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Anna Maria: 2020 in Review

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Featured.

ANNA MARIA – The opening of the new Anna Maria City Pier and the subsequent opening of the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop were among the top Anna Maria news stories in 2020.

Mayor Dan Murphy also spent much of the year leading the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

City Pier opens

Anna Maria: 2020 in Review
The Anna Maria City Pier Grille re-opened in 2020. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The new Anna Maria City Pier reopened on a limited basis on Friday, June 19. The new pier was then open to the public only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop operated by Brian Seymour, Nick Graham and Vic Mattay opened on Thursday, Dec. 10. The pier, the grill and the bait shop are now all open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Necessitated by the closure of the old City Pier and pier buildings in September 2017 due to damage sustained during Hurricane Irma, the ensuing pier replacement project cost approximately $6.8 million and was paid for using federal, state, county and city funds.

The city currently has no plans for the larger, vacant pier building that sits next to the smaller building that houses the City Pier Grill.

COVID-19 response

Led by Murphy, the city of Anna Maria took a proactive response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the pandemic unfolded, Murphy enacted several emergency orders aimed at keeping city residents, business owners, employees and visitors safe.

On March 24, Murphy enacted an emergency order that prohibited the acceptance of new vacation rental reservations for arrival dates between March 26 and June 30.

On March 27, Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended vacation rental operations statewide for two weeks. He later extended that order.

On May 21, the State of Florida approved Manatee County’s plan to reopen vacation rentals countywide, with certain restrictions and new cleaning standards. This led to Anna Maria Island vacation rentals being allowed to resume normal operations in time for Memorial Day weekend.

On June 27, Murphy enacted an emergency mask order that applied inside Anna Maria businesses when proper social distancing could not be maintained. That order was extended several times.

On Sept. 25, DeSantis issued his Phase III reopening order that now prohibits local jurisdictions from fining or penalizing individuals who violate local COVID-19 orders, including local mask mandates.

On Oct. 1, Murphy responded to DeSantis’ order with the issuance of a new emergency order that no longer imposes fines on violators but reiterates business establishments’ rights to trespass those who refuse to comply with a business establishment’s mask policy.

Still in effect, the emergency order also requires visitors to city hall and other indoor city facilities to wear masks or face coverings. It also requires masks or face coverings at city-sponsored events at City Pier Park, including the weekly farmers market and the weekly Movies in the Park. Masks are not required on the City Pier, or while dining outside at the City Pier Grill, which offers no indoor dining.

The pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration and the Veterans Day parade. It also caused the postponement of the AMI Chamber of Commerce’s annual Bayfest celebration.

Impact fees and other actions

In early 2020, Murphy, City Commission Chair Carol Carter, City Attorney Becky Vose, and lobbyist Chip Case played significant roles in defeating proposed state legislation that sought to strip local city and county governments of their authority to regulate vacation rental operations.

In June, the commission adopted an amended sign ordinance that allows only one sign to be placed on a construction site or vacant property. The amended ordinance also reinstated a previously suspended prohibition on A-frame sandwich board signs. Enforcement of the sign ordinance is complaint-driven and code enforcement officers are not asked to actively enforce it.

When adopting the 2020-21 fiscal year budget in September, the mayor and commission committed $1.28 million for drainage and stormwater improvements and $656,772 for street and road improvements.

In August, the city commission adopted Murphy’s proposed impact fees program that then took effect in late November. Those developing a new residential structure in Anna Maria must now pay a parks and recreation impact fee of $1.15 per square foot of habitable space. The impact fee also applies to the redevelopment of an existing residential structure that increases the structure’s habitable space.

New residential or commercial development of any kind – or redevelopment that increases habitable space – is now assessed a roads and mobility impact fee or $0.73 per square foot of habitable space. When both fees are applicable, the combined impact fees are $1.88 per square foot of habitable space.

Running unopposed in the November elections, Murphy and City Commissioner Mark Short earned additional two-year terms in office.

In late November, Murphy and the city commission formalized via city ordinance the previous elimination of 88 public parking spaces throughout the city, including 37 spaces along North Shore Drive.

In December, the commission appointed Doris “Deanie” Sebring to fill the commission seat vacated by Commissioner Amy Tripp. The commission also appointed Carter to chair the commission for another year.

Tourism is rebounding in Manatee County

Tourism rebounding in Manatee County

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

MANATEE COUNTY – Tourist Development Council members received some encouraging news just before Christmas.

During this morning’s meeting, held at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, representatives from Visit Florida and Research Data Services gave TDC members updates, and the news was good – tourism numbers are going up despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Jen Carlisle with Visit Florida said that while the numbers they’re seeing are an overall 37% decrease in tourism from the same time last year and a 57% decrease in tourism from Canada, travel increased in the second and third quarters of the year by 71%. Carlisle attributed the increase in numbers to the Visit Florida-led marketing efforts.

Beginning in September, she said the organization targeted Florida residents, urging them through marketing to take a trip in their own state. In October, the target area of that effort increased to include drivable markets within a 700-mile radius, such as Atlanta, Charlotte and Nashville.

From these rebound advertising campaigns, Carlisle said that Visit Florida has had 300 million impressions and that 70% of people who saw the marketing spots were more likely to visit the state than they were beforehand. And while international travel is still largely on hold due to travel restrictions, she said that Visit Florida is still marketing in other countries to keep the destination at the forefront of potential visitors’ minds when restrictions are lifted. Elliott Falcione, director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that his organization also is making sure that they continue marketing in other countries, particularly in Europe and Canada, to make sure that the Bradenton area is on visitors’ minds when they’re ready to book future travel plans.

Speaking on behalf of the central European market from Germany via Zoom, Dorothea Hohn said that her research has found that people are ready to travel to the United States again, particularly to beach and outdoor destinations like the Bradenton and Gulf Islands area, however, she added that those visitors are pinning their plans on the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine and the lifting of international travel bans and restrictions.

Anne Wittine of Tampa-based Research Data Services, the county’s tourism consultant, gave a presentation on the current state of tourism in the area, noting that the number of visitors is down only 10.3% for the year so far from 2019. The economic impact of tourism, – the amount of money put into the local economy by tourists – is down 13.2% from the previous year. And while occupancy is down 14.3% from the previous year, Wittine said that may largely be due to a lack of reporting from privately-managed vacation rental properties. She said that the majority of the occupancy numbers received come from hotels, motels and professionally-managed vacation rental units, and that it’s hard to get numbers from individual vacation rental owners or those rented through services such as Airbnb.

Some of the challenges facing the local tourism industry, Wittine said, are that visitors are waiting until the last minute, often one to seven days out from their expected travel time, to book vacations and that visitation from Canada and Europe, where travel restrictions are in place, is too small to count at this time. Another issue is that cancellations of trips are going up as the number of locally-reported COVID-19 cases increases.

And while the number of people feeling more confident and safe about traveling is steadily increasing, Wittine said one key element for the local tourism businesses is to provide good information on what is open and what kind of experience travelers can expect when they arrive at their destination, information that is often difficult to come by online.

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Tourism remains down in pandemic

 

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Coronavirus may be increasing tourism

WMFR welcomes new commissioner

WMFR welcomes new commissioner

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, West Manatee Fire Rescue.

BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue district commissioners had their hands full at their final meeting of the calendar year.

Commissioners welcomed Commissioner Larry Jennis back to the dais for another four-year term along with new Commissioner Robert Bennett. Both were sworn in during the district’s Nov. 17 meeting.

Board officers for 2021 also were selected during the meeting, with Jennis receiving a unanimous vote to serve as chair. Commissioner George Harris was unanimously selected to serve as vice-chair and Bennett received the support of his fellow commissioners to serve as secretary/treasurer.

The first shovels are in the ground at the site of the new West Manatee Fire Rescue administration building. – Submitted | WMFR

In other business, Chief Ben Rigney told commissioners that a small groundbreaking ceremony had been held at the site of the district’s new administration building at 701 63rd St. W. in Bradenton. With permits in hand, he said that footer construction had begun and the building is projected to be completed by April or May 2021.

Jennis volunteered to be the new board liaison on the project, a position previously held by former Commissioner Randy Cooper.

Commissioner Al Robinson took the opportunity during commissioner comments to again express his displeasure that his fellow commissioners voted to construct a new administration building rather than stay in the district’s temporary administrative offices at Palma Sola Presbyterian Church, located just across the street from the district’s previous administration building.

With the December meeting canceled due to the holidays, WMFR commissioners will next meet in January 2021.

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WMFR has a new commissioner

 

WMFR hosts first budget hearing

 

WMFR commissioners vote on assessment increase

WMFR logo

WMFR has a new commissioner

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

BRADENTON – The West Manatee Fire Rescue District has a new commissioner who will take the dais later this month.

Joining Commissioner Larry Jennis, who had no challengers for his seat, will be Robert Bennett, taking the place of Commissioner Randy Cooper. After 12 years on the dais, Cooper decided not to run for re-election this year.

With no challengers, Jennis was automatically re-elected for an additional four-year term on the fire district’s board of commissioners. He currently serves as the board’s vice-chair.

Three candidates qualified to fill Cooper’s vacant seat – Bennett, Steven Pontious and Derrick Warner. Bennett received the most votes and won the seat in a landslide with 9,689 ballots cast in his favor across 11 precincts, or 64.47% of the total number of votes. Pontious came in second with 2,681 votes, or 17.84%, with Warner ending the night with 2,659 votes, 17.69% of the total votes cast.

Pending election certification, Bennett will be sworn in along with Jennis during the Nov. 17 commission meeting planned to be held at the district’s temporary administration offices at Palma Sola Presbyterian Church, 6510 Third Ave. W. in Bradenton. The meeting also will be available to attend via Zoom.

WMFR commissioners serve four-year terms and work with the fire chief to help create policy and manage the fire district. The West Manatee district includes all of Anna Maria Island, Cortez and unincorporated Manatee County on the west side of the county.

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Two fire commission seats up for election

Anna Maria mayor issues two mask-related orders

Anna Maria mayor issues two face mask orders

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

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy issued two new emergency orders today regarding COVID-19 and face coverings.

One order serves notice that an individual who refuses to wear a face mask or face covering inside a business or at a special event can be cited for trespassing on that property. Another order makes masks or face coverings mandatory in or at certain city properties.

Governor’s essential services order now in effect

Order #86 includes the title: “Granting businesses and special events the right to require face mask use and with trespass enforcement for non-compliance.”

The order notes it was issued pursuant to the authority Murphy has as the mayor of Anna Maria.

The order took effect the same day.

“I hereby declare that every business or special event held in the city of Anna Maria may, at the business’s or special event designee’s discretion, require the wearing of a facemask as a condition of being in/at the business’s or special event premises,” Order #86 says.

Murphy issued the order one week after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order, EO 20-244, that now prohibits local governments from fining or otherwise penalizing an individual who violates a local COVID-19 mandate or order – including those pertaining to masks and face coverings.

Murphy’s order provides for an alternate means of enforcement in the wake of DeSantis’ order.

“At the request of a business/special event representative or designee, a law enforcement officer of the city of Anna Maria may trespass a person who refuses to wear a face mask at that business/special event premises and enforce that trespass order as to complaining business/special event,” Order #86 says.

“This order shall be reviewed by the undersigned to determine whether it is needed to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Anna Maria no less often than once every seven days, if deemed to be still needed, shall be extended for additional periods of no more than seven days at a time,” the order says.

Second order requires masks

On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Murphy issued order #85, which includes the title, “Requiring face mask use and social distancing at certain city facilities.”

The order took effect the following day.

“In a further effort to reduce the potential spread of the deadly COVID-19, I hereby declare that every person, when in the following city locations – Anna Maria City Hall, City Hall Annex, City Pier Park – during a city-sponsored event, such as the farmers market, shall properly wear a face covering and maintain social distancing from other persons, excluding family members or companions,” Order #85 says.

The order makes no reference to the new City Pier across the street from City Pier Park.

According to Order #85, facial coverings are not required at city facilities for persons under the age of 2 years old, persons for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition, persons working in a city location who do not have interactions with other persons and persons working in a city location when all interactions with others is done with social distancing as recommended by the CDC.”

Regarding enforcement, Order #85 says, “Persons violating this order shall be subject to removal from the city location.”

The order notes it shall be reviewed and renewed or allowed to expire every seven days.

Murphy issued Order #85 one day after Manatee County commissioners repealed the county face-covering mandate that did not apply in Anna Maria because the mayor issued an emergency order in late June that required face masks inside many Anna Maria businesses.

The city’s mask order carried a $50 fine until DeSantis issued his Phase 3 reopening order on Friday, Sept. 25 – an order Murphy said rendered the city’s original face-covering order unenforceable.

MPO unveils long range transportation plan

New bridges, roundabouts in AMI’s future

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

MANATEE COUNTY – Work is finally done on the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) long-range transportation plan and it lists some big changes for Anna Maria Island.

New roundabouts, replacement bridges and a sea-level rise study are components of the plan that MPO representative Leigh Holt presented to Island Transportation Planning Organization (ITPO) members during a Monday, Sept. 14 meeting held via Zoom.

The plan, titled Transform 2045, extends to the 2045 fiscal year and is scheduled to be updated every five years. The plan is a draft scheduled for presentation to the MPO board during a Monday, Sept. 21 meeting, with a final draft to be presented on Thursday, Sept. 24 for a 30-day public comment period before going for final approval during the Monday, Oct. 26 MPO meeting.

Holt said that all three Island bridges are on the plan – the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue, the Cortez Bridge and the Longboat Key Bridge. With a new 65-foot-high design already completed for the Anna Maria Island Bridge, funding is needed for construction. The Cortez Bridge, connecting the historic Cortez fishing village to Bradenton Beach, is set to enter the design phase with funds for right-of-way acquisitions proposed for fiscal years 2021, 2024 and 2025. Holt said that studies are planned for the Longboat Key Bridge before any decisions about repair or replacement are made.

The “complete streets” projects proposed by Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach city leaders, allowing for multi-modal transportation on main thoroughfares on the Island, are fully funded in the plan, according to Holt.

She added that plans to create a trail system for bicyclists and pedestrians from downtown Bradenton to 75th Street on Manatee Avenue and across Longboat Key and St. Armands Key to the Ringling Bridge in Sarasota also are in the plan. Holt said that $25 million has been set aside for the projects.

Other fully-funded projects in the plan include enhancing the Island’s gateways and installing roundabouts at the intersection of East Bay Drive and Manatee Avenue and at Manatee Avenue and Gulf Drive at the entrance to Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach. While Holt said that the roundabouts were previously planned for construction when the replacement bridge on Manatee Avenue is built, she said now they could be constructed before the bridge goes in. Additionally, the intersection of Cortez Road and Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach also is being looked at as a potential location for a roundabout although there are space concerns, and due to the size of the 65-foot planned replacement bridge for the Cortez Bridge, the two projects might have to be constructed at the same time.

Resiliency projects also are on the plan with a sea-level rise risk assessment to be conducted over the next 18 to 24 months. Holt said the purpose of the risk assessment is to study the effects of potential storm surge on the barrier islands and allow local municipalities to apply for some of the $75 million in funding set aside in the plan over the next 20 years for projects to mitigate risk.

Congestion management projects include extending the northbound turn lane to Gulf Drive on westbound Manatee Avenue in Holmes Beach back to the intersection with East Bay Drive to allow for easier traffic flow around motorists traveling to Manatee Beach. Holt said there’s also a project on the plan to do work at the intersection of Cortez Road and 75th Street in Bradenton to help facilitate the flow of traffic to the Island.

She said that the MPO is looking at restarting the Beach Express bus service from 75th Street and Manatee Avenue to the Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach as well as allowing buses to move past slow or stopped motorist traffic on the bridges using the shoulder and the possibility of adding a dedicated bus lane on land along the two Island access corridors.

Holt added that the MPO also is looking at creating on-demand transportation services for travel from the mainland to the Island’s beaches where travelers can make a reservation on their schedule. She said they’re also trying to encourage employers to use vanpools to get employees to Island businesses.

To view the entire plan or submit public comments on the plan elements, visit the MPO website.

Anna Maria prepares to impose impact fees

Anna Maria prepares to impose impact fees

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

ANNA MARIA – Developers can expect to soon pay impact fees when building new structures or increasing the size of existing structures in Anna Maria.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, Anna Maria City Commissioners will be presented with the second and final reading of Ordinance 20-871, an ordinance that will establish the impact fees previously discussed on first reading on Aug. 13.

According to the ordinance, the intent is “to ensure that new development pays its proportionate share of the anticipated costs of public facilities necessary to provide parks and recreation and roads and mobility protection for the new development.”

According to the ordinance, “The city of Anna Maria parks and recreation impact fees shall only be paid for residential development or increase in size of residential property and shall be assessed at the rate of $1.15 per square foot of interior building space.”

The parks and recreation impact fees will apply equally to new residential structures built for use as family residences and those built for use as vacation rentals.

“The city of Anna Maria roads and mobility impact fees shall be paid for all new development of any kind, or any increase in building size, and shall be assessed at the rate of $0.73 per square foot of interior building space,” according to the ordinance.

When applicable, the two impact fees combined total $1.88 per square foot of interior building space. At those rates, the impact fees for a new single-family home with 5,000 square feet of interior building space would be $9,400. The impact fees for a commercial or other type of non-residential building with 5,000 square feet of interior building space would be $3,650.

Impact fees will not be assessed on existing residential or non-residential structures unless the interior building space is increased.

The impact fees shall be paid when the building permit is issued or at another time specifically provided for in a developer’s agreement with the city.

The ordinance notes the city retained Raftelis Financial Consultants to prepare an impact fee study to determine the proportionate demand that new development generates for additional parks and recreation and road and mobility improvements.

“It has been determined that impact fees are necessary to offset the costs associated with meeting future demands. The impact fees bear a reasonable relationship to the burden imposed upon the city to provide parks and recreation and roads and mobility facilities to new city residents. An essential nexus exists between projected new development and the need for additional parks and recreation and roads and mobility facilities to be funded with impact fees,” the ordinance states.

“The decisions of the city commission as set forth herein are reasonable and prudent steps pertaining to sound growth management, which have been taken for the benefit of the citizens of the city, both present and future,” the ordinance notes.

The ordinance states separate capital fund accounts will be established for the two different impact fees. The monies deposited into each impact fee capital fund account shall be used solely for the purposes set forth in the ordinance and shall not be used for any expenditure that would be classified as an operational, maintenance, repair or replacement expense.

The impact fee ordinance will become effective 90 days after its adoption. If adopted Thursday as anticipated, future development will be subjected to impact fees beginning in late November.

Thursday’s city commission meeting will begin immediately after the 5:30 p.m. budget meeting and public input on the proposed impact fees will be accepted.

Center reports positive end of year results

Center reports positive end of year results

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

ANNA MARIA – It was a rough fiscal year for The Center of Anna Maria Island but the nonprofit managed to close the year June 30 with $8,761 in net income, only $945 short of the budgeted $9,706.

The Center’s end of year financials exclude an $84,215 Paycheck Protection Program loan which is planned to be accounted for as government/grant income in the 2020-21 fiscal year. As long as the loan funds are used solely for approved expenses, such as keeping employees on the payroll.

Program revenue and costs ended the year at $293,843, $54,287 better than the $239,556 budgeted, primarily due to $51,712 in direct cost savings.

General, indirect and administrative expenses came in at $514,865 for the year, $56,800 better than budget. After factoring in those expenses, operations ended the year at -$221,022, $111,088 better than budget.

Fundraising is where The Center took the hardest financial hit. After canceled concerts, special events and the Tour of Homes, the nonprofit brought in $447,516 in fundraising revenue, 22% below the budgeted $575,704 amount. Direct fundraising costs amounted to $244,372, $5,200 below budget. After costs, the fundraising cost center ended with $203,143, a loss of $137,988 compared to the budget.

The Center’s total revenue for the year came in at $1,065,914, $172,771 below budget. Total expenses for the year were $1,057,153, $186,826 below budget.

While Executive Director Chris Culhane said in an email to The Sun that a new budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year which began July 1 is almost complete, he added that he doesn’t know when the budget will be approved by the board. The Center’s board meetings have been on hold since early in the year due to COVID-19 shutdowns and precautions. Typically the board members meet once per month at The Center in executive session followed by a meeting open to the public.

Despite previous closures due to COVID-19, The Center remains open to the public with safety precautions in place, including a requirement to wear masks while inside the facility, along with practicing strict sanitization procedures and social distancing.

For more information on the programs currently being offered at The Center and what steps are being taken to ensure guest and member safety, visit the nonprofit online.

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The Center receives financial help

Mask requirements on Anna Maria Island

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

Anna Maria Island’s three cities have differing requirements for wearing face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anna Maria

Every person working, living, visiting or doing business in the city of Anna Maria shall properly wear a face covering in any indoor location, other than their home or residence, and maintain social distancing from other people, excluding family members or companions.

Exceptions:

  • Children under the age of 2;
  • People for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition;
  • People working in a business or profession who do not have interactions with other people;
  • People working in an office when all interactions with others are done with social distancing as recommended by the CDC;
  • People eating and/or drinking at a restaurant; provided, however, that face coverings must otherwise be worn in restaurants.
  • People exercising and social distancing at fitness centers.

Bradenton Beach

Bradenton Beach commissioners have not passed a mandate on masks, and unless they do, a Manatee County resolution is in effect in Bradenton Beach.

Everyone must wear a face covering while inside a business.

Exceptions:

  • Situations in which individuals maintain 6 feet or more distance between persons. This exception does not apply to employees who are present in the kitchen or other food and beverage preparation areas of a business establishment. Nor does it apply to employees serving food or beverages.
  • Children under the age of 6.
  • People who have trouble breathing due to a chronic pre-existing condition or people with a documented or demonstrable medical problem.
  • Public safety, fire, and other life safety and health care personnel who are already governed by their respective agencies.
  • Restaurant and bar patrons while eating or drinking. Face coverings must be worn when entering and exiting the establishment and while otherwise standing within 6 feet of other patrons.
  • Individuals inside a lodging establishment, including hotel and motel rooms, vacation rentals and timeshares.

Holmes Beach (expires Aug. 25)

Owners, managers, employees, customers or patrons of businesses must wear a face covering while in that business.

Exceptions:

  • Restaurant customers or patrons while dining and/or consuming beverages while seated at a table;
  • Gym patrons in a workout or class where at least 6 feet of distancing exists with the next closest person;
  • Barbershop or beauty salon customers or patrons when wearing a face covering would reasonably interfere with receiving services;
  • Business owners, managers and employees who are in an area of a business that is not open to customers, patrons or the public, provided that 6 feet of distance exists between employees. This exception does not apply to employees who are present in the kitchen or other food and beverage preparation area of a restaurant or food establishment. When an owner, manager or employee is in their place of employment but not within 6 feet of another person, that owner, manager or employee does not need to wear a mask;
  • Bar patrons while consuming beverages and/or food;
  • A lodging establishment guest when inside of the lodging unit including but not limited to a hotel room, motel room, vacation rental unit, timeshare unit or similar unit.
  • When a customer of a business asserts that he or she has a disability that prevents the individual from wearing a mask, the owner, manager or employee of the business may exclude the individual, even if they have a disability, as they pose a direct threat to the health and safety of employees and other customers, even if asymptomatic, and shall accommodate the disabled individual in a manner that does not fundamentally alter the operations of the business or jeopardize the health of the business’s employees and other customers, such as providing curb service or delivery or other reasonable accommodation.

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County Commission adopts mandatory mask resolution

Anna Maria extends mandatory mask order

Anna Maria extends mandatory mask order

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

Updated July 3, 2020 – ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the Anna Maria City Commission have extended the city’s mandatory mask order for another seven days.

The emergency mask order originally enacted on June 25 as City Order #33 was amended during a special commission meeting Thursday morning. The amended order, City Order #36, is now posted at the city website.

Similar to the original mask order, the amended and extended order only applies to certain indoor places. But City Order #36 also includes new recommendations regarding outdoor waiting areas and vacation rentals.

“Every person working, living, visiting or doing business in the city of Anna Maria shall wear a face covering in any indoor location, other than their home or residence, when not maintaining social distancing from other persons, excluding family members or companions,” the amended order says.

The order lists the following exceptions:

  • Children under the age of two years;
  • People for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition;
  • People working in a business or profession who do not have interactions with other people;
  • People working in an office when all interactions with others are done with social distancing as recommended by the CDC;
  • People eating and/or drinking at a restaurant; provided, however, that face coverings must otherwise be worn in restaurants.

City Order #36 includes new language that says, “Businesses are requested to strongly encourage face coverings and social distancing for customers and persons waiting in line outdoors for service. Also, vacation rental owners and management companies are requested to give out informational material, such as a copy of this order, to each of their vacation rental customers upon check-in.”

A violation of the mask order is punishable by a code enforcement citation that carries a $50 fine per violation. During Thursday’s meeting, Murphy said no citations had been issued for mask violations to date and the city had not received any complaints about non-compliance.

When Thursday’s discussion began, Murphy addressed expanding the order to include outdoor public spaces.

“It’s very difficult for me to tell you that you have to stay 6 feet away from your husband or your wife or your child while you’re on vacation outdoors in the state of Florida. I think it would be nice if everybody wore face masks, but I don’t think we can infringe upon people’s personal rights that much. And I know we can’t enforce it. I think it’s going too far,” Murphy said.

Outdoor waiting areas

The new language regarding outdoor waiting areas arose from concerns raised by commissioners Jon Crane and Mark Short, based on what they’ve seen outside some restaurants and other food establishments, including ice cream shops.

Crane suggested expanding the mask order to include outdoor waiting areas, but the commission did not go that far.

Anna Maria extends mandatory mask order
Commissioner Jon Crane expressed concerns about outdoor waiting areas at restaurants. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Commissioner Joe Muscatello asked if the city was going to encourage that masks be worn on the City Pier. The commission did not address the pier in its amended mask order, but Murphy said free masks are available at the pier entryway when the pier is open.

Commissioner Amy Tripp agreed with Crane and Short, but said enforcement of the outdoor waiting areas would be challenging. She recommended calling on business owners and patrons to use common sense instead.

Muscatello shared feedback he received from business owners.

“They don’t want to see a shutdown and they would go along with anything we came up with that was helpful,” he said.

Muscatello also provided personal perspective as a city resident.

“We seem to be so focused on the tourists. I think our first priority ought to be the residents. I pay a hell of a lot of property taxes to live here and I’m afraid to go to my own beach. We are here to serve the 1,500 people who live here and not the 40,000 people who come here to visit. I feel like a prisoner in my own home,” he said.

Anna Maria extends mandatory mask order
Commissioner Joe Muscatello said residents need to be the city’s first priority. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Commission Chair Carol Carter suggested the non-binding language regarding outdoor waiting areas. She said face coverings in waiting areas not only protect patrons, but they protect the employees too.

“When we heard about places that closed, it’s been because an employee has shown signs of being infected with COVID,” Short added.

Regarding outdoor waiting areas, Murphy said, “The message should be we don’t want to legislate something – and that we will if we have to. The onus is at the point of contact at the restaurant itself to make sure this is done, not city hall.”

Under the local state of emergency, Murphy has the authority to extend the mask order every seven days without calling a special commission meeting to do so.

Murphy said the updated mask order would be emailed to business owners and vacation rental owners and agents.

To assist businesses, the city is offering free signs that reference the mask order. To request those signs email depclerk@cityofannamaria.com.

Anna Maria extends mandatory mask order
These signs now appear at the Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar and other restaurants and businesses in Anna Maria. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

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Anna Maria enacts mandatory mask order

First COVID-19 case reported in Anna Maria

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – According to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), the first positive COVID-19 case in Anna Maria became known on Friday, June 26.

The case appeared on the Saturday, June 27 Daily COVID-19 Data Report. FDOH distributes the daily data reports via email and they are also archived at the Florida Division of Emergency Management website, www.floridadisaster.org.

According to Monday’s daily data report, no additional positive cases had been reported in Anna Maria. As of early Monday afternoon, eight positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in Bradenton Beach and seven positive cases have been reported in Holmes Beach since the pandemic began.

As of Monday, 1,954 positive cases had been reported in the city of Bradenton and 2,792 Manatee County residents and 18-non-residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

According to the online FDOH COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard that uses much of the same data, there had been a total of 262 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Manatee County and 130 COVID-19 deaths in Manatee County since the pandemic began. Of those deaths, 88 (67.6%) have been attributed to residents or employees at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other long-term care facilities.

As of Monday, 39,610 people in Manatee County had been tested since the pandemic began. Of those tests, 36,783 came back negative and 2,810 came back positive for COVID-19. A positive test result is then attributed to the zip code shown on the tested person’s driver’s license or ID.

As of Monday, 7.1% of all those tested in Manatee County tested positive. The percent positive rate increased by 1% since Tuesday, June 23, when Public Safety Director Jake Sauer reported a 6.1% positive rate to county commissioners.

Sauer told county commissioners the 35208 zip code in Manatee County had the highest number of COVID-19-positive cases in the entire Tampa Bay region. As of Monday, there had been 571 positive cases reported to date in the 35208 zip code that includes Samoset. There had been 343 reported cases to date in the adjacent 35203 zip code that includes Oneco.

County and state increases

Last week saw significant increases in COVID-19 cases in Manatee County and Florida.

The FDOH Dashboard reported 39 new cases in Manatee on Monday, June 22; 114 new cases on Tuesday; 67 new cases on Wednesday; 168 new cases on Thursday; 270 new cases on Friday; 95 new cases on Saturday and 76 new cases on Sunday. During that seven-day period, 829 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Manatee County.

As of Monday, FDOH reported 146,341 positive COVID-19 cases in Florida, with 143,805 of those being Florida residents. There were 3,447 COVID-19 deaths and 14,354 hospitalizations reported since the pandemic began. In Florida, 1,819 (52.7%) of the reported COVID-19 deaths have been attributed to residents and employees at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other long-term care facilities.

FDOH reported 3,823 new Florida resident cases on Monday, June 22; 5,452 new cases on Tuesday; 4,965 new cases on Wednesday; 8,813 new cases on Thursday; 9,557 new cases on Friday; 8,424 new cases on Saturday and 5,409 new cases on Sunday. During that seven-day period, 46,443 Florida residents tested positive for COVID-19.

Since the pandemic began, 1,914,151 people have been tested in Florida. Of those, 1,766,402 tests have come came back negative and 146,341 tests have come back positive. As of Monday, the percent positive rate had increased to 7.6% statewide.

Anna Maria enacts mandatory mask order

Anna Maria enacts mandatory mask order

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

UPDATED June 28, 2020 at 2:41 p.m. ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Commission has enacted a seven-day emergency order that mandates face masks be worn inside spaces beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

Mayor Dan Murphy presented the proposed mask order to the commission during tonight’s city commission meeting.

The commission unanimously supported the mayor’s suggestion for an emergency mask order rather than an emergency mask ordinance.

“I hereby declare that every person working, living, visiting or doing business in the city of Anna Maria shall wear a face covering in any indoor location, other than their home or residence excluding family members or companions,” Emergency Order #33 says.
The order, drafted by City Attorney Becky Vose, contains the following exceptions:

  • Persons under the age of two years;
  • Persons for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition;
  • Persons working in a business or profession who do not have interactions with other persons;
  • Persons working in an office when all interactions with others are done with social distancing as recommended by the CDC;
  • Persons while eating and/or drinking at a restaurant; provided, however, that face coverings must otherwise be worn in restaurants.

Commissioner Amy Tripp noted that when she dined at Shore restaurant in Longboat Key patrons wore their masks while waiting inside to be seated and while making their way to their tables.

Commission Chair Carol Carter pointed out that Ginny’s and Jane E’s in Anna Maria already requires patrons to wear masks until they sit down at a table to eat or drink.

“We’re in a small city, our residents our older and many of them have other health issues. We need to do this. On this Island, the visitors are the ones who are not obeying any sort of rules regarding social distancing or face masks,” Carter said.

During public comment, Carter’s husband, Bob Carter, said federal, state and county governments have ceded much of the COVID-19 decision-making power to city officials.

“The safety of the residents is foremost in my mind. We are the targeted group on this Island with the combinations of age, health and with what I call the COVID-19 delivery system every seven days arriving. We’re more susceptible than many other parts of the county. I think it’s late to do this, but somebody important once said there’s never a wrong time to do the right thing,” he said.

Vose noted the order applies to retail establishments.

“Violations of this order shall be punished by a fine of $50 per violation assessed against a person not wearing a face covering when required,” the emergency order says.

Regarding the $50 fine, Mayor Dan Murphy said the city’s goal is to achieve compliance and not to generate significant fine revenues by issuing citations. The mask order will be enforced by the city’s code enforcement officers.

The mask order does not apply to outdoor areas.

Murphy said the city will provide, upon request, signs to Anna Maria businesses that reference the emergency order.

The mask order will be reviewed every seven days and will be tweaked and adjusted as needed. The commission is scheduled to review the mask order again for potential revision on Thursday, July 2 at 10 a.m. If deemed still needed, the mask order can be extended for additional seven-day periods.

The order can also be rescinded at any time.

The emergency mask order was enacted in accordance with the city’s amended declaration of emergency that was first enacted on March 26 as part of the city’s efforts to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.

WMFR logo

Two fire commission seats up for election

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, West Manatee Fire Rescue.

BRADENTON – If you live in the West Manatee Fire Rescue District and have ever thought about running for fire commissioner, now may be your chance.

In the Nov. 3 general election two seats on the fire commission – those now held by Commissioners Larry Jennis and Randy Cooper – will be up for grabs. Cooper has already stated that he will not be running for re-election.

WMFR’s commissioners serve four-year terms on the dais.

To qualify as a candidate, the person must be a registered Manatee County voter and reside in the WMFR district, which stretches across unincorporated Manatee County on the west, encompassing the cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, along with Cortez, Palma Sola and much of northwest Bradenton.

Though pre-qualifying papers already can be submitted to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office, candidate qualifying officially begins at noon on June 8 and ends at noon on June 12. All paperwork must be submitted prior to the deadline.

Before the end of the qualifying period, all potential candidates must appoint a campaign treasurer, open a campaign bank account and file the required paperwork as well as collect the signatures of 25 registered voters who reside in the district. A fee of $0.10 is required per signature as a verification fee. If a candidate cannot pay the fee, an oath of undue burden must be filed to have the fee waived. Candidates also must file a statement of candidate, candidate oath, a statement of financial interests and either a $25 qualifying fee or certificate of petition verification.

All candidates are required to designate a campaign treasurer and open a campaign account before accepting any campaign contributions. For fire district candidates, any candidate who does not collect campaign contributions and whose only expense is the filing or signature verification fee is not required to appoint a campaign treasurer or open a campaign account. Filing fees are not required to be drawn from a campaign account.

All candidate information can be found on the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website under the candidate information tab. Forms can also be found on the website or picked up from the Supervisor of Elections Office. All paperwork must be submitted for verification to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office at 600301 Blvd W. in Bradenton prior to the qualifying deadline.

The 2020 general election will be held on Nov. 3.

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Alternate administration building plan rejected

Alternate administration building plan rejected

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, West Manatee Fire Rescue.

BRADENTON – The majority of West Manatee Fire Rescue’s commissioners agreed to continue moving forward with the construction of their own administration building rather than purchase suites in a shell building near Blake Medical Center.

Commissioner Al Robinson brought the idea back to the table during a May 19 meeting, asking realtor J. Daniel Douglass to provide information on a shell building on 21st Avenue West in Bradenton.

Out of the four units in the building, Douglass said there are three units available with a total of 6,140 square feet. The building, designed to serve as medical offices, currently holds one medical office and is a shell building with sprinklers, a ceiling and air conditioning already installed. Located across the street from the Bishop Animal Shelter, the property features a total of 29 parking spaces and does not meet the hardened hurricane-force wind load that commissioners previously said is wanted for the district’s new administration building.

Robinson urged his fellow commissioners to carefully consider purchasing all three units and selling one if the district finds it doesn’t need that much space for administrative staff.

Douglass said that the three units could be purchased for $549,000 and would cost about $614,000 to build out as office space, ending with a total purchase price of $1.2 million, not including condominium fees associated with the property. He added that the building is an as-is purchase.

Commissioner Randy Cooper said he was concerned with the lack of ability to store or stage equipment at the site as it has much less space for parking than the currently planned administration building.

Commissioners Larry Jennis and George Harris both said they have concerns about the building. Some of those concerns voiced by Jennis include that the building isn’t hardened and doesn’t have adequate parking space. Harris added that the location also is problematic, being well outside of WMFR’s district.

Chief Ben Rigney said he’s been working with representatives from Hall Darling Design Studio and expects to have a not-to-exceed price for construction of the district’s new administration building for commissioner consideration in August.

In April, Rigney presented a potential design for the new administration building that features office space, storage and a hardened conference room that could be used as a westside emergency operations center in the event of a hurricane. The building is currently planned for construction on a lot purchased by the district in 2019 and located off Manatee Avenue behind the Fountain Court Shopping Center.

“I think we’re making good progress,” Jennis said of the potential construction project.

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WMFR commissioners vote on assessment increase

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, West Manatee Fire Rescue.

BRADENTON – Property owners in the West Manatee Fire Rescue District will see an increase in their assessment rate when TRIM notices are mailed in the fall.

During a May 19 meeting, commissioners voted 3-1 with Commissioner Al Robinson dissenting, to raise the assessment rate 2.6% over the current year’s rates. Commissioner David Bishop was absent.

At the 2.6% increase, the district’s revenue will increase by $189,436, eliminating the need for district leaders to draw from reserves to meet anticipated needs including capital projects and projected increases in insurance, pension fund contributions and a potential increase in employee compensation. Commissioner Larry Jennis reminded his fellow board members that the coming year is a bargaining year with the firefighters’ union. For the 2020-21 fiscal year, WMFR’s staff projects bringing in $7,475,424 in revenue from assessments.

With the increase, the base rate for a residential property increases to $195.53 from $190.57 with the square foot rate increasing from $0.1124 to $0.1153. The total assessment rate for a 2,000 square foot residential building will increase from $302.97 to $310.85.

For commercial buildings, the base rate will increase from $473.62 to $485.94 with the square foot rate increasing from $0.2051 to $0.2104. The total assessment rate for a 2,000 square foot commercial building will increase from $678.72 to $696.37.

Before the vote was taken, Commissioner Al Robinson expressed concern about raising the assessment rate in a year that has produced financial hardship for many property owners.

“I’m not in favor of raising anything,” Robinson said. “We have plenty of money.”

Chief Ben Rigney said that the district’s staff typically spends about 95% of the funds budgeted each year. Any rollover amounts are put into savings for future capital expenses, equipment purchases or emergency savings in case of a natural disaster.

“I think it’s very evident that our staff has been frugal in spending taxpayer dollars,” Commissioner George Harris said, adding that he believes the board makes a sound decision each year concerning assessment rates.

Each year, the amount that commissioners can increase the assessment rate is based on a rolling five-year personal income growth number or PIG. This year, the maximum amount allowed for an increase is 5.46%. Because he expects the next year’s PIG to be much lower, Rigney asked commissioners to consider a 4% increase, which was rejected by board members.

“I know it was a tough decision but we have to do what’s best for the district,” Commissioner Randy Cooper said after the vote had been taken.

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