Loading...
05/21/2001CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER May 21, 2001 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Commissioner Hoyt Hamilton Committee Member Lucile Casey Committee Member – arrived 4:13 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 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 Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk – departed 5:21 p.m. 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 – None. ITEM #2 - Old Business Concern was expressed a report that claims beach metered parking spaces are used only 27% of the time is misleading. The Chair said the City Commission is trying to honor promises made by a previous City Commission and is considering the best site for a beach parking garage. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said staff studies do not agree with that conclusion. ITEM #3 - Discussion Items a) Alternative Recommendations Ms. Arasteh presented an illustration of truck aprons at the roundabout exits to Poinsettia and the Marina. Adding truck aprons and removing the splitter island at the Marina entrance is estimated to cost $38,152. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said removing the Marina splitter island alone would cost approximately $15,370. The installation of truck aprons requires modifying drainage and relocating irrigation, lighting, and a traffic signal control box. Modifying the Poinsettia entrance splitter island and installing a truck apron would cost approximately $44,500 versus approximately $14,000 to remove the splitter island. Public Works Director Gary Johnson said modifications included in Barry Crowns’ original proposal, estimated to cost $1.2-million, included the truck aprons. It was stated retaining part of the splitter islands is important to safeguard pedestrians. Concern was expressed Crown’s original recommendations would have increased vehicular speeds before approaches to pedestrian crossings. It was felt aprons would not affect vehicular speed as automobiles would not traverse them. In response to a question regarding safety, Lt. Mike Waters said currently, trucks can access north beach via East Shore and the Marina’s Causeway entrance, without problem. He expressed concern increased traffic speeds onto Poinsettia would increase the potential for a pedestrian accident. He supported retaining the splitter islands as safety zones. It was stated truck aprons would decrease damage to City fixtures and landscaping when trucks turn. It was stated truck drivers face no consequences for destruction caused when they drive over curbs. Concern was expressed truck destruction of City landscaping and curbing is unremitting. Mr. Johnson said damaged landscaping can be replaced with mulch. Member Wagenfohr moved for the committee to reconsider its motion of May 7, 2001, regarding altering the splitter islands at the Marina and Poinsettia. The motion was duly seconded. Members Hamilton, Casey, Littler, Lupien, Moran, Schulman, and Wagenfohr voted “Aye”; Member Bickerstaffe voted “Nay.” Motion carried. Member Wagenfohr moved to rescind the May 7, 2001 action regarding the splitter islands at the Marina and Poinsettia. The motion was duly seconded. Members Hamilton, Casey, Littler, Lupien, Moran, Schulman, and Wagenfohr voted “Aye”; Member Bickerstaffe voted “Nay.” Motion carried. Member Lupien moved to recommend that after the first series of modifications, if staff determines it is needed, leave the splitter islands as is at the Marina and Poinsettia but expand the curbs with brick pavers at an estimated cost of $82,000. The motion was duly seconded. Members Hamilton, Casey, Littler, Lupien, Moran, Schulman, and Wagenfohr voted “Aye”; Member Bickerstaffe voted “Nay.” Motion carried. b) Recommendation to remove the fountain Member Wagonfohr reviewed his recommendation to remove the roundabout fountain. Opposition was expressed. An objection to the 40-foot geyser, which causes significant evaporation, was expressed. It was noted the fountain’s $237,000 annual operational costs must be brought under control. The difference between perceived and real problems was noted. It was suggested the fountain be replaced by one more mechanically simple. The need to discourage pedestrian access was stated. It was felt the City cannot afford fountain related expenses if basic services must be cut. Ms. Arasteh said evaporation would remain a problem if the fountain is modified to be a reflecting pool. Discussion ensued regarding costs to redesign the fountain and problems associated with the current location of drains around the fountain’s perimeter. Ms. Arasteh said some circulation is necessary to deter birds. Concern was expressed pedestrians walking on the fountain will cause damage. It was felt the Committee does not have sufficient information related to removal of the fountain The Chair invited members to submit alternative recommendations for the final report. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said removing two tiers, for approximately $66,000, would make the fountain unsightly. Ms. Arasteh estimated reconfiguring the fountain by removing the outer two tiers and redesigning the fountain would cost $160,000 and include traffic maintenance. The Chair will distribute a draft of the final cover sheet in the next few days and forward a draft final executive summary to staff next week. Mr. Johnson reported staff is obtaining a feasibility study regarding obtaining a discharge permit from SWFWMD (Southeast Florida Water Management District) so that reclaimed water can be used in the fountain without having to pump it back to the water treatment plant. He said money would have to be budgeted to replace components at a more accelerated rate as reclaimed water is more abrasive to metal parts. Ms. Arasteh said the fountain originally was designed to use reclaimed water. She estimated repiping the fountain for reclaimed water would cost $7,500. Member Casey moved that the committee support use of reclaimed water in the fountain if the City can obtain proper permits. The motion was duly seconded. It was suggested the motion prohibit fountain water from spraying on the roundabout. Ms. Arasteh said that requirement would be impossible to meet. Upon the vote being taken, Members Hamilton, Casey, Littler, Lupien, Schulman, and Bickerstaffe voted “Aye”; Member Moran and Wagenfohr voted “Nay.” Motion carried. c) Other suggestions The Chair invited members to submit additions and corrections to their reports, to include their recommended alternatives. In response to a comment, Lt. Waters said the Fire Department does not like speed bumps, as they reduce response time. Fire Department vehicles already slow to negotiate the roundabout. Ms. Arasteh said speed is a secondary problem at Coronado, where conflict is common. In response to a question, Mr. Bertels said no problems are anticipated with moving the Mandalay crosswalk as part of the streetscape project. Concern was expressed regarding significant traffic back-ups at the Mandalay roundabout entry. It was recommended additional changes be considered after Crown’s minor revisions are implemented. In response to a question, Lt. Waters said most roundabout accidents occur at Coronado. It was recommended modification of the Coronado exit be constructed first. It was recommended the Committee not consider modifying the Mandalay and Coronado splitter islands. Concern was expressed modifications will increase traffic speed. d) Final Report In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said the proposed redesign of the Mandalay splitter island will increase the exit lane’s width by four feet to 10 feet at its widest. Lt. Waters said the change would increase truck traffic at that exit and alleviate stresses on the Poinsettia exit. Replacement of bollards was included in the $1.5-million project, but not in Crown’s suggested revisions. ITEM #4 – New Business It was requested staff tape the button at the Mandalay pedestrian crossing to communicate to pedestrians that the signal light is not operational. In response to questions, Sgt. Charlie Cronin said if motorcyclists can see pavers ahead, they can negotiate changes in pavement. He said motorcyclists face numerous hazards such as debris, gravel, and puddles from sprinkler runoff throughout the City. Lt. Waters suggested cobblestone strips at the roundabout entrances would slow vehicular movement. Concern was expressed the strips would resemble crosswalks and encourage pedestrians to cross there. In response to questions, staff responded striping or installing candlesticks would be difficult on pavers. It was suggested colored bricks could be used for striping. Ms. Arasteh said colored bricks would not meet standards. It was felt the cost to install pavers to slow roundabout traffic would be worthwhile. ITEM #5 – Next Meeting Member Littler moved that this be the final meeting, unless it is necessary to call a special meeting to reach consensus on an item in the final report. The motion was duly seconded. Lt. Waters reported Spring Break traffic counts had decreased by approximately 6,000 vehicles per day in comparison with last year. It was noted the decrease in traffic counts will not impact the report. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:28 p.m.