The fate of Anna Maria Island’s three cities remains uncertain despite dialogue between the disputing parties.
The three island mayors — Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth — met in private Jan. 30 with state Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, and state Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, at Anna Maria City Hall to discuss parking across the island and a study on the potential dissolution or consolidation of the cities.
A nearly three-year long dispute centered around island parking came to a head at the Jan. 12 Manatee County Legislative Delegation meeting when Robinson questioned the number of municipalities needed on the island and called for a study of island governance.
Robinson motioned to commission an Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability study on Anna Maria Island’s governing structure and to present options to the delegation for the 2024 legislative session.
OPPAGA is a research arm of the Legislature that provides data, research and analysis to assist budget and policy deliberations.
The delegation unanimously approved Robinson’s motion to seek such a study.
Robinson also announced plans to introduce a bill to preempt local regulation of parking for state and county properties. The bill would override a Holmes Beach ordinance that prohibits multilevel parking facilities within city limits, as well as usurp comp plan limits on building height.
Robinson’s actions sparked an outcry from islanders and their elected officials.
The cities mobilized their lobbyists and directed residents to send letters of opposition to the state lawmakers.
As of Feb. 2, neither of Robinson’s bills had been filed for consideration in the state legislative session that opens March 7.
Murphy said he organized the private meeting in an attempt to calm the waters before any actions were set in gear.
Murphy and Titsworth declined The Islander’s request to attend the meeting.
Murphy told The Islander Feb. 2 that he began the 75-minute meeting by asking what it would take from the cities for the legislators to drop the proposed bills.
He said Boyd singled out Titsworth, saying Holmes Beach forced the issue by removing streetside parking along some residential streets in 2020 and then adopting an ordinance prohibiting multilevel parking facilities.
Murphy says he called it “rash” and “out of character” for Boyd and Robinson to pursue consolidation or dissolution because of a dispute over Holmes Beach parking. He asked them to pull the proposal and suggested the cities work to consolidate some services.
Nevertheless, the legislators stressed that the parking issue must be resolved and encouraged Holmes Beach to negotiate parking agreements with churches, as several are within walks to the shore.
They asked Murphy, a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, to ask about beach parking at that location. He said church representatives were open to the idea and waiting for a proposal from Holmes Beach.
Previously some island churches said approval hinged on liability and insurance protection.
Murphy said he didn’t succeed in his goal to learn what the cities need to do for Robinson’s proposals to be pulled but said the dialogue was important.
“All the cards are now on the table. I don’t think there is any hidden agenda here. It’s all about parking. That’s the conundrum that needs to be solved,” the Anna Maria mayor said.
Murphy said he wanted to keep the lines of communication open and planned to visit Tallahassee the week beginning Feb. 6 to meet with legislators.
In the meantime, he said, the island mayors were in “lockstep” over the issue.
“All three of us care about the island and our intent is to get Boyd and Robinson to care, too,” Murphy said.
Titsworth told The Islander Jan. 31 that the meeting allowed them to air their grievances but she wasn’t sure how much it mattered.
“My takeaway is that I’m still not convinced that we made an impact. I’m hoping we did. It wasn’t for a lack of trying,” Titsworth said. “We had a lot to say and we got to say it.”
She added that Holmes Beach was waiting to see if the proposed bills would be filed.
“If the bills get filed, then it just proves that no matter what we do it’s not enough,” Titsworth said. “Holmes Beach, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach aren’t the real reason people can’t find a parking place. It’s because the county continues to grow. … That’s the reality.”
“We had a very good meeting with our state legislators and the three mayors. Everybody was frank with each other and we’re hopeful of moving the discussion forward in a positive manner for everybody,” Chappie told The Islander Jan. 31.
Neither Boyd nor Robinson’s offices responded to Feb. 1-2 calls from The Islander.
