additional crew out to make up for lost time. This is so they hopefully will not have to deviate from the approved traffic plan. The City is coordinating with their contractor to ensure compliance with NMDOT. Bloomfield – Jason Thomas Mr. Thomas or any other representative from Bloomfield was in attendance. Farmington – Virginia King Ms. King and Mr. BlueEyes were not in attendance. Kirtland – Dan Flack F100420 & F100430 - CR 6405 & CR 6411: The Town of Kirtland has received clearances to move forward on both roads. The Town will complete their bid documents and put the projects out to bid soon. San Juan County – Nick Porell F100021 – East Pinon Hills Blvd Extension Phase III: No updates were given. F100290 – CR5500 Bridge Replacement: This project is complete. The ribbon cutting for the bridge was held May 10, 2022. F100320 – Kirtland Schools Walk Path Extension: Construction of the project began May 9, 2022. Ms. Hale-BlueEyes was at the construction site during the meeting completing day-to-day inspections. This is a 90-day contract. F100360 & F100370 – CR 300 & CR 3500 Bridge Replacements: The County will be awarding a design contract at the County Commissioners Meeting the week following this meeting. Ty-Lin International is being awarding the contract. F100360 – CR 6100 Pavement Rehab: Milling for asphalt repurposing started the Monday prior to this meeting. The milling portion of the project should be completed the day after this meeting. This project is using TPF funds and will be spent in the next two months.  F100400 – Lower Animas Valley River Trail: The County has worked with the City of Farmington and the City of Aztec to submit a grant proposal to the New Mexico’s Economic Development Department’s Outdoor Recreation Division’s Trails+ Grant. Chair Porell has an interview with them in the coming week. NMDOT – Javier Martinez F100170 – NM 173: NMDOT is ready for construction. The contractor is scheduled to start June 1, 2022. NMDOT has been working with the City of Aztec regarding the start date and the moving of a gas line. Mr. Saavedra commented on this when giving updates for the City of Aztec’s projects. F100350 – NM 173/Navajo 36: NMDOT is still working on drafting an agreement with the Navajo DOT. Once the agreement is signed, work on getting the plans ready for bid will begin. F100340/F100341/F100342 – US550 Pavement Rehab: The estimates for contraction costs keep changing, resulting in the project being broken up into three phases. Phase I should have completed plans and PS&E by July or August, 2022. It will go out to bid until September, 2022. Construction is expected to being next spring. 6. REPORTS FROM NMDOT Planning Bureau – John Neunuebel Mr. Neunuebel was not in attendance and there were no additional updates from NMDOT’s Planning Bureau. District 5 – Javier Martinez Mr. Martinez had no additional updates at this time. DISCUSSION: There was no further discussion form the committee. 7. INFORMATION ITEMS Subject: Information Items Prepared by: MPO Staff Date: May 11, 2022 INFORMATION ITEMS a. TPF Application Updates  b. Access Management Plan Review c. Unique Entity ID (UEI) Number. As of 4/4/22, the federal government is requiring all recipients of federal funds to have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) number, which will replace the DUNS number. If your entity does not already have a UEI, register for one at https://sam.gov/content/duns-uei. It may take up to a month to obtain the number. DISCUSSION: Mr. Koeppel began with an update of the Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) that is currently being written for the MPO by FHWA and a consultant. The day prior to this meeting Mr. Koeppel met with staff from NMDOT, including Mr. Neunuebel, representatives from FHWA and the consultants in person in Farmington to tour the region and discuss the LRSP. They specifically wanted to look at pre-identified high-injury corridors and gather any additional data for analysis. Mr. Koeppel next informed the committee that the MPO has received all TPF application the MPO expected to receive. He will next pass these applications on the NMDOT’s District 5. Mr. Koeppel asked Mr. Martinez if there needs to be formal meetings set up for signing the Project Feasibility Forms (PFFs). Mr. Martinez stated that NMDOT has reviewed all TPF applications that connect to roads that are NMDOT right-of-ways. He said NMDOT has no issues with any of the project application, except Aztec’s application for funding for design work on Main Avenue in Aztec. NMDOT made a request that the City of Aztec submit a different project. The currently submitted bid is for a road diet on US 550 and the district engineer is not onboard with this project. This project would need to be run by the state transportation commission and Mr. Martinez sees issues moving forward on this project. Mr. Martinez did acknowledge some previous discussion regarding this project, specifically a road exchange giving NMDOT the east Aztec Arterial and Aztec taking that portion of US550. These types of issues would be needed to worked out before NMDOT approves work on a road diet for Main Avenue in downtown Aztec. Mr. Saavedra wanted to address NMDOT asking Aztec to submit a project other than the road diet on Main Avenue. In 2018, the City of Aztec applied for this same funding, although it was called something different at the time. At that time there was preliminary approval, however the factor that prohibited this project from moving forward was NMDOT wanted a Traffic Impact Analysis to understand how the Aztec Arterial would influence traffic on Main Avenue or US550. That Traffic Impact Analysis was included in the current TPF application and this plan to construct a road diet on Main Avenue in downtown Aztec has been part of the City of Aztecs long-range plan for years. It is included in their Metropolitan Redevelopment Plan and Comprehensive Plan. To the knowledge of Mr. Saavedra, at least one of these plans has to be reviewed and agreed upon by NMDOT’s district engineer. It also was discussed in the previous meeting that the plan was for Aztec to submit this for their TPF application. Mr. Saavedra asked Mr. Martinez what the City of Aztec needs to submit and when do they need to submit it by in order to move forward. Chair Porell noted that is a project is adjacent to or on a segment of NMDOT right-of-way, then the district engineer needs to sign off on that project. He suggested Mr. Saavedra reach out to Mr. Paul Brasher regarding this project. Mr. Martinez said he has already taken the project to Mr. Brasher and Mr. Brasher did express concerns already. He also said he will bring Mr. Saavedra’s comments to Mr. brasher and discuss them. Mr. Martinez did emphasize that the City of Aztec should look into submitting a second application to the TPF because, as on this meeting, the district will not support the Main Avenue TPF application as written. Mr. Saavedra expressed confusion on steps moving forwards, as suggestion to re-discuss the current application with Mr. Brasher or simply submit an new project have been made. Mr. Martinez said that this project will not be supported by the district and they want Aztec to submit a project that can be constructed. Mr. Saavedra wanted to confirm that a road diet was not an eligible project for the TPF funds. Mr. Martinez said that a road diet is an acceptable project type, but because Main Avenue in Aztec is a DOT route, NMDOT is not ready to move forward on this project at this time. Chair Porell commented that Mr. Saavedra get a formal yes or no from the district engineer regarding this project. That will give Mr. Saavedra a response when informing the city Commission as to why they did not receive funding on this project. Mr. Koeppel wanted to confirm is studies were eligible for TPF funding in general, as he noted the City of Bloomfield also submitted an application for a design phase on their Bergin Lane project. Mr. Martinez said yes, studies are eligible. Shovel-ready projects will most likely receive higher priority. He also reiterated that it was only the Aztec project the NMDOT had any issues with, primarily because they were not expecting this project, and he added that this is not to say the project cannot move forward in the future. Mr. Koeppel confirmed that no formal meeting with DOT were needed prior to submitting the applications. Mr. Martinez confirmed this and added that he is working on the letters of support from DOT now. Chair Porell had a general question on the TPF program. Currently the road diet has no federal funding so it would not be affected by this question yet, but would prior TPF funding effect the use of future federal funds. Mr. Martinez said no. There was no further discussion regarding the TPF Funds. Mr. Koeppel informed the committee that the recently proposed UPWP does suggest the MPO review its most recent Access Management Plan. He asked the