Mpo Meeting Case Study
The MPO meeting began with a roll call and the pledge of allegiance. A majority of the MPO Governance Board were in attendance including, non-voting member FDOT District Six Secretary Gus Pego. Also present was Florida House of Representative Kionne McGhee, FDOT Assistant Secretary Brian Blanchard, Mayor of Miami-Dade Carlos Gimenez, Deputy Mayor of Miami-Dade Russell Benford, Director of MDX Louis Martinez, Mayor of Palmetto Bay Eugene Flinn, Mayor of Cutler Bay Peggy Bell and Mayor of Village of Pinecrest Cindy Lerner.
During the meeting, the MPO Governance Board spent a large portion of its time discussing the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan—a multi-county transit projected aimed at improving transportation throughout Miami-Dade …show more content…
County through the construction of six major corridors. Commissioner Dennis Moss recognized MPO vice chairman Commissioner Francis Suarez for the development of the plan and stated he supported the plan 100%. Commissioner Moss also thanked leaders and mayors in the audience for their involvement and commitment to seeing the plan through.
Before the board voted for the adoption of this plan, several discussions took place.
FDOT Assistant Secretary Brian Blanchard took to the podium to say a few words before departing to catch a flight. Mayor Gimenez then presented to the board his stance on the plan and vowed to support it.
Following Mayor Gimenez presentation, Florida House of Representative Kionne McGhee commended the board for their diligence in seeing the plan through and introduced to the podium Palmetto Bay’s mayor, Eugene Flinn, Cutler Bay’s mayor, Peggy Bell and Village of Pinecrest’s mayor, Cindy Lerner. Mayor Flinn, Bell and Lerner all addressed the board and expressed their interest in assisting the board in its fight to make the plan become a reality. The mayors’ support of the plan stem from the beneficial impact the corridors will have on their residents.
Despite these positive statements, MPO board member Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr. argued that although the plan is a great one, he is skeptical of its ability to come to fruition. He stated the citizens of Dade County have agreed, in the past, to allow funding for specific projects presented to them by government leaders only to see nothing occur. Commissioner Bovo also stated that the state’s inability to follow through with plans previously presented to South Florida residents have created a lack of trust, and that the community needs to be told specifically how the board envisions the funding and construct process of the six future corridors to
occur.
Commissioner Rebeca Sosa echoed Commissioner Bovo concern. However, she was more inclined to adopt the plan. Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan argued that the plan was possible and that funding for the plan could come from several sources (i.e. the state, private funding and taxes). Commissioner Jordan also stated that the north corridor of the plan should be constructed first. Commissioner Roberto Martell stated funding for the plan would be difficult and would not be ease to obtain as Commissioner Jordan stated. Commissioner Maurice Ferre stated several great ideas been presented and adopted over the years, yet now have come to fruition. Following Commissioner Ferre’s comment MPO Chair Jean Monestime stated his stance on the topic and called for the adoption of the SMART Plan. The plan was adopted unanimously.
The board then presented FDOT District Six Secretary Gus Pego with a plaque acknowledge his retirement. The meeting reconvened and other items where adopted in a quicker fashion.
A particular item of possible interest for ISC was the adoption of the amendment to FY 2016 – Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Add Turn Lane Project on Hialeah Gardens Boulevard from South of west 84 Street to Northwest 38 Street. Project number 439088-1.
During the meeting, the MPO Governance Board spent a large portion of its time discussing the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan—a multi-county transit projected aimed at improving transportation throughout Miami-Dade …show more content…
County through the construction of six major corridors. Commissioner Dennis Moss recognized MPO vice chairman Commissioner Francis Suarez for the development of the plan and stated he supported the plan 100%. Commissioner Moss also thanked leaders and mayors in the audience for their involvement and commitment to seeing the plan through.
Before the board voted for the adoption of this plan, several discussions took place.
FDOT Assistant Secretary Brian Blanchard took to the podium to say a few words before departing to catch a flight. Mayor Gimenez then presented to the board his stance on the plan and vowed to support it.
Following Mayor Gimenez presentation, Florida House of Representative Kionne McGhee commended the board for their diligence in seeing the plan through and introduced to the podium Palmetto Bay’s mayor, Eugene Flinn, Cutler Bay’s mayor, Peggy Bell and Village of Pinecrest’s mayor, Cindy Lerner. Mayor Flinn, Bell and Lerner all addressed the board and expressed their interest in assisting the board in its fight to make the plan become a reality. The mayors’ support of the plan stem from the beneficial impact the corridors will have on their residents.
Despite these positive statements, MPO board member Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr. argued that although the plan is a great one, he is skeptical of its ability to come to fruition. He stated the citizens of Dade County have agreed, in the past, to allow funding for specific projects presented to them by government leaders only to see nothing occur. Commissioner Bovo also stated that the state’s inability to follow through with plans previously presented to South Florida residents have created a lack of trust, and that the community needs to be told specifically how the board envisions the funding and construct process of the six future corridors to
occur.
Commissioner Rebeca Sosa echoed Commissioner Bovo concern. However, she was more inclined to adopt the plan. Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan argued that the plan was possible and that funding for the plan could come from several sources (i.e. the state, private funding and taxes). Commissioner Jordan also stated that the north corridor of the plan should be constructed first. Commissioner Roberto Martell stated funding for the plan would be difficult and would not be ease to obtain as Commissioner Jordan stated. Commissioner Maurice Ferre stated several great ideas been presented and adopted over the years, yet now have come to fruition. Following Commissioner Ferre’s comment MPO Chair Jean Monestime stated his stance on the topic and called for the adoption of the SMART Plan. The plan was adopted unanimously.
The board then presented FDOT District Six Secretary Gus Pego with a plaque acknowledge his retirement. The meeting reconvened and other items where adopted in a quicker fashion.
A particular item of possible interest for ISC was the adoption of the amendment to FY 2016 – Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Add Turn Lane Project on Hialeah Gardens Boulevard from South of west 84 Street to Northwest 38 Street. Project number 439088-1.