by David Chapman
Staff Writer
The second-round stimulus shuffle might be over.
Facing a strict timeline to ensure their hats were in the funding ring, officials from counties that comprise the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization saw the collective results from Florida Department of Transportation Dist. 2 Planning Manager James Bennett during its December meeting Thursday.
After a vetting process to ensure the projects met American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funding guidelines — they must be on Federal-Aid Highway system, be shovel ready and create or save jobs — the list of just more than 30 projects was paired to around 15, with Bennett speculating that about $7.5 million would be available.
North Florida TPO 2nd Stimulus Prioritized List of Projects
It was then up to the board to determine the final pecking order of the projects, with Bennett suggesting it select up to $10 million worth of projects to ensure all of the allotted funds would go toward Northeast Florida projects, as any money not spent would go back to the State.
The result?
What could have been infighting between the board for slotting instead was calculated, as the two already completely vetted projects from the first round of second helpings — sidewalk improvements at Castillo Drive and intersection improvements at SR-209/SR-312, both in St. Johns county — slotted at the forefront, with officials from Nassau, Clay, Duval, St. Johns counties, in respective order, filling out the list with other projects.
Following the projects carried over from the original list, a total of 15 projects for $10.5 million was selected.
“We’ve been extremely busy the past month (vetting submitted projects) but that went about as well as I could have expected,” said Bennett.
Board members also seemed pleased with the result, with FDOT Dist. 2 Interim Secretary Lora Hollingswoth praising the group for its flexibility during the process.
Now with the board’s approval, the list will be amended into the Transportation Improvement Plan and others to meet the March 1 deadline for stimulus funds.
In other news and notes from Thursday’s monthly North Florida TPO meeting:
• The December meeting also marked the election of the next group of officers for the organization. After his brief stint as chair filling in for former Council member Art Graham, Clay County Commissioner Doug Conkey will get a full term in 2010. Additionally, Council member Stephen Joost was elected vice chair with Nassau County Commissioner Danny Leeper elected treasurer.
• One other change, as Council member Denise Lee will replace Council member Michael Corrigan as chair of the Duval County Transportation Disadvantaged Board. Corrigan stepped down due to time constraints.
• Dick Morales, North Florida TPO board member representing the Jacksonville Port Authority, was recognized for his service to the organization for more than three years. The meeting was the last for Morales, who will be replaced by the Port’s Bud Fowler. “This is much more than I deserve,” said Morales, after receiving the recognition.
• The search for a full-time FDOT Dist. 2 secretary continues, said Hollingsworth, with the interview process now complete. She said an announcement on the position will be made in about a month.
• With discussion on ideas for improving port improvements ongoing, a request by Bennett and FDOT to adjust SU Funds for fiscal year 2009-10 was approved. The adjustment will take rights-of-way funds allocated for 2010-11 and move them to 2009-10, with the 2010-11 funds now able to help fund a potential single port entrance. The discussion on such an entrance, as opposed to multiple entrances, is still being discussed and the funds switch ensures all options are still on the table, said Bennett.
356-2466