Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short weighed in Oct. 31 by email with news that the city is meeting with its swale project contractor, debris hauling vendors, disaster management vendor, pier walkway contractor and the engineering firm assisting with the pier project and Pine Avenue paver project on project updates and next steps.
Regarding the pier, Short said, “If the weather cooperates, we will start to see pilings in the water in the next two weeks. That phase will take a few months to complete. Once done, then the mechanical connections will need to be done to get power, water, sewer, etc. out to the T-end.”
“I am still targeting fall 2026 opening of a fully functioning pier.”
The city also is finalizing plans for its Veterans Day parade, which will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Short said, “It should be a great event.”
Also, the city and the Anna Maria Island Historical Society executed a five-year lease agreement for the Pine Avenue city-owned museum property.
Mayor Judy Titsworth also took a break from Halloween planning to fill us in on her news.
She said the city is helping Rodney’s Jamaican Grill in Palmetto with a food and essentials drive for Jamaica by accepting donations at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
In other news, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council voted Oct. 30 to recommend funding for long-planned multiuse paths in the city. The funding recommendation now goes to the county commission for consideration.
Titsworth said the TDC also supported assisting with the city’s 75-year city anniversary celebration with a contribution.
She said the public works department is working on improving and repairing the park amenities, as well as stormwater improvements throughout the city, such as adding scales, upsizing pipes, repairing inlets and outfalls and adding tidal valves in critical areas.
Titsworth also hired a public works supervisor — Addie Javed from Indian River County, who has experience in Sarasota and Manatee counties — to start work in two weeks.
Also happening in the city: new speed tables were being installed on Key Royale Drive to address the safety concerns.
Titsworth thanked HBPD Chief Bill Tokajer for donating a ride-along and, due to demand, a second ride-along for double the money, to the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch fundraiser at Hurricane Hanks, saying, “This raised a lot of money for the cause.”
Lastly, she put in a plug for the anniversary memorabilia for sale — T-shirts, hats, flags and more — at city hall, commemorating 75 years since the incorporation of Holmes Beach.
— Bonner Joy