COMMISSIONER'S CORNER

We’re well underway into the summer season. No more school traffic or buses but lots of kids out biking, walking and skateboarding at all times of the day and night. Please be extra cautious on the roads. I hope you enjoyed celebrating our freedoms on the 4^th of July.
At our last Commission meeting we authorized the City Manager to sign a contract for the Minutemen Streetscape and Stormwater Improvement Project. Later this summer mobilization and construction will begin. Over three million dollars in grants are coming back our way to help fund this project from taxes we’ve paid to the state. The project will improve walkability, biking and will keep storm water from running directly into the lagoon. Landscaping will be added to improve aesthetics which should be a boost to our CRA and Main Street efforts. Our new City Manager wisely told me that folks will approve of the idea at this point. They’ll be disgruntled during construction due to lack of normal access to businesses and detours. And they’ll love it when it’s completed. Please be patient as we try to complete the project correctly, on-time and within the budgeted funds.
As you’ve seen, the new sidewalk on the East side of A1A from 16^th Street South to Wakulla Lane is nearing completion and from what I’ve seen is already being enjoyed by more than just a few people.
Your Commission still has lots of important issues to work out this summer, including aligning next year’s budget to sustain our city and to work toward including some of our long term goals into the future budget horizon.  Thank you for the honor of serving as your commissioner. skip williams (Email swilliams@cityofcocoabeach.com , home phone 783-1850)