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Higginbotham officially takes over in Madeira Beach
New city manager in Madeira Beach will be paid a base salary of $90,000
By WAYNE AYERS
Article published on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/070108_bhb-02.jpg) |
| Photo by NANCY AYERS |
| Madeira Beach new city manager W.D. Higginbotham Jr. is pictured with his wife Dona, left, and Mayor Pat Shontz at a reception after the commission meeting last June 24. |
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MADEIRA BEACH – In a widely anticipated move, the Madeira Beach Board of Commissioners officially hired W.D. Higginbotham Jr. on June 24 as the city’s new manager.
Higginbotham, who has previously held city manager positions in Gainesville and Surfside, Fla., was present at the meeting with his wife Dona. The two attended a reception for Higginbotham held following the nearly three hour commissioners meeting.
Higginbotham’s contract was described by City Attorney Michael Connolly as being “98 percent the same as the previous city manager’s (Jill Silverboard).”
The unanimous vote in favor of Higginbotham after a seven-month search brought cries of relief from commission members.
“Hooray, we have a new city manager,” exclaimed Mayor Pat Shontz. Higginbotham thanked the commission for their “vote of confidence.”
Higginbotham will be paid an annual base salary of $90,000. He will receive 15 vacation days during his first year of service, increasing to 20 thereafter. As with prior city managers, Higginbotham’s contract may be terminated at any time by a majority vote of the commission, and he may also voluntarily resign by giving 60 days notice.
In comments made following the meeting, Higginbotham described himself as a people person, and said his financial background should serve him well in dealing with current economic challenges.
“The city manager has to know where the money’s buried,” he said.
Higginbotham also sees parallels between Gainesville’s downtown redevelopment and the city’s Madeira Way plans.
His first priority will be an evaluation of the disaster preparedness plan, followed by a budget analysis.
Planned Bamboo Beach Bar sparks controversy
The commission narrowly approved an application to serve beer and wine submitted by owners of the proposed Bamboo Beach Bar and Grille.
The new establishment is opening in the space once occupied by the Bamboo Beer Garden, leading some residents to fear the new place might have loud music and boisterous behavior.
Since the Bamboo Beer Garden has been closed longer than six months, a new alcohol license was needed. The property is located at the north end of John’s Pass Village.
The discussion pitted residents who value peace and quiet against others who take the stance, “This is a resort community. Get used to it.”
Co-owner John Tomlinson said the Bamboo Beach Bar and Grille would be “a nice little place – not what it was,” with acoustical rather than amplified music played during limited hours. A 6-foot bamboo fence would be erected to help buffer the sound.
A mobile fully equipped kitchen would offer patrons “good, healthy food,” Tomlinson said, in contrast to the Beer Garden which did not serve food.
Resident Bob Cummings said tenants in his building appreciate peace and quiet and he wanted the new establishment’s operating permit to specify restricted hours and days of the week that “strictly acoustical music” could be played.
Greg Critelli wanted no music or alcohol, along with strict enforcement of any infractions. “If you don’t obey the law, you lose the license,” Critelli said.
Sue Mullady countered that she enjoys listening to the music and greatly misses the Bamboo Beer Garden.
“This is a tourist area. We should let them have it,” she said.
Shirley Nelle said, “People come to Madeira Beach to have fun.”
Former Commissioner Arnold Alloway warned of broken promises made by bars in the past regarding music. The neighborhood has changed in the last few years, Alloway said, and now includes upscale condos. “We’ve heard some promises, but how long will they last?” he asked.
The commission debated the music question, but City Attorney Michael Connolly advised that the issue being considered was a zoning regulation involving the location of an alcoholic beverage facility, not music.
“We already have city code regulations on noise. The music has to comply with existing codes,” he said.
In approving the application, Commissioners Terry Lister and Nancy Oakley were joined by Vice Mayor Steve Kochick, who said he was voting, “sadly, yes.”
Commissioners Sarah Nichols and Mayor Pat Shontz voted no.
Kochick said following the meeting that the decision was one of the most difficult he has had to make. Citing Connolly’s comments, Kochick said he had no option but to vote the way he did.
Bubba Gump to open soon
An alcohol license for the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company sailed through the commission hearing with accolades.
“It’s a major move to have a food chain like this coming to anchor Madeira Beach,” Kochick declared.
Restaurant spokeswoman Leslie Miller said the chain has a history of good food and wonderful restaurants.
“If we have music, it will go out over the pass,” she promised. The restaurant is scheduled to open July 18 on an upper deck at Hubbard’s Marina at John’s Pass Village.
Little League lighting approved
Funding of $47,000 for new, upgraded lighting for the Little League field adjacent to City Hall was approved by the commission over the objections of Oakley, who had contended that some of the expense should be borne by the league and players.
“This is costing a lot of money and most citizens don’t use the ball fields,” she said.
Kochick made an impassioned speech extolling the value of youth baseball, and a 4-1 positive vote of the commission followed. Oakley voted no.
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Article published on Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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