Loading...
05/07/2001CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER May 7, 2001 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Commissioner Hoyt Hamilton Committee Member Bruce Littler Committee Member Arthur Lupien Committee Member Dan Moran Committee Member – arrived 4:09 p.m. Roger Schulman Committee Member Carl Wagenfohr Committee Member Bob Bickerstaffe Committee Member Commissioner Bill Jonson Alternate – arrived 4:23 p.m. Absent: Herb Brown Committee Member Lucile Casey Committee Member Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Public Works Administrator Gary Johnson Public Works Director Paul Bertels Traffic Operations Manager 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 Littler moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of March 19, and March 28, 2001, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business The Chair said the committee’s draft report had been submitted to the City Commission. The Mayor has requested the final report be submitted by the end of June 2001. The executive summary needs to be updated and alternatives addressed. He recommended the committee meet weekly until the project is complete. It was stated committee members are not engineering experts. It was felt committee recommended alternatives need staff review and approval. It was felt the roundabout works better to move traffic than the previous traffic design. It was noted all intersections can be dangerous and risky. Enlarging the roundabout would cause traffic to move faster and endanger pedestrians. It was felt the Committee’s recommendations should be positive. ITEM #3 - Discussion Items a) Opinion of Probable Cost for Minor Modifications to Roundabout AND b) Drawings Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh reviewed drawings of Barry Crown’s suggested minor revisions to improve Roundabout safety. She reviewed the Camp Dresser McKee, Inc. opinion of probable costs: 1) $61,537 – adjust curb line to southbound lane from Mandalay to Coronado – west side only; 2) $9,162 – modify Mandalay splitter island; 3) $21,738 – enlarge curb return into right-of-way for northbound traffic off Coronado; 4) $23,041 – modify Coronado splitter island; 5) $15,370 – remove Marina splitter island; 6) $14,400 – remove splitter island at Poinsettia; 7) $15,028 – enlarge curb line between Marina and eastbound lane on Causeway; 8) $66,294 - remove fountain’s top two tiers; and 9) $5,000 – temporary striping. Additional costs to the $231,569 subtotal include 5% for cleanup, 5% for mobilization, and 2% for bonds and insurance, totaling $260,411, plus a 20% contingency, for a total estimated cost of $313,000. The estimate to remove the fountain’s top two steps does not cover other needed modification costs. Ms. Arasteh estimated modifications to the fountain would cost$160,000. It was stated the proposed modifications to the roundabout can be done in stages. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said the projects are independent of each other. He recommended curb adjustments be constructed in tandem with splitter island modifications. Staff was requested to compare the cost of completely resurfacing and restriping the roundabout versus removing and replacing the striping. Mr. Bertels said inclusion of plastic striping was an oversight. He felt painted stripes would be less expensive. Public Works Director Gary Johnson estimated work would take several nights. Concern was expressed removing the Marina splitter island may cause problems. Ms. Arasteh said the splitter islands stop drivers from making left turns onto the roundabout. Mr. Johnson indicated they also provide a place of refuge for pedestrians. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said Mr. Crown had recommended the bollards be moved back five feet. Vehicles had destroyed three of them. The bollards are necessary to keep vehicles off the sidewalks. It was recommended the Poinsettia exit be located before the roundabout. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said some costs related to Mandalay modifications can be absorbed by the streetscape project. Member Littler moved to recommend modifications to the roundabout as recommended by Barry Crown to include #1 adjust curb line to southbound lane from Mandalay to Coronado – west side only; #2 modify Mandalay splitter island; #3 enlarge curb return into right-of-way for northbound traffic off Coronado; #4 modify Coronado splitter island; and #7 – enlarge curb line between Marina and eastbound lane on Causeway. The motion was duly seconded It was stated the annual savings from replacing the fountain with landscaping would cover the cost of these modifications. In response to a concern, it was indicated the new entrance to Wings had been constructed at night and did not affect roundabout traffic. Ms. Arasteh said the Wings project took four weeks. When working on special in-house projects, staff cannot complete City planned projects, such as sidewalk installation. In response to a question, Mr. Bertels said traffic counters are on all beach access roads. The loops are being fine tuned. It was stated the trigger that stops causeway traffic onto the roundabout to address backups on Mandalay does not resolve traffic backups on Coronado. It was suggested a loop also address Coronado backups. Mr. Bertels said another traffic control cabinet has been installed at East Shore. The preemptive control of roundabout traffic for the beach Fire Station is almost complete. He disagreed with Barry Crown’s recommendation to move the Mandalay pedestrian crossing closer to the roundabout. It was stated the fact that Coronado has a two-lane exit is not apparent to roundabout drivers. It was suggested some candlesticks be installed. Discussion ensued regarding traffic flow problems, including those related to drivers who are afraid to use the inside lane. Mr. Bertels said staff is reviewing striping and the use of arrows on the pavement. Ms. Arasteh said signage needs to be improved. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. Discussion ensued regarding Barry Crown’s recommendations #5 - remove Marina splitter island and #6 - remove splitter island at Poinsettia. Safety concerns were expressed regarding the recommendation to replace the splitter islands with striping. It was suggested mountable bumps be installed to provide a refuge for pedestrians, direction for traffic, and allow room for truck movement. Mr. Johnson said pavers could be included in the bid process. Member Wagenfohr moved to recommend altering the splitter islands at the Marina and Poinsettia to make them raised medians in front of the crosswalk and to leave them at the existing height behind the crosswalk. The motion was duly seconded. Members Hamilton, Littler, Lupien, Moran, Schulman, and Wagenfohr voted “Aye”; Member Bickerstaffe voted “Nay.” Motion carried. Discussion ensued regarding Crown’s recommendation #8 - remove fountain’s top two tiers. Ms. Arasteh said the result would not be aesthetically pleasing. It was suggested a reflecting pond, as originally proposed, replace the fountain. It was suggested bubblers replace the spray to conserve water. It was felt drivers should be able to see across to the other side of the roundabout. Mr. Johnson said removing the outside two tiers would cost $160,000. Staff will review the recommendations to remove the top tiers in the center of the fountain. It was suggested modifications to the fountain could lower operating costs. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said while the fountain is turned off due to the water shortage, staff will fix the leaks, drain it, steam clean it, sand blast it, then review the drought situation. In response to a suggestion, Ms. Arasteh said staff has not found an expert who can solve problems related to the fountain, which has a unique design. It was requested staff forward copies of Camp Dresser McKee, Inc. suggestions. Mr. Johnson said until the drought subsides, it will be difficult to determine how much water should be displayed. It was suggested nothing be done regarding this issue until the drought is over. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said reducing the fountain’s diameter would be difficult as the drains are on the outside. A report on all fountain operating costs was requested. In response to suggestions to raise the roundabout roadway several inches to improve visual sight lines, Ms. Arasteh indicated the roundabout already is higher than the surrounding roadways. She expressed concern increasing the angle of roundabout access would increase driver difficulty. That change also would affect drainage. The roundabout roadway would not be raised sufficiently to improve sight lines. It was felt the fountain should not be modified as it is a signature feature on Clearwater beach. c) Alternatives The Chair said the final report will need to include Committee recommended alternatives. He welcomed input and requested members bring suggestions to the next meeting. Concern was expressed future changes to the beach will affect roundabout traffic. The location of future parking garages and the development of resort properties need to be considered. It was recommended a parking garage be constructed on north beach to educate visitors and encourage use of that portion of beach. It was suggested when that garage is fully used, another garage be constructed by the recreation center, using footers sufficient to allow future expansion. In response to a question, staff will verify meter use on the beach. It was suggested visitors be encouraged to exit north beach via Poinsettia to improve traffic flow. Discussion ensued regarding difficulties accessing the roundabout off Coronado. It was suggested a Police Aide be assigned to the roundabout during high traffic times. Concern was expressed the roundabout needs to be better illuminated. It was stated Code prohibits businesses from shining light onto surrounding properties. It was felt Wings violates that requirement, causing the roundabout to appear even darker. It was requested staff see if the business can lower its light pollution. It was recommended roundabout lighting be evaluated. It was stated the lighting at the Hilton works well. ITEM #4 – New Business Ms. Arasteh said parking on the Causeway may soon be removed. Concern was expressed a yearly event, advertised in conjunction with Fun ‘n Sun, draws a large crowd to Clearwater beach. Participants, however, bring their own ice and supplies. The organizer is the only one who profits from this massive incursion. It was recommended the event be discouraged in the future. ITEM #5 – Next Meeting The next meeting date will be May 14, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. The Committee will review traffic counts from Spring Break and possibly modify their recommendations. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.