Call to Order

Date: September 21, 2004 

• Chair Thompson called the meeting to order at approximately 6:03 pm.

Attendees:

• Nina Mabilleau, COT Transportation; Jane Burmer, URS; Shannon Gittleman, Sierra Club; Randy Stribling, Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association; Roy Paz, COT Police; Erle Boynton, Citizen at Large; Richard Johnston, BPAC; Sally Thompson, Chair; Sally Flynn, Ballast Point Neighborhood Association; Mary Helen Duke, COT P&R.

Public Comments:  Chair Thompson opened the floor for public comments.  There being none, the floor was closed to public comment.

Minutes:  Minutes of the July 20, 2004 meeting were discussed and approved with no revisions.  Motion made by Sally Flynn and seconded by Roy Paz.  Motion to approve minutes passed unanimously.

Presentations:  Mary Helen Duke explained that Elaine Illes would be present at the November meeting to discuss the Tampa Heights Greenway.  Ms. Duke made a presentation on recent activities at Cypress Point Park and the Ribbon of Green on behalf of Brad Suder.    Ms. Duke presented a presentation board on the Ribbon of Green project, and briefly described each section.  She noted a shoreline restoration project of about 0.6 acres is underway.  There will be about 800 feet of Riverwalk, 20 feet wide with improvements up to the Brorein Street Bridge.  The southern “ribbon” will celebrate the fourteen schools of USF.  The northern section will celebrate MacDill AFB and Central Command through educational markers describing a history of the base and it’s impact on  Tampa’s economy.    A discussion followed.   

Ms. Duke presented plans for Cypress Point Park which encompasses about 40 acres.  All exotics are to be removed, particularly potato vines in the woods and a beach restoration project will occur (future project).  Dunes will be recreated and 2 groins with backfill will be placed.  This was a landfill site.  City Council is scheduled to award Phase I this Thursday.  Phase I includes a bus turnaround, sidewalk to trail, entrance drive and parking lot,  a picnic shelter and about 4,500 lf of asphalt trail.  A grant is being developed for a kayak launch and pedestrian trail bridge.  The existing hiking trails need to be remulched.  There are also plans for a future parking lot (long term vision).  Discussion followed on need for a dog beach there.

Old Business:

• Election of Vice Chair: Chair Thompson opened the floor for nominations. Randy Stribling was nominated. Motion to approve made by Sally Flynn and seconded by Erle Boynton. Motion to close nominations made by Erle Boynton, seconded by Sally Flynn. Randy Stribling was endorsed as Vice Chair by acclamation.

  Project Updates: Ms. Duke provided project updates on the Riverwalk, South Tampa Greenway, McKay Bay Greenway, West Tampa Greenway and the Hillsborough River Greenway. Discussion of the pending Imperial Yacht Basin rezoning ensued. Richard Johnson noted that the South Tampa Greenway is a greenway of regional significance. Ms. Duke presented a slide depicting damage to the Desoto Park Trail due to Hurricane Frances (estimated cost $50,000). She also described hurricane damage to Bayshore Boulevard seawall from Charley, Frances and Jeanne. Only portions are FEMA reimbursable.

  TIP CMAQ Applications – MPO Review Status: Ms Duke reported that a status report on the Gandy Bridge Underpass, the Manhattan Avenue Trail Connection and the McKay Bay Bridge Underpass is being forwarded to FDOT7 and the MPO to show progress made in moving these projects forward. These are “candidate” projects in the FDOT7 Five Year Tentative Work Program.

  Tampa-Hillsborough Blueways Committee - Ms. Duke reported that progress is being made on test paddling proposed water trails. Over 125 miles of trails have been tested, with volunteers logging over 350 hours. It is hoped that a concept map will be brought to the CAC for consideration at the November meeting.

  Development Review: Ms. Duke noted that a development review status report was in tonight’s handouts for your information.

New Business:

• Tampa Greenways & Trails Master Plan Map Amendment Process, Schedule and Presentation of Draft Map Amendments: Ms Duke requested CAC input on development of a Map Amendment process. Most committee members felt that 4 to 6 public input workshops were enough. Ms. Duke reported that a proposed process and schedule would be presented at the next meeting.

  MPO Pedestrian Plan: Ms. Duke reported that the MPO was developing an update to the MPO Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan and that anyone interested should contact her for a copy. She noted that trails (and particularly the Riverwalk) were not adequately addressed within the document, but that she was working with the MPO and consultants to improve the draft. Ms. Duke encouraged CAC members to review the plan and offer comments. This plan would be important to future funding for trail connections.

  Website Update: Ms. Duke reported that in honor of October being Florida Greenways & Trails Month, her office decided to devote energy to updating the city’s trail Webpages. She encouraged CAC members to forward any ideas for improvements to the website. A copy of the current website trail pages was handed out.

Other Business:

• CAC members were encouraged to participate in “Bricks Across the Bay” to support the Friendship Trail. Ms. Duke will man an information booth on October 2 and encourages volunteers to help staff the booth.

  Ms. Duke also announced the Lykes Park Lunchtime Fair and Mayor’s Ride scheduled for October 1 in celebration of Commuter Choices Week. Volunteers are also needed to staff the booth.

  Next Meeting Date: Chair Thompson announced the next meeting date for Tuesday, November 9 at 6pm at Seminole Heights Garden Center. She noted that she would be out of town and asked Randy Stribling to preside. Some discussion took place on holding the meeting on Nov. 13; however, most wanted to keep the meeting for Nov. 9.

  Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:05pm.