Trolley talk to highlight commission meeting

The Longboat Key Town Commission will consider whether to fund a $100,000 shortfall to continue the operation of the Manatee County portion of the Longboat Key trolley route at a special meeting at 1 p.m. this afternoon.

Also at its regular workshop and special meeting at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, the commission will:

Consider adopting:
• An ordinance that makes minor revisions to the town’s sign code.

• An ordinance that updates the capital improvements element of the town’s Comprehensive Plan.

Consider forwarding to its Monday, Dec. 6, regular meeting for second reading and public hearing:
• A resolution that allows 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.

Consider forwarding to its Monday, Dec. 6 regular meeting for formal action:
• A resolution that provides for necessary budget transfers for various general ledger line items to be in compliance with the town’s charter.

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

Evaluate:
• The anticipated costs and overall need of the feasibility of providing iPads to commissioners for electronic agenda distribution.

Discuss:
• The town’s debt capacity and possibility of refunding town-issued general obligation bonds that were issued in 1999 to save $256,000 over the remaining nine years of the bonds.

• The role, importance and authority of the town’s Code Enforcement Board.

• Issues with animal control on Longboat Key.

• Proposed rate increases for wholesale water and wastewater rates being charged to the town by Manatee County.

• The town’s island-wide 2011-12 beach renourishment program and projected project costs and options.

• An ordinance drafted by the town attorney that would place a charter referendum on the March 2011 general election ballot pertaining to the requirement for a preliminary election.

• The town’s issues with its three underfunded pension plans

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

• A request by Longboat Key Turtle Watch President Tim Thurman to amend the town code to prohibit temporary structures, beach equipment and beach furniture being left on the beach at night during turtle season.

Set:
• A date for the town’s March general municipal election.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].