BRADENTON BEACH – The Bridge Street Merchants Association (BSMA) has big plans for the coming year, including monthly street parties on Bridge Street.
The new monthly event, billed as “Sun Down Get Down,” will be held on the third Thursday of each month beginning on July 18.
“Our plan is for Bridge Street to be closed to traffic and to allow open containers during the event like most small-town street festivals,” BSMA President Derek Williams, owner of the Drift In, wrote in a press release to The Sun. “Each month will have a theme and there will be incentives to visit the merchants. You will see everything from pirates to classic cars, power boats to Spanish galleons, Privateers to conquistadors. Of course each night at sundown, we are bringing back an old Bradenton Beach favorite, the Green Flash beverage.”
BSMA was founded 20 years ago by Angela Rodocker, owner of Bridge Walk Resort, and other local business owners, to bring awareness to the Bridge Street area. Participation in the organization has diminished over the years and came to a near-stop during COVID in 2020, according to Williams.
“Clearly the biggest challenge was lack of participation and engagement by merchants and willingness to make ongoing investments of time and money while running their own businesses,” Williams wrote.
The group took a new approach by promoting specific businesses each week in radio ads and highlighting their participation in Christmas on Bridge Street and the Christmas Boat Parade events. As a result of that advertising, the 2023 schedule had some of the best-attended events seen in years.
“Heading into 2024 we used that momentum and decided to think bigger and year-round,” Williams wrote. “Attracting customers during “season” was one challenge, but how could we get locals and tourists to enjoy and support the area during the slower months?”
City officials and merchants came together and held roundtable meetings and the result is a reorganized BSMA, according to Williams, with a commitment to monthly event schedules, the outsourcing of event management and the chance for outside sponsorship to help with funding.
“We expect over 25 new members to BSMA and hope to raise over $150,000 in annual sponsorship and support,” Williams wrote. “BSMA membership costs will remain reasonable and economical, allowing for businesses of all sizes to participate thanks to our new model for raising funds and utilizing sponsorships to fund events.”
BSMA has received a $15,000 sponsorship from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Williams hopes the city of Bradenton Beach will increase its sponsorship beyond the $40,000 the CRA spends annually on Christmas decorations and seasonal events.
“I’m confident the CRA can find an additional $25,000 annually to help the business community bring life to our little beach town,” Williams wrote. “My goodness, if they can find money for palm trees and water trucks at the last minute, I’m confident they can get behind this new initiative,” Williams wrote.
With parking a challenge in the Bridge Street area, BSMA has created a transportation committee that is working with the City of Bradenton Beach and Manatee County to offer newly designated parking areas, trolley stops, ferry stops, bikes and golf carts.
The 2024 BSMA leadership team includes Williams, Vice President Angela Rodocker and Secretary/Treasurer Beth Vidmar of Paradise Boat Tours.
BRADENTON BEACH – The 80 newly-planted palm trees on Bridge Street will need a regular watering schedule, and on May 2, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) unanimously approved the expenditure of up to $7,500 to have an irrigation system installed along both sides of the road.
CRA members discussed the cost of the irrigation system versus the $3,500 three-week rental cost of a water truck.
“The CRA has looked at installing more landscape irrigation on Bridge Street. There’s been a lot of trees installed and some additional bushes,” Perry said. “It’s always become an irrigation issue when we come into that dry spell when we’re not getting rain.”
Water trucks come at a high cost, she said, adding that some water meters already exist on Bridge Street.
“And now we’ve invested the funds for trees which we can continue to water and they should be fine once they take,” Perry said. “In the event we come into a dry streak, I would hate to come into the expense of a water truck when we could get an irrigation system for close to what we would pay for a one-time water truck use.”
A rental water truck operator waters the newly-planted coconut palm trees along Bridge Street early Sunday morning. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Perry said she received an estimate of about $5,000 from M&F Lawn Care for the installation of an irrigation system.
“To me that’s a no-brainer to get that infrastructure in place and we know that we’re investing in the pergola and we will probably be doing some plantings in there,” she said. “I’m looking for an opportunity to strengthen and protect what we’ve invested and I saw this as an opportunity.”
Eighty coconut palm trees were planted in late April along Bridge Street and the Gulf Drive roundabouts in a city partnership with developer Shawn Kaleta. Kaleta agreed to accept responsibility for the maintenance of the trees as well as donate $10,000 toward the $50,000 cost of the palms and white river rock. The balance came from CRA funds.
Mayor John Chappie said that one of the things he looked at was doing the irrigation in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
“We can remove the pavers and dig down in the paver row and then put in the irrigation without cutting into any asphalt,” Mayor John Chappie said. “I would really recommend we do this; it will make a big difference and save us some money.”
CRA member Deborah Scaccianoce said it made sense from a financial perspective to install the irrigation system.
CRA member Ed Chiles made a motion with a second by member Jan Vosburgh to approve the installation of an irrigation system by M&F Lawn at a cost not to exceed $7,500.
There was no public comment and the motion passed unanimously among board members.
BRADENTON BEACH – The free dockage for commercial vessels at city docks may soon come at a cost.
A discussion of the $5,000 cost to replace several floats lost on the floating docks during high surf in April turned to the city’s overall cost of dock maintenance and the possibility of charging a fee for businesses using the docks.
“Five thousand dollars every time that happens, that’s a lot of money,” Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce said at the May 2 city commission meeting. “This is happening more than once, and it seems like it’s going to be a problem and we’re going to be chasing these floats constantly every time there’s a storm or a lot of wave action on that pier.”
Mayor John Chappie said he had received an update from Duncan Seawall General Manager Steve Porter that the replacement floats were on order.
“It’s a tough area to have the floating dock structure in there because it does get a lot of wave action,” Chappie said. “It’s totally exposed to the northern part of Sarasota Bay. I’ll try to get an update on cost and maintenance, what we need to do to prevent some of this damage that’s been happening and try to mitigate the maintenance costs.”
City Attorney Ricinda Perry said she agreed with Scaccianoce and said there should be an established maintenance program, then suggested that commissioners reopen previous discussions about charging commercial vessels to use the city dock.
“What I’d like to revisit, and we had talked about it but didn’t move it forward, was perhaps a charge for those commercial entities who are using the floating dock for their business at no cost to them,” Perry said.
Perry said that she has spoken with people who rent out slips at a minimum of $2,500 per month.
“If you start making a collection from the people who are running their business off of our pier at no cost, you could start to set aside maintenance money to keep that dock in great shape,” Perry said.
She said such charges would give the city the ability to collect funds for future maintenance but also regulate and know if commercial captains are properly licensed.
“We have under $300,000 sitting there for the entire pier, which isn’t enough to handle the wear and tear which the mayor and I have personally observed from these commercial companies who come in, they do not use anything to protect their boat from slamming into the structure and they take chunks out on the side,” Perry said. “We can’t help the storm vessels that come right under the floating dock and pop off floats and destroy the structure, but I do believe we should consider revisiting this concept of regulating through cost the people who are coming in and using our asset.”
Perry said that if someone on an uninsured vessel gets injured on the dock, the boat operator may not have proper insurance to cover losses.
“I’ve been told some of these commercial entities do not have licensed captains running the vessels and so those who do have the proper insurance and do have the proper captains are charging about $50 a tour,” she said. “Whereas those who don’t, their overhead is less and they’re charging $20-$25. They’re putting us at risk. We do have insurance to cover things that happen, but I believe it’s something the commission should consider revisiting again and we need to make sure we have the funds to take care of that.”
“We really should look at this again,” Chappie said. “We are that destination now and we’re getting more and more people to use the facility and the infrastructure that we have developed there.”
Chappie said the discussion will be put on a commission work meeting agenda in about a month.
BRADENTON BEACH – Eighty new coconut palms have been delivered and are being planted along Bridge Street.
“This will be a big improvement,” Mayor John Chappie said on April 25. “Many of the existing trees needed to be replaced.”
At an April 3 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, the board approved a city partnership with developer Shawn Kaleta in which he will accept responsibility for the maintenance of the trees and donate $10,000 toward the $50,000 cost of the palms and white river rock. The balance will be paid from CRA funds.
With a newly-planted palm in the foreground, workers continued planting in the roundabout. – Leslie Lake | Sun
The 50 large and 30 small coconut palms were harvested in Miami and were delivered to Bradenton Beach on April 23. Planting along Bridge Street and the roundabout intersection on Gulf Drive began shortly after.
At the April 3 meeting, concerns had been raised among CRA members about damage from falling coconuts.
“Liability does concern me,” Chappie said. “But I think it would enhance the Key West-old Island feel on Anna Maria Island.”
Those concerns were alleviated by City Attorney Ricinda Perry, who assured CRA members that Kaleta, through one of his business entities, would sign a contract ensuring the responsibility of tree maintenance and indemnifying the city against liability for damage caused by falling fruit.
“There would be no cost to the city for maintenance of the trees as Mr. Kaleta wants the coconuts, likely for his restaurants,” Chappie said.
According to the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Service website, “Coconuts can grow up to 15 inches long and 12 inches wide, composed of a thick fibrous husk surrounding a spherical nut with a hard, brittle, hairy shell… The coconut palm starts fruiting 6-10 years after the seed germinates and reaches full production at 15-20 years of age. The tree continues to fruit until it is about 80 years old, with an annual production of 50-200 fruits per tree, depending on cultivar and climate. The fruits require about a year to develop and are generally produced regularly throughout the year.”
BRADENTON BEACH – In what was an unusually lengthy, seven-hour city commission meeting that began at noon on March 21, commissioners dove into parking and traffic issues, pickleball and organ donation.
BRIDGE STREET ONE WAY?
A Bridge Street business owner asked the commission to consider making Bridge Street one way to alleviate traffic and parking issues.
Brandt Clark, whose family owns Bridge Street Jewelers, read a prepared statement that said in part, “I recommend turning Bridge Street into a one-way street with all the parallel parking spots converted into diagonal parking.”
Clark said delivery trucks block half the street which causes a hazard to drivers and pedestrians.
“Everyone is aware of the parking issues in Bradenton Beach, as well as on Bridge Street. Currently, the street has about 12 parallel parking spots,” Clark read. “The spots are honestly too small, and result in cars not being able to fit, cars taking up multiple spots, cars getting locked in, and a lot of vehicular damage. I, myself, have been locked in by cars parking far too close to mine, as well as having my car hit at least a dozen times. By making the street one way, we can turn the parallel parking into diagonal spots.”
“This has been discussed over the years and the conclusion was not to,” Mayor John Chappie said, suggesting putting the topic on the agenda for the Community Redevelopment Agency.
“Let’s say we wanted to move traffic from west to east, for those 100 spots and everything else that comes down the road would be directed through The Pines and the neighborhoods and along Bay Drive where we have a lot of pedestrians,” Chief John Cosby said. “Do we want to move traffic to this area?”
Cosby said the current two-way traffic is a safer option.
“I don’t know how comfortable I am moving all this traffic into the neighborhoods,” he said.
When the city was reviewing Bridge Street, there was a substantial amount of time spent with engineers, Chappie, Cosby and the Public Works Department and through that collaboration, new signs were posted saying cars must fit completely inside parking spots, according to City Attorney Ricinda Perry.
“If you are over the lines you will get a ticket,” Perry said.
GOLF CART PARKING AT 301 GULF DRIVE S.
A request for a temporary use permit for golf cart parking at 301 Gulf Drive S., a vacant building, was approved by commissioners with conditions.
Use is limited to the storage of battery-powered golf carts; active insurance must be in place; the permit runs from March 21, 2024-Sept. 21, 2025; landscape buffering is required; a site plan must be submitted to city building department; all golf cart loading and unloading shall be onsite or along Third Street South; hours of delivery will be between 6:30-8 p.m.; use of the property is limited to employees and staff; a sidewalk will be installed along Gulf Drive and Third Street South with ingress and egress to be approved by the city building official; compliance with a triangle of visibility for drivers must be met, and a business tax receipt must be submitted to the City Clerk.
The application was submitted by Wendy Kokolis on March 5. Julian Botero and attorney Aaron Thomas represented the applicant at the commission meeting.
PICKLEBALL COURTS AT HERB DOLAN PARK
An anonymous donor has donated $24,000 for the expansion of two soon-to-be-built pickleball courts at Herb Dolan Park.
“We have a situation where we needed more funding and we had a bid in for $24,000. So we had a shortfall,” Mayor John Chappie said. “The City of Bradenton Beach is in possession from an anonymous donor for the full $24,000. We have the funding to expand it 10 feet and take care of amenities to expand it and make it nicer.”
Chappie said the court will be a first-class facility for all levels of pickleball players.
“Thank you to the angel that’s going to provide this for us,” pickleball player Kat Witt said during public comment.
The proposal from Stewart Tennis Courts & Fencing includes adding 10 feet of asphalt to the east side of the court and 4 feet to the back of the court, adding more fencing, installing four new net post anchors and adding color coats to the courts.
A motion to approve the change order for the pickleball courts was approved unanimously.
DONATE LIFE MONTH
A proclamation was passed designating April as Donate Life Month in Bradenton Beach, supporting organ donation through LifeLink of Florida and www.DonateLifeFlorida.org.
BRADENTON BEACH – The Gulf Islands Ferries now make regular stops at the Bradenton Beach Pier on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
After departing from the Riverwalk Day Dock in downtown Bradenton on Friday, Feb. 9 and traveling down the Manatee River, the Miss Anna Maria arrived at the Anna Maria City Pier at 10:47 a.m. to pick up the 10 passengers making the 11 a.m. maiden voyage to the Bradenton Beach Pier. When Manatee County’s contracted Gulf Islands Ferries first began service between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria on Jan. 14, the floating dock at the Bradenton Beach Pier was still awaiting the now-completed dock modifications needed to serve as a ferry stop.
The Miss Anna Maria crew consisted of Capt. Jeff Peters, First Mate Terry Birkett and Second Mate Justin Brissette, all of whom graciously and joyfully interacted with the passengers.
When leaving the City Pier, Peters angled the boat away from the Anna Maria shoreline and out to the navigational channel that leads under the Anna Maria Bridge in Holmes Beach and into the Intracoastal Waterway that passes under the Cortez Bridge and provides access to the Bradenton Beach Pier.
Pennsylvania residents Pat and Rich Walton made the maiden voyage from the City Pier to the Bradenton Beach Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Pennsylvania natives and seasonal Anna Maria residents Pat and Rich Walton were among those making the first trip from Anna Maria to Bradenton Beach.
“This our maiden voyage to Bridge Street,” Pat said.
“We took the first boat to Bradenton a few weeks ago,” Rich said.
“No worries about parking and traffic and you get a great boat ride,” Pat said.
“And you can never get a parking spot at the Moose Lodge,” Rich added.
St. Pete Beach residents Lane and Suzanne Richards parked in Bradenton and rode the first ferry to Bradenton Beach. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Lane and Suzanne Richards drove down from St. Pete Beach, parked near the Riverwalk in downtown Bradenton and rode the ferry to the City Pier while en route to their first-ever visit to Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach.
Lane said parking in downtown Bradenton and riding the ferry alleviates the traffic, congestion and parking challenges faced when driving to the Island.
“This is definitely the way to do it,” he said. “We’ll hit a couple bars and restaurants and we’ve got a few hours down here so we’ll probably take the trolley too.”
Before getting off in Bradenton Beach, Toronto native John O’Grady learned Babe Ruth once owned the Drift In bar on Bridge Street. He then noted Ruth hit his first minor league home run against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
WARM WELCOME
Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie and members of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce greeted the ferry when it arrived at the Bradenton Beach Pier at 11:30 a.m.
Members of the AMI Chamber of Commerce and awaiting passengers greeted the first ferry when it arrived at the Bradenton Beach Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The mayor and chamber members then participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the first passengers disembarked, with the Anna Maria Oyster Bar providing free mimosas to ferry passengers and ceremony attendees.
“It’s a momentous occasion,” Chappie said. “We’ve been hoping for this day, where a ferry service could come to Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach.”
After thanking the Manatee County Commission and the Tourist Development Council for funding the ferry service, Chappie said it ties in nicely with the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency-initiated enhancements recently made to the floating dock, the nearby dinghy dock and the pier area as a whole.
“The pier is a major part of our historic commercial area and the floating dock and finger docks are all part of that,” Chappie said of the amenities provided for recreational boaters; and he noted the ferry service now provides access to the water for those who don’t own boats.
“We’re excited to bring people out here to enjoy what we enjoy every day: The sun, the sand, the surf, the shops, the restaurants and bars and the great vibes,” Chappie said.
AMI Chamber of Commerce President Terri Kinder said, “The ferry service was very much needed and we’re just thrilled. The ferries add another layer of transportation, not only for people going up and down the Island, but it’s going to bring a lot of people from the mainland who don’t want to deal with the traffic. They can enjoy a beautiful boat ride, hop off the ferry, get on a trolley and explore the Island. Bringing more people out here without them having to be in their cars is a win-win for the businesses.”
RETURN TRIP
While standing on the floating dock with margaritas in hand waiting to take the first ferry ride from Bradenton Beach to Anna Maria, Boston residents and seasonal visitors Paul and Lisa MacFarlane said, “We had no idea this was the first run out of Bridge Street. We’re going to take it to Anna Maria, have lunch and come back.”
Boston residents Paul and Lisa MacFarlane, left, awaited their ferry trip from Bradenton Beach to Anna Maria with Detroit resident Chuck Impastato and his companion, Gloria. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Roger and Ann Pickel from Dubuque, Iowa were among the 12 passengers making the first return trip from Bradenton Beach to Anna Maria.
“We were there yesterday by trolley so we thought we’d go by sea today. We’re going to hit a shop or two and then take a walk to Bean Point,” Roger said, noting they plan to make the excursion to downtown Bradenton another day.
Iowa residents Ann and Roger Pickel rode the first ferry from Bradenton Beach to Anna Maria. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
As the Miss Anna Maria pulled away from the Bradenton Beach Pier, the Downtown Duchess arrived with another load of passengers.
The Downtown Duchess arrived in Bradenton Beach as Miss Anna Maria departed. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During the return trip to Anna Maria, Peters said, “I’ve been around Tampa Bay and the water all my life. I love being on the water and the peacefulness of the water. And I love being around people. It’s been a little cold the last few weekends and I’m looking forward to the next few months, especially the afternoon rides where we get the sunsets.”
Captain Jeff Peters loves his job as a ferry captain. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After arriving at the City Pier, Birkett said the return trip to downtown Bradenton was fully booked.
Miss Anna Maria was fully booked for the Feb. 9 return trip from the Anna Maria City Pier to downtown Bradenton. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
If space is available, morning, afternoon and evening ferry rides can be booked in person at the three landing areas, but reserving a ride in advance is recommended by visiting www.GulfIslandsFerry.com, using the Ferry Perks Pass phone app, calling 941-357-2587 or texting 727-200-6487.
BRADENTON BEACH – If approved by the city commission on Feb. 15, paid parking will cover much of the footprint of a future 106-room hotel/restaurant/retail complex for the next year.
A temporary use application dated Jan. 29 was submitted for city commission approval by developer Shawn Kaleta to allow paid parking lots at 101 and 105 Bridge St., 219 Gulf Drive S. and 106 Third St. from Feb. 1, 2024 through Feb. 1, 2025.
The agenda item is listed under new business for the upcoming city commission meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15 at noon at the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N.
A rendering of the proposed parking submitted to commissioners shows approximately 90 parking spaces.
A pay-by-plate parking lot on 219 Gulf Drive S. opened recently, with posted parking rates of $15 per hour. The property, along with 101 and 105 Bridge St., is zoned commercial C-2. 106 Third Street South is zoned commercial C-1.
On Dec. 7, Kaleta and hotel co-applicant, former Bradenton Beach commissioner Jake Spooner, received city commission approval for the hotel, which will include a 60-seat restaurant, 5,396 square feet of retail space and 154 on-site parking spaces.
The hotel property is situated on 1.61 acres and located at 101, 105 and 117 Bridge St. and 106, 108, 110 and 112 Third St. S.
On Dec. 11, demolition began on the building at 219 Gulf Drive S., the location of the former Joe’s Eats N Sweets. On Jan. 13, 101 Bridge St., formerly the Freckled Fin, was demolished. The building on 105 Bridge St., formerly the site of the Magnolia Inn, was demolished on Jan. 26.
Bradenton Beach permit technician Annabre Veal said on Dec. 27 that a demolition permit application for the Fudge Factory at 117 Bridge St. had been submitted but was missing some information at that time.
BRADENTON BEACH – The third of four buildings has come down to clear the way for a 106-room resort hotel/restaurant/retail complex at the corner of Bridge Street and Gulf Drive South.
On Jan. 26, demolition began on the building at 105 Bridge St., formerly the site of the Magnolia Inn. The preservation of the building, which dates back to 1935, was championed by residents Sue Longacre and Chris Johnson, but city officials responded that the building was not protected.
On Dec. 7, developer Shawn Kaleta and hotel co-applicant, former Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jacob Spooner, received city commission approval for the hotel, which will include a 60-seat restaurant, 5,396 square feet of retail space and 154 on-site parking spaces. The project is situated on 1.61 acres and is located at 101, 105 and 117 Bridge St. and 106, 108, 110 and 112 Third St. S.
The demolition permit for 105 Bridge St., which was issued by the city on Jan. 22, lists the owner of the property as Bridge Street Resort LLC.
On Dec. 11, a permitted demolition began on 129 Gulf Drive S., the location of the former Joe’s Eats N Sweets. On Jan. 13, 101 Bridge St., built in 1925 and formerly the Freckled Fin, was demolished. Bradenton Beach permit technician Annabre Veal said on Dec. 27 that a demolition permit application for the Fudge Factory, 117 Bridge St., built in 1955, has been submitted.
BRADENTON BEACH – Demolition began Saturday on 101 Bridge St., the second of four buildings slated to be torn down to make way for a 106-room resort hotel/restaurant/retail project.
Developer Shawn Kaleta and hotel co-applicant, former Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jake Spooner, received city commission approval on Dec. 7 to build the project on the corner of Bridge Street and Gulf Drive South. In addition to the hotel rooms, a 60-seat restaurant and 5,396 square feet of retail space is planned, with 154 on-site parking spaces.
The hotel property is sited on 1.61 acres and located at 101, 105 and 117 Bridge St. and 106, 108, 110 and 112 Third St. S.
The 101 Bridge St. building, formerly the Freckled Fin, was built in 1925. It is listed on the demolition permit application as a mixed-use commercial property with two living units and one commercial property.
Kaleta is named as the property owner on the application.
On Dec. 11, the permitted demolition began at 129 Gulf Drive S., the location of the former Joe’s Eats N Sweets.
In a Dec. 27 email to The Sun from Bradenton Beach permit technician Annabre Veal, demolition permit applications for 105 and 117 Bridge St. had been submitted but were missing some information.
The former Magnolia Inn at 105 Bridge St. dates back to 1935. 117 Bridge St. houses the Fudge Factory.
BRADENTON BEACH – During their Jan. 4 meeting, commissioners denied a request from a resident to allow a houseboat vacation rental at his dock.
They also approved three police vehicle purchases, approved a grant for signage and placed on hold a request from the Anna Maria Oyster Bar to add a fourth tiki structure on the pier.
HOUSEBOAT VACATION RENTAL DENIED
Gregory Winsper, registered agent for Green Slip Realty LLC, requested the commission’s permission to operate a rental accommodation on a live-aboard houseboat to be moored at 2399 Ave. A.
“My plan is to rent it out to no more than four people at a time with a focus on renting to couples on a weekly or weekend basis,” Winsper wrote in a Nov. 21 letter to the commission.
City Attorney Ricinda Perry noted that former city building official Steve Gilbert had rejected the applicant’s request.
“Steve Gilbert had opined that it was an improper use. That can’t be challenged at the city commission.”
Perry said the city Land Development Code does not allow for commercial uses of docks in R-1 single-family districts.
POLICE VEHICLE PURCHASE APPROVED
Following a request from Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby, the commission approved a quote of $162,060.78 for the police department to purchase three police interceptor vehicles from Bartow Ford.
The cost of each vehicle is $54,020.26. The funds will come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
“It’s very difficult to get vehicles,” Cosby said, noting that some manufacturers are no longer making police vehicles.
“Bartow Ford has three vehicles that were refused delivery,” Cosby said. “What I’m proposing is we buy these three vehicles now, we would use ARPA funds to do it. That would allow us to keep our half-cent sales tax building under public safety and we’ll be saving between $6,000-$8,000 a vehicle minimum because there’s going to be a price increase once they start producing again.”
Cosby said there will be an additional cost to stripe the vehicles and add equipment.
“It’s putting the light bar on and the quicker we get in the queue the sooner we’ll get them,” Cosby said.
Commissioner Ralph Cole moved to approve the purchase. Commissioner Jan Vosburgh seconded the motion. It was passed unanimously with votes by Mayor John Chappie and Commissioner Marilyn Maro. Maro phoned in to the meeting.
SIGNAGE GRANT APPROVED
The commission unanimously approved the Scenic WAVES partnership committee’s acceptance of a Tampa Bay Estuary Program mini-grant of $5,000 that was approved in 2021. The grant will be used to prepare an application to design and produce educational wildlife signs at John Chappie Park, 1400 Gulf Drive N., and to work with city staff to obtain Florida Department of Environmental Protection approval and obtain quotes from businesses.
The proposed signs will feature shorebirds and aquatic animals native to Anna Maria Island.
“This is another great project from our volunteers,” Chappie said.
Scenic WAVES chairperson Ingrid McClellan said that the grant should cover the total cost of the signs. Scenic WAVES partners with Bradenton Beach-based animal rehabilitation center Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center Inc. and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.
AMOB REQUEST FOR FOURTH TIKI HUT ON HOLD
Trey Horne, representing Anna Maria Oyster Bar, submitted a request to allow the building of a fourth tiki structure along the south side of the Bridge Street Pier.
“There are a number of things still in play,” Chappie said. “We have the ferry service going there now.”
Chappie said he would like to wait and see what the flow of foot traffic is on the pier once the ferry service gets underway before agreeing to allow the addition of another structure on the pier.
Vosburgh agreed that a wait-and-see approach was appropriate.
“I think we should put this on hold,” she said.
Commissioners agreed to take no action on the request and revisit it in six months.
BRADENTON BEACH – The Pines Trailer Park and Bradenton Beach Marina sales and the approved hotel/restaurant/retail project on Bridge Street and Gulf Drive made the biggest headlines in the city in 2023.
Bradenton Beach Marina sold
In early January, developer Shawn Kaleta and the Metropolitan Property Ventures LLC purchased the Bradenton Beach Marina from the Bazzy family for $14 million. Kaleta now serves as president of the Bazzy Marine Corp.
County works on sewer, drainage problems
In January, Manatee County initiated its ongoing $8 million sewer improvement project along Gulf Drive South and the adjoining side streets from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South. As the sewer line replacement and installation work takes place on the residential side streets one street at a time, those streets temporarily closed to vehicular traffic for a month or more. Impacted residents, property owners and visitors must park in designated parking areas in the Cortez Beach parking lot until their street reopens. The county project is slated for completion in late 2024. By mid-August, Manatee County had essentially completed the second and final phase of the $7 million Coquina Beach drainage improvement project that included the installation of pervious pavement that allows rainwater to seep into the new drainage systems below. The completed project that began in 2019 provides more than 1,000 paved parking spaces and required the removal of more than 180 Australian pines.
The parking lot at Coquina Beach was finally finished. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Signs, signs, signs installed
In February, Scenic WAVES Committee members and others expressed their concerns about the Florida Department of Transportation installing more than 60 new “No Parking on Right of Way” signs along Gulf Drive South, near Coquina Beach. Police Chief John Cosby requested the signs but had no input on the number of signs FDOT installed.
Azure Shores ordinance passed
In November, the city commission approved an ordinance that eliminated zoning map and future land use map inconsistencies that existed with 23 residentially zoned (R-3) properties in the Azure Shores subdivision between Bridge Street, the Cortez Bridge, Highland Avenue and Gulf Drive North.
Beach House Restaurant celebrates 30 years
Celebrating a longevity rarely found in the restaurant business, Chiles Hospitality observed the 30-year anniversary of the Beach House Waterfront Restaurant.
Hurricane Idalia precautions taken
In advance of Tropical Storm Idalia, City commissioners voted Aug. 28 to declare a local state of emergency until Tuesday, Sept. 5, as clean-up efforts continued following storm surge. Beaches were closed and a mandatory evacuation order was in place for Level A residents, including all mobile home parks. Manatee County issued a voluntary Level B evacuation. “What we’re expecting now is a storm surge 4-7 feet,” Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby said prior to the storm’s landfall.
Developer Shawn Kaleta purchased the Pines Trailer Park. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Pines Trailer Park purchased
In late August, Shawn Kaleta and the Pines Park Investors LLC purchased the Pines Trailer Park for $16.25 million after the resident/owners were unsuccessful in their efforts to purchase the park. In late September, Pines Park Investors LLC sent letters to park residents and mobile homeowners informing them of the rent increases that will take effect Jan. 1. The monthly rents are increasing from $620-$625 per month to $1,200, $1,350 per month or $1,475 per month depending on proximity to the waterfront.
Alcohol sales, consumption on city pier approved
Commissioners approved with conditions a special use permit for the sale and consumption of alcohol at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) on the Bradenton Beach Pier. The permit, with the City of Bradenton Beach as applicant, was approved on Sept. 18 allowing the consumption of alcohol purchased from AMOB, either from the main restaurant or takeout kiosk, at designated areas of the pier. AMOB leases both spaces from the city.
Tingley Library elevation considered
The creation of public parking by elevating or moving the Tingley Library was discussed at both the City Commission and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meetings in September. The city-owned library was built in the early 1990s using $240,000 of the $678,801 that Beulah Hannah Hooks Tingley bequeathed to the city in 1986 to create a public reading room. At the Sept. 6 CRA meeting, members acknowledged the need for public parking, but one member questioned whether CRA funds should be used for the design/build project. Mayor John Chappie directed city attorney Ricinda Perry to draft an RFP.
Coquina Beach Market reopens under county management
Nearly a year after the Manatee County tourism agency took over management of the Coquina Beach Market from the previous market director, a new manager and opening date for the market was announced. In a July 25 meeting of the Manatee County Board of Commissioners, it was approved that Dottie Deerwester from Ready Set Go Tour and Travel serve as the new market manager. The market reopened on Oct. 4 at South Coquina Beach and operates year-round.
Zoning irregularities discovered
At an Oct. 5 city commission meeting, a city building official determined that several properties in the city do not conform to the building code. “What we discovered, Runaway Bay – all the condominiums – Tortuga, Silver Surf, Bridgewalk, Old Bridge Village, all of these appear to be triggered in some way by this provision on first blush,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. Many properties in the city exceed the number of allowable units, making them legally non-conforming, according to Perry. City officials say the classification only affects property owners if a natural disaster forces rebuilding, whereupon current codes would apply, potentially eliminating some units.
Chappie, Vosburgh and Spooner begin new terms
Mayor John Chappie and Commissioner Janet Vosburgh were sworn in for new two-year terms on Nov.17 by City Clerk Terri Sanclemente at Bradenton Beach City Hall. Chappie, Vosburgh and Commissioner Jacob Spooner ran unopposed. Spooner was sworn in the following day.
CRA votes to discontinue tram funding
At a Dec. 6 meeting, the CRA board voted unanimously to discontinue funding of the Old Town Tram, a free park-and-ride service which it began subsidizing in November 2020 at a cost of $52,000 per year. The tram was launched as a pilot program to help address the lack of parking on Bridge Street. Annual funding for the service was cut from the city’s 2023-24 budget, but CRA board members agreed at a Sept. 6 meeting to a $10,000 expenditure to keep it going until the end of 2023.
Hotel/Restaurant/Retail project approved on Bridge Street
At the end of a second public hearing on Dec. 7, city commissioners voted unanimously to approve a hotel/restaurant/retail project at the corner of Bridge Street and Gulf Drive South. The 106-room hotel will also have a 60-seat restaurant, 5,396 square feet of retail space and 154 on-site parking spaces. Co-applicants for the hotel are Shawn Kaleta and Jake Spooner, a Bradenton Beach city commissioner who recused himself from all hearings related to the hotel. At the first public hearing on Nov. 16, following a Nov. 13 recommendation for approval by the City Planning and Zoning Board, commissioners expressed concern about lack of parking, hotel design and density. In addressing those concerns, applicants’ representatives made design changes to the original plan, adding balconies, public walkways and a hydraulic lift parking system. Within days of approval, demolition began on one building on the site of the hotel – the former Joe’s Eats ‘N Sweets ice cream shop.
Passings
On April 10, Bradenton Beach Public Works Department employee and Holmes Beach resident Marylou Kelley passed away at 62.
On June 17, Pines Trailer Park resident and former Michigan resident Dick Smith passed away at 83. Smith was a popular regular patron at the Sport Lounge and the Drift In.
Drift In parking lot attendant, local artist and former Cortez commercial fisherman Marty Tupin passed away on Aug. 1 at 62 after battling ongoing health issues.
Longtime Bradenton Beach property owner and visitor Judy Kuhlman passed away on Sept. 23 at 81. Kuhlman and her husband, Dick, owned the historic 3 Pines Cottage beachfront vacation rental at 2214 Gulf Drive N. that still contains the 1948 Airstream trailer her grandparents placed on the beachfront property in the late 1940s.
Former Chiles Group Chief Financial Officer Martha Wright passed away on Oct. 20. Wright was also the treasurer and a longtime volunteer for Gulf Shore Animal League.
– Sun Correspondent Joe Hendricks contributed to this story
BRADENTON BEACH – A 6.5-hour city commission public hearing on Nov. 16 for a proposed hotel/restaurant/retail project on Bridge Street and Gulf Drive led to warnings that something more impactful could be built if it is not approved.
Commissioner Ralph Cole suggested a reduction in the proposed 106 hotel rooms to alleviate parking issues. The applicants’ representatives pushed back.
The applicants’ Bradenton attorney, Stephen Thompson, said his clients are close to their breaking point on numbers, and architect Shaun Luttrell indicated the alternative to the hotel project for the applicants could be a mixed-use building on Bridge Street and multi-unit rental properties along Third Street South.
The application for the hotel, a 60-seat restaurant, 2,485 square feet of retail and 99 on-site parking spaces was made by property owners Shawn Kaleta, a local developer, and Jacob Spooner, a Bradenton Beach commissioner.
The applicants are proposing a 106-room hotel along Bridge Street. – City of Bradenton Beach | Submitted
Three of the five commission members, Mayor John Chappie and Commissioners Jan Vosburgh and Cole, were present at the Nov. 16 hearing. Spooner recused himself from the meeting. Commissioner Marilyn Maro has been absent with excuse since January but was present by telephone for part of the hearing.
Cole expressed concerns about parking for the hotel.
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh, Mayor John Chappie and Commissioner Ralph Cole hear testimony at the Nov. 16 public hearing on the proposed hotel. – Leslie Lake | Sun
City Attorney Ricinda Perry responded by saying the applicants have the option to develop the property as is if the project is not approved.
“Am I correct that you produced images today showing you would build a ton of differently-owned rental properties on Third Street South and then a mixed-use development on Bridge Street?” Perry asked Luttrell.
“That’s correct,” Luttrell said.
Luttrell said each of those rental properties would have six units per house with parking spots underneath them.
“Can you testify or Mr. Thompson testify as to what this commission has to consider? There are essentially three things asked for in this development that do not adhere to the current strict zoning that you could build those, I’ll use your term, ‘party house row,’ ” Perry said. “They’re asking for a reduction in parking, they’re asking for a reduction in one of the setbacks and asking for 106 hotel units.”
“If the commission does not agree to give something under the planned development that looks like what has been asked for is there a point which the applicant does not find this financially feasible and would just go to the straight rezone, I mean to the straight current zoning and build what they’re entitled to?” Perry asked Luttrell.
“I’m sure there is a point within those numbers where they would stop the project and pursue a different avenue,” Luttrell said, adding that he didn’t know what that number is.
Luttrell asked if there were issues besides parking that needed to be addressed.
Chappie said he didn’t like the design of the hotel.
“Personally, I don’t like the look of it,” Chappie said. “I like the hotel idea in commercial, I like that idea a lot, similar to what’s across the street.”
“We’ll take everything into consideration and see if we can massage this plan a little bit to get closer to what you’re looking for,” Luttrell said.
Thompson said the applicants had made a number of concessions up to that point.
“We didn’t start at this number,” Thompson said. “We were a lot higher than this number. We’re almost at the breaking point, I’m being honest with you. One of our clients is more than happy to do the vacation rentals.”
“We want to continue with this, but then the issue is, ok, what is the number?” Thompson said, adding that his team will come back with a proposal in advance of the next meeting.
“I’m hopeful we can come to the right number,” Chappie said. “I do have the same fear of party houses.”
Commission vote
“You’ve been given over six hours of information and handouts,” Perry said. “It’s fair to say you need some time to think about things and there’s nothing to say when we come back on Dec. 7 that you can’t get into a substantive discussion.”
“We’re just not there yet,” Chappie said. “I think we can work something out here, I really do, the alternative – I don’t like at all.”
Chappie questioned the effect that the approval of the first reading of the ordinance would have on the ongoing discussion.
Building Official Steve Gilbert clarified.
“You have a first reading that’s been advertised,” he said. “That reading does not set a development order in place nor does it fully authorize a PD back later. I think you can clear your first reading of the proposed ordinance tonight, continue the hearing – I’m not calling it a public hearing, but it’s still an open hearing because we’ve taken public comment already – until the Dec. 7 meeting at which time then you would conclude the hearing and contemplate the second reading of the ordinance.”
“The ordinance just says it allows for a plan, and what we’re currently in the process of doing is determining what that plan is,” Perry said. “Before the second reading and adoption of this ordinance, there must be a plan figured out.”
“If you cannot come to an agreement and if you cannot establish a plan at the December meeting, everything goes away and we start over,” Gilbert said.
“This just keeps us talking, all at the table to see where we end up,” Chappie said.
Vosburgh made the motion to approve the first reading, and to set the second hearing, seconded by Cole. The motion passed unanimously 3-0. Maro was no longer on the call for the vote.
Based on the city charter, which calls for an affirmative supra majority vote by four of the five commissioners, the question remains as to whether the standing commission has the ability to approve the project.
Public comment
During the public comment portion of the Nov. 16 hearing, Seminole-based attorney David Blum, representing six project opponents, said, “As far as the conditions on this plan, if you all adopt the conditions along with the plan and don’t deny, you all are setting yourselves up for a lot of litigation, not from me, but you’re setting yourself up. There’s a part about special events applications that allows you to serve alcohol, which turns it into a commercial space. It gives you the ability to do away with the noise ordinance. So rock on.”
Prior to participating in public comment, speakers are sworn in at the Nov. 16 public hearing on the proposed hotel. – Leslie Lake | Sun
In a departure from the two Planning and Zoning hearings, in which a majority of speakers were in opposition to the project, nearly half the 20 speakers at the Nov. 16 commission hearing spoke in favor of the hotel. At least five of those were employees of businesses in which Kaleta has ownership interests – specifically Prime Vacations and Salt Bar & Table Restaurant.
The Thursday, Dec. 7 hearing will be held at 6 p.m. at the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N.
BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners have passed a request from Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby to approve funding for the removal of derelict boats at the city pier following Hurricane Idalia.
A proposed motion was read by Mayor John Chappie at the Sept. 21 commission meeting to approve an invoice from SeaTow Sarasota Inc. for $10,397 for the removal of derelict vessels using city pier funds to come from West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) grant money.
The motion was made by Commissioner Jan Vosburgh and seconded by Commissioner Ralph Cole.
It was passed unanimously by Vosburgh, Cole and Chappie. Commissioners Marilyn Maro and Jake Spooner were absent with excuse from the meeting.
“I want to thank you for getting on top of this and getting those boats out of there,” Chappie said. “Thank you to our public works department for all the work they’ve done with the whole mess with the storm.”
WCIND provides financial assistance related to navigability, recreational boater access, boater safety and the marine environment. It is a multi-county special taxing body covering Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.
In other business at the meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry gave an update on city pier preparations for the water taxi.
“Duncan (Duncan Seawall) has been out there every day working on it… They were very close to finishing when I talked to the Duncan crew the other day,” she said. “I also got the quotes in from Duncan to do the expanded pier planking that would wrap around to the dinghy dock and put in the waiting area for the water taxi down at the cistern area.”
Perry reported that the city has obtained approval from the Southwest Florida Water Management District to remove the cistern adjacent to the city pier.
Chappie had presented a proposal at the Aug. 2 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting to discuss having an elevated small park created at the end of the Bradenton Beach pier in the spot where the fenced, unused cistern is located.
“The cistern project area is the center point of what we’ve been doing for the last several years – this 1,800-foot-long walkway,” Chappie said in August. “We have the city pier that has been totally rebuilt with 630 linear feet, we’ve added the 36 feet of floating docks, we’ve added the finger docks which expanded our docking facilities for up to 21 boats.”
“The mayor has been working on getting that set up and taken care of, which I think is going to be happening within the next few weeks,” Perry said at the Sept. 21 meeting.
Perry said the next step is to get the project funding in place.
“This was a project that was budgeted to be funded by the CRA,” she said. “But in the hopes the TDC (Tourist Development Council) funds would be used for this particular area, I’m pleased to tell you Mayor Chappie and I have been working very diligently with the TDC for the water taxi that is coming in.”
She said the CRA approved up to $15,000 for a ramping system or connection to get into the water taxi. She said it’s still being worked on.
“We have an interim potential solution,” Perry said. “It will be in combination with using the floating dock with a leased-out handicap-accessible piece of equipment while potentially making it full-time coming off the dinghy dock… It looks like we’re going to have that particular issue resolved.”
The lease amount is $1,000 a month for the handicap lift, which will be temporary, Perry said.
BRADENTON BEACH – Damage to the Bradenton Beach Pier and floating docks caused by boats during Hurricane Idalia on Aug. 30 was the focus of the Sept. 7 city commission meeting.
Images of the damage reviewed at the meeting showed missing and broken boards and a large boat against the docks.
“I am very disappointed it was the vessels that caused this damage. They did not secure themselves properly or move away from this,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. “In talking with Steve Porter (from Duncan Seawall) he said we would not be facing this if not for the boats.”
Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby described the causes of the damage to the pier and floating docks.
“One boat broke loose and rammed into the others and broke them loose,” he said. “They were secured fine and it was a domino effect. It was a sailboat that broke loose and knocked the rest out of the way.”
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh asked if boat owners were responsible for the damage and Chappie said the city will be looking into whether or not the boat owners have insurance.
“There will be accountability to individuals that are not following the rules and not tying their boats down the way they should be or trying to find a safer port instead of just leaving it out there in the open seas at the north end of Sarasota Bay,” Chappie said.
“The city is going to do what it can do to hold people responsible for this kind of damage,” Perry said.
Cosby reminded the commission that the pier itself is uninsurable because it’s over water. The city is self-insured for the structure.
Commissioner Ralph Cole made a motion to issue a work assignment to Duncan Seawall for all repairs to the pier and floating dock in the amount of $42,225 to be paid from the 2022-23 city budget, and to authorize Cosby and Perry to work toward future reimbursement from FEMA or any other agency.
The motion passed unanimously.
The repair work is expected to be completed within a week or two.
BRADENTON BEACH – A woman and her small dog were attacked by an unleashed mastiff at Island Time Bar and Grill, 111 Gulf Drive S. on Aug. 9.
The dog later died, according to the owner.
Bradenton Beach Police Officer Thomas Ferrara was in the parking lot of Circle K at 103 Gulf Drive S. when he heard people screaming for help at the restaurant next door, according to a police report.
After calling for backup, he arrived at the scene and while trying to determine if a weapon was involved in the incident, he heard someone say it was a dog attack and people had been bitten, according to the report.
Ferrara saw a woman, who wished not to be identified, bleeding from her left leg and left middle finger. His attention was then directed to a man, identified as Anthony Santamauro, holding a large English mastiff dog he estimated to weigh more than 100 pounds. Santamauro was holding his shoulder but did not appear to be bleeding.
Video evidence
Due to conflicting stories from witnesses, Sgt. Steve Masi, who had arrived to provide backup, reviewed security footage from the bar revealing what had happened.
“After reviewing the video, I observed Mr. Santamauro enter the Island Time patio area with his dog (which the owner identified as a service dog), through a northwest doorway near the bar,” according to the police report. “Upon entering, Santamauro had the dog walking directly next to him. It appears the mastiff saw the very tiny dog approximately one-tenth its size leashed and sitting under the table with its female owner while she was eating dinner.”
The report goes on to say the unleashed mastiff grabbed the small dog in its jaws and begin shaking it and violently biting. When the small dog’s owner pulled it out of the larger dog’s mouth by pulling on the leash and trying to hold it in the air, the mastiff knocked the woman to the ground. Santamauro dove between the dogs and tried to separate them, at which time he fell face forward to the ground, landing on his shoulder, according to the report.
EMS arrived at the scene, but the female victim refused transport to the hospital for her injuries.
Police said the victim reported her dog later succumbed to its injuries and did not survive the attack. Sgt. Masi contacted animal control, which is investigating the incident.
Santamauro was issued a city ordinance violation. The female victim said she did not want Santamauro to be “in a lot of trouble,” but did want him to be responsible for any hospital treatment costs and other bills associated with the incident, according to the report.
