Meeting Minutes

Northeast Regional Planning Organization (NERPO)

Village of Angel Fire Community Center

71 Valley Road Angel Fire, NM 87710

March 29, 2007

10:00 a.m.

 

Meeting Attendees

 

NERPO Members Present

 

Bobby Casados            Harding County

Richard Arguello            Union County

Doug Powers               City of Tucumcari

Larry Moore                Quay County

Les Montoya                San Miguel County

Harold Garcia               San Miguel County

Hoot Gibson                 Village of Angel Fire   

Chuck Howe                Village of Angel Fire

Renee Hayoz                Village of Roy

Linda Pavletich            Village of Cimarron

Richard Primrose        Quay County

Mark Rivera                 Angel Fire

Richard Cordova            Eagle Nest

Paul Atzenberger            Eagle Nest

Judy Montoya              Eagle Nest

 

 

NERPO Members Not Present

 

Barbara Shaw              Harding County

Carlos Ortiz                  City of Las Vegas

Mike Running               Town of Clayton

Manuel Baca                Guadalupe County

Neva Hascall                Village of Eagle Nest

Nora Like                    Village of Folsom

Martin Sherman            Village of House

Anthony Mitchell            Village of Maxwell

Mignon Saddoris            Village of Grenville

Larry Wallin                 Village of Logan

Jess Yeargain               Village of Des Moines

Tony Roybal                 Village of Pecos

Leo Pacheco                Village of San Jon

Johnny Chavez            Town of Springer

Shawn Jeffrey               Village of Mosquero

Rumaldo Martinez            Mora County

Maxine Rivera              City of Santa Rosa

Benito Armijo               Village of Wagon Mound

William Conley            Colfax County

 

 

NERPO Planners

 

Mariana Padilla            NCNMEDD

Chris Pacheco              EPCOG

 

NM DOT Staff

 

Heather Sandoval            NMDOT D-4

Christina Romero            NMDOT D-4

Janet Spivey                 NMDOT, Planning

Benny Martinez            NMDOT, G.O. North Region Design Center

Rick Chavez                 NMDOT, G.O. North Region Design Center

 

Guest Attendees

 

 Frank Sharpless            NM Transit and Rail Bureau

 Tim Harris                   NM Transit and Rail Bureau

 Fred Sparks                City of Raton

 Jessica Frost                Safe Routes to School

 

 

 

 

I.                    Call to Order      

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Casados at 10:12 AM

                       

II.                 Pledge of Allegiance

 

Pledge was led by Harold Garcia and conducted

 

III.               Welcome and Introductions

 

Conducted Introductions and the Welcome by Hoot Gibson

 

IV.              Approval of Agenda

 

Approved with the change made to reflect that Heather Sandoval will fill in for DE Paul Gray on the D 4 updates.         Motion by Les Montoya  2nd by Hoot Gibson                       

 

V.                 Approval of Minutes – March 29, 2007   

 

Minutes were approved as presented 

Motion by Richard Arguello  2nd by Les Montoya

 

VI.              Updates from NERPO Planners  

 

Mariana set up a booth at Transportation Day at the Legislature she also reported on the RPO Roundtable Meeting which was set up and hosted by Chris and held at Tucumcari.  Mariana reported on the Survey results to the RPO and D-4.  The updating of the Annual Work Plan was brought up and explained to the members present.  She also reported on Scenic Byways application update and the news that all 3 of the NERPO Scenic Byways were approved.   She also reported the Hardship Equipment auction on March 30th.  Mariana also brought up the Safety Funding Schedule.  (Our 2 projects from the previous RTIPR will be submitted)

Mariana mentioned the Long Range Plan schedule and status to the members.  The target is to have the plan ready for presentation in our June meeting.  Our latest RTIPR was submitted. 

 

Chris reported on the recent Tornados that hit Logan and Clovis.  He urged members to update their community warning systems and emergency response plans.  He reported on the situation in both communities and where and how aid and funding can be sent in.  He mentioned that FEMA does assist communities with funding for an Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief Plan.  There was a question on how the waste materials were handled at the Clovis Landfill.  This was determined to be that Environment Department  lets communities place all cleanup material in a cell and come back later if anything needs separation or cleanup. The loss of temporary homes by NMDOT Employees was brought up by Chairman Casados.  Richard Arguello reported on the situation in Union County and he also assisted in the Command Post in Logan during the Cleanup.

                       

 

VII.            District 4 Update, Paul Gray (Heather Sandoval)

 

Heather reported on the change in the location for the NMDOT Commission Meeting in Raton.  She gave project updates in the district and also an update on the Tornado from NMDOT and their employee’s situation.  The DOT has set up accounts for donations to assist the 11 employees who lost their trailers.  She also reported on upcoming project schedules and deadlines.  The District 4 Open House will be held on 15 May from 9-3.

 

Planning and Regional Design Center Updates by Benny Martinez, Rick Chavez, and Janet Spivey

 

They reported on the GRIP 2 situation and the funding as it exists at this point.  Rick reported on the current project list and possible funding.  Janet also reported on possible schedule and funding of projects.  The new and latest match requirements and funding amounts was discussed.  The Association of Counties is lobbying to assist the small counties with match and hardship benefits.  Secretary Fought is also committed to helping the smaller communities with match requirements so they can keep their projects.  The GRIP II outcome is not final at this point and awaits final approved version.  Much discussion and the Space Port part of GRIP II in relation to Highway Projects followed.  Folks were urged to voice their opinions to their Legislators and Senators.  Some Politicians didn’t support GRIP II due to GRIP I not yet being fully funded.  Rick Chavez reported on the ever changing plan and Project Schedule and what we are most likely to see here when the Bill finally gets signed.  Benny reported on the possible deadlines.  (GRIP II remains incomplete and many parts of it are inconclusive at this point)

 

 

VIII.         Project Identification Form (PIF) Ranking and Rating Process Debrief

A.    NERPO Regional Transportation Improvement Recommendations (RTIPR)

       RTIPR as presented and programmed for FY 08 and FY 09  

 

The following projects as sent up to the RPO and rated and Ranked at our last meeting were sent to D-4

All remained as the RPO had recommended.  Some suggestions to make changes to the list were by Mariana and Heather.  This changed 1 project from Roadway to TPE.  The attempt was to get roadway funds and no match.  Mariana mentioned that there was some confusion in her area as to whether TPE Projects require a match.  (While not spelled out anywhere, the answer is that yes they do require match funding)    

Department Lead and Local Lead were explained to the membership by Heather at the request of the Vice Chairman Arguello. 

 

The rating and ranking criteria was brought up as stated in our last meeting.  The RPO is looking to make improvements to the system.  Chris had taken lead on developing this process and he reported the snags and hang-ups in this first version.  The members wish to review this and tweak it to improve it for next year.  Particularly # 5 was the main creator of confusion on this process.  Chris will amend after the suggestions and comments are sent in.

Mariana brought up the rest of the process such as the consultation process.  Much discussion and suggestions followed and it was agreed that Chris will send out at a future time and make amendments. 

                       

 

 

IX.              NMDOT Transit and Rail Bureau Presentation, Frank Sharpless and Tim Harris

 

This presentation went over the current situation with the NM Transit Rail and the future plans by the State of New Mexico.  The next phase will be construction of a commuter rail from Bernalillo to Santa Fe.  They showed the Stations and proposed future Station locations.  The Plan also included the extension of service to Las Vegas and on to Raton.  The Presentation showed the funding and usage and projected future numbers.  The questions that came up were the turnarounds and any property required for this by Fred Sparks. 

           

Lunch

 

X.                 NMDOT Safe Routes to School Program, Jessica Frost

 

Jessica presented the situation and schedule for the Safe Routes to School Program.  Her presentation included upcoming scheduling and deadlines to apply for the Plan and then for actual Construction on Phase II.  Jessica also brought up contacting processes and elgibility of projects for applying and funding.

 

XI.              NERPO Annual Work Plan Input

 

Chris and Mariana will send their AWP to their members for their input and comment as to what the membership would like to see in there.  Chris brought up that function 8 is where the members can comment and make suggestions and changes.  The Planners will submit this to the members and upon approval submit to DOT as their next AWP.

 

 

XII.            New Business

A.    General Comments and Announcements from NERPO members

Christina Romero brought up:

 

NMDOT D-4 Open House on 15 May in Las Vegas

It is National Transportation Week

Buckle Bear and the Crash Test Dummies will be present.

 

B.     Suggested agenda items for upcoming meetings 

 

C.    Next Quarter Meetings –

1.      April 30th  Village of Roy  Due to Engineering Conference

2.      May 31 Eagle Nest

3.      June 28 Cimmarron

4.      July 26 Clayton

 

XIII.         Adjournment

 

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