Negotiations on a new lease for the Anna Maria City Pier restaurant and bait shop are slowly moving forward.
Mayor Dan Murphy updated city commissioners Sept. 12 on his progress for a new pier lease with the current tenant, Mario Schoenfelder. He said they agreed upon the commission’s previously designated premises and maintenance responsibilities, and would now begin to discuss payments, the length of the lease, parking and insurance.
Schoenfelder, who splits his time between Holmes Beach and Germany, began leasing the pier in August 2000. He signed on for 10 years with two five-year options and a $5,000 monthly lease payment subject to periodic increases of $500.
The current lease covers the pier structure, parking area, restaurant and bait shop with payments of $11,900 per month. The tenant is responsible for paying property tax, utilities, maintenance and liability insurance, and the city is responsible for fire, casualty, wind and flood insurance.
Murphy said he planned to email Schoenfelder Sept. 13 on the terms for parking. He said the lease could include parking spaces, which he estimated at no more than 40, in order for the restaurant to comply with the code for restaurant parking.
Murphy recommended 24 parking spaces in the lot on the north side of the pier, where i+icon is stationed for the duration of the pier construction.
Another 12 parking spaces could be included near City Pier Park, at 101 North Bay Blvd., according to Murphy, along with the first four spaces on the south side of the pier, including two handicap parking spaces.
The parking spaces designated for restaurant parking would be marked with appropriate signage, as it was before Hurricane Irma damaged the pier in September 2017.
As for insurance, Murphy said Schoenfelder should cover the restaurant and bait shop, while the city should insure the pier.
Murphy proposed using the current lease term — 10 years with two five-year options — and added that commissioners will need to discuss a formula for rent at a future meeting.