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09/24/2001CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER September 24, 2001 Present: Ed Hart Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Lucille Casey Committee Member Bruce Littler Committee Member - arrived at 4:25 p.m. Arthur Lupien Committee Member Roger Schulman Committee Member Carl Wagenfohr Committee Member Bob Bickerstaffe Committee Member Absent: Herb Brown Committee Member Hoyt P. Hamilton Commissioner/Committee Member Dan Moran Committee Member Also Present: Mahshid Arasteh Public Works Administrator Gary Johnson Public Works Director Paul Bertels Traffic Operations Manager Sgt. Fontayne Egger Police Department Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:08 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 – Options & Estimates for the Center of the Roundabout The Chair reported the CBA (Clearwater Beach Association) has moved forward with its design contest related to the center of the roundabout. Member Wagonfohr has been appointed to the panel, which will judge submissions. He will not be representing CBEAC (Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee) opinion. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh reviewed options and estimates for the center of the roundabout (Exhibit A): 1) redesign current fountain; 2) replace fountain with new water feature; 3) replace the fountain with a sculpture; and 4) replace the fountain with landscaping. The center of the fountain is constructed on fill. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said the height of the geyser would be halved in Options #1a and #1b. An estimate on how far the water could spray was requested. a) Discussion It was requested staff identify costs related to using reclaimed water in the proposed reflecting pond. Concern was expressed pavers in the center of the roundabout will resemble a sidewalk and attract pedestrians. It was suggested pavers could be constructed of coral rubble or another surface unsuitable for walking. It was also suggested a cobblestone material with water sheeting over it be installed to cover the current circumference of the fountain. Concern was expressed the project not replace a perceived problem with a real one. It was stated the fountain has caused no severe consequences. It was recommended the center be removed and the outside remain the same. Ms. Arasteh said it would be less expensive to remove the entire fountain than to selectively demolish portions of the structure. Removing a portion of the fountain will affect the structure’s integrity. Regarding estimated costs, it was requested contingency amounts be listed separately. Public Works Director Gary Johnson said underwater illumination of a reflecting pool could be accomplished with smaller lights than used in the current fountain. Concern was expressed evaporation would be a problem if the pond is too shallow. An estimate was requested related to maintenance and water use related to a reflecting pool under normal and adverse conditions. It was stated the reflecting pond must be below the eye level of drivers. An estimate of costs to maintain landscaping was requested. An estimate of the cost to sell off the vault equipment and fill it was requested. It was recommended the outside bubblers remain and the inside be replaced by a statue on a slab. It was suggested the center feature landscaping and a statue. It was felt landscaping in the center could not be maintained and would become an eyesore. It was recommended the fountain remain as the focal point of Clearwater beach. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said the World War I statues will be secured and a new location determined when the new Memorial Causeway Bridge is under construction. The importance of blocking pedestrian access from the center of the roundabout was reiterated. The City Commission will consider these options at its October 1, 2001 Worksession. ITEM #2 – Next Meeting Date The next CBEAC meeting is scheduled for October 8, 2001. ITEM #3 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.