Hernando/Citrus

Metropolitan Planning Organization

Regular Meeting

Minutes - Final

June 6, 2024

CALL TO ORDER

MPO Chair, Jerry Campbell, called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6,

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, MPO Board Chair, Hernando County Commission

John Allocco, Hernando County Commission

Steve Champion, Hernando County Commission

Beth Narverud, Hernando County Commission

Ruthie Schlabach, Citrus County Commission

Rebecca Bays, MPO Board Alternate Member, Citrus County Commission

Blake Bell, Mayor, City of Brooksville

Joe Meek, Mayor, City of Crystal River

Cabot McBride, Councilman, City of Inverness

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

MEMBERS ABSENT (ALTERNATES WERE AVAILABLE TO SERVE)

Jeff Kinnard, MPO Board Vice Chair, Citrus County Commission

OTHERS PRESENT

Bob Esposito, MPO Executive Director

Mary Elwin, MPO Coordinator

Brian Hunter, Florida Department of Transportation, District 7

Siaosi Fine, Florida Turnpike Enterprise

Victoria Anderson, Assistant County 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 Ms. Elwin noted for the record that the public notice for the

meeting was posted in accordance with the adopted policies.

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

Motion

A motion was made by Mayor Bell to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by

Mayor Meek and the motion passed 9-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Blake Bell

Joe Meek

Elizabeth Narverud, Ruthie Schlabach, John Allocco, Cabot

McBride, Steve Champion, Blake Bell, Rebecca Bays, Joe

Meek, and Jerry Campbell

Jeff Kinnard

ABSENT:

CONSENT ITEMS

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Bays to approve Consent Agenda Items 1 through 4.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schlabach and the motion passed 9-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Rebecca Bays

Ruthie Schlabach

Elizabeth Narverud, Ruthie Schlabach, John Allocco, Cabot

McBride, Steve Champion, Blake Bell, Rebecca Bays, Joe

Meek, and Jerry Campbell

Jeff Kinnard

ABSENT:

Review and Approval of the May 2, 2024, Meeting Minutes of the

Hernando/Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Board

Review and Approval of the Scope of Work for a Major Update to the Citrus

County Transit Development Plan (TDP) for FY 2026-FY 2035

Review and Approval of Agreement to Transfer Trail Counters to the Florida

Department of Transportation (FDOT)

Review and Approval of an Amendment (Revision 3) to the FY 2023-FY 2024

Unified Planning Work Program

PRESENTATIONS

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

the Goals and Objectives for the 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)

and the 2050 Preliminary Needs Assessment

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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 goals and objectives

and preliminary needs assessment. He explained the 2050 LRTP is a continuation of the

2045 LRTP and is in alignment with federal planning guidelines and the Florida Department of

Transportation (FDOT) plan. A fifth goal, Implementation, has been added to the 2050 LRTP

to identify the essentials needed to implement and complete projects.

Mr. Roll conveyed the 2050 LRTP will not be as robust as the 2045 LRTP as revenues are

down, and costs are up dramatically. Albeit there are more vehicles using the road, fuel-tax

revenue is flat due to alternative fuel and fuel-efficient vehicles. By 2035, Mr. Roll noted,

fuel-tax revenue will decline and not sustain road improvement/maintenance needs. Mr. Roll

also relayed that the cost of pavement has increased 55% in two years. Mr. Roll emphasized

county roads are not the States responsibility; however, the State is more likely to partner with

counties that are able to provide a funding source for projects.

Commissioner Allocco noted the need to add a second left-hand turn lane on the northbound

lane at the SR589/Suncoast Parkway and US98/Cortez Boulevard exit. Depending on the

time of day, it is not uncommon to have vehicles waiting through three or four cycles of lights

to turn left (west) onto Cortez (SR 50). Commissioner Champion expressed his support for an

interchange at SR589 and Centralia Road. Siaosi Fine, Florida Turnpike Enterprise,

conveyed the cost of an interchange is approximately $150 million dollars. To begin the

request process, the local jurisdiction would need to submit an Interchange Access Request

(IAR) form. Mr. Fine noted Commissioner Bays inquiry for a report on historical toll revenues

and air quality ratings for SR589 and will report back to the MPO Board.

Councilman McBride expressed that the MPO Board should stay up to date on the technology

surrounding automated/self-driving vehicles. Mr. Roll affirmed there will be an element in the

2050 LRTP addressing autonomous vehicles and encouraged MPO Board members to attend

the Florida Autonomous Vehicle Summit, September 4-6, 2024, in Tampa

(www.favsummit.com <http://www.favsummit.com>).

Presentation by the General Planning Consultant, Benesch & Associates, on the

Traffic Segment Studies in Citrus County (US 41 and SR 200) and Hernando

County (US 41 and County Line Road)

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Steve Infanti, Project Manager with the MPO’s General Planning Consultant, Benesch &

Associates, made a presentation on the results of the Traffic Segment Studies in Citrus and

Hernando County requested by the MPO Board. The study objectives were to assess the

existing traffic conditions for each of the corridors by determining the general level of service,

the severity of congestion, and identifying growth trends and travel characteristics.

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Schlabach to accept the Traffic Segment Study. The

motion was seconded by Commissioner Champion and the motion passed 9-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Ruthie Schlabach

Steve Champion

Elizabeth Narverud, Ruthie Schlabach, John Allocco, Cabot

McBride, Steve Champion, Blake Bell, Rebecca Bays, Joe

Meek, and Jerry Campbell

Jeff Kinnard

ABSENT:

Presentation by the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) on the

Hernando County FY 2025-FY 2034 Transit Development Plan (TDP)

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Jonathan Roberson, AICP, Research Associate for CUTR, made a presentation on the status

of the Hernando County Transit Development Plan (Hernando TDP) for FY 2025-FY 2034.

Commissioner Allocco asked if data was available on individuals that have no intention of

driving for whatever reason. Mr. Roberson stated that data of this type is more difficult to

obtain; however, it is a question that will be included on a future public outreach survey. Mr.

Roberson informed the MPO Board that public outreach events will continue during the

development of the Hernando TDP and encouraged Board members to recommend additional

public events at which CUTR could make presentations. Commissioner Schlabach asked Mr.

Roberson to email her with any findings that could be used to encourage bus usage. Mr.

Roberson advised that updates on the TDP will be provided at the August and October MPO

Board and County Commission meetings in preparation for TDP adoption in November and

submittal to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) by December 1, 2024.

[It is noted for the record, Mayor Blake Bell, MPO Board Member, City of Brooksville, left the

meeting.]

ACTION ITEMS

Review and Approval of the FY 2025-FY 2029 Transportation Improvement

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Program (TIP)-Draft

Mr. Esposito reviewed the agenda item for the Hernando/Citrus FY 2025-FY 2029

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for adoption. He noted that this is a Public

Hearing and that a Roll-Call vote was required.

Chair Campbell asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak on this matter.

No one from the audience came forward.

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Champion to adopt the Transportation Improvement

Plan (TIP) for FY 2025-FY 2029 per the MPO staff ‘s recommendation. The motion was

seconded by Commissioner Narverud, and a Roll-Call vote carried the motion 8-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Elizabeth Narverud

Elizabeth Narverud, Ruthie Schlabach, John Allocco, Cabot

McBride, Steve Champion, Rebecca Bays, Joe Meek, and Jerry

Campbell

Jeff Kinnard, and Blake Bell

ABSENT:

Approval of Resolutions 2024-5 and 2024-6, and Authorization for MPO

Executive Director to Execute Fiscal Year 2025 Grant Award Agreements for

Citrus and Hernando Counties from the Florida Commission for the

Transportation Disadvantaged

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Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Narverud to approve Resolutions 2024-5 and 2024-6,

and Authorization for the MPO Executive Director to execute Fiscal Year 2025 Grant Award

Agreements from the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged for Citrus and

Hernando Counties. A copy of the agreements will be provided to the MPO Board once

received, reviewed by the County Attorney, and executed. The motion was seconded by

Councilman McBride and the motion passed 8-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Elizabeth Narverud

Cabot McBride

Elizabeth Narverud, Ruthie Schlabach, John Allocco, Cabot

McBride, Steve Champion, Rebecca Bays, Joe Meek, and Jerry

Campbell

Jeff Kinnard, and Blake Bell

ABSENT:

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Mr. Esposito summarized the Annual Evaluations of the Community Transportation

Coordinators (CTC) for Citrus and Hernando counties noting that both CTCs appear to be

operating consistent with the Florida Statutes Chapter 427, and Rule 41-2 of the Florida

Administrative Code. The MPO Quarterly Financial Report was provided as informational, and

no action was required by the MPO Board. There were no comments from the Board.

1. Annual Evaluations of the Community Transportation Coordinators (CTC) for Citrus and

Hernando Counties.

2. MPO Quarterly Financial Report for the period of January 1, 2024, through March 31,

2024.

Items for the Information of the MPO Board

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CITIZENS COMMENTS

There were no citizen comments.

MPO DIRECTOR COMMENTS

Mr. Esposito provided the following updates:

· The Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) will be conducting a statewide virtual seminar on

Wednesday, June 12, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mr. Esposito will email details

to the MPO Board members.

· The July 11, 2024, meeting is canceled as the Hernando County Commission is

scheduling a workshop that day. Necessary agenda items will be presented at the

August meeting.

· The Good Neighbor Trail (GNT) ribbon cutting ceremony that was held on May 22,

2024, in Tom Varn Park in Brooksville and was well attended.

· The SCTPA’s semi-annual meeting is June 14, 2024, in Bartow, Florida (FDOT District

1). Commissioner Narverud was not able to attend. Councilman McBride, Alternate

Liaison to the SCTPA for the Hernando/Citrus MPO Board agreed to attend.

BOARD COMMENTS

· Commissioner Allocco asked if there were any updates on the concern raised during

the May 2, 2024, MPO Board meeting on the lack of sidewalk access to Moton

Elementary School. Mr. Scott Herring, Hernando County Public Works

Director/County Engineer, informed the Board the matter is being researched and

that Moton is a charter school and there are different transportation issues

associated with that.

· Councilman McBride invited everyone to come enjoy Patriotic Evening, a free event

including live music and fireworks, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, beginning at 5:30

p.m. at Liberty Park, 286 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness, Florida.

· Chair Campbell thanked the City of Brooksville for hosting the 2024 MPO Board

meetings and for the support and presence of Hernando County officials and law

enforcement at the meeting today. Chair Campbell encouraged everybody to honor

the 80th anniversary of D-day and remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice

for our country and to show appreciation to those that continue to serve.

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Items Distributed/Presented During the Meeting

Presentations:

1. Goals and Objectives for the 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan

(LRTP) and the 2050 Preliminary Needs Assessment

2. Traffic Segment Studies in Citrus County (US41 & SR200) and Hernando

County (US41 & County Line Rd.)

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m.

Motion

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

seconded by Councilman McBride and carried unanimously.