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Bradenton Beach commissioners seek city attorney

Bradenton Beach commissioners seek city attorney

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials are seeking an interim city attorney prior to choosing a perma­nent replacement for former City Attorney Ricinda Perry, who retired on Sept. 18.

Commissioners discussed options at their Oct. 18 meeting and were advised by attorney Robert Lincoln, who has previously done work for the city.

“Given my scheduled and other commitments, I’m not in a position to take over and give you what you need as interim city attorney,” Lincoln said. “You will end up going to an RFP (Request for Proposal) and do a comprehensive search to get a city attorney and I think you should take your time.”

Lincoln recommended interim support of an experienced attorney as the commission goes through the process of determining a permanent replacement for Perry.

“I got the go-ahead from Mayor Chappie to contact a few people and try to come back with at least two individuals or firms that would be willing to serve as interim city attorney that I knew of personally or by reputation and feel comfortable recommending to you,” he said.

Bradenton Beach commissioners seek city attorney
City Attorney Ricinda Perry read aloud her resignation statement on Sept. 18. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Lincoln suggested scheduling a work meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7 for commissioners to meet with his recommended attorneys.

“Erica Augello, who is currently city attorney of Holmes Beach is one and she’s part of Trask Daigneault Law Firm. They do municipal work, that’s their focus,” Lincoln said. “The other person is Regina Kardash. She’s been the town attorney for Indian Shores and Redington Beach. She’s had a lot of experience with small coastal communities.”

Rates for Trask Daigneault are $280 per hour and Kardash is $250 per hour for regular services and $350 per hour for litigation.

“I went online, and the Trask firm is all municipal. I think they represent about 14 municipalities,” Chappie said. “I’ve talked to the mayor of Holmes Beach and they seem to think the world of Erica and the firm and everything they’ve done in legal issues. I also called the mayor of Anna Maria and the firm that represents them is the Voss law firm. Becky Voss seem very qualified as well.”

The name of attorney Robert Eschenfelder of Trask Daigneault was also mentioned, Chappie said.

“I’m very familiar with members of the Trask law firm, especially Rob Eschenfelder. I worked very closely with him at Manatee County,” Vice Mayor Deborah Scaccianoce said. “He’s outstanding and I know Trask has been very successful in lawsuits that have been lodged against Holmes Beach.”

Lincoln said Augello is the person he spoke to and she is indicating she would be responding for the firm.

“It might make sense for her to take it on,” Lincoln said. “Let’s just say the potential other kinds of issues that would show up are dealing with potentially different responses to the government or legislature on the consolidation issue or negotiating an interlocal agreement.”

Lincoln said the firms that are likely to bid for the city business on a permanent basis would probably include Trask Daigneault, the Dickman firm from Naples and the Voss firm.

“I recommend to come back on the 16th (the next regular city commission meeting) with a resolution to appoint an interim city attorney for a period of six months or until you appoint a complete city attorney,” Lincoln said. “That’s because the city attorney’s job, even if interim, is still a charter position and technically it should be filled by a majority vote of the commission.”

Commissioner Scott Bear questioned who Trask is going to recommend and expressed concern about potential conflicts if Augello, who represents Holmes Beach, is appointed.

Chappie said he and Police Chief John Cosby met with the principal partner at the Trask firm.

“I think at least three of the members of their firm I would be very comfortable with in dealing with city business,” Chappie said.

Lincoln said he would represent the city at the Oct. 16 meeting and would continue to handle city land use and planning and zoning issues for as long as he is needed.

Commissioners reached a consensus to hold a special meeting with Augello and Eschenfelder on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m.

“Then we can plan to set a final decision for the 16th depending on what comes out of that meeting,” Lincoln said.

Public works director leaving Holmes Beach

Public works director leaving Holmes Beach

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

HOLMES BEACH – Public Works Director and City Engineer Sage Kamiya tendered his resignation and will soon serve as the city engineer for the city of Sarasota.

After serving as Holmes Beach’s public works director, city engineer and traffic engineer for slightly more than four years, Thursday, Oct. 9 will be Kamiya’s last day with the city.

Mayor Judy Titsworth said Senior Project Manager Anthony Benitez will serve as the interim public works directors and the permanent position will be advertised. Tray Thorpe will continue serving as the maintenance supervisor.

After making Titsworth aware of the anticipated offer from the city of Sarasota, Kamiya sent Titsworth his resignation letter on Sept. 24.

“It is with heavy heart that I’m tendering my resignation with a little over two-week notice. I have received an offer which is a great next step opportunity for me, both professionally and for my family. I sincerely appreciate that you’ve entrusted me with the leadership of our great public works team. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish during my time here,” his letter said in part.

When contacted by phone on Oct. 2, Kamiya was asked if anyone with the city encouraged him to leave.

“No, it was on my own volition. It’s a conversation I’d been having with the city of Sarasota for over a year. I told them ‘no’ a couple times previously and it got to the point where I decided to take it,” he said.

“In some ways, it’s a lateral move, but in other ways it’s an advancement because I’ll be able to work on some bigger projects. As an engineer, it’ll be good for me professionally to do some things that are larger and have a bigger scope. The largest project I worked on in Holmes Beach was the City Center project, which was about $3 million. One of the projects I’m going to be involved with in Sarasota is over $45 million. As an engineer, you like bigger and more complicated challenges, so that’s exciting and interesting to me,” he said.

“I’ll miss my team. We have a really good public works department and there are some great people there. We’re taking care of yesterday, fighting today’s fires and preparing for tomorrow – and things weren’t quite that way when I inherited the department. I’ll miss Mayor Judy and the community. She has been super supportive and she provided the resources we needed to get the job done; and the community has been welcoming.”

Mayor’s comments

“Sage will be missed. He was a tremendous asset to our city and he was able to shape the public works department into something I am most proud of,” Titsworth said.

“He and I were able to shape a tremendous public works department that went after and received a lot of grant money. He was awesome to work with. He allows me to sleep better at night. The commissioners absolutely love him.

“Sage has a great opportunity with the city of Sarasota with room for advancement. I can match his pay. It wasn’t about the pay, but I can never give him that advancement he’d get with Sarasota,” Titsworth said. “I told him I was proud of him and I can understand why he’d want to take it.”

When asked if Kamiya was forced out or encouraged to leave Holmes Beach, Titsworth said, “No. Neither.”

Looking ahead, Titsworth said, “We’ve got a lot of projects and a lot of things going on right now. We’ll lose Sage’s knowledge but Anthony and Tray will step up. We’ve used RESPEC as our stormwater consultants and they’ve got a good handle on our stormwater projects. Hopefully, the citizens won’t feel Sage’s departure too much.”

Hurricane damage prompts commissioner’s resignation

Hurricane damage prompts commissioner’s resignation

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

ANNA MARIA – Jon Crane has resigned from the Anna Maria City Commission. He announced his resignation during the city commission’s Nov.14 hurricane recovery-related emergency meeting.

“ ‘I come here today with a heavy heart,’ as Lyndon Johnson used to say,” Crane said. “I’m resigning. I can’t live on the Island anymore, as much as I love it.”

Later that day, he tendered his formal resignation letter to City Clerk LeAnne Addy.

Crane said he and his wife are under contract to sell their hurricane-damaged home on the 800 block of North Shore Drive and the sale is expected to close in early December.

“I’m going to make this my last meeting because I’m busy with other things too,” Crane said. “I’ve been honored to work with the mayor and fellow commissioners that live in this piece of paradise. It’s been a good thing to be part of the com­munity, working on the commission, considering items of importance to the community. I hope I’ve served the community well. I’m going to miss everybody, but life moves on,” Crane said.

Before joining the city commission in 2019, Crane served as a Planning and Zoning Board member and plan­ning board chairman. His wife, Dusty, is currently a Planning and Zoning Board member and her pending resignation will create another plan­ning board vacancy.

Mayor Dan Murphy, Mayor-elect Mark Short and Commissioner Charlie Salem were among those who thanked Crane for his service to the community.

“Thank you, not just for what you’ve done as a commissioner, but with planning and zoning and all the other things you’ve been actively involved in,” Short said. “We very much appreciate all that and thank you for what you’ve done.”

Audience member Barbara Murphy said, “I want to personally thank Jon and Dusty. They have been huge in the community. Dusty’s involved with the garden club and Jon and Dusty were instrumental with the museum. Jon was docent and vice president (of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society) for a long time and we’re going to miss you so much.”

The Cranes were longtime California residents before they bought their Anna Maria home in late 2011. They discovered Anna Maria during a year-long retirement tour that included a swing through southwest Florida and a visit with friends who lived in Anna Maria.

Hurricane damage prompts commissioner’s resignation
The Crane’s home was damaged during the two hurricanes that struck Anna Maria Island this year. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

After Thursday’s meeting, Crane was asked if they’re moving because of the hurricane damage their home sustained.

“Yes. Our home was decimated,” he said.

“And the weather’s not getting any better,” he added, regarding the increased frequency and intensity of the severe weather and tidal events that impact Anna Maria property owners.

Crane said he and Dusty still like the area and they might relocate to Bradenton.

In his resignation letter, Crane wrote: “As I announced at the commission meeting today, I am resigning from my position as commissioner on the Anna Maria City Commission. It is with a great deal of regret but it is unavoidable. I feel like I can no longer safely reside on Anna Maria Island. I haven’t lived in my home since Sept. 26 and my property is under a contract of sale. It has been a great honor and privilege to serve alongside the mayor and other commission­ers and you and your staff have been terrific.”

Replacement process

Crane is in the first year of another two-year term in office and his sudden resignation creates an unexpected vacancy on the city commission. The city is now accepting appli­cations from those interested in serving the remaining year of Crane’s term. Applications can be downloaded at the city website.

Dec. 20 is the deadline to submit an application. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the city will host a public forum at city hall during which the commission applicants will answer questions submitted in advance by the public and the media. The four sitting commissioners will then appoint Crane’s successor on Jan. 9.