Date: January 18, 2005 

Attendees:

• Attendees: Mary Helen Duke, Denny Antrem, Nina Mabilleau, Sally Thompson, Tom Ries, Stan Kroh, Matt Padden, Ray Green, Art Huschen, Tom Bryan, Dan Thornburgh, Sharon Keen, Don Gunn, Bill Hoyt, Jane Burmer, Karla Price.

A. Introductions - Chair Thompson requested attendees to provide self-introductions.

B. Minutes of November 9, 2004 – Duke reported minutes were not ready for review.

C. Public Comments - Chair Thompson opened the floor to public comment. There was none.

Presentations

D. Gandy/Bridge Street - Duke provided a status report on the Gandy Boulevard Underpass CMAQ application. She explained FDOT did not support the underpass concept and has instructed the City to submit an application for a pedestrian crossing study to determine the best location for a pedestrian crossing of Gandy Boulevard to link the Friendship Trail Bridge to the South Tampa Greenway. Duke introduced Don Gunn and Bill Hoyt of Eco Group, developers of the project along Bridge Street. The project includes a portion of the South Tampa Greenway Trail. Chair Thompson asked them to speak. They declined comment. Discussion was postponed to the March 9 meeting date.

E. LaSalle Open Space Linear Park/Links II/III – Duke referred to the handout concept drawing for the LaSalle Open Space Linear Park developed by the FDOT consultant, Jonathan Toner for the project. This park will have a trail and run between Armenia Avenue and Howard Avenue and should be completed in 2012. Jane Burmer asked about the designation of types of uses and noted that roller blading is not good on brick. Sally Thompson noted it might be better if edged with brick. Sally Thompson asked about public participation and awareness of the project. Duke stated FDOT has conducted several meetings with the neighborhoods and Westshore Alliance. The City will probably enter into a maintenance agreement with FDOT for the linear park. Dan Thornburgh suggested using the Pinellas Trail as a model. The majority of the trail has blacktop, not bricks and some crosswalks. He suggested contacting Gary Gumbee, the design engineer.

Old Business  

F. Project Updates

1. Hillsborough River Greenway
1. Blake Trail (landscape plantings 1/17/05) Karla Price provided a status report on construction of the Blake Trail. An easement agreement is in the works with Tampa Prep. This is for the Boardwalk portion. A feasibility study is needed and will be included in the FY06 City budget. Landscape plantings were initiated on Monday. Denny Atrem of the Steward Foundation has worked with the City on the Blake Trail. Price reported there are School Board concerns. We continue to work with the University of Tampa that leases Plant Park from the City.
2. Rivercrest Park Trail – Price reported that asphalt is scheduled to be laid this week. Work is progressing.
3. Tampa Heights Greenway – Duke reported a concept landscape plan has been prepared by FDOT’s landscape architect (provided in packet). The concept plan will need to be reviewed by the ARC.
2. Riverwalk – Duke provided an update on the Riverwalk project. The Bank of America property development may include an extension of about 1 mile of Riverwalk. Lee Hoffman will be invited to the next meeting to provide a status report. Sharon Keene suggested staff contact Bill Bishop, developer of the project. A meeting with the neighborhood will be held at Stetson on February 3. Sharon Keene asked if North Boulevard could be 3 laned?
3. South Tampa Greenway
1. MacDill Trail – Gadsden Park – Duke reported that another 200 trees have been planted by the Mayor’s Beautification Program and that signs have been ordered.
2. Manhattan Avenue Trail Connection (ROW Certification) – Duke reported that an application is being prepared for TIP TE funding for missing segments of the South Tampa Greenway between the Friendship Trail Bridge and Bayshore Boulevard.
3. Gandy Boulevard Underpass (Pedestrian Access Study & NEPA) - See above discussion.
4. South Tampa Greenway Master Management Plan (Trailhead) Keen parcel Concept Plan Development - Duke presented the concept land management plan to the group. Tom Ries of Scheda Environmental was present to ask questions. Discussion on the concept plan followed.
4. McKay Bay Greenway
1. I-4 Connector/McKay Bay Nature Park – Duke reported that the City was in ongoing mediation sessions with FDOT and THEA regarding the impact of the I-4 Connector project to McKay Bay Nature Park and the McKay Bay Greenway. City staff is working to get the trail constructed as part of the project.
5. West Tampa Greenway
1. Westshore Pedestrian Plan & Westshore District Overlay Zone - Duke reported that MPO and City staffs are working on these two studies. CAC members were encouraged to contact Duke for more information and drafts of the documents.
6. Development Review Report – Duke stated that development review activity was high and commitments were being secured for trail construction.

New Business

G. Tampa Greenways & Trails Master Plan Map Amendment Process, Schedule & Presentation of Proposed Map Amendments -CAC Procedure, Rules & Bylaws - Duke presented a draft set of CAC Procedures, Rules and Bylaws for CAC review and discussion. Discussion followed on membership makeup, greenway area representation, etc. Dan Thornburgh asked about newspaper notice. Duke replied all meetings are noticed on the City website, as well as in the City Clerk’s office. CAC members were encouraged to thoroughly review the draft and provide comments back to staff prior to the next meeting. A subcommittee was formed to further evaluate in detail the draft with staff.

H. Other Business/Announcements

1. MPO Walkable Communities Workshops, April 4 – 8 - Duke referred to the handout of the workshop schedule and encouraged CAC members to attend.
2. Pro Walk/ProBike Conference, April 5 – 8 – Duke informed the CAC of this training opportunity and encouraged attendance by interested members.
3. Gasparilla Children’s Parade Bicycle Rodeo – Duke encouraged anyone interested in volunteering to contact the MPO.
4. Sunshine Law – Duke provided this information to the CAC members for information.

I. CAC 2005 Meeting Schedule - Duke presented a draft schedule for 2005 meetings. The March 15^th date was changed to March 29^th. A motion was made by Sharon Keene to approve the schedule as revised, and seconded by Stan Kroh. The motion was approved.

J. Next Meeting Date: Tuesday March 15, 2006. Chair Thompson announced the next meeting at Kate Jackson Community Center.

K. Adjourn – Chair Thompson adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully Submitted:

Mary Helen Duke 

Greenways & Trails Coordinator

Approved: