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Bradenton Beach Commission opposes state attacks on home rule

Bradenton Beach Commission opposes state attacks on home rule

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Protecting home rule rights will be the city commission’s top priority during the state legislative session that convenes on March 5.

Home rule rights and the ability to self-govern at the local level were already a top priority before Bradenton-based State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. and the Manatee County legislative delegation announced their shared desire to preempt home rule rights at the state level so Manatee County can build a public parking garage in Holmes Beach. The delegation, which also includes Republican state senators Jim Boyd and Joe Gruters and state representatives Tommy Gregory and Mike Beltran, are also requesting a state-funded study regarding the potential dissolution or consolidation of the three Island cities.

During the Bradenton Beach Commission’s Jan. 19 meeting, commissioners unanimously agreed that fighting the state legislators’ latest efforts to eliminate the city’s home rule rights would be a top priority for the city and its contracted lobbyist, Dave Ramba.

Prior to the meeting, Mayor John Chappie provided the commissioners with a two-page list that detailed the commission’s 2023 legislative priorities. The list was prepared before Robinson and his fellow state legislators expressed their intentions regarding home rule rights and the potential consolidation or elimination of the three Island cities.

According to the priorities list, “Home rule is why no two cities are alike. Intrusion on home rule from the state or federal government undermines the constitutional right of citizens to govern themselves.”

During the Jan. 19 meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry said, “There have been two additions I think the city should implement into this based on the Manatee County delegation meeting: The elimination or consolidation of the Island cities as well as the usurpation of home rule authority on height restrictions for parking garages.”

Chappie then said, “I totally agree. I had a discussion with Rep. Robinson. I voiced my concerns and disappointment and he told me his reasoning, which I disagree with. It is concerning. It is disappointing. As I told our representative, government’s supposed to work from the bottom up, not from the top down. This is local stuff. This isn’t even really party politics, it’s about the best type of governance that they think would be best for us. Who do they think they are?” Chappie said.

“Yes, we depend on the state and federal governments for certain things, but we’re responsible at the local level for health, safety and welfare. If we need something, we go to our legislators. That’s not what happened in this case and it’s a state of affairs. The three Island cities are going to be working together to correct this injustice,” Chappie said.

Chappie said he was meeting with Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth the following day. He also said that Perry will work with the Florida League of Cities on these legislative concerns.

Commissioner Ralph Cole said state legislators should focus their efforts on providing state funds for undergrounding utility lines, adding and improving sidewalks and other projects that benefit local communities.

Cole questioned whether a state pre-emption that allows parking garages to exceed city-specific building heights would then lead to the construction of other high-rise structures. He also said Manatee County needs to finish the drainage improvement project at Coquina Beach that’s temporarily reduced parking for beachgoers.

Commissioner Jake Spooner said state legislators should focus more on undergrounding projects, stormwater and drainage improvements and other infrastructure improvements.

Additional priorities

Another home rule-related legislative priority pertains to the continued local regulation of short-term vacation rentals. The city commission supports legislation that repeals the state preemption of the local regulation of short-term rental properties.

“Please reject efforts to restrict our abilities to locally respond to the needs of our community,” the priorities list says.

The commission supports property insurance reform that would address increasing insurance rates, claim duration processes, policy cancellations and benefits assignments.

Commissioners also support the expanded use of Manatee County’s 5% tourist development tax – much of which is generated by lodging establishments on Anna Maria Island. The priorities list notes Bradenton Beach has a resident population of approximately 1,200 people, but during weekends, holidays, peak tourist periods and busy beach days, more than 30,000 people occupy the city at any given time. The commission supports legislation to expand the use of those restricted tourist development tax revenues to also help fund additional policing services and infrastructure improvements.

The commission supports the preservation of the communication services tax and the local business tax and opposes legislation that modifies, restricts or eliminates municipalities’ authority to levy or collect those tax revenues that help fund city services.

The commission also supports legislation that provides recurring funding sources for programs and projects that preserve and enhance water quality and/or mitigate the negative environmental and economic impacts of red tide and other harmful algae blooms that threaten public waterways.

The commission unanimously approved the revised legislative priorities list that now includes the commission’s opposition to the legislative actions proposed by Robinson and the Manatee County legislative delegation.

Reel Time: Scallopalooza - Welcome to the Clam Jam

Reel Time: Scallopalooza – Welcome to the Clam Jam

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

On Saturday night, Feb. 11, Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) will hold its 13th annual major fundraising event, “Scallopalooza: Welcome to The Clam Jam,” at the Sarasota Hyatt Regency Hotel. Last year’s event was a sellout with over 400 community supporters in attendance and, if history is any indication, this year will be too.

SBW’s Executive Director Ronda Ryan, who has been with Sarasota Bay Watch since 2007, continues to spearhead the group’s education and restoration efforts. Sarasota Bay Watch’s shellfish restoration efforts resulted in nearly 1 million clams being released in 2022 alone. Their work highlights the need for action to protect the local marine ecosystem. As a part of that “natural system,” clams filter algae that have been growing in excess and affecting water quality and clarity in the bay. Reduced water quality and clarity negatively affect seagrass growth, a necessary component for a healthy ecosystem. Seagrass beds provide essential habitat and food to all creatures in the bay, including humans.

Sarasota Bay Watch Board President Brandon Taaffe and members of the event committee, Brian Jung, Al Jeffery, John Ryan and Ernesto Lasso De La Vega, helped Ryan organize an event that highlights the importance of and support for local nonprofits stressing the significance of clean water.

The evening’s activities will include live music, an open bar and a large silent auction that includes artwork, event tickets, and merchandise of every description. After dinner, a live auction will feature packages including travel, fishing trips and much more.

One of the best parts of the event is the opportunity to mingle with some of the region’s most passionate environmental supporters and to share the common mission for protecting Sarasota Bay. De La Vega, who leads the clam restoration efforts, will be back to update participants on SBW’s projects, which include the first-ever clam lease in Sarasota Bay that is dedicated to restoration.

To get involved with the work SBW is doing to protect Sarasota Bay and support their mission, visit the group’s website. As their motto says, “A healthy bay is everybody’s business,” literally and figuratively!

Castles in the Sand

An island in the sun

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

I clearly remember traveling to the Caribbean islands when I was still living in the cold northeast and wondering what it would be like to live and work in such a beautiful place. Do high heel shoes become a thing of the past, to be replaced by flip flops, and do you immediately discard anything that says 100% wool, not to mention pantyhose? I did all of this and never looked back except to be grateful that I found this particular Island when I did.

Don’t misunderstand; I am very pro-real estate and most of the homes on Anna Maria Island are tasteful, new and built to current hurricane building codes, making them safer than their one-level ranch ancestors. Nevertheless, these days if I visit a small island, I can’t help comparing it to Anna Maria Island and can’t even imagine what the next 10 years will bring.

For now, let’s see what the December sales statistics for Manatee County have to say, reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:

Single-family homes closed 29.7% fewer properties from December of last year. The median selling price was $507,000, up 10.2% from last year, but the average selling price was $610,237, down 0.6% from last year. The median time to contract was 27 days this December compared to six days last December, and the month’s supply of available properties is three months this year compared to 0.6 last year.

Condos closed 24.2% fewer properties from December of last year. The median selling price was $344,475, up 13.7% from last year, but the average selling price was $364,057, down 3.6% from last year. The median time to contract was 19 days compared to six days last year, and the month’s supply of available properties was 2.7 months this December compared to 0.5 last year.

The consensus of opinion is that 2022 has been a change or shift in the market and we are seeing that as well. Dr. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, indicates that inflation has been dropping and consumers can expect mortgage rates will likely fall as well.

In addition, although there are fewer sales, we have a significant increase in listings, making more properties available. Our market is still, however, considered a seller’s market per the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.

An island – really just a spit of sand in the Atlantic Ocean – that made all these feelings come roaring back was a one-day stop at a totally undeveloped island called Half Moon Cay, a private island owned by one of the major cruise companies. The actual name for this dot of paradise is Little San Salvador Island 100 miles southeast of Nassau in the Bahamas. Half Moon Cay’s size is close to Anna Maria Island’s, but you would never know it driving around. There are only a handful of homes, a beautiful lagoon, a tourist center with shops and a spectacular unspoiled beach.

That said, based on a recent profile of Anna Maria in the Wall Street Journal, Anna Maria, “a tropical oasis,” is Florida’s second-most expensive zip code (34216) as ranked by median listing price, according to realtor.com. Anna Maria city is topped by Miami’s Fisher Island, pretty good company.

As Anna Maria keeps growing and property values keep going up, I wonder what would happen to lovely Little San Salvador if civilization invaded their beach. Every time I read a profile of Anna Maria in a national publication it leaves me shaking in my flip-flops, but that’s progress and this is an island in the sun.

34216 zip code named second most expensive in Florida

34216 zip code named second most expensive in Florida

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

ANNA MARIA – The city at the north end of Anna Maria Island is known for its white sand beaches, high-quality dining and shopping, cultural events and charming homes, but a Jan. 13 article in the Wall Street Journal is a reminder that it comes at a price – a very high price.

Anna Maria’s 34216 zip code is now the second most expensive in Florida, according to the Journal, quoting Realtor.com.

To put in perspective just how expensive the median home price in Anna Maria actually is, it ranks second only to the ultra-exclusive Fisher Island in Miami, which is home to residents like Oprah Winfrey, Andre Agassi, Robert Herjavec and other ultra-high net worth individuals and celebrities. The city of Anna Maria has a current median list price of $3.6 million, a median $1,695 per square foot price, an average of 75 days on the market before a home is sold and 42 active listings, which is up 133.33% year-over-year.

It should be noted that Anna Maria is not even in the top 100 wealthiest zip codes in Florida. The 2020 census reports that residents of Anna Maria have an average household income of $80,865 compared to around $500,000 on Fisher Island, which has zero residents living below the poverty line – compared to 10.8% in Anna Maria. That’s a high per-capita income compared to the national average, but far from what can be found in many south Florida coastal towns.

The most expensive home sold in Anna Maria closed at $16 million last year and according to the article, the biggest factor influencing price is proximity to water. A canal is nice, a bay view is fantastic and windows facing the Gulf of Mexico mean big bucks.

State representatives suggest eliminating Island cities

State representatives suggest eliminating Island cities

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

MANATEE COUNTY – Members of the local state legislative delegation are making plans to permanently change the face of Anna Maria Island, beginning with a parking garage and potentially ending with the dissolution of the three Island cities.

A citizens’ action group, Save AMI Cities, has already sprung up on Facebook with the intent of making voter and stakeholder voices heard by state legislators.

During a Jan. 12 legislative delegation meeting, Rep. Will Robinson Jr. brought up beach access and parking issues in Holmes Beach. Robinson, a Republican, proposed introducing a bill during the upcoming state legislative session to pre-empt Holmes Beach city leaders’ decision to ban parking garages. His plan would allow a four-story parking garage on the Manatee County-owned parcel at Manatee Beach, one story higher than the city’s limit. His fellow Republican members of the delegation, Rep. Tommy Gregory, Rep. Mike Beltran, Sen. Jim Boyd and Sen. Joe Gruters, voted unanimously in favor of the proposal and putting the bill forth for consideration at the state level.

Rep. Will Robinson Jr.
Rep. Will Robinson Jr.

If the proposed bill makes it through all of the levels of state government, including committees and the Senate, and gains the approval of Gov. Ron DeSantis, it would allow Manatee County commissioners to subvert local government regulations and issue their own building permits for construction on county-owned property, regardless of the city the property is located in.

“I thought it was incumbent for the Legislature to step in and pre-empt that authority to allow a four-story parking garage if the county commission so votes and funds that parking garage to be built,” Robinson said. “It is fundamental for anyone to be able to visit our public beach and, in my view, parking spaces have been strategically taken away over the last few years under the guise of COVID to not allow folks to access the beach. Folks are getting frustrated – they can’t park, they can’t access the beach, they’re turning around and they’re going back home. And, to me, there’s nothing more important than to allow a person, a taxpayer, who pays for that beach, by the way, to visit that beach.”

Currently, the majority of beach renourishment funding comes from state-funded renourishment programs and the county resort tax, paid by visitors, not local tax dollars.

Parking problems

Public beach parking in Holmes Beach has been a point of contention between city and county leaders for more than two years. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to local beaches was restricted by the state to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Contact Manatee County state representatives

 

Rep. Will Robinson Jr.

District office: 941-708-4968

Capitol office: 850-717-5071

Email: Will.Robinson@myfloridahouse.gov

 

Rep. Mike Beltran

District office: 813-653-7097

Capitol office: 850-717-5070

Email: Mike.Beltran@myfloridahouse.gov

 

Rep. Tommy Gregory

District office: 941-893-5434

Capitol office: 850-717-5072

Email: Tommy.Gregory@myfloridahouse.gov

 

Sen. Jim Boyd

District office: 941-742-6445

Capitol office: 850-487-5020

Email: boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov

 

Sen. Joe Gruters

District office: 941-378-6309

Capitol office: 850-487-5022

Email: gruters.joe.web@flsenate.gov

In Holmes Beach, city leaders closed public beach parking during the lockdown. When the beaches were allowed to be reopened, city leaders took the opportunity to create a long-planned permit parking area on some residential streets near the beach. The plan was to not only give city residents who don’t live near the beach a place to park but to also reduce traffic, trash and beachgoers relieving themselves on residential streets. Permits are available to city residents only and permit parking takes up approximately 642 spaces located solely on the sides of city streets. Other streets were labeled as no parking zones at the request of residents or due to the narrowness of the roads, eliminating about 300 parking spots. The city still has more than 1,200 public parking spots, including the parking available at Manatee Beach, within a quarter mile of the beach and more along other residential streets further away from beach access points.

During city commission meetings, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer has reported counting more than 40,000 vehicles coming and going on Manatee Avenue, just one of three Island access points, on an average busy beach day. That number can jump higher over holiday weekends.

City leaders have met with state and county representatives to discuss parking problems in Holmes Beach with few resolutions found. The city’s website features a parking map to show where vehicle and low-speed vehicle/golf cart parking is located near the beach. Plans to create an interactive parking app also are underway.

When Holmes Beach commissioners met to discuss banning parking garages last year, Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge stepped up during public comment to issue a warning if they moved forward with the ban. Van Ostenbridge said he had plans to present a proposal to build a multi-level parking garage at the county-owned Manatee Beach. Commissioners chose to move forward with the ban. The city of Bradenton Beach, where the county owns property including Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach along with two boat ramps, also has a ban on multi-level parking garages.

Holmes Beach’s three-story height limitation on structures is written into the city’s charter, meaning it would take a charter amendment being approved by a majority of voters or the dissolution of the city to remove the restriction. Abolishing it would pave the way for high-rise development.

Robinson said that he feels “very confident” in the proposed parking legislation and that he feels it will pass during the state legislative session beginning Monday, April 10.

Dissolving Island cities?

The state legislative group decided last week to look into the possibility of engaging The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to study how feasible it would be to dissolve the three city governments on the Island. If that were to happen, Robinson said it would remove the city governments in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, replacing them with Manatee County commissioners and administration.

He said it could be a good tax break for residents who would no longer have to pay city taxes.

In Florida, the Legislature can dissolve a municipality if either the residents of the municipality vote for dissolution or by special act. In the event of a special act by the state, a bill would have to be introduced during a legislative session, pass votes by state representatives and senators and be signed by the governor before it’s effective. The requirements for a special act involving the dissolution of a municipality state that the city in question must not be substantially surrounded by other municipalities; the county or an adjacent municipality must be willing to take on the governing of the area and arrangements have to be made to provide compensation for employees of the city.

The closest adjacent municipality to any of the three Island cities is Longboat Key, where leaders are working diligently to have the entire town under Sarasota County jurisdiction, leaving only Manatee County leaders to take over Anna Maria Island if its three cities were dissolved. If that happened, all infrastructure, building and zoning regulations and governing would fall under the same leadership as unincorporated Manatee County – the board of county commissioners currently led by Van Ostenbridge as its chair. Instead of being represented by their fellow Island residents, Islanders would be represented by commissioners elected by residents from all over the county.

Local elected officials’ reactions

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth issued a statement in reply to the legislative delegation discussions.

Mayor Judy Titsworth

“I am disappointed at the position that Will has taken regarding pre-empting city ordinances to construct a parking garage in a coastal community when the city currently and historically has always exceeded the number of parking spaces required for state-funded beach renourishment and interlocal agreements with the county,” Titsworth said. “As a mayor in his district, I would have appreciated Mr. Robinson to have, in the very least, given notice prior to getting out of his lane in making such a bold move. At this point in time, I shouldn’t be surprised about anything that comes from this district. I do not feel Mr. Robinson needed the support of the local delegation to move on this bill but next time he moves on a bill that will affect the lives of our city residents, I hope that he would first reach out to the representatives of the city so he can become better informed. A four-story parking garage at the entrance to our city is not in keeping with the historical character of our quaint city. For this to happen, the potential gutting of our height restrictions would also be in play. These restrictions are in our city charter. This undoubtedly is what led to the next proposal by the representative which is the consideration of the consolidation and/or dissolution of the three Island cities.”

“I believe that is probably the biggest overstep and attack on home rule yet,” she continued. “Holmes Beach has been incorporated for over 70 years. We are a vibrant and prosperous city. Our population continues to grow. Our city is responsible for the majority of the contributions to the tourist development tax in the county and has contributed over $30 million since its inception. We continue to improve roads, sidewalks and storm infrastructure and continue to make public safety a number one goal. We have a very strong commission and numerous appointed boards. All board positions are readily filled by residents who desire to give their time to civic duty. The city of Holmes Beach is proud of not only retaining its residents but providing a tourism experience that is a top vacation destination. Property values continue to soar and our city has investors from all over the world. For a representative to single out Anna Maria Island to study dissolving our city chartered governments is a wake-up for all cities of this state. Because of this, I do not believe this will receive the legislative act that this representative is seeking.”

In a Jan. 13 discussion with The Sun, she said she feels that any action to dissolve the cities would be the equivalent of a “hostile takeover” by the county commission. “What happened to the will of the people?” she asked, noting that it was supposed to be a politician’s job to work in the best interests of the voters.

Addressing Robinson’s comment concerning taxes, she said there is currently a difference of $17 million between taxes paid by homesteaded residents and those without a homestead exemption in Holmes Beach. If the Island cities were dissolved and development were allowed to go unchecked, Titsworth said she feels that residents would leave, potentially allowing more properties to be acquired by short-term rental investors.

“This is a much bigger issue,” she said. “This is about more than parking.”

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie echoed Titsworth’s statement, telling The Sun that while he doesn’t agree with how leaders in the neighboring city amended their parking restrictions, he too feels that the attempts by the state to subvert local government ordinances and dissolve the three cities have to do with more than just the loss of a few hundred parking spaces.

When contacted by The Sun, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said he does not support the state legislative delegation’s actions and does not think dissolution is a good idea. He added that he does, however, feel that there are opportunities for the three cities to share resources and work together better that are currently being missed.

Letter to the Editor: There will be no winners

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

The recent bombshell by the state delegation to undermine Island height restrictions, and potentially to dissolve the Island cities, reminds me of when I was younger. Two headstrong, spoiled children would get into an argument over something on the playground for which neither was willing to compromise. Then one would go to their big brother and, without all the facts and, being one not to consider other outcomes, the brother jumps in and tries to settle the argument. All should have been taught better about sitting down and discussing things to produce a better outcome.

The implementation of the parking plan most certainly could have been handled in a much better way; this was mentioned by many at the time. Plus, we have very limited, finite land. Simple math can tell you that this Island cannot accommodate all the taxpayers, all the people out of the county, out of the state and out of the country who desire to use the beach.

Now that it has come to a head with Big Brother weighing in and wanting to take over everything, the problem has become worse for all three cities.

The city now needs the residents in this fight. I know from attending almost every commission meeting for eight years that there is irony in that Holmes Beach rarely listens to residents’ positive viable suggestions towards problem resolution. The city has sometimes even made the residents out to be the aggressors, offenders or violators, and would even target, taunt or treat them with less than civility. Now the city wants residents to come to their defense.

No matter how this turns out, no one is going to feel like a winner, and there will be many losers. Hopefully, we will keep our cities, and some will finally realize we only have so much space.

To the county and state, please apply the math to your parking expectations and curb your advertising. To the city, county and state, please have greater respect for neighborhoods, communities and residents. Residents are getting caught in the crossfire.

Richard Motzer

Holmes Beach

Smoke, mirrors and AMI’s ‘parking problem’

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Awards, Awards 2024, Third Place.

They make it sound like beach access and parking is the issue, but is it?

A four-story parking garage at the county-owned Manatee Beach would exceed the three-story height limit that the city of Holmes Beach has wisely imposed, echoed by the cities of Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach.

State Rep. Will Robinson and his colleagues are trying to break that precedent by eliminating the Island’s three cities and their pesky regulations and putting them under Manatee County control.

Third Place
Editorial
2024

But that would not only allow for the parking garage. It would open the door of Anna Maria Island to high-rise development, east coast-style.

And that is far more likely to be behind the move by Republican legislators than “fixing” the parking problem in Holmes Beach with a single garage.

The trouble with their argument is that once high-rises or even mid-rises are allowed, the garage will be obsolete, a drop in the bucket to providing beach access, which belies their true motive – the D-word. Development.

And what would happen to beach access then, with so many parking places required by multi-story vacation rentals (let’s not even bother to pretend they will be residences)?

There’s a lesson to be learned from the Martinique condo mid-rises built five decades ago. Local elected officials put the kibosh on those extra floors almost immediately after seeing the visual impact the two buildings had on what was then truly “Old Florida.”

Now that what little of Old Florida is left on the Island has been nearly completely redeveloped (also known as destroyed), it’s apparently time to redevelop it again, this time, vertically.

We’re only number two on the state’s highest-priced real estate list, according to the Wall Street Journal. We have to be number one, at all costs.

Elderly folks were the first to be priced off this Island. Then families. Now, it’s the workforce.

Soon, unless someone clears the smoke and cleans the mirrors, it may be all of us.

Castles in the Sand

Back to the real world – part two

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

Last week we talked about the real-world problem of Florida homeowner’s insurance. As pointed out, new legislation that attempts to eliminate assignment of claims and thus protect against frivolous lawsuits has been signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The hope is this will encourage new insurance carriers to do business in Florida and retain the existing companies.

This week we’re continuing to bring the real world back, this time, however, it’s for condo owners. Condo homeowners who may have been happily dozing last year could have missed the new Florida condo owner’s requirements, so let’s have a review.

In May, the governor signed a law in response to the 2021 tragic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida that killed 98 people. Under the new law, structural inspections are required of condo buildings three stories or higher over 30 years old, or 25 years old if within 3 miles of the coast. There are an estimated 2 million residents in the state of Florida who reside in more than 912,000 condominium units that are 30 years old or older and a lot more who are within 3 miles of the coast, including all of Anna Maria Island and most of the Manatee County coastline.

The recertification inspections must be performed by Dec. 31, 2024 by certified inspectors and paid for by the condo associations. The results of the inspections must be turned over to condo owners, condo associations and local municipalities. If the inspections reveal major structural problems, law enforcement agencies and condo associations will determine how to move forward with condo residents, who, of course, have to pay for the inspections and the repairs.

Even if structural repairs aren’t needed immediately, the bill has other major provisions involving reserve requirements that for sure will become a financial headache for condo associations that have put off repairs. Well, now is the time to pay the price for those bad decisions because, under the new law, condos can no longer waive reserves for building components deemed critical to structural soundness. This provision is called the Structural Integrity Reserve Study.

In addition, some condo associations will have to make up reserves waived in prior years and provide new reserves not previously required for certain structural issues. In the past, Florida legislation did not require condo associations to fully fund their reserve studies, giving condo owners and boards a great deal of flexibility. Now, however, the new law requires associations to keep their structural integrity reserves fully funded based on the reserve study or face possible legal action. Obviously, condo associations need to choose their licensed Florida inspectors carefully since what their study shows after their inspection is very difficult to have changed.

As insurance rates go up, Florida condo residents are struggling to comply with these new regulations in the face of a pullback in the real estate market because of increased mortgage interest rates. Higher condo fees that will result after the inspections and reserve mandates will hit long-time condo residents, many of them seniors on fixed incomes.

In spite of insurance issues, recertifications and hurricanes, U.S. citizens still want to move to Florida. According to the Census Bureau, between July 2021 and July 2022, Florida was the top state out of 10 with incoming domestic population migration at 318,855, followed by Texas at 230,961. The rest of the top 10 didn’t even break 100,000.

We may be faced with real-world problems but I doubt that it would make anyone leave. It will smooth out eventually, resulting in stronger building regulations, a good thing for the future of Florida real estate.

Suzi Fox honored at celebration of life

Suzi Fox honored at celebration of life

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – At the celebration of Suzi Fox’s life, local dignitaries, family and friends painted a picture of a dedicated advocate for Island turtles, a fun-loving and funny friend, and a caring mother, sister and grandmother.

Fox, longtime executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, died on Sept. 30 after a fall.

More than 150 people attended the event at the Center of Anna Maria Island on Saturday to pay tribute to Fox.

Nanci Banman, Fox’s sister, described Suzi as a force to be reckoned with.

“If you met her, it was like you’ve known her all your life,” Banman said.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said it was clear that Fox loved the turtles, the seabirds and the community.

“She believed strongly in what she was doing,” he said.

Turtle Watch board member Diane McCausey said Suzi would be humbled by the turnout.

“The board is working hard with the county and the FWC,” McCausey said. “Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch will continue to grow. It won’t be the same, but we will make her proud.”

Charlie Hunsicker, director of the Manatee County Natural Resources Department, worked with Fox since 1992.

“The turtles that were born on this beach will return again and again,” Hunsicker said. “Think of that continuity and the role Suzi played.”

Hunsicker presented an environmental award from the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association to Fox’s sisters, Kendra Fox and Nanci Banman, and her son, Dereck Norfleet.

“Suzi was very well known across the state of Florida,” Norfleet said, describing her as determined and fearless, and issuing a request to her friends and family: “I ask you all today when you see a beautiful sunset, have a delicious a cup of coffee, hear a good Steely Dan song, think about putting ketchup on steak (don’t do it), walk along the beach and see sea turtle tracks of nests, see something the color periwinkle, her favorite, take the path less traveled, that you think of Suzi and smile.”

Reel Time: Empowering the Next Generation

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

You don’t have to convince an angler of the importance of a healthy grass flat or a robust stand of mangroves or persuade them that we’re losing this precious resource at an alarming rate.

Anglers like Capt. Justin Moore, who is on the water over 200 days a year, sees the changes firsthand. Moore has been guiding on Manatee County waters for 24 years. He learned his trade under the tutelage of his father, Capt. Scott Moore, and worries that his son, Jas, will not have some of the opportunities he’s had. That’s why it’s important to empower the next generation of anglers who don’t have a vote but will inherit this landscape. Fortunately, there are a couple of high-profile programs on Anna Maria Island that are doing just that.

The Center of Anna Maria Island engages children in activities that teach sustainability and give them an understanding of the responsibility we all have to be stewards of our paradise. Through curricular units that include recycling, composting, gardening (on their property) and natural nutrition, they make these connections between responsibilities and action.

Bishop Museum and Mote Marine facilitators teach Anna Maria’s young citizens to understand the environment around them and develop a love for its creatures and the environment that supports them and us.

Clean water units are shared annually with students through The Center’s Earth Echo program. Participants in the curricular units collect water samples and analyze them, helping them focus on the importance of clean water. The program was developed after famed oceanographer Philippe Cousteau’s visit to The Center three years ago when he guided those in attendance to “zip tie themselves to the mangroves to protect them!”

This past year, Anna Maria Elementary School (AME) announced it would be home to the world’s first Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Science. The academy, which focuses on marine sciences, conservation and the arts, is a collaboration between the School District of Manatee County and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF).

Harvey has devoted his talent, time and resources to protecting oceans, fish populations and reef systems through the development of the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University and the GHOF. Those institutions have educated the next generation of environmentalists and made contributions to protecting fish resources and biodiversity in the world’s oceans.

The program will benefit students from other schools as well with field trips and summer camps, and will eventually expand to all elementary schools in the district as well as to complementary programs at King Middle and Manatee High.

Programs like this need to be expanded to give the next generation of anglers and Island residents the tools they will need to protect these endangered marine resources. In the meantime, we the voters need to step up for those who don’t have a vote, empowering them so they have a fighting chance to succeed where we have failed.

Reel Time: Empowering the Next Generation
Fourteen-year-old Brice Claypoole is a fierce defender of the environment but doesn’t have a vote. That is up to us! – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

In the words of 14-year-old Brice Claypoole, “Vote for politicians who put our future over the deep-pocketed interests who pay them in campaign donations. And spread the word! Inform others on how to properly trim mangroves on their property and the dangers these trees face. Our paradise is in peril, and it takes everyone to stand up to developers and uninformed homeowners to realize the great benefits these trees offer. On behalf of my generation and those of the future, thank you.”

The Center kicks off another flag season

The Center kicks off another flag season

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

ANNA MARIA – The Center gridirons were buzzing last week with the start of another fun-filled flag football season. With a record number of youth players, topping more than 150 kids between the ages of 4 and 13, the fields were illuminated both Monday and Tuesday night to kick off the season with jamboree scrimmage games.

The new season welcomes back Tyler Bekkerus to The Center after more than 10 years since his departure. His much-awaited return brings back the spirit

of when the adult flag league was first co-created by Bekkerus as The Center’s former assistant athletic director.

As the new recreation director, Bekkerus kept the games running on time and settled into his new role as the adults took to the field for the first time this season on Jan. 12.

In the first game of the night, team Luxury Services dominated the football field against team Gulf Drive Café. Playing four on five, Gulf Drive struggled to stay in the game, but fought to the very end.

Rusher Jasmine Muldoon made two receptions and was credited with a single sack. Muldoon’s constant pressure on the Gulf Drive QBs caused a sack and helped her team capture their first win of the season.

With six passing touchdowns, teammate Tim Holly found the endzone four times for 24 points and Sequiel Marintez made two TD receptions for 12 points.

Marintez’s big game included one interception and three points in extra-point conversions.

In addition to Marintez’s interception, Luxury’s quarterback, Chase Richardson, made three interceptions while playing on defense, including running an interception on Gulf Drive’s extra point attempt into the endzone for two points.

Offensively, Jonathan Soultatos and Dustin Tomacho bolstered their team’s efforts with extra points. Soultatos made five important catches in the game with a single reception by Tomacho.

On the other side of the football, Gulf Drive Café’s Jacob Freda scored two touchdowns and made eight receptions in the season opener.

Credited with one scoring pass, Steven Pavina made seven catches on offense and one interception playing defense for Gulf Drive.

Adding to the team’s scoring, Gabriel Derosia put a point on the scoreboard with an extra point.

Despite the score differential, team Gulf Drive Café made its mark on the field, setting the tone for the rest of the season.

 

Sun Scoreboard

Jan. 13

Adult Flag Football – Week 1

Luxury Services (1-0-0) 51

Gulf Drive Café (0-1-0) 19

Moss Builders (1-0-0) 49

Ugly Grouper (0-1-0) 0

The Banks Home Lending Team (1-0-0) 22

Solid Rock Construction (0-1-0) 19

The Briley Mortgage Team (1-0-0) 37

The Sandbar (0-1-0) 33

State representatives rock Island residents

State representatives rock Island residents

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Uncategorized.

MANATEE COUNTY – Members of the local state legislative delegation are making plans to permanently change the face of Anna Maria Island, beginning with a parking garage and potentially ending with the dissolution of the three Island cities.

During a Jan. 12 legislative delegation meeting, Rep. Will Robinson Jr. brought up beach access, specifically beach access and parking in Holmes Beach. Robinson, a Republican, proposed introducing a bill during the upcoming state legislative session to pre-empt Holmes Beach city leaders’ decision to ban parking garages and allow a four-story parking garage to be built on the Manatee County-owned parcel at Manatee Beach. His fellow Republican members of the delegation, Rep. Tommy Gregory, Rep. Mike Beltran, Sen. Jim Boyd and Sen. Joe Gruters, voted unanimously in favor of the proposal and putting the bill forth for consideration at the state level.

Contact Manatee County state representatives

Rep. Will Robinson Jr.

District office: (941) 708-4968

Capitol office: (850) 717-5071

Email: Will.Robinson@myfloridahouse.gov

Rep. Mike Beltran

District office: (813) 653-7097

Capitol office: (850) 717-5070

Email: Mike.Beltran@myfloridahouse.gov

Rep. Tommy Gregory

District office: (941) 893-5434

Capitol office: (850) 717-5072

Email: Tommy.Gregory@myfloridahouse.gov

Sen. Jim Boyd

District office: (941) 742-6445

Capitol office: (850) 487-5020

Email: boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Joe Gruters

District office:  (941) 378-6309

Capitol office: (850) 487-5022

Email: gruters.joe.web@flsenate.gov

If the proposed bill makes it through all of the levels of state government, including passing votes through committees and the Senate, and gains the approval of Gov. Ron DeSantis, it would allow county commissioners to subvert local governments and issue their own building permits for construction on county-owned property regardless of in which municipality the property is located. It also would allow for the construction of a parking garage in excess of the city of Holmes Beach’s building height restrictions, which limits structures to three stories tall.

Rep. Will Robinson Jr.
Rep. Will Robinson Jr.

“I thought it was incumbent for the Legislature to step in and pre-empt that authority to allow a four-story parking garage if the county commission so votes and funds that parking garage to be built,” Robinson said. “It is fundamental for anyone to be able to visit our public beach and, in my view, parking spaces have been strategically taken away over the last few years under the guise of COVID to not allow folks to access the beach. Folks are getting frustrated – they can’t park, they can’t access the beach, they’re turning around and they’re going back home. And, to me, there’s nothing more important than to allow a person, a taxpayer, who pays for that beach, by the way, to visit that beach.”

Currently, the majority of beach renourishment funding comes from state-funded renourishment programs and the county resort tax, paid by visitors, not local tax dollars.

Dissolving Island cities?

The group also agreed to look into the possibility of engaging The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to do a study to see how feasible it would be to dissolve the three city governments on the Island. If that were to happen, Robinson said it would remove the city governments in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, replacing them with Manatee County commissioners and administration. He said it could be a good tax break for residents who would no longer have to pay city taxes.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth issued a statement in reply to the legislative delegation discussions.

Holmes Beach mayor Judy Titsworth
Mayor Judy Titsworth

“I am disappointed at the position that Will has taken regarding pre-empting city ordinances to construct a parking garage in a coastal community when the city currently and historically has always exceeded the number of parking spaces required for state-funded beach renourishment and interlocal agreements with the county,” Titsworth said. “As a mayor in his district, I would have appreciated Mr. Robinson to have, in the very least, given notice prior to getting out of his lane in making such a bold move. At this point in time I shouldn’t be surprised about anything that comes from this district. I do not feel Mr. Robinson needed the support of the local delegation to move on this bill but next time he moves on a bill that will affect the lives of our city residents, I hope that he would first reach out to the representatives of the city so he can become better informed. A four-story parking garage at the entrance to our city is not in keeping with the historical character of our quaint city. For this to happen, the potential gutting of our height restrictions would also be in play. These restrictions are in our city charter. This undoubtedly is what led to the next proposal by the representative which is the consideration of the consolidation and/or dissolution of the three Island cities.”

“I believe that is probably the biggest overstep and attack on home rule yet,” she continued. “Holmes Beach has been incorporated for over 70 years. We are a vibrant and prosperous city. Our population continues to grow. Our city is responsible for the majority of the contributions to the tourist development tax in the county and has contributed over $30 million since its inception. We continue to improve roads, sidewalks and storm infrastructure and continue to make public safety a number one goal. We have a very strong commission and numerous appointed boards. All board positions are readily filled by residents who desire to give their time to civic duty. The city of Holmes Beach is proud of not only retaining its residents but providing a tourism experience that is a top vacation destination. Property values continue to soar and our city has investors from all over the world. For a representative to single out Anna Maria Island to study dissolving our city chartered governments is a wake-up for all cities of this state. Because of this, I do not believe this will receive the legislative act that this representative is seeking.”

Robinson said that he feels “very confident” in the proposed legislation and that he feels it will pass during the state legislative session beginning Monday, April 10.

Center notes

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Classes, Entertainment, Events.

Enhance your balance skills

Lara Malone is coming to The Center of Anna Maria Island for a balance workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 25. The class takes place from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will focus on muscles and body alignment for stable and confident movement. The class is open to all ages with a cost of $35 for members or $45 for non-members to participate. Registration by calling 941-778-1908 or using The Center’s Member Me+ app is required by Jan. 19.

Help clean local beaches

All members of the Anna Maria Island community are invited to come out to The Center Saturday, Jan. 14 to help clean up area beaches. Participants in the cleanup will gather at The Center at 9 a.m. and walk together to the Gulf of Mexico to pick up litter and other trash from Magnolia to White Avenue. The nonprofit’s staff will provide trashbags, gloves, water and a light snack. Additional cleanups are scheduled from 9-11 a.m. on Feb. 11, March 11, April 1 and May 6. No advance registration is necessary.

Play bingo at The Center

Everyone is invited to come out to The Center of Anna Maria Island Friday, Jan. 13 to meet new friends and have fun playing bingo. The classic game will be played from 6-8 p.m. with players competing to win gift cards from local restaurants. Bingo cards are 10 for $10 and blotters are $1 each. Beer, wine and other refreshments will be available for purchase with a donation. The Center is at 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.

Bishop hosts an Island workshop series

A new kind of workshop is coming this spring to The Center as The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature hosts a new series for children, families and adults. The series kicks off with a discussion on “What is a Museum” on Jan. 18 from 6-7 p.m. for children and families and Jan. 19 from 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. for adults. Future workshops for adults include “The Scientific Process” Feb. 2, “Paleontology and Fossils” Feb. 16, “Manatees and Their Environment” March 2, “Our Solar System” March 23, “Capturing Science” March 30, “How We Build” April 6 and “Florida’s Native Wildlife and Adaptations” April 20. Workshops for children and families include “Manatees and Their Environment” Feb. 1, “The Scientific Process” Feb. 15, “Our Solar System” March 1, “Paleontology and Fossils” March 22, “Capturing Science” April 5, “How We Build” April 19 and “Florida’s Native Wildlife and Adaptation” May 3. No registration is required and the programs are all free to the community. The Center is located at 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.

Learn to play canasta

For anyone who’s ever wanted to learn to play canasta, a new six-week class is coming to The Center of Anna Maria Island. Every Tuesday, Jan. 17 through Feb. 21, players will gather from 12:30-2:30 p.m. to learn American canasta. Opponents will be placed into foursomes and split into two teams to try their hand at the classic card game. The cost is $90 for members or $100 for non-members to participate. Registration is requested by Thursday, Jan. 12 by calling 941-778-1908.

Learn to play American mah-jongg

The Center of Anna Maria Island will be host to a new gaming series where participants will learn how to play the ancient game of mah-jongg Classes take place on Tuesdays, Jan. 17-Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. until noon. All students are required to attend the introductory session on Jan. 17 to participate in additional classes. The cost to attend is $100 per member or $110 for non-members. Registration is requested by Thursday, Jan. 12 by calling 941-778-1908.

Center hosts holiday day camp

To honor the contributions of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and help parents who might not have the day off, The Center’s staff is hosting a day camp for youth on Monday, Jan. 16 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. During this camp, students will participate in a community service project, cleaning the sand at Coquina Beach, followed by a picnic lunch. Campers also will make a craft inspired by King and participate in an educational program about his life and its impact on the nation. The cost is $55 per child and registration is required by Jan. 12. Parents can register their children online at www.centerami.org or by calling 941-778-1908.

Travel with Senior Adventures

Go on an adventure or two this month with Senior Adventures. The group is planning a trip on Thursday, Jan. 19 to the Siesta Key Rum Distillery followed by a lunch at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar. The van leaves The Center of Anna Maria Island for this trip at 9 a.m. with a return planned around 2 p.m. The second January trip is planned to travel to St. Armand’s Circle on Thursday, Jan. 26 to shop and have dinner at the Columbia Restaurant. The group plans to depart from The Center at 3:30 p.m., returning around 9 p.m. The fee for van transportation for each trip is $5 and trips are limited to 14 people. Pre-registration is advised but not required. To reserve your spot, call The Center at 941-778-1908.

Practice adaptive yoga for Parkinson’s

Movement and exercise may help mitigate some of the effects of Parkinson’s disease and The Center is hosting an adaptive yoga class to help those in the community suffering from neuromuscular conditions. The class is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 26 from 1-2 p.m. and is open to the community. Registration by calling 941-778-1908 is requested by Thursday, Jan. 19.

Reel Time: The secret to fly casting

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

Everything we learn to do in life is learned by repetition. The act of repeating an action over and over actually trains neurons in the brain to fire together, eventually creating neural pathways that, in time, allow us to act without thinking about it.

Consider learning to ride a bike. Did anyone just get on their bike and effortlessly ride? I know I didn’t. It required falling and getting up repeatedly. Now I get on a bike and ride without even thinking about how to balance, steer or anything else that allows me to stay upright. Teaching fly casting reminds me of those things I now take for granted, like riding my bike, driving my car and fly casting. It’s also shown me why it’s harder for people who have been fly fishing for a long time to master the fundamentals (physics) than for some initiates. Those same pathways that assure success also store bad habits that have been developed over time. This first became apparent to me when I gave lessons to someone who had been fly casting for a long time but who had ingrained bad techniques. When I showed them how to properly move the rod tip in a straight line to form a “tight” wind penetrating loop they understood the concept immediately. The eye-opener for student and teacher was when they tried to repeat the proper casting stroke and their ingrained bad habits overpowered their new understanding.

Reel Time: The secret to fly casting
Joan Wulff demonstrates one of her unique, and effective techniques for mastering the casting stroke. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

This isn’t necessarily bad news for long-time casters but does require them to “retrain” their brain. The same applies to proficient casters who are learning to cast with their non-dominant hand. Try this and you’ll see what I mean instantly. If you’re a right-handed caster, putting the rod in the left hand is like handing it to someone whose mind knows the cast, but has a body that doesn’t cooperate. The good news is that by learning the fundamentals of the cast and practicing them repeatedly, anyone can become an excellent fly caster with time.

Although we’ve established that practice is the key to mastering the cast, there’s another “secret” to supercharging your progress – the frequency of the repetition and establishing a habit. Create a realistic practice schedule that you can stick to. It’s much more effective to practice every day for a few minutes than to practice once a week for hours. Start by practicing at least four to five times a week for 10 minutes. Any additional time will, of course, be a bonus, but the importance of a regular practice schedule cannot be overemphasized. There are lots of resources on the internet to help you perfect your cast and lessons with a caster trained by Fly Fishers International can be invaluable. Some of the best videos I’ve found online feature master casters and instructors like Joan Wulff and Lefty Kreh. Orvis also has excellent resources. Locally, anglers have a great resource in AMI Outfitters on Anna Maria Island. They have complete outfits for beginners and rods and reels that will appeal to the most discriminating fly fisher. Visit them and try different outfits to see what fits your style and your pocketbook. Learning and apply- ing the fundamentals of fly casting and practicing them often will help you avoid learning bad habits or help you overcome them. It’s the secret to fly fishing and a path to an exciting fishing future.

Castles in the Sand

Back to the real world

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

We’re well into January, so it’s time to get back to the real world and one of the real world’s less exciting topics is homeowner’s insurance. Most of us want to go kicking and screaming away from the topic of insurance, especially in Florida which has the highest insurance premium rates in the country, but with the new year, we have some new legislation likely putting you in a much better mood.

Last month, the governor signed legislation to prevent the state’s property insurance market from collapsing under a tidal wave of lawsuits. Not only does this significantly help the state’s budget, but it may also help every homeowner’s budget in Florida as well.

Previously, Florida law has allowed policyholders who want to avoid dealing directly with their insurance companies to assign their claim benefits to contractors who work with trial lawyers. The contractors would often inflate fees, resulting in rejections by insurance companies. Then the attorneys would sue insurers to obtain what they say are legitimate charges, put- ting the insurers in the position to pay the attorneys’ costs if they lose a case. This resulted in insurers being inundated with frivolous lawsuits and passing this cost on to their customers to cover legal costs and risks. Florida insurers had more than 100,000 lawsuits last year, compared to the other 49 states totaling only 24,700.

Many insurance companies have failed and left the state recently and others are also leaving the market because they can’t obtain reinsurance. The new legislation eliminates the assignment of benefits and the requirement that insurers pay plaintiffs’ attorney’s fees if they lose. It also sets up a $1 billion state reinsurance fund to help insurers. The state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the “insurer of last resort,” will also benefit from the legislation. Homeowners with Citizens policies will be required to accept private coverage from an insurer that offers premiums within 20% of their current Citizens policy. Overall, it could take a while, but the legislation could result in more private companies entering the Florida market with competitive rates benefiting homeowners.

None of this new legislation, however, will help homeowners who are going to war with both their homeowner’s insurance company and their flood insurance carriers in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Floods and the resulting insurance claims are not as clear-cut as they may sound. The definition of flood damage as opposed to wind damage can be interpreted differently by different insurers. This is already resulting in litigation from homeowners who say their carriers aren’t honoring their claims and the insurance carriers saying they aren’t legally obligated to cover the claims.

Trying to distinguish between flood and hurricane damage is more of a challenge than homeowners ever expected. Homeowners are stuck in the middle while insurance companies try and parse what exactly their responsibility is. Measuring how high water rose on the walls of an existing house is one thing but what if the house was built on a slab and it’s gone? Was it the flood or was it the wind?

The fact that just over 40% of the Florida homes in the two coastal counties hardest hit by Hurricane Ian are covered by flood policies doesn’t make it any easier for anyone since these homeowners may be looking to their homeowner’s insurance carriers for compensation. I guarantee a lot of this will end up in court and no one will be happy with the outcome.

Remember when living on the coast in Florida felt like you weren’t actually living in the real world? Well, the real world has invaded us, and its name is insurance.