Preview: City Commission Meeting, March 20

The Largo City Commission will consider tonight using gas tax monies to fund the estimated $225,000 replacement of the CSX railroad crossing on West Bay Drive, west of Seminole Boulevard.

The tracks are owned by CSX but the road is owned by the city. It is the city's responsibility to pay for the repair and replacement costs. But the work will be done on CSX property, so the work must be scheduled through and performed by CSX, according to a city report.

The proposed work would replace the rubber-panel rail crossing with a new concrete crossing. The new crossing would be similar to one recently installed on Ulmerton Road.

CSX could start construction on the proposed new crossing this summer. If using the unassigned gas tax monies is approved, the city and CSX would still need to create and approve an agreement to do the work. That agreement would need to be reviewed and approved by the city commission.

New Apartments. The Largo City Commission will consider a development agreement for 342 apartments on the site of the former Largo Crossroads Mall. The apartment complex would be on the southeast corner of US- 19 and Roosevelt Boulevard.

The developer, Pollack Partners, wants a density of 24-units per acre instead of 15-units per acre. The because part of the land will now be used for stormwater retention and will be owned by a property owner's association. The developer also wants a reduction in the number of parking spaces and partial credits for impact fees.

Water Quality. The commission will consider an agreement with Pinellas County and the City of Clearwater, which will address water quality in the Allen's Creek Watershed. The plan would work to reduce the amount of pollutants going into the Old Tampa Bay from an 5,600-acre urbanized area. Largo's share of the project would cost about $113,327.50.

The commission will also consider an agreement with Pinellas County on water quality in the Starkey Basin Watershed. The basin cover 7,400 acres in an  urbanized area of central Pinellas County. This project would try to reduce the amounts of pollutants going into Boca Ciega Bay. Largo's cost of the project would be $150,000.

Moratorium on City Fees. The Largo City Commission will consider a temporary stop to some development fees to encourage residential development in the city.  For 24 months Largo could waive parkland impact fees and facility/capital improvement fees.

Downtown Parcels. The Largo City Commission will consider transferring 18 city-owned downtown parcels to the Community Redevelopment Agency. The parcels were purchased using several different funds. The transfer will allow the city to more easily market and sell the properties.

Employee Recognitions. The Largo City Commission will recognize the city's employees of the quarter: Police Officer Jerry Hunt, Community Development's Eric Moos, Building Maintenance Worker Steven Nohl, and Acting Recreation Program Supervisor Jason Wilson. Plus, they will recognize Operational Manager of the Quarter, Jonathan Evans.

Police Sergeant Michael Bruno is Largo's 2011 Officer of the Year. He will be recognized along with the department's 2011 Civilian of the Year, Richard Hageman and 2011 VIP of the Year, Rev. J. Arnold Johnson.

Historic Preservation Update. Largo's Historic Preservation Advisory Committee will give the city commision an update from a 1986 historic survey of the city. According to the report, 37 of the 171 surveyed structures have been demolished since 1986. Several homes have been restored.

Consent Agenda. The consent agenda covers several purchases and contracts including: engineering services of $272,939 for the Nortwest Sanitary Sewer project; purchase of underdrain and sidewalk replacement for $350,000; generator maintenance of $60,000; reclaimed and waste water facility improvements of $205,553.43; worker's compensation and general liability insurance coverage renewal of $105,352; windstorm insurance for $613,898 and engineering services of $79,809 for a possible West Bay Drive connector to the Pinellas Trail.

Here is the link to the complete March 20 Largo City Commission agenda. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the.