Members Absent: Mary Glidden-Williams (1) TAC Vacancy

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1 TRAFFIC ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SARASOTA COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER 1660 RINGLING BOULEVARD, SARASOTA, FL BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 1 ST FLOOR December 12, :00 P.M. Members Present: Morgan Skoegard, Chair Becky Ayech, Vice Chair Ken Swartz Dylan Hawley, STAR Member Sergeant Darrell Seckendorf, Sarasota Sheriff s Office Sergeant John Donovan, Florida Highway Patrol Representative Members Absent: Mary Glidden-Williams (1) TAC Vacancy Staff Present: Robert Fakhri, P.E., Traffic Engineering and Operations Manager Shanon Rodden, E.I., Traffic Engineering (Presenter) Douglas Sines, E.I., Traffic Engineering (Presenter) Lisa Cece, Transportation (Liaison) Melanie Marsh, Transportation (Liaison) Item 1 At 2:01 p.m., Chairman Skoegard called the meeting to order and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance. Chair Skoegard stated that the annual report was given to the Board of County Commissioners and seemed to go okay and quickly with no questions from the Board. Chair Skoegard told the council members that the BCC reversed the council s decision on the Siesta Key Parking issue. Chair Skoegard brought up that had he known they would contest it, he would have gone to the meeting to try and explain why the council voted the way the council voted. He requested Traffic Engineering Manager Robert Fakhri notify the Chair when an item is going before the Board that might be contested, so they can decide if someone should go to further explain the item. Mr. Fakhri confirmed that he will notify the Chair in the future. Vice-Chair Ayech said she believes that is a great idea as they give considerable consideration when they vote and it would be fair to share that with the County Commissioners. Chair Skoegard proceeded to Item 1 Election of Council Chair and Vice Chair. Traffic Engineering Manager Robert Fakhri opened the floor to nominations for Chair. On a motion by Council Member Swartz, he nominated Council Member Skoegard for the position of Chair; Vice Chair Becky Ayech seconded the nomination. Council Member Skoegard accepted the nomination.

2 On hearing no more nominations, Traffic Engineering Manager Robert Fakhri closed the floor for motions. The Council voted unanimously (6-0) to appoint Council Member Skoegard as the new Chair through December Traffic Engineering Manager Robert Fakhri opened the floor to nominations for Vice-Chair. On a motion by Chair Skoegard, he nominated Council Member Ayech for the position of Vice-Chair; Council member Swartz seconded the nomination. Council Member Ayech accepted the nomination. On hearing no more nominations, Traffic Engineering Manager Robert Fakhri closed the floor for motions. The Council voted unanimously (6-0) to appoint Council Member Ayech as the new Vice-Chair through December Item 2 Approve the minutes of the June 13, 2016 meeting. On a motion by Council Member Swartz, seconded by Vice-Chair Ayech the minutes of the June 13, 2016 meeting were unanimously approved. Item 3 Open to the Public Chair Skoegard announced the meeting order and process. Patrick Braga, a Sarasota native and student at Cornell University spoke regarding the Bay Street extension project. He looked at the design plans and has concerns with the position of the bike lanes. The design now is the conventional design with 11 foot driving lane, a 5 or 6 foot bike lane, a median, and then a sidewalk. He said that for the person who is driving, this makes the street look wider and makes it easier for drivers to go over the speed limit which puts people in danger, especially the person bicycling in the bicycle lane. This might encourage people to bike on the sidewalk or not bicycle on Bay Street at all. He requested the Traffic Advisory Council recommend to the Public Works department, County Commissioners or whoever is responsible for that project to consider a design more in line with 21 st century standards where the bicycle facilities are more separated from the driver facilities. The second item Mr. Braga discussed was lessons we can learn from the Bee Ridge construction project. Peak hour congestion is not going away and probably is not going to get better over the coming years. He said the lesson we can learn from Bee Ridge is reducing lane width and reducing the number of lanes does not actually have as much of a negative effect for non-commute peak hour trips. He said we can apply this concept to other parts of the county where we can increase walkability. He noted in the Pine Craft community we could take away one lane of Bahia Vista; add on street parking and a

3 protected bicycle lane. He stated he would also like to see bus rapid transit on Bee Ridge. Vice-Chair Ayech thanked Mr. Braga for his observations and coming before the Council. She explained that is not what the TAC deals with, but not to discourage him, she referred him to Traffic Engineering Manager Robert Fakhri to be directed to the correct people in the county to propose these ideas to. Vice-Chair Ayech said she thinks both ideas are on point and should be further investigated. Item 4 Petition to install a stop sign on Avenida Milano at Calle Minorga. Staff member Douglas Sines presented a location map, photos of the area and data collected by staff with a recommendation of approval for this petition. Vice-Chair Ayech asked if staff can look at more than what is on the petition request. She clarified by stating that it seems to her that a three way stop would be more appropriate than a one way stop. Staff member Douglas Sines answered that it was on the petition and they did consider it. Vice-Chair Ayech asked if they approve the one way stop, but request staff to look at a three way stop, would that constitute another petition, or could staff go ahead and look at it? Staff member Douglas Sines explained that a three way stop sign requires additional warrants. Traffic Engineering Manager Robert Fakhri explained that this will most likely not support a three way stop. Vice-Chair Ayech asked if the visual obstructions would be taken into consideration even though the volume may not be there. Robert Fakhri explained that it is a different criteria that needs to be met; they have to look at crashes, sight distance, volume and how much traffic is traveling in each direction. He stated he does not think it meets the criteria. He said it is the council s call if they feel staff should investigate those stop signs, they will and come back. Or if after listening to the petitioner and others speak; the council can make that decision. The petitioner, Kim Langedyk, spoke in favor of the petition. She explained the reason she is requesting a stop sign is traffic coming in on Avenida Milano does not even look very often, they just make the turn. What made her file the petition is one day she saw a person turn right in front of a UPS truck and was nearly hit. She said before they did the village improvements, there used to be a stop sign there. She stated that as far as a three way stop sign, there may be other opinions on that, but she is just looking for a one way stop sign to get people to stop and look and yield to traffic before they continue on. The next speaker was Pao Lizen MacBride. She lives on Calle Minorga. She said she drives here all the time and has almost gotten hit many times. She expressed her fear to travel this intersection. She said she is also concerned about the lack of street lights in this area and there is an increased problem with homeless people in the area. She explained numerous problems with their trespassing and they have even bathed in her pool. She stated she has contacted the police regarding this issue on numerous occasions. Chair Skoegard explained that this is something

4 outside of what the TAC does, but referred Ms. MacBride to Robert Fakhri as he can direct her to the correct people to contact. Special District Coordinator Lisa Cece spoke and explained she just met with a couple of residents here a couple of weeks ago and she has already put in a request to Florida Power and Light, as this is in a lighting district. She explained they are planning to add a light on Avenida Milano at Calle Minorga and at the corner of Avenida Leona. Chair Skoegard with no other speakers moved to close and make a motion. Vice-Chair Ayech moved to accept staff s recommendation and put the stop sign where it has been requested. Council Member Swartz seconded the motion. The Council voted (6-0) to approve the Petition to install a stop sign on Avenida Milano at Calle Minorga. Vice-Chair Ayech stated she will not make a motion, based on staff s conversation with the Council, on the two additional stop signs she discussed, but she did request the members of the public to please petition and come before the Council again if this stop sign and lighting does not work for them. Item 5 Petition to install a stop sign on TriPar Drive at Blind Brook. Staff member Shanon Rodden presented a location map, photos of the area and data collected by staff with a recommendation of denial for this petition. The petitioner, Ione Fowler spoke in favor of the petition. She stated that she has taken pictures of the area and the location where staff took pictures is after her house. Her house starts near the curve of the road. She has replaced four mailboxes by cars knocking them down. She stated the last accident broke two windows in her home, took all of her yard ornaments out, took her neighbors flower boxes out, crossed the road and hit the next neighbor s house and moved her wall. She stated it has mostly been at night and they have reported several accidents, but this one was the worst and each year it gets worse. She is afraid someone will be outside and it is usually after dark when it happens. She explained the cars are traveling at mph and even faster after dark. She said they cannot get their license plate number because they are going too fast. Vice-Chair Ayech thanked Ms. Fowler for coming and asked if she is saying this road is being used as a cut through from 301 over to Desoto Rd.? Ms. Fowler responded, yes, so they don t have to stop at the stop sign on 301 and Desoto Road. Vice-Chair Ayech asked if these are public or private roads? Ms. Fowler answered they are public roads. Vice-Chair Ayech asked if there are lights along the road? Ms. Fowler responded, yes, they have good street lights throughout the neighborhood. Ms. Sharon Keister was the next speaker. She said she has worked at the park for seven years and there is a terrible problem with speeding. She comes into work at 7:15-7:30 a.m. and has twice been passed, one time she was almost hit from the left side. She is concerned because the park is 55 years and over and has people out walking their dogs and riding bikes. She said there is a dog track behind them and people are in a hurry to get

5 in and out of there. She stated there are also a lot of buses and trucks going through. She requested they consider speed bumps, stop signs, something to slow these people down. Mr. Dale Funkhouser spoke next. He said he lives on Tri Par Drive and had he known the technology in the room, he could have provided some video of how fast cars are going through. He said there is a lot of traffic going through and is concerned from a safety perspective since his wife walks and bicycles the area a lot. He stated his address and offered an invitation to sit on his front porch and use a radar gun. He explained the only way to get through the neighborhood is on Tri Par Drive and people are cutting through from 301. Vice-Chair Ayech asked Mr. Funkhouser if he has lived there a long time? Mr. Funkhouser explained he lives up north, but has been in the park several months each year for a long period of time. Vice-Chair Ayech ask if they have contacted the Sheriff s Department to bring out one of those speed signs that shows people how fast they are going? Mr. Funkhouser said no, but he thinks one of those that flashes red would be advantageous. Vice-Chair Ayech stated that she is referring to a portable sign, but perhaps Special District Coordinator Lisa Cece might be able to assist with the cost of a permanent sign if the HOA wanted to invest in one. She explained that the Sheriff does have a procedure where you can get a portable one there to help people realize what they are doing. Mr. Funkhouser stated he appreciates the information and will take it to the people in charge. Sergeant Darrell Seckendorf of the Sheriff s Office explained that he is familiar with the neighborhood and they have been there, had the temporary trailer in there and done numerous studies. He stated this is one of the areas that are constant on their traffic complaint log so the patrol and traffic deputies know it is an issue. He noted that now they have a driveway to sit in, he will send some motorcycles in there. Mr. Daryle vonholder was the next speaker. He stated he is one of the trustees at Tri Par and safety and security are the things he looks at. His opinion is the stop sign should not be put at Blind Brook, but the right thing to do would be to put it at Presidio and Tri Par and another one at Palm Springs and Tri Par. He stated this would cut the park into three so you have about a quarter mile between stop signs and this would slow people down. He stated he thought stop signs were used to slow people down, but evidently not. He requested a solution from the Council to slow people down without having the Sheriff s Department out there constantly. Ms. Toni Borman was the next speaker. She stated she is a trustee of Tri Par Estates. She offered her porch to Sergeant Darrell Seckendorf of the Sheriff s Office to use as well. She noted that at all times of day they have had a problem with speeding and recently they have had a problem between 2 and 4 a.m. with trucks going through and cars going through with their radios playing. She stated one car appeared to be traveling at 60 miles per hour. She said they actually do have people walking through Tri Par Estates between 2 and 4 in the morning. She is concerned with the speed in the park also due to recumbent bicyclists. She requested the Council give consideration to either some kind of stop sign, which she understands they cannot use for slowing traffic down, but at least perhaps

6 have someone come in and see what they can do in the future. Vice-Chair Ayech suggested landscaping, or installing a permanent speed limit sign. Chair Skoegard asked if they have considered putting in speed bumps? Ms. Borman said that she believes some residents have proposed that and were turned down. She asked if these are public roads, why were they turned down for speed bumps? Staff member Lisa Cece answered by explaining that the county is not accepting applications for traffic calming at this time as the funding was suspended in 2007 and has yet to be reappropriated. So, it is not that the county will not, but it is a matter of funding. Chair Skoegard asked if the neighborhood agrees to pay for it, can they have the speed bumps installed? Lisa Cece explained that no, under the ordinance that was suspended no other ordinance is applicable and they have gone through the Office of the County Attorney to ask the question. Vice-Chair Ayech noted that speed bumps were put in her neighborhood at one time and they found they hindered the ability of ambulances to travel down the road so they had them removed. Mr. Ron Houchin spoke next. He stated that he recognizes Sergeant Darrell Seckendorf, Sarasota Sheriff s Office and Sergeant John Donovan, Florida Highway Patrol Representative. He said Tri Par Estates is a Parks and Recreation District which is why the county works with them instead of the City of Sarasota. He noted his appreciation for the officers and said they have been phenomenal but the speeding issue is a very serious one. They have 832 occupied homes in Tri Par Estates. It is a 55 and older community and they get a lot of ambulances because they have a lot of older residents. The traffic count going from 301 north is almost double. There are apartments at the end. The accidents that have affected the Fowler home are coming from the other direction. He stated that he thinks a stop sign needs to be placed on Palm Springs and Presidio. He said that would cut it down a third each way and would not affect the ambulances. He will get a price for a permanent speed indicator as long as it comes with a camera so they can get them stopped. He said if there is such a thing available, they would certainly consider it. He stated his belief that a stop sign on Palm Springs and on Presidio would resolve the issues for all concerned. Patrick Braga was the last speaker on this item. He said he is not surprised people are speeding on the road after seeing the data on the roads. If the lane is 16 feet wide, that is about as wide as an interstate highway. On the straight area of the road, that is not curved, that is a design for 70 miles per hour of travel. He suggested with 16 feet lanes, you can easily fit in a 4 foot bike lane with a 2 foot buffer, which gives you a 10 foot travel lane that will much more closely proximate the design of the street and the posted 20 miles per hour speed limit. He said speed signs, flashing speed signs and speed bumps are symptoms more than solutions because what they really do is just act as metering devices. He said people will stop at a stop sign, but then quickly speed up, if they even stop in the first place. He stated he is shocked the county does not have traffic calming funding and believes that is something that should be remedied. He said he does not agree with installing a stop sign as a temporary measure. He stated he strongly suggests looking at the re-designing the road with low cost solutions, like putting in plastic bumpers, a bike lane and buffer, which

7 will still have enough width for an ambulance to go through and make it feel like a road you are supposed to go 20 miles per hour on rather than 70 miles an hour. Council Member Swartz asked staff if they know the cost and process of getting a speed limit sign. Traffic Engineering Manager Robert Fakhri answered that the radar feedback signs are not installed on local roads. He discussed the requirements for other roads. He said the cost is about 8 to 10 thousand dollars each. Vice-Chair Ayech asked about the one on Beneva Road near Bahia Vista. Robert Fakhri explained the differing circumstances for that sign. Vice-Chair Ayech asked about the last speaker s idea of reconfiguring the road. Robert Fakhri explained they would need to research that and explained that is not a TAC item. Council Member Swartz asked if additional speed limit signs can be put in the neighborhood. Robert Fakhri said they will look into that and add if it makes sense. Chair Skoegard with no other speakers moved to close and make a motion. Council Member Swartz moved that the petition to install a stop sign on Tri Par Drive at Blind Brook be denied. Vice-Chair Ayech seconded the motion for discussion. After discussion regarding options the Council voted (5-1; Ayech voted No ) to deny the petition to install a stop sign on Tri Par Drive at Blind Brook. Item 6 Petition for no parking on Blackburn Point Road west of Bellagio Way. Staff member Shanon Rodden presented a location map, photos of the area and data collected by staff with a recommendation of approval for this petition. Chair Skoegard questioned if the parking occurs between the edge of the road and the sidewalk. Presenter Shanon Rodden explained that yes, cars park between the edge of the road and the sidewalk. So when pedestrians are attempting to use the crosswalk, they are hidden from view by the parked cars. Chair Skoegard asked if that was all right of way between the edge of the road and the sidewalk and Presenter Shanon Rodden stated that is correct. Chair Skoegard asked what has changed other than the increased no parking distance since the last time the Council looked at this petition. Shanon Rodden responded that staff has conducted the additional sight distance investigations to determine the parked vehicles were creating sight distance obstructions in these locations. Chair Skoegard asked how staff came up with the 350 feet of no parking. Shanon Rodden stated that staff conducted the sight distance analysis and moved the car throughout the length of the area and determined there is no area on the north side where they can park and not obstruct the line of sight for one or both driveways. Discussion occurred on the criteria of line of sight obstruction. Mr. Simon Oliver spoke in favor of the petition. He explained the whole issue is safety as it is impossible to see when pulling out of Bellagio Way. He explained people trying to use the crosswalk cannot see past the parked cars without stepping out. He discussed the restaurant and the parking available at the park.

8 Council member Ken Swartz asked how many residential units there are in Osprey Village. Mr. Simon Oliver responded there are 53. Council member Ken Swartz asked how large the restaurant is. Mr. Oliver stated he thinks it is about 150 seats. Council member Swartz asked if Mr. Oliver was aware of any accidents in the area in the past year. Mr. Oliver said no, he is not, but would hope the criteria would not be someone is killed before they do the no parking. Next speaker was Barbara Gelder, a member of the Osprey Harbor Village Board. She said there are 53 units which means there are at least 100 residents plus some grown kids with cars coming in and out of the Village. She explained how cars park very close to their exit and entrance and makes it very difficult, especially the larger trucks. She explained they also park on the sidewalk and block the pedestrian sidewalk. She stated the petitioner Linda Ossenkop was unable to attend today. Council Member Ken Swartz asked what she means by large trucks. Discussion clarified that she is referring to F250 type trucks, not semi-trucks. Last speaker was Patrick Braga. He said that with the situation now it makes sense to respond to these concerns. He said he is wondering if a more robust response could be considered. He said that if this motion goes through and the parking is prohibited, we ll be left with an empty grassy area. He said perhaps parking could be formalized by making it parallel, or looking for other potential uses for that stretch of right of way. He suggested re-configuring the road or intersection re-design could lead to a better condition. He sees this as an opportunity as well as just a short term challenge. Chair Skoegard with no other speakers moved to close and make a motion. Vice-Chair Ayech moved to accept staff s recommendation for no parking where it has been requested. Council Member Hawley seconded the motion. The Council voted (6-0) to approve the Petition for no parking on Blackburn Point Road west of Bellagio Way. Item 7 Other Business No other business. Meeting adjourned at 3:33 P.M.

Consider staff recommendation to approve request to install a reserved parking zone for a person with disability in front of 1909 Edgelea Rd.

AGENDA: TC 9/11/17 ITEM NO. 3: Disabled Parking Request 1909 Edgelea Rd Consider staff recommendation to approve request to install a reserved parking zone for a person with disability in front of 1909