TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

November 17, 2022

            Present:          

            Guillermo Sillas                        City of Brawley

            Lily Falomir                             City of Calexico

            Jeorge Galvan                           City of Calipatria

            Abraham Campos                     City of El Centro

            Alex Chavez                             City of Holtville

            Jesus Villegas                           City of Imperial

            Ramiro Barajas                         City of Westmorland

            Veronica Atondo                       County of Imperial

            Manuel Ortiz                            Imperial Irrigation District

            Others:

            Virginia Mendoza                     ICTC   

            Marlene Flores                          ICTC

            Angela Delgadillo                     ICTC

            Phillip Ramirez                         City of Brawley

            Andrea Montano                       City of Brawley

            Juan Manuel Cabrera                 City of Brawley

            Angel Hernandez                      City of El Centro

            Adolfo Garcia                           County of Imperial

            Anna Strahan                            Caltrans

            Ben Guerrero                            Caltrans

            David Salgado                          SCAG

1.       The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m. A quorum was present, and introductions were made. There were no public comments made.

2.       Adopted resolution authorizing remote teleconference meeting in accordance with Assembly Bill 361. ICTC requested a motion to adopt. (Atondo/Galvan). Motion Carried.

3.       A motion was made to adopt the minutes for November 17, 2022 (Galvan/Atondo) Motion Carried.

4.       Caltrans Updates / Announcements:

(Presented by: Ben Guerrero)

-          November 9, 2022 was the deadline to submit “Inactive” invoices or a justification.

-          Funding Requests for Authorization (RFA) during this next federal fiscal year are due by January 31, 2023.

-          Note the Obligation Authority (OA) funds for redistribution are dwindling faster than in prior years. Also, make sure that funds are programmed appropriately. Prepare to send RFA packages as soon as possible.

-          The Clean California Local Grant Program is offering a second funding cycle! The program will continue providing communities with funding to beautify and improve public spaces that include streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways, and transit centers.

-          For more information, please click https://cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov/local-grants/local-grant-program

-           Friday, November 25, 2022, is the final deadline (for that January 25-26, 2023, CTC meeting).

-          Please transmit all invoices on LAPM Exhibit 5-A (use the August 2020 version).

https://dot.ca.gov/programs/local-assistance/projects/local-agency-invoice-process

5.       SCAG Updates / Announcements:

(Presented by: David Salgado)

-          Regional Early Action Program (REAP) 2.0 Program Update: There is funding available under this program that was presented to the TAC group last month.

-          On Thursday, Dec. 1, SCAG will host the 13th annual Southern California Economic Summit at the Sheraton Grand in downtown Los Angeles. The theme of this year’s summit is “Resourcing the Region.” Southern California is uniquely rich in both natural and economic resources.

-          Securing Federal Funding from the IIJA and IRA Toolbox Tuesday Money Monday Session: November 21, 2022 - 1:00PM - 2:30PM

-          Register online here: https://form.jotform.com/SCAGweb/toolbox-tuesday

-          The state did approve the 2023 Active Transportation Program grant applications. Unfortunately, the Imperial County region was not awarded any funding under this program.

-          If you have any questions, please contact David Salgado at salgado@scag.ca.gov

6.       Cities and County Planning / Public Works Updates:

·         Each jurisdiction gave their update.

7.       ICTC Updates / Announcements                                                                                                  (Presented by ICTC Staff)

a.       Transit Planning Updates

·         The Free Fares Program grant was approved for $492K which will cover about 9 months of free fares for transit riders. This month, a program is offered for free transportation for veterans from November 12th to the 18th. The annual “Stuff-A-Bus” campaign is between November 1st to the 18th. This campaign lets people ride the bus for free if they donate a canned good. Essentially, all the canned goods that are generated, are donated to the food bank prior to Thanksgiving holiday. These two programs are put out for the public before the Free Fares Programs takes place. The Free Fares program will likely start around January 2023.

·         The Commission did appoint David Aguirre as the permanent Executive Director for ICTC.

b.    Transportation Planning Updates 

·         Long Range Transportation Plan Outreach:

-          There was massive public outreach in different cities for the Long Range Transportation Plan. Starting at the Heber Fall Festival on October 29th at 4 p.m. Then, at Holtville’s Farmer Market and Street Fair on November 5th at 11 a.m. Finally, at Brawley’s Cattle Call Chili Cookoff on November 5th at 5 p.m. ICTC inquired about the public priorities and any other priorities they would like to see. There are currently ongoing meetings with each of the cities, as well as with the IID and Caltrans. ICTC also had the opportunity to meet with SDSU and IVC to receive feedback.

·         Local Partnership Formulaic Program (LPP) Cycle 3 and Cycle 4:

·         CMAQ & STBG FFY 2022/23:

-          A project list was provided to the TAC group.

·         2022 Mini Call for Projects STBG-CMAQ Update:

-          Management and Commission approved the 2022 Mini Call for Projects. Next Step: ICTC will program projects in the next available FTIP Amendment

8.       General Discussion / New Business

Team Building-Caltrans Meeting with Bryan Ott, District Local Assistance Engineer (DLAE) Division of Planning & Local Assistance

Next TAC meeting will be December 15, 2022 via Zoom and tentatively at the El Centro Library.

Meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.