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Year: 2020

Potential tenants attend City Pier pre-bid meeting

Potential tenants attend City Pier pre-bid meeting

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – More than a dozen restaurateurs are potentially interested in leasing the new City Pier restaurant and bait shop.

Last week, the deadline to submit proposals in response to the city’s request for proposals (RFP) was extended from March 10 to April 8. This was done at the request of the interested restaurateurs, including those who attended the RFP pre-bid meeting at Anna Maria City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

The city commission approved the submission extension on Thursday, Feb. 27. Before doing so, Commissioner Mark Short asked Mayor Dan Murphy how the extension would impact the restaurant opening.

“You’re still looking at probably the fourth quarter (of 2020) to the first quarter of next year for a restaurant to be operational,” Murphy said.

During Wednesday’s pre-bid meeting, Murphy said he expects the pier itself to open to the public in March or April.

According to the pre-bid meeting sign-in sheet, an additional list provided by Murphy and additional research by The Sun, the following parties attended Wednesday’s meeting and/or expressed to Murphy interest in leasing the city-owned pier buildings:

  • Julian Botero and Gabriella Hoock from the Gulf Drive Café in Bradenton Beach;
  • Hal Christensen and Jessica Stevens from Harry’s Continental Kitchens in Longboat Key;
  • Rod & Reel Pier manager Rockey Corby, representing current City Pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder’s TCPR Inc.;
  • Gabriel Davila and Darlene Ruth from Seabreeze Concessions, the former concessionaire at Lido Beach in Sarasota;
  • Buddy and Cate Foy, owners of Cate’s Italian Garden in Bolton Landing, N.Y.;
  • Chef Marcos Fernandez from the upscale Nineteen61 restaurant in Lakeland;
  • Joseph Guli III, CEO of the Sarasota-based Tableseide Restaurant Group whose brands include Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie, Muse at The Ringling and Oak & Stone;
  • Kimberley Mancini, from Michael’s On East in Sarasota;
  • Brian Mathae, owner of Hurricane Hanks in Holmes Beach;
  • Sean Murphy, owner of the Beach Bistro in Holmes Beach;
  • Greg Novack, hospitality consultant and founder and former owner of Sharky’s on the Pier in Venice;
  • Steve Rose, owner of Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria;
  • Mike Ross and Thad Treadwell from the Ugly Grouper in Holmes Beach.

When contacted Friday, Schoenfelder said he has not yet decided whether he’ll respond to the RFP. In January, the city commission rejected his offer to pay an initial base rent of $8,000 per month.

Meeting Q&A

During Wednesday’s meeting, Murphy spent 50 minutes fielding questions from potential bidders.

He told attendees the city seeks proposals from those interested in leasing the pier buildings and completing the interior build-outs of the exterior shells at their own expense.

He said the potential bidders can schedule a tour of the pier and pier buildings.

Murphy said the tenant will lease the restaurant and bait shop areas and share the use and maintenance costs for the common areas that include the pier walkway, boat landing, T-end decking and public restrooms.

In response to questions posed, Murphy said:

  • The pier buildings provide 4,600 square feet of total interior space;
  • Leasing additional portions of the shared common areas is negotiable;
  • The tenant is not obligated to sell live bait at the bait shop, and the current tenant stopped doing so long ago;
  • The city expects the tenant to acquire a fishing license that allows anyone to fish on the pier;
  • The number of parking spots provided will be based on city code requirements, gated parking is negotiable and valet parking at nearby Bayfront Park is possible;
  • Live music and/or outdoor speakers in the common areas is negotiable.

Murphy said the city doesn’t have any information to provide regarding past pier revenues, foot traffic or the number of pier visitors. He said one consultant estimated that location could potentially generate a maximum of $3.5-$4 million in annual revenues with a restaurant, bait shop and souvenir and merchandise sales.

“It’s the most visited attraction in Manatee County. It’s a high visibility location. It’s a great view. That’s a big part of the attraction,” Murphy said.

Attendees asked several questions about utility lines and connections, lighting, drain locations and other technical details. Murphy could not provide specific details in every instance, but those details are included in the 65 written questions and answers posted at the city website. The updated submission schedule and the RFP are also posted there.

“We were pleased with the number of interested attendees at the meeting,” Murphy later said. “Most importantly, it was apparent there is a great deal of interest from our local restaurateurs in operating on the pier – successful businesspeople who know the Anna Maria City Pier’s potential. Attendees came from a wide range of niche markets in the hospitality industry, ranging from family-oriented to upscale and gourmet.”

Manatee County resident being treated for coronavirus

Manatee County resident being treated for coronavirus

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has announced that a Manatee County resident is one of the first two people in Florida to presumptively test positive for the coronavirus.

“The Florida Department of Health had announced there are two presumptive positive cases of 2019 coronavirus disease, COVID-19, in Florida. Both individuals remain in isolation at this time. Despite these cases in Florida, the overall immediate threat to the public remains low,” according to the FDOH’s two-page written announcement.

“The first patient is an adult Manatee County resident without travel history to countries identified for restricted travel by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). This person did seek health care, is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials,” the FDOH announcement said.

“The Florida Department of Health is working closely with the patient, their close contacts and health care providers to isolate and monitor persons who may have been exposed to COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough or shortness of breath,” the announcement said.

“The second patient is an adult resident of Hillsborough County with a history of travel to Italy. This person is isolated and will continue. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus,” according to the announcement.

The health department recommends avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying home when you are sick, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, washing your hands often and cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched objects and surfaces.

When addressing the media on Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed the two cases reported in Florida. He reiterated the FDOH statement about the threat currently being low to others, but he acknowledged additional cases are expected.

Hospital issues statement

On March 1, The Doctors Hospital of Sarasota issued a written statement that said, “Doctors Hospital of Sarasota has been notified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that we have a patient in our facility who presumptively tested positive for COVID-19. The patient was admitted to our facility in late February and remains in our care.

“On Friday, Feb. 28, the CDC changed its guidance regarding COVID-19, specifically the criteria for persons under investigation, which consequently led the patient to be tested. Upon recognizing that the patient was a potential COVID-19 case, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota immediately and appropriately activated all protocols for handling potential COVID-19 cases, including immediate isolation.

“All potentially exposed employees and providers have been identified and the hospital is communicating with them to answer questions and provide additional information. We are working very closely with the local and state departments of health as well as the CDC to assure that we continue to take all appropriate precaution,” according to the Doctors Hospital statement.

Commission pledges $5 million in tourist funds to Mote

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

BRADENTON – Manatee County commissioners have committed $5 million in Manatee County tourist tax funds to Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota County for marketing over the next five years.

Mote, which operates marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation facilities, an aquaculture facility, and conducts research into coral bleaching, red tide and other marine issues, previously requested $15 million to help build its planned Science Education Aquarium (SEA) at Nathan Benderson Park. However, Manatee County Attorney William Clague told commissioners at the time that Manatee County tourist tax proceeds can’t be used for construction projects outside the county, and commissioners declined the request, deciding to look for other ways to assist the organization.

The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) decided last month to recommend that county commissioners approve a reduced commitment of $1.25 million over 25 years, or $50,000 a year.

But county commissioners decided on Tuesday, Feb. 25 to raise that amount to $5 million, or $1 million a year for five years, earmarking the funds for marketing, not construction.

“I believe that right now we have an opportunity that we have not seen before and I’m not sure we’re going to see it again,” said County Commissioner and newly-appointed TDC Chair Misty Servia, who explained that she supports Mote as a means to improve water quality.

Reduced water quality could lead to reduced tourism, while improved water quality will support ecotourism, she said.

Commission Chair Betsy Benac agreed with Servia that supporting Mote is an “incredible opportunity.”

The board vote was unanimous in favor of the expenditure.

 

https://amisun.com/2020/02/03/tourist-tax-collections-2019/

 

Shorebird survey marks start of season

Shorebird survey marks start of season

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Birds, Outdoors.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Shorebird nesting season is beginning, and a three-day survey of shorebirds on Anna Maria Island beaches shows 38 black skimmers – a threatened species in Florida – preparing to nest.

Local shorebirds – including another threatened species, snowy plovers, have not quite begun their spring nesting, but will soon, said Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Director Suzi Fox, who completed the survey.

Shorebird survey marks start of season
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Director Suzi Fox has completed a three-day survey of shorebirds on the Island’s beaches. AMITW | Submitted

Skimmers, plovers and other shorebirds scoop out shallow nests in beach sand, making the nests difficult to see and vulnerable to being unknowingly trampled by beachgoers. Volunteers stake out the nesting areas to protect the eggs, chicks and parents.

During bird nesting season, March through August, beachgoers should follow these tips to keep birds safe:

  • Teach kids not to chase birds – bird parents may abandon nests if they are disturbed.
  • Don’t feed birds – it encourages them to fly at people aggressively and is not good for their health.
  • If birds are screeching and flying at you, you’re too close to them.
  • Avoid posted bird nesting areas and use designated walkways to the beach.
  • Keep pets away from bird nesting areas.
  • Never touch a shorebird chick, even if it’s wandering outside a staked nesting area.
  • Keep the beach clean; food scraps attract predators such as raccoons and crows to the beach, and litter can entangle birds and other wildlife.
  • If you see people disturbing nesting birds, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Maria Wirries to sing in Sarasota

Maria Wirries to sing in Sarasota

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Entertainment, Music.

SARASOTA – Broadway actress Maria Wirries, who entertained Anna Maria Island audiences as a child performer, will perform with the Sarasota Orchestra in “My Favorite Things” in three shows March 6-7 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

The 22-year-old Haitian-American singer, dancer, actor, musician, composer and competitive figure skater won the Island’s Got Talent contest at the Sandbar restaurant in Anna Maria in 2009 at age 12 with her renditions of “Blue Bayou” and “New York, New York.”

Maria Wirries to sing in Sarasota
Maria Wirries at age 12 in 2009 won the Island’s Got Talent contest at the Sandbar restaurant in Anna Maria with her renditions of “Blue Bayou” and “New York, New York.” – Cindy Lane | Sun

After graduating from the musical theatre program at Penn State University, Wirries joined a two-year national tour as part of the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical, “Dear Evan Hansen.” She is an understudy in two roles: Zoe Murphy, the title character’s love interest, and his school friend, Alana Beck.

On a break from the tour, Wirries will star in “My Favorite Things,” featuring songs from The Sound of Music, Mamma Mia!, Les Misérables and more with the Center Stage Singers and the Sarasota Orchestra under the direction of Principal Pops Conductor Andrew Lane.

Wirries has previously performed with the Sarasota Orchestra in its Masterworks and Pops Concert Series, and with the Sarasota Orchestra Jazz Ensemble, and the Sarasota-based Jacobites Pipe and Drum Band.

“I’m a complete sucker for traditional musical theater songs,” Wirries said. “I jumped at them immediately.”

Maria Wirries to sing in Sarasota
Maria Wirries

In her current tour, Wirries has participated in 560 shows in 38 cities.

“I didn’t realize that not every city is as fortunate to be surrounded by generous people who love and support the arts as Sarasota,” Wirries said. “Growing up, I was surrounded by it. We have the arts, along with the beach and good weather.  We are so lucky.”

Manatee CCA banquet a huge success

Manatee CCA banquet a huge success

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

I attended the 2020 Manatee County Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) banquet at the Manatee County Convention Center in Palmetto on Feb. 27. That night, close to 1,000 anglers and conservationists were in attendance to show their support for one of the CCA’s largest and most active chapters.

It was great to see the commitment local sportsmen have for not only the fish that swim Florida’s salt waters but the habitat that supports them. The fact that this organization had its beginnings right here on Anna Maria Island made the experience all the more satisfying.

The CCA is a non-profit organization with 17 coastal state chapters spanning the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic seaboard and the Pacific Northwest. CCA had its beginnings in 1977 after commercial overfishing along the Texas coast decimated redfish and speckled trout populations.

In response, 14 concerned recreational anglers created the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (GCCA) to combat overfishing. The stewardship started with a Save the Redfish campaign, and by 1985, chapters had formed along the Gulf Coast. That year I joined Captain Scott Moore, Cindy McCartney, Captain Jim O’Neill, Pete Turner, Mac Smith and other concerned anglers to form the Manatee Chapter of the then Florida Conservation Association (FCA), which became the state’s fifth chapter. The timing was auspicious as GCCA organizer Bruce Cartwright was in Florida organizing state chapters and helped guide us in absorbing and disseminating the group’s message.

In 1986, FCA successfully intervened in lawsuits filed by commercial interests opposing Spanish mackerel recovery plans establishing the FCA as a force for positive change that would make huge strides toward protecting and enhancing coastal fisheries.

In 1987, the CCA was also successful in stopping purse-seining of spawning redfish in the Gulf of Mexico in response to the “blackened redfish” craze. That year the FCA merged with the Everglades Protection Association and joined with CCA in efforts to bring about a management plan to protect billfish from longline fishing vessels.

In 1988, the FCA won a four-year battle to achieve gamefish status for Florida’s depleted redfish stocks. Redfish became the first species since 1957 to be removed from Florida’s market. That same year, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce signed an FCA-supported management plan for billfish, marking the first time federal authorities have declared a gamefish in federal water.

By the early 90s, the mid-Atlantic region and New England all had active chapters. Washington and Oregon chapters were formed in 2007. The CCA has participated in virtually every national marine fishery debate since 1984. In the federal court system, CCA’s legal defense fund has been used to defend net bans, fight for the implementation of bycatch reduction devices, support pro-fisheries legislation and battle arbitrary no-fishing zones.

Now in the 21st century, the CCA network is engaged in hundreds of local, state and national projects supporting conservation efforts. The CCA has been a strong supporter of Sarasota Bay Watch’s clam restoration project and donated at the recent Scallopalooza Fundraiser to increase the impact of their “A Million Clams in 2020” initiative. CCA funding has initiated scientific studies, funded marine-science scholarships, built artificial reefs, created finfish hatcheries, supported hydrologic and contaminant studies, monitored freshwater inflows, supported local marine law enforcement and much more.

Through broad-based recreational angler support, a strong legal and legislative presence, decades of experience and an unwavering vision for the future of U.S. and global marine resources, the CCA battles for the sustainable health of our coastal fisheries and for recreational anglers’ interests. You can support the Coastal Conservation Association’s mission; join the Manatee Chapter.

Castles in the Sand

Seller’s market?

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

We’re in a seller’s market, words that every homeowner wants to hear. But even a seller’s market needs to be handled with care and respected; it can turn on a dime on so many factors, quickly depleting your pot of gold.

A seller’s market is defined as a real estate market that has more demand than supply, and that’s certainly true all over Manatee County. As of January, there was only 3.4 month’s supply of single-family properties for sale in Manatee County – a six-month supply of available properties is generally considered a healthy real estate market. Also, to be considered a seller’s market, sales prices grow above 4% a year. As of January, single-family homes in Manatee County grew 6.6% over January of last year.

So, what’s the best way to sell your property in a seller’s market? It’s recommended that in a good seller’s market a property can be priced about 5% higher than comparable properties. But since we all know that a homeowner’s perception of a comparable property may not be what buyers see relative to condition and location, you must be careful in pricing above the market and treat it as an experiment that may not work and may need to be quickly adjusted.

Here in Manatee County, we are seeing a lot of new construction competing with resales. We’re living in a funny world where, unlike previous generations, buyers don’t want to take on projects and may pay a premium for new construction but not your home. Do whatever you can to remove objections to your property including some renovations that may not get you all your money back but could sell your property a lot faster. Emphasize features in your home that new construction may not ever have including water views and mature landscaping.

If you’re selling an empty property, consider staging or at the very least virtually staging which will provide photos online showing how the home looks with furniture. This may not beat new construction decorator models, but it will give you an edge with other resales.

Nationally and locally, sale prices are picking up as inventory stays tight. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, which measures average home prices in major metropolitan areas across the nation, reported that for November there was a 3.5% increase over a 12-month period. The growth continues in their analysis in December with the average home prices going up 3.8% during the previous 12-month period.

The housing market has been expected to be boosted by mortgage rates being at their lowest level in half a century. However, although sale prices are going up, sales numbers are going down. Inventory is limited and buyers are not moving forward because they can’t find what they want and/or the price points are too high. According to the National Association of Realtors, the housing inventory level was the lowest for January since 1999. Existing home sales fell 1.3% in January compared with December according to the National Association of Realtors.

Until this market gets into a more normal area, we’re stuck with a seller’s market, not always a good thing. So, no matter how low the inventory goes, buyers aren’t fools and won’t pay way above market value just because they don’t have a lot to choose from. They’ll sit out the market, continue living with mom and dad or rent.

Don’t you be a fool and take the market for granted. Protect your pot of gold – it may not always be there.

Mayor provides pier lease update

Mayor provides pier lease update

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Archives.

ANNA MARIA – On Wednesday, Feb. 19, Mayor Dan Murphy provided city commissioners with an e-mail update regarding the request for proposals (RFP) the city issued in January seeking a new city pier tenant.

The new tenant will occupy the new city-owned restaurant and bait shop buildings at the T-end of the new pier.

“We don’t anticipate receiving any responses to the RFP until we are close to, or most likely on, the due date. This is the norm for any RFP process. Serious bidders take as much time as possible to perform their due diligence, evaluate the market and prepare a business case,” Murphy’s email update said.

“As of today, 10 restauranteurs have expressed interest in our outstanding RFP. That is not to say that all 10 will submit a bid, but a significant level of interest exists in the local hospitality community. We have received inquiries from St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Lakeland, Bradenton/Sarasota and Anna Maria Island,” Murphy wrote.

An optional meeting for interested bidders was scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 10:30 a.m.

“Interested parties who may have open questions remaining would probably attend,” Murphy wrote.

“The final submission date for the RFP is Tuesday, March 10 at 1 p.m. The bids will be opened at that time, but only the name of the bidders will be disclosed. We will have 30 days to evaluate and rank the bids. Details of the bid contents are confidential during that evaluation process,” Murphy wrote.

When contacted Friday, Murphy said 14 parties have expressed interest or posed questions about leasing the pier buildings.

“There’s lots of interest out there. That makes me feel good,” he said.

Questions and answers

Upon request, Murphy shared a document containing written questions posed by potential tenants and the responses provided by the city. That document is referred to as Pier RFP Addendum #2 and it does not reveal the names of any potential bidders that posed questions.

In response to one question, the RFP addendum says there is no draft lease for potential tenants to review, but they can obtain a copy of the previous pier lease.

Current pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder’s lease expires in mid-December. In January, the commission rejected his final offer to pay $8,000 in initial monthly base rent as part of a new 10-year lease.

The addendum says it is negotiable as to whether the city will provide the pier tenant any allowance for the interior build-out of the city-owned pier buildings.

According to the questions posed and the answers given were:

  • The tenant will be required to obtain liability insurance for at least $2 million.
  • The tenant is allowed to sell retail items and merchandise.
  • Restaurant and bait shop patrons will have the shared use of the pier’s common areas.
  • Hours of operation are negotiable.
  • The bait shop can sell beer, the tenant’s ability to obtain a liquor license is negotiable and there is no city ordinance prohibiting liquor service on the pier.
  • Live music in the outside common area is negotiable, as is the tenant’s ability to place additional outdoor seating in the common area at the pier’s T-end.
  • Maintenance costs will be shared by the tenant and the city on a prorated basis, and those financial terms are negotiable.
  • Regarding menu expectations or requirements, the addendum says, “Good quality food.”
  • Regarding there being any city expectations or requirements for the restaurant’s name, the addendum says, “Yes – City Pier Restaurant, but negotiable.”
  • The city prefers that breakfast be served, but that is negotiable.
  • The number of parking spaces provided to the tenant will depend on how many seats the tenant proposes.
  • The city is unable to provide an estimate on the taxes and utilities to be paid by the tenant.
  • The city is unable to provide data regarding the average number of pier visitors in past years.
  • Potential bidders can request a tour of the pier and pier buildings with their own architect and/or builder.

Related coverage

Pier opening delayed by electrical issues

Commission rejects Schoenfelder’s pier lease offer

Pier lease offer to be discussed Friday

Vacation rental bills looming large

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Archives.

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Legislature is getting closer to potentially taking away local governments’ ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals and vacation rental advertising.

And Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and Commissioner Carol Carter are among those who are concerned that state legislators may finally succeed in their annual efforts to strip away cities’ home rule rights.

Similar in nature and intent, Senate Bill 1128 and House Bill 1011 are progressing toward possible final votes on the House and Senate floors.

As recently noted by Florida League of Cities Legislative Advocate Casey Cook, legislators who support the proposed legislation want to turn over the regulation of vacation rentals to the already understaffed and under-resourced Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulations.

And new this year, state legislators are including in their proposed legislation a requirement that all vacation rentals advertised through Airbnb, VRBO and other online platforms must be fully licensed and registered with the state. This is the legislature’s attempt to ensure that vacation rental-related taxes are remitted to county tax collectors, including the sale tax revenues to be remitted back to the state.

Originally filed by Sen. Manny Diaz Jr, R-Miami/Dade, SB 1128 passed through its second committee stop on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The Commerce and Tourism Committee ruled favorably on the amended bill by the 3-2 vote and committee chair Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, was one of three senators who voted favorably on the bill.

The Senate bill has been referred to the Rules Committee for its third and final committee stop but it was not included on the agenda for the committee’s Wednesday, Feb. 26 meeting.

If SB 1128 passes through the Rules Committee, it is likely headed to the Senate floor for a final vote by the Republican-controlled Florida Senate.

Serving as the House companion, HB 1011 is co-sponsored by Rep. Jason Fischer, R- Jacksonville, and Rep. Mike LaRosa, R-St. Cloud.

HB 1011 passed through its third and final committee stop on Thursday, Feb. 20, when the Commerce Committee ruled favorably on the bill by a 14-9 margin. State Rep. Will Robinson Jr., a Republican from Bradenton, broke ranks with his party and opposed the legislation. The following day, Murphy sent Robinson an email expressing his appreciation.

“Thank you for voting no on HB 1011 concerning vacation rentals. Your stance on this critical issue is greatly appreciated and respected.  It was apparent that you were the only Republican who had the courage on the committee to stand up for what is in the best interests of the community. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed and will not be forgotten. We thank you for your continued support of the city of Anna Maria and your understanding of the impact of this proposed legislation,” Murphy’s email said.

HB 1011 now appears to be headed to the House floor for a final vote in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

If identical bills are adopted by the Senate and the House, the legislation would be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign into law or veto. The 2020 legislative session is scheduled to end on March 13.

Local concerns

On Friday, Murphy discussed his concerns and said he’s in daily contact with Chip Case, the city’s lobbyist.

“I’m very concerned about this legislation getting to the House and Senate floors. We need to keep the pressure on the Senate Rules Committee,” Murphy said.

“When Commissioner Carter and I were in Tallahassee two weeks ago, every person we visited, including Fischer, said we certainly got a lot email from your constituents. That’s important. It might be falling on deaf ears, but if we didn’t have that public pressure and we appealed to the governor, the legislators could say there’s been no public objection to this bill,” Murphy said.

“If it passes as written, we’re through regulating vacation rentals. Occupancy limits, inspections and registration would all be out the door. We would lose the ability to know, from a law enforcement point of view, who’s responsible for that house. Now we know who’s responsible because we make sure every vacation rental has a registered agent, a person we can contact 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That’s critical if there’s a fire, a burglary, an issue with noise or some other issue. Without registration, we have nothing. You’re not going to call anybody at Airbnb. Most of these homes are listed under an LLC and in many cases, it’s foreign ownership,” Murphy said.

“The annual inspections are good, and the occupancy limits are important too – Airbnb wants to cram 25 people in those houses – but the loss of knowing who’s responsible for that house and having that contact information is critical,” Murphy said.

On Monday, Feb. 24, Carter distributed an email that said HB 1011 could be headed for a final vote on the House floor as early as Thursday.

“Time to reach out to all house members to vote no,” she wrote.

She also noted SB 1128 could be on the Rules Committee’s March 3 agenda.
“Must keep up the pressure on our senators,” Carter wrote.
She urges concerned citizens to contact Republican Rules Committee members Lizbeth Benacquisto, Rob Bradley, Jeff Brandes, Anitere Flores, Travis Hutson, Tom Lee, Kathleen Passidomo, David Simmons, Wilton Simpson and Kelli Stargel.

Related coverage

Vacation rental bills progressing

Local vacation rental regulations under fire again

Concerns raised over horse waste in bay

Scenic Highway group seeks to solve horse problems

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Environment, Featured, Outdoors.

BRADENTON – Members of the Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity met Feb. 2 with one big item on their agenda: the horse riding operations that take place on the north side of the causeway.

Tim Maddox of The Real Beach Horses was on-hand during the meeting to help provide an insider’s look at how the horse riding businesses operate on the causeway. Because the businesses operate in a Florida Department of Transportation right of way, no money can be exchanged on the site but the businesses can operate with limited oversight and no permits needed. Issues that have been brought up during previous meetings include damage to seagrasses, damage to palm trees from tying up the horses and waste problems both on the causeway and in the water.

Maddox said that his ride operators are careful to only conduct rides during low tide when the seagrass along the beach area is visible and the horses can be led around the grasses rather than through them. He added that his staff also cleans up behind the horses while they’re on land though he added that other horse ride operators are not always so careful to preserve the local environment. Maddox also stated that he has commissioned water quality testing to make sure that the horse excrement isn’t adversely affecting the water in Palma Sola Bay. He said that the tests all came back well within normal levels and that four testing areas were used in close timing to when horse rides were taking place to get the best samples possible.

Though he said that his company is very mindful of how they leave the north side of the causeway, some of the other ride operators are not and it’s taking a toll on his employees who are encouraged to clean up after other businesses’ horses.

“I really think our industry needs regulation,” he said.

Maddox suggested that Palma Sola CME members approach the county about regulating the six or more ride operators that bring horses to the causeway for commercial purposes, including instituting a medallion system where businesses would have to apply for a permit per horse, similar to how some cities regulate taxis, and would have to meet certain standards or risk having the medallions revoked. Maddox suggested $500 per medallion to help pay for enforcement of the program. Currently, he said there are no permits, business taxes or regulations required. Ride operators only have to pay sales tax for monies collected.

Manatee County parks representative Mike Elswick said that if the property is owned by the city, even though it is an FDOT right of way, it could fall under the city of Bradenton’s parks department with rules and regulations determined by the parks department director. Maddox said that he feels the only way to create enforcement is to institute something like the medallion program because it’s a contract with strings attached and the threat of taking away the ride operator’s ability to have horses on the causeway.

“A slap on the wrist won’t work,” he said.

Co-chair Ingrid McClellan said she would work on achieving compliance with the current ride operators on the causeway while working with the Palma Sola CME group to come up with a recommendation to present to Bradenton city leaders.

Related coverage

County moves to regulate horses in bay

Pinellas County bans water horses

Parking tram discussions continue

Parking tram discussions continue

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials and business owners in and around the Bridge Street business district agree that a parking shuttle program is a good idea.

But no one has stepped forward yet and offered to acquire and operate the electric trams needed to operate a pilot program for a park and ride shuttle service that utilizes county-owned parking spaces Cortez Beach and the north end of Coquina Beach.

These matters were discussed at a special CRA meeting on Friday, Feb. 21.

The half dozen or so business owners who attended Friday’s meeting are also members of the Bradenton Beach Area Merchants association which has expressed support for the parking tram program but no desire to run it.

City Attorney Ricinda Perry provided CRA members and meeting attendees with the detailed research she gathered on parking tram operations implemented in the cities of Stuart and Fort Pierce.

Perry’s presentation addressed upstart and operating costs, operational responsibilities, insurance requirements and costs, routes and route changes, hours of operation, designated stops or on-demand service, tram types and sizes, battery life and battery replacement and much more.

The city of Stuart’s tram program features a 2.2-mile route with 14 specific stops and also allows passengers to flag down trams between stops.

Stuart’s tram program utilizes city employees and includes 12 drivers operating six trams seven days a week. In fiscal year 2019, the city of Stuart budgeted $215,771 for its tram program. That consists of $150,965 for professional services including salaries and benefits, $29,806 for operating expenses and $35,000 for capital outlay.

Perry said she envisions using three trams, which would significantly reduce those costs.

Perry said the Fort Pierce tram program utilizes volunteer drivers. It began as an on-demand service but later transitioned into a program whose primary function is to shuttle users back and forth between their desired destinations and a parking garage.

Perry noted the CRA and the city of Bradenton Beach have not budgeted any money for a tram program in the current 2019-2020 fiscal year, and no funds were committed last week. Potential funding sources include existing CRA funds, advertising revenues and additional financial support from the Bradenton Beach business community.

Path to a pilot program

CRA member Ed Chiles said the goal has always been to include a dedicated tram pathway that runs parallel to Gulf Drive in the Cortez Beach parking lot south of Bridge Street. There have also been previous discussions about a possible tram hub at the north end of the Cortez Beach parking lot.

A dedicated tram path and hub located on county property would require county commission approval. County commissioners have some offered preliminary support for the tram idea, but they’ve also expressed concerns county parking spaces being used to serve the Bridge Street business district.

These are two types of trams that could be used for a parking shuttle service in Bradenton Beach. – Submitted

Perry and others have noted a pilot program could be started without the county’s support.

CRA chair Ralph Cole mentioned the need for signs at the entrance to the city that direct drivers to the designated parking areas. Chiles mentioned the need for a cell phone app too.

Perry said one of the first decisions that needs to be made is who’s going to operate and manage the desired tram program.

It was noted there are currently two gas-powered trams being privately operated in the Bridge Street area: one by the Anna Maria Oyster Bar and one by the Blue Marlin Grill. It was also noted that CRA member Jake Spooner will soon be required to operate a tram shuttle seven days a week, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., when his new building on Bridge Street opens soon.

After 90 minutes of discussion that included insight from business owners, CRA member John Chappie made a motion calling for the CRA to partner with the Bradenton Beach Area Merchants to develop a parking tram pilot program and for Perry to work with the merchants to define the functioning model of that program.

Chappie’s motion also called for City Engineer Lynn Burnett to provide engineering drawings and for Perry and Burnett to work with Lt. John Cosby and Public Works Director Tom Woodard on safety concerns and signage. That motion was adopted by a 7-0 vote.

The CRA members adopted a second motion by a 6-1 vote that directed Perry, Burnett and Cosby to work with Chappie to prepare a pilot program presentation to present to county officials. CRA member David Bell opposed that motion because he felt it was premature and more information is still needed.

Monday meeting with merchants

On Monday, Feb. 24, Perry met with business owners and Bradenton Beach Area Merchants members Lynn Horne, Sherman Baldwin, Ryan Davis and Fred Bartizal.

“There is no option that they can identify for creating a pilot program that is sponsored by the merchants,” Perry said of that meeting. “Their concerns include cost, ADA compliance, construction activities by Manatee County and the ability to secure trams prior to the upcoming peak season.”

Perry said she will recommend the CRA issue request for proposals seeking a third party to operate a parking tram program on a trial basis if the members want to continue this pursuit.

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WMFR commissioners review 2019 results

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Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, West Manatee Fire Rescue.

BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue’s February commission meeting started out on a happy note as two of their own were promoted, a new staff member was welcomed and a team received chief’s coins for their work in the community.

Kicking the meeting off, commissioners welcomed new administrative assistant Andrea Berggren, who took the oath of office and was greeted personally by each commissioner.

New administrative assistant Andrea Berggren takes the oath of office. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Continuing the festivities, WMFR leaders recognized Chad Brunner and Tyler MacDonald who were elevated to the rank of captain. MacDonald’s son was even on-hand to pin his father’s badge on his uniform.

Battalion Chief Rich Jasinski congratulates the newly promoted Captain Chad Brunner. – Kristin Swain | Sun

The non-transit advanced life support team of firefighters Frank Agresta and John Balzer, along with Lt. John Stump, were presented with chief’s coins by Administrative Battalion Chief Jay Johnson for going above and beyond in their service to the community. Johnson said he’d spoken with a woman whose husband was having a hard time entering their Island home and had fallen. The firefighters showed up to help the man up and then they returned to the fire station to build a step to make it easier for him to access his home without falling down. Johnson said he’d received many thanks and compliments from the man’s wife for the actions of the firefighters.

Once the festivities were over, commissioners moved on to other business, including discussions concerning the district’s new administrative home.

In January, commissioners were presented with the opportunity to purchase an additional piece of land complete with a shell building in a commercial area near Blake Medical Center. Commissioner Randy Cooper reported to his fellow commissioners during the February meeting that he had viewed the property and didn’t recommend pursuing the purchase, stating that he felt it doesn’t meet the district’s needs.

In 2019, commissioners purchased a large commercial lot located behind the Fountain Court Shopping Center off of Manatee Avenue and have already engaged the services of an architecture firm to help plan the new building.

Commissioner George Harris said that he would like the district’s leaders to keep all of their options open for the moment. Commissioner Al Robinson said he was disappointed that his fellow commissioners had dismissed the possibility of purchasing the other lot with the shell building, saying he felt it could save the district money in the long run when weighed against the expense of new construction.

During the meeting, commissioners voted four to one with Robinson dissenting to accept a contract for construction manager at risk with Creative Contractors Inc. for the new administration building. The contract grants Creative Contractors payment of 5.5% of the actual cost of work for the construction of the new administration building and includes a bond percentage of 0.81% with 0.82% of construction costs going to insurance.

“It’s been great working with them so far,” Chief Ben Rigney said.

There’s no timetable set yet for construction on the new administration building.

Commissioners also reviewed the 2019 annual report.

Johnson presented the annual report, stating that it reflects the district’s purchase of new air packs and the launch of non-transport ALS service at all three district fire stations. He said the district had a 3% increase in calls in 2019 with 67% of those being medical calls. He added that there were 45 fire incidents that WMFR firefighters responded to in 2019, including 14 building fires. He said the district’s response time improved 27 seconds over the previous year.

Community members are invited to review the annual report online.

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Special magistrate hears code cases

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Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Four cases came in front of special magistrate Michael Connolly Feb. 19, including one repeat offender.

The first case concerned work without a permit and a davit that was constructed on top of a city drainage pipe at 652 Key Royale Drive.

Code Compliance Officer James Thomas presented the case with testimony from City Engineer Lynn Burnett.

Thomas said the davit was built too close to the property line and was installed without obtaining a permit from the city’s building department. Burnett added that the concrete pad that the davit is on and the davit itself are constructed on a stormwater/drainage easement and on top of a stormwater outfall pipe that is collapsing from the additional weight. She recommended that the davit and concrete pad be removed within the next six months to allow for much-needed repairs to the pipe.

During the hearing, it was revealed by building department clerk Angie Birdwell that a permit for demolition of the davit had been issued on Feb. 10 and is good for 180 days.

Connolly ruled that the property owner has 180 days from the permit date to removed the davit and has to pay $127.24 in hearing costs. An additional $250 per day fine may be assessed if the property owner does not come into compliance within the recommended time.

Repeat advertising offender Mohamed Walliagha was next on the docket for advertising his R-1 rental property as a vacation rental with higher than allowed occupancy.

Thomas presented the case, stating that advertising for the property at 515 75th St. allows for rentals of up to 16 people in the seven-bedroom property and for a period of less than the 30-day minimum allowed in the R-1 residential district. Under the city’s ordinances, rental units are allowed a maximum occupancy of two people per bedroom or a total of six, whichever is greater, capping Walliagha’s property at a maximum occupancy of 14.

This is the second time Walliagha has been brought before Connolly during a special magistrate hearing for advertising violations. The first time was Sept. 11, 2019, when Connolly ruled in the city’s favor, ordering the property owner to bring his advertising into compliance with the city’s ordinances. Thomas said that while the advertising did come into compliance for a while after the special magistrate hearing, Walliagha began listing the property on vacation rental sites VRBO, Home Away and Flip Key in December 2019 again in violation of the city’s ordinances. Thomas asked for Walliagha to pay $127.24 in fees along with a $250 per day fine for days the advertising was out of compliance from Dec. 19, 2019, to Jan. 30, 2020.

Walliagha argued that his advertising was on a three-month hold with the websites and was reactivated after that time without his notice. He also stated that since the property is his primary home and is homesteaded, he does not have to adhere to the city’s ordinances concerning rentals in the R-1 district. Thomas argued that the property is listed with all seven bedrooms for rent and that he showed the advertisements to the property owner well in advance of the hearing date, stating that he’s been working with Walliagha for two to three years to bring the property into compliance.

Connolly ruled in the city’s favor, ordering Walliagha to pay a $250 fine along with $127.24 in fees.

The third and fourth cases concerned dilapidated structures, one at 3017 Avenue E and another at 605 Emerald Lane.

The Avenue E property, owned by 3015 Avenue E LLC, was deemed by Thomas to be a dilapidated and unsafe structure.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that the police officers had responded to the property Jan. 3, finding vagrants squatting on the property. He said the vagrants were removed from the property and said that officers had attempted to contact the property owner to have it boarded up.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer testifies Feb. 19 during one code compliance hearing before the special magistrate. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Thomas said since then the property had not been boarded up and was still open to the elements and abandoned, though it appeared that someone had mowed the lawn. He asked for fees along with a $250 per day fine for every day the property is not in compliance along with a $100-250 per day fine for every day the property remains out of compliance after the recommended 30 days to obtain a permit and 60 days to execute the permit to completion, including demolishing the structure, rehabilitating it or presenting a plan to the building department for rehabilitation. Thomas also noted that a permit had been pulled for the structure in 2019 that allowed for three units to be constructed inside the structure. He said it appeared that before work stopped at the property, five units were being constructed in violation of the permit.

The property owner was not present during the hearing.

Connolly ruled that the property owner has 30 days from the hearing date to obtain a permit from the building department and 60 days from the permit date to complete work or come back before the magistrate for an extension. He also granted the request to impose $127.24 in fees and a $250 per day fine if the property owner does not bring the structure into compliance.

The Emerald Lane property, currently owned by Stephanie Morris of Emerald8 LLC, was a bit of a different story. While Burnett said she inspected the property with Building Official Neal Schwartz and found it to be an unsafe structure, resident Tom Sanger stepped up to say that he was currently in negotiations to purchase the property in an owner-financed transaction to allow for the repairs needed at the home.

Two neighboring property owners also stepped up to serve as witnesses as to the condition of the property, Peter O’Brien and Jim McIntire. O’Brien said that he’s observed the property in its same, boarded up, dilapidated condition for over two years. McIntire said that he hopes the property can be sold to someone who will care for it and bring it up to the standards of the Key Royale neighborhood.

Connolly found in favor of the city, giving the current owner until March 6 to record a deed of sale or obtain a demolition permit. If a new owner is recorded for the property, that person has 30 days to obtain a permit and six months to complete renovations or come back before the magistrate to ask for an extension. He also assessed a $127.24 fee to the current owner and a $250 per day fine if his timeline for renovations or demolition is not met.

The next Holmes Beach special magistrate hearing will be held at 10 a.m. on March 18 at city hall, 5701 Marina Drive.

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Reel Time: Pulitzer Prize winning author to speak

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Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

On March 8, Suncoast Waterkeepers (SWK), a local environmental group whose mission is to protect and restore the Florida Suncoast’s waterways through enforcement, fieldwork, advocacy and environmental education, will hold its annual fundraiser Brunch for the Bay at the Bradenton Yacht Club.

The group uses the funds to advance its water quality enforcement and “Sick of Sewage” campaigns. SWK has been effective in educating the public about man-made pollutants (stormwater and sewage) and enforcement with legal challenges to municipalities in Tampa Bay and surrounding waters.

After a series of horrific sewage spills in 2016 despoiled Tampa Bay and other local waters, SWK and partners brought suit against the cities of St. Petersburg and Gulfport to stop serious and ongoing violations of the federal Clean Water Act. It focused its efforts on achieving four key goals for municipal wastewater systems: to de-politicize the issues by agreeing to court oversight of overdue infrastructure maintenance and improvements; to provide certainty via mandatory long-term commitments and deadlines; protect local waterways and to ensure public transparency along the way.

During the course of the hard-fought two-year litigation against St. Pete and Gulfport, Suncoast Waterkeeper began investigating sewage spills in Sarasota County. The investigation of Sarasota County’s sewage system revealed a shocking pattern of longstanding, systematic infrastructure failures and disregard for public health and water quality in area waters. In a race to consolidate its far-flung sewage system, the county decommissioned two tertiary, or Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT), plants to better centralize its operations. However, the remaining plants that it increasingly relied upon employed only secondary treatment, leaving billions of gallons of highly nitrogenated wastewater as a byproduct.

At the same time, demand for the reclaimed irrigation water from the county was disappearing as developers, in managing nitrogen in stormwater runoff, turned to less polluting options, such as well water or highly treated reclaimed water from the city of Sarasota. To date, spills from the Bee Ridge facility have totaled over a billion gallons since 2013 on at least 394 separate days, adding over 65 tons of nitrogen into bay waters.

Meanwhile, the extensive sewage collection system was deteriorating and poorly maintained in a piecemeal fashion, resulting in periodic spills of dangerous raw sewage throughout Sarasota County. In early 2019, the environmental groups initiated a federal lawsuit under the Clean Water Act.

According to SWK’s lead attorney Justin Bloom, “to their credit, the Sarasota County Commission showed a willingness to immediately work towards a solution and to avoid protracted litigation.”

You can help support the group’s efforts and learn about its ongoing campaigns in Sarasota and Tampa Bay by attending the fundraising event. Not only will you be treated to a wonderful brunch at the scenic Bradenton Yacht Club, but you’ll hear a presentation by University of Florida history professor Jack Davis.

Davis’s book, “The Gulf,” garnered numerous literary accolades including the Pulitzer Prize for history, the Kirkus Prize for non-fiction, was a finalist National Book Critics Circle Award (nonfiction) and was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, just to name a few. I’ve lived here for close to 40 years and the book caused me to see the place I live with new eyes. I highly recommend it and this is a chance to get your own signed copy.

Suncoast Waterkeeper is a group that has earned the support of anyone that values and is willing to work to protect the amazing marine ecosystem surrounding our local islands, and that is vital to the region’s local economy. Anglers, in particular, can learn how the group’s efforts are supporting an environment conducive to healthy fisheries, now and for future generations. Learn more at the Suncoast Waterkeeper website. Tickets can be purchased for the brunch online.

I hope to see you there.

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Bortell’s Lounge poised for a comeback

Bortell’s Lounge poised for a comeback

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

ANNA MARIA – Extensive renovations will soon take place at Bortell’s Lounge and the popular Anna Maria watering hole is expected to reopen as early as June.

Located at 10002 Gulf Drive, Bortell’s Lounge closed after its husband and wife owners, Steve Rose and Marci Wilhelm, were involved in a plane crash in South Carolina in 2018. Wilhelm was seriously injured in the crash and the pilot and co-pilot were killed when the private jet they were flying in went off the runaway and crashed after landing.

“We’re both getting back to normal, as normal as we can. We would have been open a long time ago but the plane crash took us out of the game for a year. And right after that my dad got brain cancer and we brought him back to the Island and put everything else on hold,” Rose said when speaking by phone on Sunday.

Rose said he was out of town last week and didn’t know the Shoreline Builders’ permit box had been affixed to the building until several friends texted him about it. Security fencing was also installed last week.

Security fencing is now in place in preparation for the pending renovations. – Submitted | Doug Copeland

“We’re doing a full renovation of the building. It had not been renovated in 40 years. We needed electrical, plumbing and a new roof. I like to say we needed one of everything and two of some things. The I’s are dotted, the T’s are crossed and the permits are filtering in. Hopefully, we’ll be open in four to four-and-a-half months. We’re shooting for June,” Rose said.

“The day we shut it down, we yanked out the memorabilia and old stuff that’s been hanging on the walls for 40 years. We got it to an offsite location and secured it. We’ll bring a lot of that stuff back,” he explained.

Rose said Bortell’s occasionally opened for customer appreciation days during the extended temporary closure.

“We’d just fling open the doors and serve drinks, but I can’t even remember the last time we did that,” he said.

“We’re doing a top-quality job and it’ll look great when it’s done,” Rose said, noting there will be at least one significant addition.

“I’m putting a kitchen in, but I don’t know what we’re doing with the kitchen yet. When you spend this kind of money on a rebuild you do it for best possible use – so best possible use does have a kitchen,” he said. “The only food we served since we owned it was the free hot dogs during football on Sundays, and that will continue.”

Bortell’s will also continue the no-smoking policy implemented in 2015.

“That worked out really well for us,” Rose said.

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