MINUTES OF THE REGULAR WORKSHOP
OF THE LONGBOAT KEY TOWN COMMISSION
DECEMBER 18, 2003 - 1:00 PM

Present:            Vice Mayor Johnson, Commissioners Lenobel,
                         Kerwin, Whatmough, Webster

Also Present:     Town Manager St. Denis, Town Attorney Persson, Town Clerk Spencer

Absent:             Mayor Redgrave, Commissioner Legler

Committee Reports and Communications
1.     Manatee County Special Liaison Report - none
2.     Sarasota County Special Liaison Report - none
3.     Other Reports

There was a consensus to move Items 9 (Community Center Advisory Committee Presentation Format)
and 10 (Funding for Community Center Advisory Committee Activities) forward to be heard following Item 4.

Public To Be Heard - None

Discussion Items for Consideration of the Town Commission
4.     Proposed Resolution 03-14, Community Center Bond Referendum
Town Manager St. Denis advised two amendments were made to the Resolution to allow for an additional $100,000 in construction costs for audio-visual/satellite enhancements; the project budget would be modified and was reflected in the overall bonding budget, recommended at $6,410,000; Exhibit A, Notice of Bond Referendum, had been amended to indicate the correct bond amount.

Susan Goldfarb, Director of The Education Center, gave a biographical sketch that included marketing and public relations as well as that of director of Center; requested The Education Center and the Community Center programming be coordinated to eliminate duplication resulting in minimal participation at both facilities. There was consensus for agendas to be forwarded to Susan Goldfarb regarding the Community Center. The Town Manager stated this item would be included on the CCAC agenda for their next meeting.

Don Roberts, Owner/Operator of The Centre Shops, reported the synergistic composition of seasonal retail businesses relied on the student traffic from The Education Center; requested coordination of programming between the Community Center and The Education Center.

Robert Garvin, 1310 Westlake Drive Sarasota resident and teacher at The Education Center, supported The Education Center's position regarding duplication of programming.

Andrea Frank, 1065 Gulf of Mexico Drive, CCAC member and Longboat Key Center for the Arts Board member, related that competition in programming between the Center for the Arts and The Education Center and both had survived; recommended a representative of the Center for the Arts also be included on the CCAC agenda if The Education Center were included.

Corrine Silver-Ragheb, 7015 Bayside Drive, CCAC member, stated her support of the free enterprise system.

There was consensus to forward Resolution 03-14 to the 12-18-03 Special Meeting for formal action.

9.     Community Center Advisory Committee Presentation Format
Jim Brown, CCAC Chairman, presented the committee's marketing plan to include a brochure to be mailed to 4500 voting households, letter to organizations requesting the opportunity to present the program to them; follow-up mailing containing frequently asked questions and answers; marketing ads for the Longboat Observer; three town meetings for presentation to the public; architectural renderings of the center and site plan, and a model to help promote the facility. A Town webpage would also present information for public review.

10.     Funding for Community Center Advisory Committee Activities
Jim Brown, CCAC Chairman, stated the brochure and mailing costs were estimated at $4,600, the follow-up mailing containing frequently asked questions on the referendum were estimated at $2,000, additional architectural rendering and model for promotional presentations were estimated at $9,500, ads for four weeks prior to the referendum were estimated at $2,500 totaling $18,600 in additional funds being requested.

David Persson, Town Attorney, advised the zoning was not in place; the committee should only market the intent to build a facility at some site on Longboat Key. Chairman Brown confirmed the model was not site specific. Vice Mayor Johnson reminded the committee that marketing should include educational strategies but not indicate a voting preference.

There was consensus to forward this item to the January 5th Regular Commission Meeting for formal action.

Manager St. Denis polled the Commission in this regard to expedite the marketing process. There was unanimous support for the marketing strategy.

In response to Commissioner Whatmough's inquiries on operational impacts to the budget for the new facility, the Town Manager replied the current operating budget for Bayfront Park Recreation Center was $155,000 and did not include any capital items; two full-time and one part-time employees were being recommended in order to operate the facility with full-time programming, costs were estimated at $120,000 per year; janitorial costs and increased overhead costs were estimated at $10-15,000; programming estimates varied greatly, offset revenues would not cover all of the operating costs; the budget was estimated to be double current costs up to $310,000; the Town's blanket insurance coverage may increase $6-7,000 per year. The budget for the existing community center was approximately $45,000.

5.     Canal Dredging Request from Bay Isles Association, Inc.
Mr. St. Denis stated the Town Commission had previously approved the request from Bay Isles Association to use the Bayfront Park Recreation Center dewatering site as long as the project did not impact the timeframe or cost for the Town. Following negotiations by Bay Isles Association with the contractor and permitting agencies took longer than anticipated; the Town was decommissioning the dewatering site; adjacent neighbors were the Town and Pattiegeorge's Restaurant, there was no conflict with the Town and Mr. Tommy Klauber had no objection to the project. Two conditions were recommended: a waiver similar to those used for individuals contracting for additional dredging work and that there be no additional costs to the Town.

There was consensus for the manager to move forward with negotiations and that the contractor confirmed costs for dewatering and transporting spoil were covered.

6.     Manatee County One-Half Cent Sales Tax - Prospective Project List for Longboat Key
The Manager explained Manatee County Commission requested a list of projects to be approved for an estimated $840,000, over the life of the five-year surtax, to be returned to Longboat Key if the referendum passed on March 9, 2004. He recommended transportation, recreation, and beach nourishment be listed. The transportation share could be used to offset streets projects currently budgeted. Commissioner Whatmough recommended $240,000 for beach nourishment, $300,000 for recreation, and $300,000 for the Sarasota Water Interconnect.

There was consensus to provide Manatee County with a listing of the following projects eligible to be funded with Longboat Key surtax proceeds:

• $240,000 for beach nourishment
• $300,000 for Sarasota Water Interconnect
• $300,000 for recreation;

forward to the 12-18-03 Special Meeting for formal action.

7.     (Proposed Ordinance 04-01) Longboat Key Center for the Arts Request for Parking Prohibition and Signage for Longboat Drive South between Hibiscus Way and Jackson Way; and "No Parking" Signs on Hibiscus Way Town Manager St. Denis recommended this item be pulled from the agenda for additional staff review; the applicant's requirement was met by placement on this agenda. There was consensus for this item not to be heard at this time.

8.     Confirmation of Canvassing Board Members for Preliminary and General Municipal Elections and Designation of Polling Places
Mayor Redgrave was recommended as the Sarasota County Canvassing Board and Commissioner Lenobel for the Manatee County Canvassing Board. Commissioner Webster expressed interest in the process and was invited by Clerk Spencer to attend.

There was consensus to forward confirmation of the canvassing board members, Lenobel and Redgrave, and polling place designations for Preliminary and General Municipal Elections be forwarded to the Consent Agenda on the 01-05-04 Regular Meeting for formal action.

11.     Review and Prioritization of Grant Applications
Four grant applications, outlined in agenda materials, were considered for submission to the Southwest Florida Water Management District Manasota Basin Board; the Manager reviewed the recommendations and rankings; gave an update on the prior reclaimed water program, water negotiations and programs of the City and County of Sarasota as related to Longboat Key's water programs and these grants.

There was consensus to prioritize the projects in the order of City of Sarasota Water Interconnect, Intermediate Aquifer Monitoring Investigation modifying the application as a 50-50 Matching Grant, Regional Alternative Irrigation Source Investigation, Water Wise Irrigation Program as outlined in the December 5, 2003 memorandum from the Town Manager to the Water Advisory Committee.

Town Commission Comments
CMC Designation
Commissioner Webster congratulated the Town Clerk on receiving her Certified Municipal Clerk designation; Ms. Spencer thanked the Manager and Commission for providing the opportunity to achieve this goal.

IEO Meeting Report
Commissioner Whatmough reported on the Coalition of Barrier Island meeting he attended on December 17, 2003, advising that the Cities of Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria requested meeting times be moved to 7 PM but agreed that the hosting city would designate the meeting time.

Bon Voyage to Town Attorney
Commissioner Lenobel wished Town Attorney good luck on his upcoming trip to New Zealand; Mr. Persson thanked the Commission for the six-month opportunity and support, Attorney Cohen would attend meetings, and he would be available by internet communications.

Channel Marker Review Request for North Island Markers
Vice Mayor Johnson reported receiving a complaint from David Miller, Cannon's Marina, that six new channel markers were placed south of the Mar Vista Restaurant; he requested a review of the requirements for and placement of these markers. Town Manager St. Denis stated that permitting requirements for the access canal dredging included the creation and marking of a new channel; staff would review and report back in this regard.

Town Manager Comments
City of Sarasota Request for Comment on St. Armands Informational Traffic Sign
The Manager reported a request for comment had been received from the City of Sarasota on an informational traffic sign for Longboat/Mote to turn right.

There was consensus to suggest sign language: "Mote Marine/Longboat Key" recognizing that the additional language may impact the size of the sign.

Cellular Phone Service Study Update
Manager St. Denis gave a brief history of the Town's efforts to make the placement of cell antennas on Longboat Key, currently six were located on the Key; coordination of cell staff, cell company engineers and Town consultant Nexus Technologies to improve service; publication of cell company complaint numbers for citizens to contact their phone companies concerning complaints for dropped calls or weak signals and to assist residents in improving their reception through the use of service amplifiers.

Town Attorney Comments
Litigation Update
A Litigation Update letter on the four pending Writs of Certiorari, all ripe for decision; two for the Zoning Board of Adjustment, one for the Town Commission, and one Planning & Zoning matter would be forthcoming.

Press To Be Heard

Adjournment
The Regular Workshop was adjourned at 2: 35 PM.