City News

October 2023

WELCOME

COUNCILMEMBER MARK S. CHESTER

Mark S. Chester was appointed by City Council and sworn in to office at the October 2, 2023, meeting.

Councilmember Chester will fulfill the remaining term of Mike Zabel who recently resigned. His term will be until the next City election in March 2024.

Congratulations Councilmember Chester!

CITY PROJECTS

LANDSCAPING

This is how you know you're giving it all you've got -

when you break the shovel handle!

Community Services Administrator Aaron Glanz began the revitalization of the Bayside Park landscaping. New plantings, mulch, and a wider green space will be installed by Public Works' Grady Wright and Justin Lomerson.

Bayside Park along the Intracoastal Waterway is the City's little gem and Public Works is going to make it sparkle!

Buoy Removal

It was 'All Hands On Deck' for removal of the remaining buoys along the beach shoreline. City Manager Kyle Riefler, Community Services Administrator Aaron Glanz, along with Public Works' Grady Wright and Justin Lomerson removed six of the 50-pound, 5-foot tall buoys from their anchorage and dragged them ashore with a boat they had rented for the project. Bolt cutters were used to cut the buoys from their anchorage by diving down to each concrete sinker - all while wearing a buoyant life vest - try that at home - SIX times! They got the job done - just as they always do - Great Job!

Kayak Stabilization System

A new Kayak Stabilizing System will be installed on the 16th Street Park kayak launch. The new system makes it safer getting into, launching, and getting out of a kayak. The attached Tide Pulley allows for height adjustment of the arm when the tide level changes.

Another stabilization system is planned for the north end of the Marina.

The kayak launch at the 16th Street Park where the system will be installed was funded by proceeds from the Belleair Beach Community Foundation's Earth Day Sunset Social.

Watch the Kayak Stabilization System Demonstration Video

CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

Mayor Dave Gattis recently received the Gold Certificate of Excellence from the Florida League of Cities (FLC) Certificate Program for Elected Municipal Officials. This new certificate achievement program rewards municipal officials for their dedication to training, continuing education, and professional development - a testament to their commitment to the Cities and Residents they serve.

At left: Vice Mayor Jody Shirley presents the Gold Certificate of Excellence to Mayor Dave Gattis.

BEACH RESTORATION UPDATE

Pinellas County is conducting an emergency shoreline restoration project to mitigate critical erosion caused by Hurricane Idalia. Sand is being trucked in from an authorized location, placed on the beach and shaped into dunes. The new dunes will also be planted with vegetation. The overall project is estimated to cost $25 million to $30 million and is being funded by Tourist Development Tax dollars. This project is separate from the federal beach nourishment project that is currently on hold with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Belleair Beach was deemed one of the most impacted areas and was placed among those at the top of the list. The project is expected to run approximately 45 days.

Morgan Park is being used as the access area to deliver the sand and will be closed during the project. The Marina is also being used as part of the staging area and only Marina Slip renters will be able to park at the Marina.

The center turn lane on Gulf Boulevard will be temporarily closed during the project as the trucks delivering the sand queue up each morning from 19th Street to Morgan Park waiting to drop off their sand.

Project Website

https://pinellas.gov/projects/emergency-beach-erosion-control-project/

Please contact City Manager Kyle Riefler with any questions or concerns at:

Kyle.Riefler@cityofbelleairbeach.com or 727-229-8431

Click on the map to enlarge

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Protect Yourself

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO HOMEOWNERS FROM THE PINELLAS COUNTY CONSTRUCTION LICENSING BOARD

Before hiring any contractor, ask for their name and license number then use our Contractor Search feature to verify that they are eligible to work in Pinellas County. Report unlicensed contracting by calling (727) 582-6767 or submitting a report online.

or call the City Code Enforcement Department with questions or concerns at 727-229-8445

PROTECT YOURSELF

DON’T HIRE AN UNLICENSED CONTRACTOR

CITY ATTORNEY IN THE SPOTLIGHT

There are 411 municipalities with attorneys in the State of Florida - and our own Belleair Beach City Attorney Randy Mora, Partner at Trask Daigneault LLP, was chosen again to speak at the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference. Mr. Mora is a frequent lecturer on public records laws, open government, ethics, and Sunshine Law at conferences and meetings throughout Florida. Randy is well known as an excellent attorney and widely respected throughout the State of Florida.

BEACH CLEAN UP

Above is just a snippet of the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia - the dunes took a beating and a lot of debris was left behind, but our intrepid Crew was right there to do what they could.

A lot of Fun and a little Exercise, call Tammie at 219-707-3745 to volunteer, or just stop by the 19th Street Beach Access on the first Saturday of every month from 8am until 9am.

...and, as always - Yummy Refreshments Afterwards!