BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners approved a bid from Beach to Bay Investments Inc. on March 7 to improve a city parking lot and begin charging for parking.
Request for Proposal 2024-03 pertains to the parking lot between Church and Highland avenues directly across from the city’s Public Works department.
“It is our public works parking lot, it is largely unfinished and was in need of someone to come up with a design,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. “We received one bid that came in.”
Developer Shawn Kaleta is president of Beach to Bay Investments Inc.
Perry, Public Works Director Tom Woodard and City Treasurer Shayne Thompson evaluated the bid favorably based on background and experience, references, business plan, financials, bid details and project timeline.
Police Chief John Cosby participated in the evaluation by telephone.
“They came up with 21 standard spots, two ADA and 10 golf cart spots,” Perry said. “My understanding is if the city blesses the plan, they are prepared within a month’s time to get the construction completed on the site for paid parking.”
Three options were presented by the bidder for commission consideration, all with parking lot improvements to be made at the bidder’s cost.
1) A payment to the city of $48,000 per year;
2) A $24,000 lump sum payment annually to the city and 25% of the proceeds from the paid parking;
3) A 50/50 split of parking proceeds.
Perry said she, Woodard, Thompson and Cosby were leaning toward the second option, as it will provide guaranteed income to the city.
“We like that blended model, but this is all in your court to do anything you want,” Perry said.
Beach to Bay Investments asked for a lease term of 15 years and will provide insurance and indemnification, Perry said.
“The city needs flexibility, being committed for 15 years with no out is something that needs to be looked at by the city,” Perry said.
Sam Negrin, who represents Beach to Bay, spoke at the meeting.
“We own the property next door, the Bradenton Beach Marina,” Negrin said. “Part of our proposal was we’d like to offer nighttime security, 24/7 security to this parking lot as well.”
Negrin said the bidder is flexible as to terms.
“That 15 years, we might want to look at more of a trial period, less than 15, that’s for sure,” Mayor John Chappie said. “We’d like to look at a cap on what we charge per hour.”
Pricing would change during the time of the year, Negrin said.
“I think there needs to be a shorter term so we can make adjustments along the way, if need be,” Commissioner Ralph Cole said.
Cole questioned the ability of the city to track revenue and Perry said the city would have the right to audit.
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh asked what the parking rates would be and Negrin said that was open to discussion with the city.
“That’s something we could certainly put a cap on,” Negrin said. “I don’t know what we’re going to charge there yet. The lot across from Beach House charges $5-$10 an hour, so I think it will be somewhere in that range.”
Cole said he would like to know what the hourly charges are in order to make a determination as to which plan to accept.
“I like what I’m hearing so far,” Chappie said. “The security, the nighttime cameras, that’s big.”
Commissioners discussed the three revenue options as well as proposed lease terms and an exit plan for the city.
“I do take into consideration we’re getting the parking lot redone and that’s worth a nice chunk of money,” Chappie said. “I’m sure in the negotiation we’ll have a figure they’d like to recoup if we decide to part ways.”
The commission agreed to a five-year lease with options to renew twice at five years each.
Cole said he was in favor of the 50/50 split option.
“I’m fine with the 50/50 split,” Chappie said.
“If you charge $5 that’s $500 for eight hours – that’s good money,” Cole said.
Vosburgh agreed to the 50/50 split.
A fully negotiated contract will be presented at the next commission meeting, Perry said.
“A motion to accept the recommendation to evaluate Beach to Bay as the number one bidder for RFP 2024-03 public parking and to select Beach to Bay for parking services under RFP 2024-03 and to direct the city attorney to prepare a contract with Beach to Bay,” was read by Perry and was approved unanimously by commissioners.
Commissioner Marilyn Maro telephoned into the meeting.
