Safety Briefing Staff will provide general safety instruction.
Approval of Minutes of the September 26, 2013, meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission
Discussion Travis County I-35 Capital Area Improvement Program - Update on the recommendations of the Rider 42 - Central Texas Working Group and the anticipated future program phases and milestones for potential improvements to I-35
Advisory Committee Appointments Reappoint Members to the Port Authority Advisory Committee (MO) Created by state law, the purpose of the Port Authority Advisory Committee is to offer advice and recommendations that will provide the commission and the department with a broad perspective regarding maritime ports and transportation-related matters to be considered in formulating department policies concerning the Texas maritime port system. This minute order approves the appointment of two members to the committee.
Aviation Various Counties - Award federal and state grant funding for airport improvement projects at various locations (MO) Federal law authorizes the award of federal funding to preserve and improve the state's general aviation system. State law authorizes the award of state funding for capital improvement projects. The airports listed in Exhibit A are eligible for award of these grant funds and the department seeks approval of the awards.
Public Transportation Various Counties - Rescind Minute Order 113674, dated August 29, 2013, and award transportation development credits to various transit agencies for public transportation projects (MO) Under Minute Order 113674 the commission awarded transportation development credits to various transit providers. Due to changes to the projects approved in the August minute order, it is necessary to rescind the previous awards. The projects identified in this minute order reflect awards of transportation development credits to Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission, Midland Odessa Urban Transit District, and several transit agencies in the Houston Galveston Area for use as local match for public transportation projects.
Transportation Planning Various Counties - Approve revisions to the San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (SA-BC MPO) metropolitan planning area boundary (MO) Federal law requires that a metropolitan planning area boundary cover the existing urbanized area and the contiguous geographic area expected to become urbanized within a 20-year forecast period covered by the MPO's metropolitan transportation plan. The boundary may be expanded to encompass the entire metropolitan statistical area. Revisions to metropolitan planning area boundaries must be approved by the governor who has delegated the authority to approve such changes to the commission. Comal and Guadalupe counties; the cities of Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, New Braunfels, and Seguin; and the SA-BC MPO policy board have agreed to include Comal and Guadalupe counties and a portion of Kendall county in the SA-BC metropolitan planning area. SA-BC MPO currently serves as the MPO for Bexar county.
Promulgation of Administrative Rules Under Title 43, Texas Administrative Code, and the Administrative Procedure Act, Government Code, Chapter 2001: a. Final Adoption (1) Chapter 28 - Oversize and Overweight Vehicles and Loads (MO) New §§28.80-28.88, New Subchapter G, Analyses of Routes for Superheavy Permitted Loads This new subchapter clarifies that all private engineering firms performing superheavy route analyses that will be used in issuing an oversize/overweight permit by the Department of Motor Vehicles must be approved by the department. These rules will establish the qualifications for a firm to receive approval to perform the route analysis and will provide the format for the report to be used in the permitting process. Final Adoption (continued) (2) Chapter 31 - Public Transportation (MO) Amendments to §31.3 (General), §31.11, and §31.13 (State Programs); Amendments to §§31.16 - 31.18, §31.21, §31.22, §31.26, §31.36, and §31.37, New §31.30 and §31.31, and Repeal of §31.31 (Federal Programs); New §31.38, §31.40, and §31.42, Amendments to §§31.43 - 31.45, §31.48, and §31.49, and Repeal of §31.40 and §31.42 (Program Administration); New §31.51 and Amendments to §31.57 (Property Management Standards) The passage of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, better known as MAP-21, made significant changes to parts of the Federal Transit Law, including amendments to Chapter 53 of Title 49, United States Code. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has posted various updates to existing programs as a result of MAP-21. These amendments align existing policies and procedures with new or amended federal requirements in MAP-21 and updates from FTA. b. Proposed Adoption (1) Chapter 1 - Management (MO) Amendments to §1.503, Acceptance, and §1.504, Donation Agreement (Donations) These changes streamline the donation process to allow acceptance of a donation by the executive director followed by an acknowledgment of the donation by the commission in an open meeting. This will allow the department to utilize the donation in a more efficient manner. These changes comply with Government Code §575.003 regarding the acceptance of gifts by state agencies. (2) Chapter 1 - Management; Chapter 3 - Public Information; and Chapter 10 Ethical Conduct of Entities doing Business with the Department (MO) Amendments to §1.2, (Texas Department of Transportation); §§3.11-3.13 (Access to Official Records) and §3.26 (Complaint Resolution); and §10.6 (General Provisions) This change eliminates the regions as part of the department organization. The remaining regional functions need to be centralized as a result of the Sunset review and internal feedback. This change will improve and expand business service, create more effective and efficient business models, and will allow the department to become a more streamlined, collaborative, and responsive organization. (3) Chapter 12 - Public Donation and Participation Program (MO) Amendments to §§12.351-12.355 (Acknowledgment Program) Changes to the acknowledgement program rules will allow greater flexibility in contracting with a vendor to oversee the program. The proposed changes allow a selected vendor to install acknowledgement signs and removes language that limited the acknowledgement to signs. The changes also clarify the donation process to comply with Government Code, Chapter 575. Promulgation of Administrative Rules (continued) b. Proposed Adoption (continued) (4) Chapter 27 - Toll Projects (MO) Amendments to §27.2, §27.4, and §27.10 (Comprehensive Development Agreements); Amendments to §27.11 and Repeal of §27.14 (Transfer of Department Toll Projects and Conversion of Non-Toll State Highways) These amendments update and streamline the rules to implement SB 1029 and SB 1730 from the 83rd Legislature.
Office of Compliance and Ethics Office of Compliance and Ethics Report State law requires the commission to establish a compliance program, which must include a compliance office to oversee the program. The compliance office is responsible for acting to prevent and detect serious breaches of department policy, fraud, waste, and abuse of office, including any acts of criminal conduct within the department. The compliance office is required to provide a monthly report to the commission regarding investigations and a summary of information relating to trends and recommendations.
Toll Roads a. Various Counties - Concur in the election of a chair and vice-chair of the committee formed pursuant to Transportation Code, §228.013 to make certain determinations concerning the distribution of financial risk, the method of financing, and the tolling structure and methodology for the SH 99 (Grand Parkway) Project Segments H, I-1, and I-2 (MO) Transportation Code, §228.013 requires a committee to be established for certain department toll projects for the purpose of making determinations concerning the distribution of the project's financial risk, the method of financing for the project, and the tolling structure and methodology (SB 1420 Committee). The department and local stakeholders are currently analyzing options for the financing and delivery of the SH 99 (Grand Parkway) Project in Chambers, Harris, Liberty, and Montgomery Counties that require the formation of an SB 1420 Committee for the project. Under 43 TAC §27.92(c), an SB 1420 Committee's election of a chair and vice-chair is subject to the concurrence of the commission. b. Harris County - Designate the SH 288 Toll Lanes Project in Harris County from US 59 to a terminus at approximately the county line between Harris and Brazoria Counties (Project) as a toll project on the state highway system; authorize the department to issue a request for proposals for the development, design, construction, financing, maintenance, and operation of the Project; and approve a stipulated stipend amount for the payment for work product of responsive, but unsuccessful proposers (MO) The department received a finding of no significant impact on May 23, 2013. This minute order designates the SH 288 Toll Lanes Project in Harris County from US 59 to a terminus at approximately the county line between Harris and Brazoria Counties as a toll project on the state highway system. On April 26, 2012, in Minute Order 113075, the commission authorized the department to issue a request for qualifications for the project. This minute order continues the procurement process by authorizing the issuance of request for proposals for the project, and approves a stipulated amount for the payment of work product of responsive, unsuccessful proposers. Toll Roads (continued) c. Tarrant County - Establish toll rates for DFW Connector Project along SH 114, from SH 26 to 0.5 miles east of International Parkway in Tarrant County (MO) The DFW Connector Project includes a four-lane controlled access toll road (with two tolled lanes in each direction) extending 4.1 miles from SH 26 to 0.5 miles east of International Parkway. The DFW Connector Project is an all-electronic, open road tolling facility. It will have a closed ramp system of toll collection.
Design-Build Agreements a. Travis County - Consider the approval of a project development agreement with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) pursuant to which the CTRMA will operate, maintain, and collect tolls from the SH 71 Express Toll Lanes Project in Travis County, and will reimburse a portion of the costs incurred by the department in the development and construction of the project (MO) The SH 71 Express Toll Lanes Project provides for the addition of express toll lanes from Presidential Boulevard to just east of SH 130 in Travis County, along with the realignment of FM 973 from just south of the Colorado River to a point approximately 0.5 miles south of the current SH 71/FM 973 intersection. The project development agreement provides for the development, construction, and financing of the project by the department, with the operation, maintenance, and toll collection being the responsibility of CTRMA. The agreement also provides for the reimbursement of a portion of the costs incurred by the department in connection with the development and construction of the project. b. Travis County - Authorize the department to issue a request for qualifications for the development, design, and construction of the SH 71 Express Toll Lanes Project in Travis County, providing for the addition of express toll lanes from Presidential Boulevard to just east of SH 130, along with the realignment of FM 973 from just south of the Colorado River to a point approximately 0.5 miles south of the current SH 71/FM 973 intersection (MO) Transportation Code, §223.242 authorizes the department to enter into, in each fiscal year, up to three design-build contracts for highway projects with a construction cost estimate of $50 million or more. Development of the Project is a crucial element to responding to traffic congestion throughout the Austin-Travis County area and meets the conditions necessary for design-build. Design-Build Agreements (continued) c. El Paso County - Designate that portion of the Loop 375 Border Highway West Extension Project in El Paso County, from Racetrack Drive to the terminus of the existing Loop 375 near Santa Fe Street in the City of El Paso, as a toll project on the state highway system, with tolls supporting the project by offsetting operations and maintenance costs, and potentially some capital costs; authorize the department to issue a request for proposals for the development, design, construction and, potentially, maintenance of the Loop 375 Border Highway West Extension Project from Racetrack Drive near Doniphan Road and New Mexico 273 (west of downtown) to US 54 (east of downtown) in the City of El Paso; and approve a stipulated stipend amount for the payment for work product of responsive, unsuccessful proposers (MO) The department received final environmental clearance and a Record of Decision for the Loop 375 Border Highway West Extension Project on June 7, 2013. This minute order designates a portion of the project from Racetrack Drive to the terminus of the existing Loop 375, in the vicinity of Santa Fe Street in the City of El Paso as a toll project, with the tolls offsetting a portion of the project costs. On June 27, 2013, in Minute Order 113618, the commission authorized the department to issue a request for qualifications for the project. This minute order continues the procurement process by authorizing the issuance of a request for proposals for the project, and approves a stipulated amount for the payment of work product of responsive, unsuccessful proposers.
Finance a. Cameron County - Consider the preliminary approval of a request for additional financial assistance in the form of a second loan to the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) to pay certain costs for environmental studies, design, legal services and preliminary development of the second causeway project which consists of a controlled access facility over Laguna Madre connecting SH 100 on the mainland to Park Road 100 on South Padre Island (MO) CCRMA submitted an application for a second loan in the amount of $5.1 million to pay for certain preliminary development costs for the second causeway project. b. Cameron County - Consider the preliminary approval of a request for financial assistance in the form of a loan to the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) to pay certain costs for environmental studies, design, legal services and preliminary development of the first phase of the Outer Parkway project consisting of a controlled access facility from I-69 East to FM 106 (General Brant Road) in the vicinity of FM 1847 (MO) CCRMA submitted an application for a loan in the amount of five million dollars to pay for certain preliminary development costs for the Outer Parkway project. Finance (continued) c. Dallas and Denton Counties - Approve the submission of an application to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), subject to receipt of an invitation from USDOT, for a loan to the commission pursuant to the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998 (TIFIA loan) to pay a portion of the eligible project costs of the I-35E Managed Lanes Project (project) comprising the redevelopment of approximately 28 miles of I-35E between I-635 and US 380; the submission of an application to the Texas Bond Review Board for approval of the TIFIA loan promissory note; and the negotiation and execution of TIFIA loan documents and a trust agreement by the executive director of the department relating to the TIFIA loan and potential future financing of expansions of the project (MO) If invited by USDOT, the department will submit an application for a TIFIA loan in an amount equal to approximately 33% of eligible project costs of the I-35E Managed Lanes Project. The TIFIA loan, if approved by USDOT, and the commission's TIFIA loan promissory note will be issued pursuant to a trust agreement. The TIFIA loan promissory note is required to be approved or exempted from approval by the Texas Bond Review Board prior to issuance.
Traffic Operations McLennan County - Approve proposed lane use restriction for trucks on I-35 in McLennan County (MO) This minute order approves restrictions for trucks using designated sections of I-35 in McLennan County. The department worked in conjunction with local jurisdictions in McLennan County to develop the proposed lane restrictions.
Contracts Award or reject contracts for maintenance, highway and building construction These proposed minute orders contain information concerning the receipt of bids for highway improvement contracts. The department may reschedule receipt of bids for those projects where the commission rejects all bids. Those bids accepted by the commission will result in conditional contract awards to the low bidders. Contract award conditions may involve securing funding from other sources, the contractor's ability to satisfy federal DBE subcontracting requirements, or other requirements as outlined in the project bid proposal. (a) Highway Maintenance and Department Building Construction (see attached itemized list) (MO) (b) Highway and Transportation Enhancement Building Construction (see attached itemized list) (MO)
Eminent Domain Proceedings Various Counties - Authorize the filing of condemnation proceedings to acquire real property by eminent domain for non-controlled and controlled access highways (see attached list) (MO) Commission findings, determinations, and authorizations for the state, by motion made in accordance with Senate Bill 18 (82nd Legislature), to acquire by eminent domain, upon the payment of adequate and just compensation, various ownership interests in specific parcels of real property that are needed to develop or improve both non-controlled and controlled access state highways, to include requesting the state attorney general to bring and pursue condemnation suits relating to those specific parcels of real property described in the attached itemized list.
Routine Minute Orders
OPEN COMMENT PERIOD - At the conclusion of all other agenda items, the commission will allow an open comment period, not to exceed one hour, to receive public comment on any other matter that is under the jurisdiction of the department. No action will be taken. Each speaker will be allowed a maximum of three minutes. Speakers must be signed up prior to the beginning of the open comment period.
Executive Session Pursuant to Government Code, Chapter 551 a. Section 551.071 - Consultation with and advice from legal counsel regarding any item on this agenda b. Section 551.072 - Deliberation regarding the purchase or value of real property to be acquired for the Border Highway West project located in the city of El Paso.
Safety Briefing Staff will provide general safety instruction.
Approval of Minutes of the September 26, 2013, meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission
Discussion Travis County I-35 Capital Area Improvement Program - Update on the recommendations of the Rider 42 - Central Texas Working Group and the anticipated future program phases and milestones for potential improvements to I-35
Advisory Committee Appointments Reappoint Members to the Port Authority Advisory Committee (MO) Created by state law, the purpose of the Port Authority Advisory Committee is to offer advice and recommendations that will provide the commission and the department with a broad perspective regarding maritime ports and transportation-related matters to be considered in formulating department policies concerning the Texas maritime port system. This minute order approves the appointment of two members to the committee.
Aviation Various Counties - Award federal and state grant funding for airport improvement projects at various locations (MO) Federal law authorizes the award of federal funding to preserve and improve the state's general aviation system. State law authorizes the award of state funding for capital improvement projects. The airports listed in Exhibit A are eligible for award of these grant funds and the department seeks approval of the awards.
Public Transportation Various Counties - Rescind Minute Order 113674, dated August 29, 2013, and award transportation development credits to various transit agencies for public transportation projects (MO) Under Minute Order 113674 the commission awarded transportation development credits to various transit providers. Due to changes to the projects approved in the August minute order, it is necessary to rescind the previous awards. The projects identified in this minute order reflect awards of transportation development credits to Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission, Midland Odessa Urban Transit District, and several transit agencies in the Houston Galveston Area for use as local match for public transportation projects.
Transportation Planning Various Counties - Approve revisions to the San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (SA-BC MPO) metropolitan planning area boundary (MO) Federal law requires that a metropolitan planning area boundary cover the existing urbanized area and the contiguous geographic area expected to become urbanized within a 20-year forecast period covered by the MPO's metropolitan transportation plan. The boundary may be expanded to encompass the entire metropolitan statistical area. Revisions to metropolitan planning area boundaries must be approved by the governor who has delegated the authority to approve such changes to the commission. Comal and Guadalupe counties; the cities of Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, New Braunfels, and Seguin; and the SA-BC MPO policy board have agreed to include Comal and Guadalupe counties and a portion of Kendall county in the SA-BC metropolitan planning area. SA-BC MPO currently serves as the MPO for Bexar county.
Promulgation of Administrative Rules Under Title 43, Texas Administrative Code, and the Administrative Procedure Act, Government Code, Chapter 2001: a. Final Adoption (1) Chapter 28 - Oversize and Overweight Vehicles and Loads (MO) New §§28.80-28.88, New Subchapter G, Analyses of Routes for Superheavy Permitted Loads This new subchapter clarifies that all private engineering firms performing superheavy route analyses that will be used in issuing an oversize/overweight permit by the Department of Motor Vehicles must be approved by the department. These rules will establish the qualifications for a firm to receive approval to perform the route analysis and will provide the format for the report to be used in the permitting process. Final Adoption (continued) (2) Chapter 31 - Public Transportation (MO) Amendments to §31.3 (General), §31.11, and §31.13 (State Programs); Amendments to §§31.16 - 31.18, §31.21, §31.22, §31.26, §31.36, and §31.37, New §31.30 and §31.31, and Repeal of §31.31 (Federal Programs); New §31.38, §31.40, and §31.42, Amendments to §§31.43 - 31.45, §31.48, and §31.49, and Repeal of §31.40 and §31.42 (Program Administration); New §31.51 and Amendments to §31.57 (Property Management Standards) The passage of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, better known as MAP-21, made significant changes to parts of the Federal Transit Law, including amendments to Chapter 53 of Title 49, United States Code. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has posted various updates to existing programs as a result of MAP-21. These amendments align existing policies and procedures with new or amended federal requirements in MAP-21 and updates from FTA. b. Proposed Adoption (1) Chapter 1 - Management (MO) Amendments to §1.503, Acceptance, and §1.504, Donation Agreement (Donations) These changes streamline the donation process to allow acceptance of a donation by the executive director followed by an acknowledgment of the donation by the commission in an open meeting. This will allow the department to utilize the donation in a more efficient manner. These changes comply with Government Code §575.003 regarding the acceptance of gifts by state agencies. (2) Chapter 1 - Management; Chapter 3 - Public Information; and Chapter 10 Ethical Conduct of Entities doing Business with the Department (MO) Amendments to §1.2, (Texas Department of Transportation); §§3.11-3.13 (Access to Official Records) and §3.26 (Complaint Resolution); and §10.6 (General Provisions) This change eliminates the regions as part of the department organization. The remaining regional functions need to be centralized as a result of the Sunset review and internal feedback. This change will improve and expand business service, create more effective and efficient business models, and will allow the department to become a more streamlined, collaborative, and responsive organization. (3) Chapter 12 - Public Donation and Participation Program (MO) Amendments to §§12.351-12.355 (Acknowledgment Program) Changes to the acknowledgement program rules will allow greater flexibility in contracting with a vendor to oversee the program. The proposed changes allow a selected vendor to install acknowledgement signs and removes language that limited the acknowledgement to signs. The changes also clarify the donation process to comply with Government Code, Chapter 575. Promulgation of Administrative Rules (continued) b. Proposed Adoption (continued) (4) Chapter 27 - Toll Projects (MO) Amendments to §27.2, §27.4, and §27.10 (Comprehensive Development Agreements); Amendments to §27.11 and Repeal of §27.14 (Transfer of Department Toll Projects and Conversion of Non-Toll State Highways) These amendments update and streamline the rules to implement SB 1029 and SB 1730 from the 83rd Legislature.
Office of Compliance and Ethics Office of Compliance and Ethics Report State law requires the commission to establish a compliance program, which must include a compliance office to oversee the program. The compliance office is responsible for acting to prevent and detect serious breaches of department policy, fraud, waste, and abuse of office, including any acts of criminal conduct within the department. The compliance office is required to provide a monthly report to the commission regarding investigations and a summary of information relating to trends and recommendations.
Toll Roads a. Various Counties - Concur in the election of a chair and vice-chair of the committee formed pursuant to Transportation Code, §228.013 to make certain determinations concerning the distribution of financial risk, the method of financing, and the tolling structure and methodology for the SH 99 (Grand Parkway) Project Segments H, I-1, and I-2 (MO) Transportation Code, §228.013 requires a committee to be established for certain department toll projects for the purpose of making determinations concerning the distribution of the project's financial risk, the method of financing for the project, and the tolling structure and methodology (SB 1420 Committee). The department and local stakeholders are currently analyzing options for the financing and delivery of the SH 99 (Grand Parkway) Project in Chambers, Harris, Liberty, and Montgomery Counties that require the formation of an SB 1420 Committee for the project. Under 43 TAC §27.92(c), an SB 1420 Committee's election of a chair and vice-chair is subject to the concurrence of the commission. b. Harris County - Designate the SH 288 Toll Lanes Project in Harris County from US 59 to a terminus at approximately the county line between Harris and Brazoria Counties (Project) as a toll project on the state highway system; authorize the department to issue a request for proposals for the development, design, construction, financing, maintenance, and operation of the Project; and approve a stipulated stipend amount for the payment for work product of responsive, but unsuccessful proposers (MO) The department received a finding of no significant impact on May 23, 2013. This minute order designates the SH 288 Toll Lanes Project in Harris County from US 59 to a terminus at approximately the county line between Harris and Brazoria Counties as a toll project on the state highway system. On April 26, 2012, in Minute Order 113075, the commission authorized the department to issue a request for qualifications for the project. This minute order continues the procurement process by authorizing the issuance of request for proposals for the project, and approves a stipulated amount for the payment of work product of responsive, unsuccessful proposers. Toll Roads (continued) c. Tarrant County - Establish toll rates for DFW Connector Project along SH 114, from SH 26 to 0.5 miles east of International Parkway in Tarrant County (MO) The DFW Connector Project includes a four-lane controlled access toll road (with two tolled lanes in each direction) extending 4.1 miles from SH 26 to 0.5 miles east of International Parkway. The DFW Connector Project is an all-electronic, open road tolling facility. It will have a closed ramp system of toll collection.
Design-Build Agreements a. Travis County - Consider the approval of a project development agreement with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) pursuant to which the CTRMA will operate, maintain, and collect tolls from the SH 71 Express Toll Lanes Project in Travis County, and will reimburse a portion of the costs incurred by the department in the development and construction of the project (MO) The SH 71 Express Toll Lanes Project provides for the addition of express toll lanes from Presidential Boulevard to just east of SH 130 in Travis County, along with the realignment of FM 973 from just south of the Colorado River to a point approximately 0.5 miles south of the current SH 71/FM 973 intersection. The project development agreement provides for the development, construction, and financing of the project by the department, with the operation, maintenance, and toll collection being the responsibility of CTRMA. The agreement also provides for the reimbursement of a portion of the costs incurred by the department in connection with the development and construction of the project. b. Travis County - Authorize the department to issue a request for qualifications for the development, design, and construction of the SH 71 Express Toll Lanes Project in Travis County, providing for the addition of express toll lanes from Presidential Boulevard to just east of SH 130, along with the realignment of FM 973 from just south of the Colorado River to a point approximately 0.5 miles south of the current SH 71/FM 973 intersection (MO) Transportation Code, §223.242 authorizes the department to enter into, in each fiscal year, up to three design-build contracts for highway projects with a construction cost estimate of $50 million or more. Development of the Project is a crucial element to responding to traffic congestion throughout the Austin-Travis County area and meets the conditions necessary for design-build. Design-Build Agreements (continued) c. El Paso County - Designate that portion of the Loop 375 Border Highway West Extension Project in El Paso County, from Racetrack Drive to the terminus of the existing Loop 375 near Santa Fe Street in the City of El Paso, as a toll project on the state highway system, with tolls supporting the project by offsetting operations and maintenance costs, and potentially some capital costs; authorize the department to issue a request for proposals for the development, design, construction and, potentially, maintenance of the Loop 375 Border Highway West Extension Project from Racetrack Drive near Doniphan Road and New Mexico 273 (west of downtown) to US 54 (east of downtown) in the City of El Paso; and approve a stipulated stipend amount for the payment for work product of responsive, unsuccessful proposers (MO) The department received final environmental clearance and a Record of Decision for the Loop 375 Border Highway West Extension Project on June 7, 2013. This minute order designates a portion of the project from Racetrack Drive to the terminus of the existing Loop 375, in the vicinity of Santa Fe Street in the City of El Paso as a toll project, with the tolls offsetting a portion of the project costs. On June 27, 2013, in Minute Order 113618, the commission authorized the department to issue a request for qualifications for the project. This minute order continues the procurement process by authorizing the issuance of a request for proposals for the project, and approves a stipulated amount for the payment of work product of responsive, unsuccessful proposers.
Finance a. Cameron County - Consider the preliminary approval of a request for additional financial assistance in the form of a second loan to the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) to pay certain costs for environmental studies, design, legal services and preliminary development of the second causeway project which consists of a controlled access facility over Laguna Madre connecting SH 100 on the mainland to Park Road 100 on South Padre Island (MO) CCRMA submitted an application for a second loan in the amount of $5.1 million to pay for certain preliminary development costs for the second causeway project. b. Cameron County - Consider the preliminary approval of a request for financial assistance in the form of a loan to the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) to pay certain costs for environmental studies, design, legal services and preliminary development of the first phase of the Outer Parkway project consisting of a controlled access facility from I-69 East to FM 106 (General Brant Road) in the vicinity of FM 1847 (MO) CCRMA submitted an application for a loan in the amount of five million dollars to pay for certain preliminary development costs for the Outer Parkway project. Finance (continued) c. Dallas and Denton Counties - Approve the submission of an application to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), subject to receipt of an invitation from USDOT, for a loan to the commission pursuant to the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998 (TIFIA loan) to pay a portion of the eligible project costs of the I-35E Managed Lanes Project (project) comprising the redevelopment of approximately 28 miles of I-35E between I-635 and US 380; the submission of an application to the Texas Bond Review Board for approval of the TIFIA loan promissory note; and the negotiation and execution of TIFIA loan documents and a trust agreement by the executive director of the department relating to the TIFIA loan and potential future financing of expansions of the project (MO) If invited by USDOT, the department will submit an application for a TIFIA loan in an amount equal to approximately 33% of eligible project costs of the I-35E Managed Lanes Project. The TIFIA loan, if approved by USDOT, and the commission's TIFIA loan promissory note will be issued pursuant to a trust agreement. The TIFIA loan promissory note is required to be approved or exempted from approval by the Texas Bond Review Board prior to issuance.
Traffic Operations McLennan County - Approve proposed lane use restriction for trucks on I-35 in McLennan County (MO) This minute order approves restrictions for trucks using designated sections of I-35 in McLennan County. The department worked in conjunction with local jurisdictions in McLennan County to develop the proposed lane restrictions.
Contracts Award or reject contracts for maintenance, highway and building construction These proposed minute orders contain information concerning the receipt of bids for highway improvement contracts. The department may reschedule receipt of bids for those projects where the commission rejects all bids. Those bids accepted by the commission will result in conditional contract awards to the low bidders. Contract award conditions may involve securing funding from other sources, the contractor's ability to satisfy federal DBE subcontracting requirements, or other requirements as outlined in the project bid proposal. (a) Highway Maintenance and Department Building Construction (see attached itemized list) (MO) (b) Highway and Transportation Enhancement Building Construction (see attached itemized list) (MO)
Eminent Domain Proceedings Various Counties - Authorize the filing of condemnation proceedings to acquire real property by eminent domain for non-controlled and controlled access highways (see attached list) (MO) Commission findings, determinations, and authorizations for the state, by motion made in accordance with Senate Bill 18 (82nd Legislature), to acquire by eminent domain, upon the payment of adequate and just compensation, various ownership interests in specific parcels of real property that are needed to develop or improve both non-controlled and controlled access state highways, to include requesting the state attorney general to bring and pursue condemnation suits relating to those specific parcels of real property described in the attached itemized list.
Routine Minute Orders
OPEN COMMENT PERIOD - At the conclusion of all other agenda items, the commission will allow an open comment period, not to exceed one hour, to receive public comment on any other matter that is under the jurisdiction of the department. No action will be taken. Each speaker will be allowed a maximum of three minutes. Speakers must be signed up prior to the beginning of the open comment period.
Executive Session Pursuant to Government Code, Chapter 551 a. Section 551.071 - Consultation with and advice from legal counsel regarding any item on this agenda b. Section 551.072 - Deliberation regarding the purchase or value of real property to be acquired for the Border Highway West project located in the city of El Paso.