ANNA MARIA – City officials are working on an interlocal agreement that would allow for a water taxi stop at the Anna Maria City Pier.
Manatee County is proposing a county-contracted water taxi service from downtown Bradenton to the City Pier in Anna Maria, the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and back to downtown Bradenton.
An interlocal agreement between the city of Anna Maria and Manatee County is needed in order for the City Pier to be used as a water taxi landing spot. A proposed interlocal agreement was discussed, but not finalized, during the Aug. 25, Anna Maria City Commission meeting.
Revisions suggested by the mayor and city commissioners will be made before the agreement is discussed again at the commission’s Sept. 8 meeting. If the commission supports the revised interlocal agreement at that time, it will then be sent to Manatee County officials for their review. Mayor Dan Murphy said additional negotiations between the city and the county may then be needed before the agreement is finalized.
Representing Manatee County, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione appeared before the Anna Maria Commission on Aug. 11. Falcione told the mayor and commissioners the county plans to contract a Florida-based water taxi company to operate two pontoon boat-like water taxis from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
According to Falcione, each water taxi could carry 35 to 45 passengers at a time. He said the service days and service routes could, and likely would, be expanded if there’s a need for additional service.
Falcione plans to present the proposed water taxi plan and contractor to Manatee County commissioners on Sept. 13 in hopes of the proposed water taxi service beginning in February.
Falcione said the round-trip fare could be in the $8-$10 range, but those details were still being worked out with the private contractor. Falcione said the plan is for the Island’s restaurant and service industry workers to ride for free.
During the Aug. 25 meeting, Murphy noted one of the “whereas” clauses contained in the proposed agreement states the two main purposes of the water taxi service are to relieve automobile congestion coming to and from the Island and to provide an affordable means of public transportation to and from the Island for visitors, residents and service workers.
“It’s not going to be a $50 ride to come to work,” Murphy said when noting service workers are a critical component of the proposed water taxi endeavor.
The terms and conditions addressed in the proposed agreement call for the county and its contractor to cover the costs of any pier improvements, permits, studies or maintenance required for the use of the City Pier as a water taxi stop. The proposed agreement states the county shall assume all legal liability for the water taxi service. It also states the county must provide the city with a detailed plan before the city commission is asked to approve the City Pier as a water taxi stop.
To better protect the city, Commissioner Jon Crane, a former California attorney, suggested strengthening the language that pertains to the county’s liability and indemnification responsibilities.
Commissioner Deanie Sebring suggested including a commission-recommended fare amount in the proposed interlocal agreement. Murphy advised against including a specific fare and suggested instead the inclusion of language that says the proposed fee for passengers traveling between Anna Maria and downtown Bradenton must be approved by the city commission.
Commissioners Carol Carter and Mark Short suggested adding language to the agreement that specifies the water taxis must stop at the City Pier twice during each round trip from downtown Bradenton to Bradenton Beach and back.
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