Commissioners hear about getting around

BRADENTON - Getting around was on the minds of people at Tuesday's County Commission meeting, with an update on regional transportation and the latest on a road project on the agenda.

Bob Clifford, the executive director of the Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority, said that rail connections are the key to growing the area's economy and could give local residents access to as many as 3 million jobs in the Tampa Bay region within a half-mile of the system.

"Fully 20 percent of the trips in the region cross county boundaries," he told commissioners. "And that's very important."

Bus rapid transit between Sarasota and Bradenton is important, Clifford said. And the east-west connections are also very important.

In the long term, the Bradenton-Tampa connection by rail could improve the mobility, quality of life and economics of the area, he said, and a light rail connection to Sarasota could be a plus, too.

"We consistently hear that one of the key issues that we face in this entire region is the issue of transportation infrastructure," Clifford said. "Talk about the issue of seamless travel moving about the region, and really one of the things we don't do well is the leveraging of dollars, at both the state or the federal level in this region."

With the stimulus money packages that was coming down from the federal level, he said, the region missed the bus. "From a public transportation perspective, we didn't have any projects in the region ready to move forward. What we ended up doing was buying more buses," he said. "Not that that's not a significant and important issue, but we weren't ready to move forward with projects in terms of these connections, in terms of bus-rapid transit connections, or express bus connections, or rail connections.

"We need to put ourselves in a position to compete effectively for dollars."

The important thing, Clifford said, is to start working on these issues now instead of waiting 20 or 30 years, and seeing what is needed on the local level with transit service. In talking to people, they often hear: "Stop talking about it and start doing something," he said.

People also say that if the system is worthwhile, they'd be willing to pay for it if they can see a benefit to it for themselves.

Enhanced service in terms of hours of operation, distances covered and seamless connections could build up those connections needed to provide transportation.

Not just the transportation itself, Clifford said, but the new land uses could create jobs. "It's not just the issue of creation of jobs, it's the issue of access to jobs," he said. Such a system could provide greater mobility to people, and keep them out of their cars.

"We need to start taking those next steps and start moving forward," Clifford said.

There is a significant amount of money from the federal Department of Transportation to take those next steps, he said. Competing effectively for those dollars would lead to implementing the first parts of projects, be they express buses to Tampa from Bradenton and Sarasota, as well as connections to other counties north of Manatee.

Commissioner Donna Hayes, a member of TBARTA, said that what her constituents want is information on how Lakewood Ranch fits into the system.

Clifford said the eastern and western sides of the county have north-south connections, and in both scenarios there are east-west connections and then more local transit service in between to connect the system.

"We've not left them out at all. In fact, they're the key factor in making the entire system work," he said. "The problem is that we show them on a map and there's so many of them that it just becomes overwhelming and it becomes hard to understand."

Commissioner Joe McClash said the crucial issue is developing a plan, especially for U.S. 41. The airport could be a transportation hub and they should ask for a right of way plan before the land there becomes another shopping center.

"Your plan for bus rapid transit is kind of like putting the cart before the horse if you don't get an idea of what the future's supposed to be like," he said.

He said he wanted more synergy between TBARTA and the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and pointed out issues like the lack of maps in Manatee County showing transportation on the bus routes and farebox compatibility, which stand in the way of a regional transportation network. Maybe a vendor has solved the problem because fare cards in one county don't work in another.

It's one thing to get the dollars for capital work on a system, McClash added, but it's another finding the money to operate the system. "I'd like to also know how you plan to support it with operating dollars," he said.

"Land use is going to be critical to the development, implementation and ultimately selection of projects," Clifford replied. "We still have roughly $16-$17 million available to take those next steps. That's what we'll be talking about and prioritizing. No doubt there will significant projects in all counties as part of that prioritization."

Bringing up the bus station

In public comments, John Laurie, a partner in the building at 1111 Eighth Ave. W. expressed his support for the chosen site of the bus terminal in downtown Bradenton, and opposition to a site that was evaluated on 12^th Street West because of the problems with people loitering and vandalism, and that it would aggravate the parking situation.

In addition, he said, people who work in the BB&T building would have to cross the street, which would mean more traffic lights and traffic disruption.

McClash pointed out that the city of Bradenton has not fully approved the concept, but County Administrator Ed Hunzeker noted that the city has approved the location of the terminal on 13^th Street, but subject to review of the design concept.

Later in the meeting, during commissioners' comments, the bus station issue was raised again. Hunzeker noted that they've been working on a site for a transit station for 10 years and that he has a map that shows every location that has been studied.

"We have to make a decision and I think we ought to go forward with it," he said. "We have this grant with an expiration date at the end of the year, but we can renew it. I think we're running out of alternatives here."

A motion to reconsider the transit station failed on a 4-2 vote.

Also in public comments, Stella Burnett repeated her request for sidewalks and said that she has been making the requests for years and can't seem to get action. People have been agreeing that sidewalks are needed, she said, but have not been putting them in.

"I'm still waiting for 18^th Street Court East and 15^th Street Court East," she said. "I do see that we're building sidewalks in the county. I'm waiting for my road to be paved."

She challenged the commissioners to ride the bus to work sometime. "The trolley runs every 20 minutes," she said while describing her non-driving daughter's efforts to get from school at Manatee Community College to Wal-Mart, and having to allow for two hours of travel time. "The buses run every hour, some half-hour."

A motion to examine the appropriateness for sidewalks carried 7-0.

Commissioners also heard a presentation on the progress of the 44^th Avenue East road project, the annual report of the County Attorney, honored Sage Kamiya of the Public Works Department, who was named government engineer of the year from the ASE-Suncoast branch, and honored Cherie Coryea of the Neighborhood Services Department for her work.

In other items on the agenda, the commission voted unanimously to:

• Adopt the revised Library Facilities Long-Range Development Plan.

• Accept a donation of $30,000 from the Crosley Estate Foundation to be used toward Crosley rehabilitation projects.

• Authorize the executive director or designee to execute license agreement 29-200 with Sarasota Orchestra Association dba Florida West Coast Symphony for an event on April 13-14, 2010, at the Civic Center.

• Approve an amendment for debris removal in private community streets to allow for public safety operations.

• Approve new rates in the 12 existing street lighting MSBU projects and the new method for calculating indirect costs.

In addition, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve the following items on the consent agenda:

• Manatee County Fair - Execute license agreement with Manatee River Fair Association for three inside exhibit spaces at the 2010 Manatee County Fair

• Donation - Accept donation of $13,500 from Manatee Friends of Extension for use to establish a demonstration garden and green house

• Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement - Adopt Resolution R-09-205 responding to resolution by City of Anna Maria

• Alzheimer's Disease Initiative (ADI) - Execute Amendment 4 to agreement with West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc., decreasing agreement amount and revising budget summary

• Community Care for the Elderly - Execute Amendment 4 to agreement with West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc., decreasing agreement amount and revising budget summary

• DUI Court Program - Approve replacement document for application to State of Florida, Department of Transportation, for provisions for Manatee County DUI Court Program*

• Refund - Authorize refund to West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc., for overpayment to state for the 2008-09 ADI agreement

• West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) - Adopt Resolution R-09-183 accepting WCIND grants and authorizing execution of funding agreements with WCIND for projects (7)

• WCIND Project List - Authorize Chairman to sign letter to WCIND revising FY 2009-10 funding application project list and requesting balance of county WCIND funding be placed in Manatee County County-wide Navigation Improvement Fund (CNIF)

• Conferences - Approve expenditures for SPORTS Institute Conference and TEAMS Conference, and authorize Joe Pickett to attend the conferences

• Tournaments - Approve expenditures for six sports tournaments: U.S. Ice Skating Trials, AAU Slug-A-Rama Baseball Tournament; Florida State Junior Golf Tournament; AAU Fall Classic Baseball Tournament; YBOA Basketball Tournament; and Bridge Tournament

• Budget Amendment Resolution - Adopt Budget Resolution B-09-035

• Budget Amendment Resolution - Adopt Budget Resolution B-09-036

• Engineer of Record - Execute Addendum 3 to extend agreement for architectural/engineering services with McKim & Creed, PA

• Manatee County Fair - Adopt Resolution R-09-198 authorizing sponsorship of Manatee County Fair Association for multiple functions

• Utility Construction and Rehabilitation Services - Execute agreements with Bay to Bay Contracting; Gator Grading and Paving; Seavy & Associates; Steele and Associates; TLC Diversified; and Woodruff and Sons, Inc.

• Technology Equipment Hosting Services - Execute interlocal agreement with Manatee County Sheriff's Office to provide hosting services at the Public Safety Complex*

• Code Enforcement (Quintanilla) - Reduce fines to $4,000, as previously recommended by Special Magistrate, subject to conditions

• Code Enforcement (Serrano) - Reduce fines to $4,650, as previously recommended by Special Magistrate, subject to conditions

• State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Annual Report - Approve and accept SHIP Annual Report and authorize Chairman to sign letter of transmittal and required State forms to transmit annual report for FY 2006-07 through 2008-09

• Final Plat: Forest Creek Phase IIB, Revised Portion - Approve, execute, and record

• 12^th Street East Sidewalk - Accept and record Pedestrian Sidewalk Easement from Robert G. Becker, Affidavit of Ownership and Encumbrances

• 17^th Street West Road Improvement Project - Authorize execution of lease renewal agreement with Bible Baptist Church of Palmetto of church property for a period of seven weeks, extending date of surrender of possession from August 1 to September 25, 2009*

• Dude Ranch Acres - Execute Contract for Purchase for a Utility Easement from Joseph E. Poirier required for construction of a lift station on Caruso Road

• Erie Road - Accept Warranty Deed and Quit Claim Deed from Erie Park, LLC

• Honda Cars of Bradenton - Accept and record Pedestrian Sidewalk and Street Lighting Easement; Utility Easement; and Conservation Easement from Bradenton Automotive Company; Affidavit of Ownership and Encumbrances; Joinder

• Lorraine Road - Accept and record Utility Easements (2) from Risen Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church; Affidavit of Ownership and Encumbrances; Joinder

• Palma Sola Park - Accept and record Right of Entry Easements (6) required for the waterline improvement project

• Vacant Church Structure - Execute and record Agreement for Extension of County-owned Structure with King of Kings Baptist Church, LLC*

• Wares Creek Stormwater Improvement Project (Parcel E192) - Execute Contract for Sale and Purchase for a Quit Claim Deed from Flavian and Josephine Casey

• Whitfield Estates Waterline Project - Accept and record Right of Entry Easements (18)

• Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) - Adopt Resolution R-09-197 authorizing Chairman to execute Second Amendment to Joint Project Agreement with Florida Department of Transportation to install conduit for communications network of Manatee County ATMS Project

• Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Rolls for 2009 - Adopt Resolution R-09-128 providing for certification of non-ad valorem assessments pursuant to the uniform method for the levy, collection, and enforcement of non-ad valorem assessments for annual special assessment payments due with payment of 2009 ad valorem taxes

• Surplus Equipment - Adopt Resolutions R-09-181 and R-09-196 authorizing donation to Senior Friendship Centers and Manatee County Rural Health Services; and classify property which is uneconomical to upgrade or repair as surplus per Florida Statute ¤274.05 to enable appropriate and authorized disposition, and authorize disposal

• Surplus Vehicles - Classify vehicles which are uneconomical to operate as surplus per Florida Statute ¤274.05 to enable appropriate and authorized disposition, and authorize disposal

• Bad Debt - Authorize write off of bad debt from Water/Sewer Fund 401 and Solid Waste Fund 480

• Fee Waiver - Waive service fees assessed to utility customer accounts for returned bank items

• Lien Release - Execute and release lien on satisfied time payment agreements (5)

• Uncollectible EMS Accounts - Adopt Resolution R-09-199 to remove uncollectible accounts for ambulance services

• Uncollectible EMS Accounts - Adopt Resolution R-09-203 to remove uncollectible accounts for ambulance services

• Dashboard Reports - Accept into the record dashboard report for month of July 2009

• Responses to Board Inquiries - Accept into the record responses from various County departments to inquiries of the Board of County Commissioners: 1) Primus Racing (B700771); 2) Dissolution of CDD (B804543); 3) Donations of Excess Produce (B900453); 4) Playground Equipment at Beach (B903186)