TREASURE ISLAND – If all goes as anticipated, frequent power failures on the Isle of Palms and Isle of Capri will soon be a thing of the past.
Progress Energy is in the process of installing the fourth of four power lines that service the island. Tentative plans call for the completion in November, according to project manager Jerry Faustino who provided an update at the June 1 City Commission meeting.
“This will be new cable along the Treasure Island Causeway,” Faustino said. “It’s necessary because a lot of residents have been having interrupted service.”
“Will this eliminate our summer blackouts?” asked Commissioner Phil Collins.
“We’ve done some additional tree trimming (to improve service), but yes, this will take care of it and will be a big improvement,” said Faustino.
The work involves laying the cable 3 feet underground along the center of the causeway and 130 feet below the seabed where the route crosses water.
The project got under way last month with the first phase, which involved installing overhead lines from St. Petersburg to the causeway.
Underwater and underground bores will begin in September to provide for a 20-inch pipe that will house the power line.
Dirt that is brought up from the work will be stored at a remote location until it dries before being transported out of the area.
“The route will be the centerline of the causeway between the bridges,” said Faustino.
Once it reaches Treasure Island, the line will move west along 108th Avenue to Gulf Boulevard, then north to 112th Avenue where it will connect with an existing overhead line.
Faustino said work will take place Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The new line will replace an existing line that goes under Boca Ciega Bay from the Jungle area of St. Petersburg. The line was originally installed in the 1950s and has simply worn out. Faustino said it cannot be replaced due to environmental regulations.
Landscaping along the causeway will be restored at an equal or better level at no cost to the city.
In other action, commissioners:
• Passed a resolution allowing the city to enter into a license agreement with Brian Cocozza to operate a cabanas and chairs concession behind the Island Inn Resort, 9980 Gulf Blvd. Cocozza will pay the city $85 per month, or $1,020 annually, to operate the business on a 350-foot wide stretch of public area behind the motel. The agreement calls for an initial one-year agreement between Cocozza and the city with an option for two renewal periods up to three years each. Cocozza also agreed to supply an additional two trash receptacles for the area that he will be responsible for emptying into a larger city receptacle nearby.
• Passed a resolution approving the allocation of $24,995 to Volkert and Associates to complete consulting work on a traffic signal project planned for Gulf Boulevard and 104th Avenue. The project does not currently include any road widening for a turn lane, which Volkert has agreed to complete work on for the amount allocated. The total cost of the project is estimated at $275,000, which is included in the current city budget. Publix Supermarket will play half the cost, up to a maximum of $300,000. The city’s portion will ultimately be reimbursed by the Florida Department of Transportation through a Local Agency Program agreement that shuttles Federal Highway Administration funds back to local governments. The target date for completion is the first quarter of 2011.
• Passed a resolution updating the city’s personnel manual.
