Town moves forward with erosion plans

The Longboat Key Town Commission is moving forward with plans for breakwaters on the north end of the island even though Longbeach condominiums may not sign an easement necessary to permit two of the four structures to hold sand.

Town Manager Bruce St. Denis received permission to move forward even if only two of the structures are built. The town’s beach engineer told commissioners two breakwaters are better than nothing.

The town also will move forward with an inlet management study and a possible emergency sand project. And, in the next couple of years, the town discovered a Longboat Pass dredging project being performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could bring the town some sand for its eroded north end.

Also at its meeting, the commission:

Forwarded to its Monday, Jan. 4 regular meeting:
• An ordinance that transfers $30,000 from the beach fund balance to the North Shore Road erosion control structure construction project.
• A resolution that makes funds available for the preliminary election required on Jan. 26.
• A proposed ordinance that requires newly seated commissioners and all board and committee members to receive mandatory training in public records, the state’s Sunshine Law and ethics.

Reviewed:
• Additional information regarding investment return assumptions for its three pension plans.

Discussed:
• The possibility of having joint meetings with the town’s three pensions boards with Finance Director Tom Kelley.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].