TREASURE ISLAND – A survey by the Treasure Island Chamber of Commerce indicates a slight majority of its membership favors a county ordinance to extend the hours businesses can sell alcoholic beverages from 2 to 3 a.m.
The survey, conducted by Executive Director Dominique Reiter, received about a 20 percent response by chamber members, or about 40 people. The count was 22 for extending the hours and 18 against it.
Reiter conducted the survey at the request of city leaders who were asked for input from Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Seel.
Seel said the county is considering the proposal following the city of St. Petersburg’s recent decision to keep bars open an extra hour each night.
“The majority of the bar owners were more interested in having bars open at 10 a.m.,” Reiter said at a June 15 city workshop. “Many said they would like to compete (with other establishments in other cities) for champagne brunch.”
Commissioners Gail Caldwell and Alan Bildz said they were not in favor of changing the hours.
“I’m not in favor of it,” said Bildz. “A Sunday morning change would be more palatable.”
Commissioner Phil Collins said he didn’t think it would make much difference one way or the other. Commissioner Carol Coward agreed.
“I don’t have any objections,” Coward said. “I don’t think it’s going to affect us much.”
Collins suggested getting input from Treasure Island Police Chief Tim Casey.
“My decision will be based on what the chief thinks,” said Collins.
“I would agree,” said Caldwell.
Commissioners decided to conduct a second workshop on the topic on July 6 following Casey’s opinion.
In other action:
• City Manager Reid Silverboard said meetings on the 2010-11 budget would be held the week of July 19 at City Hall. The city must set its millage rate no later than the Aug. 3 meeting, he said.
• Silverboard said he authorized $10,000 in emergency repairs to the city’s tractor, used to rake the beaches, after it recently sustained a cracked engine block. He also authorized rental of a another tractor to be used in the interim.
• Silverboard noted that the elimination of a dual vote on countywide ordinances is among the proposals by the Pinellas County Charter Review committee. “Cities have expressed concern about that portion going forward,” he said. For example, if the county was to pass an ordinance increasing the library fee that cities pay, it would be passed uniformly without input from cities and towns. City Attorney Maura Keifer noted that the county’s municipalities recently sued the county over the same issue and won. “This is the second attempt that I know of to get around the litigation,” Kiefer said.
