News briefs

Colony Association files dismissal

Armed with U.S. Bankruptcy Judge K. Rodney May’s March 18 order stating Colony Lender LLC violated an automatic bankruptcy stay, Colony Beach and Tennis Resort Association attorney Jeffrey Warren filed multiple motions March 20 in Sarasota County, asking a judge to dismiss lawsuits filed by Colony Lender against unit owners seeking more than $5 million in damages for unpaid rent plus interest on a disputed recreational facilities lease.

May has scheduled an April 14 hearing in Tampa for parties to argue for or against appropriate sanctions against Colony Lender.

Pipeline pullback

The Longboat Key Town Commission wants Town Manager Dave Bullock to assess the health of a 42-year-old wastewater pipe that funnels the town’s wastewater under Sarasota Bay to Bradenton before it signs off on a $16 million project to replace it.

At its regular workshop Monday, commissioners agreed to allow Bullock to proceed with phase one of the project, a $293,500 expense that gives the town preferred route selections and recommendations for a new pipe and a cost estimate for the project. Commissioners also directed Bullock to come back with research for a future assessment of the existing pipe using sonar technologies that can detect the current condition of the existing pipe. 

The decision was made after Key resident Lenny Landau presented a saltwater intrusion presentation to the town and noted he’s done research on the pipe, which suggests the pipe’s life span may be longer than the town thinks. 

One of the reasons Bullock has recommended replacing the pipe involves future housing developments in west Bradenton known as Long Bar Pointe and Lake Flores. They’re being developed on land that’s currently used for agricultural purposes. The developers have noted they would prefer the new pipe’s relocation to be performed before they build houses on the property.

Shredding event rescheduled

The free shredding event scheduled for the town’s Open House last weekend did not occur because the vendor was unable to make it.

To allow residents to shred documents, an alternate vendor will be at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 25.

Corrections

The March 19 issue of the Longboat Observer incorrectly stated the name of Bob Klosterman’s company, White Oaks Investment Management. Klosterman spoke to the Republican Club of Longboat Key March 13.

The March 19 issue incorrectly quoted Larry Grossman. Grossman said that the same individuals were present in the two newspaper debates and cited the Longbeach Village Association as the only neighborhood debate during election season.