BELLEAIR BEACH - On August 7 the city council will discuss if they will go ahead with a free concert to be held on the beach, or not.
The proposed time and location for the concert is Saturday, September 2, near Morgan Park.
The idea was first discussed at the city's May 25, 2006 council meeting when Mayor Rudy Davis advised that a Belleair Beach property owner had offered to hold a concert for the city on reasonable terms.
Country and honky tonk singer, Heather Myles, told the city previously that she'd be willing to perform.
Myles is a Belleair Beach resident and Coquina condo owner. Originally from California, she has toured with Willie Nelson, and has recorded several CDs.
Myles offered to hold the concert to entertain fellow residents, perform at no charge and only asked that the city pay her three-piece band $1,500 to cover their costs.
According to the minutes from the May 25 meeting, city manager Reid Silverboard said Myles and her band intend to transform her condo balcony into a stage and direct the music seaward.
On the tour schedule page of her website, www.heathermyles.com, Myles lists the Belleair Beach Labor Day Party on September 2.
The meeting's minutes indicate that council members were in favor of the possibility of the event, and decided to gather more information, with Silverboard pursuing state requirements and issues.
Other issues concern the number of people who would be interested in attending the concert, parking and rest rooms.
Nancy McCollum, Belleair Beach city clerk said Tuesday, August 1, "Nothing is definite. I've notified the condo associations and so far only two people have written in that they didn't agree to holding it on the beach."
McCollum said their objections had to do with the possible harm that could come to sea oats and sea turtles.
The sea turtles nesting and hatching season is May 1 - October 31. They are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, Florida Statute 370.
Pinellas County contracts with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) to monitor sea turtle nesting along its beaches. They ask that during the nesting period, no one interfere with nesting females, their eggs, or hatchlings.
McCollum said if the event is held, areas affecting sea oats and turtles would be roped off. She said the event would be held well before dark, requiring no lighting in deference to the sea turtles, who can become disoriented by lights on the beach when swimming in from the Gulf.
The August 7 city council meeting will begin at 6:30.