Commission makes beach decision tonight

The Longboat Key Town Commission will review questions for the March 15 ballot at its 7 p.m. regular meeting tonight. The questions will ask voters to fund a $36 million island-wide beach project and a $6.2 million project to bring some structures to the severely eroded north end of the island.

In total, the projects are expected to cost between $35.2 million and $43.2 million.

The cost of the project will be closer to $35 million if a reimbursement from Port Dolphin LLC is received.

The natural gas pipeline company, which recently issued an intent to issue permit for its project, will put up the money if the town takes out some beach-quality sand before it lays down a pipeline on the bottom of the Gulf.

The commission has the option of performing the beach project in either 2011 or 2012. If the sand is placed island-wide in 2012, though, the sand project will cost an extra $4 million.

This is the last time the commission can make a final decision or modify the projects because ballot questions must be approved tonight.

Also at its regular meeting at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, the commission will:

Consider authorizing:
• The town manager to acquire tasers and taser training for all police officers at a cost of $27,000. The funding will come from a law enforcement trust fund.

Consider reducing:
• The fines and costs arising out of Code Enforcement Board administrative orders for two cases to $500.

Consider forwarding to its Feb. 7 regular meeting for second reading and public hearing:
• An ordinance that provides for a budget transfer of $41,000 to fund the Manatee County trolley portion of the island’s trolley route.

• An ordinance that codifies ordinances adopted through the Dec. 5 regular meeting.

• An ordinance that proposes rate increases for wholesale water and wastewater rates being charged to the town by Manatee County.

Consider passing:
• A resolution that provides for a $100,000 study that will explore other options for the town’s three pension plans.

• A resolution that changes the date of the town’s municipal election from March 8 to March 15. The Longboat Island Chapel is unavailable on March 8.

Consider approving:
• A revised 2011 Town Commission meeting calendar that needs to be amended because of the new March 15 election date.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].