FLORIDA-ALABAMA TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION (TPO) MEETING MINUTES WEST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL (Designated staff) Guy Thompson Community Center 5629 Byrom Street, Milton, FL 32570 February 8, 2017 Members Attending: Commissioner Lane Lynchard, Acting Chair Commissioner Bob Cole Commissioner Don Salter Commissioner Sam Parker Mayor Matt Dannheisser Councilmember M. Peggi Smith Councilmember Gerald Wingate Councilmember P.C. Wu Commissioner Jeff Bergosh Commissioner Steven Barry Councilman Jerry Johnson City of Gulf Breeze City of Milton City of Orange Beach, AL Advisory Members Attending: Bryant Paulk Christy Johnson FDOT, Non-Voting FDOT, Non-Voting Others Attending: Joy Swanson Pleas Brian Goddin Lynn Cherry Shawn Justice Jon McClain Cory Wilkinson Jim Waite Mary Morgan Kerrianne Jensen Keith Wilkins Leslie Statler Jim DeVries David Forte Shawn Ward Tim Milstead Victor Jordan Attending: Austin Mount Mary Beth Washnock Caitlin Cerame Gary Kramer Tiffany Bates FDOT Carpe Diem Community Solutions Carpe Diem Community Solutions Volkert/FDOT HTNB/FDOT HDR Engineering BDI Davenport Baskerville-Donovan City of Milton CAC Member
2/8/2017 Page 2 Megan Polk Jill Lavender Gina Watson Yuke Li Brittany Ellers Annie Walthall A. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Lynchard announced that neither the chair nor the vice chair could attend today s meeting and an acting chairman needed to be appointed. He also noted that a quorum was not present. Commissioner Cole moved to appoint Commissioner Lynchard as acting chair for this meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barry and it was unanimously approved. Chairman Lynchard said the board would hear presentations on the agenda not requiring action at this time in the hopes that a quorum would eventually be established. B. FDOT/ALDOT UPDATE Mr. Paulk said the Department had nothing to report. Mayor Dannheisser asked if there will be a single, multiple agency meeting with FDOT and the contractor of the Bay Bridge replacement. Mr. Paulk said this will occur. Mayor Dannheisser asked what has been occurring with the pedestrian path design. Mr. Paulk said the recessed pedestrian path is still part of the design and that emergency vehicles and through traffic will be able to be accommodated with the existing width. Mayor Dannheisser expressed concern and said this information is not consistent with what Ms. Harrell said at the last meeting. Mr. Paulk said when the proposal is complete it will be presented. Commissioner Cole asked that the TPO request that the practice of planting palm trees in landscaping in northwest Florida be stopped and that only indigenous trees be used. Mr. Paulk said the palm trees are by order from Governor Scott, but that discussions are being held at the regional level to do as Commissioner Cole has asked. C. PRESENTATIONS (no action) 1. Review of the State Road (SR) 173 (South Blue Angel Parkway) from SR 292 (Sorrento Road) to SR 30 (U.S. 98) Design Mr. Wilkinson said this project was last presented in June of 2010 and it is now in the Design phase. He presented a PowerPoint of the project design features, limits and retention pond locations and announced a public information meeting being held at Liberty Church on March 28, 2017. Construction funds are not available. Commissioner Bergosh offered assistance since the project is in his district. 2. Review of the State Road (SR) 30 (U.S. 98) Gregory Street and Bayfront Parkway at 17 th Avenue Intersection Improvement Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study Mr. Justice provided a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the design of this project, which includes a combination of a flyover and an at grade roundabout. Close coordination is underway throughout with the developers of the new Pensacola Bay Bridge and FDOT. Commissioner Bergosh asked how congestion would be avoided in the roundabout if there is a crash. He said he has seen it happen in other areas and it becomes a parking lot. Mr. Justice said this single lane roundabout has the width of a two lane, so moving crashes out of the way will be possible and gridlock can be avoided. There was general discussion about the roundabout design and clarification that it is similar, but not the same, as the visual concept presented by Vision Pensacola.
2/8/2017 Page 3 2. Overview of the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Freight Committee Ms. Cerame said the Freight Committee, being formed as a result of a new task in the UPWP, will address issues and concerns related to freight movement through the area. Representatives from the rail and port industries will be included and meetings will be held at the West Florida Regional Planning Council, the first of which will be April 11, 2017. She said the advisory committees provided some additional stakeholder contacts and the CAC asked if a citizen can be included in the group. Commissioner Cole asked if having this group would provide leverage in getting SIS projects funded quicker. Ms. Washnock said it would be a positive addition. Commissioner Barry said he can provide a contact from the Northwest Florida Manufacturer s Council. 3. Review of FY (FY) 2017 2018 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Year 2 Ms. Washnock asked that the TPO members review the budget and work tasks in Year 2 of the UPWP and let her know if they see any opportunities for additional work. She said the Pedestrian Bicycle Master Plan and the Freight Committee mentioned in the previous item were additions to the UPWP for FY 2017. A quorum was established following a brief break. D. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairman Lynchard said Item #6 has been removed from consideration and Item #7, listed as for discussion by the CAC will be discussed by the TPO. Commissioner Barry moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cole and it was unanimously approved. E. PUBLIC FORUM Chairman Lynchard noted that a speaker request form was received by Mr. Forte with to speak when the TPO gets to Item #7, if a quorum is established. F. CONSENT 1. Approval of December 2016 Meeting Minutes. The minutes were approved. G. ACTION ITEMS 1. Roll Call Vote: Resolution FL-AL 17-01 Amending the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 FY 2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Adding a Pedestrian Bridge Crossing on County Road (CR) 399 (East Bay Boulevard) Mr. Bryant explained FDOT s request to add Design to the current year with construction scheduled for 2021. Commissioner Barry moved to authorize the TPO chairman to sign Resolution FL-AL 17-01. Commissioner Cole seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. 2. Resolution FL-AL 17-02 Amending the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 FY 2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Adding Sidewalks on Both Sides of Massachusetts Avenue from State Road (SR) 10A (U.S. 90/Mobile Highway) to Hollywood Avenue Mr. Bryant explained FDOT s request to add Design to the current year with a local contribution of $138,000. Commissioner Barry moved to authorize the TPO chairman to sign Resolution
2/8/2017 Page 4 FL-AL 17-02. Commissioner Bergosh seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. 3. Request to Proceed with Amending the 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Needs and Cost Feasible Plans for State Road (SR) 180 Widening from SR 59 to the Foley Beach Expressway in Gulf Shores ad Orange Beach and the Costs for Design Build funds for the Gregory Street/Bayfront Parkway/17 th Avenue Interchange in Pensacola. There was brief discussion. He said the TCC and the CAC both recommended approval. Commissioner Barry moved to authorize the Florida-Alabama TPO staff to proceed with the process to amend the 2040 Long range Transportation Plan Needs and Cost Feasible Plans for the widening of SR 180 from SR 59 to Foley Beach Expressway and the Design-Build funds for the Gregory Street/Bayfront Parkway/17 th Avenue Interchange. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cole and it was unanimously approved. 4. Resolution FL-AL 17-03 Adopting the 2017 Pedestrian Bicycle Master Plan Update Scope of Work. Ms. Ellers explained the purpose and goal of the update which will be more conceptual and less technical, resembling the 2005 plan more than the 2010, with much public input. She said the draft is included in the agenda and very minor adjustments have been made based on comments received. Commissioner Parker moved to authorize the TPO chairman to sign Resolution FL- AL 17-03 adopting the 2017 Pedestrian Bicycle Master Plan Update Scope of Work. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cole and it was unanimously approved. 5. Resolution FL-AL 17-04 Adopting the Detroit Boulevard/Johnson Avenue Corridor Management Plan (CMP) Scope of Services and Authorizing Execution of Consultant Task Order. Ms. Washnock said all modes are being considered in the plan. Commissioner Barry moved to authorize the TPO chairman to sign Resolution FL-AL 17-04 adopting the Scope of Services for the Detroit Boulevard/Johnson Avenue Corridor Management Plan (CMP) and Authorizing Execution of Consultant Task Order. The motion was seconded by Councilman Johnson and it was unanimously approved. 6. Consideration of Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Application from Mr. Jarah Jacquay Removed from agenda as Mr. Jacquay has pulled his application from consideration. 7. Consideration of Safety Features for Perdido Key Drive Ms. Washnock said there was considerable discussion about this project at the CAC meeting. She said Mr. McClellan, CAC member, had asked that the item be on this agenda but was unable to attend the CAC meeting on February 6. She said a message was sent to the CAC on behalf of Mr. McClellan, in the form of a text message, by David Forte, Public Works, and the CAC recommended that the TPO endorse this recommendation. ( Pls include provision to widen & add turn-lane to Perdido Key Dr. (SR292) fm AL/FL State Line to intersection of Gulf Beach as the Recommended Safety Feature for Perdido Key Dr. ) Mr. Paulk said he has spoken with Mr. McClellan and the overall desire is to not four-lane Perdido Key Drive. He said any major improvements would need to come before this board. Mr. Forte approached the board and read an email he received from Commissioner Underhill regarding the subject, and read it into the record as requested by Commissioner Underhill. (See attached) There was discussion about delaying taking any action at this time. Commissioner Bergosh moved to table taking any action on specific improvements to Perdido Key Drive until further information is gathered. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barry and it was unanimously approved. H. INFORMATION ITEMS (No Presentation)
2/8/2017 Page 5 The following items were included in the agenda package: December 2016 Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes December 2016 TPO Actions Report Letter from FDOT Regarding the Naval Air Station Pensacola Connector Letter to the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Regarding the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Air Quality Status Report Florida Department of Economic Opportunity s (DEO s) Review Letter for FY 2016 2017 through FY 2020-2021 Regarding the TIP I. OTHER BUSINESS None J. ADJOURN - There being no other business the meeting was adjourned.