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Item T03 T.3 County �� � .�� �y,4 ' �, "tr, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Mayor Michelle Coldiron,District 2 �1 nff `ll Mayor Pro Tem David Rice,District 4 -Me Florida.Keys Craig Cates,District 1 Eddie Martinez,District 3 w � Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5 County Commission Meeting October 203, 2021 Agenda Item Number: T.3 Agenda Item Summary #9323 BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: BOCC District 4 TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Tamara Lamarche (305) 289-6000 10:30 AM AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Discussion of the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee's (FKTCC) Resolution recommending projects for traffic congestion improvements on US 1. ITEM BACKGROUND: A informal workgroup began meeting in July 2018 to discuss County- wide traffic issues on US 1. Traffic congestion issues on US 1 have become critical, and are one of the highest issues of concern among residents in recent surveys for quality of life issues. The workgroup consisted of elected officials from each city and the County, with advisory resource members of planning and transportation staff, and state agencies. It became a fully formalized County appointed Committee in July 2019. The Monroe County Transportation Master Plan (TMP) was in development, as was the 2021 Arterial Transportation and Time Delay Study (ATTDS), which focused on US 1. These are now complete. Traffic congestion issues on US 1 being the prime focus of the FKTCC, the committee came up with 13 recommendations for projects on US 1 that would enhance traffic flow and improve congestion issues,particularly in documented areas. Monroe County is preparing a packet of the above plan and study, recommendation of short-term and long-term projects, for evaluation by FDOT Engineers. These are being presented to the BOCC today. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: The Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee was created by BOCC Resolution 4201-2019, July 17, 2019. BOCC accepted the 2021 Arterial Transportation and Time Delay Study on August 18, 2021 CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: NA STAFF RECOMMENDATION: DOCUMENTATION: Rice Letter for Agenda Resolution FKTTC.TL Packet Pg. 3496 T.3 FKTCC_Reso.01-2021 recommending_projects to BOCC_09.24.21 Reso 4201-2019 Transportation Coord Committee FINANCIAL IMPACT: Effective Date: Expiration Date: Total Dollar Value of Contract: Total Cost to County: Current Year Portion: Budgeted: Source of Funds: CPI: Indirect Costs: Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts: Revenue Producing: If yes, amount: Grant: County Match: Insurance Required: Additional Details: NA REVIEWED BY: David Rice Skipped 10/01/2021 1:58 PM Bob Shillinger Completed 10/05/2021 2:09 PM Liz Yongue Completed 10/05/2021 2:40 PM Board of County Commissioners Pending 10/20/2021 9:00 AM Packet Pg. 3497 L3.a BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IL'ounty of Monroef r`` r Mayor Michelle Coldiron,District 2 The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern David Rice,District 4 � 4 �y , . a� Craig Cates,District 1 Eddie Martinez,District 3 Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5 10/1/2021 N My fellow Commissioners, CL Please accept Resolution 292-2021 from the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee (FKTCC), T' which includes a list of recommended transportation solutions from the FKTCC.This committee,formed in July 2019 by Board of County Commission (BOCC) Resolution 201-2019, has worked diligently for these past two years fulfilling our committee purpose to study and research traffic issues in Monroe County and create formal recommendations for the governing bodies of the five municipalities and unincorporated Monroe.The list o included in this resolution is the result of those efforts. The FKTCC is comprised of six elected officials, one from each municipality and one from the BOCC (each 0 appointed to the FKTCC by their respective governing body). Changes to the voting membership of FKTCC have been minimal. Two cities had to reappoint their members due to elections. Key West was represented by Councilwoman Mary Lou Hoover with regular staff support including Alison Higgins, Sr. Sustainability O Coordinator, and Rod Delostrinos, Director of Key West Transit as primary support. Marathon's appointee is Councilman Dan Zieg with the Growth Management Director or Planning Director as alternate over the two years. Brian Shea, Planning Director is the current alternate.The City of Key Colony originally appointed Kimmeron Lisle,then a Commissioner, as primary re and their Building Official Gerald Roussin as p Y p, g O alternate. When Ms. Lisle left the KCB Commission, they reappointed her based on her expertise. City of Layton's, Mayor/Councilman Bruce Halle with Councilman Mr. Greg Lewis as alternate. The Village originally appointed Commissioner/Mayor Deb Gillis as their representative. Upon terming out in 2020, the Village o appointed principal rep Vice-Mayor Pete Bacheler with Councilman Mark Gregg as alternate.They have their Planning staff as support,which is currently Hank Flores as Acting Planning Director. I, Commissioner David Rice, have served as your BOCC appointee to the FKTCC since its inception. The longevity of our voting membership along with their commitment to the cause of transportation has been invaluable to the quality and efficiency of the committee's discussions and work product. 0 State and regional transportation officials and city and county staff worked with the committee over the two years to help make recommendations and answer questions. While committee discussions have ranged the transportation gambit over the past two years, they have focused primarily on improvements to the US1 2 corridor that will help create a safer and more convenient highway and thus benefit the entire island chain. According to data collected for the 2020 Monroe County Strategic Plan, traffic is one of the top concerns of county residents. Over the two years, topics of discussion have included: Overseas Heritage Trail projects, ILA for the Expansion of the Lower Keys Shuttle, 2019 Travel Time& Delay Study's findings,future plans for the Stock Island transit facility, improvements to the hurricane evacuation test, Upper Keys bus service, Micro- mobility solutions,the Vanpool Program, Islamorada's Freebee, Flixbus, in-road lighting solutions such as Lux Solar, the Key West Ferry and the potential of future water-way transportation solutions, the Monroe County Freight Improvement Plan and more. Packet Pg. 3498 L3.a Two key partners, Miami-Dade Transit and FDOT had staff in regular attendance at the FKTCC meetings over the past two years. As a result, the group spent significant time on discussions concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of the Miami Dade Express bus service and the needed improvements to schedule, stops,ticket purchases in county, and capacity issues that arose 2019-2020 COVID with the half capacity for social spacing. Additional discussions were held on establishing a turnaround in Marathon closer to the 7 Mile Bridge, inclusion in the MD transit overhaul, coordination between MD Express and the Lower Keys bus schedules to reduce wait N time between the two services, and employment issues affecting the number of drivers available. Discussions were held with FDOT on a wide variety of topics including: Relocation of the Plantation Key weigh station, CL upgrading of signals, and a high-level bridge, Snake Creek Bridge, congestion areas, Cow Key Bridge and much T_ more. Recent discussions of the FKTCC have focused on the prioritization of workforce transportation and associated benefit to joining an existing regional transit authority(RTA)or create a new RTA. Funding options for public transit continue to be an ongoing discussing including Federal Transportation Administration grants, Florida Job Growth grants, additional FDOT funding, etc. 0 Presenters to the group have come from government organizations, local staff subject matter experts and vendors/consultants. They and their topics have included: FDOT Community Traffic Safety Team, Micro-mobility, presentation by Slidr, Inc., a bike, scooter, and electric vehicle rental on demand app; FDOT Consultant South Florida Commuter Service presented the VanPool program, a shared vehicle lease program for employers to assist commuting employees; In-road solar powered LED lights for pedestrian and bicycle lanes, crosswalks, etc. by LUX Solar; presentations by two water taxi companies,Water Taxi of Fort Lauderdale, and Pacific Mobility Group, from Bambridge, Washington, (Dec. 2020); presentation by Flixbus, Inc. as a commuter service and tourism. �i In closing, as Chair of the committee I present this resolution from the FKTCC to the BOCC. This resolution provides FKTCC's recommendation to the BOCC for traffic flow improvement projects that could help alleviate congestion and improve the level of service on US1. The Committee requests that the BOCC direct County staff to incorporate these items into the Transportation Master Plan's list for prioritization and, if they rise to the 0 appropriate level in the ranking process, transmittal to FDOT as part of the transportation projects requested by Monroe County for funding and implementation. Thank you, m 0 r � David Rice, Mayor Pro Tern Monroe County Board of County Commissioners Chairman of the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee Packet Pg. 3499 RESOLUTION NO. 01 -2021 A RESOLUTION BY THE FLORIDA KEYS TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION COMMITTEE PROVIDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON TRAFFIC FLOW IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT COULD ALLEVIATE CONGESTION ON U.S. 1. AND ASSIST IN IMPROVING THE LEVEL OF SERVICE ON U.S. 1, WITH RECOMMENDATIONS PROVIDED TO ASSIST THE COUNTY IN IDENTIFYING PROJECTS TO EVALUATE AND FORWARD TO THE FLORIDA 0 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. c WHEREAS, the Florida Keys are a chain of islands that are connected to each other and the 0 mainland by 112 miles of US Highway 1 (U.S. 1), extending from Key Largo to Key West; and t� WHEREAS, traffic characteristics in the Florida Keys are unique and traffic volumes vary significantly during different seasons; and WHEREAS, traffic issues on U.S. 1 affect the health, safety, welfare, economic sustainability and quality of life of the residents and visitors to the Florida Keys; and i WHEREAS, the Florida Keys are dependent on a safe, attractive, resilient, sustainable, and efficient access and travel along U.S. 1 throughout Monroe County; and ca 0 WHEREAS, on July 17, 2019, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution 201-2019, establishing the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee to °' coordinate transportation efforts between the County and its five municipalities; and WHEREAS, the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee (FKTCC) is charged 5 with developing recommendations for potential solutions to the traffic issues that exist throughout the W Florida Keys; and E 0 U WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution 201-2019, the mission and purpose of the FKTCC is to develop and promote a system of public transportation in various modes to support the needs of the residents throughout the County in a coordinated and comprehensive manner; and d WHEREAS,the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee supports FDOT projects that improve traffic flow in congested areas and supports FDOT's focus on merge and deceleration lanes, left turn lanes, and right turn only lane projects at certain locations where these can be of most use; and WHEREAS, coordinated and comprehensive solutions are necessary for the traffic flow, congestion, safety and other transportation issues that affect the Florida Keys; and a E WHEREAS, the FDOT is tasked with providing a safe statewide transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity, and preserves the quality of < our environment and communities, and Packet Pg. 3500 WHEREAS, Monroe County's partnership with FDOT is important to address and solve transportation issues affecting the Florida Keys and recognizing the importance of and support for maintaining a safe, resilient and efficient access and travel along U.S. 1; 0. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MONROE COUNTY FLORIDA U) KEYS TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION COMMITTEE: Section 1. Pursuant to the mission and purpose, as stated in Resolution 201-2019, the FKTCC has evaluated options on traffic flow improvement projects that would alleviate congestion E on U.S. 1. c Section 2. The FKTCC recommendations are being provided to assist the County in identifying transportation projects to evaluate and forward to the Florida Department of 2 Transportation. 0 Section 3. The FKTCC provides recommendations to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners on potential solutions for traffic issues, as listed below, and incorporated herein: 1. Request FDOT consider pedestrian,bicycle,and other multimodal users in all projects and evaluations for impacts and potential improvements. 2. Request FDOT evaluate Upper Keys traffic congestion areas to identify locations appropriate for the inclusion of merge, acceleration and deceleration lanes to improve traffic flow at shopping centers, grocery and prescription drug stores; business ca centers;professional offices (i.e. doctor offices); etc. 0 3. Request FDOT evaluate segments operating at a Level of Service (LOS) D and E, as identified in the 2021 Arterial Travel Time and Delay Study, to develop recommendations for specific projects to improve the level of service and traffic flow, such as merge, acceleration and deceleration lanes, dedicated left turn lanes, etc. 4. Request a study by FDOT, in coordination with the Village of Islamorada,to evaluate a the need for turn-lane improvements at the intersection of High Point Road and U.S. 1. Request the Village of Islamorada consider modifying existing vehicle travel lanes E on High Point Road to include a left-turn only lane and a right-turn only lane for U vehicles exiting High Point Road. Request FDOT conduct a study to develop a center i turn lane at the intersection of High Point Road and U.S. 1. 5. Request the BOCC, in coordination with FDOT, consider developing an overlay zoning district or similar concept(MM96-100 Key Largo)that would require parcels that propose to develop transient uses (hotel/motel/resort properties) or that propose a substantial improvement of existing transient uses, to provide right-turn only lanes for vehicles exiting the parcel onto U.S. 1 where: (1) the median is forested and (2) U.S. 1 is split into separate southbound and northbound two-lane roadways. 6. Request FDOT to evaluate intersections within Key Largo where local roads U_ q Y g � intersect with U.S. 1 and experience high congestion and/or accidents, to develop right-turn pavement marking and signage on local roads. For areas that include left- turns onto U.S. 1 from local roads, include deceleration and acceleration turn lanes with appropriate pavement markings within the median. et Resolution No. 01- 2021 Pa Packet Pg. 3501 7. Request FDOT to conduct a study to improve signage at the intersection of County Road 905 and U.S. 1 (MM106.5). 8. Request a study by FDOT, in coordination with the City of Marathon, to develop a center turn-lane on U.S. 1 from 15th Street to 1 lth Street at the west end of Marathon. 9. Request FDOT to evaluate feasibility a right-turn deceleration lane for northbound CL U.S. 1 and a left-turn only lane from southbound U.S. 1 at the entrance to the new v) park facility planned at Big Pine Key Swimming Hole. Request FDOT consider developing a left-turn only lane southbound along U.S. 1 to be extended to Ships Way. 10. Request the BOCC and FDOT consider the development of Public / Private E Partnership Incentives to improve transportation and improve safety. 0 a. Situation: Shopping Centers that generate enough traffic that they may warrant a traffic light where their roadway intersects with U.S. 1. b. Problem: The traffic signal reduces the capacity of U.S. 1 from approximately 2 1,800 vehicles per lane, per hour to approximately 600 vehicles per lane, per 0 hour. Traffic lights may not always eliminate accidents, but change the configuration of accidents. c. Potential Solution: Allow the shopping center to add square footage, within their existing footprint (possibly by adding a 2nd floor, or rebuilding the shopping center), if they enter into an agreement to remove the existing traffic signal and replace it with a flyover ramp or traffic circle. Note, this proposed solution may require comprehensive plan and land development code amendments to increase nonresidential intensity (maximum floor area ratios) standards or to create or adjust standards to implement the ramps or circles. ca 11. Request FDOT conduct a signal re-timing study to optimize signal timing in Stock 0 N Island. � 12. Request FDOT to conduct a feasibility study to reconfigure the intersection of U.S. 1 and Roosevelt Boulevard. 13. Request FDOT review and provide a status to the"weight station study", evaluate the potential to remove the existing weigh station at MM 86.5 and replace with a"weigh- a in—motion" option. E 0 i cv CD cv REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK d SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE i Resolution No. 01- 2021 Pa Packet Pg. 3502 PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee of Monroe County, Florida, at a special meeting held on the 24th day of September, 2021. N U Chair David Rice, Monroe County YES Vice Chair Kimmeron Lisle, Key Colony Beach YES Mary Lou Hoover, Key West YES U) Dan Zieg, Marathon YES -� Bruce Halle, Layton YES Pete Bacheler, Islamorada YES E 0 FLORIDA KEYS TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE c 0 BY CHAIR DAVID RICE cv ca cv i 0 N i 0 i cv CD cv d i U Resolution No. 01- 2021 Panfd Packet Pg. 3503 L3.c Commissioner Rice RESOLUTION NO. 201 -2019 N A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA ESTABLISHING THE FLORIDA KEYS TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION COMMITTEE; PROVIDING FOR MEMBER COMPOSITION; AND PROVIDING FOR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COMMITTEE. WHEREAS, the Florida Keys portion of Monroe County has the Overseas Highway, c also designated as U.S.1, as the lone roadway upon which all cross county traffic must traverse; and , WHEREAS, traffic issues on U.S. 1 affect the health, safety, welfare, and quality of life of Monroe County residents and visitors throughout the Keys; and y WHEREAS, comprehensive solutions are necessary for the traffic and transportation issues that affect the Keys; and WHEREAS, there currently is no official body to consult and coordinate on traffic issues between the County and the five municipalities within the Keys; and 0 WHEREAS, forming a transportation committee establishes a community body to help facilitate policies to create transportation options throughout the length of U.S. 1 for all forms 0 of transit; and ca c WHEREAS, the Commission desires to improve transportation coordination efforts between the County and its five municipalities by establishing the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee composed of one elected official from the County and each municipality; and WHEREAS, the Commission invites each municipality to join in the mutual endeavor of N solving the Keys' transportation issues by participation in this committee; and N WHEREAS, the Commission and each municipality within the County are committed to increasing safe, attractive, sustainable, comfortable and efficient access and travel along U.S. 1 throughout Monroe County; and WHEREAS, the Commission charges the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee with the task of developing recommendations for solving the traffic issues that exist throughout the Keys including, but not limited to, .recommendations for improving the coordination of public transportation services currently being offered; and Page 1 of 3 Packet Pg. 3504 L3.c WHEREAS, the Commission invites each municipality to assign key staff to assist the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee with its mission; and WHERAS, the Commission finds that an advisory board such as the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee would better serve its purpose if it is permitted to meet via video and/or teleconferencing pursuant to chapter 2017-214, Laws of Florida, and Resolution 299-2017 and therefore authorizes the committee to meet according to the rules promulgated under that authority. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA: 0 Section 1. Creation of the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee. The Board of County Commissioners ("BOCC") hereby creates the , Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee ("FKTCC"). Section 2. Committee Composition. The FKTCC shall be composed of six y members consisting of one elected official from the governing body of each of the five municipalities and the County as chosen by that governing body. Each governing body may designate an alternate member from among its members and may fill a vacancy in its representation on the committee if one occurs. Each year, the FKTCC shall elect a chair and vice chair from its members. A quorum shall exist when a majority of committee members from those jurisdictions that have appointed a representative are present. 0 Section 3. Duties and Responsibilities. The mission and purpose of the FKTCC is to develop and promote a system of public transportation in various modes to support the needs of the residents throughout the County in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. The FKTCC shall perform the following functions: 0 a. Hold public meetings consistent with Chapter 286, Florida 0. Statutes, as often as its members determine appropriate; 2 b. Study and research traffic issues confronting the Florida Keys, both as a whole and locally, within the various communities throughout the Keys; and c. Make recommendations to the BOCC and the governing bodies of each municipality on potential solutions to those traffic issues. y Section 4. Staff Support. The BOCC directs the County Administrator to provide administrative and logistical support for the FKTCC. Such support E shall include providing professional staff to assist the FKTCC with its duties, c, provide administrative support staff as requested by the Committee, coordinate the scheduling of public meetings of the committee, and other tasks requested by the committee. The municipalities are encouraged to provide professional and support staff to assist and supplement the County's efforts. Page 2 of 3 Packet Pg. 3505 L3.c Section 5. Legal Representation. The County Attorney or his designee shall provide legal counsel to the FKTCC with respect to the conduct of its duties. Section 6. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption. The Committee shall be considered formed upon the effective date of this resolution. Section 7. Remote Meetings. The FKTCC is authorized and encouraged to U) utilize "communications media technology", as that term has been defined in F.S. 120.54, Chapter 2017-214, Laws of Florida, and Resolution 299-2017, when the committee deems it appropriate, in conducting its meetings. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 171h day of July, 2019. Mayor Sylvia J. Murphy Yes q,9 Mayor Pro Tem Danny L. Kolhage Yes Commissioner Michelle Coldiron Yes a E Commissioner Heather Carruthers Yes Commissioner David Rice Yes 4 <r At �•+ry~��1 COVN ~ pW9 W ATTEST: KEVIN MADOK,Clerk BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONR CO Y, FLORIDA 0 By: By: Deputy Clerk Tdayo Sylvia J. Murphy c 0 0. 4{y+ Cj +" >: , O t-2 cv W d -- r C-1 UC? c- U <7 t'- J W a MONROE UNTY ATTORNEY APED;T; RM:0� U ,JR. Page 3 of 3 Packet Pg. 3506