AGENDA ITEM 1: Call to Order Chairman Wood called the meeting to order.

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 July 21, 2011 Members Attending: Councilman Jim Wood, Chairman Councilman Charles Baugh Councilman Wayne Graham Councilman Bobby Griggs Councilwoman Robyn Helt Commissioner Cecilia Jones Commissioner Thomas Miller Commissioner Dave Parisot Councilman Ronald Stearns Councilman Larry Williges Mayor Randall Wise Others Attending: Larry Kelley Noelle Warren Wiley Page Jim DeVries George Holland Eric Rosnick Cory Wilkinson Dave Bechtold Lani Birchett John Hofstad Barry Peterson Roslyn Baugh Steve Czonstka Dotty Nist Terry Joseph Mary Robinson Elizabeth Schrey Rhonda Grice Aires Little Vicki Garrett Christy Johnson Dorothy McKenzie Mary Beth Washnock City of Destin City of Crestview City of DeFuniak Springs City of Ft. Walton Beach City of Crestview Walton County City of Valparaiso City of Mary Esther City of Destin City of Niceville Atkins Atkins Atkins FDOT FDOT FDOT HDR City of Crestview City of Niceville DeFuniak Herald AGENDA ITEM 1: Call to Order Chairman Wood called the meeting to order. AGENDA ITEM 2: Public Forum Chairman Wood called for speakers, and there were none. AGENDA ITEM 3: Approval of June 16, 2011 Meeting Minutes Commissioner Parisot moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jones, and the minutes were

2 July 21, 2011 Page 2 unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM 4: Consideration of Resolution O-W to Adopt the FY Project Priorities Ms. Schrey reviewed the items and changes to the priorities. Table #2 Non Strategic Intermodal System Funding - Clarification was made to the advanced traffic management system enhancements. Upgrades were listed for $300,000 annually. Item #5 - The funding request was lowered for the corridor management plans to $150,000. Item #8 ITS Master Plan Projects The sub list was updated, as well as the appendix. Item #13 US 331 was clarified to read US 331 Business. Table #7 - Transportation System Management The TCC recommended removing Item #2. Walton County eliminated street signs. SR 10 and SR 85 were being considered by FDOT for construction with push button funds. The next project to be funded was expected to be SR 20 at Eglin Airforce Base. Appendix ITS Updated to clarify what funding would be spent on if it is funded. The CAC recommended approval to the priorities. The TCC recommend removing Item #2 from Table #7. Regarding airport priorities Councilman Williges noted the noise mitigation for Destin Airport was projected for He asked why it couldn t be done sooner. Commissioner Parisot advised there was funding in the current year s Airport budget for FY12 to do some of it. Commissioner Jones moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairperson to sign Resolution O-W to adopt the Project Priorities; Commissioner Parisot seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed. Ms. Washnock clarified the motion stating the changes for Walton County were included in the motion. Roll Call Vote: Commissioner Dave Parisot Yes Councilman Bobby Griggs Yes Councilman Charles Baugh Yes Councilwoman Robyn Helt Yes Commissioner Thomas Miller Yes Mayor Randall Wise Yes Councilman Ronald Stearns Yes Councilman Jim Wood Yes Councilman Larry Williges Yes Commissioner Cecilia Jones Yes Councilman Wayne Graham Yes AGENDA ITEM 5: Consideration of Resolution O-W to Adopt the Evaluation Criteria Used to Rank the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Outlook 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Needs Assessment Road Projects Ms. Johnson advised that there were no comments received since the last presentation, and that no changes had been made. The CAC and TCC had both recommended approval. Councilman Stearns moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairperson to sign Resolution O-W to adopt the evaluation criteria used to rank the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Outlook 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Needs Assessment Road Projects; Councilman Graham seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

3 July 21, 2011 Page 3 AGENDA ITEM 6: Consideration of Resolution O-W to Adopt the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Outlook 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Needs Assessment Chairman Wood called Mr. Page, from Atkins, to speak. Mr. Page presented the plan for adoption. He advised there had been a workshop with the steering committee. The following changes were being incorporated: Add a six lane project on SR 85 from General Bond Road to SR 189 in front of Eglin. Add an express bus service from Niceville to Destin at the Mid-Bay Bridge. Beal Parkway Corridor Study recommendations Four major intersections added to the needs plan: Racetrack, Lewis, Carmel, and Mary Esther. Mr. Page reviewed the projects. He advised that there had been concern reported by Federal Highway with consistency with projects in the Long Range Plan. He explained that they start with the Transportation Improvement Program, and the FDOT Work Program is written in, and they move forward from there. Projects that are scheduled for construction are considered committed projects because they are in the other two documents, and that was called into question. Mr. Page said to resolve the issue they were including all the Transportation Improvement Projects that are capacity projects into the Needs Plan and in the Cost Feasible Plan. This way the projects would be consistent with the Long Range Plan. The Technical Coordination Committee (TCC) recommended that a six laning project for the Brooks Bridge Corridor be included. The corridor was deficient through Ft. Walton Beach. Mr. Page advised that they had the corridor management project identified for the part through Ft. Walton. Just across the body of water there was a need to have capacity through there. This would allow all options to be open when the Department replaces the bridge. The Citizen s Advisory Committee (CAC) had recommended adopting the 2035 Needs Plan, with the changes, with the TIP projects. The TCC recommended adopting the same with the inclusion of six laning of the Bridge. Regarding the Intercoastal Waterway, Mr. Page reported that it was a canal that exists, and it was intended that in the future there could be a connection between the local area and West Bay, to Airport, and to Panama City. Mayor Wise moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairperson to sign Resolution O-W to adopt the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Outlook 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Needs Assessment; Commissioner Jones seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. AGENDA ITEM 7: Consideration of Resolution O-W to Adopt the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Outlook 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Financial Resources Report Chairman Wood called Ms. Johnson to speak. Ms. Johnson said FDOT forecasted $327 million may be available for the TPO area through $63 million would be used to maintain the existing public transportation system. $72 million was planned for improvements to the Strategic Intermodal System. $122 million would be left for other arterials, and $14 million of this would be spent on enhancements. Ms. Johnson explained disbursement of fuel costs to the Federal Government, transit fund and what goes to Florida. She said Okaloosa and Walton counties have a maximum local option gas tax of six cents. They also have a nine cent tax. Ms. Johnson advised that $327 million was forecasted in Federal and State revenues, and that the estimated

4 July 21, 2011 Page 4 cost of needs projects was approximately $2 billion. There was not enough money to fund all the needs projects and include them in the Cost Feasible Plan. She said the counties could, over the next 20 plus years, consider levying the second local option gas tax which was a maximum of five cents. The counties could also levy a local option sales tax at a rate of one-half to one cent. Ms. Johnson said the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan served as an important policy statement for the TPO. It set a direction for obtaining goals. The CAC and the TCC had recommended approval of the report. Councilman Stearns asked what the projected cost to fund all the needs would be. Ms. Johnson said there was not an approved number presently, and that they would be working on that shortly. She said it would amount to billions, i.e. less than five billion. Commissioner Parisot asked why they included the local six cents of local option gas tax, when most of the projects were state roads, and they would use that money for county and city roads. Ms. Johnson stated that some of the local option gas tax revenues are used to partnership with the State on projects. Mr. DeVries said in order to move forward with the Mid-Bay Bridge project, they used two cents of the county s local option tax to support their bond issue. He said throughout the state counties use local option sales tax and local option gas tax to support the major projects for county and state roads. Councilman Baugh moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairperson to sign Resolution O-W to adopt the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Outlook 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Financial Resources Report; Commissioner Parisot seconded; and the motion was unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM 8: Consideration of Resolution O-W to Adopt the Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan Update Scope of Services Ms. Little reported that the addendum to the Plan Scope of Services was designed to prioritize projects to incorporate into the Long Range Transportation Plan. She said the previous plan was basically a policy for local governments to utilize. The goal of it was to create a more active community. The addendum will also use the congestion management process plan network to locate bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The methodology to be used to prioritize the projects would be the State approved bicycle level of service and pedestrian level of service. Ms. Little advised there would be four public workshops held, and they expected the completion date in six months. The dates were to be determined at a later date. Commissioner Parisot moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairperson to sign Resolution O-W to adopt the Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan Update Scope of Services Mayor Randall Wise seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. AGENDA ITEM 9: Consideration of Resolutions O-W and O-W to Endorse the 2011 and Walton County Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan (TDSP) Annual Updates Ms. Garrett advised they were looking for an endorsement for the resolution for the Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan. In the agenda packet was website information relating where the plans could be viewed. Copies of the plans were also provided at the meeting. Ms. Garrett stated the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating boards approved the document on May 25, They had also been approved by the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. Commissioner Parisot moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairperson to sign Resolutions O-W to endorse the 2011 TDSP annual updates; Mayor Wise seconded; and the motion passed unanimously.

5 July 21, 2011 Page 5 Commissioner Jones moved for approval to authorize the TPO Chairperson to sign Resolutions O-W to endorse the 2011 Walton County TDSP annual updates; Councilman Rynearson seconded; and the motion passed unanimously. AGENDA ITEM 10: Consideration of approval of Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) application for Dr. David Lee Bechtold Ms. Grice advised they were seeking approval of the CAC application for Dr. Bechtold to become a CAC member. Commissioner Parisot moved for approval of Citizens Advisory Committee application for Dr. David Lee Bechtold; Mayor Wise seconded; and the motion passed unanimously. REVIEW/INFORMATION ITEMS: AGENDA ITEM 11: Transit Development Plan (TDP) Major Update Chairman Wood called Mr. Morris, from the Center for Urban Transportation Research, to present. Mr. Morris provided an update on the progress of the major TDP update. He said a few years ago FDOT revised the rule for developing the TDP. This was the first update under the new rule. The majority of the update is now conducted every five years, and there is a ten-year planning horizon. The list includes service improvements by year, and each year transit agencies submit an annual update to advise of progress on improvements. Mr. Morris said public involvement is an elevated component of the TDP under the new rule. Surveys were conducted to involve the public. They had a website survey, hard copy surveys, household telephone surveys, and onboard surveys. Under the web based survey, a total of 885 surveys were completed. There were 350 households surveyed by telephone. Mr. Morris stated that in the past, in, they had an aggressive TDP in terms of expanding services and service areas. Due to the current economic conditions they knew they would have to pare back on the initiatives. They used the survey to determine what has public support. The most important issues in the community were found to be rising cost of fuel and energy, education, jobs, and new industries. Mr. Morris continued to review the survey results. The satisfaction ratings indicated that the three elements customers were most dissatisfied with were the number of times they have to transfer buses, frequency of service, and time of the latest buses on weekdays. Mr. Morris reviewed goal areas: Expand service delivery for existing and potential customers as market and funding conditions warrant. Maintain and extend capital infrastructure. Bring all bus stops up to compliance with American With Disabilities Act standards. Engage a comprehensive marketing communications and media relations program. Evaluate and participate in community values and quality of life issues as they relate to future plans. Maximize safety and security. Insure prudent public stewardship of financial resources, and secure additional funding. Pursue regional transportation needs for surrounding counties and the overall Ft. Walton Beach

6 July 21, 2011 Page 6 urbanized area. Service is being examined between Navarre and Ft. Walton, and between Destin and beaches of South Walton. Mr. Morris reported that the next drafts of the TDP will be presented to the Commission in August for adoption in September. AGENDA ITEM 12: SR 123 (Robert J. Clary Highway) PD&E Study/Environmental Assessment Chairman Wood called Mr. Wilkinson, of HDR, Inc. to present. He advised this was a State FDOT project. He said Federal Highway gave them permission to advance to a public hearing. The location of the project was the five mile SR 123 corridor from SR 85 south to SR 85 north on Eglin Airforce Base. The purpose was to provide safety and capacity. The project was in the current Long Range Transportation Plan and in the Needs Plan. It was to be carried forward into the Cost Feasible Plan and into the next Long Range Transportation Plan to enable Federal Highway finding the project consistent. Mr. Wilkinson said the project was consistent with the County s road management plan. Mr. Wilkinson advised that the locally preferred option that Federal Highway would be considering was to a west shift widening from two to four lanes. There would be two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction. There would be a 5-foot main paved shoulder on each side, separated by a 64-foot median. The project also includes an interchange configuration at the north end, constructing a new flyover. Mr. Wilkinson said the environmental impacts identified were that there were no relocations. The right of way needed would be in the form of an easement from Eglin of approximately 118 acres. The cost would be $63 million. The impacts to flood plains and wetlands would be minimal. The PD&E study was initiated with the public in October of In the summer of 2009 Federal Highway said to prepare the environmental assessment. In July of 2011 Federal Highway gave permission to advance to the public hearing on the environmental assessment. Mr. Wilkinson said they were starting their local agency briefings, and scheduling a public hearing during September. Following the public hearing, the US Official Wildlife Service would issue their biological opinion. After that Federal Highway would be cleared to provide the location designing approval of the EPA. Eglin was a cooperating agency with the State, and Eglin would issue a decision document. Mr. Wilkinson said they are underway with the PD&E, and design was already awarded to three separate companies. Design of the project was being done under three separate segments. The right of way had been funded. Construction was not yet in the five-year plan. Mr. Wilkinson advised the public hearing would be held September 22, 2011 at the Niceville Community Center. AGENDA ITEM 13: Information Items Chairman Wood called for remarks from Ms. Washnock. Ms. Washnock reported that there was a letter from FDOT in response to Ms. Katy Kruger. Ms. Washnock, Ms. Grice, and Mr. Holland met with Ms. Kruger regarding her concerns, one of them being the Hurlburt overpass. TPO Meeting Schedule The next meeting was scheduled for October 20, 2011, at the Destin City Hall

7 July 21, 2011 Page 7 Annex. The Regional TPO sent a letter to the Congressional Delegation requesting funding for projects associated with the BRAC installations in the area. A response was received from Congressman Jeff Miller stating they did not think they could do anything regarding congressional appropriations. Ms. Washnock said there is now a TIGER grant, and asked anyone needing additional information to contact her. Councilman Baugh informed members that in regards to the TIGER grants, Okaloosa had requested grants twice and were rejected. He asked if they would be in a better position to receive grants because the Governor sent back a billion dollars for high speed rail. Ms. Washnock said she did not know. He asked if some of the same projects for the last TIGER grant requests would still be on the list. He said they were looking at a four or six laning of SR 85 up to the Shoal River in Crestview. Ms. Washnock said there was a video press conference, and it was noted that one of the things they will be looking at is local government contribution match grants to the project. Ms. Washnock said she would send a link to provide more information. Letter to Secretary Ananth Prasad, FDOT regarding Florida DOT Truck Parking Facilities Initiative AGENDA ITEM 14: Adjourn There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Approved by TPO Date: Signed: