Sarasota/Manatee MPO Meeting Results October 25, 2010

VENICE--The Sarasota/Manatee MPO (Metropolitican Planning Organization) met Monday morning at the Venice Community Center to discuss several items on the agenda including the Long Range Transportation Plan 2035. A draft of the LRTP, which will be the blueprint for upgrading the transportation system shared by counties in the MPO, was presented to the board for consideration at its next meeting.

SARASOTA/MANATEE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION OCTOBER 25, 2010
Venice Community Center
326 Nokomis Avenue South
Venice, Florida

9:30 A.M.

AGENDA

Call to Order

INVOCATION

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Confirmation of Quorum

I. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - No public comments

II. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) - No report was presented at today's meeting.

III. CHAIR’S REPORT - MPO Chair Marianne Barnebey thanked those in attendance for coming to the meeting. Suggested an informal recognition of service for all board members at the conclusion of the December meeting.

IV. MPO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT - MPO Executive Director Michael Howe reported the MPO did not receive the $5 million HUD, DOT, EPA sponsored sustainability and community planning grant. Orlando and South Florida (Miami area) will receive some of the grant. He said he was "cautiously optimistic that round two of the process would be successful."

At the previous MPO meeting there was a discussion about having the TBARTA logos put on transit buses in Sarasota and Manatee. Mr. Howe said that is on hold until protocol agreements between TBARTA and local bus systems are worked out. He also suggested to the MPO board they bring this issue up at their respective meetings and provide guidance at a future MPO meeting.

V. CAC/TAC CHAIR'S REPORT - Both chairs reported the LRTP was discussed at their respective meetings and looked forward to the draft being completed.

VI. FDOT REPORT - FDOT District One Secretary Stanley M. Cann spoke about local gas tax projections which will be discussed at the next FDOT meeting. Mr. Cann reported the Manatee Ave.(15th St. to 9th St. E) resurfacing project begins this week.

Commissioner McClash questioned the timing of the project to begin during tourist season. Sarasota FDOT Director Lance Wright said the resurfacing can be done partially at night and expects the project to be completed by June 2011. He said one of the factors in determining the starting date for the project was when the infusion of federal stimulus funds were received.

Commissioner McClash inquired Sec'y. Cann about the light pole project at Manatee Ave. (43rd St. to 7th St) which has received several complaints for the poor quality of the work being done and staggering of the light poles, some of which have been put on sidewalks. He requested the FDOT inform local officials of future projects.

VII. CONSENT SECTION - Approval of September 27, 2010 Meeting Minutes Unanimously approved

VIII.ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING - Fiscal Year (FY) 2010/2011 - 2014/2015 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment

The amendment is for a "Sidewalks to Schools" project requesting $50,000 for Sarasota schools and $70,000 for Manatee schools to educate students on safe pedestrian travel to and from school. Unanimously approved

IX. BOARD ACTION - There are not items scheduled for action.

X. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS

Sarasota/Manatee MPO Intergovernmental Relationship with the Charlotte County-Punta Gorda MPO. Discussion of Interlocal Agreement for Regional Planning and Project Priority Process. Postponed to a future MPO meeting. Date to be determined.

2035 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Update – DRAFT Financially Feasible Plan
MPO Staff Mike Maholtz and Project Consultant Whit Blanton of Renaissance Planning Group presented the LRTP DRAFT Financially Feasible Plan to the Board for its review and comment.

MPO board members are to take the information presented in the draft back to their respective meetings to discuss and bring back changes and recommendations for board approval at the next MPO meeting December 13, 2010.

A lengthy discussion on the LRTP draft and its financial feasibility options for funding lead the board to ask Mr. Howe whether an extension of the December 13, 2010 deadline for approval could be requested. Mr. Howe said that was a possibility and will look into it.

XI. NEXT MEETING DATE
There was no scheduled meeting in November, however should an extension to approve the LRTP not be granted, there may be one scheduled. The MPO will make a determination and announce a November meeting date, time and location should that occur. Otherwise, the next regular MPO Board Meeting will be held December 13, 2010 at Sudakoff Center at New College in Sarasota.

XII. ADJOURNMENT 12:12 p.m.