The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper


Vol. 16 No. 41 - August 10, 2016
Waterline project sailing along

Carol Whitmore

submitted

Waterline, the Island's first full service hotel, will
feature a lodge with a restaurant, ballroom and meeting
spaces flanked by east and west wings with a resort
style pool in the center overlooking the marina area.

HOLMES BEACH – Anyone who rounds the corner of Gulf and Marina drives has watched as Waterline, the Island's first full service hotel, has begun to rise from the sea of rebar that once filled the grounds.

The site includes a lodge with a restaurant, ballroom and meeting spaces flanked by east and west wings with hotel suites and a resort style pool in the center; another building with hotel suites; and a marina with day slips for guests.

Mainsail Lodging and Development, of Tampa, is developing the project, and it will offer a total of 37 hotel suites with gourmet kitchens. Parking and amenities will be on the first level with suites on the second and third levels.

"We'll greet guests in the lobby, and they can relax and enjoy a tropical libation while we take their luggage to their rooms," Mainsail Vice President Brian Check explained. "The lobby is quaint, boutique style in keeping with the flavor of the Island. We want to make sure local residents feel comfortable and welcome to come in."

Ballroom and restaurant

To the right of the lobby will be a 1,300 square foot ballroom, a meeting room, a storage room and offices. To the left of the lobby will be the bar, with windows opening onto the lobby and pool area, and the restaurant.

"The restaurant will be small and intimate with high quality food, including great seafood and some items that people won't expect," Check said. "There also will be some outdoor seating around the pool."

The west wing on the marina side, will include a workout room, a dock master's office, restrooms and a children's play area on the ground level and will connect to the lodge building with an outdoor walking path. It also will be the point of departure for boat tours.

"We are working with Mote Marine to bring the Florida environment to the people by offering environmental boat tours," Check said.

Regarding the on going construction project, he said, "We are trying to be vigilant and not impact the neighbors."

Check said the company plans to complete the project in the spring of 2017, and once the project is completed, it plans to freshen up the adjacent shopping center, which it also owns.

Flood surprises residents
Carol Whitmore

julia rose rodriguez | Submitted

The water was shin-high in front of David Dube's home on
Highland Avenue Sunday evening.

 

BRADENTON BEACH – City officials are working to rectify unanticipated flooding that occurred Sunday afternoon and evening along Highland Avenue and First Street North in Bradenton Beach in an area were infiltration trenches were recently installed to improve drainage.

The flooding was a source of concern and consternation for residents who live in that area, including Julia Rose Rodriguez and David Dube.

"When they finished digging up Highland Avenue, the workers told us the drainage would be way better, but it's way worse than it was before. And people that have lived here longer said they've never seen it this bad," Rodriguez said Sunday evening.

"I've been trapped in driveway twice in the past week. I had to cut through a yard and drive up in the grass just so I could get to work the other day," she said

Rodriguez was concerned the rising water would begin seeping into the ground level apartment she recently moved into. She said the water came perilously close to her front door when cars drove through the flooded street and created a wake.

Dube lives on the second floor of an elevated structure located on the property as Rodriguez's apartment. He said he's lived on that street for seven years.

"We haven't had that much rain today. In the past, we've had torrential downpours, and the water's never been this high."

He said the water was 4-6 inches deep as of 5 p.m. Sunday evening.

"It's definitely over my ankles. I've seen days where it rained four times this amount and didn't get this high. I would hate to see a tropical storm come through."

In regard to the recent drainage work, Dube said, "It's disappointing. I think they made it worse to be honest with you."

City responds

Public Works Director Tom Woodard was made aware of the flooding Sunday evening, and he scheduled a meeting with City Engineer Lynn Burnett Monday morning.

When contacted early Monday afternoon, Woodard said the stormwater line along First Street was completely full of water. He attributed this to the outfall being closed near the cistern at the east end of Bridge Street.

"We are having issues with the overflow pump, but we are making improvements to the system to try to get the water out quicker. We'll have Woodruff & Sons connect the First Street line to the Second Street line, which definitely improve the flow," he said.

Woodard the city was trying to relay this information to affected residents. He also noted that it was raining again and the water was beginning to rise in that area.

Later in the day, Woodard provided the mayor and city commissioners with an e-mail update on the situation.

"I am working with the city engineer and Woodruff & Sons on the flooding and ponding problems. We met today and walked the CRA district. We have found that the main problem is the stormwater line along First Street. Please be assured that I am aware of the problems, and these issues will be addressed and corrected," he wrote.

"Thank you for the update as I'm am receiving numerous calls," Mayor Bill Shearon wrote in response.

Campaign accounts growing

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As the November elections draw closer, campaign fund-raising activity is beginning to pick up.

Anna Maria City Commission

First-time candidate Brian Seymour loaned his campaign $500, and he received a $100 contribution from Bill and Cathy Brennan and another from Carmen Shea, bringing his total to $700. His only expenditure is the $48 qualifying fee.

Incumbent Commissioner Nancy Yetter loaned her campaign $100 and she recently received a $100 contribution from Norman Mansour, bringing her total to $200. He only expenditure is the qualifying fee.

Incumbent Commissioner Chuck Webb loaned his campaign $62 and his only expenditure is the qualifying fee.

Bradenton Beach City Commission

In the race for the Ward 4 commission seat, first-time candidate Bill Vincent has raised $2,214 and spent $647 on his campaign. Local donors include fellow Pines Trailer Park residents Dennis Ecke, Thomas Waxenfelter, Thomas Burdy and Judy Plant; and more than half of his donors list out of state addresses.

County Commissioner and former Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie has raised $1,100 and spent $78 on his bid to return to city government. Chappie contributed $500 to his own campaign, and he received $500 from his brother, D.J., and $100 Planning and Zoning Board member John Burns.

Running unopposed in Ward 2, Vice Mayor Ed Straight loaned his campaign $100, and his only expenditure is the $48 qualifying fee. Straight's political future will be determined by city voters during the Aug. 30 primary election. If city voters eliminate term limits, Straight will serve a fourth consecutive term. If term limits are maintained, there will be no Ward 2 candidate, and the commission will appoint someone to fill Straight's vacated seat after the November elections.

Manatee County Commission

In the District 3 County Commission race, Stephen Jonsson has raised $65,355 and received an additional $770 worth of in-kind contributions. Many of his donors have ties to the development and real estate communities, including Long Bar Pointe developers Carlos Beruff and Larry Lieberman, and several members of the Benderson family.

Jonsson has spent $15,897 on his campaign. Running as a party-affiliated Republican candidate, he paid the $4,754 qualifying fee that equates to 6 percent of a commissioner's annual $79,238 salary. He also paid $5,000 to a political consulting firm.

Manatee County Planning Commission member Matt Bower has raised $20,824 in his bid for seat on the county commission. His donors include Holmes Beach Commissioners Jean Peelen and Carol Soustek. He also received $6,532 worth of in-kind contributions, including a $5,000 for a fund-raising yacht charter provided by K23 Yacht Charters and four other businesses that share the same Palmetto address. So far, Bower has spent $10,108 on his campaign.

Former Holmes Beach Commissioner David Zaccagnino has contributed $12,000 of the $13,290 raised thus far in a campaign that he has primarily self-financed. Nancy Hartley and Janice Oaks have also contributed to his campaign. To date, Zaccagnino lists $3,772 in campaign expenditures.

Running with no party affiliation, Bower and Zaccagnino avoided paying the 4 percent qualifying fee because they each collected at least 481 petition signatures from registered District 3 voters.

In the county-wide District 7 at-large race, incumbent Commissioner Betsy Benac has raised $37,925 and received $947 worth of in-kind contributions. Her contributors include Lieberman, members of the Benderson family, developer Pat Neal's land trust, and several others affiliated with development and real estate. Benac has spent $18,925 on her reelection campaign, including $8,500 for a campaign consultant in addition to her $4,754 party-affiliated qualifying fee.

Her challenger, Jack Richardson, has self-funded his campaign to the tune of $3,200, and he received an additional $100 from a single donor. Running with no party affiliation, his 4 percent qualifying fee was $3,170.

Political happenings

• Tuesday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m. – Bradenton Beach City Commission Candidate Bill Vincent will host a meet and greet at the Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

• Thursday, Aug. 18, 6 p.m. – Manatee County Commission District 3 candidates Matt Bower, Stephen Jonsson and David Zaccagnino will participate in an election forum taking place at Fishermen's Hall, 4511 124th Street West, in Cortez. There will be ample parking in back of hall on 123rd Street Court.

National Night Out brings out a crowd

PAT COPELAND | SUN

Holmes Beach Code Enforcement Officer John Thomas
presented a raffle prize to Grace Gissendanner, of Bradenton,
and is aided by volunteer Riley Hecklinski, from Indiana.

 

 

 

HOLMES BEACH – Despite the record heat, the police department's first National Night Out was a resounding success with about 300 people attending the event in city hall field.

"I can't express how pleased I am at the outpouring of support – the residents coming to the event and the positive feedback, " said Sgt. Vern McGowin, who organized the event with Code Enforcement Officer John Thomas.

"It was a great, fun event. We wanted people to meet their neighbors and police officers and have a good time."

McGowin praised the teamwork of the city employees, who "went above and beyond their duties to make the event a success. It brought us together as well as brought the community out to meet us."

Holmes Beach Officer Brian Copeman manned a booth to issue free raffle tickets to kids and adults. Many raffle prizes were donated by local businesses and organizations.

Kids with winning raffle tickets won one of 25 bicycles provided by donors. Dennis Ketterman, of DK Corporation of Anna Maria Island, donated ten bicycles and helmets, and Amscot Financial donated 50 helmets. The city's police and public works department employees and numerous local businesses and organizations also donated bicycles.

West Manatee Fire Rescue had its Bike Rodeo trailer complete with a safety course laid out in the parking lot by the skate park. Fire Inspector Rodney Kwiatkowski explained that West Manatee bike team members take the trailer to Anna Maria, Palma Sola and Stewart elementary schools for the outdoor rodeo course and bicycle safety education.

In addition, Lisa Indovino, of Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital's Safe Roads to Schools program, said she takes the trailer to other county schools for in class education and as well as the outdoor rodeo course.

Various groups had educational booths at the event including AMI Turtle Watch, AMI Welcome Home, Holmes Beach Neighborhood Watch, Manatee County EOC and the Key Royale Club.

Waste Pro bought its grill and offered hot dogs to the crowd with Bob Baublitz, Sean Jennings and Tracy Meehan doing the honors, and kids got gooey at the cotton candy machine.

Kids had fun at the bounce houses, sponsored by local real estate and vacation rental companies, and the city's police dispatchers operated the beanbag toss. Officer Josh Fleischer and Mike Capella, of the public works department, manned the dunk tank, and every kid who drenched one of them received a toy as a prize.

"I'm very proud of how the agency put on this event," Chief Bill Tokajer said. "We are looking forward to next year's event."

"We'll continue to keep he community happy by putting these on," Thomas added.

McGowin said planning has begun for next year's event, which will be held the first Tuesday of October to avoid the extreme heat of August.

No Tiger Grant for Manatee County

submitted

Included in the county's grant narrative was this map
that detailed potential projects that would have benefitted
from federal funding.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – City officials learned last week that Manatee County will not receive the $17.8 million federal Tiger Grant county officials applied for in April.

Officials in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach hoped Tiger Grant funds would assist in the development of an Island-wide bike and pedestrian trail known as the AMI Sun Trail. The grant application included a $4.21 million request for Sun Trail funds to be paired with $1.4 million in local contributions.

"Our joint project, the AMI Sun Trail, was not among those selected by USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) for this year's Tiger Grant funds. Of the $500 million that was awarded, 32 states received funding and only one Florida project was on that list," Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Nick Azzara said in an e-mail he distributed on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

"Some other components of the Sun Trail are included in the list of proposed projects that will be funded through this fall's half-cent sales tax," his e-mail noted.

The fate of the half-cent sales tax increase Azzara mentioned will be determined by county voters in November

In addition to Sun Trail funds, the grant application sought $400,000 for a water taxi dock at the North Coquina boat ramp, $4.66 million for parking and stormwater improvements and $2 million for improvements to the existing Coquina Beach Trail.

Alan Lai Hipp, from the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department, was asked what impact USDOT's decision would have on existing plans for the Coquina North boat ramp.

"The denial of the Tiger Grant does not impact the planned Coquina North boat ramp improvements. The project is designed and funding is in place. Hopefully, we will be able to break ground in the first quarter of 2017."

Bike trail impact?

It is not yet known what impact the grant denial will have on the AMI Sun Trail. Working on behalf of all three Island cities, City Engineer Lynn Burnett is expected to provide an update soon.

Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon mentioned the grant denial at the end of last week's Capital Improvement Projects Committee meeting. Afterwards, he discussed the potential impact on the Sun Trail.

"There's no funding, so we have to address the transportation needs in a different way," he said.

The city's proposed 2016-17 fiscal year budget does not include any projected Tiger Grant revenues, but does call for $81,000 in professional services related to the future development of the trail. This expenditure would be funded in part by accumulated gas tax revenues and Community Redevelopment Agency funds.

When adopting the final budget in September, city commissioners will determine whether the $81,000 remains part of the $274,000 in proposed CIP expenditures that stand separate from the city's general operating expenses. Removing the expenditure would help address the mayor's concerns about city expenditures potentially exceeding city revenues, but Shearon said he would like to keep the money in the budget in order to provide matching funds should alternative trail funding sources be identified.

Earlier this year, the three mayors discussed making a request to county officials to use excess beach concession revenues to help fund trail improvements. Those conversations were put on hold when the Tiger Grant was applied for.

"We knew it would be a long shot, but it was an opportunity where combining with the county provided a stronger argument for both, making it worth the try," Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson said of the grant application.

Johnson said the proposed Holmes Beach 2016-17 fiscal year budget does not include any projected Tiger Grant revenues or expenditures, but does include bike trail expenditures the city already had in the works.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy feels the impact will be minimal at the north end of the Island, where a portion of the bike trail efforts have already been self-funded.

"It does have an impact in terms of the fact that we were going to get money for paving along the Gulf Drive portion of the bike path," Murphy said of the $15,000 in federal funds the city would have received.

New law addresses at-risk vessels

joe hendricks | SUN

This recently-removed sailboat broke loose during
Tropical Storm Colin in June and was left abandoned beside
the Historic Bridge Street Pier.

A new Florida law adopted during the 2016 legislative session now provides local, county and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) authorities the means to more effectively address at-risk vessels before they become derelict.

Florida Statute 327.4107 allows law enforcement officers to issue non-criminal citations to owners who allow their boats to become at risk of becoming derelict.

"This law allows officers to take action before a vessel crosses that line between at-risk and derelict, and hopefully prompts the owner to rectify any issues with the vessel before it reaches a state of disrepair," said Phil Horning, FWC's derelict vessel program administrator. "Prior to this law being enacted, officers had to wait until a vessel met the legal criteria for a derelict vessel before beginning any sort of official interaction with the owner."

Under the new law, a vessel is deemed to be at-risk if any of the following conditions are observed:

• The vessel is taking on or has taken on water without an effective means to dewater.

• Spaces on the vessel that are designed to be enclosed are incapable of being sealed off, or remain open to the elements for extended periods of time.

• The vessel has broken loose or is in danger of breaking loose from its anchor.

• The vessel is left or stored aground unattended in such a state that would prevent the vessel from getting underway, is listing due to water intrusion or is sunk or partially sunk.

If an officer observes a vessel with one or more of these criteria, a non-criminal citation may be issued that requires the owner to correct the problem or face stronger penalties after 30 days. If problems are not fixed, non-compliant vessel owners can face additional fines issued every 30 days until they are.

Officials expect that this new law will decrease the number of vessels becoming derelict, a problem which continues to burden the state's public waterways; and FWC will be assisting state and local governments with derelict vessel removal grants that will become available soon.

"Our goal is to keep Florida's waterways safe and protect their environmental stability," Horning said.

Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale likes the new law.

"I think it's a great regulation that finally gives us a tool to deal with these vessels before they become derelict and possibly cause damage to the surrounding pier and bridge," he said.

Vessel owners are also reminded to sell their vessels properly.

"Many owners don't realize that not only is the buyer required to get the vessel retitled in their name, but the seller is also required to notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 30 days that they have sold their vessel," Horning said.

Failure to do so is a violation and may cause the prior owner of record legal troubles should the vessel become derelict at a later date.

Changes at AME this year

HOLMES BEACH – As the school year begins, officials at Anna Maria Elementary School are going through the routine of getting new students initiated. Kindergartners and transfer students aren't the only new faces in the halls this year.

Sarah Peace has been hired to teach gifted students, and Beth McIntosh will become the new ESE (Exceptional Student Education) teacher.

Part-time assistant principal Bernadette Pletcher transferred to Tillman Elementary School to become a full-time assistant principal there. In addition, third-grade teacher Janie Ensworth will retire.

Second-grade teacher Karen (Newhall) Paul is returning to the third grade after a stint at second grade and fourth-grade teacher Sandra Fisher moves to second grade to replace her. Jacque Jordan moves from first to second grade.

Principal Jackie Featherston said they come into the school year not needing any additional teachers. She said they would be sure after the official count of students in two weeks. That count sets the requirements for teachers to meet the class size requirements.

The official count is heavily dependent on students from out of the AME district whose parents want them to attend the Island school. AME has been an A rated school for more than a decade, and a lot of the school choice students have parents who work on the Island,

"This year might be the year the majority of students don't live on the Island," said AME Principal Jackie Featherston. It was more than 40 percent last year."

The AME PTO will hold a Kinder/New Parent Breakfast in the cafeteria around 8:35, after the bell sounds for the beginning of school year. They will be recruiting parents to join and become active in school events.

There also will be a PTO reception at the Waterfront restaurant, 111 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, to talk with all the parents about activities during the school year.

With everything in place for the new school year, Featherston is optimistic.

"We're looking forward to the new year."

Anna Maria Elementary Hours

School breakfast 8-8:30

Regular start 8:30

Regular end 2:50

School district's zero tolerance

The school district has rules to make sure students are safe and secure as they attend school and school-related activities.

Manatee County Schools enforce a zero tolerance for crime and substance abuse, and while many think elementary school students are too young to get involved, there is a police officer in place to deal with it.

Some of the offenses falling into this category include bringing firearms or weapons to school, including BB guns, pellet guns, paint ball guns. Other weapons include knives, such as pocket knife/blade, box cutter, razor blade, etc. Students also are prohibited from taking explosives and dangerous objects such as pepper gas or mace to school or on any school property and vehicles such as school buses. Making threats or false reports also are not allowed and could lead to expulsion. Any involvement in illegal drugs or alcohol or sales of such is prohibited.

The school district is required to report such crimes committed by students to law enforcement authorities.

Bullying.

The school district is taking aggressive action to stop bullying or harassment of students. The district's definitions of bullying or harassment is, "The mistreatment of an individual or group characterized by a willful intent to cause harm and a perceived advantage in power. These acts can be socially, emotionally or physically damaging in nature and include, but are not limited to, teasing, name calling, rumor spreading, exclusion, intimidation, threats, damaging personal property, stealing, public humiliation, stalking, pushing, shoving or other physical attacks. (b) Harassment involves any threatening, insulting or dehumanizing act or gesture which places an individual in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property, has the effect of substantially interfering with an individual's educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school or activity.

Bullying can occur in the classroom or on campus, during a school-relate or school-sponsored activity, on a bus, through the use of computers or any off-campus data system. Students are urged to report such activity, whether against them or another student, to their teachers, school employees or volunteers.


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