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Councilor criticizes beach restoration plans and says railroad demanded $80,000 annual rent with 5% escalator
Summary
A council member told the council that earlier expectations of "free" beach restoration assistance did not materialize and said a railroad proposal now seeks about $80,000 per year plus a 5% annual escalator to allow a multimillion-dollar corridor project, raising concerns about town exposure.
During staff reports and the water project update, a council member raised concerns about two separate but related items: anticipated beach restoration support and a private railroad proposal tied to a redevelopment corridor.
The council member said the town had been told sand would be provided at no cost under a beach project but that those expectations changed. The councilor also criticized a railroad proposal that, in the councilor's account, now seeks roughly "80,000 a year plus 5% each year" to permit improvements along a corridor, and warned the railroad could withdraw access at any time, which would expose the town to removal costs. The councilor praised the town's attorney and manager for defending the town but said the changes left the town with unexpected potential liabilities.
No formal vote or directive was recorded on the beach-restoration or railroad terms at this meeting; the remarks were presented as council concerns and rationale for staff to continue negotiating and protecting the town's interests.
