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Mayor proposes reduced millage rate

Mayor proposes reduced millage rate

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

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy proposes lowering Anna Maria’s current 2.05 millage rate to the 1.8245 rollback rate, or lower.

The rollback rate is the rate needed to generate the same ad valorem property tax revenues generated during the cur­rent fiscal year, with increased property values producing the same revenues at a lower millage rate.

When presenting his final city budget before leaving office later this year, Murphy proposed the millage reduction during the Anna Maria City Commission’s June 27 budget meeting. Focused on projected revenues, Thursday’s meeting was the first of three preliminary budget meetings scheduled for the prepara­tion of the 2024-25 fiscal year budget that takes effect on Oct. 1.

Regarding the millage rate, Murphy said, “We’re not going to go in at 2.05. We’re actually going to start at the rollback rate which will yield $4.24 million (in ad valorem property tax revenues). I think we can actually bring it in under the rollback rate and provide all the services we need to provide for the residents of this city, so the property owners and the homeowners of our city could experience a tax reduc­tion. I hope that you could share that goal with me as we go forward with the budget.”

The commission expressed prelimi­nary support for the proposed millage reduction.

Murphy said a budget based on a lower millage rate would be “lean and mean” while still providing the services and benefits residents and property owners expect.

“It’s not like we’re going to live in austerity,” he said. “We maintain or improve our quality of life, yet we do it with less money because we do things more efficiently and we utilize what we’ve got in terms of the carryover from projects we couldn’t finish.”

At 1.8245 mills, Anna Maria prop­erty owners would pay a city property tax of approximately $1.82 per every $1,000 of assessed property value after homestead exemptions and other tax exemptions are applied.

According to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s 2024 Preliminary Tax­ing Authority Report, the taxable value of Anna Maria’s 1,707 real properties is $2.32 billion.

Anna Maria’s current 2.05 millage rate has historically been the lowest on Anna Maria Island and the lowest in Manatee County.

In 2022, the Holmes Beach City Commission lowered its 2.15 millage rate to 2.07 and in 2023 they lowered it again to 2.05 for the current fiscal year. The Bradenton Beach millage rate has remained at 2.3329 for several years.

Anna Maria property owners also pay Manatee County property taxes and the county’s 2023 millage rate was 6.2326. Manatee County property owners also pay taxes and assess­ments levied by the Manatee County School Board, fire and rescue districts, stormwater management districts, mosquito control districts and the West Coast Inland Navigation District.

City revenues

Murphy said the city received slightly more than $10.1 million in total revenues for the current 2023-24 fiscal year that ends on Sept. 30 and he projects the city receiving $18.1 million in total revenues during the 2024-25 fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1.

The $8 million increase includes $6 million in unspent project-related funds to be carried over into the new fiscal year. Murphy said $12.8 million is already earmarked for specific projects and expenditures and the remaining $5.3 million is not yet earmarked for specific expenditures.

Murphy said $1.28 million of the projected $3 million in stormwater revenues is carryover from the current fiscal year. He said some stormwater and drainage projects couldn’t be completed this year because the contractor didn’t have the needed labor resources.

Stormwater revenues are received from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, FEMA and the stormwater assessment fees the city levies annually on Anna Maria property owners.

Regarding the stormwater and drainage projects to be included in the new budget, Murphy said, “When this is completed, the whole city is covered with vertical infiltration and stormwater treatment.”

The projected revenues include a previously approved $2.6 million state appropriation for the Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project and an additional $185,094 in remaining American Rescue Plan funds that will be used to install new Pine Avenue streetlights.

Mayor proposes reduced millage rate
The Anna Maria City Commission and Mayor Dan Murphy have begun their fiscal year 2024-2025 budget planning process. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Murphy noted that Gov. Ron DeSan­tis recently vetoed the city’s $475,000 state appropriation request for the construction of a stand-alone public comfort station (public restrooms) near the public parking lot by city hall and the Island Players.

Murphy said Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione supports the city seeking $288,000 in tourist development tax revenues to help fund the comfort station project.

“I feel optimistic that we can convince the county commission to give us that money,” Murphy said. “It’s an excellent investment in the city – a comfort station near the beach, with a diaper changing station and an outdoor shower. It’s a good use of tourist development money.”

Senior discount

Commissioner Mark Short mentioned the tax exemptions given to Manatee County property owners. According to the tax collector’s office, permanent residents qualify for a $25,000 homestead exemption and those whose assessed property value exceeds $50,000 are eligible for an additional $25,000 exemption. Senior citizens who are at least 65 years old and meet the income threshold are eligible for an additional $25,000 exemption.

“We have the ability, through ordinance, to change that to $50,000,” Short said in regard to increasing the city’s senior citizen tax exemption to the full $50,000 allowed by the state.

“As we move forward, I would like to take that into account,” Short said. “It doesn’t affect a lot of people who live in the city, but it does affect some.”

Budget meetings

The mayor and commission will dis­cuss operating expenses on Thursday, July 18. Capital project and improve­ment expenses will be discussed on Thursday, July 25 and the tentative millage rate will also be set during that meeting. Both July budget meetings will start at 5 p.m. The commission will set the final millage rate on Thursday, Sept. 12 and adopt the final millage rate and 2024-25 budget on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Mayor Murphy won’t seek re-election

Mayor Murphy won’t seek re-election

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

ANNA MARIA – Dan Murphy will not seek re-election to another two-year term as the city’s mayor.

During the May 23 city commission meeting, Murphy announced he would not run again in the upcoming city elections.

“I’ve decided not to run in November. It’s been fun. Ten years,” Murphy said while trying to hold his emotions in check.

“This will give us all a chance to think about how we go forward,” Commission Chair Mark Short said in response to the announcement that surprised some sitting in the commission chambers.

“Ten years is pretty remarkable,” Short said. “I want to thank you on behalf of all of us in the city and the staff for everything you’ve done, but I know we’re going to have the opportunity to do that again.”

“I’ve got a few more months and I’m not a lame duck. It’s been an honor,” Murphy said.

While sitting in the mayor’s office after the meeting, Murphy said, “It’s been a pleasure and honor for both myself and the first lady (his wife, Barbara).”

As for what’s next, he said, “I think I might look at other avenues within the community to serve, as well as perhaps looking at some educational opportunities, perhaps at the college level, where I can share some of the knowledge I have about local government and dealing with Tallahassee (home of the Florida Legislature).”

When asked if he has any advice for those interested in being Anna Maria’s next mayor, he said, “I could spend hours and days giving advice about how to do this, but I guess I would just suggest that if you’re going to run, be prepared for a tough job, a full-time job. This is not for amateurs.

“You need to be prepared to pretty much give up your personal life and treat this like a full-time job. It’s not for show and it’s not for glory. There’s certainly not much glory but there’s a great deal of reward. It’s a rewarding job. You can accomplish things that you could never accomplish in a private sector and you can really have an impact on your community – a good impact or a bad impact, the exposure’s there for both,” Murphy said.

Murphy’s leaving office at a time when Anna Maria faces the potential forced consolidation or dissolution of the three Anna Maria Island cities and city governments.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

During his time in office, Murphy guided the city through the adoption of the city’s first vacation rental ordinance in 2015. He led the city’s response to Hurricane Irma in 2017 and the lengthy process of replacing the hurricane-damaged pier. He then guided the city commission through the controversial selection of the two tenants that occupy the city-owned pier, The City Pier Grill and the Mote Marine Science, Education and Outreach Center. Murphy led the city’s preparation and response to several other storms and flooding events and also guided the city through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Murphy won’t seek re-election
Mayor Dan Murphy, left, and City Commissioner Dale Woodland inspected the pier damage inflicted by Hurricane Irma in 2017. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Mayor Murphy won’t seek re-election
The new Anna Maria City Pier was built under Dan Murphy’s guidance. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Murphy formulated the plan that transformed an underutilized city-owned property into City Pier Park and it was his idea to install the shade sail structure under which the seasonal farmers market and annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day events he suggested take place.

Mayor Murphy won’t seek re-election
Mayor Dan Murphy helped transform the former ‘six lots’ property into City Pier Park. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

For the past several years, Murphy played a key role locally and statewide in thwarting the Florida Legislature’s annual efforts to preempt vacation rental regulations to the state and strip local governments of that regulatory authority.

Before his final term expires, Murphy hopes to make some significant headway with the Reimagining Pine Avenue project that’s proved more challenging than originally expected.

WHO’S NEXT?

The mayor is paid approximately $19,500 per year during a two-year term. City commissioners are paid $400 a month.

Anna Maria’s two-week candidate qualifying period for those seeking to serve as mayor or fill one of two city commission seats begins on Monday, June 3 at noon and ends on Friday, June 15 at noon. The qualifying period is preceded by a state-mandated prequalifying period that begins on Monday, May 27.

According to City Clerk LeAnne Addy, qualifying papers will be accepted during the pre-qualifying period but Anna Maria candidates will not be considered qualified until the city’s qualifying period opens on June 3.

Mayoral and city commission candidates are now required to file a Form 6 disclosure form that lists the candidate’s net worth, income sources, debts and tangible assets. Mayors and commissioners are also now required to file additional annual Form 6 disclosure forms while in office.

Mayor presents Reimagining Pine Avenue timeline

Mayor presents Reimagining Pine Avenue timeline

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

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy is authorized to spend up to $125,000 for engineering and design services for the city’s Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project.

On Wednesday, Nov. 17, Murphy presented Anna Maria city commissioners with a Reimagining Pine Avenue project timeline that spans 25 weeks and includes five project phases for the safety improvements to be made: sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, a delivery truck turnaround area near the City Pier and the possible installation of bike paths.

The color-coded timeline Murphy shared with the commission indicates when he anticipates the engineering and design work for each project phase to begin, when the completed engineering and design work will be brought back to the commission for approval, disapproval or modification, and when the anticipated construction period for each project phase will occur.

Mayor presents Reimagining Pine Avenue timeline
This project timeline was presented to city commissioners on Nov. 17. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted

Murphy expects the engineering work for the sidewalks and crosswalks to begin by Dec. 13. According to the timeline, which does not include specific dates, construction of the new sidewalks and crosswalks is expected to occur during the tenth week of the project timeline, during the first few months of 2022.

The new sidewalks will be constructed of pervious pavers that allow for better drainage than regular concrete. The new crosswalks and the improved existing ones will result in raised crosswalks that also feature signal beacons and additional lighting.

Murphy noted the timeline represents the commission consensus reached in October, which was a 3-2 vote to install bike paths along both sides of Pine Avenue and eliminate 53 city-owned parallel parking spaces along that street. Listing the bike paths as the fifth and final project phase provides city commissioners more time to evaluate the need for bike paths and the elimination of those parking spaces.

Estimated costs

The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.36 million. The mayor said the city will seek a $1.29 million appropriation from the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis to fund the majority of the project. The Florida Legislature convenes for its annual 60-day legislative session on Jan. 11. The city has already budgeted $73,000 in American Rescue Plan funds for the Pine Avenue improvements.

“This is a best-case timeline,” Murphy said. “This is an aggressive timeline. There’s caveats associated with it. The most obvious caveats are supply chain issues, labor availability and state funding.”

Murphy expects to know the status of the state funding around the ninth or tenth week of the project timeline.

The estimated engineering and design work will cost $125,000, Murphy added, which leaves about $1.23 million for the construction and installation of the Pine Avenue safety improvements.

“Before we begin heavy-duty construction, we would know if we got the state funding or not,” he said.

According to Murphy, State Sen. Jim Boyd has already expressed his support for the city’s appropriation request and State Rep. Will Robinson is also expected to lend his support.

Commissioner Mark Short asked about the risk associated with the city spending $125,000 for engineering and design services and potentially not receiving the requested state funds or receiving less than the $1.29 million requested.

Mayor presents Reimagining Pine Avenue timeline
Mayor Dan Murphy is confident the funding can be secured to make the desired safety improvements. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In response, Murphy said, “If the state doesn’t give us any money, what do we do then? We’ve got five shovel-ready projects and all we need to do is find funding.”

He said additional funding, if needed, could be sought from the Manatee County Tourist Development Council and the Manatee County Commission. He said funds could be taken from the city’s reserve funds or raised through ad valorem taxes. He also said a city staff member is researching the possibility of Pine Avenue being declared a historic site, which could make the city eligible for additional grants.

“There’s a lot of options. If the state says no, it’s not over. We can get money from other places,” Murphy told the commission.

Short asked if the engineering and design phases will include construction cost estimates, and Murphy said they would.

Anna Maria issues emergency order prohibiting vacation rental reservations

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

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy has issued a state of emergency order that temporarily prohibits new reservations being taken for vacation rental stays of less than 30 days in the city of Anna Maria.

The emergency order is part of the city’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The temporary rental reservation prohibition is effective of Wednesday, March 25.

“There shall be no new reservations for an arrival date of March 26 through June 30 of less than 30 days. Reservations with an arrival date on or subsequent to July 1 are excluded from this order,” the emergency order says.

Reservations can still be made for short-term rental stays that begin on July 1 or later.

“If a rental of 30 days or more during the period between 4 p.m. March 25 and June 30 is cancelled before the end of the 30-day period, that vacation rental shall not be permitted to be made available for rental, or be rented, for the balance of that 30-day period,” the order says.

“The occupancy of all vacation rentals beginning 4 p.m. March 25 and until June 30, regardless of when rented, shall be capped 24 hours a day based upon the allowed overnight occupancy of such vacation rental,” the order says.

This means the number of rental guests and any additional temporary visitors to the vacation rental property cannot exceed at any time the maximum occupancy allowed according to the city’s annual vacation rental registration program.

The emergency order references Chapter 27 of city code and notes misleading advertising shall be strictly enforced.

The order says that as of 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, it shall be considered fraudulent and unlawful to fail to include the following two statements on any vacation rental advertisement made while the reservation restrictions remain in place:

  • “On Anna Maria Island, all restaurants are closed except for takeout and all bars are closed;
  • “All persons who have arrived in Florida from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have been ordered by the State of Florida to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry in State of Florida or the duration of the person’s presence in State of Florida, whichever is shorter,” the order says.

“This order is deemed necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city of Anna Maria due to the evolving nationwide COVID-19 regulations and occurrences including but not limited to the shelter in place orders in 12 different states, the need to reduce gatherings of people in compliance with CDC directives, the closures of a massive number of Florida hotels and motels and the order from the State of Florida that certain persons arriving from out of state must shelter in place for a period of 14 days upon arrival,” the order says.

Murphy will review the emergency order at least once every seven days to determine whether it needs to remain in place to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Anna Maria.

“Violations of this order shall be punished as provided in Section 2-271 of the Anna Maria City Code, including, but not limited to:

  • The suspension or revocation of the vacation rental’s registration;
  • Removal of tenants in the vacation rental resulting for such reservation in violation of this order;
  • Criminal penalties against both vacation rental owners and vacation rental management companies and personnel;
  • Every day of non-compliance will be punished by separate fines levied against both the vacation rental owner and the vacation rental management company in the amount of $500 per day of non-compliance,” the order says.

“Days of non-compliance under this order shall include both the days of advertisements of each vacation rental in violation of this order and the days of rental entered into in violation of this order,” the order says.

Murphy signed and issued the emergency order on Tuesday, March 24. As a courtesy, he sent a copy to County Administrator Cheri Coryea that afternoon.

“Good move Mayor. Thanks,” Coryea wrote in her response.

Three potentially impacted members of Anna Maria’s vacation rental community declined comment when contacted by The Sun.

New City Pier expected to open in April

New City Pier expected to open in April

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

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy expects the new Anna Maria City Pier to open in April, but he has not yet determined an exact opening date.

“It looks like in the April timeframe we’ll be opening the pier for fishing and sightseeing,” Murphy told the city commission on Thursday, March 12.

Murphy said Florida Power & Light completed its work on the pier that day. That work consisted of installing transformers and electrical connections needed to light the new pier and to power the new restaurant, bait shop and public restrooms at the pier’s T-end.

Murphy said he would provide a specific opening date once he completes an analysis of the remaining work that needs to be done.

Due to the lingering concerns and uncertainties associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19), Murphy said he and the commission will soon determine whether the city will host grand opening ceremonies for the pier as previously discussed.

Pier RFP deadlines

As of Sunday, no changes had been made to the existing schedule for interested restaurateurs to respond to the city’s request for proposals for a new pier tenant to lease the restaurant and bait shop buildings.

According to the city website, Wednesday, March 25 is still the last day to submit written questions about the city-owned spaces for lease. Wednesday, April 8 is still the deadline to submit the pier lease proposals scheduled to be opened inside the commission chambers at approximately 1 p.m. that day.

Murphy recently said he expects the new restaurant and bait shop to open during the fourth quarter of the current year or the first quarter of 2021.

Potential tenants attend City Pier pre-bid meeting

Potential tenants attend City Pier pre-bid meeting

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

ANNA MARIA – More than a dozen restaurateurs are potentially interested in leasing the new City Pier restaurant and bait shop.

Last week, the deadline to submit proposals in response to the city’s request for proposals (RFP) was extended from March 10 to April 8. This was done at the request of the interested restaurateurs, including those who attended the RFP pre-bid meeting at Anna Maria City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

The city commission approved the submission extension on Thursday, Feb. 27. Before doing so, Commissioner Mark Short asked Mayor Dan Murphy how the extension would impact the restaurant opening.

“You’re still looking at probably the fourth quarter (of 2020) to the first quarter of next year for a restaurant to be operational,” Murphy said.

During Wednesday’s pre-bid meeting, Murphy said he expects the pier itself to open to the public in March or April.

According to the pre-bid meeting sign-in sheet, an additional list provided by Murphy and additional research by The Sun, the following parties attended Wednesday’s meeting and/or expressed to Murphy interest in leasing the city-owned pier buildings:

  • Julian Botero and Gabriella Hoock from the Gulf Drive Café in Bradenton Beach;
  • Hal Christensen and Jessica Stevens from Harry’s Continental Kitchens in Longboat Key;
  • Rod & Reel Pier manager Rockey Corby, representing current City Pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder’s TCPR Inc.;
  • Gabriel Davila and Darlene Ruth from Seabreeze Concessions, the former concessionaire at Lido Beach in Sarasota;
  • Buddy and Cate Foy, owners of Cate’s Italian Garden in Bolton Landing, N.Y.;
  • Chef Marcos Fernandez from the upscale Nineteen61 restaurant in Lakeland;
  • Joseph Guli III, CEO of the Sarasota-based Tableseide Restaurant Group whose brands include Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie, Muse at The Ringling and Oak & Stone;
  • Kimberley Mancini, from Michael’s On East in Sarasota;
  • Brian Mathae, owner of Hurricane Hanks in Holmes Beach;
  • Sean Murphy, owner of the Beach Bistro in Holmes Beach;
  • Greg Novack, hospitality consultant and founder and former owner of Sharky’s on the Pier in Venice;
  • Steve Rose, owner of Bortell’s Lounge in Anna Maria;
  • Mike Ross and Thad Treadwell from the Ugly Grouper in Holmes Beach.

When contacted Friday, Schoenfelder said he has not yet decided whether he’ll respond to the RFP. In January, the city commission rejected his offer to pay an initial base rent of $8,000 per month.

Meeting Q&A

During Wednesday’s meeting, Murphy spent 50 minutes fielding questions from potential bidders.

He told attendees the city seeks proposals from those interested in leasing the pier buildings and completing the interior build-outs of the exterior shells at their own expense.

He said the potential bidders can schedule a tour of the pier and pier buildings.

Murphy said the tenant will lease the restaurant and bait shop areas and share the use and maintenance costs for the common areas that include the pier walkway, boat landing, T-end decking and public restrooms.

In response to questions posed, Murphy said:

  • The pier buildings provide 4,600 square feet of total interior space;
  • Leasing additional portions of the shared common areas is negotiable;
  • The tenant is not obligated to sell live bait at the bait shop, and the current tenant stopped doing so long ago;
  • The city expects the tenant to acquire a fishing license that allows anyone to fish on the pier;
  • The number of parking spots provided will be based on city code requirements, gated parking is negotiable and valet parking at nearby Bayfront Park is possible;
  • Live music and/or outdoor speakers in the common areas is negotiable.

Murphy said the city doesn’t have any information to provide regarding past pier revenues, foot traffic or the number of pier visitors. He said one consultant estimated that location could potentially generate a maximum of $3.5-$4 million in annual revenues with a restaurant, bait shop and souvenir and merchandise sales.

“It’s the most visited attraction in Manatee County. It’s a high visibility location. It’s a great view. That’s a big part of the attraction,” Murphy said.

Attendees asked several questions about utility lines and connections, lighting, drain locations and other technical details. Murphy could not provide specific details in every instance, but those details are included in the 65 written questions and answers posted at the city website. The updated submission schedule and the RFP are also posted there.

“We were pleased with the number of interested attendees at the meeting,” Murphy later said. “Most importantly, it was apparent there is a great deal of interest from our local restaurateurs in operating on the pier – successful businesspeople who know the Anna Maria City Pier’s potential. Attendees came from a wide range of niche markets in the hospitality industry, ranging from family-oriented to upscale and gourmet.”

Pier opening delayed by electrical issues

Pier opening delayed by electrical issues

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

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the Anna Maria Commission are planning the opening ceremonies for the new City Pier, but the exact date of the opening remains unknown due to an electrical issue.

The mayor and commission discussed these matters on Thursday, Feb. 13. Murphy said he would appreciate the commissioners’ ideas and input on the pier opening ceremonies, but first he wanted to address a recent report by another newspaper that incorrectly stated an opening date had been determined.

“There was an article in one of the papers that said it was going to be opened March 10th at 1 p.m. In all probability the pier will not be opening March 10,” Murphy said.

March 10 is the deadline for potential pier tenants to submit their pier lease proposals in response to the city’s request for proposals. The proposals received are scheduled to be opened in the commission chambers at 1 p.m. that day.

Electrical delays

“We do have an electrical issue with the pier – partially from Florida Power & Light and partially of our own making. But the Florida Power & Light one is the critical one. That has to be resolved before we can do anything in terms of opening the pier,” Murphy told the commission.

“At this point, it looks like Florida Power & Light will not have their portion of this thing resolved until early March at best. Part of it is impacted by supplies and things of that nature and having to do with design. We can establish a firm date when Florida Power & Light is good to go. Other than that, it’s premature to speculate what the date would be,” Murphy said of the pier opening.

When contacted later, Murphy said the bulk of the electrical concerns pertain to the FPL transformers being readied for connectivity with the city pier.

Pier opening ceremonies

“In lieu of all that, I still need to put together a program as to what we’d like to do,” Murphy told the commission.

Murphy said former Commissioner Doug Copeland suggested a Saturday morning youth fishing tournament as part of the pier opening ceremonies. Murphy said that was an excellent idea and he’s already asked CrossPointe Fellowship Pastor Ed Moss to head up the tournament.

Murphy also wants the opening ceremonies to serve as a thank you to the other government officials and government bodies that helped fund the pier replacement project. These include Florida Sen. Bill Galvano, State Rep. Will Robinson, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Elliott Falcione, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council, the Manatee County Commission and Anna Maria resident Sissy Quinn for her grassroots fundraising efforts.

“A light program with maybe a champagne toast or something like that. I think it’s appropriate that we say ‘thank you,’ ” Murphy said, noting that hors d’oeuvres would also be served.

Commissioner Carol Carter suggested the ceremony take place on a Friday.

Murphy encouraged the commissioners in their roles as commission liaisons to invite The Center of Anna Maria Island, the Island Players, the AMI Historical Society and the Anna Maria Garden Club to participate in the ceremonies.

“This pier is so important to our city. It’s the heart of our city. That’s why I’d like the entities that are the fiber of our city to participate,” Murphy said.

Carter said a pier exhibit at the AMI Historical Museum could be reinstalled after a current exhibit is removed. She also said the museum sells pier T-shirts and more could be ordered for the opening ceremonies.

Commissioner Joe Muscatello said the Island Players have already offered to perform a historical period piece that pays homage to the original pier built in 1911 and those who first used it.

Commissioner Amy Tripp asked Murphy if he envisioned a two- or three-day ceremony. Murphy said that’s up to the commission. He asked the commissioners to provide him their individual ideas by Wednesday, Feb. 19.

“Just give me some ideas and I think we can put it all together,” he said.

The pier walkway and T-end deck are expected to open to the public before the pier tenant – who has not yet been selected – completes the interior build-outs of the city-owned restaurant and bait shop buildings.