TREASURE ISLAND – City commissioners decided in a Jan. 5 workshop to move ahead on a resolution that would allow Treasure Island to return to less stringent no-rake zones on the beach.
The resolution, which will be considered for action at the Jan. 19 meeting, would rescind two resolutions passed in 2007 that changed the scope of raking by the city on the beach.
The two previous resolutions were passed in June 2007 to protect the beach dune system of Middle Beach.
The limited raking zones have resulted in an abundance of weeds, sand spurs and other undesirable vegetation between sand dunes and motel property, which, in some cases, has prevented beach tourists from walking to the beach. Trash and rats have also been a problem.
The latest resolution came about following a Dec. 9 recommendation by the city’s Beach Stewardship Committee that the city change back to the “no rake” zone of the past before the adoption of the two 2007 resolutions, which limited beach raking in much wider areas of the city’s beaches.
In its latest report, the Beach Stewardship Committee recommended the city disk the western edge of the no-rake areas to the shoreline, clean up sand and weeds from both sides of the sand wall, move sand from behind the wall to areas that need leveling and remove invasive plants from the dunes.
Commissioners were in agreement that the earlier resolutions should be rescinded, but Mayor Bob Minning reminded his colleagues the city has a permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that allows raking to within 10 feet of beach vegetation on dunes.
“I too am in favor of rescinding the previous resolutions,” Minning said. “Whereas we rescind these two resolutions, we’re still bound by the conditions of the permit from DEP.”
The permit lists conditions allowing the city to deviate from guidelines by the state set forth to protect marine turtles.
“The city has asked for further guidance from DEP,” said Minning. “Photos have been sent to DEP for additional clarification as to what distance (raking will be allowed). We should get the results in a couple of weeks.”
“I agree,” said Commissioner Ed Gayton. “We need to get some clarification as to where we can start taking out the weeds from around the dunes.”
Gayton said it was important for the city to return to past beach raking policy.
“We need to go back and rescind the (2007) order,” he said, “and then we can go back and decide how close we can rake.”
The city is also awaiting clarification on transferring sand from one location to another.
“We have to follow the law and do what it says,” said City Manager Reid Silverboard. “There are things environmentally that you could do 20 or 30 years ago that you can’t do now.”
In other action, commissioners:
• Narrowly decided to move forward on a resolution to reduce code violation fines of $15,300 on a vacant home at 12005 Fourth St. E. The home recently sold but before a clear title can be issued to the new owners, a lien on the property must be satisfied. BankUnited, which foreclosed on the site and resold the property, wants the figure dropped in half. When BankUnited took possession of the property March 10, it was immediately brought up to code and has remained in compliance. Commissioners Phil Collins and Ed Gayton are against reducing the fines.
• Moved forward on a resolution that would create an interlocal agreement with the city of St. Pete Beach to clean a force main that carries wastewater from the two cities to a pump station operated by the city of St. Petersburg. The line, which went into service in 1984, was last cleaned in 1999, which resulted in a reduction of 35 percent in electricity at the city’s main pumping station. Cost of the project is $518,400, which is in the current budget.
• City Clerk Dawn Foss said for the second consecutive year there will be no city election. Commissioner Alan Bildz is unopposed in District 4 and newcomer Gail Caldwell is unopposed in District 2. Caldwell replaces Gayton, who is stepping down, and will begin her new two-year term on March 16.
