Serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties

Highlights from the December 13, 2017 CFRPC Council Meeting

2017 Recognitions

  • CFRPC staff members were introduced to the Council and Executive Director Pat Steed shared highlights from 2017 including the success of the staff’s United Way campaign and awards won throughout the year and recognized the years of service for three staff members.
    • 5 Years: Christie Ellis – Webmaster & GIS Analyst
    • 10 Years: Shannon McPherson – Program Director
    • 10 Years: Lisa Thompson Wiegers – Senior Planner

Polk County Activities Report

  • As Polk County is forecast to grow to more than one million by 2040, Assistant Polk County Manager for Planning and Development, Tom Deardorff, discussed the impact of that growth on the county’s urbanized areas, school capacity, roadway improvements and capacity expansions, freight logistics, and the Regional Water Cooperative.

Audit Report for the Year Ended September 30, 2017

  • CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, presented the audit report for FY 2016-17 with no findings or adjustments.
  • MOTION: To accept FY 2016-17 Audit Report carried unanimously.

Recommendations from the Finance Committee

  • The Finance Committee met on November 29, 2017, and provided the following recommendations to the Council:
    • MOTION: To accept the Final Budget Amendment for FY 2016-17 carried unanimously.
    • MOTION: To accept the Proposed Budget Amendment for FY 2017-18 carried unanimously.
    • MOTION: To accept the recommendation of the committee to increase the Executive Director’s salary by 4% carried unanimously.

Report For The Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO)

  • HRTPO will be updating or amending the following four documents in 2018:
    • Public Participation Plan
    • Unified Planning Work Program
    • Long Range Transportation Plan Amendment
    • Transportation Improvement Plan
  • The Highlands Transit Development Plan was adopted by the HRTPO Board at their meeting on October 4, 2017.
  • The HRTPO held the Heartland Regional Transportation Disadvantaged Summit on November 15, 2017, that brought together the three Local Coordinating Boards in the region as well as planning agencies, Community Transportation Coordinators, and members of the public.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Grant Applications

  • Staff provided an overview of the coordinated system that provides door-to-door transportation in DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties.
  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-12A, authorizing the Executive Director to submit and administer the FTA Section 5311 Operating Grant for DeSoto County carried unanimously.
  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-12B, authorizing the Executive Director to submit and administer the FTA Section 5311 Operating Grant for Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties carried unanimously.
  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-12C, authorizing the Executive Director to submit and administer the FTA Section 5310 Operating Grant for Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties carried unanimously.
  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-12D, authorizing the Executive Director to submit and administer the FTA Section 5310 Capital Grant for Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties carried unanimously.
  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-12E, authorizing the Executive Director to submit and administer the FTA Section 5339 Capital Grant for Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties carried unanimously.
  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-12F, authorizing the Executive Director to submit and administer the FTA Section 5311 Capital Grant for Mobility Planning in the Heartland Region carried unanimously.

Executive Director’s Report

  • An update was provided to the Council highlighting proposed legislation that could potentially impact Council programs.

Certification Of Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Local Coordinating Board (LCB) Membership

  • Desoto County LCB
    • MOTION: To certify the membership of the DeSoto County Local Coordinating Board carried unanimously.
  • Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee Counties LCB
    • MOTION: To certify the membership of the three-county Local Coordinating Board carried unanimously.

Election of Council Officers for 2018

  • Based on the recommendation of the Nomination Committee, the following actions were taken:
    • MOTION: To appoint Commissioner Mike Thompson of Hardee County to serve as Chair carried unanimously.
    • MOTION: To appoint Commissioner Neda Cobb of City of Wauchula to serve as Vice-Chair carried unanimously.
    • MOTION: To update the authorization of banking signatories carried unanimously.

Membership Appointments for 2018

  • FRCA Policy Board
    • Councilman Pat Huff
    • Commissioner Buddy Mansfield
    • Ms. Jacqueline Tucker
  • Finance Committee
    • Commissioner Neda Cobb
    • Ms. Hazel Sellers
    • Commissioner Don Elwell
    • Commissioner Mike Thompson

The next meeting of the CFRPC will be at 9:30 am on February 14, 2018, in Arcadia at the DeSoto County Commision Chambers.

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

Highlights from the October 11, 2017 CFRPC Council Meeting

Okeechobee County Activities Report

  • Robbie Chartier, Okeechobee County Administrator, reported on current activities in Okeechobee County, including developing a new three-year strategic plan, roadway improvements, and the development of Okee-Tantie with Bass Pro Shop Resort.
  • Okeechobee County is working to reduce the nutrients in the water near the canals, will receive over $500,000 toward airport activities this year, and has adopted a balanced budget that will reduce millage to its taxpayers.

Joint Participation Agreement with FDOT

  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-10A providing a new agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation to receive the Federal Transit Administration 5311 funds which provides capital, planning, and operating assistance to support public transportation in rural areas on behalf of DeSoto County carried unanimously.

Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant and Competitive Florida Partnership Awards

  • Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Community Planning Technical Assistance Grants were awarded to eight jurisdictions in the region and one was awarded to the CFRPC to continue its work with the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape program.
  • The City of Frostproof and the City of Polk City received a Competitive Florida Partnership Grant to develop economic development visions for their city. This will be Frostproof’s second year to receive this grant award.
  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-10B to authorize the Executive Director to enter into the agreement with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to continue its work with the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape program carried unanimously.

Contract For Technology Services

  • MOTION: To authorize continuing services with Cipher Integration, Inc. for a contract period of October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018, for information technology services carried unanimously.

Hurricane Irma Reports

  • Council staff and council members shared information on the impacts and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma. The Economic Analysis and Disaster Resilience study, developed by the CFRPC in 2011 for the region, was shared and included information on hurricane impacts to employment and population, and discusses disaster recovery scenarios and impacts on sales tax revenue.

Post Disaster Recovery Economic Development Grant

  • The US Economic Development Administration (EDA) is making a grant opportunity available through the Economic Adjustment Assistance Program for a Post Disaster Recovery position and support.
  • MOTION: To authorize the Executive Director to submit and administer the EDA Grant carried unanimously.

Report For The Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO)

Committee To Nominate Officers For 2018 Selected

  • Chair Edie Yates has appointed three Council members to serve on the Nominating Committee for 2018 Council Officers:
    • Highlands County Commissioner Don Elwell
    • Polk County Gubernatorial Appointee Hazel Sellers
    • Okeechobee City Commissioner Mike O’Connor
  • The election of officers for 2018 will take place at the December Council Meeting.

Executive Director’s Report


The next meeting of the CFRPC will be at 9:30 am on December 13, 2017, in Polk County at the Bartow Public Library.

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

A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is an ongoing planning process that requires participation and input from both the public and private sectors, along with the communities of a region. The CEDS is updated every five years through a comprehensive planning process that addresses the needs of the entire region. The EDD staff ensures that private, public, and community interests are represented in the composition of the CEDS Committee. The CEDS was recently updated and adopted on 8/9/17.

The CEDS performs the following functions:

  • Analyzes regional economy & guides regional goals & objectives.
  • Creates a road map to economic diversity through private sector investment and job creation.
  • Serves as vehicle to justify and draw down federal funds.
  • Identifies key investments, opportunities, and projects in the region
  • Identifies target clusters for the region

The CEDS is designed to guide economic growth by fostering a more stable and diversified economy, to assist in the creation of jobs, and thereby improve the quality of life in Desoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, and Polk counties.

CEDS 2017
Summary

CEDS 2017 Summary cover

CEDS 2017
Data Document

CEDS 2017 Data Document cover

Highlights from the August 9, 2017 CFRPC Council Meeting

COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CEDS)

  • The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a five-year strategy for the region that is developed and maintained by the CFRPC. View the presentation.
  • An update of the CEDS has been reviewed by the CEDS Committee and is ready to be posted for public comment and submittal to the Economic Development Administration (EDA). View the draft document here.
  • MOTION: To approve the draft CEDS for public comment and submission to EDA carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION 2017-8A POLK TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION (TPO) JOINT PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT (JPA)

MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-8A to update an existing ongoing agreement with the Polk Transportation Planning Organization to review, participate in and serve as the regional review clearinghouse for projects and establishes a cooperative relationship carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTALS AND AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AND ADMINISTER AGREEMENTS

  • The Avon Park Air Force Range has been identified as having one of the most successful Joint Land Use Studies (JLUS) in the country due to the support of the surrounding local governments and partner agencies.
  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-8B to authorize staff to apply for FY 2018-19 Florida Defense Support Task Force (FDSTF) grant funding to implement the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape Program, and move to approve a contract with DEO and authorize Executive Director to execute and administer grant agreement if awarded grant carried unanimously.

COMPETITIVE FLORIDA PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS

  • In 2016-17, the CFRPC facilitated the designation of the City of Frostproof and Polk City as Competitive Florida Communities through the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).
  • Through this program, the CFRPC has been able to assist these municipalities to identify strategies to build and enhance their local economies while staying true to what makes them unique and give them a competitive advantage. Learn more.
  • Both current Competitive Florida Partnership grant awardees, Cities of Frostproof and Polk City, have applied for a second-year grant. The funding is competitive and both cities are required to participate in the interview process for each year of grant funding.

UPDATE ON THE HEARTLAND REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION (HRTPO)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

  • The FRCA Policy Board Meeting was held in July in conjunction with the Florida Association of Counties annual meeting.
  • The Council was asked to be a United Way Pacesetter, so staff will be conducting their campaign in August.
  • The City of Bartow awarded the Council with their monthly “Beautification Award” for the Florida Friendly landscape improvements, and will have the sign outside the front of the office for the next few weeks.
  • CFRPC Deputy Director Jennifer Codo-Salisbury was selected for the next Leadership Polk Class XI

 

The next meeting of the CFRPC will be at 9:30 am on October 11, 2017, in Okeechobee County in the Board of County Commission Chambers.

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

Highlights from the March 8, 2017 Council Meeting at the DeSoto County Administration Building

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Arcadia City Councilmember Susan Coker was sworn in as a member to the CFRPC.
  • FRCA Policy Board members for 2017 are Buddy Mansfield, Jackie Tucker and Pat Huff with Mike O’Connor as the alternate member.
  • Finance Committee appointments for 2017 are Edie Yates, Mike Thompson, Neda Cobb and Hazel Sellers.

DESOTO COUNTY ACTIVITIES

  • Mandy Hines, DeSoto County Administrator, provided an update on activities in DeSoto County including. View her presentation here.
  • She highlighted community conversation workshops held across the county, road improvements underway, the opening of a Publix Supermarket in Arcadia, and the construction of a new rodeo arena and fire station. Ms. Hines also shared information on a new overlay district in development, the Mosaic application for mining, a landfill assessment study, and the impact of tax exemption on solar facilities to DeSoto County’s tax revenue.

PLANNING ADVISORY SERVICE (PAS) CONTRACTS UPDATE

  • Jennifer Codo-Salisbury updated the Council on Planning Advisory Services (PAS) projects for FY 2016-17.
  • Ms. Codo-Salisbury stated that recently, the Council had the privilege of partnering with Polk County to assist in updating their Local Mitigation Strategy and Polk’s seventeen cities. View the presentation here.
    • Polk County Commissioner Melony Bell was presented with an award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), given jointly to Polk County and the CFRPC, for the work on its 2015 Polk County Local Mitigation Strategy Update.

UPDATE ON THE HEARTLAND REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION (HRTPO)

  • HRTPO activities underway include developing a Congestion Management Process (CMP), which requires consultant services. Also, a Transit Development Plan (TDP) is being developed specifically for Highlands County.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE

  • Marcos Monts De Oca, City Administrator, City of Okeechobee, explained that the Lake Okeechobee Regional Compact is a commitment by 164 municipalities and 19 counties to work together across jurisdictional boundaries to create a comprehensive plan and joint policy positions addressing environmental and economic challenges associated with discharges from Lake Okeechobee. View the presentation here.
    • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-A3 which states that the CFRPC supports and will work in collaboration with the parties of the Lake Okeechobee Regional Compact to develop a strategic plan utilizing the best available science, emphasizing regional sustainability and vitality carried unanimously.

JOINT LAND USE STUDY (JLUS) PRESENTATION AND VIDEO

  • Buck McLaughlin, Range Operations Officer for the Avon Park Air Force Range, former Commander of the Range and former employee of CFRPC, presented an overview of the Air Force Range, the training that is conducted, its history and its official duties and purpose. View the presentation here.
  • Through an implementation grant received from the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment, the CFRPC and partners developed the Joint Land Use Study to promote compatible community growth while supporting the Range’s military training mission. Three videos have been created to make people more aware of the Range and its mission.

FY 2017-18 PER CAPITA ASSESSMENT FOR CFRPC

  • Pat Steed presented a chart that included the current assessment cost per county, and the cost variance of an increase to $0.30 per capita from $0.25. Rates have not been increased since 2006. The assessment was discussed by the Finance Committee in October 2016, the Council in December 2016, and the recommendation is to set the assessment at this time so counties may include the change in their budget process.
    • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-3B to increase the member assessment carried unanimously.

REPORT ON THE FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCILS ASSOCIATION (FRCA) JANUARY POLICY BOARD MEETING

  • Recap of the January Policy Board Meeting in Tallahassee.
  • The FRCA Annual Report with the new organizational branding was distributed.
  • The next FRCA Policy Board meeting is scheduled for June 2017 in West Palm Beach.

UPDATE ON DESOTO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED (TD) DESIGNATED OFFICIAL PLANNING AGENCY (DOPA) TRANSITION AND UPDATE ON HARDEE, HIGHLANDS, OKEECHOBEE SERVICE PROVISION

  • DeSoto County has notified the TD Commission that as of June 30, 2017, they will no longer serve as the Transportation Disadvantaged Designated Official Planning Agency (DOPA) for DeSoto County. At the November Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution in support of serving as the DOPA for DeSoto County if the Council was asked.
  • Staff will confirm that the funding is in place if the transition occurs.
  • The DeSoto County Service Area will remain separate from the other service area until it can be integrated smoothly.
  • MV Transportation, the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for the Hardee, Highlands and Okeechobee Service Area has added Safety Transportation, Inc. as a new carrier under contract.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

  • Pat Steed reported on current legislative activities. Ms. Steed referred to the Bill Tracking Report in the Council Agenda Packet and stated that staff will be monitoring those bills.
  • Ms. Steed reported that the Economic Development Administration notified staff that an additional $7,000 would be added to the grant funding.
  • The FRCA Monthly Report will be included in the meeting materials on a regular basis.
  • She added that staff is available to Council members to make presentations on a variety of issues at their local meetings and events.
View Meeting Documents

The next meeting of the CFRPC will be at 9:30am on April 12, 2017 in Hardee County at the Hardee County Civic Center.