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VOL 17 No. 38
July 5, 2017
Planning board review questioned The Bridge Tender Inn is trying to update its permitting to allow for the outdoor seats in use at its Dockside Bar. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
Second pier firm dismissed mike field | SUN
City officials are still in pursuit of a firm to design, permit and possibly reconstruct the Anna Maria City Pier that requires complete rehabilitation.
BRADENTON BEACH – City Attorney Ricinda Perry issued a 1,900-word memo last week addressing concerns raised about the Planning and Zoning Board’s review of the Bridge Tender Inn’s efforts to bring its Dockside Bar into compliance with city code. After attending the board’s July 21 meeting, Vice Mayor John Chappie requested a memo that clarified the general meeting policies and procedures. Perry’s June 29 memo noted she was also contacted after the hearing by certified land planner Darenda Marvin and attorneys from the Grimes Goebel law firm that represent Bridge Tender Inn owner Fred. Bartizal. They questioned whether some elements of the review should have been conducted in a quasi-judicial manner that would have been more formal and restrictive than the far-reaching legislative review that was chaired by John Burns and overseen by City Planner Alan Garrett. “These questions revealed that those who were making land use decisions need to be fully educated and informed on land use procedures and the rules of fair play. Elected officials were present at the hearing and were likewise concerned,” Perry’s memo said. On behalf of Bartizal, Marvin sought a board recommendation for the City Commission to approve the small-scale comp plan amendment and major development application that would update the Dockside Bar’s seating capacity from the 24 seats permitted in 2012 to see review, page 26
The firm's projected cost was too high for the mayor and commission. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – During an emergency meeting called by Mayor Dan Murphy, the City Commission decided Monday morning not to enter into negotiations with Taylor Engineering to design and permit the rehabilitation of the Anna Maria City Pier. The sudden turn of events came as somewhat of a surprise because Murphy and City Planner Robin Meyer had been complimentary of the Sarasotabased engineering firm when recently updating the commission on the preliminary discussions with Taylor representatives.
INSIDE NEWS OPINION Sun survey OUTDOORS REAL ESTATE SPORTS POLICE REPORTS CROSSWORD
4 6 7 22-23 28-33 34 35 36
In the end, it came down to cost. On Monday morning, Murphy told the commission that Taylor’s estimated price came in at a maximum of $526,348, not including construction administration or design and permitting of a water taxi berth, which he felt was too expensive for this initial phase of the project. Murphy said while the Taylor quote offered more details concerning deliverables of the project, the cost of services was consistently high in all areas. “Half a million dollars is not within the scope of what we can do,” he said. “The city can’t afford it.” The selection process is guided by the state statute known as the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act. Taylor Engineering, as the city’s second highest ranked firm, was the second firm to engage in prelimsee pier, page 27
The postal center
stays open in Holmes Beach. 4
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Joe Hendricks | Sun
Shown here during Wednesday afternoon trivia, the Bridge Tender Inn’s Dockside Bar needs additional permitting to be fully compliant with city code.
another DEATH ON THE WATER ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND.
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Take a fishing trip to magical
Matlacha. 22 The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper
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