06/14/2012 - Topic Transportation
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOPIC TRANSPORTATION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 14, 2012
Present: Bill Jonson Councilmember
Doreen Hock DiPolito Councilmember – via conference call
Also present: Jill Silverboard Assistant City Manager
Paul Bertels Traffic Operations Manager – arrived 9:54 a.m.
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The work session was called to order at 9:17 a.m. at City Hall.
Assistant City Manager Jill Silverboard said this session was called to coordinate staff
assistance to Councilmembers who represent the City at MPO (Metropolitan Planning
Organization), PPC (Pinellas Planning Council), and PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority)
meetings. She recommended the City develop a corporate statement on transportation policies
and priorities and schedule monthly meetings on transportation issues with Councilmembers
Jonson and Hock DiPolito and staff to include input from Assistant City Manager Rod Irwin,
Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels, Economic Development and Housing Director Geri
Lopez, and Professional Engineer Himanshu Patni.
Concern was expressed that even though the AA (Alternative Analysis) process is
fragmented and has incorrect information, organizations and municipalities already are lending it
support.
It was requested that staff review significant differences in FDOT (Florida Department of
Transportation) landscape allowances for Clearwater and St. Petersburg. It was stated the City
needed more visibility at the recent NARC (National Association of Regional Councils) Annual
Conference and Exhibition in St. Petersburg and it was recommended that the City sponsor a
future conference. Staff attendance was encouraged at future conferences to hear and interact
with guest speakers.
Discussion ensued regarding the MPO, PPC, PSTA, and TBARTA (Tampa Bay Area
Regional Transportation Authority). Staff will mark calendars for Councilmembers Jonson and
Hock DiPolito re ACPT (Advisory Committee for Pinellas Transportation) and TBARTA meetings
as a FYI. It was reported City of St. Petersburg staff attend and lobby for projects at PSTA and
MPO meetings. Mayor Hibbard’s efforts on behalf of transportation issues were reviewed.
Ms. Silverboard discussed progress on including a stop for Morton Plant Hospital; the
Missouri Avenue corridor is too far from the hospital community. It was noted PSTA route 60
along Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard is the most productive route in the County. Concern was
expressed the latest PSTA Transit Development Plan does not include premium bus service
across Courtney Campbell Causeway as listed in the MPO’s December 2009 long range
transportation plan. It was noted Tampa Airport has 7,000 employees and its manager supports
a bus route to beach tourist destinations for foreign visitors. It was stated the HART route from
Council - Topic Transportation 2011-06-14 1
Drew Street to downtown Tampa has low ridership but does not stop at the airport or Westshore
area.
Discussion ensued regarding the importance of administrative leadership to advance
cooperation, coordination, and communication between transportation organizations and report
on progress. Mr. Bertels suggested that political leadership also is needed. It was
recommended that the HART/PSTA relationship be highlighted. It was felt the AA plan is not
ready for presentation to the public and the referendum needs to incorporate accountability.
Ms. Silverboard said staff will work with Council to develop a corporate statement on
transportation, work to return SR 60 premium bus service to the PSTA plan, develop a timetable
for the AA process, work to consolidate efforts by the four agencies and identify a leader, and
determine steps necessary before a referendum is scheduled. Staff will determine what forms
of endorsement other cities have used and investigate local FDOT landscape allowances.
Councilmembers were requested to provide staff with handouts from agency meetings.
Concern was expressed that US19 upgrades will eliminate many important bus stops for
low-income PSTA customers who live along the corridor.
The work session adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
Council - Topic Transportation 2011-06-14 2