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Public commenter urges TPO to seek clarity on new DOT order; board agrees to invite FDOT briefing
Summary
A member of the Citizens Advisory Committee urged the TPO to review a U.S. Department of Transportation order included in the addendum. The board supported inviting FDOT to brief the TPO when implementation guidance is available.
Rick Fernandez, speaking during the public‑comment period as chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee and as a resident of Tampa Heights, asked the TPO to bring forward discussion of a U.S. Department of Transportation order that was included in the meeting addendum.
Fernandez read portions of the order that, in his view, raised questions about application at the local level. He cited three items from the order that concerned him: a preference in project selection for communities with higher marriage and birth rates than the national average; prohibitions on recipients imposing vaccine and mask mandates; and requirements for local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and other federal priorities. Fernandez said board members and CAC members had not had time to digest the order and asked the TPO to address how the order would be applied locally.
During old/new business the board chair asked FDOT staff to present once implementation guidance is available. FDOT indicated they are still reviewing the order and would schedule a briefing when they have direction to share. The board did not take action at the March 12 meeting but instructed staff to coordinate with FDOT to schedule a briefing for the board when suitable.
