Transportation

On 08.26.11, In Blog, By Murman

By Aubrey Whelan, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Friday, August 26, 2011

St. Pete Times

http://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/roads/davis-islands-harbour-island-residents-decry-plan-for-platt-street-bridge/1187801

DOWNTOWN — The plan to close the dilapidated Platt Street Bridge for much-needed repairs has been on the table for months now, county officials say.

But time hasn’t eased the frustration residents of Davis Islands and Harbour Island feel over the project that will eliminate a major link to and from downtown for 105 days, some time in early October.

They say the city hasn’t provided enough options for diverting traffic away from the bridge, contending that the closing will create a near-constant gridlock in and around the Platt Street area.

“Hopefully this (traffic plan) is a work in progress,” Davis Islands resident Joe Fontana said at an open house this week hosted by County Commissioner Sandy Murman. “But this is the same as nine months ago. That’s extremely inefficient.”

One resident said the traffic plan made her feel “claustrophobic,” while others expressed concerns about access for emergency vehicles in the area. They’re also worried that cars leaving from Tampa General Hospital on Davis Islands and St. John’s Episcopal Church School in Hyde Park — which send employees and students home around the same time — will further clog the area.

City transportation officials say the plan is a tentative one and are still looking for suggestions from residents as the project draws closer to its start date.

City transportation manager Jean Dorzback said while the traffic situation in and around Platt Street isn’t ideal, the city will “deal with it as best as we can.”

In part, the current plan will divert neighborhood traffic crossing the Hillsborough River onto Kennedy Boulevard and Franklin Street. Other alternatives will detour drivers onto Verne Street and Plant Avenue, which will soon allow three lanes of traffic through.

Commuters will be encouraged to take the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway across town to avoid Bayshore Boulevard. The Tampa Police Department will station officers at key intersections to direct traffic during the first few days of the bridge closure, and the city plans to post 30 electronic message boards around the area to warn drivers.

The county, which owns the bridge and is overseeing the $13.8 million project, is offering monetary incentives to its contractors to finish the job on time — $10,000 per day if the bridge is completed up to 20 days in advance and $10,000 penalties for every day past the 105-day completion window. The project is part of ongoing repairs to the bridge that began in January and have caused lane closures along the way.

But no matter what, officials say, residents will have to deal with occasionally frustrating traffic.

“The first few days are going to be awful,” said Martin Stone, the planning director of the state Expressway Authority. He was at Monday’s open house, handing out free SunPasses to help residents prepare for the months to come.

Despite all their planning, officials say they still expect some confusion in October.

“We’ve been promoting this for months now,” said Shannon Edge, the head of the city’s neighborhood and community relations office. “People aren’t going to realize it’s actually closed until the day of.”

Aubrey Whelan can be reached at (813) 226-3446 or awhelan@sptimes.com

August 2011 Citizen Board Appointments

On 08.16.11, In Blog, By Murman

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY NEWS

Aug. 9, 2011

For more information, contact: Luann Finley, Director of Board Services, at: 813-272-5826 (Phone)

Commissioners Seek Applications For Citizen Boards

Hillsborough County Commissioners are seeking residents to serve on County citizen advisory boards. Residents interested in seeking appointment must be registered voters in Hillsborough County. These are voluntary positions, and members serve without compensation. The deadline for applying is Thursday, Sept. 1. Appointments will be scheduled for a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners in September or October.

An application is available in the Commissioners’ reception area on the second floor of County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa, by calling the Boards and Councils Coordinator at (813) 272-5826, or on the County’s website at: www.hillsboroughcounty.org. Click on the “County Commission” link on the left-hand side of the page, then the “Advisory Boards and Committees” sublink. The form can be filled out on-line and printed, but cannot be submitted electronically. Directions for submission are listed on the form.

The Boards that have openings are:

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD–advises and makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners and Affordable Housing Officer on issues affecting affordable housing development, and to assist the County in developing new programs and policies in order to foster the development and preservation of attainable housing for those County residents who desire to live in safe, decent and affordable housing.

One position is vacant due to resignation. Position is for remainder of term which expires Aug. 1, 2012. Position is specified as a mortgage lending industry representative. After two full consecutive terms, a member shall not be eligible for reappointment until three calendar years have elapsed from date of termination of the second term. Meeting schedule: Monthly, first Monday, 9 a.m.

CHILD CARE FACILITIES ADVISORY BOARD–advises the Board of County Commissioners on recommended amendments to the Child Care Facilities Ordinance; proposes additional rules and regulations to the Board of County Commissioners which fulfill the intent and purpose of the Ordinance; and recommends and assists the Hillsborough County Office of Child Care Licensing in the development and implementation of training materials for child care personnel. It also advises the Hillsborough County Office of Child Care Licensing on all matters relating to child care facilities.

One position is vacant due to resignation. Term is for three years. Position is specified as an operator of a religiously exempt child care facility. Appointment to this Board is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Meeting schedule: Monthly, first Thursday, 1 p.m.

CHILD CARE LICENSING HEARING OFFICERS-conducts hearings when requested by an applicant for a license or a current licensee, whenever an application for a license is denied, or whenever a license has been placed on probation, suspended, revoked or an administrative fine has been imposed by the Office of Child Care Licensing, and makes findings and recommendations with respect to the matters considered at the hearing, pursuant to the Hillsborough County Child Care Home Licensing Ordinance 05-9 and the Hillsborough County Child Care Facilities Ordinance 03-25, as amended by Hillsborough County Ordinance 04-25.

Two terms are expiring. Terms are for three years. Hearing Officers must be members in good standing of the Florida Bar and may not be employees of the County Attorney’s Office. Appointment as a Hearing Officer is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Meeting schedule: When requested.

CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD–hears violations of all codes and ordinances of Hillsborough County with most cases arising out of violations of the County’s housing, building, zoning and sign codes and ordinances to maintain minimum health and safety standards.

One position is vacant due to resignation. Position is for remainder of term which expires Dec. 31, 2012. Consideration for membership shall be given to representatives from the following fields: a businessperson, an engineer, an architect, a general contractor, a subcontractor, or a realtor. Citizens appointed to this Board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure, and must reside in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County. Meeting schedule: Monthly, generally 2nd or third Friday, 9 a.m.

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME ADVISORY BOARD–annually reviews and advises the Board of County Commissioners on recommended amendments to the Family Child Care Homes Licensing Ordinance or the Rules and Regulations Handbook including recommending and assisting the local licensing agency in the development and implementation of training materials for child care personnel; advising the local licensing agency on matters of licensing policy, procedure, and priorities; and proposes additional rules and regulations regarding the intent and purpose of the ordinance.

Two positions are vacant. Terms are for three years. Positions are specified as a parent who has a child enrolled in licensed family day care home. Appointment to this Board is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Meeting schedule: Quarterly, third Thursday, 7 p.m.

HEALTH CARE ADVISORY BOARD–improves accessibility and efficiency of care for medically poor residents of Hillsborough County through recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for fund allocation, coordination, planning and monitoring of health care delivery systems.

One position is vacant. Term is for four years. Position is specified as a mental health care provider. Meeting schedule: Monthly, third Thursday, 3 p.m.

HEALTH COUNCIL OF WEST CENTRAL FL, INC.–works in collaboration with community-based organizations to identify, address, and resolve health care issues of local concern. The Council collects and analyzes health care data, prepares special reports and publications, and educates the community about special health issues. Two terms are expiring. Terms are for two years. Positions are specified as 1) a health care provider, and 2) a health care consumer under the age of 60. Meeting schedule: Alternating Wednesdays, 8 a.m. in St. Petersburg.

HILLSBOROUGH AREA REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY–provide excellent customer service while building solutions to support Hillsborough County’s mass transit needs….now and into the future. Two positions will be expiring in October and one position is newly created. Terms are for three years. Citizens appointed to this Authority must reside in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County, and will be required to file an annual financial disclosure. Meeting schedule: Monthly, first Monday, 9 a.m.

HISTORIC RESOURCES REVIEW BOARD–serves as an architectural review board for the protection of historic resources in unincorporated Hillsborough County. It recommends archaeological and historical sites to the Board of County Commissioners for landmark designation and reviews alterations and new construction on landmark sites or districts.

Two positions are vacant. Terms are for three years. Positions are specified as two architects, licensed to practice in the state of Florida, or one licensed architect and one architectural historian, both licensed to practice in the state of Florida. Citizens appointed to this Board must reside in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County. Meeting schedule: Monthly, third Tuesday, 3 p.m.

MECHANICAL BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, APPEALS AND EXAMINERS–confirms the competency and integrity of applicants applying for mechanical certification in the County, and takes disciplinary action against those contractors that fail to comply with the Mechanical Code.

Three positions are vacant. Member terms are for four years. Alternate terms are for two years. Positions are specified as 1) a mechanical trades representative, and 2 & 3) alternates. Citizens appointed to this Board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure. Meeting schedule: Quarterly, third Thursday, 10 a.m.

PLANNING COMMISSION–an independent consolidated planning agency, led by appointed citizens, which serves all the citizens of Hillsborough County by providing a vision for improving the quality of life. The Planning Commission and its staff serve as agents within the community to promote and coordinate the involvement of all people in comprehensive long-range planning, growth management, transportation, and environmental protection. The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, Tampa City Council, Plant City Commission, and Temple Terrace City Council regarding land use, community planning, capital improvements, urban design, and other comprehensive issues.

Two terms are expiring. Terms are for four years. Citizens appointed to this board by the County Commission must reside in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County. Citizens also will be required to file an annual financial disclosure. Members appointed to this Board will be required to take an Oath of Office and sign a Standards of Conduct. Meeting schedule: Monthly, second Monday, 2 p.m

For more information, contact Luann Finley, Director of Board Services, at (813) 272-5826.

Tagged with: advisory boards • affordable housing development • appointment • Authority • board • downtown • Family Child Care • Florida • HEARING • hillsborough county • industry representative • Mechanical Board of Adjustment • meeting schedule • membership • mortgage lending • nbsp • Planning • Rain • recommendation • regional transit authority • subcontractor • Tampa • tampa city council • Transportation • voluntary positions

Thoughts on Transportation and the Budget

On 06.10.11, In Blog, By Murman

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tribune article on transportation and budget:

Hillsborough commissioners want plan for roads

By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 10, 2011

TAMPA —

Despite limited money, Hillsborough County commissioners want more transportation projects underway to create jobs and show constituents the county is working to clear jammed roads.

Commissioners voted Thursday to have county administrators contact planners at other agencies in order to draw up a coordinated plan to expedite transportation projects.

“We need to look at this as a strategic objective that we plan for,” said Commissioner Sandy Murman.

Murman started the conversation at a budget workshop where administrators were explaining how they prioritize transportation projects when revenues are plummeting. The county is deferring $76 million in scheduled road work until 2014 because of the continuing decline in the Community Investment Tax, a half-cent sales tax.

Despite the shortfall, County Administrator Mike Merrill has recommended budgeting $32.8 million for road projects in fiscal 2012 and about $56 million in fiscal 2013.

How that money is spent, and how quickly projects can get underway is crucial to the local economy and to residents stuck in traffic jams, Murman said. She said the issue is so important, the county should assign one person to deal only with transportation. No such position now exists.

“The county staff needs to be involved in this at the get-go in some kind of leadership roll,” Murman said. “We’ve got the dollars and the public works department.”

The suggestion spurred a conversation on the importance of transportation and the need to coordinate efforts now fragmented among numerous agencies, most of which do not answer directly to the commission.

Commissioner Mark Sharpe suggested resurrecting a list of road projects recommended by the county’s Transportation Task Force, a group that studied transportation needs from 2006-09. The task force recommended a 1 cent sales tax increase to pay for the road projects as well as a light-rail system. Voters rejected the sales tax last November.

Commissioners finally decided to have county administrators talk initially with directors of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the City-County Planning Commission about coordinating a plan to identify the most crucial road projects. Other agencies could be brought in later, Sharpe said.

msalinero@tampatrib.com (813) 259-8303

Tagged with: Budget • Hillsborough • Metropolitan • Mike Merrill • Planning • Tampa • Transportation • Tribune