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Holmes Beach crosswalk

Crosswalks planned for Holmes Beach

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

HOLMES BEACH – City Engineer Lynn Burnett has a plan to help keep pedestrians and motorists safer during pedestrian street crossings. The first phase of that plan, to install an estimated 13 lighted crosswalks in the city, is underway.

The first of the crosswalks was installed near the intersection of Gulf Drive and 58th Street, close to the Harrington House Bed and Breakfast, in December. Now that the first one is in, Burnett plans a second one at Gulf Drive and Guava, located within a dangerous S-curve that has proven deadly for pedestrians in the past.

Burnett said the crosswalk is in the design phase and will undergo construction in the next several weeks. One of the main concerns, she said, with the placement of the crosswalk is to make sure there’s ample signage to warn drivers of the location of the crosswalk without contributing unnecessarily to the city’s sign pollution issue.

With a public beach access located at the planned Guava crossing, Burnett said plans also are underway to add a pedestrian path on the west side of Gulf Drive to allow for safe passage between the two crosswalks.

As more plans develop, each planned crosswalk will go before city commissioners for review and approval.

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Bradenton Beach commission goals 2019

Commission discusses its 2019 goals

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

BRADENTON BEACH – During the Bradenton Beach City Commission’s first meeting of the year, Mayor John Chappie mentioned several items he and the commission hope to address in 2019.

Commissioner and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Chair Ralph Cole mentioned several CRA projects and Vice Mayor Marilyn Maro wants to improve a city park.

During the Thursday, Jan. 3, meeting, Chappie suggested additional commission work meeting discussion on the 2018 decisions to increase swimming pool setbacks to 10 feet and to count pools as impervious (non-draining) surfaces when calculating the 40 percent maximum lot coverage allowed by city code.

Commissioners Jake Spooner and Ralph Cole opposed the commission majority’s impervious pool decision, and Spooner opposed the increased pool setbacks. Spooner fears the increased pool restrictions make it difficult for residents to add a pool to an existing home.

In August, developer Kevin McNamara told the commission that the increased pool restrictions are preventing him from installing pools at two homes he built on Seventh Street South.

Chappie also feels work meeting discussion is needed regarding the email notification process for the renewal of the mandatory Transient Public Lodging Establishment (TPLE) vacation rental licenses adopted in 2017. He noted that some property owners don’t use email.

Additionally, he suggested work meeting discussion on Spooner’s previous requests to exempt owner-occupied vacation rentals from the TPLE requirements, which Cole also supports. Spooner believes onsite owners prevent their guests from violating the city’s noise, occupancy, parking and trash ordinances and regulations.

Chappie said work meetings allow for more in-depth discussion on specific agenda items. They also allow the commission to issue requests and directives to city staff before final decision occurs at regular commission meetings.

Chappie said City Engineer Lynn Burnett is working with the Florida Department of Transportation on a potential project that could result in new Gulf Drive sidewalks being built atop stormwater infiltration trenches.

Chappie wants to renew previous City Commissions’ efforts to install a sidewalk along the west side of Gulf Drive between Cortez Road and the Gulf Drive Cafe. He also wants a welcome sign installed at that entrance to the city.

Cole said undergrounding the utility lines on the west side of Gulf Drive would create room for wider sidewalks, and he stressed the need to complete the previously-approved CRA-funded undergrounding of the utility lines on Bridge Street and a small section of Gulf Drive.

Cole mentioned the previously-approved, CRA-funded creation of a living shoreline and clam beds near the Bridge Street Pier, and he encouraged his fellow members to focus on first-things-first and to complete one project at a time.

Chappie suggested additional CRA discussion on the potential dinghy dock and finger dock options recently presented by architectural designer Emily Anne Smith and completing the previously-approved and funded installation of a boat lift at the pier for the police boat.

Chappie wants the commission to make some decisions regarding the potential flood-proofing and storm-hardening of city hall and other city-owned buildings because the city’s flood insurance premiums are increasing significantly.

He also mentioned possibly naming the city-owned alleys, getting a historic marker placed on the pier and addressing the delays stalling the renovation of the former Freckled Fin building and the owners’ plans to reopen it as 101 Bridge Street.

Vice Mayor Marilyn Maro wants to work with the Scenic WAVES Committee to make additional improvements to Katie Pierola Park.

Spooner said later that he was impressed by Chappie and Cole’s ambitious goals.

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Bradenton Beach year in review

Bradenton Beach Gulf Drive bike path

Gulf Drive bike paths require more cleaning

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

BRADENTON BEACH – In response to complaints received, Public Works Director Tom Woodard is exploring ways to provide cleaner bike paths along Gulf Drive.

On Friday, Jan. 4, Woodard sent an email to Mayor John Chappie, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Maintenance Program Manager Phil Catalano and others regarding these efforts.

“Currently I have been receiving numerous, almost daily complaint calls from residents and visitors about the state of Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach, specifically the bike and turn lanes,” Woodard wrote.

He also noted that he’s been asked why portions of the bike lane along Gulf Drive are often covered with sand and debris.

Woodard’s email said he typically refers these complaints and inquiries directly to FDOT, the agency that controls, maintains and cleans the state-owned road that passes through Bradenton Beach.

“Since no sustained improvement has been achieved, I felt I should reach out to you again. Past complaints were met with immediate resolution, but a consistent SOP (standard operating procedure) is needed or needs to be enforced if one currently exists,” Woodard wrote.

“I know that USA Services is under contract to sweep (Gulf Drive) twice per month, but the Island receives sand and debris from the wind and rain continually. If not already being done, I believe random inspections and site visits by FDOT staff/inspectors during sweeping activities would help correct service shortfalls. The inspector could issue a work request to FDOT Highway Maintenance or road gang service for spot cleaning in between contracted sweeping visits. This has been an ongoing issue for us for years, and I feel that a solution is achievable with a bit more supervision and involvement,” Woodard wrote.

Woodard noted that with Chappie’s approval he recently reached out to Catalano to gauge FDOT’s interest in partnering with the city or hiring the city’s Public Works Department to sweep Gulf Drive and the Gulf Drive bike lanes.

“He expressed interest and said he would set a meeting. We are very eager to discuss the possibilities as soon as possible,” Woodard wrote regarding his communications with Catalano.

“Please be aware that the biggest hurdle to overcome for us will be the appropriation of a street sweeping/vacuum truck. We have the manpower and desire to perform the work but not the equipment,” his email said.

When contacted later, Woodard said the bike lanes between Bridge Street and the Longboat Pass Bridge typically generate the most complaints.

“We’re going to have to get a sweeper. I would like to do it and our guys can do it. We can do our own city streets too and they would be more well-maintained,” Woodard said.

Woodard said the city currently pays USA Services to sweep the city streets once every three months – and during former Mayor Bill Shearon’s administration, the city’s monthly street sweeping was reduced to quarterly as a cost-saving measure.

Woodard said he doesn’t expect USA Services to sweep the state-owned bike lanes and turn lanes every week. He also noted that he has asked the city commission to purchase a street sweeping machine in the past. Woodard estimated a new street sweeper would cost approximately $125,000, and his staff is currently limited to backpack blowers.

“I don’t mind taking it over, but we needed a partnership for the state road,” Woodard said.

He mentioned the possibility of state assistance for the purchase or use of street sweeping equipment in exchange for the city sweeping Gulf Drive and the state’s bike lanes.

“I’m open to any options and suggestions,” Woodard said.

Anna Maria officials share hopes

Anna Maria officials share hopes

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

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and Anna Maria Commissioners Brian Seymour and Amy Tripp recently shared their hopes for the city in 2019.

Completing the pier project and continuing the city’s drainage and street paving improvements currently sit atop the mayor’s to-do list.

“I’d really like to see some progress on red tide, but that’s not on my agenda. Something needs to be done; resources need to be put toward that,” Murphy said.

Murphy said the section of the new mixed-use trail that opened along Gulf Drive in October is a good start but there’s more to do regarding the expansion of the trail.

Now in his second term, Seymour will serve as the commission chair this year.

“My wish for the new year is that we have a new city pier by the end of 2019,” Seymour said.

“I would like to see the commission continue to look forward and utilize our long-term plan to focus on things that directly impact our residents, such as increased flood control measures, paving, infrastructure and other things that will help to make the city more livable for all residents.

“I hope the mayor and city staff continue, and maybe even add to, the city events at City Pier Park that help build our community spirit: the farmer’s market, Movies in the Park, our holiday events and more,” Seymour said.

“I wish for 2019 to leave everyone, happy, healthy and better off than 2018 has. Hopefully, there’s no return of red tide to our beautiful beaches that truly showcase what a special place we all live in,” he concluded.

Also in her second term as a commissioner, Tripp said, “I believe we will see significant progress in the new pier, more drainage management and my fingers are crossed that we will have more multiple use paths. I am pleased with the city team: the mayor, the sitting commission, the city staff and our city’s volunteer base.

“We are fortunate that we were still able to retain our city’s home rule after last year’s state legislative session, however, that will be back again. Losing home rule is one of Anna Maria’s biggest threats to the quality of living we currently have. Without home rule and local regulations, local accountability and safety will be greatly reduced,” Tripp said.

Related Coverage

Dan Murphy is Sun’s Person of the Year

Anna Maria year in review

Anna Maria City Pier contract finalized

Castles in the Sand

2019 real estate trends

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Archives.

Every profession has its experts and every expert has their expert advice for the future. Sometimes they’re right, sometimes they’re wrong, and sometimes they wish they’d never gotten out of bed. Have you seen the stock market? Nevertheless, the experts still keep on coming, and for the 2019 real estate market, I found a couple for you.

Forbes.com is a wealth of information about any business venue. It will even tell you the net worth of celebrities – Steven Spielberg, $3.7 billion and Oprah Winfrey, $2.8 billion. But what they are really good at is predicting the future or as it calls it, future trends.

For the 2019 real estate market, it talks a lot about the Millennials, which are the largest segment of buyers. Forty-five percent of new mortgages will be applied for by millennials vs. 17 percent by boomers. In 2020, when the Millennials turn 30, Forbes pushes that buying trend up even further and is predicting a good real estate year. This year, however, Forbes says it will be a slow real estate year which could be good long-term since the demographics (millennials) will support the demand. This is expert talk.

It also feels that first time buyers will be looking at condos and lower end vacation homes.

These properties are less expensive, which will make them, more affordable in view of raising interest rates, again talking about Millennials.

On another note, Forbes is recommending purchasing property in the Bahamas, which after being hit by several hurricanes is just starting to rebuild. Waterfront property there is 10 cents on the dollar compared to waterfront property in Florida and only a 20-minute flight.

Realtor.com has two shocking forecasts. The first one is that mortgage interest rates will hit 5.5 percent by the end of the year, and the second is that the market will remain a sellers’ market. Sellers can glow over this, but the buyers aren’t going to cave in to any price sellers are asking, so sellers are going to have a little tough going.

Not tough going, however, are Manatee County’s November sales statistics taken from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee’s website.

Single-family homes closed 7.6 percent more properties than last November, and condo’s closed 12.9 percent more. The median sale price (half above and half below) for single-family homes was up 8.5 percent to $313,496 from last November. Condo sales were also up 2.0 percent to $186,500 from last November. The average sale price for single-family homes is up 4.9 percent to $379,982, and the condo average sale price is up 1.4 percent to $255,619. The median time to sell for single family and condos are all between 90 and 95 days, and the month’s supply on the market is staying about four months for all housing sectors.

The big news for November is that our neighbor Sarasota has finally broken into the $300,000 price point for the median sale price, increasing 5.3 percent from last year. Manatee County has achieved this several times this year but this is the first time Sarasota has.

Our numbers are looking good compared to Florida statewide results. The median sale price for single-family homes was $255,000, up 6.3 percent, and the median sale price for condos was $185,000, up 5.1 percent. These numbers are reported by the Florida Realtors Research Department.

Are our future lives being dictated by 30-year-old Millennials? Something tells me yes, they are. As long as they keep the real estate market flowing, it’s OK by me, and that’s my prediction.

More Castles in the Sand:

Red tide, hurricanes and interest rates

No Christmas gifts for foreign buyers

Tax overhaul saved one thing

Red tide gone in Manatee, back in Sarasota

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Archives.

PALMA SOLA BAY – The last trace of red tide in Manatee County disappeared this week from its holdout position in Palma Sola Bay, but it has resurfaced in high concentrations in Sarasota County.

Most Florida waters are free from red tide as of Jan. 2, according to today’s report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

But high concentrations appeared in water samples off Lido Key and Siesta Key in Sarasota County that day, with medium concentrations at New Pass and low concentrations at Turtle Beach. Very low concentrations were found at Venice Beach, Nokomis Beach and Casperson Beach further south.

In Manatee County, no fish kills were reported, but respiratory irritation was reported on Dec. 30 at Coquina Beach and Dec. 27 and Dec. 29-30 at Manatee Beach, according to the FWC.

The weekend forecast through Monday, Jan. 7 is for low to high levels of red tide on Longboat Key and for low levels to the south, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

Today’s NOAA report predicts moderate respiratory irritation on Saturday, Jan. 5 on south Manatee County’s Gulf coast, and low irritation Sunday and Monday, Jan. 6-7. In south Manatee County’s bay regions, NOAA predicts moderate irritation all three days.

The report notes that “concentrations are patchy in nature and levels of respiratory irritation will vary locally based upon nearby bloom concentrations, ocean currents, and wind speed and direction.”

A prediction by NOAA oceanographer Rick Stumpf that storms on Dec. 20-21 would likely end the bloom held true for only two weeks.

The resurgence of the bloom, in its 15th month, comes a week after other hopeful news – red tide was not found in any water samples collected in Florida waters as the Christmas holidays began other than the background concentration in Palma Sola Bay, and no red tide was forecast for the last week of the year.

The bloom began in Southwest Florida in October 2017 and arrived in Anna Maria Island waters on Aug. 3; it is lasting longer than the most recent record red tide of 2005-06.

Florida red tide, or Karenia brevis, is a type of microalgae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to marine life, red tide also can make shellfish unfit to eat and can cause respiratory irritation in people.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Very low levels cause possible respiratory irritation. Low levels cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels cause all the above, plus water discoloration.

Sun Person Murphy

Dan Murphy is Sun’s Person of the Year

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Featured, Opinion.

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy is The Sun’s 2018 Person of the Year.

Working with the city commission, city staff and outside contractors, Murphy spent much of 2018 working on getting a new Anna Maria City Pier built.

Already due for significant rehabilitation, the aging pier was closed in September 2017 because of damage sustained during Hurricane Irma.

In 2018, Murphy secured $750,000 in pier funding from the state legislature, approximately $800,000 from FEMA and $1.8 million from Manatee County, and his pursuit of funding sources for the estimated $4.85 million pier project continues.

Before the pier was demolished in July, Murphy secured at no cost to the city the services of local contractor Frank Agnelli and his crew, who removed the engraved wooden pier planks so they could be returned to those who requested them. The remaining planks will be used to build memorial walls.

The first pilings for the new pier platform are scheduled to be driven the third week of January. The contract with i+iconSoutheast requires the pier platform to be done by August 26.

The construction of the restaurant, bait shop and public restrooms at the pier’s T-end will be handled as a separate and congruent project contingent on the terms Murphy and pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder negotiate regarding the tenant’s contribution to the interior buildout of the pier building.

Murphy said the pier platform will be opened to the public once the pier building shell is constructed. If needed, the interior buildout can take place after that.

Other accomplishments

Working with the commission and city staff, Murphy helped create the city-sponsored seasonal farmer’s market that debuted in City Pier Park in March and resumed in October, and also Movies in The Park, a weekly family film night, that began last January and resumed in December.

Murphy, a military veteran, was the driving force behind the city’s annual Veterans Day parade and the post-parade ceremonies in City Pier Park that took place for the second time in November. He also helped create the annual Holiday Carols in the Park and Fourth of July cookouts.

Working with City Attorney Becky Vose and lobbyist Chip Case, Murphy helped torpedo state legislation aimed at lessening Florida cities’ ability to regulate vacation rentals by introducing a sexual predator amendment that killed the proposed legislation.

Murphy and the commission dedicated significant funds for drainage and stormwater projects and agreed to make an additional $100,000 lump sum payment on the $2.84 million loan secured in 2011 to purchase the City Pier Park property. The additional payments significantly reduce the length of the loan and the interest owed.

In past years, Murphy and the commission adopted the vacation rental ordinance and registration program that created an expanded code enforcement department funded primarily by registration fees.

Murphy’s reflections

Murphy, a former Verizon executive, and his wife, Barbara, moved to Anna Maria in 1993 after living in Holmes Beach for nearly two decades. He was elected mayor in 2014 and ran unopposed in 2016 and 2018.

Murphy said he spent about 60 percent of his mayoral time this year working on the pier.

“I get nothing but compliments about what we’re doing with that pier. We worked real hard and now we’re at the beginning. It’s probably going to consume even more time, but I’m confident we can deliver and make sure we’re getting what we’re paying for. Once construction starts, I think it’s going to become a sightseeing attraction for people to come watch the construction and the progress,” he said.

Drainage improvements also remain a high priority. “We made a lot of progress with drainage, but we’ve still got a long way to go. We’ve got an aggressive plan for 2019 and I want to make sure we hit our target dates,” Murphy said.

Regarding the impact of the city events held in and around City Pier Park, Murphy said, “They build a sense of community within the city of Anna Maria. They also stimulate the city’s economy by bringing people to Anna Maria and showing them what the city has to offer.”

Related Coverage

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Center of Anna Maria Island

Around the Island year in review

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Center of Anna Maria Island, Community News, Special Sections, West Manatee Fire Rescue, Year in Review.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – This past year brought a lot of changes to the three Island cities as well as to some other organizations. Let’s take a look back at what happened in 2018 at The Center of Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Fire Rescue District.

The Center of AMI

  • The Center of Anna Maria Island started 2018 on a positive note as the organization’s flagging finances rebounded and have continued to grow over the year. The Center’s board hopes to end the 2018-19 fiscal year in June 2019 as the second consecutive positive year for the nonprofit.
  • Membership numbers at the Center have also continued to grow over previous years, ending the 2018 calendar year well over 2017 numbers. Board Chair David Zaccagnino said the positive outcome was due in part to the organization’s ongoing partnership with Brenda Canning’s Island Fitness, which moved into the second-floor fitness center in 2017.

    center culhane children
    New Center Executive Director Chris Culhane takes to the field with his family. – Submitted | Center
  • The Center said goodbye to Executive Director Kristen Lessig and hello to new Executive Director Chris Culhane in February. Culhane, a long-time Center attendee and employee, quickly earned the respect of the community and Center employees, guiding the nonprofit to a positive outcome in the first half of its 2018-19 fiscal year.

WMFR

  • West Manatee Fire Rescue began the year and ended it the same way in its commissioners’ quest to sell the oversized administration building on Third Avenue West in Bradenton for a smaller office setting – without completing the planned sale to The Oasis Middle School. Regulatory hurdles and a slow financing process pushed the closing date back three times, with the date now set for summer 2019.
  • With the imminent sale of the administration building and future retirement of Chief Tom Sousa, Commissioner George Harris broached the subject of merging with two neighboring fire districts in June 2018. The idea of the merger with Cedar Hammock Fire District and Southern Manatee Fire District didn’t garner much interest from Cedar Hammock’s commissioners and none with Southern Manatee’s commissioners. Though the idea is still floating around with WMFR commissioners, no action has been taken.
  • The district launched its long-awaited Advanced Life Support service at its Holmes Beach Station 3 in October followed by Station 2 on Cortez Road. The service allows firefighters to perform all the medical treatments that EMS workers can without transport capabilities. Plans are underway to launch the service at all three WMFR stations.
  • Chief Tom Sousa announced his plans to retire early from his post in October 2019. Previously, Sousa was contracted to remain with the district through 2021. The new year begins the search for a new fire chief.

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Holmes Beach swearing in judy

Holmes Beach year in review

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach, Special Sections, Year in Review.

HOLMES BEACH – The year 2018 was filled with court cases, city renovations and a highly-contested election for city commissioner and mayoral seats. Here are some of the highlights from this past year.

Treehouse

  • The treehouse case, concerning a two-story treehouse built in an Australian pine with additional supports on the erosion control line in front of the Angelinos Sea Lodge, began the year with a refusal by the United States Supreme Court to hear the case. Though city leaders pushed to have the unpermitted structure removed, the treehouse ends the year still aloft in its perch overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Owners Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen filed court documents in mid-December seeking a temporary injunction to prevent demolition of the treehouse. The case goes back to court in early January 2019.

Spring Lake

  • Pollution at Spring Lake in Holmes Beach has remained an issue not only for the residents surrounding the man-made lake but also for city leaders seeking ways to clean up the lake and prevent future pollution. Currently, the previously brackish lake is acidic and cannot support marine life. City Engineer Lynn Burnett is presenting commissioners with a survey determining the amount of solid pollutants in the water and options for removal to return the lake to a healthy saltwater or freshwater state.
Spring Lake
Brown water and silt fill the once-clear basin of Spring Lake in Holmes Beach. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Skate park

  • The city’s skate park has been closed for renovations throughout 2018. At the beginning of the year, city officials were considering rehabilitation of the current park. By the first of December, commissioners voted unanimously to move the skate park to run along Marina Drive with an enlarged concrete park design, costing a budgeted $150,000. If an additional $100,000 can be raised in the next eight months, a skate bowl will be added to the park.

Dog park

  • One of the most controversial conversations of the year concerned how to improve the city’s dog park. After nearly a year of deliberation between city leaders, dog park users and the city’s parks and beautification committee, a design was created that allows the small dog park to remain where it is and relocates the large dog park to a section of the baseball diamond, which will be repurposed as a part of larger plans to remodel the city field complex. Construction is set to begin in early 2019.

City Field

  • Plans to renovate city field underwent several renovations themselves. Now with a set rough layout for the park complex, renovations are expected to begin early in the new year. The tot lot is being relocated to the opposite side of the park, from near Marina Drive to adjacent to the existing park pavilion. The baseball diamond will be remodeled as part of the dog park renovations and pick up games can be played in the larger multi-use field. With the skate park being relocated, the staging area will be moved to the old skate park location near public works. The only hitch in Burnett’s plans for the park is the newly planted city Christmas tree, located in an area she’d planned as a grand entrance to the multi-use field. Mayor Judy Titsworth vowed to work around the tree to prevent moving and potentially killing the 10-year-old blue cypress.
Holmes Beach city field update map
After months of debate, Holmes Beach commissioners have agreed to a revised layout for the city field complex, as shown in this rendering by City Engineer Lynn Burnett. – Lynn Burnett | Submitted

Bert Harris

  • Holmes Beach received its first Bert Harris case win in court as the court upheld the city’s occupancy restrictions of six people or two per bedroom, whichever is greater, in short-term rental properties. More cases are set to be heard by Manatee County Circuit Court judges in 2019.

City manager

  • Over the summer, commissioners voted not to put a charter amendment on the ballot in 2019 to allow Holmes Beach voters to decide if they want a city manager or not. Instead, commissioners agreed to leave it up to the newly elected charter review committee to place on the ballot. If charter review members decide to not address the issue, commissioners agreed to reconsider before the deadline to submit charter amendments for the November ballot.

City election

  • The 2018 election brought several newcomers to the table, including Joshua Linney who challenged Judy Titsworth for the mayoral seat, and Kim Rash, who, along with Don Purvis, went head-to-head with incumbent Commissioner Pat Morton to claim one of two available seats on the city commission. Rash was elected with the highest number of votes, Morton was re-elected to another two-year term and Titsworth won a term as mayor in a landslide against Linney.

Related Coverage

Holmes Beach gets a Christmas tree

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Red tide gone with the wind

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Archives.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – A NOAA scientist’s prediction that recent storms gave red tide a fatal beating appears to be coming true just in time for high tourist season.

For the first time in 14 months, no red tide is predicted in Southwest Florida in today’s three-day forecast by the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

Another first – red tide was not found in any water samples collected last week in Florida waters except for one in Manatee County, a background concentration at the Palma Sola Bay bridge, according to today’s FWC report.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects on people or marine life.

NOAA oceanographer Rick Stumpf told The Sun last week that the Dec. 20-21 storm would likely break up the bloom that began in Southwest Florida in October 2017 and arrived in Anna Maria Island waters on Aug. 3. The bloom rivaled one in 2005-06 that lasted 14 months.

Red tide cells crippled by winds gusting to 50 mph and waves cresting at 10 feet would be unable to swim toward nutrients, he predicted, saying, “If we have a normal winter this year, this will be the end of the bloom.”

No fish kills were reported in Manatee County last week, but respiratory irritation was reported on Dec. 21 and Dec. 25-26 at Manatee Beach, according to the FWC.

Florida red tide, or Karenia brevis, is a type of microalgae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to marine life, red tide also can make shellfish unfit to eat and can cause respiratory irritation in people.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Very low levels cause possible respiratory irritation. Low levels cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.

Related coverage

Storm may have beat red tide back

New tourism initiatives address red tide challenges

Treehouse

Treehouse case goes back to court

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

HOLMES BEACH – Treehouse owners Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen will be kicking off the new year in Manatee County Circuit Court as they try to save their beloved two-story treehouse from the wrecking ball.

Tran and Hazen filed for a temporary injunction Dec. 10 asking the court to prevent the city of Holmes Beach or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from forcibly removing their treehouse from its Australian pine perch in front of their Angelinos Sea Lodge. In a summons received at Holmes Beach City Hall, the couple cited irreparable harm and loss of property value as reasons to allow the treehouse to remain, saying that if the treehouse was torn down there’s no way they could ever rebuild it and there would be damage to the large pine tree or the tree would potentially be taken down with the treehouse. They also asked for relief from the more than $65,000 in fines, growing at a rate of $50 a day for every day the treehouse remains aloft, attributed to the code enforcement violation by the city.

The treehouse was built without a permit more than six years ago. Tran and Hazen say that they went to city hall to inquire about a permit and were told they didn’t need one for a treehouse. They built the two-story structure partially in a large Australian pine that sits on the erosion control line and partially supported by telephone pole-like structures that are disguised to look like trees. When the construction was brought to city leaders’ attention in 2012 it sparked a case that has been ongoing for six years with no end in sight. For their part, city leaders are committed to seeing the treehouse come down and are seeking restitution for the $151,135 spent in court costs and attorney’s fees in the case.

The couple states in the summons that they spent $28,000 to build the treehouse and another $180,000 defending it since 2012. They also say they have a petition signed by approximately 5,000 people asking for the treehouse to remain as-is.

City leaders have 20 days from the Dec. 12 delivery date of the summons to file a written statement to be considered by the court.

The treehouse case goes back before Circuit Court Judge Lon Arend at 10 a.m. Jan. 8 where the judge will hear a motion for entry of default filed by the city’s attorney Jim Dye.

Related Coverage

City to pursue tree house demolition in court

Looking back at 2017 in Holmes Beach

Coquina Beach lifeguard stand

New lifeguards, stands, on horizon

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Beach, Featured, Outdoors.

CORTEZ BEACH – Six new lifeguards in three new lifeguard stands will protect beachgoers beginning next year at Twin Piers, the site of three erosion control structures popular with surfers.

“I can’t wait for the first day those towers go up,” Manatee County Marine Rescue Chief Joe Westerman said. “They will be operated 365 days a year.”

Manatee County also will rebuild the rest of the stands on Anna Maria Island beaches – six portable stands and the two permanent stands at Coquina Beach and Manatee Beach, he said, adding the structures are nearly 30 years old, some with termites.

The new stands should last longer than 30 years, Westerman said, and feature a new, lifeguard-friendly design that prevents glare and increases air flow with solar-powered exhaust fans to help move the air in the non-air conditioned stands.

Construction is expected to begin early next year, with new lifeguards anticipated in April, he said.

Lifeguards are needed at Twin Piers (a third “pier” was added after the name stuck) because the piers cause limited visibility at the popular beach, he said. The county replaced the three crumbling erosion control structures with three permeable, adjustable erosion control groins in 2016 to protect Gulf Drive from stormwater erosion.

Proceeds from the half-cent sales tax increase that raised the county sales tax to 7 percent will pay for the project. The Manatee County Public Safety Department, which includes Marine Rescue, and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office share 15 percent of the proceeds, with 71 percent allocated to transportation and 14 percent to parks and community facilities.

Efforts to use tourist tax funds to pay for lifeguard salaries and infrastructure failed due to state statutory constraints on the expenditure of tourist tax proceeds.

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Lifeguard stands have come a long way on Anna Maria Island.

Lifeguard stands have come a long way on Anna Maria Island.

Holmes Beach tree lighting group

Holmes Beach Christmas tree glows

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

HOLMES BEACH – It was a festive evening Dec. 18 as the lights on the new city Christmas tree lit up the evening sky for the first time.

The short ceremony was attended by more than a dozen people, including Mayor Judy Titsworth, Commissioners Jim Kihm and Carol Soustek, parks and beautification chair Zan Fuller and Dennis and Carole Groh, who donated the 10-year-old tree to the city. Refreshments for the event were donated by Scott’s Deli.

With the tree planted at city field near Holmes Beach City Hall, residents and visitors alike can watch as the blue cypress grows a foot or more each year. The blue cypress was donated to the city by the Grohs, who raised the towering tree from a sapling at their Holmes Beach home. This year, the tree is decorated with strands of white lights and a sparkling gold star topper.

Holmes Beach tree lighting
Frosty the Snowman guards the Holmes Beach city Christmas tree after the lighting of the blue cypress tree Dec. 18 at Holmes Beach city field. – Kristin Swain | Sun

After the lack of a city Christmas tree was brought up at a Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification meeting, Soustek contacted Groh to see what kind of tree would be appropriate to plant. Groh said he invited her over to his home to view the tree in his backyard and the visit ended with the tree being relocated to city field. Groh said the tree was planted on a raised berm to allow the roots to burrow into their new location without being subjected to flooding. With the careful relocation of the tree and care that it’s received from public works employees, Groh said it has an 80 percent chance of survival barring any natural disaster, such as a hurricane. The tree must remain staked for a year to allow the roots time to become established.

When it was planted, the tree was a matter of some concern to Titsworth and city engineer Lynn Burnett, who has been tasked with remodeling the city field complex.

The tree was planted during the transition period after the election and did not receive proper approval from city commissioners. Commissioners later voted to have the tree lighting but have not formally agreed to keep the tree in its current location. If moved, Groh said the tree would not be able to withstand the shock and would die.

During the December parks and beautification meeting, Titsworth committed to trying to work with the current location of the tree, near the pavilion at city field, though she said future plans would need to go through appropriate channels to be approved.

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Mobility program dropped in favor of ban

Bike share regulations on hold

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

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners are moving forward with a moratorium blocking bike and scooter share companies from setting up shop in the city but are waiting to tackle any regulations until January.

During the Dec. 11 regular commission meeting, Commissioners Jim Kihm, Rick Hurst and Kim Rash voted unanimously to approve the second reading of a six-month moratorium banning bicycle and scooter share services, whether they have a dock or not, from opening in the city. The moratorium continues through June 30 or when commissioners decide on regulations, if any, for the businesses, whichever comes first. If no agreement on regulations is reached, commissioners have the option to vote to extend the moratorium.

With Commissioners Pat Morton and Carol Soustek absent from the meeting and following work session, Hurst suggested postponing discussions about regulations until a future work session when the two can be present, particularly Morton who is an avid cyclist.

Commissioner Rash said that while he’s willing to discuss regulations, currently he doesn’t feel that unmanned bicycle rental stations are truly needed in the city with the amount of existing bicycle rental businesses.

Mayor Judy Titsworth said she understands Rash’s perspective, but that the bicycle share services would offer short-term rentals rather than the daily or weekly rentals offered by companies in Holmes Beach.

The moratorium does not impact existing bicycle or scooter rental services already established in the city.

When commissioners do discuss regulations, City Attorney Patricia Petruff said they should consider whether they want the services in the city at all, if the bicycles need to be docked or not, how many bicycles a company is allowed to place in Holmes Beach at one time, what the effects on parking may be and whether the bicycles can be placed for rent on private or public property.

Commissioners next meet Jan. 8 with a work session to follow the regular meeting.

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Wave

Storm may have beat red tide back

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Updated Dec. 21, 2018 – ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Bad weather may have brought the Christmas gift that Floridians have been asking for – the beginning of the end of red tide.

The bloom that began in Southwest Florida in October 2017 and arrived in Anna Maria Island waters on Aug. 3 had been getting weaker before the storms arrived, NOAA oceanographer Rick Stumpf said.

Richard Stumpf, NOAA
Richard Stumpf, NOAA

Concentrations of the toxic algae had disappeared or fallen to background or very low levels everywhere in the state except for two sites in Manatee County as of Dec. 17, according to Friday’s update from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

“If we have a normal winter this year, this will be the end of the bloom.” – Rick Stumpf, NOAA

Since those samples were taken, heavy weather on Dec. 20-21 gave red tide cells a beating in the waves, likely dealing a serious blow to the 14-month bloom in Southwest Florida waters, according to Stumpf.

Red tide swims toward light and nutrients, and steady, rough weather can keep the cells from getting to their food and growing, he said.

The same storm-tossed water causes diatoms – good algae that produce oxygen – to grow and gradually overtake red tide, Stumpf said.

“If we have a normal winter this year, this will be the end of the bloom,” he said.

Forecast

Forecasters predict medium levels of red tide through at least Monday, Dec. 24 at Palma Sola Bay, and very low levels around Anna Maria Island, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

A medium concentration of the harmful algae was detected on Dec. 17 in water samples at Palma Sola Bay and a very low concentration was found at Longboat Pass that day.

High concentrations of red tide detected in a sample at Palma Sola Bay on Dec. 13 were no longer present on Dec. 17.

No fish kills were reported in Manatee County last week, but respiratory irritation was reported, according to the FWC.

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