05/14/06 Council dodges dock issue again One after another, nearly a dozen Harbor Lights stepped up to the microphone Tuesday and asked Venice City Council for its opinion on the proposed dock at Venice Fisherman's Wharf. And again and again, council members said it wasn't their any of their business. The four-year battle over the floating dock in next to Hatchett Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway continues. Sarasota County commissioners will reconsider the dock proposal May 23. Wharf owner John Konecnik's building permits expired earlier this year following four extensions. City council was highly criticized two years ago when it failed to issue any opinion on the wharf's floating dock. Despite being within city limits, Sarasota County has jurisdiction on all dock approvals. Harbor Lights residents who oppose the dock -- be it the previously approved 415 feet or the proposed 686 feet full-length version -- wanted council members to take a stand, but much like two years ago, they said it wasn't their place. "It seems to me like we're getting into something outside of our jurisdiction. ... We don't have a dog in the fight," council member Bill Willson said Tuesday. No comment A year ago council members assured residents they would speak up, and county officials said they welcomed the city's opinion. But as of Tuesday's council meeting, City Manager Marty Black said county staff had not completed its report and there was not enough information for council members to form an opinion. When questioned why council cannot at least say if it likes the "idea" of a dock at Venice Fisherman's Wharf, the city manager said it already has. "Our presumption is, the (previously approved) 415-foot dock meets county standards and that's why it was approved," Black said. "At this time, nothing indicates otherwise. ... No council person, in either meetings or my personal conversations with them, has suggested opposition." Adding on that extra 271 feet of dock Konecnik wants is another issue, however, Black said. Without a complete report from county staff, it is inappropriate for city council to issue an opinion on a county decision. "It sounds like a cop-out, I know, but we're obligated to give this a fair hearing," Black said. Continuance? County commissioner Shannon Staub was sorry to hear that no opinion was issued by city council. She understood its position of not wanting to render opinions without a full analysis of the facts. Staub verified late Friday that a complete packet was hand-delivered to Venice City Hall, but it could be too late, since council's next meeting is the same day as the dock hearing with county commissioners -- May 23. One idea Staub had was for the city to send a representative and request a continuance so council members could review the final county report. "The thing is, you want input from as many people as you can," Staub said. "That's the only option I can think of, and it seems to make sense to me." The wharf owner actually has two applications going to commissioners, one for the original 415-foot floating dock and a second one for the 686-foot version. Konecnik is not guaranteed reapproval of his original permit. Sarasota County only approves the dock itself, while all other construction approval rests with the city. The only pending city application is for a basic building permit that accompanies the floating dock. While there's been plenty of talk, there are no applications for the condominium project Konecnik has said he needs to pay for expanding public access to the dock. You can e-mail J.J. Andrews at: jandrews@venicegondolier.com. By J.J. Andrews Assistant Editor