Council questions scope of MPO's Safe Streets plan and FDOT authority over local projects

At a Punta Gorda pre-agenda session councilors discussed a proposed resolution to adopt the Charlotte County / Punta Gorda Metropolitan Planning Organization's Safe Streets and Roads for All comprehensive safety action plan and asked how much control the city retains over specific future projects.

Council member Janine Polk raised concern that approving the MPO plan could be interpreted in the future as city approval for specific projects such as roundabouts. "Is this something where we approve and then down the road, even though we might say, no, we don't want a roundabout by, you know, point A, they'll say down the road, well, you approved it back in, you know, 2025?" Polk asked.

A staff speaker explained that some roads in the plan would fall under the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) jurisdiction and that FDOT may proceed with studies and projects if funding is available, even if the city does not favor a particular design. "There will be areas where FDOT will be in charge of it. So even though we approve it, it doesn't necessarily mean that or we disapprove of something, doesn't necessarily mean they may or may not do it. If there's funding there, they're going to do it," the speaker said.

Council members asked whether the resolution could include clarifying language to protect the city's position on specific projects. Staff said the MPO would present at the formal June 4 meeting and that councilors could discuss language or conditions when the MPO representatives attend.

No vote was taken during the pre-agenda meeting; the MPO will present at the June 4 meeting. The discussion emphasized that adopting a regional or MPO safety plan does not automatically transfer local permitting authority over city-owned roads, but FDOT jurisdiction can govern state roads and funded projects.