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Palmetto Mayoral Candidates Video Forum
Meet the candidates for Mayor of the city of Palmetto, Fl – Shirley Bryant, Jonathan Davis, and Charles Smith. They cover why they are running, their backgrounds, issues like jobs, new businesses, housing and the Desoto Bridge flyover.
Date: October 1, 2020

2020 Hurricane/Pandemic Plan
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nation is facing unprecedented challenges as we respond to additional disasters, anticipate emergent incidents, and prepare for the 2020 hurricane season. Although the operating environment has changed, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters remains the same. Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) officials, along with the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGO), must partner together to fulfill their respective missions and help disaster survivors. As the Nation continues to respond to and recover from COVID-19 while posturing for the coming hurricane season, emergency managers must continue to operate under a framework of a locally executed, state managed, and federally supported approach to incident stabilization.
To help SLTT emergency managers and public health officials respond to incidents during the 2020 hurricane season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, FEMA is releasing the COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season.
Attached is a pdf file you can open and download:

Hurricane Preparedness 2020
Riviera Dunes Community Emergency Plan
ARTICLE 14 MASTER DECLARATION & COVENANTS
HURRICANE AND FLOOD DISCLOSURES
Master Association Responsibilities
The Master Association shall notify all Neighborhood Associations and Owners that Riviera Dunes is located in an area having potential hurricane and flooding hazards, and will provide to Owners, or Neighborhood Associations for distribution to Owners, a document containing information including evacuation procedures, emergency procedures, the necessity for Flood Insurance in addition to standard homeowner policies, property loss mitigation strategies including elevation, construction of safe rooms and window protection.
Purpose of the Community Emergency Plan
- To identify responsibilities of the Riviera Dunes Board of Directors
- To establish effective COMMUNICATION among the residents, Association Boards, and the management of the Riviera Dunes community before, during, and after extreme weather conditions.
Communication
This plan stresses the importance of effective communication. A clear message consisting of information useful to the receiver of the message. During the course of an emergency situation, communications will be issued by Federal, State, and the City of Palmetto governments and associated agencies (such as FEMA, local police and fire, etc.). Residents will be subjected to information from the internet, email, public broadcasting and telecasting, weather announcements, and bulletin boards located in the respective clubhouse’s, mailrooms and resident buildings.
WEBSITE LOCATION – WWW.RIVIERADUNESFL.COM
EMERGENCY CONTACT DIRECTORY
The Emergency Contact Directory – will be maintained by the RDM Secretary and distributed to the Master Association Board Directors as needed.
Hurricane Disaster Plans for each individual community association will be posted on this WEBSITE. Each Master Association Director is responsible for providing individual association Plans to the Master Association before June 1, 20XX each year.
Hurricane preparation plan
Much of the United States population lives within striking distance of a summer or early fall hurricane. It is important for people who live in these areas to have preparation plans well before a hurricane threatens. Here are some tips that you can use to design and implement a hurricane preparation plan.
Evacuation orders may be issued as either voluntary or mandatory evacuation.
- Voluntary means storms coming close to the area, high winds, potential flooding, and hazardous conditions.
- Mandatory means storms hitting the area, high winds, flooding, water and electricity shut off, elevators shut down, life threatening.
NOTE: When a mandatory evacuation order is issued, ALL residents must evacuate.
Residents who ignore an evacuation order must be aware that they will be in harm’s way and subject to dangerous winds and high water. Emergency services (fire, police, and medical) will not be available, elevators will not be in operation, and water and electricity may be shut off. Residents should not return until an all clear is given AND all utilities, elevators, and emergency services are restored.
Plan an evacuation route
Use the City of Palmetto Evacuation Map Contact the local emergency management office (749-3500) or American Red Cross chapter (792-8686) and ask for the latest Hurricane Preparedness Guide. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters. Learn safe routes inland. Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place.
Evacuation Zones and Route Maps.
Have disaster supplies on hand
Flashlight and extra batteries. Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries. First aid kit and manual. Emergency food and water. Non-electric can opener. Essential medicines. Cash and credit cards, Sturdy shoes.
Make arrangement’s for pets
Pets may be allowed into emergency shelters. Contact the Manatee County Emergency Management office, (749-3500) for information on local animal shelters.
Make arrangement for special needs
Contact Manatee County Emergency Management, (749-3500) and pre-register for the special needs shelter if you have medical needs.
Special Needs/Medical Sheltering Plan
Include all family members in plan
Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water. Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, fire or ambulance service and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
Develop an emergency FAMILY communication plan
Make sure all family members know how to respond after a hurricane. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact”. After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address and phone number of the contact person.
Post disaster recovery plan – re-entry program
The purpose of the Re-Entry Program is to accommodate a SAFE and ORDERLY return to the City of Palmetto, including Snead Island, FOLLOWING an emergency evacuation due to a hurricane or other incident which involves reentry. Returning to your business property or residence may be restricted depending upon the nature of the incident. For detailed instructions and information regarding the reentry program and process, please refer to one of the following links:
Emergency Phone Numbers:
City of Palmetto Risk Management Office
(941) 723-4580
Manatee County Emergency Management
General Information (941) 749-3500
Special Needs Registration (941) 749-3500
Emergency Information Center (941) 714-7114 ext. 911
Deaf Communications for TDD Messages (941) 742-5802
Red Cross
Manatee Chapter (941) 792-8686
Animal Services
(941) 742-5933
Please Do Not call 911 for Hurricane Information! The 911 line is reserved for life threatening emergencies only.

Rescheduled Riviera Dunes Master HOA Meeting 6.16.2020

Rescheduled Master Meetings
The master association board of directors have been actively monitoring Tropical Storm ETA’s progress and focused on preparations for the community. We cancelled our meetings and events that were to be held on Friday, November 12th. We will be updating rescheduled times and post them soon. We take the safety of our Community seriously and are committed to taking the necessary precautions to address issues that any severe weather conditions may present. Please stay safe. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Riviera Dunes Master Association Board of Directors

Annual Agenda Board of Directors Agenda 6.1.2020
Riviera Dunes Master Association, Inc.
C/O Argus Property Management
6744 Stickney Point Road STE 118-A
Sarasota, Florida 34231
941-927-6464
A Non-Profit Corporation
2nd Notice
NOTICE AND AGENDA
Re-Scheduled Annual Owners Meeting
Monday- June 1st, 2020 10:00 A.M.
Laguna at Riviera Dunes Clubhouse
614 Riviera Dunes Way
Palmetto, Florida 34221
New Date -Argus Property Management’s Meeting- Riviera Dunes
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://www.gotomeet.me/ArgusPropertyManagement
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679
United States: +1 (312) 757-3117
Access Code: 865-124-093
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/865124093
- Call to Order
- Proof of Notice
- Approval of Minutes
- Nominations for Election
- Four Positions available- One at Large, One single family, Two Multi Family
- Officer and Committee Reports
- Dock Committee
- Website Committee
- Security Committee
- Bridge Committee
- Landscape Committee
- Road Committee
- Tabulation of votes and introduction of new Board members
- New Business
- Monument project funding
- Hurricane Information
- Resident Comments and questions
- Motion to Adjourn
Organizational Meeting Will follow Directly after

CDC Guidelines for Florida
CDC’s recommendations for implementation of mitigation strategies for Florida, based on current situation with COVID-19 transmission and consideration of the state’s large older adult population
The following describes CDC recommendations for community interventions in Florida.
Bottom Line Up Front:
Florida has had several COVID-19 confirmed cases and exposures related to ports of entry, including shipping ports and airports. Additionally, Florida is a large tourism hub and has an older age population. However, at this time there is not widespread transmission. Due to the current level of COVID-19 transmission in the United States, and Florida’s large older adult population, CDC recommends certain community mitigation activities to help slow the spread of COVID-19 into the community and to protect vulnerable members of the community. CDC recommends the following interventions be implemented at this time (Table). These recommendations may be updated, if necessary, based on any changes in the current local situation.
Goals
The goals for using mitigation strategies for Florida are to protect:
- Individuals at increased risk for severe illness, including older adults and persons of any age with underlying health conditions (See Appendix A).
- The healthcare workforce and critical infrastructure workforces
These approaches are used to minimize morbidity and mortality caused by COVID-19 and minimize social and economic impacts of COVID-19. Individuals, communities, businesses, and healthcare organizations are all part of a community mitigation strategy.
Implementation emphasizes:
- Emphasizing individual responsibility for implementation of recommended personal-level actions,
- Empowering businesses, schools, and community organizations to implement recommended actions, particularly in ways that protect persons at risk of severe illness such as older adults and persons with serious underlying health conditions (e.g., Dialysis patients, congestive heart failure, emphysema)
- Focusing on settings that provide critical services to implement recommended actions to protect critical infrastructure and individuals at risk of severe disease
- Minimizing disruptions to daily life to the extent possible
Table. Community mitigation strategies for Florida
For Every Individual and Families at Home |
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For Every School/Childcare Facility |
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For Every Assisted Living Facility, Senior Living Facility, and Adult Day Programs |
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Every Workplace |
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Every Community and Faith-Based Organization |
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Healthcare Settings and Healthcare Providers (Including Outpatient, Nursing Homes/Long-Term Care Facilities, Inpatient, Telehealth) |
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Appendix A: Underlying medical conditions that may increase the risk of serious COVID-19 for individuals of any age.
- Blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease or on blood thinners)
- Chronic kidney disease as defined by your doctor. Patient has been told to avoid or reduce the dose of medications because kidney disease, or is under treatment for kidney disease, including receiving dialysis
- Chronic liver disease as defined by your doctor. (e.g., cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis) Patient has been told to avoid or reduce the dose of medications because liver disease or is under treatment for liver disease.
- Compromised immune system (immunosuppression) (e.g., seeing a doctor for cancer and treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, received an organ or bone marrow transplant, taking high doses of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressant medications, HIV or AIDS)
- Current or recent pregnancy in the last two weeks
- Endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
- Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
- Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
- Lung disease including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis or emphysema) or other chronic conditions associated with impaired lung function or that require home oxygen
- Neurological and neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability, moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].

Dockside Available for Take Out and Delivery
Although the restaurant is currently closed for seating due to the Covid-19 restrictions, Dockside Social Bar & Grill is still open for takeout and delivery for our Riviera Dunes residents. If using the delivery method, you must have your items delivered through the guardhouse and notify the guard in advance. Enjoy!
Call ahead at 941.304.3689 or order online using grubhub at RivieraDunesDockside.com.

Update from The Riviera Dunes Master Association December 2019
by Shay Hawkinberry, President
Riviera Dunes Master Association
With 2019 coming to an end, the Master Association Board of Directors is showing no signs of slowing down. In order to improve our effectiveness and communication with our residents, we hired a new Community Association Management Company and Association Manager; Argus Community Management. Our new CAM is Ed Talman. We are excited to have a company with experience with multi-faceted communities like ours. We had a smooth transition and Ed has hit the ground running assessing how Argus can help make our community be the best it can be.
At our last board meeting we reinstated several committees in order to improve the safety, security and quality of life in our greater Riviera Dunes community.
The Dock Committee led by Lana Wagner will be seeking one representative owner from each association to participate. This committee will ensure the docking facilities operate in a consistent and safe manner, ensuring all regulations and insurance requirements are met to keep residents and property safe. The Master Association passed an amendment a couple of years ago that clarifies the requirement for all slip licensees and boat owners to provide contact and vessel information and meet certain minimum insurance requirements. These Meetings will be noticed with agendas at least 48hrs in advance by Committee Chair and Argus will forward to Marina management to post on their bulletin board. Argus Management will post on their Website in the Calendar and send to all committee members and Association Property Management managers under the Master Association and to the president of each association.
The Security Committee led by Rob Hartwell will be assessing the current security of the community and making recommendations to the Master Association any suggestions to improve the safety and security of our community. He will be seeking volunteers to join this committee as well as recommendations from any community on issues we need to address. Meetings will be noticed with agendas at least 48hrs in advance by the Committee Chair. Argus Management will post on the Argus Website Calendar and sent to all committee members and Association Property Management managers under the Master Association and president of each association.
The Website Committee led by Ted Knoke is progressing nicely with our Master Association Website. It is www.rivieradunesfl.com. This website is improving every month with new features being added to improve communication with all our residents. Stay tuned for new features such as a Community Calendar, Evacuation Procedures in case of Disasters and/or Emergencies, Committee Updates and important community documents like the Declaration of Covenants and all amendments as well as all related By-laws, Budgets and Financials. It is our goal to maintain transparency while helping to bring this beautiful community together and make it the most desirable place to live.
The Landscaping Committee, led by Drew Denick, has been most active this year as you have probably seen. They completed several projects around the lake walkway, installing new benches, new trash cans, and replacing some of the landscape and palm trees. We signed a contract for the semiannual clean-up of the harbor rip rap and pressure washing of the walkway. We also signed a contract for the semi-annual trimming of the mangroves to ensure the views are maintained for all to enjoy. We are currently working on replacing the dead bushes and cleaning the monument signs and improving the lighting. Finally, after receiving notice of damaged signs in the harbor, we are working with local authorities to have those replaced.
The Master Association is had their annual budget meeting on December 18, 2019 at 1:00 pm at the Laguna Clubhouse to approve the 2020 budget. All were welcome to attend. For future meetings, look for notices posted at all the entrance gates in the community.
As many of you know, we have been active in opposing any highspeed, elevated highway alternative in the replacement of the Desoto Bridge, actively lobbying the FDOT, MPO Board, Citizen’s Advisory Committee and local officials to ensure they don’t approve any alternative that will divide our community or negatively impact the health and safety of our residents.
We have a very active Bridge Committee which I Chair that meets regularly to strategize how we communicate with area leaders to make sure our voices are heard. This Bridge Committee was successful in presenting surveys to the MPO Board that resulted in a large response opposing alternatives that would divide our community. If anyone is interested in joining this committee and/or hearing the preliminary results of the CMNAA study results that have been posted, they can reach out to Fred Sperry-Vice Chair, email jfredsperry@gmail.com. Your delegate on the Master Association Board of Directors can also provide the contact information.
As we reflect back on how fortunate we were in averting a disaster from Hurricane Dorian, we did realize the important role the Master Association can play in the event of a disaster. We will work to create a Master Association Disaster Plan and Communication Tool in such events in the future. We will use this forum of the website to inform and instruct residents on how to plan, prepare for, and react to disasters in the future. A proper disaster plan will ensure that residents and properties in the community are protected and/or restored to the maximum extent possible during all phases of a disaster and/or emergency, including providing assistance to All of those requiring assistance. That is one of the greatest benefits of a community; working together to help each other during a disaster.
Every year the Master Association looks at projects we can initiate to improve the community and maintain the lifestyle we all enjoy at Riviera Dunes, whether it is renewing the submerged land lease for the harbor or sponsoring community get togethers so we all get to know our neighbors. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any one of the board members. We would love to hear from you and get your thoughts on how the Master Association can better serve the residents of Riviera Dunes.