11/10/1999
CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL WORKSESSION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 10, 1999
Present: Brian J. Aungst Mayor/Commissioner
Ed Hooper Vice-Mayor/Commissioner
J. B. Johnson Commissioner
Robert Clark Commissioner
Ed Hart Commissioner
Also present: Michael J. Roberto City Manager
Bill Horne Assistant City Manager
Bob Keller Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia Sullivan Board Reporter
The Special Work Session was called to order at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall for the purpose
of discussing improvements to Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard.
Item #2 – Status Update on Roadway Sections
The City Manager requested Commission direction regarding aesthetic improvements
as part of a multi-year Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard project. Public Works Administrator Rich Baier
reviewed planned signage, overpass artwork, mast arms, and FDOT (Florida Department of
Transportation) landscaping restrictions. The City has a partnership with two Gulf-to-Bay
Boulevard businesses to maintain specific medians. Staff is seeking additional partnerships.
FDOT will not permit blue City street signs on the State Road. Signal light heads will be
replaced to save electricity costs and increase their visibility. Installation of mast arms was
delayed as some intersection rights-of-way lack adequate space. Staff is working with the
County regarding County cross streets. Once overpass artwork is approved, work can begin
on the $100,000 project. Maintenance costs to repaint the overpass every 8 to 10 years
average $10,000 annually. FDOT rules prohibit lettering on the overpass’s eastern face.
Landscaping will be added to adjacent approach ramps and triangle medians. While it is
possible the overpass will be replaced, that would not occur in the next decade.
Mr. Baier will provide a cost estimate to anchor mast arms in rights-of-way that are too
small for standard installation. Wind loads are the same whether signals are hung vertically or
horizontally. Horizontal signal lights cause problems for those who are color-blind and usually
are found only in urban environments.
Item #3 – Status Update on Utilities, Lighting, and Intelligent Transportation Systems
Engineering Director Mahshid Arasteh reported staff had considered burying utilities on
Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard between US 19N and Belcher Road. An analysis indicated water, gas,
sanitary sewer, and telephone lines already buried use most of the 6-foot right-of-way.
Burying additional utilities would require up to 9 additional feet of right-of-way, and encroach
on structures, landscaping, and parking. The project would cost $13.3-million. Alternative
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routing of utility lines along the rear of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard lots or on parallel streets would
cost approximately $1.3-million. Costs would increase if utilities are buried along the alternate
route.
The City Manager said staff is considering ways to resolve visual clutter. Ms. Arasteh
recommended burying utilities on both sides of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard
business owners supported burying utilities but were not interested in sharing costs. It was
recommended staff discuss this proposal with neighborhood residents, who would be affected
if utility lines are moved. Staff will estimate costs to bury Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard utilities
between US 19N and Hercules and a model of how neighborhoods would look if utilities are
moved off Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard onto those streets.
As the City cannot change transmission lines that intersect Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard at
Belcher Road, it was felt the proposal is too expensive for 1.5 miles on improvements. Mr.
Baier said the City would have to acquire easements to run utility lines in the rear of lots facing
Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Most overhead clutter along Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard is between
Hercules Street and US 19N. Ms. Arasteh said installation of decorative streetlights depends
on decisions related to burying utilities. All wiring and conduits need to be replaced. PSTA
(Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) and Eller will forward information regarding the City’s
ability to enhance bus shelter design.
The City recently received a $3.5-million Federal grant for an Intelligent Transportation
System to monitor roadways. Mr. Baier said the system will allow the City to control traffic
signals near accidents, distractions, and during special events. The City primarily is interested
in east west traffic flows.
Item #4 – Questions and Answers
Mr. Baier requested City Commission direction, noting development of requested
models will cost almost $6,000. Staff will report on the cost to reroute utilities and bury them
on side streets. Mr. Baier estimated proposed Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard upgrades between
Missouri Avenue and US 19N would cost $2-million.
Consensus opposed burying utilities in Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard rights-of-way.
The City Manager said staff will report on all costs related to proposed Gulf-to-Bay
Boulevard upgrades. Opposition to use of low frequency radio transmissions for traffic reports
was expressed, as signals interfere with cellular telephones. Staff will submit an estimate of
costs to obtain necessary right-of-way. Mr. Baier said the State has not approved the use of
cameras to identify vehicles that run red lights. Input from Police Chief Sid Klein was
requested regarding support of camera use for ticket infractions.
The City Manager reported Morningside resident concerns regarding the difficulty of
crossing Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard at Belcher Road. Pedestrian traffic is too limited to consider a
pedestrian overpass. As Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard is the City’s main corridor, City concerns have
focused on moving vehicular traffic rather than on pedestrian needs.
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Mr. Baier said the City is coordinating its landscaping schedule with County
construction of Keene Road, etc. Staff met with 10 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard businesses
regarding median adoption. Maintaining a small median is estimated to cost $3,500 annually.
The City contractor works off peak hours. The City requests monetary, rather than physical
help due to safety concerns and liability issues. Mr. Baier said the adopt-a-street program
requires liability insurance.
Consensus was to approve proposed upgrades to Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard.
Item #5 – Adjourn
The Commission adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
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