ANNA MARIA – Vacation rental legislation, consolidation, the Gulf Island Ferry service, the Mote Marine outreach center, the Reimagining Pine Avenue planning process and the city’s 100th anniversary were among the city’s top stories of 2023.
Rental bills defeated
In April and May, Anna Maria officials, the city-owned Home Rule Florida website, Island residents and the city’s contracted lobbyist in Tallahassee played key roles in fighting off the Florida Legislature’s annual attempt to preempt vacation rental regulations to the state and strip city and county governments of their authority and ability to enact and enforce local vacation rental regulations. The Home Rule Florida website generated more than 40,000 emails and letters in opposition to the House and Senate vacation rental bills sent to state legislators.
Consolidation opposed
The mayor and city commission took, and continue to take, a non-adversarial approach with the city’s response to the OPPAGA consolidation study requested by state legislators Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton).
In September, Mayor Dan Murphy sent a letter to Boyd and Robinson that stated that he and the city commission would support consolidating some of the similar city services provided by all three Island cities, but he and the commission do not support consolidating the cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach into one city.
On Nov. 7, Murphy and Commission Chair Mark Short met with OPPAGA representatives and learned that OPPAGA and the Florida Legislature are not required to share the consolidation study report with the three Island cities when the study is completed in 2024.
In mid-November, the city received from OPPAGA a request for information that asked the city to address the pros and cons of the three possible consolidation options: consolidating similar services only, consolidating the three cities into one new Island city or annexing and consolidating the three Island cities into the city of Bradenton.
Ferry stop modified
Manatee County’s proposed Gulf Island Ferry stop at the City Pier was a frequent topic of city commission discussion in 2023. In August, commissioners rejected the county’s proposal to install a floating finger dock and submerged pilings and create a gated and locked landing area at the T-end of the pier to be used exclusively by the ferries. In September, the commission approved the county’s plan to simply attach two non-submerged composite pilings to the existing boat landing instead.
The anticipated Dec. 8 launch of the ferry service was delayed in part because the U.S. Coast Guard had not yet certified the two 49-passenger pontoon boats to be used for the ferry service between downtown Bradenton, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach. Uncompleted docking modifications also contributed to the delay. A new anticipated launch date has not been provided.
Mote facility opens
In early May, the long-delayed Mote Marine Science, Education & Outreach Center opened to the public. Located in a city-owned building at the T-end of the City Pier and offering free admission, the outreach center features live and virtual marine life and marine habitat exhibits.
In November, City Commissioner Robert Kingan said that by the end of October, the marine outreach center had received approximately 70,000 visitors since it opened and was averaging about 460 visitors per day.
Reimagining pine avenue project expanded
After not receiving a satisfactory bid for the initial Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project approved in 2022, the mayor and city commission decided to expand the project to include similar safety improvements along Spring Avenue and Magnolia Avenue in hopes of generating more interest from construction companies for an expanded project that has approximately $3.3 million in available state, federal and city funding.
In November, the commission supported Mayor Dan Murphy’s suggestion to begin the expanded project in 2024 with a block prototype along Pine Avenue, between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive. The one-block prototype will serve as a test area for the larger project and will include new paver sidewalks, new crosswalks and new streetlights.
Commission vacancies open
In January, Charlie Salem was appointed to serve the remainder of Carol Carter’s vacated commission term. In November, Salem and Commissioner Jon Crane earned additional two-year terms in office after running unopposed. City Commissioner Deanie Sebring vacated her city commission seat in September and Robert Kingan vacated his commission seat in early December.
The three remaining commissioners – Salem, Crane and Short – will appoint two new commissioners on Jan. 25.
Idalia causes flooding
In late August, the combined arrival of Hurricane Idalia and king tides produced flooding in Anna Maria and throughout Anna Maria Island and Cortez.
In Anna Maria, some ground-level homeowners experience flood water intruding into their homes. The flooding and street flooding were particularly heavy in some areas along Magnolia Avenue, North Shore Drive and North Bay Boulevard.
City celebrates centennial, more
In late May, the city held the first of two centennial celebrations at City Pier Park. Taking place immediately after the city’s Patriotic Symphony Salute in recognition of Memorial Day, the centennial celebration included a historical presentation by longtime Island resident Tom Aposporos and music from the year 1923 performed by musicians from the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra. Before the celebration, the city purchased ceremonial centennial flags that were displayed along Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive.
In September, a second centennial celebration took place at the park featuring local non-profit organizations, food, beer and wine sales and live music.
In October, the city-hosted farmers’ market at City Pier Park returned for the season. In November, the city hosted its annual “Old Soldiers & Sailors” parade and veterans recognition ceremony. Also in November, the annual Thanks-Living community gathering and potluck dinner took place at City Pier Park.
Other happenings
In March, Sgt. Brett Getman returned to his duties as the leader of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office’s Anna Maria Unit after suffering a major heart attack while on duty in December 2022.
In October, the city commission discussed allowing dogs in City Pier Park, but no final decision has been made.
In November, the city closed on the $1 million purchase of a building previously leased to the city for use as a city annex for the building department. The building department will return to city hall and the Anna Maria Unit of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is moving into the recently purchased building.
In November, German brewer and restaurateur Oliver “Oli” Lemke bought the Rod & Reel Pier and restaurant from Mario Schoenfelder.
Passings
Former Anna Maria Island Sun reporter and copy editor Pat Copeland passed away on June 13 at 76. Her life was celebrated with a ceremony that included a New Orleans-style second-line march down Pine Avenue. Copeland was also the co-founder of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Museum.
Former Anna Maria City Commissioner Gene Aubry passed away on Dec. 9 at 88. He lived in Palmetto at the time of his death. Aubry served as a commissioner from 2010-13. He moved to Anna Maria in 1985, where he continued to work as an architect after a long and successful career as an architect in Texas and elsewhere.
