City Leaders Consider 10 Years for Sail Honeymoon

Glen Steinke may get the longterm contract he's always wanted.

Dunedin leaders consider a 10-year license agreement for his upgraded services at Sail Honeymoon during tonight's commission meeting at City Hall.

Steinke's latest proposed agreement promises a higher monthly lease, as well as upgrades to the kitchen and dining areas on Dunedin Causeway. The proposed agreement also allows for a five-year renewal option.

The city originally requested proposals for services throughout a five-year term, with a five-year renewal option.

Steinke, who has owned and operated the iconic kayak rental stand Sail Honeymoon on Dunedin Causeway for two decades, outscored a proposal from his competitor Osprey Bay Outdoors during a public bid discussion on April 9 by 81 points.

Steinke's winning proposal outlines a $50,000 project for a new food trailer with a commercial kitchen and an ADA-compliant deck dining area by Aug. 1, 2014. He also plans to contribute $1,000 a year to sand and landscaping improvements to the causeway and continue his kayak, sail boat and paddleboard rental services, according to a city memo.

Steinke's proposal outlines his increased fees of $18,000 in his first year, $20,000 for his second year, and a 3 percent increase in the following years, according to city records. The city's revenue during the 10-year term is $221,180, records show. Steinke has said publically that he was paying $1,000 a month previously.

Dunedin's current three-year license agreement with Sail Honeymoon expires July 31.

The bidding process, which allows for preferential treatment to current concessionaires, was stalled when some commissioners sought to create a loophole that would allow Sail Honeymoon to skip it all together, an exception given to no other concessionaire in the city. Steinke pleaded for a longterm contract without going through the bidding process. He has previously operated on year-to-year agreements for many years.

On March 7, city leaders ultimately decided 3-2 that Sail Honeymoon was not exempt from the bid process.  

Residents can attend at Dunedin City Hall or watch the meeting live beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday on Dunedin TV (Channel 615 for Bright House customers or Channel 15 for Knology and Verizon customers).

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Previous Coverage:

• Sail Honeymoon Agreement Result of 2010 Misunderstanding
• Letter to the Editor: Give Sail Honeymoon a Longterm Contract
• Are Dunedin Officials Playing Favorites with Sail Honeymoon?
• Sail Honeymoon on Dunedin Causeway to Go Up for Bid?
• Meet the Chamber's Best: Sail Honeymoon