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12/11/2000CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER December 11, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Herb Brown Committee Member Hoyt Hamilton Committee Member Bruce Littler Committee Member Roger Schulman Committee Member Carl Wagenfohr Committee Member Lucile Casey Committee Member – arrived 4:15 p.m. Dan Moran Committee Member – arrived 4:05 p.m. Vacant Seat Committee Member Bob Bickerstaffe Alternate Bill Jonson Alternate Absent: Arthur Lupien Committee Member Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Public Works Administrator Paul Bertels Traffic Operations Manager Lt. John Slack Police Department Sgt. Mike Waters 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 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 – Review Minutes Minutes for November 20 and 27, 2000 meetings to be considered for approval on January 8, 2001. ITEM #2 – Old Business Concern was expressed the annomometer, which measures the wind speed and regulates the fountain’s spray, has been moved adjacent to a palm tree, resulting in a wind shadow. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said in the process of moving the pedestrian crossing, the annomometer was moved. Member Wagenfohr moved that preventing water from the fountain from spraying on the roundabout is an important safety issue and that the City always should locate the annomometer outside wind shadows. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Discussion a) Cost Breakdown for Each Modification It was stated the Committee had not slowed the process to upgrade the roundabout, as cost figures were available too late to complete construction prior to Spring Break. In response to a question, Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said the designer of the original project agreed with Barry Crown’s modification recommendations, except he felt the candlesticks on the east side of the roundabout should be relocated and was concerned about increased speeds. Concern was expressed the anticipated cost of almost $1.5-million to modify the roundabout is too expensive. One member submitted a written opinion regarding each suggestion. It was requested other committee members also submit opinions. Discussion ensued regarding the committee’s opposition to installing sidewalks across Causeway Boulevard in front of the Marina and reducing the fountain’s height. It was suggested the estimated costs to widen the entry/exit radii are too high if it only improves truck movement. It was stated one proposal for beach redevelopment would eliminate the truck exit to East Shore. Fire trucks are able to navigate the roundabout by riding over curbs. It was suggested that movement is unacceptable and should be fixed. It was felt the roundabout is functioning and residents are now educated to traverse it successfully. It was stated the new entryway eliminated a dangerous curve where many fatalities had occurred previously. It was suggested the City spend money on enforcement of traffic laws instead of undertaking a large construction project. Lt. Slack said the Police Department’s staff levels on the beach have decreased and may be reduced further. The roundabout now averages 4.4 fender benders per month compared with 15.8 per month before the candlesticks were added. It was recommended staff gather vehicular and pedestrian traffic data this Spring Break to compare with last year. It was suggested the City trim the shrubbery and replace some landscaping to lower maintenance costs. Transportation & Drainage Director Gary Johnson estimated the annual costs to maintain the entryway are $140,000 for the fountain and $140,000 for the landscaping. It was recommended the sign clutter at the roundabout entry be eliminated. It was stated visitors find signage too close together and confusing. Ms. Arasteh reported FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) has agreed to allow the City to install directional signs on the Causeway, 800 feet and 1600 feet west of Island Way. FDOT requires the City to increase the size of the signs from 36 inches square to 48 inches square. Consensus was to improve the signage by the roundabout by removing extra signs and installing them on the Causeway. Staff will submit a drawing of the signs to the committee. Discussion ensued regarding directional information to be included on the signs. It was recommended the signs identify exits to north and south beach. It was recommended the names of destination streets, including Gulfview, be included if it is not too cluttered and confusing. Staff will work on proposed language. Consensus was for new signs to be installed as soon as possible, even if they are to be replaced when colors and design are finalized. . In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said it is important for drivers to decide which lane they need to be in before they enter the roundabout. It was recommended the City color coordinate signs to north and south beach, as it is done at Tampa Airport. It was recommended a sign indicate the speed limit through the roundabout is 15 mph. Lt. Slack reported the State must authorize that speed limit if drivers are to be ticketed for speeding. It was suggested a sign be installed that indicates the speed limit and reports to drivers of oncoming vehicles how fast they are traveling. It was felt the success of the sign could be tested during Spring Break. It successful, Lt. Slack suggested the sign could be enclosed in an aesthetically attractive housing. Support was expressed for the implementation of the Crown Report recommendations to improve safety and increase the entryway’s capacity. It was suggested committee members respect the opinions of engineers, who have studied this issue. It was suggested that drivers be encouraged to use their turn signals. It was recommended illumination of the roundabout be increased. It was noted those costs are not included in the estimate. It was requested that staff submit estimates on the cost of lighting the roundabout with floodlights installed on top of nearby buildings. Mr. Bertels suggested adding 4 or 5 light posts along the entry medium could improve the visual perception that the area is too dark. He will report on the increase in illumination that would result. It was stated the color lights look nice. Lt. Slack suggested consideration of 2-foot high lights that illuminate the roadway only. Staff will research the issue. It was suggested education efforts begin before construction. Concern was expressed little can be done to stop pedestrians from darting into traffic. It was felt the proposed Mandalay reconfiguration may be too grandiose. Concern was expressed the proposed change will required traffic from Mandalay to stop when entering the roundabout, instead of yielding. It was recommended educational brochures on the roundabout be distributed at the tourism office on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. b) Education Model – None. ITEM #4 – New Business The Chair reported the City Commission has requested a written report from the Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee in March, prioritizing recommended projects and summarizing the types of inquiries the committee had made. The Committee congratulated Lt. John Slack regarding his promotion to Captain and welcomed his replacement, Sgt. Mike Waters, who had been promoted to Lieutenant. Former Committee member, David Hemerick, was congratulated for his temporary appointment to the City Commission. The City Commission will determine which alternate will assume Mr. Hemerick’s seat. In response to an observation, staff will contact Florida Power regarding the light poles, which are out of plumb. It was noted beach business owners feel their input related to this project has not been adequate. It was recommended a meeting to gather input from the beach community should be scheduled within the next 60 days. Discussion ensued regarding beach development project proposals and density issues. ITEM #5 – Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for January 8, 2001, at City Hall, at 4:00 p.m. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m.