ANNA MARIA – In response to a request for proposals (RFP), three local companies submitted bids seeking franchise agreements with the city of Anna Maria for the commercial rental of beach equipment, including beach cabanas.
Franchise agreement bids and applications were submitted by Beach Suites, My Beach Concierge and CabanUP. Deputy City Clerk Barbara Jeffries opened the sealed bids at city hall on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The franchise agreement applications and applicants will now be reviewed by a city committee, and up to three franchise agreements will be awarded for the 2027 calendar year.
According to the revised city ordinance adopted on Aug. 27, the franchise agreement applications will then be evaluated by a committee appointed by the mayor. The appointed committee members will use evaluation criteria that include the applicants’ experience and qualifications, the ability to comply with operational requirements, past regulatory or contractual performance, equipment quality and maintenance, and proposed franchise compensation to be paid to the city.
“No more than three franchise agreements will be effective at any time,” the ordinance says.
According to the RFP, the awarded franchise agreements will be good for at least two years.
According to the revised ordinance, no commercial rental activity shall occur on or after Jan. 1 without a franchise agreement.
The revised ordinance expanded on the previously adopted version of the city’s parks and recreation ordinance that took effect on March 1. The revised ordinance still allows commercial cabana rentals only in the six-block beachfront area between Magnolia and Oak avenues, but as of Jan. 1 the new regulations will limit the number of rental cabanas allowed.
“No more than 36 commercial rental areas are permitted on any given day, where permitted on the beach. No more than six commercial rental areas are permitted in each geographic location (block) on any given day,” the revised ordinance says.
According to one current cabana rental operator in Anna Maria, six companies previously provided proof of insurance to the city and are currently eligible to offer cabana rentals in that six-block area.
