MINUTES OF THE STATUTORY SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 14, 1995, AT 12:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Nora Patterson, Vice Mayor David Merrill, Commissioners Fredd Atkins, Mollie Cardamone and Gene Pillot, City Manager David Sollenberger, City Auditor and Clerk Billy Robinson and City Attorney Richard Taylor ABSENT: None PRESIDING: Mayor Nora Patterson Mayor Nora Patterson called the meeting to order in accordance with Article III, Section 7 of the Charter of the City of Sarasota at 12:00 P.M. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 1. PRESENTATION RE: IN RECOGNITION OF COMMISSIONER ATKINS' 10 YEARS OF SERVICE ON THE CITY COMMISSION - A STATUE OF DAVID WAS PRESENTED TO COMMISSIONER ATKINS #1 (0000) through (0140) Mayor Patterson stated that the most remarkable moment about today is that the City Commission will no longer include Commissioner Atkins; that Commissioner Atkins was always a reminder not to take herself too seriously; that Commissioner Atkins was a leash on the City Commission whenever the discussion strayed from using common sense; that Commissioner Atkins brought a unique, honest, decent and common-sense perspective to the Commission; that appreciation for Commissioner Atkins' service was extended. Mayor Patterson presented Commissioner Atkins with a statue of David, the City symbol, and read the engraved dedication in its entirety. Mayor Patterson stated that Commissioner Atkins served as a City Commissioner from April 1985 through April 1995, served two terms as Mayor and was the first African-American Mayor; that she was proud to present the statue in recognition of Commissioner Atkins' 10 years of service. 2. REMARKS OF COMMIBBIONER ATKINS (AGENDA ITEM II) #1 (0141) through (0266) Commissioner Atkins stated the following: I did not write a speech and I did not have anyone write one for me either. I am truly thankful to God for allowing me to be. What I have gone through these last ten years has been the most amazing experience that God BOOK 38 Page 11772 04/15/95 12:00 P.M. BOOK 38 Page 11773 04/15/95 12:00 P.M. could do with a man. I know that without a God in me and around me there is no way that I could have survived this. And that has been the most amazing part about this, because 10 years ago I was not as sure as I am today. But I now know, without a doubt. And I just want to thank God first and foremost for choosing me to be me. And choosing me to be here. And choosing my family to be my family; my friends to be my friends; my community to be my community; my City to be my City. I am truly thankful. I have told people all over the world during the last 10 years that if I wanted to live somewhere else, I would be there. But I know that Sarasota is the most wonderful City in the world and I am glad to be a part of it now and into the future. I think that the City of Sarasota has been much easier to make policies for than many cities throughout the country where I have visited and experienced their problems through their locally elected officials. I want the citizens of the City of Sarasota to understand how blessed we are. We really are not representative of the rest of the United States. This is not the real world, ladies and gentlemen. Sarasota is a special place and we need to continue to make sure that it remains special. And the way we will be able to do that is to continue to work together, but do it even more so than we have in the past. We have a beautiful opportunity with the next Commission being sworn in today to take this City to the next level and that is our responsibility. We are more than responsible for the City of Sarasota. We, as community leaders, citizens, voters, non-voters and children in this community, must go to work, not only to maintain this quality of life, but also to enhance it. That is our goal. That is our charge from God. If we neglect doing that, we are reneging on our responsibilities; therefore, we are guilty. That is not fair to your children or to my children, to this community or to the world community. And so, I would just like to say thank you. Thank all of you. I enjoyed the fun. I enjoyed the pain. I am going to continue to struggle and, as I have always said, I am going to continue to do all the good that I can, for everyone that I can, for as long as I can. Thank you. 3. REMARKS OF OTHER COMMISSIONERS A COPY OF COMMISSIONER ATKINS . SPEECH TO BE PLACED IN CITY HALL (AGENDA ITEM III) #1 (0267) through (0452) Vice Mayor Merrill stated that the Commission will miss Commissioner Atkins who has been the spokesman of common sense; that Commissioner Atkins did not say much, but when he did speak, it was always succinct and to the point. Commissioner Cardamone stated that she appreciates what Commissioner Atkins has done for his community and for the entire City; that she will miss Commissioner Atkins' "cut to the quick" manner of speaking which says it all for the entire Commission. Commissioner Pillot stated that in 1967 he began his last year as Principal of Sarasota High School and Commissioner Atkins began his first year as a student; that it was a difficult year for everyone as the Booker High School had been closed and the students were sent to Sarasota High School; that one day there was an indication of a potential problem and Commissioner Atkins showed his integrity by walking away and refusing to participate in any disruptive behavior; that a teacher witnessed Commissioner Atkins telling students to learn to unite and make all schools good schools; that the teacher may have had a difficult time that day if Commissioner Atkins had not stepped forward. Commissioner Pillot continued that it was a privilege being Commissioner Atkins' high school principal over 25 years ago and that privilege has been enhanced with the opportunity of serving with him on the City Commission for six years; that he has enjoyed the privilege of sharing Commissioner Atkins' friendship and over the years his respect and affection for Commissioner Atkins has grown; that he hopes Commissioner Atkins moves from the Sarasota city Commission to the halls of Congress in Washington and continues to provide his good common sense, integrity, morals and the love of humanity which has been expressed at this table. Commissioner Pillot stated that Commissioner Atkins' eloquent speech presented from his heart should be posted in the hallway of city Hall. 4. SWEARING IN (AGENDA ITEM IV) #1 (0453) through (0519) City Auditor and Clerk Robinson asked Commissioner Elect Dry, Commissioner Merrill and Mayor Patterson to come before the Commission. Commissioner Elect Dry, Commissioner Merrill and Mayor Patterson repeated the oath given by City Auditor and Clerk Robinson and were officially sworn to serve the City of Sarasota as Commissioners of the City Commission. 5. REMARKS OF MAYOR PATTERSON (AGENDA ITEM I) #1 (0520) through (0609) BOOK 38 Page 11774 04/15/95 12:00 P.M. BOOK 38 Page 11775 04/15/95 12:00 P.M. Mayor Patterson stated that serving as Mayor of the City of Sarasota for the last year has been an honor and a pleasure; that many positive events have occurred during her four-year term with the help of the Commissioners, Staff, past Commissions and the hard-working citizens of the City; that during the past year, while serving as Mayor, the following projects were completed: 1) renovation of Main Street; 2) access from Main Street to the Bayfront, which Commissions have envisioned for many years; 3) solidification of plans for Central Avenue; 4) improvements to the Gillespie and Laurel Park neighborhoods. Mayor Patterson continued that the City has experienced difficult economic times in the last few years, but the tax rate was held steady; that the promise made over a year ago not to reduce staff has been kept and should be upheld during the upcoming years as the economy improves; that the city of Sarasota is light years ahead of Sarasota County in providing services and in considering the unique problems of an urban area; that the citizens must work together as it is important that the City survive as an entity; that it is important to provide tax relief for the citizens of the City who are the highest taxpayers in the County; that she promised in her recent campaign to continue working toward consolidating City services, where appropriate, and obtaining tax relief and equity from the County in the Sheriff's road patrol issue; that solving these issues is important to the survival of the City and is significant to everyone living in the County; that she is delighted to serve another four years as City Commissioner; that it is with some pleasure that she yields the leadership as Mayor. 6. SELECTION OF MAYOR = DAVID MERRILL ELECTED AS MAYOR (AGENDA ITEM V) #1 (0610) through (0641) Mayor Patterson passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Merrill and stated that she is honored to nominate Vice Mayor David Merrill as Mayor of the City of Sarasota. Vice Mayor Merrill asked for any additional nominations. Hearing no other nominations, Vice Mayor Merrill requested that City Auditor and Clerk Robinson proceed with the roll-call vote. Nomination carried unanimously (5 to 0): Cardamone, yes; Dry, yes; Patterson, yes; Pillot, yes; Merrill, yes. 7. SELECTION OF VICE MAYOR - MOLLIE CARDAMONE ELECTED AS VICE MAYOR (AGENDA ITEM VII) #1 (0642) through (0675) Commissioner Pillot nominated Commissioner Mollie Cardamone as Vice Mayor of the City of Sarasota. Mayor Merrill asked for any additional nominations. Hearing no other nominations, Mayor Merrill requested that city Auditor and Clerk Robinson proceed with the roll-call vote. Nomination carried unanimously (5 to 0): Dry, yes; Patterson, yes; Pillot, yes; Cardamone, yes; Merrill, yes. 8. REMARKS OF NEWLY SELECTED VICE MAYOR (AGENDA ITEM VIII) #1 (0676) through (0755) Vice Mayor Cardamone stated that she appreciates former Mayor Patterson's positive approach to City government and the accomplishments that have been achieved; that she has enjoyed the experience of working on the Commission for the past two years; that she would like to see the following issues resolved in the upcoming year: 1) the library issue which is 10 years old; 2) the John Ringling Towers issue; 3) the conference center issue which has been studied 7 times, each time resulting in a finding that the City probably needs a conference center; 4) the Sheriff's patrol and tax inequities issues; 5) the Ringling Causeway Replacement Bridge controversy which is in the forefront of the minds of many City residents; that if these five issues are resolved within the year, it would be one of the most successful years in the history of the Sarasota City Commission; that she looks forward to working with the Commissioners, especially Commissioner Dry who is a new person in her life. 9. REMARKS OF NEWLY SELECTED MAYOR (AGENDA ITEM VI) #1 (0756) through (0771) Mayor Merrill thanks the Commission for electing him to serve as Mayor; and stated that everyone in this room and on the Commission has the honor and privilege of living in the State's finest City, the Country's finest City and the World's finest City; that this Commission is dedicated to making this City even better. 10. CLOSING REMARKS (AGENDA ITEM IX) #1 (0772) through (0909) COMMISSIONER DRY: A. stated that she is looking forward to the challenges that this position brings and is proud to be a resident of the City of Sarasota; that she campaigned hard and had a strong and active team of people who assured her success in the election for the District 1 seat; that Commissioner Atkins and she are different people and bring different perspectives to the Commission; that she respects Commissioner Atkins' work on the Commission; that she looks forward to sharing her expertise, knowledge, integrity and commitment to the future of the City of Sarasota while serving as Commissioner; that she BOOK 38 Page 11776 04/15/95 12:00 P.M. BOOK 38 Page 11777 04/15/95 12:00 P.M. encourages all her supporters to stand beside her, not behind her; that all of the goals for the upcoming year will be met if the efforts made during the campaign continue; that she is proud that she has reached another goal in her life which is being the first African- American female Commissioner; that she thanks her family, club sisters, neighbors and friends who filled the City Commission Chambers today to support her. CITY MANAGER SOLLENBERGER: A. stated that he congratulates Mayor Merrill and Vice Mayor Cardamone on their elections today; that he congratulates Commissioner Patterson on her second four-year term and welcomes Commissioner Dry to her first term as City Commissioner; that he and staff thank former Commissioner Atkins for the 10 years of service and leadership he has given to the City of Sarasota; that the City of Sarasota is fortunate to have such high quality elected leadership. V. PETER SCHNEIDER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER: A. stated that he extends the same compliments and comments as City Manager Sollenberger. CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK ROBINSON: A. stated that he concurs with City Manager Sollenberger. CITY ATTORNEY TAYLOR: A. stated that he concurs with City Manager Sollenberger. 11. ADJOURN (AGENDA ITEM X) #1 (0910) There being no further business, Mayor Merrill adjourned the April 14, 1995, Statutory meeting at 12:34 p.m. DAVID MERRILL, MAYOR ATTEST: Billw & fobensen BILLY EA ROBINSON, CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK