Okaloosa County BOCC — September 2, 2014 — July10,2014 bridgeworkshop — reading text

Brooks Bridge Workshop July 10, 2014 A visioning workshop to discuss options for the replacement of Brooks Bridge was called to order at 5:30 p.m. at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. Members present were Charles K. Windes, Jr.; Chairman; Nathan Boyles, Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Dave Parisot; and Don Amunds. Also present were Gary J. Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk’s Office; Ernie Padgett, County Administrator; Greg Stewart, County Attorney; and representatives of the news media. Mr. Windes opened the meeting by providing details of a meeting held May 6 in which Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Ananth Prasad spoke on the replacement of Brooks Bridge, He said this workshop was organized as an effort to provide all stakeholders a forum to interact and provide FDOT with input. Mr. Windes stated FDOT representatives are present tonight to provide information on the Project Development and Environmental Study (PD&E) process. Continuing, he stated three hours have been set aside for this workshop and each individual desiring to speak has been asked to complete a speaker’s card, Mr. Windes recognized elected officials and/or their representatives in the audience. COMMISSIONER'S MINUTE Mr. Parisot welcomed all in attendance and was hopeful there would be a good discussion. He said he does not believe any decisions will be made tonight. Mr. Boyles had no comments. Mr. Amunds thanked everyone for coming, saying he will listen and be attentive. He also acknowledged receipt of a number of emails on this issue. Mr. Harris added his thanks to those coming out tonight. Mr. Windes stated Public Works Director John Hofstad will be the moderator of tonight’s workshop. Mr. Hofstad explained there is a process to go through and no decision will be made tonight on the bridge alignment, saying this workshop will begin the dialogue. He said we will hear July 10, 2014 -l- Minute Book 71, Page 128 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners from our partners with the State, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and we will hear from residents and business owners. Mr. Hofstad pointed out the PD&E process is very lengthy. Continuing, Mr. Hofstad stated previous discussions took place on Brooks Bridge replacement/realignment in 2006. He told the audience they will have an opportunity to participate, stressing citizen involvement is welcome. Mr. Hofstad said he is engaged in this issue, not only because of his position with the county but because he is a resident. He stated at the end of the day, there are going to be people displaced by construction of a bridge, pointing out the area surrounding the bridge has changed (developed) significantly since it was constructed some 48 years ago. Mr. Hofstad’s recommendation was to go through the PD&E process, pointing out the State will return at a future date to detail its proposal. Mr, Hofstad introduced Blair Martin, District Intermodal Development Manager with FDOT. Ms. Martin stated she is stepping in for Jason Peters, Director of Transportation Development, who had car trouble on his way over. She informed the audience that responses for FDOT’s advertisements for a consultant are due on August 18, that a shortlist of responders will be made in September, and selection is set for October. The effective date of the consulting contract will be January 2015. Ms. Martin stated the project is to replace the existing bridge and the department is looking at alternative alignments. Estimated time for replacement of the bridge is four years. She noted funding for this project is only available for the PD&E phase. Mr. Hofstad introduced the next guest speaker, Tom Rice of the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority (Authority) and owner of the Magnolia Grill. Mr. Rice stated he was surprised to be asked to speak because he is the past Chairman of the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority. He said a few months ago when the bridge was hit (March 20, 2013 by crane on a barge) he was asked by Mr. Hofstad to provide the Board with an update on the Authority’s studies. Mr. Rice gave a history of the original bridge built in the narrows in the 1929-31 timeframe. The current Brooks Bridge was built in the 1960s and was state-of-the-art at that time. He also provided information on the first authority, the Fort Walton Beach Bridge Authority, which he said folded its wings in July 10, 2014 -2- Minute Book 71, Page 129 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners the 1990s. Subsequently, the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority was created in 2001 by legislative act. He said Governor Jeb Bush gave the Authority its original instructions and the number one thing was to listen to what everyone has to say. Mr. Rice stated they did listen to the citizens and spent two years looking for money. He said in 2005 the files were handed off to the Northwest Florida Corridor Authority. Mr. Rice reiterated the Authority studied this issue and listened to the people. He pointed out that in the six years of its existence there were no ethics complaints filed. The next guest speaker introduced by Mr. Hofstad was Peter Bos, Mr. Bos said the importance of this bridge cannot’ be understated. He said from the FDOT perspective, Brooks Bridge is important for moving cars. Mr. Bos acknowledged the importance of the roles Governor Scott, FDOT Secretary Prasat, and Senator Gaetz have played in making money available for this phase of the Brooks Bridge Project. He stated a new bridge will expose new destinations. Mr. Bos stated there is no perfect solution. He added there are no federal dollars available for a second bridge and any funds for a second bridge would have to come from state coffers. Mr. Bos felt the decision to be made on Brooks Bridge will be one of the biggest in the last five years. Mr. Hofstad introduced the last guest speaker, Kathy Foster, Vice President of the Okaloosa Island Leaseholders Association (OILA) . Ms. Foster stated she did serve on the Authority and she is pleased FDOT is funding the bridge project. She reported OILA believes the current footprint of the Brooks Bridge will be less intrusive and expressed concerns about turning Santa Rosa Boulevard into a Highway 98 thoroughfare. Ms. Foster also questioned building a large bridge in a flood zone on Okaloosa Island. She said if an alternative bridge to enhance traffic flow is needed, consideration should be given to an Eglin Bypass or a bridge from Racetrack Road. Ms. Foster concluded by saying she looks forward to looking at the options and asked “How much land are we willing to give up to concrete and automobiles?”. Mr. Hofstad reiterated this is a complicated issue which will not be solved tonight or in the next twelve months. He asked for the process to run its course, to accumulate data, obtain input, and obtain information on right-of-way acquisitions. Mr. Hofstad reported that concludes the guest speakers for the evening and turned the workshop back over to the Chairman. July 10, 2014 -3- Minute Book 71, Page 130 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Windes opened the floor for public comments. The following individuals came forward to express their views: Jim Wood Ted Corcoran Rebecca Sherry David Sherry Charlene Greenwald Phil Richter Billie Puckett* Bob Weichman Robert Bomar Joan Bomar Sabine Kelley Kris Pattison Art Pattison Ron Knight Kenneth Lange Matt Barboor Larry Bush Luther Armstrong Toni Jackson Bryan Phillipson Donaid Harwell Rick Johnson Phil Babiak Wendell Beatty Joseph Foster *Ms, Puckett read letters from Trip Tolbert who could not be present. Mr. Scott Royal and Ms. Janet Baggett filled out speakers’ cards but chose not to comment when their names were called. The public commentary portion of the workshop was closed and the Chairman asked the commissioners for final remarks. Mr. Parisot again thanked everyone in attendance. He stated the traffic issues are not just about Okaloosa Island, saying the traffic issue goes beyond our borders. Mr. Parisot stressed there is a capacity problem with Brooks Bridge. He requested whenever bridge construction starts that FDOT place a provision for the work to be done on a 24-7 basis to speed up the operation. Mr. Boyles stated he does not pretend to have the answer but hopes it will be a solution to last for the next fifty years. He wants to be able to look back on this bridge when he is 80 years old and be able to be proud of it. Mr. Boyles said he will abstain from making an early decision and does desire to collect facts and evidence for a project not for today and tomorrow but for fifty years down the road. Mr. Amunds stated in a perfect world, it would cost less and have more improvements. He advised we must plan for the future and assured those in attendance that he has listened closely to what they had to say. Mr. Amunds told the audience the FDOT will have the final decision, not the Board of County July 10, 2014 -4- Minute Book 71, Page 131 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Commissioners. He thanked those who participated and said he hopes they will continue to be involved in the future. Mr. Harris commented this is the start of getting people together and talking about concessions. He repeated Mr. Amunds’ Statement that the Board is not the decision maker but the commissioners are here to echo the citizens’ words. Mr. Harris emphasized to the audience the importance of them taking an active role in talking to Tallahassee about this project. Upon inquiry by Mr. Windes, Mr. Jim DeVries (FDOT) stated there are always additional issues to be considered when a barrier island is involved. He advised they will be doing a more detailed study than the one done by the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority several years ago. Mr. Windes said he agrees with Mr. Boyles that we are looking at a big, long-term picture. He noted that Secretary Presat said the new bridge should last 60 to 80 years. Mr. Windes extended his appreciation for everyone’s comments and said the Board will take heed of them. ADJOURNMENT There being no further comments, the workshop was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. DON W. HOWARD CHARLES K. WINDES, JR., CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) July 10, 2014 -5- Minute Book 71, Page 132 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners