Anna Maria Island Sun September 11, 2024

County to purchase Seafood Shack for $13 million

Manatee County leaders plan

Employee workplace complaints

‘unsubstantiated’

Former city employee

Benzard Holland alleged he was subjected to workplace hostility and discriminatory behavior.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT

| jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – After conducting an independent investigation, labor attorney Matthew Stefany said that a former employee’s allegations of workplace hostility and discriminatory behavior are unsubstantiated.

Stefany, a member of the Tampabased Allen Norton & Blue law firm, was contracted by the city of Anna Maria to investigate the workplace allegations. On Sept. 6, Stefany provided Mayor Dan Murphy with an eight-page written report containing his findings.

“On July 25, former public works employee Benzard Holland emailed city commissioners to formally report the hostile work environment and discriminatory behavior he allegedly experienced during his employment with the city. Mr. Holland’s email alleged his supervisor, Dean Jones, consistently subjected him and other employees to verbal abuse, including racial slurs and aggressive behavior which created a toxic work environment that made it impossible for him to continue employment,” according to Stefany’s report.

When conducting his investigation, Stefany interviewed all current city employees and three Black former public works department employees: Holland, Nick Huling and former Public Works Manager Roosevelt Jones. No restrictions were placed on

SEE WORKPLACE, PAGE 17

Plans for the Seafood Shack property include public boat ramps, parking and a marine storage facility.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

CORTEZ – Ending speculation about the identity of the new owner of the Seafood Shack Restaurant and Marina, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved its $13 million purchase at a Sept. 5 land use meeting.

Prior to the vote, Manatee County Property Acquistion Division Manager Charles Meador spoke about the proposed use for the property, which consists of seven upland parcels of approximately 5.9 acres and two submerged land leases of 2.9 acres. He said the property will provide a public boating access facility to include a boat ramp, dry storage facility and marina.

“If the property is acquired by the county and developed as a private boat ramp facility, the site has the potential to increase the number of available boat trailer parking spaces up to 25% countywide,” he said.

SEE SEAFOOD SHACK, PAGE 19

Water quality concerns persist

During and after Tropical Stormy Debby, more than 43 million gallons of wastewater and sewage were discharged into local waters.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Water quality concerns persist as the city of Bradenton continues to discharge partially-treated sewage into the Manatee River.

During and immediately after Tropical Storm Debby in early August, the city discharged an estimated 25 million gallons of untreated and partially-treated sewage and wastewater into the Manatee River.

According to reports posted at the city’s website, the sewage discharge remained ongoing as of Sept. 6, with more than 1,000 gallons per day being discharged into the river.

During and after the storm, which became a hurricane after it passed the

Island, the city of Sarasota discharged an estimated 18 million gallons of sewage and wastewater into Sarasota Bay.

On Sept. 6, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) issued water quality advisories for Bayfront Park in Anna Maria and south Palma Sola Bay in west Bradenton. According to the advisory, tests on Sept. 3 and Sept. 5 indicated the water quality did not meet recreational water quality criteria for enterococcus (fecal) bacteria recommended by FDOH, which “advises against any water-related activities at these locations due to an increased risk of illness in swimmers.”

After Debby, Mote Marine Laboratory scientists recorded a significant spike in Sarasota Bay concentrations of nitrate and ammonia, which can serve as an increased source of nutrients for aquatic bacteria and algae such as red tide.

Red tide was observed at background concentrations in one sample from Manatee County, at the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

to purchase the Seafood Shack Restaurant and Marina for $13 million to provide a public boating facility.

Cortez man to be arraigned on June 6 shooting

Kevin Armstrong

faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON – A Cortez man will be arraigned on Friday, Sept. 13 in connection with a June 6 shooting during which a Cortez woman sustained a gunshot wound to the chest.

Kevin Armstrong, 48, was originally charged with aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony. His charge was amended on Aug. 22 to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) arrest affidavit, shortly after 10 p.m. on June 6, deputies responded to a 911 call reporting an active shooter.

Caitlin Lipke, 33, had been shot in the chest and

transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital. Interviewed there, Lipke told detectives that she was in a relationship with Armstrong and that the two had an argument earlier in the evening at Armstrong’s Sunny Shores residence.

Following the argument, Lipke went to a nearby restaurant and spoke to friends Dylan Taylor and Cole Banyas. The three went by golf cart to Armstrong’s residence so Lipke could retrieve her debit card and her dog, according to the arrest affidavit.

Lipke told investigators that when she and the two men arrived at Armstrong’s residence, he and three others were outside armed with shotguns and pistols.

Lipke told investigators that another argument ensued when she attempted to enter the residence to retrieve her belongings, and the shooting started. Taylor said Armstrong aimed a shotgun in Taylor’s direction and then in Lipke’s. As Taylor went to the

golf cart to retrieve a pistol, he said he heard two shots.

Taylor said he fired approximately nine or 10 shots. He then said he saw Lipke with a gunshot wound to her chest. The three then fled and called 911 from the area of 119th Street West and 45th Avenue West.

“Due to the type and location of Caitlin’s wound, it is believed at this point that she may have inadvertently been struck by Dylan while he was trying to protect her from Kevin,” according to the MCSO affidavit.

Armstrong also called 911 and said that Lipke had “shot up the house.” He told deputies that he had been shot in the foot, but the MCSO report stated that his injury did not appear to be consistent with a gunshot wound.

Armstrong was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant for battery against Lipke.

If convicted on the aggravated assault charge, he faces a prison term of up to five years.

He is represented by Bradenton attorney E. Jon Weiffenbach Jr.

City honors first responders, volunteer

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Commissioners read two proclamations at the Sept. 5 city commission meeting, one in commemoration of the first responders and victims of 9/11 and the other in recognition of a long-time local volunteer.

In remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the city designated Sept. 11, 2024 as Tribute to Heroes day.

“Whereas, on September 11, 2001, the United States suffered and endured one of the most horrific acts in its history, the attack upon our homeland by terrorists who hijacked four jetliners to execute multiple homicide bombing attacks of great evil, the American people wish to remember and honor the victims lost in this tragedy with courage, strength, and dignity;

“Whereas firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medical services personnel are highly trained public servants who work under demanding and dangerous conditions, and the courageous and unselfish acts of these public servants proved again that day that our country is truly the land of the free and the home of the brave;

Armstrong

ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

Mayoral candidates’ forum rescheduled

Hosted by The Anna Maria Island Sun, the Anna Maria mayoral candidates’ forum is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. at Anna Maria City Hall. The previously scheduled forum was postponed due to stormy weather and street flooding. Mayoral candidates Brian Seymour and Mark Short will spend 60-90 minutes answering questions posed by the forum moderator, including several questions submitted by Sun readers. Email questions to jhendricks@amisun.com.

City hosts first budget hearing

Holmes Beach city leaders are holding the first of two public hearings on the 2024-25 proposed budget on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 5:01 p.m. This is the first opportunity for the public to ask questions on the budget that’s planned to go into effect on Oct. 1. A second and final budget hearing is planned for Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. Both meetings take place at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Meetings also are available to view live on the city’s website at www.holmesbeachfl.org, though anyone wishing to speak must attend the meeting in person. Copies of the proposed budget also are available in the lobby at city hall and on the city’s website.

Small Business award finalists announced

Several Anna Maria Island businesses are finalists in the 44th Annual Manatee Chamber Small Business Awards. The award winners will be announced at the Thursday, Oct. 3 ceremony at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

Among this year’s finalists are AMI Beach Weddings, Beach Boutique Rentals, Gulf Drive Café and Shore Thing Tiki Cruises. All of this year’s nominees, finalists and award winners will be recognized during the awards ceremony, followed by a reception.

Registration is open for attendees as well as sponsors. Seating reservations are required to attend and all ticket prices include both the ceremony and reception. Tickets range from $75 to $95.

For more information, or to book your tickets or sponsorship, visit www.manateechamber.com.

LaPensee Bowling Tournament Saturday

There’s still time to sign up for the 2024 Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Bowlero Bradenton, 4208 Cortez Road in Bradenton. Lane prices for six players start at $350. In addition to the tournament, there will be a raffle and a team costume contest with a chance to win prizes. Check-in is at 5:30 p.m. with bowling from 6-8 p.m. The raffle and awards presentation begin at 8 p.m. Lane sponsorships are available for $750 (six players will receive a tumbler and a Center fishing shirt with your business logo, and business logo displayed at lane and at check-in); $500 (six players and your business logo displayed at lane and at check-in); $350 (six players); and $275 (business logo displayed at lane and at check-in). For more information, visit CenterAMI.org/events.

Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

CRA shifts from recommending to governing body

City commissioners

modified the makeup of the CRA board from seven to five members in a unanimous vote that removed seats for residents and business owners.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH - City commissioners voted unanimously at the Sept. 5 meeting to modify the makeup of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board from a seven-member to a five-member board.

The five-member board will consist of commissioners only and act as a governing body. In contrast, the seven-member board included two CRA-area residents or business owners and only made recommendations for the commission to decide.

“We have one vacancy and probably will have another one,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said, introducing the topic at a commission meeting.

The vacancies Perry referred to are resident David Bell, who resigned from the CRA in March, and Ed Chiles, former owner of Beach House Restaurant. Chiles has been absent with excuse from meetings for the past several months.

“Initially the CRA was a five-member board, then we went to a seven-member board, then five, then seven again. Right now, we are looking at these vacancies. My question is do you still want the two alternates, or do you want it to go back to a five-member board?” Perry asked the commissioners.

Perry said the CRA is going into a little bit of a lull as projects are being completed.

“We’re catching up on all the work we’ve done, we’re putting money back into the coffers. Our focus right now is primarily any emergency situations that Chief (John) Cosby as public works director brings to us,” she said. “There’s not a lot of major projects coming forward.”

As a practical matter, Perry said the monthly Wednesday morning CRA meetings could be held on the same night as the Thursday commission meetings.

“The CRA would have to have its own agenda,” she said. “You could have your CRA meeting first, adjourn that meeting and then have the commission meeting.”

“I think it’s an important discussion,” Mayor John Chappie said. “Manatee County does their CRA meetings first and then go back into their regular session.”

SEE MODIFICATION, PAGE 18

Pier improvements, street party reviewed

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Maintenance of the city pier, monthly street parties on Bridge Street and beautification initiatives were the topics of the day at the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting on Sept. 4.

FIRE LINE REPLACEMENT

CRA members unanimously approved funding to replace the fire suppression line on the Bradenton Beach Pier.

“The fire line is rotting out. We were hoping to get a little more time out of it, but it’s starting to leak so the time is now,” Bradenton Beach Police Chief and Interim Public Works Director John Cosby said. “We don’t want it to rupture. If it does, the entire pier will have to be shut down.”

A quote from Sarasota-based Piper Fire Protection in the amount of $75,540 was approved by the board.

“This is a budget price that includes replacing the corroded 4-inch galvanized steel standpipe system located below the Bradenton Beach fishing pier,” according to the Piper quote.

Mayor John Chappie made the motion to approve the pier fire line replacement with funds to come from the CRA budget. Board member Jan Vosburgh seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

LESLIE LAKE | SUN Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board members, from left, Commissioner Jan Vosburgh, Mayor John Chappie, CRA Chair Ralph Cole and Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce, review Chappie’s PowerPoint presentation at a Sept. 4 meeting

Cosby said CRA funds are being used initially to move the project forward but said that City Attorney Ricinda Perry is working on getting reimbursement, possibly from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). The city pier is a ferry stop for the Gulf Islands Ferry.

Cosby said he expects to know the start date in the next week or two.

City officials address rising flood concerns

In response to resident concerns, Holmes Beach Public Works staff held a stormwater workshop to answer questions from the public.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – With heavy rainfalls becoming the norm around Anna Maria Island, residents and property owners have concerns about flooding and stormwater infrastructure, and the city’s public works staff recently held a workshop to address those questions.

Residents and business owners came to city hall on Sept. 5 with more joining online to see what the public works department, led by City Engineer Sage Kamiya, had to say.

Opening the meeting, Mayor Judy Titsworth said that she feels the city hasn’t been good at communicating what is going on with stormwater infrastructure to the community, something

they’re trying to rectify with the workshop. She said the top priority for the city is to protect property values, keeping properties from flooding. The challenge, Titsworth said, is having heavy rains on top of king tides.

“Everyone has to do their part,” she said. “The city is doing its part.”

Some of her suggestions to property owners included adding flood barriers or dams to doorways, increasing permeable surface area on properties, adding stormwater infiltration where possible and lifting items on ground levels up to prevent them from being damaged by flood waters.

During a recent storm, Titsworth said she saw a manatee drinking water from a stormwater outfall and told the crowd that it’s important that infiltration trenches are built to collect rainfall in the ground rather than having it pass through untreated to local waterways where it can negatively affect wildlife.

“You’re going to be inconvenienced, you’re going to have some road closures and detours,” she said, adding that the work is

necessary to reduce flooding.

Kamiya said that the infiltration trenches that have been installed all over the city aren’t necessarily meant to address capacity but to improve water quality. The infiltration trenches work by filtering rainwater through several different layers before the water flows into the water table beneath the city. He said that recent infiltration trenches installed by the city do have a capacity component to help pull more water off roads and properties faster than the older trenches.

Kamiya noted that a component of all stormwater improvements is maintenance. He said infiltration trenches need to be dug up and cleaned, removing compacted soil and other debris on a regular basis. Pipes can be enlarged, but they still need to be cleaned out and checked for breaks, leaks or other structural issues and repaired or replaced when necessary.

The city’s stormwater system was built and maintained to be a 25-year system. Kamiya said those guidelines were created by the state of Florida and handed

|

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said she’s never seen water flow out of the city’s stormwater outfall pipes in the volume that she did during a summer storm on Aug. 29.

down to the cities. Unfortunately, he said the city has experienced 200-year and 100-year storm situations just within the last few months. To simplify the math, Kamiya said the chance of a storm happening is likened to a meteorological forecast. A

100-year storm has a 1% chance of happening. Yet what the Island is seeing, he said, is an increase in the frequency of those lower percentage storms, which is causing flooding issues. In response, Kamiya said the city is constantly looking for more ways to improve resiliency and locate grant funds to improve infrastructure as quickly as possible.

The city also has engaged a contractor to do hydrodynamic modeling to help public works employees see where the biggest issues are related to stormwater and high tide events. These models help to predict the worst areas for flooding and assist with finding solutions for property owners. Staff noted that the rainfall received in Holmes Beach in August was the highest amount since 2012 in one month. Kamiya said that vulnerability assessment reports also help to determine where issues are and assist in applying for grants to fund those improvements.

JUDY TITSWORTH

SUBMITTED

OPINION

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SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11

Weekly oyster drilling, Robinson Preserve Valentine House, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m. to noon

Line dancing for beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Tortoise Talk, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m.

Advanced line dancing, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m.

One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m.

Introduction to sewing for teens, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 p.m.

Island Time Book Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 12

Toddler Play Doh fun, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Tree Tots: Light and Dark, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m.

AMI Chamber members luncheon, Freckled

Fin Irish Pub, 5337 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m., $22 for members or $30 for prospective members

Fall writing workshop, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 13

Forty Carrots toddler playtime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14

Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon

Tram Tour, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Author Talk with James R. Benn, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPT. 16

Gentle yoga, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Photography for young adults, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 17

Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Tram Tour, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18

Weekly oyster drilling, Robinson Preserve Valentine House, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m. to noon

Line dancing for beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Advanced line dancing, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m.

Tortoise Talk, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m.

Mah-jongg for beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 19

Island Morning Book Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10:15 a.m.

Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

Family Movie Night: “Peter Rabbit,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 20

Forty Carrots infant and toddler playtime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

Art Talk: Claude Monet and Impressionism, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

Wildlife Spotlight: Shorebirds, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 6:30 p.m.

ON THE AGENDA

ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941708-6130

Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.

Sept. 11, 5:01 p.m. – City Commission meeting

Sept. 19, 9 a.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting

Sept. 26, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941778-1005

Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.

Sept. 12, 5:05 p.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency final budget meeting

Sept. 12, 5:30 p.m. – City Commission final budget meeting

Sept. 18, 1 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting

Sept. 19, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE

FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941708-5800

Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.

Sept. 11, 5:01 p.m. – City Commission budget meeting

Sept. 11, 5:01 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session following budget meeting

Sept. 18, 10 a.m. – Code Compliance special magistrate hearing

Sept. 18, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting

Sept. 24, 5 p.m. – City Commission final budget meeting

Sept. 24, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session following budget meeting

ISLAND-WIDE

Sept. 12, 9:30 a.m. –ManaSota League of Cities meeting, Town of Longboat Key commission chambers, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

City reduces sidewalk requirement for parking lots

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners approved a request last week to remove one of the requirements for two paid parking lots owned by developer Shawn Kaleta.

Sam Negrin, manager of Beach to Bay Investments Inc., a Kaleta-owned entity, spoke to commissioners at a Sept. 5 meeting about a sidewalk installation stipulation at the 102 Third St. N. and 206 Bay Drive N. parking lots.

“I’d like to apologize for how this whole situation has gone down from the start,” Negrin said. “We took the lots back over and we’re back on track and I’ve been working daily with Darin (city building official Darin Cushing) to get the parking lots up to the standards that you’re requiring making sure we’re meeting all your regulations.”

He then addressed the sidewalk stipulation that had been put in place in March by the commission.

“Essentially what’s being requested is these two very small patches of sidewalk at the ends of the two properties, abutting up against Third Street North,” Negrin said. “From my talks with Darin

and his talks with the police chief, it seems the general consensus is these sidewalks might not be the greatest set of ideas, for a couple of reasons.”

Negrin said that Kaleta plans to build homes on the lots and that permits will be submitted within a couple of months.

“The permit packages are being worked on at this point,” Negrin said. “Within several months they will no longer be operating as parking lots. The point of this is to walk through this with you and see if it’s something you want us to rush into place for our deadline next week. It’s something that we can do. We’re just questioning whether that’s something you’re looking to have done.”

“You’re saying you’re going to build in a couple months? December?,” Commissioner Ralph Cole asked Negrin.

“No it’s a much longer process,” Negrin said. “We’ve had these plans in the works, they’re now out of the design phase. And we’re working on the permit packets to submit to Darin. He should see the permit submissions within the next couple months.”

Once the plans are submitted and approved, the temporary use permits on those lots will end, according to the

stipulations that were put in place for approval in March.

“They serve their purpose for just a short couple months,” Negrin said. “We could start laying the sidewalks tomorrow, that’s not really the issue. The issue is does the city really want to have them?”

“My only concern is we’re getting ready to redo our entire stormwater system and I’d hate to see spot sidewalks all over the city that we’re probably going to wind up ripping out because we’re going to put pipe,” Bradenton Beach Police Chief and Interim Public Works Director

John Cosby said. “We have lengthy conversations about mid-block swales to divert the storm water that is coming. So until we know where we’re actually going to put our stormwater system, that may change the thought that the sidewalk needs to be at the pavement or it needs to be put further back in the right of way. I think there needs to be a little more thought on this.”

City commissioners voted unanimously to remove the sidewalk stipulation for temporary use permits for paid parking at lots on 102 Third St. N. and 206 Bay Drive N.

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

At right, Sam Negrin, representing Beach to Bay Investments Inc., speaks to Bradenton Beach commissioners about sidewalk requirements for two paid parking lots.

Proposed Bradenton Beach budgets adopted

The city of Bradenton Beach expects to receive $5.1 million dollars in total revenues during the coming fiscal year.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s proposed 2024-25 general fund and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) budgets are one step from final adoption.

During the Sept. 5 budget hearings, the Bradenton Beach City Commission and the CRA board that includes all five city commission members separately approved on first reading the proposed 2.3329 millage rate and the anticipated revenues and expenditures for the general fund and CRA budgets. The proposed budgets will be finalized on Sept. 12 and the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

The budgets are based on maintaining the current 2.3329 millage rate. Bradenton Beach property owners will pay $2.33 per every thousand dollars of assessed property value and most property owners will see their property taxes increase due to increased property values.

GENERAL FUND

According to the budget worksheet prepared by City Treasurer Shayne Thompson, the city anticipates receiving $5.1 million in total revenues during the coming fiscal year, including $2.46 million in ad valorem property tax revenues. The city anticipates $4.81 million in total

general fund expenditures, which would leave a $289,349 year-end net balance to be carried over into the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The budget includes 6% wage increases for city employees, longevity bonuses for employees who qualify and additional salary adjustments for the city clerk, city treasurer, police chief and the yet-to-be-hired public works director.

The budget anticipates $854,569 in expenditures for the administration department, including $329,750 for employee wages and salaries and an additional $188,507 for overtime pay, longevity bonuses, FICA payroll taxes, retirement contributions and insurance benefits. The administration budget includes $75,000 for city attorney fees.

The budget anticipates $208,009 for city commission expenditures, including $28,800 for the mayor and city commissioners’ salaries and $20,000 for city attorney fees.

Police department revenues are expected to be $253,368. Projected police department revenues total $1.93 million and include $1 million for regular wages and salaries and $655,757 for additional overtime pay, wage incentives, longevity bonuses, taxes, retirement contributions and insurance benefits.

Projected emergency operations expenditures are $92,400 and projected code enforcement expenditures are $108,991.

Including building permit fees, the building and planning department anticipates receiving $525,350 in total revenues. The department

anticipates $476,183 for projected expenditures that include $80,125 for wages and salaries, $42,798 for additional wages, taxes and benefits and $285,977 for professional services provided by the contracted building official and city planner.

Pier revenues are projected to be $168,824 and include $46,981 in monthly lease payments received from the Anna Maria Oyster Bar and $110,843 in additional revenue sharing received from the restaurant. Anticipated pier expenditures total $144,018.

The budget anticipates $90,976 for street and road revenues generated primarily by gas taxes. Street and road expenditures are anticipated to be $504,951 and include $233,250 for regular salaries and wages and $146,121 for additional wages, taxes and benefits.

The budget anticipates $267,407 for stormwater management revenues that include the annual stormwater assessments levied on property owners. The $231,652

projected for stormwater management expenditures includes $106,250 for regular wages and salaries and $35,836 for addition wages and benefits.

The capital projects and reserves portion of the budget includes $10,900 for tree trimming, $19,820 for stormwater and drainage expenditures and $31,860 for improving city facilities.

CRA BUDGET

CRA revenues are expected to total $1.01 million. That figure includes $864,714 as a portion of the total ad valorem property tax revenues collected in the CRA district that extends from the Cortez Bridge to the southernmost property lines along Fifth Street South. The CRA revenues also include a state-mandated transfer of $145,656 in ad valorem tax revenues from the city’s general fund to the separate CRA fund.

The CRA budget projects $349,606 in total expenditures and a year-end net balance of $663,764 to be carried over into future fiscal year budgets for future CRA-funded projects. The CRA budget includes $126,006 for salaries, wages and other expenses associated with the additional policing that takes place in the CRA district, $89,500 for employee salaries and wages associated with the streets and roads in the CRA district, $25,000 for attorney fees, $25,000 for additional professional services and $10,000 for administration staff salaries.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

City Treasurer Shayne Thompson presented the budgets that he and the city department heads prepared.

PROCLAMATION: First responders, volunteer honored

“For many years to come; when our children stand with their hands over their hearts and pledge allegiance to the United States, they will more clearly understand that as one nation, under God, the United States is indivisible; a country unable to be divided by tragedy.”

“We all remember,” Mayor John Chappie said. “We place flowers at the flagpole at the post office every year.”

KAYE BELL PROCLAMATION

Commissioners also honored the late Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS) President Kaye Bell. Several days after receiving the Pioneer of the Year Award from the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival in February, Bell passed away at the age of 81.

She and her late husband, Sam Bell, were instrumental in the refurbishment of the Cortez Cultural Center cottage after it was moved from its original location in Bradenton Beach.

The city’s proclamation stated that Bell embodied the true spirit of community engagement and altruism.

“Throughout her tenure, Kaye's unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being and vitality of our community has left an indelible mark on all those

fortunate enough to have crossed paths with her. Whether through her tireless efforts in organizing community events, advocating for local causes, or providing support to those in need, Kaye's selflessness and compassion have been nothing short of inspiring,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry read from the proclamation.

The proclamation characterized Bell as a steadfast pillar of service and dedication who embodied the true spirit of community engagement.

“Throughout her tenure, Kaye's unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being and vitality of our community has left an indelible mark on all those fortunate enough to have crossed paths with her. Whether through her tireless efforts in organizing community events, advocating for local causes, or providing support to those in need, Kaye's selflessness and compassion have been nothing short of inspiring,” Perry read.

Commissioners proclaimed April 29, 2024 as Kaye Bell Day.

Jim Hassett thanked the commissioners for recognizing Bell.

“Thank you for taking the time to honor Kaye,” he said. “She was involved with Annie Silver (Community Center) and also involved with FISH and she was the heart and soul of the Cortez Cultural Center. She is a great person to honor.”

Roser Church

Cortez Village Marina requests denied

The marina is not in compliance with county codes and zoning allowances.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

CORTEZ – Manatee County commissioners unanimously denied Cortez Village Marina’s request to expand current operations.

The Chicago-based MHC Cortez Village LLC purchased the marina in 2024, one of many Loggerhead Marina properties that the parent company owns and operates throughout the U.S.

Matthew Gillespie, of the Kimley-Horn engineering firm, presented the marina owners’ request to construct 12 additional Jet Ski storage spaces inside one of the marina’s three dry storage buildings, to add boat maintenance as an allowed use inside that same building and to add a boat washing area outside another dry storage building.

To bring the marina property into compliance with county code, Gillespie also proposed removing or relocating a noncompliant shell parking area and relocating a non-compliant trash dumpster location.

According to the county staff report, the marina property was rezoned in 2006 and is allowed 272 dry slips, 10 wet slips, 12 staging slips

and a marina office.

When discussing the request, District 3

Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge was highly critical of the marina’s noncompliant operations.

Gillespie said the shell parking lot was in place when the current owners bought the marina.

“The previous owner wanted more storage, more trailer parking so they added it at some point,” Gillespie said.

“Illegally, I might add,” Van Ostenbridge noted.

Van Ostenbridge said during his four years as the District 3 commissioner, he’s received more complaints about the marina property than any other business in the district.

“You guys have been more than bad neighbors. You’ve been abusive neighbors up to this point,” Van Ostenbridge said.

“I’m well aware from complaints from neighbors that there are far in excess of the amount of boats you’re allowed to store on the property. They were on top of handicapped parking spaces,”

Van Ostenbridge said.

Regarding the expansion requests, Van Ostenbridge said, “You’ve not been fair actors up to this point. Why should we believe you guys would be compliant with this going forward? You’re here because residents raised hell, and we eventually had to send code enforcement out there and they found violations.”

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

County commissioners denied a request to install 12 Jet-Ski storage slips inside the Cortez Village Marina dry storage building pictured, left.

In response, Gillespie said, “I can’t speak to previous ownership. All I can speak to is current ownership. They’re making the corrections. We’re getting rid of all the extra storage.”

Commissioner Jason Bearden asked county staff member Chris Klepek about the marina’s current state of compliance.

“Is it in compliance currently or is it getting into compliance?” Beardon said.

“It’s not in compliance at the current moment,” Klepek said.

“That’s all I need to know,” Beardon said.

“Is this approval required to get them into compliance?” Commissioner George Kruse asked. Klepek said commission approval is needed for the additional Jet Ski storage, boat wash and maintenance areas but not to correct existing code violations.

“They could theoretically be in compliance before asking us for more?” Kruse asked.

“You’re right. They could just come into compliance,” Klepek responded.

CANAL CONCERNS

To reach the nearby Intracoastal Waterway, marina clients use a man-made canal owned by adjacent Hunters Point developer Marshall Gobuty. Gobuty owns the portion of the canal that extends from the east end of the marina property to the humpback bridge at 127th Street West, near the Seafood Shack. In 2022, Gobuty’s attorney filed a still-pending civil lawsuit against MHC Cortez Village seeking a court order that would prohibit the marina and its clients from using the privately-owned canal.

During public input at the

land use meeting, Gobuty expressed concerns about additional Jet Ski traffic posing a risk to the manatees in the canal.

“The last thing we need is more Jet Skis going down the canal. It’s a lot of noise and a lot of aggravation that’s unnecessary,” Gobuty said.

He also expressed concerns about the boat washing and maintenance activities potentially releasing harmful fluids into the canal.

Gobuty referenced a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permit application in which a marina representative stated the marina had 10 in-water boat slips, 55 outside dry slips and 300 inside storage slips. He noted that far exceeds the 294 slips allowed by FDEP and the county.

Citing the safety of the manatees and dolphins in the canal, Hunters Point resident William Fulford was among the residents who opposed the additional Jet Ski, boat washing and maintenance activities.

Representing the marina owners, attorney Meredith Delcamp noted that Gobuty’s plans to install 49 boat slips along the canal that abuts the Hunters Point property will also increase traffic on the canal.

After public input, Van Ostenbridge noted the marina is owned by a “huge conglomerate” that operates multiple marinas and should be well aware of what’s required of them.

TURTLE TIPS

During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, follow these tips to help turtles:

• Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.

• Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night.

• Remove all beach chairs and other objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings.

• Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water. You might also accidentally dig into an unmarked nest. To report large holes or other turtle obstacles, call:

• City of Anna Maria code enforcement — 941-708-6130, ext. 111.

• City of Bradenton Beach code enforcement — 941-778-1005, ext. 227.

• City of Holmes Beach code enforcement — 941-778-0331, ext. 260.

• Level sandcastles before leaving the beach; they can block hatchlings from the water.

• Don’t use balloons, wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf, and turtles can ingest the debris.

• Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights.

• Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law.

If you see people disturbing turtles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

NESTING NEWS

Turtle nests laid: 685

(Previous record: 543 in 2019)

False crawls: 835

(Previous record: 831 in 2010)

Nests hatched: 292 (Record: 453 in 2022)

Hatchlings produced: 20,342

(Record: 35,850 in 2022)

Hatchling disorientations: 55

Adult disorientations: 36

Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

Where’s Henrietta?

Henrietta, a female loggerhead sea turtle, remains in last place in a field of 10 in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles Race, which began on Aug. 1. She has traveled 170 miles since her release on June 24 from Coquina Beach after nesting and being tagged with a satellite transmitter. Henrietta is swimming in the race to draw attention to the cause of light pollution and how lighting near shore can negatively impact nesting turtles and their hatchlings. Her participation in the 2024 Tour de Turtles is sponsored by Hurricane Hanks and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring. Visit The Sun’s Facebook page for weekly updates in “Where’s Henrietta?” and visit amisun.com for weekly updates on turtles nesting activity in “Nesting News.”

*(Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Longboat Key, unincorporated Manatee County, Palmetto)

Manatee County’s 5% resort tax, or tourist tax, is collected from owners of accommodations rented for six months or less who charge the tax to their renters, in most cases, tourists. About 50% of the tax proceeds are allocated to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau tourism marketing efforts, with 20% allocated to beach renourishment. The tax also partially funds tourism-related attractions such as the Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria piers. Amounts shown were collected in July and paid to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office in August. Manatee County totals include Anna Maria Island cities, Bradenton, the portion of Longboat Key within Manatee County, unincorporated Manatee County and Palmetto. To anonymously report a rental owner who may not be paying the tax, call 941-741-4809 or visit http://www.taxcollector.com/tdt-evader.cfm.

Source: Manatee County Tax Collector

Coffee, conversation at Cortez Cultural Center

Members of the Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS) invite the public to join them for coffee and conversation on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road W. “Please join us for this informal community get-together,” CVHS president Cindy Rodgers said. Attendees are asked to bring a teacup or coffee mug. Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided. The Cortez Cultural Center showcases the history of the commercial fishing community. Exhibits include photographs and memorabilia from Cortez history.

OBITUARIES

Michael "Mike" Evan Barnhart

Michael "Mike"

Evan Barnhart, age 81, of Anna Maria, Florida, passed away unexpectedly at home on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024.

Mike's wife, Janet, his two sons, Christopher and Philip, his sister, Patricia, and their families will miss him dearly. They take comfort knowing he is in his eternal, heavenly home.

whom he called his “two angels.”

Eugene enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1948. He fought in the Korean War in 1950. He was wounded and evacuated from action in the historic Chosin Reservoir campaign.

He worked with IBM for 35 years as a Senior Technical Educator.

After leaving IBM, he and his wife, Sophia, formed G&S Associates, a training and consulting company. They taught seminars to management and employees of Fortune 500 firms around the world.

Eugene dissolved the company when his beloved wife passed away in 1990 at the age of 58.

Mike was born on March 15, 1943 in Madison, West Virginia to Darrell and Vada Barnhart. He dedicated 36 years of his life as a letter carrier in Madison before retiring and moving to Florida.

The family will plan a celebration of Mike's life later this year.

In lieu of flowers, love contributions can be made to "Bring on the Ministry" in Bradenton, Florida or the Gideons.

Eugene “Geno” Ciliberti

Eugene “Geno” Ciliberti, 93, passed away on Aug. 27, 2024. He was born on Dec. 3, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to his late parents, Angelo and Angela Ciliberti,

He retired to Anna Maria Island in 1997, becoming an author and publishing several books. He spoke to various support groups and ran an online blog site. He furthered his education when he was 80 years old, earning his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology.

Eugene leaves behind his children, Rachel A. Ciliberti, Maria (Chris) Keatts, of Tampa, Florida, and Richard J. Ciliberti, of St. Augustine, Florida.

Interment with military honors will be held on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, Florida. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton, Florida 34209, is in charge of arrangements.

Music on the Porch founder Soupy Davis will be missed

Longtime Cortez fisherman and musician Soupy Davis was 97.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

CORTEZ- A longtime Cortezian who left an indelible imprint on local music and the fishing community passed away last week.

The passing of Arnold “Soupy” Davis was announced on a Sept. 5 post on the Cortez Cultural Center Facebook page.

“Arnold W. Davis aka Soupy passed away Wednesday at age 97. Unfortunately, he fell at home and it went sideways from there. He has been a staple in Cortez for years with his music, fishing skills and storytelling. Cortez has lost another legend.”

More than 20 years ago, Davis began the Music on the Porch series, a Saturday afternoon jam session at the Florida Maritime Museum.

“This all started off with Soupy Davis and the music was mostly sea shanties back then,” guitarist Tony Constantinos said of Music on the Porch.

In the tradition started by Davis, anyone is invited to bring an acoustic instrument and play along.

“Soupy was a Cortez fisherman and a dedicated musician. He played fiddle and mandolin and knew all the old-time Appalachian tunes,” Paul Dryfoos said. “Soupy was the leader of Cortez Music on the Porch and kept at it even when it was hard for him to get around. He had a great spirit that rubbed off on everyone else. I'm a banjo player, so I loved playing the old-time tunes with him.”

Davis’ niece, Sylvia Dean, said Davis was born in Parker, Florida and had three siblings, a sister, Irene and twin brothers, Martin and Marvin.

“His family was the first homesteaders in Parker,” Dean said. “Their home was the oldest building in Parker. He grew up during the Depression and he told me his parents grew vegetables and sold them from a produce stand to make money.”

Davis grew up with music.

“His dad played the fiddle,” Dean said. “Most of the Davis family in that generation played music.”

Davis also followed in his family’s footsteps as a fisherman.

“The Davis family were all fishermen,” she said. “Soupy became a charter fisherman.”

“Soupy has been a friend of mine forever,” said Willis Rhoaden, of Bradenton. “He’s going to be very much missed.”

Lorel Rhoaden echoed her husband’s sentiments.

“I’ve known Soupy just about all my life and he was such a gentleman and a good man,” she said. “I remember him as a young man working on charter boats. My father, Goose Culbreath, and Soupy were best friends and the two of them used to play their fiddles together.”

“Aww, I know him and my Grandpa Goose are playing twin fiddles together again in Heaven. They were the best of friends here on earth,” Duane Allison Culbreath wrote on Facebook.

Davis’ funeral was Sept. 10 at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 912 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton.

CINDY LANE | SUN

Soupy Davis played his mandolin at Music on the Porch at the old Bratton store in Cortez. Davis started the impromptu concerts that went on for more than 20 years and attracted multiple musicians to join him.

OUTDOORS

Reel Time on the Road: Magic on the mesa

wo weeks ago, I reported that my wife, Chris, and I were traveling to Colorado, occasioned by an invitation from friends. Two weeks in Durango with side trips to Mesa Verde and a vintage train ride to Silverton through the majestic San Juan mountains gave us a unique perspective. The soaring stratified cliffs and mountains whose faces were forever altered by mining less than two centuries ago stood juxtaposed with remnants of ancient civilizations. The sight provided me with a vastly different perspective on the passage of time. As we once again crossed the San Juans, we would experience another side of southwest Colo -

rado where we would be wowed by the scenery and meet some very special new friends. Due to a fortunate miscalculation, we were the first visitors to a magical home situated on a mesa at close to 7,500 feet between Ridgeway and Telluride. Jimmy and Kathy Harris’ daughter and son-in-law, Addie and Scott Bowen, had constructed their vacation home on a 30-acre lot with magnificent views of the nearby Uncompahgre Mountains. That first night we reveled in the elegance of the accommodations, soaked in the hot tub and lay outside marveling under a star-filled sky that stretched from horizon to horizon in this rare dark sky region with little to no light pollution. The next morning after a tour and lunch in nearby Telluride, we returned to greet the Harrises and the three other couples that we would share a week of adventures with. Harris, the owner of Unicoi Outfitters in Helen, Georgia, and his wife, Kathy, had invited us to the recently finished Sanctuary on the Mesa, a stunning home worthy of a spread in Architectural Digest. The five-bedroom, fiveand-a-half-bath home has a state-of-the-art kitchen, a large outside covered porch, hot tub and flat-screen TVs in every room. One would never have to leave the property except

for the amazing natural wonders, skiing and fishing the area has to offer. Over the week we explored and fished the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, did a float trip on the lower Gunnison with Rigs Fly Shop in Ridgeway, explored Ouray, described as the Switzerland of America, and rode E-bikes over scenic and sparsely traveled nearby roads.

The accommodations, the scenic surroundings and the multitude of opportunities for every lover of the outdoors are unmatched in my experience. Sanctuary on the Mesa is a destination I look forward to visiting again and is a wonderful venue to share with fishermen, family and friends. To book your piece of paradise, email sanctuaryonthemesa@ gmail.com.

SUBMITTED

Angler Rusty Chinnis found some time to do a little fishing while on a trip through Colorado.

RUSTY CHINNIS

WORKPLACE: Employee complaints ‘unsubstantiated’

Stefany regarding the scope of questioning or the time allotted for his interviews.

Dean Jones previously served as Anna Maria’s public works department manager. In 2022, he accepted a position with the city of Bradenton’s public works department. In April, he returned to Anna Maria to serve as general manager of the building and planning departments. In June, his supervisory role was expanded to include the public works department as well, with Roosevelt Jones still serving as public works manager. Roosevelt Jones resigned on July 23. After giving his two-week notice, Holland’s resignation took effect on July 30.

ALLEGATIONS

According to the report, Holland alleged that Dean Jones called him “kid” on April 10 while Holland and other public works employees were moving items from the city annex building to the city hall building. “Mr. Holland objected to this statement and advised Dean that he was not his ‘kid’ and to not refer to him as such,” the report says.

Holland alleged that on April 12, Dean Jones said “Hey kid” when asking him to

place a dolly in the back of a truck. Holland again objected to the use of the term “kid” and told Jones he could put the dolly in the truck himself.

“Mr. Holland alleges Dean said, ‘listen boy’ before expressing that as general manager he expected Mr. Holland to do what he asked him to do,” the report says.

The report notes that Jones returned to the public works department building and apologized to Holland before the close of business on April 12.

“Mr. Holland expressed his belief that the apology was not sincere. However, Mr. Holland confirms it was the last time he ever heard Dean use the term ‘kid’ or ‘boy.’ Mr. Holland denied hearing Dean make any other comments that he perceived to be racial in nature,” the report says.

FINDINGS

Regarding the April 10 incident, the report says, “Dean acknowledges using the term ‘kid’ but disputes directing the term at Mr. Holland. Dean stated he used the term in its plural form, ‘kids,’ as part of an informal way of giving direction to the group. Dean explained he meant no offense in using this term and advised that he uses it colloquially in casual conversation without regard to race.”

FROM THE PREHISTORIC TO THE PRESENT,

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Workplace-related allegations made against General Manager Dean Jones are considered unsubstantiated.

The report says witnesses gave inconsistent testimony regarding Dean’s use of the term ‘kid’ or ‘kids’ and no one corroborated Holland’s statement that he said, “Look at my kid holding my boxes for me.”

Regarding the April 12 incident, the report says, “Dean denied that he used the terms ‘kid’ or ‘boy.’ Dean expressed an understanding that the term ‘boy’ has racial connotations and would not be an appropriate term to use in reference to any employee, particularly a minority. Dean expressed his belief that he and Mr. Holland ended the day on good terms and denied Mr. Holland’s claim that his apology was insincere.”

The report notes no other employee corroborated Holland’s allegation that Jones referred to him as ‘kid’ or ‘boy’ on April 12.

“Accordingly, the undersigned finds Mr. Holland’s allegations of verbal abuse and discriminatory/aggressive behavior to be unsubstantiated,” according to the report.

The report notes that Holland never filed a complaint with the mayor or the city clerk.

TOXIC ENVIRONMENT

The report says Holland’s allegations of a toxic work environment were principally based on the April 10 and April 12 incidents, but Holland also identified conduct he found objectionable after Murphy provided Dean Jones with supervisory authority over Roosevelt Jones.

“The mayor assigned public works oversight responsibility to Dean in early June of 2024 following a series of documented performance concerns with former Public Works Manager Roosevelt Jones. These concerns are outlined in a corrective action letter addressed to Roosevelt dated May 31,” the report says.

Dean Jones reversed Roosevelt Jones’

SEE WORKPLACE, PAGE 27

MODIFICATION: CRA shifts from recommending to governing body CRA: Pier improvements, street party reviewed

Commissioner Ralph Cole, who also serves as CRA chair, said he recommended going back to a five-member board.

“I’ve been commissioner long enough that I’ve seen it both ways and I think we should go back to five,” Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said.

Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce raised concerns about non-participation by businesspeople if the board returns to five members.

“At the CRA meetings I’ve been to, it’s pretty much only been us,” Scaccianoce said. “Mr. Chiles hasn’t been here and it’s probably been because he sold his business. I don’t know what the role is because I’ve never had a businessperson present for a CRA meeting. How does that impact the businesses if they’re not a part of it?”

Cole pointed out everyone on the board is subject to the Sunshine Law.

“Everything has to be discussed at a public meeting,” Cole said. “You can’t approach the mayor as a businessperson and talk to him about something you want voted on.”

“If you’re on the same board you can’t talk,” Chappie said.

“It’s easy for someone to trip up on Sunshine Law and public records retention,” Perry said.

“It’s a very challenging thing.”

“I think Sunshine is a deterrent and it also ties their hands,” Scaccianoce said. “I think we would have trouble getting seven.”

Vosburgh noted that all the commissioners now or in the past have been business owners.

Chappie read the motion to approve a resolution to modify the makeup of the seven-member CRA board to a five-member CRA board.

Scaccianoce made the motion. It was seconded by Vosburgh and passed unanimously.

SUNDOWN GET DOWN

The monthly Sundown Get Down street parties, supported by the Bradenton Beach Merchants Association and the CVB, are going into their third month, and those involved say the project has been a success.

“This event is going well,” Cosby said. “This is definitely going to take off.”

On the third Thursday of each month, Bridge Street is closed to vehicular traffic during the street party.

“This will be a significant addition to what the city offers,” Bridge Street business owner Angela Rodocker said. “It’s very family oriented. It’s a time for families to come together.”

Leah Brown, event planner and coordinator for the Sundown Get Down event series requested enhanced signage approval and as well as allowing offstreet merchants to participate.

“Folks driving by, we want to make sure they know there’s a great street party going on,” Brown said. “We’d like to extend that permit request to include additional signage on the street during the event.”

Mayor John Chappie said the requests did not make it in time for the Sept. 5

commission meeting agenda but can be placed on the following commission meeting agenda on Thursday, Sept. 19.

AMOB IMPROVEMENTS

Mayor John Chappie prepared a PowerPoint presentation of the improvements at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB).

“These improvements were part of their presentation a few months ago,” Chappie said. “People really love the new mural, and the spotlights were added along the wall. Spotlights will be on the coconut palm trees; they’ll be coming to us with a request to do that.”

An additional improvement was the installation of doors hiding the dumpster area. The board discussed painting the white doors blue to match the building and to hide smudges. The building is leased from the city and the business is owned by the AMOB ownership group, We’re Back Inc.

In addition to CRA board members Chappie and Vosburgh, CRA member Debbie Scaccianoce and CRA Chair Ralph Cole were in attendance at the meeting. Members Ed Chiles and Marilyn Maro were absent with excuse.

SEAFOOD SHACK: County to purchase for $13 million

ditional trailer parking spaces and up to 100 marine slips.

Sherri Swanson, Manatee County Ecological Resources Division Manager, said the new facility will help with the current shortage of county boat ramps.

“The county currently operates nine saltwater access public boat ramps providing 17 launch lanes and approximately 234 trailer parking spaces. Considering Manatee County’s population of over 400,000 residents as of 2023 and considering the Parks and Recreation Open Space Master Plan and the adoptive level of service of one boat ramp per 7,500 residents, we should be offering approximately 59 boat ramp lanes,” Swanson said. “Which means we have a deficiency of 42 lanes.”

She said the new facility would provide up to 65 ad-

Commissioner Amanda Ballard asked about the cost to get the public boating access facility running.

“It depends on the board’s direction,” Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop said. “The current marina is in poor shape. If we want to extend the marina out and add more slips, there’s a lot of options on the table so we have to go through the process.”

Bishop said there is about $20-$21 million available in the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) fund.

“Like Charlie explained, there’s $20.8 million that was originally in the CIP 24-28 designated for the Peninsula Bay program. Unfortunately, that project is not feasible so they’re going to utilize this,” Manatee County Budget Office Chief Financial Officer Sheila

McLean said. “Fortunately, we have this opportunity to take those funds. We’re using our own cash reserves and some infrastructure sales tax.”

“The Peninsula Bay project became unfeasible, ballooned to about $30 million. We have $21 million in the bank for it which wasn’t going to cut it,” Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said. “This opportunity came up. We can achieve the same objective faster and cheaper by doing this.”

PUBLIC COMMENT

James Morganroth, who operates a boat business at the Seafood Shack Marina, was the sole speaker during the public comment portion of the meeting.

“I don’t know if the county is in the business of operating

SEE SEAFOOD SHACK, PAGE 21

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

Annie’s Bait and Tackle is on the Seafood Shack property being sold to Manatee County. It is not yet known if Annie’s will remain after the purchase.

REAL ESTATE

Condominium deconversion

Remember The Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida? Probably haven’t heard that name in a while, but it was the very shocking collapse of the tower with loss of the building and loss of life. The event profoundly impacted the condominium market in the state and is still having an influence on the condo market.

A condo termination, also known as a condominium deconversion, refers to the process in which a condominium association legally dissolves. Condo terminations occur for several reasons including economic, aging or the desire of unit owners to capitalize on the real estate market. It can also happen when a developer gradually buys up units within the association in an effort to gain the number of condo units necessary to control the future of the building. Typically, because of a lack of prime property, usually waterfront, developers are pursuing older buildings,

Castles in the Sand

taking control and tearing them down. Although this can happen anywhere in the state, it is more common on the east coast where there are many more older buildings and very little land left.

These buildings have become targets for developers after the state passed a law that requires certain older buildings to undergo safety inspections that often require special assessments that can run to more than $150,000 per unit, making it impossible for the majority of owners to pay.

Many of the older buildings have elderly residents who have lived there for many years and have not voted, along with their board members, to

perform the necessary maintenance due to the high costs. Because of this deferred maintenance, it is leading to deteriorating building conditions and failure of the Florida state inspections.

The only way for residents to continue living in their units is to pay special assessments for work required to pass the state inspections. In addition, insurance costs have increased due to the increased risk of natural disasters, adding to the financial burden on owners and associations and leaving an opening for more condominium terminations.

Condo owners frequently welcome the price developers are willing to pay to sell, which are generally above market value. Savvy owners also understand they likely will not be able to afford the special assessments necessary to maintain the buildings and are happy to get out from under the albatross that can become an older condo building.

However, in March of this year, a

small group of residents refused to sell their units, preventing a developer takeover, and they were upheld in the appeals court. This was a stunning outcome for Florida east coast developers who have borrowed funds to buy the buildings. They will, of course, appeal the decision and bring it to the Florida Supreme Court if the appeals court does not reconsider.

Nevertheless, until this is settled, there is a hold on condo terminations unless the owners all agree based on their condominium documents, or until the developers are successful in purchasing enough units to change the documents. With land value along Florida’s coastline exceeding the value of the buildings, don’t expect this to end soon. It’s a sad situation for older residents who have to find a new home, but the reality is they may have no other option and accepting a developer’s offer will save them years of stress.

LOUISE BOLGER

SEAFOOD SHACK: County to purchase for $13 million

FROM PAGE 19

any marinas currently or any restaurants, those things are already operating on that property,” he said. “I’m not opposed to the county owning this property. I want the board, and anybody involved, to consider any of the current businesses that are operating out of the marina there. And any of the current employees that are working, whether Seafood Shack, Annie’s, Cortez Watersports, any of the other boat businesses, I want that to be a consideration if that property is approved for purchase.”

Van Ostenbridge addressed Morganroth’s concerns.

“I assume the board will act as a landlord and essentially create a revenue source by leasing slips and continue to lease space to those businesses that are already there,” he said. “We’re not looking to put anybody out of work.”

Bruce Shearer, co-owner of one of the businesses on the property, Annie’s Bait and Tackle, hopes that to be case.

“I’m not ready to retire,” Shearer said. “So, I hope we can be here a while longer.”

Shearer said he heard about the purchase “through the grapevine,” but said no one has spoken to him yet about the county’s plans for Annie’s.

TIMELINE

The Seafood Shack, 4110 127th St. W. in Cortez, was built in 1972 and for many years was an iconic dining spot on the Intracoastal Waterway.

The property was listed for sale by Elliot Rose and David Neff of Coldwell Banker Commercial Property in April 2023 and was recently reported as “under contract.”

In May 2024, the county had the property appraised by Colliers Valuation and Advisory Services. The appraised value was $12,550,000 for the property with all improvements. That appraisal assumed that two expired submerged land leases will be renewed. An agreement was then negotiated with the seller, Vandyk Properties, at $13 million.

While the submerged land

leases are expired, the seller has temporary use agreements (TUA's) in place. The county’s property acquisition division reached out to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for clarification regarding the leases. Officials were told by FDEP that once the county owns the land, the county and the agency can work together to finalize a long-term submerged lands lease.

On July 15, an environmental site assessment was completed by the county’s consultant, Tierra Inc., and showed no evidence of recognized environmental conditions.

According to the sales contract, the closing will take place in October.

UNANIMOUS APPROVAL

Van Ostenbridge made two motions, both seconded by Commissioner Jason Bearden.

The first was for the adoption of a budget resolution amending the annual budget from Manatee County for fiscal year 2024. The amendment adjusts the FY24-28 CIP, appropriating $13,100,000

for property acquisition costs. The motion passed 6-0.

The second was the execution of a contract for sale and purchase from Vandyk Properties of Seafood Shack Properties for the purpose of boat ramp expansion in the amount of $13,000,000. The motion also passed 6-0.

“The citizens and the fishermen will be very happy, we have more boat ramps coming out with parking,” BOCC Chair Mike Rahn said after the vote.

“We’ve been having briefings for quite a while on this,” Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse told The Sun after the meeting. “We had to keep this under wraps since there were others who were interested in the property.” Kruse noted that the property is zoned ROR (retail/office/residential), which is the highest density allowed in Manatee County.

“This will keep development low around Cortez and will help the area restaurants,” he said. “This is the most ready-made boat ramp you’ll ever see. Everything is already there.”

BEACH BEAT

BRADENTON BEACH

9/1, 4:57 p.m., recovered missing person, 1800 Gulf Drive N. The officer was dispatched in reference to locating a missing person from Ocala. The officer was joined by a second officer, and both went to the listed address, where they made contact with the missing party. The female subject said her daughter worried too much about her and she was fine. The female subject was not in any distress, so officers had no reason to continue to investigate.

HOLMES BEACH

8/31, 10:51 p.m., felony traffic, 6400 Gulf Drive. While on patrol near 85th Street, the officer observed a black scooter traveling at a high rate of speed. The officer caught up with the scooter, which he measured traveling at approximately 40 mph in a 25 mph zone. After running the driver’s license, the officer found this to be the driver’s third offense driving

with a revoked license. The driver was placed under arrest and admitted that the license plate on the scooter was not correct and had come from a previous scooter he had owned. The driver was charged with driving with a revoked or suspended license, third offense, as well as failure to register a vehicle and attaching a tag not assigned.

STORMWATER: City officials address rising flood concerns

FROM PAGE 5

“We’re doing our best to maintain the stuff that we have but then also look to the future to make things better,” Kamiya said. He added that “it breaks my heart” to see people get water in their houses, but his team is working to making things better, and it takes time to get through all the steps required for design, funding, permitting and construction.

After the presentation, residents stepped up to ask their questions.

Carol Whitmore said she understands that the infiltration trenches clean the stormwater, but she’s concerned because she’s seeing more flooding. She questioned if swales could help more than the infiltration trenches. Kamiya said that the city is looking at whether a swale or an infiltration trench is the best solution for a certain area. He added that in recent incarnations of the infiltration trenches, the staff has been experimenting with an infiltration trench that works more like a swale but that only time will tell if it works well.

Mike Roth and Commissioner Pat

Morton also brought up water pumps. Kamiya said stormwater pumps are on his radar but feels that those are a longer-term solution. His concerns with installing pumps are the initial cost and then the cost and labor for maintenance. He’s waiting to receive a vulnerability assessment study to determine what the best solutions could be to flooding. Using a vac truck to clean out pipes, Kamiya said, also may help to allow more stormwater to go through outfall pipes quicker, something the city already uses but is looking at using more often to potentially reduce flooding issues.

In response to Planning Commissioner Steve Oelfke’s question, Kamiya said he feels that the city is in some ways caught up with stormwater infrastructure and in other ways he thinks they’ll never be caught up due to maintenance. He said he has an "amazing team" that is diligently working to improve the city’s stormwater infrastructure, however, once something is installed, it has to be maintained, leading to consistent work that needs to be done on the city’s part to mitigate flooding.

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

Semifinals set for flag football

ANNA MARIA – After a two-week delay due to torrential downpours, the Island’s recreational adult co-ed flag football league playoffs started last Thursday with the eight teams vying for a spot in the semifinals.

In the closest game of the night, both teams came off the field drenched from the humid air with Floridian Mortgage clinching the first semifinal spot 32-24. Winning by eight points over Solid Rock Air Conditioning, the top-ranked team had to fight hard under the heat of the sun.

Quarterback Chase Richardson threw for five touchdowns to Tim Holly, Rex Kesten and Zach Wyrick. Tyler Brewer and Kesten each added a point to the scoreboard with catches from Richardson after the team’s TDs.

On defense, Derrick Carey had two interceptions off throws by Solid Rock Air Conditioning quarterback Dominick Otteni. The Solid Rock defense kept the pressure on with 20 team flag pulls.

The pressure on the Floridian QB forced three Richardson interceptions to help keep Solid Rock in the game for the two halves of play. Karri Stephens, Zaon Williams and Otteni each snagged a Richardson pass, giving their team the football.

Offensively, Otteni found his targets for four touchdowns to score 24 points. Williams caught for 18, while Stephens was the receiver for six.

The Solid Rock Air Conditioning team could not find the endzone for a point after conversion, reducing their score by four points and dampening

momentum each time the team scored. With the loss, Floridian Mortgage plays Moss Builders at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Moss Builders secured its place in the next round of the playoffs with a win against Solid Rock Electrical 33-12. Brothers Moss faced each other in the QB position with Ryan Moss out-throwing Jonathan six touchdowns to two.

Each brother had two interceptions in the game. J. Moss’ interceptions came from the hands of his cousin, Greg Moss, playing for Moss Builders. Solid Rock Electrical’s Jesse Skipper and Zach Long made the takeaways from R. Moss.

A different family battle continued in the game with the faces of the Solid Rock group. James Roadman and Peggy Smith, in-laws, scored the touchdowns for Moss Builders, while Evelyn and Zach Long, also in-laws of Roadman and Smith, made plays happen for Solid Rock Electrical.

G. Moss and Shawn Balvin also scored for the Moss Builders team. Their counterparts, Brandon Rolland and Skipper each found the endzone with the football in hand to score for team Solid Rock Electrical.

Earning their spot in the semifinal round, Salty Printing found their groove, defeating team Slim’s Place 33-12. The Slim’s QB was held to two touchdown passes to Jaden Grant. Defensively, the team could not stop Salty with only three recorded flag pulls by Isaiah Lambert, Jana Whitehead and Rodriguez.

On the other side of the field, Charles “Tuna” McCracken threw

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN Veteran Karri Stephens, playing for Solid Rock Air Conditioning, focuses on pulling the flag of Floridian Mortgage’s Tim Holly during the first quarterfinal adult flag football game at The Center.

for four touchdowns, finding lifelong friend Blake Balais for two. Raul Loera and Matt Manger were McCracken’s targets for the other TDs.

Finding his footing on the gridiron, Loera scored two of the three extra points, with Christian Hampton putting one point on the scoreboard.

The Salty defense was on fire with two sacks and three interceptions, including a pick-six by Balais in the win.

Salty Printing faces Fishing with Salty on Thursday, Sept. 12 in the

Golfers celebrate Labor Day

Forty-eight Key Royale Club golfers played a scramble in the annual Labor Day Tournament on Sept. 3. From left, Dan Hoversten, Anne Klein, Scott Self and Mark Short shot 2 under par, 30, to capture first place. The team of Meril and Rich Salzburg, Ken Nagengast and Steve Vasbinder finished as runner-up with a score of 31. Clarisa Hill won the long drive contest for the ladies, John Kolojeski won for the men from the gold tee and Ken Nagengast bested the rest of the guys from the blue tee. Nagengast went on to win closest to the pin on hole # 8 at 10'6". Joe Coyne sank the longest putt on hole #2 at 16'4". After the event, all enjoyed a cook-out on the patio with brats, dogs and burgers. At right, Phil Parkin, KRC teaching pro, entertained the golfers by hitting their tee shot for each group from his knees on Hole #1.

second semifinal game. Fishing with Salty defeated Prosper Bradenton 35-18 to move them to the next round of play.

In a lopsided game, the Fishing team’s Miguel Rodriguez threw for three TDs. Dina DeJesus scored twelve points, with teammates Matthew Briley and Rodriguez catching the other two.

Rodriguez showed his versatility on the field with a touchdown reception from Jonathan Soultatos. He was also the only player of the night to put a rushing TD in the statistics.

Scoring for Prosper Bradenton, QB Ray Gardner hit Tony Giammari twice and found Connor Ludwig for six points in the team’s final loss of the season.

The championship game is scheduled to be played following the last semifinal game on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 8:30 p.m. at The Center to close out the season.

FUN IN THE SUN

CLASSIFIEDS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: TINGLEY LIBRARY in Bradenton Beach is looking for volunteers. Fun and friendly atmosphere. Morning and afternoon shifts. If interested, please contact Library Clerk, Eveann Adams, @ 941779-1208.

THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Kathy Primeau at 989-560-6381.

ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food, PAPER & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS WANTED to assist at our information desk, especially weekends. Great for teens needing volunteer hours (16yrs+). Other assignments available. Please call the Blake Volunteer Office at 941-798-6151.

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ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, is looking for a freelance reporter/photographer to cover events on this tourism-driven island. The ideal candidate will have reporting and photography experience at a daily or community newspaper and have some experience writing for a news website. Local residents or those with previous local knowledge and willing to relocate here a plus. Resumes and cover letters may be mailed to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, Attention: Cindy Lane, editor.

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previous decision to allow some public works department employees to work four 10-hour days per week instead of five eight-hour days. Dean also restricted employees’ ability to cover each other’s weekend shifts.

“Mr. Holland described the schedule change as the tipping point which led to his resignation as he felt the schedule change was targeted towards him,” the report says.

“Dean advised that he relayed requests from the mayor or otherwise gave instructions based on what he understood the mayor wanted done. He denied there was any effort to undermine or micromanage Mr. Holland, Roosevelt, or any other member of the department and described both Holland and Roosevelt as good employees.

“Dean confirmed he changed the schedule to ensure more consistency in staffing. Dean explained there was no consistency in hours amongst the public works team, such that he was often short a full crew, particularly on Fridays. This was supported by the testimony of the public works employees who confirmed they did not share the same schedule on a weekly basis. Dean denied the change was targeted at Mr. Holland or any specific individual,” the report says.

“A preponderance of evidence supports

WORKPLACE: Employee complaints ‘unsubstantiated’

the existence of tension in the department brought about by a change in reporting structure where the previous supervisor remained employed in a subordinate role. It is clear that Roosevelt and those that Roosevelt hired, Mr. Holland and Mr. Huling, felt that Dean used his authority to micromanage the department in a manner which undermined Roosevelt’s position. However, this perception was not shared by the rest of the team who viewed Dean’s directives as the product of a new supervisor taking over the department and did not find them objectionable. There is no indication that Dean’s management of the department was based on race or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law. Accordingly, the undersigned (Stefany) finds Mr. Holland’s allegations of a toxic work environment to be unsubstantiated,” according to the report.

ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION

The report also says, “Although not alleged by Mr. Holland, during the interview Mr. Huling reported hearing the mayor use the term ‘brownie’ on one occasion and assumed it was in reference to Roosevelt Jones. Mr. Huling explained the mayor spoke to him about ensuring American flags which had been installed around the city for the Fourth of July were properly displayed. Within this context, Mr. Huling reported that the mayor told

him to not mess it up ‘like brownie.’ Mr. Huling assumed the mayor was referring to Roosevelt based on Roosevelt’s race and his position in public works.

“The mayor recalled the statement but denied it was in reference to Roosevelt. Rather, the mayor explained he was referring to a former Caucasian public works employee he had nicknamed “brownie” after the employee had mistakenly ordered brown sand to fill in low areas in the city’s public spaces rather than the white sand already in place. The mayor explained this employee had also displayed American flags backwards when placing them on display for a Veteran’s Day event. Accordingly, the mayor explained his comment to Mr. Huling was in reference to this employee rather than Roosevelt. The mayor denied ever using the term in reference to Roosevelt or any other employee,” the report says.

The report says Stefany confirmed with others the origins and prior use of the nickname: “As a result, the undersigned finds the allegation that the mayor used the term ‘brownie’ in reference to Roosevelt Jones to be unfounded.”

CLOSING REMARKS

In his closing remarks, Stefany stated, “The above report has been prepared to address the concerns raised in Mr. Holland’s July 25 email. However, at the city’s request, the undersigned’s

investigation included an assessment of the work environment beyond the public works department and Mr. Holland’s allegations.

“During the course of the undersigned’s interviews of city personnel, several individuals at both management and non-management levels expressed their own work environment-related concerns. These concerns were not consistently targeted at any one person or persons but can generally be summarized as a pervasive lack of trust and collegiality amongst coworkers which is having a reported adverse impact on the day-today work environment. Although beyond the scope of this report, such concerns and recommendations to address the same have been shared with the mayor.”

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

When contacted Friday, Murphy said, “The report speaks for itself. I think it was time well-spent and I’m glad we conducted the investigation.”

Regarding Stefany’s closing remarks, Murphy said he plans to bring in an independent facilitator to help improve teamwork and workplace sensitivity awareness. Murphy said Dean Jones will continue directly supervising the public works department until a new public works manager is hired.

Jessica Pierce Sales Associate