A Mote Marine outreach center will soon dock at the Anna Maria City Pier.
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium president Dr. Michael Crosby inked their signatures March 19 on a memorandum of understanding.
Murphy said the memorandum is not intended to cover all details or act as a contract, but rather like an engagement ring shows intent to proceed.
City commissioners reviewed the agreement at an emergency meeting March 19 and, with one change, unanimously approved the memorandum.
The motion was made by Commissioner Joe Muscatello and seconded by Commissioner Jonathan Crane.
The amendment was suggested by Muscatello, adding “educational institutions” to a paragraph in the “Develop a Lease” section of the agreement.
That amended paragraph reads, “Mote will endeavor to partner with the AMI Center, The Anna Maria Historical Society, Turtle Watch, and educational institutions as appropriate and when beneficial to both parties.”
“I just want to express Mote’s excitement,” Crosby said. “It’s an incredible opportunity for all of us.”
The outreach center will serve as a research and learning center in the empty 1,800-square-foot building on the south side at the new pier’s T-end, which was opened last summer.
Guests will be admitted free to the center.
The historic pier was damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and required demolition.
The city is responsible for securing funding for the $500,000 buildout, which is expected to come from the Manatee County TDC or another source of funds, and not from the ad valorem taxes, Murphy said.
The TDC directs funds raised from the 5% bed tax on accommodations of six months or less.
If TDC approves, a recommendation would still require approval from county commissioners.
“With this document, I can go out and get money,” Murphy told city commissioners.
Murphy said he cast a line in the TDC waters to get a feel for how much interest the council would have in financially backing the project but, to make a formal funding request, he needs a signed memorandum.
Murphy said any cost of the buildout that exceeds $500,000 would fall to Mote to fund as stipulated in the agreement.
Also stipulated in the agreement, Mote would not be required to make lease payments to the city.
The trade-off, however, is free admission and more than $400,000 in an annual operating budget that Mote would fund, Crane pointed out.
“The intent all along is there will be no admission charge to access the facility,” Crosby said.
But there could be special seminars or other planned activities beyond what would normally be offered at the center, which Crosby said could have an enrollment fee.
“We just look forward to hopefully in six or seven months cutting the ribbon there,” Crosby said.