INDIAN SHORES – Pinellas County Utilities will conduct a public meeting on reclaimed water use at the Indian Shores Town Hall auditorium Tuesday, June 30, 6:30 p.m.
Information on the county’s reclaimed water project will be presented.
The Gulf Boulevard project includes installing pipes and making reclaimed water available to about 260 more residences in town, said utilities project coordinator Ari Gomez.
The new service area goes along Gulf Boulevard between Park Boulevard and Walsingham Road in Indian Shores and Indian Rocks Beach.
Reclaimed water is a highly treated wastewater suitable for irrigation. The main reason to use reclaimed water is “for the conservation of potable water as we continue to have a drought and resources for daily use are depleting … providing (reclaimed water is) to make sure people stop using drinking water for irrigation purposes,” Gomez said.
Reclaimed water is not subject to regulatory controls. It makes a very clean source of water for irrigation purposes. Residents don’t need to depend on shallow wells that may dry out and deep wells that may get salty, Gomez said.
There is no hookup fee but residential customers pay a $7 monthly availability fee and $2 per month for using the service. The water use is unmetered. The hookup process takes about an hour, Gomez said.
At the June 30 meeting officials will discuss reasons for using reclaimed water and answer questions. The majority of the time will be devoted to the details of the connections, Gomez said.
Reclaimed water is already available in Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Redington Beach, North Redington Beach, Redington Shores and Sand Key.
More information on reclaimed water through Pinellas County Utilities is available at www.pinellascounty.org. Click on the reclaimed water link on the left-side menu.
Gulf Boulevard update
There was an end of road construction party for workers on June 9. There is still a punch list of work to complete the Gulf Boulevard project. A walk through inspection of the road is scheduled June 18, said Mayor Jim Lawrence.
The Gulf Boulevard construction project took about two years and included a three-mile segment from Park Boulevard to Walsingham Road.
The project improved the existing two-lane road, upgraded the water and sewer, added bike and walking paths and other enhancements. For more details, visit www.pinellascounty.org/GulfBlvd
The almost completed project was discussed at the June 9 Town Council meeting. Cyclists staying in the new designated bike lane was discussed. Resident Art Newsome asked about preventing cyclists from riding in the pedestrian lane.
“I was out early with the puppy and a group of 40 bikes went by, not one in the bike lane,” Lawrence said.
Police Chief E.D. Williams said once construction is complete his department would enforce cyclists using the bike lane through education, then tickets as needed.
Pedestrian crossings and speed limits on Gulf Boulevard were also discussed. Some of the speed limits were reduced during construction and the council will need to discuss the speed limits at a future meeting, Lawrence said.
The option of flashing crosswalks, which would be at the town’s expense was mentioned. Lawrence said there were not plans to install them at this time.
Road race approved
Florida Gulf Beaches Road Race Director Chris Lauber requested and received approval for this fall’s new Halloween Halfathon and the return of the Gulf Beaches Marathon next winter.
The council gave one-year approvals for each race to go through town using the new pedestrian walkway and bike lane.
Residents and council members expressed traffic concerns.
“I went two or three ways trying to get to church,” said resident Mary Lois Harrison. “I see nothing wrong with racing through town as long as they don’t block traffic and (people) can get through.”
Lauber said his focuses were a safe and attractive course for athletes and minimum disruptions for citizens.
197th Avenue East project
The town was asked several months ago to review resurfacing 197th Avenue East.
In the process of researching the project officials discovered some right-of-ways and parking conflicts, which expanded the scope of the project.
“They took a problem and made it into a beautification project,” Vice Mayor Joan Herndon said.
At the June 9 meeting, the town council awarded the project to Acerbo Inc. and approved the funding of the project. Of the $49,606 for the project, $20,000 comes from last year’s operating budget and the rest from the road and bridge fund balance.
Code enforcement updates
Town Attorney Jim Yacavone gave an update on a Gulf Boulevard house that has been condemned.
He said 3 1/2 hours of mediation between the town and property owner on June 2 was unsuccessful. The next step is going to court and the case should be on the docket in three to five months, Yacavone said.
The Town Council approved accepting a proposed settlement offer of $10,000 for code violations on another Gulf Boulevard property, which is in the foreclosure process.
Rock around the clock
As a part of the town’s 60th anniversary celebration, plans call for a Lost in the 1950s Sock Hop Saturday, Aug. 1, 6 to 9 p.m., at Town Hall. The $8 ticket price includes a night of dancing to 1950s music and contests.
There also will be hamburgers or hot dogs with chips and soda for sale for $5. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.
