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VOL 24 No. 29
March 13, 2024
Vacation rental legislation awaits DeSantis’ decision Senate Bill 280 has been approved by the Florida House and Senate and it’s now up to the governor to enact or veto. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Similar to existing local laws, the proposed state law would require vacation rental owners or operators to designate someone to respond to complaints and emergencies. If the new law is enacted, Florida cities could still enact local vacation rental registration programs.
Charter review produces potential amendments The Charter Review Committee is expected to meet for the final time on March 21. Building heights are on the agenda.
committee that also includes Stevie Coppin, Scott Isherwood, Pat Olesen and Chuck Wolfe held its third meeting on March 8, joined this time by Mayor Dan Murphy.
BY JOE HENDRICKS
POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Charter Review Committee has nearly completed its review of the city charter and will soon recommend potential charter amendments to the city commission. The city charter establishes how the city government is structured and defines the roles of the mayor, city commissioners and charter officials. The charter can only be amended with the majority support of the city’s registered voters. Chaired by Chris Arendt, the
During Friday’s meeting, the committee members compiled a list of potential charter amendments to be reviewed and voted on during the committee’s final anticipated meeting on Thursday, March 21. The committee tentatively supports a charter amendment that would limit building heights to no more than three stories. The Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach charters limit building heights to three stories, but Anna Maria’s charter currently contains no such provision.
SEE REVIEW, PAGE 32
SEE LEGISLATION, PAGE 9
Commissioners approve paid parking lot
A contract is in the works between the city and Beach to Bay Investments to improve the parking lot at the Public Works department and begin charging for parking. BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners approved a bid from Beach to Bay Investments Inc. on March 7 to improve a city parking lot and begin charging for parking. Request for Proposal 2024-03 pertains to the parking lot between Church and Highland avenues directly across from the city’s Public Works department. “It is our public works parking lot, it is largely unfinished and was in need of someone to come up with a design,” City Attorney Ricinda Perry said. “We received one bid that came in.”
SHAKE UP breakfast with eggs and zucchini. 24
See related story on Page 4. Developer Shawn Kaleta is president of Beach to Bay Investments Inc. Perry, Public Works Director Tom Woodard and City Treasurer Shayne Thompson evaluated the bid favorably based on background and experience, references, business plan, financials, bid details and project timeline. Police Chief John Cosby participated in the evaluation by telephone. “They came up with 21 standard spots, two ADA and 10 golf cart spots,” Perry said. “My understanding is if the city blesses the plan, they are prepared within a month’s time to get the construction completed on the site for paid parking.” Three options were presented by the bidder for commission consideration, all
SEE COMMISSION, PAGE 29
ISLAND TREASURE Ellen Scott will
be missed. 18-19
BELL RESIGNS from Bradenton Beach
CRA. 3
Page 27 Anna Maria Island, Florida
TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis will decide the fate of proposed vacation rental legislation that would preempt vacation rental regulation to the state. Supported by the Florida Senate and House of Representatives, the legislation proposed in the matching House and Senate bills known collectively as CS/SB 280 would preempt vacation rental regulation, including vacation rental advertising, to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). DeSantis can sign the legislation into state law, allow it to become state law unsigned, or veto it. If DeSantis supports the state preemption, local and county governments, including those on Anna Maria Island, will lose some of their local
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