Doug Copeland is again a city commissioner in Anna Maria.
Copeland served 20 years in public office as a planning and zoning board member and with multiple terms on the city commission, including as chair.
He chose not to seek reelection in 2020 but when Joe Muscatello resigned June 24, six months before the end of his term, Copeland was the sole applicant to answer the call to fill the vacancy.
Copeland said July 8 that he volunteered for the seat because important matters are coming before the commission before the November city election and his experience eliminates any need for a learning curve when it comes to governing.
Commissioners agreed filling the seat was critical in light of important issues, including the budget, which must be finalized in September, before the November election.
With a unanimous vote July 8, commissioners appointed Copeland, who said his experience would allow him “on day one to be a fully functioning member of the commission.”
One of his first official acts was to motion the denial of a permit request for fireworks on the beach for an August wedding celebration at the Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring Ave.
Mayor Dan Murphy told the commission that city staff recommended against approving the permit request for multiple reasons, including disrupting nesting sea turtles and shorebirds.
The permit request was required to use fireworks as part of the celebration, but the wedding ceremony did not require one and could go on as scheduled, Murphy clarified.
Commissioners echoed Murphy’s concerns for the ecological impacts and the precedent it could set for future fireworks permits.
Commissioners unanimously approved Copeland’s motion to deny the permit request after a second by Commissioner Jonathan Crane.
In other matters
- Commissioners made no changes to the first reading of a draft amendment to an ordinance prohibiting parking in the first five spaces east of the stop sign on Magnolia Avenue at the corner of Gulf Drive. The intent is to prevent vehicles from compacting stormwater filtration. Commissioners will hold a second public hearing and final vote July 22.
- Crane applauded the public works crew for clearing debris and standing water from roadways after Elsa.
- Murphy plans to speak with Waste Management regarding future refuse collection during a storm to avoid confusion.
- Murphy suggested commissioners consider adding funding to the 2021-22 fiscal year budget for bocce ball and pickleball courts. He also asked the commission to consider any projects before spending workshops begin next month.
- Commissioners were impressed by the turnout for a July 1 public hearing on “Reimagining Pine Avenue.” Copeland said it was the best turnout and had the most input of any public hearing in the 25 years he’s been involved with city government.
- Commissioner Deanie Sebring expressed concern about the number of bikes she saw on the beach during the Fourth of July weekend. Bikes and other vehicles are prohibited on city beaches and commissioners said they would like to see better enforcement.
- Commissioners want more enforcement on the operation of golf carts, specifically ensuring drivers are of legal age and occupants wear seat belts.
Commissioners will next meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 22, at Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.
For more information, call the clerk’s office at 941-708-6130.