Notices

Manatee County celebrates Memorial Day

with a new pool... and a lot more

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 19, 2022) – For months, neighbors – and drivers passing by on US41 -- have watched the colorful features of the New Lincoln Aquatic Center come to life. The project has been a source of curiosity as the pool-and-water-playground went from dream to drawing board to reality.

This Memorial Day Weekend – the traditional start of the summer-swim season -- is going to be exciting, as Manatee County unveils the brand-new multi-million-dollar facility.

Following a small (and dry) gathering of local leaders and project champions Friday night at 7 p.m. to cut the ribbon, the weekend will be wonderfully wet. Limited space will allow 100 guests at a time in the pool area for two-hour sessions from 9-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 28; Sunday, May 29; and Monday, May 30. Families can reserve a spot for any of those two-hour sessions here: mymanatee.org/makeasplash.

There is a limit of four guests per reservation, and a parent or guardian (at least 18 years old) must accompany guests under 13 years of age. All guests 12 and under will be given a swim test. The test includes demonstrating the ability to put their face in the water (at least once) while swimming across the width of the pool and floating on their back.

Pool fees will be waived over the Memorial Day Weekend as the pool complex welcomes guests for the first time.

“We are really proud of this facility,” said Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker. “We can’t wait to see the smiles on the faces of the kids and families having fun here.”

Along with the test-splash sessions at the Lincoln Aquatic Center, the opening weekend will also feature food-trucks, family-friendly exhibitors, and an inflatable bounce house.

“We are committed to making all of our county amenities world class,” said Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes. “This is another great example of how we continue to honor that commitment.”

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter @ManateeGov.

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Bill Logan

Information Outreach Manager

Office: (941) 742-5866

Cell: (941) 274-0930

bill.logan@mymanatee.org

Manatee County Adopt-A-Palooza

set for next weekend

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 11, 2022) – The 6th Annual Adopt-A-Palooza will be held on Saturday, May 21 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Boulevard in Palmetto. Hours are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission and parking are FREE.

Adopt-A-Palooza is the largest one-day pet adoption and expo-style event in Manatee County and will feature over 100 adoptable pets from Manatee County Animal Services (MCAS), local shelters and animal rescues - all under one roof. Participating adoption organizations include Humane Society of Manatee County, Canine Castaways, Moonracer Rescue, Cat Depot, Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch and Barking Out Loud Rescue.

For pets from MCAS, all adoption fees will be waived in lieu of a donation made to the Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS). Manatee County residents are required to license their new pet for an additional $20 tag fee. All pets will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

The family-friendly event will include a marketplace with over 30 retail vendors selling a variety of products and services, including vendors for pet owners.

New this year, offered by Manatee County Animal Services, is a free pet vaccine and microchip clinic. Pet owners with dogs and cats in need of vaccinations and/or microchips can bring their pet to the event to receive them at no charge. This free clinic is offered from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

“With hurricane season almost here, the free pet vaccine and microchip clinic will help pet owners get prepared,” said Animal Services Division Chief Sarah Brown. “This event is truly a fun example of the great things that can happen when communities collaborate to help the homeless animals in Manatee County and surrounding areas.”

The proceeds from the event will benefit Friends of Manatee County Animal Services. FoMCAS is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as a fundraising arm whose mission is to work hand in hand with Manatee County Animal Services to enrich the lives of the shelter animals by raising funds to provide additional resources, medical care and heartworm treatment. The funds raised by FoMCAS go directly to help the shelter animals and to help with initiatives at the shelter such as dog beds, turf for the play yards, enrichment items, crates and medical care.

“We are excited to be co-hosting Adopt-A-Palooza,” said FoMCAS Board President, Kassandra Zess-Pagel. “And even if people are not looking to adopt, we hope they will attend the event to help us help the animals of our county.”

On the day of the event, the Palmetto Adoption Center, located at 305 25th Street West in Palmetto, will be closed to the public. The Cat Town Adoption Center, located at 216 6th Avenue East in Bradenton, will remain open -- and the adoption fee special will apply to all cats there. The Bishop Animal Shelter (for lost and found pets), located at 5718 21st Avenue West in Bradenton, will be open during normal business hours. For all locations, appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be accommodated when available. Animal Services can be reached at 941-742-5933.

For the latest information about Adopt-A-Palooza, please visit our website at www.mymanatee.org/aap and our Facebook event page

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 6, 2022) – Scores of tennis and pickleball enthusiasts joined Manatee County leaders today to dedicate the new newly renovated C.V. Walton Racquet Center at G. T. Bray Park.

A brief video of the event highlights can be found here: https://youtu.be/V-6Q7rJ09tg

With 20 pickleball courts (most of them under cover) and 8 clay tennis courts, the complex welcomes players of all ages and abilities to the West Bradenton facility. All courts were filled shortly after the early morning ceremony – which also featured the renaming of a main road that crosses through the complex for a long-time local supporter of recreation and education opportunities.

Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge joined past and present political leaders in a ceremony renaming part of 33rd Ave. Drive W. to Wilbur Boyd Boulevard in memory of the former Florida State Senator and civic leader.

County Administrator Scott Hopes thanked Van Ostenbridge – and fellow Commissioners – for maintaining the mission of building the facility to support the fast-growing participatory sport of pickleball. Praising the hard work of Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources, Administration and Property Management teams, the Manatee County School Board and Clerk of Court, City of Bradenton, contractors McIntyre Elwell & Strammer, Kimley Horn and Sweet Sparkman, he said that this facility is nothing short of world-class. And it’s a sign of what’s to come – across the county.

“We are setting the standard today,” he said. “This is what Manatee County believes should be available for the public to enjoy,”

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter @ManateeGov.

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Bill Logan

Information Outreach Manager

Office: (941) 742-5866

Cell: (941) 274-0930

bill.logan@mymanatee.org

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (March 22, 2022) – Manatee County Code Enforcement personnel are doing their part to assist with residents’ Spring Cleaning this year… but they will continue their “sweeps” activities right through the end of 2022.

Code Enforcement Officers will identify areas of the county for clean-up that have extensive areas of outdoor storage, trash, debris, and inoperable vehicles. The division – which has been split into 11 geographic zones -- will also deploy resources to address restricted vehicles and overgrown properties while scheduling the Code Enforcement Sweep Team to aggressively address these violations and get the properties into compliance.

The sweeps began in mid-February in the Whitfield Area of Manatee County and are moving into the Oneco area this week.

“We are conducting these community-targeted outreach events, throughout the county, to clean up areas that are identified,” said Joel Richmond, Interim Chief of Manatee County Code Enforcement. “Ultimately, our goal is compliance through education, and through these efforts we believe we can clean up those areas most in need -- in an effort to better our community.”

While the Oneco area is the focus of the March sweep, other areas of the County are scheduled later in the year as follows:

Bayshore Gardens – April

Holiday Heights/Trailer Estates – May

East Samoset – June

West Samoset – July

West Bradenton – August

Palmetto – September

Palmetto/Ellenton – October

East County locations - TBD

As each region gets “swept,” residents will see multiple message boards and signs advising of the clean-up activities. While Code Enforcement personnel will lead and coordinate the work, Solid Waste and Public Works employees will be a big part of the effort to remove debris and clear right of ways. Once any areas of concern are addressed, Sweeps Teams will be deployed to address any issue -- before they become problems to the citizens who live in the neighborhood.

“The goal is to correct code violations and help our neighborhoods to stay strong,” said District Four Commissioner Misty Servia. “Our first sweep through Whitfield was a resounding success, with 97% compliance when working with the homeowners,” she added. “I expect we will see the same level of success in Oneco.”

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter @ManateeGov.

###

Bill Logan

Information Outreach Manager

Office: (941) 742-5866

Cell: (941) 274-0930

bill.logan@mymanatee.org

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Jan. 18, 2022) – The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County and Manatee County Government have teamed up to offer an additional location for COVID-19 testing.

The new site will be at the SUNZ insurance building at 1301 Eighth Avenue in Downtown Bradenton.

This new location will begin operations at 7 a.m. Wednesday, January 19, 2021 and will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. seven days a week. It is a walk-up operation, and no appointments are necessary. Clients can pre-register at https://mdc.nomihealth.com/signup/fl/sunz.

Visitors are asked to bring proof of Florida residency (driver’s license, utility bill with Florida address, etc.).

This site is in addition to the ongoing COVID-19 testing site at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. That location -- in the southwest parking lot of 1 Haben Boulevard in Palmetto -- operates 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Testing is free of charge in both locations.

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter @ManateeGov.

###

Bill Logan

Information Outreach Manager

Cell: (941) 274-0930

bill.logan@mymanatee.org

HHW drop off

Mon to Fri 8a – 5p and every 3rd Saturday of the month only from 9a – 3p – No HHW drop off on Saturday’s, only on the 3rd Saturday since they are hazardous materials, and they cannot be left outside.

E-Scrap drop off

Mon to Sat. 8a – 5p / then on the 3rd Saturday 9a – 3p – they can drop it off on Saturday since is electronics and they leave them at a shed.

Collecting Household Hazardous Waste Monday through Friday

Manatee County’s Lena Road Landfill is accepting Household Hazards Waste Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm and every 3rd Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., from residents only. Customers will be required to unload items from their vehicles with direction from staff on where to place items. For more information please call (941) 792-8811.

Please note that while unwanted gasoline in approved containers can be brought to the Landfill during the week, the containers cannot be returned on weekdays. Containers can only be returned after disposal at the HHW Collection held the 3rd Saturday of every month.