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.
St. Regis arch
To: Longboat Key Commission
We the people who enjoy the Beach of Longboat Key, use the Pier for fishing, watching stingrays kettling and many other fish, it is always amazing! Because you can walk out to the end of the pier, many different species can be seen.
No one owns the water; therefore no one owns the Pier!
The arch erected with their name on it, no less; shouts ownership by the St. Regis. This is beyond arrogance! If the Town of Longboat Key creates an Amendment for one property, it would not be good Land use planning but instead opens a Pandora’s Box.
This pier has been used by the public for decades and it should continue as such.
Judi Earnshaw
Longboat Key
Update on Norton Street
To: John Connolly
Sounds like we’re not aligned in terms of expectations. Charlie, do you have any time before Thanksgiving to discuss via Zoom? Kalee, join if you wish? I know the steps toward grants and approvals have been slowed and must progress in sync, look forward to getting us all on the same page soon.
Sarah Karon
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Update on Norton Street
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Should have copied you on this last week. Fwiw I have not heard anything back yet.
Hope you’re well.
John Connolly
Longboat Key
Update on Norton Street
To: Kalee Zavela
I’m going to confess to being really confused here. We were told back in April that the Norton street construction project had been “put out to bid,” with a 30-day window to receive said bids, and that after that the bids would be evaluated, contractors selected, etc., and the likely start date for construction of the Norton project was June (2025). Our assumption was thus that we had, at the town level, the money in hand to pay for the construction phase of this project. I gather that this was either never the case (in which case, why were we ever told that the construction would likely commence in June?), or if it was the case, that money is now no longer available.
We’ve been told since then that the construction could not be started because the design grant could not be closed out and some federal (FEMA?) agency was being unresponsive.
Now, unless I’m mistaken (and given all of the above, it’s entirely likely that I am), you’re telling me that we are just starting to look for grant money to pay for the construction phase, and that the design grant has in fact been closed out?
Please clarify as carefully as you can the evolution and status of all of this– don’t worry about the federal government shutdown part, that will no longer be an excuse moving forward.
I’m trying hard to explain to Norton Street residents what the hell is going on, with very limited success. What is our new timeline, and why? Thanks. I’ve copied in Blythe, June and Tip.
John Connolly
Longboat Key
Update on Norton Street
To: John Connolly
Mr. Connoly, the previous grant has been closed. We are currently waiting on Hazard Mitigation Grant Program- Florida Division of Emergency Management (HMGP- FDEM) to review the deliverables from that grant closeout to then award the next phase of Norton Street through the HMGP grant. They are reviewing that with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but with the government shut down, that has been paused.
Kalee Zavela
Grants Coordinator
Town of Longboat Key
Update on Norton Street
To: Longboat Key Grants Coordinator Kalee Zavela
To be clear, we simply need to have a grant closed out, not awarded, correct? My understanding was that LBK has the money to start the Norton project when that is accomplished. Please advise.
John Connolly
Longboat Key
Update on Norton Street
To: John Connolly
Mr. Connolly, I just wanted to give you an update. With the government shut down, they are currently not awarding any HMGP Grants at this time. Once I hear more information, I will be sure to pass it along.
Kalee Zavela
Grants Coordinator
Town of Longboat Key
Update on Norton Street
To: John Connolly
Hi Mr. Connolly, I just sent another email checking in on it. The last response was that it was at FEMA for review and I am wondering if the government shut down may be affecting it. I will let you know once I hear back from the state.
Thanks for checking in.
Kalee Zavela
Grants Coordinator
Town of Longboat Key
Update on Norton Street
To: Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps
Any updates on getting the design grant closed out on Norton street so we can actually move ahead there, or is this just a stalemate we can expect to drag on for another year or whatever (by my count, it has been 6+ months since originally promised start on that)?
John Connolly
Longboat Key
Thanks
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Super – I will put you down. $100. With your donation, I have managed to get the whole tree, rental and set up, donated. Deadline is this afternoon, so I was concerned if you received my email. We have all of the four women commissioners, and I wanted all on the donors list.
This year is simple and successful. Then next year we are going to get funds donated for a permanent tree to be owned by the Chamber for the future town events. Thanks again and perhaps see you at the event on the 22nd.
Ann Sears
Longboat Key
Tax valuations
To: Longboat Key Commission
Attached you will find two letters. The first is to the Manatee County Property Appraiser regarding the valuations he certified on July 1, 2025 and what we believe are inconsistencies in how values were calculated. Changes to valuations have large implications for taxing authorities like the Town, County, and School Board, but they can also have potentially significant impacts to property owners as well when it comes to insurance and resale. The goal of the letter is to create a dialogue between the taxing authorities like the Town and the Property Appraiser’s Office so that we can understand how we got to where we are and what the future holds.
The second letter is an example of a letter sent to our fellow taxing authorities alerting them to this conversation and inviting them to join the Town in this discussion. We don’t yet have a date when the Property Appraiser’s Office might agree to meet, and we will keep you informed of our progress to get this set up. From a timing perspective, all taxing authorities need to understand any additional valuation changes (positive or negative) as we kick off our budget planning in early 2026. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
FLC Legislative Committee appointment
To: Longboat Key Deputy Town Clerk Stephanie Garcia
Can you see if you can find what Tommy is looking for?
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
FLC Legislative Committee appointment
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Florida League of Cities (FLC) President Holly D. Smith has appointed you to serve on the 2025 FLC Legislative Committee as representative for the Federal Action Strike Team (FAST).
Attached is your appointment letter containing important information about this year’s committee. I have also attached the committee roster. The Legislative Committee will meet on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EST. This meeting is in conjunction with the FLC Legislative Conference held on December 4-5, 2025, at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld. The meeting packet will be emailed to you two weeks before the meeting.
Please respond to this email to confirm whether you will be able to attend the Legislative Committee meeting on December 5. Let me know if you have any questions.
Mary Edenfield
Legislative Administrative Supervisor
Florida League of Cities, Inc.
St Regis Amendment
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
Can you please check out the issue of dogs walking on beach from hotel or condos at St. Regis.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
St Regis Amendment
To: Longboat Key Commission
I respectfully request that you vote against the proposed amendment that would allow the St. Regis to disregard Town regulations, this time concerning the sign on the pier. The St. Regis has repeatedly positioned itself as unaware of or exempt from established rules and then sought special accommodations. Our sign ordinances were created to apply uniformly to all parties.
I recall, for example, when Lynches operated their restaurant on Longboat Key. Their shamrock sign did not meet the Town’s requirements, and they were required to modify it accordingly—ultimately cutting it in half to comply. They later relocated to St. Armands. Experiences such as this underscore the importance of applying our regulations consistently; otherwise, it is only a matter of time before the St. Regis asserts additional privileges, potentially even limiting Longboat Key residents access to walk on their beach.
Along those lines, I am also concerned that St. Regis owners appear to walk their dogs on the beach despite longstanding prohibitions. Those of us who live on the beach adhere to these rules, yet we are expected to overlook ongoing exceptions made for the St. Regis, which increasingly seems to be treated as though it is above them.
Another issue is the St. Regis’s possession of water barriers intended to protect its own property during major storms. While understandable in isolation, the use of such barriers would likely redirect storm surge toward adjacent properties that sit at lower elevations, increasing the risk of greater damage to the neighboring properties. This raises serious questions about their commitment to responsible and considerate community stewardship.
For these reasons, I urge you to vote no on the amendment and to uphold the consistent and equitable application of Town laws.
Elaine Meurer
Longboat Key
Utility System
To: Longboat Key Commission
Yesterday was a big day for our Utility System. The feds had apparently authorized more than a billion dollars for states impacted by 2024 storms and wildfires. As you see below, our amazing team jumped on the application for these funds, and we found out yesterday evening that we were awarded a $9.58 million grant and another $9.58 million as a no interest loan. These funds will be applied to the subaqueous project costs.
Staff will be bringing to Commission in January a project update that will share more about these funds and how they will help move the project forward. Congratulations to our Utilities Manager Jessie Camburn and the entire Utilities team for this excellent work and successful outcome.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Funding Secured Through SRF
To: Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps
The Town of Longboat Key is proud to announce that it has been awarded $19.2 million for wastewater infrastructure improvements. Specifically, this funding will support the construction of the new Subaqueous Wastewater Force Main. These funds were received based on federal funding as part of the American Relief Act, 2025, Supplemental Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Hawai’i Wildfires (SAHM). As you know, the Town was directly and significantly impacted by both Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The impacts to the Town’s wastewater system enabled the town to apply for these SAHM funds in June 2025. On November 12, 2025, the FDEP State Revolving Funds (SRF) announced the results of the funding for numerous impacted utilities, with the Town of Longboat Key being one of the selected recipients.
Specifically, the Town’s request included funding for the construction of the new Subaqueous Force Main, which is a critical pipeline that transmits all of the Town’s wastewater to the Manatee County Wastewater Plant on the mainland. This appropriation, administered by the Florida DEP State Revolving Funds (SRF) program, provides low-interest loans to local governments and other entities for water quality and water supply projects.
The results of the appropriation are as follows:
– Loan: $9,583,252 loan at 0% interest
– Grant: $9,583,252 “principal forgiveness,” not to be repaid
– Total: $19,166,503
Next Steps – Although the town has already applied for and received approval for these funds, it must now initiate a formal application process with FDEP SRF to submit the required loan documents and supporting information. This process will begin immediately and is expected to be complete by March of 2026.
The Town has been in the planning and design process for the new critical Subaqueous Force Main for some time already. The receipt of these funds will enable the Town to proceed with the construction of the new force main while further solidifying the Town’s financing for these facilities.
Great question and one of the things we are exploring. We may be able to, for example, begin the landside work ahead of schedule. We will cover what these funds might enable us to do in January.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Funding Secured Through SRF
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
This is great news. Can we think about expediting the project?
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Funding Secured Through SRF
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
Woah, that is just fantastic. Our staff is the most qualified, the best informed and most talented individuals in their fields. Their determination and aggressiveness in pursuing excellence is impressive.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program update
To: Longboat Key Commission, Sarasota City Commission
This will be my last Director’s Note, as the eminently qualified Ryan Gandy, supported by our fantastic staff, will be in charge as of next week. But I wanted to spend just a bit of time to summarize what we’ve done the past few years, and why we did it.
The signs that Sarasota Bay was in trouble predate me taking the position five years ago. Back in 2013, Sarasota County started to see troubling signs in terms of the abundance and types of macroalgae in the lower bay. Between 2014 and 2018, the lower bay lost 30% of its seagrass coverage, wiping out most of the gains that arose between 1999 and 2016 in that part of the bay. In the upper bay, we suffered one of the most intense and longest-lasting red tide events in decades. Researchers at New College documented a huge impact on the bay’s fish populations during that red tide, which was also the likely main cause of a seagrass loss of about 2,000 acres between 2018 and 2020. Then, in 2021, FDEP determined that the waters from Ringling Causeway down to Venice Inlet were “out of compliance” with the Numeric Nutrient Concentration (NNC) criteria that were established back in 2013.
In short, our bay was in trouble, with macroalgae blooms, elevated levels of floating microscopic algae, intense red tides, seagrass loss and widespread impacts to our fish populations.
Fast forward to 2025, and where are we? Well, we’re not pristine, but we’re in much better shape:
Thanks to over $300 million worth of investments in wastewater upgrades and large stormwater retrofits, the Pollutant Load Reduction Goal (PLRG) that we set in 2021 appears to have been met already
Due to the implementation of projects that have met our PLRG, we have been seeing positive system responses the last few years:
The amount of floating microscopic algae has decreased by about 50% over the past few years.
The amount of macroalgae has declined even more, in the lower bay in particular, over the past few years.
Bay-wide, we’ve gained nearly 2,000 acres of seagrass since 2022, the second largest increase (19%) in the past 30 years.
Using values used by FDEP and FFWCC, that seagrass increase is likely sufficient to support over 70 million fish.
This graphical abstract, developed by Megan, illustrates how we used the combination of our Ecosystem Health Report Card and our watershed-wide pollutant loading model to develop our PLRG. We then hosted, in 2021, a Water Quality Restoration Workshop where we asked our local government partners to bring us all the projects that they could commit to implementing, which turned out to be sufficient to meet our PLRG target. And then, over the past three years, we’ve worked with our partners to collect, analyze and interpret the data that shows that our efforts have actually worked.
This does not mean that we’ve solved all our bay’s problems, but it does mean that we are a healthier system than we were a few years ago. And, as we’ve said multiple times, a healthier bay is a more resilient bay. And we’ll need to be more resilient, because the indicators of climate change are already here.
As we’ve discussed in the past, our air is warmer than it was a few decades ago, as is our water temperature. Warmer air holds more moisture, and as discussed previously, we have seen a big increase in the frequency of what used to be rare rainfall amounts. Using data from Bradenton, we had only a single day with more than 5” of rain in the 20 years between 1965 and 1984. Over the last 10 years alone, we’ve had eight such days. Increased water temperatures are adding more fuel to spin up more powerful hurricanes and also leading to increased rates of sea level rise. Sea level has been increasing for about 20,000 years, but our rates over the past 20 years (3”/decade) are not only in line with the State of Florida’s expectations over the next few decades, they are about three times higher than the rates we’ve documented over the past 80 or so years. Our current rates of sea level rise also appear to be higher than the average rates that we’ve had over the past 5,000 years.
We are seeing climate change happening in front of our eyes, which has led in part to the almost complete collapse of the live coral coverage on the Florida Keys Reef Tract, as well as an increased likelihood that storms that would have been Category 1 to 3 are now more likely to be Category 4 and 5 events.
As I say to friends and family (and folks who are neither) you can ignore climate change, but it won’t ignore you.
Which leads to the last element of this Director’s Note – what are the likely biggest problems we’ll see with our changing climate? Will we have another year like 2024? Sure we will, but nobody knows if that will happen in 2026 or maybe not for another 50 years. But we’re playing Russian roulette with storms, and our lack of adequate action to address climate change is adding more rounds to the chamber.
With or without a major storm, our region will be challenged with the combination of increased sea level and the increased probability of more intense rain events. Another graphic, created by Megan (who puts my communication efforts to shame) highlights the challenges of dealing with more intense rain co-occurring with higher sea level. Basically, our low-lying areas will find it harder to drain their streets when it rains on a high tide.
Will the SBEP and its stakeholders have the foresight and wisdom to respond to climate change the same way we’ve responded to the issues of water quality and nutrient enrichment? I don’t know, but I hope so. But I would suggest keeping this in mind as well – the vast majority of the costs of the projects that have been implemented to address our water quality problems were paid for by local residents. Neither the State nor the Federal governments have funded most of the wastewater upgrades and stormwater retrofits. They’ve not played NO role, but they’ve not played the major role either.
Don’t expect much support from either Tallahassee or Washington, D.C. to respond to the stressors of climate change. They might not even want you to say those two words. So maybe you’re on your own for a bit on this topic. But if I know this region, I know that you’re up to the challenge – more so than any other part of Florida.
And that’s the final thing I’d like to point out. This bay isn’t better because of me, or the SBEP. Or because of EPA or FDEP. It’s cleaner and healthier because of YOU, the local and regional governments, supported by informed and engaged local stakeholders that have funded the projects that got our pollutant loads under control, and that led to our recent improved condition.
Sarasota Bay is the healthiest urban estuary in Florida. And that is something that I, and you, should be proud of. It’s also one of the reasons why I want to go back in the private sector, to see if we can get a few more Sarasota Bay-like success stories initiated, before I shuffle off this mortal coil. It’s been a privilege and an honor.
Dave Tomasko
Executive Director
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
Public email access
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Good morning, Mayor. Yes, unless there is some urgency/time sensitivity, there is always a day’s lag (even without a holiday) in the processing.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Public email access
To: Longboat Key IT Director Jason Keen
I see a lot more 11/11 emails today on the Commission email site. May be a holiday delay or just a lag in this processing. Thanks.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Public email access
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
That is all I see approved that is displayed on the website. Each e-mail is reviewed before it is allowed to be published by the Clerk’s office. With today being a holiday, any emails received today will be published by Trish’s team tomorrow morning.
I do see several e-mails over the last few days but it does look like all spam/junk/advertisement e-mails are not being approved to publish to the website. This is most likely to keep the e-mails published only relevant to Town business. I’m in the office tomorrow if you’d like to stop by if that helps.
Jason Keen
Chief Information Officer
Town of Longboat Key
Definition of “citizen” on Advisory Board application
To: Sarasota City Clerk Shayla Griggs
I was just reviewing the application of a highly qualified person for the AHAC Advisory Board. Detailed qualifications for seats are “citizen” with specific experience. I don’t know if these qualifications were dictated by the State or a previous Commission, but I’m wondering what was intended by “citizen.” Of the US? Of the City of Sarasota? And if City/County, what exactly makes one a citizen?
Reason for the question is that the applicant is neither a City resident nor a property owner. Do we include “citizen” in the criteria because we want board members “with skin in the game?”
Would it be appropriate to change “citizen” in the special qualifications for individual advisory boards to “resident and/or property owner” for clarity? Would that require a Commission vote?
Could it be added to “Institutional Memory” to avoid using the word “citizen” without further clarification?
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Definition of “citizen” on Advisory Board application
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
This language was taken directly from state statute. This would be something I think the commission should discuss if you think this should be changed. I will let Joe add his opinion on the matter. Thank you.
Shayla Griggs
City Auditor and Clerk
City of Sarasota
Tree removal
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
My condo association is proposing the removal of five Washingtonian palms in front of our building and two ligustrum trees. In the past the City has denied the removal of the palms. We have never asked about removing the ligustrums. Does the City have an arborist yet? Can you let me know who in the City is handling these issues?
Cathy Antunes
Sarasota
Tree removal
To: Cathy Antunes
ICM and City Arborist copied on this email.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Sick long leaf pines in Luke Wood Park
To: Sarasota City Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Fogle
I noticed when I was at the historic alliance event calling for the restoration of water and power to the fountain in Luke Wood Park that two long leaf pines there appear to be dying.
I also watched another long leaf pine, used by yellow crowned night herons for nesting, die recently (it is on private property by kayak launch on Ohio Place).
I don’t know if there is some sort of disease killing them, or what, but I thought I should flag it for you and the city arborist. If there is a disease, maybe the dead pines should be taken down before it spreads to healthy pines.
Kelly Franklin
Sarasota
Sick long leaf pines in Luke Wood Park
To: Kelly Franklin
Thank you Kelly for the information. I hope they are ok, of course, and that this not a disease of sorts but I am confident the City’s arborist will have a look and get an update.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
