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COVID-19 vaccines open up to ages 65 and older

COVID-19 vaccines open up to ages 65 and older

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Health.

MANATEE COUNTY – The county is giving a New Year’s gift to its seniors. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Manatee County on Dec. 28 and distribution to seniors age 65 and older will begin on Dec. 30.

During a Dec. 29 press conference held via Zoom, Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Nicholas Azzara said that 3,500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine had arrived in the county and that appointments for distribution of those vaccines to seniors aged 65 and older are now open.

The first two days of vaccine distribution, on Wednesday, Dec. 30 and Thursday, Dec. 31, will take place at the Manatee County Department of Public Safety complex at 2101 47th Terrace E. in Bradenton. Up to 300 people per day are expected to be vaccinated at the Department of Public Safety. On Friday, Jan. 1, the vaccine distribution center will be moved to Bennett Park at 400 Cypress Creek Blvd. in Bradenton. At Bennett Park, appointments are planned to be booked through Jan. 4 with up to 500 people vaccinated per day. Both sites will be drive-thru vaccination sites.

To book an appointment, visit the Manatee County website to complete the Department of Health vaccine screening and consent form. Print out a copy of the consent form which will be required onsite before a vaccine can be administered. Once that is complete, an Eventbrite site will open up to allow you to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine. If the website is busy, Azzara said to please keep trying. If you do not have computer access, please call the Manatee County Department of Health at 941-748-0747 for assistance.

Once you have an appointment, please arrive at the vaccine location on time and with a copy of your consent form, registration ticket from Eventbrite and photo identification to prove your age. All vaccine recipients are asked to stay in their vehicles unless directed to exit by onsite medical personnel. Anyone with a history of allergic reactions to vaccines will be asked to remain for 15-30 minutes after receiving the vaccine for observation.

While the 3,500 doses of the vaccine received by the county won’t come close to vaccinating all of the more than 100,000 residents at or over age 65, more vaccines are promised by the Florida State Attorney General’s Office to be on the way once Manatee County’s supply dwindles down to 500. As more vaccines arrive, more appointments will be available online for qualified individuals trying to get the vaccine.

There is no charge to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through the Manatee County vaccination site.

There are no residency requirements to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Manatee County. However, once the first dose of the vaccine is received, the recipient must receive the second dose in Manatee County. Vaccine records will not be able to be transferred to another state or facility. For the Moderna vaccine, a second dose must be administered 28 days after the first dose. While Manatee County does not yet have the Pfizer vaccine, that one has a 21-day period before a second dose must be administered. Illegal immigrants with valid photo identification who meet the age requirement will be able to receive the vaccine in Manatee County.

Manatee County Chief of Emergency Medical Services James Crutchfield said that once initial doses of vaccine are administered, a system will be set up for those requiring a second dose to register for vaccine appointments.

Residents of assisted living, nursing homes or other long-term care facilities will receive a vaccine from the staff of those facilities. Hospital staff and patients requiring the vaccine will receive their vaccinations at those facilities. The vaccines allotted to local hospitals will not be made available to the general public at this time.

For anyone who cannot get to one of the county-run facilities to receive their vaccine, Crutchfield said that plans for localized community vaccination distribution are being made though those vaccinations will take place further down the road. Right now, he said the priority for Manatee County is to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible to work toward herd immunity, expected to occur when 70-80% of the population has been vaccinated.

Currently, there is no timeline for when the vaccine will be made available to people less than 65 years old in the state of Florida.

While the Manatee County appointment site is a stop-gap for the time being, a state registration site for vaccinations is expected to be launched in two weeks.

For questions about the vaccine, dial 311.

Even once you receive a vaccination, county health officials still recommend practicing safe social distancing, wearing masks and frequent handwashing.

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Castles in the Sand

Real estate sales surge continues

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Happy New Year, are we all just about done with this year? I certainly am. Nevertheless, Anna Maria’s real estate market is not done, and this year has been an immensely successful one in spite of the pandemic.

Anna Maria’s popularity has exploded during the last 10 years, much of it fueled by newspaper and magazine articles about our “Florida Postcard, Old Florida” island. The latest love affair with Anna Maria is in Coastal Living Magazine’s end-of-year issue, just in time for tourist season, if we indeed have one this year. Coastal Living has written before about Anna Maria, but this particular version has to be the purple prose of Anna Maria stories.

The writing is so elaborately infused with the glory of our beaches, “near-dizzying,” the lure of Pine Avenue “hums with the old and the new simultaneously,” with restored homes that are now galleries, restaurants, bakeries, museums and bike rental shops.

Now, to be fair, all of this is true, but if I were reading this right now in snowy shut-down New York City, I would be fighting my way down I-95 to get here. In fact, I might just fight my way over the Cortez Bridge to see what I’m missing. I think it’s great that all of the businesses mentioned in the piece are getting credit and exposure for making Anna Maria such a sought-after island, but “double-decker building of delights” – please. I’ll let you figure out which restaurant they mean.

Practically every month this year, when I review the closed sales numbers in Manatee County, I get excited, and this month is no exception. So, let’s look at the November Manatee County closed sales reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.

Single-family homes closed 40.3% more properties in November this year compared to last year. Cash sales were up 52%, the median sale price was $350,500, up 7.2%, and the average sale price was $463,015, up 15.6%. The median time to contract was 19 days, up 55.8% and the month’s supply of properties was only 1.6 months, down 51.5%.

Condos closed 58.9% more properties in November this year compared to last year. Cash sales were up 77.4%, the median sale price was $237,250, up 10.3%, and the average sale price was $265,013, up 5.3%. The median time to contract was 34 days (no change from last year) and the month’s supply of properties was only 2.3 months, down 45.2%.

The month’s supply of available properties hit a new low, meaning if you’re looking for a single-family home or a condo, you will have slim pickings. Because of this, the median and average sale prices continue to push up with no end in sight. Fortunately, with mortgage rates also at an all-time low, buyers can qualify for a higher amount of financing. In addition, the percentage of cash transactions is extraordinary. Cash continues to be king and will easily make or break a deal. I expect December’s numbers will be slightly lower based on the surge of COVID-19 infections combined with the holidays, but we’ll see if that’s true.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the recent Longboat Key sale of $16.5 million – the highest registered sale in the history of Sarasota and Manatee.

Even if my writer’s critical eye has taken some exception to Coastal Living, I’m still happy they wrote about Anna Maria. It’s good for business and great for real estate. I just wonder what George Emerson Bean and Charles Roser would have thought. Happy New Year and stay safe.

Tourism is rebounding in Manatee County

Tourism rebounding in Manatee County

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

MANATEE COUNTY – Tourist Development Council members received some encouraging news just before Christmas.

During this morning’s meeting, held at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, representatives from Visit Florida and Research Data Services gave TDC members updates, and the news was good – tourism numbers are going up despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Jen Carlisle with Visit Florida said that while the numbers they’re seeing are an overall 37% decrease in tourism from the same time last year and a 57% decrease in tourism from Canada, travel increased in the second and third quarters of the year by 71%. Carlisle attributed the increase in numbers to the Visit Florida-led marketing efforts.

Beginning in September, she said the organization targeted Florida residents, urging them through marketing to take a trip in their own state. In October, the target area of that effort increased to include drivable markets within a 700-mile radius, such as Atlanta, Charlotte and Nashville.

From these rebound advertising campaigns, Carlisle said that Visit Florida has had 300 million impressions and that 70% of people who saw the marketing spots were more likely to visit the state than they were beforehand. And while international travel is still largely on hold due to travel restrictions, she said that Visit Florida is still marketing in other countries to keep the destination at the forefront of potential visitors’ minds when restrictions are lifted. Elliott Falcione, director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that his organization also is making sure that they continue marketing in other countries, particularly in Europe and Canada, to make sure that the Bradenton area is on visitors’ minds when they’re ready to book future travel plans.

Speaking on behalf of the central European market from Germany via Zoom, Dorothea Hohn said that her research has found that people are ready to travel to the United States again, particularly to beach and outdoor destinations like the Bradenton and Gulf Islands area, however, she added that those visitors are pinning their plans on the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine and the lifting of international travel bans and restrictions.

Anne Wittine of Tampa-based Research Data Services, the county’s tourism consultant, gave a presentation on the current state of tourism in the area, noting that the number of visitors is down only 10.3% for the year so far from 2019. The economic impact of tourism, – the amount of money put into the local economy by tourists – is down 13.2% from the previous year. And while occupancy is down 14.3% from the previous year, Wittine said that may largely be due to a lack of reporting from privately-managed vacation rental properties. She said that the majority of the occupancy numbers received come from hotels, motels and professionally-managed vacation rental units, and that it’s hard to get numbers from individual vacation rental owners or those rented through services such as Airbnb.

Some of the challenges facing the local tourism industry, Wittine said, are that visitors are waiting until the last minute, often one to seven days out from their expected travel time, to book vacations and that visitation from Canada and Europe, where travel restrictions are in place, is too small to count at this time. Another issue is that cancellations of trips are going up as the number of locally-reported COVID-19 cases increases.

And while the number of people feeling more confident and safe about traveling is steadily increasing, Wittine said one key element for the local tourism businesses is to provide good information on what is open and what kind of experience travelers can expect when they arrive at their destination, information that is often difficult to come by online.

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Castles in the Sand

Real estate markets upturned

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

The old rules governing a buyer’s and a seller’s market have been seriously adjusted in the time of COVID-19. Areas of the country where they never dreamed of running out of inventory and integrating buyers from major cities are still trying to figure it out while at the same time welcoming their good luck.

Realtor.com, after interviewing over 50 real estate agents in specific markets, has come up with the 10 top buying and selling markets nationwide. This analysis reflected closed sales for upper-end homes at $1 million or over.

A buyer’s market is something that we’re not remotely in right now in the Tampa Bay area, but since you never know when markets will turn, let’s establish some guidelines. The definition of a buyer’s market simply is one with more supply than demand. Santa Barbara County, California was at the top of the buyer’s market list with Santa Cruz County, California coming in at number 10. Florida had two counties on the list, Pinellas at number two and Collier at number four. Remember we’re talking about sales at $1 million or over.

A seller’s market is, of course, the opposite of a buyer’s market, defined as a market that has more demand than supply, with low levels of inventory and appreciating sales prices. Fairfax County, Virginia is at the top of the seller’s market analysis with Suffolk County, New York at the bottom. Florida has two counties on the top 10 list, Hillsborough County (Tampa) at number six and Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale) at number seven. Seller’s markets in this COVID cycle are typically suburban areas close to big employment centers that offer larger homes, property with office space and new construction.

Manatee County is certainly in a seller’s market, so potential buyers need to be cautious not to get in a bidding war and consider making an offer with an escalation addendum. Also eliminating all home sale contingencies like a mortgage will certainly put you in an advantageous position.

Now it’s time to review the October Manatee County sales statistics, reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, to determine if October’s numbers are as good as September’s were.

Single-family sales numbers compared to October of last year are as follows: Closed sales, up 48.4%; median sale price, $360,000, up 10.4%; average sale price, $481,349, up 20.7%; median time to contract, 18 days, down 58.1%; month’s supply of available properties, 1.8 months, down 45.5%; pending inventory, up 44.5% and cash transactions, up 53.6%.

Condo sales numbers compared to October of last year are as follows: Closed sales, up 39%; median sale price, $255,000, up 34.2%; average sale price, $294,595, up 13.2%; median time to contract, 41 days, up 8.9%; month’s supply of available properties, 2.6 months, down 36.6%; pending inventory, up 71.9% and cash transactions, up 10%.

Not only were the October numbers as good as September, they surpassed them in almost every area. The market is indeed soaring in both Manatee and Sarasota counties, and where this merry-go-round stops, I don’t think anyone knows, certainly not me.

The old adage, “All real estate is local,” has been a little upended this year. However, the principals are the same and we’ll eventually fall back into a normal market. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Castles in the Sand

Ghosts, goblins and COVID

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Halloween is in a couple of days, the first holiday since COVID struck that wearing a mask is not only encouraged, but welcome. Because of our beautiful fall weather, all of the little ghosts and goblins will be able to walk up and down the streets looking for treats, hopefully safely masked. Undoubtedly the scariest thing this Halloween won’t be the Mummy or Dracula but the thing we can’t see – COVID droplets.

The second most scary thing is what our financial situation will be after this is all behind us. As far as the real estate market, it is proving to be very durable with appreciation expanding and houses being eaten up as soon as they hit the market. Buyers are so ready to fight their way into homeownership that a large percentage aren’t even leaving their homes to do so.

According to realtor.com, 24% of 1,300 consumers surveyed said they would be willing to buy without seeing a property in person. This was back in April, so it’s likely that a more up-to-date survey would provide a larger percentage. Another survey dating to 2018 indicates that 20% of potential buyers made an offer on a property without seeing it in person. In a similar survey after COVID, this number has moved up to 45% so far this year, and it’s looking like this is not just a passing trend.

Not all real estate markets are experiencing the same movement. In New York City, which has been the hardest-hit major city in the country, sales in Manhattan were down 46.4% in the third quarter of the year compared to last year per the real estate company Douglas Elliman. In addition, Manhattan currently has more than 20 months’ supply of properties available. San Francisco is experiencing a similar market with properties lingering for months without buyers.

Manatee County continues to be a hot market with several new construction properties on the drawing board. In Cortez, the Hunters Point community is getting close to breaking ground with 86 single-family homes, 47 available boat slips as well as resort and hotel units. Parrish in Manatee County’s northwestern area is exploding with new communities being built on what was previously farmland.

To say the September sales report for Manatee County reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee is good would be grossly understated – it’s great. The only problem is we can’t add new listings fast enough.

Single-family homes closed 31.4% more in September than last September. The median sale price for this year was $350,000, an 11.1% increase over last September, and the average sale price was $478,964, a 25.5% increase. The median time to contract was 23 days, 46.5% less than last year, and the pending inventory has increased 59.5%. The month’s supply of properties is only 1.9 months, a 42.4% drop from last year.

Condos closed 73.5% more properties compared to September of last year. The median sale price was $220,000, up 10.6%, and the average sale price was $300,971, up 23.1% from last September. The median time to contract was 40 days, 44.4% fewer days than last year, and the pending inventory was up 45.8%. The month’s supply of properties was down 23.7% to 2.9 months.

The September update continues the trend of a rise in the number of sales, higher prices and fewer available listings compared to September of last year.

Enjoy Halloween with all of your masked friends and remember, if your house is haunted, it’s just between you and Casper – no one else has to know. Stay safe.

CARES Act funding applications reopen

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

MANATEE COUNTY – Applications are reopening for local nonprofit managers, small business owners and residents financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to request CARES Act funding through the county.

CARES Act funding applications for nonprofits open Oct. 19 with Recover Manatee Safety First Small Business Grant Program applications opening Oct. 21 and Manatee CARES Housing Assistance Program applications opening Oct. 28.

The nonprofit funding is only available to expand an existing program for food distribution, including holiday meals, to assist people in recovering from the pandemic. Only food distribution related expenditures are being considered for this round of funding.

A $5,000 grant for the purchase of personal protective equipment and other items needed to reopen safely is also open to applications for nonprofits. Nonprofits that previously received funding through this grant are invited to apply again.

The Recover Manatee Safety First Small Business Grant Program is in its third round and offers up to $50,000 in funding for Manatee County small businesses employing up to 500 people. The funding includes a $5,000 to fund safe operations and up to $45,000 for reimbursement of documented COVID-19 related business losses. Applications are not open to those businesses who’ve already received CARES Act funding.

The Housing Assistance Program provides eligible Manatee County residents with rent and mortgage assistance up to $10,000. Anyone affected by the pandemic with a household income at or below 150% of the area’s median income, $80,400 for a single person or $114,750 for a four-person household, is eligible to apply for funding.

Out of the $70 million in federal CARES Act funding expected to be distributed by Manatee County leaders, more than $6 million has been distributed so far for community health and well-being programs with an additional $10 million given to economic recovery programs, including nonprofits, small businesses and in rental and mortgage assistance.

For more information, or to apply, visit the county’s website.

Churches excluded from county’s face covering resolution

Churches excluded from county’s face-covering mandate

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

MANATEE COUNTY – Churches and all other houses of worship are now excluded from the mandatory face-covering provisions included in a recent Manatee County resolution.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, county commissioners voted 6-1 in favor of immediately excluding churches and places of worship from the face-covering mandates included in county resolution R-20-116, adopted on July 27.

County Commissioner Carol Whitmore made the motion to exempt houses of worship and to direct the county attorney’s office to present at the next commission meeting an amended resolution reflecting this change.

Whitmore said she made the motion because County Administrator Cherri Coryea and Public Safety Director Jake Sauer ensured the commission that the spread of the COVID-19 virus is currently flattening and declining in Manatee County.

Churches excluded from county’s face covering resolution
County Commissioner Carol Whitmore proposed the face-covering exclusion for churches. – Manatee County | Submitted

Although they supported Whitmore’s motion, commissioners Reggie Bellamy, Betsy Benac and Misty Servia expressed lingering public safety concerns about church congregations potentially contributing to the spread of the virus. Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said houses of worship should never have been included in the resolution.

Commissioner Steve Jonsson cast the only opposition vote. He said this was because of his general opposition to the original resolution, and not because he opposed excluding houses of worship.

In July, Whitmore, Benac, Bellamy and Servia supported the face-covering resolution and Baugh, Jonsson and Priscilla Trace opposed it.

“An individual in a business establishment must wear a face covering while in that business establishment,” the resolution says.

According to the original resolution, “The term ‘business establishment’ also includes places of worship.” The language referring to houses of worship is no longer valid and will be removed in the amended resolution.

The county resolution applies to the unincorporated areas of Manatee County, which includes Cortez. It also applies to the cities of Bradenton Beach and Palmetto, which have not adopted their own city-specific face-covering mandates. Face-covering mandates previously enacted in Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton do not specifically reference houses of worship.

County Attorney Mickey Palmer and Chief Assistant County Attorney Bill Clague told the commission that removing the houses of worship reference does not diminish the county’s ability to defend the resolution being challenged in a lawsuit filed on Aug. 2 by Joel Tillis – Senior Pastor of the Suncoast Baptist Church in Palmetto – and State Rep. Anthony Sabatini. The lawsuit alleges the county resolution is unconstitutional because it violates the privacy, due process and religious freedom clauses in the Florida Constitution.

Tillis was among the religious leaders who attended Tuesday’s meeting and called for the houses of worship exclusion.

Churches excluded from county’s face covering resolution
Pastor Joel Tillis asked county commissioners to exclude houses of worship from the county’s face-covering mandate. – Manatee County | Submitted

“I do not call into question the intent of your mask resolution. But I do call into question the unintended consequences that have inflicted unnecessary difficulty and strain on one of this nation’s most sacred institutions: that is houses of worship. The resolution redefined houses of worship fundamentally to be no more sacred than a Walmart or Wendy’s. Surely you did not intend that,” Tillis said.

“The resolution is fundamentally unfair to houses of worship. One can reserve a table for 15 at The Cheesecake Factory and take off the masks for two hours to eat and drink, yet to do so in a house of God is to break the very resolution that you have passed. The people that I represent have, are, and will continue to defy what we believe is an unconstitutional and insensitive resolution. I humbly ask for you to provide an exemption for houses of worship,” Tillis said.

When contacted later in the week, Palmer was asked what impact the commission decision has on the still-pending lawsuit.

“We believe that the plaintiff’s lawsuit complaint is rendered moot as it relates to houses of worship. There are other aspects of the plaintiff’s complaint, however, that are unrelated to the houses of worship issue. As to the unrelated issues, those will presumably survive the mootness argument but may very well be disposed of in a forthcoming motion to dismiss,” Palmer said.

Related coverage

 

Pastor and state representative challenge county mask mandate

Castles in the Sand

COVID causes changes in housing market

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Lots of people these days are telling themselves, “If this is the one life I have to live, maybe I need to set some priorities.” According to national and local real estate sales statistics, a lot of those priorities involve lifestyle and where to live, both of which are being turned upside down.

When the coronavirus hit in mid-March and everything shut down, it seemed like everyone was heading for the hills to hunker down. If you were lucky enough to own a second home in an area where the infection rate was lower and the amenities better, you were among the lucky. Now with the ability to work and educate remotely, those second homeowners are reconsidering turning their second homes into their first homes, completely reversing their lifestyle.

Second home sales in resort and rural communities have seen a surge in recent months. Buyers are looking for second homes where they can comfortably live long term or forever. This is no surprise to Florida generally and our area in particular, where properties are literally flying off the market. As of this writing per realtor.com, here is a quick unscientific analysis of properties for sale vs. properties already pending.

Manatee County has 4,934 properties listed for sale – 35% of them pending. Anna Maria city has 82 properties listed for sale – 30% of them pending. The combined cities of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach have 241 properties listed – 24% of them pending. Cortez has 27 properties listed for sale – 22% of them pending.

These are significant percentages of pending properties which backs up the positive June Manatee County sales statistics. Also, in June, Manatee County had 20% more pending single-family homes compared to last June and pending condos were up for the same period by 17.7%.

Not only has the virus had an effect on the second home market, it is also having an effect on the increase of suburban home sales. In recent years, the suburbs were looked on by young singles and families as a very “uncool” place to live.  Brady Bunch 1950s homes where many millennials and generation X young adults grew up had very little draw to this generation, who gravitated to cities and urban centers.

Well, a lot of that has changed since March, and urban dwellers are re-evaluating what’s really important to them and their children and are perceiving the suburbs as safer, cleaner and overall polished, the exact reason their parents and grandparents moved there in the first place. And it’s not only young employees viewing the suburbs differently, it’s also their employers. Working remotely does not require long and expensive commutes into city centers where commercial real estate costs are exorbitant.

Naturally, the suburbs close to big cities like New York City are benefiting the most; moves from New York City to Connecticut have more than doubled from last year. However, the trend is nationwide – what could be bad about a conference call overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

The world is shifting on its axis and it only took a few months and a nasty virus to make that happen. Maybe COVID-19 did us all a favor by forcing us to reevaluate our priorities; it wouldn’t be the first time a major world-wide event compelled us to readjust our thinking, and it won’t be the last time. Stay safe.

AMI’s sewage pipe in good shape, county official says

AMI’s sewage pipe in good shape, county official says

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

Could Anna Maria Island find itself in the same situation as Longboat Key, with a sewer pipe leak in the Intracoastal Waterway?

The sole sewer line serving Longboat Key, which runs under Sarasota Bay, broke in mid-June, causing a sewage spill that collected in the mangroves on Long Bar Pointe.

A sole 20-inch sewer pipe leads from Anna Maria Island to the mainland under Sarasota Bay, part of the Intracoastal Waterway, according to Jeff Goodwin, deputy director of the Manatee County Utilities Department.

The pipe, called a “force main,” is between 40 and 70 feet deep, immediately north of the Cortez Bridge, and is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that was fused to create one long pipe, eliminating joints to minimize compromises in the integrity of the pipe, he said.

Installed in 2008, the force main has a life span of 70 years, but the county would replace it if routine evaluations determine that replacement is necessary before then, Goodwin said.

Manatee County, not the three island cities, is responsible for the pipe, according to the county Utilities Department Director Mike Gore.

The pipe requires minimal maintenance, but essential components are on regular preventive maintenance schedules ranging from bi-monthly to yearly, according to Goodwin. County force mains and associated valves are evaluated by staff and consulting engineers every five years to determine replacement schedules based on critical risk factors. Projects are then programmed into the utility department’s capital improvement plan, he said.

The Florida Department of Transportation plan to replace the Cortez Bridge could necessitate the replacement of the pipe, he added.

The force main could have been suspended from the Cortez Bridge, but that option could have affected the integrity of the pipe and made it difficult to maintain, according to Goodwin, adding that portions of the pipe would still have had to be underwater where the drawbridge raises.

Should a leak similar to the one that occurred in the Longboat Key pipe happen, Manatee County workers would respond to the leak as soon as it was identified, he said, procuring tanker trucks to maintain the lift stations on the Island and isolate the section of compromised pipe in order to stop the leak. Workers would then begin the repair or replacement of the pipe and possibly temporarily bypass the breached section of pipe.

The county maintains an inventory of emergency repair parts and essential equipment to expedite response times, Goodwin said, adding that staff receives requisite training on how to properly respond.

Pastor and state representative challenge county mask mandate

Pastor and state representative challenge county mask mandate

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

BRADENTON – Representing Pastor Joel Tillis, attorney and state Rep. Anthony Sabatini (R-Clermont) announced this morning that a lawsuit has been filed challenging Manatee County’s mandatory face-covering resolution.

The lawsuit names Tillis as the plaintiff and Manatee County as the defendant. Tillis is the pastor of the Suncoast Baptist Church in Palmetto.

The lawsuit complaint was electronically filed late Sunday night in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court and publicly announced at 10 a.m. Monday morning during the Unmasking Liberty Rally held in front of the Manatee County Historic Courthouse.

Adopted by a 4-3 County Commission vote on July 27, the face-covering resolution states, “An individual in a business establishment must wear a face covering.”

The resolution provides several exceptions, including one for those who can maintain 6 feet or more of social distancing inside a business.

The resolution’s definition of “business establishment” includes places of worship.

Chief Assistant County Attorney Bill Clague told commissioners the resolution was based on the Leon County ordinance that has already withstood a court challenge.

Pastor and state representative challenge county mask mandate
County Commission candidate George Kruse attended Monday’s Unmasking Liberty Rally. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The lawsuit seeks emergency injunctive relief and a declaratory judgment. The complaint claims the county resolution is unconstitutional because it violates the privacy, due process and religious freedom clauses in the Florida Constitution.

“Unless an injunction is issued, plaintiff will suffer irreparable harm because his constitutional rights are being violated. Plaintiff seeks declaratory judgment declaring that Resolution 20-116 is illegal and void,” the complaint says.

Lawsuit rally

During Monday’s rally, Sabatini and Tillis addressed approximately 100 mask-less supporters.

Tillis began with a prayer.

“We pray for those that are going through this suffering with COVID-19, but we also pray that your grace would be upon those of us that are suffering the ever-increasing loss of our freedoms,” he said.

Sabatini said, “The mask mandate is illegal because it infringes several parts of the Florida Constitution. We represent a church. Churches should be able to exercise their religion freely. If you want to wear a mask, wear a mask. There’s no controlled study or direct evidence that masks actually work in society.”

Pastor and state representative challenge county mask mandate
Many rally attendees expressed their views with homemade signs. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Tillis said, “This is not an issue of right or left, Republican or Democrat. This is not even an issue of Trump or Biden. This is an issue of right and wrong.”

He then took exception to churches being defined as businesses.

“They associated the houses of worship somewhere between a Wal-Mart and a Taco Bell and that is unacceptable. We are not a business. And what we stand for is not just for the Christian faith. We stand for all faiths to have their liberty to be able to practice what they believe, apart from interference of the law. This mask resolution effectively interferes with our ability to worship. We also believe that it’s an end-run around rights that were already given to us by the governor. Early on, the governor said churches are essential and this resolution interferes with our essential work in the community. We cannot do our job as ministry under this resolution,” Tillis said.

Additional comments

After his remarks, Tillis was asked about his church services.

“It hasn’t impacted our church because we don’t accept the resolution. We conduct our church as we normally do. We stress that people use whatever precautions they feel necessary in accordance with the CDC guidelines, but we don’t mandate that they do,” Tillis said.

Pastor and state representative challenge county mask mandate
Service and church activities continue as normal at the Suncoast Baptist Church in Palmetto. – Google Maps | Submitted

Sabatini said he’s been involved with 14 mask-related lawsuits in Florida, including his unsuccessful legal challenge in Leon County.

“In my case, a trial court judge disagreed in Leon County. Another judge disagreed with another party similar to ours in Palm Beach County. But until this reaches the Florida Supreme Court there is no definitive law and we’re going to fight this all the way, legally and politically,” Sabatini said.

“When contacted Monday afternoon, County Attorney Mickey Palmer said, “As with all lawsuits against county government, the plaintiff can expect an aggressive defense from the Office of the County Attorney.”

County Commission adopts mandatory mask resolution

County Commission adopts mandatory mask resolution

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

UPDATED July 27 at 11:15 p.m. – MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County now has a mandatory face-covering resolution in place.

On Monday, county commissioners voted 4-3 in favor of adopting and implementing a county resolution that makes face coverings mandatory inside many business establishments and allows for certain exceptions. The face-covering resolution does not apply to outdoor spaces.

Commissioners Reggie Bellamy, Betsy Benac, Misty Servia and Carol Whitmore supported the face-covering resolution. Commissioners Vanessa Baugh, Steve Jonsson and Priscilla Trace opposed it.

The resolution was adopted during the special county commission meeting at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto. Monday’s actions were preceded by a similar 4-3 vote on Wednesday, July 22, when the commission majority requested a face-covering resolution be presented at Monday’s meeting, with a more formal and time-consuming face-covering ordinance to follow.

However, after adopting the resolution, the commission voted unanimously to not pursue a face-covering ordinance at this time. Chief Assistant County Attorney Bill Clague said an ordinance that carries greater legal weight could be pursued later if the resolution is challenged in court.

At the recommendation of Clague, the Manatee County resolution is based on the Leon County mask ordinance that recently withstood a court challenge. During Monday’s meeting, Clague said mask mandates in Palm Beach County and Alachua County have also withstood legal challenges.

Dr. Jennifer Bencie and Dr. Edwin Hernandez, of the Manatee County Health Department, addressed the commission and expressed support for a countywide mask mandate.

“If everybody wore a mask it would greatly reduce that potential spread in all of these settings we’ve talked about today,” Bencie said.

After nearly five hours of discussion and public input, Commission Chair Betsy Benac said, “We should not have to mandate this, but the reality is we do have to mandate it because people are not wearing masks. It is about public safety.”

The resolution

As adopted, Resolution R-20-116 states: “It is in the best interest of the county, and furthers the public health, safety and welfare of the county, to require the wearing of face coverings and the displaying of signs in business establishments to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

According to the resolution, “An individual in a business establishment must wear a face covering while in that business establishment.”

The requirements do not apply to:

  • Situations in which individuals maintain 6 feet or more of distance between persons. This exception does not apply to employees who are present in the kitchen or other food and beverage preparation areas of a business establishment. Nor does it apply to employees serving food or beverages.
  • Children under the age of 6.
  • People who have trouble breathing due to a chronic pre-existing condition or individuals with a documented or demonstrable medical problem.
  • Public safety, fire, and other life safety and health care personnel who are already governed by their respective agencies.
  • Restaurant and bar patrons while eating or drinking. Face coverings must be worn when entering and exiting the establishment and while otherwise standing within 6 feet of other patrons.
  • Individuals inside a lodging establishment, including hotel and motel rooms, vacation rentals and timeshares.

“Every business establishment shall display conspicuous signage notifying all persons of the requirement to wear a face covering,” the resolution says.

According to the resolution, the term “business establishment” includes transportation companies such as Uber and Lyft and also applies to mass transit, taxis, limousines, rental cars and other passenger vehicles for hire. It also includes locations where non-profit, governmental and quasi-governmental entities facilitate public interactions and conduct business, and to places of worship.

The resolution defines face coverings as “A material that covers the nose and mouth and that fits snugly against the sides of the face so there are no gaps. It can be made of a variety of materials, such as cotton, silk or linen. Coverings with materials made of multiple layers are highly encouraged. A cloth face covering may be factory-made or sewn by hand or the cloth face covering can be improvised from household items.”

Clague said plastic face shields are not included because the CDC does not recommend face shields as substitutes for cloth face coverings.

Enforcement and applicability

According to the adopted resolution, a face-covering violation would be a noncriminal infraction that does not authorize the search or arrest of an individual. At the request of the commission, the revised resolution states the first offense of the mask resolution will result in a warning. A second offense could result in a citation that carries a $50 fine, with a $125 fine for a third offense and $250 for each subsequent offense.

“This emergency resolution shall apply countywide within both unincorporated and incorporated areas, provided that any municipal resolution or ordinance addressing the issue of face coverings – either more restrictively or less restrictively – shall supersede this emergency resolution within the applicable incorporated area,” the resolution states.

Clague said the county resolution does not supercede local mask mandates adopted by city governments.

The cities of Anna Maria and Holmes Beach already have emergency mask ordinances in place.

The city of Bradenton Beach recommends masks but, as of Monday, did not have a formal mask policy in place. Pending future action by the Bradenton Beach City Commission, the county resolution applies to Bradenton Beach businesses and patrons.

“This emergency resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. This emergency resolution shall remain in full force and effect for so long as the local state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic remains in effect,” the resolution states.

Public input

Dr. Cassandra Hafner was one of several physicians who provided public comment in support of a mask mandate.

“Our hospitals are full. Our ICU units are full. We have no Remdesivir. Things are dire in the hospital,” she said.

Emergency room physician Dr. Alicia Rech expressed similar concerns about the lack of local ICU beds.

She then said, “I feel that is a small sacrifice to make to wear a mask to protect other people. I’m afraid to kiss my husband and my kids. It’s terrifying. I’m scared when I see people without masks because I don’t want them to spread it to me.”

Ellenton resident Gary Guerin was one of many who spoke in opposition to a mask mandate.

“It’s not about the masks, it’s about the mandate. This is our freedom you’re talking about here. The word mandate should scare you. How dare you even think about mandating something like this. This is not the way to go,” he said.

Election concerns

During Wednesday’s meeting, Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett pleaded with the commission to enact a mask mandate before the county elections in August.

Bennett said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he’s already reduced the number of voting precincts for the August elections from 70 to 60, and he’s prepared to go to 55 if needed.

“We’re having such a hard time getting clerks and poll workers for the elections. I have lost close to 50% of the clerks for the elections in Manatee County who are refusing to come because Manatee County doesn’t have an ordinance to make it safe for them. If you want a good election, let’s not suppress the vote. Give me all the help I need,” Bennett said.

First COVID-19 case reported in Anna Maria

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – According to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), the first positive COVID-19 case in Anna Maria became known on Friday, June 26.

The case appeared on the Saturday, June 27 Daily COVID-19 Data Report. FDOH distributes the daily data reports via email and they are also archived at the Florida Division of Emergency Management website, www.floridadisaster.org.

According to Monday’s daily data report, no additional positive cases had been reported in Anna Maria. As of early Monday afternoon, eight positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in Bradenton Beach and seven positive cases have been reported in Holmes Beach since the pandemic began.

As of Monday, 1,954 positive cases had been reported in the city of Bradenton and 2,792 Manatee County residents and 18-non-residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

According to the online FDOH COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard that uses much of the same data, there had been a total of 262 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Manatee County and 130 COVID-19 deaths in Manatee County since the pandemic began. Of those deaths, 88 (67.6%) have been attributed to residents or employees at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other long-term care facilities.

As of Monday, 39,610 people in Manatee County had been tested since the pandemic began. Of those tests, 36,783 came back negative and 2,810 came back positive for COVID-19. A positive test result is then attributed to the zip code shown on the tested person’s driver’s license or ID.

As of Monday, 7.1% of all those tested in Manatee County tested positive. The percent positive rate increased by 1% since Tuesday, June 23, when Public Safety Director Jake Sauer reported a 6.1% positive rate to county commissioners.

Sauer told county commissioners the 35208 zip code in Manatee County had the highest number of COVID-19-positive cases in the entire Tampa Bay region. As of Monday, there had been 571 positive cases reported to date in the 35208 zip code that includes Samoset. There had been 343 reported cases to date in the adjacent 35203 zip code that includes Oneco.

County and state increases

Last week saw significant increases in COVID-19 cases in Manatee County and Florida.

The FDOH Dashboard reported 39 new cases in Manatee on Monday, June 22; 114 new cases on Tuesday; 67 new cases on Wednesday; 168 new cases on Thursday; 270 new cases on Friday; 95 new cases on Saturday and 76 new cases on Sunday. During that seven-day period, 829 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Manatee County.

As of Monday, FDOH reported 146,341 positive COVID-19 cases in Florida, with 143,805 of those being Florida residents. There were 3,447 COVID-19 deaths and 14,354 hospitalizations reported since the pandemic began. In Florida, 1,819 (52.7%) of the reported COVID-19 deaths have been attributed to residents and employees at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other long-term care facilities.

FDOH reported 3,823 new Florida resident cases on Monday, June 22; 5,452 new cases on Tuesday; 4,965 new cases on Wednesday; 8,813 new cases on Thursday; 9,557 new cases on Friday; 8,424 new cases on Saturday and 5,409 new cases on Sunday. During that seven-day period, 46,443 Florida residents tested positive for COVID-19.

Since the pandemic began, 1,914,151 people have been tested in Florida. Of those, 1,766,402 tests have come came back negative and 146,341 tests have come back positive. As of Monday, the percent positive rate had increased to 7.6% statewide.

County commission has no plans to make masks mandatory

County commission has no plans to make masks mandatory

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

MANATEE COUNTY – This afternoon, Manatee County commissioners informally discussed face masks as they pertain to the COVID-19 pandemic, but no commissioner proposed making masks mandatory or pursuing a county ordinance that would enact such a law.

“I wish every person would have a sense of personal responsibility that they could cause the death of somebody by bringing this home. Do I think it’s right to have an ordinance that mandates you wear a mask? No, because I don’t think it will do any good. As your chair of the Manatee County Board of Commissioners, I think you should wear a mask when you’re out in public,” Commission Chair Betsy Benac said.

Commissioner Misty Servia proposed the commission collectively issue and continue to issue a public health alert using the reverse 911 system and various other communication platforms at the county’s disposal.

When reading aloud her proposed public health alert, Servia said, “COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus and currently a worldwide pandemic with no cure. The current death rate of positive cases in Manatee County is 10%. Manatee County urges all businesses to require patrons and staff, as well as our citizens, to take these smart steps to keep yourself, your family and our community safe:

  • Frequently wash your hands;
  • Don’t touch your face;
  • Maintain a 6-foot social distance from others;
  • Wear a mask when inside buildings and public transit;
  • Avoid large crowds as much as possible:
  • Our vulnerable populations should remain safer at home much as possible.”

Servia’s motion received some initial support but eventually died without a second from another commissioner.

Benac noted business owners have the right to require employees and patrons to wear masks, but that remains a decision each business owner must make.

Public Safety Director Jake Sauer said Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees recently issued a statement similar to Servia’s proposed health alert.

https://amisun.com/2020/06/22/state-health-officer-wear-your-mask/

Servia said she was OK if the commission wanted to issue Rivkees’ message instead of the public health alert she drafted.

Commissioner Priscilla Trace made a motion directing Sauer and County Administrator Cheri Coryea to come up with some form of public health statement to be presented to the commission no later than the conclusion of the commission’s land use meeting on Wednesday, June 24.

The commission voted 5-2 in favor of Trace’s motion. Commissioner Carol Whitmore and Steve Jonsson opposed the motion.

Whitmore said she wanted more time to consider what was being proposed. Jonsson did not explain his vote, but during the discussion, he expressed his opposition to mandatory masks. He questioned how a mandatory mask requirement could be enforced and he stressed the importance of each individual taking personal responsibility for protecting themselves and their loved ones.

During the meeting, Sauer told commissioners positive COVID-19 cases and the percentage of positive tests continue to rise in Manatee County. He said those numbers rose significantly in the past week or so and are not attributed to increased testing.

Eight people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, while no cases have been reported in Anna Maria, according to the Florida Department of Health. As of this morning, Florida had 111,973 reported cases with 3,333 deaths. Manatee County had 2,135 reported cases with 129 deaths.

“This indicates we have sustained community spread within our younger age groups,” Sauer told the commission.

Spike in COVID-19 cases follows reopenings

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Health.

Manatee County had the highest spike in COVID-19 cases in a month on Thursday, June 11, with 56 new cases reported by the Florida Department of Health.

Statewide cases also spiked that day with 1,663 new cases.

The CDC ranks Manatee County fifth among Florida counties for the number of COVID-19 deaths.

The increases come within three weeks of the May 21 reopening of Florida vacation rentals from state-imposed closures intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Gov. Ron DeSantis reopened beaches, restaurants, retail stores and state parks on May 4, hair and nail salons on May 11, and gyms on May 18.

The incubation period for the coronavirus, or COVID-19, is up to 14 days, with more than 97% of people developing symptoms withing 11.5 days of becoming infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

From May 13 to June 11, new cases of COVID-19 trended upward both countywide and statewide.

As of June 11, 1,309 people in Manatee County with the coronavirus have been reported, with 114 people who died from the disease.

The CDC ranks Manatee County fifth among Florida counties for the number of COVID-19 deaths.

No cases were reported in Anna Maria or Cortez and fewer than five were reported in Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach combined.

Statewide as of June 11, there have been 70,971 people with COVID-19 in Florida, and 2,877 people have died from the disease – more than the number of people who died in the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, which killed 2,753 people, according to the Encyclopedia Brittanica.

The CDC predicts more than 3,500 more cases in Florida by July 1.

Nationwide, 2,038,344 cases of coronavirus have been reported, with 114,625 deaths.

Related coverage

State health officer: ‘Wear your mask’

 

 

Tips for staying safer from coronavirus

Groceries

Order groceries online or use curbside pickup. If you must shop in a store, stay at least 6 feet away from others, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering, go during hours when fewer people will be there and if you are at higher risk for severe illness, find out if the store has special hours for people at higher risk and shop during those hours. People at higher risk for severe illness include adults 65 or older and people of any age who have underlying medical conditions or are immune compromised. Disinfect the shopping cart with disinfecting wipes if available. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If possible, use touchless payment (pay without touching money, a card or a keypad). If you must handle money, a card, or use a keypad, use hand sanitizer right after paying.

Deliveries, mail and takeout

Use delivery services when possible, having bags of ordered food left on a home doorstep. Limit in-person contact if possible. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after accepting deliveries or collecting mail.

Banking

Bank online when possible. If you must go inside the bank, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol after any deposit, withdrawal, exchange, drive-thru visit or use of an ATM.

Wash your hands thoroughly when you arrive home.

Getting gas

Use disinfecting wipes on handles and buttons before you touch them (if available). After fueling, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when you get home or somewhere with soap and water.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Island celebrates bar reopenings

Island celebrates bar reopenings

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Featured, Restaurants | Bars.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Florida bars reopened Friday and the Anchor Inn in Holmes Beach was the first one on Anna Maria Island to restart its business.

Anchor Inn owners Darla and Bobby Tingler hosted a soft reopening that began at 12:01 a.m. in accordance with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-139 – an order that allowed bars, bowling alleys, movie theaters, concert houses, arcades and other entertainment businesses to reopen at 50% capacity.

The soft reopening coincided with their son Robbie Tingler’s 21st birthday and Darla checked with Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer to make sure the 12:01 a.m. opening was allowed.

At 12:01, Darla, Bobby and the bartender on duty began serving drinks and Michael Hesselbert was the first to get a pitcher of beer.

“I missed this place. Hopefully, we’ll get a little more normalcy back in our world,” he said.

Joined by Elizabeth Shirey, Dcoy Ducks’ bartender Shane Weaver ordered two shots of Rumple Minze and said, “I’m excited to have a cheers with my friends at the Anchor.”

“I’m excited, but I still think we were picked on because the governor never gave us an explanation about why he held off so long,” Darla said.

“Two-and-a-half months is a lot of days of not getting any information,” Bobby said.

After noting the hand sanitizers and social distancing signs, Bobby said, “I’m allowed 32 or 33 people at 50% capacity and we’ll monitor it the best we can. If there’s a line outside, they’re just going to have to wait.”

Joyful reopenings

The Anchor Inn opened again at 7 a.m. Friday morning. The Drift In in Bradenton Beach also opened at 7 a.m. Tommy Knockers in Bradenton Beach opened at 9 a.m. Dcoy Ducks in Holmes Beach opened around 10:30 a.m. and the Sports Lounge in Bradenton Beach opened at noon.

Drift In bartender Susan McAllister brought homemade coffee cake and doughnuts and brewed a pot of coffee for the occasion.

“I’m excited to be back to work and glad to be getting off unemployment. I hope the country never closes like this again,” she said.

Shortly after 7 a.m., McAllister’s first customer arrived and ordered a draft beer.

“I’m glad they’re open, but I’m going to try to keep my distance. I usually don’t drink this early, but it’s a special occasion,” he said.

A few minutes later, Jim Kosco took a seat and said, “It’s wonderful. I’m missing all my friends and confidantes.”

A return to the Drift In at 3:30 p.m. found longtime patron Donald White sitting at the bar with Dan Cleary.

“It feels like a homecoming. I got my barstool back,” White said.

While working the outside bar, bartender Sharon Bell said, “I’m just over-the-moon happy to be back.”

Dos-Macs performed under a tent in the Drift In parking lot and concluded their afternoon show at 4 p.m. before the rain got heavier.

Inside the neighboring Sports Lounge, several regular customers sat around the bar celebrating the reopening as afternoon gave way to evening.

Down the road at Tommy Knockers, bartender Courtney Call discussed the reopening and said, “It’s about time. We have a good turnout. Everyone’s happy and everyone missed socializing.”

Back at the Anchor Inn, Brad the bartender had worked up a sweat and he jokingly said, “I need a vacation already.”

Around 7 p.m., Dcoy Ducks owner/general manager Richie Brown stood behind the bar and said, “We love being back open and seeing all of our Island friends and loyal customers. We know we’ll be at full 50% capacity later tonight. On Fridays and Saturdays we always have a doorman, but tonight we’re going to have two – and we’ll do that for the first couple weeks to make sure everyone is safe.”

Brown also weighed in on bars being among the last Florida businesses to reopen.

“It’s been about two and a half months. I think it was long overdue for the bars. The rent, the mortgage, the utilities – those bills keep coming in. They don’t stop just because we’re closed,” he said.

Doorman Matt Vinski said, “My job is to make sure people practice social distancing and to keep a count on how many people are coming and going to make sure we stay at our capacity.”

At The Doctor’s Office, craft cocktails to go were sold as business operations resumed.

Meanwhile, Sports Lounge bartenders Courtney McGough and Patrick Edwards were surrounded by friends and familiar faces.

“We are excited to see all those faces we’ve missed for so long,” McGough said.

Inside the Drift In, Concrete Edgar was rocking out again on a Friday night.

Wearing a mask while tending bar, manager Doreen Flynn said, “I took some bar tables out and moved some stools to different spots. It’s a challenge to keep it at 50% inside and I’ve had to ask some people to please go outside where the capacity is 100%. But we missed everybody, and everybody loves us being open.”