What’s happened in the last two years with the rise of COVID-19 has changed our culture, our housing and our geography so much that it’s hard to wrap your brain around it.
Everything we do has the cloud of the pandemic over it in small and big ways. But eventually, those changes will fade and some of the cultural changes will also start to fade. What then?
The way I view it through my real estate-soaked brain is that remote work has been the number one factor in the shifting real estate market. The fortunate people who had jobs that could be performed remotely were encouraged, and in some cases mandated, by their employers to leave the office. Many of these white-collar workers moved out of major metropolitan hubs and into small towns or small cities, increasing the population substantially. According to an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank, people migrating from high-cost, large metro areas to small cities, towns and rural areas was about 15% higher during the four quarters ending in March compared with the average for the three-year period preceding the pandemic.
All of this increase in population based on remote work also reshuffled the housing markets. Home values went up, new businesses were started, school enrollments increased and workers who said they would never leave major cities suddenly found themselves filling the bird feeders in the morning instead of waiting in line for their coffee.
We all know that Florida has been one of the major beneficiaries of this reshuffling, with real estate values increasing to unprecedented levels. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Florida increased by over 200,000 new residents between July 2020 to July 2021 and, of course, this does not include what the increase has been since July of last year.
Unincorporated Manatee County, Bradenton and the three towns on Anna Maria Island were always considered small towns. There is no doubt that right in our own backyards we can see the benefit of remote work and how it has impacted our real estate market.
Now it’s time to look at the July Manatee County real estate statistics recorded by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. I’m sorry I’m a little late with this report, which came out while I was away.
The median sale price for single-family homes was $521,000, up 21.2% from last year. The average sale price was $689,490, up 21.7%. New listings were up 49.8% and closed sales were down 22.2%.
The condo median sale price was $354,500, up 41.8% from last year, and the average sale price was $409,848, up 32.3%. New listings were up 11.3% and closed sales were down 20.9%
Both single-family and condos had a median time to contract of nine days.
We’re still seeing double-digit increases in sale prices with condos jumping ahead of single-family homes. But the real story is the increase in inventory and the decrease in sales. The supply and demand ratios are shifting, so watch those sale prices eventually take a hit.
Being someone who was born and worked most of my adult life in New York City, I can’t believe that the major cities are dead. Cities offer culture and energy that is hard to find outside of that environment. They don’t, however, offer beaches, mountains or small-town life.
How long will this new lifestyle last – who knows? I can’t help thinking that eventually, you start thinking there’s more to life than filling the bird feeder.
Suncoast Waterkeeper’s new Executive Director Abbey Tyrna brings an impressive record of accomplishments to the organization.
Tyrna received her doctorate in geography from Pennsylvania State University in 2015, where she researched the effects of development on wetlands. Tyrna earned a master’s degree in wetland science and management in 2008 from Louisiana State University and has a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental studies from Florida State University. She has taught at Penn State University and State College of Florida.
Suncoast Waterkeeper Executive Director Abbey Tyrna takes a water sample from one of the area’s creeks. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun
She has honed her leadership skills serving as secretary of the Florida Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals while co-creating and chairing the Society of Wetland Scientists’ Wetlands of Distinction initiative. She has been a member of the UF/IFAS Extension and Sarasota County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. In addition, she is a technical advisor for the Natural Assets Advisory Committee with the Palmer Ranch Community Association in Sarasota.
Before joining Suncoast Waterkeeper, Tyrna worked with Sarasota County government and the University of Florida to help bring scientific knowledge and expertise to the public as a water resources agent for UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability.
“The board of Suncoast Waterkeeper is proud to welcome someone with Tyrna’s experience and credentials,” founder Justin Bloom said. “The board and I look forward to taking this organization to the next level under the direction of someone with the dedication, energy and expertise of Abbey Tyrna.”
Raised in Cape Coral on Florida’s west coast, Tyrna realized the importance of clean water, ponds, creeks and coastal estuaries as a child.
“In seventh grade, I got to walk through Six Mile Cypress in Fort Myers,” she said. “I was in water up to my chest and I couldn’t have been happier. Even though it was 30-plus years ago, I still remember the serenity of the swamp and the feel of the water. I knew the swamp was special and learned it was connected to our limited groundwater resources. From that day on, I devoted my education to learning about wetlands and protecting Florida waters.”
She believes working with Suncoast Waterkeeper is a natural extension of that work.
“At Suncoast Waterkeeper, I plan to expand our waterway monitoring efforts and staff capacity to engage the community and influence decision-makers to protect our waters,” Tyrna said of her future plans with the organization. “I will be intentional in my effort to seek out diverse voices and points of view. In doing so, I hope to lead Suncoast Waterkeeper to realize its vision of clean water for all.”
Tyrna lives in Sarasota County with her husband, two kids and their dog.
She likes to kayak and paddleboard with her kids and intends to explore every creek and bay on the Suncoast.
ANNA MARIA – City officials are pumping the brakes on their efforts to create a designated food truck area at the northwest end of Bayfront Park.
With potentially impacted residents and property owners expressing opposition and city commissioners voicing concerns, further commission discussion and decision-making has been delayed until Oct. 13 at the earliest.
The designated food truck area is the city’s response to a state law enacted by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2020 that gives the state the sole authority to make regulations regarding food trucks and other mobile food dispensing vehicles.
The state law prohibits local governments from enacting or maintaining outright bans on mobile food dispensing vehicles and prohibits local governments from requiring non-state-issued licenses, registrations, permits and fees for food truck operations.
In the past, the city required food truck operators to acquire a special permit from the city, which is no longer allowed by the state.
When first discussing the need for a designated food truck area on July 28, Mayor Dan Murphy said, “We’ve got to do something. The whole city is fair game until we do something.”
The city commission was presented with the first reading of a city ordinance on Aug. 11 that proposed locating the designated food truck area at the far end of Bayfront Park, near the Hibiscus Street and North Shore Drive intersection.
When presenting the ordinance on second reading and anticipated final adoption on Aug. 25, City Attorney Becky Vose also presented an accompanying city resolution that wasn’t discussed on Aug. 11. The location of the designated food truck area will be established by city ordinance and the rules and regulations for food truck operators will be established by a city resolution that can be more easily revised as needed.
The resolution proposes a limit of four food trucks operating on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday – including any holidays that fall on those days. The resolution also contained language that stated the food truck operators must comply with all city ordinances, including the noise ordinance.
Public input
Daniel Massey owns the home on North Shore Drive located closest to the proposed food truck area. He asked the commission to include a decibel-specific noise limit on the food truck operations and require the food truck generators to face the park and not his home, which serves as a part-time residence and a part-time vacation rental. He also expressed concerns about rodents being attracted to the food truck area.
Massey said he owns restaurants in Texas and he suggested allowing food truck operations on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, when food truck operators may be less inclined to set up shop in Anna Maria.
Representing some potentially-impacted property owners, attorney Christopher Berg said, “The proposed location would allow businesses to operate next to residential properties. The proposed food truck area would be in conflict with the character of the community.”
Greg Raupp owns the home across the street from Massey’s. He said he and others were shocked when they learned of the proposed Bayfront Park location that he opposes for several reasons, including noise, smell, rodents, traffic safety and congestion. Raupp asked the commission to delay its vote so the proposed location and regulations can be further evaluated.
Kerry Kotouc owns a home on North Bay Boulevard and has been visiting Anna Maria since she was a child. She referenced a Joni Mitchell song and equated the proposed Bayfront Park location to paving paradise and putting up a parking lot.
“I cannot comprehend a more inappropriate location to put food trucks,” she said.
She suggested City Pier Park as a better location and noted that the park is already used for the city-sponsored farmers market.
City Pier Park has been suggested as an alternative location for the designated food truck area. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Kotouc mentioned the long wait times experienced at local restaurants on weekends and expressed her belief that food trucks would provide additional dining options without hurting those restaurants.
North Bay Boulevard resident John Cella said he and many others are not thrilled about the proposed Bayfront Park location and he expressed support for the City Pier Park location instead.
City Pier Grill operator Brian Seymour said he’s not opposed to a designated food truck zone, but the regulations contained in the resolution need more work. Seymour said food truck operators rely on generators because there’s usually no electricity provided. He suggested installing electrical outlets to alleviate the need for generators.
Murphy said he liked that idea. Carter asked if the city could charge vendors for the electricity used. Murphy said the cost to recoup those costs might exceed the cost of providing the electricity for free.
Regulatory concerns
Vose has repeatedly said the city’s food truck regulations have to be considered reasonable by the state. She has also said she’s not aware of existing case law that can guide the city in these efforts.
During last week’s meeting, Commissioner Jon Crane said the proposed Bayfront Park location is “the least obnoxious alternative.”
Commissioner Robert Kingan was pleased when Vose said she believes the city can limit food truck operations to three days a week. Commissioner Mark Short questioned the Friday allowance and suggested food trucks only be allowed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Regarding generator noise, Commissioner Carol Carter asked if the city resolution could be used to specify which types of generators food truck operators use. Vose suggested addressing generator noise through the city’s noise ordinance, which Murphy said needs to be revised.
When Short asked if the city could lease the designated spaces to food truck operators, Vose said the state might consider that to be imposing a fee.
Short questioned whether food truck operators would drive out to Anna Maria on a first-come, first-served basis that doesn’t guarantee them a spot and he asked if the city could use a reservation system. Vose said that might be considered registration, which the state prohibits.
“The more innovative we are, the more likely we are to be sued,” Vose said.
ANNA MARIA – Businessman and resident Mike Coleman passed away shortly before midnight on Aug. 14. He was 74.
“Micheal died at home on our 39th wedding anniversary. He was my best friend and the best thing that ever happened to me,” said his beloved wife, Jane.
“He started to not feel well back in January. When he finally went to the hospital, he was diagnosed with stage 4 liver and colon cancer. He came home from the hospital on July 12th or 13th. He was in his bedroom and we took care of him until he passed. For a while, he was getting up in the morning and sitting out in the living room. There were people he wanted to talk to and people who wanted to talk to him. He was tying up loose ends and saying what he wanted to say. An extreme peace came over Micheal. It was beautiful and amazing to watch. He had a great day on Wednesday, went downhill from there and passed away on Sunday. It was pretty close to midnight and at the end of the day of our anniversary. He got through that day,” Jane said.
Jane and Mike Coleman enjoyed 39 years of marriage. – Jane Coleman | Submitted
“Micheal grew up in Pompano Beach. He left when he went into the Air Force and didn’t live in Florida again for many years. One day we were driving through Florida and we literally stumbled upon this Island. We crossed the Cortez Bridge, headed north and when we got to Anna Maria, Micheal said, ‘Janie, this is like the Florida I grew up with. I didn’t know this existed anymore.’ We started visiting frequently and built the house on Pine Avenue in 2005 and moved in.
“Michael and I would walk up and down Pine Avenue and realize how many abandoned properties there were – and how there was originally a plan for this street that had gone awry because Pine Avenue was soon going to become all residential. We talked about how we could restore and preserve the original plan for Pine Avenue,” Jane said.
Coleman and fellow businessman Ed Chiles then initiated the Pine Avenue Restoration (PAR) project that would help reshape the Pine Avenue business district into what it is today.
“The PAR project started to come together in 2007 and started to be real in 2008. We were standing in our driveway on the Fourth of July in 2009 and the Island Accommodations building at 315 Pine was finished and Island Accommodations had moved in,” Jane said, noting the couple later moved to Sycamore Avenue.
“People respected and appreciated Micheal, even if they didn’t always agree with him. Micheal was an entrepreneur. At all times he was starting and developing businesses. That’s what he did from the time he was a young man. He designed computer businesses for engineers in Silicon Valley in the early 80s. Michael was totally goal oriented. He didn’t have a hobby. He was always working on a project. Michael took an interest in young people, especially young people who wanted to start a business. Micheal showed them how they could do it, how they could have their dreams,” Jane said.
Jane noted she and Mike did not own the Poppo’s Taqueria restaurant on the 200 block of Pine Avenue, but it is a family business.
“That’s the boys: Patrick, Casey and Patrick’s wife, Rowen. Jack is not an owner, but he started working at Poppo’s when he was 13 and he’s the head of catering. Nate is the graphic designer and marketing director. John, our oldest son, is a builder for Ross Built Construction,” she said.
Mike and Jane Coleman enjoyed time spent with their granddaughter, Miriam Coleman, during the 2019 holidays. – Dara Caudill/Island Photography | Submitted
“I’d like Micheal to be remembered as somebody who everyday genuinely thought about what he could do to help and preserve this community. If somebody was having a problem, he got up in the morning and went to work to help them. If somebody needed his input, they got it. Micheal tried to accomplish something for people’s well-being every single day. That’s why he was my best friend – because that’s what he did for me. Micheal lived well,” Jane said.
PAR project
Regarding Coleman’s passing, Chiles said, “It’s sad, but he died peacefully at home with his family around him. The number one thing in his life was Janie and his family. He left quite a mark on Anna Maria. He was smart and he was a hard worker. He was a unique guy and a good friend.”
When pursuing the PAR project, Coleman and Chiles encountered many challenges while getting their retail/office/residential projects approved by the city and the city commission.
“The PAR project was Mike’s idea. He came to me and said we should do something to make sure the main street of Anna Maria became what it was always supposed to be, dating back to when they first built the City Pier. In 2004, some big houses got built along Pine Avenue. You could see that Pine Avenue was going to go all residential and we were going to lose the opportunity to have that small business district that makes a town or a village. We were in danger of losing that. Mike came to me with the idea of getting some of those properties under contract and creating a vision for making that small business district a reality. We voted with our checkbooks to say we wanted it to happen in a way that reflected the value, character and history of the city,” Chiles said.
“On a bicycle he pulled from the weeds and refurbished, Mike pedaled around in his cargo shorts and T-shirt and the next thing you know we had several properties under contract. Ted LaRoche joined us and we all partnered in the PAR project with Mike as the operating partner. We went on a quixotic journey that Mike was instrumental in getting us through. It was quite a struggle. Not everybody liked it, but most people thought it was a pretty good thing,” Chiles said, noting the PAR properties were later sold to other owners.
A respected figure
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said, “Known by many as the ‘Mayor of Pine Avenue,’ Micheal helped change the face of the main artery of our city. But Micheal’s most important accomplishment was that of being a family man, totally devoted to his wife and children.”
The Coleman family attended the Symphony on the Sand concert in 2019. – Dara Caudill/Island Photography | Submitted
City Commissioner Carol Carter said, “Mike was a part of the fabric of Anna Maria and Pine Avenue. He cared about our city and was a valued ‘watchdog’ who often kept me on my toes with regard to city issues. He will be greatly missed by our community.”
City Commissioner Jon Crane said, “Mike had an oversized influence on Pine Avenue and Anna Maria. May he rest in peace.”
Anna Maria General Store and City Pier Grill business owner Brian Seymour said, “My relationship with Mike was as a fellow small business owner and he was always supportive of the small businesses in Anna Maria. Whether we were competing, as we did for the City Pier contract, or sharing ideas to strengthen our business community and community, he was always kind and respectful. His presence in and around Anna Maria will be missed.”
Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore said, “Mike Coleman was an asset to Anna Maria. He stood up for difficult projects and saw them through to the end. Anna Maria would not be the same without the character and vision of Mike Coleman and Ed Chiles.”
Speaking on behalf of the Sato family that owns and operates several businesses on Pine Avenue, Jason Sato said, “Although there was a lot of controversy back in the day, what Mike and Ed and Ted did for Pine Avenue with the PAR project created more opportunities for people to start businesses and live on the Island. Mike spent a lot of time working on the PAR project and we owe a lot to him for doing that. Pine Avenue has become a destination and PAR played a big part of that. Pine Avenue now has real estate offices, ice cream shops, restaurants, retail stores, the general store, a design studio, golf cart and bike rentals and more. If it wasn’t for PAR, we probably wouldn’t have that. People saw what PAR did and that inspired them to start their own businesses.”
Mike Coleman would address the Anna Maria City Commission when he felt the need to do so. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Ginny’s and Jane E’s owner Paul Foster mentioned Coleman’s passing on Facebook.
“Micheal was a good man, very active in his community. He had an opinion, he shared it and I liked him for it, agree or not with him. I will miss our talks. He was always a good listener and he took an active interest in our business and its success. He did the same with Josh and Bri at The Porch. He loved young people venturing out on their own. The world seemed quiet today, noticeably missing a voice that will be no longer heard,” Foster wrote.
In her Facebook comment, community member Cindy Thompson wrote, “He was larger than life and unapologetically who he was. While impossible to always agree with him, you always respected him. His contribution to Pine Ave, Anna Maria, the community center, the Chamber and the Island community as a whole was vast and is a legacy he and his family can be proud of. I will always be grateful for his friendship, guidance and advice.”
A public memorial service will take place at the CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
ANNA MARIA – City officials have designated a food truck parking zone at the northwest end of Bayfront Park.
A concrete or stone-covered food truck parking area will be created near the
city sandbagging area that is accessed from Hibiscus Street. If needed, the sandbagging area will be relocated in that same vicinity.
The designated food truck area will be located at northwest end of Bayfront Park. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted
The city commission tentatively approved this location when discussing on first reading a new city ordinance, Ordinance 22-902, that specifies where food trucks can operate within the city. The city ordinance was drafted in response to state legislation adopted in 2020 that prohibits municipalities from banning food truck operations citywide.
The new ordinance is scheduled for final adoption on Thursday, Aug. 25.
The need for a food truck ordinance was first discussed during the commission’s July 28 meeting. At that time, Mayor Dan Murphy said the lack of a food truck ordinance could potentially result in food trucks operating anywhere in the city and close to local restaurants.
During the July 28 meeting, City Attorney Becky Vose said the food truck restrictions need to be reasonable in the eyes of the state and cannot consist of a single food truck parking space.
During an Aug. 11 meeting, Murphy presented a plan for a 20-foot-wide, 90-foot-long area that can accommodate at least four food trucks at a time, depending on how they park. According to Murphy’s presentation, the average food truck is 16 feet long and 7 feet wide.
Murphy noted the proposed location, although somewhat off the beaten path, is in a city-owned, county-maintained park where people often gather to eat. He said the food truck area could also be easily accessed by nearby landscapers and construction workers during their lunch breaks.
This map shows where the city’s designated food truck area will be located. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted
Murphy said he considered alternative locations in the parking spaces by the Bayfront Park restrooms or in the parking spaces at the other end of the park by the humpback bridge. He also considered a location near The Center of Anna Maria Island, but none of those locations seemed as ideal as the location he proposed.
Murphy said any food trucks that attempt to operate outside the designated food truck zone would be subject to enforcement by the city’s code enforcement department and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Jon Crane noted the proposed food truck zone is near his home, but he said he was “willing to take one for the team.”
During public input, local chef Ezio Piccione asked about the allowed hours of operation.
Murphy said food trucks would be allowed to operate in that designated location from dawn to dusk.
Piccione also asked if the city took into consideration the generator noise produced by food trucks. Murphy said generator noise is already addressed in the city’s noise ordinance; and if generator-related noise complaints are made, sheriff’s deputies can use their discretion to determine if a noise violation is occurring.
Murphy said it’s better to address noise, trash and other concerns through the city’s existing code of ordinances rather than specifically target food trucks with new city legislation, which the state might frown upon.
Dr. John Cella lives across the street from Bayfront Park. He said given the circumstances, the proposed location provides a reasonable solution. Cella also said he was glad to see the commission and mayor being proactive rather than reactive in addressing potential food truck concerns.
At the suggestion of Commission Chair Carol Carter, Murphy said the proposed ordinance would be revised to specifically address hours of operation and the maximum number of food trucks allowed.
The food truck ordinance will be reviewed by the city’s planning and zoning board on Wednesday, Aug. 17.
ANNA MARIA – The city commission plans to maintain the current 2.05 millage rate for the ad valorem property taxes collected in the coming 2022-23 fiscal year.
The current 2021-22 fiscal year ends Sept. 30 and the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission participated in budget planning meetings on July 14 and July 28 and will participate in a third budget meeting on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 1:30 p.m.
Anticipated 2022-23 revenues were the topic of the July 14 meeting and anticipated operating expenses were the topic of the July 28 meeting. Anticipated capital and core project expenditures will be the topic of the Aug. 11 meeting. The three primary capital and core projects being budgeted for in the 2022-23 fiscal year are street paving, stormwater and drainage improvements and the Pine Avenue sidewalk, crosswalk and lighting improvements.
Millage rate
On July 28, the commission unanimously supported Murphy’s suggestion to tentatively adopt a 2.05 millage rate for the 2022-23 budget year. The tentatively adopted millage rate can still be decreased before the final budget is adopted in September but it cannot be increased. According to the July 28 discussion, a lower millage rate is unlikely.
According to the projected revenues sheet Murphy provided the commission on July 14, higher than usual increases in property values and maintaining the same 2.05 millage rate will provide the city with an additional $609,329 in ad valorem property tax revenues. The city anticipates receiving $3.57 million in property tax revenues in 2022-23 compared to $2.96 million in the current 2021-22 fiscal year.
Revenues
The city anticipates receiving $11.2 million in total city revenues for the 2022-23 fiscal year – a 32% increase from the $8.5 million listed for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
The additional revenues include a $1.28 million state appropriation for the Reimagining Pine Avenue project and $500,000 from Manatee County for the installation of a Mote Marine educational outreach center on the City Pier.
The projected 2022-23 revenues include $1.4 million in stormwater revenues received from three sources: the Southwest Florida Water Management District, FEMA and the annual stormwater fee assessed to Anna Maria property owners. Those funds will be used to expand, improve and maintain the city’s stormwater and drainage systems.
Murphy anticipates a slight decrease in the intergovernmental revenues received from other governmental agencies. He said this is due to the ½ cent tax revenues received from Manatee County decreasing from $128,647 to an anticipated $85,219.
Murphy noted the ½ cent tax revenues approved by county voters several years ago are shared with the cities in Manatee County using a population-based calculation method. Murphy said the decrease in Anna Maria’s share of the ½ cent sales tax revenues is due to a decrease in the city’s population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Anna Maria’s population was 1,503 people in 2010 and 968 people in 2020.
The $710,019 in anticipated intergovernmental revenues also includes $240,447 in gas tax revenues.
Murphy tentatively estimated $375,000 in annual vacation rental registration fee revenues, but he expects that to increase before the final budget is adopted because the city is still researching the annual expenses associated with the administration and enforcement of the city’s vacation rental ordinance. The occupancy-based registration fee is based upon those anticipated expenses, including salaries and equipment, and is not intended to generate any additional revenues for the city.
The city anticipates receiving $280,000 in parking and code enforcement fines. The revenue sheet also references an $83,312 payment the city received during the current fiscal year for fines associated with an unregistered vacation rental.
Murphy said the owner of a vacation rental home on Magnolia Avenue refused to register the home as a vacation rental. After warning the homeowner and taking the case before the city’s special magistrate, the city placed a lien on the property. The homeowner was fined $500 per day and when the home was sold, the city received $83,312 as a result of the lien. The city is currently dealing with a potentially similar situation involving an unregistered two-unit vacation rental home at 714 Jacaranda Road.
The city anticipates receiving $1.1 million in license and permit fees, including $650,000 in building permit fees and $75,000 in planning fees.
Expenditures
During the July 28 meeting, Murphy provided an overview of the $4.85 million in anticipated operating expenditures for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Murphy said most of the anticipated operating expenditures include 5-7% inflationary increases. He noted the operating expenses do not include the capital and core project expenses to be discussed on Aug. 11.
Murphy’s proposed budget includes a 6% Cost of Living Allowance salary adjustment for all city employees, with no additional raises given this year.
As usual, the city’s largest single operating expense is the $1.13 million budgeted for the law enforcement services provided by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office’s Anna Maria Unit. Murphy said that cost is increasing by 10%, due primarily due to the salary increases being given to county deputies.
The city anticipates spending $948,735 on administration department salaries and expenses, $947,125 on building department salaries and expenses, $695,415 on public works department salaries and expenses, $545,447 on code enforcement department salaries and expenses and $293,329 on parks and recreation.
ANNA MARIA – City officials have begun working on a new city ordinance that would specify where food trucks are allowed to operate within the city limits.
The yet-to-be-drafted ordinance is also expected to specify how many food trucks are allowed to operate in the designated food truck area at a time.
Mayor Dan Murphy initiated the discussion during the commission’s July 28 meeting. Once adopted, the city ordinance will serve as the city’s response to a state law the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis enacted in 2020.
Referred to by some as the “Food Truck Freedom Legislation,” the state law bars local governments from prohibiting food truck operations within a local jurisdiction. The state law also bars local governments from requiring a local license, registration or permit for those operations.
“The state of Florida passed a law that stipulates that cities cannot regulate food trucks. They could, in essence, park right outside of a restaurant in the right of way and sell pizzas, tacos, ice cream or whatever,” Murphy told the commission.
The mayor said he asked City Attorney Becky Vose to research the city’s regulatory options.
Vose said the city can’t prohibit food trucks citywide or require a city-issued permit, but can regulate in a reasonable manner where they conduct their business.
Commissioner Robert Kingan asked Vose if the state law specifies how many food trucks must be allowed to operate at a given time, or how large the designated area must be.
“It’s not a number, it’s an area where they can be located,” Vose said.
Vose said no case law has been established yet regarding cities’ ability to respond to the state law, and Murphy said the city would likely be “on the bleeding edge” of the local regulatory efforts.
Vose said the city can specify where food truck operations are allowed, but she doesn’t think a single food truck parking space would satisfy the state law.
The state of Florida does not allow cities to prohibit food trucks. – Clip-Art Library.com | Submitted
Kingan asked if the Roser Memorial Community Church parking lot on Pine Avenue could serve as a designated food truck area. Vose said the designated area could be located on private or public property, depending on how the city ordinance is written.
Murphy asked the commissioners to initially focus more on where the food truck area or areas would be located and less on the number of trucks allowed.
“The location is going to be the ticklish part and I really need your input,” Murphy said when noting there will likely be many differing opinions on the commission and in the community.
Murphy said he hopes he and the commissioners receive additional input from city residents during their individual conversations with city officials, during a future city meeting or by email. The mayor and commissioners’ email addresses can be found on the city website, www.cityofannamaria.com.
“We need to find a nice, reasonable place where this could work,” Murphy said.
Commissioner Jon Crane said he doesn’t want the food trucks located anywhere along Pine Avenue.
Commissioner Mark Short said he doesn’t want food trucks doing business in the city’s residential areas.
Commissioner Deanie Sebring suggested using the vacant lot used to store gravel and other materials near the entrance to the city. Murphy said that property is privately owned and is not controlled by the city.
City resident David Haddox suggested also allowing food trucks on Pine Avenue during special events.
Kingan suggested using a portion of the Bayfront Park parking lot along North Bay Boulevard as the city’s designated food truck area – and it was later noted that a portion of that city-owned parking lot is located across the street from vacation rental homes rather than permanent residences.
“Somewhere over there might be the best place. It’s a minefield trying to figure out a place that everybody’s going to be happy with,” Kingan said.
“We’ve got to do something. The whole city is fair game until we do something. If we make a mistake, we can always correct a mistake,” Murphy said.
The food truck discussion is expected to continue at the commission’s Thursday, Aug. 11 meeting which starts at 2 p.m.
ANNA MARIA – After an action-packed summer in The Center of Anna Maria Island’s gymnasium, the youth indoor soccer season came to a close last Tuesday night with the parents teaming up against the littlest ballers in the league.
Teams Cloud Pest Control and Wash Family Construction combined talents to verse the parents in a fun game of indoor soccer on one hard pitch while the Sandbar Restaurant and Mac Parkman Foundation teams came together against their parents.
Coaches Karri Stephens, Jillian Ptak and Brooke Svoboda not only played against their talented and enthusiastic players, but also cheered them on in the all-for-fun season-ending games.
Using the skills learned during the season each week, nearly half of the players will be moving on to the bigger indoor pitch next indoor soccer season, aging out of the U6 league.
The summer season finishes with players in U13, U9 and U6 leagues having enjoyed the fast-paced fun of indoor soccer.
The Center looks forward to starting its first season on the reconditioned outdoor fields to start the fall sports season. The players of the summer sport will take some of what they learned during the past two months onto the grass pitches during the next soccer season.
ANNA MARIA – After wins last Monday night by U9’s Ugly Grouper and Solid Rock Construction and U13’s Progressive Cabinetry and Moss Builders, the stage was set for the youth indoor championship games at The Center.
Solid Rock Construction faced Ugly Grouper the next night in the U9 big game. Solid as a rock, the Solid Rock team came out on top 4-2 in the championship game.
Playing strong for the Ugly Grouper offense, Landon Leach and Beau Sanson scored solo goals in the league’s final game of the season.
On the indoor pitch without key player Tess Bolognone, Solid Rock Construction’s Aidan Guess brought his striking leg into the hard-fought match-up, scoring a hat trick with three points in the record books.
Teammate Matthew Darak contributed to the championship game scoring with a single goal for Solid Rock for the big game win.
Moss Builders faced off with Progressive Cabinetry, the only undefeated team going into the playoffs, in the final game of the night and the season. After four quarters of play, U13’s Progressive Cabinetry just won over Moss Builders with the final score 4-3.
On one side of the line, Moss Builders’ Callin Westfall scored two goals, with a single by Mason Moss. Moss and Elisabeth ten Haaf each had an assist in the hard-fought loss.
Progressive Cabinetry’s championship win was not a cakewalk. The well-earned victory came at the feet of Jason Wyatt, putting a point in the record books.
Earning a hat trick of their own, Barrett Raina solidified the W with three scoring strikes.
The win not only gave Progressive Cabinetry the top accolade of the season, but it also placed the team as one of the only teams in the history of The Center sports to go undefeated and named champs.
The U6 league closed out the summer season with the players taking to the pitch against the parents, in a fun game of indoor soccer at Island’s community center Tuesday night.
Are we starting to see an adjustment in the real estate market, maybe, or are only some parts of it changing? One thing that is still very strong relative to the country as a whole are the cash offers being made.
No matter how you spin the sales statistics, which we’ll get to shortly, when it comes to having the edge, buyers with all-cash offers are still the top of the heap. There is a slight downturn in cash offers both nationally and locally, however, the percentage of cash sales is still staggering.
Because of this, buyers are teaming up with family members to consolidate funds for cash offers. Many of these sales are converted to mortgages or home equity loans after closing. Of course, you need to find the cash first and there are suddenly a number of companies that are funding the cash on behalf of the buyers and then taking a fee in the form of a percentage of the cash fronted at a later time when a loan can be put on the property. Some cash offer companies buy the house on behalf of the buyer and then sell it to the buyer. Others give buyers cash to make the purchase themselves.
About 25% of home sales in June were paid in cash according to the National Association of Realtors, near the highest level since 2014. Comparing the national to the local market, the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee for June reported cash sales for single-family properties were about 39%, significantly higher than the national average. Cash condo sales for June in Manatee County were just about 55%, however, I don’t have a national “paid in cash” figure for condos.
So, let’s move on to the overall June sales statistics recorded by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
Single-family homes closed 22.3% fewer properties, the median sale price was $550,000, the same as last month, the percentage was up 37.5% from last year, and the average sale price was $690,524, up 19.8% from last year. The median time to contract is six days and a month’s supply of available properties is up 200% from last year, at 1.8 months. This is because there are 31.5% more new listings this June compared to last, adding to the available inventory.
Condo sales closed 23.6% fewer properties, the median sale price was $356,500, up 27.3%, and the average sale price was $441,868, up 33.2%. The median time to contract is seven days and a month’s supply of inventory is 1.5 months, up 200% from last year. In addition, there are 8.4% more new listings this month compared to June of last year, accounting for an increased monthly supply of condo inventory.
The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee indicates that both Sarasota and Manatee counties are beginning to see more and more homes available for sale compared to last year. This trend will likely continue considering the record high prices and rising mortgage rates. Sellers will get serious about selling and buyers who can qualify for the higher rates will want to buy before the rates start going up again. Nevertheless, even a two-month supply of available properties is still far from the six-month inventory that was always considered a balanced market.
Cash trumps everything in real estate in every market – always has and always will. Keep an eye on the future and the possibility of a sea change to a more level real estate market.
I have worked with County Commissioner Carol Whitmore over the past eight years during my tenure as mayor of the city of Anna Maria. During that period of time, she has shown a keen interest in our city and our island community. She has:
Attended city commission meetings, listened to our commissioners and residents and shown interest in our concerns;
Proactively advised us of potential changes and direction from Manatee County and the state which may impact our city; and
Assisted us in garnering funds to make improvements to our infrastructure.
Sometimes we agree on issues while at other times we disagree. But either way, Commissioner Whitmore has always been interested in Anna Maria. I have never met or spoken with her opponent, nor has he ever taken the time to contact us, nor has he ever come to a meeting, nor has he shown the least amount of interest in some of the challenges facing the city of Anna Maria.
It has been my experience over the past eight years that most candidates who run for a county commission seat have shown interest in our city. That would include Commissioners George Kruse, Kevin Van Ostenbridge and former Commissioner Betsy Benac, along with Ed Hunzeker, Matt Bower, David Zaccagnino and others. Some have lost elections while others have gone on to win, but either way, each has taken the time to show an interest in our community and understanding our challenges. Commissioner Whitmore’s opponent has never done so.
For the sake of our city and our Island community, I endorse Carol Whitmore for county commissioner. I firmly believe she is the only candidate who cares about our city and our residents.
ANNA MARIA – Mote Marine’s contracted architect, Barron Schimberg, has begun work on the plans for a marine educational outreach center on the City Pier.
The center was originally expected to open in early 2022. In late April, the Anna Maria City Commission gave Mote Marine a lengthy extension that now anticipates the facility opening by March 2023.
During that April meeting, the commission gave Mote Marine until Aug. 13 to begin the long-delayed design and architectural work on the center, to be located in a city-owned building at the end of the City Pier and operated by Mote Marine. The commission also set an October deadline for those architectural plans to be completed and submitted to the city.
Mayor Dan Murphy provided the commission with a brief status update during the commission’s July 14 meeting.
“We have an assurance from Mote Marine that we’re on track. In fact, just yesterday, Mote Marine, along with the architect, were out on the pier taking measurements and doing reviews. That architectural process has already started. They have a signed agreement with the architect. October 10th is the delivery date back to the commission and that has been reinforced as well. I wanted to give you an assurance that we’re on track this time and things look good. If there’s any variance to that I’ll let you know. I feel comfortable that they’ll meet the deadline of October 10, maybe sooner,” Murphy told the commission.
ANNA MARIA – The city has a new alcohol ordinance that addresses liquor sales, package liquor stores – and requires some patrons to cover up.
The city commission adopted Ordinance 2022-901 on its second and final reading during the July 14 meeting.
City Attorney Becky Vose presented the final draft of the ordinance previously discussed by the city commission and the Planning and Zoning Board. Their efforts date back to 2020 when Mayor Dan Murphy vetoed the previously proposed ordinance that would have prohibited males from going shirtless in any establishment that served or sold alcohol, including the outdoor or beachfront areas of those establishments.
The newly adopted ordinance prohibits females from exposing their breasts, with an exception provided to mothers who are nursing their children.
During Thursday’s meeting, Vose reviewed the many changes made to the ordinance based on previous commission, planning board and citizen input. She revised the city’s proposed definition of liquor due to Planning and Zoning Board member David Haddox’s concerns about it not specifically exempting prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines containing alcohol.
The revised definition reads: “Liquor means those substances such as rum, whiskey, gin, mezcal, tequila, brandy, vodka and fortified wines and which is referred to as ‘liquor’ in the regulations of the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.”
Vose said the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco does not regulate prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines and she feels comfortable with the definition.
The adopted ordinance includes a new definition for package stores: “Package store shall mean a licensed place of business where alcoholic beverages are sold in the original sealed containers as received from the distributor for consumption off the premises only, when such alcoholic beverages include beer, wine and liquor as defined under the rules of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.”
The ordinance allows beer and wine to be served and sold at The Center of Anna Maria Island, The Island Players theater, the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum and City Pier Park, but liquor sales and service at those locations will require a commission-approved special event permit.
According to the ordinance, only alcohol purchased from the City Pier tenant, the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop, will be allowed on the pier.
According to the ordinance, all alcoholic beverage establishments shall be located within the commercial (C-1) and/or residential-office-retail (ROR) zoned areas.
As was the case with the previous ordinance, the new ordinance states, “The operator of any restaurant which desires to sell or dispense beer and wine and/or other alcoholic beverages shall first apply for and receive a special use permit.”
Different than a special event permit, a special use permit for alcohol sales must be approved by the city commission and renewed annually by the city clerk. The new ordinance does not require existing alcohol vendors or establishments to do anything different than what they’ve done in the past.
Regarding takeout package stores, the ordinance says a commercial establishment that wishes to sell liquor for off-premises consumption shall first apply for and receive a city commission-approved special use permit. The ordinance states no special use permit shall be granted to a commercial establishment located within one-half mile of any other commercial establishment, not including restaurants, which sells liquor – meaning a new package store will not be allowed within a half-mile of an existing one.
Commissioner Mark Short asked about a reference to clubs contained in the existing definition of the sale of alcoholic beverages which says, “Sale of alcoholic beverages means any transfer of an alcoholic beverage for a consideration, any gift of an alcoholic beverage in connection with, or as a part of, a transfer of property other than an alcoholic beverage for a consideration, or the serving of an alcoholic beverage by a club licensed under the state beverage law.”
Vose said the club references pertain to clubs and organizations such as an Elk’s club that holds a license that permits them to serve and sell alcohol under different scenarios with a different type of license. Vose said she wasn’t aware of any club licenses currently existing in the city of Anna Maria, but she noted that could change.
“I understand there may be one very near in the future,” Murphy said.
The fines assessed for a violation of the new alcohol ordinance will now be established by city resolution rather than in the ordinance itself.
ANNA MARIA – With only one regular season game left to play in the youth indoor soccer season at The Center of Anna Maria Island, three teams are standing out in the rankings.
After a scrimmage game due to a forfeit by the U9 Bridgetender Inn squad, team Blalock Walters shares the top of the ranks with Ugly Grouper and Solid Rock Construction.
Scoring the only goal for Bridgetender Inn, Paul ten Haaf played hard despite not having the support of all of his teammates.
Gavin Angel and Parker Svoboda had two goals in the match-up with solo goals by Evita Moyer and Camden Rudacille.
In the second U9 game of the night, Silas Whitehead shot the only goal for Ugly Grouper in their 3-1 loss against Solid Rock Construction. Two goals by Aidan Guess and a single by Mckenna Darak gave the Solid Rock team the win they needed to be in the three-way tie for first place.
The U13 league played one game on July 12, with Moss Builders hoping to beat the undefeated Progressive Cabinetry team. With the no mercy rule in place in the league, the Progressive team easily won their fifth game 9-1, despite heart-filled play by the entire Moss Builders team.
Mason Moss put Moss Builders on the scoreboard with a solo goal. Scoring on the Progressive side of the indoor pitch was a team effort as the entire roster put points up.
Barrett Raina led the scoring for the entire night with four goals. Alonso Valle also got the soccer ball past the goalie-less defense of Progressive Cabinetry.
Ethan Angel, Mattox Caseman and Wyatt Jackson each put an additional point into the record books for team Progressive Cabinetry in the last game of the night.
With the playoffs starting the week of July 18, the championship games are around the corner.
ANNA MARIA – Youth indoor soccer action at The Center passed the regular season midpoint last week with overwhelmingly dominant leads in the U9 and U13 leagues.
U9’s Ugly Grouper had a big 16-2 win with the strikes of Beau Sanson and Landon Leach, with a hat trick. Sanson scored 13 points in the new form of play, which includes no goalie on the pitch.
Leach also was credited with two assists, along with three critical passes leading to the goal by Silas Whitehead.
On the other side of the ball, Bridgetender Inn’s Paul ten Haaf put two strikes in the net, with an assist by Parker Suoboda. The team’s loss puts their season record at 1-3.
In more U9 action, Blalock Walters and Solid Rock Construction finished last week tied in the middle of the pack with 2-2 records. In week four play, the Solid Rock team beat Blalock Walters by two goals, 3-1.
Matthew Darak and Isaac Roadman were the scoring pair for Solid Rock. Darak put two in and Roadman had a single goal in the all-important, season-tying game.
Olivia Wyatt prevented the shutout with a solo goal in game four.
The 12-2 blowout by Progressive Cabinetry in the U13 league was a true team effort, with four of the five players scoring and three players credited with assists.
With four goals, Barrett Raina topped the week’s scoring chart. Teammates Jackson Wyatt and Alonso Valle both had hat tricks in addition to the two goals by Mattox Caseman.
Caseman and Valle each had single assists in the lopsided match-up. Progressive Cabinetry’s Ethan Angel made two critical assists in the victory.
Freckled Fin’s loss was not without a valiant effort by the entire team. Chandler McRae and Briahna Robertson each put points on the scoreboard, with an assist by Tucker McRae.
Team Shady Lady and Freckled Fin share the bottom rung of the league’s ranking going into week five of the season.
Shady Lady kept it a close game against Moss Builders, now with a 2-2 record. Moss Builders’ win came at the skillful feet of Callin Westfall, Mason Moss and Riley Karecki.
With two goals each in the game, Moss and Westfall continue to consistently score for their team. Westfall also had a recorded assist for the Moss Builders team.
Spreading out the scoring for Shady Lady, Amelia Blunkall, Braelyn Curtis, Alex Monserrate and Jesse Zaccagnino each scored one of the four team goals. Assisting with the scoring for Shady Lady was Ava Mason.
Progressive Cabinetry goes into week five undefeated. Can the team finish the week with another win against Moss Builders with just one more week left before playoffs?
Sun Scoreboard
July 5
Youth Indoor Soccer – Week Four
U9
Ugly Grouper (3-1-0) 16
Bridgetender Inn (1-3-0) 2
Solid Rock Construction (3-1-0) 3
Blalock Walters (1-3-0) 1
U13
Progressive Cabinetry (4-0-0) 12
Freckled Fin (1-3-0) 2
Moss Builders (2-2-0) 5
Shady Lady (1-3-0) 4
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