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Anna Maria Beach Survey

Survey stakes on Anna Maria beach explained

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

ANNA MARIA – The wooden survey stakes recently spotted along the beach north of the Sandbar restaurant pertain to storm erosion monitoring and not to any disputes over private beach rights, according to Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy.

The survey stakes designate the mean high-water line along that area of beach. Murphy said the survey information will help the city monitor storm erosion. The beaches in that vicinity, near the Coconut Avenue beach access, sustained significant erosion during Subtropical Storm Alberto.

Anna Maria Beach Stake
As seen on Saturday, June 9, this survey stake marked the mean high-water line looking toward Bean Point. – Chantelle Lewin | Sun

Anna Maria resident and Sun Advertising Director Chantelle Lewin spotted five survey stakes north of the Sandbar restaurant during her daily beach walk on Saturday, June 9.

Lewin said the stakes raised concerns as to whether they pertained to beach access disputes. One such dispute arose in April along the 500 block of South Bay Boulevard, where the strip of sand between the beachfront homes and Tampa Bay is very narrow.

The mean high-water line establishes property lines along beaches that have not been renourished, including most of the bay side of the Island. The erosion control line (ECL) establishes property lines in areas where beach renourishment has occurred, including most of the Gulf side of the Island.

A walk along the beach Wednesday afternoon from Palm Avenue to Bean Point revealed only one remaining survey stake. It was near the Elm Avenue beach access and stood far from any residences, with dunes and vegetation in between.

The handwritten inscription on the remaining stake said, “MHW 6-6-18,” in reference to the mean high-water line and the survey date. The city was also provided with the GPS coordinates of the mean high-water line.

Anna Maria Beach Survey Stake II
On Wednesday, this survey stake stood on the beach near Elm Avenue. The beach behind the stake is private property, but there have been no known disputes about the beach’s continued use by the public. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Lines in the sand

Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department Director Charlie Hunsicker said beach property landward of the mean high-water line or the erosion control line is private property – unless it’s in front of a public park or a designated public beach. Land seaward of those lines is state-owned public land, he said.

Hunsicker said the erosion control line proposed for the city of Anna Maria in 2001 for beach renourishment in 2002 begins between Sycamore and Elm avenues and extends to the south, terminating between Oak and Maple avenues.

“At the time we had the hearings, while water was hitting the windows of the Sandbar restaurant, the properties to the north said, ‘We’ve got plenty of beach. We’re not worried about it so we don’t want to enroll.’ You couldn’t force them,” he said.

“The erosion control line is recorded on the deeds of the properties with the Clerk of the Court and is a line established by state and local governments working together, following a public hearing. Wider beaches created by that renourishment would then be in the public domain,” Hunsicker said.

Beaches outside of the ECL boundaries are not eligible for beach renourishment projects funded by various county, state and federal agencies, he said.

The Anna Maria beach area washed away during Subtropical Storm Alberto “…will not be renourished until there’s a formal ECL and a state declaration that it’s eroded,” Hunsicker said.

Bay side dispute

In early May, Murphy requested city-funded surveys of the mean high-water line at a beach access along the 500 block of South Bay Boulevard. He also requested a survey in front of a beachfront home on that block where disputes had occurred between the property owners and those walking on the residential beach not far from the Anna Maria City Pier.

Beach No Trespassing signs
These no trespassing signs on the 500 block of South Bay Boulevard are the only such signs seen on the beaches from the Sandbar restaurant to Galati Yacht Sales. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

On Wednesday, visits to the beach at Bayfront Park and along the entire stretch of beach on South Bay Boulevard revealed no existing mean high-water line survey stakes. Only the pre-existing no trespassing signs in front of the home in the 500 block were visible.

Related coverage

Commission jettisons customary use ordinance

Beach dispute predates new law

Anna Maria City Pier demolition

Pier demolition team selected, rejected

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

ANNA MARIA – Sully’s Quality Projects was rejected as the City Pier demolition contractor less than a week after being named the city’s first choice.

On Tuesday, May 29, the City Commission, minus Dale Woodland, voted 4-0 in favor of Mayor Dan Murphy entering into contract negotiations with Sully’s Quality Projects for the demolition of the Anna Maria City Pier.

On Monday, June 4, the commission voted 5-0 in support of Murphy’s suggestion to reject the terms requested by Sully’s owner and founder, Sean Sullivan. The commission then voted 4-1 in favor of Murphy negotiating with city’s second-highest ranked demolition firm, Speeler & Associates.

According to Murphy, the deal-breaker was Sullivan’s request for a $53,822 payment up front, to be made after the contractor secured a security bond, but before the company mobilized or did any work.

Murphy said he did not want the city to get into a situation like the delays being encountered in Bradenton Beach with the installation of a day dock that is long overdue and partially paid for. Sully’s is not part of that project.

“I have problems paying somebody money and not having any work done,” Murphy said.

Murphy and City Attorney Becky Vose agreed that trying to collect on a performance bond if something went wrong would be a lengthy process that would likely end up in court.

Commissioner Doug Copeland asked if any financial research was done on the demolition firms being considered. Murphy said the city obtained Dun & Bradstreet Paydex reports that analyze companies’ payment histories and Sully’s report was not as good as the next two highest-ranked firms.

Selection process

The May 29 selection of Sully’s was based on the combined rankings sheet prepared by Murphy, City Clerk LeAnne Addy and Jay Saxena from Ayres Associates – the firm designing and engineering the new pier and assisting the city with the permitting process.

Sully’s was the top-ranked firm of the five that responded to the city’s second request for proposals (RFP). Sully’s received a total score of 79.3, Speeler & Associates received a score of 78.3, Shoreline Foundation’s score was 70, Under Construction Contractors’ score was 68 and Kelly Brothers’ score was 66.

Sully’s bid for the demolition job was $685,530, and according to the document provided at Monday’s meeting, that was lowered last week to $673,530 due to a reduction in the scope of work.

Speeler bid $732,000, Shoreline bid $642,908, Under Construction bid $495,000 and Kelly Brothers bid $406,417.

The six-category scoring criteria included skill and experience, references for current projects, bid amount, adherence to specifications and requirements, provision of a detailed work plan and the location of the prime contractor and subcontractors.

Commissioner Brian Seymour noted that Sully’s was only ranked highest in one of the six categories, that being location. Speeler ranked highest in four categories. Seymour asked if the city was bound to go by the rankings sheet. Murphy said the ranking sheet should be followed because the point system is “clear and objective.”

Prior to the pier demolition, local contractor Frank Agnelli will remove and store the engraved wooden pier planks at no cost to the city. Murphy said those who previously requested to have their planks returned should be able to pick them up in July. The remaining planks will be stored and used later to build memorial walls at City Pier Park and on the grounds of the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum.

Commissioner Dale Woodland did not attend the May 29 meeting. He said later his absence was not intentional and not related to the objections he raised on May 18 to the pier being demolished and replaced.

During the May 18 meeting, the commission rejected all three of the original bids received due to Speeler and Sully’s bids being too high and Murphy’s opinion that Under Construction didn’t have the necessary experience. Two other firms responded to the original RFP but missed the submission deadline.

The commission has not yet determined who will build the new pier, restaurant and bait shop. The commission has determined the pier will feature concrete pilings and Kebony hardwood decking. Kebony will also be used for the exteriors of the restaurant and bait shop. The pier project has an estimated cost of approximately $4.5 million and an anticipated completion date of December 2019.

Related Coverage

Sully’s Quality Projects deemed top choice for pier demolition

Second round of pier demolition bids in

Anna Maria Memorial Day Ceremony

Anna Maria honoring veterans on Memorial Day

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

ANNA MARIA – The City of Anna Maria will host a Memorial Day ceremony under the shade sail structure at City Pier Park on Monday, May 28 beginning at 10 a.m.

The Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra is scheduled to perform patriotic music from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

“It should be a tremendous, patriotic and inspiring event. It’s all patriotic tunes and the orchestra is really looking forward to it,” Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said.

Rev. Ed Moss of CrossPointe Fellowship will give the invocation at 10 a.m. Murphy will then welcome and recognize the dignitaries and government officials in attendance.

Joined by a trumpeter and a bagpiper, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard will present the colors and Taps will be performed. Lt. Col. Bob Johnson (U.S. Army, Ret.) – the mayor of Holmes Beach – and Capt. George Barford (U.S. Navy, Ret.) will place a memorial wreath.

Murphy, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, will recognize all veterans in attendance and their spouses and significant others.

City Pier Park is located across the street from the Anna Maria City Pier, at the corner of Pine Avenue and South Bay Boulevard. First-come, first-served free seating will be available for about 400 people. Parking will be available near the pier and along South Bay Boulevard.

Free park-and-ride trolley service will be available near the entrance to the city at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive.

AMI Candidate Qualifying

Candidate qualifying takes place in June

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Are you considering running for a city commission seat? If so, the qualifying periods for city commission and mayoral candidates on Anna Maria Island will take place in June.

Candidacy may be announced at any time before or during the qualifying period. Candidates must first appoint a campaign treasurer and designate a campaign bank account before any contributions are accepted or expenditures are made. Candidates can serve as their own campaign treasurers.

Candidates must file a Statement of Candidate form within 10 days of appointing a treasurer and opening a campaign account.

Forms and additional information for Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach candidates can be found at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office website or in person at 600 301 Blvd. W., Suite 108, in Bradenton.

Holmes Beach candidates must obtain their qualifying forms through the city clerk’s office.

Anna Maria

The two-week qualifying period in Anna Maria will start at noon on Monday, June 11, and end at noon on Friday, June 22. Qualifying paperwork may be picked up at the Anna Maria clerk’s office and must be filed with the Supervisor of Elections Office.

Anna Maria candidates must be U.S. citizens, registered to vote in Manatee County and residents of Anna Maria for two years prior to qualifying.

The qualifying fee is $48 for City Commission candidates and $196 for mayoral candidates. Candidates can avoid the qualifying fee by filing an “Undue Burden” oath and securing the petition signatures of 10 registered city voters.

In the fall elections, there will be three election positions up for grabs: the mayor’s seat currently held by Dan Murphy and the commission seats currently held by Amy Tripp and Brian Seymour. The mayor and commissioners serve two-year terms. The mayor receives an annual salary of $19,600 and commissioners receive $4,800.

Bradenton Beach

The one-week qualifying period in Bradenton Beach will begin at noon on Monday, June 18, and end at noon on Friday, June 22.  Qualifying paperwork may be picked up at the Bradenton Beach clerk’s office and must be filed with the Supervisor of Elections Office.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens, registered to voter in Manatee County and residents of Bradenton Beach for at least 12 months prior to qualifying.

As the result of charter amendments adopted by Bradenton Beach voters in November, commission wards have been eliminated and the two citywide candidates who receive the most votes will claim the two seats open this fall. Those seats are currently held by Marilyn Maro and Ralph Cole.

According to recent charter amendments, commission candidates no longer need to be registered city voters. The qualifying fee for commission seats is $48. No petition signatures are required in Bradenton Beach.

City commissioners serve two-year terms and earn $400 a month.

Holmes Beach

In Holmes Beach, City Clerk Stacey Johnston serves as the qualifying official and candidates qualify at city hall. The qualifying period there will be noon on Monday, June 18, until noon on Friday, June 22.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens, registered Manatee County voters and residents of Holmes Beach for two years prior to qualifying.

The qualifying fee is $60 for commission candidates and $240 or mayoral candidates. All candidates must secure the petition signatures of 15 registered city voters and file an affidavit of residency.

Candidates can avoid the qualifying fee by filing the “Undue Burden” oath and securing the petition signatures of 15 registered city voters.

The mayor and commissioners serve two-year terms. The mayor earns $24,000 a year and commissioners make $6,000 a year.

There also will be five elected positions for Charter Review Commission members. The qualifications are the same, but candidates do not have to pay the qualifying fee.

Green turtle swimming free after hospital stay

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA – Shoshi, a juvenile green sea turtle, is swimming free in Tampa Bay after a successful rehabilitation and release Thursday morning, May 10 at Bayfront Park.

A fisherman found the turtle in March floating in yellow sludge 15 miles west of Bean Point, the northern tip of Anna Maria Island, according to Mote Marine Laboratory, which rehabilitated the turtle.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lWoNDPoVcU[/embedyt]

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteer Dave Ault brought the turtle to Mote, naming her after his puppy, Shoshi.

Mote Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital staff discovered that Shoshi’s skin was covered in an unidentified orange material, and the plates on its shell were coming off. The turtle received antibiotic eye drops, was given dextrose intravenously, and received subcutaneous fluids until it fully recovered.

Green turtles rarely nest on Anna Maria Island; loggerheads are, by far, the more common local species. Both are on the federal threatened species list.

Turtle season began May 1. No turtles had nested on the Island as of Shoshi’s release date, but one turtle attempted to nest in a “false crawl” in Bradenton Beach earlier that morning, returning to sea without laying eggs, according to Turtle Watch.

If you see a stranded or dead sea turtle, dolphin or whale in Sarasota or Manatee county waters, please call Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response service, at 941-988-0212.

If you see a stranded or dead sea turtle, dolphin or whale outside of Sarasota and Manatee counties, or a stranded or dead manatee anywhere in state waters, please call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Mote Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital staff bring a green sea turtle to Bayfront Park for release on Thursday, May 10. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Mote Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital staff bring a green sea turtle to Bayfront Park for release on Thursday, May 10. - Cindy Lane | Sun

A juvenile green sea turtle, a threatened species, was released off Anna Maria on Thursday, May 10. - Cindy Lane | Sun

A juvenile green sea turtle, a threatened species, was released off Anna Maria on Thursday, May 10. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Shoshi is ready to go. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Shoshi is ready to go. - Cindy Lane | Sun

Going...

Going...

... going...

... going...

... gone. - Cindy Lane | Sun

... gone. - Cindy Lane | Sun

center culhane wrestling team

Center hires new executive director

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

ANNA MARIA – At the end of a two-month search for a new executive director, The Center of Anna Maria Island’s board of directors is choosing from their own ranks.

In a May 4 press release, Center board members announced the promotion of Chris Culhane to executive director.

To fill the executive director void, more than 170 applicants were screened and interviewed by human resources consultant Margaret Beck before finalists were interviewed by the Center’s hiring committee. Committee members included board members Karen Harllee, David Zaccagnino and John Munn, County Commissioner Steve Jonsson and local business owner Barbara Sato. Culhane will take over Center leadership from interim executive director Carl Weeks.

“After an extensive search and many months of committee work Chris Culhane came out as our top choice,” Zaccagnino said in the press release. “He has proven himself over the years and has earned the opportunity of executive director. During the past couple months Chris has been working closely with interim Executive Director Carl Weeks, the finance committee, the board of directors, and several grant and fundraising committees. He is a natural and has stepped into the leadership position with purpose. We are pleased to have Chris as our new executive director.”

Culhane began his career at the Center as a coach and volunteer before taking an administrative position three years ago. Prior to working at the Center, he attended the Center and participated in sports as a child and teenager. Now his three children attend the Center.

center culhane children
New Center Executive Director Chris Culhane takes to the field with his family. – Submitted | Center

“It is with great pleasure that I have accepted the offer which has been bestowed upon me by The Center’s board of directors and the hiring committee to become The Center of Anna Maria Island’s next executive director. I am humbled and ultimately grateful for the opportunity and I would like to thank the board, the committee, local business owners that participated in the search, the dedicated staff, and the AMI community as a whole,” Culhane said in the press release. “I love this community and I love the Center. With the goals set high we will be working with our integral community leaders, the board, and the center team to review the strategic plan in order to build a sustainable model that drives the Center to success and truly leaves a legacy…a legacy that will hopefully inspire executive directors all the way down the line.”

The Center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

mean high water line Anna Maria

Mean high-water line surveyed

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

ANNA MARIA – The lines in the sand have been drawn – aka surveyed and staked – in two beachfront locations along South Bay Boulevard.

On Wednesday, May 2, surveyors placed three wooden stakes along the mean high-water line that establishes the private property line in front of a beachfront home along the 500 block of South Bay Boulevard. As a second point of reference, Mayor Dan Murphy also asked the surveyors to stake the mean high-water line near the public access path on the 600 block of South Bay Boulevard.

The handwritten phrase “Apparent MHW” appears on each of the survey stakes. The city also has been provided the GPS coordinates of the survey points should the stakes be removed by nature or humans. Murphy said the survey work cost approximately $900.

Murphy requested the surveying at the city’s expense because the beach area between the water and a bayfront home on South Bay Boulevard has been discussed at recent city commission meetings as a source of confrontation between the property owners and people walking the residential beach along the Tampa Bay shoreline.

Last summer, the property owners placed two signs between their home and the water that say: “No Trespassing. This beach is private property.”

A visit to the newly staked areas at 10:20 a.m. on Thursday, May 3, revealed the incoming tidal waters of Tampa Bay had already risen above the mean high-water line in both locations – and high tide wasn’t expected that day until 2:20 p.m.

According to the stakes, people walking landward of the mean high-water line are walking on private property and the property owners have the right to ask them to leave. For much of last week, anyone walking that section of beach would have had to walk in the water to avoid walking on private property.

Private property owners have no such rights when it comes to people walking seaward of the mean high-water line. All land seaward of the mean high-water line (or the erosion control line where beach renourishment has occurred) is state-owned public land.

The mean high-water line is established using a 19-year average based on local tidal data established by tidal observations made at specific tide stations.

When asked how the city plans to deal with future conflicts that may arise between private property owners and people walking along that stretch of residential beach, Murphy said, “My advice is that we all respect each other and are tolerant with each other.”

When interviewed on April 12, one property owner correctly estimated where his property line was, and said he was considering installing rope and bollard fencing to delineate his property line and discourage foot traffic.

Installation of a beachfront fence will require a permit from the city, but a recent federal lawsuit supports property owners’ right to install fences.

In March 2017, Walton County commissioners adopted a customary use ordinance in response to beachfront property owners erecting fences.

“No individual, group or entity shall impede or interfere with the right of the public to utilize the dry sand areas of the beach that are owned by private entities,” the ordinance said.

In November 2017, a federal court ruled the Walton County ordinance language prohibiting fencing was unconstitutional and violated property owners’ First Amendment rights. The federal court viewed fences as an expression of free speech that conveyed a message to others to stay off their property.

During the City Commission’s April 26 meeting, property owners Pat Olesen, Dr. David Bulley and Dean Foster were among those who expressed concerns about people walking and congregating on the private beaches in front of their bayfront homes. Their public testimony contributed to the City Commission’s decision to discontinue the pursuit of a customary use ordinance as a potential means of protecting the historic and customary public use of privately-owned beach lands.

A new state law that takes effect July 1 will require a court order before local governments can adopt or maintain an ordinance based upon the public’s customary use of any portion of beach above the mean high-water line. The new law does not apply to ordinances adopted and enacted before Jan. 1, 2016.

Related Coverage

Beach dispute predates new law

Beach access not a problem in Holmes Beach

New beach law has little effect on AMI

Anna Maria customary use property

Commission jettisons customary use ordinance

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

ANNA MARIA – City officials have abandoned the pursuit of a customary use ordinance as a means of ensuring continued public access to state-owned public beach lands that lie between private property lines and the city’s coastal waters.

According to the Surfrider Foundation website, a local customary use ordinance recognizes and protects existing public beach access rights based on the legal doctrine of customary use.

On April 12 – in response to a new state law taking effect July 1 –  Anna Maria commissioners directed City Attorney Becky Vose to start working on a customary use ordinance to be adopted before that date. Once the state law is enacted, municipalities will no longer be able to declare customary beach use through a local ordinance. They will need a declaration from a circuit court.

On Thursday, April 26, Mayor Dan Murphy recommended the commission forego the customary use ordinance. After commission discussion and public input, the commissioners voted 4-1 in support of Murphy’s recommendation, with Commissioner Doug Copeland casting the opposition vote.

The public beach areas in question are those seaward of the mean high tide line that establishes property lines on the unrenourished beaches on the Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay (east) side of Anna Maria Island, and seaward of the erosion control line – closer to the dune line than the mean high tide line – that establishes property lines on the renourished beaches on the Gulf of Mexico (west) side of the Island.

“For 110 years we’ve all gotten along without this because the mean high line has been the rule of the land. Yes, from time to time there are some issues, but for the most part, people don’t mind people walking by their house. What I would suggest is that we leave what’s been in place and not embark on an ordinance that we probably don’t need because of a few places that are hot spots,” Murphy said.

One such hot spot is Terry and Pat Olesen’s bayfront home on South Bay Boulevard. Terry’s recent confrontations with beach walkers were discussed at a city meeting on April 12.

Murphy said that if needed, the city could prove customary use without a new ordinance.

Commissioner Amy Tripp suggested customary use is a county issue, not a city issue.

Commissioner Carol Carter said she knows at least 14 people who recently moved from Anna Maria, and she’s concerned that adopting a customary use ordinance would drive more full-time residents away.

Commissioner Brian Seymour agreed and asked Murphy about the beach surveying scheduled for this week.

“We’re having two, possibly three properties surveyed. These are properties where the owners have stated they want to know exactly where the boundaries are,” Murphy said.

The Olesens’ property is among those that will be surveyed and staked at the city’s expense.

Public input

Several South Bay Boulevard residents opposed the customary use ordinance and no one spoke in favor of it.

Anna Maria customary use public input
Dr. Jose Erbella shares his thoughts on a proposed customary use ordinance. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“I don’t think we should change anything. I love having my neighbors walk behind the house and enjoy the beach. Our biggest fear is making changes that will really impact our quiet neighborhood,” Dr. Jose Erbella said.

Erbella owns two beachfront homes. He lives in the one on South Bay Boulevard, and his children live in the one on North Shore Drive that until recently had about 40 yards of beach.

“Just a few weeks ago my kids lost their beach on North Shore. The storms completely took their beach away. The water is back to the seawall,” he said of the impermanent nature of beachfront property.

“Walking is a wonderful thing, and I’m all for it, but once you start putting bunches of people out there, there is no room because there is basically no beach,” Jack Whiteside said.

“Terry and I really have no problem with people walking as long as they stay by the water. For us, it’s a liability issue and the enjoyment of our property,” Pat Olesen said.

“We don’t use our back deck as much as we could. We just find it too uncomfortable sometimes. People are almost in our face, and if it gets closer, it’s going to be uninhabitable, and we will be one of the residents that leave,” Dr. David Bulley said.

“There’s no harm in walking the beach. There is harm when people start to encroach on your space,” Sheila Fusé said.

Ashok Sawe asked why there are so many public access paths leading to residential beaches.

Murphy said they were created before he became mayor.

Public access to the beach is required for the county to get beach renourishment funding.

“The access could be water; it could be beach. It all depends on where the mean high tide is. We need to find that out so we can handle these instances on a one-by-one basis. The new law doesn’t change any of that,” he said.

Related Coverage

Beach dispute predates new law

Anna Maria pool hero

Older brother prevents pool tragedy

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

ANNA MARIA – Seven-and-a-half-year-old New Hampshire resident Nick Costa was recognized last week for an act that helped save the life of his four-year-old brother, Jake.

During the Anna Maria City Commission’s April 26 meeting, Sgt. Mike Jones presented Costa with a certificate of appreciation. The boys’ parents, Jeff and Jessica Costa, accompanied them to the commission meeting.

Before he presented Nick with his certificate of appreciation, Jones described the events that transpired.

“On Sunday, April 22, in the late afternoon, Nicholas was here on vacation with his family. They had just arrived and were settling in at their vacation rental on South Bay. Nicholas and Jacob were playing on the beach with their parents and decided to go to the pool deck. Unbeknownst to Jacob’s father, he followed behind his dad, defeating the pool gate lock. While his dad and brother were attempting to set up a pool table on the deck, Jacob decided to go into the pool. Jacob’s older brother, Nicholas, noticed he was beneath the surface and was in severe danger. Nicholas alerted his father immediately. Mr. Costa jumped in, pulled his son out of the pool and he was unresponsive and not breathing. Dad, along with other family members, started CPR and revived Jacob. On behalf of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Wells and the city of Anna Maria, please accept this small token of appreciation for your heroic act. Good job!” Jones said.

Anna Maria Bert Harris

Bert Harris counteroffers made

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

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners recently approved three more Bert Harris claim settlement offers, including one for a beachfront home at 107 Elm St. owned by Graham and Hazel Hansen.

The Hansens requested a 10-person occupancy limit for their rental home. The city originally offered an eight-person occupancy limit that the Hansens rejected. On March 22, the commission voted 4-1 in support of increasing the occupancy offer to 10. Commissioner Carol Carter opposed that action. She said the home is very narrow and the bedrooms are very small and she questioned the need for the extra occupancy.

The commission unanimously approved a 14-person occupancy offer for a home at 211 Chilson Ave. owned by Lakeland-based O&S Holdings.

The commission unanimously approved a counteroffer for a 14-person occupancy limit at 211 Willow Ave. The home is owned by Allen Weinstein and Alison Boak. One of the city’s previous counteroffers included an offer to buy the home for $1.79 million. The owners rejected that offer.

According to City Clerk LeAnne Addy’s monthly report, the city has settled 93 Bert Harris claims, is awaiting client decisions on six settlement offers and is awaiting client signatures for 13 accepted settlement offers.

The city has made settlement offers on all 122 of the Bert Harris claims received in 2016 and 2017. The period to file a claim expired in early 2017. The claims were filed in response to the eight-person occupancy limit contained in the vacation rental ordinance adopted in late 2015.

The Bert Harris claims are an attempt to offset lost rental income or reduced property value as a result of the city’s vacation rental occupancy limits.

Farmer's market

Farmer’s market more than just food

Written by Sun staff on . Posted in Editorial, Opinion.

Like seasonal fruits and vegetables, the city of Anna Maria’s new farmer’s market is a fleeting pleasure with an expiration date: Tuesday, May 8.

The market’s trial run was an experiment conducted by Mayor Dan Murphy and Deputy Clerk Debbie Haynes, with the City Commission’s blessing. The goal was to attract more people to the Pine Avenue business district while the Anna Maria City Pier remains closed. Judging by the first two markets, that’s mission accomplished.

Approaching stormy weather did not dampen the initial excitement felt when the market debuted on March 20, when four vendors (two of them sharing space) set up around the shade sail at City Pier Park.

The shoppers were eager and the foot traffic was heavy, and the following week produced more vendors and more people.

When expressing support for the market’s inception, Commissioner Doug Copeland lamented the lack of fresh produce on the north end of the Island. With two produce vendors on hand last week, the market provided that, but it also provided something else – a public gathering that helps foster a sense of community.

The market provides a place where locals can reconnect with one another in a new and natural setting. They can also interact with the friendly visitors who are often ostracized simply for being part of a demographic known as vacation rental guests.

The market is an example of the mayor and city commissioners trying to support the business community, full-time residents and visitors all at the same time in a small but significant manner. Does a farmer’s market cure the city’s woes? No, it does not, but getting people to gather regularly in a city park is an effort to be saluted – and hopefully repeated on the other side of summer.

Some vendors at the Anna Maria market are familiar faces at the long-running Beach Market at Coquina Beach on the south end of the Island. Chaperoned by Nancy Ambrose, the Beach Market also offers baked goods, clothing, jewelry, antiques, arts and crafts, live music, good vibes and a lovely stroll down a shaded beach trail. The Beach Market happens each Wednesday through May 9 and most Sundays through the end of July.

The stock market may be a roller coaster ride, but a trip to a local market is always a sound investment.

Farmer's market

Farmer’s market on today

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business.

Farmers market

Week two of the new Anna Maria Farmer’s Market is underway today until 5 p.m.

This week’s market features a second produce vendor and a larger variety of produce offerings than the limited supply that was available at least week’s weather-shortened market debut.

The weekly market takes place in City Pier Park at the end of Pine Avenue, across the street from the Anna Maria City Pier.

Related coverage

Farmer’s market debuts ‘in the round’

 

Farmer's market

Farmer’s market debuts ‘in the round’

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business.

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria’s new farmer’s market got off to an excellent, albeit abbreviated start Tuesday morning.

Positioned in a semi-circle around the edge of the shade sail structure in City Pier Park, the four vendors who braved the anticipated stormy weather were greeted at 11 a.m. by a large gathering of eager shoppers.

Selling fresh produce and herbs, Judy Thomas had the longest lines of the day and was nearly sold out shortly after noon.

Thomas’ offerings included cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, radishes, zucchini, fresh herbs and more. Visiting from Truman, Minn., and wearing a “Wanderlust” T-shirt, Kim Krueger bought of bunch of fresh mint. When asked what she was going to do with it, she said, “Make mojitos.”

Honey sales
Emily Fletcher samples some of the local honey sold by Neil Currie of Saucy Guys. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Krueger said she planned to coat the rims of her mojito glasses with the local honey she bought from the Saucy Guys, who were set up next to Thomas. Also selling a wide variety of spicy but flavorful homemade hot sauces, the Saucy Guys consist of Neil Currie (a retired pastor) and Jim Brannon (a retired carpenter). Curry said they’re both former cardiac patients and because of that, their products contain very little sodium.

Paul Groesbeck, visiting from Traverse City, Mich., rode his bike to the park. After sampling one of the hot sauces, he said of the new market, “It’s a great destination.”

Visiting from Eau Claire, Wisc. with camera in hand, 15-year-old Emily Fletcher tried the local honey and said, “I love it.”

Debby Haynes Market
Deputy Clerk Debbie Haynes is the driving force behind the Island’s new farmer’s market. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Her dad, Lee, said they were drawn to the market by the large promotional sign they saw. In additional to the banner sign at the south end of the park, banner signs were also placed at the entrance to the city and at the entrance to the Island on Manatee Avenue, in Holmes Beach.

After visiting Thomas’ produce tables, former Denver resident and newly-arrived Holmes Beach resident Cindy Clark sampled some of the hot sauces while shopping with her daughter Chrissy Clark, who preceded her by a few months in moving to the Island.

Next to the Saucy Guys was well-known Island figure Cindy Thompson selling her Inhale Salt Spa Himalayan Pink Salt Sole water and homemade Paradise Spice packets, one of which is called “Anna Maria Island Blend.”

Cindy Thompson
Cindy Thompson brought her Inhale Salt Spa and Paradise Spice goods to Tuesday’s market opening. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Pronounced “so-lay,” Thompson’s Sole water consists of large chunks of pink Himalayan salt contained in a small sealed glass jar with a wood spoon attached to the side. She explained to a new customer how you pour purified water over the salt chunks, let it soak overnight and then drink a spoonful each morning to reap the health benefits of more than 80 natural minerals.

In between sales, Thompson said she’s been waiting 10 years for a farmer’s market in Anna Maria.

Job well done

Market Coordinator Debbie Haynes said she was thrilled with the turnout and she noted that four more vendors postponed their debuts due to approaching weather that would later cut the market short around 2 p.m. due to rain, lighting and a tornado watch.

Haynes’ day job is Deputy Clerk/Treasurer for the city of Anna Maria. She and Public Works Manager Dean Jones originally planned for the vendors to set up their own tents at the northwest end of the park, but they instead had them set up around the perimeter of the shade sail structure because of the possibility of rain.

As the market entered its second rain-free hour, Haynes said she really liked the market-in-the-round feel it created and she suggested that might become the configuration of choice. Thompson said she loved the impromptu sail shade configuration and she envisioned it being even nicer with a full roster of vendors completing the circle.

Haynes said the city was able to get the vendors liability insurance for $42 each through the Florida League of Cities. The temporary policies are good until late May, when the market’s trial run could come to its seasonal end.

Haynes’ husband, Bob, was also on hand, serving as a volunteer at the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring organization’s informational table.

Mayor Dan Murphy stopped by and was quite pleased with the turnout. He said he noticed more foot traffic than usual on Pine Avenue on a Tuesday morning, which was a driving factor in creating a weekly market. The hope is that the farmer’s market will attract folks to the Pine Avenue area and help offset in some small way the Anna Maria City Pier being closed until a new one is built.

The market will continue every Tuesday, weather permitting, through May.

Vendors are still wanted and those interested can contact Haynes at 941-708-6130, ext. 121 or email her at depclerk@cityofannamaria.com.

Anna Maria Farmer's Market
The debut Anna Maria farmer’s market was cut short by rain, but will return next week. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Anna Maria Farmer's Market

Anna Maria farmer’s market to debut Tuesday

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business.

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria’s new farmer’s market is scheduled to make its debut on Tuesday, March 20.

Taking place in City Pier Park, near the corner of Pine Avenue and South Bay Boulevard, the market is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

According to Mayor Dan Murphy, the city has six vendors lined up for the market debut and more vendors have expressed interest in participating in future markets.

Tillman Thomas will be selling produce and organic produce. Mr. Fun Guy will be selling fresh and dried mushrooms. Saucy Guy will be selling barbeque sauce and salsa. AMI Aquaponics will be selling microgreens and edible plants. Hahn’s Kettle Corn will be selling kettle corn and Cindy Thompson will be selling Himalayan salts and other seasonings and rubs.

Interested vendors can contact Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Debbie Haynes at 941-708-6130, ext. 121 or email her at depclerk@cityofannamaria.com.

Insurance requirements addressed

City officials originally hoped to start the farmer’s market on March 6, but there was a lack of eligible vendors due to the city’s liability insurance requirements. Murphy and the Anna Maria Commission resolved those issues when the commission approved a plan proposed by Murphy that allows the city to acquire liability insurance for its vendors through the Florida League of Cities (FLC).

During the commission’s March 8 meeting, Murphy said 17 vendors were interested in the market, but only two carried their own insurance. Murphy said the insurance policies are needed in case someone gets sick or dies as a result of eating produce or other goods sold in City Pier Park, which is city property.

He told commissioners the city could acquire a policy through the FLC that would provide coverage for 15 market sessions at total cost of $70 per vendor. City Attorney Becky Vose supported the plan, which provides $1 million in liability insurance.

Each vendor will pay the city $70 to participate in the market’s anticipated 10-week trial run. Vendors do not have to pay any additional fees to reserve space in the market. It is hoped the market will bring more visitors to the Pine Avenue business district while the Anna Maria City Pier remains closed.

The market will consist primarily of fresh produce and other natural products not intended for on-site consumption. The goal is to establish a market that does not create direct competition for the Pine Avenue businesses, which are also invited to participate.

“I’ve been an advocate for the market from the beginning and if we can get 10 vendors out there I think it would be an attraction. I would be in favor of the city taking the insurance and then passing the cost along to the vendors. Since there is no other cost, it’s pretty reasonable for them,” Commission Chair Doug Copeland said.

Commissioner Dale Woodland asked about insurance requirements at other local markets.

“What’s the difference between us and Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach?” he said.

“Evidently there’s people selling at the markets there that don’t have insurance, or the city went and purchased insurance to cover themselves or they’ve got an organizer who has the insurance. Those are the three alternatives. I asked the same question myself,” Murphy said.

Anna Maria Elections Carter Wins

Incumbents sweep Anna Maria elections

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

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria voters want incumbent City Commissioners Carol Carter, Doug Copeland and Dale Woodland to serve additional two-year terms in office, as first-time candidate Laurie Jo Higgins fell short in her bid to claim one of the three open commission seats.

Carter was the leading vote getter, receiving 331 votes and 29.45 percent of the votes cast in the city election that began with mail voting in early October and ended at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Those who did not vote by mail voted in person Tuesday at the Roser Memorial Community Church.

Woodland finished second with 317 votes and 28.20 percent of the vote. Copeland finished third with 305 votes and 27.14 percent of the vote.

In her first run for elected office, Higgins received 171 votes and 15.21 percent of the votes cast.

Carter said she is “thrilled that the voters realize that I am their champion for the peaceful enjoyment of their homes and will work to ensure Home Rule will dominate.”

Carter and Copeland were elected to their third terms in office. Woodland was elected to his seventh.

The commission is rounded out by Brian Seymour and Nancy Yetter. Their current terms expire in 2018, along with two-term mayor Dan Murphy.

City Clerk LeAnne Addy said on Tuesday she was still in the process of determining a date and time for the swearing-in ceremonies that will be held at Anna Maria City Hall.

Carol Carter will serve a third term on the Anna Maria Commission. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Carol Carter will serve a third term on the Anna Maria Commission. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

First challenger Laurie Jo Higgins fell short in her first bid for public office. - Submitted

First challenger Laurie Jo Higgins fell short in her first bid for public office. - Submitted

Dale Woodland was elected to serve a seventh term in office. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Dale Woodland was elected to serve a seventh term in office. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Doug Copeland was re-elected in Anna Maria.

Doug Copeland was re-elected in Anna Maria.