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West Palm Beach approves resolution to allow FDOT to install Donald J. Trump Boulevard markers
Summary
The City Commission voted 4–1 to adopt a resolution asking FDOT to install honorary markers for the state‑designated Donald J. Trump Boulevard on Southern Boulevard; the city attorney said the state law already made the designation and the resolution merely complies with FDOT’s marker process.
The West Palm Beach City Commission voted to approve Resolution No. 202-25, allowing the Florida Department of Transportation to install honorary designation markers for a state‑designated segment of Southern Boulevard now designated by state law as President Donald J. Trump Boulevard.
City attorney Kimberly Rothenberg told the commission the designation was created in this year’s legislative session by House Bill 987 and that FDOT requires local resolutions from affected jurisdictions before placing markers. "That process is outlined in the Florida statutes," she said, and the local action "does not, in fact, change the actual mailing address of the 9‑1‑1 emergency addresses."
Members of the public offered sharply divided views during an extended public‑comment period. Alexis Salerno, speaking for Representative Meg Weinberger, asked commissioners to support the resolution, saying, "President Donald J. Trump has called Palm Beach County home for decades, investing in our local economy, creating jobs, and supporting community life." By contrast, Nigel Mann called the item "asinine," urged the commission to reject it and listed political reasons for his opposition.
Commissioners debated whether the vote was largely symbolic because the state law that renamed the segment already took effect. Commissioner comments ranged from urging cooperation with FDOT to flagging concerns about process and permanence. The motion to approve the resolution passed on a show of hands, 4–1; the mayor confirmed the tally and the motion was recorded as carried 4 to 1.
Rothenberg reiterated that the city action would satisfy FDOT’s procedural requirement for installation of markers at the termini identified by the statute and that the statute, not the local resolution, effectuates the naming. The resolution does not direct the placement of markers inside West Palm Beach boundaries; FDOT’s implementation plan identifies placement at the terminus intersections outside the city.
The commission’s vote was the final action taken on the item at the Dec. 8 meeting; no further local legislative steps are required for FDOT to install the markers once the agency proceeds with its statutory process.
