Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties

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.

CFRPC August 2017 Meeting Highlights

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.

CFRPC April Meeting Highlights

Highlights from the April 12, 2017 Council Meeting at the Hardee County Civic Center

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HARDEE COUNTY ACTIVITIES

  • Hardee County Administrator Lex Albritton reported on current activities in Hardee County.
  • He highlighted the new and renovated facilities and economic development activities in Hardee County include the opening of Caresink Company, the construction of the new 35-million-dollar Florida Hospital, and the Mosaic Company Ona Phosphate Mine that is currently under County review.

UPDATE ON DESOTO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED (TD) DESIGNATED OFFICIAL PLANNING AGENCY (DOPA) TRANSITION

  • At the November 2016 Council meeting, a resolution was adopted by the Council in support of serving as the transportation disadvantaged planning agency for DeSoto County if approved by the TD Commission.
  • On March 14, 2017, the TD Commission designated the CFRPC as the DOPA for DeSoto County starting July 1, 2017.

RESOLUTIONS RELATING TO THE SUBMITTAL OF TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED 2017-2018 PLANNING GRANTS AND FTA RURAL TRANSIT FUNDS

  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-4A in support of submitting the TD Planning grant for Hardee, Highlands and Okeechobee Counties carried unanimously.
  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-4B in support of submitting the TD Planning grant for DeSoto County carried unanimously.
  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-4C in support of submitting the FTA Section 5311 Operating Funds for DeSoto County carried unanimously.
  • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2017-4D authorizing the Council to enter into the interlocal agreement with DeSoto County to administer the remaining FTA funds until a new JPA can be entered into between the Council and FDOT carried unanimously.

COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CEDS) AND STATE OF THE REGIONAL ECONOMY

  • The Council was briefed on current economic indicators for the State of Florida. View the presentation.
  • The Council is responsible for producing and maintaining a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The performance measures in the CEDS are updated annually along with other minor updates, and a major update occurs every five years. A timeline for this five-year CEDS update was presented. View the presentation.

UPDATE ON THE HEARTLAND REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION (HRTPO)

  • HRTPO activities underway include:
    • Developing a Congestion Management Process (CMP)
    • A Transit Development Plan (TDP) for Highlands County
    • FDOT Project Priority Applications have been received from local governments, reviewed for sufficiency, and forwarded to FDOT to be considered for inclusion in their Five Year Work Program. The project application’s preliminary rankings will be presented to the HRTPO Board at their meeting on April 19, 2017.
    • A new Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is under development
  • The staff was visited recently by a representative from the Federal Highway Administration to review HRTPO work products.

PRESENTATION ON GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) SERVICES

  • CFRPC Senior Planner Jeff Schmucker reported on the diverse types of GIS services provided to local governments in the region, including spatial/geographic analysis and 3D visualization. These maps are used for Comprehensive Plans, Zoning and for Special Projects within the region. View the presentation.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

  • The status of current legislative activities, including the Community Development Agency (CRA) Bill and the Small Cell or Cell Tower Bill were discussed.
  • Staff reported that the South Florida Avenue (SR37) project in Lakeland and the Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) Implementation grant were recently completed.
  • Florida Regional Councils Association (FRCA)
    • Activities of FRCA may be found in the Monthly Activity Report included in the meeting materials.
    • Pat Steed shared her anticipated attendance at the FRCA Executive Directors’ meeting in Tallahassee later in the week.

The next meeting of the CFRPC will be at 9:30am on June 14, 2017 in Highlands County at CareerSource Heartland.

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

CFRPC March Meeting Highlights

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.

CFRPC November Meeting Highlights

Highlights from the November 9, 2016 Council Meeting at the Sebring Civic Center

Finance Committee Recommendations

  • The Finance Committee met on October 28, 2016, in Bartow and discussed the following items:  upcoming annual audit with the Council’s auditor, CliftonLarsonAllen; the current and historic per capita assessment rates for the Council; and the Executive Director’s and staff’s compensation. The Finance Committee recommended that the Council discuss the Executive Director’s and the staff’s compensation further at the December 2016 Council Meeting along with the audit report.
    • MOTION: To approve the final amended budget for FY 2015-16 as presented carried unanimously.
    • MOTION: To approve the Proposed Amended Budget for FY 2016-17 as presented carried unanimously.

New Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Members and Update on CEDS Process

  • Shannon McPherson, Program Director, provided an update on the CEDS process. View the presentation.
  • She shared the CEDS Committee, which works with staff to produce the CEDS updates, has several vacancies. A list of proposed CEDS Committee members was presented.
    • MOTION: To approve the CEDS Committee members as presented carried unanimously.

Transportation Disadvantaged and Rural Transit Programs Overview and Grant Resolutions

  • A presentation of the efforts being made to enhance mobility in the Heartland through the Heartland Rural Mobility Plan (HRMP) was given including the Council’s role of managing and implementing goals and objectives. View the presentation.
    • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2016-11B, FTA Section 5311 Capital Grant
      as presented carried unanimously.
    • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2016-11C, FTA Section 5311 Operating Grant as presented carried unanimously.
    • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2016-11D, FTA Section 5310 Operating Assistance Grant  as presented carried unanimously.
    • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2016-11E, FTA Section 5310 Capital Vehicle Grant as presented carried unanimously.
    • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2016-11F, FTA Section 5339 Capital Grant
      as presented carried unanimously.

Council Consideration of Accepting Transportation Disadvantaged Designated Official Planning Agency (DOPA) Designation For DeSoto County

  • The DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners notified the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged that DeSoto County desires to decline to continue to serve as the DOPA beyond June 30, 2017.
  • In anticipation of the Council being asked to fulfill the role as DOPA for DeSoto County, Ms. Steed asked the Council if they would consider accepting that designation. The HRTPO would also be required to authorize the change.
    • MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2016-11G, which would authorize the Council to be designated as DeSoto County’s TD Designated Official Planning Agency carried unanimously.

Status Report for the Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization

  • At the next meeting of the HRTPO, scheduled for November 30, 2016 in Highlands County, staff will present the results of the RFQ process for the Congestion Management Plan.
  • A workshop is scheduled for January 11, 2017 to assist local governments as they submit FDOT Priority Project Applications to the HRTPO in early 2017 for funding consideration.

Other Items of Interest