605 East Main Street, Suite 106
Bartow, FL 33830
9:30 a.m.
Vice Chairman Jeff Carlson called the meeting to order. Howard Wiggs led the Council in prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited . Roll was called and the following members were present.
Jackie Tucker Jason Green
Minor Bryant Tomas Macias
Nick Staszko Jeff Carlson
Noel Chandler Clayton Williams
Michael Ratliff Bob English
Pat Huff Howard Wiggs
Kay Fields Jeff Potter
Merle Bishop Ben Walker
Joanne McClellen
Under Announcements, Pat Steed, CFRPC Executive Director, introduced the CFRPC staff, and stated that recently added were three new staff members, Diana Young-Stewart, Bettina Coleman, and Manda Muller. One more position is yet to be filled, then the Council will be fully staffed.
A.
September 12th
and November 14th, 2007, Council Meeting Minutes
Chairman Jeff Carlson stated that at the November 14, 2007, a quorum of the Council was not present. Therefore, those items were added to this month’s agenda.
He asked if there were any corrections, additions, or deletions to the September 12th, and November 14th, 2007, Council Meeting Minutes.
MOTION
There being none, Mike Ratliff moved to approve the September 12th, and November 14th, 2007, Council Meeting Minutes as submitted. Jackie Tucker seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
B.
November
Financial Reports
Eva Hall, Finance Director, referred to the November Financial Report contained in the Council’s meeting materials. Total assets were $1,656,770. $255,000 of that amount was in the FDA Local Government Investment Pool. Regarding the Investment Pool, she stated that the word circulated that the investment pool was too heavily invested in mortgage backed securities. That made local governments nervous so they started withdrawing their funds. She stated that the only way to guarantee safety was to put the funds into a low risk money market account or put it in a saving account, either would earn next to nothing. She and the Executive Director decided to just wait it out. They are monitoring this on a regular basis.
Pat Steed added that these funds are the Council’s savings. If it were the Council’s operating funds, they would have sought the Council’s directions immediately.
Ms. Hall stated that under the Accrual column, income was over expenses by $33,280, for just the first two months of this fiscal year.
C.
Status of Audit
Ms. Hall mentioned that the Council’s Annual Audit was currently underway. The report will be presented to the Council when it is completed.
Chairman Carlson thanked staff for a great job with the Council’s finances. He stated that it was pleasing to see these financials compared to where the Council was a few years ago.
MOTION
Mike Ratliff moved to accept the November 2007 Financial Report as submitted. Kay Fields seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM #2 FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) AND TURNPIKE ENTERPRISE TENTATIVE FIVE YEAR WORK PROGRAM PUBLIC HEARING
Ben Walker from FDOT conducted a public hearing addressing their Tentative Five Year Work Program for FY 2008/09—2012/13, followed by a public comment period. These public hearings were conducted pursuant to Section 339.135(4)(c), F.S. The public was invited to review the FDOT and Turnpike District’s Tentative Five Year Work Program and provide comments. FDOT staff was available prior to and immediately following for informal discussion or public assistance.
AGENDA ITEM #3 COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR (CTC) SELECTION PROCESS
Marcia Staszko, Transportation Disadvantaged Director, stated that the Council is the Designated Official Planning Agency for the Transportation Disadvantaged Program for Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee County. As required by Florida Statutes, the Council is conducting a formal Request for Proposal process for the selection of the Community Transportation