Skip to main content

Tag: Manatee County Commission

Sunshine Law expert seeks records from four county commissioners

Sunshine Law expert seeks records from county commissioners

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

Updated Nov. 23, 2020 – BRADENTON – Thursday’s Manatee County Commission discussion about potentially terminating County Administrator Cheri Coryea has triggered a public records request from Florida Sunshine Law expert Michael Barfield.

On Friday afternoon, Barfield, a paralegal, submitted individual written public records requests to county commissioners Vanessa Baugh, George Kruse, James Satcher and Kevin Van Ostenbridge. County Attorney Mickey Palmer was copied on each of the requests Barfield submitted on behalf of Sarasota-based Denovo Law Services.

The records requests seek the public records in the individual possession of Baugh, Kruse, Satcher and Van Ostenbridge. A subsequent request seeks records from former Commissioner Steve Jonsson.

On Nov. 3, Baugh was re-elected as the county’s District 5 commissioner. Kruse was elected as the at-large District 7 commissioner. Satcher was elected as the District 1 commissioner. Van Ostenbridge was elected as the District 3 commissioner, a district that encompasses Anna Maria Island, Cortez and west Bradenton.

Sunshine Law expert investigating efforts to terminate county administrator
County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh is the subject of the public records request. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The four commissioners were sworn into office on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Two days later, Van Ostenbridge initiated, with no advance public notice, a preliminary discussion seeking the termination of Coryea without cause.

At the conclusion of Thursday’s discussion, the newly-reconfigured county commission voted 4-3 in favor of putting Coryea on notice that her potential termination would be discussed at a special county commission meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 6. Baugh, Kruse, Satcher and Van Ostenbridge supported that action. Commissioners Reggie Bellamy, Misty Servia and Carol Whitmore opposed that action.

Sunshine Law expert investigating efforts to terminate county administrator
Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge initiated Thursday’s termination discussion with no advance public notice. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

During Thursday’s discussion, Bellamy said the efforts to oust Coryea appeared to be “premeditated.” Whitmore said the efforts appeared to be “orchestrated.” Servia called the Van Ostenbridge-led efforts “reckless” and “dangerous.”

Records requests

According to the public records requests: “This is a request for records pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, otherwise known as the Public Records Act of the Florida Constitution. We understand that a citizen is not required to make a written request to obtain public records under the act, but we want to be clear what we are seeking from you.”

The records requests pertain to the following records made, sent or received in connection with the transaction of official business, or the rendition of services on behalf of each of the four request recipients:

  • All emails sent or received from Nov. 3, 2020 to Nov. 20, 2020.
  • All text messages sent or received from November 3 to November 20.
  • All messages sent or received via any digital app or social media platform from Nov. 3 to Nov. 20.
  • A detailed phone log of all calls made or received between the period Nov. 3 and Nov. 20.
Sunshine Law expert investigating efforts to terminate county administrator
Commissioner James Satcher is the recipient of a public records request. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

According to the records requests, the term “record” or “public records” also includes responsive records in both digital and hard copy formats, including email, text, SMS, MMS, .doc and voicemail.

According to the requests, “This request for records further includes any responsive records sent or received by any individual or entity via any private, nongovernmental account, as well as those records maintained, stored or archived in the cloud, on a shared drive, on the Internet, via social media accounts or any other electronic device such as a cell phone, tablet, flash drive, that is capable of sending, receiving or storing digital information.”

The records requests are also directed to any individual or entity – including any other public or private agency, person, partnership, corporation or business entity – acting on their behalf of any of the records request recipients.

“If you contend that any record, or portion thereof, is exempt from inspection, please state in writing the basis for the exemption and include the applicable statutory exemption,” the records requests note.

The records requests state the requested records shall not be disposed of for a period of 30 days after the written records requests were submitted on Friday.

Sunshine Law expert investigating efforts to terminate county administrator
Commissioner George Kruse has received a public records request. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Citing Florida Statutes, the records requests state: “If a civil action is instituted within the 30-day period to enforce the provisions of this section with respect to the requested record, the custodian of public records may not dispose of the record except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction after notice to all affected parties.

“The absence of a civil action instituted does not relieve the custodian of public records of the duty to maintain the record as a public record if the record is in fact a public record subject to public inspection and copying and does not otherwise excuse or exonerate the custodian of public records from any unauthorized or unlawful disposition of such record.

“We are requesting that you notify each and every individual and entity in possession of records responsive to this request, and that all such records be preserved on an immediate basis.

“Please produce all records responsive to this request as provided by 119.12(1)(b), Fla. Statute,” the public records requests say in conclusion.

According to Barfield, the three new commissioners – Kruse, Satcher and Van Ostenbridge – became subject to the Public Records Act and the Florida Sunshine Law at the conclusion of the Nov. 3 elections.

According to Barfield, the four commissioners have until early December to fulfill the public records requests.

Recent Sunshine case

While assisting the attorneys representing the city of Bradenton Beach, Barfield recently played a significant role in the city prevailing in a Sunshine Law lawsuit that resulted in two of the six defendants paying the city $350,000 on Friday.

The $350,00 payment was partial reimbursement for the attorney fees the city incurred as a result of a civil lawsuit the city filed against six former city advisory board members in 2017.

An extensive number of emails and other records and documents Barfield obtained from the defendants and others in that case factored into the judge’s 2019 ruling that Sunshine Law violations occurred.

Related coverage

 

Van Ostenbridge proposes terminating county administrator

Bradenton Beach voters support conflicting parking garage amendments

Election results in for Bradenton Beach, Manatee County

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

BRADENTON BEACH – Voter approval of two conflicting parking garage amendments in the Nov. 3 election means that a prohibition of parking garages will not be added to the city charter.

Running unopposed in this year’s election, incumbent Bradenton Beach City Commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro won additional two-year terms in office.

Running unopposed in Anna Maria, incumbent Mayor Dan Murphy and incumbent City Commissioner Mark Short won additional two-year terms in office.

Bradenton Beach voters prohibit parking garages, help decide county and state races
Bradenton Beach resident Steve Leister was among those who voted in person Tuesday at the Bradenton Beach Fire Hall. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Once the final Manatee County election results are certified, the Anna Maria City Commission will appoint someone to fill the commission term recently vacated by former commissioner Amy Tripp, who is moving out of state.

Anna Maria Island voters joined Manatee County voters in deciding several county, state and national races – including the District 3 Manatee County Commission race in which Kevin Van Ostenbridge held a significant lead as of 9 p.m. tonight.

County voters also supported a proposed bond referendum that will provide additional water quality protections and wildlife habitat preservation.

Parking garage status quo remains

Bradenton Beach voter support for two conflicting parking garage charter amendments means the city charter will remain as is, minus the inclusion of a new parking garage prohibition.

The city’s comprehensive plan and land development code already prohibit the construction of a multi-level or stand-alone parking garage, but the existing comp plan and land development code prohibitions could be reversed by a future city commission.

Voter adoption of proposed charter amendment 1 combined with voter rejection of proposed charter amendment 2 would have prevented a future city commission from reversing or amending the existing parking garage prohibitions.

There are currently no plans or proposals to build a multi-level parking garage in Bradenton Beach and the current city commission does not support the construction of a parking garage.

Bradenton Beach Charter Amendment Question 1 was placed on the ballot at the request of the Keep Our Residential Neighborhoods (KORN) political action committee formed in 2018 by Reed Mapes and John Metz.

The ballot language for charter amendment question 1 read as follows:

“Should the charter of Bradenton Beach be amended to prohibit the building of any multi-level parking garages within the city of Bradenton Beach? All other parking garages, facilities and structures are allowed as permitted by local law.”

In response to question 1, 410 votes (71.8%) were cast in favor of the proposed charter amendment 1 and 161 votes (28.2%) were cast in opposition of the proposed amendment.

Suggested by City Attorney Ricinda Perry and supported by the city commission in response to the proposed KORN amendment, charter amendment question 2 read as follows:

“Should the city amend its charter to: (1) Prohibit the approval, development and building of any stand-alone parking garage structures in all residential zoning districts; (2) Prohibit any multi-level parking garage, structure, or facility exceeding a total density of one multi-level parking garage within the entire municipal limits; and (3) Establish a mandatory citywide voter referendum to increase the multi-level parking garage density?

In response to question 2, 378 votes (67.02%) were cast in support of the proposed charter amendment that would allow one multi-level parking garage and 186 votes (32.98%) were cast in opposition to the proposed amendment.

As of 9 p.m., all of Bradenton Beach’s Election Day and early voting results had been tallied, but it was possible there could still be some remaining vote-by-mail ballots to be added to the reported totals.

County Commission races

As of 9 p.m., all Election Day and early voting ballots in each of Manatee County’s 70 voting precincts had been counted and reported, with some vote-by-mail ballots still not yet reported.

When contacted at that time and asked about the remaining mail ballots and their potential impact on any of the final results, Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett said, “Pretty much what you see is what you get.”

Bennett said he did not anticipate the outstanding mail ballots to alter the outcome of any county races.

In the County Commission District 3 race, Van Ostenbridge, a Republican, had received 22,897 votes (58.53%) and Bower, a non-party-affiliated candidate, had received 16,222 votes (41.47%). Van Ostenbridge will fill the commission seat vacated by one-term commissioner Steve Jonsson, who did not seek reelection.

In the County Commission District 1 race decided by District 1 voters only, Republican James Satcher is the winner. As of 9 p.m., Satcher had received 35,452, (65.6%). Democrat Dominique Brown received 18,593 votes (34.4%). Satcher will fill the commission seat being vacated by longtime Commissioner Priscilla Trace.

Running unopposed, incumbent Republican Commissioner Vanessa Baugh has claimed the County Commission District 5 race. As of 9 p.m., Baugh received 45,529 votes (87.82%) of the general election votes, with 6,314 votes (12.18%) cast for write-in candidates whose names did not appear on the ballot.

Running unopposed after defeating former County Administrator Ed Hunzeker in the Republican primary, George Kruse officially claimed the County Commission District 7 at-large race. As of 9 p.m., Kruse had received 157,382 votes (93.3%) and he will fill the seat being vacated by longtime Commissioner Betsy Benac.

Additional races

Running as the incumbent, Bennett, a Republican, won his reelection bid and he will remain Manatee County Supervisor of Elections. Bennett received 136,656 votes (65.65%) and his Democratic challenger, Charles Williams, received 71,516 votes (34.35%).

In the Manatee County School Board District 3 race won by Mary Foreman, Foreman received 110,746 votes (58.8 %). Incumbent school board member Dave “Watchdog” Miner received 77,593 votes (41.2%).

In the non-party-affiliated County Judge Group 4 race, race winner Melissa Gould received 113,511 votes (60,97%) and Kristy Zinna had received 72,676 votes (39.03%).

In the Mosquito Control District Group 2 race, incumbent Michael Daugherty has retained his seat having received 106,884 votes (61.49%). His challenger, Rodney O’Quinn, had received 66,944 votes (38.51%)

Manatee County bond referendum

Manatee County voters supported a proposed a millage increase and bond referendum question pertaining to water quality protection, fish and wildlife habitat preservation.

As of 9 p.m., the vote total for this referendum was 139,717 votes (71.27%) cast in favor of the millage increase and 56,323 votes (28.73%) cast in opposition.

The referendum ballot question read as follows: “To finance the acquisition, improvement and management of land to protect drinking water sources and water quality, preserve fish and wildlife habitat, prevent stormwater runoff pollution and provide parks, shall Manatee County levy an additional 0.15 mill ad valorem tax and issue general obligation bonds in a total principal amount not exceeding $50 million, maturing within 20 years, bearing interest not exceeding the legal rate, payable from such ad valorem taxes, with annual public audits?”

State seats

In a race decided by voters in Manatee County and a portion of Hillsborough County, Republican Jim Boyd has apparently won the State Senate District 21 race. In Manatee County, Boyd received 128,614 votes (61.78%) and Democrat Anthony “Tony” Eldon had received 79,583 votes (38.22%). Boyd also held a significant lead in Hillsborough County.

Decided by Manatee and Sarasota county voters, Republican incumbent William Robinson Jr. is winning the State Representative District 71 race. In Manatee County, Robinson has received 43.072 votes (59.98%). His Democratic challenger, Andy Mele, had received 28,742 votes (40.02%). Robinson also held a 2 percentage point lead in Sarasota County.

Presidential race

And in the much-anticipated presidential race, incumbent Republican President Donald Trump has apparently carried Manatee County. As of 9 p.m., Trump received 123,316 votes (57.67 %) in Manatee County and Democratic challenger Joe Biden received 88,275 votes (41.28%).

The full unofficial and updated Manatee County elections results can be viewed at www.votemanatee.com.

Coquina Beach improvements require more Australian pine removals

More Australian pine removals at Coquina

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County commissioners have approved the phase two Coquina Beach drainage improvement plans that call for the removal of 87 additional Australian pine trees.

Native trees will be planted on a one-to-one ratio as replacements for the removed Australian pines, as was the case with phase one of the county project, and in accordance with the city of Bradenton Beach’s land development code. The replacement trees will consist of shady lady black olive trees, gumbo limbos and green buttonwoods.

The replacement trees for the 103 Australian pines removed from the south end of the beach parking lot during the phase one project last year were planted last week.

Coquina Beach improvements require more Australian pine removals
The new phase one replacement trees were planted at Coquina Beach last week. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Public Works Project Manager Michael Sturm presented the phase two plans to county commissioners on Tuesday, June 16.

The phase two drainage and parking improvements will take place in the center and north parking areas of the county-owned beach in Bradenton Beach. The drainage improvements will include new stormwater pipes and paving the remaining unpaved parking areas with pervious pavement that allows rainwater to drain through it.

Coquina Beach improvements require more Australian pine removals
The map illustrates where the phase two drainage improvements will be made. – Manatee County | Submitted

Sturm’s presentation noted the completion of phase two would result in more than 900 striped and paved parking spaces at Coquina Beach. Approximately 700 of those paved parking spaces will be created in phase two. Sturm’s presentation notes the previous number of parking spaces was unknown because there was no formal layout for the unpaved spaces.

The estimated phase one cost was $3.36 million. The estimated phase two cost is $3.62 million.

Commission feedback

Holmes Beach resident and County Commissioner Carol Whitmore voiced the only opposition to the phase two plans.

“Now’s probably not even a good time for this to be coming up,” she said in reference to other parking issues that have surfaced on Anna Maria Island.

“Use that $3.6 million on something else we desperately need,” she said.

Commissioner Misty Servia felt differently.

“I am excited about the phase two project, especially when we consider the lack of parking out on the Island. The removal of the Australian pines in favor of native trees that are going to provide shade and canopy to the beach area is a great thing in my opinion. I am ready to make the motion for approval,” she said.

Commissioner Steve Jonsson seconded Servia’s motion and said, “I was certainly in favor of doing phase one first and seeing how that came out. I was out the visiting the site three weeks ago and it came out really well. It was a huge improvement.”

Jonsson said he was skeptical at first of the pervious pavement but seeing the phase one improvements changed his mind.

“I’m looking forward to getting the second phase done. We’ll have those 900 spaces,” he said.

Coquina Beach improvements require more Australian pine removals
This is an aerial view of the completed phase one drainage improvements. – Manatee County | Submitted

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh referenced a summary of facts included in Sturm’s presentation.

“Originally there were 990-plus Australian pines. In phase one, we only removed 103 of those 990-plus. Then in phase two it would be 87,” she noted.

Commission Chair Betsy Benac asked Sturm if the phase one and phase two improvements would produce more usable parking spaces at Coquina Beach. Sturm said they would.

Benac asked if the Australian pines along the multi-use path would remain in place. Sturm said they would.

Benac said she has not received any negative feedback since the phase one tree removals occurred and the phase one work ensued, and during Tuesday’s meeting, no one provided public comment on the matter.

“I am going to support this due to the fact that we’re going to have more usable spaces with these improvements,” Benac said.

Benac noted the paved parking spaces will provide beach access for all Manatee County residents and visitors.

“I think that’s a good thing,” she said.

The commission voted 6-1 in favor of moving forward with phase two, with Whitmore casting the only opposition vote.

Bower, Van Ostenbridge will square off in November

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

Updated June 18, 2020 at 10:22 a.m. MANATEE COUNTY – The winner of the District 3 Manatee County Commission race between non-party-affiliated candidate Matt Bower and Republican candidate Keven Van Ostenbridge will be decided in the general election in November.

In a previous story, The Sun mistakenly reported the District 3 race would essentially be decided in the Tuesday, Aug. 18, Republican primary due to the write-in candidacy of Nathan Meyer and the lack of a Democratic candidate.

According to Sharon Stief, Chief Deputy of the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office, Bower qualified as a Republican candidate on Monday, June 8, the first day of the one-week qualifying period. But on Friday, June 12, the final day of qualifying, Bower requalified as a candidate with no party affiliation.

Because of this change, Stief said neither Bower nor Van Ostenbridge’s name will appear on the primary ballot in August. Had Bower run as a Republican, this winner of this race would have been decided in the August primary.

“When he (Bower) came in to change his party affiliation that put the entire race on the general election ballot.  It won’t be on the primary ballot at all,” Stief said when contacted Tuesday afternoon.

Bower and Van Ostenbridge’s names will appear on the general election ballot in November. All registered voters in District 3, regardless of their own party affiliation, will be able to vote in that race that determines who fills the District 3 seat currently held by Steve Jonsson. Jonsson is not seeking reelection after one term in office.

Stief said Bower collected enough petition signatures to avoid paying the $3,441 qualifying fee when he first qualified as a Republican. Stief said those petition signatures no longer applied when Bower requalified later in the week as a non-party-affiliated candidate. Therefore, Bower then had to pay the qualifying fee.

As of Tuesday, Van Ostenbridge reported $93,581 in campaign contributions and Bower reported $870. Meyer reported no campaign contributions and as a write-in candidate name will not appear on any ballots during the 2020 election cycle. Nor will the names of any other write-in candidates.

District 7

Due to the write-in candidacy of Parrish resident Thomas Dell, and the lack of a Democratic candidate, the countywide District 7 at-large August primary race featuring former County Administrator Ed Hunzeker and Bradenton resident George Kruse will be closed to registered Republican voters only.

Hunzeker and Kruse are both running as Republicans and the lack of a Democratic challenger means the winner of District 7 Republican primary race in August will later fill the commission seat to be vacated Commissioner Betsy Benac. After two four-year terms in office, Benac decided not to seek reelection.

The closed District 7 primary race means registered Democrats and registered non-party-affiliated voters in Manatee County – including those who live on Anna Maria Island or in Cortez – will not be allowed to vote in the primary race that decides who fills Benac’s seat.

Hunzeker has thus far reported $105,760 in campaign contributions, Kruse reported $28,050 and Dell reported zero campaign contributions.

An option for non-Republicans

Florida is a closed primary state and write-in candidates who do not fundraise or actively campaign are often used by both the Republican and Democratic parties to close primary races in which the opposing party does not have a candidate.

There is a process that allows Democrats and non-affiliated independents to help determine the winners of the District 7 at-large race. Non-Republican voters who wish to cast votes in the District 7 primary race in August have until Monday, July 20 to change their party affiliation to Republican. Changing one’s party affiliation is legal and can be done as often as one wishes.

Voters who switch their party affiliation will cast primary votes using a Republican ballot. Changing party affiliation has no impact on the general election ballot used by all county voters. After the August primaries, party affiliation can be switched again.

Switching party affiliation can be done online.

Party affiliation can also be switched by email or standard mail. For more information, call the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office at 941-741-3823 or email info@votemanatee.com.

District 1 and 5 races

Incumbent District 1 Commissioner Priscilla Trace is the only Manatee County Commissioner facing a Democratic challenger in the general election. Democrat Dominique Shauntel Brown also seeks the District 1 seat and in November she will face off the winner of the District 1 Republican primary that also includes Republican James Satcher III. Write-in candidate James Hengel is also in this race, but his name will not appear on the primary or general election ballots.

Trace has thus far reported $51,724 in campaign contributions. Satcher reported $100 and Brown and Hengel reported no campaign contributions.

Write-in candidates Carol Ann Felts and Christopher Gilbert closed the District 5 County Commission primary race featuring incumbent Republican Commissioner Vanessa Baugh and there is Democratic candidate in that race so Baugh has reported $77,620 in campaign contributions but she is essentially running unopposed and will serve another term in office.

Commission pledges $5 million in tourist funds to Mote

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

BRADENTON – Manatee County commissioners have committed $5 million in Manatee County tourist tax funds to Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota County for marketing over the next five years.

Mote, which operates marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation facilities, an aquaculture facility, and conducts research into coral bleaching, red tide and other marine issues, previously requested $15 million to help build its planned Science Education Aquarium (SEA) at Nathan Benderson Park. However, Manatee County Attorney William Clague told commissioners at the time that Manatee County tourist tax proceeds can’t be used for construction projects outside the county, and commissioners declined the request, deciding to look for other ways to assist the organization.

The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) decided last month to recommend that county commissioners approve a reduced commitment of $1.25 million over 25 years, or $50,000 a year.

But county commissioners decided on Tuesday, Feb. 25 to raise that amount to $5 million, or $1 million a year for five years, earmarking the funds for marketing, not construction.

“I believe that right now we have an opportunity that we have not seen before and I’m not sure we’re going to see it again,” said County Commissioner and newly-appointed TDC Chair Misty Servia, who explained that she supports Mote as a means to improve water quality.

Reduced water quality could lead to reduced tourism, while improved water quality will support ecotourism, she said.

Commission Chair Betsy Benac agreed with Servia that supporting Mote is an “incredible opportunity.”

The board vote was unanimous in favor of the expenditure.

 

https://amisun.com/2020/02/03/tourist-tax-collections-2019/

 

County commission approves Coquina Beach tree removals

County commission approves Coquina Beach tree removals

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Manatee County.

BRADENTON – Manatee County commissioners have approved removing 97 more Australian pines from the south Coquina Beach parking lot, bringing the total so far to 103, including six already removed earlier this month.

The approved phase one tree removals are part of the county’s two-phase Coquina Beach stormwater and drainage improvement project. The $3.1 million first phase plan includes paving all the unpaved access roads and parking areas in the south parking lots with pervious concrete, which will allow rainwater to drain through it and into an underground filtration system that discharges into Sarasota Bay and/or Longboat Pass.

The project also includes the construction of a Florida Department of Transportation-funded sidewalk along the west side of Gulf Drive.

County commission approves Coquina Beach tree removals
These Australian pines along the south access road are among the 103 to be removed. Up to 129 more are being considered for removal. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Commissioners Vanessa Baugh, Steve Jonsson and Misty Servia supported Commissioner Priscilla Trace’s motion to remove the trees at the Tuesday, June 18 commission meeting. At-large commissioners Betsy Benac and Carol Whitmore opposed the decision. Commissioner Reggie Bellamy was not present.

The adopted motion approves the removal of all 103 non-native Australian pines slated for removal in phase one and calls for their replacement with another unspecified type of tree. At Servia’s request, the amended motion includes a request for the creation of a landscaping plan as soon as possible.

The fates of approximately 130 more Australian pines slated for removal in phase two have not yet been determined. The adopted motion calls for the commission to reevaluate the phase two plans to determine if the project is extended to the center and northern parking lots, and if so, how many more trees will be removed.

County commission approves Coquina Beach tree removals
Commissioner Priscilla Trace made the motion adopted by the commission majority. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

When making her motion, Trace said she doubted the commission would approve phase two.

The commission chose not to pursue an alternative plan that would have saved approximately 50 trees scheduled for phase one removal.

Commission comments

Whitmore, the commission’s only Island resident, made a motion to terminate the project. Her motion died without a second from another commissioner.

“Please listen to our community’s pleas – from the Island all the way out to Lakewood Ranch – to not change the character of our beaches,” Whitmore said.

County commission approves Coquina Beach tree removals
County Commissioner and Holmes Beach resident Carol Whitmore tried to stop the project and save the trees. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The meeting packet included 1,010 petition signatures that local Realtor Mike Norman and others collected in an attempt to save the trees.

“We did not know about the trees. It was never mentioned,” Whitmore said. “I respectfully ask that you find out from our legal counsel what it’s going to cost to cancel this contract.”

Benac then said, “I remember the workshop when we talked about pervious pavement. I honestly don’t remember voting to go forward with the project. I don’t know that we’ve ever seen a site plan that shows what’s happening at this site.

“Are we paving the whole thing? It’s not just about the trees. I’m concerned we’re going to have real pushback from people that are going to be horrified by us creating a Siesta Key-type parking lot,” Benac said.

County commission approves Coquina Beach tree removals
County Commissioner Betsy Benac cast one of the two votes opposing the tree removals. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“Yes, we’re proposing to pave every bit of parking area over time,” Butzow confirmed.

“If I had my way, I’d get rid of all the Australian pines,” Trace said, noting the commission approved an unrelated $300,000 three-year expenditure for exotic plant removals earlier that day.

“I don’t think we’re really changing the feel for that beach. I think they need to go, and we need to replant them with better shade trees,” Jonsson said.

Staff input

Newly-confirmed Public Works Director Chad Butzow, Project Manager Michael Sturm and Parks and Grounds Division Manager Carmine DeMilio explained the project in detail before the commissioners voted.

County commission approves Coquina Beach tree removals
Public Works Director Chad Butzow addresses county commissioners, with Project Manager Michael Sturm joining him at the podium. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“This is a stormwater drainage project that happens to include a parking lot because the drainage system is the parking lot,” Butzow said of the pervious concrete.

DeMilio said the project will address flooding issues that sometimes cause the parking lots to be closed.

The county spends $30,000 annually grading the unpaved surfaces to alleviate potholes, he said, adding that county staff spends significant time picking up fallen branches. He shared a photo of an Australian pine branch that recently landed on a parked vehicle.

Sturm said a certified arborist recommended the tree removals because the excavation for the paving would damage the trees’ shallow root systems. Sturm said raising the surfaces to be paved was discussed, but the arborist said burying the roots under 10 inches of topsoil would kill the pines.

Sturm said the arborist recently proposed an alternative that could save approximately 50 phase one pines designated for removal.

“He said I probably should have told you this in the beginning. What we can do is trim some roots and prune the tops so they’re not susceptible to the wind. It’ll take them about a year to recover, but in that time the roots will grow back and the trees will re-foliate, ” Sturm said.

“We were ill-prepared and we were well into the project when we discovered the trees were in harm’s way.” – Chad Butzow, Manatee County Public Works Director 

Butzow said staff did not recommend the pruning option, but it could be done. The commission took no action on that option.

Butzow said the phase two plans call for the removal of 126 to 129 additional Australian pines, which would leave 76 percent of the existing pines still standing.

“Nothing’s being touched that is water-side of the walking trail,”  Butzow said.

Sturm said phase two design revisions could save 80-90 percent of those trees: “It will take a little more work, but we can save the trees if that’s what you want to do.”

Butzow said the original plans only called for the removal of the 13 trees in direct conflict with the paving plans and that’s how the project was presented during a previous commission work session.

“We definitely missed on that one. We were ill-prepared and we were well into the project when we discovered the trees were in harm’s way,” Butzow admitted.

Butzow said the omission of a landscaping plan was also an error on his part.

Contact Manatee County commissioners by clicking on their names at the county website.

Related coverage:

City to county: ‘Not so fast’ on tree removal

County Commission authorizes removal of six Australian pines

Proposed tree removals delayed

 

 

 

Pat Glass Chambers

Pat Glass honored for her lasting legacy

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

BRADENTON – The Manatee County Commission chambers are now “The Honorable Patricia M. Glass Chambers” in honor of the county’s first female commissioner.

Pat Glass, 91, was elected to the County Commission in 1978 and during her 28-year tenure that ended in 2006 she served as commission chair seven times.

The commission renamed the chambers with a resolution on Tuesday, Nov. 27, with Glass in attendance, accompanied by her sons Marty and Michael, her daughters Diane and Mary, her granddaughter Nicole and a chamber full of well-wishers.

During his introductory remarks, County Attorney Mickey Palmer thanked Assistant County Attorneys Anne Morris and Alexandria Nicodemi and legal assistant Katie Pearson for preparing the detailed five-page biographical resolution he would read aloud.

“When I was initially informed that Mrs. Glass expressed a preference for me to read the resolution today, I must say I shed a tear and I began to do a lot of reflecting. In the late 1980s, and the entire decade of the 1990s, I was a young, impressionable assistant county attorney learning the right way to do things while Commissioner Glass was demonstrating the right way to do things,” Palmer said.

Lifetime of accomplishment

Glass was born in Cleveland. She and her husband Hank moved to Sarasota County in 1954 and to Manatee County in 1960. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a master’s degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences and served as chief of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s Division of Aging before Hank encouraged her to run for a commission seat.

Pat Glass Past
Pat Glass served on the Manatee County Commission from 1978 to 2006 and served as commission chair seven times. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

As a commissioner in the early 1980s, Glass lobbied the Florida Legislature for the funds to build the non-profit hospital that became Manatee Glens, later the Centerstone Behavioral Hospital Addiction Center.

When the county-owned Manatee Memorial Hospital was sold in 1984, Glass helped turn those proceeds into a trust fund for indigent health care.

In the 1990s, Glass created the AIDS Council of Manatee County and helped create what is now the Michael Bach Clinic.

Glass served on the Committee to End Chronic Homelessness and worked closely with the Bradenton Housing Authority. She also helped establish the Children’s Services dedicated millage that is the county’s most substantial source of funding for children’s programs.

“Never have I encountered anyone with as much honor, grace and intelligence.”
– Nick Azzara, Manatee County Information Outreach Manager

Glass served on the Board of Governors for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, chaired the Environmental Action Commission and was a founding member of the Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Programs.

Glass served as Tourist Development Council chair five times, led the efforts to purchase and preserve the Powel Crosley Estate and helped create environmental policies that protect county parks and the Duette, Emerson Point and Robinson Preserves.

“She earned a reputation as a consensus builder capable of accomplishing great things and creating enormous advancements in the areas of healthcare, affordable housing, environmental protection and drinking water resources for Manatee County residents,” the resolution says.

When Palmer finished, Glass said, “The money that funded all those programs did not come out of Manatee County, but from Washington and Tallahassee.”

She also mentioned the importance of working together for the love of the county and the love of one another.

Well-earned praise

At Glass’ request, County Commissioner Carol Whitmore spoke next. Whitmore met Glass in the 1980s while working as a nurse at Manatee Memorial Hospital and she still visits Glass regularly.

Pat Glass Honored II
County Commissioner Carol Whitmore and County Attorney Mickey Palmer were among those who spoke in tribute of their friend and mentor Pat Glass. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“Pat started the AIDS Council. She served as the president for years and that’s territory a lot people didn’t have enough nerve to do in those days,” Whitmore said.

“And my beloved trolley: She was one of the few commissioners that stood with me every time I came and asked to get that program going,” Whitmore, a former Holmes Beach mayor, said of Anna Maria Island’s free trolley service.

Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department Director Charlie Hunsicker recalled how Glass once insisted he join her at a party in Tampa, where he met his future wife, Susan.

“From my family to your family, thank you so much for bringing us together,” Hunsicker said.

Just for Girls CEO Becky Canesse thanked Glass for securing the funds that helped form that organization 25 years ago.

County Information Outreach Manager Nick Azzara worked with Glass when he was a newspaper reporter.

“I formed a unique relationship with you. We trusted each other. We talked about what was going on behind the scenes and you always let me know what was really going on. Never have I encountered anyone with as much honor, grace and intelligence,” Azzara said.

Commissioner Steve Jonsson said, “You broke the glass ceiling. You are an inspiration.”

After the resolution was adopted, the crowd moved to the lobby for the unveiling of the inscription, plaque and painting of Glass that now grace the chamber’s outer wall.

“She was a mentor to me. She showed you how to be an elected official – do what’s in your heart and do the right thing,” Bradenton Beach Mayor and former County Commissioner John Chappie said afterwards.

As the crowd thinned out, Glass was asked how it felt to have the commission chambers named after her.

“I never would have dreamed it, but we shocked a lot of them. If you’re going to be there, have fun doing it. The people in that audience did more for me than I did for them. It’s just a matter of bringing people together and that’s where the word ‘love’ is important,” she said.

Elections Whitmore

Whitmore, Servia, Bellamy win county commission races

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

Updated Nov. 6, 10:33 p.m. MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County voters, including those on Anna Maria Island, re-elected incumbent District 6 at-large County Commissioner Carol Whitmore to another four-year term.

County voters also elected Misty Servia in the District 4 race and Reggie Bellamy in the District 2 race.

Whitmore, a Holmes Beach resident and former Holmes Beach Mayor, received 98,214 votes (63.36 percent) and her challenger Candace Luther received 56,797 votes (36.64 percent).

In the District 4 race, Servia received 11,590 votes (52.08 percent) and Melton Little received 10,663 votes (47.92 percent).

In the District 2 race, Bellamy received 10,583 votes (58.27 percent) and Dimitrie Denis received 7,580 votes (41.73 percent).  

In the lone remaining Manatee County School Board race, Scott Hopes defeated Joe Stokes. Hopes received 70,386 votes (51.62 percent) and Stokes received 65,957 votes (48.38 percent).  

Countywide voter turnout was 67.13 percent.

BB Election Cole Maro

Cole, Maro retain Bradenton Beach commission seats

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach voters re-elected incumbent Bradenton Beach City Commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro, choosing them over challengers Tjet Martin and John Metz.

Bradenton Beach voters supported a return to geographically-based City Commission wards as one of seven proposed charter amendments recommended by the Charter Review Committee and supported by city voters.

Running unopposed, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and commissioners Amy Tripp and Brian Seymour retain their seats and will serve additional two-year terms in office.

Bradenton Beach commission races

In the Bradenton Beach race for the two seats currently held by Cole and Maro, Cole received 282 votes (32.12 percent), Maro received 242 votes (27.56 percent), Metz received 189 votes (21.53 percent) and Martin received 165 votes (18.79 percent).

Maro and Cole will serve additional two-year terms on the City Commission and be sworn in on Monday, Dec. 19. Their victories will maintain for another year a commission that also includes Mayor John Chappie and commissioners Jake Spooner and Randy White.

Charter amendments

Bradenton Beach voters also decided the fate of seven proposed amendments to the city charter and one park rezoning request.

Voters adopted Amendment 1. This means geographically-based City Commission wards will be reinstated beginning with next year’s elections: 295 voters (58.65 percent) supported the amendment and 208 voters (41.35 percent) opposed it.

BB Elections Amendments
Despite this sign of opposition, Bradenton Beach voters adopted several charter amendments proposed by the Charter Review Committee. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Voters adopted Amendment 2. This means City Commission candidates will now have to be registered city voters and will have to provide addition proof of residency when seeking office: 413 voters (79.73 percent) supported the amendment and 105 voters (20.27 percent) opposed it.

Voters adopted Amendment 3. This means the city charter will expressly state Bradenton Beach has a balanced form of city government in which all five members, including the mayor, have the same legislative and executive powers: 308 voters (61.48 percent) supported the amendment and 193 voters (38.52 percent) opposed it.

Voters adopted Amendment 4. This means the City Commission will retain the sole authority to hire and fire charter officials and departments heads, even if a city manager was to be hired in the future: 290 voters (58.23 percent) supported the amendment and 208 voters (41.77 percent) opposed it.

Voters adopted rejected Amendment 5. This means Article II and Article III of the city charter will be renumbered and reorganized (merely an administrative housekeeping matter): 306 voters (62.58 percent) supported the amendment and 183 voters (37.42 percent) opposed it.

Voters adopted Amendment 6. This means the commission will retain the ability to fill vacant City Commission seats by commission appointment: 328 voters (64.57 percent) supported the amendment and 180 voters (35.43 percent) opposed it.

Voters adopted Amendment 7. This means the charter requirements and processes that already apply to citizen-led, petition-initiated city ordinances and resolutions will also apply to citizen-led, petition-initiated efforts to amend the city charter: 320 voters (65.04 percent) supported the amendment and 172 voters (34.96 percent) opposed it.

City voters also supported the city’s request to rezone Katie Pierola Park from its current R-3 Multi-Family Dwelling District zoning designation to a Parks/Recreation/Open Space zoning designation. The vote was 460 votes (89.15 percent) in favor of the rezoning and 56 votes (10.85 percent) opposed to the rezoning request.

Manatee County seal

County Commission candidates discuss campaign issues

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

MANATEE COUNTY – The winner of the District 6, at-large County Commission race between incumbent Carol Whitmore and challenger Candace Luther will help represent Anna Maria Island and Cortez at the county level.

Manatee County Whitmore
Whitmore

How should County Commission-controlled Tourist Development Council funds be used on Anna Maria Island in terms of projects versus promotion?

Luther: I would focus on projects. Make things better for visitors and residents by making improvements that didn’t have funding previously. Give Visit Florida something to promote.

Whitmore: It’s very strict on how those funds can be spent. We’re still trying to open it up for law enforcement, lifeguards and other things that make life better for Island residents. We need to push for the state not to interfere with our city and county home rule.

What has/can the County Commission do to benefit Island and Cortez residents and businesses?

Luther: Impose a moratorium on phosphate mining, the use of fertilizers containing phosphate for non-farming uses and the use of Roundup and similar glyphosate weed killers. Stop overdeveloping and adding to the traffic and sewage problems we already have. Get the bike trails built so people have alternative transportation.

Whitmore: The red tide cleanup. I worked with Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and pushed for $750,000 in state funding and up to $1.5 million in county funding for the pier replacement. I worked with all three Island mayors to acquire $1 million in surplus beach concession funds and worked with The Center on its $100,000 request for concession funds. We have not raised the millage rate since 2009.

Manatee County Luther
Luther

What has/can the county do to assist the Island’s city governments?

Luther Create an Environmental Science Department to assess all things environmental – whether it be building, infrastructure, runoff drainage and sewers, roadways, chemical use, disposal methods, business operations and the transport of products.

Whitmore: Listen and stay involved. I routinely copy the Island cities’ elected officials on upcoming agenda items and anything related to the Island, so they’re informed of issues that affect them.

What percentage of your campaign contributions have come from the development and real estate communities?

Luther: Zero, not a single dollar. I have done most of this by myself without funding. That proves my dedication and that I am doing this because I truly care about my county and want to make it better.

Whitmore: My supporters are mainly the farming community, medical community and family businesses. Last year I had one fundraiser by the so-called developers that represent thousands of jobs and I have not had one since. I don’t accept contributions from Carlos Beruff or Mosaic, as they are so controversial.

What has the County Commission done to protect the county’s environment and natural resources and what more needs to be done in the next four years?

Luther: Stop phosphate mining in the watersheds of Lake Manatee, the Myakka River and the Peace River. Lake Manatee tested positive for cyanobacteria over a year ago, yet they continue to pollute with weed killer all around the county and residents were never notified of this bacteria in the water supply to my knowledge.

Whitmore: With the help of Swiftmud and other state agencies, the county has been restoring properties along the bays, lakes, rivers and natural shorelines. Manatee County was awarded as the first platinum green government in Florida last month. Manatee County has had a ban on fertilizer for five to seven years now, seagrasses are their healthiest since the 1950s, and we require developers to treat their run-off and hold 150 percent before it hits the bays.

Why should Anna Maria Island and Cortez voters vote for you instead of your opponent?

Luther: I have been out assessing the red tide situation and collecting samples trying to get something done to clean up this mess. Once I get the test results, I can identify the sources and start working on solutions. As an elected official, I should be able to finally get something done. A lot of citizens feel they have been ignored and have not had a voice. That is why I am running for the at-large seat, so I can help anyone in the county. It is time our government starts working for the people again.

Whitmore: My opponent does not know the Island’s politics, elected officials and what’s important to Island residents. My opponent does not know what it’s like to live in a tourism community and the toll it takes on residents. Many years ago, the county would not even visit the Island cites. That changed due to former commissioner John Chappie and myself.