HOLMES BEACH – City leaders are willing to consider a water taxi stop in Anna Maria Island’s largest municipality. But they say it will be up to Manatee County leaders to put forth a site plan change for their consideration.
The discussion began during commissioner comments at a June 25 city commission meeting following comments from Commissioner Greg Kerchner concerning a recent Manatee County Tourist Development Council meeting held at The Center of Anna Maria Island. During the TDC meeting, a proposal was reviewed from the city of Holmes Beach requesting funding for a multi-use path to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists along the Marina/Gulf Drive corridor. TDC members deviated in their conversation from the requested path to the Gulf Island Ferry service which currently operates from a dock in downtown Bradenton to the Anna Maria City Pier and the Bradenton Beach Pier. They voted to recommend the multi-use path funding to Manatee County commissioners, who make the final decision, on the condition that city leaders provide a space for the ferry to dock. During their discussion, city commissioners said it’s up to the county to approach them if they want a ferry dock in Holmes Beach.
Kerchner said he’d spoken with Bradenton Area Convention Center and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione about the ferry and suggested, in his personal opinion, that the county-owned Kingfish Boat Ramp at the entrance to the city on Manatee Avenue would be the best place in Holmes Beach for a ferry stop due to the large amount of parking and easy access to Island trolley stops and the beach.
Kerchner also said he’d spoken with Falcione about his concerns regarding the safety of the pontoon boats currently used for the service. When he lived in Baltimore, he said a similar style of ferry had been capsized, leading to the deaths of five people, including a child. With how fast storms blow up in the area, he said he feels the pontoon boats are not a reliable form of transportation to and from the Island on the Manatee River. Another point of concern is that the ferry service currently can only operate in fair weather, leading him and other commissioners to question how it can reliably be used by patrons and workers if they could get stuck out on the Island due to a storm without transportation back to downtown. Commissioners stated that in the event of ferry service cancellation, riders’ only means of transportation would be hiring a car ride service or waiting for a Manatee County Area Transit bus to take them back downtown.
At Kingfish, Kerchner said the county would be able to build the infrastructure to handle a larger boat than the pontoon boats instead of the limited access provided by the Waterline Marina in the center of the city.
While commissioners said they certainly are not opposed to considering site plan approval for a ferry stop in the city, they agreed that it would be up to county officials to bring those plans to them for consideration, not for them to present a plan to the county.
“If they’re going forward, and the city has made it very clear through numerous opportunities, we’re more than willing to accept and review a proposal. But it’s incumbent upon them, not us, to both locate and then to pursue a site plan for that location,” Commissioner Terry Schaefer said. He said he believes the best location would be Kingfish, if county leaders want to move forward, but it’s up to the county to bring the issue forward to the city commission “like anyone else who wants to build something in our city.”
City Attorney Erica Augello stated that she was aware the county had approached the owners of the marina at Waterline Marina Resort & Villas about hosting a ferry stop in that location. She noted that trials had already been conducted to see if the current pontoon boats were able to access and move around the marina. If that plan moves forward, she said it would likely come before the city commission for site plan approval in a quasi-judicial format. She encouraged commissioners to keep records of all of their communications regarding the water taxi service and to stay out of the discussion when possible.
“At this point, the city doesn’t have a dog in that fight,” Augello said.
ANNA MARIA – Manatee County and Anna Maria city officials continue to discuss the safety and docking modifications needed to accommodate a Gulf Island Ferry stop at the city pier.
Those negotiations remain ongoing, and the city and the county have not yet entered into an interlocal agreement that would allow the city pier to serve as a ferry stop.
At some point this year, Manatee County plans to begin Friday, Saturday and Sunday ferry service between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island, with stops at the city pier in Anna Maria, the Bradenton Beach Pier and the Coquina South boat ramp in Bradenton Beach.
In August, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission rejected the county’s proposal to install pilings, a floating dock and a gated and locked ferry landing area at the existing boat landing at the T-end of the pier. Murphy told county officials to focus instead on installing Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant landing ramps on the ferries so passengers can embark and disembark without significant modifications made to the pier.
Pier visit
On Sept. 7, one of the Gulf Island Ferry boats made a trial run that included stops at each planned ferry stop. Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione is leading the county’s efforts to implement the water taxi service. He told The Sun that meetings with city officials took place at each of the trial run stops that day.
Later that evening, Murphy provided the city commission with a progress update. He said he met with Falcione, an engineer, a ferry captain and others on the pier earlier that day. He noted county officials refer to the two new boats as ferries, rather than water taxis, and that’s how the county service is being marketed.
“I don’t have an agreement to show you, but we’re closer,” Murphy told the commission.
He said he was asked if the city would allow the county to drive two pilings near the existing landing area to provide better stabilization for the ferries. Murphy said he didn’t know if the pilings would require permits from the Army Corps of Engineers or other regulating agencies. As an alternative to the pilings, county officials also suggested the installation of a mooring arm that would help stabilize the docked ferries.
Murphy said the county officials brought no illustrated plans to the ad-hoc pier meeting. He asked them to submit two plans, with estimated costs, for city commission consideration – one plan for pilings and another for a mooring arm.
Murphy said if pilings are installed, the city would specify that they must be made of concrete or plastic composite. He noted there are worms in the Tampa Bay waters that deteriorate and destroy wood pilings.
Any city-approved pier modifications would be installed at the county’s expense and the city would then be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of those modifications.
“I want it to be very low maintenance,” Murphy said.
Murphy said the city would install signs that require other boats tied to the small public landing area to be occupied at all times so they can be moved to make space for an approaching ferry. Those who leave an unattended boat in the landing area will face a possible fine.
“People have to yield to the water taxi,” Murphy said.
If the city and county enter into an interlocal agreement and the city decides later to opt out of the ferry service, the city must reimburse the county for the pier modifications made.
Commission Chair Mark Short asked if the county provided an estimated timeline to complete the pier modifications. Murphy said no timeline was given but the goal is to get it done as soon as possible.
When contacted by The Sun, Falcione said, “We are making progress and we are getting closer to starting our operation. I am not ready to give an estimated start date.”
ANNA MARIA – Research Data Services’ (RDS) Ann Wittine presented an optimistic state of tourism update to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) on Aug. 21 at The Center of Anna Maria Island.
She began by addressing her company’s research into public sentiment on the new water taxi service that is slated to begin operation soon.
The Tampa-based company is the tourism consultant for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“We are doing a water taxi survey, and we have been doing that for a while,” Wittine said. “We were out for Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July weekend and we’ll be out on Labor Day weekend. We are hearing more interest now than ever before. Not just a little bit more interest, but a significant interest in the water taxi.”
Wittine says RDS is not just talking to tourists, but also residents and business owners. She told the TDC the surveys are showing an increase in interest from all potential user groups. She said there will be more data available after the Labor Day weekend research is completed. That information will be presented at the TDC’s Monday, Oct. 16 meeting.
Wittine’s report featured the latest available statistics related to the tourism industry in Manatee County from June 2023. Total visitors were up by .8% and economic impact was up 2.9%. Room nights were down slightly from June 2022 by .5%. Wittine says this is due to larger party sizes this year.
Room occupancy for June was down slightly (2.6%) after being down 2.8% in the last report from RDS that quoted data from April 2023. The average daily room rate, however, is up 3.5%, at $216.41 per day in June 2023 compared to $209.19 in June 2022.
RDS also keeps track of where visitors are coming from when they visit the area. The largest increase in any visitor origin domestically is Florida, which is up 7.5% over the same time period in 2022. Globally, travel from Europe has risen 13%, after being down more than 13% in RDS’s April report. The largest domestic visitor origin was the Midwest, which is down 10% over the same time in 2022, but still remains strong.
“We are still double the number of Floridians that we had in 2019 that came this June,” Wittine said. “This is due to the marketing efforts we did during COVID. What this shows is, if we can bring first-time visitors, they fall in love and they come back again. That’s what the Florida number shows us.”
Wittine says the most growth potential for tourism is still Europe, which is down more than 67% since 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lastly, Wittine said the number of visitors to Manatee County was 821,900, up 2.4% from June 2022 and the economic impact was $1,382,734,200, up 7.6% from the same period.
ANNA MARIA – Manatee County’s two newly-built water taxis have arrived and negotiations continue between the county and the city of Anna Maria regarding the City Pier being used as a water taxi stop.
On July 13, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione issued a press release regarding the arrival of the two newly-built pontoon catamarans that will serve as the Gulf Island Ferry Service fleet.
“The two 50-foot catamarans, as part of the highly anticipated Gulf Island Ferry Service, have splashed down in Cortez. The water ferry service is set to transport visitors and locals between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. The service is anticipated to launch later this summer,” according to the press release.
The new water taxis were placed in the water at the N.E. Taylor Boatworks in Cortez. – Manatee County | Submitted
“We anticipate families parking in downtown Bradenton, hopping on the ferry at the downtown port located just off the riverwalk near Green Bridge and enjoying a beautiful boat ride out to the Island. At the same time, visitors staying on the Island can enjoy a leisure boat ride to downtown Bradenton to enjoy our amazing restaurants and attractions located on the mainland,” Falcione said in the press release.
This map illustrates the proposed water taxi stops. – Manatee County | Submitted
Traveling on the Manatee River and the Intracoastal Waterway, the Clearwater-based Gulf Island Water Taxi company will operate the Gulf Island Ferry Service. The family-owned parent company, Clearwater Ferry, already runs a water taxi service between Clearwater and Dunedin. The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is part of Manatee County government, is marketing the water taxi service.
Initially operating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only, from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., the county-funded service will include water taxi stops at the city of Bradenton-owned Riverwalk Day Dock near the Green Bridge in downtown Bradenton, the city-owned floating dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier and the county-owned Coquina South boat ramp in Bradenton Beach, across the street from Coquina Beach.
The county plans to run the water taxi from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. three days a week. – Manatee County | Submitted
The county also proposes using the Anna Maria City Pier as a landing spot but the city of Anna Maria and Manatee County have not yet entered into an interlocal agreement approving the destination.
The county is willing to pay for any improvements needed at the various water taxi docking stops to ensure public safety and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including safety railings. But the county wants each city to pay for the ongoing maintenance of any county-funded water taxi-related improvements made to their docking facilities.
The Bradenton and Bradenton Beach city commissions have already approved their city-specific, water taxi-related interlocal agreements with the county and those two city commissions agreed to pay for the ongoing maintenance of any water taxi-related improvements made by the county.
The recently expanded floating dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier will be used as a water taxi stop. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When approving the interlocal agreement earlier this year, the Bradenton Beach Commission noted the county’s water taxis are welcome to use the recently expanded floating dock as a landing area on a first-come, first-served basis like other users, but the city is not creating a reserved and designated water taxi landing area on the floating dock.
Negotiations continue
As part of the ongoing interlocal agreement negotiations that began last year, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission would like the county to also pay for the ongoing maintenance of any water taxi-related safety improvements made to the City Pier – a provision the county has not agreed to.
During past discussions, Murphy said the City Pier cannot be used as a water taxi stop without a city commission-approved interlocal agreement with the county.
The county proposes using the existing boat landing near the T-end of the Anna Maria City Pier, with some additional safety improvements potentially needed. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In March, the city sent the county a revised agreement that proposed the county pay for the ongoing maintenance. In June, the city received back from the county a version of the interlocal agreement that contained the following language: “Prior to the commencement of water taxi services to the dock, the county shall ensure that the dock is ADA accessible for water taxi service to the public, including constructing any ADA improvements that may be required. The cost of ADA improvements, permits or required ADA-related improvement studies required for dockage of the water taxi vessel or for related upland property are the responsibility of Manatee County and its contractor. Following installation of ADA improvements and acceptance by the city, subsequent maintenance of the cost thereof for the Pier shall remain the responsibility of the city.”
The proposed agreement discussed in June also says, “The county agrees to provide a detailed plan in advance to the Anna Maria City Commission for approval showing the proposed landing area on the pier and any modifications or improvements required for the dockage and the pier. The city has the right to cancel this agreement if it finds that such modifications or improvements are unsatisfactory to the city.”
At that time, the county had not yet provided city officials with the plan referenced in the proposed agreement.
On July 13, Murphy provided the city commission with a status update on the still unresolved agreement negotiations.
Murphy said City Attorney Becky Vose met with county officials after the city commission’s June discussion and earlier in the week he received the county’s latest proposed agreement.
“I’ve gone through that proposal. There’s still some gaps. Late last night, I received a proposed picture of the landing spot, where they would like this to land. I have not received the ADA improvements that are required nor a cost of those ADA improvements, which we would need,” Murphy said.
Vose said she engaged in lengthy discussions with Falcione and one of the assistant county attorneys.
“They, unfortunately, did not implement my requested changes,” she said.
“In the big picture, we certainly do not want to let small details interfere with this, but I’m putting together a short list of some things that need to be changed in the agreement, particularly having to do with liability issues,” Vose said.
She said the negotiations are more challenging for the city because the Bradenton Beach and Bradenton city commissioners already signed the agreements as proposed by the county.
“They just took what was presented, signed it and sent it back,” Vose said.
The city-owned Riverwalk Day Dock in downtown Bradenton will serve as a water taxi stop. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Murphy said, “There’s attachments missing and I’m not going to put the city in the position of recommending to you signing a contract with attachments that are blank, or not attached or not filled out. Secondly, I’m not real satisfied with the terms and conditions. I’ll come back with a recommendation one way or the other.
“I’m hoping that we can successfully do this, but if we can’t, we can’t. There’s some things you just need to walk away from and hope that things get better later. The legal issues are going to be escalated to the county attorney himself (Bill Clague) rather than to an assistant attorney. There are legal aspects of this contract that to me seem serious and not something that is in the best interest of the city. Those all have to be ironed out, but I think we need to get this off the table one way or the other in two weeks.”
Commissioner Robert Kingan said, “You would certainly think that the county would have engaged us much earlier in the process and got this sorted out at the beginning.”
“It’s a serious matter. I don’t want to be an obstacle. I don’t want bad will, but our interests have to be looked out for,” Murphy said.
Since the water taxi agreement discussions began in 2022, the mayor and commission have also continually expressed a desire for discounted water taxi fares for the service industry employees and others who work on Anna Maria Island and commute from the mainland. During Thursday’s meeting, Anna Maria Commission Chair Mark Short noted the county’s proposed agreement makes no reference to discounted fares for Island employees.
Murphy said he’ll present a “last, best and final proposal” during the commission’s Thursday, Aug. 3 meeting. At that point, the commission will approve or reject the proposed agreement.
After Thursday’s meeting, Murphy said he also received from the county a diagram that illustrates how the county proposes using the existing landing area near the T-end of the pier as a water taxi landing. That diagram was not shared during Thursday’s meeting and as of press time had not yet been provided to the media due to the city’s pending review of the plans that may require some additional pier improvements.
The water taxi service is also scheduled for discussion at the Tuesday, Aug. 1 Manatee County Council of Governments meeting taking place at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto at 4 p.m.
BRADENTON – An open house held on June 27 at the Manatee Performing Arts Center by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) offered answers to many of the questions regarding the long-awaited ferry service between Anna Maria Island and Bradenton.
On April 23, CVB Executive Director Elliott Falcione said the hope was to have the boats operational by July, potentially by the Fourth of July weekend, a goal that was missed. The new, more conservative estimate is to have the boats running with passengers onboard by the end of the summer.
Although construction of the two 49-passenger pontoon boats is almost complete, they still require plenty of testing to get all Coast Guard certifications and permits issued. In addition, the city of Anna Maria has not yet reached an interlocal agreement with the county regarding the use of the Anna Maria City Pier as the northernmost stop on the Island.
The current plan is to have the water taxis depart downtown Bradenton and dock at the Anna Maria City Pier in Anna Maria and the Bradenton Beach Pier and South Coquina Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach. Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy says there are things in the county’s proposed agreement that are of concern, and they are waiting for a revised proposal that makes better business sense for the city. Regardless, the project continues to move forward.
“I just got the call that boats will be splashing in the water in about two weeks,” Gulf Coast Water Taxi owner Trisha Rodriguez said. “Now that is without any Coast Guard validation and without any sea trials being done. It’s going to take a couple of weeks, if not a couple of months to get all of those sea trials completed. Most importantly regarding the timeline is that the docks have to be ready, and they are not ready now. The issue right now is we don’t have anywhere to go to, even if we were ready now, the docks have to be ready for the boats and they aren’t at this time.”
Rodriguez says that before the service begins there will be some trips for media and partners of the project to ride and see how the boats will operate. Dates for those trips have not yet been set. As for where the boats will be kept between splashdown in Bradenton and the start of the service, Rodriguez said that is being negotiated currently and they should have an answer in the next few days.
The open house also answered many of the basic questions many have had regarding the service once it is operational, including:
Days and hours of operation
Initially the Gulf Islands Ferry will operate every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. year-round. The captain of the boat will have complete authority over stopping service due to weather issues. During the stormy summer months, there will be times service will be suspended for safety reasons.
Cost
Tickets will be $8 for a one-way ride, $5 for children 4-12 and $6 for seniors. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or they can be purchased when boarding the boat if space is available.
Trip length
Assuming the city of Anna Maria reaches an agreement for use of the pier, the service will depart the downtown Bradenton Riverwalk near the Green Bridge with a 35-minute ride to Anna Maria City Pier. Exact times to the Bradenton Beach Pier and South Coquina Boat Ramp will be determined after sea trials begin in the next few weeks. This information will be updated frequently at www.gulfislandferry.com.
Where to park
In Bradenton, free parking is available at the City Centre Parking Facility at Third Avenue West between 10th and 12th Streets. On the Island, there is public parking at Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach and the Bridge Street area in Bradenton Beach. In Anna Maria, there is also free public parking near the city pier along the bay and on Pine Avenue. Parking on AMI can be very limited and part of the reason county officials have shown so much support for this project is because they hope people coming from Bradenton will use the service instead of bringing a car to the Island. The Island has a free trolley service as well as privately-owned transportation services that make getting around fairly easy without a personal vehicle.
Pet policy
Leashed, well-behaved pets are allowed onboard as long as they don’t bother other guests and all service pets are welcome. It should be noted that pets are prohibited on all Anna Maria Island beaches.
Restrooms
There is one restroom on each vessel.
Beach gear
Most commonly used beach gear and coolers are permitted on the boats, but due to U.S. Coast Guard regulations, bicycles will not be permitted on the water taxi.
Private charters
If arrangements are made at least two weeks in advance, most large groups can be accommodated. To schedule, email kristi@gulfcoastwatertaxi.com.
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi will be available on both water taxis; however, it should be noted that there will be dead spots along the route and full boats could experience bandwidth issues.
ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission are not yet willing to sign a proposed interlocal agreement that would allow Manatee County to use the City Pier as a water taxi stop.
The county hopes to start its Friday, Saturday and Sunday water taxi service using two covered pontoon boats shuttling between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island this summer. The proposed route for the county-funded service includes multiple stops per service day at the City Pier, the floating dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier and the Coquina South boat ramp in Bradenton Beach.
During the June 8 city commission meeting, Murphy said he recently received the county’s latest draft of the interlocal agreement, which City Attorney Becky Vose had already briefly analyzed. Murphy said he was sending the proposed agreement to the city commissioners for them to review before accepting, rejecting or revising the agreement at a future meeting.
The original draft agreement the county introduced earlier this year stated the county would pay for any Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other water taxi-related improvements made to the City Pier.
Murphy and the city commission responded with a revised agreement that proposed the county also be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of any water taxi-related improvements made to the pier.
The agreement Murphy recently received strikes out the city’s recommended revisions and again proposes the city pay for the ongoing maintenance of any water taxi-related pier improvements. The county’s proposed agreement also stipulates the city must reimburse the county for any such improvements if the city signs and later opts out of the water taxi agreement.
Murphy noted the county agreement, as currently written, is supported by the Bradenton Beach and Bradenton city commissions.
The new finger docks alongside the Bradenton Beach Pier will accommodate the county water taxis. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“I’m disappointed with what I received. They basically threw our agreement out and now they want us to hurry up and approve this. There’s some things in this agreement that need serious consideration. It doesn’t bear any resemblance to what we sent out,” Murphy told the commission.
“I hate to be obstinate. I’m not trying to be. I want to be cooperative, but this can’t become carte blanche. The pier is the center of our universe here. There’s things in here that don’t make business sense. I’ve got to have a complete understanding of exactly what they have in mind,” Murphy said.
Murphy said he and Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione have had many discussions about the proposed water taxi agreement, but no one else from the county staff contacted him or Vose when crafting the proposed agreement.
Murphy plans to meet with county staff within the next week or so. He asked the city commissioners to review the agreement on their own and provide him with any feedback they want shared with county staff.
Murphy said he’s not trying to “poison the well” but he doesn’t believe it’s in the city’s best interest to act quickly and enter into the proposed agreement as currently written.
Throughout the ongoing water taxi discussions that the county initiated in February 2022, the mayor and commission have insisted the water taxi service provide transportation for Island employees for free or at a discounted rate. The county agreement does not specify any fare rates for water taxi passengers.
“If we refuse to sign their onerous agreement, we could still get some workers coming up to the city by way of Bradenton Beach and then the trolley,” Commissioner Jon Crane said.
During Thursday’s meeting, the commission took no formal action on the county’s proposed agreement.
Manatee County has not yet provided the city with a plan that details exactly how the City Pier would function as a water taxi stop. – Joe Hendricks | SunDuring past discussions, Murphy noted the City Pier cannot be used as a water taxi stop without a city commission-approved interlocal agreement. He also noted the county must provide the city with a detailed plan that shows exactly where and how the City Pier would be used as a water taxi stop. To date, that plan has not been provided.
BRADENTON – Among the many agenda items up for discussion at the April 24 Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) meeting, the soon-to-be operational water taxi service was an issue all TDC members were enthusiastic about.
The water taxi service, planned to begin operation in July, will link Anna Maria Island and Bradenton in an effort to alleviate some traffic congestion and parking issues.
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)Executive Director Elliott Falcione told TDC members last week that everything was going well with the construction of the boats, the three cities that will be on the ferry route and all other aspects of the project.
“The boats are coming along very well and should be complete by mid-to-late June and there will be some branding on them as well,” Falcione said. “We are about 90% there on an operation agreement between Manatee County and the water ferry operator. We hope to bring that to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) in mid-to-late May.”
Falcione said the three cities that will be on the route will be Bradenton, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach. He said that all three cities have drafted interlocal agreements and the TDC will bring those to the BCC at the same time as the operations agreement.
“If the stars align, and I hope they will, it’s been a long time coming, we’re hoping to start a Friday, Saturday and Sunday service in the month of July,” Falcione said. “Would July Fourth be the perfect scenario, absolutely, and we’re going to try to get there.”
The main focus of the TDC’s discussion was a subsidy to fund the water taxi service for the first year of operation. Falcione said earlier ideas to subsidize the service included the Coquina Beach Market and beach concessions, but those options were no longer on the table. He said the only option for year one would be to use tourism tax proceeds.
Falcione asked the TDC for a recommendation of $400,000 to carry the service for the first year, as well as $25,000 for marketing efforts. After the first year, he said they would look into grant opportunities and other funding sources so the program could ween off of the tourism tax funding. The $400,000 is to fill the gap between projected first-year total operating costs and first-year income from paid water taxi rider fares, which will be in the $8 to $10 range per rider, depending on whether it is a one-way trip or a hopper pass that would be good for the day. Plans are still in place for Island workers to use the service for free to get to and from work, which could help with parking issues.
Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown moved to recommend the $425,000 subsidy as discussed, and Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover-Bryant seconded. The motion was passed unanimously and will be presented to the BCC later this month.
BRADENTON BEACH – City Attorney Ricinda Perry told commissioners last week that they cannot promise to designate a reserved space for the proposed water taxi on the floating day dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier.
Manatee County’s long-planned water taxi service includes proposed stops in downtown Bradenton, the City Pier in Anna Maria, the Bradenton Beach Pier and the county-owned South Coquina Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach. The county has not yet announced an anticipated start date for its initial Friday, Saturday and Sunday water taxi operations.
Perry said she made a few changes to a proposed interlocal agreement recently received from the county. One significant change notes that the water taxi operations must comply with the state-issued sovereign submerged land lease for the existing floating dock and the nine additional perpendicular finger piers that will be connected to the south side of the floating dock later this month, or soon thereafter.
Perpendicular finger piers will soon be attached to the existing floating dock. – City of Bradenton Beach | Submitted
Perry noted the submerged land lease requires the free public dockage offered at the floating day dock to be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. She said the city can’t provide the county with a reserved water taxi landing area.
“There’s really nothing the city can do to give an exclusive spot to Manatee County or any entity on the floating dock. It’s got to stay first-come, first-served,” she said.
City commissioners unanimously approved the draft version of the city’s proposed interlocal agreement presented by Perry on April 6 establishing the city’s requests and requirements pertaining to the use of the pier area as a water taxi stop. The agreement addresses any improvements the county or its contracted water taxi operator, Clearwater Ferry, wish to make to the pier area.
According to the proposed agreement, “The county shall only be responsible for the costs of creating ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) -compliant dockage at the pier for water taxi use. Subsequent maintenance of the pier shall remain the responsibility of the city.”
The city of Anna Maria’s proposed interlocal agreement with the county calls for the county or its contractor to cover the cost of any ongoing maintenance and repairs associated with any water taxi-related improvements or enhancements made to the Anna Maria City Pier.
Mayor John Chappie and Commissioner Jake Spooner said covering the ongoing maintenance costs would be Bradenton Beach’s contribution to the county’s water taxi service. Chappie also said he’s more comfortable with the city’s Public Works Department overseeing any maintenance or repairs needed on the pier or floating dock.
At this point, it’s not known what, if any, improvements the county might request. One potential safety improvement discussed was the installation of safety railings on the floating dock. The floating day dock doesn’t currently feature safety railings running along the length of the dock, but there are railings along the ramp area that leads from the floating dock to the elevated pier.
City Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said she’s shocked that the floating dock doesn’t have safety railings.
Spooner noted it would be difficult to access the floating dock by boat if railings existed along the southern edge of the dock that boaters tie up to. He also questioned the logic of installing railings on the backside of the floating dock, which is not accessible by boat.
Chappie said he doesn’t see the need for safety railings on the floating dock, but if the county installs them, the city will maintain them.
Perry told commission members they didn’t need to worry too much at this point about the specific improvements the county might want to make.
The proposed Bradenton Beach agreement notes, “The county agrees to provide a detailed plan in advance to the Bradenton Beach City Commission for approval showing the proposed landing area on the pier and any ADA-related modifications or improvements required.”
The commission-approved interlocal agreement is to be returned to the county for further review, which could result in additional revisions requested by the county.
ANNA MARIA – The city commission has returned a revised interlocal agreement regarding the City Pier being used as a water taxi stop to Manatee County officials for further consideration.
The proposed agreement establishes the city and county’s proposed conditions for the use of the City Pier.
County officials could reject or revise some of the revisions made by the Anna Maria Commission, but at some point, an interlocal agreement must be finalized and approved by the city commission before the City Pier can be used as a water taxi stop.
The pier-based water taxi stop would be part of a county-funded water taxi service that would travel between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island, with stops at the City Pier, the Bradenton Beach Pier and the Coquina South boat ramp in Bradenton Beach.
The latest version of the proposed agreement includes revisions sought by the city commission during its March 9 and March 23 discussions, when commissioners authorized Mayor Dan Murphy to return the revised agreement to the county.
“The purposes of the water taxi are to relieve automobile congestion coming to and from the Island and to provide an affordable means of public transportation to and from the Island for visitors, residents and workers,” the agreement says.
Terms & conditions
The revised agreement drafted by City Attorney Becky Vose includes several terms and conditions requested by the city commission.
The mayor and commissioners have repeatedly stressed their desire that Island employees be allowed to ride the water taxis for free or at a reduced rate. The proposed agreement does not specifically say Island employees will ride for free, but during Thursday’s meeting the commission requested the following language be added to the agreement: “All workers’ fares between Anna Maria and Bradenton shall be subject to the approval of the city to ensure that fares for workers are affordable.”
The city does not seek input on the fares to be charged to other users.
Manatee County wants to use the City Pier in Anna Maria as a water taxi stop. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The agreement proposes, and the city commission insists, that the county be responsible for all water taxi-related improvements made to the existing boat landing area and/or any other part of the pier. The improvements could include the installation of safety railings at the landing area only. They may also include other enhancements needed for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The agreement also proposes the county, or its contractor, be fully responsible for any costs associated with the ongoing maintenance of any water taxi dockage components located on the pier.
The agreement says the county must assume all legal liability associated with the operation of the water taxi service.
The revised agreement says: “The water taxi route must include service between downtown Bradenton and the City Pier on every regularly scheduled day of operation, weather permitting. Any scheduled route for the water taxi must include the city of Anna Maria both coming and going to and from downtown Bradenton. No route shall return to Bradenton without having Anna Maria as its last stop before Bradenton. Elimination of this route negates this interlocal agreement.”
The revised agreement says, “The county agrees to provide a detailed plan in advance to the Anna Maria City Commission for approval showing the proposed landing area on the pier and any modifications or improvements required for the dockage and the pier. The city has the right to cancel this agreement if it finds that such modifications or improvements are unsatisfactory to the city.”
Murphy said he did not yet know if the county plans to use the existing boat landing or some other part of the pier as a water taxi landing.
Additional details
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione is one of the county staff members tasked with bringing the long-desired water taxi service to fruition.
In October, the Manatee County Commission authorized the county administrator to spend up to $700,000 to build two water taxis to initially be owned by the county and to be managed and operated by the Clearwater Ferry company.
When addressing the city and county commissions in the past, Falcione said the water taxis will initially operate from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. Additional service days and/or expanded operating hours will be considered if the ridership demand exists.
On Friday, The Sun sought and received some additional information from Falcione. Falcione said each water taxi will be 50 feet long and accommodate 49 passengers.
When asked about free fares for Island employees, he said, “We do plan to have a no-charge service for employees, but it’s complicated, so we do not have a defined plan at this time. We do plan to work with the hospitality owners on the Island to help bring their employees to work via ferry. It’s a program that may not start until the fall.”
In the past, Falcione has mentioned the possibility of Island businesses providing their employees with water taxi passes.
As for when the water taxi service might begin, Falcione said, “We are hoping for a July startup.”
ANNA MARIA – City and county officials continue to work on an interlocal agreement that would allow the Anna Maria City Pier to be used as a landing area for Manatee County’s pending water taxi service.
On March 9, Mayor Dan Murphy and the Anna Maria City Commission discussed but took no formal action on the revised interlocal agreement recently received from the county. That document includes the revisions county staff made to the original agreement the city proposed several months ago.
The discussion resulted in additional revisions being requested by the city commission. Those revisions will be included in an updated agreement to be presented during the commission’s Thursday, March 23 meeting or soon thereafter. If the commission deems those revisions acceptable, the city-revised agreement will be returned to county officials for their consideration.
Waiting for the taxi
The water taxi service was originally expected to begin in March or April. In October, Manatee County commissioners authorized then-County Administrator Scott Hopes to spend up to $700,000 to design and build two pontoon boats to be used as water taxis. Manatee County will initially own the boats to be managed and operated by the Clearwater-based Clearwater Ferry company.
According to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione, the water taxis will travel to and from downtown Bradenton with anticipated stops at the Anna Maria City Pier, the Bradenton Beach Pier and the Coquina South boat ramp in Bradenton Beach, operating from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. Extended hours and/or additional service days are possible depending on demand.
When asked about a starting date for the water taxi service, Murphy told the commission that Falcione would not commit to a specific date but said it would be “right around the corner.”
City revisions
The county-revised agreement says the purposes of the water taxi program are “to relieve
automobile congestion coming to and from the Island, and to provide an alternative and affordable means of public transportation to and from the Island for Manatee County visitors, residents and service workers.”
City Commissioner Charlie Salem suggested removing the word “service” and making the reference inclusive to all who work on the Island.
Commission Chair Mark Short referenced the proposed agreement language that says the cost of any Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-related improvements, permits or studies required for water taxi dockage at the pier would be the financial responsibility of Manatee County or its water taxi contractor.
Short said those ADA improvements could potentially include safety rails being added to the existing boat landing area near the T-end of the pier. He noted the proposed language doesn’t address who would cover the costs of any water taxi-related ADA improvements needed elsewhere on the pier in order to serve as a water taxi stop. According to Murphy, the commission would have to approve any changes or improvements made to the pier.
Short also referenced the agreement language that says, “Subsequent maintenance and the cost thereof for the pier shall remain the responsibility of the city.” He suggested the ongoing maintenance remain the responsibility of the county.
Short noted the county-revised version of the agreement references Exhibits A and B, but those exhibits were not included with the document. City Attorney Becky Vose said the city can’t formally enter into the interlocal agreement without being provided with the documents.
BRADENTON – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) unanimously voted on Nov. 4 to recommend that Manatee County commissioners allocate up to $950,000 in resort tax revenue to help fund a water taxi initiative.
Commissioners unanimously supported the initiative in October. The service is planned to run from its core stop just east of the Green Bridge in Bradenton to the City Pier in Anna Maria, then go south to the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and finally to the South Coquina Boat launch. The water taxi will run Friday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
TDC members cited funding from three sources – the county resort tax, beach concession revenues and the Coquina Beach Market, which Manatee County recently began operating.
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Executive Director Elliott Falcione said the TDC also will be seeking federal and state grants for the project as well, but those may not be available until the service is in operation.
“At this time, we hope to be ordering the vessels within the next few weeks,” Falcione said. “It’s going to be two 49- or 50-passenger pontoon-style vessels that will be about 50 feet in length.”
Falcione said they will be using a Florida-based boat builder, but could not give an accurate estimate on how long the construction would take. He cited supply problems that are causing issues in many construction industries for not being able to give a completion date.
Falcione said they also are working on a service that could transport employees from the mainland directly to the Island, alleviating problems they have with parking, which is especially difficult during the busy spring tourist season.
MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County commissioners have authorized County Administrator Scott Hopes to spend up to $700,000 to design and build two pontoon boats for use as water taxis to serve Anna Maria Island and Bradenton.
Manatee County will own the boats and place liens on the vessels to be managed and operated by the Clearwater-based Clearwater Ferry company.
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Executive Director Elliott Falcione presented the funding request to county commissioners during the commission’s Oct. 6 land use meeting.
Elliott Falcione is leading the county’s efforts to provide water taxi service between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. – YouTube | Submitted
The county commission has not yet been presented with a formal contract agreement with Clearwater Ferry. Nor have commissioners been presented with the interlocal agreements pertaining to the public day dock in downtown Bradenton, the City Pier in Anna Maria and the floating dock next to the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach, all contemplated as water taxi stops. The taxis will also stop at the county-owned Coquina South boat ramp in Bradenton Beach.
With an anticipated start date in February or March, the water taxi service is expected to initially operate from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. A memo included in the Oct. 6 meeting packet notes that service could be enhanced based on monthly demand and consumer feedback and the routes could be expanded to include additional stops. There is currently no water taxi stop proposed in Holmes Beach.
According to the route schedule included in the meeting packet, one water taxi would depart from the Bridge Street Pier at 10:30 a.m. and make its first stop in Anna Maria. The other water taxi would depart from the downtown Bradenton dock at 10:30 a.m. en route to the City Pier in Anna Maria.
According to the fee schedule included in the meeting packet, a one-way ride will cost $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children 3-11 years old and free for children under three. An all-day hopper pass will cost $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for children 3-11 years old, with those under three riding for free.
The memo notes the county will spend up to $700,000 to build two water taxis and spend an additional $350,000 per year to subsidize the operation for at least the first two years. The memo lists Coquina Beach Market revenues, surplus beach concession revenues and tourist development tax revenues as funding sources for the water taxi operations.
The CVB will market and promote the service throughout Manatee County and beyond.
Falcione said coolers, beach chairs and other items will be allowed on the water taxis and the water taxi design team hopes to accommodate bicycles too. The Clearwater Ferry website notes Coast Guard regulations prohibit bicycles on the vessels they operate in the Clearwater area.
“The operator that we’re going to be bringing forth to you has committed to hiring local captains that have local knowledge of the waterways,” Hopes said.
Public input
During public input, county resident Glen Gibellina said of the water taxi service: “It’s going to lose money, but that’s what transit does, and I don’t have a problem with that.”
County resident Glen Gibellina shared his thoughts on the proposed water taxi service. – YouTube | Submitted County resident Glen Gibellina shared his thoughts on the proposed water taxi service.
The Clearwater Ferry website includes images of some vessels that feature protective siding and/or windows and some vessels that do not. After noting that he previously operated a parasailing business in Siesta Key and has a 100-ton captain’s license, Gibellina expressed concerns about water taxi passengers being exposed to inclement weather.
This Clearwater Ferry vessel does not appear to feature protective siding that could be lowered during inclement weather. – ClearwaterFerry.com | Submitted
“You have to protect the inside of that cabin or else it’s going to be a disaster. You need to redesign that shuttle for inclement weather,” he said.
Gibellina also addressed the potential impact the water taxis could have on Anna Maria Island’s service and hospitality industry workforce.
“You can turn this into a great workforce shuttle. The tourists might be your bread and butter, but if you can get the workers onto that Island for a reasonable price and timely manner, I think it would be a home run,” he said.
Gibellina noted that workforce transportation could be disrupted by bad weather and he said some employees who use the water taxis will still need ground transport to their workplaces. He also suggested starting the water taxi service earlier in the morning to better accommodate workforce transportation needs.
Commission comments
In response to Gibellina’s comments, Commissioner Misty Servia said, “I’m sure the design is something that will be carefully considered by the staff.”
She then said, “I would like to see our employers on the Island give passes to their employees – not the county subsidizing it, but the employers on the Island who can do that as a benefit for their employees.”
Commissioner Carol Whitmore noted the City Pier in Anna Maria does not have safety rails in the area proposed for use as a water taxi landing area. The majority of the floating dock in Bradenton Beach does not feature safety rails either. Whitmore asked who would be responsible for any safety improvements needed at the city-owned docking facilities.
“We’ve already gone to all the stopping points. You’re going to have to have ADA compliance,” Falcione said. “You’re going to have to have some floating docks. The Bridge Street Pier is almost there, if not there. The Anna Maria pier’s going to have to get some modifications. The day dock in downtown Bradenton, a little bit.” Falcione previously stated that any water taxi-related improvements made to the city-owned docking facilities would be done at the county’s expense.
The Anna Maria City Pier’s vessel landing area may require modifications to accommodate water taxis. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During Thursday’s meeting, Falcione acknowledged the potential for weather-related service disruptions.
“Coming out of the Manatee River, that bulkhead gets a little windy sometimes, so there’s going to be times that we’re not going to be able to run the shuttles. That’s why we have an expert with a lot of experience doing business in Florida that can help us,” he said.
“The backup will be our MCAT (bus) service,” Hopes added.
MANATEE COUNTY – The county’s chief tourism official briefed county commissioners on Sept. 13 on plans in the works for a water taxi between Anna Maria Island and Bradenton, including new funding sources.
Revenues generated by the county-controlled Coquina Beach Market will help fund the water taxi, said Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Revenues generated by the 5% tourist development tax levied on vacation rentals, resorts and other lodging establishments in Manatee County could also be used, as could surplus beach concession funds, he said. Falcione is working with Manatee County Public Works Director Chad Butzow and Transit Division Manager Jason Harris to develop the water taxi service under the direction of County Administrator Scott Hopes.
In August, Falcione told the Anna Maria City Commission he hoped to present a formal contract proposal to county commissioners on Sept. 13, but he told county commissioners that day that some final details were still being worked out with the proposed water taxi company.
Falcione said he and Hopes plan to present a formal contract proposal to the county commission on Tuesday, Sept. 27 and he plans to present the tourist development tax funding request to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) in October.
Falcione said the water taxis would travel from the day dock in downtown Bradenton to the Anna Maria City Pier, and then to the floating dock at the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and then to either the Coquina North or Coquina South boat ramp. The return trip would include stops at the Bridge Street Pier and the Anna Maria City Pier on the way to downtown Bradenton. The inclusion of a Coquina boat ramp destination, located across the street from Coquina Beach, triggers the ability to use tourist development tax proceeds for the water taxis, he said.
More details
Falcione said the water taxi program would feature two 49-passenger pontoon catamaran boats operating simultaneously between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. He anticipates the service beginning in February or March and initially operating from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Falcione repeatedly referenced a Clearwater-based company that’s operated a water taxi service since 2015. Falcione did not mention the company’s name, but he later confirmed for The Sun that Clearwater Ferry is the company the county is negotiating with.
Clearwater Ferry currently operates a water taxi service three days a week that includes stops in downtown Clearwater, the Clearwater Beach municipal marina, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, North Clearwater Beach and Dunedin, according to its website.
Falcione said water taxi passengers would pay $8 for a one-way ride or $10 for an all-day pass, with discounts given for seniors and children. The no-cash operation will accept electronic payments only.
Falcione mentioned the Anna Maria Commission’s request that the Island’s hospitality and service industry employees be allowed to ride the water taxis for free when commuting to work.
“We’re looking at that. We think it’s palatable. There’s some pros and cons to that,” Falcione told county commissioners.
He then noted the water taxi company already has experience and case study data pertaining to employee ridership. County Commissioner Misty Servia said business owners should provide water taxi passes to their employees as an employee benefit.
Citing weather concerns and travel on the Intracoastal Waterway, Commissioner Carol Whitmore expressed concerns about using pontoon boats as water taxis.
Hopes said county funds would be used to subsidize the upfront capital equipment costs
that include the two boats. He said liens would be placed on the boats and the liens would later be removed after enough revenues have been generated to cover those initial costs.
“It’s not as simple as us going out and buying boats,” Hopes said.
Falcione said the county may have to make some county-funded improvements to the proposed water taxi landing locations in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Bradenton.
Commissioners Vanessa Baugh and Reggie Bellamy asked whether the water taxis would accommodate bikes, coolers, beach chairs and other items used by beachgoers.
“We’ll look at all that. The amenities the families want to bring out are really important,” Falcione said.
According to the Clearwater Ferry website, U.S. Coast Guard regulations do not allow bikes on board their vessels. The Clearwater Ferry website also notes their vessels do not have restrooms.
To better serve county residents, Commissioner James Satcher suggested including water taxi stops along SR 64 and US Highway 301.
Regarding future expansion, Falcione said, “This is just the basic infrastructure to get it going. This is what we and the third-party operator feel would give our best chance for short-term success.”
Falcione said future expansion would likely include service to the new hotel being built next to the convention center in Palmetto.
“We see it going to Longboat Key at some point. We see it going to Sarasota. We’re going to focus on Manatee County and get it started. As we learn, we’ll branch out and add partners,” Falcione said.
ANNA MARIA – The city’s proposed interlocal agreement for the use of the City Pier as a water taxi stop is ready for review by Manatee County officials.
The county’s proposed round-trip water service would begin in downtown Bradenton, stop at the City Pier, the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and then at the City Pier again en route back to downtown Bradenton.
The city’s proposed interlocal agreement was first discussed on Aug. 25 and the city commission-requested revisions were presented by Mayor Dan Murphy on Sept. 8.
“These are the conditions that we find important for the water taxi to be servicing the city of Anna Maria. We strongly believe this should be focused on service workers and eliminating traffic coming back and forth across the bridge. Anything going astray of that is OK, as long as the focus is on bringing people back and forth between downtown Bradenton,” Murphy told the commission.
Commission Chair Carol Carter noted many of the commission’s suggested revisions pertained to the section of the agreement that sets forth the city’s proposed terms and conditions.
The revised agreement proposed that the water taxi operations must include service between downtown Bradenton and the Anna Maria City Pier on every regularly scheduled day of operation, and each round-trip journey must include two stops at the City Pier.
The agreement proposes the county and/or the water taxi company shall be responsible for the costs of creating and maintaining water taxi dockage City Pier, including any needed pier improvements, permits or studies. The agreement also proposes that the county provide the city commission with a detailed plan for the proposed landing area at the City Pier and that all ridership fares between Anna Maria and downtown Bradenton shall be subject to city commission approval.
Commissioner Mark Short noted the revised agreement addresses Commissioner Jon Crane’s request to strengthen the language pertaining to the liability responsibilities and the city being indemnified against any harm caused by the water taxi service. The agreement proposes the county’s contracted water taxi operator be required to carry a $2 million insurance policy.
Murphy told the commission he hopes to present the proposed interlocal agreement to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione within the next week or so. Murphy will then await feedback from Falcione and the county commission regarding the city’s proposed agreement and any modifications sought by the county.
Previous discussion
When appearing before the Anna Maria Commission on Aug. 11, Falcione said he hoped to present a water taxi proposal to county commissioners on Tuesday, Sept. 13. When contacted Saturday, Falcione said some of those details were still being finalized and the presentation would be delayed.
“We are really close,” he said.
During the Aug. 11 meeting, Falcione said the county hopes to contract a Florida-based water taxi company to begin water taxi service to and from the Island in February. Falcione said the initial service would initially feature two pontoon boat-like water taxis operating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Falcione said the fare might be in the $8 to $10 range, but those details were still being worked out at that time.
ANNA MARIA – City officials are working on an interlocal agreement that would allow for a water taxi stop at the Anna Maria City Pier.
Manatee County is proposing a county-contracted water taxi service from downtown Bradenton to the City Pier in Anna Maria, the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and back to downtown Bradenton.
An interlocal agreement between the city of Anna Maria and Manatee County is needed in order for the City Pier to be used as a water taxi landing spot. A proposed interlocal agreement was discussed, but not finalized, during the Aug. 25, Anna Maria City Commission meeting.
Revisions suggested by the mayor and city commissioners will be made before the agreement is discussed again at the commission’s Sept. 8 meeting. If the commission supports the revised interlocal agreement at that time, it will then be sent to Manatee County officials for their review. Mayor Dan Murphy said additional negotiations between the city and the county may then be needed before the agreement is finalized.
Representing Manatee County, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione appeared before the Anna Maria Commission on Aug. 11. Falcione told the mayor and commissioners the county plans to contract a Florida-based water taxi company to operate two pontoon boat-like water taxis from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
According to Falcione, each water taxi could carry 35 to 45 passengers at a time. He said the service days and service routes could, and likely would, be expanded if there’s a need for additional service.
Falcione plans to present the proposed water taxi plan and contractor to Manatee County commissioners on Sept. 13 in hopes of the proposed water taxi service beginning in February.
Falcione said the round-trip fare could be in the $8-$10 range, but those details were still being worked out with the private contractor. Falcione said the plan is for the Island’s restaurant and service industry workers to ride for free.
During the Aug. 25 meeting, Murphy noted one of the “whereas” clauses contained in the proposed agreement states the two main purposes of the water taxi service are to relieve automobile congestion coming to and from the Island and to provide an affordable means of public transportation to and from the Island for visitors, residents and service workers.
“It’s not going to be a $50 ride to come to work,” Murphy said when noting service workers are a critical component of the proposed water taxi endeavor.
The terms and conditions addressed in the proposed agreement call for the county and its contractor to cover the costs of any pier improvements, permits, studies or maintenance required for the use of the City Pier as a water taxi stop. The proposed agreement states the county shall assume all legal liability for the water taxi service. It also states the county must provide the city with a detailed plan before the city commission is asked to approve the City Pier as a water taxi stop.
To better protect the city, Commissioner Jon Crane, a former California attorney, suggested strengthening the language that pertains to the county’s liability and indemnification responsibilities.
Commissioner Deanie Sebring suggested including a commission-recommended fare amount in the proposed interlocal agreement. Murphy advised against including a specific fare and suggested instead the inclusion of language that says the proposed fee for passengers traveling between Anna Maria and downtown Bradenton must be approved by the city commission.
Commissioners Carol Carter and Mark Short suggested adding language to the agreement that specifies the water taxis must stop at the City Pier twice during each round trip from downtown Bradenton to Bradenton Beach and back.
