IMPERIAL COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 22, 2017

6:00 p.m.

______________________________________________________________________

VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT:

                                                            City of Brawley                        George Nava

                                                            City of Calipatria                      Maria Nava-Froelich (Chair)

                                                            City of Calexico                       Bill Hodge

                                                            City of El Centro                      Cheryl Viegas-Walker

                                                            City of Holtville                       James Predmore

                                                            City of Imperial                        James Tucker (Alt.)

                                                            City of Westmorland                Larry Ritchie

                                                            County of Imperial                    Luis Plancarte (Vice-Chair)

                                                            County of Imperial                    Ryan Kelley

                                                            Imperial Irrigation District         Erik Ortega

NON-VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT:        Caltrans District 11                   Dara Wheeler

STAFF PRESENT:     Mark Baza, Kathi Williams, David Aguirre, Guillermo Gonzalez, Vicky Hernandez, Cristi Lerma

OTHERS PRESENT:  Marcelo Peinado, Sam Amen: Caltrans; David Salgado: SCAG; Flavio Vargas: First Transit

The following action minutes are listed as they were acted upon by the Imperial County Transportation Commission and as listed on the agenda for the meeting held Wednesday February 22, 2017 together with staff reports and related documents attached thereto and incorporated therein by reference.

I.                    CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 

Chair Nava-Froelich called the Commission meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.  Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

II.                 EMERGENCY ITEMS

            There were none.

III.              PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were none.

IV.              CONSENT CALENDAR

A.                 Approved ICTC Board Draft Minutes:                                        January 25, 2017

B.                  Received and Filed:     

1.                   ICTC Management Committee Draft Minutes:               February 8, 2017

2.                   ICTC SSTAC Minutes:                                                 January 4, 2017

3.                   ICTC TAC Minutes                                                      January 19, 2017

A motion was made by Viegas-Walker and seconded by Predmore to approve consent items A and B, Motion carried.

V.                 REPORTS

A.                 ICTC Executive Director

            Mr. Baza had the following announcements:

-          The FY 2017-18 Unmet Transit Needs Public Hearing was held on February 9, 2017 at the City Council Chambers in El Centro. The second meeting is scheduled for March 9, 2017 at 3 p.m. also at the City Council Chambers in El Centro.

-          The Transportation Development Act (TDA-State Funds) Triennial Performance Audit Project is underway. A kick off meeting was conducted on January 24, 2017 at the ICTC offices.  Requests for information have been emailed to member agency staff. The audit is a state mandated requirement every three years for all TDA funds received in Imperial County.

-          In preparation for the Short Range Transit Plan, staff is exploring transit connection opportunities with Sunline Transit that serves the Coachella Valley region, and pursuing grant opportunities for interregional transit services to/from Westshores and Coachella. ICTC Staff met with SunLine Transit Agency management on February 10, 2017. We will be pursuing available grant opportunities together and perform Westshores community outreach to promote our current service and gather input about future service needs.

-          ICTC is pursuing the opportunity to acquire the existing (soon to be vacated) Caltrans Maintenance Yard located at 1605 Adams Avenue in the City of El Centro. ICTC Staff is working towards finalizing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to complete a comprehensive evaluation of the Adams Avenue facility. It is anticipated that the RFP will be issued at the end of February. ICTC and Caltrans Staff are working towards establishing a temporary lease agreement for the facility while the evaluation process is completed. Anticipated costs for the facility evaluation and proposed facility lease have yet to be established.

-          Commissioners were informed of a “SAVE THE DATE” opportunity to attend a California Transportation Commission (CTC) Town Hall Meeting and Tour of the East Port of Entry. CTC Commissioners will be having a Town Hall Meeting in the City of Calexico the afternoon of April 12, 2017. The following day, April 13th ICTC will host a tour of the Calexico East Port of Entry and CHP truck inspection facility for CTC Commissioners, CTC staff and Caltrans. Mr. Baza extended the invitation to both City Managers and Commissioners.

-          Commissioners were asked to “SAVE THE DATE” for our Imperial Valley General Assembly and Economic Summit scheduled for May 17-18, 2017.

-          ICTC submitted an application under SCAG’s 2017 Sustainability Grant Program  for the development of a Regional Climate Action Plan (CAP) for $200,000 and the County of Imperial Public Health Department submitted an application for a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Safety and Encouragement Campaign for $200,000. Both projects were awarded.

-          ICTC Executive Director was asked to present at the California-Mexico Border Relations Council’s first meeting of 2017 in Imperial Valley. The meeting was held on January 31, 2017 in the City of Calexico.  Mr. Baza presented an overview of our Imperial-Mexicali Ports of Entry and a status of projects and plans.

-          The office of Congressman Vargas has requested support letters from City Managers and Commissioners for funding at Calexico Land Ports of Entry.

-          A complete list of ICTC updates can be found on Page 24 of the agenda.

B.                  Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)

                        Mr. David Salgado had the following announcements:

-          Two regional projects were selected under the SCAG 2017 Sustainability Grant Program (SPG). The Imperial County Transportation Commission submitted an application for the development of a Regional Climate Action Plan (CAP) and the County of Imperial Public Health Department submitted an application for a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Safety and Encouragement Campaign. Both projects were awarded under SCAG’s 2016-17 SPG Call for projects and were approved at the February 2nd monthly Regional Council (RC) Meeting. Combined the projects account for $400,000 awarded to Imperial County. Mr. Salgado urged agencies to apply for the next cycle of this Sustainability Grant program. SCAG is working to fund all projects.

-          Please save the date of May 4th and 5th. SCAG will be having the 2017 General Assembly at the J.W. Marriot Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, CA. SCAG is working to present a new Strategic Plan at the GA which will drive SCAG moving forward. All electeds are comped if they attend.

-          A second round of the GoHuman campaign is being developed and will be released at the end of May.

-          SCAG will be developing a sustainability database to use as a tool that will pull projects and relative data into one spot as it relates to sustainable projects. It was requested that agency public works and finance staff participate in the survey.

-          A SCAG report can be found on page 31.

C.                  California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

-          Ms. Wheeler had the following updates:

-          The I-8 CRCP Project is underway and will be completed one year before schedule.

o   Segment 1, is near El Centro from 0.6 mile west of Anderholt Road overcrossing to 0.5 mile east of the East Highline Canal Bridge. 

o   Segment 2, which is located 26 miles east of El Centro from 0.8 mile west of SR-98/I-8 separation to 0.6 mile east of the All American Canal.

o   Segment 3, near Winterhaven from 0.7 mile west of the SR-186/I-8 separation to 0.3 mile east of Fourth Avenue overcrossing.

o   Segment 4, near El Centro from 0.6 mile west of I-8/SR-111 separation to 0.6 mile west of Anderholt Road overcrossing and from 0.5 mile east of the East Highline Canal Bridge to 0.8 mile west of I-8/SR-98 separation.

o   Segment 5, near Winterhaven from 0.7 mile west of Ogilby Road overcrossing to 0.7 west

-          Caltrans will have an estimate for the expansion of SR-86/Customs and Border Protection checkpoint by next week. The next coordination meeting is scheduled for March 14, 2017.

-          The California Federal Lands Access Program (CA FLAP) is currently having a Call for Projects with proposals being accepted until April 7, 2017. Ms. Wheeler indicated that the goal of the FLAP program is to improve transportation facilities that provide access to, are adjacent to, or are located within federal lands. Mr. Baza stated he would be providing the information to Supervisor Castillo as a possible resolution to the Glamis improvements.

-          A full Caltrans report can be found on page 38 of the agenda.

D.                 Commission Member Reports 

-          Ms. Viegas-Walker said she met with members of Congress including Congressman Vargas during the SCAG Legislative trip on February 13-14, 2017.  She also stated that she missed the last ICTC meeting to attend a legislative trip to Sacramento.

-          Ms. Viegas-Walker stated that there have been requests for more information at bus stops. Mr. Baza stated that staff will work to address that.

-          Ms. Nava-Froelich stated that there have been issues in Niland with the bus stop being so close to the laundromat.  Mr. Amen stated that he will meet with the Caltrans team to expedite the bus stop improvements in Niland. 

-          Ms. Nava-Froelich stated that there are major congestion issues with the 1100 children going to school on S. International and Center Streets in Calipatria. Mr. Baza suggested that they have a meeting between himself, Rom Medina and the school district.

-          Ms. Nava-Froelich stated that there will be a LAFCO meeting on Thursday, February 23rd at the El Centro City Council Chamber’s.

-          Mr. Hodge stated that the City of Calexico will be having a Mardi Gras festival on Friday, February 24th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

-          Mr. Predmore said that the City of Holtville had a successful Rib Cook-Off and Carrot festival.

-          Mr. Kelley said he appreciated Mr. Baza’s willingness to attend the Washington D.C. trip even though the County decided to postpone it for now.

-          Ms. Nava-Froelich welcomed new Commissioners to the meeting.

VI.               INFORMATION CALENDAR

A.                 A Fresh Look at Impacts of Border Delays at California-Baja California Ports of Entry

In April 2016, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), in partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC), began a study called A Fresh Look at Impacts of Border Delays at California-Baja California Land Ports of Entry. This study will assess the economic and air quality/climate impacts caused by border delays at California-Baja California ports of entry (POEs): San Ysidro-Puerta México, Otay Mesa-Mesa de Otay, Tecate-Tecate, Calexico West-Mexicali I, Calexico East-Mexicali II, and Andrade-Los Algodones. The study is scheduled to be completed in late 2017.

The main tasks of this study include:

• Conduct surveys/interviews at California-Baja California POEs

• Collect border wait time data

• Develop and implement an outreach plan for both economic and air quality/climate

• Estimate economic and air quality/climate impacts of border delays

• Develop study recommendations

The study team has conducted assessment of gaps in existing border data; developed survey questionnaires and conducted pre-test; completed three waves of surveys at border crossings; and identified key industries and businesses to conduct interviews. As part of the economic outreach plan, the team will identify key industries vulnerable to cross border delays in the Imperial County/Mexicali and San Diego-Tijuana region. The team will interview businesses in an effort to understand impact of cross border delays on local businesses. The study developed a phased approach for implementation and future consideration. The upcoming tasks of the study are the implementation of economic and emissions outreach plans. On February 16, 2017, SANDAG will host an emission peer review roundtable to discuss a variety of both technical and non-technical items related emissions at POEs. 

                        Mr. Baza presented this item for information purposes only.

B.                     Project Update - Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 Grant Program for Elderly and Disabled Transportation Services FY 2014-15 (Regional Mobility Coordination)

In February 2015, the Commission approved ICTC’s submittal of FY 2014-15 FTA 5310 Grant application. It was staff’s recommendation to fund a Mobility Management/Coordination position with a new ICTC employee. The position was to be of a professional classification and require a standard recruitment process.   The recruitment process was completed and the staff person has been engaged in Mobility Coordination since February 2016.

The Mobility Coordinator is responsible for assisting existing ICTC transit and contractor staff in addressing several areas:

1.       The 2014 Human Services – Public Transit Coordinated Planning efforts goals; to use a bilingual Mobility Coordinator to bridge the gap between current public transit service providers, human service agencies, social service agencies and the senior citizen and disabled communities of Imperial County.  

2.       Address the recommendations in the consultant prepared ADA Certification and Eligibility Process, Demand Management Project; to revise the certification and eligibility process (scheduled for implementation in January 2017)

As of January 2017, numerous informational presentations have been made to social service agencies, service clubs and agencies such as County Behavioral Health. Mobility training sessions have been conducted for various social agencies and their clients and in addition, public outreach was provided for the recent launch of the IVT RIDE El Centro and IVT MedTrans services.

Mr. Gonzalez provided a sample list of the individualized coordination and training that has been provided by the Mobility Coordinator directly or with contractor’s transit staff in the last quarter. The position has provided a needed and appreciated point of contact, including numerous cases of personalized case management for seniors and persons with disabilities.

                        Mr. Aguirre and Mr. Gonzalez presented this item for informational purposes only.

VII.            ACTION CALENDAR

A.                  Federal Transit Administration  (FTA) Section 5310 Grant Program for Elderly and Disabled Transportation Services FY 2017-19 – ICTC grant application

It was requested that the ICTC Management Committee forward this item to the Commission for review and approval after public comment, if any:

1.                   Authorized the Executive Director or his designee to submit an FTA 5310 FY 2017-19 Grants, execute all required documents and any amendments with the California Department of Transportation, in an amount of $471,144 for the funding of the Regional Mobility Coordination Program.

2.                   Authorized the ICTC Chairperson to sign the attached resolution

3.                   Directed staff to forward the FTA 5310 Grant Application and associated documentation to the California Department of Transportation.

A Motion was made by Hodge, seconded by Viegas-Walker, Motion Carried unanimously.

VIII.         NEXT MEETING DATE AND PLACE

A.                 The next meeting of the Imperial County Transportation Commission will be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., at the County of Imperial Board Chambers, at 940 W. Main Street, El Centro, CA.

IX.              ADJOURNMENT

A.                 Meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m. (Hodge/Kelley) Motion carried.