BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach embarked on some important public projects in 2021 and also welcomed a familiar face as the city’s new police chief.
January
In January, the mayor and city commission learned of the Florida Department of Transportation’s plans to begin construction in 2026 on the new fixed-span bridge that would provide 65 feet of vertical clearance as the replacement for the existing Cortez Bridge drawbridge.
February
Phase II of Manatee County’s drainage and parking lot improvements commenced at Coquina Beach.
The city commission extended a micromobility moratorium enacted in late 2020 that temporarily prohibits any new businesses from renting scoot coupes, motor scooters and other motorized micromobility devices. The moratorium, extended again later in the year, does not pertain to the actual operation of those vehicles on public streets.
March
Former county commissioners Joe McClash and Jane von Hahmann asked the city to join their federal lawsuit that opposes the construction of a fixed-span bridge to replace the Cortez Bridge drawbridge constructed in 1956. The commission tentatively agreed to contribute up to $5,000 toward the legal efforts, but in August, the commission voted 3-2 in opposition to providing any city funds or joining the lawsuit as an additional named party.
The city commission named Lt. John Cosby to serve as the eventual successor to Police Chief Sam Speciale leading up to Speciale’s planned retirement in October.
April
Building Official Steve Gilbert and City Planner Luis Serna began guiding the Planning and Zoning Board members through an extensive review of the Future Land Use Map and zoning map inconsistencies that exist throughout the city. The city commission has not yet acted on the board recommendations and the map revision process is expected to continue in 2022.
A personal watercraft and a boat collided on the Intracoastal Waterway near Longboat Pass. Tour boat captain Mike Draayom helped rescue the personal watercraft driver and passenger from the water. The accident resulted in two people being taken to the hospital.
The city commission authorized a request for proposals seeking a third-party review of the Master Drainage Study and stormwater and drainage systems designed by longtime City Engineer Lynn Burnett. The commission ultimately selected Utility Consultants of Florida and the subcontracted Colliers Engineering firm to take over the stormwater-related engineering and design services, including those associated with a $2.6 million, state-funded flood control project for the north end of the city. In November, the state granted the city additional time to design, permit and construct the drainage improvements which now have a June 2024 completion deadline.
May
The commission selected Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift to expand the floating dock, install finger piers perpendicular to the expanded dock and replace the public dinghy dock near the foot of the Bridge Street Pier boardwalk.
The CRA members agreed to increase the CRA’s holiday decorating budget from $15,000 to $40,000.
The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge’s renovated kitchen reopened.
June
The CRA members discussed the potential CRA-funded trimming or removal of some privately-owned Australian pine trees located near the Gulf Drive/Cortez Road intersection. Those efforts were later abandoned.
City Attorney Ricinda Perry informed the commission that the state-funded Gulf Drive South utility line undergrounding project would cost much more than expected due to the increased pole and line removal costs imposed by Florida Power & Light. Perry said FPL’s initial non-binding cost estimates came in between $360,000 and $390,000, but in mid-May, she received a binding cost estimate for $1,187,029. Perry was able to reduce some of those additional costs and secure the use of additional county funds previously budged for another unrelated project. The new lines have been undergrounded and have been connected to the impacted residential structures, but the city is still waiting for FPL to remove dozens of concrete utility poles along Gulf Drive South.
The city commission extended the expanded outdoor dining allowances enacted in 2020 as part of the city’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The commission also stated live music would be allowed to continue in the expanded outdoor seating areas.
The Manatee County Commission agreed to provide up to $850,000 in matching county funds for the dock expansion and dinghy dock replacement project.
Mural artist Chad “Cheeta” Ruis painted a sea life-themed mural on the exterior walls of the AMI Moose Lodge.
July
Accompanied by Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, the Stanley Cup visited the Bradenton Beach Police Department as part of Cooper’s multi-stop victory lap around Anna Maria Island.
August
Former Drift In employee and well-known Island personality David Marshall was struck by a car and seriously injured on Aug. 24 and he passed away on Sept. 5.
September
The CRA contracted C Squared to install four new stamped asphalt crosswalks across Bridge Street. The new crosswalks were engineered by Colliers Engineering. The new crosswalks replaced the failing brick paver crosswalks installed in late 2020 by Classic Brick Construction and engineered by LTA Engineers.
October
CRA members approved a $595,905 dock expansion project contract with Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift. The dock expansion project will provide short-term public docking for approximately two dozen vessels when the project is completed in 2022 using components pre-manufactured by Golden Marine Systems.
John Cosby was sworn in as the city’s new police chief.
City officials expressed concerns about the permeable brick paver sidewalk being installed along Gulf Drive North by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The concerns included safety and tripping hazards and the city’s ongoing liability and maintenance responsibilities.
The CRA extended the Old Town Tram pilot program for an additional year. The CRA members’ desire for the tram service to be primarily funded by advertising revenues remains a work in progress. In November, advertising revenues accounted for $4,775 (48%) of the CRA’s $9,975 monthly tram operation costs.
November
Incumbent Mayor John Chappie defeated first-time challenger David Galuszka in the mayor’s race. Running unopposed, incumbent commissioners Jake Spooner and Jan Vosburgh claimed additional two-year terms in office. City voters maintained the existing term limits, which means Chappie and Spooner will term limit out of office in 2023.
Chief Cosby promoted Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz to the rank of lieutenant, making him the police department’s second in command.
A Christmas tree lighting ceremony took place at the Bradenton Beach Post Office as part of the CRA and the Bridge Street merchants’ enhanced holiday decorating efforts.
December
The annual Christmas on Bridge Street celebration and the Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade resumed after being canceled in 2020.
The commission authorized a $5,000 expenditure as part of the exploratory efforts regarding the desired undergrounding of utility lines at the north end of the city.
