2015 Mid-Region Council of Governments Annual Report

2015 Annual Report

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

About MRCOG

From the Chairman of the Board

While the past year has held many challenges for our region, it has also underscored the strength of our member governments. It is that true collaborative spirit that sets the Mid-Region Council of Governments apart from other agencies and helps define what the region is made of—and more importantly—what it is capable of achieving.

There are many new endeavors to embrace at the COG as I enter my second year as Board Chair. I look forward to working with the decision-makers in meeting those new challenges head on and in creating opportunities for our communities to recognize their collective potential. We will continue to come together to achieve success for all who live in the four-county area in the heart of New Mexico.

The Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) is an association of local governments and special units of government within the New Mexico’s Third Planning District. Elected and appointed representatives of these organizations serve on MRCOG’s Board of Directors. MRCOG conducts and coordinates regional planning and other services, and providesa forum for local elected officials to meet and discuss issues that do not begin or end at political boundaries. MRCOG provides member governments with data and plans to allow them to make better informed decisions. MRCOG’s mission is to strengthen individual communities by identifying and initiating regional planning strategies through open dialogue and collaboration between member governments.

A Word of Welcome by Executive Director Dewey V. Cave We have once again come to that time when we can look back on a year of significant progress in both our urban and our rural communities throughout our four-county area that makes up the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

One of the programs that we initiated this past year that received a lot of attention is Rio Metro’s free Rail Runner Annual Pass for all Veterans carrying a VA Medical card. The pilot project, which started on Veterans Day of last year will run through the end of this year, and has already handed out more than 3,000 passes to veterans resulting in more than 10,000 trips on the train. We are very proud of this effort and the fact that it has helped so many of our veterans travel to much needed appointments throughout the region.

I am pleased to say that among this year’s many highlights is the Board’s approval of The Futures 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The MTP is the result of a two-year planning process involving agencies across the region and members of the public that addresses infrastructure needs and allocates federal funds in an effort to tackle future region transportation challenges.

Move over Chicago and Seattle – now Albuquerque has a Bike Share program! MRCOG is charting new territory in helping to bring the region’s first Bike Share program to Downtown in partnership with DowntownABQ MainStreet Initiative and the City of Albuquerque. BICI is gearing up to be the newest transportation option for hundreds of people who have already used a bike share bike to get to coffee shops, meetings, and more!

I would be remiss not to point out some important safety improvements Rio Metro has made over the past year - both on and off the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. Rail crossings in the Santa Fe area were upgraded significantly, while Security Officers were placed on trains. In addition, a new bus route was started to get people from the Los Lunas Rail Runner station to the UNM Valencia Campus.

Our New Mexico Workforce Connection put hundreds of youth to work this summer, and also partnered with the City of Albuquerque and Innovate+Educate for the “Talent ABQ” initiative which recognizes skills and competencies of potential workers, rather than only four-year degrees or years or experience. On the economic development front, our public and private partners recognize that we are a place for ingenuity and entrepreneurship - stronger when we stand together as a collective of regional assets. MRCOG has been at the forefront of this collaborative process and we hope this will result in a marketing effort that brings attention to the region and helps grow our economy.

Please keep in mind that these are just a few of the noteworthy items and happenings going on at the COG. There were a lot of other successful initiatives worth mentioning, and you can read all about them in this year’s Annual Report. So by all means, take your time perusing all of the great programs and happenings.

When all is said and done, there is much to be proud of when looking back over the past year’s accomplishments here at the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

The hard work of our staff and the continued efforts of the many partnerships we have formed remind me of the tremendous strength of our region.

Dewey V. Cave

2

Population and Employment Growth Projections M

RCOG develops socioeconomic forecasts to assist regional planners and decisionmakers as they evaluate future transportation needs, perform land use and transportation project planning, and develop local land use and transportation policy. Forecasts are developed every four years and incorporate the most recent assumptions about future growth. The 2040 socioeconomic forecast was recently finalized with the approval of the 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and shows that the region is projected to gain 460,000 people to reach 1.375 million by 2040, and gain 185,000 jobs to total 582,000 jobs by 2040.

Additional highlights include: • Bernalillo County is expected to capture 68 percent of the region’s population growth and 72 percent of its job growth between 2012 and 2040.

• Led by Rio Rancho, Sandoval County’s total employment is expected to more than double.

• Valencia County will see fast paced growth in both population (65 percent) and employment (64 percent).

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

•

•

•

Service employment will be the fastest growing segment of the economy. Led by the healthcare and education sectors, it is expected to grow by 61 percent between 2012 and 2040.

The job-to-housing ratio on the Westside of the Rio Grande is projected to improve from 0.56 to 0.65. (This ratio indicates the number of jobs per housing unit: a higher ratio equates to an improved balance of homes and jobs, thereby creating the conditions for shorter trips and fewer river crossings).

The jobs-to-housing ratio on the Eastside of the Rio Grande is projected to decline from 1.39 to 1.35.

Bernalillo Sandoval Santa Fe* Torrance Valencia Total

2012 2040 2012 2040 Population Population Employment Employment 675,548 987,080 341,452 474,351 135,950 220,881 34,069 75,260 10,268 17,661 1,563 2,486 16,187 21,788 4,125 4,832 77,363 127,981 15,700 25,671 915,316 1,375,391 396,909 582,600

* Santa Fe County includes just the greater Edgewood area that lies within the MRCOG region.

2015 Annual Report

3

Entrepreneurship on the Rise If there’s one thing that has garnered all kinds of excitement and collaboration it’s the efforts across the region to support entrepreneurship.

With all the accelerators, incubators, maker spaces, and creative cultivation, there’s no denying that entrepreneurship is hot. And, we are seeing success. The region is seeing numerous startups taking root, getting financing, and hiring employees. While the efforts to “grow our own” are challenging, as it takes small company startups many years to be big job creators, the jobs that are grown develop from passion, a spark of ingenuity, and community support.

The organic rise of entrepreneurship sets us up for some very successful marketing to outsiders to bring even more talent and ideas here. A marketing campaign highlighting our innovative ecosystem has the potential of hitting a large target audience. We picture the billboard reading: Ingenuity Central, where ideas come to start!

Current efforts include the redevelopment of a marketing website that now bears the Ingenuity Central brand, and obtaining grant funding to carry out a full marketing campaign.

2015 Annual Report

TIGER Grant application for Innovation Central The Rio Metro Rio Transit District has partnered with the City of Albuquerque, the NM Department of Transportation and the University of New Mexico to request funding for “Innovation Central,” a project aimed at improving pedestrian connections between the Alvarado Transportation Center in Downtown Albuquerque, and the surrounding employment, education and service destinations.

To reconnect Downtown with the EDo neighborhood, the proposal also includes atgrade pedestrian improvements at Central Avenue and the rail road tracks. In addition, signalization, communications systems, and track improvements will reduce travel times of trains by nine minutes, improve on-time performance, and provide additional rider amenities.

This year’s TIGER grant application is refined from last year’s, demonstrating a project more closely aligned with the TIGER program’s objective, refined capital elements and a slightly reduced project budget.

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

4

The Futures 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan T

he Futures 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) is the result of a two-year planning process involving agencies across the region and members of the public that addresses infrastructure needs and allocates federal funds in an effort to tackle future transportation challenges. Over the course of the planning process, three themes emerged that are causing agencies to think differently about how they invest and what goals they are trying to meet.

First, at a time of great need in terms of infrastructure improvements, transportation funding is increasingly limited. Due to unpredictable federal policies and declining federal and state gas tax revenues, agencies around the metro area are emphasizing roadway maintenance and preservation. While the plan identifies $6.3 billion in total investments and $2.2 billion in new roads and new lanes (almost $1.2 billion of new roads are to be privately funded), the amount allocated for capacity is 27 percent lower than the previous MTP and preservation and maintenance funding is 66 percent higher.

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

Funding constrains and changing priorities mean there are very real long-term transportation challenges that may go unresolved. However, the MTP does contain a number of significant projects. These include I-25 reconstruction and new interchanges, widening of Unser Blvd, a river crossing along Morris Road in Valencia County, and the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project along Central Avenue.

The second set of pressures involves land use patterns and accommodating new growth.

While growth has slowed in the last several years following the Great Recession, the metropolitan area is still expected to increase by more than 435,000 residents, or 50 percent, by 2040. In some respects, the economic slowdown can be viewed as an opportunity to reconsider the types of development that take place. The MTP includes, for the first time, a Preferred Scenario: an alternative image of how the region could grow and the resulting transportation benefits.

While the Trend Scenario (the official forecast for the MTP) projects growth based on existing land use plans and policies, as well as recent

Futures 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Mid-Region Metropolitan Planning Organization April 17, 2015

growth patterns, the Preferred Scenario allows the region to evaluate the benefits of development in activity centers and key commercial and transit corridors which includes less congestion, fewer miles traveled by vehicle, and lower emissions.

Third, changing demographic and market preferences: New Mexico is experiencing growth in urban areas with increased demand for walkable, mixed-use communities and housing options near jobs and amenities. There is also a particularly strong desire for access to transit and alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle travel.

These changing preferences signal a clear need for a broader range of housing and transportation choices.

2015 Annual Report

37%

5

Future

2015 Annual Report

27%

n ba Ur

an m i-U

Se

rb bu Su

rb

an

16%

17%

22%

l

All of this speaks to the support a broader range of lifestyle options. At a time of great debate about how to attract and retain talented young workers, the local data suggests housing and transportation improvements have a significant role to play.

17%

Similarly, there appears to be a mismatch between the available housing stock and stated housing preferences. Far more respondents indicate they currently live in suburban areas than state they would like to in the future, and far fewer respondents currently live in urban contexts than those who say they would like to. The preference for increased urban housing options is true for all ages, although it is strongest among young adults as 70 percent of 18-34 year-olds prefer to live in more urban environments where there is likely to be at least some transit service and more trips can be performed without a private vehicle.

ra

The key takeaway from the survey and questionnaire is that residents of the Albuquerque metropolitan area seek more transportation options. And if residents have more options available and quality infrastructure exists to support it, individual behavior will indeed change. For example, the household survey found that residents of Bernalillo County are ten times more likely to take biking trips than residents of Sandoval or Valencia County, and take twice as many walking trips. At the same time, local data shows that while most trips are taken by private vehicle, the average resident now travels ten percent fewer miles than they did ten years ago, while transit ridership has more than doubled.

Yet most residents are ambivalent about the transportation system (only 32 percent have a positive impression). The respondents who are least satisfied with the current available transportation options are those who view congestion as particularly problematic and young adults, who also demand investments in transit services and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure at higher rates than other groups.

Ru

ravel behavior and housing preferences are changing across the country, including in New Mexico. As part of the development of the Futures 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan, MRCOG conducted a comprehensive household survey (5,214 respondents) to better understand how individuals across the metropolitan area travel on a daily basis, as well as a questionnaire (1,371 respondents) that asked participants to state their opinions on the transportation system and preferred transportation investments and housing options. The combined data on observed and desired behavior reveal a complex set of trends that have important policy implications.

31%

Changing Preferences...

T

33%

Current

Current and Desired Future Housing Locations MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

6 Scenario Planning and Climate Change

P

ast metropolitan transportation plans projected future conditions based on anticipated population and employment growth as well as existing plans and policies, and then responded to the challenges identified in the projections. It was a decidedly reactive approach.

Futures 2040 introduces a proactive mechanism known as scenario planning to consider the multiple ways in which the region could grow over time and understand the costs and benefits associated with different development patterns.

Specifically, scenario planning allows planners to consider “what if � questions as they relate to land use strategies and transportation investment decisions and analyze whether those policies lead to a different and perhaps more desirable future.

Public outreach and workshops involving staff from agencies across the metropolitan area revealed certain issues stakeholders wanted to see addressed as part of future development, including more transit service, a mix of uses in key locations, a better balance of housing and jobs, emphasis on existing water service MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

areas, enhanced preservation of open space and sensitive areas like floodplains and crucial wildlife habitat areas, and preservation of historic and cultural assets.

Bolstered by a grant to integrate climate change analysis into long-range planning activities, additional analyses on the potential impacts of changing temperature and temperature levels on the region, including droughts, wildfires, flooding, and water availability were also considered.

The scenario planning process was an iterative: MRCOG staff would present scenarios to the public and member agencie s before refining the scenarios and measuring how they performed against a set of evaluative criteria. The resulting Preferred Scenario emphasizes a broader range of housing and transportation options through development around major activity centers and along key commercial and transit corridors.

corridors and near existing activity and employment centers, and emphasizes additional employment opportunities west of the Rio Grande, particular in concentrated activity centers that could be served by public transit. The combined effect of bringing jobs closer to existing housing and new housing closer to existing job sites reduce trip lengths compared to the Trend Scenario, increases opportunities for trips by all modes, improves air quality, and reduces the region’s development footprint.

In particular, the Preferred Scenario encourages additional housing development in east Albuquerque, particularly along major transit

The Preferred Scenario also proves to be particularly beneficial in making the region more resilient to climate change impacts. Climate data

2015 Annual Report

7 Preferred Scenario with Key Activity Centers, Transit Nodes and Commercial Corridors

indicates that the region is likely to experience an increase in droughts and forest fires, and perhaps a greater likelihood of extreme precipitation events when it does rain. By identifying vulnerable locations and looking at the extent to which growth takes place in those areas, scenario planning can be used to assess whether different growth patterns and development policies are sustainable or not. The Preferred Scenario demonstrates that reducing the urban footprint and emphasizing development near activity centers and along major corridors also limits the amount of development that takes place in at-risk areas, particularly locations vulnerable to forest fires.

The Trend and Preferred Scenarios were approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Board as part of the Futures 2040 MTP. Realizing the benefits of the Preferred Scenario will require implementation by local agencies and continued regional collaboration related to transportation priorities, land use strategies, and infrastructure investments.

2015 Annual Report

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

8 Long Range Transportation System Guide Complete Streets Planning Process

EVALUATION

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

LRTS is intended to be used by transportation professionals, people involved in land development and the general public.

The document provides a Complete Streets planning process (see figure) for systematically incorporating land use and multi-modal considerations at a variety of opportunities. Copies and detailed maps can be found on the MRCOG website.

DECISION MAKING

The LRTS Guide has five main guiding principles: 1. Transportation and Land Use Integration – Recommendations on conceptual roadway design and roadway location based on planned surrounding land use.

2. Complete Streets – Checklists, considerations and opportunities to help incorporate the needs of all roadway users.

3. Connectivity or “Complete Networks” – Several long-range system maps identify future connections for roadways, transit and bikeways; recommendations are included for smaller scale connectivity improvements to help support all transportation modes.

4. Support the principles of the 2040 Preferred Scenario – This involves identifying locations that currently have or are planned to have connections to transit and a mix of land uses. These “activity centers” have the land use elements that make them ideal candidates for making short trips made by walking and bicycling as well as for fostering public spaces. The LRTS guide provides considerations and conceptual design to support this kind of development.

5. Support locally adopted plans and policies – The LRTS guide builds off the comprehensive plans of the region.

DEVELOP POTENTIAL CHANGES

ransportation systems are increasingly required to respond to a variety of needs from addressing congestion to accommodating all modes of travel to providing valuable public spaces. In response to these challenges, the Long Range Transportation System Guide (LRTS Guide) was developed as part of the Futures 2040 MTP and as the region’s Complete Streets policy.

EXISTING/FUTURE CONDITIONS

T

RELATIONSHIP TO SURROUNDING CONTEXT

RELATIONSHIP TO SURROUNDING NETWORK

1. Determine character area of the future surrounding land us

2. Determine the roadway’s regional role (including future traffic, transit and bikeways)

3. Develop conceptual designs based on planned conditions

4. Identify opportunities for improved connectivity

5. Evaluate alternatives, weigh considerations, descrive trade-offs

6. Implement changes

7. Assess outcomes to measure success of desired results

2015 Annual Report

Paseo del Norte Interchange Reconstruction MRCOG collects continuous count data along several segments of interstate in the region. The Paseo del Norte/I-25 Interchange reconstruction project provided a unique opportunity to view changes in traffic flow. The project began right after Balloon Fiesta in 2013 and was completed on December 16, 2014.

The chart shows daily volume counts for Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from January 1, 2013 to April 30, 2015. They were recorded on I-25 northbound just south of the Paseo del Norte/I-25 interchange. Although not all vehicles traveling northbound on I-25 will get onto Paseo del Norte, effects of the interchange project are very apparent. Before the project,

2015 Annual Report

Daily Traffic Volumes I-25 NB, South of PdN Off Ramp 1/1/2013- 4/30/2015 80,000

Paseo del Norte/I-25 Interchange Reconstruction

70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000

1/2013

4/2013

7/2013

10/2013

1/2014

traffic volumes were in the high 60,000 range.

When the project began in early October, daily counts dropped dramatically to the 50,000’s.

There are several days with particularly low counts. Some of these are federal holidays, others

4/2014

7/2014

10/2014

1/2015

4/2015

may be due to the construction project’s traffic diversion. When the interchange opens again on December 16, 2014, there is a marked increase in traffic volumes as travel patterns get back to “normal.”

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

10 Albuquerque’s First Bike Share: BICI

A

lbuquerque boasts more than 620 miles of multi-use recreational paths and bicycle lanes. And with more than 300 days of sunshine and a wonderful climate year-round, it’s perfect for bicycling as a mode of transportation!

Back in October, the DowntownABQ MainStreet Initiative received a $15,000 grant from the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) to implement a pilot bike share program in the downtown area. MRCOG was contacted to coordinate the effort.

BICI users can go as many places as they want, so long as at the end of their trip they return the bike to any designated BICI bike share station. By using the Zagster model, BICI is one of the most affordable bike sharing systems in the United States at $25 for a year, with the first 90 minutes of every ride being free.

As of August 25, there are 535 members and 1,975 trips with an average ride time of 1 hour 33 minutes. Additionally, data indicates that users are riding the bikes as far from downtown as Unser Boulevard, Montaño Road, and to the University of New Mexico. This data will help identify specific locations to which bike share stations could possibly expand. It could also help to target future bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure investments.

BICI, pronounced “Bee-See” (short for bicicleta, the Spanish word for bicycle) launched on May 15th, National Bike to Work Day with 65 bicycles and 13 stations throughout downtown Albuquerque. BICI stations were strategically located near transit to provide for the first and last Currently, DowntownABQ MainStreet and mile of connectivity for bike share users.

MRCOG are meeting with businesses and A 2014 MRCOG travel survey indicated that organizations outside the downtown pilot area to about 2,000 trips are made every day in the explore BICI’s possible expansion. downtown area by people in private vehicles that are less than one mile in length—an ideal length for bicycle travel.

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

2015 Annual Report

2015 Annual Report

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

12

Rio Metro Implements Safety Improvements S

anta Fe residents now see a higher level of safety at Rail Runner crossings in their area. A move to make improvements to the crossings, which were completed in early December 2014, followed a collaborative fourmonth review of those crossings by Rio Metro, the Federal Railroad Administration, the NM Department of Transportation, the NM Public Regulation Commission, and the City of Santa Fe. “The amount of pedestrian and bicycle activity in and around these crossings had increased in the last couple of years,” said Terry Doyle, Director of Rio Metro Regional Transit District. “We wanted to make sure we were doing all we could in the way of making these crossings as safe as possible for those who use them.”

Over the course of 120 days, all agencies involved conducted a diagnostic review of the 14 crossings in the Santa Fe area, and gathered input from Federal Railroad Administration safety experts to make sure that the highest appropriate level of safety was being provided at the crossings. Improvements were identified MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

and then implemented as necessary. During that time, trains operated at slower speeds through the crossings, and flaggers were regularly stationed at the crossings to provide warning.

Improvements to the crossings ranged from recontructed sidewalks, new signage, pavement markings, lights, gates, and fences, to changes in landscaping and new gates at rail trails.

2015 Annual Report

Emergency Responder Training, April 2015

Rail Road Safety in the Community In FY 15, Rio Metro created and distributed more than 7,000 rail safety activity books for elementary aged children throughout the corridor. The book includes images of the Rail Runner and our mascot, Trax, and is full of activities to keep kids engaged while educating them about rail safety.

Rail safety classes were conducted at two summer recreation programs, at Zia Pueblo, and at San Felipe Pueblo. A working relationship was

2015 Annual Report

established with ARCA (an organization that helps people with developmental disabilities navigate their way through public transportation and life). In addition, 13 hours of safety presentations was provided to to 105 employees of third parties who conduct work within 50 feet of the train tracks.

Rio Metro is also actively training emergency responders in the region on an on-going basis.

This year’ trainings saw 95 participants from a total of 15 different agencies, including NM State Police, Isleta Pueblo, Bernalillo County, Valencia County, Santa Fe County, and others.

Additional Security Officers on the Train Back in August of last year, Rio Metro increased the number of security officers patrolling Rail Runner station parking lots and boarding trains.

Now, officers ride select trains seven days week in addition to randomly patrolling platforms and parking lots.

While on the trains, security officers help check tickets to ensure all passengers have paid and are holding a valid ticket. Security cameras will continue to monitor platforms and parking lots.

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

14 Rio Metro Envisions the Future

H

igh rates of transit ridership, ambitious ideas for increased transit service, and the realization that transit is critical to the region’s future—three key concepts in setting a new stage for transit in the Central Region. Building off of the recent successes, the Rio Metro Regional Transit District (RMRTD) and partners are underway developing a bold, forward-thinking, consensus vision for transit’s future role in the Albuquerque region.

Since last October, RMRTD staff and board members have been working to define the transit system of the region’s future—which ranges from transformative transit service to strong financial stewardship to strong transit-centered communities. Throughout the process, key stakeholders representing economic development, land use, transit ridership, and peer transit providers have been engaged to ensure the vision stays consistent with these interests.

The Board is set to consider the adoption of the vision framework sometime this Fall. Upon Board approval, the project will focus on developing and MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

A future regional transit network that would meet the RMRTD’s emerging vision would include tiered service levels, increased Rail Runner service, and different types of bus operations

acting upon implementation to help achieve the vision.

Some of these actions will focus on improving the overall rider experience.

And many of the actions will focus on ensuring that RMRTD and ABQ RIDE service—now and into the future—can successfully evolve to ensure that transit plays an integral and positive role in the region’s future.

2015 Annual Report

15

VALENCIA New Rio Metro Bus Route to the UNM Valencia Campus

Valencia County Service Improvement Plan

Students and staff at UNM’s Valencia Campus now have a new transportation option to and from the school. This past April, Rio Metro began service on a new bus route—Route 209—which connects the Los Lunas Transportation Center with the UNM Valencia Campus. With five trips to and five trips from the campus each weekday, passengers have a variety of travel times to choose from.

The Rio Metro Regional Transit District is evaluating options to improve transit services in Valencia County in response to growth and economic development in the region. Rio Metro’s Valencia County Service Improvement Plan includes potential bus routes that serve key roads, businesses and popular destinations. The final improvements will be based on public comment, funding, and an evaluation of the initial routes implemented.

“With Rio Metro’s increase in bus stops at UNMValencia Campus, it will be easier for students to take classes and maintain an organized lifestyle,” said Jon Lechel, Public Information Officer at UNM-Valencia. “Students and staff will benefit by being able to schedule their classes and coursework around their jobs and personal responsibilities.”

Anyone commuting to campus via the Rail Runner Express can connect to Route 209 at no additional cost. For individuals that are traveling within Los Lunas, the new route also has a connection to the existing Rio Metro bus Route 207, which operates throughout neighborhoods west of the Los Lunas Transportation Center.

2015 Annual Report

One of the pilot projects that fall under the plan is the recently added Rio Metro Route 209 from the Los Lunas Transportation Center to the UNM Valencia Campus, started back in April of this year. Other potential new routes include NM Highway 6/Main Street in Los Lunas, NM Highway 314, Meadow Lake, Los Lunas to Albuquerque (mid-day service complementing the Rail Runner), Belen Main Street and the Rio Grande Industrial Park.

While service is anticipated for all of these routes, their eventual implementation is dependent on funding availability and the success of the UNM Valencia Campus route.

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

16 Free Annual Train Passes for Veterans

O

n Veteran’s Day last year, the Rio Metro Regional Transit District launched a pilot program honoring our veterans by providing them with free access to public transportation. Through the program, veterans with a VA Medical Card can receive an annual pass to ride the New Mexico Rail Runner Express for free.

In addition to the free ride on the train, the pass also gives veterans the ability to connect to many other local transit systems at no cost, including Rio Metro Regional Transit District, ABQ RIDE and Santa Fe Trails buses. This gives pass-holders the opportunity to travel to many destinations throughout central and northern New Mexico, including the VA Hospital, school, work, medical appointments and more.

number of other transit connections from the many Rail Runner stations that will also get them connected to much needed services,” added Councilor Garduño.

By August, more than 4,500 passes had been issued and nearly 18,000 rides were given. More than 90 percent of the people who rode were first time riders. And even better, these passengers are becoming loyal riders. Each pass has an estimated use of about 4.4 times. In just a few short months, this pass now makes up two percent of Rail Runner’s entire ridership.

The program is still in the pilot phase. Currently, the passes are valid through December 31st 2015.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to serve those who have served us,” said Albuquerque City Councilor Rey Garduño, Chair of the Rio Metro Board. “The Rail Runner provides a 100-mile corridor to connect New Mexico’s veterans to many places they need to go. There are also a MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

2015 Annual Report

2015 Annual Report

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

18

NM Workforce Connection Focus on Skills Based Hiring E

arlier this year, President Obama announced his TechHire initiative, including a new campaign to work with communities to get more Americans rapidly trained for well-paying technology jobs. One of those programs included in that announcement is the Talent ABQ initiative—a demand-driven effort launched back in 2013 by Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry in partnership with Innovate+Educate and the New Mexico Workforce Connection Central Region’s Albuquerque office. Together, these industry partners agreed to expand their job postings to recognize skills and competencies, rather than only four-year degrees or years of experience.

“This partnership is an important step in continuing to provide job seekers the best resources available, while helping them to learn how their skills can connect them with employment opportunities. Incorporating the Talent ABQ model into the Workforce Connection office is a great way to invest in our people, and a smart way to help them succeed”, said Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry.

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

Talent ABQ has more than 300 local employer partners, and the City of Albuquerque plans to include $200,000 in its FY16 budget to fund Talent ABQ’s work. The goal is to fill at least five percent of IT jobs based on skills and competencies. This will open up job opportunities for candidates who do not have a degree or any work experience in the IT industry, but who do possess the skills necessary to do the job.

“We are fortunate to have this opportunity with New Mexico Workforce Connection, and thank the leadership for their support in piloting Talent ABQ. We believe the learnings and findings of the pilot will benefit other workforce centers across New Mexico and the United States”, said Jamai Blivin, CEO of Innovate+Educate.

TechHire is a bold multi-sector effort designed to help Americans obtain the skills they need for today’s technology jobs through universities and community colleges, but also by using nontraditional approaches like “coding bootcamps,” and high-quality online courses that train workers fast, often in just a few months. Employers across the United States are in critical need of talent with

technological skills, and many of these programs do not require a four-year degree.

America has about five million open jobs today, more than at any point since 2001. More than half a million of those job openings are in information technology fields like software development, network administration, and cybersecurity— many of which did not even exist just a decade ago. The average salary in a job that requires information technology (IT) skills—whether in manufacturing, advertising, retail or banking—is 50 percent higher than the average private-sector American job.

2015 Annual Report

19 SummerWorks!

Work Experience Program

Summe merrWorks!

Are you between 17 and 21?

Do you live in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, or Valencia County?

Are you looking for a summer job?

O

n April 1st of this year, the Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico began accepting applications for SummerWorks!—the agency’s Summer Work Experience Program that aimed to employ up to 150 young people throughout Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia Counties. The program, which consisted of 10-12 weeks of work experience, targeted graduating seniors and youth completing their GEDs. All participants were trained through Youth Development Incorporated’s Basic Employability Skills Training (BEST) program. BEST is a work readiness training that prepares participants for the workplace.

Program participants were placed at worksites based on their past experiences, current skills, and career interests. Participants were also allowed work experience opportunities based on their school and educational status. Staff provided weekly follow-ups with the participant and worksite supervisor to ensure proper training, support and overall success.

2015 Annual Report

The SummerWorks! program can earn you a paycheck for up to 12 weeks this summer! You’ll learn new skills and get that job experience for your resume.

Jobs are available in a variety of industries—one is waiting just for you!

“This program was much more than just a summer job for the youth of the Central Region” says Odes Armijo-Caster, Chair of the Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico Board.

“SummerWorks! was specificallt designed to further participants’ employability in the future.”

There were also a number of Supportive Services for eligible participants who need them including: Child Care, Transportation, and other workplace items that may be required, depending on the job.

“Our goal was to place youth at worksites in which they have a career interest”, says Jerilynn Sans, Administrator for the NM Workforce Connection Central Region. “This provides them with an idea of what a particular industry has to offer, and lets them decide if they would like to pursue a certificate or degree in that industry.”

Enrollment starts April 1 2015.

The program runs from May 1 through September 30, 2015.

For more information, visit www.wccnm.org.

Contact your area representative

TODAY! Central Region

In Bernalillo County, contact Victoria Perez at vperez@wccnm.org or at (505) 843-1908 or visit the office at 501 Mountain Rd. NE in Albuquerque In Valencia County, contact Frank Gurule at fgurule@wccnm.org or at (505) 212-9122 or visit the office at 428 Los Lentes Rd. in Los Lunas In Sandoval County, contact Andrew Fresquez at afresquez@wccnm.org or at (505) 771-2305 ext. 236 or visit the office at 301 Rail Runner Ave. in Bernalillo In Torrance County, contact Janella Montoya at jmontoya@wccnm.org or at (505) 832-6774 or visit the office at 777 Old Route 66 in Moriarty

This program is funded through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). All participants are initially trained through a 4-hour Basic Employability Skills Training to enhance their work skills and knowledge and are placed according to their career interest to gain hands-on experience in the field they are or will be pursuing. Equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aids and services available upon request.

This fall, all SummerWorks! program participants may continue, if interested, on to other program activities such as secondary education opportunities, or On the Job Training opportunities.

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

20 Job Fairs and Recruiting Events

I

n a continued effort to provide quality services to the business community and job seekers, the New Mexico Workforce Connection, Central Region hosted a series of job fairs and recruiting events.

Two large semi-annual “Partnering for Success” job fairs were held at the Bernallio Couny office in Albuquerque. The first, held in September 2014, showcased 54 employers with more than 900 job openings, and drew more than a thousand job seekers. Employer feedback was very positive with many stating that the organization of the event, staff assistance and job seeker attendance exceeded their expectations.

Interest in the job fair from the business community was so overwhelming that there was not enough room to accommodate approximately 20 employers, so the following week a mini-job fair for 17 employers was conducted, which another 350 job seekers attended. Because interest by employers in recruiting events and job fairs continues to increase, the New Mexico Workforce Connection Central Region now conducts more MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

of these mini-job fairs for approximately 20 employers per event.

The second “Partnering for Success” event was held in April 2015. It included 45 participating employers and was attended by more than 500 job seekers.

Industry-specific job fairs, each featuring between 10 and 20 employers, that were held this past year include: • April 2015, Contact Centers – 10 employers participated, 197 job seekers attended • May 2015, Healthcare – 26 employer participated, 225 job seekers attended In addition to job fairs, the Workforce Connection held more than 102 onsite recruiting events for over 2,750 job openings. In total, 446 employers participated in these events with more than 8,000 job seekers in attendance.

2015 Annual Report

21

2015 Annual Report

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

22 MRCOG Staff Honored Valerie Hermanson

MRCOG Planner Valerie Hermanson was named one of the 40 under 40 for international nonprofit media organization Next City’s prestigious Vanguard Conference—a gathering of top urban innovators under the age of 40 working to make change in cities.

The sixth annual Vanguard Conference was held last May, and included policymakers, politicians, architects, urban planners, artists, and mediamakers, selected through a competitive application process.

Hermanson helped plan and implement Albuquerque’s first bike share in partnership with the DowntownABQ MainStreet Initiative and the City of Albuquerque.

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

Derrick Webb Back in April, MRCOG Senior Planner Derrick Webb was selected to attend a very prestigious event at the Sonoran Institute in Phoenix – the Resilient Communities Workshop.

Word of the award came after Webb submitted an application to the Western Lands and Communities Program focusing on a couple of key challenges faced by the Village of Jemez Springs, New Mexico, that as Webb said in his application “threaten the future of the community”: the increasing drought conditions and the impending frequency and scale of wildfires throughout the area.

The two-day training offered Webb and other community leaders the knowledge and tools necessary to build their community resilience.

2015 Annual Report

23 MRCOG 2015 Staff Listing Yoshiro Akutagawa, Facility Maintenance Joe Aragon, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Lloyd Aragon, Workforce Planner Jim Armijo, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Michael Baca, WCCNM Computer Specialist Wendy Ball, RTD Driver, Rio Rancho Wilfred “JR� Barela, Facilities Maintenance Kelly Benavidez, Customer Service, NM Rail Runner Eduardo Borunda, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Gerald Bowe, Transit Services Surveyor James Breiterman, Lead Train Dispatcher Grant Brodehl, Special Projects Planner Veronica Campbell, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Wendy Candelaria, Human Resource Manager Elizabeth Carter, Transit Operations Manager Isaac Castle, Traffic Counter Dewey V. Cave, Executive Director Mark Chavez, Train Dispatcher Allyne Clark, Advertising/Sales Manager Tara Cok, Transportation Planner Gary Cowles, RTD Driver, Rio Rancho Arasely Cummings, Clerk, Los Lunas Ross Cummings, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Shohreh Day, GIS/Systems Analyst Terry Doyle, Rio Metro RTD Director Danny Duran, Facility Maintenance Kirk Estrada, Train Dispatcher Jay Faught, Marketing Manager Rio Metro Ernie Fernandez, Train Dispatcher Vangie Gabaldon, Special Projects Planner Sandra Gaiser, Regional Planning Manager Kenneth Garcia, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Samuel Garcia, Traffic Counter David Gardnier, RTD Driver, Rio Rancho Martha Garley, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Ted Gaudette, Information Systems Officer Andrew Gingrich, GIS/Data Analyst

2015 Annual Report

Deanna Gonzales, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Robert Gonzales, Operations Manager NM Rail Runner Esteban Gonzalez, RTD Driver, Rio Rancho Christy Greenwood, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Eric Gutierrez, Accountant Tom Gutierrez, Facility Maintenance Manager Scott Gwatkin, IT Specialist Valerie Hermanson, Regional Planner Larry Horan, Attorney Michael Jiron, Graphic Designer Candice Johnson, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Denise Kurtz, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Thaddeus Lucero, Transportation Director Julie Luna, Transportation Planner Brandon MacEachen, Marketing Specialist Sylvia Maestas, Accountant Guadalupe Maltos, Dispatcher, Los Lunas John Mares, Accountant Joe Marquez, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Virginia Marquez, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Arthur Martinez, Operations Manager, WCCNM Jocelyn Martinez, Program Support Coordinator Riann Martinez, Marketing Specialist Nathan Masek, Transportation Planner Carol Mathews, RTD Dispatcher, Rio Rancho Connie Meadowcroft, Contract and Grants Manager Martha Mendoza, Program Support Coordinator Augusta Meyers, Communications Manager Adrienne Molinar, Accountant Kim Monjaras, Procurement Officer Steven Montiel, Transportation Planner Dominic Montoya, Special Projects Planner Ernest Montoya, One Stop Maintenance Raymond Montoya, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Marie Morra, Marketing Specialist Eric Murphy, Customer Service, NM Rail Runner Amy Myer, Senior Finance Manager

Nicole Ortiz, Program Support Coordinator, WCCNM Stephanie Paiz, Safety Officer Dave Pennella, Transportation Program Manager Jenna Paulson, Customer Service Manager, NM Rail Runner Marcella Peralta, RTD Driver, Los Lunas David Rankin, Transit Manager, Rio Rancho Noemi Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant Maida Rubin, Transportation Planner Irma Ruiz, Special Projects Planner Jerilynn Sans, Administrator, WCCNM Bayard Scadden, RTD Driver, Rio Rancho Augustus Schultz, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Lisa Sedillo, Customer Service, NM Rail Runner Marla Segura, Special Projects Coordinator Carl Seif, RTD Driver, Rio Rancho Chowdhury Siddiqui, Land Use Modeler Ann Simon, Economic Development Program Manager Joel Steinhauser, RTD Driver, Rio Rancho Matthew Stone, Operations Supervisor / Dispatcher Aaron Sussman, Data Analyst Anthony Sylvester, Special Projects Manager Richard Taddy, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Socorro Telles, Transit Operations Supervisor, Los Lunas Sheila ter Bruggen, Communications Coordinator Barbara Thomas, Office Manager Caerllion Thomas, Transportation Planner Winifred Tinney, RTD Dispatcher, Rio Rancho Ramona Torres, RTD Driver, Los Lunas Nicole Trujillo, Customer Service NM Rail Runner Jesse Turley, WCCNM Accounting Manager Connie Vigil, Senior Finance Manager RTD Josephine Vigil, Accounting Manager RTD Paul Wacek, Train Dispatcher Kendra Watkins, Senior Socio-Economic Program Manager Derrick Webb, Regional Planner Matthew Wylie, Quality Assurances Coordinator

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

24 MRCOG Board of Directors Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley Commissioner Wayne Johnson County Manager Tom Zdunek Sandoval County Commissioner James Dominguez Commissioner Glen Walters Torrance County Commissioner Leroy Candelaria Commissioner Julia DuCharme Valencia County vacant City of Albuquerque Robert Perry, Chief Administrative Officer Albuquerque City Council Councilor Rey Garduño Councilor Isaac Benton Councilor Diane Gibson Councilor Don Harris Councilor Klarissa Peña Councilor Ken Sanchez City of Belen Mayor Jerah Cordova City of Moriarty Mayor Ted Hart Councilor M. Steven Anaya, Chair City of Rio Rancho Mayor Greggory D. Hull Councilor Lonnie Clayton

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

Town of Bernalillo Mayor Jack Torres Town of Edgewood Mayor Brad Hill Town of Peralta Councilor Leon Otero Village of Bosque Farms Mayor Robert Knowlton Village of Corrales Councilor Philip Gasteyer, Chair Councilor/Mayor Pro Tem Pat Clauser Village of Cuba Mayor Mark Hatzenbuhler Vandora Casados, Clerk/Treasure Village of Encino Mayor John G. Phillips III

Village of Los Lunas

Mayor Charles Griego Christina Ainsworth, Dir. Of Community Development Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Mayor Larry Abraham Trustee Donald Lopez

Village of Willard Mayor Robert Chavez Emily Sanchez, Clerk Albuquerque Public Schools Lorenzo Garcia Los Lunas Public Schools Ron Williams Rio Rancho Public Schools Richard Bruce University of New Mexico Connie Beimer, Director of Government Relations CNM Dr. Katharine W. Winograd,President Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority Deborah Stover Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Adrian Oglesby Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority James Fahey

Village of Tijeras Mayor Gloria Chavez

2015 Annual Report

25 Rio Metro Board of Directors

Metropolitan Transportation Board

Councilor Rey Garduño, Chair Commissioner Maggie Hart- Stebbins, Vice Chair Mayor Larry Abraham Councilor Diane Gibson Councilor Don Harris Councilor Isaac Benton Mayor Richard Berry Mayor Jerah Cordova Mayor Jack Torres Commissioner Debbie O’Malley Commissioner Lonnie Talbert Councilor Wayne Ake Councilor John Alsobrook Mayor Charles Griego Councilor Lonnie Clayton Councilor Dawn Robinson Commissioner Darryl Madalena Commissioner Charles Eaton

Mayor Larry Abraham Councilor Rey Garduño Councilor Diane Gibson Councilor Dan Lewis Councilor Don Harris Councilor Ken Sanchez Councilor Isaac Benton, Vice Chair Mayor Richard Berry Jim Winters Cynthia Borrego Lorenzo Garcia Mayor Jack Torres Commissioner Debbie O’Malley, Chair Commissioner Maggie HartStebbins Commissioner Art De La Cruz Ennio Garcia-Miera Rudy Archuleta Karen Dunning Timothy Parker Elias Archuleta Jay Ruybalid Councilor Dawn Robinson Councilor Lonnie Clayton Michael Baker Terry Doyle Commissioner Don Chapman Steve House Merrill J. Yazzie Kathy Trujillo Brandon Herrera Stuart Paisano

2015 Annual Report

Rural Transportation Planning Organization Committee Mayor Ted Hart Mayor Mark Hatzenbuhler Stephen Shepherd Ted Barela Governor Joshua Mandalena Mayor Robert Wilson George Visio David Deutsawe Jerry Lisk Pete Nieto Ray Matthew Steve Lucero Jim Frost

Water Resources Board Mark Sanchez Bruce Thomson, Vice Chair Mark DiMenna Dale Tafoya Mayor Jack Torres Commissioner Wayne Johnson Councilor Patricia Clauser Rita-Loy Simmons Ted Barela Debbie Ortiz Rudy Archuleta Mayor Larry Abraham Adrian Oglesby, Chair Art Swenka Larry Webb Darryl Madalena Jacobo R. Martinez Steve Glass Lynn Montgomery Brenda Smythe Bob Wesseley

Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico Board M. Steven Anaya Odes Armijo-Caster Paul Baca Diane Burke Secretary Celina Bussey Doug Calderwood Barbara Garcia Marni Goodrich Reyes Gonzales Stephanie Hanosh Victoria Hernandez Michelle Jones Mindy Koch Samuel Kopalo Paul Kress Diane M. Lacen Patricia Lincoln Rita Gallegos Logan Ralph Mims Virginia Murphy Debbie Ortiz Alex O. Romero Norman Ration Leslie Sanchez Paul Sanchez Randy Sanchez Jamie Silva-Steele Mike Swisher Sherry TenClay Mayor Jack Torres Carolyn VandeGiesen Bob Walton Isaac Zamora

MID-REGION COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

Mid-Region Council of Governments 809 Copper Ave. NW Albuquerque, NM 87102 Ph: (505) 247-1750 www.mrcog-nm.gov