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Underground utilities remain a priority
By BOB McCLURE
| Article published on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 |
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TREASURE ISLAND – Undergrounding of utilities along Gulf Boulevard still remains a high priority with the Treasure Island City Commission.
Commissioners discussed the issue in depth at a workshop Oct. 20 during the process of formulating a priority list it will submit to the Barrier Islands Governmental Council.
The Big-C has recommended its member cities submit a list of priorities for funds they will each receive from Pinellas County for undergrounding of utilities. Big-C officials will in turn pass the list on to county officials in an effort to help pinpoint the amount each community will receive.
Prior to the approval of a third extension of the Penny for Pinellas, county officials included a proposed project for sharing the cost of undergrounding utilities. Big-C members received a pledge of $35 million from county officials that would be used to reimburse beach towns for their expense, based on per linear mile.
Treasure Island’s linear distance is 25,786 feet, which equates into $3.77 million.
However, in light of tough economic times, the county has cut the amount it will pay to the municipalities by 25 percent and will not make the funds available until fiscal year 2013.
In Treasure Island’s case, the amount has dropped to $2.83 million.
“I’m not optimistic about this,” said Commissioner Phil Collins, who represents the city on the Big-C. “There’s no reason to believe it’s not going to continue to get reduced. But I do believe we need to proceed with (meeting with the county).”
Commissioner Alan Bildz noted that money has to come to the cities “or the taxpayers are going to sue the county.”
For purposes of the Big-C meeting with the county, Treasure Island listed undergrounding as its primary use for the allocation. If any additional funds are available after that, the city is considering three projects.
They are the installation of additional pedestrian crosswalks, decorative street lighting along Gulf Boulevard and renovation of the Central Beach Trail.
Commissioner Ed Gayton said the undergrounding project is long overdue and needs to move forward.
“I’m not in favor of using any of the money on those other things,” he said. “We need to use the money for undergrounding utilities. If we don’t have enough money, we should do it in sections. We’ve been talking about this a long time and we should not change directions.”
The Town of Indian Shores recently completed an undergrounding project along 5.3 miles of Gulf Boulevard at a cost of $6.25 million, which worked out to $1.17 million per mile.
Based on that figure, Treasure Island and other towns along the beach would likely receive enough funding from the county to cover the expense.
However, Treasure Island City Manager Reid Silverboard said Progress-Energy and Bright House “took a bath on Indian Shores and the cost was much higher than they anticipated.
“So we cannot expect initial estimates (from the utility companies) will be accurate unless we get a binding estimate,” he said. “That way we will get an accurate idea of what our costs will be.”
Collins said he was against spending the estimated $10,000 to $12,000 for a binding estimate.
Gayton said he preferred the city get a firm, fixed quote and use a bond issue, if necessary, to pay for whatever cost the county money doesn’t cover.
Commissioners later instructed Silverboard to move forward on the binding estimate from the utilities.
In other action during the workshop, commissioners:
• Decided to “consider the necessity” of forming a charter review committee to examine possible changes in the city’s charter. The last charter review was done five years ago. City staff has recommended an amendment to charter that would change redistricting of commission districts to within two years of the U.S. Census, which is conducted every 10 years. It currently is done every two years. City staff also recommends a change that would change the time for a commission vacancy to take place. Under a new proposal, the vacancy would be filled within 30 days of the vacancy taking place and the interim choice would serve until the next city election.
• Discussed a resolution authorizing the Department of Public Works to enter into a contract with JTV Inc., for $24,564 to reline storm drain pipes at 580 115th Ave., and 11180 Sixth St. E.
• Discussed a resolution authorizing Public Works to enter into a contract with Concrete Conservation Inc., to complete lining of 60 manhole covers at a cost of $50,137.
• Discussed a resolution authorizing the purchase of a new rear-loading packer truck for waste collection at a cost of $191,228.
During the regular city commission meeting, commissioners:
• Appointed Gary LaFlamme to the code enforcement board, filling a vacancy caused when Mike Daughtry resigned.
• Heard a presentation on the new Dali Museum in St. Petersburg by Director Hank Hine.
• Authorized $13,222 for the emergency purchase of a hydraulic lift in the city garage. The current lift is 15 years old and developed a leak in the shaft, which resulted in lost fluid.
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Article published on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009
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