The Public Transportation Commission has historically included one representative from the Plant City Commission, but Plant City could lose its spot on the board if a bill proposed by Sen. Jeff Brandes passes the state legislation.
With Brandes’ (R-St. Petersburg) bill SB 1326, transportation network companies would be permitted to operate in Florida. These include Uber and Lyft, in which riders find drivers with the use of mobile apps.
In Hillsborough County, the PTC regulates transportation issues. Brandes’ ultimate goal is to abolish the PTC.
“First-class cities, like Tampa and St. Petersburg, deserve first-class services, like Uber and Lyft. Regulators should not stifle innovation,” Brandes wrote in a Facebook post this February. “It’s time to abolish the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission.”
In 2013, Brandes co-sponsored a bill that would have eliminated the Hillsborough County PTC. The bill did not pass, but he has said he expects to introduce a similar bill in 2016. This year, he is approaching the PTC at a different angle.
SB 1326 would also change the composition of the PTC. The board comprises three Hillsborough County commissioners, two City of Tampa council members, one Temple Terrace commissioner and one Plant City commissioner, currently Billy Keel. Brandes’ proposition is for the board to comprise two Hillsborough County commissioners, one City of Tampa council member, and four Hillsborough County representatives selected by the governor.
Kyle Cockream, executive director of the PTC, spoke at the Plant City Commission meeting Monday, March 23, about this issue.
“I truly believe that both municipalities have earned and do deserve a right to stay on that board and have a say in what goes on,” Cockream said.
Cockream said he takes it personally when someone says Plant City doesn’t deserve a seat at the table. His son was born near Plant City and attended Strawberry Crest High School.
Temple Terrace commissioners have written letters to state legislators who will have an impact on the bill’s success or failure. The Plant City commissioners will reach out to Rep. Dan Raulerson and Rep. Ross Spano.
“I would like to propose that we need something similar to what Temple Terrace has done and draft it to all of the legislators that can handle this for us if possible,” Keel said.
SB 1326 is currently being considered by the Regulated Industries committee at the capitol. Cockream and Keel hope to stop it before it advances much further.
In Other News
• Mayor Rick Lott and commissioners presented a proclamation to Civitan Youth Parade grand marshals Jackson Hardie and Kevin O’Hare. Though the parade was canceled from rain, Hardie and O’Hare were honored for their service and leadership with an invitation to participate in the Florida Strawberry Festival Grand Parade instead.
• City Manager Mike Herr presented two options to the commission regarding utility extensions in the areas of the city that have the most commercial potential: Option A, to move forward with utilities along County Line Road only; or Option B, to proceed with utilities along County Line Road as well as State Road 39. Based on its larger service area and more promising potential for commercial development, the commission voted for Option A.