HOLMES BEACH – The city of Holmes Beach celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025 and the Dec. 5 celebration at City Field was symbolic of the city’s return from the back-to-back hurricanes that struck Anna Maria Island in 2024.
The anniversary celebration occurred on the recently resodded City Field that one year ago contained a massive mound of hurricane debris while serving as the city’s hurricane debris management site.
Mayor Judy Titsworth gave a speech during the 75th anniversary celebration in December. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The anniversary celebration was preceded earlier in the year with Mayor Judy Titsworth unveiling the new sea turtle-themed city flag that now flies over city hall. The city also produced smaller versions of the new flag and similarly designed T-shirts and hats that also feature the sea turtle logo.
Post-hurricane permitting
During each city commission meeting and planning commission meeting in 2025, Development Services Director Chad Minor provided a post-hurricane permitting update that dated back to Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
On Dec. 16, Minor said the city, to date, had issued 3,764 post-hurricane permits and 79 demolition permits. He said 75 homes had been demolished and the city had issued 19 permits for new replacement homes. Minor said the city conducted 9,768 post-hurricane plan reviews and completed nearly 13,000 inspections. He also said there were currently 1,660 active, registered vacation rentals in Holmes Beach.
Gloria Dei property
On Jan. 18, a “Holy Closure” service was held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, marking the end of its time as an active church and local congregation.
The city’s $3 million offer to buy the Gloria Dei property was rejected. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In late June, Taylor Rahdert, the real estate agent representing the property owners, informed Minor that the Florida Bahamas Synod Council declined the city’s $3 million offer to purchase the three-parcel church property for public use. The church building and property remain on the market with a $9 million asking price.
Speed control
In August, the recently installed automated speed cameras were activated near the Anna Maria Elementary school and dozens of warnings and citations were issued to drivers who failed to obey the 15-mph speed limit during the morning and afternoon hours when the students are arriving and departing.
Automated speed cameras were installed by Anna Maria Elementary before the new school year began in August. – Joe Hendricks | SunTwo speed tables were installed along the 500 block of Key Royale Drive in October. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On Oct. 31, two previously debated speed tables were installed along the 500 block of Key Royale Drive. Some 500 block residents supported the new speed tables and some Key Royale residents who live on the other side of the Key Royale Bridge opposed them.
Millage, stormwater rates
In July, the city commission voted 3-2 in favor of setting the maximum property tax millage rate at 2.1812 mills rather than maintaining the current 1.99 millage rate. In September, the commission changed course and voted in favor of maintaining the 1.99 rate for another year.
During the same July budget meeting, the commission voted 3-2 in opposition to increasing the annual stormwater fee levied on Holmes Beach property owners from $2.95 per 100 square feet of property to $4.95 per 100 square feet and the $2.95 rate was maintained for another year.
Comings and goings
In February, longtime city commissioner Pat Morton announced his resignation, citing social media criticism of the city’s hurricane response as the primary reason. Later that month, the commission unanimously appointed planning commissioner Steve Oelke to fill the remaining months of Morton’s two-year term.
In the city election that concluded Nov. 4, Oelfke was the leading vote-getter in the election that resulted in first-time candidate Jessica Patel being elected and longtime commissioner Carol Soustek not being reelected.
In October, Public Works Director and City Engineer Sage Kamiya announced he had accepted an offer to serve as the city of Sarasota’s new city engineer. In December, Mayor Judy Titsworth announced Herb Raybourn, a stormwater consultant for the city, would serve as the city’s next public works director and city engineer.
In December, longtime City Clerk Stacey Johnston informed the mayor that she would be retiring in March.
On Dec. 16, City Attorney Erica Augello participated in her final meeting as the Holmes Beach city attorney and the commission supported the mayor’s appointment of Randy Mora to serve as Augello’s successor. Augello will continue to represent the city in code compliance matters and she’s also currently serving as the interim city attorney for the city of Bradenton Beach – an assignment that may become permanent in 2026.
In November, the Rod & Reel restaurant opened in Holmes Beach as an extension of the Rod & Reel Pier and restaurant in Anna Maria that was destroyed by the 2024 hurricanes. Owner Oliver Lemke hopes to one day rebuild and reopen the pier and restaurant in Anna Maria.
Solo’s Pizza closed in late November, Cheesecake Cutie closed in December and the True Value hardware store changed ownership in 2025.
ANNA MARIA – The reconstruction of the Anna Maria City Pier, the ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the short-lived Bean Point no-swim zone were among the top stories in Anna Maria in 2025.
Pier reconstruction
Throughout the year, Mayor Mark Short and the Anna Maria city commissioners repeatedly said getting the hurricane-damaged City Pier walkway replaced and getting the pier fully reopened by the fall of 2026 was the city’s top priority.
In early June, Gov. Ron DeSantis approved the state budget that included a $1.5 million appropriation for the pier reconstruction project. In mid-June, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council recommended Manatee County Commission approval for the county to provide up to $2 million in tourist development tax revenues for the pier reconstruction project.
In late June, Quality Marine Construction completed the demolition of what remained of the pier walkway that was mostly destroyed by Hurricane Milton.
In late September, the city commission unanimously supported Short’s recommendation to enter into a $4.64 million base contract with Tampa Bay Marine for the construction of the new pier walkway to be built atop solid concrete pilings similar to those that support the still-standing buildings at the T-end of the pier.
Tampa Bay Marine began driving the new pilings in late November. As of Dec. 26, most of the pilings had been driven and they will soon be trimmed to their final height. The Tampa Bay Marine contract calls for the new pier walkway is to be completed by March 31.
Ferry landing
Throughout the year, city and county officials engaged in several discussions pertaining to the county-funded installation of a new Gulf Islands Ferry landing alongside the new City Pier walkway. No final design decisions have been made yet, and those discussions remain ongoing, but there is preliminary city commission consensus to allow some type of ferry stop at the pier when it reopens.
County officials seek a City Pier ferry landing that will accommodate the new, partially enclosed, 100,000-pound, 96-passenger Manatee Belle ferry boat that recently arrived and is expected to go into service at some point in January – joining the fleet that already includes two 49-passenger pontoon boats.
County officials expect to soon implement a ferry stop at the Coquina Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach and in 2026 they hope to implement additional ferry stops in Holmes Beach and Palmetto too.
No-swim zone
On Sept. 2, Mayor Short implemented a temporary no-swim zone at Bean Point in response to a fatal drowning that occurred on Aug. 31 and multiple other water rescues that occurred in the dangerous Bean Point rip currents that month.
On Sept. 11, city commissioners adopted a 60-day emergency ordinance that temporarily formalized the no-swim zone. When doing so, the commission created a swimming exemption for a limited number of Bean Point homeowners and property owners.
On Sept. 15, Short vetoed the emergency ordinance because allowing some homeowners to continue swimming, while prohibiting others from doing the same, created enforcement inconsistencies.
These warning signs were installed at Bean Point in late September. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On Sept. 25, new signs were installed at Bean Point that say, “Warning. Dangerous Currents. Swim at Your Own Risk. No Lifeguards.”
Hurricane recovery
In January, more than 300 Build Back the Beach volunteers planted nearly 30,000 native plants along the hurricane-ravaged Anna Maria shoreline between Bean Point and Sycamore Avenue.
The Anna Maria Post Office’s regular location reopened in October. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On Oct. 4, the temporary post office trailer at City Pier Park closed (and was later removed) and on Oct. 6 the Anna Maria Post Office reopened in its regular location at 101B South Bay Boulevard.
Events return
Serving as a replacement for the city-hosted farmers market at City Pier Park, the non-city-run Anna Maria Community Farmers Market opened at The Center of Anna Maria Island in January and continued each Tuesday through the end of the spring season.
After a summer hiatus, the Tuesday market resumed in October at its new location on the grounds of the Roser Church.
Bayfest was one of many annual events that returned in 2025. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Many of the annual community events cancelled in 2024 due to the hurricanes returned in 2025, including Bayfest, the “Old Soldiers & Sailors” Veterans Day parade and recognition ceremony, The Anna Maria Island Historical Society’s Heritage Day celebration and the recent Holiday of Treasures Open House along Pine Avenue. The city also started hosted monthly City Block Parties at City Pier Park.
During each event, Mayor Short said it was another sign of things returning to normal after the 2024 hurricanes.
Blue Öyster Cult rocked The Center in December. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The Center and the Bradenton Area Visitors and Convention Bureau brought several concerts to the area in 2025, including The Wailers, Kansas and The Outlaws (in Palmetto) and Blue Öyster Cult.
Comings and goings
In January, John Lynch was appointed to fill the city commission seat Jon Crane vacated in late 2024.
In November, Lynch, Kathy Morgan-Johnson and Charlie Salem earned additional two-year terms in office after running unopposed in the fall election cycle.
In March, Palmetto resident Amber LaRowe was named the new city clerk after the mayor and commission decided to separate the clerk and city treasurer positions. Previous city clerk LeAnne Addy continued serving as treasurer until her departure in mid-November.
In September, contracted building official Craig Greene was dismissed and later replaced by former Anna Maria Building Official David Gilson.
In April, David Johnson and Christine Aaron were appointed to the planning and zoning board. Don Buswell-Charkow was also appointed to the board in 2025.
In August, planning and zoning board chairman Dave Haddox vacated his advisory board seat because he and his wife, Marsha McAllister, were moving to the Blue Ridge, Georgia area.
In November, the planning board selected member Jeff Rodencal to chair the board for the coming year.
In October, former Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit leader Sgt. Russell Schnering retired as the leader of the county’s Marine Patrol unit.
BRADENTON BEACH – Hurricane recovery, city staff changes and Pines Trailer Park’s existence marked 2025 in Bradenton Beach.
Pines
Pines Trailer Park residents received city approval to repair their hurricane-damaged mobile homes but on Jan. 4, park ownership, Pines Park Investors LLC, stated that the park will be closed.
Pines residents asked the city on Feb. 20 to deny any future land use or zoning change requests for the Pines Trailer Park by Pines Park Investors LLC or its manager, Shawn Kaleta. City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at a Jan. 16 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting that the property owner had confirmed the planned redevelopment of the parcel.
The Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association (HOA) Inc. filed a lawsuit against Pines Park Investors LLC in part to stop evictions and the park’s closure. On Aug. 8 the suit was dismissed pending a confidential settlement agreement allowing residents to remain at the park for an undisclosed length of time.
106 23rd Street N.
With 85% of a building project completed under a 2024 city permit, a stop work order was issued at 106 23rd St. N. by city Building Official Bill Palmer, who said the prior permit for the two-story addition was approved in error by the previous building official. After discussion at five city commission meetings, commissioners reached a compromise solution and approved a special use permit for the property.
Turtles
With the loss of sand dunes from Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella expressed concern about a possible increase in sea turtle disorientations.
“Without dunes as a barrier, hatchlings and adult sea turtles that head towards artificial light may find their way into the road,” Mazzarella said
Hay bales were placed along beaches to mimic dunes.
Turtle release
Hundreds of onlookers gathered at Coquina Beach on June 23 for a scheduled loggerhead sea turtle release. The sea turtle, named Winnie, had laid her nest earlier that day and was outfitted with a satellite tag prior to her release. She participated in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles race and finished in 10th place.
Green turtle record
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring celebrated green turtles breaking their 2023 record of 12 nests on Anna Maria Island.
“We now have 13 green turtle nests on the Island and hope to get even more before nesting season comes to a close,” Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella wrote in a July 25 email.
The majority of turtle nests on Anna Maria Island are laid by loggerhead sea turtles.
Building official termination
The city suspended the contractual services of Building Official Darin Cushing on Jan. 22 pending discussion at an upcoming city commission meeting.
Mayor John Chappie did not give a reason for the suspension, but the city had been at odds with Cushing over his approval of a permit for the tiki hut at Drift-In on Bridge Street.
On Jan. 21 Cushing had posted on Facebook, writing in part: “They’re trying to take me out to bend over for developers. I will not compromise my integrity or my license.”
Chappie read aloud a memo at a Feb. 20 city commission meeting addressing the job performance of Cushing, outlining what the city said were deficiencies in his performance.
Bill Palmer, the city’s new building official, began work on March 5 and laid out a timeline as he stepped into his new role.
“My initial focus as building official will be reviewing the permits we have in backlog for storm-related repairs so people can get back into their homes and then work on new construction permits,” Palmer wrote in an email to The Sun.
Drift-In tiki bar
The construction of a tiki hut at the Drift-In bar triggered a major development application.
City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at a Jan. 16 city commission meeting that a permit approved by Cushing for the construction should not have been issued based on the city-owned easements on the property, as well as the size of the new tiki structure. She said the project should be classified as a major development and must undergo a public hearing process.
Drift-In celebrates 100 years in Bradenton Beach after undergoing major development process and easement exchange with city following construction of a larger tiki hut. – Leslie Lake | Sun
Commissioners unanimously approved the Drift-In’s major development application on April 8.
The Bridge Street bar reopened, at least temporarily, pending city review, on April 4.
City commissioners unanimously approved an amended easement agreement at a July 17 meeting.
In October, the Drift-In celebrated 100 years in Bradenton Beach
Bungalow Beach
Bungalow Beach Resort owner Gayle Luper filed a lawsuit against the city after commissioners denied her a permit to offer paid parking through the use of a resort pass.
Commissioners questioned paid public parking through the purchase of a resort pass, saying the beachfront bungalows at 2000 Gulf Drive N. had been destroyed during Hurricane Helene.
During a quasi-judicial hearing on the application on April 17, City Planner Luis Serna recommended denial of the application and city commissioners denied the paid public parking lot application. They allowed a temporary use permit allowing only Luper, resort guests and employees to use the lot daily until 9 p.m.
Luper appealed the decision at a July 19 quasi-judicial hearing. Special Master Marisa Powers later ruled that she, as the special master, did not have jurisdiction to override the city’s ruling.
Attorney retires
City Attorney Ricinda Perry’s 21-year tenure as the Bradenton Beach city attorney came to an end on Sept. 18 when she announced her immediate retirement at a city commission meeting.
City Attorney Ricinda Perry placed several document binders in front of Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce when announcing her resignation. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
She made the announcement two days after city commissioners met to evaluate her performance following allegations that she had named Drift-In owner Derek Williams as the source of a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) complaint against a neighboring business, the Anna Maria Oyster Bar.
In response to Williams’ public records request, FDEP confirmed that no complaint had been filed, which triggered a Sept. 16 work meeting. At that meeting, the commission granted Perry’s request to allow her more time to respond to the allegations.
New city attorney
In October, the mayor and commissioners appointed then-Holmes Beach City Attorney Erica Augello to serve as the Bradenton Beach city attorney on an interim basis for up to six months or until a permanent replacement for selected. At year’s end, Augello was no longer serving as the Holmes Beach city attorney and she may be considered as Bradenton Beach’s long-term city attorney in 2026.
Changes in officials
Ward 4 Commissioner Jan Vosburgh decided in August not to run for another term. Her seat remains open pending applications from interested parties.
Fred Bartizal was chosen as the new chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board at the board’s Nov. 5 meeting. Bartizal, owner of the Bridge Tender Inn, succeeded former chair Bill Morrow.
BRADENTON BEACH – Old Town Trams, an anticipated dock expansion project, additional utility line undergrounding, eliminating term limits and Hurricane Ian damage were among the top news stories in Bradenton Beach in 2022.
Tram extension
In early November, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members voted 3-2 in favor of extending the CRA-funded Old Town Tram parking shuttle program for another six months. Beginning in late January, the county sewer rehabilitation project taking place along Gulf Drive South for the next year or more will temporarily decrease the number of Cortez Beach parking spaces available for tram users.
The Old Town Tram parking shuttle program was continued for an additional six months. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Projects
Ongoing permitting issues with the Army Corps of Engineers prevented the dock expansion project alongside the Bridge Street Pier from taking place in 2022. The permitting issue pertains to the CRA’s desired eastward extension of the existing floating dock in order to accommodate additional finger piers. The Army Corps of Engineers has not yet approved the CRA’s request to extend the floating dock by approximately 40 feet to the east, toward the T-end of the pier.
These plans illustrate the finger docks to be installed perpendicular to the existing floating dock near the Bridge Street Pier. – City of Bradenton Beach | Submitted
In early November, City Attorney Ricinda Perry said she expected the CRA to soon receive an approved sovereign submerged land lease permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), allowing the premanufactured finger docks to be installed and connected to the existing floating dock while awaiting the dock extension approval. The floating dock is also expected to serve as a landing area for the downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria Island water taxi service Manatee County plans to launch in early 2023. At year’s end, the finger pier installations had not begun.
The public dinghy dock near the clock tower boardwalk was replaced in 2022. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Colliers Engineering & Design completed the plans for a $2.1 million flood control project designed to improve drainage and reduce flooding in the vicinities of 20th Place North, 21st Place North, the southern end of Avenue A and the southern end of Avenue B. The flood control project is being funded by a $2.6 million state appropriation. The city has until June 30, 2024, to complete the project expected to begin at some point in 2023.
A state-funded flood control project is expected to improve drainage and reduce flooding along the Avenue A and 20th Place intersection. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The state appropriation also provided the funds for the city to purchase a new TYMCO Model 435 Regenerative Air Sweeper truck for $154,352.
Using state funds, the city purchased a new street sweeping truck. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The CRA members held several discussions in 2022 that resulted in the completed plans for a currently unfunded Bay Drive South resiliency project that would create a resiliency barrier along Bay Drive South Shoreline and help protect that area from rising tides, king tides, storm surges and sea level rise.
In September, the CRA board approved a $195,853 binding cost estimate provided by Florida Power & Light for the next phase of utility line undergrounding project expected to take place along Third, Fourth and Fifth streets south, Bay Drive South and Gulf Drive South in 2023.
The utility lines along Bay Drive South are expected to be undergrounded in 2023. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In September, the CRA board approved a $195,853 binding cost estimate provided by Florida Power & Light for the next phase of utility line undergrounding project expected to take place along Third, Fourth and Fifth streets south, Bay Drive South and Gulf Drive South in 2023. The city also received $3 million in state appropriation funds for future undergrounding projects outside the CRA district that extends from the Cortez Bridge to Fifth Street South. City officials still await the removal of 33 side-street utility poles associated with a previously completed undergrounding project along Gulf Drive South.
A proposed hotel project on and around Bridge Street is now in the early permitting stages. – City of Bradenton Beach | Submitted
In December, the building department received the initial permit applications for a proposed hotel construction project involving multiple properties along Bridge Street, Gulf Drive South and Third Street South. The submitted plans propose a total of 103 upper-level hotel units, 126 ground-level parking spaces, a rooftop pool and deck area, ground-level retail space and a ground-level miniature golf course. Developer Shawn Kaleta and Bradenton Beach businessman and City Commissioner Jake Spooner are listed as the property owners for the proposed hotel project.
City elections
In November, Bradenton Beach voters approved a charter amendment that eliminated the term limits that previously limited the city’s mayor and city commissioners to serving no more than three consecutive two-year terms in office, allowing incumbent Ward 2 Commissioner Marilyn Maro to serve another term in office. Maro ran unopposed in the November election. Eliminating term limits also means Mayor John Chappie and Spooner can seek additional terms in office during the 2023 election. Running unopposed, Ward 4 Commissioner Ralph Cole also earned another two-year term in office.
City Commissioner Marilyn Maro (shown here with her husband, Ed) will serve another term in office. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
City voters also supported a charter amendment that now allows the commission to appoint someone from outside of a specific commission ward to fill a vacant commission seat if no one from that ward is willing to serve.
Hurricane damage
In late September, Hurricane Ian inflicted significant damage on two waterfront mobile homes in the Pines Trailer Park. The hurricane also damaged at least four mobile homes in the Sandpiper Resort Co-Op at the north end of the city. The hurricane also damaged the police department roof and those repairs are now pending.
This mobile home in the Pine Trailer Park suffered hurricane damage. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
This mobile in the Sandpiper Resort was damaged during Hurricane Ian. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Special events
The Bradenton Beach City Commission and CRA provided the Bridge Street merchants with $2,000 of combined financial support for the merchants’ annual Christmas tree lighting event, Christmas on Bridge Street and the annual Holiday Boat Parade.
The Bridge Street merchants’ holiday celebration included this magnificent Christmas tree located in front of the Bradenton Beach Post Office. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Passing
In April, former Bradenton Beach resident and Sunshine Law lawsuit defendant Reed Mapes passed away. At the time of his death, Mapes was the only defendant still appealing a 2019 court ruling that Mapes and five other former city advisory board members violated Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law when discussing official city business outside of a properly noticed public meeting.
HOLMES BEACH – City leaders may be more than ready to put 2022 in their rearview mirrors. The year was full of ups and downs in the biggest little city on Anna Maria Island.
The Island Branch Library celebrated 40 years in its Marina Drive location beginning in January and concluding with a springtime party featuring speakers including elected officials, residents and members of the Friends of the Island Library.
At the city commission level, leaders began the year embroiled in a lawsuit with local developer Shawn Kaleta over fines for unpermitted work and operations at the Bali Hai Beach Resort. In 2023 that case remains in court.
City leaders made the decision in early February to reduce the speed limit citywide to 25 miles per hour on city streets. The reduced speed limit does not apply to Manatee Avenue which is a state road and controlled by the Florida Department of Transportation. A registration program for golf carts was also enacted at the same time, requiring residents to obtain a sticker for their vehicles in order to drive them on city streets.
Issues between city and Manatee County leaders came to a head in March and April when a meeting between the two groups of elected officials ended with no solutions for either side’s problems discussed. Mayor Judy Titsworth and commissioners held firm on their stance to not reopen residential streets for public parking. Residents, however, are allowed to park on the street with a valid parking permit. Relations with county commissioners further deteriorated when city officials began discussing a ban on multi-level parking garages. County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge appeared before city commissioners during a June meeting to warn them against instituting the ban, saying that there would be negative consequences to the decision.
Great blue herons nesting in an Australian pine at the Kingfish Boat Ramp temporarily halted the removal of trees at the site though those plans were ultimately abandoned by the county after funding for a renovation project was lost due to excessive delays. – Kristin Swain | Sun
In addition to parking, county and city leaders also clashed over plans to renovate the Kingfish Boat Ramp. The project would have seen more than 100 trees at the county-owned boat ramp removed along with a popular shaded picnic area. Public outcry against the project fell on deaf ears at the county, though the renovations ultimately didn’t take place due to a loss of funding after numerous project delays.
The April closure of a private beach access point on 78th Street pitted neighbor against neighbor as nearby residents united to first protest the closure and then sue property owners Travis Resmondo and the neighboring Oceana Condominium Association in Manatee County Circuit Court for access. While Judge Charles Sniffen ruled against issuing a temporary injunction in August, neighbors vowed to continue the fight in court for beach access through the path to be restored.
The November election brought two new faces to the city commission in the form of Dan Diggins and Greg Kerchner. The two, along with Mayor Judy Titsworth, ran unopposed after former Commissioner Kim Rash decided to not run for re-election and former Commissioner Jayne Christenson dropped out of the race to retain her seat on the dais.
Signs block the beach access at 78th Street in Holmes Beach from public use after a busy Easter weekend resulted in trespassers invading adjacent private properties. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Construction began on long-awaited road improvements at city center, the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives, in the fall, causing traffic delays and headaches for drivers. Though planned to take place separately, the road construction intersected with a county water main project in the area, resulting in additional delays and road closures. Public Works Director Sage Kamiya said he received a round of applause from drivers and onlookers when he authorized the reopening of both lanes of Marina Drive just in time for the Christmas holiday.
ANNA MARIA – The pending Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvements and the pending Mote Educational Outreach Center were among the projects initiated in Anna Maria in 2021.
The year was also marked by the return of several community events that were canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
January
In early January, a fishing trawler sank offshore of Anna Maria and littered the Bean Point beach area with debris that required a significant clean-up effort by the city and Manatee County.
This was among the shipwreck debris that washed ashore in Anna Maria in January 2021. – Kristin Swain | Sun
A Bradenton Beach resident sustained bruises and minor injuries after being struck by a car while crossing the street at the Gulf Drive/Spring Avenue intersection.
A large and long-abandoned sunken sailboat was finally removed from the waters near the City Pier.
February
The COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida was unveiled along the beach near the Sandbar restaurant. Created by Anna Maria resident, photographer and artist Cathy Tobias and some of her friends, the colorful art installation consisted of a string of brightly colored plastic ribbons that stretched more than 250 yards and represented each of the more than 27,000 Florida residents who had died of COVID-19 at that point.
The COVID Ribbon Memorial of Florida was unveiled on the beach in February. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The city commission adopted a new ordinance that prohibits hoverboards, OneWheels, scooters, skateboards and bicycles on Anna Maria’s beaches and inside city parks – with an exception made for bicycles in city parks.
The commission voted 4-1 in favor of Mote Marine’s proposed educational outreach center occupying the vacant City Pier building, originally built in 2020 with the expectation of being leased to the operator of a full-service restaurant.
This rendering illustrates the preliminary concept for the Mote Educational Outreach Center. – Mote Marine | Submitted
Longtime Anna Maria resident Margaret Jenkins passed away at the age of 90.
March
Anna Maria resident Jennifer Kaleta addressed the city commission regarding the notification she received from the city informing her that her outdoor chicken coop violated city ordinances and had to be removed, much to the chagrin of her and her children.
April
Commission Chair Carol Carter, Mayor Dan Murphy and lobbyist Chip Case played key roles in defeating the Florida Legislature’s latest attempts to preempt vacation rental regulations to the state. Utilizing the city-owned Home Rule Florida website, www.homerulefl.com, the city and its supporters helped defeat Senate Bill 522 and House Bill 219.
May
The commission authorized a $50,274 consulting fee for the Reimagining Pine Avenue study that later produced several recommended pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements to be made in 2022, including new sidewalks and new and improved crosswalks.
The Reimagining Pine Avenue study hopes to address pedestrian and bicyclist safety concerns along heavily-traveled Pine Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The city hosted its annual Memorial Day Salute at City Pier Park. The 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic.
June
Anna Maria Commissioner Joe Muscatello announced he was leaving the commission later that month because he and his wife were moving back to West Virginia to operate a bed and breakfast.
The Manatee County Commission approved the city’s $500,000 funding request to help create a Mote Educational Outreach Center.
The city installed a new playground at City Pier Park. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The city commission agreed to spend $30,909 to install a children’s playground at City Pier Park.
July
The Anna Maria Island Privateer’s Fourth of July parade scheduled for Sunday, July 4, was moved to Saturday, July 3, at the request of CrossPointe Fellowship church officials.
The Anna Maria Island community lost a beloved local figure when Bob “Coop” Cooper passed away on July 3.
Former commissioner Doug Copeland was appointed to serve the remaining months of Muscatello’s commission term.
Mayor Murphy enacted a precautionary local state of emergency as Tropical Storm Elsa approached Anna Maria Island. The tropical storm had little impact on the Island but disrupted the collection of trash that accumulated over the July 4 weekend, which prompted a meeting between the mayor and Waste Management officials.
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan celebrated her company’s 20th anniversary.
Assisted by spokesperson Patrick Coyne, Anna Maria homeowners Wendy and Robert Jordan launched the Preserve AMI campaign in opposition to a Florida Department of Environmental permitting decision that could potentially result in a new home being built seaward of the Jordan’s beachfront home at the end of Elm Avenue.
The owners of the beachfront home hope to preserve their view and prevent the construction of a new home in front of it.
The mayor expressed his appreciation for the assistance that Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge and County Administrator Scott Hopes provided regarding the removal of dead fish and marine life that washed ashore as a result of red tide.
August
Holmes Beach resident Sandy Olson was hired as the assistant manager of the Code Enforcement department.
The Florida Department of Health and the city of Anna Maria hosted a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic at City Pier Park.
Bortell’s Lounge reopened after a three-year renovation project that was delayed in part by the pandemic.
Sea-level rise expert John Englander recommended the city create a “30-year Rising Seas Master Plan” as part of the efforts to prepare for the sea-level rise and higher tides anticipated in the coming decades.
Beach Bums, Robinhood Rentals and Lazy Turtle Beach Rentals agreed to place stickers in their rented golf carts. The stickers remind drivers and passengers of some state laws that apply to operating golf carts on public streets.
September
The city and Mote Marine Laboratory entered into a lease agreement for the Mote Educational Outreach Center. Mote Marine representative Kevin Cooper said he expected the interior buildout and installation to be finished in March, with the facility to open soon thereafter.
October
The city’s weekly farmers market resumed its seasonal operations and will continue each Tuesday through mid-May.
The Anna Maria Chamber of Commerce’s expanded two-day Bayfest celebration returned after being canceled in 2020.
November
Running unopposed, incumbent city commissioners Carol Carter and Jon Crane won additional two-year terms in office. The commission then appointed Robert Kingan to serve a full-two year term to fill the seat vacated by Muscatello and Copeland.
The city’s Old Soldiers & Sailors Veterans Day parade and recognition ceremony returned after being canceled in 2020.
Two Scoops ice cream celebrated its 15-year anniversary.
The second annual Thanks-Living community gathering took place at City Pier Park after being canceled in 2020.
Thanks-Living returned to City Pier Park in November.
Former longtime Anna Maria resident and tour boat operator George Glaser passed away at his Bradenton home at the age of 78.
Anna Maria resident Jana Samuels was seriously injured when the golf cart she was driving was struck by a car that crossed into her travel lane in Holmes Beach.
December
Deputy Clerk and Code Enforcement Manager Debbie Haynes retired after six years with the city.
The mayor and commission agreed to share $3,736 of about $850,000 in federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds the city will receive over the next two years. The AMI Historical Society, The Island Players and the Anna Maria Island Garden Club are the recipients of those shared funds. The remaining ARP funds will help fund stormwater, drainage and road improvements, and will also help fund the Reimagining Pine Avenue improvements.
Operating with a new name, Santa Stops Here, the city’s annual holiday event, returned to City Pier Park after being canceled in 2020. That evening, The Holiday of Treasures Open House holiday event took place at many participating businesses along Pine Avenue. The city also hosted its third annual Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest.
BRADENTON BEACH – The city of Bradenton Beach embarked on some important public projects in 2021 and also welcomed a familiar face as the city’s new police chief.
January
In January, the mayor and city commission learned of the Florida Department of Transportation’s plans to begin construction in 2026 on the new fixed-span bridge that would provide 65 feet of vertical clearance as the replacement for the existing Cortez Bridge drawbridge.
February
Phase II of Manatee County’s drainage and parking lot improvements commenced at Coquina Beach.
The city commission extended a micromobility moratorium enacted in late 2020 that temporarily prohibits any new businesses from renting scoot coupes, motor scooters and other motorized micromobility devices. The moratorium, extended again later in the year, does not pertain to the actual operation of those vehicles on public streets.
March
Former county commissioners Joe McClash and Jane von Hahmann asked the city to join their federal lawsuit that opposes the construction of a fixed-span bridge to replace the Cortez Bridge drawbridge constructed in 1956. The commission tentatively agreed to contribute up to $5,000 toward the legal efforts, but in August, the commission voted 3-2 in opposition to providing any city funds or joining the lawsuit as an additional named party.
The city commission named Lt. John Cosby to serve as the eventual successor to Police Chief Sam Speciale leading up to Speciale’s planned retirement in October.
April
Building Official Steve Gilbert and City Planner Luis Serna began guiding the Planning and Zoning Board members through an extensive review of the Future Land Use Map and zoning map inconsistencies that exist throughout the city. The city commission has not yet acted on the board recommendations and the map revision process is expected to continue in 2022.
A personal watercraft and a boat collided on the Intracoastal Waterway near Longboat Pass. Tour boat captain Mike Draayom helped rescue the personal watercraft driver and passenger from the water. The accident resulted in two people being taken to the hospital.
The city commission authorized a request for proposals seeking a third-party review of the Master Drainage Study and stormwater and drainage systems designed by longtime City Engineer Lynn Burnett. The commission ultimately selected Utility Consultants of Florida and the subcontracted Colliers Engineering firm to take over the stormwater-related engineering and design services, including those associated with a $2.6 million, state-funded flood control project for the north end of the city. In November, the state granted the city additional time to design, permit and construct the drainage improvements which now have a June 2024 completion deadline.
May
The commission selected Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift to expand the floating dock, install finger piers perpendicular to the expanded dock and replace the public dinghy dock near the foot of the Bridge Street Pier boardwalk.
The CRA members agreed to increase the CRA’s holiday decorating budget from $15,000 to $40,000.
The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge’s renovated kitchen reopened.
June
The CRA members discussed the potential CRA-funded trimming or removal of some privately-owned Australian pine trees located near the Gulf Drive/Cortez Road intersection. Those efforts were later abandoned.
The city is still waiting for FPL to remove the concrete utility poles along Gulf Drive South. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
City Attorney Ricinda Perry informed the commission that the state-funded Gulf Drive South utility line undergrounding project would cost much more than expected due to the increased pole and line removal costs imposed by Florida Power & Light. Perry said FPL’s initial non-binding cost estimates came in between $360,000 and $390,000, but in mid-May, she received a binding cost estimate for $1,187,029. Perry was able to reduce some of those additional costs and secure the use of additional county funds previously budged for another unrelated project. The new lines have been undergrounded and have been connected to the impacted residential structures, but the city is still waiting for FPL to remove dozens of concrete utility poles along Gulf Drive South.
The city commission extended the expanded outdoor dining allowances enacted in 2020 as part of the city’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The commission also stated live music would be allowed to continue in the expanded outdoor seating areas.
The Manatee County Commission agreed to provide up to $850,000 in matching county funds for the dock expansion and dinghy dock replacement project.
Mural artist Chad “Cheeta” Ruis painted a sea life-themed mural on the exterior walls of the AMI Moose Lodge.
July
Accompanied by Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, the Stanley Cup visited the Bradenton Beach Police Department as part of Cooper’s multi-stop victory lap around Anna Maria Island.
August
Former Drift In employee and well-known Island personality David Marshall was struck by a car and seriously injured on Aug. 24 and he passed away on Sept. 5.
September
The CRA contracted C Squared to install four new stamped asphalt crosswalks across Bridge Street. The new crosswalks were engineered by Colliers Engineering. The new crosswalks replaced the failing brick paver crosswalks installed in late 2020 by Classic Brick Construction and engineered by LTA Engineers.
Stamped asphalt crosswalks replaced the brick paver crosswalks installed in 2020. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
October
CRA members approved a $595,905 dock expansion project contract with Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift. The dock expansion project will provide short-term public docking for approximately two dozen vessels when the project is completed in 2022 using components pre-manufactured by Golden Marine Systems.
John Cosby was sworn in as the city’s new police chief.
John Cosby was sworn in as the city’s new police chief by City Clerk Terri Sanclemente. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
City officials expressed concerns about the permeable brick paver sidewalk being installed along Gulf Drive North by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The concerns included safety and tripping hazards and the city’s ongoing liability and maintenance responsibilities.
The CRA extended the Old Town Tram pilot program for an additional year. The CRA members’ desire for the tram service to be primarily funded by advertising revenues remains a work in progress. In November, advertising revenues accounted for $4,775 (48%) of the CRA’s $9,975 monthly tram operation costs.
The Old Town Tram pilot program was extended for another year. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
November
Incumbent Mayor John Chappie defeated first-time challenger David Galuszka in the mayor’s race. Running unopposed, incumbent commissioners Jake Spooner and Jan Vosburgh claimed additional two-year terms in office. City voters maintained the existing term limits, which means Chappie and Spooner will term limit out of office in 2023.
John Chappie won a third consecutive term as the Bradenton Beach mayor. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Chief Cosby promoted Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz to the rank of lieutenant, making him the police department’s second in command.
A Christmas tree lighting ceremony took place at the Bradenton Beach Post Office as part of the CRA and the Bridge Street merchants’ enhanced holiday decorating efforts.
December
The annual Christmas on Bridge Street celebration and the Bradenton Beach Holiday Lighted Boat Parade resumed after being canceled in 2020.
The CRA and the Bridge Street merchants went all-out with their holiday decorations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The commission authorized a $5,000 expenditure as part of the exploratory efforts regarding the desired undergrounding of utility lines at the north end of the city.
ANNA MARIA – The opening of the new Anna Maria City Pier and the subsequent opening of the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop were among the top Anna Maria news stories in 2020.
Mayor Dan Murphy also spent much of the year leading the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
City Pier opens
The Anna Maria City Pier Grille re-opened in 2020. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The new Anna Maria City Pier reopened on a limited basis on Friday, June 19. The new pier was then open to the public only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until the City Pier Grill & Bait Shop operated by Brian Seymour, Nick Graham and Vic Mattay opened on Thursday, Dec. 10. The pier, the grill and the bait shop are now all open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Necessitated by the closure of the old City Pier and pier buildings in September 2017 due to damage sustained during Hurricane Irma, the ensuing pier replacement project cost approximately $6.8 million and was paid for using federal, state, county and city funds.
The city currently has no plans for the larger, vacant pier building that sits next to the smaller building that houses the City Pier Grill.
COVID-19 response
Led by Murphy, the city of Anna Maria took a proactive response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the pandemic unfolded, Murphy enacted several emergency orders aimed at keeping city residents, business owners, employees and visitors safe.
On March 24, Murphy enacted an emergency order that prohibited the acceptance of new vacation rental reservations for arrival dates between March 26 and June 30.
On March 27, Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended vacation rental operations statewide for two weeks. He later extended that order.
On May 21, the State of Florida approved Manatee County’s plan to reopen vacation rentals countywide, with certain restrictions and new cleaning standards. This led to Anna Maria Island vacation rentals being allowed to resume normal operations in time for Memorial Day weekend.
On June 27, Murphy enacted an emergency mask order that applied inside Anna Maria businesses when proper social distancing could not be maintained. That order was extended several times.
On Sept. 25, DeSantis issued his Phase III reopening order that now prohibits local jurisdictions from fining or penalizing individuals who violate local COVID-19 orders, including local mask mandates.
On Oct. 1, Murphy responded to DeSantis’ order with the issuance of a new emergency order that no longer imposes fines on violators but reiterates business establishments’ rights to trespass those who refuse to comply with a business establishment’s mask policy.
Still in effect, the emergency order also requires visitors to city hall and other indoor city facilities to wear masks or face coverings. It also requires masks or face coverings at city-sponsored events at City Pier Park, including the weekly farmers market and the weekly Movies in the Park. Masks are not required on the City Pier, or while dining outside at the City Pier Grill, which offers no indoor dining.
The pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration and the Veterans Day parade. It also caused the postponement of the AMI Chamber of Commerce’s annual Bayfest celebration.
Impact fees and other actions
In early 2020, Murphy, City Commission Chair Carol Carter, City Attorney Becky Vose, and lobbyist Chip Case played significant roles in defeating proposed state legislation that sought to strip local city and county governments of their authority to regulate vacation rental operations.
In June, the commission adopted an amended sign ordinance that allows only one sign to be placed on a construction site or vacant property. The amended ordinance also reinstated a previously suspended prohibition on A-frame sandwich board signs. Enforcement of the sign ordinance is complaint-driven and code enforcement officers are not asked to actively enforce it.
When adopting the 2020-21 fiscal year budget in September, the mayor and commission committed $1.28 million for drainage and stormwater improvements and $656,772 for street and road improvements.
In August, the city commission adopted Murphy’s proposed impact fees program that then took effect in late November. Those developing a new residential structure in Anna Maria must now pay a parks and recreation impact fee of $1.15 per square foot of habitable space. The impact fee also applies to the redevelopment of an existing residential structure that increases the structure’s habitable space.
New residential or commercial development of any kind – or redevelopment that increases habitable space – is now assessed a roads and mobility impact fee or $0.73 per square foot of habitable space. When both fees are applicable, the combined impact fees are $1.88 per square foot of habitable space.
Running unopposed in the November elections, Murphy and City Commissioner Mark Short earned additional two-year terms in office.
In late November, Murphy and the city commission formalized via city ordinance the previous elimination of 88 public parking spaces throughout the city, including 37 spaces along North Shore Drive.
In December, the commission appointed Doris “Deanie” Sebring to fill the commission seat vacated by Commissioner Amy Tripp. The commission also appointed Carter to chair the commission for another year.
BRADENTON BEACH – Four tragic non-COVID-related deaths were among the top Bradenton Beach stories in 2020.
Tragic deaths
On Saturday, Oct. 17, Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale, Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz and officers Steve Masi and Devon Straight were among those who responded to a suspected murder-suicide in the upper unit of a triplex at 2514 Avenue C.
The incident resulted in the deaths of Sabrina Dumdei, 37, and her boyfriend, Zachary Winton, 34. Speciale and Diaz both described the crime scene as the bloodiest and most gruesome they’d ever seen.
The funeral service for Dumdei, a well-known local hairdresser, was held in Bradenton on Nov. 2.
On Nov. 12, the new owners who purchased the property before the suspected murder-suicide occurred had the triplex demolished to make room for the new structure they already had planned.
At year’s end, Diaz had not yet released his final investigative findings.
During Tropical Storm Eta, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, longtime Island insurance broker Mark Mixon died of accidental electrocution when he entered a flooded, ground-level utility room that contained a clothes dryer that was still connected to an active electrical circuit. Diaz also responded to that tragedy.
On Wednesday, Dec. 2, Diaz responded to the suspected fatal drowning of 60-year-old Jerald Oliver. Oliver, who lived on his sailboat at the Bradenton Beach Marina, was found floating and unresponsive near one of the marina docks late that afternoon. The attempts to revive Oliver were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
COVID-19 As the only Anna Maria Island city without its own local mask mandate, Bradenton Beach businesses and their employees and patrons were subject to Manatee County’s countywide mask mandate from July 27 until county commissioners repealed the mandate on Sept. 29. The county mandate also applied in Cortez and the unincorporated portions of Manatee County.
Some Bradenton Beach businesses still require facemasks or face coverings and management retains the ability to trespass a patron who refuses to comply with a business owner’s mask policy.
As of Jan. 1, 58 Bradenton Beach residents had tested positive for COVID-19 since the first Manatee County case was reported in March.
CRA projects
The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) completed several projects on and around Bridge Street in 2020.
The completed projects included the undergrounding of utility lines along Bridge Street; the installation of brick pavers in the Bridge Street rights of ways, the city-owned parking areas and the crosswalks.
The CRA-funded landscaping improvements included the installation of several trees, shrubs and plants and the removal of the unpopular concrete planters that were installed in 2015.
Bridge Street’s previously installed faux brick surface was removed and the street was resurfaced with asphalt.
In September, using a $50,000 West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) grant, the city completed its long-desired installation of a police department boatlift along the south side of the Bridge Street Pier. Before the boat lift was installed, the police boat had to be trailered to a boat ramp to be placed in the water. To accommodate the boat lift, the CRA had to first fund additional repairs and revisions to the floating dock.
In mid-November, the CRA launched the long-discussed parking tram shuttle service that now provides free shuttle rides for visitors and residents who park at Cortez Beach and elsewhere in the CRA district that extends from the Cortez Bridge to Fifth Street South.
In December, county commissioners expressed unanimous support for future tram-related improvements that could include a dedicated tram path alongside Gulf Drive South, reconfigured diagonal parking spaces at Cortez Beach and a dedicated parking area near the county-owned Marine Rescue Building for employees who work in and near the Bridge Street business district.
Tropical Storm Eta
On Nov. 11, the floating dock sustained minor damage during Tropical Storm Eta when multiple sailboats and dinghies from the nearby unmanaged anchorage broke loose and sank near the pier, the floating dock and the Cortez Bridge.
Tropical Storm Eta blew a sailboat into the Cortez bridge. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
At least one sailboat struck and damaged the south side of the Bridge Street Pier and a small section of the pier’s composite TREX decking. This damage resulted in the east end of the pier, including the T-end fishing area, being closed to the public.
Less than a week later, WCIND funded the swift removal of a dinghy and four sailboats that sank alongside or under the dock and pier.
The east end of the pier was repaired and reopened in mid-December.
Commissioners return
Running unopposed in the city elections, incumbent city commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro won additional two-year terms in office.
Sunshine settlements
In December, Sunshine Law lawsuit defendants John Metz and Tjet Martin agreed to pay the city $350,000 as part of a settlement agreement that also ended their appeals of the 2019 court ruling that they and four other city advisory board members violated the Florida Sunshine Law in 2017.
Co-defendants Patty Shay, Bill Vincent and Rose Vincent also reached settlement agreements with the city that required them to each pay $500 and drop their appeals.
At year’s end, defendant Reed Mapes remained the only defendant who had not reached a settlement agreement and dropped his appeal.
The year 2020 brought many challenges to the Anna Maria Island community, mixed in with several high points that proved this past calendar year wasn’t all bad.
In Holmes Beach, the year kicked off with the opening of the new dog park, which had been in the works for several years. The city took home a few Bert Harris case wins and city leaders were back in court with the treehouse owners. The city’s highly anticipated Community Skate Park opened to the public in February. At the same time, commissioners were discussing lighted signs in the mixed hotel/residential A-1 district on Gulf Drive, still an ongoing discussion, and the Holmes Beach special magistrate hearings were getting into a monthly groove examining code compliance cases. Horseback riding on the causeway was still being discussed as a potential problem at the local and Manatee County level.
A redesigned dog park opened in Holmes Beach in 2020. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Looking back, the first two months of 2020 seem like a simpler time that took place a long time ago.
The Island first began to feel the effects of the dawning COVID-19 pandemic in March, which saw events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade canceled, church services moving online, local government meetings canceled or moved to Zoom and masks on nearly every face you met.
As a community, Holmes Beach went through temporary business closures, temporary loss of beach access parking, the institution of a permit parking program and a grocery and toilet paper shortage that caught nearly everyone by surprise. Also, as a community, people rose to meet the strange new challenges brought by 2020.
Restaurants had to close their doors, but they opened to sell takeout dishes and some were able to provide groceries to residents. Locals banded together to help provide financial support to ailing businesses. Community members came together in 2020 to help support each other, whether it was through wearing a mask and keeping socially distant, buying gift certificates for local businesses to provide financial support, or donating to local food banks to help families in need.
Vacationers were able to return to the Island in the summer, restaurants opened their doors to limited capacity, beach parking reopened with new parking restrictions in Holmes Beach and residents and students prepared to go back to school at Anna Maria Elementary School for a new kind of school year. At the end of the calendar year, the Island school had only one reported case of COVID-19 on the campus.
The new normal began with masks required indoors and social distancing required pretty much everywhere, though stores, restaurants, fitness centers, The Center of Anna Maria Island, the Island Branch Library, some local churches and Holmes Beach City Hall were able to reopen with limited capacity.
Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth was re-elected to a second two-year term without competition for her seat at city hall. Commissioner Kim Rash was re-elected for a second two-year term in November along with Commissioner Jayne Christenson who beat out long-time Commissioner Pat Morton to win her first term on the dais.
Commissioners ended the calendar year by approving regulations for three-wheeled mini cars, disallowing any additional businesses from opening in the city and regulating where they can be driven.
Improvements at the city field complex, including the new bocce ball, pickleball and shuffleboard courts were completed, along with the installation of a new playground and lighting at the skate park.
Over at West Manatee Fire Rescue, Commissioner Randy Cooper announced that he would not seek re-election. After four candidates qualified, Commissioner Robert Bennett came out victorious in the November election, earning a four-year term on the fire district’s board along with Commissioner Larry Jennis who had no challengers for his seat and was automatically re-elected to another term.
The walls began going up at the district’s new administration building on a lot located behind the Fountain Court Shopping Center in Bradenton in December. The building is expected to be completed and ready for move-in by district employees in mid-2021.
WMFR leadership also continued assisting firefighters in earning a certification as a paramedic, helping to extend the reach of the district’s non-transport advanced lifesaving program.
The Center of Anna Maria Island had a year of ups and downs with many annual events, including the Tour of Homes and Lester Family Fun Day canceled, however, the nonprofit’s Go Green campaign continued full steam ahead, helping to bring attention to issues affecting local waters and sea life, such as red tide. Working with Ocean Habitats Inc., The Center’s leaders helped install hundreds of mini reefs underneath docks around the Island to provide a safe nursery for sea life which in turn helps filter the water. Through cost-cutting and generous fundraising contributions from the community, Executive Director Chris Culhane said he expects the nonprofit to finish the calendar year on good financial footing.
If you’ve been away from Anna Maria Island for all or part of 2019, here’s what happened while you were out – and if you were here, there’s probably a few things you may have missed, or forgotten. Take a look at AMI’s 2019.
Anna Maria
The construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier was the dominant news story in Anna Maria in 2019.
In January, the i+iconSoutheast construction company began staging their equipment and materials in the pier parking area.
In mid-March, these pelicans rested on the new pier pilings that now support the new buildings being built at the end of the pier. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On Feb. 2, the first concrete pilings were driven.
In mid-March, Manatee County Commissioners Betsy Benac, Steve Jonsson and Carol Whitmore took a boat tour of the work in progress and got an up-close look at the pier project being partially funded by county funds.
In April, the last pier piling was driven and the construction of the pier walkway and T-end platform began.
In June, the city commission selected Anna Maria-based Mason Martin Builders to build the new restaurant, bait shop and public restrooms at the T-end of the pier.
The new Anna Maria City Pier took shape in 2019, as shown here in late December. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In September, an i+iconSoutheast barge struck and damaged the pier walkway. The repairs to the damaged pier pilings and pier structure added approximately three weeks to the construction timeline.
Construction of the new pier buildings began in early October and is expected to be completed in late February, minus the interior buildouts to be completed by the pier tenant.
In October, current pier tenant Mario Schoenfelder rejected two lease options presented by Mayor Dan Murphy.
On Dec. 22, Schoenfelder submitted his counteroffer, which the commission considers to be his final offer. That offer is scheduled to be discussed on Thursday, Jan. 9.
City events
In 2019, the city of Anna Maria hosted several city events and the mayor and commission continued their efforts to make City Pier Park a community gathering place. The city hosted its annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades, both of which were followed with post-parade ceremonies at City Pier Park.
Free hot dogs and refreshments were given out during the annual Fourth of July celebration.
In October, the seasonal farmers market returned and will continue each Tuesday until mid-May. In November, the inaugural Thanks-Living community gathering occurred at the park.
The farmers market returned to Anna Maria in 2019. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In December, the city hosted its annual Holiday Carols in the Park event that this year included the trophy presentations for the city’s inaugural holiday lighting contest.
Ordinances
In August, the commission denied Anna Maria General Store owner Brian Seymour’s request to amend the city’s alcohol ordinance and allow him to operate a package liquor store on Pine Avenue, within 1,000 feet of Roser Memorial Community Church.
In September, the commission amended the city noise ordinance that now results in a $35 fine being issued instead of a warning upon a deputy’s first response to a verified noise complaint. The first citation triggers a notice to the property owner and property manager. A second noise citation issued to the same guests carries a $200 fine. A third and subsequent citation issued to the same guests carries a $500 fine and the city holds both the property owner and the property manager liable for the fines incurred.
Comings and goings
City Commissioner Brian Seymour resigned in late August and Planning and Zoning Board member Mark Short was appointed to serve the remainder of his two-year term.
City Commissioner Doug Copeland decided not to seek re-election and his time in office ended in December.
Commissioner Dale Woodland was disqualified from running for re-election because he paid his qualifying fee with a personal check instead of with a check drawn from a campaign account. Woodland’s most recent term ended in December and he now hopes to be reappointed on Jan. 9.
In December, Sgt. Mike Jones, from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, announced he would be leaving the Anna Maria unit. Sgt. Brett Getman is now taking over as the leader of the city’s contracted police force.
Notable passings
Longtime Anna Maria General Store employee and Holmes Beach resident George Wilson Jr. passed away in July.
Anna Maria Island Sun co-publisher Maggie McGinley-Field passed away in October.
– Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach
The year 2019 witnessed two significant court victories for the city of Bradenton Beach, the initiation of several public projects and the receipt of more than $3 million in state appropriations.
Court rulings
In July, 12th Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas ruled that former Planning and Zoning members Reed Mapes, John Metz, Patty Shay and Bill Vincent, and former Scenic WAVES Committee members Tjet Martin and Rose Vincent violated the Florida Sunshine Law on numerous occasions when discussing advisory board business at their Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach (CNOBB) meetings.
In July, the city of Bradenton Beach prevailed in the Sunshine Law lawsuit filed in 2017. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Five of the defendants are now appealing Nicholas’ ruling, however, Shay has not joined the appeal efforts.
In November, Nicholas ruled the city is entitled to recover attorney fees and legal expenses incurred since the city filed the lawsuit in 2017.
When issuing his ruling, Nicholas said the amount to be recovered would be determined at a future hearing. He later ordered the city and the defendants to participate in a pre-hearing mediation session. The mediation session will provide the parties an opportunity to discuss a possible agreement regarding how much the defendants must pay the city.
The city’s attorney fees and legal costs already exceed $450,000 and that figure will increase as more attorney invoices are received.
State appropriations
In 2019, the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded the city of Bradenton Beach $3.2 million in state funds. The state funds include $2.69 million dollars for stormwater and drainage improvements and $500,000 for seagrass mitigation to compensate for dredging the navigation channel south of the Bridge Street Pier in 2020.
Floating dock
The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) spent much of 2019 trying to get a new floating day dock installed next to the Bridge Street Pier.
The Bradenton Beach CRA members spent much of 2019 dealing with issues associated with the new floating dock. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
First contracted with the Technomarine Group in early 2017, the premanufactured floating dock was installed by the Hecker Construction Company in July and opened to the public on Aug. 2.
In early October, the dock was closed due to issues with the gangway that provides access between the pier and the floating dock.
On Oct. 22, Public Works Director Tom Woodard told the CRA members some of the roller brackets that connect the floating dock to its wooden pilings failed as a result of wave action associated with Post-Tropical Cyclone Nestor.
The dock reopened on Dec. 4 after Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift completed its revisions and modifications to the gangway. The failed roller brackets must still be replaced.
CRA projects
In October, the CRA reached an agreement with the Bradenton Beach Post Office that now allows after-hours and weekend parking for the public, while reserving at all times three spaces for post office users.
In 2019, the CRA members agreed to bury the utility lines along Bridge Street; that project is expected to be completed in early 2020.
The CRA has purchased the brick pavers that will soon replace the white 57 stone that sits atop the stormwater infiltration trenches and parking spaces along Bridge Street.
Australian pines removed
In May, Bradenton Beach commissioners were surprised to learn the county intended to remove more than 100 Australian pine trees to accommodate the first phase of a drainage and paving project at the south end of the Coquina Beach parking area.
Some of the Australian pines near the Coquina Beach south access road have already been removed. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In response, the city commission sent a letter of objection to county commissioners, who later decided to move forward with the proposed phase one tree removals.
In late June, Bradenton Beach Building Official Steve Gilbert received from the county a city code-required landscaping plan that stated the removed pines would be replaced with 83 green buttonwoods, 10 gumbo limbos and 10 shady lady black olive trees.
Vosburgh returns
In November, Jan Vosburgh returned to the city commission. Vosburgh served six 6½ years as a commissioner before term-limiting out of office in 2016. She ran unopposed in the 2019 city elections and now fills the Ward 3 seat formerly held by one-term commissioner Randy White, who did not seek reelection.
Mayor John Chappie and Commissioner Jake Spooner also ran unopposed in 2019 and are now serving new two-year terms in office.
– Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach
2019 was a busy year for city leaders in Holmes Beach.
The year kicked off with the newly-elected members of the Charter Review Commission meeting beginning in January. Though Charter Review commissioners could not reach a majority vote to consider the issue of a city manager in Holmes Beach, they did propose eight charter amendments, all of which passed with voters in the November election.
Also passing with voters in November were the re-elections of Commissioners Carol Soustek and Jim Kihm and the election of Commissioner Terry Schaefer.
Workers break up the concrete pad that once housed the city’s tot lot playground equipment in preparation for the installation of the new skate park. – Kristin Swain | Sun
After spending the first several months of the year making plans, work began in the fall on improvements at the city field complex, including the dog park, skate park, tot lot and multi-use field. Gone is the ball field, replaced by the large dog park with the rest of the space taken up by the expanded multi-use field. The old skate park was torn down with the cement pad to be used for staging by public works employees and a new skate park is under construction along Marina Drive. After receiving feedback from Island skaters, city commissioners chose Pivot, a division of American Ramp Company, and designer Tito Porrata to build the concrete promenade style skate park and skate bowl. Though the city had enough funds budgeted to build the skate park, it took members of the community stepping up and pledging funds to get the bowl built.
Members of the city’s Parks and Beautification Committee worked for months with dog park users to help design a new park to meet the needs of both canine and human users. At the end of 2019, those plans were finally coming to fruition with the large dog park being relocated and work being done in both the small and large dog parks.
An aeration system bubbles in Spring Lake in December, helping to mix the water column and hopefully improve the lake’s water quality. – Kristin Swain | Sun
The multi-use field, dog park and skate park are all expected to be opened to the public in January with the first opening scheduled for the multi-use field on Jan. 10, 2020.
Though funding was received to replace the aging playground equipment from the Hagen Foundation and private donations, work on the new tot lot playground had not begun as of the end of 2019.
Work also was completed on a multi-use trail stretching down an eastern portion of Palm and Marina Drives to meet up with a multi-use trail in Anna Maria. An effort to install lighted crosswalks in dangerous areas for pedestrians was begun along Gulf Drive. A project to widen bicycle paths along the city’s main corridors and restripe bicycle lanes also was approved by commissioners.
Also, after months of work and the installation of an aeration system, Development Services Director Eran Wasserman said the waters of Spring Lake were clear with visibility to the bottom of the lake in December. The lake is scheduled for a water quality test in January 2020.
It wasn’t all good news in 2019 for Holmes Beach city leaders. Several Bert Harris cases made an appearance in court; though the city walked away with victories, many cases are still outstanding.
In other court cases, the tree house at the Angelinos Sea Lodge is still standing and its fate is still being disputed in court. Kicking off the new year, city leaders are scheduled to meet tree house owners Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen in court on Jan. 8.
The tree house still stands beachside in Holmes Beach. – Kristin Swain | Sun
2019 also marked the first year of Judy Titsworth’s first term as mayor. She marked the occasion in November with a state of the city address and in December by recognizing former Commissioner Rick Hurst, charter review commissioners and all of the committee members who resigned from service to the community during her first year as mayor.
– Kristin Swain
Cortez
The battle over a stilt structure in Sarasota Bay continued in 2019.
A Jan. 13 trial in Manatee County Circuit Court may decide the fate of the building, constructed in 2018 by Raymond Guthrie Jr. in Sarasota Bay offshore of the A.P. Bell Fish Co. in Cortez.
This structure was built last year in Sarasota Bay off the historic Cortez fishing village. – Cindy Lane | Sun
Guthrie claims the 1200-square-foot building is a net camp, built where his family’s previous net camps stood.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has ordered Guthrie to take down the building, claiming state ownership of the submerged land.
A.P. Bell Fish Co. sued DEP for ordering the demolition of the building, claiming it owns the submerged land under the 1921 Butler Act, which awards title of submerged lands to adjacent waterfront property owners who made permanent improvements on the submerged lands.
Net camps were used by commercial fishermen to clean, dry, mend and store nets, and dotted the Cortez shoreline until the 1950s. They declined in use when netmakers began using polyester, and were made obsolete by the 1994 Florida gill net ban.
– Cindy Lane
The Center of Anna Maria Island
The good news continued to come in at The Center of Anna Maria Island in 2019.
The Anna Maria nonprofit started the year off by hosting a five-part concert series in conjunction with the Manatee County Tourist Development Council and Manatee Performing Arts Center. With the success of the first concert series, another five-part series kicked off in December with doo-wop band Sha Na Na and continues into 2020.
The Outlaws rock The Center of Anna Maria Island in January 2019. – File photo
Financially, The Center remained on solid ground in 2019, ending the calendar year and the first half of its fiscal year within 1% of budget. During a December board meeting, Executive Director Chris Culhane said that the nonprofit’s finances are expected to continue to improve in 2020 as the winter high season hits with more events, members and fundraising opportunities.
The Center’s Go Green campaign officially launched in November with a presentation by Philippe Cousteau Jr. and continued in December with the installation of 52 mini reefs in the waters around Anna Maria Island. The reefs provide homes for marine life and can help filter the water. Thanks to a matching donation of up to $130,000, each reef purchased as a part of the Go Green campaign resulted in a $300 donation to The Center. To help facilitate increased fundraising opportunities, the nonprofit welcomed new Director of Development Jim McDaniel in May.
Capital improvements included changing all of the nonprofit campus’ lighting to LED bulbs, improvements to the second-floor restroom facilities and the start of an effort to replace all of the aging air conditioning units.
– Kristin Swain
West Manatee Fire Rescue
West Manatee Fire Rescue district had an eventful year, beginning with the retirement of Chief Tom Sousa and appointment of Chief Ben Rigney as his successor. A change of command ceremony was held on Oct. 17 at Station 1 on 67th Street in Bradenton.
District commissioners also opted to move forward with plans to relocate WMFR’s administrative offices from temporary quarters at Palma Sola Presbyterian Church to a new, permanent home. Commissioners purchased a lot located behind the Fountain Court Shopping Center on Manatee Avenue and chose Hall Architects in October to develop a design for the project.
Chief Ben Rigney, center, talks with WMFR’s two retired chiefs, Chief Tom Sousa and Chief Andy Price on Oct. 17 at a change of command ceremony. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Throughout the year, commissioners handed out commendations for promotions, career milestones and service to the community. One of the most popular awards in 2019 was the Phoenix Award, an award given to first responders who help bring patients back from the brink of death. The district handed out almost a dozen Phoenix Awards to first responders who helped give patients a second chance at life.
BRADENTON BEACH – Red tide, the delayed dock project, disruptions for Avenue C residents, city elections and a Sunshine Law lawsuit were among the top Bradenton Beach stories in 2018.
Red tide
The first signs of red tide arrived in early August, when massive amounts of dead fish washed ashore near the Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar and the Gulf of Mexico shoreline. County staff spent much of the next two months removing dead fish from the beaches.
Concerned business owners gathered at the Swordfish Grill in Cortez and agreed to embark on promotional efforts to help combat red tide’s economic impacts. Those efforts included a long table dining event, organized gatherings at local restaurants and bars and the formation of the non-profit organization called SIRF (Service Industry Relief Festivities).
Meanwhile, the red tide bloom persisted throughout the Island, forcing some businesses to close and devastating the tourism industry before finally dissipating the last week of December.
Floating dock
The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) spent 2018 waiting for Technomarine to fulfill its 2017 contract to install a new floating dock alongside the Bridge Street Pier.
Manufactured in Spain, the aluminum-framed dock sections arrived at Port Everglades in August and were trucked to an undisclosed location in September. In October, the ongoing delays led CRA members and the city attorney to initiate preliminary breach of contract procedures. There was also discussion about requesting an Attorney General’s Office investigation of Technomarine’s business practices.
In November, Police Chief Sam Speciale and CRA Chair Ralph Cole used GPS data embedded in a digital photograph received from Technomarine to locate the dock sections at the Hecker Construction storage yard in Gibsonton.
In December, the CRA and Technomarine reached a settlement agreement that relieves Technomarine of its remaining contractual obligations once the floats and hardware are delivered to Hecker Construction, which will then install the long-delayed dock.
The CRA also agreed to spend approximately $568,000 to underground the utilities lines along Bridge Street and a portion of Gulf Drive in 2019, hired architectural designer Emily Anne Smith to create a CRA vision plan, purchased new holiday decorations for Bridge Street and committed funds to purchase live clams for a living shoreline project.
Avenue C
Due to unforeseen complications, Manatee County’s force main replacement project that began on Avenue C in late 2017 continued well into 2018. The street was torn up and unpaved for much of the year, and residents and rental property owners complained to city commissioners about the dust, dirt and disruption to their neighborhood. The street was repaved in early October.
In October, the commission approved a $302,626 contract with Westra Construction to expedite the city’s previously-planned drainage improvements and driveway restorations rather than waiting for Woodruff & Sons to do it mid-2019. That work is now underway.
In February, Avenue C residents rejected City Engineer Lynn Burnett’s suggestions to install a bike path along their street.
City elections
In November, incumbent City Commissioners Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro retained their commission seats by defeating challengers Tjet Martin and John Metz. City voters also approved all seven charter amendments proposed by the city’s Charter Review Committee.
The voter-approved charter amendments restore commission wards, require additional proof of residency for commission candidates and clarify that charter amendment petition initiatives are to be conducted according to procedures set forth in the city charter.
In June, the commission majority decided four charter amendments proposed by John Metz, Reed Mapes and their Keep Our Residential Neighborhoods (KORN) political action committee would not appear on the November ballot. KORN then filed a lawsuit against the city. The court hearings concluded in September and the parties are still awaiting a judge’s ruling on whether the amendments must appear on a future ballot.
Sunshine lawsuit
Former Planning and Zoning Board members Reed Mapes, Patty Shay, Bill Vincent and former Scenic WAVES Committee member Tjet Martin were deposed under oath during the discovery process for Sunshine Law lawsuit filed in 2017 by the city and co-plaintiff Jack Clarke.
Former planning board member John Metz and Scenic WAVES member Rose Vincent have not yet been deposed. A mediation session is scheduled in February, and a trial before 12th Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas is scheduled in March.
The city’s legal fees currently exceed $116,000, and the city seeks to recoup a portion of those fees if the judge determines Sunshine violations occurred. During a May press conference, paralegal Michael Barfield accused the defendants of acting as a “shadow government.”
Commission actions
In 2018, the City Commission banned swimming pool slides, increased pool setbacks and decided that swimming pools would count as impervious (non-draining) surfaces when calculating lot coverage restrictions. In August, the commission adopted two ordinances that prohibit the construction of standalone or multi-level parking garages anywhere in the city.
ANNA MARIA – The replacement of the Anna Maria City Pier, the red tide cleanup, increased drainage and paving expenditures, beach access rights and city-hosted special events were among the city’s newsmakers in 2018.
Red tide cleanup
While county crews attended to the cleanup of Anna Maria’s Gulfside beaches, Mayor Dan Murphy called on Cortez commercial fishermen Nathan Meschelle and Michael Dolan in early August to remove dead fish and seagrass from the city’s north shoreline, near the former and future site of the Anna Maria City Pier. Meschelle and Dolan were joined by Cortez fishermen Tanner Pelkey and Matt Smith for a second cleanup effort later that month.
During August and September, the Gulf of Mexico shoreline between Bean Point and the Sandbar restaurant was often littered with dead fish, crabs, eels and other sea life, but the constant cleanup efforts of Manatee County surf rake operator Mark Taylor made the beaches still useable for residents and visitors.
Pier replacement
When 2018 began, the Anna Maria City Pier, built in 1911, was still standing as plans were being made to replace it with a new pier. After the engraved wooden planks were removed, the pier was demolished in July.
In late November, the City Commission authorized a $3.33 million contract with the i+iconSoutheast construction firm to build the new pier platform and decking.
The first pilings are scheduled to be driven during the third week of January and the project is to be completed by late August. The new pier will feature IPE hardwood decking atop concrete spun pilings, designed to resemble the old pier.
A separate request for proposals will be issued at some point in early 2019 for the construction of the building at the pier’s T-end that will house a restaurant, bait shop and restrooms. The pier replacement project is expected to be fully completed by December, if not sooner.
City improvements
In October, the initial section of the city’s new multi-use trail opened. Located along the northeastern edge of Gulf Drive, the trail begins at the entrance to the city and extends north to Willow Avenue, which leads to North Shore Drive and provides pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists and others with an escape from the heavy traffic and limited space along Gulf Drive.
When adopting the 2018-19 fiscal year budget in September, the mayor and commission increased drainage and stormwater improvement expenditures from $589,000 to $845,000. Street paving expenditures were increased from $318,000 to $643,000.
Soon after the year began, the commission supported the mayor’s suggestion that the city’s annual vacation rental registration fees be based on occupancy rather than the one-size-fits-all fee levied in previous years.
Beach access
In April, concerns were raised as to whether a private property owner was trying to prevent passersby from walking on the state-owned shoreline that lies seaward of the mean high-water line along South Bay Boulevard. A resident and a visiting friend told the City Commission the property owner yelled at them and told them to leave his property. The property owner later said he did not yell at anyone and was simply trying to protect his property rights. In May, Mayor Dan Murphy expended city funds to have the property line in question surveyed and there has been no further public discussion.
City events
As part of the mayor and commission’s desire to use City Pier Park, the city-sponsored, Tuesday-morning farmer’s market opened beneath the shade sail in March. After stopping for the summer months, the market resumed in October.
The city’s Wednesday evening Movies in the Park film screenings began in January, stopped when Daylight Saving Time took effect in March and resumed in December.
In November, the city hosted is second annual Old Soldiers & Sailors Parade that traveled down Pine Avenue and ended at City Pier Park, where a veteran’s ceremony followed.
Elections and appointments
In early November, Mayor Dan Murphy and commissioners Amy Tripp and Brian Seymour were elected to additional two-year terms after running unopposed in the city elections.
In December, the commission appointed the volunteer Charter Review Committee that will spend the first part of 2019 reviewing the city charter.
ANNA MARIA – The pending replacement of the Anna Maria City Pier was a big story that became a bigger story when Hurricane Irma damaged the pier in September, leading to its closure. The pier will not reopen until a new pier is built, and that could take at least another year.
Also in 2017, developer Shawn Kaleta agreed to a $1 million lawsuit settlement. Most of the city’s Bert Harris claims were settled. City officials and residents successfully battled the state Legislature’s attempts to prohibit local regulation of short-term vacation rentals. Three key city staffers were replaced and City Pier Park received shade sails.
Pier closed
In September, Mayor Dan Murphy received a structural assessment and damage report on the pier from the Ayers Associates engineering firm.
“We recommend immediate closure of the facility until appropriate repairs are made to the pier and buildings. Until those repairs are complete, the public should not be permitted on the pier,” the report said.
Mayor Dan Murphy points out the damage to City Commissioner Dale Woodland. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Closing the pier, bait shop and restaurant space leased to Mario Schoenfelder left three dozen pier employees unexpectedly unemployed and many Pine Avenue businesses are now feeling the impact as well.
Ayres recommends the new pier be built with concrete pilings and composite decking, but Commissioner Dale Woodland and others are lobbying for wooden pilings. The mayor and commission must also figure out what to do with the engraved wooden planks that will be removed.
Kaleta settlement
In November, attorneys representing Shawn Kaleta and his Beach to Bay Construction negotiated a $1 million out-of-court settlement in response to a federal lawsuit filed against the mayor and city in 2016.
The lawsuit alleged city officials made unwritten and erroneous interpretations of city codes, policies and practices that were applied solely to Kaleta’s efforts to build vacation rental homes. The suit alleged these actions negatively impact Kaleta and Beach to Bay. An insurance policy the city holds with Florida Municipal Insurance Trust through the Florida League of Cities relieved city taxpayers of the $1 million settlement burden.
Bert Harris settlements
According to City Clerk LeAnne Addy’s December monthly update, 89 of the 112 Bert Harris claims filed against the city in response to vacation rental regulations adopted in 2015 have been settled. The non-monetary settlements resulted in vacation rental owners receiving occupancy exceptions that exceed the eight-person limit established by ordinance in 2015.
The city is still awaiting owner decisions on 19 pending offers and final signatures on four accepted settlements. The city has made an offer on every claim filed.
Lobbying efforts
Last January, the city enlisted the services of lobbyist Chip Case to combat Sen. Greg Steube and other state legislators attempting to eliminate or severely hinder local governments’ ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals.
Anna Maria residents Amy Tripp and Ruth Uecker joined the fight and traveled to Tallahassee to meet with state legislators, as did the mayor. Uecker and Tripp also assisted City Commissioner Nancy Yetter’s efforts to encourage other city and county governments to join the fight. State legislators will resume their deregulatory efforts when the 60-day 2018 Legislative session begins Jan. 9.
Anna Maria resident Ruth Uecker assisted city officials in combating state legislators’ attempts to repeal local rental regulations. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Staff changes
In February, Robin Meyer replaced previous City Planner Bruce McLaughlin after he resigned on short notice.
In November, the City Commission terminated Building Official Jimmy Strickland because he failed to provide the documents needed to verify the city’s compliance with the Community Rating System (CRS) program that provides 25 percent flood insurance discounts to policy holders in Anna Maria.
City officials are still awaiting word on whether Strickland’s failures will reduce or eliminate Anna Maria’s CRS discount. Strickland’s replacement, David Greenbaum, begins this week.
In December, Sgt. Mike Jones replaced Sgt. Russell Schnering as the highest-ranking member of the law enforcement division contracted through the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Schnering is now leading the Sheriff’s Marine Division. Code Enforcement Manager Pam Gibbs also announced her plans to retire soon.
Sgt. Mike Jones is now leading the city’s contracted law enforcement division. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
As part of the ongoing efforts to better utilize City Pier Park, the city paid $84,975 to have a shade sail structure installed. The shade structure made its public debut in November during the ceremonies that followed the city’s inaugural Veterans Day parade.
City Pier Park now features a shade sail structure. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
BRADENTON BEACH – 2017 produced changes inside and outside city hall.
Future city commissioners will be elected differently, a politically engaged citizens’ group came and went, the city is involved in three new lawsuits, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was extended and the public day dock was removed.
City elections
In November, Mayor Bill Shearon lost his re-election bid to former Mayor John Chappie. This ended a decade of public service that also included stints as a City Commissioner and a Planning and Zoning Board member. In 2015, Shearon pulled the infamous ace of clubs that settled the tied mayor’s race and earned him an appearance on Chelsea Handler’s TV show.
Chappie’s victory returned him to the mayor’s seat he occupied before serving eight years as a County Commissioner.
City voters preferred first-time candidate Randy White over incumbent Ward 3 Commissioner Ralph Cole, but Cole was later appointed to fill the commissioner’s seat vacated by Chappie.
Cole’s appointment was made possible by a voter-supported charter amendment that eliminated commission wards after being placed on the ballot by the Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach (CNOBB).
A second charter amendment reduced commission candidates’ residency requirements and eliminated the requirement that candidates be registered city voters; a third limited the commission’s ability to interpret the city charter.
CNOBB
Former commission candidate Bill Vincent spearheaded CNOBB’s formation in July. He envisioned an education and advocacy group but it morphed into a political action committee (PAC) that later encountered compliance issues.
CNOBB’s charter amendments passed by significant margins, but engaging in ballot initiatives required registration as a PAC and the filing of financial reports. The failure to do so in a timely manner resulted in former mayor Jack Clarke filing Florida Elections Commission complaints in October.
A CNOBB discussion in July about a never-pursued prohibition on parking garages raised concerns about Sunshine Law compliance for four CNOBB members who served on the planning board and two who served on the Scenic WAVES Committee.
In August, those concerns led the commission and Clarke to jointly initiate a lawsuit that named the six advisory board members as defendants. All six resigned, but the lawsuit still seeks a judge’s ruling on whether Sunshine violations occurred. By year’s end, the city’s legal fees reached $42,000 and it remains to be seen if a judge will order the defendants to reimburse or partially reimburse the city for its legal costs.
CNOBB was dissolved in late November.
CNOBB members were an active and vocal presence at city hall in 2017. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
City lawsuits
In addition to being a defendant in the Sunshine lawsuit, John Metz is the plaintiff in a legal action he initiated against the city in July as a follow-up to legal action he initiated in 2016 challenging a permitting decision made by Building Official Steve Gilbert.
Citing city code that applies to Gulf Drive South, Metz believes a neighboring property owned by Wendy and George Kokolis lost its historic rights for use as a vacation rental because the structure was unoccupied for more than 18 months before and during the permitted renovations.
In June, special master Liza Gonzalez Moore ruled in favor of the city and the property owners. The writ of certiorari that Metz’s attorney filed in July seeks a court review of Moore’s ruling. According to City Attorney Ricinda Perry, Metz’s actions have cost the city $26,000.
In August, the city and developer Shawn Kaleta were named as co-defendants in a lawsuit filed by Manatee County regarding an unresolved pool permitting dispute involving county sewer lines.
Updated CRA plan
In June, the expiring Community Redevelopment Area plan was updated and extended for 30 years. CRA funds paid for additional policing on Bridge Street and in the nearby anchorage, made the down payment on a new day dock and paid for air conditioning and roof repairs to the city-owned restaurant space leased to the Anna Maria Oyster Bar.
The day dock was removed in August due to damage sustained in July during Tropical Storm Emily. A new dock is scheduled to arrive in late January.
In September, Hurricane Irma tore the roof off at least one trailer in the Pines Trailer Park, did exterior damage to city hall and left some residents and businesses without power longer than others, but overall the city fared well.
Hurricane Irma ripped the roof of this home in the Pines Trailer Park. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
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