NORTHWEST REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION

Technical Committee Meeting Minutes – November 7, 2012 page 1 of 5

Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments

Northwest Regional Transportation Planning Organization

(NWRTPO)

RTPO Technical Committee

M I N U T E S

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Chu Chu’s Restaurant, 1344 Hwy 53, Zuni, NM

ATTENDANCE:

Local & Tribal Governments:
Pueblo of Acoma
Pueblo of Laguna / David Deutsawe
Pueblo of Zuni / Royce Gchachu
Navajo Nation / Latausha Lewis,Andrew Gallegos (Ramah)
Farmington MPO
City of Grants / Brigitte Fuller
City of Gallup
Village of Milan / (Brigitte Fuller)
Cibola County / Judy Horacek
McKinley County / Bernice Martinez
San Juan County
Technical Agencies:
New Mexico Department of Transportation: / G-2-G Unit –
DOT District 5 –
DOT District 6 – Anthony Griego, JoAnn Garcia, Kirk Weber
DOT Tribal Liaison –
DOT Central Reg. Div. –
DOT – LTAP –
DOT Admin. –
DOT Transit & Rail: Ernestina Martinez
NWNMCOG/NWRTPO Administration:
Northwest Regional Planning Organization / Robert Kuipers
Guests : / Jaime Torres – FHWA, Arlen Quetawki – Governor, Pueblo of Zuni, Robert Unkestu – NMDOT-Ramah, Tim Hagaman, NM Econ. Dev. Dept.
Public Trans. Providers: Arthur Archunde – Cibola Transit, Matthew Ortiz - Gallup Express, Genevieve Robran – PMS, Alburt Johnson – Navajo Transit, Walter Jones – Coyote Canyon Rehab. Center, Brandon Mariano– Laguna Transit
TOTAL ATTENDANCE: / 21 (7 members, 5 DOT, 1 RPO, 3 guests, 6 Pub. Trans.)

I.Call to Order and Introductions:

  • Royce Gchachucalled the meeting to order at 10:20 am;Pueblo of Zuni Governor Arlen Quetawkiwelcomed those in attendance, and Royceproceeded with the approval of minutes.
  • The meeting was hosted by the Pueblo of Zuni.
II.Approval of Minutes of September 12, 2012 Meeting:
  • Minutes from the Oct. 10, 2012meeting were reviewed by the members with a motion to approve by:Brigitte Fuller - Grants, 2nd by Bernice Martinez - McKinley, unanimously approved with one minor correction
III.Annual Public Transportation Application Evaluative Ranking Session:
Bob Kuipers facilitated the annual funding application evaluative ranking for eight public transportation providers (four 5311, three 5310 and one 5316).
  • Ernestina Martinez provided an introduction in advance of public transportation provider presentations, providing information on the statewide transit program and funds as follows:
  • Mr. David Harris can be contacted at DOT Transit & Rail for questions on transit impacts from the new MAP-21 Transportation Bill (505-827-5420); New Mexico received these amounts:
  • $9 million for 5311 – Public Transit programs (and 5316 (JARC)
  • $1.7 million for 5310 – Elderly and Handicapped Service
  • $1.23 million for 5339 – “state of good repair”
  • Applications submitted from the NWRTPO region totaled about $897,600 for 5311 and 5316 programs, and $180,100 for 5310 programs
  • Requests statewide for funding totaled as follows:
  • 5311: $10,240,207
  • 5310: $1,706,458
  • 5339: $4,285,858
  • Public Transportation Providers provided presentations after which RTPO members scored evaluation sheets based on the presentation, and a month of proposal review (since our last meeting) as follows:
  • Gallup Express – 5311 Public Transit, Matthew Ortiz
  • Coyote Canyon Rehab. Center – 5310 Elderly and Handicapped, Walter Jones
  • Cibola Transit – 5316 JARC – Arthur Archunde
  • Navajo Transit – 5311Public Transit, Alburt Johnson
  • Cibola Transit – 5311 Public Transit, Arthur Archunde
  • Laguna Shaarskra – 5311 Public Transit, Brandon Mariano
  • PMS Services – 5310 Elderly and Handicapped, Genevieve Robran, for both the McKinley and San Juan Services (two providers)
  • These public transportation providers described their program services, ridership and growth, program expansion and new development, regional route coordination and collaboration with other providers, vehicle maintenance and other operational issues, marketing and website development; and answered questions from RTPO members.
IV.Collection of RTPO Member Rep. Appointment Documents:
  • Bob Kuipers distributed annual appointment / re-appointment forms for members to gather signatures from their respective leaders at our previous meeting and again today, and reminded members that they are due as soon as possible. Members continue to submit these as they gain signatures.
V.RTPO Orientations – rough estimate scheduling:
  • Mr. Kuipers reminded members that RTPO Orientations are coming due again, and it’s time to start scheduling these for our respective government leaders. Members were asked to provide rough schedule ranges as soon as possible, so Bob can follow up with each govt. and fine tune date possibilities going forward.
VI.Reports, Updates, & Announcements:
  1. Training Opportunities

-reminder of NWRTPO orientation trainings to local governments and community groups as requested by RTPO members (orientation session recommended at least once every 3 years)

-LTAP and other training opportunities:

  • Project Management Training: Remainsin the final stages of development, should have finalized with training anticipated in the near future.
  • 2 courses with 30 available spaces; 1 north, 1 south
  • Road Stabilization and Work Zone trainings are forthcoming from LTAP
  • November 13-16, 2012, 15thAnnual Tribal Transportation Conference at Scottsdale, Arizona.
  • 50th Annual UNM Paving & Transportation Conference – Marriott Pyramid, Alb. Jan. 7-8
  1. Other News / Regional Projects:
  • Scenic Byway, Public Transportation, Legislative Committee

Scenic Byways: Trail of the Ancients was awarded $15K for interpretive kiosks at the Grants (Northwest), and Manuelito Visitor Centers – we will begin a formal bidding process soon.

  • Public Trans. / Leg. Committee: no new news

NEWS:

1)MAP-21 Transportation Alternatives Program “Interim Guidance” – emailed Oct. 24

2)50th UNM Paving & Transportation Conference – Marriott Pyramid, Albuquerque Jan. 7-8, 2013 – emailed Oct. 24

3)MAP-21 (Trans. Alternatives) Federal Lands Access Program webinar – Oct. 26 – emailed Oct. 22

4)Introducing Jason Grover – DOT-6 Local Govt. Liaison – emailed Oct. 30

5)Tribal Infrastructure Grant application cycle for FY-13 – emailed Oct. 31

6)Statewide RPO Roundtable – Silver City, November 29

C.Local Member Issues, Reports & Updates:
  • Zuni:
  • Francisco Road projectis now in final inspection
  • Ongoing maintenance projects around the Pueblo
  • McKinley:
  • CR43 – working on water utilities crossing the road
  • CR19 - $200K for planning and design
  • Deer Springs Road - $50K for planning and design
  • Johnsons Road - $50K for planning and design
  • Navajo safety projects funded through NM-DOT: CR-19 and CR-1 in process of developing MOA with Navajo Nation for County as fiscal lead for these projects
  • Cibola:
  • CR6 and CR1 are getting shoulder and drainage maintenance work
  • C22 is getting culverts to address drainage problems
  • Gallup:
  • No new news this meeting
  • San Juan:
  • No news this meeting
  • Eastern/Northern Navajo:

Eastern Navajo:

  • Meetings continue with Chapters to identify priorities, along with road maintenance and comprehensive plans
  • Continuing to support CR-1 and CR-19 safety projects, along with collaboration with McKinley County and participating Chatpers for CR-19 road improvements

Northern Navajo:

  • Completing N5031 new bridge near TseDaaKaan Chapter is complete
  • US64 Hogback Chapter intersection work with Dist. 5 will commence soon

Ramah Navajo:

  • RN-113 in design phase
  • RN-125 to commence reconstruction for south portion
  • Flood repairs to Sunset Subdivision
  • Acoma:
  • No report this meeting
  • Laguna:
  • I-40 Exit 117 Mesitabridge – State DOT is repairing; Pueblo has reconstructed a detour
  • L55 Rodeo Dr. design project at 95%
  • L501 – Capital Dr. design project at 50%
  • L22 (NM23) ready to commence construction
  • M-108 Seamabridge getting geo-technical work and M-137 Laguna bridge is starting design
  • ARRA funded pedestrian trails project – discussion of design assignments for 51 trails around the villages with an RFP going out soon
  • The Pueblo is installing new traffic signs
  • Undergoing an access feasibility study for a new interchange for Laguna Subdivision
  • Milan:
  • NM122 – going through clearance phase
  • Juniper/Willow MAP funded project: working through clearances
  • Grants:
  • First street – awarded; constructionto commence soon
  • Roosevelt Avenue –first thru third – map funding: in final design and certification process
  • Farmington MPO:
  • No Report this meeting
D.State DOT:

1) Gov’t to Gov’t Unit:

  • No Report this meeting

2) District 5:

  • No report this meeting

3) District 6:
  • Local govt. road fund is coming due around mid January for the letter of intent
  • Federal funding is getting very, very tight!!

4) DOT Central Regional Division: Osvaldo Reyes-Alicea

  • No report this meeting

5) DOT Tribal Liaison: Ron Shutiva

  • No report this meeting

6) DOT Central Admin:

  • No report this meeting.
VI.New Business/Open Floor: Members & Guests
  • Tim Hagaman – Northwest N.M. Dept. of Econ. Dev. Representative presented some of the achievements of the Pueblo of Zuni’s Mainstreet Program as the first tribal mainstreet project in the nation.

VII.Review Calendar & Announce/Project Events of Interest

Calendar reminders:

  • N.M. Transportation Commission meets: Nov. 15 – Carlsbad
  • 15th Annual Tribal Transportation Conf. – Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 13 – 16
  • Statewide RPO Roundtable – Nov. 29, Silver City
  • 50th UNM Paving and Transportation Conf. – Marriott Pyramid, Albuquerque – Jan. 7-8, 2013
IX. Next Meetings:
  • Next meetings
  • December 12: San Juan Fire Ops. – 209 S. Oliver, Aztec
X. Adjournment:
  • Meeting adjourned by RTPO Chair, Royce Gchachu
Respectfully Submitted:

Robert Kuipers, NWRPO Planner – Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments