[0:00] It's 9:02. I call the Camino Rail

[0:04] Regional Mobility Authority Board

[0:05] meeting to order. Um, the first item on

[0:09] the agenda is roll call.

[0:12] >> Yes, ma'am. Uh, Miss Pettis

[0:14] » Yes, ma'am. Uh, Miss Pettis

[0:14] >> here.

[0:14] » here.

[0:14] >> Miss Masters

[0:15] » Miss Masters

[0:15] >> here.

[0:16] » here.

[0:16] >> Mr. Mroy

[0:17] » Mr. Mroy

[0:17] >> here.

[0:17] » here.

[0:17] >> Miss Ortega

[0:18] » Miss Ortega

[0:18] >> here.

[0:18] » here.

[0:18] >> Mr. Lindner

[0:19] » Mr. Lindner

[0:19] >> here.

[0:20] » here.

[0:20] >> Miss Wilson

[0:22] » Miss Wilson

[0:22] >> here.

[0:22] » here.

[0:22] >> Mr. Palasios

[0:25] » Mr. Palasios

[0:25] >> here.

[0:26] » here.

[0:26] >> We have a qu.

[0:28] » We have a qu.

[0:28] >> Any public comment? No matter.

[0:30] » Any public comment? No matter.

[0:30] >> Number two, adoption of minutes for the

[0:32] » Number two, adoption of minutes for the

[0:32] CRRMA board meeting of December 10,

[0:35] 2025.

[0:37] >> I'll move to approve.

[0:38] » I'll move to approve.

[0:38] >> Second.

[0:40] » Second.

[0:40] >> Any discussion?

[0:43] » Any discussion?

[0:43] All those in favor?

[0:44] >> I.

[0:45] » I.

[0:45] >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Number

[0:48] » Any opposed? Motion carries. Number

[0:48] three. Presentation, discussion, and

[0:51] action on the fiscal year 2025 audited

[0:54] financial report.

[0:56] >> Good morning. Robert Tututor, director

[0:58] » Good morning. Robert Tututor, director

[0:58] of finance for the record. Uh very

[1:00] excited to share with you our audited

[1:01] financial report. You've got it in your

[1:03] backup. You have the report itself and

[1:05] you have the management letter from

[1:07] Gibson Rodic Patterson, our auditors.

[1:08] With us today, we have Vanessa Alaron

[1:10] and Sonia Sanchez. Uh and they will

[1:12] provide an update to you all.

[1:17] » Good morning.

[1:19] We have a summary prepared on page 46 of

[1:23] the report, the hard copy. I believe if

[1:25] if you're in the PDF, it's going to be

[1:27] about page 48. In there, we go ahead and

[1:30] we report that we have an unmodified

[1:32] opinion on the audit, which means it's a

[1:34] clean opinion. Uh there are no

[1:36] significant deficiencies or material

[1:38] weaknesses uh reported and we have not

[1:41] identified any material non-compliance.

[1:43] So, we don't have any findings to

[1:45] report. We also conduct a federal single

[1:48] audit and a state single audit since the

[1:51] authority does receive those funds. And

[1:53] we also don't have any findings to

[1:55] report there. And we also have an

[1:57] unmodified opinion on the two major

[2:00] programs that we tested, which were the

[2:02] highway planning and construction and

[2:03] the John Hayes road project.

[2:06] We also issue a management letter. We

[2:08] don't have any current year comments um

[2:11] in there. And so pretty much when Sonia

[2:14] does the the review and our staff, we

[2:16] pretty much get the qu the questions

[2:18] answered accurately. And so we don't

[2:21] have anything formal to include in our

[2:23] management letter. There were a few

[2:24] discussions in the finance committee.

[2:26] Some verbal um items to discuss

[2:30] administratively and to revisit in next

[2:32] year's audit. Um but there's nothing

[2:34] formally to report.

[2:37] For the financials, I will um take you

[2:41] over to page 14, which is the statements

[2:44] of net position. And you'll see overall

[2:47] um the the entity here. I I know we've

[2:49] got some new board members or new board

[2:51] of directors and the entity here is more

[2:54] of a projectbased entity and so our

[2:58] revenues aren't always in line with our

[3:00] expenditures and what happens a lot of

[3:02] the times is the authority fills in

[3:05] whatever is needed by the partner. And

[3:08] so a lot of the times that's the the the

[3:10] debt. And so the authority while it's

[3:14] it's constructing these projects,

[3:16] designing, constructing, the authority

[3:19] takes on the debt, but then that asset

[3:21] gets transferred out to the owner to the

[3:24] project owner and we're left with the

[3:26] debt. And so that's why we have this

[3:28] unrestricted net position that is a

[3:31] deficit. And if you if you work in any

[3:33] business, that's that's a big um flag,

[3:36] red flag. But for here, um, what's

[3:38] important to understand is that the

[3:40] funding to fund the future debt

[3:43] payments. And so there's a note, um, in

[3:46] your financials if you go to, uh, note

[3:48] 8, and it's at page,

[3:51] let's see,

[3:57] page 31 of the hard copy. You'll see in

[4:00] there uh the the authority gets monies

[4:04] from the special vehicle registration

[4:06] fees and it'll show how many of the fees

[4:08] were received. So in 2025 we received

[4:10] 6.9 million of fees and our debt service

[4:14] payment was we were responsible for 4.3

[4:17] million in payments. So that's

[4:18] sufficient. The fees that are coming in

[4:20] are sufficient to pay the debt that's

[4:22] coming in. And so as a as a member of

[4:25] the the board or the a director of the

[4:27] board, that's important to understand is

[4:30] that flow and to make sure that the

[4:33] authority can continue to meet its debt

[4:35] payments. And as you can see in both

[4:36] years, it was it was sufficient. Um and

[4:39] then the other um situation is as we

[4:42] continue to pay down any existing debt,

[4:45] that unrestricted net position improves.

[4:47] And so, um, as we made, uh, we finished

[4:50] paying off some debt, um, this last year

[4:53] as well. And so, that's where you see

[4:55] that improvement of your unrestricted

[4:57] net position by another 10 million where

[4:59] we were unrestricted of a deficit of

[5:02] 53.5 million in 2024 and now we're at

[5:05] 44.3 million this year. So, it it

[5:08] continues to improve, but it just

[5:09] depends on what projects are going on,

[5:12] what's on our side, and then what once

[5:14] we transfer it. Um but the thing is to

[5:16] always ensure that there is funding um

[5:19] there's funding mechanisms, funding

[5:21] streams for um any debt that's incurred

[5:25] and all of that revenue has been pledged

[5:27] to the authority for the purposes of

[5:30] paying off that debt.

[5:32] and um the the

[5:36] on your statement of revenues, expenses,

[5:38] and changes in net position. The thing

[5:40] there's two things that I wanted to

[5:41] point out because they're a little bit

[5:42] different from what we've seen in the

[5:44] past. And the first is under your

[5:46] operating expenses, and this is under

[5:49] contracted management. You'll see that

[5:51] there's a zero amount reported in 2025.

[5:55] And the reason for that is because the

[5:58] um the contracted management services,

[6:01] which are the services that Raymond and

[6:02] Robert provide, those costs have been um

[6:06] attributed to certain projects. And so

[6:08] instead of being expense, they've been

[6:10] capitalized for those projects. So,

[6:13] there's a note that we added in your

[6:14] financials and it'll include what we had

[6:19] gross um before we capitalize the

[6:22] contracted services versus what we

[6:25] capitalize and why it's zero in 2025.

[6:30] The other item on there has to do with

[6:32] the gain on termination of border west

[6:35] agreements and you'll see that that's a

[6:37] gain of 3.5 million. back I believe in

[6:40] 2019 there was an agreement to

[6:42] extinguish the debt but it was all

[6:45] verbal. We didn't have official

[6:47] agreements in writing. So uh on August

[6:50] 27th before the fiscal year ended uh uh

[6:53] Robert and Raymond were able to get

[6:55] those executed and signed and so we were

[6:57] able to um finally recognize that inflow

[7:01] and and report the gain on your

[7:03] financials. So, it was debt that didn't

[7:05] have to get paid repaid and so we had to

[7:08] um hold off till we had that officially

[7:11] in writing and we could recognize that

[7:13] on your books.

[7:16] Um are there specific questions on the

[7:18] financials? I know we met with the

[7:20] finance committee last week. They had

[7:22] very good questions. It was a very good

[7:24] discussion. I really did enjoy um the

[7:26] back and forth, but I'm I'm happy to

[7:29] answer any questions.

[7:32] Um,

[7:35] in the audit, did you look at all at

[7:37] what or did the Pelicano project affect

[7:40] your opinion at all? Because I think

[7:42] there's $138,000 in expenses there for

[7:46] 2025 with a large piece still sort of

[7:49] outstanding unnegotiated potential risk

[7:52] whether they can agree on an amount or

[7:54] not. Does that affect the audit opinion

[7:56] at all? So, there is a contingency

[7:58] contingency disclosure as far as um

[8:01] what's going on. But my understanding is

[8:03] there's a takeover agreement and so that

[8:05] takeover agreement is paying off what

[8:08] the current expenses are and then

[8:11] whatever beyond the costs of that are

[8:13] being kicked in by the county.

[8:15] >> But there's no agreement on the second

[8:16] » But there's no agreement on the second

[8:16] part yet, right?

[8:18] >> Because they don't we don't even have

[8:19] » Because they don't we don't even have

[8:19] the cost.

[8:19] >> Correct. Not yet.

[8:22] » Correct. Not yet.

[8:22] >> But that's that's included in the

[8:24] » But that's that's included in the

[8:24] contingency statement that that she

[8:25] referenced.

[8:28] Yeah, the contingency statement notes

[8:30] the lawsuit, but that we don't have a

[8:32] good number to record as a a future

[8:35] liability.

[8:36] >> Your contingency amount wouldn't cover

[8:38] » Your contingency amount wouldn't cover

[8:38] the cost of construction or potentially

[8:40] even the gap,

[8:41] >> right? Okay.

[8:45] » But it is addressed. I can't remember

[8:47] which note it is off the top of my head,

[8:48] but it's like 12 or 13, I think.

[8:50] >> Note 11.

[8:51] » Note 11.

[8:51] >> Note 11.

[8:55] Any other questions?

[8:56] >> Been in there since the end of I believe

[8:58] » Been in there since the end of I believe

[8:58] fiscal year 23.

[9:03] » Any other questions?

[9:06] >> Miss Masters, do you have anything from

[9:07] » Miss Masters, do you have anything from

[9:08] the finance committee?

[9:09] >> No, I think um when we had back and

[9:11] » No, I think um when we had back and

[9:12] forth during the finance committee

[9:13] meeting and I believe everything was

[9:16] addressed to our satisfaction. So I

[9:18] appreciate everything you all did and

[9:20] all the time and effort that you all put

[9:21] into it.

[9:25] Mr. Tega

[9:28] >> just s a quick question was do you all

[9:31] » just s a quick question was do you all

[9:31] make a recommendation or not on

[9:33] something like this in terms of to

[9:36] approve the the report as or let me

[9:39] check whether we have to an action yeah

[9:42] we have to take action on it. Do you as

[9:44] a committee do that making a

[9:46] recommendation? Yes, we did. And we uh I

[9:49] mean after all the questions were

[9:51] answered to our satisfaction, then we

[9:54] made a um a recommendation to approve it

[9:56] and to bring it to you all.

[9:57] >> Okay. Thank you.

[10:02] » Any other questions?

[10:04] >> I would just like to thank Vanessa and

[10:07] » I would just like to thank Vanessa and

[10:07] Sonia for their their help and and

[10:09] support and uh their timeliness. As as

[10:11] you may or may not know, the city, we're

[10:13] a component unit. They need to have this

[10:16] by now, which is why we move the

[10:18] meeting. So, thank you all for being

[10:19] flexible with your schedules. But thank

[10:20] you especially to them for for moving on

[10:22] this quickly so that we could get it

[10:24] done and meet the city's timelines.

[10:26] >> Yes. Thank you.

[10:27] » Yes. Thank you.

[10:27] >> But with that, I would ask for uh

[10:29] » But with that, I would ask for uh

[10:29] approval of the report and as mentioned

[10:31] by Miss Masters, the finance committee

[10:32] did review and and does recommend

[10:34] approval.

[10:35] >> Move to approve.

[10:37] » Move to approve.

[10:37] >> Any second?

[10:38] » Any second?

[10:38] >> We'll second it.

[10:40] » We'll second it.

[10:40] >> All those in favor? I

[10:42] » All those in favor? I

[10:42] >> I

[10:43] » I

[10:43] >> any opposed?

[10:46] » any opposed?

[10:46] The um audited financial report is

[10:49] adopted.

[10:51] Number four, presentation, discussion,

[10:53] and action on board resolutions for the

[10:55] following CRRMA procurements. A Fabins

[10:59] airport field farm improvements and B

[11:02] Alamo Alto Trail project phase one and

[11:05] phase two.

[11:06] >> Good morning. Ray Mateas, executive

[11:08] » Good morning. Ray Mateas, executive

[11:08] director of the Camino Rail Regional

[11:09] Mobility Authority. We've got a a couple

[11:12] of powerpoints for you. I'll go through

[11:13] them pretty quickly as you'll you'll

[11:15] recognize the format. This one deals

[11:17] with item 4A, which is the Fabins

[11:19] airport uh fuel farm project.

[11:22] Uh so this is part of your backup as

[11:25] well. So again, I I will move pretty

[11:27] quickly. Um

[11:30] so this project was let back on December

[11:32] 11th of 2025. This is using Texas ramp

[11:36] grant funds. Those are grant funds that

[11:37] come out of Texot to the county. In

[11:40] addition, uh we intend to use some

[11:42] county funds for this project as well.

[11:44] The RMA had managed the design uh and

[11:46] the procurement for this one and will

[11:48] also manage the construction uh once we

[11:50] get into that into that phase. We used

[11:52] uh GEC teams for this one. Atkins realis

[11:56] completed the design and H&TB is

[11:58] providing the the oversight.

[12:00] Here's a the location.

[12:05] Sorry, it's very sensitive. So the the

[12:07] point of this project is is to remove

[12:09] the existing fuel tank that's out there

[12:12] and then come back with two new tanks.

[12:14] One uh with aviation gas and the second

[12:17] with jet A gas. So this will expand the

[12:19] the usage of the facility. We believe it

[12:22] will also uh add self-service fuel uh

[12:25] option for uh for the for the fuel tanks

[12:29] uh and then some concrete pads to uh to

[12:31] support as well as new illumination.

[12:34] So this is part as a Reminder, this is

[12:36] part of the overall improvements that

[12:38] we're doing at Fabins as part of the

[12:40] county's relationship with UTEP.

[12:43] Here's some photos. On the left side

[12:45] shows the existing tank. On the right

[12:47] side, you'll see uh in gray uh where the

[12:50] new tanks will go.

[12:52] So, the county is the ultimate owner.

[12:54] They'll provide the funding. The RMA is

[12:56] doing everything that I talked about

[12:57] before, design, procurement, and

[12:58] construction management.

[13:00] Here's the timeline. uh first advertised

[13:03] back in October. Second in November,

[13:06] December, we opened bids and we're here

[13:08] before you asking for authority uh to

[13:11] award to the low bidder and then

[13:13] authorize staff to negotiate a

[13:15] construction contract. We'll talk a

[13:16] little bit more about that. Uh and then

[13:18] we hope to be back in March at our March

[13:20] meeting. As a reminder, uh because our

[13:22] January meeting is so late, we probably

[13:24] will not need a February meeting. So

[13:26] we'll be back in March to authorize the

[13:28] uh execution of the construction

[13:31] contract plus all the uh interlocal

[13:33] agreement amendments and work

[13:35] authorization amendments to actually

[13:36] implement.

[13:38] Timeline we're thinking uh April we

[13:40] could start construction. It'll take

[13:41] about three months for this one and

[13:43] we'll be done in summer.

[13:45] So here are the the bid results. We had

[13:48] one bidder uh that provided a complete

[13:50] responsive bid at $1.4 million. Now,

[13:54] you'll note the engineers uh probable

[13:56] cost of construction, the estimate is

[13:57] lower. So, we do have an issue there. Uh

[14:00] and so that leads us into uh the motion.

[14:03] So, what we're looking for from from the

[14:05] board today is authorization to a to

[14:08] award to the low bidder, which is in

[14:10] this case Jordan Foster, but then also

[14:12] to authorize staff to negotiate a

[14:14] construction contract with the low

[14:16] bidder. So, the idea here is we've got

[14:18] to look back at the scope, see if

[14:19] there's anything we can pull out, and

[14:20] see if we can come to agreement with the

[14:22] contractor. So, that's what we're asking

[14:23] for you uh today. Asking from you today.

[14:27] >> I think it came in 400,000 higher than

[14:29] » I think it came in 400,000 higher than

[14:29] the estimate, right?

[14:31] >> That's correct. Now, we do have some

[14:32] » That's correct. Now, we do have some

[14:32] ideas as to how we can get get down to

[14:34] where we need to be. Uh so, we we think

[14:36] there's we're optimistic about coming

[14:38] back in in March with with contracts.

[14:44] » M Ortega,

[14:46] >> in a situation like that, when you only

[14:49] » in a situation like that, when you only

[14:49] have one uh bidder that submitted a

[14:52] complet bid. Do you ever go back and and

[14:56] uh request additional bids? Is that is

[15:00] that ever something that's considered or

[15:03] done?

[15:03] >> We have uh in fact um I believe this is

[15:06] » We have uh in fact um I believe this is

[15:06] the one that we went back and retoled

[15:09] the the way that we put this procurement

[15:11] out. So originally the procurement

[15:13] required uh text dot certification that

[15:16] limits the pool of of applicants or

[15:19] biders that could could come in on this

[15:20] one. We actually retoled that to to make

[15:22] it broader uh with specifically a couple

[15:26] of different u uh types of firms that

[15:28] could come in and and and bid on it. So

[15:30] we retoled this in order to to cast a

[15:33] wider net. Unfortunately, we only got

[15:34] two biders and and one was not

[15:36] responsible.

[15:37] >> And are you happy with the the bid that

[15:40] » And are you happy with the the bid that

[15:40] they made other than it's above the what

[15:43] you wanted?

[15:43] >> Other than the amount, the rest of it is

[15:45] » Other than the amount, the rest of it is

[15:45] is in line with what we're looking for?

[15:47] Yes, ma'am.

[15:47] >> Okay. So, I I'll tell you in March, you

[15:50] » Okay. So, I I'll tell you in March, you

[15:50] will likely see either uh a bunch of

[15:53] contracts with us having having figured

[15:55] out a way to to advance or u a rejection

[15:59] of bids and probably some sort of

[16:01] authorization to retool and re and put

[16:03] it back out there again.

[16:06] >> Thank you.

[16:07] » Thank you.

[16:07] >> Question.

[16:07] » Question.

[16:07] >> Yes,

[16:08] » Yes,

[16:08] >> Ray. when

[16:11] » Ray. when

[16:11] given that the cost is so much higher,

[16:14] was was there a bust in a particular

[16:17] particular line item or was it pretty

[16:19] much across all of the cost components?

[16:21] >> We'll ask uh Mr. Feno from Atkins to

[16:23] » We'll ask uh Mr. Feno from Atkins to

[16:23] share.

[16:25] >> Good morning, uh Madame Chair. Uh board

[16:27] » Good morning, uh Madame Chair. Uh board

[16:28] members Edgar Fino Atkins Realis on on

[16:30] the review there, Matthew. It uh there

[16:33] was nothing that stood out in regards to

[16:35] to a bust in regards to an overrun. It

[16:37] was it was line items. Yes. Yes.

[16:42] Now, just as a reminder, uh the low bid

[16:45] contractor Jordan Foster is already

[16:47] working out there. They're on the hanger

[16:49] job. So, they've got crews out there.

[16:52] That that makes

[16:54] >> exactly. Yes.

[16:57] » exactly. Yes.

[16:57] >> Correct.

[16:59] » Correct.

[16:59] >> And we we are seeing that as a trend on

[17:02] » And we we are seeing that as a trend on

[17:02] most bids that are coming in these days.

[17:05] And in fact, unfortunately, you're going

[17:06] to see on the very next item as well,

[17:08] >> even if they're already on site.

[17:11] » even if they're already on site.

[17:11] >> Yes, ma'am.

[17:13] » Yes, ma'am.

[17:13] Yeah, it looks like the material pricing

[17:15] and that sort of thing is is the

[17:16] increase.

[17:19] So, I think if you'd like, I can jump

[17:21] into the next item and we can take them

[17:22] both together. So, if we can bring up

[17:25] the the slide deck for 4B.

[17:37] Okay. So, this one deals with Alamo Alto

[17:39] Trail. This is phase one and phase two.

[17:43] Uh same idea here. All of this is part

[17:45] of your backup, so I'll breeze through

[17:46] it. Um we're using uh transportation

[17:49] alternatives funding out of text for

[17:51] this one. uh and county funds. We, the

[17:54] RMA, manage the design and procurement

[17:56] and ultimately once we get to

[17:58] construction, we'll manage that as well.

[17:59] We use one of our IDC firms, AECOM, uh

[18:02] for this one to develop the design plans

[18:05] and Atkins Realis provided the

[18:07] oversight. Here's a project location.

[18:09] Again, this is part of your backup. So,

[18:11] this one uh includes the two phases that

[18:14] I mentioned. Phase one, which includes

[18:16] uh the trail portions that are found

[18:18] within Fabins, Texas. And phase two is

[18:21] the trail within Torneo. Now, as as a

[18:23] reminder, uh we also are developing

[18:25] phase three, which is the piece that

[18:27] connects Favven to Toronto. So, we're

[18:29] really excited about these pieces that

[18:30] are all part of the Pasadon trail that

[18:32] the Pasanote Health Foundation is

[18:34] putting together. So, it's over 60 miles

[18:35] worth of trail uh within El Paso County.

[18:38] So, we're excited to be part of that.

[18:39] But, it's the usual things that you

[18:40] would expect on a trail like this uh

[18:43] full shared use path with all of those

[18:45] improvements that you see there.

[18:48] County is ultimate owner, provides

[18:50] funding, RMA manages and and provides

[18:52] all those services we've talked about.

[18:54] Here's the timeline on this one. Uh

[18:56] November, uh we put out the

[18:59] advertisement first and 2 and then uh

[19:01] bids were opened on the 16th of

[19:03] December. And again, we're looking to

[19:06] the board for authorization to award and

[19:08] then authorization to negotiate a

[19:10] contract and come back in March. That's

[19:12] the goal.

[19:16] Uh this one we think is going to take

[19:18] about 12 months. So if we start in

[19:19] April, we'll be done sometime in spring

[19:21] of 27.

[19:24] All right. So this one again, you're

[19:26] going to see the same issue. The low

[19:27] bidder on this one was Horizon Zone. Uh

[19:30] they came in at 4.7. The engineers

[19:32] probable cost of construction was 3.9.

[19:35] We do have some ideas on this one as

[19:37] well in terms of how we can reduce that

[19:39] cost. So again uh and I'll I'll bring

[19:42] you back to this, but the motion would

[19:43] be twofold. one to select Horizon Zone

[19:46] uh construction limited as the lowest

[19:49] responsible bidder and then also to

[19:51] authorize staff to negotiate a

[19:52] construction contract with the low

[19:53] bidder and but more importantly to come

[19:55] back. So we will be back in March if

[19:57] we're able to figure it out. We'd be

[19:58] back in March with the construction

[20:00] contract with interlocal amendments to

[20:02] provide the funding from the county and

[20:05] then work authorization amendments for

[20:06] our design team and the oversight team

[20:08] as well. So same idea as the as the last

[20:12] one. low bid came in high. So, we're

[20:14] going to try to negotiate to to get to

[20:16] something. If we can't, very similar to

[20:18] the last one, we'll be back with a a

[20:20] motion to reject and authorize some sort

[20:23] of way forward that we work out with the

[20:25] county. Both of these projects are with

[20:27] the county, so we're working with them

[20:28] very closely to identify the way

[20:30] forward.

[20:34] Happy to answer any questions.

[20:35] Otherwise, we would recommend

[20:36] >> I do have a question on when there's

[20:38] » I do have a question on when there's

[20:38] when it says incomplete, what is what

[20:40] does that mean? In other words, they

[20:42] started it and then they just didn't

[20:43] finish it or what does that mean?

[20:45] >> Uh, on these, I'll ask Edric to speak on

[20:48] » Uh, on these, I'll ask Edric to speak on

[20:48] on specifics, but generally that means

[20:50] they were missing a form. They were

[20:51] missing some sort of documentation

[20:53] that's required to be a complete

[20:55] submitt. Ed, do you remember the

[20:57] specifics on this one?

[20:58] >> Good morning, Edino. again. Uh, no, not

[21:01] » Good morning, Edino. again. Uh, no, not

[21:01] the specifics, but but usually it's it's

[21:03] a it's a document that's required that

[21:06] there's no signature or there's a

[21:08] missing document that's required that

[21:12] that's not included in the contractor

[21:14] package. Uh, some examples are um are um

[21:19] >> insurance.

[21:20] » insurance.

[21:20] >> Well, usually that the uh the um

[21:24] » Well, usually that the uh the um

[21:24] >> Yeah, I know. Child,

[21:26] » Yeah, I know. Child,

[21:26] >> child support.

[21:26] » child support.

[21:26] >> Yeah, child support. child support that

[21:29] » Yeah, child support. child support that

[21:29] document usually well it's it's needs to

[21:32] be included and some of the contractors

[21:34] do not

[21:35] >> provide that document as far as being

[21:37] » provide that document as far as being

[21:37] signed and acknowledging that they will

[21:40] support the child support in regards to

[21:43] making sure their employees are are

[21:45] following what they're supposed to be

[21:46] paying out. So, they're important

[21:48] documents that that are part of the

[21:50] front end of the package and and it's

[21:53] it's our job as far as the the uh the

[21:57] the GEC to review to to make sure that

[21:59] the documents are provided that are

[22:02] called for on the on the bid package.

[22:04] >> So, then you go back to them and you

[22:06] » So, then you go back to them and you

[22:06] say, "We're missing X, Y, and Z." And

[22:09] they just don't respond.

[22:11] >> No.

[22:11] » No.

[22:11] >> No ma'am. So there it depends on the

[22:13] » No ma'am. So there it depends on the

[22:13] type of documentation or the type of

[22:14] item that's missing. But things like uh

[22:17] like we were discussing right now, if

[22:18] that's not submitted, that's an

[22:20] incomplete bid and it cannot be

[22:21] supplemented later.

[22:22] >> Oh, okay.

[22:23] » Oh, okay.

[22:23] >> There are some very minor items that

[22:24] » There are some very minor items that

[22:24] could be supplemented or clarified.

[22:26] >> Uh but there's a a fine line there that

[22:28] » Uh but there's a a fine line there that

[22:28] the lawyers get involved in.

[22:30] >> Okay.

[22:31] » Okay.

[22:31] >> Yeah.

[22:35] » So when when you come back, I'll move to

[22:38] approve. When you come back with for

[22:40] both of them, when you come back with

[22:41] these, given that you're talking about,

[22:43] you know, over 20% differences, will you

[22:47] describe what the change in the scope is

[22:48] if you're able to negotiate for each of

[22:50] the two contracts?

[22:51] >> Yes, definitely. In fact, the scope that

[22:53] » Yes, definitely. In fact, the scope that

[22:53] was described in these PowerPoints was

[22:54] the original scope. And we know if we

[22:56] come back, we're going to have to pull

[22:57] stuff. So, that would be part of the

[22:58] presentation next month.

[22:59] >> Okay. I'll move to approve both items.

[23:02] » Okay. I'll move to approve both items.

[23:02] >> I'll second.

[23:04] » I'll second.

[23:04] Any further discussion?

[23:06] All those in favor? I any opposed?

[23:11] >> Both motions carry.

[23:14] » Both motions carry.

[23:14] And item five, discussion and action on

[23:17] board resolution to authorize the ex

[23:19] execution of an advanced funding

[23:21] agreement with the Texas Department of

[23:23] Transportation for the Sunycle Bike

[23:26] Share Fleet Enhancement Project fiscal

[23:28] year 2026.

[23:30] >> Okay, this is a a good news item. As you

[23:33] » Okay, this is a a good news item. As you

[23:33] may recall, we've gone after grant

[23:35] funding for uh for for the Suncycle

[23:38] program for the last few years. We've

[23:39] received it over fiscal year 24 and 25.

[23:43] And we've also received it we received

[23:45] word last year that we would receive

[23:47] funding for fiscal years 26, 27, and 28.

[23:51] We're using those funds each year to

[23:54] slowly replace the red bikes, the

[23:55] original bikes with the electric assist

[23:57] bike. So, uh, Robert's going to have

[23:59] some really good news on the on the

[24:00] update, the quarterly update for

[24:02] Suncycle in terms of what we think those

[24:04] new bikes are doing, uh, in terms of

[24:07] usage and and revenues. But, uh, for

[24:09] item five, this is seeking authorization

[24:13] for staff to negotiate and ultimately

[24:15] execute the the advanced funding

[24:17] agreement with Tex to implement this

[24:20] fisc year 26 fleet enhancement project.

[24:23] So, what we're looking at is roughly

[24:25] $100,000 coming from um the the grant

[24:28] program matched by $25,000 of RMA funds.

[24:31] And that that amount was built into the

[24:33] the most recent budget. So, I would ask

[24:36] for approval of this item. I did include

[24:38] a copy of the fiscal year 25 advanced

[24:41] funding agreement so you could see a

[24:42] sample of what's coming uh as part of

[24:44] your backup, but uh happy to answer any

[24:46] questions. Otherwise, I would recommend

[24:47] approval.

[24:49] >> I move to approve.

[24:51] » I move to approve.

[24:51] >> Second. Any discussion?

[24:54] » Second. Any discussion?

[24:54] All those in favor?

[24:56] >> I I

[24:57] » I I

[24:57] >> Any opposed? Motion carries.

[25:01] » Any opposed? Motion carries.

[25:01] Item six, discussion and action on a

[25:03] board resolution authorizing the

[25:05] submittal of a grant application to the

[25:07] Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for

[25:09] the Wiler Aerial Tramway project and the

[25:12] negotiation and execution of the

[25:13] resulting agreements.

[25:15] >> Okay, this one is a little bit odd. Uh

[25:18] » Okay, this one is a little bit odd. Uh

[25:18] we've I've been be I've been back to you

[25:20] all uh I want to say several months back

[25:23] asking for authorization to execute an

[25:25] an interlocal agreement amendment to

[25:27] pull down the the $7 million that were

[25:29] allocated to the project from the

[25:31] legislature in this last session.

[25:33] However, uh when and that that had been

[25:36] negotiated with Texas Parks and

[25:37] Wildlife. However, parks uh I guess they

[25:40] re they were re-evaluating the the

[25:43] source of those funds. Apparently the

[25:44] legis legislature when they allocated

[25:46] those funds, it went into a grant

[25:49] program that Texas Parks and Wildlife

[25:50] manages. So that means the RMA actually

[25:53] has to apply for the funds even though

[25:55] we're the only ones that are eligible

[25:56] for it and that sort of thing. But what

[25:59] you see here is is more um kind of a

[26:02] hurdle we have to go through and that is

[26:03] seeking authorization from the governing

[26:05] board uh for the submittal of a grant

[26:07] application for that $7 million. So

[26:09] that's what you see before you. I would

[26:11] ask for approval of this item.

[26:15] >> Any question? So, is this grant

[26:18] » Any question? So, is this grant

[26:18] application something that's complicated

[26:20] or is it is it a simple

[26:23] >> Well, it it's it's not simple because

[26:26] » Well, it it's it's not simple because

[26:26] well, I should say it's it's pretty

[26:28] straightforward, but what we're doing

[26:30] doesn't fit into the format that they

[26:32] have. So, they're having to tweak it.

[26:33] So, I've already gone in. We are now an

[26:35] eligible applicant. Uh, but in order for

[26:38] me to complete the form, they have to

[26:39] fill in some blanks that that don't

[26:41] really fit for the project that we're

[26:43] that we're trying to complete. So, it's

[26:45] a little bit of a it just doesn't fit

[26:48] well. So, it's it has been a little more

[26:51] cumbersome than it than it should be.

[26:53] But, it's not difficult. There's not

[26:54] there's not a whole lot of heavy lifting

[26:56] to do. It's just trying to make it work

[26:58] for for the funds that we're trying to

[26:59] pull. And when the funds were allocated,

[27:03] is it a sure thing or if somehow

[27:06] something goes wrong with the grant

[27:08] application, the monies won't be

[27:10] released?

[27:11] >> No, I I've been assured that this is

[27:13] » No, I I've been assured that this is

[27:13] just a procedural step we have to take.

[27:15] >> Yeah, it's a it's a bit of a

[27:18] » Yeah, it's a it's a bit of a

[27:18] bureaucratic step we have to do,

[27:20] >> but uh I've been assured along the

[27:22] » but uh I've been assured along the

[27:22] entire along the entire process that

[27:24] that we will receive these funds. We

[27:25] just have to do this extra step and

[27:28] >> Okay. And so we'll so I'll be back to

[27:30] » Okay. And so we'll so I'll be back to

[27:30] you. I I'm assuming well actually I

[27:32] think I I sorry I asked for

[27:34] authorization to execute any resulting

[27:36] agreement. So I think parks is leaning

[27:39] towards an interlocal amendment that

[27:41] would match up with with the prior

[27:43] interlocal amendments that we've pulled

[27:44] down for the prior funding that we

[27:46] received in addition to a grant

[27:48] agreement that would then be an appendix

[27:50] to the interlocal agreement. So again,

[27:53] it's a little more convoluted than I'd

[27:55] like than anybody would like, but but

[27:57] apparently according to their attorneys,

[27:58] the funding source dictates this.

[28:01] >> Okay. So move

[28:04] » Okay. So move

[28:04] >> second.

[28:06] » second.

[28:06] >> Any additional discussion?

[28:08] » Any additional discussion?

[28:08] All those in favor?

[28:10] >> I. Any opposed?

[28:13] » I. Any opposed?

[28:13] >> Motion carries. Item seven, discussion

[28:16] » Motion carries. Item seven, discussion

[28:16] and action on a board resolution

[28:18] authorizing the execution of an

[28:20] amendment to the interlocal agreement

[28:22] with the University of Texas at El Paso

[28:24] on behalf of its Hunt Institute for

[28:26] Global Competitiveness for the Tornne

[28:28] Guadalupe port of entry study.

[28:31] >> Okay, this is a a pretty straightforward

[28:33] » Okay, this is a a pretty straightforward

[28:33] one. We're just extending the term on

[28:34] this one for Hunt, the Hunt Institute.

[28:37] Uh the original agreement had an earlier

[28:39] ending date. However, some of the

[28:41] engagements and um and uh u site visits

[28:46] that were originally planned in this

[28:47] program have been pushed out. So, we're

[28:49] extending the date out to October of 26.

[28:52] Uh no cost impact whatsoever. So, I

[28:54] would recommend approval.

[28:56] >> I move to approve.

[28:58] » I move to approve.

[28:58] >> Second.

[28:59] » Second.

[28:59] >> Any discussion? All those in favor?

[29:03] » Any discussion? All those in favor?

[29:03] >> I

[29:03] » I

[29:03] >> I Any opposed? Motion carries.

[29:07] » I Any opposed? Motion carries.

[29:08] Item eight, discussion and action on a

[29:10] board resolution authorizing the

[29:12] execution of a memorandum of

[29:13] understanding with the El Paso County

[29:15] for the Pelicano Drive widening project.

[29:19] >> Okay. Uh very briefly, I'll I'll use

[29:21] » Okay. Uh very briefly, I'll I'll use

[29:21] this opportunity to just mention that

[29:22] Pelicano is the construction is underway

[29:24] and and doing really well. Uh a lot of

[29:27] progress happening out there. In fact,

[29:29] um they are are uh laying asphalt uh the

[29:35] in the section from Loop 375 down to

[29:38] Sunfire. They're laying asphalt uh this

[29:41] week and into next week depending on the

[29:42] weather and then they'll start laying um

[29:45] rebar on top of that asphalt in February

[29:48] and then we'll move to cons to concrete

[29:50] placement uh shortly thereafter. So

[29:52] really excited about that that first

[29:54] piece down to Sunfire. This is showing

[29:56] some great progress. We have a great

[29:58] partner in the county on this one. As

[29:59] you know, they are are shooting some uh

[30:02] video and and uh and uh photographs uh

[30:05] through one of their drones. So, I'm

[30:07] hoping to get my hands on that and I'll

[30:08] share that with you as soon as we have

[30:09] it. So, making a lot of progress. Very

[30:11] excited about that. Uh but for the item

[30:14] before you which is item eight, uh there

[30:16] is an an adjacent uh developer

[30:20] uh in the area uh Faith Technologies um

[30:24] that is is I guess they they've

[30:27] negotiated an agreement with the county

[30:28] where they're going to add some traffic

[30:30] lights, they're going to add diesel

[30:31] lanes and some other improvements along

[30:32] Pelicano. Normally when that happens,

[30:34] the developer uh pays for that. Um and

[30:38] that is the agreement that has been

[30:39] structured between the county and the

[30:41] developer. However, since the RMA is out

[30:43] there, the county is asking that that we

[30:45] roll those improvements into phase two

[30:47] of the project. As you know, we're

[30:49] currently building phase one, then we'll

[30:50] come back with phase two. So, what you

[30:52] see before you under item uh eight is a

[30:55] memorandum of of understanding laying

[30:56] out uh the idea that the improvements

[31:01] that the county is required of the

[31:02] developer will be rolled into phase two

[31:05] as an ad alternate. Uh again the intent

[31:08] is just to lay out the the idea and the

[31:11] the concept here. The funding would be

[31:13] pro provided entirely by the developer

[31:16] and ruled into the project and managed

[31:18] by the army. So that's what item eight

[31:20] is. Happy to answer any questions. Uh

[31:22] but I would recommend approval of this

[31:24] item

[31:25] >> to approve

[31:27] » to approve

[31:27] second.

[31:27] >> Any questions or discussion?

[31:30] » Any questions or discussion?

[31:30] All those in favor?

[31:32] >> I

[31:33] » I

[31:33] >> I.

[31:33] » I.

[31:33] >> Any opposed?

[31:35] » Any opposed?

[31:35] Item eight carries. Uh, item nine,

[31:39] Raymond, with

[31:40] >> So, this one, unfortunately, we're gonna

[31:42] » So, this one, unfortunately, we're gonna

[31:42] have to I'm gonna have to ask you to

[31:43] delete it. Um, Horizon City is

[31:45] re-evaluating their options on this

[31:47] project, so I would ask for a deletion.

[31:49] >> And we need a motion.

[31:50] » And we need a motion.

[31:50] >> Yes, please.

[31:52] » Yes, please.

[31:52] >> I'll move.

[31:54] » I'll move.

[31:54] I'll second. All those in favor?

[31:58] >> I. Any opposed?

[31:59] » I. Any opposed?

[31:59] >> I

[32:00] » I

[32:00] >> Okay. Item nine is deleted. Uh, item 10,

[32:03] » Okay. Item nine is deleted. Uh, item 10,

[32:04] discussion and action on a board

[32:05] resolution authorizing the execution of

[32:07] an amendment to work authorization

[32:09] number 40 with Atkins Realis USA, Inc.

[32:11] for the Valley Chile Road Reconstruction

[32:13] Project.

[32:14] >> This one is also pretty straightforward.

[32:17] » This one is also pretty straightforward.

[32:17] Originally, when we were putting this

[32:19] program together, Atkins Realis intended

[32:21] to self-perform some of the construction

[32:23] management activities on this project.

[32:25] However, between when we planned this

[32:27] project and actually got to

[32:28] construction, uh their crews have been

[32:31] assigned to other projects. So, Atkins

[32:33] is bringing on a third party JMT to

[32:36] provide these construction management

[32:37] services. So, there's no cost impact. Uh

[32:39] what you see as as the amendment is

[32:41] simply swapping out the exhibit that

[32:44] identifies uh instead of being

[32:45] self-performed by Atkins, it's being

[32:47] provided by GMT. Again, no cost impact.

[32:49] So, I would recommend approval of this

[32:50] item.

[32:53] Second.

[32:54] >> Any discussion?

[32:56] » Any discussion?

[32:56] >> Okay. All those in favor?

[32:58] » Okay. All those in favor?

[32:58] >> I

[32:58] » I

[32:58] >> I. Any opposed?

[33:01] » I. Any opposed?

[33:01] >> Item 10 carries number 11, discussion

[33:04] » Item 10 carries number 11, discussion

[33:04] and action on a board resolution

[33:06] authorizing the execution of an

[33:08] amendment to work authorization number

[33:09] two with ACOM Technical Services, Inc.

[33:12] for the Alamo Alto phase 3 project.

[33:16] >> I mentioned this one earlier. Phase

[33:17] » I mentioned this one earlier. Phase

[33:17] three is the piece of the trail that

[33:19] connects uh Fabins to Thornneo, which

[33:21] were phases one and two. This one is a a

[33:24] small amendment to add some design

[33:26] activities necessary to relocate uh

[33:29] illumination poles that are in the in

[33:31] the uh the clear zone of the roadway.

[33:34] So, uh this is normally when you have as

[33:38] explained to me, normally illumination

[33:40] poles are owned and moved by the

[33:43] electric company. These are actually

[33:44] owned by the county. So, this was a bit

[33:46] of an oversight at the front end. Uh,

[33:48] but you see an an amendment before you

[33:50] for about $11,000. I would recommend

[33:52] approval of this item.

[33:54] >> Is that cost covered by the county?

[33:56] » Is that cost covered by the county?

[33:56] >> Additional 11,000. Okay. Yes, sir.

[33:59] » Additional 11,000. Okay. Yes, sir.

[33:59] >> I'll move.

[34:01] » I'll move.

[34:01] >> I'll second. All those in favor?

[34:03] » I'll second. All those in favor?

[34:03] >> I

[34:04] » I

[34:04] >> I Any oppose?

[34:08] » I Any oppose?

[34:08] Number 11 carries. Number 12. We were

[34:12] going to delete that.

[34:13] >> Yes, ma'am. there's been a a change on

[34:15] » Yes, ma'am. there's been a a change on

[34:16] on the proposed change or so I would ask

[34:18] that this item be deleted as well.

[34:22] >> So moved.

[34:23] » So moved.

[34:23] >> Second.

[34:25] » Second.

[34:25] >> All those in favor to delete item 12.

[34:28] » All those in favor to delete item 12.

[34:28] >> I.

[34:29] » I.

[34:29] >> Any oppose? Item 12 to be deleted.

[34:33] » Any oppose? Item 12 to be deleted.

[34:33] Number 13, discussion and action on a

[34:35] board resolution authorizing submission

[34:37] of an annual compliance report to text.

[34:40] >> Okay, this is a pretty straightforward.

[34:42] » Okay, this is a pretty straightforward.

[34:42] This one we do every year. Uh text

[34:44] requires certain compliance

[34:45] requirements. One is an annual report

[34:47] that we provide at the end of December

[34:49] of each year that was completed. And

[34:51] then this compliance report uh relates

[34:54] to various other requirements that we

[34:56] have to do including the annual audit.

[34:58] So we can't do this until we accept the

[35:00] annual audit. So that's why you see this

[35:02] one before you today. I would recommend

[35:04] approval. I believe everything is

[35:06] included in your backup including the

[35:07] form, the letter, and the resolution. So

[35:10] would recommend approval.

[35:12] >> So move.

[35:14] » So move.

[35:14] >> Second.

[35:16] » Second.

[35:16] >> Any discussion, questions? All those in

[35:18] » Any discussion, questions? All those in

[35:18] favor?

[35:19] >> I

[35:20] » I

[35:20] >> I

[35:20] » I

[35:20] >> I.

[35:21] » I.

[35:21] >> Any oppose? Item 13 passes. Number 14.

[35:26] » Any oppose? Item 13 passes. Number 14.

[35:26] Discussion and action on the following

[35:27] reports for the first quarter of fiscal

[35:29] year 2026. A interim financial

[35:32] statement. B investment report. C El

[35:35] Paso Bike Share Sun Cycle Program. and D

[35:38] general engineering consulting team's

[35:40] use of local resources.

[35:42] >> So I the finance committee reviewed all

[35:44] » So I the finance committee reviewed all

[35:44] the reports and did recommend uh that

[35:46] the board accept reports. So I'm not

[35:47] going to go through them one by one, but

[35:49] I did want to provide a couple of of key

[35:51] highlights that Mr. Tea uh mentioned. So

[35:53] on the interim financial statement,

[35:55] usually the first quarter we don't have

[35:56] a lot of activity just due to the nature

[35:58] of of uh invoicing and timing. So

[36:00] there's not a lot of activity. We didn't

[36:01] spend a lot of time at the board. On

[36:03] item B, the investment report, I I would

[36:06] point out that the Fed is meeting today.

[36:08] They have they did cut rates a few times

[36:10] in the fall. That impacts our investment

[36:12] returns as we are uh constrained on on

[36:14] what we can invest in. And then the

[36:16] treasury services coordinator for the

[36:18] city, Lewis Meyer, who is named as one

[36:20] of our investment officers, retired in

[36:22] November, and the interim is a woman

[36:25] named April Shammy. I've got a great

[36:26] relationship with her and and we've no

[36:28] no issues there whatsoever. um she may

[36:31] get the job, they may hire somebody

[36:33] else, but we'll continue to work with

[36:34] that person uh overseeing our

[36:36] investments. On item C, the bike share

[36:39] program. This is the one Mr. TA alluded

[36:41] to. We saw fantastic numbers in the

[36:44] first quarter.

[36:46] Every one of our stations outperformed

[36:49] the prior first quarter of of the year

[36:52] before and and we are seeing just uh

[36:55] that that's not happened previously.

[36:56] usually get some that go up, some that

[36:58] go down, but we we think the ubiquity of

[37:00] the ebikes being placed throughout the

[37:02] system as we added 73 um during the the

[37:05] prior year through this the the grant

[37:07] program that was item six, I believe

[37:09] that is just helping and growing

[37:11] ridership. We've also got a handful of

[37:13] annual, monthly, and semester members

[37:16] that are really using the system and so

[37:18] we are thrilled to see that that kind of

[37:20] growth. Um but the bike share is doing

[37:22] well. On item D, no real comments. Uh

[37:24] but but we do have data from both H&DB

[37:26] and Atkins in there now. And and again,

[37:29] uh the finance committee reviewed the

[37:31] reports in depth and did recommend

[37:32] approval. And with that, I would

[37:34] recommend the board uh accept the

[37:35] reports.

[37:37] >> Miss Masters, anything from the finance

[37:39] » Miss Masters, anything from the finance

[37:39] committee?

[37:39] >> We we like uh Robert said, we didn't

[37:42] » We we like uh Robert said, we didn't

[37:42] spend a whole lot of time on it, but

[37:44] because there wasn't a lot of action,

[37:45] but we're very very pleased with the the

[37:48] way the performance is for the Sun City

[37:50] Bike program.

[37:52] And I move to approve.

[37:55] >> Second.

[37:57] » Second.

[37:57] >> All any discussion or questions? All

[38:00] » All any discussion or questions? All

[38:00] those in favor?

[38:01] >> I

[38:03] » I

[38:03] >> I.

[38:03] » I.

[38:04] >> Any opposed? Items 14 A through D, uh,

[38:08] » Any opposed? Items 14 A through D, uh,

[38:08] carry. Item number 15, staff reports. A,

[38:12] new CRMA employee. B, reminder of

[38:16] officer elections. and C annual project

[38:19] report 2025.

[38:21] >> Okay, a couple of quick reports. The

[38:24] » Okay, a couple of quick reports. The

[38:24] first one notes uh the new employee. So,

[38:26] as you know, we've been we've been

[38:28] looking for an employee for a little

[38:29] while. We received quite a bit of of

[38:31] interest. I believe we in the end we had

[38:33] 26 different uh resumes for this for

[38:36] this uh position. I'm happy to report

[38:38] that we have uh offered and uh Mr. Sal

[38:42] Alonso has accepted the position. So

[38:44] some of you all may remember S. He was

[38:47] with the county for I want to say over

[38:49] 10 years. Most recently he's been with

[38:51] Texat. So he's got a lot of local

[38:53] experience in transportation and

[38:55] certainly state and federal uh

[38:57] experience as well. So we're really

[38:58] excited to bring S into the fold. He his

[39:01] start date is uh next Monday in fact. So

[39:04] very excited about that. Um and we'll

[39:06] introduce you to him at the March

[39:07] meeting.

[39:09] Uh item B then uh is just a a quick

[39:13] reminder. Our bylaws require us to do

[39:16] officer elections each year and that

[39:18] happens in February as we're not meeting

[39:19] in February. That'll push it to March.

[39:21] So keep that in mind as we move forward.

[39:23] If you're interested, uh perhaps you

[39:24] could reach out to the chair and and we

[39:27] can discuss that in March. That's just a

[39:29] a brief reminder. And part of your

[39:30] backup includes that section of the

[39:31] bylaw so you can review that if you're

[39:33] interested. And then lastly, we've got a

[39:35] a brief PowerPoint with just a couple of

[39:37] slides

[39:38] at at the chair's request. We've been

[39:40] doing this uh at the end of each year or

[39:42] the beginning of of the year to review

[39:44] the prior year. Uh so we've got some new

[39:46] maps for you. Uh this is intended to

[39:49] show you all of the different projects

[39:50] that we've been involved in to date. So

[39:52] uh the green ones are those that are

[39:54] already completed and I guess the it's

[39:57] an orange color maybe. This show the

[39:59] active ones, the ones that we were

[40:01] involved in in 2025. So it shows quite a

[40:04] bit of activity over the last year. The

[40:06] the column over on the left shows some

[40:08] interesting uh details for you as well.

[40:10] Uh we had more than 50 active projects

[40:12] uh in this this last uh calendar year.

[40:16] And then 12 different partner agencies

[40:18] and that's really important. We've been

[40:19] partnering at the direction of the board

[40:22] with with some of the smaller

[40:23] communities, but then you also see Tex,

[40:25] Texas Parks, UTEP, MCA, some of the

[40:27] larger entities in the region as well.

[40:29] Certainly El Paso County is our our

[40:31] largest partner for sure. So you see a

[40:33] lot of a lot of u coordination and

[40:36] cooperation among agencies to get these

[40:37] projects done. Then the last point there

[40:39] is that uh we're we are multimmodal as

[40:42] as required by the board as well. So

[40:44] we're looking at road, transit,

[40:46] pedestrian, uh bike and aviation

[40:48] projects as well. So a lot of variation

[40:51] and certainly a lot of work completed

[40:53] over the last year. So that's kind of a

[40:55] snapshot. I'll I'll touch uh very

[40:57] briefly on a couple of of projects that

[40:59] I think are are of of interest. U there

[41:02] on the left side the box that says Rick

[41:04] Francis Street. You may recall that's

[41:06] the uh grant program that we went after

[41:09] certain funding from Texot for to

[41:12] develop an underpass on at Rick Francis

[41:15] Street within the MCA. Uh that one was

[41:18] submitted uh I want to say uh LA a

[41:21] couple weeks back. So we're very excited

[41:23] about that one and we're really hopeful.

[41:25] Uh beyond that, Wiler of course we talk

[41:28] about regularly. That's a big project

[41:29] for us. And the street car was actually

[41:31] completed in 2025 and that's a project

[41:33] close out. So, a couple of highlights

[41:35] there and I'm happy if any of these

[41:37] catch your attention, you want to dive

[41:39] in into the details. Please stop me

[41:40] along the way, but uh this is now part

[41:42] of your backup. I added it uh just last

[41:45] night or this morning. So, it's a late

[41:46] addition. I apologize for that, but

[41:48] we're tweaking it up until this morning.

[41:50] Uh but it's part of your backup. Feel

[41:52] free to review it and and I'm happy to

[41:53] tweak it going forward. Um, so on the

[41:57] east side, here's a map that focuses in

[42:00] on on some of our our important

[42:01] projects. Belcono we talk about

[42:03] regularly, so I'll skip that for now.

[42:05] Uh, but the EPATS transit facility is a

[42:07] really big big project for uh the El

[42:10] Paso area transit system. Uh, that's the

[42:12] one where we are we have completed the

[42:15] rideway acquisition for them. We we um

[42:18] acquired a parcel for a little over $1.5

[42:20] million. Uh we also did a needs

[42:22] assessment for them to identify what

[42:24] their transit operation system would

[42:26] need and from there we've actually begun

[42:28] the design. So we're we're at about I

[42:30] believe 30% of the design for that

[42:32] project. It's a really important project

[42:34] for them as they expand their system uh

[42:36] and they develop their first maintenance

[42:38] and operation uh facility. So we're

[42:40] excited to be part of that one.

[42:44] uh down in the lower valley. Uh focus

[42:46] there is on the the Fabins airport. Uh

[42:50] and and of course we've talked about a

[42:52] few of those projects. The box hangers

[42:53] is essentially done. We're just waiting

[42:55] for the electric company to connect to

[42:57] the facility so we can do some final um

[43:00] checks on some items and close out that

[43:02] project. Very excited to be involved in

[43:04] that one. The AWAS system, the automated

[43:06] weather and observing system is up and

[43:08] running now. Excited to announce that.

[43:10] So, a lot of improvements we've made out

[43:12] there that is going to help the county

[43:13] and UTP uh partnership. So, uh that's

[43:16] going really well. And then another one

[43:18] I'll note is the Don O'Neal port of

[43:19] entry uh study that we're doing. We

[43:22] talked about that one earlier today, but

[43:24] that's a really important um uh

[43:26] initiative that the county is pursuing

[43:28] to increase usage of the Thornia port of

[43:31] entry. So, we're excited to be part of

[43:32] that as well.

[43:34] And I guess that's it.

[43:38] Um, so I'm happy to answer any

[43:39] questions. Hopefully that was useful to

[43:41] you. It's part of your backup. If you

[43:43] have any questions, please uh review it

[43:44] and and uh Yes, ma'am.

[43:47] >> Are you and I know you've discussed this

[43:49] » Are you and I know you've discussed this

[43:49] in the past, but you're the one that

[43:51] does all of the grant writing or or do

[43:53] you get people to assist on that?

[43:56] >> So, on the on the uh Rick Francis uh

[44:00] » So, on the on the uh Rick Francis uh

[44:00] grant application, there were two steps.

[44:02] There was a preliminary that was pretty

[44:03] straightforward and I handled that one

[44:05] on my own. But then the the more

[44:07] detailed the second step is called the

[44:08] detailed application and that one we

[44:10] brought on H&TB. In fact, um I meant to

[44:13] do this and I I just realized I didn't.

[44:15] I'll share with you a copy of that

[44:16] application so you can see everything

[44:18] that was put into it, but H&TB did the

[44:20] heavy lifting on that one. Uh H&TB has

[44:22] also done grant writing for us on the

[44:24] Howard Low project which is in Horizon

[44:27] City and that's a a pedestrian uh

[44:30] improvements to a

[44:32] a section down there that will connect

[44:33] to their trails system. Uh did a great

[44:36] job on that one. In fact, we were uh

[44:38] Horizon City was awarded those funds and

[44:40] we're hoping to bring uh a design and

[44:42] construction contract back to you for

[44:44] that one. And H&TB also did a grant

[44:46] application for phase four of the the

[44:50] positive north trail system and the

[44:52] county was successful on that one using

[44:54] H&TB's application. So generally the

[44:56] answer is we'll use a consultant to do

[44:58] it. But if it's pretty straightforward,

[44:59] pretty easy like Texas Parks and

[45:01] Wildlife Grant application that we

[45:03] talked about earlier or the the first

[45:05] step on the on the um the other one we

[45:09] just talked about, uh Rick Francis, then

[45:12] I I will handle that.

[45:13] >> So when you hire a consultant to

[45:15] » So when you hire a consultant to

[45:15] actually do the grant writing, uh is it

[45:18] paid by the entity depending on who

[45:20] you're working with?

[45:21] >> It it is. Yes, ma'am.

[45:22] » It it is. Yes, ma'am.

[45:22] >> Okay. All right. Thank you. with with

[45:24] » Okay. All right. Thank you. with with

[45:24] the exception of Rick Francis. So So

[45:26] that one was brought to you all asking

[45:28] if you wanted to participate in. So So

[45:29] that one is done uh is paid for by the

[45:32] army. Outside of that, Horizon City has

[45:34] paid for Howard Low. The county paid for

[45:37] Pasar,

[45:39] etc.

[45:44] » That's all I have for you.

[45:45] >> Any other questions?

[45:47] » Any other questions?

[45:47] >> And there's no action on item 15?

[45:49] » And there's no action on item 15?

[45:50] >> No, ma'am.

[45:50] » No, ma'am.

[45:50] >> Okay. Item 16, discussion and action

[45:53] » Okay. Item 16, discussion and action

[45:53] regarding right-of-way acquisitions and

[45:55] the potential use of eminent domain for

[45:57] the Montwood Drive extension project,

[46:00] including consultation with attorneys

[46:02] and deliberation regarding real estate

[46:04] in executive session.

[46:06] So, it's 9:48.

[46:09] >> Excuse me. Can I can I get you to read

[46:10] » Excuse me. Can I can I get you to read

[46:10] that uh read item 18 as well? Okay,

[46:13] please.

[46:15] The CRMA board will recess regular

[46:17] session and convene an executive session

[46:19] to deliberate on agenda items pursuant

[46:22] to Texas government code chapter 551

[46:24] section 551.071

[46:27] consultation with attorney and section

[46:29] 551.072

[46:31] deliberation regarding real estate

[46:33] regarding ride-of-way acquisitions for

[46:35] the Montwood Drive extension project

[46:37] including the use of eminent domain but

[46:39] will reconvene in regular session to

[46:41] take any associated actions. Yeah, if I

[46:43] could give a little back a little bit of

[46:45] background. So, we are uh we are asking

[46:47] that we go into executive session on

[46:48] item 16 and 18 uh to discuss some

[46:52] right-of-way acquisitions that we're

[46:53] we're doing on behalf of the city of El

[46:55] Paso for the Montwood project. Item 17,

[46:57] this is the first time we've done uh

[46:59] we've used executive session for

[47:00] right-of-way acquisitions. And I so

[47:02] we're doing it a little bit different. I

[47:03] think I could do it better next time.

[47:05] Item 17 is a is a general item that's

[47:08] always included in the agenda that

[47:09] allows us to go into executive session

[47:11] for any items that are accounted for on

[47:13] the agenda. However, our our attorney

[47:15] that's that's assisting us with the

[47:17] imminent domain item has asked that we

[47:19] put a specific executive session item

[47:21] for this, which is item 18. So, in

[47:23] truth, what I should have done is

[47:24] deleted 16. We could have had no action

[47:27] on 17 and then moved to 18 and moved

[47:30] into executive. So, I apologize for the

[47:31] confusion uh first time. So, I beg your

[47:34] pardon on that.

[47:35] >> It's okay. I was just

[47:37] » It's okay. I was just

[47:37] a little

[47:38] >> Yes, ma'am. A little confusing. So, so

[47:40] » Yes, ma'am. A little confusing. So, so

[47:40] with that, um, if there's no questions,

[47:42] then I would ask the chair to read, uh,

[47:45] the the executive session script into

[47:47] the into the record.

[47:49] >> So, um, the time is now 9:49

[47:53] » So, um, the time is now 9:49

[47:53] a.m. on January 28, 2026, and the CRM

[47:56] board of directors will now retire into

[47:58] executive session pursuant to Texas

[48:01] Government Code sections 551.071

[48:04] and 552.072 072 for the purpose of

[48:08] consultation with an attorney and

[48:09] deliberation regarding real property. We

[48:11] will reconvene the open meeting upon

[48:13] conclusion of the executive session.

[48:29] Uh, it is now 10:24 a.m. on January

[48:33] 28th, 2026, and the board of directors

[48:36] of the CRMA is reconvening its open

[48:38] meeting after deliberations in executive

[48:40] session pursuant to Texas government

[48:42] code sections 551.071

[48:45] and 551.072.

[48:48] The board consulted with its attorney

[48:50] but took no action in executive session.

[48:53] And so now we're seeking a motion on

[48:57] item

[48:58] 16

[49:00] >> and 18.

[49:01] » and 18.

[49:01] >> Oh 18 uh to approve board resolutions to

[49:05] » Oh 18 uh to approve board resolutions to

[49:05] acquire parcels 214A

[49:08] and 14B by a minute domain if necessary

[49:12] for the Montwood Drive extension

[49:14] project.

[49:18] Motion second.

[49:20] >> Any further discussion? All those in

[49:23] » Any further discussion? All those in

[49:24] favor?

[49:25] >> I.

[49:25] » I.

[49:25] >> Any oppose?

[49:28] » Any oppose?

[49:28] Motion carries.

[49:29] >> Yes, ma'am. That's all I have for you.

[49:32] » Yes, ma'am. That's all I have for you.

[49:32] >> And then 17 is no action.

[49:34] » And then 17 is no action.

[49:34] >> No action. Correct.

[49:35] » No action. Correct.

[49:36] >> Um and so just a motion to adjurnn.

[49:38] » Um and so just a motion to adjurnn.

[49:38] >> Yes, ma'am. I'll move to adjourn.

[49:40] » Yes, ma'am. I'll move to adjourn.

[49:40] >> Second.

[49:41] » Second.

[49:42] >> Any discussion? All those in favor?

[49:45] » Any discussion? All those in favor?

[49:45] >> I. Any opposed?

January 28, 2026 - CRRMA Board Meeting

Agenda

Transcript