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Brownsville Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Committee

Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Members Present: Tony Martinez, Mayor, MPO Chairman Bitty Truan, Town of Rancho Viejo Sofia Benavides, Cameron County Commissioner (entered with the meeting in progress) Ariel Chavez, (Proxy for John Wood, Brownsville Navigation District) Alex Dominguez, Cameron County Commissioner (entered with the meeting in progress) Charlie Cabler, City Manager Carlos Lastra, (Proxy for Deborah Portillo, City of Brownsville) Mark Milum, (Proxy for Yolanda Cruz, City of Los Fresnos) David Garcia, Cameron County RMA Eddy Hernandez, Brownsville Chamber of Commerce Pete Alvarez, (Proxy for Toribio Garza, TxDOT-Pharr) Sesha Vorrey, (Proxy for Manuel Alcocer, Airport Advisory Board) 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 Monica Tellam, BMetro John Chosy, City of Brownsville-City Attorney’s Office Miguel Ortiz, Citizen Juan Bosquez, TxDOT-San Benito Homer Bazan, TxDOT-Pharr Pete Gonzalez, City of Brownsville-Purchasing Dept. Norma H. Zamora, BMetro Andrew Muñoz, BMetro Andres Espinoza, TxDOT-San Benito John Waters, Citizen Ryan Waters, Citizen Cyndie Rathbun, Town of Rancho Viejo Sandra Saenz, Mayor Martinez’ Office Fred Blanco, Town of Rancho Viejo Reba Cardenas-McNair, Cardenas Development Xavier Montemayor, Town of Rancho Viejo Item I—Welcome and Introduction of Guests. Call the meeting to order: Mayor Martinez. Item II—Roll call of Policy Committee Members.

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A quorum was attained. Item III—Discussion, Consideration and Action on Adoption of Meeting Minutes for MPO Policy Committee meetings held on January 14, 2015 and March 25, 2015. Commissioner Benavides made a motion to approve the meeting minutes. Ariel Chavez seconded the motion. All ayes – Motion carried. Item IV—Discussion, Consideration and Action on Appointment of MPO Policy Committee members to the MPO Merger Study Committee. Pete Alvarez stated that TxDOT recommended all of the three MPOs select a representative from their Committee to represent the County, small city representative and large city representative and the MPO Director, along with a TxDOT representative. A large city is considered to have a population of 50,000 or more. A kick-off meeting of the MPO Merger Study Committee is expected in late April. Pete Alvarez further stated that the Merger Study Committee members would meet on a monthly basis and report to their Policy Committee. The final vote will be taken by the three MPO’s Policy Committees. Norma Zamora stated her concern of the need for transit representation on the Merger Committee. She also stated her concern of funding for the transportation providers in the region. Pete Alvarez responded that the issue will be looked into. Mayor Martinez asked TxDOT staff to present an orientation to the Policy Committee on this issue. Eddy Hernandez stated that a discussion is needed on the pros and cons of a merger before a Merger Committee can be formed and a merger be considered. Mayor Martinez stated that Brownsville MPO should communicate with Harlingen-San Benito MPO before other steps are taken. John Chosy stated that there have been some interest in prior meetings to combine the Harlingen-San Benito and Brownsville MPO into a Cameron County MPO. But no interest has been shown to merge with Hidalgo County MPO. Ariel Chavez stated that the Port of Brownsville should be represented on the Merger Committee. He further stated that more thought should be put into forming the committee. Mayor Martinez agreed with Mr. Chavez’ suggestion.

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Commissioner Dominguez suggested that the Policy Committee should look at the make-up of the Merger Committee. He further stated that having three representatives from each MPO may not be sufficient to form a Merger Committee. Charlie Cabler made a motion to table this item. Eddy Hernandez seconded the motion. Nays: Commissioner Benavides, Commissioner Dominguez, Pete Alvarez. Motion carried. The vote was 9 to 3 to table. Item V—Discussion, Consideration and Action on Acknowledgement of Prioritization of Improvements in TxDOT’s Freight Plan. Homer Bazan stated that two parts make up the Freight Plan: Freight Network Needs and Restricted Bridges. The Technical Committee agreed to add S.H. 32 (East Loop) as a freight need. Also added were frontage road bridges. Prioritization (1-5) of projects is needed from the Policy Committee. Bridges are being looked at for clearance. The requirement by the Federal Highway Administration is 16’6” clearance. All bridges under 14’ are classified as high priority. Bridges between 14’ and 16’6” are classified as medium priority. Bridges at 16’6” and under 18’ are classified as low priority. Homer Bazan stated establishing this Freight Plan will increase federal participation from 90% federal and 10% state to 95% federal and 5% state. Ariel Chavez made a motion to acknowledge prioritization. Eddy Hernandez seconded the motion. All ayes – Motion carried. Item VI—Discussion concerning the MPO’s proposed (Draft) Title VI/MPO Discrimination Complaint Process Policies. Commissioner Dominguez recommended to have the consent form in front of the document. He further stated that someone might be reluctant to file a complaint if they have to give up their identity. Mark Lund stated that he will pursue possible modification to the policies. Item VII—Presentation Re: Monitoring of the MPO’s Congestion Management Process (CMP). (Alfonso Vallejo made the presentation.) Alfonso Vallejo stated there is information available to be used to analyze and evaluate the CMP study. He further stated that the FHA requires a CMP study every four years. A company can be hired to do the study or the MPO can purchase data. MPO staff

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purchased dash cameras that show and collect the data (travel speed) density in congested areas. Item VIII—Presentation and Discussion of TxDOT’s Project Status Report. Sandra Saenz asked for the completion date of the bridge. Andres Espinoza responded that completion date is expected to be six months. Eddy Hernandez asked if the exit ramp for Morrison Road will be the Pablo Kisel ramp. Andres Espinoza responded ‘yes’.

F.M. 803 Eddy Hernandez asked how long the project will take. Andres Espinoza responded ‘two years’. Item IX—Presentation and Discussion of Off-System Projects.

(a) City of Brownsville (Carlos Lastra presented the report.) Eddy Hernandez asked if there will be sidewalks on San Marcelo. Carlos Lastra responded ‘yes, on both sides’. Bitty Truan asked if there will be a signal light on San Marcelo to be able to cross onto Morrison. Carlos Lastra responded that he will check on that.

(b) Cameron County (c) CCRMA No report.

(c) CCRMA

No report.

(d) Port of Brownsville (Ariel Chavez presented the report.) Item X—New business/Discussion items.

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Norma Zamora stated that a house bill was passed for the creation of a Regional Transit Authority (RTA). MPO funds were provided to conduct a study to form an RTA in Cameron County. A proposal will be sent out in two months. Item XI—Adjournment. Ariel Chavez made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Benavides seconded the motion. (Unanimous decision to adjourn the meeting.)