IMPERIAL COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

MINUTES FOR January 24, 2024

6:00 p.m.

__________________________________________________________________­­­­___________________

VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT:

                                                                City of Brawley                                       George Nava

                                                                City of Calipatria                                    Maria Nava-Froelich

                                                                City of Calexico                                      Raul Ureña - Zoom

                                                                City of El Centro                                    Martha Cardenas-Singh

                                                                City of Imperial                                      Robert Amparano

                                                                City of Holtville                                       Mike Goodsell                

                                                                City of Westmorland                           Absent                                            

                                                                County of Imperial                                Luis Plancarte               

                                                                County of Imperial                                John Hawk

                                                                Imperial Irrigation District                 Karin Eugenio

STAFF PRESENT:               David Aguirre, Cristi Lerma, Katie Luna, Angela Delgadillo

OTHERS PRESENT:            Eric Havens: Counsel; Roy Abboud: Caltrans, David Salgado: SCAG

PUBLIC:                                Isabela Tylenda, Henry Villegas: SDSU

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, January 24, 2024, together with staff reports and related documents attached thereto and incorporated therein by reference.

I.                    CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 

Chair Goodsell 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

o   Isabela Tylenda, a resident of the City of Calexico, gave a public comment regarding the Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) in Calexico. She would like to know who, when, where, and how the initial plans were proposed regarding the transportation center to the City of Calexico. (A timeline of this project)

IV.                CLOSED SESSION CALENDAR

A.                        Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session

A motion was made by Plancarte and seconded by Amparano to approve the closed session, roll call:               

                                Motion Carried.

B.               CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION

(1 matter) (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2))

C.              PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (Government Code § 54957)         

Title:  ICTC Executive Director

D.                        CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code § 54957.6)

                Agency Designated Representative:  Eric Havens

                Unrepresented Employee:  Executive Director

E.                Announcement of Closed Session Action(s)

Mr. Havens stated the following:

·         The Commission met in a closed session regarding CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2)) direction was given, no action was taken.

·         The Commission met in a closed session regarding PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (Government Code § 54957) Title:  ICTC Executive Director direction was given, no action was taken.

·         The Commission met in a closed session regarding CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code § 54957.6) The commission approved a mere increase of 4% for the Executive Director effective December 14, 2023, but no final action was taken. Final action will occur on February 24, 2024, as an Action Calendar item.

V.                  CONSENT CALENDAR

A.            ICTC Commission Minutes:                                                                           December 13, 2023

                B.            Received and filed:

1.                   ICTC Management Committee Minutes: December 13, 2023

2.                   ICTC TAC Minutes:                                           December 14 2023

3.                   ICTC SSTAC Minutes:                                      December 06, 2023

C.           Calexico Intermodal Transportation Center – Property Acquisition APN 058-482-002 – 237 Heffernan Avenue, Calexico, CA 92231

ICTC Staff forwarded this item to the ICTC Commission for their review and approval after public comment, if any:

1.       Approved the acquisition of real property identified as APN 058-482-002/237 Heffernan Avenue, Calexico, CA 92231 in the amount of $1,980,000.00.

2.       Authorized the Chairperson to sign the Certificate of Acceptance on behalf of ICTC and any other documents required to complete the acquisition.

A motion was made by Nava and seconded by Cardenas-Singh to approve the consent calendar as presented, roll call:

                                Motion Carried.

VI.                ACTION CALENDAR

A.                  Rotation of Chair and Vice-Chair Positions

It was requested that the Commission take any appropriate action in the consideration of the rotation and assignment of the two positions.

A motion was made by Nava-Froelich seconded by Cardenas-Singh to nominate Mr. Luis Plancarte from the County of Imperial as the Chairperson. A second motion was made by Nava-Froelich and seconded by Cardenas-Singh to nominate Mr. Robert Amparano from the City of Imperial as the Vice-Chairperson of the ICTC Commission for 2024. Roll call was taken:

                                Motion Carried.

                B.            Coordinated Border Infrastructure Funding – Project Identification and Recommendation

The ICTC Management Committee forwarded the following recommendations to the Commission for their review and approval after public comment, if any:

1.                   Approved the recommendation of CBI funding in the amount of $2,000,000 for the County of Imperial and the Drew Road Bridge project.

2.            Authorized the Executive Director to coordinate the necessary agreements between Caltrans, the Imperial County Transportation Commission, and the recommended

A motion was made by Nava and seconded by Cardenas-Singh to approve the Action B as presented, roll call:               

                                Motion Carried.

VII.              INFORMATION CALENDAR

                A.            Attain grant submittal – proposed IVT Ride general public conversion

-          ICTC is planning to apply for a USDOT ATTAIN grant, with the assistance of Via, to bring $12M into the system over 3 years.

-          Converting the Dial-a-Ride service to microtransit will create significant benefits for the public and existing riders such as the public will have access to a new service, like Calexico On-Demand, greatly improving mobility and increased flexibility for senior riders, who can now book on-demand.

-          The Risk Mitigation is that senior riders will be able to pre-book and have priority in the booking process.

VIII.            REPORTS

A.                  ICTC Executive Director

-          Imperial Mexicali Binational Alliance (IMBA): The IMBA meeting and strategic planning session was held in the City of Mexicali’s Preparatoria y Universidad 16 de Septiembre, on January 16, 2024. The following dates are tentatively scheduled for IMBA in 2024. March 14th – Imperial County May 9th – Mexicali July 11th – Imperial County September 12th – Mexicali and November 14th (Strategic Planning and IMBA meetings) – Imperial County

-          Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG), Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ) 2024 Call for Projects – FFY 2023-2024 to FFY 2025/2026: Deadline to submit project applications to ICTC is January 26, 2024 at 5 pm.

-          Regional Utilities Supporting Housing Pilot Program (RUSH): The City of Calipatria was awarded $1.5 million for their Delta Street Pump Station Improvements. The funding recommendations were approved by SCAG Regional Council at their last meeting on January 4, 2024.

-          Calexico East Port of Entry Bridge Widening Project: Stage 2 is estimated to be completed by mid-February and Stage 3 should be completed by the end of March. The overall project is estimated to be completed in May 2024.

-          Calexico Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC): It is anticipated that the project will start construction in July 2024.

-          Bus Stop Improvement Project: ICTC has just released the Request for Proposals for design services for the project. It is anticipated that the project will be completed within FY23-24/FY24-25.

-          Transit Comprehensive Operational Analysis: Staff are currently working on the development of the Request for Proposals (RFP) and it is anticipated that the RFP will be released in the coming months.

-          2022 Long Range Transportation Plan: This item will be presented to the TAC group in January, and to the Management Committee and Commission in February. To access the completed documents and draft project listing, please visit the project website located at https://ictc-lrtp2023.org/new-page-2.

-          The Unmet Transit Needs process has begun for FY 24-25. ICTC has developed a survey for the public to use so that staff can collect data on transit needs. The survey is posted on the ICTC website as a pop-up and at the following link: https://www.imperialctc.org/news-and-announcements/2024-25-unmet-transit-needs-survey The UTN Hearing will be held in the March timeframe, and a follow-up email will be sent with that information at a later time. The public will be able to provide feedback at the hearing as well, in person or via Zoom meeting. 

-          All other updates are on the Executive Director report on page 29 of the agenda.

B.                  Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)

-          Connect SoCal 2024 Public Comment Update: The comment period closes on Jan. 12, after which staff will review comments and revise the draft accordingly; the Regional Council is expected to consider the final Connect SoCal 2024 for adoption in April 2024.

-          SCAG Regional Council Approves $35 Million to Support the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing Pilot Program: Congratulations to City of Calipatria as they were awarded $1.5 million for their Delta Street Pump Station Improvements.

-          2024 Sustainability Awards Call for Nominations: The winners of the SCAG Sustainability Awards will be presented at the 2024 Regional Conference and General Assembly at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert on May 2. Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 12.

-          Imperial County to Use REAP Funds to Create Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District: The first public hearings are scheduled for the first quarter of 2024.The development of the EIFD is funded by SCAG allocations from the Regional Early Action Planning grant program.

-          SCAG 2024 SAVE THE DATE! 2024 REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY: SCAG will host the 59th annual Regional Conference & General Assembly on May 2-3, 2024, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert.

-          SCAG 2024 General Assembly Delegate and Alternate Selection: SCAG sends an email to all cities asking for respective councils to take action to appoint a specific General Assembly Delegate and an Alternate. Elected Officials and City Managers are comped on registrations.

-          2024 Go Human Community Streets Grant Program Guidelines: SCAG, with input from community stakeholders, has prepared funding guidelines and anticipates opening the Call for Applications upon Regional Council approval, in early 2024.

-          SCAG to Sponsor Two RHNA Reform Bills: The Regional Council, in a vote at its January 2024 meeting, authorized staff to pursue two legislative bill concepts related to Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) reform.

-          All other updates are on the SCAG report on page 36 of the agenda.

C.                  California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)- District 11   

-          Roy Abboud is the Acting Planning Deputy in District 11.

-          SR-98 Widening Project: Completion of Stage 4 is estimated for Spring 2024.

-           I-8, SR-78 Bridge Rehab at Various Locations: These bridge repairs will install a long-term automated traffic control signal at both locations for reversible 1 way traffic throughout the duration of construction.

-          I-8 Roadside Safety Improvements: The expected completion date is Spring 2024.

-          Clean California Projects: The gateway project is complete along with three (3) of the median island improvements.

-          SR-111 Roadside Improvements: The construction start date is February 2024.

-          SR-186 All-American Canal Bridge: Project Milestones: Project Approval/Environmental Clearance 12/2024. The Anticipated funding fiscal year for construction is 2027/28.

-          SR-86/Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Checkpoint Expansion: The environmental studies are being prepared by ICTC/CBP and will soon be sent for review. Caltrans will assist ICTC in coordinating upcoming meetings.

-          Project Study Report: Forrester Road Improvements: The document is anticipated to be completed by early spring of 2024.

-          Feasibility Studies: District 11 Truck Parking and Medium/Heavy Duty ZEV Charging Station Site Assessment: The study completion is estimated for summer 2024.

-           2025 Active Transportation Program (Cycle 7): The January 10th workshop will discuss applications, the February 6th workshop will discuss scoring rubrics, and the February 27th workshop will focus on region-specific issues for Imperial County and questions relating to the upcoming 2025 ATP Cycle. Registration link: https://catc.ca.gov/programs/active-transportation-program

-           California Transportation Commission (CTC) Allocation and Approval Requests: Friday, January 19, 2024 – deadline for the next CTC meeting(March 21-22, 2024)

-           Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): Westmorland and Imperial County have not confirmed their UEI.

-           Active Notice of Funding for Bridge Investment Program (BIP), Funding opportunities and deadlines: Bridge Investment Program, Planning Project Grants and Bridge Project Grants: Planning: FY 2023 + 2024: 2/19/2024, FY 2025: 10/1/2024, FY 2026: 10/1/2025

-           Bridge Project: FY 2023 + 2024: 3/19/2024, FY 2025: 11/1/2024, FY 2026: 11/1/2025

-          All other updates are on the Caltrans report on page 39 of the agenda.

D.                  Commission Member Reports

-          Updates were provided by various commissioners.

IX.                The next meeting will be on February 28, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the ICTC Offices, 1503 N. Imperial Ave., Suite 104, El Centro, CA 92243, and via Zoom Meeting for the public.

X.                  ADJOURNMENT

A.                  Meeting Adjourned at 8:18 p.m.