Eagle Pass MPO submits UPWP, plans June public workshop; website nearing public launch

Placido Mera, City of Eagle Pass MPO director, told the board the MPO's Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) was submitted to TxDOT by the May 1 deadline and is under review by TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.

Mera said he expects TxDOT or FHWA comments and that the MPO will return the UPWP to the technical advisory committee and MPO board for final adoption before requesting state and federal approval. "We are on track right now to meet the state requirements to have these both adopted," Mera said.

Staff also proposed holding a public charette (workshop) on June 11 and suggested moving that month's regular board meeting later in the day so the board could meet at 4:30 p.m. and immediately begin the 5:30 p.m. public workshop. Board members noted scheduling conflicts (county commissioners' court and other standing meetings) and asked staff to provide alternate dates and times for the public workshop.

Mera reported the MPO website is under development and will have its own URL (eaglepassmpo.org) as a subcomponent of the city website; some links and content are already created but not yet active. Staff said they are working to post project and meeting information publicly as soon as the site is ready.

Nut graf: The UPWP submission keeps the MPO on the timeline for next fiscal-year planning; the public charette is intended to gather community input for the Metropolitan Transportation Plan and staff will coordinate scheduling with county and city calendars to maximize participation.

Ending: MPO staff asked board members to send agenda items for future meetings and said they will circulate scheduling options for the June workshop and a timeline for the website launch.