Jan. 11 neighborhood associations meeting to feature MPO discussion

CONA to host immediate past chair of the transportation planning organization

The MPO website homepage features photos from the region. Image from www.mympo.org
The MPO website’s homepage features photos from the region. Image from www.mympo.org

On Monday, Jan.11, the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) will host Jim Bennett, the immediate past chair of the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), for a discussion of the federally mandated regional transportation planning entity, CONA has announced.

The MPO coordinates interactions among local governments in the region and the Florida Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration regarding the allocation of federal and local road and transportation funds, a news release explains. Its planning extends out 20 years, the release points out.

Members of the MPO and representatives of the agencies with which it deals will join Bennett, the release adds. “Join us to find out how your roads and transportation requirements are planned by this little-discussed entity and why it is important for you to understand how it works,” the release continues.

A social period will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting following at 7 p.m. CONA holds its sessions at the Sarasota Garden Club, located at 1131 Boulevard of the Arts in downtown Sarasota.