Okaloosa County Sherriff s Office

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1 OKALOOSA-WALTON TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION (TCC) MEETING MINUTES WEST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL (Designated staff) Niceville Community Center, 204 North Partin Drive, Niceville, FL MEMBERS ATTENDING: Jeff Morgan Scott Bitterman Trae Duley Vann Fuller Hank Woollard Bruce Price Chris Frassetti OTHERS ATTENDING: Christy Johnson Bryant Paulk John Fielding Leigh Moore Nathan Boyles R.H. Showers Bill Chapman Stuart Campbell Ammy Hanson Mary Beth Washnock Tiffany Bates Gary Kramer Jill Lavender Macee Miller Brittany Ellers Annie Walthall Okaloosa County Sherriff s Office Okaloosa County Public Works City of Crestview Midbay Bridge Authority City of Destin City of Niceville City of Fort Walton Beach FDOT FDOT Atkins Scenic Corridor Foundation Okaloosa County Okaloosa County Walton County Commissioner City of Fort Walton Beach City of Niceville WFRPC Transportation Planning Manager A. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE Chairman Bitterman called the meeting to order. B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Fuller moved to approve the agenda. unanimously approved. Mr. Duley seconded the motion and it was C. PUBLIC FORUM (G3.) ENCLOSURE E- ALL COMMITTEES Proposed East Corridor Improvement Underpass Project- Ms. Leigh Moore, East Corridor Improvement Project Committee Leigh Moore, East Corridor Improvement Project Committee presented a project for a pedestrian and cyclist underpass for safety and beautification improvements at the US 98 and SR 30A Intersection. As more businesses and developments have been added, there has become a

2 Page 2 of 6 serious need to address the safety of those trying to cross. A committee was formed to see what could be done to improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Handouts were given to show a plan to build an underpass to help keep pedestrians and cyclists safe. Estimates for the project are 2.3 million but this does not include lighting and surveillance for the area. Safety, beautification, and improving the multi-modal aspect are the committee s ultimate goals for the project. The committee was formed in October 2013 with about twenty members. The overall project began in October 2013 and concepts were reviewed shortly thereafter for above or below crossings. An underpass was decided upon but it took some time for developers to be ready to fund the design. The first phase was completed this past spring and for now is only focused on this intersection but other intersections are being looked at as well. General discussion was made regarding why an underpass instead of an overpass and whether the developments that are coming in to the area are going to have to pay some type of cost share towards the improvements. Ms. Moore advised that an overpass was thought of first but it was found that the accesses cannot land in the right of way so an underpass would be more feasible. The project is within the FDOT right of way as the property on the southside is owned by Walton County. The northside is owned by The Donut Hole who is onboard with the project. Ms. Moore also advised that Walton County does not have impact fees but they do have to pay proportional fair share fees. The landscaping that has already been completed in the area was done with some of the fair share fees. The developments have already paid in more than what has been spent. In kind and cash contributions have been made as well. Ms. Moore is requesting to only be added to the LRTP so that this project can begin in the future. Commissioner Nathan Boyles requested to speak during the Public Forum regarding the approval of the five-year plan with a request from the TPO to reorganize the Project Priorities list. Commissioner Boyles is requesting to move the six-laning of Highway 85 from item number six to item number two because of the traffic challenges that the Crestview area is facing with the congested traffic. The recommendation was made both by the Workshop group and by the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) at their earlier meeting. Commissioner Boyles also advised that currently, an Eastern Bypass is not identified in the Long- Range Plan but feels the Bypass should be added back to the needs list. Commissioner Boyles stated that he was under the impression the Eastern Bypass had fallen off the needs list based upon commentary from Eglin Air Force Base and ultimately a study needed to be done to see if bringing back the project was feasible. Commissioner Boyles requested to bring back the commencement of the amendment process of the Long-Range Plan to add the Eastern Bypass project back onto the list. Commissioner Bill Chapman, Walton County, also requested to speak during the Public Forum regarding a US 98 Amendment. Commissioner Chapman stated that most are aware that Hwy 331 is under construction going from two to four lanes. From Freeport south to Hwy 98 and to Defuniak Springs is also under construction. Saturdays are backed up from Hwy 98 to Hwy 331. The signals at Hwy 98/331 cause major backup. Commissioner Chapman would like the committee to consider some sort of flyover system at Hwy 331/98 like what is at 23 rd /Hwy 98.

3 Page 3 of 6 (G2.) ENCLOSURE D- ALL COMMITTEES Status of State Road 85- Mr. Bryant Paulk, AICP, FDOT Urban Liaison Mr. Paulk, advised the FDOT wants to add State Road 85 to the PD&E study for FY19 to add capacity and will be ranked within the Project Priorities. The widening of State Road 85 and I-10 are FDOT roads and a potential east and west bound bypass is a local effort. The FDOT will work with the TPO with their Project Priorities and what needs to move forward and in what order. Trae Duley stated that all the requests spoken about earlier are needed but there needs to be something done with the traffic now. Mr. Paulk stated that this goes back to the Priorities, that there is limited funding and there needs to be a united voice from the TPO as to what they want to see improved and in what priority. There was additional discussion about fanning out the traffic in another direction over the Shoal River Bridge. D. CONSENT: 1. ALL COMMITTEES - Approval of June 20, 2017 Meeting Minutes Mr. Jeff Morgan moved to approve the meeting minutes. Mr. Trae Daley seconded the motion and the motion was passed unanimously. E. ACTION: 1. ENCLOSURE A- ALL COMMITTEES (PUBLIC HEARING AND ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED) Consideration of Resolution O-W Adopting the O-W FY Project Priorities- Mr. Gary Kramer, Mr. Gary Kramer, WFRPC presented. Annually, the TPO reviews and adopts transportation project priorities in September for submittal to FDOT by October 1 st. However, for 2017, the FDOT has requested the FY Project Priorities be adopted by August 1 st because the state legislature will be advanced in The purpose of the document is to ensure that transportation projects programmed by FDOT in the Five-Year Work Program are consistent with local needs and plans for the TPO planning area. Comments from public workshops were identified in the TPO and advisory committee members June and July agenda enclosures and were included in Appendix B. The Project Priorities tables from drafts through adoption were posted on the web site for review and comment. The Project Priorities were a review item at the June TPO meeting and were approved at the July TPO meeting with the following changes: Table 2, Non-Sis Priorities 16 and 17 moved to Non-SIS Priorities 20 and 21. Table 2, Non-Sis Priorities 20 and 21 moved to Non-SIS Priorities 16 and 17. Table 4, SIS Priority 6 moved to Priority 2 and corresponding priorities moved down accordingly. Table 6 TSM Priority 2 moved to Priority 3. Table 6 TSM Priority 3 moved to Priority 2.

4 Page 4 of 6 Table 8 Bike/Ped Priority 9 moved to Priority 10. Table 8 Bike/Ped Priority 17 moved to Priority 9. Table 8 Bike/Ped Priority 47 moved to Priority 1 and corresponding priorities moved down accordingly. Table 10 TAP Priority 7 moved to Priority 4 and corresponding priorities moved down accordingly. Chairman Bitterman requested a correction to the resolution on page 15. He said the date needed to be changed from July 29, 2017 to June 29, Mr. Morgan moved to recommend the TPO approve Resolution O-W Adopting the O-W FY Project Priorities with recommended date correction. Mr. Woollard seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. 2. ENCLOSURE B- ALL COMMITTEES Consideration of Resolution O-W Adopting the Public Participation Process (PPP) Plan for the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization (TPO)- Ms. Brittany Ellers, WRFPC Staff Ms. Annie Walthall, WFRPC, presented. Mr. Morgan moved to recommend that the TPO approve Resolution O-W Adopting the Public Participation Process (PPP) Plan. Mr. Stuart seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. F. FDOT UPDATE- Mr. Bryant Paulk, AICP, FDOT Urban Liaison or Ms. Christy Johnson, AICP, FDOT Urban Liaison Mr. Bryant Paulk, FDOT, presented the FDOT update. Mr. Paulk advised that the FDOT has been issued the notice to proceed with the Beal Parkway and Mary Esther Blvd intersection improvement. This will include an additional south bound lane on Beal Parkway with dual left and right turn lanes from Beal Parkway onto Mary Esther Blvd. The project has now gone to contract and been given a completion timeframe of January The next project is the resurfacing of Perry Avenue which has a construction cost of one million dollars and will include sidewalk improvements and connections and is scheduled to be completed by September G. PRESENTATIONS (no action): 1. ENCLOSURE C- ALL COMMITTEES Florida Department of Transportation Complete Streets Guidelines- Mr. Bryant Paulk, AICP, FDOT Urban Liaison Bryant Paulk, FDOT, presented the Florida Department of Transportation Complete Streets Guidelines. In 2014, the Department adopted a Complete Streets policy that promotes safety,

5 Page 5 of 6 quality of life, and economic development in Florida, while serving the transportation needs of transportation system users of all ages and abilities. Subsequent to the policy, FDOT published an Implementation Plan that identified the steps to carry out the Complete Streets policy. These actions include development of the Complete Streets Handbook and changes to the Florida Design Manual. The Handbook provides a context sensitive system to evaluate the roadway network considering the transportation needs of users of all ages and abilities, including, but not limited to: cyclists, freight handlers, motorists, pedestrians, and transit riders. FDOT specifically recognizes Complete Streets are context-sensitive and require transportation system design that considers local land development patterns and built form. FDOT will coordinate as needed in the design and construction of Complete Streets. 2. ENCLOSURE D- ALL COMMITTEES Status of State Road 85- Mr. Bryant Paulk, AICP, FDOT Urban Liaison (Presented during the Public Forum) 3. ENCLOSURE E- ALL COMMITTEES Proposed East Corridor Improvement Underpass Project- Ms. Leigh Moore, East Corridor Improvement Project Committee (Presented during the Public Forum) 4. ENCLOSURE F- ALL COMMITTEES Interactive Project Priorities and Long-Range Transportation Plans- Ms. Jill Lavender, Jill Lavender, WFRPC, presented. She said the project is a mapping application that combines the Project Priorities and the Long-Range Transportation Plan Needs and Cost Feasible projects for the Florida-Alabama, Okaloosa-Walton, and Bay County TPOs into regionally-focused interactive maps. This project was derived from a need for regional collaboration and unification of the three TPOs planned transportation projects into one location, a need initially voiced by Eglin Air Force Base officials. The application was designed by Ms. Jessica Paul, WFRPC GIS Coordinator, and was awarded a 2017 Excellence in Transportation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). H. INFORMATION ITEMS (no presentation necessary) ENCLOSURE G- ALL COMMITTEES 1. TCC and CAC June Meeting Minutes 2. O-W TPO June Actions Report 3. Amtrak Update I. OTHER BUSINESS - The next Okaloosa-Walton TPO meeting will be October 19, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at Northwest Florida State College in the Robert L.F. Sikes Center at 805 East James Lee Boulevard, Crestview, Florida. The CAC will meet at 9:30 a.m. and the TCC will meet at 1:30 p.m.

6 Page 6 of 6 Chairman Bitterman asked if the committee would like to make a motion to the TPO regarding projects the TCC has supported by adding the traffic signal at Hwy 98/331, the Eastern Bypass in Crestview, and a multi-modal planning study for a pedestrian/bike Ped underpass to the LRTP. Mr. Woollard made the motion to give the recommendations and Mr. Stuart seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Mary Beth Washnock, WFRPC, advised that the Transportation Symposium would be held November 8 th and 9 th in Panama City at the Bay Point Sheraton. J. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 2:53 p.m.