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Commissioners appoint vice mayor, CRA leaders

Commissioners appoint vice mayor, CRA leaders

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission appointed CRA leaders and liaisons to community organizations at its Feb. 20 meeting, and appointed Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce as vice mayor.

“What we have done in the past is rotated who is vice mayor,” Chappie said. “In the past it has gone to the next person with seniority. Debbie Scaccianoce is the next one in line. I think she’ll be a great vice mayor and has already proven her worth in a number of areas in the city and that would be my recommendation.”

Commissioner Ralph Cole was the previous vice mayor.

According to the city charter, when there is a vacancy in the office of the mayor, the vice mayor succeeds to the office of mayor until the next election.

“Next item is CRA (Commu­nity Redevelopment Agency) chairman, we haven’t rotated that very much for quite a while,” Chappie said. “I think Scott (Commissioner Scott Bear) would be good. We all know the good job Ralph has done.”

Bear was appointed chair and Cole was appointed CRA vice chair.

“I think Ralph knows how it’s run if Scott’s not available,” Chappie said.

“We do have several projects that are in the works that are moving forward, but with the hurricane they kind of set on the back burner,” Cole said. “So, as we get rolling and follow up on finishing up on some the projects, we could start new projects as they come up any­time. If something new comes up that we can add to the CRA district, then we need a chair or vice chair to run the meetings. Lately we’ve been trying to get some of the projects we’ve got going completed before we dive into new ones.”

Operating with its own budget, the CRA is a separate but related agency of the city government. All five city commission members, including the mayor, serve on the CRA board. In the past, the CRA board has also included a representative from the Bradenton Beach business community and a city resident.

“The CRA boundaries are the northern border of the FDOT right of way for Cortez Bridge and Fifth Street South, the south property line of the properties on Fifth Street South from water to water,” Chappie said.

Chappie recommended Scaccianoce to help with the building department reorgani­zation.

“To me that is a definite liaison position where she is taking on that extra task to help with the building depart­ment and working with our building official and floodplain manager,” he said.

Scaccianoce was also ap­pointed to the liaison position with the Manasota League of Cities.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh will be liaison to the Scenic WAVES committee and Keep Manatee Beautiful.

Bear will be the liaison to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitor­ing, the Annie Silver Com­munity Center and The Center of Anna Maria Island.

Cole was appointed the liaison to the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.

Chappie will be liaison to the Bradenton Beach Merchants Association, the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center, the Island Transporta­tion and Planning Organization and the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

All commissioners participate in pier team meetings and department head meetings and can attend meetings of the Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials, Manatee Council of Governments, Manatee County Commission and Manatee County Tourist Development Council.

Bradenton Beach logo

CRA shifts from recommending to governing body

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners voted unanimously at the Sept. 5 meeting to modify the makeup of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board from a seven-member to a five-member board.

The five-member board will consist of commissioners only and act as a governing body. In contrast, the seven-member board included two CRA-area residents or business owners and only made recommendations for the commission to decide.

“We have one vacancy and probably will have another one,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said, introducing the topic at a commission meeting.

The vacancies Perry referred to are resident David Bell, who resigned from the CRA in March, and Ed Chiles, former owner of Beach House Restaurant. Chiles has been absent with excuse from meetings for the past several months.

“Initially the CRA was a five-member board, then we went to a seven-member board, then five, then seven again. Right now, we are looking at these vacancies. My question is do you still want the two alternates, or do you want it to go back to a five-member board?” Perry asked the commissioners.

Perry said the CRA is going into a little bit of a lull as projects are being completed.

“We’re catching up on all the work we’ve done, we’re putting money back into the coffers. Our focus right now is primarily any emergency situations that Chief (John) Cosby as public works director brings to us,” she said. “There’s not a lot of major projects coming forward.”

As a practical matter, Perry said the monthly Wednesday morning CRA meetings could be held on the same night as the Thursday commission meetings.

“The CRA would have to have its own agenda,” she said. “You could have your CRA meeting first, adjourn that meeting and then have the commission meeting.”

“I think it’s an important discussion,” Mayor John Chappie said. “Manatee County does their CRA meetings first and then go back into their regular session.”

Commissioner Ralph Cole, who also serves as CRA chair, said he recommended going back to a five-member board.

“I’ve been commissioner long enough that I’ve seen it both ways and I think we should go back to five,” Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said.

Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce raised concerns about non-participation by businesspeople if the board returns to five members.

“At the CRA meetings I’ve been to, it’s pretty much only been us,” Scaccianoce said. “Mr. Chiles hasn’t been here and it’s probably been because he sold his business. I don’t know what the role is because I’ve never had a businessperson present for a CRA meeting. How does that impact the businesses if they’re not a part of it?”

Cole pointed out everyone on the board is subject to the Sunshine Law.

“Everything has to be discussed at a public meeting,” Cole said. “You can’t approach the mayor as a businessperson and talk to him about something you want voted on.”

“If you’re on the same board you can’t talk,” Chappie said.

“It’s easy for someone to trip up on Sunshine Law and public records retention,” Perry said. “It’s a very challenging thing.”

“I think Sunshine is a deterrent and it also ties their hands,” Scaccianoce said. “I think we would have trouble getting seven.”

Vosburgh noted that all the commissioners now or in the past have been business owners.

Chappie read the motion to approve a resolution to modify the makeup of the seven-member CRA board to a five-member CRA board.

Scaccianoce made the motion. It was seconded by Vosburgh and passed unanimously.

Bradenton Beach logo

City’s busy sidewalks to be repaired

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief John Cosby, who is serving as interim public works director, told the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) about upcoming improvements, including sidewalk repairs, at its June 5 meeting.

Improvements in the CRA district will include sidewalk leveling and repairs to alleviate tripping hazards, the proposed purchase of a custom-made pressure washer, new garbage receptacles along Bridge Street and increased days of trash pickup.

“Any trash that was out there was only tended to once a week,” Cosby said, adding that the first thing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, unless it’s raining, the street will be policed for trash. “They’ll start at the pier and work their way down to the circle at Gulf Drive and go up here to city hall at Second and down to Third to make sure everything is picked up and cleaned up.”

Cosby said on every Thursday, the sidewalks will be blown off and a street sweeper will come down the road to clean up that debris.

“We were only doing that once a month. Now we’ll be doing that every week,” he said.

Cosby said after walking the CRA district with the public works crew, they found tripping hazards in several areas in the sidewalks. He said the city is responsible for all the sidewalks that have shell alongside, including those on Gulf Drive.

“We’ve got the machine and they’re leveling those tripping hazards off,” Cosby said. “A few years ago we had a couple of people who had tripped at different locations and had some serious facial injuries.”

Within the next several weeks, maintenance crews will be replacing sidewalks that are crumbled or crushed in the CRA district, he said.

“The team is able to do that,” Cosby said. “The shell will be put back in the way it was, we’ll just have some new sections and we do have quite a few areas of that where it’s cracked severely.”

Cosby said he will be bringing back to the CRA suggestions about the public works department obtaining a custom-made pressure washer, which would be a 500-gallon tank on a trailer.

“It’s not going to be cheap. But that will allow us to pressure wash the sidewalks, pressure wash the brick in the CRA district and clean the swing sets at the parks,” he said. “This will also allow us to clean the new white signs that are going up. Hopefully, we’re not going to make it too big so we can utilize it on the pier. Right now we have a small pressure washer.”

Cosby said the pressure washer would be designed with a hose reel on it so it can be used for watering.

“Keep in mind we’re paying $3,500 for the HERC truck to do this (watering). By the time we’re done what we’re doing, we could have bought the system we’re talking about,” he said.

Public works employee David Higgins also presented options for new garbage receptacles in the CRA district.

Cosby has been serving as interim public works director since the May resignation of former director Tom Woodard.

“Since we’re planning on delaying hiring a public works director until we figure out what is happening with OPPAGA and what the state is going to do with regards to whatever it is they’re going to do, we’re going to hold off on that because it would not be fair to hire somebody and find out there’s nothing to come to so we’re going to wait,” Cosby said, referring to a proposal to consolidate or eliminate the Island cities, thus eliminating city employees.

“I’m planning on hiring the position we have for the CRA, that’s been in the CRA budget for the last 2.5 years,” Cosby said. “Their work schedule would be Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday – that way over the weekend we can make sure the trash is taken care of and any other issues that may come up over the weekend and held keep it tidy.”

David Bell resigns from CRA board

David Bell resigns from CRA board

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Following the end of a March 6 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting during which board member David Bell criticized many of the agency’s methods and policies, Bell handed City Clerk Terri Sanclemente a pre-written letter of resignation.

He noted in his letter that he is leaving while the board is in a comfortable financial position but had the following comments on methods and projects:

“I never have agreed with the prioritizing of cars over people as the focus of the city,” he wrote. “To believe that day visitors to the city are a greater asset than the people who have chosen to live or rent in Bradenton Beach makes no sense to me.”

Bell is a resident of Bradenton Beach and has been a CRA board member for five years.

He wrote that there has been too much focus on parking versus circulation, accessibility, safety, environmental issues and aesthetics.

Bell went on to comment about Bridge Street development in his letter:

“Likewise, the millions of dollars in commitment to the merchants of Bridge Street to supply more business, add parking, support special events, install landscaping and provide security as well as the city’s latitude on code and contract violations has clearly not been universally rewarded,” Bell wrote. “For years, the return on that investment has been that both ends of Bridge Street and the Third Street South corridor – a huge section of our commercial district – have been an embarrassment to the city. I expected better. The CRA should demand better.”

“I’m sorry to see him leave, I really am,” Mayor John Chappie said, declining further comment on Bell’s letter.

Created on Feb. 5, 1992 by the City of Bradenton Beach, the CRA provides financial assistance to the city to create public projects.

In addition to Chairman Ralph Cole, the CRA board is comprised of Chappie as vice chair, local businessman Ed Chiles and City Commissioners Jan Vosburgh and Marilyn Maro.

Bradenton Beach logo

CRA funding cut for Old Town Tram

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – If the Old Town Tram continues providing rides within the city, it will do so without the financial support of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

At its Dec. 6 meeting, the CRA board voted unanimously to discontinue funding of the free park-and-ride service it began subsidizing in November 2020 at a cost of $52,000 per year.

Using two electric golf carts, the tram was launched as a pilot program to help address the lack of parking on Bridge Street. It is partially funded by advertising sales.

Annual funding for the service was cut from the city’s 2023-24 budget, but CRA board members agreed at a Sept. 6 meeting to a $10,000 expenditure to keep it going until the end of 2023.

That temporary funding was based on the understanding that Joshua LaRose, owner of Sarasota-based Easy Parking Group and provider of the tram service, and CRA Chairman Ralph Cole would work together to look at options to make the service self-supporting.

One of those options included LaRose securing additional advertising from the businesses that benefit from having customers brought to their doorsteps.

LaRose said at the Dec. 6 meeting that he spoke to local business owners about advertising on the tram, but without success.

“People offered to donate $50-$100 a month to keep it going,” LaRose said. “They’re saying right now how slow it’s been over the summer and they don’t have the funds to do a full advertising.”

LaRose offered an option to save money.

“I can cut the hours and days back out of season, to maybe four to five days a week and maybe start a little bit later in the afternoon. That would dramatically bring down the cost,” LaRose said. “If we did a later start time and less days a week, we could probably do it with the advertisers we have now. I could keep one car going.”

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh has been an opponent of financial support for the tram service.

“I think we should discontinue it,” she said. “I don’t think it’s up to the taxpayers to pay for this.”

Cole echoed that sentiment.

“Businesses benefit the most from it,” Cole said. “Those are the people that need to step up to the plate.”

Commissioner Jake Spooner suggested the possibility of having the tram in service during the busier times of the year.

LaRose said in season the tram was giving nearly 8,000 rides a month.

“It’s encouraging that you said you could survive on its own with one car,” Chappie said. “We haven’t been satisfied. It was worth a shot. I’d like to see you do it on your own.”

LaRose indicated that he will likely continue the tram service with one cart.

“This fellow took over and is trying to support our businesses,” Bradenton Beach resident Jim Hassett said during public comment. “I think his business needs to be supported.”

In addition to board members Chappie, Cole, Spooner and Vosburgh, member David Bell was in attendance. Marilyn Maro phoned into the meeting. Member Ed Chiles was absent with excuse.

Tingley Memorial Library

Tingley library elevating for parking spaces

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The creation of needed public parking by elevating or moving the Tingley Library was discussed at both the city commission and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meetings.

The scope of funding for various portions of the proposed parking project is to be divided with CRA funds used for some of the parking and city funding for elevating or moving the building itself, along with some of the costs associated with parking. The Tingley funds left to the city are earmarked for any improvements to the library building.

The city-owned library was built in the early 1990s using $240,000 of the $678,801 that Beulah Hannah Hooks Tingley bequeathed to the city in 1986 to create a public reading room. The library isn’t part of the county library system.

At the Sept. 6 CRA meeting, members acknowledged the need for public parking, but one member questioned whether CRA funds should be used for the design build project.

“I asked for this to be put on the agenda,” Mayor and CRA member John Chappie said. “The best solution would be to come up with a design build and relocating of the Tingley Library to utilize the square footage of the lot to create the largest amount of parking spaces in that area.  The RFP (request for proposal) would cover the engineering design aspects.”

He requested approval to have City Attorney Ricinda Perry to draft an RFP.

“We’ve talked about it, I think we need to do it,” Chappie said. “I think funds are available in the Tingley Library bequeath for the library itself. And there’s some other funds I think would be available through the CRA.”

“If we do end up doing paid parking it would probably pay for itself in no time,” Jake Spooner said.

Member Ed Chiles suggested city hall modifications should be considered also.

“It seems to me you would take advantage of that opportunity and study city hall as well,” he said.

Chappie said the discussion is just dealing with the library and the property the library is on.

“Over the last several years, we’ve discussed city hall,” Chappie said. “It would appear over the years that in the majority of discussions, people do not want to get rid of city hall.”

“I’m not talking about getting rid of city hall but seeing it survives a storm,” Chiles said.

“We’re not allowed to use city funds for city hall,” Chappie said.

Chiles suggested cost-sharing as an alternative.

“We’ve got a very vulnerable city hall,” he said. “We’ve got sea level rise and storm surge. If we get hit hard city hall’s in trouble.”

Chappie made a motion to direct Perry to prepare an RFP for a design build for Tingley Library to elevate, relocate, create a parking lot area, with regards to stormwater and possible landscaping.

The motion was seconded by Spooner.

“I don’t feel the design or the modification of city buildings is a good fit for the CRA,” member David Bell said. “I understand how you’re trying to get parking and I can see how the CRA could participate in funding some of that parking.  But to do the modifications on the building it seems out of our charter here.”

Perry explained how funding between entities would be allocated.

“To the extent you have engineering costs to elevate the building so you can have parking, you have engineering costs so you can lay out a parking lot, those are all direct costs to create parking,” Perry said. “Any costs to modify the building, those are city funds and could also come from the bequeath.”

The motion was passed by a vote of 3-2, with Bell and Chiles casting the dissenting votes.

City Commission meeting

At its Sept.7 meeting, the city Commission approved the issuance of a design build Request for Proposal (RFP) to elevate or relocate the Tingley Library to create ground-level parking under the building. The parking area could possibly accommodate 20-25 spaces, according to Mayor John Chappie.

CRA member Ralph Cole made the motion at the meeting to approve the issuance and posting of an RFP for relocating the Tingley Library.

“I’ll move to approve issuance of a design build RFP to relocate the Tingley Library and to direct Ricinda Perry to draft and post an RFP,” Cole said.

CRA member Jan Vosburgh seconded the motion.

During public comment, Bradenton Beach resident Marcelyn Harman questioned the elevation of the library.

“I walk in that area, and I know the library has a pie-shaped area in the back of it to the east,” Harmon said. “Could there be parking spaces there instead of raising the building? We are getting a new roof on it and it looks amazing.”

Chappie responded to those concerns at the close of public comment.

“Land is so expensive we have to utilize every single inch that we have,” Chappie said. “It looks like we can get at least 20-25, maybe a few more, parking spaces. The land is too valuable just to leave it go as wasteful underneath it. Parking is at a premium.”

“We couldn’t afford to purchase that land now that’s for sure,” he added. “We need the parking. That’s the reason we’re choosing to go forward.”

“We have some funds lined up to pay for this hopefully,” he said. “The RFP is going to give us a lot of answers to unknowns at this point.”

“The RFP will address all the concerns the member of the public has,” Perry said. “It’s more of an information gathering, planning aspect,”

The motion passed unanimously among commission members, who in addition to Chappie, Cole and Vosburgh, included Commissioner Jake Spooner.

Funding for Old Town Trams extended

Funding for Old Town Trams extended

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Old Town Trams may be rolling just a little bit longer.

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) voted at its Aug. 15 meeting to remove the $52,000 subsidization for the free ride service from its 2023-24 budget. However, after much debate about the necessity of the trams at a Sept. 6 CRA meeting, a compromise was reached. Members voted unanimously to fund the tram, with conditions, until the end of this year.

“This was temporary until it could stand on its own,” Mayor John Chappie said. “I don’t mind helping people and getting people started, but for a limited time.”

Launched as a pilot program in November 2020, the Old Town Trams were put in place to help address the lack of parking on and around Bridge Street. The trams are a free park-and-ride shuttle service in the CRA district (from the Cortez Bridge to Fifth Street South) using two electric golf carts.

“I don’t think any of us like to see it go away because it does provide some type of service,” Chappie said. “The problem is, who’s paying for it? And what kind of involvement will there be from businesses? That’s what the service is there for.”

The service is provided by the Sarasota-based Easy Parking Group, owned by Joshua LaRose. It is supported by the CRA at a cost of $52,000 per year and is partially funded by advertising sales.

LaRose attended the Sept. 6 meeting and offered concessions to help defray some of the costs to the city.

“The pilot program didn’t work out and we need to terminate the pilot program,” CRA member David Bell said. “I think what we need to do is see what Tram 2.0 looks like.”

Bell asked LaRose to tell the board what he thought would make it successful.

“Cutting out of season to the weekends is a possibility,” LaRose said. He also offered to cut service on slower days, possibly Monday and Tuesday.

LaRose said the profit margin for the tram service is minimal.

“I might make $1,000 a month, if that sometimes,” he said. “I’m not complaining. You came out and wanted this service.”

LaRose said that upkeep on the carts is expensive, and with the ongoing sewer construction he has had to replace tires multiple times. He also said that insurance is costly at $1,100 per month.

CRA member Jan Vosburgh, who has been a vocal opponent of funding the tram, said the tram is unnecessary, especially given the construction in the area.

“If we could privatize it, we could use that money to do a lot of things,” CRA member Ralph Cole said.

“There needs to be a designated route and stick with the timing needed between different stops, designated times, designated stops, the signage and upkeep on the carts. I’ve heard a few people complain about the upkeep and how they look,” Chappie said.

“Once the construction is done, I always thought there should be a dedicated route,” CRA member Jake Spooner said.

“This isn’t a free ride, we’re giving you so much money as a temporary thing and we want you to be able to make it on your own,” Chappie said to LaRose.

Chappie suggested taking a hiatus for several months to see if LaRose can get support from local businesses during that time. Bell disagreed and said it would be too hard to start again after a break. Cole said if the tram were stopped for a hiatus, advertisers would be lost.

“We need to leave our options open,” Chappie said. “Do we want to set aside a certain amount of money for some type of tram service? We still have a little time, not much. We have to figure out the budget process and set aside a few dollars to support this in some way to help it move along.”

CRA members agreed that participation and support from local businesses would be desirable and necessary to keep the trams going.

“Merchants aren’t equally participating and contributing,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said.

One local business owner asked for a balance.

“The city planned the street (Bridge Street) that way with no parking, the city agreed to put businesses in there with no parking,” Silver Resorts owner Angela Rodocker said. “There is a balance that has to be looked at if we want that to continue to thrive. I don’t think it looks like what it looks like right now. Certainly not $50,000.”

The tram is funded by the CRA until October.

“We could fund it for a few more months,” Cole said.

Contractually the city is on the hook for over $104,000 if the advertisers leave, Perry said. She also said $10,000 in funds could be reallocated for several months’ extension.

“Now we put it out there, and people realize we don’t want to fund it anymore,” Cole said.

“I think a clear message has been sent, ‘Time’s up,’ Chappie said. “If we can figure out how to make it better, ok and if we can’t then that’s it.”

A motion to fund and operate the tram service until Dec. 31 passed unanimously.

Bradenton Beach CRA budget planning begins

Bradenton Beach CRA budget planning begins

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) expects to receive $635,677 in ad valorem property tax revenues during the 2023-24 fiscal year.

City Treasurer Shayne Thompson presented the projected CRA revenues and expenses to CRA board members during the July 18 budget meeting that marked the beginning of the board’s annual budgeting process. Further discussion and decision-making will occur at a future budget meeting before the proposed CRA budget is formally adopted in September.

The city of Bradenton Beach has the only CRA on Anna Maria Island. The property tax revenues the CRA receives are a portion of the property tax revenues collected from residential and commercial property owners in the CRA district that extends from the Cortez Bridge to the southernmost residential property lines along Fifth Street South.

Each year, the CRA also receives a state-mandated transfer of funds from the city’s general fund. For the coming fiscal year, the city will transfer $142,516 from the general fund to the separately controlled CRA fund. The proposed CRA revenues also include $3,000 in interest income, giving the CRA $781,193 in total anticipated revenues for the 2023-24 fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1. Approximately $300,000 from the current fiscal year budget will be carried over into the new fiscal year, giving the CRA approximately $1.1 million to work with for the year. According to Thompson, the CRA has an estimated $711,839 in unallocated funds to spend on projects and improvements within the CRA district.

The proposed budget includes $121,100 in general CRA-related operational expenses and an additional $5,000 for administrative services provided by city staff.

The proposed budget includes $100,769 for the CRA-funded additional policing of the CRA district. This entails patrolling Bridge Street during peak hours and using the police boat to police the liveaboard boats and boaters in the unmanaged anchorage south of the Bradenton Beach Pier. CRA police funding will increase by $17,125 compared to last year.

Police Chief John Cosby said he’s adding Wednesday evenings to the CRA-funded policing that already occurs on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Cosby said Wednesdays have become another busy night on Bridge Street, in part because the AMI Moose Lodge attracts hundreds of people to the area during its Wednesday evening Queen of Hearts drawings.

The proposed budget includes $84,500 for CRA-related salaries and wages for the Public Works personnel who maintain, clean and service the CRA district. During Tuesday’s meeting, CRA member John Chappie said he’d like to discuss increasing that amount at the next budget meeting. Chappie would also like further discussion on once again giving bonuses to city staff members who significantly assist the CRA.

CRA projects

In recent years, the Bradenton Beach CRA has funded several projects to enhance and improve the district for visitors, residents and business owners, including the floating dock expansion project next to the pier that included 13 new finger docks (with 50% matching funds provided by Manatee County), undergrounding most of the utility lines in the CRA district and partially funding the Old Town Tram parking tram shuttle service.

Bradenton Beach CRA budget planning begins
The expanded floating dock funded by the CRA and Manatee County features 13 new finger docks that provide more public dockage. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Smaller-scale CRA-funded pursuits include park improvements, holiday decorations, signs, landscaping and beautification projects, bike racks and financial support for special events.

 

Bradenton Beach CRA budget planning begins
Undergrounding utility lines has been a CRA priority in recent years and these lines and poles are expected to be removed later this year. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The preliminary budget worksheet Thompson presented for the coming fiscal year lists $72,000 in anticipated CRA-funded projects and capital improvements, $52,000 for Old Town Tram operations and $20,000 for seagrass mitigation required for a previously completed CRA-funded dredging of the navigational canal between the Bradenton Beach Pier and Leffis Key. Thompson said the seagrass mitigation expenses might be more than currently budgeted.

Thompson noted the CRA spent about $10,000 more than it budgeted for the current fiscal year and advised CRA members to hold back $20,000 to $25,000 to cover any unexpected costs, including project costs that run higher than expected. Thompson advised the CRA members to create a list of desired projects for the coming year and task the appropriate staff members to get estimated costs for the proposed projects.

“If there’s something you want to do, add some dollars for it,” Thompson said.

At Chappie’s suggestion, CRA members agreed to include in the budget $30,000 for beautification/facade grants that were previously budgeted for but never used. Chappie said he’s talked to a couple of property owners who have expressed interest in pursuing the grants that would require them to match the funds received from the CRA.

CRA Chair Ralph Cole said he’d like to allocate some money to enhance and possibly widen the walkways that lead to the CRA district.

CRA member David Bell suggested setting aside $200,000 each year for the next five years to purchase small slices of property for CRA enhancements, but that suggestion didn’t garner much support.

The CRA members will better define their list of proposed projects during their next budget meeting.

The city commission and CRA members have expressed support for a paid parking program that would include some or all of the city-owned parking spaces in the CRA district, but the proposed CRA budget doesn’t currently include any anticipated paid parking revenues or expenses. There are still details that need to be worked out before a request for proposals can be issued seeking bids from potential paid parking program vendors.

Elevating library could create more public parking

Elevating library could create more public parking

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie proposes further elevating the Tingley Memorial Library to create a ground-level public parking lot below the library building.

The city-owned library was built in the early 1990s using $240,000 of the $678,801 that Beulah Hannah Hooks Tingley bequeathed to the city in 1986 to create a public reading room. The remaining funds continue to be used to fund the operations of the library, which isn’t part of the county library system.

The library building is already elevated by approximately 6 feet, but that doesn’t leave enough space below for parking.

Elevating library could create more public parking
The library building is already elevated by approximately 6 feet. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Chappie initiated the library discussion during the June 6 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting.

He said the city doesn’t have the money to purchase additional land for public parking and the goal is to create more public parking spaces on land already owned by the city.

Chappie said he discussed the idea with Building Official Steve Gilbert and Gilbert suggested issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for the architectural and engineering services needed to determine the feasibility of elevating the library building.

CRA Chair Ralph Cole asked Gilbert if the building could be elevated.

“That’s why we go out and hire an architect, with an engineering firm in back of them, to look at it and tell us that,” Gilbert said, noting the wooden library building sits atop steel beams.

Elevating library could create more public parking
The wooden library building rests atop large steel beams. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“You can jack up just about any building you want to, it just depends on how many zeros you want to throw under it,” Gilbert said of the potential cost.

He said the combined insight of an architect, an engineering firm and a house moving company would provide the CRA and the city with a better understanding of what’s possible.

“Will it work? Is it feasible? And if it will work, then how do we want to proceed? At that point, you have several decisions to make,” he said.

“I think it’s worth looking into. We need as much parking as we can get,” Cole said.

“I think you’re halfway there,” CRA member Ed Chiles said when suggesting looking further into the future to account for the city’s continued growth and increase in visitors.

“That’s not going to stop,” Chiles said.

He noted that the library property is located next to the city hall property and the two properties combined would create a large area to work with.

“I think we should look at the whole campus. If you’re going to go up, combine the library and city hall. That’s what we need for the next 30 years,” Chiles said.

Chappie noted there are state-imposed restrictions that limit the use of CRA funds. He said City Attorney Ricinda Perry will write a legal analysis/position paper that supports the proposed use of CRA funds.

“What I’m asking today is to direct Ricinda, myself and Steve to work on an RFP to utilize CRA funds for a public parking lot,” Chappie said.

The CRA members unanimously approved Chappie’s request.

CRA discusses decorative trash bins

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – A proposed plan to beautify trash can bins along Bridge Street may include a decorative representation of the landmark clocktower on the city pier.

At a May 3 Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry said, “We’ve had this discussion a number of times. It’s become cumbersome and expensive to say the very least. The quotes I’ve been getting have been over $500 per trash can and they’re nothing special, they’re very basic.”

Perry then said she met someone who has a small business on the Island that uses marine-grade steel to create decorative art.

“I took the graphic (of the clocktower) that we tried to do the bike racks on and I sent it to her and asked to give me an idea of what it’s going to look like and she made me one,” Perry said.

Perry displayed the 12-inch metal cut-out of the proposed decorative enhancement to the trash bins.

“This will be $80 apiece. So, I thought you could take the white trash can and put something like this on there,” she said. “We have a black and white theme; you could even get them powder-coated black. I think it would really dress it up.”

Board member David Bell expressed approval of the design.

“It’s really clean…that’s awesome,” Bell said.

To avoid theft of the cut-outs, board member Jake Spooner suggested screwing them into the trash cans and gluing them.

“I could see people wanting to take those as a souvenir to go home with,” Spooner said.

Mayor John Chappie said since the bins are painted each year, they would have to be screwed in but said Public Works Director Tom Woodard could figure something out for security.

“Where would we install trash cans, and how many?” Perry asked the board.

“I would suggest we work with Tom and the merchants,” Chappie said.

The currently-used wooden trash bin containers are constructed and maintained by Public Works.

“We will be asking for funding to pay for the trash cans and get the decorative touch on it,” Perry said.

“How many do you want? How big do you want them? Where do you want them to go? Do you want the backs open or closed?” Woodard asked the board.

Chappie said he would work with Woodard as to location and materials.

“I want to make it less work for our guys and make it cleaner and easier for them to handle,” Chappie said.

Prior to voting on approval, the cost was discussed.

“Price of wood is going up,” Woodard said. “I’m guessing $500 or maybe less for one. It’s a guess.”

“I’m just saying $10,000 to stay with a number,” Chappie said. “It could change with more understanding of the overall budget. $7,000? $5,000? We have to start someplace. If we run out of money, we’ll come back.”

City Treasurer Shayne Thompson said,” The funds we’re using is the cost we’re saving in undergrounding. So, the finish line for that dictates all the other little pet projects.”

“We have $10,000 in that overage for the undergrounding,” Perry said. “We can afford these trash cans.”

Cole suggested a motion to start with $10,000 for trash cans and bike racks. The motion passed unanimously.

Old Town Tram contract extended

Old Town Tram contract extended

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The contract for the Old Town Tram parking shuttle service has been extended for another year.

First launched as a one-year pilot program in November 2020, the Old Town Tram consists of two golf cart-like trams that provide free rides seven days a week within the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) district, which extends south from the Cortez Bridge to the southernmost property lines along Fifth Street South.

Beyond the CRA district, the Old Town Trams also serve the Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach parking lots where tram users are encouraged to park and catch a tram ride to and from their destinations in the CRA district, which includes Bridge Street.

Bradenton Beach CRA members approved the contract extension with Joshua LaRose’s Easy Parking Group by a 5-1 vote on April 5.

During the meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry said the current contract was set to expire this month, but the contract could, with LaRose’s approval, be continued on a month-to-month basis if so desired.

When asked about a potential six-month extension, LaRose said he preferred something longer than that.

Each month, LaRose presents the CRA members with a monthly invoice for the tram services rendered. The Easy Parking Group invoice for March totaled $9,510. According to the invoice, advertising panels affixed to the two trams generated $5,175 in ad revenue, which left a $4,335 balance to be paid by the CRA.

Old Town Tram contract extended
Easy Parking Group owner Joshua LaRose provides the CRA’s contracted parking shuttle tram services. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

LaRose also provides the CRA members monthly ridership data and reports. During Wednesday’s meeting, he said tram ridership has increased by 40-60%.

CRA member Ed Chiles initially said he’d support a three-year extension, but the board agreed on a one-year extension. Perry noted that even with the extension, the contract can be terminated at any time by the CRA or LaRose with 30 days advance notice.

CRA member David Bell said he supports the trams and feels they provide an important service. He said he doesn’t have a problem with CRA funds being used to support the tram program, but, as he’s stated before, he feels the tram routes need to be adjusted.

Based on the ridership data and additional input provided monthly by LaRose, Bell has repeatedly expressed his support for discontinuing the little-used tram service at Coquina Beach and extending that service north of the Cortez Bridge where demand appears to be higher.

“People are not going to park at Coquina to come up to the CRA (district),” Bell said during the April 5 meeting. “My concern always is that we’re not analyzing the data the way that we should.”

CRA member Jan Vosburgh cast the only vote opposing the contract extension. Before doing so, she questioned extending the Old Town Tram contract at a time when significant portions of the Cortez Beach parking lot along Gulf Drive South are being rendered temporarily unavailable because of a Manatee County sewer line replacement project that’s not expected to end until late 2024.

Old Town Tram contract extended
Manatee County’s sewer line replacement project temporarily reduces the number of parking spaces available at Cortez Beach. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“I don’t see why we should be paying for the tram right now considering all that construction on Gulf Drive. Why bother with the trams? I don’t think we need it while all that construction’s going on,” Vosburgh said.

“Actually, I think it’s more important to have it now because of the construction,” CRA member John Chappie said, noting the county project sometimes forces people to park even further away from their desired destinations.

The Old Town Trams run Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 5-10 p.m. On Sundays, the service ends one hour earlier at 9 p.m. Passengers can hail a tram as it passes by or call 941-404-6240 to request a ride.

City seeks partnerships with Shawn Kaleta

City seeks partnerships with Kaleta

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials are pursuing two potential public-private partnerships with the Bradenton Beach Marina’s new principal, developer Shawn Kaleta.

One partnership pertains to proposed improvements to the city-owned parking lot next to the cell tower and the Public Works building, adjacent to the marina. Another pertains to the multi-use trail that passes through the marina property.

During a March 1 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and Mayor John Chappie referred to Kaleta as the marina’s new owner. A mortgage and security agreement dated Jan. 10 lists the Bazzy Marine Corp. as the mortgagor and the Holiday, Florida-based Capital Property Ventures LLC as the mortgagee. The agreement references “a principal amount of $14 million from mortgagor and Aquabiz LLC.” Kaleta signed the agreement as the mortgagor and as president of the Bazzy Marine Corp.

According to the Florida Division of Corporations, John Porreca is listed as the registered agent and authorized person for Capital Property Ventures LLC. Aquabiz LLC lists attorney Louis Najmy as its registered agent and Kaleta and Daniel Courtney Zoller Jr. as managers.

When previously contacted by The Sun on numerous occasions and asked whether Kaleta purchased the marina from the Bazzy family, Najmy declined to comment. Former marina president Mike Bazzy also declined to comment.

CRA discussions

During the CRA meeting, Perry initiated the parking lot discussion and noted that the CRA members previously authorized Colliers Engineering to put together a parking plan. The plan Perry presented shows 23 parking spaces at the cell tower. Perry said the goal is to create a nicer parking lot and one that’s compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

City seeks partnerships with Shawn Kaleta
This preliminary parking lot plan was presented to CRA members. – City of Bradenton Beach | Submitted

“You have that plan in place. A property owner in the area is desirous of actually building out that parking plan and doing all the landscaping and markers, but they didn’t want to pay for installing pavers,” Perry said.

She identified the property owner as Kaleta and said Building Official Steve Gilbert wants to see an engineered parking plan before moving forward with the proposed improvements.

“We want to make clear that this is a public parking lot. We want to make sure that whatever’s put in there is low maintenance. It’s our parking lot. We’ll be maintaining it,” Chappie said.

“Do you have any objection with my office moving forward with that private individual to develop that parking area with either shell or some type of rock in that area?” Perry asked CRA members.

The CRA members unanimously approved a motion authorizing Perry, Gilbert, Woodard and Chappie to finalize the parking lot improvement plans and coordinate with Kaleta on the parking lot improvements.

Multi-use trail

During the same meeting, Chappie and Perry initiated two separate discussions about the multi-use trail that passes under the Cortez Bridge and passes through the marina parking lot along the south side of the bridge.

City seeks partnerships with Shawn Kaleta
The multi-use trail passes under the Cortez Bridge. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In reference to the pending Cortez Bridge replacement project, Chappie said the existing multi-use trail under the bridge will be replaced by a new trail that’s hopefully wide enough to accommodate golf carts and other low speed vehicles too.

Chappie said city staff is researching the exact location of the city easement on the marina property that provides access to the trail area under the bridge.

“Working with Ricinda, we can talk with Kaleta to assure that’s part of our scenic right of way. I don’t think there’s going to be an issue,” Chappie said.

City seeks partnerships with Shawn Kaleta
The multi-use trail that passes under the Cortez Bridge also passes through the Bradenton Beach Marina property. – Joe Hendricks
Sun

Later in the meeting, Perry initiated discussion about connecting the multi-use trail under the bridge to the multi-use trail along Gulf Drive South that passes by Cortez Beach. She mentioned the CRA members’ long-held desire to create a dedicated tram path along Gulf Drive South with a potential crossing point at Fifth Street South, which provides access to Bay Drive South, Bridge Street and the trail that passes under the bridge.

“I have talked to Shawn Kaleta about his purchase at the marina – actually, it was Mike Bazzy and Shawn Kaleta together – and walked their property, walked all the way down through Bridge Street and up and down Third Street talking about what the city is doing and what Mr. Kaleta is doing in that area. There was interest by him to work together with the city. He’s also talked to Elliott Falcione with the TDC (Tourist Development Council) about doing a major improvement to the multi-use trail that the city has,” Perry said.

She noted Kaleta owns a lot of properties in those areas and said he’s expressed interest in working with the city, and potentially the TDC, in providing some construction assistance to further enhance that corridor that’s heavily used by pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

Perry asked the CRA members if they were interested in formulating a workplan and a budget to pursue the trail improvements.

CRA Chair Ralph Cole said, “It’s part of the goal to make this a more walkable community, which gets cars off the road. It’s a nice walk down to Bridge Street from the north end hotels and vacation rentals. I think it’s a good idea any time you can get help with funding. It’s a win-win situation.”

CRA member David Bell expressed concerns about the large number of pedestrians that walk along Bay Drive South between Bridge Street and Third Street South, where there are currently no sidewalks.

City seeks partnerships with Shawn Kaleta
The portion of Bay Drive South between Bridge Street and Third Street South is heavily traveled by pedestrians, motorists, bicyclists and others. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“Until we resolve that bottleneck, there’s really no point adding more traffic to that area that’s already dangerously overpopulated with cars, pedestrians, bicycles and trams. Until we resolve that, I don’t want to see us add more traffic to that area,” Bell said.

In response, Cole said, “One of our main objectives in the CRA district is to bring people to the CRA district. What we’re doing is going to make it safer and create a pathway so you don’t have everybody walking down Gulf Drive.”

Perry sought and received authorization to formulate a plan to connect the multi-use trail from Gulf Drive South to the Cortez Bridge using Fifth Street South and Bay Drive South as connecting streets, with Bell casting the lone opposition vote.

Resiliency project plans to be further discussed

Resiliency project plans to be further discussed

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – One resident’s concerns about a proposed resiliency project garnered enough interest from Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members to seek an additional plans review.

After resident and board member David Bell presented his concerns and suggested alterations to the city’s plans during a Dec. 7 meeting, CRA member John Chappie suggested asking ESA Senior Environmental Scientist Brett Solomon to appear before the board in January or February to review the plans and address those concerns. The board supported that suggestion.

“This is one of our big projects for resiliency and we want to do right,” Chappie said.

CRA Chair Ralph Cole agreed and said it’s important to consider the potential impacts to the property owners along Bay Drive South.

The plans

The plans propose using the city-controlled rights of way between the bay and the eastern edge of Bay Drive South pavement from Fifth Street South to Third Street South as well as the Bridge Tender Inn shoreline property owned by Fred Bartizal to construct a 3-4-foot-high resiliency barrier from the Bridge Street Pier boardwalk to the corner of Fifth Street South. The sand-covered rock riprap barrier is designed to prevent rising bay waters from spilling over onto roadways and residential and commercial properties.

Resiliency project plans to be further discussed
A resiliency barrier approximately 2.5 feet-high already exists along the Bridge Tender Inn shoreline. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The existing rock and sand barrier along the Bridge Tender Inn shoreline would be raised and expanded. A new sand and rock resiliency barrier would also be constructed, extending from Third Street South to Fifth Street South and covered with an elevated walkway topped with semi-permeable pavers.

Resiliency project plans to be further discussed
The area highlighted in yellow represents the proposed walkway and the area highlighted in orange represents the proposed resiliency barrier along Bay Drive South. – Environmental Science Associates | Submitted

The plans also propose additional marsh grass and mangrove plantings along the shoreline and the installation of oyster bags and reef balls offshore of the existing rock riprap barrier near the clocktower and pier boardwalk to help dissipate waves.

Suggested modifications

“We haven’t talked much about the resiliency project since we saw the 60 % plans (in March). Now that we’re at 100% on those plans, I think it’s time that we take a deep dive into what’s going on there so we’re all on the same page,” Bell said. Bell and his wife, Mary, own and reside in one of the Old Bridge Village condos located along the west side of Bay Drive South.

As a retired landscape architect, he also expressed concerns about existing mangroves potentially being removed to accommodate the walkway.

“The plans say no mangroves would be removed, but the drawings and the profiles don’t show it that way. They show about a third to half the mangroves being removed and all the trees along Bay Drive South would go also,” he said.

To further illustrate his point, Bell temporarily placed orange flagging tape in the existing mangrove trees to illustrate where he believes the project impacts would occur. He encouraged the other CRA members to visit that area to see for themselves.

Resiliency project plans to be further discussed
These mangrove trees are located along the Bay Drive South shoreline in the vicinity of the proposed resiliency project. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“One thing we definitely learned from Hurricane Ian is that mangroves provide their own resiliency. We also know that sidewalks don’t provide resiliency. So, our tradeoff here is that we’re getting rid of the natural resiliency that we have in that area to put in a sidewalk that has no resiliency whatsoever. In my mind, that’s not a very good trade-off,” Bell said.

Perry said ESA’s plans must account for any impacts to the existing mangrove trees and other plants currently located in the proposed project areas.

“It will be in the permit language, saying you may not remove mangroves. If they’re removed, I would be absolutely shocked,” Perry said.

She noted a FDEP representative walked the proposed project area and was comfortable with the plans.

Bell presented some recommendations for the CRA members to consider, including elimination of the plan elements north of Third Street South because of the existing higher elevations that exist there and focusing solely on the areas between Third Street South and Fifth Street South.

“Anything north of that is already out of the area of risk. The reason for this resiliency project – between Third and Fifth anyway – is so that we can keep Bay Drive South open because that’s a major access to and from Bridge Street,” Bell said.

He also suggested eliminating the elevated walkway to preserve the existing mangroves and said, “It really doesn’t serve a purpose for resiliency,” and recommended having a landscape architect redesign the barrier’s appearance to further enhance its scenic qualities while preserving the existing trees and plants.

Perry said some of Bell’s suggestions could likely be addressed without triggering a formal amendment to the FDEP permit but removing the proposed plan elements north of Third Street South would require a require a permitting amendment.

Chappie noted the resiliency project plans were discussed and public input was received during multiple public meetings, including an onsite public meeting in February. During some of those previous meetings, city officials stated the proposed barrier and walkway would not impede any dock access along that shoreline.

In response to Bell’s suggestion to remove the northern areas from the plans, Chappie said, “Holistically, it’s all part of the same project. That’s the way we chose to include that whole section, from Fifth all the way and around the boardwalk area.”

City officials hope to secure state funds in 2023 for the construction of a currently unfunded resiliency project along Bay Drive South.

Using a $92,433 resiliency grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Tampa-based Environmental Science Associates (ESA) engineered the project, designed to lessen the impacts of rising tides, king tides, storm surge and sea level rise along Bay Drive South. Completed in August, the plans now await the FDEP permitting approval that will allow City Attorney Ricinda Perry and ESA to pursue the additional resiliency grants needed for construction.

Neither the city commission nor the CRA currently has any funds budgeted for the project which to date has no estimated cost or anticipated construction timeline.

Mini reefs at pier repaired without approval

Mini reefs at pier repaired without approval

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Some of the mini reefs installed under the Bridge Street Pier in June 2020 were recently repaired without the approval of Bradenton Beach officials, and the vendor is asking for payment.

In 2020, the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members authorized a $10,000 expenditure to install 14 double-sized artificial mini reefs in partnership with Ocean Habitats and The Center of Anna Maria Island. The manufactured polypropylene mini reefs were installed to provide new habitats for fish and other marine life underneath the T-end of the Bridge Street Pier. 

Ocean Habitats founder David Wolff and his sons, David Wolff Jr. and Alex Wolff, installed the mini reefs on June 17, 2020, tethering the small structures to lines that allow them to float in the top 2 feet of water beneath the pier.

Mini reefs at pier repaired without approval
David Wolff Jr. positioned the mini reefs below the Bridge Street Pier in 2020. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The unauthorized repairs were discussed at a Nov. 2 CRA meeting. City Attorney Ricinda Perry said Ocean Habitats recently requested a $700 payment for repairs made without the CRA or city’s knowledge. Perry added that she then corresponded with Ocean Habitats founder David Wolff and The Center’s Jim McDaniel regarding the matter.

During Wednesday’s meeting, she said the one-time mini reef installation in 2020 did not contractually bind the CRA to any future maintenance or repair requirements or costs, thus the CRA is not legally obligated to pay the repair bill.

Perry said it’s up to the CRA members to decide whether CRA funds are used to pay for the repairs. She also said the city’s public works department could remove the mini reefs prior to the pending installation of the finger piers that will extend perpendicular to the floating dock that sits next to the pier. 

CRA member John Chappie said he’s in favor of the CRA paying the repair bill, but he believes an Ocean Habitats representative needs to first appear before CRA members provide a detailed report regarding the repairs made. He also said the repair and maintenance process needs to be corrected to prevent similar occurrences from happening again. 

The other CRA members agreed with this approach and that the payment will be withheld until the requested report is received.

Old Town Tram contract extended

Old Town Tram contract extended

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – By a 3-2 vote, the Old Town Tram parking shuttle contract has been extended for six months. 

Initiated by the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) as a one-year pilot program in November 2020, the free tram service uses golf cart-like electric vehicles provided and operated by Joshua LaRose’s Sarasota-based Easy Parking Group. 

In 2021, the pilot program was extended for a second year and that one-year contract extension expired on Nov. 1. On Nov. 2, the CRA members and LaRose agreed to a six-month extension that expires on April 30. The CRA or LaRose can terminate the service at any time with 30 days’ notice. CRA members John Chappie, Ralph Cole and Ed Chiles supported the contract extension. Members David Bell and Jan Vosburgh opposed it. 

Before agreeing to the extension, the CRA members discussed privatizing the tram service with LaRose and/or other operators, entering into another one-year contract with LaRose or discontinuing the tram service. The board discussed allowing the tram service to continue on a month-to-month basis but City Attorney Ricinda Perry said the contract doesn’t allow that.

The trams run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with the exception of Sundays, when service stops at 9 p.m. LaRose said privatization would likely result in reduced operating hours and days of operation. 

Tram goals

The tram service is funded by the CRA and the monthly costs are partially offset by advertising revenues generated by the trams’ advertising panels. The long-term goal is for advertising revenues to cover 100% of the monthly costs. During the past year, advertising revenues have accounted for slightly more than 50% of the monthly costs.

The primary operational goal for the tram service is to encourage visitors to park in the county-owned Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach parking lots south of Bridge Street and take the trams to and from their desired locations within the CRA district that extends from Fifth Street South to the Cortez Bridge.

Of the two county-owned beach parking areas, Cortez Beach is closer to Bridge Street. LaRose has repeatedly stated that his tram drivers frequently pick up passengers at Cortez Beach but rarely transport passengers to and from Coquina Beach further to the south.

Old Town Tram contract extended
Visitors are encouraged to park at Cortez Beach and ride the trams to their desired destinations within the CRA district. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

LaRose said most rides are generated by personal interactions between tram drivers and those searching for a parking space, people hailing a ride in person or people hailing a ride by phone. 

LaRose has repeatedly noted this his drivers frequently turn down requests for rides north of the Cortez Bridge, which remains outside the CRA’s intended tram route.

The long-term vision for the tram service includes installing a dedicated tram path running along the west side of Gulf Drive South from Fifth Street South to the North Coquina boat ramp. The dedicated path would allow tram drivers and passengers to avoid sitting in Gulf Drive traffic. 

The tram path – and a dedicated employee parking lot near the Coquina North boat ramp – received preliminary Manatee County Commission support in 2021, but the installation of a tram path remains on hold pending a county pipe replacement project that is expected to significantly disrupt the Cortez Beach parking areas while that work takes place.

Perry said the lack of a dedicated tram path puts the tram service in “a tenuous position for success.”

Angela Rodocker, owner of the BridgeWalk and Silver Surf resorts, has long supported the tram service, while also remaining critical of its operations. She does not support the trams traveling north of the Cortez Bridge and has constantly expressed the need for tram drivers to adhere to a designated route within the CRA district.

Rodocker acknowledged the trams are moving a lot of people around, but she doesn’t think the service is meeting its original objectives. Bradenton Beach Marina owner Mike Bazzy encouraged the board to continue the tram service despite its shortcomings.

“Don’t give up, stay with it,” he said.

To hail a tram, call 941-404-6240. To learn more, visit the tram website.