Highlights from the October 9, 2019 CFRPC Council Meeting

Okeechobee County Activities Report

Robbie Chartier, Okeechobee County Administrator shared an update of County activities and projects including:

• Property values have increased and new homes are being constructed
• A new Economic Development Corporation has been created
• NextAir is expanding onto adjacent property in Okeechobee’s Airport Commerce Park
• Baue Tech, a concrete products company based in Guatemala, will be opening its Southeastern US headquarters
• Rezoning has been approved for Caboda, Inc. which will be located on US 98
• The Okeechobee Music Festival is planned for March 5-8 and is expected to bring more than 40,000 in attendance
• A Wawa gas and convenience store is under construction on SR 70 in the City of Okeechobee

Contract for Technology Services

• MOTION: To approve a contract with Cipher Integration, Inc. for technology services through September 30, 2020. The motion carried unanimously.

2020 Census

Reginald Earl with the U.S. Census Bureau provided an overview of the efforts underway to ensure everyone is counted in the right place during the 2020 Census.

• The Census is constitutionally mandated for the re-apportionment of Congress and informs how $675 Billion/year will be distributed.
• For the 2020 Census, the internet is the primary method for households to self respond.
• State and local governments, businesses, and community leaders form Complete Count Committees to encourage participation in their community.
• MOTION: To approve the Census Proclamation as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

Learn more at census.gov/partners.

Resolution 2019-10A

FDOT has proposed a new Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA) for Federal 5311 funds awarded to the CFRPC for public transportation through the Community Transportation Coordinator in DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties.

• MOTION: To adopt Resolution 2019-10A authorizing the Council to enter into a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and to authorize the Executive Director to sign and administer the Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA). The motion carried unanimously.

Update on the Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO)

• The HRTPO Board is scheduled to meet on November 6, 2019, in Sebring where FDOT will be presenting the Draft Tentative Work Program.
• Commissioner Don Elwell serves as Chair to the Local Coordinating Board for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties and was recognized as the Elected Official of the Year by the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged.
• The Heartland Mobility Forum will be hosted by the HRTPO on October 30, 2019 and feature David Darm, Executive Director of the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged.

Update on Multi-Use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES)

The Southwest-Central Florida Connector is proposed through the Heartland, impacting all CFRPC counties except Okeechobee. Ms. Steed gave an update on the activities of the task force and their objectives and schedule.

• Next Meeting of the Southwest-Central Florida Connector Task Force: October 30, 2019, 10:00 am, Polk State College – Lakeland Campus
• Next Community Open House: November 12, 2019, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Wauchula Train Depot

Heartland 2060 Summits

Pat Steed, CFRPC Executive Director, presented highlights from the Heartland 2060 Summit held in Winter Haven on September 20, 2019.

Presenters included Kevin Thibault, Secretary of the FDOT; Tony Carvajal, the Florida Chamber Foundation; Dr. Thomas Hoctor; and L.K. Nandam, FDOT District One Secretary. View presentations from the event:

• The Heartland 2060 Vision
• The Florida 2030 Project
• Heartland Trends
• Trends Impacting the Environment
• Trends Impacting Transportation

The next summit will be held on Wednesday, November 13 in Lake Placid and focus on Education and Talent Pipeline, Agriculture and the Hemp Industry, Transportation and Economic Success, and the Future of Our Communities. RSVP here.

Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Contract for FY 2019-20

Pat Steed presented a continuing contract with emergency preparedness for hazardous materials. These funds are used to train first responders on how to handle hazardous materials and for planning other training exercises. The contract amount is just over $54,000.

• MOTION: To authorize the chair to sign the HMEP contract and the Executive Director to administer the contract. The motion carried unanimously.

Executive Director’s Report

• Pat Steed, CFRPC Executive Director, discussed the August FRCA Policy Board meeting held in Orlando and presented the FRCA Activity Report for August.

An informational brochure was distributed that highlighted CFRPC programs and funding.

The next meeting of the CFRPC will be at 9:30 am on December 11, 2019 at the Bartow Public Library in Polk County.