Longboat Key News and Sarasota City News encourages Letters to the Editor on timely issues. Please email to: letters@lbknews.com or mail to PO Box 8001, Longboat Key, FL 34228. We also print letters sent to Town Hall that address Longboat Key issues. We reserve the right to edit.
Follow-up to discussions during Town Commission Meeting
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
I’m sending this along to you to forward to the Commissioners. Sue Smith has reviewed and agrees. Thank you,
Steve Branham
Longboat Key
Follow-up to discussions during Town Commission Meeting
To: Steve Branham
Please see below as a follow up to questions regarding pension liabilities.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Follow-up to discussions during Town Commission Meeting
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
Following up on our brief discussion about the consent agenda item 5.c “Pension Update” during the special meeting on Friday, June 28th.
Question: Commissioner Gold asked what would be done with any remaining balance in the Pension Fund once all beneficiaries have been paid what is due to them.
Answer: It is unlikely that there will be any remaining balance in the Fund at that point in time. We expect the Assumed Rate of Return (ARR) will remain less than required to fully fund the annual needs of fund beneficiaries throughout the remaining amortized life of the fund. Therefore, it is expected that there will be a continued need for the Town to provide an Annual Required Contribution (ARC) to help meet benefit requirements. By logic, the Pension fund would be exhausted and the need for an annual ARC would cease at that point. If there happens to be any assets left, those would revert back to the Town.
Question: Commissioner Gold asked what portion of the current annual benefit requirement is funded by the ARC.
Answer: The FY 24 ARC is $2.5 million. The annual retiree benefit payments for that period is approximately $4.3 million. For reference, we expect the Unfunded Actuarial Accrued Liability (UAAL) to decline to about half its current level (approx. $15 million) by FY2028 and decline by half again by FY2032. This reduction in UAAL will significantly reduce the need for the Town’s ARC.
Steve Branham
Longboat Key
Resurfacing GMD
To: Longboat Key Vice Mayor Mike Haycock
I read the excellent exchange between you and Eric Brenner regarding GMD, safety and funding.
Regarding funding, would it add any value to know what percent of GMD traffic is contained within LBK versus used as a pass through? Am always surprised by the number of cars that follow me from Sarasota to the north end of the Key and continue right over the pass to AMI. Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised, because the thousands of AMI tourists that want to go to St Armands, Sarasota, Siesta Key and/or back – will find the quickest and recommended route by Maps is through LBK. Same for any service vehicle serving the Bradenton -Sarasota area.
There is a reason GMD is a state road – and priority safety improvements (the Broadway/GMD intersection being at the top of my list) should be fully funded and prioritized by FDOT / USDOT. It makes little sense that we would spend hundreds of thousands of LBK dollars to get these designs to 90 percent / shovel ready (twice, in the case of the roundabout) – and not have the DOT follow-through with the investment required.
Thank you for all of the work you are doing, as our LBK Vice Mayor, with the MPO. Am hopeful some of the ideas the Commission and Town Staff are working on, and that Mr. Brenner put forward, will come to fruition. Please let us know if there is anything we can do from the community’s standpoint to support this work.
Maureen Merrigan
Longboat Key
Resurfacing GMD
To: Maureen Merrigan
Thanks for your input. We FDOT currently has funding for resurfacing GMD and replacing the multiuse path that is in terrible condition. I missed the last Commission meeting and will catch up with current direction when I return. GMD safety and traffic congestion will remain one of the Commissions high priorities.
Mike Haycock
Vice Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Gulfstream roundabout travel times
To: Longboat Key Vice Mayor Mike Haycock
I wanted to follow up with you after the MPO meeting. Attached you will find the travel times from Ken Thompson parkway to US 301 at Fruitville coming off longboat Key. This also contains traffic volumes. As mentioned in the meeting today, We are seeing a significant increase in volumes. I will work on getting some data to you that shows travel times before the roundabout was ever constructed, so you can compare the roundabout to the true before condition.
Neal Turner, P.E.
TSM&O Engineer – Arterials
Florida Department of Transportation
Gulfstream roundabout travel times
To: Florida Department of Transportation Engineer Neil Turner
Neil, thank you for the follow-up. During the season traffic typically backs up 1-2 miles north of Ken Thompson Parkway. Is it possible to pick a point mid key like Bay Isles Parkway. Comparing traffic before and after the Roundabout Construction will allow is to see if further improvements are needed.
When will your dashboard be complete and what will it include.
Thanks again for furnishing this data and analysis during our peak season periods.
Mike Haycock
Vice Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Gulfstream roundabout travel times
To: Longboat Key Vice Mayor Mike Haycock
I wanted to follow-up with you on this. I apologize for the delayed response. We are getting several requests for similar data on the travel times in Sarasota through the roundabout on US 41 and Gulfstream Blvd. We have gathered all the data necessary and are working on compiling it into a presentable format and reviewing it in house to make sure all the data points are represented properly (travel times, volumes, crashes, etc). I will reach out to you again with that data in the near future. Thank you for your patience on this and, again, I apologize for the late reply.
Neal Turner, P.E.
TSM&O Engineer – Arterials
Florida Department of Transportation
Gulfstream roundabout travel times
To: Florida Department of Transportation Engineer Neil Turner
I guess better late than never but surprised it took 5 months and a discussion with LK to get a response. As I mentioned in my last note, traffic often backs up 1-2 miles onto LBK during the season so using Ken Thompson Parkway won’t accurately reflect the traffic congestion among from LBK.
The travel times shown in the powerpoint show 10-15 minutes to get to downtown during the peak afternoon hours. My experience and that of our citizens is it takes 30 -60 minutes to make this trip during season in the afternoon. I personally think the Gulfstream roundabout has helped traffic flow but look forward to seeing if the numbers prove this out
I look forward to your report.
Mike Haycock
Vice Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Gulfstream roundabout travel times
To: Longboat Key Vice Mayor Mike Haycock
Again, I apologize for the delayed response. Often when we send information out there are multiple people that want to review and understand it in case questions arise. The data displayed is representative of Wednesday over spring break in 2024 vs Wednesday over spring break in 2019. Both volumes and travel times are shown. I changed the limits to show what you requested. This is travel from Bay Isles through the roundabout at Gulfstream. As you can see in the PM peak during the peak of the peak season we are seeing almost a 15 minute reduction in travel times (Blue line is data for 2024). The rest of the day we are seeing similar travel times in both the before and after condition. That said, if there are other days you’d like to compare please let me know. I can turn around more data much faster than it has taken this go around. Thank you for your patience.
Neal Turner
TSM&O Engineer – Arterials
Florida Department of Transportation
Gulfstream roundabout travel times
To: Florida Department of Transportation Engineer Neil Turner
Thanks so much for this information. It is very detailed and clearly shows the improvement in travel time off LBK on that day. A couple questions:
1. Can a citizen or someone from our staff access this program so we can check different days?
2. I assume the use of 2019 is because this was pre- Covid?
3. I there a way to compare multiple days, weeks or months versus just 1 day at a time.
4. I am curious as to why the travel time increases significantly from 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. but the cars/15 minutes doesn’t change that much. Is there a traffic flow restriction that could be changed during that time to allow a higher traffic flow?
5. Is similar data available for travel times off the North end of LBK.
Thanks again for developing this program and making available to us.
Mike Haycock
Vice Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Request for Extended Working Hours for Roof Replacement
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
Wanted to advise that the Temple is needing to replace their roof to meet insurance wind requirements. As they’re moving through the process they have found a number of leaks. The Temple has asked for an early start to help expedite the work which I have granted (and as I have done on a number of other projects related to roofs across the island). This is all laid out in the approval letter below.
Just wanted to advise our Buttonwood residents that this work will be starting July 22ndand we’re hopeful any noise impacts will be limited. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Temple Beth Israel Request for Extended Working Hours for Roof Replacement
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
I hope this finds you well. This is Isaac Azerad, Executive Director of Temple Beth Israel at 567 Bay Isles Road. I am writing with a request on behalf of our Board of Trustees. We are currently under contract with Grayhawk Roofing to have our roof replaced. Last week, we have experienced leaks in our ceiling and have spent time and effort to patch said leaks. The project is scheduled to start as soon as we obtain the necessary permits. Our Wind Insurance renewal depends on satisfying our carrier that work on the roof will commence quickly and that the new roof will be installed expeditiously.
We asked Grayhawk Roofing to move up the start date and we are now scheduled to start the reroof project by mid-July to avoid further damage and expenses from leaks.
To accelerate the pace of the reroof, Grayhawk Roofing has asked if they could start the tear off at 6 a.m. each day and work until 5 p.m. M-F. We realize that a start time of 6 a.m. would require approval from the Town of Longboat Key so I am asking if you can assist us in this hardship situation.
Grayhawk is aware of the necessary decorum and the need for discretion so as not to disturb our peaceful neighborhood. We have no closely adjacent neighbors that could be affected, we also have good relations with them. I thank you in advance for your consideration. I am always available if you have any questions.
Isaac Azerad
Executive Director
Temple Beth Israel
Temple Beth Israel Request for Extended Working Hours for Roof Replacement
To: Temple Beth Israel Executive Director Isaac Azaerad
Your request for exception to Town Code Section 130.02 is granted beginning Monday, July 22, through Monday, August 12. 2024 for work between 6 a.m. – 8 a.m. – our Town Code provides approval for this work from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. As a condition of this permit please advise your neighbors adjacent to the building included in this permit. The advance notice seems to help manage expectations and complaints about noise.
This permit is being granted based on your expressed need to complete critical construction elements of roof replacements for buildings at Temple Beth Israel. The onset of hurricane season escalates the need to have the roof structure repaired as quickly as feasible. Your building permit also requires securing building materials on your site when storms are expected to impact the Town. Please make sure to read those permit requirements and adhere to them when storms threaten.
We recognize the critical need for you to maintain project schedule for timely completion. It is also understood that beginning at 6:00 am provides more likelihood for continuous construction product delivery service for site materials, due to increased traffic patterns after 8 am. The reliability of continuous delivery reduces risk of significant delays in completing the roofing project to avoid hurricane and tropical storm impacts as well as the typical Summer rainy season.
We took into consideration the lack of immediate adjacency of homes or other buildings and request that you still seek support from your All Angel’s Episcopal Church neighbors for this construction work to be performed during these hours. As stated above, please let them know this permit was approved for you to work beginning at 6 a.m. Monday-Saturday.
I reserve the right to rescind this permit in the event complaints are received regarding the work being conducted beyond hours expressed in the Town Code.
In the event you seek a similar permit in the future for extended working hours, please note Town Code Section 130.02 (F)(j). “The applicant has not violated the terms of any previously granted special permit.”
Please contact me if you have any further questions.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Temple Beth Israel Request for Extended Working Hours for Roof Replacement
To: Temple Beth Israel Executive Director Isaac Azaerad
Wanted to advise that the Temple is needing to replace their roof to meet insurance wind requirements. As they’re moving through the process they have found a number of leaks. The Temple has asked for an early start to help expedite the work which I have granted (and as I have done on a number of other projects related to roofs across the island). This is all laid out in the approval letter below.
Just wanted to advise our Buttonwood residents that this work will be starting July 22nd and we’re hopeful any noise impacts will be limited. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Senate Bill 1322
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Thank you for taking the time to express your concerns about Senate Bill 1322: Millage Rates. I will be sure to share your comments with Senator Boyd.
SB 1322, by Senator Ingoglia, died in the Committee on Appropriations. Should the Senator refile this, or a similar bill during the 2025 Legislative Session, you may follow its progress on the Senate website.
Please review the bill’s history. Thank you for contacting Senator Boyd.
James Stockton
Legislative Aide
Senator Jim Boyd
Florida Senate
Senate Bill 1322
To: Florida State Senator Jim Boyd
Dear Senator Boyd: Senate Bill 1322 requiring cities to have a super-majority of the governing body to increase the millage rate violates the most basic premise of home rule and does not serve localities who are solely responsible for meeting the demands of their towns and cities. Please vote no and work to protect home rule for all cities and towns in Florida.
BJ Webb Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Two weeks later…how’s the bay?
To: Longboat Key Commission, Sarasota City Commission
On June 11th, our region was hit by a substantial rain event, as we discussed in the last Director’s Note. We are now about two weeks after that event, and it’s worth asking “How is the bay doing?’ Because in the first days after that rain event, it was not looking good, as described in that last communication. Stormwater runoff and algal blooms and fish kills are not good for the bay’s health, but there’s a difference between an episodic stressor and chronic ones. The large loss of seagrass meadows and fish habitat that occurred in the lower bay between about 2014 and 2018 didn’t happen because of a couple of days or weeks of bad water quality, it was because water quality was bad for years. Literally – years.
So how “normal” was that last big rain event? There are a couple of ways to investigate this. One of them is shown in the first graph, which plots the intensity of rainfall in units of maximum hourly rates. The dataset for this analysis comes from the SRQ airport, with a data set of 52 years (1972 to 2024). According to this data set, the 3.93 inches of rain in one hour recorded on June 11th is the highest value recorded in over 50 years. Note as well that over the past 52 years of data, 9 of the top 10 intense rainfall events have occurred within the past 25 years. This means that intense rainfall events are more likely to have occurred over the past 25 years, vs. the prior 25 years. This is consistent with rainfall expectations with climate change – warmer air can hold more moisture, and more moisture in the atmosphere can lead to more intense rain events.
The epicenter of the rain was right around St. Armands Circle and downtown Sarasota, as shown in the second graphic. Note how the data is presented in units of “return period”. The purple and bright purple areas indicate that rain of that intensity is not expected to occur more than once every 50 to 100 years. However, remember that our ability to predict the intensity of rainfall may be compromised now since 90% of the most intense rainfall events over the past 52 years (first graph) have occurred within the past 25 years.
But now, two weeks later, how is the bay doing? There’s no doubt we had an impact, but a survey of the bay this week suggests that we are recovering along the lines of how we thought we would. Attached here are some photos taken this week along the stretch of the bay where we experience the most intense rainfall. The photo from the 10th Street shoreline is just north of the boat ramp, where a massive amount of stormwater runoff came into the bay, as captured in the photos in the last Director’s Note. No dead fish were found, and no piles of decomposing macroalgae. Instead, there was about 3 feet of visibility in the water – enough to clearly see the rocks and gravel and shell bottom of this part of the bay. It’s not a pristine part of the bay – at all – but it’s not looking worse than a typical summer day.
The second photo is from Bird Key Park. The water has a greenish tinge, indicating a phytoplankton bloom. But the bay bottom is visible in about 3 to 4 feet of water in this part of the bay. No dead fish, and not much macroalgae either. The seagrass meadows and sandy bay bottom are clearly seen. The final photo is from the boardwalk at City Island’s Bay Walk. It was a very calm day (which is why you can see the reflection boardwalk’s railing in the photo. Visibility was over four feet, and the seagrass meadows and sandy bottom are clearly seen. Again, no dead fish, and no piles of macroalgae.
I’ve got similar photos from Palma Sola Bay, the Bradenton Beach Pier, and the Longboat Key boat ramp. Visibility was lowest in Palma Sola Bay, but no dead fish, and no large-scale piles of macroalgae by the dock on the north side of the causeway. Similar findings, but with better water clarity, at the Bradenton Beach Pier and the Longboat Key boat ramp.
Rain events as intense as we had two weeks ago used to be rare, and are still unusual, it would seem. But it also appears that intense rain events were not as rare during the last two decades as they were in prior decades. When they happen, our stormwater collection, treatment, and distribution systems will be overwhelmed – no question. But as long as we keep the bay as healthy as possible the rest of the time, it seems that our bay should be able to recover from such episodic events.
This past rain event was not without impact – but it did not seem to cause the widespread and severe impacts that occur with much longer-lasting stresses, such as we experienced during the years of 2013 to 2019. Bay-wide, our water quality is better now than it has been at any time over the past 10 to 15 years. Don’t confuse that sentence with us saying nothing more needs to be done, or that we are anything close to pristine. We’re not pristine and being better than the last 10 to 15 years is not the highest of bars to clear. But our goal of achieving the water quality conditions we had during the years 2006 to 2012 is not only reasonable, but it also appears that it was an attainable goal as well. Which is good, because episodic events such as we experienced two weeks ago are not likely to be as rare over the next few decades as they were the past few decades.
David Tomasko
Executive Director
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
Two weeks later…how’s the bay?
To: Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko
Dave, since my last report that concerning red rusty orange color has disappeared. The storm runoff did create the plankton Bloom as you mentioned, and an increase in seagrass accumulation. The only clarity issues we have are all the manatees under the boat, stirring the water up, I see is a great sign. My Ambient weather system recorded on that date a rainfall rate of 6.2 in./h. and a total rain accumulation for the day of 10.19 inches. The last time we had a rain like that was July or August of 2003 when our seawall collapsed due to the static pressure it created. Thanks for all the good work you and your folks do for our community. It’s greatly appreciated.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Sarasota County numbers
To: Sarasota City Commission, Longboat Key Commission
Greetings and Happy July! A longer length of stay and a smaller travel party size resulted in the decrease in visitors being greater than the decrease in room nights. While we are seeing declines, I will note that our Fiscal YTD visitation from Canada remains elevated when compared to 2023. Another bit of interesting insight from our research firm (Downs & St. Germain) is that 1 in 4 May visitors were visiting Sarasota County for the first time. As we continue to look to diversify the visitor we look to attract, ensuring we are marketing to both new and return visitors remains as important as ever.
Here are all of the numbers comparing May 2024 to May 2023:
Visitors were 121,000 compared to 140,610 in 2023
Visitor direct expenditures were $ 139,761,100 compared to $ 156,037,800 in 2023
Lodging occupancy was 62.3% compared to 66.1% in 2023
Lodging average room rate was $251.37 compared to $251.17 in 2023
There were 265,200 room nights sold compared to 276,400 in 2023
Also, while we have your attention, we also wanted to share some fun stats on our 19th annual Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week Campaign that ran from June 1 – 14 last month.
I’m attaching a full recap with some gorgeous visuals – but a few high-level stats are:
63 participating restaurants!
Over 350,000 views on SavorSarasota.com from May 1st to June 15th!
Social reach of 1.3M!
Over 1,089 PR clips resulting in a 1.3 billion audience!
Kudos to our VSC team who ran this amazing Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week Campaign. We use this platform each year to tell the various culinary stories of our restaurants and chefs. We cannot wait to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week next year in 2025 and plans are already underway.
Should you have any questions, thoughts, insights – never hesitate to reach out.
We are honored for the opportunity to serve you – our elected officials, municipalities, area businesses – and more. If we can ever be of service, let us know.
Erin Duggan
President & CEO, Visit Sarasota County
Communication box
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Please see the pictures below re: the corroded communication box which is hidden behind the pitch apple tree at the south entrance of Sabal Cove.
We are unable to obtain any answers from landscapers and electricians regarding it; what is it for? Is it active or abandoned?
Is there anyone at the town level that might be able to offer some insight into what it is and if it’s active, how we can get a new cover for it? The landscape committee would like to remove the pitch apple, but before we do this, we want to understand what this is.
Barbara Teller
Longboat Key
Communication box
To: Longboat Key Town Clerk Trish Shinkle
Guy, checked it out this weekend and found that it was an old communications box (Telephone). It is still in use and he will reach out to see if it can be replaced or abandoned.
Charles “Charlie” Mopps
Program Manager/Assistant Public Works Director , Town of Longboat Key
Communication box
To: Longboat Key Assistant Public Works Director Charlie Mopps
I am meeting with the communication provider this morning and will follow up with answers to your questions. Thank you.
Guy Matricciani
Construction & Facility System Manager
Public Works Department, Town of Longboat Key
Communication box
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Guy met with Frontier this morning and was advised that the box is not Frontier’s equipment, it is a Comcast cable box. After speaking with Comcast, he was advised that if the HOA removes the tree/shrubs from around it, Comcast will come out and replace the cover, but they can’t remove the equipment.
Trish Shinkle
Town Clerk. Town of Longboat Key
Communication box
To: Longboat Key Assistant Public Works Director Charlie Mopps
Charlie: The HOA would like to remove the pitch apple, have the box cover replaced and then they will conceal the box with a smaller planting. Can you make the Comcast connection and request once the current shrub is removed?
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Communication box
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Sir, we see no issue with the HOA removing the pitch apple, now. I included Guy to make the connection with Comcast and follow-up on the request.
Charles “Charlie” Mopps
Program Manager/Assistant Public Works Director
Town of Longboat Key Public Works
Communication box
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Good afternoon Mr. Schneier, please let me know when the pitch apples are removed.
Guy Matricciani
Construction & Facility System Manager
Public Works Department
Town of Longboat Key
Sunshine Law
To: Longboat Key Vice Mayor Haycock
Attached is a copy of a “Friendly Sunshine/Public Records Law Reminder” Memo that I distributed on Friday at the Town Commission Meeting. This Memorandum summarizes several best practices regarding those laws as we enter into the summer recess and will not have an in person meetings.
As always, if either of you have any questions or concerns about the recommendations in this Memo, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Enjoy your summer!
Maggie D. Mooney
Town Attorney
Town of Longboat Key
Suncoast Waterkeeper Sampling Results for June 24
To: Longboat Key Commission, Sarasota City Commission
On June 24th, the enterococci survey was carried out during a period of an incoming tide. The data for this survey was collected in the intertidal zone, where salinity levels ranged between 25 and 35 parts per thousand (ppt), and moderate signs of decaying plant matter were observed. In general, the results indicated less than favorable enterococci levels. Results for sites sampled in Sarasota are as follows:
Town of Longboat Key Boat Ramp (Undetected #/mL)
Bridge Street Pier (20 #mL)
Palma Sola Causeway North (359 #mL)
Robinson Preserve N (802 #/mL)
Emerson Point (473 #/mL)
Please note that any count exceeding 71 is considered a failure, indicating a potential health concern.
We are dedicated to bringing these critical issues to your attention. Enclosed, you will find the official reports for this week’s sampling activities, courtesy of Benchmark Enviroanalytical. Additionally, we have provided a link to our website, where you can access more information about our ongoing water quality sampling program. Please direct all questions, suggestions for additional analysis, and feedback to Abbey Tyrna at Executivedirector@suncoastwaterkeeper.org.
Abbey Tyrna
Executive Director
Suncoast Waterkeeper
Vacation rental legislation
To: Longboat Key Town Commission
Yesterday evening, Governor DeSantis vetoed SB 280 (the 2024 vacation rental legislation) that was passed by the Legislature and presented to the Governor earlier this month. A link to the legislation is below. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/280/BillText/er/PDF.
While the legislation did not undo or adversely affect the Town’s longtime “grandfathered” status and our ability to regulate the frequency and duration of short term rentals, it did include certain pre-emption language relative to rental registry programs. The rental registry program portion of SB 280 would have affected the Town’s existing registry program had the law been adopted and would have required some Town Code changes. The veto of this legislation means that we do not have to make any such changes at this time.
In the Governor’s veto letter he stated the following:
“Beyond creating new bureaucratic red tape that locals must comply with, CS/SB 280 prevents local governments from enforcing existing ordinances or passing any new local measure which would exclusively apply to vacation rentals. Under the bill, any such measure must apply to all residential properties. The effect of this provision will prevent virtually all local regulations of vacation rentals even though the vacation rental markets are far from uniform across the various regions of the state. Going forward, I encourage the Florida Legislature and all key stakeholders to work together, with the understanding that vacation rentals should not be approved as a one-size-fits-all issue.”
I intend to discuss the Town’s rental registry program with the David Ramba in the event this legislation (or another new iteration) comes back next year.
Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions about this update.
Maggie D. Mooney
Town Attorney
Town of Longboat Key
Vacation rental legislation
To: Longboat Key Town Attorney Maggie Mooney
Very good news. Thank you Maggie.
Penny Gold
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Manatee Signs
To: Longboat Key Commission
Please check out my latest Youtube video on Manatee Signs at the North End of Longboat Key.
Manatee Signs at the North End of Longboat Key June 27, 2024 by Tom Mayers
youtube.com
Tom Mayers
Longboat Key
Manatee Signs
To: Tom Mayers
Tom – I raised this issue at Friday’s Commission meeting. Don’t think we will get it designated for no boats but staff promised vigilant enforcement
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Correspondence to FDOT regarding Longboat Pass Bridge
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
For the record, I hope we will keep in mind our North End residents’ strong preference for the lower-height bascule bridge if it proves to be a sensible choice.
I notice that Ken’s letter to FDOT states the higher bascule bridge will significantly reduce the need for openings compared to the lower alternative. Have we seen any data on this? If so, sorry to have missed it but please re-send if possible. Thanks, see you Friday.
Sarah Karon
Commission
Town of Longboat Key
Correspondence to FDOT regarding Longboat Pass Bridge
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Thank you Commissioner for your request for consideration in the FDOT letter. It will be a part of the discussion at the Board meeting Friday as there are several schools of thought on it. From a traffic flow perspective, the higher bascule bridge would open less and offer more opportunities for traffic to flow. Agree it’s not as desirable as the lower bascule option but as with everything there are tradeoffs – in this case more frequent bridge openings. Traffic is a top consideration island-wide and that’s why will discuss this point in the letter on Friday.
The good news is that both bascule options are better than the fixed span bridge.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Correspondence to FDOT regarding Longboat Pass Bridge
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Pages 10 and 11 of the FDOT presentation has data on the expected reduction of bridge openings for the two Bascule bridge options.
However, as those of us on the north end know, it’s a mistake to think that bridge openings exacerbate traffic when cars are backed up all the way to the Bridge Street circle in Bradenton Beach. After the bridge closes, you move maybe 200 yards before traffic comes to a halt again.
Bridge openings only slow traffic on days when there is otherwise no traffic on GMD, and then only for the 5-10 minutes opening cycle. That cycle could hopefully be improved with a modern bridge and better training for bridge tenders who sometimes will start opening the bridge when they see a vessel on the horizon, rather than just in front of the bridge!
James G. Haft
Longboat Key
Correspondence to FDOT regarding Longboat Pass Bridge
To: Jim Haft
Jim just for clarification on the Longboat Pass Bridge, it is what mariners call ‘on request, or, on demand’ opening. Meaning that when a vessel is approaching, due to the heavy tide action and narrowness of the opening, the bridge tenders are required to open it on demand. All the other bridge openings in our immediate area are by a specific time and schedule.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Correspondence to FDOT regarding Longboat Pass Bridge
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
I’m aware that Longboat pass is an on-demand bridge. My complaint is that the open/close cycle is unnecessarily long. Our bridge tenders usually start opening the bridge way too early, often when the vessel is ½ mile away, and don’t start closing until the vessel is hundreds of yards past. In my 50+ years of operating large sailing yachts throughout the East coast, Great lakes and the Med, I’ve seldom encountered bridge operations with such a long open/close cycle. In most other locations, including those with significant currents, the bridge tender expects you to be right in front of the bridge before opening, and they start closing immediately after you’ve gone through (sometimes while you’re going thru). Any competent boat operator should be able to hold position in front the of bridge until it opens, even with a strong tidal current running.
Jim Haft
Longboat Key
Correspondence to FDOT regarding Longboat Pass Bridge
To: James Haft
Competent boat operator may be the determining factor here why the bridge operators operate the way they do. As an owner operator of a deep draft vessel, I know when I see that bridge go up ahead of me it’s a relief. Thank you for your observation and experience in this I will ask someone to look into that for us. Thank You.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Property valuations
To: Longboat Key Commission
Attached is the updated presentation for tomorrow that reflects the final valuation numbers from both counties. Combined values from both counties went from 9.61% to 10.25% which results in another $99,528 in revenue.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Property valuations
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
Will this news modify any of your budge recommendations?
Penny Gold
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Letter to County
To: Sarasota City Executive Assistant Alexya Alvarenga
I am fine with the letter.
Liz Alpert
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Letter to County
To: Christina Wollenberg
The Mayor has agreed to sign this letter but still needs to review it, as does Erik. If they both approve we can use their electronic signature. I sent them the draft already. Debbie, Kyle, and Jen have already given their approval for their signatures to be included. MB is aware, but it might be a good idea for him to review it one more time before we send it to the County. The letter needs to be sent before their next meeting, which is on July 10th (next Wednesday). The letter is saved in your drive in the drafts folder in case you need to make changes.
Alexya Alvarenga
Executive Assistant
City of Sarasota
Potholes and depressions on North Brink Avenue
To: Sarasota City Engineer Nikesh Patel
I live at N. Brink Avenue in the City of Sarasota. The road from Fruitville to the end of the street has developed major depressions and damage since the School Board started using the building (approximately across the street from me) for delivery and distribution of supplies. Large semi trucks come down the street and park on the street, waiting to drop off supplies. This street was never designed to handle such heavy loads. There was a street sign prohibiting such trucks but it was removed when the school converted the building across from me from a GED classroom to a warehouse.
Most likely as a result of the heavy loads, portions of the road have sunk. Also, approximately two years ago, there was a water line break. The city did a temporary patch but has never fixed the road. I am attaching a picture of that patch. It actually is much worse than the picture shows. You almost need an off road vehicle to drive down Brink as you get to my home. I invite you to take a drive down Brink to the end of the road, north of 8th Street and get bounced around as you drive down the road. Please have someone fix this road.
David G. Taylor
Sarasota
Potholes and depressions on North Brink Avenue
To: David Taylor
Thank you for bringing your concerns about the condition of N. Brink Avenue to our attention. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this situation has caused you.
We understand the impact of the increased traffic and heavy loads on the road, especially with the large semi-trucks delivering supplies to the nearby School Board facility. Additionally, we acknowledge the lingering issues from the temporary patch following the water line break.
In the past, we have attempted to mitigate the impact of heavy vehicles on residential communities by installing “No Thru Truck” signage. However, as outlined in Section 33-251 of the City Code, enforcing these signs has proven difficult. The code details streets where truck traffic is prohibited but also lists exceptions for trucks making local deliveries, those transporting materials for nearby construction, and vehicles rated one ton or lighter.
Given these complexities, we would like to let you know that we take this matter very seriously. We will coordinate with the utilities department to address the depression and see if there are other issues. Furthermore, our team will assess the damage on N. Brink Avenue and schedule necessary repairs to restore the road to a safe and acceptable condition.
We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve these issues. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or require additional information.
Nikesh Patel
City Engineer
City of Sarasota
Potholes and depressions on North Brink Avenue
To: Sarasota City Engineer Nikesh Patel
Thank you for your response. My neighbors and I appreciate anything you can do to make this better. Also, I want to thank the city for applying more asphalt to the temporary patch.
I hope you are enjoying the 4th of July and celebrating our freedoms.
David Taylor
Sarasota
Parking Accommodation for Construction Projects in Southside Village
To: Sarasota City Mayor Liz Alpert
I hate to bother you with this issue, but it seems unable to be resolved through normal channels. My understanding is that you are the city commissioner for my district, in addition to the current Mayor.
I am building a house at Arlington Street, located between Osprey and Orange Avenues in Southside Village. As you probably know, that street does not allow for street parking (which makes sense normally, given its proximity to Osprey).
The problem is that we have an active home construction project approved by the city. While the construction workers try not to park on the street, at certain stages and steps in the construction process, this is the only option. When this happens, Sarasota city parking enforcement arrives and starts writing parking tickets (sometimes notified by neighbors).
City code Sec. 33-109. – “Parking trucks or trailers in residential districts and parking buses in front of houses.” actually provides an exception for this type of work. Yet, parking enforcement does not honor this and offers no means of providing temporary permits or designations. Our builder has tried to work with Broxton Harvey, but it seems that he has been unwilling or unable to find a work-around.
I know the problem applies to a few other streets in the area, so I am likely not the only homeowner who will be affected. The builder passes the cost of the tickets on to the homeowner, so this is becoming a financial burden. This challenge was not flagged when the building department issued construction permits for the property.
I am hoping you can assist with this matter or put me in touch with someone in the city’s administration who can help. This issue has urgency as parking enforcement most recently threatened to start towing construction vehicles.
As an aside, I met you briefly in the past through an alumni engagement (Harvard) and was happy to see you start your rotation as Mayor this year.
Peter Offringa
Longboat Key
