HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy Titsworth has issued an official request to stop all new vacation rentals in the city in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, Titsworth issued a letter March 25 to all vacation rental owners and agents in the city asking them to stop taking new reservations for the time being. The request does not affect reservations that were already made, though each vacation rental owner or agent may have different policies regarding reservations during this time.
Titsworth’s request states that it’s in response to two executive orders issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis. One order requires all people entering Florida from an area with substantial community spread of the virus to self-isolate for 14 days upon entering the state. The states mentioned in the order include Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, and was later amended to add Louisiana.
The second order involves a public health advisory asking all people over age 65 to stay home and take other measures to limit their potential exposure to the virus.
In response to Titsworth’s request to suspend vacation rental reservations, Barbara Sato, president of the Anna Maria Island Vacation Property Association, forwarded a letter stating that the group will be taking proactive steps for rental properties in Holmes Beach.
Effective March 25 and continuing for three arrival weeks, the group agreed to not take any new reservations for vacation rental properties in Holmes Beach unless the reservation is for one month or longer. Existing reservations for people arriving from the states mentioned in DeSantis’ order are canceled for the next two weeks with the issue to be re-evaluated weekly. Also, for the next three weeks, the group of rental agents agreed to limit the occupancy in vacation rental units to no more than 10 confirmed guests.
Members of the property association include Anna Maria Island Accommodations, Coastal Cottages, AMI Vacation Rentals, Duncan Real Estate, Fran Maxon Real Estate, Island Real Estate, Lizzie Lu’s Island Retreat and Sato Real Estate.
HOLMES BEACH – Everyone may feel a little disconnected while social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, but Mayor Judy Titsworth is working to make sure that Holmes Beach residents stay connected to their city government.
Titsworth is releasing daily updates on activities at city hall. The March 27 update gives the most up-to-date information on how things are working behind the closed doors of city hall.
While city hall is closed to the public, allowing only essential city employees to enter, the rear entrance at the police station remains open for emergency access to Holmes Beach police officers.
Right now, the only meetings being held are essential meetings, with the city’s parks and beautification committee, planning commission and city commission work sessions all canceled for the first half of April. The April 14 city commission meeting will be held via teleconferencing with login credentials supplied to the public via the city’s website.
The mayor is continuing to update the city’s state of emergency and re-evaluate the extension on a weekly basis.
HBPD officers are continuing their daily monitoring of the beaches. Currently, all public beaches are closed and city leaders are asking that anyone who does choose to go to the beach during the coronavirus pandemic gather in groups of 10 people or less, maintain a distance of 10-15 feet between groups and park legally. To help with the beach closure, Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that public parking has been reduced by 85-90% for beach parking and that police are enforcing the new restrictions.
Titsworth said that code compliance officers are monitoring occupancy in city hotels, motels and vacation rentals. On March 25, Titsworth issued an official request to all vacation rental owners and agents along with hotel and motel management to ask them to cease taking new reservations at this time. She said that the response to this request has been primarily positive.
Currently, code compliance officers are not conducting vacation rental certificate program inspections. The city’s public works department is working diligently to sanitize city hall, city offices and all city vehicles to help keep employees safe.
The Holmes Beach building department is still open but is only accepting new permit requests through the city’s website. Inspections are still being conducted, with all city inspectors wearing personal protective equipment. Inspectors are considering video submittals for inspections on small permit projects. Contractors have been asked to limit the number of workers on job sites to 10 or less. Anyone with questions about the new policies is asked to contact building department staff by email or by telephone at 941-708-5800.
“I continue to urge all Island residents and guests to continue to practice social distancing,” Titsworth said in her March 27 update. “Everyone in our community has a very important job to do. That job is to assume you have COVID-19 and to not spread your germs. Please continue to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer and stay at home.”
I’ve resisted writing about the Covid-19 threat and how it affects fishing and our lives here in Florida. Until now. Why the change? I think it’s incumbent on everyone to have a frank discussion of the potential threat this disease poses and to attempt to disseminate some information and ideas about the possible effects of the pandemic on those who love the outdoors.
Boaters trespassed on Passage Key this weekend. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun
If you’re like me – and I assume you are since you’re reading this column – you try to get out and enjoy the Suncoast at every opportunity. The unusually long stretch of beautiful weather and clear blue waters increases the volume on that siren song. Herein lies the problem and the need for exercising what seems to be in short supply, personal responsibility and common sense.
Consider the issue of boating and the closing of local boat ramps. While this move by local officials was deemed (correctly in my opinion) necessary to help stem the potential for the spread of the disease, it’s far from a perfect or complete solution. For one, it isn’t and probably never could be equitable to all parties. While some commercial interests are allowed to use a couple of local launch locations, working guides can’t. Add to that equation the fact that many boaters have vessels on lifts and access to private ramps and the tip of an ominous “iceberg” looms large over the boating community.
I’ve personally observed some troubling scenes this past week. On Saturday and Sunday hordes of boaters descended on popular spots like Passage Key, a restricted National Wildlife Sanctuary in Tampa Bay, and the Longboat Pass sandbar near Jewfish Key. While many boaters did respect the call to social distance, a distressing number of boaters did not, potentially endangering not only themselves but anyone they might come in contact with. This behavior threatens those who do follow the rules, not only with infection but their ability to responsibly enjoy the outdoors.
Here are a couple of suggestions of ways to safely and responsibly appreciate the weather and outdoors we’ve been blessed with. If you own a boat and have access to the water, go out by yourself or with no more than one or two other anglers if you have a large boat. If you do fish with someone else remember how easily this disease spreads and follow CDC guidelines and take the proper precautions.
If you’re an Island resident, try walking the beach. Besides snook in the surf you might encounter pompano, flounder and redfish, especially around structure. The same goes for access points in the bay where you can wade the flats for redfish, trout, snook (catch and release only) and a host of other species. There are also the local bridges that provide access to some excellent fishing opportunities for all local species including Spanish mackerel, which are excellent eating when prepared fresh.
Whatever your passion, please be cognizant of the threat this disease poses if we are not vigilant. So far, we’ve been spared from the full effects of the global pandemic but I fear the worst is yet to come. How we conduct ourselves now can have far-reaching effects in the future. Of course, there’s the possibility that we might be spared the worst of the outbreak. I hope I’m wrong about the threat, but I’d rather be wrong and safe than dismissive of the risk and reap the potential grim results. A quote by the fly fishing savant Lefty Kreh keeps coming to mind – “It’s only common sense, only common sense ain’t so common.” Please do your part, it could mean your life or the life of one you love.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Those who went boating on Saturday near Anna Maria Island were among the first to do so following the executive order the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued Friday afternoon.
Issued at the direction of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, FWC Executive Order 20-09 sets forth temporary conditions that now apply to boaters using Florida waterways.
While the order remains in effect, recreational vessel occupancy is limited to no more than 10 persons per vessel and recreational boaters must maintain a minimum distance of 50 feet from other vessels.
“This distance provision does not apply to permitted mooring fields, public or private marinas or any other permanently installed wet slips, and does not apply to vessels underway unless they are tied, rafted or moored to another vessel,” the FWC executive order says.
“This shall expire when the Governor’s Executive Order 20-52, expires unless rescinded or superseded at a sooner date,” the FWC order says.
Applicable statewide, the FWC order was issued on Friday, March 27 – one day after the public boat ramps in Manatee County closed.
The Manatee County boat ramp closures provide exceptions for the commercial fishermen still allowed to use the Coquina South Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach and the Riverside Boat Ramp in Palmetto.
“Commercial fishing operations with a Florida Saltwater Products License (SPL) for commercial fishing will be allowed to launch at the two boat ramps,” said the Wednesday, March 25 press release issued by Manatee County.
The county boat ramp closures do not provide any exceptions for charter captains.
Manatee County officials also closed Beer Can Island – also known as Greer Island – which is actually a peninsula extending under the Longboat Key bridge.
With the FWC executive order and the county boat ramp closures now in effect, many recreational boaters gathered legally offshore of Jewfish Key on Saturday afternoon.
These boaters gathered near the northern tip of Jewfish Key on Saturday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
From the vantage point of the Longboat Pass Bridge, there appeared to be fewer boats in that area than there were on Sunday, March 22. The boats gathered Saturday were less densely clustered and more spread out than what was witnessed during the previous weekend.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit patrolled the Intracoastal Waterway waters near Jewfish Key on Saturday afternoon, and there were no boats beached at Beer Can Island.
Boaters gathered between the City Pier and the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria on Saturday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At the north end of Anna Maria Island, boaters gathered offshore near the City Pier and the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria.
And large numbers of boaters gathered near Passage Key and Egmont Key, north of Anna Maria Island.
Large numbers of boaters gathered near Passage Key on Saturday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Sarasota boat ramps closed
On Saturday evening, the city of Sarasota announced the closing of two city-owned public boat ramps.
According to the press release the city of Sarasota issued Saturday evening, the city-owned 10th Street Boat Ramps, the City Island Boat Ramps and the Bird Key Park parking lot were closing to the public at 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 29.
The press release noted the closure was “part of emergency orders related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.”
When contacted Saturday evening, city of Sarasota Senior Communications Manager Jan Thornburg was asked if the Manatee County boat ramp closures impacted the city’s decision to close its public boat ramps.
“We’ve seen an increase with boaters who aren’t following the CDC’s social distancing guidelines. We’re not sure where they are from,” Thornburg said.
Thornburg was asked if commercial fishermen will still be allowed to use the two boat ramps closed to recreational boaters.
“Right now, the interpretation is that all commercial fishermen will be exempted. The city attorney may consider revising this emergency order to include this exemption,” Thornburg said.
According to the press release, “Those who do not voluntarily comply with the new emergency orders related to the closure of the boat ramps and the Bird Key Park parking lot may be issued a citation by a sworn Sarasota police officer. A violation would be considered a second-degree misdemeanor.”
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended vacation rentals for two weeks.
“We’re going to suspend for two weeks any new vacation rentals in the State of Florida. The concern is people in some of these hot spots wanting to come here. Now’s not really the time to do that, so the vacation rentals will be suspended for two weeks. If you’re in one now, then finish and go home – but for any new rentals there’s going to be a suspension on that,” DeSantis said during Friday’s press conference.
These actions are set forth in Executive Order 20-87.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a two-week suspension on new vacation rental stays. – www.flgov.com
“I hereby order all parties engaged in rental of vacation rental properties, as defined in Florida Statutes, to suspend vacation rental operations. Vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in for the duration of this order,” according to the executive order.
The directive includes any house, condominium or dwelling unit that is also a transient public lodging establishment as defined under Florida Statutes.
The governor’s directive does not include hotels, motels, inns, resorts, non-transient public lodging establishments, time share projects or long-term rentals. The order does not include rental stays at which the guests are already occupying the rental unit or have previously booked a stay and are scheduled to check in no later than March 28.
The order does not apply to those performing military, emergency, governmental, health or infrastructure response, or travelers engaged in non-vacation commercial activities.
“DBPR shall revoke the vacation rental license of any party that violates this order or otherwise advertises vacation rental opportunities during the duration of this order; and DBPR shall alert the state authorities to evidence of violations or attempts to violate this order,” the executive order says.
“This executive order shall expire in 14 days unless extended by subsequent order,” the order concludes.
Restrictions in Anna Maria
On Tuesday, March 24, Anna Maria Dan Murphy issued an emergency order that temporarily prohibits new reservations for vacation rental stays of less than 30 days in Anna Maria. The order took effect at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25.
On Tuesday, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy issued an emergency order suspending new vacation rental reservations. – File Photo | Joe Hendricks | Sun
“There shall be no new reservations for an arrival date of March 26 through June 30 of less than 30 days. Reservations with an arrival date on or subsequent to July 1 are excluded from this order,” Murphy’s order says.
“If a rental of 30 days or more during the period between March 25 and June 30 is cancelled before the end of the 30-day period, that vacation rental shall not be permitted to be made available for rental, or be rented, for the balance of that 30-day period,” the order says.
According to the order, it is now considered fraudulent and unlawful to advertise a short-term vacation rental unit in Anna Maria that does not state all restaurants on Anna Maria Island are limited to takeout service only and all bars are closed.
It is also considered fraudulent and unlawful to not include mention of the governor’s 14-day mandatory self-quarantine requirements that apply to visitors from specific states and cities.
“This order is deemed necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city of Anna Maria,” the order says.
The order notes violations shall incur punishments that include but are not limited to the suspension or revocation of the vacation rental unit’s annual registration; removal of tenants; criminal penalties levied against the vacation rental owners and the rental management companies and personnel that represent them.
“Every day of non-compliance will be punished by separate fines levied against both the vacation rental owner and the vacation rental management company in the amount of $500 per day of non-compliance,” the order says.
Murphy is required to review his emergency order at least once every seven days to determine whether it needs to remain in place or be lifted.
On Wednesday, Murphy sent city commissioners an email update on the decision he made.
“Our city is the only one in the county with this type of order. I was on a conference call this afternoon with all cities and county officials in Manatee County. I was asked to explain our rationale/position for this order. I explained that part of our rationale was based upon reducing the churn of people coming into and out of Anna Maria weekly,” Murphy’s email said.
The mayor’s email expressed concerns about visitors being at a higher risk of infection while traveling; about potentially infected visitors using public facilities and visiting city beaches; and about potentially infected visitors being in close proximity to Anna Maria residents, many of whom are senior citizens.
“I acknowledge that there is pressure and displeasure with this order from some quarters. But I still feel this is in the very best interest of our community,” Murphy said in his email.
On Thursday, Murphy and the city commission held their first virtual commission meeting.
Joining the virtual meeting by telephone, several out of state residents expressed concerns about the emergency order impacting their existing reservations.
Pennsylvania resident Rose Jordan said she and several other family members have reservations on Anna Maria Island scheduled to begin on April 18. Jordan said she was not sure which of the three Island cities everyone in her party was scheduled to stay in.
“The order doesn’t apply to existing reservations. You have a legal right to come to the Island and stay,” Murphy said in response – not knowing what Gov. DeSantis would do the following day.
Murphy also cautioned that now is not a good time to travel and he noted the closures and restrictions placed on the Island’s bars and restaurants.
Jordan and others also expressed concerns about some vacation rental companies on the Island not providing refunds to those who wish to cancel their reservations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Jordan said she was offered a credit that must be used during the 2020 calendar year. Jordan said due to their occupations she and several others in her party must bid out their vacation time well in advance and cannot make it to the Island at any other time in 2020.
New York resident Marco Dipasquale expressed similar concerns. He said he is an Airbnb host and that Airbnb and VRBO hosts, for the most part, are giving refunds for cancellations.
“This is not sitting well with us,” Dipasquale said, noting this might be the “last straw” for him when it comes to dealing with some of the Island’s vacation rental companies.
MANATEE COUNTY – In response to the unfolding coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the public boat ramps in Manatee County are now closed to recreational boaters and charter captains.
The Coquina South Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach and the city-owned Riverside Boat Ramp in Palmetto remain open to commercial fishermen only.
The boat ramp closures took effect Thursday morning, March 26.
According to the Manatee County press release issued Wednesday evening, “Commercial fishing operations with a Florida Saltwater Products License (SPL) for commercial fishing will be allowed to launch at the two boat ramps.”
Wednesday’s press release clarified erroneous information originally contained in the press release the county issued on Tuesday when announcing the boat ramp closures.
“Only commercial fishing operations – those with a U.S. Coast Guard Six-Pack Captain’s License and a commercial fishing license – may use Coquina South boat ramp,” the Tuesday press release said.
A six-pack license allows a charter captain to carry up to six passengers.
In response to a phone call received from an angry local charter fisherman who visited the Coquina South Boat Ramp Thursday morning via bicycle, The Sun immediately reached out to Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Nick Azzara for clarification regarding charter captains.
Azzara confirmed that the Coquina South Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach and the Riverside Boat Ramp in Palmetto are currently open only to commercial fishermen who hold Florida Saltwater Products License (SPL) for commercial fishing.
Azzara confirmed charter fishermen are currently prohibited from using the public boat ramps in Manatee County.
The Coquina South Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach remains open to commercial fishermen only. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The South Coquina Boat Ramp is open to commercial fishermen daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Riverside Boat Ramp is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Local and county law enforcement and code enforcement officers are stationed at the Coquina South and Riverside boat ramps. Those who wish to use these ramps may be asked to show their SPL license and provide their names and vessel numbers.
The Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach is closed until further notice. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Concrete barricades now completely block the parking lot entrances and the boat ramps at the Coquina North Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach and the Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach.
The Riverside Boat ramp contains two ramps located side by side. One side is barricaded by large concrete blocks. After 3 p.m., a potable water truck or some other large city vehicle is pulled into place to block the other ramp for the remainder of the day. The large vehicle is then removed the following morning.
This potable water truck was used to block one side of the Riverside Boat Ramp Thursday afternoon after it closed for the day. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Boaters still have options
The closing of the public boat ramps in Manatee County does not prohibit charter fishing excursions or recreational boating trips that originate from a marina, a private dock or a private boat ramp.
As of Friday morning, the public boat ramps in Sarasota, Pinellas, Hillsborough and Charlotte counties remained open.
FWC to enforce distancing
During his press conference on Friday afternoon, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he was directing the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to enforce social distancing guidelines on Florida waterways.
Boaters gathered in large numbers offshore of Jewfish Key, near Anna Maria Island, on Sunday, March 22. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We’ve received reports from FWC and local governments that many people continue to violate social distancing requirements. You need to be in groups of ten or less. They’re tying all these boats together and having large group parties. We can’t be having these large crowds,” DeSantis said on Friday.
Last weekend, large groups of boaters gathered near Jewfish Key, Passage Key and Egmont Key in the vicinity of Anna Maria Island.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Local businesses are reaching out a helping hand to community members amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minnie’s Beach Café, at 5360 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, is offering free breakfasts and lunches to local kids in need. In addition, if anyone is having trouble finding fresh eggs, produce or any items other than paper goods, the staff at the café is willing to help. Call the restaurant with what you’re looking for and, if they have it, the staff is willing to sell supplies to the public. And if you need something but can’t get out and live locally, they’ll deliver your order to you. The restaurant also is offering freshly prepared food to-go. Minnie’s Beach Café can be reached at 941-778-4140. The restaurant is open for pick up from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.
The Sandbar Restaurant and Mar Vista are both offering farm fresh organic produce boxes to the public. Each box of vegetables comes straight from Worden Farms and features an assortment of salad greens, root vegetables, culinary herbs, cooking greens and other organic veggies. Each box is $30 with orders delivered to The Sandbar on Thursdays for pick up after 1 p.m. and to Mar Vista on Thursdays for pick up after 2 p.m. The vegetable boxes are the farmer’s choice and cannot be customized.
Both restaurants also have a menu of freshly prepared dishes for pick up along with a selection of grocery items including eggs, cheese, fresh meat and seafood, pasta, fresh vegetables and bottles of wine, beer and liquor. For more information, or to place your order, visit Mar Vista online to order or The Sandbar online to order. Pickup from both locations is available daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Mar Vista is located at 760 Broadway St. on Longboat Key. The Sandbar is at 100 Spring Ave. in Anna Maria.
Over in Cortez, the Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar also is offering not only some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes to-go but groceries, bait, ice, deli supplies and sandwiches, beer, wine and liquor for pick up by land or by boat. The food menu and available groceries change daily as do the groceries available which range from fresh vegetables to milk and eggs, seafood, deli meats and cheeses, fresh bread and even a few paper goods. The restaurant, located at 4628 119th St. W. or at mile marker 49 by boat, is accepting orders online or by phone at 941-798-2035.
ANNA MARIA – Serving Anna Maria Island residents and employees, the Roser Food Pantry in Anna Maria needs your help assisting others in need during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Food pantry chairman Jack Brennan is asking those who can help to do so by bringing any and all non-perishable food items, paper products and personal hygiene products to the Roser Memorial Community Church office at 512 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
These items can also be brought directly to the Roser Food Pantry across the street at 511 Pine Ave. from 10:30 to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Brennan said this is currently more of a supply issue than a financial issue because the food pantry is having trouble purchasing the food and supplies it needs to assist those in need.
Although the current need at this time is for non-perishable food items and supplies, financial contributions to the food pantry are also always welcomed. Donations can be made online by visiting the church website and clicking on the “missions” link at the top of the church’s homepage. Donations can also be made by calling the church office at 941-778-0414.
Need food?
If you need food, call the church office at 941-778-0414 during regular business hours to set an appointment to visit the food pantry on a Monday or a Wednesday between 11 a.m. and noon or so.
Island workers and residents who are not already signed up for food pantry benefits will be asked to fill out a short application that will make them eligible to immediately receive food pantry benefits.
ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy has issued a state of emergency order that temporarily prohibits new reservations being taken for vacation rental stays of less than 30 days in the city of Anna Maria.
The emergency order is part of the city’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The temporary rental reservation prohibition is effective of Wednesday, March 25.
“There shall be no new reservations for an arrival date of March 26 through June 30 of less than 30 days. Reservations with an arrival date on or subsequent to July 1 are excluded from this order,” the emergency order says.
Reservations can still be made for short-term rental stays that begin on July 1 or later.
“If a rental of 30 days or more during the period between 4 p.m. March 25 and June 30 is cancelled before the end of the 30-day period, that vacation rental shall not be permitted to be made available for rental, or be rented, for the balance of that 30-day period,” the order says.
“The occupancy of all vacation rentals beginning 4 p.m. March 25 and until June 30, regardless of when rented, shall be capped 24 hours a day based upon the allowed overnight occupancy of such vacation rental,” the order says.
This means the number of rental guests and any additional temporary visitors to the vacation rental property cannot exceed at any time the maximum occupancy allowed according to the city’s annual vacation rental registration program.
The emergency order references Chapter 27 of city code and notes misleading advertising shall be strictly enforced.
The order says that as of 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, it shall be considered fraudulent and unlawful to fail to include the following two statements on any vacation rental advertisement made while the reservation restrictions remain in place:
“On Anna Maria Island, all restaurants are closed except for takeout and all bars are closed;
“All persons who have arrived in Florida from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have been ordered by the State of Florida to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry in State of Florida or the duration of the person’s presence in State of Florida, whichever is shorter,” the order says.
“This order is deemed necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city of Anna Maria due to the evolving nationwide COVID-19 regulations and occurrences including but not limited to the shelter in place orders in 12 different states, the need to reduce gatherings of people in compliance with CDC directives, the closures of a massive number of Florida hotels and motels and the order from the State of Florida that certain persons arriving from out of state must shelter in place for a period of 14 days upon arrival,” the order says.
Murphy will review the emergency order at least once every seven days to determine whether it needs to remain in place to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Anna Maria.
“Violations of this order shall be punished as provided in Section 2-271 of the Anna Maria City Code, including, but not limited to:
The suspension or revocation of the vacation rental’s registration;
Removal of tenants in the vacation rental resulting for such reservation in violation of this order;
Criminal penalties against both vacation rental owners and vacation rental management companies and personnel;
Every day of non-compliance will be punished by separate fines levied against both the vacation rental owner and the vacation rental management company in the amount of $500 per day of non-compliance,” the order says.
“Days of non-compliance under this order shall include both the days of advertisements of each vacation rental in violation of this order and the days of rental entered into in violation of this order,” the order says.
Murphy signed and issued the emergency order on Tuesday, March 24. As a courtesy, he sent a copy to County Administrator Cheri Coryea that afternoon.
“Good move Mayor. Thanks,” Coryea wrote in her response.
Three potentially impacted members of Anna Maria’s vacation rental community declined comment when contacted by The Sun.
MANATEE COUNTY – The Manatee County Health Department will host a drive-through specimen collection site at the Bradenton Area Convention Center from Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, March 29.
According to the press release issued by Manatee County Tuesday afternoon, the collection site will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
You must have a prescription to be tested for COVID-19 at the drive-through collection site. You must also make an appointment in advance with the Manatee County Health Department by calling 941-748-0747.
According to the press release, there are 200 specimen collection kits available for the four-day event. The Department of Health will schedule 50 appointments for each of the four days and the specimens collected will be sent to labs for testing.
According to the press release, everyone who arrives at the drive-thru must:
Be in a vehicle. No walk-up patients will be seen.
Drivers must remain in their vehicles at all times.
Drivers must present a photo ID and a prescription for specimen collection, written by their health care provider. The name on the ID and the prescription must match, the press release says.
Anyone in Manatee County who believes they may have COVID-19 should call the Manatee Health Line at 941-242-6649 before calling 9-1-1 and before visiting a hospital emergency room.
MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County commissioners announced that the county boat ramps will close on Thursday, March 26 at an emergency meeting today.
Several other coronavirus (COVID-19) related measures were also taken and discussed during Tuesday’s meeting.
Commission Chair Betsy Benac was the only commissioner to attend the meeting in person. The other commissioners participated remotely.
The county issued a press release soon after the virtual commission meeting concluded.
“In an effort to further curb public gatherings on popular beaches and to protect citizens during the COVID-19 public health crisis, Manatee County officials today announced that beach access will be restricted at Beer Can (Greer) Island beginning Thursday, March 26 at 6 a.m. Additionally, county and city-owned boat ramps will close temporarily beginning Thursday, March 26 at 6 a.m. All Manatee County beaches remain closed. Only commercial fishing operations — those with a U.S. Coast Guard Six-Pack Captain’s License and a commercial fishing license — may use Coquina South boat ramp,” the county press release said.
These boats gathered near Jewfish Key, near Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key, on Sunday factored into the decision to close the county boat ramps. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During the emergency meeting, Director of Public Safety Jacob Saur said local first responders and healthcare workers are in short supply of personal protection equipment (PPE) and asked community businesses to help by donating unused N-95 masks, surgical masks and gloves. Businesses interested in donating these items are asked to call 941- 744-3939.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Benac said, “It’s wonderful to get outside but you need to not congregate. Now is not the time to do it. We have to try, even in the short term. The only way we can slow this virus down is by not passing it along to one another.”
Manatee County Commission Chairperson Betsy Benac was the only commissioner to attend Tuesday’s meeting in person. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
According to the press release, County Administrator Cheri Coryea said county officials remain hopeful that public buildings, facilities and beaches will open sooner rather than later, but decisions on whether to prolong the closures will be made leading up to April 2, when the President’s initial 15 Days to Slow the Spread campaign expires.
According to the press release, the boat ramp closure applies to the county-owned boat ramps, along with the Holmes Beach boat ramp at Memorial Park and Palmetto’s Riverside Park boat ramp. Emerson Point Preserve will remain open but no vehicles or water vessels will be able to reach the sandy beach launch at the western end of the park.
County leaders stated that social distancing must be observed across the community.
MCAT’s Beach Express and Beach Connection service has been discontinued but the Anna Maria Island Trolley is still operating.
County commissioners extended a local state of emergency by seven days today at 9 a.m. The emergency declaration was one of two items on today’s agenda. The other was a resolution declaring a temporary burn ban due to “hot, dry, parched, drought and windy conditions,” according to the press release.
Under the seven-day temporary burn ban, Manatee County residents may continue to use outdoor cookers or grills as long as they are attended by a responsible adult at all times the unit is burning, cooking or otherwise in use. Fireworks, sparklers, flares, campfires and open burning would all be temporarily prohibited under the burn ban. Residents can expect the burn ban to be renewed weekly until the area receives enough rainfall to decrease the threat of brush fires, according to the press release.
Tuesday’s archived meeting can be viewed online and locally on Spectrum channel 644, Verizon channel 30 and Comcast channel 20.
For more information on Manatee County Government, visit the county website or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow the county on Facebook and on Twitter @ManateeGov.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – For Anna Maria Island’s stand-alone bars, St. Patrick’s Day was supposed to be a night of celebration.
Instead, St. Patrick’s Day 2020 became the day Florida’s bars went dark. This took place at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 as a result of the executive order Gov. Ron DeSantis issued earlier that day.
In an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), DeSantis ordered all non-restaurant-affiliated bars and nightclubs to close at 5 p.m. sharp. Those that didn’t comply faced immediate legal consequences.
The governor’s order closed the Drift In, Sports Lounge and Tommy Knockers in Bradenton Beach, and the Anchor Inn, D Coy Ducks and the Doctor’s Office in Holmes Beach. The city of Anna Maria currently has no stand-alone bars in operation.
The Drift In was very busy during its final hour, and at the outside tiki bar, bartender Sharon Bell worked her final bar shift for the foreseeable future.
“I’ve never seen anything like this. It feels ominous and foreign and awful. This place has been serving liquor 365 days a year since before this was Bridge Street, when that bridge (the Cortez Bridge) was made out of wood,” Bell said.
“People have been really sweet today. They’re concerned and they’re asking if I’m going to be alright. Some of our vacationers are worried about what’s going to happen when they go home and if they’re going to get stuck trying to get home. This is not just here. This is not just Florida. This is our whole nation and it’s scary,” Bell said of the pandemic.
“I have another job, thankfully,” she said of her part-time position in the insurance industry.
Bell said she hadn’t had time yet to form an opinion about the governor’s decision to make bars and nightclubs the first Florida industry to be shut down as a result of the pandemic.
Anna Maria Island Privateer and longtime Drift In patron Tim “Hammer” Thompson said he’d already been to D Coy Ducks and the Anchor Inn and he planned to hit the Sports Lounge too before it closed.
“I gotta get ‘em all in before 5 o’clock,” he said.
Thompson said he felt bad for all the bartenders that would become unemployed at 5 p.m. Using an expletive, he also said he disagreed with the governor’s decision.
“At 5 o’clock on St. Patty’s Day I’m going to be the last pirate standing,” he said before making his way to the Sports Lounge next door.
At exactly 5 p.m., the Drift In and the Sports Lounge closed as ordered and many patrons simply dispersed to the other restaurant bars that remained open.
Anchored for now
Although the front door was already locked at 5:20 p.m., Anchor Inn owner Darla Tingler opened the door to discuss what just happened.
“I understand it, but I don’t think it’s fair that he started with the bars,” she said of the governor’s decision.
Tingler said she didn’t understand how sending her customers to another establishment would help separate people in terms of containing the spread of the coronavirus.
“That’s doesn’t make sense to me. As owners, me and my husband will be OK. My employees, that’s another situation. Brad’s been with us for 18 years,” she said.
Her son, Joey Tingler, said, “I woke up this morning thinking I was going to work and I heard they were shutting us down for the next month. None of us saw this coming and none of us were prepared for something of this magnitude.”
Tingler’s husband, Bobby, said there are many times during the day when there are 10 or less people in the bar – and there might be 20 or so people there when it’s busy.
“You’re going to get way more people in the restaurant bars,” he said.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Many restaurants on Anna Maria Island and in the village of Cortez are now offering takeout and delivery service to help offset the economic damage being caused in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
On Tuesday, March 17, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order that closed all Florida bars and nightclubs as of 5 p.m. that night. The executive order also mandated all restaurants reduce their seating capacity to 50% and create a six-foot distance between groups of diners that are now limited to no more than 10 per group.
Swordfish Grill server Scarlett Szarko makes a dockside delivery to boater and longtime patron Mick Weick. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The next change came shortly after 2 p.m. on Friday, March 20, when DeSantis issued an executive order that immediately restricted restaurant operations to delivery and takeout service only. The order allows alcohol to be sold for takeout purposes but prohibits alcohol being consumed on the premises of any Florida restaurant.
Shellshocked in paradise
Although not a complete surprise, Friday’s announcement sent immediate economic shockwaves throughout Florida’s restaurant industry as owners, managers and employees scrambled to enact contingency plans.
In Cortez, Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker already had his plan in place.
“We had already been providing our customers with to-go services that include having their food delivered curbside or dockside,” Slicker said Friday afternoon.
“If you order something to go, you get a free roll of toilet paper if you need it. And if you’re a restaurant employee and have a check stub to prove it you get 40% off your food. We can do to-go alcohol too. You can pick up a six-pack and some food and then stay home,” Slicker said.
He encourages those who purchase takeout food anywhere to tip generously.
“I want to be there for my team and my community and pay some of our employees for as long as I can. Some people can’t bounce back from something like this and they might start making bad decisions,” Slicker said when expressing his concerns about mental health issues and suicide rates increasing as the economic hardships become greater.
By 3:45 p.m. Friday, Anna Maria Island Beach Café bar manager Jason Bell had already closed the tiki bar and the café was in the process of closing until further notice.
“We’re waiting to see what happens next and we’re pretty much out of a job at the moment. Luckily, they’re going to let us come in and do some cleaning and stuff like that, but there’s only so much of that you can do,” Benn said.
By 4 p.m., Hurricane Hanks in Holmes Beach already had banners in their windows that said, “Open for takeout and delivery.”
Management and staff there were already dealing with unhappy customers who were learning they would not be allowed inside to eat or drink.
Around the corner at the Ugly Grouper, General Manager Thad Treadwell was still trying to process what just happened and he said it was too soon for him to comment.
While Treadwell and his staff swung into takeout-only mode, Wisconsin visitor Cindy Jewett and her son Nick learned they were not going to be sitting down to enjoy food and drinks.
“Before you could sit with the tables further apart, but this is ridiculous,” she said of the events that unfolded during her week-long stay on the Island.
In response to the governor’s order, most Anna Maria Island and Cortez restaurants quickly took to social media to announce and promote their takeout and delivery services.
Ed Chiles and the Chiles Group own and operate the Sandbar restaurant in Anna Maria, the BeachHouse in Bradenton Beach and Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant in Longboat Key.
When contacted Sunday, Chiles said, “All three restaurants are operating with takeout menus and we’re looking to do custom food too if people need a bigger, family-style meal.”
Regarding his employees, Chiles said, “Our staff is concerned and we’re providing them information on where to go to sign up for unemployment compensation, how to do that and what we’re doing with their health insurance after these layoffs happen. We also set up a GoFundMe account for our Chiles Group employees and we put $12,000 in that. This is a vehicle for people who want to help these folks who work for us.”
Before last week’s events unfolded, the Chiles Group had more than 300 employees.
JEWFISH KEY – Many members of the local boating community refused to let coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns interfere with their weekend fun.
The waters near Jewfish Key were thick with boaters Sunday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At least a hundred boats dropped anchor today near a popular weekend boating destination, the sandbar west of Jewfish Key in the Intracoastal Waterway, east of the northern tip of Longboat Key and south of the Coquina boat ramps in Bradenton Beach.
Some boaters came near the Jewfish Key shoreline and some stood in the water in large groups. At least one boat flew a Confederate flag. Many others flew American flags and quite a few flew Donald Trump flags.
Some boaters near Jewfish Key proudly displayed their presidential preferences. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Several other boats came ashore at nearby Beer Can Island (Greer Island), actually a peninsula on both sides of the Longboat Pass Bridge.
Beer Can Island (Greer Island) was also a popular gathering spot for boaters this afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Near the bridge, five young adults shared space on a small boat while fishing and suntanning with no apparent concerns about social distancing.
It’s hard to practice social distancing on a small boat. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
That was the same story on another nearby boat containing four young adults in swimwear.
These young adults didn’t seem too concerned about social distancing. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Near the North Coquina boat ramp, a larger, more colorful motorboat approached with at least six older adults gathered in close proximity to each other.
These older adults stood in close proximity to one another while enjoying a boat ride. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
According to social media posts and photographs shared by several Anna Maria Island residents, similar-sized boating crowds assembled at Jewfish Key and Beer Can Island on Saturday too.
According to Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, large groups of boaters also assembled at Passage Key and Egmont Key during the weekend.
“In my 35-plus years, I have never seen so many boats around both Passage and Egmont keys. It was wall-to-wall,” Murphy said today.
The impromptu boat armadas occurred during the first weekend that the public beaches were closed in Manatee County, Sarasota County and several other neighboring counties and cities. The beaches were closed as a preventive measure to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
During a Friday, March 20 press conference at the county administration building in Bradenton, Manatee County Public Safety Director Jake Saur was asked about the status of the boat ramps. Saur said the county had no plans to close the public boat ramps and did not feel there was any need to.
The parking lots at the Coquina North and Coquina South boat ramps were both full this afternoon, but they were quiet and orderly while the boaters enjoyed their time on the water.
The Coquina North boat ramp was full this afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Manatee Beach Patrol personnel were stationed at the boat ramp parking lot entrances and they turned away those who wished to park there for non-boating or non-personal watercraft-related activities.
The Coquina boat ramps are located across Gulf Drive from Coquina Beach, where the beach parking lots are closed until further notice. At least half of the 10 or so vehicles parked illegally along the Gulf Drive South right of way near the Longboat Pass Bridge this afternoon received $50 parking tickets from the Bradenton Beach Police Department.
Some who parked illegally along Gulf Drive South received $50 parking tickets – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When asked how things were at the Kingfish boat ramp in Holmes Beach, Police Chief Bill Tokajer said, “All Good. Busy.”
Remember the movie, “What Women Want” with Mel Gibson about 20 years ago? He suddenly acquired the ability to read women’s minds, not men’s minds, just women. There are real estate professionals out there that would love to have that ability when they first meet a potential buyer, only they want to be able to read all buyer’s minds.
If you have two people, you have two different opinions and real estate buying is no exception. Buying a house with another person is right up there with other major life events. One person wants a fully renovated home in move-in condition, the other wants a fixer-upper so they can put their own stamp on it. One person wants charm, the other wants function, one person wants waterfront, the other can’t stand sand. One person wants a garage, the other thinks it’s a junk collector, you get the picture.
The key to house hunting is not to dig in too much. You may think you want a pool or a basement or skylights and find out later that the maintenance involved for certain items is more expensive than anticipated.
So, who in a relationship gets the final word on whether you buy a three-bedroom single-family home or a two-bedroom condo? When I first got into real estate, we would say that whichever person in a couple sat in the front seat of the car with the agent was the decision-maker. An interesting little observation but probably doesn’t tell the whole story.
As it turns out, a survey of 33,000 home shoppers shows some of the differences between men and women in their wants and needs in a property. For instance, women tend to determine floor plan and layout, young mothers want to be able to keep an eye on the children from the kitchen and require upstairs bedrooms close to children. Men, on the other hand, are focused on location, a long-held opinion that this may be the most important thing when house-hunting.
In addition, women tend to want pantry space and closet space. They want multiple bathrooms with both a tub and a shower and, of course, large laundry rooms where they can set up ironing boards and drying racks. They also would love an office for household accounts and a master bedroom formatted as a get-away spot. Men want outdoor space, room for fitness equipment, three-car garages, a media room, green technology and high-end kitchen appliances. The bottom line is the survey showed that 92 percent of all home purchases are led by a woman.
Finally, couples need to have serious and substantial conversations before they get into the agent’s car, whichever seat they sit in. And before they call an agent, they need at least an outline of what they want in a property and, of course, an area. That’s not to say they can’t be flexible with that list, but it’s an important starting point.
Probably buyers would love to be able to read their agent’s minds as well. Chances are what they would see is, “Please just tell me what you want!” written on their forehead. Knowing what you want beforehand will help not only you but your agent as well from losing your collective minds.
