BELLEAIR BLUFFS - Elements that the city's firefighters are seeking to enhance their pension plan were put off to the City Commission's next month's workshop meeting (November 13) as the commission took action on a busy agenda Monday night.
Earlier the commission, which was unable to meet at its October workshop last week because of a lack of a quorum, made minor, housekeeping changes in the firefighters' trust fund.
In other action, the commission approved requesting assistance from the Pinellas Planning Council in order to complete state-ordered amendments to the city's Comprehensive Plan.
Also scheduled was a special workshop meeting for October 30 at 6 p.m. to discuss revisions to the city codes relating to signage. That is the only topic that will be discussed at the meeting.
Coming in for some minor changes pushed by Mayor Chris Arbutine are revisions to the ordinance dealing with the appointment of a special master to adjudicate code violations.
For example, when legal notice is given for a violation, Arbutine wants it specified that such notice be given to an adult. He believes that having someone say, 15 years old, receiving such notice is legally insufficient.
The commission approved Mayor Dick Holmes of South Pasadena as Belleair Bluffs' representative on the Pinellas Planning Council.
A proposal to use roll-off dumpsters will be taken up at the November workshop when Waste Management, the city's trash collector, can submit official figures for the cost.
Approved by the commission was the expenditure of $10,000 to pay Progress Energy for the relocation of power lines that will be used in connection with the enhanced lighting for the new Belleair bridge-causeway.
The commission also emphasized its backing of the fight opposing amendments to the county charter that the cities feel put them at a disadvantage.
Also on November's ballot is a referendum for Bluffs voters that would change the terms of the mayor and commissioners from the present two years to three years.
One interesting item coming up at the meeting was the revelation that Tom Trask, the city's lawyer, is personally suing Pinellas County over its alleged failure to provide him with public records.