Courtney Campbell Scenic Highway
Corridor Advocacy Group (CAG)
Minutes
Regular Meeting at
URS Corporation - Board Room
7650 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway
Tampa, Florida
January 14, 2005
10:30 a.m.
Attending:
Ebe Bower, Clearwater Regional Chamber
Chris Cook, Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful
Tim Kurtz, City of Clearwater
Mike Palozzi, FDOT/GEC (PBS&J)
The Honorable Linda Saul-Sena, City of Tampa Councilmember
Jim Valentine, City of Tampa
Jessica White, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council
Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.
The minutes of the November 12, 2004 meeting were approved with one correction, the correct spelling of
Ebe Bower’s name which originally appeared as “Edi Bauer.”
Old Business:
1.
Sponsorship Subcommittee Report
Councilwoman Saul-Sena stated that the CCSH CAG needs to provide funding to the Tampa Bay
Regional Planning Council in the amount of $10,000 per year to cover the Council’s provision of a
staff member to the committee and the organization and notification of CCSH meetings, preparation
of the minutes, records retention, etc. Funds are also needed to print brochures and finance other
activities. The committee chose January 27, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. at the Hyatt for a sponsorship fundraising mixer. Invitees will be from the private sector business community located on the Hillsborough
and Pinellas sides of the Causeway.
Councilwoman Saul-Sena stated she would work with Councilman Jonson to develop an invitation
and a description of the different levels of sponsorship. Because of the short time frame, the
members decided they will most likely have to reschedule the January 27 sponsorship mixer.
2.
Status of Designation Application
Mr. Palozzi stated that the Designation document has gone through District Seven and their
consultants’ review and changes have been made. The document was then transmitted to FDOT’s
central office, where it is now. The distribution to the reviewing agencies will have taken place by the
end of January 2005. Central Office is trying to schedule the SHAC to meet, compare notes on their
comments and then meet with Mr. Palozzi and Councilman Jonson via teleconference, probably by
the third week in February. It is hoped the CCSH CAG will hear something from the Secretary of
Transportation by the third or fourth week of March.
Since the designation has been delayed, it was decided to postpone the sponsorship fund-raising
mixer to a date in the latter part of February.
3.
Storage and Renovation of the Courtney Campbell Causeway’s Existing Monument
Mr. Jim Valentine stated that the marker would be maintained and managed by the contractor. At this
point there is not much the CCSH CAG needs to worry about regarding the marker.
4.
Status Report on Trail Maintenance Issues
At the last meeting it was brought out that Pinellas County did not write the same type of detailed
letter to FDOT regarding repairs that the City of Tampa did, and Councilwoman Saul-Sena asked
whether anyone knew if Pinellas County had since done so. It was decided to contact Felicia Leonard
as to the status of that letter. Ms. White stated she believes she received a copy of the letter from
the City of Clearwater, but she would check again to be sure.
Councilwoman Saul-Sena asked whether the CCSH CAG had ever had a member of FDOT attend
a meeting and whether the members thought doing so would prove valuable. She mentioned a new
woman working for FDOT who is in charge of pedestrian and bicycle issues. This person would have
an interest in the same issues as the CCSH CAG and would probably have funding available. It was
decided to invite this person to the next meeting. The point was made that the priorities for the money
that goes through her hands are established by the MPOs, namely Brian Smith (Pinellas County) and
Lucie Ayer (Hillsborough County). So, while funding is available to her, the money must be spent on
the items designated by the MPOs.
Mr. Palozzi stated the enhancement dollars would work through the locals, but there is an application
process where groups or local government submit a grant application as a request for those
enhancement dollars. Now that the CCSH has a document and an implementation plan, he would
suggest that for a future meeting the group begin discussing what projects it wants to get started on.
Mr. Kurtz remarked that other monies are available, for example, FDOT is required to budget one and
a half percent of any construction project for landscaping. They are finding that on U.S. 19 there is
not adequate room to spend that amount of money, so the City of Clearwater has been given
permission to buy anything that will not fit within the City of Clearwater on DOT roadways. He is
expecting to be able to place $150,000 worth of landscaping on the Courtney Campbell, hoping to
create a gateway feature on the Pinellas County side. Mr. Kurtz plans to pull together all of the
previous Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) with FDOT, review the plans and attempt to replace
any plant life that has died, then consolidate them back into one plan set. Discussion followed
regarding where to spend the money available for landscaping. Councilwoman Saul-Sena suggested
Ben T. Davis Beach. A request has been submitted for FEMA money to repair damage incurred
during the hurricanes. Mr. Valentine stated the City of Tampa had requested 50,000 cubic yards of
sand to replenish beach lost during the storms. Also, the concession building was assessed and a
cost was determined to repair storm damage. There is an MOA for the landscaping of Ben T. Davis
Beach and on up the Courtney Campbell.
Councilwoman Saul-Sena reiterated that if FEMA money was received the concession stand would
be rebuilt. Mr. Valentine stated the City of Tampa had requested that the replacement of the
concession stand be a budgeted item. Councilwoman Saul-Sena suggested that since the city’s
budgeting process was just starting up, that CCSH CAG should develop an official list of its priorities,
then write a letter to the various funding agencies informing them that the CCSH is very close to
Designation and is laying out its funding priorities. Ms. White was asked to provide the list of the
goals and objectives for the next meeting. Councilwoman Saul-Sena thought it would be a good idea,
when notification of the next meeting goes out, to state the group will be looking at budget requests.
Mr. Palozzi suggested that the CCSH encourage either Brian Smith or Lucie Ayer to be present at the
next meeting, or send a representative, to explain what the process is for submitting a request for
funding consideration.
Councilwoman Saul-Sena asked whether any of those present could think of anyone else it would be
beneficial to invite to the meetings. She asked Ms. White to send all the members a list of those who
receive notification of the CCSH CAG meetings. Ms. White stated that the list is much larger than
the number who actually attend. Councilwoman Saul-Sena thought it would be a good idea for she
and Councilman Jonson to write a letter inviting those on the list to the sponsorship gathering that is
coming up.
5.
Update on the Brochure
Mr. Palozzi presented the draft brochure at the last meeting and reported he met with Kelly Jordan,
PBS&J’s graphics person, regarding the revisions He stated that the size of the brochure would most
likely be downsized to a more standard size. He feels they have a good handle on the text and the
map. The beauty shots are presenting the biggest problem. Ms. White mentioned that Ron Gregory
stated he could take stills from the Courtney Campbell DVD. Mr. Palozzi felt that was a good idea
since they have received photos from the Tampa Chamber and the Aviation Authority, but they were
not what the CCSH is looking for. Once the photo dilemma is solved, they will be able to proceed with
a draft and then look for funding to print it.
Councilwoman Saul-Sena asked Mr. Valentine if the City graphics department has the kinds of photos
the CCSH desires. She recalled the group had a list of what it felt were appropriate pictures. Mr.
Valentine felt the Public Relations department should have some useable photos. The group also
discussed the possibility of putting one or two historical photos in the brochure as well. The hope is
to have at least a sample of the brochure available for the sponsorship fund-raising mixer near the
end of February so the attendees can see how their sponsorship will be credited.
Councilwoman Saul-Sena suggested the CCSH invite a marketing person to join the group. Mr.
Palozzi added that a marketing group located along the Causeway would be appropriate.
Councilwoman Saul-Sena stated the next meeting should concentrate on marketing.
Next Scheduled Meetings:
Meeting adjourned 11: 30 a.m.
Friday, February 11, 2005 at 10:30 a.m.
Friday, March 11, 2005 at 9:30 a.m.