General Harris Foreclosure: Another Day, Another $50
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman
Thanks Isaac. The Girle’s who are the adjoining property owner on Lyons have been living with this mess for years.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
General Harris Foreclosure: Another Day, Another $50
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Please see below from our attorney’s office and some relevant documents attached. Just FYI, our Town Attorney’s Office did not file the notice. That was handled by the Plaintiff/Mortgage Company as they are driving the case.
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
General Harris Foreclosure: Another Day, Another $50
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman
Following up on this one. I attached part of the court docket relevant to the sale that was cancelled. The sale date was set for 8/19/26 in the Final Judgment. The sale date must be advertised at least once a week for two weeks before the sale date, with the second advertisement at least 5 days before the sale, pursuant to Section 45.031, Florida Statutes. The Plaintiff (U.S. Bank and their attorneys) sends the notice for advertisement (not the Town or its attorneys). I have attached a copy of the Plaintiff’s notice that it sent for publishing. The newspaper that published the notice is required to file an affidavit that the notices were properly advertised. The Observer’s affidavit is attached as to the publication. The Clerk’s office stated the advertisement was not timely and therefore cancelled the sale. If anything else is needed, please let me know.
Daniel P. Lewis
Town Attorney
Town of Longboat Key
General Harris Foreclosure: Another Day, Another $50
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman
I would like to see the filing for the foreclosure. Do I understand our attorneys were responsible for that filing?
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
General Harris Foreclosure: Another Day, Another $50
To: Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Director Allen Parsons
Frustrating news on this one. The Clerk’s office cancelled the public auction of 501 General Harris. The stated reason was that publication of the sale was not timely. From my quick review, it looked like the timeframes were met. However, the Clerk has the final say. Next step is for Plaintiff to reset the sale date. So, it will probably take another month to resolve this matter. I will watch for the new sale date and advise.
Daniel P. Lewis
Town Attorney
Town of Longboat Key
General Harris Foreclosure: Another Day, Another $50
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman
As you know, the Town has been pursuing foreclosure on the 501 General Harris St. property due to the continued lack of compliance with property maintenance related code provisions and an ongoing daily fine & lien ($50/day) associated with the failure to comply. The daily fine total, through today, is $61,200.
The Town Attorney’s Office has provided a copy of the Final Judgement that was entered on 7/24/26 with a public sale date coming up on 8/19/26.
Allen Parsons
Director Planning, Zoning & Building Department
Town of Longboat Key
Election Hangover: Tallying the Tallahassee Contenders
To: Longboat Key Town Commission
As a follow up to the report provided by David Ramba’s firm earlier this week, Commissioner Bishop asked for information on those candidates with a background local government. Attached is the list that David Ramba’s office produced. It is being shared with the entire Commission for information purposes. Thank you to David Ramba and Rachel Kruse for pulling this together so quickly for us!
Maggie Mooney
Town Attorney
Town of Longboat Key
Election Hangover: Tallying the Tallahassee Contenders
To: Longboat Key Town Attorney Maggie Mooney
Please see the attached per your request.
Rachel Kruse
Director of Operations
Ramba Consulting Group, LLC
Election Hangover: Tallying the Tallahassee Contenders
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
By way of copy, I am forwarding your inquiry to David Ramba and his team for a response.
Maggie Mooney
Town Attorney
Town of Longboat Key
Election Hangover: Tallying the Tallahassee Contenders
To: Longboat Key Town Attorney Maggie Mooney
See if Dave can tell us any of the new candidates besides Nick Pachota that have served in Town or City government. I need to focus on those people in Tallahassee.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Election Hangover: Tallying the Tallahassee Contenders
To: Longboat Key Town Commission
Attached please find a report from David Ramba reporting on last night’s state-wide election results. This report is sent for information purposes.
Maggie Mooney
Town Attorney
Town of Longboat Key
Gulfside Drama: The Mother of All Public Records Requests
To: Jeff Nalin
Thank you for your public records request. I am writing to confirm that it has been received and entered into our official records management system, JustFOIA, where it will be tracked and processed in accordance with our standard procedures.
You may view the status of your request (#2858 / Key: 826A5AE4) and any subsequent updates at the following link: JustFOIA tracking link
For future requests, I would kindly ask that you submit directly through our JustFOIA portal. Doing so ensures your request is logged immediately, assigned a tracking number, and routed appropriately from the outset. Should you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Celine A. Kidwell
Town Clerk
Town of Longboat Key
Gulfside Drama: The Mother of All Public Records Requests
To: Longboat Key Town Clerk Celine Kidwell
Pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, I am requesting electronic copies of all public records in the Town of Longboat Key’s possession concerning the property located at:
6541 Gulfside Road
Longboat Key, FL 34228
I own the immediately adjacent property located at:
6529 Gulfside Road
Longboat Key, FL 34228
Because 6541 Gulfside Road sustained substantial storm/hurricane damage and has remained in a damaged and/or construction condition while deadlines for repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal have been established and subsequently extended, I am requesting the Town’s complete record concerning this property.
Please provide the following:
- Complete Building and Permit File
All building, repair, reconstruction and demolition permits, including active, expired, withdrawn, suspended, cancelled, closed or pending permits.
All permit applications and supporting documentation.
All approved and proposed construction plans, architectural plans, structural plans, engineering plans, site plans, surveys and revisions.
All inspection reports, inspector notes, photographs, videos and field reports.
All failed inspections, correction notices, stop-work orders, notices of violation or deficiency.
All records concerning expiration, extension, renewal or reactivation of permits. - Hurricane and Structural-Damage Records
All Town records documenting or evaluating hurricane, storm, flood, erosion or storm-surge damage to the property.
All structural engineering reports, evaluations, certifications, calculations, photographs and opinions concerning the condition and safety of the structure.
All inspections or assessments conducted following storm damage.
All records concerning whether the structure is unsafe, unstable, unfit, unlawful, condemned or otherwise poses a danger.
All records concerning potential danger to adjacent properties, including 6529 Gulfside Road, from collapse, structural failure, windborne debris, storm surge or another hurricane. - Unsafe/Unfit Structure Proceedings
Every notice, order, determination, warning, letter or other record issued concerning whether the structure is unsafe or unfit.
All records establishing deadlines for the owner to repair, rehabilitate, reconstruct, demolish or remove the structure.
All records concerning the Town’s determination that the property was or was not unsafe or unfit.
All records concerning enforcement action contemplated or taken as a result of failure to meet a deadline. - All Deadlines and Extensions
For every deadline established by the Town and every subsequent extension, please provide:
The document establishing the original deadline.
Every written request by the owner or the owner’s contractor, engineer, architect, attorney or other representative requesting additional time.
The reason or justification offered for each extension.
Every document approving, denying or discussing an extension.
The identity of the Town officials who authorized each extension.
The legal or administrative authority relied upon in granting each extension.
All documents supporting any finding of justifiable cause, special hardship, unusual difficulty, unique circumstances or other justification for extending a deadline.
Documentation establishing the current deadline for the property.
This request specifically includes all records concerning the August 1, 2026 deadline and the Town’s decision to allow additional time after that deadline. - Compliance Agreement
Any compliance agreement entered into concerning 6541 Gulfside Road, including any agreement pursuant to §150.21 of the Town Code.
All drafts and executed versions that constitute public records.
All deadlines and completion milestones contained in such an agreement.
All records concerning whether the owner has met those deadlines.
All records concerning enforcement or contemplated enforcement for failure to meet them.
If the Town has granted an extension exceeding 30 calendar days and no compliance agreement exists, please advise that there is no responsive compliance agreement. - FEMA / Floodplain / Substantial-Damage Records
All substantial-damage determinations, worksheets and calculations.
All substantial-improvement determinations.
All FEMA/NFIP-related documentation concerning the property.
All records showing the value of the structure and the estimated cost or percentage of damage used in making any substantial-damage determination.
All floodplain reviews and determinations.
All records concerning elevation, foundation, flood-resistance or current Building Code requirements applicable to reconstruction. - Grandfathered / Legal Nonconforming Status
All records concerning whether the structure is considered grandfathered, legal nonconforming or otherwise entitled to be reconstructed in its pre-storm location or footprint.
Any Certificate of Built Conditions or similar determination.
All records concerning whether the extent of destruction or damage affected or extinguished any grandfathered or nonconforming rights.
All legal, zoning, planning or administrative determinations supporting reconstruction in the structure’s existing location.
All records concerning current and historical setback requirements applicable to the structure, particularly the setback or separation from 6529 Gulfside Road. - Complete Code-Enforcement File
All complaints, notices of violation, inspection reports, photographs, correspondence, case notes and compliance determinations.
All records concerning referral—or a decision not to refer—the property to the Special Magistrate.
All records concerning fines, penalties, liens or other enforcement.
All records explaining decisions not to pursue available enforcement measures. - All Communications
Please provide all public records of communications concerning 6541 Gulfside Road, including emails, letters, memoranda, text messages, meeting notes, internal correspondence and other written or electronic communications between or among:
the property owner and/or owner’s representatives;
contractors, engineers, architects, attorneys or consultants;
the Building Official;
Planning, Zoning & Building personnel;
Code Enforcement personnel;
the Town Manager;
the Town Attorney;
Town Commissioners;
outside engineers or consultants; and
any other governmental agency involved with the property.
This specifically includes communications concerning:
deadlines; extensions; the August 1, 2026 deadline; demolition; reconstruction; unsafe conditions; structural safety; neighboring-property safety; grandfathered/nonconforming status; substantial damage; FEMA requirements; permitting; enforcement; and decisions to allow the damaged structure to remain or reconstruction to continue. - Complaints and Communications From Me Concerning the Property
Please also provide copies of all Town records concerning complaints, inquiries or communications made by me, Jeff Nalin, owner of 6529 Gulfside Road, concerning 6541 Gulfside Road, together with internal Town communications, notes, referrals or responses generated as a result of those communications.
Format and Time Period
This request covers the period beginning with the Town’s first knowledge of storm/hurricane damage to 6541 Gulfside Road through the date the Town completes its response to this request.
Please provide records electronically and, where reasonably available, in their native electronic format, including all attachments to responsive emails.
If any responsive record is withheld or redacted, please identify the statutory exemption relied upon.
If fulfilling this request will involve substantial fees, please provide a written estimate before incurring those costs.
If no responsive records exist for a particular category above, please advise me that no responsive records were located for that category.
Interested Party Notice
Finally, please treat this correspondence as my written request to be identified as an interested party with respect to 6541 Gulfside Road, Longboat Key, FL 34228, for purposes of proceedings under §150.21 of the Longboat Key Code.
As the owner of the immediately adjacent property at 6529 Gulfside Road, I request that I receive all notices to which an interested party is entitled concerning unsafe/unfit-structure proceedings, orders, extensions, compliance agreements, hearings, enforcement or abatement concerning 6541 Gulfside Road.
Please acknowledge receipt of this public-records request.
Jeff Nalin
Longboat Key
Longboat Key Recovery: Waiting on the State’s Checkbook
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
I believe the 2022 claim being referenced is the Town Hall Hardening HMGP project. Kalee informs me that this claim is currently delayed by FDEM, not FEMA. As mentioned previously, the State manages the Federal funds, and the process appears to be stalled at the State level. The system seems to be broken at many levels.
Susan Smith
Finance Director
Town of Longboat Key
Longboat Key Recovery: Waiting on the State’s Checkbook
To: Longboat Key Finance Director Susan Smith
Sue – Tip had told us we had pending requests from 2022. Staff is saying all of these are still in the queue and all is on track?
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Longboat Key Recovery: Waiting on the State’s Checkbook
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Ronica has assured me that we have responded to all requests. Because the State of Florida manages Federal funds, our claim does not go from FEMA to payment. It goes through a multi-tiered review pipeline between State and Federal portals.
The debris removal is pending State application review, which means FDEM has it after FEMA has reviewed it. The project is waiting for FDEM to either ask for more information or move it to next status level. We have answered all previous questions.
For some of the smaller projects we are still waiting for the last insurance payment, which we were told is on the way. Those projects can’t move forward until that proof of payment is shown.
Ronica has reached out to our FEMA contact (Koree Hughes), to get a response from our rep who is actively working on our claims.
Thank you for all your efforts and actively pursuing these funds!
Susan Smith
Finance Director
Town of Longboat Key
Longboat Key Recovery: Waiting on the State’s Checkbook
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Ma’am, Ronica in the Finance office is tracking all of this. I will respond to your other email now.
Charles Mopps
Public Works Director
Town of Longboat Key Public Works
Longboat Key Recovery: Waiting on the State’s Checkbook
To: Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps
Can you get on top of this?
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Longboat Key Recovery: Waiting on the State’s Checkbook
To: Longboat Key Town Commission
I understand there is significant public interest in the Town of Longboat Key’s continued disaster recovery. I would like to provide additional information about the progress.
FEMA has obligated 10 of 22 projects to date for Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Here are some updates on some active projects as of August 10, 2026:
Water booster station 950836:
- FEMA obligated $8,199.55 on July 28, 2026. The city may contact the Florida Division of Emergency Management to access obligated funds.
Helene debris removal project 807056:
- Following the state’s application review on July 9, 2026, this project requires additional information from Longboat Key representatives before moving forward in the process.
Milton debris removal project 811206:
- Following the state’s application review on July 9, 2026, this project requires additional information from Longboat Key representatives before moving forward in the process.
Milton debris removal project 811211:
- As of August 10, 2026, FEMA’s program delivery manager is reviewing project documentation to confirm the project is ready to advance.
Beach renourishment project 811051:
- As of July 30, 2026, legally required Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) reviews are underway.
In-line Water Booster Station Pump Replacement 805578:
- As of August 6, 2026, staff is reviewing insurance documentation for this project. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate assistance provided by insurance or any other source.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is locally led, state-managed, and federally supported. Under this framework, the Town establishes its project priorities and submits the documentation needed to support eligibility. The Florida Division of Emergency Management manages the applicant process, and FEMA reviews the submitted documentation to determine whether the facilities, work, and costs are eligible under federal law and program requirements.
FEMA’s review may include validation of damage, scope of work, cost reasonableness, procurement compliance, insurance considerations, environmental and historic preservation requirements, and any other documentation needed to support eligibility. For large or complex projects, including debris removal and beach renourishment work, this review can require additional coordination among the Town, the State, FEMA, and technical specialists.
To support Longboat Key’s recovery efforts, Florida Recovery Office staff continue to:Meet regularly with Town representatives to discuss outstanding items, resolve issues, and review the latest project updates in FEMA’s Grants Portal.
Prioritize efforts based on the Town’s project development plan.
Coordinate with Florida Division of Emergency Management representatives to support compliance with federal requirements.
Provide technical assistance to help move eligible projects through review and obligation as efficiently as possible.
We understand the importance of timely reimbursement. FEMA remains committed to providing every dollar of federal assistance for which the Town is eligible under the law. The most efficient path to obligation remains the timely submission and review of complete documentation that supports the eligibility of the damaged facility, work performed, and costs. Please know that we remain available to provide information, answer questions, and assist as needed.
Josefina “Josie” Genao
Intergovernmental Affairs| Florida Recovery Office
Federal Emergency Management Agency
