Tag: floating dock

Dock expansion contract to be finalized soon

Written by Joe Hendricks on September 5, 2021. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

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.

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.

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.

County commission supports Bradenton Beach dock expansion project

Written by Joe Hendricks on June 9, 2021. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Uncategorized.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Manatee County Commission is providing up to $850,000 in matching funds for Bradenton Beach’s dock expansion project.

The county commission approved the city’s funding request on Tuesday, June 8. The county funds will be provided using county tourist tax revenues generated by the 5% tourist tax levied on hotel, motel and vacation rental stays in Manatee County. The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will pay the city’s share of the dock expansion project costs.

In anticipation of the county’s support, the CRA members recently selected Duncan Seawall, Dock and Boat Lift to install the fingers docks to be purchased from Golden Marine Systems.

The finger docks will extend perpendicular to the floating dock installed in 2019, and the floating dock will be extended to the east to accommodate additional finger docks. Duncan will also construct the new dinghy dock that will replace the aging dinghy dock near the entrance to the Bridge Street Pier.

Duncan’s bid came in at approximately $616,000 to $624,000, depending on some additional piling options included in the proposal. Duncan’s bid does not include any additional work on the showers or restrooms.

When presenting the funding request to county commissioners, Mayor John Chappie said the finger docks would increase public dockage near the Bridge Street Pier from seven spaces to 26 or 27 spaces. The existing and soon-to-be-expanded docking facilities are free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis and overnight docking is not allowed.

Chappie said the matching funds would also be used to renovate the existing public shower facilities and increase the size of the public restrooms, and to create a terminal-like area at the entrance to the pier for the Old Town Tram parking shuttles that service the CRA district.

Chappie also mentioned the possibility of a water taxi service one day running from downtown Bradenton to Bradenton Beach.

“There’s been a lot of discussion over the years with regards to a water taxi. Bradenton Beach could be a stop for the water taxi. There will be a space available for that as well,” he said.

County support

“This project is exactly what the county needs because it’s beneficial to all residents of the county,” District 3 County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said. “You’re inviting day trippers to come by boat to dock at Bridge Street. They can patronize the businesses on Bridge Street, and the Island is thin there, so people will easily be able to access the beach from that point. It’s a great way to bring additional visitors into your city without having a major impact on your residents. I’m very pleased with the relationship we have with Bradenton Beach and their efforts to try and be as inclusive as they can, knowing they’re a destination city.”

Commissioner George Kruse then said, “I love this. This is such a great idea and I’m 100% in support of this. This is needed and I appreciate it.”

Commissioner Carol Whitmore noted the county also provided matching funds for the installation of the floating dock.

“This all ties in, we’re just adding more capacity. This is what the tourist tax is about. If we do a water taxi and people are staying in Bradenton they can hop on the (water) taxi at Pier 22 and come on out,” Whitmore said.

“The water taxi would start in downtown Bradenton, utilizing the parking garage,” Chappie said, expressing hope that this might help reduce the number of cars coming to Anna Maria Island.

Regarding the long-desired water taxi service, Commission Chairwoman Vanessa Baugh said, “That should have been done years ago.”

Regarding the dock expansion project, Baugh said, “It’s a great project – and what makes it so great is that the county and the city are working together to make this happen.”

Commissioner Misty Servia chairs the TDC board that serves as a recommending body to the county commission. She noted the TDC board supports the project and the funding request, as does she.

Commissioner James Satcher liked the project so much that he proposed increasing the county funding.

“We should increase it by $282,000. He’s got other things he’s planning on doing, plus he’s got the water taxi,” Satcher said.

Satcher did not provide any documentation to support his proposed $282,000 funding increase.

“That’s not how this works,” Kruse emphatically said of Satcher’s suggestion.

County Attorney Bill Clague advised the commission to simply approve or reject each funding request cited in the proposed county ordinance that also included separate funding requests from the cities of Anna Maria and Holmes Beach.

“I have to advise you against trying to move dollars around. I would ask that you just vote each of these up or down,” Clague said.

Van Ostenbridge made a motion to approve the Bradenton Beach funding request as presented and he rejected Satcher’s efforts to amend the motion to increase it by $282,000. The commission unanimously supported Van Ostenbridge’s motion.

Police boat lift project may lose funding

Written by Joe Hendricks on September 6, 2020. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) finds itself in a race against time to complete the long-desired installation of a police department boat lift next to the Bridge Street Pier.

The boat lift project must be completed by Sept. 30 in order to take advantage of a $50,000 West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) grant approved by Manatee County commissioners in May 2017.

The police boat currently sits on a trailer parked near the police station and must be trailered to a boat ramp to be placed in the water.

Complicating matters is the necessity for the boat lift to be connected to the floating dock that must first be repositioned to the east by approximately 8 feet by Hecker Construction Company, which installed the pre-manufactured dock in mid-2019 for $11,600.

Police boat lift grant funds in potential peril — Before the boat lift can be installed, the floating dock must be repositioned approximately 8 feet to the east, toward the far end of the pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Further complicating the boat lift installation timetable is the need for contract engineer Joe Foster to separately engineer the dock repositioning and the boat lift installation.

During the Wednesday, Sept. 2 CRA meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry said Mayor John Chappie had sought an extension for the WCIND grant in vain.

“Moments ago, I received the information that we do not get an extension, so it must be completed by the end of the month,” Perry said.

Lt. John Cosby, of the Bradenton Beach Police Department, also addressed the growing sense of urgency.

“This WCIND money for this boat lift has to be expended by Sept. 30th, which means we have to approve this vendor and they have to get this boat lift installed. It has to be invoiced, it has to be paid and I need a canceled check by Sept. 30th in order for us to receive this money,” Cosby said.

If installed as planned, the boat lift will be placed perpendicular to the pier and floating dock in the open space between the west end of the dock and the corner of the pier walkway near the Anna Maria Oyster Bar’s outdoor seating area.

Police Chief Sam Speciale and the CRA members originally envisioned installing the boat lift on the north side of the pier. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection would not approve that location because it would infringe on the riparian rights of the neighboring Pines Trailer Park.

On Aug. 27, Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift General Manager Steve Porter submitted the only response to the city’s request for proposals to install the boat lift.

Duncan’s bid response proposed a $41,279 cost to install a 16,000-pound-capacity aluminum and stainless steel boat lift manufactured by Golden Boat Lifts and supported by four pressure-treated, marine-grade pilings driven into the bay bottom.

Before Wednesday’s CRA meeting began, Porter emailed Perry an additional quote for a 10,000-pound-capacity lift that would cost $37,813.

During the meeting, Porter said the cost estimates include the water and electrical lines and connections, the remote control, the security lighting and a walk-up catwalk. Porter said the lift, as currently designed, must be located at the west end of the floating dock.

Porter said the police boat weighs 3,000 pounds and he recommended a 10,000-pound-capacity lift.

“Give us two weeks after approval and it’s installed in a week,” he said.

CRA Chairman Ralph Cole said Hecker Construction needs a barge to reposition the floating dock and he did not know how much advance planning that would require. He said he would do his best to get that work done as soon as possible.

Perry said she would help coordinate the efforts to get all the needed work done in the remaining timeframe.

“If I cannot get this engineering done and I cannot get the dock moved in time, we’re probably not able to move forward and I don’t want to bind the city to expend $50,000 at this time. Truth be told, we don’t have it in our budget to do that,” Perry said of the boat lift project’s current reliance on WCIND funds.

The CRA members were divided on the need for Foster to engineer the boat lift installation but given the time constraints, they approved doing so.

The CRA members approved the installation of a 10,000-pound-capacity boat lift, contingent on the WCIND funds being available, and Porter said he understood the CRA’s position and time constraints regarding the grant money.

Floating dock temporarily closed

Written by Joe Hendricks on October 7, 2019. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The new floating day dock was closed on Friday, Oct. 4, and will remain closed until repairs are made to the gangway that provides access to the historic Bridge Street Pier.

According to Public Works Director Tom Woodard, Mayor John Chappie ordered the dock closed on Friday due to concerns about the connection points between the metal gangway and the floating dock.

“My guys noticed the connection was weak,” Woodard said.

Woodard notified Police Chief and pier team facilitator Sam Speciale about the safety concerns. Speciale then contacted the Hecker Construction Company, the firm that recently installed the pre-manufactured dock sections.

“We were told by Hecker the connection was not part of the installation contract and they connected it the best they could,” Woodard said.

“The gangway is pulling away from the pier and is not safe, so I called Delta Engineering to come evaluate it and engineer the proper connection. They found deficiencies and felt it should be closed until it is properly installed,” Woodard said.

“I should have the plan by Tuesday (Oct. 8) and we will get it fixed as soon as possible. This is a priority because that dock was closed long enough,” Woodard said.

Woodard was referencing the lengthy delays that plagued the two-year dock replacement project completed in early August.

Safety railings

Unrelated to the newly-discovered connection concerns, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently authorized a $2,295 expenditure for the installation of safety railings and dock ladders on the new dock.

After the repairs are made to the gangway connection, safety railings will soon be installed around the landing area where the gangway connects to the dock. The railings will prevent someone using a wheelchair, baby stroller or other wheeled device on the sloped ramp from overshooting the landing and falling in the water.

Safety railings will only be installed on that portion of the dock and will not line the entire dock. Two dock ladders will also be installed.

Bradenton Beach’s new floating dock now in use

Written by Joe Hendricks on August 6, 2019. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The new floating public dock next to the historic Bridge Street Pier is now open and being used by boaters.

The Hecker Construction Company completed the dock installation last week and City Commissioner and Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) chairman Ralph Cole led a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 2. Cole thanked Manatee County officials for partnering with the CRA on the dock project.

Friday morning’s attendees included CRA and city commission members John Chappie and Jake Spooner, Manatee County Commissioners Betsy Benac, Steve Jonsson and Carol Whitmore, Deputy County Administrator John Osborne, Manatee County Tourist Development Council member Eric Cairns, congressional aide Gary Tibbetts, Anna Maria Oyster Bar president and pier tenant John Horne, Anna Maria Oyster Bar managing partner Lynn Horne, Bridge Street Merchants Vice President and Paradise Boat Tours’ General Manager and pier sub-tenant Sherman Baldwin, City Attorney Ricinda Perry, City Treasurer Shayne Thompson and several others.

Before Cole cut the ribbon, John Horne produced a tray of Bloody Marys and proposed a toast.

The new dock replaces the storm-damaged floating dock removed from that location in 2016. The new floating dock is 10 feet wide, approximately 256 feet long and once again provides recreational boaters with free short-term dockage.

It also provides limited short-term dockage for tour boats, water taxis and other commercial vessels to load and unload passengers. Fishing and overnight docking are prohibited on the new dock.

After the ribbon cutting, attendees walked down the gangplank and onto the new dock.

“It took a while, but it looks awesome. This was a team effort that included all our department heads and especially our police chief, Sam Speciale,” Cole said.

Cole also mentioned the public discussions and strategic efforts CRA members and city staff engaged in during the past two and a half years that ultimately resulted in the long-delayed dock project being completed without any lawsuits filed.

“The process was frustrating at times, but thanks to our CRA board, our city attorney and our city staff we now have one of the best publicly-owned docking sites on the west coast of Florida,” Spooner said.

“It’s been a long time coming and we’re glad the county was able to work with the city to get this floating dock. It’s another example of everybody working together toward the common good of Anna Maria Island,” Whitmore said.

“This is fabulous. It’s going to be phenomenal to see the boats back out here again this weekend. It’s going to bring people to Bridge Street. People enjoy going places by water and this will help get some cars off the road,” John Horne said.

“This is a big day for all of Bridge Street. This is even better than I expected,” Baldwin said.

As a boater, Baldwin said he appreciates the rubber rub rail running along the outer edge of the dock that will help prevent docked boats from getting scuffed up.

“This connects the Island to Tampa, St. Pete., Clearwater and other places you can come from by boat. There’s great shopping and restaurants here and they can even go to the Moose Lodge,” charter fishing Captain Scott Moore said.

“It’s another great day for the city,” Perry said.

“This is a great example of what working as a team can accomplish,” Thompson added.

“I’m glad to see that this project finally came to a long-overdue completion,” Speciale said later in the day.

During the previous night’s city commission meeting, Chappie thanked Cole for his efforts.

“It’s been a long struggle. I know it’s a team effort, but you have to have a leader. Great job,” Chappie said.

Project costs

The CRA and Manatee County co-funded the dock project. According to Thompson, the final cost is $191,524. That is $71,544 more than the $119,980 originally contracted with the North Palm Beach-based Technomarine Group in early 2017.

In 2017, county commissioners agreed to reimburse the CRA for half of a dock project’s total cost, not to exceed $250,000. That agreement, which was later renewed, means the CRA and the county are each contributing $95,762 to the project. The county’s contribution comes from the 5 percent tourist tax levied countywide on hotels, motels and vacation rentals.

Earlier this year, the CRA discontinued its contractual relationship with Technomarine due to the prolonged and ongoing delays. The CRA then turned to the Gibsonton-based Hecker Construction Group to install the dock decking sections previously premanufactured by Spain-based Ronautica Marinas and shipped to Florida in mid-2018.

As the city’s Pier Team facilitator, Speciale served as the primary project liaison until mid-April. Cole, Perry, Thompson and Building Official Steve Gilbert then guided the project to its completion.

Increased costs anticipated for Bradenton Beach dock project

Written by Joe Hendricks on April 6, 2019. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach’s long-delayed $119,980 floating dock project may now cost an additional $45,302 to $69,456 to complete.

On Wednesday, April 3, Police Chief and pier team facilitator Sam Speciale presented Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members with two dock installation estimates he received from Hecker Construction Company Operations Manager Eric Shaffer on March 25.

Hecker estimates $81,600 to install the previously-purchased floating dock components using yet-to-be-purchased wooden pilings, or $105,754 to complete the project using yet-to-be-purchased composite pilings.

These estimates took CRA members by surprise and they requested a special follow-up meeting on Wednesday, April 10. The members asked Speciale to bring back a second opinion from another engineer regarding the number of pilings needed. Speciale was also asked to bring back a second opinion from Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift regarding Hecker’s cost estimates. In 2015-16, Duncan built the Bridge Street Pier; the floating dock will be installed next to the pier.

The original $119,980 contract the CRA and Technomarine agreed to in early 2017 included $27,000 for dock installation, pilings included. Earlier this year, the CRA released Technomarine of its remaining contractual obligations due to the lengthy delays incurred.

Technomarine had already contacted Hecker Construction about serving as a dock installation subcontractor.

Until Wednesday’s meeting, CRA members assumed Hecker would install the floating dock for the $27,000 cited in the now-invalid Technomarine contract. The CRA does not currently have a new contract with Hecker or any other firm to finish the dock project.

The aluminum-framed, composite dock decking sections have been sitting at Hecker’s construction yard in Gibsonton since being delivered there in September. Technomarine then delivered the dock floats to Hecker on March 4. The float delivery fulfilled the contractual release agreement City Attorney Ricinda Perry and Technomarine attorney Julianne Frank negotiated in December.

A few hours after the April 3 CRA meeting ended, Speciale received an email from Shaffer that said, “Per our phone conversation, the price of $27,000 that Techno gave the city was for us just to assemble floats and deliver them to the job site. Technomarine never spoke to us about the pilings or anything else to do with the project.”

More money

Hecker’s $81,600 estimate includes $37,000 to provide and install 36 PVC-wrapped wooden pilings and an additional $17,800 to provide and install the additional hoop brackets and rollers needed to attach the dock sections to the wood pilings.

Hecker’s $105,754 estimate includes $67,704 to provide and install 25 composite pilings and an additional $11,250 for the hoop brackets and rollers.

Both Hecker estimates include $20,000 to attach the floats to the decking, $2,800 to remove the existing pilings, $2,000 for mobilization and demobilization and $2,000 to transport the floats to the pier job site.

During the April 3 meeting, Speciale cited financial figures provided by City Treasurer Shayne Thompson. According to Thompson, the CRA paid Technomarine $83,682 of the $119,980 agreed to in 2017. This leaves $36,298 in remaining budgeted project funds.

As part of its 50 percent cost-sharing agreement with Manatee County, the CRA has received $41,841 in county reimbursements. In March, the CRA and the county extended that interlocal funding agreement until year’s end.

Speciale told CRA members the county originally agreed to contribute up to $125,000 for a project not to exceed $250,000. Perry questioned whether the county is willing to reimburse the CRA for the additional costs now being discussed. She suggested asking the county’s engineer to review the engineering work Clarsen Consulting Engineering did on Hecker’s behalf.

On Feb. 6, CRA members discussed but never formally approved a $9,200 estimate from Hecker Construction for engineering and permitting services. According to Thompson, the CRA has not yet been invoiced for those services.

Speciale said if wood pilings are used, Hecker’s engineer calls for a piling every five feet. Speciale said Building Official Steve Gilbert questions whether Hecker’s engineer is “over-engineering” the number of pilings needed.

Speciale said he was told the piling requirements increased after Hurricane Irma hit in September 2017, but he did not specify which agency or building code now requires more pilings than would have been required when the project was contracted in 2017.

On Friday, Gilbert said he’s not aware of any changes to the Florida Building Code that would require more pilings. On Friday, Perry said she was not aware of any new engineering requirements imposed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

“This issue concerns me,” Perry said.

The packet for the April 10 CRA meeting includes two proposed budget amendment requests. If approved, the proposed $45,302 CRA budget amendment would cover the additional cost to complete the dock project using wooden pilings. The proposed $69,456 budget amendment would cover the additional cost to complete the project using composite pilings.

Dock floats delivered, project moving forward

Written by Joe Hendricks on March 9, 2019. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – It took two years, but the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) finally has all the parts needed to install a floating public dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier.

According to police chief and pier team facilitator Sam Speciale, 157 dock floats were delivered to the Hecker Construction Company in Gibsonton on Monday, March 4. Speciale provided CRA members with a project update on Wednesday, March 6.

“Everything is at Hecker. The only thing we have left is the permit,” Speciale told the CRA members.

He said Hecker Operations Manager Eric Shaffer is already working with Building Official Steve Gilbert to acquire the city-issued building permits needed before the dock installation can begin.

Speciale said Hecker’s engineer is now revising the permitting documents and expects to deliver them to Gilbert next week. He also said Shaffer plans to make an onsite visit of the pier next week.

“Hopefully, we will have a date they are going to start to install the day dock,” Speciale said.

CRA member and Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie thanked Speciale and City Attorney Ricinda Perry for their efforts that kept the delayed dock project moving toward its anticipated completion.

Hecker Construction was originally subcontracted by Technomarine to install the dock. Hecker will now work directly with the CRA to complete the dock project.

The new dock will be installed along the south side of the pier in the same location as the original floating dock removed in 2016 due to repeated storm and wave damage.

Business impact

When installed, the new dock will provide more than 200 feet of free, short-term public docking for recreational boaters.

It will also provide designated short-term docking space for tour boats, water taxis and a proposed high-speed ferry service between Sarasota, Bradenton Beach and Bradenton. The lack of adequate dockage in Bradenton Beach delayed the anticipated start of the ferry service by more than a year, according to Paradise Boat Tours General Manager Sherman Baldwin.

Baldwin noted that for the past two years his passengers and other local tour boat passengers have had to embark and disembark from the nearby city-owned dock often referred to as the “dinghy dock.”

Baldwin said a return to the floating dock will make it much easier for tour boat passengers to get on and off the boats, especially for those with disabilities.

“In terms of the ferry business, my partners have been waiting patiently for a place for us to dock in Bradenton Beach and it looks like that’s going to happen,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin has already secured ferry docking locations in Sarasota and Bradenton. He said he now hopes to launch the ferry service during the peak tourist season of 2020.

“We’re masters of our own fate now. We have what we need and it’s exciting to see this thing is finally going to happen,” Baldwin said. “I commend the CRA. In light of some real challenges they kept pushing and it looks like that patience has paid off.”

Anna Maria Oyster Bar president and former CRA member John Horne said this is the best news he’s heard in 18 months. His Bradenton Beach restaurant operates in pier-based space leased from the city.

“We’re looking forward to our guests and all those who love Bridge Street returning by boat and helping reduce some of the auto traffic. We get several calls a week asking about dockage and we can’t wait to christen the new floating dock,” Horne said.

Obligations met

The CRA entered into the dock contract with Technomarine in early 2017. The first anticipated installation date was September-October of that year. Manufacturing delays that Technomarine attributed to Hurricane Irma were then followed by several other delays and missed deadlines.

Providing the floats fulfills Technomarine’s contractual obligations and allows for the finalization of the CRA-approved mutual release and settlement agreement that Perry and Technomarine attorney Julianne Frank negotiated last December.

Approximately $36,000 of the $119,980 originally budgeted for the CRA-funded dock project remains available for the permitting and installation phases. Manatee County is reimbursing the CRA for half the project costs using funds generated by the 5 percent tourist tax.

CRA declaring Technomarine in default of dock contract

Written by Joe Hendricks on November 2, 2018. Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Technomarine’s failure to install a floating public dock alongside the Bridge Street Pier has resulted in the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) initiating contractual default proceedings.

The CRA members remain open to taking possession of the manufactured dock sections and finishing the floating dock project with another contractor. They’ve also discussed installing a fixed wooden dock instead. The previous storm-damaged floating dock was removed in August 2017.

The CRA members are considering partnering with the city of Pahokee and seeking a Florida Attorney General Office investigation of Technomarine’s business practices. In April, the city of Pahokee terminated its contract with Technomarine for a stalled city marina and campground renovation project and filed a lawsuit seeking to recoup $125,000 paid to Technomarine.

The Bradenton Beach dock sections were manufactured by Ronautica Marinas in Spain and shipped to Port Everglades in August. On Sept. 25, Technomarine CEO Erik Sanderson emailed Police Chief and Pier Team facilitator Sam Speciale and informed him the dock sections were trucked to a Tampa boat yard pending future barge delivery to Bradenton Beach.

To date, Sanderson has not provided an address for the undisclosed storage location and City Attorney Ricinda Perry said the dock sections remain Technomarine’s property until delivered to Bradenton Beach.

Default letter

On Oct. 18, the CRA directed Perry to draft a letter putting Technomarine and Sanderson on notice of being in default of the $119,980 contract the CRA and Technomarine executed in January 2017 and finalized in March 2017.

On Friday, Oct. 26, Perry sent the requested letter to City Clerk Terri Sanclemente and asked that it be reviewed by CRA chair Ralph Cole before being sent by certified mail to attorney Roger Stanton at Technomarine’s North Palm Beach office. Perry also requested that Speciale email the default letter to Sanderson.

“It appears that the actions of Technomarine are akin to defrauding taxpayer monies and civil theft.”
– Ricinda Perry, City Attorney

“To date, you have failed to provide a proper set of engineered plans in accordance with the request for proposal submission by Technomarine, failed to provide the dock materials paid for by the CRA on July 31 and failed to timely install the floating dock. Technomarine has been largely unresponsive and has provided little to no communication or reasonable assurances as to when your legal obligations will be performed,” Perry’s letter states.

“Despite reassurances from Technomarine that the materials would be delivered to the CRA— to date no such delivery has occurred. Significantly disconcerting is the testimony under oath provided by Erik Sanderson on Aug. 8 in his deposition from Karch v. Sanderson, wherein he stated ‘the city of Bradenton Beach project, to my knowledge is paid in full and 100 percent complete.’ Mr. Sanderson also testified the ‘city of Bradenton Beach doesn’t make payments to Technomarine Construction. They make payments direct to the factory and to the contractor.’ These statements were patently false testimony,” Perry’s letter states.

According to City Treasurer Shayne Thompson, the city has made three payments to Technomarine Construction Inc. totaling $83,682 – including the $29,961 July payment Technomarine was supposed to reallocate to Ronautica Marinas.

When contacted on Monday, Oct. 29, Ronautica Managing Director Oscar Fontan said Technomarine has not yet paid Ronautica for the Bradenton Beach dock sections and Ronautica plans to file a $51,000 lawsuit against Technomarine.

Perry’s letter concluded by saying, “It appears that the actions of Technomarine are akin to defrauding taxpayer monies and civil theft. You have 10 days from the receipt of this correspondence to make appropriate arrangements to resolve the delivery of the dock materials. Failure to do so will result in my client exercising any and all of its legal rights to protect its public funds and this current project. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to work out an amicable solution.”

Perry recently told the CRA members it would be a waste of time and money to file a lawsuit against the financially-strapped company.

As of Friday, Nov. 2, neither Sanderson nor Stanton had replied to the certified letter or Speciale’s email. Company representative Anna Bennett did inform Speciale that she is no longer associated with Technomarine.

BB Dock Delays — The Bradenton Beach CRA members are now considering installing a wooden fixed dock alongside the historic Bridge Street Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Karch v. Sanderson

The Karch v. Sanderson lawsuit Perry referenced pertains to Sanderson’s Aug. 8 deposition as part of the ongoing legal actions stemming from a 2017 lawsuit in which Christopher Karch sought $3.87 million from Sanderson and Technomarine. In April, Karch was awarded $1.7 million, which he is now trying to collect.

In 2014, Karch agreed to serve as Technomarine’s qualifying contractor. The lawsuit alleges Sanderson and Technomarine wrongfully converted the proceeds of two multi-million-dollar marina projects and entered into those contracts without Karch’s knowledge or consent.

“Sanderson owns, controls and employs Technomarine Group as a sham entity to defraud creditors,” Karch claimed in the lawsuit complaint.

According to the written transcript of Sanderson’s August deposition, Technomarine Construction has not accepted any contracts in 2018 and is “unwinding as a company because it’s a loss leader.”

Sanderson also said Technomarine did not plan to renew the lease on its North Palm Beach office space and he was not sure if he planned to file bankruptcy, according to the deposition transcript.

Tingley Memorial Library options discussed

County providing additional funding for pier repairs, ferry enhancements

City rejects Pines Trailer Park lot split application, expects new development plans

Revised condo inspection ordinance now addresses habitable stories

City responding to Cushing lawsuit subpoena

Shorebird nesting season has begun on Anna Maria Island

Tingley Memorial Library options discussed

County providing additional funding for pier repairs, ferry enhancements

City rejects Pines Trailer Park lot split application, expects new development plans

Revised condo inspection ordinance now addresses habitable stories

City responding to Cushing lawsuit subpoena

Shorebird nesting season has begun on Anna Maria Island

Planning a successful fishing adventure

Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers host fly-casting clinic

Reel Time: Remembering Captain Zach

Reel Time on The Road: Fishing the Chass

On the Cusp: legislative action needed

The Waterman 2026: Fishing for a purpose

Selling your home gives you big tax breaks

Hidden issues in your future home

Non-commercially-rented beach cabanas still allowed in coastal conservation zones

The thaw has begun

Izzy’s Place opens at former Slicker’s Eatery site

Tips on selling in a funky market

Lori Waggoner wins Key Royale Club’s match play tournament

City to install guideline signs at pickleball courts

CENTER SCOREBOARD: flag football and soccer

CENTER SCOREBOARD: flag football and soccer

CENTER SCOREBOARD: flag football and soccer

Center Scoreboard: flag football and soccer

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Political Cartoon

What statewide recognition says about West Manatee Fire Rescue

2026 brings change and consistency

Political Cartoon

Thanks to Carol Soustek

Coast Lines: So long, farewell

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Churches of Anna Maria Island

Churches of Anna Maria Island

Insider’s Island – The insider’s guide to outdoors AMI

Readers’ Choice Awards 2025

Churches of Anna Maria Island

Tag: floating dock

Other Duncan projects

County support

Safety railings

Project costs

More money

Business impact

Obligations met

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Karch v. Sanderson