News Briefs

+ Police pension plan set to freeze in January
At the Longboat Key Town Commission’s Dec. 11 regular workshop and special meeting, the commission approved on first reading an ordinance that freezes the Longboat Key police pension plan.

The town will form a new police pension board to oversee the pension plan and benefits for officers in the future.

“This is the last of the frozen pension plans,” said Town Manager Dave Bullock.

When an ordinance is adopted in January, after the town receives actuarial impact statements that show how much unfunded liability the town’s taxpayers must pay off, the plan will be frozen.

The commission approved a three-year contract with the Longboat Key Police Union in November; the move marked the end of pensions for new hires townwide.

+ Town keeps watch for red drift algae due to summer rain
Town Manager Dave Bullock informed commissioners in a Dec. 12 email that town staff would keep an eye out for red drift algae problems in 2014.

In 2006 and 2007, mounds of the smelly seaweed — which isn’t red tide and isn’t harmful to one’s health — came to shore along the Gulf Coast, including Longboat Key.

Officials warn that the seaweed could return for the first time in six years because of heavy rain this summer.

In the event of red tide or fish kills, the town will rake seaweed from its beach. But the town doesn’t pick up regular seaweed that comes ashore — no matter how much of it plops onto the sand — because of the cost.

In the past, though, the town has contacted the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to inquire about businesses and residents obtaining permits to rake the beach.

+ Christmas holiday changes
Due to the Christmas holiday, yard-waste collections are changing from Wednesday, Dec. 25 to Thursday, Dec. 26. Solid waste will also be picked up Dec. 26. Have all items curbside by 7 a.m.
Town Hall and its various departments will also be closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 for the holiday and will reopen Dec. 26.

Meetings & agendas
Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6.

Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13.

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