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Tag: Anna Maria Island

Multi-use trail extension being pursued

Officials pursue multi-use trail extension

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

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria’s city officials want to fill in the city’s share of the gap that still exists between Anna Maria’s multi-use trail and Holmes Beach’s new multi-use trail.

Both concrete trails run along the eastern edge of Gulf Drive.

Commissioner Amy Tripp requested the discussion that took place at the Thursday, May 9 meeting. After approximately 25 minutes of discussion, the commission unanimously agreed to issue a request for proposals that will provide the commission with a firm cost estimate.

Tripp thinks Anna Maria should lead by example and complete the remaining section of her city’s multi-use trail by extending it south from Archer Way to CrossPointe Fellowship’s southernmost driveway. The remaining gap between the church driveway and 85th Street is in Holmes Beach and would be left for that city to complete when possible.

Anna Maria completed its initial multi-use path last fall. It extends north from Archer Way to Willow Avenue. There it connects to North Shore Drive, which provides bicyclists an alternate route through residential neighborhoods.

Murphy said he contacted someone in Holmes Beach and was told connecting that city’s trail to Anna Maria’s trail is not on the books this year. Murphy said he was told those funds might be available next year.

Murphy said Anna Maria could build a five-foot-wide paved trail that would be narrower than the existing trail that is six or seven feet wide in most places and five in others.

Murphy said a five-foot-wide trail extension would not require any trees to be removed or any rights of way to be acquired. Nor would it require any additional sewer or drainage elements.

“$50,000 should cover it, it could be a little bit less,” Murphy said.

Murphy said the expenditure is not included in the current fiscal year budget and he does have some spending reservations due to the unknown final cost of the new Anna Maria City Pier. He also mentioned the approaching hurricane season as another unknown.

Murphy also said he doesn’t want the trail construction taking place during peak tourist season like it did in Holmes Beach.

As a side note, Murphy said he recently learned Anna Maria’s welcome sign is actually in Holmes Beach and may need to be moved.

A show of faith

“It shows good faith on our part,” Tripp said of the proposed extension.

“I agree, I think the sooner the better. It’s also a safety issue,” Commissioner Dale Woodland said.

Commission Chair Brian Seymour said, “I’m all for doing this, but I think it needs to be in next year’s cycle.”

Commissioner Carol Carter said the new budget year starts soon (Oct. 1). If the trail extension is included in next year’s budget the project could be completed in the fall before the heaviest crowds return.

Tripp said it’s worth spending $50,000 to complete a project that addresses public safety.

“If it inspires Holmes Beach to step up and meet us, all the better. I’m all for the pier, but I think we get a little single-issued. It’s all about the pier all the time,” she added.

Woodland said he wasn’t concerned about spending $50,000 in the current budget cycle because the city’s ad valorem tax revenues continue to increase each year.

Commissioner Doug Copeland said, “I could go either way on this. I could see waiting until the next budget. At the same time, we could once again be the leader and finish this project for $50,000 – $50,000 is not going to keep us from building the pier.”

Copeland then suggested issuing an RFP to provide the commission with the funding details needed to decide when to initiate the project.

“If we have to do an RFP it’s not going to be until September anyway,” Seymour said.

Related coverage

Multi-use trail to open along Gulf Drive

Multi-use path approved for Palm Drive

Dog park supporters get answers

Dog park supporters get answers

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

HOLMES BEACH – Dog park users are feeling a bit better about the future of their pooches’ beloved outdoor space after hearing plans for the park from City Engineer Lynn Burnett.

After a misstep the week before, Burnett and Eron Wasserman from LTA Engineers met with more than a dozen interested community members during an emergency Parks and Beautification Committee meeting held at Holmes Beach City Hall. Burnett assured attendees that while some projects in the city field complex, such as the skate park, seem to be moving forward more quickly than others, there is no priority for these other projects over the planned dog park improvements.

Holmes Beach dog park Lynn Eron
City Engineer Lynn Burnett and Eron Wasserman make adjustments to a map of the dog park to help meet the needs of the park’s users. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Currently, she said demolition of the former tot lot and the skate park is in progress, followed by the relocation of the construction area in the parking area on the northeast side of the complex to the site of the former skate park near public works. The next step forward for the city field complex is to begin grading, drainage and resloping work to improve drainage in the area. During this phase, Burnett said the clay will be removed from the current baseball diamond and, once drainage work is complete, the new surfaces for the dog park will be installed. While some of the drainage and resurfacing is done, she added that the new and current dog parks will be closed due to the fencing having to be removed for a period of about 45 days. The dates that the dog park will be closed have yet to be determined though drainage and resurfacing work is expected to take place beginning in June and continue through August.

In the last 30 days of construction, currently planned for late August and September, Burnett said community members will really see the dog park begin to take shape as the ground cover is laid, fencing is put back up, shade structures are constructed, benches placed, trees planted and other elements are placed in the new park. A soft opening for the new and improved dog park is currently planned for some time in October.

Dog park users seemed pleased with the plan, with some offering suggestions including where to place the four access points planned to the park, one on each side of the fencing, how to place pathways for easy access by handicapped visitors and extending the fence between the small and large dog parks by about eight feet into the planned large dog park to give the small dogs a little more play area. The proposed expansion of the small dog park also would give Burnett the opportunity to relocate the shade structure in the small dog park to allow pet parents to view their dogs playing along the common fence line. Burnett said the shade structure in the large dog park will likely be replaced rather than moved to the new park location because she said moving it would cost more money and would damage the structure.

She recommended using both grass and a shell and sand mixture recommended by the parks and beautification committee for ground cover in the large dog park. Attendees agreed to the idea, but some were concerned that grass in some areas would be worn away by frequent use even with irrigation in the park.

In the future, Burnett said that more public meetings would be held for updates on improvements as the project progresses, beginning with the capital improvement plan update planned to be presented during a future city commission budget work session.

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Dog park users disappointed with lack of progress

Dog park construction on hold

Dog park users concerned with city field improvements

Waste Management gets first crack at solid waste contract

Waste Management gets first crack at solid waste contract

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

ANNA MARIA – Residents may see their trash and recycling bills goes down, but vacation rental owners and Anna Maria business owners may see their bills increase significantly.

Mayor Dan Murphy is now authorized to negotiate a new seven-year contract with Waste Management. If those negotiations are successful, Waste Management will continue to provide Anna Maria’s solid waste services. If Murphy’s cannot reach acceptable terms with Waste Management, he will seek the commission authorization to negotiate with Waste Pro.

Both companies submitted proposals in response to the city’s recent request for proposals (RFP) and both hope to secure the city’s trash and recycling contract.

Bob ten Haaf represented Waste Pro at the Thursday, May 9 commission meeting. Bill Gresham and Jason White represented Waste Management.

Residential rates

Regarding the proposed residential fees, Murphy said Waste Management’s current fee is $59.70 every three months.

“Waste Pro came in at $54.48 for residents and Waste Management came in at $53.79,” Murphy said.

Murphy said the side-door pickup required of non-homesteaded short-term vacation rentals is currently $69.30. He said Waste Pro proposed a new rate of $91.68 and Waste Management proposed $114.

Waste Management is offering to increase the city’s franchise fee from 4 percent to 8 percent of the total gross revenue collected from Anna Maria customers. Waste Pro offered a 12 percent franchise fee, minus tipping fees.

Anna Maria Waste Management
Bill Gresham and Jason White represented Waste Management at the May 9 commission meeting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The commission preferred Waste Management’s twice-weekly pickup over the four times a week proposed by Waste Pro. The commission preferred Waste Management’s two-year price lock over Waste Pro’s one-year price lock.

To avoid traffic and reduce congestion, both companies offered to begin pickup services along Pine Avenue one hour earlier, beginning at 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m.

When ten Haaf addressed the commission, Murphy noted Waste Pro’s proposed franchise fee was a percentage of the gross revenue minus the tipping fees, which is not what the RFP requested.

Murphy said this makes it difficult to make an apples-to-apples comparison. He said he could have disqualified Waste Pro’s bid for that reason, but he wanted to hear more.

In response, ten Haaf said Waste Pro has its own processing company and is not landfill reliant. Based on internal comparisons, ten Haaf said he thinks Waste Pro’s proposed franchise fee is better than Waste Management’s.

When addressing Waste Management, Murphy said he didn’t feel the feel residential rate came down far enough. Gresham said they could negotiate a different rate but that would affect the other rates.

Commercial rates a concern

The conversation became more animated when discussing Waste Management’s proposed commercial fees.

“Your commercial rates are double what the existing rates were. What’s the driver there?” Murphy said.

Gresham said there are only so many revenue sources in the city and they tried to spread everything out as equally as they could.

Commission Chair Brian Seymour said he currently pays about $360 a month for Waste Management trash and recycling services at his Anna Maria General Store.

“That would be more like $500 or $600 a month now. That’s a huge increase,” he said.

“I think you’re putting undue burden on the business community to make up for your other areas. The business community provides a lot of revenues for this city. We also provide a lot of revenue to you guys,” Seymour said.

“When’s enough enough? The business community’s had it pretty tough for the last couple years and to ask us to double our bills? That’s ridiculous,” he added.

“Your statement’s pretty clear. We understand what you’re saying, that would be one of the things negotiated,” Gresham said.

The commission voted 4-1 in favor of Waste Management being ranked first and being given the first opportunity to negotiate a contract with Murphy. The commission must still approve the negotiated contract terms.

When contacted later, Seymour said he thought Waste Pro’s commercial fees were much closer to the current rates.

“In the RFP, the city sought an increase in the franchise fee and lower rates for permanent residents. It seems to me this is lowering the resident’s fees and increasing the city’s fees off the backs of vacation rentals and businesses,” Seymour said.

Seymour encourages Anna Maria business owners to attend the next trash contract discussion and make their voices heard before a final decision is made.

The next commission meeting is Thursday, May 23 at 6 p.m.

Commissioner shares thoughts on 2019 legislative session

Commissioner shares thoughts on 2019 legislative session

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

ANNA MARIA – On Sunday, May 12, Anna Maria Commissioner Carol Carter provided an email recap of the Florida Legislature’s recently-concluded 2019 legislative session.

“We can breathe a sigh of relief. The 2019 legislative session ended and we are ‘safe’ for another year. Attempts by various legislators to pre-empt home rule of short-term rentals failed. Thanks to all of you who emailed, phoned and wrote letters to committee members – it worked,” Carter wrote.

Failed bills

Senate Bill 1720 sought to expand the scope of Bert Harris claims, but it died without a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee and never progressed any further. Its companion bill in the House, HB 1383, passed through three House committees, but without a Senate companion died before it ever reached the House floor for a final vote.

“These bills attempted to expand the Bert Harris Act and would have created a universal application if a city granted a variance to the private property rights of any one property that variance would have applied to all ‘similarly situated’ properties,” Carter wrote.

“There were also two other pre-emptive bills you helped kill this session: SB 824 and its companion, HB 987,” Carter wrote.

These bills were another attempt by the state Legislature to preempt the regulation of vacation rentals to the state and take that authority away from Florida cities and counties. Adoption of these bills would have rendered null and void Anna Maria’s vacation rental ordinance, as well as the vacation rental ordinances adopted in Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach.

“Thankfully, SB 824 was never heard in Senate committee. It was frightening that HB 987 quickly cleared all its committees, but without its companion bill, it too died,” Carter wrote.

Thank you

Carter thanked Senate President Bill Galvano, Senator Joe Gruters and Representative Will Robinson. The three state legislators from the Bradenton-Sarasota area met separately with Carter and Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy in Tallahassee on March 20.

“All three understood our plea to ‘Let Cities Work’ and allow home rule to be effective. Thanks also to our lobbyist in Tallahassee, Chip Case, who did all the behind-the-scenes work for us in Tallahassee and set up the March 20 meetings,” Carter wrote.

It’s not over

“Those who wish to eliminate our home rule rights will be back lobbying in Tallahassee again next year. The three Anna Maria Island cities plan to take a proactive stance prior to the 2020 legislative session,” Carter wrote.

She mentioned creating “thumb-drive videos” that show the impact of short-term rentals and the effectiveness of the local home rule efforts that in Anna Maria include annual inspections and the mandatory registration of short-term rentals.

Carter’s email expressed her belief that these local efforts help protect the health and safety of visitors and residents alike.

Related coverage

Local vacation rental regulations under fire again

Tree house case back in court

Tree house case back in court

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

BRADENTON – The beachfront tree house at Angelinos Sea Lodge is back in the city of Holmes Beach’s crosshairs as the case goes back to Manatee County Circuit Court to be heard by Judge Edward Nicholas.

Both sides met in chambers April 29 to discuss the city’s motion for summary judgment and tree house owners Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen’s complaint for declaratory judgment and a more definitive statement from the city.

The attorney for the owners, David Levin, told Nicholas that the complaint for declaratory judgment was filed on behalf of his clients in 2013 and was never heard. Now that the complaint is being heard, he asked for the opportunity to update the complaint to include all of the activity on the case in the past six years. Attorney Jim Dye, representing the city, did not object to the request and commended Levin for bringing the issue up before the court. Nicholas granted the request, giving Levin 20 days to submit the amended motion and the city 20 days after that to respond before the complaint is heard by the court.

Also to be heard with that motion is the city’s motion for summary judgment. The city’s motion, submitted by Dye, requests that the court rule in favor of the city without further delay, requiring Tran and Hazen to not only remove the tree house from its Australian pine and wooden pole supported perch on the beach but to also pay the mounting code enforcement violation fines, which accrue daily for as long as the tree house remains aloft, along with other assessed fines and attorney fees.

The code enforcement fines alone amount to over $65,000. If granted, the motion would also allow the city to forcibly remove the tree house if the owners refused to take down the structure.

Levin said the owners’ complaint for declaratory judgment was filed prior to the code enforcement hearing in 2013.

Nicholas said that he doesn’t believe it matters in what order the two cases are heard. He said that if the motion for summary judgment was heard first and he ruled in favor of the city that he would stay the ruling until the motion for dismissal could be heard.

A date to hear both motions is planned to be scheduled for some time in the summer.

Related coverage

New filing in tree house case

Tree house case continues in court

Magistrate rules in city’s favor on noise citation

Magistrate rules in city’s favor on noise citation

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

ANNA MARIA – In addition to her unregistered Airbnb ruling, Special Magistrate Karla Owens ruled in favor of the city Anna Maria on three additional cases addressed during the April 30 code enforcement and appeals hearings. One of the hearings held at city hall pertained to a noise ordinance violation citation and two pertained to parking violations.

Noise violation

Owens ordered college student Conor Lynch to pay a $500 fine for the noise ordinance violation citation he received on March 15 while staying at his parents’ second home at 60 North Shore Drive. The citation lists a Tampa address as Lynch’s primary residence. Owens also ordered Lynch to pay an additional $150 administrative fee to help cover the appeals hearing costs.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Matthew Kenyan and Robert Desch responded to the initial noise complaint at approximately 2 a.m. According to Kenyan, they witnessed people on the balcony screaming and talking loudly. Lynch was asked to quiet things down and warned that a repeat visit would result in a $500 citation.

Approximately 45 minutes later, the deputies returned in response to a second complaint. When standing at various distances from the house the deputies could still hear loud talking and low-end bass sounds coming from inside the house. At this point, the citation was issued.

Kenyan told Owens deputies responded to prior noise complaints and issued verbal warnings at that address in 2015 and 2017.

Lynch’s father, Fred Lynch, attended the hearing. He said his son couldn’t attend because he was taking exams. Fred Lynch said he was not there to represent his son or challenge the citation, but he did want to express his concerns as a concerned citizen.

An email Fred Lynch sent the city was included in the hearing packet. It expressed concerns about harassment by a neighbor and the way the deputies handled this situation. During the hearing, Lynch claimed the deputies used words that were “inappropriate.”

Using a tablet and a portable speaker, Lynch showed Owens a video he shot later that he felt disproved the deputies’ claims regarding the loud bass noises being audible at the stated distances.

Owens said she would allow Lynch the courtesy of showing the video he recorded from various distances with the TV audio system turned all the way up, but it was not relevant to the case being discussed.

Parking violations

Owens ordered Bradenton resident Kathy Brooks-Rock to pay a $50 fine for parking her Volvo alongside Rose Street in the opposite direction of the traffic flow while visiting vacationing friends.

The apologetic citation recipient told Owens this was her first traffic ticket, and she didn’t know Anna Maria and other Florida cities prohibit parking in the wrong direction.

Owens ordered Bradenton resident Stephen Ierardi to pay a $50 fine and an additional $150 administrative fee for parking his BMW within 20 feet of the crosswalk at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Palm Avenue.

Ierardi told Owens he not aware of this law and there was no warning sign.

In both parking cases, Owens said ignorance of the law is no excuse. It was also noted that a warning sign has now been placed where Ierardi received his ticket.

Addy said Tuesday’s code enforcement hearings were the first scheduled during her time as city clerk and future hearings would be scheduled once a month as needed.

Related coverage

Unregistered Airbnb fined $250 per day

 

McDaniel joins Center team

McDaniel joins Center team

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

After months of searching, the team at The Center of Anna Maria Island has a new director of development.

In a May 3 press release, Executive Director Chris Culhane announced that Jim McDaniel had been hired to fill the role, beating out about 190 other applicants for the position.

Before joining The Center’s staff, McDaniel served for six years as director of development at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. As director of development at The Center, McDaniel will work to develop a strategic plan and oversee fundraising efforts for the nonprofit.

Center hosts summer kickoff

Summer’s almost here and The Center of Anna Maria Island’s staff is ready to party with the community. The Center’s Summer Kickoff Bash open house will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15. Come on out to view The Center’s facilities, learn about summer camp programs and youth summer sports, and catch all of the action on the pitch during the youth soccer championships and awards.

Hot dogs, hamburgers and side dishes will be provided by The Freckled Fin Irish Pub. The event is free and open to the public. The Center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. For more information, contact The Center at 941-778-1908.

Vickers sentencing set

Vickers sentencing set

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

BRADENTON – David Vickers’ future will be announced on May 20 after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and neglect of a child with great bodily harm in the death of 17-month-old Luca Sholey on Aug. 21, 2017, in Holmes Beach. The crimes carry a minimum sentence of life with a chance of prison release possible. The maximum is life without a chance of release.

According to the police report, EMS responded to call of a child not breathing and unresponsive. He was taken to Blake Medical Center and then airlifted to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he died. The cause of death was asphyxiation, according to the police report. There were indications that the child suffered respiratory distress plus broken ribs and laceration of the lips and mouth.

Vickers was the babysitter for the child while the mother, Melissa Sholey, worked. The report said Vickers was often alone with the child.

The prosecution is seeking the maximum sentence.

Related coverage

Arrest made in child’s death

Dog park users disappointed with lack of progress

Dog park users disappointed with lack of progress

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

HOLMES BEACH – Little visible movement has been made on the city’s plans to relocated and improve the dog park, and it’s leaving users feeling frustrated.

During the May 1 Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee meeting, City Engineer Lynn Burnett was expected to uphold a commitment made during her second quarter capital improvement projects update to city commissioners, that she would present resurfacing, grading and drainage plans at the committee’s May meeting. Several dog park users showed up to hear about Burnett’s plans for the park, but Burnett herself was a no-show and her associate, Eron Wasserman, said that he had no plans for the dog park to present.

Resident and dog park advocate Renee Ferguson said that she, along with other park users, felt frustrated after helping to develop a plan for the park, being put on hold due to the renovation of the city field complex and then seeing no action being taken on the dog park while plans are in action for the skate park and other facilities.

“We seem to be put at the end of the agenda rather than the beginning of the agenda,” she said, adding that the dog park is one of, if not the most utilized park in the city.

Park user Terry Green said that he has several concerns about previously presented plans for the park, including parking, access to entrances from parking areas and whether or not the existing dog park pavilions will be saved and reused in the new location.

Parks and beautification committee Chair Zan Fuller said that she understands the frustration felt by park users. She said that committee members hadn’t seen updated or detailed plans for the new park facilities either and agreed to attempt to set up a meeting between the interested parties and Burnett for the week of May 8. A meeting was held May 7 after press time for The Sun.

Related coverage

Dog park construction on hold

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Youngster raises money for turtles and shorebirds

Youngster raises money for turtles and shorebirds

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

Spencer Quinlivan is a 9 1/2-year-old animal lover from Pinellas County with a soft spot for sea turtles and shorebirds. He visits the Island regularly, staying in a house owned by his grandparents, and quickly became aware of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.

A few weeks ago, he decided to raise money as a school project by selling lemonade, bananas and cookies on Pinellas Trail. According to his father, Patrick Quinlivan, it was cool and windy, and not too many people needed to cool down.

“Luckily, there was a busy police station with a lot of foot traffic,” Patrick Quinlivan said. “They all came by and if they weren’t thirsty, they just donated money. He ended up with $215.22.”

The family visited the Island a couple of weeks ago and found Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Director Suzi Fox, who was impressed with Spencer. She arranged a visit to the Manatee County Marine Rescue headquarters, on Sunday, April 28, thanks to rescue chief Joe Westerman, and Spencer got a Turtle Watch ATV ride down the beach in addition to the Marine Rescue ride personnel Morgan Bakulski and A.J. Nelson gave him.

Fox took the money and applied it to AMITW’s education fund, and Spencer went home with a box of promotional and educational items.

“This is what is so right about our Manatee County,” Fox said.

Spencer said he learned a lot about sea turtles.

“I found out that the wrong lights at night are dangerous,” he said. “We have to use the right lights so the turtles don’t come to the shore instead of out to sea.”

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An even start to turtle season

Turtle season is here

An even start to turtle season

An even start to turtle season

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Sea turtles.

At the start of turtle season, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Director Suzi Fox reported three turtle nests as of Sunday – one on each city’s beach.

The first nest was discovered on May 1, the first day of the turtle season, at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach with the next one on Thursday, May 2 on Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and another nest later in the week at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria.

Fox reminds beachgoers to avoid nests, which are marked with yellow tape.

Fox has been patrolling the beaches with city code enforcement officials at night, looking for lights that might attract hatchlings away from the Gulf and onto dry land where they would likely die. When they hatch, sea turtles head for the Gulf, drawn by the light of the stars and moon. If Gulf-front buildings have lights that are visible to the turtles, they could go toward the lights and die from dehydration or be run over by cars.

It is illegal to touch a hatchling, so if you spot one in trouble, Fox said, call Turtle Watch at 941-778-5638.

Turtle Tips

During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, follow these tips:

  • Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.
  • Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night.
  • Remove all objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings.
  • Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water.
  • Don’t use wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf.
  • Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights.
  • Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law. If you see people disturbing turtles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Bird tips

During bird nesting season, March through August, follow these tips:

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

Related coverage

Turtle season is here

Turtle Watch volunteers ready for season

Anna Maria hosting annual Memorial Day salute

Anna Maria hosting annual Memorial Day salute

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Family fun.

The city of Anna Maria will host its third annual Memorial Day Patriotic Symphony Salute on Monday, May 27. The Memorial Day event will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. under the shade sail structure at City Pier Park in Anna Maria.

The free symphony performance will feature members of the Anna Maria Island Concert Orchestra. The ceremonies will include a flag presentation by the United States Marine Corps, special recognition of veterans and their spouses or significant others and a wreath placement ceremony. Free refreshments will also be served.

City Pier Park is located at the corner of Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard. This event is co-sponsored by The Anna Maria Island Sun.

‘Present Laughter’ leaves ‘em laughing

‘Present Laughter’ leaves ‘em laughing

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players production of Noel Coward’s “Present Laughter” was brilliantly played with good timing and a beautiful art deco look to the set.

Coward wrote the play in 1939 but delayed releasing it until 1942. It was set in the 1930s and the Island Players cast had that glib way of talking that was the rage on the stage. Director Mike Lusk had the cast ready to go on the second performance when this reviewer saw it.

Heiko Knipfelberg plays Garry Essendine, an actor who is reaping the rewards of fame in the bedroom with his adoring fans. Knipfelberg does a great job of tying together the parts of the play, even though his character hates to be awakened too early. As the story begins, Daphne Stillington, played by Abby Deenik, comes out of the spare bedroom after a night of passion with Essendine. She’s got plans for them, although Essendine wants her to go home.

The situation is replayed again with producer Hugo Lippiat’s (played by Peter Ruscoe) sexy wife, Joanna, played by Pamela Hopkins. It seems the women go after Essendine using the excuse that they forgot their keys and he invites them to spend the night with him.

Finally, the mad scramble to get Essendine’s attention comes to a climax when mentally imbalanced playwright Roland Maule, played exquisitely by Craig Moran, barges in and immediately gets in Essendine’s space.

Finally, he has had enough and wants to go away alone with his estranged wife Liz, played by Judy Glynn.

The rest of the cast does a great job of keeping the story going in this rather long play. Kudos to Daniel Coppinger as Essendine’s valet, Fred; Cathy Hansel-Edgerton as Miss Erickson, the chain-smoking cook; Caroline Cox, as Essendine’s secretary, Monica Reed; James Thaggard as director Morris Dixon; and Denise Handly as Lady Saltburn, an important visitor.

“Present Laughter” is worth the time and money.

Call the box office at 941-778-5755 for tickets or more information.

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Unregistered Airbnb fined $250 per day

Unregistered Airbnb fined $250 per day

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Personal finance, Real estate | Development.

ANNA MARIA – Special Magistrate Karla Owens has levied a $250 per day fine for the unregistered operation of an Airbnb vacation rental at 302 North Shore Drive.

Owens issued this order during the Tuesday, April 30 code enforcement and appeals hearing at Anna Maria City Hall.

The rental at 302 North Shore Drive is being advertised on Airbnb but is not registered with the city in accordance with the city’s vacation rental ordinance.

When issuing her ruling, Owens also gave the property owner, DLVAMI 302 North Shore LLC, until the end of the day to pay $587 in registration fees, pay an additional $150 administrative fee to help cover the hearing costs and provide the city with all documents required to register as a vacation rental.

Owens said if those conditions were not met by day’s end a $250 per day fine would begin accruing the following day and continue accruing until the matter is resolved. According to Mayor Dan Murphy, the Airbnb remained unregistered at week’s end. According to the Florida Division of Corporations website, Denise Valley has incorporated and dissolved four LLCs at that address, including two that list 302 North Shore Drive Suite C as the address.

According to the Airbnb listing, the Airbnb host is named Floyd and four of the five Airbnb reviews posted in April mention Floyd by first name only. The Airbnb listing addressed at Tuesday’s hearing lists a $97 per night rental rate and touts the property as the “best deal on the Island.”

State records list Floyd Calhoun as the registered agent for three dissolved LLCs using the 302 North Shore Drive address – including the dissolved Here Realty LLC that listed both Valley and Calhoun as registered agents.

Neither Valley nor Calhoun attended Tuesday’s hearing.

When presenting the city’s case, City Clerk LeAnne Addy said the unregistered Airbnb was discovered on Oct. 23 by the city’s contracted screen scraping firm that conducts online searches for non-registered vacation rentals.

A warning notice was sent to the LLC’s Anna Maria Post Office box on Oct. 24. A second warning was sent on Nov. 26 and a third on March 7. The last notice stated the alleged infractions would be addressed at the special magistrate hearing if not addressed within five days.

“As of today, they’re still advertising on Airbnb and they’re not registered,” Addy said during the hearing.

Addy said the property owner owes the city a $297 registration fee for 2018 and a $290 registration fee for 2019. The fees are based on the city’s eight-person maximum occupancy allowance for a three-bedroom vacation rental.

City Attorney Becky Vose said the accruing fines would become a lien on the property if unpaid. Vose said if the lien is not addressed and continues to grow the city could eventually pursue foreclosure on the property.

During Tuesday’s hearing, it was not known or noted that the property is already the subject of foreclosure proceedings initiated last July by HMC Assets. Manatee County court records list Valley, DLVAMI 302 North Shore LLC, Calhoun and additional unknown tenants as defendants in the ongoing foreclosure proceedings.

A visit to the property on Tuesday revealed a second address, 302 B, painted near one of the elevated duplex’s four garage doors. The Airbnb website includes a second listing for the property that mentions a pending full-scale remodeling effort and an anticipated total occupancy of 20-plus people.

“There is room for the entire family plus the in-laws plus the cousins,” the second listing says, noting the Airbnb rental has perhaps the largest swimming pool on the Island, spas and enough room to play volleyball.

Related coverage

Magistrate rules in city’s favor on noise citation

County collecting tourist tax from most Airbnb owners

County plans to pursue Airbnb users for taxes

Local vacation rental regulations under fire again

Castles in the Sand

One of our favorite topics

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

It doesn’t take long for a get together with friends and neighbors to morph into a conversation about real estate. One of the preferred topics among the dozens of available real estate topics is second homes, so here’s something that you can float during your next real estate conversation.

Government-backed mortgages obtained through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac frequently set higher standards for second home buyers. Second home mortgages are different from investment mortgages, which allow renting and always come with higher mortgage rates. But what if you want to rent out your second home but not classify it as an investment property?

Second Home Riders, which have been in force since 2001, are generally attached to the financing of a second home. The rider has always been interpreted by lenders as prohibiting second home owners with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac backed mortgages from renting the property. This has recently been clarified making the rental of a second home more broadly accepted by lenders. The new wording for the rider allows homeowners to rent a second home after one year of ownership and it allows short-term renting in the first year.

The language was amended at the request of lenders looking for a clarification related to Airbnb rentals and other short-term rental services. Of course, short-term rentals still must meet state and local vacation rental laws. As we know, currently in the Florida legislature there are two vacation rental bills, which as of this writing are going nowhere. If the state Senate and House can agree prior to the end of the legislative session and the bill passes, it would preempt the regulation of short-term vacation rentals to the state and take the rental authority away from local municipalities.

For now, let’s take a look at all sold properties for the month of March reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:

Single-family homes closed 8.4 percent more this March compared to last year. The median sale price (half above and half below) was $312,000, 9.5 percent higher than last March. You may recall that February’s median sale price took a dip below the $300,000 mark and was $298,500. The average sale price was $392,616, a 6.9 percent increase. The median days to sell were 58 days, an increase of 23.4 percent, and the month’s supply of available properties was 4.2 months, down 8.7 percent.

Condos closed 2.8 percent less this March compared to last March. The median sale price was $203,450, up 1 percent. February’s median sale price was $189,000. The average sale price was $240,995, down 1.9 percent, median days to sell were 74 days minus 14.9 percent, and the month’s supply of properties was 4.8 months, down 5.9 percent.

Overall, we had a great month. Not only are sale prices up, but properties are selling faster. The flip side is the number of available properties, which is down for both single family and condos. It’s never good to have low inventory. I can’t wait to see the April numbers.

It’s quite a different story on a national level. According to the National Association of Realtors, March existing home sales declined by 4.9 percent from February and 5.4 percent from last March. Nationally, the month’s supply of properties is down to 3.9 months.

Next week we’ll have a little more about Anna Maria’s favorite cocktail party conversation. In the meantime, enjoy your first home and your second home if you’re lucky enough to have one and be happy you live in Manatee County, Florida.

More Castles in the Sand:

Floods, saltwater and freshwater

Taxes come and gone

Real estate process speeding up