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Moose lodges host Christmas party for kids

Moose lodges host Christmas party for kids

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured, Holiday.

BRADENTON – Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 and Bradenton Moose Lodge #1223 teamed up to bring holiday joy to area children on Dec. 14.

As was the case with the AMI lodge’s annual kid’s Halloween party, the Christmas party was again held at the Bradenton lodge because lodge #2188 in Bradenton Beach suffered significant damage during hurricanes Helene and Milton and remains closed for the foreseeable future.

The lodges also joined forces for the 2023 kids’ Halloween party while the AMI lodge’s dining room floor was being replaced.

Moose lodges host Christmas party for kids
One of these youngsters correctly guessed how many pieces of candy were in the tumbler. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Moose lodges host Christmas party for kids
Eliana, 2, received a visit from Rudolph. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

42 children attended Saturday’s party. Upon arrival, each child was asked to guess the number of candies contained in a tumbler sitting on the table. Malcolm Riti hit it right on the head when he guessed 30 pieces. The kids also received gingerbread-themed stickers and sticker sheets. They were treated to a breakfast of French toast sticks before Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer arrived, which led to the children singing Rudolph’s theme song.

Moose lodges host Christmas party for kids
Sandra Zenzel read “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Moose lodges host Christmas party for kids
When Natalie later opened her present, she discovered a My Look sparkling gem hair styler. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Before Santa arrived, AMI lodge member and event volunteer Sandra Zenzel read aloud “ ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The kids were then asked to sing “Here’s Comes Santa Claus” to greet Santa as he and Mrs. Claus arrived. After taking his seat, Santa visited with the children and each child received a gift selected specifically for them.

Moose lodges host Christmas party for kids
Amani, 7, received a gift from Santa. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Moose lodges host Christmas party for kids
Seven-year-old Amani received a makeup kit. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

As the festivities wound down, AMI lodge Administrator Byron Dalton noted the annual children’s parties are part of the Moose organization’s mission to serve the community. Dalton expressed appreciation for the Bradenton lodge’s partnership and the teamwork shared with lodge administrator Wanda Ayers. Ayers tended bar during Saturday’s party and served Bloody Marys and other adult beverages to some of the parents and grandparents in attendance.

Moose lodges host Christmas party for kids
Henry, 8, received a Terra remote-controlled spider. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Moose lodges host Christmas party for kids
These Women of the Moose members helped organized the party. Shown from left to right are Kathy Blair, Sandra Zenzel, Terri Dalton, Linda Rosso, Joanne Eyester. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Regarding the damaged lodge in Bradenton Beach, Dalton said the plan is to soon wall off the south end of the lodge so the social quarters (the bar area) and the upper deck can be used while waiting for the dining room to later be restored or reconstructed.

Bradenton Beach condemns 25 properties

Bradenton Beach condemns 25 properties

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – City Building Official Darin Cushing has released a list of 25 con­demned properties in the city.

It is the only city on Anna Maria Island where properties have been condemned after Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton hit in September and October, disproportionately affecting the southernmost city on the Island.

“I have forwarded this list to our attorney (City Attor­ney Ricinda Perry), and she is supposed to be drafting a letter to send out to each of the property owners .I’m not sure if she has done this as of yet, ”Cushing stated in his Dec. 2 email to The Sun. “The house that floated down 12th Street S. (1201-A Gulf Drive S.) was already demolished and removed, since it was in the road.”

Three houses already have been demolished by the own­ers, 2301 Ave. B, 300 23rd St. N. and 304 23rd St. N.

Demolition permits have been applied for at 2000 Gulf Drive N. and 2004 Gulf Drive N.

The other properties on the list are:

  • 201 Gulf Drive S.
  • 306 Gulf Drive S.
  • 401 Gulf Drive S.
  • 403 Gulf Drive S.
  • 501 Gulf Drive S.
  • 807 Gulf Drive S.
  • 1303 Gulf Drive S.
  • 1207 Gulf Drive S.
  • 1203 Gulf Drive S.
  • 1201 B Gulf Drive S.
  • 303 Gulf Drive N.
  • 305 Gulf Drive N.
  • 1200 Gulf Drive N.
  • 1202 Gulf Drive N.
  • 2214 Gulf Drive N.
  • 2301 Gulf Drive N.
  • 100 Fourth St. S.
  • 100 Ninth St. S.
  • 103 12th St. S.
Bradenton Beach condemns 25 properties
The city of Bradenton Beach condemned 25 properties due to damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Many were clustered together and are represented by single markers. – Apple Maps | Submitted

The demolition and removal of condemned properties came up at a Dec. 4 city commission special emergency meeting.

“My biggest concern right now is getting to those homes that are off their foundations or collapsed or leaning over,” Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby said.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh asked if the homeowner is responsible for the demolition and removal of condemned buildings.

“Yes, we do not go on private property,” Cosby said.

“I’m working with Ricinda (City Attorney Ricinda Perry) to get a letter out to individuals,” Building Official Darin Cushing said. “There’s probably 20 that we deemed condemned because they were just a danger and a hazard.”

Vosburgh asked if insurance companies will cover the cost of demolition and removal.

“This issue is quite a few don’t have insurance. These homes have been in the family for generations, so they never purchased any flood insurance, they just have fire insurance and just felt if something happened, something happened, and now of course something happened,” Cosby said. “And now they don’t know what to do and don’t have the funds to do it. The bottom line is, it’s got to be up to them.”

Cosby said those homeowners may have the option to sell the property at a lower cost.

“We, at some point if they don’t comply, will wind up taking them to court,” Cosby said.

“Originally FEMA had put out some guidance that they were going to help cover this cost. We researched it a little better and it’s not quite what it seems it was going to be,” Cosby said. “What they’re doing is, if your house is insured through the Flood Insurance plan, they will offer the homeowner a $30,000 grant to remove that house and also help them construct a house to code.”

Bradenton Beachcondemns 25 properties
This condemned home along Gulf Drive North, near the Cortez Bridge, suffered substantial hurricane damage. – Leslie Lake | Sun

Bradenton Beach participates in the nationwide Community Rating System (CRS). The CRS is a voluntary incentive program that encourages and recog­nizes the community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum require­ments of the National Flood Insurance Program, according to the FEMA website.

“In CRS communities, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community’s efforts that address the three goals of the program: Reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property; strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program; and foster compre­hensive floodplain manage­ment,” the FEMA website states.

Cosby outlined an example of why it’s critical for the city to comply with the CRS guidelines.

“Five cities down in Lee County got put basically on probation. They lost 25% of their flood insurance. So, if you had a $100,000 flood insurance policy it just went to $75,000 because they violated the build back (rule),” Cosby said. “That’s why it’s so important that we follow this process on the 50/50 rule.”

“I know a lot of people are upset about it but everything that is put in by the state people as they track what Darin and Steve (former Building Official Steve Gilbert) are doing goes directly to FEMA so they see it,” he said. “So basically, these five cities have been told that if they don’t come within compliance, they will lose all their flood insurance, and nobody will be able to get a flood insurance policy in those municipalities.”

Cosby said homes that were elevated and in compliance with current codes received very little damage in the recent hurricanes.

“There’s absolutely no damage to those buildings at all,” he said. “It does work and unfortu­nately, it’s costly and if you can’t afford it, that’s when the issue comes in. Those people whose houses are up higher and they’re in compliance, why should they lose their insurance because others won’t or can’t make that happen?”

Cosby said it’s up to local governments to follow the appropriate guidelines.

“If you’re not following those guidelines, you’re going to get nailed and we can’t afford that to happen,” he said. “It’s too costly for our homeowners that still have insurance. We don’t want to get in that situation.”

Related coverage:
‘Love Shack’ cottage owner staves off condemnation
Mobile homes likely within repair guidelines
Damage assessments continue in Bradenton Beach
Mobile homes likely fall within repair guidelines

Mobile homes likely within repair guidelines

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – Preliminary data from hurricane damage assessments may offer some hope to mobile homeowners at the Pines Trailer Park and Sandpiper Resort Co-op.

At a Dec. 4 emergency city commission meeting, Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce asked Building Official Darin Cushing if inspectors had completed damage assessments at the mobile home parks.

“The trailer parks I can tell you are probably much better off than a lot of people were worried about,” Cushing said. “There are, I would say, only maybe three or four at the Pines that are above and beyond the 50%, the rest are below. The Sandpiper, same deal, maybe three or four there and one of them is already in the process of permitting a new elevated trailer there.”

Preliminary data: Mobile homes likely fall within repair guidelines
One Pines Trailer Park mobile home was severely damaged in hurricane – Leslie Lake | Sun

The 86 mobile homes at the waterfront Pines Trailer Park had varying levels of water intrusion during the storm surge from Hurricane Helene in September.

At an Oct. 17 city commission meeting, mobile homeowners were told that FEMA guidelines related to hurricane flooding triggered a city floodplain ordinance requiring elevation of the mobile homes if the cost to repair those structures to their pre-storm state exceeded 50% of their market value.

Cushing, former Building Official Steve Gilbert and a team of 20 damage inspectors provided by the state assessed hurricane-damaged properties city-wide.

“People have to understand we’re following the process,” Cushing said. “We have to follow federal guidelines and stay in compliance with our Community Rating System and NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) guidelines.”

Following the Dec. 4 meeting, Cushing told The Sun, “Preliminary data coming back from the inspectors looks like most of the Pines and most of Sandpiper parks are going to be in OK shape. They’re going to be able to keep them as they are.”

Cushing said some homeowners will need permits to do some of the repair work.

“That will chip away at some of their 50% looking forward, but it’s a year period, they could do work on it and keep it under 50% for the next year and then after that year’s over they can do more,” Cushing said.

Pines homeowner Ryan Pfahler owns three units at the mobile home park. He resides in one and rents the others.

“I’m not surprised at all,” he said on Dec. 5. “The appraisals have come in fairly high, and we expected most of the trailers would come in under the 50% rule.”

Pfahler said he is reluctant to spend money on appraisals or repairs without a commitment from the ownership that the park will remain in place for at least several years.

“I’m still waiting for answers from the LLC,” Pfahler said. “I don’t want to spend any money on them unless I can live in it and rent them immediately.”

Pfaher said others in the park have told him they are also hesitant to spend money to repair their mobile homes.

“I am not alone in my opinion,” he said. “Most of the people in the park don’t want to put another dime in without a guarantee.”

A representative for park owner Pines Park Investors LLC who did not wish to be named said the LLC is still waiting for official information from the city.

At a Nov. 7 city commission meeting, Shawn Kaleta, one of the park owners, said: “I’ve made a commitment to the residents from our side to keep the park there whatever it can be inside the code. I think that’s a vital part of the community, having residents and having everybody in that community as it exists.”

Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal

Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Ohio residents and childhood friends Dick Kuhlman and Nancy Schrier, both in their early 80s, are thankful they survived the Hurricane Helene storm surge that destroyed Kuhlman’s beachfront cottage while they were in it.

In 2023, Kuhlman’s wife, Judy, passed away and he and Schrier, a widow, later reconnected and began spending time together.

Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal
The Hurricane Helene storm surge crashed through the cottage’s beachfront windows, leaving a demolished structure in its wake. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In the late 1940s, Judy’s grandparents, Floyd and Florence Myers, had purchased a 29-foot Airstream trailer, towed it to Bradenton Beach and parked it on a vacant beachfront lot they owned at 2214 Gulf Drive N.

Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal
The ‘3 Pines Cottage’ looked like this in 2023. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In the years that followed, Floyd built a cottage around the trailer, transforming the cottage Judy later inherited into the 1,180-square-foot “3 Pines Cottage” that served as a family vacation home and a vacation rental managed by Wagner Realty.

Hellish Helene

When contacted separately at their Ohio homes on Nov. 27, Kuhlman and Schrier recounted their survival saga and the kindness they encountered along the way.

Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal
Shown here during a past visit to Chicago, Ohio residents Dick Kuhlman and Nancy Schrier shared a once in a lifetime experience during Hurricane Helene. – Nancy Schrier | Submitted

Kuhlman, who first visited the family cottage in 1965, enjoys coming to Anna Maria Island in September. Schrier had never visited the west coast of Florida, so they drove down to spend a week or so at the cottage. They knew there was a potential hurricane brewing near the Yucatan Peninsula but they didn’t expect it to impact them the way it did.

Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal
The Hurricane Helene storm surge crashed through the cottage’s beachfront windows, leaving a demolished home in its wake.

When Hurricane Helene’s arrival on the Island was predicted, Schrier suggested evacuating. Kuhlman told her the cottage had been there for 75 years and the only hurricane-related water intrusion it ever experienced occurred in the mid-1980s, when 14 inches of water made its way in.

Kuhlman convinced Schrier to stay, but looking back on that decision, he said he should have heeded her advice.

As Hurricane Helene arrived on Sept. 26, the pair watched the Gulf of Mexico waters begin trickling through the sea oats and toward the cottage. When they later saw 4-5 inches of water accumulated on the beachfront porch, they retreated to the kitchen area that was part of the original Airstream trailer.

Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal
The ‘3 Pines Cottage’ kitchen was located in the remains of an old Airstream trailer. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“The wind is really starting to howl and all the sudden a floor lamp by the window tips over. As I stepped out of the ‘trailer’ and into the living room, I was walking in 2 or 3 inches of water under the carpet.”

Large waves began crashing against the beachfront windows. The fourth or fifth wave shattered the southernmost window and the cottage began to flood.

“Within five minutes, we had 4 feet of water throughout the house,” Kuhlman said.

Kuhlman opened a small kitchen window on the street side of the cottage to allow the water out if it got that high.

“For the wrong reason, that was a good thing to do. All the water trying to escape through that very small window created an intense pressure that blew a hole in the trailer wall about 5 feet square,” Kuhlman said.

The refrigerator floated when the storm surge entered the cottage. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The refrigerator began to float and the quartz countertop buckled and fell to the floor. The countertop became wedged against the refrigerator and created a slide-like point of exit to the large hole in the wall.

Kuhlman called 911 but was told the conditions were too bad to dispatch rescuers.

Schrier climbed atop the refrigerator, slid down the countertop and swam and crawled her way out of the cottage. When Kuhlman tried to follow, his foot got stuck between the refrigerator and the stove. After freeing himself, he too made his way out of the cottage.

Now exposed to hurricane force winds, the pair caught their breath while clinging to the Wagner Realty sign. They decided to seek shelter in Kuhlman’s van, which had already moved about 30 feet from where it was parked. Fortunately, the van was unlocked, because they left the flooded house with no keys and without Kuhlman’s wallet and Schrier’s purse, which would later present additional challenges.

Dick Kuhlman’s van provided shelter from the storm. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

After calling 911 and an unsuccessful attempt to walk to a nearby friend’s home, the pair resigned themselves to riding out the storm in the van, where they eventually fell asleep. Around four in the morning, two police officers arrived in an ATV and drove them to the Bradenton Beach Police Station, along the way driv­ing up and over the large sand piles that accumulated atop Gulf Drive. They were then transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital, where Kuhlman was examined for a wound on his arm.

Post-hurricane kindness

At the hospital, they were given dry scrubs to change into before being taken to a shelter at a nearby public school, which Kuhlman entered wearing yellow hospital socks and no shoes. At the shelter, two different women offered them a place to stay after the shelter closed.

They were later transferred to a Red Cross shelter on Manatee Avenue. Kuhl­man’s son, Bret, called from out of state and told his dad an Uber driver would be arriving in five minutes to take them to a friend’s condo in Sarasota. As they headed to their ride, a Red Cross representative who knew Kuhlman had lost his wallet handed him two $20 bills so he had some pocket money. After initially declining the money, Kuhlman got the man’s address so he could later repay him.

After settling in at the condo, Kuhlman went to a bank without any identification and eventually convinced a bank vice-president to allow him to withdraw $400, needed in part to fill some much-needed prescriptions. He also encountered a sympathetic pharmacist who filled the prescriptions without him having any proper identification.

Because the condo owner was returning, Bret had an Uber driver take the pair to the Hyatt Regency hotel, where they were given a significant discount on their room.

At breakfast the following morning, a fellow hotel guest overhead Schrier say she needed a charger cord for her phone. The man opened his briefcase and gave her one of the many he had. Unsolicited, he also gave Kuhlman $100 cash, which Kuhlman later repaid.

“The kindnesses we experienced along the way were incredible. We had wonder­ful encounters in that hotel,” Kuhlman said.

They later faced the daunting challenge of getting through airport security with no physical copies of their drivers’ licenses.

“The hospitality of Florida disappeared there and they were rough on both of us,” Kuhlman said of their encounter with TSA personnel.

After resolving those matters, Bret booked them a flight through Atlanta to Detroit and a driver then took them to Kuhlman’s home in Elmore, Ohio.

“It was a life experience. I wouldn’t want to do it all again, but I think it had the best possible outcome,” Kuhlman said, noting that the cottage was insured and he will be compensated.

After filing an auto insurance claim, he leased a new Mercedes Benz to replace his totaled van.

Kuhlman and his son later returned to the cottage to further assess the damage. The cottage is condemned and it will soon be demolished. The father and son agreed to leave the lot vacant for a couple of years to see how the real estate market unfolds before deciding what to do with the property.

Octogenarians survive Hurricane Helene ordeal
This is what remains of the wood-paneled bedroom. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Schrier said, “It was an experience I don’t want to ever go through again. I was leery about going in the first place because I knew it was around hurricane season, but everybody said we’d be alright, just do what they say. Well, I didn’t do what they said and I paid for it. I told Dick I’m never coming to Florida again.”

She too expressed her appreciation for the kindness they experienced during their adventure.

“It was quite an ordeal. I have lots to be thankful for,” the Fremont, Ohio resident said.

Condemnation notice rescinded for Gulf Drive home

Condemnation notice rescinded for Gulf Drive home

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – You can fight city hall, and win.

The red condemnation notice on Gash Caudill’s Gulf Drive home has been removed by the city following his appeals for a comprehensive inspection.

Caudill, a building contractor who shares the duplex at 1107 Gulf Drive N. with his 84-year-old mother, Betty Cole, saw the notice on Nov. 7 on the front door.

“I was here working, and I found that at 4 o’clock,” Caudill said on Nov. 22. “The red tag stated ‘Your home is damaged beyond repair and must be demolished.’ At 6 o’clock I was down at city hall for the commission meeting.”

He spoke at that meeting and said his home remained structurally sound following the hurricanes and questioned why it had been condemned without an interior inspection.

He then attended the next city commission meeting and spoke to city leaders on Nov. 21.

“Two weeks ago I attended my first ever city hall meeting because before that, city hall had never interfered in my life,” Caudill said. “Now you’re interfering in my life in a big way. I have a condemnation letter that was placed on my house by a building official who’s never been in my home. I never had an inspection or an evaluation and a drive-by declared my home damaged beyond repair and must be demolished. Why?”

Prior to the recent arrival of former city Building Official Steve Gilbert and a team of 20 inspectors provided by the state to assist with damage assessments, City Building Official Darin Cushing had been tasked since the hurricanes with evaluating the damage to hundreds of storm-affected homes citywide. Cushing’s initial assessments primarily consisted of “windshield” assessments.

Condemnation notice rescinded on Gulf Drive home
The home at 1107 Gulf Drive N. is no longer under a city condemnation order following an interior inspection by the Bradenton Beach building official. – Leslie Lake | Sun

“At the last meeting, the city attorney and many others have stated here many times you don’t want to kick us from our homes, and you’re just following FEMA guidelines,” Caudill said. “At the last meeting, I provided the city attorney with a copy of the letter from FEMA stating that my home is safe to live in. FEMA did come to my home on two separate occasions and did an inspection. They determined our home is safe to live in, but you did a drive-by and determined the house needs to be demolished.”

Caudill said he doesn’t want to have to hire structural engineers and attorneys to fight the condemnation, but instead asked for a comprehensive inspection before the home is condemned.

“I don’t qualify for FEMA assistance, that’s how good my home is, but you guys are trying to make me demolish a perfectly good home? That’s home to my 84-year-old mother?” he said. “We’ve been here for 25 years. This is our home; this is our future.”

He said his home is structurally sound and repairs can be done well within the guidelines of the FEMA 50/50 rule.

“It’s just not right. I’m pushing for my case and for a change in the policy. This should not happen to anyone else,” Caudill said.

Following Caudill’s remarks, Cushing responded.

“In individual cases, I have said give me a call, I’ll come down, take a look at it, and see if it’s something you need to be concerned with or you can continue to keep working,” Cushing said. “That’s really what we want everybody ultimately to do.”

Cushing said he would come by Caudill’s home the following day.

“I did go to your house, and I walked around it. I couldn’t get inside of it, as you know, there was sand piled around and debris everywhere,” Cushing said. “I did a walk-by windshield assessment. I did see some cracks in your foundation.”

“Our top priority is for our building department to get on these things as quickly as possible,” Mayor John Chappie said. “We understand there are a lot of people in the city that are in a similar situation.”

“It’s not in stone yet because you haven’t gotten a letter in the mail, so I’ll come take another look at it to get some clarification,” Cushing said.

Commissioner Ralph Cole (no relation to Betty Cole) asked Cushing to make the inspection of Caudill’s home a priority.

“Please put his mind at ease,” Cole said.

RED TAG LIFTED ON NOV. 22

“Darin (Cushing) came by earlier and did an inspection and decided to lift the order of condemnation and give me the go-ahead to proceed with my project,” Caudill said on Nov. 22. “People need to know they can step up and fight city hall on this one because they were premature in placing those red tags, in my opinion.”

Cushing responded to The Sun by text stating, “I was able to see more of the foundation a little better now that more sand is out of the way, and he gave me a verbal estimate of his repairs so I felt it would be ‘savable.’ ”

“I’m very happy today that I can continue to move forward,” Caudill said. “I’ve been in a holding pattern with the stress of wondering am I going to have to tear down a perfectly good home and give up our dreams?”

He said the 1947 home received about 8 inches of water inside during Hurricane Helene.

“This is the first insurance claim it’s ever had,” Caudill said. “There’s never been water in this home before this. This house is built very strong.”

He said the sand surrounding the house was about 3 feet deep.

Condemnation notice rescinded for Gulf Drive home
Gash Caudill will now continue repairs on his Gulf Drive home after the city rescinded a condemnation notice. –
Leslie Lake | Sun

He will be replacing drywall, cabinets and two air conditioning units. According to the Manatee County website, the FEMA value of the structure is $237,956. Caudill estimates repairs will cost around $65,000, well under the FEMA 50/50 guidelines.

“This is a cinder block home, and we’re elevated. There’s a crawlspace under this so there is no foundation to crack,” Caudill said. “What he did see on the outside was some cracks in my stucco, but not structural. He acknowledged that today as we walked around the house together that all my damage is minor and nothing worse than anyone on my block.”

Caudill said his mother had a medical issue about a week before the September storm and has been in the hospital and nursing facilities since.

“She doesn’t even know about any of this that’s going on, we kind of shielded her from it,” Caudill said.

He said he’s looking forward to having her come home once the work is completed in about 30 days.

“Our plan was always for her to age in place and live here for the rest of her life. That’s why I’m fighting so hard. This isn’t just a house, it’s not a vacation rental, this is my mother’s home that she worked 25 years for,” he said.

Christmas tree lights up Bridge Street

Christmas tree lights up Bridge Street

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – Just two months after Hurricane Helene’s storm surge pushed piles of sand and debris into the city, a concerted clean-up effort enabled the festive spirit to return to Bridge Street.

At the city-hosted Christmas tree lighting at the post office on Nov. 21, Mayor John Chappie welcomed the crowd to the town’s main street.

“It’s been 56 days since this storm hit and it’s been tough,” Chappie said. “We are going to step up and do what needs to be done to get our city back up and better. We are survivors and we are going to survive.”

Christmas tree lighting takes place on Bridge Street
Luca meets Santa and Mrs. Claus for the first time at the tree lighting on Bridge Street. –
Leslie Lake | Sun

Chappie applauded Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby as the driving force behind the massive cleanup and the restoration of activity in the city.

“Chief Cosby and his team have been amazing with the recovery that’s happened out here,” Chappie said. “He is an expert in his field of emergency operations and he has helped to develop this team of our city, our public works, our city clerk, our building department, the SERT team that came down to help our community to beat this. We have and we will continue to beat this.”

He introduced Cosby, who was chosen to light the Christmas tree.

“This is the first normal thing we have done since the hurricane,” Cosby said. “And if you look around, we all made the decision to do this five days ago – all the lights and the tree. We weren’t going to do it, then we decided we needed to do it.”

Cosby said following Hurricane Helene, there was 4 feet of sand on just about every road in the city.

“Even when the governor (Gov. Ron DeSantis) came, he looked at me and said, ‘I’ve been to a lot of disasters and I’ve never seen this much sand,’ ” he said.

Cosby thanked FDOT for the help with sand removal, Bradenton Beach city staff and City Attorney Ricinda Perry for organizing the tree lighting.

As Cosby pushed the button to illuminate the tree, cheers sprang up from hundreds of attendees.

The next event, Christmas on Bridge Street, will be held on Dec. 7 beginning at 2 p.m. with a Table of Hope banner signing. In a display of city resilience, the signed banner will be hung across Bridge Street.

Additional signs allowed for hurricane-impacted businesses

Additional signs allowed for hurricane-impacted businesses

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

ANNA MARIA – As part of the ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, Anna Maria commissioners are allow­ing business and restaurant owners to use one additional A-frame sandwich board sign and one promotional flag to help promote their businesses.

On Nov. 19, the city commission adopted Resolution R24-805, which temporarily amends the enforcement of the city’s sign regulations in a manner that allows business owners to display two sandwich boards and one promotional flag per business location until April 30.

Additional signs allowed for hurricane-impacted businesses
Anna Maria businesses are now allowed to display two sandwich board signs to help attract customers. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The resolution was adopted during the regular commission meeting that preceded the swearing in of the new mayor, a returning commissioner and a new commissioner.

The resolution notes that hur­ricanes Helene and Milton negatively impacted the Anna Maria business community and the commission believes the extra sign and flag allow­ances will assist the still-recovering businesses.

The city’s code of ordinances allows one sandwich board sign per business address and prohibits promotional flags and those restrictions are ex­pected to resume on May 1, the day after the resolution expires.

The resolution that City Attorney Becky Vose presented specifically references retail businesses, but Vose later clarified that the intent of the resolution applies to all commercial businesses, including restaurants.

Still serving as commission chair during the Nov. 19 meeting, mayor-elect Mark Short said he met with several Anna Maria business owners the previous day and the proposed sign and flag allowances were sug­gested during that meeting. Short said some businesses are still missing their primary signs and the additional sign and flag allowances would help in that regard.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Commis­sioner Kathy Morgan-Johnson said.

She then noted that while driving around town, it’s hard to tell which businesses are open.

Additional signs allowed for hurricane-impacted businesses
Anna Maria restaurants are allowed to display an extra sandwich board sign as the hurricane recovery continues. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The resolution initially proposed a Jan. 1 expiration date for the ad­ditional sign and flag allowances, but that was extended until April 30 at the suggestion of Commissioner Charlie Salem. That date traditionally marks the end of the peak tourism season and Salem said it gives business own­ers more time to recoup any additional sign and flag expenses they incur.

Short thanked Anna Maria General Store and Pine Avenue Bait and Tackle owner Brian Seymour for suggesting the proposed sign and flag allowances.

“Thank you for getting this done,” Seymour said in response.

Hurricane damage prompts commissioner’s resignation

Hurricane damage prompts commissioner’s resignation

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

ANNA MARIA – Jon Crane has resigned from the Anna Maria City Commission. He announced his resignation during the city commission’s Nov.14 hurricane recovery-related emergency meeting.

“ ‘I come here today with a heavy heart,’ as Lyndon Johnson used to say,” Crane said. “I’m resigning. I can’t live on the Island anymore, as much as I love it.”

Later that day, he tendered his formal resignation letter to City Clerk LeAnne Addy.

Crane said he and his wife are under contract to sell their hurricane-damaged home on the 800 block of North Shore Drive and the sale is expected to close in early December.

“I’m going to make this my last meeting because I’m busy with other things too,” Crane said. “I’ve been honored to work with the mayor and fellow commissioners that live in this piece of paradise. It’s been a good thing to be part of the com­munity, working on the commission, considering items of importance to the community. I hope I’ve served the community well. I’m going to miss everybody, but life moves on,” Crane said.

Before joining the city commission in 2019, Crane served as a Planning and Zoning Board member and plan­ning board chairman. His wife, Dusty, is currently a Planning and Zoning Board member and her pending resignation will create another plan­ning board vacancy.

Mayor Dan Murphy, Mayor-elect Mark Short and Commissioner Charlie Salem were among those who thanked Crane for his service to the community.

“Thank you, not just for what you’ve done as a commissioner, but with planning and zoning and all the other things you’ve been actively involved in,” Short said. “We very much appreciate all that and thank you for what you’ve done.”

Audience member Barbara Murphy said, “I want to personally thank Jon and Dusty. They have been huge in the community. Dusty’s involved with the garden club and Jon and Dusty were instrumental with the museum. Jon was docent and vice president (of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society) for a long time and we’re going to miss you so much.”

The Cranes were longtime California residents before they bought their Anna Maria home in late 2011. They discovered Anna Maria during a year-long retirement tour that included a swing through southwest Florida and a visit with friends who lived in Anna Maria.

Hurricane damage prompts commissioner’s resignation
The Crane’s home was damaged during the two hurricanes that struck Anna Maria Island this year. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

After Thursday’s meeting, Crane was asked if they’re moving because of the hurricane damage their home sustained.

“Yes. Our home was decimated,” he said.

“And the weather’s not getting any better,” he added, regarding the increased frequency and intensity of the severe weather and tidal events that impact Anna Maria property owners.

Crane said he and Dusty still like the area and they might relocate to Bradenton.

In his resignation letter, Crane wrote: “As I announced at the commission meeting today, I am resigning from my position as commissioner on the Anna Maria City Commission. It is with a great deal of regret but it is unavoidable. I feel like I can no longer safely reside on Anna Maria Island. I haven’t lived in my home since Sept. 26 and my property is under a contract of sale. It has been a great honor and privilege to serve alongside the mayor and other commission­ers and you and your staff have been terrific.”

Replacement process

Crane is in the first year of another two-year term in office and his sudden resignation creates an unexpected vacancy on the city commission. The city is now accepting appli­cations from those interested in serving the remaining year of Crane’s term. Applications can be downloaded at the city website.

Dec. 20 is the deadline to submit an application. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the city will host a public forum at city hall during which the commission applicants will answer questions submitted in advance by the public and the media. The four sitting commissioners will then appoint Crane’s successor on Jan. 9.

Post-hurricane property damage assessments begin

Post-hurricane property damage assessments begin

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Beginning with the mobile home parks, individual damage assessments are being conducted by the city along with state damage assessment teams.

The city of Bradenton Beach and vendor partners with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) began conducting post-hurricane assessments of properties on Nov. 14.

“They are starting at the north end with Sandpiper,” according to the City of Bradenton Beach Building Department Facebook page. “The city has been broken into six zones, after Sandpiper is completed, they will begin, in teams of two, the rest of the city. Each team will be assigned a different zone.”

The 20 state inspectors from AC Disaster Consulting may be identified by their vests and lanyards. If you are not home, or do not want them in your home, damage assessments will be conducted on the outside of the home.

According to the City of Bradenton Beach Building Department:

“Damage assessments are conducted to:

• Guide City and County response efforts;

• Determine the severity and magnitude of the event;

• Quantify the damage to homes and businesses impacted by the disaster;

• Assess the need for federal assistance and estimate disaster impact to businesses, individuals and families; and

• Determine whether local resources will be sufficient to effectively respond and recover from the incident.”

Post-hurricane property damage assessments begin
State damage assessment teams will wear identifying lanyards. – Submitted

The assessment determines what was damaged, as well as when, where and how damage occurred. These assessments start the eligibility determination for disaster recovery programs, such as FEMA’s Public Assistance and Individual Assistance Programs, and other potential programs, according to the city Building Department Facebook page.

Substantial improvement and substantial damage determinations will be confirmed at the time of building permit in accordance with City Ordinance No. 21-536, which states:

For applications for building permits to improve buildings and structures, including alterations, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, change of occupancy, additions, rehabilitations, renovations, substantial improvements, repairs of substantial damage and any other improvement of or work on such buildings and structures, the Floodplain Administrator, in coordination with the Building Official, shall:

1) Estimate the market value, or require the applicant to obtain an appraisal of the market value prepared by a qualified independent appraiser, of the building or structure before the start of construction of the proposed work; in the case of repair, the market value of the building or structure shall be the market value before the damage occurred and before any repairs are made;

2) Compare the cost to perform the improvement, the cost to repair a damaged building to its pre-damaged condition, or the combined costs of improvements and repairs, if applicable, to the market value of the building or structure;

3) Determine and document whether the proposed work constitutes substantial improvement or repair of substantial damage; the determination requires an evaluation of previous permits issued for improvements and repairs as specified in the definition of “substantial improvement;” and

4) Notify the applicant if it is determined that the work constitutes substantial improvement or repair of substantial damage and that compliance with the flood resistant construction requirements of the Florida Building Code and this ordinance is required.

“We greatly appreciate your willingness to allow our community inspectors to assess the condition of your property as this is required by the NFIP to protect lives and investment from future flood damages,” the city Building Department Facebook post continues.

“The City of Bradenton Beach must enforce these requirements for federally backed flood insurance to be made available to city residents and property owners at discounted rates based upon the Community Rating System (CRS). Please visit https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance for more information or if you have any questions about this process or the inspectors, please contact us immediately by calling the Bradenton Beach Building Department at 941-778-1005.”

Kaleta solicits post-hurricane development investors

Kaleta solicits post-hurricane development investors

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – At a time when some Anna Maria Island property owners are trying to save their hurricane-damaged homes, developer Shawn Kaleta is seeking investors to help him redevelop Anna Maria Island with a focus on luxury accommodations.

On Nov. 8, The Sun obtained a copy of a prospectus-like document containing the title: “Anna Maria Island Development Fund.” The seven-page PDF document that references Kaleta and his business endeavors includes the following quote: “Our vision is to revitalize and elevate Anna Maria Island, enhancing its appeal as a premier luxury destination. Similar Destinations: Naples, Florida.”

The document also states, “Outdated homes have been impacted in the storms, leaving room for only new, safer luxury construction.”

AMI Development Fund

The second page of the AMI Development Fund document bears the title “Developer Shawn Kaleta and Team” and states: “Leading the Island Development Fund is Shawn Kaleta, a seasoned 20+ year Anna Maria Island real estate developer who owns over 1 Billion in real estate assets and is Anna Maria’s largest real estate holder. Over the past 20 years, Shawn has owned, developed and constructed over 1000 homes on the island and has played an integral role in building Anna Maria into the luxury vacation destination it is today. On top of his personal holdings and developments, Shawn and his companies own and operate many businesses on Anna Maria including 3 property management companies, 3 hotels, 2 restaurants, a real estate brokerage, and a marina as well as many other businesses in Key West, Siesta Key, Lido Key and Casey Key.

“Due to Shawn’s insatiable appetite for the continued improvement and growth of Anna Maria Island, property values will continue to rise as they have under his influence for the past 20 years while he continues to transform the island into one of the top vacation destinations in the country.”

The third page, titled Market Outlook and Future Vision, states in part: “Growth of Real Estate Prices on Anna Maria: The vast improvement of housing quality on the island will lead real estate values to appreciate rapidly. Projected FED (federal) interest rate reductions will see an increase in property values of real estate at a 15-20% rate. Vacation Rental market provides high rental rates for end users to capitalize on.”

Page 4, titled “Investment Details,” notes that the goal is to raise $50 million in the next 3 to 3.5 years, with 10% of the funding to come from the general partner (Kaleta) and 90% to come from the limited partner investors with a 50-50 general partner/limited partner profit split. Apparently, in exchange for his 10% investment, Kaleta would receive 50% of the profits and the other investors would share the remaining 50% of the profits.

Page 4 contains the following bullet points:

  • “Investment and returns to be distributed upon sale of each home;
  • Each home treated as its own individual deal;
  • Sale of home for investment and leisure purposes;
  • Investments will be redistributed at a first in first out basis;
  • No management fee.”

Page 4 also states: “18-22% expected yearly IRR” regarding the internal rate of return on the investment.

Targets

Page 5 contains a cash flow analysis for two residential properties located on Anna Maria Island.

The cashflow analysis of the first property is for an “Inland Lot – New Build” at 110 Ninth St. N. As of Nov. 4, the 110 9th St LLC was registered as a Florida Limited Liability Company with the Florida Division of Corporations. The LLC lists attorney Louis Najmy as its registered agent and Kaleta as its manager.

Kaleta solicits post-hurricane development investors
This home at 110 Ninth St. N. in Bradenton Beach suffered hurricane damage. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

According to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office, the only property with that address on Anna Maria Island is located in Bradenton Beach, not Anna Maria, as the prospectus claims. The FEMA market value of that home was $787,128 as of Jan. 1. The owner is listed as the Constance C. Novak Trust.

FEMA market value is the improvement value (the structure or structures on the property) plus 15%, according to Bradenton Beach Building Inspector Darin Cushing.

The cost analysis lists a $900,000 land purchase price, an additional $10,000 in closing costs and $910,000 as the capital required. Regarding the construction costs, the cashflow analysis lists $50,000 for design and permitting, $1.325 million for hard costs and $325,000 for soft costs, totaling $1.7 million on construction costs.

The cashflow analysis includes an additional $170,000 in construction loan interest expenses, bringing the total estimated construction cost to $2.78 million, with an estimated sale value of $4.5 million. The cashflow analysis does not provide any additional details on the design and permitting costs or the hard costs and soft costs.

Kaleta solicits post-hurricane development investors
The home at 709 Fern St. in Anna Maria sold for $855,000. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The cashflow analysis for the second property is for an “Inland Lot – Renovation” at 709 Fern St., Anna Maria. As of Nov. 4, the 709 Fern LLC was registered with the Florida Division of Corporations. The LLC lists Najmy as its registered agent and Kaleta as its manager.

According to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s office, that property contains a ground-level, single-story residential structure with a FEMA market value of $626,678 as of Jan. 1. The owner is listed as the Karen E. Sparks Declaration of Trust.

The cost analysis lists an $800,000 land purchase price, with an additional $10,000 in closing costs totaling $810,000 for the capital required. According to the Stellar MLS listing, the home and property at 709 Fern St. sold on Nov. 8 for $855,000, which is $55,000 more than the purchase price listed on AMI Development Trust document.

The MLS listing includes this note: “Storm damaged selling as is. Options available: remove structure and build new on a beautiful island location or maybe restore this charming beach cottage to its original state adding flood proofing technology.”

The cashflow analysis for the 709 Fern St. property lists $5,000 for design and permitting, $50,000 for hard costs and $95,000 for soft costs, totaling $150,000 for projected construction costs. The analysis lists $960,000 as the total project cost, with an estimated sale value of $1.5 million.

For the 110 Ninth St. property, the “Investor IRR Analysis” lists no anticipated capital return in year one and a $1.202 million capital return in year two. Regarding the 709 Fern St. property, the Investor IRR Analysis lists a $729,000 investment and a $961,500 capital return in year one.

The final page of the seven-page document is a “build gallery” that contains six renderings of interior views and patio and pool views of a non-specified property or properties.

On Friday afternoon, The Sun reached out to Kaleta and Najmy seeking seeking comment on the Anna Maria Island Development Fund. No response was given.

Asset amendments

The AMI Development Fund document states that Kaleta owns three property management companies and a real estate brokerage.

According to the Florida Division of Corporations, the Prime Vacations LLC created for that property management company in 2021 still listed Kaleta as its LLCs authorized person and Najmy as its registered agent as of April 25.

On Oct. 30, an amendment to the articles of organization for the Prime Vacations LLC was filed and now lists the Plantation, Florida-based CT Corporation System as LLC’s current registered agent and the New York City/Park Avenue-based GSP Prime Buyer LLC as the LLC’s manager. Kaleta’s managerial status with Prime Vacations LLC is now listed as “removed.”

On April 25, the AMI Locals LLC associated with the AMI Locals real estate company listed Kaleta as its manager and Najmy as its registered agent. On Oct. 30, those articles of organization were amended in a similar manner which now lists CT Corporation System as the LLCs current registered agent and GSP Prime Buyer LLC as the LLC’s manager, with Kaleta’s managerial status “removed.”

It is not known what, if any, ownership share Kaleta still has in AMI Locals and Prime Vacations.

New information for Cortez mobile home owners

New information for Cortez mobile home owners

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Cortez, Featured.

CORTEZ – Many residents in local mobile home parks received substantial damage assessments from Manatee County following water intrusion from Hurricane Helene’s storm surge. Those residents attended a Nov. 6 meeting with Manatee County, FEMA and Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) officials for answers about the next steps in the recovery process.

More than 100 Cortez mobile homeowners attended the informational meeting held at the Bridge Church to hear a presentation by officials outlining FEMA guidelines, including the 50% rule; county ordinances and its participation in, and adherence to, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as well as timeframes for inspections and disaster assistance contacts.

“This past month has been difficult for everybody,” Manatee County Building Official and Floodplain Manager Bill Palmer said in opening remarks. “A lot of people lost their homes and a lot of houses were abandoned. Everybody wants to repair their homes and get back as quick as possible and get their lives back as normal as possible.”

Discussion on regulations

“Manatee County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) so, when you rebuild or do repairs to homes, we must have guidelines on how you can rebuild. There are regulations so we want to make sure you have all the knowledge to move forward and be able to rebuild or decide which direction you want to go in,” Palmer said.

Palmer said there has been some misinformation circulated about the process.

“I’ve seen things that say we’re going to go in and condemn all the mobile home parks,” he said. “That’s just not true. We’re not going to do that.”

Manatee County Floodplain Manager Cheryl Bagby explained floodplain regulations.

“There are federal, state and local regulations that state if a home is damaged 50% of the value of the structure, or if it is improved 50% value of the structure, then the entire structure must be brought to current floodplain compliance,” she said. “This is commonly known as the FEMA 50% rule. What that means is if you sustain damage and the cost to bring your home back meets or exceeds 50% of the value of the structure, then the entire structure has to come up to current flood compliance, which includes elevating the structure.”

Bagby said the county’s disaster assessment team has gone out to the communities for an initial damage assessment.

“A lot of times they were unable to get inside. They took a look at the buildings and they did a data collection of how much observed damage there was to the building. They took that data and brought it back to us and we’re going to calculate that to see how substantially damaged that is,” she said.

She said Sunny Shores, Paradise Bay and Cortez Park are all located in a floodplain and all are subject to the 50% rule.

Bagby said the county receives the mobile home’s value from the Manatee County Property Appraiser.

“If you go on the property appraiser website, type in your address, it is currently labeled FEMA market value,” she said. “It’s not a value from FEMA, it’s a value that has been calculated for the structure. If you meet or exceed 50% of that the entire structure has to come into compliance.”

Bagby said homeowners have the right to hire a private appraiser to assess the pre-damage value of the home.

“We will take the higher of the two,” she said.  “It should be reproduction value minus physical deterioration.”

Renovation, permits

Bagby said homeowners may remove damaged building materials but an application is required to make repairs.

“Even if you’re in a mobile home, there’s still an application to build back,” she said. “Take out that drywall, take out those contaminated materials, that’s okay. But before you build back you have to submit an application so we know whether or not you need to elevate your home. Don’t go spending money, because you might have something that ultimately has to be elevated and cost you a lot more.”

Homeowners wishing to do repairs to the mobile home must apply to the county for a storm mobile home review.

“You’ll need to submit paperwork with costs,” Bagby said. “If you’re under the 50% we’re going to sign off, say go ahead, you’re approved for repairs. If you’re over 50% we’ll tell you what your options are from there.”

She noted that because mobile homes are not subject to the Florida Building Code, people may think they don’t need permits to make repairs.

“It is, however, subject to floodplain regulations,” Bagby said. “Therefore that 50% rule still applies.”

For most storm damage repairs, permit fees are being waived.

“When you apply you need a contract or a cost breakdown. If you’re doing it yourself we need the material cost so we can get an accurate assessment of what this is going to cost,” Bagby said. “We need documentation validating the values. Labor is counted. For homeowners, it’s $30 an hour for labor. You have to assign a value to donated materials.”

She said with the 50% rule there is a one-year cumulative value. If any permits were pulled within and closed within the last year, or are older and still open, those values count toward the 50% value of the structure.

“The whole point of elevating is so you don’t have to go through this again, so you are protected against these storms because they are happening stronger and more frequently,” Bagby said.

FEMA and Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives attended the meeting via Zoom.

“Manatee County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program,” Tammy Hanson with FEMA Flood Plain Management said. “When the community joined the program, they agreed to adopt and enforce floodplain management requirements. What that allows is the ability for flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.”

One of the things she said is misunderstood is that FEMA or the state is coming in to do assessments. That is not the case.

“That is not how the program works,” Hanson said. “There are federal, state and local requirements. It’s through the enforcement of local regulations where the determinations of damage assessment are made.”

 Timeframe for inspections

“Our team is very short-staffed right now,” Bagby said. “We have a lot of applications coming in, plus we’re out in the community doing this disaster recovery work. Make sure any application you do submit, have it clearly state hurricane or storm damage so that it gets prioritized. The turnaround time for storm damage is a few days.”

Disaster assistance: FEMA and SBA

“The individual and household programs (IHP) provide assistance to eligible individuals and households who have uninsured, or underinsured necessary expenses that are a result of the disaster,” FEMA representative Millie Diaz said. “The IHP is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate all those losses.”

IHP has two specific provisions, one is for housing assistance and the other is for needs assistance,

“We also have displacement assistance for those who cannot return to their house and childcare assistance,” Diaz said.

Deadlines for assistance applications are Nov. 12 for Hurricane Debby, Nov. 27 for Hurricane Helene and Dec. 11 for Hurricane Milton.

Here are some helpful contact numbers:

FEMA disaster assistance – 800-621-3362

FEMA community services program – 833-514-2940

Disaster unemployment assistance – 800-385-3920 or www.Floridajobs.org

Crisis counseling – 800-985-5990

Small Business Administration – www.lending.sba.gov or 800-659-2955

A second meeting

To assist in answering questions about individual circumstances, a second meeting is being planned for Wednesday, Nov. 13 to include the following break-out areas:

FEMA:

  • DSA: Disaster Survivor Assistance
  • Individual Assistance
  • SBA: Small Business
  • Hazard Mitigation/Floodplain Management
  • NFIP (insurance)

Manatee County:

  • Zoning, 1 person
  • Floodplain Management
  • Building Official
  • Code Enforcement

Details about a time and location for the Nov. 13 meeting are to be determined.

Commission discusses debris removal, recovery efforts

Anna Maria debris removal responsibility shifts

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

ANNA MARIA – The deadlines have passed to place hurricane-relat­ed household and landscaping debris streetside to be removed by the city. But both types of debris piles can still be found alongside city streets even though debris removal is now the responsibility of the property owner.

Oct. 24 was the city’s deadline to place hurricane-damaged household goods curbside to be removed by Oct. 27. Oct. 31 was the deadline to place landscaping debris curbside to be removed by Nov. 3.

On Nov. 1, Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission discussed hurricane-related debris removal, street damage, swimming pool dewatering and FEMA damage assessments.

Debris removal

Murphy said city staff had already identified approximately 150 new household debris piles placed curbside since the Oct. 24 deadline.

After acknowledging that number will probably grow, Murphy said city staff is recording the debris pile locations that include non-hurricane-related debris placed in front of vaca­tion rental homes and construction sites. He said Waste Management picked up some of the post-deadline debris piles even though they’re not obligated to do so.

Murphy said the city will continue assessing post-deadline debris place­ment and he and the commission will decide how to proceed during their next emergency meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Murphy said the city will probably have to address post-deadline landscaping debris, too.

Commission discusses debris removal, recovery efforts
Sunday was the deadline for landscaping debris removal. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Although he doesn’t want the city to be taken advantage of, Murphy doesn’t want to see debris piles littering the city streets.

“Nobody wants that stuff sitting around,” he said. “It attracts rats. It’s ugly and it’s depressing to look at. Seeing your life out on the curb’s not good psychologically, and it’s not good morale-wise.”

On Oct. 24, Murphy estimated the city’s reimbursable debris removal costs to be approximately $1.5 million at that time. On Friday, he estimated it would cost an additional $80,000-$100,000 in reim­bursable costs to remove the remaining household debris piles.

During the Oct. 24 meeting, longtime resident and former city Commissioner Doug Copeland said, “I want to commend and thank the commission, the staff and all the private partners who have done an amazing job cleaning up the city under the leadership of Mayor Murphy. It’s a prime example of how city government should work and I thank you.”

Street damage

General Manager Dean Jones said five city streets sustained significant hurricane-related erosion and deterioration: Sycamore, Coconut, Beach, Peppertree and Maple. Jones said the Woodruff & Sons construction company placed #57 stone in the washed-out areas as a temporary safety measure. He estimates it will cost $825,000 to repair the five streets, which he hopes to have completed by the end of November.

Anna Maria debris removal responsibility shifts
The hurricanes eroded the southwest end of Maple Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Pool dewatering

Jones said the city is now allowing pool dewatering to take place in a controlled and city-permitted manner, with as many as 1,100 pools requiring hurricane-related dewatering. Jones said contractors must submit a dewatering permit for each impacted property. He then approves those permits in a manner that doesn’t allow any city street to become flooded and impassable.

Commissioner Gary McMullen noted many pool areas are now missing the fences required by city code. Murphy said that’s another matter to eventually be addressed by the code enforcement department.

FEMA Assessments

Commissioner Mark Short said FEMA’s 16-person site assessment team was expected to complete the initial damage assessments that day for the 1,173 Anna Maria properties requiring a damage assessment.

Anna Maria debris removal responsibility shifts
This beachfront home in Anna Maria was badly damaged by Hurricane Helene. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“In a little over two weeks, they assessed almost 1,200 properties,” Short said.

During the Oct. 24 meeting, Short said the FEMA assessment teams are collecting information but are not telling property owners what percentage of their property is considered to be hurricane damaged.

Related coverage: Anna Maria completes household debris removal

Star Fish reopens following hurricanes

Star Fish reopens following hurricanes

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

CORTEZ – With weeks of hard work behind them of cleaning up flood damage caused by Hurricane Helene, Star Fish Company Dockside Restaurant and Seafood Market reopened on Oct. 31.

“Mother Nature always wins, but human nature will always come back,” Star Fish manager Jim Gowett said seeing the full lunch crowd at the outdoor landmark restaurant.

Star Fish Company reopens following hurricanes
Customers enjoying lunch at Star Fish Company restaurant’s Oct. 31 reopening following hurricane clean up. – Leslie Lake | Sun

Gowett has worked at Star Fish Company for 26 years and as manager for eight. He said the buildings there had never gotten water before.

Following the storm surge from Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27 more than two feet of water got into the buildings, carrying along with it mud and silt.

“We came here right after the hurricane and we were in shock,” he said. “We didn’t even know where to start.”

Gowett said the staff then got to work on cleaning every item in the restaurant and seafood shop.

“We cleaned every shell, every bottle,” he said. “We had this cleaned up and ready to go a week ago, but like everyone else, our coolers and equipment got destroyed with the water, so we were waiting for new ones to be delivered.”

Following Hurricane Helene, broken dock planks were scattered on the dock and tables were overturned by the force of the water.

Star Fish owner Karen Bell said it took a lot of work to get everything back together.

“The docks were a mess, and we are still missing the floating dock,” she said. “All the kitchen equipment had to be replaced due to flood water. But we got it done and I am so happy to be open.”

Star Fish Company reopens following hurricanes
The docks at Star Fish Company were damaged by storm surge from Hurricane Helene. Following repairs and cleanup, the restaurant and seafood market reopened on Oct. 31. – Leslie Lake | Sun

Star Fish has a long history as a Cortez landmark.

According to the Star Fish Company website, it was started in the early 1920s by Judge Millis. Gaylord Garner purchased the business in the 1950s and his son Allen took it over in the late 1980s.

It was primarily a wholesale company before the addition of the retail market in the 1960s.

“In 1996 Allen Garner sold the company to its current owner, Karen Bell. Karen felt that in addition to offering the public fresh seafood in the retail market, it made sense to start offering cooked seafood also. A small kitchen was upgraded and eight picnic tables were placed on the back dock. A restaurant was born,” the Star Fish website states.

The Star Fish Company restaurant serves locally harvested seafood from Cortez fishermen. Outdoor seating provides views of the local commercial fishing fleet and Sarasota Bay.

The Star Fish Company Seafood Market features seafood from local waters including grouper, snapper, mullet and stone crab claws.

Star Fish Company is located at 12306 46th Avenue W. in Cortez.

Supply distribution continues at Sunny Shores

Supply distribution continues at Sunny Shores

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Cortez.

CORTEZ – A community supply distribution hub for all Cortez residents at the Sunny Shores Park clubhouse opened up shortly after Hurricane Helene and will be in place as long as  possible.

“We want to give hope to people. The other day when I was leaving here, someone said to me, ‘Are you leaving this week too?’ They were referring to the Red Cross,” coordinator Betsy Plante said. “I said, we’re going to be here as long as we can be here.”

Many homes in Cortez were flooded during Hurricane Helene’s storm surge and some sustained further damage from Hurricane Milton.

The distribution center contains donated food and household items and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with lunch served between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The hub services residents of Paradise Bay, Sarasota Bay, Cortez Village and Cortez Park.

“We have to keep it positive because now is when the people need us,” Plante said. “There’s been a lot of support the past two weeks and you can see people getting back to normal. It’s communities like this is where they really need us right now and we’re going to be here.”

Supply distribution continues at Sunny Shores
The Cortez supply hub at Sunny Shores clubhouse is distributing household goods, cleaning supplies and food. – Leslie Lake | Sun

Plante is the president and co-founder of Bradenton-based Blessing Bags Project. The stated mission of that organization is to provide basic critical needs to homeless and less fortunate people.

“The Blessing Bags Project bought 25 air conditioners,” Plante said. “We’ve got tarps, big fans, air conditioners. We have small appliances, some dehumidifiers and grills.
I’ve done hurricane relief before and I started ordering all this stuff the day after the hurricane so we’d have it all in stock.”

Perry Webre from Houma, Louisiana heard about the hurricane damage in Cortez from a friend and made the 16-hour drive to Sunny Shores with a trailer full of donated food items.

“This is my vacation week from work,” Webre said. “I put an Amazon shopping list online and I posted a Walmart shopping list and people made donations. We brought prepared frozen meals.”

“One thing that is so great is, people are here that came for vacations and they’re all here volunteering,” Plante said.

Condemnation at mobile home parks explained

Condemnation at mobile home parks explained

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

Updated Monday, Oct. 28, 2024

BRADENTON BEACH – City Building Official Darin Cushing addressed condemnation questions and outlined the next steps for homeowners at the Pines Trailer Park and many at the Sandpiper Resort Co-Op who received letters assessing their mobile homes with substantial damage due to hurricane-related flooding.

“People are throwing the word condemned around, but no trailers have been condemned, yet,” Cushing wrote in an Oct. 25 email to The Sun. “There are a few in the Pines that are pretty wrecked, so we will cross that bridge when we get to it.”

“We’re doing this part first but then we’re going to be looking at the ones that are going to be condemned completely, those where the walls are gone,” he told The Sun.

At an Oct. 17 city commission meeting, Cushing outlined FEMA guidelines and city ordinances about hurricane-related flooding of mobile homes.

On Oct. 24, letters went out to unit owners at the Pines and owners of affected units at Sandpiper Resort Co-Op stating his initial assessment indicated that their homes may meet substantial damage guidelines.

“It just happens that in the Pines, that was every unit, as they all took on some level of water inside,” he wrote. “In Sandpiper, there are some units that do not indicate this, as they are elevated above the level of the floodwaters that were incurred citywide.”

The Oct. 24 letter reads in part: “As a result of a ‘substantial damage’ assessment, the City of Bradenton Beach believes that your structure lies below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) and may have received damages exceeding 50% of the pre-damage structure value as a result of the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton that struck Anna Maria Island on Sept. 25 and Oct. 9, 2024. This assessment is being made for all structures within the city, as the entire city lies below the required Base Flood Elevation (BFE). The assessment was based upon a ‘windshield survey,’ an assessment of the extent of visible and determined flooding. It is not however absolute, as the city did not assess the extent of damage inside of the structures identified.”

The letter continues: “The City of Bradenton Beach participates in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and has adopted a floodplain ordinance through which it regulates new development, maintenance and improvement of existing structures, and instances of catastrophic impacts such as these two consecutive hurricanes. After destructive, flooding events such as Hurricane Helene, the City is required to initiate a “Substantial Damage” assessment of impacted structures. In this context, the term substantial damage means, “damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure would equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.”

Cushing said he will be conducting in-person substantial damage assessments of the mobile homes.

“This is standard operating procedure for floodplain management. Similar letters will also be going to any and all building owners in the city where the initial assessment indicates that there may be substantial damage to their building,” Cushing wrote in his email. “The next step will be a more detailed assessment, where dollar values of damages will be compared to the replacement cost of the unit.

Cushing said the difficulty in assessing the value of mobile homes is that the county property appraiser does not assess the value of mobile homes.

“Owners, if they wish to contest our initial assessment, will be afforded the opportunity to have the more detailed assessment done, but they will have to have a private appraisal done, by a licensed appraiser,” Cushing wrote.

Permits are required for all repair, maintenance, and/or redevelopment of damaged structures. Failure to comply with permit requirements may result in fines through the City’s Code Compliance Department, Cushing advised in his letter to homeowners.

“A precise determination of the extent of damage is essential through the city’s permit processes and a substantial damage determination package can be provided,” his letter stated.