BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA
FEBRUARY 10, 2015
The
following is a non-verbatim transcript of the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING OF SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
held at 9:30 a.m., on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, in Room 1028 of the SEMINOLE COUNTY SERVICES BUILDING at SANFORD, FLORIDA, the usual place of
meeting of said Board.
Present:
Chairman
Brenda Carey (District 5)
Vice
Chairman John Horan (District 2)
Commissioner
Lee Constantine (District 3)
Commissioner Carlton Henley (District 4)
Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller Maryanne Morse
County Manager Nicole Guillet
County Attorney Bryant Applegate
Deputy Clerk Erin Leben
Absent:
Commissioner Robert Dallari (District 1)
Pastor
Ron Williams, Palmetto Avenue Baptist Church, gave the Invocation.
Commissioner
Constantine led the Pledge of Allegiance.
BUSINESS
SPOTLIGHT
The
Business Spotlight video for Forensic Engineering Technologies was presented.
PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION
Joanne Cornelius,
138 Country Club Circle, addressed the Board to state she would like to see
SunRail running on weekends and holidays and a closing of the gap on
weekdays. She stated she would also like
LYNX to run a late night service.
With regard to public participation, no one
else in the audience spoke in support or in opposition to the Consent Agenda
and public input was closed.
COUNTY MANAGER’S CONSENT AGENDA
Nicole Guillet, County Manager, advised
staff is requesting Item #19, East Orange County Projects, be continued until the February 24th
BCC Meeting. She stated Commissioner
Dallari could not be here today and he would like to participate in that
discussion. In addition, there is an
Add-on, Item #1A, Qualified Target Industry Business (QTI) Job Creation
Schedule for Advanced IT Concepts, Inc., extending the date of completion from
December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019.
Chairman Carey noted that Commissioner Dallari will not be in
attendance today as he is in Washington D.C. with MetroPlan Orlando and she has
asked him to see the County’s federal lobbyist while he is there.
Commissioner Henley requested that Item #6, an Agreement with Red
Raiders Baseball Club, be pulled for a
separate vote. He advised he will be recusing himself and filing a Conflict
of Interest form.
Motion by
Commissioner Horan, seconded by Commissioner Constantine, to authorize and
approve the following:
County Manager’s Office
Business Office
1A. Adopt the amended Qualified Target Industry
Business (QTI) Job Creation Schedule for Advanced IT Concepts, Inc., extending
the date of completion from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019. (A-0445-15)
Community Services
Community Development Division
1.
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the First Amendment to
Seminole Work Opportunity Program Agreement which delays the payment of the
first installment of the loan until June 1, 2016. (A-0313-15)
2.
Approve and authorize the Community Services Department Director
to sign the Homeownership Assistance Agreement between Seminole County and
Homebuyer of Unit Developed with Home Funds. (A-0407-15)
Development Services
Planning & Development Division
3. Approve the final plat for the WW Ranch
Subdivision containing 2 lots on 14.25 acres zoned A-1 (Agriculture), located
on the north side of East Lake Drive, approximately 1400 feet south of Center
Drive. (A-0369-15)
Leisure Services
Tourism Development Division
4.
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with
Spring Break Sports, Inc. in the amount of $15,500 for the 2015 Spring Break
Tennis Program to be held February 21 through April 4, 2015. (A-0184-15)
5. Approve and
authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Florida Collegiate Summer
League, Inc. (FCSL) in the amount of $18,060 for the 2015 Florida League High
School Invitationals to be held March 16 through 20, March 23 through 27, and
March 30 through April 2, 2015. (A-0384-15)
7.
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with
Florida Half Century Amateur Softball Association, Inc. in the amount of
$21,160 for four Florida Half Century State Senior Softball Tournaments to be
held February 14 through 15, March 21 through 22, August 22 through 23, and
September 12 through 13, 2015. (A-0386-15)
Public
Safety
Animal Services Division
8. Approve the form
and content of the Pet Rescue Cooperative Service Agreement and delegate
authority to the Animal Services Division Manager or designee to execute these
agreements with individual pet rescue groups that partner with the Seminole
County Animal Services Division. (A-0402-15)
EMS/Fire/Rescue
Division
9. Approve and
authorize the Chairman to execute the Agreement between Seminole County and
Triple B Acquisitions, LLC for fire and rescue training. (A-0389-15)
Public
Works
Engineering Division
10. Adopt appropriate
Resolution #2015-R-33 and authorize the Chairman to execute a Local Agency
Program (LAP) Agreement with the State of Florida, Department of Transportation
(FDOT), in conjunction with the construction of a trail adjacent to Rinehart
Road from County Road 46A to north of St. Johns Parkway. (A-0356-15)
Fleet/Facilities
Division
11. Approve and
authorize the Chairman to execute the Fourth Amendment to Seminole County
Health Department and Community Services Lease, with J.A.B. Shopping Center II,
LLC. (A-0425-15)
Resource
Management
Budget and Fiscal Management Division
12. Approve and
authorize the Chairman to execute appropriate Resolution #2015-R-34 implementing
Budget Amendment Request (BAR) #15-043 through the North Collector Impact Fee
Fund and 1991 Infrastructure Sales Tax Fund to appropriate budget of $214,736
from Reserves to refund excess Impact Fee credits for the Lake Forest Joint
Venture Agreement. (A-0398-15)
Purchasing &
Contracts Division
13.
Award CC-9909-15/AMM, Construction Services Agreement, 2014
Landfill Gas Collection & Control System Expansion at Osceola Road Landfill
in the amount of $452,215 to CMI Environmental, Inc. of Monroe, NC; and
authorize the Purchasing & Contracts Division to execute the Agreement. (A-0378-15)
14. Approve Change
Order #1 to CC-8548-13/JVP, Eastbrook Sidewalk Phase II with Conpilog
International Company of Orlando in the amount of $30,614.68; add an additional
52 calendar days to Substantial Completion; and authorize the Purchasing &
Contracts Division to execute the Change Order. (A-0403-15)
Districts
2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.
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Agenda Item #6 - A-0385-15
Motion by Commissioner Horan, seconded by Commissioner Constantine,
to approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Red
Raiders Baseball Club in the amount of $13,500 for
the 2015 Super 9 Series Tournaments to be held February 14 through 15; February
28 through March 1; March 21 through 22; March 28 through 29; April 11 through 12;
April 18 through 19; May 16 through 17; and May 30 through 31, 2015.
Commissioner Henley abstained from voting and submitted a
Memorandum of Voting Conflict form.
Districts 2, 3 and 5 voted AYE.
COUNTY ATTORNEY’S CONSENT AGENDA
Agenda Item #15 - A-0420-15
Bryant Applegate, County Attorney, presented the request to
acquire Jonathan D. Hamilton’s property located at 5426 Cub Lake Drive, Apopka,
to provide better drainage and environmental quality for the Bear Lake Water
Basin as outlined in the Agenda Memorandum.
Motion by Commissioner Horan, seconded by Commissioner Henley to approve and
authorize the Chairman to execute a Purchase Agreement with Jonathan D.
Hamilton in the amount of $430,000 for the acquisition of property located at
5426 Cub Lake Drive, Apopka.
Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS’ CONSENT
AGENDA
Motion by
Commissioner Henley, seconded by Commissioner Horan, to authorize and approve
the following:
Clerk's Office (A-0393-15)
15. Approval of
Expenditure Approval Lists dated January 12 and 20, 2015; and Payroll Approval
List dated January 15, 2015; approval of the BCC Official Minutes dated January
13, 2015; Clerk's "Received and Filed" for information only.
1.
Development
Order #15-275000048, Roza Corp/ Cumberland Farms, Inc., 225 Oxford Road,
Alcohol License.
2.
Board of
Adjustment Approval Development Orders as follows: #14-30000084, Nicholas & Laura Clark
Variance; #14-30000088, Joseph T. and Jennifer Yamin Variance; #14-30000090, Robert
O. Bitner, Jr. Variance; #14-30000083, Daniel D. and Rita L. Ellis Variance;
and #14-30000089, Randall E. Osborn Variance.
3.
Board of
Adjustment Denial Development Order #14-30000086, Richard M. Wesson, Variance.
4.
Community
Services Funding Agreements (CSA) for Fiscal Year 2014-15 with Seminole County
Victims’ Rights Coalition d/b/a Safehouse, Seminole County Victims’ Rights
Coalition d/b/a Safehouse (Yana Project), Seminole County Bar Association Legal
Aid Society, Inc., IMPOWER, Inc., The Christian Sharing Center, Inc., and
Seminole County Coalition for School Readiness, Inc. d/b/a Early Learning
Coalition of Seminole, as approved by the Board of County Commissioners on
October 14, 2014.
5.
Bill of
Sale for the acceptance of the Potable and Reclaimed Water and Sewer Systems
within the project known as Walden Cove.
6.
Bill of
Sale for the acceptance of the Water and Sewer Systems within the project known
as Walden Lakeside Estates.
7.
Maintenance
Bond #59BSBGQ7538-A for Water and Sewer Facilities for the project known as
Tuska Reserve in the amount of $29,095.80.
8.
Parks
Contracts for Services for Benjamin Lopez Albino, Matthew Egert, Aaron Garrett,
John Marzullo, Dallas Reed, and John Shinkle.
9.
Release
of Lien for Code Enforcement Case #10-98-CEB, James R. and Donna M. Sada, as
approved by the Board of County Commissioners on December 9, 2014.
10.
Change
Order #4-REV to CC-8898-13.
11.
Work
Order #26 to CC-8199-12.
12.
Work
Order #22 to PS-8186-13.
13.
Change
Order #2 to Work Order #8 to CC-9192-13.
14.
First
Amendment to IFB-602048-14.
15.
Work
Order #63 to PS-4388-09.
16.
Amendment
#1 to Work Order #11 to PS-8148-12.
17.
Closeout
to Work Order #8 to CC-9192-13.
18.
Amendment
#1 to Work Order #14 to PS-4736-09.
19.
Change
Order #9 to RFP-7760-12.
20.
Change
Order #4 to CC-8457-13.
21.
Work
Order #9 to PS-8072-12.
22.
Closeout
to Work Orders #3 & #4 to CC-9072-13.
23.
Closeout
to RFP-7760-12.
24.
Closeout
to Work Order #3 to CC-9192-13.
25.
Amendment
#1 to Work Order #4 to PS-8565-13.
26.
Amendment
#1 to Work Order #1 to PS-8565-13.
27.
Work
Orders #77, #78 and #79 to PS-4388-09.
28.
Closeout
to Work Order #1 to CC-9192-13.
29.
Change
Order #3 to CC-9025-13.
30.
Change
Order #3 to Work Order #1 to CC-9072-13.
31.
Change
Orders #3, #4 and #5 to Work Order #6 to CC-9192-13.
32.
Work
Order #5 to CC-9072-13.
33.
Change
Order #1 to CC-9660-14.
34.
Amendment
#1 to PS-8047-12.
35.
Change
Order #5 to Work Order #6 to RFQ-5888-10.
36.
Closeout
to CC-9317-14.
37.
Amendment
#3 to Work Order #63 to PS-4388-09.
38.
Amendment
#4 to Work Order #1 to PS-5738-10.
39.
Amendment
#2 to Work Order #101 to PS-5120-02.
40.
Final
Order Approving Non-Standard Meter Rider from the Florida Public Service
Commission re: Docket #1302223-EI, Order
#PSC-15-0026-FOF-EI.
41.
Letter
from City Clerk Donna Gardner, City of Casselberry, to Seminole County Clerk of
the Circuit Court, Maryanne Morse, regarding Annexation Ordinance #14-1412.
42.
First
Amendment to Project Agreement LWCF Project #12-00587/Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) Contract
#LW587, Black Bear Wilderness Area Project.
43.
Amendment
#2 to Project Agreement LWCF Project #12-00581/Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Contract #LW581, C.S.
Lee Park.
44.
Final
Adopted Budget for Seminole County for Fiscal Year 2014/15 received from
Resource Management.
45. Bids as follows: IFB-602158-15 and CC-9909-15.
Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE
REGULAR AGENDA
Item #17 - A-0396-15
Edward
Bass, Director of Resource Management, addressed the Board to present a
Recommendation of Bank Loan Proposal to provide funding for the refunding of
the Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2005A.
Mr. Bass presented the request as outlined in the Agenda
Memorandum.
Upon inquiry by Chairman Carey,
Gary Akers, First Southwest Company, addressed the Board to advise the attorney
fees have been reduced to $5,000, which is comparable to the other proposers;
and at the time the proposal was submitted, it was subject to credit approval,
which has been done at this time.
With regard to public
participation, no one spoke in support or in opposition and public input was
closed.
Motion by
Commissioner Horan, seconded by Commissioner Henley, to authorize staff, in
concert with the County’s financial advisory, to finalize the loan terms and
documents with Raymond James Capital Funding for the issuance of the Sales Tax
Refunding Revenue Note, Series 2015, in an amount not to exceed $30,100,000 to
provide for the refunding of the Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2005A; and
authorize bond counsel to prepare and finalize the necessary bond resolution
and closing documents to facilitate the formal award and closing.
Under discussion, Commissioner
Horan clarified his recommendation is for Option B, with a proposed interest
rate of 2.5%.
Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.
COUNTY
MANAGER’S BRIEFING
No report.
COUNTY
ATTORNEY’S BRIEFING
County Attorney Bryant Applegate
addressed the Board to advise every year he assigns an attorney to work with
the County Manager's Office to monitor all pending bills in Tallahassee and
will continue to do so. He stated his
office gets a daily report of all bills that have any possible effect on any of
the departments in the county.
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE
Meloney Lung, Assistant County
Manager, addressed the Board to state she distributed a list of the 2015
Federal Legislative Priorities for Seminole County, Florida (copy received and
filed). She stated the list includes
support for SunRail Phase II funding; clarification to the rule language for
the Waters of the United States (WOTUS); support for expansion of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance program; and support for funding of federal
grant programs for public safety, emergency management and affordable
housing. She advised if the Board would
like to add any more priorities to the list, she will do so before providing it
to the federal lobbyist, Jim Davenport.
Commissioner Horan stated he thinks
the special push has to be for SunRail Phase II. He opined that adding any additional items
might dilute the effectiveness. He pointed
out that Mr. Davenport has been particularly responsive concerning certain
inquiries he personally has made recently.
Chairman Carey reiterated that
Commissioner Dallari is in Washington and that she has asked him to reach out
to the lobbyists and see if there's a need for him to make the rounds while
he's there. She stated she knows the
Board has contacts with federal legislators at various levels and the Board
needs to communicate the things that are important to them.
Ms. Guillet advised that the list
is dynamic and as issues come up during the year, it can certainly be
revised. Chairman Carey opined that the
number one priority has to be SunRail funding.
Ms. Guillet noted that the people that represent the County in
Washington also represent other entities that are similarly interested in
SunRail, so it’s being looked at for multiple entities.
Ms. Lung advised that on the state
level, there were 774 bills filed and she is tracking approximately 150. She stated she will provide the Board with an
electronic copy of what she is tracking for their review, and the Board can let
her know if there are any they want to add.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Motion by Chairman Carey, seconded by
Commissioner Horan, to appoint Valmarie Turner to the Homeless Services Network
of Central Florida Board of Directors as a representative for Seminole County.
Districts
2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.
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Chairman
Carey reminded everyone that the State of the County will take place on
Thursday, February 19th, and it is in partnership with the Chamber
of Commerce. Registration will begin at
11:30 a.m. at the Westin in Lake Mary.
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Motion by
Chairman Carey, seconded by Commissioner Horan, to approve appropriate
Resolution #2015-R-35, appointing Susie Dolan to the Value Adjustment Board to
fill the term of Michelle Ertel.
Districts
2, 3, 4 and 5 voted AYE.
COMMUNICATIONS
AND/OR REPORTS
The following
Communications and/or Reports were received and filed:
1.
Letter
dated January 23, 2015 from Marva Johnson, Bright House Networks, to
Commissioner Brenda Carey regarding upcoming changes to cable programming. C:
Nicole Guillet; Matt Chessler; Michel Champagne, Bright House Networks.
2.
Copy of
a letter dated January 27, 2015 from Chairman Carey to Therese McMillian,
Federal Transit Administration RE: request for funding for SunRail Phase II
North in President’s Fiscal Year 2016 budget.
3. Letter and attachments dated January 28, 2015
from Traci Houchin, Sanford Deputy City Clerk to Seminole BCC RE: Ordinance No.
4334, annexation request.
DISTRICT
COMMISSIONERS’/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Commissioner Constantine stated the
Leadership Seminole Class of '24 had an event on Friday January 30th
for the Boys and Girls Clubs at the airport and Commissioner Horan was there to
make a few announcements.
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Commissioner Constantine noted
Creative Sanford had a reception at The Gallery in Sanford on January 30th.
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Commissioner Constantine stated on
February 4th CALNO met in Casselberry and the main topic of
discussion was Casselberry's continuing program in home improvement and how
they're working with their citizens regarding small loans, grants and other
types of things.
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Commissioner Constantine advised
yesterday the Governor made a special announcement at the Audubon Birds of Prey
in Maitland concerning the environment.
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Commissioner Constantine reported
that Sanlando Utilities is having a meeting with the Public Service Commission
tonight concerning a rate increase at Eastmonte Park in Altamonte Springs at
6:00 p.m.
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Commissioner Constantine stated
MetroPlan is having a meeting Wednesday, February 11th, at 9:00 a.m.
at the Second Harvest Food Bank and he will be in attendance.
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Commissioner Constantine advised
MetroPlan Orlando Transportation Disadvantaged Board will be meeting on February
12th at 10:00 a.m. at the MetroPlan office.
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Commissioner Constantine stated
there’s a Public Hearing on the Wekiva Parkway Section 7A designated project on
February 17th at the Rock Church in Sanford.
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Commissioner Constantine noted the
Leadership Seminole Board Meeting will be on February 20th.
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Commissioner Constantine discussed
the Central Florida Zoo’s search for a new CEO.
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Commissioner Henley advised at the
LYNX Board meeting last week the board approved the ordering of 35 natural gas-powered
buses to replace the buses that are being retired. He noted the LYNX Board also finalized the
contract with Nopetro and added the construction and renovation of the fueling
station is underway and is being paid for by Nopetro. Commissioner Henley reported that LYNX
finalized the contract for six months of diesel fuel at a rate of $1.81 per
gallon. He also stated LYNX won the
Court of Appeal's decision in their suit with the Orlando Sentinel, so that has
been put to rest.
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Commissioner Horan discussed
Creative Sanford, Inc.’s upcoming production “Touch and Go,” which will be at
the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center on February 21st.
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Chairman Carey reported on the
Sanford Airport Authority meeting, which took place on February 3, and advised Trinity
Technology Group, a private screening company, has taken over the screening
operation at the Sanford Airport.
Commissioner Henley left the
meeting at this time.
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Chairman Carey discussed the recent
additions to Allegiant Airlines’ destinations.
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Chairman Carey described the Civil
Service Board, and announced she will be serving on the Board. She stated she attended her first meeting on
February 3rd.
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Chairman Carey reported that on
February 9th she attended the City of Sanford Commission meeting
where she accepted a framed Resolution as well as a plaque from the City of
Sanford to Seminole County in appreciation of their partnership with the
Riverwalk Project. She gave a brief
update on the project.
Commissioner Henley reentered the
meeting at this time.
Chairman Carey advised she has
given a plan to the County Manager and asked her to talk to the Commissioners
regarding a possible trailhead under the I-4 Interchange for the trail
connection that's running coast to coast.
She stated it has already been approved in concept by the FDOT to have a
trailhead at that location and staff has been working to come up with some
information, which has been given to the County Manager.
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Chairman Carey announced the Wekiva
PaintOut will be held on March 2nd through 7th at Wekiva
Island. She noted a flier (copy received
and filed) for the event had been distributed to the Commissioners.
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Chairman Carey reminded everyone
that she and the Sheriff will be co-hosting the Annual Boy Scout Event at the
Westin Hotel in Lake Mary on April 7. She
noted that Governor Scott will be this year’s honoree.
COUNTY
MANAGER’S REPORT
MetroPlan
Orlando Update
Item #18 -
A-0423-15
Eric Hill, Director of
System Management and Operations for MetroPlan Orlando, addressed the Board to give
a MetroPlan update. He explained TSMO
stands for Transportation Systems Management and Operations and advised there
are two ways to mitigate traffic congestion.
One is to add capacity or more roadways and the other is to manage and
operate the system more efficiently, such as using traffic signal
retiming.
Mr. Hill displayed a PowerPoint
presentation entitled “Value Price Study” (received and filed). He stated he wanted to clarify some
misconceptions about this study. He
explained that what MetroPlan is proposing is a test they are recommending, a
demonstration, not something that will be implemented. He advised this may come across as a
recommendation for consideration of another tax, but it is not about another
tax or a tax on a tax. It is about
replacement of a tax. He added there
will be no invasion of privacy associated with what they are recommending and
all they are looking to do is collect information as part of a test.
Mr. Hill displayed and
reviewed the Introduction. He reviewed the
Congestion Ahead chart and indicated he is unsure the public understands how
the transportation system is funded and that the revenues they use, fuel taxes,
are declining. He advised some of the
reasons fuel taxes are declining is people are traveling less and more
importantly, vehicles are becoming more fuel efficient, or in the case of
electric vehicles, not using any fuel, so they're not paying any taxes. Mr. Hill described the increasing corporate
average fuel economy standards.
Mr. Hill reviewed Value
Pricing in Transportation and Project Team. He displayed Value Pricing Project and advised
when, in a MetroPlan survey of public opinion, people were asked if they were
open to alternative revenue sources, they indicated they would be open to
something different than just paying a fuel tax to fund transportation improvements. He continued reviewing Value Pricing
Project. He advised MetroPlan completed
the project in December 2014, but they had a public involvement piece with two
focus groups; one including commuters in the region and one including underserved
citizens.
Mr. Hill displayed and
reviewed Strategies. He explained the
Variable Mileage Based User Fee would depend on the type of roadway being
traveled on, the time of day and congestion levels, so there would be an
incentive for people to make better decisions when they travel. Regarding Road Space Management, Mr. Hill
explained people would be given an alternate day to travel based on their license
tags. He advised under this strategy, if
a person wanted to travel on a day that was not assigned to them, they could
purchase the day from their neighbor. He
continued reviewing Strategies. He
advised that their team recommended they do a demonstration of Mileage Based User
Fee because of the results from the modeling exercise.
Mr. Hill displayed and reviewed Guidance
and Focus Groups. He discussed the issue
of privacy that was raised in the focus groups.
Mr. Hill reviewed Orlando Chamber
of Commerce/Central Florida Partnership, Demonstration. Regarding their recommendation for demonstration,
he advised they are proposing a flat mileage fee demonstration. Mr. Hill reviewed Objectives and advised
addressing out of state travel, dealing with car rentals, and dealing with so
many miles of toll roads would all be issues that would need to be addressed.
Mr. Hill concluded his
presentation by reviewing Components, Tasks, Budget, Next Steps and Funding. Going back to Strategies, Chairman Carey
asked why they are going to test the fixed mileage fee if it is one of the
least attractive. Mr. Hill explained the
fee used in this part of the analysis was higher than what FDOT is looking to
charge. He noted they are looking at
this as the first phase and in partnership with FDOT, who is interested in a
flat fee, not the variable fee option.
In terms of moving forward, he stated they see an opportunity to work
with FDOT, first looking at the whole concept of a mileage fee system and then
moving into how they can use this to improve and enhance the revenue force.
Chairman Carey stated
she understands most of the funding for this test is coming from the Federal
government and from the State, but $50,000 is coming from MetroPlan. She stated she would hate to see money wasted
to come out with a result that does not make sense. Mr. Hill noted that MetroPlan will be making
a decision about moving forward tomorrow.
Upon inquiry by Commissioner Horan,
Mr. Hill advised that there have been other demonstrations around the country,
but the benefit of doing a demonstration in the Central Florida area is that it
is a unique environment because of the amount of tourism, toll roads and people
visiting and renting cars, so they would need to figure out how to address
those issues. Upon inquiry by
Commissioner Horan, Mr. Hill confirmed the reason they would want to do this
study in the Central Florida area is because of those particular unique
characteristics of how travel occurs and who it’s done by as well as what it
will add to the body of knowledge.
Commissioner Horan stated he likes
what MetroPlan is doing because it is public education. He advised there are six trillion dollars of
unfunded transportation infrastructure liabilities in this country. He opined that at a certain point, a
different way to fund transportation infrastructure needs to be determined and
said he shares Chairman Carey's concern about whether or not the County needs
to spend the money here, and whether the benefit of spending the extra money on
this pilot program really exceeds the costs.
He stated he thinks the scholarship that is already out there can be
used. Then they can factor in those particular
transportation characteristics that are unique to Central Florida and that
might be a better way of going about it.
Mr. Hill displayed Tasks and discussed Core Function. He stated that they can build on the
scholarship that is already in place.
Discussion ensued regarding other
pilot tests based on fixed and variable mileage user fees.
Chairman Carey opined the
uniqueness of this area makes it even more complicated to try to figure out if
they should go to a fixed or a variable rate.
She stated she does not support this kind of concept and she needs to
get a clearer position from the Board because tomorrow the County’s
representatives at MetroPlan are going to be asked to vote on this, according
to what Mr. Hill said, and their job is to represent the Board.
Commissioner Henley stated over the
years MetroPlan has been concerned with declining revenue and the increase in
congestion, so he would like to know if MetroPlan has a recommendation
regarding whether the number one priority is dealing with the congestion or
increasing the revenue. He added he would
also like to know who's going to set the rates.
He opined that whether it is called a tax or simply a decrease or
increase in revenue, it has an impact upon the citizens' pocket book. He discussed his concern with the local
government’s control over the variable rate.
He stated there are a number of questions he would need answered before
he can vote to move in this direction.
Chairman Carey stated she thinks it
would be a better use of MetroPlan’s time to evaluate the studies that have
already been done and plug the additional data that is unique to Central
Florida into it. She stated she is not
in favor of spending time or money on something that is just another
study. She stated she would prefer they
study why the other pilot groups that did the study chose not to move forward
and report back on that.
Commissioner Horan advised that in
order to make a database decision, he would need to know if there is a way of
analyzing what the benefit is to adding to the current knowledge base and
whether or not that benefit exceeds the cost.
He stated right now his sense of this is it would add to the knowledge
base, but whether it's worth a million dollars to spend on just adding to that
knowledge base and whether it can be more efficiently and less expensively done
through analysis of data that already exists are questions he would want to
have answered in order to make a decision based upon a cost/benefit analysis. He stated he is always in favor of
scholarship, as long as it doesn't cost too much, but he is not convinced at
this point that the benefit of spending this million dollars exceeds the cost.
Mr. Hill commented that what he is
proposing is just a test, and the issues that the Board raised would seek to be
resolved in the test. Some of the
information that's currently available will be integrated in the test so that they
get a comprehensive evaluation. Upon
inquiry by Commissioner Constantine, Mr. Hill confirmed that of the million
dollars indicated on Funding, the portion from MetroPlan would be $50,000.
Commissioner Constantine stated at
the last MetroPlan meeting, it was discussed that this would not be prudent
unless the State moved forward with some sort of agreement that this is
something they wanted to do and maybe identify certain areas of the state
because it would be a statewide implementation, as opposed to a local. Mr. Hill stated what he is proposing would be
for the MetroPlan Orlando area.
Commissioner Constantine stated it was the general discussion that Mr.
Barley would contact the State, and MetroPlan would not move forward until they
found out what the State’s intentions were and if they wanted to participate in
the study also. Mr. Hill advised
MetroPlan has had discussions with FDOT and they've expressed their willingness
to partner on this work. He stated the
one option that was discussed at the work shop last month was if the
application is selected, the Board could decide that they would prefer FDOT
take the lead and that MetroPlan Orlando would step back and that FDOT would be
able to use the information that MetroPlan has already put together.
Commissioner Constantine stated it
is clear that the antiquated gas tax revenue to pay for transportation is going
to go away at some point and that the State as well as the Federal government
have been struggling with this. He
stated in talking to Mr. Barley at the last MetroPlan meeting, he thought the
fact that the State had a great deal of interest to do something like this
would be decided before this was brought up.
He added that the State needed someone to do the study, so they didn't
necessarily have to. He thinks there are
a lot of questions that still remain that may be decided or answered at
tomorrow’s MetroPlan meeting. He thinks
another entity might come forward to fund this.
Chairman Carey questioned why, if
they are going to do a million dollar test, they would not test what shows to
be the most favorable, which is the variable.
She stated she feels they are starting the test out at a disadvantage
because they've picked the least attractive option to test. She opined if the State wants to test that,
let the State test that. Upon inquiry by
Chairman Carey, Mr. Hill advised this subject is an item at tomorrow’s
MetroPlan meeting, but he is not scripted to give the presentation as they have
seen it before.
Chairman Carey stated she thinks
there are a lot of questions that are not answered and unless they are answered
at the MetroPlan meeting and their Board members have time to come back and
talk to the rest of the Board about it, she will say no now.
Commissioner Constantine stated he
thinks the best of both worlds would be if the State decided to get involved, picked
Orlando out as the test area because they have these variables, especially with
tourism, and then they pay for it. He
stated he was hoping to get an answer to that tomorrow.
Commissioner Henley mentioned he
has not heard in any of the discussions the locals’ responsibility to continue
the upkeep of infrastructure. He
explained right now the County knows how much they are going to be able to pick
up through the gas tax. He added they
also know that if the Board chooses to do so, they can move the gas tax up to
12 cents to generate the most money. He advised
most of what is coming in right now is going towards LYNX and providing bus
service to the citizens. He expressed
his concern with losing total control of everything to an entity that has
little or no contact with the local government.
He questioned with all the studies out there, what new information will this
test bring. He stated Seminole County
has been contributing heavily to state roads and has been able to do so because
the citizens have been willing to tax themselves; otherwise, the County’s budget
would be in serious trouble. He advised
he is hesitant to want to go into the unknown until they get more answers.
Discussion ensued regarding setting
a fee for the study.
Commissioner Constantine opined
they are putting a lot of carts before the horse. Commissioner Henley stated they might spend
this million dollars and the Legislature doesn't have any interest. He stated he thought that was one of the
things that had been brought up previously.
Chairman Carey opined this is a
role the Transportation Commission could work with the State to take the lead
on to try to solve the problem because their role is to try to address transportation
issues state-wide and how to deal with them.
She stated the challenges in Central Florida are different than other
parts of the state, so it may not be a one-size-fits-all. She reiterated there needs to be more answers
before she is willing to support it. She
stated she has asked Ms. Guillet to make a list of all the questions that have
been asked today so that the Board representatives can ask them at the
MetroPlan meeting tomorrow and get some answers for the Board.
Commissioner Constantine commended
Mr. Hill and MetroPlan for trying to get out in front of an issue and tackle
something that has been an ongoing problem for a long time. He stated because of the tourist situation, Orlando/Central
Florida has been even more negatively impacted than many other areas. He stated he respects that this is a test and
in broad terms, he thinks it’s a good idea, but there are a number of
questions. He advised even though this
is just a test and there is no plan of implementation, if the State does not
recognize in some form or fashion that this is something they are going to take
and potentially use, then he thinks it’s not going to be as effective as they
wish it could be.
Chairman Carey discussed getting a
buy-in from the car rental industries, as they are going to be greatly impacted
by whatever change is made.
Commissioner Horan stated he hopes
it's not lost in this discussion here that no matter who does this study, or
any kind of pilot program or demonstration program, that there be some kind of
data-based analysis concerning whether or not the benefit of the demonstration
or test exceeds the cost, and he does not see that here. He stated he will not consider this a better
idea if MetroPlan doesn't have to pay any money and it's just from the federal
government because it all comes from the people.
Commissioner Horan stated as a
local government, Seminole County has done a good job in explaining to the
public what the needs are in terms of the transportation infrastructure that's
required and what money is required for that.
He stated that because the people of this County have made a decision to
fund the transportation needs through an additional sales tax, etc., the County
has been able to keep up locally with those particular needs.
Chairman Carey stated it sounds
like there is not enough information to support this at the MetroPlan meeting
without having all of the Board’s questions answered and an opportunity to come
back with those answers. She advised what
needs to happen at MetroPlan is that the Central Florida leadership needs to
take a position. If the position is they
want the State or the Transportation Commission to take the lead on this, then
that question is asked of the State and the Transportation Commission. She stated MetroPlan Board members need to be
the ones to give direction on how to move this forward, and she thinks, based
on the discussion today, the Board would like it not to be local without a
statewide effort. She added it is also important
to know how the local governments are going to be impacted from this because they
are all different.
Chairman Carey reiterated that she
would like staff to compile a list of questions that were asked today and get
them to Commissioner Constantine and Commissioner Horan today, as they will be
representing the BCC tomorrow and expressing the Board’s concerns to
MetroPlan. Chairman Carey stated she
believes the consensus of the Board at this time is they
cannot support moving forward with the study until their questions are answered. No
objections were voiced.
COUNTY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
No
report.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA
John
Casselberry, 700 South Lost Lake Lane, addressed the Board to discuss a service
tax that could be a substitute for ad valorem taxes statewide.
Commissioner
Henley left the meeting at this time.
Speaker
Request Form was received and filed.
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Reverend
Samuel Duncan, Sanford, addressed the Board to advise he has tried to contact Chairman
Carey regarding issues on 1st Drive and she has yet to meet with him. He stated about two years ago, Commissioner
Dallari took the time off from his district and came and saw the issues.
Commissioner
Henley reentered the meeting at this time.
Mr.
Duncan discussed the issues on 1st Drive. He expressed his concern with Chairman Carey
not reaching out to his community or representing them.
Chairman
Carey stated staff is looking at the 1st Drive issue. She stated she has offered Mr. Duncan a
meeting with her, but she has not come out to his facility. She stated she has nine black communities in her
district and she is out in them frequently.
She requested staff follow up on the 1st Drive issue.
Brett
Blackadar, County Engineer, addressed the Board to state the 1st Drive sidewalk
was part of the new Sales Tax 10-year sidewalk list.
Commissioner
Constantine left the meeting at this time.
Upon
inquiry by Chairman Carey, Mr. Blackadar advised the first year of the Sales
Tax funding is only a partial-year budget and 1st Drive is not
included. He stated staff will be
prioritizing sidewalk projects in the next few weeks and they will try to
include that for design next year, so after October 1st they can be under
design on that project.
Chairman
Carey noted for the record that the 1st Drive project was placed on
the One-Cent Sales Tax list by the District Commissioner.
Speaker
Request Form was received and filed.
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There being no further business to
come before the Board, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 11:10
a.m., this same date.
ATTEST:______________________Clerk_____________________Chairman
el