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going to start today's meeting of October 9th, 2025 for the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Um, at this time, could you please rise for invocation and pledge of allegiance? It's my mother and gracious God, we invite you into our
discussions today. unit our hearts and guide our conversations with wisdom and patience. Help us to seek solutions that honor you and benefit everyone involved. In your name, amen. Amen. Let's pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. Madam clerk, could you please call the role? Mayor Scott. Oh, Councilman Lance Smith.
Mayor John Eric here. Commissioner Ronald here. Thanks. Commissioner Seth present. Commissioner Katherine here. Are you asking me? Commissioner Jagger here. Commissioner Mariano here. Matt Murphy
here. Pleasure. Thank you. Um, now we have a call for public comment. Um, we do have someone here that would like to speak. They changed their name. Please state your name for the record and your address. Thank you. My name is
Judy Ostein, 7650 Ostein Road, Newport Richie, Florida. I'm here to discuss this feasibility study on Ostein Road that you want to open it from Massachusetts to Orchard Lake Road. This is totally inappropriate. I have gotten
many phone calls saying that I started it. No, I did not. I totally oppose it. What you're doing is dumping excessive traffic into a community that does not want it. What is the purpose of this? It was tried in 2003 and I sent all the
county commissioners a newspaper report saying it was a no build no build in 2003. You spent $65,000 approximately then to see about putting it in. Now you're just spending $272,000
of taxpayers money for a feasible study on something that is totally inappropriate. Our taxes are way out of line. Do you work for us citizens or do you work for companies? Has anybody been told that there's an
easement on the back side of Pippen Academy that would alleviate what traffic's going in and out of this subdivision as it is? And it seems to be a problem and that's why you're doing this. They've had an easement back there since Hap Clark and Ben Moody owned that
property. And this easement goes from their backside of their property out to Calabash to Emmens to Little Road. Why are you trying to spend all this money? You only have 15 feet on the west side of the section line. It's going to
be very costly to open it through the properties that you need to open it. It's not on the alternative studies either. We have started a petition. We're up to 300 signatures and I thank you for your
time. We do not want this road opened. It's going to be a traffic hazard for the area. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Do we have anybody anybody else would like to speak? Public comment. Going once, going twice. All right. We're
going to close uh public comment. U we're going to move on to number two advisory committee reports. Citizens advisory committee, Mr. James Malo. Hey, good morning everybody. My name is James Malow. I'm here with the citizens
representing uh the citizens advisory council. Uh I'm sorry committee. I always get one of those uh county CAC. You got to it's isn't it Monday? No, it's Monday. All right. So, that's that's one, right? Got that out of the way. Uh I'm the chairman of the
committee and uh at 9:30 on October 1st, we had at the one-stop shop in Date City, we had our last meeting. Um we had some really great reports. Uh Miss Tia Gorman has started us off uh by reporting on MO uh board actions for the
meeting of August 21st. Um she provided an update regarding uh that meeting and uh was very it was a very good update. Just wanted to thank you for that. Um, but the action items that we had uh for fiscal year 2026 to
2030, the transportation uh improvement program, also known as TIP uh program for uh there was an amendment that was desired. Now, I'm going to get my numbers straight commissioner Starky on this one. So, um, uh, the staff provided us an overview, uh, of the amendment,
uh, to the fiscal year 2026 2030 tip at the request of the Florida Department of Transportation. Uh, specifically, FDUT wishes to add $135,149 uh, in design funding and 1 million, yes, it is 1 million point uh, one
$1,420,936 in construction funding for fiscal year of 2026. Now what it's for is great is a great thing we felt uh as a board uh which is to widen uh to to widen and resurface the
existing I75 southbound off-ramp travel lanes uh and shoulders to provide a left dual left turn lane uh from southbound I75 to to eastbound uh County Road 54 which is very needed. Um the committee
uh recommended uh it and um it passed. The motion passed uh unanimously to a voice vote. Um the next thing that we uh brought up was to um what had to be tabled. Uh we were trying to get a new
member uh K Johnson uh on the board, but she was not in attendance, so we were unable to do that. So then we moved to uh Chief Scott Ca uh Cassen. Some of you may remember him. He was uh he was a great uh fire chief with us for and he was with uh with us for a long time, 37
years, 12 of which he was um the fire chief. Uh he currently resides in Wesley Chapel and um Commissioner Weightman uh suggested him for the board. Okay. And the motion motion passed unanimously by
voice vote. So he is now um a member. Um the next thing uh the next person we had was um Mr. Guestman uh Ryan Guestman. Uh he was uh
the motion passed unanimously to have him on the board as well as an alternate at large uh for Mr. Tom Ryan. We moved on to hearing from uh Miss Tenia Gorman again. um she presented the
2026 board and committee me meeting schedule uh which that was passed. We we agreed that uh it was a great schedule. One thing I do want to mention uh before we move into the unfunded needs plan um we really appreciate uh the the men and
women that work um for the MO. Uh they do a great job. We get reminders in the emails. We get great notes from from the meetings. uh they make it really easy for us as a committee to do our job. So I just wanted to point them out uh for
just a second. Um so uh we approved the schedule as as I said. Then we moved on to status reports uh the 2050 SIS unfunded needs plan. We had a pre-recorded which you're going to see today. Uh we were able to watch that
unfunded needs plan on a pre-recorded presentation. Um there was no there was no comments or questions at the end of that presentation. Um the congestion management we moved on to the congestion management CMP task force issues uh
which there was there was none for us to review. And then uh the geo uh the go Pasco updates. There was some discussion uh about Pasco's involvement with Hernando County and the county line and and all that uh and us having um having
some service out there. It was discussed and um it was noted by the your um by staff that um it wasn't a successful route so it was taken off the route. So there was they have no no riders. So that's the reason why we don't we didn't
we don't have uh service out there. But obviously as growth happens um that's always an open uh a possibility. Um we then rolled into other business. Uh our next which our next meeting will be November 5th at
Starky Ranch Theater. Um and uh today uh at 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 as many of you probably already know uh there is uh another MO staff uh meeting I'm sorry MO
safety action plan meeting at the Starky Ranch Library Cultural Center from 5:30 to 7:00. Uh we then went to a round table where we talk about about issues that we uh that we actually see. Um you
know I was looking for these. Why does it print as I read? There's too many. I was wondering where that let me just tell you. I was wondering what your hand all try to read stuff and spit when you
got your glasses or or up like this. So I'm part of that. You just ask us part of that group now. That group. So I think I think we're all I think we're all kind of part of that or if not we're going to get there. All right. Um so we had the round table. Um very actually some interesting things
came out of the round table. So uh let's think of the north end of US19 uh south of county line. A committee member was able to analyze the section of roadway and he has the credentials to be able to do that. um traveling southbound and
found that uh 54 of the 56 commercial driveways on the segment are non-conforming to the traffic safety p as as far as a traffic safety perspective. The committee expressed concerns about the current speed limit of 55 miles per hour on the segment and
requested that FDOT or the MO review the roadway and consider a reduction to 45 miles per hour, which probably isn't going to be the the you know, people aren't going to jump up and down about it. So what what I did as chairman is I asked uh there to be research to to
validate you know we can go look at um uh and be very accurate about you know 40 54 of the 56 commercial driveways not conforming but I hate to say it is it creating a problem you know is there is there a problem yeah we've been reducing them south of
54 we have reduced a lot of driveways in my district couple my district y so um it was also noted that uh Uh there are numerous non-conforming driveways along US 41 uh which may present safety issues. An update on this matter is requested for the November
committee meeting. I made the request um just to have some research done. Right. So we want to see are these driveways are where are the accidents uh happening because we do know that accidents happen every day on 41. Where are they happening and are they anywhere near um
those those driveways that everybody's talking about? because if it is, you know, at least it gives us a clue, right? So, um I thought that was so they're going to get back to us in November. Gave them plenty of time. Um we also spoke about multiple serious crashes and pedestrian injuries,
fatalities that have occurred um at at let me see, hold on a second, at that at those locations along 54. So, that that was that was spoken about, but we need the actual research. Um and we also spoke about uh Parkwood Acres and
52 heading eastbound uh having experienced several serious crashes and the MOS's asked to review any existing studies um that may offer recommendations as far as that area and um and also mine which isn't noted but I I usually bring it up didn't bring it up
in this last meeting but um 52 and Cranch where I used to live off of don't live there anymore but um I used to live there and some of the most horrific crashes and year misses and uh uh deaths that we've had in the county have happened there. And if you're if you're
traveling um from west to east eastbound on um C Ranch and you get to that light, the road looks like it's here. You go out there and take a look. I mean, it's absolutely So, as far as pedestrians and and vehicular traffic, it it's very hard to to maneuver even if you're a really
good driver. Um and we have some really bad drivers. So, um, I think that's the reason why we're having that that whole intersection. My opinion, it needs to be redone or is getting approved. Oh, it is? Yes. Excellent. Thank you. Okay. Um, ebikes were brought up.
Oh, figure. And of course, everybody bikes are motorcycles. Well, yeah. Right. Exactly. So, the law hasn't, you know, I I did a little research as far as that because I I that's not what I do that much anymore. Um but uh I did a little research and what it seems is the law the the
technology that's happening very very quickly. Obviously law is not catching up with the technology. I think that will happen. I will tell you this that might be one of the hardest things to enforce once and if the the state moves to to make more restrictions on
ebikes. I'm not saying they shouldn't. I'm just saying as far as enforcement goes, you know, you're talking about you're talking about vehicles that can go really super fast and the last thing that we want to do uh in law enforcement is get in a chase with with a ebike or
scooter or motorcycle. That's those are usually not not good and get cancelled pretty quickly. Just to let you know, they even have those their longboards. Yes. The longboards and they have a remote and they go very fast. Yeah. And sometimes these kids are on the sidewalks and it's it's super dangerous.
It is absolutely 100%. Um, driving um, out of Starky Ranch yesterday along Lake Blanch Drive, I actually texted Chase on this. There were two under 16 year olds um, with helmets on on what looked like
dirt bikes to me, but there's some kind of no pedals zipping um, past the park on on the trail there um, at 30 40 miles an hour. Two of them. I mean, I I think we have to I've heard they've
started giving citations. We had a talk in our Trinity Odessa Leadership Council and Chase went over the rules to all the CDD and HOA heads there that if they if they don't have pedals, they're not allowed to be on the sidewalk and they
have to be street legal, right? Um to be out there. So, they've started giving some tickets. Yes. But you know what I think? I think they got to take the bikes away. If if you if you've got an underage kid on a sidewalk on a motorcycle, once they start take confiscating some of these
bikes, that'll stop because parents aren't going to buy them and then they lose them. So, I just think they're going to have to bring a hammer down for a while. Someone's going to get really hurt. Yeah. Very, very challenging to very challenging thing to enforce. I'm not saying it won't be. Obviously, I have no
say in that, but I will say very challenging thing to enforce. Well, I don't understand why a parent would buy their kid a motorcycle like that when they don't own land where they can legally ride it. Absolutely. So, you know, maybe the parents have some culpability in this, too. Absolutely. We still get complaints. I'm
sure it's probably every day for ATVs on on, you know, others properties going down the side of the road. Just that's another thing. Do we catch them? Yep, we do catch them. Not the easiest thing in the world, you know. Usually takes having a 42 miles an hour down Starky Boulevard on the
Yeah. 42 miles hour. It was, but I That's the speed limit. So, I'm sorry. I believe it's 35 there. The trail. Just kidding. There's like five of them in a pack. Some of those bikes are this big. Yeah, I don't
So, so, um, getting down to the end here, um, there was some discussion about the new 52 extension in Date City where the posted speed's 45 um, and people are traveling pretty fast there. Um
and also um one of the uh board members had some serious concerns about uh the Miranda area which uh has a significant amount of golf carts um and youth riding ebikes. Uh there's some question because there is a golf cart lane I guess in in
portions of of uh Miranda and um so there was some questions as far as if it was I I asked some questions as far as uh if it's private or if it's public road private road things like that because that'll obviously as far as enforcement goes that'll help us if it's
a private road but we have a um an un agreement with with Miranda. I I'm not 100% sure. You're saying Marada? Did I say Miranda? Miranda. I'm saying Miranda. That's Miranda. Okay, that's my Marada. I too. That's two. Thinking of those rights. I bring I bring the jokes. Okay. I bring
the jokes. There's a joke there somewhere. Miranda. Mirada. Miranda. Miranda. Miranda. Yes. Yes. I don't I I definitely Yeah. Yes. Um and uh so a request again was made uh
by the committee to review the crashes in the area to confirm who owns and who's responsible for enforcement on on that roadway. Again um at to your point uh Commissioner Starky um it starts at home. These kids don't buy these 5005,000
between 500 and $5,000 machines um themselves normally. It's usually parents and uh so we do need we do need their uh help as well to so I mean, if you're going 35 miles an hour and you're 16 years old and you don't have a helmet on, helmet or not,
you know. Yeah. Right. Exactly. I mean, if you own a ranch and you want to go out there and bust it out on your ranch, that's on you, but not on our public streets and sidewalks. I agree. Have any questions? We're going to miss your enthusiasm.
Oh, in a few minutes. Are you in a few minutes? Are you moving on? Commissioner Waitman has something. Oh, no, no, no. Not unless Jack says so. He appointed me. Thank you, Jack. Do and just something about I guess are you still over fleet? No.
Well, you were, weren't you? Uh for for a long time. Do you have any of these like any ebikes in your fleet to, you know, police new way of policing versus bicycles? And if you guys are having to chase those, it just Yeah. So, I I will tell you, and I think
you'll hear this um across the board with the sheriff's office, we as so we and I know this has been recently discussed, uh so I'll just throw it back out there. Um our deputies are are going from call to call to call. And so call to call to call usually doesn't mean
there's traffic in between. So, uh when you when I worked in Temple Terrace, we had seven people on duty in a seven square mile city similar to Newport. Um, and um, when we worked there in between calls, we were writing, you know,
writing speeding tickets, writing no U-turn signs because you can't make it, it's illegal to make U-turn, tumble terrace, everybody needs to remember that. Um, you know, um, so yeah. So, when we're going from call to call, that's the difference between Pasco County and like Penllis County. Penellis County, they might they might
take two or three calls. Huh? That was a city and we're a county. No, no. Penelis is a county. Temple Terraces. Right. Right. No, I brought up Penllis County. Penllis County, they're going Penllis County is going from from they they might take some in in some instances might take two or three calls
in a in a shift where we're taking calls if we're if we're 108 if we're operating. Um we're we're taking calls for service and calls for service and then it never stops. So, um, it's it's really hard to get to the So, when you when we bring up ebikes and and and
things like that, it's that portion of it is is real super difficult. So, and the highway patrol is there can they take any action on that? Uh, state roadways. So, it has to be a state roadway. Has to be a state. Yeah. Okay. So, the highway patrol only does
crashes on state roads. When there's a crash, do you guys handle crashes on local roads? No. Uh, so, so they do, so they do handle crashes within our county because there is an agreement to to handle. I'm just wondering if I'm just, you know,
someone brought this up to me the other day about the difference between a city police and expectations within a city and a county. Yeah. And I mean there there is a reason why sometimes cities incorporate because they want quicker response time, you know, and all that kind of stuff. for a
county to be able to afford that. That's a a a city level of service. Yeah. In a county, our citizens don't want to have their taxes doubled. I agree. It's it's tough, but we're very happy our crime rates down, but we do need to figure out a way
um to um go after these these these these bike these motorcycles on our I don't I don't know what the answer is. Maybe there's ballards every so often or something. Something that doesn't let him go 40 miles an hour for a long time.
Commissioner Black. But well, I had one more thing I wanted to ask him. Um, we have a trip coming up to NIA for the regional MO. Um, and I wondered if we want to invite the head of our CAC to go on that trip.
I can see if there's room. Okay. A lot of people are driving themselves. I'm probably going to drive myself. So, um I think Are you aware of this big meeting, regional meeting? No, I'm not. It's in It's coming up. Send an email. I I didn't I didn't say
Okay. I just want to make sure I get a couple emails every day. Yeah. So, I I think we should extend an invitation and um and that way you'll be more informed about what's going on. Yeah. Well, I will tell you, you have a very um knowledgeable and caring board.
Uh the CAC is full of amazing people, people that have a lot more knowledge as far as roads and things like that more than I do. And uh like I said, your your your folks do an incredible job. So any other questions, Commissioner Black? Yes, sir. With the new State Road 52,
was the concerned enforcement to keep the speed limit at 45 or concerned that the speed limit is only 45? Uh, no. I I don't want to blend too because we talked about we had so many things to talk about. Good question, Commissioner. Yeah, I I just it seemed it's one of
those SMH moments. It seems so counterproductive when a two-lane road suddenly becomes a four-lane road, but then you go from 55 on the two-lane road to the new highway only 45. I've heard that because of curbing and things like that, but it just, you know, it it's
hard to expect people to go 45 in a fourlane. Yes. So, I didn't know it was 45. Yeah. So, I I I'll just say on a personal level, not taking a law enforcement officer hat off, um that being that's that's a very what what appears
to be a a low number for that portion of roadway. Very straight, very wide. You know, even with the curbing, it's Yeah. Do I get back on lane and go 55 or or go 45 in a four lane? It's just Good point. DOT's here. Yeah, I was just
um I would also say the same the same thing for Ridge Road. There's no reason why we're not going 65 on Ridge. I think the experts coming up tell us why. Thank you very much everybody. Have a great day. [Laughter]
Good morning. Brian Hunter with the Florida Department of Transportation. I know we looked into that speed limit on the eastern piece of the new alignment of 52. I was actually just looking for my emails because I know we looked into it, but I can't remember what the resolution was there. So, I will follow up with staff and get that information
so they can get it out to you all on what we looked at out there and what the the final res. You know, people drive to the standards the roads are built. Yeah. Unless that's a money maker for the state. couple years ago years ago when 52 was widened to four lanes west of Moon Lake Road. This is a good long long
time ago, but it went down from 55 to 45 and then there were people out there patrolling and it just, you know, it just seemed weird to go to 40 have to go to 45 when you came to the four lane section. Yeah. Slow down. Yeah. A lot of times the road is built a certain whether it's built as a rural or
an urban road and the gutters and uh where the sidewalk is, clear zones, all that kind of thing factor into the speed limit. I just I can't honestly remember what our resolution out there was, but I do know you you all had brought it to us uh maybe about six six to eight months ago and we looked at it and did a speed
study and came up with some sort of re resolution to it. I just couldn't find it in my email. I'm not searching for the right terms. So, I'll I'll get the information to staff so they can pass it out to you. Mr. Waitman, it's it's a regular complaint. 45 is a bit
slow. All right. It's it's a regular topic of conversation from people, Mr. Chairman. And I I agree 100%. When we did the 52 improvements, it was great to go to get the multi-lanes, but then all the traffic went down. And when you look at traffic, if it moves faster, it's going
to be more efficient. So, why do we want to slow that down? If this could be maybe you could guys look at that curbing situation. I heard the same thing as well because the curbs built they got to drop the temp the speed limit down. Let's go look at building them without curbs or is there really a
safety factor with those curbings or is it just some engineer that said you know what let's go lower down if we got a curb. I'd like I'd like to see a study done to that saying where does it really lie? How many accidents get worse because of curbing as opposed to not? Yeah, I'll like I said, I'll follow up
with what we had what we had looked at. So, thank anybody else. All right. Thank you, but don't leave. No, I mean, next up, we have technical advisory committee here.
Good morning, commissioners. Morning. Um, Angel VA, Pasco NPO staff. Um, the technical advisory committee met on October 1st at 1:30 p.m. and a quorum was present. Um, they heard all the same presentations and action items as the CAC, including um, the amendment to the
fiscal year 26 to 2030 TIP. Um, excuse me. Um, and then the MO 2026 board and committee's meeting schedule. Um they also heard the uh presentation on the 2050 SIS uh unfunded needs plan. Um and
they approved all action items. That is the entirety of my report. Do you have any questions? Questions? Thank you so much. Thank you very much. All right. Uh next up, bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee. Brian Michaels. Good morning. Morning.
So, uh all of our action items except for one was tabled. We had a uh new member that didn't uh we weren't able to approve because they didn't uh come to the meeting. Um we saw the same presentation. H who didn't come? Um I believe it was
is it mine? She's not coming. She's not coming to the meetings. Okay, I'll find Well, it's state city is a little could be could have been. It was kind of far and it's a in a come to any meetings yet? Not yet. Okay, I'll look for something. And we
did approve the the member that uh Commissioner uh Mariana recommended. Um we also elected a new vice chair. Um Dea Mitchell uh resigned her position. Um Jeff is now the vice chair of the BPAC committee. Um it's also pedestrian
safety month for October. Um last year we launched uh Project Redlight where we estimated we reached 350,000 people in Pasco County with messaging. This year we're looking to double or triple that number. Um we are allowed to put uh
pedestrian messages on the DMS message boards. We've already had them up, which is the first time in the state um for pedestrian safety month that we're allowed to put messaging up. Um so we're very excited about the new program. And uh we also have FD uh District 7 is
engaged um with their social media as well and they should be coming out with something in the next couple weeks. Any questions? I'm amazed you don't pack place in city. It it it's a it's it's a challenging
place. It's also under construction. A lot of construction um over there, but um um we're we're still very excited about u being on the BPAC. We also need some new members. So, if any of the commissioners have somebody that's interested in bicycle, pedestrian, and
trails, um we're always looking for new members. You can select a regular member and an alternative member. We also have a few open seats as well. But again, I want to remind everybody to stop for pedestrians. Um that's the message for October.
Mr. Chairman, commissioner, so US 19 is very dangerous and dangerous roadway as we know. We put some safety money that into it. If there's any way Incorporate taking a look at using message boards on billboards. Um, I'd like to see if there's some benefit to
that and maybe some suggestions what you would do if you had space on billboards. Uh, it might let the county commission take a look at it to say, you know what, if we did this, it might make it safer. It might incentivize us to go take another look at to say, you know what, let's go look at getting some of these
billboards changed out for the benefit of this, not just for hurricanes, but for even safety. Are you talking about putting a public safety message on a billboard? Correct. Because they all do that. So, you just have to I mean, I think they're kind of required to do some public safety messages. So,
you can someone can ask outlook or whoever if they would post safety messages. FDOT has I'm not going to put any more billboards on 19. No. To be clear, what I'm trying to say is we could take a look at the electronic billboards, the trade out that we're going to have that says it
didn't work for them, but if there's a safety benefit to it, maybe it's worth another look because electronically you could have these safety messages out there. We know there's a benefit that we talked about with our big hurricane meetings about, you know, post post recovery that there was benefit if we
had those electronic billables to tell people where to go, etc. But even as that, we can still try to incorporate some safety messages if we had more electronic billboards, especially on 19 as dangerous it is. It seems to work. Kind of an oxymoron. Take take your eyes off the road and read the billboard.
FOT actually has billboards in Hillsboro County with safety messages on them. So, we may want to put in a request for FDOT to see if they can um um buy some. Yeah. And they do have those um Amber alert those signs. Well, the DMS message boards, we are just starting to use
those. Um, we do have uh because I'm on the pedestrian advisory committee, that's the first messaging, but the safety action plan is also uh I'm sure it's going to come up in the safety action plan meeting that we're going to utilize those uh DMS message boards for
other safety messages throughout the county. And that's good for those, but I don't want and I'm just trying to bring up a separate work. I'm not looking to put any more signage out on 19. All right. appreciate it. Fight that all day long. Anyone else? All right. Thank you. Anybody else? All right. Thank you. All right. Before our action items, um,
Miss Tina Gorman has a special guest to introduce. Yes. Good morning. We have a special guest, Matteo from Land of Lakes High School, who's here in turning with Commissioner Joerger. Hi, and he is working on learning more about local government and how it works. And I know
he's probably sitting there probably hiding under a seat, but Mr. Matteo, please come up and introduce yourself. you know, um, in the past we've let them sit up here. Yeah. How you doing? Hi, how's it going? I'm Matt Petrillo. I go to Land Lakes High School and, um,
uh, I'm just here to learn more about our local government and see if I can get involved. So, well, good for you. Thank you guys for having me. Good for you. We're happy to have you. Thank you. All right. Uh, we're going to move on to
our action items. Um, first one is the 2026 to30 transportation improvement program amendment. Mr. Angel V. Thank you, commissioners. Um, the Florida Department of Transportation requests approval of a proposed amendment to the Pasco County MO fiscal
year 26 to30 transportation improvement program or TIP. The purpose of the amendment is to add funding for an interstate interchange improvement project not currently listed in the fiscal year 26 to30 tip. Specifically,
FDOT wishes to add $135,149 in design funding and 1,420,936 in construction funding in fiscal year 26 to widen and resurface the south, excuse me, existing I75 southbound off-ramp travel lanes and shoulders to
provide dual left turn lanes from southbound I75 to eastbound CR54. Additional improvements include signing and pavement markings, signalization, drainage improvements, and upgraded intersection lighting. Do you have any questions, Mr. Commissioner?
I got to tell I think I I want to thank FDOT for jumping on this so fast. Um I know it's probably a lot you get probably a lot of different comments on it, whatever, but uh I think it was probably a year ago as I I was talking it through and uh I am just delighted this is just a much needed turn that
Yeah, I was just in that uh Tuesday. So, thank you DOT again for being so responsive to our requests. Appreciate it. All right. Just so you need a motion. Yes, I need a motion to approve. Second. All in favor? I Thank you.
All right. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. Next up, if Pasco MO board and committee 2026 meeting schedule proposed. All right. Good morning, board. Uh this morning I come before you to propose the
2026 meeting schedule. Uh we yearly we do this as a part of our bylaws and our operating procedures. If you denote on the June uh date, we highlighted that in red as we need quorum for the June date. So, please look at that date so we can
confirm as all of our MO guiding documents need to be reviewed and approved and headed up to FDOT and FHWA on those dates. We did accommodate the dates this year in August uh for the uh
for the yearly league of cities conference that comes up in August. Other than that, the calendar is set for you to review and approve. questions or comments comments. I don't have my iPad and I don't have the attachment. Oh, you don't have Is that it? Is it
right there? Yeah. Okay. I mean, you looked at all our schedules, correct? Okay. May is the only present from myself. Is anyone else attending the National League of Cities meeting?
Oh, it's a specialized meeting. Okay. Okay. Gotcha. Madam Chair, Mr. Chair, commissioner, um I've got a conflict with the regional planning council. That's one of their big seminars that they do for resiliency. And which month? Which date?
May 14th. Sorry. Oh, the May 14th. Okay. I don't have my calendar with me. If the following Thursday is open um on the calendar, would we like to move it to that date?
I I can't to ensure quorum or which would be move it move it out a week 21st but you know you've got two already so right I don't want to if something else comes up then I'm floating and
not having quorum. It's government day for leadership Pasco. What is that? Remember those would be May of 2026. I haven't been able to make that in a couple of years. I like that government day. I think Commissioner Oakley was there this time. Move it up a week maybe.
I like I said I can't comment without my calendar sadly. So we have three that cannot make it on the 14th. I would be good for the 21st as far as I know. The 21st is the 21st. I feel like I
would be, but Okay. Gotcha. We'll tenatively we'll tenatively hold it for the 21st. We'll connect with your um aids and ads and then we'll go from there. Mr. Chairman, maybe we can talk to the leadership Pasco. Maybe they can just set us for like a 1:00 thing or even
12:00 later. Yeah, later. Later in the day work. Okay. Okay. All right. So, can we make a motion to review and approve pending the 521 date? Second.
We got a second. Second. Okay. All in favor? I I All good. All right. Five's approved. Cassen, I'll make that motion. Second. All in favor? I
adding adding Scott Cassen to the CAC. Oh, wait, wait. I might have jumped to like Madam Chairman instead of Well, you can't make the motion, so I maybe No, I know, but we got to get to it first. Okay. I thought we were done with four. Maybe we're not. You're a little ahead. All right. Now,
we're going to go Now we're going to go to five to approve. Second. All in favor? I I keep rolling. Can I go to six? Keep rolling. Hold on. Do you want Do you want me to go through that?
I said I can go through all of that or you can go through all of them. It's your preference. No motion to approve. Uh call it. Does anybody want to talk about it? I'm making the motion. I know. I can approve. You could go
through them. So we can All right. We're going on to on a six now. Approve alternate member for citizen advisory council. Mr. or uh Grem Griezmann. Sorry. Yes. Second. All in favor? I I
All opposed. All right. Thank you. Moving on to seven approval of transport uh transition to regular member of the technical advisor comm Jian. Thank you. So move second. All in favor? I I I
posted. All right. Thank you. Uh number eight, approval of new alternate member to the technical advisory committee S. Ferry. Move approval. Second. All in favor? I opposed. All right. Thank you. Item nine, member removal from the no bicycle
and pedestrian committee. Wait. Yeah. Wait, does it have a name? Yes. Is Dennis Keagull? It's for the District 5 seat that's being um filled by Jen Carowak. Okay. Anybody want to move?
Second. All in favor? I opposed. Thank you. Is that Pastor Jen? Yes. Yes, ma'am. Oh, cool. Okay. And then 10. Good. Good. Approval of the new regular member of the bicycle pedestrian advisory committee, Mr. Carro. Second.
All in favor? That's a lady. I thank you very much. All right. Thank you. Woo. All right. Now we're to go Pasco updates. Are there any updates at this time? No. No updates.
All right. Status reports, presentations. Um, we have one on the agenda. The unfunded needs plan 2050. Well, that's not Pasco. Welcome to a process and coordination
overview for FDOT District 7's CIS 2050 multimodal unfunded needs plan. The CIS 2050 multimodal unfunded needs plan serves to identify transportation
improvements needed for CIS facilities. These improvements are unconstrained by cost and are not yet included in the FDOT CIS work program second 5-year plan or cost feasible plan. The plan ensures
Florida's long-term transportation priorities are recognized even if funding is not yet available. It is important to keep in mind that although a project may be identified as a need by the CIS program, it is not guaranteed to
receive funding nor an endorsement. The goals of the CIS unfunded needs plan are to identify unfunded transportation needs, cover all of the modes, include existing and future CIS eligleible facilities, and ensure all
projects are documented. The update process takes approximately 18 months from kickoff to adoption. Months 1 to three, initial review of the 2045 needs plan to determine which
projects remain unfunded and should be retained. Months 4 to9, we have pulled the LRTPS and are working to identify projects. We use traffic modeling to identify needs based on population growth and land use.
We are currently starting months 10 to 15 which is the development of the draft plan including district maps, tables and regional profiles. NPOS, TPOS and stakeholders will review the draft plan
when ready. Months 16 to 18 are for the final review by FDOT senior management, then adoption by the FDOT executive board. NPOS and TPOS play a key role in
identifying needs through their LRTPS and regional plans. Coordination also includes regional transportation authorities, local governments, and modal transportation partners. The FDOT
district handles local coordination with partners and reports back to central office CIS program via their monthly teleconferences. Project needs are identified using MO and TPO long range transportation plans,
regional transportation authorities plans, plans of partner agencies, traffic modeling and analysis including statewide, regional, and local models. Level of service analysis to detect
future roadway capacity issues. Statewide modal master plans for aviation, freight, rail, seapports, spaceports, and transit. GIS and data visualization help map project locations
and priorities. The plan consists of individual district maps and tables that list cost and location of unfunded projects, regional profiles showcasing economic and demographic overviews for each region
and an executive summary providing a highlevel overview of identified needs by district and mode. for the final review. Once the final draft is ready, the NPOS's, TPOS, FDOT
districts, and CIS staff conduct a review of the draft plan. After senior management approval, the final draft is presented to the FDOT executive board for adoption. Once adopted, the plan
serves as a guiding document for future funding considerations. The CIS 2050 multimodal unfunded needs plan is essential for shaping Florida's long-term transportation needs. It assures that the MPOS, TPOS, and their
regional priorities also align with CIS needs. It uses datadriven methods to validate these needs and also ensures all potential CIS projects are documented for future consideration. The next steps involve ongoing
coordination, updates, and preparation for the next planning cycle. Thank you. This concludes our presentation. We will now open the floor for questions. Commissioner uh Mariana.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, I'm not sure how many billions of dollars we're talking about as far as unfunded needs and I'm not sure how many projects we've actually talking about in the in the total Florida state of Florida program, but at FAC at NATO, we've had many
conferences about many conversations lately, especially with our transportation engineers about the Davis Bacon Act and how much it drives up costs. And the paperwork is the biggest concern, but there's other factors that are in there, too. Uh, I would like to have us put a letter out saying, please
look into what the savings could be on Davis Bacon Act, not only for these unfunded needs, but also for the whole project. How much money would the state of Florida save if we could avoid Davis Bacon and give a better return for our citizens value
100%. And if I could add on to that because we had this discussion at the board meeting. So, for our board members here who don't know what the Davis Bacon Act is, it was enacted in 1931 and um it um adds a lot of paperwork and
burden on contractors who get a federal uh appropriation of more than the the baseline was set at $2,000 in 1931. Um and uh we talked about it at FAC as I chair the federal committee and one of
my fellow my my vice chair is from um Escambia County and they said that the Davis Bacon Act costed the government 30% of the cost of construction of an airport hanger. Um, I I don't know if
anyone here knows how to break down the cost of a mile of sidewalk if you're using federal money, but it's going to be 20% 25%. We had to do this at Amskills because we had a CDBG grant. Um, and the and we we our contractor
lost their Davis Bacon Bacon person, held us up for I don't know half a year trying to chase down all the paperwork. It's it's outdated. It's a real problem. And I am 100% in support of doing a letter. I think, you know, it guarantees
certain wages to the workers, which is not a bad thing, but there's other ways you can do that now rather than than requiring this much paperwork. If if you get a contract for $2,000 worth of work, you got that much that much paperwork and time. And so feel free to research
it. The Davis Bacon Act, Mr. Ch to to go a little further too just as she says literally the engineers that doing projects they told told me about one project is at the transportation committee with no the stack was less than like 8 in high for the paperwork it went about 3 feet high
when you had to go Davis Bacon so just that alone to contract that dealing with it is just such a such a waste for government and as we're going to be looking at let's say Florida's Doge program that's looking at everything uh federally we're looking at Doge I think probably this is the opportunity time to bring it forward.
There was a committee that looked at it in it was your committee. My committee and I got turned it down. They turned it down. I I'm trying again. I started I would love for us, the Pasco MO to send a letter to the FDOT uh to address this maybe state FDOT, right?
State FDOT and USDOT and get it to Trump's office. Yeah. Say, let's go look at this because we say we don't have money. We want to save money. We want to be more efficient with our government. uh all these things can't get funded. Let's go look at the way we're doing things. And I I don't think there's probably a better time in
our history, right, to get a change done right now. Yeah. So, I would love to see I'll make a motion. Uh we have the uh staff draft up a letter. Uh put it to all our delegation. Uh put it to all our our cabinet members up at the state. Yeah.
Send it to FDOT. Send it to U I mean US DOT. Make sure the president gets a copy, transportation secretary, and send a letter saying, "We want you to go look at it, and we think there's some great savings in there. Now's the time." Time and money. I'll second. Yeah. All in favor? I
The chairman sign it. Yeah. Perfect. Perfect. I noticed something on here, not only looking at airports and seapports, but space ports. Yes. Pretty cool. Yeah. 2050. Can um I have a question to her. Can she go back to the map of district
7? I think There was a map just before this one, the presenter or whomever. Um, I was trying to see I thought State Road 54 was in the CIS. So, is it just between the Sun Coast and 75 or
just just between the Sun Coast and 75? Correct. That is a CIS facility. So, it's US19. Um, and now the CIS is to help what what is the purpose of the CIS if you don't mind saying it again.
Strategic and emotal system. I know it stands for that. Brian Hunter with the Florida Department of Transportation. Again, these are the the most critical roadways for the movements of people and good that provide regional connectivity for to within urbanized areas in the state as
well as outside of the state. All right. So, I have a little issue with that big gap between 19 and the Sun Coast. Um, do why would we not widen
why would we not go to 19? I see 98 goes from 19 all the way over, but we only have that little piece of 54. just the connection between Sun Coast and so the CIS network is mileage limited by
the by state statute. We have a certain a mileage cap that we have on how many miles can be on the state or the cyst network. And so we really and there's very specific criteria. It has to be connecting to either a um
urbanized area or a CIS terminal. So, an airport terminal, a seapport terminal, um a a passenger terminal. So, like a and there's thresholds for those. So, like a passenger terminal has to have 2,000 passengers a day at it. So, like
an Amtrak or a Greyhound station would qualify for that. So, if there's no connector on the east or west end that we're trying to connect, then that wouldn't be eligible for the CIS network. But 98 is connecting. What's there? I'm
just So, that piece is probably left over from when the Sun Coast did not go. We do have like a a 10-year re-evaluation of the CIS network. So, that piece was probably there before the Sun Coast
connected up to or 44 and now it's being built over to US19. So, that may get re-evaluated, that little 98 piece. I don't know. I just I feel like the gap between 19 and the other interstates and turnpike is is too big for the
population it serves. That's just my my view there. I I I wonder when you reook at this. I'm not sure what the cycle is, but I do know we have a regular where we are in the cycle, but I do know we have a regular update to the cyst network.
I I because I think 50 I remember Secretary Gwyn talking about it. And I think 54 wasn't on it for a while between the two. Yeah. So 54 used to end, it picked up at like so the the little Dale Mabry spur off of the Veterans that went and then
we had Updale Mabry to 41 to 54 to the east. That piece was always on there, but the piece in between that and the Sun Coast was not. And so we were able to add the the piece in between 41 to the Sun Coast.
All right. Well, I don't know if anyone else has any comments, but seems like a big gap there, but anyone else? And CIS gets extra funding, right? CIS roads get Yeah. So, that's we're required to spend 75% of our capacity dollars on the CIS
network. So, that is where the majority of the state's capacity investments will go. Mr. Chairman, commissioner, you know, when I look at Pasco and from the look of this, we're not on any of these items that are here. And I look at
kind of road that needs to be done. Sun Lake would be a great reliever for for 41 uh and the Sun Coast. Um I look at Shady Hills Road, we had all these jobs that want to come in. They can't go north south as well. That would take stress off. Let's say Bellamy, etc. And it may not be a direct connection, but
um as far as unfunded things, I mean th those are three unfunded projects would do a lot to enhance the mobility of of folks around area. And if we're talking about just the Tampa area with the airport and the U
port itself, it's it's like it seems like it's not a fair allocation of money for us. So the that's what the unfunded needs plan is for. It's really for us to look at what are those needs that are not currently in the cost feasible plan. There is a program within the CIS network that does look at relievers. So
if we can make investment on a parallel road that helps relieve some of the capacity needs on the CIS network. So there'll be an opportunity for us to work with you all to to include some of those needs and then we can evaluate them and see if we can put them in the unfunded needs plan. And then the the
CIS network we have a different planning process for it. So that's the we do the first five which is our work program. It's the only program that we have the second five planned out and then we have the cost feasible which is all the projects that are needed that we can re
reasonably expect to be able to fund in the next 25 years and then the unfunded needs and so on once things get added to the unfunded needs they can trickle into the other various things. Where where does US 41 and 54 stand? Is that on this list? Yes. So that is a CIS network. It's not
going to be in the unfunded needs plan because it is in our second five. The construction is in second five on that one. Thank you. So Commissioner Wman did this presentation didn't share the methodology behind the CIS plan. Can you
do that? Can you the methodology behind your decisions on the network that Yeah. So it's basically connecting. So there's very specific criteria that go into the roads and I don't know the exact numbers. I'm not our CIS expert
but so there's you have the urbanized areas. So like Tampa to Orlando. What are those critical connections from Tampa to Orlando? And then you also have connections from the interstate to your hubs whether that's a passenger. So, a
um bus or train terminal, an airport that provides there's a I think it's 2 million passengers a year is the threshold or two and a half% of the state's air traffic is at an airport or there's also a percentage for cargo. And
then uh ports is also a a gross tonnage minimum that needs to be met. Once you're meet that, you can get on the CIS network. So, it's basically traffic volumes, um, connections between those hubs and urbanized areas. And then there is a subset, it's really hard to see,
but on those little inset, um, maps, there's red lines that the green ones are the CIS network and the red ones are CIS connectors. So, if there's a we call it strategic growth, um, like CPR, it doesn't meet that threshold yet, but it
it reasonably is expected to in the next couple of years. We'll put the connectors on there. So that that's our future CIS network as well. So okay. So it takes in account where that customer base is coming from and going to
pretty much. Yeah. So but regionally not, you know, like we're not it wouldn't be like Zephr Hills to Dade City. That wouldn't be It would be from like the regional urbanized area. So like the Tampa St.
urbanized zone to another urbanized zone. So, Orlando, um, you know, Tallahassee, something like that. It wouldn't be more it wouldn't handle the the local connections. It's more of those regional and statewide and national
the determining factor of so it's got to be an airport, it's got to be a port, a high density, you know, high-rise city basically is kind of what you're Yeah. the connection the pieces that we're trying to connect.
Gotcha. Okay. Interesting. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Commissioner. So, another thought. So, if if we're looking at trying to make the ports, airports more efficient, fix the traffic situation. Uh we put turnpike authority in so they could actually help and build some roads that otherwise would get
funded with funding, etc. But when I look at that Ridge Road area where you could have all those trips that could just go meet at their intersection at Ridge Road or just below Ridge Road and put a parking rod right there for all these people and keep all those trips going down there. I don't
know why that doesn't be become part of the system. So it would have to a a transit facility would have to meet that 2,000 rider a day or whatever that number is. It's somewhere in the in that ballpark and it has to be existing
service. It's we don't with that kind of thing. We don't have projected service. It's got to be existing service. So might might be a good reason why we should actually start a plan to go do a potential to start something and see where it can grow. It's worked everywhere else and around this nation.
Yeah. Anybody else? um when when will when will be the opportunity to have some have some input on this? We said there would be some time to do that. Yeah, so I think that's the next phase of this. Right now we're gathering all the um looking at the LRTPS the
statewide moal plans um master plans at airports and seapports and so assembling all that anything that's unfunded needs and then we'll be coming back to the committees and the board to to kind of put those up there. We don't really with this plan, we don't typically look at
what the solution is. So if it's a capacity need, we won't say it needs to go from four lanes to eight lanes or anything like that. It'll just be that we'll identify that need and then as it moves forward to actually getting funding, that's when we come back and we work with you all to to identify the
solution. So it's a little different than our typical plans, but we'll be back probably four to six months, I would say, would be the time frame. All right. Anyone else?
All right. Thank you. Uh, next up we have some other business. Um, regional NO principles workshop. Mr. Tia Gorm. Good morning again. I just wanted to uh invite you to the Can you put up the
invitation? Uh, to the regional MO principles workshop. But before I get into that invitation, I want to kind of to go back and to debrief about what has been going on with the regional merger and where we left off with our discussions as far as uh where we are
now. So currently, for those who have attended the TMA, we do have a consultant with White House Group that is helping us uh work through some of these merger options of the governance board staff um and some of the legalities that we have to walk through.
uh and within that white house group um we are consequently going with FHWA and we are working on some peer workshops. We've reached out to some of our peers around the nation who have engaged in a merger and having really informative discussion. So we've met with River to
Cog NO in Connecticut. We've met with Hampton Roads NO in Virginia and we've met with the Ria Grand MO in Texas. These workshops have been very informative. Um it was getting down to the kind of some nitty-gritty discussions. How what does it look like
merging the board? And then we are going to subsequently have a a finalized workshop with the top three selections of that peer exchange and have them actually fly out here to Florida, meet with the three NPOs that are potentially
being merged and continue further discussions so we can have a better uh perspective on what exactly we are getting into as a merged NO uh from the staff level. And it was it's very good discussion. Next, we have our upcoming
Metro Plan uh Orlando visit, which uh this is really solely for elected officials. Uh as for you all to go and attend and talk with other elected officials that work within an a merged NPO setting. So that is why um Major
Malow did not receive the invite, but we were more than welcome to invite him. Uh but he is more than welcome to attend the principal's workshop. So I wanted to clarify that but a lot of you have confirmed uh we we're looking forward to this workshop and I know that it'll be uh giving us a lot of information from
the governance board perspective and then subsequently we have our principles workshop that will be happening uh November 14th and we're very excited to have this workshop. We want to engage and talk about our governance structure and voting mo
models, transitions, timelines, milestones, frameworks for public engagement and interlocal coordination. You all are invited. I had the honor of going to Newport Richie city council a couple days ago and presenting there. I will be going to Port Richie and I will
be going to Zeber Hills and Dade City subsequently to share the invitation as well. But I wanted to make sure the invitation was here for you for the NBO board. Um, there's no information on the Orlando trip in here. These flyers are for the workshop,
correct? The Orlando trip is going out in separate emails. Yeah, that's what is that date again? October 27th. Okay. It's a Monday. It's a Monday. Yeah. Yeah. I think a lot of people are driving. I may Yes, everybody's driving separately. We we had the idea of providing
transportation but it did not work out as everybody has varying schedules. So all right thank you. Thank you. Uh next next uh no meeting we held on Thursday November 13th at 10 a.m. um in Dade City at the historic
courthouse. Anybody else have anything before we adjourn? Um yes I have a question. Um I brought this up at the board meeting. I I wanted to know what the status is of the 52 bike ped overpass. I
thought we were starting all a while ago and every time I drive by I've seen nothing. So I know we funded it. Both the 54 and 52 are funded. So the longer we wait, the more expensive it's going to be.
We have somebody coming up. How you doing? All right. Good morning. Nick Uran, county engineer U. Commissioner, we we did look into that following the the board meeting on Tuesday. The the short story is we funded through an interlocal agreement or partnership agreement with
the District 7 office the design and construction of the Sun Coast Trail overpass at State Road 52. Design was finished early this calendar year. Construction contract was advertised and awarded. Notice to proceed was given to the contractor to start work on that. In
July, contractors asked for a delayed start to the construction because they wanted to avoid adverse impacts on trail users during the holiday season. So, their new start date is um January 1st of 2026
as long as they're not going to hit us up for more money because construction Yeah. construction contract is executed with bid prices memorialized. So, the delay does not impact the construction cost in that contract. It just allows the contractor to get mobilized after the holiday
season. Uh there will be some I think clearing and and potential landscaping work that occurs prior to January 1st, but the um that's what I heard from the DOT's project manager yesterday. Uh but the construction activity should begin in earnest January of 2026. Okay. And when are we going to start 54?
That one is uh we're finalizing design and has not yet been advertised for construction. Supposed to be advertised in the next few months. Okay. Yeah. Mer uh just a thought for DOT. I I got a text message from someone. I didn't get many details, but I
understand there's going to be a truck stop maybe at 52 and 75 and there was some concerns about it. I'm wondering if we can I don't expect much today, but we can get an update as far as what's going on. I think the NO should be able to see what's going on before it actually happens.
Where's the Yeah, they said 52 and 75. I don't have any more details. I don't even know if it's an accurate thing, but I mentioned at the last board meeting, but yeah, I do know that we I hadn't heard or seen anything. I know. That's what I say. I don't know if it's accurate or not. I'm just throwing out there while we have DOT with us.
Yeah, I'll follow up with you on that. I know we've been doing like a um districtwide fe site analysis for additional truck parking spots. We're building a big facility down off County Line Road in the Pole, Hillsboro, County Line Road and I4 and we want to continue
that um type of development because it is a a critical need for freight mobility and safety of our truck drivers, but I don't know that we've come to the point where we've identified particular sites or So, is that done on your property or do
you go and buy property and then put an exit off the interstate? How does that work? So, we don't put new exits off the interstate. They it's not like a rest area. We try and build them off the interstate so that you can serve both directions from one facility. Um the one
that we purchased on near Plant City, we purchased the property for that, we bought about 60 acres that was just vacant land and we're Greenfield developing that into a truck. Is it at a major intersection in the Yeah, County Line Road and I4 is one of our If you go south on County Line Road,
there's I think 8 million square feet of um industrial facility that are open and another 20 million square feet planned on that corridor. So, it's a just I would hate to lose all the jobs on the corner for parking price. That's all
involved. What all part of the facility? So we build the parking facility as well as um you know restrooms. Uh there's a um like a trail around it and we also build bicycle and pedestrian access to the um there's a couple restaurants and
a hotel in the area. So we are providing those bicycle and pedestrian access to them. Construct drivers have very unique operating time frames where once the truck goes off, if they've reached their hours of operation, that truck can't get on or move unless it's doing like a 5
mph yard move. And so we wanted to provide that access to them. That's why we picked that location. It was low ground. It wasn't developable really. It was going to be expensive to be developed. And so the highest and best use for it was a truck parking facility.
and we had a willing seller and they soar highway frontage or set back ways you can go down the service road to get to there's a frontage road in that area it's on the south of the frontage road of the interstate so it's it's very close but it's not direct access from
the interstate yeah I would I would be remiss if I didn't say on the record I would respectfully request if the DOT were looking that either, you know, the double branch site or KD52,
uh, with talking to our county commission before, those are two major economic hubs for us that there's incentives and everything and to have big chunk of the industrial space eaten up for just truck parking. Um, we would
respectfully request to know about that. Absolutely. We wouldn't we wouldn't Yeah. take you would know that 50 acres of potential industrial land out of out of commission without coming to y'all first. So not and something else too.
Flying Jay has got a gas station, restaurant, etc. And that's already used for no hotel truckers in that area to go. So I don't know why you'd pick that area when you already got service. Where are you hearing this from? It was just a text message. I don't like I said, I don't even know if it's accurate but looking at that. I'm just
it was concerned about safety. But I think the other concerns we have as far as you know taking away jobs. But again with flying Jay right there I don't know why even that section would even be strong on the list. Well it would have to side you've got uh developments fixing to come in but
there's no truck stop in it. Yeah. We have seen successful projects around the nation where they the Department of Transportation in that state will purchase a property, build a truck parking facility adjacent to a truck stop because then we don't have to build the facilities or maintain them.
The the truck drivers can walk over to the Flying J. I don't know if we're particularly looking at that site, but it has been successfully done where it lowers the cost for everybody. It provides additional customers for the truck stop. I can give you one update
about Flying J. They have put an entrance in the back of their parking area that goes into the Flying J off of the old Pasco Road. That that drive is already in. So those trucks don't have to make that U-turn. They can go down and turn left
into into Flying J. Yeah. That go past that car that truck wash and right past it a road going into Flying J. Yeah. signalized. Isn't that now signalized too? Yeah, that's that's signalized right
there at that Pasco Road in Pit 2. Yeah. Yeah. But I'll follow up with you. Thank you. Thank you. I just have a um separate question. Do we have an update on 41? Uh which p project on 41?
Well, just you know, we were talking about the like Tri County for um Hillsboro, Pasco, and Penllis. You know, I know we asked uh for some funding that is that that northern piece that is the widening. I don't know where we are on that one. I
know it's in we got some funding for design, but I don't know where we are in the the next stage of funding that project. And I don't even know I don't know that we had enough funding to complete design. So, I'll follow up. We need to ask again this year. I'll get you I'll get you in our office
the information. Can you email all of us? I'll get it to Tania and then she can distribute it. I know it's something that's a priority of ours. Yeah. Yeah. I'll definitely I'll get you that something in the next couple days. Mr. Starky, um I don't know if this is for you or you or both of you, but
I hope it's for her. I know that uh may Mayor Caster had brought up the grant that she got um from the federal grant. What's it called? RIA. Yeah, the RIA. I listened to that presentation. I don't know why where I
got that from. Um, oh, she presented at the TMA meeting. What were you there? Was anyone here at the TMA meeting? I I didn't make it. Jack, were you at the TMA meeting? All right. I was there. I don't remember. Okay. So, they made a big presentation
on the RIA grant. Um, and I've never heard you speak about that here. So I think everyone I remember her saying do you guys have projects that you're going to think about for so with the RIA grant it it's just now
coming to where we are collaborating on which projects we're wanting to tell them what it is because I'm the only one here I think who knows the RIA grant um the RIA grant came about in the TMA it was at the TMA meeting where we first discussed this where the city of Tampa elected to get
this grant to help with the transportation regional transportation needs from the federal from the federal discretionary grants. They applied, they received the RIA grant. Essentially, it had started out as a grant to get commuter rail. Um, but it has expanded since that
conversation into the three counties looking at how we can connect and collaborate on regional transportation projects. The RIA grant uh funding is um not only just discretionary grants, but
it is also a lowcost bond loan from the federal government. We are working with TED and we're also working with development services to look at projects that do qualify for these um for this type of funding. Um I know you were very interested when Wit discussed having
trails or uh multi-use paths and looking at our trail network connections. connections. Correct. Um that is a project that can be done but currently right now we are working like I said with uh Nick in engineering and with their AKA uh David Allen to garner
which projects would be best fitted to put onto the reassessment list to look at that funding. So every county is going through this and looking at what projects would be good. We got to make sure um you mentioned one on the east side. I mentioned a few on the on on this side.
I don't remember what but it has to be rule rule rule cate in a rural category the roadway I believe I have to look at the the funding aspects so we have to really look at this out then maybe um but they we're looking at
different different uh projects right now so that's where we are um I'm sure it'll be coming to you at other venues as well so um the RIA grant and we discussed this at the last TMA they did a presentation I can send you the presentation if you'd all like to review
it as well for your uh decision making processes. Uh but it is very it is a very um it's a very good uh program but we just have to figure out what projects we want to bring forth and we want to make sure our efforts are going to the best best projects that we have.
So So they hired consultants right the reagent correct to manage. Do you remember the name of the company? This year I'd have to go back and look. Yeah. So, there's a company that's been hired and they are the ones coordinating this with the regional with the TMA, I
guess. The TMA, downtown partnerships, and um Yes. And the NPOS's. Yeah. But, and coordinating with the counties as well. Yeah. So, I just want to make sure you guys knew about it because I think we I don't She
may have known about it, but we didn't know about it. And um but she had told me about it last year, Mayor Caster, that they were awarded this. So, yes. And they're finally moving on it as well. Yeah. Um I one more thing to say. It slipped my mind, but I'll I'll make sure I get the actual
So, is it from the um what's the federal transportation agency called? FHA or federal It's from I think it's from the Department of Transportation. I f FHWA or FTA, one of the two. Yeah, it's a Is it part of the build a
build? the big the big big bill. Big I'm sorry. Build array the big better bill. Yeah. What are the what was what was the name of the transportation grant through the Yeah, I don't know that you're quizzing me now. Anyway, the reason a bunch of money
and it's being kind of run out of city of Tampa's office, but they've hired these consultants and we're part of it. Did they give a number? I don't remember if they had a number in there as far as how much was they had available. I don't think they gave a number. It was depending on the projects. Right now,
they're trying to assess which projects are going to be picked and put on the list for assessment. So, that's where we are in the process right now. Mayor Hoover, it might be a little early, but for the Cody River Underpass project, has there been a movement or update on the rideway
study? I will defer to Brian on that because it's to my knowledge is in the rightway study. Right. Brian Hunter with FDOT again. Yeah. So we are currently um doing the line and grade design so we can identify the exact rightway needs that we have. We
aren't there yet but we are working on towards it. Any is it still probably a year off to have that? Yeah it probably be about a year off. I think we had we had survey of the the bridge top, but I don't think we had right um in-depth survey for the entire
rideway. Okay. So, that is the first piece that and it's seems to take a little while to get that kind of stuff. Don't I was shocked to hear it was going to take a while. Appreciate you. Yeah. Um I have one more thing for you, Commissioner. He's at the website. Okay. Um, so we have the intersection of
Starky Boulevard and and State Road 54 and I know we are working on a one day a pedestrian overpass there, but right now the Coast to Coast Trail, which is a major trail for the state, um, comes through there and it's overgrown and looks abandoned. And I
texted my staff yesterday, I'm just so frustrated that no one's taken ownership of of that. And when you leave here, you'll you'll pass it. So please look at at it on the right hand side. So there's been discussion that oh that's DOT property. It's not the county property,
Dewey Mitchell's property. And I I will say the state handled that grant. You know, originally we were going to build that the the Starky Gap and then um when Sunrail money came in, the state took over that contract and someone came in
from Orlando, an engineer, and designed it. Someone built it. Well, they brought in Kogan grass. So, first of all, it's full of Kogan grass in your rightway and on Dewy's property and it's unmanaged, unckempt, dangerous. So, I'm hoping that
you can get with Nick over there before you leave. And um I I added Keith Wy to that conversation. I added um our utilities. I added um um I don't know
there was multi multi people in a text yesterday to say someone has to take ownership of maintaining that and cleaning cleaning out the coen grass and making it safe because you cannot just look at just look at it when you leave and and it it's embarrassing.
Yeah. I'll get with Nick and we'll we'll figure out the maintenance responsibilities and um get that taken care of. Thanks. I mean the weeds are over my head. I mean that I don't know if it's ever been taken care of. All right. Okay. Thanks. And this Yeah. Oh,
do you mind if I jump in real quick? I I wanted to go back to the other conversation and also for the benefit of the um city representatives on the board. My name is David Allen. I'm the assistant u county administrator over development services. I did want to clarify on the RIA project that they did receive a grant to hire the consultant
to do research and and coordinate with the three counties. However, I think one of the important pieces to understand regarding that that process is that um the consultant is is assisting with identifying alternative funding
mechanisms. So, one thing I want to be clear of is that there's not a pot of money that's out there with RIA that says, "Okay, we're going to all coordinate to get that money." what it's really looking at doing is is identifying alternative funding mechanism whether whether that's um you know public private partnerships or or
other bond opportunities for financing the projects and so again as as um Miss Gorman mentioned we're working uh together with our county engineer to find potential projects and potential gaps that may qualify or may be beneficial for us under those alternative funding mechanisms.
Can you email this um this form to us all of us? Thank you. And I don't think it says rural, but it says foster uh economic growth and job economic development and job growth. I mean, it um I think we definitely want
to pay attention to this and and yeah, they're they're not it's not funding to build these. It's funding to say what's important in the region and what's the best grant to go after and let's help you put together that package to go after those grants. Right. That's that was my understanding.
Yeah. They help put it together. Yeah. Loans. So, it's just it's multiple Yeah. Whatever funding. Yeah. Multiple kinds of funding. Correct. Yeah. All right. Well, my question is for you. Um, Councilman, for um, are you guys
going to be lighting the bridge purple for in November for the veterans? Yes. Um, we we right now the bridge is out. They're waiting on a module for it, so we don't have any colors at the moment. Um, so soon as that gets in, we supposed to be pink right now, right?
So, soon as we get that in, we'll get it we'll get it lighted properly, but I'll make sure that we do for um November veterans. Awesome. Thank you. We're doing we're doing our buildings. Anyone else motion to adjurnn?
Thank you. So not only [Music] [Music]