IMPERIAL COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

MINUTES FOR April 25, 2018

6:00 p.m.

______________________________________________________________________

VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT:       City of Calexico                       Bill Hodge

                                                            City of El Centro                      Cheryl Viejas-Walker

                                                            City of Holtville                       Jim Predmore

                                                            City of Imperial                        Robert Amparano

                                                            County of Imperial                   Luis Plancarte

                                                            Imperial Irrigation District         Erik Ortega

NON-VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT:        Caltrans District 11                   Ann Fox

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

OTHERS PRESENT:  Eric Havens: ICTC Counsel; Marcelo Peinado, Jesus Vargas: Caltrans; David Salgado: SCAG;  AJ Gaddis: ICTC HR Consultant, Marcela Piedra: City of El Centro; Eric Estell: 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, April 25, 2018 together with staff reports and related documents attached thereto and incorporated therein by reference.

I.                    CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 

Chair Plancarte called the Commission meeting to order at 6:27 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.                 Approval of  the Commission Draft Minutes:                             March 28, 2018

B.                  Receive and File:

1.                   ICTC Management Committee Draft Minutes:               April 11, 2018

2.                   ICTC TAC Minutes:                                                     March 22, 2018

3.                   ICTC SSTAC Minutes:                                                 March 7, 2018

A motion was made by Viegas-Walker and seconded by Hodge to approve consent items A through E, Motion carried unanimously.

V.                 REPORTS

A.                 ICTC Executive Director

Mr. Baza and staff had the following announcements:

-          Mr. Baza asked the Commission to “Save the Date” for FY 2018/2019 ICTC Budget Workshop for May 23, 2018 at 4 p.m. to be held at the County of Imperial Administration Center, Conference Room C & D in El Centro.

-          Mr. Baza also asked the Commission to “Save the Date” for the Imperial Valley General Assembly and Economic Summit for May 30-31, 2018. On May 30th a networking reception is planned for the evening. Congressman Juan Vargas is confirmed to be the keynote speaker at the ICTC’s General Assembly on the evening of May 31st.

-          Mr. Baza introduced to the Commission our new Office Technician) Maricela Galarza. Ms. Galarza will be working for the Regional Mobility Management Program.

-          Mr. Baza stated that the next Imperial Mexicali Binational Alliance meeting is scheduled for May10, 2018 at the Cultural Arts Center in the City of Calexico.

-          Mr. Baza announced that Caltrans authorized a special planning grant to perform a traffic management study to assist the City of Calexico and the Imperial Valley region to analyze and propose traffic management strategies and alternatives to serve traffic flow for the Calexico West Port of Entry Traffic expansion. The request for proposal (RFP) was due March 14, 2018 and the consultant selected was KOA.

-          Mr. Baza stated ICTC staff is currently working with the consultant on the Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP). This is a planning document that identifies transit services and capital improvements over the next three to five year period, with expected available resources. Currently, the consultant and ICTC staff have participated in bus stop workshops and most recently conducted public forum workshops in the cities of Brawley, El Centro, Calexico and in the town of Niland.

B.                  Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)

                              Mr. Salgado had the following announcements:

-          Mr. Salgado stated that a legislative team met with state lawmakers  on behalf of the SCAG region to advocate regarding housing and transportation issues in Southern California. It is expected that new legislation will be on the November ballot.

-          The 2018 SCAG Scholarship Program is accepting applications until April 27, 2018. The program is designed to offer local government and planning experience that students can use to develop long-term career goals. The scholarship will provide $4,000.00 scholarship award to seven high school or community college students from the SCAG Region. Further information and applications are available on the SCAG website.

-          The SCAG Go Human Campaign is entering its 3rd year of the Go-Human Marketing and Advertising Safety and Encouragement Campaign. It was  implemented throughout the 6 county SCAG Regions. We have had good participation and engagement in Imperial County and would like to build upon the success. The campaign will run through the month of May to coincide with “National Bike Month” and during July and August to promote safe walking and biking during “back to school”. If agencies would like to participate and partner with SCAG to promote GO Human, please reach out to SCAG Regional Affairs Officer (RAO) David Salgado.

C.                  California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

                        Ms. Fox provided Caltrans updates.

-          Segment 4 of the CRCP project is divided into two sections located near El Centro from west of I-8 /SR-111 separation to just west of Anderholt Road overcrossing and from east of the Highline Canal Bridge west of the I-8/SR-98 seperation. The eastbound location 1 lanes are expected to be completed in April.

-          Segment 5 of the CRCP project is located near Winterhaven from west of Ogilby Road overcrossing to the west of the I-8/SR-I86 separation. Westbound lanes are open now. Westbound lanes are expected to be fully open by the end of April.  Both segments are one year ahead of schedule.

-          Signage on I-8 Directing Trucks to SR-7 was approved in November. Guide signs to direct trucks to use SR-7 will be installed on the eastbound I-8 prior to SR-98 and SR-111. Additional guide sign will be installed on southbound SR-111 to direct trucks to use east I-8 to south SR-7, for a total of three guide signs. No additional guide signs will be installed on westbound I-8 as there are existing guide signs to direct trucks to use SR-7 for border crossing prior to the I-8/SR-7 signage. Caltrans is obtaining quotes for new special feedback signs. The speed feedback signs will be reset to a 24 hour schedule.   

-          An All American Canal Bridge/SR-186 public hearing was held on February 21, 2018 at the County of Imperial, Department of Publics Works Office in El Centro. In attendance were Caltrans, County of Imperial, CHP and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) reprsentatives. There were no members of the public that attended. The BOR requested that Caltrans initiate a feasibility study with options in the next couple of months.

-          Caltrans has been working diligently to develop a comprehensive suite of projects to benefit the U.S./Mexico border region under the Trade Corridor Enhancement Projects (TCEP), a competitive program under SB 1. In Imperial this includes the final phase of the SR-98 widening in Calexico as well as the environmental and design work for the expansion of the bridge over the All American Canal at the Calexico East POE. Final submittals were due on January 23, 2018, and project awards are expected to be announced by the CTC in May 2018. Caltrans staff  recommendation will be that both projects  move forward to CTC, under a medium-high priority.

-          Caltrans has been awarded a grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) State Planning & Research funds for the Calexico Traffic Circulation Plan (TCP). With an 80/20 in-kind match by the Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC) to fund a $100,000 TCP for access to the Calexico West Port of Entry (POE).

-          The inactive and future inactive list was updated as of April 3, 2018. Action is required by the following agencies for invoice review: Calexico, Imperial County. All inactive and future inactive invoices should be submitted to the District Local Assistance Engineer (DLAE) before the District 11 deadline of May 21, 2018.

-          Caltrans anticipates the CTC will announce the 2019 ATP (Cycle 4) call for projects in or around May 2018. Caltrans District 11will be available for training and assistance on developing ATP applications.

-          The next call for projects for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 9 is expected to be announced around late April or early May 2018.

D.                 Commission Member Reports 

-          Mr. Amparano stated he attended the Calexico Mayors Summit and was able to see the new Port of Entry improvements and is very pleased with the project.

-          Mr. Hodge announced that the City of Calexico held an event for the city’s 110th Anniversary. He stated it was successful, very informative and educational.

-          Mr. Ortega stated that the IID had their regular Board Meeting. Changes to their IID Energy Assistance Program were made by reducing the age requirements for seniors from 65 to 62. He also stated that the cost savings average32%.

-          Ms. Viegas-Walker stated the City of El Centro’s La Brucherie Widening Project from Ross Rd. to Dogwood Rd. to city limits was looking good and is exciting.

-          Ms. Viegas-Walker also announced that a  Bi-Regional Mayors Summit will be held on May 18, 2018 at the Imperial Valley College.   

-          Mr. Predmore announced the City of Holtville’s April Farmers Market will be on April 26, 2018. He also announced that the State of City Address will be held on May 14, 2018 at 6 p.m. at the City of Holtville’s Council Chambers.

VI.               ACTION CALENDAR

A.                 Agreement  for Professional Services for the 2018 Environmental Engineering Services-EPA Brownfield Assessments

Mr. Baza stated that the selection process was completed and a consultant was selected by the review committee. The major benefit that is associated with the SCS Consulting Engineers team is that they have a  extensive knowledge in working with EPA Brownfield Assessments. They also have a local office  in Imperial Valley with their primary office  in San Diego.

The ICTC Management Committee met on April 11, 2018 and forwarded this item to the Commission for their review and approval, after public comment if any:

1.       Authorized the Chairman to sign the agreement with the firm of SCS Engineers for the 2018 Environmental Engineering Services—EPA Brownfield Assessments Project, for a not to exceed fee set at $257,980.

A motion was made by Viegas-Walker and seconded by Hodge, Motion carried unanimously.

B.                  UTN Public Hearing Process- FY 2018-19

Mr. Aguirre stated on February 22, 2018, the Unmet Transit Needs Hearing Panel conducted the required Local Public Hearing. The Hearing panel reconvened on March22, 2018 to consider the verbal and written testimony and staff recommendations. After discussion of the analysis portion, the Panel developed the Findings regarding public transit services for FY 2018-2019. Three items were deemed “reasonable to meet.” Both documents were attached to the agenda. Mr. Aguirre stated that there was another request made at the hearing that staff considered, was a request for an IVT Ride service to provide access to the nutrition site in Heber during the summer months only. This request will require communication and planning with the City of El Centro and further direction by the Commission.

After further discussion, the ICTC Management Committee met on April 11, 2018 and forwarded this item to the Commission for their review and approval, after public comment if any:

1.       Adopted the FY 2018-19 “Findings” and the prioritized Unmet Transit Needs List as presented or amended, after a review of the SSTAC response.

2.       Directed staff to contact the City of El Centro for concurrence with the extension of an IVT RIDE El Centro vehicle to Heber for nutrition service for four months annually, and return to the Commission for further direction.

3.       Authorized the Chairman to sign the attached resolution.

4.       Directed staff to forward the FY 2018-19 “Findings”, and all other public hearing documentation and resolution to the State Department of Transportation.

A motion was made by Hodge and seconded by Ortega, Motion carried unanimously.

C.                  SB 1 Ballot Measures in June 2018 and November 2018

Mr. Baza stated that there is a proposed ballot measure aimed for the November 2018 ballot that would repeal the new transportation revenues provided by SB 1 and make it more difficult to increase funding for state and local transportation improvements in the future. Mr. Baza stated that this item is presented for consideration to support Proposition 69 on the June 2018 ballot, and oppose the proposed ballot measure in November 2018 that would repeal the new transportation revenues provided by SB 1.

The ICTC Management Committee met on April 11, 2018 and forwarded this item to the Commission for their review and approval, after public comment if any:

1.       Approved the attached resolution that would support Proposition 69 on the June 2018 that will add additional protections for taxpayers by preventing the State Legislature from diverting or raiding any new tax transportation revenues for non-transportation purposes; and,

2.       Oppose the proposed ballot measure aimed for the November 2018 ballot (Attorney General #17-0033) that would repeal the new transportation revenues provided by SB 1 and make it more difficult to increase funding for state and local transportation improvements in the future.

A motion was made by Viegas-Walker and seconded by Hodge, Motion carried unanimously.

VII.           INFORMATION CALENDER

A.                 Mobility Coordination Project Update- Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section

            5310 Grant program for Elderly and Disabled Transportation Services

Mr. Gonzales gave an update and 3rd quarter highlights regarding the mobility coordination program.  

VIII.         CLOSED SESSION

A.                 Motion to adjourn to closed session. (Amparano/Hodge), Motion Carried.

B.                  PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALAUTION (Government Code §54957)

Title: Executive Director

C.                  Announcement of Closed Session Action(s)

The Commission met in closed session to discuss the performance evaluation process of the Executive Director and no final action was taken.

IX.               NEXT MEETING DATE AND PLACE

A.                  An ICTC Budget Workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. at the County of Imperial, Conference Room C&D at 940 W. Main Street, El Centro, CA. prior to the Commission Meeting.

B.                  The Imperial County Transportation Commission will meet immediately after at the County of Imperial Board Chambers.

X.                 ADJOURNMENT

A.                 Motion to adjourn, (Amparano/Hodge) Motion Carried.