News and Blog
16
Feb
YMPO HAS A NEW LOCATION
The Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization has moved into their newer building. Through a series of possible location for the new YMPO, the staff have been diligently working on a new home.
For the last 20 years the Yuma MPO has been at the 520 South Orange Avenue property and it was amazing to have an office in a building in th Historic side of Yuma. The old house was built in 1905 and was in great shape.
The YMPO decided it was time to start a new beginnings with a newer and a bigger building. The new office at 230 W Morrison Street is a much bigger office and will allow the Yuma MPO to bring meetings back into the new building.
We are still in the Construction phases of the building but we are occupying the building and as they say “BUSINESS AS USUAL”
230 West Morrison Street Yuma, AZ 85364
928-783-8911
28
Jul
Public Review and Comment Period
Public Review and Comment Period
DRAFT 2021 TITLE VI NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS, LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (LEP), AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN (PPP)
The Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization (YMPO) will initiate a public comment and review period on the Draft 2020 Title VI Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs, Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and the Public Participation Plan (PPP). The Title VI Plan defines who is protected under the program. No Person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
The Title VI Plan includes the Limited English Proficiency Plan to enable the non-English speaker the opportunity to have a means of communications in an interpreter or document translation for regular business of the organization.
The Public Participation Plan establishes a model for effective public engagement. It contains written procedures for including the public in a communities planning process.
The Draft 2020 Title VI Plan, LEP, and PPP are available for review and comment on the Yuma MPO website at https://ympo.org/studies-reports/title-vi-report/, during normal business hours at the Yuma MPO office, located at 502 S. Orange Ave, Yuma AZ 85364, and Facebook (Yuma M PO).
Public comments are welcome online or may be submitted in writing by August 27, 2020 by 5:00 PM to the address below.
Contact Person
Charles Gutierrez
cgutierrez@ympo.org
502 S. Orange Ave
Yuma, AZ 85364
Note: Jurisdiction that make up the YMPO are the city of Yuma; Yuma County; the Town of Wellton; the Cocopah Indian Tribe; the cities of Somerton and San Luis; and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) operating as “Local Governments working together”.
25
Jun
IN MEMORY OF J. DEAL BEGAY JR.
In Memory of J. Deal Begay Jr.
Deal Begay Jr., Vice-Chairman of the Cocopah Indian Tribe, died Sunday at Yuma Regional Medical Center.
Begay was 53, No cause was given for his death. “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Cocopah Tribal Vice-Chairman J. Deal Begay Jr.,” Tribal Chairwoman Sherry Cordova said in a statement released by the tribe. “Vice-chairman Begay Jr. passed in the early hours of June 21, 2020, at Yuma Regional Medical Center. The Cocopah Tribe has lost a great fighter for the Cocopah people.”
In the same statement, tribal officials added: “More information will be released at a later time. At this time, we ask for prayers and thoughts for the family and allow them the time to process this great and sudden loss.”
Begay was first elected as vice chairman in 2014 and was finishing his third term in that office at the time of his death. He also represented the tribe on the executive board of the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization, the agency that plans and coordinates road building and other transportation projects in Yuma County.
Before and during Begay’s tenure on the council, the tribe and the city of Somerton forged close ties, and Somerton officials expressed sadness Tuesday at news of his passing.
“I am saddened by such a great loss,” said Martha Garcia, Somerton’s vice mayor. “Vice Chair Begay was a great leader and a true friend of Somerton. My deepest condolences for family, friends and the Cocopah Tribe.”
Somerton City Councilman Carlos Gonzalez said Began exemplified the term “public servant.” “He was a tremendous partner in supporting the city of Somerton, but not only the city but all other tribal governments,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said he met Begay while attending a tribal function about five years ago and developed a rapport with the Cocopah vice chairman. “He would talk to me about the vision he had for the tribe, and he had a lot of goals he wanted to accomplish,” Gonzalez said. “He was down to earth. He was very honest and humble. He didn’t try to go around in circles; he was always up front.”
Ian McGaughey, former Somerton city administrator and now deputy administrator for Yuma County, worked with Begay on number of projects that served both the city and the tribe. “Deal was always a real pleasure to work with,” he said, “and he always had service in mind. Service was at the core of who he was.” Begay, said McGaughey, was passionate about creating opportunities for youth recreation, and played a key role in helping secure funding to rehabilitate Somerton’s Joe Munoz Park and resurface its basketball court – facilities used by both city residents and tribal members.
“He loved music,” McGaughey added. “I would see him at the Cocopah Resort (attending performances of) tribute bands, and he was just a fun guy. He was always interested in increased development opportunities in Somerton. “I guess bottom line, he had a lasting impact on his community – both on the tribe and the region – and he is going to be sorely, sorely missed.”
John Courtis, executive director of the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce, said Begay played a key role in the tribe’s efforts to align itself more closely in the chamber’s mission of promoting healthy economy and good quality of life in the area. “The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce is deeply saddened by this loss. He was a great community leader, he was a contributor and he did a great job in collaborating for the greater good. He was a kind soul and a good man, and he’ll be missed.”
Courtesy of the Yuma Sun
https://www.yumasun.com/news/officials-mourn-passing-of-cocopah-vice-chairman-begay/article_c3e27d38-b69c-11ea-9996-9b792d566bd2.html
10
Dec
ROBERT A. VAUGHAN EXPRESSWAY (RAVE) CEREMONY
You are Invited
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization (YMPO) are celebrating the dedication of State Route (SR) 195 Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 10:30 A.M.
The renaming ceremony s in honor of the late Robert A. Vaughan, P.E., the first Executive Director of the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization (YMPO), who served from 1983 to 1998, and who was directly involved for several years in planning the currently titled State Route 195 (also known as the Area Service Highway or ASH). Bob was instrumental in obtaining the federal, state, and local funding for its implementation.
The roadway was formally renamed by the Arizona State Board on Geographic and State Names at their meeting on July 23, 2019. The segment of the roadway concerned is from Yuma County Avenue E and runs east and then north to Interstate 8 for approximately 20 miles.
Please join us for the dedication ceremony at the
City of San Luis, City Hall at 1090 East Union Street
San Luis, Arizona 85349
Please contact Paul Ward, YMPO or Paul Patane, ADOT for further information:
Paul Ward – (928) 783-8911
Paul Patane – (928) 317-2110
1
Sep
YMPO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY
YMPO REGIONAL STRATEGIC TRANSPORTATION SAFETY PLAN UPDATE
YMPO BIKE/PEDESTRIAN STUDY AND DESIGN STANDARD
YMPO is proud to present the Regional Strategic Transportation Safety Plan Update and Bicycle/Pedestrian Study and Design Standards.
YMPO is in the Public Participation Outreach phase of each project. We are in need of your help in understanding Regional Safety issues with our roadway network and the Regional Bike and Pedestrian concerns.
Infrastructure, whether safety, bike, or pedestrian, connects households across metropolitan areas to higher quality opportunities for employment, healthcare, and education. The economy needs reliable infrastructure that benefits our public that use the multimodal infrastructure to traverse the region safely and efficiently, using different modes of transportation.
YMPO has some ways to participate in the Public Outreach for these projects.
Social Pinpoint:
YUMA MPO Interactive Comment Map
Covers both Safety Plan and Bike/Pedestrian Study
Surveys:
Safety Plan Update – Survey
Bike and Pedestrian Study and Design Standards – Survey
Contact: Charles Gutierrez
Phone: 928-783-8911
Email: cgutierrez@ympo.org
3
Jul
Madison Roundabout
The Vision 2020 Plan, drafted in the mid 1990’s, was a Vision’ of what the people of Yuma would like to see by the year 2020. The plan was designed to give the public what it wanted through its public planning process, involving roughly 500 property owners, merchants, and other citizens.
3
Jul
Gateway Park
At the end of Madison Avenue in Historic Downtown Yuma. With the shade provided by the freeway bridge, the river beach is a popular swimming spot in the summer.
3
Jul
Fortuna Wash Bridge
The bridge makes US 95 a safer and more-reliable route for agricultural shipments, international trade and seasonal visitors.
3
Jul
West Wetlands Pond
The West Wetlands Pond and the surrounding lawn area are available for recreational use. The pond is 15 ft deep at the center and is regularly stocked with a variety of game fish by partners, Arizona Game & Fish Department. A fishing license is required and there are special daily limits for the pond.
3
Jul
3E Bridge
A Bridge Widening project that was a cooperative effort between ADOT and the City of Yuma.