08/06/2012 - Topic Transportation
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOPIC TRANSPORTATION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 6, 2012
Present: Bill Jonson Councilmember
Doreen Hock-DiPolito Councilmember
Also present: Jill Silverboard Assistant City Manager – departed at 10:18 a.m.
Paul Bertels Traffic Operations Manager
Himanshu Patni Professional Engineer
Nicole Sprague ORLS Coordinator
The work session was called to order at 9:04 a.m. at City Hall.
2 - ACPT (Advisory Committee for Pinellas Transportation)
The ACPT’s (Advisory Committee for Pinellas Transportation) background and issues
were discussed. Councilmember Hock-DiPolito is on the committee and requested that the next
agenda include her presentation of Clearwater’s draft transit referendum.
It was stated that a leader for all County transportation planning efforts is needed.
Recommendations were made that the referendum reference the need for a “trail boss” who
would coordinate all transportation efforts and promote accountability.
Discussion ensued regarding proposed transportation routes, the City of Pinellas Park,
and problems related to new transportation board representatives, who have limited or no
background in transportation issues.
3 - PSTA Update
The year-long, $700,000 2040 PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) study is
underway. Concern was expressed that the PSTA development plan did not include the SR60
bus connection with Tampa. PSTA approved a $300,000 contribution and partnership with the
MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) to update the LRTP (Long Range Transportation
Plan). Councilmember Hock-DiPolito will discuss the PSTA and HART merger plan with
Senator Latvala.
Assistant City Manager Jill Silverboard said she had discussed performance
measurements with Brad Miller. PSTA hopes to use some federal grant funds for the AA
(Alternative Analysis). He and the City will discuss the possibility of using some of the grant
funds to reimburse the City a portion of its costs to acquire the Tampa Bay Times and adjacent
properties for a station and for the City to then contribute a comparable amount for another
future station. Ms. Silverboard did not think the federal grant funds could be used for
environmental cleanup of the subject property.
4 - MPO Update
Council - Topic Transportation 2011-08-06 1
Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels reviewed plans to replace the Howard
Frankland Bridge and FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) problems related to its
replacement of staff with consultants. The City was left out the design phase as consultants
were unaware that the City was to be consulted. Councilmember Hock-DiPolito requested
information regarding ramp changes.
5 – PPC Update
It was indicated that the PPC (Pinellas Planning Council) also has requested an AA. It
was hoped that PPC and PSTA would coordinate their efforts. The City has requested to be
part of the second AA. Mr. Bertels said the City has been tasked with two assignments: obtain
public input to determine preferred station locations and long range and comprehensive plan
changes necessary to implement TOD (Transit Oriented Development).
6 - Next Transportation subcommittee meeting at 9:00 a.m. on 9/6/12
7 - Adjourn
The work session adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
Council - Topic Transportation 2011-08-06 2