Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization

The public workshop focused on the TRAX study regarding potential underpass projects at five railroad crossings, specifically examining Sistrunk Boulevard and Andrews Avenue. Key discussion topics included project goals such as improving safety, reducing traffic congestion, enhancing accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists, and upgrading drainage infrastructure. Presenters detailed current and projected train volumes, crash data analysis for the studied corridors, and the challenges posed by narrow rights-of-way and complex intersection geometries.

This document outlines the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization's (MPO) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, established in accordance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations. The program's core objectives are to ensure nondiscrimination, create a level playing field for DBEs and small businesses in FTA-assisted contracts, and promote their participation. It details mechanisms for monitoring, enforcement, and fostering small business development. The overall goal for DBE participation in FTA-assisted contracts for Federal Fiscal Years 2024-2026 is set at 6.6%, with a focus on compliance and firm development.

This Strategic Business Plan for the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization serves as a roadmap to guide its continued growth and leadership in the transportation sector. It outlines three strategic focus areas: Mission Achievement, Efficient Decision-making, and Effective Administration. The plan aims to collaboratively plan, prioritize, and fund diverse transportation options, ensuring that projects are well-selected, funded, and delivered to create positive transformation and measurably improve Broward County.

This document recording pertains to the first part of the public meeting for the Hollywood Boulevard Transportation Resiliency Framework Study. Key discussion points included an introduction to the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization), which is federally mandated to prioritize Federal Transportation funds for the metropolitan area, and an explanation of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The presentation highlighted the updating of the MTP, now called Routes to 2050, and explained how this study originated from the 2045 MTP, where resiliency was first identified as a planning factor, leading to the selection of eight vulnerable corridors, three of which are in Hollywood (Johnson Street, Hollywood Boulevard, and A1A). Hollywood Boulevard was ranked highest for vulnerability and received funding for this study. The discussion emphasized the need for a holistic approach within the defined influence area, ensuring solutions do not simply move water to adjacent neighborhoods. Coordination efforts with the City of Hollywood (Stormwater Master Plan team), FDOT (for A1A resiliency projects), and Broward County's resiliency team (regarding groundwater maps and risk assessments) were detailed. The presentation concluded by outlining the study schedule, noting that steps one through three of the resiliency framework (selecting stressors, identifying risk, and establishing impact) were completed, with future steps involving the development and refinement of alternatives.

The Executive Committee meeting included a roll call, a moment of silence and pledge of allegiance (which was decided to be added to the permanent agenda), and approval of minutes and the agenda. Key discussion items involved federal and state legislative updates provided by representatives from Holland & Knight and Tripp Scott regarding appropriations, continuing resolutions, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law implementation by the D.O.T. Specific legislative topics included a framework for an omnibus appropriations bill, potential earmarks, bills banning stock trading for members of Congress, and postal reform. The D.O.T. update covered funding opportunities, including the RAISE Notice, and the forthcoming release of NOFOs for bus and bus facilities, and the INFRA program. Discussions also covered efforts to secure legacy program funding through the Continuing Resolution process despite delays from the Federal Highway Administration, and monitoring state legislation related to transportation, including a bill imposing a 25% cap on public transit funding from the Transportation Trust Fund, a statewide resilience plan for the state highway system, and an expansion of sea level impact projection study requirements to inland flooding areas. Concerns were raised regarding a preemption on wage mandates affecting airport and seaport workers. Action items included the prioritization list for C-SLIP projects to be vetted by FDOT and amendments to the 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The upcoming March meeting was announced as a "Funding Palooza" focusing on budget allocations, project priorities, and TIP amendments.