News Briefs

+ Telecommunications amendment extension sought
The town will seek an extension of a state-mandated, 180-day window to have a Comprehensive Plan amendment approved to bring the amendment and a telecommunications ordinance before the Town Commission for review at the same time.

Commissioners have expressed displeasure that the Comp Plan amendment would be approved before they review an ordinance in December that addresses everything from tower height to where towers or other structures can be placed.

A provision in state statutes allows the town to seek an extension of the Comp Plan amendment, according to an email town attorney Maggie Mooney-Portale sent town staff Wednesday.

Town Manager Dave Bullock wrote in a Wednesday email he recommends an extension because “we owe the community a full airing of the issue.”

Bullock suggests the town request an extension based “on the grounds of a new planning director who had little or no involvement with this ordinance, the relationship between the Comp Plan and the ordinance and the importance to the community of understanding both (changes together).”

The commission will most likely review changes to its ordinance and Comp Plan on second reading at its Jan. 6 regular meeting.

+ Commissioner Terry Gans qualifies for commission seat
At-large Commissioner Terry Gans has qualified to run for his seat for an additional two years, but he may have a challenger.

Country Club Shores resident Armando Linde, a member of the town’s Investment Advisory Committee, took out paperwork for the at-large seat Monday.

Gans is the second candidate in the Longboat Key March 2014 general election to turn in all of his paperwork and qualify for a seat.

Bayou resident Ray Rajewski is running for the District 3 seat being vacated by Vice Mayor David Brenner. Rajewski ran two years ago and lost to Brenner.

Other seats up for election in March are Commissioner Lynn Larson’s District 1 seat and District 5 Commissioner Pat Zunz’s seat.

Larson and Zunz have both picked up paperwork to run for their seats again.

The deadline to qualify for the March 2014 election is noon Nov. 18.

+ Town’s code-enforcement officer terminated last week
Longboat Key Code Enforcement Officer Amanda Nemoytin was terminated Oct. 15, and her job has been posted internally.

Nemoytin, a two-year employee of the town, was on probation after allowing her dog to run off the leash on town property, which is not allowed under the town’s code.

Meetings & agendas
Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4.

Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11.

Town Commission Regular Workshop — 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Planning & Zoning Board Regular Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19.

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