WEST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL (Designated staff) ESCAMBIA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION CHAMBERS 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola September 8, 2010 Members Attending: Commissioner Don Salter, Chairman Commissioner Kevin White, Vice Chairman Commissioner Jim Williamson Commissioner Lane Lynchard Mayor Guy Thompson Mayor Beverly Zimmern Councilwoman Diane Mack Commissioner Bob Cole Commissioner Grover Robinson Commissioner Gene M. Valentino Commissioner Marie Young Commissioner Wilson Robertson Councilman P. C. Wu Others Attending: John Alaghemand Charles Carlan Wiley Page Tracy Forester LaVetor Moore Jim DeVries Eugene Harris Michael Hoyt Williams Nick Arnto Drew Roark George Holland Stacie Blizzard Tajsha LaShore Terry Joseph Nancy Model Michael Godwin Thomas Steinberg Jack (John) DeGasparre Buzz Morley Kenneth Gordon Chris Westbrook Ben Faust Jim Hagon Alan Vann Tommy Brown Gary Kramer Christy R. Johnson Brian Youpatoff Tonya Ellis Julia Pearsall Mary Robinson City of Milton City of Gulf Breeze Pensacola City Council Pensacola City Council DRMP Hatch Mott MacDonald PBS&J Genesis Group FDOT Escambia County Local fisherman RS&H RS&H FDOT Federal Highway Administration Federal Transit Administration WFRPC Santa Rosa County Planning & Zoning Pensacola Airport ECAT ECAT DRMP DRMP FDOT Escambia County
PAGE 2 Mary Beth Washnock Ellie Roberts AGENDA ITEM A: Call to Order/Pledge/Invocation. Chairman Salter called the meeting to order. He called on Commissioner Cole to give the invocation. Chairman Salter led in the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA ITEM B: Special Presentation. There was none. AGENDA ITEM C: Approval of Agenda. Chairman Salter called for additions, deletions or changes to the agenda. There were none. Commissioner Valentino moved for approval of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Commissioner White and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM D: Public Forum. 1. Mr. Michael Hoyt Williamson, Pensacola. Mr. Williamson stated that he does a fishing show on BLAB called The Catch and Fish Show. He commented about the plans to replace the three-mile bridge in six years. He said the current bridge needs to be converted into a three-mile fishing bridge. He does not want to see the bridge go away in six years. He requested that the TPO not let the current three-mile bridge go away and to not let it be recycled. 2. Mr. Jack DeGasparre, Pensacola. Mr. DeGasparre stated that he is a member of the TPO Citizens Advisory Committee and is here today to get something cleared up and to better understand the information process that comes from the Citizens Advisory Committee to the TPO. He asked how the TPO gets input from the meetings in such a short timeframe. Mr. DeGasparre asked if the TPO sees any input from the meeting held one to two days prior to the TPO meeting. Ms. Washnock explained that recommendations from the advisory committees are announced at the meeting. Commissioner Robinson explained that the advisory committees are welcome to share their thoughts and input directly to the TPO. Ms. Washnock explained that the recommendations made at the advisory committee meetings yesterday are presented to the TPO today. 3. Ms. Veronica Crute, Harvest, Alabama. Ms. Crute stated that she has a petition containing approximately 2,000 signatures from Santa Rosa County residents. She addressed US90 at the location of the Pond Creek Bridge and San Diego Drive and commented that is a very dangerous area. There were tragic accidents in that location, one being the death of her brother as he crossed the street. Ms. Crute said she would like to have a divider, or barrier, which separates walkers and cyclists from the cars. She presented a photo showing that there is not enough room to walk in that area and is very dangerous. She asked that the focus be on safety, i.e., crosswalks, sidewalks, lighting, and a barrier to separate pedestrians from the vehicles. Mr. DeVries stated that the FDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian coordinator is looking into what short-term options are available. He said this is being looked at in other areas also.
PAGE 3 AGENDA ITEM E-1: Approval of August 11, 2010 Meeting Minutes. Chairman Salter called for approval of the August meeting minutes. Commissioner White moved for approval of the August 11, 2010 meeting minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Robinson and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM E-2: Consideration of Resolution FL-AL 10-32 to Amend the FY 2011-2015 TIP to Add Project #4093341, SR30 (US98) Bridge Replacement PD&E to Replace 3-Mile/Phillip D. Beall Sr. Bridge Enclosure A. Ms. Elizabeth Schrey, TPO staff, to present. Commissioner White moved to authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution FL-AL 10-32 to amend the FY2011-2015 TIP. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion. Councilwoman Mack requested that recommendations made by the advisory committees yesterday be presented to the TPO for every item on this agenda. Ms. Schrey reported that all three TPO advisory committees recommended approval of this resolution. Chairman Salter asked for the anticipated timeframe for the PD&E. Mr. DeVries said FDOT is hoping it is two years but that could change. He explained that it could be a four- to five-year timeframe but that decision has not been made. Chairman Salter called for further comments. There were none. He called for the roll call vote. The motion was unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM E-3: Consideration of Resolution FL-AL 10-33 to Adopt the TPO Project Priorities for FY2012-FY2016 - Enclosure B. Ms Elizabeth Schrey, TPO staff, presented. Ms. Schrey referred to the handout distributed to those present and stated that there were a few last minute updates to the priorities. She reviewed the revisions to the Public Transportation Priorities and clarified some of the verbiage on the projects and adding project numbers. Ms. Schrey reported that the BPAC recommended approval of this document and asked that the criteria be applied when the data is available. The TCC recommended approval of the document with to be determined as a ranking for each of those projects. They further recommended authorizing TPO staff to apply those criteria once the necessary data is received. The TCC also recommended that TPO Priority #2 on the Priorities List, Table 6, Sub Project #3, Exclusive southbound right turn lane with 625 feet of storage, be removed from the project. The recommended approval of the document and commented that they agreed with the TCC recommendations. Ms. Schrey commented that TPO staff is working on indicating which of the capacity priorities are roadways designated as Highways of Commerce. Ms. Schrey indicated these projects will be notated with either an asterisk (*), or double asterisk (**).
PAGE 4 Chairman Salter opened the public hearing. There were no speakers. He closed the public hearing and called for the motion. Commissioner White moved to authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution FL-AL 10-33 to adopt the FY2012-2016 Project Priorities. Commissioner Valentino seconded the motion. Chairman Salter called for comments or questions. There were none. He called for the roll call vote. The motion was unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM E-4: Consideration of Resolution FL-AL 10-38 to Adopt the 2010 Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan Update Enclosure C. Mr. Brian Youpatoff, TPO staff, presented. Mr. Youpatoff distributed a draft copy of the Master Plan update and gave a PowerPoint presentation. He also provided background information as shown in the agenda enclosure. Mr. Youpatoff also distributed a document showing comments received and changes made to the draft Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan. Mr. Youpatoff reported that the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and the Citizens Advisory Committee () recommended approval with reservations as to the priority lists. Also, they requested holding workshops in May through July to revisit the priorities. The Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) recommended accepting the plan as meeting the scope and to incorporate adding community-based planning within 60 days which will be derived from local jurisdictions. Commissioner Robinson moved to accept the TCC recommendation accepting the plan as meeting the scope and to incorporate adding community-based planning within 60 days which will be derived from local jurisdictions. Commissioner Valentino seconded the motion. There was brief discussion. Commissioner Cole wants to make sure to include historic Old Brick Road. Mr. Youpatoff said he would. Chairman Salter called for further discussion. There was none. He called for the vote. The motion was unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM E-5: Consideration of Resolution FL-AL 10-37 to Adopt the Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Plan - Enclosure D. Mr. Tracy Forester, Genesis Group, presented. Mr. Forester said he presented a draft ITS Plan to the TPO last month and also to the TCC and yesterday. He said comments were received and addressed as reflected in the handout distributed to those present. Mr. Forester reported that the TCC and recommended approval of the plan as is. Mr. Forester said he is seeking approval from the board that this plan be adopted. Commissioner White moved to authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution FL-AL 10-37 to adopt the Regional ITS Plan. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mack and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM E-6: Consideration of Resolution FL-AL 10-35 to Adopt FY2010 Congestion Management Process (CMP) Plan Enclosure E. Mr. Brian Youpatoff, TPO staff, presented. Mr. Youpatoff stated that this item was presented in draft form at the last TPO meeting and the comments received were distributed to the board. Mr. Youpatoff reviewed the comments as shown in the handout. He also reviewed the workshop schedule.
PAGE 5 Mr. Youpatoff reported that the TPO advisory committees recommended approval, which is also the recommendation of TPO staff. Chairman Salter called for comments from the board. There were none. He called for the motion. Commissioner Robinson moved to authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution FL-AL 10-35 to adopt the 2010 CMP Plan. Commissioner Valentino seconded the motion. Chairman Salter called for further discussion. Commissioner Cole referred to the handout and asked for clarification of the last line in Item 1 re additional signals on SR87. Mr. Youpatoff explained. Commissioner Robinson amended his motion to clarify that the comments for additional signals on SR87 be included. The motion was seconded by Commissioner White and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM E-7: Consideration of Resolution FL-AL 10-36 to Approve the Scope of Services for a Corridor Management Plan for SR727 (Fairfield Drive), from Mobile Highway to Lillian Highway, and Authorize Execution of Consultant Task Order - Enclosure F. Mr. Brian Youpatoff, TPO staff, presented. Mr. Youpatoff said this item was presented in draft form at the last TPO meeting and the only comments received were from Federal Highway Administration stating that the Scope of Services looked good. The consultant will hold two public workshops in the vicinity of the study area during the plan development process. The public will be notified as to when and where the workshops will be held. Mr. Youpatoff reported that TPO staff and the TPO advisory committees recommend approval of this resolution. Commissioner White moved to authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution FL-AL 10-36 to approve the Scope of Services for a Corridor Management Plan for Fairfield Drive, from Mobile Highway to Lillian Highway, and authorize execution of Consultant Task Order. Commissioner Valentino seconded the motion. There was general discussion. Chairman Salter called for the vote. The motion was unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM E-8: Consideration of Resolution FL-AL 10-39 to Approve the SR292 (Gulf Beach Highway/Sorrento) Corridor Management Plan (CMP) - Enclosure G. Mr. Wiley Page, PBS&J, presented. Mr. Page gave background information as reflected in the agenda enclosure and provided a briefing on the final recommended CMP. He commented that this plan is posted on the WFRPC website. Mr. Page reported that the and TCC recommend approval of this plan. Chairman Salter called for the motion. Commissioner Valentino moved to authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution FL-AL 10-39 to adopt the SR292 (Gulf Beach Highway/Sorrento Road) CMP. The motion was seconded by Commissioner White and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM E-9: Consideration of Resolution FL-AL 10-34 to Endorse ECAT Transit Development Plan (TDP) Annual Update - Enclosure H. Ms. Tonya Ellis, TPO staff, presented. Ms. Ellis provided background information and stated that Mr. Kenneth Gordon, ECAT, is here to give a PowerPoint presentation and answer any questions.
PAGE 6 Commissioner White moved to authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution FL-AL 10-34 to endorse the ECAT Transit Development Plan (TDP) Annual Update. Commissioner Valentino seconded the motion. Chairman Salter called for discussion. Councilwoman Mack asked if the TAC had a chance to review this plan or whether there are members of the TAC that are involved in the TCC or. Mr. Gordon stated that the answer is yes. He said this was presented to the Board of County Commissioners in January and June and was approved last month. This was presented to the three advisory committees yesterday and they recommended support from the TPO. Councilwoman Mack made reference to the last paragraph on page H-10,.and the continued absence of financial contribution support from the City of Pensacola and stated, for all those who are not familiar with the tax structure of this county, the citizens of the City of Pensacola pay their full share of Escambia County taxes and, therefore, the citizens of Pensacola have a proportionate share of ECAT. She said to ask for an additional contribution from the City of Pensacola would mean that the taxpayers within the corporate limits of the City of Pensacola would be paying twice. Chairman Salter called for further discussion. There was none. He called for the vote. The motion was unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM F-1: Review of Draft 2035 Blueprint Florida-Alabama Long Range Transportation Plan Cost Feasible Plan - Enclosure I. Mr. Wiley Page, PBS&J, presented. Mr. Page provided background information as reflected in the agenda enclosure and reviewed the list of projects as shown on pages I-3 and I-4. Mr. Page said this is for information only and has been presented to the TPO advisory committees. No action will be taken on this until the November TPO meeting. There was lengthy discussion. Councilwoman Mack suggested that more descriptive language be added to the projects for clarification. AGENDA ITEM F-2: I-10/US29 PD&E Study Reevaluation Enclosure J. Mr. Ben Faust, DRMP, presented. Mr. Faust provided background information as shown in the agenda enclosure and said they are now to the point where they are down to a couple alternatives and are ready to present them to the public. An alternatives public meeting will be held Tuesday, October 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Kingsway Church and Christian Center on US29. There was general discussion on how to best give notice to the public concerning public meetings in order to improve public participation. Another issue discussed was location of the meetings. Chairman Salter asked TPO staff to bring back recommendations as soon as possible. The board agreed. Mr. Faust commented that he would do some research on public outreach. AGENDA ITEM F-3: Information Items (No Presentation Necessary) Enclosure K: TPO Meeting Schedule The following informational items are available on the WFPRC website at www.wfrpc.org and will be distributed at the meetings: Administrative TIP Amendments
PAGE 7 Bicycle City Article Letter from Mayor Zimmern, City of Gulf Breeze, Re: MPOAC Institute Chairman Salter acknowledged the above information items. AGENDA ITEM G: Other Business. A. Ms. Washnock acknowledged the presence of Ms. Stacie Blizzard with the Federal Highway Administration and Ms. Tajsha LaShore with Federal Transit Administration. B. Ms. Washnock announced that TPO staff is considering going to a consent agenda that would expedite the meetings. Chairman Salter announced that the next TPO meeting will be held November 10 in Santa Rosa County. AGENDA ITEM H: Adjourn. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:55 a.m. Approved by TPO Date: Signed: