TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

January 25, 2024

            Present:          

            Ana Gutierrez                           City of Brawley

            Jeorge Galvan                           City of Calipatria

            Guillermo Sillas                        City of Calexico

            Felix De Leon                           City of El Centro

            Fernando L. Williams                City of Imperial

            Adriana Anguis                         City of Holtville

            Ramiro Barajas                         City of Westmorland

            Veronica Atondo                       County of Imperial

            Manuel Ortiz                            IID

            Others:

            David Aguirre                           ICTC   

            Katie Luna                               ICTC

            Marlene Flores                          ICTC

            Angela Delgadillo                     ICTC

            Juan Manuel Cabrera                 City of Brawley

            Andrea Montano                       City of El Centro

            Liz Zarate                                 City of El Centro

            Abraham Campos                     City of El Centro

            Adolfo Garcia                           County of Imperial

            Alejandro Lopez Rangel            Caltrans

            Bryan Ott                                 Caltrans

            Nick Ventrilla                           Caltrans

            Maria Ibarra                              Caltrans

            Kevin Hovey                            Caltrans

            David Salgado                          SCAG

            Jacob Swim                              Michael Baker International

1.       The meeting was called to order at 10:06 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 December 14, 2023 (Atondo/Montano) Motion Carried.

3.       Rotation of Chair and Vice-Chair Positions

·         A motion was made by Galvan seconded by Ortiz to nominate Ms. Veronica Atondo from the County of Imperial as the Chairperson. A second motion was made by Galvan and seconded by Ortiz to nominate Ms. Adriana Anguis from the City of Holtville as the Vice-Chairperson of the ICTC TAC Committee for 2024.

4.       Imperial Valley Procurement and Resource Fair – Exhibiting Opportunity

(Presented by Maria Ibarra, Caltrans)

·         Caltrans District 11, in partnership with the Imperial Valley’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the City of El Centro, is hosting a Procurement and Resource Fair. (attached flyer) 

·         The event will take place on Thursday, March 21st, from 2 pm to 5 pm. This event will be located at MLK Pavilion in El Centro (770 Park Ave, El Centro, CA 92243).

·         For any questions, please contact please reach out to the D11 Small Business Team (SB, DVBE, and DBE Programs) at d11.smallbusiness@dot.ca.gov. 

5.       Imperial County 2023 Long Range Transportation Plan Completion & Final Report

(Presented by Jacob Swim, Michael Baker International)

·         Mr. Jacob Swim gave a brief presentation on the final report of the 2023 LRTP.

·         The Final Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is available. Thank you all for participating in the LRTP process. 

·         Link to the LRTP website: https://ictc-lrtp2023.org/ Here you can download the final report.

·         For more information, please contact David Aguirre at davidaguirre@imperialctc.org

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

a.       Transit Planning Updates

·         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.

 b.    Transportation Planning Updates

                                    CMAQ/STBG & CRP Call for Projects:

·         The call for projects will end tomorrow January 26, 2024. The project applications deadline to ICTC is 5:00 p.m.

·         ICTC will need 8 hard copies and 1 USB. 

·         For any questions, please contact Katie Luna at katieluna@imperialctc.org or Marlene Flores at marleneflores@imperialctc.org

FFY 22/23 & FFY 23/24 Federal & Stafe Funded Project Obligation List:

·         Each jurisdiction gave its update.

7.       Caltrans Updates / Announcements:

(Presented by: Alejandro Lopez, Caltrans)

-          The Inactive project list was updated January 22, 2024. Action is required by the County of Imperial and these five cities: Brawley, Calexico, Holtville, Imperial, and Westmorland.

-          The new invoice Form 5A form was updated as of September 2023. Please use the file from this link https://forms.dot.ca.gov/v2Forms/servlet/FormRenderer?frmid=DOTLAPM5A

-          January 31, 2024 – Deadline for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 23/24 Requests for Authorization

-          March 15, 2024 – Deadline for California Transportation Commission (CTC) Requests

-          On January 1, 2024 the list of active Project End Dates (PED) was updated.

-          Complete PED list – https://dot.ca.gov/programs/local-assistance/projects/projects-with-expiring-end-dates

-          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

-          Tuesday, February 27, 2024 – (8:30-11:30) “Local Assistance Day” – Quarterly Webinar; A registration link with further details are available here – https://www.localassistanceblog.com/ltapevents/local-assistance-day-statewide-webinar-3

8.       SCAG Updates / Announcements:

(Presented by: David Salgado, 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.

9.       Cities and County Planning / Public Works Updates:

·         Each jurisdiction gave its update.

10.   General Discussion / New Business

No new business was discussed.

Next TAC meeting will be on February 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., via Zoom for the public and in person at the ICTC offices.

Meeting adjourned at 11:19 a.m.