Panama City, Florida. Members attending: Commissioner Mike Nelson, Chair Councilman George Nepereny, Vice Chair. Commissioner William T.

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1 BAY COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION (TPO) SEPTEMBER 28, 2011 MEETING MINUTES West Florida Regional Planning Council (Designated staff) Government Center 840 West 11 th Street Panama City, Florida Members attending: Commissioner Mike Nelson, Chair Councilman George Nepereny, Vice Chair Mayor Greg Brudnicki Commissioner William T. Dozier Commissioner Rodney Friend Commissioner George Gainer Mayor Water T. Kelley Mayor Ken Meer Commissioner Mike Nichols Mayor Gayle Oberst Commissioner George Smith Commissioner Mike Thomas Commissioner Guy Tunnell City of Parker City of Panama City City of Lynn Haven City of Lynn Haven City of Callaway City of Panama City City of Panama City Beach City of Callaway Others attending: Lynn Cherry Carpe Diem Community Solutions John Alaghemand Panama City Beach Doug Gilpin Tyndall Air Force Base Wes Smith Tyndall Air Force Base John Skaggs Naval Support Activity Ben Faust DRMP Bryant Paulk FDOT Harvey Brewton FDOT Gene Keen Bay Town Trolley Jeanie Meeks SYVTS Mark Meeks SYVTS Larry Kelley Atkins Virgil H. Duffell R. Wohmade Janet Walker Richard Walker Julie Sombathy Jason White Wyatt Brown Bonita Holloway Dexter Gortemoller Gortemoller Engineering, Inc. Neil Fravel City of Panama City Ken Schnell Public Works Keith Bryant Jennifer Bowes Ed Smith Rob Majka Terry Joseph WFRPC Elizabeth Schrey Gary Kramer Rob Mahan John Stanley Mary Robinson Bob Baronti BAY TPO MEETING MINUTES PAGE 1

2 CALL TO ORDER Chair Nelson called the meeting to order. He began the meeting with the pledge, led by Commissioner Dozier, and the invocation, led by Mayor Oberst. PUBLIC FORUM Chair Nelson requested that those that wish to speak during a specific item fill out a comment card and they would be called upon during the board s discussion of that item. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of July 27, 2011 Meeting Minutes B. Consideration of Resolution BAY to Adopt the TPO Public Participation Process Manual C. Consideration of Resolution BAY to Adopt the Transportation Planning Organization Transit Development Plan Major Update (Fiscal Year 2012 Fiscal Year 2021) D. Consideration of Letter of Support for the TIGER Grant Application of Panama City Beach for the Front Beach Road (US 98) Segment 2 Reconstruction Project Commissioner Friend moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Mayor Meer and unanimously approved. CONSENT ITEMS FOR PULLED FOR DISCUSSION There were none. ACTION ITEMS E. Consideration of Resolution BAY to Amend the FY Transportation Improvement Program to Add # Capital for Fixed Route, # Capital for Fixed Route, and # Operating for Fixed Route and to Defer Funding on # Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport Crosswind Runway Ms. Elizabeth Schrey presented this item. Chair Nelson opened a Public Hearing. He called for speakers. There were none. He closed the Public Hearing. Chair Nelson called for discussion from the board. There was none. Commissioner Dozier moved to authorize the TPO Chair to sign Resolution BAY The motion was seconded by Mayor Meer. Chair Nelson called for a roll call vote. The motion passed F. Consideration of Resolution BAY to Amend the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Needs Assessment Plan to Include the US 98 Overpass at the Tyndall Air Force Base Main Gate Mr. Gary Kramer presented this item. A PowerPoint presentation was provided. There was general discussion. Mr. Bryant Paulk, FDOT, stated that a major concern of the Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB) is transferring their personnel from the base side to the flight line side. He continued that Tyndall AFB personnel have to exit a secure side, cross US 98, and then repeat security procedures to enter the flight line side; this project would allow their personnel to move quickly from one side of the base to the other with a secure transfer. Mayor Kelley commented that this project would benefit both the public and Tyndall AFB personnel, letting the traffic flow and allowing Tyndall AFB personnel to do their job more efficiently and securely. There was general discussion. Vice Chair Nepereny opened a Public Hearing. He called for speakers. There were none. He closed the Public Hearing. BAY TPO MEETING MINUTES PAGE 2

3 Vice Chair Nepereny called for further discussion from the board. There was none. Mayor Kelley moved to authorize the TPO Chair to sign Resolution BAY The motion was seconded Mayor Meer. Vice Chair Nepereny called for a roll call vote. The motion passed An additional handout was provided. Mr. Bryant Paulk addressed a FDOT letter from Secretary Barfield requesting that this project be moved onto the Cost Feasible Plan. He stated that FDOT has allocated approximately $1 million towards the PD&E study for this project, which came out of contingency funds for preliminary engineering efforts. Mr. Paulk stated that the governor has identified transportation needs around military bases and in response to those concerns Secretary Barfield is requesting we move forward on this project. He added that they hope by moving forward with a PD&E study the Tyndall AFB will be able to acquire funding from the Department of Defense (DOD) much quicker. Mr. Paulk stated that it would be brought back before the board at the next meeting. There was general discussion. Commissioner Friend moved to add to the board s agenda consideration of amending the Cost Feasible Plan to include the US 98 Overpass at the Tyndall AFB main gate. The motion was seconded by Mayor Meer. Chair Nelson called for a roll call vote. The motion was unanimously approved. Commissioner Thomas moved that the TPO place the US 98 Overpass at the Tyndall AFB main gate project onto the Cost Feasible Plan. There was general discussion regarding public participation requirements and the process of placing this project onto the Cost Feasible Plan. Commissioner Thomas withdrew his motion. G. Consideration of Resolution BAY to Change the Bay Town Trolley Routes 1, 2, 3, & 5 Mr. Rob Mahan presented this item. A PowerPoint presentation was provided. Mr. Mahan stated that both the Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) and the s Advisory Committee (CAC) recommended approval of the changes to Routes 2, 3, & 5; both advisory committees recommended that Route 1 begin at 4 th Street and after entering Lynn Haven turn right on East 10 th Street, left on Pennsylvania Avenue, left on East 9 th Street, and left on State Road 77. He added that the recommendation to Route 1 will allow the trolley to continue picking up riders from the Senior Center. Chair Nelson opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Virgil H. Duffell, Lynn Haven resident, stated that he moved to Lynn Haven in 1991 but his sister and her family have lived here since He continued that he is very aware of public transportation. He commended the cooperation by FDOT and planning that has gone into public transit. Mr. Duffell stated his appreciation for FDOT s decision to place a barrier that stopped traffic from crossing SR 390 at Florida Avenue as it was a congested intersection. Mr. Jason White, business owner on McKenzie Avenue in Panama City, requested confirmation whether or not the TPO was considering a proposal to move the trolley stops off of Harrison Avenue and onto McKenzie Avenue. Chair Nelson responded that they are not considering moving stops off of Harrison Avenue at this time. Mr. White thanked the board for their time. Ms. Janet Walker, Lynn Haven resident, expressed her concerns about the trolley being on residential streets. A map was provided to the board that outlined the original trolley route as well as the more recent routes used prior to and after the barrier was placed to stop the flow of traffic on Florida Avenue from crossing SR 390. She stated that she feels the trolley needs to remain on SR 77 and stay off of the residential streets. Ms. Walker stated that the only trolley accident to occur in Lynn Haven was on Pennsylvania Avenue; most residents on the residential side streets are concerned about the safety issues that a large vehicle brings to their neighborhood. She commented that most of the residential streets are approximately feet across, which is difficult for a trolley to maneuver. Ms. Walker continued that this creates an unsafe place for children and pedestrians and urged the board to keep the trolley on SR 77. Mr. Richard Walker, Lynn Haven resident, stated that in early 2005 Lynn Haven requested the TPO to move Route 1 off of SR 77, a State-maintained, four-laned, and traffic light protected roadway, to an unsafe, restricted, and city under-maintained residential street. He continued that a TPO board member sponsored this change, which was contested by other members of the TPO board at that time. Mr. Walker said that in the BAY TPO MEETING MINUTES PAGE 3

4 minutes of that meeting it was stated that if the change to Route 1 was approved that it would be revisited again after one year, however, it was not revisited. He continued that the citizens of Lynn Haven have had difficulty trying to file a complaint to the TPO regarding Route 1 and have been dismissed and berated; continued complaints to the City of Lynn Haven, Pensacola, or anywhere else have gone unheard and did not reach the Bay TPO. He stated that there has never been a reported trolley accident on SR 77; there has been one unreported accident on Pennsylvania Avenue. Mr. Walker stated that the City of Lynn Haven has resurfaced Pennsylvania Avenue once in the past three years; there are no records on how many times it has been patched due to the stress caused by the trolley and other commercial vehicles. He asked the board to trust in their staff in reaching a decision for changes to Route 1 in Lynn Haven, adding that it is safer and more efficient to place the route back onto SR 77 as recommended. Mr. Richard Wohmade, Lynn Haven resident, made several points regarding Route 1. (1) The citizens of Lynn Haven did not request a change to the trolley route; this was a decision made solely by Mayor Kelley. (2) There was not a good reason for the change; the trolley route was on SR 77 for many years without any serious incidents. (3) The trolley has become a serious problem for citizens living on Pennsylvania Avenue, because the street only has 10 foot lanes and the trolley is 9 feet wide. (4) Every driveway is a potentially dangerous intersection for the trolley, which is not an issue it has on SR 77. (5) Last year a trolley came off the road on Pennsylvania Avenue and smashed over a mailbox which would have killed anyone walking along the lane. Mr. Wohmade stated that he believes these points prove the trolley should not be on a residential street with no protection, no sidewalks, and little to no shoulder with ditches as deep as 5 feet. He questioned how SR 77 is any more dangerous than other parts of where the trolley does run on other busy roadways; these routes are not taken off the main roadway and onto residential streets. He asked the board to please give the citizens of Lynn Haven their street back. Ms. Bonita Holloway, Lynn Haven resident, commended Mayor Kelley for the work he has done as the Mayor of Lynn Haven. She stated that, currently, the trolley runs down Georgia Avenue and is no longer considered safe; the tone of the neighborhood has changed. She continued that they have changed from a residential to a more urbanized street and that the stress of the trolley traveling on Georgia Avenue has created an issue with potholes that must be continuously patched. Chair Nelson called for any other speakers. There were none. He closed the Public Hearing. Mayor Kelley commented that the trolley and its routes are important to him. He stated that he believes there have been accidents on SR 77 and requested confirmation from staff. Mr. Gene Keen, Bay Town Trolley, confirmed that there have been accidents in front of Wal-Mart on SR 77 in Lynn Haven. Mayor Kelley confirmed that the residential streets are 22 feet across; the Bay TPO board, not himself, chose to move the route off of SR 77 which he agrees with. He added that he believes the trolley should not be placed back onto SR 77 and that it is currently in the safest place it can be right now. Mayor Kelley stated that he supports the proposed Alternative Route 1 that has the trolley slightly modify its existing route by turning right onto SR 390 and then left on Mowat School Road to make its loop. Mr. Rob Mahan clarified that the primary reason for evaluating and proposing changes to these routes is because the trolley is having difficulty staying on time and making connections; if a rider fails to make a connection then they must wait an additional hour for the next trolley. Commissioner Friend inquired about the trolley using parking lots located on SR 77 as a way to address some of the safety concerns. Mr. Mahan responded that typically that increases time on routes, however, if changes are made to the route they may have enough time to do so; Wal-Mart specifically built a stop for the trolley in their parking lot but there is no additional time to use it. Commissioner Dozier suggested that having more knowledge on the number of people that get off and on at particular stops could assist in making a decision and exploring other choices, such as removing stops with little to no riders in order to make up time. Mr. Gene Keen, Bay Town Trolley Operations Manager, responded that there are three stops on Pennsylvania Avenue: SR 390/East 14 th Street, CR 389/East 12 th Street, and on East 9 th Street. He continued that they pick up approximately 11 people per day in that area, the majority of which are picked up at East 9 th Street near the Senior Center. There was general discussion regarding the proposed changes to Route 1 and as well as concerns with safety. BAY TPO MEETING MINUTES PAGE 4

5 Chair Nelson suggested the board consider tabling the proposed changes to Route 1 and adopting the other routes in order to move forward. Mayor Kelley moved that the TPO authorize the TPO Chair to sign Resolution BAY adopting the changes to Routes 2, 3, and 5 and tabling Route 1 for further consideration. The motion was seconded by Mayor Brudnicki. Chair Nelson called for a roll call vote. The motion was unanimously approved. H. Consideration of Letter of Support Regarding MPO Threshold Designation Changes Mr. Bob Baronti presented this item. Commissioner Dozier moved to authorize the TPO Chair to sign the letter of support. The motion was seconded by Mayor Kelley and unanimously approved. PRESENTATIONS I. Review of Public Transportation Grants Between May 2011 and April 2011 Mr. Rob Mahan presented this item. A PowerPoint presentation was provided. There was general discussion. J. Review of 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Cost Feasible Plan to Include Partially Funding the Sixlaning of US 98 (Panama City Beach Parkway) from Mandy Lane to Thomas Drive Mr. Gary Kramer presented this item. He stated that a subcommittee meeting of the TCC / CAC would need to meet prior to the next TPO meeting, tentatively scheduled for October 6 th. Mayor Oberst moved to approve the TCC / CAC subcommittee workshop. The motion was seconded by Mayor Kelley and unanimously approved. INFORMATION PACKET Mr. Bob Baronti briefly reviewed the items presented in the information packet. An additional handout was provided in regards to the request for restriping on 15 th Street. Mr. Bryant Paulk, FDOT, elaborated regarding the restriping project on 15 th Street. He continued that FDOT is proposing right-of-way acquisition from Gulf Coast State College to allow a third westbound travel lane from the 23 rd Street intersection to the Hathaway Bridge, allowing a continuous right turn lane on 23 rd Street. He added that FDOT feels this will be safer and more efficient and that they have started the process of obtaining right-of-way from Gulf Coast State College. Mr. Paulk stated that they would need to coordinate with the proposed repairs to Hathaway Bridge in order to complete this project with minimal impact on the public. PUBLIC FORUM Chair Nelson called for speakers. Mr. Mark Meeks, SYVTS / Operator of Bay Town Trolley, stated that he feels it is time SYVTS has a voice. He continued that when you look at us as the operator a criteria is established by which they are judged. He stated that there have been issues and concerns regarding the planning element, WFRPC; for example, we took over operations of the trolley 2 years ago (July 2009) and each year they are issued a new contract, which they have been waiting 3 months to receive. Mr. Meeks stated that they are getting frustrated with how things are handled and that their needs are not being met; a needs analysis shows they will transport 800,000 people this year and they have the staff to handle maybe 200,000. He continued that there are serious needs and they are unable to keep up. Mr. Meeks stated, for example, fuel went up 35% last year; there are grants to address these issues that were not applied for. He stated that SYVTS proposed changes to routes 2 years ago because they could not stay on time; however, it has taken until today to address this issue. Mr. Meeks stated that the both the operator and planning element need to be measured and take responsibility for their actions. Commissioner Tunnell requested the WFRPC to address these issues. Ms. Mary Robinson, WFRPC Transportation Director, stated that the contract they are referring to is for their rate per hour. She continued that SYVTS is currently paid $48 per hour and are proposing an increase to $62. Ms. Robinson stated that they are currently in negotiations, but that they did not have the funding to accept the proposed increase to $62. She said a counter-proposal of $58 was proposed; however, the counter-proposal has not been accepted as SYVTS does not believe they can operate the system at BAY TPO MEETING MINUTES PAGE 5

6 that price. Mr. Meeks stated that SYVTS has taken on more and more responsibilities, regarding maintenance costs, etc., and that those factors should be considered when deciding a rate increase in order to cover their increased costs of operating the system. Mr. Mahan stated that in regards to fuel issues, he is unaware of any grant that will reimburse for fuel. He continued that there are grants for alternative fuel vehicles; however, they are not currently equipped to deal with alternative fuel vehicles. He said that it is something they plan to consider for the future transit site. There was general discussion. Chair Nelson stated that he would meet with Ms. Robinson and Mr. Meeks in order to address some of these issues and concerns. OLD BUSINESS L. Review of Designated Recipient Status for Public Transportation Chair Nelson clarified his intentions regarding this item, stating that he wants the TPO to remain as the authority for public transportation but to use employees as staff rather than the West Florida Regional Planning Council (WFRPC). He continued that there may be a more efficient and cost effective way to run the system. Mayor Kelley commented that he has been told on numerous occasions that the TPO is one of the best transportation planning organizations in the State. He continued that there may be room for improvements, but that the WFRPC have done a good job as staff. He also expressed concerns about issues with funding if Bay County employees become involved. Commissioner Gainer suggested that the board needed more in depth information before making a decision regarding this item, adding that the board needs to be aware of exactly what the WFRPC staff do and are responsible for. Commissioner Tunnell agreed that the board needed a break down on how grants are processed, administrative duties performed, if funding is a concern, and the amount paid to WFRPC staff for their services. Ms. Mary Robinson clarified that the TPO receives the funding for public transportation; The Bay County TPO contracts with WFRPC for staff services; Request For Proposals (RFPs) are done every five years for a day-to-day operator: Santa Ynez Valley Transportation Services (SYVTS) operates Bay Town Trolley and Tri-County Community Council operates Bay Area Transportation. There was general discussion. Ms. Robinson stated that she would provide a breakdown of the amount paid to WFRPC staff and the current operators. Commissioner Friend questioned liability and whether or not it would change. Ms. Robinson responded that both operators carry the burden of liability, adding that the TPO is also listed as insured. Chair Nelson stated that he agreed the board needed a better understanding on the cost savings for performing these tasks with employees rather than through the WFRPC and then to move forward with a decision to either make a change or have things remain the same. Commissioner Thomas moved that the TPO gather information on what it would require to run the trolley and to take over operation as soon as possible. There was general discussion regarding issues with trolley management and whether or not there is a more efficient way to handle things. Commissioner Thomas was asked to restate his motion. Commissioner Thomas moved that the TPO move forward with finding new management, other than the WFRPC, for the trolley. Commissioner Gainer requested that the motion be amended to include gathering more information regarding costs and the tasks performed by WFRPC staff before making a decision. Commissioner Thomas withdrew his motion. Commissioner Gainer moved that the TPO Chair work with two or three other members of the board in order to come back with a recommendation at the next TPO meeting. The motion was seconded by BAY TPO MEETING MINUTES PAGE 6

7 Commissioner Tunnell and was unanimously approved. The board selected Commissioner George Smith and Mayor Walter Kelley to serve on the subcommittee. OTHER / NEW BUSINESS Chair Nelson called for other business. There was none. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. APPROVED BY TPO: DATE: INITIALS: BAY TPO MEETING MINUTES PAGE 7