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.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
