Newsletter of the Nokomis Area Civic Association

Vol. 12, No. 2, April 2007

Next NACA General Meeting

Tuesday, April 24, 7 pm, Nokomis Community Center

All Are Welcome!  Bring Your Friends and Neighbors!

SARASOTA COUNTY COMMISSIONER JOE BARBETTA

He'll speak on his first 150 days in office: "What we've accomplished during that period and what we hope to accomplish in the future!"

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK

John Ask, NACA President

Dear Nokomis Neighbors:

          Revitalization is happening all around us in Nokomis; we're in the midst of US 41 construction and recently have seen signs of encouragement when we began driving on some of the new pavement.

          A priority of the US 41 road project is making the area safer for pedestrians and bicycles.  Hence, we're adding sidewalks and bike lanes.  Also, a priority is to make some of our major intersections more pedestrian friendly and safer.  We seek to give individuals the reasonable option to access our beaches, businesses, parks, and amenities without the need to use a motor vehicle.  Concrete medallions and crosswalks are going to be constructed on US 41 at Colonia Lane and Albee Road similar to what is being completed at Colonia Lane and Albee Farm Road.  These features are designed to both beautify and calm traffic.

          Construction of the 14"‑deep concrete medallions will be done in segments and will require lane closures and detours.  We are hopeful that the contractor can schedule the detours during the summer months when our traffic is lighter.  Our NACA website will continue to maintain the most current information on road‑construction updates.  Please bookmark our site and check it out as a matter of routine.

          Please put Tuesday, April 24, 7:00 pm, on your calendar to attend our next NACA Quarterly Meeting at the Nokomis Community Center.  Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta will be our featured guest and speaker.  Coffee and sweets are served beginning at 6:30.  Come early and visit with your neighbors and Commissioner Barbetta!

          NACA seeks to provide leadership and an organized voice to improve the quality of life in the Nokomis area of Sarasota County.  Our effectiveness is directly related to our membership.  If you are a NACA member, "Thank you!"  Please continue to renew your membership when it expires.  Also, please encourage your neighbors to join NACA.  Continued strong NACA grassroots membership will insure a community voice being heard by our local and state leaders.

NOKOMIS REVITALIZATION NEWS

Bruce Dillon, NACA Revitalization Officer & Nokomis

COLONIA LANE UPDATE

          The County's Colonia Lane improvements continued on the fast track as The Voice of Nokomis went to press in early April, with completion expected by the end of the month.  In addition to the attractive new lighting, landscaping, and streetscape features of the project, the utility relocations needed for the job have offered the bonus of greatly reducing the number of aerial wires visible both along and across the road, at no extra cost to the community.  Area property owners have facelifts in progress and the historic Jesse Knight Cemetery recently completed the installation of an attractive new fence.  Planning is underway for a community project to add native trees and plants around the two retention ponds included as elements of the new stormwater system to enhance visual appeal and restore natural habitat.  Volunteers can contact CENTRAL WATER

          The contract for the next phase of the Nokomis Waterline Extension Project is expected to be awarded by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) in late April or early May, with major construction expected to begin in June.  The County received ten bids for the job, which comprises of 100,000 feet of buried pipe serving 1,500 parcels, with Volt Telecom Group being the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, with a bid of $7.2 million.

          The contractor will be employing horizontal directional drilling (HDD) for the majority of the project.  The HDD method tunnels beneath surface obstacles (driveways, tree roots, storm structures, etc.) and then pulls the pipeline back through the underground tunnel, leaving the surface undisturbed.  HDD technology should help minimize the annoyances that such a large construction project brings to the neighborhoods.  Due to the size of the job, the contract allows for 24 months of construction, with a penalty assessed of $1,000 per day beyond that.

          The County will be hosting an informational website with the latest details.  A link to the site will be available at http://naca‑nokomis.com as soon as the site is established.

US 41 UPDATE

          Work on US 41 continues.

          The speed limit has been lowered to 35 mph throughout the 3.3‑ mile construction zone, and enforcement measures have been stepped up.  Speeding fines are doubled when workers are present.  Be patient and keep in mind the safety of the construction crews and fellow motorists.  Keep in mind also that our friends and neighbors are still doing business along the corridor and give their patrons a brake [pun intended].

ARCHITECTURAL THEME TAKING HOLD

          Our Revitalization Plan amendments go before the BCC for their consideration in late April.  The amendments are based on the results of the Visioning exercises held jointly by NACA and the Revitalization Advisory Committee.  The Key West/Old Florida theme for commercial corridors advanced in those amendments is taking hold, as evidenced by the new tropical color scheme of Matthews‑Currie Ford.

          Capt. Eddie's Restaurant is also getting a makeover in preparation for the intersection improvements at Colonia Lane, which require the relocation of their entrance to the north end of the building.  Stop by and check out their plans.  Also buying into the theme are the Nokomis Inn & Suites, with their expansion plans, and the two mixed‑use/hotel projects replacing the "landmark" gas stations at Albee Rd.

WATERWAYS REPORT

Patrick McCarthy, NACA Waterways, Patnok1@gmail.com

OUR FAIR SHARE

          Discussion at the recent Presidents' Roundtable prompted this quarter's article.  One issue brought up is that Sarasota is a "donor" county into the coffers of the West Coast Inland Navigation District.  The district can be a funding source for projects related to the County's waterways‑maintenance program.

          The new staff member in charge, Paul Semenec, is working to streamline the process and get a couple of the projects underway.  As of this date, not one bucket of mud has been moved using this County‑sponsored process.

CURRY CREEK, LYONS BAY, KAYAKS AND CANOES

          The Curry Creek feasibility‑study report is due soon.  This has been a long effort by the residents there.  The Lyons Bay project is getting closer to construction.

          Another project is plans for kayak and canoe launches (three are in the plans) that will provide access (and parking) for non‑motorized watercraft to both Shakett and Curry Creeks.

NOKOMIS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

          Also of interest was a report from the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department's Fire Commission Chairman Bob Markuson.  He explained the services the department provides and its important role in our community.  They also have a small boat that is capable of getting under all the bridges in the area.  I hope we all continue to support this vital part of our community.

          Summer and the rains it brings will soon be with us.  Get out and enjoy this beautiful clear water while you can!

THE FUTURE OF NOKOMIS...

Tom Bartholomay, NACA Secretary & Membership Chair

          ...Depends on all of us!  The leaders of the 39 homeowners' associ‑ ations met last week.  Jon Thaxton, our County Commissioner, shared with us the many improvements being made in our wonderful community.  These improvements would not be made without the leadership we have.  But our leaders need all the support we can give them.  The NACA Board, with President John Ask, have been working very hard to make positive changes in Nokomis and need the Nokomis Community to join NACA so they can be even more effective.

          Membership numbers are important and that is where we need your support!  The more members we have, the stronger our "Voice."  Thanks for helping NACA grow (application forms are part of this newsletter), and thank you for your membership!

          Check your address label: the number after your name indicates the year you need to renew.  Remember you can get five years for the price of four.  It means a lot to us to have your support!!!