02/18/2014 - Topic Transportation WORK SESSION MINUTES
TOPIC TRANSPORTATION
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 18, 2014
Present: Councilmember Bill Jonson, Councilmember Doreen DiPolito
Also present: William B. Horne II - City Manager, Patricia O. Sullivan - Board Reporter
The Work Session was called to order at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall.
1 —Courtney Campbell Trail Update
Emails re the trail were reviewed. Tampa finalized the FDOT maintenance agreement; FDOT draft
has Clearwater in mind. Vandals are dropping tacks on the Tampa side of the trail.
2 —Greenlight Pinellas Resolution
The City Manager said the Greenlight Pinellas Resolution will be on the March 6, 2014 agenda.
Concern was expressed that Clearwater is the only city that has not endorsed Greenlight Pinellas; the
Board of County Commissioners, TBRPC (Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council), PSTA (Pinellas
Suncoast Transit Authority), etc. have adopted resolutions of support. The City's resolution should be
similar in style to St. Petersburg's and does not need planning information as the PPC (Pinellas
Planning Council) resolution has that information.
3 —Other Business
Governor Scott announced a project connecting 1-275 directly with US 19 and 1-275 directly to the
Bayside Bridge. The announcement marks the culmination of local planning since the 1990s.
The governor signed legislation that allows the PPC and MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) to
merge. The CCC (Chairs Coordinating Committee) has been incorporated into TBARTA (Tampa Bay
Area Regional Transportation Authority). With the help of an arbitrator, the Pinellas, Pasco, and
Hillsborough MPOs are working together and forming a strong regional MPO. Improved regional
support will make a difference in Tallahassee.
Commissioner Ken Welch provided direction re Greenlight Pinellas to use the word "informational"
rather than "educational." Ronny Duncan will need to step down from TBARTA. Tucker Hall no
longer is involved with nor is it supporting Greenlight Pinellas.
The FDOT Safety Engineer is willing to provide an update to the City Council re US 19 and available
funding for trail connections. FDOT wants to work with Clearwater Police Department to hand out
lights for bikes. The City Manager said the Police Department will distribute all lights provided.
The City Manager said Dick Norris complained US 19 signage for Dimmit Drive unfairly advertises the
Dimmitt dealership. Minutes from a recent MPO meeting will recount discussion that determined the
signage is correct; address numbers will be added.
The City Manager waived noise restrictions on the US 19 construction corridor from SR 60 to Whitney
Road. The City is interested in the final decision by the contractor and FDOT and if they will show
discretion re noise.
4—Adjourn -The Work Session adjourned at 8:54 a.m.
Council - Topic Transportation 2014-02-18 1