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Month: July 2025

Commission discusses pier lease, parking fines, Waste Management

Commission discusses pier lease, parking fines, Waste Management

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

ANNA MARIA – City Pier tenant requests, increased parking fines and ongoing service issues with Waste Management were among the topics discussed during the June 26 Anna Maria City Commission meeting.

The meeting began with Manatee County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Chief Matt Myers giving a short presentation at the request of Mayor Mark Short. Short said he plans to take full advantage of EOC resources this storm season and do a better job of communicating with the county’s emergency operations team regarding hurricane preparation and response.

Window coverage

The commission approved on first reading an ordinance that upon second reading and final adoption will increase from 20% to 80% the window coverage businesses are allowed for window signs and other promotional materials. The ordinance requires businesses to maintain a 6-inch vertical visibility strip on each window so first respond­ers can look inside before entering.

Commission discusses pier lease, parking fines, Waste Management
Anna Maria businesses will soon be allowed to cover 80% of each window with signage and other messaging. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Parking fines

The commission adopted a resolution that increases the city’s parking ticket fine from $50 to $75 in an effort to discourage beachgoers and other motorists from viewing a $50 parking ticket as an accept­able price to pay to park for the day. Now in effect, the resolution also increases the fine for parking in a handicapped space from $225 to $250. Violators of any parking offense in Anna Maria can be ticketed every two hours for the same ongoing violation.

Pier tenants

The commissioners shared with the mayor their opinions on several requests recently presented by City Pier Grill tenants Brian Seymour, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham.

Commission discusses pier lease, parking fines, Waste Management
The City Pier buildings remain stranded with no pedestrian walkway. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The pier tenants’ initial five-year lease expires on Dec. 31 but can be automatically extended for an addi­tional 15 months or so to account for the time lost to the damage caused by Hurricane Milton. Short hopes to reopen the pier in October 2026 and the pier tenants also have to decide if they want to renew their lease for another five years.

The commissioners support placing a permanent, open-air roof structure over the uncovered T-end seating area, but they want the roofline to match the roofline of the adjacent building occupied by Mote Marine so people can still fish off the far end of the pier.

The commissioners support drink rails being attached to the inside of the roof covering support beams but Com­missioner Kathy Morgan-Johnson doesn’t want the additional seating provided by the rail stools to be used to obtain a liquor license. Johnson is OK with the existing beer and wine sales, but she doesn’t support liquor being served in a public area often populated by children.

The commission supports leaving the pier open 24 hours a day when it reopens rather than closing it at 10 p.m. as has been the case since the new pier opened in 2020.

Regarding Seymour’s comment about paying $400 per square foot to lease the city-owned pier space and paying $40 per square foot to lease his privately-owned Anna Maria General Store space, Com­missioner John Lynch noted the city only charges Seymour and his partners for the interior pier build­ing space and does not charge them for the outdoor area that provides seating for their customers.

Short said he will take the commis­sioners’ insights into account during future pier lease discussions with Seymour.

Waste management

The mayor, commissioners and residents continue to express displeasure with the residential trash collection services provided by Waste Management. The primary concern is Waste Management is not adequately providing the side door service required for non-homesteaded residential properties (including short-term vacation rentals) and paid for by those property owners. On several recent occasions, Short and others have complained about Waste Management employees not returning the trash and recycling receptacles to the side of the residen­tial structure after emptying them.

Commission discusses pier lease, parking fines, Waste Management
Waste Management wants to change Anna Maria’s trash collection days. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Short also made commissioners aware of a new concern. He said a member of the Waste Manage­ment team will appear before the commission on July 10 seeking commission authorization to switch trash collection days from Monday and Thursday to Tuesday and Friday and switch recycling collections from Monday to half of the city on Tuesday and half on Friday, with yard and landscaping collection continuing on Monday.

Short said Waste Management made the request after securing a contract with Manatee County for trash collection services in the unincorporated portions of the county. Johnson and Commissioner Gary McMullen oppose giving up Monday trash collections because of the heavy trash accumulation that occurs during weekends. Lynch suggested Waste Management is trying to manage its margins and pick up additional business without increasing its capacity and the trucks and equipment needed.

Pines, Bridge Street parking lots reviewed by building official

Pines, Bridge Street parking lots reviewed by building official

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Tasked by city commissioners in May to conduct a code compliance review of the parking lot at 205 First St. N. historically used by Pines Trailer Park residents and the 101 Bridge St./219 Gulf Drive parking lot, city building official Bill Palmer presented his report at the June 27 city commission work meeting.

Palmer enumerated a list of issues that are not in compliance at both public paid parking lots, including improper acces­sible signage and surfaces.

“We have a professionally drawn site plan for Bridge Street parking lot and I was given a new plan for Pines,” Palmer said. “I did an onsite inspection of the parking lots and compared them to make sure they were in compliance with Florida Statutes, Florida Building Code and our Land Development Code.”

“The first item at the Pines parking lot was the handicapped accessible spaces,” Palmer said. “Florida Statute has regula­tions on the signage and the striping that shows the 5-foot width next to the vehicle. Also, we need handicapped signs that have a certain verbiage on them. The ones at the parking lot now don’t meet Florida Statute.”

The accessible parking spaces and routes must be on slip-resistant material, he said. The parking lot currently has a loose stone surface throughout.

“The spots for the handicapped parking must be on a stable, firm and slip-resistant surface such as asphalt or concrete. That’s per Florida Statute,” Palmer said. “Neither of the parking lots have that – the Pines or Bridge Street.”

Palmer handed commissioners the following list of compliance review issues that he found at the parking lots:

  • Handicap accessible spaces must be properly marked and striped to define the width with signage per the details on approved plans;
  • Handicap spaces and accessible routes must be level, stable, firm and slip-resistant with concrete or asphalt coverings;
  • Trash receptacles must be located at each entrance and exit points;
  • Parking lot surface other than handicapped spaces and accessible routes must be soft shell/crushed shale sand pavement;
  • Bollards need to be installed;
  • Parking lot general signage needs to be installed;
  • Any hazardous debris needs to be removed;
  • Install new sidewalks and parking lot entry access;
  • Provide a parking lot light plan for approval;
  • Provide a drainage and stormwater management plan; all off-street parking lots shall be graded and drained in accordance with applicable stormwater management requirements;
  • New landscaping vegetation; and
  • Provide landscaping (Bridge Street only).

“I sent this list to applicant (Shawn Kaleta, manager of Pines Park Investors LLC) to review,” Palmer said. “The comment back to me was he doesn’t want to do improvements until he gets a Temporary Use Permit, but that parking lot is being in use now. Tourists are using that lot. On the Bridge Street parking lot the applicant had made comment to me there should be some exceptions because it’s a temporary lot. I don’t agree with that.”

The parking lot, commonly known as the Pines parking lot, was converted to public paid parking in December 2024. The use of that property as a paid parking lot is under review by the commission.

Stephen Thompson, the attorney for Pines Park Investors LLC, the owners of the parking lot at the Pines Trailer Park, said at a May 1 special commission meeting that Pines residents who pay their rent may continue to use the lot for free while the city commission considers the owners’ request to charge for parking at the lot.

“At the last meeting, there was concern that we were taking away the parking from tenants,” Thompson said. “In talking to Mr. Kaleta, we want to roll back and allow the tenants to once again park on that lot. Just like they have done for years. Not that it’s a requirement or a legal obligation for us to do it, but I think that may bring a resolution to this issue.”

It was at that May meeting that com­missioners directed the building official to review regulations as they pertain to the parking lot at 205 First St. N.

Commissioner Scott Bear said the lot appears to be fully usable for paid public parking, and suggested signs reserving some spots for Pines residents.

“They’re not fulfilling what they told the board they’re going to do,” Bear said. “I think that needs to be added to this list.”

Palmer said the owners could cordon off an area and post “Pines residents only” signs.

“If they are using even three spaces for paid parking, it needs to comply with your list,” Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce said. “They need to follow all the rules. If that’s mixed use with paid parking and Pines residents I think that’s irrelevant. The relevant part is they’re getting money, they need to comply with what we told them they had to do. I think they’re skirting the issue and just hoping nobody notices.”

Mayor John Chappie said, “If you want to keep part of it as paid parking, you have to follow the rules.”

Pines homeowner Sandy Suever said there are a few Pines homeowners using the parking lot currently.

The parking lot at 101 Bridge St./219 Gulf Drive was approved for a 106-room resort hotel in December 2023.

“To me, temporary is 90-180 days,” Palmer said. “This parking lot is going to be there for a long time. I’m sure there will be no development on that lot for a year or more. If temporary or not, everybody should have the opportunity to use it safely.”

Treehouse lien reduction denied again

Treehouse lien reduction denied again

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

HOLMES BEACH – By a 3-2 vote, city commissioners have denied a second request to reduce the treehouse-related $188,621 code en­forcement lien the city placed on the Angelinos Sea Lodge.

Owned and operated by Holmes Beach residents Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen, the beachfront resort is located at 2818 Avenue E.

The lien is the result of the $125-per-day code enforce­ment fine the resort owners incurred for 14 years while contesting the city’s request to remove the beachfront treehouse that was built without a city-issued building permit. After a long, costly legal battle, the treehouse was removed on Aug. 29, 2024. At that point, the daily fines for the unpermitted treehouse stopped accumulating, but they remain unpaid.

Treehouse lien reduction denied again
The infamous Holmes Beach treehouse was removed from this tree in August 2024. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

A lien associated with an unpaid debt can prevent or delay the sale of property and in some cases enable the lienholder to take possession of the property.

Lien reduction denied

On May 27, the commission voted 5-0 against reducing the treehouse-related lien requested by Tran and Hazen, with Tran suggesting $18,000 as a reduced amount to consider.

On June 24, Tran and Hazen again asked the com­mission to reduce the lien.

Commissioner Carol Whit­more made a motion to reduce the lien to $80,000, payable within 90 days. Whitmore said she never supported the treehouse or the legal actions and expenses the city was subjected to, but she wants the long-running saga to end. Commissioner Dan Diggins seconded Whitmore’s motion.

In response to a question from Commissioner Steve Oelfke, City Attorney Erica Augello said the city spent more than $200,000 on the treehouse lawsuits and appeals.

“The city had to file an injunctive action and expend public dollars to affirmatively get a court order after several years to have the treehouse removed,” Augello said.

Oelfke said he sympathizes with the resort owners, but their decisions resulted in the legal costs incurred by the city.

“I can’t support any reduc­tion,” he said.

Commissioner Carol Soustek said she can’t support a lien reduction because Hazen and Tran chose to battle the city in court rather than work with the city to resolve the case.

“That was the choice made, so I cannot support any reduction,” she said.

Commissioner Terry Schaefer said, “The amount of the lien as a result of those accumulating fines is a direct result of a continual 14-year period of resistance. As I said at the last meeting, we hope that you can continue to be a part of our community, but to capriciously reduce our lien – when it’s a direct result of your actions, not the city’s – would make a mockery of our system and would set an ugly precedent. For those reasons, I cannot support reduction of the lien.”

Treehouse lien reduction denied again
Angelinos Sea Lodge owners Richard Hazen and Lynn Tran have twice had their lien reduction requests denied.

When addressing the com­mission, Tran said, “We didn’t do the treehouse out of malice.”

She said the building official at that time told them they didn’t need a permit for the treehouse and they later spent $19,000 in an unsuccessful effort to obtain an after-the-fact building permit.

Regarding the lengthy legal battle, Tran said, “We listened to our at­torney. Please don’t say we chose to be in court for 14 years.”

Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “The choice to appeal was your choice. Unfortunately, 14 years added up. You knew that it was a daily fine but you continued to fight. I’m sorry, but it’s the consequences for the choices that were made.”

Diggins said, “I’m just looking at it from a compassionate point of view. $80,000 is a lot. $188,000 is a lot more. We’re not disputing the validity of the fines. We’re not disputing the lien. We are saying be compassionate to help a citizen.”

“This is a lot of money. I don’t think anyone up here today can write a check for $180,000,” Whitmore said.

Whitmore’s motion failed with a 3-2 vote, with commissioners Oelfke, Schaefer and Soustek opposing the lien reduction.

Soustek then made a motion to deny the lien reduction and that motion passed by a 3-2 vote, with Whitmore and Diggins in opposition.

Vacation rental fines

Tran and Hazen continue to incur a separate $125-per-day fine for operat­ing their resort without a city-issued vacation rental certificate. Those fines now total approximately $190,000.

Treehouse lien reduction denied again
The hurricane-damaged Angelinos Sea Lodge structures closest to the Gulf remain boarded up. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

On May 27, Augello said the resort owners could have applied for a vacation rental certificate when the treehouse was removed but they didn’t; and to obtain a vacation rental certificate now, they must bring their property into compliance by temporar­ily suspending their rental activities and passing a city inspection.

Treehouse lien reduction denied again
This two-story structure is also part of the Angelinos Sea Lodge. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“They’re not compliant because they’re continuing to rent their prop­erty in violation of code. They haven’t come into compliance,” Augello said on June 24 when Whitmore asked about the resort owners’ recent attempt to obtain a rental certificate.

Related coverage:
Treehouse fines will not be reduced

Significant stormwater fee increase proposed

Significant stormwater fee increase proposed

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

HOLMES BEACH – City property owners may soon see their annual stormwater assessment fee increase by as much as 205%, rising from $2.95 per 100 square feet of property to $4.95 or $9 per 100 square feet.

Stormwater fee revenues are used to maintain and improve the city’s stormwater and drainage systems that help the city recover from heavy rains, high tides and flooding.

At $2.95 per 100 square feet, the owner of a 7,500-square-foot property currently pays a $221 annual stormwa­ter fee. At $4.95, that fee would increase to $371. At $9, it would increase to $675 per year.

At $2.95 per 100 square feet, the owner of a 5,000-square-foot property currently pays a $148 annual stormwa­ter fee. At $4.95, that fee increases to $248. At $9, it increases to $450.

City commissioners expect to vote on the proposed fee increase during their Tuesday, July 22 meeting and public input is sought before and during the meeting that starts at 2 p.m. The city has until the first week of August to notify the property appraiser’s office of a stormwater fee increase.

Public Works Director Sage Kamiya presented the proposed fee increase for preliminary, non-voting discussion during the city commission’s June 24 work session.

Kamiya said five ex­tremely heavy rain and flooding events occurred during the second half of 2024 alone, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, and his presentation included a once in every 25 years/24-hour rain event floodplain map in which most of the city was highlighted in blue.

“Currently, if we get that kind of rain event, everything in blue is covered in water,” he said.

Significant stormwater fee increase proposed
The areas highlighted in blue would likely flood during a once in every 25 years/24-hour rain event. – City of Holmes Beach | Submitted

Kamiya said the city spends about $300,000 a year maintaining the storm­water system that currently includes about 4 miles of vertical infiltration trenches, 10 miles of drainage pipes, drainage ditches and swales, WaStop check valves and more. He said the infiltration trenches are designed primarily to clean and filter the water before it’s discharged into the sur­rounding natural waters, but the trenches held reduce flooding, too.

Kamiya said drainage and flooding complaints have increased in recent years and the city needs to do more to address those concerns.

He also mentioned sea level rise and ris­ing tides: “We know sea level is rising, the tides are getting higher and they’re getting more frequent. All of these projects don’t necessarily solve that, but all these projects have a component that can help that.”

Mayor Judy Titsworth said stormwater and drainage improvements help protect property values.

Projected expenses

Kamiya’s presentation included a detailed breakdown of the $21.9 million for proposed stormwater maintenance and improvement projects he believes are needed during the next five years. He said without a rate increase, some improve­ments might be discarded or spread out over a much longer period. He said even at the $9 rate, the city might still be a couple million dollars “in the red” after five years if all those projects are pursued.

Significant stormwater fee increase proposed
This map illustrates some of the recent, current and future stormwater improvement activity in Holmes Beach. – City of Homes Beach | Submitted

Kamiya said his $21.9 million estimate assumes about half of those costs being covered by matching grants. Some grants require a 20-30% match from the city, many require a 50% match and grant funds do not cover maintenance costs.

According to Kamiya, the city cur­rently has about $1.86 million available for stormwater-related expenses and maintaining the $2.95 fee would generate $850,000 in stormwater fees during the 2025-26 fiscal year. The $4.95 rate would generate $1.4 million and the $9 rate would generate $2.59 million.

According to Kamiya, the average stormwater fee is currently $195. A $4.95 fee would result in a $296 average fee and a $103 average increase. A $9 fee would result in a $506 average fee and a $314 average increase.

Commission Terry Schaefer said the stormwater fee on his latest property tax bill was $331, which he noted was only a small fraction of his total tax bill.

“In my opinion, we ought to go to the max ($9) right now because the needs are not going to be any less and further storms are going to create greater problems,” he said.

According to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office, Schaefer’s property is 11,238 square feet. At the $9 assessment rate, his stormwater fee would increase by $680 to $1,011.

Regarding the political implications of a fee increase, Schaefer said, “I can’t think of a better time to present to our constituents the need to do this. I think everyone who’s been here for the last year realizes the importance of stormwater abatement and the city doing everything it can.”

Commissioner Steve Oelfke noted the city’s stormwater management efforts and improvements provide property owners with a flood insurance discount that will increase to 25% on Oct. 1 due to the city’s upgraded Community Rating System rating. He also noted the public works department is trying to repair or replace drainage components that have been ignored for 10 or 20 years.

Commissioner Dan Diggins said most of the calls he receives from residents and property owners pertain to stormwater, drainage and flooding.

Significant stormwater fee increase proposed
Maintaining the vertical infiltration trenches are a part of the city’s stormwater maintenance efforts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Commissioner Carol Whitmore sug­gested the city launch a publicity campaign to make property owners aware of the potential fee increase. Titsworth said the city will follow the same public noticing requirements used for the annual budget process and it’s up to the residents and property owners to make themselves aware of what’s happening in their city. That said, the mayor and commissioners do want to hear from residents and property owners about the proposed rate increase before or during the July 22 meeting and their email addresses are available at the city website, www.holmesbeachfl.org.

After the meeting, Kamiya said he supports the $9 rate.

 Other Island cities

A few years ago, the Anna Maria City Commission raised that city’s stormwater assessment fee from $1 per 100 square feet to $2 per 100 square feet. When contacted last week, City Treasurer LeAnne Addy said the $2 rate remains in effect but the mayor and commissioners will discuss raising it during their upcom­ing budget sessions. At $2, the owner of a 7,500-square-foot property pays a $150 annual stormwater fee.

Bradenton Beach City Treasurer Shayne Thompson said the city is considering switching to a per-hundred-square-feet stormwater fee calculation formula and away from the current variable-based formula devised by the city’s previous stormwater engineer.

According to the property appraiser’s office, the 2024 stormwater fee for a 7,500 square foot residential property on Fifth Street South was $330.

Gloria Dei owners decline city’s initial offer

Gloria Dei owners decline city’s initial offer

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

HOLMES BEACH – The owners of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church property did not accept the city’s $3 million offer to purchase the church building and property at 6608 Marina Drive.

On June 25, Taylor Rahdert, the real estate agent representing the property owners, sent Holmes Beach Director of Development Services Chad Minor an email that said, “The Florida Bahamas Synod Council has reviewed the letter of intent regarding the purchase of Gloria Dei and property. The council has a fiduciary respon ­sibility to sell the property based on the appraisal that represents the value at its best usage. The council is open to further negotiation based on the appraised value of $9.9 million. Thank you for your consideration.”

Gloria Dei owners decline city’s initial offer
The property owners received a $9.9 million appraisal. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The property owners’ $9.9 million asking price is based on the appraisal they received that assumes the property will be rezoned for retail or commercial development, which would require city commission approval.

On May 27, the commission authorized Titsworth to offer the Synod Council $3 million and engage in further negotiations if needed, with the caveat that a higher negotiated purchase price would require city commission approval.

After receiving a copy of Rahdert’s email, Mayor Judy Titsworth asked City Clerk Stacey Johnston to send it to the city commissioners.

“Unfortunately, I do not see a path forward on an acquisition at this time,” Titsworth stated in her email.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore wrote, “Knew this would happen.”

During recent commission discussions, Whitmore expressed doubts that the property owners would accept an offer that was significantly lower than the $9.9 million appraised value.

The city’s $3 million offer was based on the two valuation ap­praisals the city recently received. The city’s $2.1 million and $2.77 million appraisals assumed the church building and property would retain the existing Public/Semi-Public (PSP) zoning and future land use designations that do not allow for residential or commercial development.

According to the city’s land development code, “The PSP zoning district is consistent and compatible with, and is intended to implement, the public/semi-public land use category set forth in the comprehensive plan. This district is intended to implement the public/semi-public land use category by recognizing identifi­able areas of the community that support public, municipal and semi-public centers, community services and facilities including churches and schools, both public and private.”

Gloria Dei owners decline city’s initial offer
City officials hoped to use the church property for public green space and recreational purposes. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

City officials hoped to use the church building and property for public purposes beneficial to city residents. The potential uses include providing space inside the church building for non-profit groups, charitable organizations, art groups and the School for Constructive Play preschool that was displaced from the church building by the 2024 hurricanes. The potential outdoor uses include a children’s playground, park space, green space, outdoor market space and more.

Built on a 3-acre property in 1960, the triangular-shaped church building was designed by renowned Sarasota architect Victor Lundy. Church operations ceased in January, due in part to a shrinking congregation. During a recent commission meeting, city resident Gale Tedhams noted the iconic and recognizable church building would likely be demol­ished if purchased by a developer.

Rahdert’s email was received the day after the June 24 commission meeting and the mayor and com­missioners have not yet publicly discussed the declined offer. The commission meets on Tuesday, July 8 at 2 p.m. to discuss the 2025-26 city budget.

Rezoning challenges

If the church building and property are purchased with the PSP zoning and future land use designations still in place, the use of the property would remain restricted to what’s currently allowed by city code, unless the property is rezoned. The current owners could also try to rezone the property before selling it.

In 2016, city commissioners denied a comprehensive plan amendment sought by church officials who wanted to change the future land use designa­tion to R-2 (two-family residential) for the two undeveloped parcels and rezone those parcels in the same manner. Church officials hoped to sell the rezoned parcels for development and use the sale proceeds to fund the continued church operations. In 2018, city officials discussed purchasing the undeveloped portions of the church property but not the church building, but that sale never transpired. During recent discussions, neither the mayor nor any of the commissioners have expressed support for rezoning the property.

When contacted by The Sun on June 26, Minor said it would take the support of the commission majority (at least three members) to rezone the church property and/or amend the future land use designation for residen­tial development. When asked if the church property could be rezoned for commercial development, Minor said that would be more difficult because the church property is surrounded by residentially-zoned properties.

The surrounding properties on the same side of Marina Drive as the church are zoned R-1 (single-family residential) and the properties on the other side of Marina Drive are zoned R-2. According to city code, properties zoned R-1 can be used for vacation rentals with a 30-day minimum stay and properties zoned R-2 can be rented on a weekly basis.

Related coverage:
City to make offer on Gloria Dei property

Island police prepare for July Fourth weekend crowds

Island police prepare for July Fourth weekend crowds

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Local police departments are gearing up for the long holiday weekend with increased presence and reminders to visitors about parking, fireworks and alcohol restrictions.

All hands will be on deck for Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach Police Departments in anticipation of large crowds for the weekend, especially the Fourth of July parade, sponsored by the Anna Maria Island Privateers, which begins on Friday, July 4 at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and ends at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria.

“We’re going to 12-hour shifts, and all days off (for BBPD police officers) have been canceled,” Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby wrote in a June 26 email to The Sun.

Bradenton Beach commissioners approved a declaration of a local state of emergency on June 5 for July 4-6 in the city.

“We’re trying to be proactive,” Cosby said at the June meeting. “I need to be able to put people on call and pay out some extra overtime and there are some requirements in our emergency ordinance so I would like to activate that.”

The Holmes Beach Police Depart­ment will have an increased presence with extra officers working the holiday weekend, according to a June 25 email to The Sun from Police Chief Bill Tokajer.

Fireworks, alcohol prohibited

“It’s important to know that according to the Holmes Beach city ordinance, fireworks are prohibited in the City of Holmes Beach. Fireworks are defined in Florida Statute 791.01 as exploding, launching or projectile fireworks. Illegal fireworks will be seized and a City Ordinance Viola­tion will be issued to anyone who has fireworks in their possession,” Tokajer wrote.

Sky lanterns are also prohibited.

Sparklers, smoke devices, party poppers, snappers and snakes are al­lowed. Children should be supervised at all times.

Consumption of alcohol, possession of alcohol and fires are prohibited on all beaches.

“Fireworks, if it flies or goes boom, it’s illegal,” Cosby wrote.

“Remember, it is turtle and bird nesting season on the beach so please do not disturb the turtles or the nesting birds,” Tokajer stated in his email.

Parking

“People need to be patient,” Cosby said. “There is no saving parking spaces. Those are first come, first serve.”

Tokajer provided a list of possible parking violations in Holmes Beach that visitors need to be aware of. Some of the prohibited parking spots include: On a sidewalk or within 20 feet of a crosswalk, within 30 feet of a stop sign, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, blocking driveways, improperly parked in a disabled spot, parked facing in the wrong direction, and between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. at the public beach.

For any vehicle parked in a right-of-way, all tires are required to be located fully within the right-of-way and no tire or part of a vehicle may be located in the roadway, except for on Key Royale Drive between Crestwood Road and North Point Drive.

Teenager ejected from golf cart, seriously injured

Teenager seriously injured in Anna Maria golf cart accident

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

ANNA MARIA – A 15-year-old golf cart passenger suffered traumatic head and chest injuries after being ejected from a golf cart at the intersection of North Shore Drive and Spring Avenue in Anna Maria last night at approximately 7:45 p.m.

When dispatched to the scene, West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) personnel found a 15-year-old female patient lying on her left side in front of a golf cart, according to the WMFR report.

“Golf cart had no damage noted,” according to the report. “Driver of the golf cart states she was going 5-10 mph when she went to turn and her friend rolled out of the golf cart and fell onto the road. Patient was a 15-year-old female. She was initially alert to person, place and event, able to answer question between breaths, but she was spitting up blood and did not have a patent airway.”

The patient was stabilized, placed on a backboard, placed onto a stretcher and moved to an ambulance. WMFR personnel helped establish IV access and set up intubation and fluid administration, according to the report.

The patient was sedated, intubated and transported to the helicopter landing zone at City Field in Holmes Beach, where Aeromed arrived, assumed treatment and transported the patient to Tampa General Hospital.

New law in effect to reduce derelict vessels

New law in effect to reduce derelict vessels

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

TALLAHASSEE – New legislation effective statewide on July 1 is designed to help reduce the number of at-risk and derelict vessels across the state and improve enforcement tools for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers and partner agencies.

The FWC “is preparing to implement a new law aimed at strengthening vessel account­ability and enhancing protections for Florida’s waterways. Senate Bill 164 was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 19,” according to a June 27 press release.

Local boat captains have expressed concern about sunken and unreg­istered boats south of the Cortez Bridge, and in May 2024, marine law enforcement agencies issued more than 20 citations for multiple unregistered and derelict vessels.

A derelict vessel is any vessel that is that is left in a wrecked, junked or substantially dismantled condition upon waters of the state. Derelict vessels pose risks to navigation, marine life, seagrass beds and public safety. Vessels at risk of becoming derelict include those taking on water without an effective way to dewater; those with spaces meant to be enclosed that remain open to the elements; those listing due to water intrusion, those that have broken loose or may break loose from anchor or those tied to an unlawful or unpermitted structure or mooring.

Key provisions of the new law include:

  • Clarified Ownership Standards: The definition of “vessel owner” is clarified, and a valid vessel title will now serve as prima facie (presumed) evidence of ownership;
  • Stronger Requirements for At-Risk Vessels: Vessel owners must now complete an Effective Means of Propulsion (EMP) evaluation upon request by law enforcement. If an officer has reason to believe the vessel lacks an effective means of propulsion and the owner is present, the evaluation must be conducted immediately or within 48 hours if notified otherwise;
  • Public Nuisance Vessel Designation: A vessel may now be declared a public nuisance – subject to removal like a derelict vessel – if the owner receives three citations related to any at-risk conditions within a 24-month period, including unpaid citations or failure to appear in court.

Expanded Noncriminal Infractions: Violations such as expired registration and long-term anchoring may now be addressed through mailed noncriminal citations from law enforcement;

  • More Flexible Use of Removal Funds: Derelict Vessel removal funding may now be used not only for removing derelict vessels but also for preventive removals under the Vessel Turn-In Program and for public nuisance vessels;
  • Harsher Penalties for Repeat DV Offenders: First offense, first-degree misdemeanor; second offense, third-degree felony and third offense, second-degree felony; and
  • No Liveaboard on Derelict Vessels: It is now a first-degree misdemeanor to live aboard a vessel that has been declared derelict by the court.

Additional requirements, including an annual electronic permit issued by FWC for vessels anchoring longterm, will go into effect on July 1, 2026. The penalty for unauthorized long-term anchoring will consist of fines ranging from $100 to $500.

“If a vessel owner receives three violations within a two-year period, the vessel may be declared a public nuisance and removed as if it were derelict. Some exemptions apply and include vessels that are government-operated, construc­tion vessels, actively engaged in commercial or recreational fishing, docked at a public or private facility or moored at permitted moorings,” according to the FWC release.

“We have seen increasing suc­cess in our efforts to combat the ongoing derelict vessel problem in Florida’s waters,” said Capt. Travis Franklin, leader of the FWC Derelict Vessel Removal and Prevention Program. “This new legislation enhances our ef ­forts to not only remove derelict vessels but also prevent at-risk vessels from becoming derelict. ”

The FWC has removed nearly 200 vessels through the Vessel Turn-In Program and is taking applications from at-risk vessel owners. For more informa­tion, call 850-488-5600 or visit the FWC website.

Tarpon season winds down

Tarpon season winds down

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

For many anglers, the final days of June traditionally mark the beginning of the end of the tarpon fishing season. This is the time that big spawning pods break up into small groups and singles. While all seasons vary to some extent, this season has been very unusual. Weather has played a major factor with two fronts and heavy rains reportedly moving fish offshore. Add to that the persistent south swell and south/southeast winds that made fishing challenging especially for fly fishers fishing the shallow pass bars.

Rick Richards of Sarasota fished the Sarasota Tarpon Tournament with Capt. Carson Stipcich (Blackdog Outdoors) of Bradenton and walked away with top honors in the event. The 95th annual tournament took place from May 10 to June 15 and was followed by the Fish-Off weekend on June 21. The tournament wraps up on July 10 with the awards banquet.

According to Richards, fish defi­nitely seemed to move offshore with the fronts this summer. He even had several reports from captains of large schools far offshore.

Capt. Colby Hane, a seasoned local fly fishing guide, related much the same information, crediting a trio of factors that happened in June to create challenging fishing. The Yucatan swell, officially named Invest 91L, built in the Bay of Campeche off Mexico in early June and the swell it generated affected Florida’s Gulf coast for most of the month. Added to that was the first big rain event of the season and the Saharan dust, which Hane credits to driving the fish offshore. And while it has been a challenging season for him, there have also been some very productive days.

“It’s been all over the board. On tough days we had a total of maybe six shots while on the best days we had up to double digit bites,” he said. Hane also thinks increased boat traffic has contributed to driving the fish into deeper water.

Whatever the case, there are still tarpon around and the wind and swell have moderated over the last 10 days. It seems even the weather radar can’t get it right, so plan to fish as the old saying goes “whenever you can.” Dedicated fly fishers actually prefer late season fish because schools break up and individual fish can be more easily targeted.

One final very important point. While it should be a no-brainer, be respectful of fellow anglers. With increased boat traffic, if anglers aren’t considerate of others, ev­eryone loses. Give other fisherman some room, it’s a big Gulf out there.