File #: ID#24-1186    Version: 1 Name: MPO Reapportionment Agreement
Type: Action Item Status: Public Hearing
File created: 9/12/2024 In control: Planning & Development
On agenda: 10/3/2024 Final action:
Title: Approve amendments to the Interlocal Agreement for Creation of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) revising the composition and membership of the governing board and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Attachments: 1. Clearwater Letter Requesting Approval of Amd MPO Interlocal, 2. MPO Interlocal Agreement Amendment FINAL FOR EXECUTION, 3. Clearwater Signature Page, 4. MPO Reapportionment Plan, 5. Approved Apportionment Plan for Transmittal, 6. Governor Letter on Forward Pinellas Reapportionment 8.2024, 7. Creation of MPO 2014

SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:

Title

Approve amendments to the Interlocal Agreement for Creation of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) revising the composition and membership of the governing board and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.

 

Body

SUMMARY: 

In 2014, the City of Clearwater signed an Interlocal Agreement for Creation of the MPO, which established the Forward Pinellas Board as the regional policy-making body for the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Forward Pinellas serves two roles in support of 25 local governments in Pinellas County, the Pinellas Planning Council (PPC) and Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

 

The voting membership of the Forward Pinellas Board is determined by population distribution and member apportionment must be reviewed after each Decennial Census.  Based on a study of the 2020 Census data, the Forward Pinellas Board approved revisions to the membership of the Board to more closely reflect countywide population growth and redistribution. The Board sent their recommendation to the Governor for approval in September 2023. A letter approving the reapportionment was received from the Governor in August 2024. 

 

The current membership consists of 13 voting members with the City of Clearwater represented by one member, or 7.7% of the total. The amended membership will consist of 19 members of which the city will have two members, or 10.5%. Clearwater members will continue to serve a term of four years. To finalize the reapportionment, the City of Clearwater is requested to sign an amended Interlocal Agreement revising the voting membership of the Forward Pinellas Board. 

 

STRATEGIC PRIORITY:

Amending the voting membership of the Forward Pinellas Board to increase the City of Clearwater representation from one to two members supports Strategic Plan Objectives 1.2, 1.3, 2.4, and 4.4. Increased representation on the Board will give the city the opportunity to provide more comprehensive input on regional efforts in mobility, housing, and public facility needs that may impact the City of Clearwater.