Hernando/Citrus

Metropolitan Planning Organization

Regular Meeting

Minutes - Final

December 5, 2024

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at

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 Commissioner

Jeff Kinnard, MPO Board Vice Chair, Citrus County Commissioner

John Allocco, Hernando County Commissioner

Brian Hawkins, Hernando County Commissioner

Blake Bell, Mayor, City of Brooksville

Robert Holmes, MPO Board Alternate Member, City of Crystal River

Tom Craig, MPO Board Alternate Member, City of Inverness

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

Brian Hunter, Non-Voting Advisor, Florida Department of Transportation, District 7

MEMBERS ABSENT

Joe Meek, Mayor, City of Crystal River

Gene Davis, City of Inverness Councilman

Steve Champion, Hernando County Commissioner

OTHERS PRESENT

Bob Esposito, MPO Executive Director

Mary Elwin, MPO Coordinator

Melissa Tartaglia, Assistant County Attorney, Hernando County

Siaosi Fine, Florida Turnpike Enterprise

Katina Kavouklis, Transportation Planning Manager, Florida Turnpike Enterprise

Alison Stettner, Transportation Development Director, Florida Turnpike Enterprise

Jonathan Roberson, AICP, Research Associate for the Center for Urban Transportation

(CUTR)

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

Commissioner Kinnard and the motion passed 7-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Blake Bell

Jeff Kinnard

Brian Hawkins, Jerry Campbell, Robert Holmes, Tom Craig,

John Allocco, Jeff Kinnard, and Blake Bell

Steve Champion

ABSENT:

CONSENT ITEMS

Commissioner Allocco asked for more information on Consent Agenda Item 2. Mr. Esposito

explained that the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners is partnering with the

Pasco County Board of County Commissioners, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, and

the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, on a grant application. The project (Adventure

Coast Electric Transmission Line Improvements) proposes to replace obsolete transmission

line infrastructure and increase electric resiliency, an estimated project cost of $69.2 million.

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Kinnard to approve Consent Agenda Items 1 through 3.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Allocco and the motion passed 7-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Jeff Kinnard

John Allocco

Brian Hawkins, Jerry Campbell, Robert Holmes, Tom Craig,

John Allocco, Jeff Kinnard, and Blake Bell

Steve Champion

ABSENT:

Review and Approval of the October 3, 2024, Meeting Minutes of the

Hernando/Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Board

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Review and Approval of a Letter of Support to the Florida Division of Emergency

Management for a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant

Application by Hernando County, Pasco County, the Tampa Bay Regional

Planning Council and the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative

Review and Approval of the Annual Updates to the Bylaws of the

Hernando/Citrus MPO Board’s Committees

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PRESENTATIONS

Presentation by the Florida Department of Transportation on the Tentative

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Five-Year Work Program (FY 2026-FY 2030)

Suzanne Ziegler, Florida Department of Transportation, District 7 Government Liaison

Manager, made a presentation on programming strategies and the proposed Tentative

Five-Year Work Program for FY 2026 - FY 2030. Commissioner Allocco asked if deferred

projects would advance should funding become available. Ms. Ziegler confirmed that during

the next cycle of the Five-Year Work Program if sky rocketing maintenance costs improve and

money becomes available, projects could advance.

Ms. Ziegler agreed to provide a list of the identified sidewalk gaps in Hernando County at the

request of Commissioner Allocco. Crystal River Councilman Holmes asked to receive further

information on the resurfacing of US19, particularly the area coming out of Crystal River by

the old Crystal River Mall to ensure subsurface concerns are inspected before resurfacing.

Ms. Ziegler acknowledged his request. Commissioner Kinnard requested further information

on the parcels being acquired for the Crystal River Airport for N of Runway 18. Ms. Ziegler

agreed to follow-up.

A flyer provided by the Florida Department of Transportation for the public hearing process

was included in the packets and is posted on the MPO’s website. Ms. Ziegler provided the

web page for public comment which will be open December 9, 2024, through December 30,

2024.

Presentation by the Florida Turnpike Enterprise on the Tentative Five-Year Work

Program (FY 2026-FY 2030)

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Siaosi Fine from Florida Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) made a presentation on the proposed

Tentative Five-Year Work Program for FY 2026 - FY 2030. His presentation included how

projects are prioritized and funded.

Commissioner Allocco shared his experience of a new style of vehicle license plate that was

not recognized by the camera system on the Suncoast Parkway and asked if the technology

has been updated and is there any testing done on newly designed vehicle license plates.

Alison Stettner, FTE Transportation Development Director, relayed that technology has been

updated and testing occurs to verify speeds, camera imaging, new vehicles, new vehicle

license plate designs, and ways to mitigate toll invasion. She encouraged Commissioner

Allocco to reach out to Mr. Fine if he does not see improvement in the technology.

Commissioner Kinnard expressed there is a growing concern for traffic congestion on Citrus

Avenue coming from the Suncoast Parkway. He inquired as to when the extension from SR

44 to CR 486 would be complete. He asked if FTE had considered opening the next two

phases at the same time (SR 44 to CR 486 and CR 486 to CR 495). Ms. Stettner responded

that she will take the comment to FTE and see what can be done to align the openings to

minimize localized traffic impacts.

Mr. Fine confirmed that Scott Herring, Hernando County Department of Public Works Director,

submitted the application and supporting materials to conduct a feasibility study to determine if

an interchange at Centralia Avenue in Hernando County could be added. The feasibility study

will commence in 2025.

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

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

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Jonathan Roberson, AICP, Research Associate for CUTR, under contract with the Hernando

County Board of County Commissioners to do the major TDP update, made a final

presentation on the Hernando County Transit Development Plan (Hernando TDP) for FY

2025-FY 2034 outlining a number of priorities, short-term and longer-term needs, and overall

recommendations. In response to Commissioner Allocco’s question, Mr. Roberson confirmed

electric bicycles are not allowed on the racks attached to the front of the buses.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

The Board opted to make separate motions for the CAC reappointments for Citrus County and

Hernando County.

Reappointment of Members to the Hernando/Citrus MPO’s Citizens Advisory

Committee (CAC)

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Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Kinnard to reappoint Karen Esty to serve on the

Citizens Advisory Committee as a representative of the City of Inverness. The term for shall

be for a period of two (2) years (January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026). The motion

was seconded by Councilman Craig and passed 7-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Jeff Kinnard

Tom Craig

Brian Hawkins, Jerry Campbell, Robert Holmes, Tom Craig,

John Allocco, Jeff Kinnard, and Blake Bell

Steve Champion

ABSENT:

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Allocco to reappoint Ron Lawson to serve on the

Citizens Advisory Committee as a representative of the City of Brooksville. The term for shall

be for a period of two (2) years (January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026). The motion

was seconded by Commissioner Hawkins and passed 7-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Brian Hawkins

Brian Hawkins, Jerry Campbell, Robert Holmes, Tom Craig,

John Allocco, Jeff Kinnard, and Blake Bell

Steve Champion

ABSENT:

CITIZENS COMMENTS

There were no citizen comments.

MPO DIRECTOR COMMENTS

· Alison Stettner, FTE Transportation Development Director, was able to verify that the 13

-mile extension of the Suncoast Parkway in Citrus County would be finished in just under 2

years.

· Walt Eastmond, County Engineer, Citrus County Public Works Department, confirmed

preliminary maps and exhibits for the N. Independence Highway sidewalk were sent to

Suzanne Ziegler, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District 7 Government

Liaison Manager. When the grant application portal opens in later in December, Mr.

Eastmond will submit the application to FDOT.

Mr. Esposito shared the following updates:

· Similar to last year, MPO staff will be sending Outlook meeting notices for the 2025

meetings.

· County Line Road has been added to the Regional Priorities List that will be presented at

the Sun Coast Transportation Planning Alliance Meeting tomorrow at the Tampa Bay

Regional Planning Council. Citrus County Commissioner Jeff Kinnard will be the chairing

the meeting.

· Additionally, the Hernando/Citrus MPO has set up another meeting at the end of January

with FDOT, Pasco County, and Hernando County staff members to discuss County Line

Road.

· Improvements to the SR44/Turkey Oak intersection have been discussed with FDOT and

will be added to the LOPP once a few of the current projects are completed.

· The FDOT Signals team will be coordinating with the local agency to develop the timing

plan and gather available equipment to add an eastbound protected left turn phase on the

US 41 and CR 491 in Citrus County.

· The MPO Board was provided a handout on the MPO’s 2024 Major Accomplishments and

2025 Goals, and the Financial Quarterly Report for the Period Ending September 30,

2024. There were no comments.

Commissioner Allocco will follow up with Mr. Esposito with additional information on his inquiry

for updates to enhancing crosswalks at schools.

BOARD COMMENTS

· Mayor Bell announced that today was his last meeting as an MPO Board member and

expressed his appreciation for being able to serve on the MPO Board.

· Commissioner Allocco wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy

New Year.

· Chair Campbell thanked Mayor Bell for his service on the MPO Board, the City of

Brooksville, and his work with Hernando County. Chair Campbell invited everyone to

attend Christmas on Main Street in Brooksville which will start at 5:00 p.m. tonight.

· Chair Campbell thanked the MPO staff and consultant, the state and local partners that

attended the meeting, the presence of law enforcement, and the City of Brooksville for

hosting the 2024 MPO Board meetings.

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ITEMS DISTRIBUTED DURING THE MEETING

1. Hernando/Citrus MPO’s 2024 Major Accomplishments and 2025 Goals

2. Financial Quarterly Report for the Period Ending September 30, 2024

UPCOMING MEETING:

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

Thursday, January 9, 2025, beginning at 1:30 pm, in the Lecanto Government Building, 3600

W. Sovereign Path, Room 166, Lecanto, Florida. Brooksville, Florida.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion

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

seconded by Commissioner Allocco and carried unanimously.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Jeff Kinnard

John Allocco

Brian Hawkins, Jerry Campbell, Robert Holmes, Tom Craig,

John Allocco, Jeff Kinnard, and Blake Bell

Steve Champion

ABSENT: