Bullock bytes: Town manager sounds off

Sign code:

“A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling says local governments can’t regulate the content that exists on signs. Our sign code has to be substantially revised because of the ruling. We regulate signs by size and location, and that’s OK. But we have strong regulations regarding content, and we can’t have that any longer. For instance, we limit banner signs to special events only and that’s a content regulation that’s no longer allowed. We can ban banner signs but we can’t regulate the content that goes on them. We have substantial revisions to the sign code we’ll be working on in the coming months.”

Seasonal traffic:

“We will be working closely with the city of Sarasota and the Florida Department of Transportation as they work to create a scope for a traffic study that’s affecting the barrier island. We will be talking about the intersection of U.S. 41 and Gulfstream and issues with St. Armands Circle.

Proposed roundabouts on U.S. 41:

“In 2009, the town took a stance against roundabouts proposed on U.S. 41. We have not taken a stance on them now, especially since we’re looking at getting a couple on Gulf of Mexico Drive. The roundabouts in Sarasota appear to be working quite well.”

Beach projects:

“We have put out a bid for the mid-Key truck haul project already. We’re waiting on federal permits for all three projects, and then we’re moving on them. (Public Works Director) Juan (Florensa) thinks we will get those permits in the next couple of months. Our coastal engineer thinks they will arrive in the fall. If the truck haul permit can’t start before season, we won’t start until April, (when) the traffic eases up.”

Fire union negotiations:

“Town staff is still working on firefighter/paramedic comparables in other areas. The ball is in my court, and we’ll hold a shade meeting with the commission to discuss things before we call the next session.”

Bayfront Park:

“A request for proposals will be put out soon for a construction manager to oversee the project. We will start the project by the end of the year.”

Undergrounding utilities:

“Whenever we get questions from residents, we add helpful questions and answers to the ‘commonly asked questions’ portion of the town’s website to inform citizens. We will start meeting with folks in September to inform them about the Gulf of Mexico Drive referendum only. If it passes in November, we will then discuss what kind of turtle-friendly street lights we need as part of the project. Then, discussions will unfold on the second referendum about burying utilities in the neighborhoods.”

Peacocks:

“We’ve called a bunch of other communities to see how they trapped peacocks and the lessons they learned. We’re talking to trappers, too. We know the service we want; we just have to figure out how to get the trappers interested in doing the service. We will bring it back with a price and describe to the commission what it will cost in the fall.”

Town Center:

“I continue to have meetings with all interested parties and the property owners. I need more time to talk directly with them. In the meantime, the town will be looking at site improvement costs for the town-owned parcel near the tennis center. There’s a drainage ditch near the access of that site that needs to be modified so we have better access to that property.”