AGENDA BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Page 1 April 16, 2013 1:30 p.m. SARASOTA COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER 1660 RINGLING BOULEVARD THINK TANK, THIRD FLOOR SARASOTA, FLORIDA Carolyn J. Mason, Chair, District 1 Charles D. Hines, Vice Chair, District 5 Joseph A. Barbetta, District 2 Christine Robinson, District 3 Nora Patterson, District 4 Larry Bustle, Chair, District 1 Michael Gallen, First Vice Chair, District 2 Betsy Benac, Second Vice Chair, At Large John R. Chappie, Third Vice Chair, District 3 Robin DiSabatino, District 4 Vanessa Baugh, District 5 Carol Whitmore, At Large PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Patterson JOINT MEETING WITH THE MANATEE COUNTY COMMISSION 1. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - (Three-minute time limit per person, up to 15 minutes.) 2. JOINT DISCUSSION ITEMS A. 2017 World Rowing Championships Bid: Introduction of FISA (International Federation of Rowing Associations) Officials; B. Discussion on potential joint Transit System opportunities; C. Discussion on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Programs; D. Discussion on Public Safety Communications; E. Discussion on University Parkway future needs; F. Update on the Federal RESTORE (Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies) Act of 2012 and potential funding opportunities for the Region. 3. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - (Three-minute time limit per person, up to 30 minutes.) 4. OTHER BUSINESS NOTE: Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, religion, or genetic information. Persons with disabilities who require assistance or alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), or who wish to file a complaint, should contact: Sarasota County Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Civil Rights Coordinator, 1660 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34236, Phone: 941-861-5000, Teletype (TTY): 7-1-1 or 1-800-955-8771. Email: adacoordinator@scgov.net. Persons needing assistance are asked to provide notice as soon as practicable in advance of the event to allow time to accommodate the request.
SARASOTA COUNTY GOVERNMENT Community Services TO: THROUGH: FROM: Sarasota County Commission Randall H. Reid, County Administrator Lee Ann Lowery, Assistant County Administrator Carolyn Brown, Director, Community Services DATE: April 16, 2013 SUBJECT: Item No. 2A: 2017 World Rowing Championship Bid - Introduction of FISA (International Federation of Rowing Associations) Officials BACKGROUND: The Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d Aviron in French (FISA), or the English equivalent International Federation of Rowing Associations, is the governing body of the sport of rowing. It is empowered by its 137-member National Rowing Federations, the National Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee to govern the sport of rowing. As you know Sarasota Aquatic and Nature Center Associates, Inc. (SANCA) and the U.S. Rowing Organization are submitting a bid for the 2017 World Rowing Championship to be held at Sarasota County s Nathan Benderson Park. The preliminary bid has been submitted and accepted by FISA. The next step in the process is an evaluation of the preliminary bid and a site visit by officials from FISA. Findings and recommendations will then be reviewed and incorporated, if deemed necessary, into the final bid, which must be submitted on or before May 31, 2013. FISA officials will be conducting the site visit at Nathan Benderson Park, from Monday, April 15 through Friday, April 19, 2013. Their schedule includes inspection of the proposed venue, Nathan Benderson Park, as well as visits to area accommodations and attractions. In addition, they will be meeting with staff from SANCA, Manatee and Sarasota Counties to review and provide feedback on the preliminary bid as well as the site visit. The joint meeting of Sarasota and Manatee County Commissions provides an opportunity for the FISA officials to meet the elected officials that will be supporting the Sarasota-Bradenton bid. Paul Blackketter of SANCA will introduce the FISA officials to the joint commissions. The FISA officials in attendance are expected to include: Executive Director Matt Smith (USA) Events Director Svetla Otzetova (Bulgaria) Marketing Director Andrew Couper (Great Britain) Events Manager Colleen Orsmond (Republic of South Africa) The FISA officials will also be presented with a joint proclamation from Sarasota and Manatee County Commissions.
SARASOTA COUNTY GOVERNMENT Administration TO: Sarasota County Commission FROM: Randall H. Reid, County Administrator DATE: April 16, 2013 SUBJECT: Item 2B: Discussion on potential Transit System consolidation RECOMMENDED ACTION(S): Discuss potential joint transit system opportunities for service to the two counties residents, and consider authorization, or further study of process, for seeking contract operator. BACKGROUND: The Commissions, at their last joint meeting, requested staff look forward to opportunities for regional cooperation. One area identified for such an opportunity is our two transit systems and their potential consolidation under a private operator or authority.
SARASOTA COUNTY GOVERNMENT Sarasota County Area Transit TO: THROUGH: FROM: DATE: April 16, 2013 Sarasota County Commission Randall H. Reid, County Administrator Glama Carter, SCAT Director Jonathan B. Paul, AICP, Interim Transportation Planning Director SUBJECT: Item 2C: Discussion on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Programs RECOMMENDED MOTION(S) OR ACTION(S): To consider an update on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Programs, to discuss potential BRT corridors to determine if there is a preference or concurrence on either pursuing the locally preferred alternative or an alternative corridor such as U.S. 41 or U.S. 301 and to discuss funding the BRT service. BACKGROUND: In September 2008, Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota held several meetings during which they decided that the existing railroad corridor should be utilized for BRT s path south of downtown. In October 2008, HDR Consultants, on behalf of Sarasota County, began the analysis of four possible routes including the railroad corridor. In October 2009, the City of Sarasota requested the identification of an alternative route south of downtown. However, in April 2010 Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota affirmed the selection of the railroad corridor both north and south of downtown as the locally preferred alternative. In February 2011 and February 2012, Sarasota County completed its last (most recent) submittal of the Project Management Plan and the Alternative Analysis to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), respectively. A joint meeting of Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota was held in April 2012. At that meeting, the City Commission and Board of County Commissioners (BCC) discussed BRT as an economic development project, and as a result, the focus of this project broadened from transit only to Transit Oriented Development (TOD). In June 2012, Mr. Reid, County Administrator, traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with FTA representatives to reaffirm Sarasota County s commitment to the BRT project. During these discussions, September 2013 was targeted as the deadline for Sarasota County to apply to FTA for entry into Project Development. On January 30, 2013, Mr. Reid had Jonathan Paul make a presentation to the BCC on different Bus Rapid Transit Systems and provide an overview of the Sarasota BRT program. Mr. Paul is currently serving as the Interim Transportation Planning Director. Mr. Paul was the principal author of Alachua
County s Award Winning Mobility Plan that integrated Transit Oriented (TOD) and Traditional Neighborhood Development land use policies with a multi-modal transportation system that features an interconnected bicycle and pedestrian network and a system of dedicated transit lanes to accommodate rapid transit service. Further information regarding Mr. Paul s background and experience can be found at www.nueurbanconcepts.com. On February 5, 2013, Mr. Paul made a presentation on BRT to the Sarasota County Commission and the City of Sarasota Commission. Both Commissions recommended that staff focus on the U.S. 41 and U.S. 301 corridors over the rail corridor initially submitted to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The City of Sarasota Commission favored the U.S. 41 corridor if BRT were to move forward. Staff from both Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota were directed to evaluate the existing and future land use patterns along the U.S. 41 and U.S. 301 corridors to determine the potential to support transit. Staff was also directed to meet with community residents to discuss BRT. A public workshop is being held at the end of April with community residents to present the status of BRT. The land uses along both U.S. 41 and U.S. 301 are currently being evaluated. A report back to the BCC will be provided on the results of the land use analysis will be provided June 2013. Federal Rules are currently being revised within FTA as the current transportation bill known as SAFETEA-LU has been replaced with MAP-21. The initial guidance released by the FTA has indicated that there will be increased flexibility with regards to submitting Alternatives Analysis and Project Development Applications. The FTA has also placed a greater emphasis on transit supportive land uses such as TODs and the economic development potential along transit corridors. The changes in regulations will require updates to the application and the supporting documentation that is required as part of the submittal. ANALYSIS: An evaluation of the City of Sarasota s land use policies is currently being conducted for U.S. 41 and U.S. 301. County staff is evaluating the land uses along the unincorporated portion of U.S. 301. The results of this analysis will be presented to the BCC June 2013. Additional time may be required to amend land use and land development regulations if the evaluation results do not indicate current land uses are adequate to support BRT. Of the two corridors, the preliminary analysis indicates that the U.S. 41 corridor currently has a greater number of destinations, a higher density of units existing today and with various land use overlays, the potential for increased densities within commercial land uses along the corridor. If the BCC elects to move forward with pursuing BRT, there are a number of steps necessary in order to move forward such as selection of a preferred corridor if different than the currently locally preferred alternative, commitment to amend land uses if necessary, concurrence on a proposed schedule, authorization to issue a Request for Proposals to identify a BRT consultant, identification of funds for transit operations and the identification of necessary funding to provide for the continuity of the project up to update the Alternatives Analysis and a request to enter Project Development. A decision on if the County wishes to move forward with BRT is needed by this summer to allow Mr. Reid the opportunity to update the FTA on the project status. If the BCC elects to move forward, the target date for submittal of a revised Alternatives Analysis and response to the FTA is March 2014. The target date for submittal of a complete application for Project Development would be September 2014. 2
RECOMMENDATIONS: If the BCC, after evaluating the land use patterns along U.S. 41 and U.S. 301 and citizen comments, were to elect to proceed with the Locally Preferred Alternative (current rail corridor between U.S. 41 and U.S. 301), financial resources need to be allocated to address comments from the Federal Transit Administration, which include a detailed financial analysis, prior to acceptance into the Project Development (PD) under the Federal Small Starts program. This would also require annual operating funding of roughly $1.6 million to provide the required transit frequencies required to receive federal funding from small starts. The required funding of transit frequency is less along corridors that operate within an exclusive ROW or lane for at least 50% of the length of the corridor. Thus, the annual operating cost along the Locally Preferred Alternative is roughly $900,000 less than along one of the alternative corridors such as U.S. 41 or U.S. 301. If the BCC elects to proceed with an alternative corridor, such as U.S. 41 or U.S. 301, to promote economic development and Transit Oriented Development, financial resources need to be allocated to fund a new Alternatives Analysis since the Federal government will not fund this study. It is estimated that ongoing annual operation cost for an alternative corridor that does not have at least 50% of the corridor designated as a fixed Guideway, as in the U.S. 41 or U.S. 301 routes, will be approximately $2.5 million. Attachments: Bus Rapid Transit Presentation 3
Bus Rapid Transit Transportation & Land Use Transit Oriented Development
What is BRT? Frequent Transit Service 10 min or less during peak Competitive with motor vehicle Attract individuals with mobility options Quick, simple, convenient, predictable Alternative to rail / streetcar Development / Redevelopment Tool
What is TOD? Example based upon Peter Calthorpe TOD Model New America Metropolis (1993)
Connecting Destinations
Greenfield vs. Redevelopment
Sarasota BRT History
Sarasota BRT History 2012 January / February 2013 BRT Presentation Staff directed by evaluate land use along US 41 & US 301 corridors Meet with community residents
BRT Corridor Transit (Eugene) $1 $5 Million / mile (video clip to follow)
Next Steps Finalize Alignment If Preferred Alignment Address Federal Comments If New Alignment Restart Alternatives Analysis Determine BRT Type Fixed Route or Corridor Amend Land Use & Concurrency Policies Identify Funding Options Public / Private / Non-Profit Partnerships Inter local Agreements
Time Frame Present land use analysis June 2013 Decision on moving forward with BRT Summer 2013 If moving forward: Update Alternatives Analysis March 2014 Project Development Target September 2014
Small Starts Process
Discussion
SARASOTA COUNTY GOVERNMENT Emergency Services TO: Board of County Commissioners THROUGH: Randall H. Reid, County Administrator FROM: Mike Tobias, Fire Chief, Emergency Services DATE: April 16, 2013 SUBJECT: Item 2D: Discussion on Public Safety Communications BACKGROUND: Public safety radio representatives from Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties continue to meet bi-weekly with a current focus on developing a shared governance model. Using a regional radio governance model that was successfully implemented in Mesa, Arizona, it will lay the foundation for a shared decision-making process and an organizational chart that delineates clear roles and responsibilities for each participating agency. Recently, the representatives formed two subcommittees to focus on mission-critical disciplines to define further the governance model. The administrative subcommittee, led by Darrell Reyka with the Sarasota County School District, will oversee project management, communications, procurement and administrative coordination. The technology subcommittee, led by Willie Miranda with Manatee County, will oversee coordination of operational procedures, frequencies and talk groups. Manatee and Sarasota County representatives continue to administer a collaborative radio consultant request for proposal (RFP). The RFP is in Sarasota County Procurement finalizing advertisement requirements and timeline. To facilitate the process, the counties will use an existing interlocal agreement to collaborate on communications initiatives. The counties have agreed to share the cost of the consultant on a 50/50 basis. Additional initiatives in progress for the representatives are: (1) conducting one-on-one listening meetings with individual participating agencies, (2) developing frequently asked questions and answers to share with each other, (3) collaborating on an interconnected fiber network between Manatee and Sarasota, and (4) involving Sarasota and Manatee County IT departments to assist in network design and implementation.
RELEVANT PRIOR BOARD ACTION: On March 8, 2013, during a joint meeting with Charlotte County Commissioners, the Board requested staff to bring back options on updating the Sarasota County s radio system. This report will have been presented to the Board on April 10, 2013. NEXT STEPS: Advertise radio consultant RFP, select consultant and execute a contract 2 nd Quarter 2013. Partner counties work with the consultant to finalize system specifications and solicit qualified vendors 4 th Quarter 2013. Select vendor and begin implementing the radio system upgrades 2 nd Quarter 2014. RECOMMENDATIONS: Authorize Sarasota County radio representatives to continue collaborating with Manatee and Charlotte Counties on the regional public safety radio system upgrade project. Attachments: Regional Public Safety Radio Presentation Contract No. 98-177 - Four County Mutual Aid Agreement
Regional Public Safety Radio System Update Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte Shared Governance Model Radio Consultant Request for Proposal Additional Project Initiatives
Shared Governance Model Laying the foundation: Shared decision-making based on empowering participating agencies through partnerships, accountability, equity and a sense of ownership Using a regional radio governance model that was successfully implemented in Mesa, Arizona Creating an organizational chart to provide clarity of form, scope, roles and responsibilities Bi-weekly meetings to create a sense that all are heard and included in all conversations
Subcommittees Established subcommittees to focus on mission-critical disciplines Administration Lead: Darrell Reyka, Sarasota County School District Project management, scope, administrative coordination, communications, procurement, etc. Technology Lead: Willie Miranda, Manatee County Radio Manager Coordination of operational procedures, frequencies, talk groups, etc.
Collaborative Radio Consultant Collaborative Radio Consultant RFP Manatee and Sarasota County Request for proposal in Sarasota County Procurement finalizing advertisement requirements and timeline Using mutual aid interlocal agreement that authorizes Sarasota and Manatee Counties to collaborate on communications initiatives Consultant cost sharing to be 50/50%
Additional Project Initiatives Administrative subcommittee conducting 1:1 listening meetings with individual participating agencies to hear concerns and answer questions Developing frequently asked questions and answers to share among participating agencies Collaborating on fiber network interconnections between Manatee and Sarasota Involving Sarasota and Manatee County IT Department staff
Radio System Replacement Steps Moving Forward Advertise radio consultant RFP, select consultant and execute contract (2 nd Quarter 2013) Partner counties work with consultant to finalize system specifications and solicit qualified vendors (4 th Quarter 2013) Select vendor and begin implementing radio system upgrade (2 nd Quarter 2014)
SARASOTA COUNTY GOVERNMENT Public Works TO: Sarasota County Commission THROUGH: Randall H. Reid, County Administrator FROM: James K. Harriott, Jr., P.E., County Engineer DATE: April 16, 2013 SUBJECT: Item 2E: FDOT University Parkway/I-75 Interchange Presentation RECOMMENDED MOTION(S) OR ACTION(S): Presentation by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). BACKGROUND: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has proposed improvements on the I-75 corridor from north of Fruitville Road to north of University Parkway and University Parkway corridor from North Cattlemen Road/Cooper Creek Boulevard to Market Street/Lake Osprey Drive to address existing and projected traffic congestion, safety, evacuation, and regional connectivity. The future improvements for the ultimate I-75 typical section include two special use lanes in the northbound/southbound direction, three general use lanes in each direction, 64-foot wide median and auxiliary lanes in both directions. The ultimate improvements provide an acceptable level of service (LOS) through 2038. As an interim measure, FDOT proposes an additional northbound and southbound lane, a potential noise barrier, an emergency crossover, and a wildlife crossing. Improvements to University Parkway include additional through lanes between the North Cattlemen Road/Cooper Creek Boulevard and Market Street/Lake Osprey Drive intersections. The interim improvements provide an acceptable LOS through 2028. The Florida Department of Transportation has proposed a diverging diamond interchange at the I-75 on/off ramps at University Parkway, as the ultimate interchange design. The interchange improvements will be constructed as part of the interim improvements. The basic concept of the diverging diamond interchange is to switch the eastbound and westbound lanes so that turns on and off the ramps become right-turns, thereby saving signal green time and increasing capacity through the signals at the interchange. REPORT: On February 11, 2013, the Florida Department of Transportation (which included Secretary Hattaway and his staff) met with staff of Sarasota and Manatee Counties to discuss the proposed I-75 interchange improvements at University Parkway and the need to improve the adjacent intersections. These improvements could involve grade separated capacity improvements on local roadways (like North Cattlemen Road/Cooper Creek Blvd.). The justification for these improvements, in FDOT's opinion, is to maintain proper and adequate LOS with the diverging diamond interchange. According to FDOT, the
counties could be asked to locally fund or prioritize at the MPO for these additional improvements. At the meeting, staff requested that FDOT continue to review the diverging diamond interchange, with consideration to the following questions: What improvements are needed at the adjacent intersections under a no-build scenario? What are the LOS deficiencies at the adjacent intersection with the diverging diamond interchange? Would state funding be considered for improvements to the local roadway network? What is driving the need for the improvements on the local roadway network? Is it growth in volume, change in operations due to the project, or a combination? When considering the cost of the possible improvements at the adjacent local intersection, is the diverging diamond interchange solution the most cost effective answer to the interchange operational problems. On March 25, 2013, Sarasota-Manatee MPO heard a presentation from FDOT staff and their consultant (HDR, Inc.) regarding the proposed improvements. The presentation included an overview of the project s limits, timeline and design schedule. Having completed the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study in April 2012, the project is currently in the Preliminary Engineering phase. Preliminary Engineering is anticipated to be completed in April 2016. The acquisition of right-of-way (if required) and construction are unfunded at this time. Attachments: Map
SARASOTA COUNTY GOVERNMENT Community Services TO: THROUGH: FROM: Sarasota County Commission Randall H. Reid, County Administrator Amy H. Meese, Director, Natural Resources Laird S. Wreford, Coastal Resources Manager, Natural Resources DATE: April 16, 2013 SUBJECT: Item 2F: Update on the Federal RESTORE Act of 2012 and potential funding opportunities for the region RECOMMENDED ACTION: To consider an update report on the Federal RESTORE (Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies) Act of 2012 and potential funding opportunities for the Region. REPORT: The RESTORE Act was passed by Congress to provide for the disbursement of civil penalty funds assessed in violation of the Clean Water Act associated with the Deep Horizon Oil Spill of April 2010. The RESTORE Act sets forth a broad spectrum of authorized uses for the funds disbursed under the act relative to ecosystem and economic restoration of the gulf coast region. As gulf coast counties of Florida, both Sarasota and Manatee Counties stand to receive a direct allocation of funds, and are also positioned to apply for additional funds from allocations managed by the state and federal governments. In summary, the RESTORE Act directs 80% of the total fines assessed to four pots of funds: 35% of the funds are evenly split among the 5 Gulf States (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida). The Florida funds are going directly to Florida gulf coast counties the local pot. The disbursement of funds from the local pot will be administered by the County Commission of each gulf coast county; 30% is deposited in a federal fund to be implemented at the federal level in accordance with a comprehensive recovery plan established by the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council the federal pot. The Council is comprised of eleven members six federal representatives and one from each of the five affected Gulf States. Mimi Drew was appointed by Governor Scott as the Florida representative on the Council; 30% is allocated to the five Gulf States for use in accordance with a state plan that will be approved by the federal Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council the state pot. In Florida, the state plan will be developed by the State Consortium, which is comprised of 23 voting members one from each of the gulf coast counties; and 5% is for monitoring, research and education (half of which will be administered by the Centers for Excellence).
Federal pot of funds: To date, the most tangible progress made has been in the federal pot of funds. The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) partnered with the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) and the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP) to compile a list of restoration projects from the region, for submittal to the Gulf Coast Restoration Council for possible funding under the RESTORE Act. Local governmental entities, including Sarasota County and Manatee County, were invited to submit proposed projects for inclusion in this regional plan. A total of 280 projects were submitted to the Estuary Programs from the region. These projects underwent a thorough process of review, categorization and ranking, which culminated with the final approval of a regional plan by the joint Policy Boards on March 8, 2013. State pot of funds: The State Consortium has been meeting nearly monthly since October of 2012 (five general meetings and one Executive Committee meeting in seven months). At the latest meeting on April 5, 2013, the Consortium approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State of Florida. The MOU establishes a review/approval process with timeline for the State Plan that will be developed by the Consortium, and approves the addition of six non-voting advisory members to be appointed by the Governor. Local pot of funds: Once funds are generated for the local pot, they will come directly to the coastal counties along the Gulf of Mexico (including Sarasota and Manatee Counties). These funds will be administered by the respective County Commissions, as to the eligible projects and/or programs that will receive funding. It is unknown at this time when funds may be available for distribution. Attachment: Diagram of Funding Pots
Clean Water Act RESTORE Act 20% to Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund 80% Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund Federal Fund 30% Council State Fund 30% Consortium Local Fund 35% Research, Monitoring 5% Penalties: $1,100 x (4.9 million barrels of oil released) = ~$5.39 billion (negligence) $4,300 x (4.9 million barrels of oil released) = ~$21.07 billon (gross negligence) 4