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05/14/2001CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER May 14, 2001 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Facilitator/NonVoting Chair – arrived 5:09 p.m. Commissioner Hoyt Hamilton Committee Member – arrived 5:10 p.m. Bruce Littler Committee Member Arthur Lupien Committee Member Dan Moran Committee Member Roger Schulman Committee Member Carl Wagenfohr Committee Member Bob Bickerstaffe Committee Member Absent: Herb Brown Committee Member Lucile Casey Committee Member Commissioner Bill Jonson Alternate Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Public Works Administrator Gary Johnson Public Works Director Paul Bertels Traffic Operations Manager Lt. Mike Waters Police Department Sue Diana Assistant City Clerk Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The meeting was called to order at 4:12 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 – None. ITEM #2 - Old Business Public Works Director Gary Johnson said to minimize the fountain’s spray onto the roadway, the nozzles could be replaced and tilted inward, the rate of pumping could be reduced, or a different type of grate could be used. It is difficult to predict how much water would be saved. Public Works Administrator Mashid Arasteh said staff is gathering information from the firm maintaining the fountain and the one, which had coordinated the original project’s design-build specifications. A bid process for a professional fountain consultant has not been initiated. Mr. Johnson said milling one inch off the roundabout’s asphalt to remove the stripes and resurfacing would cost approximately $14,300. He recommended this action instead of increasing the roundabout’s height, which could cause drainage problems. In response to a concern, he said a one-inch replacement would be durable as the surface has never been patched. Ms. Arasteh will research further and report on metered parking usage on the beach. It was stated most extended vehicle and motorcycle parking is rarely used during the week and is poorly promoted. Lt. Mike Waters said the Police Department directs drivers of those types of vehicles to those spaces. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels reported stopping roundabout traffic when Coronado backs up would require also stopping access from Mandalay as well as the Causeway. The Chair reported he will prepare a draft final executive report for board review. ITEM #3 – Discussion Items a) Fountain Usage Report Mr. Johnson reported a total fountain water usage of 8,235,480 gallons during six months: 1) July 2000 – 1,314,236 gallons; 2) August 2000 – 2,019,600 gallons; 3) September 2000 – 1,938,068 gallons: 4) October 2000 – 1,129,480 gallons; 5) November 2000 – 1,165,384 gallons; and 6) December 2000 – 668,712 gallons. It was requested staff report on ways to reduce the amount of water used by the fountain. Mr. Johnson indicated a project to reroute water through the fountain’s air-conditioning system should reduce usage by approximately 800,000 gallons a month. He felt staff could reduce water usage further. It is difficult to estimate savings until the fountain is operational after drought conditions subside. Ms. Arasteh said draining and refilling the fountain on more than one occasion last summer used a significant amount of water. It was stated those procedures are part of a normal maintenance schedule. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said a defoamer can be used if bubbles are a problem. Staff is investigating leaks, which may be related to several sump pumps and the unexplained draining of the fountain’s second tier. b) Proposal to Remove Roundabout Fountain – submitted by Carl Wagenfohr Copies of Member Wagenfohr’s proposal were distributed. Member Wagenfohr requested members read the proposal for discussion next week. He said the water use numbers are too conservative and need to be increased. Mr. Johnson said usage had dropped to approximately 670,000 gallons per month before the fountain was turned off. Staff is determined to lower usage further. Mr. Wagenfohr reviewed the method he had used to represent the possible view of Pier 60 from the roundabout if the fountain is replaced by landscaping. He said the change would improve motorist sight lines. He said the fountain’s $231,000 annual cost is a frivolous use of scarce resources, when the money could be used to hire additional Police Officers. He expressed concern fountain water sprayed onto convertibles and through sunroofs distracts drivers. He said a wet surface is dangerous for motorcycle riders, especially when striped with plastic. He said a landscaped island would provide visitors and citizens with a nicer sense of arrival than the current unattractive dry concrete structure. Ms. Arasteh said Mr. Crown had suggested only removing the fountain’s top tiers. It was felt the fountain is not a problem. It was stated others may not agree with assumptions included in this proposal. It was noted the board had voted several times not to alter the fountain. Concern was expressed a landscaped island would attract pedestrians and be dangerous. It was suggested the island could be fenced. It was stated traffic could drive into the landscaped area to avoid an accident as long as pedestrians are not present. It was stated the fountain is not a safety issue and presents no danger to drivers from the left. It was felt the spray problem can be fixed. It was stated the present structure could be modified as a reflecting pool if the drought continues. Opposition to razing the fountain structure was stated. Ms. Arasteh said the fountain was designed to discourage pedestrian access. At a charette, staff had presented a rendering of the fountain without its top two tiers. Attendees expressed concern a view of the opposite side of the fountain would be distracting for drivers. The fountain sprays a maximum of 40 feet above the ground. Discussion ensued regarding the drought and SWFWMD’s (Southwest Florida Water Management District) request for the City to lower usage by 5%. Mr. Johnson said some people fear a spray of reclaimed water would harm children even though it is safe to use on lawns and golf courses. The City would need to obtain a point of discharge permit if reclaimed water is to be used. Mr. Wagenfohr requested that Sgt. Thomas Miller be invited to attend next week’s meeting. c) Alternatives Reference was made to Barry Crown’s suggested minor revisions to improve Roundabout safety: 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; 5) remove Marina splitter island; 6) remove splitter island at Poinsettia; 7) enlarge curb line between Marina and eastbound lane on Causeway; and 8) remove fountain’s top two tiers. In reference to revisions #5 and #6, it was stated modifying the splitter islands will be difficult due to extensive landscaping and tall palm trees. Discussion ensued regarding difficulties large trucks experience when turning from the roundabout into the Marina and onto Poinsettia. Replacing some curbs with mountable truck aprons was suggested. It was noted trucks could instead use East Shore to access Poinsettia or the Causeway access to the Marina. Lt. Waters reported a pedestrian on Coronado had received minor injuries darting into traffic. Consensus was for staff to study the issue and decide on the best way to modify the splitter islands at the Marina and Poinsettia. The Chair requested information on the issue before next week’s meeting. It was stated staff should have the latitude to fix problems related to the roundabout, just as they fix problems at other City intersections. Difficulties associated with the splitter islands relate to property damage, not traffic or safety problems. Concern was expressed any modification must provide a pedestrian safe zone. It was suggested installing a mountable curb or truck apron on the turning radius would be as effective as demolishing the splitter island. It was requested staff use truck templates when considering alternatives. It was stated the bollards at the Marina need to be moved away from the road. Ms. Arasteh said it would be less expensive to remove the splitter island than move curbs to expand the roundabout’s radii. She suggested this work could be done at the same time as #7 – enlarge curb line between Marina and eastbound lane on Causeway. Concern was expressed pedestrians, who continue to cross at that point, are endangered. It was recommended staff direct them to a safer route. Member Wagonfohr said if the board does not approve his proposal, he will submit it as an alternative. ITEM #4 – New Business Concern was expressed drivers on Coronado avoid the left lane access to the roundabout and causes traffic to back up as far as Hamden. It was recommended staff install signs to promote use of the left lane. ITEM #5 – Next Meeting The next meeting date will be May 21, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.