SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Clearwater and Forward Pinellas for the Clearwater Beach South Transportation Action Plan (TAP); authorize a one-time city payment of $50,000 to Forward Pinellas; and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
Clearwater Beach frequently experiences significant congestion from the beach roundabout southward across the Sand Key Bridge. This area includes state facilities (SR 60/Gulf-to-Bay, SR 590/Drew, SR 699/Gulf Blvd) and local roads maintained by the City and Pinellas County, necessitating coordinated regional management. The congested traffic conditions pose both economic and safety challenges to the City and County, making it essential to collaborate in developing creative solutions and advancing feasible strategies.
Florida’s Interlocal Cooperation Act (§ 163.01, F.S.) allows local governments to work together on regional services. The city's Public Works (Engineering) and Planning & Development Departments, along with Forward Pinellas staff, created a scope for the Clearwater Beach South Transportation Action Plan (TAP). Forward Pinellas, through staff and consultants Artemis Consulting Collective, GM2 Engineering Associates, and Transpology, Inc., will execute the services in Scope of Services (Exhibit A of the agreement) in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The team will analyze South Beach's transportation network and propose data-driven recommendations to enhance multimodal mobility, access, safety, resiliency, and economic vitality for future city projects.
The Scope of Work includes nine key tasks, including:
• Develop a technical methodology, communications plan, and stakeholder-engagement plan.
• Document existing conditions and the no-build (baseline) scenario.
• Identify and develop improvement alternatives for further study.
• Apply a three-tier screening process to the alternatives:
1. First level qualitative screening
2. Second level merits and tradeoffs screening
3. Third level detailed evaluation leading to recommendations
• Prepare Draft and Final TAP outlining short-, medium-, and long-term improvement scenarios.
Stakeholders including Amplify Clearwater, marina operators, area homeowners’ associations, and the hospitality industry will be involved throughout the process. This effort will also take into account the planned Clearwater Beach Marina Parking Garage and other development initiatives, exploring options for travel lane reconfigurations and an overhead pedestrian walkway.
The proposed Interlocal Agreement specifies that the city will provide a lump sum contribution of $50,000. Forward Pinellas will contribute up to $273,896.84 in federal planning funds, making the total project budget not exceed $323,869.84. Any unspent funds will be equally shared between both parties.
The Agreement designates Forward Pinellas as the lead agency to conduct the TAP on behalf of the City. The Forward Pinellas Board approved the project scope and fee at its meeting on July 9, 2025.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funding for this agreement is available in special program 181-M2101, Planning Studies Fund, funded with General Fund revenues.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
This item advances four priority areas of the City’s Strategic Plan:
High Performing Government - Leverages intergovernmental collaboration and maximizes external (federal MPO) funds to address a cross-jurisdictional transportation challenge.
Economic & Housing Opportunity - Supports tourism-driven economic vitality by addressing congestion that affects visitor experience and workforce access.
Environmental Stewardship - Incorporates resiliency and multimodal strategies that reduce vehicle emissions and improve coastal resource management.
Community Well-Being - Improves safe, reliable access to and within Clearwater Beach for residents, workers, and visitors.
