News Briefs

+ North-end emergency beach project delayed again
A $4.5 million emergency beach project that will bring 133,000 cubic yards of sand to the north end began last Wednesday, only to stop before hardly any sand was brought onshore.

That’s because one of the generator motors that sits onboard the dredge blew out Thursday and needs to be repaired.

Cashman Dredging beach project Manager Christopher Bonn said the part for the generator will most likely arrive early this week, and the project could begin again later in the week.

+ Kelley shares budget outlook with commission
Longboat Key Finance Director Tom Kelley told the Town Commission at its Thursday, March 24 regular workshop that the town will need to invest $259,000 more in its three pension plans in the 2011-12 fiscal year than a year ago. The town will need a total of $3 million set aside in the next fiscal year just to make sure the plans, which have approximately $23 million in unfunded liabilities, are sound.

+ Bayfront Park project amendments create hurdles
Longboat Key Planning, Zoning and Building Director Monica Simpson told the Town Commission at its Thursday, March 24 regular workshop that it has to be careful when creating amendments to the Comprehensive Plan in regard to revitalization plans for Bayfront Park.

The town is only allowed to send comp plan amendments to the state twice a year. The town must combine park amendments with other amendments as a result of the Longboat Key Club Islandside renovation-and-expansion project approval.

+ New Longboat Key trolley schedule announced
Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce President Tom Aposporos, part of a working trolley group promoting the Longboat Key route, announced the group will begin distributing brochures that will be placed at Key hotels and businesses to promote the trolley.

Now that a new trolley schedule exists, the trolley route brochure can be finalized for distribution in April.
The Longboat Key trolley service now operates at one-hour intervals (including stops in Sarasota and Coquina Beach) from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The service costs 75 cents, 35 cents for seniors, ages 60 and older. The trolley will not operate on major holidays including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Meetings & agendas
Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, April 4.
Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, April 11.
Town Commission Goals and Objectives Workshop — 2 p.m. Monday, April 11.
Zoning Board of Adjustment Regular Meeting — 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 14.
Town Commission Regular Workshop — 1 p.m. Thursday, April 28.

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.