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Bradenton Beach voters eliminate term limits

Bradenton Beach voters eliminate term limits

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Bradenton Beach voters have eliminated the term limits that previously applied to the city’s mayor and city commissioners.

Bradenton Beach’s registered voters supported three other amendments to the city charter and rejected one proposed amendment.

Election results

U.S. Senator – Marco Rubio

U.S. House District 16 – Vern Buchanan

Florida Governor – Ron DeSantis

Attorney General – Ashley Moody

Chief Financial Officer – Jimmy Patronis

Commissioner of Agriculture – Wilton Simpson

State House District 70 – Mike Beltran

State House District 72 – Tommy Gregory

Manatee County Commissioner District 2 – Amanda Ballard

Manatee County Commissioner District 4 – Michael Rahn

Manatee County Commissioner At-Large – Jason Bearden

According to the unofficial election results posted at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office website Tuesday evening, 213 voters (51.08%) supported eliminating term limits and 204 voters (49.92 %) opposed doing so.

The term limits previously set forth in the city charter limited elected officials to serving three consecutive two-year terms in the same elected office.

Eliminating term limits allows incumbent Ward 2 City Commissioner Marilyn Maro, who ran unopposed in the election, to serve a fourth consecutive term in office. Had voters retained term limits, Maro would not have been allowed to serve another consecutive term and would have term-limited out of office.

Bradenton Beach voters eliminate term limits
The election results allow incumbent Commissioner Marilyn Maro (shown here with her husband Ed) to serve another term in office. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Running unopposed, and not impacted by the term limit vote, Ward 4 Commissioner Ralph Cole also earned another two-year term in office.

Bradenton Beach voters eliminate term limits
Running unopposed, incumbent Commissioner Ralph Cole earned another term in office. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Eliminating term limits would have also resulted in Mayor John Chappie and Ward 1 Commissioner Jake Spooner term-limiting out of office in November 2023 after the completion of their current terms.

Bradenton Beach was the only city on Anna Maria Island that had term limits.

Maro and Cole will be sworn in to their next terms on Monday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m.

Additional charter questions

Bradenton Beach voters supported charter amendment question 2, which read as follows: “The current city charter requires a ward commissioner to reside in the ward they represent. Should the city amend its charter to establish a procedure to temporarily fill the ward seat for one term with an at-large commissioner if no ward resident is available or willing to run for office?”

According to the unofficial election results, 226 voters ( 54.46%) supported charter amendment 2 and 189 voters (45.54 %) opposed it.

The election results now allow the commission to fill a short-term vacancy with an appointee that lives anywhere in the city.

Voters rejected ballot question 3, which read as follows: “The current city charter requires the city to provide a special election to fill a vacancy that results in more than six months from a resignation required by Section 99.012, Florida Statutes. Should the charter be amended to allow for all vacancies to be appointed by the city commission?”

According to the unofficial election results, 253 voters (61.26%) opposed this proposed charter amendment and 160 voters (38.74%) supported it.

Retaining this charter provision means the city must continue to hold a special election to fill any commission seat being vacated for more than six months.

By a one-vote margin, Bradenton Beach voters supported charter amendment question 1, which read as follows: “Currently the city charter vests authority in three arbitrators to hold forfeiture of office proceedings against an elected official with costs to be borne by the city. Should the city revise its charter to eliminate the three arbitrator-panel procedure and replace it with the former forfeiture provision utilizing the city commission to conduct the proceedings?”

According to the unofficial election results, 206 voters (50.12%) voters supported this charter amendment and 205 voters (49.88 %) opposed it.

The results mean the city commission can now initiate forfeiture of office proceedings against a sitting commission member without using outside arbitrators. Removing an elected official from office still requires the majority support of the city’s registered voters.

Logistical in nature, charter amendment 5 pertained to commission actions that require a city ordinance. The ballot question read as follows: “Currently the city charter sets forth actions requiring an ordinance. Should the city amend the charter to remove employee personnel benefits and procedures from this section and require actions of the city regarding employee personnel benefits and procedures to be adopted in a public meeting through a resolution of the commission?”

According to the unofficial election results, 237 voters (59.10%) voters this charter amendment and 164 voters (40.9%) opposed it. Approval of this amendment streamlines the manner in which city employee benefits and employee procedures are addressed by the commission.

The charter amendments were proposed earlier this summer by the city commission-appointed charter review committee that was guided in its review process by City Attorney Ricinda Perry. The city commission then unanimously supported placing the five committee-recommended charter amendment questions on the ballot.

Anna Maria

Running unopposed, incumbent Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and incumbent city commissioners Deanie Sebring and Mark Short earned additional two-year terms in office. The trio will be sworn in during the commission’s organization meeting on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m.

Holmes Beach

Running unopposed, first-time candidates Dan Diggins and Greg Kerchner won seats on the Holmes Beach City Commission. Incumbent Commissioner Kim Rash did not seek reelection and incumbent Commissioner Jayne Christenson withdrew from the race after she qualified to seek reelection. Diggins and Kerchner are to be sworn in Wednesday morning, Nov. 9.

  Term limits on Bradenton Beach ballot, again

Term limits on Bradenton Beach ballot, again

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

BRADENTON BEACH – With mail voting now underway, Bradenton Beach voters have begun deciding the fate of five proposed amendments to the city charter.

The five charter amendment questions that appear on the Bradenton Beach ballot were proposed and supported by the majority of the city commission-appointed charter review committee and supported unanimously by the city commission.

The decisions made by Bradenton Beach voters regarding term limits and the filling of commission vacancies will impact the configuration of the Bradenton Beach City Commission for years to come.

The general election concludes with in-person voting on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Forfeiture of office

Ballot question 1 pertains to the forfeiture of office provisions that apply to the city’s elected officials and reads as follows: “Currently the city charter vests authority in three arbitrators to hold forfeiture of office proceedings against an elected official with costs to be borne by the city. Should the city revise its charter to eliminate the three arbitrator-panel procedure and replace it with the former forfeiture provision utilizing the city commission to conduct the proceedings?”

Voter approval of this proposed amendment would eliminate the current charter requirement that requires a three-person arbitration panel in order to initiate the process of removing an elected mayor or commissioner from office before their term expires. Approval of this proposed amendment would allow the city commission to initiate forfeiture of office proceedings on its own.

Commission vacancies

Ballot question 2 pertains to the filling of commission vacancies and reads as follows: “The current city charter requires a ward commissioner to reside in the ward they represent. Should the city amend its charter to establish a procedure to temporarily fill the ward seat for one term with an at-large commissioner if no ward resident is available or willing to run for office?”

Approval of this proposed amendment would allow the commission to fill a vacant commission seat with a qualified candidate who resides in any area of Bradenton Beach. The charter currently requires the appointee to live in the specific commission ward for which the commission vacancy exists.

This proposed amendment could come into play if incumbent Commissioner Marilyn Maro’s commission seat is to be vacated in November because city voters again vote to retain term limits. This matter is addressed in ballot question 4.

Ballot question 3 pertains to the length of a commission vacancy that can be filled by commission appointment rather than a special election.

Ballot question 3 reads as follows: “The current city charter requires the city to provide a special election to fill a vacancy that results in more than six months from a resignation required by Section 99.012, Florida Statues. Should the charter be amended to allow for all vacancies to be appointed by the city commission?”

Voter approval of this proposed charter amendment would eliminate the current charter provision that requires a special election to fill any commission seat to be vacated for more than six months. This would allow the city commission to fill all vacant commission seats by appointment rather than allowing the city’s registered voters to make that decision in a special election.

Term limits

Ballot question 4 may be the most significant charter amendment question to be decided by Bradenton Beach voters. It pertains to the qualifications and terms of elected office and reads as follows: “Should the city amend its charter to remove term limits and maintain two-year terms for all elected positions with an effective date of June 16, 2022, in order to allow currently seated elected officials the ability to run for office, if otherwise termed out?”

Although she’s currently running unopposed as the Ward 2 commissioner, Maro is scheduled to term limit out of office in November after serving three consecutive two-year terms in office. Mayor John Chappie and Commissioner Jake Spooner are currently scheduled to term limit out of office in November 2023. Incumbent Ward 4 commissioner Ralph Cole is also running unopposed this year and at some point, in or after 2024, he too would term limit out of office if term limits are retained.

Voter approval of the proposed term limit amendment would allow Maro to serve another two-year term and would allow Chappie and Spooner to seek reelection in 2023 if they so desire. If city voters reject this proposed charter amendment, Maro would leave office in November and that vacant seat would be filled by commission appointment or a special election, depending on the outcome of ballot question 2.

In recent years, Bradenton Beach voters have twice, by close margins, supported the retention of the city’s term limits.

Employee benefits

Ballot question 5 is logistical in nature and pertains to commission actions that require a city ordinance. Ballot question 5 reads as follows: “Currently the city charter sets forth actions requiring an ordinance. Should the city amend the charter to remove employee personnel benefits and procedures from this section and require actions of the city regarding employee personnel benefits and procedures to be adopted in a public meeting through a resolution of the commission?”

Voter approval of this proposed amendment would have minimal impact on city residents and city operations and would simply streamline the manner in which employee benefits and employee procedures are addressed.

Vote by mail

Hurricane Ian slightly delayed the mailing of the vote-by-mail ballots sent to county voters who previously requested them, according to Sharon Stief, chief deputy for the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.

“Vote by Mail ballots for the Nov. 8 general election were mailed out on Monday, Oct. 3. We had originally planned to mail them on Friday, Sept. 30. We had no hurricane impacts regarding our early voting and/or polling locations,” Stief told The Sun.

According to Stief, 356 vote-by-mail ballots were mailed to Anna Maria voters, 297 ballots were mailed to Bradenton Beach voters and 1,147 ballots were mailed to Holmes Beach voters.

Front yard boat storage questioned

Front yard boat storage questioned

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

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners discussed – but took no action – on Commissioner Marilyn Maro’s concerns about boats and other recreational vehicles being stored in front yards.

In recent months, Maro has expressed concerns about golf carts, boats and other recreational vehicles in front yards, particularly at vacation rental properties. She’s questioned whether some vacation rental properties are being used to store golf carts being offered for rent and whether some people are buying residential properties for storage purposes.

At Maro’s request, recreational vehicle and vessel parking was discussed at the city commission’s Aug. 30 work meeting. Maro said some of her constituents have expressed concerns about these parking and storage activities potentially impacting their property values.

Front yard boat storage discussed
Commissioner Marilyn Maro requested a discussion about boats and other recreational vehicles being stored in front yards. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Building Official Steve Gilbert referenced Section 308.14.1 of the city code of ordinances, which says: “Campers, trailers, boats with trailers, boat trailers and similar recreational type equipment shall be permitted to park in off-street parking spaces in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 (residential) districts providing that there shall be no more than one recreational vehicle per dwelling unit located in the front yard. Additional recreational vehicles shall be located behind the front wall of the dwelling or structure.”

Gilbert said the code could be revised by the commission, but Maro was the only commission member in favor of doing so. Gilbert said storing golf carts on a residential property for commercial purposes would be addressed in another section of the city code and would warrant a different discussion.

Maro mentioned a large boat and boat trailer that had been stored for some time in the front yard of a rental home at 2113 Ave. B, which is now slated for demolition.

The Sun’s recent visit to the property also revealed a boat owned by tenant Matt Bauer parked alongside the driveway. Bauer said the other boat parked in the front yard belonged to his landlord, Stephan Najmy. Bauer later said the other boat was removed several hours after the morning work meeting ended.

Contrasting views

Commissioners Jake Spooner and Ralph Cole expressed their opinions that being allowed to store a boat and boat trailer in one’s front yard is an attraction to many residents who live in a boating community like Bradenton Beach.

Spooner said he understood Maro’s concerns even if he did not share them. Cole said he was experiencing “déjà vu” because the commission engaged in a similar discussion a couple of years ago. Regarding the potential impact on neighboring property values, Cole said he hasn’t heard of anybody having trouble selling a residential property in Bradenton Beach.

Spooner noted some people store small sailboats in their front yards and others store larger center console boats. Gilbert said some people store motor homes in their front yards and others store multiple personal watercraft there.

Spooner questioned how the city code could be revised in a manner that properly accounts for these varied storage uses. Cole said changing the rules to address a few problematic boats could negatively impact many more city residents. Spooner said prohibiting front yard boat storage would take away a right granted to Bradenton Beach residents for decades. Spooner also said the majority of boats he sees stored in front yards belong to permanent residents, not vacationers.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh questioned why recreational vessels and vehicles are not required to be parked in the backyard. Spooner said many standard-sized lots don’t provide enough space to access the backyard for boat storage.

The discussion ended with the commission voting 4-1 in support of Spooner’s motion to leave the recreational parking regulations as they are. Maro opposed that motion.

Proposed charter amendments won’t eliminate supra-majority votes

Proposed charter amendments won’t eliminate supra-majority votes

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Registered voters will see five charter amendment questions on their city ballots this fall.

Two proposed charter amendments pertain to filling vacant commission seats and one pertains to eliminating term limits for elected officials.

Similar to a state or federal constitution, the city charter sets forth how the city is governed and structured. The Bradenton Beach charter also includes language that restricts building heights and requires voter approval to vacate city rights of ways. The city charter can only be amended with the majority support of the city’s registered voters.

On June 2, the city commission adopted on first reading a city ordinance containing five of the six charter amendment ballot questions previously recommended by the commission-appointed charter review committee and drafted by City Attorney Ricinda Perry.

The commission rejected Perry’s final effort to include a sixth ballot question that could have potentially weakened the existing four-fifths supra-majority vote required for certain city commission actions.

The five commission-supported charter amendment ballot questions are slated for final adoption on Thursday, June 16. The adopted ballot questions will then be submitted to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections for inclusion on the fall ballot.

Vacancies and term limits

Working somewhat in unison, proposed charter amendments 2 and 3 address filling vacant city commission seats, while proposed charter amendment 4 addresses term limits.

If approved by city voters, proposed charter amendment 2 would allow the commission to appoint someone from outside of a specific commission ward to serve on the commission if no resident of that ward is willing to run or be appointed to that seat.

Proposed charter amendment 3 would allow the commission to appoint someone to fill a commission vacancy of more than six months created by a sitting commission member’s mid-term resignation. The charter currently requires a special election to fill such a vacancy of more than six months.

In 2021, city voters narrowly voted in favor of retaining the existing term-limits set forth in the charter. Proposed charter amendment 4 seeks to eliminate the term limits that result in an elected official term-limiting out of office after serving three consecutive two-year terms.

During Thursday’s meeting, Perry explained how voter approval of proposed charter amendment 4 would allow incumbent commissioner Marilyn Maro to serve another term even though her term expires in November.

Proposed charter amendments won’t eliminate supra-majority votes
Commissioner Marilyn Maro’s term is scheduled to expire in November. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Perry said Maro can run for the Ward 2 seat, and if she wins that race, and city voters eliminate term limits, she can then serve another term. If Maro runs and wins but voters retain term limits, that seat would be filled by person receiving the second highest number of votes.

If no other candidate runs against Maro, the two-year vacancy would be filled by commission appointment. If city voters adopt charter amendment 2, the commission could appoint someone from outside of Ward 2 to serve that full two-year term if no one from that ward applies to fill the vacancy.

After Thursday’s meeting, Maro said she had not yet decided if she’s running again. Mayor John Chappie and Commissioner Jake Spooner’s terms expire in November 2023.

Supra-majority retained

The commission directed Perry to draft an ordinance containing five of the six charter amendment questions recommended by the charter review committee on May 19, rejecting a sixth proposed ballot question pertaining to supra-majority votes.

The charter currently says an affirmative supra-majority vote of at least four of the five commission members shall be required to approve any comprehensive plan amendment (including map or text amendments), rezoning, special exception, variance or the vacation of any city right of way.

During Thursday’s meeting, Perry proposed new charter language that said, “The commission shall clarify and define supra-majority in the city of Bradenton Beach Land Development Code, as well as establish the number of elected officials required for a supra-majority vote.”

Perry said she included the supra-majority question in the first reading of the ordinance because it could be removed during first reading but could not be added to the ordinance if not publicly noticed as such.

Perry suggested retaining the fourth-fifths supra-majority commission vote – and subsequent city voter approval – to vacate any city-owned right of ways, while allowing the commission to decide if a supra-majority or simple majority vote is required for other actions that currently require the supra-majority support of the commission.

Perry questioned what would happen if one commission member had to recuse themselves from such a vote. The commission agreed that the applicant would then need the approval of all four remaining commission members.

Commissioner Ralph Cole said amending the charter as the charter review committee and Perry proposed could result in three or fewer votes being needed to approve a comprehensive plan amendment that would allow a stand-alone parking garage.

Chappie said he likes the higher four-fifths standard for certain commission actions, even though it makes the approval process tougher for developers.

During public input, city resident and Planning and Zoning Board member John Burns asked why the supra-majority question was included in the ordinance after the commission rejected it on May 19. Burns said he likes the higher threshold for certain commission actions and he wants it to be harder, not easier, for the commission to govern when addressing issues of this nature.

Proposed charter amendments

The charter amendment questions will appear on the bal­lot seeking from the city’s registered voters a “yes” vote for approval or a “no” vote for rejection.

The ballot questions are:

  1. FORFEITURE OF OFFICE

Currently the city charter vests au­thority in three arbitrators to hold for­feiture of office proceedings against an elected official with costs to be borne by the city. Should the city revise its charter to eliminate the three arbitra­tor-panel procedure and replace it with the former forfeiture provision utiliz­ing the city commission to conduct the proceedings?

  1. TEMPORARY AT-LARGE FILLING OF VACANCIES

The current city charter requires a ward commissioner to reside in the ward they represent. Should the city amend its char­ter to establish a procedure to temporarily fill the ward seat for one term with an at-large commissioner if no ward resident is available or willing to run for office?

  1. FILLING OF VACANCIES BY APPOINTMENT

The current city charter requires the city to provide a special election to fill a vacancy that results in more than six months from a resignation required by Section 99.012, Florida Statues. Should the charter be amended to allow for all vacancies to be appointed by the city commission?

  1. QUALIFICATIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE

Should the city amend its charter to remove term limits and maintain two-year terms for all elected positions with an effec­tive date of June 16, 2022, in order to allow currently seated elected officials the ability to run for office, if otherwise termed out?

  1. ACTIONS REQUIRING AN ORDINANCE

Currently the city charter sets forth actions requiring an ordinance. Should the city amend the charter to remove employee personnel benefits and pro­cedures from this section and require actions of the city regarding employee personnel benefits and procedures to be adopted in a public meeting through a resolution of the commission?

Bradenton Beach City Commission now recommends masks

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

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach City Commission now recommends, but does not require, that masks or face coverings be worn in Bradenton Beach.

The Bradenton Beach Commission engaged in its first public mask/face covering discussion during its weekly special emergency city commission meeting this morning.

During the meeting, Mayor John Chappie and Lt. John Cosby, from the Bradenton Beach Police Department, also expressed concerns about an ad that recently appeared in the Miami Herald encouraging people to come to Anna Maria Island.

Mask discussion

The mask discussion was inspired by public comments made by resident Connie Morrow.

“One of the things I’ve noticed is that the commission has not discussed wearing masks. I would appreciate it if the members of the commission would discuss the pros and cons of wearing masks – or putting out a strong recommendation for people to wear masks in Bradenton Beach, especially given the continued increase (in COVID-19 cases). I’d like to know what your thinking is,” Morrow said.

Vice Mayor Jake Spooner responded first.

“Thank you, Mrs. Morrow. I know it’s a touchy subject for some. It’s not for me. I would definitely do what you’re saying – that we highly recommend everyone wear a mask. I know there’s certain issues with enforcement and things along that line, and I’m sure everybody has their own opinions and views on it, but I highly recommend everyone visiting or living in the city of Bradenton Beach please wear a mask and please follow all CDC and WHO guidelines. That’s the best we have to try and get control of the situation,” Spooner said.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh held a slightly different view.

“From what I see, everybody is wearing masks. I don’t see people not wearing masks at the Publix. I still feel we should go by the county and the state, whatever they recommend,” she said.

Mayor John Chappie spoke next.

“I agree with Connie. I like the idea of the strong message. I think the program the county is starting, ‘Mask Up Manatee,’ is sending out a strong message,” he said.

Chappie said the city should put out a similar message, and he and City Clerk Terri Sanclemente could put together a public service announcement along those lines. He also said the Mask Up signs, when received from the county, will be distributed to Bradenton Beach businesses.

Chappie also suggested placing a mask message banner at the entrance to the city, at the west end of the Cortez Bridge.

Chappie noted one-third of the city consists of county-owned beaches (and boat ramps) and that attracts a lot of visitors who drive in from Hillsborough County and Polk County.

“Anything we can do to try to get them to be personally responsible is important,” Chappie said.

Spooner said he likes the “Mask Up” catchphrase because it’s short and catchy.

Commissioner Marilyn Maro said she liked Morrow’s suggestion about issuing a city recommendation. Maro said she’s observed many people in Bradenton Beach wearing masks, but she’d like to see the vacation rental management companies provide their guests with a written message that encourages them to wear masks when they are out in public.

Commissioner Ralph Cole then shared his view on masks.

“I believe that there are certain situations that you should mask up, especially people that are more susceptible and have the underlying conditions,” he said. “Everybody that needs to wear a mask should wear a mask and protect yourself.”

Cole said he would like the public service announcement to encourage the proper disposal of disposable masks.

“Encourage people not to throw masks on the beach and on the ground, leaving a contaminated mask laying around. I’m finding several masks every day dug into the sand,” he said.

Chappie said he’s seen a lot of discarded masks lying around too.

Regarding the coronavirus and the city’s response, Cole said, “It’s out there. It’s something we’re going to have to live with. We should not go above what the CDC does, what the state recommends and the county.”

Lt. John Cosby, from the Bradenton Beach Police Department, said the city has three sandwich board signs that could be placed along Bridge Street with new inserts that encourage people to wear masks.

Bradenton Beach City Commission now recommends masks
Visitors to Bradenton Beach City Hall are required to wear masks or face coverings. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
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.

Campaign Cole

Cole leads fundraising in Bradenton Beach commission race

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Incumbent Bradenton Beach City Commissioner Ralph Cole is the leading campaign fundraiser in the four-person race for the two commission seats to be decided in the upcoming city elections.

According to his campaign treasurer’s reports, Cole raised $3,100 and spent $1,122 on his campaign as of Sept. 14. In addition to loaning his own campaign $1,100, Cole received $500 from Bridgewalk Partners LLC and $500 from the Silver Surf resort, which are both owned by Angela Rodocker. He also received $1,000 from the Local 2546 Suncoast Professional Firefighters and Paramedics labor union.

Campaign Martin
Former Scenic WAVES chair Tjet Martin seeks a City Commission seat. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Cole paid Speed King in Palmetto $674 for yard signs and flyers and Steam Design Services in Holmes Beach $400 for campaign marketing services. He also paid the $48 qualifying fee.

As of Sept. 14, former Scenic WAVES Committee chair Tjet Martin raised $1,800, including $1,100 in loans to her own campaign.

Martin received $300 from former Bradenton Beach resident Mary Mapes, $100 each from Bradenton Beach residents Bill and Rose Vincent, $100 from James Srackangast, who lists a North Carolina address, $50 from Roger Fultz, who lists a Michigan address and $50 from former deputy clerk Tammy Johnson.

Campaign Maro
Commissioner Marilyn Maro seeks a second term in office. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Martin paid Signs on the Cheap in Texas $200 and paid the $48 qualifying fee.

As of Sept. 14, Marilyn Maro, also an incumbent, raised $1,175, including $150 she loaned to her own campaign. Like Cole, Maro received $1,000 from the Suncoast Professional Firefighters and Paramedics. She also received $25 from Bradenton Beach resident Lynne Budzinski.

Maro’s only listed campaign expenditures were a $17 service fee for her campaign account, $16.50 for data obtained from the Manatee County Board of Commissioners and the $48 qualifying fee.

Campaign Metz
Former Planning and Zoning Board member John Metz now seeks a commission seat. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Former Planning and Zoning Board member John Metz loaned his own campaign $140, received $100 from Rose Vincent and made a $377 in-kind contribution to himself for lawn signs.

As of Sept. 14, Metz spent $6 on bank statements and paid the $48 qualifying fee.

Vote by mail ballots will be mailed out the first week of October and the elections will conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

 

 

Bill Vincent Withdraws

Vincent ends commission candidacy

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Former Planning and Zoning Board member Bill Vincent says he’s withdrawing from the Bradenton Beach City Commission race.

On Thursday, June 28, Vincent distributed an email that said in its entirety: “Greetings. I have withdrawn my candidacy for commissioner of Bradenton Beach without advance announcement or public comment.”

Vincent announced his withdrawal a week after he and four other candidates qualified to run for the two at-large commission seats currently held by Marilyn Maro and Ralph Cole. Maro and Cole are seeking reelection and being challenged by former Scenic WAVES chair Tjet Martin and former Planning and Zoning Board member John Metz.

In 2016, John Chappie defeated Vincent in the Ward 4 commission race by a 378-234 vote margin. In 2014, Commissioner Jan Vosburgh defeated Martin in the Ward 4 race by a 347-143 vote margin. This is Metz’s first pursuit of a Bradenton Beach commission seat.

Vincent, Martin and Metz are among six former city advisory board members who resigned from their volunteer city positions last summer amidst allegations of Sunshine Law violations that are now the subject of a pending civil lawsuit initiated by the city and a city resident.

Metz is also the plaintiff in the stalled, but still pending, lawsuit he filed against the city and Building Official Steve Gilbert in 2016 in an attempt to have a neighbor’s property declared ineligible for continued use as a vacation rental.

In 2012, Martin, Bill Shearon and Jo Ann Meilner filed a lawsuit against the city in objection to a beachfront parking allowance given to Ed Chiles’ BeachHouse restaurant. The lawsuit was later settled in a manner that preserved Chiles’ parking rights but also allowed for the creation of a small beachfront park.

According to City Attorney Ricinda Perry, there’s nothing in the city charter that prevents someone involved in an active lawsuit with the city from running for a commission seat or serving as a commissioner if elected.

Moratorium expiring

Building moratorium will expire soon

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Despite an appeal from a city commissioner, Bradenton Beach’s voter-initiated building moratorium will expire on Wednesday, March 7.

On behalf of some of her constituents, Commissioner Marilyn Maro requested the moratorium be extended for three more months, but legal justification for another extension could not be made during the Thursday, March 1 City Commission meeting.

Maro’s agenda request included a handwritten note from the “People of Bradenton Beach” seeking more regulations and additional adjustments to the land development code before the moratorium is lifted.

“We want to see an end to all party houses. We want our neighborhoods back,” the note said.

In Nov. 2016, a voter referendum mandated the commission enact a six-month moratorium on the issuance of building permits for homes containing more than four bedrooms or potential sleeping rooms. The moratorium was extended several times to allow the commission more time to develop rental regulations and other regulations intended to limit the impact vacation rentals have in residential neighborhoods.

The possibility of another extension prompted a hand-delivered letter written by attorney Aaron Thomas on behalf of the Najmy-Thompson law firm that represents several Bradenton Beach property owners.

At the request of Thomas and Mayor John Chappie, City Attorney Ricinda Perry read the letter aloud when last week’s discussion began.

“The Bert J. Harris Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act provides a cause of action for temporary impacts on development lasting more than one year. The initial moratorium went into effect Nov. 8, 2016, well over one year ago. While the city may currently be susceptible to Bert Harris claims under this temporary impact on development provision, an extension of the moratorium for an additional three months will only solidify this fact. Should you elect to extend the moratorium an additional three months the city will undoubtedly be subject to a number of Bert Harris claims for which a monetary settlement will be the only reasonable settlement for our clients. Given this, we urge the commission to vote against the three-month extension,” the letter said.

Perry said she disagreed with the assertion that the city was currently at risk of Bert Harris claims – in part because city voters enacted the moratorium – but she agreed the city would be at risk if the moratorium was extended again.

Chappie and Commissioner Ralph Cole both noted Bradenton Beach is the only Island city not to be named in a Bert Harris claim.

“We are pleased the city made this decision,” Thomas said. “It was only to their benefit to do so. Many of our clients who have investment property in Bradenton Beach are optimistic about the city’s new leaders making fair and well-balanced decisions with respect to the vacation rental home market within the city.”

Commission discussion

Maro referenced the residents’ requests for another extension and said, “They just don’t want party houses. They’d said there’s still too many people in these houses, we’re talking 20 to 30 people. There’s still a few things that need to be adjusted.”

Perry, Chappie and City Planner Alan Garrett each expressed their views that staff, the Planning and Zoning Board and the commission had done all it set out to do when the moratorium was enacted and another extension could not be justified.

Since enacting the moratorium, the commission adopted a revised version of the original vacation rental regulations adopted in 2015 but never implemented. That registration program is underway and the new regulations take effect March 19.

Occupancy limits are established by the air conditioning load determined according to the Florida Building Code. According to Building Official Steve Gilbert, this basically equates to the same two people per bedroom plus two additional guests limits established in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach.

Bedrooms must now be labeled and adhered to when submitting building applications and rental registrations.

Side-yard trash pickup will soon be required of non-owner-occupied rentals and parking requirements have been increased. Noise complaints will be enforced by the police department as they are for any other home or business.

Pool setbacks for all residential properties have been increased and pools will now be counted as impervious surfaces when calculating the 40 percent maximum lot coverage.

Historic preservation    

The commission unanimously supported Cole’s previously-made suggestion that the commission now pursue a historic preservation ordinance similar to the city of Anna Maria’s. The intent is to encourage property owners to preserve traditional cottages and bungalows rather than demolish them and replace them with larger homes to be used as vacation rentals. A historic preservation designation helps homeowners offset the FEMA 50 percent redevelopment limits that often make it easier to build a new house than improve an old one.