HOLMES BEACH – Public Works Director and City Engineer Sage Kamiya tendered his resignation and will soon serve as the city engineer for the city of Sarasota.
After serving as Holmes Beach’s public works director, city engineer and traffic engineer for slightly more than four years, Thursday, Oct. 9 will be Kamiya’s last day with the city.
Mayor Judy Titsworth said Senior Project Manager Anthony Benitez will serve as the interim public works directors and the permanent position will be advertised. Tray Thorpe will continue serving as the maintenance supervisor.
After making Titsworth aware of the anticipated offer from the city of Sarasota, Kamiya sent Titsworth his resignation letter on Sept. 24.
“It is with heavy heart that I’m tendering my resignation with a little over two-week notice. I have received an offer which is a great next step opportunity for me, both professionally and for my family. I sincerely appreciate that you’ve entrusted me with the leadership of our great public works team. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish during my time here,” his letter said in part.
When contacted by phone on Oct. 2, Kamiya was asked if anyone with the city encouraged him to leave.
“No, it was on my own volition. It’s a conversation I’d been having with the city of Sarasota for over a year. I told them ‘no’ a couple times previously and it got to the point where I decided to take it,” he said.
“In some ways, it’s a lateral move, but in other ways it’s an advancement because I’ll be able to work on some bigger projects. As an engineer, it’ll be good for me professionally to do some things that are larger and have a bigger scope. The largest project I worked on in Holmes Beach was the City Center project, which was about $3 million. One of the projects I’m going to be involved with in Sarasota is over $45 million. As an engineer, you like bigger and more complicated challenges, so that’s exciting and interesting to me,” he said.
“I’ll miss my team. We have a really good public works department and there are some great people there. We’re taking care of yesterday, fighting today’s fires and preparing for tomorrow – and things weren’t quite that way when I inherited the department. I’ll miss Mayor Judy and the community. She has been super supportive and she provided the resources we needed to get the job done; and the community has been welcoming.”
Mayor’s comments
“Sage will be missed. He was a tremendous asset to our city and he was able to shape the public works department into something I am most proud of,” Titsworth said.
“He and I were able to shape a tremendous public works department that went after and received a lot of grant money. He was awesome to work with. He allows me to sleep better at night. The commissioners absolutely love him.
“Sage has a great opportunity with the city of Sarasota with room for advancement. I can match his pay. It wasn’t about the pay, but I can never give him that advancement he’d get with Sarasota,” Titsworth said. “I told him I was proud of him and I can understand why he’d want to take it.”
When asked if Kamiya was forced out or encouraged to leave Holmes Beach, Titsworth said, “No. Neither.”
Looking ahead, Titsworth said, “We’ve got a lot of projects and a lot of things going on right now. We’ll lose Sage’s knowledge but Anthony and Tray will step up. We’ve used RESPEC as our stormwater consultants and they’ve got a good handle on our stormwater projects. Hopefully, the citizens won’t feel Sage’s departure too much.”
BRADENTON – During and after what was then Tropical Storm Debby, the city’s water reclamation facility discharged an estimated 25 million gallons of raw and partially treated sewage into the Manatee River, according to department officials.
The neighboring city of Sarasota discharged nearly 18 million gallons of raw and partially treated sewage into that city’s stormwater system, which connects to Sarasota Bay, according to department officials.
In total, the Bradenton and Sarasota water reclamation facilities discharged nearly 43 million gallons of sewage into local waterways.
The rain associated with Tropical Storm Debby exceeded the Bradenton water reclamation facility’s storage capacities. – City of Bradenton | Submitted
Despite the influx of sewage into waters surrounding Anna Maria Island, the enterococcus bacteria levels in most areas were deemed “good” when last tested by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) on Aug. 13.
The Bradenton water reclamation facility is located across the street from the Red Barn Flea Market. – Google Maps | Submitted
According to the city’s report, “It’s estimated that the total volume bypassed from 08/04 – 08/07 was 25MG (million gallons).”
When contacted by The Sun on Aug. 12, Suncoast Waterkeeper board member and attorney Justin Bloom said, “According to the city’s own records, in which they’re reporting sewage spills to FDEP (the Florida Department of Environmental Protection), they discharged, directly to the Manatee River 25 million gallons of sewage between August 4th and August 7th. Suncoast Waterkeeper is concerned about the impact this significant amount of sewage will have on the Manatee River.”
The Bradenton water reclamation facility was overwhelmed by rain associated with Tropical Storm Debby. – City of Bradenton | Submitted
The mouth of the Manatee River empties into Tampa Bay near the northern tip of Anna Maria Island.
The city’s report states, “The event was caused by the heavy rain and high flow associated with Hurricane Debby and was unavoidable. As with utilities state-wide, the WRF staff did everything possible to not have to bypass, but with between 17-19 inches of rain during the storm it was unavoidable.”
The city’s report also includes the following information:
“On 08/04, the aerators were taken offline at 2 p.m. in anticipation of high flow.
On 08/04, the WRF experienced extremely high flow into the plant beginning around 17:00. By 18:30, the aerators, headworks, clarifiers, and filters began overflowing and bypass began.
On 08/05, the WRF bypassed the filters and wet well due to continual heavy rain and high flow.
Manatee River spill sample collection began on 08/06.
On 08/06, the plant experienced random high flow events causing the outfall and clear well to overflow.
On 08/08, two aerators were turned back online.”
In addition, report notes: “Sample collection is ongoing, preliminary results from 08/06 have been received but no official laboratory report has been. The city will continue to update FDEP as data is received and upon the conclusion of sampling.”
Bradenton’s water reclamation facility features numerous wastewater treatment and storage components. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In an email exchange with Bradenton resident and concerned citizen Ernie Vanderwalt, FDEP Southwest District Office Director Kelley Boatwright acknowledged the sewage discharge.
“Department staff confirmed that the city of Bradenton had sanitary sewer overflows that total approximately 25,000,000 gallons due to Hurricane Debby. Staff are tracking the reports, evaluating the data, and will determine next steps,” Boatwright stated in his Aug. 12 email to Vanderwalt.
Sarasota overflow
According to the incident description report provided by the city of Sarasota, “During the event, approximately 6.243 million gallons of raw wastewater was discharged to Sarasota Bay. In addition, approximately 11.483 million gallons of partially treated effluent was discharged to Sarasota Bay. Samples will be collected.”
According to the incident description, “The city of Sarasota’s advanced wastewater treatment plant was severely impacted by excessive flow from Hurricane Debby. Operations staff did everything in their power to control the flow coming into the facility. Due to the incredible flow volume coming to the plant, up to 44.29 MGD (million gallons daily) in a single day, plant staff were unable to prevent spills from the headworks at the treatment plant. Staff made every effort to contain and control the spill, but the volume was too significant to avoid the mixture of rainwater and untreated sewage entering the stormwater collection system.”
Water quality tests
According to the FDOH website, “Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of enteric bacteria can be an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife and human sewage. If they are present in high concentrations in recreational waters and are ingested while swimming, or enter the skin through a cut or sore, they may cause human disease, infections or rashes.”
FDOH analyzes water samples for total bacteria counts and rates the results as good, moderate or poor.
Good: 0–35.4 enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
Moderate: 35.5–70.4 enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
Poor: 70.5 or more enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water
If the results indicate poor water quality, FDOH issues public notices and may post warning signs at impacted beaches that state swimming or other water activities are not recommended.
According to FDOH water quality testing results, the enterococcus levels in the water at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria were listed as good for Aug. 7, 11 and 13. Before Tropical Storm Debby, the enterococcus levels at Bayfront Park tested poor on July 22, July 29 and July 31. FDOH issued a water quality notice for Bayfront Park on July 31 but has not issued any additional Bayfront Park notices.
On Aug. 7, 11 and 13, the enterococcus levels at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach were listed as good. When tested on Aug. 7, 11 and 13, the enterococcus levels at Coquina Beach North, Coquina Beach South and Cortez Beach (all in Bradenton Beach) were all listed as good.
When tested on Aug. 7, 11 and 13, the enterococcus levels at the Broadway Beach Access in Longboat Key were listed as good.
When tested on Aug. 7, 11 and 13, the enterococcus levels at Palma Sola Causeway South were listed as poor on each of those days, and also on July 29 and July 31. FDOH advisories were issued on July 31 and Aug. 7, 11, and 13.
According to FDOH, several locations in Sarasota were tested on Aug. 12 and the enterococcus levels at those locations were listed as good.
On Facebook, some Island residents and visitors reported strong odors and possible human waste discovered in the waters along some Anna Maria Island beaches.
On Aug. 12, the Suncoast Waterkeeper organization issued a “No Swimming” warning for Sarasota Bay that was to remain in effect until further notice.
On Aug. 12, The Suncoast Waterkeeper organization issued a no-swim advisory for Sarasota Bay. – Suncoast Waterkeeper | Submitted
On Aug. 16, Suncoast Waterkeeper posted a Facebook message that said, “On August 14th, the enterococci survey was conducted during a falling tide. Salinity levels ranged from 18-29 ppt. The impact from Debby was still evident in the water quality on Wednesday and will likely continue throughout the weekend.”
Suncoast Waterkeeper released this water quality test results map on Aug. 16. – Suncoast Waterkeeper | Submitted
The Aug. 16 Facebook post was accompanied by a water quality test result graphic that indicated 10 locations in Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Sarasota that Suncoast Waterkeeper considered to be “Don’t Swim” areas, including the Bradenton Beach City Pier on Bridge Street, Palma Sola Causeway North, Robinson Preserve and the Longboat Key boat ramp.
As of Aug. 19, The Sun was unable to obtain any additional water quality testing results from FDEP.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Those who went boating on Saturday near Anna Maria Island were among the first to do so following the executive order the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued Friday afternoon.
Issued at the direction of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, FWC Executive Order 20-09 sets forth temporary conditions that now apply to boaters using Florida waterways.
While the order remains in effect, recreational vessel occupancy is limited to no more than 10 persons per vessel and recreational boaters must maintain a minimum distance of 50 feet from other vessels.
“This distance provision does not apply to permitted mooring fields, public or private marinas or any other permanently installed wet slips, and does not apply to vessels underway unless they are tied, rafted or moored to another vessel,” the FWC executive order says.
“This shall expire when the Governor’s Executive Order 20-52, expires unless rescinded or superseded at a sooner date,” the FWC order says.
Applicable statewide, the FWC order was issued on Friday, March 27 – one day after the public boat ramps in Manatee County closed.
The Manatee County boat ramp closures provide exceptions for the commercial fishermen still allowed to use the Coquina South Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach and the Riverside Boat Ramp in Palmetto.
“Commercial fishing operations with a Florida Saltwater Products License (SPL) for commercial fishing will be allowed to launch at the two boat ramps,” said the Wednesday, March 25 press release issued by Manatee County.
The county boat ramp closures do not provide any exceptions for charter captains.
Manatee County officials also closed Beer Can Island – also known as Greer Island – which is actually a peninsula extending under the Longboat Key bridge.
With the FWC executive order and the county boat ramp closures now in effect, many recreational boaters gathered legally offshore of Jewfish Key on Saturday afternoon.
These boaters gathered near the northern tip of Jewfish Key on Saturday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
From the vantage point of the Longboat Pass Bridge, there appeared to be fewer boats in that area than there were on Sunday, March 22. The boats gathered Saturday were less densely clustered and more spread out than what was witnessed during the previous weekend.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit patrolled the Intracoastal Waterway waters near Jewfish Key on Saturday afternoon, and there were no boats beached at Beer Can Island.
Boaters gathered between the City Pier and the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria on Saturday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At the north end of Anna Maria Island, boaters gathered offshore near the City Pier and the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria.
And large numbers of boaters gathered near Passage Key and Egmont Key, north of Anna Maria Island.
Large numbers of boaters gathered near Passage Key on Saturday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Sarasota boat ramps closed
On Saturday evening, the city of Sarasota announced the closing of two city-owned public boat ramps.
According to the press release the city of Sarasota issued Saturday evening, the city-owned 10th Street Boat Ramps, the City Island Boat Ramps and the Bird Key Park parking lot were closing to the public at 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 29.
The press release noted the closure was “part of emergency orders related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.”
When contacted Saturday evening, city of Sarasota Senior Communications Manager Jan Thornburg was asked if the Manatee County boat ramp closures impacted the city’s decision to close its public boat ramps.
“We’ve seen an increase with boaters who aren’t following the CDC’s social distancing guidelines. We’re not sure where they are from,” Thornburg said.
Thornburg was asked if commercial fishermen will still be allowed to use the two boat ramps closed to recreational boaters.
“Right now, the interpretation is that all commercial fishermen will be exempted. The city attorney may consider revising this emergency order to include this exemption,” Thornburg said.
According to the press release, “Those who do not voluntarily comply with the new emergency orders related to the closure of the boat ramps and the Bird Key Park parking lot may be issued a citation by a sworn Sarasota police officer. A violation would be considered a second-degree misdemeanor.”
