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Tag: Anna Maria

Honors presented at Island Players banquet

Honors presented at Island Players banquet

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

ANNA MARIA – The oldest theater group in Manatee County held its annual banquet at the Bradenton Country Club recently with awards and recognition for those serving onstage and behind the scenes.

Island Players President Sylvia Marney honored Ruth Steven for her 50 years of service to the Players. The sound and light board room will be named for her and a plaque bearing her name will be installed over the door.

Honors presented at Island Players banquet
Claudette Welch, Mark Woodland and Kelly Lynn Woodland were honored for 20 years of service. – Nancy Ambrose | Submitted

The IGO Award for “longtime and outstanding service” went to Diane Phinney. The award is named after Island Players founder Harold Igo. Three volunteers earned their 20-year awards. They were Claudette Welch, director Kelly Lynn Woodland and actor Mark Woodland.

Honors presented at Island Players banquet
Island Players President Sylvia Marney gives the IGO Award to volunteer Diane Phinney. – Nancy Ambrose | Submitted

The Island Players will begin their 71st season on Sept. 19 with “Steel Magnolias” by Robert Harling and directed by Mike Lusk. For more information, visit www.theislandplayers.org.

WMFR logo

WMFR 2019-20 assessment rates set

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

BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners held a public hearing May 21 to discuss the 2019-20 residential and commercial assessment rates. No members of the public offered comment, and commissioners approved a modest increase in rates with a four to one vote.

After being presented with five options ranging from a zero percent increase to a 2.5 percent increase, commissioners voted to adopt a 1.65 percent increase for residential properties and a 5 percent increase for commercial properties.

For residential property owners, the 1.65 increase equals a $3.09 increase in the base rate, increasing from $187.48 to $190.57. The rate per square foot, assessed on home square footage over 1,000 square feet, is being raised from $0.1106 to $0.1124. For a 2,000 square foot home, the total assessment is being raised from $298.08 to $303, a difference of $1.92.

Residential homes make up the majority of the properties in WMFR’s district, which stretches from the Gulf of Mexico on the west, Tampa Bay to the north, Longboat Key to the south and city of Bradenton to the east. The district includes unincorporated Manatee County, Palma Sola, Cortez, Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria and Holmes Beach.

For commercial properties, the increase is slightly higher to bring WMFR’s commercial rates closer to those assessed by other Manatee County fire districts. The base rate is increasing from $451.07 to $473.62 for commercial properties, an increase of $22.55. The per square foot rate for buildings over 1,000 square feet is $0.2051, a $0.0098 increase for square footage over 1,000 square feet. The increase equals a $32.32 total increase for 2,000 square foot commercial properties.

With the increase in assessment rates, WMFR’s projected assessment revenue for the 2019-20 fiscal year is $7,285,989, a $144,203 increase over the current fiscal year.

Commissioner Al Robinson, who voted against the rate increase, said, “I think it’s insignificant in a $7.3 million dollar budget. We don’t need a raise.”

Commissioner George Harris said he was comfortable raising the commercial rates to get the district more in line with the surrounding districts but was happy to only give residents a minimal increase. “It’s nice to give the residents a little break,” he said.

With the rate increases, WMFR’s projected total revenue for the 2019-20 fiscal year is $7,618,556. The new fiscal year begins on October 1.

Related coverage

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WMFR chooses a new chief

WMFR board members plan for the future

Youth soccer champions crowned

Youth soccer champions crowned

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

Last week saw another youth soccer season come to a close with the naming of league champions and MVPs. CABB Cleaning defeated Lancaster Design in the 11- to 15-year-old league after the regulation play ended in a 0-0 tie, taking the championship match to a shootout.

Lancaster Design’s two shootout goals by Kieran Cloutier and Aiden Templeton were not enough against CABB Cleaning’s shooters. Net shots by JM Feeny, Connor Samblis, and Sam Liester lead to the game-winning shot by Travis Bates.

Center youth soccer CABB
11- to 15-year-old youth soccer champions CABB Cleaning celebrate in the deep corner at The Center. – Monica Simpson | Sun

In another nail biter in the eight- to 10-year-old league, Beach House Real Estate’s Dennis Gallagher scored two goals against Cale Rudacille to win the championship. Freckled Fin’s Duncan Cloutier hit the net with a goal of his own in the big game.

To end the season, 10 individual players were recognized for their accomplishments on the pitch. In the eight- to 10-year-old league, Dennis Gallagher and Taylor June King were named the MVPs. Defensive MVP was given to William Pakbaz, with Jack McCarthy earning the all-important Sportsmanship award.

Goalie of the Year honors went to Cale Rudacille. Rudacille follows in the footsteps of his father and uncle, Scott and Mark Rudacille, who play the keeper position in the adult league.

The 11- to 15-year-old league top players were JM Feeny and Angelina Albrecht as MVPs and Aiden Templeton the Defensive MVP. Kieran Cloutier, an outstanding player in his own right, won the Sportsmanship Award. Michael Coleman took home the Goalie of the Year Award, giving Lancaster Design three of the five top credits.

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Pine Avenue restaurant proposed

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

ANNA MARIA – On Thursday, May 23, city commissioners are scheduled to discuss the proposed construction of a 45-seat restaurant and residential structure at 415 Pine Ave.

Thursday’s meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and the public hearing will allow for public input.

City commissioners will be asked to approve the site plan application that includes requests for two parking-related special exceptions pertaining to an offsite parking arrangement with Roser Memorial Community Church.

The site plan approval application was reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board on May 14. The application lists Gohandesuyo LLC as the applicant and property owner. The LLC is registered to local Realtor Barbara Sato and her Realtor son, Jason Sato.

Urban Planner Monica Simpson is representing the Satos in this permitting matter. She said
Barbara’s son, Ben Sato, hopes to operate the restaurant and occupy the residential unit above.

The applicant’s report Simpson provided the city proposes the existing two-story residential structure be razed and replaced by a two-story building that includes the ground-level restaurant space, second-level living space, a rooftop terrace and an in-ground pool. Simpson’s report notes the pool and the rooftop terrace would not be used by restaurant patrons.

Simpson told the planning board the existing two-story structure was built in 1970 and is structurally sound but is not habitable due to electrical issues.

Simpson’s report states 15 spaces are needed for the 45-seat restaurant, plus one additional parking space for employees and one additional parking space for the residential unit.

She proposes five parking spaces be located on site and 12 additional parking spaces be provided through a shared parking agreement with Roser Memorial Community Church.

The April 9 staff report prepared by City Planner Robin Meyer initially disagreed with Simpson’s parking calculations and stated city code required 22 parking spaces. During last week’s planning board meeting, Meyer said he later consulted with City Attorney Becky Vose and they agree that 17 parking spaces are required.

Citing city code, Meyer’s report states off-site parking must be located within 300 feet of the perimeter of the development. Meyer’s report states the applicant is requesting two special exceptions: one for the majority of the parking to be located off-site and a second to allow for off-site parking approximately 900 feet from the proposed development site.

Revised plan

The original site plan proposed a 52-seat restaurant, residential space, pool and five on-site parking spaces. That plan prompted a petition and some letters of opposition from surrounding property owners which contributed to the public hearings being pushed back from April until May.

The revised plan Simpson presented last week includes the lower seating capacity and the off-site parking agreement.

On April 12, Ben Sato drafted and distributed a letter thanking the surrounding property owners for expressing their concerns. His letter notes he is currently working in the family business as a rental property manager and a maintenance technician, but he has long dreamed of opening his own restaurant.

“While I enjoy being a part of the family business, it is not my true passion. I am a professional chef and I belong in a kitchen,” his letter says.

“I’ve lived on Pine Avenue for three years and I sympathize with your concerns. I will be living on-site with my fiancé and we want to build our life there, be great neighbors and be stewards of the community,” Sato’s letter says.

The planning board voted 4-2 in favor of recommending city commission approval of the proposed site plan. Monika Beard, Dr. Jose Erbella, Margaret Jenkins and Mark Short voted in favor of recommending commission approval. Jeff Rodencal and chairman Jon Crane opposed the recommended approval.

The board’s recommended approval includes commission approval of the off-site parking spaces, signage directing restaurant customers to the church parking lot, the city being noticed on the lease for the parking spaces, the property not being used as rental property unless approved by the city, the applicant working with the city to ensure the safest pedestrian access to and from the property and calls for a rooftop garden to be placed at the rear of the terrace to provide landscape buffering for the neighbors.

City commissioners can accept or reject any or all of the board’s recommendations.

School turns back the clock

School turns back the clock

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Family fun.

HOLMES BEACH – Part of the past was unearthed last week, although it was almost lost forever.

A time capsule, buried in 1994, was unearthed near the school’s auditorium after its location was blurred over time. The Manatee County School Board had to send a tractor to expedite finding it, according to AME Principal Jackie Featherston. “Instead of burying it just a little, it was buried four feet or so,” she told the crowd at the celebration Monday morning, May 20.

school time capsule 2019
A view of the future from 1994 by Shawn LaPensee, now Shawn Shield and a mother herself. – Tom Vaught | Sun

Staff opened the plastic capsule and removed stories students wrote in 1994. Some of those students attended the ceremony and some were parents of students today. Former principal James Kronus attended the ceremony and he was mentioned a lot during the festivities.

The students put on skits for the decades, beginning in 1900 when the school was a single room building in Anna Maria. The witty skits mentioned Kronus as they unfurled another decade.

school time capsule kronus
Former principal James Kronus speaks to the students. – Tom Vaught | Sun

After the ceremony, Kronus said it was great to see everybody and he was fervent about the need to keep the school going, despite the loss of Island residents. Presently, the majority of students live off-Island and attend the Island school through the School Choice program.

Unregistered Airbnb being fined $250 per day

Airbnb compliant; will not be fined

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has concluded that the Airbnb at 302 North Shore Drive does not have to be registered as a vacation rental because it is owner-occupied and has onsite management.

Airbnb operators responsible for tourist tax collection

MANATEE COUNTY – Are you operating or considering operating an Airbnb on Anna Maria Island or elsewhere in Manatee County?

If so, you may want to research the tourist tax requirements imposed on those who rent their property or a portion of their dwelling through Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway and other online advertising platforms.

Using red letters highlighted in yellow, the following notice is posted at the Manatee County Tax Collector’s website: “Attention all Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO customers. Please note that Manatee County is not contracted with Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO or any other third-party vendor. Therefore, it is your responsibility to collect and remit the 5 percent tourist tax to the Manatee County Tax Collector.”

The county’s tourist tax is applicable even if the rental is owner-occupied or has on-site management.

“It doesn’t matter if the person lives on the property. For a short-term rental six months or less, even if it’s a bed, the 5 percent is still due,” said Jan Hilker, assistant to the Manatee County Tax Collector, when contacted last week.

According to the tax collector’s website, “At this time Airbnb only collects and remits the 6 percent sales tax and the 1 percent Manatee County surtax to the Florida Department of Revenue.”

The website also says, “Florida Statute 125.0104 states that every person who rents, leases or lets for consideration any living quarters or accommodations for a term of six months or less should collect and remit the 5 percent tourist development tax and the 7 percent state sales tax.

“While some property owners may simply be unaware of the law, others know the law but choose to evade it. The revenue from this tax helps your local economy. The tax is used to promote and advertise tourism, operate the Bradenton Area Convention Center and finance beach renourishment,” according to the tax collector’s website.

According to the Airbnb website, “In areas that Airbnb has made agreements with governments to collect and remit local taxes on behalf of hosts, Airbnb calculates these taxes and collects them from guests at the time of booking. Airbnb then remits collected taxes to the applicable tax authority on the hosts’ behalf.”

Sarasota County is among the Florida counties that have agreements with Airbnb. Rather than enter into such an agreement, Manatee County Tax Collector Ken Burton Jr. chose to file a yet-to-be-resolved lawsuit against the Delaware-based, San Francisco-headquartered company in April 2018.

The lawsuit seeks from the 12th Judicial Circuit Court a declaratory judgment declaring the tourist tax imposed by Manatee County is due on the amounts received by Airbnb for the rental of private homes, dwelling units or rooms in private homes in Manatee County.

The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring Airbnb to maintain and preserve its records pertinent to the transient accommodations of its clients in Manatee County. The lawsuit also seeks a court order requiring Airbnb to submit an audit of its books and records relating to the short-term rental of transient accommodations in Manatee County.

For more information visit www.taxcollector.com and www.Airbnb.com.

At an April 30 code enforcement hearing, Special Magistrate Karla Owens levied a $250-per-day fine on the rental’s corporate property owner, DLVAMI 302 North Shore LLC. The fine was to accrue until the rental property was registered in accordance with the city’s vacation rental ordinance.

Airbnb is compliant and will not be fined

The Manatee County Property Appraiser’s website lists the LLC as the duplex owner with an Anna Maria Post Office box as the LLC’s mailing address. State records list Denise Valley as the LLC manager and 302 North Shore Drive as the address for the LLC, dissolved in September.

The Airbnb website lists Valley’s son, Floyd Calhoun, as the property’s Airbnb host. On Friday, Calhoun met with Mayor Dan Murphy.

“The matter has been resolved and the fines have been eliminated. The city found out this address is Mr. Calhoun’s permanent residence, so, therefore, according to the language in our ordinance, it’s not a vacation rental because he has on-site management,” Murphy said Friday afternoon.

Adopted in 2015, Anna Maria’s vacation rental ordinance says: “It is the intent of this chapter to regulate vacation rentals as defined by Florida Statutes, as well as other transient public lodging establishments that do not have on-site management.”

Calhoun’s thoughts

On Saturday morning, Calhoun met with The Sun to discuss these recent developments.

“The mayor was very gracious. He acknowledged the mistake, apologized and said we’re going to fix this and make it right and retract the entire thing,” Calhoun said.

Calhoun said he, his mom and his three children live in half of the elevated duplex. The other half is used as an Airbnb rental. Calhoun showed his Florida driver license that lists 302 North Shore Drive as his address.

Calhoun said he’s continually maintained an office at that address for the past 10 years and has lived there most of that time. He also uses the ground-level office for his Here Realty business operations. According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Calhoun is licensed as a real estate broker.

Calhoun said the family property was previously used as a VRBO rental and was first advertised as an Airbnb rental last fall. Calhoun said he was surprised this became an issue because similar concerns were raised and resolved in 2016 when Pam Gibbs served as the city’s code enforcement manager.

On July 19, 2016, Calhoun received an email from Gibbs that said, “Per our conversation this morning, I have closed the case and rescinded the citations for noncompliance with the vacation rental ordinance. Since you are occupying one part of the property you are not required to be registered.”

Debbie Haynes now serves as code enforcement manager. Calhoun’s Airbnb operations were brought to the city’s attention in October by the firm the city contracts to conduct online searches for unregistered vacation rentals and those advertising excessive occupancy.

During the April hearing, City Clerk LeAnne Addy said three warnings and notice of the hearing were sent to the LLC’s post office box and no one responded.

The North Shore Drive property and the LLC are currently the subjects of foreclosure proceedings. Calhoun said those proceedings date back to the previous owner and also stem from his own divorce.

When asked why no one responded to the city’s communications, Calhoun said, “Anything coming in for DLV went straight to the attorneys because of the foreclosure.”

Calhoun said if he had known about the hearing, he would have attended, shared the email he received from Gibbs and shown the special magistrate his driver license.

Calhoun suggested the city do a little more due diligence before assuming any wrongdoing, but he acknowledged there aren’t many owner-occupied duplexes left in Anna Maria.

He then praised Murphy and commissioners Brian Seymour and Dale Woodland for helping bring the city to a point where vacation rentals and vacation rental owners are no longer “villainized.”

“With the exception of this weird little anomaly, I think they’ve done a really good job of getting everything in order and becoming more business-friendly and even more vacation rental-friendly,” Calhoun said.

Related coverage

Unregistered Airbnb fined $250 per day

County collecting tourist tax from most Airbnb owners

County plans to pursue Airbnb users for taxes

 

 

 

Sato Real Estate gets their first win

Sato Real Estate gets their first win

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

Thursday night May 9 the defending adult co-ed soccer champions, Sato Real Estate, took to The Center of Anna Maria Island field against a tough Jiffy Lube team looking for their first win of the season. Off to a rough start, Josh Sato’s team lost their number two draft pick Joe Jones to a torn Achilles tendon only to be replaced by Zachary Lieb, a top choice any season.

With Lieb and two strong female teammates, Alta Bujarski and Sumiko Chipman, the purple team looked to be on their way to another tied ballgame, but in the high scoring game, Sato Real Estate earned their first win of the season.

Goalkeeper Jason Sato, older brother to Josh, was kept busy in the net with nine saves in the night. At the opposite end of the field, now veteran goalie Robb Marshall had eight saves of his own.

Jiffy Lube’s Ricky Anderson started the scoring action after four minutes of play giving his brother’s team an early lead.

A quick shot by Chipman missed the target but started the shooting effort by Sato Real Estate. R. Anderson made another strike at the net that was saved by Jason Sato.

Sato Real Estate’s Lyn Clarke showed why he is still a force to be reckoned on the pitch at the age of 79 with three goals in the game. Finding the perfect open position by the opponent’s net in a league with no offsides rule, Clarke scored his first goal of the evening, tying the game 1-1.

In the eighth minute of the game, team captain Josh Sato dribbled the soccer ball all the way down the pitch. Feeling the defenders coming strong, Sato passed to Murat Akay who gave it back to his captain for the shot and goal, giving his team the lead 1-2.

On the next possession, Lieb took a hard shot that went off the right post. Chipman struck again with a scoring attempt that was saved by Marshall.

With less than 10 minutes left in the first half of play, the soccer ball was batted around in front of the Sato Real Estate goal before Jiffy Lube’s Nick Bolli found his foot on the ball for the strike and goal, once again tying the game with the score at 2-2.

Three minutes later, Jiffy Lube moved the ball down the field with precision with passes from team captain Danny Anderson to Omar Polar to be finished by Stetson Mathews for the team’s third goal of the game.

With the score at 3-2, D. Anderson put the ball to the feet of Eliza Falliace. Fighting for possession, Mathews kicked the soccer ball out of bounds giving Sato Real Estate the goal kick.

On an unlucky goal kick by Jason Sato, D. Anderson got the ball right in the middle of the field to just outside of the goalie box. Giving D. Anderson this opportunity is almost always guaranteed goal. Not disappointing their fans, Team Jiffy Lube put another point on the scoreboard to go ahead by two goals with the score at 4-2.

Chipman found a clear field ahead and took the ball to the left corner of the Jiffy Lube box before passing to Akay. Akay’s shot went right into the hands of Marshall for the save.

To start the last 25 minutes of play Akay had two consecutive goals to tie the game to tie the score 4-4.

Unable to handle the strike by Chipman, Team Sato Real Estate once again took the lead on the Marshall mishap, moving the score to 4-5 with 14:35 left on the clock.

The Sato Real Estate squad moved the ball down the field again and finished with another goal by Clarke 90 seconds later.

Team Jiffy Lube came back with a goal of their own with a strong pass by Polar to Falliace in front of the goal. Falliace took advantage of her position with a missile that would have gone in the net but was assisted by Anil Akbulut to take the score to 5-6.

Holding on to the lead, Josh Sato, sporting two different cleats, worked hard to move the ball on the field, getting it to Lieb. Lieb’s strike was stopped by Sean Flynn who was now in goal for Team Jiffy Lube.

Clarke’s next shot was stopped near the close of the game. Team Sato Real Estate took its seventh goal in the game and the win by two points.

Related coverage

 

Multi-use trail extension being pursued

Officials pursue multi-use trail extension

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A show of faith

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related coverage

Multi-use trail to open along Gulf Drive

Multi-use path approved for Palm Drive

Waste Management gets first crack at solid waste contract

Waste Management gets first crack at solid waste contract

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

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

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

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

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

Residential rates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Commercial rates a concern

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Commissioner shares thoughts on 2019 legislative session

Commissioner shares thoughts on 2019 legislative session

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

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

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

Failed bills

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you

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

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

It’s not over

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

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

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

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Magistrate rules in city’s favor on noise citation

Magistrate rules in city’s favor on noise citation

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

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

Noise violation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parking violations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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McDaniel joins Center team

McDaniel joins Center team

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

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

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

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

Center hosts summer kickoff

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

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

Gulfview eeks by Flynn Law

Gulfview ekes by Flynn Law

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

The third week of adult co-ed soccer play started off quick for Gulfview Windows and Doors with a goal one minute in by newcomer Keith Mahoney. In what would be the first of four points for Mahoney, Gulfview took the early 1-0 lead.

Lexi Sato, of Flynn Law, took a shot of her own in the fifth minute of the game only to have it saved by Gulfview goalkeeper Jordan DeMers, who had a total of 13 saves in the game.

Team captain Kevin Roman put the first point on the scoreboard for his Flynn Law squad after beating defender Ed Moss. DeMers got his hand on the soccer ball, but there was too much speed behind the strike.

DeMers was ready for Roman’s next shot, preventing the go-ahead goal.

Gulfview’s Aaron Parkin, who went scoreless in the game, took his first shot in the 12th minute of the match. Parkin’s shot went hard off the back of Flynn Law’s Olaf Krause.

The hot foot of Ashley Friszman, for Gulfview, could not find the next shot in this game. Going just left of the post, Friszman’s first shot showed why the defense could not dismiss the lone female on the field.

Showing teamwork and an excellent passing game, Sato found Roman in the middle of the field just outside of the box. In perfect position, Roman shot quick and hard just pass DeMers, moving his team ahead 1-2.

With the corner kick, Gulfview found the opportunity to tie the game. Perfect placement of the soccer ball and field position by Mahoney lead to the fourth goal of the game, tying it up 2-2.

Looking to take the lead back, Parkin crossed to Moss, but the ball went off his foot wrong sending it in the wrong direction out of bounds, leading to the end of the first half of play.

The second half started off slow, but the momentum and action soon picked up with a hard low rocket shot by Roman that went through DeMer’s hands. This third and final goal for Roman and his team gave him the hat trick.

In the 38th minute of the game, Mahoney got his own hat trick, once again taking the game to a tied score, 3-3.

The scoreboard showed just under two minutes of time left in the game when Friszman took her second shot, putting the ball into the hands into Flynn Law goalie Mark Rudacille, who had 10 saves in the game.

After a handball in the box by Flynn Law during a corner kick by Gulfview, Mahoney took the penalty kick with no time on the scoreboard. Goalkeeper Rudacille got a hand on the ball, but could not keep it out of the net, giving Mahoney his fourth goal in the game and his team the win, with the score 4-3.

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Anna Maria hosting annual Memorial Day salute

Anna Maria hosting annual Memorial Day salute

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

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

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

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

‘Present Laughter’ leaves ‘em laughing

‘Present Laughter’ leaves ‘em laughing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Present Laughter” is worth the time and money.

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

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