ANNA MARIA – Pine Avenue was awash in holiday spirit during the Dec. 12 Holiday of Treasures Open House hosted by the Anna Maria business community, the city of Anna Maria and the Anna Maria Island Historical Society.
Pine Avenue was closed on Friday evening so attendees could stroll down the street to visit the participating stores, businesses and organizations – many of which passed out free holiday treats.
Pine Avenue was a scene of holiday and community celebration. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The AMI Historical Museum grounds at 402 Pine Ave. are the epicenter of the city’s holiday decorations that include a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, additional tree lighting throughout the museum grounds and lighted tunnel-like walkways.
Tunnels of light help illuminate the museum grounds. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Santa spent the evening outside the museum visiting with youngsters and at 6 p.m., city staff members lit the city’s tree after Santa counted down from five.
“We’re glad to have the holiday walk back. There’s a lot of people here and this is another sign of things being back to normal again after last year’s hurricanes,” Mayor Mark Short said after the tree was lit.
Anna Maria Executive Assistant Barbara Jeffries and City Clerk Amber LaRowe visited Santa. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Museum volunteers passed out free wine and popcorn and the Parrish Community High String Quintet played Christmas music.
Down the street, a long line of people waited outside Beach Bums for the free grilled cheeseburgers and hot dogs that have become a staple of the annual holiday event.
Jacob Poston, Taylor Snyder, Chris Gaines and Blake Battle grilled and served Beach Bums’ burgers and hot dogs. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Next door, at the Pineapple Marketplace, Reclaimed Soul booth owner/operators Samantha and Jim Heil passed out wine-based margaritas; DJ Grinch (Beach Bums employee Ryan Williams) played Christmas songs and Rock n’ Eggroll owners and market newcomers Alex and Cristy Ulate introduced attendees to their eggroll offerings.
Rock n’ Eggroll owners Cristy and Alex Ulate participated in their first holiday open house. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At the Anna Maria General Store, owner Brian Seymour and his staff served free cookies and 15 gallons of eggnog spiked with five gallons of spiced rum.
At the northeast end of the street, Two Scoops Ice Cream and the Cool Beans AMI coffee shop welcomed residents and visitors alike.
Tim Stephens, Santa, Darcie Duncan and Sky Cadmus enjoyed the holiday celebration. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Duncan Real Estate & Vacation Rentals office at the corner of Pine Avenue and Los Cedros Drive was very busy, due in part to the free wine offered and the roasted oysters served by the Anna Maria Oyster Bar at Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan’s annual request.
After trying her first-ever oyster, Melissa Burt said, “I didn’t realize they were so good.”
Melissa Burt tried and enjoyed her first oyster, served by Eli Martinez and Chris Core – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We love doing this. It’s nice to see the community out and about,” Duncan said.
The folks at Pizza Social had a streetside booth set up and across the street the Flip Flop Shop & Candy Stop served free wine and cookies.
The Chocolate Emporium’s Liv Baker and Riley Greenlee handed out free saltwater taffy. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At the southwest end of Pine Avenue, Liv Baker and Riley Greenlee passed out free saltwater taffy samples at the entrance to the busy Chocolate Emporium, and Donut Experiment owners Charity and Corey Curyto passed out free samples of their freshly made and creatively frosted donuts.
The Parrish Community High String Quintet performed Christmas music. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Pepper and Ruby Smargisso chatted with Santa. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
AMI Historical Society member Barb Murphy served free wine outside the museum. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Reclaimed Soul proprietors Jim and Samantha Heil served holiday margaritas. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
DJ Grinch (Ryan Williams) spun the tunes. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Rum and eggnog were served at the nicely decorated Anna Maria General Store. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Flip Flop Shop & Candy Stop served free wine, punch and Christmas cookies. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Donut Experiment owners Charity and Corey Curyto shared frosted donut samples. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Anna Maria resident Doug Copeland waited in line at Beach Bums. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
My Beach Concierge owners Becky and Peery Heldreth attended the holiday open house. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
The city’s Christmas decorations light up the museum grounds. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate celebrated the recent reopening of its hurricane-damaged Anna Maria office with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a champagne toast, Chick-fil-A appetizers and the 7 Better Days hat bar.
The Duncan Real Estate sales and rental operations resumed at 310 Pine Ave. in late July after the business operations were displaced by the damage caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
The Oct. 17 grand reopening celebration began with some group photos taken of Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan, her 28 employees and some invited guests, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by representatives of the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce.
A champagne toast celebrated the recent reopening of the Pine Avenue office. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After the ribbon cutting, a champagne toast was made inside the repaired, renovated and expanded office space. Appetizers were enjoyed and many attendees stepped outside to design their own hats at the mobile 7 Better Days hat bar owned and operated by sisters Taylor and Kilee Fehd. Duncan employees and invited guests selected a baseball cap-style hat of their choosing and the various patches and other accessories to be pressed onto their customized hats.
Employees and guests designed and customized their hats at the 7 Better Days hat bar. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The following day, Duncan Real Estate’s Pine Avenue office was open during the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Bayfest street party celebration – an annual event that was canceled last year because of the hurricanes.
Looking back, looking ahead
“I could not be more excited to be back on Pine Avenue. It’s been my company’s home for 25 years and there is nowhere else we would rather be,” Duncan said. “Pine Avenue is more than just a street; it’s our little family too and we love seeing everyone again.”
Regarding the hurricane damage, she said, “With Helene, we had 37 inches of water throughout the office and we lost everything we had not removed with our normal storm preparations. So, we had to gut the inside down to the studs. We just had some little bumps and bruises from Hurricane Milton.”
Duncan Real Estate’s maintenance office is located at 5916 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During the post-hurricane recovery process, Duncan Real Estate operated in the former Barnes Walker Title Inc. office at 5916 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach in a space Duncan Real Estate began using as a maintenance facility in August 2024, the month before the first of the back-to-back hurricanes struck the Island.
The maintenance facility remains at the Holmes Beach location and the additional office space there is now leased to someone else.
“We have a new, expanded office space on Pine Avenue and a great maintenance office in Holmes Beach,” Duncan said.
The Duncan Real Estate sales and rental office is located at 310 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When asked about the post-hurricane real estate and vacation rental markets one year later, she said, “The sales market has held up relatively well, all things considered. It’s been a bumpy road but I see good momentum as of late. I think one of the driving factors that created the sluggish market is that people just needed to get a storm season behind them to feel comfortable before jumping back in the market.”
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan is happy to be back on Pine Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“The vacation rental market has also held up well, considering that many of the ground-level rentals just came back online in mid-spring and into the summer. Some guests chose to just wait and come back next year, as they wanted the Island to be more put back together. We have a resilient community and that proves what a great place this is to vacation and invest. I feel very optimistic that we will see continued improvement in 2026,” Duncan said.
ANNA MARIA – Beautiful weather, classic cars, live music, a wide array of vendors and great attendance made for a successful Bayfest celebration after last year’s festival was canceled due to the damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The 24th Annual Bayfest celebration on Saturday was hosted and organized by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, with assistance provided by the city of Anna Maria, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the event sponsors and participants.
The weather was beautiful for this year’s Bayfest. – Joe Hendricks
“Bayfest was a great success for Anna Maria Island,” Chamber President Terri Kinder said. “Part of the proceeds go toward our scholarship program. Our community was ready to embrace Bayfest after last year’s hurricanes. A big thank you to everyone who participated, came out to enjoy themselves and helped us make it an outstanding festival; and thanks to everyone who volunteered their time to help us make it one of the best Bayfests ever.”
Earlier in the day, Chamber board member Eric Cairns said, “It’s noon and the street is already packed.”
He attributed the high volume of early attendees to the picture-perfect weather.
Larry Keen displayed his modified 2010 Dodge Challenger, joined by his canine companion, Lacy Mae. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Chamber’s fundraising activities included beer sales and the first beer vending shift was covered by Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short, City Clerk Amber LaRowe, Executive Assistant Barbara Jeffries, Slicker’s Eatery owner Bob Slicker, Anna Maria Island Historical Society member Barbara Murphy and Bayfest volunteer Ingrid McClellan.
Barbara Jeffries, Amber LaRowe, Ingrid McClellan, Bob Slicker, Barbara Murphy and Mark Short assisted with the chamber’s fundraising beer sales. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Short said this year’s Bayfest was another positive step in the city and the Island’s continued “return to normal” from the 2024 hurricanes.
Vendors and classic vehicles lined Pine Avenue from North Shore Drive to South Bay Boulevard, joined by many Pine Avenue businesses and restaurants, Roser Memorial Community Church, the Roser Food Pantry, Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation Center and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.
Turtle Watch volunteers Daniell Kimberly, Lisa Picciano and Andrea Cramer celebrated a successful turtle nesting season. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Bill Mergens Memorial Car Show along Pine Avenue included the classic Batmobile from the 1960s “Batman” television show and dozens of additional classic cars, trucks and vans.
The classic Batmobile was a nostalgic highlight of the Bayfest car show. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The food court in the Roser Church parking lot included local favorites Pizzano’s Pizza, The Freckled Fin, Poppo’s Taqueria, Topsail Steamer and Mixon Fruit Farms, joined by visiting food vendors that included Red Zeppelin Rockin’ Lobster Rolls.
Red Zeppelin Rockin’ Lobster Rolls were among the festival’s food offerings. – Joe Hendricks | SunWildlife Inc. volunteer Jeanne Potter displayed a leopard tortoise and volunteer Krista Carpenter held a kestrel. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At the Wildlife Inc. tent, volunteer Krista Carpenter held a kestrel (a member of the falcon species) and Jeanne Potter displayed a leopard tortoise, with Athena, the great horned owl, and E.T., the barred owl, perched behind them.
Tropicats Morgan Bryant and Chuck Caudill opened the Bayfest musical performances. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Throughout the day and evening, the live music stage at the Pine Avenue/Bay Boulevard intersection was graced by The Tropicats, Memphis Rub, Jack’d Up and The Dr. Dave Band.
Turtle Watch volunteer Lisa Picciano wore a turtle costume. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Athena and E.T. had an owl’s-eye view of the Bayfest festivities. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
The food court in the Roser Church parking lot featured local restaurants and visiting vendors. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
These were a few of the many vintage vehicles featured in the classic car show. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
This beach-themed Volkswagen van fit right in with Bayfest’s tropical surroundings. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Vintage vehicles are a highlight of the annual Bayfest celebration. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
Roser Food Pantry volunteers Wanda Crummey and Doug Copeland participated in Bayfest. - Joe Hendricks | Sun
ANNA MARIA – The first of two city-sponsored “Ring in the Recovery” events drew residents and visitors to Pine Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
A second “Ring in the Recovery” event is scheduled on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 1-5 p.m.
The events are a celebration of the Anna Maria businesses that have reopened since the city was struck by hurricanes Helene and Milton in late September and early October.
‘Barb the elf,’ Mrs. Claus and Santa welcomed Mayor Mark Short. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Mayor Mark Short invited Santa Claus to sit outside the Anna Maria Historical Museum and visit with youngsters, who were also given gifts. Santa (played by Anna Maria General Manager Dean Jones) was joined by Mrs. Claus (his wife, Laurie) and a helpful elf (Administrative Assistant Barbara Jeffries), whose son, Jackson, handed out candy canes while Mike Sales performed Christmas songs.
Mike Sales performed Christmas music. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We’re trying to show how much we’ve recovered from the hurricanes and we want to promote the businesses along Pine Avenue and throughout Anna Maria. The city is helping get the word out that they are open for business,” Short said. “This is our first celebration. We’ll have another one next Saturday and we hope to see more people here as we ring in the holiday season.”
Short was joined on the museum grounds by his wife, Pat, and several family members who later visited many Pine Avenue businesses.
Attendees included London residents Kelly and Ramanan Rajamanohara and their infant son, Rory.
London residents Kelly and Ramanan Rajamanohara and their infant son, Rory, visited Santa. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Originally from Scotland, Kelly said she’s been visiting Anna Maria since she was 17 or 18 years old. She said they considered postponing their trip, but ultimately decided to vacation on Anna Maria Island as planned.
“My uncle came in the middle of November and said everything was quickly cleaned up,” she said. “It seems a lot quieter, but more businesses are up and running than I expected, which is impressive.”
Ramanan noted more businesses have reopened since they arrived.
Retired U.S. Marine Christian Ulanch and Michigan resident Laurie Schaal said hello to Santa. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Anna Maria resident and retired U.S. Marine Christian Ulanch posed for a photo with Santa, joined by his friend Laurie Schaal, who made a weekend escape from the winter weather in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Schaal asked Santa for some sunny weather before she returned to Michigan on Monday.
BUSINESS RECOVERY
Across the street from the museum, The Island Cabana retail store that reopened on Black Friday had several customers inside browsing and buying.
The Island Cabana is open for business. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Next door, AMI Outfitters owner Jennifer Hagey said she and her husband, David, also reopened their store on Black Friday. She said business has been slow but she hopes business will pick up as more vacation rental guests return.
AMI Outfitters owner Jennifer Hagey is happy to be open again.- Joe Hendricks | SunSloane, Harlow and Emmy Self visited AMI Outfitters. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It’s just nice to be open again,” she said.
Like most ground-level businesses along Pine Avenue, AMI Outfitters suffered storm surge-related water damage.
“A week before Thanksgiving, we had 4 feet of drywall cut out. We lost furnishings and we lost inventory. We weren’t starting from scratch, but it was pretty close. We appreciate the visitors and the local support we’ve been getting and it’s great to see the locals coming back in,” Hagey said.
Olive Oil Outpost owner Kelly Kari reopened her business on Dec. 10. – Joe Hendricks Sun
Olive Oil Outpost owner Kelly Kari said, “We opened on Tuesday and today we’re just getting things more in order, having our doors open, welcoming everybody back and trying to get our rhythm back that we’ve had for the last 15 years. We took on about 2 feet of water. We had to have the drywall replaced and mold mitigation done. We had to buy new refrigeration equipment and new fixtures but it feels good to be open again. We specialize in olive oil, but we also have wine, cheeses, meats, pastas and pasta sauces,” she said.
She’s keeping her fingers crossed for the upcoming holiday and tourist seasons and she said, “Come on out to Pine Avenue.”
AMI Beach & Dog Supply owner Janalee Gallagher’s dog, Dante, joined her for a photo-op.
AMI Beach & Dog Supply owner Janalee Gallagher said, “We got a foot-and-a-half to 2 feet of water – just enough to take out the drywall and the electrical. We lost most of our dog food and dog treats and our dog shirts, dog bandanas and those kinds of things absorbed a lot of the smell.
“We reopened two weeks before Thanksgiving and we were the first retail store open on Pine Avenue. I don’t know that it did us a lot of good, because there was no traffic, but we’re starting to see a lot of local folks coming out, which is fantastic. And I make sure to thank the people who are coming from out of town. I say thanks so much for not canceling your vacation. We’re glad to be here because some places aren’t coming back. We’re lucky.”
Kiersten Blandon and Hometown Desserts owner Cindy Tutterow worked outside the dessert shop, next to a pink Christmas tree. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Hometown Desserts owner Cindy Tutterow and her employee, Kiersten Blandon, had a table set up outside the dessert shop, next to a pink Christmas tree.
“Today we’re just taking Christmas orders and selling gift certificates and our pretty coffee mugs. We’re going to try to open next Saturday, the 21st,” Tutterow said. “We make all kinds of cakes, including our best seller, key lime coconut cake. We also make pies, cookies, decorated Christmas cookies and some gluten-free items too.”
Blandon said, “I’m excited. I miss working and seeing everybody coming into the shop.”
Shiny Fish Emporium owner Rebecca Preston reopened for Thanksgiving weekend after about 3 feet of water flooded the emporium and damaged her inventory, drywall and displays.
Shiny Fish Emporium owner Rebecca Preston appreciates being open again. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It’s been quiet, but weekends are better and we are seeing some tourists,” she said.
When describing the emporium’s offerings, Preston said, “A little bit of wonderment. Resort wear, Christmas ornaments, comic books, crafts, European toys, sunglasses from Paris and artisan jewelry.”
Looking ahead to the holidays and the hoped-for peak tourist season, she said, “I’ve had people reach out and say they’re excited to come back and they’re excited the Island is coming back so quickly.”
On his 12th birthday, Gabriel Vasser and his loved ones visited Shiny Fish Emporium. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Imari Deadrick was part of a group of visitors from Detroit who were vacationing in Bradenton while celebrating Gabriel Vasser’s 12th birthday. They took a day trip to Anna Maria Island on Saturday and enjoyed lunch at the BeachHouse restaurant in Bradenton Beach before heading to Anna Maria, where they painted sand dollars while sitting outside Shiny Fish Emporium.
When asked if they had any concerns about their vacation plans, Deadrick said, “We were a little bit nervous, but we have social media now and that kept us updated on how it was looking down here. This is our first trip here and it looks really good. We’re checking off everything we had planned on our itinerary and we leave tomorrow.”
New York residents Kelly and Harper Blanco painted sand dollars at Shiny Fish Emporium. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Kelly Blanco and her daughter, Harper, also sat outside Shiny Fish Emporium painting sand dollars. They traveled from New York, were staying in Tampa for a soccer tournament and decided to take a day trip to Anna Maria.
“I’ve never been to Anna Maria. I love it. We’ll have to come back and stay with our whole family,” Kelly said.
Pizza Social owner Andrew Simonetti offers discounts for local customers. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Pizza Social owner Andrew Simonetti said they reopened the Sunday before Thanksgiving after suffering about 2 feet of water intrusion that damaged their equipment, coolers and the electrical components in the pizza oven. He and his manager did all the restoration work themselves to avoid being on someone else’s timeline.
“It feels good to be open and running a pizzeria again,” Simonetti said. “Business isn’t what it was, but we’ll build back up as more vacation rental homes become available. And we offer a year-round discount to locals. Let us know you’re a local and we’ll apply a discount to your order.”
Nong Klainthind, Woody Tajawandee and Ton Ton Chueakuna represented Sushi Ramen. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Sushi Ramen restaurant on Gulf Drive is now open and during Saturday’s event, owner Woody Tajawandee and employees Ton Ton Chueakuna and Nong Klainthind set up a table in front of Lazy Turtle Beach Rentals on Pine Avenue and served free samples of chicken curry on rice.
Lazy Turtle Beach Rentals and Anna Maria Island Tours Operations Manager Tom “T-Bone” Anderson said he reopened soon after Hurricane Milton.
“Our building was just high enough that we’ve been able to be open the whole time,” he said. “We had a good Thanksgiving week but the lead up to Christmas is always slow. We’re looking to be busier the week after Christmas.”
Looking ahead to the peak tourist season, he said, “We’ll be back on track just like every other year.”
Pineapple Marketplace vendor Sam Heil is pleased with the progress made. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The multi-vendor Pineapple Marketplace reopened on Dec. 11, and Reclaimed Soul vendors Sam (Samantha) and Jim Heil were there Saturday.
“We’re just excited to be open again. I think we look good considering how we looked a couple months ago,” Sam said, noting some vendors are still bringing back their inventory.
Jim said he and AMI Guy vendor Mark McConnell replaced all the water-damaged display walls that also help separate the vendors.
Kristen Curtis is part of the Beach Bums team. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Next door, the floors inside Beach Bums are being replaced but their golf cart, bike and kayak rentals and limited retail sales are still taking place out on the front deck. Manager Kathy Manning said they hope to be back inside again by Christmas.
The Anna Maria General Store, Dips Ice Cream and gRub Tropical BBQ are open. At the nearby Bayview Plaza, Two Sides of Nature and AMI Cool Beans have reopened and Two Scoops ice cream will reopen this week. The neighboring Waterfront restaurant also recently reopened. At the other end of Pine Avenue, North Shore Café, Poppo’s Taqueria and The Donut Experiment have reopened.
BEYOND PINE AVENUE
Around the corner, The White Egret home interior store at 10006 Gulf Drive owned by Barbara and John Jaeger reopened Saturday. They also own the Egret’s Nest clothing boutique next door.
The White Egret lost its roof during Hurricane Milton.
“All the merchandise we had was put upstairs because we thought we’d get a bigger surge than Helene, so we lost tons of inventory,” John said.
On a brighter note, he said, “We’ve been open since 10 o’clock today. It feels great. We scrambled for a good month trying to get this place ready to go. We were going to try to open the Egret’s Nest first, but the roof leaked during the last rainstorm. We hope to reopen that in January.”
White Egret employees Pamela Kimmey, Cindy Wright and Jackie Wurster are thrilled to be open again. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Director of Operations Pamela Kimmey said, “We are thrilled to be here. It’s been a great day. We have a great team that worked tirelessly to get it to look like this today. We combined the two stores for now, so we have clothing, jewelry, handbags, home interior items, artwork, lamps, gift cards and all our Christmas items. People come in year-round to take a Christmas ornament home as a token of their vacation.”
The reopened businesses along Gulf Drive also include the Nomad Collection, Bortell’s Lounge, Harry’s Grill, the Mademoiselle Paris restaurant, The Porch restaurant, the Beach Hut convenience store, Q’s Beach Boutique, Robin Hood Rentals and Slim’s Place, with Ginny’s and Jane E’s Café reopening on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The Grand Pavilion at Sandbar, at the end of Spring Avenue, has also reopened.
ANNA MARIA – As part of the ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, Anna Maria commissioners are allowing business and restaurant owners to use one additional A-frame sandwich board sign and one promotional flag to help promote their businesses.
On Nov. 19, the city commission adopted Resolution R24-805, which temporarily amends the enforcement of the city’s sign regulations in a manner that allows business owners to display two sandwich boards and one promotional flag per business location until April 30.
Anna Maria businesses are now allowed to display two sandwich board signs to help attract customers. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The resolution was adopted during the regular commission meeting that preceded the swearing in of the new mayor, a returning commissioner and a new commissioner.
The resolution notes that hurricanes Helene and Milton negatively impacted the Anna Maria business community and the commission believes the extra sign and flag allowances will assist the still-recovering businesses.
The city’s code of ordinances allows one sandwich board sign per business address and prohibits promotional flags and those restrictions are expected to resume on May 1, the day after the resolution expires.
The resolution that City Attorney Becky Vose presented specifically references retail businesses, but Vose later clarified that the intent of the resolution applies to all commercial businesses, including restaurants.
Still serving as commission chair during the Nov. 19 meeting, mayor-elect Mark Short said he met with several Anna Maria business owners the previous day and the proposed sign and flag allowances were suggested during that meeting. Short said some businesses are still missing their primary signs and the additional sign and flag allowances would help in that regard.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Commissioner Kathy Morgan-Johnson said.
She then noted that while driving around town, it’s hard to tell which businesses are open.
Anna Maria restaurants are allowed to display an extra sandwich board sign as the hurricane recovery continues. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The resolution initially proposed a Jan. 1 expiration date for the additional sign and flag allowances, but that was extended until April 30 at the suggestion of Commissioner Charlie Salem. That date traditionally marks the end of the peak tourism season and Salem said it gives business owners more time to recoup any additional sign and flag expenses they incur.
Short thanked Anna Maria General Store and Pine Avenue Bait and Tackle owner Brian Seymour for suggesting the proposed sign and flag allowances.
“Thank you for getting this done,” Seymour said in response.
ANNA MARIA – The city is suspending its hurricane debris removal efforts at midnight on Thursday, Oct. 24.
The debris removal deadline was discussed and approved during the Anna Maria City Commission’s emergency meeting on Oct. 17. After extending two local state of emergency declarations, Mayor Dan Murphy recommended ending the city’s debris removal efforts after one more week, in part because he’s now seeing non-hurricane-related household and landscaping debris being placed out for free removal.
“It’s got to end. Otherwise, we’ll be here forever. We’ll keep picking up debris, but this is the deadline,” he said.
On Friday, the following message was posted on the city of Anna Maria’s Facebook page: “Effective midnight Thursday, Oct. 24, the city will no longer provide removal of hurricane-related debris. In the meantime, all hurricane-related debris must be placed in the city right of way in separate piles; one for household debris and another for landscaping debris. Businesses from other island cities have been coming to Anna Maria and dumping debris. Any individual caught doing this illegal dumping will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Subsequent to Oct. 24, at their own expense, residents and businesses may utilize dumpsters for large debris collection or they may contact a licensed hauling or other agency for assistance.”
At the suggestion of Commissioner Mark Short, the mayor and commission will review the debris removal efforts and impending deadline during the commission’s regular meeting at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24. If needed, the commission can consider extending the collection deadline and/or addressing hardship cases on an individual basis.
Some Hurricane Helene debris became flooding during Hurricane Milton.- Joe Hendricks | Sun
During Thursday’s meeting, Murphy recapped the city’s debris removal efforts and costs incurred. He also addressed Facebook comments made by Holmes Beach Commissioner Pat Morton alleging the city of Anna Maria would not receive FEMA reimbursements for its expedited debris removal efforts.
Debris removal
“Debris removal is paramount to the purpose of government, which is safeguarding the safety, health and welfare of our residents. It’s not safe having mounds of debris sitting around the city. So, we took action,” Murphy said.
Anna Maria’s debris removal strategy includes using the Bayfront Park parking lot along North Bay Boulevard as a centralized debris collection and processing area. The debris initially deposited there is later transported to the county landfill.
Bayfront Park is being used as a makeshift debris collection and processing area. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“We put an average of 68 trucks on the road hauling debris out of the city of Anna Maria. We took over 400 loads to the landfill. We took a total of 1,432 tons of debris, and that’s mostly household debris. There’s still landscaping debris. We’ve started to make a dent on that. Now there’s more household debris coming in, but we’ve made significant progress,” Murphy said on Thursday.
“We get a load ticket when they leave here, we get a load ticket when they go to the dump and we track all that. It’s all very closely monitored so we don’t get short-changed,” he added.
The debris deposited at Bayfront Park is later transported to the county landfill. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Murphy said the city already spent approximately $750,000 on debris removal and he anticipates the final cost to be around $1.5 million. City Clerk LeAnne Addy said the city usually receives 50% reimbursement within three days of requesting it and Murphy said the remaining reimbursement comes later.
Some hurricane debris remained along Anna Maria streets on Oct. 15. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“I don’t think we deserve any gold stars. We still have a long way to go and we’ve only done what’s expected of us. We’re going to get reimbursed for it. We’ve done everything by the numbers,” Murphy said of the city’s efforts.
Regarding the city’s financial position, Murphy said the city currently has $1.5 million in its checking account and an additional $3.5 million in reserves.
Morton’s comments
On or around Oct. 15, Nikki Gibson posted the following message on the Island Ratz Unite Facebook page regarding the city of Holmes Beach’s debris removal efforts: “For heaven’s sake, how much more do we have to put up with on Holmes Beach? The emotional stress of having this constant reminder of what we have all had to endure is taking its toll. Where are the people upon whom we are supposed to rely?”
In response, Morton posted this comment: “The city of Anna Maria is not following the rules to get reimburse (sic). The city of Homes Beach is. That (sic) why it’s taking longer to get it picked up. Not unless you as a taxpayers (sic) wants to pay for it.”
Morton also posted this comment: “There is a process that you have to go through to get reimburse (sic). The city of Anna Maria is not doing that, so the people of Anna Maria will have to pay for it.”
Regarding those comments, Murphy said, “There’s people circulating malicious rumors about reimbursement. We have followed every guideline and every rule and I am sick and tired of hearing it. This is not a new allegation. After Hurricane Irma, I was told the same thing. We had our debris removed and we got reimbursed. We used the same methodology and the same players for Hurrian Irma, Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Idahlia, Hurricane Debby, Helene and now Milton. We know what we’re doing.”
During public comment, former city commissioner and current mayoral candidate Brian Seymour said he’s driven by the Bayfront Park processing area several times and witnessed those workers following FEMA’s debris separation guidelines.
Regarding Morton’s comments, Seymour said, “Worry about your own city. Worry about your problems down there.”
Commissioner Mark Short, also a mayoral candidate, said Morton’s comments were an act of “deflection.”
ANNA MARIA – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has authorized Mayor Dan Murphy to meet with a representative of Eason Builders regarding the installation of brick paver sidewalks along Pine Avenue.
The first phase of the multi-phase Reimagining Pine Avenue project calls for new brick paver sidewalks to be installed between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive where concrete sidewalks or hard-surfaced paved pedestrian paths do not currently exist. New crosswalks will also be installed in the same area. The existing concrete sidewalks will remain in place for now and be replaced later.
For the phase one project only, Eason Builders bid $233,704, Mali Construction bid $272,796 and C-Squared bid $665,290. On July 25, the city commission authorized the mayor to meet with a representative from Eason Builders, with Eason being the city’s first choice to install the sidewalks.
On Aug. 8, Murphy told city commissioners he planned to meet with an Eason representative on Aug. 12. The purpose of that meeting is to engage in additional fact-finding and the development of a proposed contract.
If a satisfactory contract is reached with Eason and then approved by the city commission, the contract must then be reviewed and approved by FDOT before the work can begin. FDOT review and approval are required because the sidewalk installation project is being funded with a previously approved state appropriation.
If a contract can’t be reached with Eason Builders, the mayor would then seek commission authorization to meet with a Mali Construction representative, as the city’s second choice.
The mayor was unable to estimate when the phase one work will commence.
The city is also currently accepting bid proposals for the second phase of the Reimagining Pine Avenue project, which will include similar safety improvements to be made between North Shore Drive and Crescent Drive.
ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy has vetoed an ordinance containing a proposed charter amendment that will now not be placed on the fall ballot unless the city commission overrides the veto by a 4-1 supermajority vote.
On June 13, the commission voted 3-2 in favor of including on the ballot a proposed amendment that called for the insertion of mission statement-like language that expressed a desire to maintain Anna Maria’s home rule rights and residential character. Commissioners Jon Crane and Mark Short opposed the proposed amendment because they felt it was more aspirational than actionable.
During commission discussions, Murphy, as the non-voting mayor, expressed his opposition to the proposed amendment. On Monday, June 24, he sent an email to commissioners informing them of his veto.
The email said, “Commissioners: This is to inform you that I have vetoed the above referenced ordinance for the following reasons:
• The ordinance is unnecessary,
• Cannot be effectively enforced,
• Could potentially cause harm to the city,
• Should be addressed as a part of the ‘land use element’ in the comprehensive plan, not the charter.”
During the June 13 meeting, the commission voted 5-0 in favor of placing on the ballot four additional proposed charter amendments that pertain to building height limits, calling special commission meetings, the charter’s designation of city officers and strengthened residency requirements for sitting mayors and commissioners. These four proposed amendments will be placed on the fall ballot for Anna Maria voters to accept or reject.
The city charter can only be amended with the majority support of the city’s registered voters.
ADDITIONAL ACTIONS
During the June 13 meeting, the commission unanimously approved providing $50,000 to assist with the replacement of The Center’s aging air conditioning system. The commission also approved providing The Center with an additional $28,000 for a previously completed restroom remodeling and shower installation project.
The Center’s air conditioning system needs to be replaced. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When first presenting the funding requests on May 23, Executive Director Chris Culhane said the $50,000 provided by the city would serve as matching funds for a $90,000 grant The Center received earlier that day from the Bishop-Parker Foundation. The two funding sources provide The Center with $140,000 for a new air conditioning system.
On May 23, Murphy noted the city owns The Center building and property. He also noted the commission previously approved a similar $50,000 funding request last year that was not utilized before the 2022-23 fiscal year ended on Sept. 30.
“I firmly believe that improving our own property is the right thing to do. I also like the way the community center has been running for the last of couple years,” Murphy said during the May meeting. “There were times when I worried about having to take over that community center because it was adrift. I have to congratulate Chris and his staff on bringing it back in line. You’re running a good operation there.”
PLAYERS’ ROOF
The commission authorized the mayor to spend up to $65,000 to replace the asphalt roof on the Island Players building. Murphy said the theater group’s long-term lease with the city obligates the city to help maintain the city-owned building.
Murphy said the Island Players canceled their wind insurance policy due to the roof’s current condition.
He said the theater group obtained two roof replacement bids and he obtained three additional bids. The five bids ranged from $38,000 to approximately $60,000.
Murphy said he would prefer to put a metal roof on the Island Players building because of the low maintenance requirements but for sound and acoustic purposes, the Island Players prefer another asphalt roof.
Murphy said Building Department General Manager Dean Jones would analyze the five bids with the goal to have the new roof installed and the wind insurance policy reinstated before peak hurricane season arrives.
PINE AVENUE
The city commission voted 4-1 in favor of issuing the first of four RFPs for the section-by-section installation of new pervious brick paver sidewalks along Pine Avenue where no paved or hard-surfaced sidewalks currently exist. Where applicable, the brick paver sidewalks will follow the same meandering paths that veer away from Pine Avenue and closer to the business entrances.
Some of the unpaved pedestrian paths along Pine Avenue meander away from the street and closer to the businesses. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“I oppose the meandering sidewalks. People don’t use them. They walk the street,” Commissioner Gary McMullen said when expressing his opposition to the new sidewalks following those same meandering paths.
Construction companies have until July 17 to submit bid proposals to install brick paver sidewalks and new and improved crosswalks along Pine Avenue between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive. Murphy expects this first section of the multi-phase sidewalk and crosswalk installation project to be completed by the end of September.
He also presented a schedule for subsequent RFPs to be issued later this summer. The RFP for the section of Pine Avenue between North Shore Drive and Crescent Drive will be issued on June 30. The RFP for Crescent Drive to Tarpon Street will be issued on July 15 and the RFP for Tarpon Street to Bay Boulevard section will be issued on July 31.
Murphy said the goal is to have the initial four phases of the brick paver and crosswalk installations completed by the end of November. The existing concrete sidewalks along Pine Avenue will then be replaced in a future phase of the project.
STATE APPROPRIATIONS
During the June 13 meeting, Murphy informed the commission that DeSantis approved a $500,000 state appropriation to assist the city in developing a long-term plan to eliminate the need to dredge the Lake La Vista inlet and jetty area every few years at the city’s expense.
DeSantis vetoed the city’s $1.9 million request to extend the multi-use trail along Gulf Drive and he also vetoed a $475,000 request for the installation of stand-alone public restrooms near the city-owned public parking lot adjacent to city hall and the Island Players building.
ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy has proposed a block-by-block approach to installing permeable brick paver sidewalks along Pine Avenue where meandering unpaved paths currently exist.
New crosswalks would also be installed across Pine Avenue in a similar block-by-block fashion as part of the long-desired Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project.
The existing concrete sidewalks along Pine Avenue will remain in place for now and potentially be replaced with brick paver sidewalks later.
When initiated, the sidewalk and crosswalk improvements will be funded by a state appropriation previously approved by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
New streetlights will be installed later using different, non-state funding sources.
In recent years, the commission, at the mayor’s recommendation, has rejected four previous project-related bids received from the Sarasota-based C-Squared construction company.
C-Squared’s most recent bid was $1.38 million to install a one-block Reimagining Pine Avenue prototype area between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive. The prototype would have included new brick paver sidewalks along both sides of Pine Avenue and new crosswalks. The bid did not include street lighting.
On May 23, the mayor proposed a new approach to securing a local contractor or contractors to do the work in a more piecemeal fashion. Murphy said he engaged in preliminary discussion with the project engineer as to how to go about the piecemeal approach to installing the brick paver sidewalks one block at a time, beginning with the stretch of Pine Avenue between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive. Murphy said three local contractors have expressed interest in the project.
“That’s a good sign,” he said. “One contractor told me, ‘You finally have an approach that makes sense and I want to bid on it.’ ”
Murphy said the city’s public works department may be able to assist with the crosswalk installations.
Murphy said once the brick paver sidewalks are installed in the unpaved paths, the concrete sidewalks will be replaced by brick paver sidewalks, to be followed by new street lighting.
Murphy said with the commission’s support he’d work with the project engineer and the Florida Department of Transportation – the state agency controlling the expenditure of the state funds – and figure out how to move forward with the solicitation of bids.
The city commission expressed preliminary support for the block-by-block, one-step-at-a-time project approach and now awaits additional information from the mayor.
ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Commission authorized Mayor Dan Murphy to enter into a $1.41 million state-funded grant agreement for the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue project.
On Feb. 8, the commission unanimously supported the mayor’s request to enter into the grant agreement pertaining to the $1.41 million state appropriation the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved last year for the expansion of the Reimagining Pine Avenue project that initially only included Pine Avenue.
The $1.41 appropriation provides state funds for the Spring Avenue and Magnolia Avenue portions of the expanded safety improvement project that will include the installation of permeable paver sidewalks, elevated, lighted crosswalks and street crossing signage designed to make those travel corridors safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and others.
In mid-2022, the Legislature and governor approved a $1.28 million appropriation for the initial phase of the Pine Avenue project and in early 2023 a similar grant was executed for those state funds.
During Thursday’s meeting, Murphy said the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is overseeing the city’s expenditure of state funds. He noted the Pine Avenue plans were completed more than a year ago but the plans and public input process have not been completed for the Spring and Magnolia portions of the project.
Commission Chair Mark Short noted that $352,000 in city funds are also committed to the Spring and Magnolia portions which have a preliminary estimated cost of $1.76 million.
City funds will be used to install new streetlights throughout the expanded project area.
Murphy said the city will seek additional state funds over the next couple of years to complete the project.
Commissioner Kathleen Morgan said she’d love to see a wider multi-use path included in the project plans.
ONE-BLOCK PROTOTYPE
Murphy also provided an update on the previously discussed and commission-supported one-block project prototype along both sides of Pine Avenue between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive.
The prototype area will include the sidewalk, crosswalk and streetlighting elements proposed for the rest of Pine Avenue. The unpaved meandering paths in the prototype area will be replaced by paver sidewalks that follow the same meandering footprint.
Murphy said FDOT approved the one-block prototype concept that project engineer Gerry Traverso estimated would cost $425,000-$450,000 to complete.
Murphy previously said the one-block prototype would provide the city and its yet-to-be-selected construction firm a better idea as to what unexpected challenges and obstacles might be encountered as the project later progresses down the rest of Pine Avenue.
Murphy will soon present the commission with three prototype options to consider. The first option is to not do the prototype area, an option he doesn’t support. The second option is to inquire whether the Infrastructure Solution Services (ISS) engineering firm that provides the city’s primary city engineering service is interested in partnering with the Sarasota-based Jon F. Smith Construction firm to construct the one-block prototype. The third option is for the city to issue a request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids from construction firms interested in completing the one-block project.
“Either way, let’s move forward. We need to do something with Pine Avenue,” Murphy said.
Commissioner Gary McMullen supports using ISS and Swift to complete the prototype area. He said issuing an RFP would further delay the project. Murphy said the RFP process would take at least 60 days.
Short noted the state funds previously approved for the initial Pine Avenue portion of the project are supposed to be spent by the end of the current calendar year.
ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy proposes creating a one-block Reimagining Pine Avenue test corridor along Pine Avenue, between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive.
Murphy presented his one-block prototype idea to the City Commission on Nov. 16.
He noted the city already has a set of previously approved plans for the Pine Avenue portion of the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project that now includes Spring and Magnolia avenues. The mayor and City Commission recently had a preliminary discussion on the potential safety improvements that could be made along Spring and Magnolia avenues. Those discussions remain ongoing.
The commission-approved Pine Avenue plans call for the installation of new brick paver sidewalks along the entire length of both sides of the street, new and improved crosswalks and new streetlights.
The city’s current 2023-24 fiscal year budget includes $3.3 million for the expanded Pine Avenue project, including $2.69 million in previously approved state appropriations and $283,412 in American Rescue Plan funds. To avoid being subjected to Florida Department of Transportation lighting standards, the city will self-fund the street light installation portion of the project.
Mayor Dan Murphy proposed his preliminary prototype concept to city commissioners on Nov. 16. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When presenting his preliminary one-block prototype concept, Murphy said, “This is a much-needed improvement. Pine Avenue has got to be improved. It just can’t go on the way it is with dirt sidewalks and people in the street. We all know that, but we can at least get a start on Pine Avenue.”
He said the proposed prototype area contains all the various nuances and potential challenges that exist at various points along Pine Avenue.
“It has meandering sidewalks. It has straight sidewalks. It has a lack of lighting and it has a lack of crosswalks. All of those things are improvements that we wanted to make,” he said of the proposed prototype area and the safety improvement project as a whole.
Murphy said the prototype would serve as a “test drive” for the rest of the street and allow the public to share their likes and dislikes with the initial improvements made while disrupting a smaller portion of the street.
“We fix that one block, and you can take a look at it and our constituents can take a look at it. Everybody can see the possibility for the rest of the street,” Murphy said. “The downside of doing what I just suggested is it’s going to cost us a little bit more. I’d have to get FDOT’s approval to do this because they control the pile of money the state has given us.”
Murphy said he’d try to get FDOT approval before the commission’s Dec. 7 meeting. If the approval is granted, he’ll present his prototype plan. If approved by the commission, the city would then issue a request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids from construction companies interested in taking on the prototype project. If Murphy doesn’t obtain FDOT approval by Dec. 7, he’ll delay his prototype plan presentation.
Commissioner Robert Kingan asked Murphy if his plan would include cost estimates. Murphy said it would.
Commissioners Mark Short and Jon Crane support the mayor’s prototype approach. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Commissioner Jon Crane said the Reimagining Pine Avenue project designed by contracted project engineer Gerry Traverso may not have been designed the same way a construction firm would design it. Crane said he’d like prototype project bidders to be given the flexibility to propose alternative design methods if so desired.
“With this small block, we get an opportunity to see if their vision might be better than ours,” Crane said.
Murphy agreed that some additional insight might be beneficial.
Commissioner Charlie Salem suggested including language in the RFP that states bidders have some design flexibility. Salem noted the city only received one bid proposal from the same company for the first three RFPs previously issued for the Pine Avenue portion of the project. The commission rejected all three of those bid proposals before later deciding to expand the project to include Spring and Magnolia avenues in hopes of creating a larger, more lucrative project that garners more interest from construction companies.
Salem asked Murphy if he was confident the city would receive an acceptable bid proposal for the prototype block only.
“I don’t know,” Murphy replied.
The mayor said some potential bidders may feel a one-block area is too small to garner their interest while other bidders may feel doing the entire street at one time is too large of a project for them.
Commission Chair Mark Short said, “I see a lot of advantages to heading down that path. It’s not as disruptive. It gives the city a chance to feel out the contractor.”
Short said the biggest risks he sees with the prototype approach are the prototype project being too small to garner interest from construction companies and the prototype approach being more expensive.
ANNA MARIA – The 22nd Annual Bayfest celebration on Oct. 21 offered something for the entire family.
A large portion of Pine Avenue was closed for most of the day to make room for vendors offering a little bit of everything. This family-friendly event has been a perennial favorite for both locals and visitors for two decades and the 2023 celebration delivered on the promise of fun.
From left, Kevin “Squeegee” Avalone gives a tour of the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ ship, Skullywag, to Bella and her parents, Rocco and Christina, along with Privateer Berry Le, at the 22nd Annual Bayfest celebration in Anna Maria. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
It was all smiles and dancing in the street as Memphis Rub, The Trevor Bystrom Band, The Karen and Jimmy Band and the Dr. Dave Band brought unique sounds that had something for everyone. There was also plenty of unique Island art, jewelry and specialty items that would be difficult to find in the same place outside of an event like Bayfest.
“What a party! This is great, and something we didn’t expect when we planned our trip,” said Amy Alford, of Canton, Ohio. “We kept hearing October is the best month to come to the Island, but that’s because of the weather and hurricane season winding down. We had no idea they were throwing a party like this. We’ve spent way too much money on local art and food, but we’ll call it money well spent. When we get home, we’ll have memories we can see every day and that’s priceless.”
The Dr. Dave Band, above right, headlined the live music at Bayfest. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
In addition to the “party on Pine,” as many call it, there was a classic car show and a unique smell that many couldn’t resist.
“The smell of the food is insane, you can’t eat it all, but you want to,” said Jim Ellis, who was visiting from Shelby Township, Michigan. “We want to move here; the people are just awesome and don’t seem to be bothered by tourists like they are in other places we’ve traveled. It’s just laid back and that will make you live longer being in that environment, at least in my opinion.”
Bayfest is hosted by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and more than a dozen Island businesses sponsored this year’s event.
ANNA MARIA – The Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z) has requested modifications and clarifications regarding a proposed ordinance that would amend the city’s sandwich board sign regulations.
City code currently prohibits A-frame sandwich board signs, but in recent years the prohibition has not been enforced. In late July, Mayor Dan Murphy suggested revisiting the sign ordinance in response to a complaint he received. Murphy said then that he was not in favor of prohibiting the signs that help businesses attract customers.
On Aug. 24, City Attorney Becky Vose presented the commission with a proposed ordinance that would no longer prohibit sandwich board signs. Vose noted past city commissions enacted enforcement moratoriums on the sandwich board sign prohibition in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and before that when the City Pier was closed and replaced due to damage sustained during Hurricane Irma.
The proposed ordinance would allow one A-frame sandwich board sign per business address.
The signs will only be allowed on commercially zoned and Retail/Office/Residential (ROR) zoned properties. The signs will be allowed only during active business hours and must be removed at the end of each business day, and also during inclement weather. The signs shall not be located on any city-owned sidewalks or rights of way and shall not impede pedestrian traffic or vehicular sight lines.
P&Z review
The proposed ordinance is being reviewed by the P&Z members, who will ultimately make a recommendation the city commission can accept, reject or modify.
The Anna Maria Planning and Zoning Board consists of David Haddox, Dr. Jose Erbella, Lisa Bagwell and Dusty Crane. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During the Sept. 27 P&Z meeting, board member David Haddox asked what constitutes a business address. City Planner Ashely Austin said if 307A is one business address and 307B is another business address, and both are located on the same property, each business would be allowed one sandwich board sign. The board members requested further clarification as to what constitutes a business entity and business address.
The board members noted the Pineapple Marketplace features approximately 30 different vendors that share the same address. Board member Lisa Bagwell expressed concerns about not allowing businesses with shared addresses to display sandwich board signs when there’s enough space on the property for more. Board Chair Dr. Jose Erbella suggested the number of allowed signs be determined by the available privately owned space on a property.
Board member Dusty Crane said she’s not a big supporter of sandwich board signs and she questioned how the proposed sign allowance would be enforced.
“I’d like to see them all gone to tell you the truth,” she said.
The proposed ordinance currently says a sandwich board sign shall not exceed 24 inches in width by 36 inches in height, including the frame. Haddox noted the standard size offered by many sign manufacturers is larger than that. He suggested the sign’s graphic area not exceed 24×36 inches and the surrounding frame not exceed 27×45 inches.
Haddox noted some sandwich board signs feature a single panel that hangs in the middle and swings in the wind. He suggested prohibiting signs that move in the wind and requiring them to have two fixed panels.
The board also requested clarification on the vehicular sight distances and visibility triangle referenced in the proposed ordinance.
“You all do a great job of analysis and I want to thank you for it,” Vose said in appreciation of the board’s efforts.
The requested modifications and clarifications will be brought back to the P&Z members before the proposed ordinance is forwarded to the city commission.
ANNA MARIA – If an amended city ordinance is adopted in October, city businesses will be allowed one A-frame sandwich board sign per business address.
City Attorney Becky Vose presented the previously requested ordinance to the Anna Maria City Commission for a first reading on Aug. 24.
She said the ordinance, if adopted, will amend section 98.6 of the city code of ordinances pertaining to prohibited signs and will add a new section, 98-21, on A-framed sandwich board signs.
Vose noted city code currently prohibits sandwich board signs, but past city commissions enacted moratoriums on the enforcement of the sandwich board sign prohibition during the COVID-19 pandemic and when the City Pier was closed and later replaced due to damage sustained during Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Mayor Dan Murphy said the city has not been enforcing the existing sandwich board prohibition, but it will enforce the newly-amended sign ordinance when it takes effect. Murphy said he doesn’t want sandwich board signs prohibited because it would negatively impact many Anna Maria businesses.
“This is a very straightforward ordinance which removes A-frame sandwich boards as prohibited signs,” Vose told the commission.
She read aloud the proposed new language that said, “Each separate legal commercial use in the city shall be allowed one A-frame sandwich board. Such board shall not exceed 24 inches in width by 36 inches in height, including the A-frame. Such board shall not be located in the right of way, shall not impede pedestrian traffic or vehicular site distances and/or triangle, shall be allowed during business hours only, and shall be removed during inclement weather.”
Commissioner Jon Crane said he met with a constituent who is concerned about this issue and was concerned that the proposed ordinance language didn’t say signs have to be removed at the end of each business day.
Commission Chair Mark Short suggested revising that language to say sandwich board signs must be removed during non-business hours and/or inclement weather. Vose said she would add Short’s proposed language before presenting the ordinance on second reading for final adoption.
Sandwich board signs will soon have to be removed during non-business hours. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Short asked if the proposed ordinance needed to first be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board. Vose said that would be up to the commission. Crane, a former Planning and Zoning Board member, said it should be. The planning board next meets on Wednesday, Sept. 27 and the city commission’s second reading and final adoption of the ordinance is expected in October.
Businesses will be allowed one sandwich board sign per business address. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Short questioned the ordinance’s reference to “separate legal commercial use” and how that would apply to a single property that contains multiple businesses. He asked if only one sandwich board sign would be allowed per property or if each business could have a sign.
Short also noted the Pineapple Marketplace on Pine Avenue features one building that provides retail space for approximately 30 vendors. Commissioner Robert Kingan said there are at least five sandwich board signs currently being used on that property.
The Pineapple Marketplace utilizes multiple sandwich board signs. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
City Planner Ashley Austin suggested replacing the language that refers to “separate legal commercial use” with language that allows one sandwich board sign per business address.
Short suggested the ordinance language specify that sandwich board signs are only allowed on commercially zoned and retail/office/residential (ROR) zoned properties and are not allowed on residentially zoned properties. Vose will add that language to the ordinance as well.
ANNA MARIA – The Old Soldiers & Sailors Veterans Day parade is expected to be bigger than ever this year.
The parade begins Friday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Gulf Drive/Pine Avenue intersection and ends at City Pier Park, followed by a recognition ceremony for veterans and their spouses.
The parade will feature five high school marching bands, Palmetto High School Air Force JROTC cadets, a Marine Corps color guard, military vehicles, floats, vehicles representing local businesses, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders, local civic organizations and more.
This year’s parade will feature five marching bands. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Manatee County Sheriff’s Deputy and Iraq War veteran Patrick Manning and his wife, Corrie, will serve as this year’s grand marshals.
Army veteran and Mayor Dan Murphy recently said this year’s parade is expected to feature more marching bands and more participants because the city of Palmetto canceled its Veterans Day parade.
Under the City Pier Park shade sail structure, the recognition ceremony for veterans and their spouses will include a Coast Guard flyover and the young JROTC cadets handing out commemorative medals to the veterans who previously served in the armed forces.
A recognition ceremony for veterans and their spouses will take place at City Pier Park. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“It’s going to be a big event,” Murphy said.
The veterans recognition ceremony will be followed by a free ice cream social at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum complex at 402 Pine Ave.
Street closures
To accommodate the parade, Pine Avenue will be closed at 9 a.m. Friday morning and remain closed until the parade is over with an expected reopening to traffic around 3 p.m. South Bay Boulevard from Spring Avenue to Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard from Pine Avenue to the north end of Bayfront Park, will also be closed at 9 a.m. Gulf Drive between Magnolia and Pine avenues will close as early as 11 a.m. The closed roads will reopen as soon as safely possible after the parade concludes.
All free trolley stops along Pine Avenue will be bypassed from 9 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. The City Pier trolley stop will be relocated to Spring Avenue at South Bay Boulevard.
Handicapped parking will be available near the City Pier for those with valid handicapped placards and/or license plates.
