Beach decision still lingers

The Longboat Key Town Commission may delay its island-wide beach renourishment project by one year.

But the commission chose not to make a final decision on the beach project at its regular meeting Monday, Dec. 6.

The beach project, which would cost between $34 million to $38 million, will be discussed again at the commission’s regular workshop Dec. 16.

The commission, however, decided Monday to ask the voters on March 8 to fund a project for sand and structures for the eroded north end of the island. That project is expected to cost about $6 million.

“We made a commitment to the people on the north end to fix that problem,” said Commissioner Phillip Younger.

The commission also agreed to use $42,000 from its road and bridge fund to fund the Manatee County portion of the Longboat Key trolley route. The commission still hopes to negotiate better wait times for the trolley, which has one hour wait times starting in 2011 instead of the current half hour wait times.

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

Forwarded:
• Legislative priorities to the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation, Manatee County Legislative Delegation and ManaSota League of Cities.

• An interlocal agreement crafted by town attorney David Persson to Sarasota County that strengthens an agreement between the county and the town regarding the future passive park use of the Bayfront Park and former Albritton property.

Approved:
• An ordinance that would modify the list of permitted commercial uses for The Centre Shops.

• A resolution that allows Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub to construct a second story over its existing restaurant.

Adopted:
• An ordinance drafted by the town attorney that would place a referendum on the March 2011 general election ballot pertaining to term limits as applied to partial terms.

• An ordinance that makes amendments to the town’s tree code.

• An ordinance that revises the infrastructure element of the town’s Comprehensive Plan in regards to the town’s 10-year potable water supply plan.

• An ordinance and resolution that modifies a portion of the town code to allow Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi to opt out of the Firefighters’ Retirement System, which reduces the town’s pension costs for the fire chief from 46% to 16% of salary and establishes a $20,179.59 401a account for the chief.

Passed:
• A resolution the provides for necessary budget transfers to be in compliance with the town charter.

• A resolution that allows the finance director to proceed with refunding the town’s general obligation bonds to save $293,000 over the remaining life of the bonds.

• A resolution that sets March 8, 2011 as the town’s general municipal election.

Authorized:
• The town attorney to prepare a lawsuit against Key resident James Armstrong for not allowing access to his home to inspect it for repairs and renovations that required building permits.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].