Commission to review Gulfside beach chair issue

The Longboat Key Town Commission is expected to make a decision on whether or not the beach chairs that are consistently left on the beach near the Gulfside Road beach access by area residents should continue to be removed by town staff at its regular workshop at 1 p.m., Thursday, June 17.

Town Manager Bruce St. Denis wants the commission to make the final call because he said the removal of the chairs, which are not allowed under town code, starts a cycle that ends with the residents putting the chairs back on the beach.

Sleepy Lagoon residents, St. Denis said, feel they should be allowed to leave the chairs there because the beach access does not provide parking.

Also at its regular workshop, the Longboat Key Town Commission will:

Consider forwarding to its June 17 special meeting for first reading:
• An ordinance that reduces town water and wastewater rates for the second year in a row.

Consider forwarding to its June 17 special meeting for formal action:
• A resolution that allows for a budget transfer of $165,000 to provide for geotechnical work for the town’s upcoming 2011 beach renourishment project.

• A request for a letter of support from Sarasota County for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.

Consider forwarding to its Monday, July 12 regular meeting for formal action:
• A resolution that allows the town to remain eligible for state grants to help fund the town’s 2011 beach renourishment project.

Consider:
• Substituting a lift station rehabilitation project in the current fiscal year for a different lift station project that’s been deemed a higher priority by the Public Works Department.

Discuss:
• A suggestion by Commissioner Jim Brown that the commission discuss the relationship between the commission and its Planning and Zoning Board to improve communications between the two boards.

• How the town should proceed in regard to an administrative challenge filed by the Islandside Property Owners Coalition in response to the commission’s decision to approve changes to its code last month.

• How best to utilize the town’s newly installed wayfinding signs along Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Review:
• Additional information requested about the town’s fire marshal position.

• The town’s upcoming 2010-11 fiscal year budget.

• A mission statement prepared by the subcommittee established to review and examine town operations.

• A report by Manatee and Sarasota County Emergency Management officials, who will provide an update regarding preparations for potential impacts from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the gulf.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].