Hernando/Citrus

Metropolitan Planning Organization

Regular Meeting

Minutes - Final

April 4, 2024

CALL TO ORDER

MPO Chair, Jerry Campbell, called the meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. on Thursday, April 4,

2024, in the Brooksville City Council Chambers, 201 Howell Avenue, Brooksville, Florida. The

meeting was publicly noticed on the Hernando County, Citrus County, and Hernando/Citrus

MPO websites.

MEMBERS PRESENT

Jerry Campbell, Chair, Hernando County Board of County Commissioners

Jeff Kinnard, Vice Chair, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners

Brian Hawkins, Alternate, Hernando County Board of County Commissioners

Ruthie Schlabach, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners

Blake Bell, Mayor, City of Brooksville

Cabot McBride, City of Inverness Council Member

Suzanne Ziegler, Non-Voting Advisor, Florida Department of Transportation, District 7

MEMBERS ABSENT

John Allocco, Hernando County Board of County Commissioners

Beth Narverud, Hernando County Board of County Commissioners

Steve Champion, Hernando County Board of County Commissioners

Joe Meek, Mayor, City of Crystal River

OTHERS PRESENT

Bob Esposito, MPO Executive Director

Mary Elwin, MPO Coordinator

Joy Turner, MPO Administrative Assistant Ill

Siaosi Fine, Florida Turnpike Enterprise

Katina Kavouklis, Florida Turnpike Enterprise

William Roll, Kimley-Horn, General Planning Consultant

Melissa Tartaglia, Assistant Attorney, Hernando County

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

MPO Board & Staff Introductions

The Pledge of Allegiance and the introductions of Board and staff followed the Invocation.

Enter Proof of Publication into the Record

A quorum was declared, and the affirmation of public notice was read into the record.

APPROVAL/MODIFICATION OF AGENDA (Limited to Board and Staff)

Motion

A motion was made by Councilman McBride to approve the agenda. The motion was

seconded by Commissioner Schlabach and the motion passed 6-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Cabot McBride

Ruthie Schlabach

Ruthie Schlabach, Jeff Kinnard, Cabot McBride, Blake Bell,

Brian Hawkins, and Jerry Campbell

Elizabeth Narverud, John Allocco, Steve Champion, and Joe

Meek

ABSENT:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Review and Approve the February 1, 2024, Meeting Minutes of the

Hernando/Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Board

13647

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Kinnard to approve the February 1, 2024, meeting

Minutes. The motion was seconded by Mayor Bell and the motion passed 6-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Jeff Kinnard

Blake Bell

Ruthie Schlabach, Jeff Kinnard, Cabot McBride, Blake Bell,

Brian Hawkins, and Jerry Campbell

Elizabeth Narverud, John Allocco, Steve Champion, and Joe

Meek

ABSENT:

PRESENTATION

Presentation by General Planning Consultant, Kimley-Horn & Associates,

Incorporated, on the status of the 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)

13897

William Roll with Kimley-Horn, General Planning Consultant for the MPO, presented the

status of the 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), focusing on the preliminary

revenue forecast and goals, objectives, and performance measures. Commissioner

Schlabach asked for the definition of "quality places" listed in Goals, Objectives, and

Performance Measures. Mr. Roll explained that the character of the roadways should be

consistent with the community (i.e., complete streets, no six-lane highways through

neighborhoods). With the widening of CR491 to CR486, Commissioner Kinnard inquired if

alternate funds are available to improve the designated evacuation route, N. Forest Ridge

Boulevard. Mr. Roll affirmed the importance of prioritizing projects in the 2050 LRTP and

collaborating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the state legislature

to fund projects with the available monies.

ACTION ITEMS

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Hernando/Citrus MPO Annual

13808

Certification Summary and Joint Certification Statement

[lt is noted for the record that MPO Board member, Mayor Bell, left the meeting.]

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Schlabach to approve the Certification Summary,

authorize the MPO Chair to execute the MPO Joint Certification Statement, and authorize staff

to submit the documents to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for processing.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kinnard and the motion passed 5-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Ruthie Schlabach

Jeff Kinnard

Ruthie Schlabach, Jeff Kinnard, Cabot McBride, Brian Hawkins,

and Jerry Campbell

Elizabeth Narverud, John Allocco, Steve Champion, and Joe

Meek

Blake Bell

ABSENT:

AWAY:

Hernando/Citrus MPO Lease Agreement with Hernando County Board of County

Commissioners (Building Division) - Request to Renew Office Space Lease

13764

[lt is noted for the record that MPO Board member, Mayor Bell, returned to the meeting.]

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Hawkins to approve the Lease for MPO office space

with the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (Building Division) at 789

Providence Boulevard, Brooksville, Florida, for a minimum of one year (from July 1, 2024 -

June 30, 2025) and authorize the Chair to execute an updated lease provided by the Building

Division. The motion was seconded by Councilman McBride and the motion passed 6-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Brian Hawkins

Cabot McBride

Ruthie Schlabach, Jeff Kinnard, Cabot McBride, Blake Bell,

Brian Hawkins, and Jerry Campbell

Elizabeth Narverud, John Allocco, Steve Champion, and Joe

Meek

ABSENT:

Hernando/Citrus MPO Travel Policy Rate Update

13770

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Schlabach to adopt Resolution 2024-2 updating the

Hernando/Citrus MPO travel policy rates commensurate with the Hernando County Travel

Policy. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kinnard and the motion passed 6-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Ruthie Schlabach

Jeff Kinnard

Ruthie Schlabach, Jeff Kinnard, Cabot McBride, Blake Bell,

Brian Hawkins, and Jerry Campbell

Elizabeth Narverud, John Allocco, Steve Champion, and Joe

Meek

ABSENT:

Reappointment of Members to the Citrus County Transportation Disadvantaged

Local Coordinating Board (LCB) and to the Hernando County Transportation

Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board (TDLCB)

13767

Chair Campbell expressed thanks to the citizens who take the time to volunteer for these

important boards.

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Kinnard to reappoint Mr. Bud Osborn to serve as a

member of the Citrus County Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board (LCB)

in the position of Person Representing Veteran Services and to reappoint Ms. Gretchen

Samter to serve as a member of the Hernando County Transportation Disadvantaged Local

Coordinating Board (TDLCB) in the position of Person with a Disability. The period of

membership is April 4, 2024, through April 3, 2027. The motion was seconded by

Commissioner Hawkins and the motion passed 6-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Jeff Kinnard

Brian Hawkins

Ruthie Schlabach, Jeff Kinnard, Cabot McBride, Blake Bell,

Brian Hawkins, and Jerry Campbell

Elizabeth Narverud, John Allocco, Steve Champion, and Joe

Meek

ABSENT:

Appointment of Member to the Hernando County Transportation Disadvantaged

Local Coordinating Board (TDLCB)

13870

Motion

A motion was made by Mayor Bell to appoint Ms. Melissa Arceneaux to serve as a member of

the Hernando County Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board (TDLCB) in the

position of Citizen Advocate. The period of membership is April 4, 2024, through April 3, 2027.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schlabach and the motion passed 6- 0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Blake Bell

Ruthie Schlabach

Ruthie Schlabach, Jeff Kinnard, Cabot McBride, Blake Bell,

Brian Hawkins, and Jerry Campbell

Elizabeth Narverud, John Allocco, Steve Champion, and Joe

Meek

ABSENT:

Review and Approval of the Update to the Bylaws of the Citizens Advisory

Committee (CAC)

13765

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Schlabach to approve the update to the Bylaws of the

Citizens Advisory Committee. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kinnard and the

motion passed 6-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Ruthie Schlabach

Jeff Kinnard

Ruthie Schlabach, Jeff Kinnard, Cabot McBride, Blake Bell,

Brian Hawkins, and Jerry Campbell

Elizabeth Narverud, John Allocco, Steve Champion, and Joe

Meek

ABSENT:

CITIZENS COMMENTS

At the request of Chair Campbell, Mr. Esposito recognized and introduced Katina Kavouklis

and Siaosi Fine from Florida Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) and Suzanne Ziegler from the Florida

Department of Transportation (FDOT). Chair Campbell recognized the County and City

representatives that were present and thanked them for their engagement in the process and

thanked FTE and FDOT for their partnership and taking the time to attend the board meeting.

There were no citizen comments.

MPO DIRECTOR COMMENTS

· The May meeting will be vital as adoption of the UPWP for FY25-FY26 will need to occur

in order to meet the May 15, 2024, submittal deadline.

· The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has scheduled a ribbon cutting

ceremony for the Good Neighbor Trail (GNT) on May 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., in Tom Varn

Park in Brooksville.

· The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is currently scheduling meetings with

the MPO Staff and County Engineering staff of Hernando and Pasco Counties to discuss

design and funding concepts to "help accelerate the development process for County Line

Road."

· Mr. Esposito will attend the Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council

(MPOAC) meeting in Orlando on April 25, 2024, and the Transportation Planning

Exchange (TransEx) conference in St. Petersburg on May 7-8, 2024. Inverness City

Councilman, Gene Davis, will attend the MPOAC Weekend Institute training in St.

Petersburg, May 17-18, 2024.

· Mr. Esposito thanked Deputy Thomas from the Hernando County Sheriff's office for

attending the meeting.

BOARD COMMENTS

· Commissioner Schlabach cannot attend the May 2, 2024, meeting. Mr. Esposito affirmed

he will contact alternate member, Commissioner Bays.

· Councilman McBride reported that the City of Inverness updated committee assignments

and Mr. Gene Davis has been designated as an alternate to the MPO Board.

· Commissioner Kinnard shared that at the last Citrus Board of County Commissions

(BOCC) meeting, Citrus County citizen, Karen Etsy, advocated for a sidewalk on N.

Independence Highway. Although the BOCC did not conduct a vote on the matter,

Commissioner Kinnard asked what next steps are needed to move the process forward. It

was affirmed that the City of Inverness has the right-of-way for N. Independence Highway

but the City has not submitted an application for this project. The application must come

from the City of Inverness and be listed as a high priority on the List of Priority Projects

(LOPP).

14040

ITEMS DISTRIBUTED DURING THE MEETING

ADJOURNMENT

The next regular meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Board is scheduled for

Thursday, May 2, 2024, beginning at 1:30 pm, in the Brooksville City Council Chambers, 201

Howell Avenue, Brooksville, Florida. The May meeting is vital, so attendance is appreciated.

Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 2:21 p.m.

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Schlabach to adjourn the meeting. The motion was

seconded by Mayor Bell.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Ruthie Schlabach

Blake Bell

Ruthie Schlabach, Jeff Kinnard, Cabot McBride, Blake Bell,

Brian Hawkins, and Jerry Campbell

Elizabeth Narverud, John Allocco, Steve Champion, and Joe

Meek

ABSENT:

UPCOMING MEETING:

The next regular meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Board is scheduled for

Thursday, May 2, 2024, beginning at 1:30 pm, in the Brooksville City Council Chambers, 201

Howell Avenue, Brooksville, Florida. The May meeting is vital, so attendance is appreciated.