The announcement of the town manager’s retirement marked a critical moment for Gulf Stream. Acknowledged for his 40 years of experience, his tenure was credited with creating reserves that facilitated major projects. As he prepares to retire, the commission is considering three options for his replacement. Strong advocacy emerged for promoting Trey Nazaro, who has been with the town since 2016 and played a key role in navigating past litigation challenges. His promotion is seen as a seamless transition, ensuring continuity in management, given his deep understanding of the town’s affairs.

The commission debated the merits of conducting a nationwide search for a new town manager, estimated to cost around $30,000, versus utilizing the Florida City County Management Association’s senior advisor program at no cost. However, the overwhelming support for Nazaro, based on his qualifications and contributions, made the promotion an appealing option. His current salary of $178,000 was proposed to be increased to $230,000, aligning it with similar roles in nearby towns. This proposal received unanimous support.

In addressing infrastructure, the meeting highlighted significant roadwork issues. Residents expressed concerns about pavement curbing and valley gutters, which faced compaction problems due to premature use by heavy equipment. The town manager assured attendees that corrective measures, including additional backfilling and inspections, are underway to address these problems. The commission emphasized the need for ongoing communication with residents to keep them informed about construction progress and challenges.

Safety concerns were another major topic, particularly at the intersection of G and A1A, where tree obstructions pose visibility risks to drivers and cyclists. A resident raised these concerns, urging collaboration with the Department of Transportation to explore solutions like installing mirrors. Chief Jones confirmed that any such installations would require DOT approval, and several commissioners acknowledged the urgency of addressing these safety risks.

The commission also discussed a longstanding issue regarding the creation of a no-wake zone to protect seawalls from boat damage. Despite past efforts being denied due to the lack of fatalities, the environmental impact and property damage remain a concern. The commission explored potential collaboration with neighboring communities to renew efforts for establishing a no-wake zone.

Another development was the approval of Ordinance 252, which amends the Gulf Stream design manual to allow for new roof material options. This ordinance, passed unanimously, reflects the town’s responsiveness to evolving design preferences and regulatory changes.

The meeting also touched on police department improvements, with plans to replace outdated lighting fixtures at a reduced cost. The chief detailed a proposal to replace fixtures at town hall and the police department for approximately $32,974. The commission supported this proposal, recognizing the need for modern and efficient lighting solutions.

In addition to infrastructure and safety discussions, the town manager’s report provided updates on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), including successful connections to a new water system for phase one residents. Progress on phase two, involving roads east of Polo, was also detailed, with substantial completion expected by early March. Efforts to address punch list items, such as valley gutter repairs, were ongoing, with the utilities director conducting door-to-door visits to ensure resident concerns are addressed.