Residents are balking at the possible $300,000 pricetag for Thermoplastic side striping on the multi-modal paths.
So much so, the Multi-Modal Path Discussion Group, which this past Monday in an informal vote agreed to move ahead with side striping, is planning to schedule a followup meeting to reconsider that decision.
“There are supervisors who have been inundated by the ‘silent majority,'” said District Manager Janet Tutt.
Community Development District 1 Supervisor Paul Sykes, who represented CDD 1 in Monday’s meeting, said he has heard from residents who believe the potential expense would be a “waste of money.”
Sykes said he asked those who opposed it why they weren’t at some of the meetings when the issue was being discussed.
“Hit ’em in the pocketbook and they come out of the woodwork,” said CDD 1 Chair Ellen Cora.
CDD 2 Chairman John Blum characterized the residents’ pushback as an “uprising.”
Board Secretary Jennifer McQueary said she is attempting to schedule a followup meeting of the Multi-Modal Path Discussion Group for later this month. The tentative date is 9 a.m. Monday, July 20.
“Comments from numerous, previously silent, residents that in summary say the cost is too high, not justified, and the need hasn’t been demonstrated,” Project Wide Advisory Committee Chairman and CDD 6 Supervisor Peter Moeller said in an email to fellow supervisors.
Meanwhile, Sam Wartinbee of District Property Management is researching less-expensive paint options.
Other safety-related steps, like markings on islands and curves of the multi-modal paths, are moving forward, Tutt said.
Cora and CDD 2 Supervisor Nick Jones asked for surveys of the residents on the topic, but Tutt cited her many years in government and the challenge of conducting surveys.
“There is no way to pose a survey question taking into account, engineering reports, costs, liability and preference,” Tutt said. “One word can make a difference.”
CDD 2 Supervisor Bryan Lifsey agreed.
“The District has no business doing surveys,” he said.
Lifsey said supervisors have been listening to residents. He said he didn’t mind going “rogue” and adding side striping in CDD 2.
CDD 3 Supervisor Steffan Franklin questioned whether anything should be done.
“Why not leave it alone and save our constituents some money?” Franklin asked.
