BRADENTON BEACH – Due to strong winds and waves on April 11, several floats on the city’s finger docks went missing and replacement was discussed at a city Pier Team meeting on April 24.
“I spoke with Duncan (Steve Porter of Duncan Seawall) this morning and asked him the status of the floats,” Public Works Director Tom Woodard said. “I made a complaint to Duncan that it was hardly even a storm and floats are disappearing so I asked for a couple of spares.”
Woodard reported that the floats had to be ordered at a cost of about $5,000 to replace them.
“He said the dock is not unsafe,” Woodard said. “He asked me to let you know.”
Mayor John Chappie said the issue will be brought up at the next city commission meeting on May 2.
“It’s something that needs to be addressed pretty quickly,” Chappie said.
In addition to Woodard and Chappie, City Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce and Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby attended the meeting.
Woodard also reported that new signs will be arriving which will keep a spot open on the dock for the Gulf Islands Ferry next to the city’s police department boat.
“The ferry signs designate where the ferry docks are, that’s all the sign says,” Chappie said.
“The sign says ferry dock and has two arrows pointing in and has the city’s logo and Manatee County’s logo,” Woodard said.
Chappie spoke about pier concessionaire Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB).
“I believe AMOB has completed all the planting of the palm trees, they’re real nice. There’s nice gravel around the palm trees. Most of the decorative stuff is on the fence area, which looks great. They’re on top of the enclosure for the dumpster,” he said.
Representatives from AMOB, John or Trey Horne, have attended previous Pier Team meetings, but were not at the April 24 meeting.
Chappie noted that the ferry service appears to be running smoothly.
“I was there and the boat was full. The unloading went smoothly,” he said. “They had the stairs there, they had someone at the stairs making sure everyone could exit the boat safely. It appeared to me there’s no issues whatsoever with safety regulations, they’re on top of it. We’re very happy with that.”
Cosby said the security cameras on the pier should be installed soon.
“Those will be monitored,” he said.
The Pier Team meets monthly in advance of commission meetings to discuss progress and any issues with the City Pier.
