MEETING MINUTES Thursday, September 29, 2011 Lake~Sumter MPO 1616 South 14 th Street Leesburg, FL 34748 ******************************************************************* Members Present: Representing: Commissioner Jennifer Hill (Chairman) Commissioner Leslie Campione Commissioner Welton Cadwell Commissioner Don Burgess (Chairman-Elect) Sumter County BCC Commissioner William Ferree City of Eustis Mayor Jim Richards (1 st Vice-Chairman) Town of Lady Lake Councilmember Joseph Saunders City of Minneola Vice-Mayor Robert Thielhelm, Sr. City of Mount Dora Councilmember Kirby Smith City of Tavares Commissioner Sharon Kelly City of Fruitland Park* Vice-Mayor James Gearhart City of Groveland* Vice-Mayor Warren Maddox (Sumter/At-Large Representative) City of Bushnell Board Member Debbie Stivender Lake County Schools** Members Absent: Commissioner Sean Parks (2 nd Vice-Chairman) Commissioner Jimmy Conner Commissioner Doug Gilpin Mayor Pro-Tem Ray Goodgame Mayor Pro-Tem Sanna Henderson (Immediate Past Chairman) Mayor Jake Farley Mayor Pro-Tem Bonnie Nebel Council Member Tony Rosado Council Vice-President Joe Wynkoop Councilmember Eric Olson (Lake/At-Large Representative) Mayor Ed Wolf Pete Petree Board Member Kathie Joiner Representing: Sumter County BCC City of Clermont City of Leesburg Town of Astatula* Town of Howey-in-the-Hills* City of Mascotte* Town of Montverde* City of Umatilla City of Wildwood* Florida Central Railroad** Sumter County Schools** *Denotes non-voting members **Denotes ex-officio, non-voting members Staff: T. J. Fish LSMPO Executive Director Sue Goldfuss LSMPO Executive Assistant Erin Hartigan Assistant County Attorney
Page 2 of 7 Call to Order/Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance/Notice/Roll Call/Chairman s Announcements The meeting of the Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization (LSMPO) was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Chairman Jennifer Hill. Commissioner Burgess gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Staff announced that the meeting was properly noticed. The roll was called, at which time it was noted that a quorum was present (9 voting members present at roll call). I. AGENDA UPDATE On a motion by Commissioner Burgess, seconded by Vice-Mayor Thielhelm and carried unanimously by a vote of 9-0, the LSMPO approved to add Tab 15 to Action Items. At this time Mr. Fish reviewed items in the board member folders. II. III. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT None CONSENT AGENDA Tab 1 On a motion by Commissioner Cadwell, seconded by Vice-Mayor Thielhelm and carried unanimously by a vote of 9-0, the LSMPO approved Items A through F of the Consent Agenda, as follows, with Chairman Hill emphasizing Item F: A. Minutes for the May 25, 2011 regular meeting B. Appointments to the Lake County and Sumter County Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Boards C. Resolution 2011-24 Approving the Public Transportation Joint Participation Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation that was approved August 24, 2011 D. Resolution 2011-25 Authorizing Executive Director to Execute Subsequent Notifications of Funding Associated with the Public Transportation JPA with FDOT E. Resolution 2011-26 Amending the FY 2011/12 Budget to Account for Unanticipated Revenue for the Safe School Access Transportation Study F. Cancel October 26, 2011 Governing Board Meeting Commissioner Campione arrived at this time. IV. PRESENTATION Tab 2 Florida Department of Transportation and Florida s Turnpike Enterprise Tentative 5- Year Work Programs for FY 2012/13 2016/17 Ms. Vickie Wyche, MPO Liaison, FDOT, stated that the Tentative 5-year Work Program Public Hearing will be at the District Office in Deland on Oct 25. She will be able to present at the next governing board meeting Dec 7. Ms. Alice Gilmartin, Government Affairs Officer, FTE, noted the projects listed in the agenda packet. She further noted that the turnpike is working with FDOT with a financial plan for the Wekiva Parkway, and added that FTE will have their public hearing in conjunction with FDOT on Oct 25.
Page 3 of 7 V. COMMITTEE REPORTS Tab 3 MPO Committee Reports A. Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Chairman Brian Sheahan noted that the committee has been discussing Pavement Management. Sumter County is utilizing the MPO s services, and Eustis and Lake County are interested. B. Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Chairman Susy Gibson reported the CAC s comments on the SR 50 Corridor Study. C. Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Chairman Bill Ferree noted the BPAC report in the folder. D. Lake County Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board (TDCB) E. Sumter County TDCB VI. ACTION ITEMS Tab 4 FY 2010/11 Audit Financial Statement Mr. Joel Knopp, Audit Manager, Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A. gave an overview of the financials and operating standards. He reviewed his discussion with management and analysis of the document. It was a clean audit with no deficiencies and no identifiable problems. However, with a fund balance deficit, the recommendation is to budget for a reserve fund in the event a payout is due to an exiting employee. Brief discussion ensued with the governing board regarding federal regulations for MPO s and liability figures. Staff is requesting two separate actions: (1) to accept the audit and (2) to approve a resolution that adopts a reserve fund policy. On a motion by Mayor Richards, seconded by Councilmember Smith and carried unanimously by a vote of 10-0, the LSMPO accepted the FY 2010/11 Audit Financial Statement. On a motion by Vice-Mayor Thielhelm, seconded by Commissioner Burgess and carried unanimously by a vote of 10-0, the LSMPO approved Resolution No. 2011-27 to Adopt a Reserve Fund Policy. Tab 5 Resolution to Amend the FY 2011/12 2015/16 Transportation Improvement Program On a motion by Vice-Mayor Thielhelm, seconded by Commissioner Cadwell and carried unanimously by a roll call vote of 10-0, the LSMPO approved Resolution No. 2011-28 to Amend the FY 2011/12 2015/16 Transportation Improvement Program.
Page 4 of 7 Tab 6 Declaration of Support for Rail Solutions to Economic and Transportation Challenges Mr. Fish explained that the declaration has been revised to state the Lake~Sumter MPO rather than the Chairman s name as a supporter and member of the coalition; and in addition to the Declaration of Support, letters were drafted for Chairman s signature to Congressmen Mica and Webster thanking them for their commitment and support of rail projects in Central Florida. On a motion by Vice-Mayor Thielhelm, seconded by Commissioner Campione and carried unanimously by a vote of 10-0, the LSMPO approved the Chairman to sign the Declaration of Support for Rail Solutions to Economic and Transportation Challenges as revised by staff. Tab 7 2012 Federal Legislative Positions Mr. Fish reiterated the positions of the transportation bill, Safe Routes to School, truck weights and MPO thresholds. On a motion by Commissioner Cadwell, seconded by Vice-Mayor Thielhelm and carried unanimously by a vote of 10-0, the LSMPO approved the list of 2012 Federal Legislative Positions. Tab 8 Draft 2012 State Legislative Positions Mr. Fish reviewed the committee recommendations and staff positions. He provided an update of what was said at the Lake County Delegation yesterday. Brief discussion ensued regarding the transportation trust fund and surtax. On a motion by Commissioner Ferree, seconded by Vice-Mayor Thielhelm and carried unanimously by a vote of 10-0, the LSMPO approved the Draft list of 2012 State Legislative Positions. Tab 9 Executive Director Annual Evaluation due October 1, 2011 Chairman Hill reported that Mr. Fish received a majority of 4 s and 5 s on his evaluation and that no action was necessary since his salary was not affected. No action was taken. Tab 10 Executive Director Contract due October 1, 2011 Chairman Hill led the discussion and stated that the Executive Committee recommended approval of the contract that was emailed to the board with a copy in folders. Staff s tab report lists revisions from the previous contract; however, there is one further addition under Section 4 (Extent of Services) that allows the Executive Director to teach with compensation. Commissioner Cadwell voiced some concerns and requested a continuation further stating that his comments have nothing to do with the executive director s work performance. Commissioner Cadwell made a motion to table the item and extend the existing contract to December 7, 2011; seconded by Vice-Mayor Thielhelm. Discussion ensued regarding state law changing compensation payout from seven months to 20 weeks; the 6% increase in
Page 5 of 7 lieu of additional retirement benefits; and the quality of service for both counties and all cities. Motion failed 3 to 7 with Commissioner Campione, Commissioner Burgess, Commissioner Ferree, Mayor Richards, Councilmember Saunders, Councilmember Smith and Vice-Mayor Maddox opposed. On a motion by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Saunders and carried by a vote of 7-3, with Commissioner Hill, Commissioner Cadwell and Vice-Mayor Thielhelm opposed, the LSMPO approved the Executive Director s Contract as provided, effective October 1, 2011. ADDENDUM ITEM Tab 15 Freight Study with MetroPlan Orlando Mr. Fish reiterated the addendum item stating that MetroPlan Orlando has invited the LSMPO to participate in their Freight, Goods and Services Study at no cost due to additional funding from FDOT for the purpose of assisting the LSMPO, the Volusia TPO and the Space Coast TPO to be included as study partners and help defer the costs associated with increasing the study area and addressing specific needs of the MPOs. On a motion by Vice-Mayor Thielhelm, seconded by Councilmember Smith and carried unanimously by a vote of 10-0, the LSMPO approved the Freight Study with MetroPlan Orlando. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS Tab 11 Lake-Orange Rail Initiative Update Mr. Fish gave an update on the recent action by the City of Apopka to participate in the rail initiative and the announcement made recently by the U.S. Department of Transportation awarding a grant to the City of Tavares for a rail line relocation project. The MPO had assisted in the grant application. Brief discussion ensued regarding railbanking. Tab 12 County Road 466A Mr. Fish reported the right-of-way purchases by Lake County and the reimbursement grant that was received. VIII. PRESENTATIONS (cont) Tab 13 Economic Preparedness Update Mr. Fish gave a powerpoint presentation and reviewed the following and explained how the MPO priorities support economic preparedness: Rail Initiatives Freight Rail Upgrades Rail Initiatives Passenger Rail Wellness Way Tavares Freight Village Powers Dairy Site and Existing Industrial Park in Eustis Minneola Interchange Mount Dora Employment Center and Wekiva Parkway Groveland Employment Center
Page 6 of 7 Leesburg International Airport Leesburg Enterprise Aerospace Plan (LEAP) Umatilla Municipal Airport LakeXpress and Job Access Brownwood Florida Crossroads Industrial Activity Center CR 470 Corridor Councilmember Saunders commended Mr. Fish on the White Paper regarding The Hills of Minneola. Tab 14 SR 50 PD&E Study in Groveland Ms. Amy Sirmans, FDOT Project Manager and Ms. Lynne Marie Whately, Consultant Project Manager, TranSystems reviewed the presentation that was included in the agenda packets. Ms. Sirmans announced the November 1 public hearing at the Puryear Building in Groveland with an Open House at 5 pm and Presentation at 6 pm. Mr. Fish reiterated the need for the MPO to be present at the public hearing. VII. REPORTS A. Transportation Agency Reports 1. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) No report given. 2. Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) Ms. Vickie Wyche, FDOT, MPO Liaison, District Five, informed the LSMPO there were no changes from the report in the packet. She reported that the new Director of Planning and Development is Frank O Dea. 3. Florida Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) Ms. Alice Gilmartin stated she had nothing further to report. 4. Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA) No report given. 5. Lake County Public Works Report Mr. Jim Stivender, Lake County Public Works Director, reported the progress of the Picciola Bridge as well as other project updates. 6. Sumter County Public Works Report Mr. Scott Cottrell, Sumter County Public Works Director, reported on road project updates. 7. Lake County Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC)
Page 7 of 7 8. Sumter County CTC B. MPO Executive Committee No further information to report. C. Central Florida MPO Alliance (CFMPOA) Mr. Fish reported that the CFMPOA will meet Oct 14. D. MPO Advisory Council (MPOAC) Mr. Fish reported the MPOAC will meet in Orlando Nov 4. E. Association of MPOs (AMPO) Mr. Fish stated that he is attending the annual conference Oct 25 in Dallas, Texas which is why the October governing board was cancelled. F. Lake-Sumter MPO Staff Report None G. MPO Governing Board Reports Board Member Debbie Stivender, Lake County Schools, thanked MPO staff for being called to be a part of the Safe Routes to Schools video; and she also thanked Commissioner Parks for working with Board Member Howard on canvassing Minneola High School issues. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization, the meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the LSMPO will be December 7, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the Lake-Sumter MPO offices at 1616 South 14 th Street, Leesburg. Jennifer Hill, Chairman