Tag: Brian Seymour

City Pier Grill operators hope to renegotiate lease

Written by Joe Hendricks on June 17, 2025. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – The City Pier Grill & Bait Shop operators want to renegotiate their lease before committing to another five years in the city-owned City Pier building that’s currently closed due to damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

Operating as GSM Partners LLC in a pier building leased from the city of Anna Maria, pier tenants Brian Seymour, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham opened the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop on Dec. 10, 2020. Their initial five-year lease with the city expires on Dec. 31.

Seymour, Mattay and Graham attended the June 12 city commission meeting. Their desired lease considerations include a lower rental rate, a roof structure for the City Pier Grill side of the T-end deck area, higher capacity electrical service and discontinuing the 10 p.m. pier closures.

Seymour, Mayor Mark Short and the city commissioners spent about 40 minutes discussing the seven-page presentation GSM Partners provided regarding their current and future pier tenancy.

Seymour said GSM Partners has the option to extend the current lease for 15 months to account for the time lost to the hurricane-related pier closure.

“Not knowing until the pier is almost rebuilt, to reinvest for a 15-month extension probably would not provide for a successful ROI (return on investment) and would not warrant continuing operations on the City Pier,” according to the group’s Power Point presentation.

Seymour said he and his partners are paying $400 per square foot to lease the city-owned pier space and $40 per square foot to lease the privately-owned space on Pine Avenue occupied by the Anna Maria General Store and Dips Ice Cream.

Seymour hopes to renegotiate a lease that offers a “more equitable” monthly rate and includes credits for days lost due to mandatory pier closures related to hurricanes, tropical storms and other unforeseen circumstances. The restaurant operators’ lease payments are suspended while the pier is closed.

Seymour said on average they lost 104 days a year to inclement weather during the first four years of their pier tenancy; and the entire fifth year due to the hurricane damage and pier closure. Seymour said those lost days and revenue fluctuations make it more challenging to recruit and retain staff members and also negatively impact the musicians who provide the City Pier Grill’s live entertainment.

Commissioner John Lynch said many Anna Maria Island business owners face the same weather-related challenges and they don’t receive rent reductions. Seymour said he doesn’t expect credits for days lost to normal rainy, cold and windy weather.

Isolated with no walkway that provides pedestrian access, the pier buildings currently have no power, utility or water service. Seymour said he and his partners have no idea how much it will cost to restore their leased space to its pre-hurricane condition.

He said the City Pier Grill was supposed to receive 800 amps of electrical power and the city only provided 400 amps. He said more power is needed to fully accommodate the restaurant equipment and other technological needs.

Seymour and his partners want the city to install a roof structure over the currently uncovered seating area at the T-end of the pier using the $75,000 previously budgeted, but not spent, to install shade sails over the uncovered deck area used by City Pier Grill patrons and others. Seymour doesn’t believe shade sails are a good option at the end of the pier.

The pier tenants want the roof structure to include drink rails on the north and west sides of the open-air structure. Seymour said the current seating capacity is 65 to 80 seats, depending on whether the benches are counted as seats. He said the drink rail stools would add 40 more seats and the increased seating would help provide liquor service in addition to the current beer and wine offerings.

Lynch and Commissioner Chris Arendt questioned how the proposed roof structure and drink railings would impact fishing from the T-end of the pier.

Additional concerns

Seymour said generations of pier users used to enjoy fishing on the pier late at night and a lot of people complain about the pier not being open 24 hours a day like it was before the previous mayor and commission decided the pier would close and the main gate would be locked at 10 p.m.

Seymour said making his staff responsible for closing the pier and restrooms, clearing the pier of occupants and locking the gate at 10 p.m. subjected his staff to confrontations with the public, some of which included threats of violence.

When the pier reopens in the summer or fall of 2026 as currently expected, Seymour and his partners want the public works department and/or the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to take over those responsibilities. They also want the city and the sheriff’s office to provide greater enforcement of the pier rules that include no smoking, no bicycles, no animals and no jumping or diving off the pier. Seymour said asking his staff to enforce those rules subjected them to additional confrontations.

Seymour and his partners want more transparency regarding the costs shared with the city that include pressure washing the pier, lighting maintenance, parking area maintenance and more. They would also like the same sign allowances given to Mote Marine. Seymour said Mote Marine was allowed to place a sign on the side of their leased building that faces the Anna Maria shoreline and the City Pier Grill was not.

Commission Chair Charlie Salem thanked Seymour, Mattay and Graham for the insights they provided.

“It’s a lot to think about. I appreciate all the time and effort you put into this,” Salem said, noting the commission will try to do what is best for the city and the city’s pier tenant, whoever that may be.

Seymour didn’t seek a commission vote but he said he and his partners need a commitment soon regarding the roof structure and the renegotiation of the lease. He also noted they must give the city six months’ notice if they plan to vacate the pier space.

Seymour withdraws city commission application

Written by Joe Hendricks on January 8, 2025. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Former city commissioner and mayoral candidate Brian Seymour has withdrawn his application seeking appointment to the Anna Maria City Commission.

Seymour’s withdrawal leaves John Lynch as the lone remaining commission applicant seeking appointment to the city commission on Jan. 9.

Dated Jan. 4 and addressed to Mayor Mark Short, Seymour’s withdrawal letter says, “I am writing to inform you that I would like to remove myself from consideration for the open city commission seat. After much thought over the last few weeks, I have concluded that I can better serve the community as I have been for the past several years, as a regular attendee of city commission meetings and participating when public comment warrants.”

Seymour and Lynch submitted applications seeking appointment to serve the remaining year of former Commissioner Jon Crane’s two-year term. Citing hurricane damage to his Anna Maria home and a desire to live off-Island, Crane resigned in November, creating the commission vacancy.

As a precursor to the commission appointment expected to be made on Thursday, Jan. 9, Lynch and Seymour were slated to participate in a candidate forum at city hall on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 6 p.m.

After receiving Seymour’s withdrawal letter, Short said Tuesday’s forum would still take place, with Lynch still being given the opportunity to answer written questions previously submitted by the public.

According to his commission application, Lynch is a retired consultant and supply chain executive who also served for 10 years as a high school football coach. His application states he resides in Anna Maria 10 months a year and is a registered Anna Maria voter. He’s involved with the Habitat for Humanity organization and serves as president and secretary of the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation.

During Thursday’s meeting, the four sitting commissioners – Chris Arendt, Kathleen Morgan-Johnson, Gary McMullen and Charlie Salem – could either appoint Lynch to fill the vacant commission seat or delay the appointment and seek additional applicants.

WITHDRAWAL LETTER

In his withdrawal letter, Seymour stated his decision to withdraw was prompted primarily by his desire to avoid situations where he would have to recuse himself from discussing and voting on matters pertaining to the city’s top two project priorities: rebuilding the hurricane-damaged City Pier and completing the Reimagining Pine Avenue sidewalk installation and safety improvement project.

Seymour owns and operates two businesses along Pine Avenue: the Anna Maria General Store and Pine Avenue Bait and Tackle. He and his business partners also operate the City Pier Grill in pier space leased from the city. The City Pier Grill remains closed until the portion of the walkway obliterated by Hurricane Milton is replaced and any additional hurricane-related pier repairs are complete.

Salem owns commercial property along Pine Avenue and Seymour’s letter notes Salem, the new commission chair, recuses himself from Reimagining Pine Avenue discussions and votes.

“The city already has one commissioner who recuses him on Pine Avenue votes and I fear having two commissioners recusing themselves will not serve in the city’s best interests,” Seymour wrote.

“In addition, as one of two tenants on the City Pier, I would probably have to recuse myself from any votes on that project as well. I think all five commissioners should have a vote on the various stages of the pier rebuild. I believe my input and help from a citizen/tenant standpoint would be more valuable to the city than being on the dais and not being able to vote. I appreciate your understanding and hope that the other candidate is successful in their bid to join the city commission,” Seymour wrote.

Seymour’s letter concludes with well wishes for Short in his new role as Anna Maria mayor: “I look forward to seeing your growth and future achievements as mayor and the growth of our wonderful city I know we both love so much. I stand by and am available any time you may need assistance.”

Mark Short wins Anna Maria mayor’s race

Written by Joe Hendricks on November 5, 2024. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – Current City Commission Chairman and Vice-Mayor Mark Short will serve as Anna Maria’s next mayor.

Running unopposed, incumbent city commissioner Gary McMullen and former charter review committee chairman Chris Arendt also earned two-year terms on the Anna Maria City Commission.

Anna Maria voters also approved four charter amendments proposed by the charter review committee and supported by the city commission.

Mayor’s race

In the mayor’s race, Short received 378 votes (60.58%) and Seymour received 246 votes (39.42%),” according to the unofficial results posted at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website Tuesday evening.

“I would like to thank the voters of the city of Anna Maria for supporting my candidacy for mayor and I look forward to serving the citizens as we go forward,” Short said of his victory.

Short will be sworn into the mayor’s office on Tuesday, Nov. 19. He will succeed Dan Murphy, who served five-consecutive two-year terms as Anna Maria’s mayor.

Short is a retired former partner of the Ernst & Young financial services and consulting firm. He has been a member of the Anna Maria City Commission for the past five years and he’s served as the commission-elected chairman and vice-mayor for the past two years. During the past two months, Short gained hurricane preparation and response experience while assisting Murphy with the city’s response to hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Seymour was an Anna Maria commissioner from 2018 to 2020 before resigning for personal reasons. He owns the Anna Maria General Store, Pine Avenue Bait & Tackle and the City Pier Grill which operates in pier space leased from the city. The City Pier Grill is currently closed due to Hurricane Milton wiping out a significant portion of the pier walkway. The City Pier will remain closed until the missing walkway is replaced.

City charter amendments

During the general election, Anna Maria voters overwhelmingly supported four proposed amendments to the city charter.

Anna Maria voters supported proposed city charter amendment 1, which appeared on the ballot as: “Shall the Anna Maria City Charter be amended to provide a definition for administrative officers of the city?” On this proposed amendment, 498 voters (82.59%) supported it and 105 voters (17.41%) opposed it.

Anna Maria voters overwhelmingly supported proposed city charter amendment 2, which appeared on the ballot as this: “Shall the Anna Maria City Charter be amended to add a height limitation for all structures within the City limits to be no more than two residential/habitable floors and 37 feet above the crown of the abutting road, and include a provision for obtaining a variance?” On this proposed amendment, 531 voters (84.29%) supported it and 99 voters (15.71%) opposed it.

Anna Maria voters supported proposed city charter amendment 3, which appeared on the ballot as: “Shall the Anna Maria City Charter be amended to add language regarding removal of non-qualifying city commissioners and prohibiting city commissioners from holding concurrent municipal or other public office or employment by the city of Anna Maria?” On this proposed amendment, 536 voters (86.59%) supported it and 83 voters (13.41%) opposed it.

Anna Maria voters supported proposed city charter amendment 4, which appeared on the ballot like this: “Shall the Anna Maria City Charter be amended to change the way a special meeting of the city commission may be called, from a call of a single member of the city commission to a call of the majority of the city commission, the chair of the city commission or the city mayor?” On this proposed amendment, 450 voters (74.14 %) supported it and 157 voters (25.86%) opposed it.

City Pier Grill operator discusses damage, recovery

City Pier Grill operator discusses pier damage

Written by Joe Hendricks on October 24, 2024. Posted in Business, Featured, Restaurants | Bars.

ANNA MARIA – A few days after Hurricane Milton struck Anna Maria Island, City Pier Grill operator and pier tenant Brian Seymour and his sister, Rebecca, dropped by to view the damage.

During that Oct. 12 visit, Seymour addressed the immediate impacts and future challenges presented by the hurricane ripping away at least 75 yards of the pier walkway and leaving the leased City Pier Grill building and the Mote Marine Science Education and Outreach Center stranded at the T-end of the pier with no walkway access.

“My immediate thoughts are I’m devastated for my employees and staff who it appears aren’t going to have the ability to work out here for at least six months,” he said. “As a business, we can pause everything and wait for the rebuild but our employees need paychecks. They’ve all been notified and they’re starting to job-hunt to supplement their incomes.”

Like Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, Seymour also suspects a waterspout or tornado may have formed during Hurricane Milton and inflicted the damage to the pier.

“As I stand here and look at it the damage is so clean cut,” Seymour said. “I would venture to say 60-100 concrete pilings were pulled right out of the ground. Those pilings were driven 40-feet down. It appears we had a tornado come through here and take everything from about 10 feet off the T-end to about 100 feet from the shore.”

He also noted the utility lines, wastewater pipes and gas lines snapped off as well and he was told Mote Marine removed their live exhibits after Hurricane Helene and before Hurricane Milton.

Seymour’s insights

Seymour also owns and operates the nearby Anna Maria General Store and the Pine Avenue Bait & Tackle shop on Pine Avenue.

He was asked what it’s like to be the owner of multiple businesses impacted by back-to-back hurricanes.

“During Milton, the General Store fared well. We lost our solar hot water system but we have a backup system we can activate. As a business owner, with three of my businesses closed for almost two weeks without revenues, the money’s getting tight. It was already the slow time of year. To have a double-whammy like this is hard, but it’s hard on every business up and down this Island. There’s nothing we can do except clean up, try to recover and move forward,” Seymour said.

Seymour was asked if he and others might reconsider the risks of operating a business on a barrier island prone to flooding and hurricane damage.

“All those thoughts have gone through my head. I don’t want to speak for other business owners but seeing some of the damage up and down the Island it’s hard for me to believe that every business is going to survive this. Some people will question whether it’s worth the risk of having your business and life dependent on a barrier island. During Helene, when I was wading across four feet of water on Pine Avenue, I really thought it might be time to pick a new place to start my life and businesses over. But we got lucky during Helene. I was able to get the City Pier Grill, the General Store and the bait shop reopened within a couple days, but Milton has substantially hurt our business on the pier,” he said.

Seymour also addressed the emotional toll of being an Anna Maria resident and business owner during times like this; and also his current bid to serve as Anna Maria’s next mayor.

“It’s draining, but I love this city and I am still running for mayor. I hope people know that I’m here trying to support the community, the recovery and the rebuild. I’ve come to the personal conclusion that this is where I want my life to be, so I’m going to do everything I can; and I want all my employees to come back to work eventually,” he said.

Seymour was asked if he’s up for the additional challenge, if elected, of overseeing the city’s ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts after longtime Mayor Dan Murphy leaves office in November.

“Absolutely,” he said. “There’s so much to do, but I’m taking notes and watching what Mayor Murphy does. I think he’s done a great job cleaning up Anna Maria, getting the streets open and cleared of debris and getting the utilities back on. If I do win the mayor’s race, hopefully I can use him as a resource. And if Mark Short wins, I hope he reaches out for my assistance because it’s all about our community first. It’s not about who’s the mayor, who’s the vice-mayor and who’s a commissioner. It’s about Anna Maria,” Seymour said.

Related coverage:
City Pier badly damaged, temporary ferry landing installed
Parents reunited with Rod & Reel Pier memorial plaque
Rod and Reel Pier owner hopes to rebuild

Seymour, Short seek mayor’s job

Written by Joe Hendricks on September 16, 2024. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – Brian Seymour and Mark Short both want to succeed Dan Murphy as Anna Maria’s next mayor, with the winner to be determined in the upcoming election. On Sept. 12, they participated in a candidate forum hosted by The Anna Maria Island Sun at city hall.

Opening remarks

Seymour thanked Murphy for his 10-year tenure as mayor, including during the three years Seymour served as a commissioner. Seymour spent the first 38 years of his life in the Washinton D.C. area and 20 years working for Marriott hotels and resorts at many levels, from banquets to general manager.

“I decided after 20 years in the corporate world I was going to go find a new life. I couldn’t have been luckier to find this little city of Anna Maria. I own three businesses (City Pier Grill, Anna Maria General Store and Pine Avenue Bait and Tackle) and I’m eager to get back involved in city government and help the city continue to move forward,” Seymour said.

Short and his wife, Pat, bought their Anna Maria home almost 13 years ago. They’ve been married 40 years and have three daughters and four granddaughters. In 2017, Short retired as a partner and CPA after 38 years with the Ernst & Young accounting and consultancy firm. Three months later, he joined The Center of Anna Maria Island’s finance committee. In 2019, he was appointed to the city’s Charter Review Committee and then to the city’s Planning and Zoning Board.

“I served on that (the planning board) for several months until I was appointed to the city commission. I actually replaced you, Brian, when you resigned,” Short said, noting he’s been a commissioner for five years and commission chair and vice-mayor for two years.

When asked why he wants to serve as mayor, Short said, “I’ve been actively involved in the city and I’m vested in the city. I know it’s a thankless job and it is certainly not for the money. The city has come a long way. We have a long way to go and some things the city needs to focus on are things I can help with,” Short said.

“It’s definitely not for the $19,000 and change,” Seymour said of the mayor’s salary. “When I was a commissioner, it was $4,800 a year. It’s about having a place in this city and wanting to help the city continue to grow. I’m a good leader. I have good relationships with city staff and the different departments within the city.”

The candidates agree the mayor’s job is a full-time job.

“The residents have come to expect the mayor to be here,” Short said. “I am viewing this as a full-time job. If I’m elected mayor, you’ll see me here.”

“It’s about balance,” Seymour said. “I would be in and out of city hall every day. I have good leadership at my two bigger businesses and the ability to extract myself from those two businesses and implement myself here at city hall.”

The issues

A recent independent investigation of the city workplace cited a “pervasive lack of trust and collegiality amongst co-workers.”

Short said he was required to participate in annual workplace training during his career and he’d require the same of city staff. He’d also consider outsourcing the city’s human resource needs to outside specialists so city employees can express their concerns to unbiased, non-city personnel.

“With regards to managing the staff, it’s the mayor’s job and you have to be hands-on with everybody,” Short said.

“I’ve had a lot of dealings with staff issues and different personalities that maybe don’t work well together,” Seymour said. “It comes down to consistent training. There needs to be accountability and a review of the entire city staff, from the top down, to make sure people are in the right positions, given the tools they need and have proper working relationships.”

Seymour and Short disagree on hiring a full-time city administrator or city manager to assist the mayor.

“I’m very much in favor of a city administrator-type position to help oversee the city,” Seymour said, noting he’d like the administrator to have human resources experience. “It has become such a large city with so many departments and so many employees. I really believe that would be beneficial.”

“I do not believe the city needs a city manager or a city administrator,” Short countered. “If you read the city charter, that is the job of the mayor. You’re electing someone to do exactly what a city administrator or manager would do.”

Both candidates adamantly oppose the consolidation of the three Island cities or annexing them into Manatee County or Bradenton.

Both candidates strongly support the commission’s recent decision to reduce the property tax millage rate from 2.05 to 1.65 mills and maintaining or lowering that rate in the future.

Short and Seymour agree that improving the city’s drainage system to reduce flooding is a top priority and they support Murphy’ pursuit of a resiliency grant to fund a study for the future installation of drainage pumps and pipes.

Both candidates agree the city should use Facebook and other social media platforms to communicate more immediately with residents and business owners, especially regarding weather events and other emergencies.

The candidates agree the $1.3 million budgeted for law enforcement services by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is a wise and prudent expenditure. They both believe the code enforcement department should focus on a wider range of enforcement issues beyond writing parking tickets.

Both candidates would continue Murphy’s use of a lobbyist and the Home Rule Florida website to help preserve Anna Maria’s home rule rights and the city’s ability to regulate vacation rentals.

Seymour and Short support the Reimagining Pine Avenue project and oppose eliminating the existing parallel parking spaces along Pine Avenue. They both oppose making Pine Avenue a one-way street and Seymour opposes making Spring or Magnolia a one-way street. Short said he’d at least look at making Spring or Magnolia a one-way street to create space for a bike path.

Seymour and his business partners operate the City Pier Grill in space leased from the city. The initial five-year pier lease expires on Dec. 31, 2025, and Seymour’s group has the option to renew the lease for five more years.

When asked if this could create a potential conflict of interest, Short noted the mayor’s duties include negotiating the city contracts that require the city commission’s final approval.

“I would be concerned if that contract came up and it was effectively the mayor negotiating with himself,” Short said.

“I have partners in the business,” Seymour said. “That negotiation would need to be pushed out of my hands to the vice-mayor and maybe to the city attorney and then let the city commission decide. I would not be involved with those negotiations.”

Regarding the quality of the natural waters surrounding the city, Seymour said, “It’s a shame what’s happening around us. Yes, we’ve had some significant rainfalls but for Bradenton to still be discharging (sewage) is just uncalled for. I’m tired of seeing Bayfront Park end up on the no-swim advisory. I’m not going to throw a fellow business under the bus at this moment, but there’s one that’s constantly putting sewage into the Bayfront Park area. It’s not acceptable and it needs to be fixed.”

“Water quality starts with us,” Short said. “We need to make sure our infrastructure can handle these 4-, 5-, 6-inch rains we get with minimal impact on the environment. I think we, the Island, need to collectively have our voice heard in Bradenton, in Manatee County, at the DEP and in Tallahassee about our concerns about what’s happening on the mainland. At the end of the day, that water ends up out here.”

Both candidates would support the city regulating and enforcing mangrove protections at the local level.

Closing statements

“I feel confident my friend Mark Short or I would both make excellent mayors,” Seymour said. “I am also a resident here, not just a business owner, and there are times when I do believe enough is enough. I hope you all vote for me. I look forward to potentially serving the residents.”

Short said, “I feel like I have a pretty good pulse as to what is going on with the city, the people working for the city and the concerns of you, the residents. I’ve been committed on this commission and I believe I would be just as committed should you elect me mayor.”

Learn more at the Elect Brian Seymour for City of Anna Maria Mayor Facebook page and Instagram account.

Learn more at MarkShortForMayor.com and the Facebook and Instagram accounts sharing the same name.

The forum video is archived at the Anna Maria Island Sun Facebook page.

Salem appointed to Anna Maria Commission

Written by Joe Hendricks on January 29, 2023. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Charlie Salem now serves in the Anna Maria City Commission seat recently vacated by Carol Carter.

Salem will serve the remaining months of the two-year commission term that expires after the city elections in November. Former commissioner Brian Seymour was also considered for the commission appointment.

On Jan. 26, commissioners Jon Crane, Robert Kingan, Deanie Sebring and Mark Short ranked the two applicants according to their own first and second preferences. Crane, Kingan and Sebring ranked Salem as their first preference and Seymour as their second. Short ranked Seymour as his first preference and Salem as his second. The applicants received one point for a first preference and two for a second preference. Salem received five points, Seymour received seven and Salem won the seat with the lowest total score.

City Clerk LeAnne Addy then swore Salem into office before he took his seat on the dais and participated in the rest of the meeting as a voting member.

Applicant presentations

For the first time, the appointment process featured a standalone commission workshop on Jan. 19 that allowed the two applicants to answer 24 questions provided in advance. The workshop also allowed Salem and Seymour to highlight their professional and political accomplishments.

Salem holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and government and a doctorate degree in law. He worked in Tallahassee as a special counsel for the State of Florida’s Office of Planning and Budgeting and then moved to Washington D.C. to run a state office of federal affairs pertaining to Hurricane Andrew recovery efforts in south Florida in the early 1990s. He then served as legislative director and chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Indiana) and finished his time working in the D.C. area as a public policy director for Microsoft.

Seymour served as an Anna Maria commissioner from late 2016 to late 2019. He owns and operates the Anna Maria General Store & Deli on Pine Avenue and he and his business partners operate the City Pier Grill in a pier space leased from the city.

Former commissioner Brian Seymour also applied to fill the vacant commission seat. – Joe Hendricks | SunSalem and Seymour’s presentations helped the four sitting commissioners make their appointment the following week. When filling past vacant commission seats, the applicants were simply given a few minutes to address the commission before the appointment was made using the same ranking process.

Mayor Dan Murphy proposed the new candidate vetting process.

“I think this is a good process. I think it’s a much better process than what we were using in the past,” Murphy said after Salem was sworn in.

“It was great to learn more about the candidates. I think this was the best way to do it,” Short said. Crane and Sebring agreed.

“As a participant in the process, I thought it was well-thought-out,” Salem said.

Kingan thanked Salem and Seymour for putting themselves forward as candidates.

“Either of you would have been a very good addition to this commission. I very much hope, Brian, that you will remain in contention because I think you’re an asset to the community and definitely have what it takes,” Kingan said.

Workshop insights

During the workshop, Salem referenced the recently-expressed desires of State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. and other members of Manatee County’s legislative delegation for a state-funded study regarding the possible elimination or consolidation of the three Island cities and the three city governments.

Robinson and his fellow legislators also announced their pursuit of state legislation that could allow Manatee County to preempt the city of Holmes Beach’s building codes and build a multi-story public parking garage.

“I’m really concerned about our permanent resident population and the ability of our citizens to be able to govern themselves. I have a background in putting together coalitions. I would use that experience to help craft a strategy to work with the commission, the mayor and our lobbyist on this issue,” Salem said during the workshop.

During the workshop, Seymour expressed concerns about the utility grids in Anna Maria and throughout the rest of the Island. He said Anna Maria experiences power outages even on sunny days and Spectrum internet service was recently down for two non-consecutive days, which he said impacts businesses’ ability to process payments.

“How can we partner with FPL and Spectrum to make our grid a little more stable?” Seymour said.

During Thursday’s meeting, Salem referenced Seymour’s concerns and said, “He raised an issue last week around utility liability that I frankly hadn’t considered. I’d like to dive into that a little deeper.”

The Anna Maria City Commission consists of Charlie Salem, Deanie Sebring, Mark Short, Jon Crane and Robert Kingan, who work in unison with non-voting mayor Dan Murphy. – Joe Hendricks | SUnDuring the workshop, Salem and Seymour both said they’d seek reelection if appointed. Both will have the opportunity to run in the fall election that will determine who fills the commission seats currently held by Crane, Kingan and Salem.

Related coverage

Salem, Seymour seek city commission seat

Bright Holiday Lights contest winners announced

Written by Joe Hendricks on December 12, 2022. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – The city’s annual Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest produced a first-time residential category winner and a repeat winner in the business category.

Former Keep Manatee Beautiful Executive Director Ingrid McClellan judged this year’s entries. The winners were announced during the city’s Santa Stops Here event at City Pier Park on Friday and the winners later received Christmas tree-shaped trophies.

James and Andrea Stepan won the residential category for the decorating efforts they made at their home at 602 Gladiolus St. The residential entries also included Deborah White’s home at 313 North Bay Blvd. and Luann Marshall’s home at 708 Gladiolus St. The Anna Maria General Store repeated as the business category winner, edging out the festive Duncan Real Estate office at 310 Pine Ave. The Gulf Queen Creations property at 107 Pine Ave. was entered in the contest but was not lit up during either of The Sun’s two visits to the property.

Residential category

The Stepans have lived in their home since 2017 and this year they entered the Bright Holiday Lights contest for the second time.

“We’re happy, excited and thrilled. We put a lot of effort into it and our efforts were rewarded. We’re already thinking about what we’re going to do next year,” James Stepan told The Sun.

“Last year we were decorating our house just for us and one of the neighbors told us about the city’s competition so we entered the contest not really knowing what it was like. We didn’t win last year so we decided to step it up a bit this year and we brought in a lot more color. We added Santa Claus and more lights to the roof this year too.

“Last year we had colored landscape lighting on the trees. This year we wrapped the trunks of the coconut and royal palms with lights. We added some LED effects on the Sylvester palms by the driveway. We added more lighting and more colors than the traditional green and red Christmas colors,” Stepan said.

The Stepan’s decorations again feature a pair of white-lighted deer-shaped lawn ornaments and a white Christmas tree lawn ornament. New this year are a flamingo lawn ornament, several oversized Christmas ornaments and a multi-colored Christmas tree lawn ornament. The decorations also include a teddy bear drummer.

“My wife wanted a pink flamingo and we added some purple and pink lights this year too. The ornaments and the multi-colored trees are new this year and make it a little more festive and fun,” Stepan said.

The couple spent about two weeks working on their decorations and were out until midnight the night before the judging took place making their final adjustments.

“We live on a corner lot and we probably have about 500 square feet of front yard. It takes a lot more lights and decorations than a smaller yard,” Stepan said.

“When I was a kid, I’d jump in the car with mom and dad and we’d drive around and look at all the Christmas lights. Hopefully, people will drive by our house and enjoy what we did,” Stepan said.

Luann Marshall’s decorations feature several inflatables, including Baby Yoda from “The Mandalorian” TV series and Olaf from the “Frozen” movies.

While standing on her balcony next to the Olaf inflatable, Marshall said, “I do it because I enjoy it. I do all the holidays and it’s fun. I’ve lived here for four years, but I’ve been coming here since the 1950s. My grandparents, Philip and Lily Bruhl, lived on the Island and moved here in the 1940s.”

White’s decorations included several inflatables, three roof decorations and a multitude of colorful lights.

Deborah White’s home on North Bay Boulevard is Christmas wonderland. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Past repeat residential winners Carol and Larry Craft did not enter this year’s contest, but their home and yard at 266 Gladiolus St. is once again among the most beautifully decorated properties in Anna Maria.

Business category

The Anna Maria General Store won the businesses category outright for the second consecutive year, after tying with Beach Bums for first place two years ago.

“This year we added the archway trellis to the entrance. We have the nutcrackers that play music. We have 33,000 lights this year. We have the new waterfall of lights on the parking lot side and we put more lights on our Christmas tree on the roof,” general store owner Brian Seymour said.

Tom Powers once again guided the general store’s decorating efforts.

“We had a great time. We love doing it and we’re glad we won again,” Powers said.

“I’d like to see more of the businesses participate. I’d love to see the entire business district lit up. Duncan Real Estate looked great and the shopping center where Two Scoops is looks nice too,” Seymour said.

“We’d like to thank Nicole Coleman and Brandy Kelly for their ideas and help,” Seymour added.

The Stepans added these decorations to the Poinsettia Road corner of their yard. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Stepan's white Christmas tree lawn ornament is a carryover from last year. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Deborah White’s decorations include a wide variety of creatures and characters.- Joe Hendricks | Sun

These inflatable decorations sit upon Luann Marshall’s balcony. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Luann Marshall’s decorations utilize several inflatable decorations. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Previous contest winners Carol and Larry Craft decorated their yard but did not enter this year’s contest. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The tropical Santa is an annual component of Duncan Real Estate’s Christmas decorations. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Beach Bums decorated their building but did not enter this year’s contest. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Bayview Plaza looks spectacular during the Christmas holidays. -Joe Hendricks | Sun

The entrance to the Anna Maria City Pier is decorated for the holidays. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Bright Holiday Lights contestants spread holiday cheer

Written by Joe Hendricks on December 13, 2021. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – Carol and Larry Craft and the Anna Maria General Store have retained their previous rank as winners of the city’s 3rd Annual Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest.

The winners were announced Friday afternoon during the city’s Santa Stops Here event at City Pier Park.

Larry Craft was on hand to receive the residential category trophy he and his wife earned for a third consecutive year.

“His home over on Gladiola is just fantastic. It’s a work of art and we’re very proud that he’s a resident of our city,” Mayor Dan Murphy said when presenting the trophy to Craft.

After receiving the trophy, Craft invited all children and those who still have a child-like spirit to see their decorations at 266 Gladiolus St.

“I think you’ll find it a little bit amusing as to how Carol, my wife, orchestrates all the decorations in a rather unusual way. We even have a 4-foot tall, 4-foot-long reindeer called Prancer that she decorates and puts out front. Prancer has false eyelashes, bells from its antlers, stars and all types of decorations on it. Come by and see Prancer,” he said.

When interviewed afterward, Craft said, “One of the big reasons for the Christmas decorations is for all the children who come by and enjoy the lights.”

The Craft’s holiday display incorporates driftwood, reindeer, inflatables, lights, a Christmas tree made of wooden twigs, the word “Rejoice,” a nativity scene made of Talavera Mexican pottery and much more.

When interviewed at her home Friday evening, Carol Craft said, “We’ve noticed that a lot more people are decorating this year and we love it. We’re so happy that others are joining in and spreading the Christmas spirit.”

The Crafts started working on their decorations the day after Thanksgiving and finished a few days before the entries were judged on Thursday, Dec. 9. They began their ever-expanding holiday decorating efforts when they moved into their Anna Maria home 18 years ago.

“We go all out to speak to the children and the child in everyone. Many adults come by and say ‘thank you.’ We’ve had cookies left on the porch. We had a bottle of wine left on the porch,” Carol said.

“There’s goodness in the world and you get to see it at Christmas. I wish we could see it all year round,” Larry added.

The residential contest entries also included John and Patricia Knowlton’s home on South Bay Boulevard, Deborah White’s home on North Bay Boulevard, Annemarie Stephan’s home on North Bay Boulevard, Luann Marshall’s home on Gladiolus Street and James Stepan’s home on Gladiolus Street.

Business category

Last year, the Anna Maria General Store and Beach Bums shared first place honors in the business category. This year the general store claimed those honors outright.

The mayor and Santa Claus delivered the business category trophy to general store owner Brian Seymour and his team during the Holiday of Treasures Open House that took place along Pine Avenue Friday evening.

Seymour said employee Tom Powers again led the decorating efforts.

“Tom’s my main elf and Hagan Powers and Mason Jones also helped decorate the Green Village and the general store this year,” Seymour said.

“We wanted to do it bigger and better than last year. We had to outdo Beach Bums this year and win. We got up on the roof this year, which we didn’t do last year. We have more strands of lights this year and we have a live Christmas tree that’s lit up,” Powers said.

“We have a Christmas tree on the roof and some new inflatables,” Seymour added.

Beach Bums, Duncan Real Estate and AMI Beach & Dog Supply Co. also competed in this year’s business category.

Carol and Larry Craft won the residential category for the third consecutive year. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Craft’s front yard is a Christmas extravaganza. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Backed by driftwood, the word “Rejoice” is an annual component of the Craft’s decorations. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Duncan Real Estate decorations include this tropically-attired Santa inflatable. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Duncan Real Estate decorations incorporate a tropical theme. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Anna Maria General Store’s decorations include the nutcracker and an inflatable dog. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Anna Maria General Store is a lighted winter wonderland. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Tom Powers, Brian Seymour, Hagan Powers and Mason Jones celebrated this year’s win in the business category. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Beach Bums’ decorations included a multitude of lights, the word “Joy”and a likeness of Charlie Brown and Snoopy. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

AMI Beach & Dog Supply Co. owner Janalee Gallagher created this dog-themed holiday window display. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The dog-themed decorations at AMI Beach & Dog Supply Co. include dog-themed window displays, topiaries and more. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Baby Yoda is featured among Luann Marshall’s decorations. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Annemarie Stephans’ decorations incorporate inflatables and lights projected on the garage doors. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

James Stepan’s decorations include a snowman and a Christmas tree lit with white lights. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Deborah White’s decorations include a holiday dinner table with homemade cookies. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Deborah White’s home and yard are brightly lit and well-decorated. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

John and Patricia Knowlton’s decorations include these colorfully lit trees. - Charlie Trygg | Submitted

Bright Holiday Lights contest winners celebrated

Written by Joe Hendricks on December 21, 2020. Posted in Anna Maria, Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has named four winners in this year’s Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest.

On Friday, two winners were announced in the residential category and two winners were announced in the business category.

Carol and Larry Craft’s home at 266 Gladiolus St. and Debbie White’s home at 313 North Bay Blvd. tied for first place in the residential category, which featured seven entries this year. The Crafts are repeat champions, having previously won the residential category in the inaugural Bright Holiday Lights contest in 2019.

The residential entries also included the Coolidge home on Magnolia Avenue, the Marshall home on Gladiolus Street, The Coneys home on Hammock Circle, the Carter home on Willow Avenue and the O’Neill home on Beach Avenue.

Beach Bums and The Anna Maria General Store – which also includes Dips Ice Cream – tied for first place in the business category, which featured six entries. The business entries also included Salt & Scissors, Island Cabana, the AMI Historical Museum and Sato Realty.

The entries were judged Thursday evening by Laura Micciche from the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, City Commissioner Carol Carter and city of Anna Maria Managerial Assistant Nick Poulin.

The judges were chauffeured around town in a golf cart piloted by Mayor Dan Murphy. Each judge ranked each entry on a one-to-five scale for street appeal, originality/creativity and design/use of lights.

Winners awarded

Late Friday afternoon, Murphy, Santa and Deputy Clerk/Code Enforcement Manager Debbie Haynes hopped in a city golf cart to deliver trophies to the winners.

The first stop was at the Craft home.

“Thank you for decorating so nicely this year,” Santa said when presenting the trophy to Carol and Larry Craft.

“We’re just hoping other people will start decorating,” Larry said.

“You might have accomplished that. We had more participants this year than we did last year. We’re thrilled about that,” Haynes said.

When asked why they put so much effort into their Christmas decorations, Larry said, “Because people walk by and smile when they see this.”

“To spread Christmas spirit,” Carol added, noting this is the 17th year they’ve decorated their Anna Maria home.

The Craft’s decorations include large pieces of driftwood and new this year are a lifelike replica of a reindeer and the Talavera Mexican pottery Nativity scene Larry gave Carol as a Christmas gift last year.

Having been informed that White was not home, the trio proceeded to the General Store.

A visit to White’s home the previous night revealed a whimsical decorating theme that includes an inflated unicorn and a festive table display.

Business winners

“Thank you so much,” Anna Maria General Store business owner Brian Seymour said when Santa presented him with the colorful blue trophy.

Seymour then handed the trophy to Thomas Powers, the General Store manager who designed the winter wonderland theme that includes a dazzling array of blue, white and purple lights.

“When you walk under all the lights it’s real pretty,” Powers said.

When asked how it felt to tie for first place, Powers said, “Awesome. I wasn’t expecting it. Thank you so much.”

“We’re happy we were recognized for the effort our team put in. We took our cue from what they’ve done up at City Hall. We’re happy to be among all those that participated because it really does make the street look more inviting during the holidays,” Seymour said, noting he hopes to also decorate the new City Pier Grill next year.

Beach Bums co-owner Lauren Sato accepted the trophy from Santa on behalf of the staff and the company that assisted with the “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” themed decorations that feature an inflatable likeness of actor Chevy Chase and several other references to the Christmas comedy classic.

“They worked really hard on it. It’s been fun to hear everyone’s response and watch everybody get a smile out of it,” Sato said.

“We had wonderful entries this year and the displays were absolutely phenomenal. We appreciate everybody participating,” Haynes said before returning to city hall, where Santa received visits from youngsters while seated in the city’s Bright Holiday Lights display.

The Craft's holiday display includes a new Talavera Mexican pottery Nativity scene. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Debbie White’s holiday display includes a festive dinner table. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Debbie White’s home on North Bay Boulevard tied for first place in the residential category. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The winter wonderland light display was designed by Anna Maria General Store manager Thomas Powers. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The Crafts added a lifelife reindeer to their display this year. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Driftwood and the word “Rejoice” are among the decorations displayed by Carol and Larry Craft. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Beach Bums co-owner Lauren Sato received a trophy from Santa Claus.- Joe Hendricks | Sun

With its “Christmas Vacation” theme, Beach Bums tied for first place in the business category. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

City Pier Grill & Bait Shop celebrates opening

Written by Joe Hendricks on December 14, 2020. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – The City Pier Grill & Bait Shop is open.

Operating at the T-end of the new Anna Maria City Pier, in space leased from the city of Anna Maria, the new grill and bait shop opened at noon on Thursday, Dec. 10, and is now open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., with shorter operating hours anticipated on some major holidays.

With a pier tenant now occupying the pier, the new Anna Maria City Pier is now open seven days a week during those same business hours. Since the pier opened in mid-June, it had only been only open three days a week until 5 p.m.

With approximately 300 square feet of interior space, the City Pier Grill offers no indoor seating. Shared with the public, the seating consists of wooden tables and benches on the open-air deck that faces the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

The grill and bait shop are operated by GSM Partners LLC, which consists of Anna Maria General Store proprietor Brian Seymour, Dips Ice Cream proprietor Vic Mattay and Nick Graham. Earlier this year, Graham, Seymour and Mattay partnered to open Pine Avenue Bait & Tackle next to the general store that also is home to Dips.

Standing on the pier early after the grill and bait shop opened, Mattay said, “It feels awesome. It was great to open that gate today and see everybody come in with a smile on their face. Nick did the honors of opening the gate.”

“I’m super happy to get it open for the public. It’s time for everybody to come out here and enjoy the food and atmosphere that we bring,” Graham said.

“We’re serving a full menu and kitchen’s open full speed. It’ll be a few more days before we get our beer and wine license,” Seymour said.

Menu offerings

The breakfast menu includes a $5 breakfast sandwich, $4 biscuits and gravy, an $8 American breakfast, $10 bagel and lox and $2 coffee, as well as yogurt, oatmeal, fresh fruit and more.

The lunch and dinner menu includes $6 chicken wings, $9 fish tacos, $8 hand-battered fresh Gulf shrimp, an $8 Cuban sandwich, an $8 City Pier Cheeseburger, chicken sandwich or veggie burger, a $4 pier dog or veggie dog, a $14 mahi sandwich, an $18 crab cake sandwich and much more.

The sweet treats menu includes soft serve ice cream with various toppings, gelato or Italian ice, a warm brownie sundae, shakes, malts, floats and snow cones. It also includes Key lime pie, peanut butter pie, brownies and cookies baked up the street at Hometown Desserts.

Seymour, a former city commissioner, said, “I want to thank the mayor, city commissioners, city staff and everyone who helped us achieve everything we set out to do four months ago when we submitted our proposal. We really appreciate their help and support and it’s nice to see this become a reality.”

Sold outside the grill building, the initial bait shop offerings included live shrimp and shiners, frozen squid and sardines and an assortment of tackle. Aaron Graham, Nick’s brother, delivered the shiners by boat as the opening occurred.

“And we have our full-service bait shop just up the street for more extensive needs,” Seymour said.

City Pier Grill & Bait Shop T-shirts are also for sale, with additional apparel, hats and other items coming soon.

Opening day attendees

Seasonal Cortez residents Linda and Chuck Hare were among the first City Pier Grill customers.

“Our friend Nick is one of the partners,” Linda said while waiting for coffee, her chicken wings and his Cuban sandwich.

“I love it, it’s cute,” she said of the overall setup.

“I think they’ve done a fantastic job,” Chuck added.

While standing in line to order for herself, her husband James and their five children, Holmes Beach resident Katy Roadman said, “I’ve been waiting for the pier to open.”

She said James did the interior renovations for the grill building.

While eating, James said, “We wanted to move to a community that we could get involved with and be a part of. To help build something that everyone can enjoy is really cool.”

Regarding his food, James said, “The blackened mahi is amazing.”

“Delicious,” Katy added.

Tampa resident Les Parker enjoyed the afternoon fishing from the corner of the pier.

“It’s a wonderful day. Catching is the bonus, but fishing is the best,” he said.

The opening day ceremonies also included live acoustic music from The Stockton Brothers.

Due to scheduling commitments, Mayor Dan Murphy was not present for the noon opening.

When contacted later that day, he said, “I am elated that we now have a great place to not only enjoy a grouper sandwich and an ice-cold beer, but also sunrises on Tampa Bay, a view of Egmont Key and the Gulf of Mexico sunsets. Our pier is back.”

When contacted, Commissioner Carol Carter said, “It’s a wonderful Hanukkah/Christmas gift for all of us.”

City Pier Grill anticipates November opening

Written by Joe Hendricks on October 11, 2020. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – Barring any unforeseen circumstances, The City Pier Grill is still on track to open on Friday, Nov. 20.

Also featuring a bait shop, The City Pier Grill will be operated by GSM Partners LLC, which consists of Brian Seymour, Nick Graham and Vic Mattay.

During the Thursday, Oct. 8 commission meeting, Seymour provided Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commissioners with an update on the interior buildout and equipment installations to come and a two-page printout of the working plan and timeline for the work taking place.

“While you don’t physically see much going on right yet, there is a lot of work being done behind the scenes to shorten our buildout time,” Seymour told the commission.

Seymour said the group is in the process of selecting a contractor to complete the interior buildout of the city-owned building the group is leasing.

Seymour said the selected contractor will then produce the mechanical drawings needed to obtain city-issued building permits that allow the buildout work to begin.

“I envision that within the next week or two that we would be submitting permit requests,” Seymour said.

Seymour said GSM Partners would like to use the currently vacant primary pier building as the staging area for the equipment to be installed in the smaller grill and bait shop building to the west, which he said would help shorten the construction timeline.

Murphy said he preferred this approach rather than hauling things out to the T-end of the pier on a daily basis and suggested storing all equipment, material and supplies in the primary building while the interior buildout of the City Pier Grill building takes place.

“I think it’s a good plan,” Murphy said.

“It does sound like a very reasonable solution to the wear and tear on people and equipment,” Commission Chair Carol Carter added later in the discussion.

Commissioner Mark Short said the staging area would alleviate the need for the contractor’s crew to set up and tear down each day, which in turn would make the process more efficient.

Looking further ahead, Seymour said when the time comes, GSM Partners will need the city planner to sign off on the group’s beer and wine sales license application – a use allowed by city code.

Seymour said GSM Partners anticipates hiring its general manager this week and has at least four qualified candidates to choose from. The general manager will then assist with the rest of the staffing decisions.

Seymour told the commission he’s heard from many people who are interested in working on the pier.

“We’re still shooting for Nov. 20,” Seymour said regarding the anticipated opening date for the City Pier Grill.

Seymour provided the commission with a draft version of The City Pier logo that also references the bait shop. The logo incorporates several birds, a dolphin and the latitude and longitude of the pier.

“The birds certainly are appropriate,” Murphy said.

Commissioner Jon Crane asked Seymour about the wi-fi installation scheduled for the following evening. Seymore said there would be a public wi-fi connection for the public to use and a private and secure connection for business purposes.

In conclusion, Seymour said, “We appreciate all your support and we’re looking forward to getting it done. We’re still working hard every day to make it happen.”

When The City Pier Grill opens, the new pier will be open seven days a week for the first time since the newly-built pier opened in June. The pier is currently open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

City Pier Grill lease terms finalized

Written by Joe Hendricks on September 26, 2020. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria and GSM Partners LLC have reached an agreement that allows Nick Graham, Brian Seymour and Vic Mattay to operate the City Pier Grill on the new City Pier.

Operating in the smaller of two city-owned spaces at the pier’s end, City Pier Grill will offer “family-friendly” takeout food that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner items, ice cream, desserts and beer and wine. The business operations will also include a bait shop that offers live and frozen bait, fishing tackle and more.

Seymour is the owner/operator of the Anna Maria General Store & Deli on Pine Avenue. Mattay operates his Dips Ice Cream shop inside the general store and Graham manages the ice cream shop for Mattay. The three men are equal partners in the adjacent Pine Avenue Bait and Tackle store and they recently formed GSM Partners for their City Pier Grill operations.

Seymour said the trio will share the decision-making responsibilities and he will serve as the managing partner authorized to speak on the partnership’s behalf.

Seymour said they hope to open City Pier Grill the week before Thanksgiving.

Lease contract approved

On Thursday evening, the city commission voted 4-0 in favor of authorizing Mayor Dan Murphy to sign a five-year lease contract with GSM Partners.

“We’ve come up with this contract which I think is very fair and equitable,” Murphy said of the lease terms he and Seymour negotiated.

The lease includes one five-year renewal at the tenant’s option.

GSM Partners agreed to pay the city $6,000 per month in base rent, $500 of which is for the use of additional space inside the larger primary pier building. The building’s future use has not yet been determined.

The space inside the primary building will house a portable cooler and a portable freezer that will both be on wheels and easily relocated if the city later leases the entire primary building to another tenant. In that case, GSM Partners’ monthly rent would decrease by $500.

According to the lease, the city reserves the right to negotiate with GSM Partners for the expanded use of the primary pier building, but also reserves the right to lease the entire primary building to another tenant.

Seymour told the commission he and his partners look forward to a lengthy business relationship with the city and they may one day also consider leasing the primary building.

GSM Partners will reimburse the city for 10% of the actual cost to maintain the pier and pier facilities.

“It will never go below 10%, but it could go above 10%,” Murphy said of those costs to be reviewed annually.

GSM Partners will also be responsible for 20% of the total utility bills associated with the pier.

The lease states the tenant has 45 days to complete the interior buildouts and be open for business. Murphy said there’s an incentive in the lease that provides up to 30 days free rent if they open sooner.

“I think it’s a good partnership. I think the right person got the bid. We’re very pleased to have you as a tenant on the pier,” Murphy said.

“I just wanted to thank the commission and the mayor. We think it’s fair for both the city and for us and we’re excited to get started. I’m proud to be a part of it. I think we’re going to make it a great place for everybody,” Seymour said.

“I’m thrilled that we have a resident of the city Anna Maria who’s heading up this partnership,” Commission Chair Carol Carter said.

Carter noted the city also has some commitments to fulfill as its share of the interior buildout process.

“We have to do the drywall, the hood and the grease trap,” she said.

Seymour said the $25,000 grease trap the commission previously approved as part of the city’s anticipated buildout costs won’t be necessary.

“There is a need for a grease trap, but not a big one buried on land. We only need one under the three-compartment sink, before the drain, to keep the grease in the trap. The grease trap the commission approved was for a full-service restaurant,” Seymour said when contacted later that night.

Seymour said the kitchen will have a flattop grill, a charbroiler and a deep fryer; the grease from the deep fryer will be recycled in a separate container.

“I have a cooking oil company that comes and collects all the used cooking oil,” he said.

“Amen and namaste,” Commissioner Jon Crane said during the meeting, before making the motion authorizing Murphy to sign the lease.

“This relationship is benefitting several businesses and several people, all who have close ties to the city of Anna Maria,” Commissioner Mark Short said.

“That influenced my vote as well,” Commissioner Joe Muscatello said.

“Especially looking forward to your desserts,” Muscatello added in reference to Anna Maria-based Hometown Desserts providing the dessert offerings in addition to Mattay’s ice cream offerings.

“We look forward to working with you and I think all the residents and visitors will be thrilled to have the grill and bait shop open on the pier,” Carter said.

Eager to start

After leaving city hall, Seymour said, “We’re already in the process of getting the final designs from our designer. We’ve got our equipment purchase list done. We need to hire a general contractor so we can start the permitting process and start building the space out. We’ve already been contacted by at least a dozen local hospitality workers who are interested in being part of this. We’re going to put together an excellent team that’s got a lot of experience right from the start.”

Related coverage

Seymour’s group selected for City Pier grill and bait shop

City Pier grill and bait shop lease on track

Written by Joe Hendricks on September 14, 2020. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy says the City Pier grill and bait shop lease negotiations are going well with Brian Seymour and his partners, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham.

On Thursday, Sept. 10, Murphy told the city commission he’s still on track to present them with a proposed lease contract on Thursday, Sept. 24. Next Thursday’s commission meeting will begin immediately after the conclusion of the 6 p.m. final budget hearing.

During last week’s commission meeting, Murphy said he and Commissioner Jon Crane had their first fact-finding meeting earlier that week and planned to have their second meeting the following day.

“I think we’re on target, and I committed to coming back to you with a contract on the 24th. It looks pretty good. We made some significant progress in terms of getting organized. The next major step is for the city attorney to provide a draft of a contract.”

City Attorney Becky Vose told the mayor and commission she’d been working on the lease contract for three days and would finish it that night and send it to Murphy.

Murphy said he and Crane would look over the contract and send it to Seymour and his partners to review.

“And then, we can hopefully come to some agreement. We’re on track for the 24th,” Murphy said.

Crane said he echoed the mayor’s comments.

“I found the group, the three of them, to be very cooperative, very helpful. The questions they asked of us were astute and few, and they really seemed like they’re ready to get going and put out a good product out there. I was reviewing their menu again today and my mouth started watering. It was a good meeting,” Crane said.

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, the city commission deemed the group consisting of Seymour, Mattay and Graham its top choice to operate the City Pier grill and bait shop.

Seymour’s group proposed paying $6,000 per month in rent, with an annual 2.5% rent increase. The trio anticipates spending an additional $41,350 to complete the interior buildout of the city-owned building.

Seymour owns and operates the Anna Maria General Store & Deli in leased space on Pine Avenue. Mattay owns Dips Ice Cream, and shares space inside the general store. Graham manages Dips and he and his brother, Aaron, own and operate Graham Slam fishing charters in Cortez.

Seymour, Mattay and Graham are equal partners in the Pine Avenue Bait & Tackle store adjacent to the general store and are forming a similar partnership for their anticipated pier-based business operations. Seymour recently told The Sun he hopes to open the grill and bait shop before Thanksgiving.

The commission favored the Seymour group’s proposal over the proposal submitted by FP Growth Partners, who proposed paying $5,500 per month in initial base rent or 6% of gross revenues, whichever was higher. FP Growth Partners also offered to take the bait shop building as is and complete the interior buildout at no additional expense to the city. Murphy said that could save the city $50,000 to $75,000 in upfront costs.

FP Growth Partners owns and operates multiple Poppo’s Taquerias, including the Pine Avenue location.

The city currently has no plans to seek a tenant to operate a full-service restaurant in the larger of the two City Pier buildings.

Seymour’s group selected for City Pier grill and bait shop

Written by Joe Hendricks on September 5, 2020. Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

ANNA MARIA – The group consisting of Brian Seymour, Vic Mattay and Nick Graham is the city commission’s top choice to operate the City Pier grill and bait shop.

During Friday’s emergency meeting, the commission favored the proposal Seymour presented over the proposal Mike Coleman presented on behalf of FP Growth Partners LLC.

Mayor Dan Murphy is now authorized to negotiate a five-year lease with Seymour for the group’s operation of a grill and bait shop in the smaller of the two city-owned buildings at the T-end of the new City Pier. The initial five-year lease will provide Seymour’s group with an option for one five-year renewal.

Murphy hopes to present a negotiated lease for final commission approval on Thursday, Sept. 24. If lease terms cannot be reached with Seymour’s group, Murphy will seek commission authorization to negotiate a lease agreement with FP Growth Partners.

Commissioners Carol Carter, Jon Crane, Joe Muscatello and Mark Short each said this was a difficult choice to make.

“I think both parties, both proposals were outstanding. We couldn’t go wrong, and it was a very hard decision,” Short said.

Two finalists named

Friday’s meeting was preceded by an emergency meeting on Tuesday that resulted in the commission unanimously naming Seymour’s group and FP Growth Partners as its top two choices. This eliminated from further consideration the proposals submitted by Harry’s Continental Kitchens and the father-daughter tandem team of Sherman and Sarah Baldwin.

Harry’s Continental Kitchens proposed paying $1,500 per month in base rent or a percentage-based rent to be negotiated. The Baldwins proposed $2,000 per month in base rent, plus up to 10% of gross revenues.

The mayor and commission expressed concerns about the risks associated with percentage-based rents and the four bidders did not address the commission on Tuesday.

Carter expressed concerns about Coleman’s public criticism of the city commission in a recent letter to the editor that ran in a local newspaper. The letter referred to an amended alcoholic beverages ordinance the mayor later vetoed. Carter said it’s important for the city to have a good working relationship with its pier partner.

Seymour’s group proposed paying $6,000 per month/$72,000 per year in base rent, with an annual 2.5% increase. Seymour’s group anticipates spending an additional $41,350 to complete its share of the interior buildout for the bait shop building.

Seymour is the owner-operator of the Anna Maria General Store & Deli on Pine Avenue. Mattay owns Dips Ice Cream, which shares space inside the general store. Graham manages Dips and he and his brother, Aaron, own and operate Graham Slam fishing charters in Cortez.

Seymour, Mattay and Graham are equal one-third partners in the Pine Avenue Bait & Tackle store that opened next to the general store earlier this year and the trio plans to form a similar partnership for their City Pier business operations.

FP Growth Partners proposed paying $5,500 per month/$66,000 per year in initial base rent or 6% of gross revenues, whichever was higher.

FP Growth Partners offered to take the bait shop building as is and complete the interior buildout at no additional expense to the city. Murphy said that could save the city $50,000 to $75,000 in upfront costs.

FP Growth Partners operates multiple Poppo’s Taquerias, including the Pine Avenue location.

In the mid-2000s, Coleman and restaurateur/businessman Ed Chiles completed the Pine Avenue Restoration (PAR) project along Pine Avenue that continues to provide retail, office and vacation rental/residential space.

Coleman presentation

On Friday, Coleman and Seymour were each given 10 minutes to explain and elaborate on the written proposals the commissioners reviewed prior to Tuesday’s meeting.

Going first, Coleman touted the success of the PAR project and Poppo’s Taquerias.

“If you want to find out what somebody’s going to do, take a look at what they’ve done already,” he said.

Coleman said his sons Casey and Patrick and Patrick’s wife, Rowen, founded Poppo’s.

“They own 60%. I own 10%,” he said.

Coleman estimated the pier grill and bait shop could gross up to $1.5 million per year and 6% of that would equate to $90,000 in rent for the city.

“The promise is $5,500. The opportunity is 6% of $1.2 to $1.5 million. As the business does better, the city does better,” he said.

Coleman reiterated the group’s willingness to take the bait shop as is and spare the city those buildout costs.

FP Growth Partners’ proposed menu included $3-5 breakfast sandwiches, $4-9 fresh ground beef burgers, $5-8 fried clam bellies, $8-12 wild-caught fish sandwiches, hand-cut fries fried in duck fat, seasonal soups, soft drinks with no high fructose corn syrup, $4-6 draft and local craft beers and $6 sangria.

Coleman said the menu items remained open to discussion, but his group would not compromise on Poppo’s quality standards and use of fresh ingredients.

Coleman also said FP Growth Partners spent the past 18 months testing an app-based delivery system and automated ordering kiosks.

“If you’re fishing halfway down the pier, we’ll bring the food to you. If you’re coming on your boat, place an order on your app,” Coleman said.

His group’s proposed bait shop offerings included live shrimp, frozen shrimp, frozen squid and possibly fresh fiddler crabs and pinfish.

Coleman addressed Carter’s previous concerns about his relationship with the city. He noted he previously paid for a half-page ad in which he praised the city’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I don’t want my kids’ opportunity to be canceled because someone took a personal objection to something I said,” Coleman said.

He also noted his group’s willingness to also lease the larger pier building originally intended for use as a full-service restaurant.

Muscatello asked Coleman what he had in mind for the larger building.

“Our personal vision for that is more of a historic reminder of who we are. I think you could have a great, low-impact retail operation over there that’s both educational and profitable,” Coleman said.

FP Growth Partners proposed operating the grill and bait shop from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Murphy asked Coleman who would serve as the group’s main point of contact.

“I handle site selection, lease negotiation, financials, all that kind of stuff,” Coleman said.

He said once that initial process was complete, his office manager would be the main point of contact.

Seymour presentation

Seymour said his group plans to use approximately 36 square feet of the larger pier building for a portable refrigerator and a portable freezer. He said those two appliances would be on wheels and could be easily relocated if the larger building is leased to another tenant.

“We can do this because within a block of the pier we have our three brick and mortar businesses. And I have a massive walk-in cooler there already. We’re not going to run out of product,” Seymour said.

He also noted much of the grill prep work could be done ahead of time at the general store.

Seymour said his group is also interested in the larger pier building that could possibly provide additional indoor seating, but that was not the primary focus of the city’s request for proposals for a grill and bait shop.

Regarding his group’s proposed menu, Seymour said, “We have added items that are pier-friendly, keeping in mind that we are not a full-service restaurant – nor do we want to compete in the future with a potential full-service restaurant right next door.”

The proposed menu includes a $4 breakfast sandwich, a $7 American breakfast, a $5 yogurt, granola, fresh fruit parfait, a $7 City Pier Burger, a $3 Pier Dog, an $8 Cuban sandwich, chicken wings, chicken tenders, clam strips, shrimp, a wedge salad and more. It also includes $2 domestic draft beers, $3 canned beers, $4-5 craft beers and $4-6 glasses of wine.

The menu notes orders could be placed ahead of time by phone.

Regarding the pier bait shop, Seymour said, “We’ll build our own live well. We’re going to stock tackle that we know is going to sell – hooks, line, leader.”

Seymour said the bait offerings would include live shiners, shrimp and pinfish when available. The frozen bait offerings would include shrimp, squid, sardines and sand fleas.

“All the things we currently have – and we have that shop a block away to support that bait shop on the pier,” he said.

In response to questions from Muscatello, Seymour estimated $1.3 to $1.4 million in potential annual gross revenues, and said he planned live acoustic music from 5-8 p.m. and the installation of removable shade sails above the picnic tables and deck area behind the bait shop.

In response to a question from Short, Seymour said he envisions the window facing the shore for ice cream service, the windows facing the Rod & Reel Pier for the snack shop and beer and wine service and the rear window for the bait and tackle sales taking place mostly outside using a handheld point of sale device.

Carter asked Seymour about staffing. Seymour envisions three to five employees working at any given time and a total staff of 16-20 people, including some current employees who would like to work on the pier.

Seymour said the grill and bait shop would be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in accordance with the commission’s previously expressed desires.

Seymour said he would be the main contact, but Mattay and Graham would also be available.

“We’re not and have never been absentee owners. Our vision for the City Pier is to once again become the number one tourist destination and local destination for Manatee County. We promise to be good stewards of the pier and we’ll work tirelessly with this city,” Seymour said.

Short made the motion to select Seymour’s group. Crane said he was leaning toward Coleman’s group because of Poppo’s food quality and fresh ingredients, but he later supported Short’s motion. Sensing Carter’s support for Seymour’s group, Muscatello said, “To make it unanimous, I’ll say yes.” Carter then made the vote unanimous.

Final thoughts

“We’re looking forward to partnering with the city and quickly getting this pier back open seven days a week for locals and visitors alike,” Seymour said after the meeting ended.

“My goal is to be open before Thanksgiving if everything goes smoothly,” he said later.

“I’m excited to get this thing going,” Graham said.

“All three of us are excited about the bid we have for that pier and we’re going to make it a great place for everybody to visit,” Mattay said.

On Saturday, Coleman provided the following statement via text message: “We congratulate Brian and his team on their excellent presentation. While we sincerely believe we offered the best short- and long-term proposal for the city and its taxpayers, the commissioners, in their prerogative, selected Brian and his group, whom we respect and have supported for years. We wish them the best.”

Four bids received for City Pier grill and bait shop

Four bids eyeing City Pier grill and bait shop

Written by Joe Hendricks on August 21, 2020. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

UPDATED Aug. 22, 2020 – ANNA MARIA – Four local entrepreneurs interested in operating a grill and bait shop on the new City Pier have submitted bid proposals to the city of Anna Maria.

The bid proposals received are in response to the request for proposals (RFP) the city recently issued seeking a tenant to lease the 300-square-foot bait shop building at the T-end of the new pier.

The city seeks a tenant who will operate a takeout grill that offers a limited menu throughout the day in addition to selling bait and possibly offering additional fishing supplies.

The deadline to submit a proposal was 1 p.m. on Friday. A few minutes after that deadline passed, Mayor Dan Murphy opened the four bid proposals and announced who submitted them.

The four bidders are F.P. Growth Partners; Brian Seymour, Vic Mattay and Nicholas Graham; Sarah Baldwin/Tevatan LLC and Harry’s Continental Kitchens.

Patrick Coleman represented F.P. Growth Partners at the public bid opening held at city hall in the city commission chambers. F.P. Growth Partners’ business operations include the Poppo’s Taquerias on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria and on Manatee Avenue in Bradenton.

Seymour is the owner/operator of the Anna Maria General Store and Deli on Pine Avenue that leases space to Mattay and his Dips Ice Cream shop. Graham is the co-owner and operator of Graham Slam fishing charters in Cortez.

Anna Maria resident Kim Nemeth represented Tevatan LLC. Nemeth is the manager of Paradise Boat Tours and Bridge Street Bait Shop at the foot of the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach.

Tevatan LLC is led by CEO Sarah Baldwin and her father, Sherman Baldwin, who serves as the LLC’s general manager. Tevatan also operates Hart’s Landing in Sarasota in space leased from that city.

Harry’s Continental Kitchens is located in Longboat Key and was not represented at Friday’s bid opening.

Waterfront Restaurant & Craft Bar owner Jason Suzor and Star Fish Co. restaurant owner Karen Bell participated in the recent pre-bid meeting but neither submitted a bid proposal.

Murphy said he will now review the four bid proposals that will also be provided to city commissioners. The proposals will not be made public until placed on an agenda for a future city commission meeting or a special city commission meeting to be held within the next 30 days.

When the bid proposals are presented for commission discussion at a public meeting, each commissioner will individually rank the bidders and their proposals according to their personal preferences. One point will be awarded for a commissioner’s first choice, two points will be awarded for a commissioner’s second choice and so on. The bidder and proposal with the lowest combined score will then be given the opportunity to attempt to negotiate a lease contract with Murphy and the city.

According to the RFP, the city reserves the right to discard any or all bids.

During Friday’s bid opening, Murphy said he hopes to have the grill and bait shop open by the first of the year at the latest, and much sooner than that if all goes well.

The city currently has no plans to resume its search for another pier tenant to operate a full-service restaurant in the larger of the two city-owned buildings at the T-end of the new City Pier. At this time, the future use of the larger pier building has not been determined.

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