In his last year, public works chief looks ahead to unfinished projects

Spending a Monday afternoon cruising down the entire stretch of Longboat Key’s beach, from Greer Island to New Pass, it’s clear Public Works Director Juan Florensa loves what he does.

Driving a four-wheeler as rain drizzles down, threatening to pour, Florensa contrasts the dreariness of the weather with his cheer, talking excitedly about projects for which he and his team have been responsible.

He smiles while reminiscing about renourishing the beaches with enough dredged sand to fill hundreds of dump trucks.

He walks out onto a pier-like sand-saving structure, called a groin, to explain how it helps combat erosion.

He points out the pipe under the Longboat Pass Bridge, which transports millions of gallons of water to the Key’s residents and businesses.

For Florensa, it will have been a career well-spent when he retires from his position in January.

As the Key’s public works director, Florensa oversees a staff of 20 who are responsible for beach management, utilities, town facilities, solid waste, parks and streets.

Since starting his position in 2001, Florensa has accomplished a lot. Some projects stand out.

When Florensa, 61, first came to the Key, there was no plan to update the town’s aging system of lift stations, or sewage pumps, which was built in 1977.

Now, all of the major and mid-sized lift stations have been upgraded, Florensa said, and the smaller stations are being addressed.

Another fond moment for Florensa was when he and his team were able to prepare the town’s water main for an emergency situation. The pipe that transports water from Manatee County used to stop at the south end of the Key. Today, it’s connected with the city of Sarasota.

So, if there’s ever an issue with the water from the north end, like a line breakage, water from Sarasota can be used as an emergency backup.

Florensa’s  final source  of pride involves work  still unfolding: the town’s most recent beach program. Along with a completed renourishment project and the construction of four groins, the program includes the improvements to Bayfront Park, which Florensa said are 95% finished.

“We’ve been talking about Bayfront Park since I started here” Florensa said. “We finally got it under construction.”

For all of this, Florensa affirmed that the members of the Public Works Department deserve just as much credit as he does.

As his time as director comes to an end, Florensa said three things stand out that he still wants to see accomplished.

He wants to see the permits submitted for the North End Shoreline Stabilization Project.

To decrease the amount of water that requires treatment, Florensa wants to improve inflow and infiltration, meaning he wants to reduce the amount of groundwater that makes its way into the sewer system.

Finally, he wants to see the town bring its computer system “up to par.” 

Though it’s not a project he’s directly involved in, he knows these improvements will benefit present and future town employees greatly.

Florensa worked as director of the Public Works Department in North Port for 16 years before coming to the Key. When he joined the Key staff, he was tasked with learning the ins and outs of beach management. Since then, he’s come to be viewed be as a knowledgeable resource on the topic among his peers, Bullock said.

Mayor Terry Gans praised the entire Public Works Department, calling the employees “the behind-the-scenes backbone of the town,” but he had particular praise for Florensa.

“We’ve been blessed to have him,” Gans said.

The Search Begins

Town staff will begin the search for Florensa’s replacement in the coming weeks. Town Manager Dave Bullock said the search is starting early because of the skills and expertise the position requires.

“(Florensa’s) job takes a lot of experience and understanding of the community,” Bullock said. “And I think an overlap in that position is important and necessary.”

When Florensa began his tenure, the previous director had already left. The staff at the time was immensely helpful, Florensa said, but he lacked the benefit of guidance from someone who had already held his position.

“I learned by making mistakes,” Florensa said. “And by asking a lot of questions.”

Florensa knew that when he decided to leave, he wanted to have the opportunity to share his knowledge with his successor.

Florensa said it’s vital for the next director, who will be hired by Bullock, to understand the culture of the Key. Florensa describes Key residents as well-educated and engaged about what happens in their community, while maintaining an attitude of understanding and support.

“When you do a good job or you meet their expectations, they’re the first ones to pick up the phone and call me and say, ‘Thank you,’” Florensa said. “That’s amazing.”