News Briefs

Mote, Jacksonville University partner
Mote Marine Laboratory and Jacksonville University announced a new educational partnership last week.
The agreement will provide the foundation for Mote and JU to build new partnerships in teaching, mentoring undergraduate and graduate research, conducting joint research and sharing research and educational facilities and infrastructure.

“Working together leverages and strengthens our capabilities for marine science and technology, enhances our efforts to educate the next generation of marine scientists and allows us to better serve our oceans and our communities,” said Mote President and CEO Michael Crosby, in a news release.

Town Center committee to meet
The first meeting of the Town Center Steering Committee will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.

Members of the committee are: Katherine Brooks, Thomas Crociata, Tom Freiwald, Eileen Hassel, Bill Levine, Cheryl Loeffler, Gail Loefgren, Jules Rauch, Michael Saunders, Michael Seamon, Warren Simonds, Andrew Vac, Mark Walsh and Jerry Whitehead.
The meeting is open to the public.

Wanted: Code Board volunteers
The town is seeking volunteers for its Code Enforcement Board. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, in the Town Clerk’s Office.

Applicants must be Longboat Key residents and registered voters. Board members who miss two of three consecutive meetings without cause and board chairman approval will automatically forfeit the position. Download applications at longboatkey.org.

ULI study of AMI begins next week
An Urban Land Institute panel will conduct a five-day study of the cities of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach beginning Feb. 22 that’s similar to Longboat Key’s October 2013 study.
Town staff has met with Anna Maria Island’s ULI Committee to provide guidance.

MEETINGS
Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees Quarterly Meeting - 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27

Town Commission Regular Meeting - 7 p.m. Monday, March 2

Code Enforcement Board Meeting - 10 a.m. Monday, March 9

Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting - 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 12