BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) is getting closer to completing several improvements sought for its Bradenton Beach Pier-based restaurant operations.
On July 20, the Bradenton Beach City Commission approved the request made by the AMOB ownership group, We’re Back Inc., to remove and replace several sabal palm and black olive trees currently located in the city-owned pier parking lot.
The AMOB ownership group had hoped to replace the existing trees with taller maypan coconut palm trees, but due to liability concerns, the city commission stipulated no trees from which coconuts could drop are allowed in the public parking lot at the foot of the pier. The commission also stipulated the removed trees must be replanted or replaced in other locations on a one-to-one basis.
This crab trap-themed fence in south Florida inspired the decorative fence desired by the AMOB ownership group. – We’re Back Inc. | Submitted
Building Official Steve Gilbert said the installation of a decorative crab trap-themed fence that will replace the existing chain link fence between the city-owned parking lot and the Pines Trailer Park remains on hold until the fire marshal reviews and approves the potential fire risk posed by the wooden crab trap fence facade.
AMOB’s crab trap-themed fence will replace the existing chain link fence between the parking lot and the Pines Trailer Park. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) previously agreed to contribute $30,000 toward the $60,000 fence installation. The CRA anticipates recouping $15,000 of that contribution from Manatee County as part of the recently completed floating dock expansion project for which the county is providing 50% in matching funds for the total project costs.
Gilbert also said he still needs to review the diagrams needed to issue a conditional use permit previously approved by the city commission. The conditional use permit will allow alcoholic beverages purchased from AMOB to be consumed only on the pier, where alcoholic beverages have historically been prohibited.
The new to-go food kiosk and service bar are ready to go, but were not yet in operation. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The commission-approved to-go food kiosk and service bar recently installed in an adjacent auxiliary building that AMOB leases from the city is ready for use but was not yet in operation at week’s end.
Three umbrella-covered tables are now in place alongside the pier entrance railing. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Three new umbrella-covered tables have been temporarily installed along the pier entrance railing south of the main restaurant building. Those tables will eventually be replaced by permanent tiki hut-covered tables.
AMOB CEO John Horne told The Sun he planned to meet with Mayor John Chappie on Monday, July 24 to further discuss AMOB’s desired improvements and implementation timelines.
BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) took a few more steps in the ongoing process to make several improvements to its Bradenton Beach Pier-based operation.
Led by company president John Horne and operating its Bradenton Beach location as We’re Back Inc., AMOB, since late 2015, has operated in the pier building leased from the city.
We’re Back Inc. also leases the two smaller buildings located next to the main pier building. The yellow-colored space is subleased to Paradise Boat Tours. The salmon-colored space was previously subleased to two retail tenants.
AMOB wants to use that vacant space as a to-go food pickup kiosk that also serves ice cream, alcoholic beverages and more.
When presenting this request in January, Horne also requested the city’s permission to allow alcohol purchased at the to-go kiosk or in the restaurant to be consumed on the Bradenton Beach Pier. An existing city ordinance currently prohibits alcohol consumption on the pier, but alcohol consumption is allowed inside the AMOB restaurant and on the restaurant’s open-air patio.
We’re Back Inc. wants to install three or four tiki hut-like covered high-top tables along the pier railings directly south of the restaurant building.
The Bradenton Beach CRA pledged a total of $30,000 for the installation of a $60,000 decorative fence that would resemble this fence located elsewhere in Florida. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
We’re Back Inc. also wants to install a $60,000 crab trap and buoy-themed decorative fence along the northern end of the pier property, between the pier parking lot and the Pines Trailer Park. The trailer park side of the fence will be plain wood and will not feature the decorative crab traps.
Horne’s previously requested pier improvements were discussed again at the April 5 CRA meeting and the April 6 city commission meeting.
CRA approvals
During the April 5 CRA meeting, Horne secured from the CRA board a $15,000 contribution for the fence installation. Through the CRA board, he also secured an additional $15,000 in matching funds from Manatee County.
In 2021, the Manatee County Commission approved up to $850,000 in matching funds for the CRA’s yet-to-be-completed floating dock expansion project and the completed dinghy dock replacement project. The county’s $15,000 share of the decorative fence costs will be rolled into the previously approved dock project.
CRA member David Bell requested more time to consider Horne’s requests, but City Attorney Ricinda Perry said the county match expires on Sept. 30 and any additional delays could impact those matching funds. Bell then cast the only opposition vote to Horne’s funding request.
Commission approvals
On April 6, Horne and the city commission resumed their discussion about the requested pier improvements.
According to Horne and Perry, We’re Back Inc. is paying $45,894 in base rent in 2023. The city also receives 2% of We’re Back Inc.’s total gross revenues for its Bradenton Beach operation.
Perry noted the city owns the pier and the city commission must approve any improvements made to it. She said the proposed changes must also be addressed in an amended version of We’re Back Inc.’s existing lease with the city.
After much discussion, the commission unanimously supported We’re Back Inc.’s request to extend its current lease until 2045.
“It’s a long time. I’m happy with their performance, but I’m a little reserved about doing it for the rest of my lifetime,” Commissioner Jake Spooner said before expressing his support for the extension.
At the commission’s request, the amended lease will include language that states the extension only pertains to We’re Back Inc. If Horne, 61, retires, but We’re Back Inc. continues to run AMOB’s Bradenton Beach location, the extended lease remains in effect. If someone else buys We’re Back Inc. and continues to conduct business as We’re Back Inc., the extended lease remains in effect. If We’re Back Inc. is no longer the entity in charge of the pier-based operations, the city commission can terminate the extended lease.
Alcohol consumption
Perry noted an existing city ordinance currently prohibits any alcohol consumption on the pier and that ordinance must be amended before alcohol can be consumed on the pier. We’re Back Inc.’s lease agreement will also have to be amended accordingly.
Horne’s request to allow alcohol consumption on the pier pertains only to alcoholic beverages purchased from AMOB’s new outdoor kiosk or the existing bar inside the restaurant. The alcoholic beverages are to be served in cups bearing the AMOB logo. Alcoholic beverages purchased elsewhere will not be allowed on the pier.
At the request of Police Chief John Cosby, open containers of alcoholic beverages would not be allowed on the floating dock adjacent to the pier. Alcoholic beverages purchased from AMOB and served in sealed to-go containers could be transported from the restaurant area to a boat tied up at the dock.
Before these changes occur, Horne must provide the city with a detailed diagram that shows exactly where alcohol will be sold and consumed on and near the pier.
If the alcohol consumption allowance becomes problematic, the city commission can revoke it. The city commission can also temporarily suspend the alcohol allowance during a children’s fishing tournament or some other family-friendly event taking place on the pier.
None of the commission-supported pier improvements and changes will take effect until the amended We’re Back Inc. lease is finalized and the alcohol ordinance is amended.
BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) wants to enhance and expand its operations at and around the Bradenton Beach Pier.
The desired enhancements include alcohol consumption being allowed on the public fishing pier at the end of Bridge Street.
AMOB leases the main restaurant building at the foot of the pier from the city of Bradenton Beach. AMOB also leases the adjacent smaller city-owned structures subleased to Paradise Boat Tours and formerly subleased to the Tide & Moon and Room With A Hue retail operators.
AMOB CEO John Horne presented the proposed enhancements to the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on Jan. 11.
The improvements include a walk-up bar and a to-go food kiosk to be located in the space previously occupied by Tide & Moon and Room With A Hue. Horne said the walk-up bar would be used by restaurant customers while waiting for a table. During morning hours, the walk-up bar would offer coffee and other morning items.
AMOB plans to convert this leased structure into a walk-up bar and to-go food kiosk. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The proposed enhancements include tiki hut-like covered tables along the pier entrance railing south of the restaurant building; a decorative crab trap and buoy-themed fence located between the pier parking lot and the neighboring Pines Trailer Park; photo-op frames that offer a view of the mooring field and Intracoastal Waterway as backdrops; the reconfiguration of the main entryway and the expansion of the public restrooms.
When presenting the proposed modifications, Horne requested that alcohol purchased at the restaurant or the new walk-up bar be allowed to be consumed on the pier. Alcohol is currently allowed on the AMOB patio but not on the pier itself. If the alcohol allowance is approved, alcoholic beverages purchased elsewhere would still not be allowed on the pier.
Alcohol consumption is already allowed on the AMOB patio that faces the Bridge Street Pier. – Joe Hendricks | SunAlcohol consumption is currently prohibited on the Bridge Street Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
CRA members John Chappie, Jan Vosburgh and Marilyn Maro expressed some concerns and possible opposition to the proposed alcohol allowance. Chappie said later he’d consider allowing alcohol consumption on a trial basis. CRA member Ralph Cole said he’s okay with alcohol being consumed on the pier because the pier features safety rails, but is concerned about alcohol consumption on the adjacent floating day dock that doesn’t have safety rails. CRA members Jake Spooner and David Bell expressed support for the proposed alcohol allowance and Police Chief John Cosby said it would not create significant enforcement issues.
The improvements include a crab trap-themed fence like this fence in Islamorada. – AMOB | Submitted
Horne said the crab trap and buoy-themed fence was inspired by a fence he saw in the city of Islamorada. He said the crab traps and buoys would be attached to the AMOB side of the cypress wood fence that would replace the existing chain link and vinyl fencing. The Pines residents would only see a new wooden fence on their side.
Horne asked the CRA members to consider sharing the estimated $56,252 cost to install the new decorative fencing. The CRA members express preliminary support for the funding request and directed Chappie and City Attorney Ricinda Perry to speak with county staff about seeking a Tourist Development Council (TDC) recommendation and Manatee County Commission approval for the county to cover 25% ($14,063) of the estimated fence expenses using tourist tax revenues. The CRA would then cover 25% of the fencing costs and AMOB would cover 50% ($28,126). Perry said the county might also be willing to help fund some of the other proposed modifications that would improve the pier experience for visitors, including the expanded public restrooms.
As the discussion concluded, the CRA members expressed initial consensus support for the proposed enhancements but they agreed that more discussion is needed regarding alcohol consumption on the fishing pier.
Perry said she would draft a modified concessionaire’s agreement that reflects the proposed enhancements and uses. She said the modified agreement and the desired alcohol allowance will require city commission approval because the city, not the CRA, leases the pier buildings and the surrounding spaces to AMOB.
MANATEE COUNTY – In November, Florida voters will determine whether the mandatory minimum wage is raised to $10 an hour in 2021 and to $15 in 2026.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) founder and President John Horne opposes the proposed mandatory wage increase and he shared his concerns while serving as a panelist for Thursday’s “Amendment 2 Hurts You” virtual press conference.
“This mandatory wage increase is bad for business. And if it’s bad for my business, it’s bad for my employees,” Horne said.
Initiated by the Florida For a Fair Wage committee chaired by attorney John Morgan, the mandatory minimum wage increase is proposed as an amendment to the Florida Constitution.
If supported by at least 60% of Florida voters, Amendment 2 would raise Florida’s minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2021 and continue to increase $1 per hour each year until it reaches $15 per hour in 2026. After that, the minimum wage would continue to increase according to the annual rate of inflation.
“Florida needs to pass the Fair Wage Amendment to ensure that all hard-working Floridians can receive a living wage. The ‘living wage’ is the minimum cost that covers the basic needs of an individual and the needs of their family without government assistance,” according to the Florida For a Fair Wage website.
“Florida’s minimum wage of $8.56 – or $17,600 per year – for a full-time employee is not a livable wage for many of the 200,000 hard-working Floridians that earn it, especially those working to support a family. As most Floridians know, the cost of living in our state is higher than the national average, particularly when it comes to housing and transportation costs,” the website notes.
Amendment 2 Hurts You
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association President and CEO Carol Dover hosted the Aug. 20 press conference conducted via Zoom videoconferencing.
Dover said the mandatory wage increase would be a “job-killer” for Florida’s economy and eventually increase the current minimum wage by 77%. She said this would result in lost jobs, lost benefits and the increased use of automated ordering at restaurants.
Carol Dover and Simone Barron also participated in the Aug. 20 virtual press conference. – Submitted
Dover referenced other cities and states that adopted mandatory minimum wage increases, including San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle and the state of Washington.
“It has destroyed the industries in those states,” Dover said when claiming those wage mandates resulted in many small businesses going out of business.
Dover introduced panelist Simone Barron as someone who’s experienced mandatory wage increases first-hand. Barron said she’s worked in the service industry for nearly 35 years and has worked as a tipped employee in Seattle for the past 18 years. She also co-founded the Seattle-based Full Service Workers Alliance.
In 2014, the Seattle City Council adopted a minimum wage increase that took effect in 2015 at $10 an hour.
According to www.minimum-wage.org, Seattle’s mandatory minimum wage is currently $15.75 an hour for a company with 500 or fewer employees, which is $2.25 higher than the state of Washington’s $13.50 minimum hourly wage. Seattle’s mandatory minimum wage is $13.50 an hour for employees who earn at least $2.25 an hour in tips.
Barron said she originally supported the mandatory wage increases.
“Who wouldn’t want to make $15 an hour, plus tips? We were already making close to $10 an hour, plus tips, and now we were going to get a big raise. I was really for it, but soon after it was implemented we started seeing the negative consequences,” she said.
Barron said customers immediately stopped tipping or tipping well because they assumed servers were already reaping the benefits of the wage increase. She said employers reduced or eliminated the support staffs that include bussers, hosts, food runners and barbacks and the pay model for tipped workers changed.
“My employer got rid of tipping altogether and implemented a 20% service charge, of which I got a small percentage as a commission. Not only was I making less money, I suddenly didn’t have an opportunity to maximize my income. I could only make that small percentage instead of really working a table and going for a large tip,” Barron said.
“After that, we got the loss of hours. Suddenly we weren’t going to work a full shift. The schedule started to shorten,” she added.
Barron said she took a second job and had to work six days a week instead of four to earn what she was accustomed to earning.
“Please take a look at this proposition and really think about how it’s going to impact your job. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have supported it,” she said.
Horne’s concerns
Speaking next, Horne said, “Two-thirds of my employees are tipped employees. They’re earning two to three times more than minimum wage currently. I’ll be cutting hours, I’ll be cutting shifts, I’ll be raising prices. It’s a really vicious spiral.”
Horne noted the wage increase is being proposed when the restaurant industry is already being devastated by the COVID pandemic.
He also worries that increasing prices to offset increased wages could result in retirees and others on fixed incomes eating out less.
“I’m not going to need the number of servers I have now,” Horne said. “I know the large companies can absorb this, but a small business like mine will be crushed. I want to urge all the voters to please vote no on Amendment 2.”
During press inquiries, Horne was asked about the potential impact the mandatory wage increase would have on Anna Maria Island and Bradenton restaurants.
“It’s going to affect every restaurant in Florida,” he said.
Horne has four AMOB restaurants, including one in Bradenton Beach. He said if Amendment 2 passes, the payroll at just one of his restaurants will immediately increase $2,600 per week.
“It’ll go up $138,000 the first year. When we get to $15 an hour, I’ll be paying an additional $600,000 in labor – that’s a lot of price increases to cover labor and that’s just tipped employees. That has nothing to do with my hourly people in the kitchens that are already being paid $13-$17 an hour,” Horne said.
“What about youth labor, the people on their first job? Minimum wage is not head of the household income. Minimum wage is starting wage. I’ve got three or four high school students working my front door. If the minimum wage is $15, am I going to be able to afford $45-$60 an hour to have someone greeting you to the Anna Maria Oyster Bar? Absolutely not,” Horne said.
“It hasn’t been thought out completely. It doesn’t take into consideration what the tipped employees get. It will cut jobs,” Horne said of the proposed amendment.
BRADENTON BEACH – The new floating public dock next to the historic Bridge Street Pier is now open and being used by boaters.
The Hecker Construction Company completed the dock installation last week and City Commissioner and Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) chairman Ralph Cole led a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 2. Cole thanked Manatee County officials for partnering with the CRA on the dock project.
Community Redevelopment Agency chairman Ralph Cole, center, cut the ceremonial ribbon Friday morning. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Friday morning’s attendees included CRA and city commission members John Chappie and Jake Spooner, Manatee County Commissioners Betsy Benac, Steve Jonsson and Carol Whitmore, Deputy County Administrator John Osborne, Manatee County Tourist Development Council member Eric Cairns, congressional aide Gary Tibbetts, Anna Maria Oyster Bar president and pier tenant John Horne, Anna Maria Oyster Bar managing partner Lynn Horne, Bridge Street Merchants Vice President and Paradise Boat Tours’ General Manager and pier sub-tenant Sherman Baldwin, City Attorney Ricinda Perry, City Treasurer Shayne Thompson and several others.
Before Cole cut the ribbon, John Horne produced a tray of Bloody Marys and proposed a toast.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar president John Horne, right, serves up Bloody Marys and proposes a toast. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The new dock replaces the storm-damaged floating dock removed from that location in 2016. The new floating dock is 10 feet wide, approximately 256 feet long and once again provides recreational boaters with free short-term dockage.
It also provides limited short-term dockage for tour boats, water taxis and other commercial vessels to load and unload passengers. Fishing and overnight docking are prohibited on the new dock.
After the ribbon cutting, attendees walked down the gangplank and onto the new dock.
Former Mayor Jack Clarke, right, was among those who visited the new dock Friday morning. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It took a while, but it looks awesome. This was a team effort that included all our department heads and especially our police chief, Sam Speciale,” Cole said.
Cole also mentioned the public discussions and strategic efforts CRA members and city staff engaged in during the past two and a half years that ultimately resulted in the long-delayed dock project being completed without any lawsuits filed.
These boats were among the first to use the new dock on Friday. – Lynn Horne/Anna Maria Oyster Bar | Submitted
“The process was frustrating at times, but thanks to our CRA board, our city attorney and our city staff we now have one of the best publicly-owned docking sites on the west coast of Florida,” Spooner said.
“It’s been a long time coming and we’re glad the county was able to work with the city to get this floating dock. It’s another example of everybody working together toward the common good of Anna Maria Island,” Whitmore said.
“This is fabulous. It’s going to be phenomenal to see the boats back out here again this weekend. It’s going to bring people to Bridge Street. People enjoy going places by water and this will help get some cars off the road,” John Horne said.
“This is a big day for all of Bridge Street. This is even better than I expected,” Baldwin said.
As a boater, Baldwin said he appreciates the rubber rub rail running along the outer edge of the dock that will help prevent docked boats from getting scuffed up.
The new dock was in use again Saturday morning. – Sherman Baldwin/Paradise Boat Tours | Submitted
“This connects the Island to Tampa, St. Pete., Clearwater and other places you can come from by boat. There’s great shopping and restaurants here and they can even go to the Moose Lodge,” charter fishing Captain Scott Moore said.
“It’s another great day for the city,” Perry said.
“This is a great example of what working as a team can accomplish,” Thompson added.
“I’m glad to see that this project finally came to a long-overdue completion,” Speciale said later in the day.
During the previous night’s city commission meeting, Chappie thanked Cole for his efforts.
“It’s been a long struggle. I know it’s a team effort, but you have to have a leader. Great job,” Chappie said.
Project costs
The CRA and Manatee County co-funded the dock project. According to Thompson, the final cost is $191,524. That is $71,544 more than the $119,980 originally contracted with the North Palm Beach-based Technomarine Group in early 2017.
In 2017, county commissioners agreed to reimburse the CRA for half of a dock project’s total cost, not to exceed $250,000. That agreement, which was later renewed, means the CRA and the county are each contributing $95,762 to the project. The county’s contribution comes from the 5 percent tourist tax levied countywide on hotels, motels and vacation rentals.
The dock cleats bear the name of the Technomarine Group that was dismissed from the dock project earlier this year. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Earlier this year, the CRA discontinued its contractual relationship with Technomarine due to the prolonged and ongoing delays. The CRA then turned to the Gibsonton-based Hecker Construction Group to install the dock decking sections previously premanufactured by Spain-based Ronautica Marinas and shipped to Florida in mid-2018.
As the city’s Pier Team facilitator, Speciale served as the primary project liaison until mid-April. Cole, Perry, Thompson and Building Official Steve Gilbert then guided the project to its completion.
CRA chair Ralph Cole and City Attorney Ricinda Perry helped guide the dock project to completion. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and the city of Bradenton Beach have invited 75 Bradenton Christian School third-graders to participate in the “Youth In Politics – Elementary Students Take Over Local Government Day” pilot program.
Taking place at Bradenton Beach City Hall and several other locations throughout the city, the inaugural event has been scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 25.
It will coincide with Florida City Government Week 2018, taking place Oct. 22-28. Supported by Gov. Rick Scott’s 2017 proclamation, City Government Week is sponsored by the Florida League of Cities (FLC).
According to the FLC website, Florida City Government Week was created to help raise public awareness about the services cities perform and the workings of city government.
“Cities are encouraged to involve their local schools, businesses, media and civic clubs in planning City Government Week activities,” the FLC website says.
The third-graders will be divided into three groups and each group will participate in a mock City Commission meeting at city hall. Student mayors and commissioners will rule on the fictional “Case of the Barking Dog,” which involves a noise complaint and a permitting request to build a dog house. Other students will serve as the building official, the city clerk, police officers and newspaper reporters.
While one group is conducting its commission meeting, the other groups will visit the police department, the Bradenton Beach Fire Hall and possibly the Public Works Department. Students will also walk across the street from city hall to the beachfront City Park to visit volunteers and animals from Wildlife Inc. Education & Rehabilitation Center and AMI Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.
Resident volunteers will read to students at Tingley Memorial Library and Commissioner Marilyn Maro will host play activities at Lou Barolo Park.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar President John Horne will provide a healthy lunch buffet at the Historic Clock Tower on the Bridge Street Pier and Beach House owner Ed Chiles and executive chef Will Manson will provide a sustainable seafood and farm fresh food tasting extravaganza.
Paradise Boat Tours’ General Manager Sherman Baldwin offered to take the students on a boat tour and Commissioner Jake Spooner, owner of The Fish Hole, is offering free putt-putt golf.
Commissioner Ralph Cole, owner of Coastal Watersports, offered to give a boating safety class near City Park and said he’d asked members of the county marine patrol to join him.
Commission all in
Chappie and Perry presented their concept to the City Commission on Thursday, Oct. 4. The commission fully supported the event and authorized Chappie’s request to issue a press release.
“There is something for everyone and we look forward to making this Youth In Politics program a lasting one to show the next generation that government can be fun, positive and great,” the press release says.
Perry’s daughter, Victoria, is a member of this year’s third-grade class at Bradenton Christian School. The school was selected for the pilot program because of the short time frame and the school’s status as a private school. Chappie and Perry hope to garner interest from the Manatee County School Board during this year’s event and include Anna Maria Elementary and other public schools next year.
City Attorney Ricinda Perry helped organize the “Youth In Politics” student event. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“When the mayor and I were talking, I said I’m sickened by the way politics have become viewed in our nation. I think this is an opportunity for our city and our elected officials to reach the next generation and teach them the right way to run politics – while also sharing the beauty of what Bradenton Beach is,” Perry said.
“When I sat down with the teachers and my leadership team at the school I had a number of them say, ‘I didn’t know Bradenton Beach had all this. I want to bring my family out to visit.’ I see this also as a grassroots opportunity to bring 75 kids out, experiencing our city and taking that story home,” Perry said.
As a secondary benefit, Perry believes the student event would provide additional exposure for the Bradenton Beach business community that’s still recovering from red tide.
“We also talked about having designated reporters to do a story on the adventure here,” Chappie said, expressing hope that the students’ stories might appear in local newspapers and in FLC’s “Quality Cities” magazine.
“I’m amazed at how excited people are,” Chappie said.
BRADENTON BEACH – City officials expect Technomarine to miss its July 4 deadline to install a new floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier.
On April 5, Technomarine President Jat Talton sent Pier Team facilitator Sam Speciale an email that said, “Technomarine’s plan is to have the day dock open prior to this Fourth of July weekend.”
The revised project schedule called for Technomarine to obtain city-issued building permits by May 11 and complete the project by June 29.
After the permitting deadline was missed, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) convened on Monday, May 21 to discuss the CRA-funded project. CRA member John Horne was authorized to hand-deliver a letter to Technomarine’s North Palm Beach office.
Written by Horne and reviewed by City Attorney Ricinda Perry, the letter expressed a lack of confidence in Technomarine’s ability to meet its June 29 deadline, noted that a previous letter from CRA chair Ralph Cole went unanswered and acknowledged Horne’s dual interests as president of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar that leases pier-based restaurant space from the city.
“You, the CRA, local businesses and the city have every right to be both frustrated and disappointed with the lack of communication and our missed dates.” Ryan Miller, Technomarine Chief Operating Officer
On Thursday, May 24, Horne met with Technomarine Chief Operating Officer Ryan Miller and attorney Roger Stanton.
Horne received an email from Miller the following morning that said, “Attached you will find what will be the final, worst case, schedule. Our intention is to see this project through to its completion and deliver a docking system for the use of your residents and tourists by September 12.
“You, the CRA, local businesses and the city have every right to be both frustrated and disappointed with the lack of communication and our missed dates. Technomarine USA experienced a series of inexcusable delays in manufacturing which have now finally been resolved,” Miller’s email said.
Talton sent Speciale a similarly-worded email.
When contacted Monday, Horne said, “They hired Ryan Miller and he’s digging them out of a hole they got into. They’ve got two projects – one in Leesburg and ours – that are way behind. We actually have a mutual acquaintance who speaks very highly of Ryan and his ability to get things done. I feel a lot better.”
CRA member John Horne paid a visit to Technomarine’s North Palm Beach office last week. – Sam Speciale | Submitted
CRA discussion
Last week, Cole asked the CRA members what they wanted to do if Technomarine missed its June 29 deadline.
“Are they in default of their contract?” Horne asked.
“Yes, they’re in breach because their delivery date was set forth in the contract which stated it had to be completed within six months from the date of full execution. However, given that the city has been attempting to work with Technomarine and has not objected to the extended deadlines, I think the city would be hard-pressed to state they are in full breach. To seek any kind of damages would be a challenge,” Perry said.
The CRA entered into its contract with Technomarine in April 2017 and has paid the company $53,990 of the $119,980 contract price. Per its agreement to provide matching funds, Manatee County has reimbursed the CRA for 50 percent of the amount paid.
“How’s this affect our agreement with the county if we were to pull the plug on this? Does the county come back and say we want that $27,000 back?” CRA member Jake Spooner asked.
“I believe they would have the right to request that,” Perry said.
“What do you think the chances are of us getting the $54,000 back,” Spooner asked.
“It never seems to work out that way,” Perry said.
Speciale read aloud a story from the Belle Glade Sun about the city of Pahokee’s decision to cancel a design/build contract with Technomarine due to delays encountered with the renovation of that city’s marina and campground.
During the April 24 Pahokee City Commission meeting, which is available online, City Attorney Gary Brandenburg was directed to relay the commission’s request that Technomarine refund within two weeks $125,000 of the $150,000 paid to the company.
“They have not agreed to repay the $$. I will be filing a lawsuit for the return of the $$ next week,” Brandenburg wrote in his May 26 email response to a Sun inquiry.
Horne said he and Miller discussed the Pahokee contract and Miller didn’t place much blame on Technomarine.
CRA chair Ralph Cole and CRA member John Horne reviewed the Technomarine contract during last week’s CRA meeting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
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