Brays Oaks Management District Infrastructure Committee met Sept. 7

Brays Oaks Management District Infrastructure Committee met Sept. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Brays Oaks Management District Infrastructure Committee held a meeting via Zoom video conference on September 07, 2023, at 3:30 PM.

District Board and Committee members present: Etan Mirwis, Ralph Rieger, Ronald Plotkin, Cindy Chapman, Sheri Cortez

Staff members present: Xavier Herrera, Cosme Garcia

Public present: Karen Rogers – M2L, Stephen Polnaszek - NTT, Taylor Risien – Gauge Engineering, Gerda Gomez, Naomi Ostfeld, Bill Burhans – WWGC, Bill King – WWGC, Sylvester L. Reeder III – Houston One Voice, Amma Cobbinah – METRO, Wilfredo Santamaria – METRO, Jesus Zamora – Office of Commissioner Lesley Briones, Scott Barker – METRO, Tatyana Luttenschlager – METRO, Bryan Dotson

Director Etan Mirwis called the meeting to order at 3:32 PM, and the committee meeting adjourned at 4:06 PM.

THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING:

1. Call to order

2. Public Comment

a. No public comments were received.

3. Minutes of 08/03/2023 Infrastructure Committee Meeting

a. Committee meeting minutes submitted for reference and review.

4. Updates & Recommendations

a. METRO Projects

i. Mr. Santamaria and the METRO team gave an update on the METRORapid Gulfton Corridor Project, which is a follow-up from the April 12th, 2023, committee meeting.

ii. Director Cortez inquired if METRO was going to give an update on the W. Bellfort PnR. Mr. Santamaria advised that an update was given to the Business and ED Committee.

iii. Committee Chair Mirwis advised that he prefers not to have the same projects/issues discussed in multiple committees. Director Cortez agreed.

b. Fondren Rd. Project

i. Ms. Rogers advised of no changes; she is awaiting contact from CoH project manager for an update.

c. Ruffino Detention Project

i. Mr. Reeder gave an update on Houston One Voice’s EPA Environment Justice Problem Solving grant application. The city of Bellaire is expected to vote on the sale of their portion of the Ruffino property.

5. Update on Willow Waterhole Greenway trail project

a. Westbury Lake Trails

i. Mr. Burhans advised that 3.5 miles of trails around Westbury Lake is almost complete. Anticipated completion is late October or early November. Repaving of Gasmer, Ricecrest and Clematis should be completed by early September.

b. West of S. Post Oak

i. Mr. Risien gave an update on the trails West of S. Post Oak; 2.8 miles of trails; construction started on Triangle, Scout, and Heron lakes.

c. East of S. Post Oak

i. Mr. Risien gave an update on the trails East of S. Post Oak; bidding for Prairie Lake has opened and have been received. Early September a letter of intent to begin construction should be sent. Hoping to start the project in early to mid October.

ii. Mr. Burhans advised that part of the bid package for Prairie Lake includes making improvements to the intersection at Gasmer and S. Post Oak which will include hi-vis pavement markings, sidewalk editing, and signal editing.

d. SPO Pedestrian Crossings

i. Mr. Burhans advised that the Federal Highway Program has grants available to improve intersections. The intersection at S. Willow and S. Post Oak may qualify.

ii. Mr. Dotson reviewed the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) application process. TxDOT provides: 90% construction costs, builds project. Local provides: design for bid package, 10% costs, over-run (to be negotiated).

1. Qualifications for COH HSIP HPW

a. On High Injury Network? = Yes

b. In “orange” census tract? (SE portion) = Yes

c. Potential sponsor? = Inside BOMD

i. If project is inside a MD or TIRZ, CoH expects the entity to prepare the application.

d. The application would not be for this year – this would be a 2024 application process.

i. Timeline

1. Oct-Nov. 2023: Monitor 2023 process

2. August 2024: Prepare for project call

3. November 2024: Application activity by sponsor

4. July 2025: Award

5. Construction: Texas FY 2026

ii. Project Scope

1. Intersection treatment like Gasmer and Willowbend with an estimated cost of $200,000.00.

e. Committee Chair Mirwis requested a rendering of the proposed project. Mr. Burhans advised that Mr. Risien would be able to assist with both the rendering and the application process.

f. Mr. Burhans asked if the committee would consider providing 10% of $200.000.00 for the project.

g. Committee Chair Mirwis asked Mr. Burhans if he had identified any other partners that may be willing to contribute to the 10%. Mr. Burhans stated the surrounding community may conduct a fundraising campaign.

h. Director Chapman advised of land being cleared near the area for a new development and inquired if their project may include any enhancements to the intersection. Mr. Burhans was not sure – but advised that it was worth investing before a design/application is made.

i. Committee Chair Mirwis advised that there is an interest in making the area safer and more desirable and is in support of forwarding the item to the board for consideration.

j. Mr. Dotson advised a final cost would not be available until Mr. Risien has fully evaluated the intersection.

k. Director Chapman asked when BOMD would begin budget discussions. Executive Director Herrera advised discussions would begin in October.

6. Adjourn

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Consider partnering with the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy to sponsor pedestrian crossing improvements at S. Post Oak and S. Willow.

https://www.braysoaksmd.org/who-we-are/board-materials/