Highlights from the February 12, 2020 CFRPC Council Meeting
Welcome New Members!
Council Attorney Norman White administered the new member Oath of Office to Bobby Keefe, City of Okeechobee, and Chad McLeod, City of Lakeland.
DeSoto County Activity Report
Mandy Hines, DeSoto County Administrator, shared challenges and successes for DeSoto County in the past year.
- A Strategic Economic Development Plan is underway with FHERO that will build on an existing site selection report. The validated targeted industries for DeSoto County are agriculture and agri-business, life sciences and medical.
- DeSoto County has come to a settlement agreement with MOSAIC. MOSAIC will have the opportunity to submit a new application for phosphate mining and receive a new hearing, but not before January 2023. Workshops will be held prior to the new hearing.
- $9.5 Million in roadway resurfacing projects are funded through FDOT this year.
- DeSoto County is applying for HGTV Hometown Makeover.
View the HGTV Hometown Makeover Submission Video
Government in the Sunshine
Council Attorney Norman White presented an overview of Florida’s Government in the Sunshine laws, rules, and regulations that govern Council Members and their communications. He discussed the proper use of social media reviewed Florida’s Public Records law and what is required of Council members.
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 DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties.
MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2020-2A, authorizing the Executive Director to enter into the Public Transit Grant Agreement carried unanimously.
Avon Park Air Force Range – Application for Compatible Use Plan
Jennifer Codo-Salisbury, Deputy Director, stated that the Avon Park Air Force Range Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) was completed in 2010. The US Office of Economic Adjustment, Department of Defense, recommends updating the JLUS, which is now known as a Compatible Use Plan since the Study is more than five years old.
MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2020-2B, nominates the Avon Park Air Force Range for this update and authorizes the Executive Director to apply for a grant to develop the Compatible Use Plan carried unanimously.
Economic Overview
The CFRPC is designated by the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) as the Economic Development District (EDD) for the Region. An overview of economic conditions and forecasts for the region and state was provided.
Status Report for The Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO)
- HRTPO staff has requested the transportation project priorities of local governments.
- FDOT conducted a certification review of the HRTPO and there were no findings. The HRTPO was designated a “Low Risk” agency for FDOT fiscal reviews for the third consecutive year.
- The HRTPO continues to work on the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for 2045 which is due to FDOT by March 2021. Information from the Heartland 2060 update will be used for the LRTP.
Florida Regional Councils Association (FRCA) January Policy Board Meeting Report
The FRCA Policy Board met in January 2020 in Tallahassee and CFRPC members Commissioner Buddy Mansfield, Gubernatorial Appointee Jackie Tucker, and Winter Haven City Commissioner Nathaniel Birdsong attended. Ms. Steed shared that overview of activities with the Council and presented highlights of the FRCA Annual Report, which was designed by CFRPC staff.
Executive Director’s Report
- Legislative Activities
- There is a line item to update the Statewide Hurricane Evacuation Plan in the Governor’s budget that directly affects the Council. If funded, the Council will work with the Department of Emergency Management to update the Statewide Evacuation Plan.
- Several Council members serve on Multi-Use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) Task Force for the South-Central Connector Corridor. Upcoming meetings and Community Open Houses were announced.
The next meeting of the CFRPC will be at 9:30 am on April 8, 2020, at the Hardee County Commission Chambers in Wauchula.