Subject:
Title
Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement for the creation of the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization d/b/a Forward Pinellas.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the amendment to the Interlocal Agreement for the creation of the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and appointment of four commissioners to the resulting new Forward Pinellas Board that will be seated in January 2025.
• This amendment will update the 2014 interlocal agreement, which established the MPO for Pinellas County.
• MPOs are governed by federal and state law and are required to exist in each urbanized area greater than 50,000 residents, as designated by the census.
• Following each decennial census, each MPO is required to review its membership composition and to reapportion it as necessary, with the agreement of the Governor and the affected local governments within the MPO boundary.
• Since the merger of the MPO and the Pinellas Planning Council (PPC) in 2014, with the PPC as the hosting agency for the MPO, the board membership is the same for both agencies and the combined board is better known as Forward Pinellas.
• The current MPO Board has 13 voting members. The proposed Board expansion will add six seats, totaling 19 members, to better represent St. Petersburg and Clearwater’s populations and to provide local municipalities with more frequent opportunities to serve.
• The local governments, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, and the Florida Department of Transportation District Seven are required signatories on the amended agreement. All signatures and appointments must be accomplished by October 7, 2024, per Florida Statutes. The new board will be seated in January 2025.
• This item has no fiscal impact.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to create and enhance a safe, secure, and healthy community
2.5 Enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.3 Catalyze redevelopment through planning and regulatory programs
4.5 Provide safe and effective transportation systems to support the efficient flow of motorists, commerce, and regional connectivity
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
Summary:
Summary
This amendment will expand the Forward Pinellas Board composition to 19 members from 13. Additional seats account for population growth in unincorporated Pinellas County and the cities of Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tarpon Springs. A shared seat that rotated between six local governments was split into two seats to allow for broader representation of the inland communities on the board. The terms for the rotating seats were extended from two to three years to address the steep learning curve for new board members and allow greater opportunities for leadership roles.
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Background Information:
In 2023, The Forward Pinellas Board held multiple meetings, and considered input from local governments and the public prior to developing its final recommendation for the reapportionment of the board. On September 13, 2023, the Forward Pinellas Board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution approving the membership Reapportionment Plan.
Fiscal Impact:
This item has no fiscal impact.
Staff Member Responsible:
Whit Blanton, Executive Director, Forward Pinellas
Chelsea Favero, Planning Manager, Forward Pinellas
Partners:
FDOT, PSTA, all 24 Pinellas County municipalities
Attachments:
2014 Interlocal Agreement for the Creation of the Pinellas County MPO
Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement
BCC Signature Page
Reapportionment Plan
New Board Composition
Letter from the Governor