MEMBERS ATTENDING: City of Destin Council Member MEMBERS NOT IN ATTENDANCE: DeFuniak Springs City Council Member

Transcription

1 OKALOOSA-WALTON TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION (TPO) MEETING MINUTES WEST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL (Designated staff) Walton County Courthouse, 571 U.S. Hwy 90 E, DeFuniak Springs, FL September 20, 2018 MEMBERS ATTENDING: Nathan Boyles, Chair Amy Jamieson, Vice Chairperson Sara Comander Kelley Windes Graham W Fountain J.B. Whitten Joe Blocker Christine Wasdin Skip Overdier Charlotte McKamy MEMBERS NOT IN ATTENDANCE: Dick Rynearson Melanie Nipper Chatham Morgan Carolyn Ketchel Judy Boudreaux Melanie Nipper Bill Chapman Henry Ennis OTHERS ATTENDING: Christy Johnson Bryant Paulk Cory Wilkinson Tom Tolbert Lt. Col Brant Folken David Cadle Glenn Lattanze Ralph Agnew Scott Bitterman Susan MacDonald Phil Shad Rosemary Cox Cecil Cox Charles Mathews Lynn Mathews David Arrowsmith Judy Arrowsmith Carlin Arrowsmith Mathilda Ravine Okaloosa County Commissioner Fort Walton Beach Council Member Walton County Commissioner Okaloosa County Commissioner Okaloosa County Commissioner City of Crestview Council Member City of Crestview Council Member City of Valparaiso Commissioner City of Destin Council Member City of Mary Esther Council Member Fort Walton Beach Mayor Walton County Commissioner City of Destin Council Member Okaloosa County Commissioner Niceville City Council Walton County Commissioner Walton County Commissioner DeFuniak Springs City Council Member FDOT FDOT HDR Eglin AFB Hurlburt Field Crestview Hurlburt Field Navarre Beach Chamber Okaloosa County Walton County BCC Atkins

2 September 20, 2018 Page 2 of 11 Austin Mount Mary Beth Washnock Kathy Saldana Tiffany Bates Jill Krug Gary Kramer Rob Mahan Jill Lavender Annie Walthall Jo Anne Donatella Kristen Barre WFRPC Executive Director A. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE Chairman Boyles called the meeting to order and Councilman Whitten led the pledge of allegiance. Chairman Boyles noted that this would be Commissioner Comander s last meeting. He thanked her for her years of service with the Walton County Board of Commissioners and the TPO. B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Any new action items to be added to the agenda must be approved by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the TPO members present. Councilwoman McKamy requested to speak after the public forum. Commissioner Comander moved to approve the agenda. Councilman Whitten seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. C. PUBLIC FORUM Please obtain a speaker request form from WFRPC staff. Speakers are asked to limit their remarks to five minutes. Lt. Col. Brant Folken, Hurlburt Field, stated the following: Lt. Col Folken stressed the importance of giving the highest priority to FDOT transportation systems management project to extend Hurlburt Field s merge lane onto Hwy 98 by one-quarter mile. The completion of the flyover at the front gate in 2015 was supposed to drastically reduce all traffic flow except for peak afternoon traffic exiting the base. Lt. Col Folken stated the current level of service is F. Compounding the problem is a flashing yellow light at Florosa Elementary School which causes traffic to slow down to 20 mph. An FDOT study completed in July 2016 recommended the school zone be removed, but efforts to do that have not been successful. One other recommendation by FDOT was the extension of the merge ramp. Over 20,000 vehicles travel west in the afternoons, about 6,000 travel west at staggered times throughout the day. Traffic gridlocks and backs up onto the base. This is also a safety concern since there are mutual aid agreements with local communities. Emergency response vehicles responding to local communties would need to find alternate routes and thereby increase response times. Hurlburt leadership has endorsed several projects with FDOT District 3 and sent a letter of endorsement to support designating Hwy 98 as SIS facility, which has recently been approved. The wing commander also sent a letter to FDOT advocating moving up the 6-laning of Hwy 98 and funding

3 September 20, 2018 Page 3 of 11 an intelligent traffic system on Hwy 98 from Mary Esther to Pensacola. The potential extension of the merge lane is on Eglin AFB property so getting a right of way approval would be fairly simple for the community. Please consider taking the TSM project to the highest priority level possible. Chairman Boyles said a set of recommendations have been made for amendments to the Project Priorities. They were endorsed by TCC, and would accelerate the priority of this project. He said one of the recommendations would be to move this project to the number 2 spot. The number 1 project is effectively funded, so placing it in the number 2 position is the proper place to get it to the top of the list. Mathilda Ravine Mary Esther resident stated the following: Ms. Ravine expressed concern about the the proposed widening of Hwy 98 through Mary Esther. She said the congestion is due to traffic buildup west of Hurlburt Field and a school zone near Florosa Elementary. She further stated that Hurlburt Field had no plans to widen the flyover to six lanes. She referred to the letter from the Hurlburt Field commander included in the agenda which states, in part, that the congestion occurs on the portion of Hwy 98 from Cody Avenue to Florosa Elementary School. In the letter, the commander asked to extend the merge lane to mitigate congestion near the gate. Ms. Ravine said Councilwoman McKamy would present a resolution that was unanimously passed by the Mary Esther City Council opposing the Hwy 98 widening project within Mary Esther. Widening the section of Hwy 98 will do little to nothing to improve traffic flow. And it will cost between $29-$42 million for a 3-mile segment. Since the Hurlburt flyover will remain at 4 lanes, there will be bottlenecks at either end of the flyover. In addition, the project would eliminate homes, and destroy natural, historical, and archeological resources. The FDOT is currently working on a PD&E study for this section of Hwy 98. Ms. Ravine stated that at every public meeting residents have voiced opposition to widening this section of the road. She said the PD&E is only looking at widening this section, instead of other alternatives such as diverting traffic to Hollywood Blvd. Ms. Ravine said she was asked to forward a statement that the Fort Walton Beach chamber is steadfastly opposed to the widening of Hwy 98 to six lanes. Councilwoman McKamy said the main hardship for Mary Esther, if the roadway were to be widened, would be the water and sewer system directly adjacent to the proposed project. She said Mary Esther is currently in the midst of a capital campaign to replace the aging water/sewer lines at a cost of $14 million. If the widening project were to move forward, the needed water system repairs would be undone by FDOT in The FDOT would not allow funding for infrastructure. Councilwoman McKamy outlined the historical, ecological and archeological resources in the area that would be negatively impacted or destroyed by widening the road. She said traffic safety is a huge concern and expanding to 6-lanes would exacerbate the problem for those residents whose only ingress and egress is on Hwy 98.

4 September 20, 2018 Page 4 of 11 Councilwoman McKamy reported on two trends in the area: 1) Fort Walton Beach Commerce and Technology Park is undergoing a renaissance. New tenants, new business, and new construction are underway. Future jobs would undoubtedly bring people in from the western portions of the county as well as south Santa Rosa County. A connector road from the west edge of Mary Esther to Hollywood Blvd. would be a good alternative to 6-laning Hwy 98 and support the technology park at the same time. 2) A new apartment complex has been approved for the area behind Santa Rosa Mall. The back portion of the mall will be torn down and 238 apartments will be built at that location. This will generate more retail, restaurants, and business. Marketing consultants say that people in south Santa Rosa County will be attracted to the area. This could be a very attractive alternative to the widening project. Chairman Boyles instructed members that if there were to be action on this item today, it would be with regard to Project Priorities later in the agenda. He asked Mr. Paulk, FDOT, for an updated status on the study. Mr. Paulk said upcoming public meetings will be announced and the PD&E study will be finished the middle of next year (2019). He said now is the time to provide input. Chairman Boyles commented that the current PD&E that is underway is a unified project even though it includes two separate TPO priorities (#9 and #10). Mr. Paulk confirmed the current study involves two separate segments under one contract and actually extends into Santa Rosa County. Commissioner Fountain said that although he can appreciate the ecological, historical, and cultural aspects of this project, the biggest concern is public safety. He asked if FDOT traffic engineers that are looking at problems can show that not having that section 6-laned is a safety issue. If so, Commissioner Fountain felt it was worthwhile to consider moving this project forward. Mr. Paulk said that is all part of the PD&E study and there is no information available at this point. Commissioner Boyles asked for an interim report to have adequate information for the TPO and residents alike. Mr. Paulk said the public involvement aspect would be forthcoming at the December meeting. Commissioner Fountain worried that putting a motion forward to counter the FDOT efforts in the study would counteract FDOT s efforts to enhance safety. Mr. Paulk was fearful of predetermining a corridor without all the correct information. Ms. Ravine said citizens we were told at the FDOT public meetings that the place to come to voice concern and have some action taken was the TPO meeting because FDOT is powerless to make any changes without the TPO s direction. Commissioner Fountain s biggest safety concerns are secondary crashes and road rage as a direct result of inadequate lane capacity. Councilmember McKamy did not want to give the impression this opposition was all about aesthetics or oak trees, but about safety. Commissioner Comander said that part of the job of this organization was to plan 20 years down the road or more. Being aware of the safety problems needs to be considered now.

5 September 20, 2018 Page 5 of 11 Rosemary Cox, Mary Esther resident, stated the following: Ms. Cox spoke about the safety issue on the segment of Hwy 98 that is under the PD&E study in Mary Esther. She said the area is currently very unsafe. She lives on Hwy 98 and thinks a traffic light would help with entering and exiting driveways. The flyover has not helped the situation. She must make a u-turn to turn into a driveway. Six lanes would be too congested. If the traffic coming off the flyover could be routed to Hollywood Blvd., that would be a better solution. She was told the TPO instructed the DOT to study only this part of Hwy 98 as a solultion and no other alternatives. D. FDOT UPDATE: Mr. Bryant Paulk, AICP, or Ms. Christy Johnson, AICP, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Urban Liaisons Mr. Bryant Paulk, FDOT. Brooks Bridge final public meeting will be October 4 from 5:30pm-6:30 pm at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. US Hwy 98 widening PD&E study (which includes portions in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa County) will be held November 13 from 5:30pm-7:30 pm at the Navarre Conference Center. E. CONSENT: Chairman Boyles asked members to remove item #5 from the consent agenda. 1. ALL COMMITTEES Approval of August 16, 2018 Meeting Minutes 2. ALL COMMITTEES Consideration of a Letter of Support for Mobility Week 3. ALL COMMITTEES Consideration of Resolution O-W Adopting the Congestion Management Process Plan Minor Update 4. ALL COMMITTEES Consideration of Resolution O-W Adopting Targets for System Performance, Pavement, and Bridge Performance Measures Councilwoman Jamieson moved to approve consent agenda items #1-#4. Commissioner Windes seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. 5. TPO AND CAC ONLY Consideration of Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Applications from Mr. Chase Barfield, Mr. Steven Jaeger, and Mr. Mike Crook Ms. Krug informed the board that Mr. Barfield withdrew his application for the CAC due to time constraints. Ms. Washnock informed the TPO that the CAC did recommend approval of two applicants - Mr. Jaeger and Mr. Crook. Mr. Barfield withdrew his application. There was some discussion about the CACs being in the process of revamping their membership makeup so that they adequately represent all the of the areas in the TPO region. The FL-AL TPO was in the process of doing so and have put together a sub-committee to explore the policy/procedures for membership. O-W CAC has waited to see what the FL-AL committee comes up with to get some direction on how to put together the CACs so they better represent the communities they serve. Chairman Boyles

6 September 20, 2018 Page 6 of 11 said after discussion with staff and based on the ongoing process that is happening at FL-AL TPO, it is his recommendation to table this item for now and have staff report back the committee s findings. Commissioner Fountain moved to temporarily postpone consideration of Citizens Advisory Committee applications. Commissioner Comander seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. F. ACTION: 1. ENCLOSURE A ALL COMMITTEES (TPO ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED) Consideration of Resolution O-W amending the FY and FY Transportation Improvement Programs to Add Construction Phase for SR 30 (US 98) from SR 189 (Beal Parkway SW) to Airport Road, Lighting Project as Project # in FY 2018/2019 in the Amount of $252,103 Presentation by Mr. Bryant Paulk, AICP, FDOT Liaison Mr. Paulk requested the TPO add this construction phase to the TIP to provide safety projects which include retro-fitting and enhancing lighting. Councilman Whitten moved to authorize the TPO chairman to sign Resolution amending the FY and FY Transportation Improvement Programs to add construction phase for SR 30 (US 98) from SR 189 (Beal Parkway SW) to Airport Road, lighting project as Project # in FY 2018/2019 in the amount of $252,103. Commissioner Fountain seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Nathan Boyles, Chair Kelley Windes Graham Fountain Amy Jamieson, Vice-Chair JB Whitten Joe Blocker Christine Wasdin Charlotte McKamy Skip Overdier Sara Comander The motion was unanimously approved through roll call vote. 2. ENCLOSURE B ALL COMMITTEES (TPO ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED) Consideration of Resolution O-W Adopting the O-W FY Project Priorities - Presentation by Mr. Gary Kramer, Mr. Kramer presented the draft Fiscal Year Project Priorities. The document may be viewed in its entirety on the West Florida Regional Planning Council website. In addition, Ms. Washnock ed this document on September 11 to the TPO. Products that the TPO produces are the Unified Planning Work Program, Bike Ped Plan, Congestion Management Process Plan, Public Involvement Plan, Long Range Transportation Plan, Transportation Improvement

7 September 20, 2018 Page 7 of 11 Program, and the Project Priorities. Public outreach events were held in Miramar Beach and in Niceville. There was a regional transportation priority workshop held at Northwest Florida State College and committee workshops for CAC, TCC, and TPOs were held in Freeport. Comments from the workshops were listed n the agenda enclosure. The seven identified recommended edits to the FY project priorities were highlighted in yellow in the agenda enclosure and are shown below. Table 2 Non-SIS. Priority 6. Corridor Management Plans. Approved the following order: (1) SR 85 from Airport Road/Old Bethel Road to Aplin Road; (2) Racetrack Road from Beal Parkway to SR 85; (3) Mary Esther Boulevard from US 98 to Anchors Street; (4) Mary Esther Boulevard from Anchors Street to Beal Parkway; and (5) SR 85 from Aplin Road to Antioch Road. Table 2 Non-SIS. Priority 7.Corridor Management Improvement Projects. Approved the following order: (1) Beal Parkway from US 98 to Mary Esther Boulevard; (2) SR 85 from Airport Road/Old Bethel Road to Aplin Road; (3) Racetrack Road from Beal Parkway to SR 85; (4) Mary Esther Boulevard from US 98 to Anchors Street; and (5) Mary Esther Boulevard from Anchors Street to Beal Parkway. Table 2 Non-SIS. Priority 20. SR 20 and East Bay Loop Road Park Ride Lot. Renumbered as Priority 17 and current Priorities were renumbered as Priorities Table 4 SIS Priorities 3, 4, 5, and 6 US 331 and I-10 at Antioch Road. Renumbered these as Priorities 5, 6, 3, and 4. Table 4 SIS Priorities 11, 12, and 13 US 98, Around the Mound, and I-10/Crestview Bypass East. Renumbered these as Priorities 13, 11, and 12. Table 6 Transportation Systems Management (TSM). Priority 3 US 98 Hurlburt Field Extending West Bound Merge Area. Renumbered this project as Priority 2 and current Priority 2 (SR 85 and SR 189 improvements) to Priority 3. Table 8 Bicycle-Pedestrian Plan. Priorities 37 and 42 Martin Luther King Boulevard. Renumbered these as Priorities 2 and 3 and the corresponding priorities renumbered accordingly. The CAC supported the seven recommended edits from the August 28, 2018 TPO, TCC, and CAC workshop in Freeport and also supported and recommended the TPO support the City of Mary Esther Resolution opposing the expansion and widening of traffic lanes along U.S. Hwy 98 through the city limits of Mary Esther. The TCC also supported the seven recommended edits from the August 28, 2018 TPO, TCC, and CAC workshop in Freeport.

8 September 20, 2018 Page 8 of 11 Commissioner Fountain questioned the non-sis priorities and why the study on SR 85 to Airport Rd is only to Aplin Road and then SR 85/Aplin Road to Antioch Road. Considering that all parts of that road affect each other in many ways, he asked why there are separate studies and not one continuous study. Mr. Paulk explained that it was set forth by the TPO to be studied in this way. If it were to be studied jointly, additional funding would need to be sourced. Commissioner Fountain was under the impression that it would be one continuous limit. Mr. Kramer said it initially was one continuous limit, but at the Freeport workshop it was determined to be more beneficial to be broken up. Commissioner Boyles added that there are many moving pieces on the southern portion of the corridor where there is potential 6-laning up to north of the interstate. Some other improvements are slated in that corridor. Commissioner Boyles said there was substantial consideration about how to break it up. There still could be a need to adjust segments. Commissioner Fountain asked if there is significance to the order of items. He did not like the order of items and felt it would be better to do everything in one study. He felt it was inefficient to have the studies broken up. It takes longer and when things need to be reassessed it could be years later. Councilman Blocker concurred with Commissioner Fountain. He believed a three year work program would be more effective than a five year work plan. Commissioner Windes asked if there was going to be a vote in general now and then possibly take recommendations for amendments. Chairman Boyles confirmed that there will be a vote on the seven highlighted items that were vetted at the August 28, 2018 TPO, TCC, CAC workshop in Freeport as well as recommended by the TCC and CAC. Any additional amendments will come after this vote. Commissioner Fountain asked if there is funding available currently if the SR 85 studies were to be consolidated. Mr. Paulk said the TPO could allocate additional funds to that priority. But the intent of these studies is to look only at traffic operations, turn lanes, and access management. It does not look at capacity improvements. Chairman Boyles said many people in Crestview look forward to 6-laning portions up to the interstate and parts north. That segment would do well to be fast tracked, so these other projects (traffic management issues) will most likely be unnecessary or the view will fundamentally shift in the context of six lanes versus four. They are not currently looking at 6 lanes. Commissioner Fountain said if the goal was to get this moving to approve, he would support it with the understanding that it may be amended in the near future.

9 September 20, 2018 Page 9 of 11 Commissioner Comander moved to amend FY Project Priorities with the seven changes resulting from the Freeport workshop and as recommended by the TCC and CAC. Commissioner Fountain seconded the motion. The motion wa unanimously approved. Councilmember McKamy clarified the correct time to ask for this action would be when this study is complete. Councilmember McKamy moved to amend the FY Project Priorities to support the resolution of the City of Mary Esther, Florida opposing the expansion and widening of traffic lanes along U.S. Hwy 98 through the city limits of Mary Esther. Councilman Blocker seconded the motion. The motion failed by a vote of Councilwoman Jamieson moved to authorize the TPO chairman to sign Resolution O-W adopting the O-W FY Project Priorities as amended. Commissioner Fountain seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Kelley Windes Nathan Boyles Graham Fountain Amy Jamieson JB Whitten Joe Blocker Christine Wasdin Charlotte McKamy Skip Overdier Sara Comander Abstain The motion was passed through roll call vote. 3. ENCLOSURE C ALL COMMITTEES Consideration of Resolution O-W Adopting Targets for Transit Asset Management Performance Measures Presentation by Mr. Rob Mahan, Federal Transit Administration issued a final rule on Transit Asset Management (TAM) that became effective October 1, 2016, requiring public transportation providers to develop and implement a Transit Asset Management Plan. The final rule also provides state of good repair (SGR) standards and performance measures for three asset categories: Rolling Stock - % of revenue vehicles that have met or exceed their Useful Life Benchmark Equipment - % of service vehicles that have met or exceed their Useful Life Benchmark Facilities - % of facilities with a condition rating below 3.0 on the FTA Transit Economic Requirement Modal (TERM) scale Okaloosa County has developed targets for TAM performance measures and staff recommend the following TAM Performance Measures: Percent of Revenue Vehicles that have met or exceed their Useful Life Benchmark

10 September 20, 2018 Page 10 of 11 o Automobiles - 17% (of current inventory). o Buses 100% (of current inventory). o Cutaway Buses - 50% (of current inventory). o Mini-bus - 10% (of current inventory). o Mini-van- 100% (of current inventory). o Sport Utility Vehicle- 0% (of current inventory). Percent of Service Vehicles that have met or exceed their Useful Life Benchmark o Automobiles - 100% (of current inventory). Percent of FTA-funded facilities with a condition rating below 3.0 (Good) on the FTA Transit Economic Modal Scale o Administration: no more than 10% (of current inventory). Commissioner Comander moved to authorize the TPO chairman to sign Resolution O-W adopting targets fror transit asset management performance measures. Councilwoman Jamieson seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. 4. ENCLOSURE D ALL COMMITTEES Selection of One Citizens Advisory Committee Member to Attend the Fifth Annual Emerald Coast Transportation Symposium and Authorization to Provide Complimentary Registration Presentation by Ms. Mary Beth Washnock, WFRPC Transportation Manager Ms. Washnock stated that the CAC nominated member Rodney Salisbury to be their representative for them at the symposium. Commissioner Comander moved to accept the selection of Rodney Salisbury from the CAC to attend the Fifth Annual Emerald Coast Transportation Symposium and authorization to provide complimentary registration. Councilman Overdier seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. G. WEST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR S BRIEF TPO ONLY Mr. Austin Mount, WFRPC Executive Director Mr. Mount sympathized with the citizens and with the board on the issue of U.S. 98 through Mary Esther. He recommended waiting on the results of the PD&E study. He applauded the City of Mary Esther s stance and where they are currently. He urged the community to make their positions and stances known. He said their concerns will be considered in the final recommendation and THEN this board could make a determination whether to support the city. He said there are currently no construction dollars programmed for construction. Once the PD&E study is complete, it can move forward to compete with projects such as SR 85, etc. He noted that there are years of process to go through but this study needs to be completed to identify what the options are and then this board can take action. Mr. Mount said if the board/citizens choose to make it a priority after the study is completed, it is their choice. If the PD&E study comes back that 6-laning is warranted, it then comes back to priority list for construction, design, and right-of-way. Commissioner Comander noted how long it took U.S. 331 to be widened. She said they had been working on it since 1995 and it was just completed two months ago.

11 September 20, 2018 Page 11 of 11 H PRESENTATIONS (no action required): 1. ENCLOSURE E ALL COMMITTEES Review of the Brooks Bridge Replacement PD&E Study Notice of Public Hearing - Presentation by Mr. Eric Saggars, HNTB Corporation Mr. Bryant Paulk had already covered this earlier in the agenda 2. ENCLOSURE F ALL COMMITTEES Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside Update Presentation by Ms. Kristen Barre, WFRPC Staff Transportation Alternatives Set Aside applications are due to FDOT in January Staff requests all applications are received by Friday, December 28, A workshop will be held at 10:30 a.m. November at the Crestview Public Library to rank projects based on the TPO s adopted criteria. I. INFORMATION ITEMS (no presentations necessary): 1. ENCLOSURE G ALL COMMITTEES TCC and CAC August Meeting Minutes O-W TPO August Actions Report FDOT Letters Modifications to the FY Transportation Improvement Plan TPO Letter of Support to Secretary Gainer April-June 2018 Air Quality Report O-W Complete Joint Certification 2018 Mary Esther Resolution Opposition to Widening on US O-W TPO Schedule J. OTHER BUSINESS The next Okaloosa-Walton TPO meeting will be December 13, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at the Okaloosa County Administration Building. The CAC will meet at 9:30 a.m. and the TCC will meet at 1:30 p.m. K. ADJOURNMENT 4:05 pm Stay up to date with TPO events and activities on Facebook: Questions? Ms. Tiffany Bates, Transportation Program Coordinator, at tiffany.bates@wfrpc.org