12/21/2010
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOPIC TRANSPORTATION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
December 21, 2010
Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor
Bill Jonson Councilmember
Also present: Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The work session was called to order at 10:15 a.m. at City Hall.
It was stated that microphones are needed at transportation meetings. Discussion
ensued regarding problems with the PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) financial
system software, constant changes to projects, and poor project management at PSTA and
MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) with a recommendation that expenses and
accomplishments be charted.
It was noted the Memorial Causeway Bridge cannot support a guide way; beach to bluff
public transportation is still planned. It was commented that BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) can be
limited to peak times. In response to a concern regarding ridership numbers provided to the
FTA (Federal Transit Authority), it was stated that technology changes ridership. It was
indicated that completing the study is important to qualify for funding. It was suggested that the
beach to bluff route could be extended to Tampa. Other suggestions were to manage lanes on
McMullen-Booth Road or provide reversible lanes on the Bayside Bridge during peak hours.
It was reported that PSTA has no incremental plans to meets its goal of doubling
ridership in 10 years. PSTA is trimming routes with little ridership. Concern was expressed that
pedestrian access to bus service on US 19 will be limited to frontage roads. It was stated that a
successful demonstration project is important to improve support for a public transportation tax.
It was stated that attracting ridership to public transportation is difficult due to the lack of density
in the county. It was recommended that PSTA relocate its downtown terminal to the St.
Petersburg Times building area where rail could be practically located.
Concern was expressed that a Tampa connection to the high speed rail from Orlando to
Pinellas County must include Clearwater or tourists will be diverted to south Pinellas County
beaches.
The work session adjourned at 11:22 a.m.
Council - Topic Transportation 2010-12-21 1