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11/27/2000CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 27, 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 – arrived 4:14 p.m. Roger Schulman Committee Member Carl Wagenfohr Committee Member Bob Bickerstaffe Alternate – arrived 4:30 p.m. Bill Jonson Alternate Absent: Lucile Casey Committee Member Dan Moran Committee Member Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Public Works Administrator Paul Bertels Traffic Operations Manager Lt. John Slack Police Department Gary Johnson Transportation & Drainage Director Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:05 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 November 13, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 – Old Business – None. ITEM #3 – Discussion – Cost Breakdown for Each Modification Regarding the recommendation to increase the lighting of the roundabout, Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels distributed an estimate from Florida Power for installation of an additional 24 light poles and 48 street lights, which would increase foot candles on the roundabout from approximately 1.75 to 4. He suggested adding a column to the spreadsheet to list monthly costs. In additional to an initial installation cost of $3,500, Florida Power would charge $1,175/month for the additions. The City currently pays Florida Power $1,713/monthly for the existing 35 light poles. The total projected cost of the lights is $2,888/month. Installation would require lane closings. Mr. Bertels expressed concern the glow from floodlights from nearby buildings directed onto on the roundabout would intrude on beach wildlife. It was suggested floodlights would be much less expensive and could be directed away from the beach. Mr. Bertels suggested if the City hired a private contractor to install City-owned lights, the mix of fixture ownership would cause confusion. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh requested the Committee prioritize its recommendations according to short-, medium-, and long-term importance. Concern was expressed costs for the redesign could get out of control if items, and their costs, continue to be added. It was felt Barry Crown’s recommendations are too expensive and after the committee has done its due diligence, it should determine the roundabout needs no changes. It was indicated the City has files of complaints. It was felt the committee should honor input at the charettes. In response to a question, Lt. John Slack reported the roundabout averages 15 to 20 accidents monthly, most near Coronado. It was suggested the projects to install a pedestrian walkway east of the fountain and lower the fountain wall could be delayed or removed from the list. It was suggested combining modifications to the Mandalay access to the roundabout with the Mandalay streetscape project would save money. Design work is underway. Project construction will begin in 2002. It was recommended the roundabout and streetscape projects be coordinated. Concern was expressed changes to the Mandalay access not allow significant increases to vehicular speeds. Discussion ensued regarding Mandalay traffic having to stop, not just yield, when entering the roundabout. It was felt the interval for the traffic signal east of the roundabout could be increased to allow more Mandalay traffic to flow onto the roundabout. It was recommended speeding on the roundabout be monitored. Discussion ensued regarding vehicular conflicts on the roundabout. It was suggested the redesign will inconvenience north beach residents. It was noted foliage on the medium has not developed sufficiently to block pedestrian movement. Lt. Slack suggested a fence could frame the grass near the marina and block pedestrian movement into the road. Concern was expressed fences are not aesthetically pleasing. Staff will provide an illustration of the suggestion. It was requested staff provide an estimate of related costs. Ms. Arasteh reported the Fire Department had objected to plans to install speed tables to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety. The Fire Department said 6 inch-high speed tables would reduce their response time by 2 to 3 minutes. She suggested pavers could be installed instead. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said she trusts Mr. Crown’s recommendations. He had recommended a crosswalk on Causeway Boulevard to limit the City’s liability. Discussion ensued regarding conflicts in the Beach by Design plan related to the proposed intra-island transportation system route between north and south beach. It was stated earlier concerns related to the roundabout’s geometry had been addressed. The majority of the committee recommended approval of modifying the geometry between Mandalay’s entrance to Coronado’s exit and revise the striping. Discussion ensued regarding pedestrian crosswalks. It was noted the recommendation to move the crosswalks approximately 40 feet will limit the number of vehicles backing up into the roundabout. It was stated pedestrians must wait for the light to change at signalized crossings. Transportation & Drainage Director Gary Johnson said costs related to moving the crosswalk include removal of existing pavers. Mr. Bertels said a signalized crossing would increase congestion. Concern was expressed the Mandalay streetscape and realignment projects must be coordinated. It was suggested fencing would direct pedestrians to crosswalks. Concern again was expressed the fencing would be unattractive. The majority of the committee recommended approval of relocating the pedestrian crossing on Mandalay. In response to a question, Mr. Bertels said it is estimated moving the bus stop on Mandalay will cost $1,026. He did not know how buses will pickup passengers without blocking traffic. It was recommended the Police Department begin a more vigorous enforcement of pedestrian rights, as is done in West Coast states. It was felt Fire Department concerns should be considered. ITEM #4 – Discussion – Education Model – None. ITEM #5 – New Business - None ITEM #6 – Next Meeting Discussion ensued regarding December meetings. Consensus was to schedule one meeting next month on December 11, 2000, at City Hall, at 4:00 p.m. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.