PINELLAS COUNTY MPO CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES – MEETING OF JANUARY 23, 2014 The Citizens Advisory Committee of the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization met on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room of the Pinellas County Planning Department, 310 Court Street, Clearwater, Florida. MEMBERS PRESENT

Joe Falanga, Chairman – Largo Robert Longenecker – Clearwater (Vice Chairman) Rebecca Afonso – Oldsmar/Safety Harbor/Tarpon Springs Lee Allen – St. Petersburg Fran Briskman – At Large Dave Carson – Pinellas Park/Mid-County John Doran – At Large Bob Henion – Dunedin Daryl Krumsieg – St. Petersburg

Cathy Lasky – St. Petersburg Chris Latvala – At Large Joe Murray – Beaches Jack Nazario – At Large

Larry Roybal – Oldsmar/Safety Harbor/Tarpon Springs Deborah Schechner – At Large Robby Thompson – St. Petersburg

Michael Welch – The Beaches Area Paul Ziegler – Gulfport/Kenneth City/Seminole/Belleair/So Pasadena/Belleair Bluffs MEMBERS ABSENT

Kasey Cursey – At Large Robert Detweiler – Pinellas Park/Mid-County Marie Etheridge – Largo Christian Haas – At Large

Melvin Maciolek – At Large Neil McMullen – Clearwater

OTHERS PRESENT Chelsea Favero – MPO Christopher Hubbard – City of Clearwater Stephen Benson – FDOT Tom Washburn – Pinellas County DEI Mashid Arasteh – FDOT Safety Suzanne Kroupa – Innisbsrook Parcel F Donald Martin – Bee Pond Resident Jennifer Ottoson – Bee Pond Resident Linda Martin – Bee Pond Road Resident Richard Smith – Bee Pond Road Resident Al Bartolotta – MPO Robert Feigel – MPO Carolyn Kuntz – MPO Staff Secretary, Recorder

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1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE TO FLAG/INTRODUCTIONS Chairman Joe Falanga called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Mr. Latvala led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Falanga asked everyone to introduce themselves.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (December 5, 2013)

Mr. Nazario moved, Mr. Henion seconded, and motion carried to approve the minutes as presented.

3. MPO ACTIONS (December 11, 2013

Al Bartolotta briefly highlighted items of interest from the last MPO meeting. Ms. Lasky asked about the Roosevelt Boulevard multi-trail project and Mr. Bartolotta responded it will be part of the resurfacing project between 28

th Street and Gandy Boulevard. Upon further query,

Mr. Feigel responded he would get the construction date for her. 4. FY 2011/12 – FY 2015/16 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) AMENDMENT

There were no TIP amendments at this time. 5. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT SEVEN SAFETY SUMMIT

PRESENTATION Stephen Benson, FDOT, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on FDOT’s safety program and initiatives to reduce pedestrian, bicycle, and motorcycle fatalities and injuries that includes engineering, education, and enforcement. He discussed the funding for safety-related projects and the jurisdictions that have received funding to date and the anticipated funding for the upcoming year and the role of the Community Traffic Safety Team that meets monthly. He noted there will be a District Safety Summit being held on March 5 from 8:00 a.m. to noon in FDOT’s District Seven headquarters in Tampa. FDOT is asking for the Committee’s support, involvement, and encouragement. There was discussion regarding injuries, crashes associated with texting, grants for enforcement but noting there are certain requirements that must be met. Mr. Nazario asked whether the pedestrian crossing on West Bay Drive at the intersection of Indian Rocks Road in Belleair Bluffs was being funded through the safety program. Mr. Benson responded he would find out and report back. Mr. Welch asked whether the Sheriff’s Office could receive grant funds to go to homeowner associations to address pedestrian crossing safety. Mr. Benson responded that it’s a federal program but he would check to see if it’s covered. He noted FDOT does have a program for community presentations that can be requested.

6. PUBLIC ART PROJECT AT U.S. HIGHWAY 19 AND S.R. 60 Christopher Hubbard, City of Clearwater, provided brief information on his background and then reviewed a PowerPoint presentation that described in detail the public art enhancement project that is being done on U.S. 19 at S.R. 60 in coordination with the construction project on U.S. 19. He described the process that led up to the public art enhancement. The City of Clearwater considers this as the gateway to the City of Clearwater. He briefly described the history of the public arts program for the City and showed renderings of the proposed artwork and LED lighting. FDOT has agreed to install the artwork and the City will maintain it. A question-and-answer session followed.

7. TRUCK ROUTE PLAN AMENDMENT – Segment of Belcher Road From Tampa Road to Alderman Road as “Day Light Only” and Alderman Road From U.S. 19 to Belcher Road as “Day Light Only” Tom Washburn, Pinellas County DEI, reviewed the request for a proposed modification to the Truck Route Ordinance to include a segment of Belcher Road from Tampa Road to Alderman Road and

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Alderman Road from U.S. 19 to Belcher Road as “day-light only”. He showed graphics of the area. Mr. Washburn noted that the request was reviewed by the Technical Coordinating Committee yesterday and will be considered at a public hearing at the March 18 Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting. The area is mostly residential with some commercial at the intersection. Mr. Bartolotta clarified that the MPO will not hold a public hearing until after the BCC holds a public hearing, approves the amendment, and makes a request to the MPO. There were questions regarding the anticipated truck volume, the potential impact to the neighborhoods, and whether residents are in favor or opposed to the modification. Mr. Washburn explained the Truck Route Ordinance that requires heavy trucks to use a truck route unless there isn’t a truck route to get to their delivery point; then, they use the closest road to their delivery and then back on to the truck route. There were several residents in attendance who live in the area. Mr. Washburn indicated there is a proposed development in the Innisbrook area and their access is from Bee Pond Road, which is a residential road. They are concerned with the use of the road and safety at the intersection of Bee Pond Road and Alternate 19. Mr. Bartolotta explained the amendment would give trucks an option to come from the east or west side to get to the Innisbrook site. Mr. Washburn noted there would still need to be another amendment to the Ordinance to allow that route. Chairman Falanga noted this was not a public forum for residents to speak; however, he allowed a couple of the residents to speak – some spoke in favor of the amendment and others spoke in opposition, with both sides explaining their reasons. Mr. Washburn distributed copies of a community meeting notice to look at alternatives. The meeting will be held on Monday, January 27, at 7:00 p.m. In response to Ms. Schechner, Mr. Washburn responded an amendment to the Truck Route Ordinance would be permanent.

8. MPO 2040 LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE A. Potential Road Projects for the Long Range Transportation Plan Needs Assessment

Chelsea Favero, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation. She outlined the proposed schedule where the CAC will review a preliminary Needs Assessment and a preliminary Cost Feasible Plan in a couple months, with a final draft of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) at their August meeting. The MPO is expected to open the public comment period at their September meeting and close the public comment period with the adoption of the LRTP at their December meeting. She reviewed the various tasks and elements that have taken place to date and then reviewed the potential road projects for the Needs Assessment, noting all road projects, including resurfacing projects, will include bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. The Needs Assessment for 2040 includes FDOT’s Five Year Draft Tentative Work Program. She reviewed the other road projects (capacity, enhancement, etc.) and any associated constraints. She noted the differences between the 2040 Needs Assessment and the current 2035 LRTP. Mr. Allen noted there are segments of Starkey Road proposed to be widened to six lanes and other segments that will remain at four lanes, Mr. Bartolotta responded it is a design issue and suggested inviting the consultant to make a presentation on Starkey Road to the CAC at a future meeting. A workshop is scheduled with the BCC in early March and there will be further discussions. Mr. Welch noted the section of Haines Road that approaches the Interstate zigzags in both directions. Mr. Bartolotta indicated that proposed improvements could be presented to the CAC.

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Ms. Schechner asked whether all the right-of-way along Starkey Road between Bryan Dairy Road and Park Street had been purchased. Mr. Bartolotta responded he would get more details that could be brought back to the Committee.

B. Financial Resources for the 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan Chelsea Favero, MPO staff, reviewed a PowerPoint on the financial resources. Mr. Welch noted there is false information being given out about the proposed transit surtax that is going to referendum in November.

9. OTHER BUSINESS A. Publications of Interest

Publications or the link were included in the agenda packet.

B. Comments and Future Agenda Item Requests From Committee Members There was considerable discussion during and following the FDOT safety presentation about the collection of crash data related to texting while driving. The members want to see what is being done to track this. MPO staff agreed to get with the crash data staff as to how this information is currently being collected, if at all, and what can be done to make this a priority. The CAC noted the legislation that recently passed banning texting was watered down. The MPO staff will research this and include it on a CAC agenda for discussion. The CAC requested information for the March 5 FDOT Safety Summit as soon as it’s available.

8. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

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