Serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties

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.

View the Minutes

Meeting Highlights

View the Agenda

View the Agenda Package

Meeting Summary

  1. Public Comments
  2. Council Administration
  3. Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) with FDOT
  4. FY 17/18 Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant and Competitive Florida Partnership Awards
  5. Contract for Technology Services
  6. Hurricane Irma Report Outs
  7. Post Disaster Economic Recovery Presentation
  8. Post Disaster Recovery Economic Development Grant
  9. 2018 Holiday Schedule
  10. Update on the Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO)
  11. Executive Director’s Report
    • Exhibit 12: FRCA Monthly Report – will be distributed at meeting
  12. Other Business

The 2016 Polk County School Summit will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2015 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am at the Lake Myrtle Sports Park Meeting Room. Refreshments will be served from 7:30-8:00 a.m., and at a break during the ascent. The Summit will be broadcast by PGTV.

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