by David Chapman
Staff Writer
North Florida Transportation Planning Organization board members voted unanimously to sunset one of the organization’s five committees during its monthly meeting Thursday, following a staff recommendation citing ineffectiveness.
North Florida TPO Planning Director Jeff Sheffield presented the board a brief explanation advocating the sunset of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee — a 22-member committee comprised of citizens and agency representatives who advocate for bicycle and pedestrian facilities and funding as well as facility coordination — with the goal of integrating some of its members and interests into other North Florida TPO avenues.
The idea was first presented to the committee during its recent meeting by Sheffield, with mixed reviews, he said.
“Some of the newer members were disappointed,” he said. “The older ones, the ones that have been there for many years, were disappointed but they understood.”
Michael Cape, a Duval County citizen on the committee, said he was angered when he first read and later reread the notice of intent by the organization to sunset, but presented a case to have it remain for an additional year followed by a North Florida TPO board re-evaluation next April.
“I agree it’s become ineffective lately, but I’m not sure this is the right solution,” said Cape. “If it is disbanded, though, it has no chance of being effective.”
Cape noted the group’s efforts to standardize policies across all of the North Florida TPO counties and its quest to become designated a bicycle friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists would both be lost if disbanded.
Sheffield responded that both of the group’s efforts have been undertaken by individuals outside of the group and pointed out that even if sunset, the efforts of the bicycling and walking community would remain important and could be integrated within North Florida elsewhere. Those efforts could include: integrating sunset citizen committee members into North Florida TPO’s Citizen Advisory Committee to provide a presence on a board that addresses all modes of transportation; or forming a new technical committee that would focus its efforts on bicycle and walking regional policy development, project planning and funding.
The bicycle and walking programs and efforts of the North Florida TPO haven’t diminished, said Marci Larson, TPO public information manager, even with the committee disbanded.
“We’re going to keep on with these efforts,” said Larson. “They’re a very large part of transportation planning.”
Board members agreed and before voting to sunset the committee, issued a 60-day turnaround for strategy implementation for the topics, and the plans will be heard at the June board meeting.
Other news and notes from Thursday’s North Florida TPO meeting:
• David Kaufman, senior director of planning and properties for the Jacksonville Port Authority, gave the board a presentation on the Port’s master plan, as Port functions have an effect on all of the corresponding counties within North Florida TPO. Kaufman noted that with such a plan, the Port is eligible for state grant funding and is able to respond quicker to market fluctuations.
• North Florida TPO Executive Director Denise Bunnewith, during her monthly report, garnered support from the board for SB 1212, currently in legislation, regarding liability language within commuter rail programs. Though if passed, the bill would benefit Central Florida’s SunRail system, Bunnewith said if Northeast Florida were to ever secure commuter rail, the language would need to be in place. The vote of support from board members was unanimous.
• Following her comments in March, Bunnewith told members again to begin transportation project lists for a potential second stimulus package. “When the opportunity comes up, we’ll be ready,” said Bunnewith, noting that additional funds could come from other states that didn’t adhere to project time guidelines. “We’ll be the first ones in line for money.”
• Board member Doug Conkey, Clay County Commissioner, presented a preliminary chart of the composition of a Regional Transportation Authority Task Force. The list was 21 members long and included a commissioner/council member from each North Florida TPO county; one from each authority within the TPO area; one military, railroad, logistics and First Coast Manufacturer’s Association member; and citizen member from each TPO County. TPO Chair and City Council member Art Graham told members to review the chart with their commissions for feedback next month.
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