Okaloosa County BOCC — September 16, 2014 — Chamber - Brooks bridge resolution

Resolution 2014-‘x’ A RESOLUTION OF THE GREATER FORT WALTON BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUPPORTING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BROOKS BRIDGE, AND THE STUDY TO EXAMINE THE NEED FOR A SECOND BRIDGE BETWEEN FORT WALTON BEACH AND OKALOOSA ISLAND. WHEREAS, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors(the Chamber) realizes that the existing Brooks Bridge is nearing the end of its service life and needs to be replaced; and WHEREAS, the Chamber realizes that as part of the Brooks Bridge replacement study, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), will also determine the need and justification for an additional bridge crossing Okaloosa Island; and WHEREAS, the project development and environmental (PD&E) study will explore various alternatives and alignments for the replacement of the current Brooks Bridge; and WHEREAS, the PD&E study will explore the need for an additional bridge, based on environmental, engineering and socioeconomic conditions, safety needs and public input; and WHEREAS, FDOT will work with federal and state partners to explore possible exceptions to federal bridge height and grade requirements for the replacement of the Brooks Bridge in order to provide minimal impact to our community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE GREATER FORT WALTON BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS supports these extremely important FDOT PD&E studies, and we will attempt to build consensus with our citizens and elected officials, on the importance that these two studies have for our community future. SO RESOLVED THIS 26TH DAY OF JUNE 2014 Ronald Grissom, 2014 Chair of the Board Gulf Power Company ATTEST: Ted Corcoran President and CEO