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VOL 24 No. 39
May 22, 2024
Signed palm tree agreement remains elusive
If a tree falls on Bridge Street and causes damage, who is liable? BY LESLIE LAKE AND JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENTS | llake@amisun.com, jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – A newly-planted coconut palm tree that fell over on Bridge Street last week has raised questions about whether the city obtained a signed indemnification agreement prior to planting it and 79 other trees. At the April 3 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, members unanimously approved the installation of 80 coconut palm trees along Bridge Street in a city partnership with developer Shawn Kaleta. The approval was based on assurances by City Attorney Ricinda Perry that a maintenance, indemnification and hold harmless agreement with Kaleta would be in place prior to planting SUBMITTED
SEE PALM TREE, PAGE 37
A May 15 Facebook post shows a newly-planted coconut palm lying on the ground on Bridge Street.
Beach parking garage gets design funding Manatee County commissioners voted unanimously on May 14 to spend $1.125 million of taxpayer money on preliminary design services for a parking garage at Manatee Beach. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY – Whether residents want it or not, the wheels are in motion for county taxpayers to foot the bill for a three-story parking garage at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach. County commissioners voted unanimously on May 14 to approve $1.125 million for a preliminary design criteria package for the parking structure. The item was listed as a budget amendment under the consent agenda
before Commissioner George Kruse pulled it for discussion; consent agenda items are voted on without discussion. The funds for a pre-design criteria package of the parking structure, along with $625,000 for a similar design package for a parking garage at the Bradenton Area Convention Center and $1,175,000 for a garage at the Premiere Sports complex, total $2,925,000. The budget amendment states that those funds are being transferred from the 2023 Revenue Improvement Bonds Capital Projects fund. Kruse said he pulled the item from the consent agenda because he felt that the commission needed to have more discussion before committing taxpayer funds to come up with a plan for the garages during an RFP process
SEE PARKING, PAGE 35
Man drowns off Holmes Beach HOLMES BEACH – A day at the beach ended in tragedy on May 18 when an unidentified 75-year-old man drowned in the Gulf of Mexico near the 77th Street beach access. West Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Marshall Rodney Kwiatkowski said that the man was visiting the beach with his wife when he went for a swim. Red flag warnings were posted at Manatee Beach about 25 blocks away, cautioning the public about unsafe water conditions. Officials believe that the man fell victim to rip currents and high surf conditions. Kwiatkowski said he believes the victim was visiting Anna Maria Island from England and was not a local resident. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends,” Kwiatkowski said. “West Manatee Fire Rescue cautions even the strongest of swimmers from entering the water during red flag hazard conditions.” Beach conditions can be viewed daily online at www.safebeachday.com/ manatee-public-beach.
SEE YOUR READERS' CHOICE FAVORITES! 17-30 Page 39 Anna Maria Island, Florida
The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper
SUBMITTED
The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay/Ruskin issued a rip current statement for coastal Manatee County, including Anna Maria Island, on May 18 at 7:41 a.m. The warning expired at 8 p.m. that evening, but red flags remained at Manatee Beach the next morning. Swimmers caught in a rip current are advised not to fight the current to get back to shore. Instead, use the current to float out until you can safely swim parallel to shore to get out of the current, then swim back into shore.
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weekend on AMI. 3
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