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Deadline extended for final pier lease offer

Deadline extended for final pier lease offer

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

ANNA MARIA – Mario Schoenfelder now has until Dec. 31 to submit his final offer for the lease of the restaurant and bait shop buildings being built on the new Anna Maria City Pier.

During an emergency commission meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 26, the Anna Maria City Commission unanimously granted Schoenfelder’s written request for more time to prepare and submit his final lease offer, which was originally due Friday, Dec. 13.

Mayor Dan Murphy told the commission Schoenfelder needs time to analyze the information he receives from his own contractor regarding the estimated cost for the interior build-outs for the city-owned buildings he hopes to lease. Murphy said Schoenfelder expects to have that information by Dec. 8 and he expects to submit his final offer by Dec. 30.

Mason Martin Builders is building the exterior shells of the new restaurant and bait shop buildings but that firm’s contract with the city does not include the interior build-outs to be completed by the pier tenant.

“I would recommend that we give him this extension, but it is certainly up to each of you,” Murphy said to the commission regarding Schoenfelder’s request.

Participating by phone, Commissioner Mark Short referenced the commission’s recent decision to authorize Murphy to prepare and have ready a request for proposals that would allow other restaurateurs to submit lease proposals if the commission rejects Schoenfelder’s final offer.

Short asked if giving Schoenfelder more time would delay that RFP process. Murphy said it would not. Short asked if the RFP would be ready to present to the commission on Jan. 9, if needed. Murphy said it would.

Murphy recommended the commission not make any final decisions regarding Schoenfelder’s final offer or the issuance of an RFP until a full commission is seated on Jan. 9. That’s when the commission will appoint someone to fill the commission seat Dale Woodland vacates on Dec. 5 due to his failure to properly qualify for the 2019 city elections.

Murphy said Schoenfelder will not return to the United States until March and would like to discuss his final offer with the commission as a whole.

“March is too long to wait. We need to know, and he needs to know, where we stand on his final offer,” Murphy said of that timeline.

Murphy said the commission discussion with Schoenfelder could take place in January via Skype, telephone or some other means of electronic communication, but the commission first needs to see his final offer.

Previous offers

Schoenfelder’s current pier lease expires on Dec. 15, 2020. In October, Schoenfelder rejected two lease options Murphy presented him. One option proposed a base rent of $21,600 per month with a 3% annual increase. The second option proposed a base rent of $18,900 per month, a $250,000 up-front payment and the same annual increase. In an email to Murphy, Schoenfelder noted his own previous offer was $12,000 per month.

When the old pier closed in September 2017, Schoenfelder was paying $9,240 a month, according to his lease contract. His monthly rent was scheduled to increase to $10,080 in December 2018, but that increase never occurred because his lease payments were suspended after the pier was closed.

 Other pier matters

On Nov. 26, the commission also authorized Murphy to sign a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the additional $285,000 the Florida Legislature approved for the pier project earlier this year.

Deadline extended for final pier lease offer
On Tuesday, Nov. 26, this stack of Ipe hardwood decking awaited installation on the new pier walkway. – Joe Hendricks

Murphy said the $285,000 includes restrictions and auditing requirements that didn’t apply to the $750,000 state legislators approved for the pier project in 2018. The $285,000 can only be used for pier enhancements that include but are not limited to public restrooms, electrical wiring from the shore to the pier buildings, pedestrian lighting and pedestrian railings that extend from the pier entrance to the mean low tide level.

The commission approved Murphy’s related request to expand the annual financial auditing services the CS&L accounting firm provides the city to also include audits of the federal and state funds received and spent on the pier project. The pier-related audit reports will also be shared with county officials in appreciation of the county’s financial support of the pier project.

City Pier repairs temporarily delayed

City Pier repairs temporarily delayed

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

ANNA MARIA – A damaged boom line on i+iconSoutheast’s barge-mounted crane has delayed the repairs to the new Anna Maria City Pier.

The repairs are required in the wake of the construction company barge crashing into the pier walkway on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

On Friday, Sept 20, i+iconSoutheast Project Director Paul Johnson informed Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy of the latest delay.

“During the crane inspection a damaged section of boom line was discovered. The crane and barge will be demobilized to have new boom line installed on Saturday at an offsite location with the goal of getting back to Anna Maria on Monday. We will then continue with the repairs,” Johnson stated in his email to Murphy.

On Sept. 16, Murphy emailed city commissioners a copy of the preliminary report submitted by the scuba team that conducted an underwater inspection of the damage caused by the barge accident. Murphy’s email noted the divers’ report indicated the underwater damage was limited to the two pier pilings previously identified.

The damaged pilings were removed on Thursday, Sept. 19. The new pilings will be installed after the crane repairs are completed and the crane is back in place. Murphy said once the new pilings are driven, the damaged support beam, stringers and utility conduits can then be replaced.

City Pier repairs temporarily delayed
These damaged pier pilings were removed on Thursday, Sept. 19. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted

Murphy said Mason Martin Builders’ construction of the new restaurant, bait shop and restrooms at the pier’s T-end remains on hold until the breech in the pier walkway is repaired.

Murphy said he and Mason Martin Builders’ owner Frank Agnelli agree that it would not be safe to have his employees working out on the T-end without the pier walkway being fully accessible in the event of an injury or emergency.

“Every day that ticks along is delaying the grand opening,” Murphy said of the anticipated pier opening in early 2020.

Barge damages new Anna Maria City Pier

Barge strikes new Anna Maria City Pier

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

ANNA MARIA – An i+iconSoutheast construction barge struck and damaged the new Anna Maria City Pier this afternoon.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said the accident occurred between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. The barge struck the southeast side of the pier, about two-thirds of the way out.

The degree of damage and the anticipated delays to the pier construction timetable were still being assessed as of late afternoon.

I+iconSoutheast is the marine construction company building the new pier structure, walkway and T-end decking.

Barge damages new Anna Maria City Pier
This i+iconSoutheast barge ran into the new Anna Maria City Pier this afternoon. – Cindy Lane | Sun

“The icon barge was trying to tie up for the night. He was going to go early tomorrow morning to the Kingfish boat ramp to start loading materials to take out there,” Murphy said.

“He came in a little bit too hot and he rammed into the pier. He broke or pushed off two pilings and one of the top beams – the bent frames that go there. He messed up the stringers there and bent the conduits out of shape. It’s about 15 to 20 feet of damage and those two pilings will have to be replaced. The beam looks like it’s OK and we’ll probably be able to save that. A couple stringers will have to be replaced,” Murphy explained.

Barge damages new Anna Maria City Pier
Mayor Dan Murphy said scuba divers may be needed to fully assess the pier damage. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted

“The Coast Guard is investigating the accident, as well as the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. I don’t yet have the extent of the damage. I don’t know the amount of delay this is going to create or whether it’s going to be a long delay or a short delay. I went out there and looked at it and a lot depends upon the structural damage that I couldn’t see. I need to have divers or somebody else take a look at this,” Murphy said.

Murphy said i+iconSoutheast is responsible for the damage and the repairs required.

Barge damages new Anna Maria City Pier
Tuesday’s barge accident bent the pier structure that must now be repaired. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted

The pier project recently incurred some unanticipated delays because of precautionary measures taken due to the possible arrival of Hurricane Dorian. Those storm-related delays resulted in i+iconSoutheast’s anticipated early September completion date likely being pushed back a couple more weeks.

Mason Martin Builders will soon start building the new restaurant, bait shop and restrooms at the new pier’s T-end. Those construction materials were scheduled to be delivered to the pier by barge this coming weekend.

Murphy said it was not yet known if today’s accident would impact those weekend activities or the commencement of the construction of the T-end buildings.

Barge damages new Anna Maria City Pier
It is not yet known what impact Tuesday’s accident will have on the construction completion timetable. – Cindy Lane | Sun

Mason Martin Builders selected to build pier restaurant and bait shop

Mason Martin Builders selected to build pier restaurant and bait shop

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

ANNA MARIA – Frank Agnelli’s Mason Martin Builders is the city’s top choice to construct the restaurant and bait shop at the T-end of the new Anna Maria City Pier.

Based on Mayor Dan Murphy’s recommendation, city commissioners voted 5-0 in support of the mayor entering into contract discussions with Mason Martin Builders’ owner Frank Agnelli. That vote occurred during a six-minute emergency commission meeting on Thursday, June 6.

The city received four bids in response to its recent invitation to bid and request for proposals (RFP). Mason Martin Builders submitted the lowest bid at $1.04 million. D.L Porter Constructors’ bid was second lowest at $1.486 million, followed by the Burke Construction Group at $1.609 million and Jon F. Swift Construction at $1.688 million.

City Clerk LeAnne Addy provided the commissioners with sealed copies of the bid proposals during the previous week’s emergency meeting and the bids were made public during Thursday’s meeting.

Before making his recommendation, Murphy said the RFP states the contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder as determined by the city to be in the city’s best interests.

Murphy said he defined the best interests of the city as having the ability to quickly get started, having the ability to complete the project and a reputation for completing projects, having a vested interest in the project and taking into consideration the city’s interests at every step of the way.

“Having taken all that into consideration, I can give you a recommendation. My recommendation is that we go with Mason Martin,” Murphy said.

Mason Martin Builders selected to build pier restaurant and bait shop
Mason Martin Builders owner Frank Agnelli was pleased by the commission’s decision. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Commissioner Doug Copeland and commission chair Brian Seymour said they supported the mayor’s recommendation.

“They came up number one in my choices. They’re local, all the subs will be local and it makes sense to me,” Seymour said.

Commissioner Carol Carter said Mason Martin appeared to have the most thoroughly thought out response. Seymour agreed and said that helped him make his decision.

Copeland made the motion to authorize Murphy to attempt to negotiate a contract with Mason Martin and the commission unanimously supported that motion.

The negotiated contract terms must be brought back to the commission for final approval.

If those negotiations prove unsuccessful, Murphy would then seek commission authorization to attempt to negotiate a contract with the commission’s next highest-ranked firm, which was not determined at Thursday’s meeting.

Post-meeting comments

Last summer, Agnelli and his crew removed the engraved wooden planks from the old pier so they could be returned to those who previously purchased them from a third-party. Agnelli did that at no cost to the city. The unclaimed planks will be repurposed as memorial walls or for some other public use.

After Thursday’s meeting, Agnelli commented on the commission’s decision.

“I’m glad I got the job, I’m glad this gets to stay local and we’ll get it done quicker than anyone else. It’ll be great to have my name on it for my kids to see, so I’m pretty happy about that too,” he said.

Murphy congratulated Agnelli and said, “I look forward to working with him. We know each other pretty well and I look forward to a good relationship and a successful conclusion.”

Regarding last year’s plank removals, Murphy said Agnelli did it out of the goodness of his heart.

Murphy said it was too early to know exactly when the construction of the restaurant and bait shop spaces will begin.

Mason Martin Builders selected to build pier restaurant and bait shop
I+iconSoutheast continues its construction of the primary pier structure, decking and T-end deck area. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

I+icon’s construction of the pier structure, decking and T-end deck area is scheduled for completion on Aug. 27. I+icon did not bid on the construction of the restaurant and bait shop spaces to be built according to design plans created by architect Barron Schimberg.

Murphy said he expects to meet soon with current pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder regarding his financial contribution to the interior build-out of the restaurant and bait shop. Schoenfelder’s current pier lease with the city expires in December 2020 and he is being asked to contribute to the pier project if wants to remain on the pier beyond that.

Murphy estimated the final cost of the entire pier project will now exceed $5 million.

Related coverage

Pier building bids received but not revealed

Last pier piling driven

Pier pavilion closing temporarily