It's 9:02. I call the Camino Rail
Regional Mobility Authority Board
meeting to order. Um, the first item on
the agenda is roll call.
>> Yes, ma'am. Uh, Miss Pettis
» Yes, ma'am. Uh, Miss Pettis
>> here.
» here.
>> Miss Masters
» Miss Masters
>> here.
» here.
>> Mr. Mroy
» Mr. Mroy
>> here.
» here.
>> Miss Ortega
» Miss Ortega
>> here.
» here.
>> Mr. Lindner
» Mr. Lindner
>> here.
» here.
>> Miss Wilson
» Miss Wilson
>> here.
» here.
>> Mr. Palasios
» Mr. Palasios
>> here.
» here.
>> We have a qu.
» We have a qu.
>> Any public comment? No matter.
» Any public comment? No matter.
>> Number two, adoption of minutes for the
» Number two, adoption of minutes for the
CRRMA board meeting of December 10,
2025.
>> I'll move to approve.
» I'll move to approve.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Any discussion?
» Any discussion?
All those in favor?
>> I.
» I.
>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Number
» Any opposed? Motion carries. Number
three. Presentation, discussion, and
action on the fiscal year 2025 audited
financial report.
>> Good morning. Robert Tututor, director
» Good morning. Robert Tututor, director
of finance for the record. Uh very
excited to share with you our audited
financial report. You've got it in your
backup. You have the report itself and
you have the management letter from
Gibson Rodic Patterson, our auditors.
With us today, we have Vanessa Alaron
and Sonia Sanchez. Uh and they will
provide an update to you all.
» Good morning.
We have a summary prepared on page 46 of
the report, the hard copy. I believe if
if you're in the PDF, it's going to be
about page 48. In there, we go ahead and
we report that we have an unmodified
opinion on the audit, which means it's a
clean opinion. Uh there are no
significant deficiencies or material
weaknesses uh reported and we have not
identified any material non-compliance.
So, we don't have any findings to
report. We also conduct a federal single
audit and a state single audit since the
authority does receive those funds. And
we also don't have any findings to
report there. And we also have an
unmodified opinion on the two major
programs that we tested, which were the
highway planning and construction and
the John Hayes road project.
We also issue a management letter. We
don't have any current year comments um
in there. And so pretty much when Sonia
does the the review and our staff, we
pretty much get the qu the questions
answered accurately. And so we don't
have anything formal to include in our
management letter. There were a few
discussions in the finance committee.
Some verbal um items to discuss
administratively and to revisit in next
year's audit. Um but there's nothing
formally to report.
For the financials, I will um take you
over to page 14, which is the statements
of net position. And you'll see overall
um the the entity here. I I know we've
got some new board members or new board
of directors and the entity here is more
of a projectbased entity and so our
revenues aren't always in line with our
expenditures and what happens a lot of
the times is the authority fills in
whatever is needed by the partner. And
so a lot of the times that's the the the
debt. And so the authority while it's
it's constructing these projects,
designing, constructing, the authority
takes on the debt, but then that asset
gets transferred out to the owner to the
project owner and we're left with the
debt. And so that's why we have this
unrestricted net position that is a
deficit. And if you if you work in any
business, that's that's a big um flag,
red flag. But for here, um, what's
important to understand is that the
funding to fund the future debt
payments. And so there's a note, um, in
your financials if you go to, uh, note
8, and it's at page,
let's see,
page 31 of the hard copy. You'll see in
there uh the the authority gets monies
from the special vehicle registration
fees and it'll show how many of the fees
were received. So in 2025 we received
6.9 million of fees and our debt service
payment was we were responsible for 4.3
million in payments. So that's
sufficient. The fees that are coming in
are sufficient to pay the debt that's
coming in. And so as a as a member of
the the board or the a director of the
board, that's important to understand is
that flow and to make sure that the
authority can continue to meet its debt
payments. And as you can see in both
years, it was it was sufficient. Um and
then the other um situation is as we
continue to pay down any existing debt,
that unrestricted net position improves.
And so, um, as we made, uh, we finished
paying off some debt, um, this last year
as well. And so, that's where you see
that improvement of your unrestricted
net position by another 10 million where
we were unrestricted of a deficit of
53.5 million in 2024 and now we're at
44.3 million this year. So, it it
continues to improve, but it just
depends on what projects are going on,
what's on our side, and then what once
we transfer it. Um but the thing is to
always ensure that there is funding um
there's funding mechanisms, funding
streams for um any debt that's incurred
and all of that revenue has been pledged
to the authority for the purposes of
paying off that debt.
and um the the
on your statement of revenues, expenses,
and changes in net position. The thing
there's two things that I wanted to
point out because they're a little bit
different from what we've seen in the
past. And the first is under your
operating expenses, and this is under
contracted management. You'll see that
there's a zero amount reported in 2025.
And the reason for that is because the
um the contracted management services,
which are the services that Raymond and
Robert provide, those costs have been um
attributed to certain projects. And so
instead of being expense, they've been
capitalized for those projects. So,
there's a note that we added in your
financials and it'll include what we had
gross um before we capitalize the
contracted services versus what we
capitalize and why it's zero in 2025.
The other item on there has to do with
the gain on termination of border west
agreements and you'll see that that's a
gain of 3.5 million. back I believe in
2019 there was an agreement to
extinguish the debt but it was all
verbal. We didn't have official
agreements in writing. So uh on August
27th before the fiscal year ended uh uh
Robert and Raymond were able to get
those executed and signed and so we were
able to um finally recognize that inflow
and and report the gain on your
financials. So, it was debt that didn't
have to get paid repaid and so we had to
um hold off till we had that officially
in writing and we could recognize that
on your books.
Um are there specific questions on the
financials? I know we met with the
finance committee last week. They had
very good questions. It was a very good
discussion. I really did enjoy um the
back and forth, but I'm I'm happy to
answer any questions.
Um,
in the audit, did you look at all at
what or did the Pelicano project affect
your opinion at all? Because I think
there's $138,000 in expenses there for
2025 with a large piece still sort of
outstanding unnegotiated potential risk
whether they can agree on an amount or
not. Does that affect the audit opinion
at all? So, there is a contingency
contingency disclosure as far as um
what's going on. But my understanding is
there's a takeover agreement and so that
takeover agreement is paying off what
the current expenses are and then
whatever beyond the costs of that are
being kicked in by the county.
>> But there's no agreement on the second
» But there's no agreement on the second
part yet, right?
>> Because they don't we don't even have
» Because they don't we don't even have
the cost.
>> Correct. Not yet.
» Correct. Not yet.
>> But that's that's included in the
» But that's that's included in the
contingency statement that that she
referenced.
Yeah, the contingency statement notes
the lawsuit, but that we don't have a
good number to record as a a future
liability.
>> Your contingency amount wouldn't cover
» Your contingency amount wouldn't cover
the cost of construction or potentially
even the gap,
>> right? Okay.
» But it is addressed. I can't remember
which note it is off the top of my head,
but it's like 12 or 13, I think.
>> Note 11.
» Note 11.
>> Note 11.
Any other questions?
>> Been in there since the end of I believe
» Been in there since the end of I believe
fiscal year 23.
» Any other questions?
>> Miss Masters, do you have anything from
» Miss Masters, do you have anything from
the finance committee?
>> No, I think um when we had back and
» No, I think um when we had back and
forth during the finance committee
meeting and I believe everything was
addressed to our satisfaction. So I
appreciate everything you all did and
all the time and effort that you all put
into it.
Mr. Tega
>> just s a quick question was do you all
» just s a quick question was do you all
make a recommendation or not on
something like this in terms of to
approve the the report as or let me
check whether we have to an action yeah
we have to take action on it. Do you as
a committee do that making a
recommendation? Yes, we did. And we uh I
mean after all the questions were
answered to our satisfaction, then we
made a um a recommendation to approve it
and to bring it to you all.
>> Okay. Thank you.
» Any other questions?
>> I would just like to thank Vanessa and
» I would just like to thank Vanessa and
Sonia for their their help and and
support and uh their timeliness. As as
you may or may not know, the city, we're
a component unit. They need to have this
by now, which is why we move the
meeting. So, thank you all for being
flexible with your schedules. But thank
you especially to them for for moving on
this quickly so that we could get it
done and meet the city's timelines.
>> Yes. Thank you.
» Yes. Thank you.
>> But with that, I would ask for uh
» But with that, I would ask for uh
approval of the report and as mentioned
by Miss Masters, the finance committee
did review and and does recommend
approval.
>> Move to approve.
» Move to approve.
>> Any second?
» Any second?
>> We'll second it.
» We'll second it.
>> All those in favor? I
» All those in favor? I
>> I
» I
>> any opposed?
» any opposed?
The um audited financial report is
adopted.
Number four, presentation, discussion,
and action on board resolutions for the
following CRRMA procurements. A Fabins
airport field farm improvements and B
Alamo Alto Trail project phase one and
phase two.
>> Good morning. Ray Mateas, executive
» Good morning. Ray Mateas, executive
director of the Camino Rail Regional
Mobility Authority. We've got a a couple
of powerpoints for you. I'll go through
them pretty quickly as you'll you'll
recognize the format. This one deals
with item 4A, which is the Fabins
airport uh fuel farm project.
Uh so this is part of your backup as
well. So again, I I will move pretty
quickly. Um
so this project was let back on December
11th of 2025. This is using Texas ramp
grant funds. Those are grant funds that
come out of Texot to the county. In
addition, uh we intend to use some
county funds for this project as well.
The RMA had managed the design uh and
the procurement for this one and will
also manage the construction uh once we
get into that into that phase. We used
uh GEC teams for this one. Atkins realis
completed the design and H&TB is
providing the the oversight.
Here's a the location.
Sorry, it's very sensitive. So the the
point of this project is is to remove
the existing fuel tank that's out there
and then come back with two new tanks.
One uh with aviation gas and the second
with jet A gas. So this will expand the
the usage of the facility. We believe it
will also uh add self-service fuel uh
option for uh for the for the fuel tanks
uh and then some concrete pads to uh to
support as well as new illumination.
So this is part as a Reminder, this is
part of the overall improvements that
we're doing at Fabins as part of the
county's relationship with UTEP.
Here's some photos. On the left side
shows the existing tank. On the right
side, you'll see uh in gray uh where the
new tanks will go.
So, the county is the ultimate owner.
They'll provide the funding. The RMA is
doing everything that I talked about
before, design, procurement, and
construction management.
Here's the timeline. uh first advertised
back in October. Second in November,
December, we opened bids and we're here
before you asking for authority uh to
award to the low bidder and then
authorize staff to negotiate a
construction contract. We'll talk a
little bit more about that. Uh and then
we hope to be back in March at our March
meeting. As a reminder, uh because our
January meeting is so late, we probably
will not need a February meeting. So
we'll be back in March to authorize the
uh execution of the construction
contract plus all the uh interlocal
agreement amendments and work
authorization amendments to actually
implement.
Timeline we're thinking uh April we
could start construction. It'll take
about three months for this one and
we'll be done in summer.
So here are the the bid results. We had
one bidder uh that provided a complete
responsive bid at $1.4 million. Now,
you'll note the engineers uh probable
cost of construction, the estimate is
lower. So, we do have an issue there. Uh
and so that leads us into uh the motion.
So, what we're looking for from from the
board today is authorization to a to
award to the low bidder, which is in
this case Jordan Foster, but then also
to authorize staff to negotiate a
construction contract with the low
bidder. So, the idea here is we've got
to look back at the scope, see if
there's anything we can pull out, and
see if we can come to agreement with the
contractor. So, that's what we're asking
for you uh today. Asking from you today.
>> I think it came in 400,000 higher than
» I think it came in 400,000 higher than
the estimate, right?
>> That's correct. Now, we do have some
» That's correct. Now, we do have some
ideas as to how we can get get down to
where we need to be. Uh so, we we think
there's we're optimistic about coming
back in in March with with contracts.
» M Ortega,
>> in a situation like that, when you only
» in a situation like that, when you only
have one uh bidder that submitted a
complet bid. Do you ever go back and and
uh request additional bids? Is that is
that ever something that's considered or
done?
>> We have uh in fact um I believe this is
» We have uh in fact um I believe this is
the one that we went back and retoled
the the way that we put this procurement
out. So originally the procurement
required uh text dot certification that
limits the pool of of applicants or
biders that could could come in on this
one. We actually retoled that to to make
it broader uh with specifically a couple
of different u uh types of firms that
could come in and and and bid on it. So
we retoled this in order to to cast a
wider net. Unfortunately, we only got
two biders and and one was not
responsible.
>> And are you happy with the the bid that
» And are you happy with the the bid that
they made other than it's above the what
you wanted?
>> Other than the amount, the rest of it is
» Other than the amount, the rest of it is
is in line with what we're looking for?
Yes, ma'am.
>> Okay. So, I I'll tell you in March, you
» Okay. So, I I'll tell you in March, you
will likely see either uh a bunch of
contracts with us having having figured
out a way to to advance or u a rejection
of bids and probably some sort of
authorization to retool and re and put
it back out there again.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Question.
» Question.
>> Yes,
» Yes,
>> Ray. when
» Ray. when
given that the cost is so much higher,
was was there a bust in a particular
particular line item or was it pretty
much across all of the cost components?
>> We'll ask uh Mr. Feno from Atkins to
» We'll ask uh Mr. Feno from Atkins to
share.
>> Good morning, uh Madame Chair. Uh board
» Good morning, uh Madame Chair. Uh board
members Edgar Fino Atkins Realis on on
the review there, Matthew. It uh there
was nothing that stood out in regards to
to a bust in regards to an overrun. It
was it was line items. Yes. Yes.
Now, just as a reminder, uh the low bid
contractor Jordan Foster is already
working out there. They're on the hanger
job. So, they've got crews out there.
That that makes
>> exactly. Yes.
» exactly. Yes.
>> Correct.
» Correct.
>> And we we are seeing that as a trend on
» And we we are seeing that as a trend on
most bids that are coming in these days.
And in fact, unfortunately, you're going
to see on the very next item as well,
>> even if they're already on site.
» even if they're already on site.
>> Yes, ma'am.
» Yes, ma'am.
Yeah, it looks like the material pricing
and that sort of thing is is the
increase.
So, I think if you'd like, I can jump
into the next item and we can take them
both together. So, if we can bring up
the the slide deck for 4B.
Okay. So, this one deals with Alamo Alto
Trail. This is phase one and phase two.
Uh same idea here. All of this is part
of your backup, so I'll breeze through
it. Um we're using uh transportation
alternatives funding out of text for
this one. uh and county funds. We, the
RMA, manage the design and procurement
and ultimately once we get to
construction, we'll manage that as well.
We use one of our IDC firms, AECOM, uh
for this one to develop the design plans
and Atkins Realis provided the
oversight. Here's a project location.
Again, this is part of your backup. So,
this one uh includes the two phases that
I mentioned. Phase one, which includes
uh the trail portions that are found
within Fabins, Texas. And phase two is
the trail within Torneo. Now, as as a
reminder, uh we also are developing
phase three, which is the piece that
connects Favven to Toronto. So, we're
really excited about these pieces that
are all part of the Pasadon trail that
the Pasanote Health Foundation is
putting together. So, it's over 60 miles
worth of trail uh within El Paso County.
So, we're excited to be part of that.
But, it's the usual things that you
would expect on a trail like this uh
full shared use path with all of those
improvements that you see there.
County is ultimate owner, provides
funding, RMA manages and and provides
all those services we've talked about.
Here's the timeline on this one. Uh
November, uh we put out the
advertisement first and 2 and then uh
bids were opened on the 16th of
December. And again, we're looking to
the board for authorization to award and
then authorization to negotiate a
contract and come back in March. That's
the goal.
Uh this one we think is going to take
about 12 months. So if we start in
April, we'll be done sometime in spring
of 27.
All right. So this one again, you're
going to see the same issue. The low
bidder on this one was Horizon Zone. Uh
they came in at 4.7. The engineers
probable cost of construction was 3.9.
We do have some ideas on this one as
well in terms of how we can reduce that
cost. So again uh and I'll I'll bring
you back to this, but the motion would
be twofold. one to select Horizon Zone
uh construction limited as the lowest
responsible bidder and then also to
authorize staff to negotiate a
construction contract with the low
bidder and but more importantly to come
back. So we will be back in March if
we're able to figure it out. We'd be
back in March with the construction
contract with interlocal amendments to
provide the funding from the county and
then work authorization amendments for
our design team and the oversight team
as well. So same idea as the as the last
one. low bid came in high. So, we're
going to try to negotiate to to get to
something. If we can't, very similar to
the last one, we'll be back with a a
motion to reject and authorize some sort
of way forward that we work out with the
county. Both of these projects are with
the county, so we're working with them
very closely to identify the way
forward.
Happy to answer any questions.
Otherwise, we would recommend
>> I do have a question on when there's
» I do have a question on when there's
when it says incomplete, what is what
does that mean? In other words, they
started it and then they just didn't
finish it or what does that mean?
>> Uh, on these, I'll ask Edric to speak on
» Uh, on these, I'll ask Edric to speak on
on specifics, but generally that means
they were missing a form. They were
missing some sort of documentation
that's required to be a complete
submitt. Ed, do you remember the
specifics on this one?
>> Good morning, Edino. again. Uh, no, not
» Good morning, Edino. again. Uh, no, not
the specifics, but but usually it's it's
a it's a document that's required that
there's no signature or there's a
missing document that's required that
that's not included in the contractor
package. Uh, some examples are um are um
>> insurance.
» insurance.
>> Well, usually that the uh the um
» Well, usually that the uh the um
>> Yeah, I know. Child,
» Yeah, I know. Child,
>> child support.
» child support.
>> Yeah, child support. child support that
» Yeah, child support. child support that
document usually well it's it's needs to
be included and some of the contractors
do not
>> provide that document as far as being
» provide that document as far as being
signed and acknowledging that they will
support the child support in regards to
making sure their employees are are
following what they're supposed to be
paying out. So, they're important
documents that that are part of the
front end of the package and and it's
it's our job as far as the the uh the
the GEC to review to to make sure that
the documents are provided that are
called for on the on the bid package.
>> So, then you go back to them and you
» So, then you go back to them and you
say, "We're missing X, Y, and Z." And
they just don't respond.
>> No.
» No.
>> No ma'am. So there it depends on the
» No ma'am. So there it depends on the
type of documentation or the type of
item that's missing. But things like uh
like we were discussing right now, if
that's not submitted, that's an
incomplete bid and it cannot be
supplemented later.
>> Oh, okay.
» Oh, okay.
>> There are some very minor items that
» There are some very minor items that
could be supplemented or clarified.
>> Uh but there's a a fine line there that
» Uh but there's a a fine line there that
the lawyers get involved in.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Yeah.
» So when when you come back, I'll move to
approve. When you come back with for
both of them, when you come back with
these, given that you're talking about,
you know, over 20% differences, will you
describe what the change in the scope is
if you're able to negotiate for each of
the two contracts?
>> Yes, definitely. In fact, the scope that
» Yes, definitely. In fact, the scope that
was described in these PowerPoints was
the original scope. And we know if we
come back, we're going to have to pull
stuff. So, that would be part of the
presentation next month.
>> Okay. I'll move to approve both items.
» Okay. I'll move to approve both items.
>> I'll second.
» I'll second.
Any further discussion?
All those in favor? I any opposed?
>> Both motions carry.
» Both motions carry.
And item five, discussion and action on
board resolution to authorize the ex
execution of an advanced funding
agreement with the Texas Department of
Transportation for the Sunycle Bike
Share Fleet Enhancement Project fiscal
year 2026.
>> Okay, this is a a good news item. As you
» Okay, this is a a good news item. As you
may recall, we've gone after grant
funding for uh for for the Suncycle
program for the last few years. We've
received it over fiscal year 24 and 25.
And we've also received it we received
word last year that we would receive
funding for fiscal years 26, 27, and 28.
We're using those funds each year to
slowly replace the red bikes, the
original bikes with the electric assist
bike. So, uh, Robert's going to have
some really good news on the on the
update, the quarterly update for
Suncycle in terms of what we think those
new bikes are doing, uh, in terms of
usage and and revenues. But, uh, for
item five, this is seeking authorization
for staff to negotiate and ultimately
execute the the advanced funding
agreement with Tex to implement this
fisc year 26 fleet enhancement project.
So, what we're looking at is roughly
$100,000 coming from um the the grant
program matched by $25,000 of RMA funds.
And that that amount was built into the
the most recent budget. So, I would ask
for approval of this item. I did include
a copy of the fiscal year 25 advanced
funding agreement so you could see a
sample of what's coming uh as part of
your backup, but uh happy to answer any
questions. Otherwise, I would recommend
approval.
>> I move to approve.
» I move to approve.
>> Second. Any discussion?
» Second. Any discussion?
All those in favor?
>> I I
» I I
>> Any opposed? Motion carries.
» Any opposed? Motion carries.
Item six, discussion and action on a
board resolution authorizing the
submittal of a grant application to the
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for
the Wiler Aerial Tramway project and the
negotiation and execution of the
resulting agreements.
>> Okay, this one is a little bit odd. Uh
» Okay, this one is a little bit odd. Uh
we've I've been be I've been back to you
all uh I want to say several months back
asking for authorization to execute an
an interlocal agreement amendment to
pull down the the $7 million that were
allocated to the project from the
legislature in this last session.
However, uh when and that that had been
negotiated with Texas Parks and
Wildlife. However, parks uh I guess they
re they were re-evaluating the the
source of those funds. Apparently the
legis legislature when they allocated
those funds, it went into a grant
program that Texas Parks and Wildlife
manages. So that means the RMA actually
has to apply for the funds even though
we're the only ones that are eligible
for it and that sort of thing. But what
you see here is is more um kind of a
hurdle we have to go through and that is
seeking authorization from the governing
board uh for the submittal of a grant
application for that $7 million. So
that's what you see before you. I would
ask for approval of this item.
>> Any question? So, is this grant
» Any question? So, is this grant
application something that's complicated
or is it is it a simple
>> Well, it it's it's not simple because
» Well, it it's it's not simple because
well, I should say it's it's pretty
straightforward, but what we're doing
doesn't fit into the format that they
have. So, they're having to tweak it.
So, I've already gone in. We are now an
eligible applicant. Uh, but in order for
me to complete the form, they have to
fill in some blanks that that don't
really fit for the project that we're
that we're trying to complete. So, it's
a little bit of a it just doesn't fit
well. So, it's it has been a little more
cumbersome than it than it should be.
But, it's not difficult. There's not
there's not a whole lot of heavy lifting
to do. It's just trying to make it work
for for the funds that we're trying to
pull. And when the funds were allocated,
is it a sure thing or if somehow
something goes wrong with the grant
application, the monies won't be
released?
>> No, I I've been assured that this is
» No, I I've been assured that this is
just a procedural step we have to take.
>> Yeah, it's a it's a bit of a
» Yeah, it's a it's a bit of a
bureaucratic step we have to do,
>> but uh I've been assured along the
» but uh I've been assured along the
entire along the entire process that
that we will receive these funds. We
just have to do this extra step and
>> Okay. And so we'll so I'll be back to
» Okay. And so we'll so I'll be back to
you. I I'm assuming well actually I
think I I sorry I asked for
authorization to execute any resulting
agreement. So I think parks is leaning
towards an interlocal amendment that
would match up with with the prior
interlocal amendments that we've pulled
down for the prior funding that we
received in addition to a grant
agreement that would then be an appendix
to the interlocal agreement. So again,
it's a little more convoluted than I'd
like than anybody would like, but but
apparently according to their attorneys,
the funding source dictates this.
>> Okay. So move
» Okay. So move
>> second.
» second.
>> Any additional discussion?
» Any additional discussion?
All those in favor?
>> I. Any opposed?
» I. Any opposed?
>> Motion carries. Item seven, discussion
» Motion carries. Item seven, discussion
and action on a board resolution
authorizing the execution of an
amendment to the interlocal agreement
with the University of Texas at El Paso
on behalf of its Hunt Institute for
Global Competitiveness for the Tornne
Guadalupe port of entry study.
>> Okay, this is a a pretty straightforward
» Okay, this is a a pretty straightforward
one. We're just extending the term on
this one for Hunt, the Hunt Institute.
Uh the original agreement had an earlier
ending date. However, some of the
engagements and um and uh u site visits
that were originally planned in this
program have been pushed out. So, we're
extending the date out to October of 26.
Uh no cost impact whatsoever. So, I
would recommend approval.
>> I move to approve.
» I move to approve.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Any discussion? All those in favor?
» Any discussion? All those in favor?
>> I
» I
>> I Any opposed? Motion carries.
» I Any opposed? Motion carries.
Item eight, discussion and action on a
board resolution authorizing the
execution of a memorandum of
understanding with the El Paso County
for the Pelicano Drive widening project.
>> Okay. Uh very briefly, I'll I'll use
» Okay. Uh very briefly, I'll I'll use
this opportunity to just mention that
Pelicano is the construction is underway
and and doing really well. Uh a lot of
progress happening out there. In fact,
um they are are uh laying asphalt uh the
in the section from Loop 375 down to
Sunfire. They're laying asphalt uh this
week and into next week depending on the
weather and then they'll start laying um
rebar on top of that asphalt in February
and then we'll move to cons to concrete
placement uh shortly thereafter. So
really excited about that that first
piece down to Sunfire. This is showing
some great progress. We have a great
partner in the county on this one. As
you know, they are are shooting some uh
video and and uh and uh photographs uh
through one of their drones. So, I'm
hoping to get my hands on that and I'll
share that with you as soon as we have
it. So, making a lot of progress. Very
excited about that. Uh but for the item
before you which is item eight, uh there
is an an adjacent uh developer
uh in the area uh Faith Technologies um
that is is I guess they they've
negotiated an agreement with the county
where they're going to add some traffic
lights, they're going to add diesel
lanes and some other improvements along
Pelicano. Normally when that happens,
the developer uh pays for that. Um and
that is the agreement that has been
structured between the county and the
developer. However, since the RMA is out
there, the county is asking that that we
roll those improvements into phase two
of the project. As you know, we're
currently building phase one, then we'll
come back with phase two. So, what you
see before you under item uh eight is a
memorandum of of understanding laying
out uh the idea that the improvements
that the county is required of the
developer will be rolled into phase two
as an ad alternate. Uh again the intent
is just to lay out the the idea and the
the concept here. The funding would be
pro provided entirely by the developer
and ruled into the project and managed
by the army. So that's what item eight
is. Happy to answer any questions. Uh
but I would recommend approval of this
item
>> to approve
» to approve
second.
>> Any questions or discussion?
» Any questions or discussion?
All those in favor?
>> I
» I
>> I.
» I.
>> Any opposed?
» Any opposed?
Item eight carries. Uh, item nine,
Raymond, with
>> So, this one, unfortunately, we're gonna
» So, this one, unfortunately, we're gonna
have to I'm gonna have to ask you to
delete it. Um, Horizon City is
re-evaluating their options on this
project, so I would ask for a deletion.
>> And we need a motion.
» And we need a motion.
>> Yes, please.
» Yes, please.
>> I'll move.
» I'll move.
I'll second. All those in favor?
>> I. Any opposed?
» I. Any opposed?
>> I
» I
>> Okay. Item nine is deleted. Uh, item 10,
» Okay. Item nine is deleted. Uh, item 10,
discussion and action on a board
resolution authorizing the execution of
an amendment to work authorization
number 40 with Atkins Realis USA, Inc.
for the Valley Chile Road Reconstruction
Project.
>> This one is also pretty straightforward.
» This one is also pretty straightforward.
Originally, when we were putting this
program together, Atkins Realis intended
to self-perform some of the construction
management activities on this project.
However, between when we planned this
project and actually got to
construction, uh their crews have been
assigned to other projects. So, Atkins
is bringing on a third party JMT to
provide these construction management
services. So, there's no cost impact. Uh
what you see as as the amendment is
simply swapping out the exhibit that
identifies uh instead of being
self-performed by Atkins, it's being
provided by GMT. Again, no cost impact.
So, I would recommend approval of this
item.
Second.
>> Any discussion?
» Any discussion?
>> Okay. All those in favor?
» Okay. All those in favor?
>> I
» I
>> I. Any opposed?
» I. Any opposed?
>> Item 10 carries number 11, discussion
» Item 10 carries number 11, discussion
and action on a board resolution
authorizing the execution of an
amendment to work authorization number
two with ACOM Technical Services, Inc.
for the Alamo Alto phase 3 project.
>> I mentioned this one earlier. Phase
» I mentioned this one earlier. Phase
three is the piece of the trail that
connects uh Fabins to Thornneo, which
were phases one and two. This one is a a
small amendment to add some design
activities necessary to relocate uh
illumination poles that are in the in
the uh the clear zone of the roadway.
So, uh this is normally when you have as
explained to me, normally illumination
poles are owned and moved by the
electric company. These are actually
owned by the county. So, this was a bit
of an oversight at the front end. Uh,
but you see an an amendment before you
for about $11,000. I would recommend
approval of this item.
>> Is that cost covered by the county?
» Is that cost covered by the county?
>> Additional 11,000. Okay. Yes, sir.
» Additional 11,000. Okay. Yes, sir.
>> I'll move.
» I'll move.
>> I'll second. All those in favor?
» I'll second. All those in favor?
>> I
» I
>> I Any oppose?
» I Any oppose?
Number 11 carries. Number 12. We were
going to delete that.
>> Yes, ma'am. there's been a a change on
» Yes, ma'am. there's been a a change on
on the proposed change or so I would ask
that this item be deleted as well.
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> All those in favor to delete item 12.
» All those in favor to delete item 12.
>> I.
» I.
>> Any oppose? Item 12 to be deleted.
» Any oppose? Item 12 to be deleted.
Number 13, discussion and action on a
board resolution authorizing submission
of an annual compliance report to text.
>> Okay, this is a pretty straightforward.
» Okay, this is a pretty straightforward.
This one we do every year. Uh text
requires certain compliance
requirements. One is an annual report
that we provide at the end of December
of each year that was completed. And
then this compliance report uh relates
to various other requirements that we
have to do including the annual audit.
So we can't do this until we accept the
annual audit. So that's why you see this
one before you today. I would recommend
approval. I believe everything is
included in your backup including the
form, the letter, and the resolution. So
would recommend approval.
>> So move.
» So move.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Any discussion, questions? All those in
» Any discussion, questions? All those in
favor?
>> I
» I
>> I
» I
>> I.
» I.
>> Any oppose? Item 13 passes. Number 14.
» Any oppose? Item 13 passes. Number 14.
Discussion and action on the following
reports for the first quarter of fiscal
year 2026. A interim financial
statement. B investment report. C El
Paso Bike Share Sun Cycle Program. and D
general engineering consulting team's
use of local resources.
>> So I the finance committee reviewed all
» So I the finance committee reviewed all
the reports and did recommend uh that
the board accept reports. So I'm not
going to go through them one by one, but
I did want to provide a couple of of key
highlights that Mr. Tea uh mentioned. So
on the interim financial statement,
usually the first quarter we don't have
a lot of activity just due to the nature
of of uh invoicing and timing. So
there's not a lot of activity. We didn't
spend a lot of time at the board. On
item B, the investment report, I I would
point out that the Fed is meeting today.
They have they did cut rates a few times
in the fall. That impacts our investment
returns as we are uh constrained on on
what we can invest in. And then the
treasury services coordinator for the
city, Lewis Meyer, who is named as one
of our investment officers, retired in
November, and the interim is a woman
named April Shammy. I've got a great
relationship with her and and we've no
no issues there whatsoever. um she may
get the job, they may hire somebody
else, but we'll continue to work with
that person uh overseeing our
investments. On item C, the bike share
program. This is the one Mr. TA alluded
to. We saw fantastic numbers in the
first quarter.
Every one of our stations outperformed
the prior first quarter of of the year
before and and we are seeing just uh
that that's not happened previously.
usually get some that go up, some that
go down, but we we think the ubiquity of
the ebikes being placed throughout the
system as we added 73 um during the the
prior year through this the the grant
program that was item six, I believe
that is just helping and growing
ridership. We've also got a handful of
annual, monthly, and semester members
that are really using the system and so
we are thrilled to see that that kind of
growth. Um but the bike share is doing
well. On item D, no real comments. Uh
but but we do have data from both H&DB
and Atkins in there now. And and again,
uh the finance committee reviewed the
reports in depth and did recommend
approval. And with that, I would
recommend the board uh accept the
reports.
>> Miss Masters, anything from the finance
» Miss Masters, anything from the finance
committee?
>> We we like uh Robert said, we didn't
» We we like uh Robert said, we didn't
spend a whole lot of time on it, but
because there wasn't a lot of action,
but we're very very pleased with the the
way the performance is for the Sun City
Bike program.
And I move to approve.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> All any discussion or questions? All
» All any discussion or questions? All
those in favor?
>> I
» I
>> I.
» I.
>> Any opposed? Items 14 A through D, uh,
» Any opposed? Items 14 A through D, uh,
carry. Item number 15, staff reports. A,
new CRMA employee. B, reminder of
officer elections. and C annual project
report 2025.
>> Okay, a couple of quick reports. The
» Okay, a couple of quick reports. The
first one notes uh the new employee. So,
as you know, we've been we've been
looking for an employee for a little
while. We received quite a bit of of
interest. I believe we in the end we had
26 different uh resumes for this for
this uh position. I'm happy to report
that we have uh offered and uh Mr. Sal
Alonso has accepted the position. So
some of you all may remember S. He was
with the county for I want to say over
10 years. Most recently he's been with
Texat. So he's got a lot of local
experience in transportation and
certainly state and federal uh
experience as well. So we're really
excited to bring S into the fold. He his
start date is uh next Monday in fact. So
very excited about that. Um and we'll
introduce you to him at the March
meeting.
Uh item B then uh is just a a quick
reminder. Our bylaws require us to do
officer elections each year and that
happens in February as we're not meeting
in February. That'll push it to March.
So keep that in mind as we move forward.
If you're interested, uh perhaps you
could reach out to the chair and and we
can discuss that in March. That's just a
a brief reminder. And part of your
backup includes that section of the
bylaw so you can review that if you're
interested. And then lastly, we've got a
a brief PowerPoint with just a couple of
slides
at at the chair's request. We've been
doing this uh at the end of each year or
the beginning of of the year to review
the prior year. Uh so we've got some new
maps for you. Uh this is intended to
show you all of the different projects
that we've been involved in to date. So
uh the green ones are those that are
already completed and I guess the it's
an orange color maybe. This show the
active ones, the ones that we were
involved in in 2025. So it shows quite a
bit of activity over the last year. The
the column over on the left shows some
interesting uh details for you as well.
Uh we had more than 50 active projects
uh in this this last uh calendar year.
And then 12 different partner agencies
and that's really important. We've been
partnering at the direction of the board
with with some of the smaller
communities, but then you also see Tex,
Texas Parks, UTEP, MCA, some of the
larger entities in the region as well.
Certainly El Paso County is our our
largest partner for sure. So you see a
lot of a lot of u coordination and
cooperation among agencies to get these
projects done. Then the last point there
is that uh we're we are multimmodal as
as required by the board as well. So
we're looking at road, transit,
pedestrian, uh bike and aviation
projects as well. So a lot of variation
and certainly a lot of work completed
over the last year. So that's kind of a
snapshot. I'll I'll touch uh very
briefly on a couple of of projects that
I think are are of of interest. U there
on the left side the box that says Rick
Francis Street. You may recall that's
the uh grant program that we went after
certain funding from Texot for to
develop an underpass on at Rick Francis
Street within the MCA. Uh that one was
submitted uh I want to say uh LA a
couple weeks back. So we're very excited
about that one and we're really hopeful.
Uh beyond that, Wiler of course we talk
about regularly. That's a big project
for us. And the street car was actually
completed in 2025 and that's a project
close out. So, a couple of highlights
there and I'm happy if any of these
catch your attention, you want to dive
in into the details. Please stop me
along the way, but uh this is now part
of your backup. I added it uh just last
night or this morning. So, it's a late
addition. I apologize for that, but
we're tweaking it up until this morning.
Uh but it's part of your backup. Feel
free to review it and and I'm happy to
tweak it going forward. Um, so on the
east side, here's a map that focuses in
on on some of our our important
projects. Belcono we talk about
regularly, so I'll skip that for now.
Uh, but the EPATS transit facility is a
really big big project for uh the El
Paso area transit system. Uh, that's the
one where we are we have completed the
rideway acquisition for them. We we um
acquired a parcel for a little over $1.5
million. Uh we also did a needs
assessment for them to identify what
their transit operation system would
need and from there we've actually begun
the design. So we're we're at about I
believe 30% of the design for that
project. It's a really important project
for them as they expand their system uh
and they develop their first maintenance
and operation uh facility. So we're
excited to be part of that one.
uh down in the lower valley. Uh focus
there is on the the Fabins airport. Uh
and and of course we've talked about a
few of those projects. The box hangers
is essentially done. We're just waiting
for the electric company to connect to
the facility so we can do some final um
checks on some items and close out that
project. Very excited to be involved in
that one. The AWAS system, the automated
weather and observing system is up and
running now. Excited to announce that.
So, a lot of improvements we've made out
there that is going to help the county
and UTP uh partnership. So, uh that's
going really well. And then another one
I'll note is the Don O'Neal port of
entry uh study that we're doing. We
talked about that one earlier today, but
that's a really important um uh
initiative that the county is pursuing
to increase usage of the Thornia port of
entry. So, we're excited to be part of
that as well.
And I guess that's it.
Um, so I'm happy to answer any
questions. Hopefully that was useful to
you. It's part of your backup. If you
have any questions, please uh review it
and and uh Yes, ma'am.
>> Are you and I know you've discussed this
» Are you and I know you've discussed this
in the past, but you're the one that
does all of the grant writing or or do
you get people to assist on that?
>> So, on the on the uh Rick Francis uh
» So, on the on the uh Rick Francis uh
grant application, there were two steps.
There was a preliminary that was pretty
straightforward and I handled that one
on my own. But then the the more
detailed the second step is called the
detailed application and that one we
brought on H&TB. In fact, um I meant to
do this and I I just realized I didn't.
I'll share with you a copy of that
application so you can see everything
that was put into it, but H&TB did the
heavy lifting on that one. Uh H&TB has
also done grant writing for us on the
Howard Low project which is in Horizon
City and that's a a pedestrian uh
improvements to a
a section down there that will connect
to their trails system. Uh did a great
job on that one. In fact, we were uh
Horizon City was awarded those funds and
we're hoping to bring uh a design and
construction contract back to you for
that one. And H&TB also did a grant
application for phase four of the the
positive north trail system and the
county was successful on that one using
H&TB's application. So generally the
answer is we'll use a consultant to do
it. But if it's pretty straightforward,
pretty easy like Texas Parks and
Wildlife Grant application that we
talked about earlier or the the first
step on the on the um the other one we
just talked about, uh Rick Francis, then
I I will handle that.
>> So when you hire a consultant to
» So when you hire a consultant to
actually do the grant writing, uh is it
paid by the entity depending on who
you're working with?
>> It it is. Yes, ma'am.
» It it is. Yes, ma'am.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you. with with
» Okay. All right. Thank you. with with
the exception of Rick Francis. So So
that one was brought to you all asking
if you wanted to participate in. So So
that one is done uh is paid for by the
army. Outside of that, Horizon City has
paid for Howard Low. The county paid for
Pasar,
etc.
» That's all I have for you.
>> Any other questions?
» Any other questions?
>> And there's no action on item 15?
» And there's no action on item 15?
>> No, ma'am.
» No, ma'am.
>> Okay. Item 16, discussion and action
» Okay. Item 16, discussion and action
regarding right-of-way acquisitions and
the potential use of eminent domain for
the Montwood Drive extension project,
including consultation with attorneys
and deliberation regarding real estate
in executive session.
So, it's 9:48.
>> Excuse me. Can I can I get you to read
» Excuse me. Can I can I get you to read
that uh read item 18 as well? Okay,
please.
The CRMA board will recess regular
session and convene an executive session
to deliberate on agenda items pursuant
to Texas government code chapter 551
section 551.071
consultation with attorney and section
551.072
deliberation regarding real estate
regarding ride-of-way acquisitions for
the Montwood Drive extension project
including the use of eminent domain but
will reconvene in regular session to
take any associated actions. Yeah, if I
could give a little back a little bit of
background. So, we are uh we are asking
that we go into executive session on
item 16 and 18 uh to discuss some
right-of-way acquisitions that we're
we're doing on behalf of the city of El
Paso for the Montwood project. Item 17,
this is the first time we've done uh
we've used executive session for
right-of-way acquisitions. And I so
we're doing it a little bit different. I
think I could do it better next time.
Item 17 is a is a general item that's
always included in the agenda that
allows us to go into executive session
for any items that are accounted for on
the agenda. However, our our attorney
that's that's assisting us with the
imminent domain item has asked that we
put a specific executive session item
for this, which is item 18. So, in
truth, what I should have done is
deleted 16. We could have had no action
on 17 and then moved to 18 and moved
into executive. So, I apologize for the
confusion uh first time. So, I beg your
pardon on that.
>> It's okay. I was just
» It's okay. I was just
a little
>> Yes, ma'am. A little confusing. So, so
» Yes, ma'am. A little confusing. So, so
with that, um, if there's no questions,
then I would ask the chair to read, uh,
the the executive session script into
the into the record.
>> So, um, the time is now 9:49
» So, um, the time is now 9:49
a.m. on January 28, 2026, and the CRM
board of directors will now retire into
executive session pursuant to Texas
Government Code sections 551.071
and 552.072 072 for the purpose of
consultation with an attorney and
deliberation regarding real property. We
will reconvene the open meeting upon
conclusion of the executive session.
Uh, it is now 10:24 a.m. on January
28th, 2026, and the board of directors
of the CRMA is reconvening its open
meeting after deliberations in executive
session pursuant to Texas government
code sections 551.071
and 551.072.
The board consulted with its attorney
but took no action in executive session.
And so now we're seeking a motion on
item
16
>> and 18.
» and 18.
>> Oh 18 uh to approve board resolutions to
» Oh 18 uh to approve board resolutions to
acquire parcels 214A
and 14B by a minute domain if necessary
for the Montwood Drive extension
project.
Motion second.
>> Any further discussion? All those in
» Any further discussion? All those in
favor?
>> I.
» I.
>> Any oppose?
» Any oppose?
Motion carries.
>> Yes, ma'am. That's all I have for you.
» Yes, ma'am. That's all I have for you.
>> And then 17 is no action.
» And then 17 is no action.
>> No action. Correct.
» No action. Correct.
>> Um and so just a motion to adjurnn.
» Um and so just a motion to adjurnn.
>> Yes, ma'am. I'll move to adjourn.
» Yes, ma'am. I'll move to adjourn.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Any discussion? All those in favor?
» Any discussion? All those in favor?
>> I. Any opposed?