Share this story | More Date of Issue: Sep 8, 2010 BB mooring field grant terminated By Lisa Neff Islander Reporter Boaters anchor to the south of the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach. The city has long had discussions about establishing a formal mooring field in the area, but officials now seem to be leaning toward managed anchorage. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff A state agency has formally terminated a $165,000 grant to Bradenton Beach for a mooring field south of the Historic Bridge Street Pier. Bradenton Beach commissioners voted to rescind a contract for the grant in June, then asked the city attorney and city clerk to make sure FWC canceled the grant. The city commission had approved the contract with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission earlier in the spring. And, in late May, the FWC executed the contract. By late May, FWC was prepared to disperse the money, according to city attorney Ricinda Perry. But Bradenton Beach elected officials decided the city didn’t want the money, because it wasn’t prepared to move forward with establishing a formal mooring field. The concern, said Mayor Bob Bartelt, is the city had not yet conducted a financial feasibility study for the field. Instead of accepting the grant, Bartelt and commissioners agreed that the city needed to reactivate a mooring field committee to continue studying the matter. In late August, Tim Woody, administrator of the Florida Boating Improvement Program, informed the city that the grant had been terminated. The advisory committee is expected to resume its work this fall, after some members return from summer breaks. Members are expected to examine the costs and benefits associated with operating a managed mooring field versus managed anchoring versus maintaining the status quo. Bartelt encouraged people interested in serving on the committee to apply at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.