A. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Wood called the meeting to order. He recognized that a quorum had been established.

Transcription

1 OKALOOSA-WALTON TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION (TPO) MEETING MINUTES WEST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL (Designated staff) NICEVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER, 204 N. Partin Drive; Niceville, FL March 15, 2012 Members Attending: Councilman Jim Wood, Chairman Councilman Charles Baugh, Jr. Councilwoman Robyn Helt Councilman Jim Bagby Commissioner Cecilia Jones Commissioner Dave Parisot Commissioner Bill Roberts Councilman Rigdon Councilman Ronald Stearns Councilman William Thomas Others Attending: Ben Faust Jim DeVries Wiley Page Larry Kelley Cory Wilkinson Theo Petritsch Candice Baugh Clay Simmons Barry Peterson Lani Birchett Mary Robinson Mary Beth Washnock Bob Baronti Brian Youpatoff Elizabeth Schrey Aires Little Dorothy McKenzie City of Destin City of Crestview City of Crestview City of Destin Walton County City of Ft. Walton Beach City of Mary Esther City of Niceville DRMP FDOT Atkins Atkins HDR Sprinkle Consulting City of Crestview A. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Wood called the meeting to order. He recognized that a quorum had been established. B. PUBLIC FORUM Chairman Wood called for speakers. There being no speakers the public forum was closed. C. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Consent Agenda: Chairman Wood called for action on the consent agenda. Items included in the consent agenda: 1. February 16, 2012 Meeting Minutes 2. Consideration of Resolution O-W to Adopt the Regional Freight Network Plan Freight Corridor Screenings

2 March 15, 2012 Page 2 3. Consideration of Resolution O-W to Endorse the Transit Development Plan (TDP) Major Update FY2012-FY Consideration of Resolution O-W to Adopt the 2012 Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan Addendum Consent Items Pulled for Discussion: Chairman Wood asked if there were items to be pulled from the consent agenda. Commissioner Parisot pulled Item 4. from the consent agenda. Chairman Wood called for a vote to approve the Consent Agenda as modified to include Items 1., 2., and 3., and the modified Consent Agenda was approved unanimously. Commissioner Parisot expressed that using TPO dollars for Item 4., developing bicycle routes along highways such as US 98 and SR 85, may not be the best way to utilize transportation dollars, as those dollars were meant for cars. He suggested improving things such as roadways and intersections, and related that people ride bicycles for recreation. He was more concerned with people driving to work. Commissioner Parisot moved to disapprove Resolution O-W to adopt the 2012 Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan Addendum; Councilman Rigdon seconded. Ms. Little addressed the bicycle pedestrian issues. She said the plan considers demand as one of the elements. Some of the projects do not fall into the highest priorities, and this was at the bottom of the list. She advised this project would not be done soon unless there is a resurfacing project to be done into which bicycle pedestrian features could be incorporated. Commissioner Parisot asked how many dollars were projected to be pulled off of road projects to complete the bicycle paths. Ms. Little replied that money doesn t come from road projects. Mr. DeVries stated that it is FDOT s policy to provide facilities for bicycles and pedestrians on major reconstruction projects. He further stated that within the LRTP there was a set aside for bicycle pedestrian improvements. Mr. DeVries recommended retaining a bicycle pedestrian plan. Implementing the plan would take place within the LRTP in the priorities every year. Mr. DeVries advised not sending a priority to apply funding towards bicycle pedestrian projects separate from normal construction projects. He said FDOT would not fund them in their Work Program, unless a priority was sent. Chairman Wood said the priorities would be determined at a later meeting. Mr. DeVries said the LRTP was to be approved later in the meeting, and it had set aside four bicycle pedestrian features as part of the planning process Commissioner Parisot asked if the Lewis-Turner Road project would include paved bicycle paths, i.e. paved shoulders, as part of the resurfacing. Ms. Little said she did not know; however, once the plan was adopted, when any resurfacing projects come up she would submit recommendations. Commissioner Parisot said he had no objection to sidewalks, and that he was concerned with bicycle lanes in rural areas with high speed traffic. Mr. DeVries said FDOT s policy in rural areas was to look at the projects specifically, and that they would provide paved shoulders, because it was a safety and maintenance issue, as well as a facility for cyclists. Mr. DeVries addressed the Lewis-Turner resurfacing project. He stated that when the County s plan considers restriping the facility, they would possibly provide a wider outside lane, or a

3 March 15, 2012 Page 3 four foot area, for cyclists. It would not cause any additional cost. Commissioner Parisot asked if the paved shoulder part would get resurfaced. Mr. DeVries said it would get resurfaced due to safety and maintenance issues. Commissioner Parisot asked if it is considered a bicycle lane if it is a paved shoulder. Mr. DeVries said there are some facilities that they will mark as bike lanes, and that it was FDOT s decision. Mr. DeVries commented that in Santa Rosa County they were planning to resurface US 98 during a two-year period. They would be marking the paved shoulder as a bike lane. Commissioner Parisot withdrew his motion, and Councilman Rigdon withdrew his second. Councilman Stearns moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution O-W to Adopt the 2012 Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan Addendum; Councilman Baugh seconded, and the motion was approved. One member voted in opposition D. ACTION ITEMS 1. Consideration of Resolution O-W to Adopt the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Outlook 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Cost Feasible Plan Mr. Page presented a review of the Plan, advising it was a blueprint for all the transportation needs. There is $192.6 million in arterial construction dollars. Of that amount, $63 million was dedicated to transit. This did not include the SIS funding. The Needs Plan figure is $6.2 billion. There were three changes made and a new information packet reflecting the changes was made available to members. (1) Addition of the Northwest Florida Corridor Authority project to study the feasibility of a potential connection between the end of the Mid Bay Bridge project at SR 85, to SR 123. (2) Adjustments made to two of the set aside boxes dealing with corridor studies. The study money was reduced from $250,000 to $125,000. The $125,000 was moved into the corridor project implementation box. (3) Removed two box funds for transit system enhancement service vehicles, based on the latest Transit Development Plan done by Transit. They will be able to develop their program with the $63 million. Maps and charts were provided to show the individual projects and phases. Mr. Page indicated there were box funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects. There was ongoing funding in the amount of $400,000 per year, totaling $8 million throughout the life of the Plan. These are the box funds to be prioritized for projects adopted in the Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan. Mr. Page stated that there is an enhancement fund totaling $14.9 million over the life of the project. The funds are dollars set aside at the State level, and cannot be diverted. The funds go towards bicycle and pedestrian projects.

4 March 15, 2012 Page 4 Chairman Wood opened a public hearing on the item. There were no speakers and the public hearing was closed. Councilman Bagby moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution O-W to adopt the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Outlook 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Cost Feasible Plan; Commissioner Roberts seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Roll Call Vote: Commissioner Parisot Yes Councilman Thomas Yes Commissioner Roberts Yes Councilman Stearns Yes Councilman Rigdon Yes Councilman Wood Yes Councilman Baugh Yes Commissioner Jones Yes Councilwoman Helt Yes Councilman Bagby Yes 2. Consideration of Resolution O-W to Amend the FY Project Priorities Ms. Schrey advised this was a request from Mr. Jon Morris of the Airports. He reported that the new number one Airport priority for FY 2013 was a project at Bob Sikes Airport to construct a new access road. Mr. Morris will be applying for a TIGER grant for the project. Commissioner Roberts moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution O-W to amend the FY Project Priorities; Councilman Thomas seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 3. Consideration to Authorize to Complete Contract Negotiations with Atkins North America, Inc. Mr. Youpatoff related that the purpose of the presentation was to review the selection process for a new general planning consultant for the Florida-Alabama, Okaloosa-Walton, and Bay County TPOs. The new three-year contract will start in April The general planning consultant selection committee short listed the five applicants to three. The three firms selected provided technical proposals. In February 2012 the committee heard presentations from the three short listed firms. The final recommendation by the committee was Atkins North America, Inc. Mr. Youpatoff asked for a motion that the be approved to enter contract negotiations with Atkins. Commissioner Parisot moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairman to authorize TPO Staff to complete contract negotiations with Atkins North America, Inc.; Councilwoman Helt seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 4. Consideration of Resolution O-W Recommending Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Approve an Amendment to the Northwest Florida Regional TPO (NWFRTPO) Interlocal Agreement to Change Member Terms of Office Ms. Washnock reported that the Okaloosa-Walton TPO Board members had changed their term of office from four years to match political office terms at the February 2012 TPO meeting. The same action was being recommended for the NWFRTPO.

5 March 15, 2012 Page 5 Commissioner Roberts moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution O-W recommending Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization approve an amendment to the NWFRTPO Interlocal Agreement to change member terms of office to political terms of office; Commissioner Rynearson seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 5. Consideration of Resolution O-W a Resolution of the Okaloosa-Walton TPO in Support of Pedestrian Safety and Mobility Improvements on U.S. Highway 98 (Harbor Blvd.) in Destin Mr. Baronti advised that the City of Destin was asking the Okaloosa-Walton TPO to support their effort in obtaining a signalized pedestrian crossing on Highway 98, between the proposed surface parking lot, located on the north side of Highway 98 and Marler Street. He said the proposed parking was to provide a parking area for the soon to be completed south side pedestrian boardwalk. The request was for support as they go through the process to decide if signalization or any other type of crosswalk would be necessary. Chairman Wood explained that they were building a parking lot on the north side of Highway 98 and Marler Street, and they were building a boardwalk on the south side. This was for safety purposes. He pointed out that the resolution did not call for a signalized intersection, but rather asked for increased pedestrian safety. Chairman Wood stated they were working with FDOT on the project, and specifics were to be determined at a later date. Councilman Bagby moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution O-W a resolution of the Okaloosa-Walton TPO in support of Pedestrian Safety and Mobility Improvements on U.S. Highway 98 (Harbor Blvd.) in Destin; Commissioner Jones seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. E. REVIEW/INFORMATION ITEMS 1. Review of Draft Update to FY Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Ms. Robinson reported that the UPWP outlines 20-plus tasks that will be carried out between the timeframe of July 1, 2012 and June 30, She reviewed the categories of tasks, and explained that it was a multi-modal work program. The Plan also contained the budget to support completion of tasks. The Plan will be considered for adoption at the April 2012 TPO meeting. Ms. Robinson requested those in need of a hard copy of the Plan to inform Staff. F. INFORMATION ITEMS PACKET Mr. Baronti advised that the April 2012 meeting will be held in South Walton. He reviewed the following items included in the agenda packet: O-W TPO Meeting Schedule 2. EPA Enforces 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standard 3. Walton County Commission Chambers (South) Map 4. Community Support Amtrak s Return Article

6 March 15, 2012 Page 6 G. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Hurlburt Field Presentation Mr. Jim DeVries reported that earlier that day, Commissioner Roberts, and Commissioner Parisot, were in attendance at Hurlburt Field for an announcement from the Lieutenant Governor on funding. There is a project for a single point urban interchange at Hurlburt Field. and Hurlburt Field had worked on this for approximately ten years. The County had been applying for defense infrastructure grants for approximately five to seven years. They also developed an RFP for a design field project. The Lieutenant Governor announced that the FDOT would be funding the project. Mr. DeVries thought they would be under contract by November The project was estimated at approximately $20 million. In the last month FDOT received the easement for the expansion. Mr. DeVries stated the interchange would look like the SR 20 Mid Bay connector project. US 98 would go up in the air, and all the turning movements coming in and out of the Base would occur underneath the US 98 overpass. Mr. DeVries advised that the funding was from the Tallahassee FDOT Central Office, and does not affect funding for the LRTP. 2. Councilman Baugh mentioned that there was a need for lighting at the intersection of Interstate 10 and SR 85. He said lighting was also needed at US 90 and SR 85. Mr. DeVries related that he would bring the issues to their district safety engineer. 3. Councilwoman Helt asked if they approved a reallocation of funds dedicated towards the Crestview bypass, to go towards the Cody intersection. Mr. DeVries said they did approve the reallocation. He further stated that twice a year there is a Governor s Revenue Estimating Conference. There was a Conference in November of 2011, and there was a reduction of revenue. He said some money was being saved due to projects coming in at lower bids. There was a reduction in revenue that is projected to come from things such as gas tax and sales tax. The Crestview project was affected adversely by the reduction, and funds were never moved to the interchange project. FDOT had also applied for TIGER III funds. FDOT had committed $5 million as a match commitment for TIGER funds. The Secretary had been holding the funding within the district allocation. Mr. DeVries thought the $5 million was still going towards the project, with the other $15 million coming out of the State funds in Tallahassee. Mr. DeVries said the money was not moved because of a decision by the Revenue Estimating Conference. 4. Chairman Wood asked Mr. DeVries to address the US 331 project. Mr. DeVries said several months ago the Secretary offered $102 million of State funds, with a match commitment from Walton County of $75 million, to build a second span to the US 331 bridge. Chairman Wood pointed out that the $102 million did not affect other money in District Three. Mr. DeVries said Walton had been looking at different ways to raise the money; they considered a toll or a sales tax. Mr. DeVries said there was a follow up meeting between the county commissioners and the Secretary. The Secretary presented the possibility of the US 331 corridor project being completed, if the County provided a match commitment. Mr. DeVries said the project is within FDOT s Work Program and the TIP. He further stated that it was totally funded for construction up to Edgewood, within the existing five-year period. Mr. DeVries said that in working with Walton County, the

7 March 15, 2012 Page 7 Secretary said that if Walton meets the $75 million match, the Secretary would commit to finding the rest of the money to complete the project up to I-10 in the Work Program. Mr. DeVries stated this would not impact the district allocations. Commissioner Jones said if a half-cent sales tax failed, it goes back to the Commission for a possible toll. She remarked that this was a good opportunity. 5. Councilman Baugh said it sounded as though in order to get things prioritized and funded, the need had to be made known. He said there was a need for lighting at intersection of SR 85 and US 90, and I-10, for years. He wanted to know how to make it known that Crestview needed help. Councilwoman Helt said the monies were coming about outside the priority list and she wanted to know how to get outside the priority list. Mr. DeVries advised against that and commented that the TPO process is a Federal and State process. He said the lighting at the interchange was never a major issue or on a priority list of the TPO for safety consideration. Mr. DeVries said they could look at it from a safety standpoint. Councilman Baugh said most of their residents wanted to know how to relieve congestion. Mr. DeVries commented that they had State and Local money in TRIP funds. He further stated that the County had nearly completed the P.J. Adams/Antioch Road bypass study, and that there was design money programmed in the amount of $2 million in County funds, and $2 million in State funds coming up in a year or two. Councilman Baugh said Crestview was the fourth largest city in Northwest Florida. He further stated that Milton, Ft. Walton, and other cities had more than one access to I-10. The only place to access I-10 in Crestview was Exit 56. Mr. DeVries said a presentation was made to the Regional TPO on the interstate system, and that they were in the process of updating the master plans for the interstate system. The Escambia-Santa Rosa, and Tallahassee areas were being done first. Within the next year they expected to begin the portion in between, including Crestview. Mr. DeVries asked that when the process starts, concerned parties be part of the process by attending the meetings. He advised there was a master plan presently for the interstate system and that FDOT is aware of the need for interchanges in the Crestview area. Councilman Baugh stated that at their last council meeting, the citizens claimed that they have not had any results in Crestview pertaining to traffic issues. Crestview had someone on the TPO Board for about ten years, and the citizens questioned the benefit of their membership with the TPO. Chairman Wood asked Ms. Robinson for some education regarding where the input points are in the process. He considered part of his role was to educate how the process works, and was asking for information. Councilwoman Helt referred to the bypass on P.J. Adams, and the interstate system master plan. She asked if the two were going to relate, and if they should be looking at both presently, while the bypass is in the process of being planned for P.J. Adams. She thought the widening may have to be undone in the future to facilitate the potential exit in the future. Mr. DeVries thought they were working simultaneously.

8 March 15, 2012 Page 8 Councilwoman Helt asked how they could get copies of the plan, or other information, to share with citizens. Commissioner Roberts suggested asking Mr. Jason Autrey to show them the plans. Mr. DeVries said Mr. Cory Wilkinson, of HDR, is developing the PD&E for the project. Mr. Wilkinson had told Mr. DeVries that the concept they are developing does not include the ability to have an interchange. Mr. DeVries reminded everyone that the TPO sets priorities, and that the LRTP contains where the funding will be used for five years. The life of the plan is to 2035, and is updated every five years. Mr. DeVries related that a few years ago, FDOT worked with the City of Crestview, looking at the SR 85 corridor. They were looking for the best operational use of the facility. They developed a corridor management plan for SR 85 from Eglin to north of US 90. The plan was never supported, to his knowledge, by Crestview. He suggested reviewing the plan for further consideration. Councilman Baugh said Mr. DeVries was referring to a proposal that shut down some of the turn lanes, and the citizens were very displeased with the plan. Councilwoman Helt said Crestview needed more than short term fixes, and wanted long term solutions. Mr. DeVries encouraged anyone with ideas for Crestview to present them to FDOT. Chairman Wood stressed that consistency was important because projects take a long time to become completed. He urged everyone to take part in the process, including citizens, commissioners and councilmen. H. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business the meeting was adjourned. Approved by TPO Date: Signed: