Pinellas County Integrated System for Coordinated Event Strategies (PISCES)

Appendix B Letters of Support

Senator Jeff Brandes 24th District. The Florida Senate Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1100. Committees: Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, Chair, Appropriations, Community Affairs, Criminal Justice, Regulated Industries, Rules.

June 9, 2017

U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Office of Acquisition and Grants Management
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Mail Drop: E62-204. Washington DC 20590

Re: Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiatives Funding Opportunity Number DTFH6116RA00012

Dear Office of Acquisition and Grants Management,

As Chairman of the Florida Senate's Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development and sponsor of State legislation supporting innovative transportation technologies, I would like to provide my support of Pinellas County Department of Public Work's proposal; on behalf of the Pinellas County Region for USDOT's "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative" funding request.

I see immense value in Pinellas County Region advancing its current deployment of technologies and gaining insights from areas throughout the County to deploy "next gen" technologies and utilize strategies for special event management. They have established varied intelligent transportation systems (ITS), advanced traffic management systems (ATMS), and Mobility on Demand (MOD) initiatives and are managing the extreme fluctuations of traffic in the region during Spring Break and during other special events. The Pinellas County grant applications' focus is to facilitate advanced technologies for special event management. Collaborative inputs for implementation and sustainability will be further refined with stakeholders to ensure the best and highest uses of new technologies are installed to improve movement of people and goods within Pinellas County.

I would appreciate your favorable consideration of this multi-agency collaboration with Pinellas County, Florida Department of Transportation, and its partners to address the growing needs of the motoring public in the State of Florida.

Kind Regards,

/S/

Jeff Brandes

Reply to 9800 4th Street North, Suite 200, St. Petersburg, Florida 22702 (727) 563-2100, 416 Senate Office Building, 404 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1100 (850) 487-5024. Senate's website: www.fisenate.gov. Joe Negron, President. Anitere Flores President Pro Tempore.

June 12, 2017

Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiatives Funding Opportunity Number DTFH6116RA00012
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Acquisition and Grants Management 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Mail Drop: E62-204. Washington DC 20590

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) strongly supports the Pinellas County Department of Public Work's (DPW) proposal on behalf of the Pinellas County Region for USDOT's "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) Initiative" funding opportunity. The Pinellas County Region is well prepared to advance deployment of technologies in the region and to leverage lessons learned from other areas of the country to improve special event management.

While PSTA already partners with local jurisdictions to facilitate mobility during special events, we are also committed to working with Pinellas County to implement new technologies for special event management as described in the application. PSTA looks forward to working with DPW and other partners to further refine details of the implementation and sustainability plan to ensure that the new technologies are installed in a way that creates the greatest public benefit.

The Pinellas County region is already well positioned as evidenced by:

The partnerships and foundations that have been established through the development of varied intelligent transportation systems (ITS), advanced traffic management systems (ATMS), and Mobility on Demand (MOD) initiatives that have been or are being deployed by various Pinellas County region agencies and other entities, including PSTA.
The leadership of Forward Pinellas, the metropolitan planning organization for the Pinellas County region in establishing a long-term framework for the deployment of critical ITS infrastructure and innovative mobility projects.
The experience of the Pinellas Region in managing the severe fluctuations of traffic in the region during Spring Break and during other special events. Due to this experience, we understand the technologies that can be leveraged to most effectively and efficiently improve the movement of people and goods within the County.

I would appreciate your favorable consideration of this multi-agency collaborative endeavor. PSTA is fully committed and excited to work with DPW and its partners to develop these innovative technology concepts and ultimately move forward with implementation.

Sincerely,

/S/

Brad Miller, CEO

Florida Department of Transportation - Rick Scott, Governor - Rachel D. Cone, Interim Secretary

June 12, 2017

Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiatives Funding Opportunity Number DTFH6116RA00012
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Office of Acquisition and Grants Management
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Mail Drop: E62-204. Washington DC 20590

Dear Sir or Madam:

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District 7 is submitting this letter of support for the Pinellas County Department of Public Work' s (DPW) proposal on behalf of the Pinellas County Region for USDOT's "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) Initiative" funding opportunity. The Pinellas County Region has all the ideal attributes to advance deployment of technologies in the region and leverage lessons learned from other areas of the Nation to deploy technology and utilize strategies for special event management.

The FDOT is committed to facilitating the implementation of technology for special event management as described in the application. Details of the implementation and sustainability will have to be further refined and stakeholder input will need to be obtained to ensure that best and highest uses of new technology are installed in a way that creates the greatest public benefit.

The Pinellas County region is already well positioned as evidenced by:

The partnerships and foundations that have been established through the development of varied intelligent transportation systems (ITS), advanced traffic management systems (ATMS), and Mobility on Demand (MOD) initiatives that have been or are being deployed by various Pinellas County region agencies and other entities.
The leadership of Forward Pinellas, the metropolitan planning organization for the Pinellas County region in establishing a long-term framework for the deployment of critical ITS infrastructure.
The experience of the Pinellas Region in managing the severe fluctuations of traffic in the region during Spring Break and during other special events. Due to this experience, we understand the technologies that can be leveraged to most effectively and efficiently improve the movement of people and goods within the County.

I would appreciate your favorable consideration of this multi-agency collaborative endeavor. The FOOT is fully committed to the concepts and looks forward to working with DPW and its partners to develop these concepts and ultimately move forward with implementation.

Sincerely,
/S/
Ronald A. Chin, P.E.
District Seven Traffic Operations Engineer

Forward Pinellas P:(727) 464.8250, F:(727) 464.8212, forwardpinellas.org, 310 Court Street Clearwater, FL 33756.

June 12, 2017

Advanced Transportation and Congestion
Management Technologies Deployment Initiatives
Funding Opportunity Number DTFH6116RA00012
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Office of Acquisition and Grants Management
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Mail Drop: E62-204. Washington DC 20590

Forward Pinellas, as the metropolitan planning organization for Pinellas County, is submitting this letter of support for the Pinellas County Department of Public Work's (DPW) proposal on behalf of the Pinellas County Region for USDOT's "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) Initiative" funding opportunity. The Pinellas County Region has all the ideal attributes to advance deployment of technologies in the region and leverage lessons learned from other areas of the Nation to deploy technology and utilize strategies for special event management.

Forward Pinellas is committed to facilitating the implementation of technology for special event management as described in the application. Details of the implementation and the sustainability of the program will have to be further refined and stakeholder input will need to be obtained to ensure that best and highest uses of new technology are installed in a way that creates the greatest public benefit.

The Pinellas County region is already well positioned for the implementation of this technology, as evidenced by:

The partnerships and foundations that have been established through the development of varied intelligent transportation systems {ITS), advanced traffic management systems {ATMS), and Mobility on Demand (MOD) initiatives that have been or are being deployed by various agencies and other entities throughout Pinellas County;
The leadership of Forward Pinellas for Pinellas County and the broader region in establishing a long-term framework for the deployment of critical ITS infrastructure; and
The experience of the Pinellas area in managing the severe fluctuations of traffic in the region during Spring Break and during other special events. Due to this experience, we understand the technologies that can be leveraged to most effectively and efficiently improve the movement of people and goods within the county.

I would appreciate your favorable consideration of this multi-agency collaborative endeavor. Forward Pinellas is fully committed to the concepts and looks forward to working with □PW and its partners to develop these concepts and ultimately move forward with implementation.

Sincerely,
/S/
Chelsea Favero, AICP
Principal Planner

City of Clearwater - Post Office Box 4748, Clearwater, Florida 22758-4748, Municipal Services Building, 100 South Myrtle Avenue, Suite 220, Clearwater, Florida 33756, Telephone (727) 562-4750, Fax (727) 562-4755.

Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiatives
Funding Opportunity Number DTFH6116RA00012
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Off ice of Acquisition and Grants Management
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Mail Drop: E62-204. Washington DC 20590
May 24th, 2017

The City of Clearwater Traffic Operations Department is submitting this letter of support for the Pinellas County Department of Public Work's (DPW) proposal on behalf of the Pinellas County Region for USDOT's "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMT[)) Initiative" funding opportunity. The Pinellas County Region has all the ideal attributes to advance deployment of technologies in the region and leverage lessons learned from other areas of the Nation to deploy technology and utilize strategies for special event management.

The City of Clearwater is committed to facilitating the implementation of technology for special event management as described in the application. Details of the implementation and sustainability will have to be further refined and stakeholder input will need to be obtained to ensure that best and highest uses of new technology are installed in a way that creates the greatest public benefit.

The Pinellas County region is already well positioned as evidenced by:

The partnerships and foundations that have been established through the development of varied intelligent transportation systems (ITS), advanced traffic management systems (ATMS), and Mobility on Demand (MOD) initiatives that have been or are being deployed by various Pinellas County region agencies and other entities.
The leadership of Forward Pinellas, the metropolitan planning organization for the Pinellas County region in establishing a long-term framework for the deployment of critical ITS infrastructure.
The experience of the Pinellas Region in managing the severe fluctuations of traffic in the region during Spring Break and during other special events. Due to this experience, we understand the technologies that can be leveraged to most effectively and efficiently improve the movement of people and goods within the County.

I would appreciate your favorable consideration of this multi-agency collaborative endeavor. The City of Clearwater is fully committed to the concepts and looks forward to working with DPW and its partners to develop these concepts and ultimately move forward with implementation.

Sincerely,

/S/

Paul Bertels
Manager, Traffic Operations

City of St. Petersburg, Rick Kriseman, Mayor

June 6, 2017

Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiatives
Funding Opportunity Number DTFH6116RA00012
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Office of Acquisition and Grants Management
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Mail Drop: E62-204. Washington DC 20590

The City of St. Petersburg is pleased to provide our support for the Pinellas County Department of Public Works (DPW) proposal on behalf of the Pinellas County Region for USDOT's "Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) Initiative" funding opportunity. The Pinellas County Region has all the ideal attributes to advance deployment of technologies in the region and leverage lessons learned from other areas of the nation to deploy technology and utilize strategies for special event management. We're very excited at the opportunity to partner with Pinellas County to enhance the experience for all who come to live, work, and play in St. Petersburg.

It's important to note that the City of St. Petersburg is home to approximately 250,000 residents and, together with our beach communities, is proud to welcome approximately 15 Million visitors each year. Downtown St. Petersburg serves as the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, a Major League Baseball franchise, as well as the Tampa Bay Rowdies, an NASL franchise that's currently in consideration for the MLS expansion. In addition to events held by those major sporting teams, St. Petersburg also hosts over 1,000 special events and festivals each year, including the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the St. Anthony's Triathlon swim/bike/run contest drawing ITU (International Triathlon Union) professional triathletes, the Mainsail Arts Festival, Ribfest, Bluesfest, American Stage in the Park, St. Petersburg Pride, the Drum Major for Justice Dr. M.L. King Jr. Parade and related celebrations, the Miss Florida Pageant, and First Night St. Petersburg. In addition to these special events, the City is St. Petersburg is home to a thriving dining and cultural arts scene that is enjoyed year-round, as evidenced by our ranking as the Number 1 Arts Destination for cities its size for three consecutive years. This is based in large part by St. Petersburg's collection of world-famous museums and galleries, including the Salvador Dali Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, The Chihuly Collection, Florida Holocaust Museum, Florida CraftArt, American Stage, The Morean Arts Center, and the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum. In fact, in 2018, the City will welcome two new world-class museums including The James Museum with a premier collection of Western American art, and the Museum of the Modern Arts and Crafts Movement.

Finally, in late 2018/early 2019, the City will also see the re-activation of our 26-acre Pier District with the opening of a new municipal pier that's expected to draw another 1.7 Million visitors annually.

The City of St. Petersburg is committed to partnering with Pinellas County and other agencies as necessary to facilitate the implementation of technology for special event management as described in the application. Details of the implementation will have to be further refined and we look forward to assisting in garnering the stakeholder input that will needed in order to ensure that the best and highest uses of the new technology, including the autonomous shuttles, are installed and deployed in a way that creates the greatest public benefit.

I believe that the Pinellas County region is already well positioned as evidenced by:

The partnerships and foundations that have been established through the development of varied intelligent transportation systems (ITS), advanced traffic management systems (ATMS), and Mobility on Demand (MOD) initiatives that have been or are being deployed by various Pinellas County region agencies and other entities, such as St. Petersburg's Hybrid Smart Parking program that's anticipated in partnership with Streetline.
The leadership of Forward Pinellas, the metropolitan planning organization for the Pinellas County region in establishing a long-term framework for the deployment of critical ITS infrastructure and multi-modal mobility options.
The experience of the Pinellas region in managing the severe fluctuations of traffic during Spring Break and during other special events throughout the year as evidenced by the representative list of events hosted in St. Petersburg noted above.

I would appreciate your favorable consideration of this multi-agency collaborative endeavor. The City of St. Petersburg is looks forward to working with Pinellas County and its partners to develop and advance these concepts into implementation.

Sincerely,
/S/
Rick Kriseman
Mayor, City of St. Petersburg