Tennis Center plan for wine, beer moves forward

The Longboat Key Town Commission reached consensus at its Thursday, May 24 workshop to move forward with a proposal to allow for the sale of wine and beer at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.

Sales would be limited to the facility’s current vending refrigerator, and customers would have to go to the cash register and directly pay for their drinks, like they currently do for beverages currently offered at the Tennis Center.

Town Manager David Bullock agreed to return to the commission with proposed guidelines on sales.

Also at Thursday’s workshop, the commission:

Heard:
• A presentation from Karen E. Rushing, Sarasota Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller;
Agreed:
• To allow land-use consultant Peter Dailey to proceed with a request to place items on the November ballot that would seek to change the zoning of properties at 5440 Gulf of Mexico Drive and 521 Broadway from commercial to residential, provided that Dailey’s clients agree to pay for approximately $1,800 in related costs.

Discussed:
• Possible discussion items for an October joint meeting with the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners, including Tourist Development Tax allocation, West Coast Inland Navigation District funding, Sarasota County trolley funding, Longboat Library funding, the possibility of an inlet management plan for New Pass and business-tax receipts.
• The reallocation of Phase III Infrastructure Sales Tax project amounts due to reduced revenue and changing priorities. The current estimated revenue available for the 15-year period that runs through 2024 is now $7,765,000, down $4,764,000 from the original estimated revenue of $12,529,000.

Forwarded to its June 4 meeting for formal action:
• A resolution providing emergency authorization to expend funds and take emergency action if a quorum of the commission isn’t available during summer hurricane season;
• The cancellation of the commission’s July and August workshops and August regular meeting;
• A proposed ordinance that would align town code with Florida statutes that exempt real-estate associates and broker associates from business-tax receipts;
• A proposed resolution allowing for a $60,000 budget transfer to fund studies of the general employees’ and police officers’ group pensions.
• The renewal of a three-year contract of approximately $26,500 annually with the town’s medical director, Dr. Steven Newman, who supervises and assumes direct responsibility for the medical performance of Longboat Key firefighter/paramedics.

The following items were listed on the May 24 agenda but will be rescheduled at a later date:
• A presentation from Jim Bigham about a Longboat Key film project.
• A discussion with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials about the feasibility of installing additional crosswalks on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].