TROLLEY MAP

MANATEE COUNTY – The Palma Sola Causeway Boat Ramp and docks will be closed for dredging maintenance from Monday, April 4, through Friday, April 8.

The ramp is located at 9701 Manatee Ave. W.

According to the county’s press release, about 130 cubic yards of accumulated sand will be removed to make the ramp fully functional again. The sand naturally builds up over time and requires periodic dredging.

The press release notes that enough sand will be removed to fill about 10 dump trucks. Contractors are hoping to complete the dredging during the week so it doesn’t impact weekend boaters.

Part of the parking lot also will be closed for material and equipment staging during the process. Boaters can still use the Kingfish Boat Ramp three miles west at 752 Manatee Ave. W.

FILE PHOTO The Palma Sola Causeway Boat Ramp will be closed this week but is expected to reopen in time for the weekend.

NEWS BRIEFS

Bradenton Beach Commission meets Thursday

The Bradenton Beach City Commission will meet on Thursday, April 7 at 6 p.m. According to the agenda, Mayor John Chappie will read a city proclamation about National Arbor Day and the commission will authorize a request for the city’s Scenic W.A.V.E.S. Committee to coordinate the Arbor Day plantings. Under new business, the commission will discuss the repairs needed for the bell inside the historic clock tower near the Bridge Street Pier. (Related story on Page 11) Under attorney business, the commission will be asked to adopt a resolution on the creation of a charter review committee and another resolution seeking the governor’s final support for the city’s state appropriation requests.

CRA members to meet Wednesday

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will meet Wednesday, April 6 at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall. The first order of business is an Old Town Tram update from tram service operator Joshua LaRose and his request to approve payment of a $4,190 invoice for the March tram services. The CRA members will be asked to approve a police department reimbursement invoice for $12,857.71, an Environmental Science Associates (ESA) engineering invoice for $18,360 and a $197 invoice from LTA Engineering. Under new business, the CRA members will discuss National Arbor Day plantings at City Park, across the street from city hall. The city attorney/CRA liaison will provide an update on current and pending CRA projects and the CRA members will also receive an update on policing services within the CRA district that extends from the south side of the Cortez Bridge to the southernmost property lines along Fifth Street South.