[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6552690,"mediaKeyId","5108757-77a77dfb3944eeeceaf67785b0578071","parentId",5108757,"title","RMA advances 365 Tollway construction actions; approves third‑party testing contracts and several work authorizations, denies contractor’s early savings payment","audioSeconds",2207,"startMs",2049000,"endMs",4256000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5108757-77a77dfb3944eeeceaf67785b0578071&start=2049&end=4256","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5108757-77a77dfb3944eeeceaf67785b0578071/thumbnail_2049000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6552690/Pharr/Hidalgo-County/Texas/RMA-advances-365-Tollway-construction-actions-approves-thirdparty-testing-contracts-and-several-work-authorizations-denies-contractors-early-savings-payment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552690-7017668e74aad6f45036510ee5e07103/orig.mp4?Expires=1775307200&Signature=eNHKIo~RgcI2FwvoaWuJ3wnZuvGOdOPFeC~t8s7X0ZfbzX~Uac1Xqi-uNaz8FobJgwHimqhsYMKeNlTiBd4MdUOBoNeAkj9PIBypXGOwmUxWvVOxgfqqag810flHl2peLXFwBIwR1KmgIpF-8Z7i6J~Hl3UMse85QFp6GUrEMzAIuJScBbiKDbROjjP~p9BEMo096L4WbqSKBannM-qxoLGoH6hwseOrE7kJhfCjEBKpzuFuncm47VJF4t9UlceKXvU3IHmQX1ipbRZgYZ1nIBVfpKiEtImW0o8f0z6ya4VzsfD2f~KrrcpPSAbIFOefrwkVjeJ7I0dHK3lCA6llIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Pharr, Texas","date","2025-06-30T17:06:04Z","article","The Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) received staff reports on permit activity and construction on the 365 Tollway, approved several work authorizations for third-party testing and utility service, and denied a contractor request to advance a value-engineering savings payment.

Ruben Delgado reported the overweight/oversized permit activity for May and year-to-date figures: the RMA issued 6,201 permits in May (total fees collected $1,263,954, including $23,754 in convenience fees) and reported cumulative permit issuance from Jan. 1 to May 31 of 29,040 permits. Delgado said permit volumes for May 2025 were down roughly 1,900 from May 2024 but still higher than 2023. He also reported cumulative totals since 2014 of 417,863 permits and total permit collections of $74,163,862 (distribution numbers to TxDOT and local jurisdictions were provided in the staff presentation).

Chief construction engineer Ramon Navarro gave a construction status update on three projects tied to the 365 Tollway. He said the wetland mitigation site (about 23.2 acres) is complete, with a final cost of approximately $5,710,902.91 and minor remaining Army Corps permitting items. Navarro said Valley Land Fund will take over ongoing plant-survey and monitoring responsibilities after the contractor’s warranty period and that a plant survey would be performed within 60 days.

Navarro reported progress on the CSET (total integration system) project, noting the first gantry is erected and the contractor committed to having all gantries installed by August so camera and sensor installation and factory testing can commence.

On the heavy‑highway construction, Navarro described three utility transmission poles affecting progress at Jackson Road and said ERCOT review and switching were expected in mid‑ to late‑July to permit continued work. He listed multiple bridges needing final work, noting the San Juan Main Canal structure requires a pumping-plan approval from the Hidalgo County Irrigation District; staff said they expect the district's review soon and that with an approved pumping plan the superstructure work could proceed and the contractor estimates about 60 days to finish that bridge’s superstructure once the plan is approved. Navarro reported the overall project percentage complete at roughly 66.99% and a current earned-value estimate around $178.6 million.

Board action: staff recommended and the board approved the following work authorizations and agreements (motions carried on voice votes unless noted):
- Resolution 2025-33 (agenda item 4a): Approve work authorization No. 2 to APSER LP for a levee certification report for the IBWC, amount $67,149.65 — approved.
- Resolution 2025-35 (agenda item 4c): Approve contract amendment No. 2 to Atzer LP to increase maximum payable for work authorization No. 2 — approved (amount not specified in transcript).
- Resolution 2025-41 (agenda item 4d): Approve work authorization No. 1 to Alliance Geotechnical Group for drill-shaft forensic testing (representative sampling of ~110 shafts), amount $852,318 — approved. Staff explained this testing is required because an earlier testing laboratory lost accreditation; the third-party testing will verify in-place materials to satisfy TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.
- Resolution 2025-42 (agenda item 4e): Approve work authorization No. 1 to ECS Southwest LLP for MSE wall/retaining-wall testing, amount $783,059 — approved. Staff said credentials and accreditations for the selected firm were verified by a third party.
- Resolution 2025-44 (agenda item 4g): Approve agreement with AEP Texas for electrical distribution facilities to provide new service to 365 Tollway components, amount $104,667.09 — approved.

Staff recommended no action on items 4b and 4f pending additional information and withdrew item 4i and 4j from action. The board considered but denied a contractor request (Resolution 2025-45, agenda item 4h) to advance value-engineering change-proposal savings payments before the contractual milestone; the board voted to deny that request (motion to deny passed on a voice vote).

Contractor Paulus Construction president Victor Jimenez addressed the board to request advancement of the milestone payments, saying utility relocations and other impacts were delaying completion and creating cash‑flow pressure for the contractor; Navarro and staff described the outstanding utility and permitting issues that remain and noted that contract security (payment and performance bonds) remains in place. Directors discussed the contractor’s argument and then moved to deny the early-payment request.

No new final actions were taken in executive session; the board returned to open meeting and continued the regular agenda. The meeting adjourned after the board completed items on the agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HCRMA Meeting 06/24/25 | City of Pharr","oneSentenceSummary","Board received monthly program reports, heard construction updates for the 365 Tollway and approved multiple work authorizations for testing and utility service. Directors denied a request from the primary contractor to accelerate a value-engineering savings payment.","taxTitle","Pharr, Hidalgo County, Texas","taxId",2804,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552696,"Hidalgo County RMA holds required annual ethics and compliance training; reviews new Open Meetings and Public Information rules",1564,446000,2010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5108757-77a77dfb3944eeeceaf67785b0578071&start=446&end=2010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5108757-77a77dfb3944eeeceaf67785b0578071/thumbnail_446000.jpg","/articles/6552696/Pharr/Hidalgo-County/Texas/Hidalgo-County-RMA-holds-required-annual-ethics-and-compliance-training-reviews-new-Open-Meetings-and-Public-Information-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552696-ac48ee40736c42967059703452d02701/orig.mp4?Expires=1775307200&Signature=kHHdFy7WCtuFZ5syltKkCybE0Nn8JpQMDTHdbdu6tRuWAiNHyDccCysybhLMHxh7p3DuOnN00pKq4XxgTUzlrwxzgFPXUXhBGqIiyLxmXiAyipDmQto770uGRfJU5Vy9Jilb77kM6LxRbNExpe5f36~2cLhitvxRQl-S8fKIPEUBhH7RtsoKjrpvCAyNv1mqm4t9w82UwNbk0YKwzQ8gi-tV4c0iAio7~Hk84hHz7w8G-CBtCQA0HoQPPG6CwVt7x2ZGJXuPDCo7x96zNCLbcSJyhvm8ehOaB6o2t7qzdytyZwyAKTWUSOf2nkD7s81PGy1g6ZAVyO24Fs9LsUVPWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) held its annual ethics and compliance workshop during a board meeting; Blakey Fernandez delivered the training and reviewed recent statutory and administrative changes affecting board duties.

The training covered conflicts of interest thresholds, bribery and gift rules, use of government property, open meetings obligations, public information obligations and the RMA's required compliance program and reporting to TxDOT. Fernandez told directors that the RMA must adopt and enforce an internal ethics program and provide annual training to officials.

Fernandez highlighted statutory and administrative thresholds for conflicts of interest, saying a substantial business interest can be lower than directors expect — “it's only 10% of your total income” — and noted statutory property thresholds and administrative-code limits tied to TxDOT rules. He explained that a disclosure form allows a director to step aside from discussion and vote, and that the RMA asks that disclosure be filed within seven days of becoming aware of a conflict.

On bribery and gifts, Fernandez summarized the state statute’s definition and noted TxDOT guidance that treats certain noncash items (token items under $25) and limited reimbursements differently than other benefits. He said acceptance of an item after official action can still raise bribery concerns.

Fernandez reviewed Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act changes from the latest legislative session, including a new three-business-day agenda-posting standard and tighter agenda specificity requirements after a recent Amarillo-area court case was codified. He said attorneys who assist with open-meetings and public-information work must now take online training and cannot charge the board for that training under the new statutes. He also described new statutory protections and procedures for fraud-detection information and clarified records-retention and Public Information Act timelines now codified in statute.

The trainer reviewed RMA-specific rules adopted to align with TxDOT administrative code, including stricter gift and solicitation rules, limits on use of government property (including information), and restrictions on employment or investments that might impair independence of judgment. He told directors that the RMA maintains an anonymous fraud-reporting portal that notifies three staff members and that the agency was audited this past year and found in compliance with its TxDOT-required items.

Board members asked clarifying questions about proposed statutory changes, the scope of required disclosures and the length of record retention; Fernandez answered that some administrative rules are stricter than state law and that the RMA has proposed rulemaking to align them. Directors were provided certificates for attendance to sign as evidence of completing the training.

The workshop closed with a motion to adjourn the workshop; the board voted in favor and resumed the regular agenda.","The Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) conducted its annual ethics and compliance workshop covering conflicts of interest, bribery and gifts, use of government property, open meetings and public information changes from the recent legislative session and TxDOT requirements.","actionData","errors"]

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RMA advances 365 Tollway construction actions; approves third‑party testing contracts and several work authorizations, denies contractor’s early savings payment

Hidalgo County RMA holds required annual ethics and compliance training; reviews new Open Meetings and Public Information rules