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Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some

Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach and Manatee Beach are open again.

By order of the Manatee County Commission, the county beaches and beach parking lots on Anna Maria Island reopened at 10 a.m. this morning.

Public Safety Director Jake Saur closed the county beaches and beach parking lots on March 20 in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. But the beaches were never totally off-limits to Island residents, vacationers and those who found parking spaces.

Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some
The Bridge Street Bazaar in Bradenton Beach reopened with new plexiglass shields to protect the employees. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Monday also marked the return of outdoor dining, with tables spaced at least 6 feet apart and indoor dining at 25% capacity according to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ phase one reopening plans, which took effect Monday.

These masked friends from Tampa – Caroline, Abby and Lesley – enjoyed lunch at Ginny’s and Jane E’s in Anna Maria on Monday. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Many of the Island’s retail businesses also reopened Monday in accordance with the 25% capacity set forth in DeSantis’ executive order.

Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some
The Ugly Grouper in Holmes Beach was open for lunch on Monday. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The entryways to Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach and Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach are now staffed by county workers who hand drivers 5 by 7 cards with COVID-19 safety tips on one side and the handwritten date and arrival time on the other.

The dashboard cards provide county code enforcement officers the information they need to issue $25 parking citations to those who linger too long – with no tires chalked.

“If you’re away from people and keeping your distance, you can be out in the open air enjoying the sunshine, water and sand.” – Tina Miller, Bradenton resident

“Our goal today is to be courteous and helpful to the people who want to enjoy the beach,” Manatee County Code Enforcement Officer Zach Stiscak said, noting the goal is to educate beachgoers, not ticket them.

Construction projects at Manatee Beach and Coquina Beach have reduced parking capacity at both beaches. When a parking lot becomes full, entry will be delayed until cars leave and make room for others.

The main entrance at Coquina Beach is open. Drivers can also pull through the Coquina South boat ramp parking lot and under the Longboat Pass Bridge to access the south parking lot.

The beach restrooms are open, but the concession stands are not.

With no gated entryways, enforcement of the two-hour parking limit at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach was minimal.

The parking lot at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria remains closed.

Back to the beach

Amanda Daughtry and her two sons were among the first to arrive at Manatee Beach Monday morning.

“We are out of the house and so excited,” she said, noting she didn’t think their beach visit would expose them to greater risk.

Bradenton resident Tina Miller sat on the beach with two friends from Michigan.

“Opening the largest playground in Manatee County for large gatherings sends the wrong message.” – Bill Tokajer, Holmes Beach Police Chief

“I am so happy they reopened the beaches. If you’re away from people and keeping your distance, you can be out in the open air enjoying the sunshine, water and sand. Thank you, Manatee County,” Miller said.

Manatee Beach was busy but not packed, and for the most part beachgoers practiced social distancing. The same was true at Cortez Beach and at Coquina Beach, where Bradenton residents Judy and Dennis Schultz enjoyed beach time with seasonal Cortez residents Deb and Bob Bates.

“We missed it a lot,” Judy Schultz said.

“We’re snowbirds and we haven’t been able to come to the beach. I’m thrilled that I get to spend a couple days here before we go back to Michigan,” Deb Bates said.

Police perspective

The Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach police departments are not assisting with the enforcement of the two-hour parking rule. And Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer doesn’t think the beaches should be open yet.

Tokajer said that message was conveyed to county commissioners last week before they made their decision.

“Opening the largest playground in Manatee County for large gatherings sends the wrong message. The commissioners need to listen to the medical professionals who are telling everybody the numbers in Manatee County are still too high. Opening the beach indicates the virus is over and everything’s OK, but there’s still the opportunity for this virus to be spread to our workers at Publix, CVS, Walgreens and at our restaurants. That puts our residents, workers and officers in harm’s way.

“Holmes Beach will continue to have no parking on our streets, right of ways and beach accesses and violators will be ticketed and possibly towed,” Tokajer said.

Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale is concerned about the lack of parking at Coquina Beach.

“You’re going to get people from across the state who decide to go to the beach and they’re going to get here and find out there’s no parking because of the construction,” Speciale said.

Lt. John Cosby said, “People are ready to get out, they’re tired of being locked down. But the more people that come out, the more interaction they’ll have with all the Island’s law enforcement officers, and that puts our people at risk,” Cosby said.

Parking remains closed in Holmes Beach

Parking remains closed in Holmes Beach

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Beach parking may be opening to visitors but in Holmes Beach, beach access, side of street and right of way parking remain closed to drivers.

Drivers who illegally park their vehicles may return to find them towed or ticketed. Holmes Beach police officers are regularly patrolling city streets to enforce the parking regulations.

Once the COVID-19 pandemic passes and parking is reopened in the city, visitors and residents will notice some major changes. During an April 28 virtual commission meeting, Chief Bill Tokajer presented a plan to open only the spaces needed for beach renourishment funding and leave much of the city’s parking closed, reducing parking by about 2,000 spaces.

Tokajer said the city is required to have 364 parking spaces available to the public for beach renourishment. In the city’s beach access points, there are 473 public parking spaces available. When the pandemic threat is over, Tokajer said he plans to only open those 473 beach access spaces, which don’t affect residents, and leave right of way and side of the street parking closed on all roads on the west side of the city.

From 28th to 38th streets in the south of the city, parking on the side of the street and right of way will remain closed from East Bay/Gulf Drive west to the beach. From the public beach at Manatee Avenue to 52nd Street, parking will be closed west of Gulf Drive except at beach accesses. In the rest of the city, side of the street and right of way parking will remain closed on all streets west of Marina/Palm Drive north to the Anna Maria city border. Once the new regulations are put into effect, Tokajer said his officers would monitor the situation to see if adjustments need to be made. He said the new regulations hopefully will ease beach parking and reduce traffic in residential areas.

Jayne Christensen, former chair of the city’s congestion committee, said that she’s “100% behind it,” and that the reduction in street parking in residential neighborhoods was exactly what her committee was working for.

“Thank you for doing this,” she said to commissioners.

“This is just a wonderful, big step to bringing balance back to the Island,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said.

Commissioners Pat Morton, Kim Rash, Jim Kihm and Terry Schaefer all agreed that they are behind enforcing the permanent reduction in parking.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Kihm said, adding that if any visitors to the Island want beach parking, they’d better plan to come out early.

Tokajer said he’s already ordered signs to be put up in anticipation of reopening the street end beach access parking and the removal of the no parking banners currently placed throughout the city. He added that the parking measures would not affect service workers, such as landscapers who are working at a residential property, from parking on the side of the street.

Another parking change that surprised even city leaders came when the Florida Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the county administrator’s office, put up signs on the south side of Manatee Avenue, prohibiting overflow parking from the Kingfish Boat Ramp.

In her May 1 report on the status of the city, Mayor Judy Titsworth said that FDOT gave Tokajer permission to cover the no parking signs across from Kingfish with bags. She added that the city will work with FDOT to come up with a safer, designated parking area for overflow parking for the boat ramp. During that time, however, the historic overflow parking on Manatee Avenue remains open to boaters.

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Holmes Beach logo OLD

Commissioners give relief to local businesses

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars, Retail.

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners agreed during an April 28 virtual work session to do away with the fees associated with the city’s business tax receipt program, but only for the coming fiscal year.

Commissioner Terry Schaefer brought the issue to his fellow commissioners’ attention as a way to offer some financial relief to businesses that might be struggling due to COVID-19 closures. Schaefer said he’d like to give the business owners a break on the BTR, which was set to increase by 5% when renewals are due in the fall.

“It’s an effort on behalf of the city to work with our businesses,” Schaefer said, adding that if nothing else, it shows that the city’s leaders recognize the financial hardship that business owners are currently operating under.

He did not suggest doing away with the increase, which is now planned to go into effect for fiscal year 2021-22.

The city brings in about $45,000 in revenue from the BTR program. The 5% increase was approved to help cover more of the costs of administering the program. The work is done by the city clerk’s office to record, issue and renew the city’s BTRs.

City Attorney Patricia Petruff said that she would draft an ordinance for discussion at a future work session that requires business owners to file for new BTRs and renewals without having to pay the associated fee.

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The Center receives financial help

The Center receives financial help

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Center of Anna Maria Island, Community News, Holmes Beach.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Center of Anna Maria Island’s finances are turning around thanks to support from dozens of donors over a few days.

In a May 2 letter, Executive Director Chris Culhane said the week ended with more than $91,000 in donations, helping to quickly reopen The Center’s doors when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted without sacrificing programming.

“The Board of Directors, the staff and I are blown away and beyond grateful,” Culhane said in the letter. “I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for The Center’s continued success.”

During the week of April 27, The Center participated in the Giving Partner Challenge, finished the Carter Challenge, had the Melancon Challenge and received a donation from the city of Holmes Beach.

The Giving Challenge offered a dollar-for-dollar match on funds donated between $25 and $100 over a 24-hour period through the challenge website. The challenge took place from noon on April 29 to noon on April 30. At the end of the challenge, The Center came in at 38 out of 678 participating area nonprofits with $76,938 in donations and $14,108 in matching funds to end the day at $91,046. The Melancon Challenge, created by Holmes Beach residents Mary Catherine and Mark Melancon, matched donations received through the Giving Challenge up to $10,000.

The Carter Challenge, created by Anna Maria residents Bob and Carol Carter, ended at the same time as the Giving Challenge but matched donations of $1,000 or more given directly to The Center up to $10,000. The ladies of the Roser Church Women’s Guild stepped up and donated $1,100 to The Center during the Carter Challenge on April 30.

On April 28, Holmes Beach commissioners voted four to one, with Commissioner Jim Kihm dissenting, to donate $22,500 to The Center for the 2019-20 fiscal year. The amount is the city’s budgeted customary annual donation to the nonprofit.

During the virtual meeting, Culhane spoke on The Center’s behalf, stating that the nonprofit typically needs $200,000 to make up revenue shortfalls from July through December. Before the COVID-19 crisis, which forced the nonprofit to shut its doors to the community in March, Culhane said it was estimated that The Center would end its fiscal year June 30 with $190,000 in the bank. With the loss of memberships, fundraisers and other programming, he told city commissioners that the new estimate is to end the year with $40,000-50,000, far short of the needed funds.

Now, with the funds raised through the various challenges, city donation and the anticipated receipt in a few months of a $150,000 donation from the estate of a private donor who passed away, The Center should be on good financial footing entering the 2020-21 fiscal year July 1.

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Boaters outnumber beachgoers in Holmes Beach

Boaters outnumber beachgoers in Holmes Beach

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – While Police Chief Bill Tokajer says the beaches were sparsely attended over the April 17-19 weekend, the boat ramps were packed with vehicles.

After a rainy Saturday, Tokajer said he counted 144 vehicles, not including trailers, parked in and around Kingfish boat ramp at about 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 19. The boat ramp has 57 parking spaces. At the 63rd Street boat ramp, parking spaces also were filled early in the day with some vehicles in the overflow parking area near the city’s dog park.

Despite the large number of boaters, Tokajer said that his officers had no problem enforcing the city’s rules barring parking at beach accesses, in the right of way and along city streets through April 30. Over the second weekend that the new parking regulations have been in effect, he said his officers wrote 37 tickets and didn’t tow any vehicles.

“Pay attention to the signs, people,” he said, referring to the banners placed throughout the city advising drivers that their vehicles will be towed if illegally parked. “Your car can be towed. Do not think that you can get away with a $50 ticket.”

Over the previous weekend, April 10-12, police officers wrote 69 tickets and towed seven vehicles.

“People are starting to pay a little bit more attention than they were and that’s our goal, to get compliance,” Tokajer said.

The city’s new parking regulations remain in effect through April 30 or until the executive directive is rescinded by Mayor Judy Titsworth.

Officers enforce new parking measures

Officers enforce new parking measures

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – The Easter weekend was a busy one for Holmes Beach police officers as they worked to enforce the city’s new no parking mandates.

Beginning April 10, no parking orders went into effect in the city, blocking parking at all beach accesses, along city streets and in the right of way. Banners were placed throughout the city warning drivers that violators would be towed and beach accesses were blocked by police barricades. Some private parking areas where businesses were closed also were blocked off to prevent illegal parking on April 12.

Also on Sunday, officers and tow truck drivers created a staging area at the then-closed Kingfish Boat Ramp where 7 vehicles were towed on Sunday. In a conversation with The Sun on April 13, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that he had nine officers out on April 12 to help educate drivers. He said that his officers warned drivers as they parked that if they left the vehicle it would be towed at their expense. Without that, he said that the number of cars towed would have been much higher, around 40-50. For the drivers whose vehicles were towed, Tokajer said the vehicles were towed to the boat ramp instead of in town and officers gave the drivers a ride to Kingfish to pay to retrieve their vehicles while pointing out all of the banners and signs the drivers had passed warning of the city’s new parking policies.

Tokajer said that officers gave drivers 69 parking tickets over the weekend to help educate them that the new parking regulations would be enforced. He added that he had five tow trucks from different companies on Sunday to tow illegally parked vehicles. With Kingfish reopening on April 13, he said that if needed, officers may set up a towing staging area across the street instead of using the area for overflow boat trailer parking.

Both Tokajer and Titsworth said the new parking regulations are designed to help discourage people from coming to the beach and encourage them to abide by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ stay at home order, which is set to expire at midnight on April 30. Tokajer said he felt the new parking regulations helped with social distancing and keeping large groups from gathering.

The new parking regulations remain in force until at least April 30 or when Mayor Judy Titsworth rescinds her executive directive.

In Bradenton Beach, Lt. John Cosby said that there were no issues with illegally parked vehicles over the weekend. While the city remains under a state of emergency, drivers are advised to not park in the First Street North municipal parking lot, at the Coquina and Cortez county beach parking lots or in barricaded areas. Bradenton Beach police officers are strictly enforcing the new rules and violators may be ticketed or have their vehicles towed at their own expense.

– Sun reporter Joe Hendricks contributed to this story.

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Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Visitors to local beaches may have a surprise if they park on city streets, at beach accesses or along the right of way. Beginning at 6 a.m. on April 10, Holmes Beach police officers will tow violators at the violator’s expense.

A press release from the HBPD on April 9 stated that all city parking would be closed, except that on private property, to discourage people from congregating at the beach. All Manatee County beaches, including Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach, remain closed to the public.

In an April 9 conversation with The Sun, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said that the decision to close the remaining parking at beach accesses, along with street and right of way parking, was made after officers witnessed a larger than normal amount of people on the beach April 8. She said the point is to discourage people from coming to the beach and, rather than issuing a parking ticket that a driver may dismiss or ignore, officers will be towing the vehicles at the owner’s expense.

“Anyone who is illegally parked will be towed,” she said.

To help with outreach for the new parking regulations, Titsworth said that new banners had been purchased to place throughout the city to inform residents and visitors of the penalties for parking illegally.

She added that while she understands that people may feel “cooped up” staying at home, it’s still very important for everyone to stay home as much as possible and practice social distancing when they go out to stop the spread of coronavirus.

According to an emergency directive issued by Titsworth on April 9, the new parking regulations will continue through midnight April 30 unless terminated through the official action of the mayor.

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Mayor issues executive order for vacation rentals

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy Titsworth wants vacation rentals in her city to remain on hold at least through April 30.

On April 7, Titsworth issued an executive order requiring all vacation rental owners and managers to stop taking new reservations and to cease check-ins until Gov. Ron DeSantis lifts the state-wide stay at home order. The governor’s order is currently set to expire on April 30.

Titsworth’s order is in response to coronavirus concerns and in an effort to slow the spread of the disease. As of April 9, Holmes Beach had one confirmed case of COVID-19, the only case so far on Anna Maria Island.

In Titsworth’s April 8 daily status of the city report related to COVID-19, she said that the city’s vacation rental management companies informed city hall staff that there are many rental check-ins scheduled for the weekend of April 10-12.

In an April 9 discussion with The Sun, Titsworth said she spoke with several rental agency representatives who are expecting check-ins this weekend and needed help to cancel the reservations. By issuing the order, she said it gives the rental agencies the ability to cancel upcoming reservations. Titsworth added that all of the vacation rental managers she’s spoken with are on board with not allowing vacation rentals through the end of the month.

DeSantis issued an order March 27 stopping new vacation rentals in Florida for 14 days. Those 14 days expire on April 10. Titsworth said that during an April 8 policy group conference call with the leaders of neighboring municipalities and Manatee County that it was decided to ask county leaders to reach out to the governor’s office to see if the order stopping vacation rentals could be extended to match the length of the stay at home order.

If the order is not extended, Titsworth has instructed city attorney Patricia Petruff to draft an emergency directive prohibiting any check-ins at vacation rentals and any advertising of residential vacation rental properties until May 1.

Police and code compliance officers are enforcing the city’s no new check-in mandate for vacation rentals.

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First coronavirus case reported on Island

First coronavirus case reported on Island

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – The first case of COVID-19 has been reported on Anna Maria Island and the patient is from Holmes Beach.

When the 10 a.m. coronavirus data came out April 2 from the Florida Department of Health, it showed 73 cases in Manatee County with 50 of them in Bradenton, four in Lakewood Ranch, two in Palmetto, one in Ellenton and one in Holmes Beach. There also are five cases in Longboat Key with three on the Manatee County side of the island and two on the Sarasota County side.

As of April 5, there were 135 cases of COVID-19 in Manatee County with three deaths and 28 hospitalizations, according to data from FDOH.

In Holmes Beach, Mayor Judy Titsworth has been issuing a state of the city report related to coronavirus daily for the past two weeks. Her update April 2 acknowledged the newly identified coronavirus case and reiterated her April 1 request, addressing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order 20-91 ordering all Floridians to limit their movements outside of the house to essential activities, such as grocery shopping or going to the pharmacy, or providing essential services to the community. Titsworth asked that all residents stay at home, if possible, and practice social distancing when it’s necessary for them to leave their homes.

Titsworth extended the city’s state of emergency for an additional seven days, ending on April 6 with the option to extend for another seven-day period to be re-evaluated on a weekly basis. Currently, all city offices are open but the doors of city hall remain closed to the public. The April 14 city commission meeting and work session both are canceled.

She added that the city’s beaches and boat ramps both remain closed, though people are still allowed to go to the beach in groups of 10 or less as long as they practice social distancing, leaving 10-15 feet between groups. At the end of the day on March 31, Titsworth closed all of the city’s parks including the dog park, skate park, basketball court and tennis/pickleball courts to the public to discourage groups of more than 10 people forming and encourage residents to practice social distancing, remaining at least six feet from each other to reduce the community spread of coronavirus. On April 3, she reopened the large dog park with the pavilions remaining closed to discourage socialization by pet parents. Parks and the beaches are all being monitored by Holmes Beach police officers.

She also said that city code compliance officers are monitoring the occupancy levels at Holmes Beach motels, hotels and short-term rentals on a daily basis. On March 25, she sent a letter out asking that all vacation rental owners and agents stop taking new reservations until further notice. On March 27, DeSantis suspended all vacation rental check-ins in the state for a period of 14 days.

In the April 2 report, Titsworth noted that nine out of the 20 properties checked that day by code compliance officers were found to be in violation of the city and governor’s orders and advertising mandates, still allowing for booking and check-in of guests. She said that code and police officers will be monitoring in person and online advertising to make sure that no check-ins take place at vacation rentals. Any property owners or managers found to be in violation will be cited and reported to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Titsworth’s daily updates can be found on the city’s website.

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Holmes Beach logo OLD

Mayor requests temporary end to vacation rentals

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy Titsworth has issued an official request to stop all new vacation rentals in the city in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, Titsworth issued a letter March 25 to all vacation rental owners and agents in the city asking them to stop taking new reservations for the time being. The request does not affect reservations that were already made, though each vacation rental owner or agent may have different policies regarding reservations during this time.

Titsworth’s request states that it’s in response to two executive orders issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis. One order requires all people entering Florida from an area with substantial community spread of the virus to self-isolate for 14 days upon entering the state. The states mentioned in the order include Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, and was later amended to add Louisiana.

The second order involves a public health advisory asking all people over age 65 to stay home and take other measures to limit their potential exposure to the virus.

In response to Titsworth’s request to suspend vacation rental reservations, Barbara Sato, president of the Anna Maria Island Vacation Property Association, forwarded a letter stating that the group will be taking proactive steps for rental properties in Holmes Beach.

Effective March 25 and continuing for three arrival weeks, the group agreed to not take any new reservations for vacation rental properties in Holmes Beach unless the reservation is for one month or longer. Existing reservations for people arriving from the states mentioned in DeSantis’ order are canceled for the next two weeks with the issue to be re-evaluated weekly. Also, for the next three weeks, the group of rental agents agreed to limit the occupancy in vacation rental units to no more than 10 confirmed guests.

Members of the property association include Anna Maria Island Accommodations, Coastal Cottages, AMI Vacation Rentals, Duncan Real Estate, Fran Maxon Real Estate, Island Real Estate, Lizzie Lu’s Island Retreat and Sato Real Estate.

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Mayor discusses the state of the city

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Everyone may feel a little disconnected while social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, but Mayor Judy Titsworth is working to make sure that Holmes Beach residents stay connected to their city government.

Titsworth is releasing daily updates on activities at city hall. The March 27 update gives the most up-to-date information on how things are working behind the closed doors of city hall.

While city hall is closed to the public, allowing only essential city employees to enter, the rear entrance at the police station remains open for emergency access to Holmes Beach police officers.

Right now, the only meetings being held are essential meetings, with the city’s parks and beautification committee, planning commission and city commission work sessions all canceled for the first half of April. The April 14 city commission meeting will be held via teleconferencing with login credentials supplied to the public via the city’s website.

The mayor is continuing to update the city’s state of emergency and re-evaluate the extension on a weekly basis.

HBPD officers are continuing their daily monitoring of the beaches. Currently, all public beaches are closed and city leaders are asking that anyone who does choose to go to the beach during the coronavirus pandemic gather in groups of 10 people or less, maintain a distance of 10-15 feet between groups and park legally. To help with the beach closure, Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that public parking has been reduced by 85-90% for beach parking and that police are enforcing the new restrictions.

Titsworth said that code compliance officers are monitoring occupancy in city hotels, motels and vacation rentals. On March 25, Titsworth issued an official request to all vacation rental owners and agents along with hotel and motel management to ask them to cease taking new reservations at this time. She said that the response to this request has been primarily positive.

Currently, code compliance officers are not conducting vacation rental certificate program inspections. The city’s public works department is working diligently to sanitize city hall, city offices and all city vehicles to help keep employees safe.

The Holmes Beach building department is still open but is only accepting new permit requests through the city’s website. Inspections are still being conducted, with all city inspectors wearing personal protective equipment. Inspectors are considering video submittals for inspections on small permit projects. Contractors have been asked to limit the number of workers on job sites to 10 or less. Anyone with questions about the new policies is asked to contact building department staff by email or by telephone at 941-708-5800.

“I continue to urge all Island residents and guests to continue to practice social distancing,” Titsworth said in her March 27 update. “Everyone in our community has a very important job to do. That job is to assume you have COVID-19 and to not spread your germs. Please continue to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer and stay at home.”

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Local businesses lend a hand to the community

Local businesses lend a hand to the community

Local businesses lend a hand to the community

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Local businesses are reaching out a helping hand to community members amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minnie’s Beach Café, at 5360 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, is offering free breakfasts and lunches to local kids in need. In addition, if anyone is having trouble finding fresh eggs, produce or any items other than paper goods, the staff at the café is willing to help. Call the restaurant with what you’re looking for and, if they have it, the staff is willing to sell supplies to the public. And if you need something but can’t get out and live locally, they’ll deliver your order to you. The restaurant also is offering freshly prepared food to-go. Minnie’s Beach Café can be reached at 941-778-4140. The restaurant is open for pick up from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

The Sandbar Restaurant and Mar Vista are both offering farm fresh organic produce boxes to the public. Each box of vegetables comes straight from Worden Farms and features an assortment of salad greens, root vegetables, culinary herbs, cooking greens and other organic veggies. Each box is $30 with orders delivered to The Sandbar on Thursdays for pick up after 1 p.m. and to Mar Vista on Thursdays for pick up after 2 p.m. The vegetable boxes are the farmer’s choice and cannot be customized.

Both restaurants also have a menu of freshly prepared dishes for pick up along with a selection of grocery items including eggs, cheese, fresh meat and seafood, pasta, fresh vegetables and bottles of wine, beer and liquor. For more information, or to place your order, visit Mar Vista online to order or The Sandbar online to order. Pickup from both locations is available daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Mar Vista is located at 760 Broadway St. on Longboat Key. The Sandbar is at 100 Spring Ave. in Anna Maria.

Over in Cortez, the Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar also is offering not only some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes to-go but groceries, bait, ice, deli supplies and sandwiches, beer, wine and liquor for pick up by land or by boat. The food menu and available groceries change daily as do the groceries available which range from fresh vegetables to milk and eggs, seafood, deli meats and cheeses, fresh bread and even a few paper goods. The restaurant, located at 4628 119th St. W. or at mile marker 49 by boat, is accepting orders online or by phone at 941-798-2035.

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Manatee County public beaches closing Friday 

Manatee County public beaches closing Friday 

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Archives.

MANATEE COUNTY – In reaction and response to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, Manatee County’s public beaches will be closed as of Friday, March 20 at 6 a.m.

Manatee County Public Safety Director Jacob Saur made this announcement with Sarasota County officials on Thursday afternoon at a 3 p.m. press conference at the Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center.

Sarasota County’s public beaches will close at 6 a.m. on Saturday morning, March 21.

Manatee County issued a beach closure-related press release at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Regarding the public beaches in Manatee County, the press release said, “Parking lots will be closed and signs placed to alert drivers, and we expect that most people will heed that advice.”

Manatee County public beaches closing Friday
The Coquina Beach parking lot in Bradenton Beach will be closed as of Friday morning. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The parking lots referred to are at the three county beaches on Anna Maria Island – Coquina Beach and Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach and Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach.

What it means

On Thursday afternoon, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer issued a press release regarding the county’s announcement.

“The Holmes Beach Police Department and Code Compliance Department are enforcing this policy by eliminating public parking. We will continue to proactively patrol the beach to be sure our residents and guests are following the guidance of social distancing. The gates at the public beach located at 4000 Gulf Drive will be locked. Many additional parking areas will be changed to no parking zones. This reduces Holmes Beach’s right of way parking by 70 to 80%. The enforcement guidelines will change based on the daily observations,” Tokajer said in his press release.

When contacted, Tokajer also said the Island’s vacation rental companies are being updated on the closures and any developments that occur.

Manatee County public beaches closing Friday
Folks enjoyed the last few hours of normal beach operations at Manatee Beach Thursday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Lt. John Cosby from the Bradenton Beach Police Department said, “Resort guests, those who live on the Island and those who can find a legal public parking space outside of those areas that are closed will still have access to the beach at this time. We still want you to keep the six-foot distance and no groups larger than 10.”

Cosby said the city of Bradenton Beach currently has no plans to close the public beach access points, some of which are located at city street ends and provide limited or no public parking.

Manatee County public beaches closing Friday
On Thursday afternoon, beachgoers enjoyed the final hours of Coquina Beach being open. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

A one-sentence message posted at the city of Anna Maria website Thursday says, “All beaches in the city of Anna Maria will be closed effective 6 a.m. Friday 3/20/20 until further notice.”

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy was not available for comment after the announcement was made Thursday afternoon.

County statements

In Thursday’s press release, County Administrator Cheri Coryea said, “Each day as our local situation has changed and new advisories have been sent, Manatee County residents have heeded warnings and taken official advice seriously. We’re hoping for more of the same with our beach announcement.”

The press release notes Manatee County lifeguards will remain on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily to ensure the safety of those who disregard the closure. A double red flag, indicating no swimming, will fly from lifeguard stands.

“Manatee County Code Enforcement Officers will assist the Island communities enforcing the beach closure. The Anna Maria Island Trolley will continue to operate,” the press release says.

While the Coquina Beach Cafe will be closing, for now, the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe at Manatee Beach will remain open.

Manatee County public beaches closing Friday
The concession at Manatee Beach will remain open during the beach closures. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Coryea said the decision was made to close beaches with careful input from the mayors on Anna Maria Island, and after speaking with Sarasota County officials in order to continue the close coordination of the two counties during the coronavirus outbreak.

“This is not a step we take lightly to close our beaches, but together with the advice of the public health officials we believe it is a step that’s in the public’s best interest,” Coryea said in the press release.

“Our primary concern is the health and safety of our residents and visitors and the people they return home to. The leadership of the Island cities of Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Anna Maria and the Town of Longboat Key collectively brainstormed this decision and will have the authority to manage the impacts in their community,” Coryea said in the press release.

Coryea, Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells, Manatee County Department of Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Bencie and Saur will provide more details on the local COVID-19 response during a press conference Friday afternoon at 2 p.m.

For a full list of closures and cancellations, visit www.mymanatee.org/coronavirus.

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Holmes Beach mayor declares state of emergency

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Amid growing COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, concerns, Mayor Judy Titsworth declared a temporary state of emergency March 17. The state of emergency will last for seven days before it will either expire or another state of emergency will need to be declared.

Under the state of emergency, the city is eligible for federal and state emergency funds, if needed.

As of March 18, eight cases of patients with the coronavirus in Manatee County had been confirmed by the Florida Department of Health.

For residents and visitors to Holmes Beach, the declared state of emergency means that Titsworth may limit or suspend the sale of alcoholic beverages, establish a curfew and stop price gouging, among other things. Currently, no restrictions have been placed on Holmes Beach residents and visitors though everyone is encouraged by city, state and federal leaders to practice social distancing, limit gatherings to 10 people or less and wash hands regularly.

Some business owners have restrictions placed on them but those have come from the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis required all bars and nightclubs in the state of Florida to close for a 30-day period beginning at 5 p.m. on March 17. Restaurants can still operate, however, they are required to operate at 50% seating capacity for the safety of staff and diners.

Local schools also are affected by the coronavirus with schools, including Anna Maria Elementary School, shuttered until April 15. Manatee County School District employees will return to work for the week of March 23-27 to complete instructions for K-12 students to continue learning at home beginning March 30 using a remote learning program called Schoology. Students will be able to work online from home and communicate with their teachers through the program.

State testing and school grades for the year are canceled by DeSantis with students to have the option of moving forward next school year or remaining in their current grade.

For more information on the city of Holmes Beach’s response to the coronavirus threat, visit the city’s website. For more information on the school district, visit the Manatee County School District website.

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Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – If you were planning on attending an event on Anna Maria Island over the next couple of weeks, your plans may be changing.

Events and programs scheduled to take place through April 17 at the Florida Maritime Museum are canceled or postponed, including all classes at the Folk School, lectures and Music on the Porch.

The city of Anna Maria’s weekly Farmers Market at City Pier Park has been canceled until further notice. The seasonal farmer’s market was scheduled to continue into mid-May.

The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge in Bradenton Beach is closed until at least Monday, March 23. Queen (of Hearts) sales will not resume until further notice.

Because of the COVID-19 virus, all activities except Mass have been temporarily canceled at St. Bernard Catholic Church, including the blood drive, pancake breakfast, coffee/donuts, adult and youth education, the parish mission and the exercise class. The office will remain open.

The Anna Maria Island Garden Club flower show, scheduled for March 18 at Roser Memorial Community Church, is canceled.

The Grass Roots concert planned to take place at The Center of Anna Maria Island on March 19 has been postponed to December 3 by the Manatee Performing Arts Center. Ticket holders can contact Manatee Performing Arts Center at 941-748-5875 to inquire about refunds. Tickets for the show are still on sale and previously purchased tickets will be valid for the new date. The Center of Anna Maria Island remains open for regularly scheduled classes, fitness center hours, sports, youth programs and other programming. Operations Director Aris Thompson said that regular updates will be posted on the nonprofit’s social media page. Members also can contact The Center at 941-778-1908 for more information.

The Island Branch Library canceled its book sale, scheduled for March 20 and 21. No reschedule date has been set.

The Center of Anna Maria Island’s 27th Annual Tour of Homes, scheduled for Saturday, March 21, will be postponed until 2021 due to coronavirus concerns. A press release from The Center states that tickets purchased for this year’s Tour, along with raffle tickets for the final Tour quilt, will be good next year. Ticket’s purchased for the quilt drawing will be included in next year’s drawing.

West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners have canceled their upcoming March 24 meeting. Their next meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on April 21 with a budget workshop at 5 p.m.

The March 30 Tourist Development Council meeting has been canceled; the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is expected to announce the rescheduled meeting soon.

The Beach’n Food Truck & Music Festival scheduled for Saturday, April 11 at City Field in Holmes Beach has been postponed. Event organizers are expected to provide future updates and/or a future rescheduled date.

Manatee County School District students will be getting an extra week of spring break until Monday, March 30 with employees returning to work March 23. All extracurricular activities and sports also are canceled until March 30.

Amid coronavirus concerns, the Holmes Beach Art Walk scheduled for Friday, March 13 was canceled. Both the Artist’s Guild Gallery and Island Gallery West remain open to customers during business hours as does the newly reopened Sand Dollar gift shop.

The Anna Maria Island Privateers postponed their March 14 Thieves Market in response to concerns about the spread of coronavirus. The new date for the outdoor market is April 11 at Coquina Beach.

Health concerns also prompted parade organizer, Sean Murphy of The Beach Bistro, to postpone the 21st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Holmes Beach. In a March 12 Facebook post on the Bistro’s page, it was noted that the parade will be rescheduled for later in the year. The parade was previously scheduled to take place Sunday, March 15.

The Island Players closed their theater doors after performances on Sunday, March 15. The theater will reopen for the final show of the 2019-20 season, “Death by Design,” on April 30. The play runs through May 10. For ticketholders for performances of the current show, “Leading Ladies,” contact the box office for a refund for shows scheduled after March 15.

The Off Stage Ladies also announced that their April 8 meeting is canceled.

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