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Home My WebLink About2024/02/28 WORKSHOP SESSION 10:00 AMFILED FOR RECORD DATE L AT-- - O'CLOCK R MCQ EN RAZ S U CLERK B BRAZOS COUNTY BRYAN, TEXAS NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA WORKSHOP SESSION BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL MEET INAWORKSHOP SESSION AS FOLLOWS: MEETING DATE: February 28, 2024 MEETING TIME: 10:00AM MEETING PLACE: R&B @ Brazos County Administration Building, 200 S. Texas Avenue, Suite 106, Bryan, TX 77803 1. Call to Order 2. Presentation and discussion on revising/updating the current Engineering Design Guidelines by Prarthana Banerji, County Engineer 3. Comments from Certified Professional Engineers 4. Public Comments 5. Discussion 6. Adjourn The R&B @ Brazos County Administration Building, 200 S. Texas Avenue, Suite 106, Bryan, TX77803 is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made two working days before the meeting. To make arrangements, please call (979) 361-4102. The foregoing minutes of the Commissioners Court Workshop Session held February 28, 2024, have been examined and are approved in open Court this the 5th day of March 2024, in Bryan, Brazos County, Duane Peters County Judge Chuck Konderla Commissioner, Precinct 2 Wanda J. Wats�i Commissioner, recinct_4 Attest: aren McQueen County Clerk Steve Aldrich Commissioner, Precinct 1 7�� Nancy Berry Commissioner, Precinct 3 Commissioners' Courtroom in the Brazos County Administration Building in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 with the following members of the Court present: Duane Peters, County Judge, Presiding; Steve Aldrich, Commissioner of Precinct 1; Chuck Konderla, Commissioner of Precinct 2; Nancy Berry, Commissioner of Precinct 3; Wanda J. Watson, Commissioner of Precinct 4; Karen McQueen, County Clerk, Absent. Attached is a list of the citizens and officials in attendance. The County Judge called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and invited Brazos. County Engineer Prarthana Banerji to begin her presentation. 2. Presentation and discussion on revising/updating the current Engineering Design Guidelines by Prarthana Banerji, County Engineer Mrs. Banerji began her presentation on the updated Brazos County Engineering Design Standards. She said the first version was introduced in 2019 and retracted in 2021. Mrs. Banerji said the Road and Bridge Department would like to update the guidelines to provide a product they are proud of and does the most justice to tax payer dollars. She then highlighted some of the proposed changes. She said they have received comments from engineers, contractors and suppliers and will continue to do so until March 29, 2024. She would like the final product to be as cohesive and as collaborative as possible. Mrs. Banerji stated she hopes to have the final draft in June and gave contact information for anyone who would like to send in their comments. A copy of the presentation is attached. 3. Comments from Certified Professional Engineers Billy Prewitt with BPI Materials commented there should be communication between the County and the suppliers, contractors and engineers. He said there are items in the guidelines that are not feasible and would like to have input from suppliers and contractors. Ben Wall, Engineer for Texcon Contractors stated he would like to have more clarity on the guidelines, saying they should be more black and white. Deven Doyen with Schultz Engineering said he would like to have additional workshops to address issues that could be left to misinterpretation, so that it is clear what the County is expecting from them. Jeff Robertson with McClure and Brown Engineering said he appreciated the ability to provide input but also feels there should be additional workshops. He said it would be beneficial to have more details on the process so that they can provide quality products for Brazos County roads. 4. Public Comments Bill Lero with Lero and Associates said he is concerned.about adding more rules and regulations that would slow the process down further which will cost more money. Mr. Lero questioned revenue the county receives on roads. He stated that engineers, developers and contractors already donate valuable land for right of ways and provide costly upgrades such as fire protection and high speed internet. He asked that the updated guidelines not become a burden to them. Spencer Buchanan with Texcon commented that he would like to see input from all sides, so that everyone can be involved in addressing the issues. He would also like the requirements to be clear especially with geo testing. Mr: Buchanan stressed that everyone should be allowed to have input in the process of making these changes. 5. Discussion Commissioner Berry thanked everyone for attending the workshop and said this is the first step in the process and said it is important to have design guidelines that are clear and not open to interpretation. Commissioner Konderla agreed and added it would be beneficial to have collaboration from all professionals involved moving forward. General Counsel Bruce Erratt received a phone call and a suggestion was given to divide the county in quadrants and assign road specifications based on the type of soil in that quadrant. Commissioner Konderla said the only problem with that is the soil map is more complex than that. Commissioner Watson commented that what she is hearing is that everyone should come together to brain storm on these issues and determine what is beneficial to everyone. Commissioner Aid rich asked Mrs. Banerji what is the amount of the Road and Bridge maintenance budget. Mrs. Banerji said that it 4.7 million and has been for a number of years, but their capital budget has increased. Commissioner Aldrich then asked if they have researched special road tax to provide a revenue stream. Mrs. Banerji stated she has not but if the Court would like her to she would explore that option. Commissioner ,Aldrich asked why the original document was retracted., Mrs. Banerji explained that although she was not with the county at that time, she said that the workshop step was left out. She added that she wanted everyone to have the opportunity to engage in the process. Commissioner Aldrich asked how the standards compare to other counties and cities. Mrs. Banerji said they modeled the standards from Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), as those seem to fit best for both rural and urban areas. Commissioner Aldrich also questioned if the Court would be able to review the written comments collected by the Road and Bridge. Department. Mrs. Banerji answered they are still in the process of collecting them but would share them with the Court. Judge Peters stated that if would be helpful to review the written comments and to have more clarification before the guidelines are updated. Commissioner Konderla agreed saying everyone should collaborate and have the same goal in mind so there are no surprises. Mrs.. Banerji said the comments have been very helpful for them as well. 6. Adjourn Pgfof 3 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT DAY OF :CO ame EASE PRINT) M, WNtM-0i2 Organization (PLEASE PRINT) Pr47t EL,44.1 * (' Qomw. L2mk - ltivwL . Acid a/- Z/ -,4- 3 Pg Z- of _3 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMV, . DAY • • i '► Name �IPLEASE PR i Lei, of r � A � I d' 0 1 --� S IONER' S COURT Organization (PLEASE PRINT) Lrgv � ss c ..mac. f� 6 VA A- Pg 3 of 3 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT J Z DAY G. Name (PLEASE PRINT) )ef� po 64iwl � WOUlt SIA ��i K I i Organization (PLEASE PRINT) �13PzLnae W&jQ�OW r BRAZOS COUNTY ENGINEERING DESIGN GUIDELINES (BCEDG) UPDATE Prarthana Banedi, P.E., CFM County Engineer Brazos County Road & Bridge Department February 28t", 2024 BRAZOS COUNTY ENGINEERING DESIGN STANDARDS ® Roadway pavements built in County are too lean and structurally insufficient ® Legislative cap on County taxes, budget constraints, stretching taxpayer dollars ® First version introduced in 2019 ® Original document retracted in August 2021 ® Updated draft of new document sent out on 5t" December 2023 Initial deadline for receipt of comments January 2024 ® Deadline was extended to February 29t", 2024, to allow more time for review HIGHLIGHTS OF PROPOSED CHANGES - • TxDOT standards and specifications • Sampling and Testing Guide ,3 Site specific Pavement Design Sec. 232.0031. STANDARD FOR ROADS IN SUBDIVISION. A county may not impose under Section 232.003 a higher standard for streets or roads in a subdivision than the county imposes on itself for the construction of streets or roads with a similar type and amount of traffic.. County will be actively listening and note taking at workshop Looking to create a cohesive and collaborative document m Received several comments to -date Extension of review date to 29t" March 2024 o Final draft expected in June 2024. CONTACT INFORMATION Prarthana Banerji P.E., CFM Brazos County Engineer 2617 Highway 21 West Bryan, TX 77803 Email: pbanerji(aD-brazoscount t�x.g v Phone: 979-822-2127 Karen Tyler Administrative Assistant Road & Bridge Department 2617 Highway 21 West Bryan, TX 77803 Email: kt ler _,brazoscount tx. ov Phone: 979-822-2127