Hernando/Citrus

Metropolitan Planning Organization

Regular Meeting

Minutes - Final

November 2, 2023

CALL TO ORDER

Vice Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2023,

in the Lecanto Government Building, 3600 W. Sovereign Path, Room 166, Lecanto, Florida.

The meeting was advertised in the Hernando Sun and Citrus County Chronicle newspapers

and the agenda was available on the Hernando/Citrus MPO website.

MEMBERS PRESENT

Jerry Campbell, Vice Chair, Hernando County Board of County Commissioners

John Allocco, Hernando County Board of County Commissioners

Steve Champion, Hernando County Board of County Commissioners

Blake Bell, Mayor, City of Brooksville Mayor

Rebecca Bays, Alternate, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners

Cabot McBride, City of Inverness Councilman

Robert Holmes, City of Crystal River Councilman

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

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

MEMBERS ABSENT

Ruthie Davis Schlabach, Chair, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners

Jeff Kinnard, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners

Beth Narverud, Hernando County Board of County Commissioners

OTHERS PRESENT

Bob Esposito, MPO Executive Director

Mary Elwin, MPO Coordinator

Joy Turner, MPO Administrative Assistant III

Jon Jouben, Hernando County Attorney

Siaosi Fine, Florida Turnpike Enterprise

Tim Roberts, Law Enforcement Liaison Program Coordinator

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

MPO Board & Staff Introductions

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

Please Silence Electronic Devices

Enter Proof of Publication into the Record

A quorum was declared, and the affidavit of publication was read into the record.

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

Councilman McBride and the motion passed 7-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Blake Bell

Cabot McBride

John Allocco, Cabot McBride, Steve Champion, Blake Bell,

Rebecca Bays, Jerry Campbell, and Robert Holmes

Elizabeth Narverud, Ruthie Schlabach, and Jeff Kinnard

ABSENT:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

RESULT:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco, Cabot McBride, Steve Champion, Blake Bell,

Rebecca Bays, Jerry Campbell, and Robert Holmes

Elizabeth Narverud, Ruthie Schlabach, and Jeff Kinnard

ABSENT:

Review and Approve the October 5, 2023, Meeting Minutes of the

Hernando/Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Board

13072

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Bays to approve the October 5, 2023, meeting Minutes.

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

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Rebecca Bays

John Allocco

John Allocco, Cabot McBride, Steve Champion, Blake Bell,

Rebecca Bays, Jerry Campbell, and Robert Holmes

Elizabeth Narverud, Ruthie Schlabach, and Jeff Kinnard

ABSENT:

PRESENTATIONS

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Law Enforcement Liaison

Presentation on Safety

12654

Tim Roberts, FDOT Law Enforcement Liaison, made a Powerpoint presentation to the MPO

Board on the Traffic Safety Grant Program. He illustrated the FY 2024 grants awarded to

various entities in the state including the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and provided an

overview of the Traffic Safety Grant application process, emphasis areas where grants can be

used, and how to submit a concept paper for grant funding which is required January 1

through February 28 each year. Traffic Safety Grant submission is not limited to law

enforcement agencies.

Commissioner Champion asked if Hernando County will remain in the Group II - Population of

50,001 to 200,000 category for FY 2025 grant submission and if the numbers reflected in the

matrices are for serious injuries and death. Mr. Roberts affirmed both queries. In comparison

with other U.S. states, Commissioner Allocco, asked if Florida’s horizontal and perpendicular

road design versus states with curved and rolling roads had an impact on safety. Mr. Roberts

shared that while there are many factors involved in road safety, road design is a component;

however, driver behavior largely influences road safety. Mr. Roberts encouraged the MPO

Board members to have representation in the State’s Safety Coalition and meeting

information can be found on the FDOT webpage at :

<https://www.fdot.gov/Safety/safety-coalitions/coalitonsresources.shtm>.

Additional, traffic safety data can be reviewed and analyzed at <https://signal4analytics.com/>.

Commissioner Allocco would like to review a summary of the numerical data behind the matrix

rankings of 1 to 15 for the Group II counties. Mr. Roberts will review and report back to the

MPO staff. Council Member Holmes asked if there is a list of the counties/school districts

conducting teen driver education in school. Mr. Roberts will investigate and report back to the

MPO staff.

Florida Department of Transportation Tentative Five-Year Work Program (FY

2025-FY 2029) Presentation

12653

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

for Hernando/Citrus MPO, provided an update on programming strategies and the proposed

Tentative Five-Year Work Program for FY 2025 - FY 2029. 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. Monk provided the web page for public comment which

will be open through November 13, 2023.

Commissioner Allocco requested the location of the Sidewalk Gaps that were added to FY

2028 and FY 2029. Ms. Monk stated she will check with the project manager and report back

to MPO Staff. Commissioner Allocco will provide a list to the MPO of State Road sidewalks

that need repair. Commissioner Champion mentioned the intersection at US 41 and US 50

has ruts in the road and may need to be a higher priority. MPO staff will confirm if this on the

LOPP. [Subsequent to this meeting, Mr. Esposito confirmed FDOT Project #416735-1 will

address this concern in FY 2026.]

Florida Turnpike Enterprise Tentative Five-Year Work Program (FY 2025-FY

2029) Presentation

12691

Siaosi Fine from Florida Turnpike Enterprises (FTE) made a presentation on how FTE

projects are funded, prioritized, and provided an update on the proposed Tentative Five-Year

Work Program for FY 2025 - FY 2029. Commissioner Allocco asked if an interchange at

Centralia Road was planned. Mr. Fine will forward information to the MPO which was

previously shared with Representative Holcomb on applying for an interchange. The Board

expressed their support to pursue applying for an interchange on Centralia Road in Hernando

County.

Commissioner Allocco shared his experience of receiving toll invoices for vehicles not

registered to him. Councilman Holmes asked for more information on project listed on agenda

packet page 33 for Ridge Road partnership/new interchange. Mr. Fine explained Pasco

County was to construct Ridge Road and FTE would construct the interchange.

ACTION ITEMS

Citrus County Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board (LCB)

12966

Appointment

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Bays to reappoint Stephen Brown to serve as a

member for the Person with a Disability position on the Citrus County Transportation

Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board (LCB) effective January 31, 2024, through January

30, 2027. The motion was seconded by Councilman Holmes and the motion passed 7-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Rebecca Bays

Robert Holmes

John Allocco, Cabot McBride, Steve Champion, Blake Bell,

Rebecca Bays, Jerry Campbell, and Robert Holmes

Elizabeth Narverud, Ruthie Schlabach, and Jeff Kinnard

ABSENT:

Adoption of Apportionment Plan by MPO Board Resolution 2023-08

12488

Mr. Esposito shared the Apportionment Plan is prepared based upon the decennial (2020)

census and no changes in the structure of the MPO Board are being recommended.

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Bays to adopt the Apportionment Plan for the

Hernando/Citrus MPO pursuant to the 2020 Census update, authorize the Chair’s signature

on the associated Resolution 2023-08, and allow for MPO staff to transmit the Plan to the

Florida Department of Transportation’s District office or processing. The motion was seconded

by Commissioner Champion and the motion passed 7-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Rebecca Bays

Steve Champion

John Allocco, Cabot McBride, Steve Champion, Blake Bell,

Rebecca Bays, Jerry Campbell, and Robert Holmes

Elizabeth Narverud, Ruthie Schlabach, and Jeff Kinnard

ABSENT:

FY 2024 - FY 2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment

Adding Eastern Federal Lands

12945

Ms. Monk from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) explained there were two

Eastern Federal Lands grant projects: 1) Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (NRW)

headquarters bypass road; and 2) Crystal River NRW to replace a dock. Commissioner Bays

asked for more information on the NRW dock replacement. Councilman Holmes encouraged

Ms. Monk to contact Joyce Palmer, Manager at Crystal River NRW, to obtain more

information and he indicated that he will reach out to Doug Baber, Crystal River City Manager,

for assistance in obtaining details on the dock replacement.

Motion

A motion was made by Commissioner Champion to approve the amendment to the

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for FY 2024 – FY 2028 by adding Appendix K

identifying Eastern Federal Lands projects as approved by the Federal Highway

Administration and allow for MPO Staff to transmit the amended TIP to the Florida

Department of Transportation for processing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner

Allocco and a Roll-Call vote carried the motion 7-0.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

John Allocco

John Allocco, Cabot McBride, Steve Champion, Blake Bell,

Rebecca Bays, Jerry Campbell, and Robert Holmes

Elizabeth Narverud, Ruthie Schlabach, and Jeff Kinnard

ABSENT:

CITIZENS COMMENTS

There were no citizen comments.

MPO DIRECTOR COMMENTS

· FDOT Project #257165-3 US 41 from SR 44 to S of Withlacoochee Trail Bridge:

Construction started October 3, 2023, and there will be a groundbreaking ceremony at

10:30 a.m. on November 30, 2023. Location to be determined.

· MPOAC Meeting Thursday, January 25, 2024. Would need MPOAC Representative, Jeff

Kinnard, to attend; Jerry Campbell is the MPOAC Alternate. MPO Staff will send a

meeting notice on the calendar.

· Outlook meeting notices will be sent out for the 2024 Committees and Transportation

Disadvantaged meetings. Would like to send meeting notices out for the 2024 MPO

Board meetings after Board Liaison appointments for each county.

· There are two alternate MPO Board members for the City of Crystal River and it would be

beneficial to also have two alternate members for: Citrus County, the City of Brooksville,

and the City of Inverness.

· 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) - Scope A was completed, and Scope B is

underway. The final scopes, C and D, will need to be issued immediately after the new

GPC contracts are approved by the MPO Board which is tentatively scheduled for the

December 7, 2023.

· Traffic Segment Studies in Citrus County (US41 and SR 200) and Hernando County

(County Line Road and US 41) will commence upon the approval of new GPC contracts

(anticipated December 7, 2023).

· A multi-agency Interlocal Agreement for improvements to County Line Road was approved

by the Hernando/Citrus MPO Board on October 5, 2023, and approved by the Pasco MPO

Board on October 12, 2023. However, due to funding issues facing FDOT at this time, the

District 7 office cannot commit to the agreement and therefore, the agreement cannot be

fully executed and will need to be updated.

BOARD COMMENTS

· Commissioner Bays asked if something could be provided to bullet point the

benefits/repercussions of maintaining the Strategic Intermodal Systems (SIS) designation

for US 19 and the SIS designation is not for the purpose of emergency evacuation.

· Vice Chair Campbell acknowledged keeping Chair Schlabach in thoughts and prayers. He

encouraged the Board to complete the annual performance evaluation form for Mr.

Esposito, thanked Citrus County Sheriff’s office for their continued support and attendance

at the MPO Board meetings, and thanked the MPO Staff for facilitating the Board meetings

in an orderly fashion.

· Commissioner Allocco wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

ADJOURNMENT

Vice Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 2:59 p.m.

13215

ITEMS PRESENTED OR DISTRIBUTED DURING THE MEETING

1. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Tentative Five-Year Work Program (Fiscal

Years 2025 through 2029) PowerPoint Presentation

2. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Tentative Five-Year Work Program (Fiscal

Years 2025 through 2029) Highlights

UPCOMING MEETING:

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

scheduled for Thursday, December 7, 2023, beginning at 1:30 pm, in the Lecanto

Government Building, 3600 W. Sovereign Path, Room 166, Lecanto, Florida.