Town will seek beach bond validation

The Longboat Key Town Commission gave Town Manager Bruce St. Denis direction to file a lawsuit in either Manatee or Sarasota coutnies and ask a judge to validate its $16 million beach bond referendum.

The town of Longboat Key has no access to $16 million in funds Key voters approved for a beach project last week because of an advertising error committed by the Town Clerk’s Office.

St. Denis also informed the commission the town is unable to request a special act of the Legislature to get an opinion that would be entered into the record for a county judge to review.

Also at its regular workshop at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, the commission:

Forwarded to a regular meeting for action:
• A resolution that provides a cost and fuel adjustment increase for the town’s Waste Management garbage service contract.

• Modifications presented by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board, regarding a section of the town code that deals with walls, fences, hedges and berms.

• The possibility of removing some state “No Parking” signs in the Gulf of Mexico Drive right-of-way.

Hear:
• A brief overview presentation of the Longboat Key Police Department, presented by Police Chief Al Hogle.

• A brief overview presentation of the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department, present by Fire Chief Paul Dezzi.

Agreed:
• That former Mayor George Spoll should move forward with forming an economic revitalization committee that the town would not be involved with at this time.

• To delay establishing parameters for future beach projects until a peer review of the town’s beach engineer is approved.

• To move forward as quickly as possible on actions necessary to renovate and expand Bayfront Park.

Declined:
• A suggestion by town staff that beer and wine could be offered for sale at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.

Reviewed:
• The present status of the current year’s budget and preliminary information regarding the fiscal year 2011-12 budget.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].