197(2)(a) 198The authority has the right to plan, develop, finance, construct, own, purchase, operate, maintain, relocate, equip, repair, and manage those public transportation projects, such as express bus services; bus rapid transit services; light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail, or other transit services; ferry services; transit stations; park-and-ride lots; transit-oriented development nodes; or feeder roads, reliever roads, connector roads, bypasses, or appurtenant facilities, that are intended to address critical transportation needs or concerns in the region as identified by the authority. These projects may also include all necessary approaches, roads, bridges, and avenues of access that are desirable and proper with the concurrence of the department, as applicable, if the project is to be part of the State Highway System.
317(b) 318Any transportation facilities constructed by the authority may be tolled. Fare payment methods for public transportation projects shall promote seamless integration between regional and local transit systems. Tolling technologies shall be consistent with the systems used by the Florida Turnpike Enterprise for the purpose of allowing the use of a single transponder or a similar electronic tolling device for all facilities of the authority and the Florida Turnpike Enterprise.
387(c) 388The authority shall coordinate and consult with local governments on transit or commuter rail station area plans that provide for compact, mixed-use, transit-oriented development that will support transit investments and provide a variety of workforce housing choices, recognizing the need for housing alternatives for a variety of income ranges.
437(3)(a) 438The authority shall develop and adopt a regional transit development plan that provides a vision for a regionally integrated transportation system. The goals and objectives of the plan are to identify areas of the region where mobility, traffic safety, freight mobility, and efficient emergency evacuation alternatives need to be improved; identify areas of the region where multimodal transportation systems would be most beneficial to enhance mobility and economic development; develop methods of building partnerships with local governments, existing transit providers, expressway authorities, seaports, airports, and other local, state, and federal entities; develop methods of building partnerships with CSX Corporation and CSX Transportation, Inc., to craft mutually beneficial solutions to achieve the authority’s objectives, and with other private sector business community entities that may further the authority’s mission; and engage the public in support of regional multimodal transportation improvements. The plan shall identify and may prioritize projects that will accomplish these goals and objectives, including, without limitation, the creation of express bus and bus rapid transit services, light rail, commuter rail, and heavy rail transit services, ferry services, freight services, and any other multimodal transportation system projects that address critical transportation needs or concerns, pursuant to subsection (2); and identify the costs of the proposed projects and revenue sources that could be used to pay those costs. In developing the plan, the authority shall review and coordinate with the future land use, capital improvements, and traffic circulation elements of its member local governments’ comprehensive plans and the plans, programs, and schedules of other units of government having transit or transportation authority within whose jurisdictions the projects or improvements will be located to define and resolve potential inconsistencies between such plans and the authority’s developing plan.
722(b) 723The authority shall consult with the department to further the goals and objectives of the Strategic Regional Transit Needs Assessment completed by the department.
747(c) 748Before the adoption of the regional transit development plan, the authority shall hold at least one public meeting in each of the counties within the designated region. At least one public hearing must be held before the authority’s board.
787(d) 788After its adoption, the regional transit development plan shall be updated every 5 years before July 1.
805(e) 806The authority shall present the original regional transit development plan and updates to the governing bodies of the counties within the designated region, to the TBARTA Metropolitan Planning Organization Chairs Coordinating Committee, and to the legislative delegation members representing those counties within 90 days after adoption.
852(f) 853The authority shall coordinate plans and projects with the TBARTA Metropolitan Planning Organization Chairs Coordinating Committee, to the extent practicable, and participate in the regional M.P.O. planning process to ensure regional comprehension of the authority’s mission, goals, and objectives.
892(g) 893The authority shall provide administrative support and direction to the TBARTA Metropolitan Planning Organization Chairs Coordinating Committee as provided in s. 914339.175(6)(i)915. 1048(5) 1049The authority is granted and may exercise all powers necessary, appurtenant, convenient, or incidental to the carrying out of the aforesaid purposes, including, but not limited to, the following rights and powers:1081(a) 1082To sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, and complain and defend in all courts in its own name.
1102(b) 1103To adopt and use a corporate seal.
1110(c) 1111To have the power of eminent domain, including the procedural powers granted under chapters 73 and 74.
1128(d) 1129To acquire by donation or otherwise, purchase, hold, construct, maintain, improve, operate, own, lease as a lessee, and use any franchise or property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any option thereof in its own name or in conjunction with others, or any interest therein, necessary or desirable for carrying out the purposes of the authority.
1187(e) 1188To sell, convey, exchange, lease as a lessor, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any real or personal property, or interest therein, acquired by the authority, including air rights.
1216(f) 1217To fix, alter, establish, and collect rates, fares, fees, rentals, tolls, and other charges for the services and use of any light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail, bus rapid transit, or express bus services, ferry services, highways, feeder roads, bridges, or other transportation facilities owned or operated by the authority. These rates, fares, fees, rentals, tolls, and other charges shall always be sufficient to comply with any covenants made with the holders of any bonds issued pursuant to this part; however, such right and power may be assigned or delegated by the authority to the department.
1313(g) 1314To borrow money and to make and issue negotiable notes, bonds, refunding bonds, and other evidences of indebtedness or obligations, either in temporary or definitive form, hereinafter in this chapter sometimes called “revenue bonds” of the authority, for the purpose of financing all or part of the mobility improvements within the region, as well as the appurtenant facilities, including all approaches, streets, roads, bridges, and avenues of access authorized by this part, the bonds to mature not exceeding 40 years after the date of the issuance thereof, and to secure the payment of such bonds or any part thereof by a pledge of any or all of its revenues, rates, fees, rentals, or other charges.
1429(h) 1430To adopt bylaws for the regulation of the affairs and the conduct of the business of the authority. The bylaws shall provide for quorum and voting requirements, maintenance of minutes and other official records, and preparation and adoption of an annual budget.
1472(i) 1473To lease, rent, or contract for the operation or management of any part of a transportation system facility built by the authority. In awarding any contract, the authority shall consider, but is not limited to, the following:15101. 1511The qualifications of each applicant.
15162. 1517The level or quality of service.
15233. 1524The efficiency, cost, and anticipated revenue.
15304. 1531The construction, operation, and management plan.
15375. 1538The financial ability to provide reliable service.
15456. 1546The impact on other transportation modes, including the ability to interface with other transportation modes and facilities.
1563(j) 1564To enforce collection of rates, fees, tolls, and charges and to establish and enforce fines and penalties for violations of any rules.
1586(k) 1587To advertise, market, and promote regional transit services and facilities, freight mobility plans and projects, and the general activities of the authority.
1609(l) 1610To cooperate with other governmental entities and to contract with other governmental agencies, including the Federal Government, the department, counties, transit authorities or agencies, municipalities, and expressway and bridge authorities.
1640(m) 1641To enter into joint development agreements, partnerships, and other agreements with public and private entities respecting ownership and revenue participation in order to facilitate financing and constructing any project or portions thereof.
1673(n) 1674To accept grants and other funds from other governmental sources and to accept private donations. However, the authority shall not be directly eligible for Transportation Regional Incentive Program funds allocated pursuant to s. 1707339.2819, 1708except through interlocal agreement with an eligible recipient. 1716(o) 1717To purchase directly from local, national, or international insurance companies liability insurance that the authority is contractually and legally obligated to provide, notwithstanding the requirements of s. 1744287.022(1)1745. 1746(p) 1747To enter into and make lease-purchase agreements with the department for terms not exceeding 40 years or until any bonds secured by a pledge of rentals thereunder, and any refundings thereof, are fully paid as to both principal and interest, whichever is longer.
1790(q) 1791To make contracts of every name and nature, including, but not limited to, partnerships providing for participation in ownership and revenues, and to execute all instruments necessary or convenient for the carrying on of its business.
1827(r) 1828To do all acts and things necessary or convenient for the conduct of its business and the general welfare of the authority in order to carry out the powers granted to it by this part or any other law.