Beaches notebook

By AMY WIMMER and KATHY SAUNDERS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 30, 2001

Ruling: Treasure Island must pay

TREASURE ISLAND -- The city's last efforts to avoid paying a $3-million lawsuit were rejected by the Florida Supreme Court this week.

In an order issued Wednesday, the court denied the city's motion for a rehearing in the case involving Provident Management Corp. and the Lands End Condominiums.

The court dismissed without any argument that the city had any kind of sovereign immunity in the case. The court said the city waived all of its immunity when it took the action of asking the court to stop Provident from issuing short-term leases at the Sunset Beach complex in 1991.

The city did not obtain a bond at the time. Provident's attorney Steven Brannock of Tampa's Holland & Knight said the court's action effectively ends the case.

It's time, he said, for the city to pay the judgment of $1.77-million in damages, plus interest, originally awarded in 1994.

City officials say they believe the damages should be covered by the Florida League of Cities insurance pool, which has helped to defend the city in the case. However, the league has maintained its right not to cover the losses. City Manager Chuck Coward said the city has other options as well.

He said the city has some unappropriated money in its $13.7-million operating budget. The city could raise taxes. Or, it could borrow the money from the $10-million Causeway Bridge fund.

Madeira Beach

The City Commission has hired Thomas J. Trask to replace Richard Harrison as its city attorney.

Harrison resigned after four months on the job, citing conflicts with family obligations.

Trask is a partner in the Dunedin law firm of Frazer, Hubbard, Brandt & Trask. He is also the city attorney for Oldsmar and assists in the legal representation for Dunedin, Tarpon Springs and Belleair Bluffs.

He is also the attorney for the Code Enforcement Board for the municipalities of Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Indian Rocks Beach and Belleair.

Trask served as special master for code enforcement for Madeira Beach before taking the city attorney post.

Trask is a University of South Florida graduate and attended law school at Mercer University in Macon, Ga.

The Pinellas Parliamentarian Unit will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Madeira Beach City Hall Auditorium.

The group offers help to participants in all types of non-profit organizations. All meetings are open to the public.

A coffee social hour will begin prior to the meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday. For information, call 866-3899 or 392-3263.

Indian Shores

The town will host its Hawaiian Luau on Nov. 3 at the Estelle Harper Park picnic pavilion behind Town Hall.

Traditional food and beverages, entertainment and activities are planned. Tickets are $25 each and go on sale Monday. The ticket price includes appetizers, a buffet dinner including roast pig, and two drinks.

Guests also will enjoy a Hawaiian show, games and live music by Jim Yacavone and the Mutants.

A cash bar will be available. Costume prizes will be awarded. The festivities start at 6:30 p.m. with happy hour.

Seating is limited to 100 people. Tickets are available at Town Hall or by calling Vice Mayor Jim Lawrence, 595-2173.

Jim Smith, the county property appraiser, will be the guest speaker at the Indian Shores Property Owners Association's fall meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Town Hall Auditorium.

Smith and his staff will explain the methodology used to determine property values in Indian Shores. State Rep. John Carassas, R-Clearwater, will also be on hand to provide an update on current state legislative issues.

The meeting will include a formal question-and-answer session. Property owners may submit questions in writing from the floor or in advance, by e-mailing them to ispoa@email.com. The mailing address for submitting questions is ISPOA, P.O. Box 434, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785.

Although County Commissioners Karen Seel and John Morroni will not be at Thursday's meeting, questions can also be submitted to them.

All Indian Shores property owners are invited. Refreshments will be served.

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