Northwest Regional Transportation Planning Organization

NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS Northwest Regional Transportation Planning Organization (NWRTPO) RTPO TECHNICAL COMMITTEE M I N U T E S Wednesday, September 12, 2012 Metro Center, 2215 E. Boyd Ave., Gallup, NM

ATTENDANCE:

Local & Tribal Governments:

Pueblo of Acoma Raymond Concho, Jr. Pueblo of Laguna David Deutsawe Pueblo of Zuni Royce Gchachu Navajo Nation Latausha Lewis (Eastern) 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, Jeff Irving, Pearl Reed San Juan County T.J. Richards

Technical Agencies: New Mexico Department of Transportation: G-2-G Unit – DOT District 5 – DOT District 6 – Anthony Griego DOT Tribal Liaison – Ron Shutiva DOT Central Reg. Div. – Osvaldo Reyes-Alicea DOT – LTAP – DOT Admin. –

NWNMCOG/NWRPO Administration: Northwest Regional Planning Organization Robert Kuipers

Guests :

TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 15 (8 members, 3 DOT, 1 RPO, 3 guests)

I. Call to Order and Introductions:  Royce Gchachu called the meeting to order at 10:20 am; welcomed those in attendance and proceeded with the approval of minutes. NORTHWEST REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION Technical Committee Meeting Minutes – September 12, 2012 page 2 of 6

 The meeting was hosted by McKinley County. Approval of Minutes of August 8, 2012 Meeting:  Minutes from the August 8, 2012 meeting were reviewed by the members with a motion to approve by: Ray Concho Jr., Pueblo of Acoma, 2nd- Brigitte Fuller, City of Grants, unanimously approved.

I. Approval / Authorization of New Bylaws:  Ron Shutiva recommended that the RTPO take the formal action of adjourning as Technical Committee, and re-adjourn as Policy Committee for the action of approving and authorizing the bylaws. This action was motioned by T.J. Richards, seconded by Bernice Martinez – included in the motion to move this action to #8 on the agenda, before the close of the meeting. Members unanimously approved. There was a little informal discussion, with general approval of the way bylaws were drafted, and no significant feedback from member governments.

II. Reports from Statewide Roundtable & Transportation Commission:  Bob Kuipers reported on the August 9 statewide Roundtable held in Clovis – report is attached.  Bob also reported on his presentation to the Transportation Commission when they met in Acoma, on August 16, and provided a copy of the power point presentation to members (attached). Bob complimented Mr. Ray Concho, and the Pueblo of Acoma, for being outstanding hosts – both for the reception on the evening of August 15, and the meeting on the 16th.

III. Rep orts, Updates, & Announcements:

A. 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: Remains in the final stages of development, should have finalized within 4 – 8 weeks, with training now anticipated for around October - November, 2012. o 2 courses with 30 available spaces; 1 north, 1 south  Traffic Count training scheduled for October 4  Road Stabilization and Work Zone trainings are forthcoming from LTAP  Annual NM Infrastructure Conference - TAOS, Oct. 23-26  November 13-16, 2012, Annual Tribal Transportation Conference at Scottsdale, Arizona.

B. 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 – RPO Planner has completed a variety of regulatory / certification documentation with NM-DOT in order to encumber and engage this funding, and the TOA Assoc. and the NM-DOT are now awaiting news from the FHWA on funding disbursement.  Public Trans. / Leg. Committee: no new news  McKinley County is updating their comprehensive plan – requesting contributions from relevant RTPO members; Bob Kuipers is completing the transportation element section

NEWS: 1) Oct. 4 LTAP Traffic Count Training – emailed Aug. 30 2) Another MAP-21 Summary from District 5 (Wm. Alexander) – emailed Aug. 30 3) NADO Rural Transportation News – emailed Aug. 30 4) 2010 Pedestrian Traffic Safety Facts – emailed Aug. 30 NORTHWEST REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION Technical Committee Meeting Minutes – September 12, 2012 page 3 of 6

5) Aug. 17 AASHTO Journal – emailed Aug. 30 6) “Walk & Roll to School Day” – Oct. 3, 2012 – emailed Aug. 30 7) Forthcoming FHWA MAP-21 Webinars – emailed Aug. 30 8) Aug. 24 AASHTO Journal – emailed Aug. 30 9) FHWA Request for Feedback – Safety & Planning Products – emailed Aug. 30 10) FHWA “Federal Aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies web site – emailed Aug. 30 11) RPO / MPO Coordinated Calendar – emailed Sept. 5 12) Aug. 31 AASHTO Journal / NADO Updates – emailed Sept. 5

C. Local Member Issues, Reports & Updates:

 Zuni: o Commencing Francisco Road paving project o Starting reconstruction of BIA 301 south o Gallup cut-off bridge is still awaiting funding

 McKinley: o CR 43 will commence chip seal, once utility issues are resolved o Pretty Rock Road is under reconstruction o Hoping to get used pavement from DOT for reconstruction of some county roads o County Road 19 is undergoing ROW work at this time o Johnson and Deer Springs Roads – working of ROW for reconstruction o October 2 at 5pm will be a public meeting at Twin Lakes Chapter – NDOT, BIA and the Counties are trying to host collaborative meetings to update local Navajo communities / citizens on plans

 Cibola: o Finishing a COOP project o Much weed cutting going on along roads o Putting up safety signage around the county

 Gallup: o No new news this meeting

 San Juan: o ADA inspections have just been completed around the County o Military Bridge is in environmental review at this time o CR 7500 is waiting on a FONSI, for a 7.2 mile chipseal project o CR 7950 project is ready to commence o Pinon Hills bypass (CR 3900) is getting ready to commence

 Eastern/Northern Navajo: Eastern Navajo: o Regional transportation meetings are taking place for public input Northern Navajo: o No report this meeting

 Acoma: NORTHWEST REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION Technical Committee Meeting Minutes – September 12, 2012 page 4 of 6

o SP 22 Road Construction – ARRA funded project is 100% complete. NMDOT and FHWA audited project documents on July 20, 2012. Will NMDOT or FHWA issue a report or letter on outcome of audit? o SP 36 Road Extension and Mesa Hill Bridge Design and Construction Project – Design and project development Phase is complete. Project is construction ready; construction need increased to $28 million. Remaining GRIP II funds used for construction of the existing SP 36 roadway and corridor. Data Recovery Plan (undisturbed work) and utility relocations may be implemented with GRIP II funds. TIGER IV application was submitted and not approved. Applications submitted but never receive written responses for non-selection. The NMDOT GRIP II expired June 30, 2012. Can Acoma Pueblo request for a contract extension considering that about $600K has been unexpended? o SP 34(1) 2&4 Phase III Road Construction Project – Project is 100% complete; final inspection was August 13, 2012; construction was at $1.2 million. Project was funded with FHWA Federal Lands Discretionary Program funds. o SP 302 Design Project – Design plans are 95% complete. IRR funded through BIA. Design will be completed by December 30, 2012. Design/Project Development Contractor: WHPacific. o Repair and Restoration Project – ARRA funded through BIA. Funds were awarded under a BIA Self-Determination Contract for BIA road and bridge repair and restoration. Work is about 95% complete. Remaining work: gravel and signage for SP 25 and SP 343 roads and heavy equipment repairs. Contract expires September 30, 2012. o Contract awarded to WHPacific to update Acoma Pueblo’s 20-Year Transportation Plan and transportation inventory. Project will be complete no later than April 2013. Frontage road north of I-40, near mile markers 95 & 96, right-of-way – is it Cibola County, BIA or Acoma. o Contract to be awarded by September 30, 2012 for the design and project development of the M122 Riconado Bridge. Will request for NMDOT drainage analysis, environment assessment, etc. for I-40 near mile marker 97, bridge over Riconado Wash. o No NMDOT LGRF funds were awarded for FY 2013. What is potential of LGRF funding for 2014? o Need to meet with NMDOT on road Maintenance issues along NM 124 including drainage structures. What are NMDOT plans to reconstruct NM 124? Graffiti at I-40 Exit 102 bridge over SP 30 not removed yet although reported to NMDOT. o For the 3rd time, Acoma Pueblo was selected to be audited/interviewed by the FHWA Office of Inspector General. According to FHWA, the visit is to evaluate the IRR program and FHWA. Site visit will be conducted within the next 5 months. o NMDOT Transportation Commissioners Meeting at Acoma Pueblo on August 16, 2012 went very well. Bob Kuipers presented NW RTPO power-point on transportation for region. Acoma Pueblo’s Planning and Engineering Office and Historic Preservation Office also provided presentations. NMDOT Secretary and staff, FHWA Director and Transportation Commissioners toured Acoma Pueblo followed by an evening reception and traditional dances at the Sky City Cultural Center on August 15, 2012. o Indian Reservation Roads Program Coordinating Committee (IRRPCC) – Next meeting is September 18-20, 2012 at Minneapolis, Minnesota. Issues: implement primary access roads and proposed roads; implementation of Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) under MAP-21. o November 13-16, 2012, Annual Tribal Transportation Conference at Scottsdale, Arizona. o Acoma Pueblo was invited to participate at FHWA’s Every Day Counts (EDC) Regional Transportation Summit. The Transportation Summit will be held at Dallas, Texas on November 7-8, 2012. The purpose of this summit is to improve the delivery of transportation projects considering the implementation of MAP-21. NMDOT NORTHWEST REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION Technical Committee Meeting Minutes – September 12, 2012 page 5 of 6

recommended Acoma Pueblo’s attendance to allow for rural and tribal government representation.

 Laguna: o Meeting with NM-DOT for commencement of rehabilitation to the I-40 Exit 117 bridge o L-501 is preparing for PS&E o Opening bidding process for M-137 bridge o M-108 bridge was just let for construction o Several BIA road projects have been submitted to the BIA for PS&E o The Pueblo continues re-constructing water mains for all the villages

 Milan: o Finishing Motel Drive construction o NM122 – getting certifications completed o Juniper/Willow MAP funded project: waiting on MAP agreement to commence certifications

 Grants: o First street – going to bid for construction soon o Roosevelt Avenue –first thru third – map funding: still in ROW process

 Ramah: o Meetings are taking place to identify potential new projects for infrastructure (important to have projects cited in the ICIP and LRTP) o Attended NM-DOT Project Management Training – covered CPS Tracking, B2G Now Tracking, and LCP Tracker systems

 Farmington MPO: o No Report this meeting

D. State DOT: 1) Gov’t to Gov’t Unit:  No Report this meeting

2) District 5: William Alexander  No report this meeting

3) District 6: Anthony Griego  Not much new news – LGRF $ are getting closer scuiteny from Commissioner Gibson  FHWA continues to ratchet up the pressure on meeting project specifications

4) DOT Central Regional Division: Osvaldo Reyes-Alicea  Ozzie can make available the DOT “Source Book” – which provides filing / document management guidance for transportation projects – it is also available on the DOT website  The Kiosks have been awarded to the TOA Association – get with Ozzie in the near future to plan the project

5) DOT Tribal Liaison: Ron Shutiva NORTHWEST REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION Technical Committee Meeting Minutes – September 12, 2012 page 6 of 6

 The DOT Planning Dept. is finally filling new positions  Ron has been doing a lot of work in the middle Rio Grande area lately  Attending NDOT Regional Meetings  Ron is pleased to hear about efforts for County, BIA and NDOT collaboration for equipment use, and sharing road maintenance responsibilities (primarily Valencia County)  The N-55 Alamo Project has been in discussion for 30+ years; Ron still hopes the two tribes can work out some form of agreement  Meetings are forthcoming between Laguna and the NM-DOT  Reiterated what Anthony Griego mentioned about FHWA requirements / reporting & competitive readiness intensifying going forward  Reminded again (Ray Concho’s report) about the Nov. 13 – 16 Annual Tribal Transportation Conference  Ron attended the National Tribal Safety Conference at Mystic Lake, Minnesota 6) DOT Central Admin:  No report this meeting.

VI. New Business/Open Floor: Members & Guests  Annual NM Infrastructure Conference coming up in TAOS, Oct. 23-26  Irvin Pete is recovering better at this time from his stroke (T.J.) – the RTPO should get him a card

I. Review Calendar & Announce/Project Events of Interest Calendar reminders:  N.M. Transportation Commission meets: Sept. 20 – Albuquerque, Oct. 18 – Santa Teresa, Nov. 15 – Carlsbad  LTAP Traffic Count Training – Oct. 4, Albuquerque  Annual NM Infrastructure Conference - TAOS, Oct. 23-26  November 13-16, 2012, Annual Tribal Transportation Conference at Scottsdale, Arizona.

VIII. (Revisit) Appoval / Authorization of new Bylaws:  Motion to adjourn as Technical Committee and re-adjourn as Policy Committee: Raymond Concho Jr., second: T.J. Richards  Bylaws approval (with no further discussion – having had adequate discussion earlier in the meeting under section III) motion: T.J. Richards, second: Royce Gchachu, unanimous approval

IX. Next Meetings:  Next meetings o October 10: East Gallup Fire Station – 3700 Church Rock Street, Gallup o November 7 (one week early): Chu Chu’s Restaurant – 1344 Hwy 53, Zuni o December 12: San Juan Fire Ops. – 209 S. Oliver, Aztec

X. Adjournment:  Motion: T.J. Richards, second: Raymond Concho Jr.

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