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Funding approved for ER sand needs
By BOB McCLURE
| Article published on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 |
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TREASURE ISLAND – The Treasure Island City Commission approved a resolution at a Nov. 3 workshop that opens the door for emergency beach renourishment following a major weather event.
The resolution sets the stage for the city to perform timely renourishment to the beaches should it become necessary from a tropical storm or hurricane between regularly-scheduled renourishment projects conducted by the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers.
By approving the resolution, commissioners gave the thumbs up to spending $17,700 from the current budget for the final design and bid evaluation process by Coastal Technology Corp. of Sarasota.
An additional payment of $10,600 would be made to Coastal Technology for final design of the project following an erosion-causing weather event. The final payment would come out of the budget at that time.
The project would move sand from other beaches in Treasure Island to areas traditionally affected by erosion. The city and Pinellas County entered into an interlocal agreement Oct. 6 that will reimburse the city for the full $28,300.
“We need to set some guidelines and policy as to what constitutes an emergency,” said Commissioner Ed Gayton.
City Manager Reid Silverboard said the county would set the stage for that definition.
“If the beach erodes to half the original template that could be a trigger,” said Mayor Bob Minning. “Also, if a major renourishment is scheduled within 18 months, it would prevent it from being an emergency.”
Minning said the project is not intended to restore the damaged beaches to original levels but would instead be a stop-gap measure.
“The center portion of our beach is growing,” said Minning. “What we’ll be doing is moving center beach sand north and south.”
Commissioner Alan Bildz questioned the need to approve the $10,600 portion at this time if it’s not necessary yet.
Silverboard explained the move now would save time during an emergency situation.
No additional permitting would be necessary. The city’s Joint Coastal Permit, issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, allows such action for emergency beach renourishment.
In other workshop discussion, the commission:
• Passed a resolution allowing Jo Massaro and Karen Little, owners of Benjamin’s Studios, 200 104th Ave., to close off a portion of First Street in front of their business Saturday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 11 p.m. for a “Thank You Celebration and Holiday Block Party.” The city’s annual Christmas Parade will be held earlier in the day and First Street will be closed off following the parade.
• Approved a resolution awarding $32,985 to Advanced Engineering and Design, Hyattsville, Md., for design services related to street drainage improvements in Sunset Beach. The upgrades will take place in the area of 79th Terrace, 81st Avenue and 83rd Avenue and West Gulf Boulevard. The cost is $300,000, which is being split between the city and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
• Approved a resolution giving Minning the authority to execute an agreement with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority for beach trolley service in 2010. Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach are sharing in the agreement with PSTA. In the event revenue collected from passengers isn’t enough to pay the $76 per hour operating costs of the trolley, the cities will reimburse PSTA the difference, which cannot exceed $600,000. Terms of the contract call for Treasure Island to be responsible for one-third of the amount, or a maximum of $200,000.
• Approved installation of a simple swale drainage system along Treasure Island Causeway between the bascule bridge and the west bridge at a cost of $21,400. The work will be performed by city staff and will take about five weeks to complete. The targeted completion date is April 2010. The system will offer a 70 to 75 percent effectiveness during standard storms and will result in no standing water. It would be ineffective during major storm events.
During the city’s earlier regular meeting agenda, commissioners:
• Approved a proposal authorizing the purchase of a new rear-loading packer truck for waste collection at a cost of $191,228.
• Approved a measure 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.
• Approved a proposal 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.
In other business, Gayton announced he will not be seeking re-election for another term in March. Gayton represents District 2.
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Article published on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009
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