FDOT District One Conference Center

801 N. Broadway

Bartow, FL 33830

Introduction

Call to Order - 9:30 a.m. (Tess Schwartz, Chairperson)

Minutes: Chair Tess Schwartz called the TAC Meeting to order at 9:30 am.

Confirmation of Quorum

Minutes: Roll call was taken, and a quorum was confirmed by KC Rivera, Polk TPO

Staff.

Approval of Meeting Minutes

AI3-A1_Draft TAC minutes 12.4.2025

Attachments:

Minutes: Motion to approve December 4, 2025, meeting minutes.

Motion: Motioned to approve made by Carlie Flagler, seconded by Chuck Barmby.

Motion carried without dissent.

Agenda Review - Ryan Kordek, Polk TPO Executive Director

Minutes: Ryan Kordek, TPO Executive Director, provided an overview of the TAC

agenda, which included action items such as the election of officers, presentations on

Vision Zero Polk, and amendments to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

and Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). The agenda also featured updates on

the Central Polk Parkway East Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE), the Project

Development and Environmental (PD&E) Study, and draft revisions to Polk County’s

Comprehensive Plan Transportation Plan.

Action Items

Election of Officers

Minutes: Ryan Kordek, TPO Executive Director, requested the committee appoint a

Chair and Vice Chair, noting that the Bylaws permit both positions to serve two-year

terms and that the committee is currently in the first year of the term.

Bob Wiegers nominated Tess Schwartz as Chair and Carlie Flagler as Vice Chair. The

motion to approve was made by Bob Wiegers, seconded by Chuck Barmby, and

carried unanimously.

Motion: A motion to approve was made by Bob Wiegers, seconded by Chuck Barmby.

Motion carried unanimously.

6a.

Review/Approve Draft TPO Resolution 2026-02 Adopting the Safety

Performance Targets for the Polk TPO

AI6a_A1_Resolution 2026-02_Safety Targets

Attachments:

Minutes: Tracy Mullins, Polk TPO staff, presented the requirements for the Vision Zero

Safety Performance Target, noting that the draft resolution sets a goal of zero fatalities

and outlined the methodology used to develop supporting data.

Marissa Barmby asked whether the resolution would go to the BOCC. Ryan

Kordek clarified that it will be submitted to FDOT and then proceed to the TPO

Board for approval.

Motion: Motioned to approve was made by Chuck Barmby, seconded by

Marissa Barmby. Motion carried unanimously.

6b.

Vision Zero Action Plan/Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Update

Minutes: Tracy Mullins, Polk TPO staff, introduced updates on the Vision Zero Action

Plan and Safe Streets for All (SS4A).

Moe Lavasani, AECOM, presented an overview of the safety system approach

aimed at achieving Vision Zero’s goal of eliminating fatalities and serious

crashes. The approach prioritizes high-risk corridors and intersections for safety

improvements and includes a completed public engagement strategy with

additional outreach planned. Traffic data analysis has identified the top five

corridors, with three currently under review. Meetings are scheduled for

February, March, and April, followed by workshops in summer and November.

Chuck Barmby inquired about crash and fatality rates along Kathleen Road. Mr.

Lavasani stated that the team is reviewing crash and police reports and

compiling findings into a shared fact sheet. Mr. Barmby also asked about

funding for quick-response improvements; Mr. Kordek confirmed funding is

available and encouraged city participation in upcoming workshops using TSMU

funds. Marissa Barmby asked how electric bikes are classified; Mr. Lavasani

noted they are generally categorized as bicycles.

Review/Approve Amendments to FY 2025/26 - 2029/30 Transportation

Improvement Program (TIP)

AI7-A1_TIP Amendment

Attachments:

Minutes: Angela Kaufman, Polk TPO Staff, requested approval to amend the

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for LAMTD FTA Section 5339 Capital for a

maintenance building rehabilitation.

Motion: Motioned to approve was made by James Philips, seconded by Carlie Flagler.

Motion carried unanimously.

Review/Approve Draft Planning Tasks for the FY 2026/27 - 2027/28 Unified

Planning Work Program (UPWP)

AI8_A1_Draft_Planning_Tasks

Attachments:

Minutes: Ryan Kordek, TPO Executive Director, provided an update on the UPWP,

noting the draft will be presented at the next TAC meeting. He reported that UPWP

funding for FY 2024/25-2025/26 totaled $4.37 million, while funding for FY

2026/27-2027/28 is projected at $2.73 million. The UPWP tasks being reviewed,

beginning with Administrative Costs, which include preparation for the four‑year

Federal Certification Review scheduled for Fall 2027, as well as the development of the

annual report. The Data Development and Management tasks focus on the congestion

management processes and the integration of databases, data viewers, and

dashboards. Long‑Range Transportation Planning tasks include work related to

potential High‑Speed Rail service in Polk County and access needs associated with the

SunRail PD&E. Short‑Range Transportation Planning tasks encompass the Vision Zero

Action Plan, the Best Foot Forward program, and activities of the Bicycle and

Pedestrian Team. Additionally, the Public Participation Plan will undergo a major

update, along with continued coordination of the Transportation Adviser Network

(TAN).

Chuck Barmby asked about revising connectivity to the Fort Fraser Trail. Mr. Kordek

agreed to review the matter and follow up with Parks and Recreation.

Motion: A motion was made to approve UPWP Draft Planning Tasks FY

2026/27-2027/28 and to include the connection of the trails made by James Philips,

seconded by Carlie Flagler. Motion carried unanimously.

Presentations and Status Reports

Central Polk Parkway East Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) and Project

Development and Environmental (PD&E) Study

AI9-A1_451419-2-CPPE_Project_Newsletter_No-4

Attachments:

Minutes: Jazlyn Georges, Florida Turnpike, provided an update on the Central Polk

Parkway and its four segments, highlighting community outreach efforts conducted

from April 2024 through December 2025 for the US 27 to US 17/92 corridor.

Andrew Vasquez, Florida Turnpike, reviewed the study process, noting that multiple

route alternatives were evaluated based on environmental factors, engineering

constraints, and traffic conditions. He explained the rationale for selecting the preferred

corridor and why it was chosen over other options.

Ms. Georges outlined environmental constraints, including impacts to State and

Federal conservation lands, nearby residential developments, and the presence of a

wildlife corridor in the Cypress area, which presents engineering challenges. Mr.

Vasquez summarized the two corridors under consideration, and Ms. Georges detailed

the project’s five phases: Planning (completed), PD&E, Design, Right-of-Way (ROW),

and Construction.

A lengthy discussion followed between the committee and Ms. Georges.

10.

Polk County’s Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element Draft Revisions

Polk County 2050 Comprehensive Plan Transportation Data

& Analysis

Attachments:

Minutes: Chanda Bennett, Polk County Land Development, briefed the committee on

the transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan and the current update process.

She requested comments and feedback by February 6 and noted that a board has

been established to guide the update. Ms. Bennett outlined public engagement efforts,

including workshops, community events, interviews, listening sessions, a project

website, and surveys, and highlighted Polk County’s partnership with Polk Vision at the

outset of the process.

She presented key data and analysis findings, along with legislative update slides

detailing items that were removed, added, amended, or eliminated. As part of the

legislative review, the team is considering replacing the term “complete streets” with

“context sensitive.”

A lengthy discussion followed among the committee, Mr. Kordek, and Ms. Bennett.

Communications and Reports

11.

Priority Transportation Projects

Minutes: Angela Kaufman, Polk TPO staff, announced that priority applications are

now open, with a submission deadline of March 31.

Marissa Barmby noted that LAP certification is required for priority applications. Ryan

Kordek clarified that while FDOT prefers all applicants to be LAP certified,

municipalities may contact Polk TPO for assistance if needed. Carlie Flagler asked

whether Citrus Connection is eligible to apply. Mr. Kordek responded that an additional

level of approval may be required.

12.

TPO Year in Review 2025

AI11_A1_TPO_Year_in_Review_2025

Attachments:

13.

Committee Member Comments

Minutes: No Committee comments.

14.

Adjournment

Next TAC Meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2026, at the FDOT Conference

Center, Bartow.

Minutes: The meeting adjourned at 11:04 a.m.

Motion: Motioned to adjourn was made by Chuck Barmby.

The next TAC Meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2026, and will also be held at the

FDOT Conference Center, Bartow.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities

needing special accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact the

Board of County Commissioners, Communications Office, at 330 W. Church Street,

Bartow. Telephone (863) 534-6090, not later than four days prior to the proceeding. If

hearing impaired call: (TDD) (863) 534-7777 or 1-800-955-8771, or Voice impaired call:

1-800-955-8770, via Florida Relay Service.

The TPO planning process is conducted in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights

Act of 1964 and Related Statutes. Any person or beneficiary who believes they have

been discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin,

disability, or family status may file a complaint with Cindy Mitchell, the TPO’s Title VI

Specialist at (863) 534-6597, or by writing to her at Post Office Box 9005, Bartow,

Florida 33831-9005.

After the meeting is over, the Power Point Presentation will be uploaded here.

TAC_Final_Slides_1-22-2026

Attachments: