Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/211425
Sarasota News Leader November 15, 2013 Page 50 Carter noted other features that make a SCAT percent of our stops have nothing other than shelter more durable and wind-resistant, giv- a sign in the ground. That's bad; that's just really bad." ing it a 12-year life expectancy. Moreover, Barbetta pointed out, "We don't need five, six, seven types of bus shelters; we In preparation for the thorough analysis of need two or three types of bus shelters." best practices in other counties, Carter said she had submitted public records requests He added, "At this rate, it's going to take 20 to Collier, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and years [to get shelters at every stop], assuming Hillsborough counties on the west coast of we don't add any more stops." the state as well as Volusia in northeastern In response to questions from Patterson, Florida. The latter county, she said, has tran- Carter explained that if the county did not sit agencies "very comparable" to those in renew the Brasco contract, staff probably Sarasota County. would have to reconfigure the 16 shelters That information will enable her and her staff, already under design, so they would meet a Carter added, to incorporate new design and new contractor's specifications. RECORDS REQUEST construction standards, as well as revised Barbetta again pointed out that the county permitting procedures, in a new request for should have two or three prototype shelters, bus shelter bids for subsequent fiscal years. "so when I hear 'design,' I'm worried we're going through this convoluted process." When Carter reiterated that she would appear again before the board in February with all He and Patterson both urged Carter to have of that information, Commissioner Nora her staff determine where shelters could be Patterson responded, "February?!" installed quickly, without stormwater concerns, for example. Carter replied that she anticipated the public records requests would not be handled However, County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh expeditiously by the other counties, and she noted that all county bus shelters do have to wanted to make sure she and her staff had comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). sufficient time to analyze the information. Patterson told Carter to call the other coun- Barbetta responded that SCAT should be putties and ask them to expedite their responses. ting in shelters in locations where sidewalks are not needed for ADA compliance. If the material does come in sooner than expected, Carter said, she would arrange to Patterson agreed, noting that the county appear before the board again at an earlier probably could install several shelters where it did not need to add sidewalks for the same time. expense of constructing the sidewalk and "I appreciate the work you've done since adding one shelter. you've been here," Barbetta told Carter, "but we've been talking about this for the seven "Manatee County seems to be putting these years I've been here." (Carter became the new things in like crazy," Barbetta said. "We've got to change our process and just say, 'These SCAT director in the summer of 2012.) are prototypes. These are locations. Let's "We can't get a grip on bus stops," Barbetta just get 'em installed.' … We owe it to our added. "I mean, it's really sad. … Over 90 passengers." %