SEBASTIAN — With approval recently received from the Florida Communities Trust, the Sebastian City Council gave its final approval to the lease agreement between the City of Sebastian and Crab-E Bill’s Inc., to allow Crab-E Bill’s to operate the fish market and eatery on the premises at 1540 Indian River Drive, as part of and in compliance with the City of Sebastian Working Waterfront Collaborative Management Plan.
The lease is for a term of 10 years, with option for another 10-year extension, and the lessee would pay a base rent of $3,000 a month.
The current eatery is in compliance with the grant terms, with a counter for orders from a limit menu of predominantly local fish items and order pick-up.
Customers seat themselves, and there are no table servers, only a bus person. Soft drinks, beer and wine are available.
The eatery replaces the one originally opened under the working waterfront project, run by lessee Debbie McManus, who established a full bar and restaurant. The operation went beyond the scope of the working waterfront grant’s rules and was subsequently shuttered.
When the City required the operation to come into compliance soon after its opening, McManus brought suit against the City, asserting she was not made aware of the restrictions and, further, that City officials and others were aware of her plans and even encouraged them.
The City responded and then-City Manager Al Minner stated that the lessee had not done due diligence because the grant documents laid out the requirements and limitations of the eatery.
That litigation has yet to be resolved and, at the March 13 City Council meeting, City Attorney Robert Ginsburg requested and was given the go-ahead to schedule an Executive Session to update the council on the status of the suit and to discuss it further with special counsel Buck Vocelle.
Under an Executive Session, Ginsburg would be able to privately brief the entire Council without the public’s attendance. The session is expected to be held shortly before the March 26 Council meeting.
