C. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Consent Agenda: Chairperson Czonstka called for action on the consent agenda.

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1 WEST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL (Designated Staff) NICEVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER, 204 North Partin Drive; Niceville, FL AUGUST 16, 2012 Members Attending: Steven Czonstka, Chairman Dale Blanchard Tony Namlick Bill Readdy Charles Dean Covey Yvonne Earle Wayland Davis Landrum Edwards Others Attending: Gayle Ellis Tom Nelson George Holland Jim Wood Cory Wilkninson Bob Baronti Mary Beth Washnock Elizabeth Schrey Dan Deanda Dorothy McKenzie Niceville Niceville Niceville Niceville Ft. Walton Beach Ft. Walton Beach Freeport Crestview Ft. Walton Beach FDOT City of Destin/TPO Chairman HDR TPO Staff TPO Staff TPO Staff TPO Staff TPO Staff A. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Czonstka called the meeting to order. Chairman Czonstka called on the TPO Chairman, Mr. Woods, to present an award. Mr. Woods presented a plaque to Ms. Yvonne Earle for outstanding service as the Citizens Advisory Committee Chairman from July 1, 1998 through June 30, B. PUBLIC FORUM Chairman Czonstka called for speakers. Ms. Washnock advised that Mr. Landrum Edwards was submitting an application to serve on the CAC. Mr. Edwards introduced himself and said he resided in Crestview. He asked to become a member of the CAC. Chairman Czonstka suggested holding one of their CAC meetings in Crestview. C. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Consent Agenda: Chairperson Czonstka called for action on the consent agenda. 1. Approval of June 21, 2012 meeting minutes 2. Consideration of Resolutions O-W and O-W to Endorse the 2012 Okaloosa County and Walton County Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan (TDSP) Annual Updates Ms. Covey moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Namlick, and unanimously approved.

2 August 16, 2012 PAGE 2 D. ACTION ITEMS 1. Consideration of Approval of Title VI Assurances and Presentation of Annual Title VI Staff Training Ms. Washnock reported that the TPO is required to fulfill the Title VI requirements as determined by the Federal Highway Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation. Extensive training of staff had been done, as well as with their partners of the Department of Transportation, and with local governments. Mr. Covey moved to recommend that the TPO authorize the TPO Chairman to sign Title VI Annual Assurances; Ms. Earle seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 2. Consideration of Letter of Support for Ride On Commuter Assistance Program Mr. Daniel Deanda reviewed the Ride On program which covers ten counties. The program is instrumental in providing rides to work, and enhances tourism. There are a total of 27 vanpools which are private and state funded. There is an emergency ride home program provided through funding from FDOT. It provides taxi rides for employees that unexpectedly need to leave work early. The program is reaching out to the Okaloosa-Walton area and Bay area, and open to everyone. Mr. Deanda advised the hotline number for service is Mr. Readdy asked what the total cost of the program is, and how it is paid for. Mr. Deanda replied that the program is funded through the Department of Transportation, and housed at the West Florida Regional Planning Council. He did not know the total cost of the program; however, said he would provide a report. In response to Chairman Czonstka s inquiry as to service in Crestview, Mr. Deanda said they wanted to work with Crestview more. The Chairman asked if Okaloosa Transit is used by the program. Mr. Deanda answered that it is, and in some instances is used for emergency rides. Chairman Czonstka said Okaloosa County had to cut $110,000 from their budget and intended to eliminate the route from Crestview to Ft. Walton. Mr. Deanda said they can help by promoting the carpool/vanpool program more to build ridership. He further stated that they met with Okaloosa County, and that the Commuter Assistance program has a budget to promote the program. Funding is being obtained for the Okaloosa area. Mr. Deanda also suggested that employers may help fund the programs. Chairman Czonstka said Commissioner Harris was not in favor of cutting service, and asked Mr. Deanda to contact the commissioner and Okaloosa Transit in an effort to solve the problem. Mr. Deanda said he would contact them, and report back. Chairman Czonstka offered to provide contacts for radio stations in Ft. Walton, and further suggested Crestview Community T.V. which is an online streaming video. Ms. Earle said the Ft. Walton Rotary would also be a good contact. Chairman Czonstka asked if there was a list of media contacts that was used in the past for

3 August 16, 2012 PAGE 3 the TPO. Ms. Washnock said there was a media list they use for press releases. Ms. Earle moved to recommend that the TPO authorize the TPO Chairman to sign a letter of support for Ride On Commuter Assistance Program; Mr. Covey seconded. Mr. Readdy said he was not going to vote for the item as he thought they needed to know about the costs. He proposed tabling the item until more information was received. Mr. Deanda said he would provide the figures at the next meeting if needed. Mr. Davis said it was budgeted in transportation and did not come from local funding. Mr. Readdy said everything is public money. Ms. Earle said she did not want to rescind her motion. A vote was taken on the motion and the motion passed with one opposing vote. Ms. Earle asked Mr. Deanda to provide financial information including where the funding comes from in the FDOT budget. Mr. Covey asked for budget information in the future. Mr. Deanda said they would provide the information. E. REVIEW/INFORMATION ITEMS 1. Destin Airport Letter Councilman Wood said he attended an aerospace safety workshop in Destin. He said if you look at their airport properties, the number two priority for 2014 is the air traffic control tower. Councilman Wood reported that the FAA is going to cut the number of dollars out of their budget. The Okaloosa County Airport director and his acting deputy informed Councilman. Wood of the upcoming cuts. He presented a letter he wrote addressing the need for a tower. Councilman Wood asked that the CAC to approve the content of his letter. The letter was to be addressed to the FAA, the national congressional delegation, the state delegation, and the county commissioners. The letter said they would like to have the air control tower, and if they are going to cut funds, to please not cut the Destin air control tower. Councilman Wood stated it was a critical safety piece in the area, and needed to be done. Councilman Wood said the letter was written by Mr. Tracy Stage, the acting airport director. Mr. Wood had asked him to write the letter. Mr. Wood said he could sign it before the next meeting, or he could bring it back completed to the next meeting, thereby delaying it 30 days. Chairman Czonstka said regarding the funding of the tower it was his understanding that it would be FAA funds, and if not used for this they would go somewhere else. Councilman Wood advised that they were starting to cut air control slots, and if the tower became part of that cutting action, the money would probably go to no one. He said the tower would cost approximately $8.6 million, and $8.2 million would come from the FAA. Chairman Czonstka asked if presently the control is performed by the tower at Eglin. Councilman Wood said it is presently done by the controls at Eglin.

4 August 16, 2012 PAGE 4 Mr. Davis asked if Eglin had seen the letter. Councilman Wood said they had not seen the letter, and that they could move that Mr. Wood show the letter to Eglin. Mr. Namlick said it was important that Eglin be onboard with the idea, as they could help push for the tower. Mr. Namlick said the first thing FAA would do is coordinate with the military who control a lot of the VFR traffic. Councilman Wood said Eglin was aware of the issues. Mr. Readdy asked what the $8.6 million figure was for. Councilman Wood stated it was for the construction of the tower at the Destin Airport. Mr. Readdy asked if it was for anything over and above being spent at Eglin presently, i.e., the cost of getting started. Councilman Wood said it was. Mr. Readdy asked what is the cost of operating. Councilman Wood said he did not know the cost of operating, as it is FAA dollars. Councilman Wood said he could try to find out. Mr. Blanchard asked if a tower at Destin would replace the one at Eglin. Councilman Wood said it would allow the local traffic around Destin to be controlled by the Destin air control tower. Currently the traffic is controlled from Eglin. Even with the two towers communication would be needed between Eglin and Destin. Chairman Czonstka said speaking as a pilot, there is something called airport traffic control area, and now the Eglin traffic control probably includes the Destin Airport. He said it was a safety issue also because they are relying specifically on radar signatures to do the control. He said it was VFR traffic, meaning it is visual flight rules, so if there is a tower with controllers in it, they will be able to see the traffic visually. He said there are airplanes that don t file flight plans, or file VFR flight plans, so they are the one that are the potential hazard. The Chairman said it would enhance the safety, and that the Destin Airport is coming under more and more utilization. He did not know if it would allow commercial flights out of the Destin Airport. Mr. Blanchard expressed that having two towers was a good idea. Mr. Namlick moved to approve Councilman Wood s letter, and Ms. Earle seconded. Ms. Earle said she thought Councilman Wood needed to go to Eglin, and Councilman Wood agreed that he would. Mr. Davis said he felt the action was premature, and that they should vote next month, after Councilman Wood communicates with Eglin. Mr. Readdy agreed that they needed information before approval. Mr. Covey asked if they were aware that Destin wanted the tower, and Councilman Wood said they were aware. Chairman Czonstka asked for a vote on the motion. The motion passed with two opposing votes. 2. Ride On Commuter Program Ms. Washnock referred to questions asked earlier in the meeting about the program. Mr. George Holland, from FDOT, provided information regarding the budget. Upon speaking to FDOT s coordinator for transit and the Ride On Program, he learned that the funding was for the ten county area the Planning Council serves. The budget for the entire ten counties for the current year is $150,000, and during the next year it was to be

5 August 16, 2012 PAGE 5 increased to $200,000. The amount spent on each county is dependent upon each county s participation. 3. Update on P. J. Adams Parkway, PD&E Study/Environmental Assessment (Financial Project Number: , ETDM 8310) Mr. Cory Wilkinson of HDR Engineering presented the item. He said the presentation was regarding a project being done by Okaloosa County and was being coordinated with the FDOT. The presentation was also made to the Crestview City Council, and was to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Wilkinson reported that there was to be a public hearing on August 23, 2012 at the Crestview Community Center. Pre briefing meetings were being held, and they mailed out over 1,600 notices. They also were advertising in local newspapers and other media mediums. Mr. Wilkinson stated that presently the Federal Highway Administration (FHA)had approved the environmental assessment. They egineered environmental documents that were ready for public review, and were located at the Crestview Library, at the Okaloosa Public Works offices, and available online. The public comment period closes on September 7, Mr. Wilkinson explained that the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) identified the need for capacity improvements between SR 85 and US 90, and that alternative routes around Crestview had been studied. Mr. Wilkinson said they are in the study phase in the FDOT Work Program. There was a public information meeting in June of 2010, and they received a lot of public input which assisted in finding alternatives. The upcoming public hearing is to be the close of the study phase, after which the public comments will be reviewed. They will then return the environmental assessment back to the FHA. The FHA considers the public input and will make a decision on the preferred alternative. Once FHA passes their decision on the environmental document, the project moves into the right-of-way construction phases. The County has secured partial funding for design, but there is no funding for right-of-way acquisition or construction. They are preparing to be ready for funding as it becomes available. Mr. Wilkinson outlined alternatives considered in the engineering and environmental analysis. The first alternative was along Old Antioch Road, and they eliminated it early in the process, due to land use and socio economic impacts that would occur if widening occurred through the neighborhood south of P. J. Adams Parkway. FHA agreed they did not need to study in detail. The second alternative starts at SR 85 at P. J. Adams Pkwy., and extends north to US 90. It would widen the existing corridor from two to four lanes. The third alternative starts at SR 85 and P. J. Adams Pkwy., and goes north to Arena Road, and would construct to new alignment north to US 90, connecting to Old Bethel Road. The alternative was presented at the public information meeting in June It retains Antioch Road in its current configuration of a two lane road. This was the recommended option by Okaloosa County, and FHA will make the final decision as to whether federal funds will be received.

6 August 16, 2012 PAGE 6 Mr. Wilkinson advised they were looking at the two typical sections. The urban typical section would be applied along P. J. Adams Pkwy. There would be two 12 travel lanes in each direction, with a 22 median. There would be 4 bike lanes and 6 sidewalks, that would extend from SR 85 along P. J. Adams to Arena Road. Mr. Wilkinson reviewed the numbers for the environmental assessment. Alternatives 3 and 3A were less than Alternates 1 and 2. The estimated cost of Alternative 2 was $98.9 million, $95.9 million for Alternative 3, and $95.3 million for Alternative 3A. 4. Review of Draft Project Priorities for FY 2014-FY2018 Ms. Schrey presented the priorities. Handouts were provided. Table 1 showed a list of projects going to construction, either presently underway or going to construction within a few years. Table 2 was the non-strategic intermodal system table. Ms. Earle said Ms. Robinson was going to provide figures from their workshop on the box funds regarding how much was actually spent. Ms. Schrey said she had the numbers on what was spent, and that it was in their TIP. The traffic signals system was funded at $300,000 per year for Okaloosa County, and $100,000 per year for Walton County. The new LRTP increases the requests for funding to $400,000 for Okaloosa, and $200,000 for Walton. Ms. Schrey stated they had $300,000 in their actual budget for the next five years for Okaloosa, for years Ms. Earle wanted to know how much they actually used in the last five years, and whether or not it was carried over from one year to another. Ms. Schrey answered that she did not have the information at the meeting. Ms. Earle said they discussed the box funds at the workshop. She further stated that the idea was that they were box funding money so there was no money left over for construction. Ms. Earle had learned that they did not have to list their box funds as the first priorities. She pointed out that they could change the priorities, and she was suggesting that they change SR 123. Ms. Schrey said that if they placed a road project ahead of the boxes, the boxes won t get funded. Ms. Earle said the bicycle pedestrian jumped from $200,000 to $400,000. She questioned how much of the money they used. Ms. Schrey said number one, the synchronization of traffic signals projects. were handled by individual counties. Regarding the number two priority, the advanced traffic management system, funding doesn t begin until , and hasn t been funded to date. The number three priority was SR 123 (listed as 3A and 3B). In the current LRTP on 3A from north of SR 85 South to north of Tom s Creek, there is currently funding for design in the TIP. There was some money for right-of-way, and it was going towards environmental. They did not think there was going to be more right-of-way needed. Construction is in the cost feasible plan. Ms. Schrey said that for Item 3B construction was not cost feasible on the middle segment. The number four priority was the bicycle and pedestrian set aside. Mr. Readdy said that in other words they were going to have a four lane highway running into a two lane highway, and they would be waiting over 20 years. Ms. Schrey said that was what was approved in the LRTP by the committees. She stated the 3A piece goes to construction, i.e. the southern segment. There was also construction funded on the northern piece, and was scheduled for The

7 August 16, 2012 PAGE 7 middle segment was 3B. Ms. Schrey advised there was not funding for construction budgeted for either 3A or 3B. They were ready in the event funding becomes available. Ms. Schrey further reviewed priorities and applicable funding. Ms. Earle had a problem with Table 7, and the $1.40 million amount. She had a hard time with $500,000 for the center, and did not see the results for that amount. Ms. Schrey stated the #7 priority never received funding. Mr. Readdy asked about the correlation between #2 and #7. Ms. Schrey said #2 was improvements and equipment for the existing system, and that #7 was for the overall new system that is active monitoring of the entire regional road network. Mr. Namlick said #7 included a lot of personnel costs, and that they transferred from equipment hardwire software to personnel costs. Ms. Schrey said there will probably be one central office, and that there are ways that existing staff could log into it remotely and manage their own areas. She said there will be a central operations center for the traffic management system, and perhaps a few additional personnel. Mr. Davis said they should go to wireless. Ms. Schrey said some locations are wireless. She said in some instances a hard line is more reliable. Regarding #7 and #2, Mr. Covey asked if it could be changed to looking at other alternatives. Ms. Schrey said it requires hard line and wireless. Ms. Schrey said #8 is the Destin crosstown connector. Ms. Earle said the Destin crosstown connector needed to be moved up. Ms. Schrey said if the committee made any motions to recommend changes, to any tables, she would present the recommended changes to the TPO. Ms. Earle moved to change #8 the Destin crosstown connector to #4, Mr. Davis seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved. Ms. Schrey reviewed the rest of the projects in the table. Ms. Earle made a motion to move 3A and 3B up to #1A and #1B. Mr. Readdy said this would schedule money for 20 years from now for the #1 project. Ms. Schrey said for #3B to go to construction, to be eligible for the construction phase to be funded, they would have to amend the LRTP cost feasible plan. She said the TPO would have to direct them to start an amendment process. The next LRTP was not due to be adopted for about five years. Ms. Earle asked if they could make a motion to ask the TPO to make an amendment to the LRTP to add the construction to #3B and to the long range plan. Ms. Schrey said that action would take something else out. Mr. Readdy asked how much money they needed to get construction for #3B. He said if they drop #2 down, that gives them $300,000 per year. Ms. Earle said the funds were for Mr. Davis said it needs to be brought forward in case they get some money.

8 August 16, 2012 PAGE 8 Ms. Schrey said the construction phase alone on #3A is estimated to be $37.6 million; that was just for the construction phase on #3A. She said the LRTP cost feasible plan was on the website. Ms. Schrey said short of new money coming in that they can use in the LRTP, they would have to look at taking other projects out. Projects further down the list may no longer be cost feasible. This would cause a big change in the cost feasible plan. Mr. Holland said if they go to the next list they would see in the SIS #1 and #2 priorities. He said the secretary would hear loud and clear what became the #1 priority if they move an item up on the list. He said if it was funded by SIS they may have to modify the LRTP. He said it probably wouldn t affect projects that have to come out of the cost feasible plan. Ms. Schrey said if DOT comes back and says they have additional money in the SIS system beyond more than what is in the LRTP, it would be a much easier amendment to the plan. Ms. Earle repeated her motion to move #3A and #3B up to #1A and #1B. Mr. Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Schrey asked for any further changes to the table. Ms. Earle moved to add #1B in the Long Range Plan, Mr. Covey seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. TABLE #3 Strategic Intermodal System Ms. Schrey reviewed the priorities on Tables 3 through Table 10. She said #7 and #8 were the enhancement priorities, noting that it was a new application year. The criteria is reapplied at each new application year. There were two columns on Table #8. The adopted priority which was adopted last year--#1 was the same according to the new criteria (Hutchinson Street). #2 and #3 were adopted last, and follow backwards from how the criteria would have ranked them. The priorities were Hutchinson as #1, Rocky Bayou #2, and Antioch Road sidewalk #3. Mr. Readdy said the Antioch sidewalk should have a higher priority than Rocky Bayou Drive. Mr. Readdy made a motion to changing #2 and #3, making Rocky Bayou #3 and making Antioch Road #2; Mr. Covey seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Ms. Schrey said Table #9 was the public transportation priorities. They were submitted by Okaloosa County Transit and indicated what they proposed to spend over the next five years. Table #10 was the annual funding request for Transportation Disadvantaged trust fund. Table #11 was the priorities for the DeFuniak Springs Airport. Table #12 was for the Okaloosa County Airport priorities. The bicycle and pedestrian priorities were moved down due to changes made earlier in the meeting. Ms. Schrey said she would carry the CAC s recommendations forward and present them to the TCC and the TPO that day.

9 August 16, 2012 PAGE 9 5. Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century (MAP-21), the New Transportation Bill Ms. Washnock presented the item, reporting that MAP-21 was the new legislation for transportation. It was intended to create jobs by getting the private sector involved through investments. There were about 90 programs in transportation, and was to go down to 30 programs. The Safe Routes to Schools, the recreational trails, and the enhancement program, are being incorporated into transportation alternatives as one program. Safety is going to be a priority. Goals are being established for the state to measure injuries and fatalities, in an effort to reduce them. Ms. Washnock continued to say that the TIFIA (Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation) program will include additional landing capacity. There will be some arterials that previously have not been on a national highway system that will be incorporated. There will be a significant amount of highway funding devoted to preserving the most important highways. Ms. Washnock stated that MAP-21 says that it is a performance based legislative measure. Accountability and transparency were going to be important. Ms. Washnock said they had done some education about the fact that MAP-21 could have increased the threshold for population. This could have affected Okaloosa-Walton and Bay County TPOs. The threshold did not increase and remains at 50,000. There may be more operating dollars available for transit systems that have only been able to get capital money in the past. Ms. Washnock said further information could be obtain on the Federal Highway website. 6. Impact of 2010 Census on Northwest Florida Urbanized Areas Ms. Washnock advised they were getting information about the 2010 census. They were looking at modifying the federal highway boundaries. The Okaloosa-Walton TPO has Eglin AFB in the middle, leaving DeFuniak Springs and Crestview as urban clusters. In order to plan for the region properly, they move the boundaries as necessary. Chairman Czonstka asked, since the area in Crestview and Defuniak Springs were not in the bounded area in the south, if they were considered in the funding. Ms. Washnock said they were in the Metropolitan Planning boundary, i.e. the TPO area. Mr. Covey asked if the TPO boundaries were expected to change. Ms. Washnock boundaries would remain as they are. There are some areas extending out from the Federal Highway boundary, and is planning for ten years. The MPO boundary is planning for 20 years F. INFORMATION ITEMS PACKET TPO Meeting Schedule Chairman Czonstka announced that the next meeting would be held September 20, The following items were included in the information packet:

10 August 16, 2012 PAGE Cities Newsletter Excerpt 2. Curbing Distracted Driving Video Link 3. from Bill Howell Regarding Airport Road 4. MPOAC Institute Alternative Statistics 5. MPOAC Regarding Census Bureau ACS 6. MPOAC Request for State Transportation Trust Funds for TRIP 7. O-W TPO TIP Lead Agency Amendment 8. Highway 98 Widening Project FDOT Landscaping Grant 9. TIP Administrative Amendments G. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Davis said there was an article in the Daily News regarding restoring regional train service. Officials believe it would boost tourism and help the economy. It referred to restoring the line from Jacksonville to New Orleans, in order to give residents of the gulf coast a transportation option. Mr. Davis saw this as a favorable possibility for the region in long range plans. H. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business the meeting was adjourned. Approved by CAC Date: Signed: