Sarasota/Manatee MPO Agenda Results: 9/15/14

SARASOTA – At Monday's Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting, members reviewed updates on the FDOT S.R. 70 / I-75 project, got an update report by Secretary Hattaway on the Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Initiative, and were presented with the Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) update. Members also appointed the MPO's 2015 Legislative and Policy Issue Committee members to their board.

Call to Order

Chair, Commissioner Larry Bustle                          

Pledge of Allegiance             

Confirmation of Quorum

Chairman Bustle welcomed two new members to the MPO, Willie Shaw, Mayor to the City of Sarasota; and John Holic, Mayor of Venice. 

I. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Lou Costa presented members with a picture of a bridge that had a eight inch bike path, with a tall and sharp concrete curb border. He asked members to consider rebuilding that part of the bridge. Costa said, "It will cost less to fix the bridge than the lawsuit will cost if someone is killed." He added, "This is as dangerous as it gets."

II. CAC/TAC REPORTS

The Chairs or representative of the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC), Stanley Hochman, and of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), Alex Davis Shaw, will update the MPO on those committees’ activities and provide the MPO Board an opportunity to direct questions.

Representing the CAC, Hochman reported that at the last meeting members of the committee were given a presentation on the S.R.70 / I-75 intersection project; and got an update on the Venice by-pass.

Shaw, reporting for the TAC, said the committee last met on September 8 and got a overview of the Long Range Transportation Plan, and were also updated on the I-75/S.R.70 report and received the Venice by-pass overview.  

III. PTTF REPORT (Public Transportation Task Force)

1. Commissioner Jack Rynerson, PTTF Chair, will provide the MPO with an update on the activities of the Task Force.

Member Jim Bennett gave the report -- Bennett commended MCAT for getting new bus shelters at the airport; he congratulated MCAT for the more than 1300, over 80 years old, seniors who have taken advantage of the free "80 and older ride free" program. Bennett also applauded MCAT for providing free rides on Election Day, and announced that they will provide the free service again in November.

IV. FDOT REPORT

1.FDOT will provide the MPO with an update on activities and issues and provide the MPO Board members an opportunity to direct questions. 

District One FDOT Secretary, Billy Hattaway said the Cortez Bridge project was moving along, and the Midnight Pass/Beach Road project will be having a workshop in the spring of 2015, He noted that the design is scheduled for 2016, and the project is scheduled to start in 2017. 

Chairman Bustle asked if FDOT could slow down the PD&E on the port connector road, and not come forward with a report any time soon. Member Benac said, "They want to wait until the numbers warrant the work, not have it postponed because of low activity. A no would be bad."

Hattaway said that FDOT will go by what the numbers show on the traffic to the interstate, and that there hasn't been any action for the last two years, adding that the work will be decided on a safety basis.

V. MPO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The MPO Executive Director, Michael Howe, will update the Board Members on activities and issues.

VI. CHAIR’S REPORT

The MPO Chair, Manatee County Commissioner Larry Bustle, will update the Board Members on activities and issues.

VII. CONSENT SECTION All matters listed under the Consent Section are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion.  There will be no separate discussion of these items.  If discussion is desired by an MPO Board member, that item will be removed from the Consent Section and will be considered at the end of the section.

1. Approval of Meeting Minutes

Staff will seek a motion to approve the July 28, 2014 Meeting Minutes of the Sarasota/Manatee MPO Board Meeting.

2. Appointment to the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)

MPO ratification of appointment to the CAC of Ms. Eva Maria Rey from Manatee County.

CONSENT AGENDA -- Approved Unanimous

VIII. ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING 

Please note that the following public hearing items were scheduled for 10:00 a.m. or reasonably thereafter and have been advertised accordingly.

1.Amendments to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Fiscal Years 2014/2015 – 2018/2019 

Staff will seek a motion approving the Amendments to the TIP.

Member Paterson said that even though she might vote for the item, she feels it is a form of blackmail. "The fact that if we don't vote in favor of this, we could lose funding for our other projects." 

Member Yates said, "Funding is up to the board, this is a must do." 

         Note: This item requires a vote by the show of hands. -- Item Approved, 14 to1, Phil Younger dissent. (Didn't give a reason)

IX. BOARD ACTION

1.2015 MPO Legislative Policy and Issues Committee

Annual appointment by Chair Commissioner Larry Bustle of MPO Board Members to serve on the Legislative Committee to develop the MPO’s policies and issues for the 2015 Florida Legislative Session. -- Approved, Unanimous

X. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS (May Require Board Action)

1.Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian, Safety Initiative Update, Secretary Billy Hattaway, FDOT District One.  

Secretary Billy Hattaway will provide an update on this initiative. Hattaway started his presentation with numbers that explain how important having a 'Complete Street' program for expense and safety. -- (More on story)

2.I-75 and SR 70 Interchange Design

Ms. Amy Stechell, P.E., FDOT, will report on the design of the I-75 at SR 70 interchange project.

Stechell reported the extension would go north from University Parkway to S.R. 64, with artery lanes and a bridge widening over the Braden River. S.R. 70 sits between the two exits with S.R. 64 to the north and Parkway to the south. 

Currently both north and south I-75 traffic, from S.R. 70, have three lanes, 12 ft. wide with 10 foot shoulders on each side in each direction. Of the two designs most likely to be built, will have an additional lane in each direction (four 12 ft. lanes with 10 ft. shoulders). 

S.R. 70 (going east and west) will also have some modifications, with added pedestrian lights and sidewalks.   

3.Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) Transit Development Plan Update --

Approved August 26, 2014, in order to receive FDOT funding, the required five year updates included a seasonal service -- Pinecrest to Siesta Key, November 2014 through April 2015 (Monday through Saturday).

Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) Staff will provide an overview of the Major Update of their                 

Transit Development Plan (TDP).

4.Revenue Equity Study, Jennifer Stults, FDOT

Review of Study regarding equity in transportation expenditures. -- Will be presented at the October meeting.

5.FDOT Presentation on the US 41 Venice Bypass Project

FDOT will provide an update on the US 41 Venice Bypass Project --

Brian Blair went through the history of the Venice by-pass. It started with a PD&E in 1994, and was soon shelved until 2005.  The design changed slightly, center median was reduced from 30ft. to 18ft. In 2008 it was divided into two projects; Gulf Coast to Bird Bay (13.6 miles), and Center Rd. to Bird Bay (10.2 miles).  The project is scheduled to be done 2018/19, but may be moved up to an earlier date.

XI. COMMITTEE REPORTS0

1. Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) --

Benac said, "We talked about regional fare boxes again and funding for it, which we would share in." Then Benac mentioned they had a presentation on a Planned Development Research Guide that TBARTA has put together. It talks about changing urban development patterns, to look at alternative development.  

XII. MEMBER COMMENTS 

XIII. NEXT MEETING DATE

The next meeting will be held October 27, 2014, at the Holiday Inn, 8009 15th Street East, Sarasota, Florida 34243.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT