INDIAN SHORES – The Indian Shores Town Council decided at its April 14 meeting to keep public parking for all, denying a property owner request for a private parking space on 197th Avenue West.
Colleen Paglen’s Gulf Boulevard property does not have its own parking place and she requested one designated spot in a public parking area.
Paglen told the council she has owned the property for 14 years. She said she understood the concerns where people may object to designated parking and how it could affect the grant funding that paid for the parking area project.
Paglen said when numbers assigning parking were placed recently on the spaces, no one had objected. She said the numbers were taken off after they found they were not allowed. Paglen showed at a recent council meeting, photographs of the area and how there were nine total parking spaces. She showed the grant called for eight regular parking places so her one space would not jeopardize the grant, she said.
“I feel sorry for her but a lot of people in this town have restricted parking,” said Councilor Carole Irelan.
Town Administrator E.D. Williams reviewed the request for permit parking on 197th Avenue West. Requirements of the grant which funded the parking site stipulate it to be used for the general public and if it’s used for something else the town needs to provide at the town’s expense similar space elsewhere, he said.
The Town Council discussed the parking space request.
“I looked at it. I don’t want to jeopardize the grant,” said Councilor Steve Sutch. “I see no reason to jeopardize it. The only plus (in granting the space) would be for her and the minuses for us would be substantial.”
The only way the public spaces could be designated as private would be by a council vote, Mayor Jim Lawrence said.
Councilor William Smith said he felt like there was no way the council could stop once it started granting private spaces.
Bye-bye buoys
For 15 years, about three dozen buoys have marked a no wake zone in town. The town council voted on April 14 to remove them.
Lawrence said the buoys were not creating a safe zone for swimmers and the town was facing another big repair bill. The buoys get caught in crab traps and blown away by the wind, he said.
The 34 buoys permitted in 1994 have cost about $46,000 total in maintenance. That does not include the estimated $30,000 in engineering and initial installation.
Now, less than a year after the last major maintenance, 19 of the buoys are missing, Williams said in a report to councilors. He recommended the removal of the buoys in his memo.
In other business:
• The council approved an additional $13,100 in the proposed police budget for next year. The increase came from higher cost of dispatch services and a new charge for forensic services. Williams, the police chief, said he did the initial budget this winter before he had all of the costs from the Sheriff’s Office to get the preliminary budget to Redington Shores, which contracts police service from Indian Shores.
• The council tabled a vote on the town’s waste service agreement renewal. Councilors are getting more information on how the fees and fee increases are determined.
Coming in May
The third annual hurricane awareness party is Wednesday, May 6, 7 p.m., in the Town Hall auditorium.
The event features meteorologist Brian McClure of Bay News 9, who will offer the latest in hurricane preparedness tips. Plus there will be refreshments and door prizes. The town is hosting the event in partnership with Redington Shores.
The Memorial Day picnic is Monday, May 25, 1 to 4 p.m. The annual gathering for property owners and residents offers a meal served by elected officials and time to socialize. There is no charge.
