Highlights from the February 13, 2019  CFRPC Council Meeting

New Member

Council Attorney Norman White administered the new member Oath of Office to Commissioner Rob Jerriel, City of Okeechobee.

DeSoto County Activity Report

• DeSoto County Administrator Mandy Hines discussed the county’s recent success in joining the P25 Public Safety Communications Network with Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties—the addition helping to create the largest interconnected P25 system in the nation.
• Construction of a new $1.7 million fire station has been completed, and construction of a new $4.2 million section of the county’s landfill is underway.
• Work is being done to combat erosion at Morgan Park along the Peach River, damage intensified by the effects of Hurricane Irma.
• The DeSoto County Board of County Commission approved the construction of a $18 million Nuco Citrus facility on Hwy 72, across from the Peace River Citrus Plant. The Nuco Citrus manufacturing plant will provide 120 high-paying jobs to the community.

Status Report for The Heartland Regional Transportation Organization (HRTPO)

• Work to update the HRTPO 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) has begun. The LRTP will forecast future growth of the six-county region and the need for possible new corridors for added capacity to the road system for 2045.
• The Council has received grant funding from DEO to update the population and economic forecast for the Heartland 2060 effort, which will be used to update the LRTP.
• Coordination is continuing towards improving the safety of several corridors in the region, including SR 70.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Grant Applications

FDOT has proposed a new Public Transit Grant Agreement for Federal 5310 funds awarded to the CFRPC for transportation for the elderly and individuals with disabilities through the coordinated system in Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties.

• MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2019-2A, authorizing the Executive Director to enter into the Public Transit Grant Agreement carried unanimously.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Grant Applications

FDOT has proposed a new Public Transit Grant Agreement for Federal 5311 funds awarded to the CFRPC for public transportation through the coordinated system in Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties.

• MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2019-2B, authorizing the Executive Director to enter into the Public Transit Grant Agreement carried unanimously.

Florida 2030

John Kaliski, Cambridge Systematics, presented information, findings and recommendations of the Florida 2030 project—which was led by the Florida Chamber Foundation to develop a blue-print for Florida’s future economy.  View the Presentation

Florida Regional Councils Association (FRCA) January Policy Board Meeting

John Kaliski, Cambridge Systematics, presented information, findings and recommendations of the Florida 2030 project—which was led by the Florida Chamber Foundation to develop a blue-print for Florida’s future economy.  View the Presentation

Executive Director’s Report

• The CFRPC is continuing to work with the Economic Development Administration (EDA) on the Aviation Study grant for Highlands and Polk Counties.
• Staff is also assisting in the preparation of an EDA grant application that will support the inter-modal activity at one of our region’s airports.
• Ms. Steed presented the FRCA Monthly Progress Report which provided information on current activities.

Election of Council Officers for 2019

• 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.

Membership Appointments for 2018

• FRCA Policy Board
  • Commissioner Buddy Mansfield
  • City Commissioner Nathaniel Birdsong
  • Ms. Jacqueline Tucker
  • City Commissioner Neda Cobb (alternate)
• Finance Committee
  • Gubernatorial Appointee Donna Howerton
  • Commissioner Don Elwell
  • City Commissioner Neda Cobb
  • Commissioner Mike Thompson

The next meeting of the CFRPC will be at 9:30 am on April 10, 2019, at the Hardee County Commission Board Room in Wauchula.