ANNA MARIA – City commissioners adopted a 60-day emergency ordinance that addresses existing city code that’s been preventing property owners from repairing their seawalls.
On Thursday, Jan. 8, the commissioners unanimously supported Mayor Mark Short’s request to adopt the emergency ordinance that’s now in effect and will later be replaced by a regular city ordinance.
The emergency ordinance allows impacted property owners to begin or resume seawall repair projects that had been on hold due to the ordinance language contained in the current city code.
When presenting his requested emergency ordinance, Short told commissioners the current ordinance stipulates that if there are three seawalls evenly aligned side-by-side and the middle seawall requires repair, the middle seawall cannot be extended further out into the canal than the other two canals.
“What you have in front of you is an emergency ordinance to allow repairs to seawalls” he told the commission.
Short referenced the current seawall ordinance that says, “Construction, inclusive of a buttress and seawall cap, shall not protrude more than 12 inches seaward of the existing seawall or seawall cap. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if there are two existing seawalls abutting the subject replacement seawall of differing seaward projections, then the subject replacement seawall shall be further limited to a seaward projection distance of no more than either equal to the immediately abutting seawall with the least projection or total seaward projection of 12 inches, whichever is more restrictive.”
“This changes one word: the word ‘more’ to ‘less,’” Short said. “Which means that seawall could be extended up to 12 inches out.”
Anna Maria’s residential canals are lined with seawalls. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During the commission’s Nov. 13 meeting, Commissioner Chris Arendt brought the seawall ordinance concerns to the city commission’s attention. He was joined in doing so by Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift owner and vice-president Mark Liebel.
Liebel said he’s owned Duncan Seawalls for 29 years and doesn’t recall the city amending its seawall ordinance during the time. He said the code might be outdated and the city may have changed how it interprets the long-standing seawall regulations.
He mentioned one project in particular that was being delayed by the existing city code.
During the Jan. 8 meeting, Arendt said, “I have a lot of people that were very interested in this issue. If we vote on this today, will it take immediate effect?”
“It will take immediate effect,” Short replied.
Short noted the planning and zoning board was scheduled to review and discuss a proposed permanent seawall ordinance in December but that meeting was cancelled. The board is now expected to review the proposed non-emergency seawall ordinance at its Jan. 21 meeting.
The adoption of a regular city ordinance requires two advertised city commission public hearings that allow for public input. Short said the 60-day temporary ordinance provides time for the planning board and the city commission to review and discuss the proposed regular ordinance that he referred to as the “permanent fix.”
BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach embarked on some important public projects in 2021 and also welcomed a familiar face as the city’s new police chief.
January
In January, the mayor and city commission learned of the Florida Department of Transportation’s plans to begin construction in 2026 on the new fixed-span bridge that would provide 65 feet of vertical clearance as the replacement for the existing Cortez Bridge drawbridge.
February
Phase II of Manatee County’s drainage and parking lot improvements commenced at Coquina Beach.
The city commission extended a micromobility moratorium enacted in late 2020 that temporarily prohibits any new businesses from renting scoot coupes, motor scooters and other motorized micromobility devices. The moratorium, extended again later in the year, does not pertain to the actual operation of those vehicles on public streets.
March
Former county commissioners Joe McClash and Jane von Hahmann asked the city to join their federal lawsuit that opposes the construction of a fixed-span bridge to replace the Cortez Bridge drawbridge constructed in 1956. The commission tentatively agreed to contribute up to $5,000 toward the legal efforts, but in August, the commission voted 3-2 in opposition to providing any city funds or joining the lawsuit as an additional named party.
The city commission named Lt. John Cosby to serve as the eventual successor to Police Chief Sam Speciale leading up to Speciale’s planned retirement in October.
April
Building Official Steve Gilbert and City Planner Luis Serna began guiding the Planning and Zoning Board members through an extensive review of the Future Land Use Map and zoning map inconsistencies that exist throughout the city. The city commission has not yet acted on the board recommendations and the map revision process is expected to continue in 2022.
A personal watercraft and a boat collided on the Intracoastal Waterway near Longboat Pass. Tour boat captain Mike Draayom helped rescue the personal watercraft driver and passenger from the water. The accident resulted in two people being taken to the hospital.
The city commission authorized a request for proposals seeking a third-party review of the Master Drainage Study and stormwater and drainage systems designed by longtime City Engineer Lynn Burnett. The commission ultimately selected Utility Consultants of Florida and the subcontracted Colliers Engineering firm to take over the stormwater-related engineering and design services, including those associated with a $2.6 million, state-funded flood control project for the north end of the city. In November, the state granted the city additional time to design, permit and construct the drainage improvements which now have a June 2024 completion deadline.
May
The commission selected Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift to expand the floating dock, install finger piers perpendicular to the expanded dock and replace the public dinghy dock near the foot of the Bridge Street Pier boardwalk.
The CRA members agreed to increase the CRA’s holiday decorating budget from $15,000 to $40,000.
The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge’s renovated kitchen reopened.
June
The CRA members discussed the potential CRA-funded trimming or removal of some privately-owned Australian pine trees located near the Gulf Drive/Cortez Road intersection. Those efforts were later abandoned.
The city is still waiting for FPL to remove the concrete utility poles along Gulf Drive South. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
City Attorney Ricinda Perry informed the commission that the state-funded Gulf Drive South utility line undergrounding project would cost much more than expected due to the increased pole and line removal costs imposed by Florida Power & Light. Perry said FPL’s initial non-binding cost estimates came in between $360,000 and $390,000, but in mid-May, she received a binding cost estimate for $1,187,029. Perry was able to reduce some of those additional costs and secure the use of additional county funds previously budged for another unrelated project. The new lines have been undergrounded and have been connected to the impacted residential structures, but the city is still waiting for FPL to remove dozens of concrete utility poles along Gulf Drive South.
The city commission extended the expanded outdoor dining allowances enacted in 2020 as part of the city’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The commission also stated live music would be allowed to continue in the expanded outdoor seating areas.
The Manatee County Commission agreed to provide up to $850,000 in matching county funds for the dock expansion and dinghy dock replacement project.
Mural artist Chad “Cheeta” Ruis painted a sea life-themed mural on the exterior walls of the AMI Moose Lodge.
July
Accompanied by Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, the Stanley Cup visited the Bradenton Beach Police Department as part of Cooper’s multi-stop victory lap around Anna Maria Island.
August
Former Drift In employee and well-known Island personality David Marshall was struck by a car and seriously injured on Aug. 24 and he passed away on Sept. 5.
September
The CRA contracted C Squared to install four new stamped asphalt crosswalks across Bridge Street. The new crosswalks were engineered by Colliers Engineering. The new crosswalks replaced the failing brick paver crosswalks installed in late 2020 by Classic Brick Construction and engineered by LTA Engineers.
Stamped asphalt crosswalks replaced the brick paver crosswalks installed in 2020. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
October
CRA members approved a $595,905 dock expansion project contract with Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift. The dock expansion project will provide short-term public docking for approximately two dozen vessels when the project is completed in 2022 using components pre-manufactured by Golden Marine Systems.
John Cosby was sworn in as the city’s new police chief.
John Cosby was sworn in as the city’s new police chief by City Clerk Terri Sanclemente. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
City officials expressed concerns about the permeable brick paver sidewalk being installed along Gulf Drive North by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The concerns included safety and tripping hazards and the city’s ongoing liability and maintenance responsibilities.
The CRA extended the Old Town Tram pilot program for an additional year. The CRA members’ desire for the tram service to be primarily funded by advertising revenues remains a work in progress. In November, advertising revenues accounted for $4,775 (48%) of the CRA’s $9,975 monthly tram operation costs.
The Old Town Tram pilot program was extended for another year. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
November
Incumbent Mayor John Chappie defeated first-time challenger David Galuszka in the mayor’s race. Running unopposed, incumbent commissioners Jake Spooner and Jan Vosburgh claimed additional two-year terms in office. City voters maintained the existing term limits, which means Chappie and Spooner will term limit out of office in 2023.
John Chappie won a third consecutive term as the Bradenton Beach mayor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Chief Cosby promoted Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz to the rank of lieutenant, making him the police department’s second in command.
A Christmas tree lighting ceremony took place at the Bradenton Beach Post Office as part of the CRA and the Bridge Street merchants’ enhanced holiday decorating efforts.
December
The annual Christmas on Bridge Street celebration and the Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade resumed after being canceled in 2020.
The CRA and the Bridge Street merchants went all-out with their holiday decorations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The commission authorized a $5,000 expenditure as part of the exploratory efforts regarding the desired undergrounding of utility lines at the north end of the city.
BRADENTON BEACH – The contract negotiations to expand the floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier have entered the final stages.
On Wednesday, Sept. 1, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment (CRA) members unanimously authorized City Attorney Ricinda Perry to proceed with finalizing the proposed draft contract discussed that day with Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift General Manager Steve Porter. The CRA members directed Perry to bring back a finalized contract for approval in September.
The draft contract presented to the CRA members during Wednesday’s meeting did not include a final cost because the board still needed to make some design decisions that day regarding the dock expansion and the addition of fender pilings between the finger piers. Porter estimated the dock expansion project would cost about $561,000.
The draft contract also did not include an estimated completion date. Porter previously told the CRA members the installation will begin after the dock components are ordered, manufactured and received from North Port-based Golden Marine Systems – a process that will take several weeks. The order will be placed after the contract is finalized and authorized by the CRA board in September.
The scope of the project includes adding nine floating finger piers that will extend perpendicularly from the existing floating dock. The existing dock will also be expanded to the east in a manner that will provide space for three additional finger piers. The finger piers will create free, short-term, public docking for a total of 24 or 25 additional boats, with the easternmost slip possibly being designated in the future for use by independently operated water taxis and/or an often discussed, not-yet-pursued, county-operated ferry service from downtown Bradenton.
This diagram illustrates the configuration of the finger piers, the fender pilings and the expanded floating dock near the Bridge Street Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Each finger pier will be connected at one end to the floating dock and at the other end to a piling. Two additional mooring/fender pilings will be placed between each set of finger piers. The fender pilings will provide additional points for the docked boats to tie off to. The space between each finger pier and pair of pilings will accommodate a boat that is up to 13.5 feet wide.
Porter told the CRA members the individual finger piers could later be adjusted and reconfigured to accommodate different-sized boats, at an additional cost.
The CRA-funded project also includes the replacement of the aging city-owned dinghy dock near the foot of the pier boardwalk. The existing wooden dinghy dock will be replaced by a new dinghy dock that features Trex decking.
Earlier this year, the Manatee County Commission agreed to provide the CRA with up to $850,000 in matching funds for the forthcoming dock expansion/dinghy dock project.
Other Duncan projects
In January 2017, North Palm Beach-based Technomarine was contracted to install a new floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier. The new dock was to replace the original floating dock rendered unuseable due to repeated storm damage and wave action.
After several prolonged delays created by Technomarine, the floating dock manufactured in Spain by Ronautica Marinas was installed alongside the pier by the Gibsonton-based Hecker Construction Company in late July/early August of 2019.
Due to ongoing structural and safety concerns, Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift was later contracted to make additional repairs and modifications to the work done by Hecker Construction. Manatee County reimbursed the CRA for $125,000 of the $283,000 in total dock replacement project costs.
Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift General Manager Steve Porter has guided several Bradenton Beach projects. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Manatee County also provided 50% matching funds for the replacement of the Bridge Street Pier that Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift completed at an approximate cost of $1.5 million in 2015.
As of Friday, Duncan was nearing the completion of a state-funded city dredging project in the navigable waters along the Bradenton Beach shoreline between the Bridge Street Pier and Leffis Key.
BRADENTON BEACH – Sarasota-based Duncan Seawall, Dock and Boat Lifts is the Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) first choice to install finger piers to the floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier.
Tampa Bay Marine also submitted a proposal in response to the CRA’s request for proposals (RFP) that also calls for the selected firm to extend the existing floating dock and replace the city-owned dinghy dock near the Bridge Tender Inn.
The selection took place during the special CRA meeting on Wednesday, May 19. Prior to the meeting, Bradenton Beach Police Lt. John Cosby, Building Official Steve Gilbert and City Attorney Ricinda Perry individually ranked the two bid proposals received. All three city staff members ranked Duncan higher than Tampa Bay Marine.
According to handwritten notes included on Perry’s evaluation sheet, Duncan’s bid came in at a total of approximately $616,000 to $624,000, depending on some options included in the proposal. The Tampa Bay Marine bid came in at approximately $495,000, with some additional unknown costs pertaining to potential engineering services.
Perry is now authorized to attempt to negotiate a contract with Duncan Seawall, Dock and Boat Lifts. The finger docks and additional floating dock sections to be installed by Duncan if a contract is successfully negotiated would be pre-manufactured by the Fort Myers-based Golden Marine Systems.
The CRA members believe working with Duncan and Golden – two firms the CRA has past experience with – would prevent the cost overages and installation delays that plagued the floating dock project originally contracted with Technomarine in 2017 and later installed by the Hecker Construction Company in 2019. Duncan was later contracted to make final repairs and renovations to the floating dock and Golden Marine provided some of the needed materials.
Duncan proposal
Duncan’s proposal includes $248,675 to provide and install nine finger piers that would be 4 feet wide and 31 feet long. The finger piers would be attached perpendicular to the floating dock.
The Duncan proposal includes an additional $39,190 to include two support pilings for each finger pier. The pilings would provide additional stability and security to the floating finger piers that would be attached perpendicular to the floating dock. The CRA members suggested the possible use of just one piling on some of the finger piers in order to provide dock space for larger boats. It was also noted that the pilings would provide additional protection from the nearby liveaboard vessels south of the pier that frequently break loose during storms and rough seas.
This illustration indicates where the new finger piers would be attached perpendicular to the extended floating dock. – Duncan Seawall | Submitted
The Duncan proposal also includes an additional $205,565 to provide and install an 80-foot extension of the existing floating dock, with two additional finger piers that would bring the total number of finger piers to 11. The dock extension would be installed at the east end of the existing floating dock.
The CRA members discussed potentially designating the far eastern end of the expanded floating dock as an area for commercial vessels to load and unload passengers – with no commercial docking allowed elsewhere on the dock or finger piers.
The existing dinghy dock would be replaced by a new dinghy dock. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Duncan proposal includes $40,821 to replace the existing dinghy dock with a new dock made of Trex decking, or $38,815 to replace the dinghy dock with an alternative decking material.
County funds
In April, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) members unanimously recommended that the county commission provide the CRA with up to $850,000 in matching funds for the finger dock/dock extension/dinghy dock project. That funding request is expected to be presented to the county commission on Tuesday, June 8.
The county commission previously provided matching funds for the installation of the floating dock project that was originally contracted for $119,000 and wound up costing approximately $283,000 when finally completed.
The CRA members voted 5-1 in favor of authorizing Perry to negotiate a contract with Duncan. Member David Bell cast the only opposition vote. He said he was not comfortable entering into a contract with Duncan until the final status of the matching county funds is known.
