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Tingley Memorial Library options discussed

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

BRADENTON BEACH – On March 18, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board members and city staff discussed the repairs needed and the funding available for the city-owned Tingley Memorial Library.

The library is located at 111 Second Street N., which is in the CRA district. Built in 1994, the Tingley Memorial Library was funded by a bequest of more than $500,000 made long ago by benefactor Beulah Tingley, whom the library is named after. The bequeath funds the library operations that include one full-time salary and the utilization of several volunteers.

The library building needs repairs in the $230,000 to $250,000 range, according to Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby.

According to City Treasurer Shayne Thompson, the current balance in the bequeath fund is $130,000. During a previous library discussion in May 2025, Thompson said the bequeath fund had a $165,000 balance at the time and would likely be exhausted within three years.

During the March 18 meeting, Cosby said, “The back steps of the library are basically unusable. They shake when you walk on them, and that’s part of the fire exit. The air conditioning units are getting ready to fall through, but I don’t want to spend money to do that if we’re going a different route. With the air conditioning system in the library, I had a company come out and look at it. They don’t think it’s going to make it through the summer.”

Operating as a separate city-affiliated entity, the CRA board consists of Mayor John Chappie and the four city commissioners. 

On March 18, the CRA members discussed the city selling the library to the CRA, which would allow CRA funds to be used to make the needed repairs. Another option is to continue discussions with Manatee County about making the currently independent non-profit library part of the county library system. There was also discussion about raising the library building and installing paid parking underneath it.

CRA Chair Scott Bear asked if CRA could use eminent domain to take the library ownership away from the city.

“Does this board have the authority to use eminent domain over the city?” Bear asked.

“I’ve never heard of a government using eminent domain over a government property. I’m not in the position right now without doing the research to give you an answer that I’m comfortable with,” City Attorney Erica Augello said. 

Augello was filling in for CRA attorney Nancy Meyer, who’s also a member of the Trask Daigneault law firm.

“To assert eminent domain is a court proceeding. You still have to pay the reasonable price of the property. You can’t just acquire it for zero dollars,” Augello said. “I don’t know why you would do an eminent domain proceeding when you have to use it for a public purpose afterwards – other than just selling outright to another entity.”

Bear said using CRA funds for the library would impact the timing for other CRA projects and he asked if the use of the library property would have to change if the CRA acquired it. City Clerk Terri Sanclemente said she looked into that and part of the library building might have to be used as a community center if sold to the CRA.

Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce is the city commission liaison for the Tingley Memorial Library. 

“I thought we owned the land already,” Scaccianoce said. “Currently, it’s non-profit. It’s a 501(c)(3), so do we lose that designation? What changes if the city takes control?” 

Augello said the library has a lease to use the building. 

“There was a bequeath for construction of the building,” Mayor John Chappie said, noting the lease remains in place as long as the bequeath funds exist.

Scaccianoce said there have been discussions with Manatee County officials about the county helping with the repair costs and making the library more of a community meeting place. 

“I would never want to see this library close, especially since we have come so far in the last year. With Stephanie (new Library Director Stephanie Katz) coming on board, it’s just incredible,” Scaccianoce said. 

“What does it look like if the bequeath runs out? It reverts back to the city?” CRA member Ralph Cole asked.

“Yes,” Augello said. 

Cole asked what happens if the city doesn’t have the money to fix the library building.

“I may get attacked for saying this, but you tear it down and you put up paid parking,” Cosby said. “We need between $230,000 and $250,000, not counting the money we need to try to continue to operate it.”

Scaccianoce said, “If we decided to take it over and make it part of the CRA, we could use that $130k to affect the repairs that are most urgent.” 

She also said, “One more giant parking lot, instead of a library, just breaks my heart, but I think we have options and I’m still working with the county. They don’t want to lose the library. They said in a year and a half, they would be willing to come in and make it a (county) branch.” 

“One of the things we talked about over the years was elevating the structure to create parking underneath the building,” Chappie said. “It’s such a waste of that land when we need parking desperately.” 

“What’s the will of the board?” Bear asked. “To continue the county discussions and figure out what the issues are from a legal standpoint?” 

Scaccianoce said she would reach out to the county. 

“Let’s see where we are legally if we were to take over the library and see what that means for the city,” she said. 

Bear suggested setting a deadline of one month to continue the library discussion. Further library discussion is included on the agenda for the Thursday, April 2, city commission meeting that begins at 6 p.m.

Katz named new Tingley librarian

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Books, Entertainment, Feature.

BRADENTON BEACH – As the new librarian at the Tingley Memorial Library, Stephanie Katz is focused on initiatives to bring people back into the library.

“I definitely want to bring our bread-and-butter patrons back in, especially people who live in this direct community and also the snowbirds who come down,” Katz said. “I’m hoping when they come back this year, they see us, and they’re excited about the new things we’ve done.”

Katz is bringing book clubs and local artist showcases to the library, along with a newly-expanded children’s section and best-seller books.

“People love this library, and I think some people don’t even realize we’re back open after the storm because unfortunately, the library was closed for such a long time,” Katz said. “We just want to get the word out that we’re back open.”

Katz is expecting to have best-selling books on the shelves within next few weeks.

“We’re going to be getting some new books in shortly,” she said. “My biggest number one plan is to get those best sellers on the shelves so people can check them out.”

Another new initiative at the library will be a monthly book club.

“It will be book clubs with books by Florida authors,” she said. “Other libraries have book clubs, but none focused on local authors.”

The first book will be “The Mango Tree” by Fort Myers author Annabelle Tometich and the book club will meet on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 10:30 a.m.

“We’re refreshing the children’s collection with some new books so that we can get some more families back in,” she said. “We have some coloring sheets and some toys in the children’s area. If people want to bring their kids in for a little bit to come play and get out of the sun, they can.”

Rhea Lana’s of Manatee County donated more than 750 children’s books along with multiple board games for younger library visitors.

Local artist Kelly Hunt, founder of the Painting with a Fish art class and Charted Waters apparel, will have her works celebrating coastal living on display at the library throughout the winter.

The Tingley Memorial Library is a private library and is not affiliated with the Manatee County library system. Except for Katz, it is staffed by volunteers. Most library operations are funded by a bequest from Beulah Tingley, and the rest is funded by donations, memberships and sales of used books.

“We’re a membership-based library. Membership is just $10 for the year, and kids are free with an adult membership,” Katz said. “You get a library card with us if you’re a member and you can check out three items at a time for three weeks. As an adult with a card, your kids or grandkids can get a card for free, and they can check out items on their card as well.“

To attract renewed community interest and support, Katz said the library will be represented at events such as Christmas on Bridge Street.

Katz, a lifelong Anna Maria Island resident, has worked in libraries in Manatee County for more than 15 years, most recently as the youth services librarian at the Island Branch Library in Holmes Beach.

She was introduced to the city commission at the Oct. 23 meeting.

Vice-Mayor Deborah Scaccianoce said at that meeting: “Stephanie has lit our volunteers on fire. There is so much engagement at our library now.”

Tingley library clerk Adams retires

Tingley library clerk Adams retires

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Tingley Memorial Library clerk Eveann Adams is retiring effective June 21.

In a May 27 letter to the city, Adams stated, “After being the clerk at Tingley Memorial Library for 22 years, I must now for­mally advise you of my impending retirement. I will advise the library volunteers and the library board of my decision, and trust you will notify, if anyone else, on my behalf.”

Mayor John Chappie an­nounced Adams’ resignation at the June 5 city commission meeting.

“On behalf of the city I want to thank her for her 22 years,” Chappie said.

Commissioner Deborah Scac­cianoce asked about the process for replacement.

“We’re waiting for the board to get some things settled,” he said.

Adams was also serving as library board treasurer, as new board members have not yet been appointed.

City commissioners and members of the Tingley Memorial Library board met on May 21 to discuss the future of the library, funding for repairs and a renewed conversation about raising the library for parking.

At that meeting, city Building Official Bill Palmer and Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby outlined needed repairs to the library building, which included replacement of ramps, soffits and air condition­ing ductwork.

Built in 1994, the library is a non-profit corporation inde­pendent of the Manatee County library system. It was originally funded by benefactor Beulah Tingley with a bequest of more than $600,000.

“It wasn’t going to last forever and that’s the pickle we’re in right now with the financials and the building structure. We’re getting to a point that we have to figure out what we’re going to do with the library as far as figuring out the structure itself and where the funds would come from,” Chappie said on May 21. “We’re going to have to start doing something (about the repairs) and there just isn’t money there.”

Tingley Memorial Library open

The Tingley Memorial Library has reopened. Library hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. The library is located at 111 Second St. N., Bradenton Beach.

Commission discusses Tingley Library’s future

Commission discusses Tingley Library’s future

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

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners and library clerk and treasurer Eveann Adams met on May 21 to discuss the future of the Tingley Memorial Library, funding for repairs and a renewed conversation about raising the library building for parking underneath.

Built in 1994, Tingley Memorial Library in Bradenton Beach is a non-profit corporation and is independent of the county library system. It was originally funded by benefactor Beulah Tingley.

“I wanted us to hear from board members and to discuss where we are and our thoughts for the future,” Mayor John Chappie said.

He asked Building Official Bill Palmer to outline the repairs needed to the building.

“The stairs are in pretty good condition but there are significant repairs needed to be done to the ramp; or probably replace the whole thing altogether,” Palmer said. “The columns underneath the decking have a lot of decay. The landing where the air conditioner is is not in good shape and the soffits have hurricane damage.”

Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby said the air conditioning duct work will need to be replaced.

“It’s old and is developing condensation. It has a commercial-sized air conditioner and at some point that’s going to have to be replaced; and that’s going to be very expensive,” Cosby said. “It’s hard to zone the library off because it’s one big open space, so the cost is going to be extraordinary when it comes time to do that.”

City Treasurer Shayne Thompson provided a financial snapshot of the library.

“The library typically costs anywhere from $50,000 to $60,000 a year to run,” Thompson said. “Last year, the roof was done and it increased to $103,000. The library bequeath fund the city is managing has a balance of $165,400, so barring anything unusual that’s roughly three years of funding before the bequeath is exhausted.”

Representing the library was Adams, who is currently serving as the board treasurer while a new library board is being assembled. Thompson said Adams told him the library has a little over $100,000 in funds that are outside the city’s control.

Adams said the original Tingley bequeath was more than $600,000.

“We have known for a long time that one of these days the bequeath was going to run out,” Chappie said. “It wasn’t going to last forever and that’s the pickle we’re in right now with the financials and the building structure. We’re getting to a point that we have to figure out what we’re going to do with the library as far as the structure itself and where the funds would come from. We’re going to have to start doing something (about the repairs) and there just isn’t money there.”

Adams suggested splitting costs with the city for the repairs.

“In the past, we have sometimes split the budgets with the city. We’ve had the new air conditioner and (termite) tenting and things like that,” Adams said. “Numbers have probably gone down a little bit because people are starting to move away, but it hasn’t been a real significant difference in attendees.”

Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce suggested ways to bring people into the library – including rainy day videos for kids.

“The library has not been in the front of anyone’s mind, and it’s been closed. I think the intimacy of this library is awesome,” Scaccianoce said. “If we want to keep this library, we need to work toward bringing people back.”

She suggested introducing book clubs, as well as looking at grant opportunities for funding.

“I think it’s important to cut to the chase,” Chappie said. “The city’s hands are tied in a lot of ways. It’s the board that needs to be active to do this stuff.”

Commissioner Scott Bear asked if the city is still contemplating raising the library building and placing parking underneath, which could potentially result in the city bearing the cost of the ramp and stairs as part of the project.

“We have talked about it for a couple of years at least,” Chappie said. “If we could raise it and move it to get the maximum amount of parking spaces and create a paid public lot in the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), then CRA funds could come into play. We went out for an RFP (request for proposals) in 2020 and we didn’t get any nibbles. I still think it is a good option to try to elevate it.”

Chappie suggested a partnership between the library and the Annie Silver Community Center.

The commission unanimously approved the appointment of Scaccianoce as liaison to the library board.

“You’ve got a new board (pending), so it’s an opportunity for you ladies to think outside the box,” Scaccianoce said.

“On the city side, we need to get some pricing and go out for an RFP and see if we can get that building elevated and moved; and we want to talk a little bit more about the multi-use aspect,” Chappie said. “That could be a way to solve several of our problems and we’d be able to funnel some moneys from the city that’s already being spent here if we put code enforcement or something there on one side. We can’t afford to sit on our hands anymore. The money’s running out folks.”

The library is currently closed and is being used as a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan center.

A note posted on the library’s front door says, “Library closed until further notice. Any books returned may be returned to the bookdrop on the left. No late fees.”

Tingley Library temporarily closed

Tingley Library temporarily closed

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

BRADENTON BEACH – The Tingley Memorial Library will be closed to the public until late January 2025 and will be used meanwhile for post-hurricane city meetings.

“The building is being utilized right now by our recovery team by ISC, which is Integrated Solutions Corporation, and the parking lot is also being utilized for parking for debris management people a little bit longer,” Mayor John Chappie said at a Nov. 21 city commission meeting. “Once we no longer have that, we’ll go back to the commission for discussion.”

“In the upcoming months we’re going to have a site visit from the state and FEMA as our projects move forward,” Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby said. “And we’ll be meeting over there so there are no interruptions. There’s a lot going on here in City Hall. That will allow us the space that we need to continue to conduct business for getting the city back up and running.”

The library did not sustain damage from the hurricanes, Cosby said. Cosby asked what the commission would like to do about the one library employee, a part-time librarian aided by volunteers. The commission decided the employee will be laid off until the Jan. 16 noon city commission meeting.

Tingley Memorial Library

Tingley library elevating for parking spaces

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

BRADENTON BEACH – The creation of needed public parking by elevating or moving the Tingley Library was discussed at both the city commission and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meetings.

The scope of funding for various portions of the proposed parking project is to be divided with CRA funds used for some of the parking and city funding for elevating or moving the building itself, along with some of the costs associated with parking. The Tingley funds left to the city are earmarked for any improvements to the library building.

The city-owned library was built in the early 1990s using $240,000 of the $678,801 that Beulah Hannah Hooks Tingley bequeathed to the city in 1986 to create a public reading room. The library isn’t part of the county library system.

At the Sept. 6 CRA meeting, members acknowledged the need for public parking, but one member questioned whether CRA funds should be used for the design build project.

“I asked for this to be put on the agenda,” Mayor and CRA member John Chappie said. “The best solution would be to come up with a design build and relocating of the Tingley Library to utilize the square footage of the lot to create the largest amount of parking spaces in that area.  The RFP (request for proposal) would cover the engineering design aspects.”

He requested approval to have City Attorney Ricinda Perry to draft an RFP.

“We’ve talked about it, I think we need to do it,” Chappie said. “I think funds are available in the Tingley Library bequeath for the library itself. And there’s some other funds I think would be available through the CRA.”

“If we do end up doing paid parking it would probably pay for itself in no time,” Jake Spooner said.

Member Ed Chiles suggested city hall modifications should be considered also.

“It seems to me you would take advantage of that opportunity and study city hall as well,” he said.

Chappie said the discussion is just dealing with the library and the property the library is on.

“Over the last several years, we’ve discussed city hall,” Chappie said. “It would appear over the years that in the majority of discussions, people do not want to get rid of city hall.”

“I’m not talking about getting rid of city hall but seeing it survives a storm,” Chiles said.

“We’re not allowed to use city funds for city hall,” Chappie said.

Chiles suggested cost-sharing as an alternative.

“We’ve got a very vulnerable city hall,” he said. “We’ve got sea level rise and storm surge. If we get hit hard city hall’s in trouble.”

Chappie made a motion to direct Perry to prepare an RFP for a design build for Tingley Library to elevate, relocate, create a parking lot area, with regards to stormwater and possible landscaping.

The motion was seconded by Spooner.

“I don’t feel the design or the modification of city buildings is a good fit for the CRA,” member David Bell said. “I understand how you’re trying to get parking and I can see how the CRA could participate in funding some of that parking.  But to do the modifications on the building it seems out of our charter here.”

Perry explained how funding between entities would be allocated.

“To the extent you have engineering costs to elevate the building so you can have parking, you have engineering costs so you can lay out a parking lot, those are all direct costs to create parking,” Perry said. “Any costs to modify the building, those are city funds and could also come from the bequeath.”

The motion was passed by a vote of 3-2, with Bell and Chiles casting the dissenting votes.

City Commission meeting

At its Sept.7 meeting, the city Commission approved the issuance of a design build Request for Proposal (RFP) to elevate or relocate the Tingley Library to create ground-level parking under the building. The parking area could possibly accommodate 20-25 spaces, according to Mayor John Chappie.

CRA member Ralph Cole made the motion at the meeting to approve the issuance and posting of an RFP for relocating the Tingley Library.

“I’ll move to approve issuance of a design build RFP to relocate the Tingley Library and to direct Ricinda Perry to draft and post an RFP,” Cole said.

CRA member Jan Vosburgh seconded the motion.

During public comment, Bradenton Beach resident Marcelyn Harman questioned the elevation of the library.

“I walk in that area, and I know the library has a pie-shaped area in the back of it to the east,” Harmon said. “Could there be parking spaces there instead of raising the building? We are getting a new roof on it and it looks amazing.”

Chappie responded to those concerns at the close of public comment.

“Land is so expensive we have to utilize every single inch that we have,” Chappie said. “It looks like we can get at least 20-25, maybe a few more, parking spaces. The land is too valuable just to leave it go as wasteful underneath it. Parking is at a premium.”

“We couldn’t afford to purchase that land now that’s for sure,” he added. “We need the parking. That’s the reason we’re choosing to go forward.”

“We have some funds lined up to pay for this hopefully,” he said. “The RFP is going to give us a lot of answers to unknowns at this point.”

“The RFP will address all the concerns the member of the public has,” Perry said. “It’s more of an information gathering, planning aspect,”

The motion passed unanimously among commission members, who in addition to Chappie, Cole and Vosburgh, included Commissioner Jake Spooner.

Elevating library could create more public parking

Elevating library could create more public parking

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie proposes further elevating the Tingley Memorial Library to create a ground-level public parking lot below the library building.

The city-owned library was built in the early 1990s using $240,000 of the $678,801 that Beulah Hannah Hooks Tingley bequeathed to the city in 1986 to create a public reading room. The remaining funds continue to be used to fund the operations of the library, which isn’t part of the county library system.

The library building is already elevated by approximately 6 feet, but that doesn’t leave enough space below for parking.

Elevating library could create more public parking
The library building is already elevated by approximately 6 feet. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Chappie initiated the library discussion during the June 6 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting.

He said the city doesn’t have the money to purchase additional land for public parking and the goal is to create more public parking spaces on land already owned by the city.

Chappie said he discussed the idea with Building Official Steve Gilbert and Gilbert suggested issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for the architectural and engineering services needed to determine the feasibility of elevating the library building.

CRA Chair Ralph Cole asked Gilbert if the building could be elevated.

“That’s why we go out and hire an architect, with an engineering firm in back of them, to look at it and tell us that,” Gilbert said, noting the wooden library building sits atop steel beams.

Elevating library could create more public parking
The wooden library building rests atop large steel beams. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“You can jack up just about any building you want to, it just depends on how many zeros you want to throw under it,” Gilbert said of the potential cost.

He said the combined insight of an architect, an engineering firm and a house moving company would provide the CRA and the city with a better understanding of what’s possible.

“Will it work? Is it feasible? And if it will work, then how do we want to proceed? At that point, you have several decisions to make,” he said.

“I think it’s worth looking into. We need as much parking as we can get,” Cole said.

“I think you’re halfway there,” CRA member Ed Chiles said when suggesting looking further into the future to account for the city’s continued growth and increase in visitors.

“That’s not going to stop,” Chiles said.

He noted that the library property is located next to the city hall property and the two properties combined would create a large area to work with.

“I think we should look at the whole campus. If you’re going to go up, combine the library and city hall. That’s what we need for the next 30 years,” Chiles said.

Chappie noted there are state-imposed restrictions that limit the use of CRA funds. He said City Attorney Ricinda Perry will write a legal analysis/position paper that supports the proposed use of CRA funds.

“What I’m asking today is to direct Ricinda, myself and Steve to work on an RFP to utilize CRA funds for a public parking lot,” Chappie said.

The CRA members unanimously approved Chappie’s request.

Events

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Archives.

Here’s your local guide to Anna Maria Island events, beaches, parks, preserves, community centers, libraries, chamber happenings and more!

Monday, May 10

Prevention Plus health screening, Soiree Room, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, costs vary by test. No prescriptions required. Reserve to 1-888-667-7587.

Tuesday, May 11

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 101 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome. Participants asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.

Wednesday, May 12

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday, May 13

AMI Chamber Sunrise Breakfast, Compass Hotel, 12324 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 7:30 a.m., $10 for members or $18 for prospective members. Reserve to becky@amichamber.org.

Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome. Participants asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.

Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

Marshall Tucker Band, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 6 p.m. Tickets on sale at www.centerami.org.

Friday, May 14

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce 22nd Annual Golf Tournament benefitting the scholarship fund, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Pkwy., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m. Reserve to 941-778-1541 or info@amichamber.org.

Palma Sola Cleanup and Seaside Safari, Palma Sola Causeway Park, 9917 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 6 to 8 p.m. Reservations required at www.eventbrite.com/e/151211962049.

Saturday, May 15

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m.

Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required.

Sunday, May 16

Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online. Bring your own yoga mat. Register at https://parks.mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.

Tuesday, May 18

Stroller Stroll, Robinson Preserve expansion kayak launch, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m. Reservations required to coral.bass@mymanatee.org or 941-742-5923 ext. 6034.

Wednesday, May 19

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Golfing for God, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Pkwy., Bradenton, 2:45 p.m. tee time, 5:30 p.m. bible study and dinner, $40 for golf and dinner, $20 for dinner. Reservations required. Reserve to www.roserchurch.com/g4g/.

Thursday, May 20

Seashell Shore Walk, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m. Registration required at www.eventbrite.com/e/149739748619.

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome. Participants asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.

Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

Friday, May 21

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 22

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m.

Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required.

Tortoise talks, Valentine House lawn, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 23

Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online. Bring your own yoga mat. Register at https://parks.mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.

Tuesday, May 25

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome. Participants asked to bring bottled water and wear a face mask or shield.

What’s open

The Island Branch Library is open at 60% capacity. Please wear a face mask/covering. The Tingley Memorial Library is open.

The Center of Anna Maria Island is open with social distancing and face masks required.

The Holmes Beach dog park (Scentral Park), skate park, basketball courts, pickleball courts and tennis courts are open.

Local preserves are open, including Grassy Point Preserve, Neal Preserve, Perico Preserve and Robinson Preserve.

Local beaches are open.

Commission wants to floodproof city buildings

Commission wants to floodproof city buildings

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

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach City Hall, the Tingley Memorial Library, the police station and the public works buildings will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Instead of potentially replacing the city buildings with a new city hall complex – which has been discussed – the commission wants to floodproof and windproof the existing city hall, police station and public works buildings.

During the Tuesday, April 16 city commission work meeting, Building Official Steve Gilbert told Mayor John Chappie, Vice Mayor Jake Spooner and Commissioner Ralph Cole it would cost approximately $536,000 to floodproof and windproof the three city buildings. Gilbert said there would be additional ‘soft costs’ that include engineering, design and permitting.

Commissioners Marilyn Maro and Randy White missed the work meeting and were absent with excuse.

Commission wants to floodproof city buildings
The proposed project calls for Flex-Wall to be used to floodproof the police station’s ground-level floor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The proposed storm hardening project is contingent on the city receiving a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant would cover up to 75 percent of the project costs.

City Engineer Lynn Burnett said the commission will know if the city qualifies for the grant before committing approximately $134,000 for its share of the proposed material and labor costs. Burnett said the city has already asked for a one-month extension to submit the documents needed for the FEMA engineering review that was due last month.

“Our time is running out,” Burnett said.

Last year, the commission began budgeting $80,000 per year for the next three years to demonstrate its commitment to storm hardening and the pursuit of an HMGP grant.

Gilbert said the goal is to lower the city’s flood insurance premiums and bring them closer to the premiums paid for the elevated library building. The library building is insured for $382,800, its contents are insured for $245,900 and the flood insurance premium this year is $1,442.

Commission wants to floodproof city buildings
Flood panels would be used to seal off the doors and windows at the public works building. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

By comparison, the city hall building is insured for $500,000, its contents for $227,600 and the flood insurance premium is $12,843. The partially-elevated police station is insured for $500,000, its contents for $98,700 and the current-year flood insurance premium is $17,383. The public works building is insured for $263,700, its contents for $98,700 and the flood insurance premium is $5,918.

According to Gilbert’s chart, the city is paying $37,586 for flood insurance this year.

Proposed measures

Commission wants to floodproof city buildings
Flood panels are bolted in place to protect windows and doors. – Flood Risk America | Submitted

The proposed floodproofing measures include Flood Risk America (FRA) flood panels that would seal off the front and rear city hall door areas. Made of a composite material and secured with stainless steel anchors and bolts, the flood panels would be installed before an anticipated storm or tidal event.

Flood panels would also be used to seal off the public works building doors and windows.

“The engineer’s fairly confident that by doing that we can floodproof that building to withstand five feet of water,” Gilbert said of the building that stores the heavy equipment needed for the city’s storm recovery efforts.

Gilbert, Burnett and LTA Engineers staffer Eran Wasserman recommend the permanent installation of a Flex-Wall flood barrier for the lower level of the partially-elevated police station. Flex-Wall barriers are made of high-strength, waterproof fabric that would be stretched into place when needed to protect the police station’s lower level.

Commission wants to floodproof city buildings
The permanently installed Flex-Wall can be quickly deployed to seal off doors and windows. – Ilcdover.com | Submitted

Gilbert said Flex-Wall makes more sense for the police station because it can be deployed or retracted in about 20 minutes and police personnel would be the last to leave and the first to return after a storm-related evacuation. The police station’s second-story front door does not require floodproofing because it sits well above Base Flood Elevation level.

The floodproofing and windproofing efforts would also include some structural reinforcements and new hurricane-rated windows and doors where needed.

Chappie, Cole, Spooner and Gilbert agreed there was an inherent value in preserving the ground-level city structures residents are accustomed to and the commission adopted three motions to do so.

The first directed staff to continue reviewing the proposed windproofing and floodproofing improvements. The second directed staff to work with Whetstone Engineering to proceed with the design plans for the grant application, at a maximum cost of $6,000. The third motion reiterated the commission’s desire to keep city hall where it is and better protect it from flood and wind damage.

City hall building replacement discussed

City hall building replacement discussed

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

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials are trying to figure out whether it makes more sense to floodproof and hurricane-harden city hall or to build a new city hall complex.

These ongoing discussions also involve the adjacent city-owned Tingley Memorial Library and the police department and public works buildings around the corner on Highland Avenue. No final decisions have been made regarding any of the existing buildings, including the library.

These previously-discussed matters were discussed in greater detail at the Jan. 22 City Commission work meeting. In the wake of those discussions, Mayor John Chappie wants residents to know there are no plans to eliminate the Tingley Memorial Library, although it could be relocated depending on what long-term decisions are made.

“Any talk of getting rid of the Tingley Memorial Library, our historic library, is just not true. In my view, the library has to be part of any final decisions we make,” Chappie said on Thursday, Jan. 31.

City hall building replacement discussed
The city-owned Tingley Memorial Library was built in 1993 and opened in early 1994. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

During the work meeting, Building Official Steve Gilbert provided his insight on floodproofing and windproofing the existing city buildings and the possibility of building a new city hall complex.

A memo from Gilbert included in the commission’s work meeting packet notes the current city hall was built around 1970-71, before the creation of the Florida Building Code. It is located below the current flood plain and it is not known if the exterior walls, slab and foundation would resist floodwaters or wave action.

The memo states the current city hall could be floodproofed by installing exterior flood barriers that would also require new foundations to anchor them. The Public Works Department would need to maintain the flood barriers and erect and dismantle them before and after storms.

According to Gilbert’s memo, the elevated library building – built in 1993 – is above the flood plain, will likely need a new roof, ramp and stairs within the next few years and could be storm-hardened by installing hurricane-rated doors and windows.

“Any talk of getting rid of the Tingley Memorial Library, our historic library, is just not true. In my view, the library has to be part of any final decisions we make.” – John Chappie, Bradenton Beach Mayor

Gilbert told the commission the ground-level public works building built in the early 1970s and the partially-elevated, two-story police station thought to have been built in the 1980s could be more easily floodproofed than city hall.

He noted these discussions are driven by increasing flood insurance premiums. According to City Treasurer Shayne Thompson, it will cost $18,334 to insure city hall during the 2018-19 fiscal year and those premiums will increase as FEMA’s flood insurance subsidies are eliminated.

Gilbert guessed it might cost between $150,000 and $350,000 to install flood shields at city hall and make additional windproofing improvements to the roof, but the actual windproofing costs remain an unknown. He said floodproofing city hall for flood insurance purposes would not guarantee the building would still be standing or usable after a major storm.

Vice Mayor Jake Spooner said he wasn’t convinced that flood shields were a viable solution for city hall.

City hall building replacement discussed
The police department and public works buildings are located next to each other at the end of Highland Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

From public safety, response and resilience perspectives, Gilbert suggested a new city hall complex could be built to withstand Category 4 and 5 hurricane-force winds and be located next to the police station.

According to a 2014 Sun interview with librarian Eveann Adams, the city library that operates outside of the county library system dates back to at least 1959 and was known as the Bradenton Beach Library when operated at another location.

The library is named in honor of Beulah Tingley, the longtime Bradenton Beach resident who passed away in 1986 and bequeathed to the city roughly $500,000 to maintain a city reading room.

According to Adams, the current library building was first put into use in February 1994 and dedicated in Tingley’s honor on Feb. 28, 1995. She said the 2,800-square-foot building includes 1,900 square feet of shelf space that holds approximately 10,000 books and other materials.

The library operates on its own separate budget, which is overseen by the City Commission with assistance from city staff. According to City Clerk Terri Sanclemente, the current library fund balance is $465,469 and the average annual operating expenses are $31,907, including Adams’ salary. Library volunteers provide the additional staffing.

“Integrate everything in one complex that’s next to the bridge, where we can get back to work as soon as the storm has passed,” Gilbert told the commission.

When asked about that concept the following week, Gilbert said a new city hall complex could possibly consist of two levels located over parking and connected to the second floor of the Police Department. He said the existing Public Works building could be upgraded for floodproofing and windproofing purposes to help keep it viable during and after a storm event.

Public Works Director Tom Woodard said the metal guard rails between Cortez Road and the police department parking lot can be removed to provide direct access to the bridge if needed.

Funding options

During the work meeting, Gilbert guessed it might cost $2-$2.5 million to construct the new city hall complex, which could potentially be funded by selling the current city hall and library properties.

Spooner suggested taking out a loan to build a new city hall, keeping those city properties and converting them into a metered, ground-level city parking lot.

He said a 100-space parking lot charging $5 a day could generate approximately $182,000 per year. Those revenues could be used to make the loan payments and would continue after the loan was paid off.

Chappie said he wasn’t sure he could support a parking lot being built on properties located right across the street from the Gulf of Mexico. He leans more toward selling one or both of those properties to pay for a new building – a building he later reiterated should include space for the city library.

Commissioner Ralph Cole said he was open to discussing all options and everyone agreed that the value and the sales value of the properties and buildings need to be assessed before these discussions resume.

Red tide loan center relocates

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Business, Featured.

The U.S. Small Business Administration Business Recovery Center moves today to the Tingley Memorial Library, 111 Second St. N. in Bradenton Beach to help business owners affected by the red tide bloom.

The temporary center will operate weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointments are necessary. The center is moving from the Island Branch Library in Holmes Beach.

An SBA representative will be on hand to provide information about disaster loans, answer questions and assist businesses in completing the SBA application. Manatee County’s Economic Development team and local partners such as the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, the Bradenton Area Economic Development Council and the Small Business Development Center also will be on hand to provide information and resources to help businesses document financial losses at www.Floridadisaster.biz.

“The Business Recovery Center has served over 134 local businesses so far and the SBA has received 25 completed applications as of last week,” said Karen Stewart, Manatee County Economic Development official. “The total dollar amount approved from the SBA and the State of Florida Bridge Loan is approximately $897,000.”

For more information, visit SBA’s website. Applicants also may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX, 76155.

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