Members Attending: Mary Lou Franzoni. Pensacola International Airport City Traffic Engineering. Advisory Members Attending: Jim DeVries

Transcription

1 WEST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL (Designated Staff) WEST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL (WFRPC) MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM 4081 E. Olive Road, Suite A, Pensacola, Florida April 9, 2012 Members Attending: Chris Phillips, Chairman Shawn Ward Nancy Model Tommy Brown, Vice Chair Eugene Harris Joey Nunnally Steven Pumphrey Mary Lou Franzoni Michael Godwin Andrea Kvech Lee Smith Santa Rosa County Engineering Santa Rosa County Santa Rosa County Escambia County Traffic Escambia County Baldwin County Baldwin County ECAT Pensacola International Airport Pensacola International Airport City Traffic Engineering Advisory Members Attending: Jim DeVries FDOT Others Attending: Orvind Johnson Philip Shad Michael Plagens Quinton Williams Amy Wiwi Elizabeth Schrey Mary Bo Robinson Gary Kramer Rhonda Grice Ellie Roberts Barrineau Park Atkins CDM Smith FDOT Metric Engineering A. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Phillips called the meeting to order. B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: This item was not addressed by the TCC. C. PUBLIC FORUM: Chairman Phillips called for speakers. There were none. D. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Approval of the March 12, 2012 Meeting Minutes. Chairman Phillips called for approval of the consent agenda. Ms. Model referred to Item 4, page 5, where rerunning the regional model was discussed and said that the last sentence states that Mr. Eddy suggested that this be on the April meeting agenda but it was not on the agenda. She asked if there was anything new on that.

2 PAGE 2 Mr. DeVries said he is aware that the Department is moving forward with a Traffic and Revenue Study, the type that is needed for the bonding community, and that will be part of that process. He said he had not heard anything else. Ms. Model commented that they definitely want to see the regional model run; this is something the county has been asking for since October. Ms. Robinson explained that she could contact the Turnpike, which would be part of the process but she is not sure. Mr. DeVries said he is not sure how much effort is being talked about doing as far as a model run but there is the Long Range Plan model with the adopted Cost Feasible Plan. Mr. DeVries said a request needs to go to the District with a copy to him. He commented that the TCC needs to be clear on what they are asking the Department to run. Chairman Phillips called for the motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Harris moved for approval of the March 12, 2012 meeting minutes as written and recommended that the TPO approve Resolution FL-AL to endorse the Escambia County Transit Development Plan (TDP). The motion was seconded by Mr. Godwin and unanimously approved. 2. Consideration of Resolution FL-AL to Endorse the Escambia County Transit Development Plan (TDP) Enclosure A. This item was not addressed by the TCC. E. ACTION ITEMS: 1. Consideration of Resolution FL-AL to Adopt the FY Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) - Enclosure B. Ms. Mary Robinson, TPO staff, presented. Ms. Robinson stated that a draft of the UPWP was provided to the TCC, which outlines the tasks and the budget for the two fiscal years beginning July 1, Since then, staff received comments from the Department of Transportation, many of them minor and some of them were formatting issues. Ms. Robinson said a couple of items were addressed pertaining to Baldwin County. She referred to the Introduction of the UPWP and said there is some text that talks about planning priorities for the Florida-Alabama Urbanized Area. She said FDOT suggested that staff add the fact that the TPO staff coordinated the first priorities workshop for the Lillian area of Baldwin County since the TPO discontinued their public transit service several years ago. The projects that are being looked at are going to be bicycle pedestrian because the amount of urbanized area funding that they receive to implement projects is minimal. Ms. Robinson referred to Task A.9, Planning Support to Lillian Alabama, and stated that the name of this task will probably be changed the next time this document is produced. Ms. Robinson said that Census Urbanized Area Boundaries were released on March 26 and the information shows that the Florida-Alabama TPO Urbanized Area now also includes Orange Beach. She commented that when reapportionment is done, it will be decided if the TPO gets another council member.

3 PAGE 3 Ms. Robinson referred to Task C.2, Long Range Transportation Plan Planning, and said a note was made that the TPO will be receiving $375,000 of state funds in FY2014 to begin the next Long Range Transportation Plan update that will go to FY2040 but only approximately $130,000 will be used in that fiscal year. Ms. Robinson referred to Task D.1, Corridor Management Planning, and said approximately $150,000 per year of federal funds will be received to do the Corridor Management Plans. She reviewed corrections that had been made. Ms. Robinson asked that the TCC consider a motion to recommend the TPO authorize the Chairman to sign Resolution FL-AL Chairman Phillips called for questions for comments. Mr. Eugene Harris introduced Mary Lou Franzoni, the new ECAT Operations Manager along with First Transit, which will be the management provider for the next five years for Escambia County. Chairman Phillips called for the motion. Mr. Smith moved to recommend the TPO authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Resolution FL-AL to adopt the UPWP. The motion was seconded by Ms. Model and unanimously approved. 2. Consideration of Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Application from Buzz Morley - Enclosure C. Ms. Rhonda Grice, TPO staff, to present. This item was not addressed by the TCC. 3. Letter of Request to Pensacola Naval Air Station (NAS) Regarding Designation on the Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET) - Enclosure D. Mr. Jim DeVries, FDOT, presented. Mr. DeVries stated that the TPOs, statewide, have been pushing the Department to try to include access to major military facilities in the Strategic Intermodal System. The Department agreed with that decision quite awhile ago and that process has been moving forward. Mr. DeVries said DOT met with Captain Plummer approximately six months ago at NAS Pensacola and talked to him about the Military Access Facility Connector to the Florida Strategic Intermodal System. The recommendation DOT had was to use the STRAHNET connection, which is the interstate to Blue Angel Parkway, Blue Angel Parkway to the back gate. Mr. DeVries said Captain Plummer did not have an issue with that but as part of DOT s recommendation, DOT also recommended a modification to the STRAHNET system. Currently, if leaving the back gate of NAS, north up Blue Angel Parkway to Saufley Field Road, east on Saufley to Mobile Highway, north Mobile Highway to Pine Forest Road to the interstate. When that link was put in, Blue Angel Parkway was not there in the way it is now. It makes sense to change the connector to continue up Blue Angel Parkway and tie into Pine Forest Road. Mr. DeVries said Captain Plummer did not have an issue with that but he felt that he wanted support of the local governments before making changes to some type of system. The impact is minimal. With SIS connectors or SIS facilities there may be additional funds for those facilities that would not be

4 PAGE 4 used somewhere else. Legally, if we took the original STRAHNET route that piece of Saufley Field Road and that piece of Mobile Highway would meet the criteria for SIS dollars. Mr. Brown said that is the part that he does not understand. He commented that we want to designate that part of Blue Angel Parkway as STRAHNET but Mr. DeVries keeps talking about SIS. Mr. DeVries explained that they are taking the STRAHNET route and making that the SIS route. To add military access facilities to the SIS, the STRAHNET routes are being used in most cases. Not all STRAHNET facilities will be SIS. Chairman Phillips called for questions or comments. Comments were addressed. He called for the motion. Mr. Brown moved to recommend the TPO authorize the TPO Chair to sign a letter requesting support from Pensacola Naval Air Station update to the Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET). The motion was seconded by Mr. Smith and unanimously approved. 4. Request for Letter of Support for a Feasibility Analysis of a Public Transportation Commuter Service for Santa Rosa County Enclosure E. Ms. Mary Robinson, TPO staff, presented. Ms. Robinson explained that Santa Rosa County contacted TPO staff for Florida-Alabama and Okaloosa-Walton TPOs requesting a letter of support for a feasibility study of putting a commuter service along US98 to relieve that corridor because there is not sufficient funding coming down to address the congestion and the traffic on US98. Ms. Robinson said TPO staff is asking for a letter that the county may use should funding opportunities arise. She asked Ms. Model to further address this issue. Ms. Model commented that Mr. Kramer and Ms. Johnson told her that the Okaloosa-Walton TPO has voted into their Cost Feasible Plan PD&E and design from SR87 to Hurlburt Field, which was great. Ms. Model said she was glad to hear that. Ms. Model recommended that the TCC vote for the transit feasibility study. Chairman Phillips called for further discussion. There was none. He called for the motion. Mr. Smith moved to recommend the TPO authorize the TPO Chairman to sign a letter requesting support for a feasibility analysis of a public transportation commuter service for Santa Rosa County. The motion was seconded by Mr. Godwin and unanimously approved. F. REVIEW / INFORMATION ITEMS 1. Interstate 10 Master Plan for Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties - Enclosure F. Mr. Quinton Williams, FDOT, (Michael Plagens, CDM Smith) to present. Mr. Williams explained that Mr. Plagens is here to give an update of the plan and where they are in the process. Mr. Plagens with DCM Smith said they are working with FDOT on the I-10 Master Plan. Mr. Plagens announced that handouts of the project overview are being distributed, along with Tier Strategies and Tier Scale Ratings.

5 PAGE 5 Mr. Plagens began his PowerPoint presentation by providing an Introduction and Background information. He also provided Purpose and Need, Project Status, and Tier Methodology. He reviewed the next steps and how to get involved. Mr. Plagens addressed questions and comments. 2. Draft US98 Corridor Management Plan (CMP), from the Pensacola Bay Bridge to the Okaloosa County Line Enclosure G. Ms. Mary Robinson, TPO staff, presented. Ms. Robinson said we are down to the wire on the Corridor Management Plan for US98. She said there has been a boost of interest over the last month due to unfortunate and tragic circumstances with pedestrians on US98. She said Mr. Phil Shad, Atkins, will give a summary of where the project stands. This document is a draft this month but will be for consideration for adoption in June. Mr. Shad said he distributed what is basically the executive summary and contains all of the recommendations that have resulted from the meetings held and from the dialogue with county staff and stakeholders. The last public meeting was held March 20 and another presentation was given less than two weeks ago to the United Peninsula Association. Mr. Shad said the full document will be available within the next two weeks and will be posted on the website to be downloaded. Hard copies will also be available. Mr. Shad said comments will be accepted prior to final adoption at the TPO meeting in June. Mr. Shad gave a slide presentation reviewing the recommendations and corridor safety improvements. He addressed questions. Mr. DeVries suggested that since this document will be on the agenda in June, let the Department go ahead and report what they are doing and will be doing in the next several months as far as a traffic safety study all the way along US98. Chairman Phillips called for further questions. There were none. Mr. Shad said again that the full document will be posted soon for review and comments. 3. Review of the Public Participation Process (PPP) Manual - Enclosure H. Ms. Rhonda Grice, TPO staff, presented. Ms. Grice reminded the TCC that they received a copy of the draft PPP in March. She said only one comment was received. She said if the TCC would like to make changes, add comments or make suggestions to please submit them to her by May 18. Ms. Grice said staff will be seeking adoption of the PPP Manual in June. 4. Review of the Draft FL-AL FY Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Enclosure I. Ms. Elizabeth Schrey, TPO staff, presented. Ms. Schrey stated that the agenda enclosure included a link to the draft TIP. Staff will be looking for adoption at the June TPO meeting. She said staff is

6 PAGE 6 seeking comments on the draft by May 11. Ms. Schrey said comments were received from FDOT. Their comments and corrections related to them are in the draft posted on line. Ms. Schrey advised the TCC to be careful prior to hitting print because it is a large document. She suggested that the document be accessed on line. She commented that staff could print copies if necessary. Ms. Schrey addressed questions. Ms. Schrey highlighted the Pensacola Bay Bridge project. She referred to page 1-5 and commented that total funding currently, which includes the $104 million that is being considered from tolling to make up the total cost, is $583,869, Project Priorities Public Workshops for FY Enclosure J. Ms. Elizabeth Schrey, TPO staff, presented. Ms. Schrey said staff is looking forward to setting priorities for the next TIP and Work Program development cycle. This item is regarding FY Project Priorities. Ms. Schrey announced that a combined TPO and committee workshop will be held at this location for the TCC and the CAC, BPAC and TPO will be invited to review a draft of the Priorities. Ms. Schrey asked for TCC assistance in identifying existing citizen groups to which TPO staff could present the draft Priorities or flyers to get them involved in the process. 6. Discussion of US90 Through Milton, from Glover Lane/Old US90 to Airport Road, in Upcoming Project Priorities Enclosure K. Ms. Nancy Model, Santa Rosa County, presented. Ms. Model commented that this item follows perfectly behind Ms. Schrey s presentation because what she is going to talk about is in preparation for the Projects Priorities even though the Priorities will not be adopted for several months. Ms. Model said that during the last Cost Feasible Plan update, the Plan did include a PD&E Study and Design for the portion from Glover Lane to Airport Boulevard. She said there is a SR87 Connector Study between SR87 South and SR87 North and originally when that study started she was hoping that that study would also give some kind of alternative that would help relieve traffic on US90 through Milton, which is a contributed to by SR87 and US90. Ms. Model used maps, a copy of one which is included in the agenda enclosure, and continued with her presentation. Ms. Model said her whole point of presenting this is that when the Priorities come up later this summer, she would like the TPO and committees to consider making this a high enough priority so that some day it will get picked up for a PD&E Study. Ms. Schrey recommended that the TCC make an attempt to attend the public workshops to talk to the public with staff to help explain where some of these projects are for the counties, and to also attend the TCC workshop. Chairman Phillips called for questions. There were none.

7 PAGE 7 7. Project Update: 12 th Avenue and Bayou Boulevard Intersection Enclosure L. Mr. Jim DeVries, FDOT, presented. Mr. DeVries said this item follows the Priority issue again. He said this is one of those intersections that has been in the TPO Priority list for years, with some major improvements and major costs such as Mobile Highway, Fairfield Drive and 9 th Avenue/Creighton Road. Twelfth Avenue/Bayou Boulevard was one where the study that DOT did in showed a need for an exclusive right-turn lane eastbound (or northeast-bound). The cost estimate was $3 million for the right-of-way to put that right-turn lane in. FDOT did make an attempt to do some modifications with striping; there are two through-lanes coming from the Cordova Park area heading towards the mall. The outside lane was striped as a right-turn lane only, then having only one through lane. There were a lot of issues with it when it happened so FDOT modified it back to the original condition. Mr. DeVries explained the current configuration of the intersection. Mr. DeVries said FDOT has a project that again is a partnership between Escambia County, City of Pensacola and FDOT. Escambia County is getting ready to resurface 12 th Avenue from just south or towards the bayou, one or two blocks, all the way up to Underwood Avenue. The Department is going to put in some funding to mill and restripe this first block of Bayou Boulevard. The city is looking at providing some of the signalization there and the county is going to redo the intersection. Mr. DeVries said he asked to have this on the agenda so that none of the city councilmen or county commissioners is shocked by this. G. INFORMATION ITEMS (No Presentation Necessary) Enclosure M: TPO Meeting Schedule Chairman Phillips announced that the next TCC meeting is June 11 at WFRPC. The following informational items are available on the WFRPC website at MPOAC Report January 2012 Navarre Chamber of Commerce Resolution Public Participation Process Quarterly Report Excerpt H. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Chairman Phillips called for a motion about the bridge modeling request as discussed at the beginning of the meeting and asked for suggestions on how to word the motion. Ms. Robinson recalled that Mr. DeVries would like for the TCC to request from the district office to do some analysis through the regional model of the affects of the Pensacola Bay Bridge replacement on the adjacent pieces of roadway. Also, look at the relationship to a second TPO bridge, the bridge from Pensacola to east of Naval Live Oaks. Mr. Smith asked if modeling would be done on the regional model. Chairman Phillips explained that the TCC discussed at the last meeting about running the regional model showing an additional bridge going from Pensacola to east of Naval Live Oaks because Ms.

8 PAGE 8 Model brought information to the last meeting that showed that adding two lanes to the existing bridge ultimately did not do much. He said the TCC was concerned about how the modeling was done to arrive at those numbers and it appeared that a lot of generalizations may have been made to get to that point. Chairman Phillips called for the motion. Ms. Model moved to request FDOT to run the regional transportation model to analyze the impact of a six-lane bridge on US98 to the east and the west and the need for an additional bridge with the new bridge being a six-lane toll facility. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brown and unanimously approved. I. ADJOURN: There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:40 p.m. Approved by TPO Date: Signed: