Town Commission holds regular workshop

The Longboat Key Town Commission reached a consensus at its Thursday, Sept. 24 regular workshop to keep its existing telecommunications ordinance intact, while incorporating one change that will prohibit uncamoflauged towers from being considered on the island.

“We don’t want any towers,” said Vice Mayor Robert Siekmann. “And we already have an ordinance on the books.”

Commissioner Gene Jaleski agreed.

“This is the second meeting in a row that not a single resident has come to tell us about their bad cell-service reception problems,: Jaleski said. “We are a residential island and it’s all about the aesthetics.”

Also at its Thursday, Sept. 24 regular workshop, the Longboat Key Town Commission:

Forwarded to the Monday, Oct. 5 regular meeting for formal action:
• A 2009-10 holiday schedule for town employees that includes 10 holidays, a half-day for Good Friday and a birthday holiday.
• An amended resolution that complies with the Department of Environmental Protection requirements regarding revenues pledged to repay the debt involved with a state revolving fund loan for water-and-wastewater, capital-improvement projects.
• A resolution that opposes oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico off the west coast of Florida.

Forwarded to the Monday, Oct. 5 regular meeting for first reading:
• An ordinance that provides for a budget transfer of $450,000 from the road and bridge fund to the general fund for wages and other expenses for transportation expenditures in fiscal year 2009-10.

Reviewed:
• A March 2010 election schedule that sets the town election date for March 16, 2010. If a preliminary election is needed for two qualified candidates seeking the same office, that election would be held Jan. 26, 2010.

Directed the town manager:
• To instruct the Florida Department of Transportation’s hired bid contractor to install welcome signs on the north and south ends of the island using stone columns with a carved sign between them that reflect the blue and white way-finding business signs along Gulf of Mexico Drive.
• To write a letter that allows the town to move forward conceptually with obtaining an artifact from the World Trade Center Towers for use in erecting a Sept. 11 memorial.
• Not to move forward at this time regarding a proposal to purchase several lots in Longbeach Village owned by the Saba family because funds are not available.
• Not to extend payment terms for a utility-bill customer who had a water leak.

Postponed:
• The execution of an agreement with Christ Church to provide shared parking facilities with the town’s Public Works Department facility until the Planning and Zoning Board and the commission can review and accept Christ Church’s site plan for its new church.