43 minute read
INSIDE
ISLAND NEWS
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SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
IN BRIEF
Palma Sola boat ramp open
Following a few weeks of work and several months of closure, the Palma Sola boat ramp on the southwest side of the Palma Sola Causeway has reopened. The ramp, used by boaters to launch small watercraft from the causeway, was closed for months due to updates needed for the docks and dredging to clear the launch area. Now the ramp has newly rebuilt docks on either side of the single launch ramp and the area around the ramp has been dredged to allow small watercraft access to the bay. The next Manatee County boat ramp to see improvements will be the Kingfish boat ramp in Holmes Beach. Improvements are in the design phase for that boat ramp and are expected to begin in about three months.
Boat ramp dredging project ending soon
The dredging at the 63rd Street boat ramp in Holmes Beach is scheduled to come to an end on Sept. 14. Until then, the boat ramp and adjacent parking lot remain closed. The hydraulic dredging is taking place at the boat ramp, adjacent basin and the 64th Street entrance channel to help clear shoaling impeding navigation. For more information on the project, contact Holmes Beach Director of Developmental Services Eran Wasserman at 941-779-3332.
Holmes Beach hosts first budget hearing
Holmes Beach residents will have an opportunity to have their voices heard when the city hosts two budget hearings. The first hearing will be held on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. with the second and final hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. Mayor Judy Titsworth has said that due to the city’s recent Bert Harris case wins, the millage rate isn’t expected to increase for the coming 2020-21 fiscal year, however, a newly updated budget is anticipated to be presented to commissioners for initial approval during the Sept. 10 hearing. For information on how to join the meetings virtually, visit www.holmesbeachfl.org.
Mandatory masks on Holmes Beach agenda
When Holmes Beach city commissioners meet Sept. 10, one of the items on the agenda is an ordinance extending the city’s mandatory mask requirement for an additional 91 days. Currently, the city’s mask ordinance requires everyone, unless exempted by age or a health condition, to wear a mask when indoors at local businesses and public buildings, or when unable to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others. After the original June 25 mask ordinance expired on Aug. 25, Mayor Judy Titsworth extended the ordinance for two seven-day periods expiring on Sept. 8. Holmes Beach’s mask ordinance supersedes the Manatee County ordinance within the Island city’s limits.
Police boat lift project may lose funding
The Community
Redevelopment Agency is running out of time to use a previously approved $50,000 grant.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) finds itself in a race against time to complete the long-desired installation of a police department boat lift next to the Bridge Street Pier.
The boat lift project must be completed by Sept. 30 in order to take advantage of a $50,000 West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) grant approved by Manatee County commissioners in May 2017.
The police boat currently sits on a trailer parked near the police station and must be trailered to a boat ramp to be placed in the water.
Complicating matters is the necessity for the boat lift to be connected to the floating dock that must first be repositioned to the east by approximately 8 feet by Hecker Construction Company, which installed the pre-manufactured dock in mid-2019 for $11,600.
Further complicating the boat lift installation timetable is the need for contract engineer Joe Foster to separately engineer the dock repositioning and the boat lift installation.
During the Wednesday, Sept. 2 CRA meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry said Mayor John Chappie had sought an extension for the WCIND grant in vain.
“Moments ago, I received the information that we do not get an extension, so it must be completed by the end of the month,” Perry said.
Lt. John Cosby, of the Bradenton Beach Police Department, also addressed the growing sense of urgency.
“This WCIND money for this boat lift has to be expended by Sept. 30th, which means we have to approve this vendor and they have to get this boat lift installed.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN The proposed boat lift would be located at the west end of the floating dock.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Before the boat lift can be installed, the floating dock must be repositioned approximately 8 feet to the east, toward the far end of the pier.
It has to be invoiced, it has to be paid and I need a canceled check by Sept. 30th in order for us to receive this money,” Cosby said.
If installed as planned, the boat lift will be placed perpendicular to the pier and floating dock in the open space between the west end of the dock and the corner of the pier walkway near the Anna Maria Oyster Bar’s outdoor seating area.
Police Chief Sam Speciale and the CRA members originally envisioned installing the boat lift on the north side of the pier. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection would not approve that location because it would infringe on the riparian rights of the neighboring Pines Trailer Park.
On Aug. 27, Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift General Manager Steve Porter submitted the only response to the city’s request for proposals to install the boat lift.
Duncan’s bid response proposed a $41,279 cost to install a 16,000-pound-capacity aluminum and stainless steel boat lift manufactured by Golden Boat Lifts and supported by four pressure-treated, marine-grade pilings driven into the bay bottom.
Before Wednesday’s CRA meeting began, Porter emailed Perry an additional quote for a 10,000-pound-capacity lift that would cost $37,813.
FROM PAGE 4
During the meeting, Porter said the cost estimates include the water and electrical lines and connections, the remote control, the security lighting and a walk-up catwalk. Porter said the lift, as currently designed, must be located at the west end of the floating dock.
Porter said the police boat weighs 3,000 pounds and he recommended a 10,000-poundcapacity lift.
“Give us two weeks after approval and it’s installed in a week,” he said.
CRA Chairman Ralph Cole said Hecker Construction needs a barge to reposition the floating dock and he did not know how much advance planning that would require. He said he would do his best to get that work done as soon as possible.
DUNCAN SEAWALL, DOCK & BOAT LIFT | SUBMITTED This illustration shows the proposed boat lift configuration and location.
Perry said she would help coordinate the efforts to get all the needed work done in the remaining timeframe.
“If I cannot get this engineering done and I cannot get the dock moved in time, we’re probably not able to move forward and I don’t want to bind the city to expend $50,000 at this time. Truth be told, we don’t have it in our budget to do that,” Perry said of the boat lift project’s current reliance on WCIND funds.
The CRA members were divided on the need for Foster to engineer the boat lift installation but given the time constraints, they approved doing so.
The CRA members approved the installation of a 10,000-pound-capacity boat lift, contingent on the WCIND funds being available, and Porter said he understood the CRA’s position and time constraints regarding the grant money.
Judge urges Bert Harris cases forward
BY KRISTIN SWAIN
SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas is ready to hear the Bert Harris Act cases against the city of Holmes Beach.
During an Aug. 31 hearing held via Zoom, Nicholas gave attorney Keith Miller until Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. to provide completed and verified responses in six pending Bert Harris cases to the city’s attorney. The responses to discovery questions have been pending in five cases since January and in one case since April.
Speaking on behalf of the city, attorney Randy Mora said that a stream of discovery materials had come in from the plaintiffs minutes before the Aug. 31 hearing, but it was too late at that point to determine if the materials were complete or verify the answers provided. Miller said that discovery in one of the cases had not yet been provided.
“We’ve got to get this moving,” Nicholas said, encouraging both attorneys to work to propel the cases forward as quickly as possible.
All six of the cases involve occupancy issues. The city of Holmes Beach has an occupancy limit of two people per bedroom or six people total, whichever is greater, for short-term vacation rental units. In each of the six cases before Nicholas, the plaintiffs are protesting the occupancy limit, arguing that they have a right to have more people in their rental units.
There are currently three Bert Harris cases against the city on appeal with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Including the six cases Nicholas ruled on, there are 13 Bert Harris cases currently pending against the city in Manatee County Circuit Court.
PIER: Seymour’s group selected for City Pier grill and bait shop
FROM PAGE 1 eral store earlier this year and the trio plans to form a similar partnership for their City Pier business operations.
FP Growth Partners proposed paying $5,500 per month/$66,000 per year in initial base rent or 6% of gross revenues, whichever was higher.
FP Growth Partners offered to take the bait shop building as is and complete the interior buildout at no additional expense to the city. Murphy said that could save the city $50,000 to $75,000 in upfront costs.
FP Growth Partners operates multiple Poppo’s Taquerias, including the Pine Avenue location.
In the mid-2000s, Coleman and restaurateur/businessman Ed Chiles completed the Pine Avenue Restoration (PAR) project along Pine Avenue that continues to provide retail, office and vacation rental/ residential space.
COLEMAN PRESENTATION
On Friday, Coleman and Seymour were each given 10 minutes to explain and elaborate on the written proposals the commissioners reviewed prior to Tuesday’s meeting.
Going first, Coleman touted the success of the PAR project and Poppo’s Taquerias.
“If you want to find out what somebody’s going to do, take a look at what they’ve done already,” he said.
Coleman said his sons Casey and Patrick and Patrick’s wife, Rowen, founded Poppo’s.
“They own 60%. I own 10%,” he said.
Coleman estimated the pier grill and bait shop could gross up to $1.5 million per year and 6% of that would equate to $90,000 in rent for the city.
“The promise is $5,500. The opportunity is 6% of $1.2 to $1.5 million. As the business does better, the city does better,” he said.
Coleman reiterated the group’s willingness to take the bait shop as is and spare the city those buildout costs.
FP Growth Partners’ proposed menu included $3-5 breakfast sandwiches, $4-9 fresh ground beef burgers, $5-8 fried clam bellies, $8-12 wild-caught fish sandwiches, hand-cut fries fried in duck fat, seasonal soups, soft drinks with no high fructose corn syrup, $4-6 draft and local craft beers and $6 sangria.
Coleman said the menu items remained open to discussion, but his group would not compromise on Poppo’s quality standards and use of fresh ingredients.
Coleman also said FP Growth Partners spent the past 18 months testing an appbased delivery system and automated ordering kiosks.
“If you’re fishing halfway down the pier, we’ll bring the food to you. If you’re coming on your boat, place an order on your app,” Coleman said.
His group’s proposed bait shop offer
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Seymour’s group hopes to have the grill and bait shop open before Thanksgiving.
ings included live shrimp, frozen shrimp, frozen squid and possibly fresh fiddler crabs and pinfish.
Coleman addressed Carter’s previous concerns about his relationship with the city. He noted he previously paid for a half-page ad in which he praised the city’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I don’t want my kids’ opportunity to be canceled because someone took a personal objection to something I said,” Coleman said.
He also noted his group’s willingness to also lease the larger pier building originally intended for use as a full-service restaurant.
Muscatello asked Coleman what he had in mind for the larger building.
“Our personal vision for that is more of a historic reminder of who we are. I think you could have a great, low-impact retail operation over there that’s both educational and profitable,” Coleman said.
FP Growth Partners proposed operating the grill and bait shop from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Murphy asked Coleman who would serve as the group’s main point of contact.
“I handle site selection, lease negotiation, financials, all that kind of stuff,” Coleman said.
He said once that initial process was complete, his office manager would be the main point of contact.
SEYMOUR PRESENTATION
Seymour said his group plans to use approximately 36 square feet of the larger pier building for a portable refrigerator and a portable freezer. He said those two appliances would be on wheels and could be easily relocated if the larger building is leased to another tenant.
“We can do this because within a block of the pier we have our three brick and mortar businesses. And I have a massive walk-in cooler there already. We’re not going to run out of product,” Seymour said.
He also noted much of the grill prep work could be done ahead of time at the general store.
Seymour said his group is also interested in the larger pier building that could possibly provide additional indoor seating, but that was not the primary focus of the city’s request for proposals for a grill and bait shop.
Regarding his group’s proposed menu, Seymour said, “We have added items that are pier-friendly, keeping in mind that we are not a full-service restaurant – nor do we want to compete in the future with a potential full-service restaurant right next door.”
The proposed menu includes a $4 breakfast sandwich, a $7 American breakfast, a $5 yogurt, granola, fresh fruit parfait, a $7 City Pier Burger, a $3 Pier Dog, an $8 Cuban sandwich, chicken wings, chicken tenders, clam strips, shrimp, a wedge salad and more. It also includes $2 domestic draft beers, $3 canned beers, $4-5 craft beers and $4-6 glasses of wine.
The menu notes orders could be placed ahead of time by phone.
Regarding the pier bait shop, Seymour said, “We’ll build our own live well. We’re going to stock tackle that we know is going to sell – hooks, line, leader.”
Seymour said the bait offerings would include live shiners, shrimp and pinfish when available. The frozen bait offerings would include shrimp, squid, sardines and sand fleas.
“All the things we currently have – and we have that shop a block away to support that bait shop on the pier,” he said.
In response to questions from Muscatello, Seymour estimated $1.3 to $1.4 million in potential annual gross revenues, and said he planned live acoustic music from 5-8 p.m. and the installation of removable shade sails above the picnic tables and deck area behind the bait shop.
In response to a question from Short, Seymour said he envisions the window facing the shore for ice cream service, the windows facing the Rod & Reel Pier for the snack shop and beer and wine service and the rear window for the bait and tackle sales taking place mostly outside using a handheld point of sale device.
Carter asked Seymour about staffing. Seymour envisions three to five employees working at any given time and a total staff of 16-20 people, including some current employees who would like to work on the pier.
Seymour said the grill and bait shop would be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in accordance with the commission’s previously expressed desires.
Seymour said he would be the main contact, but Mattay and Graham would also be available.
“We’re not and have never been absentee owners. Our vision for the City Pier is to once again become the number one tourist destination and local destination for Manatee County. We promise to be good stewards of the pier and we’ll work tirelessly with this city,” Seymour said.
Short made the motion to select Seymour’s group. Crane said he was leaning toward Coleman’s group because of Poppo’s food quality and fresh ingredients, but he later supported Short’s motion. Sensing Carter’s support for Seymour’s group, Muscatello said, “To make it unanimous, I’ll say yes.” Carter then made the vote unanimous.
FINAL THOUGHTS
“We’re looking forward to partnering with the city and quickly getting this pier back open seven days a week for locals and visitors alike,” Seymour said after the meeting ended.
“My goal is to be open before Thanksgiving if everything goes smoothly,” he said later.
“I’m excited to get this thing going,” Graham said.
“All three of us are excited about the bid we have for that pier and we’re going to make it a great place for everybody to visit,” Mattay said.
On Saturday, Coleman provided the following statement via text message: “We congratulate Brian and his team on their excellent presentation. While we sincerely believe we offered the best shortand long-term proposal for the city and its taxpayers, the commissioners, in their prerogative, selected Brian and his group, whom we respect and have supported for years. We wish them the best.”
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ON THE AGENDA
ANNA MARIA 10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130 City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information. Sept. 10, 6 p.m. – Budget hearing and City Commission special meeting Sept. 21, 2 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting Sept. 24, 6 p.m. – Budget hearing and City Commission regular meeting
BRADENTON BEACH 107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005 City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach. com or contact city hall for more information. Sept. 9, 10 a.m. – Street light bid opening Sept. 10. 5:05 p.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency final budget meeting Sept. 10, 5:30 p.m. – City Commission final budget meeting Sept. 15, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting Sept. 16, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting Sept. 17, noon – City Commission meeting Sept. 29, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency special meeting
HOLMES BEACH 5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800 City hall is currently closed to the public. All meetings will be held virtually until further notice. Sept. 9, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Sept. 10, 6 p.m. – City Commission budget hearing and meeting with work session to follow Sept. 16, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance special magistrate hearing Sept. 22, 6 p.m. – City Commission budget hearing and meeting with work session to follow
ISLAND-WIDE Sept. 14, 2 p.m. – Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall Sept. 23, 2 p.m. – Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, Anna Maria City Hall
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
September 9 - September 22 The Island Branch Library is open at 40% capacity. Please wear a face mask/covering. Tingley Memorial Library is closed. The Holmes Beach Dog Park, skate park, basketball courts and tennis courts are open to the public. The Center of Anna Maria Island is open to the public with social distancing and face masks required. Local preserves are open to the public including Grassy Point Preserve, Perico Preserve, Neal Preserve and Robinson Preserve. Local beaches are open to the public.
FRIDAY SEPT. 11 Natural resources career night, virtual event, 6-8 p.m. Register online at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/natural-resources-careernight-registration-118207753573 .
SATURDAY SEPT. 12 Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required.
SUNDAY SEPT. 13 Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online or by cash at the door. Bring your own yoga mat. Register at https://parks. mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search. html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742- 5923 ext. 6042 for more information.
SATURDAY SEPT. 19 Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required.
SUNDAY SEPT. 20 Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online or by cash at the door. Bring your own yoga mat. Register at https://parks. mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search. html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742- 5923 ext. 6042 for more information.
Sunshine lawsuit attorney fee ruling pending
Manatee County Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas said he would issue his ruling after Friday, Aug. 28.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The parties involved in a 2017 Sunshine Law court case are awaiting a ruling by Manatee County Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas on the attorney fees to be awarded to the city.
Based on testimony and evidence presented during virtual hearings conducted on June 10 and Aug. 13, Nicholas will determine how much to award the city, and how those financial responsibilities might be shared by the six former city advisory board members named in the civil lawsuit the city filed in August 2017.
In July 2019, Nicholas ruled the six defendants violated the Florida Sunshine Law when they repeatedly discussed city business at their non-city-affiliated Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach (CNOBB) meetings in 2017.
The defendants are former Planning and Zoning Board members Reed Mapes, John Metz, Patty Shay and Bill Vincent, and former Scenic WAVES Committee members Tjet Martin and Rose Vincent.
On June 8, attorney Robert Watrous filed a memorandum on the reasonableness of attorney fees and costs on behalf of the city that listed $444,402 in attorney fees incurred through the conclusion of the 2019 trial.
During the June 10 virtual hearing, further examination of the attorney and paralegal billing records resulted in the reasonable fees sought
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Judge Edward Nicholas will soon decide the amount of the attorney fees to be reimbursed to the city.
being reduced to $332,969.
During the June and August hearings, Shay and the Vincents argued their financial exposure should be limited to no more than $500 each because the three of them separately agreed to settle with the city shortly before the case went to trial.
The settlement offers they agreed to in late June 2019 also acknowledged errors were made regarding Sunshine Law compliance.
The city commission rejected the settlement offers Shay and the Vincents agreed to because Mapes, Martin and Metz did not
agree to similar settlements.
During the Aug. 13 hearing, Mapes said he was never offered the same settlement offer presented to Shay and the Vincents before the trial started. Mapes said he would have accepted that offer. Mapes also claimed he was never previously presented with any settlement offer – a statement he clarified and corrected later in the hearing.
Representing Metz, attorney Thomas Shults said he and his client never received a copy of the last settlement agreement presented to Shay and the Vincents.
At the conclusion of the Aug. 13 hearing, Nicholas said he would issue his written ruling at some point after Friday, Aug. 28. As of Monday, Sept. 7, Nicholas had not issued his ruling.
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Anna Maria increases drainage and road funding
Drainage and road improvements remain a city priority.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria is budgeting $1.28 million for drainage and stormwater improvements and $656,772 for road improvements during the 2020-21 fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.
During the city commission’s Aug. 27 budget meeting, Murphy said the projected drainage and stormwater improvement expenditures represent a 130% increase over the $556,000 being spent during the current fiscal year that ends Sept. 30.
“We’re going to do Pine Avenue, from North Shore to Willow. We’re going to do the portion in front of the pier which is a huge problem area. We’re going to do portions of Pine Avenue to North Bay. We’re going to do that section on Magnolia between Gulf Drive and North Shore that constantly floods,” Murphy told the commission.
Murphy said there’s an area on Gladiolus Street that’s become a flooding hot spot and a problem area on Archer Way that both need to be addressed.
He said he’d like to start the next phase of drainage improvements by addressing the flooding hot spots that include the area near the Anna Maria City Pier, but he said the actual timing will depend on the engineering work, where the contractor deploys its equipment and which areas are approved for Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWIFTMUD) funding.
“We’ll start with what’s approved by SWIFTMUD and we’ll work our way around,” Murphy said. “It’s critical that we get this plan done this year. We’re going to do our best to finish it.”
ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
According to Murphy, the $656,772 budgeted for street and road improvements in the coming fiscal year represents an 84% increase from the $356,000 budgeted in the current fiscal year.
Murphy said the current fiscal year expenditures include the improvements being made on North Bay Boulevard from the humpback bridge to North Shore Drive.
Looking ahead to the coming fiscal year, Murphy said Commissioner Mark Short suggested installing speed bumps along that main stretch of North Bay Boulevard.
“That stretch is notorious for speeding,”
Dan Murphy, Anna Maria Mayor
Murphy said when expressing preliminary support for the suggestion.
Murphy said speed bumps on North Shore Drive between Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard may also be considered.
The paving plans for the coming fiscal year including all of North Shore Drive from North Bay Boulevard to Willow Avenue, he added.
“That’s a lengthy stretch, but it’s in bad shape. It is a second thoroughfare for the city,” Murphy said.
The 2020-21 paving plan also includes Poinsettia Road, Palmetto Avenue, Mangrove Avenue and Chilson Avenue.
CONTINGENCY FUND
Murphy recommended budgeting $309,000 as a designated contingency fund that could be used in any manner needed
without the need for budget amendments. The contingency fund can be used to address unanticipated needs or to make needed purchases at temporarily discounted prices. Murphy said the contingency fund is not a “blank check” and contingency fund expenditures over $2,500 require city commission authorization.
While maintaining the current 2.05 millage rate, the proposed 2020-21 fiscal year budget anticipates approximately $6.8 million in total projected revenues and approximately $6.5 million in total projected expenditures – not including the $309,000 contingency fund that may or may not be spent.
The first of two budget adoption hearings will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10. The second and final budget hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25.
July 2020 tourist tax collections compared to July 2019
Anna Maria Bradenton Beach Holmes Beach Manatee County T otal* 22% 1% 30% 16%
*(Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Longboat Key, unincorporated Manatee County, Palmetto)
Manatee County’s 5% resort tax, or tourist tax, is collected from owners of accommodations rented for six months or less who charge the tax to their renters, in most cases, tourists. About 50% of the tax proceeds are allocated to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau tourism marketing efforts, with 20% allocated to beach renourishment. The tax also partially funds tourismrelated attractions such as the Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria piers. Amounts shown were collected in July and paid to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office in August. Manatee County totals include Anna Maria Island cities, Bradenton, the portion of Longboat Key within Manatee County, unincorporated Manatee County and Palmetto. To anonymously report a rental owner who may not be paying the tax, call 941-741-4809 or visit http://www. taxcollector.com/tdt-evader.cfm
Source: Manatee County Tax Collector
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Budget adoption hearings conclude this week
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN New residential development will soon be subjected to impact fees that total $1.88 per square foot of habitable space.
Impact fees program established
The Anna Maria City Commission has adopted a new ordinance, 20-971, that establishes an impact fees program on new development and redevelopment that increases the habitable area of an existing structure.
Beginning in late November, developers or property owners developing a new residential structure will pay a parks and recreation impact fee of $1.15 per square foot of habitable space. This fee will apply equally to residential structures newly developed or redeveloped for use as a family residence, seasonal home or vacation rental.
The impact fees will not be applied to existing residential structures unless the habitable space is being increased.
New development of any kind, or any increase in any building size – including commercial development and redevelopment – shall be assessed a roads and mobility impact fee or 73 cents per square foot of habitable space. When applicable, the two impact fees combined total $1.88 per square foot of habitable space. The impact fees are to be paid when paying for a building permit.
Last week, the city of Bradenton Beach and the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approved on first reading two separate 2020-21 fiscal year budgets that will take effect Oct. 1. Both budgets maintain the same 2.3329 millage rate.
When presenting the proposed city budget, Mayor John Chappie and City Treasurer Shayne Thompson proposed zeroing out the capital improvements project line item for the AMI Sun Trail that currently contains $156,000. Chappie said those existing funds were budgeted in the past to install sidewalks, bike paths
The city of Anna Maria’s amended alcoholic beverages ordinance is now in effect. Adopted on Aug. 27, Ordinance 20-872 no longer prohibits dispensing or selling alcohol within 2,500 feet of a church.
The ordinance now requires the acquisition of a city-issued special use permit for businesses and other entities that wish to begin selling alcohol within the city limits. Entities and landscaping along Avenue C, but those residents have clearly stated they do not want those enhancements in their neighborhood. Thompson said this budget adjustment will result in a projected overage of $156,616 for a city budget that now anticipates no additional drawing down of the city’s reserve fund. The proposed city budget projects approximately $8.4 million in 2020-21 fiscal year expenditures. The proposed CRA budget projects approximately $2.5 million in 2020-21 fiscal expenditures. The city and CRA budgets will be voted on in second and final readings on Thurs
Amended alcoholic beverages ordinance adopted
day Sept. 10. that legally sold or dispensed alcohol prior to the ordinance being amended are not required to obtain a special use permit.
A previously-amended version of the ordinance was recently vetoed by Mayor Dan Murphy because it would have prevented males from exposing their breasts on the premises of any establishment in the city that served alcohol, including those located on the beach or the waterfront.
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The Center of Anna Maria Island’s fiscal year came to a close July 31 with a negative net income but a positive cash flow.
BY KRISTIN SWAIN
SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island is two months into its new fiscal year and the financial results from the 2019-20 fiscal year have just been released.
After weeks-long COVID-19 closures, The Center ended the year with a net income loss of $45,501, a loss of $46,263 over the previous year’s ending number of $762.
However, because of $84,215 in Paycheck Protection Program funds and a $149,900 July 23 Small Business Administration loan, The Center ended the year with $383,386 in total cash, an improvement of $200,801 over the previous year. As long as the PPP funds are utilized for approved uses, the entirety of the loan will be forgiven under the federal program to provide COVID-19 related relief to businesses and will be noted as income in the current 2020-21 fiscal year.
Net ordinary income from programs and fundraising, including general, direct and administration expenses, came in at a loss of $44,170, a $2,033 improvement over the prior year’s loss of $46,204.
“Net ordinary income was a loss of $44k,” The Center’s Executive Director Chris Culhane wrote in an email to The Sun. “This is surprisingly in line with the prior year, pre-COVID, July 2019 loss of $46k. An incredible effort has been made to manage and reduce direct costs and keep them in line with the associated revenue decline as a result of COVID.”
Total program income was down 130% from the previous fiscal year, coming in at a loss of $1,549. General and administration expenses were up $9,606 over the previous year, ending at $48,911. An increase of $8,000 in insurance costs is noted on the financial documents provided by The Center.
Fundraising revenue ended the year at $23,416. After $17,127 in direct costs, the fundraising cost center ended the year with $6,289 in positive income. Due to the COVID-19 closures, many of the nonprofit’s fundraisers were canceled including the remaining shows in the concert series hosted at The Center by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Manatee County Tourist Development Council as well as the annual Tour of Homes.
The Center’s leadership is still awaiting a $35,000 reimbursement from Manatee County commissioners from the Island’s excess concession fund for approved capital improvements.
Culhane said that the budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year has been completed and will go to The Center’s finance committee for review and then for a vote at a future board meeting.
The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) plans to install several small bike racks that contain artistic design elements along Bridge Street. Last week, the CRA members agreed there’s a need for small bike racks up and down the street and a large bike rack near the Bridge Street Pier. There is no timetable yet for the purchase and installation of the new CRA-funded bike racks, which, when installed, will supplement the existing bike racks already located throughout the CRA district.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN This bike rack outside the Sports Lounge will eventually be joined by additional bike racks along Bridge Street.
City intern completes his mission
Friday was Augustus “Gus” Bayard’s last day as an intern for the city of Anna Maria. Bayard, a lifelong Anna Maria resident, will soon move to Providence, R.I. as he prepares to begin his pursuit of a degree in international and public affairs at Brown University, which he hopes will lead to a career as a United States diplomat. During Friday’s city commission meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy said, “I’d like to thank Augustus. This is his last meeting with us, and I want to thank him for everything he’s done for the city over the summer. He did a great job as an intern and I was really pleased that we were able to have Augustus here to work with us. I wish you well going forward into the future
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Gus Bayard concluded his city internship on Friday.
and I’m sure the commissioners do as well.” In response, Bayard said, “Thanks for the opportunity. I really enjoyed it.”
W H E R E ‛ S Y O U R C O M F O R T Z O N E ?
After seeing an article in The Sun on Aug. 5, sorority sisters of Eirinn Camphire have sponsored six sea turtle nests, one for each child of her mother, Marie Donahue, who died from COVID-19 in July.
The article about Donahue, who volunteered with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, Tingley Memorial Library and the Anna Maria Historical Society, inspired the donations, according to Tina Katz, a member of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority at Donahue Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Donahue’s alma mater.
“I’m so happy that we can donate to sponsor turtle nests in Marie’s honor,” Katz wrote Turtle Watch Director Suzi Fox, who is preparing plaques for each of Donahue’s six children, Leslie Donahue, Colleen Radbill, Suzanne Steinbicker, Michael Donahue, Tim Donahue and Camphire.
Donahue is one of 11,963 people who have died in Florida from COVID-19.
SOURCE: FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Water quality report
Bayfront Park North Bradenton Beach Coquina Beach North Coquina Beach South Manatee Beach North Palma Sola Bay South Good Good Good Good Good
Source: Florida Department of Heath
TURTLE TIPS
During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, please follow these tips: • Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water. • Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night. • Remove all objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings. • Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water. • Don’t use wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf. • Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights. • Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law. If you see people disturbing turtles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). Good
NESTING NEWS
Turtle nests laid: 349 (Record: 544 in 2019) False crawls: 450 Nests hatched: 236 Hatchlings hatched: 15,779 (Record: 35,788 in 2018) Nest disorientations: 1
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THE SUN
FOOD & WINE
Brian Mathae Citrus squeeze
HURRICANE HANKS
Ilove lemon! It’s fresh and it’s light. I can’t recall when I first acquired the taste for everything lemon, but I can recall back to when I was a child and we spent our summers at the lake. We would ride our bikes to the general store that just happened to sell many tempting ice cream products for us kids. My favorite was always the lemon chiffon ice cream. Rich and creamy and slightly tart, it was heaven on earth! Like all good things of the past, it’s hard these days to find a true lemon ice cream product. Sure, there are lemon sherbets and sorbets, but next to no lemon ice creams to be found.
I am a creature of habit and when I find something I like, I tend to stick to it. My love of lemon has extended to the scent of it. After all, it conveys freshness and cleanliness whether it’s in the form of cologne or even a cleaning product. As a cologne I never find it offensive as some heavier colognes with notes of sandalwood, patchouli and spices can be. I’ve used Clinique Happy for Men for years and still get many compliments on it. It’s a proven winner!
Thinking back to when I was a kid, there were less product choices around than there are today. That’s the case for virtually everything as we have become a consumer-driven society and economy. Fortunately, there is an oldie but goodie cleaning product still around. Yes, I’m talking about Mr. Clean (the original Summer Citrus formulation of course). Ironically, all these years later I have a resemblance to Mr. Clean! I remember this being the standard cleaning product in our house as I was growing
up, and every Saturday the house would be filled with the scent of it as mom cleaned the house.
That reminds me that as we got older and stayed out late on Friday nights and wanted to sleep in on a Saturday morning, mom would come into our rooms early Saturday morning. She was usually using the loud carpet cleaning attachment on the vacuum as the first warning to get out us out of bed. And when that didn’t work, she would throw open the windows no matter how cold it was outside to
SUBMITTED “clear the air” as she would say. It was annoying at the time, but in hindsight it was a powerful lesson in responsibility.
We have a killer key lime pie at Hanks which has a well-balanced citrus taste. But I still prefer lemon and am happy to share this recipe with you. I’m confident you will enjoy the moistness and chewiness of them along with the bright and tart lemon taste. We may have to feature them at Hanks so you can easily enjoy some summer freshness. Enjoy!
SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
Glazed Lemon Squares
(approximately 8 servings)
Ingredients
2/3 cup butter, softened 2 eggs 1 1/4 cups flour 1 cup sugar 4 Tbs fresh squeezed lemon juice Zest of 2 lemons 1/2 tsp salt
Glaze 1 cup powdered sugar 3 Tbs fresh squeezed lemon juice Zest of 1 lemon
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat an 8x8 pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugar until well mixed. Gradually add in the eggs until just mixed - do not overmix or the squares will be too firm. Finally stir in the flour, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt until you have a soft batter. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, until the top is set and slightly golden brown in color. Remove from oven and cool completely. Once cool, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until you have a spreadable glaze. Pour over the bars and smooth out. Sprinkle remaining lemon zest and let the glaze set before cutting into squares and serving.
Cortez community assisting Lake Charles hurricane victims
Swordfish Grill managers Bob Slicker, Adam Sears and Tom Polch decided to personally deliver hurricane relief supplies to a Lake Charles church.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
CORTEZ – The Blessing Bags Project, the Swordfish Grill and the Cortez and Bradenton communities have teamed up to assist with the hurricane recovery efforts taking place in Lake Charles, La.
Hurricane Laura made landfall in Louisiana on Aug. 27 and did significant damage to many Lake Charles homes and businesses. Residents are also dealing with the loss of electricity and water as well as supply shortages.
The supplies gathered by The Blessing Bags Project and the Swordfish Grill are set to be delivered Wednesday morning to the Waters Edge Gathering church in Lake Charles.
On Tuesday afternoon, Swordfish General Manager Bob Slicker and Managers Adam Sears and Tom Polch left for Lake Charles towing a 6 x 12 trailer filled with donated supplies. The bed of Polch’s diesel pickup truck was also filled with donated supplies.
The donated supplies include charcoal grills, charcoal, coolers, tents, hammers, tarps, flashlights, work gloves, toilet paper and paper towels, personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies and more.
Community members began dropping off donated supplies at the Swordfish Grill on Wednesday and those efforts concluded Saturday, with a few more supplies donated on Sunday.
“A bunch of people helped and the whole community stepped up with supplies,” Slicker said Sunday evening.
The Blessing Bags Project conducted an ongoing online fundraiser that has thus far raised approximately $1,700. Blessing Bags Project President Betsy Plante said that money was used to purchase grills, coolers, flashlights, personal hygiene products and other supplies that were later delivered to the Swordfish Grill.
Plante received $1,500 in additional cash donations from local churches and individuals. That money was used to purchase $50 Walmart gift cards to be delivered by Slicker, Sears and Polch.
The Blessing Bags Project also filled 250 backpacks with personal hygiene products and also boxed up school supplies to be delivered by the Swordfish Grill trio.
According to Slicker, Cortez Bait & Seafood Market Manager James “Wyre” Lee secured a pallet full of supplies donated by
BETSY PLANTE | SUBMITTED Joe Cadmus arrived in Lake Charles Sunday afternoon with a truckload of supplies sent from Cortez.
John Hargreaves, president of the Maintenance Too Paper Company in Bradenton that supplies paper products to the fish market.
Some of the weatherproof and waterproof supplies received from Hargreaves and others were then reorganized and placed on pallets that were loaded onto local resident Joe Cadmus' flatbed truck. According to Plante, Cadmus delivered those supplies to the Waters Edge Gathering church at 2:45 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
“That was a Godsend for us, because we were able to put the heavier stuff on Joe’s truck. When he called, his was perfect because we were just trying to figure out what we were going to do about a bigger truck,” Slicker said.
Slicker said he spoke with Cadmus Sunday evening.
“He said they don’t expect power for three weeks and most all the streets are closed with downed power lines. There’s no phone service. He said a block from the church it’s just foundations of houses and buildings. He said the people there feel left out because no one is talking about them. The average income for the people that live there is about $22,000 and they need help,” Slicker said.
“If people go to The Blessing Bags Project website, theblessingbagsproject.org, and give money we will continue to send gift cards to the church. There’s a Walmart close to town that’s still open. People are living in tents and the gift cards will help a lot,” Slicker said.
When asked why they’re doing this, Plante said, “This all started because a woman I know on Facebook, Kelli Stawecki, lives in Lake Charles and has a homeless ministry there – and now she’s homeless too because of the hurricane. The people there need help. They have no water, no electricity and they’re homeless.”
