The Anna Maria candidates running for public office in the Nov. 4 election—two for mayor and three for two commission seats up for election—have some common ground when discussing major issues.
When surveyed, the five candidates each said parking is an issue that needs a solution. Some favored paid parking, while others said there is enough parking, but enforcement is the issue.
Another common concern: What to do with the Anna Maria City Pier Park at the east end of Pine Avenue.
Bouchard
Commission candidate David Bouchard said he’s been aware of the parking problem since he moved to the city 12 years ago.
“The parking issue is about enforcement and not changing the current system. By actively enforcing the current parking regulations, we can have better control over problematic areas as well as use this as a source of revenue for the city,” Bouchard said.
Another issue for Bouchard is city revenue.
He’s interested in a proposal to increase the county sales tax by one-half cent. This would decrease property taxes and generate additional revenue “through tourism dollars and this, in turn, would help fund city projects.”
Bouchard said the Anna Maria City Pier Park was once approved as a park with restrooms. He suggested using a portion of the park for paid parking to create revenue.
This would alleviate some citizen concerns about enough parking, he said.
Because the commission failed to “follow through with the agreed upon development” of the park, two major contributors to build the park backed out of their donations, he said.
Webb
Incumbent Commissioner Chuck Webb said a major problem for the city is the inability to regulate and inspect vacation rentals.
He said the city’s effort to obtain a declaratory judgment from the circuit court is critical to controlling vacation rentals in residential zones. A favorable judicial review would mean the city’s current zoning ordinances apply to vacation rentals.
The city must be able to regulate and inspect vacation rentals for health, safety and welfare of the public, Webb said.
Regulation ensures new residences are not “mini-hotels,” he added.
Webb also favors some form of paid parking for visitors to the city, but would allow residents to park by permit at no charge.
Regarding the City Pier Park, Webb said he was never in favor of purchasing the property. He was absent from the 2012 meeting when the purchase was approved. Webb does not want paid parking on the property, but agreed the city must find an appropriate use.
Yetter
Incumbent Commissioner Nancy Yetter sees a favorable declaratory judgment as critical to the future of the city.
A favorable judgment “allows us to regulate these large building projects” and would insure the structures are not over-sized vacation rentals.
Yetter favors development of a parking plan to “alleviate the over-crowding on our rights of way.” She wants to study paid parking-permit parking proposals, but does not want residents to have to pay for parking.
She has a major concern that permanent residents are moving out of Anna Maria and she wants to “make their rights our top priority.”
On the City Pier Park, Yetter wants a commission work session devoted only to discussing various ideas and suggestions for the park.
SueLynn
Incumbent Mayor SueLynn also said the city must resolve the City Pier Park issue. It makes no sense to have vacant property owned by the city that has no useful purpose except to host a festival each year. Plus, the city is making monthly mortgage payments. Any plan for the park must be approved by commissioners, she said.
SueLynn favors some form of paid and permit parking. Residents should not have to pay for parking, while visitors looking to park as close to the beach as possible should pay for municipal parking. She said Anna Maria is one of the few, if not the only, Florida beach resort towns that does not have some form of municipal paid parking.
She and staff have done research on paid parking kiosks and machines in other cities and submitted those to the commission.
Getting the building permit moratorium ordinance passed is “crucial to the city’s future,” she added. “We have to get it right,” or the city will face litigation from developers of vacation rentals.
SueLynn also sees stormwater runoff as a serious issue.
Because the living area ratio ordinance passed earlier this year allows up to 50 percent building coverage, newer, larger homes have less ground than other parcels to soak up water.
She agrees with other candidates that the city needs to license vacation rentals and be able to inspect such structures for the “health, safety and welfare” of residents.
Additionally, licensing of vacation rentals would create another revenue stream, she said.
Murphy
Mayoral candidate Dan Murphy believes obtaining the ability to regulate vacation rentals is critical to the city’s future.
Without that ability, the old Florida charm of Anna Maria might disappear.
Murphy also is concerned about mitigating the numerous Bert Harris claims that have been filed against the city.
He said he understands the city has legal counsel available from the Florida League of Cities, but the claims could take a toll on the city treasury and staff time.
Murphy said over-development of Anna Maria is a major issue for the next administration and commission.
While there are not many vacant lots remaining in the city, many older houses are being sold to developers who tear them down and replace them with vacation rentals.
Like other candidates, he views the parking issue as critical.
Visitors want to park as close to the beach as possible. As a result, many parking spaces along Pine Avenue are empty on a busy weekend, but numerous vehicles are parked along beach access streets. A parking plan might solve this issue and allow residents to enjoy peace and quiet, he said.
Murphy views road maintenance and repair as a serious issue. He noted city streets are built to handle only so many vehicles. Many city streets need repaving or maintenance, he said.
As of Oct. 22, Anna Maria had 1,233 registered voters. The elections office said it had mailed out 382 absentee ballots, of which 183 had been returned as of Oct. 22.
The elections office said it would not count the absentee ballots received until after voting ends at 7 p.m. Nov. 4.
The deadline for an absentee ballot to be received by the elections office and count as a vote is 7 p.m. Nov. 4.
The Roser Memorial Community Church activities center at 512 Pine Ave. is the designated polling station for Anna Maria voters.
SIDEBAR
Early voting underway
Anna Maria Island voters who want to avoid the Nov. 4 lines to vote can do early voting through Nov. 1 at four locations.
Early votes can be cast at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office, 600 301 Blvd. W., No. 118, Bradenton; the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto; the Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 U.S. Highway 301, Ellenton, and the Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
Early voting hours are from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the four locations.
Dave is right when Jules was in there with Lt. Damato and Chief Kenney they wrote more tickets and evicted renters. In addition they knew who lived here.