Polk County Administration

Building

Polk County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO)

330 West Church Street

Bartow, Florida 33830

Meeting Minutes - Final

April 09, 2026 Regular TPO Board Meeting

Call to Order - 9:00 a.m. (Sara Roberts McCarley, Polk TPO Chairwomen)

Minutes: Chair Sara Roberts McCarley called the TPO Board meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Confirmation of Quorum

Minutes: Voting Members Present:Representing:

Commissioner Martha Santiago

Polk County BoCC

City of Lakeland

City of Winter Haven

City of Auburndale

City of Haines City

City of Bartow

Commissioner Bill Braswell

Commissioner Rick Wilson

Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley, Chair

Mayor Pro Tem Guy LaLonde, Jr.

Commissioner Mike Musick

Commissioner Terry Coney

Commissioner Ashley Troutman

Mayor Brian Yates

Vice Mayor Jordan Helms

Commissioner Omar Arroyo

Vice Mayor Vernel Smith

Commissioner Trish Pfeiffer

Vice Mayor Nancy Daley

City of Lake Alfred

South County Bloc Members:

Commissioner Dawn McDonald (Voting Member)

Council Member Adam Greenway, Vice-Chair

City of Mulberry

City of Frostproof

Central County and Ridge Bloc Members:

Mayor Phyllis Hall (Voting Member)

Town of Lake Hamilton

Advisory Members Present:

Wayne Gaither

Ryan Kordek

Dane Norman

Other Persons Present:

Representing:

FDOT, District One

Polk TPO Director

TPO Legal Advisor

Representing:

Angela Kaufman

Tracy Mullins

Cindy Mitchell

Lorenzo Thomas

Darryl Richard

Myrtice Young

Preservation

Polk TPO Staff

FDOT

Polk County Historic

Dave Newell

FDOT Freight Coordinator

Matt McIntosh

Andy Nicol

Edith Perez

Robert Lee

FDOT Consultant/GFT

FDOT

Member of the Public

Sharon Garrett

Opportunity for Public Comment

Minutes: Chair Roberts McCarley opened the floor for public comments.

Robert Lee expressed concerns about the projected Central Polk Parkway East location

and provided a petition opposing the project.

Sharon Garrett expressed concerns about the potential loss of her family’s land related

to the planned Central Polk Parkway.

Chair Roberts McCarley closed public comment.

3. Public Comment

CPP East Petition at 4-9-2026 TPO Board Meeting

Agenda Review - Ryan Kordek, Polk TPO Executive Director

Attachments:

Minutes: Ryan Kordek, Polk TPO Director, introduced the agenda overview and noted

it had been revised with minor corrections. He explained there were several

administrative items including resolutions, grant contracts, and budget items. The

agenda also included a TIP Amendments related to I-4 Moving Forward, the proposal

to designate Sate Road 60 as a scenic highway, and the I-4 Corridor Intermodal

Planning and Feasibility Study contract with HDR Engineering, Inc.

CONSENT AGENDA (TAB 1)

These action items are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion.

There will be no separate discussion on these items. A Board member may request an

item be moved to the regular agenda for discussion.

Approval of Meeting Minutes

AI5-A1_Draft TPO Board Meeting minutes 2.12.26

Attachments:

Motion: Motion made by Vice-Chair Greenway, seconded by Commissioner A.

Troutman. Motion carried without dissent.

Approve Polk TPO Executive Director Quarterly Timesheets and Expense

Reimbursements

AI6-A1_Director_Timesheets

Attachments:

Motion: Motion made by Vice-Chair Greenway, seconded by Commissioner A.

Troutman. Motion carried without dissent.

Approve the Polk TPO Certification Review

AI7-A1_Final Polk_TPO_2025_JC_apprvd_package

Attachments:

Motion: Motion made by Vice-Chair Greenway, seconded by Commissioner A.

Troutman. Motion carried without dissent.

Approve Draft TPO Resolution 2026-03 Authorizing Chairman to File a

Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund Planning-Related Activities Grant

Application

AI8-A1.Draft Resolution 2026-03 -FY 2026-27 TD

Planning Grant

Attachments:

Motion: Motion made by Vice-Chair Greenway, seconded by Commissioner A.

Troutman. Motion carried without dissent.

Approve the Amended and Restated Interlocal Agreement with the Central

Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization Alliance (CFMPOA)

AI9-A1_Amended and Restated Interlocal

Agreement_FINAL_2026

Attachments:

Motion: Motion made by Vice-Chair Greenway, seconded by Commissioner A.

Troutman. Motion carried without dissent.

10.

Approve Selection Committee’s Recommended List of General Planning

Consultant Firms in Response to the TPO’s Request for Proposals (RFP No.

25-687)

AI10-A1_RFP 25-687 Minutes from Interviews &

Ranking

Attachments:

Motion: Motion made by Vice-Chair Greenway, seconded by Commissioner A.

Troutman. Motion carried without dissent.

OTHER ACTION ITEMS (TAB 2)

11.

Public Hearing on Draft Amendment to FY 2025/26 - 2029/30 Transportation

Improvement Program (TIP)

AI11-A1_TIP_Amendment

Attachments:

Minutes: Angela Kaufman provided a summary of the amendment allowing for an additional

lane on the west side of I-4 between US 27 and County Road 532 (Osceola Polk Line Road).

The public hearing notice was published, and no public comments were received.

Chair Roberts McCarley opened and closed the floor - no comments.

Motion: Made by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner A. Troutman.

Roll Call Vote: Approved without dissent.

Motion was made by Commissioner Rick Wilson and seconded by Commissioner A.

Troutman.

Roll Call vote was taken and approved without dissent.

12.

Review/Approve Draft Polk TPO Resolution 2026-04 Supporting the Designation

of State Road 60 as a Scenic Highway

AI12-A1_Draft Resolution 2026-04 SR 60 Scenic Hwy

Proposal

Attachments:

Minutes: Darryl Richard (FDOT) provided a summary of the designation process.

Myrtice Young discussed the benefits and attributes related to scenic highway designation. A

video highlighting local landmarks was presented.

Motion: Motion was made by Commissioner LaLonde, Jr. and seconded by Commissioner A.

Troutman.

Key discussion points included:

•

Commissioner Pfeiffer expressed support and noted her long-term involvement.

Vice-Chair Greenway expressed safety concerns but supported the project,

asking whether the designation would prevent future expansion.

Director Kordek clarified it would not hinder improvements.

Commissioner Wilson stressed the need for expansion and coordination with

Osceola County.

•

Chair Roberts McCarley expressed personal connection and support.

Motion: Motion was made by Commissioner LaLonde, Jr. and seconded by

Commissioner A. Troutman

The motion carried unanimously.

13.

Review/Approve Consultant Services Authorization (CSA) TPO-25-686-01-01

with HDR Engineering, Inc. to prepare the I-4 Intermodal Passenger Rail Station

Planning and Feasibility Study at a Cost Not-to-Exceed $500,000.00

AI13-A1_I-4 Intermodal Passenger Rail Station Planning &

Feasibility Study CSA

Attachments:

AI13-A2_CSA TPO-25-686-01-01 Scope of Services

AI13-A3_I-4 Intermodal Passenger Rail Station Planning &

Feasibility Study Agreement

Minutes: Cindy Mitchell provided a description of the study and requested approval.

Motion: Made by Vice-Chair Greenway, seconded by Commissioner A. Troutman.

Key discussion points included:

• Commissioner Braswell expressed concerns about SunRail and financial

responsibility.

• Director Kordek clarified the study is for high-speed rail, not SunRail.

• Commissioner Musick raised concerns but supported proceeding.

• Chair Roberts McCarley discussed lessons from Brightline and the value of

early planning.

• Financial viability of Brightline was discussed.

• Commissioner Coney expressed support.

Motion: Made by Vice-Chair Greenway, seconded by Commissioner A. Troutman.

Motion passed: 15 in favor, 2 opposed (Commissioner Braswell, Mayor Hall).

14.

Review/Approve Draft TPO Resolution 2026-05 Approving the Amended FY

2024/25 - 2025/26 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and MPO Funding

Agreement

AI14-A1_Draft Resolution 2026-05_PL Agreement_UPWP

Amendment

Attachments:

AI14-A2_UPWP Amendments Package_040926

Minutes: Director Kordek introduced agenda items 14 and 15 together and each requires a

separate action. He explained the amendment to shift designated funds for the I-4 Intermodal

Passenger Rail Station Planning and Feasibility Study will be moved to the new FY 2026/27 -

2027/28 UPWP and to approve the new FY 2026/27 - 2027/28 UPWP. Current and future

projects were identified. The Adviser Network was notified and provided input on the new

UPWP.

Motion: Made by Commissioner A. Troutman, seconded by Commissioner Santiago.

Motion carried without dissent.

15.

Review/Approve Draft TPO Resolution 2026-06 Adopting the Draft Unified

Planning Work Program (UPWP) and MPO Funding Agreement

AI15-A1_Resolution 2024-06_PL Agreement_New UPWP

AI15_A2_Final Draft_Polk_TPO_UPWP_FY2026-28_040226

Attachments:

AI15_A3_FDOT-Polk TPO UPWP PL

Agreement_FY26-28_pdf

Minutes: See agenda item 14.

Motion: Made by Commissioner Wilson, seconded by Commissioner Coney.

Motion carried without dissent.

PRESENTATIONS AND STATUS REPORTS (TAB 3)

16.

FDOT Freight Study

Minutes: Wayne Gaither introduced Dave Newell (FDOT).

Matt McIntosh presented the study purpose, methodology, and recommendations

identifying critical freight needs.

Chair Roberts McCarley commented on freight’s importance and its impact on mobility.

17.

Working Towards Target Zero

Minutes: Wayne Gaither introduced John Kubicki.

Mr. Kubicki presented safety data sources and statistics. Eleven projects totaling about $15

million are planned for FY 2026-2031. The safety strategic plan includes public education

efforts.

Key questions and comments:

•

Commissioner Santiago noted driver behavior issues.

Commissioner LaLonde inquired about Memorial Boulevard safety project.

Commissioner A. Troutman asked about educational outreach beyond K-12 and

involving private partners

•

Mr. Kubicki described partnerships with law enforcement, AARP, health care

providers, and businesses.

REPORTS (4)

18.

Executive Director's Report

Minutes:

a. Meeting Packets

Director Kordek explained recent logistical issues delivering meeting packets

and reminded members of the digital versions provided via email.

b. Central Florida MPO Alliance (CFMPOA) Meeting - April 10, 2025

Director Kordek encouraged designated members to attend..

c. Joint SCTPA/CFMPOA Meeting (Sun Trax) - June 5, 2026

Director Kordek described the event and Polk TPO’s hosting responsibilities.

19.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Report

Minutes: Edith Perez stated:

• TA/CM application cycle closed March 31; six applications were submitted.

• The FY 26/27-27/28 UPWP allocation totals $2,730,292; adoption due May 15.

• A future amendment will add $500,000 in carryover once the new contract is authorized.

• Development of the next 5-year TIP is underway; adopted TIP is due July 15.

Chair Roberts McCarley asked for clarification regarding the UPWP amendment; Director

Kordek explained the necessary steps.

20.

Opportunity for Public Comment

Minutes: Chair Roberts McCarley opened and closed the floor-no comments.

21.

Board Member Comments

Minutes: Commissioner Arroyo announced he will no longer serve on the TPO Board and

thanked everyone.

22.

Adjournment - Next TPO Board Meeting is scheduled for June 11, 2026.

Minutes: Adjourned at 10:35 a.m.

Motion made by Commissioner Coney, seconded by Commissioner Santiago

Respectfully transcribed by KC Rivera, TPO Office Manager IV

Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, states that if a person decides to appeal any

decision made by a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he may need

to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the

testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based..

April 9th, 2026 Polk TPO Board Meeting PowerPoint Presentation

TPO_Final_Slides_4-9-2026

Attachments: