Belleair Beach Moves Ahead With Morgan ParkingBy Leo CoughlinBELLEAIR BEACH - The City Council saw a Power Point presentation by Mayor Lynn Rives on upgrading the parking situation at Morgan Park with a system not to exceed $10,600 at its meeting Tuesday night. The council's regular meeting followed a budget workshop where councilmembers reviewed the numbers for the upcoming fiscal year 2011 budget. Later, in the regular meeting, a tentative millage rate of 1.98, the same as the current rate, was agreed upon. Also discussed in the budget workshop was a review of solid waste services. Peter Cavalli told the council that Belleair Beach's solid waste pickup rates were higher than the average (the job is done by a private contractor) and that several cities in the area add administrative fees. Cavalli will look into how neighboring Belleair Bluffs handles its solid waste contract (and reportedly pays less). When all the facts are in, the city may put the contract out to bid. On the parking meter setup at Morgan Park, Councilmember Kathy Mortensen wanted to know if the three spaces currently allocated for resident use would stay. Parking must be provided for the general public - including non-residents of Belleair Beach - as a trade off for beach replenishment. In other action, the council approved a bid to repair the 22nd Street Bridge with Sieg and Sons in the amount of $29,570. Also okayed was an agreement with Volkert Engineering to inspect and report on the bridge load rating once the basic work on the 22nd Street Bridge is done. The cost not to exceed $3,500 was approved. The council ordered signs changed at the marina. There now is signage forbidding mooring and limiting space at the docks to loading and unloading. A new sign will bar any boat from being docked between sunset and sunrise. The Charter Review Committee held an organizational meeting June 29 with Dick Crowl, a former council member, chosen as chairman with Kathy Mortensen picked as vice chairperson. Other members of the committee are Leslie Notaro, Rudy Davis and Margo Pequinot. The committee is scheduled to meet next Tuesday, July 13, at 3:30 p.m. and public comment is welcomed.
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