Note: Audio and video recordings of the meeting can be found at

Transcription

1 METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION A meeting of the Indian River County (IRC) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) was held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in the County Administration Building B, Room B1 501, th Street, Vero Beach, Florida. Note: Audio and video recordings of the meeting can be found at MPO members present were: IRC Commissioners: Commissioner Susan Adams, District 1; Commissioner Joseph Flescher, District 2; Commissioner Tim Zorc, District 3; Laura Moss, Mayor, City of Vero Beach; Shawn Frost, IRC School Board; Andrea Coy, Vice Mayor, City of Sebastian; Chairman Bob McPartlan, Mayor, City of Sebastian; Sara Savage, Vice Mayor, City of Fellsmere; Dick Haverland, Council Member, Town of Indian River Shores; and Mira Skoroden, FDOT (non voting advisor). Absent was: Commissioner Peter O Bryan, District 4; Commissioner Bob Solari, District 5; Lange Sykes, Council Member, City of Vero Beach; Hal Ofstie, Town of Orchid (non voting member). IRC staff present were: Jason Brown, IRC Administrator; Stan Boling, IRC Community Development Department Director; Rich Szpyrka, IRC Public Works Director; Phil Matson, IRC MPO Director; Brian Freeman, MPO Senior Planner; Andy Sobczak, MPO Senior Planner; and Sharon Schalm, MPO Staff Assistant 3 /Recording Secretary. Also present were: Jason Nunemaker, City Manager, City of Fellsmere; Stewart Robertson, Kimley Horn; Beth Beltan, Ricardo Vazquez, Martin County MPO; Karen Deigl, Senior Resource Association (SRA); Mayur Patel, Lois Bush, FDOT District 4; Carlos Rodriquez, Metric Engineering; Richard Dreyer, Tindale Oliver; Amy Banov, Hugh and Laura Aaron, Mike Matyniak, Bike Walk Indian River County; Frank Watanabe, City of Sebastian Engineering; Dorri Bosworth, City of Sebastian; Chief Michelle Morris, Sebastian Police Department; Ervin Cartwright, Wabasso; Julianne Price, Indian River Department of Health; Richard Baker, Audubon; Mark Bondy, Friends of the Sebastian River; Bryan Corrigan, Corrigan Ranch; Andrew Kennedy, Leslie Milligan, Othur and Joan Meadors, Shirley Whitmore, Rex Luther, Myra and Virtor Caron, Phyllis and Patricia Walsh, Gina Biro, Rafael Vazquez, Ruth and Chuck Hemp, Ron and Chris Berti, Michael and Melinda Getz, Bernadine and Lee Ferraro, Sara Johnston, Michael Venazio, Claire Hauser, Irene Edes, Dorothy and Jack Pimethal, Claudia Martino, Eileen Clancy, John Walker, John Davis, Mary Sheil, Tom Davis, Harold Richards, Gina Howland, Craig Stanford, Robert Riley, Albert Brown, Martin Skygar, Brodie Gantt, Jeri Harris, Dave and Heather Stein, Jennifer Swanson, Jack Maitner, Ronald Wilkinson, Maria Branco, Lawrence and Linda Ferguson, Anthony Tonioli, Steve Vance, Amanda King, Eric Fischer, Debra and Frank Casiglia, Carol Malicki, Diana and Harold Richards, Anna Howland; Steve Massey, Craig Stanford, Pat Pobrits; Concerned Citizens. 1

2 Call to Order Chairman McPartlan called the meeting to order at 10:04 AM. Approval of Minutes of the MPO Meeting of February 8, 2017 Chairman McPartlan asked if there were any additions or corrections to the MPO minutes of February 8, There were none. ON MOTION BY, Commissioner Flescher, SECONDED by Mr. Frost, the members voted (8 0) to approve the minutes of the Metropolitan Planning Organization of February 8, 2017, as presented. Status Report of Other MPO Advisory Committees Mr. Matson reviewed his memorandum, dated April 3, 2017, included in the agenda packet and on file in the MPO Office. Review of Progress Report and Reimbursement Invoice #2 for the FY 2016/17 Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Planning Grant Mr. Matson referred to his memorandum dated March 30, 2017, a copy of which is included in the agenda packet and on file in the MPO Office. ON MOTION BY Vice Mayor Coy, SECONDED BY Commissioner Adams, the members voted (8 0) to approve the Progress Report and Reimbursement Invoice #2 for the 2016/17 Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Planning Grant as presented. Commissioner Zorc arrived at 10:16 AM Discussion of the North County Transit Hub Mr. Matson introduced Richard Dreyer of Tindale and Associates who gave a Power Point presentation, a copy of which is on file in the MPO office. Mr. Dreyer gave a brief summary concerning the preliminary report noting that the current site on Dryden had operational and safety issues and complaints from the nearby neighborhoods. Mr. Dreyer noted that some sites in the report had been added, and some eliminated from the 10 potential 2

3 hub locations. He noted that those locations had been ranked based on criteria such as site suitability, cost, and location. He noted safety concerns, size, location, site access, impacts on transit system service, potential site constraints, and noted that five sites had been ranked with the greatest potential and site D ( Vacant Land at 9455 CR 512/Sebastian Boulevard ) emerged as the one with the highest ranking. He noted that this site will be ADA compliant, with shelters, sidewalks, and located feet from the CR512/CR510 intersection, on the same side of the road as the Sebastian River High School. He explained that this site will be an interim site until CR 510 is widened. He noted that the next step would be for the MPO to work with its local and state partners to develop the short term North County Transit Hub, coordinate with FDOT and the County, and begin community engagement. Discussion ensued. Several residents of the nearby communities spoke. The overwhelming majority of comments concerned crime and the behavior of students, environmental concerns, traffic congestion and safety issues. A smaller number of residents commented on their reliance on transit and their desire to keep the bus hub in its current location on Dryden Ave. The MPO Chairman thanked them for their input. All Board members were in agreement with the need for safety upgrades such as lighting and cameras. Mayor Moss was for improving the existing site. Vice Mayor Coy suggested upgrading the current site and not moving the hub, Commissioner Adams was in favor of site D, Commissioner Zorc gave a brief history of the Main Transit Hub in Vero and the problems encountered over the years. School Board Member Frost noted that the safety and concern for students were a huge consideration and lighting, cameras and security of riders were important. He noted site D was a thoughtful location. Chairman McPartlan noted that most of the resident s comments had to do with teens and nothing to do with the buses. He reminded the residents that if they see something, say something and to report misconduct to the police. Commissioner Flescher noted that traffic calming devices needed to be included as part of site D and expressed that the cost is a small price to pay because so many people depend on transit. Mayor Moss left the meeting at 11:00 AM, changing the quorum from 9 to 8 Chairman McPartlan called for a roll call vote on the motion. ON MOTION BY, Commissioner Adams, SECONDED by Mr. Frost, MPO members voted (7 1) with Vice Mayor Coy opposed, to accept The North County Transit Hub Site Assessment Final Report, as presented. ON MOTION BY, Vice Mayor Coy, SECONDED by Commissioner Adams, MPO members voted (8 0), to look into keeping a bus stop in the vicinity of the current North County Bus Hub. Update on Bike Walk Indian River County 3

4 Mr. Matson introduced Hugh and Laura Aaron, and Amy Banov, Board members of Bike Walk Indian River County, Inc. Mr. Matson gave high praises to the Aarons concerning their efforts to promote and advance safe cycling in Indian River County. Ms. Banov gave a Power Point presentation, a copy of which is on file in the MPO office. Ms. Banov gave a brief overview concerning Vero Cycling, a bicycling recreation club and Bike Walk Indian River County, a bicycle advocacy group, special events, priorities of Bike Walk Indian River County, the Bike Rehab Program, infrastructure and education safety, and results. Mr. Sobczak provide a list of improvements completed so far this year. Commissioner Coy noted the need for Bicycle education in the North County area. Consideration of the CR510 Widening Project Study Report Mr. Matson noted that the widening of CR 510 (CR th Avenue) is currently the top highway priority project. Mr. Matson introduced Ms. Garcia of Metric Engineering who gave a Power Point presentation concerning the project schedule, design, and environmental study. Mr. Garcia discussed the four segments, proposed typical sections, the horizontal curve realignment, roundabout analysis, drainage, environmental analysis and the project schedule. Presentation of the FDOT Strategic Intermodal System 2045 Multimodal Unfunded Needs Plan Mr. Matson introduced Ms. Lois Bush from District 4 FDOT who gave a Power Point presentation, a copy of which is on file in the MPO office. She explained that the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Multimodal Unfunded Needs Plan (MMUNP) identifies capacity projects needed on the SIS, Florida s statewide network of high priority transportation facilities including airports, highways, railroads, seaports, spaceports, and transit. Ms. Bush noted that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has initiated an update to the current (2040) MMUNP to the year Ms. Bush mentioned the aspirational interchange at 53 rd. Commissioner Zorc inquired about the possibility of moving this item forward and if a board action would help. Mr. Matson noted that it could be on a future agenda with an option to make a motion. Commissioner Zorc also asked how SIS funding was determined. Ms. Bush noted that it was a statewide level process. Consideration of the 2040 Regional Long Range Transportation Plan (RLRTP) Mr. Matson introduced Stewart Robertson of Kimley Horn and Associates, who gave a Power Point presentation, a copy of which is on file in the MPO office. He explained that, undertaking the Regional Long Range Plan, qualifies the MPO to receive TRIP funds, a program 4

5 which has yielded approximately $15 Million for regional road projects in Indian River County (including the widening of Oslo Road, CR 512, and 66 th Avenue). Mr. Robertson noted that the project team developed an informational Public Brochure to provide background and context regarding the development of the overall 2040 RLRTP project. He also discussed, data collection, trends and conditions, and community surveys, used to gather information to help identify needs for the development of the Regional Needs Plan. Quarterly Progress Report Mr. Matson summarized the Quarterly Status Report of MPO Staff Activities from October 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, a copy of which is on file in the MPO Office. Other Business Upcoming FDOT Surveys Mr. Matson mentioned the Household Travel Surveys being distributed by FDOT. All Aboard Florida Mr. Matson noted that there was no new information to report on All Aboard Florida. Mr. Patel of FDOT mentioned that plans are available and he can provide information. Comments from the Public Adjournment There were none. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:42 PM. 5