Summary of Discussion. MESC Transportation Subcommittee Meeting

Transcription

1 Summary of Discussion Friday 2:00-3:30 PM FAU DAVIE CAMPUS Liberal Arts Building 2912 College Avenue, Room 231 MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Rodney P. Rawls, Chair Richard Blattner Shaun Davis, C.P.A. W. Reid Morgan Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Esq. Stacy Ritter, Chair, MESC City of Coral Springs Mayor Rhon Ernest-Jones John Ruffin Eliott Auerhahn, Director, Permit Center, Broward County Roger Del Rio, Director, Transportation Planning Division Broward County Dan Glickman, Citizen Deerfield Beach Maria Gross, Assistant Director (MESC) Priscilla Rogers, Administrative Assistant (MESC) Patricia West, Executive Director, (MESC) A meeting of the Broward County Management & Efficiency Study Committee (MESC) Transportation Subcommittee was held on Friday, at 2:00 p.m. at the FAU Davie Campus, Liberal Arts Building, 2912 College Avenue, Room 231, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Subcommittee Chair Rawls called the meeting to order, asked for the roll call, and declared a quorum was present. Just before proceeding Ms. West explained to the Subcommittee that the meeting was being recorded by the new Digital Recording equipment they had just purchased for better quality and if anyone desired a copy of the discussion they could just request it. 1

2 II. SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR S COMMENTS The Chair advised that the last meeting was very productive. He also reminded the members that the Subcommittee s main focus is to nail down their goals and to begin discussing specific persons who will come in and present, so that they can start formulating their recommendations for the County Commissioners. He added that a Memo was handed out and their goals were indicated in the document. The Chair further discussed that due to the respect for staff and County Employees the Subcommittee was going to concentrate on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and focus on the County aspects. Mayor Ernest- Jones stated, at a previous meeting, that he would take care of this issue and get back with them. (Ms. Patricia West advised that he would be working with Mr. Del Rio). The Chair did advise there were other goals that they discussed, such as the County providing an organizational Chart. III. PRESENTATION BY ROGER DEL RIO, BROWARD COUNTY- TRANSPORTATION PLANNING DIVISION Before the presentation, Mr. Roger Del Rio introduced himself and advised that he was the acting Director for the Transportation Planning Division and he was also the acting director for the MPO. He stated that he was asked to prepare a presentation about how transportation agencies are working together with Broward County. He advised that this is the governmental organization for Broward County; and he stated that as you can see from the powerpoint presentation that he has the Department of Urban Planning and Redevelopment, and the Transportation Planning Division is under that department. Mr. Del Rio explained there are five (5) divisions that make up the core of the groups that perform transportation related activities in Broward County such as Department of Community Services, Port Everglades, Public Works and Transportation (Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division, Highway Construction and Engineering, and Traffic Engineering Division). Mr. Del Rio also informed the Subcommittee that if they would visit the County website at Broward site ( they could download a copy of the information he is presenting. Mr. Del Rio explained the primary functions of the MPO. First, they are responsible developing a planning program for staff called the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). Secondly their department is responsible for developing several plans. One of the plans developed is the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the other plan developed is the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). He further states that they are also working in cooperation with Broward County Transit. They have worked with them to develop another plan which is called a five (5)- Year County Transit Development Plan. Mr. Del Rio 2

3 advised that one of the main goals of the MPO is to Prioritize Projects; he further informed the Subcommittee that Transit basically explains the plans for Broward County Projects. Mr. Del Rio explained further that the projects that are in the Transit Development plan have been funded. They are the short range plan, which is the five (5) Year plan. Mr. Del Rio informed the Subcommittee that there is an element which is in the Long range plan considered The Transit Projects. Mr. Del Rio asks the Subcommittee if there are any questions. Mr. Morgan inquired about the staff for the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Mr. Del Rio explained to Mr. Morgan that they are under a service agreement that was approved back in 1979 and the amendment passed in 1991, which indicates that Broward County has agreed to provide staff for the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Mr. Morgan asked a question about approval for the plans. Mr. Del Rio summarizes the concept by explaining to Mr. Morgan that the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) approves the Long Range Plans not the County Commissioners. Mr. Del Rio advised that Broward County is the agency that operates the Mass Transit System. It is also known as the Family of Services per Mr. Del Rio, which also includes Community Buses, Water Buses and also new services. Ms. Gross asked if the Transit Development plan under the Broward County Transit has elements under the Transit Development as well. Mr. Del Rio responded that the Transit Development Plan and the Transit Efficiency Program are documents that provide the guide for the next five (5) years; basically it is money that is committed to perform improvements in comparison to the Long Range Plan (LRTP) that is a project that has no funding commitments. It is necessary because it provides them with the guide regarding what types of programs they recommend to implement. Mr. Del Rio explains the Long Range Transportation Program (LRTP) is a wish list that has been reduced from a bigger list because the LRTP, as we call it, is financial strength. In other words, he is advising that by the year 2030 that money must have been allocated to be able to bill all those projects. Ms. Gross asked if the Long Range Transportation (LRTP) is considered local, state, and federal funding; Mr. Del Rio advised, That is absolutely correct. The Chair summarized the prior information by advising that The Transportation Plan is a planning agency that has futuristic goals, but the Broward County Transit is a day to day operation. Mr. Del Rio explained further the three departments that make up the Public Works and Transportation Department. One of the departments is the Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division. This Department maintains all of the accounts 3

4 as far as bridges. They are responsible for maintaining, designing, and building bridges. The second department is Highway Construction and Engineering. He mentioned that once a project is approved by the MPO or the County because this is a County project, they are responsible for designing the roadway and making sure the contractors are hired to build the roads. The third department is Traffic Engineering. Their primary responsibility is to maintain and continue to build as Traffic Systems grow. Mr. Del Rio explained the distinctions between local, County, and State Roads. Ms. West asked a question regarding what department is responsible for what area. Mr. Del Rio explained that there is a mutual agreement between the County and State about what areas they are responsible for as far as maintenance. The way it works is that on the State roads DOT, under a contract, wishes to improve a state road; then they will start to build or improve the traffic signals; then it will revert under a maintenance contract to the County, specifically Broward County Traffic Engineering to maintain the traffic signal. Ms. West asked a question regarding Signal Preemption. Mr. Del Rio advised that this is a device that controls every traffic signal on the roadway. He also indicated that they are planning to attach a button there, something like a sensor, so when buses are approaching the traffic light (the light has to be green), they can touch a button that will extend the traffic light. Mr. Glickman gave an additional comment for information purposes in reference to financial delays. He stated that the Broward County Signal System Project is only half way through planning its futuristic accomplishments and the finances have already exceeded up to 100 Million dollars on traffic signal upgrades. The problem is that in order for this project to take affect, it has to be completed. He also stated that he is not entirely sure that this issue is correct but in order to get the Engineering Project completed it is going to take great amounts of finances. Basically, lack of finances is one of the reasons for Traffic Systems delays. Mr. Eliott Auerhahn advised that they have already chosen Oakland Park to work on this project (Signal Preemption), and if the project works properly, the Department will expand it throughout Broward County. Mr. Blattner inquired about the difference between Signal priority and Signal Preemption. Mr. Glickman advised Signal Priority is for emergency vehicles but Signal Preemption (buses) is for non-emergency vehicles. Mr. Del Rio corrected the statement by providing additional information stating he is not sure about all emergency vehicles but he does know that Signal Preemption is for the buses. Mr. Del Rio did advise that this project is a short term project and it is definitely targeting Commercial Blvd, Oakland Park Blvd, and Sunrise Blvd. Mr. Del Rio could not give an exact time when these devices will be implemented. The Chair explained to Mr. Del Rio that they are inquiring because of the Mission Statement 4

5 for the Management & Efficiency Study Committee. Mr. Blattner asked Mr. Del Rio if this improves the system. Mr. Del Rio answered by saying he is not sure. Mr. Del Rio stated that the systems work very well because of the planning and the preparation. Mr. Del Rio advised that the department is looking to improve the roadways and they are looking forward to connecting additional systems into what is already in operation. He mentioned part of their federal mandate is that their plan has to follow financial restraints. He commented that they are not just allowed to start adding devices to the system but they have to work around the money that is available. He explained to the Subcommittee that this is not an over-night process. They have been planning this project for a year as well as participating in public hearings, etc. They have had different opinions on what should be happening and what should not be happening. Mr. Morgan asked Mr. Del Rio about the funding available and is there no vision to change or increase the money. Mr. Del Rio advised that, that statement is false. He advised that the project has to be designed based on the existing funding available. He explained if there is money that is put into the project, they will take that in consideration. Mr. Morgan asked whose job is it to find additional funding for this project. Mr. Blattner explained that the money comes from State, Federal, and gas taxes so whatever is there, that is what is put to use. Mr. Del Rio clarified the significance of this project and the funding information is not that, but getting the devices connected is what is the important issue. He explained that they are aware of what types of transportation they will have up until Mr. Morgan explained that he is fully aware of that principle but as far as what he is attempting to say is that nothing is ever changing, unless someone is changing the money strings. What about the statistics? We have two hundred and seventy five (275) buses serving about a million adults. That simply means that we have about four thousand (4,000) adults to one bus. Mr. Morgan states that what he is saying is that the paradigm has to change in the planning department in order to come up with an idea of the population to be designing appropriately and conveniently for Mr. Del Rio agreed and also advised that the planning is not just coming from the budgeting stand point but from several issues. Mr. Del Rio explained that one thing about Broward County s bus system is that they have gotten a lot of financial assistance in the past. The BCT as well as the MPO have provided a grant that provides funding, and he advised that they also have ten (10) million dollars in funding to implement a device on State Road Seven by Mr. Del Rio also explained the fact that they gave seven (7) million dollars to Broward County Transportation for purchasing buses and an additional four (4) million for improvements for the buses. Mr. Del Rio explained that the problem with the buses is not purchasing the buses but being able to pay for the operation of the bus. Mr. Del Rio and Mr. Blattner concluded that the Federal Budget 5

6 covers hardware but the County funding covers the operation. Basically, Mr. Del Rio advised that they cannot expand the department the way they would like because there is no funding for it. Mr. Eliott Auerhahn stated that this fiscal year for the first time the County Commissioners decided to discuss the use of property taxes, because that was the only way to expand the system. Mr. Auerhahn explained that a small expansion started this year but it was done by using property taxes because that was the only funding available. He also explained that the County Commissioners are willing to do any kind of decent job expanding, but he advised that you have to have other funding sources. Basically to do anything big with the Transit System you have to have another source of funding. The Chair asked Mr. Del Rio what the department can do with what they have to make the project as efficient as possible. Mr. Del Rio stated that the current plan, once they receive approval, is good for the next five (5) years. They have up to five (5) years to accomplish their goals and within the five (5) years that can make adjustments for improvements whether additional funding becomes available or not. Mr. Del Rio did explain that if adjustments have to be made they have to go before the Board and get the approval. Ms. Norris-Weeks inquired about how you rank your priority, is that part of your plan as well. Mr. Del Rio responded by answering yes, also advising that every September they have a list with fifty-three (53) projects. He explained that they prioritize them from greater to lesser. Mr. Blattner stated The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and State Road 411 was one of the projects that was listed. That project was not completed because it would have taken all the money in the budget. Basically the answer is that prioritizing projects is a political decision. They can start working on the projects but it is possible it will take a couple of years to complete the project because of distributing their expenses. Mr. Blattner explained that about six years ago the MPO and the County Commission agreed on a large portion of the years funding to be devoted to Mass Transit recognizing that no other roads could be built, only improved. He advised that this is evidence that there is a policy: that they would put increases financially in Mass Transit and Public Transit verses Road Improvement. Mr. Del Rio explained that the current plan is fifty-seven (57) percent funded and they are limited in how much they can use because there are certain sources that are designated for Transit. They cannot take all the highway tax money and spend it on Transit. Ms. Norris-Weeks asked a question related to the priority issue; who makes the final decision, the MPO or the County Commissioners. Mr. Del Rio explained that 6

7 the MPO makes the final decisions but on the County Projects the County Commissioners make the final decision. Ms. Gross asked if there was any effort being devoted to doing Community Intermodal Centers, the centers that involve housing and mixed use as well on these transit lines. Mr. Eliott Auerhahn replied, Yes. They are planned to be in different locations. The one that is furthest along is the North East NOVA Campus; Miramar is going to place one in its new town centers where their City Hall is located; Coral Spring is going to place one in the Downtown Plaza. There is one in Hollywood and there are three more that have been funded. They are listed in the Transit Plan but their location has not been determined. Mr. Eliott Auerhahn stated that the concept is to have the local city mini buses connect to the Broward County Transit (BCT) buses and have facilities at those locations where people meet. The Chair asked how they can determine where the needs are. Mr. Auerhahn advised that the original set up was done through a grant process. It was a state grant that was available. Since then the County has set up criteria for additional ones that evaluate how many different bus routes and what facilities they have. Mr. Auerhahn explained that the hardest thing to do is convince business or land owners to allow space for City transportation. The Chair asked the Subcommittee if there were any other questions. Ms. West asked Mr. Del Rio to that documentation so she can pass the information on to the members electronically. Mr. Blattner advised that Mayor Ernest-Jones brought forth the issues on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and he thinks that he needs to tell them more about that information because it can be helpful. The Chair asked whether or not their focus should be more toward Community Service, and not the airport and seaport. Mr. Del Rio advised that they are working on developing a joint presentation. Ms. West asked if most of this is still in the planning stage and Mr. Del Rio concurred. Ms. West advised that the sales tax will give them more money. Mr. Blattner explained the whole regional approach; he advises that it is best to have a separate Regional Transit Authority doing what it does which is primarily rail and getting people to the rail. Then he asked about that relationship. Ms. West explained that people do not understand the sales tax issue because they do not have the experience and they are not sitting in the meetings discussing the reason for this procedure. Mr. Del Rio advised that maybe they can develop a presentation that can be taken out to the Communities. 7

8 Mr. Blattner asked how Tri-Rail is working with the transportation system to answer questions that have practical solutions. Mr. Del Rio answered that they are trying to do the best they can to get the people to leave their automobiles at home. Mr. Morgan explained that if you go to Davie Blvd. the South River Bridge comes up; the lights are all tied down at 15 th Street. They are all tied into the bridge; you will never get a green light, so it blocks up the traffic. Signaling should be tied up in the train signaling so that when the train track comes down, it does not cause a major traffic jam right there in the intersection. Mr. Del Rio advised that the reason why they want to do a joint presentation is because they want to show they have been coordinating this project. Ms. West asked about re-designing the roads by building an overpass over the train tracks so that vehicles would not have to stop for the trains. This principle allows traffic to continue in motion and it prevents traffic jams. Mr. Del Rio explained that land use and financial issues with this idea would become a problem. Mr. Del Rio indicated a lot of corrections need to be made on the transportation issue but the money is not there for major corrections. Mr. Blattner explained that when the County decided to encourage cities to have the little mini systems it was not because they thought it was a great idea; it was because they are not unionized. They can operate because the labor rates are lower and it saves them money to take their Broward County Transit (BCT) drivers and put them in a small bus because this is affordable. IV. PRESENTATION BY ELLIOT AUERHAHN, BROWARD COUNTY Land Use / Transportation Connections in Broward County Activities Mr. Auerhahn advised that the presentation document has two sides to it. The first side has to do with when people do applications for land development. When they want to build something; what kind of transportation analysis occurs? The other side of the document is when people make transportation planning decisions. Mr. Auerhahn explained the Land Use Plan Amendment and advised that this may be changing from commercial to residential or high density instead of low density. Mr. Auerhahn explained that this is a very complex process with multiple agencies all the way from the City Government to State Government. He further stated that it takes four groups of individuals (City Council, Broward County 8

9 Planning, County Commission, and The Department Of Community Affairs (DCA) to approve this project. This procedure takes over a year to be completed. The next step in the process is rezoning which he explained in detail. This considers adequacy of existing transportation facilities. This is approved by the City Council. The next level is platting. Mr. Auerhahn advised this can occur before or after rezoning; it depends on the City. A plat amendment is the determination of driveway access points. It requires dedication for and construction of roadway improvements, including turning lanes and bus bays. This is approved by two groups: City Council and County Commission. Mr. Morgan asked how much money are we talking about from the developer. Mr. Auerhahn explained that if someone is building single family houses and they are paying around eight or nine hundred dollars per house into a fund for the five year transit program and their money with the County is divided into nine regions with their money going into the pot for improvements of their regions. The County Commission has a five year program on how to spend this money and this is part developer and part County property. Mr. Morgan asked Mr. Auerhahn what is the difference between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale Impact Fees. Mr. Auerhahn answered that the difference is that impact fees are not allowed to be spent on anything but capital so you cannot take the money and operate buses with it. Mr. Auerhahn explained that the reason the two have not gone into Concurrency is because of two reasons. The first reason is because they are still building roads out there and they did not want developer s money to have to go to transit. Mr. Auerhahn did advise that every city had an option and they can continue operating off the old system. The next level is Site Plan Stage which he explained to the members. The level after that is The County Review prior to the building permit application. This process is approved by the City Council. This procedure is when you are designing the inside of a building. The Chair asked Mr. Auerhahn to give the general steps (process) in the procedure. Mr. Auerhahn explained the process again but this particular time he provided detailed information as far as the time frame involved. The Chair at this time asked for a Motion to extend the meeting. Mr. Blattner made motion, seconded by Mr. Morgan to extend the meeting until four o clock. Ms. Norris-Weeks asked whether or not there is going to be a date when the high speed bus will start on State Rd 411; where are they going to sit, and whether or not there are going to be more lanes for the buses. Mr. Auerhahn explained that there are going to be specific persons who want to build the longer corridor for 9

10 the buses, and they will be advised according to the amount of land that they expect from them. Mr. Auerhahn explained that when you get to the short range plan there is a five year Transportation Improvement Program, Capital Program, and Transit Program. All these things are short range and most of them are looking at existing land use plus maybe things that have already been improved or might be built very soon; so they are looking at a very current picture of land use and future traffic use. That process is done by multiple agencies and, depending on the issue, it can assist Mass Transit or not. V. OLD BUSINESS There was no Old Business to discuss. VI. NEW BUSINESS Ms. West stated that she wanted to finish the Committee meetings by the end of November, because she desires to visit the County Commissioners in December to start giving them some of our recommendations. She also mentioned that we do not have to complete the documents but just in case we needed assistance to ferret through all the discussions we could have that opportunity. Ms. West reminded the members that by the end of the year, we need to start writing the report. VII. MEMBERS CONCERNS The Chair stated that the Subcommittee needed to set aside some time so they can have discussion amongst themselves. The Chair further informed the Subcommittee that it would be more efficient for the people to bring in their own recommendations. The Subcommittee agreed to gather all past meeting information so that they can begin on their report. VIII. SELECTION OF NEXT MEETING DATES & LOCATION There was no future meeting date decided at this time. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:42:47 PM 10