City of Santa Fe MPO Transportation Policy Board Met Aug. 26.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Santa Fe MPO Transportation Policy Board was called to order by Councilor Rene Villarreal, Chair, at 5:00 pm and was attended virtually.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Councilor Rene Villarreal, Chair
Commissioner Hank Hughes, Vice Chair
Commissioner Ana Hansen
Councilor Jamie Cassutt
Member Paul Brasher
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Commissioner Rudy Garcia
Mayor Alan Webber
OTHERS PRESENT
Erick Aune, MPO Officer
Leah Yngve, MPO
Hannah Burnham, MPO
Bryce Gibson, NCRTD
Elizabeth Martin, Stenographer
B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION A motion was made by Commissioner Hansen, seconded by Mr. Brasher, to approve the agenda as presented.
VOTE The motion passed on a roll call vote as follows:
Chair Villarreal, yes; Commissioner Hughes, yes; Commissioner Hansen, yes; Councilor Cassutt, yes; Mr. Brasher, yes.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
APRIL 29, 2021
MOTION A motion was made by Mr. Brasher, seconded by Councilor Cassutt, to approve the minutes as presented.
VOTE The motion passed on a roll call vote as follows:
Chair Villarreal, yes; Commissioner Hughes, yes; Commissioner Hansen, yes; Councilor Cassutt, yes; Mr. Brasher, yes.
1. COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC
None.
2. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION:
A. REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE SELF CERTIFICATION ADOPTING THE 2022-2027 DRAFT TIP
Ms. Yngve reviewed the packet information and the list of projects.
Commissioner Hansen said on the list of projects it says SE Connector. That really is the NE/SE Connector.
Ms. Yngve said that is correct. We received news today from DOT that we will be receiving Federal funds for the project to fill in any gaps.
Chair Villarreal asked why some projects are called fiscally constrained when the funds are available.
Ms. Yngve replied that they are saying the project is limited to the funds we already have.
Mr. Brasher stated that it also refers to the fact that a funding source has been identified.
Chair Villarreal said the project list is in a nice format with all the detail, however; she does not know the acronyms.
Ms. Yngve and Mr. Brasher reviewed the acronyms.
Chair Villarreal asked where do we look to see what is available in the funding balance.
Ms. Yngve said that is not in the TIP. The TIP is hard money funded projects.
MOTION A motion was made by Commissioner Hansen, seconded by Councilor Cassutt, to approve the request.
VOTE The motion passed on a roll call vote as follows:
Chair Villarreal, yes; Commissioner Hughes, yes; Commissioner Hansen, yes; Councilor Cassutt, yes; Mr. Brasher, yes.
B. PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER NOTICE: FARE ELIMINATION FOR NCRTD ROUTE 255 MOUNTAIN EXPRESS
Mr. Gibson reviewed the packet information and stated that the purpose of this item is get input and feedback from this Body for presentation to the NCRTD Board.
Commissioner Hughes asked what the ridership was like on that route.
Mr. Gibson said the ridership has been down significantly during the pandemic. We are hoping it bounces back. It is one of our busiest routes during the ski season. He will add the ridership numbers to his presentation at the NCRTD Board meeting.
Commissioner Hughes asked what the logic was behind making this route free.
Mr. Gibson said all of our other routes are free. Our members pay for the service so there is no reason to charge a fee on top of that. It helps with the administration burden as well.
Ms. Burnham asked when there would be public comment.
Mr. Gibson said it is for 45 days. He will coordinate with Erick.
Mr. Gibson said this item was discussed at the TCC meeting and at the County Commission at their last meeting.
Commissioner Hansen said this is great.
Commissioner Hughes agreed.
Chair Villarreal said it is a great idea. You said it is funded in part by GRT. Is that earmarked for you.
Mr. Gibson said yes, it is the 1/8 % we collect.
Commissioner Hansen said it is a pass through tax to the NCRTD. The Sunset Clause was just removed.
Chair Villarreal asked if the service is first come, first served.
Mr. Gibson said the service was with advance booking during the pandemic. Typically it is first come, first served.
Chair Villarreal asked how do you get the information out to people about the route and are the notices in English and Spanish including about this change.
Mr. Gibson said he would reach out to the PIO and have him contact her and pass along the information. We do translate all our materials into Spanish.
Chair Villarreal said in the document we are looking at it, there is only one paragraph translated.
Mr. Gibson said the website is translatable. He will get the information and pass it along.
Mr. Aune said this is just for input and feedback.
Commissioner Hansen said she had a background in graphic design. The NCRTD has asked her to sit in on the design committee for the new logo. The buses will stay blue.
Councilor Cassutt asked if during the recent route study they considered this route having later return times.
Mr. Gibson said we recently conducted a Service Plan update. He believes we are planning additional service for this route. He will get the details and pass the information to her.
Mr. Aune said he had been following this route since its inception. It has been increasingly successful. There are just under 2,000 riders during peak ski season. It drops to 1,500 in March. It is a great service.
Chair Villarreal thanked Mr. Gibson and said this is an important step toward more equitable options in this area.
C. UPDATES FROM STAFF REGARDING MULTIPLE FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Mr. Aune asked Mr. Brasher to speak to this item.
Mr. Brasher reported that this morning the New Mexico Transportation Committee met. They were presented with recommendations from the Secretary as to funding. $159,000,000 was appropriated. $26,000,000 of that was for our District, District 6. We received 16.38% of the total. Projects for the Santa Fe MPO, Santa Fe County and the City of Santa Fe were approved.
Mr. Brasher reviewed the list of funded projects which included the NE/SE Connector.
Mr. Brasher said there was one project for the County of Santa Fe that was not approved. It was in the amount of $603,000. We are optimistic that it will be funded next year. We are pleased that everyone got something meaningful through the State. We are now in the process of drafting the agreements to get things underway.
Chair Villarreal said this is great news.
Commissioner Hansen said thank you for the good news. She is happy to hear about the Agua Fria/Cottonwood exchange and the NE/SE Connector. There is a short portion of Henry Lynch Road that belongs to the County and needs a lot of work. She hopes that you will work on Henry Lynch all the way to Agua Fria.
Mr. Brasher said $427,000 was appropriated for Henry Lynch Road to Agua Fria.
Commissioner Hansen stated that the County and the City need to work together on that road. She is happy to hear that Agua Fria to Rufina will be done. She looks forward to working closely with Councilor Cassutt.
Ms. Yngve said this funding is for design and planning at this point. We will be seeking funding for construction as well.
Commissioner Hansen said we need to make sure that the design included the County portion.
Mr. Brasher said the State’s share of this project is 95%. There will be a small local share.
Chair Villarreal said she was excited about Henry Lynch getting fixed. The road is challenging now. What about Bishops Lodge funding.
Mr. Brasher said that project was included in the location study and the preliminary design for ADA compliance construction with larger lanes and bicycle lanes. The amount requested was $760,000 as the State share with $40,000 as the local share. That is the amount and description that was requested.
Chair Villarreal asked Erick what he suggested to let residents know what has been approved and the timeline.
Mr. Aune said we have regular contact with those folks. We will send a memo to them tomorrow.
Chair Villarreal asked that he send a copy of the memo to her as well. Commissioner Hansen asked if the project will be Paseo to the City limits. Mr. Aune said that is the intent.
Mr. Aune thanked Mr. Brasher for the update.
3. MATTERS FROM THE MPO STAFF
Mr. Aune said as to Federal funding, we are watching the transportation bill closely and monitoring it. We expect to have an update at the end of September. There could be additional funding included in it.
Mr. Aune gave a shout out to the Project Members at the City and the County who are working closely with Leah and Hannah on the applications for projects. Kudos to them.
Ms. Burnham reported that she is working with Earth Care to do a walking tour on Thursday. It will be self led and is part of the Safe Routes to Schools and Safe Routes to Parks programs. It will be a test to see how walkable the neighborhood is.
Ms. Yngve said additionally we are working with the Park Conservancy who oversees the award of funds for Sate Routes to Parks. We are looking for small projects in the community.
Ms. Burnham said it is part of our effort to educate the residents in the area and help them feel empowered.
Chair Villarreal said she enjoys hearing about this partnership.
Mr. Aune reported that the redesign of Cerrillos Road and St. MIchaels to St. Francis is moving forward. A lot has changed over the past year. He is working on having a presentation at this meeting in the future. Also, thank you so much for TIP. It is a big deal for us.
Chair Villarreal asked would the presentation be to the Governing Body or this Board.
Mr. Aune said he is working with Regina Wheeler as to what that would look like. Chair Villarreal asked if public comment was still open on this.
Mr. Aune said it closed on August 20th. The next step is for the design team to take public comment and input and have another public meeting in the fall as to their recommendation.
Chair Villarreal said she is very interested in that. She would like a presentation to the Policy Board. Thank you for recognizing City and County staff who worked on the TIP.
Mr. Aune said he will work with City staff on a venue.
Ms. Yngve said the MPO is in receipt of one of the AARP Community Change Grants for $6,000. It is to create a pop-up bicycle lane tool kit as a demonstration project. We are coordinating with community events. It will be demonstrated so that people can try it out and provide feedback. We will share the information with this Board and in a presentation to BTAC.
Chair Villarreal congratulated the MPO.
4. MATTERS FROM TPB MEMBERS
Mr. Brasher said a month ago the Transportation Committee took action in passing a Resolution regarding the Road Transfer Agreement between the State and the City of Santa Fe. This was a 1989 agreement regarding Cerrillos, Beckner to St. Michaels, St. Michaels to St. Francis and St. Francis to Old Pecos Trail. Last month the day finally came. This is an agreement that the City of Santa Fe assumes ownership and maintenance of this including Airport Road. Part of the agreement is that the DOT will pay the City to make ADA improvements. It is signed now, approved and executed.
Chair Villarreal said the fact that it took so long is interesting as well as how to pay for the maintenance. The Cerrillos exchange will take place once construction takes place.
Commissioner Hansen thanked Mr. Brasher for his work on behalf of all of us.
Chair Villarreal thanked staff for doing the walking audit. She attended one of them and it was a great field trip. Everyone enjoyed it.
Chair Villarreal said she would like to get more information on the closing of Viento Drive along with the realignment of the off ramps. She has been getting emails about it.
Mr. Brasher said he had received a number of phone calls on it as well. We are having public meetings on that project. The criticism is it being closed during construction, not its ultimate closure. People pull out there to make right turns. There is not enough lead length to do that.
MPO Policy Board August 26, 2021 Page 7
Chair Villarreal stated that they can talk off line on this.
Chair Villarreal asked regarding the improvements to Hyde Park Road, do you know of any work toward putting in a bike lane or bike path. She is speaking of Hyde Park Road to the ski area. Please send her an email on this.
Mr. Aune said this has been on the planning block for consideration of shoulders. They funded a feasibility study for that purpose. It is moving forward.
Mr. Brasher said the study is underway. There is no guarantee that it will included bike lanes. lt is steep and there are rocks. We are looking-at it.
Mr. Aune said we hope to have improvement funding at the end of the tunnel. Mr. Brasher said we will take everything into consideration.
Commissioner Hansen asked about the lights on 599 and Via Veteranos.
Mr. Brasher said he looked at that. With annexation the responsibility of maintenance moved from the County to the City. He thinks the City is responsible now. Half the lights are out on South Meadows as well. He will make calls again.
Commissioner Hansen said it is important for health and safety. It is part of the Annexation Agreement. It is a serious issue.
Mr. Brasher said there is no dispute over the responsibility.
Chair Villarreal asked if Ms. Wheeler had been copied on this.
Mr. Brasher said yes.
5. NEXT MEETING
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
6. ADJOURN
There being no further business before the Board the meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.
https://santafe.primegov.com/public/portal
