Date: March 15, 2005 

Attendees:

• Attendees: Mary Helen Duke, Cosmo Bloom, Karen Cashon, John Romero, Alan Steinbeck, Rick Arico, Erle Boynton, Sharon Keene, Sally Thompson, Stanley Kroh, Jim Hartnett, Sally Flynn, and Dan Thornbrugh.

Chair Thompson called the meeting to order at 6:05pm.

A. Introduction - Chair Thompson requested everyone in attendance provide a short introduction.

B. Public Comment - Chair Thompson opened the floor to public comment. There were none.

C. Minutes of January 18, 2005 – Duke reported no minutes were available yet for review and approval.

D. Presentations

1. Platt Street Bridge. Ann Venables of EC Driver & Associates provided an overview of the PD&E Study for the Platt Street Bridge. She stated that Tom McLaughlin was the project manager for Hillsborough County on the project. She noted that the City has designated the bridge as a local historic landmark and the bridge is National Register eligible. The bridge is a bascule bridge. The bridge inspection rated it as a 64. To be eligible for state funds, a bridge must be rated below 50. The machinery and electrical systems need to be replaced. The bridge is functionally obsolete.

A discussion followed on the feasibility of 3 laning the bridge in order to provide for bike lanes. Earle Boynton asked why widen the bridge in front of the convention center? Many members of the CAC noted the importance to have sidewalks on both sides of the road for trail purposes. Ms. Venables noted that the County is the decision maker in this process. Dan Thornburgh recommended considering downsizing the lanes on the bridge ultimately to 2 or 3 lanes. Sharon Keene said don’t widen the road. She reported that Bill Bishop with the Heights Development will have red brick streets and narrow lanes to slow everything down. Mrs. Keene said that’s how we’re going to have to think. Sally Thompson stated there was little truck traffic on the Platt Street Bridge. Sally Thompson stated the focus should be on the greenway on the west side of the river. The overall consensus was to leave the bridge cross section as is for trail purposed. A motion was made by Erle Boynton and 2^nd by Jim Hartnett for a letter from the CAC be forwarded to Hillsborough County requesting that the bridge be repaired, 3 laning be considered and retention of the two 8’ wide sidewalks with a long range goal of a separate pedestrian bridge structure. The motion passed unanimously. Staff will draft letter for the Chair’s review and signature.

2. Columbus Drive Bridge – John Romero, Project Manager with Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. as consultant for Hillsborough County on the project provided a status report on the PD&E Study. He stated the bridge was constructed in 1926 and is 40’ wide. The substructure is in excellent condition; however, there are problems with the mechanical and electrical systems. There is a repair contract of $1.5 million. The bridge is an asymmetrical bobtail swing bridge. They have evaluated a movable bridge on the existing alignment. The USCG will require to open due to the navigational channel status of the Hillsborough River. The county project manager is Tom McLaughlin. The rehabilitation option is to build a double leaf bascule or to build a new swing bridge. It needs to stay on the same alignment. After questions posed by CAC members, a motion was made to support the rehabilitation alternative with 5’ wide sidewalks on both sides and 10’ wide travel lanes. The motion was seconded by Jim Hartnett. The motion carried.



3. Westshore Pedestrian Plan – Alan Steinbeck of the Hillsborough MPO made a presentation on the Westshore Pedestrian Plan. He described the study area extends between Dale Mabry Highway and Kennedy Boulevard. He reported that a Westshore Overlay District draft language is being prepared that adopts the Westshore Pedestrian Plan by reference. Dan Thornburgh asked about the Westshore Boulevard plans. Mr. Thornburgh stated the plan is great and that Alan had done a great job on the plan! Duke recommended further discussion on the plan be conducted at the meeting on the 29^th.



4. Downtown Tampa Transportation Vision – Alan Steinbeck provided an overview of the recommendations to date on the plan. Duke reported that staff was providing detailed trail related comments. A handout of draft recommendations was provided to CAC members. Sally Thompson stated there would be heavy residential activity downtown with all the condominium development. Duke will forward a summary of the report to CAC members via email.

Old Business

E. Project Updates - Duke referred to the status report in the agenda packet. Due to time limitations, there was no futher discussion.

F. Development Review Report - Duke stated this was included in packet for information purposes.

New Business

G. Tampa Greenways & Trails Master Plan Map Amendment Meeting - Duke reminded CAC members of the meeting on the 29^th to discuss the plan amendments. Jim Hartnett recommended more consideration of mountain biking trails in the plan. He suggested an off-road trail through the entire park in South Tampa and not a loop.

H. TIP Funding Priority Recommendations – Duke presented a TIP funding priority list for CAC review and approval. After discussion, a motion was made to accept the TIP submittal recommendations. The motion passed unanimously.

I. CAC Procedure, Rules & ByLaws Subcommittee Report and Discussion - Discussion on this item was postponed until the meeting on March 29^th.

J. Other Business/Announcements – Duke announced upcoming workshops and biking events. See agenda for details. She encouraged CAC member participation at events.

K. Next Meeting Date - Chair Thompson announced that the next meeting date is Tuesday, March 29 at the Kate Jackson Community Center.

L. Adjourn - The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted:

Mary Helen Duke 

Greenways & Trails Coordinator

Approved: