Brownsville Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Committee Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Transcription

1 Brownsville Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Committee Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Members Present: Tony Martinez, Mayor, MPO Chairman David Garcia, (Proxy for Sofia Benavides, Cameron County) Alex Dominguez, Cameron County Commissioner Charlie Cabler, City Manager Yolanda Cruz, City of Los Fresnos Eddy Hernandez, Brownsville Chamber of Commerce Toribio Garza, TxDOT-Pharr Manuel Alcocer, Airport Advisory Board John Wood, Brownsville Navigation District Bitty Truan, Town of Rancho Viejo Deborah Portillo, City Commissioner (entered with the meeting in progress) Others Present: Mark Lund, MPO Director, City of Brownsville-Planning Dept./MPO Alfonso Vallejo, MPO Planner, City of Brownsville-Planning Dept./MPO Georgina Lopez, City of Brownsville-Planning Dept./MPO Alicia Justilian, City of Brownsville-Planning Dept./MPO Carlos Lastra, City of Brownsville-Engineering Dept. Monica Tellam, BMetro Andrew Muñoz, BMetro Juan Bosquez, TxDOT-San Benito Raymond Sanchez, TxDOT-TP&P-Pharr Brandon Marshall, TxDOT-San Benito Charim Guadarrama, City of Brownsville-Office of Grants Mgt. Ruth Osuna, City of Brownsville-City Manager s Office John Von Hatten, West Brownsville Citizens for Rails to Trails Cyndie Rathbun, Mayor, Town of Rancho Viejo Pete Sepulveda, Cameron County Fernando Martinez, City of Brownsville/Bike Texas/MPO Claudia Ayarzagoitia, Real Estate Gene McCullough, Citizen Edgar Garcia, City of Brownsville-Office of Grants Mgt. Item I Welcome and Introduction of Guests. Call the meeting to order: Mayor Martinez. Item II Roll call of Policy Committee Members. A quorum was attained. 1

2 Item III Discussion, Consideration and Action on Adoption of Meeting Minutes for MPO Policy Committee meeting held on May 13, Manuel Alcocer made a motion to approve the minutes. Eddy Hernandez seconded the motion. Item IV Discussion, Consideration and Action on Adoption of the MPO s Title VI Discrimination Complaint Process. Charlie Cabler made a motion to adopt the document. John Wood seconded the motion. Item V Discussion, Consideration and Action on Adoption of an MPO Resolution Re: S.H. 550 Interstate Designation. Manuel Alcocer made a motion to adopt the resolution. Eddy Hernandez seconded the motion. Item VI Discussion concerning various aspects of a proposed merger of three (3) Valley MPOs. & Item VII Discussion concerning various aspects of a proposed merger of two (2) Cameron County MPOs. Commissioner Dominguez requested more information on funding increases for Cameron County and Hidalgo County. State representatives are anticipating more funding for our area if there is a merger. Commissioner Dominguez stated that he would like to study the issue. Mayor Martinez asked if there was a Committee that studied this issue before. Mark Lund stated that TxDOT asked that three members (from a large entity, Cameron County and a smaller community) be represented at the Merger Committee. Toribio Garza responded that the Policy Committee has already approved to study a possible Valley MPO merger. The Policy Committee will need to appoint three members to take part in the Merger Committee. Pete Sepulveda agreed to the appointment of three members to the Merger Committee. 2

3 Bitty Truan stated that Cameron County would have an advantage because six representatives would be on the Committee versus Hidalgo County which would have three representatives. Commissioner Dominguez asked if Mark Lund, MPO Director, also participate in the Merger Committee, aside from the three representatives. Toribio Garza responded yes. Mayor Martinez requested that Eddy Hernandez, John Wood, Commissioner Dominguez and Commissioner Portillo meet to discuss the matter. Commissioner Portillo requested a special meeting to appoint three members to the Merger Committee. Item VIII Presentation and Discussion of TxDOT s Project Status Report. (Brandon Marshall presented the report.) I-69 Ramp Reconfiguration Eddy Hernandez asked where the on-ramp will be located. Brandon Marshall responded the new on-ramp location is where the old ramp was located. Eddy Hernandez asked for the completion date of the project. Brandon Marshall responded the estimated completion date is mid next year. Mayor Martinez suggested a sign to be placed on site that would show the estimated completion date of the project. F.M. 803 Realignment Mark Lund asked if a flashing beacon is placed on the frontage road will remain. Brandon Marshall responded yes. Gene McCollough asked if bicyclists and pedestrians are considered in the design of this project. Brandon Marshall responded that there are sidewalks along the existing F.M. 803 that connects back to the school. There are also 8 ft. shoulders that run the length of the project. Gene McCollough asked what roadway surface material was used. Brandon Marshall responded that hotmix is the material that was used. 3

4 Robert Esparza asked if a traffic signal qualifies in that area. Brandon Marshall responded that he will look into that. Gene McCollough asked if the shoulder lane will be designated as a bike lane. Brandon Marshall responded that the lane will be designated as a shoulder lane. Commissioner Dominguez asked if there are pumps being run at all times. Brandon Marshall responded that there are pumps to the south when it rains to help alleviate some of the drainage areas. Commissioner Dominguez asked if TxDOT maintained the pump s operation. Brandon Marshall responded no. Gene McCollough asked how the shoulder lane accommodates bicyclists and pedstrians according to TxDOT s memorandum. Toribio Garza stated that TxDOT works with City staff and MPO staff to designate bike lanes and/or 8-10 ft. shoulders as part of the MPO Master Plan. Item IX Presentation and Discussion of Off-System Projects. (a) City of Brownsville (Carlos Lastra presented the report.) (b) Cameron County (c) CCRMA (Pete Sepulveda presented the report.) (c) Port of Brownsville (John Wood presented the report.) Item X New business/discussion items. (Alicia Justilian distributed letter Re: Livestreaming MPO meetings.) Mark Lund stated that the effective date of the new law for Livestreaming the Brownsville MPO Policy Committee meetings is September 1, He further stated that Livestreaming the meetings will incur costs. Future meetings will need to be held 4

5 at the City of Brownsville City Commission Chambers. Meeting times and parking arrangements will be discussed. Other New Business: Gene McCullough commended the City of Brownsville and Brownsville MPO for their efforts in making Brownsville a more bicycle and pedestrian friendly community. He expressed his concerns about the new road surfaces along the rural routes. He suggested a smoother surface be used to accommodate bicyclists. Eddy Hernandez agreed with Gene McCullough suggestion. Toribio Garza commended the Brownsville MPO for their participation on this matter. He further stated that TxDOT has been fault-sealing some shoulder lanes to help seal the hairline cracks, as well as using a smaller rock. Other New Business: Cyndie Rathbun requested MPO assistance in developing a Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan for the Town of Rancho Viejo. She stated her interest in developing trails through Rancho Viejo down to Resaca de la Palma State Park. Mayor Martinez requested that the Town of Rancho Viejo Council pass a resolution on this matter. Fernando Martinez responded that Bike Texas staff, City of Brownsville staff and TxDOT staff are working together on this endeavor. Item XI Adjournment. (Unanimous decision to adjourn the meeting.) 5