BELLEAIR BLUFFS - The City Commission put off again Monday night any decision on what company will do waste collection in the city.
This time the absence of two members of the commission - Bret Nelson and Troy Krotz - was given as a reason for once again delaying a decision on a matter that has dragged on literally for months.
But the commission, meeting for about an hour and a half despite a very short agenda, did approve the extension of the Local Option Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas).
Those funds that will come in are needed for the city's drainage projects and curbs in certain parts of the city. Another project is lighting for Indian Rocks Road.
A presentation by a consultant on the city's need for more parking did not come up with any problem solving answers - the space just does not exist in the city.
There may be a slight lessening of parking space requirements for some restaurants, but, bottom line, the city cannot create space in any reasonable manner.
On the waste collection subject, it appears that Waste Management, Inc. will probably continue as the collector based on a public survey which favored the company.
When contract renewal time came in the spring, another company, Waste Services, made a bid.
A survey by a committee appointed by Mayor Chris Arbutine showed that 80 percent of city residents wanted to stick with Waste Management.
Even in the face of that, no decision was made earlier because Nelson was absent from the commission meeting. The members want the full commission to vote on the issue.
Back in April, a 2-2 commission vote with Commissioner Bob Russo absent, seemed to settle the case according to Tom Trask, the city lawyer, but Commissioner Dave Shimkus managed to revive it at a later meeting and the issue continues.