Hillsborough TPO Board Meeting – January 14, 2026

The Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Board met on January 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting covered adoption of safety performance targets, a prioritization process evaluation, status reports, and staff updates. Key actions included approving the 2026 safety targets, accepting short-term prioritization recommendations, and cancelling a February special meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the December 10, 2025 meeting minutes.
• Approved Consent Agenda items: Committee Appointments and the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) Redesignation Letter of Intent, as recommended by the Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Only Mr. Rick Fernandez (CAC Chair) was signed up for public comment; he deferred his time to the CAC report.
• One advance public comment was received (Bob O’Malley via X) regarding a Brightline Station Area Studies survey.

Committee Reports

• CAC Report (Rick Fernandez): The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) met on January 7, 2026. They elected officers, recommended removal of members with extended absences, and voted unanimously to recommend the TPO Board not approve the 2026 safety performance targets, citing lack of context and transparency. They also requested that the high-injury network speed study be presented alongside the March Safety Effectiveness Report. The CAC noted its membership is underrepresented in key demographics and geographic areas.
• TAC Report (Harmoni McGee): The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) recommended approval of the 2026 safety and public transit agency safety plan targets. Clarification was provided that the requirement is for data-driven, realistic targets, not necessarily reductions. The TAC noted a 1% reduction on highway safety targets.

Action Items

2026 Safety Performance Targets & Public Transit Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Targets

• Connor Trejos-MacDonald presented the required annual targets. Key data:
  • Fatalities are down; the TPO met its prior fatality and motorcycle fatality targets. A 1% reduction factor was applied to proposed 2026 targets.
  • Serious injuries also declined; the 2026 target for non-motorized serious injuries is no more than 228.
  • HART’s PTASP targets use a 10% increase factor for mean distance between major mechanical failures (target ~9,700 miles).
• Discussion: Councilmember Hurtak urged lower targets; HART staff agreed to revisit. Chair Ross criticized the process as lacking a clear link between targets and projects. Dr. Wong noted a safety effectiveness study is underway. Commissioner Boles suggested partnering on drone/blood delivery programs for trauma response.
• Outcome: Motion by Councilmember Clendenin, seconded by Mayor Kilton, to approve the targets. Approved by voice vote with no audible opposition.

TPO Prioritization Process Evaluation

• Elizabeth Watkins presented short-term recommendations to improve project prioritization for the ~$25M annual federal fund allocation:
  1. Screen projects for readiness to support delivery.
  2. Reformat the priority list to show project status and next steps.
  3. Designate “symbolic” projects that support discretionary grant applications.
• Discussion: Councilmember Clendenin praised the effort but noted inherent bias in language. Commissioner Wostal questioned whether numerical ranking is necessary; Dr. Wong suggested ranking only fully ready projects. Commissioner Boles asked about discretionary grant partners (e.g., municipalities).
• Outcome: Motion by Councilmember Clendenin, seconded by Commissioner Boles, to accept the short-term recommendations. Approved.

Status Reports

Traffic Signal Prioritization Study (Wade Reynolds)

• Purpose: Develop a performance-based methodology to prioritize traffic signal upgrades across ~1,200 signalized intersections. Criteria include structural condition, age, floodplain location, evacuation routes, and UPS capability.
• Discussion: Board member Radhakrishnan asked about safety overlays (high-injury network); Reynolds confirmed CAC and TAC suggestions (additional points for high-injury network, pedestrian accessibility, volume-to-capacity ratio). Dr. Wong noted workaround strategies for generator daisy-chaining after hurricanes. Commissioner Boles suggested solar backup and referenced a prior county initiative. Mr. Slater recommended reviewing the Florida Policy Project report on signal system efficiency.
• Outcome: Information only; formal approval expected at the February meeting.

Plan Hillsborough 2025 Annual Report (Melissa Zornitta & Katrina Corcoran)

• Highlights from the 2024–2029 Strategic Plan’s four pillars:
  • Integrated communities: Brightline survey, Plant City Sun Trail, Temple Terrace multimodal study, Tampa comprehensive plan update, Urban Expansion Areas study.
  • Partnerships: Gulf Coast Safe Streets Summit, Florida Greenways & Trails Summit, Plant City visioning survey (>1,700 responses), FLIP program expansion.
  • Resilient environment: Traffic signal study, USA expansion model, Tampa comprehensive plan sections (recreation, solid waste, capital improvements), USF studio on environmentally sensitive areas.
  • Technology: Merger study discussions, federal/state certifications with positive reviews, TIP mapping tool updates, AI task force with standard operating procedures.
• Discussion: Chair Ross asked about consistency of AI policies between the Planning Commission and Hillsborough County. Executive Director Zornitta responded that policies are initially aligned but will be revisited as the technology evolves.
• Outcome: Received as information.

Executive Director’s Report (Dr. Johnny Wong)

• Meeting Calendar: A TPO special meeting scheduled for February 3, 2026, was cancelled due to lack of major updates. Motion by Member Joseph, seconded by Commissioner Wostal, to cancel – approved unanimously.
• Upcoming: A League of Cities workshop on merger representation (early February) and a TMA meeting on February 13, 2026 (at THEA) to discuss 2–4 apportionment scenarios.
• Legislative Updates (2026 Session):
  • HB 243: Redefines Class 3 e-bikes as electric motorcycles (opposed by TPO staff).
  • Crosswalk bill: New crosswalks in school zones or roads >35 mph require enhanced beacon systems (supported).
  • HB 804: $250 annual fee on EV registrations to offset gas tax loss.
  • TNC insurance bill: Would require higher liability coverage for Uber/Lyft drivers when passengers onboard.
  • HB 519: Allows golf carts to cross 5+ lane highways at signalized intersections where speed limit ≤35 mph.
  • TOD Act: Would mandate mixed-use zoning and restrict local zoning controls in designated transit-oriented development areas.
• Waymo Update: Dr. Wong noted Waymo is in a data collection phase; a presentation from their Southeast Director of Operations is tentatively scheduled for the February 11 board meeting. Councilmember Carlson also mentioned interest in a Cyber taxi update.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Minutes of December 10, 2025; Consent Agenda (Committee Appointments, CTC Redesignation Letter); 2026 Safety Performance Targets and PTASP Targets; TPO Prioritization Process short-term recommendations; cancellation of the February 3, 2026 special meeting.
• Received & Filed: CAC and TAC committee reports; Traffic Signal Prioritization Study status; Plan Hillsborough 2025 Annual Report.
• Next Steps: Staff will implement the prioritization process changes for the 2028–2032 Priority List; the Traffic Signal Prioritization Study will return for formal approval in February 2026; the safety effectiveness study will be presented in May 2026; staff will continue legislative tracking and merger study workshops.