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Music festival will benefit Wildlife Inc.

Music festival to benefit Wildlife Inc.

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

The Drift In’s Rock & Blues Festival on Saturday, Nov. 2 will also serve as a fundraiser for Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation, the Bradenton Beach-based bird and animal education and rehabilitation center.

Wildlife Inc. founder Ed Straight and his wife Gail were named The Sun’s Persons of the Year in 2015. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Beginning at 12:45 p.m., the music festival will feature performances by Concrete Edgar, Tommy Balbo & The Collective and Dos Macs with Steve Arvey. Drift In Manager Doreen Flynn seeks donations of gift baskets, gift certificates and other items from local businesses to use as raffle prizes for the fundraising efforts. The Drift In is also accepting cash donations and checks made payable to Wildlife Inc. Donations can be dropped off at the Drift In, 120 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, or you can call 941-778-9088 to have your donation or donated items picked up. Flynn also needs covered dishes brought to the Drift In on the day of the festival.

Founded and operated by Ed and Gail Straight, with assistance provided by volunteers, Wildlife Inc. rescues, cares for and releases injured and orphaned birds and animals. The festival proceeds will assist Wildlife Inc. with food and medication costs and will also help fund repairs needed for the bird and animal enclosures.

White PVC railings discussed for Bridge Street Pier

White PVC railings discussed for Bridge Street Pier

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

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is exploring the possibility of replacing the unpainted Bridge Street Pier railings with white plastic PVC railings.

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, Public Works Director Tom Woodard encouraged CRA members to consider PVC railings instead of painting if they really want the pier railings to be white.

Woodard made his suggestion in response to the ongoing CRA debate and discussion about painting white the unpainted wooden pier railings and/or the railings on the clock tower boardwalk that leads to the pier.

In recent months, Woodard has consistently opposed painting the wooden railings due to his concerns that Public Works staff would have to continually maintain and frequently repaint them.

White PVC railings discussed for Bridge Street Pier
Public Works Director Tom Woodard opposes painting the wooden railings. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

CRA member support for painting the pier railings white has waned since the CRA canceled a proposed contract with Lowes Commercial Painting in early September. The members canceled the contract after the painting company requested an additional $3,500 in labor fees above and beyond the $10,900 it originally bid to paint the railings and pier gazebos.

During last week’s meeting, Pines Trailer Park resident Susan Billow said she’s in favor of the pier railings being white because it would make the pier stand out to those crossing the Cortez Bridge. She said it would also help distinguish the pier from the neighboring mobile home park. Billow said she really likes Woodard’s suggestion to use white PVC railings.

CRA chair Ralph Cole said the PVC railings could be installed as a test area on the boardwalk first, before committing to replacing all the pier railings.

Woodard said the wood railings could be repurposed and used elsewhere if the CRA decides to replace them.

The members asked Woodard to bring back some preliminary price estimates for the PVC railings. They also asked him to bring back prices for the Trex composite railings he briefly mentioned.

The pier railing discussions remain ongoing and no final decisions have been made.

Test painting

Members also discussed painting a small, inconspicuous section of the boardwalk railings white as a test area for paint durability and ongoing maintenance needs.

Given the current lack of support for painting the railings, the CRA members debated the need for a paint test. But Mayor and CRA member John Chappie insisted it be done because the members previously approved doing it.

White PVC railings discussed for Bridge Street Pier
A small, inconspicuous portion of the Bradenton Beach boardwalk railings will be painted white as a test area. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Chappie spearheaded the recent efforts to paint the pier railings white, but during the Oct. 2 meeting he acknowledged he too is having second thoughts. That said, he still feels the unpainted railings have an unattractive color to them because of the previously applied waterproofing sealant.

Woodard said the test area would be painted as previously requested.

Cortez Road roundabout proposed

Cortez Road roundabout proposed

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to build a roundabout at Cortez Road and Gulf Drive will remain on hold until officials decide where the span of the new Cortez Bridge will touch down.

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, City Engineer Lynn Burnett provided the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) with a project update. Burnett said FDOT typically uses a standard-sized footprint when designing a roundabout but has the capacity to design a smaller roundabout.

“They have the ability to do a smaller footprint that doesn’t meet their DOT design standards. Because of the unique nature of the barrier island, they are going to redo their PDE (Project Development and Environment study) based on that footprint and reassess what right of way needs would be involved,” Burnett said.

Burnett said FDOT officials originally considered fast-tracking the roundabout, but concerns arose about installing it at a cost of more than $1 million without knowing exactly where the touchdown span for the new Cortez Bridge will be when that bridge is built.

Burnett said FDOT officials decided it didn’t make sense to do a “throwaway roundabout” now when they could wait a couple of years to design a roundabout based on the known bridge dimensions.

“That was their recommendation, which I fully support. It doesn’t make sense to start a two-year construct project and wreak havoc on this Island just to turn around and do it again,” Burnett said.

Burnett said FDOT officials might look at minor operational improvements to help address safety and congestion concerns at that intersection in the meantime.

“I want the public to know there’s going to be a lot of input from our residents and visitors here,” CRA member and Mayor John Chappie said of the roundabout design process.

“I also have talked to our police chief with regards to a roundabout and he has some concerns. Our police department needs to be part of this conversation. They are fully aware of the issues that have come up in Clearwater,” Chappie said.

When it opened in 1999, the Clearwater Beach roundabout originally included an elevated fountain that was later removed because it obstructed drivers’ vision and contributed to accidents. Over the years, that roundabout has been modified to improve traffic flow and enhance pedestrian safety.

Current realities

Chappie acknowledged the realities of living on a popular barrier island.

“No matter what you design and put in there, there’s going to be times – mostly during season or holidays – when it’s not going to be able to handle the capacity. So, there’s always going to be backup. With their PDE, they’ll be able to determine through their data what design has less backup during the high peak times,” Chappie said.

CRA chair Ralph Cole shared similar sentiments.

“Everybody wants to fix a traffic problem – make it wider, make it bigger. We’ve only got a five-pound sack here, so we can only stick so many potatoes in it. Drive out to Lakewood Ranch at rush hour and you’re in six lanes of traffic sitting there at a five-minute stoplight. The more accessible you make it, the more people are going to come,” Cole said.

“You almost have to accept the fact that you live on a barrier island. Everybody wants to come to it. Get used to it. Plan your time of attack when you go into town. That’s just the way it is,” Cole said.

Burnett said those who participated in the recent FDOT discussion agreed that traffic congestion cannot be eliminated 100% of the time at that intersection.

“There will be those 20,000 people on this Island all trying to get off at the same time and you just have to be patient. However, if 80% of the time you can reduce the delays and the length of time it takes, you’re increasing everyone’s quality of life,” Burnett said.

Related coverage

ITPO members pledge support for smaller bridge

Island bridges, roundabouts on DOT radar

Castles in the Sand

Real estate market disruption

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Is there an algorithm in your future? If you’re planning on buying or selling a house, get ready for the future of real estate.

In a world where technology has remade everything from your morning coffee to tracking your investments, the real estate market has remained very old school. Reams of paperwork are the norm and interaction with local real estate professionals is the custom in most markets around the country. It wasn’t that many years ago when local real estate associations opened up multiple listing access to consumers making practically everyone an informed expert. If the availability of multiple listing properties to everyone was a big step, wait until you see what’s coming down the road.

iBuyer computer platforms have been gradually immersing themselves in the real estate market, offering buyers and sellers practically on-the-spot gratification. An iBuyer is a company that uses technology to make an offer on your home instantly. iBuyers represent a dramatic shift in the way people are buying and selling homes, offering a simpler, more convenient alternative to traditional home sales. Just search iBuyers and you’ll be amazed at the hits you get.

Companies like Knock and Zillow are betting big time on the success of these platforms in a world where everyone is too busy to complete traditional real estate transactions. Knock, for example, helps customers buy a new home, usually an upgraded one, and then stages the old home and gets it on the market right away. There are, of course, fees for this service but for many professional couples, it’s worth it.

Zillow and others buy the property after an appraisal and the sellers move on without the hassle of selling. So far Zillow is moving along with its business plan, buying more than 1,500 homes in the second quarter of the year.

Then we have startups who are offering people with good income but not so good credit a way to get into a home. Divvy Homes buys homes then rents the homes to their clients so they can have a place to live, pay rent and build equity towards eventual ownership. This is an idea that has its roots in the real estate industry known as rent with an option to buy, which was a private contract between two parties. It worked for many buyers and sellers in the pre-tech world, especially for difficult-to-sell properties.

Now Divvy and others like Flyhomes are offering high tech plans to fill a need aimed at first-time buyers who are probably already renters. It’s not uncommon for first-time buyers to be faced with student loan debt and little or no savings while they’re getting their careers up and running.

Divvy’s plan is to charge monthly rent with about 20% of the monthly payment going toward equity to buy the property. The monthly rent is higher than what the going rate for a similar rental would be, but equity is being built. Naturally, Divvy makes most of their money from the rent paid.

Flyhomes offers a full-service brokerage, buys the homes for cash giving their clients an edge and then underwrites the potential mortgage. Naturally, there are fees attached to this as well as traditional real estate brokerage commissions.

Ask five different real estate agents what your home is worth and you’ll get five completely different answers. Ask an algorithm what your home is worth and you’ll at least get one answer which may or may not be correct. No matter how you feel about technology getting involved in real estate, we can all agree that it’s definitely a disruption.

More Castles in the Sand:

Fee-fi-fo-fum, do I smell a recovery?

Order out of chaos

Luxury ain’t what it used to be

Castles in the Sand

Fee-fi-fo-fum, do I smell a recovery?

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Recovery, what recovery? That’s a word we left in our rearview mirror a long time ago. It’s true in Florida generally, and Anna Maria Island specifically has recovered nicely since the financial downturn. There are areas of the country that are still struggling, but August may have been the turn-around month.

According to the National Association of Realtors, August was the strongest month for sales of United States homes in nearly a year and a half. Sales of previously owned homes rose 1.3% in August with a median sale price of $278,200, up 4.7% from the previous August. Conversely, the availability of homes for sale fell in August further increasing prices. Add to this the average fixed-rate mortgage for a 30-year loan was 3.73% at the end of September.

Is this the beginning of the national real estate market starting to turn the corner? Real estate sales have been underperforming relative to jobs and the economy as a whole and economists are viewing the statistics for the past two months as a very good sign.

If you’re interested in how the national market compares to our local Manatee County market, keep reading.

Closed single-family homes were up 10.3% from last August and the median sale price continues to be strong at $317,000, 7.1% higher than last year. The average sale price for single-family homes was $408,738, up 4% from last year. The median time to contract is down by 4.5% to only 42 days and the month’s supply of available properties is 3.3 months.

Condos closed fewer properties down at 25.9%, however, the median sale price was higher at $205,000, up 7.9%. The average sale price was also up 13.1% to $251,339. The median time to contract was up 6.4% to 50 days and the month’s supply of condos is at 3.6 months.

Sales statistics are from the Realtor Association of Sarasota Manatee.

Our sales in both the numbers of properties sold and sale prices continue to perform well compared to the national statistics. Nationally, the median single-family sale price for August was $278,200 up 4.7% from last August, compared to Manatee County’s median of $317,000 up 7.1%.

Based on the above, it’s not a surprise that the southern region of the country ended August with an increase of 3.6% in sales, making it the largest annual growth in sales volume in the country. And this may be just the beginning, as more and more high-income residents of high taxed states are just beginning to feel the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and are taking refuge in the South.

There are 41 states that collect taxes on wages and salary, with California taking the highest percentage at 13.3%. The remaining nine states that are income tax-free are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. If you’re a part-time resident of one of these states and are considering full-time residency, check out the individual state’s qualifications to establish permanent residency. Both the state you’re leaving and the one you’re coming to have strict and varied residency rules.

It looks like there will be big changes for Florida and other low tax states right around the corner. Nevertheless, don’t get too comfortable with what you see in the rearview mirror when it comes to real estate markets. You never know when that truck will start gaining on you.

More Castles in the Sand:

Luxury ain’t what it used to be

The fun and not-so-fun of selling a home

The fun and not-so-fun of buying a home

Policy prevents CBD use by city employees

Policy prevents CBD use by city employees

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Made from hemp plants, CBD (cannabidiol) oils, creams and other products are legal in Florida, but Bradenton Beach’s drug-free workplace ordinance prohibits city employees from using them.

During the Tuesday, Sept. 10 commission work meeting, Police Chief Sam Speciale asked the City Commission to consider amending the city’s drug-free workplace policy to allow employees and officers to use legally available CBD products that contain only minuscule levels of THC – the cannabinoid that produces the sensation of being high.

Speciale said some city employees have approached him about the city’s drug-free workplace policy as it applies to CBD use. He said his research indicates non-THC CBD products contain less than one half of one percent of THC and it is unlikely those trace amounts would show up in a drug screen.

Speciale suggested amending the city’s drug-free workplace policy to allow the use of non-THC CBD products. He said his suggestion pertained only to “non-THC” cannabis products, and not to the use of medicinal marijuana and marijuana products that contain higher levels of THC.

The city adopted its drug-free workplace ordinance in 2015 and cannabinoids are one of 14 drugs, including alcohol, that city employees, including police officers, can be tested for if they are injured at work or involved in a work-related accident.

City employees sign a drug-free workplace acknowledgment form that includes the following language: “I understand that if I am injured in the course and scope of my employment and test positive, or refuse to be tested, I forfeit my eligibility for medical and indemnity benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act.”

Code Enforcement Office Gail Garneau noted physicians can legally prescribe non-TCH CBD products to be obtained through regulated providers.

City Clerk Terri Sanclemente noted CBD products are legal according to state law but are still prohibited by federal law.

“The employees need to really be aware of what they’re giving up,” Sanclemente said in reference to risking their workers’ compensation coverage.

“The list of drugs in the policy is just the list of drugs the city can test for. The problem here is the definitions: Is it a legal drug or not? It’s legal in the state of Florida. It’s not legal as far as the federal government is concerned, so, where are we?” Building Official Steve Gilbert added.

Speciale said when he was recovering from back surgery, he was allowed to continue working while taking physician-prescribed, opiate-based hydrocodone pills. He questioned why that is allowed but using non-opiate, physician-prescribed CBD products is not.

Speciale said some employees seeking non-opiate pain relief might be willing to take the chance that their CBD products will not show up in a drug screen.

Mayor John Chappie asked if the city would be exposed to additional liability if city employees were allowed to use CBD products.

Sanclemente said she contacted the Florida League of Cities and was told allowing city employees to use CBD products could jeopardize the liability insurance the city receives through the league’s Florida Municipal Insurance Trust.

Chappie said his concerns extend beyond a city employee getting injured and failing a drug screen. He asked what would happen if a citizen or someone else was injured in an incident or accident involving a city employee allowed to use CBD.

“They come after the city and we don’t have the Florida League backing us up. They’ll have Morgan and Morgan here in a heartbeat,” Chappie said.

Sensing no favorable outcome, Speciale asked the commission to discontinue the discussion and he withdrew it from agenda.

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Commission seeks consistent parking restrictions

Commission seeks consistent parking restrictions

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Parking with any tires on the pavement or parking within 15 feet of a stop sign will soon subject drivers to a $50 parking ticket.

The mayor and city commissioners remain divided as to whether parking with a portion of your vehicle hanging over the pavement will also be a finable offense.

These changes to the city’s parking ordinance were discussed at the Tuesday, Sept. 10 commission work meeting. At the commission’s request, City Attorney Ricinda Perry is now drafting ordinance language that incorporates the commission’s requested changes.

Mayor John Chappie and commissioners Ralph Cole, Marilyn Maro and Jake Spooner agree that vehicles should not park with any tires on the road or park within 15 feet of a stop sign. The city’s parking ordinance currently prohibits parking within 10 feet of a stop sign.

Chappie and Maro believe tickets should be issued for parking with a portion of the vehicle hanging over the pavement. Cole and Spooner do not support that position.

Commissioner Randy White will likely cast the tie-breaking vote on vehicle overhang when the ordinance is presented for adoption at two future public hearings. White did not attend the recent work meeting.

Chappie initiated the work meeting discussion and voiced concerns that included too many vehicles being parked at vacation rental homes on the south side of town.

Chappie said his primary concern with vehicles overhanging the pavement pertains primarily to vehicles parked close to an intersection, which impedes the visibility of approaching drivers.

Inconsistent rules

Police Chief Sam Speciale said his officers would enforce whatever changes the commission adopts, but they have to be written in a manner that will hold up if challenged in court.

Speciale said the city’s current parking regulations are inconsistent because they have long differed for the north and south sides of the city due to varying space limitations.

Speciale said there generally isn’t enough space in the rights of way on the south side of the city to park without having at least two tires on the road, but you can be ticketed for doing the same on the north side of town.

Speciale questioned the fairness and consistency of ticketing someone who parks with their tires on the pavement on the north side of the city and does not get ticketed for doing the same on the south side.

The four attending commission members agreed that they want consistency and they seek an ordinance that prohibits parking with tires on the pavement citywide.

Other changes

Other proposed changes include prohibiting parking in a manner that blocks an alley, similar to the existing prohibition on blocking a driveway.

Building Official Steve Gilbert suggested eliminating the wordy ordinance language that pertains to parking at city street ends and allowing street end parking unless a no parking sign prohibits it.

Related coverage

Paid parking may be coming to county boat ramps

Coquina Beach parking limited

Anna Maria’s street-side parking switches sides

ITPO members pledge support for smaller bridge

ITPO members pledge support for smaller bridge

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Some of the Island’s elected officials are not letting FDOT replace the aging Cortez Bridge with a 65-foot fixed-span bridge without a fight.

Manatee County Commissioner and long-time Anna Maria Island resident Carol Whitmore appeared before members of the Island Transportation Planning Organization at a Sept. 16 meeting to ask for support in taking a stand against the 65-foot bridge. Though Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy was absent from the meeting, Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth pledged their support in the fight against the fixed-span bridge on behalf of the ITPO. They also agreed to take the topic back to their respective city commissioners to discuss possible city support of the effort.

“I know it can be changed,” Whitmore said of the Florida Department of Transportation decision to replace the aging drawbridge with a 65-foot fixed-span alternative. She added that if the high bridge is built, she feels that it will decimate the character of the historic village of Cortez as well as that of Anna Maria Island.

Whitmore said that she supports the mid-level alternative offered by FDOT in previous presentations to the public – a 45-foot drawbridge that she said would be higher than the current bridge and allow more boat traffic to pass under it without raising the drawbridge as frequently and stopping the flow of vehicular traffic. She also said that because the bridge isn’t as high as the 65-foot alternative, she doesn’t feel that it would damage Cortez and Bradenton Beach like the large bridge would.

“It really isn’t out of our hands,” she said of the design alternatives for the bridge, adding that “no one objects that it needs to be replaced.”

The Cortez Bridge has undergone several repairs over the past few years to help keep it functional, despite the fact that the bridge has outlived its 50-year lifespan. FDOT has secured funding for a design phase, which hasn’t yet begun, and representatives have publicly stated that the fixed-span bridge is the preferred alternative of the three designs presented to the public. No funds have been secured to construct a replacement bridge or to replace the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue which is also planned to be replaced with a 65-foot fixed-span bridge.

Whitmore said that when FDOT leaders decided to replace the bridge on Manatee Avenue with a high-span bridge it was agreed that there would not be a high-span bridge linking Cortez and Bradenton Beach. Now she said she expects FDOT leadership to honor that agreement. Chappie said that he too remembers that agreement and supports Whitmore’s efforts to fight for the mid-level drawbridge replacement option.

“The high bridge is going to destroy the ambiance of our two communities,” he said.

The Cortez Village Historical Society has long expressed opposition to the high-span bridge, concerned about historical buildings on both sides of Cortez Road being affected by the access roads of the proposed bridge.

“I know in my heart this will be good for the whole area,” Whitmore said of the mid-level bridge.

Whitmore asked for a letter of support from the ITPO as well as for each mayor to speak with their city’s lobbyist about pushing the issue at the state legislative level.

Despite Murphy’s absence, Chappie and Titsworth agreed to move forward with supporting her efforts and speaking with their city commissioners and lobbyists about supporting the mid-level bridge replacement option.

“You either stand for something or you stand for nothing,” Chappie said. “We need to stand in support of this.”

Related coverage

Island bridges, roundabouts on DOT radar

FDOT chooses tall bridge for Cortez

A wake up call on the proposed Cortez Bridge

Castles in the Sand

Order out of chaos

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Writing has been compared to bringing order out of chaos, something I try to do weekly on this page, and one of the most chaotic aspects of real estate is the mortgage process, which may be getting even more confusing to the average home buyer.

As confusing as the typical mortgage process is, the relationship of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA and Ginnie Mae – entities that are also known as government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) – to the mortgage market continually contribute to the chaos.

Before we go on, a quick review: Over 50 years ago Congress chartered the government-sponsored enterprises to provide liquidity to housing finance. The GSEs securitized and guaranteed mortgages, freeing up private lenders to provide more loans, making mortgages more readily available to the average home buyer. This created the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, which has been the gold standard of housing finance for all these years.

It was a great system until it went off the rails with sub-prime mortgage products partly encouraged by Congress leading to the bursting of the housing bubble and financial collapse in 2008. The American taxpayer was on the hook for $190 billion dollars to keep Fannie and Freddie floating and they have been in government conservatorship since then.

Now the federal government wants to gradually shrink the GSEs and start returning them to private hands. One of the suggested ways is to require them to have additional capital and underwriting standards comparable to private lenders. Will this happen? Maybe, but even if the wheels start to spin in that direction, it will be a long painful process which could turn on a dime subject to the outcome of a national election.

In the meantime, there is a new type of unconventional mortgage that has turned up. It’s called asset-depletion loans or asset-dissipation loans. Basically, they are designed for people who don’t have conventional paychecks, particularly retirees. As long as the borrower’s ability to draw on their assets is not overestimated, the loans can be fine.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do make these loans but only based on a borrower’s 401k assets. However, Fannie and Freddie have eased up on standards for this type of loan, asking for smaller down payments and allowing more debt for borrowers. Again, this creates more risk for the American taxpayers.

So, what else do the gatekeepers of the American housing market have up their sleeve? Well, there is something that many Florida residents will be very interested in. Within the past year, they rolled out a program that would treat manufactured homes the same as it does site-built properties.

This means that a previous market that was difficult to obtain mortgaging for will now operate as a conventional mortgage market. They have also designed mortgages for manufactured homes at lower interest rates than buyers of these properties were previously able to obtain, as well as allowing appraisers to compare manufactured homes to those built on-site when determining value.

This may be a great program for many buyers of manufacturers homes, but in Florida, as we all know, manufactured homes are the most vulnerable in storms. Again, call me crazy, but do we as taxpayers need to assume more mortgage risk?

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as all other GSE programs, will go on for a long time before any real change is made. It’s almost impossible to take away something that’s been in effect for so long. All I can do is try to bring order out of the mortgage processing chaos.

More Castles in the Sand:

Luxury ain’t what it used to be

The fun and not-so-fun of selling a home

The fun and not-so-fun of buying a home

WMFR approves budget, assessment rate

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

BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) has an approved budget and an approved assessment rate increase for the 2019-20 fiscal year.

Commissioners met at the district’s administrative offices Sept. 10 to host a public hearing for both the budget and the assessment rate. No members of the public chose to speak during the public hearing. Commissioners voted unanimously to certify the district’s tax roll, approve the budget and increase the fire assessment for both residential and commercial properties.

Residential property owners can expect to see a 1.65% increase, a $3.09 increase in the base rate bringing it to $190.57 for the first 1,000 square feet of a home. The rate for square footage over 1,000 square feet is being raised from $0.1106 to $0.1124. The total assessment rate for a 2,000 square foot home is increasing from $298.08 to $303, a difference of $1.92.

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

Commercial property assessment rates will be increasing 5% to help the district come in line with the rates charged by other surrounding fire districts. The base rate for commercial properties is increasing from $451.07 to $473.62 for the first 1,000 square feet of the building. The remaining square footage will be charged at a rate of $0.2051, totaling a $32.32 increase for a 2,000 square foot commercial building.

The increased assessment rates are estimated to bring in around $144,203 in increased revenue for the district. The funds are planned to be used to assist in launching the district’s non-transport advanced life support service at all three stations, purchase a new fire engine and begin work on the district’s new permanent administration building.

The district’s proposed total revenue for the coming fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1, is $7,660,461 with $74,900 used in impact fees and $1,910,873 used of reserves to total $9,646,234 in expenses with $4,329,953 left in reserves.

An expense carried to the district’s next board meeting is the matter of offering an honorarium to the chaplain. Commissioner David Bishop brought up the idea a month after the district’s new chaplain was sworn in during the August board meeting. After not having a chaplain for 12 years, he said he thinks an honorarium would be appropriate to demonstrate the importance of the position to district staff and firefighters.

“I think it’s a valuable resource,” he said. “I just think it’s the right thing to do.

Commissioner George Harris agreed, saying, “The chaplain’s role is essential,” to the district staff.

Commissioner Al Robinson suggested offering $100 per month. A decision is expected during the October board meeting.

Commissioners are also considering how they want to handle a new cancer bill that was recently passed by the state legislature and went into effect July 1, 2019. Under the new bill, any firefighter who is diagnosed with one of 21 different kinds of cancer within 10 years of leaving the fire service is eligible for a $25,000 cash payout and for their out of pocket treatment expenses to be covered by their fire district.

Commissioners discussed purchasing insurance at a cost of $70 per firefighter, totaling $3,000 annually, to cover any of the $25,000 payouts that the district might be required to pay. They also discussed extending the program to recent retirees, something that is not specified in the legislation. In order to qualify for benefits, firefighters must have served in the fire service for at least five years prior to diagnosis.

The discussion is expected to continue at the Oct. 15 board meeting.

Related coverage

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WMFR 2019-20 assessment rates set

WMFR board considers building construction

Drift In food cart has city’s support

Drift In food cart has city’s support

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

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners support Drift In owner Joe Cuervo’s desire to add a late-night hot dog cart to his business operations.

Cuervo and Chef Stephen Ascencious discussed the proposed food cart vending operations with commissioners at the Tuesday, Sept. 10, work meeting.

Cuervo said the late-night food service would take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and start around 10 p.m. as to not compete with the nearby restaurants on Bridge Street.

Cuervo offered to contribute up to $1,000 toward the city’s efforts to amend its land development code (LDC) to allow for food carts – something city code currently prohibits.

“I will pay for it. I think we really need this cart out there for people,” Cuervo said of his desire to make food available along Bridge Street after 10 p.m.

The work meeting discussion resulted in Mayor John Chappie and Commissioners Ralph Cole, Marilyn Maro and Jake Spooner directing city staff to process an LDC amendment to allow food concession vending carts to operate within the city. The commission also agreed to accept Cuervo’s offer to contribute up to $1,000 to the LDC amendment efforts.

The proposed LDC amendment will require preliminary review and a recommendation from the city’s Planning and Zoning Board.

City Planner Alan Garrett said it might take until December to get the proposed LDC amendment before a planning board that must have at least three of its five current members in attendance to form a voting quorum. The LDC amendment also will require two advertised public hearings before the city commission.

Garrett said the LDC amendment would only allow food carts to operate on private property in the city’s C-2 commercial zoning district. This would apply to food vending carts only and would not eliminate the existing prohibition on food trucks.

City Attorney Ricinda Perry said the food cart operations must take place in the Drift In parking lot and cannot impede pedestrian traffic on the nearby sidewalk. She also said the food cart must be removed each night.

Police Chief Sam Speciale said he supports making late night food service available to people out drinking later at night. Speciale said his only concern is to ensure the amended LDC does result in food carts being parked all over the city – or result in a previous practice of having “girls in T-backs” operate hot dog carts at city street ends.

Ascencious told the commission he has a catering license and he only knows of one other fully licensed hot dog cart doing business between St. Petersburg and Venice. Due to the onerous licensing process, Ascencious does not envision an influx of food cart vendors trying to do business in Bradenton Beach.

Building Official Steve Gilbert said any other proposed food cart operations would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Before the work meeting, Ascencious’ wife, Katie, said the hot dog cart would also serve Cuban sandwiches, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, bratwursts and things of that nature.

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Castles in the Sand

Luxury ain’t what it used to be

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Did you ever feel sorry for the really wealthy real estate owners? Well, we’re at a point in time when there might be just cause for feeling sorry for them because like all sellers, when your market is slow everyone deserves some sympathy.

Wealthy buyers are pulling back from some of the most expensive housing markets in the country. Toll Brothers Inc., the nation’s largest publicly traded luxury-home builder said that purchase agreements fell 3% from a year earlier, worse than the expected 1% predicted.

A large slice of this decline is concentrated in California where homes under contract had an average price of $1.74 million in the last quarter. Toll Brothers further indicated their orders in California tumbled 36% from a year earlier.

Some of this decline in the luxury market, in California at least, is the Chinese buyers that are pulling back from the market combined with the federal tax overall limiting deductions for property taxes and mortgage interest. However, what happens in California may stay in California since Palm Beach, Florida recently had a record sale of over $100 million.

In addition, low interest rates, wage growth and record low unemployment rates are moving first time buyers into the market, creating a demographic shift in the lower price ranges. The luxury market is adversely affected by an improving lower end market since all real estate markets are interconnected.

That said, let’s take a look at the three-month analysis of properties selling over $1 million on Anna Maria Island and in Cortez for May, June and July. Closed sales are compiled from the Manatee County Property Appraisers Office and available properties from realtor.com as of this writing.

Cortez did not close any $1 million or over properties during May, June and July. In the prior analysis, there were two sales.

The city of Anna Maria closed 13 properties at $1 million or over, ranging from $3,395,000 to $1,075,000. The last three-month analysis showed 14 properties closed in this price range.

Finally, the combined cities of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach closed 14 properties $1 million or over during May, June and July, ranging from $3,725,000 to $1,000,000. The last analysis showed 19 closings.

Currently on the market or pending in Cortez, there are six $1 million or over properties. For the last analysis, there were five.

The city of Anna Maria has 48 properties either available or in contract ranging from $5,500,000 to just above $1 million. Besides the highest listing, there are two over $4 million, five over $3 million, 12 over $2 million and the balance below $2 million. The last analysis had 60 properties listed.

Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach currently have 69 properties either available or in contract ranging from $599,000 to $1,149,000. Three are over $5 million, three are over $4 million, two are over $3 million, 15 are over $2 million and the balance are under $2 million. The last analysis had 68 comparable properties.

If the luxury market is falling off generally around the country price-wise, Anna Maria Island is not listening, at least not yet.

These continue to be pretty impressive numbers for a small island and an even smaller fishing village. And as noted in this paper previously, Cortez is the second least affordable place to live in Florida, according to a study by UnitedSatesZipCodes.org. First place goes to Boca Grande. To be fair, the rankings are determined by calculating several factors and Cortez being a small area with many high-priced homes certainly contributes to this calculation.

See you again in three months. In the meantime, it’s okay to feel sorry for the very wealthy – the little darlings.

More Castles in the Sand:

The fun and not-so-fun of selling a home

The fun and not-so-fun of buying a home

The challenges of inheriting a house

Castles in the Sand

The fun and not-so-fun of selling a home

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Last week we talked about the fun and not-so-much fun of buying a home. This week we’ll talk a little about selling your home, choosing the perfect realtor and not necessarily one you’re related to. But before we do that, let’s review the June and July Manatee County sales statistics as reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.

In June, Manatee County closed 2.2% fewer homes than last year, not surprising for this time of year. In spite of that the median sale price, half above and half below, increased by 5% from last year to $315,000. The average sale price was $397,987, up 8.8%, and the month’s supply of properties is down to 3.6 months.

June’s condo sales increased for the number of sales by 6.1%, the median sale price was $210,000, up 14.3%, and the average sale price was $246,381, up 5.2%, all impressive numbers. The month’s supply of properties was 4.2%.

July single-family sales were down slightly by 1.8%, but the median sale price broke a record at $325,000 up 5% from last year. This is the highest median price since the housing crisis more than a decade ago and near historic levels. The average single-family home price was $391,049, up 2%, and the month’s supply of properties was down to 3.4%.

Condo sales were up by 8.7% with a median sale price of $191,000, down 4.1%. The average sale price for condos was $216,523, down 6.6% from last year and the month’s supply of properties was 3.7%.

Do these numbers give you incentive to find that perfect realtor and consider selling? Maybe, but remember statistics are only a snapshot in time and, although our sales and appreciation rates continue to go up every month, it could change in a heartbeat.

But just in case you’re ready to cash in, here are a few tips for choosing a realtor:

Although there are many questions you should ask a real estate professional before you turn over what may be your biggest asset to them, the two that are most important to me are how long have you been in residential real estate sales and what is your specific marketing plan?

Much of real estate experience is an on-the-job learning experience but choosing an agent who has accumulated a few designations or certifications shows a commitment to his/her profession. Certainly, you should ask if real estate sales are their full-time job. There are sales agents who get into the field thinking it’s a part-time job they can fit around their children’s school schedule. Trust me you don’t want this person.

As far as a marketing plan, the agent should be prepared to show you a written plan involving print advertising, open houses and digital participation. They may also include a pricing schedule suggesting a step-down pricing recommendation for 30, 60 or 90 days in the event offers are not coming in. As part of this plan, your agent should advise how frequently he/she will be in touch with you regarding showings and feedback.

It is also important for you to know how long homes in your area are taking to sell and the variation between the listing and final sales prices. I frequently note these statistics in my monthly updates for Manatee County because they are so important to the overall picture of the market.

Finally, giving your listing to a relative may look appealing since you already have a relationship and he/she may offer to reduce commission for you. However, it takes away the business aspect of the transaction and gets into the emotional aspect. My advice is don’t do it.

I’m looking forward to receiving the August Manatee County real estate numbers and hope you have a fun selling experience with a qualified broker.

More Castles in the Sand:

The fun and not-so-fun of buying a home

The challenges of inheriting a house

Uncovering a home’s defects

Qualifying determines Bradenton Beach commission winners

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

Incumbent Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie, incumbent Commissioner Jake Spooner and former Commissioner Jan Vosburgh are the only candidates to qualify for the three seats up for election in Bradenton Beach.

Now running unopposed, Chappie will serve another two-year term as mayor and Spooner will serve a two-year term as Bradenton Beach’s Ward 1 commissioner when their current terms expire in November.

Running unopposed, Vosburgh will serve a two-year term as the new Ward 3 commissioner, replacing Randy White. White did not seek reelection and his first term in office expires in November.

Commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro are not up for reelection until 2020.

John Chappie

John Chappie

Jake Spooner

Jake Spooner

Jan Vosburgh

Jan Vosburgh

Bradenton Beach readies for Dorian

Bradenton Beach readies for Dorian

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

BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach declared a local state of emergency on Friday afternoon as part of its precautionary Hurricane Dorian preparations.

The declaration occurred in the form of a city resolution approved by Mayor John Chappie and commissioners Jake Spooner and Marilyn Maro during an emergency meeting that took place at 1 p.m. on Friday.

In addition to his duties with the Bradenton Beach Police Department, Lt. John Cosby serves as the city’s emergency operations coordinator, working closely with Public Works Director Tom Woodard.

Bradenton Beach readies for Dorian
Lt. John Cosby and Public Works Director Tom Woodard lead the city’s hurricane preparedness and recovery efforts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“It appears the storm is going to take a major right hook as it hits land. The two main models are coming into consensus. That’s awesome for us – the further it comes inland, the worse for us,” Cosby told the commission.

He said it was still possible Bradenton Beach could experience significant rain and wind, depending on the hurricane’s final course.

Cosby said the Public Works Department already cleaned out the city’s storm drains and removed loose articles from the various city properties.

He said construction companies, contractors, local restaurants, resorts and businesses would be notified that afternoon and asked to secure any loose items that could present hazards during high winds. But on Saturday afternoon, Code Enforcement Officer Gail Garneau distributed an email saying those restrictions were lifted due to the hurricane’s latest anticipated course.

Cosby told the commission he spoke to the managers at the Pines Trailer Park and the Sandpiper Resort and was told the mobile home residents planned to either shelter in place or make arrangements to stay off-Island. Cosby said there was no talk of imposing voluntary or mandatory evacuations.

Cosby said the wooden storm shutters would be closed to cover the windows and doors at city hall during the extended Labor Day weekend and Public Works Department employees would be on call and available if needed.

Bradenton Beach readies for Dorian
The wooden storm shutters at Bradenton Beach City Hall were closed Friday afternoon to protect the doors and windows. – David Higgins | Submitted

Cosby said he would confer with the mayor on Monday as to whether city hall would open for business on Tuesday

Chappie then read aloud the emergency declaration that says, “Pursuant to this declaration, the department heads and police Lieutenant John Cosby are hereby ordered to take whatever prudent actions are necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community.”

Cosby said there were city meetings scheduled for Wednesday and the emergency declaration could be canceled then if no longer needed.

High tide

A visit to the Pines Trailer Park seawall and dock a few minutes before Friday’s meeting found park resident Mike Henry standing in shin deep water on the narrow dock that runs along the seawall near the park’s waterfront mobile homes. Henry said he was asked to move his boat to a safer nearby location so it wasn’t docked right in front of the homes closest to the shoreline.

Bradenton Beach readies for Dorian
The Pines Trailer Park dock was underwater Friday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Friday’s higher than usual tide was believed to be associated with a lunar-influenced king tide, and Henry said the water was about two feet higher than usual. The high tide was also closer than usual to the bottom of the decking on the nearby Bridge Street Pier.

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