Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization 310 Court Street, 2 nd Floor, Clearwater, Florida 33756 (727) 464-8250 (727) 464-8212 1. CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OCTOBER 13, 2015 3. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN 4. FLORIDA TRAILS PROGRAM PINELLAS TRAIL SECURITY TASK FORCE MEETING TUESDAY JANUARY 12, 2016 9:00 A.M. PINELLAS COUNTY ****BOTANICAL GARDEN EXTENSION CENTER**** GARDENIA ROOM 12520 ULMERTON ROOM LARGO, FLORIDA 33774 (TELEPHONE: 727-582-2000) AGENDA 5. QUARTERLY REPORT FROM PINELLAS TRAIL PARK RANGER 6. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AGENCY REPORTS. Sheriff s Office. Belleair. Clearwater. Gulfport. Largo. Pinellas Park. St. Petersburg. Tarpon Springs. Animal Services. EMS and Fire Administration. Pinellas County Risk Management. Volunteer Patrol Programs and Updates 7. REPORT ON TRAIL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY 8. REPORT ON PINELLAS TRAIL 25 TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION DECEMBER 5, 2015 9. OTHER BUSINESS 10. ADJOURNMENT NOTICE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT REPRESENTATIVES - IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE E- MAIL YOUR INCIDENT/OFFENSE REPORT TO SUSAN MILLER smiller@pinellascounty.org, OR ANNE FUNICELLO afunicello@pinellascounty.org. IF YOU WOULD PREFER, YOU CAN FAX THE REPORT TO THE PINELLAS COUNTY MPO at (727) 464-8212. THANK YOU. NEXT PTSTF MEETING APRIL 12, 2016 Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact the Office of Human Rights, 400 South Fort Harrison Avenue, Suite 300, Clearwater, Florida 33756; [(727) 464-4062 (V/TDD)] at least seven days prior to the meeting. Web Address: www.pinellascounty.org/mpo Like Us on Facebook
PTSTF ITEM 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OCTOBER 13, 2015 The summary minutes of the October 13, 2015 Pinellas Trail Security Task Force meeting are attached. ATTACHMENTS: Pinellas Trail Security Task Force Summary Minutes October 13, 2015 ACTION: Approve October Minutes PTSTF: 1/12/16
PINELLAS TRAIL SECURITY TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 13, 2015 The following is a summary of the October 13, 2015 Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization's Pinellas Trail Security Task Force meeting, which was held in the Pinellas County Public Safety Services Department, Room 130, 12490 Ulmerton Road, Largo, Florida 33774. This Committee meets at least quarterly during the year. MEMBERS PRESENT Officer Ron Wolfson, Chairman James Abaka Officer Mike Christian Deputy Daryl Copperrider Alexandra Dolce Deputy Noel Dunham, Jr. Lyle Fowler Carol Gray Michael Hatch Zack Mills Casey Morse Officer Michael Roberts Officer Donna Saxer Cheryl Stacks John Tornga Officer John Ulrich Bert Valery Jim Wedlake OTHERS PRESENT Jane Muhrlin Rodney Chatman Susan Miller St. Petersburg Police Volunteer Coordinator Pinellas County Risk Management St. Petersburg Police Department Pinellas County Sheriff s Office Pinellas County EMS and Fire Administration Pinellas County Sheriff s Office Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources (PCR) Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources (PCR) Clearwater Police Department Gulfport Police Department Pinellas County Public Works Traffic Belleair Police Department Pinellas Park Police Department City of St. Petersburg Transportation Manager Pinellas County MPO Tarpon Springs Police Department Pinellas Trails, Inc. /BPAC Auxiliary Ranger/Pinellas Trails, Inc. /BPAC Pinellas County Communications MPO Staff MPO Staff 1. CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS St. Petersburg Police Officer Ron Wolfson, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 9 o clock a.m. Everyone in attendance introduced themselves. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES JULY 14, 2015 The summary from the July 14, 2015 meeting was included in the agenda packet. A correction was noted in the attendance list, and the summary was approved with that change. 3. PRESENTATION: Pinellas Trail Users Survey MPO staff Susan Miller presented the results and conclusions from the Pinellas Trail Users Survey conducted in April 2014. The survey results showed that more than 2/3 of users bicycle on the Trail, with more than half of users traveling 2- miles or less. Approximately 3/4 of users were residents and almost 60% of users were male. Nearly 40% were between 50 and 64 years of age, and 40% used the Trail 5 to 7 days each week. The Security Task Force members asked a few questions about the survey, and agreed the next survey should be conducted within a year or two.
PINELLAS TRAIL SECURITY TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES October 13, 2015 Page 2 4. QUARTERLY REPORT FROM PINELLAS TRAIL PARK RANGER Park and Conservation Resources (PCR) Chief Ranger Carol Gray provided a brief update regarding activity on the Pinellas Trail during the previous quarter. In addition to the continued construction of the observation tower in Wall Springs, the closure of the Elfers Spur due to serious erosion, and the status of the electronic counters, Ranger Gray announced that another section of Trail would be temporarily closed for shouldering repair. She thanked everyone for their support and hard work. 5. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AGENCY REPORTS Sheriff s Office Pinellas County Sheriff s Deputy Noel Dunham provided a summary of incidents reported on the Pinellas Trail during the past quarter. He reported several area checks, a few suspicious persons, and bicycle patrols dispatched in response to indecent activity in the Bay Pines area that included additional law enforcement agencies. Belleair Belleair Police Officer Michael Roberts reported no incidents during the past quarter. Clearwater Clearwater Police Officer Michael Hatch reported 45 calls for assistance within a 100-ft buffer of the Trail. He said there were a few suspicious person calls, and a couple burglaries. Gulfport Gulfport Police Officer Zack Mills reported 26 area checks, and explained that the time surrounding Spring Break and the end of the school year was the busiest for the Gulfport Spur. Largo The MPO office had not received a report from the Largo Police Department (LPD) at the time of the meeting. The following information was provided after the meeting: A total of 36 calls for services were received for the past quarter, but included no crimes. Officer Julie Williams also reported several calls regarding traffic safety during a road detour that impacted the Pinellas Trail crossing at 16th Avenue SW. LPD fielded some concerns and maximized safety by posting an officer to make sure traffic stopped at the roadway stop sign at that Trail crossing. Pinellas Park Pinellas Park Police Officer Donna Saxer attended the meeting. There is currently no segment of the Pinellas Trail within the city limits. St. Petersburg St. Petersburg Police Officer Mike Christian reported several field interviews occurred during the last quarter on the Pinellas Trail, with one reported unarmed robbery after hours, and a couple narcotic calls. Tarpon Springs Tarpon Springs Police Officer John Ulrich reported several area checks, a transient trespass, and a broken-down vehicle near Meres Boulevard.
PINELLAS TRAIL SECURITY TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES October 13, 2015 Page 3 Pinellas County Animal Services Animal Services responded to two incidents on the Pinellas Trail during the month of October. A citation was issued for the owner of loose dogs near Crystal Beach. Pinellas County EMS and Fire Administration Public Safety Services Specialist Alexandra Dolce distributed the quarterly Sunstar report that included 19 calls for service, with 15 of those calls medical in nature. Several persons refused assistance from emergency responders. Pinellas County Risk Management Risk Management Specialist James Abaka announced that the annual inspection of the Pinellas Trail would be scheduled in the upcoming weeks. Volunteer Patrol Program Update Officer Wolfson provided a brief update regarding the patrol volunteers for the St. Petersburg Police Department, adding that most of the volunteers were winter residents. Chief Ranger Gray reported that the Auxiliary Rangers would be scheduling the quarterly bollard-building work session. 6. REPORT ON TRAIL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY Ms. Miller reviewed the trail construction report with the Security Task Force. The status for the construction of the Duke Energy Trail, the Tri-County (Starkey Wilderness) Trail and the Coast-to-Coast Trail project, various erosion-repair projects on the Pinellas Trail, and the construction of the Bayshore Trail extension were provided in the report. 7. REPORT ON TRAIL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES Pinellas Trails, Inc. co-founder Bert Valery announced the upcoming 25 th Anniversary of the Pinellas Trail. The celebratory event will be held at Taylor Park in Largo on Saturday, December 5th. He invited everyone to attend, and also requested the anniversary flyer be forwarded via email attachment. Deputy Dunham added that the Ride and Run with the Stars was scheduled for the same day at Fort DeSoto Park. Mr. Valery asked about the covered area of the Trail known as the Donnelly Building in St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg Transportation Manager Cheryl Stacks said that the City was working with the building owner to provide appropriate lighting for the Trail. 8. OTHER BUSINESS A few of the Security Task Force members commented on the trail connection near Tyrone Mall. Other comments included refreshed crosswalk markings and other pavement symbols for the Trail at road intersections. In addition, the sign for the trail overpass near Enterprise Road would be replaced with a new Duke Energy Trail sign. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. The next Security Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12, 2016. H:\users\cendocs\min\ptstfmin 10-13-15.doc
PTSTF ITEM 3. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN Ron Wolfson, who has served as the Chairman of the Task Force for the last several years, has indicated that he is submitting his name for nomination as the Chairman for 2016. At this point, others would be welcome to submit their names for nomination as well. ATTACHMENTS: None ACTION: Elect PTSTF Chairman for 2016 PTSTF: 1/12/16
PTSTF ITEM 4. FLORIDA TRAILS PROGRAM The 2014 State Legislature approved a $25 million annual allocation to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to fund a statewide network of paved or other hard-surface trails. SUN Trail is an acronym that stands for Shared-Use Non-motorized Trail Network. SUN Trail is a funding source to implement a network of off-road paved trails identified in the Florida Greenways and Trails System (FGTS) Plan under the responsibility of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT). FDOT is working with OGT to develop and define the SUN Trail program eligibility criteria to determine project funding priorities. An overview of the SUN Trail funding program, including west central Florida s Coast-to-Coast Trail, and the Tri-County Trail project in Pinellas County, will be provided to the Security Task Force. ATTACHMENTS: ACTION: None No action required, informational item PTSTF: 1/12/16