News Briefs

+ Key drinking water gets good grades
The town of Longboat Key’s drinking water, which it purchases from Manatee County, does not violate any standards under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Since 1972, the town has purchased its potable water from Manatee County, where it is treated and made safe for consumption as described in the town of Longboat Key 2010 Drinking Water Quality Summary.
The 2010 water-quality report summarizes water testing results and requirements from both the Manatee County Utility Department and the Longboat Key Public Works Department.

Longboat Key utility customers will receive a report in the mail. Call the Public Works Department at 316-1988 for information.

To view the 2010 Drinking Water Quality Summary, click here.

+ Utility repair work begins on Broadway
The Longboat Key Public Works Department started utility work on the north side of Broadway, between Gulf of Mexico Drive and Longboat Drive North, beginning Monday. The work will continue for approximately four to five weeks.

The utility work consists of excavation, wastewater-pipe replacement and roadway restoration. Broadway will be narrowed as a result of the work, and intermittent lane closures with flaggers may occur occasionally.
The town is also performing rehabilitation work at a lift station located at 3335 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The lift station rehabilitation is part of the town’s Capital Improvements Program and consists of upgrading pumps, relining the wetwell, replacing the main under Gulf of Mexico Drive and replacing a manhole. The work at the lift station should last until September. The project will not impact motorists.

+ Sarasota County and city reach new park agreement
Sarasota County currently funds parks within the city limits, but due to its budget constraints, it plans to withdraw most of the money it had devoted to the city’s park operations.

Annually the county contributes $2.9 million to run city parks.

City commissioners approved May 16 a new 10-year parks agreement between the two government bodies.

The previous agreement expired last year.

Terms called for the city to take over funding for 16 “neighborhood” parks. Bird Key is one of those neighborhood parks. Sarasota County will continue to fund Ken Thompson Park, as well as Lido Beach and North Lido Beach, but the city will be responsible for the Lido pool and everything east of the dune line at Lido Beach.

+ Correction
Mote’s World Ocean Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 5, at Mote Marine Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway.

Meetings & agendas
â–º Town Commission Regular Workshop — 1 p.m. Thursday, May 26.
â–º Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, June 6.

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.