TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES

March 25, 2021

            Present:          

            Gordon Gaste                           City of Brawley

            Abraham Campos                     City of El Centro

            Veronica Atondo                       County of Imperial

            Jesus Villegas                           City of Imperial

            Lili Falomir                              City of Calexico

            Joel Hamby                              City of Westmorland

            Frank Fiorenza                          IID

            Others:

            Virginia Mendoza                     ICTC   

            Marlene Flores                          ICTC

            Audrie Tapia                             ICTC

            David Salgado                           SCAG

            Guillermo Sillas                        City of Brawley

            Manuel Cabrera                        City of Brawley

            Andres Miramontes                   City of Brawley

            Ana Gutierrez                           City of Brawley

            Javy Luna                                 City of El Centro

            Christian Rodriguez                   City of El Centro

            Elva Pacheco                            City of Imperial            

            Ben Guerrero                            Caltrans

            Ryan Fallica                             Caltrans

            Hanh-Dung Khu                        Caltrans

            Rafael Reyes                            Caltrans

            Monica Soucier                         ICAPCD

            Denise Marin                            The Holt Group

            Francisco Barba

1.       The meeting was called to order at 10:03 a.m. A quorum was present and introductions were made.  There were no public comments made.

2.       A motion was made to adopt the minutes for February 25, 2021 (Falomir /Atondo) Motion Carried.

3.       State Route 98 Project from Ollie Avenue to Rockwood Avenue Presentation- Virginia Mendoza provided a brief update on the State Route 98 Project from Ollie Avenue to Rockwood Avenue in Calexico. This project is moving forward starting April 23, 2021 and it will be a 1-year long project. There will be additional information provided as the project progresses.

4.       Caltrans Updates / Announcements (Presented by: Ben Guerrero):

-          Caltrans provided general information on inactive projects. As of March 19, 2021, the INACTIVE and Future Inactive list was updated. Action is required by the County of Imperial, as well as these five cities: Brawley, Calexico, El Centro, Holtville, and Imperial.

-          February 19, 2021 was the deadline to submit Inactive invoices. District 11 must receive accurate and complete invoices to prevent de-obligation of federal funds! Verify on the “Inactive” link shown below for Inactive Project dates.

-          New Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) Call for Projects. The “FLAPplication” deadline will be May 27, 2021. The outreach plan includes webinars that assist tribal and local agencies, as well as Caltrans, with this process. (The final date is February 10, 2021, for all prospective applicants to hear the details during a live FHWA webcast.).

-          Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Supplemental Guidance Extension to June 30, 2021.

5.       SCAG Updates / Announcements (Presented by David Salgado):

-          SCAG 2021 General Assembly:  The annual convening of the SCAG General Assembly is scheduled for Thursday May, 6th 2021. The meeting will be held remotely. More information will be provided as it is made available. Please contact SCAG RAO David Salgado with any questions regarding the 2021 SCAG General Assembly.

-          2020 SCAG Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) Grant Program: The program will provide resources for projects that support the implementation of three Connect SoCal key connections, focusing on smart cities and job centers, go zones, and shared mobility/mobility as a service, to expand upon our mobility ecosystems and advance the region’s vision. Application Webinars will be held Monday March 8th and Monday April 5th. Deadline to apply is April 23, 2021.

-          SCAG Regional Data Platform (RDP):  The Regional Data Platform will standardize regionally significant datasets, provide opportunities for local partners to update their data in real-time, and draw insights from local trends.

-          SCAG Broadband Action Plan:  At the February 4th SCAG Regional Council (RC) Meeting, the SCAG RC adopted a resolution which directs SCAG staff to develop a “Broadband Action Plan.” The development of an action plan would provide a model resolution and policy paper for local jurisdictions, pursue funding opportunities and partnerships to assist local jurisdictions with broadband implementation, convene a working group, and further support broadband planning and data research.

-          SCAG Aerial Imagery Project 2020/21 Update: After numerous meetings to discuss the potential for SCAG to facilitate a new Aerial Imagery Flyover Project, the County of Imperial has agreed to facilitate a public procurement process. This will allow for more funds to be applied to the project to support the procurement. SCAG has set aside $250,000 for the project and will increase the support by $50,000 for a total of $300,000. The project is currently in the final phases. A meeting was held recently to discuss proposed member contributions in time for budget development. The proposed local contribution amount is attached for review.

David Salgado provided a breakdown of total cost and reserves per project partner.

6.       Cities and County Planning / Public Works Updates:

-          Local agencies gave an update on their local projects in progress.

7.       ICTC Updates / Announcements                                                                                                  Presented by ICTC Staff

a.       Transit Planning Updates

- Virginia Mendoza provided a brief update on transit. ICTC is still operating under COVID-19 requirements. Free fares for Transit riders except for Medtrans.

b.      Transportation Planning Updates

1.       Imperial County Regional Active Transportation (ATP)

- Virginia Mendoza presented the Imperial County Regional Active Transportation Plan (ATP) to TAC members. Project partners for this project is Caltrans and SCAG along with ICTC. The goal of the project is to prepare a detailed localized Active Transportation Plan focused on bicycle, Safe Routes to School, Complete streets, and other ATP strategies that will connect to its surroundings. The Kick of Meeting was on March 17, 2021.

2.       Regional Climate Action Plan (CAP) Draft Update

-     The consultant is working on the draft CAP and finalizing the inventory, forecasts, and targets; anticipating a Final Draft of the CAP by Mid-March, 2021. ICTC member agencies will have the opportunity to review the Final Draft CAP with a goal of having comments back by March 31, 2021. As ICTC moves forward with public comments, ICTC will post the CAP on their website with the intent to get feedback and comments from the public. A final CAP will be presented to local jurisdictions Council/Board for review and approval for the months of May or June 2021. 

c.       FY 2020-21 Programmed Project Obligation Updates

                  - Beginning October 1, 2020 agencies are allowed to move forward with                            request for authorization (RFA) for CMAQ, STBG and ATP programmed in               FY2020/2021. A list of projects is part of the agenda and is updated monthly.

8.       General Discussion / New Business

-     Next TAC meeting will be on April 22, 2021 via Zoom

9.       Meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.