> DEREK DOUGHTY: WELCOME to the June10th, 2013 HILLSBOROUGHCOUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

1

CAPTIONING

JUNE 10, 2013

PLANNING COMMISSION

***This is not an official, verbatim transcript of the ***following meeting. It should be used for informational ***purposes only. This document has not been edited; ***therefore, there may be additions, deletions, or words ***that did not translate.

> DEREK DOUGHTY: WELCOME TO THE JUNE10th, 2013 HILLSBOROUGHCOUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION.

YOUR COMMENTS AND YOUR PARTICIPATION IS ENCOURAGED.

IF YOU WILL PLEASE SIGN THE REGISTER AT THE REAR OF THE ROOM.

WHEN ADDRESSING THE COMMISSION, PLEASE BEGIN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND SPEAK DIRECTLY INTO THE MICROPHONE.

THE AGENDA ITEM WILL BE INTRODUCED, AND STAFF WILL GIVE A PRESENTATION WITH A 15 MINUTE TIME LIMIT.

THE APPLICANT WILL GIVE THEIR PRESENTATION WITH A 15 MINUTE TIME LIMIT.

OPPONENTS AND PROPONENTS WILL BE HEARD FOR THREE MINUTES EACH AND THE APPLICANT WILL HAVE THREE MINUTE REBUTTAL COMMITTEE.

WITH THAT, I WILL ASK COMMISSIONER THROWER TO LEAD US IN THE PRAYER AND THE PLEDGE.

ALL RISE.

> MITCH THROWER: HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH PRAISE FOR YOUR MIGHTY POWER AND GUIDANCE.

WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY, AND THANK YOU FOR THE BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES, FOR OUR GREAT COUNTRY AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN FREEDOM.

WE ASK YOUR BLESSINGS ON OUR LEADERS AND WE ASK TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES, THAT OUR DECISIONS WILL BE IN THE BEST INTEREST [NO AUDIO]

> DEREK DOUGHTY: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER THROWER.

CAN WE HAVE ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

[ROLL CALL]

> CLERK: THANK YOU.

WE HAVE A QUORUM.

> DEREK DOUGHTY: AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE A NEW PLANNING COMMISSIONER, MS.STEPHANIE AGLIANO.

SHE WILL SERVE OUT THE TIME OF JILL BUFORD.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING?

> WELL, SINCE YOU ASKED, ACTUALLY, I WORKED WITH TAMPA ELECTRIC OVER 26 YEARS.

I WORKED WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

I LAUNCHED MY OWN UTILITY CONSULTING BUSINESS AND JUST REALLY PRIVILEGED TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF TAMPA, A NATIVE OF TAMPA.

> DEREK DOUGHTY: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AGLIANO.

WITH THAT, WE WILL HAVE THE CLERK ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE COMMISSIONER.

> CLERK: REPEAT AFTER ME, I, YOUR NAME

> DEREK DOUGHTY: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING, MAY13th, 2013 AND PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE CITY PLAN AMENDMENTS AND THE TAMPA PLAN AMENDMENTS.

> I MOVE APPROVAL.

> DEREK DOUGHTY: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CURY AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WILDS.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR AYE.

THOSE OPPOSED, NAY.

WITH THAT, IT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO, PUBLIC COMMENT.

AT THIS TIME, IF THERE'S ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC THAT WISHES TO PROVIDE COMMENTON THE ITEMS NOT IN OUR AGENDA, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.

> HELLO, MY NAME IS JUSTIN FLEMING, I RESIDE IN RIVERVIEW.

I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF CONCRETE PAVEMENT.

CONCRETE IS A RIGID PAVEMENT.

IT IS MADE FROM LOCAL MATERIALS PRODUCED HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND THUS SUPPORTS LOCAL JOBS.

IT IS NOT OIL BASED.

THERE ARE NO OIL REFINERIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

IT IS VERY DURABLE AND LASTS ON AVERAGE THREE TO FIVE TIMES LONGER THAN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS WITH LESS MAINTENANCE.

THIS GIVES CONCRETE A LOWER LIFE CYCLE COST AND A GREATER RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR TAXPAYERS.

INTRODUCING CONCRETE INTO THE BID PROCESS TO COMPETE AGAINST OTHER PAVEMENTS LOWERS THE COST.

CONCRETE IS SAFER BECAUSE IT REQUIRES LESS MAINTENANCE.

MAINTENANCE REQUIRES WORK ZONES AND INTERRUPTS TRAFFIC AND INCREASES THE RISK OF ACCIDENTS.

38% OF HIGHWAY CONTRACTORS HAD VEHICLES CRASH IN THEIR WORK ZONES LAST YEAR.

CONCRETE IS ALSO MORE REFLECTIVE WHICH IMPROVES VISUAL ACUITY AND REDUCES LIGHTING, ANOTHER COST SAVINGS.

ITS RIGID SERVICE WILL NOT RUT, THUS REDUCING HYDROPLANING AND IT HAS A GREATER SKID RESISTANCE, THUS SHORTENING THE STOPPING DISTANCE.

CONCRETE HAS INHERENT ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS.

DUE TO THE LIGHT COLOR AND REFLECTIVITY, CONCRETE HAS A LOWER HEAT ABSORPTION AND LOWER TEMPERATURE, THUS HELPING TO COMBAT URBAN HEAT ISLANDS.

SINCE IT IS A RIGID PAVEMENT, CONCRETE IMPROVES FUEL MILEAGE BY 3%, THAN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS ACCORDING TO A STUDY DONE BY M.I.T.

THIS REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF CARBON DIOXIDE RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.

I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER A COMPETITIVE TWO PAVEMENT SYSTEM.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

> DEREK DOUGHTY: THANK YOU, MR.FLEMING.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE COMMENTS NOT ON THE AGENDA.

SEEING NONE, WE WILL MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3.

WE HAVE ELECTION OF MEMBER AT LARGE.

Y'ALL SHOULD HAVE ALL OF YOU COMMISSIONERS SHOULD HAVE A BALLOT IN FRONT OF YOUR DESK WITH THE THREE COMMISSIONERS WHO EXPRESSED INTEREST IN BECOMING OUR MEMBERATLARGE.

AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS FROM THE FLOOR.

SEEING NONE, I WOULD ASK THAT YOU I CAN TURN IT OVER TO OUR ATTORNEY MR.ROBIN.

> TRACY ROBIN: I WAS GOING TO LET YOU FINISH YOUR SENTENCE.

IF EVERYONE WOULD CAST YOUR BALLOT AND BE SURE TO PUT YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOTS.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL READ THE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, THE BALLOTS AND THE VOTES.

I HAVE COMMISSIONER WILDS FOR COMMISSIONER YOUNG.

BOWEN ARNOLD VOTING FOR BOWEN ARNOLD.

COMMISSIONER THROWER VOTING FOR BOWEN ARNOLD.

COMMISSIONER DOUGHTY VOTING FOR BOWEN ARNOLD.

COMMISSIONER CURY VOTING FOR BRIAN HOLLANDS.

WE HAVE COMMISSIONER AGLIANO VOTING FOR COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.

BRIAN HOLLANDS IN FAVOR OF BRIAN HOLLANDS AND COMMISSIONER PIKE IN FAVOR OF COMMISSIONER YOUNG.

I HAVE FOUR VOTES FOR COMMISSIONER ARNOLD, TWO FOR COMMISSIONER YOUNG AND TWO FOR COMMISSIONER HOLLANDS.

COMMISSIONER ARNOLD IS THE MEMBER AT LARGE.

> DEREK DOUGHTY: THANK YOU, MR.ROBINS.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL LEAVE IT UP TO OUR NEW MEMBERATLARGE'S DESIREAS TO WHETHER OR NOT HE WANTS TO TAKE THE SEAT AT THIS MEETING OR FOLLOWING MEETING.

OKAY.

FINE.

WE WILL STAY IN OUR SEATS.

CONGRATULATIONS.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 4, CONSISTENCYFINDINGFORTAMPAPORT AUTHORITY PERMIT 10016 FOR THE TAMPA YACHT AND COUNTRY CLUB.

MR.COLLEGE.

SHAWNCOLLEGE: GOOD AFTERNOON.

THIS ITEM IS A CONSISTENCYDETERMINATIONFORTAMPAPORT AUTHORITY PERMIT 10016, THE TAMPA YACHT AND COUNTRY CLUB.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ITEM IS TO DETERMINE, AGAIN, THE CONSISTENCY WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AS THIS PROPOSED PROJECT IS WITHIN THE CITY OF TAMPA JURISDICTION AND THIS IS PURSUANT TO LAWS.

THE PERMIT PROCESS, THERE'S A REQUIREMENT IN THE AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION OF THE PORT THAT ALL OF THESE PERMITS BE CONSISTENT WITH THE LOCAL JURISDICTION COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE PORT HAS TRANSMITTED THIS PERMIT TO US AND REQUESTED WE DO THIS CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION.

EXISTING CONDITIONS AT THE TAMPA YACHT AND COUNTRY CLUB PROJECT, THIS IS AN EXISTING PRIVATE MARINA.

IT'S SOMEWHAT OF DISREPAIR.

IT'S BEEN IN ITS CURRENTSTATE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THE DESIGN IS SOMEWHAT ANTIQUATED FOR THE CURRENT DEMAND OF THE BOATING INDUSTRY AND THERE'S A NEED FOR REDEVELOPMENT AND POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF THIS FACILITY TO ACCOMMODATE MORE USERS.

THIS SLIDE I'M SHOWING YOU NOW IS THE PROJECT LOCATION.

YOU CAN SEE THIS IS IN THE SOUTHTAMPAPENINSULA ON THE EASTERN SIDE.

AND WE'LL ZOOM INTO THE NEXT SLIDE.

AND THIS IS THE PROJECT ENVELOPE AROUND THE TAMPA YACHT AND COUNTRY CLUB AND MARINA, WHERE THE REDEVELOPMENT WOULD TAKE PLACE.

THE PROPOSED PROJECT, THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS OR PHASES FOR THIS PROJECT.

OPTION ONE WOULD BE A REDEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CURRENT ENVELOPE OF THE MARINA.

AND OPTION TWO WOULD BE AN EXPANSION TO THE EAST SIDE CURRENTLY OUTSIDE OF THE CURRENT ENVELOPE OF MARINA OF THE MARINA FACILITIES WHICH REPRESENT THE EXPANSION.

THERE WOULD BE NEW SEA WALL, NEW RIP RAP, EXPANDED DOCKS AND SLIPS AND SOME DREDGING WOULD BE NEEDED.

NEW FLUSHING CULVERTS WOULD BE NEEDED TO MAKE SURE IT CIRCULATES.

AND NEW SEWAGE PUMP OUT AND FUELING DISPENSERS WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONSISTENCY WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, ONE IN PARTICULAR THIS IS AN EXISTING FACILITY.

THERE ARE POLICIES IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHICH TARGET EXISTING MARINAS FOR EXPANSIONS, RATHER THAN NEW MARINAS IN UNDEVELOPED AREAS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS.

THERE'S A NEED FOR REDEVELOPMENT AT THIS LOCATION.

THERE ARE VERY MINIMAL WETLANDS OR SEA GRASSES.

IT'S BASICALLY AN URBANIZED AREA ALREADY DEVELOPED AS A MARINA.

WATER QUALITY WOULD BE MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT AND THERE'S A HEAVY DEMAND FOR RECREATIONAL BOATING FACILITIES IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA THAT CONTINUES.

WITH THESE CONSIDERATIONS, STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU ISSUE A RESOLUTION IN YOUR PACKET CITING CONSISTENCY WITH THE TAMPAPORT AUTHORITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

> DEREK DOUGHTY: IS THE APPLICANT HERE?

SHAWNCOLLEGE: YES, THEY ARE HERE, AND THEY WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS IF NEEDED.

> DEREK DOUGHTY: THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER HOLLANDS.

> BRIAN HOLLANDS: I WILL GO AHEAD NOW.

I DON'T HAVE A MOTION EITHER WAY.

ONE QUESTION INITIALLY FROM YOUR PRESENTATION AND THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE PACKET AND I JUST MISSED IT, BUT THE EXISTING BREAKWATER, IS A NEW BREAKWATER FURTHER OUT INTO THE BAY GOING TO NEED TO BE CONSTRUCTED OR IS THAT GOING TO SERVE AS WHAT IT SERVES AS TODAY.

SHAWNCOLLEGE: MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE EXISTING BREAKWATER WILL REMAIN AND THERE'S NOT A NEED FOR AN ADDITIONAL BREAKWATER.

> BRIAN HOLLANDS: I'M A BIG PROPONENT OF EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF SLIPS IN THE BAY AREA.

I THINK THEY ARE AT A PREMIUM.

BUT THE CONCERN OF WHAT I HAD AND WHAT I SAW WAS THAT THE EXISTING MARINA IS ACCOMMODATING THE THE SLIPS ACCOMMODATE VESSELS OF 20 TO 60FEET AND THE NEW REVISIONS TO THE MARINA WOULD BE 30 TO 70FEET.

WHAT'S HAPPENING FOR PEOPLE WITH VESSELS BETWEEN 20 AND 30FEET?

ARE WE ELIMINATING THE ABILITY FOR THOSE PEOPLE TO HAVE SLIPS?

SHAWNCOLLEGE: LET ME ASK THE CONSULTANT TO COME UP AND ADDRESS THAT.

> HELLO, JOSH MAXWELL FROM TRAIL HALL AND ASSOCIATES.

WE WENT FROM 20 TO 20 TO 70FEET INSTEAD OF INCLUDING THE 20, MAINLY FOR THE FACT THAT WE CONSIDER 20FOOT BOAT IN A 30FOOT SLIP BUT NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND, AND THERE'S A STEADY DEMAND.

BAY BOAT USED TO BE 18FEET AND NOW THEY ARE COMMONLY IN THE 24FOOTRANGE.

IT'S JUST TO ACCOMMODATE A WIDER VARIETY OF THE SMALLER CRAFTS.

> BRIAN HOLLANDS: AS I'M UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, IF SOMEBODY HAS A 22 OR 28FOOT VESSEL, THEY WOULD STILL BE AFFORDED TO HAVE A SLIP?

> YES, SIR.

> BRIAN HOLLANDS: THANK YOU.

THAT'S ALL I NEEDED.

> DEREK DOUGHTY: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER CURY.

> BRUCE CURY: MR.COLLEGE, I SEE FROM THE PERMIT APPLICATION CHECK LIST THAT QUESTION NUMBER 18 ASKS, DOES THE PROJECT HAVE FACILITIES DESIGNED TO CONTAIN LANDSIDE AND MARINE FUEL SPILLS?

IT'S ANSWERED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

SHAWNCOLLEGE: CORRECT.

> BRUCE CURY: WHAT HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO CONTAIN THESE FUEL SPILLS?

> SHAWN COLLEGE: MY UNDERSTANDING, THERE'S A STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR IN CASE OF SPILL, THERE'S SOME MATERIALS ON HAND TO CONTAIN THAT.

> BRUCE CURY: ASK THE CONSULTANT.

SHAWNCOLLEGE: I WILL ASK THE CONSULTANT TO GO FURTHER INTO THAT DETAIL.

> WITH ALL OF OUR MARINAS WE TRY TO GO FOR A CLEAN MARINA WHICH REQUIRES US TO HAVE THE FUEL BOOMS, ABSORBENT PADS AND ALL THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT AT THE SITE IN THE EVENT OF A SPILL.

IT HAS GUIDELINES ON WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A SPILL.

ALL THE STAFF HAS TO BE TRAINED IN PROPER FUEL PROCEDURES AND ALSO IT HAS ALL THE INFORMATION OF WHO TO CONTACT IN THE EVENT OF A MAJOR SPILL.

> BRUCE CURY: THIS IS INCORPORATED IN YOUR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT?

> YES, IT'S INCORPORATED INTO THE EXISTING MARINE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND THE NEW ONE THAT'S BEING REVISED FOR THE CLEAN MARINA PROGRAM.

> BRUCE CURY: THE FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR CLEANUP, IN REGARD TO SPILLS, THIS IS ONLY DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE, AND

> THIS IS DURING THE ENTIRE OPERATION OF THE FACILITY.

THIS HAS TO BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

THIS HE HAVE TO HAVE THE EQUIPMENT ON SITE, IN THE EVENT OF A SMALL SPILL OCCURS WHEN YOU ARE FILLING YOUR BOAT UP OVER THE SIDE OF THE DOCK, YOU DRIP A FEW DROPS OUT, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO CONTAIN IT AND CLEAN IT UP.

> BRUCE CURY: THANK YOU.

> DEREK DOUGHTY: ARE THERE OTHER QUESTIONS FROM COMMISSIONERS?

IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS MOMENT?

SEEING NONE, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

> BRIAN HOLLANDS: I WILL MOVE FOR A FINDING OF CONSISTENCYFORTAMPAPORT AUTHORITY PERMIT NUMBER 10016.

> DEREK DOUGHTY: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HOLLANDS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONERYOUNGFORCONSISTENCYFINDINGFORPORT AUTHORITY PERMIT 10016.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?

SEEING NONE, ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

THOSE OPPOSED.

THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

WE WILL MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5, THE FLORIDA LOCAL REGIONAL BROADBAND PLANNING PROJECT AREAWIDE.

MS. YEH.

> ALLISON YEH: ALLISON YEH WITH YOUR PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF.

I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE LOCAL/REGIONAL BROADBAND PLANNING PROJECT.

ONE IS THAT A RECENT PUGH STUDY FOUND THAT 88% OF ALL U.S. ADULTS USE A CELL PHONE.

46% USE A SMARTPHONE.

OUR 2011 CONSULTANT STUDY ON THE ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STRESSED THE NEED FOR BROADBAND PLANNING AS A WAY OF MAINTAINING ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE ASK MR.SMITH TO COME AND SPEAK TO YOU TODAY.

THANK YOU.

> THANK YOU, ALLISON, MR. CHAIRMAN, COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS BRADY SMITH WITH THE TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR THE MOST OF THE LAST YORE FOR A LOCAL/REGIONAL BROADBAND PLANNING PROJECT WORKING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES, WORKING WITH GRAND SERVICES FROM THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, NTIA, WE FEEL THAT IN WORKING TOGETHER WITH OTHER REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCILS ACROSS STATE, AND IN THIS CASE WITH THE CENTRAL FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL IN BARTOW, AND THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL IN FORT MYERS, THAT WE HAVE DONE SOME, I THINK FAIRLY INNOVATIVE WORK.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN A LOT OF WORK IN THIS STATE AND IN THIS COUNTRY WITH REGARD TO PLANNING FOR THE NEEDS OF BROADBANDS FOR OUR CITIZENS FOR BUSINESSES AND SO FORTH THROUGHOUT OUR REGION AND THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTRY.

WITH THAT, WE WILL GET STARTED.

AND ADDRESS SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY DO WE NEED A COMMUNITYBASED BROADBAND PLAN.

PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON THAT I CAN THINK OF IS TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.

BUT ALSO THERE'S A CERTAIN OUTREACH COMPONENT TO THIS FOR OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS, INTERESTED CITIZENS AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE TO KNOW ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BROADBAND RESOURCES AND BROADBAND NETWORKS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS WE BROUGHT A DIVERSE GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER IN THE AREAS IN WHICH WE ARE DOING BROADBAND PLANNING.

WE LOOK AT THE BROADBAND AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY IN THOSE AREAS AND ADDRESS THOSE GAPS, SEE WAYS THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THOSE GAPS AND HELP TO CLOSE THEM.

AND ALSO TO MAKE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY A REGION IN WHICH WE ARE DOING OUR PLANNING A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.

AND GENERALLY, THE BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY IS CENTERED AROUND SEVERAL MAIN THEMES, THOSE BEING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, EDUCATION, BOTH K THROUGH 12 AND HIGHER EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE.

SOME FOLKS LIKE TO CALL IT 21stCENTURY CARE WITH CERTAINLY THE INCREASE OF TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE USED IN HEALTHCARE, AND THE NEED FOR BROADBAND NETWORKS TO TRANSPORT THAT THOSE TYPES OF DATA FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, TALKING ABOUT SMART GRIDS, AND THOSE TYPES OF TECHNOLOGIES.

GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE, SO WITHIN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, IMPROVING EFFICIENCIES, BY USING BROADBAND TECHNOLOGIES, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, THAT INVOLVES PUBLIC INTERACTION WITH GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND WITH OTHERS TO BE MORE ENGAGED AND INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY, AND PUBLIC SAFETY AS WELL, WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, OR GENERAL PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES, THE USE OF BROADBAND TECHNOLOGIES, CERTAINLY HAS A VERY LARGE ROLE TO PLAY IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY AREA OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY.

FOR THIS PARTICULAR PLANNING PROJECT, WE FOCUSED ON TWO PILOT PLANNING AREAS.

ONE, THE NEIGHBOR TO THE EAST OF HILLSBOROUGHCOUNTY, POLKCOUNTY, AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, CHARLOTTE, COLLIER AND LEECOUNTIES.

THEY HAVE A VERY GOOD MIX OF BOTH URBANIZED AREAS AND RURAL AREAS IN FAIRLY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER AND WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SEE THAT OUR OUR PLANNING PROCEDURES AND POLICIES THAT WE DEVELOPED WORK IN BOTH OF THOSE LOCATIONS.

THERE'S CERTAINLY A CONCERN ABOUT A GROWING DIGITAL DIVIDE IN THIS COUNTRY, AND THAT IS PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS, THERE SEEMS TO BE LESS EITHER AVAILABILITY OR ACCESSIBILITY TO BROADBAND RESOURCES AND IT CERTAINLY HAS SOME NEGATIVE EFFECTS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO AVOID.

WE ALSO WANTED TO LOOK AT, ONCE WE DEVELOPED SOME OF OUR PLANNING PROCEDURES AND GOALS AND STRATEGIES, LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE IN AN AREA THAT WE DIDN'T LOOK AT AS A PILOT AREA, BECAUSE THERE WAS AN IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT FOR BROADBAND ALREADY ONGOING AND THAT'S THE SOUTH CENTRAL RURAL AREA OF CRITICAL ECONOMIC CONCERN, OR RACEC WHICH INCLUDES THOSE SIX COUNTIES IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.