04/15/2010
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORKSESSION MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 15, 2010
Present: Paul Gibson Councilmember
Bill Jonson Councilmember
Also present: Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m. at City Hall.
The Special Work Session was scheduled for Commissioners Gibson and Jonson
to discuss representation on the PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) Board.
Councilmember Gibson addressed issues:
Regarding PSTA, he said: 1) PSTA is required to provide transportation and also meet
the needs of the disadvantaged; 2) a survey indicated most residents support PSTA but oppose
a property tax increase; replacing property tax funding with a sales tax increase would be
preferable; 3) north county residents pay more than south county but have fewer bus services;
4) it is difficult to encourage those with short commutes to use public transportation; 5) this area
does not have the inclement weather and traffic jams that encourage bus ridership; 6) it is
difficult to request additional funds when the public sees empty buses; 7) collected fares cover
only 18% to 23% of costs even after an increase in fares and ridership; 8) PSTA needs to
improve its fare box recovery; and 9) passes for those who ride daily are too inexpensive.
Regarding rail stations, he said: 1) nearby property values will increase; redevelopment
will include condominiums, retail, and businesses; 2) employment centers will grow near
stations; and 3) an integrated transportation solution will have PSTA buses feeding rail stations.
Regarding the downtown intermodal facility, he said: 1) no progress has been made on a
location in Clearwater; 2) the facility needs space for ten times more buses than use the current
depot; 3) the facility should abut condominiums and retail with parking beyond; 4) little private or
community involvement is evident; business involvement is necessary to attract federal funding
Councilmember Jonson said there would be a large potential for downtown Clearwater
economic development if the train terminates in downtown Clearwater. Discussion ensued
regarding the challenge of low ridership routes and the need to solve the budget problem. Both
complimented the new PSTA executive director.
Councilmember Gibson addressed several more issues:
Regarding DART (DIAL-A-RIDE transit), he said reducing bus routes would force more
riders into this costly service, causing this expenditure to grow out of control. He said many use
the service because it is convenient and provides personal transportation for a minimal cost;
service should be limited to essential trips only. He felt many riders do not qualify; PSTA review
of DART applications is insufficient, with more staff needed.
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He said the new director understands the County needs rail and will set priorities. He
said PSTA and the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) must step up efforts as the
County needs to improve public transportation before it grows. He said all cities in the county
want the maximum number of rail stations; the location of stations will be a political challenge.
He said these decisions will influence construction of the system and the next 50 years of
transportation; the decision needs to be correct as it will affect economic development and jobs.
Regarding Council input, he said: 1) the Council supported the trolley; 2) Council has
spoken only generically regarding rail; 3) the City Charter does not direct the Council to address
transportation issues; the Council is addressing a wide range of City concerns; 4) the Council
has good information and understanding of transportation issues and solutions; 5) the Council is
not involved in this strategy as it is not their responsibility nor under their control; 6) the Council
is represented on boards that oversee this issue; and 7) transportation strategies and the
location of the intermodal will come to the City Council eventually for input.
The work session ended at 10:45 a.m.
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