WIXLIB

8(2)c.d.20.Johnson County - State Spur 50from SH 174 east to I-35W inBurleson - Consider removal fromthe system, transfer of control,jurisdiction and maintenance tothe city and transfer of surplusright of way to the City of Burleson(MO)(3) Liberty County - FM 2025 in NorthCleveland - Consider the sale of asurplus maintenance site to theCity of North Cleveland (MO)(4) Randall County - US 87, west side ofCanyon - Consider the transfer of asurplus easement to the City ofCanyon (MO)Release of Access Rights(1) Brazoria County - SH 288, immediatelysouth of FM 2234 in Pearland Consider the designation of twoadjacent locations on the highway atwhich shared access will be permittedto the adjacent abutting properties(MO)(2) Harris County - SH 288, east sidenorth of North MacGregor Way inHouston - Consider the designation ofa location on the highway at whichaccess will be permitted to theabutting property (MO)(3) Harris County - I-10, immediately westof Westgreen Drive in Houston Consider the designation of twolocations on the highway at whichaccess will be permitted to theabutting property (MO)(4) Waller County - I-10, immediately westof FM 359 in Brookshire - Consider thedesignation of a location on thehighway at which access will bepermitted to the abutting property (MO)Speed ZonesVarious Counties - Establish or alterregulatory and construction speed zones onvarious sections of highways in the state(MO)Executive Session Pursuant to Government Code,Chapter 551a.Section 551.071 - Consultation with andadvice from legal counsel regarding anyitem on this agendaON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-03421218/25/2011

9b.c.d.e.21.Section 551.074 - Deliberate on the searchfor a new executive directorSection 551.074 - Deliberate on the electionand compensation of an interim executivedirectorSection 551.074 - Deliberate on theappointment of an internal auditorSection 551.074 - Deliberate on theappointment of an interim internal auditorAdministrative Appointmentsa.Appoint an interim internal auditor ofthe Texas Department of Transportation(MO)b.Appoint an internal auditor of theTexas Department of Transportation (MO)c.Elect an interim executive director ofthe Texas Department of Transportationand approve compensation (MO)122122122OPEN COMMENT PERIOD (no commenters)112ADJOURN123ON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-03428/25/2011

10P R O C E E D I N G S1MS. DELISI:2Good morning.It is 9:04 a.m.,3and I call the regular August 2011 meeting of the Texas4Transportation Commission to order.5that public notice of this meeting, containing all items6on the agenda, was filed with the Secretary of State at73:51 p.m. on August 17, 2011.Note for the record8Before we begin today's meeting, please take a9moment to put all your cell phones and electronic devices10on the silent mode, please.As is our custom, we'll begin with comments1112from the commissioners, and we'll start with Commissioner13Meadows.14MR. MEADOWS:First of all, let me see if I can15get this turned on, which apparently I have.16I think we need to acknowledge our staff and our17contractor and the workers involved in transforming the18Williamson Conference Room.19to be here and we really appreciate all the folks that20worked so hard to get this done on time and done in such a21quality fashion.22And second,This is our first opportunityAnd second of all, I'd like to just take a23moment and make a very special presentation.24know, and many of you in this room know that for almost 4025years now the Texas Department of Transportation hasON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-0342As we all8/25/2011

111occasionally awarded a very special recognition called our2Road Hand Award to people that truly have played a hand in3advancing transportation as a public policy issue in this4state, have been real champions for transportation in this5state and have supported transportation both at this6agency and at our sister and partner agencies that provide7transportation infrastructure in this state, and it's a8privilege for me to have the opportunity this morning to9make a presentation of that award to Paul Wageman.10is here with us this morning and we welcome Paul.11PaulI just want to make a few comments about the12sort of contributions Paul has made to transportation as a13true advocate for and a champion for transportation in14this state that has manifested an infrastructure on the15ground that the citizens of this state have the benefit16and privilege of enjoying using every day.17Paul was one of the true founders of the North18Texas Tollway Authority, served on the Dallas Regional19Mobility Council, went on to serve ten years as a board20member and two terms as chairman of the North Texas21Tollway Authority.22would have to say that I had the opportunity to serve as23the vice chairman of the Tollway Authority under the24leadership of Mr. Wageman, so I often got direction from25him, tried to follow it as best I could.And you know, in that ten years ION THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-03428/25/2011

121MR. UNDERWOOD:That's a first.2(General laughter.)3MR. MEADOWS:Well, I know, it wasn't easy.4But I will say what is amazing in that decade time period5that Paul served on the NTTA and two terms as chairman is6the NTTA went from a transportation agency with some basic7very successful assets on the ground, and through Paul's8leadership that agency really transformed, it became a9regional provider of transportation infrastructure and10many, many projects advanced.11excess of 5 billion in bonds sold, projects on the12ground, projects under construction, and in fact, there13are several important projects that are under construction14today or soon will be that basically under Paul's15leadership and with his involvement did advance.16Over that period of time inBut saying all that, that in and of itself, I17think, is noteworthy from a transportation perspective,18but as importantly as all of that, Paul really played a19principal role in defining what partnership really was20between our transportation agencies.21advocate for transportation, an advocate for the agency,22but at the end of the day recognized that no agency is23going to be able to meet the transportation needs of the24citizens of Texas alone.25the NTTA staff, working with our staff and our leadership,Paul was a wonderfulAnd through Paul's leadership,ON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-03428/25/2011

131we began to forge a better working relationship between2these agencies, and I think the citizens of Texas are3enjoying that better working relationship today.45And saying all that, I'd like for you to comeand I'll make this presentation to you now.6(Pause for presentation of award and photos.)7MR. WAGEMAN:Chairwoman Delisi, with your8indulgence, and members of the commission, I just wanted9to make a few remarks to thank you for this honor.10I appeared before this body in 2007, and I have11to tell you after that meeting I never imagined that four12years hence I would be here today to receive such a13distinguished award from this agency.14We've had many interesting times together, not15always smooth running, sometimes fractious disagreement16frequently, but at the end of the day, NTTA and TxDOT came17together to try to advance transportation in North Texas18for the citizens that both our agencies serve.19not have happened without the leadership of this agency20and each one of you on this commission, but most21importantly Commissioner Meadows and Commissioner Houghton22who took a keen personal interest in seeing these projects23move forward in North Texas.24board and our agency, and through that partnership, as25Bill said, many significant projects have moved forwardThat couldThey both reached out to ourON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-03428/25/2011

141for North Texas and in this region.I also wanted to acknowledge the leadership of23your staff.Amadeo Saenz, who is serving his final4meeting today as executive director, Amadeo and Steve and5John, the district engineers, Maribel and Bill Hale, all6contributed to this partnership and do so today.It was really a privilege of a lifetime to be78able to serve on the NTTA Board and to work with such fine9people as you have here at TxDOT, and I'm very honored by10this award today.Thank you very much.11(Applause.)12MR. MEADOWS:13MR. UNDERWOOD:14Paul, this honor is well deserved.I believe I'm finished.I didn't want to step on you.The mere15fact that you worked with Bill, my hat's off to you.16You're my hero.17(General laughter.)18MR. UNDERWOOD:Also, I want to recognize the19fact, I just want to bring forth, we're going to recognize20some gentlemen today that are retiring -- is that a subtle21hint?22It reminds me of when my wife was learning to cook, and it23was thrilling.24wear it.25(Referring to construction noise in background.)Out motto was if you can't eat it, you canJust making sure everybody is listening.(General laughter.)ON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-03428/25/2011

15MR. UNDERWOOD:1I want to recognize our2employees that are going to be recognized today.3to thank them for the commitment they've made.4was an honor to be part of their retirement last week,5Amadeo, Steve, Owen.6we'd have had more people, it would have been in the7parking lot.To me, itThe dinner was completely full; ifI loved that atmosphere.I really respect the commitment these men have89I wantmade for decades, 20, 30, almost 40 years of their life to10TxDOT, to the employees of TxDOT, to the citizens of11Texas, and I want to compliment them on that, Amadeo.12was very obvious how well you're loved, and we appreciate13everything you've done for the state, and you will be14missed as we go forward.ItLast, a sad deal but ending on a happy note, I1516would like everybody here to offer prayers for our Lubbock17employee, Gerald Battenhorst who was injured while he was18in a work zone.19family.Just keep him in your prayers, and hisAnd for our employees, please be safe, be2021smart.22caution lights, that's exactly what they mean, that23doesn't mean sight down on it, that means slow down and24watch out for our workers on the road.25For the drivers, watch out.When you see thoseAnd I'll turn it over to my colleague.ON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-03428/25/2011

161MR. HOLMES:Thank you, Fred.2Paul, congratulations.3conversations back as you were chairing NTTA.4great job and an honor well deserved.I enjoyed our manyYou did aAnd I want to echo Fred's comments about Steve56and Amadeo, Owen, Russel, Dianna.The number of retirees7this month is pretty astonishing.It's a little scary,8quite frankly, because there's going to be a pretty9significant change in the leadership of this agency and10those are times of transition that carry risk but they11also carry opportunity.12opportunity to continue to move forward, and to some13extent it's going to be a pretty difficult transition.14believe that the TxDOT team is up to it.And it, to some extent, is anIAnd in that regard, I'd like to acknowledge1516three members of the team that have received kind of17national recognition of late:18TxDOT pavement engineer, winner of an AASHTO award; and19also winners of awards are Randy Hopmann and Raquelle20Lewis. And I want to congratulate them on being recognized21by the industry for their outstanding service to the22transportation industry.Darlene Goehl, who is aAppreciate all of you being here.23It's always24nice to see Commissioner Meyers, and we appreciate you25being here.And the whole team from Cameron County, allON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-03428/25/2011

171the Davids and John and Pete, we always appreciate your2help and support.MR. HOUGHTON:3Congratulations, Paul.That was4well deserved, and the recognition, it's about time.5the time that you put in in the job and in the Metroplex6is unbelievable with the different interests that you have7to serve.89And the people that do serve in those positionsat our RMAs, get ready, it's coming.All they have to do10is look at a great example of what can happen with11collaboration in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.12AndAnd to our retirees, my congratulation.And I13echo the sentiments of Commissioner Holmes, it's a good14thing and a bad thing.15and the experience, and it's a good thing for them.16got to believe we'll be seeing some of those folks on the17trail somewhere, I just believe that.18We'll be the loser of those facesI'veAnd welcome all, our friends from Cameron19County and other points of the state of Texas, Fort Bend20County, glad to have you all here.21MS. DELISI:Thank you.One of the bad things about going22last is you say everything.So rather than repeating all23of that, I want to agree with everything the commissioners24have said. And congratulations, Paul.25great testament to how far the relationship between NTTAON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-0342I think it's a8/25/2011

181and TxDOT that today you are standing up before us2receiving the Road Hand Award, and I recognize that and I3hope our other transportation partners recognize that as4well.5It's good to see you today.I know we have several retirements to go6through, so with that, I will turn it over to Amadeo.7Sorry, getting ahead of myself.8retirements, if you wish to address the commission during9today's meeting, please complete a speaker's card at theBefore we get to the10registration table.11complete a yellow card and identify the agenda item.12it's not an agenda item, we'll take your comments at the13open comment period, and for open comments please complete14a blue card.15you limit your remarks to three minutes.16To comment on an agenda item pleaseIfRegardless of the color of card, we ask thatThe first order of business is approval of the17minutes from the July 28 meeting.Members, the draft18minutes have been provided in your briefing materials.19there a motion to approve?20MR. UNDERWOOD:21MR. HOLMES:Second.22MS. DELISI:All in favor?23(A chorus of ayes.)24MS. DELISI:25So with that, Amadeo, I will turn it over toIsSo moved.The motion passes.ON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-03428/25/2011

191you.2MR. SAENZ:Thank you, Madam Chair.3Good morning everyone.4Greer Building, the new and improved icebox.5certainly great to be back here in the Greer Building.Welcome back to theIt'sFirst of all, Paul, congratulations.6I guess I7was trying to remember when we first met, I guess it was8in Laredo when we were trying to work on that property9deal, so a long relationship.Look forward to continuing10our relationship and look forward to working with you in11the future, but congratulations.You know, we tried to schedule this thing so1213that we could surprise you up in the Metroplex and you're14a hard man to get to go to meetings.15NTTA, you're a hard man to get to this meeting.16to have surprised it and done it up there, but maybe we17still will do another one up there so that we can also18give you due recognition in front of your peers that you19work very hard for.20friend.21Ever since you leftWe wantedSo thank you and congratulations, myThank you, Madam Chair.Before we get into the22minute orders today, we have several members of the23department's senior leadership who are retiring from the24state service at the end of the month.25resolutions last month.We presented fourI would like to take a fewON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-03428/25/2011

201minutes today to recognize each of them that will be also2retiring this month, and I would like to invite Dianna3Noble, Russel Lenz, Mark Tomlinson, Mary Meyland, Owen4Whitworth and Steve Simmons to kind of make your way up5here.Don't be bashful.You are up here, okay.6These folks, along with the four that we7recognized last month which is David Hohmann, Terry8Keener, Chuck Berry and Delvin Dennis, represent 337 years9of experience that will be walking out the door at the end10of this month, and I guess these are what we call the11retiring class of the senior leadership for 2011, and it's12been my pleasure to work with each of you, in particular13the last three years, and you are great people.14look forward that we continue to stay in touch and go15drink coffee at Whataburger -- I think we can still get16like five cent coffee or something like that.17you for your state service.And IBut thank18As is our custom, we have commission19resolutions that will be presented to you in a little bit.20I would like to read the highlights of each resolution for21each employee, so first up, I would like to read some of22Dianna Noble's resolution or some of the highlights of23Dianna's career.2425Dianna has worked with the department for 27years and has been director of the Environmental AffairsON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-03428/25/2011

211Division since 1993 where she has overseen the2department's efforts to balance the state's multimodal3transportation needs with the environmental sensitivity4and responsibility that we have to address.5degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas6at Arlington in 1984 and went to work as an engineering7assistant in the regional planning office in Arlington8where she directed transportation modeling for Dallas and9Fort Worth districts.She got herShe worked in the El Paso District10for a time before moving to Austin and becoming the11director of the Environmental Affairs Division.12She is a recognized leader on national13environmental issues and has chaired AASHTO's14Environmental Process Subcommittee and the Natural Systems15and Ecological Communities Subcommittee and has served on16the UT Arlington Engineering Advisory Board and the TTI17Advisory Council.18Dianna, this resolution -- and I'll hand them19all out in a little bit and we'll take some pictures -- is20signed by all our commissioners and myself, and we wish21you the very best.22Be careful.Dianna kind of is going to go out traveling.23One of the things that you all may not know,24commissioners, is she is an avid motorcycle rider, she25only has two wheels, and she plans to do some traveling,ON THE RECORD REPORTING(512) 450-03428/25/2011

221so be careful when you ride motorcycles out there.So Dianna, I thank you very much from my part,23for your friendship, your support, your leadership.4will be missed, and the organization is a much better5place because of people like you.6resolution in a little bit.7something.MS. NOBLE:89YouSo I will give you theDianna, before we go on, sayWell, when you love the people thatyou work with and the work that you do and you think that10it matters, it just doesn't get any better than that.11I thank you so much for the opportunity.12MR. SAENZ:13(Applause.)14MR. SAENZ:AndThank you, Dianna.Next up, Russel Lenz.Russel has15more than 31 years with the department.16the director of the Construction Division since 2010.17Russel joined the department as a summer hire in 1979 and18became a full-time employee after getting his civil19engineering degree from the University of Texas Austin in201982.21named Abilene district engineer in 2004.22moved to Corpus Christi as district engineer where he put23in a lot of time working on the I-69 Corridor.2425Russel has beenHe worked in Austin and Waco districts before beingIn 2008 RusselRussel, it seems appropriate that y

Austin, Texas . Thursday, August 25, 2011 . COMMISSION MEMBERS: Deirdre Delisi, Chair . Ted Houghton . . Approve Aviation Capital Improvement 71 . Program (MO) c. Approve the Routine Airport Maintenance 76 . . services for the department in connection . with another CDA project would constitute . a conflict of interest (MO)