BOOK 43 Page 16465 04/17/98 12:00 P.M. MINUTES OF THE STATUTORY SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 17, 1998, ADJOURNED TO APRIL 20, 1998, AT 12:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Jerome Dupree, Vice Mayor Nora Patterson, Commissioners Mollie Cardamone, David Merrill, and Gene Pillot, City Manager David Sollenberger, City Auditor and Clerk Billy Robinson, and City Attorney Richard Taylor ABSENT : None PRESIDING: Mayor Jerome Dupree City Auditor and Clerk Robinson called the meeting to order in accordance with Article III, Section 7(a) of the Charter of the City of Sarasota, at 12:00 p.m. and adjourned at 12:02 p.m. for lack of a quorum to April 20, 1998, at 12:00 p.m. Mayor Pillot reconvened the meeting on April 20, 1998, at 12:05 p.m. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. SELECTION OF MAYOR - SELECTED MAYOR DUPREE (AGENDA ITEM I) #1 (0000) through (0138) Mayor Pillot stated that the 1997 statutory Commission meeting was held 374 days ago; that serving as Mayor has been a privilege; that requesting nominations for Mayor for 1998-1999 is an honor. Commissioner Cardamone nominated Vice Mayor Jerome Dupree for the honor of serving as Mayor of the City of Sarasota. Mayor Pillot asked if there were any additional nominations. Hearing no other nominations, Mayor Pillot called for a vote on the nomination: Cardamone, yes; Dupree, yes; Merrill, yes; Patterson, yes; Pillot, yes. Commissioner Pillot invited Mayor Dupree's wife, Minnie Dupree, and members of the family to come forward to place Mayor Dupree's name plaque in the proper position. Mrs. Dupree came before the Commission, stated that presenting the name plaque to Mayor Dupree as the new Mayor of the City of Sarasota is an honor, and congratulated the new Mayor. Commissioner Pillot passed the gavel to Mayor Dupree. 2. REMARKS OF NEWLY SELECTED MAYOR (AGENDA ITEM II) #1 (0138) through (0245) Mayor Dupree stated that being selected Mayor is a privilege; that some have said the position is honorary; however, the position is also one of honor; that the Mayor of the City of Sarasota must sign all documents executed in the name of the City of Sarasota; that the Mayor represents every person who does business or makes business possible for the City; that appreciation is expressed for the great honor; that his trust will continue to be placed in God; that the best job He directs will be done; that fellow Commissioners and Staff work closely with him in accomplishing the business of the City; that grateful appreciation is expressed to everyone in attendance, especially one of his students, Dr. Henry L. (Bishop) Porter of the Westcoast Center for Human Development, and his students. Mayor Dupree recognized his immediate family including his wife, his daughter, Jeretha Angela, his niece, Kassandra Bruski, and his sister-in-law, Johnnie Ruth Mills and asked them to stand and be recognized; that their attendance is appreciated; that his extended family is also asked to stand and be recognized and is thanked for being in attendance; that with the help of God, an even greater job can be done; that nothing is done alone; that the help of others and especially the other Commissioners is necessary; that thanks are expressed for the opportunity to serve as Mayor of the City of Sarasota. 3. SELECTION OF VICE MAYOR - SELECTED VICE MAYOR PATTERSON (AGENDA ITEM III) #1 (0245) through (0300) Mayor Dupree stated that nominations for the selection of Vice Mayor for the City of Sarasota will be entertained. Commissioner Pillot nominated Commissioner Nora Patterson. Mayor Dupree asked if there were any additional nominations. Hearing no other nominations, Mayor Dupree called for a vote on the nomination: Cardamone, yes; Merrill, yes; Patterson, yesi Pillot, yes; Dupree, yes. 4. REMARKS OF NEWLY SELECTED VICE MAYOR (AGENDA ITEM IV) #1 (0300) through (0331) Vice Mayor Patterson thanked the Commission and the citizens of the City for allowing her to serve as Commissioner and as Vice Mayor; and stated that sitting on this Commission and working with the people around the Commission table has been a privilege; that even more of a privilege will be to sit on the Reverend Mayor Dupree's right hand side as his Vice Mayor; that appreciation is expressed for her selection as Vice Mayor. BOOK 43 Page 16466 04/17/98 12:00 P.M. BOOK 43 Page 16467 04/17/98 12:00 P.M. 5. REMARKS OF COMMISSIONERS (AGENDA ITEM V) #1 (0331) through (0744) COMMISSIONER CARDAMONE: : A. stated that Mayor Dupree is the 41st Mayor of the City of Sarasota which is a distinction to be noted; that Mayor Dupree has lived in this community for 59 years, which is the longest residency of a Mayor of the City of Sarasota and is noteworthy; that the pleasure of his company has been enjoyed; that Mayor Dupree has always been a gentleman and has done a wonderful service to the community; that the needs of his neighborhood have been brought to the Commission in a stylé emphasizing the importance of the needs; that her support of requests made on behalf of his specific neighborhood has been a pleasure; that Mayor Dupree has also stepped out of his district and neighborhood, has been very interested in the rest of the City, and has been as much in other neighborhoods as his own, which is very commendable; that Mayor Dupree is commended and his presence is appreciated. COMMISSIONER MERRILL: A. stated that the comments of Commissioner Cardamone are echoed; that Mayor Dupree is a gentleman in his demeanor and ability to work with all the Commissioners and has an excellent working relationship with each Commissioner; that difficulties have been avoided; that a good relationship has been maintained despite differences; that the Commission is very knowledgeable of each others' interests and concerns and has worked together for many years; that the Commission has considerable experience and will be able to work with the issues; that serving on the Commission is an honor; that working with Mayor Dupree is anticipated positively. B. stated that Commissioner and former Mayor Pillot did a wonderful job during the past year and handled the job with grace and knowledge; that the year was very successful; that the City has moved forward in 1997- 1998. COMMISSIONER PILLOT: A. stated that the Biblical story of Daniel and the lions' den is recommended to Mayor Dupree in chairing the April 21, 1998, special Commission meeting concerning the Ringling Causeway Bridge. B. stated that his privilege and blessing has been having Mayor Dupree, with whom he worked in the Sarasota school system, as his personal friend for many years; that a friendship which began in 1967 during his tenure as Principal of Sarasota High School when Mayor Dupree was Principal of Booker High School has endured and grown over three decades; that Mayor Dupree is considered a very valued and loving brother. VICE MAYOR PATTERSON: A. stated that Commissioner and former Mayor Pillot chaired the Commission through a productive and controversial yeari that 1997-1998 has been the most difficult year since her tenure on the Commission due to several factors, one of which is the booming economyi that many difficult, not always popular, decisions were required; that Commissioner and former Mayor Pillot had significant double duties; that her sympathy and congratulations are extended for having brought the Commission through this year as a cohesive body which is still respected by the Community; that Commissioner and former Mayor Pillot is thanked for his service during a very difficult year. MAYOR DUPREE: A. stated that agreement is expressed with all the Commissioners; that his commitment to Commissioner and former Mayor Pillot at the beginning of his Mayoral tenure was to sit and learn; that his promise was to keep what he could use and discard what he could not; that appreciation is expressed for the opportunity to serve as Mayor; that thanks are expressed to his friend and brother and everyone else who afforded him the special help to create this opportunity; that working with City Manager Sollenberger, Deputy City Manager V. Peter Schneider, City Auditor and Clerk Robinson, City Attorney Taylor and other Staff who have worked sO cooperatively to make things possible has been a pleasure; that 1998-1999 will require even harder work to make the City better. BOOK 43 Page 16468 04/17/98 12:00 P.M. BOOK 43 Page 16469 04/17/98 12:00 P.M. 6. OTHER MATTERS, /ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS #1 (0708) through (0750) CITY MANAGER SOLLENBERGER: A. thanked Commissioner and former Mayor Pillot for his service and congratulated Mayor Dupree on his selection as Mayor; and stated congratulations are also extended to Vice Mayor Patterson; that the Administration joins in the wishes of congratulations and well wishes; that working with the Commission to assure a successful year is positively anticipated. V. PETER SCHNEIDER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER: A. stated that the City Manager's words were echoed. CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK ROBINSON: A. stated that he concurs with the City Manager and Deputy City Manager. CITY ATTORNEY TAYLOR: A. congratulated Mayor Dupree and Vice Mayor Patterson and stated that the coming year is positively anticipated. 7. ADJOURN (AGENDA ITEM VIII) #1 (0750) There being no further business, Mayor Dupree adjourned the April 20, 1998, statutory meeting at 12:34 p.m. oe eeprer JEROME DUPREE, MAYOR ATTEST: AS. OT4 à Roben 4 21 BILLY EROBINSON, CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK