The Rewind: September TPO Board meetings

At the TPO Special Board Meeting on September 3^rd, the Board received a status report on the Overview of Regional Support Activities Scope of Work. This scope of work is designed to explore the need for creating a regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), including potential board apportionment, governance arrangements, and mission. The Board members were generally supportive of the scope of work and satisfied to continue evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of a merger. Recognizing that formation of a new MPO will require buy-in from all the key stakeholders and, with its responsibility to efficiently manage public funds in mind, the Hillsborough TPO Board suggested structuring the work into two phases. The first phase would focus on drafting a conceptual board apportionment plan, and the second phase focusing on implementation and standing up a brand new agency.

Advancing the regional conversation even further, the TPO Executive Director, Johnny Wong, then led a discussion topic focusing on how small cities could be represented on a merged MPO. With Hillsborough having only two smaller cities (Plant City and Temple Terrace) compared to the dozens in Pinellas and Pasco counties, several Board members expressed that they would prefer to entertain proposals from our regional counterparts rather than leading the discussion. Board members came to a near consensus, stating that their focus should be on ensuring that Hillsborough County maintains autonomy over its share of the 11 voting seats out of a remaining 23. As the region’s largest and most populous city, concerns arose about Tampa’s role in the merger discussion, with some members reemphasizing that its needs should be a central focus of this exploration.

After months of conversation about the region’s potential to advance rail projects, Bob O’Malley from Right Track Public Affairs, LLC was invited to speak to the Board and provide an overview about passenger rail. A sobering reality was presented, as Mr. O’Malley postulated that Hillsborough County, and possibly the greater Tampa Bay region, is at least 10 years away from starting to advance passenger rail projects. Despite that estimation, the presenter offered a clear roadmap of what needs to be accomplished to get these projects underway. A number of Board members expressed their gratitude for the knowledge that was provided and inquired about ways the board could advocate for making rail a more accessible mode of transportation for the local community. Other questions included the potential timeline of implementation for rail as well as what the financial implications would be for taxpayers.

On September 11^th, the TPO Board meeting began with a moment of silence to commemorate the lives lost as a result of the attacks on 9/11. The meeting then proceeded with feedback from members of the public and committee reports.

The TPO Board accepted the draft of the Access 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan and officially opened the 30-day public comment period. Community members are encouraged to provide feedback prior to the October 16^th Public Hearing.  Comments can be provided by:

• Emailing [email protected]
• Leaving a voicemail at (813) 756-0371
• Leaving a comment on social media including on the TPO’s Facebook Page at Facebook.com/HillsboroughMPO

The Board also approved the 2024 Roll Forward TIP Amendment, which relates to funding for 23 individual projects across the county. Questions arose regarding the HART Transit Oriented Development Grant, specifically about the funding source and project scope. TPO staff clarified that the project is funded through a federal grant and involves a partnership between HART, the City of Tampa, and the Planning Commission, focusing on bus station siting, land use modeling, and public engagement.

The TPO Board also accepted the SIS Cost Feasible Plan Update and Letter of Comment, which was summarized by TPO staff.

Board members also inquired about specific items outlined in the letter, including a revisit of an older plan that would provide regional transit from downtown St Petersburg north to Wesley Chapel using the I-275 corridor. As the I-275 widening project from Hillsborough Avenue to Bearss Avenue moves forward, the project may create new opportunities for both regional transit as well as bus rapid transit from downtown Tampa to USF.  Secretary Gwynn of FDOT District Seven and Director Wong provided summaries of the older regional transit study and clarified that, as interstate conditions have changed dramatically over the past six years, it may be helpful for the TPO Board to establish a position on pursuing rapid transit on that road now that I-275 is being considered for capacity treatments. Following the discussion, the Board passed the motion to accept the Letter of Comment and transmit it to FDOT.

Interested in viewing all the proceedings? Recordings of the TPO Board Meetings can be viewed on our YouTube channel: Transportation Planning Organization – YouTube