MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 7, 2000, AT 2:00 P.M. PRESENT: Vice Mayor Albert F. Hogle, Commissioners Mollie C. Cardamone, Carolyn J. Mason and Mary J. Quillin, City Manager David R. Sollenberger, City Auditor and Clerk Billy E. Robinson, and City Attorney Richard J. Taylor ABSENT: Mayor Gene M. Pillot PRESIDING: Vice Mayor Hogle The meeting was called to order in accordance with Article III, Section 9(b) of the Charter of the City of Sarasota at 2:05 p.m. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. ADOPTION RE: SECOND READING OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 00-4271, AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE CHAPTER OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF THE CITY OF SARASOTA (A/K/A THE SARASOTA CITY PLAN [19981) TO DESIGNATE THE GILLESPIE PARK AND PARK EAST NEIGHBORHOODS AS AN URBAN INFILL AND REDEVELOPMENT AREA; TO ADD A MAP TO THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP SERIES DEPICTING THE BOUNDARIES OF SUCH AREA; AND TO ADD AN ACTION STRATEGY TO THE FUTURE LAND USE CHAPTER EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF SUCH DESIGNATION; ETC. (TITLE ONLY) (COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS APPLICATION NO. 00-PA-03, APPLICANT CITY OF SARASOTA) (AGENDA ITEM I) #1 (0033) through (0075) David Smith, Senior Planner II, Planning and Development Department, Gregory Horwedel, Director of Neighborhood Development, and Patrizia Barbone, Neighborhood Planner, Department of Neighborhood Development, came before the Commission. Vice Mayor Hogle stated that the Mayor is out of town and unable to attend the meeting. City Manager Sollenberger stated that Agenda Item I is the second reading of proposed Ordinance No. 00-4271 amending the Future Land Use Chapter of the City's Comprehensive Plan, also called the Sarasota City Plan, 1998 Edition (City's Comprehensive Plan), which would ordinarily be a consent item and only requires a motion. BOOK 48 Page 20296 11/07/00 6:00 P.M. BOOK 48 Page 20297 11/07/00 2:00 P.M. Vice Mayor Hogle opened the public hearing. There was no one was signed up to speak and Vice Mayor Hogle closed the public hearing. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson read proposed Ordinance No. 00-4271 by title only. On motion of Commissioner Quillin and second of Commissioner Mason, it was moved to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 00-4271, amending the Future Land Use Chapter of the City's Comprehensive Plan, also called the Sarasota City Plan, 1998 Edition (City's Comprehensive Plan) to designate the Gillespie Park and Park East Neighborhoods as an Urban Infill and Redevelopment Area, to add a map to the Future Land Use Map Series depicting the boundaries of such area, and to add an Action Strategy to the Future Land Use Chapter explaining the purpose of such designation. Motion carried unanimously (4 to 0) : Cardamone, yes; Hogle, yes; Mason, yes; Quillin, yes. 2. CITIZENS - INPUT CONCERNING CITY TOPICS (AGENDA ITEM II) #1 (0075) through (0080) There was no one signed up to speak. 3. OTHER MATTERS/ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS (AGENDA ITEM III) #1 (0084) through (1060) COMMISSIONER QUILLIN: A. stated that seeing everyone with vote stickers is pleasing; that the hope is those who have not yet voted will vote by the end of the day. COMMISSIONER CARDAMONE: : A. stated that the November 7, 2000, newspaper article in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune entitled "Proposed bus station wins approval," is disturbing; and requested clarification of the Commission action taken at the November 6, 2000, Regular Commission meeting. City Manager Sollenberger stated that the Commission agreed upon the Lemon Avenue site for the Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) Transfer Facility and instructed the City Manager to begin discussion with the County Administrator with three stipulations: 1) no parking spaces in the area will be lost, 2) the facility should be designed observing Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles with the City's Police Department as the consultant, and 3) the urban design issues should be resolved to the satisfaction of the City; that an excerpt of the minutes was provided by the City Auditor and Clerk and were sent with a letter to the County Administrator; that the Director of Redevelopment and Developmental Services will be the point person in resolving details and, representing the City. Commissioner Cardamone stated that the headline of the newspaper article is of concern; that a motion was not made to take the proposed SCAT Transfer Facility to the former site of the House of Golf which, according to the newspaper article, was denied; that the newspaper article indicates the motion was rejected by a vote of 3 to 2; that a motion to request the County to examine the former site of the House of Golf is not recalled; that the newspaper article does not indicate the proposed SCAT Transier Facility will return for further Commission discussion in December 2000. Commissioner Quillin stated that the motion did not pass to return the issue of the proposed SCAT Transier Facility for Commission discussion. Commissioner Cardamone stated that the motion was not recalled. Vice Mayor Hogle stated that the failure of the motion does not indicate the City Manager will not return a report by December 2000. Commissioner Quillin stated that the City Commission does not have a joint meeting with the County Commission scheduled; that the events of the November 6, 2000, Regular Commission meeting Cause concerni that the budget is limited; that the Commission does not have significant Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District funds; that requesting the City pay back funds for a no-fault situation is a concern; that the City would win against the Property Appraiser, who would be sued by the County if legal proceedings were initiated; that the improvements Downtown which are the reason for the increase in property values in the TIF. District have been to the benefit of the County; that the County's indicating the City owes $1.8 million is a problem which should be resolved; that the City should examine thé numbers and not rush into the project; that an appraisal of the property at the Lemon BOOK 48 Page 20298 11/07/00 6:00 P.M. BOOK 48 Page 20299 11/07/00 2:00 P.M. Avenue site of $1.5 million is unsatisfactory; that the property is worth more as a unified project; that dividing the property will lessen the value and is not part of the City of Sarasota Downtown Master Plan 2020 (Master Plan 2020) or even the Downtown Sarasota: Master Plan for Tomorrow (May 1986) (CRA Master Plan) which mirror each other in the type of development proposed for the area; that the CRA should be making the decisions rather than the Commission. Commissioner Cardamone stated that no mechanism has been provided to return the property to the City if the County chooses not to build a parking garage; that the City does not build anything which is not according to CPTED principles; that the determination of design choice belongs to the City; that the County's building a design disliked by the City is unlikely; that the newspaper article does not accurately indicate the actions of the Commission; that the concern is the public will believe the City simply handed the property to the County without indicating the requirement of replacing property; and quoted the newspaper article as follows: Pillot added he wants the existing 86 parking spaces on a city-owned lot to be saved or replaced, and he also wants the city Police Department and the administration to be closely involved in the design of the new facility. Commissioner Cardamone continued that a letter to the County should be written quickly and copied to each Commissioner; that the concern is no fall-back position exists if the County indicates an inability to replace the parking and offers $1 million verses the $1.5 million which is the value of the property; that the City should not lose control; that the City's losing control, accepting the money, and then trying to purchase parking was not the intention of the Commission in approving the motion. Vice Mayor Hogle stated that each City Commissioner has been assigned a County Commissioner to lobby; that the City Commission should work with the County Commission to resolve the situation. Commissioner Cardamone stated that saying the words "yes but' - is difficult. Commissioner Quillin stated that the difficulty is the reason a joint meeting was desired. Vice Mayor Hogle stated that clarification should be requested from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Commissioner Quillin stated that the County does not make decisions alone; that the County reviews the City minutes and the City Manager and County Administrator talk; that a verbatim transcription can be provided if questions exist; that the issue of the proposed SCAT Transfer Facility is too important for less than thorough discussion. Commissioner Cardamone stated that the motion was actually a "yes but" motion; and asked the plan to disseminate the proper perspective to the public? City Manager Sollenberger stated that a letter to the editor can be written; that the Sarasota Herald-Tribune will not rewrite the newspaper article. Commissioner Quillin stated that the audio tapes from the November 6, 2000, Regular, Commission Meeting should be reviewed; that the existence of three votes for a "yes but" is unsure; that no room for discussion existed; that a dialogue was in progress at one point; that a motion was suddenly requested; that postponing the motion until the Administration could return and present the Commission a full report to include a joint City and County meeting was desired; that the County should consider the City's perspective as well as the City considers the County's perspective. Commissioner Cardamone stated that the City's perspective has been presented many times and fallen upon deaf ears; that the issue could have been resolved 3 or 4 years ago if the County had built replacement parking; that time and energy has been wasted. Commissioner Quillin stated that some creative thoughts to resolve the issue exist presently; that the County Administrator and the City Manager should present the Commission's discussion to City and County Staffs so creative resolutions can be developed. Commissioner Cardamone stated that holding a discussion on television is difficult; that getting lost in the discussion is easyi that the Commission is not sitting eye-to-eye trying to create a plan of action which is mutually satisfying while on television; that each Commissioner has an idea of the manner in which the project should occur; that the concept cannot be brainstormed or considered jointly while the meeting. is televised; BOOK 48 Page 20300 11/07/00 6:00 P.M. BOOK 48 Page 20301 11/07/00 2:00 P.M. that the perception of a personal attempt to block the vote due to preference is undesirable; that the concern is a meeting with the County Commission has not been initiated to present City Commission desires for the property, payment for the property, and the action which will be taken if the County offers funds in lieu of building a retail area with six to nine buses running through the middle; that the majority vote is supported; however, the manner in which to resolve the details is discomforting. City Manager Sollenberger stated that the action of the November 6, 2000, Regular Commission meeting was perceived as direction to the Administration and not as an accomplished fact; that the understanding was the Lemon Avenue site was agreed upon with conditions for later resolution; that the returned presentation should be agreeable the City and the County Commissions; that the involvement of the two Commissions may become necessary if some areas cannot be resolved administratively; that the Commission's action during the November 6, 2000, Regular Commission meeting is not viewed as final; that many details require resolution; that the size of the property being discussed is unclear; that the understanding is two-thirds of the parking lot is being discussed for removal; that the parking must be replaced; that a significant amount of work remains; that the issue will not be resolved quickly; that pricing issues and the replacement of parking must be resolved; that the Downtown Association of Sarasota, Inc. (Downtown Association) indicated the possibility of purchasing pre-fabricated parking spaces for $7,000 per space; that the manner in which to deal with liner buildings, etc., is an additional issue. Commissioner Cardamone stated that the position of the Downtown Association has never been understood; that the larger picture includes long-term use; that the County's perspective is the urgency of keeping bus transportation in Downtown; that the difference in opinion is acceptable; however, the reason for changing buses at the center of Downtown has not been justified; that the only explanation offered by SCAT is rearranging the routes would be too costly; that many cities have buses which run to downtown; that the bus transfer facility in Tallahassee, Florida, is on a major road which is away from the Capitol and business offices but is on the fringe of the city; that the Commission has three conditions to which the newspaper article alludes but not as accurately described as desired; that the instructions to the Administration are to resolve the details; that a letter indicating the Commission's position should be sent to the editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune immediately. Commissioner Quillin stated that complaints have been heard from members of the public; that a person living near the Ringling School of Art and Design must transier buses Downtown to go to work at Sarasota Square Mall and will not get home if work is not left by 6 p.m.i that a much larger problem than the location of the SCAT Transier Facility exists in the community; that many metropolitan areas no longer have large transfer stations but rather small interconnecting transfer stations; that at the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) level, the Park and Ride Committee will be meeting November 8, 2000, for an update regarding the Park and Ride Program, which attempts to gain better connection between Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties; that people who live in the counties will take the buses; that an express bus runs from south County to Downtown; that bus stops are across the street from City Hall and near the County Administration building; that the express buses go to key points; that assistance has been provided in the creation of a simplified matrix for the School Avenue location which is a major employment center with the improvements of the Sarasota County Health Department, the Sarasota Family YMCA, Inc., I lawyers offices, the County Jail, etc.; that the County is a major employer in Downtown; that the Commission should examine the current system to move into the 21st Century; that City funds for the project are limited; that the SCAT Transfer Facility Downtown is more than a transier station; that bus stops would still exist at key locations Downtown even if the SCAT Transfer Facility moved to the Sarasota County Fairgrounds; that letters have been received from those who work with the handicapped; that a conversation was held with the former Chairman of the Citizens with Disabilities Advisory Board (CDAB) and the State American with Disabilities (ADA) Liaison for District 1 who indicated handicapped people would have to be retrained; that the retraining would have to occur regardless as a new SCAT Transfer Facility will not be the same as currently; that the location of the SCAT Transfer Facility does not make a difference; that making the system sensitive to the visually impaired by placing large letters on the front of buses took several years; that the project should be a cooperative effort between the City, other municipalities served by SCAT, the MPO concerning the Park and Ride Program, and the Transportation Management Organization (TMO). Commissioner Cardamone stated that the immediate problem is getting the correct information to the public. BOOK 48 Page 20302 11/07/00 6:00 P.M. BOOK 48 Page 20303 11/07/00 2:00 P.M. Commissioner Quillin stated that only the public has the incorrect perception. Commissioner Cardamone stated that the responsibility is to provide the best service possible for citizens who wish to use SCAT; that the concepts proposed must go beyond the present habits of the citizens; that the value of the remaining land after any development must be examined; that the land is key to the City; that Duany Plater-Zyberk (DPZ) indicated present-day buses in downtown situations are smaller, lighter, and do not emit fumes; that the trolley system is not working; that friends purchased property at Library Mews to have better access to Downtown; that the family was treated rudely three times by the trolley driver; that the understanding is driving a bus with no passengers is boring and undesirable; that not providing friendly customer service is easy; that the situation is being resolved but is a failure of the trolley system; that no people were on any of the three trolleys; that the trolley scheduling is difficult to understand; that the trolley system has some built-in failures; that the Commission insisted free rides be offered; that citizens do not want a free ride without knowing the destination; that the trolleys are large; that the understanding was the trolleys would be small and carry 20 people who could jump off and on easily; that these trolleys are as big and smelly as the buses and are now all over Downtown. Commissioner Quillin stated that the trolley system should be contracting with the hotels to get guests to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the beach, St. Armands Circle, and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Selby Gardens); that the trolley went to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium (Mote Marine) and had significant participation by the handicapped during the celebration of the anniversary of the signing of the ADA; that the trolley should go to Selby Gardens; that Selby Gardens and Mote Marine are key factors which attract people to take the trolley; that many people would take the trolley to Selby Gardens due to the difficulty in parking. City Manager Sollenberger stated that the trolley system was a concept from the Engineering Department; that the concept was of smaller vehicles but has become a tourist development route; that the route of one trolley will be converted to a back-and-forth route on Main Street; that' the concern is the project is meant as a demonstration but is not demonstrating the intentions of the Engineering Department; that the project will be viewed as a failure after funds for the project are depleted in 3 years; that people do not ride the trolley due to the looping routes; that people want back-and-forth routes rather than long looping routes; that the City will require consulting advice concerning the replacement of the approximately 80 parking spaces at the SCAT Transfer Facility; that elevated or structured parking will be costly; that a larger project must be evaluated. Commissioner Cardamone asked the reason the City would be required to examine replacing parking? City Manager Sollenberger stated that the Commission discussion concerns replacement parking spaces, which is one problem; that the proposed project should also be examined, in term of design and the potential to function as a parking structure; that an idea could be presented which could be as inefficient as the parking structure near St. Armands Circle; that no one can design anything so badly again; that the parking structure must be designed within certain parameters to work efficiently; that the City must ensure the parameters are included as part of the discussions with the County. Commissioner Cardamone stated that the County cannot leave the City a small portion of land in the middle of the lot if the deal is completed; that the property should be appraised. City Manager Sollenberger stated that the details will be resolved; that the City must employ assistance to ensure the transaction is done properly. Commissioner Quillin stated that creative use of the $1 million in any development could be considered if the City leases the land to the County; that the City may have to endure a structure which is detrimental to the long-term development of Downtown if a unified project is not developed; that the Commission may be able to pass the project to the next Commission 20 years from now; that 20 years is the life span of most projects; that the library was in place only 20 years before realizing something better was necessary; that the future Commission will have an opportunity to make changes by keeping the property in the control of the City if the outcome of the proposed SCAT Transier Facility is poor; that the proposed SCAT Transfer Facility will be terrible and not the best for the City and the Euture of the Downtown if not done correctly. BOOK 48 Page 20304 11/07/00 6:00 P.M. BOOK 48 Page 20305 11/07/00 2:00 P.M. 4. ADJOURN (AGENDA ITEM IV) #1 (1060) There being no further business, Vice Mayor Hogle adjourned the Special meeting of November 7, 2000, at 2:45 p.m. AHKL ALBERT F. HOGLEJ VICE MAYOR ATTEST: S0TA - R6 bnsen BI ROBIASN, CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK 7y 4 B a *