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Year: 2023

County takes no action against dog owner after multiple attacks

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

MANATEE COUNTY – A 140-pound mastiff that has killed one dog and injured at least three people and three other dogs remains at home with his owner.

Rudy, owned by Anthony Santamauro, of Bradenton, attacked a small dog owned by Deanna McCollian, of Illinois, on Aug. 9 at Island Time Bar and Grill in Bradenton Beach, leading to the small dog’s death, according to police reports. During the attack, the unleashed mastiff bit McCollian and Island Time employee Sean Hamrick.

Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW) served quarantine paperwork to Santamauro following the incident and began an investigation on Aug. 10.

According to a report from MCAW officer Kevin Mitchell submitted on Aug. 17, the behavior appears to be a longstanding pattern.

“I was advised that Rudy is highly aggressive and killed multiple puppies in the past. I was then advised that they attempted to take Rudy to a trainer and the trainer advised that the dog should not be in public unless it’s leashed and muzzled, or both,” Mitchell wrote in a report after speaking to Santamauro’s estranged wife.

Reports obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by one of the dog’s victims show more incidents.

The FOIA request yielded two previous attacks, one in 2020 and one in 2021, in addition to the most recent attack which left Holmes Beach resident Evalena Leedy injured with six puncture wounds to her arm on Aug. 21.

MCAW has continued to decline requests to comment on any of them.

According to a report on June 8, 2020, Bradenton resident Dorgas Skein stated that while walking her leashed dog, an off-leash dog from a neighboring house ran towards her dog, causing injuries to her dog that required surgery. The dog was confirmed to be Rudy, owned by Santamauro, who was issued a citation for an animal causing injury.

The second confirmed attack took place on April 12, 2021 on Columbia Drive in West Bradenton. According to the MCAW report on the incident, Alberto Seda, of Bradenton, was walking his dog on a leash along the road when Rudy ran into the road and attacked the much smaller dog.

“Anthony Santamauro was very apologetic and said he offered to pay the vet bill. Anthony said he had given them $300 for the vet visit, and they said it might be another $1,300,” MCAW Officer R. Duckworth wrote in his 2021 report. “Anthony had asked if he signs the dog over, would it get put down? I said most likely not. I said to sleep on it and I will call him tomorrow. I advised him if he is worried about the liability issues, he should put up two fences with gates in them to contain the dogs from getting out to the street and this shouldn’t happen again. I educated him on the laws, told him with prior history, he might receive a ticket.”

The fourth confirmed, and most recent, attack took place on Aug. 21, 2023, reported by The Sun in its Aug. 30 edition. Evalena Leedy was taking her 9-pound toy poodle, Alonzo, for a walk about 8:30 p.m. when unleashed Rudy approached rapidly from nearby bushes. In an effort to protect Alonzo from the animal that was more than 14 times its size, she grabbed him and put him on the roof of a nearby car. Alonzo was unharmed, but Leedy wasn’t as fortunate.

“The dog repeatedly lunged at me and bit my right arm causing me to bleed,” Leedy said. “The dog kept coming, I was trying to protect myself and Alonzo and was unsuccessfully attempting to kick the dog away.”

Leedy said after she had been bitten, the dog’s owner, later identified as Santamauro, arrived and pulled the mastiff off of her.

Leedy has remained frustrated with MCAW and their handling of the situation. According to the FOIA reports she requested, and later provided to The Sun, Rudy was only ordered to quarantine after the Island Time incident. In the most recent report, involving Leedy’s case, no quarantine was issued and Rudy remains free.

According to Florida Statutes, if an investigation finds a dog to be dangerous, and it further attacks humans or other domestic animals, the owner is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor and the dog is confiscated by animal control and humanely destroyed after a 10-day period (Florida Statute 767.13 (1) ). If a dog deemed dangerous attacks, causing serious injury or death to a human, the owner is guilty of a third-degree felony and the dog is humanely destroyed after a 10-day period (Florida Statute 767.13 (2) ).

MCAW has refused to comment on any of these cases and has offered Leedy little information on what actions are being taken beyond what is contained in the reports she obtained from the FOIA request. She wants answers, but isn’t holding out a great deal of hope based on past actions by MCAW.

“It seems that from reports, Animal Control does little or nothing to follow up after attacks,” Leedy said in a Sept. 13 email to the Sun. “Where is Santamauro and Rudy? Why was the quarantine not required after my bite? Why is there only one dangerous dog listed on Manatee County’s website? What will it take for Manatee County to act? Another dog dying, or God forbid a person?”

Adult soccer heats up with two ties, two blowouts

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – With the sun’s heat pounding on The Center of Anna Maria Island’s field, the two teams slated to play the week’s opening soccer match walked onto the pitch looking for their first win of the season.

Both the Sandbar Seafood & Spirits and Slim’s Place teams were defeated in week one action.

After more than 40 minutes of play, both teams walked off the pitch still seeking a victory. Ending in a 3-3 tie, team captains Jake Parsons and Yuri Pereira will take their squads into the third week of Island soccer ready for a win.

Spreading out the scoring among the Sandbar team, Justin Fields, Matthew Staggs and Parsons put up a goal each for their team. Fields is also given a tick mark on the score sheet for an assist.

On the other side of midfield, Pereira’s team saw points put up by Kali Richardson, Helio Gomez, and Lindsey Styka for Slim’s Place. The team’s recorded scoring assist came from Richardson.

Team goalies Robb Marshall and Steve Oelfke helped keep the score tied with amazing stops and aggressive play. With six and 11 saves respectively, the two veteran keepers showed why they are a hot commodity in the league.

In 7 p.m. soccer action, Gulf Drive Café and Pool America also started the week looking for a W. Like their opponents before them, the game ended in a 3-3 tie, resulting in a four-way points tie for last place.

Missing the first week, Gulf Drive Café’s captain Kevin Roman was the high scorer in the second game of the night with two goals. Teammate Eliza Faillace, returning this season after a brief break, scored the additional point for the Gulf Drive team.

Charles “Tuna” McCracken made 13 huge saves in the game showing his quick reflexes and reaction time. Roman finished with two saves.

Team Pool America showed a different side of the team after a volatile first showing last week. With emotions in check, the team’s three goals came off the boots of Murat Akay, Landon Ellis, and Luca Vecchio. Austin Nutting and Akay were credited with assists in the game.

The four squads at the bottom of the ranks go into the third week of play to fight for a win.

Pool America starts the plight against Sato Real Estate. The Sato team sits in first place with a 2-0-0 record with a win against Gulfview Windows & Doors, 9-2. In the blowout victory, Amy Ivin knocked out four goals in the game, topping teammate James Noblett, who had a hat trick.

Jamal Duzgun and goalie and team captain Josh Sato had solo goals against Gulfview. With three saves, Sato shared the duties with Daniel Tonkin. Tonkin had a single save in the game.

Team captain Keith Mahoney shot and scored both points for his team. Keeper responsibilities were shared by Gulfview’s Raul Loera, with eight saves, and Curtis Bickler, stopping five shots.

Sandbar goes up against team Ross Built Custom Homes this week in the second game of the night. Ross comes off a big loss against the Moss Builders team. With the final score of 8-3, the team played without their captain Greg Ross.

In the final game of the night last week, Daniel Hampton got the soccer ball across the line for two points for Ross Built, while Nicola Manni had a goal of her own.

Max Gazzo, playing goal for the team again last Thursday night, had eight nice saves against the tough Moss Builders offense.

Two hat tricks for the Moss team helped secure the big win. Erica Nielsen and Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos each scored three goals in the 40-minute match.

Rex Kesten and Brandon Rolland hit the other two strikes that got past Gazzo. Team captain Ryan Moss held down the defense in goal, stopping seven Ross Built shots.

Rounding out three plays, Gulf Drive Café meets Sandbar and Gulfview matches up against top-ranked and undefeated Moss Builders, hoping to shake things up in the standings heading into the October schedule.

SUN SCOREBOARD

 

8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

WEEK 1

 

Moss Builders 2

La Creperie 0

 

 

Isola Bella Italian Eatery 0

AMI Coconuts 0

 

 

Adrian Griffin Interiors 2

Solid Rock Construction 0

 

 

11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

Solid Rock Construction 7

HSH Design 4

 

 

Cheesecake Cuties 5

The Gitt Team – KW On The Water 0

 

 

SEPT. 14

ADULT CO-ED SOCCER

WEEK 2

 

 

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits (0-1-1) 3

Slim’s Place (0-1-1) 3

 

 

Gulf Drive Café (0-1-1) 3

Pool America (0-1-1) 3

 

 

Sato Real Estate (2-0-0) 9

Gulfview Windows & Doors (1-1-0) 2

 

 

Moss Builders (2-0-0) 8

Ross Built Custom Homes (1-1-0) 3

Castles in the Sand

Property owners with equity may tend to overpay

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

Feeling pretty flush, are you? Most of us who have owned property for several years are pretty happy with the equity we have accumulated. But if you are selling and purchasing another property, be careful. That equity can slip through your fingers at lightning speed.

A recent study by UCLA Anderson School of Management discovered that for every dollar of equity gain that a seller receives, he or she overpays by 7.9 cents on the next home purchase.

There are a few theories about why this is happening, one of which is that with higher equity comes lower capital constraints, allowing buyers to consider larger homes they are willing to pay more for. Also, a buyer with a nice equity cushion can offer more and sometimes will pay more to avoid a time-consuming search for a new home or to place themselves at an advantage above other buyers. Either way, these actions are driving offers higher than they should be.

Naturally, overpaying contributes to escalating housing costs, compounding the effect of fewer homes on the market and pushing up selling prices. This is more bad news for buyers who are competing with high equity buyers who are cornering the market with a lot of equity and cash bidding up prices.

Buyers who overpay for a property are risking that the property values will stay high when the time comes to resell. If a buyer is in the property for the long haul, it might be a smart risk to take for a property you want. However, if a buyer is looking at a short-term purchase they could get caught in an unexpected downturn of the market.

With residential mortgage interest rates approaching 7.5%, not only are buyers caught in the vice, but banks are also starting to see their profit margin caught in the same vice. Applications for home purchase mortgages dropped to their lowest levels since 1995 a few weeks ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Buyers aren’t buying because of low inventory and high rates and potential sellers aren’t selling and giving up their ultra-low mortgages – a perfect storm in a not-so-perfect real estate market.

But there are still high-end buyers who are jumping into the real estate market. The only difference is the jumbo loans these buyers typically are looking for are not as available as they once were. A jumbo loan is a non-conforming loan that exceeds the conventional loan limit set by the government housing authorities. The limit is currently set at $726,200 or higher in some high-cost areas in the country. For instance, Hawaii would be considered a high-cost area. These loans typically were considered low-risk loans the banks kept on their books that attracted wealthy customers, many of whom used the same bank for additional business transactions.

These loans usually carried lower rates than regular mortgages. However, the lower preferential rates for jumbo loans have reversed in recent months and now the jumbos are also approaching 7.5%, forcing home buyers to reconsider their financial options or even whether it’s a good time to buy. Since we’re living in an area with many high-end properties for sale, these higher rates could influence our market.

Whether you’re buying a car or a pair of shoes, it’s the same. If you have more, you pay more and if you pay more, you borrow more. Americans love the best of the best. Be careful that the money doesn’t slip through your fingers.

Tingley Memorial Library

Tingley library elevating for parking spaces

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The creation of needed public parking by elevating or moving the Tingley Library was discussed at both the city commission and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meetings.

The scope of funding for various portions of the proposed parking project is to be divided with CRA funds used for some of the parking and city funding for elevating or moving the building itself, along with some of the costs associated with parking. The Tingley funds left to the city are earmarked for any improvements to the library building.

The city-owned library was built in the early 1990s using $240,000 of the $678,801 that Beulah Hannah Hooks Tingley bequeathed to the city in 1986 to create a public reading room. The library isn’t part of the county library system.

At the Sept. 6 CRA meeting, members acknowledged the need for public parking, but one member questioned whether CRA funds should be used for the design build project.

“I asked for this to be put on the agenda,” Mayor and CRA member John Chappie said. “The best solution would be to come up with a design build and relocating of the Tingley Library to utilize the square footage of the lot to create the largest amount of parking spaces in that area.  The RFP (request for proposal) would cover the engineering design aspects.”

He requested approval to have City Attorney Ricinda Perry to draft an RFP.

“We’ve talked about it, I think we need to do it,” Chappie said. “I think funds are available in the Tingley Library bequeath for the library itself. And there’s some other funds I think would be available through the CRA.”

“If we do end up doing paid parking it would probably pay for itself in no time,” Jake Spooner said.

Member Ed Chiles suggested city hall modifications should be considered also.

“It seems to me you would take advantage of that opportunity and study city hall as well,” he said.

Chappie said the discussion is just dealing with the library and the property the library is on.

“Over the last several years, we’ve discussed city hall,” Chappie said. “It would appear over the years that in the majority of discussions, people do not want to get rid of city hall.”

“I’m not talking about getting rid of city hall but seeing it survives a storm,” Chiles said.

“We’re not allowed to use city funds for city hall,” Chappie said.

Chiles suggested cost-sharing as an alternative.

“We’ve got a very vulnerable city hall,” he said. “We’ve got sea level rise and storm surge. If we get hit hard city hall’s in trouble.”

Chappie made a motion to direct Perry to prepare an RFP for a design build for Tingley Library to elevate, relocate, create a parking lot area, with regards to stormwater and possible landscaping.

The motion was seconded by Spooner.

“I don’t feel the design or the modification of city buildings is a good fit for the CRA,” member David Bell said. “I understand how you’re trying to get parking and I can see how the CRA could participate in funding some of that parking.  But to do the modifications on the building it seems out of our charter here.”

Perry explained how funding between entities would be allocated.

“To the extent you have engineering costs to elevate the building so you can have parking, you have engineering costs so you can lay out a parking lot, those are all direct costs to create parking,” Perry said. “Any costs to modify the building, those are city funds and could also come from the bequeath.”

The motion was passed by a vote of 3-2, with Bell and Chiles casting the dissenting votes.

City Commission meeting

At its Sept.7 meeting, the city Commission approved the issuance of a design build Request for Proposal (RFP) to elevate or relocate the Tingley Library to create ground-level parking under the building. The parking area could possibly accommodate 20-25 spaces, according to Mayor John Chappie.

CRA member Ralph Cole made the motion at the meeting to approve the issuance and posting of an RFP for relocating the Tingley Library.

“I’ll move to approve issuance of a design build RFP to relocate the Tingley Library and to direct Ricinda Perry to draft and post an RFP,” Cole said.

CRA member Jan Vosburgh seconded the motion.

During public comment, Bradenton Beach resident Marcelyn Harman questioned the elevation of the library.

“I walk in that area, and I know the library has a pie-shaped area in the back of it to the east,” Harmon said. “Could there be parking spaces there instead of raising the building? We are getting a new roof on it and it looks amazing.”

Chappie responded to those concerns at the close of public comment.

“Land is so expensive we have to utilize every single inch that we have,” Chappie said. “It looks like we can get at least 20-25, maybe a few more, parking spaces. The land is too valuable just to leave it go as wasteful underneath it. Parking is at a premium.”

“We couldn’t afford to purchase that land now that’s for sure,” he added. “We need the parking. That’s the reason we’re choosing to go forward.”

“We have some funds lined up to pay for this hopefully,” he said. “The RFP is going to give us a lot of answers to unknowns at this point.”

“The RFP will address all the concerns the member of the public has,” Perry said. “It’s more of an information gathering, planning aspect,”

The motion passed unanimously among commission members, who in addition to Chappie, Cole and Vosburgh, included Commissioner Jake Spooner.

Budget approval expected Thursday

City budget approval expected Thursday

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

ANNA MARIA – The city commission will host a second and final public hearing for the adoption of the city’s $17.89 million 2023-24 fiscal year budget on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 5:01 p.m.

During the coming fiscal year, the city expects to receive $14.68 million in revenues, including $4.2 million in ad valorem property tax revenues generated by maintaining the current 2.05 millage rate. The budget includes $3.2 million in existing fund balances reserves, net and assets carried over from the 2022-23 fiscal year that ends Sept. 30.

The $14.68 million in budgeted expenditures includes $2.84 million for general government expenses, $1.36 million for law enforcement and public safety, $4.42 million for the public works department, $984,506 for the planning and development department, $454,525 for parks and recreation, $1.74 million for stormwater and drainage improvements and maintenance, $2.6 million for capital outlay projects, and $192,344 in debt service.

The budget includes 6% wage increases for all city employees, including 3% annual salary increases and 3% one-time lump sum wage payments due Oct. 1.

The proposed expenditures include $1.74 million for stormwater and drainage improvements and maintenance, and approximately $3.3 million for the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue project that will include new sidewalks, crosswalks and streetlights.

The proposed capital expenditures include $306,000 to install shade sails above the children’s playground at City Pier Park, to expand the existing shade sail structure and to install shade sails at the T-end of the Anna Maria City Pier.

The proposed capital expenditures also include $200,000 for city hall consolidation and improvements, $275,000 to study permanent alternatives to dredging the Lake La Vista channel entrance every two or three years, $500,000 to install a standalone public restroom facility on the city hall/city parking lot property, $21,200 to redesign the Island Players parking lot, $75,000 for a stormwater pumping station design study, and $500,000 to extend the existing multi-use path along Gulf Drive.

The 2023-24 budget also includes $75,000 to potentially study if and how incentives can be given to retain and attract full-term residents and long-term renters.

Vote by mail requests require annual renewal

Vote-by-mail requests require annual renewal

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

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County voters who plan to vote by mail during the 2024 election cycle need to submit a request that vote-by-mail ballots be sent to them.

According to a press release issued on behalf of the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office, more than 100,000 registered Manatee County voters are receiving official correspondence as part of the election office’s efforts to inform them of an important update they might not be aware of.

Manatee County voters who voted by mail in previous years are receiving notice that they need to make a new request to receive vote-by-mail ballots for the 2024 election cycle. The 2024 election cycle includes the Florida presidential primary election that takes place on March 19, the state primary election that concludes on Aug. 20 and the general election that concludes on Nov. 5, 2024.

Voters who previously provided their email addresses will receive an official email from the Supervisor of Elections Office. Others will receive their notification via regular mail. Voters who haven’t requested vote-by-mail ballots recently or in the past can also request vote-by-mail ballots for the 2024 election cycle.

The vote-by-mail ballot request process requires the voter to provide their name, date of birth and either the last four digits of their social security number or a valid Florida driver’s license or a valid Florida identification card.

The annual vote-by-mail ballot request renewal requirement stems from the Florida Legislature’s adoption of Senate Bill 90 in 2021. The state law created by that legislation limits the duration of requests for vote-by-mail ballots to all elections through the end of the calendar year of the next regularly scheduled general election.

As a result of the state law, Manatee County’s vote-by-mail voters’ rolls were wiped clean after the 2022 general election.

“We went from more than 100,000 voters having a request on record for a mail ballot to zero,” Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett stated in the press release. “This effort is about making people aware that they’ll need to renew their vote by mail request more frequently. Voters should renew their request sooner than later or they could forget and miss their opportunity to receive a mail ballot.”

In the press release, Bennett’s chief of staff, Scott Farrington, noted that during the 2022 general election, 110,260 vote-by-mail ballots were sent to Manatee County voters and 75,310 were returned as ballots cast, accounting for 44% of the county’s total voter turnout. Farrington said 7,848 Manatee County voters have already registered to receive vote-by-mail ballots during the 2024 election cycle.

“The SOE reminds Manatee voters that voting by mail is a safe and convenient way to cast your ballot. It allows voters to avoid potential Election Day obstacles like long lines, bad weather, or work delays. Voting by mail also gives voters more time to consider issues and candidates with their ballot in hand, rather than feeling rushed at the polling place,” the press release notes.

There are no contested city commission races or proposed charter amendments to be decided by Anna Maria Island voters during the 2023 election cycle. The only elections taking place in Manatee County in 2023 are the Bayshore Gardens Park & Recreation District and the Trailer Estates Park & Recreation District elections in December.

Manatee County voters can request their 2024 vote-by-mail ballots online or by calling 941-741-3823 and pressing the number 1 when prompted.

Suncoast Waterkeeper to host ‘Value of Wetlands’ panel

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

Development and the environment can be compatible. While I know that might seem like an antithetical statement, when greed and power don’t cloud the big picture, it becomes obvious that sustainable growth and a healthy ecosystem must co-exist. In coastal communities like Manatee County, wetlands have never been more important to the health and economy of the region. Rising sea levels, more powerful storms and mushrooming harmful algae blooms like red tide and lyngbya make the point. The time for quick action has never been more urgent and, if you’re not on the water like local anglers, the collapse of the Indian River Lagoon on the east coast and images of starving manatees serve as the proverbial “canary in the coal mine.” Unfortunately, at a time screaming for enlightened leadership, the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted 6-1 to roll back wetland protection, with Commissioner George Kruse dissenting. The move is a not-so-veiled attempt at payback to developers that financed their campaigns. The BOCC members claim there is no science supporting buffers and state minimum standards will protect the local environment.

Suncoast Waterkeeper (SCWK), reacting to the attempt, convened a panel of experts to explain the detrimental effects on coastal water quality, drinking water quality, habitat and coastal resiliency within Manatee County. In a statement posted to their website, social media and mailed to local news outlets and members, they encourage citizens to get involved in an issue that is sure to impact the lives of countless generations of Manatee County citizens.

Join the discussion on Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Bradenton Woman’s Club and learn the facts from scientists who study wetlands and water quality in our region. The BOCC claims insufficient science to support the language currently in the comprehensive plan, so SCWK is asking researchers who study these issues to give the public facts. Go to www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org/save_our_welands to learn how you can get involved and protect our vital coastal resources. You can also sign their petition and sign up to volunteer. Volunteers will be given scientific information presented by panelists to read into the record at the Oct. 5 county commission meeting. In the words of Abbey Tyrna, SCWK’s executive director, let’s flood them with facts!

‘Farce of Nature’ begins Players’ 75th season with laughs

‘Farce of Nature’ begins Players’ 75th season with laughs

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Art, Entertainment.

ANNA MARIA – Director Mike Lusk’s talented cast brings plenty of laughs as the Island Players’ first performance of their historic 75th season hits audiences in the funny bone with “Farce of Nature,” the first of five plays in the 2023-24 season.

The story takes place in the Ozarks area of Arkansas. Wanelle Wilburn (Janet Salem) and D. Gene Wilburn (Rick Kopp) are an older couple who run a fishing lodge that usually isn’t filled to capacity. Their grown son, Ty (Jeffery Allen Steiger), is away in Chicago, trying to become an actor, and picked an interesting time to come home.

Ty’s girlfriend, Jenna Sealy (Jennifer Kwiatkowski), lives with them at the “Reel ‘Em Inn.” Wanelle’s sister, Maxie (Laura Morales), an incompetent cop trying to get back in the good graces of her department, lives there too. This week, she’s been put in charge of keeping a witness safe, which will prove more difficult than she bargained for. His name is Carmine DeLuca (Joseph Mammina), and his testimony against a mafia associate named Sonny Barbosa (Michael Sacco) sent him to jail for five years. Maxie decides that the best way to keep Carmine safe is to have him stay at the lodge.

Carmine hates the outdoors and wants nothing more than to get back to Chicago away from trees, wild animals and everything else he hates about “the sticks,” but tries to be a good sport, even when Ty comes home to his parents, followed by both his employer, Lola Barbosa (Sharon Bartley), who runs a Chicago dinner theater, and her dangerous husband, Sonny.

To provide much more information would be a spoiler, but pay close attention to the painting D. Gene gifted his wife, Wanelle; it should be given co-star credit in this story that is well acted by one of the larger casts of any play in recent Island Players history.

“Farce of Nature” begins a bit slow, but quickly evolves into a laugh-a-minute solid comedy that leaves the audience wondering what could possibly happen next. Will they all be killed by wild animals? Everybody is having an affair, or are they? What’s that smell? And where do they keep all that vodka? All are questions that unravel as a talented cast nails a well-written play by Jones, Hope and Wooten.

“Farce of Nature” runs through Sunday, Sept. 24 at the Island Playhouse, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Tickets are available online for $30 or at the box office for $28. Box office hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Order by phone during box office hours by calling 941-778-5755.

Flamingos flock to Florida during hurricane

Flamingos flock to Florida during hurricane

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Birds, Outdoors.

TAMPA BAY – Hurricane Idalia’s Category 3 landfall in late August brought rain, wind and – surprisingly – flamingos to Florida.

American flamingos were commonly seen in Florida until about 1900 until they were hunted to near-extinction. Today, they are numerous in Mexico and Cuba, where they breed, with a few straying to the Everglades and Florida Bay in winter.

As Hurricane Idalia passed between the Yucatan Peninsula and Western Cuba, strong winds likely swept up flamingos from this region, carrying them to Florida’s coast, according to Audubon Florida.

Sightings have been reported in the Keys, Sanibel Causeway, Punta Gorda, Charlotte Harbor, Clearwater, Treasure Island, Siesta Key and Tarpon Springs, along with locations north of the state.

One flamingo was rescued by boaters in the Gulf of Mexico off St. Petersburg Beach. Nicknamed Peaches, the bird was brought to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Tampa Bay and was then transferred to the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores for rehabilitation. After a week, Peaches was self-feeding and becoming active.

Before releasing Peaches on Sept. 9 at Ft. DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, Audubon Florida tagged her with a satellite transmitter in the hopes that scientists could learn more about the movements of these birds during storms.

The public is asked to give this and all flamingos in Florida space to rest and feed undisturbed.

“We want these flamingos to stay and raise their families here,” Audubon Florida’s Director of Research Dr. Jerry Lorenz said. “If we give them their space, restore their habitat, and keep their water clean, we can hope for a pink future in Florida.”

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured, West Manatee Fire Rescue.

HOLMES BEACH – On Oct. 1, West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) will begin mandatory annual inspections of all short-term vacation rentals in the fire district that includes Anna Maria Island, Cortez and portions of west Bradenton.

The WMFR inspections are separate from the vacation rental inspections conducted by the cities of Anna Maria and Holmes Beach.

Bradenton resident and Holmes Beach vacation rental owner Michael Wilcox volunteered his three-unit Casa Coconut AMI vacation rental as the first to be inspected and reinspected. Wilcox is a retired fire lieutenant from the Miami Valley Fire District in Miamisburg, Ohio and still holds an active Ohio fire safety inspector certificate. The former firefighter offered his vacation rental units as an official trial run for WMFR and he conducted his own inspection before the WMFR inspection took place.

“I came up with what I think are 19 violations in my three units and some of them are repetitive. I didn’t fix anything before the WMFR inspection,” he said.

Inspection checklist

The WMFR inspections utilize the one-page checklist posted at the WMFR website, www.wmfr.org/short-term-vacation-rental-information.

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin
The vacation rental inspection checklist is posted at www.WMFR.org. – WMFR | Submitted

The checklist includes properly displayed street numbers, properly maintained wall-mounted fire extinguishers, emergency lights at primary exits, smoke alarms in each bedroom, additional smoke alarms in common areas and hallways and carbon monoxide alarms in rentals with gas appliances or attached garages. The checklist notes golf carts are to be charged in a well-ventilated area, with a carbon monoxide detector required.

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin
Vacation rental fire extinguishers should not be stored on the floor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

All electrical circuits shall be properly identified and extension cords shall not be used as permanent wiring. Dryer ducts must be free of accumulated lint and all paths of ingress and egress shall be kept clear and unobstructed.

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin

A copy of the vacation rental owner’s annual transient public lodging establishment (TPLE) license issued by Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) must be included in the guest information book. The guest information book must also include fire safety information describing the evacuation of the dwelling, smoke detector information, procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency and a unit-specific floor plan that identifies each room and the primary and secondary exits, including the windows.

Initial inspection

On Aug. 21, Wilcox welcomed WMFR Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski, Lt. Inspector Keith Miller and Inspector Josh Adkins to the vacation rental he and his wife own near Manatee Beach.

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin
Rodney Kwiatkowski, Josh Adkins and Keith Miller inspected the exterior of Michael Wilcox’s vacation rental dwelling. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Miller and Adkins began by inspecting the exterior of the dwelling, including the ground-level parking and storage areas and the laundry room.

“We’re looking at everything outside the structure,” Miller said.

As they inspected each rental unit, Adkins entered the observed violations, photographs of the observed violations and additional notes into the handheld digital inspection pad that produced the electronic inspection report emailed to Wilcox.

 

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin
A smoke detector was missing in one of the Casa Coconut AMI bedrooms. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The inspection revealed missing or improperly located smoke alarms, non-wall mounted fire extinguishers, fire extinguishers that had not been inspected and certified within the past year, no battery-powered emergency lights near the primary exits and no unit-specific floor plan in each guest information book. Wilcox was given 45 days to correct the violations and schedule a reinspection.

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin
Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski inspected one of Michael Wilcox’s smoke detectors. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“Vacation rental owners and managers should embrace this process because it’s going to save lives,” Kwiatkowski said, noting that last year more than 73% of the residential fires in the district occurred at vacation rentals.

“As long as it’s not a violation that poses imminent danger, a grace period of 45 days will be allowed to become compliant. The Florida Fire Prevention Code gives us flexibility and we’ll weigh all options and come up with the best solutions when applicable,” he added.

“If you rent or advertise for rent your place three or more times for less than 30 days at a time you need a TPLE license from DBPR; and the state fire marshal’s office says we have to inspect these TPLEs annually. We have roughly 3,000 vacation rentals that are appropriately registered through DBPR. We are told by three different software companies that we likely have closer to 5,000 vacation rentals in our district.”

A recently-approved WMFR resolution formalized the fire district’s intent to categorize vacation rentals as commercial properties, rather than residential properties, for the WMFR tax assessments that appear on a property owner’s annual property tax bill. The increased tax revenues will help cover the fire district’s increased inspection costs and letters were sent to property owners informing them of the commercial assessment rate.

Kwiatkowski said anyone who wishes to challenge the district’s right to inspect short-term vacation rentals would be challenging the Florida Fire Code adopted by state legislators.

“They’re taking on the state of Florida, because they’re the ones that wrote the law,” Kwiatkowski said.

“The code tells us we have to do this,” Adkins added.

“Our goal is to work with property owners/managers to gain compliance,” Kwiatkowski said. “If, and I stress if, a property owner/manager were to refuse to meet the minimum fire and life safety standards required under Florida Administrative Code 69A-43, we would use the full force of our state enforcement powers, including, but not limited to fines or shutting down the business in order to keep the public and first responders safe. That’s a scenario I am hoping will be avoided through good quality public education.”

Wilcox said he spoke with other vacation rental owners and property managers who expressed anxiety about WMFR classifying vacation rentals as commercial properties for taxation purposes.
“I got my tax bill yesterday and it’s going to go up $700, total, for all three units on this property. Nobody wants to pay more, but I don’t mind paying that because I think there’s value in having this program,” Wilcox said.

Follow-up inspection

On Sept. 13, Kwiatkowski, Adkins and Inspector Nick Riffe returned for the follow-up reinspection that revealed all previous violations were corrected.

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin
Josh Adkins, Nick Riffe, Michael Wilcox and Rodney Kwiatkowski were present during the follow-up inspection. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Wilcox displayed his rechargeable emergency lights that plug into an electrical outlet near the main exit and come on when the power goes off. He bought them at Amazon.com for about $10 each and also placed one in each bedroom.

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin
Rechargeable emergency lights have been placed throughout the Casa Coconut AMI rental units. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Regarding his now-wall-mounted fire extinguishers, Wilcox said some rental owners he spoke with expressed consternation about the aesthetics of wall-mounted fire extinguishers versus placing them under the sink or in some other less conspicuous location.

“Aesthetics don’t save lives,” Kwiatkowski said.

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin
Fire extinguishers must be wall-mounted in a vacation rental unit. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Wilcox spent about $500 correcting his violations.

“Next year it’ll be about $100 to have the extinguishers serviced and my taxes are going up about $700,” Wilcox said of his future compliance costs.

When asked what he learned during the inspections, Wilcox said, “It confirmed to me that the intent isn’t to close down vacation rentals. The intent is to make them safer.”

Wilcox noted that for the past several years the Florida Legislature has unsuccessfully attempted to preempt all short-term rental regulation to the state and take that authority away from local governments.

“Eventually it’s going to pass. When that happens, it’s going to take the enforcement away from the cities, but it won’t affect the WMFR inspections. There will still be something in place that’s not negated by future legislation,” Wilcox said.

“A lot of the property owners are worried about what the inspections will include and how extreme they’re going to be,” Adkins said. “This wasn’t a hard task for Mike. It was simple and it took seven days – and the majority of that time was waiting for the fire extinguisher company inspection.”

“Our goal is to support local businesses and ensure that they’re safe so the guests keep coming back. We’re asking vacation rental owners and managers to go to our website and schedule their inspections,” Kwiatkowski said.

FISH board sees aerial video of preserve

FISH board sees aerial video of preserve

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Outdoors, Parks.

CORTEZ – As the improvements to the FISH (Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage) Preserve are progressing, a discussion about the environment was fitting at the monthly FISH board meeting.

The 98-acre preserve on Cortez Road is familiar from a ground-level perspective to board members. At their Sept. 11 meeting, however, they saw it from a new perspective – a bird’s eye view.

Rusty Chinnis, board member of the environmental advocacy organization Suncoast Waterkeeper and The Sun’s outdoors columnist treated the FISH board to his Aug. 13 drone video of the preserve, which showcased multiple wetland areas and mangroves. The preserve is one of the only undeveloped waterfront properties on Sarasota Bay.

“What a wonderful job you’ve done with the FISH Preserve,” he said. “It’s fantastic.”

Chinnis was invited to speak to the board about the Manatee County comprehensive plan and land development code changes on mangrove and wetland protections.

“I don’t have to tell you what kinds of problems we’re having with our water these days,” he said. “Right now when we should be doing more and more to protect the water quality, unfortunately Manatee County is doing just the opposite.”

Chinnis referenced the Aug. 17 meeting in which Manatee County commissioners voted to approve a comprehensive plan amendment that would reduce wetland buffers.

“Not one person (at that meeting) got up and spoke in favor of it,” he said. “As soon as public comment was done they voted 6-1 to approve it.”

He noted the FISH board was comprised of fishermen and others familiar with the local waters.

“You see what most people don’t appreciate. You can see that slow, steady decline in the health of the water, with algae and the loss of the fish,” Chinnis said. “We need to get the water quality right.”

He urged the board members to vote for candidates who have a record of protecting the environment.

“Either we get involved or we suffer the consequences,” Chinnis said.

Chinnis’ FISH Preserve Progress video is posted on YouTube at https://youtu.be/qryw1tZ3nwc

In other FISH board business, the theme was announced for the Feb. 18 and 19, 2024 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.

“The theme will be ‘Cortez Commercial Fishing – It’s a Way of Life,’ ” FISH Treasurer Jane von Hahmann said.

Karen Bell, owner of A.P. Bell Fish Co., gave a monthly fishing report.

“It’s been a pretty rough summer,” she said. “The guys aren’t seeing what they normally see. They’re seeing a little more activity following the storm. Shallow water opened up fine Sept. 1.”

Pines Trailer Park sold

Pines Trailer Park sold

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – Developer Shawn Kaleta’s Pines Park Investors LLC has purchased the Pines Trailer Park in Bradenton Beach.

Formed on May 5, Pines Park Investors LLC lists the Najmy Thompson law firm as its registered agent and Kaleta as its manager.

According to a warranty deed dated Aug. 25, Pines Park Investors LLC completed its long-rumored purchase of the 2.78-acre waterfront mobile park property from The Jackson Partnership LLLP for $16.25 million. The Pines Park property contains 86 or 87 residential units and a shared clubhouse area.

Pines Trailer Park sold
Some of the Pines Trailer Park mobile homes have waterfront views. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

According to the mortgage and security agreement dated Aug. 25, Pines Park Investors LLC secured an $8.25 million mortgage with The Jackson Partnership LLLP. According to the mortgage terms, all rents, leases, issues, profits, revenue, income, proceeds, and tax liabilities are given to the borrower, Pines Park Investors LLC.

“If the mortgaged property and any part thereof shall be damaged or taken through condemnation, either temporarily or permanently, the entire indebtedness and other sums secured shall, at the option of the lender (Jackson Partnership LLLP), become immediately due and payable,” according to the mortgage agreement.

The mortgage agreement also states, “Borrower shall not remove or demolish any building or other property forming a part of the mortgaged property without the written consent of the lender. Borrower shall not permit, commit or suffer any waste, impairment or deterioration of the mortgaged property, or any part thereof, and shall keep the same and improvements thereon in good condition and repair.”

Letter to residents

Pine Park Investors LLC emailed and mailed a letter to park residents dated Sept. 12.

“We hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. We are writing to you today with some exciting news regarding the future of Pines Park. We are Pines Park Investors LLC – a group of trailer park owners and operators. As you may be aware, we have recently acquired Pines Park and we wanted to take this opportunity to assure you that we are committed to preserving and improving the park in hopes of ensuring long-term success,” The letter says.

“First and foremost, we are thrilled to announce Brien Quinn, our outstanding park manager, will remain on board. Brien has demonstrated exceptional professionalism and dedication and we believe that his continued presence will greatly contribute to the smooth transition and ongoing management of Pines Park. With his expertise, we can ensure that our community remains well-maintained, secure and enjoyable for all residents.

“Please continue to remit rent payments to Brien Quinn, as well as direct any questions you have his way. Going forward, all checks should be made out to Pines Park Investors LLC.

“We want to emphasize that your satisfaction and well-being are our top priorities. We believe that the future of Pines Park is bright, and together we can continue this thriving community that you are proud to be a part of. We are committed to open communication and we encourage you to reach out to Brien with any questions, concerns or suggestions you may have.

“We look forward to embarking on this new chapter with you and witnessing the continued growth and success of the park. Thank you for your support, and we anticipate an exciting future ahead for Pines Park,” the one-page letter says in conclusion.

Future land use

According to the city of Bradenton Beach’s zoning map, the Pines Trailer Park property is currently zoned M-1 (mobile home park). According to the future land use map, and Building Official Steve Gilbert, the accompanying underlying land use for the Pines property is partially retail/office/residential and partially commercial.

According to Gilbert, the property owner would have to obtain a city-commission-approved comprehensive plan change, and likely a city-commission-approved rezoning approval as well, in order to redevelop the property as anything other than a mobile home park.

Pines Trailer Park sold
Several meetings took place at the Pines Park clubhouse after the property was put on the market earlier this year. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Earlier this year, the Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association and the park residents were unsuccessful in their efforts to form a co-op and secure the financing needed to purchase the land their mobile homes are located on. Those efforts included several homeowners’ association and resident meetings held in the Pines Park clubhouse.

Prepared by homeowners’ association secretary Kathy Diskey, the minutes for the April 18 homeowners’ association meeting addressed a potential rezoning of the Pines Park property and stated, “The new purchaser of the park will have to get the property rezoned in order to change the land use from a resident park to something else. It is hard to guess how long that process would take.”

The Sept. 12 letter indicates Pines Park Investors LLC currently has no known plans to redevelop the Pines Trailer Park property for an alternative use.

Friends, family raise funds for The Center at LaPensee Bowling Tourname

Friends, family raise funds for The Center at LaPensee Bowling Tournament

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – Sold out again this year, the Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament was a huge fundraising success on Saturday night at Bowlero Bradenton.

With 64 lanes sold and teams of six bowling in support of The Center of Anna Maria Island, the night was filled with the sounds of crashing pins, laughter and good conversation.

At night’s end, the Salty Dolphins of AMI Dolphin Tours once again were the top team with a combined team score of 974 in a single game.

Bowling pin “trophies” were awarded to Mikie Phetcher, the top female bowler, with a score of 150.

Hunter Parrish, scoring 234, was the top male bowler of the night. This was Parrish’s first individual achievement as a member of the AMI Dolphin Tours team.

King Middle School eighth-grader Cale Rudacille took home top honors as a youth bowler with a high score of 132.

On the flip side of bowling achievements, Keith Mahoney won the coveted Gutter Ball award.

The tournament, named in honor of Greg LaPensee, who passed away on Dec. 21, 2021 at 39 years of age, was once again sponsored by LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air. LaPensee’s sons, Preston and Chandler, opened the tournament with the first bowls of the night.

Many of the teams showed their originality and personalities through the costumes they wore at the fundraiser. Five teams were considered for the team costume contest prize.

In the end, the six Jamaican bobsledders, Don and Leah Purvis, Brian and Lauren Johnson, and Gavin and Amy Lee, took home the title of best team costumes.

The fundraiser planning once again was a tribute to the giving spirit that Janae Rudacille has for her Island community. Center staff and Rudacille outdid themselves again this year with a wonderful event featuring many raffle items and silent auction items donated to benefit the nonprofit organization.

The Center staff is grateful to everyone who made this year’s fundraising event an even bigger success than last year. All proceeds from the bowling tournament will go toward the programming and services provided by The Center.

The Center staff, volunteers and bowlers made the Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament another night to remember.

Gulf Island Ferry visits Anna Maria Pier

Gulf Island Ferry visits Anna Maria Pier

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

ANNA MARIA – Manatee County and Anna Maria city officials continue to discuss the safety and docking modifications needed to accommodate a Gulf Island Ferry stop at the city pier.

Those negotiations remain ongoing, and the city and the county have not yet entered into an interlocal agreement that would allow the city pier to serve as a ferry stop.

At some point this year, Manatee County plans to begin Friday, Saturday and Sunday ferry service between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island, with stops at the city pier in Anna Maria, the Bradenton Beach Pier and the Coquina South boat ramp in Bradenton Beach.

In August, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission rejected the county’s proposal to install pilings, a floating dock and a gated and locked ferry landing area at the existing boat landing at the T-end of the pier. Murphy told county officials to focus instead on installing Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant landing ramps on the ferries so passengers can embark and disembark without significant modifications made to the pier.

Pier visit

On Sept. 7, one of the Gulf Island Ferry boats made a trial run that included stops at each planned ferry stop. Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione is leading the county’s efforts to implement the water taxi service. He told The Sun that meetings with city officials took place at each of the trial run stops that day.

Later that evening, Murphy provided the city commission with a progress update. He said he met with Falcione, an engineer, a ferry captain and others on the pier earlier that day. He noted county officials refer to the two new boats as ferries, rather than water taxis, and that’s how the county service is being marketed.

“I don’t have an agreement to show you, but we’re closer,” Murphy told the commission.

He said he was asked if the city would allow the county to drive two pilings near the existing landing area to provide better stabilization for the ferries. Murphy said he didn’t know if the pilings would require permits from the Army Corps of Engineers or other regulating agencies. As an alternative to the pilings, county officials also suggested the installation of a mooring arm that would help stabilize the docked ferries.

Murphy said the county officials brought no illustrated plans to the ad-hoc pier meeting. He asked them to submit two plans, with estimated costs, for city commission consideration – one plan for pilings and another for a mooring arm.

Murphy said if pilings are installed, the city would specify that they must be made of concrete or plastic composite. He noted there are worms in the Tampa Bay waters that deteriorate and destroy wood pilings.

Any city-approved pier modifications would be installed at the county’s expense and the city would then be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of those modifications.

“I want it to be very low maintenance,” Murphy said.

Murphy said the city would install signs that require other boats tied to the small public landing area to be occupied at all times so they can be moved to make space for an approaching ferry. Those who leave an unattended boat in the landing area will face a possible fine.

“People have to yield to the water taxi,” Murphy said.

If the city and county enter into an interlocal agreement and the city decides later to opt out of the ferry service, the city must reimburse the county for the pier modifications made.

Commission Chair Mark Short asked if the county provided an estimated timeline to complete the pier modifications. Murphy said no timeline was given but the goal is to get it done as soon as possible.

When contacted by The Sun, Falcione said, “We are making progress and we are getting closer to starting our operation. I am not ready to give an estimated start date.”

Funding for Old Town Trams extended

Funding for Old Town Trams extended

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Old Town Trams may be rolling just a little bit longer.

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) voted at its Aug. 15 meeting to remove the $52,000 subsidization for the free ride service from its 2023-24 budget. However, after much debate about the necessity of the trams at a Sept. 6 CRA meeting, a compromise was reached. Members voted unanimously to fund the tram, with conditions, until the end of this year.

“This was temporary until it could stand on its own,” Mayor John Chappie said. “I don’t mind helping people and getting people started, but for a limited time.”

Launched as a pilot program in November 2020, the Old Town Trams were put in place to help address the lack of parking on and around Bridge Street. The trams are a free park-and-ride shuttle service in the CRA district (from the Cortez Bridge to Fifth Street South) using two electric golf carts.

“I don’t think any of us like to see it go away because it does provide some type of service,” Chappie said. “The problem is, who’s paying for it? And what kind of involvement will there be from businesses? That’s what the service is there for.”

The service is provided by the Sarasota-based Easy Parking Group, owned by Joshua LaRose. It is supported by the CRA at a cost of $52,000 per year and is partially funded by advertising sales.

LaRose attended the Sept. 6 meeting and offered concessions to help defray some of the costs to the city.

“The pilot program didn’t work out and we need to terminate the pilot program,” CRA member David Bell said. “I think what we need to do is see what Tram 2.0 looks like.”

Bell asked LaRose to tell the board what he thought would make it successful.

“Cutting out of season to the weekends is a possibility,” LaRose said. He also offered to cut service on slower days, possibly Monday and Tuesday.

LaRose said the profit margin for the tram service is minimal.

“I might make $1,000 a month, if that sometimes,” he said. “I’m not complaining. You came out and wanted this service.”

LaRose said that upkeep on the carts is expensive, and with the ongoing sewer construction he has had to replace tires multiple times. He also said that insurance is costly at $1,100 per month.

CRA member Jan Vosburgh, who has been a vocal opponent of funding the tram, said the tram is unnecessary, especially given the construction in the area.

“If we could privatize it, we could use that money to do a lot of things,” CRA member Ralph Cole said.

“There needs to be a designated route and stick with the timing needed between different stops, designated times, designated stops, the signage and upkeep on the carts. I’ve heard a few people complain about the upkeep and how they look,” Chappie said.

“Once the construction is done, I always thought there should be a dedicated route,” CRA member Jake Spooner said.

“This isn’t a free ride, we’re giving you so much money as a temporary thing and we want you to be able to make it on your own,” Chappie said to LaRose.

Chappie suggested taking a hiatus for several months to see if LaRose can get support from local businesses during that time. Bell disagreed and said it would be too hard to start again after a break. Cole said if the tram were stopped for a hiatus, advertisers would be lost.

“We need to leave our options open,” Chappie said. “Do we want to set aside a certain amount of money for some type of tram service? We still have a little time, not much. We have to figure out the budget process and set aside a few dollars to support this in some way to help it move along.”

CRA members agreed that participation and support from local businesses would be desirable and necessary to keep the trams going.

“Merchants aren’t equally participating and contributing,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said.

One local business owner asked for a balance.

“The city planned the street (Bridge Street) that way with no parking, the city agreed to put businesses in there with no parking,” Silver Resorts owner Angela Rodocker said. “There is a balance that has to be looked at if we want that to continue to thrive. I don’t think it looks like what it looks like right now. Certainly not $50,000.”

The tram is funded by the CRA until October.

“We could fund it for a few more months,” Cole said.

Contractually the city is on the hook for over $104,000 if the advertisers leave, Perry said. She also said $10,000 in funds could be reallocated for several months’ extension.

“Now we put it out there, and people realize we don’t want to fund it anymore,” Cole said.

“I think a clear message has been sent, ‘Time’s up,’ Chappie said. “If we can figure out how to make it better, ok and if we can’t then that’s it.”

A motion to fund and operate the tram service until Dec. 31 passed unanimously.