Highlights from the August 8, 2018 CFRPC Council Meeting

Highlands County Activity Report

Randy Vosburg, Highlands County Administrator, discussed the administration’s recent reorganization, challenges, and accomplishments. He shared Highlands County’s experience with the Hurricane Irma recovery process, information on the Sebring Parkway, and the use of the Local Option Tourist Development Tax.  View the presentation.

FY 2018/19 Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant and Competitive Florida Partnership Awards  

• Staff shared a list of Technical Assistance and Competitive Florida grant applications which were submitted to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) by CFRPC on behalf of several local governments in the region. 
• MOTION: To authorize the Executive Director to sign and administer any Community Planning Technical Assistance grants awarded to CFRPC carried unanimously.
• UPDATE:  The CFRPC was awarded a Community Planning Techincal Assistance Grant that will fund an update of the Heartland 2060 population and economic forecasts and build an interactive tool so that the data can be easily accessed. Congratulations to Highlands County and Polk City that were awarded Competitive Florida Partnership grants and to Frostproof, Highlands County, Lake Alfred, Wauchula, and Winter Haven that have all been awarded Community Planning Technical Assistance grants.  Learn more.

Emergency Management and Preparedness and Hazardous Materials Programs

• The CFRPC provides support to Emergency Management, Emergency Preparedness, and Hazardous Materials Programs throughout the region. Training classes and exercises are conducted on a regular basis using real-life scenarios for all emergency and rescue personnel, in both public and private capacities. The Council also works to develop special projects which include Local Mitigation Strategies (LMS), which are comprehensive multi-jurisdictional plans to reduce risk associated with any type of disaster.  View the presentation.

Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) Update

Staff has been working with FDOT and the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) to update the Heartland Rural Mobility Plan (HRMP).  This plan studies ways in which mobility services are provided to all six of the HRTPO Counties. The HRMP is currently in draft form.  A Mobility Advisory Committee (MAC) has been assembled to guide the process.  This plan will be presented to the HRTPO committees, then to the HRTPO Board for endorsement at their meeting on September 19, 2018. View the Draft Update to the HRMP.

Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) 2045 Cost Feasible Plan

A presentation on FDOT’s SIS 2045 Cost Feasible Plan, which was in its public review and comment period was provided. The SIS is a list of Florida’s highest priority transportation hubs, corridors, and connectors.  View the presentation.

Proclamation Honoring Michael Busha, Executive Director, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council 

• A proclamation recognizing Michael Busha upon his upcoming retirement in November 2018, was presented. Mr. Busha has led the Treasure Coast RPC as Executive Director for 24 years and has 37 years of service to the agency. 
• MOTION: To adopt the proclamation as presented carried unanimously.

Executive  Director’s  Annual  Performance  Evaluation

• Performance evaluations from Council members were received and the Executive Director received primarily “excellent” ratings and the comments were all positive. 
• MOTION: To approve a cost of living salary increase for FY 2018-19 for the Executive Director that is currently approved for all full-time employees carried unanimously.

Executive Director’s Report

• The Florida Regional Councils Association (FRCA) Policy Board Meeting was held August 16 and 17, 2018 in Hollywood, FL in conjunction with the Florida League of Cities annual conference. 
• Staff continues the work on the Sentential Landscape grant, and a new CFRPC employee came on board in early September in support of this program.
• The Council received an award from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association for the Highlands Transit Development Plan in July. 

The next meeting of the CFRPC will be at 9:30 am on October 10, 2018, at the Okeechobee County Courthouse, Board of County Commission Chambers.

View the Council Meeting Documents page for Agendas, Minutes, Presentations and upcoming meeting information.