Central Florida Regional Planning Council

April 13, 2011

Hardee County Public Library

Wauchula

9:30 a.m.

Meeting Minutes

 

Chairman Pat Huff called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.  Norman White led the Council in prayer.  The Council Pledged Allegiance to the Flag.  Roll was called and the following members were present.

 

            CFRPC Chairman, Bartow City Commissioner Pat Huff, Ridge League of Cities

CFRPC Vice-Chairman, Commissioner Minor Bryant, Hardee County

            City Councilwoman Martha Craven, Arcadia

            Commissioner Buddy Mansfield, DeSoto County

Jackie Tucker, DeSoto County Gubernatorial Appointee

Commissioner Bryant Culpepper, Okeechobee County

City Councilman Clayton Williams, Okeechobee

Bill Keene, Okeechobee County Gubernatorial Appointee

Commissioner Todd Dantzler, Polk County

City Commissioner JP Powell, Winter Haven

Jason Green, DeSoto County Planning Director, Ex-officio

Missie Barletto, South Florida Water Management District, Ex-officio

Joanne McClellen, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Ex-officio

 

Members absent:

City Councilman Scott Stanley, Sebring

Andy Tuck, Highlands County School Board Member and Gubernatorial Appointee

City Councilwoman, Edie Yates, Lakeland

Dr. Marshall Goodman, Polk County Gubernatorial Appointee

Linda Pilkington, Polk County Gubernatorial Appointee

Mark Hill, Highlands County Development Services Director, Ex-officio

Bill Royce, Okeechobee County Planning Director, Ex-officio

Tom Deardorff, Polk County Director of Growth Management, Ex-officio

Gina Reynolds, Florida Rural Economic Development Initiative, Ex-officio

 

Pat Steed announced that Joanne McClellen would be retiring from the SWFWMD and this would be her last meeting.  Ms. McClellen has served on the Council since 2005 and has been a most valuable ex-officio member of the Council.

 

Ms. McClellen stated that she has enjoyed her time on the Council and she will miss being here.

 

Chairman Huff presented Kathy Hall, Program Coordinator for the Council, with a plaque box in recognition of her 30 years with the Council.

 

AGENDA ITEM #1  COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION

 

A.  February 9, 2011 Council Meeting Minutes

 

Chairman Huff asked if there were any corrections, additions, or deletions to the February 9, 2011 Council Meeting Minutes.

 

MOTION

 

There being none, Bill Keene moved to approve the Council Meeting Minutes as submitted.       Buddy Mansfield seconded.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

B.  March Finance Report

 

Eva Hall, Administrative/Finance Director, presented the February 2011 Finance Report.

 

MOTION

 

After discussion, Jackie Tucker moved to approve the February 2011 Finance Report as presented.  Buddy Mansfield seconded.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

AGENDA ITEM #2   CENTRAL POLK PARKWAY PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL (PD&E) STUDY

 

Pat Steed stated that this issue was discussed at the December 8, 2010 Council Meeting.  At that meeting, the Council authorized staff to write a letter to the FDOT outlining their concerns regarding the proposed Central Polk Parkway, specifically the western leg of the Parkway, its alignment and proximity to the proposed CSX facility.  Another item the Council asked FDOT to address was the two-laned segment of the existing Polk Parkway.  FDOT issued a letter in response to the Council’s concerns.  This letter was included in the Council’s meeting material.  Another letter from FDOT was received in the Council office dated April 6, 2011, addressing the final State Environmental Impact Report of the Central Polk Parkway and included an illustration of the recommended build alternative alignments and six-lane roadway section.  Discussion followed.   

 

Jennifer Stults stated that FDOT addressed the larger issues that were raised.  The first phase of this project has been approved by FDOT Secretary Stan Cann, making funding for future phases more probable.

 

Pat Steed stated she will bring this issue back to the Council for future comments.

 

AGENDA ITEM #3   UPDATE FROM THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT REGARDING THE REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY PLAN

 

Jason Mickel, Senior Planner with Southwest Florida Water Management District, Brooksville Office, presented the status of their Five Year Regional Water Supply Plan for the Heartland Planning Region and the planning actions that will be required by local jurisdictions.  A copy of the Water Supply Plan can be viewed on their website at watermatters.org.  Discussion followed.

 

Jennifer Codo-Salisbury, Planning Director for the Council, stated that staff has worked with several jurisdictions in the region to update their Ten Year Water Supply Plan, and continues to be available to further assist municipalities with their Plan updates.

 

AGENDA ITEM #4   CHAIRMAN APPOINT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

An update to the Executive Committee was necessary since many members had changed.  Chairman Huff appointed members as follows:  Buddy Mansfield and Jackie Tucker from DeSoto County; Minor Bryant from Hardee County; Barbara Stewart from Highlands County; Clayton Williams and Bill Keene from Okeechobee County; and Edie Yates and himself, Pat Huff, from Polk County. 

 

MOTION

 

Bryant Culpepper moved to approve the Executive Committee as appointed.  Todd Dantzler seconded.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

AGENDA ITEM #5   PUBLIC HEARING FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION SECTION 5311 CAPITAL GRANT FOR STAFFING AND VEHICLE PROCUREMENT FOR THE HEARTLAND MOBILITY PROGRAM

 

Marcia Staszko stated that a public hearing is required only if the Council receives a written request by April 11, 2011.  A request had not been received.  The hearing would have been for advising interested persons of the service being planned, and it would not represent a duplication of current or proposed services.

 

AGENDA ITEM #6   FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION SECTION 5311 CAPITAL GRANT RESOLUTION

Marcia Staszko stated that staff had prepared a capital grant for funds to help support a staff position and vehicle to carry out the administration of the Heartland Mobility Program in the Counties of DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, Hendry and Glades;  also, in the Communities of South Bay, Pahokee and Belle Glade in Palm Beach County and in Immokalee in Collier County.  Discussion followed.

 

MOTION

 

Buddy Mansfield moved to adopt Resolution Number 2011-4A as presented.  Bryant Culpepper seconded.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

AGENDA ITEM #7   TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED (TD) ANNUAL PLANNING GRANT RESOLUTION

Marcia Staszko stated that staff had prepared the annual TD Trust Fund Planning Grant.  These funds support the TD planning effort in Hardee, Highlands and Okeechobee Counties.  Discussion followed.

MOTION

Minor Bryant moved to adopt Resolution Number 2011-4B as presented.  JP Powell seconded.

Motion carried unanimously.

AGENDA ITEM #8   FY 2010-11 PROPOSED BUDGET AMENDMENT 

 

Eva Hall, Finance Director, reviewed the proposed amendments to the FY 2010-11 Council Budget.  She explained the reasons for the budget amendments to the Local Match for TD Vehicles, State Match for TD Vehicles, and Federal Match for TD Vehicles.   An increase of $22,000 was proposed to the FTA Mobility Management line item for the purchase of a vehicle dedicated to the Mobility Planner for their six county field work.  The Council discussed the merits of purchasing a hybrid or flex fuel vehicle as opposed to a standard tradition fuel vehicle.  Ms. Hall explained the increase to the Homeland Security Region 6 Exercise line item.

 

Norman White stated that the Council is required to maintain a balanced budget.  Therefore, when more or less funds are received than anticipated, or an unexpected expenditure arises, the budget requires an appropriate amendment.  This is merely a housekeeping measure.

 

 MOTION

 

Clayton Williams moved to approve the budget amendment as presented.  Buddy Mansfield seconded.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

AGENDA ITEM #9   HUD SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES WORK PLAN FOR HEARTLAND REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

 

Pat Steed distributed the Work Plan in support of the HUD Sustainability Communities grant and stated that she had hoped to have it finalized, but it had not been approved as of this date.  The draft work plan was submitted several weeks ago to HUD after being reviewed by the 12 Heartland 2060 Consortium Partners.  Ms. Steed reviewed the Work Plan Timeline with the Council.

 

AGENDA ITEM #10   STATUS OF AMENDMENTS TO EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORTS (EAR)

Jennifer Codo-Salisbury distributed a list of EAR-Based Amendments for jurisdictions within the region.  The listed cities’ and counties’ comprehensive plans are being updated based on recommendations from each jurisdiction’s Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR).  She reviewed the list with the Council.

 

AGENDA ITEM #11   EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

 

The Executive Director reported on the following current work activities.

 

A.  Legislative Issues

 

Pat Steed stated that if the growth management proposals pass it will change a lot of what the Council does.  She distributed an informational sheet containing companion Senate and House growth management bill language changes that are currently being considered.  She explained how these changes would affect the Council.  Discussion followed.

 

Ms. Steed also reviewed the most current proposed budget from the State for Regional Planning Councils.

 

B.  Avon Park Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) Status

 

Ms. Steed reported on the status of the study, saying that the actual study is complete.  Staff is now making presentations to the seven local governments that surround the range.  Local governments will then have their planning staffs begin work on their comp plan changes.  Discussion followed. 

 

C.  Consultant Selection

 

Ms. Steed stated that staff has begun the RFQ process to obtain continuing service consultants with a variety of planning expertise.  The consultant list will be presented to the Council at a later meeting for authorization to enter into contracts.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM #12   OTHER BUSINESS

 

A.    Set date, time, and location for the next meeting.

 

The next meeting was scheduled for May 11, 2011, with location to be announced.

 

B.     Other Business

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

 

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                        __________________________________________

                                                                        Pat Huff, Chairman

                                                                        April 13, 2011 Council Meeting Minutes