MINUTES OF THE STATUTORY SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 12, 1997, AT 12:00 NOON PRESENT: Mayor Mollie Cardamone, Vice Mayor Gene Pillot, Commissioners Jerome Dupree and David Merrill, City Manager David Sollenberger, City Auditor and Clerk Billy Robinson, and City Attorney Richard Taylor ABSENT: Commissioner Nora Patterson PRESIDING: Mayor Mollie Cardamone The meeting was called to order in accordance with Article IX, Section 6(a) of the Charter of the City of Sarasota at 12:05 p.m. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. ADOPTION RE: RESOLUTION NO. 97R-974, CONCERNING THE CANVASSING OF RETURNS OF THE FIRST ELECTION OF MARCH 11, 1997; DECLARING OFFICIAL RESULTS OF SAME; DIRECTING THE CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK TO PROVIDE A CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION TO THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; ETC. = ADOPTED (AGENDA ITEM I) #1 (0001) through (0410) Mayor Cardamone stated that the Charter of the City of Sarasota requires this meeting for the purpose of declaring by resolution the official results of the election; that Marilyn Gerkin, the newly-elected Supervisor of Elections, is present in the audience along with members of the media. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson read proposed Resolution 97R-974 in its entirety which included the following: that the number of votes cast for the Office of At-Large City Commissioner was 2,462 with 309 absentee votes, resulting in a majority of 1,232 voters; and that the City Commission declares that Mollie Cardamone and Gene Pillot have been elected as City Commissioners At-Large for the City of Sarasota and will assume office on April 11, 1997, to serve for a term of four years each; and that the City Auditor and Clerk shall immediately provide a certificate of election to the successful candidates; and that the Statutory Meeting of the City Commission to install the re-elected At-Large Commissioners shall be held on Friday, April 11, 1997. BOOK 41 Page 14270 03/12/97 12:00 P.M. BOOK 41 Page 14271 03/12/97 12:00 P.M. On motion of Commissioner Merrill and second of Commissioner Dupree, it was moved to adopt Resolution No. 97R-974. Mayor Cardamone requested that City Auditor and Clerk Robinson proceed with the roll-call vote. Motion carried unanimously (4 to 0) : Cardamone, yes; Dupree, yes; Merrill, yes; Pillot, yes. Ms. Gerkin stated that the City election, which is her first election, proceeded smoothly. Mayor Cardamone asked the time frame in which the ballots were counted? Ms. Gerkin stated that votes from the first precinct were returned at 7:15 p.m. and the final count completed by 8:30 p.m. Vice Mayor Pillot expressed appreciation to Ms. Gerkin for attending this meeting; and asked the approximate number of registered voters in the City? City Auditor and Clerk Robinson stated that approximately 30,400 voters are registered in the City. Mayor Cardamone stated that voters from 18,500 households are registered in the City; that the City Auditor and Clerk projected a 15 to 20 percent voter turnout while she projected a 10 percent voter turnout; that voter turnout has ranged from over 27 percent in 1985 to a low of 16 percent in 1988 and usually averages approximately 24 percent of the total number of voters registered in the City; that the 8 percent voter turnout at yesterday's election was abnormally low. Vice Mayor Pillot stated that the Mayor was elected by 6 percent and he was elected by 4 percent of the registered voters; that the voter turnout is disappointing. Commissioner Merrill stated that the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that few controversial issues currently exist in the City; that most current Commission policies meet the approval of the electorate; that the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported the only criticism from the opposition candidate was that the Commission is not sufficiently fulfilling the promise to revitalize City neighborhoods. Commissioner Merrill continued that apologies are expressed to Vice Mayor Pillot; that an individual in his neighborhood passed around a flyer highly critical of the Vice Mayor. Vice-M Mayor Pillot stated that criticism from opposing viewpoints is not a concern. Commissioner Merrill stated that the flyer was written by an individual apparently offended by a comment made by Vice Mayor Pillot at the Commission table; that the criticism did not address policy decisions but rather was directed specifically and personally at the Vice Mayor; that personalized criticism significantly impacts election results when voter turnout is so low. Commissioner Merrill further stated that although each Commissioner represents different constituencies, the Commission is working well together; that the low voter turnout can be interpreted as a positive sign demonstrating the electorate's satisfaction with Commission performance; that the concerted effort to revitalize City neighborhoods should continue. Mayor Cardamone stated that the direction of the Commission has changed significantly in the last two years; that voter complacency can be attributed to a general satisfaction with Commission performance; that the City currently has no controversial financial problems which could negatively affect residents. Commissioner Dupree stated that the voter turnout may be attributable to the low profile nature of the campaigns; that few political signs were evident throughout the City; that many residents were unaware an election was scheduled on March 11, 1997. Mayor Cardamone stated that the election was not addressed by the media until three weeks after candidates had filed for eligibility. Vice Mayor Pillot stated that apathy results from an absence of strong discontent; that voter turnout is greater when the substantive issues generate sufficient interest to protest the incumbency of elected officials; that editorials in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune support the position that the campaign lacked controversy; that the leadership of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce was polled and the opinion expressed that no discernible problems currently exist in the City; that the lack of discontent does not make the 8 percent voter turnout any less of a concern. 3. OTHER MATTERS /REMARKS OF COMMISSIONERS: #1 (0411) through (0605) MAYOR CARDAMONE: A. stated that Commission support is requested to revise the Charter of the City of Sarasota; that the election process should be changed to provide two separate, distinct At-Large Commission seats such as "Seat A" and "Seat B"; that more interest and enthusiasm are generated when a candidate runs against a specific incumbent or when two new challengers vie for the same BOOK 41 Page 14272 03/12/97 12:00 P.M. BOOK 41 Page 14273 03/12/97 12:00 P.M. seat; that the intent is to agenda an item for discussion at a regular Commission meeting in May 1997. Mayor Cardamone continued that two seats sought by three At-Large Commission candidates could be won by a plurality rather than majority vote if two separate seats such as "Seat A" and "Seat B" are not created; that a second, run-off election between the three candidates who ran for the two seats in the March 11, 1997, election would have been decided by a plurality vote in the second election if two candidates did not achieve a majority; that developing two separate seats such as "Seat A" and "Seat B" for the At-Large Commissioners will eliminate the possibility of a plurality vote; that either the At-Large Commission seats should be separately designated or the regular election should be determined by a plurality vote, eliminating the requirement for a run-off election. Mayor Cardamone stated that the Growth-restraint Environmental Organization (GEO) encouraged the electorate to cast only one vote in this election. Vice Mayor Pillot stated that 20 percent of the voters cast only one vote; that the failure of two candidates to win the support of a majority of the voters requires a run-off election; that according to the GEO newsletter, either he or the Mayor would be voted out of office in a run-off if voters cast only one vote in the first election CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK ROBINSON: A. congratulated Mayor Cardamone and Vice Mayor Pillot and thanked Marilyn Gerkin, Supervisor of Elections, and the Staff of the Supervisor of Elections. B. stated that a joint workshop is scheduled between the city Commission and the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners from 4 to 6 p.m. on March 13, 1997, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Mayor Cardamone stated that the joint workshop should be conducted in an amicable manner; that the City and the County should realize the two governmental entities maintain a symbiotic relationship for which mutual cooperation is essential. Commissioner Dupree, City Manager Sollenberger, and City Attorney Taylor congratulated Mayor Cardamone and Vice Mayor Pillot on their reelection. 4. ADJOURN (AGENDA ITEM II) #1 (0602) There being no further business, Mayor Cardamone adjourned the special meeting of March 12, 1997, at 12:25 p.m. lslcin a MOLLIE C. CARDAMONE, MAYOR ATTEST: 3th Robe 867 BILSY BOBINSON, CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK BOOK 41 Page 14274 03/12/97 12:00 P.M.