Board of Commissioners Special Meeting

THE CITY OF MADEIRA BEACH, FLORIDA PUBLIC NOTICE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES The Board of Commissioners of the City of Madeira Beach, Florida will meet at City Hall, located at 300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach, Florida to discuss the agenda items of City Business listed at the time indicated below. 10:08A.M. TUESDAY, MARCH 19TH, 2013 AUDITORIUM CALL TO ORDER: The Meeting was called to order at 10:08 a.m. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Nancy Hodges ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: Travis Palladeno, Mayor Robin Vander Velde, Vice-Mayor Nancy Hodges, Commissioner District 2 MEMBERS ABSENT: Nancy Oakley, Commissioner District 3 Terry Lister, Commissioner District 1 STAFF PRESENT: Aimee Servedio, City Clerk Pro Tern (CCPT) Derryl O'Neal, Fire Chief (FC} Deputy Shawn Heffner, Community Policing Unit (CPU} 1. NEW BUSINESS A. DISCUSSION REGARDING FDOT MEDIAN PROJECT ALONG ALL OF GULF BLVD. Mayor Palladeno stated that the FOOT were here to give a short presentation about the crosswalks with the Qwick Kurb/delineators that they were installing along Gulf Blvd. He also stated if there were any concerns about the crosswalks that were already in, that the City Clerk Pro Tern would be taking notes along with the comment cards that were available, and that the City would make sure the right people at FDOT received them. Ms. Garrett stated that she was there representing the FDOT to give information on the proposed median modifications on Gulf Blvd. from 131st Ave. to Tom Stuart Causeway. She also said that they were expecting a much more casual meeting or they would have brought larger boards, but she did offer handouts that showed  The City of Madeira Beach, Florida Board of Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes aerial photos where they intended to have all of the islands and the Qwick Kurb temporary delineators. Ms. Garrett stated that they would love to hear from the residents either publicly or that they would be available after the meeting to meet individually and address all concerns. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT: (limited to 5 minutes) Brenda Nicolson, 100 137111 Ave. Circle, Madeira Beach: She stated that with the increase in traffic over the years, it is hard to get out and go south, especially pulling a trailer, without being able to use the center tum lane, and being able to merge into southbound traffic. She thinks that if it were moved to the north, or made smaller and shorter, that it would make things easier. Ms. Nicolson also stated that she thinks the gradual curbs like they have in Redington Beach would be less intrusive and safer. Sue Mullady, 13000 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach: Stated that in order to get out of her driveway she has to go thru an alley and cut through a time shares parking lot. She thinks that it is ridiculous. She said that it is a safety hazard and thinks that they should move it south of John's Pass Village. She said there is a public parking lot there and people are being ticked for jaywalking. The State should reconsider the placement of this crosswalk. Robert Spaeth, 13417 Gulf Lane, Madeira Beach: Stated that he is a lifelong resident and owns property on both sides of Gulf Blvd. He asked if they have the pedestrian accident information, do they have the rear-end collision information. He had been speaking with a woman who had been in 2 rear-end collisions at the crosswalks, and the officer had stated to her that there had been 95 rear-end collisions, and all but 5 were at the crosswalks. He is in favor of the crosswalks, but said they need to be smaller and better placed. He also suggested some kind of color coding to let drivers know that there is someone in the crosswalk, because a flashing yellow means caution not stop. He likes the idea of the small curbs especially for the Emergency vehicles. John Cochran, 13000 Gulf Blvd.,# 314, Madeira Beach: Stated that he was sent notification at his home up north, and said that they were not affecting him at all. Then all of a sudden they are digging up the road in front of his driveway. He said that a fraud squad would call that bait and switch. Bernard White 14300 Gulf Blvd., #401, Madeira Beach: Stated that he lived at Kima Condos, and that it is currently about 50% rentals and 50% residents. He stated that there are 3 driveways that are not connected and if they put in a median at 143rd Ave., that it would be impossible to turn left to go north on Gulf Blvd. They don't want it there. Jim Everett 15458 1st St. E., Madeira Beach: Stated that he uses Gulf Blvd. to get to and from his businesses, and wanted to know what the logic is behind the timing of these projects. Why are they doing ii during the season when all the northerners are here? Kelly Bradley of the FOOT stated that they have a 5 year calendar, and the islands are part of the re-surfacing project which is scheduled for this coming December or January. There is room to move it up if this is a major concern. There is also the ability to delay until next summer if the City decides to underground the utilities along Gulf Blvd. Brian Bornemann, 14201 N. Bayshore Dr., Madeira Beach: Stated that everything that he had issue with had been covered. Kathy Behrman (sp?), 255 Boca Ciega Dr., Madeira Beach: Stated that it is impossible to make a left turn at 133rd Ave. It needs to be on the other side of the road or moved further down. She also stated that there are several crosswalks that are right in front of bus stops, and it is impossible to tell whether or not someone is waiting to cross the street, or waiting on the bus. Doreen Moore 13030 Gulf Blvd. & 13018 Boca Ciega Ave., Madeira Beach: Stated that she was quoting Mayor Queen of North Redington Beach, "Engineering, education, and enforcemenf'. She said that the engineering was FOOT, but there is a Walk Wise program that was designed to educate the drivers and pedestrians, especially the tourists. She said that there was no material to hand out to visitors educating them to the rules. She said that there needs to be better communication between the City and the FOOT, and she restated what Mr. Cochran had said. She stated that 2 March 19, 2013  The City of Madeira Beach, Florida Board of Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes the Cross walk at 13()111 needed to be closely monitored and removed if necessary. She stated that it limits the flow of traffic into John's Pass Village, also projects half-finished are confusing to the pedestrians as well. There was a resident that had her car totaled coming out of 133rd. She had several questions for the FOOT. Why are the islands different sizes? Why are they going to enlarge the island at 135111 ? It is there and it works. She stated that her property backs up to Gulf Lane at 130th and she is concerned because it is an alley and it was not intended to be a thoroughfare. It is causing disruption to businesses. Barbara Wilks, 14800 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach: She stated that she owns a condo at Madeira Vista, and when she is traveling from Treasure Island (north) she has to go further up to make a turn. She feels that if they move it just 8 feet it would make a big difference. Joe Wenzler, 14046 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach: He stated that he uses the Kitty Stuart Park and 145111 Ave. crosswalks, and says the problem is not with locals but with the out-of-towners. They need to put in better signage at the very least, and is opposed to all of them. He asked if there is actual data that they even work. Ms. Bennett (FOOT) said that roads that have median islands, pedestrian safety goes up. The information is not very detailed on small islands. Mr. Wenzler went on to say the configuration of these islands needs to be looked at. The slanted curbs may be friendlier but won't stop a car, but launch it, he favors a vertical curb. He also was concerned when they stated that they made their best guess at where they were placing these islands. Ms. Garrett stated that they reviewed where pedestrians were crossing by volume, and looked at where accidents were occurring to determine where placement would be, with the least impact on residents and businesses. He also asked who was paying for this. Kelly Bradley (FOOT) responded by saying it was fully funded by the State and paid for with the gas tax. Jim Madden, 113 140th Ave., Madeira Beach: Stated that instead of waifing to do the resurfacing, that they could put in the conduit and then it would be in place when the City and Progress Energy were ready. He said that the City was trying to focus the pedestrians away from Gulf Blvd., and under John's Pass Bridge, and at one time had worked with PSTA as well to move the bus stop down so the passengers could use the walkway under the bridge. FOOT also made sure it was well /it at night and safe. The Crosswalk at 155111 presented a problem for the Fire Department and that fell through the cracks. Ms. Bradley stated that FOOT is working with the City, Progress Energy and Brighthouse to make the undergrounding go as seamless as possible. She also wanted to clarify that the staff she was here with were only here to discuss the project from 131 st up to Tom Stuart, but that she would make sure the right parties were notified of other concerns. Deputy Shawn Heffner, (CPU): Wanted to restate the need to move the bus stops away from the crosswalks, saying that from an enforcement stand point drivers get a false sense of when someone will be crossing or just waiting on the bus. He would also like to see more of a promotion for the crossing under the bridge. He stated that the light at the 129th St. crossing is always blinking from constantly being pushed even when no one is in it, and that drivers tend to get complacent and not paying attention to the light as much as they should be. He also wanted to touch on the jay walking tickets, and stated that it is more of an education process, and warnings are being issued. He also said that while they are not out to hammer the public there have probably been a few pedestrian tickets written. Derryl O'Neal, Fire Chief (FC): Mayor Palladeno asked FC O'Neal if there had been any issues with Fire Rescue with any of the permanent or temporary islands as far as accessing or turning into someplace they needed to get to. FC O'Neal stated that there was a turning radius issue at 153rd or 1541h, but that they really hadn't had much of an issue with service. Mayor Palladeno also asked when the last pedestrian incident had been. He stated that it had been last week, when a driver was looking at pedestrians crossing from the other direction trying to make it past them, when the other genUeman stepped into the crosswalk from the other direction, and into the path of the car. He was asked where this had happened, and said it had been at 131 st. Martha Boos, 15316 Gulf Blvd. Madeira Beach: She stated that she has heard a number of comments of how nice the Redington crosswalks worked, and how nice they looked, why weren't they trying to do something more like what they have. Mayor Palladeno stated that Mayor Queen worked very aggressively with FOOT after 2 pedestrians were killed. Since the crosswalks were put in, even though drivers are a little inconvenienced, there had been no other pedestrian fatalittes in that city. 3 March 19, 2013  The City of Madeira Beach, Florida Board of Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes Mayor Palladeno asked the FDOT if there was a possibility for the one at 137th to be shortened, also the one at 133rd and the one at 131 st out of Latitudes. He said that those were the 3 that he has heard the most about. Vice Mayor Vander Velde asked about the sidewalk in front of Latitudes stating that for the last 2 weeks it had been torn up. She went on to say that the framing is there but no concrete had been poured. The only way around it is to skirt through bushes or step into Gulf Blvd. Kelley Bradley said she would make a call to Pinellas Maintenance that afternoon to find out what is taking so long. She also said that she was at the Walk Wise meeting and that several resort owners have approached her and want information to give out to the guests, but don't have any. Ms. Garrett stated that she would get that information to the City. Deputy Heffner also stated that the Sherriff's Dept. has pamphlets through FOOT grant and that he would see what he could do on his end about getting those distributed as well. Commissioner Hodges stated that there are 2 areas that have the crosswalk lights, and wanted to know if there were any others that they had planned to put lights up, with the possibility of making them a different color so they are more noticeable. Ms. Garrett stated that the intention was to have lights at all the crosswalks. She also stated that they were going to be the yellow strobe type lights. Commissioner Hodges also asked if there was a possibility of putting in the raised bumps to alert the driver that they were coming up on lhe crosswalk. Ms. Garrett replied that they had not planned on it, but it was a possibility. However she also said that the chief complaint on the rumble strips was that it was really annoying to homes that were close to them, especially at 3:00 a.m. There was also a comment that people were still using the flags at the old crosswalk north of 133rd, and when they had planned on removing the old crosswalk. Kelly said that removal was not planned for until the resurfacing was done, but could be looked at. Vice Mayor Vander Velde also stated that the flashing lights at the crosswalk by the VFW had been moved farther away from the street which put them even further out of the driver's line of vision, and it made no sense. Guy Critelli, 13025 Pelican Lane, Madeira Beach: Said that in Europe pedestrians have the right of way. To educate the people on the crosswalks there needs to be signs. He also said that the crosswalk by John's Pass is confusing. Doreen Moore 13030 Gulf Blvd. & 13018 Boca Ciega Ave., Madeira Beach: Was disappointed that Commissioner Terry Lister was not at the Meeting, and wanted to go on the record to FDOT that "We've heard before that you are listening to us• She wants proof that the right engineering is being done - not their best guess. 3. ADJOURNMENT: Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11 :18 a.m. Date Approved: :S:I/ •\H 1/ \ 3 Any person w ho decid es to appeal any decision of the City Commission with respect to any matter considered at this meeting will need a r ecord of the proceedings and for such purposes may need to ensure that a verbati m record of the proceedings Is made, which record includes the t estimony and evidence upon which the appeal Is to be based. The law does not require the City Clerk to transcribe verbatim minutes; the refore, the applicant must make t he necessary arrangements with a privat e reporter o r private reporting firm and bear t he resulting expense. In accordance with the Ameri cans with Disability Act and F.S. 286.26; any person with a disability requi ring reasonable accommodation in order t o participate in this meeting should call 727-391-9951 or fax a written request to 727-399-1131. THIS MEETING IS TELEVISED LIVE ON CHANNEL 16 4 March 19, 2013