Bullock talks Key issues to PIC

David Bullock spoke about his first 100 days as Longboat Key town manager last night at a Longboat Key Public Interest Committee (PIC) forum.

Bullock spoke briefly about a number of issues that continue to impact the Key. He told the audience that the town is beginning to address its pension plans and their growing, unfunded liability but warned that the process will be a long one.

The crowd applauded when the town manager said that the Longboat Key Commission had approved plans for a new Publix at its Monday night meeting.

Bullock addressed beach issues and said that the town is looking to put sand in three “hot spots,” which could occur in late 2012 at the earliest. He also discussed the severe erosion at the north end of Longboat Key and the three groins proposed in the Longboat Pass Inlet Navigation Study to control the ongoing issue. The commission will discuss that study with the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners at a joint meeting Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Bullock touched on the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort but described it as a private dispute. He said that the town has just two roles to play in the Colony: Determining whether to extend a continuance of the town’s tourism abandonment requirement. (The parties will provide a status update to the Town Commission in March.) The other role is in addressing any health-safety issues related to the property and making necessary inspections should such issues arise.

In response to a question about the search for a new Planning Zoning & Building director, Bullock said that the town received 62 applications — four of which were from Alaska candidates. He has narrowed the pool down to 24 and will consult with Planning & Zoning directors in other municipalities to whittle down the pool further.

Bullock also talked about one issue that’s on many citizens’ minds: Wireless communications. He said that he met with TE Connectivity Networks Inc. officials earlier that day to discuss the wireless communications study the company will perform for the town. The company will conduct signal strength tests during the week of Feb. 20. Bullock said that the town does not currently have a completed application for a cellular tower in its possession.

For more information, pick up a Feb. 16 copy of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].