Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties

Latest News

CFRPC December 2017 Meeting Highlights

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.

CFRPC October 2017 Meeting Highlights

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.

Marcia Staszko Honored with the 2017 Sheila Winitzer Shining Star Award

Marcia Staszko was awarded the 2017 Sheila Winitzer Shining Star AwardMarcia Staszko was awarded the 2017 Sheila Winitzer Shining Star Award by the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged for her over 30-years of leadership in the Transportation Disadvantaged coordinated system in Central Florida. Ms. Staszko retired as the Transportation Disadvantaged Program Director for Central Florida Regional Planning Council in May of 2016, however, returned part-time late that same year to assist with projects related to the Transportation Disadvantaged program.

Throughout her career, Marcia has been involved in all aspects of the program at the state and local levels. She was a founding member and an organizer of the grassroots effort that resulted in the creation of the Florida Association of Coordinated Transportation Systems and served as a Board member for a number of years.

She has routinely attended state Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged meetings and conferences and has been actively involved in the continuous improvement of the Coordinated Transportation System on all levels. Marcia was instrumental in outlining the process for selecting and brokering Transportation Disadvantaged services as the planning agency.  In the words of Jo Ann Hutchinson, former Executive Director of the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged, “Marcia was always very respectful while being a strong advocate for coordinated transportation.  She led by example and was a role model for staffing a coordinating board. As a result, she had great local support resulting in more Transportation Disadvantaged services”.

In 2010, Marcia was the recipient of the “William G. and Budd Bell Lifetime Achievement Award”, also presented by the Commission. Marcia is an active community volunteer and provides volunteer transportation to individuals who have limited mobility and transportation options in order to get them to essential services and also serves as the representative for seniors on the Polk TPO Local Coordinating Board.

The award was presented to Marcia at the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Awards Banquet held on August 30, 2017, in Orlando, Florida.

FDOT Tentative 5 Year Work Program – ePublic Hearing – Oct 16, 9am

FDOT, District One and Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise announce an ePublic Hearing to present the Tentative Five Year Work Program for fiscal years 2019 through 2023

Fort Myers, FL – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, and Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise announce an ePublic Hearing to present the Tentative Five Year Work Program. The Tentative Work Program lists transportation system improvements scheduled for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2023. The ePublic Hearing begins at 9 a.m., Monday, October 16, 2017 and ends at 5 p.m., Friday, October 20, 2017. There are four ways to participate in the hearing.

  1. Go to www.swflroads.com and click on Future Projects during the times listed to watch a video about the Draft Tentative Work Program for fiscal years 2019-2023, review the programs and maps, submit comments, and find information about how to contact an FDOT representative with questions. The ePublic Hearing will be open and available continuously during the listed times.
  2. If you do not have access to a computer or the internet, you can use a computer at a local public library in each of the 12 counties within District One during the libraries’ regular operating hours.
  3. FDOT representatives will be available at the following locations to meet with you in person, answer any questions, and assist with website access:
    • Fruitville Public Library, October 16, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 100 Coburn Road, Sarasota, FL
    • Fort Myers Regional Library, October 16, 2017 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., 1651 Lee Street, Fort Myers, FL
    • Neil Combee Administration Building, October 17, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., 330 West Church Street, Bartow, FL
    • Charlotte Public Library Common area, October 17, 2017 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., 2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL
    • Highlands County Board of County Commission Chambers, October 18, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., 600 South Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL
    • Naples Farmer Market, October 20, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., 3347 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL
  4. FDOT representatives will also be available with materials for review during the hearing week at the FDOT District One offices located at 801 North Broadway Avenue in Bartow and 10041 Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers. You can schedule a meeting at the offices by calling 863-519-2392 (Bartow) or 239-225-1975 (Fort Myers).

FDOT will accept comments from all interested parties if received by Monday, November 20, 2017. Mail comments to L. K. Nandam, P.E., District Secretary, FDOT, P.O. Box 1249, Bartow, FL 33831, attention Bessie Reina, Urban Manager, or email comments to bessie.reina@dot.state.fl.us.

SWFLRoads.com | @MyFDOT_SWFL | facebook.com/MyFDOTSWFL

Zachary Burch, 239-225-1950
Zachary.Burch@dot.state.fl.us

Florida Greenways and Trails System (FGTS) Plan Public Workshops Re-scheduled

View the DRAFT 2018-22 Florida Greenways and Trails System (FGTS) Plan & maps

Public Workshops Re-scheduled

The FGTS Plan establishes the vision for implementing a connected statewide system of greenways and trails for recreation, conservation, alternative transportation, healthy lifestyles, a vibrant economy, and a high quality of life. The Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) is updating the FGTS 5-Year Plan and holding 14 public open houses throughout the state.

The purpose of these meetings is to receive public input on the proposed update to the draft written 2018-2022 FGTS Plan and Land and Water Opportunity & Priority Maps.

Please plan to join us at a location close to you.  If you are unable to participate in person, there is a comment form online which you can submit by e-mail or conventional mail. Comments accepted through December 15, 2017.

The Open House schedule:

Thursday, October 26 – North Port
Morgan Family Community Center
Meeting Room A/B
6207 West Price Blvd.
North Port, FL 34291
4:00-7:00 ET

Monday, November 6 – Miami Lakes
Miami Lakes Optimist Park Clubhouse
6411 NW 162 StreetMiami Lakes Optimist Park Clubhouse
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
4:00-7:00 ET

Monday, November 6 – Tallahassee
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Douglas Building
Conference Room A
3900 Commonwealth Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399
4:00-7:00 ET

Tuesday, November 7 – Sebring
Bert J. Harris, Jr. Agricultural Center
Conference Room #2
4509 George Boulevard
Sebring, FL 33875
4:00-7:00 ET

Wednesday, November 8  – Port St. Lucie
St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization
Coco Vista Center
466 SW Port St Lucie Blvd. #111
Port St. Lucie, FL 34953
4:00-7:00 ET

Wednesday, November 8 – Dunnellon
Historic Train Depot
12061 S. Williams Street
Dunnellon, FL 34432
4:00-7:00 ET

Thursday, November 9– Temple Terrace
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest District
13051 N Telecom Parkway
Temple Terrace, FL 33637
4:00-7:00 ET

Tuesday, November 14 – DeBary
Debary Hall
198 Sunrise Boulevard
DeBary, FL 32713
4:00-7:00 ET

Wednesday, November 15  – Palatka
Ravine Gardens State Park
1600 Twigg Street
Palatka, FL 32177
4:00-7:00 ET

Thursday, November 16 – Jacksonville
Ed Ball Building
Conference Room 851
214 N Hogan Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
4:00-7:00 ET

Monday, November 20 – Live Oak
Suwannee River Water Management District
Suwannee Room
9225 County Road 49
Live Oak, FL 32060
4:00-7:00 ET

Monday, November 27 – Port St. Joe
St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve Center
3915 State Road 30-A
Port St. Joe, FL 32456
4:00-7:00 ET

Monday, December 4 – Milton
Blackwater Heritage State Trail
Visitor Center
5533 Alabama Street
Milton, FL 32570
4:00-7:00 CT

For More information:

Christine Small, Division of Recreation and Parks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Blvd., M.S. 795
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000
850-245-2939
Christine.Small@dep.state.fl.us

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

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

Hurricane Recovery Links

As our region works to address the immediate needs of the community after Hurricane Irma, we have compiled a list of resources that may be helpful.

  • We will continue to update and add to this list as resources become available.
  • If you would like us to add additional resources, please email Marybeth Soderstrom.
  • Please feel free to share on your website and social media accounts.

View the Resource List