CAPTIONING
JANUARY 15, 2008
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION


***This is not an official, verbatim transcript of the 
***following meeting.  It should be used for informational 
***purposes only.  This document has not been edited; 
***therefore, there may be additions, deletions, or words 
***that did not translate.

>>JOE AFFRONTI:  WELCOME.
WELCOME TO OUR METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEETING 
FOR JANUARY 15th, OUR FIRST MEETING OF 2008.
WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND FOR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND BRIEF 
INVOCATION.
[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE CONTINUE TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE 
BLESSINGS THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US.
WE ASK THAT YOU GIVE COMFORT TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO 
HAVE DIED IN THIS RECENT TRAGEDY IN -- ON I-4, AND WE ASK 
THAT YOU PROTECT OUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THROUGHOUT THE 
WORLD WHO ARE PROTECTING OUR FREEDOMS.
IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY.
AMEN.
OKAY.
THE FIRST ITEM -- FIRST I WANT TO -- I GOT A LETTER FROM 
MR. BLAIR, COUNTY COMMISSIONER BLAIR, WHO WILL NOT BE ABLE 
TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
HE HAD A PREVIOUS BOARD SCHEDULE.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 
6th --
>>ROSE FERLITA:  SO MOVED.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  -- AND DECEMBER 4th.
MOVED AND SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IS THERE ANYONE THAT CARES TO DISCUSS ANY ITEMS THAT ARE ON 
THE AGENDA FROM THE PUBLIC?
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE?
IF NOT, WE THANK YOU.
WE HAVE THE CAC REPORT, MR. AMON.
>> GOOD MORNING, JOE AMON, CHAIRMAN OF THE CAC.
REPORT IS BRIEF AS ALWAYS.
HAVE A FEW ITEMS FOR YOU I THINK WAS IMPORTANT.
WE WERE PLEASED TO HAVE DAVID WITH US FROM HART TO TALK 
ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE DOING, WHAT MONEY THEY HAD, AND THEY 
GAVE US AN IDEA OF THE NEW WEST TAMPA TRANSIT CENTER, AND 
HE ALSO LET US KNOW ABOUT THE $40 MILLION THAT THE BOCC HAS 
EARMARKED FOR THE BUS RAPID TRANSIT, WHICH WE WERE VERY, 
VERY PLEASED TO HEAR.
OUR ACTION ITEMS WERE THE PUBLIC INFORMATION PLAN MEASURES 
OF EFFECTIVENESS REPORT.
IT WAS A REPORT COVERED THE TIME OF OCTOBER '06 AND 
SEPTEMBER '07.
AND IT SOUNDS AS IF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN IS MEETING 
ITS EFFECTIVENESS, SO WE'RE RECOMMENDING -- WE PASSED A 
MOTION RECOMMENDING THAT THE MPO APPROVE THE MEASURES OF 
THE EFFECTIVENESS REPORT.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BROUGHT THEIR 
TENTATIVE WORK PROGRAM FORWARD.
WE'VE SEEN THIS A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE, HAD A LOT OF TIME 
AND A LOT OF DISCUSSION OVER IT OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, 
AND WE PASSED A MOTION TO FORWARD THE FDOT TENTATIVE WORK 
PROGRAM TO THE MPO FOR THEIR ACTION AT THIS JANUARY 
MEETING.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS.
AUDIBLE DETECTION DEVICES.
THIS IS AN ITEM VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO THE HEART OF THE CAC.
WE HAVE ASKED FOR AND TALKED ABOUT THIS ALL THE YEARS I'VE 
BEEN ON THE CAC BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT AUDIBLE SIGNALS ARE 
AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY.
NOT EVERYBODY IN TRANSPORTATION AGREES WITH THAT.
BUT IF THERE'S A PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY, WE BELIEVE THERE 
SHOULD BE AUDIBLE SIGNALS.
NOT EVERYBODY CAN SEE THAT WELL, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE 
HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTY WHO HAVE THEIR -- HAVE -
- THEY ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED, AND THE AUDIBLE SIGNAL SEEMS 
TO BE A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE WITH THAT.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS.
INTERESTING ENOUGH, DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE HAD 
DISCUSSIONS THAT WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED 
AND THAT IT TAKES A SPECIAL REQUEST FROM PEOPLE THAT LIVE 
IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA TO GET IT ACCOMPLISHED.
WE'RE HEARING NOW IS QUITE A BIT DIFFERENT THAN THAT.
NOW WE'RE HEARING THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED AND THAT NEW -- I 
DON'T KNOW IF IT'S NEW LEGISLATION OR NEW LAWS, BUT WE'RE 
NOW HEARING THEY ARE.
AND SO WE'RE VERY PLEASED TO HEAR NOW THAT MOST OF OUR 
PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS ARE GOING TO HAVE -- AT SOME POINT IN 
TIME ARE GOING TO HAVE THESE AUDIBLE SIGNALS.
AND SO WE'VE ACTUALLY FORMED AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO -- TO 
AID OR BE INVOLVED IN THE USE OF THESE SIGNALS AND BRINGING 
THEM FORWARD.
TRANSIT AT TAMPA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THE AVIATION AUTHORITY PRESENTED A CONCEPTUAL PLAN FOR THE 
FUTURE TRANSITWAY ALIGNMENT AND STATION LOCATIONS, AND WE 
APPLAUD THE -- AS ALWAYS, WE APPLAUD THE AIRPORT BECAUSE OF 
THEIR FORWARD-THINKING, ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO MASS 
TRANSIT.
HART BUS STOP AND FACILITIES STUDY.
WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS ONE VERY CLOSELY.
AND THERE SHOULD BE A MORE DETAILED -- THERE'S A WORKSHOP 
THAT WAS GOING TO BE HELD, AND IT WAS RIGHT BEFORE A 
MEETING.
SOME OF OUR PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN IT, AND 
HOPEFULLY AT OUR NEXT MEETING WE'RE GOING TO GET SOME MORE 
OF A BRIEFING ON THIS.
BUT VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHAT WE FIND IS AND HAVE FOUND 
FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS THAT MANY OF THE BUS STOPS YOU CAN 
GET OFF THE BUS BUT YOU'RE GOING TO BE STANDING WITHOUT A 
SIDEWALK, MANY CASES YOU'RE LEFT OFF IN THE GRASS, AND 
THERE'S NO WAY TO GET FROM THE -- FROM THE BUS STOP TO SOME 
OTHER FORM OF PAVED SURFACE THAT YOU CAN WALK ON AND, WORSE 
YET, IF YOU WERE IN A WHEELCHAIR, TO MOVE AROUND.
SO THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF WORK GOING TO BE DONE ON THAT.
OUR NEXT MEETING IS FEBRUARY THE 13th.
AND WITH THAT, I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. AMON?
IF NOT, THANK YOU, JOE, AND THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK 
THAT YOU DO.
>> THANK YOU, SIR.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  WE APPRECIATE IT.
OKAY.
THE POLICY COMMITTEE.
POLICY COMMITTEE MET AT 9:00 ON DECEMBER 18th IN THE 
PLANNING COMMISSION BOARDROOM.
THE MEMBERS PRESENT APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 3rd 
AND NOVEMBER 20th POLICY -- WHAT?
>> [OFF MICROPHONE]
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  SORRY ABOUT THAT.
I GOT THE WRONG ONE HERE.
OKAY.
ALL RIGHT.
I'M HAPPY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER ROSE FERLITA 
HAS GRACIOUSLY ACCEPTED THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE POLICY 
COMMITTEE FROM NOW ON.
HOWEVER, ON OCCASIONS WHEN SHE IS -- HAS A CONFLICT, I WILL 
BE HER BACKUP.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  THANK YOU, MR. BACKUP.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  THANK YOU, ROSE.
STAFF PRESENTED THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN MEASURES OF 
EFFECTIVENESS REPORT EVALUATION COVERING THE TIME PERIOD 
FROM OCTOBER 2006 TO SEPTEMBER 2007.
THE MEASURES OF EFFECTIVENESS REPORT TAKES INVENTORY OF THE 
PAST YEAR'S PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND 
MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 
PROGRAM GOING FORWARD.
THE COMMITTEE PASSED A MOTION TO FORWARD THE REPORT TO THE 
FULL MPO BOARD, AND THIS ITEM IS SCHEDULED TO BE PRESENTED 
LATER IN TODAY'S MEETING.
FDOT PRESENTED THEIR TENTATIVE WORK PROGRAM COVERING THE 
NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THEY EXPLAINED THAT DUE TO THE COST INCREASES AND REVENUE 
REDUCTIONS, SOME PROJECTS WILL BE DEFERRED.
WHERE POSSIBLE, SOME PROJECTS WERE ALSO ADVANCED IN ORDER 
TO REDUCE FUTURE COST INCREASES AND TO MATCH BETTER WITH 
OTHER PROJECT PHASES IN THE WORK PROGRAM.
THE POLICY COMMITTEE PASSED A MOTION FORWARDING THIS ITEM 
FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE MPO IN TODAY'S MEETING.
FINALLY, A HART REPRESENTATIVE PROVIDED A STATUS REPORT ON 
THE STUDY AND ARE CONDUCTING IT TO EVALUATE NEEDS AT BUS 
STOPS AND OTHER HART FACILITIES.
THE STUDY IS IDENTIFYING IMPROVEMENTS THAT CAN BE MADE TO 
ENHANCE HART SERVICE TO -- DO YOU HAVE THE REST OF THIS, 
LUCIE?
OH, HERE IT IS.
OKAY.
THANK YOU.
 -- TO THEIR CUSTOMERS AND TO ENCOURAGE MORE TRANSIT 
RIDERS.
THE STUDY IS BEING FINALIZED AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE 
PRESENTED AT OUR NEXT MEETING IN MARCH.
THE NEXT POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 
19th AT 9:00 IN THE PLANNING COMMISSION BOARDROOM.
AND AS ALWAYS, ALL MPO BOARD MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
AND THAT'S MY REPORT.
OKAY.
THE -- YEAH.
THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE FDOT TENTATIVE WORK 
PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009  THROUGH 2013.
LINDA, I GUESS YOU'RE GOING TO PRESENT THAT.
>> YES.
GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR AND BOARD.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY.
I'M COMING BACK TO TALK ABOUT THE WORK PROGRAM AGAIN.
IN DECEMBER WE GAVE YOU A QUICK, BRIEF OVERVIEW, AND I'M 
HERE TO KIND OF WRAP THAT UP AND PULL TOGETHER SOME OF THE 
MORE SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES THAT OCCURRED IN 
THE WORK PROGRAM.
IN YOUR FOLDER YOU HAVE A LIST OF HIGHLIGHTS WHICH ARE THE 
MOST SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES AND A VARIANCE REPORT THAT 
SUPPORTS THAT AND THE WORK PROGRAM.
THERE WAS NEARLY 1.9 BILLION PROGRAMMED IN HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY OVER THE FIVE-YEAR WORK PROGRAM AS YOU SEE IT.
WE DID HAVE SOME PROJECTS THAT WERE DEFERRED.
LISTED AS THE DEFERRAL IS THE 40th STREET PROGRAM.
HOWEVER, THIS PROJECT WAS DEFERRED ONLY TO ALIGN IT WITH 
FEDERAL FUNDING, AND IN FACT, THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 
PROJECT IS NOT CHANGING.
THE CITY OF TAMPA IS STILL PLANNING THE CONSTRUCTION FOR 
2010.
SO IT REALLY WAS A MATTER OF ALIGNING FUNDING.
THE MLK CAPACITY PROJECT FROM HIGHVIEW TO PARSONS WAS 
DEFERRED TO 2013.
A PROJECT OF LESS THAN ONE MILE.
HOWEVER, WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE THE SEGMENT THAT'S ABUTTING 
THAT FROM PARSONS TO KINGSWAY AND ADD RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR 
2013.
SO GENERALLY WE HAVE BROADENED THE SCOPE OF THE MLK PROJECT 
IN THE WORK PROGRAM.
WE DID HAVE AN ADVANCEMENT THAT WE'RE VERY PLEASED WE WERE 
ABLE TO DO WITH I-275'S CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NORTHBOUND 
INTERCHANGE RAMP AT STATE ROAD 60.
THIS WAS ADVANCED TO NEXT YEAR, A $14 MILLION SAFETY AND 
OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
PROJECTS THAT WERE ADDED, WE RESTORED THE I-4 CROSSTOWN 
CONNECTOR, THE Z MOVEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION IN 2013 FOR A 
COST OF $110 MILLION.
CONSTRUCTION ON THE CONNECTOR FROM SELMON TO I-4 IS 
CURRENTLY FUNDED FOR 2010 FOR 378 MILLION.
THE PROJECT'S ANTICIPATED TO OPEN IN 2014.
WE'RE VERY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT.
AND AS I MENTIONED, THE OTHER MAJOR PROJECT THAT WAS ADDED 
WAS THE RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR MLK.
ALL THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS THAT WERE 
PRIORITIZED BY THE MPO WERE PROGRAMMED AT THE FULLY FUNDED 
AMOUNTS THAT WERE RECOMMENDED TO US.
WE WERE GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT FOR YOU.
ONE PROJECT YOU'LL SEE THAT HAS A VARIANCE ON IT IS THE 
WESTSHORE ALLIANCE PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM PLAN.
IT DID GET FUNDED IN 2013 FOR DESIGN, AND WE LISTED THE 
CONSTRUCTION AS A CANDIDATE IN 2014.
THE REASON BEING IS THAT WE DO NOT PROGRAM THESE TWO PHASES 
WITHIN THE SAME YEAR.
SO IT WILL GET THE FUNDING THAT YOU HAD RECOMMENDED, BUT WE 
SPLIT IT BETWEEN THOSE TWO YEARS.
WE HAVE TEN NEW RESURFACING PROJECTS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 
FOR OVER $73 MILLION, WITH PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING NEXT 
YEAR IN '09 AND CONSTRUCTION IN 2011.
THE LARGEST RESURFACING IS I-4 FROM BRANCH FORBES TO POLK 
COUNTY LINE FOR 25.5 MILLION.
THESE ARE ALL LISTED -- ALL THESE PROJECTS ARE LISTED IN 
THE HIGHLIGHTS REPORT.
IN TOTAL, THERE ARE 28 RESURFACING PROJECTS IN THE WORK 
PROGRAM, A VERY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RESURFACING THAT WILL 
HAPPEN IN THE FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM.
TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS, AGAIN, ANOTHER ITEM 
THAT IS PRIORITIZED BY THIS MPO BOARD, WAS FUNDED BASED ON 
FEASIBILITY AND PROJECT READINESS FOR 2.2 MILLION, WHICH IS 
THE AVERAGE FUNDING FOR THIS REVENUE STREAM.
McMULLEN ROAD SIDEWALK AND RIVERWALK WERE BOTH FUNDED.
ALL THE OTHER PROJECTS AND TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENTS 
STAYED IN THE PROGRAM AND CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.
WE DID HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS IN DECEMBER 10th AND DECEMBER 
13th TO BRING THIS TO THE PUBLIC.
WE ARE ACCEPTED ALL WRITTEN COMMENTS FROM THE MPO THROUGH 
JUNE 21st FOR THIS.
AND I THINK OVERALL WE DID -- WE HAVE A GREAT YEAR AHEAD OF 
US.
IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 
PROGRAM, I'LL BE GLAD TO TAKE THEM.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  ANY QUESTIONS OF LINDA?
>>LUCIE AYER:  MY EARS MAY BE BETRAYING ME.
YOU SAID JUNE 21st.
IT'S ACTUALLY JANUARY 21st.
>> IT IS JANUARY 21st.
THANK YOU.
WE'RE NOT THERE YET.
OKAY.
>> [OFF MICROPHONE]
>>ROSE FERLITA:  SECOND.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  OKAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  SORRY, SIR.
NONE OF THAT WAS PICKED UP ON THE RECORD.
HIS MICROPHONE WASN'T ON.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ENDORSE THE FLORIDA 
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT 7 TENTATIVE WORK 
PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEARS '09 THROUGH FISCAL YEAR '13.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  AND I SECONDED THAT, SIR.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  ALL RIGHT.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
IF NOT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
MOTION PASSED.
NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.
IS THAT RIGHT?
OH, I'M SORRY.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN MEASURES OF EFFECTIVENESS.
SORRY ABOUT THAT, LYNN.
>>LYNN MERENDA:  THAT'S OKAY.
GOOD MORNING.
LYNN MERENDA, MPO STAFF, AND I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE MPO'S 
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN MEASURES OF EFFECTIVENESS REPORT 
FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1st, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 
30th, 2007.
I HAVE A POWERPOINT.
CAN WE GET IT ON THE SCREENS?
OKAY.
THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN IS AMENDED -- WAS LAST 
AMENDED IN JANUARY 2006 AND WILL BE UPDATED.
IT'S THIS DOCUMENT.
IT WILL GET A COMPLETE MAKEOVER THIS YEAR AS THE KICKOFF TO 
THE 2035 LRTP UPDATE.
IT CONTAINS OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, A TOOLKIT OF BEST 
PRACTICES, AND SELF-EVALUATION GUIDELINES.
IT ALSO CONTAINS OUR PRINCIPLES, WHICH ARE TO PROVIDE 
OPPORTUNITIES, TO BE INCLUSIVE, TO BE RESPONSIVE, TO 
PROVIDE A PREDICTABLE PROCESS, TO BE CREATIVE AND FLEXIBLE, 
AND TO MAXIMIZE EXPOSURE WHILE MINIMIZING COSTS.
OUR MEASUREMENT CRITERIA ARE OUR MPO VISIBILITY, OUR 
PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES, OUR PUBLIC INTEREST AND 
FEEDBACK, AND INPUT RESULTS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, OVER THE PAST YEAR WE'VE DONE MANY, MANY -- 
OVER 31,000 -- NEWSLETTERS.
WE PASSED OUT AN ADDITIONAL THOUSAND CITIZENS GUIDES, OVER 
12,000 RIDE GUIDES.
WE DID THE MADDOX REPORTS DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION MAP 
SPONSORSHIP.
WE'VE HAD OVER 114 ARTICLES AND ADS AND TEN MPO MEETINGS 
AND ONE TDCB MEETING WERE BROADCAST ON HTV.
WE PROVIDED OVER ABOUT 100 OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO 
PARTICIPATE IN OUR PLANNING ACTIVITIES, AND NEARLY 6,000 
PEOPLE DID PARTICIPATE THIS YEAR IN A WIDE VARIETY OF 
MEETINGS THAT YOU CAN SEE ON THE SCREEN.
WE RECEIVED COMMENTS FROM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND THE 
REGION.
THEN WE HAD MEETINGS SUCH AS THIS.
IN TOTAL WITH YOUR BOARD AND OUR COMMITTEES, ABOUT 111 
MEETINGS LAST YEAR, WITH OVER 2,000 PARTICIPANTS.
WE RECEIVED 119 MAIL, E-MAIL, OR FAX INQUIRIES, 397 PHONE 
INQUIRIES, 220 PEOPLE WALKED IN AND VISITED US ON THE 18th 
FLOOR, WE GOT 15 EVALUATION CARDS, 131 NEWSLETTER COMMENT 
CARDS, NEARLY 2500 VERBAL PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND OVER A 
THOUSAND EVALUATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR NEARLY 4500 COMMENTS 
TO STAFF.
WE HAVE OUR NORMAL WEB SITE, WHICH IS HILLSBOROUGHMPO.ORG, 
AND LAST YEAR WE ADDED A NEW WEB SITE, MPOTRANSIT.ORG TO 
TRACK THE PROGRESS OF OUR MPO TRANSIT STUDY.
DUE TO HAVING TWO SITES THIS YEAR AND INCREASING THE VOLUME 
OF THE THINGS THAT WE PUT ON, WE HAVE OVER 573 ITEMS OF 
INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON-LINE, MORE THAN DOUBLE OF LAST 
YEAR.
ON-LINE, OUR CALENDAR, OUR MEETING PACKETS, LRTP MAPS, 
TIPs, AND NEWSLETTERS AND THINGS LIKE THE RIDE GUIDE AND 
BIKE MAP WERE THE MOST POPULAR ITEMS DOWNLOADED.
AND ON THE NEW TRANSIT WEB SITE, THE TRANSIT CENTER 
NEWSLETTERS AND HOW PEOPLE COULD GET INVOLVED AS WELL AS 
THE MEDIA CENTER WERE VERY POPULAR AREAS OF THOSE WEB 
SITES.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR.
WE HAD THE TRI-COUNTY ACCESS PLAN, WHICH WAS AN OUTSTANDING 
EXAMPLE OF REGIONAL COOPERATION WITH A SPECIAL NEEDS FOCUS.
IT WAS HILLSBOROUGH, PINELLAS, AND PASCO COUNTIES GETTING 
TOGETHER TO PUT TOGETHER A PLAN FOR PEOPLE TO GET TO JOBS 
AS WELL AS OUR TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY, 
BETTER SERVICING THEM.
ALSO, THE MPO TRANSIT STUDY WAS LITERALLY BORN FROM A 
MULTITIER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION STRATEGY.
WE HAD A VARIETY OF COUNTYWIDE OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES.
WE HAD FOCUS GROUPS.
WE EVEN HAD HOME GAME OPPORTUNITIES WHERE IF PEOPLE 
COULDN'T MAKE IT TO OUR BIG MAPPING WORKSHOP, WE ACTUALLY 
SENT IT TO THEM SO THAT THEY COULD DO IT WITH THEIR GROUPS 
AT THEIR CONVENIENCE DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH.
WE DID HAVE THE BIG MAPPING WORKSHOPS AT THE STATE 
FAIRGROUND.
WE HAD A BIG OPEN HOUSE AT MOSI.
WE HAD A SNEAK PREVIEW AT THE CHANNELSIDE CINEMAS.
WE HAD THE TWO WEB SITES WHERE PEOPLE COULD GIVE INPUT.
WE HAD LEADERSHIP CITIZENS AND ALSO TECHNICAL TEAM MEETINGS 
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
WE HAD MULTIMEDIA MARKETING WITH POSITIVE MULTIMEDIA 
COVERAGE, PARTICULARLY OF THE TRANSIT STUDY.
WE INVOLVED RADIO, TELEVISION, AND PRINT.
WE HAD LIVE NEWS COVERAGE.
WE USED APPEALING VENUES AND SPEAKERS THAT THE MEDIA WANTED 
TO SEE AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC.
WE DID DO CREATIVE ADVERTISING.
WE DID DO MEDIA KITS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
WE DID A TELEVISION PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.
AND WE UTILIZED THE TBT THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHICH 
WAS VERY USEFUL BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY PUT IT IN YOUR HANDS 
AS YOU'RE WALKING IN THE DOOR TO WORK.
AREAS OF PARTICULAR SUCCESS ALSO INCLUDE ONGOING OUR 
MOBILITY FOCUS AND BIKE/PED NEWS AND NOW THE TRANSIT CENTER 
NEWSLETTER, OF COURSE, THE WEB SITES, OUR REGIONAL 
COOPERATION AND OUR LAND USE COORDINATION WITH THE PLANNING 
COMMISSION.
AND OF COURSE, WE HAVE OUR DEDICATED BOARD AND COMMITTEES.
WE'D LIKE TO THANK YOU.
YOU GUYS DO COME OUT AND SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC, TALK TO THE 
CITIZENS.
IT'S REALLY VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE LISTEN TO WHAT THE 
PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY, AND YOU GUYS DO THAT.
ALSO, OUR VOLUNTEERS WHO CARE ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOODS, THE 
TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED, REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY, 
MULTIMODAL ACCESSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY, ALL THE 
COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT ATTENDED THOSE 111 MEETINGS.
FINALLY, AT THE END OF THE REPORT, WE LOOKED AT THE RESULTS 
AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO TO IMPROVE THE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.
AND PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TAKE BETTER INVENTORY.
I THINK EVEN THOUGH WE'VE DONE A LOT, WE MISS A LOT BECAUSE 
EVERYBODY DOESN'T RECORD WHAT THEY DO.
SO WE'VE ALREADY REVISED THE STAFF LOG FOR THIS YEAR, AND 
WE'RE DEVELOPING A WEEKLY REMINDER PROCESS.
ALSO THIS YEAR WE WILL THIS SUMMER BEGIN A NEW PUBLIC 
PARTICIPATION PLAN THAT WILL HAVE A COMPLETE MAKEOVER, BE 
MORE USER FRIENDLY, AND INCLUDE MORE BEST PRACTICES FROM 
AROUND THE COUNTRY.
WE WILL GET A NEW CITIZENS GUIDE, THE RECIPE BOOK THAT 
EVERYONE LOVES SO DEARLY.
WE'RE GOING TO UPDATE THAT.
WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE COORDINATED PLANNING WITH THE 
PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE CHAIR'S COORDINATING COMMITTEE 
TO PROMOTE INTEGRATION OF LAND USE AND REGIONAL PLANNING.
ALSO, IN TERMS OF PARTICIPATION, WHEN YOU HAVE THE 
OPPORTUNITY OVER YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE ON THE MPO -- RIGHT 
NOW WE'RE STILL LACKING HISPANIC REPRESENTATION ON THE 
CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
SO NEXT TIME YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPOINT SOMEONE, 
WE ASK THAT YOU HELP US GET CITIZEN COMMITTEE THAT'S MORE 
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE POPULATION OF HILLSBOROUGH.
ALSO, TO BARTOW, WE WANT TO MAINTAIN STRONG RELATIONSHIP, 
SHARING HILLSBOROUGH PERSPECTIVE ON REGIONAL PLANS BEING 
CONSIDERED.
AND I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, AND IF THERE ARE 
NONE, I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU TO APPROVE THIS REPORT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  ANY QUESTIONS OF LYNN?
>>ROSE FERLITA:  MOVE TO ACCEPT THE REPORT.
>> SECOND.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  OKAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE PLAN.
ANY -- ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
[CHORUS OF AYES]
OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES.
LYNN, I WANT TO THANK YOU.
YOU DO A FABULOUS JOB.
>>LYNN MERENDA:  THANK YOU.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  AND OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE KEPT VERY BUSY.
>>LYNN MERENDA:  THE WHOLE STAFF IS.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  BUT WE THANK YOU AND WE THANK YOU FOR THE 
CITIZENS WHO ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF ALL THE WORK THAT YOU 
DO.
>>LYNN MERENDA:  THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
OKAY.
NEXT ITEM IS THE CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.
THE WEST CENTRAL CHAIRS COORDINATING COMMITTEE MET ON 
DECEMBER 14th LAST YEAR IN LAKELAND.
THE COMMITTEE DISCUSSED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:  THE CCC 
RECEIVED A PRESENTATION ON D.O.T.'S PASSENGER RAIL VISION 
PLAN.
IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE, BUT THE DISCUSSION DID NOT GET 
INTO THE IMPACT OF THE RELOCATION OF CSX HUB IN POLK 
COUNTY.
THE COMMITTEE THEN APPROVED THE MULTIUSE TRAIL ELEMENT 
REPORT, WHICH WAS A SUCCESSFUL COORDINATING EFFORT BETWEEN 
THE MPOs OF THE TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL.
MAYOR HIBBARD FROM PINELLAS COUNTY, WHO REPRESENTS THE CCC 
ON THE TAMPA AREA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, 
TBARTA, GAVE A REPORT ON THE AUTHORITY'S NOVEMBER MEETING.
THE COMMITTEE THEN VOTED TO HAVE ME AS THE OFFICIAL 
ALTERNATE MEMBER OF THE CCC IN THE EVENT MAYOR HIBBARD 
CANNOT ATTEND.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO ENDORSED FUTURE TENTATIVE WORK PROGRAMS 
FROM D.O.T.'S DISTRICT 1 AND 7 AS WELL AS THE FLORIDA 
TURNPIKE ENTERPRISE.
WE ALSO RECEIVED A STATUS REPORT ON THE ONE BAY VISIONING 
EFFORT.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, LUCIE AYER, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 
PRESENTED THE HILLSBOROUGH MPO 2050 TRANSIT CONCEPTS, WHICH 
WILL BE -- WHICH WERE WELL RECEIVED.
THE NEXT CCC MEETING IS GOING TO BE IN MARCH 14th, IT WILL 
BE IN SARASOTA.
AND THAT'S MY REPORT.
NEXT, ANY QUESTIONS?
OKAY.
LIVABLE ROADWAYS, COUNCILMAN MARY MULHERN.
>>MARY MULHERN:  THE LIVABLE ROADWAYS COMMITTEE MET ON 
DECEMBER 19th, LAST YEAR.
MEMBERS OF HART STAFF GAVE THE COMMITTEE A STATUS REPORT ON 
THE TECO LINE HISTORIC STREETCAR.
THE PLANNED EXTENSION OF THE LINE TO WHITING STREET IS 
GETTING READY FOR CONSTRUCTION.
HART ANTICIPATES A FAVORABLE RESPONSE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL 
ASSESSMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.
DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES WILL BE BROUGHT TOGETHER TO MEET 
THE NEED FOR CAPITAL FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT THE PROJECT; 
HOWEVER, THE ENDOWMENT FUND FOR STREETCAR IS NOT ADEQUATE 
TO SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS OF THE SYSTEM INTO THE FUTURE.
A BUSINESS PLAN FOR OPERATING THE SYSTEM IS REQUIRED BY THE 
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO SECURE THE CONSTRUCTION 
FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE FOR THE PROJECT.
THE LIVABLE ROADWAYS COMMITTEE ENCOURAGES THE STREETCAR 
BOARD, HART, CITY OF TAMPA, AND OTHER ENTITIES WITH THE 
ASSISTANCE FROM THE MPO TO SEEK FUNDING COMMITMENTS TO 
OPERATING THE SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT THE EXTENSION CAN 
PROCEED WITHOUT THE LOSS OF CAPITAL.
IT'S WONDERFUL NEWS THAT THE LIVABLE ROADWAYS COMMITTEE WAS 
RECENTLY USED AS A MODEL BY THE LAKE SUMPTER MPO IN 
CREATING A STRATEGY TO ADDRESS THE LIVABILITY OF THEIR 
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.
THE COMMITTEE PROCESS AND THE LIVABLE ROADWAYS GUIDELINES 
PROVIDED THEIR STAFF A BASIS FOR DEVELOPING A PROJECT 
REVIEW AND COORDINATION PROCESS.
THE NEXT LIVABLE ROADWAYS MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23rd, AT 8:30 A.M.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE PLANNING COMMISSION 
BOARDROOM ON THE 18th FLOOR AT COUNTY CENTER.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MARY.
ANY QUESTIONS?
THE NEXT ITEM IS THE BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
GENA TORRES.
>>GENA TORRES:  GOOD MORNING.
GENA TORRES, MPO STAFF.
THE BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MET ON DECEMBER 
12th AND AGAIN ON JANUARY 9th.
THE COMMITTEE RECEIVED AN EXCELLENT PRESENTATION FROM THE 
COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ON THE RESURFACING PROGRAM.
WE LEARNED ABOUT THE VARIOUS MATERIALS AND THE METHODS THEY 
USE WHEN THEY'RE REPAIRING AND RESURFACING ROADS.
BUT THE MOST INTERESTING PART OF IT WAS THEIR MANAGER, 
ROGER COX, TAKES IT UPON HIMSELF WHEN HE IS RESURFACING A 
ROAD THAT'S WIDE ENOUGH TO STRIPE A BICYCLE LANE, FOUR- OR 
FIVE-FOOT SHOULDER BIKE LANE, SO WE'VE GOTTEN OVER A 
HUNDRED MILES OF BIKEWAYS THAT WAY SINCE THE YEAR 2000.
WE WERE HAPPY TO HAVE HIM PRESENT TO US, AND WE THANKED HIM 
AT THAT TIME.
THE COMMITTEE DISCUSSED THE COUNTY'S $40 MILLION COMMUNITY 
INVESTMENT TAX FUNDS THAT ARE SLATED FOR PARKS, AND THE 
MEMBERS OF THE BPAC ARE REACHING OUT TO TRAIL ADVOCATES TO 
ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTACT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 
ASKING THAT THE REMAINING SEVEN MILES OF THE UPPER TAMPA 
BAY TRAIL BE CONSIDERED AS A PART.
IT IS A LINEAR PARK, AND IT WOULD CONNECT TO THE 42-MILE 
SUNCOAST PARKWAY TRAIL.
AND WE ALREADY HAVE EXISTING NINE, SO IT'S JUST ABOUT $13 
MILLION ARE NEEDED TO FINISH THAT PROJECT.
THE BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ARE VERY 
ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THOSE -- THAT PARK BE 
CONSIDERED.
THE BPAC WILL BE IN FULL FORCE THIS SATURDAY AT THE 
GASPARILLA CHILDREN'S PARADE ON THE 19th.
THE PARADE ACTUALLY, I THINK, STARTS AT 3:30, BUT WE'LL BE 
OUT THERE FROM NOON TO 2:00, GIVING AWAY -- FITTING 
CHILDREN TO HELMETS.
ACTUALLY, WE HAVE 400 HELMETS, SO WE'LL HAVE 400 KIDS THAT 
WILL GO THROUGH OUR LITTLE COURSE.
WE HAVE BICYCLES OUT THERE FOR THEM TO USE, THEY WILL LEARN 
SKILLS HOW TO HANDLE RIDING AND TRAFFIC.
THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WILL BE HELPING US WITH THAT BIKE 
RODEO, SO BRING YOUR KIDS, GRANDKIDS, AND EVERYBODY OUT 
THERE.
THE NEXT BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING WILL 
BE ON FEBRUARY 13th AT 5:30.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  THANK YOU, GENA.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM GENA?
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO, GENA.
OKAY.
NEXT IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT.
OH, I'M -- OH, I'M SORRY.
I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED COORDINATING 
COMMITTEE.
>>THOMAS SCOTT:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
THE TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED COORDINATING BOARD MET ON 
DECEMBER 11, 2007.
THE BOARD APPROVED THE RENEWAL COORDINATION CONTRACT 
BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR AND THE 
TWO PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS, McDONALD TRAINING 
CENTER, INC.
AND McCLAIN, INC.
THE BOARD ALSO APPROVED THE ANNUAL EVALUATION OF THE CTC.
DURING THE 2006-2007 EVALUATION PERIOD, THE CTC MET NINE OF 
THE TEN ESTABLISHED BOARD CRITERIAS.
THIS REPORT WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE MPO FOR APPROVAL AT 
THE MARCH 4th BOARD MEETING.
FINALLY, ON MARCH 6th, THE TDCB WILL SEND A LEGISLATIVE 
DELEGATION TO THE ANNUAL TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED DAY 
IN TALLAHASSEE, HOSTED BY THE STATE COMMISSION FOR THE 
TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED.
THE BOARD MEMBERS WILL VISIT LEGISLATORS TO RELATE TO THEM 
THE TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS FROM THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN, 
LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
NEXT MEETING OF THE TDCB WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 
26th, AT 1:15 P.M. ON THE 18th FLOOR OF COUNTY CENTER.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND OUR MEETING.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SCOTT.
ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. SCOTT?
IF NOT, WE THANK YOU.
THAT'S THE END OF OUR CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.
AND NOW WE HAVE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT.
LUCIE.
>>LUCIE AYER:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
IN TERMS OF MEETINGS, I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT ON 
THE 25th OF THIS MONTH, THAT IS THE TBARTA, THE REGIONAL 
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, MEETING, AND I BELIEVE MAYOR 
AFFRONTI WILL ATTEND.
HE IS VERY DILIGENT, EVEN THOUGH HE'S ONLY THE ALTERNATE, 
BUT HE WANTED TO BE KEPT PACE OF WHAT'S GOING ON.
AND I WILL BE THERE TOO.
AND THIS ONE'S GOING TO BE IN PINELLAS COUNTY.
AND THEN WE HAVE A STATEWIDE MPO ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING 
IN ORLANDO ON JANUARY THE 31st, AND ONCE AGAIN, 
MR. AFFRONTI WILL ALSO BE ATTENDING.
NOW, SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE 2050 TRANSIT CONCEPT PLAN, 
WE'VE BEEN GETTING VERY GOOD RESPONSE FROM VARIOUS BOARDS 
WHO WOULD WANT TO HEAR THIS.
I MADE A PRESENTATION TO THE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION TASK 
FORCE JUST LAST WEEK, AND THEN I WILL BE DOING THE SAME 
THING, PRESENTING THIS TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF TAMPA THIS 
WEEK, FOLLOWED BY THEN PLANT CITY, THE BOARD OF COUNTY 
COMMISSIONERS, AND TEMPLE TERRACE.
SO WE WILL BE VERY ACTIVE BEFORE YOU-ALL MEET AGAIN ON 
MARCH THE 4th.
AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION.
>>JOE AFFRONTI:  THANK YOU, LUCIE.
ANY QUESTIONS OF LUCIE?
IF NOT, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
OKAY.
PUBLIC INPUT.
ARE THERE ANYONE -- IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT 
CARES TO ADDRESS THE MPO BOARD ON ANY ITEMS WHATSOEVER?
IF NOT, WE THANK YOU.
IS THERE ANY OLD BUSINESS?
ANY NEW BUSINESS?
THE ONLY THING I WOULD REFER TO ARE THE -- THE INFORMATION 
ITEMS THAT LUCIE PUT AT THE END OF THE -- WHICH IS OUR 
TRANSIT AND SO ON.
IT'S VERY INFORMATIVE, AND I URGE YOU TO READ IT.
ANYTHING ELSE?
IF NOT, HEY, WE ADJOURN.
THANK YOU.
>>THOMAS SCOTT:  I BELIEVE WE JUST BROKE THE RECORD, DIDN'T 
WE, FOR THE NEW YEAR.
ALL RIGHT.
THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.


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