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Bradenton Beach's new floating dock now in use

Bradenton Beach’s new floating dock now in use

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

BRADENTON BEACH – The new floating public dock next to the historic Bridge Street Pier is now open and being used by boaters.

The Hecker Construction Company completed the dock installation last week and City Commissioner and Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) chairman Ralph Cole led a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 2. Cole thanked Manatee County officials for partnering with the CRA on the dock project.

Bradenton Beach's new floating dock now in use
Community Redevelopment Agency chairman Ralph Cole, center, cut the ceremonial ribbon Friday morning. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Friday morning’s attendees included CRA and city commission members John Chappie and Jake Spooner, Manatee County Commissioners Betsy Benac, Steve Jonsson and Carol Whitmore, Deputy County Administrator John Osborne, Manatee County Tourist Development Council member Eric Cairns, congressional aide Gary Tibbetts, Anna Maria Oyster Bar president and pier tenant John Horne, Anna Maria Oyster Bar managing partner Lynn Horne, Bridge Street Merchants Vice President and Paradise Boat Tours’ General Manager and pier sub-tenant Sherman Baldwin, City Attorney Ricinda Perry, City Treasurer Shayne Thompson and several others.

Before Cole cut the ribbon, John Horne produced a tray of Bloody Marys and proposed a toast.

Bradenton Beach's new floating dock now in use
Anna Maria Oyster Bar president John Horne, right, serves up Bloody Marys and proposes a toast. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The new dock replaces the storm-damaged floating dock removed from that location in 2016. The new floating dock is 10 feet wide, approximately 256 feet long and once again provides recreational boaters with free short-term dockage.

It also provides limited short-term dockage for tour boats, water taxis and other commercial vessels to load and unload passengers. Fishing and overnight docking are prohibited on the new dock.

After the ribbon cutting, attendees walked down the gangplank and onto the new dock.

Bradenton Beach's new floating dock now in use
Former Mayor Jack Clarke, right, was among those who visited the new dock Friday morning. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“It took a while, but it looks awesome. This was a team effort that included all our department heads and especially our police chief, Sam Speciale,” Cole said.

Cole also mentioned the public discussions and strategic efforts CRA members and city staff engaged in during the past two and a half years that ultimately resulted in the long-delayed dock project being completed without any lawsuits filed.

Bradenton Beach's new floating dock now in use
These boats were among the first to use the new dock on Friday. –
Lynn Horne/Anna Maria Oyster Bar | Submitted

“The process was frustrating at times, but thanks to our CRA board, our city attorney and our city staff we now have one of the best publicly-owned docking sites on the west coast of Florida,” Spooner said.

“It’s been a long time coming and we’re glad the county was able to work with the city to get this floating dock. It’s another example of everybody working together toward the common good of Anna Maria Island,” Whitmore said.

“This is fabulous. It’s going to be phenomenal to see the boats back out here again this weekend. It’s going to bring people to Bridge Street. People enjoy going places by water and this will help get some cars off the road,” John Horne said.

“This is a big day for all of Bridge Street. This is even better than I expected,” Baldwin said.

As a boater, Baldwin said he appreciates the rubber rub rail running along the outer edge of the dock that will help prevent docked boats from getting scuffed up.

Bradenton Beach's new floating dock now in use
The new dock was in use again Saturday morning. – Sherman Baldwin/Paradise Boat Tours | Submitted

“This connects the Island to Tampa, St. Pete., Clearwater and other places you can come from by boat. There’s great shopping and restaurants here and they can even go to the Moose Lodge,” charter fishing Captain Scott Moore said.

“It’s another great day for the city,” Perry said.

“This is a great example of what working as a team can accomplish,” Thompson added.

“I’m glad to see that this project finally came to a long-overdue completion,” Speciale said later in the day.

During the previous night’s city commission meeting, Chappie thanked Cole for his efforts.

“It’s been a long struggle. I know it’s a team effort, but you have to have a leader. Great job,” Chappie said.

Project costs

The CRA and Manatee County co-funded the dock project. According to Thompson, the final cost is $191,524. That is $71,544 more than the $119,980 originally contracted with the North Palm Beach-based Technomarine Group in early 2017.

In 2017, county commissioners agreed to reimburse the CRA for half of a dock project’s total cost, not to exceed $250,000. That agreement, which was later renewed, means the CRA and the county are each contributing $95,762 to the project. The county’s contribution comes from the 5 percent tourist tax levied countywide on hotels, motels and vacation rentals.

Bradenton Beach's new floating dock now in use
The dock cleats bear the name of the Technomarine Group that was dismissed from the dock project earlier this year. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Earlier this year, the CRA discontinued its contractual relationship with Technomarine due to the prolonged and ongoing delays. The CRA then turned to the Gibsonton-based Hecker Construction Group to install the dock decking sections previously premanufactured by Spain-based Ronautica Marinas and shipped to Florida in mid-2018.

As the city’s Pier Team facilitator, Speciale served as the primary project liaison until mid-April. Cole, Perry, Thompson and Building Official Steve Gilbert then guided the project to its completion.

Bradenton Beach's new floating dock now in use
CRA chair Ralph Cole and City Attorney Ricinda Perry helped guide the dock project to completion. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Increased costs anticipated for Bradenton Beach dock project

Increased costs anticipated for Bradenton Beach dock project

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach’s long-delayed $119,980 floating dock project may now cost an additional $45,302 to $69,456 to complete.

On Wednesday, April 3, Police Chief and pier team facilitator Sam Speciale presented Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members with two dock installation estimates he received from Hecker Construction Company Operations Manager Eric Shaffer on March 25.

Hecker estimates $81,600 to install the previously-purchased floating dock components using yet-to-be-purchased wooden pilings, or $105,754 to complete the project using yet-to-be-purchased composite pilings.

These estimates took CRA members by surprise and they requested a special follow-up meeting on Wednesday, April 10. The members asked Speciale to bring back a second opinion from another engineer regarding the number of pilings needed. Speciale was also asked to bring back a second opinion from Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift regarding Hecker’s cost estimates. In 2015-16, Duncan built the Bridge Street Pier; the floating dock will be installed next to the pier.

The original $119,980 contract the CRA and Technomarine agreed to in early 2017 included $27,000 for dock installation, pilings included. Earlier this year, the CRA released Technomarine of its remaining contractual obligations due to the lengthy delays incurred.

Technomarine had already contacted Hecker Construction about serving as a dock installation subcontractor.

Until Wednesday’s meeting, CRA members assumed Hecker would install the floating dock for the $27,000 cited in the now-invalid Technomarine contract. The CRA does not currently have a new contract with Hecker or any other firm to finish the dock project.

Increased costs anticipated for Bradenton Beach dock project
The premanufactured dock sections are being stored at the Hecker Construction Company yard in Gibsonton. – City of Bradenton Beach | Submitted

The aluminum-framed, composite dock decking sections have been sitting at Hecker’s construction yard in Gibsonton since being delivered there in September. Technomarine then delivered the dock floats to Hecker on March 4. The float delivery fulfilled the contractual release agreement City Attorney Ricinda Perry and Technomarine attorney Julianne Frank negotiated in December.

A few hours after the April 3 CRA meeting ended, Speciale received an email from Shaffer that said, “Per our phone conversation, the price of $27,000 that Techno gave the city was for us just to assemble floats and deliver them to the job site. Technomarine never spoke to us about the pilings or anything else to do with the project.”

More money

Hecker’s $81,600 estimate includes $37,000 to provide and install 36 PVC-wrapped wooden pilings and an additional $17,800 to provide and install the additional hoop brackets and rollers needed to attach the dock sections to the wood pilings.

Hecker’s $105,754 estimate includes $67,704 to provide and install 25 composite pilings and an additional $11,250 for the hoop brackets and rollers.

Both Hecker estimates include $20,000 to attach the floats to the decking, $2,800 to remove the existing pilings, $2,000 for mobilization and demobilization and $2,000 to transport the floats to the pier job site.

Increased costs anticipated for Bradenton Beach dock project
Police Chief Sam Speciale, Chad Kelly and Eric Shaffer from the Hecker Construction Company and Community Redevelopment Agency chairman Ralph Cole visited the pier on March 14. – Sherman Baldwin | Submitted

During the April 3 meeting, Speciale cited financial figures provided by City Treasurer Shayne Thompson. According to Thompson, the CRA paid Technomarine $83,682 of the $119,980 agreed to in 2017. This leaves $36,298 in remaining budgeted project funds.

As part of its 50 percent cost-sharing agreement with Manatee County, the CRA has received $41,841 in county reimbursements. In March, the CRA and the county extended that interlocal funding agreement until year’s end.

Speciale told CRA members the county originally agreed to contribute up to $125,000 for a project not to exceed $250,000. Perry questioned whether the county is willing to reimburse the CRA for the additional costs now being discussed. She suggested asking the county’s engineer to review the engineering work Clarsen Consulting Engineering did on Hecker’s behalf.

On Feb. 6, CRA members discussed but never formally approved a $9,200 estimate from Hecker Construction for engineering and permitting services. According to Thompson, the CRA has not yet been invoiced for those services.

Speciale said if wood pilings are used, Hecker’s engineer calls for a piling every five feet. Speciale said Building Official Steve Gilbert questions whether Hecker’s engineer is “over-engineering” the number of pilings needed.

Speciale said he was told the piling requirements increased after Hurricane Irma hit in September 2017, but he did not specify which agency or building code now requires more pilings than would have been required when the project was contracted in 2017.

On Friday, Gilbert said he’s not aware of any changes to the Florida Building Code that would require more pilings. On Friday, Perry said she was not aware of any new engineering requirements imposed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

“This issue concerns me,” Perry said.

The packet for the April 10 CRA meeting includes two proposed budget amendment requests. If approved, the proposed $45,302 CRA budget amendment would cover the additional cost to complete the dock project using wooden pilings. The proposed $69,456 budget amendment would cover the additional cost to complete the project using composite pilings.

Increased costs anticipated for Bradenton Beach dock project
What remained of the previous storm-damaged floating dock was removed in August 2017. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Dock floats delivered, project moving forward

Dock floats delivered, project moving forward

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

BRADENTON BEACH – It took two years, but the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) finally has all the parts needed to install a floating public dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier.

According to police chief and pier team facilitator Sam Speciale, 157 dock floats were delivered to the Hecker Construction Company in Gibsonton on Monday, March 4. Speciale provided CRA members with a project update on Wednesday, March 6.

“Everything is at Hecker. The only thing we have left is the permit,” Speciale told the CRA members.

He said Hecker Operations Manager Eric Shaffer is already working with Building Official Steve Gilbert to acquire the city-issued building permits needed before the dock installation can begin.

Speciale said Hecker’s engineer is now revising the permitting documents and expects to deliver them to Gilbert next week. He also said Shaffer plans to make an onsite visit of the pier next week.

“Hopefully, we will have a date they are going to start to install the day dock,” Speciale said.

Dock floats delivered, project moving forward
Police chief and pier team facilitator Sam Speciale provides a dock project update. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

CRA member and Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie thanked Speciale and City Attorney Ricinda Perry for their efforts that kept the delayed dock project moving toward its anticipated completion.

Hecker Construction was originally subcontracted by Technomarine to install the dock. Hecker will now work directly with the CRA to complete the dock project.

The new dock will be installed along the south side of the pier in the same location as the original floating dock removed in 2016 due to repeated storm and wave damage.

Business impact

When installed, the new dock will provide more than 200 feet of free, short-term public docking for recreational boaters.

It will also provide designated short-term docking space for tour boats, water taxis and a proposed high-speed ferry service between Sarasota, Bradenton Beach and Bradenton. The lack of adequate dockage in Bradenton Beach delayed the anticipated start of the ferry service by more than a year, according to Paradise Boat Tours General Manager Sherman Baldwin.

Baldwin noted that for the past two years his passengers and other local tour boat passengers have had to embark and disembark from the nearby city-owned dock often referred to as the “dinghy dock.”

Baldwin said a return to the floating dock will make it much easier for tour boat passengers to get on and off the boats, especially for those with disabilities.

“In terms of the ferry business, my partners have been waiting patiently for a place for us to dock in Bradenton Beach and it looks like that’s going to happen,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin has already secured ferry docking locations in Sarasota and Bradenton. He said he now hopes to launch the ferry service during the peak tourist season of 2020.

Dock floats delivered, project moving forward
The new floating dock will be installed in the vacant space previously occupied by the city’s original floating dock. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“We’re masters of our own fate now. We have what we need and it’s exciting to see this thing is finally going to happen,” Baldwin said. “I commend the CRA. In light of some real challenges they kept pushing and it looks like that patience has paid off.”

Anna Maria Oyster Bar president and former CRA member John Horne said this is the best news he’s heard in 18 months. His Bradenton Beach restaurant operates in pier-based space leased from the city.

“We’re looking forward to our guests and all those who love Bridge Street returning by boat and helping reduce some of the auto traffic. We get several calls a week asking about dockage and we can’t wait to christen the new floating dock,” Horne said.

Obligations met

The CRA entered into the dock contract with Technomarine in early 2017. The first anticipated installation date was September-October of that year. Manufacturing delays that Technomarine attributed to Hurricane Irma were then followed by several other delays and missed deadlines.

Providing the floats fulfills Technomarine’s contractual obligations and allows for the finalization of the CRA-approved mutual release and settlement agreement that Perry and Technomarine attorney Julianne Frank negotiated last December.

Approximately $36,000 of the $119,980 originally budgeted for the CRA-funded dock project remains available for the permitting and installation phases. Manatee County is reimbursing the CRA for half the project costs using funds generated by the 5 percent tourist tax.

Day Dock Tampa

CRA declaring Technomarine in default of dock contract

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Technomarine’s failure to install a floating public dock alongside the Bridge Street Pier has resulted in the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) initiating contractual default proceedings.

The CRA members remain open to taking possession of the manufactured dock sections and finishing the floating dock project with another contractor. They’ve also discussed installing a fixed wooden dock instead. The previous storm-damaged floating dock was removed in August 2017.

The CRA members are considering partnering with the city of Pahokee and seeking a Florida Attorney General Office investigation of Technomarine’s business practices. In April, the city of Pahokee terminated its contract with Technomarine for a stalled city marina and campground renovation project and filed a lawsuit seeking to recoup $125,000 paid to Technomarine.

The Bradenton Beach dock sections were manufactured by Ronautica Marinas in Spain and shipped to Port Everglades in August. On Sept. 25, Technomarine CEO Erik Sanderson emailed Police Chief and Pier Team facilitator Sam Speciale and informed him the dock sections were trucked to a Tampa boat yard pending future barge delivery to Bradenton Beach.

To date, Sanderson has not provided an address for the undisclosed storage location and City Attorney Ricinda Perry said the dock sections remain Technomarine’s property until delivered to Bradenton Beach.

Default letter

On Oct. 18, the CRA directed Perry to draft a letter putting Technomarine and Sanderson on notice of being in default of the $119,980 contract the CRA and Technomarine executed in January 2017 and finalized in March 2017.

On Friday, Oct. 26, Perry sent the requested letter to City Clerk Terri Sanclemente and asked that it be reviewed by CRA chair Ralph Cole before being sent by certified mail to attorney Roger Stanton at Technomarine’s North Palm Beach office. Perry also requested that Speciale email the default letter to Sanderson.

“It appears that the actions of Technomarine are akin to defrauding taxpayer monies and civil theft.”
– Ricinda Perry, City Attorney

“To date, you have failed to provide a proper set of engineered plans in accordance with the request for proposal submission by Technomarine, failed to provide the dock materials paid for by the CRA on July 31 and failed to timely install the floating dock. Technomarine has been largely unresponsive and has provided little to no communication or reasonable assurances as to when your legal obligations will be performed,” Perry’s letter states.

“Despite reassurances from Technomarine that the materials would be delivered to the CRA— to date no such delivery has occurred. Significantly disconcerting is the testimony under oath provided by Erik Sanderson on Aug. 8 in his deposition from Karch v. Sanderson, wherein he stated ‘the city of Bradenton Beach project, to my knowledge is paid in full and 100 percent complete.’ Mr. Sanderson also testified the ‘city of Bradenton Beach doesn’t make payments to Technomarine Construction. They make payments direct to the factory and to the contractor.’ These statements were patently false testimony,” Perry’s letter states.

According to City Treasurer Shayne Thompson, the city has made three payments to Technomarine Construction Inc. totaling $83,682 – including the $29,961 July payment Technomarine was supposed to reallocate to Ronautica Marinas.

When contacted on Monday, Oct. 29, Ronautica Managing Director Oscar Fontan said Technomarine has not yet paid Ronautica for the Bradenton Beach dock sections and Ronautica plans to file a $51,000 lawsuit against Technomarine.

Perry’s letter concluded by saying, “It appears that the actions of Technomarine are akin to defrauding taxpayer monies and civil theft. You have 10 days from the receipt of this correspondence to make appropriate arrangements to resolve the delivery of the dock materials. Failure to do so will result in my client exercising any and all of its legal rights to protect its public funds and this current project. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to work out an amicable solution.”

Perry recently told the CRA members it would be a waste of time and money to file a lawsuit against the financially-strapped company.

As of Friday, Nov. 2, neither Sanderson nor Stanton had replied to the certified letter or Speciale’s email. Company representative Anna Bennett did inform Speciale that she is no longer associated with Technomarine.

BB Dock Delays
The Bradenton Beach CRA members are now considering installing a wooden fixed dock alongside the historic Bridge Street Pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Karch v. Sanderson

The Karch v. Sanderson lawsuit Perry referenced pertains to Sanderson’s Aug. 8 deposition as part of the ongoing legal actions stemming from a 2017 lawsuit in which Christopher Karch sought $3.87 million from Sanderson and Technomarine. In April, Karch was awarded $1.7 million, which he is now trying to collect.

In 2014, Karch agreed to serve as Technomarine’s qualifying contractor. The lawsuit alleges Sanderson and Technomarine wrongfully converted the proceeds of two multi-million-dollar marina projects and entered into those contracts without Karch’s knowledge or consent.

“Sanderson owns, controls and employs Technomarine Group as a sham entity to defraud creditors,” Karch claimed in the lawsuit complaint.

According to the written transcript of Sanderson’s August deposition, Technomarine Construction has not accepted any contracts in 2018 and is “unwinding as a company because it’s a loss leader.”

Sanderson also said Technomarine did not plan to renew the lease on its North Palm Beach office space and he was not sure if he planned to file bankruptcy, according to the deposition transcript.

Bradenton Beach dock delays

Day dock project pushed back again

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

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials expect Technomarine to miss its July 4 deadline to install a new floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier.

On April 5, Technomarine President Jat Talton sent Pier Team facilitator Sam Speciale an email that said, “Technomarine’s plan is to have the day dock open prior to this Fourth of July weekend.”

The revised project schedule called for Technomarine to obtain city-issued building permits by May 11 and complete the project by June 29.

After the permitting deadline was missed, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) convened on Monday, May 21 to discuss the CRA-funded project. CRA member John Horne was authorized to hand-deliver a letter to Technomarine’s North Palm Beach office.

Written by Horne and reviewed by City Attorney Ricinda Perry, the letter expressed a lack of confidence in Technomarine’s ability to meet its June 29 deadline, noted that a previous letter from CRA chair Ralph Cole went unanswered and acknowledged Horne’s dual interests as president of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar that leases pier-based restaurant space from the city.

“You, the CRA, local businesses and the city have every right to be both frustrated and disappointed with the lack of communication and our missed dates.” Ryan Miller, Technomarine Chief Operating Officer

On Thursday, May 24, Horne met with Technomarine Chief Operating Officer Ryan Miller and attorney Roger Stanton.

Horne received an email from Miller the following morning that said, “Attached you will find what will be the final, worst case, schedule. Our intention is to see this project through to its completion and deliver a docking system for the use of your residents and tourists by September 12.

“You, the CRA, local businesses and the city have every right to be both frustrated and disappointed with the lack of communication and our missed dates. Technomarine USA experienced a series of inexcusable delays in manufacturing which have now finally been resolved,” Miller’s email said.

Talton sent Speciale a similarly-worded email.

When contacted Monday, Horne said, “They hired Ryan Miller and he’s digging them out of a hole they got into. They’ve got two projects – one in Leesburg and ours – that are way behind. We actually have a mutual acquaintance who speaks very highly of Ryan and his ability to get things done. I feel a lot better.”

Technomarine office
CRA member John Horne paid a visit to Technomarine’s North Palm Beach office last week. – Sam Speciale | Submitted

CRA discussion

Last week, Cole asked the CRA members what they wanted to do if Technomarine missed its June 29 deadline.

“Are they in default of their contract?” Horne asked.

“Yes, they’re in breach because their delivery date was set forth in the contract which stated it had to be completed within six months from the date of full execution. However, given that the city has been attempting to work with Technomarine and has not objected to the extended deadlines, I think the city would be hard-pressed to state they are in full breach. To seek any kind of damages would be a challenge,” Perry said.

The CRA entered into its contract with Technomarine in April 2017 and has paid the company $53,990 of the $119,980 contract price. Per its agreement to provide matching funds, Manatee County has reimbursed the CRA for 50 percent of the amount paid.

“How’s this affect our agreement with the county if we were to pull the plug on this? Does the county come back and say we want that $27,000 back?” CRA member Jake Spooner asked.

“I believe they would have the right to request that,” Perry said.

“What do you think the chances are of us getting the $54,000 back,” Spooner asked.

“It never seems to work out that way,” Perry said.

Speciale read aloud a story from the Belle Glade Sun about the city of Pahokee’s decision to cancel a design/build contract with Technomarine due to delays encountered with the renovation of that city’s marina and campground.

During the April 24 Pahokee City Commission meeting, which is available online, City Attorney Gary Brandenburg was directed to relay the commission’s request that Technomarine refund within two weeks $125,000 of the $150,000 paid to the company.

“They have not agreed to repay the $$. I will be filing a lawsuit for the return of the $$ next week,” Brandenburg wrote in his May 26 email response to a Sun inquiry.

Horne said he and Miller discussed the Pahokee contract and Miller didn’t place much blame on Technomarine.

CRA chair Ralph Cole and CRA member John Horne reviewed the Technomarine contract during last week’s CRA meeting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Day dock delivery

Day dock to open in early 2018

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

BRADENTON BEACH – The $119,980 floating public day dock is now scheduled to arrive in late January and be installed in February.

Prefabricated off-site in sections, the new dock will be installed alongside the historic Bridge Street Pier by North Palm Beach-based Technomarine Construction Inc. (TCI).

During the Wednesday, Dec. 6 Pier Team meeting, Bradenton Beach Police Chief and Pier Team Facilitator Sam Speciale was asked about the arrival of the new dock and City Commissioner Jake Spooner asked if the contract with Technomarine included a delivery deadline.

Speciale said the last update he received from Technomarine came before Thanksgiving. He noted that Ben Talbert was no longer the city’s primary contact with Technomarine. He said he’d established communications with Technomarine Director of Operations Anna Bennett and was awaiting an update.

During the November Pier Team meeting, Speciale referenced an Oct. 27 email from Talbert that said, “The docks are in production and will ship in a few weeks.”

“Right now, the dock is in fabrication. It is scheduled to be delivered to the site toward the end of January and installed in February.”
Erik Sanderson, Technomarine CEO

On Dec. 7, Speciale sent an email to Bennett seeking a project update. She wrote back that she was working on it and would get back to him Friday morning.

On Dec. 8, Technomarine CEO Erik Sanderson promptly responded by phone to an inquiry about the update that The Sun emailed Bennett.

Regarding Speciale’s request for a project update, Sanderson said, “We checked with our plant and our subcontractors and we told him we’d have it to him today. If I’m not mistaken, it was just sent to him. Right now, the dock is in fabrication. It is scheduled to be delivered to the site toward the end of January and installed in February. I’ll make sure on Monday that they have a final construction schedule with hard dates in front of them. Due to three hurricanes, the plants and suppliers in the marine industry are backed up. Now that this has been brought to my attention, the communication will be better, I can assure you.”

Speciale received an email from Bennett around that same time updating him on the schedule Sanderson provided The Sun.

“Sorry for the delay. I just heard from Erik that the docks will arrive in January. I will make sure we communicate with you often and give you updates going forward,” Bennett wrote.

In June 2016, damage sustained during Tropical Storm Colin caused the public dock to be temporarily closed. What remained was reopened in time for the Fourth of July weekend.

In July 2017, Tropical Storm Emily dealt the dock its final blow and the rest of it was removed.

The dock project is being funded and overseen by the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Chaired by City Commissioner Ralph Cole, the CRA selected Technomarine as its preferred contractor in January.

Dated Jan. 19, the original construction agreement with Technomarine stated, “Time is of the essence in all respects under this contract. Services shall commence upon the full execution of this contract and all work shall be completed within six months.”

The agreement also said, “TCI shall not be considered in default if such failure arises out of causes reasonably beyond the control of TCI or its subcontractors. Such causes include, but are not limited to: acts of God; natural or public health emergencies; labor disputes; freight embargoes; and abnormally severe and unusual weather conditions.”

The CRA approved a revised construction agreement with Technomarine in March. According to City Treasurer Shayne Thompson the city has paid Technomarine approximately $60,000 to date. Using resort tax revenues, Manatee County will reimburse the CRA for 50 percent of the contracted project costs.

The CRA has proposed a second phase of dock construction that would entail finger docks extending south to provide additional public docking.