ANNA MARIA – The city’s proposed interlocal agreement for the use of the City Pier as a water taxi stop is ready for review by Manatee County officials.
The county’s proposed round-trip water service would begin in downtown Bradenton, stop at the City Pier, the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach and then at the City Pier again en route back to downtown Bradenton.
The city’s proposed interlocal agreement was first discussed on Aug. 25 and the city commission-requested revisions were presented by Mayor Dan Murphy on Sept. 8.
“These are the conditions that we find important for the water taxi to be servicing the city of Anna Maria. We strongly believe this should be focused on service workers and eliminating traffic coming back and forth across the bridge. Anything going astray of that is OK, as long as the focus is on bringing people back and forth between downtown Bradenton,” Murphy told the commission.
Commission Chair Carol Carter noted many of the commission’s suggested revisions pertained to the section of the agreement that sets forth the city’s proposed terms and conditions.
The revised agreement proposed that the water taxi operations must include service between downtown Bradenton and the Anna Maria City Pier on every regularly scheduled day of operation, and each round-trip journey must include two stops at the City Pier.
The agreement proposes the county and/or the water taxi company shall be responsible for the costs of creating and maintaining water taxi dockage City Pier, including any needed pier improvements, permits or studies. The agreement also proposes that the county provide the city commission with a detailed plan for the proposed landing area at the City Pier and that all ridership fares between Anna Maria and downtown Bradenton shall be subject to city commission approval.
Commissioner Mark Short noted the revised agreement addresses Commissioner Jon Crane’s request to strengthen the language pertaining to the liability responsibilities and the city being indemnified against any harm caused by the water taxi service. The agreement proposes the county’s contracted water taxi operator be required to carry a $2 million insurance policy.
Murphy told the commission he hopes to present the proposed interlocal agreement to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione within the next week or so. Murphy will then await feedback from Falcione and the county commission regarding the city’s proposed agreement and any modifications sought by the county.
Previous discussion
When appearing before the Anna Maria Commission on Aug. 11, Falcione said he hoped to present a water taxi proposal to county commissioners on Tuesday, Sept. 13. When contacted Saturday, Falcione said some of those details were still being finalized and the presentation would be delayed.
“We are really close,” he said.
During the Aug. 11 meeting, Falcione said the county hopes to contract a Florida-based water taxi company to begin water taxi service to and from the Island in February. Falcione said the initial service would initially feature two pontoon boat-like water taxis operating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Falcione said the fare might be in the $8 to $10 range, but those details were still being worked out at that time.
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