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Vetting process enacted for commission appointment

Vetting process enacted for commission appointment

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

ANNA MARIA – Carol Carter has vacated her Anna Maria City Commission seat and the commission is using a new pre-selection vetting process to appoint her successor.

Running unopposed in 2021, Carter earned an additional two-year term in office that was to expire in late 2023. Carter and her husband, Bob, recently sold their Anna Maria home and purchased a home and rural property in Sarasota County. On Dec. 15, Carter participated in her final city commission meeting and then vacated her commission seat. The remaining 10 months of that commission term will be filled by commission appointment on Thursday, Jan. 26.

During the Dec. 15 meeting, the commission unanimously supported a new vetting process recommended by Mayor Dan Murphy. The enhanced process provides the four sitting commissioners and the public with an opportunity to submit written questions and concerns to later be addressed by the commission applicants during an open public forum.

Since 2015, vacant commission seats have been filled according to a ranking system. Each commissioner ranks the commission applicants, who receive one point for being a commissioner’s first preference, two points for being a commissioner’s second preference and so forth. The individual rankings are then tallied and the applicant with the lowest total score is appointed to the commission.

That process allowed applicants three to five minutes to address the commission but did not provide the public with an opportunity to assist in the vetting process.

New procedure

When presenting his new concept, Murphy said the goal is to make the appointment process more inclusive for the public.

He presented a schedule that calls for the immediate solicitation of commission applicants and a Monday, Jan. 16 application submission deadline. The application form and procedural schedule can be downloaded at the city web- site, www.cityofannamaria. com, or obtained from the city clerk’s office.

The one-page application form seeks confirmation that the applicant is over 18 years old, is a registered voter in Anna Maria, has been a city resident for at least two years, is not currently employed by the city and does not currently hold any other governmental position.

“During that solicitation period, we’re asking the public, as well as the commissioners, to provide input as to areas you’d like to see the candidates address. This could be things like parking, vacation rentals, what you prefer on Pine Avenue – things that are germane to the city of Anna Maria now and in the future. The public, as well as those of us up here, can submit questions or areas of concern you’d like to see addressed,” Murphy said.

Written questions and concerns must be submitted to the mayor or city clerk’s office by Sunday, Jan. 1. Submissions can be made by email at ammayor@cityofannamaria.com or amclerk@cityofannamaria. com. The submitted questions and concerns will be compiled, summarized and made available to the candidates, the commission, the public and the press on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Commission applicants can then address those questions and concerns during an open forum planned for Thursday, Jan. 19 at city hall. The open forum is currently scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., but the start time may possibly be pushed back until 6 p.m. to accommodate candidates and members of the public who work during the day.

During the forum, the applicants will sit at the commission dais and be given as much time as they need to give their presentations to the public and attending commissioners. The forum will not be a debate or allow verbal exchanges between the applicants.

Using the existing ranking system, the sitting commissioners will appoint Carter’s successor on Thursday, Jan. 26.

“I’m hopeful this elicits a lot of public input. Anything to get the citizenry move involved,” Commissioner Jon Crane said.

“I think it’s an excellent suggestion,” Commissioner Deanie Sebring said of the mayor’s proposed procedure.

Farewell wishes

Later during the meeting, Murphy thanked Carter for her service and presented her with a wooden plaque that features a key to the city and a replica of the gavel she used as the commission chairperson.

The mayor read aloud the inscription that says, “The city of Anna Maria thanks you with grateful appreciation in recognition for your leadership and your dedication.”

Vetting process enacted for commission appointment
Commissioner Carol Carter received this plaque as a parting gift. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Murphy then said, “We thank you very much for everything you did for our city and we’re going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss all of you too. It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the city for nine years plus,” Carter said, noting that she also served on the Planning and Zoning Board before becoming a city commissioner.

“This experience with the city has been a real growth experience. I learned a lot and worked with such fine people on the staff and the various commissions. It’s really enhanced my life,” she said.

She also referenced sea level rise expert and author John Englander, whom she and her husband helped bring to The Center for two presentations in 2019.

“We are moving to 26 feet above sea level. That’s 20 more feet than we had here,” she joked. “Most people our age are downsizing and it looks like we’re upsizing. We have more acreage and we have a barn. I came from a farming background. I’m not sure what will happen with the barn, but something will happen,” she said.

Anna Maria Island Historical Society board member Barbara Murphy thanked Carter for all she did for the museum and museum board.

Commissioner Robert Kingan said, “Carol, it really has been such a pleasure to serve with you. You and Bob are good friends of ours and I wish you all the very best. I know we will see you again.”

A new chapter in life awaits Carol and Bob Carter

A new chapter in life awaits Carol, Bob Carter

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

ANNA MARIA – Longtime community members and city officials Carol and Bob Carter are moving to Sarasota County in December.

The Carters moved into their Anna Maria home in 2001. Carol’s departure will create an 11-month vacancy on the city commission to be filled by commission appointment.

Bob’s departure will create a vacancy on the city’s Planning and Zoning Board. In 2019, he and Dick York received Anna Maria’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year award for their work with the Home Rule Florida organization and website.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, Carol submitted her resignation letter to Mayor Dan Murphy.

“Bob and I will be relocating in December to south Sarasota County for a quieter life – at 26 feet above sea level – nearer our sons and their families in Naples,” she wrote.

“It’s been an honor for me to serve and represent the residents of our city and Anna Maria since Nov. 14, 2013, when I was sworn in as a commissioner for my first two-year term. Now, five terms and almost 10 years later, I resign my position on the Anna Maria City Commission as of Dec. 16. If acceptable, my final commission meeting would be Dec. 15,” she wrote.

A new chapter in life awaits Carol and Bob Carter

In December, Carol Carter will leave the city commission she’s been a member of since 2013. – Joe Hendricks | Sun“It is difficult to express how much this experience, with its responsibilities, has changed my life. I will forever value the trust relationships that have developed for me with my fellow elected officials and the Anna Maria city staff members both past and present. That learning curve of all the inner workings between local, county and state officials, our local ordinances, county and state laws and the indominable state of Florida Sunshine Law continued for all my years in office,” she wrote.

“Thank you, Mayor Murphy and commissioners Short, Crane, Sebring and Kingan for your support and confidence during our years working together for the greater good of our Island community. I hope I am leaving this special place better prepared to meet the challenges ahead,” she stated in her letter.

In his response to Carol’s resignation letter, Murphy wrote, “It is with a great deal of regret that we accept your letter of resignation. Thank you for all that you have done for our city and our Island community to make it a better place to live. You have left a positive and indelible mark on Anna Maria through your many contributions.”
On Friday, the couple attended the city’s “Old Soldiers & Sailors” Veterans Day parade and the recognition ceremony at City Pier Park. When asked about their pending move, Bob said he and Carol both grew up in rural areas and want to return to a more rural lifestyle.

“Carol and I have lived on the Island for over 20 years. We’ve really enjoyed it but as we look to where we want to spend the next 10 or 20 years it’s going to be in a more peaceful place. We’re looking at five acres out east in south Sarasota County. We’ll probably have a few animals and invite some of our friends from the Island to come to our ‘petting zoo,’ ” Bob said.

“We’re really looking forward to this chapter of our lives together. We will miss the Island and we’ll be happily and peacefully watching from the sidelines. When we bought here this was a very different place. It was over 70% residential then and now we’re in the low 20%. That was fine for the period that we were here, but we’re looking forward to a new chapter in our lives together. We have friends in Sarasota and I’m still within 27 minutes of my office in Sarasota,” Bob said.

When contacted later in the week, Carol said, “We look forward to the next phase of our lives and changing gears for the next 10-15 years if we’re fortunate and our good health continues. I’m 75 and I think it’s time to regroup and do some different things to keep me invigorated,” she said.

As a soon-to-be-resident of unincorporated Sarasota County, Carol doesn’t anticipate running for a county commission seat, but she may volunteer to assist the county government in some other fashion.

She also hopes to get involved with the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, working on wetland and land conservation and preservation.

“I come from an agricultural background and I hope to get more involved in that type of thing,” she said.

The couple has joined the Church of the Redeemer Sarasota and they plan to get involved in some of the many endeavors taking place there, including the ongoing Hurricane Ian recovery efforts that include repairing and replacing damaged homes and churches. Carol said the church has also helped displaced Afghan refugees get settled in southwest Florida.

“They have all kinds of outreach activities that I’m going to get involved in. I think it’s important to stay active and I want to do that, reinventing myself for the next 10-15-20 years,” she said.

Carol was asked what she’ll miss most about living in Anna Maria.

“I certainly will miss the involvement representing people in our city and having them come to me with issues that are important to them. I’ll miss being a commissioner and working with the constituents. I also miss riding my bike or walking up the street to Ginny’s and Jane E’s to have a cup of coffee or tea and chatting with people I know. I’ll miss going to the community center too,” Carol said.

Carol was asked if there’s anything she won’t miss about living in Anna Maria.

“The golf carts, the bicyclists that don’t abide by the rules of the road and the pedestrians that don’t abide by the rules,” she said.

Mayor to meet with Mote Marine representatives

Mayor to meet with Mote Marine representatives

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

ANNA MARIA – The city’s pursuit of a proposed Mote Marine educational outreach center on the City Pier continues.

During the Thursday, Feb. 25 city commission meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy said he planned to meet privately with Mote Marine President and CEO Dr. Michael Crosby and some additional Mote Marine staff members on Wednesday, March 3.

Topics to be discussed during the preliminary fact-finding meeting were to include financial and operational responsibilities and potential lease terms for Mote Marine’s use of the still-vacant city-owned pier building located next to the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop. Based on that meeting, Murphy will then develop a more detailed plan to present for commission consideration later this month.

Mayor to meet with Mote Marine representatives
This rendering illustrates what the inside of the currently vacant City Pier building would look like if used as a marine educational outreach center. – Mote Marine | Submitted

Murphy said he spoke to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Elliott Falcione and submitted a funding application for possible consideration by the Tourist Development Council (TDC) and the Manatee County Commission.

Murphy said he’s trying to gauge the county’s interest in providing some or all of the $500,000 the city would need to raise to establish a marine educational outreach center that would then be operated at Mote Marine’s expense. The Mote Marine proposal does not call for Mote Marine to make monthly lease payments or compensate the city for the use of the pier building.

Additional potential uses discussed on Feb. 10 and Feb. 17 included a full-service restaurant, a special events venue or a retail shop. During those meetings, no public opposition was expressed regarding the proposed Mote Marine facility.

On Feb. 17, the commission voted 4-1 to explore the Mote Marine option first. Commissioner Mark Short opposed limiting the city’s options to a single choice at this time.

During the Feb. 25 meeting, city resident and current Mote Marine board member Bob Carter clarified his role in the pursuit of a Mote Marine facility on the City Pier.

“There’s been some question about my motives in suggesting that Mote be out there,” he said.

Carter said serving as a volunteer Mote Marine board member provides him no financial gain. He also noted that he previously chaired the National Aquarium Board.

Mayor to meet with Mote Marine representatives
Mote Marine board member Bob Carter helped spur Mote Marine’s interest in the use of the vacant City Pier building. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“People on the Island know that I, as well as my spouse (Commissioner Carol Carter), am very interested in the environment. We helped bring Philippe Cousteau here to talk about clean oceans. We helped bring John Englander here to talk about sea level rise. I don’t make any apologies for financially supporting and advocating for these causes in education, conservation, environment and global health. That’s why I suggested to Dr. Crosby that he might want to do something out here, and I’m delighted the commission has seen fit to give them a chance to do this. It will set this pier apart from a commercial-only enterprise and it will become a landmark of a different kind,” Carter said.

Comprehensive plan considerations

Carol Carter then referenced the city’s comprehensive plan – the document that establishes the overall vision for the city’s development and future growth. She noted the comp plan includes elements that address recreational, environmental and educational components.
“I think that’s an important thing for us to consider,” she said.

“I’m just astounded some people are still demanding a restaurant,” Commissioner Joe Muscatello added.

Mayor to meet with Mote Marine representatives
Anna Maria Commissioner Joe Muscatello doesn’t understand the continued pleas for another pier restaurant. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“Nowhere in the comprehensive plan does it say that we should be renting property for profit. But it does say we should be providing recreational facilities and we should be endorsing environmental education,” Murphy said. “We don’t get any revenue from the (Island) Players. We don’t get any revenue from the historical museum. We don’t get any money from the community center. This is not a new concept to this city, to take city space and use it to fulfill what’s in the comprehensive plan. I truly believe government fulfills a space that private enterprise cannot fill. That’s our mission.”

Carol Carter thanked Murphy for his preliminary efforts and said, “It’s not a done deal. We understand that.”

Related coverage

 

City pursues Mote Marine proposal

 

Carter and York named Citizens of the Year

Carter and York named Citizens of the Year

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

ANNA MARIA – Bob Carter and Dick York are the city of Anna Maria’s Citizens of the Year for 2019.

Carter and York were selected by the Citizen Recognition Committee that consisted of Deputy City Clerk Debbie Haynes and city residents Kathy Patten and Alan Tripp.

York and Carter were recognized at the Thursday, Jan. 23 city commission meeting, which York was unable to attend.

Haynes detailed York and Carter’s contributions to the city by reading aloud their nomination forms.

York is the retired president and CEO of an information technology firm. He and his wife, Sally, moved to Anna Maria in 1999.

“Mr. York has been actively involved in the Island and the statewide initiative aimed at preserving home rule. He has contributed not only his time and talent, but he also personally funded and maintained a website dedicated to this effort,” Haynes said.

She was referring to the Home Rule Florida coalition and the www.homerulefl.com website.

“Each legislative year, for the past eight years, Mr. York has updated, expanded and improved the website, transforming it into the most effective web presence in the state of Florida to address the issue of erosion of home rule. The site highlights the latest news on pending bills impacting home rule, identifies the sponsors of these bills and the committee hearing process, and provides an easy and instantaneous method for constituents to communicate with legislators on this important issue.

“By providing this effective tool to the residents of our Island community and citizens throughout the state, Mr. York has been instrumental in stopping the erosion of home rule and making known the concerns of grassroots constituents. Mr. York has become a principal crusader in maintaining the rights of cities to determine their own destiny, and for these reasons he is recommended as Anna Maria’s resident of the year. We congratulate Mr. York,” Haynes said.

Carter is the founder and chair of Carter Global, an international philanthropic fundraising consulting firm. He moved to Anna Maria in 2006 and has been married to Anna Maria Commissioner Carol Carter for 36 years.

“Mr. Carter has been very active in city affairs, contributing not only his time and talent, but also personally funding programs of importance to the residents of our city. Over the past two years, Mr. Carter has been active in ensuring responsible government and preserving home rule.

“He served on the Planning and Zoning Board, providing valuable input on issues such as the city’s comprehensive plan. Mr. Carter also personally funded two public presentations by prominent authors and speakers: Peter Kageyama, an expert on cities and how each of us can play an important and vital role in establishing and improving the quality of life in our hometown, and John Englander, an international authority and noted author on sea level rise and its implications for barrier island communities and other coastal environments.

“For these reasons and more, Mr. Carter is recommended as the Anna Maria Citizen of the Year,” Haynes said.

She then presented him with a wooden plaque commemorating his award.

“I want to thank the committee and whoever nominated me,” Carter said. “I think all of us have certain capacity, talents and skills and I feel we’re obligated to put them to good use for the greater good. We want to make this a better place for future generations. We don’t know how long this Island will be viable because of sea level rise, but we want it to be the best it can be, and that includes home rule.

“Working with Dick on home rule started by three guys meeting on his porch every Sunday night at 5 o’clock. I named it the “coalition” and Tallahassee actually thought it was a coalition, which is the only reason they listened to us,” Carter said, noting he appreciates the award and will honor it.