WHAT HAPPENED: The City Council approved...

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council approved plans for the South Beach Phase II

improvement project and instructed the Public Works Department to

begin accepting bids for construction.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Construction will begin as soon as a bid is accepted. The

lifeguard headquarters will be demolished and rebuilt, as will the

junior lifeguard building, concession stand and three restrooms. Bike

paths will be removed and rebuilt and recreational vehicle outlets

for electricity and water will be installed. Houchen absent.

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council approved a new lease with Michael Ali for Zack’s

Too beach concession stand.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Ali has been operating Jack’s Too concession stand since Jan. 1,

1995. Staff reported that the stand is popular with beach patrons and

is a well-run, highly successful operation. Ali’s lease has expired

and he has been operating on a month-to-month basis.

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council passed a law that requires low-income residents

who do not pay for trash collection services to begin paying half of

the cost for services.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The law, first introduced by Councilman Ralph Bauer at a budget

study session as a means of making money, will bring in a much-needed

$42,414, according to city officials.

Currently, low-income seniors who have a gross income of $25,000

or less do not pay for the cost of garbage collection. Council

members said they felt the measure was necessary in light of the

city’s current budget problems. All households that do not pay for

trash service will now have to do so. City staff has also been

instructed to confirm the income level of all city residents who

request an exemption to the garbage collection fee.