MPO Technical Committee

MPO TECHNICAL COMMITTEE AGENDA October 12, 2022 10:00 a.m. Commission Chambers Aztec City Hall 201 W. Chaco Street Aztec, New Mexico 1  AGENDA FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING October 12, 2022 10:00 AM This regular meeting will be held in Commission Chambers at Aztec City Hall, 201 West Chaco, Aztec, New Mexico. Virtual participation will also be provided via GoToMeeting. ITEM PAGE 1. Call to Order: Call meeting to order 2. Minutes: Approve the minutes from the September 14, 2022 Technical Committee Meeting. 3. Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan Update 3 Presented by GroundWorks Studio 4. Entity Project Updates from Technical Committee Members: Members will 4 provide updates on their entity’s projects. 5. Reports from NMDOT a. Update from the Planning Bureau (Shannon Glendenning) b. Update from District 5 (Javier Martinez) 6. Information Items 6 a. NM 173 Update Presented by: FMPO Staff 7. Business from Chairman, Members, and Staff 8. Public Comment on Any Issues Not on the Agenda 9. Adjournment The public body may only take action on an item if it is listed for action on the publicly noticed agenda. The public is invited to participate in this GoTo Meeting: https://meet.goto.com/994856053 You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (646) 749-3122 Access Code: 994-856-053 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 Assistant 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 Assistant if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed. 2  FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Agenda Item #3 Subject: Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update Prepared by: FMPO Staff Date: October 12, 2022 PRESENTATION Amy Bell of Groundworks Studio will provide an update on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. 3  FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Agenda Item #4 Subject: Status of Entity Projects Prepared by: MPO Staff & Technical Committee Members Date: October 12, 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. 4  Status Reports – Entity Projects – October 12, 2022 Aztec F100091 East Aztec Arterial Phase III F100410 McWilliams Rd. Bloomfield F100300 East Blanco Bridge Farmington F100099 Foothills Drive Enhancement Phase II F100100 East Pinon Hills Blvd Extension F100101 Phase I F100102 F100132 20th Street Phase III F100390 Foothills Drive Phase III TF00001 Red Apple Transit Kirtland F100420 CR 6405 F100430 CR 6411 San Juan F100021 East Pinon Hills Blvd Extension County Phase III F100320 Kirtland Schools Walk Path Extension F100360 CR 3000 Bridge Replacement F100370 CR 3500 Bridge Replacement F100400 Lower Animas Valley River Trail NMDOT F100170 NM 173 F100350 NM 371/Navajo 36 F100351 NM 371/Navajo 36 F100340 US 550 pavement rehab F100341 F100342 5  FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Agenda Item #6 Subject: Information Items Prepared by: MPO Staff Date: October 12, 2022 INFORMATION ITEMS a. NM-173 Update 6  The minutes from the September 14, 2022 Technical Committee meeting are on the following pages. 7  MINUTES FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING September 14, 2022 Technical Members Present: Beth Escobar, City of Farmington Javier Martinez, NMDOT District 5 Andrew Montoya, Red Apple Transit Nick Porell, San Juan County Steven Saavedra, City of Aztec Dan Flack, Town of Kirtland Virginia King, City of Farmington Beth Forman – NMDOT Lisa Hale-BlueEyes, San Juan County Steve Morse, City of Aztec (Alt.) Jason Thomas, City of Bloomfield Technical Members Absent: None Staff Present: Peter Koeppel, MPO Officer Olivia Groeber, MPO Associate Planner Tamra Spencer, Administrative Assistant Staff Absent: None Others Present: Jim Maes Ben Maes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Porell called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. 2. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE August 10, 2022 TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING Ms. Escobar moved to approve the minutes from the August 10, 2022 Technical Committee meeting. Mr. Saavedra seconded the motion. The motion to approve the minutes passed unopposed. 3. Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update Subject: Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update Prepared by: Aaron Sussman Toole Design Group Date: September 14, 2022 8  Presentation Aaron Sussman, Toole Design Group and Maren Neldam, Groundwork presented the following: 9 10 Mr. Sussman asked for comments and questions. There is a conflict on the scheduling; one of the members will not be able to make the November 9th public meeting date. It was proposed to move the public meeting to a different date. Chair Porell would like to include a section on a broader recreation initiative to see how that would tie into the bicycle pedestrian plan. Possibly, to include river recreation, program creation, off road bicycle. He would like to see how that could tie into public land recreation. Mr. Sussman asked if he was thinking how that might appeal to visitors, tourists or additional recreation opportunities for area residents Mr. Porell replied yes, making sure way finding is simple enough for residents and tourists. Mr. Sussman believes there are some opportunities that come to mind. With way finding and user amenities that one might like to see at access points for those recreational opportunities. He needs to think about that a little more because that is not an explicit part of the scope, will look into ways to incorporate those suggestions. Ms. Escobar would like to see some general questions regarding e-bikes incorporated into the survey to see how the public would react. Mr. Sussman added there is an emerging set of policy guidance that municipalities and counties are providing about what class of e-bikes are appropriate on local streets. Part of that is from a policy standpoint about where use is acceptable and what level of speed is acceptable. Mr. Saavedra asked what the vision for the region was. Mr. Porell replied, on the last plan, he put together four grant applications and they received some gap funding for the Kirtland Schools multi-use path. He uses that plan as a reference because it has some reference to recreation and he uses that as a supporting document to grant applications for funding that were successful. Obviously, a policy board approves these plans, ultimately, that is comprised of our elected officials, but I think that approval gives us, as staff, a good competence, in our political backing to pursue the initiatives that are outlined. The NMDOT has their own statewide technical plan that is represented on the committee and policy committee. He believes the overall function is to provide some credence to these ideas. Mr. Koeppel added implementation is very important, he believes NMDOT is going to announce addition TAP and trails funding which will pave the way. 3. STATUS OF ENTITY PROJECTS FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Agenda Item #4 Subject: Status of Entity Projects Prepared by: MPO Staff & Technical Committee Members Date: September 14, 2022 11  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. Members will present 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 – Steve Morse F10091 – East Aztec Arterial Phase III: All signatures have been obtained and will be moving forward with the utility certifications F100410 – McWilliams Road: Design is complete Bloomfield – Jason Thomas F100300 – 2.8-Acre property, waiting for ROW certification. Farmington – Virginia King F100099 – Foothills Drive Enhancement Phase II: The close out process has been started. They are completing the last items on the punch list. F100100, F100101, & F100102 – East Pinon Hills Blvd Extension Phase I: BHI provided a new estimates for construction on Phase I and Phase II. Phase I is about nine million, Phase II is estimated at about 29 million. They had the environmental meeting with the City of Farmington, NMDOT, BHI and NMDOT District 5. At the Commission meeting, the City was told NMDOT would provide 40 million for the entire project. That leaves 30 million for the City and remainder for the County. This amendment was nine million for Phase I and 19 million for Phase II and NMDOT was asking for a right of way map, it referenced 25 acquisition, and the City is looking for the acquisitions. 12  F100132 – 20th Street Phase III: This is still in construction started on May 2nd and construction is in progress. F100390 – Foothills Drive Phase III: We are updating the design, and we are in the acquisition process for right of way. Red Apple Transit: Mr. Montoya reported three new busses he had ordered have been delayed until next month. Kirtland – Dan Flack F100420 & F100430 – CR 6405 & CR 6411: The City of Kirtland has a new clerk, when she is certified they will be able to bid both projects. San Juan County – Nick Porell F100021 – East Pinon Hills Blvd Extension Phase III: The County is received the design agreement on Monday and we are still waiting for the congressional earmark for right of way. Which will happen in the first quarter of the federal fiscal year 23, which starts at the end of the month. F100320 – Kirtland Schools Walk Path Extension: The project is completed, they are working with the contractor on closeout documentation. F100360 & F100370 – CR 3000 & CR 3500 Bridge Replacement: TYlynn has the contract, they are working through the design process. F100400 – Lower Animas Valley River Trail: The request for design consultant proposals closes this Thursday. NMDOT – Javier Martinez F100170 – NM 173: This is under construction; unfortunately, it does not look like it will be finished before winter, there will be a winter shutdown. F100350 & F100351 – NM 173/Navajo 36: They are waiting on the agreement. F100340, F100341, & F100342 – US550 Pavement Rehab: This will go out to bid in October and construction will begin in the spring. 5. NM-173 SAFETY DISCUSSION FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Agenda Item #5 13  Subject: NM-173 Safety Discussion Prepared by: FMPO Staff Date: September 14, 2022 Chair Porell asked MPO Officer Koeppel to research and locate the MPO Resolution that was prepared for consideration by the policy committee in 2019. See the Resolution below: Mr. Koeppel added the Policy Committee did pass a resolution in support of safety improvements on NM-173 back in June of 2019. He asked how do we process, do we want to pass another resolution or follow up on this one. Mr. Porell feels it is up to NMDOT, the Planning Committee has done what they can. Javier Martinez, NMDOT, mentioned he would have to work through a TIP amendment process at for this to be priority project for the area. We don’t know if federal funds or interstate funds are appropriate. Ms. Escobar agrees with Mr. 14  Porell, she thinks the Policies resolution stands and expresses the opinion of the FMPO on what should be done, and the rest is out of our control. Mr. Koeppel with re-present, with some background, the resolution to the Policy Committee 6. REPORTS FROM NMDOT FARMINGTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Agenda Item #6 Subject: Reports from NMDOT Prepared by: Beth Forman, NMDOT Date: September 14, 2022 Planning Bureau – Beth Forman District 5 – Javier Martinez Mr. Martinez reminded the committee on NM-173 the first project was awarded HSIP funds; road safety audit was conducted it-identified improvements for that septic portion of NM-173. The corridor meets the requirements of the HSIP program. The next available funds are in 2025. That would only be for the design; you would have to look for construction funds for that project. He feels the quickest way to get funds is if the legislature awards funds specifically for this project to get another portion of NM-173 under design. Mr. Porell asked Mr. Martinez to explain the process of Legislative Appropriation from NMDOT’s perspective. Mr. Martinez explained NMDOT relies on local entities to identify that in the area. If it is awarded for a state route then NMDOT will be lead on that project. 7. INFORMATION ITEMS Subject: Information Items Prepared by: MPO Staff Date: September 14, 2022 INFORMATION ITEMS a. Final LRSP 15  We have submitted the final comments to each consulting team, and are just waiting for the final document to post and publish and get the implementation steps. DISCUSSION: No discussion 8. BUSINESS FROM THE CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS AND STAFF Nothing from Chairman, members or staff. 9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY ISSUES NOT ON THE AGENDA Jim Maes brought the Committee up to date, there was a meeting in July that was attended by Senator Neville, Mike Padilla, Jim Crowley, Nick Porell, Steve Lanier, Paul Brasher and Tom Taylor. Mr. Maes added he has talked to Terry Fortner and she was very interested in this project. Senator Neville has put informed the group that he had put in a request for $15 million in legislative funding to get the project started. Mr. Maes thinks the resolution needed to be updated to include a statement about economic development. Priority number one should be for safety and secondly should be the economic development aspect of it. There are people that travel from all over the world to come fly fish in our quality waters. These people spend quite a bit of money on out different amenities. He feels improving Hwy 173 would make it safer for people visiting our area for eco tourism. We have natural arches, Native American ruins, biking, hiking, bird watching and other outdoor amenities. Mr. Maes also informed the Committee that in 1993 the North West Council of Governments put Hwy 173 improvements on their five year plan, but since then it had fallen off their list. Paul Brasher, the district engineer, indicated he was going to have a study done to find out about putting a traffic light at the intersection of Hwy 550 and Hwy 173. . If you look at the history and look at the amount the traffic has grown in the last several years, you will find that there has been a tremendous increase in the traffic there, creating safety issues. Mr. Maes also feels that since the oil and gas industry is using those roads, he would like to see if the industry would help fund the Hwy improvement with private money. 16  Chair Porell informed Mr. Maes that the role of the Technical Committee was to present transportation plans to the Policy Committee for their consideration and approval. 10. ADJOURNMENT Ms. King moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Escobar seconded the motion. The motion passed with no opposition. The meeting at 11:13 AM. ___________________________ ___________________________ Nick Porell, Technical Committee Chair MPO Staff 17