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11/13/2000CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 13, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Herb Brown Committee Member Hoyt Hamilton Committee Member David Hemerick Committee Member Bruce Littler Committee Member Arthur Lupien Committee Member Dan Moran Committee Member Roger Schulman Committee Member Bob Bickerstaffe Alternate Bill Jonson Alternate Absent: Lucile Casey Committee Member Carl Wagenfohr Committee Member Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Public Works Administrator Paul Bertels Traffic Operations Manager Lt. John Slack Police Department Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 – Approval of Minutes Member Hamilton moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 30, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 – Old Business ADA Concerns Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said staff had activated the crosswalk traffic light on Coronado due to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) concerns. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said one 20-second activation backed traffic into the roundabout beyond Wings. Committee Approved Temporary Changes Ms. Arasteh said there has been a delay in the committee recommended installation of candlesticks, intended to force right-lane roundabout traffic to exit at Coronado. Staff plans to install the easily removable candlesticks, striping and change the lane assignment signs on Thursday night. A flashing message board on Mandalay will explain the change to southbound motorists. It was recommended the message also state this is an experiment that will end on January 15, 2001. Concern was expressed the proposed change would result in a catastrophe as some drivers are afraid of the inside lane. It was noted traffic backs up behind drivers who are timid about entering the roundabout from the left lane. It was recommended the sequence for the traffic signal regulating traffic from the Causeway be reduced from 8 minutes. Roundabout Lighting In his November 13, 2000 memorandum, Mr. Bertels stated the Illumination Engineering Society of North America indicates the lighting requirement for a high activity roadway averages two candle power per square foot of vehicle use area. While the roundabout is a medium activity roadway, the current lighting system meets the higher level requirement. All pedestrian walks, the greenspace adjacent to Pier 60 Park, and new marina parking lots also are required to have an average of two candle power per square foot of use area. These areas have been tested with a light meter and have been determined to be in illumination compliance. Mr. Bertels said Florida Power, which had provided the current roundabout lights, indicated they cannot be changed to a higher intensity. The lights must be replaced or multiplied. It was stated nearby light pollution makes the road appear dark. Concern was expressed that it is difficult to see pedestrians in the crosswalks at night. It was suggested the roundabout could be lighted by high intensity floodlights installed by the City on the roofs of nearby buildings. It was recommended a lighting expert be contacted. Radio Broadcasts It was suggested the committee consider broadcasting information related to tourism, parking, and the roundabout to motorists approaching the beach. Staff is working to obtain funds to install a message board on the Causeway. Concern was expressed few drivers would tune into the broadcast. ITEM #3 – Discussion – Cost Breakdown for Each Modification The cost breakdowns provided by David Nelson Construction were distributed. Concern was expressed the costs were not listed in the format useful to the committee. Ms. Arasteh said the contractor had provided a “not to exceed” bid. The firm will provide refined numbers within days. It was felt the cost for each entrance should be listed separately so the committee can prioritize its recommendations. The bid does not include costs to reduce the fountain’s size. Ms. Arasteh said David Nelson Construction was the contractor who oversaw the original construction of the roundabout and is familiar with the location of underground utilities. A sub-contractor constructed the fountain to City specifications. It was stated physical errors must be corrected to facilitate truck traffic. Concern was expressed Barry Crown’s recommendation to realign Mandalay would be ineffective and expensive. It was stated there have been no accidents related to the crosswalks, even though Mr. Crown feels they are too close to the roundabout. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said the project could not begin until the City Commission has approved it. It was recommended construction be delayed until after Spring Break. Concern was expressed the bid seems very high, including a charge to mobilize equipment. Mr. Bertels said increasing the radii will require significant electrical work to relocate electrical conduits for landscaping lighting. It was recommended the speakers be eliminated. In response to a comment, Ms. Arasteh said the maintenance of traffic is smoother during a construction project when the contractor handles it. She will invite the firm to the next meeting to discuss the bid. It was suggested following the City’s bid process would result in a more competitive bid. It was stated another bid could not guarantee savings. Concern was expressed the proposed changes will not correct the problem motorists have accessing Poinsettia. It was requested that staff share their recommendations and priorities with the committee. Discussion ensued regarding recommended changes. Member Littler moved to recommend the City Commission evaluate the roundabout after Spring Break and not initiate any changes until then. The motion was duly seconded. Further discussion ensued and there was no vote. ITEM #4 – Discussion – Education Model It was recommended the Committee review the education model after changes to the roundabout are decided. Copies of the educational recommendations listed in Roundabouts: An Information Guide, published by USDOT and the Federal Highway Administration will be distributed. ITEM #5 – Discussion – Waive Rule of Absences Member Brown said he was embarrassed regarding his absences and reviewed his recent itineraries and activities. Member Hamilton moved to waive the committee rule regarding member absences. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #6 – New Business It was requested staff price the cost of colored lenses to make the fountain more colorful. It was suggested adding color to the fountain lights would be attractive for the holidays and may decrease the glare. ITEM #7 – Discussion – 11/20/00 Meeting It was stated the cost matrix will be available for review next week. Staff will forward copies of the cost matrix before next week’s meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for November 20, 2000. Concern was expressed the current schedule of weekly meetings is difficult for committee members and should be changed to monthly. It was stated committee members were not prepared to attend weekly meetings when they agreed to serve. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.