NEWS

4THE SUN ISLAND NEWS

Visit our website, www.amisun.com. Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

MARCH 2, 2022

IN BRIEF

Solution for local phone trouble: Dial the area code

Have you recently dialed a local seven-digit phone number only to get a recording that your call cannot be completed as dialed and instructing you to hang up and dial the area code first?

Making local phone calls now requires dialing the threedigit local area code before the seven-digit phone number, even if the area code you’re calling is the same as your own.

Why? There are 82 area codes in 35 states and one U.S. territory that currently use 988 as their local exchange – the first three numbers of a seven-digit phone number – causing conflicts for people dialing the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline three-digit emergency number, 988.

Ten-digit dialing is gradually being required in those states. The transition began last October and hit the Island in February, with the process expected to be completed nationwide by July 16, when dialing 988 followed by any numbers will route calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Anna Maria Island’s area code is 941.

Chamber golf tournament has tee times

There’s still time to enter the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s 23rd annual golf tournament to benefit the chamber’s scholarship fund. This year’s tournament will take place Friday, May 13 at IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton. The cost is $500 per team or $135 per golfer. Golfer registration includes golf, lunch, gift bag, greens fees, cart fee, prizes, beer and beverages on course and dinner. If you would like to come for dinner but not play, the cost is $40 per person. There are also sponsorship opportunities available; contact the chamber for sponsorship options. For more information and to register, call the chamber at 941-778-1541 or email info@ amichamber.org.

Annie Silver invites you to dinner

The Annie Silver Community Center in Bradenton Beach invites you to have dinner Wednesday, March 23 from 5-7 p.m. Big Dog BBQ will cater the dinner, which will feature your choice of ribs or chicken with three sides and a dessert for $10. There is no need to purchase anything in advance; just stop by the center and either dine in or carry out. Weekly bingo is also back at Annie Silver every Thursday at 6 p.m. The next board meeting is Monday, March 14 at 4 p.m. and members of the community are welcome to attend. Annie Silver is located at 103 23rd St. N.

Structural evaluations on commission agenda

The Bradenton Beach City Commission has a light agenda for its Thursday, March 3 meeting that will begin at 6 p.m. with general public comment. The commission will then be asked to adopt the single-item consent agenda that requests the approval of a $2,310 invoice from LTA Engineers. Under new business, the commission will discuss a request from Manatee County Mosquito Control. The commission will also discuss structural evaluations of the aging city buildings. Under attorney business, the commission will be asked to approve a contract with Colliers Engineering & Design.

Hunters Point construction continues despite dock challenge

The permit issued for the proposed dock installations along the western side of the Hunters Point property is being challenged.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

CORTEZ – Construction has begun on two homes along the canal of the Hunters Point Resort & Marina property, but the developer says that docks are not planned for those homes.

Last July, MHC Cortez Village LLC, owners of the nearby Cortez Village Marina and boat storage facility, challenged a dock permit issued by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWWMD) to Hunters Point. MHC filed a petition for an administrative hearing naming developer Marshall Gobuty’s Cortez Road Investments and Finance Inc. ownership group and SWFWMD as respondents.

“The approval of the permit and the ultimate construction of the proposed new dock(s) will significantly increase and impair vessel traffic in the navigable canal, while further decreasing the narrow navigable fairway width,” the petition states.

“Other than the first four homes on the west side that do not have docks, the homes on the west and northwest sides of the property are all under the petition and can’t be started,” Gobuty said. “The interior and the east side is where our homes will go up over the next 12 months. We don’t see a resolution on the west and northwest sides until early 2023.”

In December, Hunters Point Vice President of Development Ashley Klearman sent a letter to buyers who had purchased homes to be constructed in the Hunters Point community.

“MHC is arguing the proposed docks hinder the navigation of the canal, even though the proposed docks have been designed to provide as minimal an intrusion into the canal as possible and are in full compliance with all local, state, and federal rules and regulations. It is our legal team’s position that this petition is without merit and that SWFWMD correctly issued the permit,” Klearman stated in her letter.

In December, construction began on the first Hunters Point home, along the eastern edge of the property. Gobuty said then that the administrative challenge could delay the construction of some homes.

When contacted last week, Gobuty said the previously delayed administrative hearing is now scheduled for June 14 and 15.

The development plans approved by Manatee County allow for the construction of 86 net-zero energy use homes that will be equipped with solar panels and storage batteries. The development plans include a small marina and 47 docks to be constructed along the navigation canals adjacent to the Hunters Point property on three sides.

It is our legal team’s position that this petition is without merit and that SWFWMD correctly issued the permit.”

Ashley Klearman, Hunters Point vice president of development

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN New homes are now being built alongside the navigation canal that borders the western edge of the Hunters Point property.

Anna Maria passes sexual offender, predator ordinance

A map showing the restricted areas and 150-foot buffer zones is to be posted at the city website.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city has a new ordinance in place that regulates the activities of sexual offenders and sexual predators.

Prior to the Feb. 23 adoption of Ordinance 22-898, the city had no ordinance that addressed sexual offenders and sexual predators. According to City Attorney Becky Vose, the city previously relied on a county ordinance.

The city ordinance creates chapter 44, “Sexual Offenders and Sexual Predators,” in the city’s code of ordinances. The ordinance addresses prohibited residences and lodgings and places restrictions on certain activities by sexual offenders and predators.

The ordinance provides for an updated map to be posted at the city website which shows the restricted areas and buffers zones that apply to schools, day care centers, beaches, parks, trolley stops and playgrounds. At the request of Commissioner Robert Kingan, the restricted areas also include The Center of Anna Maria Island.

According to the ordinance, its intent is to protect residents and visitors, particularly children, by limiting the opportunity for sexual predators and sexual offenders to come in contact with unsuspecting children in locations frequently visited by and used by children.

ORDINANCE PROHIBITIONS

The ordinance prohibits any sexual offender or sexual predator from intentionally lodging or residing in a permanent or temporary residence within 150 feet of any designated restricted location.

The ordinance provides exceptions for an offender or predator who established a permanent residence within 150 feet of a designated location prior to the effective date of the new ordinance.

“However, at the end of the current rental term, the sexual offender or sexual predator shall be required to abandon that permanent residence and establish a new permanent residence at a location that is not within 150 feet of any designated location,” according to the ordinance.

Exceptions are provided for an offender or predator who was a minor and was not sentenced as an adult when they committed the offense that caused them to be designated as a sexual predator or offender. An exception is also provided if the designated location was opened or established after the sexual offender or predator established permanent residence.

According to the ordinance, it is now unlawful for a property owner to knowingly lease or rent any place or structure to a sexual offender or predator with the knowledge that it will be used as a permanent residence, temporary residence or place of work, if that structure is located within 150 feet of any designated location.

DECLARATION OF STATUS

The ordinance requires a sexual offender or sexual predator attending any school event or function, any day care event or function, or any other event or function where more than 10 children are present, regardless of the location, to declare their status as a sexual offender or predator to the person in charge of the event or function.

The ordinance prohibits a sexual offender or predator from being present at or in any designated location within the 150-foot buffer zone that surrounds each designated location.

The ordinance provides exceptions for attending church services or functions, attending an educational institution as a registered student, attending to medical or health care needs with a licensed health care provider or visiting

CITY OF ANNA MARIA | SUBMITTED The title section of the new ordinance summarizes its prohibitions, restrictions and requirements.

SEE ORDINANCE, PAGE 8