16-06RESOLUTION NO. 16 -06
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER,
FLORIDA, REQUESTING THAT THE METROPOLITAN
PLANNING ORGANIZATION PRIORITIZE FUNDS TO
UPDATE THE EVALUATION OF TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES
STUDY FROM 2010 TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR
ENHANCED MULTIMODAL ACCESS TO CLEARWATER
BEACH AND TO IDENTIFY PUBLIC AND /OR PRIVATE
SOURCES THAT WILL FULFILL THE LOCAL FUNDING
SOURCE REQUIREMENTS TO RECEIVE FEDERAL AND
STATE FUNDS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Clearwater Beach is a major destination for tourists, seasonal
residents and college and high students during spring break; and,
WHEREAS, demand for access to Clearwater Beach extends beyond the
tourist/spring break time period and is becoming more of a year round issue; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Clearwater believes there is a need for enhanced
multimodal access to Clearwater Beach; and,
WHEREAS, in 2010 the Metropolitan Planning Organization completed a
Downtown Clearwater to Clearwater Beach Evaluation of Transit Alternatives Study;
and,
WHEREAS, the Evaluation of Transit Alternatives Study recommended Bus
Rapid Transit as the Locally Preferred Alternative for providing enhanced transit service
between Downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach; and,
WHEREAS, the study assumed the project would be funded through a
combination of federal, state and local funds; and,
WHEREAS, the receipt of federal and state funds is contingent upon having local
funding sources for both capital and operating expenses; and,
WHEREAS, in 2010 the study recommendations were not advanced due to the
lack of a dedicated source of local funding; and,
WHEREAS, there is a need to update the 2010 study data; and,
WHEREAS, the MPO and the Pinellas Planning Council Board (the Board) has
identified beach access as a priority emphasis area; and,
WHEREAS, the MPO Board is responsible for establishing project priorities for
the expenditure of federal transportation funds; and
Resolution No. 16 -06
WHEREAS, implementation of multimodal access improvements between
Downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach is a high priority of the City; and,
WHEREAS, in addition to the Downtown Clearwater to Clearwater Beach transit
alternatives, the City would like to work with the MPO and its partners including the
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit, the Florida
Department of Transportation and the private sector on other multi -modal access
projects including the planned SR60 Express Bus Service from Tampa International
Airport to Clearwater Beach, the Regional Premium Transit Study for Pinellas
Hillsborough and Pasco Counties, and on private sector initiatives that may include
elevated, cable- propelled transit, waterborne transportation and additional surface
transportation solutions; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That the City of Clearwater hereby requests that the MPO prioritize
funding to update the Evaluation of Transit Alternatives Study to meet the requirements
for federal and state funds and advance a preferred alternative into subsequent phases
of project development and implementation as quickly as practicable.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this ) 'F'' day of .re b:-tkckv- , 2016.
—6( wilt 4crAt
George N. Cretekos
Mayor
Approved as to form: Attest:
Rosemarie Call
City Clerk
2 Resolution No. 16 -06