Weekly Briefs: Lido Beach Update, Utilities Improvements, Transition

Weekly Briefs

from the desk of:

Tom Barwin

Sarasota City Manager

December 11, 2020

Upcoming Meetings

Development Review Committee

Wednesday, Dec. 16 - a.m.

City Hall - Commission Chambers

Agenda

Parks, Recreation & Environmental Protection Board

Thursday, Dec. 17 - 5 p.m.

City Hall - Commission Chambers

Agenda

News and Updates

Lido Beach Update

Have you been to our beautiful Lido Beach lately? The initial results of the ongoing renourishment project are remarkable! The beach is probably as wide as it’s been in 25 years. Most importantly, the additional sand will provide a critical natural buffer between the Gulf of Mexico and nearby infrastructure.

The contractor finished pumping sand to the north and now at the direction of the Army Corps of Engineers is placing additional available permitted sand to the south to replace some lost during the recent tropical weather. Thank you to the ACE and City Engineer Alex DavisShaw for monitoring the project closely and ensuring the beach is renourished to provide as much protection as possible for infrastructure, property and nesting wildlife.

Lido Beach with newly deposited sand.

The next phase will be the construction of the new groins just to the north of Ted Sperling Park, which will help lock in new sand and slow the rate of beach erosion for years to come. That work is expected to begin in January. In the meantime, please continue to be mindful of active construction on the beach and avoid cordoned off areas.

Utilities – Force Main Replacement

The Utilities Department has been laser-focused on replacing aging underground utilities to safeguard drinking water and sanitary sewer service while protecting our precious environment. This is one of the most critical investments a community can make.

Previous City Commissions’ forethought and fiscal commitment to ensure reliable utility service and a clean environment for future generations has enabled the Utilities Department to move forward with a much-needed capital improvement plan to replace aging pipes that are nearing the end of their useful life of 70 years.

Many of these projects involve complex underground work in high traffic areas. Case in point: the Utilities team has been working on replacing and extending a sewer force main from the wastewater treatment plant on 12^th Street all the way to Osprey Ave. and Brother Geenan Way – nearly two miles underground.

A project milestone described as “significant” by Utilities Director Bill Riebe was accomplished recently when the contractor successfully completed one of the longest directional drill pipe pulls of 30-inch pipe ever undertaken in the state of Florida. A total of 3,400 feet – or approximately .6 miles --- of 30-inch high density polyethylene pipe was first staged on top of Osprey Ave. then pulled approximately 35 to 40 feet underground through a directional bore hole between 4^th Street and Brother Geenan Way. The pull started at 8 a.m. and finished the following day at 5 p.m. – very efficient and impressive! This approach not only minimized disruption to the community but saved millions of dollars.

Infrastructure replacement is a costly but necessary investment to ensure basic community needs are met with an environmentally safe and reliable sanitary sewer system, and clean, healthy drinking water. System improvements cannot be deferred indefinitely. The nation is facing a utility crisis as municipalities that postponed repairs for years are now experiencing serious system failures. With the support of our Commission, a pragmatic 10-year capital improvement plan is in place and underway.

Roundabouts/Traffic – Reminders

Fruitville Rd.: The opening of the US 41-Fruitville Rd. roundabout has gone well. In fact, the project team says drivers are adapting much quicker than expected. It could be that this is the third roundabout on US 41 to open since April and we're getting the hang of it! Drivers are still urged to slow down and yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the roundabout.

Boulevard of the Arts: During construction of the US 41-Fruitville Rd. roundabout, traffic patterns were realigned at Boulevard of the Arts, including the addition of protected left turns at the US 41 intersection. Please note: The Florida Department of Transportation has informed us the intersection will revert back to its original configuration soon --- with just one left arrow at the intersection for northbound US 41 to westbound Boulevard of the Arts.

US 41-Gulfstream Ave. Roundabout Meeting: FDOT will host a virtual informational meeting about the US 41-Gulfstream Ave. roundabout project Wednesday, Dec. 16 starting at 5 p.m. The FDOT project team will present an overview of what to expect with the upcoming road construction. You’re encouraged to register in advance.

Advisory Boards – Applications Sought

Over the years, Sarasota has benefited from many knowledgeable experts at the top of their field who have retired in our special city and volunteered their time and expertise to help shape our community for generations to come. Whether you’re such a retiree or a resident who simply can find the time to give back by joining an important volunteer board, we invite you to consider serving on one of more than two dozen City Commission-appointed advisory boards.

These boards are an important part of our municipal government and provide recommendations to the City Commission or make decisions directly.

Interested? Check out the Advisory Boards webpage for a description of each board, current vacancies and also to apply online.

Transition Time

As my work as your City Manager sunsets, I want to thank all who have signed up to peruse Weekly Briefs each week, because it means you care about Sarasota and its future, just as I have since arriving in 2012.

I would be remiss if I did not extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to our hard working Public Information Office, Jan Thornburg and Jason Bartolone, for producing each week's outstanding edition of Weekly Briefs. I have received much positive feedback due to its succinct informative quality, which is a real tribute to Jan and Jason considering they are usually juggling two dozen other communications issues.

It has been an honor and pleasure being your City Manager. Working closely with the City Commissioners and you, I tried my best to help guide the community in the right direction.

We have linked up a “years in review” memo and my recent SNN City Report video for anyone interested. I'm a bit biased, but we got a lot done together, and there are even more exciting initiatives underway. With exceptional leadership staff in place, and our 700 conscientious City employees getting it done every day, led by the very experienced Marlon Brown, appointed this week by the City Commission as interim city manager and soon-to-be city manager, Sarasota won't miss a beat.

I've never lived in a community where so many people say they love living where they live. And I agree, which is why Sarasota has become our home and Mar and I plan to stick around. The grandkids also love our parks and Lido Beach, just as we do.

Thanks for all you have done or might do to strengthen our community, even if it's just picking up a piece of trash. Place, unity and community still matters a lot, perhaps as much or more than ever.

For those who may wish to get in touch with me in the future, my personal email is tombarwin@gmail.com.

Take care, be safe, and all the best to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season and in all of your future endeavors.

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