MINUTES OF THE STATUTORY SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 16, 1999, AT 12:00 P.M. PRESENT: : Mayor Jerome Dupree, Vice Mayor David Merrill, Commissioners Mollie Cardamone, Albert Hogle, Gene Pillot, Commissioners-elect Carolyn Mason and Mary Quillin, City Manager David Sollenberger, City Auditor and Clerk Billy Robinson, and City Attorney Richard Taylor ABSENT: None PRESIDING: Mayor Dupree The meeting was called to order in accordance with Article IX, Section 5(c) 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. 1. REMARKS OF MAYOR DUPREE (AGENDA ITEM I) #1 (0040) through (0117) Mayor Dupree stated that service to the City in the positions of Commissioner, Vice Mayor and Mayor has been a privilege; that serving the City has been challenging; that working with the other Commissioners has been delightful, including former Commissioner and Mayor Nora Patterson; that Commissioner-elect for District 1, Carolyn Mason, and Commissioner-elect for District 3, Mary Quillin, will do an effective job as members of the Commission; that participating in City government on the audience side of the table is greatly anticipated; that being on the Commission side of the table provided insight on ways to convey information to the Commission; that a thank you is due all residents of the City, the Condominium Associations and Neighborhood Associations who assisted the Commission with the sometimes stressful task of managing the City; that the Commissioners have always exhibited mutual respect even if agreement may not always be possible; and referred to his lapel button with the slogan: The City Of Sarasota Is My City And I Am Proud Of It 2. REMARKS OF VICE MAYOR MERRILL (AGENDA ITEM II) #1 (0117) through (0155) Vice Mayor Merrill stated that appreciation is expressed to his fellow Commissioners with whom he has served, including Commissioner Pillot for eight years, Commissioner Cardamone for six years, and Mayor Dupree for three years; that appreciation is also extended to City Attorney Taylor, City Manager Sollenberger, City Auditor and Clerk Robinson, and the public; that the expectation eight years ago as a new Commissioner was of BOOK 46 Page 18190 04/16/99 12:00 P.M. BOOK 46 Page 18191 04/16/99 12:00 P.M. optimism; that service on the Commission for the past eight years has been an honor. Vice Mayor Merrill recognized his wife, Dawn, who was present in the audience. Commissioner Cardamone stated that the opportunity to say good bye to Mayor Dupree and Vice Mayor Merrill is appropriate at this time; that Mayor Dupree has been a friend for 35 years; that Mayor Dupree has become an outstanding politician; that working with Vice Mayor Merrill has been a pleasure. Commissioner Hogle stated that the many years of service of Mayor Dupree and Vice Mayor Merrill to the City is appreciated. City Manager Sollenberger stated that working with Mayor Dupree and Vice Mayor Merrill has been a pleasure; that each has contributed a great deal to the City; that the talents, wisdom and insights of both Mayor Dupree and Vice Mayor Merrill have benefited the City and the Administration. City Attorney Taylor stated that working with both Mayor Dupree and Vice Mayor Merrill has been a pleasure; that the caliber of the Commission is very high which makes for good working conditions. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson stated that working with both Mayor Dupree and Vice Mayor Merrill has been a pleasure; that the taxpayers have been fortunate to have Mayor Dupree and Vice Mayor Merrill on the Commission. Mayor Dupree stated that appreciation is extended to the Charter Officials and Staff for making all the City does possible. 3. SWEARING IN OF COMMISSIONER HOGLE, COMMISSIONER MASON AND COMMISSIONER QUILLIN (AGENDA ITEM III) #1 (0382) through (0433) City Auditor and Clerk Robinson administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Hogle and Commissioners-elect Mason and Quillin; and extended congratulations to Commissioners Hogle, Mason and Quillin. 4. SELECTION OF MAYOR - SELECTED MAYOR CARDAMONE (AGENDA ITEM IV) #1 (0526) through (0550) City Auditor and Clerk Robinson stated that the term of Mayor has expired and called for nominations for the position of Mayor. On the motion of Commissioner Pillot and second of Commissioner Hogle, it was moved to nominate Commissioner Cardamone for the position of Mayor. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson asked if there were any additional nominations. Hearing no other nominations, City Auditor and Clerk Robinson called for a vote on the nomination of Commissioner Cardamone for the position of Mayor. Motion carried (5 to 0): Cardamone, yes; Hogle, yes; Mason, yes; Pillot, yes, Quillin, yes. City Auditor and Clerk Robinson stated that Commissioner Cardamone is selected as Mayor of the City of Sarasota and passed the gavel to Mayor Cardamone. 5. SELECTION OF VICE MAYOR - SELECTED VICE MAYOR PILLOT (AGENDA ITEM V) #1 (0572) through (0588) Mayor Cardamone called for nominations for the position of Vice Mayor. Commissioner Hogle nominated Commissioner Pillot for the position of Vice Mayor. Mayor Cardamone asked if there are any additional nominations. Hearing no other nominations, Mayor Cardamone called for a vote on the nomination of Commissioner Pillot for the position of Vice Mayor. Motion carried unanimously (5 to 0): Hogle, yesi Mason, yes; Pillot, yes, Quillin, yes; Cardamone, yes. 6. REMARKS OF NEWLY SELECTED VICE MAYOR (AGENDA ITEM VI) #1 (0600) through (0640) Vice Mayor Pillot stated that today's swearing-in Commission meeting marks ten years and thirty days of service to the City as a member of the Commission; that the opportunity to serve the City is a privilege. 7. REMARKS OF NEWLY SELECTED MAYOR (AGENDA ITEM VII) #1 (0645) through (0831) Mayor Cardamone stated that she would like to say thank you to everyone for attending this swearing-in Commission meeting; that it's very heart warming and wonderful; that she would like to introduce her husband who is in attendance as somebody of whom she is very appreciative and would like to thank him publicly for his support. Mayor Cardamone stated that she prepared a series of remarks in the event she was chosen to serve as Mayor; that she would like to share with the audience some of the comments made in her written evaluation of the City Manager; that she would begin by saying that the City is enjoying fantastic redevelopment; that BOOK 46 Page 18192 04/16/99 12:00 P.M. BOOK 46 Page 18193 04/16/99 12:00 P.M. $400 million dollars worth of new projects are currently in process in the downtown and North Trail areas, including 850 residential units to be constructed; that the City of Sarasota must be the envy of most cities in America to have this much redevelopment effort; that the City Commission, City Manager and Administration have been very instrumental in facilitating this wonderful economic boom; however, the City has failed to address the very important goal of neighborhood revitalization with a plan of action; that while successful in creating better quality downtown housing for affluent citizens, little has been done to improve the dilapidated housing stock and problems of absentee ownership in troubled neighborhoods, particularly in the east and the north areas of the City. Mayor Cardamone continued that from attending campaign forums and reading campaign literature, the Commission is united in the idea of promoting better neighborhoods and the revitalization and rehabilitation of older neighborhoods; that the Commissioners are in total agreement that this is a goal of the Commission. Mayor Cardamone stated that on June 4, 1999, "The Neighborhood Plan" will be presented at a Workshop at 2:00 p.m.; that citizens are welcome to attend; that it is the City Commission's hope that the plan will address the walk-to-town neighborhoods, which was an expression used as kids, having lived on Irving Street just south of downtown; that walk-to-town neighborhoods are something that the City needs to focus on; that the fabulous revitalization of Laurel Park, a walk-to-town neighborhood, has been seen. Mayor Cardamone continued that in eight short years, the City has enjoyed a successful turnaround of Laurel Park; that the results are reflected by an increase in property values and tax base to the City by the remodelings, rebuilds and new construction; that the interest and the success of the streetscape project on Osprey Avenue and the zoning of the Towles Court live/work artist area cannot be forgotten; that the walk-to-town neighborhoods are really an issue the City needs to address; that the walk-to-town neighborhoods needing attention first are Gillespie Park and Park East, and the residential areas from Main Street to Tenth Street; that the Commission should designate this "The Year of the Neighborhoods in the City of Sarasota; that as the year draws to an end, the community should focus on identifying millennium neighborhood projects; that the Commission recognizes other neighborhoods also have needs and pledges continued support towards their on-going revitalization efforts. Mayor Cardamone stated that she will close with these comments, also from her evaluation of the City Manager: that overall the City is in an enviable position as compared with others of the same size in the State of Florida; that the City looks good and the citizens feel good and have a great sense of pride in being Sarasotans; that many nice compliments are received from long- time residents, from new residents and from visitors; that she certainly takes a great amount of pride and pleasure in serving as Mayor of the City. 8. REMARKS OF OTHER COMMISSIONERS (AGENDA ITEM VIII) #1 (0836) through (0950) COMMISSIONER MASON: A. stated that appreciation is expressed to the citizens in attendance today; that the swearing-in ceremony is just the beginning; that the Commission will require assistance continually; that the Commission must work for and with the citizens; however, the Commission will require the citizens to forward concerns to the City and attend Commission meetings to support the process of government, which is a partnership; that government is of the people, for the people and by the people; that citizens should hold government accountable sO government will hold the people accountable. COMMISSIONER QUILLIN: A. stated that appreciation is expressed to the citizens who came to the swearing-in ceremony; that the welcome the new Commissioners received is appreciated; that the hopes and desires of both newly elected Commissioners are well known due to door-to-door campaigning; that hearing the Commission is working on the "The Year of the Neighborhoods" and addressing the concerns to make the City a hometown of which everyone can be proud is wonderful; that the hope is citizens will turn out the next time the City requires assistance. COMMISSIONER HOGLE: A. stated that the April 12, 1999, Commission discussion meeting with the new and departing Commissioners afforded an opportunity for informal discussion concerning the future of the City; that the five City of Sarasota 2000 Goals are supported; that great confidence exists the Commission will move forward with the City's established goals. BOOK 46 Page 18194 04/16/99 12:00 P.M. BOOK 46 Page 18195 04/16/99 12:00 P.M. 9. ADJOURN (AGENDA ITEM IX) #1 (0956) There being no further business, Mayor Cardamone adjourned the regular meeting of April 16, 1999, at 12:30 p.m. Aacclane MOLLIE C. CARDAMONE, MAYOR - 3LLC E Rab : & LY SROBINSON, CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK 9 Fi